1 Peter 4

There's a lot in this one.  Sometimes they hit my like a ton of bricks.

4  They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
I like this one.  Some of the GM fellas tease me for the things I won't do with them.  I can remember being teased in school, for being the "Christian kid."  I think that's some of what Max is going thru right now.  I should definitely show him this!

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of Gods grace in its various forms.
I find this verse to be comforting, in some way.  It re-assures me that if I treat others with love and compassion, that will make up for a lot of my short-comings........I like it.  I think that's a great goal.  I can see sitting at someone's funneral, and hearing, "he wasn't perfect, but jeez,  what a great, loving guy".


Theres more in this one....but, I'll stop there, and leave the rest to you.

have a good one today!

1 Peter 3

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Alwys be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that your have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.

Max came to Kim and I a couple of weeks ago, and told us that he got into a discussion about God, with another kid at school.  The conversation was long, and I won't go into it in great detail.  But, essentially what happened was another kid challenged Max on his faith.  And Max wasn't prepared for that.  He wasn't prepared, like the verse says.  It was an eye opener to me that I haven't been preparing them for the tough questions that come your way, inevitably.  I don't think it has to be some great revelation to them.  But, just having some conversation about why the kids believe what they do.  Is it just because Kim and I do?...., or is there something else that is rooting them in their faith?

I'm not touching the first part of this chapter.
I'll leave that to Gina.

1 Peter 2

¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.


There are several good points made throughout this chapter about how any of us can bring glory to God by how we live, especially in difficult circumstances. Enduring suffering when we haven't done anything wrong shows up strong to people who are observing.  As I write this it makes me think of what you went through earlier this year at work and how difficult it was, yet I think you really held onto your faith and I imagine it showed to people who knew what you were going through.

The verse I selected has nothing to do with what I wrote above that just came out as I began to type.  What I was thinking about with the verse above was not taking advantage the promise my faith gives me to act in a way that would not make Jesus proud.  If someone that doesn't know me observes me in my daily life and action, would it be obvious I have faith in Jesus or would I look to fit right in with the desires of today's society?  Am I using the freedom my faith gives me as a cover for evil actions or am I living a slave to God?  I'm afraid too often its the latter.

1 Peter 1

^13-16 So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

No specific take aways but I just like several areas of this chapter.  I pulled the above from the Message version of the bible.  I like the imagery of rolling up your sleeves and getting serious about living a life focused on Jesus.  I also like the reference to obedient children, they do have the best faith not clouded or infected by the cynical world they will be growing up in.  

I also liked the references to the old testament, thinking how faithful and full of Jesus and the Holy Spirit the prophets were during a time that seems so long ago to us but is just a blink of the eye to God.  Here we are all these years later readying their words and they are just as relevant today as they were over 2000 years ago.  

have a good Friday  knut

James 5

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.


I sometimes wonder about prayers effectiveness, does it matter what I think because God will do his own will regardless of my request?  When I read this I see the we are told prayers are powerful and effective, when done by a righteous person.  So maybe there is the catch, who is truly righteous?  Its not for me to judge but I think I know in my heart its not me based on things I do, say or think.

This also says confess your sins to each other and pray so you may be healed, that is a scary proposition.  I don't know that I have it in me to share my sins with others.  

So I read this to say if I want my prayers to be effective and powerful, change is required.  -knut

James 4

⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts,you double-minded.


The entire first section talks about being humble towards God, submitting to him, disconnecting from the noise of our human desires for the things around us on this earth.  My take away is make the effort to get close to God and He will get to close to us.  He has given us free choice and he won't force himself upon us, but when we choose to be close to him he will come running to us.  It would be sad to think I left him hanging.

later,
knut  

James 3

⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.


This goes along with quick to listen, slow to speak.  What comes out of our mouth can undo many good actions.  Looking at the political process today, how often has Obama, Romney or others made a comment when asked a question that was captured as a sound bite that was used to set fire to their campaign--I think it was Romney's 'binders of women' last week which I'm sure doesn't really represent his position but is what everyone was talking about.

We often talk about actions speak louder than words, but it seems like that's more true for when we do something stupid versus when you are doing things right.  Sometimes good deeds may slip into the night without notice, but a passing comment or joke might cut someone right to the core even when that wasn't the intent.

I think in general I control my tongue but there are times I know I say things I don't mean or that may hurt--James is a good reminder to keep myself in check whenever I feel myself starting to run at the mouth.

knut

James 2

 ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

As I read this I fear my faith looks dead, I'm not sure I can point to any actions demonstrating my faith.  Hopefully there are some I'm just overlooking but it seems it shouldn't be hard to come up with answers.  Gina and I were just talking about something like this based on what she is reading--I can't remember which book, but maybe this is why this struck me as I read today.  

I just went back and read our James 2 post, you had chosen a similar v26 that time.  Have you had any more thoughts regarding a ministry for single moms?

have a great weekend--knut

James 1

19 My dear borhters and sistere, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,..

I've been working on this for a little while now.  More the slow to speak and quick to listen portion....but I find if I practice that, I don't put myself in a position where I will become angry.

I like this chapter.  Much more for me to grab onto than what I was able to gleen out of Hebrews.
There were actually several portions of this chapter that struck a nerve with me.

Hebrews 13

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.

that one hits me right between the eyes.  Both in terms of our society, and the way I tend be live my life.
I am constantly spending my next profit sharing money.....that I don't have yet.
I am really working on this one.

There's lot of good stuff in this chapter, from a directional and teaching standpoint.
But that verse got me!

Hebrews 12

I'll be honest.  When I read these chapters, I don't find many "ah-ha" moments.  I like what is written and I understand it, but don't grab much that I think is worth writing in here.

Here's what I did grab today.
Somebody once told me that if the football coach stops yelling at you.....then you're in trouble.  If he IS yelling at you that means there's still hope for you and you should listen.
I think that's what the middle portion of the chapter is saying about God and discipline.  It might seem ugly and painful at the time, but the end result is that you become a better person, and know that God still considers you one of his own.

any other thoughts?

Hebrews 11

1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

It was interesting to read so many quick accounts of people throughout the bible who acted on faith.  They all seemed to live without fear or concern of what others may think of them, all with their eyes on a greater prize.

I don't feel like I'm to that point, but wouldn't it be great if someday someone  would say:

By faith Chris.... or By faith Todd....



Continued prayers for Nicki and family after the birth and death of Zeke.  I can't imagine how difficult this time must be for their family.

Hebrews 10

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

There are plenty of people and movements in this world trying to sway our convictions in our faith.  v24, makes me think of how powerful loving someone and doing a good deed is towards countering negative attacks on our beliefs.  I need to look for opportunities for myself to love others--as well as encouranging and spurring others to do the same.

Hebrews 9

²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

no takes just some random thoughts--
I find the old testament times interesting, thinking of a man made ark sitting inside a room that priests enter only once a year seems kind of cold and lonely.

I'm thankful to be living in a time after Jesus had come, giving us all a direct connection to him and to heaven every day.  When I was younger I would often think about the fact that he could return at any moment, for some reason I don't ponder that so much anymore but what an experience it will be if it happens while we are still on this earth to witness it.

Hebrews 8

I'm skipping chapter 7.  I understand it.  I remember reading about the King M.....I just don't have much to say on that chapter.

1  Now the main point of what we are saying is this:  We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the thr throne of the Majesty in heaven,

I think this is the decoder ring for the previous chapter.

It sounds like a logical step thru the evidence that's going on here.  We have A and the promise was B, therefore C has to be true.

makes sense.