Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 30

Isaiah 61:1-11

Verse 11:  "The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.  Everyone will praise him!  His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere."

Blessings xoxo

Monday, February 27, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 29

Isaiah 52:13-15 and Isaiah 53:1-12

Love this verse from today's reading:

Isaiah 53:5  "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed."

Wow...maybe we should stop and say "Thank you, Jesus" just a little, tiny more each day.

Thank you, Jesus!  xoxo

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Days 27 & 28

Hi!

Have a few days to catch up on.  Don't worry, I didn't neglect my readings each day, just not always easy to get on here to blog at night, even though they've been very short lately!

If you've read (I hope you have) some of the verses I've posted lately, this scripture lesson has taken us into a whole lot of fighting and talk of darkness.  And even though some of these chapters aren't easy to read, I imagine that it's important to know a lot of the details of this period in time that led up to the birth of Jesus, for sure, but also the stories help to establish the point that God was trying to make with so many of these people....which was the lesson of trust in Him.

Then, the reading for day 27, Isaiah 9:1-8, (v.1) "...that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever....".  I have to say I was somewhat relieved that it started out like that...whew, it won't go on forever...good to know!  LOL  The whole rest of this reading just made me feel good inside.  I love me some positivity.  I liked all of it, but here was my fav verse in this day's reading:

Isaiah 9:2  "The people who walk in the darkness will see a great light.  For those whole live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine."

So, yay!

Day 28 - Isaiah 42:1-9

This was another good chapter example of God trying to get through to some of his peeps.  Here's the verse to best summarize:

Isaiah 42:5:  "God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.  He created the earth and everything in it.  He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth..."

Yay, God!

XOXO

Friday, February 24, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 26

Isaiah 7:1-25

Verse 14, "All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel."

Happy Friday! xoxo

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 25

Zechariah 12 and Zechariah 13:1-9

Zechariah 13:9  "I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure.  I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold.  They will call on my name, and I will answer them.  I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'"

XOXO

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 24

Zechariah 9:9-17

Verse 9 (in part):  "...Look, your king is coming to you.  He is righteous and victorious..."

Love how each of these readings, has at least one verse that sums up the point of the passage and shows the strength and/or goodness of our God.

Blessings xoxo

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 23

Micah 5:1-5

Verse 5 (partial):  "And he will be the source of peace..."

'Nuf said....xoxo

Monday, February 20, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Days 19-22

Evening!

Nope, I didn't forget about my scripture challenge.  I've been doing my assigned reading each night, but have made a conscience effort to not spend as much time on FB.  Which in turn, has put my blogging of the scripture challenge a few days behind.

Here are the readings from each night, with a verse from each that spoke the most to me:

Day 19 - Psalm 110:1-7
Verse 7: "But he himself will be refreshed from the brooks along the way.  He will be victorious."

Day 20 - Psalm 118:1-29
Verse 8: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust people."
Verse 14: "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory."
Verse 29: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

Day 21 - Genesis 12:1-9
Verse 3: "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you."

Day 22 - Jeremiah 23:1-8
Verse 8: "Instead, they will say, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.' Then they will live in their own land."

I hope you will join me in reading from the above chapters of the Bible and share in the word of our God.

Blessings.....xoxo

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 18

Psalm 69:1-36

Interesting that this was today's reading with how I've been feeling physically lately.

I've had consistent headaches, a scare with swelling in my leg (I've had blood clots in the same leg in the past -- this time the doc thinks it's just phlebitis, pending a venous doppler ultrasound if the pain worsens), some extra anxiety over work, home, finances, then worrying about my headaches and leg doesn't help -- kinda goes in a circle.  When I don't feel well, I panic.  I'm so afraid of getting sick in some way and not being here to raise L.J.  I have good general health (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. -- all good), but these freaking headaches freak me out and now I'n worried about my legs on top of it.  What's starting to worry me as I get into my 40's is that my grandmother and father both passed away from sudden heart attacks at relatively young ages, 68 and 59 respectively.  Hence, I start to freak about every little ache and pain.  <Sigh>

Anyway, sickness has little to do with today's reading, but since it has to do with what seems to be ... inner turmoil, it kinda tied together for me.  The inner turmoil caused by the hatred from others the writer seems to face because of his dedication and service to God.  He pleads with God for mercy for being so faithful, but also asks for a revenge of sort on his foes.

