The first thing I saw while reading this book is that so much more today we can say as Jesus said in1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel". It makes me shudder when I share the Gospel with people and they are not a bit interested in their eternal destiny. The more I look at this world and the sin that is so prevalent, the more sure it makes me that the coming of Christ is very close.
Jesus says in v.17 that it is He who makes me a soul winner and not yself, "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." (emphasis mine). When I have an opportunity to witness and it is received favorably, I can think what a good job I did, NOT it is all of Christ. "I can of mine own self do nothing:" John 5:30. Jesus asks me to be willing to follow Him and He will go with me whithersoever I go. I have heard it said that Jesus never gives us a job to do without the tools and ability to do it with. I need to remember this when I am being cowardly to witness to people especially my own family. I pray for the boldness to warn them of Hell. So many of my family are not saved.
In Chapter 2:15-17 I am reminded that I am not to look at the outward appearance of people but to see them as a soul that Christ died for. I wonder how people looked at me before Christ saved this wicked sinner. Too often I think we want to put every one into the mold that we think is the right one. I am so thankful that Christ does not save souls according to my standard. Where else would Christ be but among the sinners He came to save from an eternity in Hell? I trust that the next time I see someone that is not exactly welcomed by our society, that I will remember this passage and reach out to them with the love and Gospel of Christ and not shy away from them.
In chapter 3:23-26 it brought to my attention that I need to be protective and zealous for my Pastor and Church that I am not the cause of any division that would cause my sisters and brothers in Christ to be divided. Jesus said in v. 24,25, "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand". I have a wonderful church family and I am so thankful to God for the love and care that is shown one toward another, I also know that I must not take this for granted but be ever careful myself not to be uncaring or thoughtless with my words or actions. I am sure that there are times when I have offended people and don't even realize it. I pray that God will keep me aware of the words I say, that I not offend anyone. I realize that this is not when I am sharing the Gospel (as the Bible says there are some that will be offended because if His Word), but the truth must be told in love.
I want to be a hundred fold Christian, I have a long way to go but I can keep striving to reach this goal with God's help. I want to keep my heart willing and teachable to the truths of God's Word. In 4:9 Jesus said, "And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear". Jesus also taught with illustrations (parables) because we can understand better the truth that He is teaching us.
Verse 21 While I am not sure that this verse means that I am not to hide that Christ is my Saviour, but to let my light shine brightly for Him that others may see Him in my life, it is true that I am to make sure that my testimony must be above reproach that the cause of Christ be not harmed. My prayer is that I would not hear these words from anyone, "I couldn't see anything different or better in your life than mine, so why should I want Christ?" God wants me to sow the seed to as many as I can, the reaping of souls is His job. Jesus uses the little mustard seed to show that even my little efforts could bring forth much fruit, if I am just willing to sow the seed.
Lastly I see that when the disciples thought that Christ did not care if they perished in the storm, He stepped forward and said three simple words, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39), and the winds and seas obeyed Him. The same great God that stilled the storm with three words offers us His power to help us each day. I can see God's hand of peace, comfort and protection in the midst of the storms of my life. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. As He calmed the storm with the words of His mouth "Peace be Still" He is the same Lord today and can calm the storms in my life.
What a wonderful God we (I) serve!!! Now I am waiting to see what each of you gleaned from these chapters. To keep me from temptation at looking at any one's review before I have done mine, I am writing this on Thursday, but will post it on Friday. I can say of myself "O ye of little faith. Yield not to temptation"!!!
Until next time, just keep trusting the Lord!:)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
BRF - Psalm 119
My first thoughts on this Book were of Praise, Prayer and the importance of the Word of God for my everyday life. Words like "teach me" and "help me to understand" are used repeatedly. I will try to pick out a couple of things that affected me the most in this chapter as one review would not do justice.
So often I forget to rely on my Lord and things don't go very well. Right from the start this Psalm says if I "walk in the law of the Lord","keep His testimonies, and seek Him with my whole heart" I will be blessed. David continually seeks the Lord in times of trouble and praises Him in all his situations. O, that i could say that when I am faced with difficulties or sorrow, my first thought was to flee to the comfort and help of the One who is the great Comforter. I have a long way to go in this area I am afraid. I know in my heart that God makes no mistakes and He knows what is best for me to bring me to a place of trusting Him fully and not my own self, so why is He my last resource?!!!
David talks about hiding God's Word in his heart in verse 11, I am so thankful that when I first became a Christian that my Pastor encouraged a Scripture Memory Program in my church. I can not count the times God has brought to mind a verse of Scripture that I needed for a difficult or sorrowful time in my life. To me memorization and meditating on God's Word are so very important for our lives. In Canada we take God's Word for granted. We can pick up our Bible(S) any time, I think we would be able to understand the importance of "hiding" the Word of God in our hearts if we were to be in a country where the Word of God is not readily available. OK enough of how I feel now back to the review.
