Well today is Friday!! It always amazes me how I feel on Fridays... Excitement for 2 days off work, list of things "todo" in my head, anticipation for afterschool sports game. Today there is one more thing Raeanna has a "school dance" and last night at 9:30pm could not decide what to wear. This really bothers me because she usually doesn't care just puts on a pair of jeans and off she goes... Last night she wanted a dress (doesn't own one) and was going crazy think of what she could wear and talking about getting up early to do her hair. (the dance is right after school) I know you are thinking of what I am thinking. This teenage girl thing is really too much!! Here we go hang on it could be a bumpy flight!! She found a dress in my closet that was too small for me (thank goodness I never clean out my closet) and put it with a cute tank and little jacket and looks really cute...
Chapter 14:
I have created a link to go directly to a website call biblegateway.com. It is to Romans 14 in The Message translation. Please read it first, I have made some comments about the verse. Don't worry it is a short read and I think you will like it...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2014&version=MSG
1-5 I think is a great reminder that we all have different ways of thinking of our God. Some think of God and "religon" being the same thing. Many have been "hurt" by religon/churches. Please know that our God is bigger than that. Remember that religon/churches are run by people who are all sinners and can hurt others.
6-12 are good reminders on "judging" others. I think we are quick to judge others instead of worring about our own walk... My advice watch where you are going... you never know who is following you!!
15-18 is some powerful stuff that I could spend hours, days, weeks maybe a lifetime of perfecting!!
19-21 are huge!!
The last sentance is worth repeating!!
"If the way you live isn't consistant with what you believe, then it is wrong!"
Thursday 2/18/10 Romans Chapter 13
Well yesterday morning something hit me like a ton of bricks!! I was fine on Tuesday and then yesterday morning bam!!! I had such a bad sinus headache/migrane I couldn't even drink my coffee. I called my boss and went back to bed. Slept till almost 11:00 got up took a shower, went to Wal Mart and got some Excedrin Migrane, Advil, and Tylenol and took that with my alergy stuff and barely made it threw my afternoon classes and afterschool sports. This morning is much better. I feel as if I was hit by a "Mach Truck" but will survive. What a horrible feeling to feel so much pain. I am not a good "sick" person!!
Chapter 13:
1-7 This is hard for me to understand... Are they talking about all authorities?? Like my boss? Like my husband?
After studing from The Message I found this... How are we feeling now??
from The Message:
6-7That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
8-10 LOVE!! this one can be trying at times. Love your neighbor I don't think it means just those living next to you but all you meet!! This can be hard especially after what we just read in verses 1-7. Those that are in authority are sometimes hard to understand more less even harder to love!!
from The Message, too beautifully put.
8-10Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.
LOVE YOU ALL!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
Chapter 13:
1-7 This is hard for me to understand... Are they talking about all authorities?? Like my boss? Like my husband?
After studing from The Message I found this... How are we feeling now??
from The Message:
6-7That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
8-10 LOVE!! this one can be trying at times. Love your neighbor I don't think it means just those living next to you but all you meet!! This can be hard especially after what we just read in verses 1-7. Those that are in authority are sometimes hard to understand more less even harder to love!!
from The Message, too beautifully put.
8-10Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.
LOVE YOU ALL!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
Tuesday 2/16/10 Romans Chapter 12
Well here is another short week. I am having trouble getting my feet under me. I had a great day yesterday and got alot accomplished although didn't get everything done that needed to be done. Story of life. I always make so many lists and never finish everything. Although it sure feels good when I get some important things done or start. I think half the battle is starting a project.
Chapter 12:
1-2 this is always a hard few verses for me.. "bodies as a living sacrifice" I feel I fail at this. I don't take care of my "body" like I should... something to work on...
6 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
I think sometimes in the church especially we have to we have to be able to "try" new things in serving. I remember when I was starting with the youth. scary, questioning God, unsure, not comfortable etc. sometimes I have found when we get "comfortable" serving in a ministry God shakes it up alittle. I still get nervous when some of them start talking to me about "big stuff". Ministry to me is not comfortable at all because I am constantly growing and learning.
