The past few days traveling through Hebrews has been more then FUN!! I wanted to pull out a few verses that really made me think reading them through in The Message.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
This verse came alive again to me like the first time I read it!! I don`t think we think enough about how Jesus began and has finished this race of life. We are not doing it for the first time, or suffering through things he would not understand. We should STUDY HOW HE DID IT! And I mean really does that SHOOT ADRENALINE INTO YOUR SOUL!!
Hebrews 13: 5-6ish
GOD is there, ready to help
I'm fearless no matter what,
Who or what can get to me?
I LOVE THIS!!
Hebrews 13: 9
The Grace of Christ is the only good ground for life.
I LOVE THIS!!!
Hebrews 13: 18-21
Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
May God, who puts all things together,
makes all things whole,
Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
up and alive from the dead,
Now put you together, provide you
with everything you need to please him,
Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
All glory to Jesus forever and always!
Oh, yes, yes, yes.
This is the end of Hebrews and just puts a BIG Stamp on the end!! Let the God who PUTS ALL THINGS TOGETHER, who MAKES ALL THINGS WHOLE, who MADE A LASTING MARK THROUGH THE SACRIFICE OF JESUS, who LED JESUS, that GOD... let him now PUT TOGETHER everything in you need... not look at this ... EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLEASE HIM!! I don`t know about you but that is not what I pray for. Dear Jesus give me everything I need to make ME HAPPY is more like my prayer. This passage really impacted me. MAKE US INTO WHAT GIVES HIME MOST PLEASURE. The prayer here at the end of Hebrews is brining the "old law" and the "new law" into a full story. The God of the Old Law and New Law is the same God he brings all things together, he was the one who brought Jesus to life again and now that same God will give us everything we need to PLEASE HIM!! AMAZING!!
So excited to start Psalm 119!!
Shelly Yost, Founder and CEO of New Rhythm Project. Our Goal is to tell the story of what God is doing in and through people that are living out James 1:27
Monday, February 15, 2010
From Garden to City
This Wednesday as a church we will be starting a Bible Reading Plan. We will be starting with Psalm 119 and jumping right into Job. Our reading plan is not chronological or From start to finish. NCC has created a reading plan that will run with the Liturgical Calendar. We will be reading about Christ Resurrection at Easter, reading about Jesus Birth at Christmas.. you get the idea. I have been reading through the bible from start to finish however starting Wednesday we will be switching to this reading plan. Join us www.fromgardentocity.com . The theme is From Garden To City. We will be reading through from the Garden of Eden to the City of Heaven... and along the way we will ready all 66 books of the Bible!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Snow Day with my Bible - Hebrews After Leviticus
During Leadership Retreat our fearless Leader Heather Zempel suggested that after I finish Leviticus I should read Hebrews. That was the best advice I have received this year by far!! Wow!! Today is a snow day and I am ripping into Hebrews much faster than normal and Leviticus has come alive through Hebrews. So much to move through I thought I would break up the normal Book Blog into a few parts. The last two days Hebrews 1 - 10 have been amazing. I am reading a new translation for me as well, The Message. As I move through each passage I am found thinking.... AMAZING, Yes no more sacrifices, Wow, YES Jesus the PERFECT High Priest. Let me share a few parts with you as it is all really overwhelming!!
Hebrews 2: 1-4 (The Message)
1-4It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off. If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit.
This passage is talking about the Old Law and the New Law. The Old Law (Leviticus) was delivered by Angels, however this New Law - The Gospel, The Message of Christ redemption for all sins was delivered in PERSON BY THE MASTER. Wow, then is was accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. I love how we are expected to understand how important the Old Law was, but see that this New Law is that much more important!!
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (The Message)
Re-Crucifying Jesus
11-14I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
Hebrews 6
1-3 So come on, let's leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it!
This passage I am sure many have read or heard sermon's on over and over. We are to be developing in our relationship with Christ not just learning the same basics over and over. What really stood out ot me in this passage as I read it today was THE BASIC FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS. As I read that specific then followed with the 5 things that are listed as basics:
1. Turning your back on "Salvation by self-help" : Meaning our salvation is not by our works or our own power.
2. Turning in Trust toward God: Meaning our salvation is by his power and gift to us.
3. Baptismal Instructions: Meaning being baptized
4. Laying on of Hands: Meaning praying for each other with laying on of hands for healing
5. Resurrection of the dead: Meaning people being raised from the dead
6. Eternal Judgment: Meaning understanding Heaven and Hell
When I went through that passage I was feeling a mix of emotions. I have shamefully always read this passage and thought I am not on MILK, surly I am on solid food with my relationship with Christ. When I read the 5 foundational truths outline in this passage I was convicted and excited. Convicted that those 5 foundational truths are not as a part of my life as I would like. Also convicted that the passage continues: God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it! Wow I find that personally I am striving for the foundational things of Christ as outlined in this scripture. BUT THEIR IS MORE!! Wow how powerful! Thank you God!!
