I find that I have trouble concentrating. I can't seem to stop long enough to read my Bible much. I want to, I actually have a desire to learn more, but some how I just can't concentrate.
C and I keep meaning to start our Bible studies at home, but some how I just can't find time, remember or suck it up and do it...
Wish I knew how to focus my attention.
Today I'm alone at home. C is out with Z and I am here with the dogs. They are sleeping of course. They are my babies.
I'm going to stop for a minute and try to continue reading where I left off. Pray my concentration is better.
-S
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Apocolypse Now?
Birds falling from the sky, millions of fish dead in the waters, earthquakes, volcanoes, and so much more that it makes one wonder, WHAT IS HAPPENING??
The last few months have proven to make people nervous about our futures. It has made people think about the prophecies of Old as well. Looking back over the Old testament we see Prophecies that sure look as if they may be coming true.
It can be scary seeing things come to fruition.
Lets look at a few things the Bible talks about:
Daniel 12:4- "In the End Knowledge will be greatly increased and people will run to and fro."
Think about how fast we learn, about how much new information is being discovered. This fact is just that Fact. We are growing in knowledge like never before. It won't stop any time soon.
We do run to and fro. We are constantly on the go, driven by, money, obligation, and society.
Matthew 24:14- "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to the whole world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
How many places on Earth have NOT been preached to? Not many. This prophecy is also underway. We have the ability to fly from country to country in a day, sharing the word of God is much easier now and we have taken the word all over. This is a wonderful thing, but it does fulfill prophecy.
Zech 14:12-15- "And this shall be the plauge...their flesh shall dissolve as they stand on their feet, their eys shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tounges shall dissolve in their mouths."
This could be a plauge, disease, or perhaps nuclear fall out. Think about all it, all these things could be possible for this to happen and for us in todays world, this is more possible than ever.
There are more to discuss. Plenty in fact. I just like to see that prophecies are happening. These are a few I listed to remind myself to be ever vigelent and to have my soul prepared for that day.
People become obsessed with the end times and they worry. Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. each day has enough trouble of its own."
We can't worry about what is going to happen. We must be educated and we must be aware, but to worry does us no good. What will happen will happen according to Gods plan.
Live your life as God has shown through Jesus Christ. Live so that people know you love God. Live to show that you have a passion for sharing Jesus and that they know your heart treasures the things of heaven.
Jesus is saying, don't worry, trust in God.
The last few months have proven to make people nervous about our futures. It has made people think about the prophecies of Old as well. Looking back over the Old testament we see Prophecies that sure look as if they may be coming true.
It can be scary seeing things come to fruition.
Lets look at a few things the Bible talks about:
Daniel 12:4- "In the End Knowledge will be greatly increased and people will run to and fro."
Think about how fast we learn, about how much new information is being discovered. This fact is just that Fact. We are growing in knowledge like never before. It won't stop any time soon.
We do run to and fro. We are constantly on the go, driven by, money, obligation, and society.
Matthew 24:14- "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to the whole world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
How many places on Earth have NOT been preached to? Not many. This prophecy is also underway. We have the ability to fly from country to country in a day, sharing the word of God is much easier now and we have taken the word all over. This is a wonderful thing, but it does fulfill prophecy.
Zech 14:12-15- "And this shall be the plauge...their flesh shall dissolve as they stand on their feet, their eys shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tounges shall dissolve in their mouths."
This could be a plauge, disease, or perhaps nuclear fall out. Think about all it, all these things could be possible for this to happen and for us in todays world, this is more possible than ever.
There are more to discuss. Plenty in fact. I just like to see that prophecies are happening. These are a few I listed to remind myself to be ever vigelent and to have my soul prepared for that day.
People become obsessed with the end times and they worry. Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. each day has enough trouble of its own."
We can't worry about what is going to happen. We must be educated and we must be aware, but to worry does us no good. What will happen will happen according to Gods plan.
Live your life as God has shown through Jesus Christ. Live so that people know you love God. Live to show that you have a passion for sharing Jesus and that they know your heart treasures the things of heaven.