From The Message:
6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." I think this might be my new favorite verses!!
14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited. " talk about practicing some hard stuff. Try practicing this for just one day... I especially love the part where it says mourn with those who mourn. So many times we are afraid to mourn... It is so healthy and we need to do it. It helps us move on and be able to "live in harmony with one another".
From The Message:
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. Don't know about you but I am not going to let evil get the best of me!!
Chapter 12:
1-2 this is always a hard few verses for me.. "bodies as a living sacrifice" I feel I fail at this. I don't take care of my "body" like I should... something to work on...
6 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
I think sometimes in the church especially we have to we have to be able to "try" new things in serving. I remember when I was starting with the youth. scary, questioning God, unsure, not comfortable etc. sometimes I have found when we get "comfortable" serving in a ministry God shakes it up alittle. I still get nervous when some of them start talking to me about "big stuff". Ministry to me is not comfortable at all because I am constantly growing and learning.
From The Message:
6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." I think this might be my new favorite verses!!
14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited. " talk about practicing some hard stuff. Try practicing this for just one day... I especially love the part where it says mourn with those who mourn. So many times we are afraid to mourn... It is so healthy and we need to do it. It helps us move on and be able to "live in harmony with one another".
From The Message:
20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. Don't know about you but I am not going to let evil get the best of me!!
Monday 2/15/10 Romans Chapter 11
I love 3 day weekends. It is such a bonus!! My Valentines was wonderful, Vince came to church with me, he also got me flowers and cards, family together. And today a bonus day off. I am hopefully going to get all my taxes stuff together. This is always a big chore for me. You know my afterschool sports program... well, it is like owning my own business. I get alot of tax breaks but have to claim all the money... In other words alot of numbers and finding of reciepts today...I am thankful I am getting started in February usually it is March or heaven forbid April.. I will keep you posted...
Roman Chapter 11:
Paul is still trying to convince the Israelite's about Jesus. Paul is using the law and what the prophets said from the old testament. They do not want to get it.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
this next part if straight from The Message. What kind of a branch are you??
16-18Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.
19-20It's certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!" Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root. The only reason you're on the tree is because your graft "took" when you believed, and because you're connected to that belief-nurturing root. So don't get cocky and strut your branch. Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you lithe and green.
21-22If God didn't think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn't give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don't presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you're out of there.
23-24And don't get to feeling superior to those pruned branches down on the ground. If they don't persist in remaining deadwood, they could very well get grafted back in. God can do that. He can perform miracle grafts. Why, if he could graft you—branches cut from a tree out in the wild—into an orchard tree, he certainly isn't going to have any trouble grafting branches back into the tree they grew from in the first place. Just be glad you're in the tree, and hope for the best for the others.
This is alittle longer today and let me tell you I lost focus many times. Now I am glad I made it back to it. I love this with the branches it reminds me of several things, families, churches, work places, relationships etc. what comes to your mind when you read these words about "branches"??
Roman Chapter 11:
Paul is still trying to convince the Israelite's about Jesus. Paul is using the law and what the prophets said from the old testament. They do not want to get it.
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
this next part if straight from The Message. What kind of a branch are you??
16-18Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you.
19-20It's certainly possible to say, "Other branches were pruned so that I could be grafted in!" Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root. The only reason you're on the tree is because your graft "took" when you believed, and because you're connected to that belief-nurturing root. So don't get cocky and strut your branch. Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you lithe and green.
21-22If God didn't think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn't give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don't presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you're out of there.
23-24And don't get to feeling superior to those pruned branches down on the ground. If they don't persist in remaining deadwood, they could very well get grafted back in. God can do that. He can perform miracle grafts. Why, if he could graft you—branches cut from a tree out in the wild—into an orchard tree, he certainly isn't going to have any trouble grafting branches back into the tree they grew from in the first place. Just be glad you're in the tree, and hope for the best for the others.
This is alittle longer today and let me tell you I lost focus many times. Now I am glad I made it back to it. I love this with the branches it reminds me of several things, families, churches, work places, relationships etc. what comes to your mind when you read these words about "branches"??
