I love that line, that little tiny almost forgettable beginning to the Lord's Prayer. How easy to miss that two word phrase "Our Father..." that describes a personal and loving God. Then followed with "...in heaven" - which attests to His highest standing and the majestic glory His name deserves. And yet, every time I hear the Lord's Prayer, I picture a very bored congregation repeating the words in a low, monotonous voice...with no joy about what they're saying out loud!!
Jesus gave us this prayer as a guide...a framework to keep in mind as we pray. Again - the study guide from my Bible comes through with a great explanation. The Lord's Prayer is a pattern...a way to praise God, pray for his work in the world, pray for our daily needs, and pray for help in our daily struggles.
There's a lot to think about after reading this chapter, and so much I could write about. But I'm going to leave it here. If you've got more to talk about - would love to see some comments!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Convicted
I was having a hard time figuring out what to write about today from our reading. Took me a minute to realize that it was just me causing the delay. Why? I woke up angry...woke up to the sound of the boys fighting, and I allowed it to set me off on the wrong foot. Will was arguing over his lost shoes, Nate is whining about everything, and the first words out of my mouth were yelled instead of spoken kindly. I just have a bad attitude, and I'm trying to shake it.
Then I get to read Matthew 5, where Jesus said that being angry is just as bad as murder. Great way to start off the day, right!?! Turns out it's a great personal reminder that God is just as concerned about my heart as He is my actions. So when Jesus starts teaching the disciples about how Old Testament laws are still applicable (they covered more than just moral law with the ten commandments, but also ceremonial law and civil law), we see that keeping each and every law perfectly doesn't grant us a spot in Heaven. The laws were given to make us aware of the sin that resides in all of us. We don't have the ability to be "good enough" to get into Heaven.
So that's how my morning started. Angry before my feet touched the floor, feeling convicted after reading Matthew 5, and now I have a choice for the rest of my day. Do I knowingly hold onto the fleeting feeling of irritability, or choose to let it go and love others like God loves me? hmmmmmmmm
There's a book that our church gives away to new visitors called "Since Nobody's Perfect...How Good is Good Enough" by Andy Stanley. There's a few copies floating around the family, so if you get a chance to borrow a copy it's a great book to read more about this idea.
Then I get to read Matthew 5, where Jesus said that being angry is just as bad as murder. Great way to start off the day, right!?! Turns out it's a great personal reminder that God is just as concerned about my heart as He is my actions. So when Jesus starts teaching the disciples about how Old Testament laws are still applicable (they covered more than just moral law with the ten commandments, but also ceremonial law and civil law), we see that keeping each and every law perfectly doesn't grant us a spot in Heaven. The laws were given to make us aware of the sin that resides in all of us. We don't have the ability to be "good enough" to get into Heaven.
So that's how my morning started. Angry before my feet touched the floor, feeling convicted after reading Matthew 5, and now I have a choice for the rest of my day. Do I knowingly hold onto the fleeting feeling of irritability, or choose to let it go and love others like God loves me? hmmmmmmmm
There's a book that our church gives away to new visitors called "Since Nobody's Perfect...How Good is Good Enough" by Andy Stanley. There's a few copies floating around the family, so if you get a chance to borrow a copy it's a great book to read more about this idea.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
It is Written
We have all dealt with temptation. Maybe we gave in, maybe not...but I doubt any of us were tempted quite so viciously as Jesus was by Satan. I love how the Matthew 4:2 says "After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry." Um, yeah - I'd imagine!! I can't even go one day without eating... But seeing how Jesus was tempted shows us that he was fully human - yet never gave in to temptation and remained without sin.
Satan is one of those things that people don't really talk about, in my experience anyways. Maybe people think of him as "the one who must not be named" - but the truth is he is very real, not symbolic...and he continues to tempt us each and every day. (Important note - the devil's temptations are quite different from when the Lord is testing us.)
