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Genesis 11:1-13:4 ~ Matthew 5:1-26 ~ Psalm 5:1-12 ~ Proverbs 1:24-28
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Old Testament - Today in Genesis chapter 11 we read about the tower of Babel! You can view the location of the tower at a high level below:
I probably should not confess this, but I will - verse 4 made me smile and laugh at myself a bit, which really shouldn't be funny. This verse reminded me of myself at times: "Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies--a monument to our greatness!" This verse is obviously not one that made God happy, as we see in subsequent verses. And I guess I have to ask myself - are there times my life or areas of my life where I am attempting to build something that will be a "monument to my greatness"? And I'm afraid that the answer is too often yes. Or it surely has been in the past. I pray that I'm turning over the desire to "be great" over to God more and more these days. I pray that I am not seeking glory for myself - but seeking glory for God. But, I am afraid that sometimes I revert back to wanting to build a "monument to my greatness" in my work or volunteer activities or maybe even personal relationships. And this is pride. It was this pride that brought about the building of the tower of Babel - and it was because of pride that God stopped the building of the tower by giving the human race different languages. In your life today - are you seeking to build monuments of greatness for yourself? Or are you instead seeking to only glorify God? Below is an oil on panel painting of the "Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel, circa 1563:
Today is a big day in our readings! We are introduced to Abram & Sarai! Genesis chapter 12 is significant in that it transitions our Old Testament readings from being about the world at large to being primarily about a specific man, Abram, his family, and his descendants. Verses 2 and 3 are an amazing promise from God to Abraham: "I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This is a powerful promise that we will see played out throughout the rest of our Old Testament readings - and into the New Testament this promise continues and is fulfilled in Jesus - and continues in us as spiritual descendants of Abram today. I heard somewhere once that one way to paraphrase this promise is "I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing to others." And I think about that today for our own lives. If we have been blessed by God, is it possible that we have been blessed in part so that we will be a blessing to others? Do you believe that you been blessed by God? Are you passing along that blessing to others in your life?
The brief story of Abram and Sarai in Egypt is a foreshadowing of what we will see later in Genesis and into Exodus - the descendents of Abram going into Egypt to escape a severe famine - and then ultimately leaving Egypt to the north "with all their household and belongings" (verse 20). I also was intrigued in our Matthew readings a couple of days ago that Jesus as a child went into Egypt, when Mary & Joseph fled Herod's decree to kill all boys 2 & under around Bethlehem. Egypt plays quite a supporting role in the Bible! Below is a map of Abram's journey that we read about today:
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis titled "The Unity of Unbelief" is at this link, "The Call of Abram" is at this link, and "When Faith Fails" is at this link.
New Testament - Okay... as I said above, today is a big day my friends! We are starting the Sermon on the Mount! Whoo-hoo! (are you cheering here with me?? :) And as we do, let me encourage you in a few ways on what we'll be reading here. First of all, personally, these 3 chapters of Matthew (5, 6, 7) have been transformative for me over the years. Before I had faith in Jesus, I would continually read these chapters and I kept thinking to myself - "This guy has got some wisdom! I like what he's saying!" And I do believe that the Spirit was no doubt working on me as I read these chapters. So, I do ask that you would be sensitive to the Spirit as you read The Sermon on the Mount. What is the Spirit speaking to you as you read? Which verses are really jumping out at you - maybe making you think about some areas of your life that might need some tidying up... I know that this happens to me every time I read the Sermon on the Mount. It's probably because of reading chapter 5 today, and the Beatitudes, that I went into my pride / Tower of Babel thing above... :)
Here's my other big request for you as you read through the Sermon on the Mount - and really all of the gospels. Try to experience what you are reading as something more than just "historical" teachings or "historical" readings. Try to envision yourself maybe down at your local park and maybe imagine that Jesus was actually at that park surrounded by a bunch of your neighbors and imagine that you heard Jesus actually saying these words to you and your neighbors - today. Would this change your perception of what you are reading? Or, maybe imagine that indeed Jesus is not just at your local park - but in your very home saying these words to you. And truly - He is - as you are reading the Bible you are hearing directly from Jesus. I just want to encourage you that the words you read here in the Sermon on the Mount are incredible spiritual food. And I don't think we can come back to these 3 chapters of Matthew often enough. I pray that you will let the Spirit of Jesus speak directly into your mind and your heart as you read and meditate on the meanings of these 3 chapters of the gospel of Matthew...
