Be An "MVP"!!!

Well....I've read. All year. I blogged. NOT all year...sorry folks. It just didn't happen. When the kids get up at 6:00am, it got to hard to do this BEFORE they got up. And then JJ to school and ...excuses, I know!! :)

But at least we were still reading. Every book, every chapter and every verse! HOW cool is that?! Not many people can say they've read the Bible cover to cover. Didn't read it for the "mileage" read it for the discipline. It was good!!!

On to other projects....hum.....how about memorizing scripture this year?! I think so. I'm writing a Bible study on HOW to read the Bible. When I finish the little worksheets, I'll try and upload them here. I start teaching it at church on the 17th. But....one of the components of the Bible study is memorizing scripture with a partner....an "MVP" if you will....Memory Verse Partner! :)

So.....Beth Moore did this last year on her blog and I thought I'd take the idea and do it myself this year. She didn't call it "MVP's" .....that's my twist! :)

But!! If you want to be an MVP(Memory Verse Partner) this year let's do it this way......

This is from Beth's blog--

Commit to memorize (or seriously meditate on) 2 Scriptures a month. See? Very, very do-able! Doesn't seem like much at first but imagine that, in exactly one year, you'll have memorized 24 new Scriptures! That, my dear sister, is a feat. The reason why I threw in the parenthetical "or seriously meditate on" part is this: a number of people have told me through the years - especially those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s or those of any age with chronic ADD - that they just can't memorize. OK, so meditate! Listen, the whole purpose of the process is to take our minds captive to the knowledge of Christ and demolish strongholds or nip potential ones in the proverbial bud. As long as those Scriptures are rolling around in your head, your mind is being held captive to Christ-centered thoughts and led away from destructive or carnal thoughts whether or not you're getting the words in the exact right order. At least three huge things happen when we memorize: our brains are bathed. Our brains are sharpened. Our ammunition is loaded.

Step Two:

Sign up on this post with your name and the city where you live. Really give it some serious thought before you jump on here and sign right up. Let's pull together a group that makes it all the way to next December! Do you really want to do this all year long? Will you commit to hang with it? Then sign up, you darlin' thing!

Step Three:

Watch for posts on the 1st and 15th of every month where I'll ask you to turn in the Scripture you're feeling led to memorize. (You'll write it all the way out in the version of your choice and put the reference with it because one of your Siestas might read it and want to memorize it next.) This is an important part of our process! We're NOT going to memorize the same Scriptures. I've learned through the years that we have the most victory with the verses that we each need most. Ask God to give you what He wants to prioritize for you this year then listen carefully through your quiet times, your Bible studies and your pastor's sermons for verses that really resonate with you or that you know you really need. He'll highlight one of those in your heart. Choose it with confidence. You'll most easily memorize what means most to you.

*To get started first: Buy a brand new set of index cards with a spiral that is only for this Scripture memory plan. I got mine at walmart...I bought the smaller one...fits in my purse! You'll need to have it by New Year's Day so that you can write your first verse in it. Keep it with you A LOT. The car is a really great place to practice your Scriptures. Also be sure to get them out and say them every time you're feeling tempted to obsessive thoughts. You will be amazed at the impact God's Word will have on your thoughts. This right here, Girlfriends, is how we learn to wield the Sword of the Spirit.

*Watch your prayer life change. Check out John 15:7-8. The more God's Word abides in us, the more the mind of Christ is developed in us. The end result will be that we will pray more and more of God's will and get more and more of what we've asked. Do not think for a moment that praying in the will of God narrows your requests. It blows them wide open! Ask Him in this Jesus-year to explode your effectiveness in prayer then watch it happen.

*Have fun with it! Scripture memory is some work but it's also really fun. Especially if we do it together!! Anybody game?

Soooooo....to learn HOW to memorize scripture, Beth did a tutorial video about HOW to do this and she's just so precious...you have to watch it. She uses the acronym R.E.N.E.W.

