A Lamp on a Stand
16"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
19Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." 21He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."
Jesus Calms the Storm
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
Boy I love QT's!!!
Throughout my life I've always considered life a "Great Adventure". I say this because as we live our lives, we cannot be tamed and fall into our comfort zones. This means in our spiritual walk as well. Sometimes we just get too comfortable at where we are at, especially once we can call ourselves Christians. Yes, we are saved, but does it just end there?
God has called us as Christians to go out and reach out to those who don't know him, to "[cross] to the other side of the lake" (Luke 8:22). This is why we go out and reach out to our friends, family, and even go to mission trips. That's why I want my life to be an "adventure". I don't want to be tamed to this world, I want to go out and reach out to those who don't know God. Yeah this adventure will take me through mountain peaks and valleys, but this is where the next part comes in about what the disciples experienced when crossing the lake.
Just simply crossing the lake seems simple. But of course there will be hardships along the way just as the disciples experienced when the storm hit. And through this storm, revealed their true nature and where their faith stood. I've gone through this numerous times when things got difficult and instead of having faith in God, I would blame God or even forget about God and try to fix it myself.
We have to continue to have faith in God no matter what the circumstances whether we are on a spiritual high or a spiritual low. Even if we fail or succeed in anything we do, we have to continue to have faith in him. What did God do when they were in trouble? God calmed the storm just like he will do with us during our hardships if we just trust him and put everything in his hands. God has the power to do that, we just have to stay faithful.
In conclusion, let's take this huge step and do what God is calling us to do and go out of our comfort zones. It may be difficult, but God will not let us down as long as we trust in him and let him lead the way. With God on our side, we will succeed! Let's live our life as an adventure, just as Jesus did during his ministry!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
January 23 - Luke 7:36 - 7:50
36. Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
37. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,
38. and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is?that she is a sinner.”
40. Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,”he said.
41. “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43. Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven―for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
48. Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49. The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50. Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
I was doing the QT on the shuttle home from work, and wanted to post about this passage. I hope you don't mind Joanne.
The first time through this passage, I didn't understand what was going on. Superficially, I understood what the woman was doing, but I couldn't connect her actions with Jesus' parable about the two debtors. My third time through the passage, the parallel between the two stories became clear.
When Jesus told the parable about the two debtors, the pharisees answered that the person who owed more money would love the moneylender more. The understanding of the nature of the cancelled debt translated directly to love for the moneylender. In the same way, the woman's understanding of her great sin caused her to show great love for Jesus by tending to his dirty feet with her hair, and using her money to buy perfume to pour on them. In both cases the realization of the lifted burden led to an outpouring of love for the burden lifter.
After coming to this conclusion, I asked myself if this relationship between debt and love is reflected in my life. The answer is a resounding no. For example, I really wanted to stay behind on Sunday to go boarding, so I was trying to pawn off the responsibility of driving the church van back from tahoe to someone else. I even got to the point where I was angry because no one would help out. After reading this passage, I realize that I was very wrong to get angry about this. For one, the whole purpose of this trip is for our retreat, and not just to have fun. Secondly, I should be willing to show my love for God and his church as well as our fellow church members in any way (including driving) because of how much God's grace has done for me.
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents about this passage. Peace.
37. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,
38. and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is?that she is a sinner.”
40. Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,”he said.
41. “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43. Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
47. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven―for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
48. Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49. The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50. Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
I was doing the QT on the shuttle home from work, and wanted to post about this passage. I hope you don't mind Joanne.
The first time through this passage, I didn't understand what was going on. Superficially, I understood what the woman was doing, but I couldn't connect her actions with Jesus' parable about the two debtors. My third time through the passage, the parallel between the two stories became clear.
When Jesus told the parable about the two debtors, the pharisees answered that the person who owed more money would love the moneylender more. The understanding of the nature of the cancelled debt translated directly to love for the moneylender. In the same way, the woman's understanding of her great sin caused her to show great love for Jesus by tending to his dirty feet with her hair, and using her money to buy perfume to pour on them. In both cases the realization of the lifted burden led to an outpouring of love for the burden lifter.
