Worship into the Week- The Righteous Live by Faith

 

Worship into the Week- The Righteous Live by Faith

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

The prophet is suppose to wait for God's 

revelation, which will be written down and made clear.

The righteous believer lives by their unwavering faith in God.

This is the opposite of how the proud and puffed up live

 in their own evil and self-reliant days.

This section calls for patience and waiting for God's timing.

We must trust in His faithfulness, 

especially when the world feels overwhelming

 with injustice and rampant evil.

"If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come;

it will not delay." v.3

In Chapter 2 Habakkuk gets God's response 

to his complaints about the wicked and unjust actions

 of the Babylonians. God promises He will eventually

 judge the proud, greedy and oppressive empire.

The reminder in verse 4 is often quoted in the New Testament,

"the righteous (just) shall by faith."

Our reminder too, when we want the arm of justice

 to move on our behalf.

Especially when we must wait for it.

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Twin Oaks Winery

 We were blessed to celebrate a couple of milestone birthday

 this summer at Twin Oak Winery in Bluemont, Virginia.

Extra care and attention was in order and we were 

well taken care of on this Sunday afternoon.

A special time with "original girls" 

for our family made a festive day.

Sun and grape vines and lots of laughter with great views.

A perfect day.

John and I love to see new beautiful spaces

 in the land of Virginia.

                      I was blessed to return for some more time 

here in this spot in September.

(This time to do work and planning.)

I highly recommend the day time 

view of the valley in the distant.

Twin Oaks is set up for a special occasion.

Sunset is kind of magical here.

 

A day away is a wonderful recharge time.

Newly remodeled with the touch 

of dear friend and owner Michele Spear.

18035 Raven Rocks Rd, Bluemont, VA 20135

Open Friday- Sunday

(Check times)

This spot is worth the journey 

to the Shenandoah Valley.

Worship into the Week- Eyes on Jesus

 

Worship into the Week-

Eyes on Jesus- Amos 6:1-7

This passage describes God's "woe" or His judgment 

to be placed on the complacent wealthy leaders 

of both Judah (Zion) and Israel (Samaria.)

Their lifestyle was focused on personal luxury and self-security.

They did not pay attention to the suffering of people 

around them and the warnings of God.

Their focus was only on themselves

and they did not use their money and power well.

Their arrogant ways led them to place a false trust

 in political and military security rather than God.

They were warned they would be the first to be exiled 

because of their hard hearts, indifference 

and moral indecency.

Oh my, this sounds like a parallel story to today's world.

A word for today?

Woe- self-focus always misses the mark.

A journey of faith keeps eyes on Jesus.

The life goal is to live and work to serve the Lord.

That is wisdom.

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Calendar Journaling- September 2025

 

Calendar Journaling- September 2025

Phrases from my daily devotions.

Reading Jesus Reigns in Me by Sarah Hornsby.

Word Log- picking out what words 

sort out at the end of the month.

Where do I need to pay attention?

Where is the Holy Spirit working in my life?

Where  can I see growth and maturity?

Where are the hard and sticky spots?

What do I try to cover up?

Lord, be with me in all that you are shaping

 and moving and refining. Amen.

Amen.

Worship into the Week- God Sees

 

Worship into the Week- God Sees

Amos 8:4-7

This passage in Scripture is a strong condemnation of greedy, 

wealthy Israelites and merchants who exploit the poor and needy 

thorough unethical business practices. They did wrong things 

like using dishonest scales and inflated prices. They did not treat 

the poor well with their debts. 

In this passage, the writer uses a basket

 of summer fruit to symbolize that judgment is imminent 

for the cruel merchants. Their love of materialism is evident. 

God swears that He will never forget their wicked deeds.

God sees and knows the heart.

He sees the rush to be done with Sabbath 

so they can sell again.

This section dishonors God and others.

The people need a big dose of kindness, 

honesty and fairness.

A wake up call for our modern day 

American world also.

Lord, help us.

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Worship into the Week- Seek the Lost

 

Worship into the Week- Ezekiel 34:11-24

The Lord God Will Seek Them Out

This section shares the image of God as the compassionate

"Good Shepherd" who will rescue, gather and restore His 

scattered flock, the people of Israel.

They have lived in a time of exile and hardship.

We move from failed human leaders - (the bad shepherds)

to God's plan. God's loving care is to 

seek the lost and heal the injured.

A new shepherd, Jesus, David's descendant 

will be set over them. 

God is committed to justice, care 

and the flourishing of His people.

We see the promise here to be fulfilled in Jesus.

God desires for justice and care to be balanced.

He will ask us how we carried 

this out in our earthly time.

Did we take time to find and care for "others"?

That may not be a popular choice these days.

As we sort things out here, 

we also know that we are never lost.

Our God always knows exactly 

where we are in our journey.

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Worship into the Week- Hold Fast

 

Worship into the Week

Deuteronomy 30:14-20

The Choice of Life and Death

Moses is talking to the children of Israel 

and is laying out the plan pretty clearly.

It is not far off in the heavens or across the sea.

"But the word is very near you. 

It is in your mouth and in your heart so you can do it."

See, outlined before you is the simple and easy choice.

You have life and good and and death and evil.

What do you choose?

God will bless you if you obey Him, 

love the LORD, walk in his ways,

and keep his commands.

"Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

 loving the LORD your God, and obeying his voice

 and HOLDING FAST to him, 

for he is your life and and length of days."

These are the final words of Moses to the Israelites.

God's Word is near- accessible- to them, 

and it is not too hard to understand or do.

This is the choice of every generation- 

obey and prosper or turn away and be exiled or excluded.

This covenant relationship with God comes with the weight

 and responsibility of an active choice.

We as new covenant people are also called to make these

 choices all day, every day.

It is simple- a step toward the cross 

or away from the cross.

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