There are a couple of short videos that she made and posted on her blog.

Click here Tutorial videos to see them.

Now then.......go get your spiral cards! ASAP! Listen to a Word from the Lord about which Scripture you need to start with and write it out...on your cards AND on here!!!!

Check tomorrow for my first Scriptures that I'll memorize. :)

Grace & Peace!! Happy New Year!!!!!

Christ Bell

This was in our Choir Newsletter. Thought it was neat. I hadn't ever seen this!

Peace & Grace!

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with hrist in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 B )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col: 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph : 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are!?

"Deeper Still" Bible Study Notes

OMS!!! That was all I could think.....OH MY STARS!!! I just knew that I was sitting close enough to the stage that Beth would just tell me HI! :) Just knowing that I could see Beth Moore in the flesh, and in person...cute clothes, hair, nails and tan....I was in awe...forget the Word I was about to learn and receive from the Lord....I was awestruck to chills and tears to SEE Beth Moore! And I have come to love Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer even more! But, still, when I grow up....I wanna be my own version of Beth Moore! :) DO IT LORD!! :)

Just wanted to process the weekend a little more...let it all sink in "deeper still" into my heart and soul....thought I'd just type out my notes and share them. Thank you sweet Kristi for listening to me talk all morning and read YOU my notes!! You are the best!! Thank you Jamie for being there with me. Could not have cried, giggle or laughed harder! And thank you to my sweet husband who took care of kids so I could go! I love you!!!

You can just "observe" or you can "enter in." Life is heavy, heavy, heavy...when you "enter in" you have nothing to lose....but the heavy, heavy, heavy.

Songs: Travis Cottrel was the worship leader!! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! iTunes, my friends...iTunes!

"Great is thy Faithfulness"

"come running to the mercy seat....have mercy on me....."

"DO IT LORD!"

"I WILL SING OF MY REDEEMER"

---------------------------------

KAY ARTHUR: BOOK OF HEBREWS

have a relationship....not a religion

be sassy and bold! (I call it "holy boldness"!!)

Hebrews 1 for this reason, do not drift away.

God has spoken through His Son...we MUST listen to him...or else...we will drift away...we will drift away from the Word of God.

We need to devour the Word...(not just food to try and fill us up--my OWN personal note).

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory.

His Throne is forever, and ever, and ever and ever.....

God, search my heart and show me where I am. God...search my heart and show me where you want me to be.....

One day, you will answer to God.....

You have spoken. We are hearing pure truth--Your Word. Come down into us. Pour out wisdom and knowledge of God.

Be convicted of the power and saving grace of Jesus.

1 Samuel 4 "Ichabod" -- means the glory has disappeared....has this been written over America???????? We cannot follow God with a divided heart.

THE WORD of God...no doubt! no other! Only & One Sovereign God. Know it and understand it!

Sitting in the garage does not make you a car.

Sitting in church does not make you a Christian. Not religion...but a relationship.

Living by the Word takes time

do you have time to read a novel? then you are choosing human writings over the Word of God.

take time to discipline our lives so that we know the Word.

Hebrews 5:13-14 milk vs. solid food = it is time to grow up!!!!!

What are you going to tell God? That you time for shopping? time for a vacation? time for working out?? What about THE WORD!???

Bible in hand....proclaiming to over 9,000 women "THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD!!!!"

Hebrews 11 what is faith? Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the certainty of what we do not see."

Hebrews 2:17 life by faith!! The Israelites wandered in the wilderness because of their unbelief!

Be cleansed of a guilty conscious....3:18 -- rest = the activity of faith; for this anxious moment, for this trial, for this test, for this tribulation...WHAT DO YOU DO? we have to know God...we can't rest and trust in what we do not know....we are to live by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Word..

PRISCILLA SHIRER:

Be successful in all areas of your life, but start with your family.

Rest is the activity of faith.

