January 11
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Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
January 10's readings
Want to talk a cute young thing into marriage? Try giving her a nose ring. Genesis 23:1-24:51
The centurion’s faith: Matthew 8:1-17
Strike them with terror: Psalm 9:13-20
Trust in the Lord with all your heartProverbs 3:1-6
In today’s readings, it’s the story of the centurion in Matthew that moves me. He was a Roman soldier, yet he trusted Jesus with healing a servant he cared about. Just Jesus’ word was all that was needed. Perhaps the centurion knew that Jesus is God and, as God, His word was what created everything in existence.
Jesus, as Creator has entire dominion over everything, including the nations (see today’s psalm). The Lord is supreme. Yet, His love for us is so great He jumps to heal us.
Proverbs 3:5 is a good one to memorize. Take it from the experience of the centurion. He trusted in the Lord and leaned not on his own understanding. His own understanding would have told him to give up on his servant being healed. But his trust in the Lord is what wound up winning out & being a proper perspective on the situation. Oh, how stress free we would be if we trusted in the Lord like He deserves!
The centurion’s faith: Matthew 8:1-17
Strike them with terror: Psalm 9:13-20
Trust in the Lord with all your heartProverbs 3:1-6
In today’s readings, it’s the story of the centurion in Matthew that moves me. He was a Roman soldier, yet he trusted Jesus with healing a servant he cared about. Just Jesus’ word was all that was needed. Perhaps the centurion knew that Jesus is God and, as God, His word was what created everything in existence.
Jesus, as Creator has entire dominion over everything, including the nations (see today’s psalm). The Lord is supreme. Yet, His love for us is so great He jumps to heal us.
Proverbs 3:5 is a good one to memorize. Take it from the experience of the centurion. He trusted in the Lord and leaned not on his own understanding. His own understanding would have told him to give up on his servant being healed. But his trust in the Lord is what wound up winning out & being a proper perspective on the situation. Oh, how stress free we would be if we trusted in the Lord like He deserves!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
January 9 Reading
Pickin’ up older chicks: Genesis 20:1-22:24
The origin of one of my favorite songs: Matthew 7:15-29
The blood avenger: Psalm 9:1-12
Following wisdom: Proverbs 2:16-22
As a father, it seems crazy to think about Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, just because God command him to. God Himself must be just as crazy to sacrifice His Son for us. In fact, I say that it’s even stranger. Jesus’ blood was shed for us, even though we are nothing in contrast to Him.
The teaching in Matthew seems to back up the teaching from Genesis. Jesus taught that He is the rock we need to build our lives on. To hear His teachings but not actually live His teachings is to build our lives on a wobbly foundation. Abraham knew this back in Genesis. Abraham did what God said, no matter what. God came through for Him. Abraham had a LILYMI mentality (Live It Like Ya Mean It).
This goes even in our dealings with others, including those who are enemies (today’s Psalm). God is the One Who wins in the end. If we are on His side, our enemies are the ones who have to worry. Note, we don’t have to fight them.
This is the wise course to live by (today’s Proverb). Wisdom (the “It” at the beginning of verse 16). The righteous (those who are in a relationship with God through His grace) will benefit from God’s prosperity, but the wicked will not.
All 4 teachings today seem to be saying over & over LILYMI!
The origin of one of my favorite songs: Matthew 7:15-29
The blood avenger: Psalm 9:1-12
Following wisdom: Proverbs 2:16-22
As a father, it seems crazy to think about Abraham sacrificing his son, Isaac, just because God command him to. God Himself must be just as crazy to sacrifice His Son for us. In fact, I say that it’s even stranger. Jesus’ blood was shed for us, even though we are nothing in contrast to Him.
The teaching in Matthew seems to back up the teaching from Genesis. Jesus taught that He is the rock we need to build our lives on. To hear His teachings but not actually live His teachings is to build our lives on a wobbly foundation. Abraham knew this back in Genesis. Abraham did what God said, no matter what. God came through for Him. Abraham had a LILYMI mentality (Live It Like Ya Mean It).
This goes even in our dealings with others, including those who are enemies (today’s Psalm). God is the One Who wins in the end. If we are on His side, our enemies are the ones who have to worry. Note, we don’t have to fight them.
This is the wise course to live by (today’s Proverb). Wisdom (the “It” at the beginning of verse 16). The righteous (those who are in a relationship with God through His grace) will benefit from God’s prosperity, but the wicked will not.
All 4 teachings today seem to be saying over & over LILYMI!
links for January 8
Howdy, my friends.
If it helps, here are the links to BibleGateway for today's readings:
Genesis 18:16-19:38
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 2:6-15
If it helps, here are the links to BibleGateway for today's readings:
Genesis 18:16-19:38
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 2:6-15
Don't Worry, Don't Judge. And Other Tough Stuff.
Readings for Thursday, January 8 are:
Genesis 18:16- 19:38
Matthew 6:25- 7:14
Psalm 8:19
Proverbs 2: 6-15
All the readings for today are really good, but the one that really struck home for me--in a real personal way--was the one from Matthew. It really challenges me.
I used to be a real worrier. I'd worry about how I'd do on a test; I'd worry if people liked me; I'd worry about what others thought about me; I'd worry about something bad happening. As I got older, I'd worry about how the bills were gonna get paid or if something bad was going to happen to my family.
Then, something pretty cool happened. I became less of a worrier because one day I had an experience with God when I told Him: "You know. I'm tired of doing this by myself. I'm tired of worrying so much about what's going to happen to this sweet little baby that I'm having to take care of now all by myself. I'm going to give her over to You and just trust that Your plan is the right plan for me all along."