Jesus is saying, don't worry, trust in God.
Friday, February 25, 2011
John 4
My O is wonky on the keyboard so if I miss an o in a word it's cause it's acting up!
Jhn (see stupid keybrd) 4
I lve this story because it shows Jesus lve and compassion for everyone, no matter their status, race, r in this case gender.
Jesus is coming from Judea and headed to Galilee. He stops in a town called Sychar in Samaria.
Here he comes to a well and sits to rest. As he is there a Simaritan woman comes up to draw water from this well. As Jesus sees her he asks her fr a drink. The wman is stunned because Jesus is a Jew and Jews didn't care for samaritans. Jesus begings to use the water as a metaphor. HE tells hers he has water that will make people never thirst again. She is intreuged and continues t ask questions. Sn she says sir may I have some of this water? Jesus says Go call yur husband and come back. She says sir I don't have a husband. Jesus says this is true, the fact is you have had 5 husbands and the man yur with nw is not your husband.
He's calling her out on her sins right then and there!
She is blown away but is still wanting to know more.
Jesus explainas that A time is approaching when all may wrship God as the Jews do and not have to worship on the mt or in jerusalem. (we live there nw)
She says she knows the MEssiah is coming and Jesus tells her that that Messiah is he who is peaking to her.
The woman goes to the town and tells everyone of Jesus and how wonderful he is and encourages them t believe this is the Christ.
The disciples come to join him and try to get Jesus to eat, but he says that he has food they know nthing about. They think he means physical food, but he means spiritual food.
Many samaritans come to see Jesus and many believe because of the testimony of the woman.
Jesus treated her no different than anyone else. She was a woman, that didn't stp him, She was a Samartitan, that didn't stop him either.
Jesus through away the norms of his time to step into a new place of acceptance.
We should live by his example and do the same so that we too can shar in the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Jhn (see stupid keybrd) 4
I lve this story because it shows Jesus lve and compassion for everyone, no matter their status, race, r in this case gender.
Jesus is coming from Judea and headed to Galilee. He stops in a town called Sychar in Samaria.
Here he comes to a well and sits to rest. As he is there a Simaritan woman comes up to draw water from this well. As Jesus sees her he asks her fr a drink. The wman is stunned because Jesus is a Jew and Jews didn't care for samaritans. Jesus begings to use the water as a metaphor. HE tells hers he has water that will make people never thirst again. She is intreuged and continues t ask questions. Sn she says sir may I have some of this water? Jesus says Go call yur husband and come back. She says sir I don't have a husband. Jesus says this is true, the fact is you have had 5 husbands and the man yur with nw is not your husband.
He's calling her out on her sins right then and there!
She is blown away but is still wanting to know more.
Jesus explainas that A time is approaching when all may wrship God as the Jews do and not have to worship on the mt or in jerusalem. (we live there nw)
She says she knows the MEssiah is coming and Jesus tells her that that Messiah is he who is peaking to her.
The woman goes to the town and tells everyone of Jesus and how wonderful he is and encourages them t believe this is the Christ.
The disciples come to join him and try to get Jesus to eat, but he says that he has food they know nthing about. They think he means physical food, but he means spiritual food.
Many samaritans come to see Jesus and many believe because of the testimony of the woman.
Jesus treated her no different than anyone else. She was a woman, that didn't stp him, She was a Samartitan, that didn't stop him either.
Jesus through away the norms of his time to step into a new place of acceptance.
We should live by his example and do the same so that we too can shar in the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Life gets in the way
Life has gotten in my way lately and I have not been posting much. It is my goal to change that.
In John 3 Jesus meet Nicodemus. I have always loved that name, I remember the first place I heard it was in the movie The Secret of Nhim...LOL.
So anyway. Jesus meets Nicodemus, he's a member of the Jewish ruling council and as the talk Jesus tells him that he must be born again. Nicodemus of course says uh...how s that possible, a man can't reenter his mothers womb when he is old...(thats just creepy). Jesus says no I don't mean be born again from your mother, I mean be born again of the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but spirit give birth to spirit.
