Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10 + Matthew 16:13-17:9 + Psalm 21:1-13 + Proverbs 5:1-6
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Old Testament – Today is a big reading day! We finish up Genesis and begin Exodus! Genesis chapter 50 verses 19 & 20 stood out to me as Joseph spoke to his brothers: “”Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.” Again, I am impressed with Joseph’s character here. His brothers seemed to think that Joseph hadn’t really forgiven them, and that he was waiting to get back at them after their father had passed away. But, I think we see here that Joseph had truly forgiven his brothers! It was water under the bridge. And not only had Joseph forgiven them, but he saw the power of how God turned something bad into something incredibly good. I wonder about this in our lives today – do we truly forgive other people like Joseph forgave his brothers? Or, do we maybe hold some piece of unforgiveness within us? Maybe we keep bringing up the wrong that somebody did to us? Maybe we do this to make them feel a bit guilty from time to time? Will we instead fully forgive and fully move forward?
One interesting side note in chapter 50 was the embalming of Jacob & Joseph. Embalming was an Egyptian custom – not a Hebrew custom. Some commentaries suggest that Jacob & Joseph were likely being respectful of the Egyptian customs of the day. The Egyptians believed in an afterlife – and believed that the embalming allowed the deceased to utilize their body in the afterlife. Below is an illustration from the 13th century “Psalter of St. Louis” of Jacob´s corpse being laid in the tomb by his twelve sons:
~Exodus~
Author: Moses
Date: 1420 or 1220 B.C.
Content: The book of Exodus deals with the significant facts surrounding Israel’s emergence as a nation. Moses’ great leadership is described as he accepted God’s call to return to Egypt in order to lead God’s people to freedom. God sent the ten devastating plagues upon Egypt because the Pharaoh refused to obey his command. The ceremony of Passover was established during the last plague and became a memorial of God’s deliverance for all time to Israel. The Israelites crossed the sea and arrived at Mt. Sinai where God gave the Ten Commandments and the plan for the tabernacle, and the covenant was renewed the nation.
Theme: The power of God over evil is clearly shown when God defeats the enemy of his people by delivering them from bondage, but God expects that we trust and obey him in return. Worship in the Tabernacle and adherence to the law were two aspects of Israel’s obedience. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pages 1-2) Terrific in-depth commentary on the book of Exodus can be found at bible.org at this link.
In Exodus chapter 1 verse 12 is awesome: “But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more quickly the Israelites multiplied!” It’s amazing how when God wants people to flourish, they flourish! Even in the midst of oppression. This verse kind of reminds me of the flourishing of churches over the centuries and even today where the body of Christ is still often oppressed. It flourishes! Praise God for flourishing his people then – and now!
In Exodus chapter 2 we are first introduced to Moses, who is the author of this book of Exodus – along w/ the overall first 5 books of the Old Testament – also known as the Pentateuch or the Books of Law. A fun little Bible factoid for you in Exodus chapter 2 verse 6 is that this is the only mention anywhere in the Bible of a baby crying! 🙂 “When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said.”
Bible.org’s commentary on Genesis chapter 50 titled “The End of An Era” is at this link, and commentary on Exodus chapter 1 titled “Pharaoh’s Fears and Israel’s Faith” is at this link.
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Exodus!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_aojNJM3E
New Testament – Today we read about Peter’s confession of Christ in Matthew chapter 16. In verse 15 we hear Jesus ask: ““But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” And then in verse 16 Peter replies – “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I believe this is a question that is asked of each of us today as well. Who do you say that Jesus is? Is your answer the same answer as Peter’s? If not, will you pray to God about who Jesus truly is? Below is a fresco from 1481 by Pietro Perugino of “Christ Giving the Keys to Peter” from verse 19:
In verse 18 we read – “Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Praise God for Jesus instituting the body of Christ, Jesus’ church! And all of the powers of hell will not conquer the body of Christ! Do you praise Jesus regularly for the church you attend? Do you pray for the ministry of your church regularly? Do you pray often for your pastors / ministers / priests? Do you pray for others that attend your church? Do you pray for those that will soon be coming to attend your church? I have to say – I absolutely love my church. I honestly cannot imagine what my life would be like without the church. I met first met Jesus thanks to the church over 20 years ago. And Jesus changed my life forever. Thank God for the church! I realize that some of you may feel that some churches have some issues and so you don’t go to church at all at this time. However, I honestly do believe that we are called to be in community with others in a church – be it a big church, small church, house church, etc. – and that you really can find a great church if you search prayerfully. Trust me, they are out there! If you are not currently attending church – maybe because of bad experiences you had at another church in the past, will you pray about this with Jesus? Will you attend a different church again soon? I honestly believe it will bless you immensely to attend church again on a regular basis. Also, I am reminded of a classic line from Billy Graham – “If you ever find the perfect church, please do not join it. You’ll mess it up!” 🙂 Indeed, there are no perfect people out there, and hence no perfect churches. But let us be the church anyway! The church may be a majestic mess, but it is Majestic indeed! And I do honestly believe that the body of Christ is the “hope of the world”. Please be an active participant in this Hope.
Verses 24 – 26 are so powerful today: “”If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Wow… there is so much going on in these verses… I pray they speak to you powerfully as well? Do you want to follow Jesus? Will you put aside your selfish ambition? Will you shoulder your cross? Do you know what your cross is? Are you trying to “keep your life” in any area of your life? Or, will you give up all of your life – every area – to Jesus so that you will find true life? Is there anything that this world has to offer that is worth more than your soul?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew chapter 16 titled “Peter’s Confession and Christ’s Church” is at this link and commentary on chapter 17 titled “The Transfiguration” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 21 today follows up Psalm 20 from yesterday – yesterday’s being a prayer for victory for the king as he goes out to battle – and today’s being a psalm of praise for victories granted to the king. I like the credit given to God in verse 1: “How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because of your victory.” The king is not rejoicing in his own strength. He is not claiming victory as his. He is giving credit to God! How about you in your life today? Do you give credit to God for the blessings and gifts he has given you? Do you shout for joy and rejoice simply because God is in your life?
Proverbs – Today we read in Proverbs chapter 5 verse 6: “For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.” For some reason this year, as we’ve been going through the One Year Bible, the idea of “paths” keeps jumping out at me over and over again. Every time we read about paths now in the Bible, it stands out to me. And here it does again. The idea of paths in the Bible seems to clearly indicate that there are good paths – straight paths – paths through the narrow gate – paths of life – that we can choose to take. Or, unfortunately, there are also crooked trails and we don’t realize where they lead. Or we can take our eyes off the path. Or we can stumble on the path. How about for you? What type of path are you on these days? Is it a straight path? Are you keeping your eyes straight ahead on the path and focused on the prize? Will you pray to Jesus regularly to keep you on the straight path? Will you allow God’s Word, the Bible, be a lamp unto your feet and a light on the path of life that you walk each day?
