December 27th, 28th, and 29th

Okay, like I said on my previous post, was up visiting fam this weekend. So, I read the passages, however, I have written nothing for them and am too tired to now. However, if you still just wanna' read the passages, they are listed below:
December 27th - 1 John 5
December 28th - Jude 1:17-25
December 29th - Revelation 1

Well, I should be able to do a proper post for tomorrow. I may do tomorrow's and New Year's Eves' post both tomorrow, since I will be out all New Year's Eve with my family... but for now...

God bless! Shalom!

December 21st - 26th

Hey everyone.

So, I was without power for a few nights, then it was Christmas Eve, then it was Christmas, now it's boxing day and I leave tomorrow to visit some family. So, I would love to post about each reading, but I won't. I have a lot of my own thoughts on a bunch of them, and they're rather personal, so I think my sharing would just hinder your own applications, anyways. I did read them, though. You're free to, too. The day and its passage are listed below...

21st - James 3:1-12
22nd - 1 Peter 2:1-25
23rd - 1 Peter 3:1-22
24th - 2 Peter 1:2-21
25th - 1 John 1:1-10
26th - 1 John 3:1-24

Sorry I won't be posting anything about them.
The same will go for tomorrow through Sunday (the 30th), because I'll be visiting family (this may change if I can get Wifi where I'll be...).

God bless! Shalom!

Biblein365 - December 19th and 20th

December 19th -- James 1:2-27

Please read it even though it's a bit long!

WOW. I know it's a bit long, but I suggest reading this passage another time... or two. It's a lot to take in. Now, I did a Bible Study with my church on the book of James. However, my notes are divided amongst different weeks for this passage, so I prefer not to use them. Plus, the I am just spitting out info at you.
This passage has a lot of warnings and commandments. It seems like a lot. It's hard to follow. I get that - I'm human too, so I'm always messing up. However, that doesn't mean don't try - that means try all the harder. God doesn't expect perfection from us. He knows we can't achieve perfection, or He would never have sent his son to make up for the sins He knew we would all commit. However, that's all the more reason to try. And that strength is not one we have as humans on our own - we need to ask God for it. We need His wisdom to be able to discern right from wrong and choose right. We can ask Him for it (verse 5). However, just make sure you're not asking from the wrong place and expecting an answer (verses 6-8). God knows your heart, so He knows when you are trying to follow Him, even if you're making some mistakes along the way. Just let Him guide you and be steadfast.

December 20th -- James 2:1-13

It's only short, so give it a read!

I really can't say more than this passage already does - God doesn't choose favorites, so we shouldn't either.


God bless! Shalom!

December 17th and 18th

December 17th -- Hebrews 11

It's long, but please read it!

Love verse 1. Just remember that when things get tough. Then cling to it. It'll be worth it in the end. And look at all the brilliant examples listed in this passage if you need encouragement to keep having faith!


December 18th -- Hebrews 12:1-13

Just short, so give it a read!

Just a bit of encouragement. :)

God bless! Shalom!

PS Yes, this was super short. Yes, I just have had a few late nights for school stuff and a bit more work to finish tonight so I kept it short.

December 16th

December 16th -- Hebrews 10:19-39

Please go read the passage, even though it's a tad long!

I would love to expand on this for you all.... but it hit me on a personal level (not that I feel my faith is weak or at risk, but today has been a huge struggle to find peace and comfort in events that are hurting me a lot...) so I really can't try and come up with something for you all because I need to just let it sink in, sorry...

God bless! Shalom!

December 15th

December 15th -- Titus 3:1-11

Please read the passage - super short!

Uhm.... I really have nothing to add.... just be wary of the warnings in  this passage....

God bless! Shalom!

December 13th and 14th

December 13th -- 2 Timothy 1

Please read - it's not a long chapter at all!

Verse 7. So is fear a sin? I don't think I want to answer that, but I will say that the Bible says it is not of God, but the devil. So fear really is doubt in the plan that God has for our eternal well-being, in a way. Fear implies we do not trust fully. So I'll let you ponder if that's sin or not. However, my point is, that fear is never from God. Don't let it take hold of you. Pray against it. Pray for peace. All it will do is hinder you - I'd know.


December 14th - 2 Timothy 3

Give it a read!

I guess I just wanna' say that the Bible really is important. Re-read verses 10-17 for the reasoning again, but basically it's our weapon. It's our way of fighting off the lies of the devil. Not knowing your Bible, God's book to us, is like walking into warfare without a weapon. Even if you defend yourself for a while, you'll be overrun before the battle's won. So get to know that book. I was never a Bible reader myself 'til I started. Now I'm in there daily and I'm often seeking passages aside from just this study. I use verses to make me feel better when I'm upset, find God's peace when I can't seem to, seek reassurance in my future in God's promises, or find direction in how I can be living for His Kingdom. P.S. The Bible works best when coupled with prayer. If one were the blade the other would be the hilt, together making your sword so you can fight.


God bless! Shalom!

December 11th and 12th

December 11th -- 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Please give the passage a read!

1 Timothy 4:12. "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." I put a picture up on my Tumblr a while ago. It was just of me showing my two purity rings (the explanation of why two is on there, although I have actually decided on a better reason for them since). Ended up with that verse, 1 Timothy 4:12 coming up in some messages from people then. I love that verse. I feel that so often in society us youths (I'm 17 to give you an idea, so I am talking like maybe teens when I say youths) are not very empowered. We are sort of left off to the side and our possible value and contribution to society is often neglected. Why? Because we are young. Sometimes, this happens even among Christians - Christians who are young - age-wise or in their faith journey - tend to be held back in a way, prevented from having too much influence. People tend to look down on them, thinking they are less for their lack of age in years of life or faith. But this verse tells us not to let anyone look down on us. If we live in a way that they can't look down on us, they will eventually stop. We can be examples. Who cares if we are young? God used Moses, a man who stuttered, to be a messenger to His people. God used Rahab, a prostitute, to save the Jewish spies. God used Mary, just a regular girl to anyone it seemed, to be an earthly mother to his own child. God does not choose people based on popularity, appearance, wisdom, or age. God choses those who He knows He can use in his plan - and since all is possible for Him, He can use everyone and anyone. So if you're young in age or faith, don't let people look down on you - live for God in such a way that they can't, and that you instead set an example! ☺

December 12th -- 1 Timothy 6:3-21

Please read!

I think this is a different take-away for everyone. SO just in general meditate on the overall instructions in verses 11-21...

God bless! Shalom!

December 9th and 10th

December 9th -- 2 Thessalonians 1

Please give it a quick read!

Nothing to add to this one, sorry... it's a rather personal thing so I can't really expand on it...

December 10th -- 2 Thessalonians 3

Please read it over!

I guess I just want to emphasize the importance of the warning in verses 6-15. One of the biggest things that turns people away from Christianity today is hypocritical Christians - so don't live idly, live for God, and let's show them that we're not all hypocrites!

God bless! Shalom!

December 7th and 8th

December 7th -- 1 Thessalonians 1

Please read the passage!

Nothing to add, really, except try and be like that church - let people talk about how you left a life without God for one with Him.


December 8th -- 1 Thessalonians 4

Please give the passage a read!

I'm not really sure I can add to this. Just take the encouragement to heart. If you're doing it fairly right, keep doing it fairly right (we can never do it entirely perfectly, but fairly right is pretty good) If maybe you can honestly admit to yourself you need to improve in an area or two, then try and do that.

God bless! Shalom!

December 6th

December 6th -- Colossians 3:1-17

Please read the passage!

Sorry, but my brain is completely exhausted after a huge paper I had to do for school, so I am just going to say reminder of the reminders on this post.

God bless! Shalom!

December 5th

December 5th -- Colossians 2:1-15

Please read the passage!

I honestly don't have the time to write out thoughts on this tonight, sorry, but just remember verse 14. Not only is that record of wrongs cancelled, but it was taken away. It is gone. We are free from it (when we accept Christ). That's amazing, considering how long that list must grow for even just a day, let alone a lifetime.

God bless! Shalom!

December 4th

December 4th -- Philippians 3

Please read the passage - it's not a long chapter!

