I hope you don’t mind receiving another post, but it just seems a little weird to stop the blog so abruptly. I think a couple of us would like to continue sharing on the blog in some way, but we just haven’t been able to figure out how. In the meantime, while we figure things out, here’s what’s on my heart these days:
What does this new year have in store for you? That’s the question that's been on my mind these days. I’m feeling a little bit lost because I fulfilled my goal/commitment from last year (to read the entire Bible and post my thoughts twice a week on the blog) and I don’t seem to have a new goal/commitment for this year. It’s left me feeling a bit empty, so I’ve been prayerful about what to do about it. The question is, where and how does God want me to serve.
Well Satan of course doesn’t like the idea of me serving, so he is up to his old tricks. He’s trying to convince me that I have nothing to offer; no gifts, no wisdom, no talent, no nothing. Of course in and of myself, I have absolutely nothing to give. But by the grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, I have plenty to offer. As believers, we’re all filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and we’re all equipped with everything we need to be a part of God’s work in growing the population of heaven. But somehow, satan still does a good job of convincing me that I’ve got little or nothing to give.
I recently read a story on KSBJ about a woman who changes the lives of others through her hobby as a coupon queen. Now, I’m no coupon queen. I sometimes stick coupons in my purse and completely forget about them. Months later I find them stuck to an old breath mint in the bottom of my purse having long ago expired. But this lady has a gift. She clips coupons – even coupons she knows she won’t use – and shares them with others at the grocery store. God has given her a brain like a file cabinet. She just peeks into other people’s shopping carts and plucks a coupon out of her purse for them. She recently shared a $1 coupon with an elderly lady who exclaimed how wonderful it was because she could now get a loaf of bread. After they talked for a while, the coupon queen ended up helping the elderly lady out with her grocery bill for the day and they exchanged numbers so that they could keep in touch.
So I’m reminded, if God can use something as simple as a coupon clipping hobby, of course He’s got a direction for me and I guarantee you He’s got something in mind for you. It doesn’t necessarily require a ton of money or a huge time commitment or a need to learn how to do something new. He’ll equip you and He’ll equip me. After a lot of prayer, I’m leaning toward some ministry work with nursing home residents or shut ins. It’s also been on my heart to continue sharing through this blog, but I’m not sure on what level or how that's going to look.
I ask you to pray for me and for all of our blog readers – that God would create openings - open hearts for a desire to serve, open eyes to a direction in which to serve, open minds to God’s ability to equip and open doors of opportunities to serve.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
May 2011 be a year of blessings as you do what you were created to do – Serve the Lord!
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
The End of the Bible and Time
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%2019-22&version=ESV
Revelation is the last book of the Bible and this blog post is the last in our one year session. Over the course of this year we have encountered poetry, prose, apocalyptic writings, letters, biographies, and various other genres. Regardless of the form, God has chosen these books as important and sufficient for us to come into His Presence. Jesus Christ was the Word revealed in the flesh and the Bible is God's written record to us.
We have seen all aspects of life as we have traversed the Scriptural landscape. Murder, adultery, lies, incest, lust, greed, dysfunctional families, and inter-generational consequences are clearly displayed to warn us away from the path of sin and destruction. God's compassion, creativity, and care also shine through the pages of the Bible and provide the path to true fulfillment and purpose. Only when God calls us and we, in response, run into the outstretched arms of Love can we find meaning for both the short term (transitory stay here on earth) and the long term (eternal rest residing with Christ as our King and Ruler).
Chapter 19 has some of the most profound praises in all of the Bible, but we see the limitations of human reasoning and understanding while here in the flesh; for even the Apostle John who had partaken of the bread and wine at the Last Supper fell prey to false worship when caught up in his earthly emotions. If such a great man who had witnessed countless miracles and was the beloved disciple could err in this way, how much more must we guard our hearts against idolatry and turning to man instead of the one true God?
Revelation 19:9-10
9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation is a difficult book to read because of the many sections of poetry and description. We know that John was privileged to see glimpses of the future when God triumphs eternally and ends His forbearance of mankind's sin and evil. Chapters 19 and 20 show the importance of clinging to the Truth which is Jesus. He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life. When we accept His call and repent, then He writes our names in His Book of Life. God keeps a record of all that we do and nothing that we do can ever grant us acceptance by the Father of Lights. It is only the Blood of Jesus that can usher us into God's eternal presence.
