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!!)

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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 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.

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. (does a little dance) This makes me happy.

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.

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 the^c]"> 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.

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. :-)

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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.


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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!

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Thoughts on the facets of God and the triumph: Nipto week 10

Dear God,

If there's one thing I love about you, it's your many-ness. You have so many sides to you. There's the wrath against the evil people, saying they have no excuse for not following you. Yet you love us so much you gave us free will. You love us so much you personally went to Hades to get the keys, to lock us out! And that's a triumph. Yes, it's good to reflect on Christ's suffering and his blood, but it's also good to think about the now, the triumph, the try and the umph is over. Now God has redeemed our souls! Blessed be the name of the Lord, a-MEN!

Love,


Romans 1:18-31

I'm not going to do this like the past Romans blogs. It's just a little too long.

So God's wrath is against the evil of the world, especially since they know who he is. God's invisible qualities (eternal power, divine nature) is obvious. Those are some bold statements. We kinda make excuses for people who are evil because they don't know God, you can't really know him if you don't look for him. But Paul's like, no. God's power is obvious because he made the world. If you live in the world, you know God's power--you just might ignore it. I don't know if Paul here is talking about men or only demons/devil. Well, it says men are without an excuse. so men too.

And the our justice radar kicks in and we wonder where the loving God went. Shouldn't he give us lots of chances, make it obvious? God's like, the evil men in the world had their chance to turn to me and they blew it. They even look wise when they're foolish and decided to go with temporary things. Part of this is a warning for me to know that people aren't always the same on the outside as the inside. I need to recognize that more, especially with this college deal coming up. But also this is a warning to not become like these people. keep a hold on God.

So God let these people have free reign, and they exchange truth for a lie. How sad is that?! this life of truth is awesome!

So basically the more they reject God, the more he lets them, which leads they to things that are really bad. Free will can be ugly.

I notice too, they reject his knowledge so God gives them a depraved mind... they go together.

So basically Paul lists all the evils of this world all together. Sorta. Obviously not all of them. But a lot. I looked up a few because I really wanted to be sure I knew what strife, insolent, and slander meant. I mostly knew, but it was a nice refresher course of what not to do.

So basically the moral of the story here is God let us. If we want to reject him, he'll let us. And we can't say we didn't know about him, just did what was "normal," God doesn't take it. He says man is without excuse.

Revelation 1

So John sees this amazing Jesus character--and John has seen Jesus, both as a man and as a risen man (and I think at the transformation? I'm not sure). But this Jesus is so different! When he saw him, he fell at his feet as though dead. That's pretty crazy! Then Jesus places his right hand (that's the one with the stars in it) on him, and tells him not to be afraid.

I AM the First and the Last. Jesus was there at the beginning of the creation of the world, and as we shall see, he will be there at the end. I AM the Living One; My friend Jesus is the living one! Yesss.... I was dead (which was sad), and behold I AM alive for ever and ever (which is AWESOME)! But even more than that, it's such a powerful statement. Jesus is alive forever and ever. Does that not make you feel more alive just thinking it?! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Can you imagine Jesus wrestling with satan, and taking the keys of death and Hades??!! It's ridiculous! He did all that so that all these people that he loves very much can be with HIM! Yessss.

That's exciting. It's a triumph now. We don't have to be eternally sad of the cross and the suffering. Jesus has redeemed our lives, and if you can't dance about that, child of God, I don't know if you can dance at all.

Thoughts on Jesus in Rev, eager faith in Ro. Nipto week 10

Dear God,

I'm up! Yay..

So. John paints a pretty impressive picture of Jesus in Revelation. That's the Jesus of NOW. How awesome is that?!!

In Romans, I'm basically getting the feeling that Paul is eager to share the gospel, because it really has the power to save. We know that and we're not eager. So I don't think we really know that. Hmm... Serve God with your WHOLE heart. That's a good one... When we go to church, are we mutually encouraged by each other's faith? We should...

Obligated, but eager, and not ashamed!! YES!!

