July 30th -- John 8:21-59
Please go read the passage! I'm not posting links because it appears that Biblegateway is gone... or I hope just missing temporarily. Anyways, you'll have to pull out a real paper Bible - and if you don't have one of those, go Google the passage I guess....
I find it really interesting about how Jesus distinguishes between God's true children and, well, not God's true children. He essentially says it's based on how well they follow God. He basically states that we are like children who mimic our father. When we are not following after God, we are children of Satan, for we mimic him through our sin. When we are trying our best, though, to follow after God and mimic Jesus, then we're true children of God. If you call Him your God you need to realize He is your father, and you're supposed to follow in His footsteps. Personally, I wanna' be known as a true child of God. I wanna' be set free as a slave from sin to become a daughter in the family of Christ - I want that eternity because I tried my hardest to obey God's teachings.
Basically this passage holds something different for everyone, but that was just what I got out of it.
That's all! God bless! Shalom!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
July 29th
July 29th -- John 8:1-20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208:1-20&version=NLT)
Please go and read the passage!
I really love how Jesus handles the situation with the adulteress. It makes one really think. All these people are accusing her for her sin, trying to stone her for it. Jesus, though, says anyone who's sin-free can throw the stone. I like how instead of letting the others persecute her for her sin, he instead points out all of theirs, too. We're all sinners. We have no right to judge. The only one who can say anything is Jesus/God, because they are sin-free. So what if it's adultery or lying? IT'S STILL SIN. We're all sinners and that's that. The next time you decide it's suddenly in your hands to punish someone else for their sin, stop and just remember it's not - God will bring it all up on judgement day, and we know we will be judged as we judge others, so I try my hardest not to judge.
I'm not gonna' touch on the other point, because I can't find anything to say on it...
So God bless! Shalom!
Please go and read the passage!
I really love how Jesus handles the situation with the adulteress. It makes one really think. All these people are accusing her for her sin, trying to stone her for it. Jesus, though, says anyone who's sin-free can throw the stone. I like how instead of letting the others persecute her for her sin, he instead points out all of theirs, too. We're all sinners. We have no right to judge. The only one who can say anything is Jesus/God, because they are sin-free. So what if it's adultery or lying? IT'S STILL SIN. We're all sinners and that's that. The next time you decide it's suddenly in your hands to punish someone else for their sin, stop and just remember it's not - God will bring it all up on judgement day, and we know we will be judged as we judge others, so I try my hardest not to judge.
I'm not gonna' touch on the other point, because I can't find anything to say on it...
So God bless! Shalom!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
July 28th
July 28th -- John 7:32-53 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207:32-53&version=NLT)
Please go and read the passage!
Like yesterday's passage, I'm terribly sorry but I don't know what to say about this passage. It's sort of just a story and I can't find anything to re-explain from it or anything...
Sorry. God bless! Shalom!
Please go and read the passage!
Like yesterday's passage, I'm terribly sorry but I don't know what to say about this passage. It's sort of just a story and I can't find anything to re-explain from it or anything...
Sorry. God bless! Shalom!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
July 27th
July 27th -- John 7:1:31 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207:1-31&version=NLT)
Please go and read the passage!
I'm really sorry but I'm not sure what to say on this. I guess just it's neat how it keeps saying things didn't happen because it "was not their time yet". I think in life we sometimes get caught up on our own schedule and forget God's. He has an even better one - a perfect one! Maybe what you're praying for hasn't happened yet because it isn't it's time yet.
I guess that's all, sorry... God bless! Shalom!
Please go and read the passage!
I'm really sorry but I'm not sure what to say on this. I guess just it's neat how it keeps saying things didn't happen because it "was not their time yet". I think in life we sometimes get caught up on our own schedule and forget God's. He has an even better one - a perfect one! Maybe what you're praying for hasn't happened yet because it isn't it's time yet.
I guess that's all, sorry... God bless! Shalom!
July 26th
July 16th -- Matthew 18:10-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:10-22&version=NLT)
Go read the passage, please!
I really love the parable about looking down on people. Basically all he's really trying to say by it is that we are ALL important, each and every one. His loss of any of us troubles Him greatly even if He were to keep all the rest. So we are all exceptionally precious in His sight.
I find this way of confronting a sinning believer interesting. Jesus doesn't say "If it doesn't work, let it alone and don't meddle because it's a private affair." He instead tells us to bring along a few others to see if they will listen to us all. Then he says if that doesn't work, still don't drop it but bring it to your church. If they won't listen to your church, then you may drop it, but treat the person as a pagan. It seems harsh, but we are actually called to do that. However, we need ot do it out of love to bring them back to God and reconcile them with Him - NOT out of a desire to try and be 'better' in any way.
Also, a quick note that was in my Bible on verses 19-20 and then 21-22. In 19-20 it means that whenever two or more believers come together to accomplish God's will it will be done - NOT that any 2 or more believers can come together and ask whatever they want and get it. Also, the seventy times seven for forgiving doesn't mean literally seventy times seven - back then that would have been basically impossible to keep track of (it still would be today, too, really) so Jesus was just saying in his own way to not bother keeping track but always forgive.
That's all! God bless! Shalom!
Go read the passage, please!
I really love the parable about looking down on people. Basically all he's really trying to say by it is that we are ALL important, each and every one. His loss of any of us troubles Him greatly even if He were to keep all the rest. So we are all exceptionally precious in His sight.
I find this way of confronting a sinning believer interesting. Jesus doesn't say "If it doesn't work, let it alone and don't meddle because it's a private affair." He instead tells us to bring along a few others to see if they will listen to us all. Then he says if that doesn't work, still don't drop it but bring it to your church. If they won't listen to your church, then you may drop it, but treat the person as a pagan. It seems harsh, but we are actually called to do that. However, we need ot do it out of love to bring them back to God and reconcile them with Him - NOT out of a desire to try and be 'better' in any way.
Also, a quick note that was in my Bible on verses 19-20 and then 21-22. In 19-20 it means that whenever two or more believers come together to accomplish God's will it will be done - NOT that any 2 or more believers can come together and ask whatever they want and get it. Also, the seventy times seven for forgiving doesn't mean literally seventy times seven - back then that would have been basically impossible to keep track of (it still would be today, too, really) so Jesus was just saying in his own way to not bother keeping track but always forgive.
That's all! God bless! Shalom!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
July 25th
July 25th -- Mark 9:38-50 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:38-50&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
I think that this is definitely the one of the clearer - and virtually impossible to try and negotiate - warnings against temptation that we can find in the Bible. It seems really graphic and harsh. Jesus compares getting rid of it to cutting off a foot/arm or gouging out your own eyes. That seems really extreme. It makes sense, though. Temptation is what leads us to sin. We don't really tend to sin without reason. It's not like we just wake up and go "Hm. You know what? I think I'll see how many times I can sin today" for no reason. The devil sneaks in with temptation, and that is what leads us away from God and into temptation. You're probably still thinking the comparison is really extreme. I'll be bluntly honest and say that I love the comparison. It's completely accurate. Eyes and feet and arms/hands have specific purposes. We each have different temptations and different things that cause us to feel tempted or to act on that temptation and sin. We each have specific weaknesses like various body parts have different functions. Now, to remove any body part would hurt. It would also be exceptionally hard to do it to your self. I mean, we can't just sit down and chop off a hand then get up and walk away. Our brain tells us not to, because it knows it will hurt, and then if we were to do it we would be in excruciating pain. Our bodies would also have trouble compensating for the wound and blood loss. Removing temptation, like God wants us to, clearly, as best we can, is like this. It hurts, in a way. More accurately, it'll suck. Likely giving in to that temptation leads to satisfaction, so taking that away will be hard. Also, it's hard to do it to your self, much less on your own. Even if you recognize the need to, you may still find yourself unable because you so badly do not want to. Life will also have a weird way of feeling different if you take out a major area of temptation or sin. Other things may seem duller, or things may be harder to cope with. You will want to feel some sort of compensation for what you will likely see as a loss. Now, sometimes you can get rid of it and be glad for it, but that's not often. However, also like Jesus said, better to go to Heaven lacking something than Hell with everything. We are far better of to "lose out" in our Earthly lives by taking out temptation, than to indulge here and spend eternity in Hell. Temptation is a hard battle, because it's hard to pull away from alluring things, and temptation obviously is or it would not be temptation. In the long run, though, removing it will grant you inexplicable and wonderful freedom.