Jesus is saying you must change, you heart must be renewed and reborn. You must believe in the son of God.
Nicodemus keeps listening and Jesus says look I have tried to talk about earthly things and you still don't get it, how am I supposed to talk about heavenly things and have you understand when you don't undertstand things of this world???
He Goes on to talk about the Light and Dark and how people who do evil things love the dark and hate the light,because they don't want their deeds revield. So if you love God then you should have nothing to hide. "whoever lives by the truth comes into the light."
After JEsus speaks with nicodemus we see John the Baptist again. and hes doing his ussual thing, baptising! Guess what, so is JEsus. one of John followers comes to him and says John there is a man over there baptising and everyone is going to him.
John replys by saying look, I told you I'm not the Christ. and the one who is must become greater and I must become less. I have done my role and helped make the way, now he must come and do what he was meant to do.
John 3 16-18 These are the verses we hear ALL the time in the Christian faith. Important stuff!
In John 3 Jesus meet Nicodemus. I have always loved that name, I remember the first place I heard it was in the movie The Secret of Nhim...LOL.
So anyway. Jesus meets Nicodemus, he's a member of the Jewish ruling council and as the talk Jesus tells him that he must be born again. Nicodemus of course says uh...how s that possible, a man can't reenter his mothers womb when he is old...(thats just creepy). Jesus says no I don't mean be born again from your mother, I mean be born again of the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but spirit give birth to spirit.
Jesus is saying you must change, you heart must be renewed and reborn. You must believe in the son of God.
Nicodemus keeps listening and Jesus says look I have tried to talk about earthly things and you still don't get it, how am I supposed to talk about heavenly things and have you understand when you don't undertstand things of this world???
He Goes on to talk about the Light and Dark and how people who do evil things love the dark and hate the light,because they don't want their deeds revield. So if you love God then you should have nothing to hide. "whoever lives by the truth comes into the light."
After JEsus speaks with nicodemus we see John the Baptist again. and hes doing his ussual thing, baptising! Guess what, so is JEsus. one of John followers comes to him and says John there is a man over there baptising and everyone is going to him.
John replys by saying look, I told you I'm not the Christ. and the one who is must become greater and I must become less. I have done my role and helped make the way, now he must come and do what he was meant to do.
John 3 16-18 These are the verses we hear ALL the time in the Christian faith. Important stuff!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
John 2
I read John 2: 1-25 today. Jesus has been at a wedding and is making water out of Wine. He also clears the tenple.
We see Jesus, his disciples and Jesus' mother Mary at the wedding.
In Verses 3-4 a conversation between Mary and Jesus takes place saying, "When the wine was gone Jesus mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me. My time has not yet come." Here we see that Mary has the faith in her son, she knows who is is and what he can do. It also appears that Jesus is somewhat flustered that she is wanting him to do this miracle now, when he says his time has not yet come.
Jesus does though. He has some servants bring jugs of water over to the banquet host who drinks it and sees that its wine. The guy doesn't know where it came from but the servants know and they see Jesus First big miracle.
Imagine that the SERVANTS are the ones to see Jesus first really big Miracle.
I think that speaks volumes.
In Verses 12-25 Jesus is going to the temple. When he arrives he sees that the temple is filled with cattle sheep and doves being sold as offerings. It says in Verse 25 that Jesus made a Whip out of some cords and drove them out of the temple. It says he turns over tables and scatters coins everywhere. Jesus is pissed!!! He yells at them saying. "How dare you turn my fthers house into a market."
This was bad first off because they had live animals in the temple, secondly it was bad because these were being sold as offerings/sacrifice to make money. Now a sacrifice you pay money to give to God is hardly a sacrifice to you. You jus paid some money...you didn't give up your livestock or anything that would effect you or come from the heart. This is a huge issue. It's like when the Catholics tried to sell pardons for sins. Not ok!