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Needtobreathe song “Multiplied” with a great live acoustic fireside version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWT4gxAFQBs
Has your love for God been multiplied? Click here for multiplication!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you are following Jesus, denying yourself and taking up your cross daily. Pray that you have lost your life for Jesus.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: In our Matthew readings today Jesus institutes the church. I’m curious what your thoughts are on the church today? And I’m not talking about any one denomination – I mean church as the overall “body of Christ” Christian churches worldwide. Big churches, small churches, house churches, cathedral churches. Do you personally go to church regularly? Why or why not? Have there been periods of your life where you have not gone to church regularly? Have these been good or not so good periods of your life? What would you say to someone now who might be reading this blog who does not go to church about church? How might you encourage someone to go to church? Why does it matter if they go to church or not? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
I attend a church, a “mega-church” and it was not that way when I began, it was large but now it is tremendous. One of the things I’ve learned attending a 25,000 plus body is this: A crowd doesn’t make a congregation.
Like John, I am a “lot” cautious when it comes to the Body of Christ and for those who are new to the OYB Blog this year and have not heard my story, I’m cautious because I experienced tremendous abuse in my homes (foster and birth) and thus the churches that I went to while in those homes. That abuse kept me out of churches, any kind of church no matter the function, for a little over twenty years and a “Knocked” God off (killed Him), as if that can be done, during that time period. So I am probably a little more critical of the body of Christ than many and I will confront abusive behavior when I see it, or think I see it, in my church by challenging those on staff who are abusive.
One of the reasons I just love this sight and am so appreciative of what Mike is doing is because he is encouraging people to read the Word. If we know the Word, and by that I mean have an ongoing relationship with the Word, then we are less likely to find ourselves in an abusive church because after all the church is made up of folks and thus is the sum total of everyone and their experiences. The two churches I attended, as a child did not encourage any kind of Bible reading except if it was the passages they told you to read. Funny, I was given a Bible as a child for memorizing scripture, which I really didn’t understand, and when I began to read the Bible that was given me and started asking questions, I was immediately shut-down by these words, “You haven’t been to seminary so you are not qualified to read the Bible.”
Living in a Borough of New York City, Brooklyn, that has the nickname, Borough of Churches, I think the church is on life support, at least in these parts. No Word, led by emotions and traditions that are not found anywhere in the Bible and what is most important, very few changed lives.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======== Luch:
Thanks for opening up this dialogue Mike regarding the church, what it is, what it isn’t? Is it a ‘place I go to” which you imply or is it a ‘gathering’? Frankly, I don’t know if there is a right answer or ‘perfect model’. I have served as a parachurch worker and pastor for 25 years and I have been in ‘building oriented churches’ and I have been in ‘house/home churches’ and I have also been in parachurches. It’s too bad that some feel the need to have to come down hard on the boundaries.
I think that we often are very harsh towards people who don’t share a similar view to us. I know i have been. I think that’s called ‘ethnocentricity’. Seeing things from my own perspective.
I have seeen carnality and abuse of authority in less organized expressions of the body of Christ as I have in the ‘corporate CEO’ models. I believe God honours those who honour Him regardless of the form of church one prefers to participate in. Operative word here is ‘prefers’. Isn’t it true that we choose our church expression based on our preferences? I’ve often wondered, what is a biblical church? Is what we see in Acts 2:42 and following the model for the true church? If it is why isn’t it repeated elsewhere in the epistles? Perhaps what we see in ACts 2 is less prescriptive and more descriptive of what could happen when believers come together?
If one thinks of the church a place you ‘go to’ then I think that kind of defeats the imagery of what Jesus gave us in Matthew 16. He said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” NOtice it is Satan who has the ‘gates/the walls’. The picture I have of the church is that it is a moving force or in the words of erwin McManus the church is an Unstoppable Force for good. I think this vision can be upheld in home style churches, in denominational style churches who have all the bells and whistles, in cathedral like churches, and in no name churches like the one I am a participant in.
Two books that have served me well in my thinking are Church without Walls by JIm Petersen, and The Shaping of things to come by two australian missilogists Frost and Hirsch. Barna’s latest book Revolutionaries is an attempt to show that there are upwards of 20 million plus north americans who have ventured out to be the church not so they can be anti church but so they can be the church, and so more importantly, they can preserve their faith which many indicate they were losing in their previous parish experiences.
It’s interesting that those who are resisting the new movements of church expressions are those who would hold to a particular ecclesiological or model of church that has to have a pulpit, a certain church governance, sacraments, and so fort, but people who want to experience the bride of Christ are saying there’s more and we want to experience what Jesus had in mind for the bride of Christ.
I think we should bless all efforts that people make to discover what church will and can mean to them rather than imposing any one form because in the end so much of what we argue over is our particular form, isn’t it?? Let’s see that we are one body and there are many legitimate expressions of it.
Luch
======= Micah Girl:
The church is so important to God and it’s messy because it’s made up of a bunch of sinners, including me. At yet it’s my family, and so I belong and I go regularly to be with them. This way I don’t get too narrowly focused on myself and my immediate earthly family. I also have the privilege of worshiping God with people who love Him, too. The people of God will be together for eternity, so I might as well spend time with them now bringing glory to God together.
Micah Girl
====== John:
Charles Spurgeon:
“I know there are some who say, ‘Well, I have given myself to the Lord, but I do not intend to give myself to any church.’”
“Now, why not?”
“Because I can be a Christian without it.”
“Are you quite clear about that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s command as by being obedient? There is a brick. What is it made for? To help build a house. It is of no use for that brick to tell you that it is just as good a brick while it is kicking about on the ground as it would be in the house. It is a good-for-nothing brick. So you rolling-stone Christians, I do not believe that you are answering your purpose. You are living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live, and you are much to blame for the injury you do.”
Why?
Sin: Living on our own, it is much easier to fall into the temptation of sin. Good fellowship/community keeps us accountable. Heb 3:12-13
Obediance: Church membership is implied and taught by example in N.T. by Jesus and Paul. Matt 18:15-17, 1Cor5:12, Gal 6:10
Christian Purpose: There are so many things a Chrisitan is called to do. It seems reasonable to pool resources, best utilize talents, and be organized in some kind of group format. That is the Church.