I guess overall what I see clearest in this is the same message I've pointed out for a few days now.
We're all equal in Christ.
Nobody is better than anyone else.
Nobody is lesser than anyone else.
We are all equal in Christ
SO, stop acting like you're better than anyone. Stop thinking you're better than anyone. The only place you are better - or worse - is when you are of the world. We are meant to be in the world, but not of it. Do not let it's schemes and lies about value fool you. Value is something each and every human being has in equal abundance when looked at by God. Just remember that the next time you begin to compare - don't follow the world's scales which are crooked and have different length strings, so they can never be accurate but instead listen to God's ever-balanced scales, because we all are equal.

God bless! Shalom!

December 3rd

December 3rd -- Philippians 2:1-18

Please read the passage!

Just give verses 12-18 another read and let them sink in.
I am honestly just gonna' leave you with this challenge (yes, I am issuing it to myself as well): live out those verses. Try and really make an intentional effort to do so for the next few days, or week maybe. Just put yourself a little lower and others a little higher. That doesn't mean be a doormat and let everyone walk all over you - it means just be aware that they are children of God, too, and if Jesus could humble himself, so can you.

God bless! Shalom!

December 1st and 2nd

December 1st -- Ephesians 4:1-16

Please read the passage - it's short!

Unity in the body of Christ. Sounds easy. In reality, it's hard. Unity, total unity, implies no discord. Everyone getting along... all the time... no matter what. Now, be honest, have you thought a bad thought about someone else today? Or even one about yourself? Yes. There goes perfect unity.... but that's no reason to give up. God never calls us to perfection - He knows we are not capable of that, which is why He sent His son to atone for our imperfection. However, God calls for us to try. He calls for us to try as hard as we can to live in unity with all His children. This is especially important among the body of Christ, because how can we make others believe if we can't seem to work together ourselves?

December 2nd -- Ephesians 6:10-20
Read the passage, please!

I think sometimes we forget that life's a battlefield. We forget it because we don't see it. We don't see angels and demons fighting around us. We don't see God's forces battling the devil's forces. We just see good days and bad days, or many of the world sees "luck", "fate", or "chance". But life is a battlefield. We need to prepare for that. Don't get up and walk blindly into oncoming enemy fire - put on your armor of God. I think sometimes we take it for granted - well it's not. It is a gift and a blessing, but it's only useful if we use it. So use it. Put on that armor of God. Not just once in a while, either. Every day. Then remember to give God thanks for helping you stand through the trials you face.

God bless! Shalom!

November 29th and 30th

November 29th -- Ephesians 1:3-23

Please read!

Verse 11, because sometimes we feel our life is spiralling out of control.
Verse 11, because sometimes we think there's no light at the end of the tunnel.
Verse 11, because sometimes we feel like we are running towards an end goal that isn't really there.
Verse 11, because sometimes just knowing we've got a purpose can help us get through each day.
Verse 11, because we have been promised, by God, who cannot lie, that He has a plan for us, and all things work according to His will.
Verse 11, because no matter what happens, God's got a plan for it.

November 30th -- Ephesians 2:1-22

Please read!

Wow... not even sure how to sum up all the things that hit me on a personal level from this. I know that it's talking about Jews and Gentiles and that was ages ago, but the lessons are timeless.
I'm just gonna' sum up a brief story to get a point across. Keep in mind, I'm forgiven not perfect. I mess up a lot. It is by God's grace alone that I am not still heading to Hell after death to pay for that.
Basically, there was a very confusing and rather frustrating situation that had happened earlier. I'm not sure if it was a communication disconnect, misunderstanding, or something else, but it sort of just blew me to hit my limit. I'll be honest and say I became angry and some of my thoughts and words were not the most pleasant. That sometimes happens when I get mad. I'm rather ashamed of it now, though, since I have calmed down.
Here's my point: we all make mistakes. All of us. I have been on my faith journey for at least 3 or so years now. I probably still mess up almost as much as I did before I started. That's just the truth. However, that's the same for any Christian. No Christian has reached a point where they do not sin. Not one. Why? Re-read verses 8-9. Our salvation is not because of us, but because of God. If we had to earn it on our own, we'd be back to square one where Adam and Eve had eaten the apple but Christ had not died for their sin - or, basically, we'd all still be hopelessly condemned to an eternity away from God. So yes, we mess up as Christians sometimes. That's just the blunt and honest truth, no way about it. But we can still be saved by grace. We can all still be saved by grace. Because God looks at us and sees a beloved child of His, not a tally mark of counted sins. Accept that grace. Otherwise, you condemn yourself countless times a day.

God bless! Shalom!

November 28th

November 28th -- Galatians 5:13-26

Please read the passage!

Only because if I start, I will write too much I am intentionally writing only two points to leave with you. Two challenges for you to focus on this coming weekend, if you will.
1. Love everybody - not just those who are easily lovable, but everybody.
2. Stop indulging in sin and instead be obedient - leave those sinful desires on the cross where they were nailed with Jesus.

God bless! Shalom!

November 27th

November 27th -- 2 Corinthians 4

Please read the passage!

I'm actually just gonna' direct you to a post on my personal blog... "Cracked, but not Broken"
It reminded me of it because we're all sort of cracked, but not quite broken, because we aren't perfect, but God holds us together.

God bless! Shalom!

November 26th

November 26th -- 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

Please read the passage!

I just wanna throw in a quick word on verse 58. Sometimes, I think we feel that God's just holding back on the good stuff because what we're doing now can't possibly be helping His Kingdom, right? Well, this verse makes it quite clear we are wrong. "...for you know that nothing you ever do for the Lord is useless." NOTHING we do for God is useless. Now, it may be useless if you're doing it for yourself, for example, but if you are truly living for God, you will not be doing anything that is "useless".

God bless! Shalom!

November 25th

November 25th -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-20

Please read the passage!

I'm not really sure I can add to this passage - it's pretty clear. I guess I'd just say be very careful that what you say does not contradict the truths we know in the Bible. Back then, the peoples' proof was Jesus -  we don't have Jesus walking among us so our proof is the Bible. Don't go around preaching it unless you are SURE it doesn't contradict or somehow disprove God. I don't know about you, but I don't wanna' risk doing that. Plus, things like that are one of the biggest points of confusion for non- and new believers. So just be wary - and if you don't know, check it in the Bible!

God bless! Shalom!

November 24th

November 24th -- 1 Corinthians 13

Please read the chapter! It's only short, and very beautiful!

LOVE this passage. (Catch the joke? I know, not funny. I'm sorry... ) It's a beautiful description of love.
Today, I feel, often, love is sex and sex is love. We've been told that sex is proof of love - if they love you, they'll have it with you. That's what we see every time we turn on the TV, pick up a magazine, open up the internet browser, or even walk down the street in town and are barraged by signs advertising such things as strip clubs. We are told they are the same. That love is sex and sex is love. One leads to the other. That's what so many people are brainwashed to believe, meaning so often, when they wake up that next morning to another body beside them in bed, they are left confused as to why nothing has changed. Let me try and show you a few of the differences, from the perspective of a somewhat naïve Christian teenage girl.
Sex is just one night. Or a few.
Love is forever.

Sex is easy and gets easier with practice.
Love is hard and never gets any easier - it just has to overcome more trials.

Sex does not require growth - it can happen anywhere with anyone.
Love needs to be grown - it doesn't just happen overnight (even if we've been told the right night with the right person can make it).

Sex leaves "warm fuzzy feelings" but those fade after a time.
Love leaves scars and bruises but it also leaves an unexplainable warmth that doesn't go away.

Sex is just a field of flowers - no threats, no dangers, no worry, no pain. Just easygoing.
Love is peddling uphill. It's gonna' take a lot to get there, but you'll get there, and when you do, it will be worth it.

Sex is; now, unforgiving, jealous, prideful, boasting, rude. It wants things done its way and will remember when its not. It will walk away at any time, giving up or in, and cannot stand through trials.
Love is; patient, kind, humble, polite. It wants things done for the good of the other, and does not remember if it had been wronged. It will not walk away, never giving up or in, and it can stand through trials.

Sex is about "me".
Love is about "you".
Without love, we are nothing. Not without sex, we are nothing. Without LOVE we are nothing.
So do yourself a favor and remember love is not sex, and sex is not love. It's natural to want to have sex with someone you feel you really love - that's okay, it's how God made us, but, make sure it stays within His boundaries for its creation. Marriage. Save it for the ring, folks. Save it for the person who you can love enough to sacrifice things your whole life for... and for the person who can do the same for you. Don't confuse the two, please... Love is NOT sex... and sex is NOT love.

