Tuesday, November 25, 2008

James Chapter 3 - November 25, 2008

3:1 - Hold everything! Nobody told me this in preaching class at DCC...oh man, this is not good! Anybody know if their companies are hiring?

3:5ff - It is insane when you think about it...this freaky piece of muscle and corpuscle in our mouths has the ability to destroy our lives. Think about all the horrible situations you have been in...chances are, that those situations became the horrible situations they were because somebody (I'm SURE it wasn't YOU!) let their tongue flap out of control. It is vital as a mature believer to be men and women who seek to control the words that come out of their mouths.

3:9 - How do we do it? How on earth do we praise God with the same mouths we use to call curses down on people around us who are created in His image?

3:13ff - You can tell the type of wisdom you are using and the people around you are using, by the environment you are creating. If it is an environment of chaos and sinfulness...you're probably not using Godly wisdom. Godly wisdom produces peace. What type of world are you promoting?

Monday, November 24, 2008

James Chapter 2 - November 24, 2008

*Sorry about last week...I am lame.

*Thought I'd have some fun and modernize the passages instead of commenting.

2:1ff - If you are a Christian and you are really trying to live out your faith in Jesus Christ, you better not be playing favorites. How sick would it be for a believer to reject somebody because they weren't rich enough or pretty enough...God doesn't play favorites and neither should we!

2:5 - We need to get a clue. Who cares about worldly wealth. The truly rich in this world are those who have to completely rely on God. The poor and broken reach out to our Lord Jesus Christ and are given hope and strength. The rich think they have it all figured out...they think they can take care of themselves, and their faith (or lack there of) gives testimony about where they put their trust.

2:13 - Don't expect to be treated with mercy if you are an unmerciful jerk. When in doubt about how to handle a situation, err towards mercy not towards judgment. Mercy always wins over judgement in the end.

2:14ff - What is the point of being a Christian if your belief changes nothing about the way you live you life! Seriously, go follow somebody else if the way of Jesus holds no bearing on who you are and what you do. Our actions don't save us, but they definitely show what we care about. How insanely sick would it be for a Christian to see a person who is starving and say, "I'll pray for you," as we head off to McDonald's? Let you treatment of others reflect the mercy that God has showered down on you.

2:19ff - (Insert sarcastic clapping here) Congratulations, you believe in God? Wow, even the demons believe that there is a God. In fact, they believe so thoroughly that they shudder in response to His power (Some Christians don't even do that). You talk a great game, but your faith is backed up by action. If you truly understand the power of the God you theoretically believe in...do something about it. Live for Him.

2:26 - A Christian who refuses to act like Christ (At least to make an attempt) is no Christian at all.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

James Chapter 1 - November 18, 2008

1:4 - We can attain perfection - SWEET! Oh wait, perfection as the Jewish readers would have understood it meant, "a complete, whole person." So James is telling us that the only way for us to truly become whole is to persevere through trials and keep our trust in God. So being allowed to go through tough times is actually for our own good. When you remain faithful in trials and see that God can and will get you through anything, you start to more fully understand that you really do "lack nothing."

1:6 - Does this mean that every time we doubt we are worthless, double-minded people not worthy of carrying the name of Christ? I sure hope not! I don't believe James is referring to our occasional personal doubts and questions, he is referring to a duplicity of nature. You see this theme throughout the chapter. If you are a Christian your life should reflect that. If you doubt the validity of the word of God and you refuse to apply it to your personal life outside of church...you live in a state of hypocrisy and mock the very truth you claim to follow. That is a little more intense than your occasional momentary doubts.

1:9-11 - Why can't we see how true this is? Chasing after wealth is the ultimate way to chase humiliation. How humiliating is it to live your whole life to acquire as much money as possible and then you die and it is all meaningless. Your whole life would then be meaningless. Is that not humiliating? Why can we not see that as human beings?

