My memory verse for this week:
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 19
Mark 9-10 and 1 Corinthians 5-7
"I do believe! Help me overcome my disbelief!" (Mark 9:23)
Faith is never perfect. It is often mixed with unbelief. Sometimes you need to realize what you don't know or understand so you can search for the understanding you need. That is the case for me today. I have found such peace and joy while reading the NTC in the past few weeks. I am constantly finding new things in verses I have read many times. Today, while still finding joy, my heart is troubled by how much I still have to learn.
I write these messages everyday as my way of reaching out to the world and spreading the good news of God's plan for the salvation of his beautiful human creations who have such messes of their God-given lives.
While I just speak what is in my heart, I realized once again that I have SO MUCH TO LEARN! I am not a pastor...I really do not have the training to teach anyone about God's word. What if what I say and how I interpret what I read in God's word is wrong? So, dear friends, please take what I say with a grain of salt. (Funny that I use the word salt. Mark 9:50 talks about salt being good, unless it loses its saltiness...I don't want to lose my saltiness!)
All week long, (and really the theme of my blog) I have been talking about how we are not to judge one another. Well...1 Corinthians 5 talks all about how the church is to exercise spiritual discipline over those who claim to believe in Christ. Paul says that claiming to be Christians while continuing to live an immoral life is degrading and wrong and might put their testimony in question.
Paul goes as far as saying that the church is to hand those Christians who are living immoral lives over to Satan so their sinful nature will be destroyed and they will be moved to repent and be saved.
I have to admit that I am troubled by this because it sounds like the church is given the right to turn sinners away from the church...we are ALL sinners aren't we? I thought all sins were sins...it didn't matter the type?
I don't like the thought of "cherry-picking" from the Bible...taking and putting into practice only the parts I like and disregarding the parts I don't like. I do believe that the Bible, ALL OF THE BIBLE is God's word and he breathed his breath into the men who wrote all parts of it. So...I have a lot to learn about how God feels about sins and immoral behavior and what God considers immoral behavior.
Just like the man in Mark 9:14-32, I have faith, but it it isn't perfect and I need help with my unbelief.
What I do know...we are treat all others with love. Jesus said that besides loving God, this was the greatest commandment. So, perhaps this love comes into play with HOW we discipline those believers in the church living in immoral ways....how we treat them...how we judge them...
I have a lot to learn...
My sun porch
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
NTC Day 18 - judge not
My memory verse for this week:
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 18
Mark 7-8 and 1 Corinthians 3-4
I think I picked a good memory verse for this week's lessons because over and over in God's word this week, I have read about how judging others is NOT what God wants us to do!
In Mark 7, the Pharisees are once again judging Jesus and his followers...and trying to bring them down by bringing up the fact that they are are following Jewish traditions, such as the ceremonial washing of the hands before eating. They have already questioned the things they had eaten and who they were eating with. Jesus explains that it is not what goes into our bodies that makes us unclean, but what comes out.
An unclean heart produces things like evil thoughts, greed, sexual immorality, theft, adultery, malice, deceit, lewdness, slander, arrogance and folly.
Jesus is trying to get the Pharisees and the listeners around to understand that if we follow God's commands instead of getting so wrapped up in our religious traditions that we lose sight of God's commands. And, using those traditions to judge the worthiness of a person is an act of judgement which is saved only for God, not man.
In Mark 8, the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. Verse 12 says that Jesus sighed heavily and asked WHY people need signs from heaven as proof of God. He was frustrated with them and with others around them. They just weren't getting it! There were miraculous signs all around them, but their hearts were hardened so they couldn't see and accept them.
Again, even the disciples didn't get it! Jesus again had compassion on the large group of 4 thousand around him listening to him preach...they were hungry. He once again uses a small amount of food to feed the many, right in front of the disciples' eyes. But later, when they were in a boat and Jesus warns them about the "yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod," the disciples took what he said literally and thought he was talking about their one loaf of bread in the boat. They STILL didn't get it! They were seeing and witnessing the miraculous signs from heaven but didn't understand.
As I read this, I begin judging those disciples. I think, "Come on! He just fed 4 thousand people with a few loaves and fish! He just healed a deaf man! He just brought a little girl to life! He has healed hundreds of people! Do they not see who he is???"
But, as I turn that judgement on myself, would I have seen? Putting myself in the shoes of the disciples, would I have been able to understand that Jesus was God? Would I have been able to understand his sometimes cryptic lessons? Knowing myself, I probably would have taken Jesus literally too, and worried about that one loaf of bread in the boat.