God bless! Shalom!

November 23rd

November 23rd -- Romans 12

Please read the passage!

So often we hear "I'll follow God when He tells me where to go." Folks, that is NOT how it works. We walk, God directs. It's not God directs, then we walk. We have to take that first step in faith. So, how do we do that, then? Verse 2. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Basically, start working on your life, before you start trying to impact everyone else's. You have to make sure your relationship with Christ is solid. You can always do more work on your own life. So when you don't know where else to look to start, try the mirror. Once you start working on that, you'll be able to see what God's been trying to show you all along. Then there you go - direction - you may now follow...

God bless! Shalom!

November 22nd

November 22nd -- Romans 8:19-39

Please read the passage!

Nothing can separate us from God's love.
Nothing can separate us from God's love.
Nothing can separate us from God's love.
Nothing can separate us from God's love.
Got it in your head, yet?
Good.
Now, just making sure we all fully get how much God loves us that nothing can separate us from His love, and the fact that literally nothing can separate us from it.
Q: Can being socially outcast separate you from God's love?
A: No.
Q: Can being angry separate you from God's love?
A: No.
Q: Can a tornado ripping your house apart separate you from God's love?
A: No.
Q: Can sin separate you from God's love?
A: Most definitely not. If sin could separate us from God's love, then He would never have sent Jesus to die from us, and we'd all be hell-bound in the most literal of senses.

Folks, sometimes, we feel like we have hit rock-bottom... and then proceeded to fall through it even further. I can promise you, though, that you will never be separated from that love of God. He will always love you. It is not conditional or 'earned' in any way - it is constant and freely given.

You are never without His love. If that is the one thing that gets you through the day, so be it - it is always true, so remember it.

God bless! Shalom!

November 20th and 21st

November 20th -- Romans 5:1-11

Please read the passage - it's short!

This is gonna' momentarily turn into a bit of a personal blog, just to get my point across. I am horrible at maintaining friendships. Like, I don't know if I just have an abrasive personality, but I really have trouble keeping friends. More so keeping good, solid, trustworthy friends. But here's what I tend to so easily and often forget, and the reason, I think, that God seems to be taking away the friendships I value in my life : God's the best friend we could ever have. And the only one we ever need.

November 21st -- Romans 8:1-18

Read the passage through, please!

Verse 15, folks.... tying in with above, I am always afraid of being alone, of being hated/disliked, or of not having anyone down here there for me. God DID NOT GIVE US A SPIRIT OF FEAR. Sometimes we have to realize we need to smarten up and realize it's just the devil trying to get to us - and we've been letting him. We have hope of an eternal life. In the end, we will not be alone - we will be with God for eternity. This lifetime will be the blink of an eye. So don't be ruled by fear of being alone - then that fear stops God from working through you properly. So let go and let God. You've already got an eternal best friend - stop worrying you're gonna' ever be alone (this is partially to remind myself, yes...)

God bless! Shalom!

November 18th and 19th

November 18th and 19th -- Acts 28

Please read the chapter!

Thoughts for today are the same as yesterday's. I also wanna' add that sometimes, people make mistakes or sin and it affects us - like those who lied about Paul - but God can always bring good of it - like how He allowed Paul to witness because of those "mistakes". So just remember, God doesn't make mistakes! If you are where you are, He is leaving/putting you there for a reason - it isn't a mistake!

God bless! Shalom!

November 16th and 17th

November 16th and 17th -- Acts 27

Please read the passage, even though it's a whole chapter!

I guess all that stands out to me in this is the shipwreck. To me it becomes an analogy. Paul and his ideas represent God and His plans. We would be the captain/crew and their plans. When the crew and captain did what they wanted, they almost ended up overboard. It wasn't until Paul took over that things started to be fixed. Had nobody listened to Paul, they would have been overboard. Sometimes we try and steer our "ship" of life OUR way. However, that's not what's meant to happen. We need to let God steer our ship. We don't know what storms of life lie ahead, but He knows the safest places for us to dock, and He will carry us through each storm of life into safety. That doesn't mean our "ship" won't have to lose some stuff or take some damage, but it means we still come out of it alive.
So, who's steering your ship?

God bless! Shalom!

November 15th

November 15th -- Acts 26:1-32

I know it's a bit long, but please read the passage!

Just gonna' send y'all back to this post.
None are too far gone to be used by God for His kingdom.

God bless! Shalom!

November 14th

November 14th -- Acts 25:1-27

Please read the passage!

Cool story, nothing to add....
I seriously will be better once I'm out of Acts and into stuff that's not just retellings.

God bless! Shalom!

November 13th

November 13th -- Acts 23:23-24:27

Please read the passage, even if it's a bit long!

I really have nothing to add to this one... I just feel sort of bad for Paul, as he's being dragged all over the place. XD

God bless! Shalom!

November 12th

November 12th -- Acts 22:30-23:22

It's a bit long, but please read it!

Great story. I love how things work out to the advantage of Paul (good) and not the people planning to kill him (bad). It's sort of like how God works in our life - the devil sets traps we would not know about, but God has situations arise in just the right way so as to warn us and protect us.
Sadly, that will be all for today.

God bless! Shalom!

November 11th

November 11th -- Acts 21:37-22:29

It's long-ish, but please read it!

This sort of story just gives me hope for those who are lost. Often, I think we get this idea that people are "too far gone" or "too lost" and can't be redeemed, much less really used for God's glory. However, we see a perfect example in this passage of just how untrue that manner of thinking is. God can redeem anyone, and He can use anyone for His kingdom. The problem never lies with how He made us or who we are - the probably is only when we set our hearts against it, or, rather, when we don't intentionally set our hearts for it. The dedication Paul (formerly Saul) showed when he went to what he thought was his own death for the sake of the Kingdom is the kind of dedication we need to have - relentless, strong, and unfaltering.

God bless! Shalom!

November 10th

November 10th -- Acts 21:18-36

Please read the passage!

Again, going to direct you to the post from the 8th.

God bless! Shalom!

November 9th

November 9th -- Acts 21:1-17

Please read the passage!

Just gonna' say go back to yesterday's post...

God bless! Shalom!

November 8th

November 8th -- Acts 20:13-38

It's a tad long, but please read the passage!

 One quick thing to say. Paul says his life is worth nothing if not used for God's purpose for him. Now, that's great, but often words are not followed through. Paul's are. We need to make sure if we are gonna' spout words about living wholly for God and such, that we are doing our utmost best to ensure those words are truth. After all, hypocrites are one of the biggest turnaways from Christianity.

God bless! Shalom!

November 7th

November 7th -- Acts 20:1-12

Please read the passage, it's just short!

I have nothing to add, sadly. Acts is mostly retelling of, well, acts, so I can't add to much of it.

So God bless! Shalom!

November 6th

November 6th -- Acts 19:21-41

Please read the passage!

... nothing to add to this story, sorry...

God bless! Shalom!

November 5th

November 5th -- Acts 19:1-20

Please read the passage!

Uhm. Not sure when, but it must have been a mix-up, but I've already done this passage on here... so I have nothing to say on it this time... and I am not searching all my old posts for it, either. XD

God bless! Shalom!

November 4th

November 4th -- Acts 17:16-34

Please read the passage!

Just one brief thing to mention on this passage. There is a judgement day that has been set aside. Since way back when it has been told of. We know it is coming. Just don't be caught off guard when it comes. Live in such a way that you're not adding to the list of things you will be judged for, but instead are trying to live in a godly manner.

God bless! Shalom!

November 3rd

November 3rd -- Acts 17:1-15

Read the passage, please!

Cool story and it's nice to see how the believers banded together to protect Paul and Silas, but sadly I have nothing to add to it.

God bless! Shalom!

November 2nd

November 2nd -- Acts 16:16-40

Please read the passage!

No thoughts to add, sorry. It's a really neat story/passage, though.

God bless! Shalom!

November 1st

November 1st -- Acts 16:1-15

Please read the passage!