After coming to this conclusion, I asked myself if this relationship between debt and love is reflected in my life. The answer is a resounding no. For example, I really wanted to stay behind on Sunday to go boarding, so I was trying to pawn off the responsibility of driving the church van back from tahoe to someone else. I even got to the point where I was angry because no one would help out. After reading this passage, I realize that I was very wrong to get angry about this. For one, the whole purpose of this trip is for our retreat, and not just to have fun. Secondly, I should be willing to show my love for God and his church as well as our fellow church members in any way (including driving) because of how much God's grace has done for me.
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents about this passage. Peace.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Greater Than John the Baptist
Today's verse:
24. After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
25. If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
26. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28. I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29. (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
30. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31.“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32. They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
33. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’
35. But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
Reflection:
It took me a while to get the true gist of this passage. It comes in the middle of the chapter and it seemingly is a follow-on to the previous passage about John the Baptist. After Jesus sends John's disciples back to him reassuring him that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and not to get discouraged, Jesus praises John, calling him the greatest prophet. But Jesus also goes on to say that those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven will be greater than him. Seems hard to believe that we who believe in Jesus and enter heaven could be considered greater than John the Baptist, but that's cool. What struck me was the last part of the passage, when Jesus compares the people of this generation to children who whine and pout because people did not do exactly what was wanted of them. It reminds me of the people of *this* generation, the 21st century, who reject God. They complain when things are hard and refuse to acknowledge Him when things are good. "Why does God let bad things happen?", followed by "God didn't do this good thing, *I* did it". Their "faith" is lacking and weak, like that of the "reed swaying in the wind". Let our faith be strong and consistent, not changing at the slightest breeze of hardship. Our faith, in this ever changing fickle world, will give us passage into the kingdom of heaven, allowing us to be greater than even John the Baptist.
Tag: Joanne
24. After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
25. If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
26. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28. I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29. (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
30. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31.“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32. They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’
33. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’
35. But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
Reflection:
It took me a while to get the true gist of this passage. It comes in the middle of the chapter and it seemingly is a follow-on to the previous passage about John the Baptist. After Jesus sends John's disciples back to him reassuring him that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and not to get discouraged, Jesus praises John, calling him the greatest prophet. But Jesus also goes on to say that those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven will be greater than him. Seems hard to believe that we who believe in Jesus and enter heaven could be considered greater than John the Baptist, but that's cool. What struck me was the last part of the passage, when Jesus compares the people of this generation to children who whine and pout because people did not do exactly what was wanted of them. It reminds me of the people of *this* generation, the 21st century, who reject God. They complain when things are hard and refuse to acknowledge Him when things are good. "Why does God let bad things happen?", followed by "God didn't do this good thing, *I* did it". Their "faith" is lacking and weak, like that of the "reed swaying in the wind". Let our faith be strong and consistent, not changing at the slightest breeze of hardship. Our faith, in this ever changing fickle world, will give us passage into the kingdom of heaven, allowing us to be greater than even John the Baptist.
Tag: Joanne
Friday, January 18, 2008
Luke 6:27-36
32. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.
35. But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
This passage tells us to follow the Golden Rule, but emphasizes on loving our enemies. As difficult as it may be to love those who hate us, we also should not expect anything in return because that’s what differentiates us from “sinners”. I think most of us have grown up with the Golden Rule. We try to treat others as we would want to be treated, but how often do we do this without any expectations.
Personally for me, it is very easy to love those I love, but it is very difficult to love those who I don’t know, and especially difficult to love those who I don’t like. I’ve noticed lately that I usually don’t make an effort to show kindness to those who I don’t know, but I try to give back to those who treat me well. I will be nice if someone approaches me, but I definitely don’t take the extra step if I don’t have to. Actually sometimes I get annoyed when people I don’t really know or like, ask me for something because I ask myself what I will get in return from them. I think the message here is, as Christians, we have to show more love towards our enemies, because that is one step closer to bringing them to Christ. Through our actions they may see that we are different, making it easier for us to share what Christianity is all about. Often times, people will reject what we say, but they probably won’t reject our kindness.
