I've gotten away from my routine of daily scripture devotionals. It's because the verses I'm reading lately are keying in with my Spirit.
I haven't grown lazy, just I've been told to be quiet for a little while.
Will update soon hopefully.
Not that anyone actually reads these.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Scripture: "Hang my locket around your neck, wear my ring on your finger. Love is invincible facing danger and death. Passion laughs at the terrors of hell. The fire of love stops at nothing— it sweeps everything before it. Flood waters can’t drown love,
torrents of rain can’t put it out. Love can’t be bought, love can’t be sold— it’s not to be found in the marketplace..."
-Song of Songs 8:6-8
Observation: In Old Testament times a seal was used to indicate ownership of a person’s valued possessions. So the beloved asked to be her lover’s most valued possession, a possession that would influence his thoughts (over your heart) and his actions (over your arm). Such a demanding request required the explanation which she gave in verses 6b-7a. These verses sum up the nature and power of the love depicted in the Song. It is as universal and irresistible as death, exclusive and possessive (in the sense of being genuinely concerned for the one loved) as the grave, passionate (as blazing fire) and as invincible and persevering as many waters and rivers. And all this is true because love is supported by the Creator who possesses all power. The words like a mighty flame are, literally, “like the very flame of the Lord” . Thus the Lord is portrayed as the Source of this powerful loveThe final statement about the love depicted in the Song is that it is priceless. All one’s wealth would be totally inadequate to purchase such love. In fact such money would be . . . scorned, because love cannot be bought. Any attempt to “buy” love depersonalizes it. If love is priceless, how then can it be obtained? The answer is that it must be given. And ultimately love is a gift from God. The epilogue explains how the beloved received this priceless gift of love.
Application: What a beautiful description of God's love for us. I really chose this verse to uplift someone; and all you women out-there who never read my blogs should definitely favorite this one. But God's love really is like a love-affair. He really does place a locket around his beloved's neck, and proposes to ask us to be his husband. For guys this can be quite odd... but hang in there. He died just so we could be his friends. He knew what was right for us; and we all know how long it takes for us to admit defeat, but he paid that price in full, just so we wouldn't have to. Pretty swell guy if you ask me. Definitely worth keeping in your "My five." Nothing can separate us from God's love; this theme has been surfacing alot on my blog, but it's even clear with the Old Testament. God's love hasn't changed. He's always there with open arms waiting to take us in.
For the ladies, will you accept the proposal?
For the guys, will you suck it up and admit your wrong so you can go back to making up some lost time?
-Brent
torrents of rain can’t put it out. Love can’t be bought, love can’t be sold— it’s not to be found in the marketplace..."
-Song of Songs 8:6-8
Observation: In Old Testament times a seal was used to indicate ownership of a person’s valued possessions. So the beloved asked to be her lover’s most valued possession, a possession that would influence his thoughts (over your heart) and his actions (over your arm). Such a demanding request required the explanation which she gave in verses 6b-7a. These verses sum up the nature and power of the love depicted in the Song. It is as universal and irresistible as death, exclusive and possessive (in the sense of being genuinely concerned for the one loved) as the grave, passionate (as blazing fire) and as invincible and persevering as many waters and rivers. And all this is true because love is supported by the Creator who possesses all power. The words like a mighty flame are, literally, “like the very flame of the Lord” . Thus the Lord is portrayed as the Source of this powerful loveThe final statement about the love depicted in the Song is that it is priceless. All one’s wealth would be totally inadequate to purchase such love. In fact such money would be . . . scorned, because love cannot be bought. Any attempt to “buy” love depersonalizes it. If love is priceless, how then can it be obtained? The answer is that it must be given. And ultimately love is a gift from God. The epilogue explains how the beloved received this priceless gift of love.
Application: What a beautiful description of God's love for us. I really chose this verse to uplift someone; and all you women out-there who never read my blogs should definitely favorite this one. But God's love really is like a love-affair. He really does place a locket around his beloved's neck, and proposes to ask us to be his husband. For guys this can be quite odd... but hang in there. He died just so we could be his friends. He knew what was right for us; and we all know how long it takes for us to admit defeat, but he paid that price in full, just so we wouldn't have to. Pretty swell guy if you ask me. Definitely worth keeping in your "My five." Nothing can separate us from God's love; this theme has been surfacing alot on my blog, but it's even clear with the Old Testament. God's love hasn't changed. He's always there with open arms waiting to take us in.
For the ladies, will you accept the proposal?
