Mon, Jan 17 - Genesis 34:1-35:29, Matthew 12:46-13:17; Psalm 10:1-11
Tues, Jan 18 - Genesis 36:1-37:36, Matthew 13:18-35, Psalm 10:12-18.
Wed, Jan 19 - Gen 38:1-39:23, Matt 13:36-58, Psalm 11:1-7
Thurs, Jan 20 - Gen 40:1-41:40, Matt 14:1-21, Proverbs 2:12-22
Fri, Jan 21 - Gen 41:41-42:38, Matt 14:22-15:9, Psalm 12:1-8
Sat, Jan 22 - Gen 43:1-44:34, Matt 15:10-39, Psalm 13:1-6
Sun, Jan 23 - Gen 45:1-47:12, Matt 16:1-20, Psalm 14:1-7
Don't feel like you have to read all of these passages; if you have more time on certain days than others then, sure, read them all. At least pick one passage a day and read it. And do not be scared of the Old Testament passage. It is not boring like some of us grow up hearing; in fact, it is quite the opposite. You want to see God reveal Himself to people in a physical form, then read the Old Testament. And do you know how many people still didn't believe in Him? God is so patient with us.
If you need help making these passages Devotionals and not just readings, use the following acronym to ask questions.
S = Is there a Sin to Avoid?
P = Promise to keep from God?
A = Attitude to change?
C = Command to follow?
E = Example to follow?
Look forward to reading your comments.
Monday, January 17, 2011
What are you learning?
Okay, I know it has been 8 days since the last blog; so I decided to do something a bit different. I set myself up for failure when I told myself I woul blog everyday (which is still my long-term goal), but I want to make it a little easier for all of us to succeed. At the beginning of every week, I will give you the readings for a week; therefore, if I do not get to blog one day, you still have a reading for the day. I really want you to share your comments on those daily readings as well. I want you to share what you learned, how God used it in your life that day or that week. I want to know how He changed a belief you once had and now know that is not God's way,and I will share with you the same. Please ask the tough questions; admitting to unbelief or misunderstandings is really okay. In Mark 9:24 a desperate man asked Jesus " help my unbelief." This whole thing is about helping you walk with God in a personal relationship daily; this blog is about walking together and making a relationship with God real. Do you always understand what your best friend, family member, spouse, or even you do all the time? No! (and if you do, can you teach me how?) At least God understands Himself.
Also, maybe you are in the middle of a Bible Study and it is too much to read the passages I give you; please share what you are learning elsewhere, or feel free to ask questions here that you may not want to ask in front of your Bible Study Group. When God teaches you; He wants you to help others with it as well.
For instance, on Wednesday, January 12, I read Matthew 10:1-31with verse 8 really catching my eye. This is when Jesus sends out his disciples to do what he has been doing. He gives them the following instructions:
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give."
And I prayed, "Father, how can I apply this in today's world?" I know I don't have the gift of healing currently, or raising the dead at this time. Jesus was telling them to not charge people for these services; for they were freely given these gifts. Well, on Friday, I was talking to a client of mine who inherited money from a relative, and she was telling me the story of how she just freely gives it to those who will not squander the money, she does not charge interest, and even though her family may tell her they will pay her back she gives not expecting it back. That is where the Holy Spirit knocked me upside the head with a spiritual 2x4; she freely received and now she freely gives. God gives things to us to give back to Him and use it for His glory. I shared that verse with her and we had a great discussion on the verse. Now, to follow this story; be careful of those you see on television who will sell you a "healing rock" or "holy handkerchief" with miracle powers; or that say if you give this much God will bring healing and happiness. If these people have the true gift of healing, according to scripture they are to freely give it. Don't be deceived.
There is a difference between charging for gifts God has freely given someone and being paid for a full time ministry position; so please do not take the above and turn it around. That same passage in verse 10 says that "a worker is worthy of his support." There is a difference. So support your church staff; but be careful of those who charge for their "miracles."
Also, maybe you are in the middle of a Bible Study and it is too much to read the passages I give you; please share what you are learning elsewhere, or feel free to ask questions here that you may not want to ask in front of your Bible Study Group. When God teaches you; He wants you to help others with it as well.
For instance, on Wednesday, January 12, I read Matthew 10:1-31with verse 8 really catching my eye. This is when Jesus sends out his disciples to do what he has been doing. He gives them the following instructions:
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give."