We read the Beatitudes today! I would love to share with you the Beatitudes from Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the Bible called The Message. I really like the way he looks at the Beatitudes -
""You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
"You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom." - Matthew 5:3-10 The Message
I know verses 17 & 18 probably are interpreted in different ways - but a friend of mine has encouraged me when in doubt, just stick to the text, which is wise. So, let's look at the Jesus' words here in this text - "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved." What does the reading of this text say to you?
And now that we've looked at the text... I need to dive into a commentary on these verses... :) I'm quoting this from Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion book - which I have found to be a very helpful commentary to our daily readings: "In the Old Testament, there were 3 categories of law: ceremonial, civil, and moral. 1. The ceremonial law was related specifically to Israel's worship. Its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws are therefore no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. However, the principles behind these laws - to worship and love a holy God - still apply. 2. The civil law applied to daily living in Israel and these laws cannot be followed specifically today in our modern society and culture. But the principles behind theses laws are timeless and should guide our conduct. 3. The moral law (such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God, and requires obedience. The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today." So, there you have it from one evangelical commentary. I know probably different people reading this blog are going to interpret these verses a bit differently. This framework of these 3 categories of laws above and their fulfillment in Jesus I personally have found helpful and agree with. One other commentary I found related to these verses says this: "Christ does not terminate the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; we establish the law. (Romans 3:31) The law will always be there to point out what sin is, but the law is not the focus, Christ is the focus. Only He can cleanse, and sanctify and change the heart and mind." Again, I know this can be a hot topic to say the least. I'm sure some comments will go up on this, which is great. Favor I have to ask everyone - are there any good books or studies or websites that you can recommend that discuss Jesus & his relation to the Old Testament law? I'm definitely interested in studying more on this in 2010. Thanks for posting up in the Comments section below some recommendations!
Bible.org's commentary on our readings today in Matthew titled "The Beatitudes" is at this link and "A Pinch of Salt in the Recipe for Persecution" is at this link.
Psalms - I love Psalm 5 verse 3: "Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." This is a great reminder to pray in the mornings - before we start the hustle and bustle of the day. I know that many of you are reading the One Year Bible readings in the morning, which I think is a great way to start your day! I do see a huge positive difference in my day if I do pray to God in the morning and pray specifically about the upcoming day - and pray for others that I will interact with that day as well. Praise God for the morning!
Actually, while I'm talking about the morning here, let me go off on a tangent if you don't mind... :) I honestly have lived much of my life as a "night owl." I went to bed late and woke up late. And I had all kinds of good "reasons" of why I was a night owl. But, I will be honest here - I don't think being a night owl was good for me. I honestly believe there is so much wisdom in the old adage of "early to bed, early to rise, helps make a person healthy, wealthy and wise." I personally think that being a night owl was a lack of discipline on my part. I don't mean to say all this to make you other night owls out there feel guilty... :) But, I do want to encourage you, in that if you think you are stuck being a night owl the rest of your life, I don't think it is true. I believe you can make the transition to being a morning person. I am an example of someone who has transitioned from being a late-night person to an early-to-bed person. (well, yes, I'm still a bit in the transition phase sometimes it seems...) And I am here to tell you, mornings rock! Early mornings are so beautiful and peaceful! They really are an amazing time of the day to connect with God... Praise God for the morning!
Proverbs - Our readings in Proverbs 1:24-28 today is a great reminder to not ignore an opportunity to gain wisdom when the opportunity comes, or we may regret it later. Is wisdom knocking on your door today? Will you let Wisdom enter in?
Worship God: Psalm 5:3 in today's readings reminded me of the wonderful worship song "A New Hallelujah" by Michael W. Smith. Here's a great live version of the song featuring the African Children's Choir from Uganda!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee1GkK_GXxw
Can you sing "A New Hallelujah" to God? Click here and sing!
Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16 NIV
Prayer Point: Based on Matthew 5:14,16 above, pray to God that you will let your light shine before others in 2010. Pray that God would show you how we wants you to truly be the light of the world this year. And pray that you will give all of the glory to God for your good deeds.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on our Psalm 5 reading today, what do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God? Is it prayer, reading the Bible, reading other devotions? If you wouldn't mind posting up in the Comments section below, I'd love to hear what others are doing? It always encourages me - and oftentimes gives me other ideas of things I might want to be doing as well. Thanks! Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
MIke--I am a morning person. Even when I want to sleep in my body’s alarm clock begins ringing at 5am.
