My Computer Is Sick

Dear Friends,

Just want to give you a heads up. My computer is being very temperamental. Yesterday it denied me access all day. I sat for an hour and a half straight last night trying to log in, and nothing. Today I have tried off and on, and finally around 4:30pm it let me in.

I have no idea when I'll be back here. If it lets me on, I will try and transcribe the videos still, but I can't make any promises. As you know I've been praying for direction still in regards to continuing this, but I'm sensing God calling me away from this 'beast' entirely to make more time for Him, family and friends nearby who need me just now.

Thank you to each one of you who continues to write comments or send me e-mails sharing how you miss me over at Wendy's site. How you have touched my heart. Thank you for finding worth in the words shared last year. You are all so dear.

God bless you as you continue on this journey.
Hugs,
Joy

Wendy's Video Summary - Friday, January 29, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Hi Everyone! It's Friday! We have reached the conclusion of another week of great reading and great fellowship. Wendy has compiled a list of all the prayer requests for husbands and this weekend she hopes to add a button on the right hand side of her blog that we will be able to access to see those names and be able to pray for them. If Wendy does not have your name there, please e-mail her. Wendy is excited about what the Lord is going to do in the lives of our husband's as we pray for them. She doesn't want to forget the men either. She had one gentleman contact her and give her his wife's name. She appreciates both the men and women who are doing this study. God's Word is for everyone.

She begins today with two of her favourite scriptures. They are from the New Testament. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Then in Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.”

That's our Word. That's what we're digesting every single day. Today as Wendy read about Elihu and his further counsel and defense of God to Job, she came to Job 36:5-6, “God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone. He is mighty in both power and understanding. He does not let the wicked live.” The word “wicked” rebuked Wendy. It also judged the thought and attitude of her heart. She felt wicked would include a murderer, someone beyond reproach, a menace to society and she was thinking all kinds of things of what wicked would mean. Guess what she found out? Wendy is wicked. Wicked refers to those guilty of a crime, hostile to God, or guilty of sin against God or man. That pretty much covered Wendy as she is pretty much guilty of sin against God or man, as well as being guilty of sin and being hostile towards God at one time or another. But, she loved what he said about the wicked. He says in verse 11, “If they (the wicked) would listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.” If Wendy will listen and obey God, she will be blessed with prosperity throughout her life.

What does prosperity mean? Does is mean Wendy is going to have a lot of cars, a fine home to live in, the choices foods around her, the greatest wardrobe that any woman could ask for, that her husband financially would be able to quit his job and be able to hunt and fish and they'd be able to travel the world? What does prosperity mean? Prosperity means good things, benefits, welfare, happiness and bounty. None of those material things are listed there. Welfare, our overall being, benefit, good things, happiness, if we will listen and obey. According to Wendy's study, 'listen' and 'obey' come from the same word and mean the same thing. To hear with attention or interest, listen to understand, give heed, consent, agree or grant request.

Today Wendy got some rebuking, teaching, training and her thoughts and heart were judged. She's wicked. But, if she listens and obeys God, she will be blessed. Wendy wants some of that. How 'bout you?

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)

Wendy's Video Summary - Thursday, January 28, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Today Wendy is shooting this video on 'location' at her friend Erin's home. Wendy is old enough to be her mother, but young enough to be her friend. She's taping this video in Erin's bonus room. Wendy is cuddled up there waiting for the winter weather that is forecast for the weekend. In the South that means you have purchased your milk and bread and are prepared to camp out for the weekend. Wendy has done that and she's prepared for the wintry weather.

Wendy was fascinated by today's reading. She found it comical in verse 1 that Job's friends refused to reply further. They were done. They were finished. They sat silent for seven days then they said all they wanted to say. They were supportive and cut throat, combative and non-combative with him. Now they're not talking anymore. Suddenly we discover there's a fourth person there with them – Elihu. Elihu had sat quiet and listened and was not going to speak until everyone else had finished. In Job 32:8,18 we see the word 'spirit'. That is Spirit or breath of God. Elihu is saying that he is speaking for God or from the Spirit of God. Elihu means, “He is my God”. This is a man who has a relationship with God. He has held his tongue up until now and listened to the others share, but now he is getting his chance to speak. Wendy wanted to stand up and cheer for him because he had something worthwhile to say, and boy did he say it.

In Job 33:14, “For God speaks again and again though people do not recognize it.” So often we think God doesn't speak, but He does. He speaks again and again as Scripture tells us here. He speaks in dreams and visions in the night and whispers in our ear. Oh that we would be close enough to hear his whispers. He also speaks through messengers, Pastors, Bible teachers, music etc. He speaks again and again.

When Wendy was in her early 30's she didn't think God would speak to her. She wasn't in leadership, she wasn't an author, she wasn't an influence in the Christian community, but that doesn't matter. God speaks to us. He wants to speak to us daily even if it's a whisper.

