My Thoughts- Exodus 14- 8/19/12

Moses and the Exodus (cont.)

As I was reading I was pleasantly surpised to see that when the Israelites were afraid they called out to God. However even though they call on Him, they don't trust Him and forget His power. I think that's how a lot of us are; I know I am. When I call out to God, I doubt His power. But as the israelites were repeatedly shown His power is great and He can do all things. Vs. 14 is amazing too: "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still". By our own power nothing of consequence can come about, but if we step back enough to let God take control wonderous things will occur.

My Thoughts- Exodus 12- 8/18/12

Moses and the Exodus (cont.)

The entire time I was reading I was wondering why it was so important that they make the bread without yeast? And then when I was finished reading my bible said this "God's instructions for the Passover stress the need for haste. Roasting over fire cooks meat faster than boiling and (unlike frying or baking) requires no pan or oven. Likewise, bread without yeast doesn't need time to rise. The emphasis on speed indicated to the Israelites how terrible this plague would be and how swift they would have to flee from Egypt.". I also wonder why it seems the instructions for the passover are repeated twice; they must have been extremely important and special to God. Thinking about the passover, it's crazy how long this tradition has lasted. It continues all throughout the bible, and churches today still celebrate it. And it's also really cool that God brought them out, exactly 430 years later. So precise!

My Thoughts- Exodus 7- 8/17/12

Moses and the Exodus (cont.)

I've always been taught that when something is repeated in the bible that signifies importance. It talks about Pharaoh's heart being hardened at least 3x's in this chapter, so I think it's probably very important to understand. However in this chapter it never says "God hardened" so maybe it means this was of Pharaoh's own doing. Aside from that I love vs. 5, because even though God is making life miserable for the Egyptians right now, He is still leading them towards ultimate salvation. While I'm sure some saw what the Lord did for the Israelites and ignored it, I'm sure many came to believe as well. I also found in interesting how God used the word "wilderness" and it makes me wonder if He's alluding to the fact that the Israelites will not go straight to milk and honey land.

My Thoughts- Exodus 4- 8/16/12

Moses and the Exodus (cont.)

Vs. 21 (below) highlights something I don't really understand. God has given us free will but when He changes the desires of our heart doesn't that take away our free will? Or maybe He isn't changing anything, He just knows that's how it will be. And the same thing goes with salvation. Many times it says "God hardened/ softened his heart". Is this God's active doing? Or is it just the way of describing what's going on in the person's heart. And in vs. 24 (below) is "him" referring to Moses? Was it because of his fear of what God wanted to do? Obviously if He was dissuaded so easily, He wasn't that passionate about it, so what's the deal?

Exodus 4:21- The Lord said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go".

Exodus 4:24- At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him.

My Thoughts- Exodus 3- 8/15/12

Moses and the Exodus

The 1st thing I thought about when reading this was about people blaming God. In this chapter God is going to give the Israelites a land of "milk and honey" but they end up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years first. A lot of times I think we can be in the wilderness of life and blaming God for not being in the land of milk and honey when, just like the Israelites, we did it to ourselves. Another think I found interesting is that Moses lived a long time before God used Him, which makes me wonder if there are periods of our lives where we are simply waiting for God to prepare us for something down the road. Where is the line between waiting and apathy?

My Thoughts- Genesis 32- 8/14/12

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cont.)

You can see Jacob's faith in God growing as he prays when he's in a  time of distress. His prayer shows he's counting on God for help and turning towards him instead of counting on himself. I wonder why God decided to wrestle him though. Just to give him a blessing? Or a physical reminder of his presence in his life? And another thing is it says "a man" wrestled him. So does that mean God became man for this situation? Or did her take over an existing mans body? But I do like what the wrestling represents: his struggle to please God. Which is a struggle I think we all have in our lives.

My Thoughts- Genesis 31- 8/13/12

 Abraham, Issac, and Jacob (cont.)