In this chapter we're shown the importance and effectiveness of knowing and applying Scripture to resist temptation. This is definitely something I struggle with. Memorizing verses is hard for me. But reading this today was a good reminder of how important it is in our lives. So, out of curiosity, if you have a favorite verse that you have memorized - or one you refer to when you need strength - would you be willing to share it?
I'll admit - I had to look it up, because I can never remember the address of verses I know. One of mine is Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Satan is one of those things that people don't really talk about, in my experience anyways. Maybe people think of him as "the one who must not be named" - but the truth is he is very real, not symbolic...and he continues to tempt us each and every day. (Important note - the devil's temptations are quite different from when the Lord is testing us.)
In this chapter we're shown the importance and effectiveness of knowing and applying Scripture to resist temptation. This is definitely something I struggle with. Memorizing verses is hard for me. But reading this today was a good reminder of how important it is in our lives. So, out of curiosity, if you have a favorite verse that you have memorized - or one you refer to when you need strength - would you be willing to share it?
I'll admit - I had to look it up, because I can never remember the address of verses I know. One of mine is Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Walking the Talk
John was the real deal. He lived a different way. He preached a different way. The Pharisees (who lived strictly to Old Testament law, forgetting about mercy and grace) and the Sadducees (who added to the law as it suited them best and were low on faith)...they hated John and the Jesus he was preparing a path for.
If it seemed like a jump in time from Chapter 2 - 3, that's because it was. Almost 30 years had passed. Now we're introduced to John who brings up one huge thing. Repentance. Sounds like a scary concept, and if you don't really understand what it means - yeah, I can definitely see why people shy away. I looked up the word in my Bible's dictionary: "to experience sorrow for and seek to change wrong behavior". It's an important truth to understand. John was telling the people that they needed to admit their sin to God first, and then God would give them what they need to change their ways. THAT is what so many people don't understand even today...God does not ask us to clean up our act first, or be a "better" person before we come to Him.
However, John was also teaching that when we seek God's help in changing our behavior...that the change in our lives becomes something visible that others can and should see. Verse 3:8 "Produce fruit in keeping with repentence". God expects us to walk our talk, like John did. Other people will see it too, so the challenge here is whether we are seen as hypocrites or the real deal.
If it seemed like a jump in time from Chapter 2 - 3, that's because it was. Almost 30 years had passed. Now we're introduced to John who brings up one huge thing. Repentance. Sounds like a scary concept, and if you don't really understand what it means - yeah, I can definitely see why people shy away. I looked up the word in my Bible's dictionary: "to experience sorrow for and seek to change wrong behavior". It's an important truth to understand. John was telling the people that they needed to admit their sin to God first, and then God would give them what they need to change their ways. THAT is what so many people don't understand even today...God does not ask us to clean up our act first, or be a "better" person before we come to Him.
However, John was also teaching that when we seek God's help in changing our behavior...that the change in our lives becomes something visible that others can and should see. Verse 3:8 "Produce fruit in keeping with repentence". God expects us to walk our talk, like John did. Other people will see it too, so the challenge here is whether we are seen as hypocrites or the real deal.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Unexpected Guests, Escape Routes, Murderous Plots...
Ok, maybe it's just me, but WOW is there a lot of action packed into one small chapter! Magi travel thousands of miles to see a baby, the king of the land wants to kill the poor child so Mary and Joseph are on the run to protect baby Jesus...secretly travelling to Egypt and eventually Nazareth.
I like to hold onto the quiet, silent night, picturesque view of Jesus' birth that we see in all the Christmas cards and hear about in melodic carols. But what I read in Matthew 2 is so opposite of that! My study guide said that the Magi didn't even get to see baby Jesus until he was probably 1-2 years old. (I guess it took a little longer to travel over 1,000 miles than they thought.) The birth of Jesus didn't create peace in the land...actually it stirred things up pretty bad. Rome had given Herod the title "King of the Jews", and news of a newborn King made him worry that he would lose his status and position. He was so afraid of losing material things, that he didn't realize Jesus could have given him so much more. One of those things that are still true today for so many people, unfortunately.