He also speaks through friends and that's what Wendy wants to talk about today. Job has had some friends speaking to him. We don't know their relationship with the Lord. We know very little about them. We see Elihu had a relationship with God. Elihu is speaking from the Spirit. Wendy has a couple of friends like that. They speak to her and they are “straight shooters”. They speak plainly, bluntly, but with love, grace and mercy and with the perspective that they know Wendy wants a close relationship with the Lord. They want to encourage her in her walk with the Lord, keep her humble and away from sin, and they will call a spade a spade in her life. She has a couple of friends that do this in her life. Her BFF is Kristy and they have known each other since being in the church nursery together. They are always straight and up front with one another. Wendy also has some really good friends that she has made in her adult life that shoot straight with her. One is Stacey. They can go to one another and cut to the chase. They can ask each other about their relationship with the Lord and how God is speaking to them. Her friend Cheri helped Wendy release a stronghold of watching Soap Operas. Wendy was addicted to about four different “Soaps”. Cheri prayed for her. Sometimes Wendy would come home and find her answering machine flashing and it would be Cheri. “Wendy, it's 3:00pm and I want to know what you're watching.” What a friend. She cared enough about Wendy that she would call and ask what she was watching. Cheri wanted the very best for Wendy and cared enough to speak truth straight with her in grace and mercy.

In your comments today lets talk about our friends who encourage us in this way. If you don't have one, pray and ask the Lord to give you one. Basically today, Wendy wants to hear, who is your Elihu?

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)

Wendy's Video Summary - Wednesday, January 27, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Wendy can’t believe it is already Wednesday. Time goes by so quickly.

Wendy’s heart is so very tender to those who have left prayer requests about husband’s who are not saved, or husband’s who are not walking with the Lord. Wendy knows that there must be someone who has collected all your names and she would love to have all those names. The names of the ladies as well as the names of the husbands. If you have that list could you send her an e-mail. She would just love to have those names and pray for those husbands and intercede on your behalf. Wendy’s husband’s name is Scott and he is walking with the Lord. He has struggles himself and she would love it if you would pray for her husband as well.

As Wendy read through today’s reading for the second time, she felt this presence of the Lord asking her to reverse some of the things Job was saying and apply them to our lives. Job was asking questions about himself and what he has or has not done. Wendy jotted the questions down in her Bible.

The verse that really caught Wendy’s attention today was Job 31:4, “Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take?” She underlined that and emphasized it in her journal. Everything and every step. Job is questioning didn’t God see all these things? Job asks, “Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone?” God is telling us there to be honest with our relationships. Don’t be a deceiver. “Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity.” Don’t seek revenge or justice on your own, let God do that on your behalf. He does that so much better than we do.

The next few verses from 7-9 that talk about straying away, encourage us to keep our passions pure. Let’s keep our eyes and hearts focused on pure and not impure. Pay attention to what we’re reading, watching, and looking at, guarding our hearts and eyes so that we’re not pulled down in that direction.

Also then, down in verse 13, “If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me, how could I face God?” Treat others fairly as you would like to be treated, even if they're not treating you kindly. Kill them with kindness. Be fair with people.

Verse 15 says, “For God created both me and my servants. He created us both in the womb.” Don’t think more highly of yourself than you really are. We all put our pants on the same way. Don’t get too big for your britches. We’re all created the same way.

Then in verses 16-20 he talks about the widows and orphans and how he cared for them. Wendy thinks the Lord wants us to see that He wants us to care for the widow, orphans, homeless and the poor. This is a great foreshadowing of the New Testament where we are still taught to care for those in need.

In verses 24-25 it asks, “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?” Let’s not be proud of our money or material possessions. Let’s not put our trust and faith in those things because they are going to fade. The only thing that doesn’t fade is the Word of God and God Himself. We have to watch where we’re putting our faith and our treasure.

Then verses 26-27, “Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship?” We’ve got one God that we’re suppose to be worshipping. Let’s make sure it’s not money, wealth, material possessions, another person or education, but that it is the One and only God.

Verse 29, “Have I every rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way?” Wendy has to confess that there have been times when’s she’s been excited that somebody got there’s, but we’re not suppose to rejoice when others suffer, even people who we felt deserve it. We’ve got to be careful with our reactions. God doesn’t want us to react in that way.

Then skipping down to verses 33 and 34, “Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart? Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?” We need to be open and honest with ourselves and our sin. If we have sinned against a brother we need to confess that. If we have sinned against God we need to confess that.

What great little nuggets sprinkled between verses 8-34. Wendy is going to pray that we take these truths and apply them to our lives. How much easier our lives would be if we applied these simple truths.