Verse 18 David asks God to, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law". This is a prayer that I often pray when I don't understand something I am reading. I want to know and apply God's Word to my life. I know that if David, who was called a man after God's own heart, had to ask God to "....teach me thy statutes.Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works" Verses 26,27, how much more do I need the Lord to teach me. I'm so happy that He doesn't give up on me but as His Word says,"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippines 1:6..
In verse 67 David says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word". and in verse 71 he says "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes". It amazes me how often I find myself in situations that cause me to be afflicted before the Lord has my attention. I wonder when I will ever learn. The Lord is so merciful and long suffering.
This last verse to comment on and that I would like to be true in my life is verse 165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them".
I know that there is much more to learn from this chapter but I will end this review for this time and maybe we will come back to this chapter at a later date. So very much to learn!
Until nest time, keep trusting our Lord! Maybe I will even surprise you all and have my review submitted on time. Thank you Shannon for not giving out a penalty for late submissions:)
So often I forget to rely on my Lord and things don't go very well. Right from the start this Psalm says if I "walk in the law of the Lord","keep His testimonies, and seek Him with my whole heart" I will be blessed. David continually seeks the Lord in times of trouble and praises Him in all his situations. O, that i could say that when I am faced with difficulties or sorrow, my first thought was to flee to the comfort and help of the One who is the great Comforter. I have a long way to go in this area I am afraid. I know in my heart that God makes no mistakes and He knows what is best for me to bring me to a place of trusting Him fully and not my own self, so why is He my last resource?!!!
David talks about hiding God's Word in his heart in verse 11, I am so thankful that when I first became a Christian that my Pastor encouraged a Scripture Memory Program in my church. I can not count the times God has brought to mind a verse of Scripture that I needed for a difficult or sorrowful time in my life. To me memorization and meditating on God's Word are so very important for our lives. In Canada we take God's Word for granted. We can pick up our Bible(S) any time, I think we would be able to understand the importance of "hiding" the Word of God in our hearts if we were to be in a country where the Word of God is not readily available. OK enough of how I feel now back to the review.
Verse 18 David asks God to, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law". This is a prayer that I often pray when I don't understand something I am reading. I want to know and apply God's Word to my life. I know that if David, who was called a man after God's own heart, had to ask God to "....teach me thy statutes.Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works" Verses 26,27, how much more do I need the Lord to teach me. I'm so happy that He doesn't give up on me but as His Word says,"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippines 1:6..
In verse 67 David says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word". and in verse 71 he says "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes". It amazes me how often I find myself in situations that cause me to be afflicted before the Lord has my attention. I wonder when I will ever learn. The Lord is so merciful and long suffering.
This last verse to comment on and that I would like to be true in my life is verse 165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them".
I know that there is much more to learn from this chapter but I will end this review for this time and maybe we will come back to this chapter at a later date. So very much to learn!
Until nest time, keep trusting our Lord! Maybe I will even surprise you all and have my review submitted on time. Thank you Shannon for not giving out a penalty for late submissions:)
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Haggai - BRF
This Book made me realize how much I need to learn about God's Word. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the reviews to see what you gleaned.
A few things I did notice were that in Chapter 1 the Lord was rebuking the people through Haggai that they were so caught up in the things of themselves that they were neglecting the things of God. They had time to build their own houses but did not think it was time for the Lord's house to be built. I thought about my priorities, how often do I put God on the back burner for a more convenient time. Sobering thought!
God used the words "Consider your ways" or just the word "consider" a number of times in this little Book of the Bible, I think that if God uses the word this many times He wants me "to consider MY ways".
We are told that are ways are fruitless, "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes" vs 6. We cannot expect God to bless us if we have no time for Him.
God is so merciful to me. He forgives when I repent of my ways. I see that when the people repented and were willing to obey, God blessed them. The Lord promised to be with them as He does each of us when we are obedient to His Word.
There was a lot in this Book that I didn't quite get, so more study is needed. I feel like this review is disjointed.
Now I am off to our winter camp "Chill-Out" to act like a teenager for the next couple of days. Looking forward to reading each review when I get home. Until next time, keep trusting in our great Lord and Saviour!
A few things I did notice were that in Chapter 1 the Lord was rebuking the people through Haggai that they were so caught up in the things of themselves that they were neglecting the things of God. They had time to build their own houses but did not think it was time for the Lord's house to be built. I thought about my priorities, how often do I put God on the back burner for a more convenient time. Sobering thought!
God used the words "Consider your ways" or just the word "consider" a number of times in this little Book of the Bible, I think that if God uses the word this many times He wants me "to consider MY ways".
We are told that are ways are fruitless, "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes" vs 6. We cannot expect God to bless us if we have no time for Him.
God is so merciful to me. He forgives when I repent of my ways. I see that when the people repented and were willing to obey, God blessed them. The Lord promised to be with them as He does each of us when we are obedient to His Word.
There was a lot in this Book that I didn't quite get, so more study is needed. I feel like this review is disjointed.
Now I am off to our winter camp "Chill-Out" to act like a teenager for the next couple of days. Looking forward to reading each review when I get home. Until next time, keep trusting in our great Lord and Saviour!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Have You Been Mistaken for Jesus?