Saturday 2/13/10 Romans Chapter 10
Well here it is the day before Valentines.... I love Valentines working at a school and watching the kids get so excited about those crazy little cards, candy and just something out of the ordinary. I have to admit I also secretly look forward to Valentines Day. I know that Vince and I exchange cards and he always spends time to find the right card. A few years back he gave me some rose bushes and said "there I'm done" since then I have only gotten flowers once (for anniversary). I have to admit I love those rose bushes. They are alot like relationships. You have to work at them all the time. Watering, pruning, fertilizing and sometimes they hurt you. The good part is that you get to enjoy them when they are blooming they are pleasing to the eye and smell soo good. They don't bloom all the time. Can you see the simularities??? I think that in all our relationships we expect them to be "in bloom" all the time. That is just not going to happen you have to take care of every relationship and enjoy the good with the bad... They are alot of work. I have found that this is very true with my relationship with God. It is not always easy in fact this morning I wanted to take the day off. I am so thankful that I have this crazy bible study to keep me where I need to be. Thanks to you all and I hope you have a wonderful Valentines!! If nothing else celebrate it with the One who loves you more than anything... After all He sent His Son to show how much He loves YOU!!
Chapter 10
9"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." sounds easy enough???
14"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" We all need to be telling others and how beautiful are the feet??? SERIOUSLY??? WHAT IS UP WITH THIS STATEMENT??
19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
"I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."[j] 20And Isaiah boldly says,
"I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."[k] 21But concerning Israel he says,
"All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people." THESE LAST FEW STATEMENTS GIVE ME HOPE FOR ALL I KNOW THAT DON'T KNOW!!
Chapter 10
9"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." sounds easy enough???
14"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" We all need to be telling others and how beautiful are the feet??? SERIOUSLY??? WHAT IS UP WITH THIS STATEMENT??
19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
"I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."[j] 20And Isaiah boldly says,
"I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me."[k] 21But concerning Israel he says,
"All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people." THESE LAST FEW STATEMENTS GIVE ME HOPE FOR ALL I KNOW THAT DON'T KNOW!!
Well yesterday I went to work and the school nurse sent me home... I don't have a fever but I sure did feel horrible... Today I still don't feel 100% but moving toward the task at hand. Yesterday was filled with laying on the couch and watching/listening to t.v. Today I am moving alittle slow but on the move. I hope that some rest was all I needed. I have a 3 day weekend so I am really looking forward to that and getting some more rest. Found out yesterday that Prestin made the JV baseball team. Looking forward to start going to some games again... We are on the move again around here...
Chapter 9:
1-5 I know what Paul is talking about when he is talking of the Israelites. I have so many in my life who do understand my relationship with Christ and it makes me so sad in so many ways...
10-13 compares other stories to the same feelings of insecurity... Jacob and Esau
20-33 describes how we are all different and for a reason.
this was a hard chapter for me to wrap my head around today... I need your help... I tried to look it up on biblegateway.com in The Message and got alittle help really nothing was jumping off the page at me... HELP WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS!! OPEN MY EYES...
Chapter 9:
1-5 I know what Paul is talking about when he is talking of the Israelites. I have so many in my life who do understand my relationship with Christ and it makes me so sad in so many ways...
10-13 compares other stories to the same feelings of insecurity... Jacob and Esau
20-33 describes how we are all different and for a reason.
this was a hard chapter for me to wrap my head around today... I need your help... I tried to look it up on biblegateway.com in The Message and got alittle help really nothing was jumping off the page at me... HELP WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS!! OPEN MY EYES...