Uhm... I guess only one minor thing to say. Sometimes, you may want to spread God's word somewhere, but He may have shut the way to that for you at that time. Just like Paul and Silas had to return to the province of Asia to preach because God had not let them, before, sometimes He may call us away from a spot at one point, then back to it. So never think that just because God seems to have finished with that connection in your life that He really is for sure. All things in His timing.

God bless! Shalom!

October 31st

October 31st -- Acts 15:22-41

Please read the passage!

Sorry, but nothing to add....

God bless! Shalom!

October 30th

October 30th -- Acts 15:1-21

Please read!

I really have NOTHING to say on this one, sorry. Not really something to be argued or anything.

God bless! Shalom!

October 29th

October 29th -- Acts 14:1-28

Please read the passage!

I guess all I'm getting out of this is that sometimes, spreading God's news isn't gonna' be easy. I'd like to say the stoning never happens nowadays, but in some places, it does. That or worse. However, God wants us to share His news. We may not all be called to be missionaries, but we can all share in our own ways. Even those sharing at home may face our own problems - you may be laughed at, teased, ignored, or excluded for it. However, just remember that no matter how hard it is, it's worth it for God.

God bless! Shalom!

October 28th

October 28th -- Acts 13:1-12

It's short, so please give the passage a read!

Uhm... I'm not gonna' try and make up a lesson out of this. It's sort of a short and straightforward story. 1) Don't pretend to be a follower if you're not (like Bar-Jesus did) and 2) don't try and get in the way of the spread of the Word (or God may just take you right out of the way...). That's really all I've got for ya', sorry...

God bless! Shalom!

October 27th

October 27th -- Acts 12:1-25

Please go and read the passage!

Have you ever had one of those days where it just feels like the devil's on your heels, laughing at you as everything seems to go wrong? Whether it was just an up-late-the-night-before-doing-homework-got-up-to-a-bad-hair-day-almost-missed-the-bus-forget-a-lunch-and-that-essay-at-home day or a you-got-home-to-your-parents-fighting-and-they-told-you-they're-filing-a-divorce day sometimes we just have rough days. So imagine how Peter must have felt in that jail. Yet, God got him out. God doesn't see us in trouble and go "Oh, well, they can get themself out, I'm sure." or "I would but I haven't the time". He sees us in trouble and guides us out. Now, that doesn't mean we won't ever hurt. Peter did spend a few days in a horrible prison cell (you think prisons are bad now? Try in those times...) but God did still get him out. God's not gonna' keep us coddled up and never let us learn - sometimes we need to hurt to grow from it. I think there's a reason they're called "growing pains". Just know you are never too far for Him to save. He knows what's best, and if what's best is to pull you out, He will. If not, He will leave you as you are and you have to trust He has good reason for it.

Also, just a side note on how important it is to give God His credit. Herod didn't and he really paid for it. Pride comes before the fall. Anything we accomplish really is never of our own doing. Nothing eternally worthwhile can come of our own effort. So, give God credit where credit is due to Him. Don't hog it - then you tear down a wall for his kingdom instead of putting another one up.

God bless! Shalom!

October 26th

October 26th -- Acts 11:19-29

Please go read the passage!

I think sometimes people get this idea that God only looks out for people who believe in Him, and doesn't care about anyone who doesn't. This is not true at all. He loves each and every one of us like a child. This passage proves that He looks out for everyone, not just those who believe. He allowed the Spirit to speak through a Christian and prophecy about a famine that would hit the whole Roman world. Because they knew, then, the Christians gathered and gave what they could. When the famine hit, that stuff probably saved lives. If God had not been looking out for those people and allowed those events to happen, those lives might have been lost. He really does look out for each and every one of us. The only difference is, when we follow Him, we start to see that even if we think it's bad, He knows it's best.

God bless! Shalom!

October 25th

October 25th -- Acts 11:1-18

Please read the passage!

Not really much to say. I guess just this: remember that God's gift is all-inclusive. It's not just for any age, race, or gender. It's not for smart people only or not-so-smart people only. It's for neither just the rich or just the poor. It is for everyone. God gave His son that we may all have a chance to be saved. Just remember that that "all-inclusive" includes even the worst sinners - all lives can be made new through Christ. Nobody is "too far gone".

God bless! Shalom!

October 24th

October 24th -- Acts 10:24-48

Please read the passage!

Same thing as yesterday. Great story but I have nothing to add, sorry.

God bless! Shalom!

October 23rd

October 23rd -- Acts 10:1-23

Please read the passage!

So... it's a story... and I have no idea how to expand on it... so I've got nothing, sorry.

God bless! Shalom!

October 22nd

October 22nd -- Acts 9:32-42

Please read the passage! It's short!

It's an awesome story with awesome miracles. Sadly, with stories like that I can't really expand on them. Just remember that God can use people to work miracles. Just make sure that when He does awesome things through you (maybe not to the extent of raising people from the dead - but still cool or awesome stuff) you give Him the glory.

God bless! Shalom!

October 21st

October 21st -- Acts 9:20-31

Please read the passage - it's short!

Saul. In an earlier passage just a few days ago it was mentioned how he was hunting down Christians and killing them. Now it's talking about how he's preaching Jesus' name. Honestly keeping this SUPER short tonight (I have a few studies to catch up on for youth group tomorrow night so I wanna get cracking on those). Basically, God can use anyone in His plan. He took a Christian-slayer and made him someone who preached the name of the Lord in the face of the threat of death. God can change hearts and lives. Never doubt Him.

God bless! Shalom!

October 20th

October 20th -- Acts 19:1-19

Please read the passage!

God's name isn't some sort of spell. Nor is Jesus'. Nor is the Holy Spirit's. It's not like we can just say that we command or demand something in their name and all of a sudden it's the trump card of life and we get it. That's not how it works. These Jews who heard about Paul seemed to think it was like that. So, they tried it. However, they ended up in a pretty bad spot (being attacked by a possessed man) for trying it. All of a sudden, after this event, everybody realized that. It seems that over time, though, we have forgotten it. We throw around God's name like it's nothing, sometimes. We have to be SO careful not to do that. For one, it's sin. For two, it's dangerous. For three, there are seriously far more creative and godly things we could use instead. So don't go throwing His name around and calling attention to your self. As they say, "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it." Just ask the seven sons of Sceva.

God bless! Shalom!

October 19th

October 19th -- Acts 8:26-40

Please read the passage!

Um... I honestly have nothing to say on this passage. It's cool. But I've got nothing I can think of to expand on it further. Sorry!

God bless! Shalom!

October 18th

October 18th -- Acts 8:1-25

Please read!

Basically, this passage just summarizes a lot of my points from the past week or so. Don't be greedy (like Simon was about the power). Don't let obstacles stand in your way (Philip preached despite the persecution). When you are working for God's will, nothing will stop you (nobody interrupted Philip's preaching and many people were actually saved). So please just go through my last few days' posts to understand what I'm talking about.

God bless! Shalom!

October 17th

October 17th -- Acts 7:30-60

It's a bit long, but please read the passage!

Again, a lot of s history summary/recap. However, at the very end, Stephen was stoned. He was killed. As he died, he prayed God wouldn't charge the men who stoned him with the sin of stoning him. I mean, we get ticked off over little things - our sibling left our door open, our store was out of our favorite snack, we got stuck in some traffic, we had a bad hair day, our clothes are a little tighter than they were before Thanksgiving. How does one keep their cool to the point of truly loving the enemy who is taking their life? Verse 55 "But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit..." We can't love enemies on our own. We can't keep our cool and not blow a top on our temper on our own. We need God - we need the Holy Spirit. It is beyond our human capability to do those things, so we need the Holy Spirit. When we are truly filled with it, we can be like Stephen through it.

God bless! Shalom!

October 16th

October 16th -- Acts 7:1-29

Please read the passage!

Sorry, but I am honestly not sure what to say on this passage. it's a retelling of history segments. I guess if you wanna' see my thoughts on those particular passages go look at January through February or March in my blog history.

Anyways, God bless! Shalom!

October 15th

October 15th -- Acts 6:1-15

Please read the passage!

