March 8 - Obviously I haven't been keeping up with the notes, mainly because I don't feel anyone is really benefiting from them - if you want to hear about everything I am getting out of the readings, please let me know and I will make the time to type it all. There is so much. I am still just LOVING what I am reading. I have been reading every day and so today I finished November 21. What a kick in the pants todays reading was. I was reminded of something so important. Probably one of my biggest areas of failure, guilt, shame, etc is that I am not bold for Jesus. I am silent when I shouldn't be so much, and that is the same as denying his name. When I read Jesus saying that if I deny him, then he will deny me to the Father, it hits me hard. BUT - guess who else did that? Peter!!! And guess who is making tons of His name with the Holy Spirit driving him forward? Peter!!! So if it were just up to me I would be a lost cause and he would deny me to the father. But, he can still use me and I am praying that he does and that the Holy Spirit takes over and speaks through me despite myself. It is seriously so inspiring to read the reading today and see what Peter is doing and how he is proclaiming Jesus through it all. YAY PETER!! So excited that he was redeemed.
Feb 24 - Mar 2 (Nov 9 - 15) I've gotten behind on my notes! But today there was so much I wanted to share that I was moved by so here I am. Jesus is bringing his time here to a close today, and has so much wisdom he is passing on so there is so much to catch. He prays for his disciples and he prays for us. This is a passage I want to memorize from John 15:
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."
Something he said that we should discuss: "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin." I just thought this was worth discussing more.
Jesus also warns us that people will kill us and think they are doing a service to God. We've definitely seen this happening! Also, he tells us that the Spirit of truth will not speak on his own, but that he will speak only what he hears and that he will tell us what is yet to come. Interesting!
When Jesus prays for himself and separately for us, he talks about all of us who have been given to him. Love that. And he talks about the glory he had with God before the world began. Wow. He talks about how we were God's, and then God gave us to Jesus. He said "I pray for them". I love that!! He specifically said he wasn't praying for the world, but for those that God gave to him. And that glory came to him through us. Weird right? He prayed for our protection by the power of God's name. He said that he kept us safe while he was here. He also said that none has been lost except the one doomed to destruction. Is that Satan or any who don't believe in him? He says we are not of the world anymore than He is of the world. He asks that we be made holy by the Scriptures! That's intense. We better get in the word then! :)
He then says he is not only praying for the disciples that were there, but also for those who believe in him through the disciples message. That's us!!! Jesus prayed for you and for me right there in John. He says that God loves us just the same as he loves Jesus. What? That's HUGE! He says he wants us to be there with him and that God loved him before the creation of the world. Cray talk!
Feb 21 - 23 (Nov 6 - 8) Something I didn't realize about the story of the Good Samaritan before now is that just a short time before, it was Samaritans who rejected him just a short time before. Coupled with that and how much the Pharisees look look down on the Samaritans gives power to this parable by Jesus. I like the reminder that Jesus gives the 72 disciples when they've had success in driving out demons. I'm sure it was so exciting to have this new found power, but he commands them not to rejoice that the spirits submit to them, but rather rejoice that their names are written in heaven. In other words, rejoice that you have been saved - salvation is my ministry - not driving out demons (although that is one means I use to glorify God).
Another characteristic that Jesus labels himself with: he is gentle and humble in heart, and in him you will find rest for your souls. I love the picture of him being gentle, and later in the Nov 8th reading, him weeping. He was a man full of emotions and heart. He knows when to use great power to get our attention, and when to gently tap us or gently hold us in our hurt.
We get another reminder here that no one can snatch us out of God's hand, that we have been given to Jesus by God and it is PERMANENT. Did you hear that? That's why you can rest in him!!!! It's a done deal.
Nov 7 - I have pretty much only questions from this reading. I felt confused about a lot of it, so here we go. Jesus says, "How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." How does this fit into the context of sovereignty? I know the simple answer is that he longs for all of us to come to him, but there is more discussion to be had there. If you eer need a reminder about how important a lack of pride is to Jesus, read Luke 14: 7-11. In Luke 14:15-24 Jesus give the parable of the great banquet, and in this story there are many excuses why they aren't ready for him - they were getting married, they were focused on some exciting new things they just bought, etc. Jesus basically says "I don't care." You better be ready. Don't take your eye off the prize for any reason, at any time.
