Thursday, October 31, 2013

Day 304, October 31 - 2 Peter 3

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14 So, my friends, while we wait for the day of the Lord, work hard to live in peace, without flaw or blemish; 15a and look at the patience of the Lord as your salvation.

18 Instead, grow in grace and in the true knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Anointed, to whom be glory, now and until the coming of the new age. Amen.

The Voice


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Day 303, October 30 - 2 Peter 2

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2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Day 302, October 29 - 2 Peter 1

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3-11
His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue.  Through these things, we have received God’s great and valuable promises, so we might escape the corruption of worldly desires and share in the divine nature.  To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; to knowledge, add discipline; to discipline, add endurance; to endurance, add godliness; to godliness, add affection for others as sisters and brothers; and to affection, at last, add love.  For if you possess these traits and multiply them, then you will never be ineffective or unproductive in your relationship with our Lord Jesus the Anointed;  but if you don’t have these qualities, then you will be nearsighted and blind, forgetting that your past sins have been washed away. Therefore, brothers and sisters, work that much harder to confirm that God has called you and claimed you. If you do this, then you will never fall along the way;  and you can be sure that you will be richly welcomed into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King.
The Voice

In the Bible Study I'm participating (http://www.womensbiblecafe.com/) we've been talking about looking at scripture and what we can learn about Jesus through it. In this particular section, His divine power has given us EVERYTHING we NEED, I don't have any of it. But He does expect me to do something. 

Monday, October 28, 2013

Day 301, October 28 - Jude 1

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20-21 You, however, should stand firm in the love of God, constructing a life within the holy faith, praying the Spirit’s prayer, as you wait eagerly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, which leads to eternal life.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Day 300, October 27 - Psalm 125, 126

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Psalm 125:5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
                        the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us;
                         we are glad.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Day 299, October 26 - Psalm 123 & Psalm 124

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Psalm 123

1 I raise my eyes to fix my gaze on You,
       for Your throne resides in the heavens.
2 Just as the eyes of servants
       closely watch the hand of their masters,
Just as a maid carefully observes
       the slightest gesture of her mistress,
In the same way we look to You, Eternal One,
       waiting for our God to pour out His mercy upon us.
3 O Eternal One, show us Your mercy. We beg You.
       We are not strangers to contempt and pain.
4 We have suffered more than our share
        of ridicule and contempt from self-appointed critics who live easy lives
        pompously display their own importance.

Psalm 124
8: Our help has come in the name of the Eternal,
      the Maker of heaven and earth!

The Voice



Friday, October 25, 2013

Day 298, October 25 - 1 Peter 5

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6 So bow down under God’s strong hand; then when the time comes, God will lift you up. 7 Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries.

This is from The Voice, I love "Since God cares for you, let HIM carry all your burdens and worries. So true and so encouraging!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Day 297, October 24 - 1 Peter 4

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12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Day 296, October 23 - 1 Peter 3

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8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Unity... so important....

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Day 295, October 22 - 1 Peter 2

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1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen people, set aside to be a royal order of priests, a holy nation, God’s own; so that you may proclaim the wondrous acts of the One who called you out of inky darkness into shimmering light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received it. (The Voice)


Sunday, October 20, 2013

Day 294, October 21 - 1 Peter 1

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13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Day 293, October 20 - Psalm 121, 122

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Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
      From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
      who made heaven and earth.
ESV

Psalm 122

1 I was so happy when my fellow pilgrims said,
      “Let’s go to the house of the Eternal!”
2 We have made the journey, and now we are standing
       within your gates, O Jerusalem.
The Voice

Great passage for a Sunday morning!


Saturday, October 19, 2013

Day 292, October 19 - Psalm 120

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1 When I was in deep trouble, I called out to the Eternal,
         and He answered my call.
2 I prayed: “Protect me, Eternal,
      from lips that lie
       and tongues poisoned with deceit.”
The Voice

Such a great passage when you are facing people who are lying about you. I've been there and this passage has gotten me through those dark times.


Friday, October 18, 2013

Day 291, October 18 - Mark 16

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5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.

6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

It will be nice to know how the book of Mark really ended! We do know this, Jesus is Alive!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Day 290, October 17 - Mark 15

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37 Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and He took His last breath.
38 At that moment, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Voice

I love this image... the notes from The Voice explains it this way:

The tearing of the temple veil is a picture of what Jesus’ death has accomplished. The temple sanctuary is divided into two sections: the holy place and the most holy place. The most holy place is a chamber so sanctified that only the high priest can enter—and then only once a year. There God’s presence is manifest on earth.