I do my reading time is in the morning. I have a second read through the bible program that I usually use first. Then I read a chapter in Proverb, and finaly a come to the BLOG.
What I post, whether A.M or P.M, usually comes out of my Devotion/quit time. When I read the Word in the morning, there seems to always be a verse, a passage or passages that dwell in my mind all day, which I then mediate on. I am a journaler and what I journal usually winds up here, or at least part of my thoughts get posted here.
Genesis 11-13:4
The whole earth had a common language and a common vocabulary. When the people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. Then they said to one another, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." (They had brick instead of stone and tar instead of mortar.) Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth."
(Genesis 11:1-4 NET.)
Mike’s words about building a name for oneself has really hit home and has caused me to think about broken relationships held up to the light of the story of the tower of Babel. Could shattered relationships really be the product of trying to build a name for oneself? Are our us-four-and-no-more groups really be about lifting up ourselves to get a name? Did God come down and scatter the relationships because we were going in a direction we were not suppose to be going, up and not out?
On January 1st my first post began with a quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes,
Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it's important to know that only wisdom can save your life. Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don't fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?
Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life. (Ecclesiastes 7:12-14)
My focus was on the statement, Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Funny how what comes out of our mouths, in this case, what is typed out on the keyboard, comes back to hold us accountable, ouch!
Mike—looking at the Map you inserted in today’s comments I couldn’t help but observe that Haran, where Abram and the gang hung-out for ten years until dad died, seems like a spike in the journey that lead away from Canaan. It is like a spike on an EKG reading heralding a warning of danger to come.
I’ve often wondered each time I’ve read through this story what would have happened if Haran had never been a stopping point in this journey. If Abram had arrived in Canaan, the land God would promise to his descendents, but not him, would they have had enough grain/hay and what ever else grows, to stave off the effects of the famine? If Abram had trusted God, in spite of the famine, so that God would prove to him that He would meet all their needs, how would the rest of the story turn out.
Abram seemed to be conflicted by two fears pulling inside of him like a perverted game of tug-of-war. Unable or unwilling to trust God in the midst of the famine, fear of starving to death drove him to a country that presented him with another fear, fear of death from the hands of Pharaoh. One fear drove him smack into the other. Fear is a rough taskmaster and allowing it to drive one’s decisions and choices oft times leads to bad choices and regrets.
Fear drove Abram to “pimp” his wife to feed himself and his household. He offered up his wife as a sacrifice to save his own life. Can today’s families find themselves doing the same thing? Are we offering up our husbands, wives, children on the alter of a idolatrous god of fear? We may even find ourselves pimping the gospel, offering up half-truth, like Abram, about our situations to avoid or stave off the death of our finances, the death of relationships, family and friends while we construct an alter of justification for doing our deeds: comprise and sin. Finally, if Abram hadn’t gone down to Egypt, would we be reading about Hagar, Sari’s Egyptian hand maiden and the boy Ishmael in the chapters to come, and, the fall-out from that relationship, would we still be reaping the effects today?
I wonder about these things because I think about the consequences of my actions and or inactions of following God whole-heartedly. Thank God that He redeems, restores and reconciles us back to Him. Yet walking in His perfect will is so much easier than walking in His Permissive will. All unnecessary bumps are removed when we obey.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | January 04, 2010 at 08:45 PM
Genesis 11
(posted in 2009)
Everyone gets "Babel" (hopefully), but now is a good time to address taking the Bible literally.
When someone asks me if I believe the Bible literally? My response is - "I believe the Bible is God's Word to us, and I read it in a stragihtforward fashion. There are parables, similes, metaphors, poetry, etc. all throughout the Bible and I study to know what is what."
Here is a good example:
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building.
Did God need to come down to investigate things? No, He knows all. My understanding is that this is a bit of irony. Man thought the tower and city were so grand and glorious, but to God it was just a speck - a nothing (compared to the Universe). It was so small that He had to come down to even see what they thought was so grand and glorious. God has a sense of Humor :) I think this is "situational irony" but regardless I got a chuckle.
======================================================
2010 note
Have been a Christian 5+ years, and every year I notice something new.