Next question is a verse I don't get: "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." I didn't feel like I really understood this verse.
About wealth Jesus says this, "Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." He also says that the Pharisees loved money. What did they do with their money, and what does using your worldly wealth to gain friends really look like?
Next question: When Jesus is discussing substance of law, he all of a sudden interjexts with a statement about divorce. It seemed out of place and I was confused. Anyone else?
And here is a story that is so scary to really think about. Lazarus has gone to heaven and the rich man has gone to hell. The rich man can see Lazarus where he is and begs to send Lazarus to his 5 brothers so that they could be warned about hell. Abraham tells him that they already have Moses and the prophets to give them that warning. But he says the begging of a dead man would be more impactful. Abraham says if they aren't going to listen to Moses and the prophets then they aren't going to listen to a dead man either. Their hearts were closed for business. So so scary.
Final thing from this day is Jesus talking to the vineyard workers. One started working early in the day and the other late in the day but they got paid the same. Our natural reaction is, no fair!! But guess what? Jesus can do what he wants when he wants. It is for him to decide.
Nov 8 - This reading starts out with the totally incredible story of Lazarus. First - Jesus said it would happen before it happened. Second, he made it happen so that God's son could be glorified through it. (that can so be applied today!). Third - Jesus cried when he saw how grieved Mary was. He is an empathetic Lord!! 4th, after Jesus raised a man from the dead that had been dead for 4 days (4 days!!!!!), the Pharisees, who did not believe he was who he said he was, admitted that his ministry was so powerful that they let him keep on everyone would be believe in him. Crazy right? Even they admitted Jesus was legit. So weird to think that at that point they were still so stubborn. Again, Jesus just raised a man from the dead that was dead for 4 days, and everyone saw it. Everyone saw a man coming out of the tomb, still wrapped in strips of linen and cloth around his face. I'd like to see the written accounts of all of the witnesses who saw this. Would be fascinating.
Feb 18 - 20 (Nov 4 & 5) I'm gonna start with Nov 5 because I didn't really take notes on the 4th since I had limited time for reading that day. And Nov 5 is PACKED with craziness.
Do you want to know why bad things happen to people? Jesus answers that questions in this reading!! I'll give you 3 choices:
a. Because of our sin
b. Because of our parents sin.
c. So that the work of God might be displayed in our life.
Let's let Jesus answer this one. In John 9, the disciples brought a man to him that had been blind from birth, and asked him if he was blind because of his sin or because of his parents sin. Jesus told them it happened for neither reason, but so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. How many times do people ask you this very question and we at times question it ourselves?? It is answered RIGHT HERE.
OK, onto the neverending arguing from the Pharisees with Jesus. Here we see another characteristic of Jesus. He can debate with the best of them and uses tons of logic in his arguing. Here is a summary:
Pharisees (P): Your testimony is not valid because you are appearing as your own witness. So there!
Jesus (J): In your own law it is written that the testimony of 2 men is valid. I testify for myself, and my other witness is my Father. So there!
P: Who are you?
J: Who I have been claiming all along.
J: If you believe and hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples and the truth will set you free.
P: We are from Abraham, and have never been slaves of anyone.
J: Everyone who sins is a slave and slaves have no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, but you do what you have heard from your father.
P: Abraham is our Father.
J: If Abraham were your father, then you would do what Abraham did. You are ready to kill me, and Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does! (OUCH!)
P: We are not illegitimate children. The only Father we have is God himself (attempt 2 to win the argument).
J: If God were your Father, you would love me because he sent me. AM I NOT CLEAR???
J: You are unable to hear me because your father is . . . . THE DEVIL HIMSELF. Yikes!
P: You are demon possessed. So there!
J: I am not demon possessed. If anyone keeps my word he will never see death.
P: HA! Now we know for sure that you are demon possessed! Everyone has died, even Abraham. Are you saying you are greater than him? (Really???? I mean I understand why they are confused, but he has just told about 10 times who he is and now they are asking if he thinks he is greater than Abraham)
J: If I glorify myself my glory means nothing. My Father is the one who glorifies me. I know him. If I said I didn't I would be a liar like you. (Ouch!!)
