Tuesday
Wisdom Part 2 ~ Matt 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Worry Worts...
Matt 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Psalms 119
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
wisodm
Wisdom is one of those things that everyone wants but only a few people actually have. The bible talks about living with the wisdom from God. Eph 5:15-16 "15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
1 Peter 2:11- 12 " The Challenge Round"
These verses challenge us to live as examples for Christ.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Gospel
What is the Gospel? As I grew up I considered the Gospel as the whole Bible. I thought that the Gospel was Jesus' teaching and such.
1 Corinthians 15. This verse says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." These verses help us understadn the gospel. Key points to this verse include the phrase "according to the Scriptures" ( If you dont have this on Mr. Seetoo's quiz you get points off). This phrase proves its validity, without it anybody could just say it and it would have no true meaning. Another important thing is that he appeared to all of these people. I could just say someone was raised from the dead but say no one saw it, this verse shows hundreds of people seeing Jesus after his resurrection. The Gospel isn't mainly focused on Jesus' teachings but rather the fact that he died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day
1 Corinthians 15. This verse says, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." These verses help us understadn the gospel. Key points to this verse include the phrase "according to the Scriptures" ( If you dont have this on Mr. Seetoo's quiz you get points off). This phrase proves its validity, without it anybody could just say it and it would have no true meaning. Another important thing is that he appeared to all of these people. I could just say someone was raised from the dead but say no one saw it, this verse shows hundreds of people seeing Jesus after his resurrection. The Gospel isn't mainly focused on Jesus' teachings but rather the fact that he died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day
"Your sake"
I love love love this verse in 1Thes. 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake" Paul is saying that he shared the gospel for the sake of the people in Thessaloniki. When is that last time you did something for someone else's sake? We need to share the gospel for the sake of others. Take a minute and think about everyone you passed by today and now guess how many of them are not christians... share the gospel to them!
Psalms 91
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
This is one of my favortie Psalms, when I was younger I used to recite these verses when i would be scared and these amazing verses have helped me remember God's promises to us, to keep us safe!
Jennifer Knapp
So unfortunately the famous Christian singer is now a lesbian. She claims however, that she is still a person of faith, but never once used the term Christian in her interview. Even after talking to a pastor on the tv clip, she still is convinced she can affectivly be both a person of faith and a lesbian. Which brings up an interesting question. Can lesbians and gays still be Christians? And what does the bible say about all of this? Well the bible is very clear that homosexuals are not tolerated at all by God, but obvisouly He still loves the person, just not the sin.
Church
So here is the deal, this video is hilarious but it got me thinking about church...
A lot of people today look at church as a boring time in which they have to wake up early and do stuff that they don't want to do. Church has almost turned into a burden for most of church-goers. However, church is necessary for a Christian, it is a time where we can worship and learn about God (it isn't the only time, don't be mistaken though). We are called to worship God, and church is a place where we can do it. We need to be excited about church and get out of the mentality that we "have to do it" instead we should be thanking God that we can go to church, in some countries they have to go to church in secret!
A lot of people today look at church as a boring time in which they have to wake up early and do stuff that they don't want to do. Church has almost turned into a burden for most of church-goers. However, church is necessary for a Christian, it is a time where we can worship and learn about God (it isn't the only time, don't be mistaken though). We are called to worship God, and church is a place where we can do it. We need to be excited about church and get out of the mentality that we "have to do it" instead we should be thanking God that we can go to church, in some countries they have to go to church in secret!
Wednesday
Do you have enough patience?
Patience is something that everyone constantly struggles with. In school, at work, at the store, with kids, parents, friends. What about when you get frustrated with someone because they havent done something the right way, your losing patience. Patience is something everyone struggles with because being patient isn't always the easy way around a situation. Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." We are called to be patient, even when it is hard. This is something i need to work on but is important in faith. make sure to make a conscious effort to practice patience in your life!
Doubt- Is it a sin?
