John 14:15-19:16; 2 Chronicles 21-29; Psalm 79-Psalm 85
Sorry I have not posted for a while. If you are checking in on this blog, please let me know by leaving a comment. I have finally realized where to go to see the comments. I will try to leave some thoughts soon.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
highlights for readings August 9-15
These were some of the highlights or thought provoking texts for me this week.
2 Corinthians 9-13
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9.6-8
You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thankgivings to God. 9.11-12
Paul's encouragement of giving and recognition of giving as an act of thanksgiving to God is good for each of us to hear.
Finally brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 13. 11-14
John 1:1-1:34
John's birth story is unique but worth hearing again because it does not focus on Bethlehem but on the good news of the character of God and the revelation of God in Jesus .
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. 1.1-5
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 1.14
Habakkuk 1-3
Prophetic words are often hard. Habakkuk cries out at God and for God. I appreciated these words from his prayer to God.
O LORD, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy. 3.2
Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exult in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights. 3.17-19
Habakkuk gives praise and thanks in all circumstances. A lesson for us all.
Zephaniah 1-3
Zephaniah calls forth a word of warning not just for Judah but for Israel's enemies. The great day of the LORD is a day to fear for those who sin against God.
The prophet concludes with a song of joy for the salvation of Jerusalem by God.
Haggai 1-2
Haggai's words are not those before the fall and exile but at the time when people were returning to Jerusalem. He speaks God's words of encouragement to rebuild the temple.
take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of host: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts. 2. 4b-9
How exciting it must have been for the people to hear these words. Churches today might also remember that God brings prosperity and a future greater than the past to those who work for God's purposes.
In these readings I find God's words to be true for today as for the days they were spoken.
2 Corinthians 9-13
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9.6-8
You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thankgivings to God. 9.11-12
Paul's encouragement of giving and recognition of giving as an act of thanksgiving to God is good for each of us to hear.
Finally brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 13. 11-14
John 1:1-1:34
John's birth story is unique but worth hearing again because it does not focus on Bethlehem but on the good news of the character of God and the revelation of God in Jesus .
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. 1.1-5
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 1.14
Habakkuk 1-3
Prophetic words are often hard. Habakkuk cries out at God and for God. I appreciated these words from his prayer to God.
O LORD, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy. 3.2
Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will exult in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights. 3.17-19
Habakkuk gives praise and thanks in all circumstances. A lesson for us all.
Zephaniah 1-3
Zephaniah calls forth a word of warning not just for Judah but for Israel's enemies. The great day of the LORD is a day to fear for those who sin against God.
The prophet concludes with a song of joy for the salvation of Jerusalem by God.
Haggai 1-2
Haggai's words are not those before the fall and exile but at the time when people were returning to Jerusalem. He speaks God's words of encouragement to rebuild the temple.
take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the LORD of host: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts. 2. 4b-9
How exciting it must have been for the people to hear these words. Churches today might also remember that God brings prosperity and a future greater than the past to those who work for God's purposes.
In these readings I find God's words to be true for today as for the days they were spoken.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
2 Corinthians 1-8; Micah 3-7
Paul teaches a lot these were highlights for me.
Paul states "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclained among you.....was not 'Yes and No'; but in him it is always 'Yes'. For in him every one of God's promises is a 'Yes.' " 1:19-20a
He is talking about people whose faith vacilates. How many of us say I believe but.... or I will follow Jesus but.....? If God says 'Yes" and means 'Yes' to us than our 'Yes' must be equal.
Many of us give excuses for not sharing Christ, i.e. shy, fear, do not want to offend, but Paul puts those all down with these statements "For we do not proclaim ourselves we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.... we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." 4:5,7 Paul is clear that we are clay jars but the power and the message is of God not for us to hold but to pour out to others. We are vessels of a treasure to be given away.
When it comes to how we view others Paul puts down all judgements and biases. "From now on we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" 5.16-17 As Christians, we not only see Christ different than others, we see others through the eyes of Christ. For Paul being in Christ is easy when we surrender to the Spirit who makes us new.
If anyone wonders why the church collects for others, they only need to read chapter 8, the teachings of Jesus, especially Matthew 25. From the beginning the followers of Jesus and the early Christians were encouraged to care for others. In chapter 8 Paul praises the Macedonians for their generous giving and generous hearts while encouraging the Corinthians to finish the collection for others. He encouraages to give generously and joyfully. His words are a testament to all Christians give generously and give joyfully.
These were just a few of the Paul's teachings to new and struggling Christians, that I think are truths for even now.
Micah 3-7 In chapter 3 Micah proclaims the destruction of Israel because it does not practice justice. In chapters 4-8 Micah gives hope that God will rebuild the people, but only when they are willing to lives of love. 6.6-8 Micah speaks for God a word of righteous living. Although God may desire offerings and sacrifices, they are not to come with empty hearts. Material gifts to God are not pleasing if our hearts and lives do not reflect our love of God. ' He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God' 6.8 Micah's words teach us today. Do we come to worship with hollow hearts? Are our offerings just stuff with no love? Do we act with justice and mercy throughout the week to reflect God's love? Do we love God enough to humbly submit to the LORD's words? These are the questions posed to us from Micah. These are the requirements God has for a holy people.