I find it interesting that even though Rachel stole and was worshiping false gods, He protected them. I also really like that God salvaged the relationship between Jacob and Laban. Laban had done all sorts of terrible things to Jacob (tricked him into marrying Leah, changed wages, etc.), and while they don't end up friends, they are able to come to an agreement. It's comforting to know however difficult a person in our life may be, God will help us to make peace with that person. At the end of this chapter my bible has a blurb about Rachel, which I found very interesting.
It says:
"In an age not known for romance, when young people often waited for their parents to arrange their marriages, Jacob fell profoundly in love with Rachel. He worked 14 years to gain her (after being tricked into marrying her sister along the way). Clearly, to him, beautiful Rachel was worth the labor. He loved her from first sight to last breath.
Rachel knew what it was to be deeply loved, but she also knew piercing sorrow. More than anything else she wanted children, and while her sister produced six sons for Jacob and two servants also bore him children, Rachel remained childless. Her rivalry with her sister Leah, told in Genesis 29 and 30, was profound and bitter. Finally Rachel gave birth to Joseph, her first son. Some years later she died in childbirth bearing Benjamin, her second. (Showing love even after her death, Jacob counted these two sons as his favorites).
Rachel's fierce love fro her children became an emblem for Israel. More than a thousand years after she lived, the prophet Jeremiah, mulling over the destruction of Israel, heard "mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted because they are no more" (Jeremiah 31:15). The same haunting poetry is quoted in Matthew 2:18 regarding the slaughter of babies by King Herod. Even today the phrase: Rachel weeping" serves as shorthand for the sufferings of the Jewish people.
Rachel was a strong woman whose loyalty to her husband and desire for children outweighed every thing else. She and her sister became part of a traditional Jewish wedding blessing: "May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leach, who together built up the family of Israel (Ruth 4:11)."

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 29

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

Genesis 29

After reading this passage I got the impression that Jacob was at fault for not loving Leah., But that doesn't make any sense to me since he was forced into the marriage. One cool thing though is even though Leah has to live a life with no love from her husband, God blesses her immensely and eventually enables her to be happy without this love (vs. 35- see below). This makes me believe that even if God doesn't bless you with a husband/wife that if you ask Him for contentment and happiness in Him, He will give it to you.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 28

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

Genesis 28

I still don't understand why sometimes when God has two people He can choose from to carry out His will, he sometimes chooses the "bad" one instead of the "good" one. But it's really not important that I understand, what's important is that I know whatever God does is perfect and the best. My bible says this:

The apostle Paul uses Jacob as an example of God's grace. Why would God choose a conniving rascal like Jacob to carry out his plan of building a holy nation? God's answer: "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion" (Romans 9:15).

Also it's interesting to note that when Jacob encounters the Lord, He gives thanks and worships Him, but I never remember hearing Esau worshipping the Lord or giving thanks at all. Maybe if Esau would have still turned to God after losing his blessings things would have been different. It's easy for me to feel sorry for Esau, but thinking back on it he had a great temper and desired to murder. Even though Jacob was a thief, Esau wasn't innocent either, and in the eyes of the Lord they were both sinners.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 27

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

Genesis 27

This chapter reminds me how far far humans can and will go to deceive one another. Even though they were brothers Jacob still selfishly hurt his brother very deeply. It reminds me how easy it is to give into temptation and hurt someone for your own selfish gain.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 24

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

Genesis 24

What sticks out to me about reading this passage this time is how open the servant is with Rebekah's family. He tells them exactly why he came and what happened to get him there. And we can see that there is no "drama" after that. If he would have hidden something or not told the story exactly the way it was it could have led to complications down the road.

What sticks out to you?

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 22

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 22


I love how Abraham answers God "Here I am". It shows the familiarity he has with talking to God, which is so cool. I wonder if Abraham hadn't followed God in this circumstance would God have revoked his promise? Or would that be against His character? I like what my bible has to say about the passage:


Abraham, a man renowned for his faith, does not come but hat faith easily, Although God reveals to Abraham his overall plan for the future, the realization of that plan includes many bumps and pitfalls along the way.
Originally God tells Abraham to claim the land of Canaan as his own. But upon his arrival there, he finds the land so drought-stricken and its people so famished that he flees with his family to Egypt. there he fails a test of faith by lying about his wife to save his own skin (chapter 12)
God also promises Abraham many descendants, and that too leads to crisis of faith, Nothings gives Abraham more delight than dreams of a tent filled with the sounds of children- his children- at play. But is that promise only a cruel joke? At age 85, Abraham gives up on that promise and has sex with a female servant. At least he will have one child he can call his own. At age 99, when he hears God confirm the original promise, Abraham laughs in God's face. Sarah pregnant at 90?