We don't hear it much anymore, but there is a Hell reserved for the devil and those fallen angels who turned their back on God. Mankind was not created for Hell but when Adam ate of the forbidden fruit it brought physical and spiritual death to all of man. Praise be to God, for He gave us His Son that we might be rescued from the second death and the lake of fire. If we listen to God's call, then He will bring us to Himself. If we do not listen but reject His call, then we make the choice to be thrown into that lake of fire and suffer the full consequences of the second death.
Chapter 21 and 22 deal with the new city of God and how He will dwell among us. We will no longer see through a glass darkly, but we will see Him as He is and His radiance will illuminate all aspects of our lives. There is a glorious day coming and Jesus does not want any of us to miss it.
Have you heard the Savior's voice? Have you listened to His call? Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? He calls us even now to come to Him. For those who have not yet trusted in Christ, please do so. For those who have already trusted, evaluate your life and see if you are living according to Scripture. God's Word is Faithful and True, just as Jesus is Faithful and True.
May we all be able to say with our whole hearts, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Revelation is the last book of the Bible and this blog post is the last in our one year session. Over the course of this year we have encountered poetry, prose, apocalyptic writings, letters, biographies, and various other genres. Regardless of the form, God has chosen these books as important and sufficient for us to come into His Presence. Jesus Christ was the Word revealed in the flesh and the Bible is God's written record to us.
We have seen all aspects of life as we have traversed the Scriptural landscape. Murder, adultery, lies, incest, lust, greed, dysfunctional families, and inter-generational consequences are clearly displayed to warn us away from the path of sin and destruction. God's compassion, creativity, and care also shine through the pages of the Bible and provide the path to true fulfillment and purpose. Only when God calls us and we, in response, run into the outstretched arms of Love can we find meaning for both the short term (transitory stay here on earth) and the long term (eternal rest residing with Christ as our King and Ruler).
Chapter 19 has some of the most profound praises in all of the Bible, but we see the limitations of human reasoning and understanding while here in the flesh; for even the Apostle John who had partaken of the bread and wine at the Last Supper fell prey to false worship when caught up in his earthly emotions. If such a great man who had witnessed countless miracles and was the beloved disciple could err in this way, how much more must we guard our hearts against idolatry and turning to man instead of the one true God?
Revelation 19:9-10
9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation is a difficult book to read because of the many sections of poetry and description. We know that John was privileged to see glimpses of the future when God triumphs eternally and ends His forbearance of mankind's sin and evil. Chapters 19 and 20 show the importance of clinging to the Truth which is Jesus. He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life. When we accept His call and repent, then He writes our names in His Book of Life. God keeps a record of all that we do and nothing that we do can ever grant us acceptance by the Father of Lights. It is only the Blood of Jesus that can usher us into God's eternal presence.
We don't hear it much anymore, but there is a Hell reserved for the devil and those fallen angels who turned their back on God. Mankind was not created for Hell but when Adam ate of the forbidden fruit it brought physical and spiritual death to all of man. Praise be to God, for He gave us His Son that we might be rescued from the second death and the lake of fire. If we listen to God's call, then He will bring us to Himself. If we do not listen but reject His call, then we make the choice to be thrown into that lake of fire and suffer the full consequences of the second death.
Chapter 21 and 22 deal with the new city of God and how He will dwell among us. We will no longer see through a glass darkly, but we will see Him as He is and His radiance will illuminate all aspects of our lives. There is a glorious day coming and Jesus does not want any of us to miss it.
Have you heard the Savior's voice? Have you listened to His call? Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? He calls us even now to come to Him. For those who have not yet trusted in Christ, please do so. For those who have already trusted, evaluate your life and see if you are living according to Scripture. God's Word is Faithful and True, just as Jesus is Faithful and True.
May we all be able to say with our whole hearts, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Saturday, January 1, 2011
He Is
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2012-18&version=NIV
A year ago we started an adventure together into the Word of God. Today, we are a day away from being at the end of our journey. We've been through the entire story of our God and his redeeming love. It is nearly impossible to walk away from reading His story and not stand in awe, not worship, not fall more deeply in love with Him. He is Creator, he is Promise Keeper, His is Provider and Sustainer. He is the Holy yet compassionate, merciful, forgiving God. He is the God who sees, the God who knows, the who has a perfect plan and purpose. He is just, he is righteous, he awesome in majesty and majestic in glory. He is shepherd, counselor, teacher, guide. He is faithful to ALL his promises and loving to ALL he has made. He is a daddy God who has chosen and adopted you and me. He calls me friend - he calls me His. He is Warrior, he is Redeemer, he is our Victory and he reigns. He IS because he is the I AM.