And I prayed, "Father, how can I apply this in today's world?" I know I don't have the gift of healing currently, or raising the dead at this time. Jesus was telling them to not charge people for these services; for they were freely given these gifts. Well, on Friday, I was talking to a client of mine who inherited money from a relative, and she was telling me the story of how she just freely gives it to those who will not squander the money, she does not charge interest, and even though her family may tell her they will pay her back she gives not expecting it back. That is where the Holy Spirit knocked me upside the head with a spiritual 2x4; she freely received and now she freely gives. God gives things to us to give back to Him and use it for His glory. I shared that verse with her and we had a great discussion on the verse. Now, to follow this story; be careful of those you see on television who will sell you a "healing rock" or "holy handkerchief" with miracle powers; or that say if you give this much God will bring healing and happiness. If these people have the true gift of healing, according to scripture they are to freely give it. Don't be deceived.
There is a difference between charging for gifts God has freely given someone and being paid for a full time ministry position; so please do not take the above and turn it around. That same passage in verse 10 says that "a worker is worthy of his support." There is a difference. So support your church staff; but be careful of those who charge for their "miracles."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Today's Reading - Genesis 19:1-20:18, Matthew 7:24 - 8:22, Psalms 7:1-9
(By the way, the reading plan that I give you is based a Bible Reading Plan where you can read the Bible through in a year. This particular Bible Reading Plan is published by International Bible Society and is called Seasons of Reflection. I have seen this book on sale on Amazon.com for as low as $2.95/book. Great Price! I recommend ordering one just in case I don't get to blog everyday and you want to continue reading through the Bible in a year.)
So far today, I have only read the Matthew passage. The verses that the Lord made stand out to me is 8:2, 6, 14-15. Now, since I sat down at the beginning of this year and just prayed that God would show me how to live this year for Him, I have been praying these 3 things before I read God's Word. First, that He will show me how to seek His face more and not just read the Bible; second, that he will show me how to be a more godly wife. And thirdly, that he will show me how to be a better leader and servant for those I supervise. The Lord is so amazing because since I have prayed that prayer he has made verses that I have read over and over seem brand new to me. Such as these verses in Matthew.
8:2 - "A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'"
-Do you know that all things are possible with God? Do you know what this man just asked? He didn't ask, "Lord if you can make me clean, please do it." He asked the Lord "if you are willing, please do it." When you pray to the Lord for your healing or someone else's healing, do you pray with doubt that He can do it? Or do you come to Him knowing He can but asking is He willing? And if He is not, are you still willing to trust Him?
8:6 - "'Lord,' he said, 'my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
- Here is a centurion that cares so much for his servant that he brings the issue to the Lord because he knows that Jesus can heal him. As a manager of a bank, I need to care for those who I manage; I can serve them by praying for them and bringing their issues to the Lord. So for me I need to care enough for my team members to pray for them.
8:14-15 - "When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law laying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on Him."
- I need to pray for those closest to me and their families. The Disciples were those Jesus was closest to and he healed their families. I don't know about you, but I treat those closest to be the worst because I expect them to understand and love me no matter what; yet I am to be Christ-like, therefore, I must care for those closest to me and their families.
What about you? On what passage did you focus, and what stood out the most to you?
Happy Reading and Obeying!
(By the way, the reading plan that I give you is based a Bible Reading Plan where you can read the Bible through in a year. This particular Bible Reading Plan is published by International Bible Society and is called Seasons of Reflection. I have seen this book on sale on Amazon.com for as low as $2.95/book. Great Price! I recommend ordering one just in case I don't get to blog everyday and you want to continue reading through the Bible in a year.)
So far today, I have only read the Matthew passage. The verses that the Lord made stand out to me is 8:2, 6, 14-15. Now, since I sat down at the beginning of this year and just prayed that God would show me how to live this year for Him, I have been praying these 3 things before I read God's Word. First, that He will show me how to seek His face more and not just read the Bible; second, that he will show me how to be a more godly wife. And thirdly, that he will show me how to be a better leader and servant for those I supervise. The Lord is so amazing because since I have prayed that prayer he has made verses that I have read over and over seem brand new to me. Such as these verses in Matthew.
8:2 - "A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'"
-Do you know that all things are possible with God? Do you know what this man just asked? He didn't ask, "Lord if you can make me clean, please do it." He asked the Lord "if you are willing, please do it." When you pray to the Lord for your healing or someone else's healing, do you pray with doubt that He can do it? Or do you come to Him knowing He can but asking is He willing? And if He is not, are you still willing to trust Him?
8:6 - "'Lord,' he said, 'my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
- Here is a centurion that cares so much for his servant that he brings the issue to the Lord because he knows that Jesus can heal him. As a manager of a bank, I need to care for those who I manage; I can serve them by praying for them and bringing their issues to the Lord. So for me I need to care enough for my team members to pray for them.
8:14-15 - "When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law laying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on Him."