What kind of game is God playing? Whatever does God want? God wants faith, the Bible says, which means complete trust, regardless of the odds. And so Abraham finally learns what it means to have faith. Against all odds, a son is born to Abraham and Sarah, fulfilling God's promise. they never live to see tents filled with happy children or their descendants multiply like the stars in the sky, But they doe have the one believed son whom they name Isaac, or "laughter", as to remind them of the very absurdity, the miracle, or parenthood in their old age.
Now God presents a final test of faith, a trial so server that it makes all the others seem like kindergarten games. The Bible makes it clear that God does not intent to let Abraham go through with his plan of child sacrifice. In fact, years later when the Israelists actually commint infant sacrifice, God calls it "something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind" (Jeremiah 19:5). All along, God intends to provide another sacrifice: a ram caught in it's horns in a thicket.
Nevertheless, Abraham does not know these things as he climbs the steep mountain with his only son. Abraham must blindly follow God's orders. Too many times he has doubted God. this time her determines to obey, no matter what. It has taken more than a hundred years, but Abraham has finally learned to trust God. This scene, above all others, shows how he acquired his reputation as a man of faith.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 19

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 19

To me verse 8 really shows the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was one of the more upstanding citizens in the community, as God showed mercy to him, yet he willingly offers him daughters to barbaric men for them to "do as they wish". They other thing this chapter makes me wonder about is the two future sons-in-law. They were told directly that they were going to die if they didn't leave. Wouldn't they want to leave just in case? Even if they didn't believe their land was going to be destroyed? Lot was a well respected man in the community. Wouldn't they take his word for it? It seems like this is how some people view the afterlife. Rather than finding assurance through God they reject every idea of Him they hear. Wouldn't they want to be sure?

Somewhat unrelated but still interesting, my bible says this to say about the passage:

This chapter shows what Abraham confronts in his efforts to found a new and godly nation. His own nephew lives in the city of Sodom, a sordid place that looks on visiting strangers- angels, as it turns out- as prime targets for gang rape. Sexual violence is just one of Sodom's problems. Ezekiel 16:49 describes the people of Sodom as "arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they [did] not help the poor and needy."
Despite Sodom's woeful condition, God agrees to spare the city if he could find a mere ten righteous people there. But where God ends his negotiation with Abraham, God steps in with direct punishment- not to destroy the whole world, but to wipe out two centers of evil.

Should a catastrophe be read as a punishment from God? Do floods, famines and earthquakes comes as a result of God's anger? The Bible's answer: Sometimes, and sometimes not. In Genesis, some catastrophes seem to "just happen"- they are neither punishments nor warnings, though God uses them to advance His plans. These included several famines (such as the one that brought Joseph to power on chapter 41), a war (chapter 14) and a rape (chapter 34).
A few catastrophes, however, God takes full credit form such as the one at Sodom and Gomorrah. As usual, the Bible provides very few scientific facts about the destruction. Was it a volcanic eruption? The Bible doesn't say, and the area,  now apparently at the bottom of the Dead Sea., does not lend itself to archaeological investigation. The book of Genesis stresses not how it happened, but why.

Genesis 19:8- Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 18

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 18

God Is On Our Side

Does God "posess" people? Becasue it seems like in the beginning of the story God appears to Abraham through the 3 travelers, but in vs. 22 (see below) it said the men turned away while God stayed with Abraham. Almost like He "left" the men. Obviously this kind of possession would be purely good, but maybe something else is happening here that I'm not catching onto.

I love vs. 20 and 21 (see below). It's like God is desiring more than anything for wickedness not to be found in Sodom and Gomarrah. But we know He knows everything and that He knows esactly what He will find there. It's also interesting that he prolongs his exchange with Abraham about the people there. He could have just said there are X amount of non-wicked people I won't destroy, and left it at that. But instead He used the questions to teach Abraham something.