J: Your father Abraham (their words) rejoiced at the thought of seeing me. He saw it and he was glad.
P: You are not even 50 and yet you say you have seen Abraham???
J: Before Abraham was born, I am!
END OF DEBATE. Crazy right?
Back to Jesus talking about being a slave to sin. Slaves have no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. If the SON sets you free, you will be free forever. (It did not say if you stop sinning!!!)
Note that in John 8, it says, "The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." Did you notice which part of that came first?? You do not belong to God came first. Not us hearing first and then belonging to God. Think about that! :) It's dependent on him, not us. THANK GOODNESS.
A verse we can discuss more: "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
One more verse to discuss more: In john 10, it says, "I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this pen. I must bring them also." Not sure who this verse is referring to.
Feb 15 - 17 (Nov 2 & 3) From the Nov 2 reading I don't have much to comment on, except on the end of the reading. He was speaking to them in terms of yeast, but not really talking about yeast. They were taking it literally. How many times do we do this with the Bible? A lot! We need to pray that God will allow us to correctly interpret his words.
Nov 3 - lots of stuff packed in here! Um . . . how crazy is the tranfiguration?!?!? It is just nuts what happened there. And there were 3 witnesses who saw it, probably so that no one could claim it didn't happen. Lots to think about knowing Moses and Elijah were there speaking with him. That's kind of crazy. Before that I was just thinking about how Jesus told Peter he would build his church on him. There are 2 things that stood out to me. 1 - in the next paragraph Jesus called him Satan. 2- Jesus told Peter this knowing that Peter would deny him 3 times. Ever "denied" Jesus? I have for sure. Meaning I have had many times were friends were not honoring toward God and I didn't say anything. Not to worry - Im pretty sure he still loves you and can still use you - he can even use you to build his church! :) But . . . be warned, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Yikes!!!
I'm confused about the paragraph where the apostles are asking about Elijah and then they figure out Elijah is John the Baptist. Think I am going to need to look into this more.
OK - love this: a man brings his evil spirit filled son to Jesus and says, "If you can, please heal him". Jesus says - "If I can???" Everything is possible for him who believes. I was thinking, we shouldn't pray like this!!! Just a mental note. Acknowledge who He is and his power when you pray. In regards to the same issue, the disciples were confused about why they couldn't drive out the demon. Jesus said - this kind can only be driven out by prayer. I love that. Prayer is the ultimate power - we need to remember this!
Here is a fun story of what it feels like Jesus just having fun with his power. The disciples and Jesus enter Capernaum and the tax collectors want their 2 drachma tax for Jesus and Peter. Jesus says, well we don't really need to pay them, but so that we don't offend them, go fishing and the first fish you catch will have a 4 drachma coin. You can give them that for the tax. Isn't that funny??
OK last thing - Jesus says that the children "have their angels in heaven who always see the face of my Father in heaven." The children each have their own angels? I feel like I want to look into this more!
Feb 13 & 14 (Oct 31 & Nov 1) Here Jesus warns the disciples that men are going to have them over to the local councils to be flogged. Yet, they stayed. And Jesus reminds them that they when they are arrested they don't need to worry about what to say or how to say it because the Spirit of the Father will speak through them. Later in the reading, Jesus says to the disciplies, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. " This just made me happy. He says this to us so much! Rest in him and take a deep breath!
Nov 1 This reading starts with Jesus having compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd. I just thought it was interesting that this created a feeling of compassion. Then Jesus performs the miracle feeding 5000, and it says right after that that the disciples had not understood this as a miracle because there hearts were hardened! Be encouraged because if you have had a hardened heart at times, the disciplies experienced this after they saw Jesus first hand feed 5000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. I mean really, does this even make any sense? It wasn't until, wait for it, they saw Jesus walk on water and call Peter to walk on water that they then said, "Truly, you are the Son of God". CRAZY PEOPLE!!! :)
In this reading it says ALL who touched him were healed. Not some, but ALL. How can you then not believe? And here is the definition of works as defined by Jesus: To believe in the one who has been sent!! He says whoever comes to him he will NEVER drive away. The will of God is that Jesus loses no one that God has given him, but that Jesus raises them up on the last day.
