Hey i just wanted to try something new today. I wanted to save our secretary some time in editing my stuff today. She is blessed with enough on her plate this week. Amen for good work. hope you enjoy a change in pace. let me know if you couldn't see it. Scotty
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Welcome to the New Testament
We start our reading from the New Testament with the gospel of Luke. Luke wrote both the book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, most likely around the same time. Many think that it was written around 60-61 AD. Many think that he wrote the book of Acts around 61-62 AD and that is why the book of Acts ends so quickly as Paul is still awaiting trial in Rome. One of the most interesting things about both the Gospel of Luke and Acts is who Luke was writing to.
It says in verse 3 that he wrote the letter to "most excellent Theophilus." When someone was called most excellent they were generally very important political figures and some believe this person was a relative of Caesar. Others think it was just a general statement by Luke because the name Theophilus means "Lover of God" so they say it was written for all who love God. Others say that this was the person that had paid for Luke's education to become a doctor, and the list goes on and on.
While this does not have anything to do with salvation, baptism, or any other great theological issue it is neat to think about all those in the New Testament that we really don't know anything about. Of course we know Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We have all heard of Peter, and Paul, but who was Theophilus? Was he a friend of the church? Was he a believer at all? Was this an influential person that Luke was trying to convert so the gospel could be advanced even further? Perhaps we will never know. Like the Old Testament, the New is full of mystery and wonder for those who dare to read it and dwell on such things. It's gonna be a great Fall for those who continue to stick with the 1-92 challenge.
Do some of your own research on this guy and see what you can dig up.
It says in verse 3 that he wrote the letter to "most excellent Theophilus." When someone was called most excellent they were generally very important political figures and some believe this person was a relative of Caesar. Others think it was just a general statement by Luke because the name Theophilus means "Lover of God" so they say it was written for all who love God. Others say that this was the person that had paid for Luke's education to become a doctor, and the list goes on and on.
While this does not have anything to do with salvation, baptism, or any other great theological issue it is neat to think about all those in the New Testament that we really don't know anything about. Of course we know Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We have all heard of Peter, and Paul, but who was Theophilus? Was he a friend of the church? Was he a believer at all? Was this an influential person that Luke was trying to convert so the gospel could be advanced even further? Perhaps we will never know. Like the Old Testament, the New is full of mystery and wonder for those who dare to read it and dwell on such things. It's gonna be a great Fall for those who continue to stick with the 1-92 challenge.
Do some of your own research on this guy and see what you can dig up.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Confession Is Good For The Soul
Ever hear that old saying “confession is good for the soul”?
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Nehemiah 9:29-33 "You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. "Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.
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People try to disassociate all the time, but when it comes down to it, we are still Americans, we are still responsible for what happens in our country, we are still responsible for what happens in our State, we are still responsible for what happens in our city, we are still responsible for what happens in our home. And that’s where it starts, in your home. If you want to change a nation, if you want to change the world, start where you have the most influence; in your home. Realize it is our fault that we are where we are today. But we can change, we can repent, and our God is just the same today as He was yesterday, and will be the same tomorrow. He is just, He will always be faithful. Our efforts are not in vain despite what the world says, our changes, our closeness to God, make a difference in the lives that are around us. See a people repent and turn to him Nehemiah, know that we can do the same.
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Nehemiah 9:29-33 "You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. 30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. "Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.
_________________________________________________________________
People try to disassociate all the time, but when it comes down to it, we are still Americans, we are still responsible for what happens in our country, we are still responsible for what happens in our State, we are still responsible for what happens in our city, we are still responsible for what happens in our home. And that’s where it starts, in your home. If you want to change a nation, if you want to change the world, start where you have the most influence; in your home. Realize it is our fault that we are where we are today. But we can change, we can repent, and our God is just the same today as He was yesterday, and will be the same tomorrow. He is just, He will always be faithful. Our efforts are not in vain despite what the world says, our changes, our closeness to God, make a difference in the lives that are around us. See a people repent and turn to him Nehemiah, know that we can do the same.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Great Read
WOW we are almost to the New Testament! It is coming up fast but I sure am enjoying the OT readings like today. From the very first verse that says "your hands made me and formed me, give me understanding to learn your commands." To the last verse "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant for I have not forgotten your commands." God spoke to me in a special way. There is just too much to pick from today, so let me just encourage you to do what I did. Read today's reading twice!!!! Even if it's sometime later in the week, come on back to Sept. 21 and give it another read. What a day! I took a peek into tomorrow as well and it is another good one. I can't wait.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Now Thats Confessing!