35. But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
This passage tells us to follow the Golden Rule, but emphasizes on loving our enemies. As difficult as it may be to love those who hate us, we also should not expect anything in return because that’s what differentiates us from “sinners”. I think most of us have grown up with the Golden Rule. We try to treat others as we would want to be treated, but how often do we do this without any expectations.
Personally for me, it is very easy to love those I love, but it is very difficult to love those who I don’t know, and especially difficult to love those who I don’t like. I’ve noticed lately that I usually don’t make an effort to show kindness to those who I don’t know, but I try to give back to those who treat me well. I will be nice if someone approaches me, but I definitely don’t take the extra step if I don’t have to. Actually sometimes I get annoyed when people I don’t really know or like, ask me for something because I ask myself what I will get in return from them. I think the message here is, as Christians, we have to show more love towards our enemies, because that is one step closer to bringing them to Christ. Through our actions they may see that we are different, making it easier for us to share what Christianity is all about. Often times, people will reject what we say, but they probably won’t reject our kindness.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Luke 6:12-26
20. Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
In these few passages, Jesus tells us, his servants, that we should be joyous in living our lives as Christians. Sometimes we may go through hardships where we feel alone. Sometimes our friends look down at us because we don't participate in things that are not pleasing to God. We are persecuted by others, maybe not as harsh as it was back in the old days or maybe in other parts of the country, but in a subtle way. I think people around here have enough respect not to directly persecute us, but I have seen instances where people's friends stop inviting them to parties and stuff because they feel awkward around them. But as it says, we should rejoice in the days that we are rejected because what really matters is not what people around you think but that you are pleasing God.
This passage is like one of God's promises to us. It assures us that when we have that hunger to want to know more about God and fill that void in our hearts, he assures that we shall be satisfied. God knows our true hearts and he shall bless us if we are truly seeking.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. A lot of times, its human nature for one to feel down and depressed. Maybe even worried. But as we know, worrying is form of sin as we do not put our full faith and trust in God. I think this passage is trying to tell us that we should not be caught up with things in this world, for God will lead us through. God will never give us a hardship that we cannot conquer. It may seem like it at times but with His help, we can overcome.
Hmm now who should I tag.....I don't know can someone tag someone in the comments thanks.
21. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
In these few passages, Jesus tells us, his servants, that we should be joyous in living our lives as Christians. Sometimes we may go through hardships where we feel alone. Sometimes our friends look down at us because we don't participate in things that are not pleasing to God. We are persecuted by others, maybe not as harsh as it was back in the old days or maybe in other parts of the country, but in a subtle way. I think people around here have enough respect not to directly persecute us, but I have seen instances where people's friends stop inviting them to parties and stuff because they feel awkward around them. But as it says, we should rejoice in the days that we are rejected because what really matters is not what people around you think but that you are pleasing God.
This passage is like one of God's promises to us. It assures us that when we have that hunger to want to know more about God and fill that void in our hearts, he assures that we shall be satisfied. God knows our true hearts and he shall bless us if we are truly seeking.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. A lot of times, its human nature for one to feel down and depressed. Maybe even worried. But as we know, worrying is form of sin as we do not put our full faith and trust in God. I think this passage is trying to tell us that we should not be caught up with things in this world, for God will lead us through. God will never give us a hardship that we cannot conquer. It may seem like it at times but with His help, we can overcome.
Hmm now who should I tag.....I don't know can someone tag someone in the comments thanks.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Luke 5:36 - 6:11
36. He told them this parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.
37. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
38. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
39. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says,‘The old is better.’”
For a long time, I never understood what Jesus was trying to say with this parable. Since I have no experience with patching garments or using wineskins, it was hard for me to understand what those two illustrations had to do with what he was trying to say. However, one time, I was reading a Life Application bible, and it had an interesting revelation about this passage.
One aspect about new wine is that it still has some fermenting to do. Fermenting involves yeast processing sugar, in order to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide as a biproduct. The extra carbon dioxide that is produced needs somewhere to go. New wine was usually poured into new wineskins, since they are pliable enough to expand with the increase in carbon dioxide during the fermentation process. Old wineskins are brittle from already being stretched out before, so adding old wine to them would mean that the wineskins would burst from the added pressure of the carbon dioxide.
