Sorry for the sporadic posts as of late. My goal has always been to do at least five a week unless its a holiday. This past month has just been difficult though. I'd like to blame some of it on the weather- The kids have had 5 snow days and one holiday in the last two weeks of school. In the midst of that I've also began a new Thursday study, and am preparing for a new Tuesday evening/ Wednesday morning study, I've been in a lot of physical pain, and my mind has been heavily on other "future events" as well. All this to say....I've not been as inspired to make sense of what God has been teaching me enough to write it down.
As I was chiding myself for that this morning, I realized something. Even in the midst of these roadblocks - also called, LIFE- I've been able to keep up my daily reading through the Bible, my studying of His Word, and have had many great conversations with people about how God is working in their lives. Not that this blog isn't important to me, but I feel I've gotten my priorities straightened out a bit. I've even taken time to rest and relax some. I know it sounds odd, but I have a hard time doing that. It has always made me feel like I wasn't using my time wisely and I was being lazy, but it hasn't been so bad this time. I know that God wants us to rest. (Remember what God did the 7th day of creation and the Sabbath?) Perhaps I've just always felt I have too much time to make up for!
This morning, (Um, afternoon. God let me sleep in till almost 10!), God has comforted me in all this. That is part, He reminded me, of living everyday with Him too.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A Humbling Reminder
As soon as my son got in the van yesterday when picking him up from school, he exclaimed in a very loud voice, "Joshua* was being very rude in gym today!"
"What was he doing?" I asked.
"He said he was going to fart up to heaven!!" cried the distraught little voice.
"What?!?"
"I don't really know what he meant by it," my son fumed, "but that is very rude!"
"Did you say anything back to him?"
"No. But I couldn't wait to leave the gym. That is disrespectful to God."
This amazed me. Gym is my active little man's favorite thing at school. That he wanted to leave early said a lot about his frustration.
"Well........," I began "I guess he doesn't know any better. Now we know what to pray for him about."
"I know!" My daughter chimed in. "You can give him a Bible. Here." she said pulling a new Bible out of her backpack.
Oh, Lord. May we all have this passion and devotion to defending Your holy Name and the sharing of Your Word.
I am humbled by my children.
*The child's real name has been changed to a different Biblical name.
"What was he doing?" I asked.
"He said he was going to fart up to heaven!!" cried the distraught little voice.
"What?!?"
"I don't really know what he meant by it," my son fumed, "but that is very rude!"
"Did you say anything back to him?"
"No. But I couldn't wait to leave the gym. That is disrespectful to God."
This amazed me. Gym is my active little man's favorite thing at school. That he wanted to leave early said a lot about his frustration.
"Well........," I began "I guess he doesn't know any better. Now we know what to pray for him about."
"I know!" My daughter chimed in. "You can give him a Bible. Here." she said pulling a new Bible out of her backpack.
Oh, Lord. May we all have this passion and devotion to defending Your holy Name and the sharing of Your Word.
I am humbled by my children.
*The child's real name has been changed to a different Biblical name.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Is Your Ear Pierced?
There is an ordinance the Lord gave Moses when they first came out of the land of Egypt that intrigues me....
Slavery was not condemned in the Old Testament and was considered a natural part of life. One of the reasons this can be good, is that whether you want to admit it or not, we are to be slaves to Christ. Paul and the other apostles often refers to themselves as "a slave of Christ" (Click here for reference list). Slaves do not have control over the major aspects of their life - that is for the Master to decide. This is how we are to live for Christ Jesus.
This is what is intrigued me:
“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
Exodus 21:5-6
There was a conscious choice and physical mark for those who chose to serve their master for life. Judges were to witness it as well. Baptism reflects this in that it is an outward symbolism and declaration before others of the choice we have made to follow Christ. Yet the pierced ear - once visible for all the world to see - is now only declared by our actions and love for one another.
So here's the question I ask of myself, and you, today:
Is it obvious to the world your ear is pierced for Christ?
Slavery was not condemned in the Old Testament and was considered a natural part of life. One of the reasons this can be good, is that whether you want to admit it or not, we are to be slaves to Christ. Paul and the other apostles often refers to themselves as "a slave of Christ" (Click here for reference list). Slaves do not have control over the major aspects of their life - that is for the Master to decide. This is how we are to live for Christ Jesus.
