Thank you

Thank you to everyone who participated with us in our Reading through the New Testament in 90 Days.  I hope you have been blessed by this time.  I know I have.

In His Service,
Carolyn

Revelation 21-22

A new heaven and new earth!  God’s dwells with His people and wipes away their tears.  Death will be no more.  All things are made new!!  The promises to the faithful are fulfilled.  God’s glory shines for all.  God’s name is on their foreheads.  Jesus is coming soon.  Hallelujah!!

Revelation 19-20

God is the ultimate victor.  Evil is defeated.  There is much celebration because Christ is the victor over evil.  Satan is destroyed forever.  Those who remained faithful were at Christ’s side. 

Revelation 16-18

God’s people are called to be faithful in the midst of adversity.  Babylon was the name used for Rome.  God’s judgment falls on the Roman persecutors because the blood of the saints was found on them.  (Note:  There was no actual battle of Armageddon).

Revelation 13-15

 Graphic images of economic persecution. If you have time, do a study of the meaning of numbers and colors in Revelation. For example 666 stood for Nero and 144,000 represents all of God's people. Persecution for Christians still occurs. Let us keep praying for their relief and safety

Revelation 10-12

These chapters are so full of encouragement. Yes, times can be hard. The people to whom this letter was originally written were under economic and social persecution. Many of them died. But the Lord of the Universe ended this persecution and the persecutors were defeated (Rome). It is still our story. We may face hard times; we may be persecuted by bad health, hard economic times, and disappointments of life. We need to remain faith. Our God will defeat all evil.

Revelation 7-9

All of God’s people are saved.  Those who have suffered now wear white robes.  They will rest beside springs of life-giving water and God will wipe every tear from their eyes. 

I love the concept that the incense around the throne are our prayer.

The people to whom John is writing are suffering tremendously.  Their hope is that God is in control and that there will be a reversal.  Is that not our hope as well?

Revelation 4-6

All creation bows before the throne of God, praising His name.  The power of God is revealed. 

Revelation 1-3

I wonder what John would write to our individual churches?  I hope it would not be the message to Laodicea.

I John, II John, III John, Jude

I John.  “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all?  “The one who claims, ‘I know him,’ while not keeping his commandments, is a liar…..”

II John.  John understands it is all about love.   Loving God, loving one another.

III John.  Nothing makes us happier than to hear that our children are living in the truth.  This can mean our biological children, which is so true, but also all those who we have taught, mentored, care about.

Jude.  Lots of warnings about scoffers and false teachers.  Those who love the Lord build each other up.

I Peter, 2 Peter

In I Peter we are told that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession.  If we believe this, can we live up to this?

II Peter warns us of false teaching that makes immorality seem ok and the normal way to live our lives.  How do we protect ourselves from the influence and attractiveness of sin?

James

God will give us wisdom if we ask. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone would do that today?
God does not tempt us! Why does the perception that God does tempt us continue to persist?
"When sin grows up, it gives birth to death." So easy to ignore that at the start.

So much good advice in James. Faith manifested in action.

Hebrews 10-13

 Faith must surely be a verb because it is such an active concept.  Believing in God's promises even when the possibilities look bleak.  Standing steadfast and living out God's commands of service and sacrifice is not just a concept.  It is how we live.

Hebrews 6-9

 If we ever have to remind ourselves why Jesus had to die to save us from our sins, this is the scripture that helps us.  The shedding of blood of animals under the old covenant was a powerful way of demonstrating forgiveness.  But it had to be done over and over and still did not cleanse the conscience.  Jesus' sacrifice is the one and only sacrifice that will purify us and cleanse us for eternity.

Hebrews 1-5

Hebrews is thought to be a baptism sermon.  It calls us to a mature level of understanding of Christ.  The image of moving to solid food rather than living on milk is convicting for all of us.  Who do we say the Christ is?

Titus, Philemon

Again, there is much advice in these books about appropriate conduct in the early church.   In Titus we hear much about the dangers and destruction of conflict in the church.  I worry about the effect of some our behaviors on new Christians.  Also it damages the love and grace that should abound in the church.  How can we disagree without issues escalating into damaging conflict?

2 Timothy

As a pastor the letters to Timothy have been especially meaningful to me.  The verse in 2 Timothy should be a comfort to all of us--2:13.  “ If we are disloyal, he stays faithful because he can’t be anything else than what he is.”  That’s a powerful, amazing thought.

I Timothy

"...I ask that requests, prayers, petitions and thanksgiving be made for all people." Even our enemies? Even those who have different political, cultural, and religious understandings than us? Wow, wouldn't that make a difference in this broken world in which we live?

2 Thessalonians

"May he encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say" (2:3). What a wonderful blessing we can give one another. We all need encouragement during the stress of our days.

I Thessalonians

"So continue encouraging each other and building each other up....."  Paul is affirming the reality that some people die before they see Jesus' return, but will rise again.  In the midst of trials and temptations, we need to keep encouraging one another.

Philippians and Colossians

 As you read these letters, it is evident that Paul has much love for these two churches. He praises them for their faithfulness, encourages them in the work to be done, and warns them against false teaching. As a pastor I find it amazing the love that envelops me for the churches I have been privileged to serve. As a parent and grandparent, I find the love I have for my family to be overwhelming at times. We want the best, the very best for the ones we love.

Apologies

Sorry, I am positing so late today. Just now getting to my reading, although I usually read first thing in the morning. Have enjoyed two of my grandchildren the last few days, and morning are surely different. Just left them with their mom and am feeling really blessed.

Ephesians

Marvelous, marvelous grace.  How have you experienced grace in your life?

Galatians

Have you heard the saying, 'One step forward and two steps back.'  This seems to be what Paul is dealing with.  He is continually defending his right to apostleship and the understanding of salvation by faith and not works.  Does Paul also speak to us?  Do we really grasp the idea that we are saved by Christ's righteousness and not our own?  What good we do is in response to that grace.

2 Corinthians 12-13

 "Don't you understand that Jesus Christ is in you? (12:5)  How will the people we meet today see Christ in us?

2 Corinthians 10-11

The weapons of God destroy arguments and capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  Wow!  Our God is an awesome God!

2 Corinthians 7-9

"God. loves a cheerful giver." " You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every way." 

We are so blessed.  What a gift to be able to share those blessings with others.  I see so many people hurting.  May we exercise our hearts to give all we can.

2 Corinthians 4-6.

Paul is calling us to live a life that is holy.  "Because we are the temple of the living God."(6:16b)  How do we live a holy life today?

2 Corinthians 1-3

Paul is writing from the heart in this letter, which is written to people for whom he cares deeply.  In 1:4 he says, "He's the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble."  That is our call -- Loving people to Jesus.

I Corinthians 15-16

Paul's understanding of the resurrection is explained very thoroughly.  Do you ever think about how wondrous it will be at the resurrection?  O Death, where is your sting?

I Corinthians 11-14

Chaos in the early Corinthian church.  Which spiritual gift is the greatest?  What part do women play in the church?  Gluttony and drunkenness at the Lord's table?  When is it ok to speak in tongues?  Trying to dominate the worship services?  Our issues may be different today, but like in the early church, our egos can run off new Christians.  Let us claim Chapter 13 and the love to which Christ called us.