One month later...
College and blogging doesn't go so well together...
Dear God,
OneYearBible January 7
Thank you for showing me that you just want to bless, bless, bless, no matter what we do. Abraham didn't do anything except trust you, believe you. But you initiated the covenant and everything, and said you would bless them with Isaac, even though they were both so old.
Prayer: secret, not trying to draw attention. No need to repeat over and over and over, babbling on... YOU know what we're going to ask!!
And then he gives the Lord's prayer... which is repeated over and over and over again... Ironic?
FORGIVENESS!!!
Don't let on that you're fasting.
Basically, don't be in people's faces about how holy you are! hahaha.
Now, though, people have sorta gone the other way and kept their whole faith a secret from the world when we need to proclaim on the rooftops.
Heaven treasure is so much more awesomer than earth treasure. Do we believe that, or do we get caught up in materialism?
I love Psalms, as usual. I forgot this summer how AWESOME they are!
Proverbs: Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom. Seek after it, tune your ears to it, concentrate on it. Then you will know how to fear/trust God.
.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thoughts on Joseph's choice: Matthew 1
Dear God,
This passage (Mt 1) is ridiculous. You point out that your Son did not come from a perfect genealogy. I think it's so cool and kinda crazy-you how you took David's biggest mistake and used it for Your glory. I mean, killing Uriah and taking Bathsheba was pretty intense. And yet her son was the one you chose to continue the line of David through to Jesus.
Aaaand when you just had an angel show up randomly to Joseph to tell him his third option... that was cool too. And Joseph actually did it! I mean, the social implications here are enormous! I wonder how Mary felt when she told Joseph. Or if she told Joseph. It doesn't say how he found out. I'd like to think Mary told him though, since she knew it was a God thing. If she could bring God's son to earth, she could trust God to keep her from being stoned. And then to have Joseph still marry her?? That is ridiculous. I mean, every law before this has demanded that he divorces her and she is stoned. But Joe followed you, not the culture, not seeking the approval of others.
God, show me how I can better abandon myself to you. I lift up tomorrow to you. It's all yours.
Love,
Me.
This passage (Mt 1) is ridiculous. You point out that your Son did not come from a perfect genealogy. I think it's so cool and kinda crazy-you how you took David's biggest mistake and used it for Your glory. I mean, killing Uriah and taking Bathsheba was pretty intense. And yet her son was the one you chose to continue the line of David through to Jesus.
Aaaand when you just had an angel show up randomly to Joseph to tell him his third option... that was cool too. And Joseph actually did it! I mean, the social implications here are enormous! I wonder how Mary felt when she told Joseph. Or if she told Joseph. It doesn't say how he found out. I'd like to think Mary told him though, since she knew it was a God thing. If she could bring God's son to earth, she could trust God to keep her from being stoned. And then to have Joseph still marry her?? That is ridiculous. I mean, every law before this has demanded that he divorces her and she is stoned. But Joe followed you, not the culture, not seeking the approval of others.
God, show me how I can better abandon myself to you. I lift up tomorrow to you. It's all yours.
Love,
Me.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thoughts on II Tim 3 and first weekend in college.
Dear God,
Even though people here may oppose you and follow other ways and deceive others and flourish, I will remain faithful -- not on my own strength, but on yours. Lord, I have been complaining. I've been clueless sometimes to what you want me to do. I have left things unsaid. I have been discouraged. Help me now to trust you with everything. Thank you for h2o and everything they have been doing. I pray peoples lives will be changed as a result. I pray my life would change. Help me to remain faithful like Timothy. Help me to be prepared, whether the time is awkward or not. (II Tim 4:1)
You've been amazing. Thank you for everything you have done.
Love ya!
Me
Even though people here may oppose you and follow other ways and deceive others and flourish, I will remain faithful -- not on my own strength, but on yours. Lord, I have been complaining. I've been clueless sometimes to what you want me to do. I have left things unsaid. I have been discouraged. Help me now to trust you with everything. Thank you for h2o and everything they have been doing. I pray peoples lives will be changed as a result. I pray my life would change. Help me to remain faithful like Timothy. Help me to be prepared, whether the time is awkward or not. (II Tim 4:1)
You've been amazing. Thank you for everything you have done.
Love ya!
Me
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thoughts on Love and truth, hospitality, and actions speaking beliefs: II & III John, Jude.
Even though it's been a long time since I've been on here, it's NOT been a long time since I've been with God. :-) Just to clarify to the millions of readers reading this :-P
Dear God,
Thanks for the SCL today. It was definitely a good thing to read and remember for Kent.
Alrighty, let's see what II John, II John and Jude have to say today...
II John:
Love and Truth. Jesus embodied both. We need to love one another. Not just with words, but with actions. Lord, I know I can be unloving in my thoughts and in my actions -- not in what I do, but in what I don't do. Help me become more like your Son. Help me realize this is a command, not a recommendation. Help me realize that I don't have to feel love for someone, I just have to show love -- just the action of listening to them, or helping them, even if I don't feel like it is love.
III John:
Side note: verse 2 if everyone was as healthy in the body as they are in spirit, what would the world suddenly look like? Who would suddenly fall ill? Who would be healthy and stronger than most? Interesting thought...
Follow only what is good. How can I better do that?
Even though Gaius seemed to be doing a little thing-- housing travelling pastors -- he was actually doing a great service to God. Even though he was not preaching traveling the world for God, he was making it possible for others to do it. It's almost more difficult to follow God when you're not on the front lines seeing people get saved. Help me remember that everything I do for You is great. Not just if I'm talking to people about you, though that's important, but also just when I am doing anything you ask me to do.
I want to hang out with Gaius.
Jude:
(Hey Jude, don't make it bad... take a sad song and make it betterer....)
verses 12-13 There are many similes here, like raindrops in a thunderstorm.
How we act show what we believe. I pray my actions display that I believe my God is invincible, that He can help me through anything and he is FAITHFUL, LOVING, and POWERFUL.
Thanks for this time to talk to you a bit, I pray that I would do everything with the attitude of doing it for you. Help me now as I talk to Katie, that our talk about ECC would be productive and that we could really iron out some details. I pray you would be in it and working through us to bring these internationals to you.
I love you,
Me
P.S. This iced coffee is delish!!!!
.
Dear God,
Thanks for the SCL today. It was definitely a good thing to read and remember for Kent.
Alrighty, let's see what II John, II John and Jude have to say today...
II John:
Love and Truth. Jesus embodied both. We need to love one another. Not just with words, but with actions. Lord, I know I can be unloving in my thoughts and in my actions -- not in what I do, but in what I don't do. Help me become more like your Son. Help me realize this is a command, not a recommendation. Help me realize that I don't have to feel love for someone, I just have to show love -- just the action of listening to them, or helping them, even if I don't feel like it is love.
III John:
Side note: verse 2 if everyone was as healthy in the body as they are in spirit, what would the world suddenly look like? Who would suddenly fall ill? Who would be healthy and stronger than most? Interesting thought...
Follow only what is good. How can I better do that?
Even though Gaius seemed to be doing a little thing-- housing travelling pastors -- he was actually doing a great service to God. Even though he was not preaching traveling the world for God, he was making it possible for others to do it. It's almost more difficult to follow God when you're not on the front lines seeing people get saved. Help me remember that everything I do for You is great. Not just if I'm talking to people about you, though that's important, but also just when I am doing anything you ask me to do.
I want to hang out with Gaius.
Jude:
(Hey Jude, don't make it bad... take a sad song and make it betterer....)
verses 12-13 There are many similes here, like raindrops in a thunderstorm.
How we act show what we believe. I pray my actions display that I believe my God is invincible, that He can help me through anything and he is FAITHFUL, LOVING, and POWERFUL.
Thanks for this time to talk to you a bit, I pray that I would do everything with the attitude of doing it for you. Help me now as I talk to Katie, that our talk about ECC would be productive and that we could really iron out some details. I pray you would be in it and working through us to bring these internationals to you.
I love you,
Me
P.S. This iced coffee is delish!!!!
.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Thoughts on Philippians, humility, pressing on, etc. Phil 2-4
Dear God,
Thanks for your humility, love, power... Thank you that you will help us have the desire and the power. I lack both, sometimes. Lord, help me realize how amazing (what a trite word!) you are compared to all else. (Glorious, perhaps?) Help me press on.
Love,
Me
Philippians 2-4
I love Philippians. It's so... awesome. I should memorize the whole book. You know what, I think I will. Starting tonight, after this.
Paul says to stay united, humble, loving each other, working together, not selfish, all those amazing things.
"Don't look out only for your won interests but take an interest in others, too"
And then one of my favorite pieces of Scripture :-)
Verses five through eleven. Really Jesus?? Really!! That right there is AWE some.
And Verse thirteen is a new favorite. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." How encouraging!!!
Clean, innocent lives. Shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves. Sometimes/ most of the time, the world looks down on innocence, except as like, "ah, the innocence of children!" But it's supposedly naive when you're an adult. Not so.
Paul is so hardcore.
Epaphroditus is an awesome name. And I'm sure the guy is pretty sweet too.
We rely on Christ, not on any human effort.
Lord, Help me realize how true this statement is: everything is worthless when put next to the greatest thing: knowing YOU. Thank you.
Have I treated everything else as garbage compared to knowing God? No. I spent most of my day here, on the computer... no God till LATE at night. Wonderful.
Press on towards perfection. Don't beat up about the past, nothing can change that. Press on. If you think about it, "press on" isn't sprinting. It's running through water like you do in your dreams... hahaha. But you do it anyway, pressing on till you're running so fast you're on top of the water.... or you just keep pressing on. Either way. :-)
Interesting how that famous verse, " I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" is in teh context of being content with a little or a lot. Something to keep in mind...
Have I mentioned I love Philippians??
.
Thanks for your humility, love, power... Thank you that you will help us have the desire and the power. I lack both, sometimes. Lord, help me realize how amazing (what a trite word!) you are compared to all else. (Glorious, perhaps?) Help me press on.
Love,
Me
Philippians 2-4
I love Philippians. It's so... awesome. I should memorize the whole book. You know what, I think I will. Starting tonight, after this.
Paul says to stay united, humble, loving each other, working together, not selfish, all those amazing things.
"Don't look out only for your won interests but take an interest in others, too"
And then one of my favorite pieces of Scripture :-)
Verses five through eleven. Really Jesus?? Really!! That right there is AWE some.
And Verse thirteen is a new favorite. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." How encouraging!!!
Clean, innocent lives. Shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves. Sometimes/ most of the time, the world looks down on innocence, except as like, "ah, the innocence of children!" But it's supposedly naive when you're an adult. Not so.
Paul is so hardcore.
Epaphroditus is an awesome name. And I'm sure the guy is pretty sweet too.
We rely on Christ, not on any human effort.
Lord, Help me realize how true this statement is: everything is worthless when put next to the greatest thing: knowing YOU. Thank you.
Have I treated everything else as garbage compared to knowing God? No. I spent most of my day here, on the computer... no God till LATE at night. Wonderful.
Press on towards perfection. Don't beat up about the past, nothing can change that. Press on. If you think about it, "press on" isn't sprinting. It's running through water like you do in your dreams... hahaha. But you do it anyway, pressing on till you're running so fast you're on top of the water.... or you just keep pressing on. Either way. :-)
Interesting how that famous verse, " I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" is in teh context of being content with a little or a lot. Something to keep in mind...
Have I mentioned I love Philippians??
.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thoughts on freedom from guiltrips, Reality checks, and suffering citizens: Gal 5-6, Phil1
Dear God,
Lord, help me find joy and contentment in You, no matter my circumstances. I am free to live a selfless life. I am free from guilt trips. I am free from the law! Live by the Spirit, crucify your sinful nature every day. Help me love more and more. Help me see what's really going on on the Real level. To live is Christ, to die is gain. I am a citizen of heaven. Help me act like it.
Help me learn how to suffer for you.
Love,
Me
Galatians 5-Philippians 1
Christ has set us FREEE. Free from the law, not free to do what we want, but we don't have to do all these rules and stuff. Don't get tied up again in the law. Good plan!
You were running so awesomely, but now you're not because you feel you need to follow the law. Wow that sums up a lot of my life lately! It's okay to mess up. You have freedom to mess up and not feel like you're eternally condemned because you broke the law. That is thinking like you're dead! That's not the way to go.
Verse 12 BURN!
I have been CALLED to live in freedom. yessss
I need to use my freedom to serve others in love. Yesssss
Live by the Spirit. It's way awesomer than living by the sinful nature.... Oh ye-ah
What passions and desires from the sinful nature have I nailed to Jesus' cross?
God's people live in community. We share burdens we cannot lift on our own, but if we can lift them ourselves, we do so, without trying to foist it off on someone else.
I need to focus on what I'm doing, and how I'm doing. I don't need to compare myself to others or judge where other people are. I do what I can do for God, and that's all I really need to worry about. That doesn't mean I'm independent, that I never correct and never get corrected. It means when God brings something, I do it then and not before.
Skipping Eph, I just did that...
Philippians 1
Note to self: Philippians is Paul's joy letter.
Philippians 1:6 -- My classic favorite verse. It's my promise from God.
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more" Yes lord please, for me and for everybody who believes in you!
Paul doesn't see his circumstances even though he's in prison and all of that. He sees what is going on underneath: The gospel is spreading, people are believing Christ! That completely trumps every hardship Paul was enduring at that time. Lord, let me see what is going on under the surface! Let me see Your work! .
Paul has it right. He knows that to live is Christ, to die is gain. He had a real chance of dying for Christ -- and later he did-- but he knew he had things to do first.
I don't have to deal with life/death situations. But still, to live is Christ, to die is gain. How can I live that out?
Live as citizens of heaven. Same question.
We are not worthy of the Good news of Christ. We have this privilege of trusting Christ. And just as we have this privilege of trusting Christ, we have the privilege of suffering for Him too.
Am I willing to suffer for Christ?
Lord, help me find joy and contentment in You, no matter my circumstances. I am free to live a selfless life. I am free from guilt trips. I am free from the law! Live by the Spirit, crucify your sinful nature every day. Help me love more and more. Help me see what's really going on on the Real level. To live is Christ, to die is gain. I am a citizen of heaven. Help me act like it.
Help me learn how to suffer for you.
Love,
Me
Galatians 5-Philippians 1
Christ has set us FREEE. Free from the law, not free to do what we want, but we don't have to do all these rules and stuff. Don't get tied up again in the law. Good plan!
You were running so awesomely, but now you're not because you feel you need to follow the law. Wow that sums up a lot of my life lately! It's okay to mess up. You have freedom to mess up and not feel like you're eternally condemned because you broke the law. That is thinking like you're dead! That's not the way to go.
Verse 12 BURN!
I have been CALLED to live in freedom. yessss
I need to use my freedom to serve others in love. Yesssss
Live by the Spirit. It's way awesomer than living by the sinful nature.... Oh ye-ah
What passions and desires from the sinful nature have I nailed to Jesus' cross?
God's people live in community. We share burdens we cannot lift on our own, but if we can lift them ourselves, we do so, without trying to foist it off on someone else.
I need to focus on what I'm doing, and how I'm doing. I don't need to compare myself to others or judge where other people are. I do what I can do for God, and that's all I really need to worry about. That doesn't mean I'm independent, that I never correct and never get corrected. It means when God brings something, I do it then and not before.
Skipping Eph, I just did that...
Philippians 1
Note to self: Philippians is Paul's joy letter.
Philippians 1:6 -- My classic favorite verse. It's my promise from God.
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more" Yes lord please, for me and for everybody who believes in you!
Paul doesn't see his circumstances even though he's in prison and all of that. He sees what is going on underneath: The gospel is spreading, people are believing Christ! That completely trumps every hardship Paul was enduring at that time. Lord, let me see what is going on under the surface! Let me see Your work! .
Paul has it right. He knows that to live is Christ, to die is gain. He had a real chance of dying for Christ -- and later he did-- but he knew he had things to do first.
I don't have to deal with life/death situations. But still, to live is Christ, to die is gain. How can I live that out?