This is what is intrigued me:
“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
Exodus 21:5-6
There was a conscious choice and physical mark for those who chose to serve their master for life. Judges were to witness it as well. Baptism reflects this in that it is an outward symbolism and declaration before others of the choice we have made to follow Christ. Yet the pierced ear - once visible for all the world to see - is now only declared by our actions and love for one another.
So here's the question I ask of myself, and you, today:
Is it obvious to the world your ear is pierced for Christ?
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Excited
I'm so excited today- and I don't know why!
Today the Lord has blessed me with a sense of anticipation, hope, and love for humanity that has in all honesty blind-sided me. Trust me- I'm not complaining! I wish this came more often :)
One thing I have noticed is a sense of community with this. We tend to get so bogged down in our own lives, friends, goals and ambitions that we forget every one of us in this world is really in the same boat. All humans struggle to survive and find a purpose. I am a human, you are a human, and the guy half way around the world is human too. And think about this- all of us were even created for the same reason!
We are here to be given a chance to glorify God.
That is something I know I need help with at times as I sink back into the selfishness of "Me-ism" that plagues the world today. But, that is also something I know you need help with, and so does that guy I'll never meet in some distant land. We can not do it alone. That means we need each other. So why wouldn't I love "him" and everyone else worldwide?
So, we love. We pray for and reach out to one another. I pray for salvation, hope, and purpose in the lives of all. I pray that they may come to know the blessed, personal relationship we can have with Jesus Christ so that they can continue to glorify God for all eternity. I pray they know don't know of Jesus, but know Him in a way that completely transforms their lives. And as I pray.... I'm excited for what I know He will do!
Today the Lord has blessed me with a sense of anticipation, hope, and love for humanity that has in all honesty blind-sided me. Trust me- I'm not complaining! I wish this came more often :)
One thing I have noticed is a sense of community with this. We tend to get so bogged down in our own lives, friends, goals and ambitions that we forget every one of us in this world is really in the same boat. All humans struggle to survive and find a purpose. I am a human, you are a human, and the guy half way around the world is human too. And think about this- all of us were even created for the same reason!
We are here to be given a chance to glorify God.
That is something I know I need help with at times as I sink back into the selfishness of "Me-ism" that plagues the world today. But, that is also something I know you need help with, and so does that guy I'll never meet in some distant land. We can not do it alone. That means we need each other. So why wouldn't I love "him" and everyone else worldwide?
So, we love. We pray for and reach out to one another. I pray for salvation, hope, and purpose in the lives of all. I pray that they may come to know the blessed, personal relationship we can have with Jesus Christ so that they can continue to glorify God for all eternity. I pray they know don't know of Jesus, but know Him in a way that completely transforms their lives. And as I pray.... I'm excited for what I know He will do!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tidbits
One great reason to read the Bible all the way through is to gather the tasty tidbits you will find scattered throughout. These are Scriptures that never make their way into typical devotionals, but offer us deep insight and clues that help bring these ancient stories to life. Often, they stand out as a side note, or afterthought by the writer of that passage, but they are certainly a gift from God to remind us these were real people in real situations.
My daily Scripture reading brought me to one of these tidbits today in the Exodus story of the plagues on Egypt as the Israelites tried to leave. Seventh of the ten plagues was hail- Immense hail. In between the warnings from God and threats from Pharaoh, is Exodus 9:31-32:
This gives us a few interesting details. First, it gives us a time frame. This plague occurred around the end of February or first of March. (See multiple commentaries here.) We do know that the Passover was established with the last plague and the Jewish year told to begin then with the month of Nisan (Exodus 12), but having this verse about the crops shows us that the plagues were in fairly quick succession. Second, we are told just what crops were important and were grown almost four thousand years ago! As people have excavated throughout the last few hundred years, they have time and again proven the validity of the Bible by matching up what it says by what they have "uncovered". Proof and comfort once again that God really does know what He's doing, and the Bible really is His Word.