I hope this will be an encouragement to you, it was to me. Have a great service in our Lord's House on Sunday.
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" 1 John 4:7.
I just got this from a dear friend and I had to share. As you read this think about what you would do!
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago.
They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush through the terminal, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere.
Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.
ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived
at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.
The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay? She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his, way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul:
"Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised
by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
Please share this . . .Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know...Thanks
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" 1 John 4:7.
I just got this from a dear friend and I had to share. As you read this think about what you would do!
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago.
They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush through the terminal, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere.
Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.
ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived
at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.
The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay? She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his, way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul:
"Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised
by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
Please share this . . .Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know...Thanks
Friday, February 2, 2007
2 Timothy Review
I think I must be dull of hearing. This book was a little hard to dig out truths to apply to my every day life. Here are some of the things I did see to live a Christian life.
In Chapter 1:5 there is a Christan heritage of at least three generations; what a blessing to be able to have this kind of heritage in our families. If I want to see my faith passed down to the next generations, I need to be a bold witness to my family and all those that I come in contact with and not be afraid of what might be thought of me. Fear does not come from God, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (vs7). God is not pleased with me when I am not willing to share the Gospel, I need to be ready to suffer reproach if need be. God is my strength and I can be assured that He will always keep His promises,"...I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (12).
In chapter 2 I am reminded that I am not to be entangled with the affairs of this world, but rather to please my Saviour. I need to to keep looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of my salvation to give me wisdom and strength to avoid the pitfalls of the world I live in.
Vs.12 makes me shiver just to think that Christ would deny me because I am not willing to claim Him. I want to be a bolder witness for Christ and be more faithful to Him. He has done so much for me, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay..." Psalm 40:2. I am also reminded to " Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" vs. 15.
Vs. 25 tells me to have a meek and humble attitude when I am witnessing to those who do not know Christ as their own personal Saviour. There are times when frustration shows through my attitude when those I love just don't want to listen. I have to stop and think how many times those who were witnessing to me, and I would not listen, felt the same!
When I read Chapter 3 it became very apparent that we are in the last days, ""This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away". This to me is a definite picture of the day we are living in. I suppose it should not be so surprising that this is happening, since God has already warned us about the way our society would be. I still get upset and disgusted at the wicked things that are allowed to be made law because of "this is my right" opinions.
I cannot pick and choose what parts of God's Word I will obey. God says:,"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 3:16. I need to keep pressing on and not become discouraged with the things I cannot change. I would like to be able to say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 4: 7; and to hear my Lord say".. Well done, good and faithful servant; ..." Matthew 25:23. It is not possible to love this world and God at the same time they are totally in contrast to one another. My prayer is that I will forsake the things of this world and cling to the things of my Lord with all my heart.
I hope this makes some sense, I feel like I am all over the place.
Now I am off to read the reviews of my BRF friends:) Until next time, keep trusting in the One who gave His all - our Saviour!
In Chapter 1:5 there is a Christan heritage of at least three generations; what a blessing to be able to have this kind of heritage in our families. If I want to see my faith passed down to the next generations, I need to be a bold witness to my family and all those that I come in contact with and not be afraid of what might be thought of me. Fear does not come from God, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (vs7). God is not pleased with me when I am not willing to share the Gospel, I need to be ready to suffer reproach if need be. God is my strength and I can be assured that He will always keep His promises,"...I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (12).
In chapter 2 I am reminded that I am not to be entangled with the affairs of this world, but rather to please my Saviour. I need to to keep looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of my salvation to give me wisdom and strength to avoid the pitfalls of the world I live in.
Vs.12 makes me shiver just to think that Christ would deny me because I am not willing to claim Him. I want to be a bolder witness for Christ and be more faithful to Him. He has done so much for me, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay..." Psalm 40:2. I am also reminded to " Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" vs. 15.
Vs. 25 tells me to have a meek and humble attitude when I am witnessing to those who do not know Christ as their own personal Saviour. There are times when frustration shows through my attitude when those I love just don't want to listen. I have to stop and think how many times those who were witnessing to me, and I would not listen, felt the same!
When I read Chapter 3 it became very apparent that we are in the last days, ""This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away". This to me is a definite picture of the day we are living in. I suppose it should not be so surprising that this is happening, since God has already warned us about the way our society would be. I still get upset and disgusted at the wicked things that are allowed to be made law because of "this is my right" opinions.
I cannot pick and choose what parts of God's Word I will obey. God says:,"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" 3:16. I need to keep pressing on and not become discouraged with the things I cannot change. I would like to be able to say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 4: 7; and to hear my Lord say".. Well done, good and faithful servant; ..." Matthew 25:23. It is not possible to love this world and God at the same time they are totally in contrast to one another. My prayer is that I will forsake the things of this world and cling to the things of my Lord with all my heart.
I hope this makes some sense, I feel like I am all over the place.
Now I am off to read the reviews of my BRF friends:) Until next time, keep trusting in the One who gave His all - our Saviour!
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