There is something I've been reflecting on...
I was wondering why so many countries are so dead-set against Jesus Christ. Why is it illegal to follow Him to the point of torture, imprisonment, and yes, even death?
Why the fear of Jesus when they could receive peace like never before?
Is it the fear of change? Change in the way they think. Fear in the change of losing something? Like greed or power? Or, is it because they lived in darkness for so long that the light blinds them?
Are they afraid of what's been in their hearts? The darkness and the ugliness of sin? Are they afraid of what the light will reveal in them. The truth of who they really are.
Are they afraid to let others see where they are most vulnerable and weak?
Are they so insecure that they have to crush others?
Is this why the Pharisees and the Sadducees wanted to put Christ to death? Because of their fear of change? Because they knew the light would show their darkness and ugliness within their hearts.
Were they afraid to face the truth? The truth about who they really were?
Sinners like the rest of us.
Were they afraid if the truth about what was really in their hearts cease to make them to lose their standing and public praise?
No wonder Jesus Christ said, "Do Not Fear."
Fear can cripple and rob.
It can destroy.
It can cause panic and confusion.
It could lead to destruction.
No wonder FEAR is not from Jesus and why it is from Satan.
There is no LIFE in fear.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Religious Groups in New Testament
There are many religious groups found in the New Testament.
The most well-known are: Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. Numerous parties, denominations, or sects arose from these groups.
The religious groups were concerned about losing their TRADITION AND TEMPLE.
They would compete for:
*religious prestige and authority
*political power
*recognition as being wise, wealthy
*the satisfaction they were really "right"
Most differences between Jewish groups resulted from their distinctive traditions.
The Main Groups of People in New Testament:
The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes were also laying claim to Israel's heritage.
The Essenes eventually dropped out of public life and became a network of close-knit communities.
Pharisees and Sadducees competed for control of Sandhedrin (governing body). The Sadducees were dominant (Acts 5:17) by the 1st century.
DETAILS ON THE GROUPS:
Sadducees:
The most well-known are: Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. Numerous parties, denominations, or sects arose from these groups.
The religious groups were concerned about losing their TRADITION AND TEMPLE.
They would compete for:
*religious prestige and authority
*political power
*recognition as being wise, wealthy
*the satisfaction they were really "right"
Most differences between Jewish groups resulted from their distinctive traditions.
The Main Groups of People in New Testament:
- Pharisees: most influential group
- Sadducees: came from aristocratic families-rich, most people didn't like them
- Essenes: group of close-knit communities, involuntarily shared all things in common
- Ordinary Jews: devoted to their nation and religion
- Those Devoted to God: most of Jesus' followers arose from this group (the Jewish leaders, with contempt, regarded them as "this crowd that does not know the law" (John 7:49) people in this group included: Zechariah + Elizabeth, Joseph + Mary, Simeon, Anna
The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes were also laying claim to Israel's heritage.
The Essenes eventually dropped out of public life and became a network of close-knit communities.
Pharisees and Sadducees competed for control of Sandhedrin (governing body). The Sadducees were dominant (Acts 5:17) by the 1st century.
DETAILS ON THE GROUPS:
Sadducees:
- included high priest, Caiaphas) (AD 18-36)
- primarily wealthy, priestly families in Jerusalem
- unfriendly, unpopular, even unfriendly to one another
- could be cruel judges
- James killed by them
- probably only accepted Pentateuch (1st 5 books of the bible)
Essenes:
- shared all things in common including food and clothing
- Jerusalem church adopted a similar way of life except giving was voluntary
- strict, dressed in white linen, strictly observed the Sabbath
Pharisees:
- 3 schools: Shammai, Hillel, Gamaliel (Paul studied under Gamaliel)
- concerned about proper administration of temple
- the 3 schools tried to shape religious life of the ordinary Jew through the dissemination of their TRADITIONS
- see parable of Pharisee and Tax Collector-reference: Luke 18:9-14 and Matt. 23:23-seek justice, mercy, and faithfulness and Phil 3:9-don't seek a righteousness of my own-Jesus said unless your righteousness EXCEEDS that of the Pharisees and Scribes
- scribes: a separate group from Pharisees, interpreters of Torah
experts in theological matters that the Torah raised, interpreters as well
note: Jesus prohibits his disciples from using "titles" that in a spirit that wrongly exalted leaders and reinforced human pride (as the Pharisees did)
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Baptism
Dear Julia~
I am so thankful, excited, humbled, that you have chosen to identify with Jesus and be baptized. I know it is not easy for you to get up in front of people...oh boy, do I know the fear of man. We have a high view of ourselves all too often. Work on it in secret with the Lord, for it's a heart issue, a worship issue, not a people issue. Here are some things I found on baptism, from which I will be sharing with you. I wanted to record them here, should the Lord grant you others to love and teach about baptism.