Is doubting a sin? Is doubt showing weakness in your faith? I believe that through doubt, we can grow stronger when we find the answer. Everyone has doubts in life, and sometimes we dont overcome them. For example, when i am going to sit in a chair i dont know if the chair is going to collapse or not. I have faith in it but if the chair is old and beat up i have doubt if it will hold me. I wont know if it will collapse until i sit in it. When we have doubt on a certain subject or in anything, until we find the answer or proof we cant overcome it. Doubt is an everyday struggle but through it we can be stronger.
Tolerance
These days tolerance is a big issue. We are taught by everything around us that we have to accept and allow other beliefs. However, there are some problems with these thoughts especially if you are a Christian and believe in the Bible. For example, Jesus said in John 14:6 that the only way to the Father is through Him. He is the truth. That is not being tolerant as of our day's defintion. In Matthew 7, Jesus is talking about judging others. He tells us to first correct what is wrong with us and then point out to your brother what they are doing wrong. The point there is that He does tell us we are to confront others about their sins, we are not to just let them continue. A few verses later He talks about the gate of heaven. He tells us it is narrow and only a few find it which tells us that it is not fine for everyone to believe their own thing, there is only one way to heaven, and only a few find it. Malachi 2:17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. "How have we wearied him?" you ask. By saying, "All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them" or "Where is the God of justice?" I thought this verse was interesting. Many people today believe in and do evil, but they tell us we have to accept it and that it is okay, which is basically saying it is right and good. However, we know it is not. Anyway, at the same time we need to be careful how we present the truth to others. As it says in 1 Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." I'll leave you with an interesting quote "I have seen gross intolerance shown in support of tolerance." Samuel Taylor Coleridge .
God's Impeccability
We all sin, sometimes by actions, words, or even by our thoughts. We all fall into the temptation of sin, because we are humans and we are not perfect. God is the only perfect one, and he does not, will not, and never has sinned. Job 34:10 is a great example of this fact, it says, "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong." Its so delightful to be able to rely on God's impeccability, because we know that he will always be right. Forever! Wow, stop and think, we can trust that whatever he says is true, and that everything he does is perfect. Its so comforting to know we can rely on those facts. However; when something is that great it makes it easy to take advantage of, instead of doing that we should just continually thank Him that he is perfect, never changing ,and finally always right.
Only One God!
People today have many different gods. Most of these gods revolve around material things such as; money, fame, friends, and unfortunately these things do not bring eternal happiness. The "real deal" is clearly stated in Deuteronomy 5:7 You shall have no other gods before me. Nothing we place in our lives as a god can bring us eternal peace and happiness, even though you may seem happy when you get a new ipod it is only a matter of years until it breaks or they come out with something better. The point is GOD as in Jesus Christ is the ONLY true God and no other gods can even compare.
Our Provider
God provides for us, He truly is our Jehova Jira.
1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Deuteronomy 11:13-17 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Kenosis...
According to Philippians 2:5-8, the word "Kenosis" came from the Greek word "kenoo" which means "to empty." "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross," (Phil. 2:5-8).
Some say the idea of kenosis is that Jesus gave up some of His divine attributes while He was a human here on earth. These attributes were omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Many say Christ did this voluntarily so that He could function as a man in order to fulfill the work of redemption, being fully man. However; Philippians 2:5-8 I think that it does not teach that Jesus gave up any of His divine attributes since it says nothing of those attributes. Instead, it is speaking of His humility and grace, Christ chooses to humble himself to become man.
The Kenosis theory is difficult doctrine to understand because if it were true that means that Christ was not fully God. However this poses a big problem because if he was not completely God then Christ would not be able to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Some may say fine then, Christ was fully God, but in Mark 13:32 it says "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." So these verses indicate that Christ, or the Son, was not all knowing, so this again poses contradiction.
The doctrine of Kenosis is one of those things that people will have differing opinions and rightfully so. When looking at the doctrine it is important to consider other verses besides Philippians 2:5-8, because other verses may help in understanding the context and concept better. So the final question what did it mean when the Bible says that Christ "emptied" himself.
