Tuesday, May 6, 2025

I Left it in the Water....

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Something happened this weekend that surprised me as much as anyone....but, of course, there's a story...and I gotta start way back...get a cup of tea or coffee and settle in; there's a lot here, lol.

My faithful friends who have been reading the blog since I started back in 2008 have been with me through highs and lows and struggles and confessions...all the stuff of life.  So, some of this will sound a little familiar, perhaps.

My church believes in inner healing ministry.  I was first exposed to it back in 2002; our co-pastor, who would just be called the pastor's wife in many churches, led a ladies study of a book called Prayers that Heal the Heart.  That was a completely new area for me; the concepts of  identifying lies we'd believed and lived by, and forgiving ourselves and others for the messes those lies caused, were paradigm shifting.

I did the class twice.

Years later, the church offered a curriculum called 'Elijah House', which went deeper into the same subject matter.   I kinda felt like I had covered it well enough,  and there were one or two points that I had heard about in that curriculum that I wasn't sure I could agree with.  And, at the time, I was teaching two - three classes per week in the Girls' ministry, so I didn't have time to listen to the CD lessons, read the books, answer the questions, and attend a 5.5 hour class every other week for three months.  Nonetheless, there were folks who worked in that ministry who were ....strongly encouraging me to take the class.  'Everyone needs it!' They'd say.  

I dodged it for quite a while, but when the classes I was teaching ended in 2014 I didn't have a good excuse anymore.  So, just being honest, I took the first and second level classes, which were what was offered at our church, so I wouldn't have to fend off the encouragers, lol.  The classes were good; and yes, there was one particular area that I just could not fall in line with, but overall I did learn.  

I also went to Rita Springer's DIVE school that fall, and in the gift bag that all students got was a set of CD's of Gateway church's inner healing ministry.  I've listened to them two or three times through...and they are very good .

In 2018 or maybe early 2019, a couple of ladies from Bethel came and took us through a Sozo class...which is Bethel's inner healing model.  It was somewhat different from the Prayers that Heal the heart/ Elijah House model, and I would like to study that more; it had a stronger emphasis on helping others.

So... over the last 20ish years, I've had a good bit of inner healing coursework, and I came to the conclusion that inner healing basically boils down to 1) forgiveness...of ones' self, others who, intentionally or not, caused wounds, and even recognizing that it was possible to be offended with God over those things; and 2) dealing with the truth.

So, you can imagine my apathy towards a new class we implemented last fall, replacing Elijah House.  Based on the Freedom curriculum from Church of the Highlands, it's nine classes, with small group discussion and a workbook, followed by a conference at the end of the semester.  Our first class was last fall; I worked registration at the conference but could hear most of the sessions on the speakers in the lobby, even if I wasn't in the auditorium.  I was very impressed by one thing...there is a boatload of individual prayer ministry.  There are 7 short sessions, composed mostly of the teacher's own testimony of being delivered from (pride, anger, fear, etc).  Then...and this is the secret sauce...every single person in the conference is directed to the prayer line, where one of the trained prayer workers will talk the individual through identifying the particular lie related to that session, asking for forgiveness for believing and partnering with the lie, forgiving the individual(s) who caused or who reinforced the lie, renouncing the lie, and replacing the lie with the truth about that aspect of life from the scripture.  They ended the conference by having water baptism available for those who wanted,

By the time the conference is over, every single person there will have been prayed for, individually and intentionally, for anywhere from about 35 minutes to an hour.  THAT, my friend, is life changing.  Like I said, I was impressed.

But...you know, I've been through all this inner healing stuff before.  I really didn't want to do it again.  But our Wednesday night offerings were slim, due to construction in the building, and, again, I was getting lots of 'encouragement' from folks to go through the class, lol. And, to be honest, I had a bit of a nudge in my spirit that this was the opportunity, before I had classes to teach again, to do the Freedom class.  And maybe...just maybe...work through some of the disquiet I have been increasingly dealing with.  So I took a deep breath and signed up.  

If I were not familiar with inner healing by now, I probably would have had the same reaction to the course I had back in Prayers that Heal the Heart.  Now, I was reading along, answering questions, and writing out scripture verses with agreement.  Our small group discussion was warm and embracing and really good; I loved that.  We didn't just go through the lesson questions...like we did in Elijah House...we discussed the topics and how they related to our personal struggles. We talked about living out of self verses living out of faith, God's love and mercy, etc.

On Palm Sunday, our pastor did the altar time a bit differently; he specifically wanted just the staff pastoral team to do the altar time, so, he said, the leaders could take advantage of the prayer ministry instead of being the ones called upon to do it.  And, over the course of the message I finally put language to what I had been feeling in many areas...deep discouragement.  It's possible that the long-time readers may pick up on some of those areas, but there are a couple  that I haven't shared here.  I knew that prayer time was coming at the end of the class, and I was tempted to just wait and deal with it there...and then I thought, let's get this one taken care of now, so I'll have one thing out of the way at conference.   Just confessing the discouragement to my friend on staff who prayed for me felt like a shift.

The following Wednesday was  the next-to-last  Freedom lesson, which was the lesson that actually specifically dealt with those lies that shape how we see ourselves and interact with others.  Again, I've done it before so I was just cruising through the workbook, doing my homework before class, nodding at the illustration of dealing with the lie of worthlessness...until I got to the part that said 'Pray forgiveness over the person that spoke worthlessness over you.'...and immediately had a memory from when I was about 9 of something my grandfather said.  Followed by a few more things that he'd said as I grew older, followed by memories of things he didn't say.

I had internalized that message of worthlessness and, despite all the previous coursework, had never dealt with it fully.  Did some work that day...and my resistance to the process got a big crack.  Another shift.

Now I was really starting to believe I could see a change.  At Tuesday night prayer last week, before the conference, in which we have the freedom to walk around the sanctuary and worship and pray and personally take communion...I took my little communion packet to the balcony and sat down on the floor in the alcove behind the projection screen...and asked God to show me what I needed to deal with over the weekend.

I had three mental pictures, back to back, in short order.  The first appeared to be a storage unit...about garage sized...which was empty but the floor was littered with dust, grime, broken plastic bits, shreds of paper and cardboard, etc.  It was especially dirty in the corners and along the edges of the floor.  Empty...but not clean.  The second picture was the sludge in the bottom of my coffee pot, after the coffee is poured out.  The third was a big lump of Pla-Doh, which was rather old and stiff and just a little crusty.  By Friday, the day the conference started, I'd come to the conclusion that  I needed a fresh start.  All the old positions I'd held, ministries I'd worked in; projects or productions I'd worked on...that were now not involving me for one reason or another...I needed to Let. Them. Go.  I was no longer going to be the former (whatever) or the sometimes (other job) or looking for opportunities to bring back one spot or another.  It's all OVER.  Time to move on.

And you know, I got several confirmations in that prayer time over the weekend of fresh vision, new opportunities, moving on.

I went home Saturday evening feeling encouraged and on the verge of something new.  This year they did not have a baptismal service at the end of the conference, because our every-other-month regular church baptism service was Sunday, the very next day.  They were signing people up for that  at the conference.  And I found myself considering signing up for baptism. 

Now, I committed my life to Jesus and was baptized just before I turned 10.  I remember it; I was sincere.  I grew up loving Jesus and, while there are definitely moments that I wish I had made better choices, they were of the humiliating variety, not the life altering variety.  I had worked through some areas of disappointment and not understanding.  I never felt like I needed to do a rededication or a rebaptism...not even when I went to Israel and could have been baptized in the Jordan river. So my first reaction to that idea was to scoff at it.  But I couldn't shake it. That evening,  I talked to my hubby about it and he was supportive. Finally...since I had the power as the data base admin...I signed myself up and went to bed.