Jesus begins teaching his disciples about his coming suffering and death. Peter takes Jesus aside and argues with him. Peter thinks of Jesus as the Messiah, but doesn't understand, or doesn't WANT to understand that in order for the Messiah to save us, he has to suffer and die FOR US.
Jesus says, " Get behind me Satan!" I have read these words he said to Peter before, but I never realized before that Peter was in a way tempting Jesus not to suffer, much like Satan tempted Jesus in the desert.
Jesus goes on to say that if we want to be his followers, we must take up our cross and follow him. (my memory verse from last week!) Exactly what did he mean by taking up our cross. I used to think that this meant we must deal with those things that trouble us and give them to God in order to move toward forgiveness and salvation. But, reading this today, I realized that it could mean something much deeper.
Pick up our cross...Jesus had to carry the heavy beam to his cross...he had been condemned to death. If we are to carry our cross...that means we are already condemned to death! He says to follow him...he died on his cross, but was raised again in heaven...if we follow him, we die and are raised. In order to save our eternal lives, we must die to our physical lives, as Jesus did.
Wow! That is pretty deep stuff for an early Thursday morning! I'm not sure I was ready for those revelations.
That cross carrying and dying to live stuff sounds pretty personal...like it is between God, Jesus (whom I am following) and me. No wonder Jesus and Paul talk so much about not judging others! There's not time to judge others...we should be spending all our time figuring out our own crosses to bear!
In 1 Corinthians 3 and 4, Paul is speaking to a church that had been quarreling amongst itself about religious philosophies. Paul explains that he planted the seeds by teaching the words of Jesus, Apollos and other teachers watered those words with more teachings, but it is God who makes them grow.
WE are the church. If we build it on a good foundation, the word of God and the teachings of Jesus, but we try to continue building it on religious traditions and false teachings, and then judge each other and fight with each other about it all, then our church will fall. God won't make something grow that isn't built on his pure word. If our work and our teachings are pure and of God, then he will make it grow.
As we have read in these New Testament readings so far, Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God, and then love people (your neighbor.) If we truly do those two things, then judging others will become a habit less and less. If we continue to love God and love people, we will find ourselves serving others more and more. When we stay true to loving God and loving people, then our church will grow.
Does this make us wonder why our church, Christianity, has been on the decline? Does this make us wonder why Christians are looked at as judgmental hypocrites by those outside the church? If it doesn't...it should.
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 18
Mark 7-8 and 1 Corinthians 3-4
I think I picked a good memory verse for this week's lessons because over and over in God's word this week, I have read about how judging others is NOT what God wants us to do!
In Mark 7, the Pharisees are once again judging Jesus and his followers...and trying to bring them down by bringing up the fact that they are are following Jewish traditions, such as the ceremonial washing of the hands before eating. They have already questioned the things they had eaten and who they were eating with. Jesus explains that it is not what goes into our bodies that makes us unclean, but what comes out.
An unclean heart produces things like evil thoughts, greed, sexual immorality, theft, adultery, malice, deceit, lewdness, slander, arrogance and folly.
Jesus is trying to get the Pharisees and the listeners around to understand that if we follow God's commands instead of getting so wrapped up in our religious traditions that we lose sight of God's commands. And, using those traditions to judge the worthiness of a person is an act of judgement which is saved only for God, not man.
In Mark 8, the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. Verse 12 says that Jesus sighed heavily and asked WHY people need signs from heaven as proof of God. He was frustrated with them and with others around them. They just weren't getting it! There were miraculous signs all around them, but their hearts were hardened so they couldn't see and accept them.
Again, even the disciples didn't get it! Jesus again had compassion on the large group of 4 thousand around him listening to him preach...they were hungry. He once again uses a small amount of food to feed the many, right in front of the disciples' eyes. But later, when they were in a boat and Jesus warns them about the "yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod," the disciples took what he said literally and thought he was talking about their one loaf of bread in the boat. They STILL didn't get it! They were seeing and witnessing the miraculous signs from heaven but didn't understand.
As I read this, I begin judging those disciples. I think, "Come on! He just fed 4 thousand people with a few loaves and fish! He just healed a deaf man! He just brought a little girl to life! He has healed hundreds of people! Do they not see who he is???"
But, as I turn that judgement on myself, would I have seen? Putting myself in the shoes of the disciples, would I have been able to understand that Jesus was God? Would I have been able to understand his sometimes cryptic lessons? Knowing myself, I probably would have taken Jesus literally too, and worried about that one loaf of bread in the boat.
Jesus begins teaching his disciples about his coming suffering and death. Peter takes Jesus aside and argues with him. Peter thinks of Jesus as the Messiah, but doesn't understand, or doesn't WANT to understand that in order for the Messiah to save us, he has to suffer and die FOR US.