For the guys, will you suck it up and admit your wrong so you can go back to making up some lost time?
-Brent
Everything I say and do
Scripture: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
- 1 Peter 4:11
Observation: Context of preparation of end times, and being ready for Christ return. Peter distinguishes the a separation in ministry roles according to some scholars but I argue it leaves the context of the verse.
Application: Every thing we say and do should be in an attitude of worship to God. That's the point. If you can get that; you've succeeded at being a Christian. I'm not talking salvation, nor works show true faith. But I'm talking about that if we really intend to do or say anything we need to be sure that it uplifts God in the process.
We can also be assured that God will provide the strength and the words to say; so we should just rely on him to guide us along the path of righteousness.
It's simple, straight-forward, and easy to do. We are the ones who complicate it.
Let's re-fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith so we can continue down this path of righteous living.
- 1 Peter 4:11
Observation: Context of preparation of end times, and being ready for Christ return. Peter distinguishes the a separation in ministry roles according to some scholars but I argue it leaves the context of the verse.
Application: Every thing we say and do should be in an attitude of worship to God. That's the point. If you can get that; you've succeeded at being a Christian. I'm not talking salvation, nor works show true faith. But I'm talking about that if we really intend to do or say anything we need to be sure that it uplifts God in the process.
We can also be assured that God will provide the strength and the words to say; so we should just rely on him to guide us along the path of righteousness.
It's simple, straight-forward, and easy to do. We are the ones who complicate it.
Let's re-fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith so we can continue down this path of righteous living.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Unequaled Love
Scripture: "Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 'They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.' I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."
-Romans 8:35-38
Observation: Context of God's love for us, not our love for him...
"These things—stated in increasing intensity—do not separate Christians from Christ; instead they are part of the 'all things' (Rom. 8:28) God uses to bring them to conformity to His Son. Then Paul quoted Psalm 44:22 to remind his readers that in this life the people of God must face much affliction, including even martyrdom for some. In the early days of the church one or more Christians were martyred every day, or faced the possibility of it. Their persecutors valued Christians’ lives as nothing more than animals to be butchered (The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:475).
Application:
God's love is permanent. Once we belong to him, you think our silly trials, our silly stumbles allow him to regret accepting us in? Absolutely not! We can persevere in Christ love and ask him for more of his to make up for ours lacking in times when we desperately need it. Even though we may stumble and fall, God always meets us at 100% love to help pick us back up.
-Romans 8:35-38
Observation: Context of God's love for us, not our love for him...
"These things—stated in increasing intensity—do not separate Christians from Christ; instead they are part of the 'all things' (Rom. 8:28) God uses to bring them to conformity to His Son. Then Paul quoted Psalm 44:22 to remind his readers that in this life the people of God must face much affliction, including even martyrdom for some. In the early days of the church one or more Christians were martyred every day, or faced the possibility of it. Their persecutors valued Christians’ lives as nothing more than animals to be butchered (The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:475).
Application:
God's love is permanent. Once we belong to him, you think our silly trials, our silly stumbles allow him to regret accepting us in? Absolutely not! We can persevere in Christ love and ask him for more of his to make up for ours lacking in times when we desperately need it. Even though we may stumble and fall, God always meets us at 100% love to help pick us back up.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Practice makes perfect
Scripture: "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:9/NIV
Observation: Context- Paul Spurring Phillipi to do what he's instructed and what he left them with when he began that church.
Application: Even though Paul is saying this to the church of Phillipi; imagine the context towards us from Christ. Whatever we learn about him, teach it; whatever we receive, use it; what ever we hear, testify to it; whatever we see in him, strive for that ourselves.
Imagine if we put that mentality in our minds. Spiritual leaders are essential to our Christian life-style. Look for Christ like attitudes in people, and mimic that. Read the scriptures concerning Jesus and his ministry, and apply that to your own life. Imagine yourself sent out personally as a disciple of Christ to do his work.
Well the truth of the matter is, we are called to as Christians, to be imitators of Christ.
But if we do what God has shown us, what we learn, and apply it, we are promised peace.
That's worth the effort? (Plus, you know, eternal glory... that's cool too)
Philippians 4:9/NIV
Observation: Context- Paul Spurring Phillipi to do what he's instructed and what he left them with when he began that church.
Application: Even though Paul is saying this to the church of Phillipi; imagine the context towards us from Christ. Whatever we learn about him, teach it; whatever we receive, use it; what ever we hear, testify to it; whatever we see in him, strive for that ourselves.
