Matthew 23:25-28 - Bible Study Challenge Day 4

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.  “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Question 1 - How are we guilty of only cleaning the outside* of the cup?
We look the part of Christians and we want others to think well of us, Our body/actions project one image and our minds maybe another. We may have hidden sin we don't want anyone to know about. Maybe we focus on "Checklist Christianity" and do all the right things, but we have not allowed God to really pierce our heart.

Question 2 - Where do we show greed and self-indulgence?
Too much of too much...food, money, stuff, coffee, business, work, co-dependency on others, drugs, alcohol, etc... We focus on what "I want." This is dangerous because we can argue and convince ourselves anything is OK. Moderation is the key.

Question 3 - How can we be righteous inside and out?
The scripture says, "First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." If we are focusing on God and allowing the spirit to work in our hearts and minds, then we won't have to worry about our appearance to others. We will look like a Christian because we are a Christian.

Lord, thank you for helping us to evaluate ourselves. Please keep our minds focused on you and your will, so that your spirit can impact our heart and mind, Amen.

*I think the author meant outside, not inside.

Matthew 5:11-12 - Bible Study Challenge Day 3

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Question 1 - How are we persecuted as Christians today?

We are persecuted when our government creates laws which do not allow us to follow our beliefs, when people make fun of our lifestyle and when we loose out on jobs and opportunities because of our faith.

Question 2 - What are the blessings that come from persecution?

Our openly displayed faith may not make us popular, but that may help keep us away from some temptations. Also, some doors may be shut because of our beliefs, but God will open other doors. The world may not acknowledge our sacrifice, but Heaven and God applaud us when we are persecuted.

Question 3 - How can we rejoice and be glad in the face of persecution?
We can know we are doing the right thing and that it is God they are rejecting, not us. We can be proud that people are noticing that we are Christians!

Lord, thank you for helping us to see the blessings in persecutions. Please help us to let our light shine and not be concerned about the negative consequences, Amen.

Matthew 11:16-19 - Bible Study Challenge Day 2

Read Matthew 11:16-19.

Question 1 - What was the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus? (Luke 1:20-56)
They were cousins. John was a few months older and sent by God to prepare the people for the coming of Christ Jesus. John preached in the wilderness and baptized for repentance. Jesus was the son of God and provided salvation for all.

Question 2 - What would you compare our generation to?
This generation is all about instant gratification. We don't want to wait for anything.

Question 3 - What would a modern day comparison of a "drunkard" and "tax collector" be? Should we befriend them? Why or why not?
Modern day comparisons might be drug addicts and con-men or white collar criminals. If we are strong enough in our faith to resist the sins they are partaking in, then we may be called to associate with one of these groups of people in an effort to share the gospel with them (being in the world, but not of the world). I think we have to be careful to help when God is ready for us to help, but not enable them by "over-helping" when they face problems.

Lord, Thank you for being patient with us. Help us to wait for you and your will in all aspects of life. Amen.

Matthew 26:36-42 - Bible Study Challenge Day 1

This morning at church, our minister issued us a challenge: A Seven Day Family Bible Study. I study most mornings and post here on my blog, so this week my blog will serve to answer this challenge.
Each day, my husband John and I will read the verses and answer the questions listed in the study. I challenge you to read along with us and answer the questions for yourself before reading our thoughts. Day one is below.

Question 1 - Why was Jesus sorrowful?
Jesus knew what was about to happen. He knew the pain and agony he was going to feel, physically and spiritually. He knew what he was going to have to deal with, yet he was willing to do God's will.

Question 2 - How does Jesus teach obedience in this passage?
He is willing to do what God requires, even if he doesn't want to. He wants to follows God's will not his. He prays for a way to change the situation, but is accepting of God's plan.

Question 3 - When was a time you prayed to God like Jesus does here?
We both thought of times when we were praying for children. Parents love their children and want good things for them, but sometimes we have to allow God to work in their lives, which may may be hard for them and difficult for us to watch.