“The church was on his heart in his work of creation (Eph. 3:9–11). The church was on his heart in his work of salvation (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:25). The church was promised his special presence (Heb. 2:12; Matt. 18:20). If the church is so important to the Lord, shouldn’t it be important to everyone who loves the Lord? How can you love the Lord and at the same time steer clear of that which the Lord loves? Doesn’t this imply that every believer should openly identify with Christ’s church?” – New Horizons 2003
John
====== Pat:
I’m joining a church the 30th of January. I’m 58 years old and this is the first church I’ve ever felt like joining. I know there is a lot of good churches out there but this is the first I’ve felt in my heart was my church home. I feel so much love in this church and I serve in this church. I want to make people feel the love that is in this church. This is my first time reading through the bible in a year. I all ready feel so blessed by it.
Pat
====== Anka:
Like John I too had my ‘
“issues” with attending church..my fellowship leader was really getting personal,said I was too spiritual(i was a new christian)..but I loved God with all my heart and truly wanted to get to know him but I just really didn’t understand how to read the bible or get answers to my questions.Well I believe we all go through things for a reason…I’m sure there were israelites who were born into slavery and died slaves in Egypt not understanding God’s purpose or finding it hard to believe in his promise.
In spite of all tha bad experience in church…I did pick up some good lessons(even though the people who taught me did the opposite thing).I believe that church is essential especially to young believers so they can see that we’re not all perfect but still struggling with our different crosses(bad habits,character,etc).As we grow in Christ we should be able to feed more from the word and even as we point fingers at members of our church,pastors, check our own lives and be there to encourage young believers from our experiences(testimonies)and our walk with God.
I pray we all learn to love each other….just as we are.
God bless you all
Anka
====== Ramona:
Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10
All day I couldn’t get out of my mind what would it have felt like to grow up in a country that you are a stranger in? Even though you were born there and possibly died there, you were still a stranger in the land… Clustered in a designated part of the country, you keep your customs, your language and your belief system. Yes, a few might venture off into the other part of the land and may even assimilate into the predominant culture, but most are grouped together within the same community unchanged for hundreds of years. Imagine being a stranger in the land of your birth. Imagine having to be removed from your promise in order to maintain your identity to receive that promise.
Israel/Jacob is called the church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), the called out ones, the ek-klay-see’-ah. The church was called out to be in the world but not of or apart of the world.
What happened to Israel back in the day, is what we are experiencing in this day. We are the called ones, the ones given the promise yet separated from that promise while we mature in becoming Christ like. We are strangers in a strange land given a mandate to separate, not isolated, from the world. While strangers in a strange land we are to be to those we live amongst, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9).
The pressure and resentment those who are born in a country where they are estranged, “aliens,” to assimilate is undeniably strong. Just think of how nuts people who live in the United States get when they think that a group of people are not becoming “American” enough for their taste. We cry out for closed borders, we demand that these immigrants/aliens get on board, learn the language, and stop consuming “our government programs,” without contributing anything to society and the tax roles. Think about it, that more than likely was spewed out on Israel while she grew to be a mighty number in Egypt. Do you think they might have had a “Egyptian” only cry when creating directional signs and such like?
The same pressures exerted on Israel to confirm, the same pressure we in the United States exert on the foreign born, even when they are born here to confirm is the same pressure Believers are met with while trying to keep on the path God has predestined all those that call on His name to walk.
Israel, the church in the wilderness: what things can we learn from her, what “type” and “shadow” can we find in her that we can relate to the messed up churches we find ourselves attending?
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Joyce:
On the cross showing Jesus,the many members one body. Where are the Black,Brown,Red,and Yellow faces in that cross? The Lord wants His people to come together as one body with many members. Amen
Joyce
======= Mike:
I agree Joyce. Take a look at today’s posting – Jan 27 – and you’ll see 2 pictures from churches that capture more of the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ. Grace, Mike
Mike
======= Ramona:
Joyce-Any picture or collage, piece of art, be it a sculpture or painting, is a reflection of the artist and the viewer of that piece brings into their observation what they see and what they have experienced.
By your comments, are you making a statement or an observation? Are you saying that Mike is making a statement because of what you see or fail to see in the picture he used? Although I haven’t met Mike personally, I have journeyed through the One-Year-Bible Blog for a little over a year and during the previous year many times I was the only one posting. I’m saying that because I am a “black” woman and I have never taken offence at any of the pictures he has used. In fact I have even supplied pictures (landscapes/seascapes fresco’s from the walls of a church from my vacations) for him to use or not use if he so desires.
I am grateful and thankful for this Blog, and remember it is Mike’s Blog. He receives no payment from us to sustain it nor is he part of a Non-Profit that sustains it, at least I think not. He is doing this because he believes he is led by God to do this. Mike has a full time job outside of this endeavor, as probably many others on this site. (I happened to be home merrily typing away because I am waiting for someone to come fix my apartment door, so I’m not at work).
Remember assumption is the lowest form of communication. If you have discussed your concern about the “cross” he used off-line, then I have stepped way over the line. However, if not please learn to temper judgment before you know anything about a person.
I will now step down from my soap box.
Ramona
====== Kristen:
A few years ago, God made it very clear to me that I was to get into fellowship with other believers. He led me to my present church (the only church I have actually officially become a member of in my adult life). God showed me from the first visit to this church that it would be a place/group of people that would show me love beyond anything I could ever predict and would help me to step out in my faith in ways that I would never have on my own. God is most definitely growing this church.
I pray that when God puts a call on anyone’s life to enter into a fellowship of believers that they believe HIM and ask for the direction from HIM about where to find this treasure.
Kristen
======= Shirley:
I grew up going to church every Sunday and Wednesday night. My family was very, very strict, even more so than the other church members I knew. Because of this over strictness, and is a young adult, I stopped attending church. Mike, you asked if times of not attending church were good times or bad times in our lives? I cannot emphasize my answer enough — they were BAD TIMES!!! And the bad times culminated in bringing me back into a relationship with Jesus and back to the church again.
Shirley
======= Kristie:
About church–a local assembly of believers—
Whenever someone moves, I hear them say they are looking for the right neighborhood, or the right house. But I think people should find the right church first, then the house, school, etc will fall into place.
As to Exodus, one thing I love about his passage is that it starts with women taking risks to protect babies. Think of Shiprah and Puah as midwives refusing to follow Pharoahs orders to murder the baby boys.
