What we've been up to: House Edition

 It's been awhile since I've done a picture heavy post.  We recently finished remodeling our upstairs bathroom so I thought it would be a perfect time to share some pictures.  

When we moved into this house we knew there were a few things we would want to change.  Both bathrooms and the kitchen had tile countertops; which I hate.  They are so unsanitary (yucky grout that's hard to clean) and just not a good countertop surface.  A couple years ago we redid the downstairs guest bathroom.  We had some issues with the vanity and upstairs sink earlier this year so we decided it was time to remodel that bathroom as well. 

 

When we moved in; the bathroom was a "lovely" shade of peach, sponge painted over a textured wall. 

 

Starting to tear up the tile.

Well, this was a surprise; the thin trim board was screwed and anchored into

the wall, as well as glued.  See that great hole in the wall it caused?

Floor tiles are all torn out.  Starting to tear out the vanity.

Demo is almost done.  When we pulled down the medicine cabinet 

(you can see it on the right) we found 13 screw holes behind it.

The beginning of the new backer board for new flooring.

Because the walls were textured we couldn't just patch the holes and damage.

So, I learned how to skim coat to smooth out the walls. 

Getting some help with the priming.

He was a huge help!  He did all the sanding of the skim 

coat and then helped with the painting.

Laying out a couple floor tiles with the baseboard and new paint to check the color.

New slate tiles going in. 

These guys worked hard and did a beautiful job!

Cabinets have arrived.

Floor is in!

New window shade to brighten it up while still giving privacy.

Installing the cabinets

Counter is in!

...and there's a problem.  See that gap?  

On to plan B to level the wall out enough to install the backsplash

After a lot of mudding...yep that should work.

Painted boards to match the cabinets.  Backsplash & faucet all installed.

Done!  Love the new, fresh look.  

Even with the darker cabinet and wall it is still much brighter.  

It's always rewarding to look back through the pictures to see the change. One thing that has helped to brighten up the space is the new lighter countertop.  The light reflects off the counter and the mirror.  I hope you enjoyed seeing the process.  We were surprised by how many issues we did face with this project since the house isn't that old (built in the 1990's).  Always an adventure when doing house projects! 

Psalm 73 Verse Mapping (Verses 11-12)

 

"Any they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most Hight?"

Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches."

Psalm 73:11-12

DESIGN:

"They say, "How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?"  Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth." (NASB)

"They say "How does God know?  Is there knowledge [of us] with the Most High?"  Behold, these are the ungodly, who always prosper and are at ease [ in the world]; they have increased in wealth." (AMP) 

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 11:

yada - to know, to ascertain by seeing

deah - knowledge

FIND:

Psalm 94:7 - "and they say, "The LORD does not see; and the God of Jacob does not perceive." 

Job 22:13-14 - "But you say, 'What does God know?  Can he judge through the deep darkness?  Thick clouds veil him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the vault of heaven'."

Psalm 52:7 - "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in teh abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction."

Psalm 62:10 - "Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them."

MANKIND:

As men continue in wickedness they don't think that God is even aware or cares what they do.  They deny God more and more.  Proverbs 30:9 warns about this very thing.  The prayer of this Proverb is to avoid such thinking;  that we won't be "full and deny you and say "Who is the LORD?"  These wicked men rely on their riches.  Their money and wickedness have become their idols. 

GOD:

God is always aware.  God knows, sees, and hears all that we do.  He may hold off judgement for a time but He is not unaware.  He knows the evil.  He sees evil, boastful hearts that deny Him and He has full knowledge of every thought and deed.

ASK/APPLICATION:

Our actions and thoughts are never hid from God. As much as we lean on being fully known for comfort, that very truth is both humbling and; when we sin, can be embarrassing.  But rather than living in shame; as believers, we can rejoice that while we are fully known we are also fully loved.  We must never live in the space of thinking we can "get away" with sin.  We will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).  However, there is also mercy and forgiveness when we repent (1 John 1:9).  So repent and "sow to the Spirit" to "reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:8).  While the wicked may have earthly riches and treasures those things will not last.  We must keep our hearts pure from being envious of them and focused on eternity remembering to lay up our treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

PRAY:

Dear Father, I praise you and thank you that you know all.  God this is humbling when I think of how often I fail but thank you that while I am fully known I am also fully loved by You.  God help me to be aware of sinful thoughts and attitudes that creep in, help me to be quick to confess those, turn from that thinking and refocus on the truths in Your Word.  God help me to never put my trust in earthly prosperity or riches but to remember that true treasure is found in You.  I praise and thank you for the greatest treasure...the relationship with You granted to me through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  Thank you for His sacrifice, and resurrection.  Thank you that salvation is through grace and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  I praise you for all this and ask that You would keep my focus on You as I go throughout my day.  Amen.