As I write my last blog on this journey, my friends, please know that I carry you in my heart and I carry you in my prayers to throne of our living God. In Jesus I approach with confidence. I pray that you would understand the victory that is described in the book of Revelation. I pray you would know that though the world is ruled by the one called accuser and father of lies, you are not of this world and you, like the saints described in Revelation 12:11 have "overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony". The victory is already won - it is yours to claim. I pray that you would claim it in the name of Jesus.
I pray that you would stand on his truth, that you would continue to know him more. Read his story again and again, so that his truth plants in his heart - for it is not just a story, it is our living God speaking to you. Remember that he has a word to speak to you each day - that his word never goes out void. Therefore, I pray that you would have ears to hear, that the Holy Spirit would speak directly to your heart. I pray that you would know the incredible power that is available to you. And I pray that you see God's Power, feel His Power, and speak of His power every day.
I can't resist leaving you with one of my favorite verses - even though it's part of tomorrow's passage. It is such an amazing image of our victorious King Jesus. Not merely an image, but truth that encompasses all that he is:
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and one his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but himself. His is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." - Revelation 19:11-13
My precious friends - The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" - Numbers 6:25
With all heart I pray that God would overwhelm your life with His love. Be blessed!
Carol
A year ago we started an adventure together into the Word of God. Today, we are a day away from being at the end of our journey. We've been through the entire story of our God and his redeeming love. It is nearly impossible to walk away from reading His story and not stand in awe, not worship, not fall more deeply in love with Him. He is Creator, he is Promise Keeper, His is Provider and Sustainer. He is the Holy yet compassionate, merciful, forgiving God. He is the God who sees, the God who knows, the who has a perfect plan and purpose. He is just, he is righteous, he awesome in majesty and majestic in glory. He is shepherd, counselor, teacher, guide. He is faithful to ALL his promises and loving to ALL he has made. He is a daddy God who has chosen and adopted you and me. He calls me friend - he calls me His. He is Warrior, he is Redeemer, he is our Victory and he reigns. He IS because he is the I AM.
As I write my last blog on this journey, my friends, please know that I carry you in my heart and I carry you in my prayers to throne of our living God. In Jesus I approach with confidence. I pray that you would understand the victory that is described in the book of Revelation. I pray you would know that though the world is ruled by the one called accuser and father of lies, you are not of this world and you, like the saints described in Revelation 12:11 have "overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony". The victory is already won - it is yours to claim. I pray that you would claim it in the name of Jesus.
I pray that you would stand on his truth, that you would continue to know him more. Read his story again and again, so that his truth plants in his heart - for it is not just a story, it is our living God speaking to you. Remember that he has a word to speak to you each day - that his word never goes out void. Therefore, I pray that you would have ears to hear, that the Holy Spirit would speak directly to your heart. I pray that you would know the incredible power that is available to you. And I pray that you see God's Power, feel His Power, and speak of His power every day.
I can't resist leaving you with one of my favorite verses - even though it's part of tomorrow's passage. It is such an amazing image of our victorious King Jesus. Not merely an image, but truth that encompasses all that he is:
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and one his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but himself. His is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." - Revelation 19:11-13
My precious friends - The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" - Numbers 6:25
With all heart I pray that God would overwhelm your life with His love. Be blessed!
Carol
Friday, December 31, 2010
This Is Not The End
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%206-11&version=NIV
Last night we saw the ending of a year. Many people gather together on December
31st to celebrate. However, it's not the ending that is celebrated, but rather the beginning of a new year. A year that holds new hope, new possibilities, things that are unseen yet to come.
As we read through the book of Revelation, we also consider endings - the ending of our journey together through the Bible. But more importantly, the end of time. The book of Revelation is sometimes difficult to understand and brings many questions. Exactly how will the end times look? Will we are Christians go through much suffering before Christ's return, or will we be swept up and spared experiencing some of the events described in Revelation. Is the book even meant to be taken literally - is it prophetic? When will Christ return? These are questions to which we have no answers.