As you read your Bible be on the look out for these tasty nuggets of seemingly random information. They give us greater clues into God's Word, His character, and His concern for us to know certain details. Who knows? Perhaps finding them in Scripture is good practice for those He plants in our daily lives!
My daily Scripture reading brought me to one of these tidbits today in the Exodus story of the plagues on Egypt as the Israelites tried to leave. Seventh of the ten plagues was hail- Immense hail. In between the warnings from God and threats from Pharaoh, is Exodus 9:31-32:
The flax and barley were destroyed
because the barley was ripe and the flax was budding,
but the wheat and spelt were not destroyed
because they are later crops.
This gives us a few interesting details. First, it gives us a time frame. This plague occurred around the end of February or first of March. (See multiple commentaries here.) We do know that the Passover was established with the last plague and the Jewish year told to begin then with the month of Nisan (Exodus 12), but having this verse about the crops shows us that the plagues were in fairly quick succession. Second, we are told just what crops were important and were grown almost four thousand years ago! As people have excavated throughout the last few hundred years, they have time and again proven the validity of the Bible by matching up what it says by what they have "uncovered". Proof and comfort once again that God really does know what He's doing, and the Bible really is His Word.
As you read your Bible be on the look out for these tasty nuggets of seemingly random information. They give us greater clues into God's Word, His character, and His concern for us to know certain details. Who knows? Perhaps finding them in Scripture is good practice for those He plants in our daily lives!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Examples
Trust and obey.
I wonder if perhaps Abram (later renamed Abraham) wasn't privy to this old American hymn as he wandered around from Mesopotamia through Canaan to Egypt. Here he was, called out of his homeland who worshiped multiple gods as his family did (Joshua 24:2), to wander through a distant land following the "Start walking " command of a single God. That takes a lot of Trust and Obey.
This has made me start wondering why we think that all of the sudden God is going to start telling us only to do things that are reasonable and, in the end, entail very little trust in Him. Actually, the more I read the Bible the more I realize He asks us to do very little that is reasonable or logical by human standards. How often in Scripture do you see someone respond with, "Oh, yes Lord. That makes perfect sense!" Most the time they are scared to death and completely confused.
I like that... It helps to know I'm in good company.
I wonder if perhaps Abram (later renamed Abraham) wasn't privy to this old American hymn as he wandered around from Mesopotamia through Canaan to Egypt. Here he was, called out of his homeland who worshiped multiple gods as his family did (Joshua 24:2), to wander through a distant land following the "Start walking " command of a single God. That takes a lot of Trust and Obey.
This has made me start wondering why we think that all of the sudden God is going to start telling us only to do things that are reasonable and, in the end, entail very little trust in Him. Actually, the more I read the Bible the more I realize He asks us to do very little that is reasonable or logical by human standards. How often in Scripture do you see someone respond with, "Oh, yes Lord. That makes perfect sense!" Most the time they are scared to death and completely confused.
I like that... It helps to know I'm in good company.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Doldrums
You are not going to be passionate for God everyday.
Yes, I really did say that. Does it mean you don't love Him? No. Does it mean you need to question your salvation? No. It means you are human, and are still fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12). It means you are still alive and have work still to do for His glory!
How do I handle days of spiritual doldrums? I'm honest with God about them and I read His Word - the Bible - whether I want to or not: Especially if NOT. I ask God to help me draw closer to Him, and for a mindset that would bring Him glory. Then, I'm honest with those around me - like you, right now - and ask for mercy and grace from you to remember I'm still human as well. There are days I pray you can now come to me when you experience the same. Then, knowing we have all been in the same boat, we can pray for one another and help to keep accountable.
That's how I handle it. I fight the good fight whether I want to or not. It's not the "good fight" for nothing. I take time to remember it's not the "passion fight", "happy fight", or "enthusiastic fight". It's GOOD: True, righteous, genuine, and sound whether I feel like it or not.
Remembering that, and dwelling on it is often the little spark that gets the fire going....
Yes, I really did say that. Does it mean you don't love Him? No. Does it mean you need to question your salvation? No. It means you are human, and are still fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12). It means you are still alive and have work still to do for His glory!