And...interesting...when I went to Israel I came very close to getting a small tattoo.  The only thing that prevented it was a terrorist attack that closed the gates to the old city so we couldn't get to the 600 year old tattoo business. The night before we were scheduled to go, I had a very odd sensation that, the next morning, I would be changing the definition of myself by getting a tattoo.  When I went to bed after submitting the registration form I had the exact same emotional reaction...that, with the morning, my perception of myself would change.

I was actually working registration for baptism, so I was last on the list.  Of course, my hubby's camera glitched out on him as he was taking photos, but the church photographer got pics.


And I do feel like there has been a shift.  I have no idea what...if anything outside of just abiding in God's love...is in the near future.  But I don't have to worry about it.  I left that in the water.

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Proverbs Part 7

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't matter how long it takes....although I do admit to being kind of ready to hit some continuity again.  But, Proverbs jumps around so grab your pogo stick and jump with me...we are in the last third of Proverbs, looking at verses containing 'Heart/ hearts'.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.  -- Prov. 21:1; 'heart' is the familiar Strong's H3820, Leb  - inner man, mind ,will, heart, understanding.

At first glance, this sounds like God just pulls puppet strings to make kings behave as he wishes...which flies in the face of the doctrine of free will. But it could be that this passage is referring to THE king...likely Solomon...who, at least at the moment the proverb was written, had committed his heart to God. That could easily be a prayer of my own...that God would direct my heart according to his desires.  But it could also be referring to the fact that God does direct history towards his purposes, ultimately, even allowing for free will of individuals.  We can see in the accounts of the history of the Israelites that when the king's heart was turned towards God, coming judgement was delayed.

All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. -- Prov. 21:2; 'Heart' is the literal Hebrew word for 'heart', Strong's 3826, libbah. It's crazy but that's only the 5th time we've seen this word used so far in the whole study...

This is another reference to self-deception, I believe.  God knows the true motives...regardless of how each of us spins our own actions to make them seem reasonable to us.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin! -- Prov. 21:4 'Heart' is, again, H3820.

However,  the word translated 'lamp' is H5215, nir, which means 'untilled or fallow ground'...it's the same word used in Hos. 10:12 'break up your fallow ground'.  That throws a whole different spin on that verse. Before I checked the interlinear, I was going to talk about the 'Lamp' of the wicked meaning the light by which they see; their pride distorting everything.  But the haughty look and proud heart as fallow ground...untilled, unprofitable, unbroken ground...that carries the connotation of a stubborn refusal to work that soil.  Whichever way that comparison goes, there is no mincing of words here... it is sin. With an exclamation point in the NIV.

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. -- Prov. 22:11 ; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

This is a person of integrity...pure heart, gracious speech.  If you read this from the viewpoint of the king, who likely wrote it...this is the kind of person the king wants for his friends; it's the kind of friends anyone would want, but especially those in positions of power.  This is a trustworthy individual.

Oh, this one is a hot potato:

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.  -- Prov. 22:15; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

Let's take the, um, least controversial approach here and just say that the 'rod of discipline' represents unpleasant consequences...you can interpret that as you will.  The truth is that, unpleasant consequences will bring about changes in behavior...if applied consistently and fairly.  Unfair or inconsistent discipline results in...rebellion.  The degree of ...unpleasantness...needed depends on the child.  Some very sensitive kids respond to a stern rebuke; others need a more emphatic consequence.  But the point is that, without discipline, that foolish bent will never be corrected.

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.   -- Prov. 22:17-18; 'Heart' is H3820 in verse 17, and, in verse 18,  H990, beten (belly, womb, body.) ...'heart' was clearly selected as 'center of the body', which is a very minor stretch.  

I get the notion of acting out of the gut feeling...which is influenced by the teachings of the wise. If one pays attention, listens, considers well wise teachings, then those teachings get down deep into the individual...to use a common illustration, when the pressure's on, those teachings are what will come out.  And NOTHING is as gratifying to a teacher/ mentor as hearing those wise teachings applied in a timely fashion by the student.  It is, indeed, pleasant to hear those lessons repeated back in real time.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Proverbs, Part 6

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Running a bit late again; still in recovery mode after a really busy weekend last week.  But...hanging onto the schedule by my fingernails; here's a look at the verses containing the word 'heart/ hearts' in Proverbs. 17 - 20:

We jump right into it:

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.  -- Prov. 17:3; 'heart' is H3826 Libbah, which is actually the feminine noun for 'heart'.  If my count is right, this is the 4th time we've encountered this word.

This verse refers to the smelting process that purifies fine metals, and indicates that it is the Lord who refines the heart, removing impurities.  By the analogy, one could conclude that the process of testing/ refining the heart is an...uncomfortable...process. But the result is something in which the Lord can see himself reflected.

A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue s deceitful falls into trouble.  -- Prov. 17:20; 'heart' here is the familiar H 3820, Leb, inner man, mind will, heart, understanding. 

But we all know folk who have a twisted, unbalanced perception of the world who nonetheless seem to manage to amass fortune and favor, so is this right?  Ultimately...yes.  We have a tendency to look at things from a materialistic point of view, but God does not.  All the fortune and favor the world can offer doesn't match up to one who is secure and contented in God's purpose, and that doesn't even take into account the final judgment, in which all that fortune-and-favor will count for exactly nothing.  

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17:21; 'heart' is H3820 again.

I remember reading somewhere, quite a while ago, that one of the best indications of who would do well in a cancer battle was the individual's attitude.  All else being equal, someone who had a positive outlook had a statistically significant chance of a better outcome.  It really is true...a cheerful heart IS good medicine.

Before his downfall, a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.  -- Prov. 18:12; 'heart' is once more H 3820.

This is interesting; the verse reads as if  honor is a result of humility, but downfall comes not as a result of the proud heart, but suddenly and unexpected, the 'proud heart' being a symptom of cluelessness of the pending disaster.  Perhaps a proud heart is over-confident and doesn't consider what could go wrong?

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, the ears of the wise seek it out. -- Prov. 18:15; 'Heart is, again, H 3820.  

This is one of the prime themes in Proverbs...the heart that seeks knowledge/ wisdom/ understanding.

A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. -- Prov. 19:3; 'Heart' is, once more, H 3820.

This is the truth.  Bad decisions, selfish ambition,  short sighted pleasure seeking...all of it adds up to yield a life of struggle...yet God gets blamed.  And it's the heart that's angry at God; that anger may not be detectible to most folks, but it's deep and it's there.  One who owns his (or her) folly is near to repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.  

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.  -- Prov. 19:21; once again, 'Heart' is H 3820.

Another theme we have touched on before...a person can make all sorts of plans, but ultimately God will do what he has planned.  It's interesting...it's not necessarily the EVENTS that are determined, but the PURPOSES.  God may change the circumstances, owing to an individual's free will, but the purpose will be accomplished...one way or another.

The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.  - Prov. 20:5; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

Interestingly, the King James (which is the default translation in the lexicon) renders it 'The counsels of a man's heart...', which kind of shades the meaning a bit.  The word used there is etsah, Strong's H6098, which means 'advice; by implication, plan; also prudence: -- advice, advisement, counsel(-lor), purpose'.