So, enough of the science lesson, why does Jesus bring up this parable? Because we, like the wineskins, need to be renewed. We need to be renewed so that we can be pliable and change according to his will. If we're still in our old habits and lifestyles, we don't have room for his will, and will pop like the old wineskins when he tries to change us (Pop! =) Just kidding about the popping part, but you know what I mean.
37. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
38. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
39. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says,‘The old is better.’”
For a long time, I never understood what Jesus was trying to say with this parable. Since I have no experience with patching garments or using wineskins, it was hard for me to understand what those two illustrations had to do with what he was trying to say. However, one time, I was reading a Life Application bible, and it had an interesting revelation about this passage.
One aspect about new wine is that it still has some fermenting to do. Fermenting involves yeast processing sugar, in order to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide as a biproduct. The extra carbon dioxide that is produced needs somewhere to go. New wine was usually poured into new wineskins, since they are pliable enough to expand with the increase in carbon dioxide during the fermentation process. Old wineskins are brittle from already being stretched out before, so adding old wine to them would mean that the wineskins would burst from the added pressure of the carbon dioxide.
So, enough of the science lesson, why does Jesus bring up this parable? Because we, like the wineskins, need to be renewed. We need to be renewed so that we can be pliable and change according to his will. If we're still in our old habits and lifestyles, we don't have room for his will, and will pop like the old wineskins when he tries to change us (Pop! =) Just kidding about the popping part, but you know what I mean.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Luke 5:17-35
21..."Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
Which is easier to say? To help put things into context, during that period, it was believed that a person's physical condition was a result of his or her sins. We read in John 9:2 that even Jesus' own disciples believed this: "His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'" This demonstrates how pervasive this attitude towards people with disabilities were at this time. So to forgive a person of his or her sin was, in a way, to claim to be able to heal them of their physical condition.
Also, as was mentioned, God alone had the power to forgive sins. For Jesus to claim the power to forgive sins was to essentially proclaim his divinity.
I think the message here is that it is harder to say "Your sins are forgiven" because it a) implies that Jesus is God, and b) it will heal the man. Jesus was showing that he was healing the man from what caused his condition and not the condition itself. Imagine your car leaking oil on your driveway. Instead of just cleaning the oil in the driveway, you'd want to fix the leak in the car so it stops leaking. This is what Jesus did by healing the man through forgiving him rather than commanding him to walk.
Jesus doesn't get rid of the the symptoms (death), he gets rid of the disease (sin).
Is anyone sick of me posting all the time? Remember, it's open season for anyone to volunteer after noon.
Which is easier to say? To help put things into context, during that period, it was believed that a person's physical condition was a result of his or her sins. We read in John 9:2 that even Jesus' own disciples believed this: "His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'" This demonstrates how pervasive this attitude towards people with disabilities were at this time. So to forgive a person of his or her sin was, in a way, to claim to be able to heal them of their physical condition.
Also, as was mentioned, God alone had the power to forgive sins. For Jesus to claim the power to forgive sins was to essentially proclaim his divinity.
I think the message here is that it is harder to say "Your sins are forgiven" because it a) implies that Jesus is God, and b) it will heal the man. Jesus was showing that he was healing the man from what caused his condition and not the condition itself. Imagine your car leaking oil on your driveway. Instead of just cleaning the oil in the driveway, you'd want to fix the leak in the car so it stops leaking. This is what Jesus did by healing the man through forgiving him rather than commanding him to walk.
Jesus doesn't get rid of the the symptoms (death), he gets rid of the disease (sin).
Is anyone sick of me posting all the time? Remember, it's open season for anyone to volunteer after noon.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Luke 5:1-16
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down[b] the nets for a catch." 5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
The QT writer goes into a little more detail about the possible situation that Simon was in, he had worked hard all night and was essentially calling it day after a long and fruitless night of fishing. He was probably mending his nets for the next day, when Jesus told him to throw his nets out one more time. Imagine whatever it is you do for work, you've just had a terrible day, nothing went right and nothing was accomplished and you are ready to pack it in and call it a day, and then the boss comes in and tells you to do it one more time.
