Monday: Read Psalm 145. Use it as your prayer.
Tuesday: Read Psalm 136. This Psalm involves responses to each line, and has been made into many songs.
Wednesday:Give thanks to God for the things He has done in your life. Write down some of them.
Thursday: Read Psalm 23. As you eat today, remember God's provision for you.
Friday: Write a note of encouragement to a friend or family member.
Saturday: Read Psalm 141. Write or draw about what comes to you as you read it.
Sunday: Celebrate God's goodness with others in your Church family. Pray Psalm 150.
Showing posts with label The Word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Word. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Not always what it seems
I was talking with a friend this morning about a tough situation occurring in their life. I found myself being struck by how sad the situation is, while at the same time excited that this person recognized just how bad it really was. I rejoiced that God had blessed me with this conversation. There were questions of why God would allow certain things to happen and if God was really even there. In that same breath I was told by this friend that they see God in me. The statement really hit me because while it is my goal to reflect Christ, I am all too aware of how much I fail at it. I reminded me that the life I live is being noticed. The life you live is also being noticed. What are the messages, pictures and stories that people see or hear from you? The beauty of it all is that I have no idea at what moment or in what ways this person saw God reflected in my life. I saw that is beautiful because i cannot boast in my self. Whatever work was done happened because God is Love. Perfect Love casts out all fear, always be willing to trust that God is using you, even if you don't know how.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Meditate on this passage....
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called that you may inherit a blessing.
For,
'Whoever would love life and see good days,
must keep their tongue for evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
1 peter 3:8-12, 15
For,
'Whoever would love life and see good days,
must keep their tongue for evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
1 peter 3:8-12, 15
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Lord's Equal
Read this passage from Isaiah. What is God's response to the people? What were they asking for?
"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look at those heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and strength, not one of them is missing.
Why do you say, o Jacob, and complain O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God'?
Do you now know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. he will not grow weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:25-31
"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look at those heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and strength, not one of them is missing.
Why do you say, o Jacob, and complain O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God'?
Do you now know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. he will not grow weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:25-31
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Romans 12
Sorry for the delay, its been a crazy couple of days.
Romans 12 probably my favorite chapter of the whole Bible. Its full of stuff that will both convict and give hope. It is a sort of plea from Paul to the believers in Rome to give their lives to Christ. Not in some purely symbolic way either, Paul is calling on Christians to act like the church should which is as the body. Read through it a couple times.
What does it mean to offer your minds and bodies to God?
I think a verse that answer this to an extent is "Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. (I Corinthians 10:23)"
There are certain things that people around you may do or say that though they don't seem so bad may send the wrong message. If people know you are a Christian, you then represent Christianity to that person. One they identify that you believe, you become the face of Jesus to them in a very real way.
How has your life changed?
What excuses do you make for your self?
Paul tells us that offering ourselves is a spiritual act of worship. How does that statement affect/reflect your definition of worship?
Verse 9 begins a passage on love. What are a few examples of love that is sincere. What about insincere?
Romans 12 probably my favorite chapter of the whole Bible. Its full of stuff that will both convict and give hope. It is a sort of plea from Paul to the believers in Rome to give their lives to Christ. Not in some purely symbolic way either, Paul is calling on Christians to act like the church should which is as the body. Read through it a couple times.
What does it mean to offer your minds and bodies to God?
I think a verse that answer this to an extent is "Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive. (I Corinthians 10:23)"
There are certain things that people around you may do or say that though they don't seem so bad may send the wrong message. If people know you are a Christian, you then represent Christianity to that person. One they identify that you believe, you become the face of Jesus to them in a very real way.
How has your life changed?
What excuses do you make for your self?
Paul tells us that offering ourselves is a spiritual act of worship. How does that statement affect/reflect your definition of worship?
Verse 9 begins a passage on love. What are a few examples of love that is sincere. What about insincere?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Romans 10 - 11
Jesus ends the reign of the law for all those who believe. We are not bound by it anymore!
What is Paul saying about those who have not accepted what they have seen?