But there is one thing for certain and worthy of celebration - Revelation and the end of the world do not represent an ending - rather they represent a beginning. They are not a beginning of new hope or new possibilities, but of all things made new. Hope will be fulfilled in eternity with Christ through whom all things have been made possible.
There will be a day, my friends, when Christ will return - when we will reign in Heaven and on earth. What a day of celebration that will be. I long for that day because I know that no matter what happens in my life in this coming year - perhaps things hoped for, maybe desires of my heart fulfilled - nothing can or will compare to the fulfillment of all hope, of all desires. Nothing can compare to living in the presence of my living God for eternity - to gaze upon his face and his glory - to bask in his perfect love. I cannot wait to celebrate that day with you, when we seen the evidence of things hoped for - a day when the unseen becomes seen and will remain for all eternity. There are many things unknown about that day, but I am certain that I will see you there, and that together we worship at the throne of Jesus Christ, praising him and saying:
"The Kingdome of the world has become the king of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will regin for ever and ever." - Revelation 11:15
The Lord Reigns, precious ones, now and forever. Celebrate!
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
Last night we saw the ending of a year. Many people gather together on December
31st to celebrate. However, it's not the ending that is celebrated, but rather the beginning of a new year. A year that holds new hope, new possibilities, things that are unseen yet to come.
As we read through the book of Revelation, we also consider endings - the ending of our journey together through the Bible. But more importantly, the end of time. The book of Revelation is sometimes difficult to understand and brings many questions. Exactly how will the end times look? Will we are Christians go through much suffering before Christ's return, or will we be swept up and spared experiencing some of the events described in Revelation. Is the book even meant to be taken literally - is it prophetic? When will Christ return? These are questions to which we have no answers.
But there is one thing for certain and worthy of celebration - Revelation and the end of the world do not represent an ending - rather they represent a beginning. They are not a beginning of new hope or new possibilities, but of all things made new. Hope will be fulfilled in eternity with Christ through whom all things have been made possible.
There will be a day, my friends, when Christ will return - when we will reign in Heaven and on earth. What a day of celebration that will be. I long for that day because I know that no matter what happens in my life in this coming year - perhaps things hoped for, maybe desires of my heart fulfilled - nothing can or will compare to the fulfillment of all hope, of all desires. Nothing can compare to living in the presence of my living God for eternity - to gaze upon his face and his glory - to bask in his perfect love. I cannot wait to celebrate that day with you, when we seen the evidence of things hoped for - a day when the unseen becomes seen and will remain for all eternity. There are many things unknown about that day, but I am certain that I will see you there, and that together we worship at the throne of Jesus Christ, praising him and saying:
"The Kingdome of the world has become the king of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will regin for ever and ever." - Revelation 11:15
The Lord Reigns, precious ones, now and forever. Celebrate!
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
Revelation 1-5
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%201-5&version=ESV
Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
God would want you on fire for Him or cold against Him than you being in the middle and lukewarm, right? Doesn't the above passage state this? Let's take a closer look.
Laodecia was between 2 cities, Hierapolis to the north and Colossae to the southeast.
"In Hierapolis, six miles to the north, there was some famous springs, hot springs. In fact, they were one of the most well-known and popular places for healing. The water was hot and you went there and sat in that water and it had therapeutic power. It is still used today. Hierapolis had hot water and that hot water was therapeutic.
In Colossae, ten miles south and east, there was a cold stream. We learned that the stream was perennially running and perennially cold like typical water that flows from the high mountains. That water was thirst quenching. That water was famous because of its cool, clear character.
They didn't have the hot therapeutic water of Hierapolis and they didn't have the cold clear refreshing water of Colossae, they had the foul, dirty, tepid water that flowed for miles through an underground aqueduct. It wasn't hot and it wasn't cold. Not hot enough to relax and restore, not cool enough to refresh and quench. Laodicea couldn't provide the refreshment of Colossae, it couldn't provide the healing of Hierapolis. Its lukewarm water was absolutely useless. Any visitor who came there who wasn't used to the stuff would put it in his mouth and immediately emit it, spit it out." (From John MacCartthur : http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/66-14_Laodicea--The-Lukewarm-Church-Part-1)
Keith Krell from Bible.org states, "It is unlikely that Jesus preferred hostility to half-heartedness. A better way to understand these verses is to see both “cold” and “hot” as positive terms. Cold water refreshes, hot water heals, but lukewarm water does neither."