Live as citizens of heaven. Same question.
We are not worthy of the Good news of Christ. We have this privilege of trusting Christ. And just as we have this privilege of trusting Christ, we have the privilege of suffering for Him too.
Am I willing to suffer for Christ?
Thoughts on human efforts, living by the Spirit, and freedom: Galatians 2-4
Dear God,
It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. How fabulous is that? Help me learn to live like Christ. Lord, I don't want to try to be like you in my own weak human effort. Help me live by the Spirit, who will help me in all things. Thank you!
FREEEEEDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Me
Galatians 2-4
So Paul had this huge thing he had to deal with with figuring out if it was okay with everybody to preach to the Gentiles, and if the Gentiles had to be circumcised. But they worked it all out and now Paul is explaining that to the Galatians.
And he's pointing out that it's not good to be inconsistent in how you treat people or do things just because certain people are around or not.
And he makes a point about Jesus saving us, not the law. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME.
Talking about which is better: The law or faith? Faith wins. Yep. That's Paul debating right there.
And BAM. Something that pretty much speaks of LT and what I need to learn.
"How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, WHY are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
Bam. Thanks K. Now I have that in every other sentence.
But it's so true! I spend my days saying, "Oh yeah, I'm a Christian, I live by the Spirit!" and then I turn around and try to figure things out on my own. Help me to trust you. Help me live by the Spirit, and live with Christ.
And then Paul spends some time talking about how the Gentiles get in on this awesomeness that is You too.
The law is there to show sin for what it really is. "To reveal sin as its sinfulness."
Every time I read, "Absolutely not!" I can hear my Sunday school teacher, MC, saying it. Hehehehe...
Freedom. We can live in freedom with God. We don't have to try to please God through ceremonies, festivals, or rituals. We can please God with our daily free living!
And Paul berates the Galatians. Poor peeps. Except they need the truth spoken to them, so Paul gave it to them. Aaand talks about slaves and free some more with Hagar and Sarah.
So yeah.
It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me. How fabulous is that? Help me learn to live like Christ. Lord, I don't want to try to be like you in my own weak human effort. Help me live by the Spirit, who will help me in all things. Thank you!
FREEEEEDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Me
Galatians 2-4
So Paul had this huge thing he had to deal with with figuring out if it was okay with everybody to preach to the Gentiles, and if the Gentiles had to be circumcised. But they worked it all out and now Paul is explaining that to the Galatians.
And he's pointing out that it's not good to be inconsistent in how you treat people or do things just because certain people are around or not.
And he makes a point about Jesus saving us, not the law. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME.
Talking about which is better: The law or faith? Faith wins. Yep. That's Paul debating right there.
And BAM. Something that pretty much speaks of LT and what I need to learn.
"How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, WHY are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?"
Bam. Thanks K. Now I have that in every other sentence.
But it's so true! I spend my days saying, "Oh yeah, I'm a Christian, I live by the Spirit!" and then I turn around and try to figure things out on my own. Help me to trust you. Help me live by the Spirit, and live with Christ.
And then Paul spends some time talking about how the Gentiles get in on this awesomeness that is You too.
The law is there to show sin for what it really is. "To reveal sin as its sinfulness."
Every time I read, "Absolutely not!" I can hear my Sunday school teacher, MC, saying it. Hehehehe...
Freedom. We can live in freedom with God. We don't have to try to please God through ceremonies, festivals, or rituals. We can please God with our daily free living!
And Paul berates the Galatians. Poor peeps. Except they need the truth spoken to them, so Paul gave it to them. Aaand talks about slaves and free some more with Hagar and Sarah.
So yeah.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thoughts on weakness, faith, and the awesomeness that is God: II Cor 9-Gal 1
Dear God,
Thanks for the new Bible!! :-D
II Corinthians 9-13
Generosity is IMPORTANT! Even to the point of depending on God for your NEEDS! How crazy is that?!!
God is a cheerful giver. He NEVER grumbles about giving us the strength, grace, forgiveness, mercy, love, patience, kindness, righteousness, and power that we need. He didn't gripe when he became a man. He didn't complain when he went to the cross. He was silent before his accusers. Surely we can give him what little we have...
We use God's weapons. Not ours. Ours are useless and vulnerable.
Paul has to defend himself against accusers. You ain't doing somethin' right if you ain't got some one accusin' you about sumpin'.
Don't compare to man's standards. Compare yourself to GOD's standards. Then we realize we are nothing.
So Paul lists his credentials and shows how these false teachers are servants of Satan. If they are not for God, they are against God, and these are definitely against God.
Paul endured so much. He grew so much. And I complain about such little things! I'd like to say that plodding through life with mundane things for God is harder to endure than being a missionary, knowing you are Called by God to do these amazing awesome things, and obviously things will be hard... but I can't really say for sure...
Whoa. Paul says he went to "The third heaven." Wow. Pretty crazy.
But he boasts in WEAKNESS. He has a thorn. Verse 9 is awesome. My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. Weakness does not hinder, it allows things to Happen. With a capital Aitch.
12:15 is good too. Obscure, but awesome.
Weakness seems to be a theme. Faith is making an appearacne as well... Examine to find genuine Jonathan faith. Joy Maturity. Encouragement. Harmony and peace. Yessss....
Galatians 1
Hi-story
v 3-5 AMEN
Now: Come back!! Bam. You guys are on the wrong track. BAM.
v 10 is AWESOME!! Like TS says. Am I trying to win the approval of people or of God?
God CHOSE me. Yessssss that's a theme too
Paul had to defend his apostleship and authority a LOT!
But yeah. V 19 is amazing. One I need ot remember!
So that was for the past 2 days. Now on to 8-3 even though it is now 11 minutes into 8-4. hmm
Anywhos God. Thanks for all the awesomeness that is you. Chosen. Redeemed. Cheerfully (??!!!) Weakness makes things happen the God way a lot quicker than when one has one's own strength. Help me accept my weakness so that I can find your strength. Love you! I pray that you would prepare me for whatever lies ahead.
Love,
Me
Thanks for the new Bible!! :-D
II Corinthians 9-13
Generosity is IMPORTANT! Even to the point of depending on God for your NEEDS! How crazy is that?!!
God is a cheerful giver. He NEVER grumbles about giving us the strength, grace, forgiveness, mercy, love, patience, kindness, righteousness, and power that we need. He didn't gripe when he became a man. He didn't complain when he went to the cross. He was silent before his accusers. Surely we can give him what little we have...
We use God's weapons. Not ours. Ours are useless and vulnerable.
Paul has to defend himself against accusers. You ain't doing somethin' right if you ain't got some one accusin' you about sumpin'.
Don't compare to man's standards. Compare yourself to GOD's standards. Then we realize we are nothing.
So Paul lists his credentials and shows how these false teachers are servants of Satan. If they are not for God, they are against God, and these are definitely against God.
Paul endured so much. He grew so much. And I complain about such little things! I'd like to say that plodding through life with mundane things for God is harder to endure than being a missionary, knowing you are Called by God to do these amazing awesome things, and obviously things will be hard... but I can't really say for sure...
Whoa. Paul says he went to "The third heaven." Wow. Pretty crazy.
But he boasts in WEAKNESS. He has a thorn. Verse 9 is awesome. My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. Weakness does not hinder, it allows things to Happen. With a capital Aitch.
12:15 is good too. Obscure, but awesome.
Weakness seems to be a theme. Faith is making an appearacne as well... Examine to find genuine Jonathan faith. Joy Maturity. Encouragement. Harmony and peace. Yessss....
Galatians 1
Hi-story
v 3-5 AMEN
Now: Come back!! Bam. You guys are on the wrong track. BAM.
v 10 is AWESOME!! Like TS says. Am I trying to win the approval of people or of God?
God CHOSE me. Yessssss that's a theme too
Paul had to defend his apostleship and authority a LOT!
But yeah. V 19 is amazing. One I need ot remember!
So that was for the past 2 days. Now on to 8-3 even though it is now 11 minutes into 8-4. hmm
Anywhos God. Thanks for all the awesomeness that is you. Chosen. Redeemed. Cheerfully (??!!!) Weakness makes things happen the God way a lot quicker than when one has one's own strength. Help me accept my weakness so that I can find your strength. Love you! I pray that you would prepare me for whatever lies ahead.
Love,
Me
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thoughts on strong Christians, godly sorrow, and generosity: II Cor 6-8
Dear God,
I want to meet these people. I am seriously looking forward to heaven. Like a lot. I'll be content with little tastes now and again here, but heaven is going to be amazing.
Lord, help me become a strong Christian. Do what it takes. I know I will be a weak, complaining, terrible Christian, but you will help me. Help me trust you! I can't do it myself.
Love,
Me
II Corinthians 6-8
This whole idea of a strong Christian is so up-side-down. They are enduring some of the worst things a human can endure physically, and yet they are growing more and more like Christ. I complain about the littlest things, and it's so not like anything they have to deal with. It just shows how young of a Christian I am.
Do not be yoked with unbelievers. I believe that means don't even date one. The whole purpose of dating is to be yoked, someday. Every time I think of this passage, I think of Erwin, "I've got the yoke, baby!"
Godly sorrow is a good thing. :-) And I put a smiley face on the end of that sentence. *shakes head* Godly sorrow produces godly results: repentance, earnestness, zeal, determination to do the right thing, etc. Worldly sorrow produces worldly results: depression, anger, fear, suicidal thoughts, apathy, weariness, etc.
It's so weird to think of the Corinthians receiving Titus with fear and trembling. What exactly did he mean by that??
How am I being generous, when I'm a poor college student trying desperately not to get into debt?
One thing I like about God is that it is all according to how much one is able and willing to give, not "You must give such and such amount."
.
I want to meet these people. I am seriously looking forward to heaven. Like a lot. I'll be content with little tastes now and again here, but heaven is going to be amazing.
Lord, help me become a strong Christian. Do what it takes. I know I will be a weak, complaining, terrible Christian, but you will help me. Help me trust you! I can't do it myself.
Love,
Me
II Corinthians 6-8
This whole idea of a strong Christian is so up-side-down. They are enduring some of the worst things a human can endure physically, and yet they are growing more and more like Christ. I complain about the littlest things, and it's so not like anything they have to deal with. It just shows how young of a Christian I am.
Do not be yoked with unbelievers. I believe that means don't even date one. The whole purpose of dating is to be yoked, someday. Every time I think of this passage, I think of Erwin, "I've got the yoke, baby!"
Godly sorrow is a good thing. :-) And I put a smiley face on the end of that sentence. *shakes head* Godly sorrow produces godly results: repentance, earnestness, zeal, determination to do the right thing, etc. Worldly sorrow produces worldly results: depression, anger, fear, suicidal thoughts, apathy, weariness, etc.
It's so weird to think of the Corinthians receiving Titus with fear and trembling. What exactly did he mean by that??
How am I being generous, when I'm a poor college student trying desperately not to get into debt?
One thing I like about God is that it is all according to how much one is able and willing to give, not "You must give such and such amount."
.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thoughts on jars of clay and new creations; II Cor 3-5
Dear God,
I'm too tired to read now. Yes, it's my fault. I'm sorry :-( I'm going to do it anyways, and I'm going to ask you to help me actually focus and be able to let some words stick in between my two ears. Hehe.
Thank you for reconciliation. Thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for loving us so much and allowing us to show your glory through these jars of clay. Thank you for these words of life. I pray that they would sink deep into my being and I would live them out.
Love Ya!
Me
II Cor 3-5
We are the letters of recommendation for God. Are we recommending him in such a way that others would want to know him?
We bare God's glory to the world. There is no veil for us.
We do not go about in deceitful ways, but in truth present the gospel in a clear and plain way.
But we are not glorious. We are not always clear. We are jars of clay that God uses to show that He is the one with all the glory. Am I trying to be a jar of glory when the glory comes from God, or am I shouting that I am a jar of clay, and the glory cannot come from myself?
(I'm trading my sorrows.... Yes lord yes lord yes yes lord si senor si si senor!)
That's hardcore right there. Outwardly wasting away and yet inwardly renewed day by day?? And he's not complaining about trials or how God is giving him character. It's just how it is, and it gives glory to God, and I'm encouraged, and heaven is awesome and Imma gonna focus on that than this temporary stuff. Not really that important, anyways...
Hardcore.
Oh ok, they groan and are burdened and long for the day of rest. That makes me feel better.
I feel very rich right now.
But in the meantime, we have the Holy Spirit. Exactly the thing we need to get through this life.
MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO PLEASE HIM!!!!!!!!
This really is life. These words are life-giving words. He died ONCE FOR ALL. Do you hear that, L? What do you have to say to that? Oh, yeah, bible's not relevant to us today. Right. He died for ALL so that ALL would live for Him, not for themselves.
Who am I living for?
We regard no one in a worldly point of view. We regard them with the lens of Heaven. That is something to remember. This person may seem cool, but she's not really. She is dead apart from Christ. That person seems a little off-beat and dorky, but he is actually one of the coolest, strongest, hardcore-ist Christians. He is fully alive in Christ and living an abundant life.
I"M A NEW CREATION!!!
And that right there is the gospel. Reconciliation.
I'm too tired to read now. Yes, it's my fault. I'm sorry :-( I'm going to do it anyways, and I'm going to ask you to help me actually focus and be able to let some words stick in between my two ears. Hehe.
Thank you for reconciliation. Thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for loving us so much and allowing us to show your glory through these jars of clay. Thank you for these words of life. I pray that they would sink deep into my being and I would live them out.
Love Ya!
Me
II Cor 3-5
We are the letters of recommendation for God. Are we recommending him in such a way that others would want to know him?
We bare God's glory to the world. There is no veil for us.
We do not go about in deceitful ways, but in truth present the gospel in a clear and plain way.
But we are not glorious. We are not always clear. We are jars of clay that God uses to show that He is the one with all the glory. Am I trying to be a jar of glory when the glory comes from God, or am I shouting that I am a jar of clay, and the glory cannot come from myself?
(I'm trading my sorrows.... Yes lord yes lord yes yes lord si senor si si senor!)
That's hardcore right there. Outwardly wasting away and yet inwardly renewed day by day?? And he's not complaining about trials or how God is giving him character. It's just how it is, and it gives glory to God, and I'm encouraged, and heaven is awesome and Imma gonna focus on that than this temporary stuff. Not really that important, anyways...
Hardcore.
Oh ok, they groan and are burdened and long for the day of rest. That makes me feel better.
I feel very rich right now.
But in the meantime, we have the Holy Spirit. Exactly the thing we need to get through this life.
MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO PLEASE HIM!!!!!!!!
This really is life. These words are life-giving words. He died ONCE FOR ALL. Do you hear that, L? What do you have to say to that? Oh, yeah, bible's not relevant to us today. Right. He died for ALL so that ALL would live for Him, not for themselves.
Who am I living for?
We regard no one in a worldly point of view. We regard them with the lens of Heaven. That is something to remember. This person may seem cool, but she's not really. She is dead apart from Christ. That person seems a little off-beat and dorky, but he is actually one of the coolest, strongest, hardcore-ist Christians. He is fully alive in Christ and living an abundant life.
I"M A NEW CREATION!!!
And that right there is the gospel. Reconciliation.
Thoughts on Paul's perspective, smells of life, love and God: I Cor 16-II Cor 2
Dear God,
Oh dearz. Lord, help me learn to love even better. Help me see the opportunities and the doorways in the walls. Help me trust you when times are hard. Help me be smelly -- of life and love and You.
Love,
Me
I Cor 16
I love Paul. He's so much like Tom. Or should I say, Tom's a lot like Paul. He gets excited when people oppose him and he sees it as a huge doorway. I'd see it as a huge wall. That's great.
Verse 14 is so easy to memorize. It's the location that's hard haha. Do everything in love. Four words. Four words that, if obeyed and done, are very powerful. I Corinthians 16:14 Little harder to memorize, lol.
Well, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, I recognize you. Sorta. No idea what you look like, but I give you props. :-P
Honestly, I am really looking forward to meeting Priscilla and Aquila! I hear they are hard core.