Why do you think some accept Jesus and some do not?
What does it look like to love THE WORLD unconditionally?
In chapter 11 Paul refers to the Gentiles as ingrafted branches of a tree. God's orginal 'tree' was His chosen people. It is through the Jews that God desires to reach all people. His desire has always been for them to lead the nations to Him. Through them and through God's grace the gentiles (everyone else) have been given the opportuinity to become a part of that tree. It is not that God has given up on His chosen people, far from it, verse 26 tells us that all Israel will be saved (which is a quote from Isaiah 27:9.)
Pray the Doxology (verses 33-36)
What is Paul saying about those who have not accepted what they have seen?
Why do you think some accept Jesus and some do not?
What does it look like to love THE WORLD unconditionally?
In chapter 11 Paul refers to the Gentiles as ingrafted branches of a tree. God's orginal 'tree' was His chosen people. It is through the Jews that God desires to reach all people. His desire has always been for them to lead the nations to Him. Through them and through God's grace the gentiles (everyone else) have been given the opportuinity to become a part of that tree. It is not that God has given up on His chosen people, far from it, verse 26 tells us that all Israel will be saved (which is a quote from Isaiah 27:9.)
Pray the Doxology (verses 33-36)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Romans 8-9
Read Romans 8 - 9
"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (8:6)
Where is your mind?
Peace is something we are promised many times as something we get through Jesus. It is also the only thing God promises in prayer. If we set our minds on God, things won't always be perfect, it won't make all your problems go away, but it will give you peace. A peace that we are told passes all understanding. Have you ever experienced that peace? Ask God to show it to you.
verse 15 tells us that God has adopted us as children. In a very real way we are given the right to call the Father our father. Abba is a word which was so revered that it couldn't be uttered due to the level of intimacy it conveyed. To call yourself a child of God was heresy and is what got Jesus killed ultimately. Now we are told we can refer to God in that same way.
One of the main messages of the chapter is summed up in verse 31, God is for us. Nothing can change that. God has adopted us as children and we cannot get away from that fact.
Chapter 9 covers many ways in which Jesus fulfills prophecy.
What is your reaction to verses 15-16?
Read ch 9 again, knowing that this was written to gentiles, what does it says about the nature of the relationship between gentiles and Jews?
Ch's 10-11 tomorrow.
"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (8:6)
Where is your mind?
Peace is something we are promised many times as something we get through Jesus. It is also the only thing God promises in prayer. If we set our minds on God, things won't always be perfect, it won't make all your problems go away, but it will give you peace. A peace that we are told passes all understanding. Have you ever experienced that peace? Ask God to show it to you.
verse 15 tells us that God has adopted us as children. In a very real way we are given the right to call the Father our father. Abba is a word which was so revered that it couldn't be uttered due to the level of intimacy it conveyed. To call yourself a child of God was heresy and is what got Jesus killed ultimately. Now we are told we can refer to God in that same way.
One of the main messages of the chapter is summed up in verse 31, God is for us. Nothing can change that. God has adopted us as children and we cannot get away from that fact.
Chapter 9 covers many ways in which Jesus fulfills prophecy.
What is your reaction to verses 15-16?
Read ch 9 again, knowing that this was written to gentiles, what does it says about the nature of the relationship between gentiles and Jews?
Ch's 10-11 tomorrow.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Romans 6 - 7
I find Romans 6 to be one the most powerful statements concerning the nature of our relationship to God now that we have Jesus.
Romans 6:4 is commonly recited during baptisms. Our life in Christ is an entirely new one. Its not just about forgiveness, its about a whole new life. Verse 5 explains it even further by telling us that as we join together in Jesus' sufferings we also get to join Him in conquering death.
v. 11 "Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
The end of ch 6 uses slavery a number of times to describe the nature of our relationship to sin and eventually righteousness. Given this countries history of slavery our idea of slavery is a bit skewed. Here is a description of what Roman slavery was like (http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/Romans/slavery/slavery2.html).
While it is death we are owed for our sin, we are given the gift of grace.
Ch 7.