Love,


Revelation 1

So John was on Patmos. He wasn't there of his own accord. He was banished there because he was a Christian and wasn't afraid to tell others about it. He didn't get killed. Just banished. "Just" banished. Imagine it!

John is "in the Spirit," which I think means that he was just praying and really getting into it, kinda forgetting where he was or even what he was doing, and was just enjoying God's presence. The he has this vision-- well, actually, first he hears a trumpet-voice. He turned around, and saw it was coming from this dude who was walking among these seven lampstands. He was like a man, with a robe and an awesome golden sash. (I'm assuming the golden sash was awesome... the Bible doesn't actually say that...) He's got white hair, blazing-like-fire eyes (!!!), glowing bronze feet (how weird it that?!), a rushing water-trumpet voice (it must have been very loud), seven stars in his right hand (just randomly. These were probably like STAR-stars. Not those fake five-point ones), and a double-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Pretty crazy. Oh, don't forget, not only was he holding seven stars, his face was shining like our star, the sun. Um... Yeah. This wasn't no ordinary guy. In fact there's only one person this could be (besides an angel, I suppose...): Jesus (cue the cheering).

Romans 1:8-17

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

So the Roman's faith is being reported all over the world. How cool would that be? I mean, at the time, this was sort of the world's capital. And Christians were probably being persecuted at this time by Nero or some other guy. And "persecuted" hardly covers what Nero did. No wonder Paul was praying for them so much.

Whole heart. Not just half, not even most. WHOLE. Good to remember.

Paul constantly remembers the Romans in his prayers at all times. A little redundant, don't you think? But that is awesome. Can I say that my prayer life is a little.... nonexistent? It's bad. Like, I talk to God throughout the day, and if someone catches my attention, I pray for them. But I don't sit down and really hash it out with God. For that I'd actually have to wake up at like, 7 or earlier! (gasp how shocking, I know.)

"At last" Paul's been trying to get to see these Rome people for a long time, but hasn't been able to. "By God's will" --it's all up to God whether he'll get to see them or not. I've definitely been learning that everything, the good, the bad and the ugly, everything is part of God's will.

¹¹I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹²that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. ¹³I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

So Paul wants to give them some spiritual gift to make them strong. I think that's an "Aka, mutual encouragement by each other's faith." I'm thinking. Unless Paul has some other gift he's thinking of. But mutual encouragement is pretty awesome too. It's nice when you're in a tough situation to see other Christians who are still strong. :-)

Umm... Paul wants to come help in the harvest in Rome. He's not thinking of how the Christians need to survive, he's thinking about how they need to grow, in spiritual maturity and in numbers.

¹⁴I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

He's obligated to everybody. I love that he puts Greeks and wise together, and non-Greeks and foolish together. Heheheh that's great. Paul is EAGER to preach the gospel. How many American Christians are EAGER to preach the gospel? And we don't have the consequences these people had!

¹⁶I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹⁷For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

So. Paul is eager because he's not ashamed of the gospel. WHY? It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. You know what that means? The gospel is the way God gives people (who believe in it) the power to be saved from eternal separation from God. How amazing is that?!! God gives a righteousness, aka, Jesus' life--the life has no sin. It's by faith all the way through. There's nothing we can do. NOTHING. All we can do is have faith in it. That's it. That is IT.

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Thoughts on Romans 1, Revelation 1 "Not to us" Nipto week 10

Dear God,

Thanks for making me feel a LOT better :-) btw, it's been fun toting you around :-P haha.

Thank you so much for choosing us, giving us such amazing things. What I must remember is, it's all for you. You deserve it. Not to us, but to you!

Love,


Revelation 1

v1 Jesus is coming soon. God wants us to know what's gonna happen, so he tells John. Woot! (Ironic that, when Jesus told Peter what kind of death he would die, Peter asks about the ONE person who isn't martyred. Of course.)

v3 pay attention.

Grace and peace from GOD! Awesome! That's something I feel I could never get enough of.

To Jesus. AMEN!

All the peoples shall mourn b/c of him. Not all non-Christ-followers. All people. Why? I dunno.