Jesus says, " Get behind me Satan!" I have read these words he said to Peter before, but I never realized before that Peter was in a way tempting Jesus not to suffer, much like Satan tempted Jesus in the desert.
Jesus goes on to say that if we want to be his followers, we must take up our cross and follow him. (my memory verse from last week!) Exactly what did he mean by taking up our cross. I used to think that this meant we must deal with those things that trouble us and give them to God in order to move toward forgiveness and salvation. But, reading this today, I realized that it could mean something much deeper.
Pick up our cross...Jesus had to carry the heavy beam to his cross...he had been condemned to death. If we are to carry our cross...that means we are already condemned to death! He says to follow him...he died on his cross, but was raised again in heaven...if we follow him, we die and are raised. In order to save our eternal lives, we must die to our physical lives, as Jesus did.
Wow! That is pretty deep stuff for an early Thursday morning! I'm not sure I was ready for those revelations.
That cross carrying and dying to live stuff sounds pretty personal...like it is between God, Jesus (whom I am following) and me. No wonder Jesus and Paul talk so much about not judging others! There's not time to judge others...we should be spending all our time figuring out our own crosses to bear!
In 1 Corinthians 3 and 4, Paul is speaking to a church that had been quarreling amongst itself about religious philosophies. Paul explains that he planted the seeds by teaching the words of Jesus, Apollos and other teachers watered those words with more teachings, but it is God who makes them grow.
WE are the church. If we build it on a good foundation, the word of God and the teachings of Jesus, but we try to continue building it on religious traditions and false teachings, and then judge each other and fight with each other about it all, then our church will fall. God won't make something grow that isn't built on his pure word. If our work and our teachings are pure and of God, then he will make it grow.
As we have read in these New Testament readings so far, Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God, and then love people (your neighbor.) If we truly do those two things, then judging others will become a habit less and less. If we continue to love God and love people, we will find ourselves serving others more and more. When we stay true to loving God and loving people, then our church will grow.
Does this make us wonder why our church, Christianity, has been on the decline? Does this make us wonder why Christians are looked at as judgmental hypocrites by those outside the church? If it doesn't...it should.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
NTC Day 17 Our human-ness hold us back...
My memory verse for this week:
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 17
Mark 5-6 and 1 Corinthians 1-2
Almost all the problems we have in this life and caused by our human-ness. We are afraid, we worry, we lack faith, we are greedy, we doubt...all of these characteristics lead us to judge others, act in hateful manners, gossip about others and act in other despicable manners....all because we are human.
If God created us, why didn't he take that human-ness out of us? It is said that God doesn't make mistakes...well, doesn't it seem that the human creation is one big mistake? Adam and Eve couldn't even last in the garden without making a mistake. Why would God make us with the ability to make so many mistakes?
If he made us perfect, we wouldn't need him. We would be so full of ourselves, we wouldn't feel the need to reach out and connect with our creator. No, God doesn't make mistakes, and he even created a plan to save us from ourselves. Through Jesus, all of our many mistakes can be forgiven and we can come to him in the perfect form he wants us to be.
Through God's word, we see all the mistakes that his people have made through the centuries. People's human-ness keep them from seeing God right in front of them.
In Mark 5 we read of Jesus saving a severely demon possessed man from the legion of demons within him. He allowed the demons to go into a herd of pigs, and then sent those pigs into a lake to drown. Instead of being overjoyed by this miracle, they were afraid and asked Jesus to leave. For one thing, their greedy selves worried about the loss of financial gain from the destroyed herd of pigs, and they also feared the powerful force at work that they didn't understand. Their human feelings kept them from further benefits of Jesus' power.
The people of Jesus' hometown also allowed their human feelings to send Jesus away. They were also amazed at Jesus' wisdom and power, but because they had seen him grow up and where he came from, they didn't want to think he was any different from themselves. Because of their disbelief, Jesus refused to do many more miracles in that town and quickly shook their dust off his feet and left.
Even the disciples, who saw ALL of the miracles of Jesus and heard his teachings...they did not really get it either. Think about it...they were probably the only ones to really see the miracle of feeding over 5 thousand people. They knew what they started out with and what they ended up with. But, shortly after that incident, they were filled with fear when they saw Jesus walking on water, thinking he was a ghost. Their human minds allowed their hearts to remain hardened to the fact that Jesus was really from God.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, Paul says that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those being saved, it is the power of God. Some Wise people who study science and math through the centuries have had real problems believing in God and his promises and his miracles through time. Our human-ness doesn't want to believe what we can't prove.