Love you.
Baptism-article #1-Piper
I am so thankful, excited, humbled, that you have chosen to identify with Jesus and be baptized. I know it is not easy for you to get up in front of people...oh boy, do I know the fear of man. We have a high view of ourselves all too often. Work on it in secret with the Lord, for it's a heart issue, a worship issue, not a people issue. Here are some things I found on baptism, from which I will be sharing with you. I wanted to record them here, should the Lord grant you others to love and teach about baptism.
Love you.
Baptism-article #1-Piper
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Never in Comparison
Dear Julia~
This urging others, encouraging others to move forward. It's never a race against another sister. Your toes will never be placed beside the toes of another in your walk with Christ. To encourage a sister in Christ, is to encourage her to look more deeply into Christ, to walk more closely with Him. The wisest sister will point her sister to Christ and encourage her push deep into Christ. Julia, this walk is never a walk of comparing yourself with others, whether you're lowering your God-given image in relation to another or raising self against them. Being jealous and breeding jealousy-all the same.
The Creator, Christ Himself, God, made each of you in the image of Himself.
Learn this: Be thankful for the way He made you. You will find your deepest satisfaction in glorifying Him with your life, not the life of someone else. Enjoy Him. Enjoy the life He's given you. Enjoy your curly hair and brown eyes. Enjoy being short-at least for now :-) Enjoy being able to twist and bend that body in ways my body has never seen. Ride a horse like you mean it. Sing with voice He's given. Play chords with fingers He's fashioned. All of life is a gift, Julia. All of the gifts echo who He is. Search for Him. Seek Him with all your heart~He promises you'll be found by Him.
Much love~
Mama
This urging others, encouraging others to move forward. It's never a race against another sister. Your toes will never be placed beside the toes of another in your walk with Christ. To encourage a sister in Christ, is to encourage her to look more deeply into Christ, to walk more closely with Him. The wisest sister will point her sister to Christ and encourage her push deep into Christ. Julia, this walk is never a walk of comparing yourself with others, whether you're lowering your God-given image in relation to another or raising self against them. Being jealous and breeding jealousy-all the same.
The Creator, Christ Himself, God, made each of you in the image of Himself.
Learn this: Be thankful for the way He made you. You will find your deepest satisfaction in glorifying Him with your life, not the life of someone else. Enjoy Him. Enjoy the life He's given you. Enjoy your curly hair and brown eyes. Enjoy being short-at least for now :-) Enjoy being able to twist and bend that body in ways my body has never seen. Ride a horse like you mean it. Sing with voice He's given. Play chords with fingers He's fashioned. All of life is a gift, Julia. All of the gifts echo who He is. Search for Him. Seek Him with all your heart~He promises you'll be found by Him.
Much love~
Mama
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Jesus
For to us a child is born,
and to us a son is given;
and the government shall be on his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of peace.
~Isaiah 9:6
Friday, August 23, 2013
On Friendship...
This quote was passed along to me today, Julia. I wanted to share it with you. I'm paraphrasing:
The glory of friendship is the spiritual inspiration that comes to the one when she discovers someone believes in her and is willing to trust her with her friendship.
Memorizing and Meditating Upon Today: Ps. 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits.
The glory of friendship is the spiritual inspiration that comes to the one when she discovers someone believes in her and is willing to trust her with her friendship.
Memorizing and Meditating Upon Today: Ps. 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Goodness of Singleness and Marriage
Dear Julia (and Amy and Zaundra)~
Reading The Meaning of Marriage. So many good things about marriage and singleness. Wanted to share some of it with you (and a song at the end)...
1. Jesus and Paul, were both joyfully single. Paul believed and taught that singleness is good (1 Cor. 7) and in many circumstances, better than marriage.
2. Single adult Christians bear testimony that God, not family, is our hope. They trust that God gives us our truest family-the church-so you never lack for brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, in Christ.
3. Singleness is not Plan B. Check yourself. Are you believing any of the following Myths?
Myth #1: I must be satisfied with God alone. Then, God will bring me someone great.
