What would you wish for?

When we started our new bible study we were all asked what our favorite bible story was.

Now, I have to tell you I have many favorites, but I knew that they were probably the same ones that everyone else had, so I tried to think of one that doesn't get talked about as much.

So when we went around the table telling our stories, I was glad to hear that no one picked mine.

Do you know what it is?

Mine was the story about Solomon being asked by God, if he could have anything he wanted what would he ask for?

First of all can you imagine being able to ask for whatever you wanted?
Seriously?  I just can't even wrap my head around that one.

OK, so Solomon, who loved the Lord, asked him for discernment in governing his country in the way God would have him do it.  He asked for wisdom.  Because he knew he needed God's help to be a good king.

God was so impressed with Solomon's answer that he told him because he didn't ask for anything for himself, he would be given what he asked for and MORE.  He was given wealth, honor, and there was not then, or has ever been, a king as great as Solomon.  

Isn't that an amazing story of obedience, look at what God did for a man who asked for something with a pure heart, and all he wanted was to please God.  

Yes, I know, as time goes on Solomon loses his way, but look at what God did with him when he was trying to please him.  He was the wisest king EVER, and people came from all over the world to hear him speak.

You see even Solomon wasn't perfect, but look at how God blessed him for being obedient, imagine what he can do for you.

What are you afraid of?

If someone were to ask you right now what were you afraid of, what would you say?

Would you say that you were afraid of God?

Did God even pop into your mind, or were you thinking of something else, like sickness,
or spiders, or even being alone?

We have talked about the fear of God in Bible study before, mostly about how you don't really hear people talk about it very much.  I suppose that is just a sign of the times. People don't want to hear about it, so we just don't talk about it.

Does that make it any less real or important?

All throughout the old testament are stories of a loving God, saving his people from slavery, and hardship.   And all through the old testament are more stories of those same people falling away from God, and suffering the consequences for doing so.

They lost their fear, you could say they got a little too comfortable.

Do you feel like you sometimes get too comfortable?

How many times when things are going good for us do we thank God for our blessings, because that is exactly what they are, blessings.  And how many times do we reach out to him when things are hard?  Most likely we pray more when we are hurting than we do when we are happy.  That doesn't apply to everyone of course, but I'm certainly guilty of not praising him enough when things are good.

I wonder if we don't like to talk about fearing God because we only want to think of a loving God, but God is still loving, but he also just and Holy and deserves to be respectfully feared.  He doesn't want us to be afraid of him, he longs for us to know him. 
He is much like the loving parent who loves their children so much that when they do wrong, they are punished.  

I truly believe that he wants to have this same kind of relationship with us, he loves us like a mother loves her children.  He wants so much for us, and like any parent he only wants what is best for us.  And like any child all we are asked is to be obedient.

God is good!

God is loving!

God is Holy!

“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”

Exodus 20:20

Treasures

We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure.  This shows that the great power is from God, not from us.  We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated.  We do not know what to do, but we do not give up the hope of living.  We are persecuted, but God does not leave us.  We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

This was the scripture that we ended with at Bible study last night.

How awesome is it to know that as Christians we have the gift of the Holy Spirit in us, I wonder if we really access that power that we are able to draw on as we could.  I mean, if we earnestly seek God's will in our lives, there is nothing that he can't do.

Nothing! 

I think it is easy for us to forget that when God tells us something he means it.

Maybe that is because all around us we see imperfection, and it is hard for us to grasp perfection.  But it's there, if we just believe.

Several weeks ago we started something new called Hope, to begin with we wrote down some names of people who we want to be in heaven with us.  Then we said we would pray for those people.

That's all just pray for them.

So, this past weekend someone who was on my list, came to church.  

I know that's not huge, they've been to church before.

But it's a step, and every journey begins with a step, right?

So, like the book says,

Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything.

What's your gift?

Source

In Bible study we are reading Corinthians.  

We just did the chapter dealing with Spiritual Gifts.  The people in Corinth, seem to have put speaking in tongues very high on the scale of gifts.  In other words if you spoke in tongues you were placed on a pedestal so to speak, while others who may have had a different gift, weren't treated quite as well.