That's all for today! God bless! Shalom!
Please go read the passage!
I think that this is definitely the one of the clearer - and virtually impossible to try and negotiate - warnings against temptation that we can find in the Bible. It seems really graphic and harsh. Jesus compares getting rid of it to cutting off a foot/arm or gouging out your own eyes. That seems really extreme. It makes sense, though. Temptation is what leads us to sin. We don't really tend to sin without reason. It's not like we just wake up and go "Hm. You know what? I think I'll see how many times I can sin today" for no reason. The devil sneaks in with temptation, and that is what leads us away from God and into temptation. You're probably still thinking the comparison is really extreme. I'll be bluntly honest and say that I love the comparison. It's completely accurate. Eyes and feet and arms/hands have specific purposes. We each have different temptations and different things that cause us to feel tempted or to act on that temptation and sin. We each have specific weaknesses like various body parts have different functions. Now, to remove any body part would hurt. It would also be exceptionally hard to do it to your self. I mean, we can't just sit down and chop off a hand then get up and walk away. Our brain tells us not to, because it knows it will hurt, and then if we were to do it we would be in excruciating pain. Our bodies would also have trouble compensating for the wound and blood loss. Removing temptation, like God wants us to, clearly, as best we can, is like this. It hurts, in a way. More accurately, it'll suck. Likely giving in to that temptation leads to satisfaction, so taking that away will be hard. Also, it's hard to do it to your self, much less on your own. Even if you recognize the need to, you may still find yourself unable because you so badly do not want to. Life will also have a weird way of feeling different if you take out a major area of temptation or sin. Other things may seem duller, or things may be harder to cope with. You will want to feel some sort of compensation for what you will likely see as a loss. Now, sometimes you can get rid of it and be glad for it, but that's not often. However, also like Jesus said, better to go to Heaven lacking something than Hell with everything. We are far better of to "lose out" in our Earthly lives by taking out temptation, than to indulge here and spend eternity in Hell. Temptation is a hard battle, because it's hard to pull away from alluring things, and temptation obviously is or it would not be temptation. In the long run, though, removing it will grant you inexplicable and wonderful freedom.
That's all for today! God bless! Shalom!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
July 24th
July 24th -- Matthew 17:24-18:6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2017:24-18:6&version=NLT)
Please go and read the passage!
Skipping the fish thing - just looking at the part about being childlike. Now, this is not childish but childlike. There's a difference. Childish would imply being immature, easily upset, hard to control, etc. Childlike has a very different meaning. In the case Jesus means it, it probably means something along the lines of a few things. One would be being humble. The disciples were becoming prideful, trying to see if they would be greatest in Heaven for their position as Jesus' disciples, so Jesus was reminding them to be humble. Children are also good at being honest and sincere. If they speak it, they pretty often mean it, and whatever's on their mind often comes out their mouth - they don't have hidden agendas or motives. The disciples were asking out of a struggle with a desire for power/status. Jesus wanted them to abandon those motives. However, children are many more things we need to model better. They are easily accepting of what they are told they should believe. In general, we have to make sure we measure everything against God, but when it comes to faith, we need to accept it like a child - whole-heartedly and without question. Children are dependant and rely on those they know they need - we need to recognize our need for God and be dependant on Him, knowing we can't do it on our own. Children are also enthusiastic and eager to share. We could all stand to be a little more enthusiastic about our faith and a lot more willing to share it at times. We need to be more childlike.
That's all! God bless! Shalom!
Please go and read the passage!
Skipping the fish thing - just looking at the part about being childlike. Now, this is not childish but childlike. There's a difference. Childish would imply being immature, easily upset, hard to control, etc. Childlike has a very different meaning. In the case Jesus means it, it probably means something along the lines of a few things. One would be being humble. The disciples were becoming prideful, trying to see if they would be greatest in Heaven for their position as Jesus' disciples, so Jesus was reminding them to be humble. Children are also good at being honest and sincere. If they speak it, they pretty often mean it, and whatever's on their mind often comes out their mouth - they don't have hidden agendas or motives. The disciples were asking out of a struggle with a desire for power/status. Jesus wanted them to abandon those motives. However, children are many more things we need to model better. They are easily accepting of what they are told they should believe. In general, we have to make sure we measure everything against God, but when it comes to faith, we need to accept it like a child - whole-heartedly and without question. Children are dependant and rely on those they know they need - we need to recognize our need for God and be dependant on Him, knowing we can't do it on our own. Children are also enthusiastic and eager to share. We could all stand to be a little more enthusiastic about our faith and a lot more willing to share it at times. We need to be more childlike.
That's all! God bless! Shalom!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
July 23rd
July 23rd -- Luke 9:28-45 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209:28-45&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
Just gonna' narrow into one small part of the section about the transfiguration. Verse 35 - " 'This is my son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.' ". Notice the last three words. Listen. To. Him. I think we so often overlook it. What God's saying here is basically that Jesus is our guideline. He's the final say. He's got the final word. Often, we go to other people for advice. We talk to our parents, or our siblings, or our friends. Sometimes people visit therapists, psychologists, counsellors, or even intervention groups. The point is, we all go looking for advice and answers from various places throughout our lives. Oftentimes, if we get it, unless we totally disagree, we'll take it. However, we can often so quickly forget to check it against what God says. He's the guideline - so long as we're following him, we're all good. It's so exceptionally easy to just follow the crowd. It's easy to say "they said I should, so I did". Really, though, that's how sin got into this world in the first place. If it caused that then, why on earth would it be a good idea now? Most of the time, the crowd is going against God and what He says. Seldom does it follow Him, and even more seldom does it promote Him. We weren't made to follow. We were made to lead. Lead people to Christ. We can't lead by following. We need to get out from the many "crowds" we follow (all the mindsets, advice tracks, whatever you wanna' call them) and get back to God's guidelines. Those other tracks all lead to dead ends and destruction, but God's will get you to a beautiful destination, even if it may have a bumpier ride.
Well, that's all for today! God bless! Shalom!
Please go read the passage!
Just gonna' narrow into one small part of the section about the transfiguration. Verse 35 - " 'This is my son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.' ". Notice the last three words. Listen. To. Him. I think we so often overlook it. What God's saying here is basically that Jesus is our guideline. He's the final say. He's got the final word. Often, we go to other people for advice. We talk to our parents, or our siblings, or our friends. Sometimes people visit therapists, psychologists, counsellors, or even intervention groups. The point is, we all go looking for advice and answers from various places throughout our lives. Oftentimes, if we get it, unless we totally disagree, we'll take it. However, we can often so quickly forget to check it against what God says. He's the guideline - so long as we're following him, we're all good. It's so exceptionally easy to just follow the crowd. It's easy to say "they said I should, so I did". Really, though, that's how sin got into this world in the first place. If it caused that then, why on earth would it be a good idea now? Most of the time, the crowd is going against God and what He says. Seldom does it follow Him, and even more seldom does it promote Him. We weren't made to follow. We were made to lead. Lead people to Christ. We can't lead by following. We need to get out from the many "crowds" we follow (all the mindsets, advice tracks, whatever you wanna' call them) and get back to God's guidelines. Those other tracks all lead to dead ends and destruction, but God's will get you to a beautiful destination, even if it may have a bumpier ride.
Well, that's all for today! God bless! Shalom!
