Click here to go to Psalm 77
This is one of those "tough" Psalms, where the writer is burdened and doesn't seem to have much hope. Then again, life can be like that, and it's okay. Especially when we remember God's promises and what He's done in our lives. Although the writer never "praises" God in this Psalm he does reflect. Some days that's what we have to do, reflect on what God has done. The praise will come...
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
June 29, Day 181 - 1 Corinthians 4
Click here to go to 1 Corinthians 4
Paul is starting to get stern with the Corinthians, but he’s quick to point out he’s not writing to shame them (v 14) but to warn them. Paul wanted them to imitate him, something we would be wise to do.
I think verse 8 jumps out at me the most, “You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.” When you’ve been a long time I think it's easy to think "Do I really need to read the Bible again? I've read it a so many times, there's nothing new." Yet, Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Word of God is alive and active. I'm guessing you're experiencing the same thing I am as I've been reading through the New Testament things jumping out at me that I don't remember ever seeing before.
It is true, we will never have everything we need when it comes to God's Word.
Paul is starting to get stern with the Corinthians, but he’s quick to point out he’s not writing to shame them (v 14) but to warn them. Paul wanted them to imitate him, something we would be wise to do.
I think verse 8 jumps out at me the most, “You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.” When you’ve been a long time I think it's easy to think "Do I really need to read the Bible again? I've read it a so many times, there's nothing new." Yet, Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Word of God is alive and active. I'm guessing you're experiencing the same thing I am as I've been reading through the New Testament things jumping out at me that I don't remember ever seeing before.
It is true, we will never have everything we need when it comes to God's Word.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
June 28, Day 130 - 1 Corinthians 3
Click here to go to 1 Corinthians 3
This week our church is holding VBS and these verses really speak to me:
7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
That's our prayer that we simply plant and water the seeds and hold on to the truth that God will cause those seeds to grow.
This week our church is holding VBS and these verses really speak to me:
7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
That's our prayer that we simply plant and water the seeds and hold on to the truth that God will cause those seeds to grow.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
June 27, Day 129 - 1 Corinthians 2
Click here to go to 1 Corinthians 2
A very short chapter, but a couple of things that jumped out at me is in verse 10, where Paul writes "For His Spirit searches out everything..."
And then the final verse:
For,
A very short chapter, but a couple of things that jumped out at me is in verse 10, where Paul writes "For His Spirit searches out everything..."
And then the final verse:
For,
“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?”
Who knows enough to teach him?”
But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
I love that last line... we have the mind of Christ.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
June 26, Day 178 - 1 Corinthians
Click here to go to 1 Corinthians
Maybe it's because the Sunday School class I attend we've been talking about how to do the inductive Bible study method or maybe it's just focusing on one chapter at a time, or what maybe it's just I'm actually paying attention to the Holy Spirit, but so much jumped out at me from this chapter that I don't ever remember seeing before.
Like, this book was written to believers and knowing what's coming in parts of this book I want to say "OUCH."
Also, I remember reading/hearing the division between believers by who they followed or were baptized before, (10-17) but it didn't jump out at me about how even today we get into the "I'm a Baptist" or "I'm a Nazarene" Or even "I believe in free will" versus "I believe in predestination" people who go there as a primary focus are doing the same thing as the Corinthians. They removed the focus from Christ and created division. I'm not saying it's bad to identify oneself with a particular denomination. Having attended a seminary that is of the Wesleyan theology there's a bend to that way of thinking and interrupting scripture. Yet, I had classmates from many different branches of the Christianity, including at least one that identified with the Orthodox church. One of professors stressed very heavily that we need to focus on the things we agree on and not dwell on the differences.
Sorry for my little rant.. It just hit me that it really is important to focus on what we agree on and not let division happen. As Roseanna commented in yesterday's passage the warning regarding division is for every time period!
Be Blessed!
Maybe it's because the Sunday School class I attend we've been talking about how to do the inductive Bible study method or maybe it's just focusing on one chapter at a time, or what maybe it's just I'm actually paying attention to the Holy Spirit, but so much jumped out at me from this chapter that I don't ever remember seeing before.
Like, this book was written to believers and knowing what's coming in parts of this book I want to say "OUCH."
Also, I remember reading/hearing the division between believers by who they followed or were baptized before, (10-17) but it didn't jump out at me about how even today we get into the "I'm a Baptist" or "I'm a Nazarene" Or even "I believe in free will" versus "I believe in predestination" people who go there as a primary focus are doing the same thing as the Corinthians. They removed the focus from Christ and created division. I'm not saying it's bad to identify oneself with a particular denomination. Having attended a seminary that is of the Wesleyan theology there's a bend to that way of thinking and interrupting scripture. Yet, I had classmates from many different branches of the Christianity, including at least one that identified with the Orthodox church. One of professors stressed very heavily that we need to focus on the things we agree on and not dwell on the differences.
Sorry for my little rant.. It just hit me that it really is important to focus on what we agree on and not let division happen. As Roseanna commented in yesterday's passage the warning regarding division is for every time period!
Be Blessed!
Monday, June 25, 2012
June 25, Day 177 - Romans 16
Click here to go to Romans 16
I love how Paul concludes his letters. I also love the fact that Paul mentions women in his closing as a deacon (Phoebe) and co-ministers (Priscilla).
I think the charge in verse 17 is important today as well. We have to be on our guard for those who try to create division in our churches.
Tomorrow we start 1 Corinthians.
Be Blessed!
I love how Paul concludes his letters. I also love the fact that Paul mentions women in his closing as a deacon (Phoebe) and co-ministers (Priscilla).
I think the charge in verse 17 is important today as well. We have to be on our guard for those who try to create division in our churches.
Tomorrow we start 1 Corinthians.
Be Blessed!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
June 24, Day 176 - Proverbs 16
Click here to go to Proverbs 16
How often have we heard "Pride goes before a fall"? Yet, that's not what the writer of this proverb says. Pride goes before destruction! A little more than a skinned up knee.
Again, this chapter of Proverbs provides little reminders on how we should live our lives and what happens when we take the wrong road. I think verse 24 is my favorite (today):
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
I want my words to be sweet to the souls around me and to bring health and encouragement, there are so many hurting people.
What jumps out to you?
How often have we heard "Pride goes before a fall"? Yet, that's not what the writer of this proverb says. Pride goes before destruction! A little more than a skinned up knee.
Again, this chapter of Proverbs provides little reminders on how we should live our lives and what happens when we take the wrong road. I think verse 24 is my favorite (today):
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
I want my words to be sweet to the souls around me and to bring health and encouragement, there are so many hurting people.
What jumps out to you?
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