Snow Day with my Bible to be continued....
Hebrews 2: 1-4 (The Message)
1-4It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off. If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit.
This passage is talking about the Old Law and the New Law. The Old Law (Leviticus) was delivered by Angels, however this New Law - The Gospel, The Message of Christ redemption for all sins was delivered in PERSON BY THE MASTER. Wow, then is was accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. I love how we are expected to understand how important the Old Law was, but see that this New Law is that much more important!!
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (The Message)
Re-Crucifying Jesus
11-14I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
Hebrews 6
1-3 So come on, let's leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it!
This passage I am sure many have read or heard sermon's on over and over. We are to be developing in our relationship with Christ not just learning the same basics over and over. What really stood out ot me in this passage as I read it today was THE BASIC FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS. As I read that specific then followed with the 5 things that are listed as basics:
1. Turning your back on "Salvation by self-help" : Meaning our salvation is not by our works or our own power.
2. Turning in Trust toward God: Meaning our salvation is by his power and gift to us.
3. Baptismal Instructions: Meaning being baptized
4. Laying on of Hands: Meaning praying for each other with laying on of hands for healing
5. Resurrection of the dead: Meaning people being raised from the dead
6. Eternal Judgment: Meaning understanding Heaven and Hell
When I went through that passage I was feeling a mix of emotions. I have shamefully always read this passage and thought I am not on MILK, surly I am on solid food with my relationship with Christ. When I read the 5 foundational truths outline in this passage I was convicted and excited. Convicted that those 5 foundational truths are not as a part of my life as I would like. Also convicted that the passage continues: God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it! Wow I find that personally I am striving for the foundational things of Christ as outlined in this scripture. BUT THEIR IS MORE!! Wow how powerful! Thank you God!!
Snow Day with my Bible to be continued....
Monday, February 8, 2010
Leviticus in Jan & Feb 2010
Leviticus took a slight toll on my reading ability I must say. My journal day after day after day just says "THANK YOU FOR THE CROSS" Thank you JESUS For your Blood and sacrifice!! Wow what a blessing to live on this side of the Cross. All of the rules and regulations of Leviticus made me more and more grateful for the freedom and love that comes in the Cross.
One small note that I did notice is more times then not God gave them a way to make right a sin they knew they were commiting. I found myself thinking do I only sin when I don`t know I am sinning or do I sin knowing..... wow just a thought!
On to Hebrews I think..
One small note that I did notice is more times then not God gave them a way to make right a sin they knew they were commiting. I found myself thinking do I only sin when I don`t know I am sinning or do I sin knowing..... wow just a thought!
On to Hebrews I think..
Saturday, February 6, 2010
2010 Snow Fall !!!
Having a great time being snowed in today! We have about 20inches down already here in DC and it keeps coming. The snow always reminds me of the way that Christ Blood covers all our sins! What a fun day. Stay inside keep warm and love on that family!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Exodus in January
Don`t know if it is just me but I can read the first part of Exodus over and over and over!! Maybe its because I am a social worker and Moses looks like the first case of Adoption in history. I love the way that a child in a dangerous situation is protected by a mother who loves her child but knows she can not care for him. In the biggest act of love she places her child in the river hoping that a Egyptian Women would find him. A women from a different culture, social economic status, and belief system. Moses's mother saw what could be best for her son and if she could not provide it for him she wanted a family that could.
I love that God uses Moses to bring him to a place to free his family from slavery. God positioned Moses through his mothers actions of love to give him the training and upbringing to lead 1 million people out of slavery.
Leadership Lessons. Even the greatest leader needs support. Moses had Joshua and Aaron to be by his side and help him lead.
I love that God uses Moses to bring him to a place to free his family from slavery. God positioned Moses through his mothers actions of love to give him the training and upbringing to lead 1 million people out of slavery.