Monday, July 22, 2013
July 22nd
July 22nd -- Mark 8:22-9:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%208:22-9:1&version=NLT)
I'm gonna' only look at one small part. 8:34-38. I think this is such an important command to hear. We have to lose our life to save it. Sounds pretty paradoxical, right? Think of it this way - we lose it because we give it to God. Now, you must be wondering how that's a loss, right? It is. Surrendering it to God means we recognize that we are laying it down and saying "Your plan, Lord, not mine." Oftentimes, we may not feel God's plan coincides with ours (or, rather, vice-versa because His is the perfect plan in the end). We may want to have a nice, easy life. God may want to push us because He knows we can't be a worker for His Kingdom if we don't have to face some hardships. He doesn't ever put us through anything more than He needs to, and His plan for us has our best interest in mind. It's our best eternal interest, though, if not necessarily always best for our time on earth, because that is but a blink of an eye in eternity. SO, oftentimes, due to that, we try and cling to our own plans. We want our life, not God's life. We hold on to ours. That's how we lose it. We need to hold to God's to keep it. We hold our momentary earthly lives and lose our eternal ones. God wants us to surrender our momentary earthly ones so He can give us far better eternal ones. So, really, we don't lose when we "lose" our life, but instead we gain more than anything we could hope to gain on earth or on our own. It sounds like a bad deal, and it's a challenging offer to take, but it's so much more than worth it. Lose your life and accept God's life - it may be tougher but it's got a better final reward.
That's all for today! God bless! Shalom!
I'm gonna' only look at one small part. 8:34-38. I think this is such an important command to hear. We have to lose our life to save it. Sounds pretty paradoxical, right? Think of it this way - we lose it because we give it to God. Now, you must be wondering how that's a loss, right? It is. Surrendering it to God means we recognize that we are laying it down and saying "Your plan, Lord, not mine." Oftentimes, we may not feel God's plan coincides with ours (or, rather, vice-versa because His is the perfect plan in the end). We may want to have a nice, easy life. God may want to push us because He knows we can't be a worker for His Kingdom if we don't have to face some hardships. He doesn't ever put us through anything more than He needs to, and His plan for us has our best interest in mind. It's our best eternal interest, though, if not necessarily always best for our time on earth, because that is but a blink of an eye in eternity. SO, oftentimes, due to that, we try and cling to our own plans. We want our life, not God's life. We hold on to ours. That's how we lose it. We need to hold to God's to keep it. We hold our momentary earthly lives and lose our eternal ones. God wants us to surrender our momentary earthly ones so He can give us far better eternal ones. So, really, we don't lose when we "lose" our life, but instead we gain more than anything we could hope to gain on earth or on our own. It sounds like a bad deal, and it's a challenging offer to take, but it's so much more than worth it. Lose your life and accept God's life - it may be tougher but it's got a better final reward.
That's all for today! God bless! Shalom!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
July 21st
July 21st
– Matthew 15:32-16:12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015:32-16:12&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
When Jesus died, the Temple’s curtain to the sanctuary
was torn. For the longest time I never understood why that was included or what
it meant, really. Through the past, there had always been a temple used to
worship God. It was divided, though, into different sections. Only the High Priest
was allowed into the sanctuary and that was only once a year to intercede for
the people and their sins. Nobody but the High Priest was allowed into God’s presence
like that. The people were segregated. The curtain tearing was symbolic of this
changing. Jesus took over as our High Priest, and now intercedes directly for
us, which is why the curtain tore – the boundary that was there before was
gone.
Sorry, but that’s really all I have got for ya’
today. God bless! Shalom!
July 20th
July 20th
– Mark 7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%207&version=NLT)
Go read the passage, please!
So, I’m gonna’ skip the casting out of the demon and
the other miracles – I just wanna’ focus on the Pharisees for a minute.
Clearly, Jesus had a lot of problems with their religion and how they acted it
out. The irony is, they claimed to be the religious teachers of God, but were
offending the son of God with their actions. I think, though, that it just
proves how careful we have to be about how we handle our faith. We so often
compromise relationship for religion. I’ll explain that briefly. Basically,
there are a lot of ‘casual Christians’. I mean the type who attend church, don’t
party out late, or maybe even don’t drink, swear, or anything else that would
be seen as bad in God’s eyes. I mean the people who talk the talk but don’t
walk the walk. People like the Pharisees. Those who talk a lot and for all they’re
worth sound like Christians, but don’t
have that heart connection with God. That’s what I meant about relationship
being lost for religion. I think sometimes we get so caught up in the technicalities
that we become our own stumbling blocks. We become so built on principle we
lost sight of all else, when those things should fall into place once we really
have that connection with God, anyways. Our uniformity and overly stressed
routine can also lead others off on the wrong track, just like how the
Pharisees’ teachings were leading others, mostly themselves, further from God.
So just be aware that your faith isn’t just lip-service, but a real and true heart/spirit
connection with God.
That’s all! God bless! Shalom!
P.S. This is a day late because I forgot to do it
yesterday.
Friday, July 19, 2013
July 19th
July 19th -- John 6:41-71 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206:41-71&version=NLT)
Read the passage, please!
I'm really not sure what to say on this passage, sorry....
I mean, again, it makes me want to know more about predestination, free will, predetermination, etc. Again, the passage sounds almost like predestination because Jesus again speaks on how only those the Father had given him shall come to him, but I still stand by what I said yesterday that suggests it doesn't have to mean predetermination because of that.
I do, however, find Jesus' metaphor and lack of explanation of it to the people interesting. Jesus, clearly, by what he says knows only some will believe and enter Heaven, those being the ones the Father has given him. He speaks in such an odd comparison, talking about people drinking his blood and eating his flesh that people become confused and have no idea what he is talking about. Some people, however, as evidenced by the twelve disciples that stay with him, understand. It makes me wonder if Jesus spoke that way on purpose, so only those who God meant for them to understand would be able to. It's an interesting thought, anyways.
Sorry I don't have further thoughts! God bless! Shalom!
Read the passage, please!
I'm really not sure what to say on this passage, sorry....
I mean, again, it makes me want to know more about predestination, free will, predetermination, etc. Again, the passage sounds almost like predestination because Jesus again speaks on how only those the Father had given him shall come to him, but I still stand by what I said yesterday that suggests it doesn't have to mean predetermination because of that.
I do, however, find Jesus' metaphor and lack of explanation of it to the people interesting. Jesus, clearly, by what he says knows only some will believe and enter Heaven, those being the ones the Father has given him. He speaks in such an odd comparison, talking about people drinking his blood and eating his flesh that people become confused and have no idea what he is talking about. Some people, however, as evidenced by the twelve disciples that stay with him, understand. It makes me wonder if Jesus spoke that way on purpose, so only those who God meant for them to understand would be able to. It's an interesting thought, anyways.
Sorry I don't have further thoughts! God bless! Shalom!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
July 18th
July 18th -- John 6:22-40 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206:22-40&version=NLT)
Please go and read the passage!
Greed can really drive us, sometimes, and never for good. It often leads to our own destruction. Yet, we do so often seek it. These people came looking for Jesus for food (after he fed the 5,000). Jesus told them he was all they needed. Now, he compares himself to bread. However, I think this can almost be expanded on. The people came looking for bread, and Jesus said he was bread. In a way, I think Jesus is basically saying he is and offers all we are looking for. If we seek peace, he offers us God's peace. If we seek comfort, he offers us the comfort of God. If we seek love, he offers us love itself, being God. Basically, do not seek that which comes of God, being all of creation, but seek God Himself. By seeking God we will have all we could ever possibly need and more.
Also, there are many thoughts on predestination, predetermination, free will, etc. I admit those all came to mind when I read the part that says "those the Father has given me" and later again, after talking about God, says "all those he has given me". I really don't fully know where I stand on the whole matter, but I will admit that those phrases suggest something along the lines of predestination. However, I think it's also important to recognize that we have free will, and also that God stands outside of time. Since Jesus was fully man and fully God, he could really have been speaking as is from when we see as the future, referring to those that had chosen to come to God. However, he coud also have been speaking in, by our standards, his present tense and referring to those that had been predetermined and chosen to come to God. I really don't know, but I find it interesting to think on. I think really only God knows the answer in the end.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Please go and read the passage!