Thursday 2/11/10 Romans Chapter 8
The last couple of days have been interesting... At work the kids really loved have the Arizona Coyotes there. It was 3 guys from the organization that did hockey clinics and promoted the Coyotes. It was something out of the normal and the kids loved it. I saw every student(700+) in the school in 2 days. I am exhausted. Plus I have been dealing with some stuff in my personal life. The suicide of an acquaintance that used to be a youth leader at our church and went on to be a youth directer at another church, has brought up alot of old feeling of when my cousin committed suicide. And last night at church brought up some heavy stuff for some of the kids. And then there is the normal stuff to deal with at my house with 2 teenagers in the house... Life really throws some stuff at us that can be tough to deal with that is why I am so glad that I am a believer in Jesus Christ and I can cast my cares on Him and know that I don't have to deal with it. I can give it to Him. The hard part is not taking it back and trying to deal with it myself...
Chapter 8:
5........"but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires".
6"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" I choose life and peace!!
14 "because those whos are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" What are you being led by??
18 This is exactly what I needed to hear this morning... "I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
26 "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 with groans that words cannot express." So many times I have not known what to pray for and I am so glad to know that the "Spirit" will help with that... and then at the the of 27 we are reminded that the "Spirit intercedes with fht esaints in accordance with God's will"
28 Now here is good news!! "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, wha have been called according to His purpose."
37-39 compares alot of drastics...you can do your own comparing... good vs bad things that has happened to you or around you... the hope is in the last verse..... READ IT AND BELIEVE IT IS FOR YOU!! "anything or nothing else in all creation, will be able to separete us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Know that you are loved! and that nothing is to great to separate you from the love of God...
Chapter 8:
5........"but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires".
6"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" I choose life and peace!!
14 "because those whos are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" What are you being led by??
18 This is exactly what I needed to hear this morning... "I consider that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
26 "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 with groans that words cannot express." So many times I have not known what to pray for and I am so glad to know that the "Spirit" will help with that... and then at the the of 27 we are reminded that the "Spirit intercedes with fht esaints in accordance with God's will"
28 Now here is good news!! "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, wha have been called according to His purpose."
37-39 compares alot of drastics...you can do your own comparing... good vs bad things that has happened to you or around you... the hope is in the last verse..... READ IT AND BELIEVE IT IS FOR YOU!! "anything or nothing else in all creation, will be able to separete us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Know that you are loved! and that nothing is to great to separate you from the love of God...
Wednesday 2/10/10 Romans Chapter 7
Well today I started my day like a do almost all the time... Getting up putting on my walking clothes, shoes and jacket. Opened the door and out I went. I was really hoping for rain not all day just long enough for an excuse to not walk...No such luck so off I went. Why is it that I really don't want to do it sometimes?? But once I get out there and do it I feel so much better? Maybe it is the cups of coffee I get from my neighbors house.... They have the Saeco machine that has the beans and water in a resevoir you push the button and then a delicous cup of strong coffee ready in minutes. I must say I suffer from coffee maker envy!! I think some mornings this is the only reason I walk. I made a deal with myself no walk no "Mojo" (that is what we call her coffee). Then I come home and start my life.... Then I am ready to understand what I am ready in my bible. And hopefully encounter Him while being alittle more awake!!
Chapter 7:
I read all of chapter 7 and then re read it at biblegateway.com in The Message verison. What I have come up with is we are struggling with sin. Some admit it some don't. It is not always the outward sin in fact it is more the inward sin. The things we think, or do by ourselves. This is the struggle for most of us. Just like me with my coffee maker envy. That would be know as coveting... I struggle with that more than anything I always want what someone else has. Friendships, relationships, different car, house or even spirtual gifts... I have an awesome life with so many blessing and I want more... or what someone else has. Bottom line that is not what God wants for me or He would have given it to me. I need to practice what I tell my kids... Be thankful for what you have not wishful for what you have not... So a few verses that stood out to me..
6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
This is alot to digest!! there is so much to deal with...
Chapter 7:
I read all of chapter 7 and then re read it at biblegateway.com in The Message verison. What I have come up with is we are struggling with sin. Some admit it some don't. It is not always the outward sin in fact it is more the inward sin. The things we think, or do by ourselves. This is the struggle for most of us. Just like me with my coffee maker envy. That would be know as coveting... I struggle with that more than anything I always want what someone else has. Friendships, relationships, different car, house or even spirtual gifts... I have an awesome life with so many blessing and I want more... or what someone else has. Bottom line that is not what God wants for me or He would have given it to me. I need to practice what I tell my kids... Be thankful for what you have not wishful for what you have not... So a few verses that stood out to me..
