Nice idea of turning the cd back on, thanks for that.
It's still late in the morning. Oh well.
Thank you for showing us the end, so we don't have to wonder if we're going to win. Thank you for showing many very different things today. Thank you for speaking directly to me today. There were some thoughts I had today that only I could think, because of the different experiences I've had, that are unique to me. Eww I sound like a Pharisee. But not really. I'm not saying that my experiences are better or I have better insight than anyone else. No. Definitely not. But you have given me the privilege of reading your Word, which speaks uniquely to each person. Thank you for that power your Word has.
Love you!
Luke 16
I don't get the manager story, why he was being so shrewd, etc.
Pharisees love money. Not surprising. "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight" Money. Fame. 'Beauty.' Bf/Gf. Getting happy the wrong ways. Success in careers. Perfect families. Best car. Best house. Materialism. Me me me me me me...
Hell is a real place. It's sobering. We forget about it a lot. But we shouldn't. It's a real place. We need to realize that a ton of the people around us are headed that way. Time is ticking. We're being thrown towards eternity. Which side? That's up to God, and us tools of God.
17
Forgiveness, faith, humility. Up-side-down.
I love that the Samaritan comes back, though I am sad no one else came back once they realized that they were healed. OH, one thing I noticed: Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest. They went. Even though they hadn't been healed. I woulda been like... uhh... these flaky things on my arm are still here... didn't he forget something... But they went, and as they went they were healed. So there was faith that Jesus would do it for them, even though he didn't do it right that second. Interesting. But yeah, I love the Samaritan coming back. That's not a parable. That's real life. Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee...
Pharisees ask about the kingdom of God. They are as impatient for the Romans to be kicked out as the disciples are! But they have it all wrong. The kingdom of God is on the inside. You can't see it coming. But it most definitely is coming.
End times will come, it will be unexpected. People will be going around their regular routine. It's ridiculous. There's no warning. But when Jesus comes back, you'll KNOW he's back. No guessing.
18
Oh yay. I love the persistent widow! She kept at the judge, and the judge granted her request even though he doesn't love God or justice. He just wanted to get her off his back!
Pharisee/Tax collector prayer. Yep. The Pharisee's prayer really was basically to himself. There wasn't much God interaction here. No talking to God. Mostly just Thanks for making me awesome. Here's why I'm awesome. That must be more loathsome than Mr. Collins! Tax collector was definitely focusing on you and his sinfulness. Knowing he's not awesome.
Jesus is a kid person, yay! :-)
Jesus told the one guy to give away everything that he has. Would I? If God told me to go sell everything I have, or give it to the poor, would I do it? I'm rich. I really am. Not by American standards, but by world standards, I am most definitely rich. I live in a comfortable house, my family has three cars, we have tv, I have a job, I'm going to college later this year. I'm rich. Could I give it up? I hope I could if God asked me to.
When Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen (Luke 18:31-34), I wonder what each side was feeling. If Jesus knew they didn't really know, and that was ok, it wasn't really time... I wonder if Jesus ever let himself feel lonely. Because only he knew what was going to happen at the end of his ministry, and his disciples didn't get it. I wonder what they felt. He spoke in pretty basic terms, but when you're on the up and up they don't make much sense.
verse 43. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. When people see me, will they praise God? Especially after God has done something amazing in my life, will others see it and praise God? I hope!
Proverbs 18
v. 9 THINK. When you are lazy, Me, you are just as well destroying. Don't be lazy. Not good. Doing nothing is as bad as doing something negative.
v. 13 Ok, I knew that one from experience. I didn't know it was in the Bible. I tend to answer people's questions, even if I didn't quite hear what they were saying. It makes for some awkward moments, let me tell you!
v. 16 Chinese culture right there. Bring a gift, and you are set!
v. 17 True that. That happens to me all the time. I'm like, yeah that sounds good... then I hear the other side and get confused. Yep. Whenever I try to follow politics.
v. 24 I don't know that friend. My siblings and I are pretty close :-)
Revelation 18
v. 18 That last bit is really creepy. And sad.
v. 21 Millstone thrown in the water by an angel, demonstrating the violence that Babylon will be thrown down. It's not going to go in the water like an Olympic diver. Think of the splash!
God, It's so refreshing to read the bad guys getting what they deserve... it doesn't happen much in "real" life.