Swimming goggles story....little boys had goggles but under water still kept eyes close. Dad told them to open them up under the water.. They came up out of the pool, "we can see!!" God is there....we have to open our eyes! God is able to do whatever we do dream of, hope for, and pray about...He goes beyond our beyond.

Ephesians 3:20-21

"NOW" (timing) --not tomorrow; not yesterday...get into the now-ness of your life. God IS ABLE!! We serve a God who is the Master of Impossibilities; Paul's situation was impossible--he was in prison; wrote this while in prison; even in the midst of our personal prison - we- Paul can have an outpouring of praise for God--a prison doxology. God can and WILL give you everything you need in your now-ness. connect your now-ness with God's ability; we need the Holy Spirit to be and do what WE cannot be and do! What is your "now?" GOD IS ABLE!

"TO HIM" (turning) -- fix your eyes on Jesus; not the problem or the situation; not the person, but on Jesus! Shift your attention purposefully, intentionally.

"IS ABLE" (truth) greek word "dudamous" = dynamite--alters the structure; make changes. THIS is God's power; inherent ability and resources; not what God has, but it is who HE is; the inherent ability of Go--he is power--what He gives to others, there is still a reservoir of power for every situation; you cannot out dream God's ability in your life. Don't disconnect the power of God from your "stuff." Trust him with the stuff of your life.

"IMMEASURABLY" (transcendence) God does what is way past, your "way past". He does PAST what you can ask for. He goes "beyond, beyond!" Pray for God to do what you ask and then pray for Him to go beyond, beyond. He exceeds our expectations; He is dynamite power. Get a grasp of Who God Is! We are limited. Illustration of gift boxes...allow God to use your box, but do NOT put God in a box!! Our boxes limit God.

"ALL WE ASK" (totality of God) the best a human can do is sympathize with you...but even that will run out; God will sympathize....God cares about every "tweet" you send (twitter); Facebook status...who cares about the "status" update...God is concerned.

"ACCORDING TO HIS POWER" (turbo-power) when you received the Holy Spirit you didn't receive a "portion" of it because "it" is a person...you can't receive a portion of a person; The Holy Spirit IS the third person of the Holy Trinity; just like the water and electricity is in our house, we have to turn it on to use it! The Holy Spirit is within us...but we have to use it!!!!

connect NOW; do a 180 degrees turn and LET it work in you.

"GLORY TO HIM" (our tribute) believing that God can do it is our business; DOING it is His business.

--------------

OH!! AND the windows that we wrote on.......the phrase "I need a Word from God about..." how will you answer that?? I think on there also was written the phrase, "God has spoken to me about...." HUm....gonna use those in my next Bible study!!

-------------------

I could hardly take notes from Beth...I think I just mainly sat and took it all in....but!!

God can do what He says He can do....but how stubborn are WE gonna be??

He is Sending forth His Word to heal me.....

IT IS WITHIN ME! (repeat it again) IT IS WITHIN ME! IT IS WITHIN ME. SAY IT AGAIN....IT IS WITHIN ME!!!

The Holy Spirit is not to act; not to do....but it is a supernatural power to KNOW. To know what we cannot know.

I have the mind of Christ within me....if I let Him activate it in me.

If you are walking in the Lord and have a vibrant relationship with the Lord....you have a spiritual GUT! Listen to it! Have spiritual discernment.

HOW TO KNOW WHEN TO GO WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL GUT:We need divine revelation in our human encounters.

4 NO's make a yes when discerning about when to follow your spiritual gut:

1)Am I a critical or suspicious person by nature?

2)Am I jealous or do I feel threatened?

3) Do I have anything selfish to gain from this?

4)Are my emotions clouding my discernment?

If you answer NO to ALL four questions, then it is a YES to listen to God. These are our options:

1) RUN! (2 Tim. 3)

2)Take a step back (Prov. 4:23)

3)Ask questions (possibly confront....but NOT on the phone, email, text...in person, in the name of Jesus! :)

4)Learn to love with eyes wide open!!

