At 3 weeks into the New Year I want list a few of the effects I have noticed from the upped Bible reading level in our church.
Guys getting together and discussing what they had seen and heard.
People more prepared for daily life, armed with the word and dangerous.
Increased enthusiasm overall.
People waiting for a shipment of study Bibles so they can dig deeper.
Support of each other for keeping with it.
Teens who are interested and want the full package, not a slimmed down version.
People reading together.
A variety of methods, times, places and ways to get it done. When you want it, you find a way.
Increased stirring of the Spirit.
Questions about how to apply what we are reading. Questions about Biblical culture and circumstances.
All in all I am so proud of those who have taken the challenge. We are seeing results in the mission field of Brewerton, NY.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Urgency
Luke 9:59 "He said to another man, follow me. But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God"
Sounds cruel to say that you need to follow and not even bury your father. Nothing says that the man's father has died, just that he is not ready to come right now, he needs to wait and bury his father. If daddy is not dead it could be years and this is an excuse.
The kingdom of God is more important and more ugent than some of our customs and politeness. You don't have to agree with me on this, but I believe that it is more important and urgent than our excuses. "I can't because of this or that."
This whole section of scripture speaks of urgency. Get up, get going, leave the excuses... there is work to be done. There is also a matter of focus. I have been known to spread myself a little "thin" at times and then I am not focused on the most important things. Many things can distract from the best thing- we get to choose.
As I read scripture I read that some dropped their nets and folloowed Jesus. Some wanted to jump in and go to work or learn from our Lord. But others have excuses, questions, arguments to "strain at gnats" and still others work for Him in the contexts where they are already placed.
Do you have a sense of urgency? Does our Church have it? Does our denomination have it? Jesus was urgent... "follow me, let the dead bury the dead, don't look back, if you see your neighbor in need..."
Think on these things. How is your urgency in God's kingdom work these days?
Sounds cruel to say that you need to follow and not even bury your father. Nothing says that the man's father has died, just that he is not ready to come right now, he needs to wait and bury his father. If daddy is not dead it could be years and this is an excuse.
The kingdom of God is more important and more ugent than some of our customs and politeness. You don't have to agree with me on this, but I believe that it is more important and urgent than our excuses. "I can't because of this or that."
This whole section of scripture speaks of urgency. Get up, get going, leave the excuses... there is work to be done. There is also a matter of focus. I have been known to spread myself a little "thin" at times and then I am not focused on the most important things. Many things can distract from the best thing- we get to choose.
As I read scripture I read that some dropped their nets and folloowed Jesus. Some wanted to jump in and go to work or learn from our Lord. But others have excuses, questions, arguments to "strain at gnats" and still others work for Him in the contexts where they are already placed.
Do you have a sense of urgency? Does our Church have it? Does our denomination have it? Jesus was urgent... "follow me, let the dead bury the dead, don't look back, if you see your neighbor in need..."
Think on these things. How is your urgency in God's kingdom work these days?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New Year Bible Reading Program
I said I would post on the Daily Bible readings from time to time. I will not post every day. I can share some of my insights.
Luke 2:51,52 partial "Jesus was obedient to his parents in Nazareth and He grew in wisdom, stature and favor."
As I read about John the Baptist it read that he was filled with the Holy Spirit upon birth. But is says here that Jesus grew. He grew in multiple ways. He did not come out of the womb all "Godlike." He grew. If Jesus grew we all must grow. He grew in 3 ways. Wisdom, stature and favor with God and man. Wisdom - knowledge and smart. Staure - his body grew and matured. Favor- character. These 3 ways are about the complete growing man or woman.
I could dissect these words better. Especially favor.
Application - I am reading and studying a lot and that is for wisdom.
I seek to reform my dietary habits and to exercise so that my body lasts longer and is healthier while I am around. Favor - not to please everybody, but to please God by my moral and menail conduct.
Is there any area where I am slipping? In fact all 3 areas are places of regular battles aren't they?
Prayer - O God, reveal Your heart and plan for me. Help me to be humble and loving. Please keep my anger and arrogance in check so that people can see you and not me.
Luke 2:51,52 partial "Jesus was obedient to his parents in Nazareth and He grew in wisdom, stature and favor."
As I read about John the Baptist it read that he was filled with the Holy Spirit upon birth. But is says here that Jesus grew. He grew in multiple ways. He did not come out of the womb all "Godlike." He grew. If Jesus grew we all must grow. He grew in 3 ways. Wisdom, stature and favor with God and man. Wisdom - knowledge and smart. Staure - his body grew and matured. Favor- character. These 3 ways are about the complete growing man or woman.
I could dissect these words better. Especially favor.
Application - I am reading and studying a lot and that is for wisdom.
I seek to reform my dietary habits and to exercise so that my body lasts longer and is healthier while I am around. Favor - not to please everybody, but to please God by my moral and menail conduct.
Is there any area where I am slipping? In fact all 3 areas are places of regular battles aren't they?
Prayer - O God, reveal Your heart and plan for me. Help me to be humble and loving. Please keep my anger and arrogance in check so that people can see you and not me.
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