And what if Moses’s mother had not made the basket? What if his sister had been too afraid to approach Pharoah’s daughter? What if Pharoah’s daughter had not acted like a woman and fallen in love with that precious little baby? It is amazing to think how God used all these women–doing what women do best–giving life and nurturing–to begin his great work of leading His people out Egypt.
Kristie
======= Jen:
Matthew 16:13-17:9
15Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Like Simon Peter I would say Jesus is the “. . . Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
I also found a website that has many other different names for Jesus
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/jesustitles.htm
Yes I go to church. I love it. I have many supportive friends there.
I have been going to different churches (both in Christchurch, Auckland and here in the Bay) for the last 14 years. There have been periods in my life when I have not gone to church regularly but I find I miss it. So those periods havent been long ones.
Go to church its good and we arent called to be lone Christians. God knew we needed others in our Christian walk.
Jen
======= Keysha:
Genesis 50:20 really stood out to me today. How Joseph told his brothers that they intended him harm but God meant it for good. That was a powerful revelation for me. It taught me that no matter what situation I am in I need to totally trust God. It may be bad but I still need to trust Him because he turns all situations for good ONLY to those who COMPLETELY trust Him. We just need to be patient and trust Him to bring good out of a bad situation. That is what I struggle with ‘patience’ I want things to change when I want them to change. I really need to learn to just be at peace and wait on the lord. I now know that God can overrule people’s evil intentions to bring about HIS intended results. WOW!!!!!!
Praise: Made it through the whole book of Genesis from front to back. So proud!
Prayer: That God gives me patience and to totally be able to trust Him in all situations whether good or bad. And to be able to praise Him in all situations and not just when things are going good. Any body can praise Him when on the mountain top. I want to be able to praise Him when I am down in the gutter as well.
Humm… the “F” word. Forgiveness.
today – do we truly forgive other people like Joseph forgave his brothers? Or, do we maybe hold some piece of unforgiveness within us? Maybe we keep bringing up the wrong that somebody did to us? Maybe we do this to make them feel a bit guilty from time to time? Will we instead fully forgive and fully move forward?
I am in prayer about this right now. I honestly say that I struggle with forgiveness. I do not forgive completely and I when I do so call forgive I tend to constantly bring up the situation. Like with my husband for instance. I do know that I need to work on this and I am trying my best. It is just that when people have hurt or harmed you so badly it is really hard to forgive them like our Father forgives us every day of our lives. I guess as I mature in Him it will become easier. But right now it is really hard.
Keysha
======== Lesley:
I am struggling with church attendance. My husband and I went to a wonderful church for several years. We were very active there, donating time and treasure and making friendships that we thought would last for quite a long time.
Unfortunately, some people at the church who we thought were our friends … well, they weren’t. And they proved how fallible people can be. We decided to leave, with heavy hearts.
Since then, we’ve sporadically attended a large church near our neighborhood. My husband goes more often than I, and he takes our little one to Sunday school. But I’m having such a hard time making a commitment. When it comes down to it, I’m afraid of being hurt. And I don’t ever want to feel that level of disappointment in a church and her people again. I’m praying that I will overcome these feelings and get to church this – and every – Sunday.
I know that’s the right thing to do. And I know that attending church would give me some of the peace, comfort and friendships I need. I wish it weren’t so hard to just do the right thing!
Lesley
======= Mae:
I love to read the story from Moses! I loved that story from when I was a little girl! I’m so excited to read it now again! It’s such a wonderful story! So powerful! If I had time enough, I’d read further now! I can’t wait!
Matthew was powerful as well! I was floored when I read it! I think I read it 4 times in a row!
“Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
~ I’m defenitly putting my sellfish ambition aside and live for Jesus Christ. I want to follow Him and do everything what He wants me to do. I want to find my true life and live my true life!
I go to church regularly; Sunday 9.45 biblestudy in church, followed by 11am service, I’m home around 1.30pm and then I go back to church around 5.30 pm for the prayermeeting followed by the 6pm service, on Wednesday the midweekservice and Saturday 8pm till 10pm ‘coffeehouse’. And then there’s several other reasons why I’m in church, but the services are regular. I love going to church! I really need to be in God’s house, I love meeting my brothers and sisters in church, we do meet outside church a lot to. I do encourage people to go to church, I love to hear God’s word, it’s so true! It’s the truth! God’s word can lead you through your life. It’s words that comfort you, gives you encouragements, give you strength!!! I LOVE church! I know a lot of people think that church is boring … but try to listen with your heart and your heart will open up! Church is not ‘just church’, it’s God’s house! He wants you there! I wants you to listen with your heart! It’s His words, He wants you to know things, He wants you to be saved! Believe me … : it will change your life immensly!
Mae
======= Anka:
Forgiveness….”and forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”We need to forgive and I too pray for this in many aspects of my life,if we ask to forgive us as we forgive others….we’d better forgive others.
Church…the word church brings up happy memories for some,sad ones for others.Early christians and Jews were persecuted by the “church”if they didn’t follow it’s man made rules….people have left church because the shepherd who was to tend to the flock only was there to feed of the sheep,some left because they were facing persecution/judgement from fellow brothers….For a long time now,the prayer of Jesus in the garden before he was arrested was that we(the body of Christ)be one as He and the Father are one….a house divided against itself can’t stand…if all the parts of my body decided to go their different ways because my mouth hated what my hand was feeding it for example,I’d not be me anymore….We may not get along but we need each other.I do attend a gathering of belivers,and we don’t meet just on service days….we have a prayer group,a bible study group….we have activities for the youth as well but I don’t participate….
God bless you all
Anka
======= Penny:
Church: I’ve been part of mega churches, small village churches, traditional litergical churches, very informal churches and I love them all! In each one the Lord had something to teach me, or some new area of spiritual growth to impart. The members in each church are truly my brothers and sisters – even when we have different perspectives or prefer different forms of worship. I can’t wait to see the world-wide church all worshipping Jesus Christ together in heaven. All our differences will melt away. Won’t that be glorious?!
Currently I am in transition between churches. I have become faithful in participating in a house church, and though it’s a new concept to me, I find it enriching. We meet in a different home each week. We enjoy a meal together (everyone brings something) and we always share bread and wine (or juice if you prefer) to remember Jesus’ body broken for our wholeness and his blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. After the meal we share together in songs, prayer, testimonies, exhortations from the Word of God, and discussion of Biblical topics; and again everyone is encouraged to participate in some way.