How do I handle days of spiritual doldrums? I'm honest with God about them and I read His Word - the Bible - whether I want to or not: Especially if NOT. I ask God to help me draw closer to Him, and for a mindset that would bring Him glory. Then, I'm honest with those around me - like you, right now - and ask for mercy and grace from you to remember I'm still human as well. There are days I pray you can now come to me when you experience the same. Then, knowing we have all been in the same boat, we can pray for one another and help to keep accountable.
That's how I handle it. I fight the good fight whether I want to or not. It's not the "good fight" for nothing. I take time to remember it's not the "passion fight", "happy fight", or "enthusiastic fight". It's GOOD: True, righteous, genuine, and sound whether I feel like it or not.
Remembering that, and dwelling on it is often the little spark that gets the fire going....
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Favorite Books of the Bible
My Pastor is soon going to begin a lecture series through one of my 3 favorite books of the Bible: 1 John. I have to say 3, because I just can pick between them as to my absolute favorite. It really depends on what I am learning and experiencing at the time.
One of the reasons I adore this book so much is that it shows such a beautiful balance in truth and love. In fact, I would subtitle it, 1 John: Truth and Tough Love. How delighting it is that this book teaches me to have a healthy, tough love from "the disciple whom Jesus loved". You know something interesting about that? It was John himself that wrote that down- 5 times (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20) . No one else did. I imagine he found comfort and the security to be bold for Christ in that knowledge. This is a trait I deeply desire.
What are some of your favorite books of the Bible?
One of the reasons I adore this book so much is that it shows such a beautiful balance in truth and love. In fact, I would subtitle it, 1 John: Truth and Tough Love. How delighting it is that this book teaches me to have a healthy, tough love from "the disciple whom Jesus loved". You know something interesting about that? It was John himself that wrote that down- 5 times (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20) . No one else did. I imagine he found comfort and the security to be bold for Christ in that knowledge. This is a trait I deeply desire.
What are some of your favorite books of the Bible?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Lessons From a Monk
My family have begun to love the T.V. show Monk over the last few months. Thanks to instant streaming on Netflix, we can watch all the episodes over the last 9 seasons whenever we have an hour to spare- which I admit we make in order to watch it. The show is about a former detective who is afraid of everything and has an extreme obsessive-compulsive disorder to name but a few of his issues. It's funny to watch him having to deal with life while at the same time being driven by the same issues in order to solve crimes.
We are watching the show in order from the beginning, and last night we found we had made it to Episode 1 of Season 5: Mr. Monk and the Actor. In this episode, an actor begins following Monk around in order to play him in a movie that was being written about a famous case which he had recently solved. Over time, this method actor becomes so engrossed in the personality of Monk that he can no longer separate his own past and personality from those of the man he was sent to imitate, and has a mental breakdown.
It's interesting that I have noticed that about myself. In the past I use to act just like whomever I was hanging around at the time. It got so bad that for a season of my life I didn't even know who I was apart from these different groups. I just so desperately longed to fit in as a teen and young adult that I automatically assumed the personality of those I was near in order to have something in common. It's only been in the last 10 years that I have grown out of that, but it was a real challenge and something I had to watch closely. I still do it to some degree with speech patterns- I pick up accents and dialects very easy. My husband loves to laugh that he can often tell who I'm on the phone with just by the way I'm speaking and with which dialect!
As I thought about this today I realized that this was not a curse, but a gift- when used in the right way. In the Bible, Paul tells us we should be imitators!
We are watching the show in order from the beginning, and last night we found we had made it to Episode 1 of Season 5: Mr. Monk and the Actor. In this episode, an actor begins following Monk around in order to play him in a movie that was being written about a famous case which he had recently solved. Over time, this method actor becomes so engrossed in the personality of Monk that he can no longer separate his own past and personality from those of the man he was sent to imitate, and has a mental breakdown.
It's interesting that I have noticed that about myself. In the past I use to act just like whomever I was hanging around at the time. It got so bad that for a season of my life I didn't even know who I was apart from these different groups. I just so desperately longed to fit in as a teen and young adult that I automatically assumed the personality of those I was near in order to have something in common. It's only been in the last 10 years that I have grown out of that, but it was a real challenge and something I had to watch closely. I still do it to some degree with speech patterns- I pick up accents and dialects very easy. My husband loves to laugh that he can often tell who I'm on the phone with just by the way I'm speaking and with which dialect!
