Wow - so close. Only two more posts remaining. Technically I should have posted this reading yesterday but I keep finding myself a day or so behind. Perhaps I'll catch up today...or I may take a nap.
Either way this morning's sermon by LCU president Keith Ray has fit in nicely with one of the predominant themes of 1 John. Obedience.
It's one of the most basic expressions of our faith and our worship to God. Often he has called us to live a certain way - a way of selflessness. Selfless in our time, love, money, talents - you name it. But then our pride, arrogance, and selfishness enters into the picture.
Through my entire reading I feel like I know more about the Bible and how it all fits together. I have gotten a good review on lots of things that I've already known and even read things for the first time. The real question is will I be obedient. Will I obey when I'm offered the opportunity to "take my cross." Will I treat my life like Christ treats his church? Will I sacrifice all things for the sake of the Kingdom.
Lord help me to be obedient. Help me to see how your Word needs to continue to manifest itself in my life.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Hebrews 1 - James 3:12
I have always enjoyed Hebrews. I think part of it was due to my Hebrews class and teacher - Jeff Snell. Jeff is a great teacher and really fostered an appreciation in my for the book of Hebrews. It does so much to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments.
Towards the end of the book the writer makes a strong case for Christ now serving as our High Priest. This role allows all who believe in him to enter into his presence.
"But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises."
Towards the end of the book the writer makes a strong case for Christ now serving as our High Priest. This role allows all who believe in him to enter into his presence.
"But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises."
Friday, August 13, 2010
1 Thessalonians 1 - Philemon
It is so easy to worship money. It seems so natural to climb the latter, get the promotion, and accept the pay raise. Why is that? We are we so drawn to possessions and status?
There are so many studies that follow the miserable lives of those who have won the lottery. Typically the life becomes much harder - not easier. This portion of 2 Timothy 6 illustrates this point well.
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
There are so many studies that follow the miserable lives of those who have won the lottery. Typically the life becomes much harder - not easier. This portion of 2 Timothy 6 illustrates this point well.
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Galatians 3:26 - Colossians 4
Praise God for Jesus Christ! Here's a great portion of Colossians 1.
Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
1 Corinthians 15 - Galatians 3:25
After finishing both First and Second Corinthians I think those may be my least knowledgeable books in the New Testament. Perhaps a self-guided study is in order following my marathon of reading (which only has five days remaining).
I really liked how Paul summarized the Gospel in Galatians 3. I especially liked the NLT's translation of it...realizing that it may have a few glitches...again more study may be needed. Here it is:
Is there a conflict, then, between God's law and God's promises?s Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
I really liked how Paul summarized the Gospel in Galatians 3. I especially liked the NLT's translation of it...realizing that it may have a few glitches...again more study may be needed. Here it is:
Is there a conflict, then, between God's law and God's promises?s Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Romans 15 - 1 Corinthians 14
Emily and Audrey are in Iowa for a week so I'm at home (on vacation) busy working on little projects in our house. It's mostly painting which is why I have dubbed this my "paintcation."
You would think it would be easy to get my reading done in the midst of an empty house, but my to-do list has stolen my attention. Hopefully I'll be able to make up for my day off during the next few days.
Today I read most of 1 Corinthians. Paul spends a considerable amount of time talking about worship. He goes into even great detail as he talks about speaking in tongues. My conservative Christian Church formative years has pretty much relegated this topic to the list of things that we just don't understand or mention much. I must be honest I've never witnessed this event live, but I'm told it is an active part of many corporate worship gatherings.
I also cannot deny the stories that some of my missionary friends have shared with me as they have served in various cultures where the practice is prevalent. I'm still going to settle on the fact that I don't understand it, but it does seems to exist - both in Paul's day and in current times. Perhaps if I keep my eyes (and ears) open I'll be able to experience this worship activity that seems...well just plain weird to me.
You would think it would be easy to get my reading done in the midst of an empty house, but my to-do list has stolen my attention. Hopefully I'll be able to make up for my day off during the next few days.
Today I read most of 1 Corinthians. Paul spends a considerable amount of time talking about worship. He goes into even great detail as he talks about speaking in tongues. My conservative Christian Church formative years has pretty much relegated this topic to the list of things that we just don't understand or mention much. I must be honest I've never witnessed this event live, but I'm told it is an active part of many corporate worship gatherings.
I also cannot deny the stories that some of my missionary friends have shared with me as they have served in various cultures where the practice is prevalent. I'm still going to settle on the fact that I don't understand it, but it does seems to exist - both in Paul's day and in current times. Perhaps if I keep my eyes (and ears) open I'll be able to experience this worship activity that seems...well just plain weird to me.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Romans 1-14
I read most of Romans today which is crazy to think that I spent an entire semester covering it in college.
When I got to Romans 12 I was reminded of a passage I spent many hours on in a class called Principles of Interpretation. In that class we had a project called an exegitical project where we looked at cultural/literary context, word studies, commentaries, and other sources to try to determine the Author's Intended Meaning or AIM.
The text reads, "I plead with you to give you bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This truly the way to worship him."
Now any time the Bible says this is how "you truly worship" I want to listen. The funny thing is (and thankful to my interpretation class) it doesn't really say that. It my researched opinion it says this is your "reasonable act of service."
In other words because God has given so much to us it is logical and reasonable to serve him, allowing our bodies and our actions to be a sacrifice. In that class I learned that there are three words translated "worship" in the New Testament. One means "to bow down." This is the most common thought we have when we consider that word. Another is in terms of a "liturgical service." This one is more in the context of "serving."
So when you read it under that light it kind of sounds a little different. I know this has been a long post but my wife and I will be teaching a class on Biblical Interpretation at our church on Wednesday nights. This topic excites me. You should come!
When I got to Romans 12 I was reminded of a passage I spent many hours on in a class called Principles of Interpretation. In that class we had a project called an exegitical project where we looked at cultural/literary context, word studies, commentaries, and other sources to try to determine the Author's Intended Meaning or AIM.
The text reads, "I plead with you to give you bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This truly the way to worship him."
Now any time the Bible says this is how "you truly worship" I want to listen. The funny thing is (and thankful to my interpretation class) it doesn't really say that. It my researched opinion it says this is your "reasonable act of service."
In other words because God has given so much to us it is logical and reasonable to serve him, allowing our bodies and our actions to be a sacrifice. In that class I learned that there are three words translated "worship" in the New Testament. One means "to bow down." This is the most common thought we have when we consider that word. Another is in terms of a "liturgical service." This one is more in the context of "serving."
So when you read it under that light it kind of sounds a little different. I know this has been a long post but my wife and I will be teaching a class on Biblical Interpretation at our church on Wednesday nights. This topic excites me. You should come!
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