So, how did everyone like John? Anyone read it? It's a great gospel for those who want to know who Jesus is & what His ministry is all about - Salvation. Are any of you in need of saving? Sometimes we think only of heaven & our eternal soul, but Jesus' salvation offers hope & His saving grace. Are you lonely, desperate, depressed, conflicted, addicted, unhappy, scared, angry, resentful? Jesus' love and saving grace can meet all your needs. So turn to Him, get to know Him, and let Him help you.
Our reading for today starts in one of my all-time favorite books: Romans. So far we have been reading histories - the histories of Jesus & the spreading of the Gospel. Now we are moving into the how-to books. As my Bibles introduction puts it, Romans asks, "What is God up to? What does it mean that Jesus "saves"? What's behind all this, and where is it going?" You may be asking yourselves the same things - well, let's dig in & learn together.
Read: Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6
Vs. 1 - Paul introduces himself to those who might read this letter & not know it's author. Who is he? An authorized apostle and devoted slave of Jesus Christ. He has authority & relationship. Pretty cool.
Vs. 3-7 - Who is Jesus? The Messiah spoken of by the Old Testament prophets; descendant, as prophesied, of David; proven to be who He said He is through His resurrection. Who are we? Everything we are is wrapped up in Jesus, our abilities & gifts were given to us by Him & we are called to pass on this wonderful knowledge.
Vs. 8-15 - Here Paul tells the believers in Rome that he is eager to visit them, but has been prevented in coming. He can't wait to get there & share with them, for once again sharing the gospel is not a one way street, Paul will grow & learn & be strengthened by his time with them.
Vs. 16-17 - Paul is captivated & consumed with his work. It is his driving passion & it can be yours too! Paul knows that everyone who begins a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus Christ will be changed for the better. As the message Bible puts it, "The person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives."
Do you want to really live? Do you want a life that produces joy, hope, faith, and a purpose that wakes you up in the morning & keeps a smile on your face? You can find it with Jesus Christ. I'm looking forward to reading through this book with you, I hope you will make the time to join me.
Psalm & Proverbs - Why do we read these each day? Because they offer such great wisdom & practical advice.
Doesn't our psalm today fill your hear with joy? How great God is & how great to spend time with Him! Our proverb reminds us to watch what we say - does it build us up or tear us down? Are we walking on the path or in the ditch? The path is flat & smooth & travel is easy. The ditch is covered in weeds & is uneven (& if your in Nebraska right now, full of stagnant water.) Get out of the ditch, find the path & do so by watching what you say. Your words betray your attitude - so listen up!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Reading for JUNE
Since I will be sans a phone or daily internet, I will post the daily reading for June. We will be reading through John, a wonderful gospel of the life & teachings of Jesus Christ. Read, read, read & post your thoughts & questions. I'll be checking in here & there, so keep in touch!
June 9 - John 1 & 2; Psalm 67 & 68; Proverbs 11:27-28
June 10 - John 3 & 4; Psalm 69; Proverbs 12:1-3
June 11 - John 5; Psalm 70; Proverbs 12:4
June 12 - John 6; Psalm 71; Proverbs 12:5-7
June 13 - John 7; Psalm 72; Provberbs 12:8-9
June 14 - John 8; Psalm 73; Proverbs 12:10
June 15 - John 9; Psalm 74; Proverbs 12:11
June 16 - John 10; Psalm 75; Proverbs 12:12-14
June 17 - John 11; Psalm 76; Proverbs 12:15-17
June 18 - John 12; Psalm 77; Proverbs 12:18
June 19 - John 13; Psalm 78:1-25; Proverbs 12:19-20
June 20 - John 14; Psalm 78:26-45: Proverbs 12:21-23
June 21 - John 15; Psalm 78:46-58; Proverbs 12:24
June 22 - John 16; Psalm 78:59-72; Proverbs 12:25
June 23 - John 17; Psalm 79; Proverbs 12:26
June 24 - John 18; Psalm 80; Proverbs 12:27-28
June 25 - John 19; Psalm 81; Proverbs 13:1
June 26 - John 20; Psalm 82; Proverbs 13:2-3
June 27 - John 21; Psalm 83; Proverbs 13:4
Happy Reading!
June 9 - John 1 & 2; Psalm 67 & 68; Proverbs 11:27-28
June 10 - John 3 & 4; Psalm 69; Proverbs 12:1-3
June 11 - John 5; Psalm 70; Proverbs 12:4
June 12 - John 6; Psalm 71; Proverbs 12:5-7
June 13 - John 7; Psalm 72; Provberbs 12:8-9
June 14 - John 8; Psalm 73; Proverbs 12:10
June 15 - John 9; Psalm 74; Proverbs 12:11
June 16 - John 10; Psalm 75; Proverbs 12:12-14
June 17 - John 11; Psalm 76; Proverbs 12:15-17
June 18 - John 12; Psalm 77; Proverbs 12:18
June 19 - John 13; Psalm 78:1-25; Proverbs 12:19-20
June 20 - John 14; Psalm 78:26-45: Proverbs 12:21-23
June 21 - John 15; Psalm 78:46-58; Proverbs 12:24
June 22 - John 16; Psalm 78:59-72; Proverbs 12:25
June 23 - John 17; Psalm 79; Proverbs 12:26
June 24 - John 18; Psalm 80; Proverbs 12:27-28
June 25 - John 19; Psalm 81; Proverbs 13:1
June 26 - John 20; Psalm 82; Proverbs 13:2-3
June 27 - John 21; Psalm 83; Proverbs 13:4
Happy Reading!
Daily Reading
How about weekly reading? Summer is here & I've been running from one thing to another in preparation of all these trips that are going on. In fact I leave tomorrow for Europe, so I won't be able to post (who knows what the wi-fi situation will be & my phone won't work over there).