Personally, if I could pick a gift, I would think the gift of healing would be the one to have.

As we were reading the chapter it brought to mind a time when we had a discussion of gifts of the Holy Spirit.  I will never forget how my first thought when they were talking about the awesome things that God can do was fear.

Fear of what would happen if that ever really happened to me.

Then someone said something I will never forget.

Don't be afraid of what God can do for you.

I realized I wasn't the only one with this fear either, and I have learned that the fear we usually have comes from the deceiver.  Let's face it, he doesn't want us to have a relationship God, it is his job to keep us as far away from him as possible.  Because when he keeps us from seeking him, he keeps us focused on ourselves.  It's a lot easier for him to convince us that we can do it on our own when we are apart from God.  Being worldly is not all it's cracked up to be.  

After we read that chapter, I decided to take the Spiritual gifts survey to see what kind of gift it says that I have.  Now I have done this before but the one I did this time was more specific in it's questions, and pointed to gifts that I hadn't seen mentioned in the last test I did.  Gifts like healing, prophecy, and even demonic possession.  

Definitely, didn't want that one!!  

But what I found really interesting is the little things that you may do for others, is truly a Spiritual gift.

The gift of helping.  

I know of so many people who have this gift but feel like it isn't enough.  Guess what?

That is a wonderful gift, so many times when we need a little help with whatever project we have going, these are the people that are quick to step up and say they will help.
They are the people who really keep things running smoothly.

So whether your gift is healing, speaking in tongues, prophesy, or helping.  You're just as important to the kingdom.  

You are just as important to Jesus.

Living in Corinth

Source

In Bible study we are doing Corinthians.

In Corinthians Paul is replying to a church in Corinth regarding a situation that seems to be creating conflict in the church.

This particular problem that he addresses has to do with a man who is currently living with his dead fathers' wife.  (I assume it is his stepmother.)  

Can you say "Scandal!!!"

And as Paul is replying to the church he gives them such good advice, some of his own thinking and some straight from God.  Not only does Paul address that particular topic but he moves right into marriage, and greed, and prostitutes.  

Hardly boring, right?

But as we read it, I began to realize that any situation we can think of is covered in
the bible and it tells us how God wants us to address it.

The bible truly is an instruction booklet for us if we would just take the time to read it.  
Also, as we were talking about all the stuff that was going on back then it was easy to see that the same kind of stuff happens now, everyday, only we have grown so "use" to it, that it has become acceptable.

Over time we have stopped seeing things as black or white, meaning right and wrong here, but everything falls into a gray area that no one wants to define as right or wrong.

Do we really believe that this is acceptable to God?

There are still so many wonderful things about our world.  But we have to wonder how long we can continue in this direction?

Power of the Holy Spirit

I wanted to give an update on our bible study on Not a fan.

I have to tell you this book really asks hard questions.  Questions we probably don't like to be asked if we are honest with ourselves.  

Sometimes it's good to be asked hard questions because it gives us the opportunity to improve ourselves.

This week the chapter revolved around the Holy Spirit.

I don't know about you, but when I was growing up I didn't really hear that much about the Holy Spirit.

It was more of a mystery.

But while we may not have a huge understanding of what it entails, Jesus does tell us that when he is gone he is sending one greater than himself that we can do even better things than he did.  

That is hard to imagine for me, that while the disciples had Jesus here on earth with him, he said with the power of the Holy Spirit we could do even greater things than he.

Hello????

I don't know about you but some days I have a difficult time doing the simplest of things, to think that I have the power to do miracles seems totally surreal.

But that is exactly what the bible tells us, that if we believe, and call on the Holy Spirit (with a sincere heart), we cannot imagine the power that we have.

I don't think we have a clue of what power we have as followers of Christ.   

The question is do we believe it?  Really?  

If we do believe it, then do the actions of our lives reflect it?

Questions to think about

Since we have started our Bible study on not a fan, we have really had to look inside ourselves to see where God stands in our lives.

This past week was particularly difficult. 