Now, as much as we have to remember we do play a part in God's plan, we have to also remember it's not about us. The men that stand out in these passages are the ones who are full of the Spirit and wisdom. Now, we are not wise on our own, so we know that's from God. We also all know that the Holy Spirit is from God. SO we can see that God is the centre of the traits that made these men stand out. It wasn't because they were perhaps tall, strong, handsome, rich, or even responsible. It was because God shone through them. It doesn't matter who you are, God can shine through you if you let Him. Let Him be your identity, not your human self.

God bless! Shalom!

October 14th

October 14th -- Acts 5:17-42

It's a little long, but please read the passage!

The Pharisees lock these guys up for not listening. Yet, somehow, they get out and go and do exactly what they were locked up for doing. Why? Because NOTHING will get in the way of God's plan. It may seem impossible, but you just have to trust. If He tells you to do something and you don't know how you're supposed to do it, just take it one step at a time and trust He will walk you through it. DON'T hesitate or argue - that gets you nowhere but in the way of accomplishing God's will. Just basically I'll refer you back to this post from a few days ago for what I'm trying to say.

God bless! Shalom!

October 13th

October 13th -- Acts 5:1-16

Please read the passage - it's short!

WOW. I find this story's just sad. But it has a valuable lesson - don't be greedy. What I have to say about the matter of greed can be summed up in this post, discussing the idea of having to choose God or money, as no one can serve two masters.

God bless! Shalom!

October 12th

October 12th -- Acts 4:23-37

Please read the passage!

Gonna' keep this short and sweet.

Yesterday I said we have to overcome obstacles sometimes to accomplish what God wants us to do. I also said we never face them alone - God is always with us. I neglected to mention that yes, staring down and overcoming those obstacles will take courage. However, you can do it. Not alone - human courage is not enough sometimes. However, you can have God's courage strengthening you. How? Pray and ask for it, just like the disciples.
Also, this passage talks about how the disciples began to share all their possessions. I just want to again point out how important community is to the body of Christ.

God bless! Shalom!

October 11th

October 11th -- Acts 4:5-22

Please read the passage!

If God tells you to do it, do it. He will remove the obstacles if you come up against them. Peter and John faced the religious leaders. The leaders tried to get Peter and John to stop preaching. They refused, saying they could not listen to the leaders over God. We need to do that. Always listen to God first. Now, when they said this, the leaders tried all they could to think of a way to make them stop - they couldn't. When we are following God's will, He will not let anything stand in our way. He will remove the obstacles as they arise. He has already seen how we reach the final destination. He has missed nothing. There are no surprises or hiccups in the plan. He knows all and has planned all. If you are meant to do something for His glory and you are trying your best, you will get it done. Simple as that.

God bless! Shalom!

October 10th

October 10th -- Acts 3:12-4:4

Please read the passage!

Sometimes I think we tend to remember Peter as "the one who denied Christ". We often let bad name tags stick better than good ones. We shouldn't. In the passage Peter sees an opportunity to share about Jesus and seizes it. He doesn't hesitate and he doesn't consider the consequences of what he's doing. He just knows he has a chance and takes it. Sometimes we need to be more like Peter. We have so many opportunities in a day to share about God, but we so often let them pass by. We need to seize them. Not worrying about consequences, just doing it because we know God told us to. Good will come of it. Even though Peter was arrested for it, people who heard him believed. God will not let you sew a seed and not have it take root somewhere if He orchestrated it so you could sew the seed. START SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES!

God bless! Shalom!

October 9th

October 9th -- Acts 2:41-3:11

Somewhat long again, but please read it!

The believers form a community. Notice that word? COMMUNITY. The believers back then recognized how important this is to us as a body of Christ. We need to work in community. If your arms or legs decide to stop listening to your brain, you're in trouble, right? You couldn't use them. Or how about if your arms or legs decided to stop telling your brain when to feel pain? Your brain would never know to react to whatever was causing you that pain and therefore would leave your arm/leg in harm's way and never know it. If your body stopped working together, it wouldn't be nearly as useful. It couldn't do nearly as many of the things it can do when it does work together. That's just like us as the body of Christ. We are all gifted differently and need each other's gifts to make the biggest difference for God. It's not a one or two man job. It's a team job. All God's followers are one big team. Not only that, but God designed us to be in community. He warns us against too much community with unbelievers, though, as they are typically a bad influence on us and will begin to rub off on us. Who does that leave? Believers. We are called to be witnesses to unbelievers, but also called to be brothers and sisters in Christ to believers. It's easy to forget, but community is so essential to a healthy Christian walk, as well as a healthy walk with Christ, as those around you can often help you see and work through things standing between you and God. So, are you being an active part of your Christian community?

God bless! Shalom!

October 8th

October 8th - Acts 2:14-40

I know it's longish but please read the passage!

Wow. Isn't it great to know that we can know for sure Jesus was/is the son of God and our Messiah? I think so. I mean, Peter talks about the proof of it by referencing passages from way before his time. These were passages that were probably passed on by word of mouth before they were ever recorded on paper. Then they were finally put onto paper all together. That meant that Peter knew to go to these passages and bring them up, as everyone would have known what he was talking about. It's seriously cool, though, how he referenced prophecies because of another prophecy happening. I guess I just love how intricately beautifully it's all set up, and knowing that it was OUR God who did that.

God bless! Shalom!

October 7th

October 7th -- Acts 2:1-13

Please read the passage!

If someone started in speaking in tongues, what might your reaction be?
Would you be shocked and wonder what it was or attribute it to God, or would you just attribute it to the person being drunk, for example.
In this passage, we can see a good idea of a clear way to separate believers from non-believers. True believers know of God's incredible power and His mighty works. Non-believers question it because, in more ways than one, they do not understand it. Often, things happen that we, as people, cannot explain. As Christians, we know to attribute that to God, because we know He operates on a level beyond our understanding. Non-Christians cannot understand what happened because they refuse to attribute it to the cause. Perhaps how we choose to see and understand events like that reflects on our faith. Just try and always remember that if something happens, God orchestrated it - nothing happens without His permission. Therefore, no matter how strange or messed up it seems, it is always within His power.

God bless! Shalom!

October 6th

October 6th -- Acts 1:12-26

Please go read the passage!

This passage is about Matthias replacing Judas. However, I just want to focus on the references to past parts of the Bible. It's so cool! I mean, this book was recorded over many years. However, to have a real person who is told of in the New Testament referencing passages we can read in the Old Testament is awesome! David prophesied about Judas' betrayal before there was even word of a Messiah coming to be betrayed. However, not only was that recognized, but it was recognized that somebody was meant to take Judas' place. The disciples didn't hesitate and say "Oh, but 11's probably enough. Besides, nobody else would have been with Jesus like we were so we don't need anyone else." Instead, they just obeyed. Because of that, they were shown, in answer to their prayers, which man to select. However, I really just love when prophecies are referenced and fulfilled because I just think it's seriously cool that a) the prophecy was ever prophesied and b) the people way later in history knew about those prophecies and could reference them.

God bless! Shalom!

October 5th

October 5th -- Acts 1:1-11

Please go and read the passage!

... got nothing for ya', sadly.

I just want to point out that it's cool that this passage is actually a letter written to someone. I mean, so many people try and discredit the Bible. However, this letter discusses previous letters, as well as directly names the one it is written to. It also recounts events in detail. Why make up such an elaborate story just to pull wool over peoples' eyes? You wouldn't. It's ridiculous to. This is not some made up book - the Bible is for real. I had a link to a video in my study a few weeks ago, but here it is again. It's a really great video about "why I choose to believe the Bible". It's about 40 minutes, but it's totally worth it!

God bless! Shalom!

October 4th

October 4th -- Luke 24:44-53

Please go and read the passage!

Sorry, but I don't have much to say. Anything, really. Not much I can expand on for this particular passage.

Just know that you can be forgiven, no matter what you've done. You can be forgiven - that's why Jesus died and rose again before ascending.

God bless! Shalom!

October 3rd

October 3rd -- Matthew 28:16-20

Super short, so read it!

THE GREAT COMMISSION. We are called to "make disciples of all nations".

NOT make disciples of only the people we like.
NOT make disciples of only the people who accept faith easily.
NOT make disciples of only the people who have never insulted Christianity.
NOT make disciples of only the people who are near to us and easy to get into contact with.
NOT make disciples of only some people.