II Corinthians 1-2
If suffering is abundant, so is God's comfort.
Following Christ means that you might feel like you have the sentence of death written on your heart. But better to have temporary death written on your heart than eternal death.
Typical Paul. Make a traveling decision a sermon. No, actually, I'm sure it applied. He said he made those plans with careful prayer and thought, but he decided later against it. Or God did.
Jesus is our Yes.
Satan tries to make us not forgive each other, or love one another or anything. We need to be not unaware of his schemes.
DON"T BE A STINKY CHRISTIAN!! Or in this case, you might have to be stinky to some (aka Satan hee hee hee). Be a strong-smelling Christian -- Smelling of life and love and God.
Oh dearz. Lord, help me learn to love even better. Help me see the opportunities and the doorways in the walls. Help me trust you when times are hard. Help me be smelly -- of life and love and You.
Love,
Me
I Cor 16
I love Paul. He's so much like Tom. Or should I say, Tom's a lot like Paul. He gets excited when people oppose him and he sees it as a huge doorway. I'd see it as a huge wall. That's great.
Verse 14 is so easy to memorize. It's the location that's hard haha. Do everything in love. Four words. Four words that, if obeyed and done, are very powerful. I Corinthians 16:14 Little harder to memorize, lol.
Well, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, I recognize you. Sorta. No idea what you look like, but I give you props. :-P
Honestly, I am really looking forward to meeting Priscilla and Aquila! I hear they are hard core.
II Corinthians 1-2
If suffering is abundant, so is God's comfort.
Following Christ means that you might feel like you have the sentence of death written on your heart. But better to have temporary death written on your heart than eternal death.
Typical Paul. Make a traveling decision a sermon. No, actually, I'm sure it applied. He said he made those plans with careful prayer and thought, but he decided later against it. Or God did.
Jesus is our Yes.
Satan tries to make us not forgive each other, or love one another or anything. We need to be not unaware of his schemes.
DON"T BE A STINKY CHRISTIAN!! Or in this case, you might have to be stinky to some (aka Satan hee hee hee). Be a strong-smelling Christian -- Smelling of life and love and God.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thoughts on love, grace, and heaven! I Cor 13-15
Dear God,
I Corinthians 13
Love. Yes. This is ridiculous what he says here. I think it's more worth noting than the very famous, "Love is patient love is kind" part. He says that if you are the greatest super-Christian there is, but you don't have love, it's all worthless! I suppose conversely, if you have love, but you're not a super-christian, it's still all ok. If you have no love, you sound nothing but noise, you are nothing, you gain nothing. You give everything you have, but you don't love the people you give it to, you gain nothing. Either in spiritual blessings on earth or in heavenly blessings. That's crazy.
The biggest one for me is, "Love is not self-seeking." That's the biggest one for me to follow. I cannot kick me out of my life, so it's hard to not be self-seeking.
Love will never disappear. We will look face to face. Ahhhhh, aweee... awe.
Prophecy is better than tongues. You have to understand each other in order to be edified. That's why I want to know as many languages as possible.
In church, chaos should not reign. :-) If someone has something they want to share, they should share it, but it should be done in an orderly way. In our church, if someone wants to share, it's usually ask Mr. M to do it next week. I don't think we've ever just had someone stand up and say, "Can I say something here?"
15: 3-7 <-- best argument for the truth of the resurrection of God. Earliest stuff, only a couple decades after Christ died.
Grace is amazing. Seriously amazing. We don't have to do anything. Thanks stuff Christians like .net!
So yes, there is such a thing as resurrection from the dead. If you don't believe that, you don't believe Christ.
Whoa, Paul fought wild beasts in Ephesus. Pretty crazy!
Because we have hope of heaven and imperishable bodies one day, stand firm. Yes yes!
And with that glorious ending, I go to get ready for work.
Love,
Me
I Corinthians 13
Love. Yes. This is ridiculous what he says here. I think it's more worth noting than the very famous, "Love is patient love is kind" part. He says that if you are the greatest super-Christian there is, but you don't have love, it's all worthless! I suppose conversely, if you have love, but you're not a super-christian, it's still all ok. If you have no love, you sound nothing but noise, you are nothing, you gain nothing. You give everything you have, but you don't love the people you give it to, you gain nothing. Either in spiritual blessings on earth or in heavenly blessings. That's crazy.
The biggest one for me is, "Love is not self-seeking." That's the biggest one for me to follow. I cannot kick me out of my life, so it's hard to not be self-seeking.
Love will never disappear. We will look face to face. Ahhhhh, aweee... awe.
Prophecy is better than tongues. You have to understand each other in order to be edified. That's why I want to know as many languages as possible.
In church, chaos should not reign. :-) If someone has something they want to share, they should share it, but it should be done in an orderly way. In our church, if someone wants to share, it's usually ask Mr. M to do it next week. I don't think we've ever just had someone stand up and say, "Can I say something here?"
15: 3-7 <-- best argument for the truth of the resurrection of God. Earliest stuff, only a couple decades after Christ died.
Grace is amazing. Seriously amazing. We don't have to do anything. Thanks stuff Christians like .net!
So yes, there is such a thing as resurrection from the dead. If you don't believe that, you don't believe Christ.
Whoa, Paul fought wild beasts in Ephesus. Pretty crazy!
Because we have hope of heaven and imperishable bodies one day, stand firm. Yes yes!
And with that glorious ending, I go to get ready for work.
Love,
Me
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thoughts on the line, the prize, and the focus on God: I Corinthians 6-9
Dear God,
Because your love is better than life I will praise and honor you. And I will do so by reading your living Word.
Lots of good stuff in here. Become all things to all men. Don't do anything that might make your brother stumble. This world is temporary. Run to get the prize. Focus your attention on God for now. If God brings the man of your dreams into your sight, go for it. Otherwise, keep focusing solely on God.
Love,
Me
I Corinthians 6-9
6
So basically, he's saying that Christians should not have to bring other Christians to court, to the government. They should be able to come before the church to have their disputes resolved.
Honor God with your body. If you commit adultery or whatever, you are basically making Christ do it. How sick is that thought? But how sicker to think that he was punished for doing it anyways? Wow.
7
So. It is better not to be married unless you can't help yourself. Then you should. See, I think I can help myself. But basically my thing here is that if I can serve God better while single, I will. And if someone comes along who will help me and him serve God better, then I will marry him. It's as simple as that. What's not so simple is knowing if the man is going to help me serve God better. :-) But I have an amazing Adviser to help me. And I also don't have to think about it at the moment, thank goodness.
Basically here Paul is saying that this world is temporary and fleeting. We must live as though the things of the world did not engross us. They should not.
Right now all that needs to concern me is how to please God. The rest will follow if I begin there.
8
Food sacrificed to idols. They could eat it, and it would make them no better or worse. But they should be careful not to make other believers stumble. And here's the application: Do not do anything that will cause other brothers to stumble, even if you feel like it's okay for you.
9
Paul's now talking about how he could demand some material living from his spiritual harvest with the Corinthians, but he's not going to because he wants to preach the gospel voluntarily--he is compelled to do it in Christ, but he doesn't want to preach because he gets paid. Interesting.
Paul became all things to all men to win some to Christ. How can I better do that? It's kinda what Tom was saying. He has a friend who gets as close to the line as possible to pull people over to his side. Tom stays as far away from the line as he can so that he can win people by his differences. Which one do I want? One is like Paul, one is like Tom? I dunno haha.
And running to get the prize. What am I doing to give myself strict training? Well, I don't wake up at the crack of dawn, though maybe I should. My quiet times aren't very long, I don't have a solid prayer time--it's kinda scattered throughout the day. I should do something about that. :-)
.
Because your love is better than life I will praise and honor you. And I will do so by reading your living Word.
Lots of good stuff in here. Become all things to all men. Don't do anything that might make your brother stumble. This world is temporary. Run to get the prize. Focus your attention on God for now. If God brings the man of your dreams into your sight, go for it. Otherwise, keep focusing solely on God.
Love,
Me
I Corinthians 6-9
6
So basically, he's saying that Christians should not have to bring other Christians to court, to the government. They should be able to come before the church to have their disputes resolved.
Honor God with your body. If you commit adultery or whatever, you are basically making Christ do it. How sick is that thought? But how sicker to think that he was punished for doing it anyways? Wow.
7
So. It is better not to be married unless you can't help yourself. Then you should. See, I think I can help myself. But basically my thing here is that if I can serve God better while single, I will. And if someone comes along who will help me and him serve God better, then I will marry him. It's as simple as that. What's not so simple is knowing if the man is going to help me serve God better. :-) But I have an amazing Adviser to help me. And I also don't have to think about it at the moment, thank goodness.
Basically here Paul is saying that this world is temporary and fleeting. We must live as though the things of the world did not engross us. They should not.
Right now all that needs to concern me is how to please God. The rest will follow if I begin there.
8
Food sacrificed to idols. They could eat it, and it would make them no better or worse. But they should be careful not to make other believers stumble. And here's the application: Do not do anything that will cause other brothers to stumble, even if you feel like it's okay for you.
9
Paul's now talking about how he could demand some material living from his spiritual harvest with the Corinthians, but he's not going to because he wants to preach the gospel voluntarily--he is compelled to do it in Christ, but he doesn't want to preach because he gets paid. Interesting.
Paul became all things to all men to win some to Christ. How can I better do that? It's kinda what Tom was saying. He has a friend who gets as close to the line as possible to pull people over to his side. Tom stays as far away from the line as he can so that he can win people by his differences. Which one do I want? One is like Paul, one is like Tom? I dunno haha.
And running to get the prize. What am I doing to give myself strict training? Well, I don't wake up at the crack of dawn, though maybe I should. My quiet times aren't very long, I don't have a solid prayer time--it's kinda scattered throughout the day. I should do something about that. :-)
.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Thoughts on living the balanced life: I Corinthians
Dear God,
I thought I would try doing my quiet times on this again, just to see if I actually focus more... Wow, using electronics to focus? That'll never work... well, it didn't, I had to go check all the blog posts I had missed... hmm... Well, sorry about that God. Apparently my actions say that I would rather see what's up with my homies that I've already talked to today more than talk to the living GOD! Terrible. Sorry about that :-( But here we are.
What are you building with? What are you doing to affect your eternity? How are you treating God's temple? Who are you following and imitating? How are you loving the sinner and hating the sin?
God, I cannot do any of this without you. Thank you for your amazing power and support.
Love,
Me
I Corinthians 3
I can't break this down as much because I'm reading I cor-jude in approximately one month. I should figure out the schematics of that. Not now.
I Corinthians 3
You are not ready for solid food because you are still worldly. Since you're fighting, that makes you worldly. True that.
We are building on top of Jesus' foundation. Each man's work will be shown for what it is. Will my materials be hay or stone or jewels?
Also, I think v 13-15 kinda show that you can't just become a Christian for "fire insurance" and then keep doing whatever you want. You might get to heaven, but you'll only just. You'll lose rewards in heaven as a result. Hmm...
Do I really understand the importance of this life? What I do now will affect me for all of eternity. ETERNITY! I mean, it'll be amazing, heaven, but what I do now will decide what rewards I will have and even who will be there with me! I need to remember that!!!!!
I am sacred, for I am God's temple. Do I recognize that? How am I treating God's house? Well, if I'm not careful, it might get a bit fatter in college.... yowza.
I Corinthians 4
Most of this, he is trying to get across the fact that it's not followers of Paul or Apollos or Peter (Or Rick Warren or Joyce Meyers or whoever) but followers of JESUS.
Wow. v. 4 that would be good for C. "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." Wow. I mean, I guess with this verse, I now agree with C that God gave us the knowledge of right from wrong, but that does not mean that our conscience is infallible!
Wow. He's saying that the apostles have a hard time of it. That last statement was also a huge understatement. But it's interesting that he says that the apostles are poor and dishonored and weak, but the audience here, the worldly, argumentative church is rich, honored and strong. wow. That's ridiculous.
Imitate Paul, who is imitating Christ.
I Corinthians 5
There are things happening in the church that are shocking and ridiculously immoral. Paul says it is important to keep that kind of thing out of the church. I mean, love the guy, yes. Hate what he's doing and the fact that he doesn't think it's wrong and he's going to keep doing it. He can and will rub off on others. It's a hard balance between accepting the tax collectors and expelling the immoral brothers. I guess the main point is one is a non-christian that you are trying to draw towards Christ and the other is a "Christian" who is drawing brothers away from Christ. You gotta know what you're dealing with.
Ok, I think that's enough for tonight. I'd like to be asleep when July 26th enters my town.
.
I thought I would try doing my quiet times on this again, just to see if I actually focus more... Wow, using electronics to focus? That'll never work... well, it didn't, I had to go check all the blog posts I had missed... hmm... Well, sorry about that God. Apparently my actions say that I would rather see what's up with my homies that I've already talked to today more than talk to the living GOD! Terrible. Sorry about that :-( But here we are.
What are you building with? What are you doing to affect your eternity? How are you treating God's temple? Who are you following and imitating? How are you loving the sinner and hating the sin?
God, I cannot do any of this without you. Thank you for your amazing power and support.
Love,
Me
I Corinthians 3
I can't break this down as much because I'm reading I cor-jude in approximately one month. I should figure out the schematics of that. Not now.
I Corinthians 3
You are not ready for solid food because you are still worldly. Since you're fighting, that makes you worldly. True that.
We are building on top of Jesus' foundation. Each man's work will be shown for what it is. Will my materials be hay or stone or jewels?
Also, I think v 13-15 kinda show that you can't just become a Christian for "fire insurance" and then keep doing whatever you want. You might get to heaven, but you'll only just. You'll lose rewards in heaven as a result. Hmm...
Do I really understand the importance of this life? What I do now will affect me for all of eternity. ETERNITY! I mean, it'll be amazing, heaven, but what I do now will decide what rewards I will have and even who will be there with me! I need to remember that!!!!!
I am sacred, for I am God's temple. Do I recognize that? How am I treating God's house? Well, if I'm not careful, it might get a bit fatter in college.... yowza.
I Corinthians 4
Most of this, he is trying to get across the fact that it's not followers of Paul or Apollos or Peter (Or Rick Warren or Joyce Meyers or whoever) but followers of JESUS.
Wow. v. 4 that would be good for C. "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." Wow. I mean, I guess with this verse, I now agree with C that God gave us the knowledge of right from wrong, but that does not mean that our conscience is infallible!
Wow. He's saying that the apostles have a hard time of it. That last statement was also a huge understatement. But it's interesting that he says that the apostles are poor and dishonored and weak, but the audience here, the worldly, argumentative church is rich, honored and strong. wow. That's ridiculous.
Imitate Paul, who is imitating Christ.
I Corinthians 5
There are things happening in the church that are shocking and ridiculously immoral. Paul says it is important to keep that kind of thing out of the church. I mean, love the guy, yes. Hate what he's doing and the fact that he doesn't think it's wrong and he's going to keep doing it. He can and will rub off on others. It's a hard balance between accepting the tax collectors and expelling the immoral brothers. I guess the main point is one is a non-christian that you are trying to draw towards Christ and the other is a "Christian" who is drawing brothers away from Christ. You gotta know what you're dealing with.
Ok, I think that's enough for tonight. I'd like to be asleep when July 26th enters my town.
.
This amazing, unforgettable crazy work day!
It's a slow day. After 9, when I really wish we could close, this guy comes in. He looks like Sean's dad on Psych, which makes me think, "Hey, that must be my astronomy teacher this fall, because that's what K said he looked like." And then I'm looking, and I think, "Man, this guy is a clone!" And I can't decide if that's the teacher or the actor... I mean, I can't remember what K said about what level of identical-ness the teacher was... and then I see that his shirt says soapbox derby. "It's got to be the actor, because he's directing a movie about the soapbox derby." And then my heart rate went up... L. KNEW it was Corbin Bernsen and was like, "I'm gonna let him be... I don't want to bother him, he's with family and stuff" and I'm like, "Oookkk..... sigh." If I had been semi-alone near the front doors when he went by to leave, I like to think I would have asked for his autograph, but I was with some of the coworkers when he left. So I didn't.