Some say the idea of kenosis is that Jesus gave up some of His divine attributes while He was a human here on earth. These attributes were omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Many say Christ did this voluntarily so that He could function as a man in order to fulfill the work of redemption, being fully man. However; Philippians 2:5-8 I think that it does not teach that Jesus gave up any of His divine attributes since it says nothing of those attributes. Instead, it is speaking of His humility and grace, Christ chooses to humble himself to become man.
The Kenosis theory is difficult doctrine to understand because if it were true that means that Christ was not fully God. However this poses a big problem because if he was not completely God then Christ would not be able to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Some may say fine then, Christ was fully God, but in Mark 13:32 it says "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." So these verses indicate that Christ, or the Son, was not all knowing, so this again poses contradiction.
The doctrine of Kenosis is one of those things that people will have differing opinions and rightfully so. When looking at the doctrine it is important to consider other verses besides Philippians 2:5-8, because other verses may help in understanding the context and concept better. So the final question what did it mean when the Bible says that Christ "emptied" himself.
God, Jealous?...
Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14
God is the only one who is worthy of our praise and adoration.
God is very clear in his word that he is not to be made second in our lives. He wants to be first- and rightly so. He is very angry when we turn form him and worship something else.
Do you like the idea of God being a jealous God?
I know I do. It means that he loves us. He loves us so much that his anger burns against what ever is stealing us away from him. That is such an honor.
Will you turn your lives entirely to God and have him live through you?
Exodus 34:14
God is the only one who is worthy of our praise and adoration.
God is very clear in his word that he is not to be made second in our lives. He wants to be first- and rightly so. He is very angry when we turn form him and worship something else.
Do you like the idea of God being a jealous God?
I know I do. It means that he loves us. He loves us so much that his anger burns against what ever is stealing us away from him. That is such an honor.
Will you turn your lives entirely to God and have him live through you?
Can you see the blessings in your life?
Throughout my life I have seen many times when God has blessed my family. However; I have been able to cherish the blessing more because of the hardships throughout my life. Some example of these hard times followed by blessings mainly have to deal with my dad’s job and finances. My dad’s family has its own landscaping business, that was started his dad, my grandpa. My dad had always worked with the business, although he didn’t have that great of a relationship with his dad, so it was always stressful for him and our family. Then when I was about 5 or 6 years old he decided to leave his family business and work for a local landscaping company. Although I don’t remember most of this because I was so young, I do remember it being a very stressful time for our family because of all the family tension it created. But God was extremely faithful in the situation, because my dad ended up loving his new job and it provided a more steady income as well.
Then God blessed me even more by allowing me to go to Hershey Christian School in third grade. It has always been a struggle for my family to pay for us to go to HC, especially when my siblings started going. Even though we were always financially tight God provided above and beyond in our lives. My parents have always showed us through our financial issues, that God is faithful and they never once stopped tithing. However, things only seemed to get to worse at the time.
A few years after my grandpa died, my dad decided to resign from his job and join our family business again. This was a huge decision to make, because at the time the family business was floundering and certainly not thriving. Even though things were even tighter we continued to blessed, with an abundant amount of financial aid and we were able to still attend Hershey Christian.
Then in my tenth grade year, my dad’s business had a huge financial loss when one of his main contractors went bankrupt. This was pretty much the hardest thing my family had ever experienced. Tenth grade was going to be my last year at HC, and my siblings and I were devastated. Hershey Christian was all i ever knew and it meant so much to us and the thought of leaving the teacher and friends we loved was really hard for us.
Then we found out that my dad was able to get a significant amount of money back, and it was enough to get the business back on its feet. But it wasn’t smooth sailing; we still debated coming back to HC in my 11th grade year. However; yet again God provided and here I am finishing my senior year here at Hershey Christian.
Throughout my life there have been many hard financial times, and at the time I did not understand and asked many questions, why our family? As time went on I realized I that these hard times were to show us how great and faithful God really is in our lives. Yes we haven’t been able to do, have, or be all things we wanted. But I honestly I believe God had more in store for our family, such as a close knit family with strong relationships. Looking back I can’t say “ I wouldn’t have it anyway” but I can say that I see daily how God is faithful to provide for my family!