I still fellowship in traditional churches, attending Bible Studies and other events as well as Sunday services. I think it’s marvelous that the body of Christ is so broad and would encourage anyone who is not part of a local body of believers, to get hooked in. We really need each other and I think it’s part of God’s design. Check out Heb. 10:24-25.
Penny
======= Keysha:
“you really can find a great church if you search prayerfully”
I totally agree. It took me 11 LONG months to find the right Church. I found it and I absolutely love it. In fact, I do no think that I would be where I am right now if it were not for the Church.
In those 11 months I had some really bad experiences and I am glad that I had a friend who kept encouraging me not to give up. There were so many disappointments during those 11 months that I was just ready to give up. I see now that there is no perfect church (people OR pastors) I am so thankful that I did not give up on the Church. Searching for the right Church can be discouraging at times. If you are in search of a Church do not give up. The Lord will lead you to where you are supposed to be.
Keysha
======= Pam:
One verse Peter is going good then the next moment, he is NOT. Isn’t that just like all of us? The Israelite people being under the cruelty of the Egyptians – it brought about God’s plan anyway – they grew in numbers and in strength. Just like later on Peter became just what Jesus said, the rock of the church. Under all the persecution of the early church, Peter became strong and grew the first century church, following God’s plannot his own inclination.
I see a great gap between: what people complain about in the church, about their pastors, leaders, programs, etc and what they are actually willing to DO to serve God. It is a sin also to know the right thing to do and not do it. I came from a prayer meeting today – which was well announced in the church. Three people showed up. However, last week, the board meeting was greatly attended, numerous folks came, complained, criticized the youth, demanded change, expected more from the already over-loaded leadership, to serve them (the congregation), make things more enjoyable for them (the congregation), etc… ad nausem.
I have found that those who love God go to prayer meetings, those who love themselves, only go to the board meetings. I want to see folks who claim to be Christian, love each other like the Christians did in the first century church, study the Word, pray together and prefer each other.
Get involved, read the Bible (I know that is what goes on here), love your brothers and sisters, encourage eachother, and really serve eachother.
(Steps off soap box, bows head, and prays)
God bless you all. Love ya!
Pam
======= Jenny:
gosh, this is all making sense now, little bits and pieces of my Bible knowledge are coming together and connecting. I’m just speaking outloud here, so the Isralites are decendents of Israel, aka Jacob and thats what the country was named for. I always knew the children fled from Egypt but i didnt realize how they got there, ok cause after Joseph was sold and his brothers all moved there all the descendants lived there but then the Egyptians hated them so it forced the Israelites to take an exodus out of there. A Hebrew man was born and he was the one who’d lead the way out, Moses. ok I seeing things now. Wow and if we look at those countries today, Egypt and Israel, we will see God’shand of blessing on Israel, they are a very prosperous nation whereas Egypt aint doing so well, they arent any kind of economic, military or any power are they. Excuse my lack of knowledge on Egypt, but I believe they are pretty bad off today. I dont hear much about that counrty aside from their former wealth. WE see God had told them they wouldnt prosper and they’d be poor…and thousands of years later, we see God has kept His word regarding Egypt and Isarel. awesome.
Matthew is awesome stuff. So Jesus asked Peter who He was and Peter answered correct, so Peter was kinda puffed up in his pride a bit, so when Jesus started talking about HIs death Peter thought he was being wise when he rebuked the notion. But Peter was in the flesh and the flesh is of satan and Jesus right away rebuked that. Right on. How many times does God have to remind me I have things on my mind that arent of God, even if i think they are innocent, my thoughts and daydreams get carried away and take my eyes off Jesus and the kingdom and on to “things of men”. Its our flesh, our fallen nature that pulls us that way.
Very cool how the discples recognized Elijah and Moses (who i believe will be the two witnesses during the Great Trib, but who knows). But, obviously the disciples had never seen pictures of the men, how did the dicsiples know who they were? I heard some pastors talking about this, like what will heaven be like, how will we recognize others and they brought up this example. We just will know, we’ll have a new vision, mind and we’ll enter heaven with a recognition of everyone, woohoo!! How cool…I mean all the peeps, I cant wait to meet them all, Joseph, Peter, Elijah, Jeremiah, everyone, all our deceased beleiving relatives/friends (and we will not remember our deceased nonbelieving relatives…this is a much deeper discussion i better not get into). But we will have a recognition and knowledge not of this world.
Of course for about the first 500000 yrs I will be flat on my face b4 Jesus. He’s really the only one I’m desperate to meet of course!!
So, what were Elijah, Moses and Jesus discussing? The view I hear most is that the two were comforting Jesus concerning His upcoming death, or strengthening Him. Wouldnt you like to hear that discussion?
Oh yes, and I do attend my church as much as I can, I loooove it there! I thank GOD I live so close, Calvary chapel costa mesa, woohoo! that I can go hear my pastor, Chuck Smith, who I think is awesome along with Brian Broderson, awesome. I really thank God cause He justs uses these men to speak to me and others. Before that I went to CCPacific Coast with awesome Pastor Ron Wilkons. The ppl who attend there are like me, a bunch of sinners who love the Lord and seek a new heart, new mind, a closer walk with the Lord. If we seek perfection, we will not find it. But we are very warned about false prophets. ok, gotta go.
Jenny
====== Laverne:
Matthew 16: In 6 yrs I have attended 3 different churches. For different reasons I asked to be excused/released from my previous church homes. Now I am at a church that I feel is in tune with the bible and does not try to find what is NOT in the bible to make themselves comfortable. Church burnt is a horrible thing however the balm in Gilead can certainly make it all right. Just like Mike said PRAY!!
Laverne
======= Pat:
My thoughts on Matthew 17:1-8
Whenever I read about the transfiguration in Matthew, Mark, or Luke, it brings me such a feeling of joy and comfort. I think about how Peter, James and John must have felt when they saw Jesus in all His glory and how each of us will feel when we enter the Kingdom and see Jesus in all His glory. How marvelous it will be to look upon my resurrected and crowned Savior on His throne!
I think what it must have been like for Peter, James and John to not only see Moses and Elijah in their glorified human form but to recognize and know them as well and how we will do the same. I can imagine walking down the street in the Kingdom and passing one of the great leaders or prophets of the Old Testament or one of the apostles in the New Testament and to see, recognize, and know them. This also says to me that if we recognize them then we will also recognize those saints that have played a part in our lives. All of our loved ones that centered their lives on Jesus Christ and have passed on before us will be in the Kingdom when we arrive and we will see them again and recognize them as well. We will even be able to talk with them again as Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah. What a joyous occasion it will be when we enter the Kingdom!