Not really difficult because I didn't get it, but difficult because I'm not sure what my answers mean.  

I guess I didn't get it.

Anyway, since I wasn't sure exactly what my answers say about me, I want to throw the questions that I found the most challenging out to you.

Ready?

1.  What disappoints you or frustrates you the most?

2.  What is it that really gets you excited?

OK, I am going to tell you what my answers are because I honestly felt like my answers may not have been what the author was looking for when he asked them.

Now what disappoints me was an easy question.  

Injustice.
The whole life isn't fair thing.  Why are some kids starving while others have too much.
But I will say that I am becoming better with this one, because I think a lot of that is on us.  We should open our eyes to the injustices and do something ourselves.
So I am working on that one.

For me it was the next question that made me seem selfish for lack of a better description.  What gets me excited?
I don't know if this is wrong but I get excited when I know I am getting together with friends or family.  I love having people over, and just getting together.  Our family use to have a girls game night once a month and I absolutely loved it. 
We have a lot of fun in my family!

Anyway, when I thought about it I wondered what does that say about me?

Am I putting my family before God?

I don't think I am, but am I?

While we discussed the questions, we were told that these are not to make us feel guilty, but to help us grow and I know that in my head, but I just wasn't sure what that said about me.

I guess if I am going to be honest with myself, and why not because God knows everything anyway, I would have to ask myself am I putting my relationships before God.

Interfering

This week we are discussing a new bible study.

Source

We discussed this a little, and after having read Radical, and Crazy Love, I assume it has pretty much the same kind of theme.

Which is good, because it is a theme I love.

Stop talking, and start doing!

Now, this isn't something every one would like.  

Because when you start doing it isn't always easy, usually it's never easy.  Some people might even say it would interfere with what they want.

There's an old saying, Nothing worth having is ever easy.

Think about it.

Thanksgiving

No, not the holiday.

More the state of mind, being Thankful.

This morning I was reading my devotional and it was telling the story of how the serpent tempted Eve by giving her a sense of counterfeit joy.  

As I was reading I thought of all the times Satan plants negative thoughts in my head and how easy it is to be deceived into thinking he's right.

Counterfeit joy has nothing on real joy, it seems good for a minute but then it usually hurts someone else.  I have fallen for his lies more times than I care to admit, and the good feeling doesn't last like real joy.

But he can really make it look good.

It can be especially easy when life gets hectic and things seem to be falling apart, God wants more than that for us, he wants us to have a peace and joy that passes all understanding.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

Philippians 4:6-7

I was watching an interview with Ann Voskamp the other day and she was talking about Joy and being Thankful.  Having a heart of gratitude. If we can see all that God has given us and be thankful for what we have, we can have amazing joy.

So that's gonna be my new thing.  

I am going to intentionally be thankful.

And with Thanksgiving will come joy!

Pointing the way

We have finally begun our Bible study again.  

I have missed it so much.

Anyway,  this week we started a focus on five major characters in the old testament.
This week we started with Adam, let's face it he was first, right?

We discussed Adams relationship with God, I mean he had everything he could possibly want right, he lived in paradise, was given a wife, basically, all his needs were met.

Then the serpent comes along and temps Eve, and she falls for it.  She wanted more.

Did you get that?

She wanted more.

So she decided to try the fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil.

Then what does she do?  

She runs straight to Adam and gets him to do it.

And he does it too, knowing he shouldn't, he still does.

Now, these people have the kind of relationship with God that we can only imagine, he actually came down to talk to them.

Can you imagine that?

So, even though God already knows what has happened he wants to hear if from them.  But they hide, thinking he won't know where they are or what they've done.

How silly, he knows it all.  So when they finally, admit what they had done, after blaming it on everyone they could, God disciplines them.

Now, remember he told them not to eat from the tree or they would surely die, but he didn't kill them, he showed them mercy.  

God is good, even when we don't deserve it.

Instead he gives them consequences for their actions (curses is what the bible call them).

First the serpent, he is condemned to crawl on his belly and eat dust all his life.  And the woman and all her descendants will be your enemy.  They will crush your head, and you will strike their heel.