So, the interpretation held by so many appears to be in error. By digging deeper, and understanding the context of the passage, we can learn what John meant when He wrote this to the church of Laodecia back in roughly 95 AD.
God wants us to be of use to Him. Friends as we approach 2010 I hope that you will pray to the Lord that you would be of use to Him, and not useless like the waters at Laodecia.
One way to be of use to Him, is to continually read His Word each day as you have done this year. I want to commend y'all for reading the Bible this year with us. But don't be proud of yourselves. This is only one year. You have a life time left to study God's Word. George Mueller, known for his ministry to orphans, read the Bible through over 200 times, half of these times on his knees. He said he knew of some 50,000 specific answers to prayer...requests to God alone!
How great is that? Friends, this is probably the eighth or ninth time I have read the Bible through. Each year I make a goal to read the Bible through in the coming year, in addition to studying for my small group.
I would like to share with you some reading plans for 2011:
http://www.navpress.com/dj/content.aspx?id=138
In addition, my former girl friend, and now fiancee, and I are going to read the One Year Bible NIV together this year : http://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Bible-Compact-NIV/dp/1414306415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293805184&sr=8-1#_
This is how I usually enjoy reading the Bible. Reading some of the Old Testament, some of the New Testament, and a Psalm and a Proverb. In this way you are daily feeding on different parts of God's Word.
We chose the Chronological Reading Plan, as it would fit best with the plan of trying to read the Bible together as a class this year.
Regardless of what plan you choose, the most important thing is to pick a plan and to continue reading the Bible through in 2011 and beyond.
If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up on it. Try to catch up if you can, or just read the day's reading in your plan. But as you grow in your knowledge of God's Word you won't want to skip a day, you will become as Peter described:
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Friends, you can not grow as a Christian if you do not read His Word. For so long I did not heed this truth. But by God's grace, I now long for the pure spiritual milk of His Word.
It has been an honor for me to blog with y'all this year as we have read through the Bible together. It has been challenging and very rewarding for me. I was given the honor to write on some of the greatest chapters in the Bible.
As we begin 2011 tomorrow, friends I am praying that you would seek the Lord, grow in His love, and seek to become more like Christ.
Thanks again for reading the blog with us and sharing your comments with us. May you live a life that is pleasing and glorifying to the Lord in 2011.
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)
Soli Deo Gloria. (which means in English "Glory to God alone")
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
God would want you on fire for Him or cold against Him than you being in the middle and lukewarm, right? Doesn't the above passage state this? Let's take a closer look.
Laodecia was between 2 cities, Hierapolis to the north and Colossae to the southeast.
"In Hierapolis, six miles to the north, there was some famous springs, hot springs. In fact, they were one of the most well-known and popular places for healing. The water was hot and you went there and sat in that water and it had therapeutic power. It is still used today. Hierapolis had hot water and that hot water was therapeutic.
In Colossae, ten miles south and east, there was a cold stream. We learned that the stream was perennially running and perennially cold like typical water that flows from the high mountains. That water was thirst quenching. That water was famous because of its cool, clear character.
They didn't have the hot therapeutic water of Hierapolis and they didn't have the cold clear refreshing water of Colossae, they had the foul, dirty, tepid water that flowed for miles through an underground aqueduct. It wasn't hot and it wasn't cold. Not hot enough to relax and restore, not cool enough to refresh and quench. Laodicea couldn't provide the refreshment of Colossae, it couldn't provide the healing of Hierapolis. Its lukewarm water was absolutely useless. Any visitor who came there who wasn't used to the stuff would put it in his mouth and immediately emit it, spit it out." (From John MacCartthur : http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/66-14_Laodicea--The-Lukewarm-Church-Part-1)
Keith Krell from Bible.org states, "It is unlikely that Jesus preferred hostility to half-heartedness. A better way to understand these verses is to see both “cold” and “hot” as positive terms. Cold water refreshes, hot water heals, but lukewarm water does neither."
So, the interpretation held by so many appears to be in error. By digging deeper, and understanding the context of the passage, we can learn what John meant when He wrote this to the church of Laodecia back in roughly 95 AD.
God wants us to be of use to Him. Friends as we approach 2010 I hope that you will pray to the Lord that you would be of use to Him, and not useless like the waters at Laodecia.