I think that we can take Simon's answer and apply it to what we do as a church. Jesus tells us to persevere and continue his work, even when the results are not what we expect or want. And if we remain faithful to his commands, we will be blessed beyond what we can imagine.
9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken
ABRAHAM, I don't think you've done it yet, so tomorrow is your chance!
The QT writer goes into a little more detail about the possible situation that Simon was in, he had worked hard all night and was essentially calling it day after a long and fruitless night of fishing. He was probably mending his nets for the next day, when Jesus told him to throw his nets out one more time. Imagine whatever it is you do for work, you've just had a terrible day, nothing went right and nothing was accomplished and you are ready to pack it in and call it a day, and then the boss comes in and tells you to do it one more time.
I think that we can take Simon's answer and apply it to what we do as a church. Jesus tells us to persevere and continue his work, even when the results are not what we expect or want. And if we remain faithful to his commands, we will be blessed beyond what we can imagine.
9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken
ABRAHAM, I don't think you've done it yet, so tomorrow is your chance!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Luke 3;15-38
19But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
Are any of us ready and willing to go to prison for doing and saying what is right and just? And we know that eventually, Herodias has John the Baptist beheaded.
Are any of us ready and willing to go to prison for doing and saying what is right and just? And we know that eventually, Herodias has John the Baptist beheaded.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Luke 3:1-14
Life After Baptism
8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
We are sometimes way to absorbed with all the worries and stress that can occur in our lives. It may even get to the point where that's all we think about. We conform to the world. We get sucked in to all the leisures and sins in life. Sometimes we lose focus on who we should be focused on; God (not us).
John is asking us to prepare the way for the Lord. We should, as children of God, be living our life for him and not for this world, or even ourselves. The question that arises, "Are we living out our baptismal calling?" I think we know what that calling is, right?
Live your life out for God. All that we do, we do it for God. Whether we eat, sing, work, pray, study, all things in our lives should be and is for our God.
I pray that we focus on the righteousness of God and not our self-righteousness. I pray that we bear the Good Fruit to everybody and everything we come in contact, and in that we also bear the Fruit of the Spirit. Through consistent acts of worship in our daily lives, I believe that we can grow beautifully individually and as a group in our Lord's eyes. I pray that we lift each other up in prayer and encourage each other with every passing day.
Discipline and Focus and Integrity.
For True.
8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
We are sometimes way to absorbed with all the worries and stress that can occur in our lives. It may even get to the point where that's all we think about. We conform to the world. We get sucked in to all the leisures and sins in life. Sometimes we lose focus on who we should be focused on; God (not us).
John is asking us to prepare the way for the Lord. We should, as children of God, be living our life for him and not for this world, or even ourselves. The question that arises, "Are we living out our baptismal calling?" I think we know what that calling is, right?
Live your life out for God. All that we do, we do it for God. Whether we eat, sing, work, pray, study, all things in our lives should be and is for our God.
I pray that we focus on the righteousness of God and not our self-righteousness. I pray that we bear the Good Fruit to everybody and everything we come in contact, and in that we also bear the Fruit of the Spirit. Through consistent acts of worship in our daily lives, I believe that we can grow beautifully individually and as a group in our Lord's eyes. I pray that we lift each other up in prayer and encourage each other with every passing day.
Discipline and Focus and Integrity.
For True.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Luke 2:36-52
38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
In today's verses, another person gives thanks to God for the salvation of Jerusalem. Both witnesses are described as devout and faithful to God and God in turn was faithful to them. God allowed them to see with their own eyes the salvation of Jerusalem and all mankind.
This is the second person in the chapter to give thanks to the Lord for delivering the salvation of Jerusalem. Jesus was just an 8-day-old baby, and yet these two people were able to recognize the coming of the Messiah. It may be that the testimony of 2 righteous and faithful servants makes a more compelling case than a single person's testimony, which could easily be discredited or ignored.
