I messed up. I'm sorry. I've skipped days. I've not loved you with my whole heart. I pray you would lead me along the path of eternal life. Know my heart. Help me know it too. Help me learn what needs to change.
Love,
Revelation 13
I think that this whole beast thing will be trying. No, I know that. The followers of Christ in those times will have to be strong and endure the suffering, and be willing to die because they won't worship the beast or take his mark. O Lord, I pray that we would raise up a new generation of Christ-followers that would definitely be willing to die for you.
Proverbs 13
I need to listen to my parents. I'll be wise if I do.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. This almost sounds like you're implying that everybody obviously longs for turning away from evil. Sorta. Wouldn't it be lovely if that were the truth?
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. This one's self-explanatory. Walk with the wise.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Oh, Miss Trunchbull must not hate children. Her motto is "use the rod beat the child." Uhhh... ok no. :-)
Mark 12-16
17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. This one is convicting. Do I really give to God what is God's?? He's not just talking about tithe here. He's talking about everything! What am I withholding from God? What is God's that I'm not giving him. An easy answer to say, not do, is My Life. My Time. My Money. My Thoughts. My Actions. My Attitudes. everything. So work on that. Surrender. Etc.
Mark 12:41-44
This is something that wasn't in Matthew. I can actually reach into my desk and pull out some widow's mites. I'm staring at them and I cannot believe that this was all the widow had. Two small coins. All her worldly wealth could be picked up with two fingers. She didn't say, I'm too poor to give. Or once I make some money, I'll start giving again. But right now, I have to think of me.
I kinda was doing that this morning. Abby had some links on her blog leading to different Compassion International blogs of people who went to Kenya. I was thinking, I could do that. I'm not poor. I earn a little over the Ohio minimum wage, which is way more than this lady gets. But I have college coming. I have to think about getting through college. Then I'll support a child or something. I already give 10%. That's enough.
And I know my parents would go along the same mindset. And I don't know if I want to agree with that. It's way more barbarian to give now, trust God for later. Help on that issue?
Mark 13:9-11
Really? This is crazy. Being a Christian wasn't safe. It wasn't about building your character and learning more about God. It was about the Gospel. It was about leading others to God, no matter the cost. It was about having strength during court trials to listen to God and say what He says. My Christianity is SAFE! Like, super safe. People at work know I go to church and read my bible, so they know I'm a Christian. I'm not fired. I'm not turned over to the authorities. They don't even tease me about. They don't send verbal abuse. They're my friends and co-workers. I have it so easy. Lord, I honestly don't know how I would act if you had placed in a country that persecutes Christians. Would I still follow you, or would I say that this is too dangerous. I think my greatest fear is that it would be the latter.
Keep watch. You don't know when your time will run out. You don't know when God will call you home. So be prepared. Do everything you can do today, today. Don't put off for tomorrow.
So this woman has the audacity to waste tons of money and perfume on Jesus. She should have given it to the poor. "You can give to the poor anytime you want to, but you do not always have me." Now Jesus is not here in the physical sense. But he is here in everyone around me. Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.
Lord, are you trying to get me to sponsor a child? Everything seems to be pointing that way. It would be barbarian all right.
God can provide everything. Even places to eat the Passover. In strange ways too.
We just did communion yesterday! :-D
Ok, it's getting late. I didn't wake up early enough to get it all done. :-( I'll come and finish it tonight. It's only 2 and 1/2 chapters left. The best is still to come.