Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

P31-Proverbs Chapter 4

I'm starting to have a little trouble differentiating between the different contexts of wisdom. It is starting to seem like the same message. I guess maybe it seems as though this chapter is exploring the benefits of wisdom more than encouraging one to seek wisdom. Ultimately, the message is still clear to me. Seek to gain knowledge and understanding, and you will find the will and hand of God. Continue to gain wisdom and aggressively search it out and the path God intends you to walk will be clear with no gray area. We can use the wisdom of God to build our relationship with him. Which is his greatest desire! I pray that God will clear my mind and make his intended message for each of these chapters plan for me to see.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

P31-Proverbs Chapter 3

Ok, so to me, this chapter carries on the central theme from chapter one just with some additional perspective. Beyond that I think it really throws several small yet clear points at you. Of these, the basis for the discipline of God is what stood out. I mean how many of us have said or thought or maybe heard from someone else how hard our parents were on us when we were kids and although we resented them for it then, we are so greatful for it now that we are adults? Exactly. So my aim is to be greatful for God's loving discipline now with the understanding that I know I will be greatful for it at some point in the future of God's choosing. This reminds me of a quote in George W. Bush's book Decision Points. He said "Eventually their patient love affected me. When you know you have unconditional love, there is no point in rebellion and no need to fear failure. I was free to follow my instincts, enjoy my life, and love my parents as much as they loved me." I feel that applies perfectly to God as well. How awesome is it that God loves us enough to disciple us so that we can mature and grow strong in the ways of Christ!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

P31-Proverbs Chapter 2

As you can tell by the gap between my post on Proverbs chapter one and this one, I still have a long way to go in improving my discipline of spending time in the word daily and journaling my thoughts. In my defense, I do have a couple other bible readings and small group studies going on. But in either case, I am going to continue to get better with my disciple.

So on to Proverbs chapter two. I think I have a couple thoughts here. First, on a secular level, I am a huge proponent of this message. I whole heartedly believe that we each have a responsibility to continually educate ourselves both on the world around us and in our general knowledge and that to do so empowers us to make wise, responsible decisions as we interact with the rest of humanity. I believe this to be an aspect of what is being prescribed here. I find the primary intention of this chapter is that we build our knowledge in the word and the ways of Christ so that we can conduct ourselves as closely to Gods's will for us as possible. I think the other key point, is that if we focus and strive to live up to that, we will have the wisdom to identify and avoid those people, situations and circumstances that would tempt us to leave the path which God has laid out for us.
Now earlier I said that I felt secular knowledge and wisdom were an aspect of the central theme of this chapter. I will leave that statement to stand as is with the following disclaimer. The leading force needs to be biblical knowledge so that we have the tools and the information to reconcile the two together to ensure that we do not become wise in those ways of the world that would lead us away from the will of Christ. Furthermore, we have to be humble and use humility in our use of knowledge and understand that it is a gift from God. We are not the source of intellect and it's purpose is not to fill our own ego or to give us an inflated sense of our own worth.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

P31-Proverbs Chapter 1

Ok, so I got through four chapters of John while the rest of the church blasted all 21. Today, as a church we are starting the P31 reading challenge. I am going to start fresh and pray that I do A LOT better job of staying caught up! Lol. I am still going to complete John. I just want to stay with the church so I can stay in fellowship with the group.

Proverbs 1-
I think the message here is very clear. Knowledge is really the key to everything. We should continually be seeking knowledge which will bring us wisdom in God and thus peace and joy in or lives. Additionally, we should be avoiding people and influences that would lead us in ways that are unwise. If we continue to grow and mature spiritually through study and meditation, we will build our relationship with God and increase the extent to which our decisions are in close alignment with what God would choose for us to do.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

John Chapter 4

So this chapter clearly had two parts. Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman and Jesus healing the child in Galilee. When Jesus meets the woman at the well, I am trying to understand why she was hesitant. I am not sure whether Jews feel Samaritans are below them, or vice-versa. But then, when Jesus reveals to the woman who he is and tells her about her past marriage failures, I think he is healing her from the pain of her mistakes. Then she witnesses to the people in the town who are also brought to Jesus and become believers. So Jesus not only healed this woman, but he also gave her life, through her witnessing, the highest purpose our lives can have. Bringing people to Jesus and salvation.
Then the man comes to him for the physical healing of his son. Here I wonder Jesus' thoughts. He says that "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe." Was this annoying to him, or did he just understand the nature of man? What I love here is that even though you can sense the desperation the man has, he does not question at all when Jesus tells him that his son will be fine. He believes and goes to his son. That is the faith I want to have. I think we all trend to question our faith when trouble comes into our lives instead of trusting completely and giving all of our faith to God. That is my prayer. That I give to him all that I am and all that I have. All of my troubles and all of my victories and trust wholly in Him to do his will for my life.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

John Chapter 3

In reading chapter 3 in the book of John, I really had to go back through to see what it was God wanted me to gain from it. Pastor Kerry's coaching was helpful as well. 2 things that I take away from this reading. 1-While our earthly bodies are "born" exclusively at the very beginning of our lives, we are never too old, and thus it is never too late for our spiritual birth in Christ. And only by accepting, through our spiritual rebirth, God's free gifts of grace and salvation, can we be saved! 2-Religion will not lead you on the path towards heaven. You can not get there by knowing enough, by doing enough good throughout your life, our by giving enough of your time, talent and treasure. None of us can out give God. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ that will give our lives purpose and through which we may obtain everlasting life. Thank you God for love, patience and mercy.

God Bless you all.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5