As I thought about this today I realized that this was not a curse, but a gift- when used in the right way. In the Bible, Paul tells us we should be imitators!
Be imitators of me,
as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
We are to pattern our attitudes and lives after Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21) The more I started thinking about it, the more I realized how wonderful it would be to become so close to Christ that I loose myself in Him.
Imagine the glory we could bring Him if we were that dedicated!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Believe
I had an "Ah-ha! CLICK!" moment just now.
For the last few months, we have been waiting on an email from someone. Both my husband and I knew that with the busyness of the holiday season, it would most likely be very long in coming, but that doesn't always help make it any easier. I'm always caught between "Send another email to let them know I'm still interested", and "Don't send anything else to bug them to death."
Patience and Passion don't easily mix together.
This morning, however, I was in Genesis when the Spirit threw some highlighter on a verse I was reading. I had just been talking with Him about knowing I had heard Him about this issue before and believing that He would bring it to pass, but I was beginning to need a little reassurance that I wasn't in the wrong somehow.
Not 10 minutes later I read Genesis 15:6.
For the last few months, we have been waiting on an email from someone. Both my husband and I knew that with the busyness of the holiday season, it would most likely be very long in coming, but that doesn't always help make it any easier. I'm always caught between "Send another email to let them know I'm still interested", and "Don't send anything else to bug them to death."
Patience and Passion don't easily mix together.
This morning, however, I was in Genesis when the Spirit threw some highlighter on a verse I was reading. I had just been talking with Him about knowing I had heard Him about this issue before and believing that He would bring it to pass, but I was beginning to need a little reassurance that I wasn't in the wrong somehow.
Not 10 minutes later I read Genesis 15:6.
Abraham believed the Lord,
and He credited it to him as righteousness.
"Alright," I told Him after pondering the consequences, "I believe. You said it- You'll do it."
When I got home hours later I realized something: The email came less than a hour later.
My God is an amazing weaver of our lives!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Covering
...the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God
walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze,
and they hid themselves from the Lord God...
Genesis 3:8
It is the nature of the sin within us to hide from the Lord, as it has been since Adam and Eve first ate the forbidden fruit. We have the unnatural desire to run from Him at the first sign of His presence. Just as the evening breeze is a time of relief and respite from the heat of the day, our God comes to us when we most need Him- but still we continue to try and hide from His soothing presence for we know we are "naked" before Him.
Adam and Eve had recently become aware of their nakedness because of the fruit they had eaten. The first thing they did was sew fig leaves together to cover themselves, for it was this nakedness that caused them to hide from God. (Genesis 3:10) They instinctively knew that they needed a covering to be in His presence. But what they were able to create on their own - the fig leaves - was not sufficient. God had to kill a few animals and make skins to cover them, for they couldn't be in His presence knowing the shame of their exposure. The reason we still run from God when He comes to us in "the time of the evening breeze" is we know the shame of our nakedness before Him and instinctively, from the sin nature within us, know we can not stand before Him.
But here is the amazing thing... God has once again given us the perfect covering to be able to stand boldly before Him once again. This time He did not kill some animals, but His beloved Son. Sin can not cover sin, but righteousness and perfection can. This has only ever been found in one man: Jesus the Christ. He died in order to clothe us so that once again we could meet our Father and Creator in the cool of the evening breeze.
We no longer have to try and hide from Him, but can walk with Him side by side basking in His love, glory, and wisdom. What more could we ever desire?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Seperation
For those of you who don't know, I have two older, teenage children who don't live with me all the time. In fact, they don't for most of the year. They come for a month in the summer and a week at Christmas which are the happiest times of my year. The days counting down to when they come are filled with excitement in our house, and the younger kids give me a day by day reminder of just how long it will be till they are here. Then it's board games, big meals, and wrestling joy!
But the day always comes when they have to go back...
