My Tears In Your Bottle

דִּמְעָה

TEARS...TEARS.  In times of suffering, the psalmist David asked God to keep a remembrance of all his sufferings in a bottle...

"You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?"  (Psalm 56:8)

Tear‐bottles were small urns of glass or pottery, made to contain the tears of mourners at funerals, and placed in the sepulchres at Rome and in Palestine. In some ancient tombs they are found in great numbers. Ps. 56:8 refers to this custom. (taken from Smith's Bible Dictionary)

In John 11:35 we have one short verse "Jesus wept".  We have a Savior who knows our pains and our trials.  Put your faith in Him today to take care of all your hurts.  See more of God's character here through my inductive bible study of the psalms.

IN THAT DAY

 In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, "HOLY TO THE LORD."  And the cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the bowls before the altar.  Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of hosts; and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them.  And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts in that day.

These are the last two verses of Zechariah.  My study comes to a close on this book and it was the richest experience of my life!  I mean REALLY--these last two verses say that during Jesus's Millenial Kingdom in that day everything--EVEN THE COOKING POTS will be HOLY TO THE LORD!!! 

In Zech. 14:10 the Word says "All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; but Jerusalem will rise and remain on its site from Benjamin's Gate as far as the place of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's wine presses."  IN THAT DAY, Jerusalem will be the in the spotlight, so to speak, and will be given supreme victory over her enemies for they are as the stones of a crown, sparkling in His land.  For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs (taken from Zech. 9:16 and 17). 

Psalm 50:2 says Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone forth. AMEN! and AMEN!  As Revelation 22 says, and we say COME, LORD JESUS!

The Shepherd and His Flock

In my Zechariah Precept Study, especially in the last chapters--I'm learning much about shepherds and flocks.  We already know that Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His flock.  There is a very close bond between a shepherd and his flock.  In John 10 it says the sheep know the Shepherd's voice.  The shepherd is also very protective of his flock.  In Zechariah 11 God tells the prophet to pasture the flock because they are doomed to slaughter. 

God also speaks of a worthless shepherd: this is reminiscent of an anti-christ.  This worthless shepherd will not care for the perishing, will not seek the scattered, will not heal the broken, and will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs (see Zechariah 11).

In the last days God will whistle for His people to gather them together for He has redeemed them (see Zechariah 10:8).  This verb for the word whistle is used with the signification of  a "pipe", alluding to the signal a shepherd gives with a reed or bamboo pipe to gather his flock.  What a loving Shepherd we have!  For more, go to the Zechariah Precept Study page.  There's also more to my list of God's Character here.

Living Stones

photo credit goes to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_stone

As I was studying scripture over the last few weeks I came across some verses that I can't get out of my mind.  They speak of "living stones" and The Living Stone (Jesus Christ).  Born again believers and followers of Jesus Christ are to also be living stones and our foundation is to be The Living Stone.  I've put the verses in their entirety here on the Sitting At His Feet page. 

As "living stones":

--we will not be disturbed because we believe;

--we are being tested;

--we are firmly placed;

--we are choice and precious in the sight of God.

So, speaking of a solid foundation--my precept study of Zechariah is getting more and more exciting every week!  My insights come from what will happen in the last days as the nation of Israel and the Jews will be "front and center"!  Find out more here (don't miss it!) on the Zechariah Precept Study page.  You will have to scroll to the bottom for the most recent entry.  Also I've been keeping up my list of God's Character here from my study of Psalms.

"KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS"

Revelation 19:16 says And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".  The Greek noun for KINGS in this verse basileus is a sovereign term meaning Christ will reign for ever and ever and is now a "King" Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6).  We have a righteous, sovereign God who will make His begotten Son, Jesus a King forever and ever!  This is exciting!!   Zechariah 6:12-13 refers to Jesus as "Branch".  I've elaborated a little bit on the Zechariah Precept Study page.  Also, I'm still adding to my God's Character list here.