Lord, thank you for showing us such an example of obedience from your son. Please help us to always accept your will. Amen.

 

Psalm 95:7-8 - Hear his voice

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
     “Do not harden your hearts

I believe hearing God is essential. Before you even begin your walk with God, he will draw you to him, if you will only listen with your heart. While you are on our spiritual journey, he continues to guide you, you just have to open his word and your mind. As a Christian, you are instructed by his word and through the meditation of your heart-being still and hearing his voice.

Lord, thank you for speaking to us. Please help us to hear your voice. Amen

Psalm 94:19 - Anxiety

When anxiety was great within me,
     your consolation brought me joy.

I learned something the other day I need to share to correct some of my earlier blog posts. David did not write all the psalms. Some of the psalms say "Of David," some say others, some don't give an author. So...I just thought I needed to clear that up.

Psalm 94 focuses on the cries of an oppressed people. Today, my life is so easy and I have never lived as an oppressed person, but I can imagine how much comfort the Jews in concentration camps in WWII took from these passages. I have nothing like the anxiety I know they must have felt, but if God can bring consolation to anxiety on that level, then he can surely ease my anxiety and bring me joy.

Lord, thank you for consoling us in our anxiety. Please help us to rely on you with the anxieties in our life. Amen.

Psalm 93:3-4 - Pounding Waves

The seas have lifted up, Lord,
     the seas have lifted up their voice;
     the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
     mightier than the breakers of the sea—
     the Lord on high is mighty.

I thought this was such a beautiful passage. Reading these verses has the pattern of ocean waves breaking on the shore. David was such a great writer! This holiday week, I know several people who are spending time near the ocean. If you are, listen to the waves crash on the beach as you read this passage. If you are not near the beach, watch or listen to this video while you read the passage, then imagine yourself at the beach. The Lord on high is mighty!

Lord, thank you for your beautiful word. Please help us to relish in the glory of your word. Amen.

Ocean Waves You Tube Video
(There will probably be a commercial first.)

Psalm 92:14 - Useful

They will still bear fruit in old age,
     they will stay fresh and green,

In this psalm, the righteous are being compared to a tree. As long as we let him, God will make us a useful, vibrant part of his kingdom.

Lord, thank you for allowing us to grow in your house. Please help us to become and remain useful and vibrant. Amen.

Psalms 91:4 - Refuge

He will cover you with his feathers,
     and under his wings you will find refuge;
     his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Sometimes we just want to feel safe. We want to feel wanted, comforted and at home. God is that safe haven for us. He is our refuge. He will always accept us, no matter what, no matter what we have done, no matter who we have hurt, no matter who has hurt us, God will take us in. When we give up and give in to him, we have found our refuge.

Lord, thank you for being our refuge. Help us to give in to you. Amen,

Psalm 90:17 - Purpose

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
     establish the work of our hands for us—
     yes, establish the work of our hands.

We all want to know why we are here. What is my purpose? What am I supposed to be doing? I have chased a lot of different kinds of "work" and have never felt like I have known what I was meant to be doing. So today, I pray this prayer, "establish the work of my hands." In the mean time, I will just keep doing what is in front of me as if I am doing it for the Lord.

Lord, thank you for loving each of us. Please establish the work of my hands, I want to do your will and what you intend for me to be doing. Amen.

It also occurred to me this verse might be meaningful for those looking for a job.

Lord, thank you for giving us strong bodies and willing hands. Please bless those looking for a work with a job they will enjoy and which pays well. Amen.

Psalm 90:15 - Life, a curse or a blessing

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
     for as many years as we have seen trouble.

This is kind of a strange statement, but I get it. Life is so full of trouble, pain and sorrow. It is an affliction. Yet we ask God to help us see this affliction as a blessing and to be glad.

Lord, thank you for life, with all it's trouble. Please help us to see every year as a blessing. Amen.