Our faithfulness to Him is what God desires. Pursuing both our sinful nature and God is adultery. Are you cheating on Him? When I was in high school I used to tell people I was a Christian. I even made up a church that I went to. The problem is that while I was talking good about church I had no place in my life for God. Going to camps, youth group. Sunday mornings, Sunday School and more are great way to be in community, but if that your whole relationship with God, you may need to evaluate your priorities. We are told in Romans that we cannot serve 2 masters. Who is your master? I know that early in my Christian life I could talk the Christian talk quite well. What I've learned is that God is very real, and my relationship with Him is one that requires commitment.
Paul then goes on to describe the nature of the laws God as given us. The way Paul explains the law is brilliant. Read through it as many times as it takes to follow whats being said. While Romans can be tough to follow at times, it is very rich in theology and the lessons you are given through will stick with you forever.
We'll do Ch's 8-9 Monday. Re-read 1-7 this weekend and see if there is anything new that stands out.
Romans 6:4 is commonly recited during baptisms. Our life in Christ is an entirely new one. Its not just about forgiveness, its about a whole new life. Verse 5 explains it even further by telling us that as we join together in Jesus' sufferings we also get to join Him in conquering death.
v. 11 "Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
The end of ch 6 uses slavery a number of times to describe the nature of our relationship to sin and eventually righteousness. Given this countries history of slavery our idea of slavery is a bit skewed. Here is a description of what Roman slavery was like (http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/Romans/slavery/slavery2.html).
While it is death we are owed for our sin, we are given the gift of grace.
Ch 7.
Our faithfulness to Him is what God desires. Pursuing both our sinful nature and God is adultery. Are you cheating on Him? When I was in high school I used to tell people I was a Christian. I even made up a church that I went to. The problem is that while I was talking good about church I had no place in my life for God. Going to camps, youth group. Sunday mornings, Sunday School and more are great way to be in community, but if that your whole relationship with God, you may need to evaluate your priorities. We are told in Romans that we cannot serve 2 masters. Who is your master? I know that early in my Christian life I could talk the Christian talk quite well. What I've learned is that God is very real, and my relationship with Him is one that requires commitment.
Paul then goes on to describe the nature of the laws God as given us. The way Paul explains the law is brilliant. Read through it as many times as it takes to follow whats being said. While Romans can be tough to follow at times, it is very rich in theology and the lessons you are given through will stick with you forever.
We'll do Ch's 8-9 Monday. Re-read 1-7 this weekend and see if there is anything new that stands out.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Romans 5 and 6
Our faith is one which must be firmly grounded in Jesus. It is through faith that we are justified (5:1). Through that same faith we achieve peace with God.
In verse 3 there is an interesting progression which ends in an unlikely spot...hope. Yet the things which lead to hope all begin with being strong in faith. Persevering through tough times is a great way to 'sharpen' your faith. It is no coincidence that the areas where the Church is strongest is wherever there is persecution. CS Lewis famously said that you never know what you truly believe until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death. While you may not be feeling intense physical threats at this point in your life, there are times when you have the chance to share your faith. Even if it means standing in the face of a social beating. Through even the toughest situations hope in Christ will get you through.
The rest of chapter 5 continues to establish that Jesus is the only way for our justification to occur. Over and over we are taught by Paul that through Jesus, who was fully God and fully human, we are reconciled to God. The ransom moment has occurred. It occurred ONCE for ALL. Jesus doesn't die again each time we sin. 5:18-21 are some of the most powerful words in scripture.
Chapter 6
The free gift of grace requires nothing on our part. Paul encourages baptism as a public way of affirming that you accepted the gift of grace. Through that acceptance you literally become bonded to Christ in his death and resurrection. There is no separating the two anymore. That is beauty of once for all, its cannot and does not need to be repeated.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Read it over again and let the words speak to you. If there are verses that you don't understand or concepts you're struggling with, I'd love to discuss them with you. Give me a call or email me.