I feel that the transfiguration was given to us for two purposes. First to assure us that Jesus Christ is the one and only true Messiah and secondly to assure us all saints are or will be with Christ whether they be the saints or old or the saints of today and upon my passing I shall join them in the Kingdom. Praise the Lord!
God Bless!
Pat
======= Luch:
Yes, i do agree that the church is a beautiful ‘thing’ that God started, and yet why is it that ‘the local church’ for many people has become such a source of pain on many levels. Perhaps people expect too much of ‘their church’ without putting much back into it. If we are members of a family we all have responsibilities and ‘chores’ as it were, but there are also ‘perks’ that come from being in right relationship with each other.
I do find it puzzling that Jesus spoke only twice about ‘church’ throughout the 4 gospels, but spoke abundantly of the kingdom of God/heaven. What’s up with that? Perhaps the local church is the outpost of the kingdom of God, or perhaps the local church is one of many beautiful expressions of the kingdom of God on earth. MY struggle is when we say that the only way God shows himself is ONLY through the local church, and put everyone else in the ‘para category.’ as if all our multiplicity of denominational preferences were actually what Jesus had in mind. Let’s be careful not to insist on a ‘church form’ as being sanctioned by God when we are really emphasizing our own preference.
having said that, i believe we must be associated with a local community of believers whether you find them in a cathedral, a ‘box or mega church’, house church, campus group. God has many expressions of His Spirit at work in believers as 1 corinthians 12 teaches us.
Luch
======= Elizabeth:
Luch,
Interesting thoughts on the church–I share many of your concerns regarding the fragmentation of the body of Christ through denominationalism. Especially in light of Christ’s prayer in John 17, I feel we are missing the mark:
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.
I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one.
I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me. -John 17: 20-23
I’m reading a book called “Reimagining Church” by Frank Viola right now. It’s given me much food for thought regarding the institutional church. Philip Yancey has also written a book about his experiences and thoughts on the Church. I love His church, the community of believers across the world and I love the local church, though I recognize it’s been a source of many ills along with blessings. Mankind is good at making a muck of things.
Truthfully, I don’t feel like I’ve come to the bottom of the matter in my heart yet. Scripturally, I believe it’s clear that that we need to be in a community of other Christian believers…the NT “body” metaphor pretty much establishes that in my mind. I DO believe that His body can take many forms and that authenticity has got to be one of its hallmarks, no matter what shape it takes. I am leary of authority driven individuals within the church, because Christ was too.
I suspect we do expect too much from the church and too little from ourselves. In our entertainment driven society, I worry that we have become spectators, back seat drivers, when we need to be out walking through His world in ways that require sacrifice of self.
Elizabeth
====== Manny:
For me there is no greater verse that brings me comfort than Matthew 16:18 for I am reminded that Christ is going to build HIS church, not I. As a pastor, it is a tremendous relief that He is in control of what we are doing as well as the results. Praise the Lord!
Blessings,
Manny
======= Raeann:
It seems so barbaric that pharoah ordered the midwives to kill ALL of the Hebrew male children, just because Israel was becoming more populous then Eygpt. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. I love the Transfiguration when Jesus becomes white as light.
My family moved around to much when I was little for me to attend church regularly, then I moved to MN and attended a wonderful church for highschool and college, the sanctuary was shaped like Noah’s Ark. For the last several years I have been attending a Presbyterian church in FL that has a large contemporary service, I am an usher and help in the nursery on Sundays. I could not imagine NOT attending church every week.
Raeann
======= John:
Raeann,
“When Israel blessed Judah was he refering to Christ in his blessing?”
Gen 49:10 “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be]”.(KJV)
Used the KJV because in the literal Hebrew the word Shiloh is repeated.
“until that he sahll come Shiloh, Shiloh….”
Something repeated twice in Hebrew is for emphasis of something that should be paid attention to, or is important.
Some say this is Solomon, but the people are already a nation under David before Solomon’s reign.
Definitions of Shiloh vary with Scholars:
Have seen:
“peace, tranquility”
Vulagtes bible’s translation: “he who is to be sent”
Hebrew baby names: his gift, he who was sent
Strong goes through a bunch of translations of Shiloh in Gesenius’s Lexicon at this link:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7886&t=KJV#
I believe you are correct that it is the Messiah, Jesus Christ because of the subsequent verses talking about ass colt (Zech 9:9) tied to choice vine (Jesus from John 15), and the idea of red stained garments, wine and grapes from Isaiah 63 and Rev 19.
All talking about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Some commentators say that those verses are about the abundance in Judah, and perhaps the prophecy has a double meaning to include Judah’s propserity (tribe).
However , I believe the long range implication of the blessings is referring to Christ – for the reasons above.
John
======= Luch:
Lots of wonderful soul food today.
i am totally ministered to by the forgiveness Joseph showed his brothers. This is the most powerful story to me in the scriptures of how to walk through hurt that others have done to us.
And also, I appreciate so much how Joseph was able to see God’s hand even in the midst of the atrocities committed against him.
it reminded me of proverb 16:7 that says, “when a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Luch
======= David:
I was raised in a family that believed in going to church regularly and so I did that until I was about 16 years old. Then I stopped going for about 8 years and even went through a period where I questioned my faith in God. Then, thankfully I felt God calling me to bring up my children in the belief of God and to take them to church (real evidence of Proverbs 22:6). However, it wasn’t until I had been back to regular participation for several years that I began to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and really began living for him. My suggestion to someone who is not participating as part of a church regularly would be to read the bible every day, praying first that the Holy Spirit would guide you to understand what you read. I believe that will create a hunger in you for the Word of God, that will also make you desire to become part of a church, where you can grow in your spirit and live the life that Christ calls His followers to live. I have been a part of several different churches,in various denominations and believe that there is a body of Christ that all Christians fit into at some time. I don’t think that everyone can find one church body and fit in there forever; some people can do that, others cannot. Thankfully there are many churches available in the U.S. today and so if one doesn’t work, you can try another until you find one that fits you and you fit it. I am not trying to advocate church hopping, because I believe that relationships require work, and being part of a church is a relationship. But some relationships end up not working, no matter how hard you try, and so we can’t let that be the reason for not being part of a church – the devil would win if we all give up that easily. Being part of a church really matters to me because it allows me to feel connected to others who also believe in Christ and to fuel my spirit in a different way than I can do by reading my bible and praying on my own. I believe that God designed us to be connected with other human beings and I haven’t found any connection that works better than the Church. I truly appreciate my church because it is constantly growing as it reaches out to people in the community who either don’t know Jesus or aren’t part of a church. This is a major part of what the church is about and it helps build my faith that God is still working in the salvation of sinners. Praise the Lord!
