When I read this short section from Mark, I had to read it again. When Jesus called his first disciples, He called and they came. It is as simple as that!
"At once they left their nets and followed Him."
"Without delay He called them, and they left...and followed Him."
Notice, they did not stop and think about it. They did not ask their friends and family if this was the best thing for them to do. They did not sleep on it. It was not a complicated matter. They SIMPLY stopped what they were doing, and followed him. How cool is that?
This is how we should live as well. He still wants us to follow Him. And my prayer is that we would respond in the same way the first disciples did. Let us put down our worldly concerns and follow Him.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Wisdom v. Folly (Proverbs 9-11)
I'm sure this comparison spans many more books and chapters of the bible than I am exploring here, but this is just what really stood out to me during this section of reading.
I've always felt that if you read just one section of the bible, (which I do not suggests, because it is ALL good) I would say, "read Proverbs." In the same way a poem can tell the same story as a novel, using less words in number, but more strategically planned words. Proverbs can get the broadest, most complex ideas across in such short statements, that it is mind blowing.
The 9th chapter of Proverbs begins with a comparison of two houses. Wisdom's house and folly's house. Wisdom's house is made from seven pillars, and inside she has prepared a meal with meat, wine and a set a table. She sends out maids to the highest point of the city to calls "Let all who are simple come in here!" She invites "those who lack judgment" to join her in her house for dinner. verse 6 says "Leave your simple ways and you will live: walk in the way of understanding."
"The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge (v. 13). There is no mention of pillars--she has no foundation, no rock to stand on. There is no mention of meals or maids--she stands alone, isolated, and has no intention of meeting your needs or providing comfort for you. Yet, she is deceitful saying nearly the same phrase as wisdom, "Let all who are simple come in here!" She says this also to "those who lack judgment," "But little do they know that the dead are in there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave." (v. 18)
Wisdom and Folly apparently seek the same person, just as God and Satan seek us. There intentions are vastly different. God loves us and wants the best for us. He goes great lengths to be sure we hear His call, that we are provided for. Satan only lures to the grave. He is deceitful and will disguise himself as anything to convince you to go to him. We must put on the armor of God to protect ourselves from this prowling lion.
In the following chapters of Proverbs, I read on to see many comparisons of wisdom v. folly, righteousness v. wickedness, upright v. unfaithful. The wages are life v. death. There is too much to list and go into, so you really must read it all!
There is a great importance placed on the mouth. "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked." (Prov. 10:11) A wicked and foolish mouth destroys many things, and the wise hold his tongue and is delivered! I read over and over how the righteous and upright are delivered from trouble, while the very same trouble falls on the perverse and wicked instead.
There are many days when I look around and feel discouraged of the world I see. I see people who prosper while their deeds (seemingly) are dishonest. I do not know the hearts of others, and I should not judge those around me, so this is really only my perception I'm talking about. But so many times I feel that "life" is so hard. I work so hard and nothing comes easy, and I feel as if all my hard work may never "pay off." BUT!!! I find comfort in knowing that the wages for me is LIFE!
The Lord our Father in heaven says this, "Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free (Prov 11:21)." "The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath (v. 23)." "He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it (v. 27)."
There is so much good stuff in this book, I tell you, you must go read it!
I've always felt that if you read just one section of the bible, (which I do not suggests, because it is ALL good) I would say, "read Proverbs." In the same way a poem can tell the same story as a novel, using less words in number, but more strategically planned words. Proverbs can get the broadest, most complex ideas across in such short statements, that it is mind blowing.
The 9th chapter of Proverbs begins with a comparison of two houses. Wisdom's house and folly's house. Wisdom's house is made from seven pillars, and inside she has prepared a meal with meat, wine and a set a table. She sends out maids to the highest point of the city to calls "Let all who are simple come in here!" She invites "those who lack judgment" to join her in her house for dinner. verse 6 says "Leave your simple ways and you will live: walk in the way of understanding."
"The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge (v. 13). There is no mention of pillars--she has no foundation, no rock to stand on. There is no mention of meals or maids--she stands alone, isolated, and has no intention of meeting your needs or providing comfort for you. Yet, she is deceitful saying nearly the same phrase as wisdom, "Let all who are simple come in here!" She says this also to "those who lack judgment," "But little do they know that the dead are in there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave." (v. 18)
Wisdom and Folly apparently seek the same person, just as God and Satan seek us. There intentions are vastly different. God loves us and wants the best for us. He goes great lengths to be sure we hear His call, that we are provided for. Satan only lures to the grave. He is deceitful and will disguise himself as anything to convince you to go to him. We must put on the armor of God to protect ourselves from this prowling lion.
In the following chapters of Proverbs, I read on to see many comparisons of wisdom v. folly, righteousness v. wickedness, upright v. unfaithful. The wages are life v. death. There is too much to list and go into, so you really must read it all!
There is a great importance placed on the mouth. "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked." (Prov. 10:11) A wicked and foolish mouth destroys many things, and the wise hold his tongue and is delivered! I read over and over how the righteous and upright are delivered from trouble, while the very same trouble falls on the perverse and wicked instead.