To Eve, she will have much pain in childbirth, yet she will greatly desire her husband, and he will rule over her.

And last but certainly not least Adam.  He will put a curse on the ground, so that he will toil hard for his food, the ground will produce thorns and weeds and you will sweat and work hard.

I would like to say that the more I read it, the more I love the old testament.  The stories point us to Jesus.  There is nothing that we face today, that isn't in the old testament.  Betrayal, adultery, prostitution, just to name a few, and on top of all of that, God uses everyday people to lead them back to him.

Also, the more I learn the more I see how the old and the new are so intertwined.

For example;

We know that everything God made has been waiting until now in pain, like a woman ready to give birth.  Not only the world, but we also have been waiting with pain inside us.

Romans 8:22-23

A new testament example of how Eve's fall to sin still points us to Jesus.  Our suffering now, are nothing compared to the glory he has waiting for us.

How exciting is that?

Next week, Noah.

Getting Answers

In Bible study this week we talked about ways we get answers to prayers, people today and long ago.


Sometimes they came through miracles, sometimes through Angels or prophets, and the best way of all was when God just plain spoke the answers.  


We also talked about Daniel, and how he prayed for 21 days for the same thing from God, and when the Angel came he told Daniel that his prayer was heard on the 1st day but he was delayed by an evil spirit.


I don't know about you but I don't think I've really thought about that in regards to why I may not get an answer to my prayer.  I certainly know that Satan is real, but I guess I didn't think he was able to interfere with my prayers.  Maybe he isn't really interfering with prayers but with us and our ability to wait.


Patience.


Not really one of my strong suits.


If we think about it, when Jesus was asked something by his disciples or anyone for that matter do you recall how he answers most of their questions.


He answers them by telling them with a story that may not seem like it has anything to do with what they asked, but in truth it does.


Jesus had the ability to see into someones heart and know the true meaning behind the question they were asking.  So when he answered sometimes it was in stories and sometimes he answered a question with a question.


Ex.  Luke 10:25-37


The story of the Good  Samaritan.  He asks the man first to tell him what the Law says about it, then he tell the story of the Good Samaritan and asks again who was the good neighbor in the story?


As we talked about that it got me thinking.


Does God answer our prayers like that?  Is he trying to tell us that maybe what we are asking for we already have.  


Maybe the guidance we are looking for doesn't come from where we want it to come from so we dismiss it.  


We don't always like the messenger.  That sometimes stops us from hearing the message.


Or maybe there has been something on your heart that weren't sure what to do about then maybe you hear something similar on the radio or TV, or maybe you read something about it.


There is no such thing as coincidence.  Maybe that is one way of getting an answer.


I guess the real question is are we listening.

New Bible study

We started a new Bible study a few weeks ago on Prayer.


We were all given some questions about what we thought about prayer and what we wanted to get out of our study.


It has just been a great study so far and we are still in the beginning stages of it, but one of the things that was brought up in class was this.


If God already knows what will happen, then why pray?


We discussed this a little last night.  


Can we change God's mind?  I doubt it, but there is some merit to the way Moses pleaded for the Israelites when they were making Idols and God wanted to kill them all and start over.  But Moses begged God not to do it, and in his "praying" he must have decided that he would give them another chance because he didn't destroy them and start over like he told Moses he would.


Did Moses change his mind?


I don't know.  Maybe.


Was God just trying to see if Moses would stand up for the people that he just delivered from captivity.


Maybe.


Does God take our feelings and wishes in consideration if we earnestly, and humbly take it to him in prayer?


I hope so.  I really do, but I also know that he is all knowing and it will only happen if he allows it to.


So do we stop asking God for help when we need it?


Never.


Because if there is something we can take away from the relationship that Moses had with God then it should be that if we will continue to seek him and ask him for guidance, and strength to do his will, then there is always hope that we can get to the same kind of relationship with him that Moses had.


I am sure Moses got as frustrated with those people as I get with people in my life too, but even in his frustration and disappointment he continued to pray for them.  


So should we.

Is this really part of the plan?

