Luke Chapter 8-12

I was in such a hurry today, that I forgot my Bible when I left my apartment for class. I had it out last night, as I was reading chapter 7 in Luke, but forgot to place it back into my backpack for today. To still get my reading done, I decided to read an online version of the bible (which can be found here)
I have found through this experience, I do not like reading the Bible via the internet... I think it takes away from it. Getting to hold the Bible in your hands is almost like you have God sitting right next to you as you read... I felt as if reading it online took that feeling away. I felt as if it were just something I 'had to do' There was no feeling to it.
Now don't get me wrong, if a person reads the Bible off from the internet, and they enjoy it, then that is good for them, for it is still God's word, I however, couldn't get into it all that much.
Lesson learned, start bringing my Bible to school with me!

One of the passages I read today I thought was very important. I actually remember reading this passage long ago, and events from this morning reminded me of it. When I looked up where I might find this passage, I was suprised to see that it was very close to where I was reading, and so, instead of stopping after reading three chapters, I stopped after reading 5 chapters (which is where I would have been at anyways if I had read the three I was supposed to read last night)
But I think I should clarify what happened this morning, and then what I read.

This morning, before I headed off to school, I went online to view and pay my electric bill. When I opened up my statement, I was shocked to see just how high my bill was. It was insane! I cannot afford to pay something like this! After paying it, I got to worrying how much I had in my bank, the other bills I still need to pay, tuition, gass, food, clothes... everything. I don't even have a job yet, so how am I to afford all of these things?

It was then that I remembered reading something long ago about worry, and how God provides. So after finding the passage, I am releived, and not so worried.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:23-34

I find this passage very powerful, and very comforting. God does provide for the birds, and the animals, they do not worry about things, and yet they are taken care of. Since God loves me so much, that he actually sent his son down to die for me, then why would he not take care of me as well? He is my Father, is he not? Father's take care of their children, do not let them starve or go naked, so I know that whatever financial trouble I find myself in, I will surivive. I will be taken care of, and I will be loved. There is no need to worry.
Granted, this does not mean I get to go out and spend my money like crazy.

Luke Chapter 7

Today was a wonderful day, and here is why:

I spent 3 hours observing a high school classroom for children with special needs. During that time, I helped out a few students with their math homework, I had laminating explained to me, and I got to conduct a reading lesson. I felt so ... important ... and I felt as if 'Yes!' This is what I know I want to do with my life... This is what God has planned for me, as I have not enjoyed myself so much before this.

_____________

Today, I have only read one chapter in the book of Luke. I wish I could have read more, but I ended up procrastinating on my math homework, so I had little time left to read tonight. I did not, however, want to repeat what happened before, and go without reading the bible, as I do not like how I feel when I don't read it.

I ended up reading Chapter 7 in the book of Luke. I really enjoyed one of the Parables that Jesus taught in this chapter.

"Two Men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Luke 7:41-43

I really like this quote because for one, I can get the parable (sometimes... I can't understand them all that well) and two, because I believe it to be true.

What I think this parable is about is God is the money lender, and we are the people who are in debt. Some owe more then others, but we all are in debt to him, because we are not perfect. But God knows that we are unable to pay back our dept to him... so he canceled it... all of it. I don't know about you... but I have sinned an awful lot. Little things... medium things... to big things. I have sinned, and because of that sin, there is a huge debt between me and God. But he has cancelled it! I don't have to pay my debt anymore! It was so huge, and now it is gone. I love him for it. I think it is so amazing that we know someone who is so forgiving, and so generous that they are willing to pay EVERYTHING for us. Amazing.

Luke, Chapters 4-6

How sad am I. I have gone without reading, or even really without speaking to God for four days. I don't know why I did it. I don't have an excuse, I had time. I just didn't do it. I feel sad now, and I felt sad on those four days as well. I knew something was missing. I even knew what it was that was missing, but I ignored it. Why do I do that? I don't even know.

I am not going to give myself too hard of a time. I expected that I would fail a little... I am not perfect. I can never be perfect, and so I knew from the get-go that I would make mistakes. They still hurt though. I ask for forgiveness. I ask also for the perseverance to continue on, for I enjoy my alone time with God. I really do. I also ask for encouragement. I need encouragement. Those are on the top of my prayers as of right now.