David
======= Maurits:
Hi…
I’m from Indonesia
I really blessed by your daily bible reading and audio daily bible
for 1 year i tried to read and read everyday…
(sorry for my ‘bad’ english)
And today’s reading is really powerful!
Thanks again for your ministry…
Maurits
======= Jennifer:
I know from my experience church is what you make it. Just like playing a team sport. If you think you are the best player and everyone messes up and you deserve the ball all the time, then your team will likely not work well together and not be as successful. But when you give all yourself to the team, you are virtually unbeatable. Church is what I make it.
I have had times when I did not attend church regularly and it hurt my walk not having that encouragement and example and load that others who walk by faith give. I also know that I tried to go to church without being apart of the community and that was not a very fulfulling relationship either. But when you go to church to die and walk with christ, and you support and encourage your fellow church goers and your eyes on the victory for christ, you cannot fail.
We need the bible like we need food and water, we need the church like we need a mother and father.
Romana I love your comments, you always give me something to think about.
I have to ask myself sometimes, do I find my life in Christ. He says whoever keeps his life will loose it, however looses his life for my sake will find their lives. (paraphrasing) Sometimes I try to drive and that gets me lost.
Jennifer
======= Anita:
At the present & for the last 15 or so years I do attend church regularly. There have been times in my life when I didn’t, such as when I was a teenager/young adult & was questioning the concept of “church”. I started to go again after I had kids & I wanted them to have an upbringing with Sunday School, VBS & learning about Jesus from someone other than myself., as I did not feel very qualified. I then felt the desire to learn more myself. My kids are young adults now & gone from home & I keep attending church, not because I feel you “have to” to be a “good” Christian, but because I “want to”. I find I need the time to say every week, here’s where I screwed up God & thank you for forgiving me & I will try & do better in the days to come. I find I can learn something with every sermon or Bible study I am a part of. And then because I am so grateful for the blessings I have in my life, I want to help others & there is so much I can’t do by myself, but by being a part of a church community, I can be a part of helping local charities, i.e. food pantry, etc. & then by my church giving to the national church organization, I feel I am part of helping on a larger national & international scale. I love the caring people of a church. I may not always agree with what the national church says or even the views of people in my church, but I know that they love God & are just trying to do what they feel is right. I would encourage someone to keep looking & trying different churches as there are so many out there, they should be able to find one that makes them feel the love of God & makes them want to be a part of that community.
Anita
====== Lisa:
Thank you, Mike, for your blog posts. I really enjoy reading them.
Lisa from SC
======== Billy:
First, I agree with Lisa about your posts. I’m currently going to a Bible study and we are in the initial stages of forming a brand new Church. It’s been interesting and I am praying it works out for us !! I loved the Billy Graham quote. I’ll share that with the Bible Study group.
Billy
======== Maryse:
Thank you Ramona to tell the story like it is. Even you have been in the country for years, since you are black and you come from a poor country, they still discriminate you. As a professional you are competent, you do a wonderful job but they think you have an accent, but when they are in trouble, they are having inspection with the department of health, they need you to pray for them they seem to recognize your values, thanks God I trust in God and I tell them: I am here for political reasons, not for a better life ,as a matter of facts, mi ife was better in my country. We are exposed at the same problems in a few churches, you are black and you go there, some ” they say they are christians, but the way they look at you is: what are you doing here, they live the church,some of them walk after you, not even a good Morning. But God is good and I will not let anybody like Elizabeth of the Trinity , a young Carmelite nun wrote: ” MAY NOTHING GOD TROUBLE MY PEACE OR MAKE LEAVE YOU ‘ It’s really aa pleasure to be a member of that Bible study. Thank you Mike from my heart.
Maryse
======= Dee:
In our Matthew readings today Jesus institutes the church. I’m curious what your thoughts are on the church today?I love the church! I wouldn’t know what my life would be like without the church and the family I have built through and in the church And I’m not talking about any one denomination – I mean church as the overall “body of Christ” Christian churches worldwide. Big churches, small churches, house churches, cathedral churches. Do you personally go to church regularly? Yes Why -I grew up on church. Even when my family didn’t feel like going to church, they would drop me off at church..however, my mom and I went regularly, then I grew up and got married and moved away and came home on weekends to our hometown church, till we had our son and then went to a church in my town I lived in, then I got introduced to the church I am at right now and was led there which I have been a member of for 8 years. I love it!!or why not? Have there been periods of your life where you have not gone to church regularly?there was a few years I didn’t attend church as regular right after I graduated from high school and then I came back to church right before I got married and then following year I had my child. Have these been good or not so good periods of your life? This was not a good time in my life. I constantly felt guilty that I wasn’t going to church and knew that something was missing from my life but just didn’t know what it was..till I found a life-changing church and the life-changing Jesus I met there.. What would you say to someone now who might be reading this blog who does not go to church about church?I would say, Jump..go run immediately to a church body! It will change your life! Do it scared..just DO IT!! seriously..our church website is: http://www.lcci.us How might you encourage someone to go to church? watch our website, look at the archived services and see how awesome it is..pray about it, let the Spirit lead you. Why does it matter if they go to church or not? It matters because two or more are gathered and Jesus is there too..we need uplifting people in our life, and “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God” Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?It has all been so great lately! I love the book of Genesis..sniff,sniff..I hate when Genesis is over in our one year read..I like Exodus too..so looking forward to this read, and Psalms/Proverbs and Matthew great too.
Dee
======= Duane:
In our society, The weekend is the big thing to wait for. We work five days a week, to celebrate and have fun on the weekend. Saturday and Sunday events are full of the wonderful things we want to do. The winter months are filled with football games with the NFL being played on Sunday. Stores and shopping Malls seem to never closed. Where is the day of rest? Where is time taken to chill out and be still and know that there is a God.The Church has been forgotten, people will consider church only if it fits their schedule. Church to me, is where I’m refreshed in the presence of God. Its where I can continued to be fed the word of God. Its where I can sing and magnify my God. Its where I can strenghten others and be strenghten. The church is my sabbath day of rest. I can’t wait to go to church. The church serves as our home away from home until Jesus comes.I hope and pray that others will join me and thank God everyday for the priveleges we have and take advantage of freedom and liberty to worship his name.