Given the verse we looked at just above, it seems to me that the KJV seems to make a bit more sense...the idea of pulling counsel or advice out of folks...that someone with understanding will see the value in listening to counsel.  Just for grins, I checked the Amplified, and it reads "A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well, but a  man of understanding draws it out."...which aligns with the idea that a person of understanding will draw on the wisdom of others...because not everyone is willing to share a perspective, or maybe not everyone considers his/her perspective worth sharing...but someone with understanding will always pull that from those around him/her.

Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?"  -- Prov. 20:9; 'Heart' is, once again, H3820.

And, wow, what a verse to end on...the rhetorical question that has all the hearers looking at their feet...none of us have succeeded in keeping our own hearts pure.






Saturday, April 19, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Proverbs, Part 5

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Trying hard to squeeze the blog post in the midst of a very busy weekend, lol.  I'm going to make it easy on myself and just look at Proverbs 16, in which we find 5 verses containing the word heart/ hearts...at least, in the 1984 edition of the NIV translation.

And we hit it right away in verse 1:

To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.  'Heart' is the most frequently seen Hebrew word, Strong's 3820, Leb - inner man, mind will, heart, understanding.

Ok, this verse...is odd.  I looked up the Hebrew for all of it, and right off discovered that we have a word in this verse that is unique...this is the only place Strong's H4633 maarak is used, although the root word from which it is derived, Strong's H6186, arak, is used several dozen times..  Maarak is noun; arak is a verb, meaning to arrange, set or put or lay in order; set in array; prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare.  So it makes sense that the noun derived from this would be plan, counsel, arrangement,...and there is a note that indicates that Prov. 16:1 is a plural constructions, so...plans, counsels, arrangements.

My paraphrase is...The heart of man makes plans, but God has the final say.  And that is absolutely a paraphrase, but it does make sense.

I should not have said I was 'making it easy on myself', lol.  Moving on...

The LORD detests all the proud of heart.  Be sure of this:  They will not go unpunished. -- Prov. 16:5: 'Heart' is H3820 again.

Again, an interesting verse.  My first thought was that punishment is usually connected with the wicked, but here...it is the proud who are guaranteed punishment.  And, in our current society, pride is not considered so terribly sinful.  So I looked up the Hebrew here, too, and found that 'proud' is Strong's H1362, gaba - high, proud, haughty.  I also found that 'be sure of this'...the phrase in the NIV...is actually 'hand joined in hand' in the Hebrew.  Idiomatic speech?  Or is it a reference to deal making...joining hands or, as we do now, shaking hands.  

I dug through and came up with "All proud Hearted  (are an) abomination (to) Yawheh, hand (to) hand be cut off not unpunished."

Suddenly I realized that 'hand to hand' does indicate a deal struck or an assurance that the proud hearted would be cut off and not unpunished.  So that does make sense in an idiomatic way.

But it occurred to me that God is not the subject of the verb in the Hebrew..as in the NIV, which reads 'The LORD detests' (NIV); in Hebrew, the subject is the Proud... 'The proud in heart are an abomination to the LORD'.  That's a pretty subtle difference, but I do think it is worth noting.  I think we have a tendency to subconsciously blame God for the offense sin is to him.  But I believe the nature of sin...whatever it is...is so opposite to the nature of God that it cannot come into his presence.  Like...what happens if you try to bring darkness into light?  It can't be done.  The nature of light dispels darkness.  The nature of God obliterates sin...and anything hanging on to it. And a proud heart, that refuses to heed/ submit/ consider God or his word...what hope has that heart of the necessary repentance?  No wonder it it an abomination to God.

Whew.  This is heavy stuff today...

Next...

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps -- Prov. 16:9; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

This is basically a repetition of the thought in the first verse...Man makes plans, but God in still in charge.  Recovery after the workout, lol.

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. -- Prov. 16:21; once again, 'Heart'  is  H3820.  There is a marginal reading noted in my NIV...pleasant words make a man persuasive.  Seeing the notes; I'm going to go ahead and list the last verse for today as well..

A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction -- Prov 16:23; heart is still H3820, and the marginal reading is ...heart guides his mouth, and makes his lips persuasive.

These two verses really say the same thing; wisdom resides in the heart and manifests in speech. The fine line between instruction and persuasion probably doesn't matter much here.  One who listens to a wise person will receive the instruction and be persuaded to follow it.

A blessed Resurrection Sunday to all!

Friday, April 11, 2025

Blogging Bible Study - The Heart of the Matter: Proverbs, part 4

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


We are midway through Proverbs on our look at 'heart/ hearts' as translated by the NIV 84, and, as there are several reverences in chapters 14 and 15, that's our portion for this week's study.  And, as expected, these verses don't possess any kind of continuity, so it is a challenge to dig into this...but perhaps it's not meant to be too deep.

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.  - Prov. 14: 10; 'Heart' is  our old friend Strong's H3820, leb- inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.

This is an interesting proverb, one that I really hadn't paid much mind to before.  But...yeah,   The emotions of the heart are...in the heart.  We can try to express it; we can try to understand someone else's emotions, but ultimately, it's only fully expressed in the heart.

Another cheerful proverb...(koff koff)

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. - Prov. 14:13; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

A fickle thing is our heart; to go from one extreme to the next in an instant...or even experience two conflicting emotions at the same time.  Especially in times of grief.... such as happiness for a current situation while still missing the person who, for whatever reason, is not present.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. -- Prov. 14: 30; 'Heart' is, again, H 3820.

It is interesting that the state of the emotions (heart) is stated as having an effect on the physical body, even as long ago as Solomon's kingdom.

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. -- Prov. 14:33; ....H3820 again.

There is some discrepancy about the translation of the second statement; some read as the NIV...that wisdom is even found among fools;  but some translations indicate that what is in the fool will make itself known.  I think both things are true.  Wisdom is always available to anyone who decides to pursue it...even someone who has been in pursuit of folly.  And for the person who continually chooses folly...the contents of his/ her spirit will be manifested.  Either way.  But...for someone who develops that spirit of discernment...wisdom is easily accessible.

On to chapter 15.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. -- Prov. 15:7; you guessed it - H3820.  

A fool's heart does NOT spread wisdom.  There is none there to share.

Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD -- how much more the hearts of men! -- Prov. 15:11;   'hearts' here is Strong's 3826, liba -- heart. (feminine noun).

In the Hebrew, 'Death and Destruction' are literally places...Sheol (H7585) - hell, grave, the pit;  and Abbadon (H11), the place of destruction, ruin.  If God can see into these places, which are not of this world...how much more easily can he see into the hearts of people, which are right here?  And that whole 'God knows my heart' thing...Yes.  He does.  Absolutely and without deceit.  He KNOWS.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.  All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.-- Prov. 15:13-15;  all three references are H3820.

Spirit crushing heartache is contrasted with the cheerful face because...it shows.    Even if we try not to let it show...it slips out.   Which also means we need to be aware of the countenance of those around us who might need a bit of encouragement.  A fool feeding on folly is contrasted with a wise person seeking knowledge...the heart desires to increase what's there.  And a cheerful heart can even overcome oppression....which reminds me of Corrie Ten Boom's sister Betsy, who found something to rejoice about in every situation...even the flea infestation in their barracks, because the German guards would not come in, due to the fleas, and the ladies could have their precious Bible study times undetected.

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. -- Prov. 15:28; H 3820 again.

Oooo....how quick am I to spout off the first thing that pops into mind?  That has gotten me into hot water more times than I can count...I am learning, far too slowly, to weigh my answers.

And the last verse for today...

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.  -- Prov. 15:30; H3820 again.