This is acknowledged as the second oldest gospel. Luke states in chapter one that many things have circulated about Jesus and that he undertook his own investigation to chronicle what Jesus actually did and did not do. The gospel is dedicated to Theophilus, and Luke wants to reinforce what Theophilus has learned about Jesus. Theophilus might have read the oldest gospel, Mark, which simply starts with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. He may also have other writings that contained the teaching of Jesus. After hearing and learning about Jesus, people, Theophilus among them, must have been curious about the origin of Jesus. where did he come from? Who are his parents? His relatives? He couldn't have just appeared out of the dessert and began preaching, he must have come from somewhere. And there may have also been countless stories and rumors that were mostly wrong, and so Luke set about to answer some of those questions to clear up the confusion.
It is also interesting to note that the later the writing of the gospel, the further back in time the story of Jesus goes. The earliest gospel is Mark, and he starts off with the baptism of Jesus. The next is Luke which starts with the pregnancy of Mary and Elizabeth. After that, it's Matthew which starts with the geneology of Jesus back to Abraham. The last is John, which goes back to the beginning of time. Maybe it was the constant questioning of Jesus' authority and origin that forced the authors to go further back to justify his authority.
it's almost 3pm, I had to do it again...
It's just becoming useless rambling...someone, save us!
In today's verses, another person gives thanks to God for the salvation of Jerusalem. Both witnesses are described as devout and faithful to God and God in turn was faithful to them. God allowed them to see with their own eyes the salvation of Jerusalem and all mankind.
This is the second person in the chapter to give thanks to the Lord for delivering the salvation of Jerusalem. Jesus was just an 8-day-old baby, and yet these two people were able to recognize the coming of the Messiah. It may be that the testimony of 2 righteous and faithful servants makes a more compelling case than a single person's testimony, which could easily be discredited or ignored.
This is acknowledged as the second oldest gospel. Luke states in chapter one that many things have circulated about Jesus and that he undertook his own investigation to chronicle what Jesus actually did and did not do. The gospel is dedicated to Theophilus, and Luke wants to reinforce what Theophilus has learned about Jesus. Theophilus might have read the oldest gospel, Mark, which simply starts with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. He may also have other writings that contained the teaching of Jesus. After hearing and learning about Jesus, people, Theophilus among them, must have been curious about the origin of Jesus. where did he come from? Who are his parents? His relatives? He couldn't have just appeared out of the dessert and began preaching, he must have come from somewhere. And there may have also been countless stories and rumors that were mostly wrong, and so Luke set about to answer some of those questions to clear up the confusion.
It is also interesting to note that the later the writing of the gospel, the further back in time the story of Jesus goes. The earliest gospel is Mark, and he starts off with the baptism of Jesus. The next is Luke which starts with the pregnancy of Mary and Elizabeth. After that, it's Matthew which starts with the geneology of Jesus back to Abraham. The last is John, which goes back to the beginning of time. Maybe it was the constant questioning of Jesus' authority and origin that forced the authors to go further back to justify his authority.
it's almost 3pm, I had to do it again...
It's just becoming useless rambling...someone, save us!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Luke 2:21-35
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.
The reflection given by the QT material says that Jesus was a sign and a sword. It also says that a sign is no good if it is covered or not displayed and a sword is useless if it remains sheathed or stored away.
But the part that intrigued me the most was the fact that salvation is simple. In Buddhism, there is no clear path to enlightenment. Here are some steps to attaining enlightenment: Acknowledging the Four Noble Truths, following the Noble Eightfold Path, learning the Five (or Eight) Precepts and the Three Jewels, in addition to countless hours of meditation and reflection. It's confusing and extremely difficult to reach enlightenment (i.e. salvation) through Buddhism.
The same can be said for Islam, with its Five Pillars and dietary restrictions, salvation is a step by step process that has little to do with a personal relationship with Jesus and God. In Islam, salvation is earned through good works that is pleasing to Allah. As Christians, we know that salvation is not earned through good deeds but only by the Grace of God. Salvation is neither deserved nor earned but accepted by us because we acknowledge our sinfulness and accept God's love for us.
and for glory to your people Israel.
