John 20-
22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
Prior to Jesus’ death on the Cross, the Holy Spirit wasn’t able to dwell inside of people. (John 14)
29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Jesus was speaking to Thomas in this verse but God is referring to US today! We are believers who haven’t physically seen Jesus!
2 Samuel-
3 And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."
For 20 years the Israelites mourned and sought after the Lord YET STILL they had idols in their homes!!! How often do our actions not match up to what we’re saying??? Vs 4 says they “put away their Baals and Ashtoreths”, really they needed to DESTROY them!
3 But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.
Samuel was the son of Hannah who’d prayed for a son and gave her son over to full time ministry at the temple under Eli. We see that Samuel had sons and vs 3 “but his sons did not walk in his ways.” It is imperative that we teach and train our children Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. I still remember Lisa Reed’s message at WBS last year on Hannah and how she only had a few years with her son! We need to make the most of the years that we have with our children, raising them up in the Lord and praying for them.
The people of Israel asked Samuel for a King. Vs 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
8 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us.
Here they had the ultimate ruler, God as their King. They were able to consult with Him through the Priest yet still they looked at other nations and wanted what other men had! They rejected God as their King.
Lord, thank you for this new day. Help me today to remember you are King and in charge of my day-to-day activities! Help me to instill I my children what you want them to know God and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach them.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
John 19- 1 Samuel 5 and 6-
John 19-
Vs 3 they struck him in the face.
I’m always saddened when I read the crucifixion, the gory details of what Christ endured on MY behalf, because of MY sins. God, I’m sorry for my sins and I thank you for the forgiveness you give me daily!
10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
From this chapter, it seems that Pilate believed that Jesus WAS in fact the Son of God! Just like Pilate, we think we can do things…we don’t acknowledge God or depend on Him or consult Him. We need to give God the glory He deserves and know that He controls our life!
1 Samuel 5 and 6-
I love this chapter how, in the presence of the ark, the Philistines “god” had “fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD”
1 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, "Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people." For death had filled the city with panic; God's hand was very heavy upon it.
19 But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them,
I’ve always been SO curious as to what happened with the ark. God sent plagues and tumors, made cities break out in chaos, and if you looked inside, He killed people for that! I know it was captured but other times when it was captured, they sent it back!!!
Vs 3 they struck him in the face.
I’m always saddened when I read the crucifixion, the gory details of what Christ endured on MY behalf, because of MY sins. God, I’m sorry for my sins and I thank you for the forgiveness you give me daily!
10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" 11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
From this chapter, it seems that Pilate believed that Jesus WAS in fact the Son of God! Just like Pilate, we think we can do things…we don’t acknowledge God or depend on Him or consult Him. We need to give God the glory He deserves and know that He controls our life!
1 Samuel 5 and 6-
I love this chapter how, in the presence of the ark, the Philistines “god” had “fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD”
1 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, "Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people." For death had filled the city with panic; God's hand was very heavy upon it.
19 But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them,
I’ve always been SO curious as to what happened with the ark. God sent plagues and tumors, made cities break out in chaos, and if you looked inside, He killed people for that! I know it was captured but other times when it was captured, they sent it back!!!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Ruth 3-4 John 16-
I love the story of Ruth and how she is such a good example for women to follow! In these 2 chapters, we see her being patient and also humble. Laying at the feet of Boaz then waiting to hear whether or not he was going to marry her I’m sure wasn’t easy for Ruth! You can tell too that Ruth respected Boaz, where he says, “you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor”. He also calls her “a woman of noble character.” We also see how God rewarded Ruth for her faithfulness by placing her in the line of Jesus. Vs 17 they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. The elders had also prayed a blessing on her, that Ruth would be like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel (vs 11).
John 16:7
Jesus explains to the disciples how the Holy Spirit can’t come until He has departed and ultimately has paid the penalty for sin. Vs 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
God, I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help guide and convict us and intercede for us!
20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
What a great depiction, the mother giving birth in pain but once the child is born, her anguish turns to joy! I love how vs 22 says “no one will take away your joy”. Nehemiah 8:10b “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." We can always find joy because “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Great verse that I’ve memorized! We’re not promised an easy life here on earth, vs 33 says we “WILL” have trouble. Still, God is good and He’s in control and says we can still have peace through times of tribulation. I really enjoyed studying James last year in how we can persevere through trials!
John 16:7
Jesus explains to the disciples how the Holy Spirit can’t come until He has departed and ultimately has paid the penalty for sin. Vs 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
God, I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help guide and convict us and intercede for us!