That wasn't the exciting part.
I'm closed. It takes like ten minutes. I help C., because he's really behind. We talk, I help out. I start sweeping. He says he went to a rap concert last night with his friends, and he's never going again. He didn't really like rap to begin with, and now he knows he hates it. No talent, repetitive, whatever...
C: "So what music do you listen to?"
Me: "Oh... Broadway.... Disney... Mostly Christians stuff actually."
"Oh that's cool... I grew up on Christian stuff. I grew up in the Catholic church... Except not really lately... Now I don't really know what I believe..."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, like, I believe in God, definitely, because we have a conscience, knowing right from wrong, and I believe God gave us that. I think that as long as you do good things and treat others right, then you're good to go."
"Ok... Let me ask you this... jog your brain a little."
"Yeah, sure."
"If you were to die tomorrow, how sure are you that you would get into heaven?"
"Well, I dunno, pretty sure I guess. I mean, I'm a good person, I treat others as I want them to treat me... But I don't think anyone can really know for sure..."
"Would it shock you if I said that I'm 100% positive I'm going to Heaven?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, you're the nicest person I've ever met, and I mean that."
"Aww, thanks."
"You can really tell someone's personality when you work with them, so yeah, you're really nice."
(By the way, sometimes you can't tell someone's personality when you work with them. You see the "work" version of the person. But moving on.)
":-) Here, let me ask you something else."
"Shoot."
"Where is the line then? Where does God say, 'Okay, you're not good enough, but you are.'?"
"Well, I think our conscience is the line, ya know? If you follow your conscience then you'll get into heaven."
"So everything's kinda relative? Different people's consciences are different to a degree."
"Yeah, I suppose..."
(I could have gotten into how one man thinks it's okay to steal for his family while another man thinks that's wrong, or the pro-life, pro-choice issue... but I didn't really think of it, and he moved on:)
"Yeah, the Catholic church says that all types of sins can be forgiven, but I think there are some that can't, they're just too bad. Have you ever watched 'green something something killer'?"
"No."
(Basically a serial killer rapes and kills like, 70 people.)
"I think that ****** is going to Hell."
"Ok, I'm going to say something a little (shocking? controversial? I can't remember what I said) but..."
"Go ahead, it's fine."
"I think if that guy repented of his sins, believed that Jesus died for his sins and rose again to pay for them, that that guy would go to heaven."
(some polite response that I can't remember) "Yeah, I dunno, I just think that's too much."
(I'm not sure what goes here, but I think he said something about how it would be terrible for God to send people to hell because they believed the wrong religion, like, Jesus vs Muhammad and Buddha and stuff...)
I started listing how Jesus was a perfect man, Muhammad wasn't. Jesus said that all I have to do is believe that he died and rose again for my sins while Muhammad says that I have to do all this stuff, and maybe I'll get there...
C: "Can I ask you a (wasn't personal, a... something?) question?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"If you didn't grow up in a Christian family, but grew up, like in a Muslim family or something, would you come up with the same conclusions then?"
"Well..." (gather thoughts... I think God saved me here because L. interrupted, and I wasn't sure what to say...)
L: "What if you get up to heaven, and God says, screw you, I sent Jesus to die for the people in his time, he doesn't apply to you, haha, you're going to hell?"
"(I kinda repeat what he says...) So you're saying that Jesus dying wasn't-"
"Wasn't good enough, yeah."
(I'm kinda like... ok, this is somewhat new... and Dad said before to make the point that they think that Jesus' death wasn't good enough, but he never told me what to say if they were like, yeah, exactly. He said later that usually that's enough to quiet people a little.)
L: "Like, Jesus died thousands of years ago, and since then the sins have gotten much worse, have piled higher than his sacrifice could reach" (basically is what he was saying, not in so many words).
"Well, the Bible says that if you believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead and confess with your mouth he is lord, you will be saved." (Ok, I was on the spot, it wasn't actually that awesome).
"Yeah, those people for that time. Jesus died once for those people, that's it."
"The Bible says that Jesus died once for all and all can be saved through Him."
"Yeah, I don't really believe the Bible, it was written too long ago, doesn't apply" (Basically it was good for them, not me.)
C: "Yeah, I don't really (I can't remember if he said "believe the Bible," or what, but it was something about not taking the Bible seriously, literally, something like that... kinda like some of those stories are just stories or myths. But I didn't really get the chance to call him on that.)
L: "I mean, I'm not trying to dis your opinion in any way."
"No no, I get that, you're just stating your opinion."
"Exactly."
"That's fine, I love hearing it."
(I think a space of forgetfulness... L. leaves)
C: "You were raised same as me, and-"
"Actually, I'm not Catholic, I'm Christian -- non-denominational."
"Oh, how's that different?"
"Well... gimme a sec... (Darn it, I've asked Dad about this, but I don't really remember everything...) We don't pray to Mary... Catholics think that you can basically do anything as long as you confess later-" (I was a little too overstating there, not all Catholics believe that. I would say the majority don't.)
"Yeah, that's wrong"
"Yes, it is, I agree with you there... And they say that the sacraments help you get to heaven and stuff, but we believe that Jesus dying is enough." (I didn't mention baptism... hmmm...)
L comes back with a thought:
L: "How would you explain Noah's Ark then?" (starts going on about Noah, and i'm like, ??)
"Wait, what's the question?"
"What if Noah was strike one -- Noah builds a boat, sails off, God destroys all of mankind... strike one. Then God sent his son to die for the people of that time, strike two. What if now we're on strike three, and we're out, and we're going to hell?"
"Well... (Something here...)"
(He says something about his idea of god being like, not forgiving or whatever, something to that effect, like he's just playing with us and having fun.)
"If that's how God is, then I would not want to believe that god. I would tell him he should have made me born at a different time."
"Yeah, like, I hate you for not editing the Bible in the past thousand years." (or something.)
"Yeah, I would not like that god. I understand that.... So where did you get this opinion from?"
"Oh, I just thought it up myself, just now walking by."
(Everyone's talking at once a bit right here, but I hear C say:
C: "I got my ideas from -----" (Basically his happy place. Wonderful...)
....S. walks by...
"what about you S.? What do you believe?"
" I dunno, mumble mumble, haven't really thought about it a whole lot" walks on....
(can't remember what's next... got back onto the good people going to hell)
"What about all those people in Africa, who haven't even heard of Jesus?"
"Well, A) we're supposed to tell them. B) There are some amazing... equivalents? No, that's not the word I want... but we'll go with it... equivalents of Jesus in the different African cultures. Like, there's one where, if there are two tribes warring, but they want to make peace, they kinda swap kids... there's this whole ceremony where the kids are 'reborn' into the new tribe. And when the missionaries came, they could use that to relate what Jesus did to their culture."
"But what if the Christians don't come?"
"God says we should. He said we should go and tell everybody."
"But what if we don't, and they don't hear about Jesus? Are they going to hell?"
"Well... yeah, pretty much." (Though I think I may be wrong... and I was wrong for not being all like, it's up to God, not us to say who gets into heaven and who doesn't. I might have been wrong here, I dunno...)
"See now that I just can't believe. So some good people who have never heard of Jesus will go to hell, but some murderers can go to heaven? How is that fair?"
"Life's not fair."
L: "Exactly. You just said it. Life isn't fair. So what if God says screw you, life isn't fair, you're not getting into heaven because you guys sinned too much?"
(I go ok, maybe I shouldn't have said life's not fair. maybe I sould have said, God's forgiveness/grace isn't fair. There's a difference. Plus, those "good people" do NOT deserve it any more than murderers. I never got that point across, that good people are still sinners and they still deserve hell too.)
Basically that was it. There was a little chat about how awesome that conversation was, but then we were pretty much closed, so I had to clock out and leave. So yeah, crazy night.
.
That wasn't the exciting part.
I'm closed. It takes like ten minutes. I help C., because he's really behind. We talk, I help out. I start sweeping. He says he went to a rap concert last night with his friends, and he's never going again. He didn't really like rap to begin with, and now he knows he hates it. No talent, repetitive, whatever...
C: "So what music do you listen to?"
Me: "Oh... Broadway.... Disney... Mostly Christians stuff actually."
"Oh that's cool... I grew up on Christian stuff. I grew up in the Catholic church... Except not really lately... Now I don't really know what I believe..."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, like, I believe in God, definitely, because we have a conscience, knowing right from wrong, and I believe God gave us that. I think that as long as you do good things and treat others right, then you're good to go."
"Ok... Let me ask you this... jog your brain a little."
"Yeah, sure."
"If you were to die tomorrow, how sure are you that you would get into heaven?"
"Well, I dunno, pretty sure I guess. I mean, I'm a good person, I treat others as I want them to treat me... But I don't think anyone can really know for sure..."
"Would it shock you if I said that I'm 100% positive I'm going to Heaven?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, you're the nicest person I've ever met, and I mean that."
"Aww, thanks."
"You can really tell someone's personality when you work with them, so yeah, you're really nice."
(By the way, sometimes you can't tell someone's personality when you work with them. You see the "work" version of the person. But moving on.)
":-) Here, let me ask you something else."
"Shoot."
"Where is the line then? Where does God say, 'Okay, you're not good enough, but you are.'?"
"Well, I think our conscience is the line, ya know? If you follow your conscience then you'll get into heaven."
"So everything's kinda relative? Different people's consciences are different to a degree."
"Yeah, I suppose..."
(I could have gotten into how one man thinks it's okay to steal for his family while another man thinks that's wrong, or the pro-life, pro-choice issue... but I didn't really think of it, and he moved on:)
"Yeah, the Catholic church says that all types of sins can be forgiven, but I think there are some that can't, they're just too bad. Have you ever watched 'green something something killer'?"
"No."
(Basically a serial killer rapes and kills like, 70 people.)
"I think that ****** is going to Hell."
"Ok, I'm going to say something a little (shocking? controversial? I can't remember what I said) but..."
"Go ahead, it's fine."
"I think if that guy repented of his sins, believed that Jesus died for his sins and rose again to pay for them, that that guy would go to heaven."
(some polite response that I can't remember) "Yeah, I dunno, I just think that's too much."
(I'm not sure what goes here, but I think he said something about how it would be terrible for God to send people to hell because they believed the wrong religion, like, Jesus vs Muhammad and Buddha and stuff...)
I started listing how Jesus was a perfect man, Muhammad wasn't. Jesus said that all I have to do is believe that he died and rose again for my sins while Muhammad says that I have to do all this stuff, and maybe I'll get there...
C: "Can I ask you a (wasn't personal, a... something?) question?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"If you didn't grow up in a Christian family, but grew up, like in a Muslim family or something, would you come up with the same conclusions then?"
"Well..." (gather thoughts... I think God saved me here because L. interrupted, and I wasn't sure what to say...)
L: "What if you get up to heaven, and God says, screw you, I sent Jesus to die for the people in his time, he doesn't apply to you, haha, you're going to hell?"
"(I kinda repeat what he says...) So you're saying that Jesus dying wasn't-"
"Wasn't good enough, yeah."
(I'm kinda like... ok, this is somewhat new... and Dad said before to make the point that they think that Jesus' death wasn't good enough, but he never told me what to say if they were like, yeah, exactly. He said later that usually that's enough to quiet people a little.)
L: "Like, Jesus died thousands of years ago, and since then the sins have gotten much worse, have piled higher than his sacrifice could reach" (basically is what he was saying, not in so many words).
"Well, the Bible says that if you believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead and confess with your mouth he is lord, you will be saved." (Ok, I was on the spot, it wasn't actually that awesome).
"Yeah, those people for that time. Jesus died once for those people, that's it."
"The Bible says that Jesus died once for all and all can be saved through Him."
"Yeah, I don't really believe the Bible, it was written too long ago, doesn't apply" (Basically it was good for them, not me.)
C: "Yeah, I don't really (I can't remember if he said "believe the Bible," or what, but it was something about not taking the Bible seriously, literally, something like that... kinda like some of those stories are just stories or myths. But I didn't really get the chance to call him on that.)
L: "I mean, I'm not trying to dis your opinion in any way."
"No no, I get that, you're just stating your opinion."
"Exactly."
"That's fine, I love hearing it."
(I think a space of forgetfulness... L. leaves)
C: "You were raised same as me, and-"
"Actually, I'm not Catholic, I'm Christian -- non-denominational."
"Oh, how's that different?"
"Well... gimme a sec... (Darn it, I've asked Dad about this, but I don't really remember everything...) We don't pray to Mary... Catholics think that you can basically do anything as long as you confess later-" (I was a little too overstating there, not all Catholics believe that. I would say the majority don't.)
"Yeah, that's wrong"
"Yes, it is, I agree with you there... And they say that the sacraments help you get to heaven and stuff, but we believe that Jesus dying is enough." (I didn't mention baptism... hmmm...)
L comes back with a thought:
L: "How would you explain Noah's Ark then?" (starts going on about Noah, and i'm like, ??)
"Wait, what's the question?"
"What if Noah was strike one -- Noah builds a boat, sails off, God destroys all of mankind... strike one. Then God sent his son to die for the people of that time, strike two. What if now we're on strike three, and we're out, and we're going to hell?"
"Well... (Something here...)"
(He says something about his idea of god being like, not forgiving or whatever, something to that effect, like he's just playing with us and having fun.)
"If that's how God is, then I would not want to believe that god. I would tell him he should have made me born at a different time."
"Yeah, like, I hate you for not editing the Bible in the past thousand years." (or something.)
"Yeah, I would not like that god. I understand that.... So where did you get this opinion from?"
"Oh, I just thought it up myself, just now walking by."
(Everyone's talking at once a bit right here, but I hear C say:
C: "I got my ideas from -----" (Basically his happy place. Wonderful...)
....S. walks by...
"what about you S.? What do you believe?"
" I dunno, mumble mumble, haven't really thought about it a whole lot" walks on....
(can't remember what's next... got back onto the good people going to hell)
"What about all those people in Africa, who haven't even heard of Jesus?"
"Well, A) we're supposed to tell them. B) There are some amazing... equivalents? No, that's not the word I want... but we'll go with it... equivalents of Jesus in the different African cultures. Like, there's one where, if there are two tribes warring, but they want to make peace, they kinda swap kids... there's this whole ceremony where the kids are 'reborn' into the new tribe. And when the missionaries came, they could use that to relate what Jesus did to their culture."
"But what if the Christians don't come?"
"God says we should. He said we should go and tell everybody."
"But what if we don't, and they don't hear about Jesus? Are they going to hell?"
"Well... yeah, pretty much." (Though I think I may be wrong... and I was wrong for not being all like, it's up to God, not us to say who gets into heaven and who doesn't. I might have been wrong here, I dunno...)
"See now that I just can't believe. So some good people who have never heard of Jesus will go to hell, but some murderers can go to heaven? How is that fair?"
"Life's not fair."
L: "Exactly. You just said it. Life isn't fair. So what if God says screw you, life isn't fair, you're not getting into heaven because you guys sinned too much?"
(I go ok, maybe I shouldn't have said life's not fair. maybe I sould have said, God's forgiveness/grace isn't fair. There's a difference. Plus, those "good people" do NOT deserve it any more than murderers. I never got that point across, that good people are still sinners and they still deserve hell too.)
Basically that was it. There was a little chat about how awesome that conversation was, but then we were pretty much closed, so I had to clock out and leave. So yeah, crazy night.
.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thoughts on the significance of insignificance: Ephesians 6 Nipto
Dear God,
Work for God. Be insignificant. You are not really insignificant because you are actually waging a very real war against the powers of darkness, so you need to take every opportunity. Wow, I need Your help for all of this. I can't do anything on my own. I need you to put the right words in my mouth. Help me to listen for audible and inaudible voices who are speaking to me.
Love you!
Me
Ephesians 6
Slaves/workers, obey your masters/bosses just as you would obey Christ. That would have been really hard for some of those slaves back then. I mean, many of their masters were tyrants, basically.