Greed can really drive us, sometimes, and never for good. It often leads to our own destruction. Yet, we do so often seek it. These people came looking for Jesus for food (after he fed the 5,000). Jesus told them he was all they needed. Now, he compares himself to bread. However, I think this can almost be expanded on. The people came looking for bread, and Jesus said he was bread. In a way, I think Jesus is basically saying he is and offers all we are looking for. If we seek peace, he offers us God's peace. If we seek comfort, he offers us the comfort of God. If we seek love, he offers us love itself, being God. Basically, do not seek that which comes of God, being all of creation, but seek God Himself. By seeking God we will have all we could ever possibly need and more.
Also, there are many thoughts on predestination, predetermination, free will, etc. I admit those all came to mind when I read the part that says "those the Father has given me" and later again, after talking about God, says "all those he has given me". I really don't fully know where I stand on the whole matter, but I will admit that those phrases suggest something along the lines of predestination. However, I think it's also important to recognize that we have free will, and also that God stands outside of time. Since Jesus was fully man and fully God, he could really have been speaking as is from when we see as the future, referring to those that had chosen to come to God. However, he coud also have been speaking in, by our standards, his present tense and referring to those that had been predetermined and chosen to come to God. I really don't know, but I find it interesting to think on. I think really only God knows the answer in the end.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
July 17th
July 17th -- Matthew 14:13-36 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:13-36&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
Love these stories. I really do. I mean, the feeding of the 5 thou. You think it's crazy, but then you also realize that was 5,000 men. Now, that doesn't include women, and most of these groups were families. So that's around another 5,000 women and between 5,000-10,000 children, probably. This means that 5,000 just became 15,000-20,000. Jesus provided for them all from 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. God is our provider. When we are seeking after Him, He will always provide for us, like He did for those people who came to hear His word.
Jesus then walks on water. What I want to point out is Peter, though. We're all like Peter. Life is our stormy waters. It frightens us and often oppresses us. Jesus, though, calls us. It means we will be afraid and, in our own eyes, putting ourselves into a lot of unnecessary danger when we could try and wait out the storm. Yet, we have to choose to go out to Him. When we believe God, we are like Peter when he walks over the water. Yet, we doubt God sometimes. This is like where Peter falls - we fall and panic as we start to drown. However, God will always reach out to us like Jesus reached out to Peter. Yet, then it becomes a choice. We can choose to grab hold of God, or we can try our own luck and - in the end - drown.
People touched Jesus' robe and they were healed. That was all it took. All I could think of reading this passage was the passage Matthew 17:20. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." These people had so much faith in Jesus they merely touched his robe and were healed. If things like that could happen, then why do we so often doubt God? We shouldn't. Really, all we need is faith like a mustard seed, and, through God, all things will become possible where they are His will.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Please go read the passage!
Love these stories. I really do. I mean, the feeding of the 5 thou. You think it's crazy, but then you also realize that was 5,000 men. Now, that doesn't include women, and most of these groups were families. So that's around another 5,000 women and between 5,000-10,000 children, probably. This means that 5,000 just became 15,000-20,000. Jesus provided for them all from 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. God is our provider. When we are seeking after Him, He will always provide for us, like He did for those people who came to hear His word.
Jesus then walks on water. What I want to point out is Peter, though. We're all like Peter. Life is our stormy waters. It frightens us and often oppresses us. Jesus, though, calls us. It means we will be afraid and, in our own eyes, putting ourselves into a lot of unnecessary danger when we could try and wait out the storm. Yet, we have to choose to go out to Him. When we believe God, we are like Peter when he walks over the water. Yet, we doubt God sometimes. This is like where Peter falls - we fall and panic as we start to drown. However, God will always reach out to us like Jesus reached out to Peter. Yet, then it becomes a choice. We can choose to grab hold of God, or we can try our own luck and - in the end - drown.
People touched Jesus' robe and they were healed. That was all it took. All I could think of reading this passage was the passage Matthew 17:20. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." These people had so much faith in Jesus they merely touched his robe and were healed. If things like that could happen, then why do we so often doubt God? We shouldn't. Really, all we need is faith like a mustard seed, and, through God, all things will become possible where they are His will.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
July 16th
July 16th -- Mark 6:14-29 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:14-29&version=NLT)
Please go read!
So, uhm, well, this is about the death of John the Baptist. I'll be honest, I have no idea what else I can say about it other than what's in the passage. I guess maybe just a reminder to guard your tongue. Herod let his get away for a brief moment, causing him to promise Herodias anything. Because of that, John died. The devil is always plotting and always waiting to get at us. He won't pass up opportunities. If we give him a chance - even by accident - he will dig in to use that chance as best he can to keep God's plans for us from coming to fruition. Not only will it interfere with God's plans for us, but it can interfere in the lives of others. John died because Herod had a slip of the tongue - not through any fault of his own. Basically, just guard your tongue. Also be wary of where your loyalty lies. Herod made this promise because he was pleased by a dance that Herodias performed. Now, I feel it's probably safe to assume the dance was somewhat sensual, which is why the men found it pleasing. Even, though, if it were just a nice dance, it was still something to please earthly wishes. It was something to please flesh not the Holy Spirit in us. Herod was not a follower of God, but he was giving in to earthly desires. Even as followers of God, we often can. Words spoken out of a wrong motive are far more likely to bring harm than those spoken out of a right motive. So be wary of your tongue and cautious of the words it speaks. Sometimes life really can be on the line, in both a literal and metaphorical sense.
That will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Please go read!
So, uhm, well, this is about the death of John the Baptist. I'll be honest, I have no idea what else I can say about it other than what's in the passage. I guess maybe just a reminder to guard your tongue. Herod let his get away for a brief moment, causing him to promise Herodias anything. Because of that, John died. The devil is always plotting and always waiting to get at us. He won't pass up opportunities. If we give him a chance - even by accident - he will dig in to use that chance as best he can to keep God's plans for us from coming to fruition. Not only will it interfere with God's plans for us, but it can interfere in the lives of others. John died because Herod had a slip of the tongue - not through any fault of his own. Basically, just guard your tongue. Also be wary of where your loyalty lies. Herod made this promise because he was pleased by a dance that Herodias performed. Now, I feel it's probably safe to assume the dance was somewhat sensual, which is why the men found it pleasing. Even, though, if it were just a nice dance, it was still something to please earthly wishes. It was something to please flesh not the Holy Spirit in us. Herod was not a follower of God, but he was giving in to earthly desires. Even as followers of God, we often can. Words spoken out of a wrong motive are far more likely to bring harm than those spoken out of a right motive. So be wary of your tongue and cautious of the words it speaks. Sometimes life really can be on the line, in both a literal and metaphorical sense.
That will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Monday, July 15, 2013
July 15th
July 15th -- Matthew 10:16-42 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:16-42&version=NLT)
Please go and read the passage!
This passage.... just... wow. It makes you think. A lot. It's sort of encouraging but also really scary at the same time. We're sheep with wolves, folks. We're not meant to cause damage, but that also means we'll end up taking it. Yet, we're also well taken care of. A sparrow can't fall without God knowing, and we're far more valuable than sparrows, so He knows all that happens to us. But we WILL face trials, as we are meant to. We have to come out of it all loving God over everything. This includes family. God > ALL. He says if we do not love Him more than anyone else, we are not worthy of being His. THAT is a frightening concept. He says if we cling to our life we shall lose it, but only save it by giving it up. I mean, I feel this is the general laying down of the idea of what Christianity is and what a relationship with God needs to be. I won't say more on it, only because I feel that what stands out is a personal thing, and you all need to choose for your selves. However, just notice that this is how Jesus is preparing his disciples for persecution. Well, we're his modern disciples. We need preparation, too. If you're feeling down because you are facing persecution, just look at this passage - God has it all under control, and not one second of persecution will be for nothing.