Today, there are many who don't believe for just that reason. Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians 2 to explain that he didn't preach from a wise man's perspective, but through the Spirit of Christ. If someone listening to him, didn't have the spirit in him, he wasn't ready to listen.
Instead of making those of us who do believe give up speaking about what we believe, I think that means we are to keep talking...not ramming our thoughts a d beliefs down anyone's throat and not judging those who believe differently...but understanding their human-ness and our own as well. I speak from my heart, and I believe that some will hear me and like what I say enough to reach out to God for themselves....working through their own human-ness to accept the gift of Grace he offers to each of us.
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 17
Mark 5-6 and 1 Corinthians 1-2
Almost all the problems we have in this life and caused by our human-ness. We are afraid, we worry, we lack faith, we are greedy, we doubt...all of these characteristics lead us to judge others, act in hateful manners, gossip about others and act in other despicable manners....all because we are human.
If God created us, why didn't he take that human-ness out of us? It is said that God doesn't make mistakes...well, doesn't it seem that the human creation is one big mistake? Adam and Eve couldn't even last in the garden without making a mistake. Why would God make us with the ability to make so many mistakes?
If he made us perfect, we wouldn't need him. We would be so full of ourselves, we wouldn't feel the need to reach out and connect with our creator. No, God doesn't make mistakes, and he even created a plan to save us from ourselves. Through Jesus, all of our many mistakes can be forgiven and we can come to him in the perfect form he wants us to be.
Through God's word, we see all the mistakes that his people have made through the centuries. People's human-ness keep them from seeing God right in front of them.
In Mark 5 we read of Jesus saving a severely demon possessed man from the legion of demons within him. He allowed the demons to go into a herd of pigs, and then sent those pigs into a lake to drown. Instead of being overjoyed by this miracle, they were afraid and asked Jesus to leave. For one thing, their greedy selves worried about the loss of financial gain from the destroyed herd of pigs, and they also feared the powerful force at work that they didn't understand. Their human feelings kept them from further benefits of Jesus' power.
The people of Jesus' hometown also allowed their human feelings to send Jesus away. They were also amazed at Jesus' wisdom and power, but because they had seen him grow up and where he came from, they didn't want to think he was any different from themselves. Because of their disbelief, Jesus refused to do many more miracles in that town and quickly shook their dust off his feet and left.
Even the disciples, who saw ALL of the miracles of Jesus and heard his teachings...they did not really get it either. Think about it...they were probably the only ones to really see the miracle of feeding over 5 thousand people. They knew what they started out with and what they ended up with. But, shortly after that incident, they were filled with fear when they saw Jesus walking on water, thinking he was a ghost. Their human minds allowed their hearts to remain hardened to the fact that Jesus was really from God.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, Paul says that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those being saved, it is the power of God. Some Wise people who study science and math through the centuries have had real problems believing in God and his promises and his miracles through time. Our human-ness doesn't want to believe what we can't prove.
Today, there are many who don't believe for just that reason. Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians 2 to explain that he didn't preach from a wise man's perspective, but through the Spirit of Christ. If someone listening to him, didn't have the spirit in him, he wasn't ready to listen.
Instead of making those of us who do believe give up speaking about what we believe, I think that means we are to keep talking...not ramming our thoughts a d beliefs down anyone's throat and not judging those who believe differently...but understanding their human-ness and our own as well. I speak from my heart, and I believe that some will hear me and like what I say enough to reach out to God for themselves....working through their own human-ness to accept the gift of Grace he offers to each of us.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
NTC Day 16 - Don't allow obstacles to get in the way...
My memory verse for this week:
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 16
Mark 3-4 and Romans 16
In the Mark readings today, we hear again about the work Jesus did in healing and teaching. We also still see those Pharisees accusing and plotting against Jesus.
They were with Jesus when a man with a withered hand came to him. The Pharisees knew Jesus COULD heal (they believed in his power) but they wanted to see if he WOULD heal on the Sabbath, thus breaking one of the laws. What they couldn't see was that by the act of plotting to kill Jesus on the Sabbath, they were just as guilty of breaking that law as Jesus was.
Why is it that many of us are so willing to condemn others for their sins and not see our own sin blaring in front of us...that message is just as relevant today as it was when Jesus was alive!
Mark 3:27 - When accused of being possessed by Satan because he drove out an evil spirit, Jesus said that Satan cannot drive out Satan. He spoke of how no one can rob a strong man's house and steal his possessions without first tying up the strong man. Jesus was doing just that...tying up Satan's power by freeing his people...freeing the person from being possessed by Satan's spirit.