This touched me because lately I feel like I've been doing a little bit of pleading for better health.  I know that if I apply myself to better health, that God, through prayer, will help me the rest of the way.

Till tomorrow....xoxo

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 17

Psalm 22:1-31

Verse 19, "O Lord, do not stay far away!  You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!"

Amen...xoxo

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 16

Psalm 2:1-12

Verse 12, ".....But what joy for all who take refuge in Him."

And there it is...xoxo

Monday, February 13, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 15

Jonah 1, 2, 3 and 4

Uh huh, Jonah...you can't run, you can't hide.  LOL

He tried, oh he tried...then prayed himself out of near death, because the Lord heard his prayers.

THEN, Jonah decided he should probably obey the Lord's instructions to go into Nineveh to deliver His message to the people there.
It took 3 days, because of the size of the city, but instantly the people, including the King, listened and obeyed the message given to them through Jonah.  A message of humbling themselves and fasting (people and animals), and focusing completely on halting any evil or wrong doings.

Guess what?  Through that repentance, God forgave them.  He halted the plans for destruction, and forgave them.

They turned to him and worshiped.  They praised and sacrificed in repentance.

If they can give up everything...even the King took off his robes and wrapped in burlap!  Can you give up just a little time everyday to invest on building a relationship with God?  All He wants us to do is come to Him and ask.

Blessings....xoxo

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 14

1 Kings 8:1-21

The last verse is the perfect summary for this reading....

Verse 21: "And I have prepared a place there for the Ark, which contains the covenant that the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt."

Go take a look.  :)

xoxo

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Days 12 and 13

Hi!

Well, I'm playing catch up tonight.  I was at my in-laws for the night last night and could not get my phone to connect to the network.  My Bible plan is on my phone, therefore, I didn't know what last night's assignment was.  So, read days 12 and 13 tonight.

Day 12 - Exodus 16:1-35

This is the story about Moses explaining to the people of Egypt when they fled into the wilderness, that the Lord would not let them go hungry and would supply their needs, if they obeying the orders given to them through Moses.  The instructions were laid out as to teach them the lesson that on the seventh day the Lord was to rest, and they were to rest and not come from their tents.  It was a day to worship the Lord.  To prove this to them, he gave them double the quail and bread on the sixth day so that they would have enough prepared to last them day 6 and 7. That time instead should be used to worship Him.

Day 13 - Numbers 21:4-9

Again another part of the story with the people of Egypt that fled to the wilderness with Moses complaining about the food and drink sent and being tired of the "manna" they had been provided.  So, since they continued to complain, this was a sin against the Lord and he sent snakes...Yikes!  Moses prayed for the people for the snakes to be taken away, and the Lord gave Moses instructions on creating a replica.  If they are bitten, the ONLY thing they are instructed to do is look at the bronzed snake and they will be healed.

How much more proof were they looking for?  How much more proof are you looking for that He exists, and lives, and has a plan for every day of our lives?

Believe, have faith, be still....watch the miracles of God present themselves to you!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 11

Today's reading Exodus 12:1-30

This is the story of how Passover began and is explained in detail, through Moses, the instructions from God.

Interesting that this chapter was selected because to be honest, I just learned the meaning of how Passover was started a few months ago.  I was glad this chapter was selected in the scripture challenge so that I could spend more time with the story.

I encourage you to read this story as well, if it's something that didn't resonate with you when you when you first learned of it, or if, like me, you never really received the teachings of this particular story in the Bible.

It's very interesting and I'm looking forward to future readings in my challenge, as I assume that this will lead into the fact that since the Lamb of God eventually was born into human form and was sacrificed for us, there was no longer the need to a lamb to be sacrificed with his blood spread over and down the doorways to the homes in Egypt.

We Christians are always protected by the blood of Jesus and in that blessing, will receive "Passover" as night falls.

Till tomorrow....xoxo

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 10

Today's reading Amos 5:1-27

Wow...this was a powerful chapter to me.  So descriptive that it made me afraid for the people not worshiping our Lord.

Verse 6: "Come back to the Lord and live!..."

Verse 15: "Hate evil and love what is good..."