Thanks for listening today and Wendy hopes you have a great Wednesday. We have two more videos this week and then an Open Blog weekend. It’s wonderful to meet with you today and she’ll see us tomorrow.

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)

Wendy's Video Summary - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Hey everyone. Today was an exciting day in our reading. Wendy had several things that jumped out at her. She’s so thankful that whenever we pray and ask God for that nugget of truth, He provides it. She’s so thankful for the way we inspire one another in our journey and spur each other on to dig deeper in God’s Word. She encourages everyone to comment. Don’t be afraid. The one comment you share might be the one thing someone needs to hear. Don’t be nervous. Even share it anonymously if you desire, but let’s share together.

Some of what Wendy read today reminded her of something she and her husband were talking about after church on Sunday. They were talking about how things used to be before they had children. They used to take what they called, “100 lapers”, as they were really big race fans. That means they would watch some of the race, then take a nap for 100 laps and then come back and watch the end of the race. They talked about other things they did “BC”, before children. They then thought about how much richer their lives are now with children. As she read today’s reading, she sort of thought Job was doing the same thing.

Over in Job 29:2, he said, “I long for the years gone by…” Then, in verse 7 he said, “Those were the days…” She recalls her parents saying that, “Those were the days”. She never thought she would say that, but she has said it in the past. Job was reflecting back on the way things used to be. Sometimes when we do that, it’s great to reflect, but sometimes we get lost and get, what Wendy calls, "crossed-I’ed". We get fixed on what it used to be like for us. Back when I could do this…or I could do that…I, I, I. We get "cross-I’ed". Job does the same thing here. Wendy counted Job saying “I” 16 times, “me” 9 times and “my” 7 times between verses 7-25. Job was really thinking of himself. He had no idea what God was doing in the heavenlies. He had no idea what God had planned for him. He was self absorbed and wallowing in self-pity. Wendy realized her heart has the same condition too many times. We can get filled with PRIDE. Wendy said it’s hard to realize that life isn’t all about us. It’s not about whether we get to have a nap Sunday afternoon. It's not about whether we get to sit and watch that Hallmark movie. It’s not about whether we get to do something, or if we feel our rights are infringed upon. When we get “cross-I’ed” we forget where our focus should be and that’s on Jesus Christ.

Now, Wendy does have great sympathy for Job, as he went through a lot. He lost his family, livestock, money, children, health. Wendy can understand how you can get there. She wants to make some application to us.

One day Wendy came across a very special verse that encourages her when it feels like things are hard and not going the way she hoped. Her friend Kristy shared this verse with her. It is Isaiah 43:18-19. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” This is God speaking to Isaiah about what He was going to do with the remnant that was remaining after captivity in Babylon. “Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Our friend Job thought he was in the desert. He had no idea that God was about to do a new thing for him. He could not perceive it. Sometimes we can’t perceive the new thing and when we can’t perceive it, we must believe it. God says, I’m doing a new thing in you Wendy. I’m doing a new thing in you Susan. I'm doing a new thing in you Karen. I'm doing a new thing in you Jodie. I'm doing a new thing in you Lori. We have no idea what is going on, but we have to believe it.

Recently Wendy had opportunity to watch one of her favourite Pastor’s on television, Tony Evans, on a program called “The Urban Alternative.” Wendy just loves him because he speaks the truth. He said, “When God shakes up things in the invisible realm it’s because He wants to show something to us in the visible realm.”

God was shaking things up for Job and shaking out the visible things. What poured out of Job today was pride. God wants to do a new thing, but He’s got to shake up some old things so He can do a new thing. God wants to show us something.

Wendy prays we will keep our eyes open so we can perceive the new thing…and if we don’t perceive it, that our hearts are open to believe it.

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)

Wendy's Video Summary - Monday, January 25, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Happy Monday. Wendy hopes we all had a wonderful weekend. Wendy had writing and laundry to do and she hopes to share about her writing project soon. Everyone has clean clothes, and for about an hour, every laundry basket in her home was empty.

Today started another week of dialogue between Job and his friends. We meet a new friend. It was expressed in the comments on the weekend that some of Job's friends voices are getting “irritating” and you can tell by the elevated tone of their words that something has changed. Their responses aren’t quite as nice. Things are getting a little heated. Sometimes that happens when we’re receiving counsel from a friend and we can get kind of combative. That is where Job seems to be. Looking back on our reading on January 23rd, Job even said that God hated him. He is getting worn down by the heavy hand of the Lord and also by his friends who seem to be relentless in their pursuit that Job must be guilty and all he needs to do is confess. That would be the answer to everything.

Tucked away in today’s reading in Job 22, we see Eliphaz’s response. Beginning in verse 21, “Submit to God, and you will have pace; then things will go well for you. Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored - so clean up your life.” Amid all the combative dialogue, every now and then we see a sprinkle of truth we can apply to our lives in any given situation. Wendy came up with three little steps: Submit, listen and store.