Last night in bible study, we are still tackling Genesis, which is just fascinating by the way.  Anyway, as life would have it we were all presenting our prayer requests and we received some bad news about one of our members.


Just one question, why does it seem like bad stuff just keeps on happening.  Doesn't the devil take a break for heaven's sake?


So after we pray, we get started on our studying part and also as life would have it, we were at the section where Jacob is getting blessed by his father, but his father thinks he is Esau.


Confusing isn't it.


But let's not put all of the blame on Jacob, while he is sneaky, his mother pretty much tells him what to do and he does it!


So Esau is pretty upset, because since Isaac was tricked into giving his blessing to Jacob there is no blessing for him.  Back in the day, the blessing meant everything.  


This is the part where we could start talking about how "the spoken word" has so much power, but I want to save that for another day.


So since Rebekah knows how angry Esau is, she comes up with yet another plan to get Jacob to safety.  While he is on his journey he has a dream.  In it he see's a stairway to heaven with Angels going up and down the stairway.  God tells him that he is the Lord, God of Abraham and Isaac, and he tells him how he is going to bless him and be with him always.


When Jacob wakes up he is afraid, as he should be, God did just talk to him.  


Jacob anoints a rock and prays, and his prayer is somewhat of a bargaining prayer that if God will be with him on his journey, and deliver him safely back home, then he will let him be his God.


Did you get the key points there, the if and then.


The whole point of me telling the long story was to get to the prayer by the way, but I just thought it was a really good story.


I have said before that I know I pray for the wrong things, and apparently thanks to Jacob, I am not alone.  But what I was thinking about was how hard it is to really pray for the right things.  


When someone is sick, we naturally want for them to be healed, so that is what we ask for, are we wrong in asking?  


We want our kids and families to be happy and content, is it wrong to ask for those things?


I don't really think it's wrong to ask, I think God wants us to come to him with everything, but I guess where it gets hard is where we have to just completely let him be in control.  And when we say, your will be done, we need to be accepting of what his will really is.  We like to try to guide God with what we think should happen, or what we think is best, but we have to face the fact that we don't really know what is best for us.  


He does.


And when I read about how Rebekah and Jacob didn't do what was right at the time, look at how that plan came together.


He does have a plan for us all, we just don't see the big picture, we only see bits and pieces.  So  when it seems like you are trying to do the right things and pray for all the right things, but we aren't getting anywhere, we have to remember, we aren't seeing the whole story.  Maybe we are at the part where Esau feels betrayed and angry.  Or Isaac is disappointed that he has been deceived.  But when it starts coming together, and it will, we will see the big picture.

Are we being obedient?

I think I have mentioned before that in our Bible study we are doing Genesis.


Now, I have to admit when I first heard that was what we were doing, I wasn't really impressed.  I imagine that's why I am just a simple layperson.  


But once we started going through it, I have been amazed at how much I have gotten out of it.  I really am impressed with how simple things are sometimes, yet we sometimes over analyze or maybe we just look right over it.  Or maybe it's just me.  


We are currently reading all about Abraham. Now, Abraham's character has some flaws, but one thing he does without wavering is he listens to what God tells him to do and he does it, no questions asked.


WOW!!!


We were discussing how when God told Abraham to take Isaac to the mountain and sacrifice him, he goes.  That simple, he just goes!  While I can't imagine what must have been going through his head while he was going.  He never questioned the reasoning of why God asked him to do what he was doing, he only did as he was told.


What obedience.  I have said that there were times when I wish that God spoke to us in audible voices so that we would know that it was truly him.  But I have to wonder, would I be as obedient as Abraham?  Have you ever felt like God was trying to get your attention but we dismissed it to our imagination, or just tell ourselves that we are reading too much into it.  Maybe we or I should be more aware of when those feelings come over me.  Maybe, just maybe, I don't "hear" because I don't want to.  


What seems like blind obedience to me, is just natural for Abraham.  While he wasn't perfect, he was completely and totally committed to the purpose God gave him.  What is amazing also is that he didn't even know what God had planned for him, he only knew to go where he said and to just trust him.


Sounds simple doesn't it?