Genesis 18: 22- The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
Genesis 18:20 & 21 - Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

Chapel- Reputation

This is just a really quick note that I joted down from one of the chapel services at pba. The speaker was talking about reputation, and he shared with us three things that impact how you act: accountability (1 Thes. 5:11), character (2 Peter 1:5-7), and transparency (1 Cor. 12:12). If you noticed these three things are really easy to remember because they spell out act:

Accountability (1 Thes. 5:11)
Character (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Transparency (1 Cor. 12:12)

He also shared with us a quote from George Washington which says "Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company." which I thought was really awesome.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Cross references:

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : 1Th 4:18
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : Eph 4:29

2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

1 Corinthians 12:12
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 

Ecclesiastes 7:1a (another good verse about reputation)
A good name is better than fine perfume

Cross references:

1. 1 Corinthians 12:12 : S Ro 12:5
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12 : ver 27

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 17

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 17

I think it's pretty funny that God waited until Abraham was 99 years old to fulfill His promise. He obviously really wanted to test his faith. I find it amazing that even thought Abraham did laugh at God when the promise was revealed, He ultimately believed Him. I feel like if i was in the same situation I would've not believed it for a second; I would have thought it too good to be true. But Abraham did. And not only did he believe, he immediately did something that God asked him to do, even though I'm sure it wasn't pleasant. My reaction probably would've been like "Sure God. Ok. Maybe I'll have a kid. And I'll get around to doing that annoying task you asked of me when I get the change." Abraham's reaction demonstrates the true response we should have to God.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 15

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 15

How cool would it be to have such a "human" dialog with God!?! Abraham presents his troubles, and God gives him comforting words right back. I love the end of verse 1 (see below). Taking that verse and applying it to yourself is such a great comfort and beauty. Not only does God keep us from harm, but He rewards us by following Him.

I also like verse 6 (see below). Because of what Abraham did God credited him with righteousness. If God came and told me something unbelievable, I'd like to think I'd be credited with righteousness but in reality it would probably be really hard to believe.

My bible says this about Abraham's belief:
Can you imagine the leap of faith it must have required for Abraham to accept this incredible promise? What ambivalent thoughts must have tumbled over one another in this old man's mind as he contemplated the breathtaking panorama of the heavens, without the distraction of city lifts. "Count the stars...So shall your offspring be." From my shriveled body? From Sarah's barren womb?
What kind of reaction might you have experienced? Skepticism? Sarcasm? Wonder? Comfort? Would your faith have withstood the test?

Genesis 15:1 - After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, our very great reward.”

Genesis 15:6 - Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

My Thoughts- Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 13

Abraham, Issac, and Jacob- Genesis 13

It doesn't seem like it was too hard for Abraham to let Lot have 1st dibs on the land, but I know for me it would've been. With a distant friend it might be easy, but for some reason doing it with a close relative would be extremely hard. Abraham could've said any number of things: I'm older, this is my mission from God, I'm the one who brought you in the 1st place, etc. But he was able to show God's love by simply letting Lot have what he wanted. Down the road we can see that Abraham was greatly blessed because of this decision, while Lot suffered because of where he choose to live.

My Thoughts- The Life and Teachings of Paul (Phillipians 2)- 1/19/11

My Thoughts- Philippians 2

Want advice on life? Or how to get closer to God? Read this chapter! Paul starts out with a hard hitter and tells us if we have even the smallest affections for God we should be doing certain things. He then gives advice about relationships and how we should model our relationships with others after God's relationship with Jesus, and speaks more about how are lives should reflect God (not grumbling). What I absolutely love is after saying all this he speaks about Timothy and praises him! Wouldn't it be great to know that you have pleased and impressed someone like Paul? Or even better...God? By trying to follow these straightforward guidelines we're working towards doing just that.

My Thoughts- The Life and Teachings of Paul (Ephesians 3)- 1/18/12

My Thoughts- Ephesians 3

I found it beautiful how Paul has embraced his mission from God. So many times I think we over complicate things. We think "God told me to do this, but...". Paul has an attitude that God told him to do something and that's what he's going to do. And you can tell through his language that he's happy to be doing what he's doing, not dragging his feet or complaining.

