1 Corinthians 9,10

I don't think these Chapters get much work from us "lay" people. They deal a lot with rules, regulations, protocol, proper attitudes toward each other etc. We like the fun stuff like God's love, mercy, grace, justification and forgiveness. I like Chapter 9 though for several reasons. 1. It emphasizes Paul's authority. Since he writes much of the New Testament it's a good reminder of his qualifications. 2. It humanizes the early church and helps me realize that those folks were no different than us. They sometimes got caught up in jealousy, comparing themselves to each other and looking for differences rather than similarities. They had wives and families and the Scripture clearly implies that it's okay for preachers and teachers to be married. 3. It leaves no doubt that we should be supporting our teachers and our churches "do not muzzle the ox.". 4. Finally it leads me to admire Paul and his level of commitment to the spread of the gospel. Although he was entitled to receive support he did not take advantage of that. He worked, and went without. He did whatever it took to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It inspires me to want to do that, to "run that race."

Saturday: Mark 3-4

Okay so me and Jared are behind a little but we are catching up slowly.

I just want to say that I love Mark. It is very straight and to the point in my opinion and I have always enjoyed reading it.
Some of my favorite parts of these chapters are reading about Jesus' stories of healing. They are so amazing! When we were reading Mark 3 about Jesus healing the man with a crippled hand we stopped and talked for a little bit about how similar the world is today about church and making Sunday pure. How some of the people that were there around Jesus were trying to tell him what was right and what was wrong. I feel like so many people are like that today. Who are we to tell God what is right and wrong? People are so stubborn. They are so worried about the "rules" and what is right and what is wrong to do on a Sunday but if we are doing good then who is it hurting? "Some of the people watched Jesus closely to see if he would heal the man on the sabbath day so they could accuse him." Mark 3:2

--Heather and Jared

Home - I Am Second

Home - I Am Second

1 Sam 6-10

I am reminded that we have one King, Master, Lord.   He is our God and He is sufficient.  I love that he gave Saul a new heart.   That is what he does with us.  He gives us the desires of our heart, a new heart. Praise the God of the universe for he loved us enough.   I have an audience of one.  Yes I do need to obey the authorities (Rom 13) but I serve one Master.    He is my King.   Have a great day.

Psalms 27-29

Psalm 27

As I read this today I was struck by verses 4-6.

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

I have no idea what other commentators say about these verses but this is what they said to me this morning: For us, those who claim Jesus, the house of the Lord is our Bible. His Word in His house,our Temple. The Word(Holy Spirit) is already in us. When we open its pages, and study it, that is the key to unlocking it's power. It unleashes its power into our hearts enabling us to apply it to our life and the lives of others. When I dwell in His house(His Word) every day I see His beauty as I study His Word. When trouble comes, I need not fear my enemies for I have His Word with me. It hides(protects) me. He sets me on a high rock where I can witness to my enemies. I'm filled with joy. I have a song in my heart and sometimes I just have to let it out. Yes, I sing praises to the Lord.

I pray that we all fall in love with His Word. The only way to do that is to read it every day. Reading it is the match that starts the fire. Eventually the heats builds up to boiling and the desire to share it will become so great that we have no choice. So read every day and share at least once a week or you're going to boil over and make a mess. AND...I want to hear what God is saying to you. I love hearing His word from all ages, experiences, and points along our walks.

I like the book of Ruth. It always spoke to me of loyalty,love, hard work, kindness. But once again I'm amazed at how the Old Testament is a picture of Jesus. Below is commentary from Wiersbe. After I read it the light bulb went off. It makes perfect sense. Ruth means much more to me now.




Ruth and Esther are the only OT books named after women. Ruth was a Gentile who married a Jew; Esther was a Jew who married a Gentile; but God used both of them to save the nation. Ruth is placed between Judges and Samuel for a definite reason. Judges shows the decline of the Jewish nation; Samuel shows the setting up of the Jewish kingdom; and Ruth pictures Christ and His bride. During this present age, when Israel is set aside, Christ is calling out His bride from among the Gentiles and the Jews. As we shall see, this brief book has a wonderful typical meaning. It is a love story and a harvest story, and that is what God is doing in our world today.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the Old Testament (Ru 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Isaiah 45-50

I believe that Isaiah 46: 9-10 says it all.  These two verses are profound.  If you really believe that what you believe is really real then pay close attention to this:

      for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose." 

Men and Women,  God will get done what He says he will get done.  We can't change it.  We can either enjoy His blessings along the way or choose to not follow and suffer the consequences.  As for me and my house we choose to serve the Lord!   I won't like everything that happens but I will be content and at peace if I get on His band wagon.   Come on and join me! 

Hello

  In January when we started this we all agreed to read God's Word in one year.   We don't have to blog but it just seems if blogging is not happening then it is likely that reading is not happening.   I am keeping up for the most part and today I am just asking:  Are you doing your daily readings?  Integrity is a big word with a big meaning.   All of us said we were going to read this bible through in one year.   Are we?   I trust that God is speaking to you through His word as He gave us the scripture which is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.  If I really believe that what I believe is really real, then I want to know Him more.  I am praying for each of you.  That the Lord would encourage you and that you would have the integrity to follow through with what you said you would do.   Is your word good enough for His Word?  He is God.  He gave us these scriptures, we agreed to read it.  So, let's read.   If you are behind, don't try to catch up.  Just start with todays reading and continue.  There will be time somewhere along the way to "catch up".    May the God of Peace and Grace give you a hunger and thirst for His Word and may each of you be blessed by the power of the Holy Spirit through Christ.  Amen