1:2 - Jesus is the manifestation of God come to earth as a human being. All that goodness of God described later in this chapter was formed into Jesus Christ. He is the Word come to life...He is the truth...He is the perfect picture of what truly living should look like. Isn't it awesome that God loved us so much He came down to show us what true living looks like and died so that we could actually experience it?
1:5-9 - There is this fine line you must walk in being a Christian. You cannot walk willingly in darkness and call yourself a child of light. You can't! God is only light - offspring who live in the darkness cannot be His children. On the other hand, you and I both know that we cannot live perfect lives...darkness is constantly trying to creep back into us. It comes down to attitude. As children of God we must turn in humility and brokenness to Him so that we can be made righteous. We cannot live in darkness and occasionally come back to God to feel better. We must do everything we can to live in the light and depend fully on Him to take care of the residue of darkness within us.
Friday, December 12, 2008
2 Peter Chapter 3 - December 12, 2008
3:7 - The bible has some seemingly contradictory ideas about the end times. There is a strong case for fiery destruction of everything in the end (See: this passage). Yet, there is also a case to be made for a remaking of the earth - a redemption of the earth if you will. How do fiery destruction and redemption work together. Well this passage says the destruction of fire is for the ungodly. So maybe the fire is like a refiners fire that will burn away the sinful - leaving the pure. Fire and redemption - YAY!
3:8-9 - God is outside of time...He is beyond it...cannot be constrained by it. So we must always remember, that He is not slow in coming and bringing justice to all of creation - He is actually showing His great mercy by giving people the chance to turn back to Him.
3:14 - Always be about the business of righteousness and peace. There are no magical "free times" where you can get away with sin with the expectation of repenting later. The length of your life is no guarantee...stay on guard and honor God with your life - every moment of your life.
3:18 - Grow in grace. Often Christian who grow in knowledge, also grow in judgement, but as we grow closer to Christ we should become steadily more gracious.
3:8-9 - God is outside of time...He is beyond it...cannot be constrained by it. So we must always remember, that He is not slow in coming and bringing justice to all of creation - He is actually showing His great mercy by giving people the chance to turn back to Him.
3:14 - Always be about the business of righteousness and peace. There are no magical "free times" where you can get away with sin with the expectation of repenting later. The length of your life is no guarantee...stay on guard and honor God with your life - every moment of your life.
3:18 - Grow in grace. Often Christian who grow in knowledge, also grow in judgement, but as we grow closer to Christ we should become steadily more gracious.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
2 Peter Chapter 2 - DEcember 11, 2008
2:9ff - That was an intense chapter!!! I guess the positive we can take from it shows up in verse 9 and following. Do not give up. Do not give into frustration when it seems like evil is winning int he world and the good are powerless. God has a long history of rescuing His people from terrible events, He's been doing it from the beginning of time. Trust that He is just and in the end there will be vindication.
2:14-15 - If the eyes have been trained to be adulterous...if we have allowed them to linger and lust countless times...they will never be satisfied - they will be come insatiable. If the heart is trained for greed, it will be consumed with materialism and it will never be satisfied. When we train ourselves to long for the things of this world, we will never find satisfaction or wholeness. What have I trained myself to be?
2:20 - It is a singularly unique and twisted form of vileness that allows a man or woman to come in contact with the way of Christ and then leave it behind and turn to an even more sinful state than before. The price to pay will be virtually insurmountable.
2:14-15 - If the eyes have been trained to be adulterous...if we have allowed them to linger and lust countless times...they will never be satisfied - they will be come insatiable. If the heart is trained for greed, it will be consumed with materialism and it will never be satisfied. When we train ourselves to long for the things of this world, we will never find satisfaction or wholeness. What have I trained myself to be?
2:20 - It is a singularly unique and twisted form of vileness that allows a man or woman to come in contact with the way of Christ and then leave it behind and turn to an even more sinful state than before. The price to pay will be virtually insurmountable.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
2 Peter Chapter 1 - December 9, 2008
1:4 - Just offers us the opportunity - the only opportunity available in the universe - to leave the corruption of human sinfulness (fueled by our inherent selfishness) behind and actually come in contact with the divine! He is offering us a chance to experience godliness...to taste righteousness...to get a glimpse of what truly being alive can look like - living beyond ourselves. Do you trust him? To trust means that you believe everything Jesus said and did, and it impacts the way you live.
