December 14, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 14 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.17 through 3.20 (pages 43-44)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
If salt loses its flavor then it gets thrown out. Sobering verses. Easy to fall into the worlds thinking. Spend a decent amount of time with life long friends that don’t believe and there is no opening. They blame God for the heartaches in life. My heart breaks for them. They know I am a Christian. But sometimes I fall into the world to stay friends. Hoping there will be a chance At some point. Not easy to balance being salt all the time. Glad that I read this. To put my lamp where it can be seen. Jesus fulfilled the law. All of the law pointed to Jesus. The Pharisees were full of pride. Their knowledge had puffed them up. Thinking that was enough. God wants to change your heart. Then your mind will follow. It is comforting to have the scriptures to let us know what God thinks on all subjects. Especially today where all of Gods principles are under attack. Thank God. We have been given the mind of Christ!!
Day 14
3.17 – 3.20
Advent 3:13-3:24
I was struck by 3.19 where it talks about making friends quickly with those who want to take us to court. It makes me see what makes sense to God – that if necessary, if we can help it, we should avoid big troubles because of our anger. It seems like once we have gained control of this emotion, many things will seem easier. I can expand this also to my own life as a mother and wife. Many big troubles could be avoided by not being unnecessarily angry.
Salt and light. So important when active and so useless when not. We are called to be salt and light in this world to look different, to sound different, and to guide people onto a good path.
When we are overtaken by the things of this world we lose that ability. Jesus talks about aspects of the law that are important and necessary but He also always speaks to the condition of our heart…what our motivation is. Are we true salt and light or just going through the motions?
Salt and light purify and reveal as well as enhance the experience of life. How much of the world is better because of our influence? In many ways, the standards of law that reflect scripture, the works of help and mercy in society are all reflections of that. But we are still challenged to be salt and light as the world rejects God’s standards and continue to draw people to the truth and value that is found in believing and following God. Our good works shine light in the darkness and hopefully get people to praise God in heaven. And all that Jesus is teaching here is not to take away from the law but to enhance and expand it, mainly pointing to the ways we sin on our hearts and not just in our bodies. So as much as murder is bad, anger in our minds is also bad. It leads to a lot of destruction in relationships and needs to be resolved quickly and well. We need to recognize it rising up and identify the cause and be mindful of our response to it. Then we are to consider what God thinks about the issues involved, what provisions God makes in forgiveness, understanding and kindness, how we usually don’t have to win or be right but make sure everyone involved has a hearing. And then look for God’s solutions. And as much as adultery is bad, lust is bad as well. It corrupts our perception of ourselves and the opposite gender. It prioritizes the sexual aspect of ourselves too much. It makes other people objects and encourages us to think only of ourselves and our needs. We can certainly recognize the beauty that is found in the opposite sex (that is natural in fact). But once it turns sexual in nature, when it is about us engaging and being gratified by it, then it is wrong. And it is epidemic in our society today. We need to overcome by the power of the Word, the power of the Spirit, the power of our fellowship and the power of prayer! ( and yes in that order….)
In section 3.14 I was struck by the fact that Jesus wanted a small boat to keep from being crushed by the crowds. I can only imagine when Jesus returns how His followers will flood to see and touch Him.
I liked the prophesy from Isaiah describing Jesus. I know that the Easy to read version used the word “nations” in the quote, but I read the NKJV and it translated it as “Gentiles”. I am always struck by the fact that God has a plan, not just for the Jews, but for the Gentile nations as well.
Jesus says not to keep our hope and joy to ourselves but rather to show others our goodness so that they will be blessed and thank the Lord for it. And work to make peace with the people who you have hurt so that you have a clear conscience when you offer gifts to God. Striving towards goodness and peace will build people up, shine Gods light into the lives of others and make us strong in the Lord.