The reflection given by the QT material says that Jesus was a sign and a sword. It also says that a sign is no good if it is covered or not displayed and a sword is useless if it remains sheathed or stored away.
But the part that intrigued me the most was the fact that salvation is simple. In Buddhism, there is no clear path to enlightenment. Here are some steps to attaining enlightenment: Acknowledging the Four Noble Truths, following the Noble Eightfold Path, learning the Five (or Eight) Precepts and the Three Jewels, in addition to countless hours of meditation and reflection. It's confusing and extremely difficult to reach enlightenment (i.e. salvation) through Buddhism.
The same can be said for Islam, with its Five Pillars and dietary restrictions, salvation is a step by step process that has little to do with a personal relationship with Jesus and God. In Islam, salvation is earned through good works that is pleasing to Allah. As Christians, we know that salvation is not earned through good deeds but only by the Grace of God. Salvation is neither deserved nor earned but accepted by us because we acknowledge our sinfulness and accept God's love for us.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Loosening the Tongue
Luke 1:57-80
Super Awesome Power Verse: Luke 1:74-75
"[He promises] to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days."
There's so many times that I haven't trusted God in my life, and I believe I still do. I think a lot of you know that I have been struggling to decide what to do after college. I know the textbook answer: trust in God and pray...but it's SO difficult. It seems like I'm trying to reason and think about what I want to do before working rather than what God wants me to do. I really should start praying more about the topic though...and trying to LISTEN rather than asking him for the answer all the time.
Along with this, when the scripture says how he "enables us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness," I want to encourage the China Missions team to take that to heart. NO FEAR! God's on our side.
I think this is really different from what the application portion was saying...but this is how I took it so, yea :)
[Sorry for the stream of consciousness writing...]
Super Awesome Power Verse: Luke 1:74-75
"[He promises] to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days."
There's so many times that I haven't trusted God in my life, and I believe I still do. I think a lot of you know that I have been struggling to decide what to do after college. I know the textbook answer: trust in God and pray...but it's SO difficult. It seems like I'm trying to reason and think about what I want to do before working rather than what God wants me to do. I really should start praying more about the topic though...and trying to LISTEN rather than asking him for the answer all the time.
Along with this, when the scripture says how he "enables us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness," I want to encourage the China Missions team to take that to heart. NO FEAR! God's on our side.
I think this is really different from what the application portion was saying...but this is how I took it so, yea :)
[Sorry for the stream of consciousness writing...]
Friday, January 4, 2008
Luke 1:26-38
38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Mary's unflinching response to be the mother of Jesus has been recognized as one of the most faithful and obedient answers to the call of God in the bible.
Sometimes we struggle mightily over what we should or should not do. We think we hear the Lord calling us one way but our own selfishness pushes us away or tries to drown out what God is saying to us. And once God's voice breaks through the distractions and noise, we struggle with the answer, when the answer should simply be "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Jenny Song...I hope I didn't jump the gun and do it before you...
Mary's unflinching response to be the mother of Jesus has been recognized as one of the most faithful and obedient answers to the call of God in the bible.
Sometimes we struggle mightily over what we should or should not do. We think we hear the Lord calling us one way but our own selfishness pushes us away or tries to drown out what God is saying to us. And once God's voice breaks through the distractions and noise, we struggle with the answer, when the answer should simply be "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
Jenny Song...I hope I didn't jump the gun and do it before you...
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Two Chosen Women, Mary and Elizabeth
Today's Super-Awesome Power Verses:
Luke 1:46-49
46 Mary said: My soul glorifies Lord
47 And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed
49 for the Almighty one has done great things for me - holy is his name
The Living Life Application
'Mary explains that she is blessed because God, the Mighty One, had done great things for her. Nowhere does she say she is blessed because of the great things she had done. She knows she did nothing to derserve her blessing, and she even calls herself a humble servant of God in the first half of v.48. It is only out of God's mercy and goodness that we receive any blessings at all. Blessings are not earned; they are an expression of God's grace, which is totally undeserved.'