My bible also notes that Paul doesn't dwell on any major problems in his letter which shows the church at Ephesus was well grounded. His main purpose was to demonstrate God's love and grace to them.

My Thoughts- The Life and Teachings of Paul (Galatians 5)- 1/14/12

My Thoughts- Galatians 5

I love the first verse in this chapter (see below). A lot of times people (including myself for awhile) view Christianity as something that diminishes your freedom. They see it as a list of things you can't do; restrictions you have to follow. When you think about it, it makes sense. Why would God send his son to give us even less freedom than the world has given us? We are completely free through Christ alone! He later talks about how we should never abuse our freedom and rather use it to glorify God. How happy God must be when we take the gifts He has given us and convert them into acts of worship. Paul wraps this up with the fruits of the spirit, a beautifully written guide line that all of us should try to follow.

Galatians 5:1- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (1 Corinthians 5)- 1/9/12

My Thoughts- 1 Corinthians 5

What I thought most impactful from this chapter was the way in which Paul speaks to the people about their wrong doings. He doesn't do it in a "holier than thou" attitude but my bible compares his attitude to that of a concerned parent. It shows how important this sort of attitude is, and even though it's difficult, it is very much necessary.

For this passage I decided to write a prayer, because this is something I desire to strive for in my life.

Lord help me to achieve this same attitude as Paul. Even though I probably won't be directly confronting people in the way that he was, I want to portray this attitude in my day to day life. Amen.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (1 Corinthians 15)- 12/9/11

My Thoughts- 1 Corinthians 15

As I was reading this I struggled to summarize and connect the dots of exactly what Paul was saying, so I would like to quote the blurb in my bible, as it perfectly sums up this chapter.

"Much of 1 Corinthians centers on issues of personal behavior involving rambunctious church members. After tackling each of those problems, Paul turns his attention to a question of doctrine, one that looms before him as the most important issue of all. People are challenging the Christian belief in an afterlife. Death, they say, is the end.
Throughout history, many people have taken such a position. In Jesus' day, a Jewish sect called Sadducees denied the resurrection from the dead. Doubters persist today, such as Black Muslims, Buddhists, Marxists, and most atheists. Some New Age advocates present death as a natural part of the cycle of life. Why resist it or consider it bad? they ask.
The Corinthian Church soon learns not to voice that opinion around the apostle Paul. To him, life after death is no fairy tale, but rather the fulcrum of his entire faith. If there is no afterlife, he thunders, the Christina message is a lie. If there is no afterlife, he has no reason to continue as a minister; Christ's death is merely waisted blood and Christians are the most pitiable of all people.
The bible presents a gradually developing emphasis on the afterlife. Old testament Jews had only the vaguest concept of life after death. As Paul points out, Jesus' resurrection from the dead changed all that, giving the world decisive proof that God has the power and the will to overcome death. Chapter 15 weaves together the threads of Christian belief about death. With no hesitation, Paul brands death "the enemy," the last enemy to be destroyed.
This chapter often gets read at funerals, with good reason. As people gather around a casket, they sense, as if by instinct, the unnaturalness and horror of death. To such people, to all of us, this passage offers soaring words of hope. It shows how death is finally conquered and becomes not an end but a beginning"

But I also want to point out some other cool tidbits I found in this chapter. When I read verse 25 (see below) and it talked about how everything would be put under Christ's feet I couldn't help thinking about when Christ came to Earth he was the lowest of the low, even the cows looked down at Him as he lay in the manger! How awesome is our God that He can work in such a beautiful way!?! Also verse 55 (see below) is so powerful. If you've ever heard the song containing the verse you know what I mean. If not you can listen to it here. The first time I heard that song I couldn't help but be encouraged. Without God, death is something we can not defeat no matter how hard we try. But Jesus made a way for us to do just that! Jesus defeated the most powerful hold over us on this Earth. There is nothing He can't do!