I do have compassion for the disciples when Jesus tells them they have to drink his blood and eat his flesh. These are a literal, blacka nd white people, and they are pretty much grossed out. After this instruction, many turned away. Many turned away at this point. I can just hear the conversations now, "Why did you walk away? Well, did you hear he said we have to eat his flesh?? That's where I draw the line." Then, for the disciples that remained, he calls one of them a devil. And the scriptures leave it there. I'm sure the disciples were freaking.
And the thing that stood out to me most from this reading: Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe and who would betray. And said "No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." Did you catch that? The Father initiates your acceptance of and belief in Jesus. I've missed this verse for 37 years.
Feb 11& 12 (Oct 29 & 30) - On Oct 29th, I didn't have a lot to say about it, since Jesus was telloing parables and then straight up interpreting them for the disciplies. It was pretty black and white. It is interesting though that the parables seemed pretty straight forward, yet it says that he speaks in these parables so that some won't understand. They are so focused I think on not believing that basically choose not to hear what is saying. Happens all the time today.
Oct 30th - WHen Jesus sent the demons into the pigs and the pigs then drowned themselves, the people asked Jesus to leave their region. You would think that they would be happy to see Jesus heal this crazy man of his demons, but I'm thinking it must have been a big deal to lose 2000 pigs and so they wanted him to go away. There is another verse that says "when Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake", I was wondering if he kept doing that to be alone. Does Jesus have claustrophobia? :)
In this reading we also see the relation between people being healed and not being healed due to their faith or lack of faith. He healed the woman who had bled for 12 years because she believed he could heal her. He raised Jairus's daughter from the dead because Jairus believed he could. (Note - anyone else think it's crazy that the people were WAILING due to her death and when Jesus said the daughter was asleep, not dead, they started laughing? I'm trying to imagine this scene.) At the end of the reading, it sayd "he could not" do any miracles and that he was amazed at their lack of faith. Second time I've seen Jesus being "amazed" and wanting to understand more about it saying "he could not" since Jesus is clearly not dependent on us for his works. Any thoughts?
Feb 10 (Oct 28) - Today we learn so much about what Jesus values and how he would respond to certain things and certain people today . . . this reading starts out with the Pharisees questioning Jesus because he didn't follow their rule of washing before the meal. He responds with much frustration telling them that they clean up on the outside but in the inside they are gross. If they want to be clean, give to the poor. They love to be important and they serve themselves and no one else. He basically tells them they are as good as dead.
And get th is - I love that they say . . . "Umm . . . Jesus? You have insulted us. Duh!!! Jesus carries on, and tells them that they have burdened the people with sooooo many rules and have made it so difficult for them to obey, and in addition they don't even try to help. Today so many people believe this is what religion is about!!! Right? They think it is about following rules, and they give up because it's too hard. Well they are right and Jesus said it right here! Jesus is about Jesus, which is mercy and love, not rules. He hates the rules if they become the object.
Later he discusses fear of man (a personal major struggle of mine so I was CONVICTED). He says, don't be afraid of man. Even if they kill you, after that they can do no more. Their work is done, and that is where Gods work continues and will be forever. Fear God, who has the power to throw you into hell. Whoa. In their language at the time, 5 sparrows are sold for 2 pennies, and not one of the sparrows is forgotten. I will not forget you - even the hairs on your head are numbered!! (I tell my kids this all the time and their eyes get huge). DON"T BE AFRAID OF THEM is what he is saying. They got nothin on you. And this is the verse I want to memorize: "When you are brought before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
And one other thing he said that saddened me so much. And may surprise you. Do you think Jesus came to bring peace? The answer is no. He says, "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? Nope. Division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. That is heavy and makes me hurt. :( Time to pray.