I wonder what it takes to be like Mary or Elizabeth, "the blessed, favored, and chosen women". ("Blessed are you among women..."v.42) In verses 46-49, it shows how humble of a servant Mary is to glorify Him for the great things that He has done for her. With the unbelievable fact of bearing the Messiah when she was a virgin in her teenage, she still accepts this anointing to be the mother of Jesus by answering, "May it be to me as you have said." wow, how does she do that? what kind of faith and servant-like attitude does it take to accept that? If I were in her shoes when I'm not even married, I would trip and start doubting what I heard from God or even to begin with, would I be able to hear from God as clearly as Mary had?
I wonder what kind of life Mary was living as a Christian for God to choose her among all the other women and what kind of a humble servant Mary was to be THE mother of God.
'Blessings are not earned; they are an expression of God's grace, which is totally undeserved.' And Mary knows that she did nothing to deserve her blessings, but all because of great things that HE has done for her. By seeing how humble Mary was to become the mother of God, I am humbled once again. It is truly by the grace of God that I receive blessings.
aish i just realized this clicking on today's living life gave me tomorrow's verses!! forgive me since I'm a newbie lol
anyhow, next runner up isssssss
Jenny SSSSONG ♪
Luke 1:46-49
46 Mary said: My soul glorifies Lord
47 And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed
49 for the Almighty one has done great things for me - holy is his name
The Living Life Application
'Mary explains that she is blessed because God, the Mighty One, had done great things for her. Nowhere does she say she is blessed because of the great things she had done. She knows she did nothing to derserve her blessing, and she even calls herself a humble servant of God in the first half of v.48. It is only out of God's mercy and goodness that we receive any blessings at all. Blessings are not earned; they are an expression of God's grace, which is totally undeserved.'
I wonder what it takes to be like Mary or Elizabeth, "the blessed, favored, and chosen women". ("Blessed are you among women..."v.42) In verses 46-49, it shows how humble of a servant Mary is to glorify Him for the great things that He has done for her. With the unbelievable fact of bearing the Messiah when she was a virgin in her teenage, she still accepts this anointing to be the mother of Jesus by answering, "May it be to me as you have said." wow, how does she do that? what kind of faith and servant-like attitude does it take to accept that? If I were in her shoes when I'm not even married, I would trip and start doubting what I heard from God or even to begin with, would I be able to hear from God as clearly as Mary had?
I wonder what kind of life Mary was living as a Christian for God to choose her among all the other women and what kind of a humble servant Mary was to be THE mother of God.
'Blessings are not earned; they are an expression of God's grace, which is totally undeserved.' And Mary knows that she did nothing to deserve her blessings, but all because of great things that HE has done for her. By seeing how humble Mary was to become the mother of God, I am humbled once again. It is truly by the grace of God that I receive blessings.
aish i just realized this clicking on today's living life gave me tomorrow's verses!! forgive me since I'm a newbie lol
anyhow, next runner up isssssss
Jenny SSSSONG ♪
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Preparing The Way in 2008
LUKE 1:1-17
Today's Super-Awesome Power Verse™:
17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
The Living Life QT book suggested the following application:
If you guys have any resolutions for the new year, please share in the comments so we can keep each other accountable! Happy 2008!!
Today's Super-Awesome Power Verse™:
17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
The Living Life QT book suggested the following application:
Just as John prepared the way for Jesus’s first coming, so are we supposed to prepare the way for Christ’s second coming. Take some time to meditate on this passage and focus particularly on v. 16-17. As it says in those verses; it is our job to bring back many people to God, turn the hearts of fathers toward their children and turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.It's one of the most basic of commandments, to share the Word of God with non-believers. And yet for me, looking back over the year, it's kind of embarrassing how little I actually do it. I can't blame it on the lack of opportunity either. Maybe it's fear (fear of ridicule & rejection, fear of being outcast, fear of not saying the right thing) that keeps me from saying anything? One of my New Year's resolutions is to get out of my comfort zone and to share my faith with at least 1 non-Christian every month - to do my part to "prepare the way" for Christ's return.
If you guys have any resolutions for the new year, please share in the comments so we can keep each other accountable! Happy 2008!!
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