A true observation if ever there was one.

Friday, April 4, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: the Heart of the Matter - Proverbs, part 3

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Verse 1 in chapter 10 of Proverbs begins "The proverbs of Solomon:" ...and we begin a journey through a rather random compilation of Solomon's wise sayings; some of which get repeated.  We're not really going to be dealing with a general train of thought, as we were in the earlier chapters we covered.  So I'm just going to take the next 7 verses that mention heart/ hearts  as 'all I can manage today', lol.  Our first stop is Proverbs 10:8 - 

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.  'Heart' is Strong's H3820, leb- inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding; which is the most common Hebrew word that we have seen.

This is a common device for Hebrew poetry...a phrase that is stated, and then either confirmed or contrasted.  We will see (statement) and/ but (statement) over and over again as we look at these proverbs.  

Remember the earlier posts in Proverbs, in which we found that the heart is where instruction is either embraced or rejected...this is echoing that.  One whose heart has wisdom to accept instruction is compared to someone who babbles his own mind instead...and has a less than desirable outcome. 

Moving on to verse 20 of the same chapter:

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little valueHeart is H3820 again.  

'Tongue of the righteous' would mean the words, speech, or teaching from a righteous person...contrasted with the heart (where wisdom is embraced or rejected) of a wicked person.  One has great value...the other has little.  Interesting that these two proverbs flip the discussion; the first is heart vs speech; the second is speech vs. heart.

The next one is...ominous...

The LORD detests men of perverse heart but delights in those whose ways are blameless.   -- Prov. 11:20; Heart is H3820 again.

Now we have God's perspective on the heart...and having a perverse (H6141 -Iqqes: Twisted, distorted, crooked, perverse, perverted) heart is, well, a problem.  How do we reconcile that with 'God is love?'   The word the NIV translates as 'detests' is H8441, toeba -- a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable.  It might be a shade more accurate to say 'A perverse heart is an abomination to the LORD', which is pretty close to the King James.   That actually makes the action of the statement on the heart...it's the perverse heart that's doing the thing; it wasn't initiated by God.  If a thing is detestable, abominable...then the reasonable reaction is to despise, detest, abhor that thing.  However, the ball is in the heart's court.  God does provide a way to correct and renew a perverse heart....and thus become a delight.  This isn't two different people here...it's two different life choices.

Pauses to think on that a moment before continuing...

I  am quickly coming to expect that any verse with 'heart' in it in Proverbs is going to expound on the same theme.

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. -- Prov. 12:20; 'Heart' is once more H3820.

Deceit and joy seem to be different kinds of things...like, deceit is an action while joy is an emotion or experience.  How does our impression of 'deceit' (H4820 - mirma: deceit, treachery) change if we consider it to be a state comparable to 'joy'?  As in, deceit has an effect on the individual...comparable to the effect of joy?  Deceit as an emotional state?  The result upon oneself from plotting evil...planning wrong doing...  I am suddenly reminded of a post I recently saw on social media, talking about a particular actor who was constantly in character of the villain he portrayed (I am deliberately being vague to avoid search engine hits) .  Problem was, that character was so dark and so twisted that the actor couldn't shake it off...and died of a drug overdose soon after completing the filming.  Even actual pretend evil...had a horrible effect.

A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.   Prov. 12:23; 'heart' is H3820 once again.  

This brings to mind a modern proverb...maybe from Will Rodgers?...'Better to keep one's mouth shut and be considered a fool than to start talking and remove all doubt.'  This one is hard, for one who has just discovered she's in the half of the population that has a continuous inner narration going on.  I have words  coming out my ears, lol, and too often I have spoken when it would have been much better to hold my peace.  In those cases I usually didn't have all the background info, or I had heard something out of context, or whatever, and by talking I proved that I didn't know squat about the subject. Because it was a heart-level ignorance.  Folly.   Ouch.  Humiliation is bitter...but it isn't fatal and can be educational.  If we allow it.

An anxious heart weights a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.  Prov. 12:25; 'heart' is ...you guessed it...H3820.    

Another video I recently saw on social media (Facebook Reels is a bottomless time-sucking pit, but there are some gems there.  I'm not sure if that's good or bad...) made the point that studies have shown that all it takes is 8 minutes with a friend to help pull someone out of a anxious spot.  "Do you have 8 minutes?" became, to the individual and a friend, a code phrase meaning...'I really need an encouraging word right now'.  I think that's a great idea. Encouragement is a gift...and it doesn't cost anything but  a few minutes of time.

The last verse for today is Prov. 13:12, which is a familiar one:

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Of course, 'heart' is H3820.

Funny thing about humans, though...we focus on the deferred hope and kinda ignore the fulfilled longings.  Sure, there are things that I have been hoping for ...for years...and if I focused on those things I could get very, very blue.  But in so many ways I am living my dream...and I tend to take that all for granted. The antidote to the 'hope deferred' illness is...gratefulness for the fulfilled longings.  

And that is a good selah spot to stop for this week...



Friday, March 28, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Proverbs, Part 2

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Well, our little trek through the Bible looking at verses the Exhaustive Concordance based on the NIV 84 lists as containing 'Heart'/'Hearts' has us solidly in the book of Proverbs.  We're looking today at the rest of the chapters covering fatherly advice to a son, picking up in chapter 5, where the senior is envisioning what the young person will say after spending a lifetime of indulgence and waywardness (specifically if he gets involved in a relationship with an immoral woman)

At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.  You will say, "How I hated discipline!  How my heart spurned correction!  I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. -- Prov. 5: 11-13; 'Heart' is Strong's H3820, Leb, which is one of the two most common words for 'heart' -  inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding. 

It's interesting that, while the passage goes on to encourage marital fidelity, 'heart' is not in that discussion...although 'love' is mentioned in verse 19.   But 'heart' is seen as the place of either embracing or rejecting instruction.

We have several 'heart' references in chapter 6; gonna list them all together and then discuss.

A scoundrel and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart --he always stirs up dissension.  Prov. 6:12-14; 'heart' is H3820 again.

In the list of things that God hates (Prov. 6:16) -- 

a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,  -- Prov. 6:18; 'heart' is H 3820.

Encouragement to pay attention to one's elders:

My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.  Prov. 6:20 - 21; 'heart' is, again, H3820.

And, warning again against an immoral woman,

Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes  -- Prov. 6:35; 'Heart' this time is Strong's H3824, lebab, the other most frequently used word - inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.

Mostly in chapter 6, we see warnings against people with bad character...with an emphasis on avoiding getting involved seduced by someone with low morals.  The text is specific about a immoral, seductive woman, but I think that's because it's aimed at a son.  It would apply equally for a daughter to avoid being seduced by some guy who offers her ...something other than a marriage covenant...in exchange for her affections.  Remembering ...and following...the wise instruction of one's elders can help avoid such traps.

Moving on into chapter 7, we have a repeat of that charge

Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.  bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.   - Prov. 7:2-3 ; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

And, also an echo of the warning against the seductress

Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. -- Prov. 7:25; heart is once more H3820.

So. Many. Warnings against falling into a relationship with an immoral woman.  I have to think it was a real issue.  Especially considering that Solomon himself was not immune to the influence of women.  Was this Solomon instructing his son in a  'do as I say not as I do'?  Was it David's instruction to Solomon, that Solomon eventually forsook?  Or the general writing of other authors who observed the whole mess and wanted to use it as a warning?  In any case, it is still sound advice...a person who genuinely cares for another will not take advantage of that person.  In any way.  If there is an individual who is trying to wheedle or seduce his or her way into a too intimate relationship... consider it a red flag.  