Hey everyone sorry I did not blog last week. As many of you know Abby's father is sick and is currently in the hospital undergoing a very intense round of chemo. Last Monday (the day i normally blog) I took the day off to be with her and the family in San Antonio. As a result It took me the rest of the week to get caught up and I never got to sit down and put my thoughts on paper. Maybe I will blog twice this week to make up for it (LOL).
I must start by saying I have jumped ahead. After reading today's reading I decided to keep on going into the reading for the 17th and I would like to comment on that just a bit. The 16th is almost over so I figure most of you will read this tomorrow anyway.
I was struck at the way the people confessed their sins to God in the reading for the 17th. It says Ezra was weeping and throwing himself down... Other people wept bitterly according to the scriptures. When was the last time you confessed like that? I am not saying we should do this just for the drama of it, or to prove we are serious about our confession. But I am not sure I take the confession of my sins seriously enough many times. I tend to in passing ask for forgiveness from God as a part of my prayers. I almost expect that God will forgive me because I know that He always has and always will. But that makes me lazy, and incredibly complacent in understanding how serious my sins are. I like most (I assume) take forgiveness for granted.
I am not suggesting that we weep every time we confess or that we must throw ourselves down on the ground. But I do suggest that as we pray and as we confess we take time to remember how serious sin is. I hope that we all will remember that our Lord hates sin. I pray that we remember that sin destroys everything that it touches! And when we take time to do that tears may flow, and knees will likely bow as we all stand in awwwww of what Jesus has done to restore our souls and grant us unending forgiveness.
I must start by saying I have jumped ahead. After reading today's reading I decided to keep on going into the reading for the 17th and I would like to comment on that just a bit. The 16th is almost over so I figure most of you will read this tomorrow anyway.
I was struck at the way the people confessed their sins to God in the reading for the 17th. It says Ezra was weeping and throwing himself down... Other people wept bitterly according to the scriptures. When was the last time you confessed like that? I am not saying we should do this just for the drama of it, or to prove we are serious about our confession. But I am not sure I take the confession of my sins seriously enough many times. I tend to in passing ask for forgiveness from God as a part of my prayers. I almost expect that God will forgive me because I know that He always has and always will. But that makes me lazy, and incredibly complacent in understanding how serious my sins are. I like most (I assume) take forgiveness for granted.
I am not suggesting that we weep every time we confess or that we must throw ourselves down on the ground. But I do suggest that as we pray and as we confess we take time to remember how serious sin is. I hope that we all will remember that our Lord hates sin. I pray that we remember that sin destroys everything that it touches! And when we take time to do that tears may flow, and knees will likely bow as we all stand in awwwww of what Jesus has done to restore our souls and grant us unending forgiveness.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Divine Encounter = Weakness
Ever notice how people talk about seeing an angel, or a glimse of God, but seldom do people talk of the fear that stuck them, or how they were not able to stand, or how they had no strength?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Change of Tune
Change of Tune
Daniel 4:2 (NIV) It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
Daniel 4 is a very unique chapter in the Bible because it is essentially composed under the authority of a pagan King, Nebuchadnezzar. While Nebuchadnezzar may have been intellectually convinced of the sovereignty and omniscience of the one true God, he had not had a true heart conversion in my opinion. The decree showed his gratitude to the Lord for delivering him from insanity and restoring him to his throne. But it’s a start and ol Nebuchadnezzar is changing his tune at this point about God.
You and I know people like this too. People who are grateful and thankful that God has preformed some miracle for them, or come through when they were in a bad spot. These are people who before cared very little if any about God and his ways. Then all of a sudden they are singing his praises. We are tempted to sit back and judge and say things like “we will see if this lasts” or “give it a week or two” or “its all fake just wait and see.” Or we can take advantage of their change of tune and do our best to plug them in even further to what God is doing. This is the perfect time to invite them to church, or a small group. This is a great time to ask them to serve on a team at your church. This is when we should pour it on, not wait and see.
God has a special way of changing people’s tunes. I believe it is time we see this not as an opportunity to watch someone fall back down, but instead as a time to do whatever we can to help push that person up even higher. The “Divine high” will fade away over time, and what we do during these times will determine if those people like Nebuchadnezzar hit rock bottom, or sore to new heights once it’s over. When you see God changing someone’s tune, jump in and get to work. Where God is at work we should be too!
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