20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
What a great depiction, the mother giving birth in pain but once the child is born, her anguish turns to joy! I love how vs 22 says “no one will take away your joy”. Nehemiah 8:10b “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." We can always find joy because “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Great verse that I’ve memorized! We’re not promised an easy life here on earth, vs 33 says we “WILL” have trouble. Still, God is good and He’s in control and says we can still have peace through times of tribulation. I really enjoyed studying James last year in how we can persevere through trials!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
John 13- Judges 17-19
Judges 17-19
6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
Since there wasn't a King, I assume there wasn't an enforcer to punish wrong or uphold the law.
Micah made idols for himself which then became the idols of the Danites. Today is "Earth Day" and people worship creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25) Even though Micah hired a man to be his "priest", since he was worshiping idols, this wasn't pleasing to the Lord and his idols and priest were taken away.
A man had a concubine who became unfaithful then went back to her fathers house. The man went to retrieve her and bring her home. On the journey back, staying in this foreign town, men of the city wanted to have sex with the man but raped and abused the woman instead. Had this woman been faithful and not left the man, this whole scenario would have been different. Sometimes we really have to examine what actions we will take because they can have grave consequences.
John 13-
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
He showed us the full extent of His love by saving us from sins through dying on the cross!
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Jesus has given us an example how to act, how to serve and how to show love so we can follow His example.
Reading verse 21, "Jesus was troubled in spirit" how difficult to be Jesus and know in advance everything that is to come. To know that Peter, the one who Jesus loved vs 23, was going to deny Him 3 times. To know that Judas was going to betray Him. Also, to know that Satan had entered into Judas and was in His presence.
The devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot (vs 2). As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him. (vs 27)
Here's Judas who had been in the presence of Jesus, seen His miracles, yet didn't believe and left himself unguarded where the Devil used him as his tool. Those who aren't Christians need to know that if they aren't with God, they are against God and that Satan can and might use them to do evil things! Revelation 3:16 "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Galatians 5:13b "Serve one another in love"
Our life as Christians should show a genuine love for others and a service to them!
6 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
Since there wasn't a King, I assume there wasn't an enforcer to punish wrong or uphold the law.
Micah made idols for himself which then became the idols of the Danites. Today is "Earth Day" and people worship creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25) Even though Micah hired a man to be his "priest", since he was worshiping idols, this wasn't pleasing to the Lord and his idols and priest were taken away.
A man had a concubine who became unfaithful then went back to her fathers house. The man went to retrieve her and bring her home. On the journey back, staying in this foreign town, men of the city wanted to have sex with the man but raped and abused the woman instead. Had this woman been faithful and not left the man, this whole scenario would have been different. Sometimes we really have to examine what actions we will take because they can have grave consequences.
John 13-
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
He showed us the full extent of His love by saving us from sins through dying on the cross!
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Jesus has given us an example how to act, how to serve and how to show love so we can follow His example.
Reading verse 21, "Jesus was troubled in spirit" how difficult to be Jesus and know in advance everything that is to come. To know that Peter, the one who Jesus loved vs 23, was going to deny Him 3 times. To know that Judas was going to betray Him. Also, to know that Satan had entered into Judas and was in His presence.
The devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot (vs 2). As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him. (vs 27)
Here's Judas who had been in the presence of Jesus, seen His miracles, yet didn't believe and left himself unguarded where the Devil used him as his tool. Those who aren't Christians need to know that if they aren't with God, they are against God and that Satan can and might use them to do evil things! Revelation 3:16 "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Galatians 5:13b "Serve one another in love"
Our life as Christians should show a genuine love for others and a service to them!
John 12-
Judas stealing money, Mary sitting at Jesus' feet, Martha serving.
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
37Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
43for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
47"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
48There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
37Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.
42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;
43for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
47"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
48There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Judges 15-16
Samson served Israel for 20 years. Some of the things he did in life weren't very "God pleasing". Staying with a prostitute, and then falling in love with a Philistine girl who ended up betraying him. It seems that his weakness was women, and it was the love for the wrong woman that ultimately cost him his life. He could have led Israel longer had be not confided in Delilah. Still, when captured, God heard Samson's prayers and restored his strength one last time and Samson was able to destroy more Israelites through his death than he did while alive!
Again, we see a manipulative woman and can learn how not to act towards the men in our lives! ""How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me?" Vs 15 and vs 16 "with such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death."