This is where to me we see Passion from Jesus. You will see people who go on about "Jesus got angery why can't I?" Well lets look at it. Jesus did get angry. He was very angry. BUT he was using this anger as a Passion for God. He was furious that people were doing this to God. Now when we get angry do we get angry about that stuf...no its usually more about some one cutting us off in traffic or we lost something or money issues.
I'm not saying anger is good, I'm saying using your anger to fullfill a passionate cause could be. Learn to channel you anger into something constructive.
Jesus got angry here, but he was never Angry so that he wouldn't fogive or love someone...he never was violent towards others who needed him. He channeled that to make his passionate cause.
Later in Verse 18 the Jews are asking for a sign for him to show that he has this authority. He says that is they tear down the temple he can rebuild it in 3 days...he was talking about his body.
That right there is the prlude to what is to come!
We see Jesus, his disciples and Jesus' mother Mary at the wedding.
In Verses 3-4 a conversation between Mary and Jesus takes place saying, "When the wine was gone Jesus mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me. My time has not yet come." Here we see that Mary has the faith in her son, she knows who is is and what he can do. It also appears that Jesus is somewhat flustered that she is wanting him to do this miracle now, when he says his time has not yet come.
Jesus does though. He has some servants bring jugs of water over to the banquet host who drinks it and sees that its wine. The guy doesn't know where it came from but the servants know and they see Jesus First big miracle.
Imagine that the SERVANTS are the ones to see Jesus first really big Miracle.
I think that speaks volumes.
In Verses 12-25 Jesus is going to the temple. When he arrives he sees that the temple is filled with cattle sheep and doves being sold as offerings. It says in Verse 25 that Jesus made a Whip out of some cords and drove them out of the temple. It says he turns over tables and scatters coins everywhere. Jesus is pissed!!! He yells at them saying. "How dare you turn my fthers house into a market."
This was bad first off because they had live animals in the temple, secondly it was bad because these were being sold as offerings/sacrifice to make money. Now a sacrifice you pay money to give to God is hardly a sacrifice to you. You jus paid some money...you didn't give up your livestock or anything that would effect you or come from the heart. This is a huge issue. It's like when the Catholics tried to sell pardons for sins. Not ok!
This is where to me we see Passion from Jesus. You will see people who go on about "Jesus got angery why can't I?" Well lets look at it. Jesus did get angry. He was very angry. BUT he was using this anger as a Passion for God. He was furious that people were doing this to God. Now when we get angry do we get angry about that stuf...no its usually more about some one cutting us off in traffic or we lost something or money issues.
I'm not saying anger is good, I'm saying using your anger to fullfill a passionate cause could be. Learn to channel you anger into something constructive.
Jesus got angry here, but he was never Angry so that he wouldn't fogive or love someone...he never was violent towards others who needed him. He channeled that to make his passionate cause.
Later in Verse 18 the Jews are asking for a sign for him to show that he has this authority. He says that is they tear down the temple he can rebuild it in 3 days...he was talking about his body.
That right there is the prlude to what is to come!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Something new
So I have decided that I will start recording what I read in my Bible. This will help me focus on the meanings and it will help me to continue to read. I know I am not alone in the struggle to read the whole Bible, but I know it needs to be done!
I chose to start with John. My sunday school calss has been going over that book and I felt it was good for me to go back and review and start from there.
John 1
In the Begining was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This first thing hit home because when it's saying Word, it of course is refering to Jesus.
So Jesus was with God in the begining and he was God. He is apart of who God is.
So in essence anything Jesus says is of God and his actions are of God. So that means we should imulate Jesus in all ways possible.
Then we talk about John and how John was here to give testimony and witness to what Jesus has done. John the Baptist goes on to talk about how he is not the Christ, but that the Christ is coming. The people question him asking are you he, are you the prophet, are you the Elijah? He says no and when they demand to know an answer he says that he is the voice calling in the desert, make straight the way for the Lord.
They then wanted to know why he baptized. He said I baptise with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worth to untie.
John trying to simply say I am not the Messiah, but we should prepare ourselves for his arrival. I am baptizing so that we may have followers and belivers when he arrives.
I am not he and I am unworthy to be him or to even untie his shoes.