In verse 3 there is an interesting progression which ends in an unlikely spot...hope. Yet the things which lead to hope all begin with being strong in faith. Persevering through tough times is a great way to 'sharpen' your faith. It is no coincidence that the areas where the Church is strongest is wherever there is persecution. CS Lewis famously said that you never know what you truly believe until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death. While you may not be feeling intense physical threats at this point in your life, there are times when you have the chance to share your faith. Even if it means standing in the face of a social beating. Through even the toughest situations hope in Christ will get you through.
The rest of chapter 5 continues to establish that Jesus is the only way for our justification to occur. Over and over we are taught by Paul that through Jesus, who was fully God and fully human, we are reconciled to God. The ransom moment has occurred. It occurred ONCE for ALL. Jesus doesn't die again each time we sin. 5:18-21 are some of the most powerful words in scripture.
Chapter 6
The free gift of grace requires nothing on our part. Paul encourages baptism as a public way of affirming that you accepted the gift of grace. Through that acceptance you literally become bonded to Christ in his death and resurrection. There is no separating the two anymore. That is beauty of once for all, its cannot and does not need to be repeated.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Read it over again and let the words speak to you. If there are verses that you don't understand or concepts you're struggling with, I'd love to discuss them with you. Give me a call or email me.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Romans continued (Ch 3 - 4)
Romans 3 begins with an explanation which is fundamental to understanding our status as people. We, as descendants of Adam and Eve, are born into original sin. Some people took that idea to an extreme and reasoned that since we are born sinners and have Jesus, therefore we can continue to sin so that God can poor out even more grace. The freedom we find in Christ is due to the fact that he overcame the law. Not so that there would be lawlessness but so that we could get out from under its burden. If following the law could save us, we would have no need for Jesus. Chapter 3 verses 19- 31 explain all that in much greater detail.
Paul's emphasis on being saved by faith was crucial for the early church and is a battle that is still being fought today. If it were possible for us to do good works to gain favor with God we would never turn to Him, we would just do some good stuff. Being justified by faith is not just a New Testament concept. Paul spends the 4th chapter of Romans explaining that Abraham's (where both Jews and Muslims trace their lineage from) justification was based upon his faith in God rather than obedience.
Reflection Q's...
What does it mean to you to be a Christian?
If our actions (good or bad) don't have any bearing on our place with God, why not live like the rest of the world?
Read 4:19-25
Take some time to write in a journal about what this passage means to you. In what ways is it encouraging? Frustrating?
Chapters 5 and 6 tommorow!
Paul's emphasis on being saved by faith was crucial for the early church and is a battle that is still being fought today. If it were possible for us to do good works to gain favor with God we would never turn to Him, we would just do some good stuff. Being justified by faith is not just a New Testament concept. Paul spends the 4th chapter of Romans explaining that Abraham's (where both Jews and Muslims trace their lineage from) justification was based upon his faith in God rather than obedience.
Reflection Q's...
What does it mean to you to be a Christian?
If our actions (good or bad) don't have any bearing on our place with God, why not live like the rest of the world?
Read 4:19-25
Take some time to write in a journal about what this passage means to you. In what ways is it encouraging? Frustrating?
Chapters 5 and 6 tommorow!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Post #100!!
What does it mean that God speaks to us?
In my experience God speaks to us in many ways. While it might seem easier for there to be a mighty voice from the sky telling us things, it doesn't work that way. God uses the people, things and places around us to tell us things. We have the Bible to guide us and the gift of prayer to be in direct communication. It fascinates me that I can read the same passage 15 times and notice 15 different things. I believe the Holy Spirit guides that process. When it seems as if God is not there I often realize that it’s because I'm not listening. I can't say that's always true, He can communicate through silence as well.
Take the time to listen for his voice. Try to block out your own voice. God is communicating with us, we just need to watch and listen for it.
In my experience God speaks to us in many ways. While it might seem easier for there to be a mighty voice from the sky telling us things, it doesn't work that way. God uses the people, things and places around us to tell us things. We have the Bible to guide us and the gift of prayer to be in direct communication. It fascinates me that I can read the same passage 15 times and notice 15 different things. I believe the Holy Spirit guides that process. When it seems as if God is not there I often realize that it’s because I'm not listening. I can't say that's always true, He can communicate through silence as well.