Well, that shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
Please go and read the passage!
This passage.... just... wow. It makes you think. A lot. It's sort of encouraging but also really scary at the same time. We're sheep with wolves, folks. We're not meant to cause damage, but that also means we'll end up taking it. Yet, we're also well taken care of. A sparrow can't fall without God knowing, and we're far more valuable than sparrows, so He knows all that happens to us. But we WILL face trials, as we are meant to. We have to come out of it all loving God over everything. This includes family. God > ALL. He says if we do not love Him more than anyone else, we are not worthy of being His. THAT is a frightening concept. He says if we cling to our life we shall lose it, but only save it by giving it up. I mean, I feel this is the general laying down of the idea of what Christianity is and what a relationship with God needs to be. I won't say more on it, only because I feel that what stands out is a personal thing, and you all need to choose for your selves. However, just notice that this is how Jesus is preparing his disciples for persecution. Well, we're his modern disciples. We need preparation, too. If you're feeling down because you are facing persecution, just look at this passage - God has it all under control, and not one second of persecution will be for nothing.
Well, that shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
July14th
July 14th
– Mark 6:1-13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark6:1-13&version=NLT)
Go read the passage, please!
Jesus sent out his disciples to cast out demons. He
also told them not to bring anything but a walking stick wherever they went.
Now, I’ve never been to a desert, but I know they are hot. I’ve never walked
through one, but I know it is exhausting. Imagine doing it all without food and
water. Sounds crazy, right? Well, I bet the disciples probably thought so, too.
I mean, they were being told to go without any supplies, walk through desert to
towns, and when they arrived, perform miracles and cast out demons. They did
it, though. Why? They had faith. They knew Jesus meant it if he said it, so he
must mean it. They had faith so they could do all those things (traveling and
surviving with supplies, miracles, casting out demons, etc). The people of
Nazareth didn’t have faith, so Jesus did not do more than a few minor miracles.
Faith and doubt. We see a clear contrast. It’s just incredible to see what a difference
it will make. Doubt will hold God back sometimes from working, but faith will
allow Him to do great things for His Kingdom through us if we will let Him. So
make sure you’re having faith, and not doubting, because doubt can and will lead
to our own fall.
That’s all! God bless! Shalom!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
July 13th
July 13th
– Matthew 9:27-38 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%209:27-38&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
Just saying the first section shows repeats of some
other times. Jesus heals people, telling them to keep it a secret, and then
becomes famous because they told everyone anyways. Also, the Pharisees accusing
him of being able to cast out demons because they said he gets his power from
Satan. I mean, it’s sort of… sickening that we treated him like that even when
he was obviously helping us. He came to die for us, and all we could do was
disobey and accuse him. He loved us anyways. It’s just that, well, how we react
to it (we all sin daily) really does upset me. I think it should. If it’s not
upsetting that we disrespect God so much, then we clearly don’t get it at all
because we obviously don’t understand how much we need Him.
For some reason, when I read the part about workers,
I thought of Christians in general. We are all workers for God. The harvest,
like in some earlier parables, is Judgement day, making the workers the
Christians, who are trying to get as much good wheat (again, believers) as we can.
It’s like Jesus is telling his disciples to pray for all of us who are trying
to bring people into relationship with God – who are trying to grow His
Kingdom. I guess part of why I think of it like this is because he says it
after he makes a metaphorical comparison to the people being like sheep without
a shepherd. We are all “sheep” and God is our “shepherd”. This comparison is
made many times in the Bible. So I could be way off on what Jesus is talking
about, but it made me think of that.
Well, that will be all for tonight! God bless!
Shalom!
July 12th
July 12th
– Luke 8:22-56 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208:22-56&version=NLT)
Please go read!!!!
Two things:
1) People reacted to Jesus’ casting out demons in
fear. It seems crazy. He comes along and heals a man who has been causing
problems for ages. Yet, people become afraid
because of this and actually ask him to leave. That seems really stupid,
right? I mean, why not ask him to stay and fix more problems? Fear. But why
fear him? It’s simple. As people, we like to be able to understand and
rationalize everything around us. Why else do we bother with such in depth
study into the world we live in? We have this notion that the more we
understand, the more we can control, and therefore the fewer threats we face.
We simply don’t like things we can’t explain or understand. They scare us. They
are unpredictable, new, and overwhelming, so we assume them to be a threat and
become afraid. That was probably the peoples’ reaction to Jesus. Often I think
we react like that when God clearly touches out lives. We pull away. We need to
remember that He is not meant to be understood and He is not a threat.
2) Jesus wanted to keep the daughter’s being brought
back to life a secret. I think often miracles are meant to be shown, but often
they area also meant to be kept private – between those who they involve. God
wants faith out of love and devotion, not because He offers us undeniable
proof. Things like miracles are undeniable proof. Tossing them around may cause
many to believe, but it would not be
true faith. True faith is what we need. We need to be able to not see God working,
yet still know He is.
That shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
P.S. Yes, this is late. My sister had company over yesterday and they watched all of Sherlock (the BBC one) last night so I was up with them because it was in the room connected to my bedroom. I got into the show (one of my favs) and totally forgot about my study. My apologies!
P.S. Yes, this is late. My sister had company over yesterday and they watched all of Sherlock (the BBC one) last night so I was up with them because it was in the room connected to my bedroom. I got into the show (one of my favs) and totally forgot about my study. My apologies!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
July 11th
July 11th -- Matthew 13:44-52 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013:44-52&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl: In both situations, these men get rid of all else they have just to have these treasures. We need to see the Kingdom of Heaven as such. It should be first over all else in our lives. We should be willing to lose all else to gain it.
Parable of the Fishing Net: This parable reminds me of the parable of the weeds. In a net of fish there will be good and bad fish. In the world there is good and bad. When the net is pulled in it all comes up, but it is sorted and only the good is kept. On Judgment day, we will be sorted, and only the followers of God will be kept.
Sorry that's not a lot. It was a short passage. God bless! Shalom!
Please go read the passage!
Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl: In both situations, these men get rid of all else they have just to have these treasures. We need to see the Kingdom of Heaven as such. It should be first over all else in our lives. We should be willing to lose all else to gain it.
Parable of the Fishing Net: This parable reminds me of the parable of the weeds. In a net of fish there will be good and bad fish. In the world there is good and bad. When the net is pulled in it all comes up, but it is sorted and only the good is kept. On Judgment day, we will be sorted, and only the followers of God will be kept.
Sorry that's not a lot. It was a short passage. God bless! Shalom!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
July 10th
July 10th
– Matthew 13:24-43 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013:24-43&version=NLT)
Go read the passage, please!
This first parable, about the weeds, is actually
really neat. Imagine that the Christians in the world are wheat, and the
non-Christians are weeds. Now, when we are just starting out, and things are
going well, we look fairly similar. We look close enough at first glance that
we could be easily confused. Now, Judgement Day, then, would be the harvest. God
has to leave unbelievers here now so as to not ‘uproot’ the believers, but on
Judgement Day, God will sort out the ‘weeds’ from the ‘wheat’ (or the
non-believers from the believers).
(Note, study Bibles will probably have this note for this parable. I
used mine to help me figure out what it meant). The explanation for this
passage is actually found in verses 36-43.
The mustard seed parable is also really neat. I
think sometimes we forget that sometimes it’s one little moment in people’s
lives that can change it; one small thing that brings them into relationship
with God. It may be one small thing, like a mustard seed is just a small thing,
but like a mustard seed will become more than the other, larger seeds, the
results of this coming into relationship with God will grow into more than
could be found seeking anything else (other religions, wealth, popularity, etc).