So today, to get back to the 'swing' of things, I read the next three chapters in the book of Luke. I think the passages that stood out the most to me were in Chapter 6, versus 27-47. I have actually read these passages before, but they speak to me a bit louder then they had then. I beleive these passages to be so important though, that I will just write them down, as I beleive that everyone should hear them.

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give ot everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those you love you, what credit is htat to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? even 'siners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of hte Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condmen, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

He also told them this parable: 'Can a blind man lead a blind man? will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourslef fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

No good tree bears bad fuit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. Peopule do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of hte good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do now do what I say?

The parts which I have highlighted in bold are the parts that I paid particular attention to. I believe that I stuggle with all of these, whether I do these intentionally, or not intentionally, I still struggle. Love my enemies and do good to them? Forgive them? That is really really hard! Especially since they hurt you so much! How can someone forgive someone who hurts them so much? But then, I think back to what I read in Mark. Jesus died for me, to forgive all the things that I have done, things that I am not proud of, and that I would never, ever expect anyone to forgive me for, and yet he did. So how can I sit here, forgiven, and not forgive others? I cannot, and will not name the names of the people, but I want them to know... I will declare it right you.
I forgive you, and through Christ Jesus; I love you, and I am praying for you. I know you hurt me, but I forgive you. I just want to let you know that. I am not sure that you will read this. But if on the off chance you do... I want you to know this.

Lastly; 'Why do I call you Lord, Lord, and do not know what you say? I have been guilty of this for 23 years now. I want to know you Lord, and I want to know what you have to say. So my prayer is this. Speak to me. Let me know what you have to say... because from here on out...

I am listening.

Luke, Chapters 1-3

As it turns out, the internet for the entire University of Arizona is completely down today. This could be because I am trying to use it (I tend to have a negative effect on most electronic devices known to mankind) or simply because there is something wrong with the system. Whatever the reason being today, I am unable to access my blog right now. Is this going to stop me though? I think not! This is why we have Microsoft Word. J

Answered Prayers:

I want to take time to say that God has really been answering my prayers lately. It is so encouraging to be able to see this actually happening! I feel so blessed, and touched. One of my major prayers that I have been praying for the past week was about my 'mysterious illness'

Last Monday, I found that I began to have a very serious sore throat. Swallowing became difficult for me, I had a loss of appetite, and I couldn't sleep. I thought it was strep, so I made an appointment with my doctor for Thursday morning. When I saw my doctor, he gave me a test for strep, but that test came out negative. He then concluded that I had Mono. This was devastating news to me, for that Saturday I had broken up with my boyfriend, to know that I had mono from that relationship made me so angry and so sad at the same time. I was hurt… really hurt. So, my doctor sent me to go get blood work done, he also, just in case it was a miss-test, prescribed me some Penicillin.

I got a call yesterday; my blood work came back… no mono! And since I have been taking the Penicillin, my sore throat has been gone. Praise God!!!

That was the biggest prayer answered, others, have also been answered. I have been praying that I will actually understand and enjoy what I am reading in the Bible, and I found that I have. I also have found that I am excited to open my Bible every day, to discover new things, which may not be an answer to one of my prayers, but I know that it is an answer to someone else's prayer.

I don't know… Just in one week, I find there is such a change in me, in how I think, how I act, and how I perceive things. I still struggle with things, of course I do, I am human, but now I know that if I pray about the things I am struggling with, they aren't that hard anymore, because I know for one, God is listening to me, and for two, that he can make anything possible, and if he can make anything possible, then whatever my trials are, they are no problem for him to handle, which is such a comforting thought.

So, Today, I started to read the next book in the Bible, the Book of Luke. I have learned a very valuable (and perhaps funny) lesson for when reading the Bible: From now on I need to read it indoors, as I get so wrapped up in what I am reading, I tend to not focus on what is going on around me, in this instance, I did not realize I was slowly being turned from a very white person, to a cherry tomato. Needless to say, I need some aloe now. My poor shoulders.

Now, I did learn other things besides the whole 'sunburn' incident. The first thing I learned from the Book of Luke was the fact that John the Baptist and Jesus were actually relatives. I also learned, that the Angel Gabriel went to both John's father, and Jesus' Mother, to tell them that they were going to have a son. I also learned that John the Baptist is only about 6 to 7 months older the Jesus is, as the angel appeared to Mary 'in the sixth month of Elizabeth's (John's mother) pregnacy. For some reason, I always pictured John the Baptist a lot older then Jesus, by like 10 or so years. It is amazing to learn that they are so close together in age, also to learn that their mothers are practically like best friends!