Remember what your parents taught you.


Friday, March 21, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Proverbs, part 1

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Well,  our tour through the Bible looking at verses containing words the NIV 84 has translated as 'heart/ hearts' has brought us to the book of Proverbs, which is going to be rather disjointed, I think.   Proverbs itself is rather disjointed, being a collection of wise sayings, and generally speaking (there are a few exceptions), one verse really does not relate to the one before or the one after.   So I decided to just kind of see if/where any natural selahs hit...but, in the interest of not spending another 5 months in one book I am going to try to squeeze in as much as I can.  I found,  if I counted my scribbles correctly, about 68 verses to look at, so even going 8 ish verses a week...it's going to take a minute.

But we don't have a deadline, so...it's all good, right?

Of course, we start off with one of the exceptions; Proverbs 1: 20 - 33 are written as if Wisdom were personified and calling to mankind.  We have one verse in that passage to consider:

If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. -- Prov. 1:23; 'Heart' is  Strong's 7307, ruah  - wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being.  We have encountered this word a few times; if my count is right, this is the 4th time the NIV has translated 'ruah' as 'heart'.

This is a different concept that the typical words...that focus on mind, will, heart, understanding, etc.  This carries an emotion with it;  a passion.   I can see that 'heart' is a reasonable translation, given the context and the way we use 'heart' today.  In the previous verse, Wisdom has chided the oblivious population,  saying, in effect, 'how long are you going to hang on to your ignorance?'  It's a call to repentance, to give up what the base nature wants and to seek a better way.  All it takes is that decision, 'I'm done with this nonsense'...and Wisdom will be there to teach us.  

Read the whole passage; it's a good challenge.

Proverbs 2 - 7 is a father instructing his son in the ways of wisdom; just keep that context in mind as we look at the following verses....

We have a long if/ then exhortation in chapter 2; I'll include a bit for context but I can't type out the whole thing, lol...

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding.... Prov. 2: 1-2.

There is more if- then in between, but the next verse w/ 'heart' emphasizes 'then'....

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair -- every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Prov. 2: 9 -10; both instances of 'heart' are  our friend H 3820, Leb.  inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.  

Apply the heart to seeking wisdom, and wisdom will enter the heart.  Just stop and think for a moment what impact that would have on one's life...to have wisdom resident in the heart. But what struck me is that wisdom is something to seek, and it comes into the heart from outside.  It's not something I come up with...it's external.  

Moving on to Proverbs 3:

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,  for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.   -- Prov. 3: 1-6;  all occurrences of 'heart' are H 3820 again.

The last two verses are very familiar...but I'm looking at the passage here as a whole; we are to keep the father's commands in our hearts, along with love and faithfulness, and to put the trust of the entire heart on God. As in, it all depends on him.  Not one whit on me or my abilities or the actions of anyone around me.  Everything depends on him....

I have three more verses in Proverbs 4 that I'll look at today...

When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live."  -- Prov. 4:3-4; 'heart'  is, once again, H3820.

I think it's worth noting that, so long as Solomon followed God whole-heartedly, everything he put his hands to flourished...but , as we saw when we were in 1 Kings, when he let his heart stray, things started going downhill pretty fast.  

Did he forget his father's instruction?  Or get too familiar with it, so that it lost tits perceived value?

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.  Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  -- Prov. 4:20-23.  'Heart' in verse 21 is the other of the two most frequently seen Hebrew words, Strong's H3824, lebab -inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.  Verse 23 is, again, H3820.

The heart is the wellspring of life.

What happens to a polluted well?  What comes from a polluted well?  No wonder the importance of keeping wisdom and sound teaching in the heart.

We'll finish up these chapters on Wisdom next week.

Friday, March 14, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Psalms, part 14 , Ps. 141- 150


 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Well, we have persevered and now we are at the end of Psalms...looking at  verses containing 'Heart/hearts'  in the NIV 84 translation.  We only have three verses in the last ten psalms to look at today.

Psalm 141 is one of David's...

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.  -- Ps. 141:4; 'Heart' is Strong's H3820, Leb, one of the two most frequently used Hebrew words  -- 'Inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding' 

This verse actually strikes me as a plea to resist the camaraderie, the  fellowship, the approval of hanging with bad characters; y'know...peer pressure.  To be part of the crowd, breaking the rules, feeding the appetite...the Psalms are often talking about suffering at the hands of such folks; in fact, this same Psalm goes on to ask for protection against their traps...but here is a request to resist the temptation to join them.  Which is a real threat.  Joining the crowd who doesn't give a hoot about righteousness or justice, who twist language around so that words don't mean what they mean,  who seek power and pleasure can seem to be the best/ easiest thing to do when one is worn down, and I think it's interesting that this is mentioned as an occasion to ask for divine assistance.  The affirmation of that bunch is a siren song of its own; we need help to stand firm against it at times.

Psalms 143 is also one of David's psalms, this verse needs the preceding one for context:

My enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.  So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.  -- Ps. 143: 3-4; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

Here is the state of one who is worn down; weak, fatigued, fighting to hold on to what is right and true. Of course, the Psalm goes on to declare David's trust and hope in the Lord, but this is the confession of his condition before he encourages himself by remembering God's love.

And, finally, the last mention of 'heart' in the unattributed Psalm 148:

He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.  Praise the LORD.   -- Ps. 148:14; 'heart' is ...not in the original language.  We go from 'near' (Strong's H7138 - qarob  - 'near, nigh, at hand' ) to 'Praise' (Strong's H1984, halal, which is one of the seven main Hebrew words used for 'Praise')...which begins the final phrase of the verse.

So this actually would read 'people near.  Praise the LORD.'  The King James translates this as 'a people near unto him.' as did the Amplified,  the ESV,  the NLT, the NASB...  all the translations kind of filled in the 'near to what' blank, but only the NIV used the phrase 'his heart'.  Now, I do believe 'near to him' is implied there; that makes sense, and it sort of follows that a people near to God would also be near his heart, however..I can't dig into any depth based on implication.  The people of God are near.   But that's pretty deep all on its own...

Friday, March 7, 2025

Blogging Bible Study - The Heart of the Matter : Psalms, Part 13, Ps 121 - 140

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


Literally just walked in the door from a 9 day vacation, lol, but I'm determined to not get any behinder...

In our perusal through the scripture looking at the verses in the NIV 84 containing 'heart/hearts', we have arrived at the Songs of Ascent...the thirteen psalms immediately following Ps. 119.  These psalms are supposed to have been recited as one climbed the Temple mount.

Confession time:  when I was a kid, we were awarded check marks in Sunday School for 1) bringing a Bible to church 2) studying the lesson ahead of time 3) reading extra chapters in the Bible and 4) bringing a visitor.  I didn't have much opportunity to get points for #4, but I made sure to do  1 - 3.  HOWever, there were many weeks in which my 'extra chapters' were Ps. 120-126, read in the car on the way to church.  7 chapters, so it looked like I read one chapter each day.  It's shameful to have been so conniving as a kid, and rather embarrassing to admit now...but I do have a lot of familiarity with those 7 psalms.   

Only one of them contains the word 'Heart,' and the author is not noted:

Do good, O LORD to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. -  Ps. 125:4; 'Heart' is a word we've seen only once before, Strong's H 3826, libbah - which is the feminine form of H 3820 and is defined as 'heart'.  Period.  I am not sure why this form of the word is preferable here, although I am sure there is a reason.  But there's no question about the translation.