Submit literally means acquaint or yield. Now that gives a different, clearer picture. Submit means surrender and give up. Acquaint means become familiar with. Yield means give into. Those two words paint a great picture of the word submit. To be used, exhibit use, be familiar with, know intimately. We are to know God intimately. Exhibit a relationship with Him.

Peace, Wendy would describe as tranquil and everything going well. Peace is the same word from the Hebrew as “good”. It means to make peace and be in covenant with peace. To be complete, finished, sound and uninjured. For your heart to be spiritually, physically and emotionally uninjured. The beautiful picture of being complete and sound.

The third step is to store or to establish. To put in place, set apart or to make. We must put a place in our hearts for God’s instruction. That word ‘listen’ in verse 22 means to receive. To seize or take hold of. Think of physically taking hold of this and we need to, as we read His Word daily, seize it, own it, take hold of it and store it in our hearts, so that when we come to a place where we’re at a crossroads of sin we have it to fall back on. Psalm 119:11 says to hide Thy Word in my heart so I might not sin against Thee.

We need to submit to God which means we need to acquaint ourselves and know God intimately. Then we need to listen to or receive His instruction. Then we need to store and put His Words in our hearts. Treasure His Word in our hearts.

Submit, Listen and Store! Three simple words we can take to heart.

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)

FROM JOY: Well, ladies I'm still having computer issues. I'm also still waiting on the Lord each day regarding transcribing these posts. As I have felt no clear direction either way, as time permits, for this week at least, I will continue. Trusting for Him to provide.

Wendy's Video Summary - Friday, January 22, 2010

(For those of you not participating in the Chronological Bible reading with Wendy Pope, please visit my other blog, “Pondering In His Presence”. Thank you.)

Today is Friday. We’ve made it through three full weeks of teaching. Wendy is completely blessed by the participation and comments. Wendy appreciates the e-mails that need clarification as well. Wendy does not claim to be an expect, nor is she flawless, and is with us as a student of the Word. Wendy never wants to misrepresent the Word of God. At the close of today’s blog post she addressed one concern about the mediator discussed yesterday. She encourages us to share our thoughts with her.

Today, Wendy got a little bored with the reading. It was hard for her to find her nugget of truth. She read it twice asking the Lord to show her something. Under the heading, “Job Asks How He Has Sinned”, Wendy read Job 13:20-21.

“O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.” Now, if you’re not completely familiar with confession and repentance as a natural way of life, which it isn’t natural for Wendy, coming into the presence of the Lord when you’re going to come face-to-face with that confession, that is a terrifying moment. Wendy loves the presence of the Lord. It feels good and lifts her spirit. Many times she weeps in His presence, for His Sovereignty, grace and goodness. Job is referring to that dread or terror. That’s a terrible place to be when you’re faced with sin before a Holy God. He is feeling the heavy hand of the Lord in some way. Wendy could walk in Job’s shoes as she read his words.

Wendy has been trying to take better care of herself and in doing so she has given up “Dr. Pepper”. Last year just before the 'She Speaks' conference, the girls as a staff decided to fast something. They individually gave up, or sacrificed something. It’s mentioned in the Bible many times as a food fast, but we give up something that means something to us in order to draw closer to God. The Lord put on her heart to give up “Dr. Pepper”. She has been drinking “Dr. Pepper” for many years and enjoys them. This was a challenge and sacrifice to give up something she had depended on every single day. The Lord asked her to give it up. She wilfully and blatantly did not. She tried to modify God’s Words to her and instead of getting a medium “Dr. Pepper” at “Chic-Fil-A” she would get a small size drink. In her mind she was justifying that she was giving it up, but she was not completely sacrificing it. Wendy began, after a period of time, to feel a heaviness upon her. During this time of disobedience the Lord did not completely shut-off from her, for which she is grateful, but there was something between herself and God, but she wasn’t able to confess it to God or to anyone else. Towards the end of December she did confess and repent of what she had done. It’s not about a drink or a show or not reading certain things, it’s not about the thing or object, but about obedience or disobedience to the Lord. Wendy was walking in a path of disobedience until the heaviness of God’s Spirit came upon her.

Wendy went to Psalm 32 today. Verse 3-4 says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your heavy hand was upon me...” This is the same thing he was talking about in Job. When we confess and allow God to remove the heavy hand of conviction upon us, we are set free. When Wendy turned the calendar over January 1st, she can’t even explain the hallelujah’s she was singing. The difference in her spirit and in her whole person.

She is encouraging us today that if there is something we need to confess to Jesus Christ, it’s not too late. He is faithful and just to forgive us. Allow Him to remove His heavy hand from us today and bless us through our confession.

(All thoughts transcribed from Wendy's blog to aid those whose computers are not capatible to view these videos.)