Then there’s the parable of the yeast. Yeast takes
just a tiny bit to grow and sort of take over whatever it is in. It only takes
a little of God to destroy a lot of darkness. We only need a little faith to do
a lot of big things. It only takes a few hard workers for His Kingdom to make a
huge difference. Like, yeast, we can grow and spread – we just have to make the
choice to.
Well, that shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
July 9th
July 9th
– Luke 7:1-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207:1-17&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
I love the parable of the sower. It’s one of my
favorites. It is a great comparison, and entirely accurate. When we share the
Good News, it is like we are planting seeds. Like the farmer, though, we cannot
help the soil. Our job is just to plant the seeds. God is like the sun and
rain. He determines if the seeds grow. However, He is also the one who is aware
of where they will and will not flourish. But, our job is just to plant. Plant
as best we can. The rest after that is up to God. We have no control over if
those seeds take root, because only God can choose that. We just have to plant
them, because if we don’t, they have no chance of growing.
I also love the lamp comparison. Our faith is like a
light. We are all lamps. If we don’t share the light, though, what good is it
that it’s lit? It doesn’t create any light so it may as well not be lit. That’s
pointless. Lamps are lit to shine. We need to make sure we are not hiding our
lights but setting them out in plain sight to shine into the dark. If we’re
not, we may as well not be lit.
Well, that will be all for tonight! God bless! Shalom!
P.S. Again, late. Again, internet issues. Sorry. I
just type them out then post when I can.
July 7th
Okay.. so, I did honestly write up a post for this one... I have NO idea where it went, though.. I don't feel like re-writing my giant spiel on it again, either.. The passage was Luke 7:36-8:3. Basically I just talked about how we need to remember we are not entitled to forgiveness but that it is a gift. We should receive it joyfully as it is a gift but also sorrowfully as Jesus died to give it to us. Also, in return, the only and best thing we can do for God is give Him the life He saved.
Sorry 'bout its disappearance, folks... pardon my apparent carelessness when it came to saving this particular post... Hopefully it won't happen again.
God bless! Shalom!
P.S. Yes, this is the 10th. I only noticed the absence of this post today, not sooner.
Sorry 'bout its disappearance, folks... pardon my apparent carelessness when it came to saving this particular post... Hopefully it won't happen again.
God bless! Shalom!
P.S. Yes, this is the 10th. I only noticed the absence of this post today, not sooner.
July 8th
July 8th
– Matthew 12:22-50 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:22-50&version=NLT)
Please go read!!!!
So, just saying, I love the logic Jesus argues with
against the Pharisees’ claim that his power is from Satan. He makes a very valid
point. Houses can’t war against themselves or they won’t get anywhere. They’ll
tear each other apart.
Now, at the end of that chunk of the section, Jesus
talks about accounting for our idle words, and how our words will condemn or
acquit us. This is after talking about how blaspheming the Holy Spirit cannot
be forgiven. It really makes you nervous, doesn’t it? What if we idly did just
that? Or, even, what sort of things come out of our mouths when we’re not being
careful? Would they be something you’d be comfortable saying in front of God?
I’m sure we all have things we’d rather not. I try my best to keep that list as
short as possible. It really makes you want to be more conscious of your words,
though – all your speech.
Also, I just think the fact that Jesus’ 3 days was sort of foreshadowed by Jonah is awesome. It’s all set up so neatly and it’s so cool. We can see how God was planning it right from the start.
Also, I just think the fact that Jesus’ 3 days was sort of foreshadowed by Jonah is awesome. It’s all set up so neatly and it’s so cool. We can see how God was planning it right from the start.
That shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
P.S. Yes, this is late. It just is this time. I had a rough night two nights ago so I did it yesterday but my internet wouldn’t let me post it until today.
P.S. Yes, this is late. It just is this time. I had a rough night two nights ago so I did it yesterday but my internet wouldn’t let me post it until today.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
July 6th
July 6th
– Matthew 11:1-30 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:1-30&version=NLT)
Reeeaadddd away!
So, I just want to touch on two things that stuck
out to me.
Verses 18-19 first. Jesus is basically saying there
that no matter how Jesus presents himself, and presents God to them, they will
turn against God and reject Him. When John didn’t feast he was said to be possessed,
but when Jesus did he was thought poorly of for it. Basically, no matter what
was being done by those who followed God it was rejected by the people there.
This is a lot like the overall idea of what happens in the world. We as
Christians can try and present ourselves however we want. However, no matter
how we do this, most of the world will simply oppose and reject us.
Next, there is the whole part under the heading
about Jesus promising rest for the soul. I find this part extremely interesting.
It seems basically that Jesus is saying some people just will not accept God,
no matter what reasons they have to do so. He talks about miracles done in one
place that caused no change, that would have caused repentance in other places.
He then also prays, talking about how those things are hidden from people who
think they’re wise or clever, but instead reveals them to the childlike. In
other passages, Jesus talks about the childlike in regards to God and the
Kingdom of Heaven. He says at one point that we must be like little children.
This doesn’t mean absorbed in having fun, not understanding consequences, or
not being able to stand up for ourselves. It does not mean not understanding
things at all. What it means is we cannot fully understand, but we trust
blindly. Children, if told something, will often just take it as truth without
question or doubt – they trust because they do not try to reason against it.
When it comes to our faith, God, and our relationship with God, we need to
trust blindly like children. We need to not be so sure of ourselves and our
supposed knowledge that we cannot have faith.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
P.S. This is late because I've been typing up the posts but forgetting to post them because my internet is funny sometimes
July 5th
July 5th
– Luke 7:1-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207:1-17&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
Two awesome demonstrations to touch on tonight.
1) A demonstration of faith: Well, that’s pretty impressive faith. This man was a Roman, not Jewish. Yet, it seems he believed that Jesus did, indeed, have power over people to some degree. He makes a comparison saying he knows he needs only give a command to his officers or slaves and they will do it. This is to suggest he has faith that Jesus need only to say the servant will be well and he will be. For a man who was not even a Jew, this was a huge demonstration of faith. He was rewarded for it, too, as his servant was indeed healed. I think sometimes we need to have faith more like that. When we remember God is in charge of all things, and we ask Him, we need to remember He can work everything out to His perfect plan. Sometimes, I think we need to remember it in ways like the Roman did to help us remember. Once we do realize this, though, we need to have faith like he did, too.
1) A demonstration of faith: Well, that’s pretty impressive faith. This man was a Roman, not Jewish. Yet, it seems he believed that Jesus did, indeed, have power over people to some degree. He makes a comparison saying he knows he needs only give a command to his officers or slaves and they will do it. This is to suggest he has faith that Jesus need only to say the servant will be well and he will be. For a man who was not even a Jew, this was a huge demonstration of faith. He was rewarded for it, too, as his servant was indeed healed. I think sometimes we need to have faith more like that. When we remember God is in charge of all things, and we ask Him, we need to remember He can work everything out to His perfect plan. Sometimes, I think we need to remember it in ways like the Roman did to help us remember. Once we do realize this, though, we need to have faith like he did, too.
2) A
demonstration of miracles: We see an incredible miracle here – Jesus raised
a boy from the dead. Now, I find this neat because it proves he has power over
life and death. Yet, later, nobody would believe he had risen from the dead,
even though he had clearly demonstrated it earlier. However, I also want to
point out quickly why Jesus healed this boy. It says he saw the mother and his
heart overflowed with compassion. People, yes, God is a judge, but yes, He is
also merciful and compassionate. He is a perfect balance of both. But we need
to remember that compassion comes from an unending, unyielding, unchanging,
undying love for each and every one of His children. He really does love us.
Well, that will be all for tonight! God bless! Shalom!
Well, that will be all for tonight! God bless! Shalom!
P.S. This is late because I've been typing up the posts but forgetting to post them because my internet is funny sometimes.