I have to be honest and say that I didn't know a heart could break that often or that much and still survive. For years mine almost didn't. If it weren't for my husband and the little ones, I don't think it would have. The pain has changed over the years depending on their age and understanding of what is going on - ever since they were three and one years old -, but it has never been any semblance of easy. Mother's Day is one of the worst. It's a day which, to me, celebrates my failures and pain while at the same time brings me joy that I have four wonderful children.
However, a gentle whisper from God taught me something yesterday in the midst of my turmoil as they left:
I was a bit taken aback. Yes, we know that it grieves Him when His children stray, but I never had put the emotion to it. With as horrid as it is for me, I have the consolation that they are not choosing to leave me, but must. God doesn't. In fact, the pain is worse for Him knowing we don't care enough about Him to stay. Realizing this, how could we ever choose to cause Him this much pain?
Christmas and Easter must be a lot like my Mother's Days. They celebrate all He has done for us, while at the same time bring Him so much sorrow for those who are His but currently have only a care for the Christmas presents and pageants and new Easter clothes for that special appearance in church.
So I beg of you today. Never - never - allow yourself to stray from your Savior and cause Him this pain for you. When you find yourself becoming less dedicated or complacent to Him, throw yourself at His feet and ask Him to help you draw near. I know He will. He loves you so much...
But the day always comes when they have to go back...
I have to be honest and say that I didn't know a heart could break that often or that much and still survive. For years mine almost didn't. If it weren't for my husband and the little ones, I don't think it would have. The pain has changed over the years depending on their age and understanding of what is going on - ever since they were three and one years old -, but it has never been any semblance of easy. Mother's Day is one of the worst. It's a day which, to me, celebrates my failures and pain while at the same time brings me joy that I have four wonderful children.
However, a gentle whisper from God taught me something yesterday in the midst of my turmoil as they left:
It really hurts, doesn't it?
This is just a little of what it's like when My children leave Me...
Christmas and Easter must be a lot like my Mother's Days. They celebrate all He has done for us, while at the same time bring Him so much sorrow for those who are His but currently have only a care for the Christmas presents and pageants and new Easter clothes for that special appearance in church.
So I beg of you today. Never - never - allow yourself to stray from your Savior and cause Him this pain for you. When you find yourself becoming less dedicated or complacent to Him, throw yourself at His feet and ask Him to help you draw near. I know He will. He loves you so much...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Everyday
Being a Christian means that you have dedicated your life to following Jesus Christ. In order to do this, you must first believe in Him, what He's done for you, and why it was necessary. Today I want to emphasize something that is crucial: If you have dedicated your life to Him you need to know what He is saying to you. What if I said I had dedicated my life to the homeless, but only visited or thought about them once a week for an hour. Or say I had dedicated my life to playing the violin but picked it up to practice for 30 seconds a day? Is that dedication?
Then why do we as Christians - disciples and followers of Jesus Christ - think we can get away with throwing Him a token prayer once or twice a day and participating in a worship service every week where the only preparation we put into it was ironing our clothing to look acceptable? This is not dedication. It is putting on an appearance or a facade.
God's words to us were made flesh in Jesus Christ, but they were also penned for us to study through the work of the Holy Spirit in men who were dedicated to Him. These Words are our guidance, correction, comfort, and hope: The Bible. It is of utmost importance that we read them.
This doesn't mean you have to spend an hour or two reading everyday - though you sure would learn a lot! Just get into more than someone else's interpretation and same chosen passages. You need to read all of the Bible, not just the sections everyone likes to discuss.
So as this new year begins, dedicate yourself to reading the whole Bible. If you have a very busy schedule or the task seems too daunting, there are plenty of two years plans available as well. I would challenge you though to pick a one year plan and split it in half each day that you don't have time and try to read the full portion when possible. There is nothing to say that it has to be one or two years. You can do it in 1 1/2, 1 1/4, or even in only 9 months! However you choose, dedicate yourself to it in order to listen and learn from the One you have declared your Master, Savior, and Lord.
I've given you a few links to web pages that have different plans to follow. Some are printable so that you can keep it in your Bible and others will email you a section everyday. Enjoy, and may you see God EVERYDAY!
E-Word Today 5 Plans in over 50 Translations
Bible Gateway
ArcaMax Publishing Great Printable Version
Zondervan Bible Reading Plans This one is great with so many options!