Certainly the negative impact of not following His command sounded scary to me!

For example, verse 19:  "In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion - only to meet a bear.  Escaping from the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house - and he's bitten by a snake."

That was the message being given to the people of Israel who had turned to serve pagan gods.  Not good, people!

I will make sure everyday to worship the One true God, our Father in Heaven.

Make no mistake.  I 100% get that He is the only light out of the darkness, and the only pure joy.

xoxo

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 9

Today's reading was Isaiah 59:1-21


God saw our sin, our evil doings - but also saw no justice for the oppressed, and He put on his armor.

The last verse of this reading sums it up, and I love it:

Isaiah 59:21 "And this is my covenant with then," says the Lord.  "My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given to you.  They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children forever.  I, the Lord, have spoken!

Good stuff!

xoxo

Monday, February 6, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 8

It's Monday and I'm starting week 2.

I am really enjoying this challenge and feel as though I am learning and growing and will continue to do so.

Today's reading was from Psalm 14:1-7

Wise and seeking...that's me!  :)

Peace, love and hope....xoxo

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 7

End of week 1.  I have already learned so much.  Tonight's reading was no exception.

Exodus 32 and Exodus 33:1-6

I can't believe how readily (or desperate maybe?) the people were so quick turn to anything as a god to worship....a calf made of gold?  After God helped Moses to lead them out of Egypt, they turned so quickly to anything else?

To me, this can be translated to our ways of thinking even today.  It feeds into the whole instant gratification thing.  We are SO ready to turn to anything, even something so obviously displeasing to God, just for some immediate satisfaction.

People that we know aren't good for us, too much self indulgence in matters of the flesh, addictions of any kind...we, in a way, do "worship" these things we turn to, because if we don't RIGHT NOW see what we need to see to make us whole, we will take anything.

The people in Exodus didn't see Moses when he went to the top of the mountain, needed something to worship = gold calf.

The people on Earth can't see God, needed something to satisfy a hunger = sin, self indulgence.

Seek God.  He fulfills us, physically, mentally, spiritually.

Blessings...xoxo

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 6

Happy Saturday!  Love my weekends and today was no exception!

Genesis 3:1-24 was today's reading.

Of course, the famous story of the serpent deceiving Eve into eating the apple and sharing with Adam.

One of the things I love about this story is the description given as to what was happening.  When I read this, I can really picture everything that was happening, and feel even the sensation of the breeze that was blowing.  I don't think that it's overly more descriptive that many other Bible stories, I just think that it feels very real.

I think the reason it feels real, is because we know (because of what happened in this story) what it's like to feel the guilt of sin, the shame of embarrassment.

I wonder what it would've been like had this story not happened.

If we had just remained as God initially intended...pure of mind, body and heart.

Life without even knowing what sin or shame are, never mind existing.

xoxo

Friday, February 3, 2012

Scripture Challenge - Day 5

I'm a huge believer that everything happens for a reason.  It's certainly no mistake that this is the week that I started this challenge, as this has been a very difficult week.

I am also a huge believer that when we strive to develop a deeper relationship with God, the devil jumps in there and tests our faith.

It's up to us as believers to be able to stop the devil in his tracks and tell him to get lost!

This week was pure, just ugh, and you and I both know why.  I started this challenge on Monday and the week went downhill from there.  Work, depression, feeling tested in some of my general beliefs, everywhere/everything.

Guess what?  I kept reading, I kept writing, and I will NEVER stop believing.

So to you, nasty, ugly, devil...take that....you are wasting your time trying to deter me!

With that, today's reading was from 1 Peter 2:4-10

First 5 words of verse 4, "You are coming to Christ..."

That's right, baby!
xoxo

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Scripture Challenge - Day 4

Evening!

Today's reading, Hebrews 1:1-4

Verse 4 says it better than I could summarize:

"This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names."

'Nuf said.

xoxo

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Scripture Challenge - Day 3

Evening!

Today's reading was from Colossians 1: 15-23

This scripture creates an image of God for us, as told by Paul.  He creates for us an image that is regal, yet humble, and touches on how believing in Him, and believing that He was brought to death and bled on the cross in his human form, delivers us the Good News that casts away our sin.

I sure believe.  I believe that praising and honoring Him, makes us free, complete and whole.

Kisses!