Serve wholeheartedly as working for the Lord, not men. No matter what you are doing, even if it seems insignificant, do it for God! :-D
We are in a war! Not against humans, or ourselves, but against the powers of darkness. How easy it is to forget that! That's what darkness does--it obscures your thoughts.
The full armor of God. To stand. after you have done everything, to stand. That sounds so glorious. Usually it's not. But it sounds so awesome.
Truth. Righteousness. Readiness of the gospel of peace. Faith. Salvation. Prayer.
I need this prayer too: Pray that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Tychicus is awesome. Could you give him a shout-out? Thanks.
Work for God. Be insignificant. You are not really insignificant because you are actually waging a very real war against the powers of darkness, so you need to take every opportunity. Wow, I need Your help for all of this. I can't do anything on my own. I need you to put the right words in my mouth. Help me to listen for audible and inaudible voices who are speaking to me.
Love you!
Me
Ephesians 6
Slaves/workers, obey your masters/bosses just as you would obey Christ. That would have been really hard for some of those slaves back then. I mean, many of their masters were tyrants, basically.
Serve wholeheartedly as working for the Lord, not men. No matter what you are doing, even if it seems insignificant, do it for God! :-D
We are in a war! Not against humans, or ourselves, but against the powers of darkness. How easy it is to forget that! That's what darkness does--it obscures your thoughts.
The full armor of God. To stand. after you have done everything, to stand. That sounds so glorious. Usually it's not. But it sounds so awesome.
Truth. Righteousness. Readiness of the gospel of peace. Faith. Salvation. Prayer.
I need this prayer too: Pray that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Tychicus is awesome. Could you give him a shout-out? Thanks.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thoughts on being imitators of God and living in the light: Ephesians 5 Nipto
Dear God,
Thanks for everything, again. Wow, that just covered a lot. I mean, everything is a lot haha. included is the conversation i just had with daddy. He's awesome!
Help me be an imitator of You, Help me see that I am loved deeply--I need to live a life of love. Help me live a pure life that is lived in the light. Empty words can seem filling at first, but in reality, they are subtraction stew. Help me realize which words are true and full and which are empty, no matter how appealing they seem. Help me make the most of every opportunity. Sometimes I feel like I have to let some opportunities slide, because it would be too much all at once, but every opportunity is there for a reason, and I need to take them! Help me be drunk on the holy spirit in a very holy and youly way. Help me learn how to submit to others.
God, I feel like this relationship is very one-sided, but I suppose that can't be helped. I need a lot of help with everything, and you have to do all the helping. But I guess that's what makes you happy is helping me out. You don't get tired of it. Thanks so much for your patience.
Love,
Me.
Ephesians 5
Be imitators of God. Wow. That's a tall order, if I do say so myself! :-D
But he doesn't leave you hanging. He says: Be imitators of God--because you are dearly loved kids of His... and live a life of love, because Christ died for you, because he loved you.
Among yourselves, be pure.
No immoral, impure or greedy person (a person who has interests other than God--an idolater) has a place in Heaven. Wow. That's offensive to a lot of people, I can tell you.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient (and should I say, oblivious? some of those empty words are in "this I believe," and many of those words are something to the effect of "live a full life, living in the moment, appreciating art, creativity, potential in man, and love, compassion, living for something bigger than yourself... that is what I believe in. The pursuit of happiness, the search for truth, the search for God, even if you can't really know for sure about anything." Those are empty words if God is not in them. Help me remember that.
Live as children of light. Lots of living here :-D Light too. If you live in the light, the tiniest specks or off-white becomes evident. It's so easy to dabble in "little" sins. Help me reject it, and see it as You see it.
"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Powerful words.
I love how it says, "Don't get drunk, be filled with the Holy Spirit" which sometimes make you act the same way, but in an awesomer way hehehe. Thank you Nickole.
Submit to one another. Wives to husbands, husbands to Christ. That whole section about wives' and husbands' roles is so beautiful.
(Chapter 6) Children, obey your parents. Fathers (and this is one of our personal favorites muhaha) do not exasperate your children. Haha :-D
Our parents have done an incredible job. God, you better do one swell job rewarding them when they get to heaven for all the great things they have done. Mom should get some kind of reward for every meal she cooked. Dad should get one for every day he worked, and sacrificed doing things for his family rather than for himself. Lord, thank you for these two amazing persons in my life. I am truly blessed.
Thanks for everything, again. Wow, that just covered a lot. I mean, everything is a lot haha. included is the conversation i just had with daddy. He's awesome!
Help me be an imitator of You, Help me see that I am loved deeply--I need to live a life of love. Help me live a pure life that is lived in the light. Empty words can seem filling at first, but in reality, they are subtraction stew. Help me realize which words are true and full and which are empty, no matter how appealing they seem. Help me make the most of every opportunity. Sometimes I feel like I have to let some opportunities slide, because it would be too much all at once, but every opportunity is there for a reason, and I need to take them! Help me be drunk on the holy spirit in a very holy and youly way. Help me learn how to submit to others.
God, I feel like this relationship is very one-sided, but I suppose that can't be helped. I need a lot of help with everything, and you have to do all the helping. But I guess that's what makes you happy is helping me out. You don't get tired of it. Thanks so much for your patience.
Love,
Me.
Ephesians 5
Be imitators of God. Wow. That's a tall order, if I do say so myself! :-D
But he doesn't leave you hanging. He says: Be imitators of God--because you are dearly loved kids of His... and live a life of love, because Christ died for you, because he loved you.
Among yourselves, be pure.
No immoral, impure or greedy person (a person who has interests other than God--an idolater) has a place in Heaven. Wow. That's offensive to a lot of people, I can tell you.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient (and should I say, oblivious? some of those empty words are in "this I believe," and many of those words are something to the effect of "live a full life, living in the moment, appreciating art, creativity, potential in man, and love, compassion, living for something bigger than yourself... that is what I believe in. The pursuit of happiness, the search for truth, the search for God, even if you can't really know for sure about anything." Those are empty words if God is not in them. Help me remember that.
Live as children of light. Lots of living here :-D Light too. If you live in the light, the tiniest specks or off-white becomes evident. It's so easy to dabble in "little" sins. Help me reject it, and see it as You see it.
"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Powerful words.
I love how it says, "Don't get drunk, be filled with the Holy Spirit" which sometimes make you act the same way, but in an awesomer way hehehe. Thank you Nickole.
Submit to one another. Wives to husbands, husbands to Christ. That whole section about wives' and husbands' roles is so beautiful.
(Chapter 6) Children, obey your parents. Fathers (and this is one of our personal favorites muhaha) do not exasperate your children. Haha :-D
Our parents have done an incredible job. God, you better do one swell job rewarding them when they get to heaven for all the great things they have done. Mom should get some kind of reward for every meal she cooked. Dad should get one for every day he worked, and sacrificed doing things for his family rather than for himself. Lord, thank you for these two amazing persons in my life. I am truly blessed.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Thoughts on living a life worthy of my calling: Nipto Ephesians 4
Dear God,
Even though you know it, let the records show for my future self who will obviously have time for little else but to read old blog posts that I have been spending time with God since my last post, just not here.
Lord, you a-STOUND me! The impossible was done. Thanks so much!
Help me Lord. By myself, I will never be able to live a life worthy of my calling. You call me to something greater than myself, and I cannot do it without something more than myself: You.
Love you!
ME
Ephesians 4
There. First Verse. All I need. "As a prisoner for the lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." If I can do that, I'm good to go. How? He goes on.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Realize there is one God, one faith, that unites us. We all have received grace. Christ descended into the very depths with us, and will take us to the heights as well.
We all are united under one God, but with many different roles.
Speak the truth in love.
Don't live like the world. You've put on all truth and love in Christ SO: Speak truth. In your anger, don't sin. Stop sinning. Work. Edify, stupid! Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, and malice.
Be ye kind, one to another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake has forgiven you, Ephesians, 4:32 Thanks Mr. Kn!
Yup There you have it. That's what we need to do. Thank you for this road map, Lord!
Even though you know it, let the records show for my future self who will obviously have time for little else but to read old blog posts that I have been spending time with God since my last post, just not here.
Lord, you a-STOUND me! The impossible was done. Thanks so much!
Help me Lord. By myself, I will never be able to live a life worthy of my calling. You call me to something greater than myself, and I cannot do it without something more than myself: You.
Love you!
ME
Ephesians 4
There. First Verse. All I need. "As a prisoner for the lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." If I can do that, I'm good to go. How? He goes on.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Realize there is one God, one faith, that unites us. We all have received grace. Christ descended into the very depths with us, and will take us to the heights as well.
We all are united under one God, but with many different roles.
Speak the truth in love.
Don't live like the world. You've put on all truth and love in Christ SO: Speak truth. In your anger, don't sin. Stop sinning. Work. Edify, stupid! Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, and malice.
Be ye kind, one to another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake has forgiven you, Ephesians, 4:32 Thanks Mr. Kn!
Yup There you have it. That's what we need to do. Thank you for this road map, Lord!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thoughts on unity and not sweating the small stuff: Romans 13-16 NIPTO
Dear God,
I need a mirror. Hope Romans has one!
Well, I still don't know. It might :-) I just finished it. oops? Great stuff. I think I got through it all because it's easier than the first few chapters, and I'm not in such a notey mood.
LOVE. That is the word of the world. All we need is love (and God) and we're all set! Acceptance. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't trip others up because you know you're right--but so are they! Unity. Among the churches throughout the world. What a glorious time we will have in heaven!
Thank you...
Love,
ME
Romans 13
Submit to authority, Do what is right, Pay taxes--it's right there in the Bible!!
Love your neighbor. All the other commandments are in this one. If you love God and people, then you're good to go. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Thank you Westley and Buttercup.
The night is nearly over. If the night was nearly over two thousand years ago, dawn is almost upon us!
Keep going
Romans 14
Wow. Verse one is a good one. Accept those whose faith is weak--don't get caught up in the little stuff! Verse two and three make me think of my sister. Haha. I love this section, I've decided. I love most sections. But I like this one because it's basically saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff. You need the basic doctrine, but then you can follow God however He tells you, which can be different for different people." Awesome.
And from that, make up your mind never to trip up anyone else. If someone's convictions are different from your own, make up your mind to respect them and encourage them with that.
Keep going
Romans 15
Spirit of unity. Yes, dear God. Fine. Accept one another.
Paul wrote boldly on some basic stuff to remind us of the wonderful of it all.
I love that he says that it was his ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that he was not be building on someone else's foundation. He was a foundation-layer. Sometimes I'm like, yes! We need to go out and make our own foundations where Christ has not been known. And then I realize that more and more, America is becoming that place. People don't know a whole lot about Jesus anymore. And if they do, they have weird perspectives on him. Yes, there are a lot of great Christians out there. I just know that things are not what they were. According to my parents. :-)
But I still feel a pull to other places...
I'm jealous of Paul. He's planning on traveling the world. He already has quite a bit. Beh.
Keep going.
Romans 16
I can't wait to meet all these people.
Careful of people who try to steer us away from the faith. Help with wisdom, Lord, ok?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
AMEN!
I need a mirror. Hope Romans has one!
Well, I still don't know. It might :-) I just finished it. oops? Great stuff. I think I got through it all because it's easier than the first few chapters, and I'm not in such a notey mood.
LOVE. That is the word of the world. All we need is love (and God) and we're all set! Acceptance. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't trip others up because you know you're right--but so are they! Unity. Among the churches throughout the world. What a glorious time we will have in heaven!
Thank you...
Love,
ME
Romans 13
Submit to authority, Do what is right, Pay taxes--it's right there in the Bible!!
Love your neighbor. All the other commandments are in this one. If you love God and people, then you're good to go. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Thank you Westley and Buttercup.
The night is nearly over. If the night was nearly over two thousand years ago, dawn is almost upon us!
Keep going
Romans 14
Wow. Verse one is a good one. Accept those whose faith is weak--don't get caught up in the little stuff! Verse two and three make me think of my sister. Haha. I love this section, I've decided. I love most sections. But I like this one because it's basically saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff. You need the basic doctrine, but then you can follow God however He tells you, which can be different for different people." Awesome.
And from that, make up your mind never to trip up anyone else. If someone's convictions are different from your own, make up your mind to respect them and encourage them with that.
Keep going
Romans 15
Spirit of unity. Yes, dear God. Fine. Accept one another.
Paul wrote boldly on some basic stuff to remind us of the wonderful of it all.
I love that he says that it was his ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that he was not be building on someone else's foundation. He was a foundation-layer. Sometimes I'm like, yes! We need to go out and make our own foundations where Christ has not been known. And then I realize that more and more, America is becoming that place. People don't know a whole lot about Jesus anymore. And if they do, they have weird perspectives on him. Yes, there are a lot of great Christians out there. I just know that things are not what they were. According to my parents. :-)
But I still feel a pull to other places...
I'm jealous of Paul. He's planning on traveling the world. He already has quite a bit. Beh.
Keep going.
Romans 16
I can't wait to meet all these people.
Careful of people who try to steer us away from the faith. Help with wisdom, Lord, ok?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
AMEN!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thoughts on living sacrifices, gifts, and genuine love: Romans 12 Nipto.
Dear God,
:-) I'm actually not doing this at midnight! Yay!
Lord, I give myself as a living sacrifice today. After this I am getting ready as fast as I can so that I can be ready for whatever you have for me today. Whatever I have to do at work today Lord, I do it for you, not just the customer or manager who told me I needed to do it. Today, I am a servant of all. I know I'm not perfect, I will make mistakes today. I know that I think I'm awesome when I'm really not. But I know you have equipped me with whatever needs to be done today. God, I want to use my gifts in a way that benefits others and glorifies you. Please help me learn how that all works!
God, this next part I think is a tough one for me. I don't love people enough. I do my best to look like I love them, but sometimes my thoughts are far from loving. Especially when I'm trying to close :-) Give me love for them. By myself, I would never be able to do anything. But with you, I can be the love guru. I don't know where that came from... haha. God, give me the time and motivation to memorize this chapter. I really want to be able to spout this off, because it's a great chapter. Thank you for your living, breathing, speaking Word. Please help me listen to it more today.
Love,
ME
Romans 12
Of course the first two verses of this are awesome. And yet I forget to live them sometimes. I am a living sacrifice. I need to worship him by giving myself every day. Do I do that often? NO. I need to stay away from what the world is doing and let God transform me into a new person who does not think some of that stuff is cool. I never really realized that verse two was a "know God's will verse." Or I forgot. But if I do that--if I don't conform to the world and I let God renew my mind, I will know what God's will is because my new mind will think like He thinks... to an extent. We just learned yesterday that I can't really comprehend His thoughts, but that's ok. That's what makes You AWESOME.
Verse 3 burn. I don't do this either. Really being honest about who I am and where I am in the walk? Nope. I think I'm better than I really am. Now I know that and now I'll work on that.
Ahh gifts. serving others... serve them well... teaching others... teach well... encouraging others, do it... Giving to others... give generously... take any leadership roles seriously...
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. HATE what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. LOVE each other with GENUINE affection, and take DELIGHT in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically!! Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on PRAYING. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Great section. No really, that is a fabulous section to keep on the wall, gimme a sec... ok now it's on my wall.
I'm wondering if I should just memorize all of Romans 12. Do that instead of James today :-P
because there are a lot of great practical things, but the first two verses tell you why you should do all those things.
.
:-) I'm actually not doing this at midnight! Yay!
Lord, I give myself as a living sacrifice today. After this I am getting ready as fast as I can so that I can be ready for whatever you have for me today. Whatever I have to do at work today Lord, I do it for you, not just the customer or manager who told me I needed to do it. Today, I am a servant of all. I know I'm not perfect, I will make mistakes today. I know that I think I'm awesome when I'm really not. But I know you have equipped me with whatever needs to be done today. God, I want to use my gifts in a way that benefits others and glorifies you. Please help me learn how that all works!
