Monday, July 27, 2009

Bible in 90 Days

I'm excited at the reality of actually finishing a "read through the entire Bible" schedule.  I have 12 more "days" to go.  It will probably take me a little more than 12 days.  I can't seem to find as much time on the weekends.  As I mentioned earlier, I didn't want to have the attitude that I'm just reading to check off a list.  I've been relaxed with it.  Some days I read more than the day's selection, some days less and some days none at all.  I didn't want this to be a race to get through the Bible, I wanted to enjoy the reading, and I am.

I have experienced many benefits on this reading program.  I think the biggest benefit is the discipline it has brought.  I realize now that I have more time in my day to read the Bible than I thought.  I find myself sitting down to read for 5 minutes instead of checking facebook.  I find that I can read in more situations than I previously thought--with noisy kids, for example.  :)

When I finish with this reading schedule, I will start back at the beginning of the Bible, this time on a different schedule.  It is a schedule consisting of 8 chapters a day, one chapter from each of the following sections--Torah, historical, poetic, wisdom (Proverbs), prophetic, gospels, epistles, and Revelation (why Revelation?  Because it all ties together here.).  When I heard of this schedule in the past, I thought I didn't have time for it, but now I realize I do.  

Naturally we gravitate to our favorite parts of the Bible.  The parts that are uplifting and make us feel good, perhaps a Psalm or Proverb each day.  That is all good, but II Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (the basics of what we believe to be truth), reproof (examples of what not to do), correction (things we need to fix), and instruction in righteousness (how to live right).  But if all we are ever reading are just the "feel good" passages, we won't be learning doctrine (essential if you are ever going to mentor another or pass on your belief system to your children) or experiencing growth in our faith and character.  We need the well-rounded diet of the whole Bible.  It's like at mealtime you eat your meat,  veggies, bread, and some dessert.  Hopefully you're not eating dessert for every meal, and this is the attitude we need to take with our Bible reading.  No doubt reading the whole Bible will bring up lots of questions and then these are the areas you can do further study in.  Find a good commentary, dig further into the individual Hebrew and Greek words, their roots, other scripture references that contain the same word, etc.  Start a journal of your questions, like mentioned here.

Not sure what Bible in 90 Days is?  Click here.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Socialism in the Bible?

I was reading in Daniel 11 today.  It is clearly giving details of Antiochus Epiphanes (Syrian king who defiled the Jewish temple in 166BC, by placing an idol inside, leading to the Maccabean revolt), but more broadly it is describing the antichrist, or coming world leader.

I thought verse 24 was very interesting.  It says, "he will enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers; he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil and riches..."

Does this sound like socialism to you?  Does it sound like the redistribution of wealth we've been hearing about?

I know a lot of Christians are getting really upset about the current path our government is taking, but truthfully, folks, it's been on this path for a VERY long time.

Don't get caught up in the fear and worry that the media would like to feed us.  Find out what your Bible says about government.

If we are truly living in the end times, we are going to start seeing a lot of things we don't like.  But we can rest in the fact that God told us ahead of time it would be like this.  I will rest in the fact that my God will supply all the money I need to pay any tax my government imposes upon me (Philippians 4:19).  I will rest in the fact that He has given His angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways (Psalm 91).  I will rest in the fact that no evil will befall me, nor shall any plague come near my dwelling (Psalm 91).  What promises are you resting on?

If you don't make a regular habit of it, NOW is the time to start a consistent time of study in God's Word.  This is the only way you can have peace in these times we are entering.

Read II Timothy 3, I Thessalonians 4 & 5, Romans 13, I Peter 2:13-17, & I Timothy 2:1-3

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Thief

John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly."

The devil is a thief--he wants to steal your joy, your peace, your health, your freedom (with legalism), your fun, and God's will for your life.