1:14-15 - In case you were confused, James throws down a nice little sin-cycle diagram for you. 1.) We are all tempted by our own sinful desires (So don't go blaming God the next time you are struggling with temptation...instead turn to Him for strength and help). 2.) That same sinful human nature that tempts us, also draws us into the sin (Seriously, turn to God...it is the only way to break free from sin and temptation). 3.) Sin leads us by the hand skipping merrily into death. Brutal, brutal cycle. So we have within us, everything we need to bring about our own demise and no possible way to save ourselves.

1:23-24 - If you call yourself Christian and you have believe the word of God, let that word be reflected in your daily life. Living contrary to the truth you have believed in is like looking at yourself in a mirror and immediately forgetting what you look like as you turn away. You are forgetting yourself - who you are - it is absurd...so is living a dual life.

1:26 - How about this for a nice little wake up slap in the face - if you can't control your tongue, your religion is worthless. Why? Because you ignore so many aspects of the message of Christ - self-control, humility, honor, respect, using the gifts God has given you appropriately, etc. The mouth is the communication system from our heart to the world - what yours communicates says alot about what you believe.

1:27 - True religion - taking care of widows and orphans. We've all heard it a million times and I hope you agree. But there is another part in there too...keep yourself unstained by the world. It all goes back to that theme of have one perfect, whole life as opposed to the dual-natured life.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Philemon Chapter...uh, where's the chapter? - November 17, 2008

Background: Most scholars believe that Onesimus is a slave that has run away from his master. He has either run away to escape to freedom, or he has run away to beg Paul to ask his master to be lenient on him because of some offense. Either way, what we understand is that after Onesimus ran away, he becomes a full fledged follower of God and in Paul's eyes this changes the situation. So Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon to make things right and expects Philemon to treat him graciously.

7 - Paul starts out by reminding Philemon that Christians are not meant to be alone. We do not fly solo. We are a prat of a greater body than ourselves...we are a part of a body of love and accountability. This is important for us to understand because Paul is about to ask Philemon to do something that is unheard of in this time...show mercy to a runaway slave.

8-9 - Paul has a right to demand obedience from Philemon as an apostle, but instead he chooses to use a gracious appeal. Good lesson for those in leadership.

11 - The word useless in this passage is basically synonymous with Christ-less. He is saying, when Onesimus left you he was not a Christians...now he is a changed man...now he is a man of Christ, which changes everything.

17 - We see the runaway slave become the apostolic representative for Paul - wow! What a beautiful picture of the grace and life change that Jesus offers.

End - Onesimus goes back to his master to pay his debts like any man of God wants to do. Paul expects that Philemon will treat Onesimus with the respect that is due to a fellow brother in Christ, and hopes that Onesimus will be able to return to help him in his old age. We have no idea how the story ends, but it is safe to say that it ended well since it made it into the bible! I don;t think the early church fathers would have included a letter from Paul that was completely ignore!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Titus Chapter 3 - Novmeber 14, 2008

3:1 - This is a good reminder for Christians on either side of political spectrum. We can disagree and use our vote to do the talking, but when it is all said and done we offer submission and respect to those who have been placed over us.

3:3 - Read verse three again...is there any more reason you need for treating people with grace? Why be gracious...why offer people second chances...why show love to those who are far from God? Because that was once you! That was once me! I was foolish, disobedient, rebellious, sinful, twisted, crazy, stupid....oh wait, I still am many of those things (To a lesser degree by the grace and teachings of God). So be gracious and patient with others as our Father is gracious and patient with us.

3:8 - As Christians, we must insist on the validity of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the grace he offers us! That is crucial to all we believe...to the hope we have...and it is the driving force behind anything good we could ever possibly muster.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Titus Chapter 2 - November 12, 2008

2:2-10 - We have seen instructions like these over and over in the last few letters we have read, but something we need to understand is that these instructions for men, women and slaves fall under the general theme of submission and humility. We are not called to live a chaotic self-interested life...we are called to be controlled and think of others first. We must think of the impact the things we do and say have on other people. That is what God is calling us to...to live lives that actually put other people before ourselves.