Final quote from Beth Moore : "DON'T BE DUMB AS DIRT....READ THE BIBLE"

The Bible in 1,000 Words

The Bible In 1000 words

Taken from: "30 days to understanding the Bible in 15 minutes a day!" Max Anders

I've been reading this book. VERY GOOD!! Might be biblical commentary, but still interesting.

Sorry for the odd format. :)

The Old Testament begins when God created Adam and Eve in a perfect paradise. They later sinned and were driven out of the Garden of Eden, forced to live "by the sweat of their brow" in an

imperfect world. As their offspring multiplied, sin also multiplied. Eventually, humanity became so sinful that, as judgment, God destroyed the earth with a universal flood, preserving only Noah and is immediate family on the ark to repopulate the earth.

Sin kept its hold over humanity, however, and once again people forgot God. As the years passed, God revealed Himself to Abraham (two thousand years before Christ), promising him a nation,

many descendants, and a blessing that would ultimately extend to everyone on the earth. Abraham

believed god and became the father of the Hebrew people. Abraham had a son, Isaac, and Isaac

had a son, Jacob. The promises God made to Abraham were passed down through Isaac and Jacob.

Jacob had twelve sons, and the promises were passed to all twelve sons, who became the fathers of

the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jacob and his family of about seventy people were living in the land of Canaan (1) when a famine

hit. They were forced to migrate to Egypt (2) to get food. In time, they became so numerous that

they were perceived as a threat by the Egyptian people, and the Egyptians enslaved the Hebrew

people for nearly four hundred years. Finally (approximately fifteen hundred years before Christ),

God raised up Moses to lead them out of Egypt. with many astounding miracles, including the

crossing of the Red Sea, they escaped Egypt and went to Mt. Sinai (3), where they received the Ten

Commandments. Then they rebelled against God again and, as a judgment, wandered in the

wilderness for forty years. When their time of judgment was up, they were allowed to enter the

promised land (4). Moses died, and Joshua led in the conquest of the land.

Israel lived in the promised land in a loose governmental system, ruled by judges, for the next four

hundred years. Samson and Samuel were the most famous judges. Then Israel insisted on

establishing a monarchy (approximately one thousand years before Christ), and the Hebrews were

ruled by kings for the next four hundred years. Saul, David, and Solomon were the first three kings,

who ruled over a united monarchy for 120 years (forty years each). when Solomon died, the nation

divided over the issue of taxation. There was now a northern kingdom, which kept the name Israel,

because a majority (ten) of the tribes were loyal to the north, and the southern kingdom, which was

called Judah, because Judah was by far the larger of the two southern tribes.

Because of the accumulating sin of Israel, Assyria, a nation to the northeast, came and conquered

Israel (5) and scattered many of the people throughout that part of the world (6). About one

hundred fifty years later, because of the accumulating sin of Judah, Babylonia came and conquered

Judah (7), destroyed Jerusalem, and took many of the people into captivity in Babylonia (8).

About seventy years later, Persia defeated Babylonia, who had previously defeated Assyria. Thus

Persia now ruled the entire part of the world from the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea to

the borders of India. The king of Persia allowed the Israelites living in captivity in Babylonia to

return to Jerusalem (9) to rebuild it. Fifty thousand people returned (approximately five hundred

years before Christ), rebuilt the city, rebuilt the temple, and restored ceremonial worship of God.

They continued to live that way for the next four hundred years. During that time, Persia fell to

Greece, and Greece in turn fell to Rome. Rome was ruling that part of the world when Jesus was

born.

The ministry of Jesus was preceded by the ministry of His cousin, John the Baptist, who warned the

Jews to get ready for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem, in

fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Then Jesus and His parents, Mary and Joseph, moved back

to their hometown in Nazareth, in the northern part of the country, just west of the Sea of Galilee.