One personal note: If you don't have a Life Application Study Bible, I highly recommend getting one. I like the NIV version, but there are other translations that might work better for your reading style. There's SO much information and background given that it makes the readings more understandable...and shows how the words of the bible can easily apply to every day life. It makes an amazing difference in my ability to understand the Bible. Just thought I'd share, in case it helps you too.
I like to hold onto the quiet, silent night, picturesque view of Jesus' birth that we see in all the Christmas cards and hear about in melodic carols. But what I read in Matthew 2 is so opposite of that! My study guide said that the Magi didn't even get to see baby Jesus until he was probably 1-2 years old. (I guess it took a little longer to travel over 1,000 miles than they thought.) The birth of Jesus didn't create peace in the land...actually it stirred things up pretty bad. Rome had given Herod the title "King of the Jews", and news of a newborn King made him worry that he would lose his status and position. He was so afraid of losing material things, that he didn't realize Jesus could have given him so much more. One of those things that are still true today for so many people, unfortunately.
One personal note: If you don't have a Life Application Study Bible, I highly recommend getting one. I like the NIV version, but there are other translations that might work better for your reading style. There's SO much information and background given that it makes the readings more understandable...and shows how the words of the bible can easily apply to every day life. It makes an amazing difference in my ability to understand the Bible. Just thought I'd share, in case it helps you too.
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's never too late!
Don't think that being three days behind is any excuse not to start! In fact, I hope that maybe in a month or even more you'll still be doing this journey with me and will be excited enough to keep inviting more people to join us! The past three days of reading took me about 10 minutes. So seriously not too hard, even with Nate home!
Starting with Matthew 1 might get the eyes rolling at all the geneology, but my Bible has notes that explained why this is important...even if it doesn't seem interesting to read. (there are 46 people whose life-times span 2,000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably...some were shady...some were ordinary...some were heroes of faith...some were evil. The inclusion of 4 different women raised ethnic and ethical questions based on their reputations. Yet this was the line into which God's son was born. All of them were sinners...yet God's plan to save all people was never thwarted).
I hope you enjoy the readings from the past few days as we get started. I can't wait to see where this takes us!!
Starting with Matthew 1 might get the eyes rolling at all the geneology, but my Bible has notes that explained why this is important...even if it doesn't seem interesting to read. (there are 46 people whose life-times span 2,000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably...some were shady...some were ordinary...some were heroes of faith...some were evil. The inclusion of 4 different women raised ethnic and ethical questions based on their reputations. Yet this was the line into which God's son was born. All of them were sinners...yet God's plan to save all people was never thwarted).
I hope you enjoy the readings from the past few days as we get started. I can't wait to see where this takes us!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Invitation
So here's a new year and a new chance to do something significant! Making a commitment to read the Bible every day might sound like a huge undertaking, and for some that might be true. Either way - I hope you join us, and make this year a time for growth and change unlike any other. If you think you can spare a minimum of 7 minutes a day, maybe that will sound more do-able. But think about it. 7 minutes a day (more if you like)...and you'll be getting a unique chance to connect with your family and friends in a new and fresh way. Maybe you'll start out reading just to get through it....and maybe in time the reading with get through to you!
Click here for the direct link for the reading plan, and even the text from the bible online for each day. You can access it from your laptop or your phone making this so easy for everyone!
Hope to journey along with you...and thought this blog would be a nice place for everyone to connect online in one place and share how things are going. There's also a way to make comments online through Red Cedar if you like...
http://redcedarcc.wordpress.com/
Click here for the direct link for the reading plan, and even the text from the bible online for each day. You can access it from your laptop or your phone making this so easy for everyone!
Hope to journey along with you...and thought this blog would be a nice place for everyone to connect online in one place and share how things are going. There's also a way to make comments online through Red Cedar if you like...
http://redcedarcc.wordpress.com/
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