God, this next part I think is a tough one for me. I don't love people enough. I do my best to look like I love them, but sometimes my thoughts are far from loving. Especially when I'm trying to close :-) Give me love for them. By myself, I would never be able to do anything. But with you, I can be the love guru. I don't know where that came from... haha. God, give me the time and motivation to memorize this chapter. I really want to be able to spout this off, because it's a great chapter. Thank you for your living, breathing, speaking Word. Please help me listen to it more today.
Love,
ME
Romans 12
Of course the first two verses of this are awesome. And yet I forget to live them sometimes. I am a living sacrifice. I need to worship him by giving myself every day. Do I do that often? NO. I need to stay away from what the world is doing and let God transform me into a new person who does not think some of that stuff is cool. I never really realized that verse two was a "know God's will verse." Or I forgot. But if I do that--if I don't conform to the world and I let God renew my mind, I will know what God's will is because my new mind will think like He thinks... to an extent. We just learned yesterday that I can't really comprehend His thoughts, but that's ok. That's what makes You AWESOME.
Verse 3 burn. I don't do this either. Really being honest about who I am and where I am in the walk? Nope. I think I'm better than I really am. Now I know that and now I'll work on that.
Ahh gifts. serving others... serve them well... teaching others... teach well... encouraging others, do it... Giving to others... give generously... take any leadership roles seriously...
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. HATE what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. LOVE each other with GENUINE affection, and take DELIGHT in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically!! Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on PRAYING. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Great section. No really, that is a fabulous section to keep on the wall, gimme a sec... ok now it's on my wall.
I'm wondering if I should just memorize all of Romans 12. Do that instead of James today :-P
because there are a lot of great practical things, but the first two verses tell you why you should do all those things.
.
Thoughts on grafted branches and glorious thoughts: Romans 11 Nipto
Dear God,
Thank you for awesome hang out times with awesome people! I feel so full when I come home, and not because I ate a lot of junk food!
Thank you for your free grace and grafting us into the tree of Abraham. Thank you. Your thoughts are high and glorious. If we could comprehend them, we would fall over in awe!
Love,
Me
Romans 10nish
God's grace is free and undeserved. Hallelujah! If it was any other way, it would be impossible!
The Gentiles were able to have this grace when the Israelites rejected it. So think what could happen when the Israelites actually receive this grace too!
Paul's talking to me right now. Gentiles: make people jealous so that they want what you have.
I love the beautiful picture of being grafted into this tree. That is so pretty.
God is severe to those who disobey, but kind to those who trust him. It sounds like conditional love. No: He loves us the entire time, but it's just like a parent and a kid. A father is severe to a kid he loves when that kid is not obeying, but he doesn't love him any less.
Careful not to think you're amazing because you are this awesome grafted branch.
God's thoughts and wisdom and knowledge is ridiculous! Hallelujah to that, man!
.
Thank you for awesome hang out times with awesome people! I feel so full when I come home, and not because I ate a lot of junk food!
Thank you for your free grace and grafting us into the tree of Abraham. Thank you. Your thoughts are high and glorious. If we could comprehend them, we would fall over in awe!
Love,
Me
Romans 10nish
God's grace is free and undeserved. Hallelujah! If it was any other way, it would be impossible!
The Gentiles were able to have this grace when the Israelites rejected it. So think what could happen when the Israelites actually receive this grace too!
Paul's talking to me right now. Gentiles: make people jealous so that they want what you have.
I love the beautiful picture of being grafted into this tree. That is so pretty.
God is severe to those who disobey, but kind to those who trust him. It sounds like conditional love. No: He loves us the entire time, but it's just like a parent and a kid. A father is severe to a kid he loves when that kid is not obeying, but he doesn't love him any less.
Careful not to think you're amazing because you are this awesome grafted branch.
God's thoughts and wisdom and knowledge is ridiculous! Hallelujah to that, man!
.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Ten impossible things...
One. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
Two. God is three in one.
Three. Jesus was/is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God, and that only makes one hundred percent.
Four. God loves every single one of us, more deeply than we can imagine.
Five. Every single sin that ever was is or will be was slayed on the cross.
Six. Jesus lived a perfect life.
Seven. Jesus rose from the dead.
Eight. We can put to death our old sinful selves and become new creations.
Nine. Miracles do happen.
Ten. We can know God, starting today.
Two. God is three in one.
Three. Jesus was/is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God, and that only makes one hundred percent.
Four. God loves every single one of us, more deeply than we can imagine.
Five. Every single sin that ever was is or will be was slayed on the cross.
Six. Jesus lived a perfect life.
Seven. Jesus rose from the dead.
Eight. We can put to death our old sinful selves and become new creations.
Nine. Miracles do happen.
Ten. We can know God, starting today.
Thoughts on the Spirit of Life: Romans 8 Nipto
Dear God,
Six impossible things before bedtime:
One. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Two. We can live by the Spirit.
Three. I am not controlled by the sinful nature.
Four. The Spirit of Life, that raised Christ from the dead (4.5) lives in me.
Five. I can slay the misdeeds of the body.
Six. We are children and heirs of God and can call Him Daddy.
That sounds good to me. Thank you that nothing is impossible with You.
Love,
ME
Romans 8
The law of the Spirit of LIFE set me free from the law of sin and death. FREEDOM!!! Thank you Mel Gibson for that epic cameo, now please leave....
The law was weakened--it could not save us. God condemned the sin--not the sinful man, the sin. Of course, if you don't separate yourself from the sin, things will get complicated.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Do I have my mind set on what the Spirit desires, or what I desire? Depends. Well, stop that.
I am pleasing God though.
Verses 9-11 IS. IS. IS. Not will be. Not should. Not could. IS. it is true that the sinful nature IS dead in me, now, because I am in the Spirit. (I almost capitalized the am there, but then it felt like blasphemy.)
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. *cue overcome music!!*
We have an obligation. Not to the sinful nature. No, we fight that jabberwocky with the vorpal blade of the Spirit. I need to put to death the misdeeds of the body. Not just shove them aside. Not ignore. Not fight. OFF WITH ITS HEAD!!.
We are not slaves to fear. We are not even slaves to God. We are Children, heirs of God. we can call Him Daddy.
.
Six impossible things before bedtime:
One. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Two. We can live by the Spirit.
Three. I am not controlled by the sinful nature.
Four. The Spirit of Life, that raised Christ from the dead (4.5) lives in me.
Five. I can slay the misdeeds of the body.
Six. We are children and heirs of God and can call Him Daddy.
That sounds good to me. Thank you that nothing is impossible with You.
Love,
ME
Romans 8
The law of the Spirit of LIFE set me free from the law of sin and death. FREEDOM!!! Thank you Mel Gibson for that epic cameo, now please leave....
The law was weakened--it could not save us. God condemned the sin--not the sinful man, the sin. Of course, if you don't separate yourself from the sin, things will get complicated.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Do I have my mind set on what the Spirit desires, or what I desire? Depends. Well, stop that.
I am pleasing God though.
Verses 9-11 IS. IS. IS. Not will be. Not should. Not could. IS. it is true that the sinful nature IS dead in me, now, because I am in the Spirit. (I almost capitalized the am there, but then it felt like blasphemy.)
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. *cue overcome music!!*
We have an obligation. Not to the sinful nature. No, we fight that jabberwocky with the vorpal blade of the Spirit. I need to put to death the misdeeds of the body. Not just shove them aside. Not ignore. Not fight. OFF WITH ITS HEAD!!.
We are not slaves to fear. We are not even slaves to God. We are Children, heirs of God. we can call Him Daddy.
.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thoughts on no condemnation: Romans 8:1 Nipto
Dear God,
I've kinda already said this down farther. But thank you for being such a great dad, and thank you for the amazing knowledge and truth that we have NO condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. THANK YOU.
Love,
Romans 8
This'll be quick, but I had other posts to think about :-P
There is no condemnation for those in Christ. I have no condemnation. I don't think I actually know what that means. I'm almost tempted to stop there and really think about that. I actually might. Gimme a sec...
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
Yess....
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those (of us) who are in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those (of us) who are in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, (because we are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness,) THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. (wow I feel like I'm shouting.)
I should be shouting. This is joyful news. This is what will save the whole world. If I know this verse, If I know this verse deep down in the core of my being and in every inch of my being, and I portray that, and other people portray that, this world could be change. This, my dears, is a world changer.
No matter what you have done, no matter what sin/crime you have committed, whether it could get you in jail or in counseling or made an outcast, or whether it has made you rich and famous and loved by all... You are LOVED by God. This God loves you like a true Father should. This God made a way for us to know him, and through this way of knowing him, there is no condemnation. There is NO Condemnation. Your sins are completely washed clean. God will never again look at you in such a way as to make you feel like you are doomed. God is no longer someone to be Feared--respected-feared, yes--but not FEAR feared. You can know Him, and he will accept you with open arms. He already knows you. He knows all of your deeds.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Live today like you know that.
.
I've kinda already said this down farther. But thank you for being such a great dad, and thank you for the amazing knowledge and truth that we have NO condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. THANK YOU.
Love,
Romans 8
This'll be quick, but I had other posts to think about :-P
There is no condemnation for those in Christ. I have no condemnation. I don't think I actually know what that means. I'm almost tempted to stop there and really think about that. I actually might. Gimme a sec...
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
Yess....
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those (of us) who are in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those (of us) who are in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, (because we are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness,) THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. (wow I feel like I'm shouting.)
I should be shouting. This is joyful news. This is what will save the whole world. If I know this verse, If I know this verse deep down in the core of my being and in every inch of my being, and I portray that, and other people portray that, this world could be change. This, my dears, is a world changer.
No matter what you have done, no matter what sin/crime you have committed, whether it could get you in jail or in counseling or made an outcast, or whether it has made you rich and famous and loved by all... You are LOVED by God. This God loves you like a true Father should. This God made a way for us to know him, and through this way of knowing him, there is no condemnation. There is NO Condemnation. Your sins are completely washed clean. God will never again look at you in such a way as to make you feel like you are doomed. God is no longer someone to be Feared--respected-feared, yes--but not FEAR feared. You can know Him, and he will accept you with open arms. He already knows you. He knows all of your deeds.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Live today like you know that.
.
A Fathers' Day Letter
Dear God,
Hi daddy. Wow. What an honor to talk to you and call you dad. Daddy. Abba. Father. Papa. Lord, it's so crazy. You are GOD. G-O-D!! Eternal. All powerful. All knowing. Full of wrath, judgment, power, holiness, inspiring fear and awe and worship. But you are also merciful. Loving. Faithful. Sacrificial. Lord--it's so crazy that even though we messed up and became disgusting, covered in the filth of this world full of sin and wickedness. Yet even though you are Judge, Holy, and full of Wrath towards evil, you still love us. We are Gollums, but you are in love with the Smeagol. And it's not a small love. It's not even the most love us humans can possess. It's God-sized love. Lord. You. Love. Me. Wow. And you took action on that love and found/made a way for us to come to you, to come across that gap, that separation. You brought your own Son to fulfill the requirements. He/You paid the price. I can't wrap my mind around the pain in that sacrifice. Thank you.
Though: If the GOD and MAKER of the UNIVERSE has to experience so much pain and rejection and sorrow, there's NO WAY finite, created human beings can get through life without pain, suffering, sorrow and rejection. Yes, we can rely on God, yes, there are redeeming things about life. Same for god. But we can expect life to be easy, to lie on a bed of roses forever (though I don't know who thought that lying on a bed of roses would be a good idea).
So Daddy. Here we are on Father's day. Thanks for being the Ultimate Dad. Thank you for allowing my dad to be my ultimate dad. Thanks for the both of you.
All my love,
Hi daddy. Wow. What an honor to talk to you and call you dad. Daddy. Abba. Father. Papa. Lord, it's so crazy. You are GOD. G-O-D!! Eternal. All powerful. All knowing. Full of wrath, judgment, power, holiness, inspiring fear and awe and worship. But you are also merciful. Loving. Faithful. Sacrificial. Lord--it's so crazy that even though we messed up and became disgusting, covered in the filth of this world full of sin and wickedness. Yet even though you are Judge, Holy, and full of Wrath towards evil, you still love us. We are Gollums, but you are in love with the Smeagol. And it's not a small love. It's not even the most love us humans can possess. It's God-sized love. Lord. You. Love. Me. Wow. And you took action on that love and found/made a way for us to come to you, to come across that gap, that separation. You brought your own Son to fulfill the requirements. He/You paid the price. I can't wrap my mind around the pain in that sacrifice. Thank you.
Though: If the GOD and MAKER of the UNIVERSE has to experience so much pain and rejection and sorrow, there's NO WAY finite, created human beings can get through life without pain, suffering, sorrow and rejection. Yes, we can rely on God, yes, there are redeeming things about life. Same for god. But we can expect life to be easy, to lie on a bed of roses forever (though I don't know who thought that lying on a bed of roses would be a good idea).
So Daddy. Here we are on Father's day. Thanks for being the Ultimate Dad. Thank you for allowing my dad to be my ultimate dad. Thanks for the both of you.
All my love,
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thoughts on the war between the flesh and the mind: Romans 7 Nipto
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us good. We don't have it inside of us to start with--you give it to us. Praise to you! Help me learn better how to wage war against the evil that wants me to do wrong.
Love,
Romans 7
The law is only binding till death. Take marriage: Till death do us part. Mrs. H. has had three husbands, but she has not broken the law. She has just had the misfortune of losing her first two :-(
We have died with Christ, so the law no longer binds us. Now we can serve God!
The law is not sin, the law reveals sin. But when the law said "Don't covet," you realize you covet, and then you die, because sin is in you.
Then there's some stuff that's a little hard to follow. Basically, the law and command is holy, and shows what is sin is utterly disgustingly sinful. I think.
Then comes the part that I've been relating to lately. I know what I need to do, but I don't do it. In fact, the stuff I know I shouldn't do, I do that instead. But I need to realize that I'm not the one doing it. It is the sin living in me.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
That hits me right where I've been. I have been experiencing that war a lot more!
Thank you for giving us good. We don't have it inside of us to start with--you give it to us. Praise to you! Help me learn better how to wage war against the evil that wants me to do wrong.
Love,
Romans 7
The law is only binding till death. Take marriage: Till death do us part. Mrs. H. has had three husbands, but she has not broken the law. She has just had the misfortune of losing her first two :-(
We have died with Christ, so the law no longer binds us. Now we can serve God!
The law is not sin, the law reveals sin. But when the law said "Don't covet," you realize you covet, and then you die, because sin is in you.
Then there's some stuff that's a little hard to follow. Basically, the law and command is holy, and shows what is sin is utterly disgustingly sinful. I think.
Then comes the part that I've been relating to lately. I know what I need to do, but I don't do it. In fact, the stuff I know I shouldn't do, I do that instead. But I need to realize that I'm not the one doing it. It is the sin living in me.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
That hits me right where I've been. I have been experiencing that war a lot more!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thoughts on freedom from sin: Romans 6 Nipto.
Dear God,
We are no longer slaves to sin, but to YOU! how awesome is that??!! And the only way to change ownership is through You. Thank you for that gift. It's a GIFT. We should not abuse it, but it's a GIFT! it's freeeeEEEEEE! hahaha.
I have so much freedom, right here, right now. I am not a slave to sin. I am not a slave to procrastination or self-interest. It's all put to death. Sometimes I follow the sin anyway because I want to, but ultimately I come back, because it's put to death, and now I live, a slave to God. Which is, in fact, freedom.
Love,
So we just found out that when sin increases, so does grace! Which is awesome!
Romans 6
But now we have died to sin, so we can't go on sinning. So it shouldn't be something you just keep doing because grace increases with it. We have died with Jesus and now we live with Jesus in righteousness.
Are you getting this? Our old selves were CRUFICIFED! They are done away with! We are no longer slaves to sin. Sometimes I feel like Satan is having too much fun kicking me around and messing with me, but it says here that we are no longer slaves to sin. We can walk away from sin. We have power to do the right thing!
V 10: The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. AWESOME VERSE!!