A long curtain divides the two areas, and at the moment of Jesus’ death it is torn in two. The veil that serves as a means to protect everyone but the high priest from the power of God’s presence is no longer needed because Jesus, on account of His sacrificial death, gives everyone access to God. Only God Himself can rip the curtain in two “from top to bottom,” opening the way for people to come into His presence.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Day 289, October 16 - Mark 14

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32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”[d] 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”


From The Voice
38 Stay awake, and pray that you aren’t led into a trial of your own. It’s true—even when the spirit is willing, the body can betray it.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Day 288, October 15 - Mark 13

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9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Day 287, October 14 - Mark 12

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41 Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, where people came to bring their offerings, and He watched as they came and went. Many rich people threw in large sums of money, 42 but a poor widow came and put in only two small coins worth only a fraction of a cent.

Jesus (calling His disciples together): 43 Truly this widow has given a greater gift than any other contribution. 44 All the others gave a little out of their great abundance, but this poor woman has given God everything she has.

I want to be like the widow and give everything... it really isn't easy.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Day 286, October 13 - Psalm 119:161-176

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166 I wait for Your salvation, O Eternal One,
       and I live out Your commands.
167 My soul is faithful to Your decrees,
       and my love for them is extraordinary.
168 I live according to Your precepts and decrees
       because everything I do is right before Your eyes.


171 Praise will pour from my lips
        because You help me learn what You require.
172 My tongue will sing of Your word
       because every command of Yours is right.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Day 285, October 12 - Psalm 119:145-160

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159 Reflect, O God, on how I love Your precepts;
       give me life, O Eternal One, in keeping with Your unfailing love.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
        and every one of Your right rulings will surely last forever.
(The Voice)


Friday, October 11, 2013

Day 284, October 11 - Mark 11

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Jesus: 22 Trust in God. 23 If you do, honestly, you can say to this mountain, “Mountain, uproot yourself and throw yourself into the sea.” If you don’t doubt, but trust that what you say will take place, then it will happen. 24 So listen to what I’m saying: Whatever you pray for or ask from God, believe that you’ll receive it and you will. 25 When you pray, if you remember anyone who has wronged you, forgive him so that God above can also forgive you.

(The Voice)

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Day 283, October 10 - Mark 10

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23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Day 282, October 9 - Mark 9

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Jesus: 23 What do you mean, “If there’s anything?” All things are possible, if you only believe.

Father (crying in desperation): 24 I believe, Lord. Help me to believe!

(The Voice)

That's my prayer, "Help me to believe!"

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Day 281, October 8 - Mark 8

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In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” 4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

Jesus was full of compassion for the crowd because they had nothing to eat for 3 days. We complain (or maybe it's just me) when church goes long by 15 minutes because I'm hungry.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Day 280, October 7 - Mark 7

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14 (to the crowd that had gathered) Listen, all of you, to this teaching. I want you to understand. 15 There is nothing outside someone that can corrupt him. Only the things that come out of a person can corrupt him. [16 All who have ears to hear, let them listen.]
(The Voice)

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Day 279 - October 6, Psalm 199:121 - 144

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127 Indeed, I love Your commands
      more than gold, even more than the highest quality gold.
128 It’s true that I regard all Your guidance to be correct and good;
      I despise every deceptive path.
129 Your decrees inspire wonder;
       because of that, my soul desires to keep them.
(The Voice)

Friday, October 4, 2013

Day 278, October 5 - Psalm 119:97-120

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97 Oh, how I love Your law!
        I fix my mind on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies
       because they are always with me.
103 Your words are sweet to my taste!
       Yes, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from Your instructions;
      that’s why I hate every deceitful path.
116 Support me in keeping with Your promise, O God, so that I may live;
      do not let my hope turn into shame.
117 Help me so that I will be safe,
      and I will respect Your laws continually.
(The Voice)

God's Word - A lamp to guide our lives by!

Day 277, October 4 - Mark 6

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45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night[g] he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,

49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,

50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,

52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Day 276, October 3 - Mark 5

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verse 36b - “Do not fear, only believe.”

Jesus response to Jairus when he was told his daughter had died.  It what He says to us when things look bleak in our lives.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Day 275, October 2 - Mark 4

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35 The same evening, Jesus suggested they cross over to the other side of the lake.

36 With Jesus already in the boat, they left the crowd behind and set sail along with a few other boats that followed.

37 As they sailed, a storm formed. The winds whipped up huge waves that broke over the bow, filling the boat with so much water that even the experienced sailors among them were sure they were going to sink.

38 Jesus was back in the stern of the boat, sound asleep on a cushion, when the disciples shook Him awake. Disciples (shouting over the storm): Jesus, Master, don’t You care that we’re going to die?

39 He got up, shouted words into the wind, and commanded the waves. Jesus: That’s enough! Be still! And immediately the wind died down to nothing, the waves stopped. Jesus:

40 How can you be so afraid? After all you’ve seen, where is your faith?

41 The disciples were still afraid, slowly coming to grips with what they had seen. Disciples (to one another): Who is this Jesus? How can it be that He has power over even the wind and the waves?
(The Voice)

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Day 274, October 1 - Mark 3

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31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.

32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”

33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”

34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

The family of God!