1 Corinthians 15:25
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

1 Corinthians 15:55
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (1 Corinthians 13)- 12/7/11

My Thoughts- 1 Corinthians 13

This book in the bible is very popular and chances of you've heard, at least part of it, before. In this book Paul is writing to the Corinthians. What is interesting about Corinth was it was a city known for its sin. It was the last place anyone expected a church to rise up. But, because God is so awesome, he doesn't work by expected and unexpected and a large church was planted there. In this book Paul is writing to the Corinthians about struggles they are going through in their faith, and in this chapter he talks about love. What I found most profound about this chapter is when he is talking about what love is...this is how God loves us! It's hard to read this section without thinking "Wow, I wish I had someone in my life would love me like that" whether it be a friend, family member, or significant other. The great news is, if we have accepted God as our Lord and Savior, we already do! And He's the Creator of the universe! Even though we are so unworthy we already have the perfect love, God's love. And just as He has given us this love, we should be striving to give it to others as well, and reflect back what God has given to us.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (Romans 8)- 12/6/12

My Thoughts- Romans 8

This passage is about the holy spirit. Reading this I just saw so evidently that God has given us the holy spirit, to be exactly what we need to strengthen our walk with God and make it through the rough spots in life. I believe the spirit works slightly differently in every different person, which makes sense because we all learn and grown in different ways. Particular verses in this section that really stood out to me are verses 5-8, and 26-27 (see below). This 2nd passage embodies something I've learned lately. Sometimes we have to chose between two good things, and we pray and pray about it, and we think we know what God wants, but we still don't feel 100% sure. And these verses remind us that God knows what's in your heart. He knows that you are trying to please Him, and He's not going to let you go where He doesn't want you, which I find to be so comforting.

Romans 8:5-8
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8: 26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (Romans 7)- 11/19/11

My Thoughts- Romans 7

This chapter shows Paul discussing how the written laws in the old testament apply to Christians now that Jesus had come. He shares that it's still very important to follow these rules but doing this alone won't lead to any improvement in conquering your sins. These laws show you what not to do, but doesn't make you any better. But the great news about this is God gave us a way to get out of our sin and obtain forgiveness- Jesus! How great is it that the bible tells us exactly how to get rid of the sin in our life.

It's really easy to believe that following the rules on the outside is enough. We like to keep up pretenses and look the part on the outside, but we ignore the internal problems God wants us to bring to Him. While this is a lifelong struggle that everyone deals with, He's waiting to help us through it.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (Romans 3)- 11/18/11

My Thoughts: Romans 3

While the beginning of this chapter I found to be somewhat unclear, I took great comfort in the latter half. Paul is talking about Jews and Gentiles and how not only are Jews unrighteous but all people, including gentiles. Stopping here, we could easily get discouraged, however Paul goes on to say that I'll can achieve righteousness through Jesus if they believe. How great is this! God didn't come to save only an elite group of people, but all of us. God wants to be the God of us all! He looks past nationality or background and accepts us all based on what's in our hearts.

But even thought God looks past nationality or background, it can be hard for us to do so. Simply looking past looks to get to know the heart of a person can prove a huge challenge. While it may be more comfortable to talk to those similar to yourself, we need to put those things behind us. If not we could be standing in the way of someone receiving encouragement from God.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (Acts 28)- 11/17/11

My Thoughts: Acts 28

Continues telling of Paul's journey to Rome. God continues to be amazing (why am I suprised by this?) and when Paul and crew get to shore God gives Paul an opportunity to witness. Oh and he saves his life once again (that means 3 times in 2 chapters). God gives him the ability to cure the islanders of the diseases they had, and while it never says specifically I'm sure he used this pooprtunity to share his faith. When Paul finally makes it to Rome, he is put under house arrest. Now if I was Paul I woul've thought, "Ah, time to relax!". After all he just went through and extremely intense situation. But he doesn't even think to do that! He instead continues to share God's word by writing letters to the church's he founded and invites people into his house to explain the good news.

This chapter made me wonder why it's so easy for us to be lazy. Obviously good things happen when we are keeping busy for God and we are blessed far more.

My Thoughts: The Life and Teachings of Paul (Acts 27)- 11/16

The entries titled "My Thoughts" are simply my thoughts while reading God's word.