Imagine if we put that mentality in our minds. Spiritual leaders are essential to our Christian life-style. Look for Christ like attitudes in people, and mimic that. Read the scriptures concerning Jesus and his ministry, and apply that to your own life. Imagine yourself sent out personally as a disciple of Christ to do his work.
Well the truth of the matter is, we are called to as Christians, to be imitators of Christ.
But if we do what God has shown us, what we learn, and apply it, we are promised peace.
That's worth the effort? (Plus, you know, eternal glory... that's cool too)
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
What are you "attracted" to?
Scripture:
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
-James 4:7-8/NIV
Observation: from "The Bible Knowledge Commentary"-
"Like a magnet, the call for commitment has both positive and negative poles: submit . . . to God and resist the devil. “Submit” is a military term “to be subordinated” or “to render obedience.” “Resist” (antistēte) means “take a stand against.” Take a stand against the devil, and he will flee. On the other hand draw near to God and He will come near in response. To draw near to God, however, demands His cleansing. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Both “wash” and “purify” are verbs that refer to ceremonial cleansing, a figure that spoke eloquently to Jewish converts. The need for cleansing is clear from the way James addressed his readers, “you sinners” and “you double-minded.”
Application:
In the context of true humility we see that knowing who you are is essential. Are you allowing the world and the voice of Satan be your influence? Or are you, as a result of salvation, allowing Christ to lead you in the way you should go? We need to take a stand against the forces of evil, the sin that easily corrupts us. Let us not be double-minded, but instead let us wash our hands of anything sinful, and anything that will cause us to stumble. It's better to live an uncomfortable life of self-sacrifice than it is to allow the sinful life to influence us any longer. As it says in Thessalonians, "throw out anything tainted with evil." So what holds us back? Why do we allow there to even be a division between spirit and flesh? Are we no longer slaves to the world or to our flesh? So how is it that we compromise so easily as Christians due to laziness, or personally bias. We're to be in the world and not of it correct? So why do we download music illegally, let apathy to crisis and need grow, and choose to ignore what happens in the field of abortion and homosexuality. What do we let into our lives that we shouldn't? So let us submit ourselves to God, and turn away from the old and begin living anew in the grace and atonement of Christ.
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
-James 4:7-8/NIV
Observation: from "The Bible Knowledge Commentary"-
"Like a magnet, the call for commitment has both positive and negative poles: submit . . . to God and resist the devil. “Submit” is a military term “to be subordinated” or “to render obedience.” “Resist” (antistēte) means “take a stand against.” Take a stand against the devil, and he will flee. On the other hand draw near to God and He will come near in response. To draw near to God, however, demands His cleansing. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Both “wash” and “purify” are verbs that refer to ceremonial cleansing, a figure that spoke eloquently to Jewish converts. The need for cleansing is clear from the way James addressed his readers, “you sinners” and “you double-minded.”
Application:
In the context of true humility we see that knowing who you are is essential. Are you allowing the world and the voice of Satan be your influence? Or are you, as a result of salvation, allowing Christ to lead you in the way you should go? We need to take a stand against the forces of evil, the sin that easily corrupts us. Let us not be double-minded, but instead let us wash our hands of anything sinful, and anything that will cause us to stumble. It's better to live an uncomfortable life of self-sacrifice than it is to allow the sinful life to influence us any longer. As it says in Thessalonians, "throw out anything tainted with evil." So what holds us back? Why do we allow there to even be a division between spirit and flesh? Are we no longer slaves to the world or to our flesh? So how is it that we compromise so easily as Christians due to laziness, or personally bias. We're to be in the world and not of it correct? So why do we download music illegally, let apathy to crisis and need grow, and choose to ignore what happens in the field of abortion and homosexuality. What do we let into our lives that we shouldn't? So let us submit ourselves to God, and turn away from the old and begin living anew in the grace and atonement of Christ.
Monday, April 07, 2008
We're dead
Scripture: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
- Galatians 2:20
Observation: Context of salvation through grace alone, the law does not save us; Christ does.
Application: All that agony, that pain, that sorrow was for was for us. But we we're put to death that day as well, did we go through a literal crucification? Gosh no! He bore that for us, it was the punishment (and beyond) that we deserved. But we we're put to death that day. Our sin, our old lives, and the bonds of the enemy were crushed that day. Our old lives we're nailed to that Cross. We are dead, but made alive through Christ who rose again and now lives in us! Our old lives lead to death, but now that we have Christ we have Eternal life! How does this not excite you?