Last week we talked about how it takes training to live the way God wants us to live. Everyone we meet might be on a different level of training, so we have to be careful how we treat them. Jesus' famous parable of the planting of the seeds illustrates this well. Some hear the word but just aren't ready to believe. Some hear, and want to believe, but they haven't had the training to make it stick. Some hear the word and believe, but are not strong enough to trust God when things get tough. And still others hear, believe, trust and therefore produce a good crop of results for God. Whatever place you are in that continuum, you shouldn't judge others...but continue your training and learn to trust. Even the disciples, who heard all the parables Jesus taught, had Jesus explanations of those parables...they didn't trust enough and were afraid in a storm.
The church is the place for us to support each other and build each other up. In Romans 16, Paul mentions many people of the early church, both men and women, all who had worked hard for the Lord. He also warns that we should be careful not to allow Satan to work his way into the church, causing divisions and obstacles in the good work that we do for God. All the good that we do, building others up, loving others, telling others the good news...these are all to be done for the glory of God, the ultimate purpose of all things.
"Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Romans 14:13
NTC Day 16
Mark 3-4 and Romans 16
In the Mark readings today, we hear again about the work Jesus did in healing and teaching. We also still see those Pharisees accusing and plotting against Jesus.
They were with Jesus when a man with a withered hand came to him. The Pharisees knew Jesus COULD heal (they believed in his power) but they wanted to see if he WOULD heal on the Sabbath, thus breaking one of the laws. What they couldn't see was that by the act of plotting to kill Jesus on the Sabbath, they were just as guilty of breaking that law as Jesus was.
Why is it that many of us are so willing to condemn others for their sins and not see our own sin blaring in front of us...that message is just as relevant today as it was when Jesus was alive!
Mark 3:27 - When accused of being possessed by Satan because he drove out an evil spirit, Jesus said that Satan cannot drive out Satan. He spoke of how no one can rob a strong man's house and steal his possessions without first tying up the strong man. Jesus was doing just that...tying up Satan's power by freeing his people...freeing the person from being possessed by Satan's spirit.
Last week we talked about how it takes training to live the way God wants us to live. Everyone we meet might be on a different level of training, so we have to be careful how we treat them. Jesus' famous parable of the planting of the seeds illustrates this well. Some hear the word but just aren't ready to believe. Some hear, and want to believe, but they haven't had the training to make it stick. Some hear the word and believe, but are not strong enough to trust God when things get tough. And still others hear, believe, trust and therefore produce a good crop of results for God. Whatever place you are in that continuum, you shouldn't judge others...but continue your training and learn to trust. Even the disciples, who heard all the parables Jesus taught, had Jesus explanations of those parables...they didn't trust enough and were afraid in a storm.
The church is the place for us to support each other and build each other up. In Romans 16, Paul mentions many people of the early church, both men and women, all who had worked hard for the Lord. He also warns that we should be careful not to allow Satan to work his way into the church, causing divisions and obstacles in the good work that we do for God. All the good that we do, building others up, loving others, telling others the good news...these are all to be done for the glory of God, the ultimate purpose of all things.
Monday, September 26, 2011
NTC Day 15 - Love more, judge less
My memory verse for this week:
"Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." -- Romans 14:13
NTC Day 15
Mark 1-2 and Romans 13-15
I know there are those who don't like the reading 2 chapters in one book and skipping ahead to read 3 chapters in another book, but I am really seeing the parallels in Jesus' teachings and the words of Paul.
In Mark 2:17 we hear again the words of Jesus saying that he didn't come for the righteous, but for the sinner. My study Bible explains this as a self-righteous man doesn't realize his need for salvation while an admitted sinner does.
The Pharisees were all about "the rules." They worked hard to follow all the rules, tried to make sure that everyone else followed the rules and persecuted those who didn't follow the rules. They didn't worry about their need for salvation, because they were sure they were doing as God wished by following all the rules. What they didn't see is they needed a savior as much as the ones not following the rules.
The Pharisees get a bad wrap throughout the New Testament. They were the rulers and teachers of the Jewish community. Reading it today, it is easy to truly dislike those Pharisees who were trying to trip up Jesus, his disciples and then Paul in later years. We get fed up with their "holier than thou" attitude.
But, reading Paul's own words in Romans 13, we see that those Pharisees were in place to protect the people, even from themselves. They got so hung up on the rules because they thought they were doing what God wanted them to...they thought they were right, even if we can see now that they were doing it in the wrong way. Paul says that we are to submit to the ruling authorities because they are established by God. He says that of course we are to obey God first, but our rulers were put into place by God to protect society. Civil authorities are ordained by God to maintain order. We are to pay taxes, respect and honor our rulers. As Jesus said, give to Caesar what is Caesar's but give God what is God's.
