I hope that the idea of being able to see my stats and what not will encourage me to read more. I like to see what I've done and where I am at. I plan on writing notes and posting on here and linking it to Facebook. I'll also post questions on things that I don't understand.
So today's reading plan is: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Genesis 1, 1 Chronicles 1, Luke 1:1-25
Ecclesiastes reminds me that God is in control and that there is a appropriate time and response to all things. It makes me think about my life and how God is still sovereign even when I disobey or do something stupid. There is a season for everything. I guess for me understanding what season I am in is important just to be aware of the direction i am being led. Right now I feel I am in a season of change. Things feel up in the air as plans I was hoping to walk in did not happen.(Which is good because they honestly were very selfish.) I feel this is a time of returning.
Genesis 1, I love the creation story. By God's word existence came. Everything God created and saw was good. Then when he was done with everything and finished making man and women he saw that it was very good. Its just awesome to think that by his voice, his words, things happen. There is power in the word of God. Its cool because when we think of God's promises, not only is he stating something but he is promising to fulfill it as well. Its kind of a faith booster to know that God is true and can not lie because he can not break or change his nature. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8 "For all the promises God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." 2 Corinthians 1:20
1 Chronicles: Honestly reading a genealogy is not the most entertaining part of the Bible for me but I know that every word in the Bible is useful for some reason. It says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NASB
So after reading this its funny to think that these are OUR ancestors. Everyone is related. We are all one big family. It brings to mind when Jesus said who is my brother? Mathew 12:48
Luke 1:1-25 So we've been doing Luke for years at my church. After reading this portion, I think 2 things stuck out to me. One was that Zacharias and his wife were both righteous, and were walking blameless by the commandments. That kind of hurts my mind. Its just weird for me to think that because there are not that many people walking this way. This is prior to Jesus paying it all on the cross. Thank God for the cross and Jesus paying for my sins because now my righteousness comes by faith and not having to follow rules.
The 2nd thing that caught my attention is when Zacharias ask the angel "How can I know for sure?" Because he ask that he is mute until everything the angel said happened. I know so many times in my life I will feel like I hear something but I am not 100% certain. Even though he lacked faith God still made sure that it happened and he muted him to increase his faith. How awesome is it that God builds our faith. It brings me back to what I read earlier when I think that God's promises are yes and amen, and that there is power in his word. I think today's reading taught me the power of God's word. To have faith in God due to his unchangeable character. I am praying for persistence in reading God's word and finding areas where I need to increase my Faith.
My prayer request: New job OR to be able to get back into school.
To have my heart softened again that I may have a heart again for people. Especially the ones I don't have much in common with.
To continue being Holy and resist all forms of temptations because their are a lot of them!