There Jesus lived an apparently normal childhood until the age of Thirty, when all teachers, by

Jewish custom, began their ministry. Jesus began His ministry in Jerusalem and in the surrounding

area of Judea. His ministry was highlighted by authoritative teaching and remarkable miracles.

Because of mounting opposition to His ministry on the part of the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus

went north to the area around the Sea of Galilee, making Capernaum on the north shore His home

base. Much of His three year ministry was conducted in the area around Capernaum, though many

events did not actually take place in Capernaum. Eventually, He returned to Jerusalem and, because

of the jealousy of the religious leader, was soon crucified. Three days later He rose from the dead,

and He showed Himself to His disciples several times over the next forty days. Then, with His

disciples gathered around Him on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem, He visibly ascended

into heaven.

He had commissioned His disciples to take the new message of salvation through Christ to

Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria (the surrounding regions), and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

The church was established in Jerusalem, and the first Christians were Jews. The church there was

overseen by Jesus' apostles. the spread of the gospel to the surrounding area and uttermost parts

of the earth focused primarily on the apostle Paul, who conducted missionary journeys into areas of

Asia Minor and Greece (10). Finally, Paul was arrested and taken to Rome, where he was eventually

executed for his faith. There were enough disciples however, not only in Jerusalem, but also in Asia

Minor, Greece, and Rome, that the message not only lived on, but it grew until it became the

dominant world religion.

Overview of John

John

Author: John

Time: A.D. 26–30

Summary: John says that he wrote so that people might come to believe in Christ

(20:30–31). He was not as interested in the historical order of the events

in the life of Christ, or in his deeds, as he was in the inner meaning of

his teaching. John emphasises Jesus as the son of God, sent by God to

be the saviour of the earth.

There are several key words in John’s Gospel, including “believe” which

occurs over eighty times. The word implies a belief that has developed

into faith or conviction. Another peculiarity is the frequent use of the

word “Jew”. It is only found once in Matthew, twice in Mark and in

Luke, but over sixty times in John.

John concerns himself more with the Judean ministry which Matthew

and Mark hardly touch upon, and he records only eight miracles (which

he terms “signs”) to show that Jesus was the Son of God. John is the

only book of the four Gospels that does not cite any parables.

Key verses: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry”

(6:35).

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live”

(11:25).

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father

except through me.” (14:6)

“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the

Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

(20:31).

1. Prologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1–18

2. Beginnings of Jesus’ ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:19–51

a) His forerunner 1:19–34

b) Jesus’ introduction to some future disciples 1:35–51

3. Jesus’ ministry: signs and discourses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–11

a) Changing water into wine 2:1–11

b) Cleansing the temple 2:12–25

c) Interview with Nicodemus 3:1–21

d) Parallel ministry with John the Baptist 3:22–4:3

e) Journey through Samaria: woman at the well 4:4–42

f ) Healing of the official’s son 4:43–54

g) Trip to Jerusalem 5

h) Feeding of the 5000 and sermon on the bread of life 6

i) Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles 7–8

j) Healing of the man born blind 9

k) Parable of the Good Shepherd 10:1–21

l) Debating at the Feast of Dedication 10:22–39

m) Ministry in Perea 10:40–42

n) The raising of Lazarus 11

4. Jesus’ last week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12–19

a) The anointing of Jesus’ feet 12:1–11

b) The triumphal entry 12:12–19

c) The coming of the Greeks 12:20–36

d) Continued Jewish unbelief 12:37–50

e) Discourse at the Last Supper 13–14

f ) Discourse on the way to Gethsemane 15–16

g) Jesus’ prayer of intercession 17

h) His arrest, trial and crucifixion 18:1–19:42

5. The resurrection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20:1–29

6. Epilogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20:30–21:25

Overview of Luke

Luke

Author: Luke

Time: 6 B.C.–A.D. 30

Summary: Luke (who also wrote the book of Acts) was a Greek physician. His

book emphasises the humanity of Jesus and his compassion, as well as

the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. He describes Jesus’ acceptance

of Gentiles, women, children and the poor. The writing is characterised

by historical detail and a warm, sensitive understanding of Jesus and of

those around him.