Wow! In Romans, Paul was talking about the Jewish leaders and Roman rulers of the time...but do you think we are to do the same in this day and age? BIG QUESTION!
Many Christians today are conservatives and do not like, respect or show honor to our more liberal President. Many claim he is not a Christian... I have heard Christians making racial slurs against him. I have heard many hateful things about President Obama, and also about most of our other congressman, Senators, governors, etc. IF WE TRULY BELIEVE IN WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE TO DO...do you think those actions are how we as Christians are to act?
Yes, I also get fed up with how corrupt it seems our government has become, but if God ordained them to be our civil authorities...we at least owe them respect, even if they don't earn it.
Paul goes on in Romans 14 to state that we are not to judge others. Romans 14:10 says that God will do the judging. While there are bound to be times when we see weaker Christians acting in ways we don't agree with...Paul says we are to keep our thoughts between us and God. (Romans 14:22)
Romans 15:5 wishes for a spirit of unity to be with believers of Christ. While I don't think this means we have to agree on everything, it does mean we are to agree to disagree in LOVE and not judgement.
Through the words of Jesus and the words of Paul, God is trying to teach us how to live a more peaceful existence in this earthly life. I don't think we listen to those words of wisdom enough or put them into practice enough either. Imagine what our world COULD be like if we each judged less, respected each other and LOVED more!!!
"Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." -- Romans 14:13
NTC Day 15
Mark 1-2 and Romans 13-15
I know there are those who don't like the reading 2 chapters in one book and skipping ahead to read 3 chapters in another book, but I am really seeing the parallels in Jesus' teachings and the words of Paul.
In Mark 2:17 we hear again the words of Jesus saying that he didn't come for the righteous, but for the sinner. My study Bible explains this as a self-righteous man doesn't realize his need for salvation while an admitted sinner does.
The Pharisees were all about "the rules." They worked hard to follow all the rules, tried to make sure that everyone else followed the rules and persecuted those who didn't follow the rules. They didn't worry about their need for salvation, because they were sure they were doing as God wished by following all the rules. What they didn't see is they needed a savior as much as the ones not following the rules.
The Pharisees get a bad wrap throughout the New Testament. They were the rulers and teachers of the Jewish community. Reading it today, it is easy to truly dislike those Pharisees who were trying to trip up Jesus, his disciples and then Paul in later years. We get fed up with their "holier than thou" attitude.
But, reading Paul's own words in Romans 13, we see that those Pharisees were in place to protect the people, even from themselves. They got so hung up on the rules because they thought they were doing what God wanted them to...they thought they were right, even if we can see now that they were doing it in the wrong way. Paul says that we are to submit to the ruling authorities because they are established by God. He says that of course we are to obey God first, but our rulers were put into place by God to protect society. Civil authorities are ordained by God to maintain order. We are to pay taxes, respect and honor our rulers. As Jesus said, give to Caesar what is Caesar's but give God what is God's.
Wow! In Romans, Paul was talking about the Jewish leaders and Roman rulers of the time...but do you think we are to do the same in this day and age? BIG QUESTION!
Many Christians today are conservatives and do not like, respect or show honor to our more liberal President. Many claim he is not a Christian... I have heard Christians making racial slurs against him. I have heard many hateful things about President Obama, and also about most of our other congressman, Senators, governors, etc. IF WE TRULY BELIEVE IN WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE TO DO...do you think those actions are how we as Christians are to act?
Yes, I also get fed up with how corrupt it seems our government has become, but if God ordained them to be our civil authorities...we at least owe them respect, even if they don't earn it.
Paul goes on in Romans 14 to state that we are not to judge others. Romans 14:10 says that God will do the judging. While there are bound to be times when we see weaker Christians acting in ways we don't agree with...Paul says we are to keep our thoughts between us and God. (Romans 14:22)
Romans 15:5 wishes for a spirit of unity to be with believers of Christ. While I don't think this means we have to agree on everything, it does mean we are to agree to disagree in LOVE and not judgement.
Through the words of Jesus and the words of Paul, God is trying to teach us how to live a more peaceful existence in this earthly life. I don't think we listen to those words of wisdom enough or put them into practice enough either. Imagine what our world COULD be like if we each judged less, respected each other and LOVED more!!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
NTC Day 13 Blessed by the word
My memory verse this week:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for me will find it."-- Matthew 16:24-25
NTC Day 13
Matthew 27-28 and Romans 10-12
It's Sunday, always a busy day for me. It seems I am so busy getting things ready for KidsPraise and today, singing with the choir, and rushing off to my inlaws for lunch right after church...and some Sundays, I don't even hear the pastor's sermon because I am helping with KidsPraise. I LOVE all of those things, but there are some Sundays I don't feel I have taken time to thank God...to really worship and praise Him...to rest...