'Upright in heart' is a concept that has recurred in the Psalms;  it's Strong's H3477, yasar...right, upright, straight.  Probably not me as a kid trying to look more spiritually disciplined than I was.

The next verse we'll consider isn't until the 131st Psalm, which is why I am covering so much territory today. We are still in the Songs of Ascent; this one is attributed to David:

My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.  - Ps. 131:1; 'heart' is Strong's H3820 - leb, which we have seen often -- inner man, mind will , heart, understanding.   This is a good verse to ponder...a proud heart and haughty eyes seem to be equated with being concerned with great matters/ things beyond understanding.  Does this mean we aren't to seek and inquire after great and wonderful things?  I don't thing so...but I do think it means we aren't to claim any special knowledge or insight into things that are beyond human comprehension.  I am not entirely sure, however, what those great and wonderful matters  actually are.  I certainly cannot claim any authority to  make pronouncements on something that only God has the perspective to determine.  Like the contents or intentions of someone else's heart.

Psalm 138 is another one of David's psalms; we have left behind the Songs of Ascent at this point.

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. -- Ps. 138:1; 'heart' is Strong's H 3820 again.  I am tempted to go down a rabbit trail after "gods", but I'll just tell you it's Strong's H 430, elohim, and let you look it up and draw your own conclusions.  'whole' is Strong's H 3605, Koi, -- 'all, the whole, any, each, every, anything, totality, everything'. No divided loyalties or mixed allegiance here; the Lord is the one who is loved and praised.

I'm going to list two verses here, just because the first verse feels incomplete without the second.  Psalm 139 is one of David's more popular psalms:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  -- Ps. 139:23-24; 'heart' is Strong's 3824, lebab, the other of the two most used words, 'inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding'.

Once more we come to the concept of God knowing one's heart...and once again that makes me tremble a bit. Consider my youthful self...while the adults who taught the class may have been impressed with my consistency, God knew my heart.   He knew my motive, as a 12 - 13 year old, wasn't pursuit of Him through the scripture...it was to gain favor with folks whose opinion mattered to me.  It was to look good.  That's what it means for God to know one's heart, folks.  He knows the TRUE motives and priorities.  

That should shake us all up.  

Which is why I included the second verse...it's not the end, if we're in error.  God can correct the offense in us, and lead us into better habits, if we're willing to let him.

Stepping all over my own toes here but I'll go on...

I need two verses to get the whole sentence for this week's last reference; this psalm was also penned by David:

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. -- Ps. 140:1-2.  'Hearts' is H3820 again.

This is timely.  My social media feed is full of people 'stirring up war'...over politics, over someone else's expression of worship, over technology, over medicine...you name it, SOMEONE has an inflammatory statement to make about it.   Are these all evil people?  Maybe some, who are deliberately trying to raise a ruckus, have a malicious motive, but I think most of them are just people who feel very strongly about a position and somehow think that by using strong language someone who's in an opposing camp will see the light.

Nope.  Don't wanna bust any bubbles, that that ain't gonna work.  We are not going to do the work of the kingdom by stirring up war.  There is warfare to fight, to be sure, but...it matters who shoots first.

Consider how David classified folks who 'stir up war'.  But one might say, 'I am not devising evil plans!  I am raising awareness about (XYZ)!'  Oh, certainly.  But is that awareness being raised by simply laying out facts, or with angry words and loud accusations, from a place of hearsay and rumor?  It matters.

Remember, God KNOWS the heart....

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Psalms, part 12, Ps. 119

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


I know, I know, this is a day late.  I hit some boggy spots along the way and it just took a while...but, here we are...

As I mentioned two weeks ago, there are no 'heart/hearts' references in Ps. 113-118.  So, today, we are diving into Ps. 119.

Not gonna lie, this is going to be a DEEP dive and will probably be the longest post of the whole series.  After all, I did a WHOLE 6 MONTH STUDY on Ps. 119 back in 2016, so you know there's a lot here.

Now, Ps. 119 is an unattributed acrostic poem, with 22 stanzas, one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet.  Each o f the 8 verses in each stanza begins with that stanza's letter; ie, each of verses 1 - 8 begin with the letter 'aleph' each of the verses 9 - 16 begin with the letter 'beth', etc. The subject of the entire psalm is God's word...his word, his decrees, his laws, his statutes, his precepts...all the synonyms.  So I would expect all the verses containing 'heart/hearts' to have to do with how God's word impacts the heart.  

I'm just going to list them all out and then we'll look at the overall themes that develop.

As always, I'm working in the NIV 84, which is the translation that corresponds to the exhaustive concordance that I used building the list of references to check.

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.  -Ps. 119: 2, 'heart' is Strong's H 3820 (leb), which is one of the two most common Hebrew words translated as 'heart'.  

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.  -- Ps.119: 7; 'Heart is Strong's H 3824 (lebab), the other most common Hebrew word translated as 'heart'

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.   - Ps. 119: 10-11, both instances of 'heart' are H 3820 again.

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. - Ps. 119:30  Ok...this one is weird, because, according to the interlinear text of Ps. 119 in  the Blue Letter Bible site, there is no word that is translated as 'heart'.  That second phrase has two words, H4941, mispat - a verdict (favorable or unfavorable, pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree)...abstractly, justice...  and H 7737,  sava --to level, i.e., equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust.  One of the verb tenses does include the meaning 'to set, place' I checked several translations and the NIV is the only one who employs the word 'heart' here; the rest all pretty much say 'I have set your judgements before me', with 'before me' indicated as being implied.  Literally, 'I have chosen the way of truth, your verdict is set.'  I don't know enough to know if the subject of that second phrase is still 'I' or if it is just a declaration about the establishment of God's judgement. If we understand the subject to be 'I', I don't think it's a huge stretch to set God's judgements in one's heart...but that's not exactly how the original language reads.  (I didn't expect to run into new grammar issues here, lol...moving on,,,)

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free -- Ps. 119:32...more interesting translation.  'Heart' is H 3820 again, but the phrase 'you have set my heart free'  uses H7337, rahab,, which actually means 'be wide /large' or 'grow wide/large'; widened, enlarged, relieved, or 'expanded with joy'.  Again, not a huge stretch from 'expanded with joy' to 'set free' ...but it is a difference.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. -- Ps. 119:34; 'Heart' is H 3820 again.  

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. -- Ps. 119: 36; 'Heart' is H 3820.

I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. -- Ps. 119:58; H 3820 again.

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,  I keep your precepts with all my heart.  Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. Ps. 119: 69-70;  both heat and hearts are H 3820.

May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. -- Ps. 119:80; H 3820 again.

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.  My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.  -- Ps. 119:111 - 112;  both instances of 'heart' are H 3820.

I call with all my  heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees -- Ps 119:145; H 3820 again.

Rulers persecute me without case, but my heart trembles at your word. -- Ps. 119:161; 'heart' is, once more, H 3820.

OOOOkkkkaayy...that's the lot of 'heart/heats' verses in Ps. 119.

The first thing that jumps out of me is the repetition of 'all my heart' (vs. 2, 10, 34, 58, 69,  and 145); we can included in this mindset the phrase 'my heart is set' (vs. 30...sort of, lol, and vs. 112).  This is a reflection of commitment and dedication, and has two applications...to seek/ pursue/ call (upon) God with all the heart or obey/keep the commands/ precepts/ law with all the heart.

A whole-hearted pursuit of God results in whole-hearted obedience. But I also think that without whole-hearted obedience, any pursuit of God is less than whole-hearted as well.  They are interlocking.  You can't have one without the other.