2:11 - This verse starts out "FOR." Paul is saying, "Why should you live humble lives putting others first? For...the grace of God appeared bringing salvation to all people." Why? Because it's not about you! Everything we have...the air we breath...the life that is coursing through our bodies, is a gift from God. Everything we are is because of the grace of God. It is not about us...we are not good enough or smart enough or anything enough to be prideful and arrogant and self-centered. It is all about God and living to honor Him, so we can live humble lives that place others before ourselves...because it's not about us (Are you getting the pictrure that it's not about us?)!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Titus Chapter 1 - November 11, 2008

1:4 - We must continue to carry on the tradition of raising spiritual children. A mature believer should come alongside non-believers or new Christians and act as a spiritual guide. Not an arrogant-know-it-all-jerk, but as a person who wants to journey with them towards Christ. This is also a great way to push yourself and grow your own faith.

1:13-14 - When a Christian is spouting lies about God and twisting the faith, he must be confronted...for his sake and the sake of the Gospel.

1:15 - This verse is like a slap in the face. I have seen impurity corrupt my own life. How many times have I twisted the innocent words of others' into some sort of perverted joke? If you look back at your hearts and thoughts honestly, you can see firsthand how what you allow your mind to dwell on begins to shape all your thoughts. We must fight for purity, not just of body, but of mind, heart and sight - everything.

1:16 - Look at the words Paul uses as adjectives in this verse. Detestable...disobedient...unfit for any good work! What is he describing? He is describing Christians who claim to follow Christ and deny him every day through their actions and words. Hypocrisy isn't just vile to the rest of the world Christians...it sickens God. God please let me live a life unified with your way.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

2 Timothy Chapter 4 - November 6, 2008

4:2 - We must always be ready to share the gospel, defend our faith, hold each other accountable...all through the power of the word of God. We never know when God is going to open a door, so we must remain vigilant and ready - like a trap about to spring - trusting that the Spirit of God will guide us. It is also very important to remember what Paul tags on at the end of the verse, "with complete patience and teaching." We have to be ready to act, but the action needs to come out of grace and love, and not out of a desire to theologically crush another person.

4:5 - Good rules of life. Be sober-minded: don't let your focus get destroyed by anything that will skew your judgement. Endure suffering: if we plan on living for God in this world, the enemy is not going to take that decision lightly. Evangelize: we are supposed to be doing this - period! Evangelism is not just for people "gifted" in talking about God...every one of us as Christians should be looking for opportunities to speak truth into the lives of lost people around us. Fulfill your ministry: do all of the above and you will probably make this happen.

4:7 - It is my goal in life to live in such a way to deserve uttering these words when I know my time is short, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." We never know when we are going to die, so I must live every day with a simple focus of fighting on, finishing and keeping the faith.

4:14 - Go read 1 Timothy 1:20. I think this could be the same Alexander. They excommunicated him from the church in 1 Timothy, so maybe he decided to wage a personal war against the Christians. Paul usually doesn't talk too much about the physical pain he has endured, so this is probably a reference to the damage that Alexander is doing to work of the Gospel.

2 Timothy Chapter 3 - November 5, 2008

Sorry about yesterday - crazy times around the office! I did read the chapter though and would love to hear your thoughts.

3:12 - All who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted! Time to count the cost of discipleship, huh?

3:16-17 - This is why we do the bible blog...God's word is powerful and we need to be filling ourselves with it daily.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

2 Timothy Chapter 2 - November 4, 2008

* Paintball day today - it was awesome...I am going to read the chapter right now, but will not comment today. Please feel free to share your own thoughts.

Monday, November 3, 2008

2 Timothy Chapter 1 - November 3, 2008

1:5 - How important is it to live out your faith boldly in your family? HUGE! As a father it is my duty to pour the power of truth of the gospel into my children...it is their choice to grab a hold of that truth (But they're still gonna go to church no matter what if they are living in my house!). If you are a student living at home, you can also lead through the example of your faith.

1:9 - God did not call us because we are "good" enough - He called us because HE is good enough!

1:12 - If you know what you believe and who you believe in...if you truly know it - you will be able to live boldly and powerfully for God in this world.

1:14 - Tap into the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within you as a believer, and fight to protect the faith that has been planted within you.