I Corinthians 9-10

All my life I have heard “God will not put more on us than we can bear.”  This is a distortion of I Corinthians 9:13-16..  Read carefully.  It says we will not be TEMPTED beyond what we can bear.  “God will supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it (the temptation).  God is not placing hard times upon us.  God is walking with us as we journey through difficult days.

I Corinthians 7-8

Paul is concerned about the everyday lives of the people, whether to marry (Remember everyone though Christ would return in their life time), changing economic status (slavery was legal), and whether or not to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. Paul says he does not have a command from the Lord, but his main concern is that our focus should be on the Lord. He also admonishes that we should be aware of how our actions affect others in the faith, especially new Christians.

I Corinthians 4-6

Paul comes down hard on sexual immorality.  Certainly this is also an issue in our time as well.  Cultural standards have certainly changed throughout  history.  Do we know that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us? (6:19)  What are we modeling for our young fledgling Christians?

New place

Hi, folks, just to let you know there is a new place to view these posts.  It's on Facebook at Saulston UMC New Testament Read.  I've done this because folks have complained it is hard to join the discussion on this site.  I will also continue to post daily on this site as well.  God bless you in your reading!

I Corinthians 1-3

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed.  But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved" (I Corinthians 1:18).  In these chapters Paul reminds us that it is not the famous, or the clever preacher, or the wisdom of the ages that truly converts us.  It is the power of God.

Romans 13-16

 In these last chapters, Paul warns about divisions in the church in his time--Jew vs Gentile, eating meat (especially meat sacrificed to idols), circumcision or not, and loyalty to governments.  What are the divisions of today that damage the church?

Romans 11-12

 "God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep!  They are as mysterious as his judgments, and they are as hard to track as his paths!" (11:33)  We are in awe of the wonder of our God.  How comforting it is to know that he is in charge-- and not us.  Our response can be to make ourselves a living sacrifice (12:1).  What an opportunity we have!

Romans 9-10

Paul agonizes over his people who do not have faith in Jesus.  Would we also pray for those who have not seen the light of Jesus?  "Because if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Romans 6-8

 Paul says he desires to do good, but he can't do it.  "I don't do the good that I want to do, but I do the evil that I don't want to do.  (7:19)  Praise be to God that he has sent a savior.   

Romans 4-5

 Jesus died for us though we were still sinners.  What is our response to such a love as this?

Romans 1-3

 "You condemn yourself when you judge another person because the one who is judging is doing the same things (Romans 2:1)."

 It is so easy to criticize the other person.  How much harder it is to look at ourselves!

Acts 27-28

Paul has amazing adventures in these two chapters--storms at sea, a shipwreck, a poisonous snake bite, and arrest.  All through this, his faith remains strong.  When the hard times come my friends, may the grace of God help us keep the faith.

Acts 25-26

Paul's defense before King Agrippa was quite passionate. Do you think King Agrippa was converted?

Acts 23-24

Paul had to stand trial for his understanding of the faith.  How brave would we be if we were threatened with arrest for our faith?

Acts 21-22

Paul eloquently told his conversion story to the crowd.  What is your conversion story and have you ever shared it in church?  Testimonies are an important part of our faith tradition.

Acts 19-20

There are several references in these two chapters about money--People angry that Christianity will hurt their business, people who were willing to totally change their lives at the expense of their livelihood, and Paul's quoting Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  What relationship do money and your faith have?

Acts 17-18

Even in the early church there were jealousies and mistrust.  It is distressing to think we can be jealous of others' God given abilities and success when there is so much to do in the Kingdom......Cleanse my heart, O God.

Acts 14-16

Paul has begun his exciting journeys for the Lord. Where has the Lord taken you? Why do you think the jailer wanted to be rescued? Because of the witnessing he had heard earlier, because the prisoners did not escape, or a combination of both?

Acts 11-13

 "When he (Barnabus) arrived and saw evidence of God's grace, he was overjoyed and encouraged everyone to remain fully committed to the Lord. Barnabas responded in this way because he was a good man, whom the Holy Spirit had endowed with exceptional faith. A considerable number of people were added to the Lord." Barnabas was known to be a great encourager, a man with exceptional faith. See what happens when we encourage others and exercise our faith? People are added to the Lord. Who do you know that is a Barnabas?

Acts 8-10

 Phillip listened to the Holy Spirit and was able to minister to the Ethiopian eunuch official.  Do we listen when the Holy Spirit nudges us?  What adventure will you and the Lord have today?

Acts 5-7.

Stephen gave an impressive summary of the history of the faith.  What would you highlight in the summary of your faith?

Acts 3-4

"They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God's word with confidence."  Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to fill our lives so that God's word can be lived with confidence.

Acts 1-2

How exciting the day of Pentecost and the days following were for the early Christians. We also are invited into the excitement of our faith. Chapter two says the early church devoted themselves to studying, to sharing meals together, to praying, and to sharing what they had. A good model for us.

Update

Dear friends, so sorry that many of you have tried to post but have been unsuccessful.  I am now double-posting on facebook at Saulston UMC New Testament Read.  I would guess you would need to request to be a friend or member of that page in order to post, but it should be a simple process.  We are starting the Book of Acts today.  I hope you are blessed as you continue to read.
In His service,
Carolyn

John 20-21

I love that Jesus prepared breakfast for the Disciples after his resurrection.  Morning is my favorite time with the Lord.  When is your favorite time?

John 18-19

One of the amazing things for me about reading scripture over and over again is that I always seem to notice something I had not noticed before.  This time I noticed that the name of the servant whose ear was cut off by Peter.  Although this may be only an interesting detail, it just shows me how the Word of God is always fresh and new.  Also isn't it fascinating that it was Caiaphas who said it was better for one person to die for the people.   He had no idea how true those words would become.

John 15-17

Jesus said, "In the world you have distress.  But be encouraged!  I have conquered the world."  I need to hear that today and every day, especially after watching the news. 

John 12-14

"Whoever doesn't love me, doesn't keep my words."  That's a sobering realization.  How much do we love the Lord?

John 10-11

Let us remember that when we face the wolves, we can call on the Good Shepherd.

John 8-9

Reading these two chapters together in one sitting helps us understand why Jesus calls us to examine our lives and see who we follow.  Who is the baiggest influence in our lives.  Whom  do we follow?  Whom do we imitate?  And have we thought about why we hold them in such high esteem?

John 6-7

Jesus says he will not send anyone away who comes to Him.  Isn't that amazing grace since we have continually sent Him away when He came to us.

John 4-5

Are you thirsty today?  Our Lord offers us living water.  Come and drink your fill.

John 1 - 3

The gospel of John focuses on who God is and how Jesus is the word of God walking with us.  This image not only satisfies my mind, it rings true in my heart.  Do the first chapters of John speak to anyone else?