Duane
======= Ron:
I had a friend years ago who said that he believe in Jesus. But when asked what church he attended he said none. He said that he did not trust any man in teaching God’s word . That we believers are the church . I agree with him in part saying that yes we are the church not a building. But I quickly added saying that we go to a place, a building , something to where as believers we can come together to meet in worship, prayer and in listening to God’s word by a man that God Himself has anointed to feed that flock of His at that place wherever that may be. He said that he doesn’t trust any man to do that so he does it by himself. So my next question was “So how often you get into the word on your own”??? He couldn’t answer me!!!!
I lost contact with him years ago. I don’t know if he feels that same way as he did. But as for me I look my church because it is not a man’s church but GOD’S church. God has given a Shepard to led His church to Jesus. I pray that each day I can get into God’s word and learn more about the One and Only True and Living God. That is where our Pastor comes into the picture. But not only him but also people like yourself, Mike, that God has also anointed to show us His word in a way we can understand easily. Thanks for that.
Ron
======== Bob:
I was thinking about church this past week and even though there are a lot of things I don’t like about (it), the one thing that struck me most is that in the world today there are so few church going Christians. There is real value in knowing the people you share your morals, virtues, beliefs with are all on the same page. Christianity is messy and wasn’t meant to be easy but if we can learn to humble ourselves and see Christ in the midst of it all – we have Church.
Bob
======= David:
Notes from today Through The Bible In A Year
Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10
(Exo 1:21) And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When you fear God above everything else then you will be where you need to be, because God will see to it.
(Proverbs 9:10) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Matthew 16:13-17:9
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
He is demanding total commitment from them—even unto physical death—and making this call to full surrender a part of the message they are to proclaim to others. Christ repeats this same call to life-or-death devotion in Mat_16:24; Mar_8:34; Luk_9:23; Mat_14:27.
It seems sometimes I am lost in what I am supposed to be doing. So lately, I have been thinking on this subject. As I was reading my Bible In A Year today I was reminded of what Tony Evans said in a clip on the radio this past week. It has been standing out in the bible when I read it. He said, “Our problem today is we’ve got Christians who want God to get them to heaven who do not want Him to own them on earth. He does not just want to be in your life He wants to own your life.” ~Dr. Tony Evans
I think until I and anyone else becomes totally committed to the Lord they will feel lost as they are not hearing from God and they are not in His will and your live starts seeming meaningless.
If you want to hear the message from Tony Evans click below:
Plow on, plow on…
David
======= Carol:
Hi, I’m back after a couple year absence. I read the whole Bible the first year, and then only the NT, Psalms, and Proverbs the past two years….along with the “What Now” read along (which I so enjoy/use). Anyway, I’m back to reading the whole Bible through again. I missed it…the power…the strength…of seeing the whole picture. I had stopped because I read before going to bed at night and it has become too much for these old eyes and mind to take in. I now read the NT; etc. at night as usual (the night before) and read the OT the next morning before doing anything else. I really appreciate and enjoy your commentaries on the OT. Thank you!
Carol
======= Sarah:
From today’s reading in the “One Year Bible Companion”, it says “Believing that the dead went to the next world in their physical bodies, the Egyptians embalmed bodies to preserve them so they could function in the world to come.” This is very different from Jacob’s belief. I don’t understand why Jacob’s family allowed Jacob to be embalmed. Even as a sign of courtesy and respect to the Egyptians, wouldn’t it make God angry that they followed the pagan custom?
Sarah
======= Susan:
I do fell it is important to belong to a church and serve in a church. God established the church that his children would worship Him and declare His Glory. Our relationship with Jesus isn’t something we keep to ourselves! It is important that those around us know we serve the Living God who is worthy of praise, honor and glory. There is Power when we work together with Holy Spirit. This is not to say, though, that God cannot use an individual to accomplish His will. But on the whole, most of us will experience the power and Glory of God in the fellowship of a church. So I agree with Mike; find a church that you can grow in and serve the Lord.
Susan
======= Robert:
Moses – Exodus 2
I love how Hollywood has taken this story and made so many movies. I get some great insight by watching some of these. Charlton Heston was awesome as Moses in the 10 Commandments. I think my favorite is The Prince of Egypt with animated characters. A wonderful family movie.
Mathew 16, 17
I don’t know how other churches in the world are operating but all our churches are closed in British Columbia, Canada. Most since March 2020. Fines are imposed for those that defy that law. The Zoom format works well for people but a lot lacking in that. I really like 16:13. “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” With the Covid situation I have had to see Jesus in a new light, or fresh eyes. Jesus must always be our own personal discovery. A lot of us are asking this question and it has to be asked many times as we see Peter being reminded and experiencing the Transfiguration, (17:25) and (2 Peter 1:16-18) and in the other gospel accounts.
I feel like building a tent or maybe I feel like I have been living in a tent? Peter wanted to prolong the time that he was in this very special place. Camp out for awhile. The reality is that he had to go back to life. I wonder if in verse 28 if Jesus is referring to this event as some seeing the kingdom before their death?
Robert
======= Jeffrey:
So we reach the book of Exodus. Many scholars believe that Egypt was ruled by a Semitic people called the Hyksos, at the time of the Israelites reaching Egypt and settling in the land. Eventually, these Hyksos were expelled from rule and the Egyptian dynasty that replaced them became afraid that the now greatly numbered Israelites would join with their former enemies and escape from the land. They were put in bondage to prevent this. Much lies ahead in this exciting and pivotal book of the Old Testament, which contains some of its most ancient passages. We shall see in Exodus how God keeps His promises to the seed of Abraham as the God who is faithful.
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
Jesus reveals some of his glory during the Transfiguration. This occurs after Peter testifies to Jesus being the Messiah (the Messianic Secret”). Jesus time on Earth is growing shorter, but his purpose becomes more clear as Jesus has already let his disciples know that he must suffer and die.
Jeffrey
======= Mitch:
Just had lunch with executive pastor of my church. Interesting conversation. The problem with the church is “willful sin” and no accountability. This keeps us from speaking with authority – from being perceived as different. Churchgoers love the Savior, the King not do much.
That being said, I attend my church regularly. Pray for myself and those in the building. I go because we are commanded to go, and I love on the people because we are commanded to love one another.
In Matthew:
Upon this rock I build my church…from the Greek and idioms of the time I have always taken this as a wordplay on Peter and what he confessed. The church is built on what Peter confessed – that Jesus is God.
In John 1 when John says we have seen His glory. My belief is the glory was seen by these three at the transfiguration.
Mitch
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