He Has Called Me "Friend"

Wow! Really??! The Lord has called me His F R I E N D??!!  I learned in my Precept class that the word for "friend" in John 15:15 is a covenant term.  The Greek noun or adjective is philos meaning loved, dear.  To view the complete scripture of John 15:15 click on the Sitting At His Feet page.  Also, my list is growing on the Character of God through my study of Psalms.  Under the Zechariah Precept Study page, I added Week Three's insights about the first three visions Zechariah received from God.  This is getting more exciting every week!

His Voice

This week I have a lot to write about!  I was reading in Psalms this week and have been updating my list of God's Character here.  What the Holy Spirit impressed upon me this week was God' voice.  His voice is upon the waters and it thunders (Ps. 29:3), His voice is powerful, majestic, and breaks cedars (Ps. 29:5), His voice hews out flames of fire, shakes the wilderness, makes the deer to calve and strips the forests bare (Ps. 29:7-9).  Then in Psalm 29:11 God's people are given a promise: The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.  On the Sitting At His Feet page, I have recorded a verse that I love and that gives comfort and hope.  My Zechariah Precept Study page has been updated with my artistic (NOT!) and very childish drawings of Zechariah's first three visions :)

Rejoicing My Heart

This week I began my very first Precept Upon Precept study on Zechariah.  I knew I would be in for some great revelations, but I can't express the joy I have received from the Lord in discovering truth for myself.  I was told this is a seminary-level class and it does take much time and devotion to God's Word.  Psalm 19:8 says "The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes".  Truth be told, I had to consult four different bibles and a bible commentary to make sure I was on the right track, but the Lord was faithful in showing me through the Holy Spirit the Word for myself.  I have created a page on this blog titled ZECHARIAH PRECEPT STUDY where I am summarizing what the Lord is showing me through this study.  Also, I am still keeping up with my GOD'S CHARACTER list here through my continued study of the Word.  Here is the link for Precept Ministries where I purchase materials to learn God's Word by studying inductively.

His Right Hand

Father's Day brings to mind all the memories I have of my childhood about my Dad and my grandfather.  For whatever reason, I remember their hands....the hard work they did, the comfort they brought in the hugs I felt, watching the way a pencil was held in their hand while helping me with math or teaching me to write words in Italian.  In fact, I remember writing a poem about my father's hands and I think I gave it to him as a Father's Day present when I was a child.  Now, I watch how my husband uses his hands to work, to love, and to instruct our children today.  My Father in heaven has shown me ways He uses His hands, too.  Particularly I've noticed many verses about His right hand all through the ages of time.  I've listed some of these (there are too many to list) here on the Sitting At His Feet page.  There are several reasons God chose to use the words "right hand" in the scriptures.  Sometimes He uses it to show how He effects His will among men, of His working in their behalf, and/or showing His favor.  I've also been updating my "God's Character" list here. 

God is BIG!

I know the title for this post sounds child-like, but that's all I could think of when I was reading Scripture this morning.  Isaiah 66:1 says Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.  Where then is a house you could build for Me?  And where is a place that I may rest?  For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being, " declares the LORD."  Wow! Heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool--God is BIG!  The last sentense of Nahum 1:3 says "...In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet." Wow! The clouds are the dust beneath His feet--God is BIG!  I've updated my "God's Character" list here.  Also, I've included some insights from my reading of Psalm 11 and Genesis 1 this morning here on the "Sitting At His Feet" page.  I pray these postings will bring you joy today.

My List Is E X P A N D I N G!

I've started studying Psalms every morning.  While studying inductively, I've been marking every word pertaining to GOD.  By doing this, I'm learning so much and have updated my list for you here--under the GOD'S CHARACTER page tab.  To learn more about inductive bible study, go to this page--Precept Ministries.  I'm completely hooked on this method of bible study!  Another book I plan on studying this way is Proverbs.  You can learn much about love vs. lust, wickedness vs. righteousness, wisdom, etc. etc.  I will keep this blog updated on lists I make from Proverbs when I begin.