7 "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
In Genesis 1 when it says "Let us make man in our image" some commentators say this is the royal "we". Perhaps?
However in verse 7 the Hebrew is clear:
"nrde unble"
literally - we shall descend and we shall disintegrate
Who is this "we" kemasabe?
Is it God calling on angels to go with Him and assist? Well the Text says it is the Lord (YAHWEH) that scattered and confused. No mention of angels. Could this be another allusion to the Trinity?????
Posted by: John A. | January 04, 2010 at 11:11 PM
I Apologize, forgot something neat back in Genesis 5 regarding lists of names - thought some may find this interesting:
Genesis 5
You don't need Bible Code to make interesting discoveries
I buckle sometimes at reading genealogies, but if you look at names from Adam to Noah and look at translations (meanings of names) - it gets kind of interesting.
Seth - Appointed
Enosh - Man
Kenan - To Acquire
Mahalalel - God's Praise
Jared - To descend
Enoch - Dedicated
Methusaleh - Man who was sent
Lamech - Mighty
Noah - Rest, Quiet, Peace
http://www.biblicalbabyname.com/
If you add the names Shem - dusky, Ham - black , Japheth - fair
We have:
Appointed Man to Acquire God's Praise to descend...Dedicated Man who was sent ..Mighty...Rest, Quiet, Peace.... dusky, black, fair (the whole world)
I guess you have to assume that the appointed man was to bring: Rest, Quiet, Peace to the whole world. However, I think this is a good enough description of Christ.
Posted by: John A. | January 04, 2010 at 11:20 PM
Genesis 11:10-13:4
(2009 post with a few additions)
Once again we see a long list of names. The emphasis being these are real people in real times.
======================================================
Abraham - Friend of God
Abraham is and was a great patriarch in the OT. Abraham was flawed as we all are - his flaws are on display in today's reading.
[Note: In Gen 12 notice all the "I will's" that will occur in Abraham's life if he listens to God and heeds. He will listen and eventually heed but there are stumbles along the way - as their are with all of us who trust God.]
In Acts 7 Stephen says Abram was first called by God out of Ur. What happened? Abram halfway listened - he left with his family and got halfway to Canaan and settled in Haran. Abram was still with his father, and it was not until his father passed that Abram went on to Canaan.
When was Abram a believer?
In Heb 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Abram was a possibly a believer in Mesopotamia, but definately upon leaving Haran.
Abram did not fully obey God and wasted many years in Haran.
When a famine struck Canaan, Abram did not consult God but went down to Egypt (represents the "world" in Bible).
What happened in Egypt:
- Abram told a lie - and Sarai was exposed to shame and danger.
- Abram is made rich - not bad, but eventually it causes rift between him and Lot. And don't forget Hagar was one of the servants Abram acquired.
- Abram became a curse to Pharoah. If Abram had obeyed he would be blessing to those who blessed him. Here he was a curse to one who had given him riches.
- Abram suffered rebuke and humilitaion - a pagan king had better morals than Abram.
So Abram returned to Canaan to the altar he had built before Egypt and there "called on the name of the Lord".
Abram repented and called on God. Would Abram's wanderings been shorter and happier if he had just obeyed God all along? Don't know. What we do know is our God is a patient God, a God of Grace, has a plan, sees Abram as the finished project, and is ready to carry on (once called) in Abram's life.
Posted by: John A. | January 04, 2010 at 11:37 PM
Psalm 5
David is pretty consistent, and while he may be writing about things going on in his life - the salvation message is still subtly in the Psalms.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Refuge is also the Herbrew word for "trust". Those that believe and trust in God will be delievered and protected.
Also note in early verses David only prays to God - no one else. God is beig enough to handle the switchboard.
Posted by: John A. | January 04, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Matthew 5
{posted 2009)
Beatitudes - Sermon on the Mount
WARNING: This is a little different perhaps than what you have heard about this sermon. Read it, pray about it and decide for yourself.
Jesus has his disciples around Him, the crowd behind the disciples
(probably a smattering of Pharisees and scribes present).
Jesus in the first twelve verses is celebrating the belief of the disciples (students of Jesus), and inviting the crowd (Israel). Let's group them in two groups of four.
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed (happy/content) in the Greek construct here is an idiom saying - "Congratulations". For those who are spiritually bankrupt (ever since the Fall) have now and forever more the kingdom of heaven.