6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
This is alot to digest!! there is so much to deal with...
Tuesday 2/9/10 Romans Chapter 6
Well today is going to be interesting!! I have to only do "crowd control" at school. The Phoenix Coyotes (hockey team) are bringing some people to our school to do a hockey clinic they will run everything. So really the next 2 days are going to be pretty easy for me. I know the kids will love it. I am really getting excited to watch them interact with these people. I don't know if it will be players, bench warmers or admin people but a change of pace is always interesting to me.
Chapter 6:
1-13 talks alot about why we should stop sinning... and how we as christian believe that once we have accepted Christ we are dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. this is hard for me to comprehend. if we are to stop sinning why do we keep sinning... justifing that it is not a sin, or making excuses why we still sin... I know I am so guilty of this at what point is it gossip??? Do I start gossip?? Do I go to the source?? Am I 2 faced??
But then in verse 14 it gives me hope..."For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace"
16 what are you "slaves" too??? Sin or obedience??? I choose obedience which leads to righteousness. Although not perfect at it by any means.. In fact still have alot of work to do to try and get there and stay there...
18 from The Message
All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!
19I'm using this freedom language because it's easy to picture. You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing—not caring about others, not caring about God—the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?
20-21As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end.
22-23But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.
So the way I look at it is: it is up to us... How are you going to live??
Chapter 6:
1-13 talks alot about why we should stop sinning... and how we as christian believe that once we have accepted Christ we are dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. this is hard for me to comprehend. if we are to stop sinning why do we keep sinning... justifing that it is not a sin, or making excuses why we still sin... I know I am so guilty of this at what point is it gossip??? Do I start gossip?? Do I go to the source?? Am I 2 faced??
But then in verse 14 it gives me hope..."For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace"
16 what are you "slaves" too??? Sin or obedience??? I choose obedience which leads to righteousness. Although not perfect at it by any means.. In fact still have alot of work to do to try and get there and stay there...
18 from The Message
All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!
19I'm using this freedom language because it's easy to picture. You can readily recall, can't you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing—not caring about others, not caring about God—the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God's freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?
20-21As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end.
22-23But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.
So the way I look at it is: it is up to us... How are you going to live??
Monday 2/8/10 Romans Chapter 5
Well today is a good day!! I am blessed to have a job to go to, A home to wake up in, A family and friends to share life with... Monday's are really hard for me to get moving. Thank goodness my neighbor holds me accountable to walking so I was up and at it at 5:00am. Not long a quick 1 mile walk but it really starts my day off right!! (Thanks Melissa and Jerry) I got some very sad news this morning and it reminded me of all the things I had listed above. Sometimes I focus on the wrong things really it is quite simple I am so blessed!! Happy Monday!!
Chapter 5:
3-5 I really love this verse and thought it ended with character and that was good enought for me... today I find that character leads to hope.... "and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
6-8 brings up the question who would you lay your life on the line for.... God choose to lay His life on the line for us and I don't know about you but I am so unworthy...
12-14 makes sense although doesn't make it easier!! we all went into sin with Adam and saved from sin with Jesus!
from The Message
18-19Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.
20-21All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.
Chapter 5:
3-5 I really love this verse and thought it ended with character and that was good enought for me... today I find that character leads to hope.... "and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
6-8 brings up the question who would you lay your life on the line for.... God choose to lay His life on the line for us and I don't know about you but I am so unworthy...
12-14 makes sense although doesn't make it easier!! we all went into sin with Adam and saved from sin with Jesus!
from The Message
18-19Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.
20-21All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.
FRIDAY!! 2/5/10 Romans Chapter 4
Another great Friday!! It is pay day for me. I know you don't think it is very exciting but it truly is... I get paid on the 7th and 22nd these are weird days and then when they land on a weekend we get our checks on Friday. Yahoo!! So I say bring on the weekend!!