But is it?  Do we trust God completely?


With every aspect of our lives?
Our finances?
Our jobs?  Or lack of jobs?
Our health?


What seems so simple can be so hard for us can't it.  


What is harder about asking ourselves if we are being obedient, the question or the answer.

What must I do?

This week in Bible study we were talking about the passage in Luke 18:18 regarding the rich man who asked Jesus, "What must I do to get into heaven?"

As we went over the scripture, I noticed that when Jesus answered the man, he told him that he needed to obey the commandments, don't steal, don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't lie, and honor your father and mother.

After he said that, the man said, I've been doing these things since I was a child.

Then Jesus says, there is still one thing you aren't doing, sell all that you have and give it to the poor.  Then, come and follow me.

With that, the man went away, very sad.

That's what gets me, the man was very sad, maybe he was sad because he thought he was doing good, maybe he really was a good man, but unfortunately, he must have thought  a lot of his things also. 

With this story we don't hear the ending, we don't know if the man did go and sell his things and follow Jesus.  One of the things that leads me to believe that the rich man was a good man is because when he walked away sad, the other people in the crowd said, if it is that hard, how can anyone get into heaven? 

That kind of lead me to believe maybe he was one of those people who are just good people, and maybe he felt he didn't really need to do anything special, because in his eyes he was good enough.  If we could just be good, then why would we need grace? 

Know anyone like that?  This week I watched The Case for Christ, and I was amazed at the introduction with so many people who didn't really think they needed God.  I have to say I was a little blown away.  But it is a good movie for someone who may feel like they need some kind of evidence regarding the bible.  Personally, I just believe it.

So anyway, maybe the man did sell his possessions, maybe he came to realize that even with all his wealth and his possessions something was missing.  A peace and joy that can't come from things of this world.  They come from knowing the Lord.

Staying Focused

One of the things that we have talked about lately at Bible study has been how important it is to stay focused.  

When I was first beginning my relationship with Christ, I thought it didn't really matter what kinds of things I surrounded myself with.  I didn't feel the need to listen to christian music every time I was in the car.  I guess I didn't see that it really mattered what I put in my head.  Like with TV, or music, that kind of thing.   But now, I think it does. 

Now, keep in mind this is just my experience, and I am soooo not perfect, just ask anybody.  I have a love for all music, everything from Carrie Underwood to Kid Rock. Yes, I know, he has a potty mouth, but I think he has a great voice, just listen to one of his slow songs.  Yes, he does have a few slow songs.  Anyway, I guess that's one of the good things about getting older, you realize you're not as smart as you thought you were.  I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.  It happens more times than I like to admit.  So now, I try to pay more attention to what I am feeding my brain.  I like to watch uplifting shows, listen to happy music, I am learning to surround myself with people who are encourager's.

Now that doesn't mean I don't mess up, I do.



But I also know that when the world is getting crazy, and I need to spend some time with the Lord, maybe I should switch my station to KLOVE, or spend a little extra time reading my bible.  I actually have my radio station on KLOVE right now.


I have realized that if I spend more time with things that encourage my faith, it is a little easier to stay focused.  I think if we can remember that our relationship with God should be our first priority, then we can trust that he will take care of the other stuff in our lives.

Ask yourself

Last night at Bible study, we were talking about how things have changed and are changing in Church.  

One thing we learned was how when the Methodist church was first beginning they had small groups, which I love by the way.  Small Groups are the in thing I guess you would say now, but what I loved about the way they use to be done was the questions that they were asked.

I think the Pastor said they asked about five questions, but 3 really stuck out in my mind.  Keep in mind that they met weekly and had discussions on the same questions.

First of all, What evidence have you seen of Christ in your life?

Second, What temptations were you subjected to?

Third, what temptations did you fall prey to?

Those I think are great questions, the first one being my favorite.  So, I want to share my answers with you.

I have got to say I see evidence of Christ all around me, from the flowers and the trees, to my family, and even my job.  This week I was aware of how God put me in a great work environment with fellow Christians, as I watched a coworker helping a friend.  I saw my sister in law take my mom to the Dr., all of those things are evidence of Christ and his works in my life.