But I also see the psalmist asking God for help in that dual pursuit ...' Do not let me stray' - (vs. 10); 'Turn my heart toward your statutes' (vs. 36); 'May my heart be blameless'  (vs 80).    A reminder that, while we may have the best intentions, we still require divine assistance ...i.e., grace... to remain true.  Fortunately, God is always generous with his grace and gives it abundantly to those who truly seek it.

The final thing I see here is the effect the word/precepts/ statutes/ laws/ etc. has upon the heart that is devoted to it....it brings blessing (vs 2), prompts praise (vs 7), keeps us from sin (vs. 11), provides a path and brings growth/ freedom  (vs 32) bring delight and joy, (vs. 69 and 111), and  inspires awe and trembling (vs. 161)

 A good little exercise for anyone who thinks pursuing God through studying his word is not worth doing...

Thursday, February 13, 2025

How much is a drop?

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi



Image from vecteezy.com ; used under free license

It was my turn to play the role of Grandma last Friday, as the Princess was away on her annual work conference and someone needed to supervise The Little Prince and his brother, Brother Bear, since her hubby couldn't take off work.  We had fun, but I didn't get to do my deep dive into Ps. 119.  Planning to hit that tomorrow....

But there has been something rumbling around in my spirit for a while so I'm going to try to share it....

You all remember the events that happened at Asbury two years ago...google 'Asbury outpouring' and you'll get a reminder if you don't.

At that time, I had a, well, I guess a spiritual picture of a vast reservoir, held back by massive gates, towering into the heavens.  The liquid in the reservoir was golden and thick, like honey, with a  light of its own, and from that reservoir one drop fell upon that campus.

One drop.

At the time, I was flabbergasted by the sheer enormity of the reservoir.   It was completely out of scale of anything earthly...like the Hoover Dam looming over a child's sandcastle at its base.   What would happen if those gates opened?  Nothing on earth could withstand the resulting flood.  

I pondered that for a while, then kinda filed it under 'interesting thoughts' and went on with life.

But last month that whole scenario replayed itself in my mind when I was in a prayer meeting.  Only this time, what stood out to me was the drop, and I heard in my spirit

"You called ONE DROP an outpouring."

That shifted my prayer.  Folks, we pray for an outpouring...but we don't have any idea what that really entails.  I think the outpouring is coming, on his timetable, and it's not up to us to pray it down but to be ready when it happens.  A drop here, a drop there is just a glimpse of what will happen when God sends the flood.  We won't have time to argue about whether or not it matches our theology.  My prayer is now...God, get us ready.  Grow us up.  Turn our gaze to what truly matters.  Give us wisdom and discernment to recognize things that are merely distractions.  Open our ears and our eyes to hear and see what we need to hear and see.  And give us grace for each other's fears and foibles so we can all serve the kingdom together.

Amen.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Psalms, Part 11 (Ps. 101 - 112)

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

 

We are cruising through the Bible looking at references to 'heart/hearts' , as rendered by the NIV 1984 edition and are coming into the home stretch of the Psalms.  I looked ahead a bit and found that 'heart/hearts' doesn't show up as consistently in the last chapters of Psalms; there are no references between Ps. 112 and Ps. 119.  Ps. 119 is going to get a (loooonng, just sayin') post of its own, so I am going to add Ps. 112 into today's list as there are only two verses there.  It just makes more sense than to do a whole post on two verses next week.  So, yeah, this is going to be a bit long but just consider it a warm-up for the Main Event in Ps. 119 next weekend.

It's interesting that there are so many references in today's collection of psalms, and  so few after 119.  Not really sure why it works out that way, but here we go...

We jump right into Ps. 101, a psalm of David.

I will be careful to lead a blameless life -- when will you come to me?   I will walk in my  house with blameless heart. -- Ps. 101:2; 'Heart' is Strong's H3824, Lebab, one of the two most common Hebrew words for heart.

The thing that popped at once into my spirit reading that is...he is determined to be blameless in his house.  I'm not sure where, chronologically in David's life this psalm was written (ie, before or after the, ah, incident with Bathsheba), because if one is blameless at home, with the people who have intimate knowledge of one's character,  then that is a pretty significant commitment. And if David had been true to that commitment in that fateful spring, likely that smirch on his character would not have happened. Now, it may have been after that event and his repentance that he made that commitment, in which case it has come at a cost.

But we go on...

Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.  Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him I will not endure.  -- Ps. 101:4-5;  both occurrences of 'heart' are H 3824.

cough JOAB cough

But Joab was family... maybe that was the deal...David did do his best to have honest and upright companions/ advisors.  His errors were his own, not a result of the influence of others around him.  Joab, for all his violent ways,  was solid when he gave David advice. David recognized the influence that wicked people could wield, and making a decision to keep such folks out of his close circle is a wise example for modern time.

Ps. 102 is just attributed to 'an afflicted man':

My heart is blighted like withered grass; I forget to eat my food. -- Ps. 102:4; 'heart' is the other common Hebrew word for heart, Strong's H3820, Leb.  

That is true distress. And I have been there once or twice... eating is the LAST thing I wanted to do.  The sensation of a grieving, stressed out seat of emotion is quite physical at times. For all that we recognize a distinction between the actual organ pumping the blood through the body and the emotional center...there are seasons in which distress becomes an actual sensation.

The next reference is in Ps. 104, which is unattributed:

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate -- bringing forth food from the earth; wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.  Ps. 104: 14-15.  Both incidences of heart are H 3824;   I thought they might be different, since one seems to refer to the emotional heart and the other to the physical heart, but nope, same word.

I never noticed this before; probably because I had not considered v. 15 in light of v. 14, but those three things -- wine, oil, and bread -- are all derived from the plants that mankind cultivates (referring, of course,  to olive oil, not petroleum, lol.  Strong's H 8081, if you're curious).  I had always read vs, 15 as God himself providing those things, but, no, he provided the material from which those things are derived.  Not a huge difference, but something worth noting.  Also worth noting is that none of them have a negative connotation...wine gladdens the heart, bread sustains the heart.  Either in excess is not good, but in proper context they are both considered blessings.

Ps. 105 is also unattributed, and is a review of Israel's history, starting with praise:

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. -- Ps. 105:3; 'Hearts' is H 3820 this time.

Praise.  Just pure Praise.

Further down, we are in the history part:

Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.  The LORD made his people very fruitful; he made them too numerous for their foes, whose hearts he turned to hate his people, to conspire against his servants. -- Ps. 105: 23-25; 'hearts' is, once more, H 3820.

This is interesting, because the account in Exodus does not mention God as being involved in the plot to oppress and enslave the Israelites (Ex. 1: 8-22).  But, that was the very thing that prompted the Israelites to cry out to God to save them.  The main point here...God can, and does, turn hearts.  This is both frightening and encouraging.  

I have a note that 'Book 5' begins with Ps. 107; our next scripture is in Ps. 108, one of David's:

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.  -- Ps. 108:1; 'Heart' is H3820 again. 'Steadfast' is Strong's H3559, kun, a primitive root word that basically means 'to stand upright'.  King James uses the word 'fixed' here. 'Established' shows up in all the verb tense variations. Praise and worship is the response of a steadfast, established heart.

David also penned Ps 109, what the notes in my Scofield term 'A cry for vengeance and judgment'

But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.  For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. -- Ps. 109: 21 - 22; 'Heart' is, once more, H 3820.

