Let's just jump right in!!
Chapter 18:
1-4 what does it look like to humble yourself like a child?? Or how about welcoming others like a child. When was the last time you were so excited to see someone that you ran to them??
5-6 This makes me very nervous since I work with the youth at our church. I know for myself I really need to study Gods Word so I dont' teach them incorrectly or out of text. Not to mention our actions and how we deal with life. Maybe this is why it is so hard to get volunteers in childrens and youth ministry??
7-10 What body parts are making you sin?? Eyes, what are you looking at our lusting for? Looking or comparing ourselves to others? Hands what are you holding onto too tight?? Money, work,?? Legs... Are you running from something that you need to deal with?? Feet , are you walking away from someone in need? What are some other ideas??
15-20 This can be hard to confront someone. Sometimes it is easier to just pretend like it doesn't matter. Or you don't care. I think this is where break down in relationships happen.
21-35 Again it is easier to walk than to forgive and deal. Especially if you have anger or issues with holding a grudge...
This was a heavy chapter for me and made me do a lot of looking to my own heart. Not sure how I am measuring up.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Mona....verses 5-6 always stuck me as a warning to those who would intentionally say or do things to cause someone to stumble. Since there's no way we can please everyone, it's pretty likely that at some point all of us will do or say something that could possibly cause another to stumble. God knows our heart and would have no trouble deciding if our actions were intentional or not. Aren't we thankful for THAT :)
ReplyDeleteverses 7-10 HEART...is there someone you refuse to forgive???....is there a reason you are not trusting God??? FINGERS...who are you pointing at and accusing when you should actually be inspecting your own actions??
verses 19-20 were really hard for me to "get" when I first came to faith. The note I have in my Bible says "Then why do so many prayers of true believers go unanswered???"....it took some discussions/readings for me to understand that we have to distinguish between praying for GOD'S WILL versus praying for our own. Obviously if we are praying according to HIS will all requests will indeed be granted.
verse 22 certainly goes against what we normally think about forgiveness. Of course we can forgive others (read that those we like/love) numerous times....but in this verse Jesus basically says to just keep forgiving and----by the way people-- don't bother keeping track of how many times you say "I forgive you." There sure are a lot of instances where that is really hard to do! Over the years I've come to believe that Jesus is talking about forgiving those who honestly regret what they've done...I guess that verse 33 kind of sums it up "Shouldn't you have mercy onb your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?"