As John starts to get older, he goes starts 'preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. When he sees crowds of people coming just to get baptized just so they can be saved, he warns them:

"You Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Luke 3:7-9

I actually had to read this passage a couple of times in order to get this fully. From what I understand, John is telling the people, 'You cannot be saved by baptism alone, you must also bear fruit, or spread the word to others, to help others come before the Lord and be baptized. You must walk with God, know him fully. You cannot say… Oh since I am baptized, I am saved, and go on living like you had before. You must make an effort to change, or else, what is the point of the baptism? If you do not change, will there really be any affect of it on you? I don't think so.

Mark, Chapter 13-16

I must confess that my earlier commitment to pray before meals is harder then I thought it would be. Being out of habbit from doing it for so long, I find myself forgetting to pray before almost every meal, or I remember when I already have a mouthful.
This is going to take a while. But I have confidence that I can do it. :)

Tonight, I read more then three chapters, because I came to what I believe are some of the more powerful passages in Mark. Chapters 13 through 16 predict what is going to happen to Earth, they tell of the Last Supper, The Betrayal, the Crucifiction, and the Reserurection of Jesus. I found that when reading it, I was unable to break away from it.

One of the most amazing things about the Bible, and especially in these four chapters, is the realization of how well it is able to 'tell what is going to come.' In Chapter 13, Jesus talked with a few of his disciples on when the end of age is going to come. This was a very interesting passage, as it talked about false prophets, people being prosecuted for believing in Jesus,

All men will hate you because of me, but he wo stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

and I think the most ominous prediction is:

the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Mark 13:24-25

I don't know about you... but that is some scary stuff! But then Jesus also says:

At that time men will see the Son of Man comeing in clouds with great power and glory. Mark 13:26

I think this is amazing that Jesus can reasure us of his coming again! What hope this brings!

After Chapter 13, comes more predictions, these, however, are not for the end of age, but for more immediate results. There was one passage that I thought was very interesting, Jesus actually told his disciples what they were going to find in the city... to the exact! He told them, when they enter, they are going to find a man with a jar of water. They are to follow this man who will lead them to a house, and in that house they will find a large room furnished and ready for him and his disciples to have the Last Supper. That is exactly what the men found too.

But Jesus doesn't stop there, as soon as they are sitting down, he tells the Disciples more predictions.

1. One of them is going to betray him
2. One of them is going to deny him... not once, not twice, but three times that night!

Of course Jesus was right, Judas betrayed him, and while Jesus was being condemned, Peter denied him three times.

I think the most disheartining things about when Jesus stood before Pilot, was the fact that the people wanted to crucify him so bad that they were willing to trade him for a murderer named Barabbus. They actually traded Jesus for him! How crazy is it to trade a known Murderer for someone who knows no sin? All I can say is wow.

And so... Jesus was crucified.
But.... three days later, he rose again!
I love what he says then:

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

And we all know from my last posting that whatever Jesus says is the truth

Mark, Chapter 10-12

Wow. What a blessing today has been. Even though today is a Monday (and we all know how much we all love mondays) I feel really blessed.

I woke up at 6:40 this morning and was out the door by 8 so I could turn in a Job Application for CPES. As soon as I turned in the application, I felt as if I got the job, and I was offered an interview of Friday. How amazing is that? In this day and age, it takes a long while to set up an interview after you put in an application, but I got one right away.

The second amazing thing which happened to me today was I found out that one of my friends is expecting their first child. I am very excited for them, and I pray that everything will go well with this first pregnancy.

The third thing that happened to me today was I breezed through my math test. What a blessing it was to go into that classroom today and have the confidence that I had to make it through my math test with ease?

I am blessed today.

I decided to read my Chapters in the the Bible a bit late in the afternoon today, as I could not find a good 'quiet time' to read. I found that when I read the Bible, I need it to be quiet, so I can reflect upon what I have read, and what it means to me. And so, after lunch, I went down to the basement of the education building at my College, and started to read.

There were a lot going on in these three chapters, a lot more people were starting to question Jesus, asking him where he gets 'his authority from.' I liked the fact that Jesus did not boast where he got his authority from, in fact, he didn't even answer their question, which was really amazing. I know that if it were me, I would like to boast.