Make disciples of all nations.
No excuses, "if"s, "and"s, "or"s, or "but"s. It's a commandment.
Also, I get that we're all gifted differently and called to different things. This is not me trying to tell anyone they suddenly need to sign up for a missions trip. This is my way of suggesting that  you live in such a way that your whole life is an example, and makes disciples of those who see how set apart you are, because of your relationship with God.

God bless! Shalom!

October 2nd

October 2nd -- John 21:15-25

Please read the passage! It's only 10 verses!

"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" Rumors broke out this guy wouldn't die, so that he could be alive when Jesus returned. The disciples just grabbed what they heard and ran with it - in a totally wrong direction. Jesus was not at all saying that the disciple would be alive when he returned, merely that that was up to him, as well as possible through him. With God, the problem is never in the message, or how it is given - it is in the people who receive the message and how they interpret it. Often, we think we hear something from God. I'm sure most of the time we're pretty certain, we actually did. However, often I think what we hear is not really what He says. Often our own human understanding - logic, reason, emotion, etc. - gets in the way of His message. He tells us what we need to hear, but we hear what we want to hear. Then, since we're obviously happy "God told us" what we wanted to hear, we run with it without a second's hesitation. It can often get us into trouble. We need to be cautious and ask that He give us wisdom to be able to know His voice when we hear it, and strength to follow it when it tells us what we are meant to do and where we are meant to go. Pray about it. It works.

God bless! Shalom!

October 1st

October 1st -- John 20:24-21:14

Please read the passage!

You know, it's neat reading this passage when you come across the part that says something like (depending on your translation) "But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name." (verse 31 for anyone wondering) I love that. It's like the author is speaking directly to you and me. It's like they knew one day we'd be sitting down and cracking open our Bibles to learn about God. So, they wanted to make sure they put in all they could to make sure we believed in Jesus. Why? So we could have eternal life through that belief and acceptance. It was thousands of years ago, but these people recognized how important it was that not only those few who walked with and believed in Jesus in his time on earth were saved, but that all may have opportunity to learn of him and be saved. They knew this was something bigger than them, so they even explain to us "look, this is why we recorded all these different events..." - so we would be able to know they are true, and through that knowledge, believe. I just feel like passages like this close the gaps in time and it's really awesome in my opinion.

God bless! Shalom!

September 30th

September 30th -- Luke 23:13-34

It's a bit lengthy, but please read the passage!

So, we've already recently looked at basically this same passage. One difference, though, is this one includes something Jesus says to a bunch of upset women who followed him to Golgotha. Now, one might expect a comforting "It'll be okay" or "Don't cry. Things will get better" right? Well, this is not at all what they got. They were told to be upset, but just for different reason. Instead of for him, be sad for themselves, their families, etc. He talks basically about many worse days coming. Now, you may disagree, but I'd say we can see evidence of those days even now. Life is becoming something that many people, instead of seeing as a blessing, see as a curse. This world is so broken that so many people just don't want to be a part of it. Some hate it so much that they take themselves out of it... when Jesus said that it made me think of today's world. The brokenness runs so rampant and so many people are knocked down/out by it. Fortunately, we know if Jesus is the tree, though it is dead now while he is in Heaven, it will be green when he returns again!

God bless! Shalom!

September 29th

September 29th -- Matthew 28:8-15

It's just short, so please read the passage!

I think most of us have undoubtedly seen those movies where there's a good guy and a bad guy, and the bad guy just seems unbeatable. He seems to hold all the strings and be able and willing to pull them at will to get what he wants and keep his position of power. When anything that threatens his power appears, he wipes it out. It's one of those movies where everything returning to good seems hopeless. But, there's suddenly a good guy. He pulls of something nobody has done before - he actually starts to take some of the bad guy's power and drives the bad guy to desperation, which he shows by acting out of that desperation.Then, though, the hero seems to vanish for ages. People tell stories of him, talking of the hero who overpowered the villain. Few believe, most falling back into the power of the villain. However, normally at the end of the movie, the hero suddenly magically appears out of nowhere and takes out the bad guy and all his baddies for good. It's a somewhat common movie plot, really.
It's a lot like God and the devil, or more specifically in the instance of this passage. The religious leaders really were a bit like a dictatorship or an aristocracy. Jesus was the hero who came out of nowhere. He drove the religious leaders to such desperation that they bribed their soldiers to lie. For thousands of years so many people have believed that lie that it Jesus never rose - his disciples merely took his body from the tomb. However, it's not the end of the movie. The movie ends when Jesus returns. That's when he'll wipe out the bad guy, being the devil, for good.

Pardon my weird comparison, that's just what it made me think of...
God bless! Shalom!

September 28th

September 28th -- John 20:1-18

Please read the passage!

Okay... I love this part of the Bible, but I don't have much to say on it. Just recognize, I guess, that there were eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection. It wasn't some sort of fabricated story. It was real. I mean, I know this seems like cheating for a Bible Study, but it made me remember this video. It's really great and I know it's long but it's really worth taking the time to watch. Enjoy!

God bless! Shalom!

September 27th

September 27th -- Matthew 27:57-66

Give the passage a read, please!

You know, it's almost comical, once you know Jesus has risen, to read about the soldiers being placed to guard the tomb. These people are so paranoid the disciples will take the body out that they actually place guards by the tomb. And what happens three days later? It wasn't any disciples who rolled away that stone - an angel came and rolled in. I almost feel bad for those poor guys who had to report that. "Y-y-y-yes, Pilate, sir. There was this huge man with wings dressed in white. He started to m-m-move the stone... and th-th-then we passed out, sir..." I can't imagine that went over well... However, it just goes to show you how flimsily our plans fall in comparison with God's.

God bless! Shalom!

September 26th

September 26th -- Luke 23:32-49

Read the passage, please!

Okay, first, I recommend you all look up all the prophecies that were perfectly fulfilled in Jesus' crucifixion. Mainly there's one from the OT where a man prophesied the events of Jesus' crucifixion in detail, even though crucifixions had not even been invented at that time, so the man could have had no idea what they were like. I'd love to tell you what passage it is but I'm blanking on it.

Secondly, I want to just point out that even as he held all our sins, he asks God to forgive us for, as he says, "they know not what they do." It's so true. We are so lost we don't even see how lost we are. So much of our world is so disillusioned to that idea. So much of us are so beyond belief in God we don't recognize what we do to Him when we sin. For example, I was at a Shakespeare play today. Merchant of Venice. It was fantastic, by the way, but it also has a lot of elements that, as a Christian, bothered me. Namely the crude jokes and the extreme anti-Semitic take of the whole play. Yet, I feel bad for those actors acting it out and even Shakespeare as he wrote it - they all have/had no idea what they are/were really doing. Sinning. None of them have/had a clue. Thank goodness Jesus knew that and loves us enough to think of that of all things as he hang dying, or we'd all be headed somewhere I don't wanna' go...

God bless! Shalom!

September 25th

September 25th -- Mark 15:6-24

Please read the passage!

All I can think when I read this passage is "broken". Our world is so broken. The people were given Jesus, who they all knew to be innocent, and a man who was known to be guilty of many horrible crimes. They should have let Jesus go. Instead, though, they let Barabbas go. They chose a known criminal over a man known to be innocent. I think that really this passage just shows how fallen and broken our world is...

God bless! Shalom!

September 24th

September 24th -- John 23:1-12

Read the passage, please! It's short!

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Not sure who said it but it is a well-known phrase. We often follow it, too. In this case, Herod and Pilate followed it. They became friends, as the text says, although they were enemies. Now, that's the negative application of it. We should be positively applying it. Our enemy is the devil. Therefore those who are also enemies of the devil should be our friends. This means our fellow brothers and sisters. I'm not saying I agree with "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" as I find it rather hateful, but I find the principle idea of it is accurate. You are that much closer, in theory anyways, with someone you share a common cause or goal with. This should be true for all of us and our siblings in Christ. We share a common cause, so it should be enough to cover over any status we had as "enemies" without that cause.

Sorry if that was confusing...
God bless! Shalom!

September 23rd

September 23rd -- Matthew 27:1-10

It's short so please go give the passage a read!

Honestly, just because I am SUPER busy tonight, and because I feel I touched on this a lot in a previous post, please just go read this post.

Thanks! God bless! Shalom!