SIN SHALL NOT BE MY MASTER. GOD is Lord over me. He can tell us to not let sin reign in our lives because it's possible! Actually, he tells us to not let sin reign in us, even though it's impossible, and then he empowers us to do it in His strength and timing, not ours. Just to prove how awesome He is. :-)
We are going to be slaves of something, either of sin, or of righteousness. Which one do you want to be your master? One gives you stuff that is easy, but ultimately leads to an unfulfilled life and death, while the other is HARD, but ultimately leads to a satisfied and eternal life.
Verse 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ANOTHER AWESOME VERSE!
Can you tell I like CAPS??!!
.
We are no longer slaves to sin, but to YOU! how awesome is that??!! And the only way to change ownership is through You. Thank you for that gift. It's a GIFT. We should not abuse it, but it's a GIFT! it's freeeeEEEEEE! hahaha.
I have so much freedom, right here, right now. I am not a slave to sin. I am not a slave to procrastination or self-interest. It's all put to death. Sometimes I follow the sin anyway because I want to, but ultimately I come back, because it's put to death, and now I live, a slave to God. Which is, in fact, freedom.
Love,
So we just found out that when sin increases, so does grace! Which is awesome!
Romans 6
But now we have died to sin, so we can't go on sinning. So it shouldn't be something you just keep doing because grace increases with it. We have died with Jesus and now we live with Jesus in righteousness.
Are you getting this? Our old selves were CRUFICIFED! They are done away with! We are no longer slaves to sin. Sometimes I feel like Satan is having too much fun kicking me around and messing with me, but it says here that we are no longer slaves to sin. We can walk away from sin. We have power to do the right thing!
V 10: The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. AWESOME VERSE!!
SIN SHALL NOT BE MY MASTER. GOD is Lord over me. He can tell us to not let sin reign in our lives because it's possible! Actually, he tells us to not let sin reign in us, even though it's impossible, and then he empowers us to do it in His strength and timing, not ours. Just to prove how awesome He is. :-)
We are going to be slaves of something, either of sin, or of righteousness. Which one do you want to be your master? One gives you stuff that is easy, but ultimately leads to an unfulfilled life and death, while the other is HARD, but ultimately leads to a satisfied and eternal life.
Verse 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ANOTHER AWESOME VERSE!
Can you tell I like CAPS??!!
.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thoughts on Jesus vs. Adam; life vs death: Nipto
Dear God,
Thank you. Sin and death came through one man, Adam. Because of one act. But you made it so that LIFE and Righteousness and Forgiveness and Grace would come through one man, Jesus. Because of one act. GRACE HAS INCREASED!
Thank you for getting me in Romans. This is basic, yet deep stuff. But it's concentrating on the Big issue, separation from God and getting back with Him and how all that works. Perfect. Of course.
Love,
Romans 5:12-21
One thing I've kinda noticed is that Romans is really a long, deep theological sermon. He makes some good arguments and points and illustrations. :-) I think Paul's really trying to show who we are in Christ and what it means when we're forgiven, and how mind-blowing God's love and grace really is. He doesn't want us to take it for granted.
Sin entered through Adam and Eve. Sin came before the law came. Some would be like WHOA! contradiction! You said that where there is no law, there is no sin! But Paul goes on. Sin is not taken into account by the One who always has the law, until the law was given.
So, through the sin of Adam, many sin and experience death. How much more will the grace and life be present in us through Jesus!
Law-->increase in sin --> increase in Grace --righteousness-->LIFE because of Jesus.
Thank you. Sin and death came through one man, Adam. Because of one act. But you made it so that LIFE and Righteousness and Forgiveness and Grace would come through one man, Jesus. Because of one act. GRACE HAS INCREASED!
Thank you for getting me in Romans. This is basic, yet deep stuff. But it's concentrating on the Big issue, separation from God and getting back with Him and how all that works. Perfect. Of course.
Love,
Romans 5:12-21
One thing I've kinda noticed is that Romans is really a long, deep theological sermon. He makes some good arguments and points and illustrations. :-) I think Paul's really trying to show who we are in Christ and what it means when we're forgiven, and how mind-blowing God's love and grace really is. He doesn't want us to take it for granted.
Sin entered through Adam and Eve. Sin came before the law came. Some would be like WHOA! contradiction! You said that where there is no law, there is no sin! But Paul goes on. Sin is not taken into account by the One who always has the law, until the law was given.
So, through the sin of Adam, many sin and experience death. How much more will the grace and life be present in us through Jesus!
Law-->increase in sin --> increase in Grace --righteousness-->LIFE because of Jesus.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thoughts on the ramifications of justification: Nipto (Like my long words??)
Dear God,
What love is this? We have been made friends of God. We have peace with God! We can hope in God's glory!! We rejoice in suffering, which is upside-down. But suffering, if you treat it the right way, comes to hope. And it's not a hope in some dream that can never come true. It's hope in something concrete: GOD. (some would say that God is not concrete. But to me, He is!)
Love,
Romans 5:1-11
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Can we just dwell on that fact for a second? We have been justified through FAITH, not works. Not doing, being. So now what? WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD!!!! There's a way to know the God of the Universe, who is eternal and unchanging, and faithful and loving and true. How amazing is that??!!
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Took the words right out of my mouth.
we also rejoice in our sufferings, because Suffering→Perseverance→Character→Hope. And we don't hope in vain. God delivers. AWESOME.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. What love is this? This is love no finite heart could possibly grasp.
We are now friends of God. How cool is that? In case you didn't know, it's way cool.
.
What love is this? We have been made friends of God. We have peace with God! We can hope in God's glory!! We rejoice in suffering, which is upside-down. But suffering, if you treat it the right way, comes to hope. And it's not a hope in some dream that can never come true. It's hope in something concrete: GOD. (some would say that God is not concrete. But to me, He is!)
Love,
Romans 5:1-11
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Can we just dwell on that fact for a second? We have been justified through FAITH, not works. Not doing, being. So now what? WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD!!!! There's a way to know the God of the Universe, who is eternal and unchanging, and faithful and loving and true. How amazing is that??!!
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Took the words right out of my mouth.
we also rejoice in our sufferings, because Suffering→Perseverance→Character→Hope. And we don't hope in vain. God delivers. AWESOME.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. What love is this? This is love no finite heart could possibly grasp.
We are now friends of God. How cool is that? In case you didn't know, it's way cool.
.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thoughts on Abraham credited as righteousness: Nipto week 11
Dear God,
I know you can do anything. When that doesn't show through my actions, I pray that you would help me get there. My head knows it, but it's harder to actually live that way. I pray you would help me with my unbelief!
Love,
Romans 4
Basically, Abraham has righteousness because of faith and belief, not works. Not even circumcision. That came after the believing and crediting as righteousness. Nothing we do can ever make us right with God. Only trusting Him will do it.
Abraham is the father of all who trust Jesus, whether they are circumcised or not. Funny how Paul omits the people who are circumcised but don't trust God.
Abraham didn't get it through the law, either. The law was a different thing altogether.
"Where there is no law, there is no transgression." That's an interesting statement. I suppose you can't break the law if there is no law. But God has a law in each of us.
Look at this example Abraham sets for us. He fully believed that God would do what he said he would do (even though he laughed). He was positive that God could do anything! So we need to believe that God can do anything. How often do we fully believe that God will come through? That God will give us the strength needed to do what needs to be done through us? That God will do what he will with the circumstances we face?
I know you can do anything. When that doesn't show through my actions, I pray that you would help me get there. My head knows it, but it's harder to actually live that way. I pray you would help me with my unbelief!
Love,
Romans 4
Basically, Abraham has righteousness because of faith and belief, not works. Not even circumcision. That came after the believing and crediting as righteousness. Nothing we do can ever make us right with God. Only trusting Him will do it.
Abraham is the father of all who trust Jesus, whether they are circumcised or not. Funny how Paul omits the people who are circumcised but don't trust God.
Abraham didn't get it through the law, either. The law was a different thing altogether.
"Where there is no law, there is no transgression." That's an interesting statement. I suppose you can't break the law if there is no law. But God has a law in each of us.
Look at this example Abraham sets for us. He fully believed that God would do what he said he would do (even though he laughed). He was positive that God could do anything! So we need to believe that God can do anything. How often do we fully believe that God will come through? That God will give us the strength needed to do what needs to be done through us? That God will do what he will with the circumstances we face?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thoughts on the end of Romans 3: Nipto, week 11
Dear God,
Help me do this.
Level playing fields, no boasting except in what Jesus did for us. We have a FREE way to heaven! How amazing and wonderful is our God! He made this whole way for us to heaven without becoming unjust or unloving or unmerciful. His GRACE overflows. Wow. Now we have the ability and power and freedom to follow Him and His law. Yesssssss. Overwhelming.
Love,
Romans 3:21-31
Can I just start this off with saying that this has so much Christianese, it could only be the Bible?
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, Thank goodness, I was "hoping" it wouldn't all be doom and gloom because the law can't save us...
to which the Law and the Prophets testify. and this is why my dad is a Christian. There's an awesome website that looks into this. I haven't personally looked into it as much as I would like, but... there you go.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. That is about as simple as it gets. Awesomeness.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Paul is really laying it on thick that there is NO ONE righteous. We are all in the same boat. And it's sinking. But Jesus is our Coast Guard? haha.
and are justified freely (freely!) by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. If we have faith in Jesus' blood--that it paid our sin and assuaged God's wrath, then we are REDEEMED!!! Thank you God.
He did this to demonstrate his justice, Wow, you'd think it would more show his MERCY than his JUSTICE! But I think it's cool that Paul says that.
because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— (Delayed justice) he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just (God is just, he can't delay that forever--but he showed his justice in a merciful way) and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (He justifies us. He takes that justice and made it so that it would be to our advantage, if we trust in Jesus).
Help me do this.
Level playing fields, no boasting except in what Jesus did for us. We have a FREE way to heaven! How amazing and wonderful is our God! He made this whole way for us to heaven without becoming unjust or unloving or unmerciful. His GRACE overflows. Wow. Now we have the ability and power and freedom to follow Him and His law. Yesssssss. Overwhelming.
Love,
Romans 3:21-31
Can I just start this off with saying that this has so much Christianese, it could only be the Bible?
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, Thank goodness, I was "hoping" it wouldn't all be doom and gloom because the law can't save us...
to which the Law and the Prophets testify. and this is why my dad is a Christian. There's an awesome website that looks into this. I haven't personally looked into it as much as I would like, but... there you go.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. That is about as simple as it gets. Awesomeness.
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Paul is really laying it on thick that there is NO ONE righteous. We are all in the same boat. And it's sinking. But Jesus is our Coast Guard? haha.
and are justified freely (freely!) by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. If we have faith in Jesus' blood--that it paid our sin and assuaged God's wrath, then we are REDEEMED!!! Thank you God.
He did this to demonstrate his justice, Wow, you'd think it would more show his MERCY than his JUSTICE! But I think it's cool that Paul says that.
because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— (Delayed justice) he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just (God is just, he can't delay that forever--but he showed his justice in a merciful way) and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (He justifies us. He takes that justice and made it so that it would be to our advantage, if we trust in Jesus).
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. There is no way any of us can boast, because it was all done for us. All we have to do is take it. We can't boast in that, not in the least bit. There's no better or worse, it's an even playing field.
On what principle? On that of observing the law? Boasting is excluded, because we observe the law? That doesn't really make sense, because if we can observe the law, it's by our own endeavors. If we could get to heaven by works, there would be boasting, because it would be up to us. So:
No, but on that of faith. I suppose you could try to boast because you believe Jesus, but it would not be taking into account that you did nothing. You believed, but anyone can believe. So I guess you could try, but it wouldn't work.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. You don't have to observe the law to have faith in Jesus. Afterward, it's advisable, but you don't have to fix your life first. THANK YOU LORD.
Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, (Thank goodness) since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. So there is no difference, even, between Jews and Gentiles. We can all be redeemed through the same faith. It seems so simple and obvious to us now, but back then I'm sure it was pretty hard to grasp.
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. Exactly. Some could wonder whether, because of this faith, the law is now of no use. If we have a different way to heaven, we don't need the law. But really, this faith ensures that we will be with God one day, and in the meantime, we have the power and ability to actually uphold the law.
.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thoughts on the purpose of the law: Nipto Week 11
Dear God,
Thank you for loving us and giving us a solution to this problem of sin. Too often it is easy to think that I'm living a pretty good life. Like some have said, "Well, I've never murdered anyone!" But if we mess up once, we are not good enough for heaven. And I have definitely messed up more than once. Thank you that you redeemed that lost part of me, and then made me NEW! Not repaired, fixed up, with a glossy new coat of paint. I AM NEW.
Thank you.
Love,
Romans 3
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. (even if you are a Gentile doing the right thing... if you sin, everyone is even) As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands, (He is talking post-Jesus here. It's kinda nice to think that it's ok not to understand sometimes.)
no one who seeks God. (no one seeks God. God draws them near.)
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless; (If you turn away, even once, you are worthless in righteousness)
there is no one who does good,
not even one." (does this sound a little Ecclesiastes to you?)
"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips." (elch)
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
(No one mourns the wicked...Goodness knows the wicked's lives are lonely. Goodness knows the wicked dies alone...no one mourns the wicked...) (Can anyone guess what I've been listening to lately?)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. (Everyone is under the law, even those who have never heard it--they know what is right, which shows they know the law.) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (There you go. That is the whole purpose of the law. We don't become righteous through it. We become concious that we are failures. That would just be cruel, however, if there was no solution. BUT THERE IS!!)
.
Thank you for loving us and giving us a solution to this problem of sin. Too often it is easy to think that I'm living a pretty good life. Like some have said, "Well, I've never murdered anyone!" But if we mess up once, we are not good enough for heaven. And I have definitely messed up more than once. Thank you that you redeemed that lost part of me, and then made me NEW! Not repaired, fixed up, with a glossy new coat of paint. I AM NEW.
Thank you.
Love,
Romans 3
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. (even if you are a Gentile doing the right thing... if you sin, everyone is even) As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands, (He is talking post-Jesus here. It's kinda nice to think that it's ok not to understand sometimes.)
no one who seeks God. (no one seeks God. God draws them near.)
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless; (If you turn away, even once, you are worthless in righteousness)
there is no one who does good,
not even one." (does this sound a little Ecclesiastes to you?)
"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips." (elch)
"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes."
(No one mourns the wicked...Goodness knows the wicked's lives are lonely. Goodness knows the wicked dies alone...no one mourns the wicked...) (Can anyone guess what I've been listening to lately?)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. (Everyone is under the law, even those who have never heard it--they know what is right, which shows they know the law.) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (There you go. That is the whole purpose of the law. We don't become righteous through it. We become concious that we are failures. That would just be cruel, however, if there was no solution. BUT THERE IS!!)
.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thoughts on sinning for God's glory?? Nipto week 11
Dear God,
Here we go, after a few setbacks :-)
Lord, please help us live righteous and holy lives, like you lived. Help us to love others with your love. Help us to increase your glory by doing what You want us to do. Lord, let there be no mistake in anyone's mind about why or how we do these things. It's all for you.
Love,
Romans 3:1-8
1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? seriously, good question! If it all depends more on following the law, why is it better to be a circumcised Jew? 2Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. Ok, I can see that. Just the fact that God chose them is an honor. They have the very words of God. But so do we?
3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. Just because we don't follow God or remain faithful to Him does not mean he will turn his back on us. He's better than that. As it is written:
So basically, we need to live righteous lives to increase God's glory--not unrighteous, hoping that people will see God's righteousness. If we are God's ambassadors, his body here on earth, we need to act like He did.
Here we go, after a few setbacks :-)
Lord, please help us live righteous and holy lives, like you lived. Help us to love others with your love. Help us to increase your glory by doing what You want us to do. Lord, let there be no mistake in anyone's mind about why or how we do these things. It's all for you.
Love,
Romans 3:1-8
1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? seriously, good question! If it all depends more on following the law, why is it better to be a circumcised Jew? 2Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. Ok, I can see that. Just the fact that God chose them is an honor. They have the very words of God. But so do we?
3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. Just because we don't follow God or remain faithful to Him does not mean he will turn his back on us. He's better than that. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge."