He knows he can't take away your salvation, but he can distract you from your purpose.  He can tempt you with frivolous things that are really just wood, hay, and stubble (see I Cor. 3).  He wants nothing better than to steal your rewards.  I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"  Are we using our time wisely, or are we allowing the devil to steal our time, with vain, trivial activities?

The devil knows that he can make your life a hell on earth, if you will let him.  Is he tempting you with a mate that will make for a bad marriage?  Is he tempting you with purchases that will leave you strapped and zapped of financial peace?

I hope you get the idea.  II Corinthians 10:3 says that even though we walk in this physical world, we do not war against it, there is spiritual battle taking place.  Are you winning the battle?  Do you know how to fight the enemy?

We need to stop putting God in a box.  He wants to be the Lord of all areas of your life.  If you will seek His kingdom first (seek His will in all things, purchases, relationships, jobs, and more), then you will have the abundant life and the thief will have no hold over you!


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Verse For Today

Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

All this talk of the Cap & Trade Bill has me thinking of the above verse.  I could feel any number of emotions--anger, fear, anxiety, worry, urgency, disgust--over this bill, but I choose, instead, to trust in God's Word.  It says, in the above verse, that God will provide all my needs.  I will pray for my government and leaders, as commanded in I Timothy 2:1-2, but if this bill passes, I know that my God will provide the extra income to pay this tax.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Fear vs. Love

I John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Fear says...
  I shun sinners since God hates sin and one day He will judge them.  You had better clean up before I can love you.

Love says...
  God loves this sinner just as much as he loves me.  Christ died for this person.  Even though their sin is wrong, I am going to go out of my way to show love to this person.

Fear says...
  I know the Bible says to preach the gospel, but I just don't have a bold personality.  What would my neighbors say if I mentioned Jesus?!?  How about I just try to be a nice person and let my life be my witness, I'll leave the preaching to the preachers.

Love says...
  How can I knowingly stand be and watch my neighbors and co-workers go to hell?  I will lovingly mention the work that Christ has done in my life and I won't care about rejection, for I know that I have planted a seed.  I will pray that someone will come along and reap the harvest.

Fear says...
  Don't talk to me about the rapture or end times or the tribulation, that stuff freaks me out!

Love says...
  God loves me and His word says, "I have never seen the righteous forsaken."  (Ps. 37:25)

Fear says...
  I'm going through _____________ (trial, sickness, etc.).  What have I done that God is mad about?  Oh God, forgive me, show me what my sin is.  I know you hate sin and you judge sin.

Love says...
  This hard time is an attack from the devil, because God's Word says that it is the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give me life more abundantly!  This is NOT a punishment from God for a sin in my life, because I have been declared righteous once and for all by the blood of Christ!

Fear says...
  I can't believe that person just treated me the way they did!  I'm not going to take that.  I have a few choice words for them!

Love says...
  I wonder what that person is going through to be acting that way.  Perhaps I can give them a word of encouragement to lift them up.

Fear says...
  I can't invite so and so over because my house isn't as nice as their house.

Love says...
  God does not show partiality, so I won't either.  God looks at the heart, not on the outward appearance.

Fear says...
  I hate the way I look, I'm always afraid of what people are thinking of me, they're probably secretly laughing at me.  I wish I was skinny like so and so.  I wish I had her hair.  I wish my teeth were whiter.

Love says...
  God created me in HIS image and He loves me, it doesn't matter what others think (or what the media tells me I should look like)!

Fear says...
  I've got to look out for #1!

Love says...
  God is first in my life, others are second, and I am third.  God will take care of all my needs, I don't need to worry about it.

This is not something that I am perfect in, but it is something that God is teaching me and I am working on.  The verse above is not saying that you have to become perfect in love in order for your fears to be banished, but rather it is when you perfectly understand God's love for you and others that your fears will be gone!  Do you have fear in your life, do a study of God's love and it will go away!

Fear leads to strife, bitterness, envy, and hatred.  Love brings joy and peace.

For a greater understanding of God's unconditional love, I encourage you to check out Andrew Wommack's sermons, here.