Ephesians 3:16-17a - My prayer for you

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

On Sunday at Webb Chapel Church of Christ, our lesson was on prayer. A challenge was issued for us to write out a prayer to God,, praying for a specific person, then give the written prayer to them. This is sort of a answer to that challenge. I am praying this prayer, as Paul prayed this for the Ephesian church, for you.

Lord, I pray that out of your glorious riches you may strengthen whoever is reading this prayer with power through your Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. Amen.

Psalm 89:21 - God will take care of him

My hand will sustain him;
     surely my arm will strengthen him.

When someone you love is struggling, it is hard to watch. When you have hopes and dreams for them and you see some of those hopes and dreams falling away, it is so disappointing. But I have to remember, God is in control. He will sustain and strengthen them. He will let the things happen that need to happen. I am not in control of the situation and worry will not help. Look for the blessings within each disappointment and manage our expectations.

Lord, thank you for taking care of those we love. Please help them to reach out for your sustenance and strength. Amen.

Psalm 88:13 - Help!

But I cry to you for help, Lord;
     in the morning my prayer comes before you.

I have several things weighing very heavy on my heart this morning. Verse 3 of this psalm sums it up well, "I am overwhelmed by troubles." They are all things which I have almost no control over, so handing them over to God is really the only constructive option.

Lord, thank you for your omnipotent power and control over all things. Please help me and the situation which are overwhelming me. Amen.

Psalm 87:6 - Register of the peoples

The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
     “This one was born in Zion.”

At the time this verse was written, "one born in Zion" meant an Israelite. Genealogies were very important because they established citizenship in the Israelite nation. As Christians, we have spiritual birth in Zion. Heaven is our spiritual home. We are written in the "book of life/register of the peoples."

Lord, thank you for offering us spiritual citizenship in your kingdom. Please help us to live as members of your family. Amen.

Psalm 86:16 - Thank you for my mom

Turn to me and have mercy on me;
     show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
     just as my mother did.

Reading through the Psalms, there is a lot of similar sounding text. When something is different, it grabs my attention. I loved the last phrase of the verse above, "just as my mother did." Did your mom serve God? Mine does. She is a wonderful example of how to live a Godly life of service. In this season of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank God for my mom. I serve God "just as my mother did".

Lord, thank you for my mother, a servant of Christ. Please help me to serve you just as she does. Amen.

Psalm 86:4 - Trust brings joy

Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
     for I put my trust in you.

On Wednesday night in Ladies class at church, we are studying One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Last week we talked about how when we trust God, we are given joy. The verse today echos this. When we trust God, we are giving up control and worry. In return we are able to relax and see the good in all things. We can be thankful for all things: for plenty and not enough, for health and sickness. I trust you God!

Lord, thank you for giving us joy. Please help us trust in you. Amen.

Psalm 85:12 - A Thanksgiving Verse

The Lord will indeed give what is good,

     and our land will yield its harvest.

Lord, thank you for the harvest and all that is good. Please help us to be always mindful of the blessings you give us. Amen.

Psalm 84:2 - My new favorite psalm

My soul yearns, even faints,

     for the courts of the Lord; 

my heart and my flesh cry out

     for the living God.
What a beautiful psalm! I believe this is my new favorite psalm. Psalm 84 focuses on heaven. Verse 5 calls our journey to Zion a pilgrimage. Verse 7 says we go from "strength to strength" on this journey. And I love verse 10: "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Maybe I should have just printed out the whole psalm...or you could read it.

Lord, thank you for the promise of heaven, it keeps us going each day. Please help us to keep this heavenly focus at all times. Amen.

Psalm 83:18 - The purpose of overcoming enemies

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—
     that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

In Psalm 83, David is asking God to defeat his enemies, but I like the last verse the best. If all we do is for the glory of God, then even the defeat of our enemies takes on new meaning. It's not about us and what we want, it's about God, bringing him glory and making his name known.

Lord, thank you for coming to us in our times of need. Please help us to do all things to your glory. Amen,