Then God blessed me even more by allowing me to go to Hershey Christian School in third grade. It has always been a struggle for my family to pay for us to go to HC, especially when my siblings started going. Even though we were always financially tight God provided above and beyond in our lives. My parents have always showed us through our financial issues, that God is faithful and they never once stopped tithing. However, things only seemed to get to worse at the time.
A few years after my grandpa died, my dad decided to resign from his job and join our family business again. This was a huge decision to make, because at the time the family business was floundering and certainly not thriving. Even though things were even tighter we continued to blessed, with an abundant amount of financial aid and we were able to still attend Hershey Christian.
Then in my tenth grade year, my dad’s business had a huge financial loss when one of his main contractors went bankrupt. This was pretty much the hardest thing my family had ever experienced. Tenth grade was going to be my last year at HC, and my siblings and I were devastated. Hershey Christian was all i ever knew and it meant so much to us and the thought of leaving the teacher and friends we loved was really hard for us.
Then we found out that my dad was able to get a significant amount of money back, and it was enough to get the business back on its feet. But it wasn’t smooth sailing; we still debated coming back to HC in my 11th grade year. However; yet again God provided and here I am finishing my senior year here at Hershey Christian.
Throughout my life there have been many hard financial times, and at the time I did not understand and asked many questions, why our family? As time went on I realized I that these hard times were to show us how great and faithful God really is in our lives. Yes we haven’t been able to do, have, or be all things we wanted. But I honestly I believe God had more in store for our family, such as a close knit family with strong relationships. Looking back I can’t say “ I wouldn’t have it anyway” but I can say that I see daily how God is faithful to provide for my family!
"Give me Your eyes for just one second..give me Your eyes so I can see everything that I keep missing..."
What if we actually saw people as Christ did, with love and compassion? Maybe we would begin to think less about ourselves and more about others...maybe we would lose our selfish pride....I mean isn't that what we are called to do?
Joy
Ok so having joy in all circumstances is a phrase that seems next to impossible.
But, joy isn't always being happy... but rather it is knowing the truth, that we have a perfect God who died for us so that we may be free in Him.
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
Its my JOY to honor you
In all I do
I honor you
But, joy isn't always being happy... but rather it is knowing the truth, that we have a perfect God who died for us so that we may be free in Him.
Amazing love how can it be?
That my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it's true
Its my JOY to honor you
In all I do
I honor you
Beyond Superficiality
This is the theme of my youth group right now, and I am not quite sure that I agree with it. I mean how exactly to you go "Beyond Superficiality"? I have heard people say that they are going deeper and other phrases along these lines but how does a human go beyond superficiality? Just some food for thought, I will write later after I think about it more.
Faithfulness
God has been abundantly faithful in my life. I just wanted to take the time and encourage you to thank God for his faithfulness in your life. Take a moment and journal about it or just pray and thank Him for that he has done in your life. This was a topic at one of my schools Bible studies. We all made a time line of times in our lives when God has been faithful to us. It was amazing to see!
Courage
We watched the full video of this in youth group the other week and I absolutly loved it! I didn't quite relate to the stories the teens told but I still found it very moving. It talked about having courage to stand up for Christ in every situation!
How He loves!
Sang this song on Sunday and I think it is amazing if you actually think about the words!
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we?re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don?t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way?
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we?re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don?t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way?
Isaiah 53
This week we have been discussing the suffering servant. Please take the time to read Isaiah 53 and remember what we can be thankful for: Jesus died a painful death on behalf of you and me. This chapter explains in detail what Jesus did on the cross. Reflect on this chapter and remember the death that we should be eternally grateful for.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes[c] his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
and though the LORD makes[c] his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Altruism?
Ok so here is a good question for everyone... Altruism, does it exist? Can people do go with out selfish motives? Here is a scenario, there is a kid in the middle of the road as a car is coming by, you run out and save the child just in time. Obviously you just did something "good" but what were you motives? Why did you do that? Can you honestly say you did that with out having selfish motives? What do you think?
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