There are many days when I look around and feel discouraged of the world I see. I see people who prosper while their deeds (seemingly) are dishonest. I do not know the hearts of others, and I should not judge those around me, so this is really only my perception I'm talking about. But so many times I feel that "life" is so hard. I work so hard and nothing comes easy, and I feel as if all my hard work may never "pay off." BUT!!! I find comfort in knowing that the wages for me is LIFE!
The Lord our Father in heaven says this, "Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free (Prov 11:21)." "The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath (v. 23)." "He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it (v. 27)."
There is so much good stuff in this book, I tell you, you must go read it!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Parental favoratism gone bad....for good.
Wow, I have finished Genesis! Let me tell you, it was far more interesting than one might expect. In some chapters, I really thought I was reading the script to a soap opera. Seriously! Most of the men have at least two wives, a lot of them even have "women maidservants" who also happen to sleep in the same bed sometimes and bear children for them.
I guess it's meant to show that there are no perfect men in the Bible, EXCEPT FOR JESUS!
But one of the most intriguing sagas of Genesis to me, was the account of the life of Joseph. Son of Jacob/Israel and Rachel (Jacob's 2nd wife, probably the one he loved the most), Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. Joseph was gifted with prophetic dreams from God. One day after sharing a dream with his brothers in which they are were bowing to him in the form of sheaves of grain, his brothers grew more envious of him. Now, you all may know the story of Joseph and his beautiful coat, and how his brothers threw him down a well and tricked their father into believing that Joseph was eaten by wild animals. After being sold into slavery, he was blessed by God with dreams that would benefit pharaoh and put Joseph in charge of literally everything in Egypt.
During the famine which he prophesied, his brothers came to him not knowing who he was, asking for grain. At this point, one should be confronted with the question....What would I do in this situation?
"Here are the brothers who betrayed me. They sold me like cattle into slavery. Because of them, I have been through so much turmoil in my life. I had to sit in prison and treated horribly." Joseph must have been thinking. "But ahh, I am in the position of power and authority now. I can sentence them to imprisonment for what they've done, even death!"
Here is this HUGE temptation to have revenge against those who sinned against him. I'm sure satan is right there at his ear whispering, "You are justified in this revenge! You deserve to get even! They deserve death! Give them what they deserve!"
But no, this is not Joseph's choice. He shows mercy-undeserving mercy-just as our Lord shows us undeserving mercy! We deserve death, but that is not what comes to us. How gracious is our Lord that he shows mercy and gives love! I am so thankful for his love and mercy!
On an unrelated note...I come again across a new question. In Jacob's life, God changes his name, as He does with many in history. He changes him from Jacob (which means "supplanter, taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics") to Israel (which means "wrestles with God"). However, many times after God changed his name to Israel, He refers to him again as Jacob, his previous name. There is even several places where he calls him by both names in the same sentence.
Like here: And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" Gen 46:2.
If anyone should have an idea why this might be, do share. Well, off to exodus now. I am still behind in my reading, but I am still reading, and that's all that matters.
God Bless
I guess it's meant to show that there are no perfect men in the Bible, EXCEPT FOR JESUS!
But one of the most intriguing sagas of Genesis to me, was the account of the life of Joseph. Son of Jacob/Israel and Rachel (Jacob's 2nd wife, probably the one he loved the most), Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. Joseph was gifted with prophetic dreams from God. One day after sharing a dream with his brothers in which they are were bowing to him in the form of sheaves of grain, his brothers grew more envious of him. Now, you all may know the story of Joseph and his beautiful coat, and how his brothers threw him down a well and tricked their father into believing that Joseph was eaten by wild animals. After being sold into slavery, he was blessed by God with dreams that would benefit pharaoh and put Joseph in charge of literally everything in Egypt.
During the famine which he prophesied, his brothers came to him not knowing who he was, asking for grain. At this point, one should be confronted with the question....What would I do in this situation?
"Here are the brothers who betrayed me. They sold me like cattle into slavery. Because of them, I have been through so much turmoil in my life. I had to sit in prison and treated horribly." Joseph must have been thinking. "But ahh, I am in the position of power and authority now. I can sentence them to imprisonment for what they've done, even death!"
Here is this HUGE temptation to have revenge against those who sinned against him. I'm sure satan is right there at his ear whispering, "You are justified in this revenge! You deserve to get even! They deserve death! Give them what they deserve!"
But no, this is not Joseph's choice. He shows mercy-undeserving mercy-just as our Lord shows us undeserving mercy! We deserve death, but that is not what comes to us. How gracious is our Lord that he shows mercy and gives love! I am so thankful for his love and mercy!
On an unrelated note...I come again across a new question. In Jacob's life, God changes his name, as He does with many in history. He changes him from Jacob (which means "supplanter, taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics") to Israel (which means "wrestles with God"). However, many times after God changed his name to Israel, He refers to him again as Jacob, his previous name. There is even several places where he calls him by both names in the same sentence.
Like here: And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" Gen 46:2.
If anyone should have an idea why this might be, do share. Well, off to exodus now. I am still behind in my reading, but I am still reading, and that's all that matters.