Psalm 73 Verse Mapping (Verses 9 & 10)

 

"They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts

through the earth.  Therefore his people turn back to them, and

find no fault in them."

Psalm 73:9-10

DESIGN:

"They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.  Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full cup are wrung out to them." (KJV)

"They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue swaggers through the earth. Therefore his people return to this place, And waters of abundance [offered by the irreverent] are [blindly] drunk by then." (AMP)

"Their mouths dare to speak against heaven! Their tongues roam the earth! That's why people keep going back to them, keep approving what they say." (CEB)

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 9:

halak - to go, come, walk

Verse 10:

shub - to turn back, return *in this verse meaning = to return to physical thing (but corrupt)

mayim - waters

male - full, fully

matsah - to drain, drain out, suck 

FIND:

Daniel 7:25 - "He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time." 

Job 21:14 - "They say to God, 'Depart from us!' We do not desire the knowledge of your ways."

Psalm 15:8 - "For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs."

ACTIONS:

These verses are some that are discussed between Biblical Scholars.  The meaning of verse 10 is said to be unclear in the original Hebrew.  The original wording includes the phrasing about drinking waters and, while most translations include that, there are a few that speak more of an approval of the wicked. There is some debate on what the cup & waters represent as there are different meanings of these throughout the Old Testament.  There is also some debate on who the "his" refers to; some say it refers to God and other commentaries said it refers to the wicked speaker in this passage.  After reading several Bible versions, commentaries and praying for understanding; the following sections are my thoughts on these verses.  However, a good discussion is always welcome so drop your thoughts in the comments.

MANKIND:

As the wicked prosper, with seemingly no consequences, they become more bold and arrogant in their rejection of God and trust in themselves.  They spread their wickedness to any who will listen.  When God's people listen to this wicked boasting some will turn back to their wicked ways.  They'll drink up everything that the wicked tell them.  The literal wording means to suck up every last drop - drink to the dregs.  They don't see anything wrong with what the wicked say.  It looks and sounds great to them because they are relying on their own understanding.

GOD:

God sometimes allows the wicked to prosper.  We may not understand why but it is always for His perfect purposes.  We are reminded in Daniel 7:25 that even though the wicked may have earthly prosperity and power for a time; both the length of that time and their amount of influence is still controlled by God's Sovereignty.

ASK/APPLICATION:

It is crucial that we always go back to Scripture and God's wisdom.  The messages of this world may sound good; they may even bring earthly prosperity to some, but if they draw us away from God they are wicked! Are the people we are listening to grounded in Jesus?  Are they relying on His Truth or are they relying on man's wisdom and understanding?  Let us be careful to remember the truths of Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." and Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD."

PRAY:

Dear Father, thank you for the truth of your word.  Thank you that when so many voices are vying for our attention we have a firm foundation of truth.  We have an absolute whereby we can measure everything else.  God I praise you for your sovereignty; to know that all is held in the power of your hand.  That earthly prosperity isn't what matters.  God forgive me for the times I let the world's voices and opinions influence me.  Keep me faithful to you and to fill my mind and heart with Your wisdom and truth.  AMEN

Psalm 73 Verse Mapping (verses 7 & 8)

 

"Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.

They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression."

Psalm 73:7-8

DESIGN:

"Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have ore than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily." (KJV)

"Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart overflow.  They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; they speak from on high." (NASB)

"Their eye bulges from fatness [they have more than the heart desires]; the imagination of their mind run riot [with foolishness].  They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; they speak loftily [with malice]." (AMP)

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 7:

maskith = showpiece, figure, imagination, carved image, conceit, imagery, picture, wish

abar = to pass over, through, or by, pass on

Verse 8:

muq = to mock, deride **this is the only place in Scripture where this word is used**

ra = evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity

marom = height *speak as if from the the sky, from heaven, so arrogantly*

osheq = oppression, extortion, thing deceitfully gotten

FIND:

Proverbs 19:3 - "When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD."