We see too in this chapter that Samson seeks "revenge" a lot! Ultimately we know that vengeance is the Lord's! (Hebrews 10:30)
Again, we see a manipulative woman and can learn how not to act towards the men in our lives! ""How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me?" Vs 15 and vs 16 "with such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death."
We see too in this chapter that Samson seeks "revenge" a lot! Ultimately we know that vengeance is the Lord's! (Hebrews 10:30)
Monday, April 20, 2009
John 11- Judges 12-14
Judges 13-
Even before Samson's birth, God had specific rules that the Angels of the Lord gave to his parents. I find it interesting that this passage doesn't say the "wifes" name, she's just Manoahs wife. I think too that it's great that Manoah believed his wifes story and wanted to know more from the Lord so he prayed "8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."
Judges 14-
This passage with Samsons wife is so sad. It's a great reminder for me not to pressure or nag or bother my husband!!!
16 Then Samson's wife threw herself on him, sobbing, "You hate me! You don't really love me. You've given my people a riddle, but you haven't told me the answer." "I haven't even explained it to my father or mother," he replied, "so why should I explain it to you?" 17 She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him.
Vs 19 says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson in power. He then killed 30 men. It also says that he was "burning with anger". This verse reminds me of Ephesians 4:26 "In your anger, do not sin".
20 And Samson's wife was given to the friend who had attended him at his wedding.
Does this verse mean that Samson gave his wife away to someone else???
John 11-
What a great passage of scripture where Jesus shows His power to others! Lazarus was sick, Jesus knew in advance he'd died. He comes to Martha and says "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
I thank God for that eternal truth! If I believe in God, I will never die a Spiritual death, I'll continue to live on in Heaven with God!
Both sisters had faith, believing if Jesus had been present during Lazurus' sickness, that Jesus would have been able to heal him. He says to take away the gravestone which people questioned! Jesus says vs 40 "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see he glory of God?" He then prayed to God...such a beautiful prayer (John 11:41-42)
Lazarus came out of the tomb very much alive and not all who witnessed this miracle, put their faith in Jesus!!! How do you see a man raised from the dead, who's been dead for 4 days, and not believe that Jesus is God's Son? What did people think He was???
I also had to point out something SO awesome about Scripture. We know there were 40 different authors and hundreds of years between Genesis and John. Reading today, Jesus went to a Village called "Ephraim" which is the same name mentioned in Judges 12 :)
God I thank you that you hear me, and God that you always hear. I thank you for the scriptures, that we can read them and compare them and understand them and believe in them!
Even before Samson's birth, God had specific rules that the Angels of the Lord gave to his parents. I find it interesting that this passage doesn't say the "wifes" name, she's just Manoahs wife. I think too that it's great that Manoah believed his wifes story and wanted to know more from the Lord so he prayed "8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."
Judges 14-
This passage with Samsons wife is so sad. It's a great reminder for me not to pressure or nag or bother my husband!!!
16 Then Samson's wife threw herself on him, sobbing, "You hate me! You don't really love me. You've given my people a riddle, but you haven't told me the answer." "I haven't even explained it to my father or mother," he replied, "so why should I explain it to you?" 17 She cried the whole seven days of the feast. So on the seventh day he finally told her, because she continued to press him.
Vs 19 says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson in power. He then killed 30 men. It also says that he was "burning with anger". This verse reminds me of Ephesians 4:26 "In your anger, do not sin".
20 And Samson's wife was given to the friend who had attended him at his wedding.
Does this verse mean that Samson gave his wife away to someone else???
John 11-
What a great passage of scripture where Jesus shows His power to others! Lazarus was sick, Jesus knew in advance he'd died. He comes to Martha and says "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
I thank God for that eternal truth! If I believe in God, I will never die a Spiritual death, I'll continue to live on in Heaven with God!
Both sisters had faith, believing if Jesus had been present during Lazurus' sickness, that Jesus would have been able to heal him. He says to take away the gravestone which people questioned! Jesus says vs 40 "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see he glory of God?" He then prayed to God...such a beautiful prayer (John 11:41-42)
Lazarus came out of the tomb very much alive and not all who witnessed this miracle, put their faith in Jesus!!! How do you see a man raised from the dead, who's been dead for 4 days, and not believe that Jesus is God's Son? What did people think He was???
I also had to point out something SO awesome about Scripture. We know there were 40 different authors and hundreds of years between Genesis and John. Reading today, Jesus went to a Village called "Ephraim" which is the same name mentioned in Judges 12 :)
God I thank you that you hear me, and God that you always hear. I thank you for the scriptures, that we can read them and compare them and understand them and believe in them!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)