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kinyan
Thursday, May 3, 2007
March 5
Romans 4:3 (actually quoted from Genesis 15:6) :
What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Psalm 52:8 : "... I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever"
The two scriptures above reminded me of my current struggle to have faith in the Lord in my life, especially in certain areas. The Romans passage speaks of how Abraham's belief in God's promise despite the human impossibility of that promise (a child in old age) and how that belief was credited to him as righteousness. Paul writes how God desires trust and belief in God over our works. Psalms once again gets right to me in this simple line to trust in God's love for ever and ever. Whew! =)
I've always really enjoyed reading Psalms.. maybe it's because I can connect with the musical, direct and 'true' nature of the writing ... :)
Numbers 9:14b : You must have the same regulations for the alien and the native-born.
And on a side note... this verse struck a chord with me, on the issues of immigrants, international human trafficking, alien rights, international relations, economics and all that... It's something to think about... does it really mean that the alien and the native-born should be treated exactly the same by the government (unlike present times)? How feasible is that?
Oh, we have NOT moved yet! So keep on posting here, guys! But do go and sign up at Wordpress.com using the link I send contributors!
What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Psalm 52:8 : "... I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever"
The two scriptures above reminded me of my current struggle to have faith in the Lord in my life, especially in certain areas. The Romans passage speaks of how Abraham's belief in God's promise despite the human impossibility of that promise (a child in old age) and how that belief was credited to him as righteousness. Paul writes how God desires trust and belief in God over our works. Psalms once again gets right to me in this simple line to trust in God's love for ever and ever. Whew! =)
I've always really enjoyed reading Psalms.. maybe it's because I can connect with the musical, direct and 'true' nature of the writing ... :)
Numbers 9:14b : You must have the same regulations for the alien and the native-born.
And on a side note... this verse struck a chord with me, on the issues of immigrants, international human trafficking, alien rights, international relations, economics and all that... It's something to think about... does it really mean that the alien and the native-born should be treated exactly the same by the government (unlike present times)? How feasible is that?
Oh, we have NOT moved yet! So keep on posting here, guys! But do go and sign up at Wordpress.com using the link I send contributors!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
march 12
Matthew 25:1-13; Romans 8:1-17; Psalm 59; Numbers 28-30
The Matthew reading is hard:
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." THe kingdom of heaven is like the 10 virgins waiting for the bridegroom, and if you didnt prepare "the oil" beforehand, you might miss Him entirely when He arrives. I think this describes a lot of us where we are simply not watching out in our spiritual walk wiht Him, not being vigilant and alert..I can account myself the many times I pray and fall asleep.
in romans
"5For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[g] And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Not that we all have sufferings that we can compare to the disciples but I think it could take the form of being nice to everyone you know, and not self-serving; adopting a Jesus attitude towards trials...think about how much we complain about our homework/exams..and would Jesus ever have done that to those around him about the Cross??
In Psalms
I think about Eliza's question once more. She asked why didn't God just speak to the whole nation instead of just moses. I think the only answer I could think of was how they probably weren't ready yet. Becuase I have been seeking for this answer in my own spiritual life: why doesn't God speak to me more directly, more personally..rather than through the Bible and through my distant prayers..I think He doesn't want us to depend on the glory of His presence solely, because we need to WORK out our faith, and persevere..like Jesus Christ. I think oftentimes we seek for that mountaintop experience with Him but when we come down from the mountain (like after Urbana, etc.) we do not know what to do once more or how to pick up our faith because we had been do dependent on that .. And so the people weren't ready as well to hear God, think about how we know about Moses entire lifestory, God has been preparing Him since birth! And tested His faith many times, showing him who was God.
In Numbers, it is so interesting how everytime God wanted the people to sacrifice animals to Him and to atone for their sins, he says, DO NO WORK. And just focus on me. Don't get distracted by our work...:P We should always set time apart for Him ..
The Matthew reading is hard:
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." THe kingdom of heaven is like the 10 virgins waiting for the bridegroom, and if you didnt prepare "the oil" beforehand, you might miss Him entirely when He arrives. I think this describes a lot of us where we are simply not watching out in our spiritual walk wiht Him, not being vigilant and alert..I can account myself the many times I pray and fall asleep.
in romans
"5For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[g] And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Not that we all have sufferings that we can compare to the disciples but I think it could take the form of being nice to everyone you know, and not self-serving; adopting a Jesus attitude towards trials...think about how much we complain about our homework/exams..and would Jesus ever have done that to those around him about the Cross??
In Psalms
I think about Eliza's question once more. She asked why didn't God just speak to the whole nation instead of just moses. I think the only answer I could think of was how they probably weren't ready yet. Becuase I have been seeking for this answer in my own spiritual life: why doesn't God speak to me more directly, more personally..rather than through the Bible and through my distant prayers..I think He doesn't want us to depend on the glory of His presence solely, because we need to WORK out our faith, and persevere..like Jesus Christ. I think oftentimes we seek for that mountaintop experience with Him but when we come down from the mountain (like after Urbana, etc.) we do not know what to do once more or how to pick up our faith because we had been do dependent on that .. And so the people weren't ready as well to hear God, think about how we know about Moses entire lifestory, God has been preparing Him since birth! And tested His faith many times, showing him who was God.