A Lesson In Faith

Ten years ago my husband and I got married.  Prior to that I was married and had two children in that marriage.  It was an abusive and unfaithful marriage.  During the process of my divorce 12 years ago, this man you see pictured introduced me to Jesus.  We married two years later.  Finally this week he was able to adopt my two children.  There is a verse of scripture that reminds me of what God has done for us: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15).  The last 10 years have been a roller coaster and a true test of faith where the adoption of my children by my husband is concerned--we went through long bouts of doubt, quietness from the Lord and also periods of peace and stillness knowing He is God and will "....work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28).  To make a long story (a 12-year long story) short, the Lord has grown my faith so much over that last 12 years!  It took 12 years for me to see the "light at the end of the tunnel" but God is not through with me yet--this I know!  God won't stop growing me until I am made more like His Son, Jesus Christ.  Click here to read two scriptures about faith that I have held on to over the last year in particular.  It's when I'm quiet, not disctracted by things of this world, and when I am Sitting at His Feet that I can best hear His voice an not harden my heart (Hebrews 3:7-8).

God's Character---A Running List....

I have created a new page on my blog titled "God's Character".  I've recently begun making a list about God inside my bible and decided to share it on my blog.  From time to time, I will update my list on this page.  It's a humbling thing to know God and His ways.  I invite you to click here and join me on this journey.

Balancing Busyness

"BALANCING BUSYNESS"??? Sounds like an oxymoron to me :) The first thing I do every morning is grab my coffee, check my bank statement, and do a 20-minute bible study (in that order---but I know it should be bible study first).  I just can't sit still and concentrate until I know what I've got to do is done.  May has shown itself to be SO BUSY already!  And it will just get busier as the weeks move on this month.  So, my desire to stay in God's Word is very persuing.  The problem is, there is so much to do FIRST (or so I struggle with priorities).  Satan likes to distract me from sitting down and reading/meditating on God's Word--the lies and deception start creeping in "The Lord knows you're busy...it's OK to slack off on reading just a bit" and so on.  I know the truth and I'm learning, through God's wisdom, to discern His voice.  Click here to see some verses the Lord has shown me about the "business of busyness" and balancing life as a wife and mother and the importance of Sitting at His Feet.

Persevering & Letting Go

My husband and I have found ourselves in a challenging "place" over the last several months: raising teenagers who are struggling between being children while striving for their independence. We look to God's Word for wisdom and guidance.  God has ALOT to say to parents and I am truly grateful for his instruction--Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance (taken from Isaiah 28:29) With that being said, it still is not easy because I have to deal with my flesh and my pride when, in turn, training up my children to be responsible adults.   Of course, I look to God for bible verses I can read to my children when they want to "go their own way" in hopes that they will listen and heed instruction.  These include:

(Prov. 4:1-2)Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
² For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.

(Prov. 8:32-33) Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.

(Ex 20:12)Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you

And, very important for me to remember is that I also play A BIG PART in this and have a crucial responsibility to carry out.  This is difficult when I am feeling mentally exhausted and discouraged by wayward behavior.  I know I MUST  watch over the ways of my household and NOT eat the bread of idleness (taken from Proverbs 31:27) I hope you'll click here to see the words the Lord has given me for encouragement and instruction.  I hope that by Sitting at His Feet you will be encouraged also.

The Character of God

In my inductive bible studies yesterday, I began to make a list of the characteristics of God which I've discovered by reading the book of Jonah.  I've learned quite a bit from this book (by the way...the entire book of Jonah is also found in the Muslim koran).  I love Jonah 3:6-10 and if you enlarge the photo above, you can read it for yourself.  Verse 10 says "When God saw their deeds that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them.  And He did not do it."  There's so much more to be said about the book of Jonah and I will probably share my findings/discoveries in more posts to come, but for now click here to see my running list so far of the character of God on the Sitting At His Feet page of this blog.  It is fascinating (to say the least) to discover things about the One who created me!

Worthy of the Calling??

Asking myself this morning "am I living a life worthy of the calling I have received"? "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle: be patient, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:1-2).  Click here to see more of my thoughts this morning Sitting at His Feet.

A Labor of Love

There's just something about foggy mornings that make you want to slow down and enjoy the Lord's blessings.  I long to be still in His presence.

My new blog is a labor of love.  

My intent is to pay close attention to that still, small voice and post these words that come from the Lord on the Sitting at His Feet page (tab) and pray they will be a blessing to you also.