Remember: God doesn't need you to get your act together to bless you. You'll never be perfect. God's not real interested in works-based anything. However, God will certainly continue to mold and shape you. Walk with Him in obedience, step by step.
Myth #2: I'm too picky.
Remember: God's never been swayed by our finicky feelings and attitudes. He's sovereign. He's bigger than your pickiness.
Myth #3: You have to be single to fully commit yourself to the Lord's work.
Remember: Marriage is a reflection of the gospel. You and your husband can work together for Christ and His Mission of making disciples of all nations.
Myth #4: Before you marry someone wonderful, the Lord needs to make you someone wonderful.
Remember: You're already wonderful because of Christ.
Quote I loved: I am not single b/c I am too spiritually unstable to possibly deserve a husband, nor b/c I am too spiritually mature to possibly need one. I am single b/c God is so abundantly good to me, because this is his best for me. ~Paige Benton Brown
4. Non-Western Culture's hope is built on family. Western Culture's hope is built on romance. Just ask Disney Filmmakers.
5. Marriage was created to be a reflection on the human level of our ultimate love relationship and union with the Lord.
6. Demote marriage and family in your heart, put God first, and begin to enjoy the goodness of single life.
7. Who you marry will impact your church, family, and will speak to a lost and dying world, as a reflection of the gospel.
I wrote this song a while back and really do love the lyrics the Lord developed in my mind. I really do love my husband and marriage. I really do love the Lord first.
I love you, girls. May you wholly devote yourself to the only One who is worthy.
Reading The Meaning of Marriage. So many good things about marriage and singleness. Wanted to share some of it with you (and a song at the end)...
1. Jesus and Paul, were both joyfully single. Paul believed and taught that singleness is good (1 Cor. 7) and in many circumstances, better than marriage.
2. Single adult Christians bear testimony that God, not family, is our hope. They trust that God gives us our truest family-the church-so you never lack for brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, in Christ.
3. Singleness is not Plan B. Check yourself. Are you believing any of the following Myths?
Myth #1: I must be satisfied with God alone. Then, God will bring me someone great.
Remember: God doesn't need you to get your act together to bless you. You'll never be perfect. God's not real interested in works-based anything. However, God will certainly continue to mold and shape you. Walk with Him in obedience, step by step.
Myth #2: I'm too picky.
Remember: God's never been swayed by our finicky feelings and attitudes. He's sovereign. He's bigger than your pickiness.
Myth #3: You have to be single to fully commit yourself to the Lord's work.
Remember: Marriage is a reflection of the gospel. You and your husband can work together for Christ and His Mission of making disciples of all nations.
Myth #4: Before you marry someone wonderful, the Lord needs to make you someone wonderful.
Remember: You're already wonderful because of Christ.
Quote I loved: I am not single b/c I am too spiritually unstable to possibly deserve a husband, nor b/c I am too spiritually mature to possibly need one. I am single b/c God is so abundantly good to me, because this is his best for me. ~Paige Benton Brown
4. Non-Western Culture's hope is built on family. Western Culture's hope is built on romance. Just ask Disney Filmmakers.
5. Marriage was created to be a reflection on the human level of our ultimate love relationship and union with the Lord.
6. Demote marriage and family in your heart, put God first, and begin to enjoy the goodness of single life.
7. Who you marry will impact your church, family, and will speak to a lost and dying world, as a reflection of the gospel.
I wrote this song a while back and really do love the lyrics the Lord developed in my mind. I really do love my husband and marriage. I really do love the Lord first.
I love you, girls. May you wholly devote yourself to the only One who is worthy.
Holy Love (The Bride’s Song)
Verse 1
I long to be
your crown
My heart and
strength laid down
To follow
you on this narrow road
As you lead
us in our home.
Verse 2
By the power
of the cross
And the
blood-bought gift of grace
Forgiveness
will be spoken here
Because of
“Jesus in Our Place”
Chorus
May it be
said of me
That your
heart trusts in me
May I be the
wife
That God
sees me to be
May it be
said of us
It’s for the
glory of
Our One True
God
And His
covenant love.
Verse 3
I come here
to the altar
This place
of sacrifice
I give up
all of who I am
To be your
friend, your love, your wife
Bridge:
This one
flesh,
A reflection
of…
Christ and
His Church
A holy love
(x2)
…He died for
His bride (back to “May it be said of us…)
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