September 22nd

September 22nd -- Matthew 26:57-75

Please go and read the passage!

Sometimes we are Peter. We hide our faith. We deny that we're Christians, servants of Christ, the hands and feet of God, His children. We flat out lie and say we're not. Perhaps you're thinking "I've never lied about being a Christian, though..." That may be true. You may never have said "No, I'm not a Christian" when asked if you are. However, how often do you hide your faith? Just not mention it. Try and avoid the topic. Do all you can short of lying to ensure that nobody finds out. Probably more often than one would think. Definitely more often than we should. Our faith is not something to be hidden. It's the greatest gift we have and one that needs to be shared. However, you can't share something if you're hiding it. So don't deny it and don't try and hide it. Let it out, let it shine, and let it spread!

God bless! Shalom!

September 21st

Bible in 365 -- John 18:1-24

Please read the passage!

Scapegoat. Jesus is ultimate scapegoat. He puts his life on the line in order to save all of ours. He did nothing wrong, but he was the one who was seen as needing to be punished for the rest of his people. Caiaphas even says "It's better that one man should die for his people." And so Jesus did. Here's the thing - he knew he didn't have to. He knew that it was within his power to say no, and not go through with it. He did it anyways. Why? He was the ultimate scapegoat. He wasn't the scapegoat because he was forced to be - he was because he loves us enough that he wanted to be. He chose it to show us his love. Words cost nothing - actions are priceless. The act of dying to save the ones even who hate you - that is incredible. Don't forget the love of our "scapegoat". Don't forget to return it as best you can.

God bless! Shalom!

September 20th

September 20th -- Mark 14:26-52

Read the passage, please!

Jesus brought along three disciples to keep watch. Twice they fell asleep. It makes me think of all the times we make promises or say without giving much thought to it that we'll do something for someone, then we fall through. It's so easy to commit to those things and not follow through on them. Just like the disciples said they'd stay awake but slept, often we say we'll help all we can and when the time comes that we are needed, we back away making excuses as to why we no longer can. We need to be more reliable. A while ago I talked about how God says whatever we do to "the least of these" we do to Him. That includes when we leave them hanging because of a promise or commitment. Leaving them hanging is just like leaving God hanging. The disciples did it to Jesus, but I can't imagine how horrible I'd feel if I had done it - I'm sure they feel horrible as well. So instead of thinking "Oh, but it was just ___ or ___ and ____(name) is only human like me and I'm sure they've done it before" own up to your mistake. Apologize. Mean it when you do. Be truly sorry, as if you had just done that to God. In a way, you did.

God bless! Shalom!

September 19th

September 19th -- John 17

It's a whole chapter, but please go read it!

I love this last section of the passage. "Jesus Prays for Future Believers". He knew his life was coming to an end, and none of us would have blamed him if we learned he spent all his time praying for himself, as he knew what he would have to go through. Instead, though, who does he pray for? Us. He prays for us. People, even when he hung on the cross for us, he loved us. Even when he knew soon he would go through that for us, although we deserve Hell, he prayed for us because he loves us. I really don't have anything else to say on this passage. I just want you to realize the immense love Jesus has for us.

God bless! Shalom!

September 18th

September 18th -- John 16:5-33

Please read the passage!

So, this is gonna' be short, sorry, but I'm exhausted and still have physics homework to do because I worked earlier.

Jesus didn't just give the people who he was there with a chance. He didn't just tell them all these commandments and let them give him memos to pass to heaven when he was crucified. He left something for all of us, so we can all walk with God daily, if not as literally as those who walked with Jesus did. We all have the Holy Spirit. Typically we like to call it our conscience or our common sense, or even our "moral compass". That would be the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus isn't here with us to guide us, the Holy Spirit guides us. We have a sort of built in detector of good and evil - right and wrong. However, we have to let it in. It's not just gonna' enter everyone. You have to let it in. Then you have to listen for there to be any point to it. Just think on whether you've been paying it enough attention, or if maybe your flesh has been drowning it out lately.

God bless! Shalom!

September 17th

September 17th -- John 15:17-16:4

Please read the passage! It looks long but it's not really!

Now,  this warning may seem irrelevant, right? It was thousands of years ago to the people actually with Jesus on earth.
Wrong. It's still relevant.
People today are still gonna' hate you for your faith because they have also rejected God in their hearts. The rejection we face today is just as real as that which the disciples faced back then. Yes, the outcome nowadays isn't as severe most of the time (you don't see people being stoned in downtown Toronto for preaching the gospel, whereas in Bible times public stonings would occur) but the rejection is still rejection.
YOU WILL FACE IT!
You will be laughed at for your faith.
You will be teased for your faith.
You will be isolated for your faith.
You will be stereotyped for your faith.
YOU WILL BE REJECTED for your faith.
Jesus warns us of this so it wouldn't be a huge shock when it happened. SO remember that. It will happen. Just be ready to accept it and move on when it does.

God bless! Shalom!

P.S. Yes this is short. I'm exhausted. On a personal note I have a lot going on. School, 2 part-time jobs, and some major family health problems (like hospital trips and constant care needed). So if my blogs are short for a while, that's why. I just haven't been sleeping much because of it all and I've been rather distracted. Just keeping y'all in the loop. Thanks.

September 16th

September 16th -- John 15:1-16

Read the passage!

Okay, more emphasis on two topics I've pointed out recently. Since I'm really tired I am just gonna' sum them up fast.

1) We can't do anything apart from God. If we're the branches, he's the vine. If you cut a new little branch from a vine off and leave it, it can't do anything on its own but slowly die. This is the same way with us and God. If we do not have God, all it will lead to is death. To live (looking on an eternal level) we must be near to Him and to be near to Him we must love Him. Our proof of this is to obey His commandments. So be obeying them so you are not seen as a branch that needs to be pruned from the vine, being left to die and be burned.

2) Love each other. That command keeps coming up. We are told our following God's commands will prove our love for Him - He has commanded us to love each other. But more so (as mentioned a few posts ago or so) to love each other as He loved/loves us. That's a lot of love. That's hard. As people we're sometimes far from easy to love. It's not in our human nature to love, either. We need God for that. We need Him to give us that ability to love the unlovable. Ask and it will be given. If you are having trouble loving, ask God to help you love that person/those people you cannot seem to love. He will. After all, He does want you to.

Hopefully these themes are really sticking in your head by now! Haha!

God bless! Shalom!

September 15th

September 15th -- John 14:15-31

Read the passage, please!

"If you love me, obey my commandments." "All who love me will do what I say."
How many times do we hear people call themselves Christian, then act in any way but what that should mean? Often, right? Or more often than it should happen, at the very least. Now, you're probably wondering how that relates, right? That's not technically saying "I love God/Jesus" then acting like they don't, right? Wrong. Claiming to be Christian is claiming to know and love Christ. Meaning, if we are claiming that, we should be following his commandments, too. To the best of our abilities, at least (we obviously can't always, because we all sin sometimes - otherwise we wouldn't have needed Christ in the first place). I think that obeying God or not obeying God is one of the true tests of being a Christian. It tends to make me think of Paul and James. Paul preached that all you had to do was accept Christ and you would be saved. It always seemed like James was totally disagreeing when he said that you had to also obey his commandments and basically let your life glorify him, because merely belief on its own was not enough. See, they're actually both right. James was not trying to say Paul was wrong, but merely expanding on what Paul suggested. When one accepts Christ - truly accepts Christ - it should be followed by obeying God's commands and living their life for His glory. So, the two ideas actually marry, really. Those who truly love Christ will obey his commandments.

Have you been acting like you love or hate him lately?
God bless! Shalom!

September 14th

September 14th -- John14:1-14

Please go and read the passage through!

Jesus is our way to God. When he was crucified, the Bible mentions a veil being torn. I think many people fail to realize the significance of that veil. In OT times, when the Temple of the Lord was still bring carried around, and even when it was set up as a proper building, before Jesus' death, there were different temple sections. There were three parts. The innermost part was separated by a veil. Nobody entered except the High Priest who was only allowed in once a year in order to intercede of behalf of all the people. (PS these facts may be minimally off, as I'm trying to remember them all from school a few years ago, but they're basically accurate) So, this veil tearing when Jesus died represented his taking over as our High Priest. He is the one who intercedes for us. He is our direct line up to God. He built a bridge over that gaping chasm that ran between us and God. Jesus literally is our way to God. So don't worry. He's preparing a place for all his followers. He's coming to get us when it's ready. So do not worry because you know you have that place.