Luke’s Gospel was written particularly for Greeks who delighted in wis-

dom, beauty and system. Luke tells the story of Jesus, unfolding his

development in a systematic manner. Luke was an artist with the pen,

drawing the portrait of Jesus as the perfect man.

Key verse: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his

cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (9:23–24)

1. The Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1–4

2. The coming of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:5–2:52

a) The predictions of Jesus’ birth 1:5–56

b) The birth of John the Baptist 1:57–80

c) The birth and childhood of Jesus 2

3. The preparation of Jesus for his public ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1–4:13

a) His forerunner 3:1–20

b) His baptism 3:21–22

c) His genealogy 3:23–38

d) His temptation 4:1–13

4. Jesus’ ministry in Galilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:24–9:9

a) The beginning of the ministry in Galilee 4:14–41

b) The first tour of Galilee 4:42–5:39

c) A Sabbath controversy 6:1–11

d) The choice of the 12 apostles 6:12–16

e) The sermon 6:17–49

f ) Miracles in Capernaum and Nain 7:1–18

g) The inquiry of John the Baptist 7:19–29

h) Jesus and the Pharisees 7:30–50

i) The second tour of Galilee 8:1–3

j) The parables of the kingdom 8:4–21

k) The trip across the Sea of Galilee 8:40–9:9

5. Jesus’ withdrawals from Galilee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:10–50

a) To the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee 9:10–17

b) To Caesarea Philippi 9:18–50

6. Jesus’ ministry in Judea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:51–13:21

a) Journey through Samaria to Judea 9:51–62

b) The mission of the 70 10:1–24

c) The lawyer and the parable of the Good Samaritan 10:25–37

d) Jesus at Bethany with Mary and Martha 10:38–42

e) Teachings in Judea 11:1–13:21

7. Jesus’ ministry in Perea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13:22–19:27

a) The narrow door 13:22–30

b) Warning about Herod 13:31–35

c) At a Pharisee’s house 14:1–23

d) The cost of discipleship 14:24–35

e) Some parables 15–16

f ) Miscellaneous teachings 17:1–10

g) Ten healed of leprosy 17:11–19

h) The coming of the kingdom 17:20–37

i) The persistent widow 18:1–8

j) The Pharisee and tax collector 18:9–14

k) Jesus and the children 18:15–17

l) The rich young ruler 18:18–30

m) Prediction of Jesus’ death 18:31–34

n) Healing a blind man at Jericho 18:35–43

o) Zacchaeus 19:1–10

p) The parable of the 10 minas 19:11–27

8. Jesus’ last week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19:28–23:56

a) The triumphal entry 19:28–44

b) The cleansing of the temple 19:45–48

c) The last controversies with the Jewish leaders 20

d) The Olivet prophecy concerning the end of the age 21

e) The Last supper and Gethsemane 22:1–46

f ) The arrest, trial and death of Jesus 22:47–23:56

9. The resurrection of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

a) Jesus is raised 24:1–12

b) The post-resurrection ministry 24:13–49

c) Jesus ascends to heaven 24:50–52

Mark 1-8

Don't even ask. Don't even make a remark. I know I've totally neglected my little blog. "Blog? What blog?" I know.......