Chapter 4:
1-6 Is explaining the difference of earning and recieving blessings. Using Abraham as an example.
9-12 is preatty awesome, it talks about how Abraham believe and was blessed although was not circumcised felt the call to be circumcised which makes him the "father" of both. In other words he can relate to both sides. There has been so many things in my life that have kept me close to different people. I am sure now it if for the kingdom..
13-14 Explain the difference between believing because you fall "heir" to it and know the laws. How righteousness comes by faith.
16 (from The Message)
This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that's reading the story backward. He is our faith father. Sounds like good news to me!!
22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Wow what a day.... This is good stuff this Romans has so much to offer!!
Chapter 4:
1-6 Is explaining the difference of earning and recieving blessings. Using Abraham as an example.
9-12 is preatty awesome, it talks about how Abraham believe and was blessed although was not circumcised felt the call to be circumcised which makes him the "father" of both. In other words he can relate to both sides. There has been so many things in my life that have kept me close to different people. I am sure now it if for the kingdom..
13-14 Explain the difference between believing because you fall "heir" to it and know the laws. How righteousness comes by faith.
16 (from The Message)
This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father—that's reading the story backward. He is our faith father. Sounds like good news to me!!
22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Wow what a day.... This is good stuff this Romans has so much to offer!!
Thursday 2/4/10 Romans Chapter 3
I really love Thursdays, I think it is for several reasons...
1. It is the day after our "midweek" bible study night at church. Last night out youth had a youth band and did worship... IT WAS AWESOME!! The song choices were perfect and they sounded really great!!
2. Thursday at work is a great day for me. It is a lighter schedule and I don't have afterschool sports.
3. Vinces' payday and we usually go out for dinner!!
I could go on and on about Thursdays but I am sure you get it..
Romans Chapter 3
1-8 is hard for me to wrap my thoughts around!! so gool ole "bible gateway" helps again. When I have trouble understanding something I can look it up there in different translations (usually The Message) here is a link to it. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203&version=MSG
10-18 my bible has a side note that is great...Talked about modern day announce a cure of a flu that no one knows anything about NOT MUCH EXCITEMENT... Pauls message is about God's amazing grace but people won't seek a cure until they know they are ill. 11 Is a really hard verse although I think I need to be reminded of that...There is no one righteous, not even one there is no one who understands no one who seeks God. I need to get off my "high horse"
this is from gateway from the message 20 ish
This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity(which means our involvement, accomplice) in everyone else's sin. To me this means that we have to be so careful to not make others stumble either by our actions, words or how we live our life. Are you the same everywhere you go??
22 now we are getting to the good stuff!! "This righteousness from God comes throught faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference." I don't know about you but this is good stuff!!
23 " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" you and I are not alone for all have sinned EVERYONE
24...by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
27-31 is just another great reminder of ANYONE can be a christian if they so choose.. it doesn't matter where you have been, what you have done ANYONE CAN MAKE THE CHOICE TO FOLLOW AND BE FORGIVEN!!
1. It is the day after our "midweek" bible study night at church. Last night out youth had a youth band and did worship... IT WAS AWESOME!! The song choices were perfect and they sounded really great!!
2. Thursday at work is a great day for me. It is a lighter schedule and I don't have afterschool sports.
3. Vinces' payday and we usually go out for dinner!!
I could go on and on about Thursdays but I am sure you get it..
Romans Chapter 3
1-8 is hard for me to wrap my thoughts around!! so gool ole "bible gateway" helps again. When I have trouble understanding something I can look it up there in different translations (usually The Message) here is a link to it. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203&version=MSG
10-18 my bible has a side note that is great...Talked about modern day announce a cure of a flu that no one knows anything about NOT MUCH EXCITEMENT... Pauls message is about God's amazing grace but people won't seek a cure until they know they are ill. 11 Is a really hard verse although I think I need to be reminded of that...There is no one righteous, not even one there is no one who understands no one who seeks God. I need to get off my "high horse"
this is from gateway from the message 20 ish
This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity(which means our involvement, accomplice) in everyone else's sin. To me this means that we have to be so careful to not make others stumble either by our actions, words or how we live our life. Are you the same everywhere you go??