- Galatians 2:20
Observation: Context of salvation through grace alone, the law does not save us; Christ does.
Application: All that agony, that pain, that sorrow was for was for us. But we we're put to death that day as well, did we go through a literal crucification? Gosh no! He bore that for us, it was the punishment (and beyond) that we deserved. But we we're put to death that day. Our sin, our old lives, and the bonds of the enemy were crushed that day. Our old lives we're nailed to that Cross. We are dead, but made alive through Christ who rose again and now lives in us! Our old lives lead to death, but now that we have Christ we have Eternal life! How does this not excite you?
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Ignorance is SIN
Scripture: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”- 1 John 3:16
Observation: A great contrast between sin and love; and an even better analysis of what it looks like to be apart of the kingdom. Conviction and assurance are the context of the verses surrounding, and Christ's love was exemplified in this action.
Application: This is a true model of love, and the context surrounding this verse is clear that if we do not show love, are we any better than those who live in sin? In our culture where ignorance is bliss, should we as Christians remain apathetic to the problems our culture faces? Certainly not, and certainly we should strive to lay down our own "lives" for our brothers and sisters.
Observation: A great contrast between sin and love; and an even better analysis of what it looks like to be apart of the kingdom. Conviction and assurance are the context of the verses surrounding, and Christ's love was exemplified in this action.
Application: This is a true model of love, and the context surrounding this verse is clear that if we do not show love, are we any better than those who live in sin? In our culture where ignorance is bliss, should we as Christians remain apathetic to the problems our culture faces? Certainly not, and certainly we should strive to lay down our own "lives" for our brothers and sisters.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Perfecting One's Public Life
Scripture: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
-Colossians 4:5-6/NIV
Observation: Context: Paul before this gives reference to the importance of personal prayer life, than discusses instructions for our actions towards "outsiders." Outsiders here in the King James is phrased as "those that are without," the original Greek meaning away or strayed.
Wisdom is reference to spiritual wisdom or maturity; while we see that "making the most" is actually phrased as "redeeming the time"- time implying infinite or "at all times". Conversation is bigger in the sense that it means "your manner of speech."
Application: We are to not to just know how to act around others, but we are to act in a manner of wisdom; weigh the outcome of our actions at all time. Using all opportunities in our daily regiment to the furthering of the kingdom. Yes, we are suppose to evangelize to others, and love our neighbor, but Paul strains that this should be our priority every time we open our mouths or act around anyone, especially those who are without Christ. The Gospel of Christ through our lives is the first people will ever see before they read anything ever written in the Bible. Remaining graceful and seasoned with salt is essential, but that requires personal and individual desire to grow, and acting out in that mannerism. As Paul mentioned earlier, we should be praying continuously, wanting the church to understand, prayer is not a luxury but is essential for growth. How can we expect to be seasoned with salt if we jump out of the salt shaker? Our personal growth will flow over into our public life, but we need to still strive and follow the instructions Paul gives us while acting around others. Are we as Christians making the use of every situation to further the kingdom?
-Colossians 4:5-6/NIV
Observation: Context: Paul before this gives reference to the importance of personal prayer life, than discusses instructions for our actions towards "outsiders." Outsiders here in the King James is phrased as "those that are without," the original Greek meaning away or strayed.
Wisdom is reference to spiritual wisdom or maturity; while we see that "making the most" is actually phrased as "redeeming the time"- time implying infinite or "at all times". Conversation is bigger in the sense that it means "your manner of speech."
Application: We are to not to just know how to act around others, but we are to act in a manner of wisdom; weigh the outcome of our actions at all time. Using all opportunities in our daily regiment to the furthering of the kingdom. Yes, we are suppose to evangelize to others, and love our neighbor, but Paul strains that this should be our priority every time we open our mouths or act around anyone, especially those who are without Christ. The Gospel of Christ through our lives is the first people will ever see before they read anything ever written in the Bible. Remaining graceful and seasoned with salt is essential, but that requires personal and individual desire to grow, and acting out in that mannerism. As Paul mentioned earlier, we should be praying continuously, wanting the church to understand, prayer is not a luxury but is essential for growth. How can we expect to be seasoned with salt if we jump out of the salt shaker? Our personal growth will flow over into our public life, but we need to still strive and follow the instructions Paul gives us while acting around others. Are we as Christians making the use of every situation to further the kingdom?
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