This morning, as I got ready for church, I LISTENED to the NTC readings. No, I don't think I studied them this morning, as I usually do, and perhaps I didn't get as much out of them as I should have, but they were a blessing to me just the same.
The last two chapters of Matthew tell of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Each Holy Week I read these verses and am amazed again at what Jesus went through for us and the magnitude of God's plan for our redemption. It is not just a story...not just the climax of a popular novel...No, it is the beginning of God's grace for his beloved people.
This week in our readings, we have touched on predestination...that God knows what each of us will do with our lives. Sometimes that thought is comforting, and sometimes it makes me wonder. He wants each of us, no matter our race or beliefs or lack thereof, to be with him in heaven above. But, he gives us that choice. He has plans for us...each one of us, but we have to accept Him and his plan.
Hearing of the pain and humiliation that Jesus went through makes me sad, but so overwhelmingly grateful. To those who don't believe, the whole story may seem outlandish and far fetched, but to me, God's plan for my salvation through Jesus' suffering and death is a plan of love.
I have said this week that Paul's words sometimes confuses me, and Romans 10 and 11 reinforces that statement. But Romans 12, I love. Paul speaks of how we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. And it goes on to give us good advice on how we are to find what we are good at and do that to the glory God. And, he restates what Jesus said about how we are to love others.
After 2 weeks of the New Testament Challenge, I am grateful for this chance to read and hear the word of our God and to get the messages that God is sending me through those words. If possible, I feel even more blessed that I was before!
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for me will find it."-- Matthew 16:24-25
NTC Day 13
Matthew 27-28 and Romans 10-12
It's Sunday, always a busy day for me. It seems I am so busy getting things ready for KidsPraise and today, singing with the choir, and rushing off to my inlaws for lunch right after church...and some Sundays, I don't even hear the pastor's sermon because I am helping with KidsPraise. I LOVE all of those things, but there are some Sundays I don't feel I have taken time to thank God...to really worship and praise Him...to rest...
This morning, as I got ready for church, I LISTENED to the NTC readings. No, I don't think I studied them this morning, as I usually do, and perhaps I didn't get as much out of them as I should have, but they were a blessing to me just the same.
The last two chapters of Matthew tell of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Each Holy Week I read these verses and am amazed again at what Jesus went through for us and the magnitude of God's plan for our redemption. It is not just a story...not just the climax of a popular novel...No, it is the beginning of God's grace for his beloved people.
This week in our readings, we have touched on predestination...that God knows what each of us will do with our lives. Sometimes that thought is comforting, and sometimes it makes me wonder. He wants each of us, no matter our race or beliefs or lack thereof, to be with him in heaven above. But, he gives us that choice. He has plans for us...each one of us, but we have to accept Him and his plan.
Hearing of the pain and humiliation that Jesus went through makes me sad, but so overwhelmingly grateful. To those who don't believe, the whole story may seem outlandish and far fetched, but to me, God's plan for my salvation through Jesus' suffering and death is a plan of love.
I have said this week that Paul's words sometimes confuses me, and Romans 10 and 11 reinforces that statement. But Romans 12, I love. Paul speaks of how we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. And it goes on to give us good advice on how we are to find what we are good at and do that to the glory God. And, he restates what Jesus said about how we are to love others.
After 2 weeks of the New Testament Challenge, I am grateful for this chance to read and hear the word of our God and to get the messages that God is sending me through those words. If possible, I feel even more blessed that I was before!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
NTC Day 12 Questions, questions
My memory verse this week:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for me will find it."-- Matthew 16:24-25
NTC Day 12
Matthew 25-26 and Romans 7-9
Paul's writings are very hard for me to understand...and in some ways, his words seem contradictory. That is why I am glad I also read Matthew 25-26. Those chapters spoke of Jesus' lessons and promises of God...it reassured me.
In Romans 9, I found myself a bit confused and asking more questions. Paul seems to understand this confusion, because even though he explains to us such difficult concepts as predestination, he poses questions as if we are asking.
Paul quotes Testament scriptures as he explains what God said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." He hardens who he wants to harden. (verse 18)
We might feel that God is unjust because he doesn't have mercy on everyone. Why would he harden anyone? And if God chooses some and not others...why would those living in sin and away from God ever hope for salvation? Might some feel, if God only chooses a few, my chances aren't good, so why don't I just live it up and live the way I WANT to?
If you only read Romans, chapter 9 and nothing else, you might feel this way. But most of our readings today are more reassuring and hopeful.