22 now we are getting to the good stuff!! "This righteousness from God comes throught faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference." I don't know about you but this is good stuff!!
23 " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" you and I are not alone for all have sinned EVERYONE
24...by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
27-31 is just another great reminder of ANYONE can be a christian if they so choose.. it doesn't matter where you have been, what you have done ANYONE CAN MAKE THE CHOICE TO FOLLOW AND BE FORGIVEN!!
Wednesday 2/3/10 Romans Chapter 2
I can't believe it but we here in the desert are supposed to get MORE rain. I know that some of you are glad which I am also our desert really needs the moisture although I am running out of tricks up my sleve to do PE inside. There are only so many "Heads Up 7 Up" and "4 Corners" games that you can play with a big group inside. Plus my afterschool sports program.... Boy I sure wish I had a gym!! The thoughts are endless of what I could do with a gym!! Dreaming helps me cope...
Romans Chapter 2:
I got out an old bible that Pastor Sherry Lyford gave to me. This was my first "real" bible that I used for bible study. It has some really helpful insight on stuff. So here we go!!
1-4 I guess to me means face the music. We all have faults. (a subnote in my bible states From Adam and Eve people tend to blame others or make excuses for themselves for what goes wrong. Alcholics Anonymous believe that unless you first accept responsibility for wrong behavior and stop blaming others you will never get well. ) I find this very interesting!!
6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done" (okay I am alittle scared, I have done some good and bad)
I need help understanding something.... So far he has mentioned "first the Jew then the Gentile" what where when and why this statement?? HELP!!
13 I think this is an important verse... to me it means you can't just come to church on Sunday or Wednesdays and sit there and listen and know the law. You have to believe and act on the law.
17-29 I think to me these verse are saying you have to be inside out. You have to live your life like no one is watching but know that everyone is watch. Like driving the speed limit when there is no cop (or photo radar) around. Inward and Outward.
Romans Chapter 2:
I got out an old bible that Pastor Sherry Lyford gave to me. This was my first "real" bible that I used for bible study. It has some really helpful insight on stuff. So here we go!!
1-4 I guess to me means face the music. We all have faults. (a subnote in my bible states From Adam and Eve people tend to blame others or make excuses for themselves for what goes wrong. Alcholics Anonymous believe that unless you first accept responsibility for wrong behavior and stop blaming others you will never get well. ) I find this very interesting!!
6 God "will give to each person according to what he has done" (okay I am alittle scared, I have done some good and bad)
I need help understanding something.... So far he has mentioned "first the Jew then the Gentile" what where when and why this statement?? HELP!!
13 I think this is an important verse... to me it means you can't just come to church on Sunday or Wednesdays and sit there and listen and know the law. You have to believe and act on the law.
17-29 I think to me these verse are saying you have to be inside out. You have to live your life like no one is watching but know that everyone is watch. Like driving the speed limit when there is no cop (or photo radar) around. Inward and Outward.
Tuesday 2/2/10 Romans Chapter 1
Well today we begin Romans another book of the bible finished and a new one begining. I love this feeling you see I have never read so much in the bible based on whole chapters and really studied it like this. I am so excited to be doing this and God has taught me so much and I have had quite an insight from everyone who has taken time top post their thoughts on this. It truly has been and continues to be a blessing for me!! I hope you are enjoying it as well...
Romans Chapter 1:
Before we start I have to admit it was hard for me to get into Acts so I think it is funny how it works that we are moving to Romans... I think God is trying to make me get Paul and where he is coming from and I have alot to learn from him. In one of my bibles it states "Romans does not read like a dry book of theology. Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley all trace their spiritual renewels to reading Romans." I find this very interesting and exciting all at the same time. I find it interesting that these people had "troubles" and have had "spiritual renewels" in their lives and I am excited that we could experience the same thing....
1-6 this is a great reminder of Who we are learning about and where He has come from...
12 "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith." (sounds to me like this is what we do!!)