The thing about a wound is that it comes from something outside.  It's not an illness, which comes from within, but something external has caused damage.  Some wounds happen due to a lack of proper guarding...but some come from sources behind the guard, who are close and intimate.   Those are the worst....and David is right to appeal to the mercy of God...because that's the only thing that can properly tend a wounded heart.

Psalm 111 is another unattributed song of praise:

Praise the LORD.  I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. --- Ps. 111:1; 'Heart' is H 3824.

'With all my heart'...complete devotion, full effort.  No mixture or diverted attention.  I think that's a hazard of scheduled 'worship services'...we tend to give our praise with one eye on the clock. Can't run too late...the beans might burn, or the line at the restaurant will be too long...how often do I really praise God with 'all my heart'?   Ouch.

Finally, Ps. 112 is also not attributed to any author; my notes say this is 'blessings of the God-fearing man':

Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.  -- Ps. 112:6-8; both occurrences of 'heart' are H 3820. 'Steadfast' is the same word we saw above, H 3559; I expected 'secure' in verse 8 to be the same but it is a different word,  Strong's H5564, samak, which is also a primitive root that basically means 'to lean, lay, rest, support, put, uphold, lean upon.   I get the connotation of something supported by a foundation.... putting it together, blessed is the righteous, whose heart is standing upright upon the sound foundation.   Or, standing on the solid rock, lol.

A lot of jumping around today, but a lot to think about. Ps. 119 next week.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter - Psalms, Part 10; Ps. 91 - 100

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Well, well, this post will put us 2/3 of the way through the Psalms.  Despite this passage containing a couple of the best-known of all the Psalms, Psalm 91 and Psalm 100,  we have only a few verses containing words translated as 'Heart/ Hearts' by the NIV '84, which is the concordance I'm working from. 

Our first scripture today is in the unattributed Psalm 94:

Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.  -- Ps. 94:15, 'Heart' is the often-seen Strong's 3820, Leb.   

An interesting thing to found judgment on...righteousness.  So many other things it could be founded on....favoritism, calculation, bribery, even pity.  But, no, none of those things are  to be the foundation of judgment.  Righteousness is the foundation, and those who are upright (Strong's H3744, yasar - straight, upright, correct, right) at the core of who they are will follow along.  It's  a kind of ...hard...teaching.  Where does mercy fit there?  It has to, somewhere...mercy is a quality of an upright heart.  But the line where mercy crosses over into enabling is rather shadowy and subjective, and there are those who would say that no such line exists.  But...it has to, or there is no such thing as righteousness.  

Something to ponder.

The next passage is a pretty familiar one; this Psalm is also anonymous:

Today, if you  hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert,  where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.  For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.  -- Ps. 95:8-10.  Both instances of 'heart' are our other most-often used word, Strong's H3824, Lebab

Here we are looking at hearts that have been hardened by the choice of the people themselves,  who have not known the ways of God and therefore went astray...their own way.  But these were people who saw, first hand, what God did in delivering them from enslavement and providing for them in the harshest environment.  How could they NOT have know his ways?  Answer...they hardened their hearts and refused.  They chose to not know God and his ways, despite the evidence they were living out every day.  There is no deception so great as a deception that is chosen and embraced.  With fingers in the ears, singing Lalalalalala...truth just can't penetrate.  Knowledge is out of reach.  And what did God say in response?  "They shall never enter my rest." (Ps. 95:11)  

Pretty serious.

By way of contrast, this is the last of the verses we'll look at today, also from an unaccredited psalm:

Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. -- Ps. 97:11; 'Heart' is Strong's 3820 again.

It kind of makes the choice to follow or not follow a no-brainer. But deception is deceiving and we don't know what we choose to not know...


Friday, January 17, 2025

Blogging Bible Study: The Heart of the Matter -- Psalms, Part 9 (Ps. 81 - 90)

 Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi


We have seven verses in this week's look into the Psalms for the occurrences of 'heart/ hearts'; the first  is in Psalm 81...another one of Asaph's; he is quoting God:

But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.  -- Ps. 81:12; 'hearts' is  the frequently seen Strong's H3820, leb  - inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.

When God releases people to do what is in their unregenerated hearts...well, it generally doesn't go well for those people.  Notice the adjective 'stubborn' ...someone set on doing things his/her own way; unteachable.  If people refuse to be taught, refuse to listen, refuse to learn long enough...then God will let them have their way.  And that's never a good thing.

The next time we see 'heart' is in Psalm 84; this one is authored by the Sons of Korah.  We know this one from contemporary worship:

My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  -- Ps 84:2; 'Heart' is H3820 again.

Have you been in this place?  When only the presence of God will satisfy the inner longings?  I can identify.  And it usually follows a period of  going my own way, like a kid who's wandered off in a shopping center and suddenly realizes Mom is nowhere to be seen.  Suddenly, only Mom will calm the fear and settle the spirit. No substitutes.

Still in the same psalm, but the focus has changed slightly:

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. -- Ps. 84:5; 'Hearts' is translated from the other familiar Hebrew word, Strong's H3824, lebab, of which H3820 is a derivative. It also means inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding.

The word translated 'pilgrimage' here is Strong's H4546, msilla, which means highway, raised way, public road.... whose hearts are set on the high road. or [and] the road is in their hearts   Kind of an odd visual to us, but maybe not so odd.  If my strength is in God, I am not relying on myself...I am not following my own stubborn heart.  He has put his way in my heart, and that's what I'm following.

The next psalm that mentions 'heart/hearts' is number 86 -- one of David's:

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O LORD my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  Ps 86:11-12;  both uses of 'Heart' are  H3824.

"All my heart" and "undivided heart" are basically the same thing, but it's interesting that David asks God for an undivided heart, rather than putting the emphasis on his own efforts to have an undivided heart.  But...to receive an undivided heart, one can't hang on to the old, stubborn, fragmented heart.  

Y'all, that's worth a selah right there.  

Ok, I'm back.  The next verse listed in the concordance is in Ps. 89, which is attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, and, according to the notes in my Scofield, is a 'Psalm of the Davidic Covenant'.  We're looking at a couple of verses at the end of the Psalm:

Remember, Lord,  how your servant has been mocked, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations, the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD, with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.  - Ps. 89:50-51

'Heart' here is a word we haven't seen before, Strong's H2436 - hek - 'from an unused root, apparently meaning to enclose; the bosom (literally or figuratively): -- bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.  KJV translates this as 'bosom', but 'heart' is not an unusual rendering, scanning some of the other translations in the Blue Letter Bible app.  I think it's apparent...the scorn, taunts, mockery, reproach of the enemies of God are a weight in the bosom/heart.  I'm reminded of the passage in Joshua in which God 'rolled away the reproach of Egypt' from his people (Josh 5:9), which happened after the younger generation was circumcised; the dedication according to the covenant.  Reproach is not something that can be shaken off; it's a heart burden that God removes..

There's a notation in my text that Book 4 begins with the 90th Psalm...'A prayer of Moses the man of God.' and there's one verse that mentions 'heart'...

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. -- Ps. 90:12; 'Heart' is H3824 again.

Maybe it's my own struggles showing here, but numbering days aright sounds like setting priorities, which is something I struggle with on the daily.  I tend to work on the thing that's flashing or making the most noise instead of what might actually be the most important.  But, once again we see the action of God -- teaching us to number our days rightly, to set the right priorities

Normally, I don't see an overarching theme to the day's readings, since it is, after all, a skip through poetry, but today I do.  We need to listen and commit fully to God...and he will give us an undivided, focused heart,  he will teach us to follow him, to set priorities.

I think I shall ponder that a bit.