Jeremiah 5:28 - "They have grown fat and sleek.  They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and the do not defend the rights of the needy."

Psalm 17:10 - "They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly."

MANKIND:

Pride builds in the heart of mankind; it overflows in conceit, it is their idol.  Mankind, trusts in what they have; in what they can do. They have such a high opinion of themselves.  They speak as if they have the place of heaven; boasting of what they have gotten deceitfully and oppressing others.

ASK/APPLICATION:

This is a stark warning of the depravity that occurs when pride rules in our hearts.  We can become so full of ourselves and our own opinions that we end up hurting and oppressing others. Our opinions and all we have become idols to us.  We place our trust in ourselves and in our opinions rather than trusting what God has said. 

PRAYER:

Oh God, fill me with a humble spirit.  Forgive me for trusting in my own opinions, in my prideful heart.  Forgive me for the times I thought I knew better and ended up hurting those around me. Turn my heart from those areas of pride.  God You have given us all we need in Your word; may we trust in what You have said and not be so full of ourselves that we become depraved in our thinking. God we need you!  Amen.

Psalm 73 Verse Mapping (verses 5 & 6)

 

"They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the 

rest of mankind.  Therefore pride is their necklace; violence

covers them as a garment." 

Psalm 73:5-6

DESIGN:

"They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment." (KJV)

"They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.  Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence." (NIV) 

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 5:

amal = trouble, labor, toil, sorrow, one's own suffering

naga = to touch, reach, strike, plagued, stricken **indicates the idea of being brought down**

Verse 6:

anaq = to serve as a necklace, to choke **used figuratively meaning to furnish liberally**

shith = a garment, attire

ataph = to envelop oneself, covered

chamas =violence, wrong **wickedness of men, noisy, wild ruthlessness**

FIND:

Proverbs 29:8 - "Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath."

Proverbs 29:16 - "When the wicked increase, transgression increases but the righteous will look upon their downfall."

Psalm 86:14 - "O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them."

Malachi 3:15 - "And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape."

MANKIND:

Arrogance and pride are characteristics of the wicked.  They envelop themselves in violence and ruthlessness. This is a choice they make (see wording in NIV and meaning of original word ataph).  They lift their head in pride while choosing to be ignorant to the fact that they are chained and choked by that same pride.

ASK/APPLICATION:

Looking at the original language I find it interesting that the verses speak of toil and labor.  The wicked do not toil as others do; they are not brought down or plagued by many of the concerns other men have.  So in this they become prideful while being unaware that their pride is a chain that chokes them.  They choose to envelop themselves in violence and wickedness;  being noisy, wild and ruthless. 

These verses are a warning to not become prideful or arrogant when we are blessed.  It's important to step back and ask for God to search out any areas of pride in our own life.  What are our priorities? Are we living in a prideful way?  1 Peter 5:5 tells us that God resists the proud.  What characterizes our life?  Pride or humility?  Righteousness or wickedness?  Peace or noisy ruthlessness? It is SO important to stamp out pride; to not let it grow.  Lest we become chained by our pride because that leads to all kind of wickedness.  Instead, we are to be clothed in gentleness and humility (Colossians 3:12).

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Please reveal any areas of pride in my heart; any places where I have clothed myself in wrong.  Forgive me for seeking to live in my own strength, power and understanding in any areas of pride. Cleanse me and turn my heart to You.  Lord help me to remember each day to clothe myself in gentleness and humility.  I praise you that as Your child I have the power to resist sin and to choose righteousness. Amen.

Psalm 73 Verse Mapping (verses 3-4)

"For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, 

For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek."

Psalm 73:3-4 (ESV

DESIGN:

"For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat." (NASB)

"For I was envious at the foolish, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm." (KJV)

"For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong." (NIV)

DEVELOPMENT:

Verse 3:

halal = to be boastful, to praise, arrogant, praised, making fools.

Verse 4:

chartsubbah = bond, fetter, pang, pains

ul = body, belly

bari = fat, plentiful, plump

ACTIONS:

Asaph, being in a place of leadership within both the temple and palace, would have seen the corruption that can come with riches and power.