1:9 - If we as Christians, focus only on the forgiveness of sins and getting fire insurance for ourselves (i.e. staying out of hell), we are absolutely wasting and disrespecting the power of the way of Jesus. To live like his sacrifice was simply about keeping us out of hell is near-sighted and lame! Jesus offered himself, not just to save our souls, but to give us a shot at that divine life talked about before. He came to change the way we live now, as much as he came to change where we end up in the end. We need to forget about focusing on "not going to hell" and live right now to bring the kingdom of heaven with us wherever we go...to bring the way of Jesus to the forefront of this world by living it out every day.
1:15 - We all have a finite time on this earth...are we making every effort to leave behind a legacy of truth that points straight to Jesus for the people around us? When we are gone, will our lives be a testament to the truth of Jesus Christ?
1:9 - If we as Christians, focus only on the forgiveness of sins and getting fire insurance for ourselves (i.e. staying out of hell), we are absolutely wasting and disrespecting the power of the way of Jesus. To live like his sacrifice was simply about keeping us out of hell is near-sighted and lame! Jesus offered himself, not just to save our souls, but to give us a shot at that divine life talked about before. He came to change the way we live now, as much as he came to change where we end up in the end. We need to forget about focusing on "not going to hell" and live right now to bring the kingdom of heaven with us wherever we go...to bring the way of Jesus to the forefront of this world by living it out every day.
1:15 - We all have a finite time on this earth...are we making every effort to leave behind a legacy of truth that points straight to Jesus for the people around us? When we are gone, will our lives be a testament to the truth of Jesus Christ?
Monday, December 8, 2008
I Peter Chapter 5 - December 8, 2008
2-5 - One statement really sums it up - God opposes the proud. Leaders should lead out of humility. People being led should follow out of humility.
6 - God knows what is best for us...including when things should really go well. We must humbly trust that God knows the proper time for us to experience success. (Isn't that really tough though?)
9 - Maybe Satan has allowed us in the States to live fat and happy lives because those kind of lives are even more dangerous for our faith than suffering filled lives? What about this, "Stand firm in the faith, knowing that people all around you are living easy self-centered lives that lead only to emptiness and lack of trust in God."
6 - God knows what is best for us...including when things should really go well. We must humbly trust that God knows the proper time for us to experience success. (Isn't that really tough though?)
9 - Maybe Satan has allowed us in the States to live fat and happy lives because those kind of lives are even more dangerous for our faith than suffering filled lives? What about this, "Stand firm in the faith, knowing that people all around you are living easy self-centered lives that lead only to emptiness and lack of trust in God."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
I Peter Chapter 3 - December 4, 2008
On my way to Guadalupe Peak (The highest point in Texas), no computer access. Please write your own comments.
I Peter Chapter 2 - December 3, 2008
5 hours of meeting today = no blog, but please feel free to write your own comments (Tim).
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I Peter Chapter 1 - Decmeber 2, 2008
1:3-4 - Contrast the inheritance that God offers to what the world has to offer - material things are finite, defiled and perishable...pretty big difference.
1:6ff - Our future inheritance is so insanely incredible, that we rejoice in that future...that hope. We rejoice and remain faithful even in the face of trials and persecution, and when we do that our faith stands as a testimony to the awesomeness of Jesus Christ. When we stay faithful through hard times, our lives become instruments of praising God and leading others to Him.
1:8 - This is great picture of what the Christian life should look like: even though we cannot see Jesus, you believe in Him and have this inner strength and joy that is unexplainable. That's what we should look like. Is your life filled with inexpressible joy? What's wrong?
1:15 - Christian, if you carry the name of Christ...live a holy life. Let the old life that was controlled by twisted sinful passions die and begin to live a set apart - different - Christ-like kind of life. That's what we're supposed to be doing. When you fail, rely on the grace of God and keep moving towards holiness. You will never get there in this life, but that is the goal - holiness.
1:18-19 - You were not left to die in captivity, you were ransomed at the highest price ever paid. You were paid for by the blood of God. That is how much you are worth to God. Never forget that.
1:22-23 - Another picture of what a Christian should look like. It says if you are born again - if you are really a Christian - you will love each other without motive (Not to get something or because you are supposed to, etc.)...you will love out of a pure heart. Love for the sake of love. Love because God is love.
1:6ff - Our future inheritance is so insanely incredible, that we rejoice in that future...that hope. We rejoice and remain faithful even in the face of trials and persecution, and when we do that our faith stands as a testimony to the awesomeness of Jesus Christ. When we stay faithful through hard times, our lives become instruments of praising God and leading others to Him.