Mark is a good place to pick back up...simply because its where we are. :)

Mark isn't unique in its gospel. There are only 4 paragraphs that appear here that aren't in Matthew and Luke. .....meaning everything else is covered in Matthew and Luke that is here in Mark. That doesn't discredit it though as a mere duplication. Each gospel writer adapts his material to his own particular purpose. So none is dispensable. Mark shows Jesus in action; convincing us by the things he does that his claim to be the Son of God is true!!!

chapter 1 Jesus is teaching....but they are learning that he is a teacher that can heal! Capernaum is Jesus' headquarters. The first recognition of Jesus as "the Holy One of God" comes from a man possessed, and Jesus immediately tries to keep his identity secret. He exercises his power for good over the forces of evil.

chapter 2 a paralyzed man walks.....this is Jesus' actions demonstrating his power on both physical and spiritual realms. When he says the word, the man is healed. When he says the word, the man is forgiven. In both cases....something REALLY happens.

chapter 3 Jesus choose an inner circle of 12....three were especially close....Peter, James, and John. Four from Galilee were partners in a fishing business (Peter and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John). One, Matthew, was a tax collector serving the Romans. Simon, at the other extreme of the Romans, belonged to the nationalist guerrilla group, the Zealots. We don't know much about Judas (other than he betrayed Jesus) and little about Bartholomew...but is is often identified with the Nathanael of John 1. Thaddaeus of Matthew and Mark's gospels is that same as "Judas, son of James." The group was a very eclectic group and not one was from the religious establishment.

chapter 4 "The kingdom of heaven is like...." these parables are drawn from farming and are about growth and the coming of God's kingdom.

chapter 5 here we have a madman in the graveyard. The man sheltering among the burial caves is a pitiful sight--a fragmented personality at the mercy of a hundred conflicting impulses; totally incapable of a normal life. But Jesus has authority over wild elements and wild people.....this is total transformation. The exorcism is followed by mischief and disturbance as the herd of pigs runs headlong into the lake.....a sight which must have convinced the man that the tormentors were really gone for good. Then in this chapter Jairus' daughter and the women who touched Jesus' cloak were healed by their faith.

chapter 6 Jesus was rejected in his own hometown of Nazareth and then (!) the King has John the Baptist beheaded. All of this because people were questioning who Jesus is. Jesus feeds the 5,000 and Jesus walks across the lake....again, in both cases, Jesus demonstrates his supreme power over creation....he is Lord of wind and water.

chapter 7 "the tradition of the elders"washing rituals had to do with being clean...no simply hygiene or table manners, but to be clean in heart and mind before the Lord.

chapter 8 food for 4,000: a demand for a sign -- the disciples lack of spiritual discernment disappoints Jesus. They are so taken up with the bread supply, they cannot see that he is warning them against the ever present dangers of religious hypocrisy and materialism.

tomorrow: 9-11!!

Zechariah 1-7 (8 visions)

Well....here we are....almost finished with the Old Testament!!! COME ON NEW!!!!!!! SHEW! Hang in there! :)

Zechariah is about judgment and salvation for Judah and the nations; the rebuilding of the Temple as a sign of God's presence; and the nation's leaders in relation to God. The New Testament gospels quote Zechariah (in part two...chapters 9-14) more than any other prophet in the their narratives of Jesus' last days.......reflecting on Jesus as the Messiah. Zechariah, with Ezekiel, have an influence on the book of Revelation.

There are 8 visions in chapters 1-6.....each contributes to a picture meant to be seen as a whole.

vision 1 : The 4 horsemen are patroling the world on God's behalf....like the mounted patrols which "policed" the persian empire.

vision 2: the four horns....a vivid picture of destruction of the hostile powers which had the ground the nation down--the powerful "horns"

vision 3-- the measuring line-- the wall around Jerusalem had been destroyed and was to be rebuilt...God will be the protecting wall around Jerusalem.

vision 4 --the high priest re-robed. Joshua stands before God representing the people...Joshua's clothes are filthy but God''s purpose is to restore and renew his people.

vision 5 -- lamps and olive trees -- this vision is interrupted by the word from God to Zerubabbel. The lampstands are the Temple and the faithful Jewish worshipers....they are like a light/lamp on a hill...cannot be hidden. The olive trees are 2 men chosen (anointed) by God to serve Him.

vision 6 -- a giant flying scroll comes from God and represents his Law.

vision 7 -- a basketful of wickedness -- a basket like used for measuring grain and all of wickedness is contained in it. God's angel ensure that no evil can escape. All of it is carried off on strong wings, far away to the land of Babylon, the land of the exile. The cleansing is complete.

vision 8 -- four horse drawn chariots -- the riders are God's patrolmen and judge all four corners of the earth. The nations have been judged, God's Spirit is a rest, and there will be peace.