We then see that John recognises Jesus right off. He proclaims loudly, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
John is saying to people, see here he is, the one I told you about. I have been baptizing so that he might be revealved to Israel.
He reveals that God has told him that whoever you baptize and you see the spirit decend on him like a dove and stay, that will be the man who is to be the lamb of God.
He says I have seen and testify that this is the son of God.
Jesus the gathers disciples. One of whom is Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
Andrew gets so excited that he goes to get his brother and Jesus says to him you are Simon son of John. you will be called Cephas, which means Peter.
So Jesus has his first disciples and he has renamed Simon.
The next day he goes out and finds Nathanal and Phillip, who follow Jesus.
Nathanal is sceptical, but Jesus does his first miracle right here. Nathanal asks How do you know me? Jesus says I saw you under the fig tree as Phillip went to go and get you.
Nathanal is impressed and says yes you must be the Christ.
Jesus now makes a prediction to them saying basicly, you haven't seen anything yet.
He says, "You will see greater things than that. I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of Man."
So today I have seen Great things in the first Chapter of John.
We are introduced to Jesus as the Word. He is not just apart of God, he is God. So what he says and does is of God.
We see Jesus life in ministry starting as he is shown off by John the Baptist, who knows he is the Christ. Jesus also develops followers right away and even proves himself to Nathanal who is sceptical of who Jesus really is.
God,
Please help me to continue to read your word and to understand the message it sends. I pray you will open my heart and mind to its meaning and to take to hear what your word says, your Word being Jesus.
Amen.
I chose to start with John. My sunday school calss has been going over that book and I felt it was good for me to go back and review and start from there.
John 1
In the Begining was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This first thing hit home because when it's saying Word, it of course is refering to Jesus.
So Jesus was with God in the begining and he was God. He is apart of who God is.
So in essence anything Jesus says is of God and his actions are of God. So that means we should imulate Jesus in all ways possible.
Then we talk about John and how John was here to give testimony and witness to what Jesus has done. John the Baptist goes on to talk about how he is not the Christ, but that the Christ is coming. The people question him asking are you he, are you the prophet, are you the Elijah? He says no and when they demand to know an answer he says that he is the voice calling in the desert, make straight the way for the Lord.
They then wanted to know why he baptized. He said I baptise with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worth to untie.
John trying to simply say I am not the Messiah, but we should prepare ourselves for his arrival. I am baptizing so that we may have followers and belivers when he arrives.
I am not he and I am unworthy to be him or to even untie his shoes.
We then see that John recognises Jesus right off. He proclaims loudly, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
John is saying to people, see here he is, the one I told you about. I have been baptizing so that he might be revealved to Israel.
He reveals that God has told him that whoever you baptize and you see the spirit decend on him like a dove and stay, that will be the man who is to be the lamb of God.
He says I have seen and testify that this is the son of God.
Jesus the gathers disciples. One of whom is Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
Andrew gets so excited that he goes to get his brother and Jesus says to him you are Simon son of John. you will be called Cephas, which means Peter.
So Jesus has his first disciples and he has renamed Simon.
The next day he goes out and finds Nathanal and Phillip, who follow Jesus.
Nathanal is sceptical, but Jesus does his first miracle right here. Nathanal asks How do you know me? Jesus says I saw you under the fig tree as Phillip went to go and get you.
Nathanal is impressed and says yes you must be the Christ.
Jesus now makes a prediction to them saying basicly, you haven't seen anything yet.
He says, "You will see greater things than that. I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of Man."
So today I have seen Great things in the first Chapter of John.
We are introduced to Jesus as the Word. He is not just apart of God, he is God. So what he says and does is of God.
We see Jesus life in ministry starting as he is shown off by John the Baptist, who knows he is the Christ. Jesus also develops followers right away and even proves himself to Nathanal who is sceptical of who Jesus really is.
God,
Please help me to continue to read your word and to understand the message it sends. I pray you will open my heart and mind to its meaning and to take to hear what your word says, your Word being Jesus.
Amen.
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