Monday, January 9, 2012

Jan 9-16

Monday: Genesis 1
Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 33
Wednesday: Psalm 26
Thursday: Isaiah 30
Friday: Jonah 3
Saturday: John 14
Sunday: Philippians 4

21 comments:

Unknown said...

you did it! You made it through the Books of the Law and are now back at "THE BEGINNING" :) This time around I am going to read a different version (amplified) and I am going to seek out the attributes of God that are directly or indirectly referenced in each chapter. I want it to be a year of recognizing Him and worshipping Him for who He is, what He has done, and what He is yet to do.

So today I see God as Sustainer. The source and sustainer of all life. Wow.

I also had a thought, how the theories of atheist scientists still do support the bible in so many ways. I mean, how would the bible writers have known that the earth was originally covered in water which science now supports and teaches as well, also that the earth "hangs from space" and that there are invisible ocean currents and so many things like that.

Joan said...

Thanks Nichole for sharing your insight into the scripture with us all. I wish I could say "I did it", but hopefully this time around I'll be more faithful.

Chris said...

I love Evan's bible... it repeats "and that's exactly what happened" after each command that God gives.

Interesting to see that animals were created initially just to coexist with and be cared for by man- they were not made to put next to the mashed potatoes on our plates until Genesis 9!

I see the Sustainer- I also am floored by Him as the source of all creativity... just thinking about the diversity on earth and in the skies floors me... from sunsets to bugs' legs to the painted lilies to our skin colors... absolutely dumbfounding how creative He is. Glad to begin this year new and keep meeting together. Thank you for your ministry and your heart, Nichole.

Unknown said...

2 Chronicles 33. God is Holy and judges sin. He is also faithful to forgive when we repent but it is sobering how the consequences for our sin (despite repentance and forgiveness) are lifelong. Not the punishment aspect, as God did return Manasseh to Jerusalem, but his life long rebellion contributed to the character of a rebellious son... who set the tone for a rebellious nation. Like someone said recently in the comments, our actions do affect so many. What kind of tone am I setting and character am I exemplifying to those that are watching me?

Denise said...

PC, that is a wonderful accomplishment! You are truly an inspiration! Today as I wiped the dust off of my Bible it felt also like wiping cobwebs from my brain.

2 Chronicles 33: “In a list of corrupt kings, Manasseh would rank near the top. His life was a catalogue of evil deeds including idol worship, sacrificing his own children, and Temple desecration. Eventually, however, he realized his sins and cried out to God for forgiveness. And God listened. If God can forgive Manasseh, surely he can forgive anyone.”

Chris said...

I read this one last week by mistake (I don't think I can call it a mistake though). I love what you both wrote about chapter 33. In conversations about choices, we must always look to the future of what consequences or blessings will result- for myself, for my boys, for the teens I meet with- all good to remember.

Leanne said...

Genesis 1:It is amazing how God can take nothing and make it into something so amazing it blows our minds. From creating a world and solar system that we still can't comprehend, to forming a baby in it's mother's womb & even making something beautiful out of our messed up lives. Anything He touches is instantly beautiful...

Leanne said...

2 Chronicles 33: Our actions have consequences,we better respond in obedience when God talks to us.

Unknown said...

Denise, looking forward to seeing you put this "exercise" (of dusting off your bible and tackling the word) under your belt this year as triumphantly as you have taken on the world of running and bettering your health. When you put your mind to something there is no stopping you!

>>It is amazing how God can take nothing and make it into something so amazing it blows our minds. From creating a world and solar system that we still can't comprehend, to forming a baby in it's mother's womb & even making something beautiful out of our messed up lives.<<

love this, my friend. So glad to have you here.

Unknown said...

Psalm 6:9 The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord receives my prayer.

God always hears, and always cares. He may not always step in to relieve us of hurt or trials and turn our lives into seaside picnics because He knows that champions are formed in the press, not on the beach.

Joan said...

Psalm 26:12. ...and I will publicly praise the Lord. LAB says "too often we complain about our problems to anyone who will listen and we praise God only in private. Instead, we ought to complain privately and praise God publicly."

Denise said...

Psalm 26
Joan, that comment in the LAB also jumped out at me ("Too often we complain about our problems to anyone who will listen and we praise God only in private. Instead, we ought to complain privately and praise God publicly"). The theme of this Psalm is declaring our loyalty to God. I do not do this often enough where it matters (e.g., my family).

Denise said...

And thanks for your encouragement PC! I was running the other day trying to figure out how I could fit my running into my schedule that week. I thought, how ridiculous - I should be planning how to fit reading my Bible into my schedule!

Unknown said...