July 4th
July 4th
– Matthew 7:13-29 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:13-29&version=NLT)
P.S. This is late because I've been typing up the posts but forgetting to post them because my internet is funny sometimes.
Go read the passage, please!
This whole passage overall is sort of talking about
obeying God’s laws and getting into the Kingdom of Heaven. Basically, they go
hand in hand. In order to get into the Kingdom of Heaven, we have to make sure
we are following God’s laws. Jesus goes so far as to say that those who do many
things in his name will not be known to him on judgment day. He points out how
important it is that we be trying to follow God’s laws. Now, this ties in with the fruit trees
comparison. If people are like fruit trees, our actions, words, and very lives,
actually, should reflect what we believe. If we are trying to be lights for
God, our life should be evidence of that. If our lives don’t look like we’re
trying to live for Him, or especially if they look like we’re intentionally
going against Him, we probably are. We need to ensure that our life’s fruit is
good. Sure, every good bunch has a few bad apples – we’ll all sin at least a
few times in our lives – but a tree that’s a good tree produces almost entirely
good fruit. Christians who are really following God’s laws should be like that
– there will be mistakes, but their lives should reflect their effort to live
for God. When we are living our lives like this, we are building up solid
foundations beneath ourselves. Those who don’t are like people who build on
sand – when rain comes, it washes away. All those who have built on the word of
God, though, have built on rock, and their houses will stand strong. Basically,
Jesus is reminding us of how important it is to listen to God’s laws and his
(as in Jesus’) teachings. If we don’t, we may just be giving up our pass into
the Kingdom of Heaven.
That shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
July 3rd
July 4th -- Matthew 7:1-12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:1-12&version=NLT)
Please go read the passage!
So, I'm gonna' just sum up two topics into one and then keep the other to itself.
1) Judging/The Golden Rule : We are told not to judge others. In fact, we are told that we will be judged as we have judged. Then there's the whole speck and plank metaphor. It makes me think of the saying that the traits we see as glaringly negative in others tend to be some of the most glaring ones in ourselves. What Jesus is trying to say with the speck/plank metaphor is that we need to be wary of our own flaws, since it is hypocritical to ignore that we struggle with something if we are pointing out that struggle in someone else. Basically, Jesus is saying we need to deal with our sin before we can even begin to be a proper help to help another deal with it. Now, also, verse 6 seems like it doesn't fit in. In a way, it does. It talks about dealing with a speck in another's eye, then about not "throwing pearls before swine". Yet another metaphor. I think what Jesus is saying here is that we can give people all the truth about the sin that we want, but if they don't want to accept it, it is a waste because they will simply take it and rip it apart and refuse to accept it. They will then also become angry at your for it. So I think he's saying if you have told someone the truth about their "speck", and they have not accepted it, then you need to carry on instead of wasting more of it on them. Basically, follow the golden rule: "Treat others how you want to be treated" That's basically the second commandment: "Love your neighbour as yourself".
2) Ask, Seek, Knock : I think sometimes we get the idea that we get to just sit back and do nothing, letting God just give us what we want. We somehow start thinking that God's our magic genie in a way. He's not. We are told to ask, seek, and knock. We need to put in some effort on our ends. We have to try. We have to actually show God "Look! I'm trying! I'm asking! I'm seeking! I'm knocking!". Now, why do we bother? Simply because of the promise that comes with it. All who ask receive, all who seek find, and all who knock will have the door opened to them. When we need something we should ask God. That can be something as small as some peace of mind about a situation we're in, or that can be something as big as healing. When we need something, we need to actually look for it though. If you lost your phone, and wanted it back, you wouldn't just wait for it to turn up or someone else to give it back to you - you'd go on your own and look everywhere to find it. God promises us that when we seek, if we are really, truly seeking, we will find. Now, if you want in to somewhere, you knock at the door. You don't just stand around on the porch hoping they'll eventually notice and come let you in. You actually knock (or ring the doorbell) so they're aware you're there and can let you in. Now, we don't "knock" on God's door. However, we do approach Him. This can be in prayer, in worship, or even in studying His word. When we approach Him, though, we are promised that we will not be turned away - instead, the door will be opened. I love these promises. Also, though, just remember that above all these promises hangs the truth that God's will is what will be done in the end (as in you may be asking for something that you're not getting, but then He is withholding it for a reason). Just rely on Him and always be asking, seeking, and knocking, so that you may always be receiving, finding, and having doors opened to you.
That will be all for today's post, folks! God bless! Shalom!
Please go read the passage!
So, I'm gonna' just sum up two topics into one and then keep the other to itself.
1) Judging/The Golden Rule : We are told not to judge others. In fact, we are told that we will be judged as we have judged. Then there's the whole speck and plank metaphor. It makes me think of the saying that the traits we see as glaringly negative in others tend to be some of the most glaring ones in ourselves. What Jesus is trying to say with the speck/plank metaphor is that we need to be wary of our own flaws, since it is hypocritical to ignore that we struggle with something if we are pointing out that struggle in someone else. Basically, Jesus is saying we need to deal with our sin before we can even begin to be a proper help to help another deal with it. Now, also, verse 6 seems like it doesn't fit in. In a way, it does. It talks about dealing with a speck in another's eye, then about not "throwing pearls before swine". Yet another metaphor. I think what Jesus is saying here is that we can give people all the truth about the sin that we want, but if they don't want to accept it, it is a waste because they will simply take it and rip it apart and refuse to accept it. They will then also become angry at your for it. So I think he's saying if you have told someone the truth about their "speck", and they have not accepted it, then you need to carry on instead of wasting more of it on them. Basically, follow the golden rule: "Treat others how you want to be treated" That's basically the second commandment: "Love your neighbour as yourself".
2) Ask, Seek, Knock : I think sometimes we get the idea that we get to just sit back and do nothing, letting God just give us what we want. We somehow start thinking that God's our magic genie in a way. He's not. We are told to ask, seek, and knock. We need to put in some effort on our ends. We have to try. We have to actually show God "Look! I'm trying! I'm asking! I'm seeking! I'm knocking!". Now, why do we bother? Simply because of the promise that comes with it. All who ask receive, all who seek find, and all who knock will have the door opened to them. When we need something we should ask God. That can be something as small as some peace of mind about a situation we're in, or that can be something as big as healing. When we need something, we need to actually look for it though. If you lost your phone, and wanted it back, you wouldn't just wait for it to turn up or someone else to give it back to you - you'd go on your own and look everywhere to find it. God promises us that when we seek, if we are really, truly seeking, we will find. Now, if you want in to somewhere, you knock at the door. You don't just stand around on the porch hoping they'll eventually notice and come let you in. You actually knock (or ring the doorbell) so they're aware you're there and can let you in. Now, we don't "knock" on God's door. However, we do approach Him. This can be in prayer, in worship, or even in studying His word. When we approach Him, though, we are promised that we will not be turned away - instead, the door will be opened. I love these promises. Also, though, just remember that above all these promises hangs the truth that God's will is what will be done in the end (as in you may be asking for something that you're not getting, but then He is withholding it for a reason). Just rely on Him and always be asking, seeking, and knocking, so that you may always be receiving, finding, and having doors opened to you.
That will be all for today's post, folks! God bless! Shalom!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
July 2nd
July 2nd -- Matthew 6:19-34 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:19-34&version=NLT)
Go ahead and read the passage, please!
Again, two big topics:
1) Money : "'No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.'" Does this mean it's suddenly bad to have money? No. Does this mean it's suddenly bad to work to get money? No. Does this suddenly make money and it's use evil? Not always though it can be used for evil purposes, yes. The point is not that suddenly, Jesus is telling us to have nothing. In today's society, if you have no money, you will end up on the streets, and probably dead within a few months at most. What he says is we cannot serve two masters. Wouldn't that imply working to get money in order to make a living? No. However, it would refer to when people allow money to replace God in their lives. When suddenly they think they don't need God because they have wealth. Or perhaps we allow our faith life to fall apart because we become so focused on our money/possessions. In our society, money is sort of a necessity, but we need to make sure it never replaces or comes before God.