Paul states "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclained among you.....was not 'Yes and No'; but in him it is always 'Yes'. For in him every one of God's promises is a 'Yes.' " 1:19-20a
He is talking about people whose faith vacilates. How many of us say I believe but.... or I will follow Jesus but.....? If God says 'Yes" and means 'Yes' to us than our 'Yes' must be equal.
Many of us give excuses for not sharing Christ, i.e. shy, fear, do not want to offend, but Paul puts those all down with these statements "For we do not proclaim ourselves we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.... we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us." 4:5,7 Paul is clear that we are clay jars but the power and the message is of God not for us to hold but to pour out to others. We are vessels of a treasure to be given away.
When it comes to how we view others Paul puts down all judgements and biases. "From now on we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" 5.16-17 As Christians, we not only see Christ different than others, we see others through the eyes of Christ. For Paul being in Christ is easy when we surrender to the Spirit who makes us new.
If anyone wonders why the church collects for others, they only need to read chapter 8, the teachings of Jesus, especially Matthew 25. From the beginning the followers of Jesus and the early Christians were encouraged to care for others. In chapter 8 Paul praises the Macedonians for their generous giving and generous hearts while encouraging the Corinthians to finish the collection for others. He encouraages to give generously and joyfully. His words are a testament to all Christians give generously and give joyfully.
These were just a few of the Paul's teachings to new and struggling Christians, that I think are truths for even now.
Micah 3-7 In chapter 3 Micah proclaims the destruction of Israel because it does not practice justice. In chapters 4-8 Micah gives hope that God will rebuild the people, but only when they are willing to lives of love. 6.6-8 Micah speaks for God a word of righteous living. Although God may desire offerings and sacrifices, they are not to come with empty hearts. Material gifts to God are not pleasing if our hearts and lives do not reflect our love of God. ' He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God' 6.8 Micah's words teach us today. Do we come to worship with hollow hearts? Are our offerings just stuff with no love? Do we act with justice and mercy throughout the week to reflect God's love? Do we love God enough to humbly submit to the LORD's words? These are the questions posed to us from Micah. These are the requirements God has for a holy people.
week Aug 1-7 and Aug 8-14
Readings for this week: 1 Corinthians 16 and 2 Corinthians 1-8; 2 Kings 12-21;
Micah 3-7; Nahum 1-2
Next weeks readings: 2 Corinthians 9-13; John 1:1-34; 2 Kings 22-23; 1 Chronicles 1-8; Nahum 3; Habakkuk 1-3; Zephaniah 1-3
Micah 3-7; Nahum 1-2
Next weeks readings: 2 Corinthians 9-13; John 1:1-34; 2 Kings 22-23; 1 Chronicles 1-8; Nahum 3; Habakkuk 1-3; Zephaniah 1-3
Sunday, July 25, 2010
readings for July25 - July 31
1 Corinthians 11: 17-15:58; 2 Kings 5-11; the books of Obadiah and Jonah; Micah 1-2
Amos and 1 Corinthians
Amos 3-9
Amos tells what will happen to Israel. Several time God tells of tests of the people, but they "did not return to me." It is easy to hear the saddness in God's voice at the wandering of the people. Amos tells the people that God promises, "Seek me and live." How can they seek God, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts will be with you...... Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate." 5.14-15a
Amos declares that God will allow hard things to happen to the people. Including a time of silence, "The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." I wonder what this meant to people who did not listen to God voice. Not hearing God's voice is a dry time spiritually for those who need to hear the LORD.
But Amos ends with some hope, God will allow a remanant of people to survive and God will raise them up from the ruins.
1 Corinthians 6:1-11:16
Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a teaching letter of how to live as new Christians in a pagan world. He affirms that in Christ we are free, but that freedom should not be abused. "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial." 6.12 "All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other." 10.23b-24
He reminds us that to be a Christian is to reflect Christ. "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 6.19-20
Paul discusses relationships both within the community of faith and with others.
He also teaches about the Lord's Supper. He corrects bad behavior that was surrounding the meal and affirms the real intention of the meal. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 10.16-17 Paul reminds us that The Lord's Supper is remembering Christ's sacrifice, experiencing Christ's presence, and becoming Christ's body in the world.
Amos tells what will happen to Israel. Several time God tells of tests of the people, but they "did not return to me." It is easy to hear the saddness in God's voice at the wandering of the people. Amos tells the people that God promises, "Seek me and live." How can they seek God, "Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts will be with you...... Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate." 5.14-15a
Amos declares that God will allow hard things to happen to the people. Including a time of silence, "The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." I wonder what this meant to people who did not listen to God voice. Not hearing God's voice is a dry time spiritually for those who need to hear the LORD.
But Amos ends with some hope, God will allow a remanant of people to survive and God will raise them up from the ruins.
1 Corinthians 6:1-11:16
Paul's letter to the Corinthians is a teaching letter of how to live as new Christians in a pagan world. He affirms that in Christ we are free, but that freedom should not be abused. "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial." 6.12 "All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other." 10.23b-24
He reminds us that to be a Christian is to reflect Christ. "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body." 6.19-20
Paul discusses relationships both within the community of faith and with others.
He also teaches about the Lord's Supper. He corrects bad behavior that was surrounding the meal and affirms the real intention of the meal. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 10.16-17 Paul reminds us that The Lord's Supper is remembering Christ's sacrifice, experiencing Christ's presence, and becoming Christ's body in the world.
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