One way to be of use to Him, is to continually read His Word each day as you have done this year. I want to commend y'all for reading the Bible this year with us. But don't be proud of yourselves. This is only one year. You have a life time left to study God's Word. George Mueller, known for his ministry to orphans, read the Bible through over 200 times, half of these times on his knees. He said he knew of some 50,000 specific answers to prayer...requests to God alone!
How great is that? Friends, this is probably the eighth or ninth time I have read the Bible through. Each year I make a goal to read the Bible through in the coming year, in addition to studying for my small group.
I would like to share with you some reading plans for 2011:
http://www.navpress.com/dj/content.aspx?id=138
In addition, my former girl friend, and now fiancee, and I are going to read the One Year Bible NIV together this year : http://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Bible-Compact-NIV/dp/1414306415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293805184&sr=8-1#_
This is how I usually enjoy reading the Bible. Reading some of the Old Testament, some of the New Testament, and a Psalm and a Proverb. In this way you are daily feeding on different parts of God's Word.
We chose the Chronological Reading Plan, as it would fit best with the plan of trying to read the Bible together as a class this year.
Regardless of what plan you choose, the most important thing is to pick a plan and to continue reading the Bible through in 2011 and beyond.
If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up on it. Try to catch up if you can, or just read the day's reading in your plan. But as you grow in your knowledge of God's Word you won't want to skip a day, you will become as Peter described:
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Friends, you can not grow as a Christian if you do not read His Word. For so long I did not heed this truth. But by God's grace, I now long for the pure spiritual milk of His Word.
It has been an honor for me to blog with y'all this year as we have read through the Bible together. It has been challenging and very rewarding for me. I was given the honor to write on some of the greatest chapters in the Bible.
As we begin 2011 tomorrow, friends I am praying that you would seek the Lord, grow in His love, and seek to become more like Christ.
Thanks again for reading the blog with us and sharing your comments with us. May you live a life that is pleasing and glorifying to the Lord in 2011.
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)
Soli Deo Gloria. (which means in English "Glory to God alone")
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
2 John, 3 John
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20John,%203%20John&version=ESV
2 John 6-11: "And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works."
Are you loving Christ? By obeying His commandments we demonstrate our love for Christ to the world. We will not do this perfectly, as we all are sinners, but as we abide in Christ and ask that the Holy Spirit help us in obeying Christ, we should see in ourselves a more eagerness to obey Christ and pursue holiness an purity and a more eagerness to hate sin, and to avoid it and kill it in our lives at all costs.
In the Scripture quote above, I also would like to mention the verses that talk about going ahead and not abiding in the teachings of Christ. In our world today, there are so many self-help books that promote wisdom. This is man-made wisdom. There are many Christian books as well, that often times do not reflect accurately the truths of Scripture.
Now, I have read many Christian books, and I am a fan of the ones that exalt Christ and His Word. So, when doing your readings in 2011, seek out books that exalt Christ and His Word.
Read the Word first, and analyze what you have read via the lens of Scripture. In doing this, you will develop a more biblically based worldview in this culture that is immersed in post-modernism which relativizes the truth.
Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ is the truth.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
2 John 6-11: "And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works."
Are you loving Christ? By obeying His commandments we demonstrate our love for Christ to the world. We will not do this perfectly, as we all are sinners, but as we abide in Christ and ask that the Holy Spirit help us in obeying Christ, we should see in ourselves a more eagerness to obey Christ and pursue holiness an purity and a more eagerness to hate sin, and to avoid it and kill it in our lives at all costs.
In the Scripture quote above, I also would like to mention the verses that talk about going ahead and not abiding in the teachings of Christ. In our world today, there are so many self-help books that promote wisdom. This is man-made wisdom. There are many Christian books as well, that often times do not reflect accurately the truths of Scripture.
Now, I have read many Christian books, and I am a fan of the ones that exalt Christ and His Word. So, when doing your readings in 2011, seek out books that exalt Christ and His Word.
Read the Word first, and analyze what you have read via the lens of Scripture. In doing this, you will develop a more biblically based worldview in this culture that is immersed in post-modernism which relativizes the truth.
Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ is the truth.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
First John
Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201-5&version=NASB
1 John 5:12-13 “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
How do you know if you have eternal life? What does a child of God look like? What kind of indicators are there in the life of one who walks in the Light? Here are some verses from First John that can answer those questions.
