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!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, November 25, 2013
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!
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!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
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!
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!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
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!
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!
Friday, November 22, 2013
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!
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!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, November 18, 2013
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!
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!
Friday, November 15, 2013
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!
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!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
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!
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!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, November 11, 2013
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!
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!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
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!
Please read the passage!
Again, going to direct you to the post from the 8th.
God bless! Shalom!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
November 9th
November 9th -- Acts 21:1-17
Please read the passage!
Just gonna' say go back to yesterday's post...
God bless! Shalom!
Please read the passage!
Just gonna' say go back to yesterday's post...
God bless! Shalom!
Friday, November 8, 2013
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!
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!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
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!
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!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
November 6th
November 6th -- Acts 19:21-41
Please read the passage!
... nothing to add to this story, sorry...
God bless! Shalom!
Please read the passage!
... nothing to add to this story, sorry...
God bless! Shalom!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
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!
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!
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!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
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!
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!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
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!
Please read the passage!
No thoughts to add, sorry. It's a really neat story/passage, though.
God bless! Shalom!
Friday, November 1, 2013
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!
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!
Please read the passage!
Sorry, but nothing to add....
God bless! Shalom!
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