- I need to pray for those closest to me and their families. The Disciples were those Jesus was closest to and he healed their families. I don't know about you, but I treat those closest to be the worst because I expect them to understand and love me no matter what; yet I am to be Christ-like, therefore, I must care for those closest to me and their families.
What about you? On what passage did you focus, and what stood out the most to you?
Happy Reading and Obeying!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Happy New Year
Good Morning and Happy New Year to you!!!!!!! Well, I want to start by telling you why the blog The blog is because over the past year the Lord has open my eyes to the fact that so many people have not been taught how to have a daily relationship/walk with Jesus Christ our Savior and God our Creator and and Father - whether you grew up in the church or you started following God later in life. We all know how to go to church and how to dress yourself for your particular church, but do you know how to dress your heart everyday? Being a follower of God is not following the pastor and your Sunday School teachers, but God. Don't get me wrong; they /we (I say "we" because I am a Sunday School Teacher and Mentor and I am sure some of you are as well) are our leaders and teachers, but exactly that. They are to lead us to God and teach us how to have a relationship with Him. And then we in return, are supposed to grow and reproduce the same in others. We have to grow on other days besides Sunday; which means it takes you opening your Bible on a Daily basis and Seeking God's face on a daily basis. I hear people say all the time, "oh, I pray every day." How do you know what to pray without being in God's Word. The key to getting this blog will be opening your Bibles with me and my sisters on a regular basis. God's Word has the key to every answer of life; but if you are not in the Bible; how do you know how to follow God. Dirk Helmling of 29.11 Ministries spoke at a church camp that I attended in High School and said something that I have taught every class I've taught :
"If you want to know God's Will, you have to know God's heart. To know God's heart, you have to know God's Word." You will never know God until you dig into the letter he has given us so many years ago - The Bible. I want you to know that it doesn't take a scholar to understand everything in Scripture, and anyone can do it. I am here to help give you a little direction, and answer questions that you may have about Scripture - even the tough ones. As Psalm says - "God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path." It is definitely mine; and I desire more than anything for that to be for you. Please don't wait until Sunday's to open God's Word to you; do it daily. Start your New Year and end this 2011 with the Word of God opened every day and see the change that happens in your life and your families. Wow, God is Amazing.
The Daily Reading is From the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Proverbs. You don't have to read it all; I encourage you to at least choose one of those passages. One day you might choose the Old Testament, and the other you might choose Psalm. My goal is to do all three; but there are plenty of days I fal short. Once you read it; let me know if you have any comments or question. Please feel free to share what God has taught you.
Daily Reading - Genesis 14:1 - 16:16, Matthew 5:43-6:24; Psalm 6:1-10.
"If you want to know God's Will, you have to know God's heart. To know God's heart, you have to know God's Word." You will never know God until you dig into the letter he has given us so many years ago - The Bible. I want you to know that it doesn't take a scholar to understand everything in Scripture, and anyone can do it. I am here to help give you a little direction, and answer questions that you may have about Scripture - even the tough ones. As Psalm says - "God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path." It is definitely mine; and I desire more than anything for that to be for you. Please don't wait until Sunday's to open God's Word to you; do it daily. Start your New Year and end this 2011 with the Word of God opened every day and see the change that happens in your life and your families. Wow, God is Amazing.
The Daily Reading is From the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Proverbs. You don't have to read it all; I encourage you to at least choose one of those passages. One day you might choose the Old Testament, and the other you might choose Psalm. My goal is to do all three; but there are plenty of days I fal short. Once you read it; let me know if you have any comments or question. Please feel free to share what God has taught you.
Daily Reading - Genesis 14:1 - 16:16, Matthew 5:43-6:24; Psalm 6:1-10.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
My Little Eye Opener
Merry Christmas! Everyone knows the Reason for the Season, right? Everyone knows the Christmas Story, true? Well, that's what I thought too until my son, who is very familiar with God and Jesus, asked me what angels had to do with Christmas. It made me rethink what I assumed. Yes, an angel's role in the Christmas Story is not the most important thing, but to me, using angels was quite an amazing and powerful way to announce the birth of Jesus. It is just another example of how powerful God is and how important Jesus is.
Because of this little eye-opener, this year I am going to make birthday cupcakes for Jesus. With the help of my little ones, we will decorate each cupcake with a character from the Christmas Story and talk about each one. When it is time to eat them, we will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
I encourage you to find a Christmas tradition that is based on the the actual Christmas story. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!
Because of this little eye-opener, this year I am going to make birthday cupcakes for Jesus. With the help of my little ones, we will decorate each cupcake with a character from the Christmas Story and talk about each one. When it is time to eat them, we will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
I encourage you to find a Christmas tradition that is based on the the actual Christmas story. From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Blessed New Year!
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