My Thoughts: Acts 27

You can see Paul's unmovable faith in God in that he doesn't freak out during this crisis. God tells him he will  be safe, and he not only trusts him 100% but shares his knowledge with sailors who probably thought he was crazy. Not only that but through God's awesome power Paul is able to convince them to eat and remain calm enough to form a plan.. And in the end it was Paul's faith, trust, and obedience that saved his own life.

Reading this I couldn't help but wonder why it's so hard to have faith, and trust and obey God during crisis' or even just a normal day for that matter, when we have clear undeniable truth that he will never leave us and has a plan to bring greatness out of anything. In this passage God not only saved Paul's life (twice) but saved all the people on board the ship while revealing his majesty. What an amazing God we serve!

Not Being Afraid to Pray for God's Will (John 12)- Baxter Bible Study- 11/15

This comes from a bible study that took place in my res hall. Technically it didn't take place on a Sunday but I thought it fit best under the "Sunday Lessons" category.

Not Being Afraid to Pray for God's Will (John 12)

John 12:26- Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Jesus had a troubled heart and prayed not for deliverance but that God's will be done. This is how we should be. If you're living your life to please man you're going to run dry very quickly. Do things for God instead.

- This reminds me of something I heard from somewhere (lol I don't know if it was actually this study or not). But someone brought up the fact that often times we pray for safety, when maybe instead we should just pray for us to be accepting of God's will. Think about it...if you're traveling somewhere and you get into a accident, and through God's grace that leads to someones salvation, wouldn't it be worth it? The hard part is accepting the ways God decides to use you.

John 12:44- Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.
We can never mess up so badly that God will not want to take us back.

These are just some other passages that fit in with the discussion:

Deuteronomy 31:6- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Jeremiah 1:8- Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord.

Ephesians 1:18-23- I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

A Man Worth Waiting For- Jackie Kendall- 11/15/11

At PBA (the college I attend), every Tuesday Jackie Kendall comes to our chapel and leads a women's bible study, and these posts will mostly be geared towards girls (sorry guys!). Jackie is a author of several christian books, and many many girls who attend PBA really appreciate the study. These are just the notes from what she discussed and some things she said that I just had to share!

A Man Worth Waiting for- A Study on Ruth and Boaz

James 4:6- But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Who does God give grace to?

- We are most vulnerable to make decisions we normally wouldn't make when we are down and out. This is why we need to encourage each other.

- Rehab (the harlot) was Boaz's mom. Boaz knew what it was like for women to be mistreated.

2 Chronicles 21:6- He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 22:3- He too followed the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him to act wickedly.

-Women have the power to make a good man better or a evil man worse.

- Boaz was respectful: "When you're a child of a king you are a princess, and you should be treated accordingly."

- Lust: To see something and set your heart on it

- At this point Jackie told us a story about a young couple, and something they insisted on doing in order to keep each other from temptation. This couple had decided that they were never going to be alone in a private place together. One night the girl had a party, and everyone was getting ready to leave. Her boyfriend knew that would leave them alone together, so instead of sticking around he told her "I love you too much to stay". That's the kind of relationship that God wants for each of us!

Deut. 5:5-10
Ruth was allowed to pick food.

- Do what you're supposed to do and God will bring someone your way. Don't make decisions based on a guy, it will backfire!

- Boaz not only respects, but notices more than beauty,

Ruth 3:11- And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.
This was especially special because Ruth came from "the wrong side of the tracks".

Matthew 12:34- You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Jackie also told us a story about a girl who was pursuing God with her whole heart. She attended a bible study one night, where she was noticed by a boy for her attentive attitude and nodding along to what the speaker was talking about. She didn't need to worry about looking for a guy. She persued God, and he put someone in her life.

- You give your heart away in simple everyday actions.

2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!

Psalm 106:35- But they mingled with the nations
and adopted their customs.
Who you hang out with is who you will become.

God Heals- Lauren Graham

This story is absolutely amazing, and when I first heard it I was blown away. Instead of hearing me        re-tell it, here is a video clip from Lauren's blog explaining what happened. Lauren is still recovering and for more info about her recovery process you can visit her blog at laurenismysister.com.

http://vimeo.com/30908036