That doesn't mean I don't worry anymore. I do worry because everyone worries--it's human nature! But I at least have that experience to fall back on. I know that worry really doesn't get me anywhere. And I know that God wants to take my worry and carry it around with Him instead.
That's what the first part of the Matthew passage (the chapter six part) is talking about. He says that we shouldn't worry about things like what we're gonna eat or what we're gonna wear. God will take care of all of our needs. Why? Because HE LOVES US. And this extends not just to lunch or fashion; it extends to everything in our lives!
The second part of the Matthew passage (the chapter 7 part) is even more challenging to me these days. It tells me that if I expect God to forgive me and to not judge me...well, I can't judge other people around me. Wow! That's really convicting....because I really like to judge people. I like to think that I'm better than them. I like to think that I'm doing okay because, at least, I don't have the problems that those other people have.
One thing that has always helped me with this challenge from God is something I tell McKenna and Delaney all the time. I tell them to look at other people, not as an irritating person or someone they can't get along with or someone who's not doing what God wants them to do...but, intsead, look at that person as a child of God. They need to remember that God loves everyone--you, me, that friend, that enemy, that teacher, that parent, that brother or sister... as a child of God just as worthy of God's love as they are. That puts it in perspective for me and helps me not judge that other person quite as much.
I really do want to be more like Jesus. It's something I strive for everyday, and it's not always easy. But Not Worrying and Not Judging are two things that can help me get closer to that goal.
(Any thoughts on the Matthew passage?
Any thoughts on the other passages for the day?)
I hope you guys all have an awesome Thursday!
--Cheryl
Genesis 18:16- 19:38
Matthew 6:25- 7:14
Psalm 8:19
Proverbs 2: 6-15
All the readings for today are really good, but the one that really struck home for me--in a real personal way--was the one from Matthew. It really challenges me.
I used to be a real worrier. I'd worry about how I'd do on a test; I'd worry if people liked me; I'd worry about what others thought about me; I'd worry about something bad happening. As I got older, I'd worry about how the bills were gonna get paid or if something bad was going to happen to my family.
Then, something pretty cool happened. I became less of a worrier because one day I had an experience with God when I told Him: "You know. I'm tired of doing this by myself. I'm tired of worrying so much about what's going to happen to this sweet little baby that I'm having to take care of now all by myself. I'm going to give her over to You and just trust that Your plan is the right plan for me all along."
That doesn't mean I don't worry anymore. I do worry because everyone worries--it's human nature! But I at least have that experience to fall back on. I know that worry really doesn't get me anywhere. And I know that God wants to take my worry and carry it around with Him instead.
That's what the first part of the Matthew passage (the chapter six part) is talking about. He says that we shouldn't worry about things like what we're gonna eat or what we're gonna wear. God will take care of all of our needs. Why? Because HE LOVES US. And this extends not just to lunch or fashion; it extends to everything in our lives!
The second part of the Matthew passage (the chapter 7 part) is even more challenging to me these days. It tells me that if I expect God to forgive me and to not judge me...well, I can't judge other people around me. Wow! That's really convicting....because I really like to judge people. I like to think that I'm better than them. I like to think that I'm doing okay because, at least, I don't have the problems that those other people have.
One thing that has always helped me with this challenge from God is something I tell McKenna and Delaney all the time. I tell them to look at other people, not as an irritating person or someone they can't get along with or someone who's not doing what God wants them to do...but, intsead, look at that person as a child of God. They need to remember that God loves everyone--you, me, that friend, that enemy, that teacher, that parent, that brother or sister... as a child of God just as worthy of God's love as they are. That puts it in perspective for me and helps me not judge that other person quite as much.
I really do want to be more like Jesus. It's something I strive for everyday, and it's not always easy. But Not Worrying and Not Judging are two things that can help me get closer to that goal.
(Any thoughts on the Matthew passage?
Any thoughts on the other passages for the day?)
I hope you guys all have an awesome Thursday!
--Cheryl
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
January 7 readings
January 7
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It was great to see everyone at prayer breakfast this morning. It was great to read through today's Psalm reading. What a great reminder of the power and care our Lord has for us. Here it is again:
"O LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
2 or they will tear me like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 O LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands-
4 if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me
or without cause have robbed my foe-
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.
Selah
6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you.
Rule over them from on high;
8 let the LORD judge the peoples.
Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
9 O righteous God,
who searches minds and hearts,
bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure.
10 My shield [b] is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who expresses his wrath every day.
12 If he does not relent,
he [c] will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow.
13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14 He who is pregnant with evil
and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.
15 He who digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit he has made.
16 The trouble he causes recoils on himself;
his violence comes down on his own head.
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness
and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
January 6 readings
Genesis 13:5-15:21
Matthew 5:27-48
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 1:29-33
Matthew 5:27-48
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 1:29-33
It is important to always keep in mind that the story of Abram and his descendants is about God's plan of redemption through history. Always keep an eye towards our salvation and victory in Christ.
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.'" (Genesis 14:18-19)
God has given Abram victory over his enemies and the King of Salem comes to pay tribute, sharing "bread and wine". Sound familiar? Well, Hebrews continues this discussion, talking about how Melchizedek is one of the only "priestly-kings". He looks forward, foreshadows the priestly king of Jesus who gives us victory... on that note... on to Matthew!
This section of the "sermon on the mount" is especially humbling. There is not a word that does not cut us down to size. Our Lord wishes us to see ourselves for who we are and be humbled before his throne.
The Psalms is especially comforting here:
"The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer"
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