There is a school of thought that says the connotation is that one recognizes he/she is poor in spirit. Whether or not that is true is moot as the next three verses describes one who is poor in spirit and reacts to that fallen state. The four verses should be understood together as a grouping.
Those that are poor in spirit:
- mourn: they lament the fact that their relationship with God is broken.
- meek: not a coward, but in Greek and reference back to Psalms of David - meek is one who is not about self. Who trusts in the Lord, relys on God, and is patient in awaiting the Lord.
- righteousness - those that are desperately seeking righteousness as if it is food and drink to a starving man - they are the people who with the right heart poor in spirit, lamenting (repenting), and trusting(meek) in the Lord...
What, what happens? These people are comforted, inherit the earth, are filled with righteousness by God. These people are saved. Happy should the disciples be because this is their state. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Curious and desiring should the people of Israel be in the backdrop.
======================================================
What do these saved righteous people look like? Next four verses (not meant to be an exhaustive list):
- merciful - when God regenerates your heart you do not act as before. You do not lash out and give what you think others deserve, you help others - not perfectly, but you are changed.
- pure of heart: Heart is regenerated. You have a new heart not of stone - one without sin (as God sees you; remember God sees you as a finished product) or guilt. With this heart you have the ability to focus on God rather than the world.
- peacemakers: A believer is not a sower of discord. Again not perfectly but changed from before....
So what happens when you are changed in this way - you get mercy, you get to see God (in heaven), and you are the children of God so you are not just in heaven but co-heirs to heaven.
Caveat: When you are persecuted for righteousness ( being merciful, focused on God, and peacable) be happy/content/congratulations because remember yours is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus emphasizes this by repeating it in different words in next two verses. Said twice is important: Probably meant so one would not become discouraged in the Chrsitian walk.
======================================================
So what are these saved people: Jesus says you are salt of the earth and light of the world.
Posted by: John A. | January 04, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Matthew 5 (part 2)
[2010 Note: I think the Beatitudes and the LAW have something in common. Both set standards of conduct so high that the listener should be saying, "Huh, how can I possibly act like this? this is impossible...show me how to do this Lord."]
Matt
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
I think two things are going on here:
1)Shifting talk to the backdrop crowd. Jesus is affirming He is the Messiah, and nothing has changed. God is immutable. All that came before is valid. Jesus fulfills the prophecies, AND Jesus will fulfill the Law. How?
The Law was meant to display God's high standards. Standards that no one could live up to as humans. So what do we do? God says you must atone for breaking the law with sacrifices of innocent blood. It was a constant and daily process, but it all pointed to Christ. He would come and make one FINAL sacrifice for all sins, and then if you believe and accept that and Jesus as your Lord and Savior - a man would be redeemed. Because the sacrifice was perfect and fulfilled God's need for Justice their need be no more. For those that believe God could get on with the process of sanctification (using the Holy Spirit), but the sin dilemma was solved at the cross for those that believe (trust and have faith in God).
2)By bringing up the Law here I think Jesus is doing something consistently from here to the end of Chapter 5.
Jesus lists things you have heard and He sets the bar even higher. It is the way we shoud all act, but if man could not obey the Law how can he possibly follow the commands in
Chapter 5. Ex. In adultery not only the action, but if you think it?
For believers they are saved and they will trust in God to take them down their walk and get closer to these higher standards.
For non-believers - A BIG RED FLAG SHOULD GO UP - Wait a minute we can't possibly do this, what do we do????? This opens up the door for the Gospel to be preached and God to draw those who are searching.
How much the non-believer understands of all this is moot. The question is: Is their conscience pricked, is their heart moved, do they want to know more?
Posted by: John A. | January 04, 2010 at 11:52 PM
In yesterday's lesson we read in the genealogies about Nimrod. We read:
"And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. " (Gen. 10:8-9)
In today's lesson (Gen. 11), we read about Babylon. I remembered reading that Nimrod was the founder of Babylon, that great godless empire. It was a materialistic, self-indulgent society that was willing to use evil to satisfy its desires.
I think that one of the most sobering things about Babylon is that people were nothing more than commodities. Babylon trafficked in the bodies and souls of men (Rev. 18:13). This is the natural consequence of rebelling against and rejecting God.