Chronological 1 or 2 Year Reading Plan
Then why do we as Christians - disciples and followers of Jesus Christ - think we can get away with throwing Him a token prayer once or twice a day and participating in a worship service every week where the only preparation we put into it was ironing our clothing to look acceptable? This is not dedication. It is putting on an appearance or a facade.
God's words to us were made flesh in Jesus Christ, but they were also penned for us to study through the work of the Holy Spirit in men who were dedicated to Him. These Words are our guidance, correction, comfort, and hope: The Bible. It is of utmost importance that we read them.
This doesn't mean you have to spend an hour or two reading everyday - though you sure would learn a lot! Just get into more than someone else's interpretation and same chosen passages. You need to read all of the Bible, not just the sections everyone likes to discuss.
So as this new year begins, dedicate yourself to reading the whole Bible. If you have a very busy schedule or the task seems too daunting, there are plenty of two years plans available as well. I would challenge you though to pick a one year plan and split it in half each day that you don't have time and try to read the full portion when possible. There is nothing to say that it has to be one or two years. You can do it in 1 1/2, 1 1/4, or even in only 9 months! However you choose, dedicate yourself to it in order to listen and learn from the One you have declared your Master, Savior, and Lord.
I've given you a few links to web pages that have different plans to follow. Some are printable so that you can keep it in your Bible and others will email you a section everyday. Enjoy, and may you see God EVERYDAY!
E-Word Today 5 Plans in over 50 Translations
Bible Gateway
ArcaMax Publishing Great Printable Version
Zondervan Bible Reading Plans This one is great with so many options!
Chronological 1 or 2 Year Reading Plan
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sabbath 2010
At the end of the week, God created a Sabbath day of rest. He - in all His great wisdom and love for our well being - knew we needed a day of rest. We need to fellowship, renew, and relax. Our brains and physical bodies even function better when we have taken this rest.
It's the end of the year and my body, spirit, and mind need that Sabbath. My "everyday" with God is going to be nothing more than praise and thanks for the rest He gives me. I am going to finish my read-through-the-Bible tomorrow, and plan on going back and looking at the verses that spoke to me until January 1st. I have to admit, I'm really looking forward to this!
I plan on posting only whenever the Spirit presses me to do so. This means I may not "see" you till next year! If that is the case, I'd love to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)
I'd also like to leave you with the new goodbye I plan on using this next year. Instead of ending my letters/emails with "God Bless" I plan on saying something different. I've learned that while God is always willing and wanting to bless us, we often are not ready for it to give Him the proper glory for it, or it just may not be His will the "bless" us in a way we would consider qualifying as a blessing. So from now on - to both Christian and non-Christian alike - I plan on saying, "May you see God today". I want everyone to have no explanation other than God for the things that happen in life. I want us all to see just how much He cares for us and is involved in every aspect of our daily life.
So, until I write again-
May you see God today.
It's the end of the year and my body, spirit, and mind need that Sabbath. My "everyday" with God is going to be nothing more than praise and thanks for the rest He gives me. I am going to finish my read-through-the-Bible tomorrow, and plan on going back and looking at the verses that spoke to me until January 1st. I have to admit, I'm really looking forward to this!
I plan on posting only whenever the Spirit presses me to do so. This means I may not "see" you till next year! If that is the case, I'd love to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)
I'd also like to leave you with the new goodbye I plan on using this next year. Instead of ending my letters/emails with "God Bless" I plan on saying something different. I've learned that while God is always willing and wanting to bless us, we often are not ready for it to give Him the proper glory for it, or it just may not be His will the "bless" us in a way we would consider qualifying as a blessing. So from now on - to both Christian and non-Christian alike - I plan on saying, "May you see God today". I want everyone to have no explanation other than God for the things that happen in life. I want us all to see just how much He cares for us and is involved in every aspect of our daily life.
So, until I write again-
May you see God today.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
What's the Difference?
Is this you?
Good deeds, kindness, charity, and love for our fellow man is admirable- but anyone can do that. As we go - and do these things - we are to teach them about the real and eternal difference: Jesus Christ.
Without Him, this life is the only "heaven" they, even in this state, will ever know...
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