Hosea 1-11

Well....another book completed in the Word of the Lord!!! AMEN!!! :) Do you remember anything we've read? Probably not....but we recognized things more when we are studying for Sunday school lessons or Bible study!

chapter 1 Hosea obeys God's instruction to marry Gomer....a prostitute. Although difficult...even repulsive...Hosea does not hesitate. Just as the Lord reveals himself to Job through his suffering and gains a more intimate relationship with him, the Lord uses Hosea's marriage to Gomer to mirror the people of Israel's unfaithful relationship with Him. God is always ready to forgive and restore us -- if we repent....regardless of the sin in our lives.

chapter 2 Gomer is unfaithful to her marriage vows.....another mirror of Israel's unfaithfulness to the Lord. The picture in the words of v. 2-23 is one of blatant unfaithfulness. Without thought God's people go their own way to worshiping false gods. They run from God and indulge in all kinds of wickedness. but it is not God's intention to leave them in their sin. Without fail, God is angered at his people's unfaithfulness and works to draw them back to Himself. There is reassurance of hope and comfort for those who have wondered.

chapter 3 Hosea is reconciled with his wife.......Gomer ran away from him and their children so I'm sure it would be hard to take her back.....but remember this IS JUST a metaphor for the people of Israel and their relationship with the Lord. But the Lord instructs Hosea to take Gomer back....just as the Lord will take his own unfaithful children back. God is faithful to Israel (and us) even when we don't deserve it.

chapter 4 spiritual prostitution.....leads them astray..they have a bent to unfaithfulness to God....we too, today, have the same bent. The act of prostitution may not be involved, but anytime we turn to our culture for gratification or consolation instead of turning to God, we exhibit the same "spirit of prostitution."

chapter 5 HUM....."does God hide?"verse 6.....does God hide himself from us when we blatantly and consistently disobey him...well, maybe...but He doesn't ever abandon us! there is a difference, don't you think? He has promised never to leave us as orphans or abandon us!We are never separated fully from God!

chapter 6 God does deal with his people harshly when they break his covenant but he does not withhold himself. When His people cry out...he comes like the spring rains!! But....as all to often and like with Hosea's time, the repentance is all too short lived. When the people sin and then repent, a faithful God is there with forgiveness and the restoration of soft spring rains. But his patience will not last forever.

chapter 7 the lust for power causes the princes of the land to assassinate their kings. Hosea does not mention any one king, but several kings of Israel are killed just before judgment falls on the nation.

chapter 8 sowing and reaping...sow the wind and reap a whirlwind! As the people of Israel continue to plant the seeds of idolatry and lust, the result is a whirlwind of instability and chaos in their personal lives and in the life of the nation.

chapter 9 at the end of the harvest, a feast was held on the threshing floor....where the reapers then slept to guard the grain from thieves. Women were not encouraged to attend, but prostitutes took advantage of the occasion. The lesson here.....when we have an intimate relationship with God, we trust that he will work out the details. We need not be afraid.

chapter 10 when the Israelites finally wake up to the magnitude of their sin against God, they will be filled with shame. The very land where they worship idols and practice sexual immorality will be brought down, exposing their betrayal of the Lord. Those who recognize their sin at the end of the world will prefer to have the mountains crush them than to have to face judgment from God!

chapter 11 God is taken his chosen people, by the hand....nurturing them, leading, teaching, and loving them as a parent would a child.

tomorrow: Hosea 12-14 and all of Joel....all 3 chapters of the whole book!! :) Love the minor prophets...nice and short!! :)