1:5 “God is Light”
1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” Denying that we have sin, is a denial that we need Jesus as our Savior. A child of God admits that there is sin in his life
1:7 "If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” A child of God knows that he/she is cleansed of our sin by our Savior, Jesus Christ’s blood.
3:10 “By this the children of God are obvious and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” We can habitually practice sin or we can habitually practice righteousness. A child of God chooses to habitually practice righteousness.
2:5-6 “but whoever keeps his Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. by this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” Jesus is our perfect example. He was a loving and righteous servant, who walked in obedience to God. A child of God follows in Jesus' footsteps as an obedient servant to God.
2:15 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” God, not the spiritual and physical things of this world should have our love. He is the first love of a child of God.
3:18 “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth.” You’ve heard the saying actions speak louder than words. A child of God shows love through actions.
3:23 "This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” A child of God believes in the name of Jesus Christ and the power of salvation that lies in that name.
4:14-15 “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” The child of God not only believes in the name of Jesus, but confesses that He is Savior and Lord.
The best part about being a child of God is 1 John 3:1 “See how great a love the father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God”. Have you thought much about that love? It’s a love so wide and deep and intense that it’s unfathomable. It’s a love so pure and perfect that He gave you a gift that you absolutely don’t deserve. He gave you forgiveness and mercy and grace. He snatched you out of darkness and into His Light and poured his perfect Love into you so that you might have eternal Life with Him. Think about that. It’s pretty powerful stuff. How great is the love that He lavishes on you that you are called His child. Let that sink in.
You can know that you are a child of God by looking at the evidence in your life. If you are a child of God, let the unspeakable joy that comes from that knowledge sink into the depths of your being. If you are not a child of God, admit to Him that you are a sinner and that you know that you need Him to. Tell Him you want to be His child and that you want Him to be Lord of your life. Turn your life over to Him and ask Him to guide you in displaying the characteristics of a child of God. When you pray that prayer, listen quietly as the angels rejoice because God’s eternal Kingdom family has just grown to include you!
Submitted by Kelly Coxe
1 John 5:12-13 “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
How do you know if you have eternal life? What does a child of God look like? What kind of indicators are there in the life of one who walks in the Light? Here are some verses from First John that can answer those questions.
1:5 “God is Light”
1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” Denying that we have sin, is a denial that we need Jesus as our Savior. A child of God admits that there is sin in his life
1:7 "If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” A child of God knows that he/she is cleansed of our sin by our Savior, Jesus Christ’s blood.
3:10 “By this the children of God are obvious and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” We can habitually practice sin or we can habitually practice righteousness. A child of God chooses to habitually practice righteousness.
2:5-6 “but whoever keeps his Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. by this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” Jesus is our perfect example. He was a loving and righteous servant, who walked in obedience to God. A child of God follows in Jesus' footsteps as an obedient servant to God.
2:15 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” God, not the spiritual and physical things of this world should have our love. He is the first love of a child of God.
3:18 “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth.” You’ve heard the saying actions speak louder than words. A child of God shows love through actions.
3:23 "This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” A child of God believes in the name of Jesus Christ and the power of salvation that lies in that name.
4:14-15 “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” The child of God not only believes in the name of Jesus, but confesses that He is Savior and Lord.
The best part about being a child of God is 1 John 3:1 “See how great a love the father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God”. Have you thought much about that love? It’s a love so wide and deep and intense that it’s unfathomable. It’s a love so pure and perfect that He gave you a gift that you absolutely don’t deserve. He gave you forgiveness and mercy and grace. He snatched you out of darkness and into His Light and poured his perfect Love into you so that you might have eternal Life with Him. Think about that. It’s pretty powerful stuff. How great is the love that He lavishes on you that you are called His child. Let that sink in.
You can know that you are a child of God by looking at the evidence in your life. If you are a child of God, let the unspeakable joy that comes from that knowledge sink into the depths of your being. If you are not a child of God, admit to Him that you are a sinner and that you know that you need Him to. Tell Him you want to be His child and that you want Him to be Lord of your life. Turn your life over to Him and ask Him to guide you in displaying the characteristics of a child of God. When you pray that prayer, listen quietly as the angels rejoice because God’s eternal Kingdom family has just grown to include you!
Submitted by Kelly Coxe
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