There was one verse I really did like, maybe I liked it because I am going for a teaching degree to work with children, I don't know. But verse 14-15 in Chapter 10 spoke to me.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdome of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10: 14-15

Wow... what a powerfull statement. I tell you the truth anyone who will not receive the kingdome of God like a little child will never enter it.
I think it is hard for us to beleive something like this that we cannot see. Children, however, they are so innnocent, they believe. It isn't hard for them. You tell them there is a heaven, then there is a heaven for them. No 'ifs' or 'buts' it is the truth. We adults, question everything. Like 'If there is a heaven... then why can't I see it?' 'How can I believe in something that I cannot see?'

But there is a heaven. I know that, I know it because Jesus said it. He said I tell you the truth

I found in these three chapters, Jesus says I tell you the truth a lot of times. Another great example of this is in this verse:

"Have faith in God, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:22-25

How amazing is that? To have complete faith that someone could move a mountain. My favorite part of this quote though is what Jesus says about prayer. 'Believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.' I don't think that Jesus meant, "ask for that beyond awesome porche you've always wanted, and if you believe, then it is yours. But praying for things that we actually need, like confidence, wisdome, trusting, etc... we need to believe that God can give us these things. If we doubt him, then how can he give those gifts?

I also like what Jesus said about forgiving others before we ourselves ask for forgiveness. How can I expect God to forgive me of my wrong doings, if I cannot forgive someone eles of thier wrong doings? Learning to forgive can be a tough thing to do. But I think with prayer, we can learn. (which is a great thing to ask for in prayer!)

Mark, Chapter 7-9

First of all, I would like to start out by saying that I have decided I need to start praying more. I haven't been praying as much as I need to. In fact... I really haven't been praying at all since before I started this blog. Maybe just a prayer once a week. I think that is very sad. So, I have decided, not only am I going to start praying before and after reading my bible, but also before every meal, and before I go to sleep. I haven't done this in a long while, so it is going to be interesting to start it back up again. But I saw this the othre day that inspired me:

I was sitting alone in the McDonalds lobby, eating my dollar menu cheese burger, and fries when a group of teenagers walked into the building. They ordered thier meals septeratly, and one of the teens got his before the rest and sat down at a table close to mine. I expected him to start digging into his burger and fries, but he didn't... instead, he neatly folded his hands, bowed his head, and silently gave thanks for his meal. I was in shock, and ashamed. I looked down at my half eaten cheeseburger and fries, and realized that I hadn't given thanks for my meal...

How amazing is it to see someone give thanks for a meal in public? How much courage must they have to openly display thier faith like that? I have so much respect for that teenager, for he has courage. I want to be like that. So today, before I ate my honey kix cereal, I gave thanks.

Anyways, back to the main idea of this blog, which is reading the Bible. Today I read Mark, Chapters 7-9, and was again amazed by all the things that Jesus can do. I mean, not only did he feed four thousand people by just a couple loaves of bread, but he also cast out demon after demon after demon. How amazing is that? Jesus also said a lot of important things in these chapters (granted, EVERYTHING Jesus has to say IS important) but the one thing that really was important to me was in chapter 9.

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enterl ife maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell. -Mark 9:43-47

I don't think that this is literal, but I think what Jesus is trying to say is, if you know that something causes you to sin, you should avoid it at all costs. Like for instance, Lets say a person only watches television because they like to watch the adult programs that come on. This is a sin, and since they know that it is the temptation of having a television in thier home that makes them sin, then they should get rid of it.
I kinda learned this lesson the hard way. Instead of an object making me sin though, it was a person. I had a person in my life who made me think bad thoughts, thoughts that were out of my character. I figured though, since I really really cared for this person, then I shouldn't let them out of my life. God, though, probably (ok... I know for sure) didn't like what he was seeing, what could happen, if that person were to stay in my life. So, he took him out. Not Literally! But the person left my life, he said goodbye, and got onto a plane, and I have not seen or really talked to him since. I admit that since then, the bad thoughts have gone away, and I feel better. I really really feel better, mentally and physically. It is sort of like something was lifted out of me. At first I did not understand why God took him out of my life, and I was angry, but only for a while. Now I am very, very greatful. I cannot thank him enough.