What a chapter!!! Isaiah 30:2 Who set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked Me-

I think it is not so much that God has one plan for us and we need to find it out and go that way, but that God wants to be the central part of each of our choices, decisions, He wants us to seek His will and guidance and approval. Not to put our own will on the pedestal and just turn our heads like stubborn mules in the direction that we want to go without truly showing that God is Lord by seeking His delight and approval and blessing in what we pursue. We should pursue it all for His glory, not for our own.

Isaiah 30: 15In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses!

18And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

I think this has to be me my all new favorite bible verse! Wow. It just floored me this morning, God, there are no words to describe your greatness. You are worthy of all of our praise and all of our passion.

First chance I get I am going to sit down with this chapter and write down all the attributes of God that show up directly or indirectly in this chapter. There are so many!! I challenge you to do the same.

Denise said...

Isaiah 30
“The Lord gave his people adversity for food and suffering for drink, but he promised to be with them, teach them, and guide them during hard times. God expects a lot from us, and many times following him can be painful; but he always acts out of his love for us. Next time you go through a difficult time, try to appreciate the experience and grow from it, learning what God wants to teach you. God may be showing you his love by patiently walking with you through adversity.”

heather said...

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of these conversations!
God never wastes anything when he wants to teach us. Reading through the short book of Jonah in this reading schedule is timed with God using that book in my life through another wise friend. I have been challenged to not be a "Jonah" towards those who God wants to heal. Jonah did not want to see change and repentance in the bad guys, yet God had mercy. I know that I am wrestling with this. Do I want to see someone who has done wrong be changed and forgiven?? At times, I just want God's wrath on them, not mercy!

Denise said...

Jonah3
"Jonah had run away from God but was given a second chance to participate in God's work. You may feel as though you are disqualified from serving God because of past mistakes. But serving God is not an earned position. No one qualifies for God's service, but God still asks us to carry out his work. You may yet have another chance.

God's word is for everyone. Despite the wickedness of the Ninevite people, they were open to God's message and repented immediately. If we simply proclaim God's message of salvation, we may be surprised at how many people will listen."

Unknown said...

So glad to have you here, Heather. and thanks for sharing what you did, I can relate to your feelings and struggle here.

I was off and running early this morning and didn't have a chance to read this till now, but it's interesting because while we spent the day cutting and wrapping pork and making italian sausage with some friends of ours we had a discussion that really relates to the theme of this chapter.

The basic premise was that we can do nothing to make God love us more, and we can do nothing to make God love us less. Because God is love. But... God is also Just. He is loving. And just. What that means is that He can't bypass His justness because of His love, but when justice is met (through faith in the atoning work of Christ) nothing can separate us from the Love of God. It doesn't mean that his love is no loner there when we are separated from it. And receiving the just punishment for our sins doesn't mean he doesn't love us either. His love never changes.

God loved the people of Nineveh, but it was not His love that held back His punishment, it was their heart change.

There are so many things in my own heart that need to change, just like there were in Jonah's.

Chris said...

John 14- I get goosebumps. For Jesus to speak so plainly to Philip and Thomas (and the others) was so thrilling. Revealing His identity AS God must have been as boggling for them as it is for us now. Jesus' compassion for His friends really shows through here, and I can see Him speaking with a twinkle in his eye as He tries to get through to them exactly who He is and seeing it not quite sink in.

I know I really doubt that God would do greater things through me than through the disciples if I have faith- that can be really frustrating- to be a believer for so long and have not tapped into exactly what God has for me... my doubts take over, and I don't see with His eyes. Lord forgive me and increase my faith!

I like how Christ refers in verse 17 to the Spirit- how the Spirit lives with them and will (future tense) be IN them. Then He talks about Himself (in the third person- get it? Trinity? Third? Ha ha ha)

His compassion and caring here make me wonder if the disciples were really unsettled, or whether He knew they would need specific things to recall and remember and hold to tightly when they faced trials and persecutions.

Leanne- Heather- awesome to have you here. I really enjoyed ALL of the comments this week. Thanks.

Unknown said...

:) great thoughts, Chris. Wish I would have had time to hook up with you this week, going to make it happen next week!

John 14 In keeping with my theme of looking for the attributes of God, I see God as so many things in this chapter! Especially since we are dealing with so many references to His triunity and the aspects of each of those personages. I am not sure exactly what to settle on, but I guess I will go with Comforter. That's what Jesus was doing here, and that is what He called the Holy Spirit as well, the comforter who would come. What a comfort, to be comforted by the God of the universe.

This verse is a favorite of mine;

27Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Unknown said...

phil 3. REDEEMER. Redeemer who came (v12)and Redeemer who is coming again (v 20-21)

I was so moved and challenged by the amplified Bible's rendering of Paul's words here;

8Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly].

9And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly],

My determined purpose.... I love that. I want this to be my determined purpose. To know and love and understand the wonders of His person more clearly. Amen!!!!