5But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) I think I understand this argument. "God shouldn't punish us when our unrighteousness brings out his righteousness! We are unrighteous so that You can shine out all the clearer, and receive glory!" 6Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? God has to be just. He can't condemn some people and not others when they have done the same exact things. 7Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Because you are a sinner, and you did not do it to increase His glory. Nice try. 8Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved. It is sad when you hear what people say Christians said. It IS slanderous.
So basically, we need to live righteous lives to increase God's glory--not unrighteous, hoping that people will see God's righteousness. If we are God's ambassadors, his body here on earth, we need to act like He did.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thoughts on latenight minds and the last bit of Romans 2 Nipto week 10
Dear God,
I love you deep in my core. I wish I would show that in my actions more. I'm so lame. But I know you love me just the same. Even when I rhyme like I'm Dr. Seuss. It's too late, tomorrow I babysit Moose and Goose.
Oh dear Lord, forgive that last paragraph. And forgive my mood, it's kinda whacky when it's this late. But really. I shouldn't be giving you the last shred of my day.
Romans 2:25-29
25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? (so basically, circumcision has nothing to do with anything if the law is not being obeyed.) The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have thec]"> written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.(The awesome Gentiles won't like you very much.) This is ridiculous. I'm completely whacked out right now.
I love you deep in my core. I wish I would show that in my actions more. I'm so lame. But I know you love me just the same. Even when I rhyme like I'm Dr. Seuss. It's too late, tomorrow I babysit Moose and Goose.
Oh dear Lord, forgive that last paragraph. And forgive my mood, it's kinda whacky when it's this late. But really. I shouldn't be giving you the last shred of my day.
Romans 2:25-29
25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? (so basically, circumcision has nothing to do with anything if the law is not being obeyed.) The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have thec]"> written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.(The awesome Gentiles won't like you very much.) This is ridiculous. I'm completely whacked out right now.
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. (circumcision of the heart. Sin taken away. The black spots made new. Yes, please). Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. (Wait, the praise the man says, or the praise of the man. I'm thinking it's the latter. God is rather fond of people who are Jews [or His people] inwardly, even if they aren't directly related)
So what exactly does all this mean? Do I follow what I need to be following? Am I allowing my heart and mind and flesh to be made new? Do I love my King with everything? Am I deserving of God's praise?
...Tough questions. I'll find out if this changes anything in the morning.
I love you. Even when I can't see, I know you're there.
Love,
Me.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Thoughts on hypocrites and unconditional love: Nipto, week 10
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Dear God,
I'm asking you to help me, Lord. Help me have a love that is unconditional. No matter where a person is or where they are headed, help me love them all the same. Help me see that there is a difference between loving someone and condoning their actions. Thank you for showing me how it can be done through your son.
Love,
Romans 2:17-24
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
So. These are some strong words. Man oh man. He's talking to the Jews, especially the ones who think they have this awesome relationship with God through the law, and they teach others the law, so they think they are righteous. But actually, Paul says, you are hypocrites. You teach others all these things in the law, but you break them yourselves. Because of your double mind, the Gentiles don't believe in God.
And this can connect to a lot of people today, pastors and non-pastors alike. If you say you are a Christian, and yet you don't follow what the Bible says to do, you are giving the world a reason not to believe in Jesus. Fabulous.
I've been reading Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz," and one of the things that really stuck out to me this time around is how much the church doesn't love people as God wants them to. We are quick to judge people if they don't follow our code of conduct or whatever. Our love is conditional.
I'd also like to point out one thing. Paul talks exactly like Jesus. Just little phrases. "Now you... You who teach others... As it is written..." So either Paul is already speaking Christianese, or Jesus spoke directly to his generation. :-)
.
Dear God,
I'm asking you to help me, Lord. Help me have a love that is unconditional. No matter where a person is or where they are headed, help me love them all the same. Help me see that there is a difference between loving someone and condoning their actions. Thank you for showing me how it can be done through your son.
Love,
Romans 2:17-24
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
So. These are some strong words. Man oh man. He's talking to the Jews, especially the ones who think they have this awesome relationship with God through the law, and they teach others the law, so they think they are righteous. But actually, Paul says, you are hypocrites. You teach others all these things in the law, but you break them yourselves. Because of your double mind, the Gentiles don't believe in God.
And this can connect to a lot of people today, pastors and non-pastors alike. If you say you are a Christian, and yet you don't follow what the Bible says to do, you are giving the world a reason not to believe in Jesus. Fabulous.
I've been reading Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz," and one of the things that really stuck out to me this time around is how much the church doesn't love people as God wants them to. We are quick to judge people if they don't follow our code of conduct or whatever. Our love is conditional.
I'd also like to point out one thing. Paul talks exactly like Jesus. Just little phrases. "Now you... You who teach others... As it is written..." So either Paul is already speaking Christianese, or Jesus spoke directly to his generation. :-)
.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thoughts on the Beatles, Jesus' example, and the law: Nipto week 10
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Dear God,
I get to talk to YOU!! How crazy is that! You are my #1 follower. Fabulous.
In case you haven't noticed, I haven't done that recently. Boo hiss. But I've apologized, so we can work it out. (we can work it o-out...) Because... LIFE IS VERY SHORT, AND THERE'S NO TIIIIIIIIIIIME FOR FUSSING AND FIGHTING MY FRIENDS.....
Whoot Beatles!
Lord, thank you for forever loving me. Thank you for the fact that you can't love me more or less depending on what I do. Thank you Jesus for showing me what I need to live like. I pray that you would help me get closer to how you lived. I love you so much, thanks for everything.
Love,
Romans 2:12-16
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. So. However it is, you are judged by what you know. If you have heard the law, you are definitely going to be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. It is not enough to hear the law. You also have to do what it says in order to be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This shows that even though some of those people in darkest Africa don't have the law, some of them do the law, showing that "the requirements of the law are written on their hearts," and so it is with all people. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. God judges men's secrets. Sometimes we forget he is watching us... (dun dun duuuuun), but thankfully, we have Jesus Christ to stand in front of us, so all God sees is Jesus. That is humbling. There is no way I could live up to how Jesus lived. I will try my best. And when that fails, I will try God's best. But that is a motivation, thinking of Jesus standing in front of me on judgment day, not to do sin, but to live like Jesus did.
.
Dear God,
I get to talk to YOU!! How crazy is that! You are my #1 follower. Fabulous.
In case you haven't noticed, I haven't done that recently. Boo hiss. But I've apologized, so we can work it out. (we can work it o-out...) Because... LIFE IS VERY SHORT, AND THERE'S NO TIIIIIIIIIIIME FOR FUSSING AND FIGHTING MY FRIENDS.....
Whoot Beatles!
Lord, thank you for forever loving me. Thank you for the fact that you can't love me more or less depending on what I do. Thank you Jesus for showing me what I need to live like. I pray that you would help me get closer to how you lived. I love you so much, thanks for everything.
Love,
Romans 2:12-16
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. So. However it is, you are judged by what you know. If you have heard the law, you are definitely going to be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. It is not enough to hear the law. You also have to do what it says in order to be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This shows that even though some of those people in darkest Africa don't have the law, some of them do the law, showing that "the requirements of the law are written on their hearts," and so it is with all people. This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. God judges men's secrets. Sometimes we forget he is watching us... (dun dun duuuuun), but thankfully, we have Jesus Christ to stand in front of us, so all God sees is Jesus. That is humbling. There is no way I could live up to how Jesus lived. I will try my best. And when that fails, I will try God's best. But that is a motivation, thinking of Jesus standing in front of me on judgment day, not to do sin, but to live like Jesus did.
.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thoughts on judgment and wrath. ooooooh. Nipto, week 10
Dear God,
So many sides to you. Judgment and wrath, kindness and patience. (Even tolerance, which some don't believe! Ok, it's to a point...) Basically what I need to work on is not judging people, and letting you do the work. Persist in good, and gear up for battle day. Aka today. Woot!
Love,
Romans 2:1-11
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
"Therefore"- (Looking to Romans 1) All men do evil. Even you. So therefore you can't judge others, because you do the same things yourself. If you judge someone else about something, then you're judging yourself for the same things. Then you say, "But I've never murdered anyone or done drugs, but this man has!" --but if you hate someone, you've murdered them in your heart. If you have gone to things other than God--like an idol--for happiness, you've done the same as that man.
"Judgment"-to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically. This one is the one Paul's talking about. All the other definitions give the idea of trying your best to judge fairly, looking at the evidence, etc. But most of the time, when we judge people in our minds, it's based on very little evidence, and what mood we were in when we first met them, etc. Hardly ever is it based on truth or objectiveness. Sometimes we think we're allowed to judge people, especially if it's someone on the news that have done something really bad, but here it says we're not.
"Based on truth"- God's judgment is based on truth. We know he's going to judge everybody by his objective, high standard. No one can pass it. Except Jesus. Thank you, God, that I don't stand in fear and trembling for that day. I know it might be a bit unpleasant, but the verdict will be awesome! :-)
"A mere man"- We are mere men. We are not anything really important. We like to think we are, but that's not the case. God made us so we would have the choice to be imperfect. We took that choice. Now here we are, judging other people for what we do ourselves. I'll be honest, sometimes I have problems with this. I'm not saying, "man, those people who judge others are so stupid, they are always wrong." Where would that put me? Judging others. Hehe.
"Show contempt...kindness tolerance and patience,"-When we judge others, we are actually showing contempt for God's kindness, tolerance, and patience. God is being merciful and giving many people the chance to turn to him. He is waiting. When we judge others, we are basically saying "We don't think you sould wait. Bring the Day of Judgment NOW!" Is it just me, or does that sound a little Jonah-ish?
"God's kindness leads you toward repentance." - A couple of things here. First, like we said above, God is being kind and waiting. When he is kind (which, might I add, is all the time,) he leads us toward repentance. I love that it doesn't lead us TO repentance, but TOWARD it. Big difference. In the end, God made it our decision of what we do.
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
"stubbornness...unrepentant heart,"- God waits, but if you are stubborn and unrepentant, you are in trouble. Lord, make my heart soft and repentant. Let me be willing to yield to You.
"WRATH"- God's day of wrath is coming. It'll be a crazy day. Wrath-strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire. 2.vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger. I don't think people have enough fear of God's wrath. When you take the definition of wrath and then hold it up to God, it should be terrifying!
"Righteous judgment will be revealed." Even though it should be terrifying, it is a righteous judgment. God knows what is right. His standards don't change for anyone, as we shall see later.
"give to each person according to what he has done"- Some would say that this shows that we can get to heaven through works. But no. He'll give to each person according to what he has done. If you sin once, you don't get into heaven. So you're sunk. There's only one thing you can do to "do good, seek glory, honor and immortality" and that is by accepting Christ. Then you will look perfect at judgment day.
"by persistence"- Doing good takes persistence. Lord, help me remember that. Doing good isn't always easy.
"Eternal Life"-Yessss.....
"Self-seeking, reject truth, follow evil"-Three things to guarantee you wrath and anger and judgment. Do you know how easy it is to be self-seeking? I'd say it's easier than breathing.
"EVERY"-Every person who doesn't know Jesus receives judgment. No exceptions--not even if you were the philanthropist of the year twenty years running.
"For God does not show favoritism." There's the whole deal. God has the same standard. He doesn't lower it, not for anybody. Not even his own son. The difference is, his son can pass. :-)
Revelation 1
"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."
This is Jesus talking. He says that he is going to show John a ton of awesome things, things that go on now and things that happen later. Now, I suppose, would be the letters to the churches.
"The seven stars that you saw in my right hand" ok, maybe he didn't have the stars in his hand still when he reached out to John. Haha.
So. The stars are the angels of the churches, and the lampstands are the churches. Does that mean every church has an angel? That would be sweet. After all, churches are kind of the different stations of different squadrons of Christians fighting evil. Lord, protect us from apathy and indifference! Make us bold for you!
.
So many sides to you. Judgment and wrath, kindness and patience. (Even tolerance, which some don't believe! Ok, it's to a point...) Basically what I need to work on is not judging people, and letting you do the work. Persist in good, and gear up for battle day. Aka today. Woot!
Love,
Romans 2:1-11
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
"Therefore"- (Looking to Romans 1) All men do evil. Even you. So therefore you can't judge others, because you do the same things yourself. If you judge someone else about something, then you're judging yourself for the same things. Then you say, "But I've never murdered anyone or done drugs, but this man has!" --but if you hate someone, you've murdered them in your heart. If you have gone to things other than God--like an idol--for happiness, you've done the same as that man.
"Judgment"-to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically. This one is the one Paul's talking about. All the other definitions give the idea of trying your best to judge fairly, looking at the evidence, etc. But most of the time, when we judge people in our minds, it's based on very little evidence, and what mood we were in when we first met them, etc. Hardly ever is it based on truth or objectiveness. Sometimes we think we're allowed to judge people, especially if it's someone on the news that have done something really bad, but here it says we're not.
"Based on truth"- God's judgment is based on truth. We know he's going to judge everybody by his objective, high standard. No one can pass it. Except Jesus. Thank you, God, that I don't stand in fear and trembling for that day. I know it might be a bit unpleasant, but the verdict will be awesome! :-)
"A mere man"- We are mere men. We are not anything really important. We like to think we are, but that's not the case. God made us so we would have the choice to be imperfect. We took that choice. Now here we are, judging other people for what we do ourselves. I'll be honest, sometimes I have problems with this. I'm not saying, "man, those people who judge others are so stupid, they are always wrong." Where would that put me? Judging others. Hehe.
"Show contempt...kindness tolerance and patience,"-When we judge others, we are actually showing contempt for God's kindness, tolerance, and patience. God is being merciful and giving many people the chance to turn to him. He is waiting. When we judge others, we are basically saying "We don't think you sould wait. Bring the Day of Judgment NOW!" Is it just me, or does that sound a little Jonah-ish?
"God's kindness leads you toward repentance." - A couple of things here. First, like we said above, God is being kind and waiting. When he is kind (which, might I add, is all the time,) he leads us toward repentance. I love that it doesn't lead us TO repentance, but TOWARD it. Big difference. In the end, God made it our decision of what we do.
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
"stubbornness...unrepentant heart,"- God waits, but if you are stubborn and unrepentant, you are in trouble. Lord, make my heart soft and repentant. Let me be willing to yield to You.
"WRATH"- God's day of wrath is coming. It'll be a crazy day. Wrath-strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire. 2.vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger. I don't think people have enough fear of God's wrath. When you take the definition of wrath and then hold it up to God, it should be terrifying!
"Righteous judgment will be revealed." Even though it should be terrifying, it is a righteous judgment. God knows what is right. His standards don't change for anyone, as we shall see later.
"give to each person according to what he has done"- Some would say that this shows that we can get to heaven through works. But no. He'll give to each person according to what he has done. If you sin once, you don't get into heaven. So you're sunk. There's only one thing you can do to "do good, seek glory, honor and immortality" and that is by accepting Christ. Then you will look perfect at judgment day.
"by persistence"- Doing good takes persistence. Lord, help me remember that. Doing good isn't always easy.
"Eternal Life"-Yessss.....
"Self-seeking, reject truth, follow evil"-Three things to guarantee you wrath and anger and judgment. Do you know how easy it is to be self-seeking? I'd say it's easier than breathing.
"EVERY"-Every person who doesn't know Jesus receives judgment. No exceptions--not even if you were the philanthropist of the year twenty years running.
"For God does not show favoritism." There's the whole deal. God has the same standard. He doesn't lower it, not for anybody. Not even his own son. The difference is, his son can pass. :-)
Revelation 1
"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."
This is Jesus talking. He says that he is going to show John a ton of awesome things, things that go on now and things that happen later. Now, I suppose, would be the letters to the churches.
"The seven stars that you saw in my right hand" ok, maybe he didn't have the stars in his hand still when he reached out to John. Haha.
So. The stars are the angels of the churches, and the lampstands are the churches. Does that mean every church has an angel? That would be sweet. After all, churches are kind of the different stations of different squadrons of Christians fighting evil. Lord, protect us from apathy and indifference! Make us bold for you!
.
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