What temptations have I been around?  Hmmm, this one could get sticky.  I feel sure I have gotten angry over something stupid, I have been short with my kids, and I have envied what I don't have.  Now, I am sure that isn't all, but it's all I can think of right now.


What temptations have I given in to?  Well, while I was angry I probably said some things that I definitely shouldn't have said.  I thought some pretty unkind things, and remember thinking it is just as bad as saying or doing it.  I think that this week, that pretty much does it, but it is just Thursday.

Being Fearful

Last night was, you guessed it Bible Study.

Are you sick of hearing about Bible study?  I hope not, because I don't plan on quitting it any time soon.  Besides, I like it, and I'm a big girl and I can do what I want!

Anyway, last night we continued in Luke 11.  Jesus was warning the disciples to not be like the Pharisees, now of course he wasn't talking about ALL Pharisees just the ones who were more concerned with how they looked to other people, and not concerned with how they looked to God.  

At one point he tells them, "I tell you my friends, don't be afraid of people who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more to hurt you.  I will show you the one to fear.  Fear the one who has the power to kill you and also to throw you into hell.  Yes, this is the one you should fear."  Luke 11:4-5

I have heard a few conversations about Fearing the Lord, and I wonder how much we actually fear the Lord now.  Society doesn't show much fear of anything these days.  It's seems to be an "All about me" kind of thing.  

I wonder, do you think this angers God?  When I think of all the things that God has done when he wasn't happy with his people, it makes me fearful.

What do you think?  Do you see us as a fearful nation?

Falling on Deaf ears.

Luke 9: 44,45
"Don't forget what I tell you now:  The Son of Man will be handed over to the people."  But the followers did not understand what this meant; the meaning was hidden from them so they could not understand.  But they were afraid to ask Jesus about it.

 
Last night at bible study, someone asked a question about why the meaning was hidden from the disciples when Jesus told them he would be handed over to the people. This led to a discussion about how we don't always see what God is doing until he is ready for us to see him.

And then someone asked, What do you think God is doing right now in the world?  


Now, that is a pretty broad question in that we are talking about the whole world and not just our little neighborhood, or in our lives for that matter.  I can tell you that my little peanut brain could not even begin to know what God is doing. 

Take the disciples, they don't want to think that Jesus will have to die on a cross, so they don't want to talk about it.  How many situations have you been in where things may not be perfect but instead of facing them, we try to act like it is happening to someone else, or just ignore it all together.  


When the time comes, and goes, then we are able to look back and see where God was in the situation.  Some situations can be so painful that it takes us longer to find him, if I suppose we find him at all, in them.  But I think that even if we can't see him, that doesn't mean he wasn't there.

But God has an infinite plan that we will only see completed when we are with him.  Where we are, is exactly where we are suppose to be.  

That is amazing to me! 

Who do you say that I am?

OK, last night was bible study again, and the closer we get to Easter, the more I am loving doing Luke.  We are getting closer and closer to the time of the crucifixion and I love the way Jesus is trying to give his Disciples some warning of what is going to happen to him, but they just don't want to hear it. 

When he is with the Disciples and he is praying, and he asks them "Who do the people say I am?", they tell him some say John the Baptist, some say prophets from long ago that have come back,  then he asks them "Who do you say that I am?".   I really like that question!  At some time in our lives we will all have to answer that question.  When they say, you are the Christ.  This is when he begins to tell them all that he will have to endure.  And Peter, just being Peter, took Jesus aside and told him that those things would never happen to him.  


I don't know about you but I can definitely identify with Peter.  Let's face it, he is loving having Jesus around and who wouldn't.  I think he probably never wanted it to end.  So when he hears something bad he just doesn't want to believe that it is going to happen.  


How many times do we hear about something that isn't pleasant and simply ignore it, or maybe just act like it isn't going to happen.  Unfortunately, bad stuff happens.  That's life, it always has happened and it always will.  I guess we just have to decide how we want to handle it.  

Maybe how we answer his question will help us with how we handle bad news.