by Kimberly | Oct 10, 2015 | 31days
In a digital world, we are capable of hearing anyone speak from anywhere in the world anytime we care to.
But, I feel there is more to the “talk” when its live. I remember the first time I heard Louie Giglio, John Piper, and David Platt live. I remember hearing pastors week in and week out – those who were not only brilliant but also passionate and engaging and pastoral.
I can tell you that sitting with a friend, talking while sipping on chai, is much better than communicating via text (though if that’s all you have its awesome).
Also, when my husband travels for his work and we have to rely on calls, texts, or emails – it is a joy to hear him say hello in person when he returns.
Some people in the Bible got to have audible conversations with God. They also had people called prophets who were mouthpieces for God – communicating truth to the hearers.
David knew, as he was confessing his sin to a holy and just God – that the Creator would be justified in whatever he said, even if he chose not to respond. Truth that would be fitting to the situation.
Today, we have the voice of God in written form. It may not be quite the same as hearing God audibly, but the Word is living, active and purely true. We can stake our life on it. We can accept it. We need to cherish it. And I know I need to know it and love it more. And I will eagerly look forward to the day when I hear the voice of God – live in his presence.
Psalm 51:4
Others: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 19
by Kimberly | Oct 9, 2015 | 31days
In our world, I don’t know if there are many things that are out there that really help us capture what true justice is. There are ministries out there who are helping recapture what justice is – fighting for the lowly, the outcast, the hurting.
Our great God has great justice for those. He is also JUST. He is right. He is perfect. Everything He does is perfectly set in that truth. There is no injustice in Him.
That is why King David knows that no matter what the Lord says in response to David’s sin, confession, and praise – God is completely right in any response He would give – even if that was no response at all.
This is absolutely helpful to know in our world brimming with injustice. Every time we watch the news, get on social media, discipline our children (that’s not fair), we are faced with injustice. Isn’t it time we look to God and know his complete perfectness and rest in that? We can come to him with all the injustice that we see and know that He is working. He is working in the world. He is working in our lives to root out injustice and entitlement in us. He is working to see His justice in the world.
Psalm 51.4
by Kimberly | Oct 8, 2015 | 31days
I love practicing hospitality. I love welcoming people in my home, and into my life. I love deep friendships. Hospitality isn’t about cooking the best food or having the most comfortable guest suite or the classic Pottery Barn magazine look everywhere.
God doesn’t need any of that to welcome sinners. We just learned that God is holy and right in all that He does.
And at the same time, God knows our sin much better than we o and He still welcomes us. He bids us come. He desires that we be near Him.
How totally cool is that? God knows the ugliness of our sin – is holy – and welcomes us through Jesus to sit with him, learn from him, be loved by him, be healed through him.
Psalm 51.3-4
Further reading: Matthew 11:28 and listen to this song
by Kimberly | Oct 8, 2015 | 31days
Sometimes, life is more important than getting a blog together. I wrote yesterday’s post yesterday in my quiet time early in the morning – but the day got in the way. I had errands to run, we went for a hike as a family, then the gym and church. I was going to do it when I got home and the boys got to bed. However, I cooked dinner for my mister and did the dishes only to find out that the garbage disposal was causing a leak. So…it was a longish night, and I didn’t wan to type it up at midnight.
So you will get two posts today on the attributes of God found in Psalm 51.
I’ve learned more about sin, confession, and repentance in the four years I’ve been married and three years of being a mommy than all 34 years of life before that.
Sin affects you and the world around you much more than you think it does. It breaks relationships and hinders community and the shalom of your life. Sin damages and sin is at war within you.
I’ve learned my first (and natural, sinful) tendency is to blame shift. Traffic. Kids’ temper tantrums. Others’ incompetence. My husband’s sin. But, sin doesn’t wait on other’s sin to be active in my heart. Sin is deadly. The Spirit is the best warrior in my life fighting against sin.
Also, I’ve learned to confess to God. Usually, I’m just a confess to the person I’ve offended type person – and that is something that needs to happen. But, I need to confess to God first. Because first and foremost my sin is against God.
But, why is that such an important thing to remember? Because God isn’t like us. He created us in his image – but He is Holy. That means he is not dwelling in sin – there is no sin anywhere in him. He can’t sin. He is perfect. He doesn’t know sin intimately like we do.
And because He is holy – He can offer the solution for our sin – which He did. Jesus was completely perfect and He became our sacrificial – holy – perfect sacrifice.
Psalm 51:4
Other: 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Peter 1.13-21
by Kimberly | Oct 6, 2015 | 31days
The mister and I were talking last night about this series I’m studying and writing. I told him about yesterday’s post on generosity and how that’s one of the traits I desire to see in both of our boys and also how I want it to define our lives as well.
Then, almost as a discouragement, I said “this side of heaven we’ll never be generous with completely pure motives.” I’m often aware of the yucky motives that fill my head and heart. There are times when these motives surprise me and discourage me – apart from Christ. I know that Christ has redeemed me and the Spirit is working to sanctify all of me. It is such a long journey.
I doubt David – when he was in the fields with the sheep – thought to himself “I’m going to be a murderer and an adulterer when I grow up.” But, that is the deceitfulness of sin. Sin settles in on every part of our lives. No part is left unaffected. David had sin in his heart and blatantly stepped over the boundaries that God had set for sexual purity and protecting life.
David also would have been familiar with the sacrificial system of the Jewish religion. HE knew of the blood that was given during the sacrifices. He knew the stained alters and the stained hands. He also know that only one person could cleanse those stains.
And he believed in One who would later come from his family who would fulfill the forever requirements of the sacrificial system and take away every rebellious act and every way our lives are scarred by the affects of the Fall.
Psalm 51:1-2
Further reading: John 1:29, Exodus 29:38-46
by Kimberly | Oct 5, 2015 | 31days
I think every mom could tell you that one of the most difficult traits to “cure” your toddler of is selfishness. They always want their toys, their food, their way, “mine mine mine”, etc.
One of the constant reminders I give to one of my sons (no need for name calling) is “share your toys” and when I see the act of generosity take root in his little heart – even for a second – I comment him for that. When that generosity spills forth from his life – from our lives – we are shorting something of our heavenly Father to the world. We bear his image of abundance.
When David calls on God to act according to his character – he doesn’t just ask for mercy – which of course would be plenty – but David begs God that he would act according to his abundant mercy. To his overflowing, spilling out all over the place, no room left for any more, bursting at the seams mercy.
And you know what – God answers David’s prayer. He gives him this abundant mercy – extravagant mercy – generous mercy that he was asking for. And that’s what He did for us. God chose to radically and abundantly show us truly amazing mercy in the gift of Jesus. The one who birthed the stars was born of a virgin – in a stinky stall. All for sinners who would reject Him.
Oh, Father help me to be mindful of this outpouring the next time I’m tempted to be less than generous.
Psalm 51:!
For further reading: James 1:17, Matthew 7:9-11
“You can never love without giving.” – Amy Carmichael