Take the time to listen for his voice. Try to block out your own voice. God is communicating with us, we just need to watch and listen for it.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, November 29, 2007
"And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of people, but on the power of God." -1 Corinthians 2:1-5
I was sitting in the backseat of a van on a trip to Colorado a few years back and heard a conversation that has stuck with me ever since. It was between the man who introduced me to Jesus (Tim) and another friend named Ryan. Ryan asked Tim if it ever worried him that students (like me) might place more faith in him than in God. I remember thinking it was kind of a silly question at the time, but it really was a great one. It the same question Paul is addressing in this letter to the Corinthian church. He wanted to make it very clear who the object of our faith should be. I don't remember much else about that conversation in the van; however, when I read this scripture I am reminded of the faith we share. I am reminded that while people come and go, Jesus stays the same. When I think of those people who impacted my faith deeply, I must admit I don't give Jesus near enough credit. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for those amazing sisters and brothers...yet Paul's reminder to the Corinthian church serves as a reminder for me that the Church, with all its many parts, must constantly be pointing to the Head. Jesus should be the most recognizable part of our lives.
I was sitting in the backseat of a van on a trip to Colorado a few years back and heard a conversation that has stuck with me ever since. It was between the man who introduced me to Jesus (Tim) and another friend named Ryan. Ryan asked Tim if it ever worried him that students (like me) might place more faith in him than in God. I remember thinking it was kind of a silly question at the time, but it really was a great one. It the same question Paul is addressing in this letter to the Corinthian church. He wanted to make it very clear who the object of our faith should be. I don't remember much else about that conversation in the van; however, when I read this scripture I am reminded of the faith we share. I am reminded that while people come and go, Jesus stays the same. When I think of those people who impacted my faith deeply, I must admit I don't give Jesus near enough credit. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for those amazing sisters and brothers...yet Paul's reminder to the Corinthian church serves as a reminder for me that the Church, with all its many parts, must constantly be pointing to the Head. Jesus should be the most recognizable part of our lives.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
You
We had a great conversation in our weekly staff meeting today about you. We spent about 2 hours taking about you. It started when while reading Colossians 2. Somewhere in the discussion the topic of who the letter was written to came up (thanks Chris). It then became clear to me that when I read "you" in scripture, it is very rarely about me. I discovered that I am far too selfish in my reading of scripture. Paul was writing Colossians to a group of people, not just one. We are justified, we possess the fullness of Deity which is found in Christ. It should bring about a communal sense of responsibility, as well as, and individual commitment to the rest of the body. Read Colossians 2 right now, and every time there is a "you", go southern and read "y'all".
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Faith
Reflect on this quote a bit. What do you find in scripture that may or may not support it?
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." - C.S. Lewis
Read Hebrews 11.Have a great day!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. The will say, "Where is this 'coming' He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by god's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged (flooded) and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. But do not forget this one thing friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
-2 Peter 3:3-9
What questions come to mind when reading this verse?
Does it challenge your faith in anyway?
How is God's love evident here?
How does knowing that God is not bound (Omnipresent)by time effect the statements in this passage?
Note: When you see words like omnipresent, omniscience and others, try to break the word down...."omni" means always.
Look back at the creation story in Genesis... does the 2 Peter passage shed any new light on creation, or the flood story?
Read John 1:1-2
What sticks out about this verse after reading the 2 Peter verse?
-2 Peter 3:3-9
What questions come to mind when reading this verse?
Does it challenge your faith in anyway?
How is God's love evident here?
How does knowing that God is not bound (Omnipresent)by time effect the statements in this passage?
Note: When you see words like omnipresent, omniscience and others, try to break the word down...."omni" means always.
Look back at the creation story in Genesis... does the 2 Peter passage shed any new light on creation, or the flood story?
Read John 1:1-2
What sticks out about this verse after reading the 2 Peter verse?
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