For those interested in further study, the following links may be of interest.
http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/nimrod.html
http://www.apostolic.edu/biblestudy/files/nimrod.htm
http://koinonia-all.org/bible/nimrod.htm
Trudy
Posted by: Trudy | January 05, 2010 at 02:56 AM
In today's reading we see that Jesus said to his disciples "Ye are the salt of the earth" and "Ye are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-14)
Sometimes I hear Christians say we are "called" to be salt or we are "called" to be light. But this is not what Jesus said. Jesus said we "are" the salt of the earth and we "are" the light of the world. Believers need to remember that Jesus Christ--the Light of the world-- lives in us!
From my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group, I discovered that there is a lot we can learn about salt and light.
We know that salt is used as a:
- preservative
- flavor
- healing agent
- cleansing agent
- to melt ice
The interesting thing about using salt in baking is that you only need a small amount (i.e. a teaspoon, not a scoop). Too much salt will spoil the batch. Likewise, too much of us and we can't taste God.
Alone salt tastes terrible. It needs to be in something larger than itself. A little of us flavors the whole pot. God is the one who brings out His flavor in us.
Jesus said that we are the light of the world. The brightness of our light depends on our source of energy. If it isn't plugged in it doesn't work at all. Are you continuously plugged into God?
Trudy
Posted by: Trudy | January 05, 2010 at 03:50 AM
I truly enjoy doing this every morning. But first I get up and put on a pot of coffee. Then I walk my dog (we live in the city) and come back inside. I then take two cups out of the cabinet and pour coffee into each. One is for me, the other is for God. Now, if He doesn't drink His...then I will drink it for Him. I don't believe He minds. I read and pray and journal a bit. But you may be suprised that when I pour our (mine and God's) second cup there is usually a knock at the door or a text on my phone and someone else (not usually the same person two days in a row) joins me and HOPEFULLY I can bless them by sharing breakfast, coffee and some insight that God has given me that day. Some days...like today...no one came...so God and I had our second cup together in prayer, praise and meditation. Thanks for doing this blog...you are an encourager.
Posted by: Tabitha | January 05, 2010 at 05:54 AM
I was just thinking that I needed to start getting to bed earlier each night. Last year I began the bad habit of staying up later and later each night to "unwind." However,it began to cause me to sleep a bit later in the morning and rush through my morning Bible reading and prayer.
A recent study was just released that said children with less sleep are more prone to depression. I assume the same applies to adults.
Posted by: A. | January 05, 2010 at 06:09 AM
I do not know if I could have left everything I knew to move to a strange new land. Do you think the Eygptians would have killed Abram if he had said that he and Sari were married, I do not think that they would have. I love the Beatitudes it is my LIFE LONG goal to be able to live up to them.
Posted by: Raeann | January 05, 2010 at 06:53 AM
Hi Mike,
I have a great source for you, but it’s not just for your question about the relationship between Jesus and the Old Testament Law. I have been studying teachings from Chris Burge Ministries. He dives into not only the GRACE that we have been given as a result of Jesus fulfilling the scriptures and laws, but his teachings also address the power and authority that we have now as a result of Jesus fulfilling the scriptures.
Regarding your question, the site has a teaching called “Power of Grace” that can be found at this address:
http://www.chrisburgeministries.com/index.php?pagekey=430&categorykey=6
Your schedule helped me read the Bible cover-to-cover for the first time. Thank You!!! I think reading the bible this time around increased my desire to know God even more. Enter Chris Burge Ministries that helped me better understand what I have been reading in the Bible and how to best apply it RIGHT NOW. What good is it to have this knowledge if we don’t know how to apply it, right? Several of the teachings did that for me so if you’re interested here’s the Homepage as well.
http://www.chrisburgeministries.com/
Be Blessed! :o)
Posted by: AEdwards | January 05, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Hi mike! what i basically do in my morning devotion are:1.Sing songs of praise and worship to the Lord, i sometimes do it while playing the guitar. It is in music that i can express me love to the Lord and gratitude for another day He added up in my life.,then i'l pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand the text.. before i read the passage,i say this a few times,(esp. when there are times when my mind has already wandered off) "O i love God and His word", This reminds me and keeps me focused. then, i'll read His word. i take time to type my reflections in Onenote as a love letter to the Lord and also be quiet after as i listen to what the Lord is teaching me. Then, after that, i'll sing songs again in praise of my Saviour. i am also a night-owl and indeed it has not been helpful to me. that's why, i am now disciplining myself to wake up at 5am for my devotion. thanks so much for your help.Godbless us all. May we seek the Lord daily.c:
Posted by: Rita Paren | January 05, 2010 at 03:17 PM
My husband and I drive to work in the morning. As he is driving, I will be praying....we try to remember all who have asked us for prayer as well us offer up our own supplications. It's a habit that we are trying to keep going daily.