In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches that we don't know the day or hour of his returning, or our death, for that matter. We should be prepared and ready at any moment. His parables teach us that we should trust God and live each day loving, serving and giving to others. We are not to sit around doing nothing, but living in his service, producing positive results. We shouldn't serve others just for the rewards we would get in heaven, but serve out of love. God's rewards in heaven come from his grace, not our efforts.
And in Matthew 26, Jesus tells his disciples about his coming persecution and death. He explained that one of them would betray him. The whole story of Judas has always bothered me...why would a man who had followed and loved Jesus all these months and years do such a despicable thing as betraying him and turning him over to the people who want to kill him.
There was something the heart of Judas that wasn't true...he didn't love Jesus or God enough to resist whatever feelings of greed that tempted him to do so. And...(this is the part that gets me) God used that weakness as part of his plan. SOMEONE had to betray Jesus...in order for Jesus to suffer and die for us...someone had to start the ball rolling. God used the weakness of Judas.
Why didn't the Jewish leaders believe in Jesus as the son of God? God used their hardened hearts...in order for Jesus to suffer and die for us, SOMEONE had to persecute and kill him. God used their harden hearts to do so.
Did God harden their hearts? Or, did they choose to harden their hearts...that is the part that confuses me.
I believe that God does love each and everyone one of his creation. He gives us each a chance to choose to love him. But, when we chose NOT to love and trust him back, he can use our hardened hearts to make good come from our bad.
If we love God and believe in his promises, and the spirit of Jesus is living in us...NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39)
I also believe that NO ONE is beyond this love. Even Paul, who had persecuted and even KILLED early Christians CHOSE to believe in Christ.
This is so hard to sort through! So many questions come to my mind! I don't understand God's plans...but I don't think I am supposed to. As much as I question, I also am reassured by God's love through these readings. While my mind struggles to understand, my heart has peace that rests in God's love.
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for me will find it."-- Matthew 16:24-25
NTC Day 12
Matthew 25-26 and Romans 7-9
Paul's writings are very hard for me to understand...and in some ways, his words seem contradictory. That is why I am glad I also read Matthew 25-26. Those chapters spoke of Jesus' lessons and promises of God...it reassured me.
In Romans 9, I found myself a bit confused and asking more questions. Paul seems to understand this confusion, because even though he explains to us such difficult concepts as predestination, he poses questions as if we are asking.
Paul quotes Testament scriptures as he explains what God said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." He hardens who he wants to harden. (verse 18)
We might feel that God is unjust because he doesn't have mercy on everyone. Why would he harden anyone? And if God chooses some and not others...why would those living in sin and away from God ever hope for salvation? Might some feel, if God only chooses a few, my chances aren't good, so why don't I just live it up and live the way I WANT to?
If you only read Romans, chapter 9 and nothing else, you might feel this way. But most of our readings today are more reassuring and hopeful.
In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches that we don't know the day or hour of his returning, or our death, for that matter. We should be prepared and ready at any moment. His parables teach us that we should trust God and live each day loving, serving and giving to others. We are not to sit around doing nothing, but living in his service, producing positive results. We shouldn't serve others just for the rewards we would get in heaven, but serve out of love. God's rewards in heaven come from his grace, not our efforts.
And in Matthew 26, Jesus tells his disciples about his coming persecution and death. He explained that one of them would betray him. The whole story of Judas has always bothered me...why would a man who had followed and loved Jesus all these months and years do such a despicable thing as betraying him and turning him over to the people who want to kill him.
There was something the heart of Judas that wasn't true...he didn't love Jesus or God enough to resist whatever feelings of greed that tempted him to do so. And...(this is the part that gets me) God used that weakness as part of his plan. SOMEONE had to betray Jesus...in order for Jesus to suffer and die for us...someone had to start the ball rolling. God used the weakness of Judas.
Why didn't the Jewish leaders believe in Jesus as the son of God? God used their hardened hearts...in order for Jesus to suffer and die for us, SOMEONE had to persecute and kill him. God used their harden hearts to do so.
Did God harden their hearts? Or, did they choose to harden their hearts...that is the part that confuses me.
I believe that God does love each and everyone one of his creation. He gives us each a chance to choose to love him. But, when we chose NOT to love and trust him back, he can use our hardened hearts to make good come from our bad.
If we love God and believe in his promises, and the spirit of Jesus is living in us...NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39)
I also believe that NO ONE is beyond this love. Even Paul, who had persecuted and even KILLED early Christians CHOSE to believe in Christ.
This is so hard to sort through! So many questions come to my mind! I don't understand God's plans...but I don't think I am supposed to. As much as I question, I also am reassured by God's love through these readings. While my mind struggles to understand, my heart has peace that rests in God's love.
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