All of these chapters seem very tactical. I really like reading them. Its a great example of how to treat people. Sometimes I don't think enough about how my actions are affecting other people....not just in the things that I say, but in how I act.
I like the premise that you pick your path in life, and live it for God. But, your chosen path is between only you and God and you shouldn't condemn anyone for choosing a different path.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Romans 13
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
I like the simplicity of this statement. At our Bettendorf church our purpose statement was Love God, Love others. This fits right in their, if you remember to love your neighbor it keeps your train on the rails. Showing love requires action, I think I have room to work here as my natural tendency would be to focus on me, myself and I.
In chapter 12 verses, 9-21 were summarized by the title Love in Action. I think Chapter 12 like you said demands some additional attention, what a great playbook!
I like the simplicity of this statement. At our Bettendorf church our purpose statement was Love God, Love others. This fits right in their, if you remember to love your neighbor it keeps your train on the rails. Showing love requires action, I think I have room to work here as my natural tendency would be to focus on me, myself and I.
In chapter 12 verses, 9-21 were summarized by the title Love in Action. I think Chapter 12 like you said demands some additional attention, what a great playbook!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Romans 12
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This chapter is chalked full of good stuff, the opening and closing paragraphs both have simple statements to guide our lives. The pieces in the middle help explain how to do it. Find the gifts God gave you and use them, recognize we all have different but important parts in Body of Christ. Everything you do in all situations good or bad show your love for God by loving others.
that's all I have. heard you have an offer in on a house, I pray everything goes smoothly for you guys! later knut
This chapter is chalked full of good stuff, the opening and closing paragraphs both have simple statements to guide our lives. The pieces in the middle help explain how to do it. Find the gifts God gave you and use them, recognize we all have different but important parts in Body of Christ. Everything you do in all situations good or bad show your love for God by loving others.
that's all I have. heard you have an offer in on a house, I pray everything goes smoothly for you guys! later knut
Monday, April 23, 2012
Romans 11
If the root is Holy, so are the branches.
I like this line. Sort-of a foundation sorta statement. where are you grounded?
The rest of the verse is talking about being a branch grafted into a flourishing olive tree. This speaks to me in building relationships with those around you that are living their lives for Christ. If one person suffers, or is in need, the rest of the branches help out....but, its all predicated on the where your roots are planted.
its good....all good.
I like this line. Sort-of a foundation sorta statement. where are you grounded?
The rest of the verse is talking about being a branch grafted into a flourishing olive tree. This speaks to me in building relationships with those around you that are living their lives for Christ. If one person suffers, or is in need, the rest of the branches help out....but, its all predicated on the where your roots are planted.
its good....all good.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Romans 10
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
that's a great line!
I need to try to remember that's the best thing that can come from my mouth.
that's a great line!
I need to try to remember that's the best thing that can come from my mouth.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Romans 9
20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
For the most part I like who I am. But it occurs to me there are times I see people who are very charismatic and have an easy time making new friends when placed in large group settings and I wish I could be the same. When I read these verses that made me think I am almost complaining to God about how he made me if I wish I were different. Maybe I should focus on the strengths he gave me, I may not form instant bonds with people but the people I do connect with I usually have meaningful relationships with--focus on that and the purpose God has for me to use the strengths he gave me.
something to ponder
For the most part I like who I am. But it occurs to me there are times I see people who are very charismatic and have an easy time making new friends when placed in large group settings and I wish I could be the same. When I read these verses that made me think I am almost complaining to God about how he made me if I wish I were different. Maybe I should focus on the strengths he gave me, I may not form instant bonds with people but the people I do connect with I usually have meaningful relationships with--focus on that and the purpose God has for me to use the strengths he gave me.
something to ponder
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Romans 8
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called accroding to his purpose.
I'm holdin on to that one right now.
more later
tp
I'm holdin on to that one right now.
more later
tp
Friday, April 13, 2012
Romans 7
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
The constant battle of my good intentions versus my sinful nature, captured right here in Romans. I'm not sure it makes me feel better but it does help me understand that the struggle to follow God's law has existed since he gave us his law. Again, thankfully there is grace for to cover my shortcomings.
The constant battle of my good intentions versus my sinful nature, captured right here in Romans. I'm not sure it makes me feel better but it does help me understand that the struggle to follow God's law has existed since he gave us his law. Again, thankfully there is grace for to cover my shortcomings.
Romans 6
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
Just because God's washes our sins away through grace because we have believe and have faith in Jesus doesn't give us license to do whatever we want. If we are true believers we should be aspiring to follow all Gods laws and direction for us--fortunately for us we aren't working without a net so when we do slip up God's grace will catch us.