God bless! Shalom!

September 13th

September 13th -- John 13:21-38

Please read the passage!

Gonna' just narrow in the focus to verses 34-35. Do you recognize the significance of what Jesus says in that passage? Our love for each other is what is meant to be helping prove we are his disciples. So when we're not loving each other, then we're not acting like the disciples we should be. It's hard, folks. It really is. Sometimes we just start out a relationship on the wrong foot and that can be all it takes to keep us holding a small little looming grudge in the back of our mind. We think it's fine, sometimes, I think, because we don't act on it. However, that's wrong. The fact that we don't act on it doesn't justify it. A single other soul on this planet may never know if you are harboring hatred and not love for another, but God will always know. He sees our hearts and mind. We can't trick Him. We can't pull the wool over His eyes if we act kind on the outside but aren't truly loving and letting that transform us from the inside out. It will, too. It will transform you from the inside out. When you start to actively attempt to love those around you - unconditionally and without expecting anything in return - you will find that you will begin to change before your very eyes and the eyes of those around you. You will be a nicer personal in general. You will care more. Sometimes, things will hurt more, yes, but you will also be able to be that much happier over things. There will be a huge and wonderful change in your life. All it takes is a little -or sometimes a lot of- effort on your end.

God bless! Shalom!

September 12th

September 12th -- John 13;1-20

Please read the passage!

Why did Jesus wash his disciples' feet? When he knew his life was nearing its end, why did he do that? It says right in the passage - to set an example. Now, that's not an example restricted to foot-washing. That is an example of how one is meant to serve. By choice, willingly, and out of love. Nobody made Jesus do it - he chose to. Jesus didn't go about it grumbling or complaining - he did it willingly. It wasn't done to later pull a "you owe me because of that..." or settle something by being able to say "now we're even..." - it was done out of love. We have chances every day to live as servants and we pass up most of them. So, try not to. Try and think of Jesus' example. Then, don't just think about it - follow it.

God bless! Shalom!

September 11th

September 11th -- Luke 22:1-13

Please read the passage!

I think if there were a list of "Most Disliked Bible Characters" Judas would be on it for most people. Now, I don't agree with what he did, obviously, but I don't agree with hating him, either. So, then I clearly must have a good reason why to not hate him, right? Right. Firstly, God wants us to love one another, not hate His children - enough said. Secondly, good people do bad things sometimes. If you were suddenly hated eternally for one mistake how would you feel? Even if it was something horrible, you'd probably be upset if it was something you came to regret later (to the point of hanging yourself...) and yet people still hated you, right? I know I would. We are all sinners. So let's not hold something against Judas that could just as easily be held against us. Additionally, someone had to do it. Someone had to betray Jesus. Jesus' death had to happen, so his resurrection could happen, so he could have overcome death and freed us from our sins. Judas didn't pick for it to be him. Nobody would choose that job of betraying Jesus, but someone did have to do it. It just happened to be Judas. I also want to point out that when he did it, he wasn't acting as himself, really. The beginning of verse 3 says "Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot,..." Just like Eve messed up and ate the apple because of the devil, Judas messed up and betrayed Jesus because of the devil. So, just think about that. Try to remember that sometimes people just get the nasty place in history or the horrible title to be remembered by. Judas is just one case. So, yes he sinned and was wrong, but yes he was still God's child, and we are meant to love each and every child of God - NOT hold grudges or hatred against them.

God bless! Shalom!

September 10th

September 10th -- Matthew 25:31-46

Please read the passage!

Just gonna' focus in on one part of this passage. I really love this particular part, is all. When God begins saying that the righteous at His right hand fed Him, clothed Him, or cared for Him in any other way, those He is speaking about/to are incredibly confused. They ask Him what He means, and He tells them that everything they did "for the least of these" they were doing to Him. He says the same basic thing to the ones on His left - when they saw people who needed caring for, they left them, which was like leaving God. Have you ever looked at it that way? REALLY looked at it that way? Really, we sort of all are God in some sense. Not in the sense of being in any way omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent, but in the sense that we are all made in His image. We are all made in the image of God and image-bearers of God (basically the same thing - I just phrased it two ways). Each and every one of us is made in the image of God in some way or another. Now, people can be exceptionally hard to get along with - trust me I know. Sometimes, our life seems miserable or just chaotic - trust me, I know that, too. However, think of how many people you pass on any given day. 200? 300? Maybe even 1000? There are so many lives. Now, I'm not encouraging anyone to run up and hug strangers, but imagine seeing God or Jesus in that crowd - wouldn't you go way out of your way to reach them? So, why is it when we see God in those crowds, maybe holding a sign begging for money, or crying alone on a park bench, or just in some way obviously struggling, we pass right by like we don't even see the person? I think we just lose perspective. I think that we get so lost in our human nature's calls to put ourselves first, that sometimes we do it without noticing. So we don't help, because then we have to give up something of our own. However, that is basically leaving God there without help. I would hope you'd help God, so help those made in His image. Also, although it shouldn't need to be incentive, just remember that you will be rewarded for what you give for His glory. Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Treat each person in need like you would treat Jesus or God Himself! God bless! Shalom!

September 9th

September 9th -- Matthew 25:1-30

Please go read the passage!

More parables about the kingdom of God. Again, sorry, but I don't have much to say. I think everyone will take parables like this a little bit differently. Just please always be ready for Jesus' return and the coming of the Kingdom of God at any time, because it could very well be at any time. So just always be ready and waiting. Be prepared. But also be excited. For those of us who are saved and know we will be able to enter that Kingdom, be excited because it will be amazing beyond words.

God bless! Shalom!

September 8th

September 8th -- Luke 21:25-38

Please go give the passage a read!

I just don't really have much to say on this passage, sorry, because it's rather self-explanatory. I guess all I'd want to say is be watching. Be watching for those signs. But always also be aware that Jesus could return at any time. So live for Him like Jesus will be back in the next hour. Don't be pulling stunts thinking "I have time to patch this up on my record before the world ends." For all any of us know, you won't. (Plus, that whole attitude of justifying sin is wrong in the first place anyways... but that's for another day) So don't be that guilty kid who threw a party on the weekend only to have his parents come back early because their business trip was cancelled - be the responsible ones who lets his parents come home to a clean house where no party took place in their absence.

He's coming back some day! God bless! Shalom!

September 7th

September 7th -- Luke 21:1-24

Give the passage a read over, please!

I just wanna' look at the widow versus the other people who came and gave gifts in the Temple. All these people were giving large amounts, and the widow gave only 2 small coins of little value. Yet Jesus said she gave more. Why? She gave all that she had, while the others gave only small portions of their wealth. I think sometimes we are a lot like the rich in this passage and often look down on those like the poor woman, too. Sometimes we make our selves feel better because we think we tithed more, or we know we volunteer more at shelters or maybe we donate to a lot of organizations and the other person doesn't. However, for all we know, that other person is doing all they can. We have no right to judge. This is especially true when we are not doing all we can. Imagine there was a woman who worked 12-hour days just to make enough to get by. She attends church, but she never gives additional offerings. She never comes and helps with church events. She doesn't donate to any organizations. You, on the other hand always give money for extra offerings. You've spent huge numbers of hours helping with events. You donate to tons of organizations and charities. Who looks better? You, probably. However, that lady doesn't give additional offerings because she already loses money she needs in order to tithe, so she trusts God will honor her for obeying Him and He will provide. She doesn't help with church events because she spends all her time working in order to make enough to get by. She doesn't donate to charities and organizations because in the rare case she has a few spare dollars, she gives it to a homeless person so they can buy lunch. You give extra offerings because you don't want to look bad. You volunteer and donate because you want people to have a good image of you. Now who looks better? Her. What matters is not the amount of what you give, but the meaning behind it - is it be a lot because you can afford to give whatever you want, really, or is it just a little because that is all you have to give? So, don't become like the rich people in this story. Don't give God just the bare minimum of what you have to. Give Him everything. Do all you do for Him.

Give Him everything and you will not be disappointed. God bless! Shalom!