Awesome vision starts. John's in for a crazy 21 more chapters :-)

Romans 1:1-7


1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ²the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, ⁴and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. ⁶And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

⁷To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is a servant of Christ Jesus. We need to be servants of God. It's not an easy path, but it is a rewarding one. And hey, you get to follow God, how cool is that?! And how cool that Paul, this guy who used to be persecuting the Christians is now a servant of God! God is great :-)

God promised this gospel beforehand. Pretty much since the fall :-) He told it through the prophets, and the prophets were right. And because they were right, my dad is a Christian. Ok, that's not the only reason, but... Hey, this is a good website. It has all the prophecies and stuff on it. Click HeRe. Woo that's fun.

God promised the gospel beforehand. Why? Because we messed up "Plan A." And God wasn't about to give up on us. His love is awesome. His love is amazing. His love is huge.

Jesus was from David. Jesus was from God. The former one we have genealogical evidence. The latter is harder to know for sure. But Jesus proved it when he rose from the dead. Only Sons of God can do that. God approved Jesus' sacrifice by raising him from the dead. A lot happened that Sunday morning. :-)

We call people why? FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. We don't do it because he told us to. We don't do it so we can be rewarded. We don't do it so we feel like good Christians. We don't even do it to hear God say "Well done, good and faithful servant." Why? Those are all ME reasons. We do it because he deserves it. Simple, and yet as hard, as that.

In the first place, we need to be calling people. We've received grace, we are now children of God. We have apostleship now. That's a weird churchy word. So I look it up. And every single one of those definitions (except for the nautical term?) is all about great awesome churchy people, early followers, higher status in the quo of the church, etc. But every single one of us have received apostleship. We're all "higher" Christians called to call. It's not for someone else to do.

Obedience that comes from faith. We start with faith in God, and then obedience comes from that faith. See Hebrews 11 for more details. Especially if you want details on the result of faith and obedience. Ok. Faith and obedience. Doesn't sound too hard. HAH! Impossible without God. I'm pretty darn sure.

I am called to belong to Christ. Can I say it again? I am called to belong to Christ. This opening should feel pretty good right now. I have grace, I have apostleship, if I have faith and obedience, lots can happen. I belong to Christ. God wanted all this to happen so that he could show his love for us. I should feel pretty special. But what I cannot lose sight of is that my faith is in him. I have grace and apostleship because of him. I obey him because he deserves it. I am a servant to HIM. I belong to him, so he can do what he wants. Not what I want. I MUST remember that.

Thoughts on Nipto week 7

Dear God,

I don't know why I have to stay home today. Sorry I haven't spent all my time with you, but here we are, so it's all good.

I don't know what to say here. You're awesome. That's always something I can say. I want to follow you... help me learn how best to do that today :-)

Love,


So Paul has this awesome talk, telling people how Jesus fits in the whole history of the nation of Israel. Everyone wanted to hear them talk about it more the next week, but the Jews were jealous. After a bit of conflict (and harvesting, too!) P and B leave the city and shake the dust off their feet, just like Jesus told the disciples to do in the Gospels. :-)

What surprising is, they didn't get discouraged by the persecution and jealousy of the Jews. In fact, it says they were filled with joy! How strange and upside-down God's kingdom is :-)

Proverbs 17

Verse 1. I have to laugh. Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. I've had a bit of a stomach flu(?) and I had to stay home. It's very peaceful and quiet. And I had toast for breakfast. fabulous. I guess that verse is true, but I wouldn't mind the feasting on Andes and peace and quiet :-P

All those rebuking/fool verses I hear in Mark Bowen's voice. And then I hear his ridiculous laugh, and I smile :-)

Verse 24. A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Dear me, keep wisdom in view. Sincerely, me.

Hebrews 11

Moses persevered because he saw him who is invisible. I've seen Him. Not literally with my eyes, but I've seen Him. Lord, help me now to persevere :-)

God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Yes...

Revelation 22
I love the river of life, and the trees lining it. to think! We'll actually see this! What a sight it will be!

And that's the end of the bible. Such a great ending :-) Best there is, if you ask me :-P hehehe.