FIND:

Proverbs 24:1 = "Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them."

Proverbs 24:19 = "Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked."

Psalm 37:1 = "Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked."

Philippians 3:18-19 = "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."

GOD:

God is merciful and there is a general blessing and provision that He gives to all His creation.  Matthew 5:45 reminds us that the rain "falls on the just and unjust" and in Romans 2:4 we are told that God's kindness is meant to lead people to repentance.

YOU/MANKIND:

As humans we look around and compare.  Our vision is limited so it is hard to understand why the wicked prosper.  It is frustrating to see them praised and seemingly living a life of ease.

ASK/APPLICATION:

As believers we must keep a view to eternity.  We are told that this life is a mere vapor (James 4:14) and to not seek man's approval (Galatians 1:10).  We are to work for the Lord and not for man's praise (Colossians 3:23).  All will perish except what we do for God.  Are we storing up things that will last and count for eternity or are we focused on earthly things that don't matter (I Corinthians 3:11-13).  What we set our hearts on is what we treasure. (Matthew 6:21).

PRAY/PRAISE:

Dear Father, keep my heart and mind focused on You.  I praise You for the eternal life and hope I have in You; let that be my focus and not on gaining the riches of this world or man's approval.  Keep my heart from being envious of those who the world praises.  Help me to remember that they are enslaved; to those riches and praise.  Keep my heart enslaved to Your goodness, kindness and commands.  God I pray that the general blessings You provide to all Your creation would lead many to repentance.  Help me to show Your kindness to others. In Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 73 - Verse Mapping Study

 

Good morning,  Today starts a new blog series Verse Mapping Psalm 73.  My plan is to post twice a week covering two verses in each post. I love the Psalms.  The honesty and openness of the Psalmists have always been a comfort to me.  Our emotions;  doubts, joys, praises, hurts...none of them are too much for God and He wants us to bring it ALL to Him.  

As I mentioned last week I'll be using a method of Bible study called Verse Mapping.  There are several parts to this method and some weeks I'll be using them all while other times I'll be using only a selection of them.  So, let's dive in!

 "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, 

my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped." 

Psalm 73:1-2 (ESV)

DESIGN:

"Truly God is good to Israel, Even to such as are of a clean heart.  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped." (KJV)

"Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." (NIV)

DEVELOPMENT/ KEY WORDS, PHRASES:

Verse 1:

- AK = Surely, howbeit, certainly, truly (emphasizing what follows)

- bar = pure, clean, innocent, who are pure, choice

Verse 2: 

- natah = to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend, turn aside, turn away ** "and I was almost prostrated as to my feet", idea of falling flat on your face **

- shaphak = to pour out, pour, cast, gushed, shed, slipped ** "my steps were caused to slip" **

ACTIONS:

Written by Asaph.  Asaph was organizer and leader for the temple choirs during David and Solomon's time (see 1 Chronicles 25:1-2).  Asaph's songs were often see as being prophetic. 

Psalm is organized by dominant pronouns.

vs 1-12 = they

vs 13-17 = I

vs. 18-22 = You (God)

vs. 23-28 = mixed, You (God) and I

WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT GOD:

Asaph begins with what he knows is true; the foundation for what he believes. "Truly God is good" (tob = pleasant, agreeable, good).

FIND/CROSS REFERENCES:

There are many places where God is called good. A few of these places are:

- Psalm 100:5

- Nahum 1:7

- Psalm 34:8

- Romans 2:4 

WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT US/MANKIND:

Asaph continues in verse 2 "But as for me" - he had doubts, questions.  Asaph recognizes that he is not God; he is a man with doubts.  He had "almost" stumbled/turned away, almost prostrated (fallen flat out on the ground) he had "nearly" slipped.

APPLICATION/SUMMARY:

God is good!  We are not God we will have doubts and questions and we may be tempted to stumble and turn away or slip up because of those doubts.  Doubts and questions do not mean we have slipped or stumbled; it's how we handle those doubts and questions that determines whether we stay faithful or turn away. We must remember to start any questioning from the foundation that God is good. 

PRAYER/PRAISE:

God, I praise You that though questions may come You are a sure foundation.  You are good!  God help me, in my doubts or questions, to always start from that truth.  That You are a good God.  Keep my heart pure, clean, innocent even when I may doubt or have questions.  Amen