1. Job 3:26
   I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”
   Job 3:25-26 (in Context) Job 3 (Whole Chapter)
2. Isaiah 30:15
   This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
   Isaiah 30:14-16 (in Context) Isaiah 30 (Whole Chapter)
3. Isaiah 32:17
   The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
   Isaiah 32:16-18 (in Context) Isaiah 32 (Whole Chapter)
4. 1 Timothy 2:11
   A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
   1 Timothy 2:10-12 (in Context) 1 Timothy 2 (Whole Chapter)

These scriptures all talk about the value of “quiet”.  To have a “quiet” soul.  No sounds of static, questioning, excess reasoning, doubt, fear, anger, unforgiveness.  Quiet trust.  To be able to fully submit to what she is being taught.  Not writhing.  Not wiggling.  Not squalling like a child.  But, to rest, content in the lap of the one who loves the most.

I read another translation that read “in quietness and trust”.  So, therefore, not quiet and confidence in the flesh.  But quiet confidence in the one who leads, guides, directs, and loves us!

Quiet.

Confidence.

Diana had a passion for the word that motivated all of us.  I’ve currently taken a challenge to read the Bible in 90 days and am about 10 days in.  It’s a marathon, let me just tell you.  Total focus and time and energy goes into that goal every day.  But, I love it…I look forward to it every day.  I hope to post a few jewels I run into along the way here.  If any of you would like to join the readings, email me and I’ll be happy to give you more info on that.  Basically, you read about 15 chapters a day, and it takes about 45 minutes of reading.  Less time than most of us watch TV each day.  It’s waking my mind up every day.  I have absolutely loved it.  I hope the short time frame will keep me on track!

Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

posted by Magnanimity

31“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,^[d] that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

-Luke 22.31-32 (ESV)
Jesus prayed that the disciples’ faith wouldn’t fail… and he said “when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers”. Is that encouraging to someone who might have just sinned, and maybe devastated by their unfaithfulness? Peter wept bitterly. But Jesus said “when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers”… hope… encouragement.

Don’t let go of the zeal to serve Jesus, and don’t let yourself be deceived into thinking Jesus can’t/wont use you anymore. He says as soon as you find your faith again, get back to worship and witnessing, get right back into edifying the church. You can do all things through him who strengthens you.

 39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[c] 45When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

This post by Bill and this scripture have my thinkin’ today.  1.  Jesus’s final little episode here, I’ve often taken many things for granted.  I read it in church yesterday, the pastor’s passage being nearby.

1.  Jesus needed to pray for courage, and felt “weak” to do what was asked of him.  He felt free to ask God for something different, but was ultimately committed to what God felt needed to be done, though it cost him much anguish and pain.

2.  God sent ministering angels to strengthen Jesus.

Now…if Jesus needed strengthening angels to handle things with grace…how is it I think I’ll ever be strong enough to handle life without prayer, without asking God for strength and courage, without being totally dependant on him to follow Him?  No wonder I get so disappointed in myself at times…still trying, I think, to do entirely too much without His “extras” to get me by.

posted by Maggie

And the LORD will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.

Just wanna say sorry for not posting much here of late, thanks all who have been sharing and encouraging everybody else here and through your own blogs.

So thankful, in Christ,
Diana

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  May they be secure who love you!

http://www.esv.org/blog/2007/01/mars.hill.switch

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
-Luke 2.8-12

GOD BLESS ALL!