In Numbers, it is so interesting how everytime God wanted the people to sacrifice animals to Him and to atone for their sins, he says, DO NO WORK. And just focus on me. Don't get distracted by our work...:P We should always set time apart for Him ..
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
March 4
In Psalms 51, it is said that God desires a broken spirit and a contrite heart. I think that very often I have been proud before God and confident that my knowledge of Him is quite enough, thank you very much. But I think God just reminded me how ridiculous the notion of actually understanding Him is. I ask for a broken spirit and a contrite heart towards God and to all those whom God loves.
February 2
Exodus 4-6, Psalm 25, Acts 15:22-42, Matthew 11:1-19
In Exodus 4-6, when God sends Moses to tell Pharoah to let the Israelites go, Pharoah doesn't comply, and when God sends Moses to tell the Israelites of God's promise to them, they do not hearken unto Moses. I wonder why God sends Moses to speak to Pharoah and the Israelites. If God Himself came down and made a promise to the Israelites, it would be so much more assuring, and if God sent a great ball of fire down to Pharoah, it would bring him to his senses and he would be more likely to obey. Lyn-Ni's post on this passage sort of clarifies this.. it may be that God just really wants to use Moses, and in order to do so, he must first rid Moses of his insecurities.
I can relate to the psalmist in Psalm 25 when he says "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Sometimes I get discouraged because I don't know how to seek God, but God is faithful and He guides us and teaches us in love and mercy.
In Exodus 4-6, when God sends Moses to tell Pharoah to let the Israelites go, Pharoah doesn't comply, and when God sends Moses to tell the Israelites of God's promise to them, they do not hearken unto Moses. I wonder why God sends Moses to speak to Pharoah and the Israelites. If God Himself came down and made a promise to the Israelites, it would be so much more assuring, and if God sent a great ball of fire down to Pharoah, it would bring him to his senses and he would be more likely to obey. Lyn-Ni's post on this passage sort of clarifies this.. it may be that God just really wants to use Moses, and in order to do so, he must first rid Moses of his insecurities.
I can relate to the psalmist in Psalm 25 when he says "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Sometimes I get discouraged because I don't know how to seek God, but God is faithful and He guides us and teaches us in love and mercy.
Monday, April 30, 2007
February 1
Matthew 10:21-42, Acts 15:22-42, Exodus 1-3, Psalm 24
Matthew 10 is a bit difficult..
It talks about families rising up against one another (man against father, daughter against mother) for Jesus' sake. He also says "I came not to send peace, but a sword." I'm having a hard time finding how this aspect of Jesus fits in with him as the "Prince of Peace."
Matthew 10 is a bit difficult..
It talks about families rising up against one another (man against father, daughter against mother) for Jesus' sake. He also says "I came not to send peace, but a sword." I'm having a hard time finding how this aspect of Jesus fits in with him as the "Prince of Peace."
Sunday, April 29, 2007
march 11
Matthew 24:36-51, Romans 7:13-25, Psalms 58, Numbers 26-27:
Romans 7:
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
The battle against sin, is really a daily one, which I think Paul speaks of here. And it's so easy to be discouraged everytime we sin again, feeling guilty, but it really is human nature to sin, and we should view it as God can overcome all this if we wanted to really overcome our sin..does that make sense?
Romans 7:
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
The battle against sin, is really a daily one, which I think Paul speaks of here. And it's so easy to be discouraged everytime we sin again, feeling guilty, but it really is human nature to sin, and we should view it as God can overcome all this if we wanted to really overcome our sin..does that make sense?
march 10
Matthew 24:15-35; Romans 7:1-12; Psalm 57; Numbers 23-25
I am really trying to take in what Paul says in Roman about being alive in the spiritual realm but dead to the material things around us. And I know that I csn never be like that but I do yearn for wht he is trying to say : which is give me YOUR desires, God, give me YOUR vision, and not let my own short-term impatient vision rule over my path...I read Utmost for His Highest today and it struck me that in order to be fully submissive to God we must accept spiritual certainty and uncertainty everywhere else in the aspects of our life..we must be like children..not knowing what will be in front of us. I pray God will enlargen that spiritual EYE for me, and also here's a quote from Psalms that I like:
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I am really trying to take in what Paul says in Roman about being alive in the spiritual realm but dead to the material things around us. And I know that I csn never be like that but I do yearn for wht he is trying to say : which is give me YOUR desires, God, give me YOUR vision, and not let my own short-term impatient vision rule over my path...I read Utmost for His Highest today and it struck me that in order to be fully submissive to God we must accept spiritual certainty and uncertainty everywhere else in the aspects of our life..we must be like children..not knowing what will be in front of us. I pray God will enlargen that spiritual EYE for me, and also here's a quote from Psalms that I like:
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
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