2) Worry : I really love this comparison. When we look around at animals, we can see that they are clearly taken care of by God, as they get by. Now, why then should we worry if we will be taken care of by God when He takes care of the animals, but we are more precious. We are more precious because we were set above the animals, just a little lower than the angels, and also because we are made in the image of God. He takes such great care of the things He has set us over, so why should we doubt that He will take care of us, too? We shouldn't. We often do, but we really have no reason to. He loves us so much. When we make sure He is first, He will ensure we are always being given what we need.
Well, that shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
Go ahead and read the passage, please!
Again, two big topics:
1) Money : "'No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.'" Does this mean it's suddenly bad to have money? No. Does this mean it's suddenly bad to work to get money? No. Does this suddenly make money and it's use evil? Not always though it can be used for evil purposes, yes. The point is not that suddenly, Jesus is telling us to have nothing. In today's society, if you have no money, you will end up on the streets, and probably dead within a few months at most. What he says is we cannot serve two masters. Wouldn't that imply working to get money in order to make a living? No. However, it would refer to when people allow money to replace God in their lives. When suddenly they think they don't need God because they have wealth. Or perhaps we allow our faith life to fall apart because we become so focused on our money/possessions. In our society, money is sort of a necessity, but we need to make sure it never replaces or comes before God.
2) Worry : I really love this comparison. When we look around at animals, we can see that they are clearly taken care of by God, as they get by. Now, why then should we worry if we will be taken care of by God when He takes care of the animals, but we are more precious. We are more precious because we were set above the animals, just a little lower than the angels, and also because we are made in the image of God. He takes such great care of the things He has set us over, so why should we doubt that He will take care of us, too? We shouldn't. We often do, but we really have no reason to. He loves us so much. When we make sure He is first, He will ensure we are always being given what we need.
Well, that shall be all! God bless! Shalom!
July 1st
July 1st -- Matthew6:1-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:1-18&version=NLT)
Go read the passage, please!
Two points that are touched on.
1) Giving to the Needy : When we give, we should do so quietly. If we're doing it and making a big fuss of it, it's because we're trying to get attention for it, and then it's selfish. We should be giving just to give, not to receive anything back. God sees all we do, and so when we are giving, even if we are doing it anonymously, God knows and will reward you for it.
2) Prayer (and Fasting) : Like giving, this should be done as a private and not a public ordeal. Prayer is meant to be between one's self and God. It is not meant to be a public act in a attempt to make anyone appear better than anyone else. It is meant to be a private, personal connection with our God. Now, also, there's the Lord's prayer in this passage. It's not that I don't like it, because I do, but I think sometimes it becomes something we do just because we do it like we're supposed to. Then it loses its meaning and purpose. I see it as more of a guideline of how to pray. Basically, praise before request. We need to remember that we're not entitled in any way to what we ask for. As humans, what we're entitled to is an eternity in hell. We only don't get that because Jesus died for our sins. That doesn't suddenly make us entitled. That means we're already getting more than we deserve. Yet, God allows us, still, to ask for things in prayer. So, when we do, we should at least first recognize who we are praying to (praise) and also thank Him for what He has given us (thanks) before moving on to asking for things. Otherwise prayer can easily become a selfish means of trying to get what we want, turning God into an idea of a genie not who He is.
Well, that's all! God bless! Shalom!
Go read the passage, please!
Two points that are touched on.
1) Giving to the Needy : When we give, we should do so quietly. If we're doing it and making a big fuss of it, it's because we're trying to get attention for it, and then it's selfish. We should be giving just to give, not to receive anything back. God sees all we do, and so when we are giving, even if we are doing it anonymously, God knows and will reward you for it.
2) Prayer (and Fasting) : Like giving, this should be done as a private and not a public ordeal. Prayer is meant to be between one's self and God. It is not meant to be a public act in a attempt to make anyone appear better than anyone else. It is meant to be a private, personal connection with our God. Now, also, there's the Lord's prayer in this passage. It's not that I don't like it, because I do, but I think sometimes it becomes something we do just because we do it like we're supposed to. Then it loses its meaning and purpose. I see it as more of a guideline of how to pray. Basically, praise before request. We need to remember that we're not entitled in any way to what we ask for. As humans, what we're entitled to is an eternity in hell. We only don't get that because Jesus died for our sins. That doesn't suddenly make us entitled. That means we're already getting more than we deserve. Yet, God allows us, still, to ask for things in prayer. So, when we do, we should at least first recognize who we are praying to (praise) and also thank Him for what He has given us (thanks) before moving on to asking for things. Otherwise prayer can easily become a selfish means of trying to get what we want, turning God into an idea of a genie not who He is.
Well, that's all! God bless! Shalom!
Monday, July 1, 2013
June 30th
June 30th -- Matthew 5:31-48 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:31-48&version=NLT)
Gonna' only touch very briefly on two topics.
1) Revenge. We're told not to seek it. We are told instead of seeking revenge, "turn the other cheek". It's an interesting concept, I find. We are God's children, and we are precious because of that. Yet, when we are told to always "turn the other cheek" it seems like we let ourselves be walked all over. However, I think it's not like that at all. I think rather, it's that then we are humbling ourselves. We should recognize we are absolutely nothing without God. The closer we are to Him, the lesser we should become and the greater He should become in us. When we are able to be so humble that we put ourselves below others, then we are doing it right. That doesn't mean we allow ourselves to be walked all over. We can still stand up for ourselves when we have been wronged. However, we are not meant to react in anger, but in love.
This leads us to the second thing I wanna' bring up.
2) Love your enemies. LOVE. YOUR. ENEMIES. Not just family and friends, but ALSO ENEMIES. I think this is an important thing to remember. I mean, the second greatest commandment is "love your neighbour as yourself". I think we tend to get this idea that we can pick and choose our neighbours. NOPE. Our neighbours are any and every other human being out there. We need to love them all. It's hard, though. We don't always get along with anyone, and we often don't get along with some people. Yet we are commanded to love everyone. The only way to do this, I find, is to see them as God sees them. Don't see them for their mistakes, but see them as a hand-crafted piece of art (that means all of them - outward and inward) that is greatly loved by the Creator of everything. Remember that the same Savior who died for you died for them, too, because He loves them that much. It makes it easier. A lot easier.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Gonna' only touch very briefly on two topics.
1) Revenge. We're told not to seek it. We are told instead of seeking revenge, "turn the other cheek". It's an interesting concept, I find. We are God's children, and we are precious because of that. Yet, when we are told to always "turn the other cheek" it seems like we let ourselves be walked all over. However, I think it's not like that at all. I think rather, it's that then we are humbling ourselves. We should recognize we are absolutely nothing without God. The closer we are to Him, the lesser we should become and the greater He should become in us. When we are able to be so humble that we put ourselves below others, then we are doing it right. That doesn't mean we allow ourselves to be walked all over. We can still stand up for ourselves when we have been wronged. However, we are not meant to react in anger, but in love.
This leads us to the second thing I wanna' bring up.
2) Love your enemies. LOVE. YOUR. ENEMIES. Not just family and friends, but ALSO ENEMIES. I think this is an important thing to remember. I mean, the second greatest commandment is "love your neighbour as yourself". I think we tend to get this idea that we can pick and choose our neighbours. NOPE. Our neighbours are any and every other human being out there. We need to love them all. It's hard, though. We don't always get along with anyone, and we often don't get along with some people. Yet we are commanded to love everyone. The only way to do this, I find, is to see them as God sees them. Don't see them for their mistakes, but see them as a hand-crafted piece of art (that means all of them - outward and inward) that is greatly loved by the Creator of everything. Remember that the same Savior who died for you died for them, too, because He loves them that much. It makes it easier. A lot easier.
Well, that will be all! God bless! Shalom!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)