So, let's catch up on Acts, shall we?
Reading: Acts 25:1-28:31; Psalm 63-66; Proverbs 11:17-26
Where we left off: Paul has been in house-arrest in Caesarea for two years now. Felix, governor who put Paul in house-arrest has now been replaced by Festus, a much fairer man.
Festus, at the urging of the Jews, resumes Paul's trial. He wants to send Paul back to Jerusalem to stand trial, but Paul requests a hearing before Caesar. As a Roman citizen, he has that right, so Festus prepares to send him to Rome. In the meantime, King Agrippa - the appointed king of Judea, he had the power to appoint the chief priests in the temple - comes to Caesarea & Festus asks his opinion concerning Paul. This allows Paul to give his testimony to Agrippa & Festus, who find him innocent, but must send him to Caesar because Paul requested it.
So did Paul do himself in by requesting an audience with Caesar? No! In fact, Paul could care less about his freedom. His goal is to reach everyone, including Caesar with the Gospel & now he will have the opportunity.
So Paul is shipped off to Rome, literally. Due to some poor decisions, the ship runs into a storm & here we see Paul's character really shine. He takes charge, he encourages, he trusts in God, he is a man of faith & absolute confidence. When the ship wrecks on the island of Malta, Paul does some amazing miracles, which allow him to minister & witness to the islanders.
Once in Rome, Paul is again placed in house-arrest. Acts ends with Paul under house-arrest, preaching boldly. The Bible does not tell us how or when Paul died. Tradition holds that he was beheaded by Nero around 64 AD. But these are not the details we must remember about his life. So, what should we remember?
Lead a life focused on Christ Jesus. Be absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ is the risen Messiah. Preach the Gospel BOLDLY wherever & whenever & to whoever. Finally - & I think most importantly - Paul teaches us that our circumstances are not important. Stop worrying about who likes you, what you'll wear, if your house or car or clothes or media devices are good enough, don't worry about your health, or where your next meal will come from because God will provide all that you need. Your joy, peace, love, & well-being are tied up in God, not things or people. So keep looking up & stop looking around.
So, let's catch up on Acts, shall we?
Reading: Acts 25:1-28:31; Psalm 63-66; Proverbs 11:17-26
Where we left off: Paul has been in house-arrest in Caesarea for two years now. Felix, governor who put Paul in house-arrest has now been replaced by Festus, a much fairer man.
Festus, at the urging of the Jews, resumes Paul's trial. He wants to send Paul back to Jerusalem to stand trial, but Paul requests a hearing before Caesar. As a Roman citizen, he has that right, so Festus prepares to send him to Rome. In the meantime, King Agrippa - the appointed king of Judea, he had the power to appoint the chief priests in the temple - comes to Caesarea & Festus asks his opinion concerning Paul. This allows Paul to give his testimony to Agrippa & Festus, who find him innocent, but must send him to Caesar because Paul requested it.
So did Paul do himself in by requesting an audience with Caesar? No! In fact, Paul could care less about his freedom. His goal is to reach everyone, including Caesar with the Gospel & now he will have the opportunity.
So Paul is shipped off to Rome, literally. Due to some poor decisions, the ship runs into a storm & here we see Paul's character really shine. He takes charge, he encourages, he trusts in God, he is a man of faith & absolute confidence. When the ship wrecks on the island of Malta, Paul does some amazing miracles, which allow him to minister & witness to the islanders.
Once in Rome, Paul is again placed in house-arrest. Acts ends with Paul under house-arrest, preaching boldly. The Bible does not tell us how or when Paul died. Tradition holds that he was beheaded by Nero around 64 AD. But these are not the details we must remember about his life. So, what should we remember?
Lead a life focused on Christ Jesus. Be absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ is the risen Messiah. Preach the Gospel BOLDLY wherever & whenever & to whoever. Finally - & I think most importantly - Paul teaches us that our circumstances are not important. Stop worrying about who likes you, what you'll wear, if your house or car or clothes or media devices are good enough, don't worry about your health, or where your next meal will come from because God will provide all that you need. Your joy, peace, love, & well-being are tied up in God, not things or people. So keep looking up & stop looking around.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Daily Reading
Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19
So, even though Jerusalem has it's own government in the form of the religious leaders, they are an occupied country. Rome allows the Jerusalem council to govern in small matters, but the death penalty can only be given by the Roman authorities. So, the Jerusalem council along with a lawyer head down to Caesarea for the trial of Paul.
Felix, the governor hears both sides - he is intrigued by Paul & the Way, but he wants to maintain favor to the Jews, so Paul is essentially placed under house arrest for two years. During that time, he is able to write many letters to the established churches, & have many discussions with Felix and with others.
So what do we learn? Life sometimes hands you lemons, but make the most of it. Realize that it's not your circumstances that define who you are, it's how you behave. Sometimes the worst circumstances present the best opportunities. So, once again, keep on keeping on.
So, even though Jerusalem has it's own government in the form of the religious leaders, they are an occupied country. Rome allows the Jerusalem council to govern in small matters, but the death penalty can only be given by the Roman authorities. So, the Jerusalem council along with a lawyer head down to Caesarea for the trial of Paul.
Felix, the governor hears both sides - he is intrigued by Paul & the Way, but he wants to maintain favor to the Jews, so Paul is essentially placed under house arrest for two years. During that time, he is able to write many letters to the established churches, & have many discussions with Felix and with others.
So what do we learn? Life sometimes hands you lemons, but make the most of it. Realize that it's not your circumstances that define who you are, it's how you behave. Sometimes the worst circumstances present the best opportunities. So, once again, keep on keeping on.
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