Just because God's washes our sins away through grace because we have believe and have faith in Jesus doesn't give us license to do whatever we want. If we are true believers we should be aspiring to follow all Gods laws and direction for us--fortunately for us we aren't working without a net so when we do slip up God's grace will catch us.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Romans 5
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
That puts a LOT on Adam's shoulders. I think if I was in his situation, I probably would have made the same decision he did. But, its an interesting way to look at it. One "wrong-ing" the world, the other "righting" it. One for self, the other being completely selfless.
I really like the part of this chapter that talks about how its much easier to die for a righteous person. But, Christ died for the wicked.........I can simplifiy that a little for my daily life. Its easy for me to love the people that treat me well, its really hard to think about sacrificing for the knuckleheads that treat me like I don't matter.
more later
That puts a LOT on Adam's shoulders. I think if I was in his situation, I probably would have made the same decision he did. But, its an interesting way to look at it. One "wrong-ing" the world, the other "righting" it. One for self, the other being completely selfless.
I really like the part of this chapter that talks about how its much easier to die for a righteous person. But, Christ died for the wicked.........I can simplifiy that a little for my daily life. Its easy for me to love the people that treat me well, its really hard to think about sacrificing for the knuckleheads that treat me like I don't matter.
more later
Monday, April 9, 2012
Romans 4
from the Message version... 4-5If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.
Just another good reminder today that truly having faith means giving him all the controls and believing not just saying that through Him all things are possible.
Just another good reminder today that truly having faith means giving him all the controls and believing not just saying that through Him all things are possible.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Romans 3
10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one; .... 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice...26...to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
I went to my friend Tom's blog today to see his thoughts when he read this chapter of Romans. After reading his old post it gave me some direction to reflect on and I went back to the verses and pieced together the above portions. Not sure if its appropriate to cut it up like this but these are key segments that struck me. And like Tom said in his blog, its not about me or what I do (because there is no one who can do enough to overcome their sins) its about accepting by faith what Jesus did for me that brings me into the fold of God's righteousness.
Especially today on this Good Friday help me remember the sacrifice Jesus made for me--thank you Jesus!
Have a Great Easter weekend. Tell your family hello and give them all a hug for me! --knut
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Romans 2
1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
This first verse says a mouth full for me, those who live in glass houses should not cast stones. Even when I've thought I'm successful in not casting a stone verse 16 makes me realize the secret thought I had is not a secret to God.
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
So while controlling my tongue is a good thing, and even better thing would be to stop judging people altogether spoken or unspoken. I think that's a tall order but I should remember my thoughts are as real as my spoken words to God. Kind of like lust is equal to the act of adultery---maybe its not from the perspective of people around you but to the only One who matters it is.
This first verse says a mouth full for me, those who live in glass houses should not cast stones. Even when I've thought I'm successful in not casting a stone verse 16 makes me realize the secret thought I had is not a secret to God.
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
So while controlling my tongue is a good thing, and even better thing would be to stop judging people altogether spoken or unspoken. I think that's a tall order but I should remember my thoughts are as real as my spoken words to God. Kind of like lust is equal to the act of adultery---maybe its not from the perspective of people around you but to the only One who matters it is.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Romans 1
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
I'm not ashamed to tell people of my faith, but I think for the most part I only do it when asked in a fairly direct way. I love Paul's energy to share his faith with everyone. I pray I can get some of that type of energy passion or at minimum share Jesus when I see those invitations waiting from someone in need that I have probably passed up so many times in the past.
have a great day
I'm not ashamed to tell people of my faith, but I think for the most part I only do it when asked in a fairly direct way. I love Paul's energy to share his faith with everyone. I pray I can get some of that type of energy passion or at minimum share Jesus when I see those invitations waiting from someone in need that I have probably passed up so many times in the past.
have a great day
Monday, April 2, 2012
James 5
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
Its always a good reminder not to place too much value in the things you can acquire with your money. It can definitely become an addition. Gina and I didn't want to move our of our house in Grimes, when we moved back 3 years later didn't consider similarly sized homes big enough anymore. I don't generally consider myself materialistic but I can see I need to be careful where I'm sing God's resources he has placed in my control.
on to Romans
Its always a good reminder not to place too much value in the things you can acquire with your money. It can definitely become an addition. Gina and I didn't want to move our of our house in Grimes, when we moved back 3 years later didn't consider similarly sized homes big enough anymore. I don't generally consider myself materialistic but I can see I need to be careful where I'm sing God's resources he has placed in my control.
on to Romans
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