Thursday, January 21, 2010

Forget About the Pigs!

In my journey to read through the Bible in 2010, this week I read:

Matthew 6:16-8:34
Acts 9-12
Psalms 15-20
Genesis 34-45


What I am learning:

Matthew

6:19 Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. In light of the recent catastrophic events in Haiti, these words from Jesus seem so powerful. I am forced to look at what I treasure--not only treasures purchased by money but the treasures I "purchase" with time, energy, and thoughts. When the end of this earthly life comes for me, how will my treasures up there compare to those down here? It made me think of one of my favorite songs by Shane and Shane, Waging War. Part of lyrics are:

To see the Lord, the promised land

Where in sin's pearly gates look bland

And what was once a pearl now sand

That blows away in light of Him

What magnificent imagery!


8:28-34 This is where Jesus drove demons out of two men and sent them into a herd of pigs. The demon-pigs then went crazy and ran off a cliff and died. Those tending the pigs were outraged and went to others in the town who were also angry about losing the herd of pigs. They came to Jesus asking him to leave. They were more concerned with this loss than the fact Jesus had delivered two men from demons! I think this happens to me a lot--losing sight of the big picture of God's goodness...becoming so focused on my own upsets and trials that fail to recognize God's work.

Acts

9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel, I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. Sometimes, God's children suffer. Is this news to anyone? It's a hard pill to swallow, but suffering in humility is one of the most Christ-like things we can do. No one will ever have to suffer as Jesus did, with the sins of all humanity weighing heavily on his shoulders.

12:1-19 Peter's Great Escape! This was so fun to read. As the church prayed earnestly, God paved the way for this disciple to miraculously escape prison. Although it was a miracle, Peter did have to take action. I think so many times that we pray for something and just wait idly by for it to happen. Miracles do happen, but obedience and faith are required. As I learned in a Beth Moore study once, God will provide the manna but we have to go get it!

Psalms

I have been having a difficult time getting to sleep lately. I find the Psalms to be so comforting and really the best sleep aid I can find.

16:9 -11Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

17:14-15 You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Genesis

The story of Joseph and his brothers should be made into a movie!!! I can't believe I have heard/read about that story so many times but I don't guess I had ever read it in my Bible from beginning to end. I think what we can learn from Joseph is that no matter what is happening to us in our life, we are still in control of our response. If we are standing on the Rock, then we are better able to look beyond our circumstances and see God--and react accordingly. That said, Joseph was WAY nicer to his brothers than I would have been...

4 comments:

  1. Joseph was made into a movie!! Well, kinda it was made into the rock-opera "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". I was in a community production of this play when I was 12 and it was so much fun! There is a DVD version starring Donny Osmond: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Amazing-Technicolor-Dreamcoat-Osmond/dp/0783240287/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1264117523&sr=8-1

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  2. There is a joseph movie-and the play (which is awesome, too!)
    The Joseph movie is with Ben Kingsley-look for it on Amazon (?)...We have it on VHS, but it is really good-
    And I love the Psalms! Whenever I was sick as a child, that is what my mom would read to me by the side of my bed. To start the day, I think PRoverbs is awesome...so much wisdom there.

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  3. I found your blog through Texas Blogging Gals. Your blog is so cute.

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  4. I too am attempting to read the bible in 2010. If I read half of it I'll be very proud of myself!

    It is so great that you are reading and analyzing while you go! I need to do a better job of that.

    And Happy Birthday (or upcoming bday!).
    ~Jenni

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