Posted by: B. Farooq | January 05, 2010 at 05:52 PM
Gen 11:6 confused me at first when I read the reason God gave for confusing the people w/ different languages. B/c with a common language "nothing they purpose to do will be impossible for them". Certainly He was not creating confusion and disorder to hurt man. I know this b/c He created us to love us. I think He have been protecting them from themselves. Man with too much power and no perceived need for God in their life is dangerous to himself andto others. It was out of God's amazing grace that He scattered them.
in regards to Abram's lie about Sarai being his sister - His lie hurt him, Sarai, and Pharoh. Sin always has consequences that are larger and further reaching than we ever think, plan, or sometimes will ever know. That is the deception of satan.
NT reading - in the very end of the readings in Matthew, Jesus teaches that a man is guilty of murder even in just the anger in his heart. This reminds me of the importance of honoring God through, and asking Him,to rule over, not only my actions, but also my thoughts.
blessings
ann
Posted by: ann | January 05, 2010 at 09:00 PM
Hi, Mike
I for the most part am a morning person. But I like to chew on the Word, so to speak all day long. I break your devotions up. I get up and when kids go off to school, I do a guidepost devotional, then read your daily post and dive into and in depth maybe old testament for an hour, then like I am doing now, I will look either at passages to entirety again and read some of nt that you have posted up or finish and do my commenting late at night. I also write in my journal that night so I can see all that God has blessed me with that day and look back and be amazed. Because I know I couldn't have dug that deep if it hadn't been for Christ Jesus, my rock and my redeemer. On our radio station in my area, 106.1, Klove, they are starting the "Love Dare" tomorrow through Valentines day and are encouraging everyone to get on board, if you are newly married or been married awhile, have a good or rocky marriage this is a good thing to do, you can get the book at any retailer, Walmart, Lifeway, Amazon, etc..
Got a question, not to get off subject but to get on what we discussed in Bible today, In Genesis, on the Tower of Babel, I had a friend ask me the other day and the only place I could think to relate or correspond to it was this story of the Tower, but, my friend asked me, "where did the different cultures and color differences start coming into play, in the bible?" I knew God changed everyones dialect to confuse them into finishing the Tower in attempts to be the own "god", but is that when he changed the color of skin and culture too? I'm not really sure what the skin or culture was then other than Hebrew, Israelite, maybe, I am not a theologian but I do read and try to comprehend where the Spirit leads, could you help with this in any way or anyone reading this so I can let me friend know. thanks .
Posted by: DeeDee | January 05, 2010 at 09:47 PM
I say an opening prayer, read Scripture, read my churches prayer list, my daily devotional then end with thanking GOD.
Posted by: Raeann | January 06, 2010 at 08:34 PM
The Law - it was interesting to see what you had to say about the Law. However when I look at the teaching on marriage, linked to the Bride of Christ and the role of the Law - I feel that we are no longer under the Law or even the 10 commandments. The Law continues, as does the ten commandments but we have died to that which was needed to guide us and to create a Godly conscience, we are reborn and free to remarry the commandments of Christ. Under the New dispensation we have the Law written on our hearts, and we are guided by the Holy Spirit to know what is right and what is wrong. We are following the two commandments of Christ. In the old Testament we are told - remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. In the New Testament we are told that we are the temple, and we are to be holy - that means 7 days a week. It no longer matters which day you set aside to remember what God has done and rest - as we are not married to the Law any longer. The New Testament demands a lifestyle sold out to the new commandments 24/7 365 days a year. In a way the OT Law and commandments - set down a specific structure to follow. That is what they did - nothing less, nothing more e.g. 10%. Now God calls us to be joyful givers - offering ourself s as living sacrifices. No longer guided by the Law but guided by love, faith and obedience to the one who died on the cross for us. In a way the NT is more demanding than the old because it demands our all!
Posted by: Denyse | January 07, 2010 at 02:17 AM