1:8 - This is great picture of what the Christian life should look like: even though we cannot see Jesus, you believe in Him and have this inner strength and joy that is unexplainable. That's what we should look like. Is your life filled with inexpressible joy? What's wrong?
1:15 - Christian, if you carry the name of Christ...live a holy life. Let the old life that was controlled by twisted sinful passions die and begin to live a set apart - different - Christ-like kind of life. That's what we're supposed to be doing. When you fail, rely on the grace of God and keep moving towards holiness. You will never get there in this life, but that is the goal - holiness.
1:18-19 - You were not left to die in captivity, you were ransomed at the highest price ever paid. You were paid for by the blood of God. That is how much you are worth to God. Never forget that.
1:22-23 - Another picture of what a Christian should look like. It says if you are born again - if you are really a Christian - you will love each other without motive (Not to get something or because you are supposed to, etc.)...you will love out of a pure heart. Love for the sake of love. Love because God is love.
Monday, December 1, 2008
James Chapter 4 and 5 - December 1, 2008
4:1 - The cause of chaos and fighting in the world is simple...we allow our twisted human passions to control us. We see something that somebody else has and we want it - so we take it, or do whatever it takes to get one. We covet the social status of another so we do whatever it takes to bring them down or raise ourselves up. We claw and fight and scratch to make ourselves happy with the things of this world, when we need to turn to our heavenly father for fulfillment.
4:7 - When people exalt themselves, they draw near to Satan (Satan was the original self-exalter). When we humble ourselves we draw near to God.
4:11 - This is hugely important for me to remember in my own arrogance... don't judge or feel jealousy about other ministers or ministries. I must leave the judgement to God and rejoice in the victories of my fellow workers in Christ.
4:16 - Waking up everyday and assuming that you will have an infinite number of future days with which to work your plans is sinful arrogance. Every day is a precious gift...every hour...and we must live with that kind of humility.
5:1ff - Whoa! Talk about some intense wording! The rich have made money their god - they have sold their soul to it...some are willing to sacrifice their families to the god of money (And we scoff at the OT pagans who sacrificed babies, arrogantly assuming that no modern person would sacrifice loved ones for an idol...hmmm). The rich who have served money will weep and howl when they see the meaninglessness of their life's pursuits in the end...I really don't want to be in that crowd.
5:7ff - It seems like the righteous are wondering why the rich and powerful seem to have better lives. Be patient. Look to the prophets. Men that were mocked and persecuted who were eventually vindicated. We have a victorious future ahead of us, just finish the race.
5:12 - I want to live the kind of life and have the kind of character, where my words are always taken at face value.
5:13ff - Pray in everything...good, bad, sick, healthy, strength, weakness...everything. Prayer is powerful when prayed by a believer who has faith in God.
5:19ff - You cannot stray too far from the love of God. Nobody can. We as Christians are called to bring back the lost and rebellious, not to drive them away with our arrogant judgements.
4:7 - When people exalt themselves, they draw near to Satan (Satan was the original self-exalter). When we humble ourselves we draw near to God.
4:11 - This is hugely important for me to remember in my own arrogance... don't judge or feel jealousy about other ministers or ministries. I must leave the judgement to God and rejoice in the victories of my fellow workers in Christ.
4:16 - Waking up everyday and assuming that you will have an infinite number of future days with which to work your plans is sinful arrogance. Every day is a precious gift...every hour...and we must live with that kind of humility.
5:1ff - Whoa! Talk about some intense wording! The rich have made money their god - they have sold their soul to it...some are willing to sacrifice their families to the god of money (And we scoff at the OT pagans who sacrificed babies, arrogantly assuming that no modern person would sacrifice loved ones for an idol...hmmm). The rich who have served money will weep and howl when they see the meaninglessness of their life's pursuits in the end...I really don't want to be in that crowd.
5:7ff - It seems like the righteous are wondering why the rich and powerful seem to have better lives. Be patient. Look to the prophets. Men that were mocked and persecuted who were eventually vindicated. We have a victorious future ahead of us, just finish the race.
5:12 - I want to live the kind of life and have the kind of character, where my words are always taken at face value.
5:13ff - Pray in everything...good, bad, sick, healthy, strength, weakness...everything. Prayer is powerful when prayed by a believer who has faith in God.
5:19ff - You cannot stray too far from the love of God. Nobody can. We as Christians are called to bring back the lost and rebellious, not to drive them away with our arrogant judgements.
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