Wow, I had decided I would continue to post some of what I wrote when I first did Jen Hatmaker’s study guide in the back of her book A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study. I was trying to find the post I’d started but the draft has disappeared for some reason. As I was scrolling through all my posts, I saw a bunch of drafts. So I decided to open them all up and saw that I’d already typed up about 5 days worth of quiet times from when I did it over a year and a half ago. I figured I might as well post those since I’d already done it before. My hope is you can see how my mind worked through some stuff at the time and maybe something I’ve written will have some meaning for you in some way as well.
In advance, thank you for taking the time to read them. Kristena
Today (week 3 day 2), Jen has us reading Romans 12:9-21. I read it in all three versions, but here are the verses in the NIV:
“9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Title: A Daily Living Guide: How we should treat others no matter the circumstance or situation.
- a. “The NIV Study Bible lists the footnote for verse 11:
spiritual fervor. Lit. “fervent in spirit.” If “spirit” means “Holy Spirit” here the reference would be to the fervor the Holy Spirit provides.”
The word “fervor” means “great warmth and earnestness of feeling; intense heat” (dictionary.com) or “Intensity of emotion” (The American Heritage Dictionary = AHD).
So think about that. Intense emotion toward spirituality.
Spiritual means “of, from, or pertaining to God” (AHD).
So intense emotions towards, for, or pertaining to God.
In this case this footnote thinks it’s talking about the Holy Spirit. Since the Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I can see how when we dig in and study God’s Word, we can be moved by the Holy Spirit with fervent abandon desiring to learn more to feel closer to God.
- “The Ryrie Study Bible lists this footnote for verse 11:
not lagging behind in diligence. Do not let your zeal slacken. fervent in = boiling with.”
Interesting. When I think of boiling I think of water and how when it comes to a boil there’s so much energy going on that it can’t help but dance around, almost like it’s super excited to reach that goal it’s been after. It can now do what it was meant to do. Not really sure what the ‘not’ is trying to say. Maybe how we need to be full of energy for God, for learning about Him through His Word.
- “The Life Application Study Bible lists this footnote for verse 13:
Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host—the home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests. Their needs—whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance—are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.”
I think of the three notes, this one struck a chord with me the most. Think about it. When someone just needs to talk, do you honestly think they care if your house looks messy? Or if you’re wearing sweats and your hair isn’t done. Absolutely not. Maybe the woman is going through a tough time in her marriage. Or maybe the person is suicidal. Or maybe someone they’re close to got diagnosed with cancer or is even dying. It means that ear I can lend this person is all that matters. I can somehow impact that person’s life for the better.
I think about when Mari died. I needed those around me to just listen. I was in my deepest despair, pure unadulterated grief. Yet so many were not only uncomfortable but you could tell they were. I felt like I had no one. I was alone. Even my husband wasn’t there the way I needed him to be due to the way he handled his own grief.
What I had to learn is God is the Ultimate Host. He doesn’t care what I’m wearing, how I look, what my house looks like or anything else. He was there for me giving me the much needed strength as I felt more than depleted inside. My world had fallen out from underneath me. Yet, He held me up firm and steady through my weakest time. He’s the consummate example of helping me to remain strong enough to continue living each day when I constantly prayed for God to take me home to be with Mari.
And then I think of saying “the Host of hosts”, but I’m not finding it in the NIV. However, the NASB has in Isaiah 47:4, “Our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel.” Think about that for a moment. His is the ULTIMATE Host. He is the one forever showing us how to be a host to others. He’s our example to ALWAYS follow.
It was like an “ah-ha” moment for me. That proverbial light bulb turning on only it was blasting its light at me. This is an awesome feeling.
Thank you, Lord, for showing me this. To see how You are my Host. My very special, loving, caring Host. Thank you.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what's been said. Thank you.