God Bless
Sunday, January 24, 2010
So how am I doing?
Well, if this was about successful daily reading and staying on schedule, I would say, I have already failed and it's only day 24 out of 365. BUT, it is not about that, it is about spending time with God, and hearing His Word. I don't read each day like I should, yet. I didn't even start on Jan 1. My first reading was Jan 5th, and I managed to read 5 days worth at one time, it wasn't bad at all. Today is day 24, and I think I'm still on about day 18. Not too bad, I think. If it takes me more than a year, that's ok with me.
The point is to get into it and read it and leave changed. Each time I have sat and read, I gain a new bit of insight into Life and how to live and how to think. Not just from proverbs, but also Genesis, Mark and Psalms. Even in all the history that is hashed through in Genesis (that I have read so far), there is something to be gained from reading it.
I started this blog not just to catalog my experience reading, although that is a natural outcome of blogging, but because my reading to find answers is leaving me with more questions. Like how can Jacob be so blessed by God, when he has acted so wrong toward his brother, father, father-in-law? And why is it ok for Jacob to have two wives and two other maidservants that he lies with in addition to his two wives? I know God said to multiply, but I would not be a happy wife to Jacob. (approx. Gen 25-36)
I would love for any one reading this to join me if you feel the calling to. I am following the bible reading schedule from this website http://www.newlife919.com/reading-guides.htm I will be posting here questions, comments, and observations that I encounter in my readings. If you are reading the bible in a year also, and would like to post here with me, I am happy to use this place as a discussion board for other readers. Email me your interest, and I will add permissions for you to post. Happy reading, and I do hope you will join me.
The point is to get into it and read it and leave changed. Each time I have sat and read, I gain a new bit of insight into Life and how to live and how to think. Not just from proverbs, but also Genesis, Mark and Psalms. Even in all the history that is hashed through in Genesis (that I have read so far), there is something to be gained from reading it.
I started this blog not just to catalog my experience reading, although that is a natural outcome of blogging, but because my reading to find answers is leaving me with more questions. Like how can Jacob be so blessed by God, when he has acted so wrong toward his brother, father, father-in-law? And why is it ok for Jacob to have two wives and two other maidservants that he lies with in addition to his two wives? I know God said to multiply, but I would not be a happy wife to Jacob. (approx. Gen 25-36)
I would love for any one reading this to join me if you feel the calling to. I am following the bible reading schedule from this website http://www.newlife919.com/reading-guides.htm I will be posting here questions, comments, and observations that I encounter in my readings. If you are reading the bible in a year also, and would like to post here with me, I am happy to use this place as a discussion board for other readers. Email me your interest, and I will add permissions for you to post. Happy reading, and I do hope you will join me.
Reading the Bible in One Year
So, I decided in December that I would make this year the year that I would read through the Bible.
Who am I? I am a christian whose walked through shadowed valleys, and open fields. I grew up attending church, learning all the frequently taught bible lessons, gaining all the moral lessons meant to be gained from these stories, and trying to be as good as I could be.
As an adolescent christian, I failed at "being good," and gave up the attempt as I quickly became covered in a spirit of shame and worthlessness. I traveled through the darkest valleys I have ever known, darker than I ever knew to exist before then.
And some how, through God's gracious mercy, and unfailing love, He carried me out of the valley and brought me into a beautiful spacious place (Psalm 18:1-19).
As a growing christian, I am learning that Christianity is not just about "knowing the stories," and "being good," but it is much more! I am learning that the Bible is not merely a collection of stories and moralistic fables like Aesop's Fables, but it is much, much more!
Christianity is about the Truth of God's love for us, which was so great that he sent his only Son, while we were dead in our Sins, not because we were righteous and deserving, because we are not. And the Bible is the testament of that truth, so that we may know the Truth, and the truth will set you free!
Knowing this now, about the Bible, I feel it is time, as a christian, that I read this book of Truth written by God. So that I may fully understand His Truth.
Who am I? I am a christian whose walked through shadowed valleys, and open fields. I grew up attending church, learning all the frequently taught bible lessons, gaining all the moral lessons meant to be gained from these stories, and trying to be as good as I could be.
As an adolescent christian, I failed at "being good," and gave up the attempt as I quickly became covered in a spirit of shame and worthlessness. I traveled through the darkest valleys I have ever known, darker than I ever knew to exist before then.
And some how, through God's gracious mercy, and unfailing love, He carried me out of the valley and brought me into a beautiful spacious place (Psalm 18:1-19).
As a growing christian, I am learning that Christianity is not just about "knowing the stories," and "being good," but it is much more! I am learning that the Bible is not merely a collection of stories and moralistic fables like Aesop's Fables, but it is much, much more!
Christianity is about the Truth of God's love for us, which was so great that he sent his only Son, while we were dead in our Sins, not because we were righteous and deserving, because we are not. And the Bible is the testament of that truth, so that we may know the Truth, and the truth will set you free!
Knowing this now, about the Bible, I feel it is time, as a christian, that I read this book of Truth written by God. So that I may fully understand His Truth.
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