Leadership Lessons. Even the greatest leader needs support. Moses had Joshua and Aaron to be by his side and help him lead.
Genesis In January
It is so perfect to read through Genesis in January. It seams as you make new years resolutions and read through how God created earth everything is so new and redeemable. A few stories really stood out for me this year reading through Genesis.
Genesis 3
As a wife I think I will always be impacted by Genesis 3. It always jumps off the page to me that Satan used the weakness of Eve to get to Adam. As a wife of a man in ministry I know my role to be founded in the Word and support to my husband. I am confused and frustrated that when Satan approached Eve he clearly has her state what God said and then convinces her God didn't mean what he said. I am always convicted that so many times we know what God says but we convince ourselves that what We want is a better choice then what God has for us. God so many times sets up boundaries for our lives to keep us safe and keep us in his will. So often I compromise the facts to fit my situation but I am convicted to live more on God's Truths and not my own understanding.
Genesis 4: 6-7 Love the way the message phrases this scripture
"..sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; its out to get you, you've got to master it."
The Start of Worshipping
Genesis 4:25-26
"That's when men and women began praying and worshipping in the name of God"
GOTTA LOVE THIS
Genesis 5:24
"Enoch walked with steadily with God and then one day he was simply gone: God took him."
I pray that this will be a mandate over my family
Genesis 18:17-19
"Yes, I've settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe Gods way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that God can complete in Abraham what he promised him."
Joseph - wow
So much to say about this story. I think my big take away from this whole story was Joseph's response to his brothers when confronted. When Joseph's brothers came back to Egypt the second time Joseph reviled himself to his family. His response to them after near death, slavery, and prison all at the result of their hands is amazing. Joseph says: " don`t blame yourselves, God did this so that I could save many." It makes me look at every situation in my life differently. Thinking of the people that may have wronged me in my life and that situation pushed me deeper into my relationship with Jesus or put me in a position to trust only in the Lord. The way he is able to respond is a great example of how we handle trials in our lives.
Then Joseph's faith in death. To know that God would fulfill his promise even if he was not going to be able to see it HE BELIEVED that God WOULD!! Enough to make his children promise to take his bones with them when they go to the Promise land.
Genesis 3
As a wife I think I will always be impacted by Genesis 3. It always jumps off the page to me that Satan used the weakness of Eve to get to Adam. As a wife of a man in ministry I know my role to be founded in the Word and support to my husband. I am confused and frustrated that when Satan approached Eve he clearly has her state what God said and then convinces her God didn't mean what he said. I am always convicted that so many times we know what God says but we convince ourselves that what We want is a better choice then what God has for us. God so many times sets up boundaries for our lives to keep us safe and keep us in his will. So often I compromise the facts to fit my situation but I am convicted to live more on God's Truths and not my own understanding.
Genesis 4: 6-7 Love the way the message phrases this scripture
"..sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; its out to get you, you've got to master it."
The Start of Worshipping
Genesis 4:25-26
"That's when men and women began praying and worshipping in the name of God"
GOTTA LOVE THIS
Genesis 5:24
"Enoch walked with steadily with God and then one day he was simply gone: God took him."
I pray that this will be a mandate over my family
Genesis 18:17-19
"Yes, I've settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe Gods way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that God can complete in Abraham what he promised him."
Joseph - wow
So much to say about this story. I think my big take away from this whole story was Joseph's response to his brothers when confronted. When Joseph's brothers came back to Egypt the second time Joseph reviled himself to his family. His response to them after near death, slavery, and prison all at the result of their hands is amazing. Joseph says: " don`t blame yourselves, God did this so that I could save many." It makes me look at every situation in my life differently. Thinking of the people that may have wronged me in my life and that situation pushed me deeper into my relationship with Jesus or put me in a position to trust only in the Lord. The way he is able to respond is a great example of how we handle trials in our lives.
Then Joseph's faith in death. To know that God would fulfill his promise even if he was not going to be able to see it HE BELIEVED that God WOULD!! Enough to make his children promise to take his bones with them when they go to the Promise land.
Goal of 2010
One of my personal goals for 2010 is to read through the bible from cover to cover this year. I have decided to read through the message version. Opening the Bible every morning creates a time between you and God that allows the Word of God not only to speak to you but speak into your daily life. I love reading through parts of the Bible that I don`t study regularly and watching how the Lord uses those stories to speak into your life. I hope to blog through each book of the Bible to share the stories and applications!!
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