16-17 are amazing to the greatness of the gospel and sharing it. "The righteous will live by faith"
20 I always have an excuse.... something to work on...
21 I think is key to so many, they think since they know of God that is enough..."their foolish hearts were darkend" something to think about...
22"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools" makes me remeasure up!
25 "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised. Amen" What are you worshiping?? (and why Amen at the end???)
26-32 has alot of information that make my head spin. some with looking where I was and thankful I am forgiven. Some with looking at others and worried that they will not be saved or that they will continue to have bad things come there way. alot to process!!!
Romans Chapter 1:
Before we start I have to admit it was hard for me to get into Acts so I think it is funny how it works that we are moving to Romans... I think God is trying to make me get Paul and where he is coming from and I have alot to learn from him. In one of my bibles it states "Romans does not read like a dry book of theology. Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley all trace their spiritual renewels to reading Romans." I find this very interesting and exciting all at the same time. I find it interesting that these people had "troubles" and have had "spiritual renewels" in their lives and I am excited that we could experience the same thing....
1-6 this is a great reminder of Who we are learning about and where He has come from...
12 "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith." (sounds to me like this is what we do!!)
16-17 are amazing to the greatness of the gospel and sharing it. "The righteous will live by faith"
20 I always have an excuse.... something to work on...
21 I think is key to so many, they think since they know of God that is enough..."their foolish hearts were darkend" something to think about...
22"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools" makes me remeasure up!
25 "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised. Amen" What are you worshiping?? (and why Amen at the end???)
26-32 has alot of information that make my head spin. some with looking where I was and thankful I am forgiven. Some with looking at others and worried that they will not be saved or that they will continue to have bad things come there way. alot to process!!!
Monday 2/1/10 James Chapter 5
Well today I walked after taking a week off. I walk with my neighbor and it seems I can't get up and walk without her... She is my accountability knowing the fact that she is up waiting for me I know I have to get up and meet her in the cul-de-sac. This morning it was hard for me to get moving... It was cold, I was tired, and my body was not ready to move!! I knew she would be out so I had to get moving. That is how life is for me... God has put people in our life for different needs. We need people to hold us accountable for the things we may not want to do but need to do. We have people who mentor us to help us grow in different areas of our lives. We have people we are supposed to take along side of us to help them grow (which helps us grow). We have people who give us love and understanding. We have encouragers. We even have people who help us "sharpen" us. These are the people we need in our lives more than anything I think. These are the people who really make us look at ourselves, and love us enough to tell us when we are not acting or responding the way we should be. They love us more than we can "hate" them. Too all of the above mentioned people thanks for being in my life!!
James Chapter 5:
1-6 makes me hope I never get rich or even comfortable. Although we are "rich" by the world standards we are not "rich" by the US standards. I know that this is more than other money riches so think twice!!
10 "Be patient in the face of suffering....(continued in 11) we consider blessed those who have persevered." I don't know about you but would love the blessed part... Not sure of patient in suffering....
12 I love "Let your yes be yes and your no be no or you will be condemned" I think we know when something is right or wrong I also think that we don't act strongly on this... We need to stand firm even when we know it is against the crowd. Just like we learned in James Chapter 1:13 about being "tempted". Don't fall for it my friends..
13-16 Gives great advice as when to pray... this is great advice to live by...
this is from The Message
19-20My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
James Chapter 5:
1-6 makes me hope I never get rich or even comfortable. Although we are "rich" by the world standards we are not "rich" by the US standards. I know that this is more than other money riches so think twice!!
10 "Be patient in the face of suffering....(continued in 11) we consider blessed those who have persevered." I don't know about you but would love the blessed part... Not sure of patient in suffering....
12 I love "Let your yes be yes and your no be no or you will be condemned" I think we know when something is right or wrong I also think that we don't act strongly on this... We need to stand firm even when we know it is against the crowd. Just like we learned in James Chapter 1:13 about being "tempted". Don't fall for it my friends..
13-16 Gives great advice as when to pray... this is great advice to live by...
this is from The Message
19-20My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
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