Feb 8&9 (Oct 26 & 27) - Jesus gives the sermon on the mount in this reading and part of it was discussing anxiety, which resonates with me since I feel a lot of anxiety at times! I love that he says - don't worry about your life or what you will eat, etc. He points out how gorgeous the lilies are but the lilies don't do a thing for that beauty (that comes from God), and yet the next day they are just blown away. And he says not even Solomon, richest man in all of history, ever, was as beautiful as the lilies. If God clothes the lilies so beautifully and then blows them away without a care, how much more will he take care of you, who he loves dearly and will never blow away? He says that he knows that you need these things, and each day has enough trouble of its own - don't add to it unnecessarily! So true!! And . . . if you who are evil know how to love on your children, how much more will God, who is only good, love you and bestow great gifts on you?
I'm a bit focused on something that was said for the second time in this reading, which is "he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." I wish I knew more what that meant?
Oct 27 - So, the centurions slave was healed. And it says that Jesus was amazed by the centurion. I don't get yet really why Jesus was amazed, and I definitely need to read this more. I want a good understanding of the type of person Jesus is amazed by! Hear his compassion here: A widows only son was dead, and when Jesus saw her he said - "Don't cry," So sweet. I can just hear it now. So much compassion for her in her loneliness and sorrow.
I've had questions about heaven because the Bible references so many times that "At that time . . ." the dead will rise and go to heaven. But here in Matthew it says, From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it. Confirmation that heaven is happening right now. I could also have a whole discussion on the passage in Luke that discussed baptism.
In Luke 7, Jesus was at dinner with a Pharisee and a woman came behind Jesus and poured perfume on his feet and kissed them. The Pharisee was THINKING, not saying, if Jesus was prophet he would know who was behind him, a sinful woman. And Jesus replied to his THOUGHTS, "Um . . . simon? I have something to tell you." That just really made me laugh. Like, "Simon? Idiot? Let me tell you what's up. I can hear what you are thinking!!!"
This reading was full of interesting writing . . . I didn't have enough time to get it all down!
Feb 7 (October 25) This reading was focused on the Pharisees and their dedication to the law and the Sabbath, and sometimes at the expense of people. They were a very black and white people. Example 1: Jesus was eating on the Sabbath with a group of tax collectors. They got upset, and Jesus basically said, if you were at a wedding on the Sabbath, you would eat on that day of celebration. You would fast later. In the same way they are with me, the bridegroom, now. They can fast later. Example 2: On the Sabbath his disciples were going through the fields and picking heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees were quick to point out they were working on the Sabbath. Jesus response was - I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Hve mercy toward others - if they are hungry they should eat! Stop focusing on the law above people!) I love that he also said the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. Example 3: On the Sabbath yet again, (are they ever going to get it?), he went to the synygogue where a man had a shriveled hand. Jesus said - if your sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath - you would get it out. In the same way - I am going to help this man and prioritize him over the law! Which is better? to save life or kill on the Sabbath? They had no response, and Jesus is like - SERIOUSLY??? Who are you? YOU DON'T GET IT! And he healed the man. There were other examples in todays reading as well. He definitely has a point to make.
One last note: John 5 says "The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son." This is yet another trait of Jesus, and I can see why the Pharisees were not totally pleased with him. This must have blown their minds.
Week of February 6. October 24 - 29 from "The Daily Bible"
Feb 6 (October 24): Mt 4:12-25, Mk 1:14-45, Lk 4:14-30, Lk 5:1-11, Lk 4:31, 32, Lk 4:33-37, Mt 8:14-17, Lk 4:38-39, Lk 4:40-44, Mt 8:1-4, Lk 5:12-26, Mt 9:1-8, Mk 2:1-12
"Gracious" is a term I reserve for the most kind people and this is the term the people are using to describe Jesus in Luke 4. So gracious, yet so much command - with a word the demons exit people. He is a healer, and in Matthew 4 it says he healed severe pain and this so resonated with me. In Mark he is described as compassionate, and in Mark 2 he is reading minds. This is someone I definitely want to be friends with. :)
Starting Week of January 30th . . . Chronological Readings . . . starting in the New Testament
Mark 1:1, John 1:1-18, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23b-38, Luke 1:5-80, Matthew 1:18 - 25a, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:25b, Luke 2:21-38.
