December 16, 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 16 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.25 through 3.28 (pages 46-48)
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.
God wants our humble spirit when we give, pray, and fast. These are our personal interactions with God and therefore should be between our selves and God. What we do should be to His glory not our our recognition! We couldn’t give if He hadn’t first given to us, we couldn’t pray if we didn’t have a Father in heaven to lift our praises to and so once again where is our motivation. We can not serve two masters and either we are serving God or serving this world through our own pride and selfishness.
Advent, day 16
Advent Day 16
Just finished all the tradings through day 16. I love the sermon on the mount. Gods mercy and love for us is reflected in this sermon. It’s like a road map to follow to get into heaven.
But only through faith in Jesus!!
Day 16
3.25 – 3.28
Having the incredible gift of being an adopted child of God. Always trying my best to please him. Don’t care a whole lot about pleasing man. Just want to be who God made me to be and use the gifts. So if I’m praying, giving or fasting, it’s certainly not to get attention or praise from man. Sounds a little harsh. I’m just comparing pleasing my Father in Heaven to putting on a show
Several references are found here about not doing things to get noticed by people, but being satisfied in the fact that God is the one who sees and that’s all that matters. Even though it is normal for us to operate that way in our flesh, whether we give, pray or fast, we should not look for people’s approval or recognition. And what a great pattern for prayer given here. It covers the categories that any prayer really should: the recognition and worship of God, the submitting of our will to His, prayers for ours and others physical needs, the recognition that we need to receive and give forgiveness, and the seeking God’s help in overcoming sin and spiritual warfare. And boy does our perception and perspective matter. If we think of ourselves and sees others as instruments to get me what we want, then our souls will be full of darkness. If we think of others and see ourselves as helping and serving them, then our souls will be full of light. What darkness there is when we pursue material gain as opposed to treasure in heaven, doing God’s will, that lasts forever. We certainly need God’s word and Spirit to die to ourselves and live for God. All glory to His name that He gives us the privilege to join Him!
It was interesting reading the Lord’s Prayer. It’s one of those things that you have naturally memorized and reading it in another version makes you pay attention to what Jesus is saying.
“And deliver us from evil” is how I have it memorized. “Deliver us from the Evil One” stuck out to me. I think in American Christianity, we have made Satan a myth, rather than an active enemy working to deceive man. Reminds me of the Keith Greene song, “No one believes in me anymore.”
Oh, my job keeps getting easier
As time keeps slipping away
I can imitate your brightest light
And make your night look just like day
I put some truth in every lie
To tickle itching ears
You know I’m drawing people just like flies
‘Cause they like what they hear
I’m gaining power by the hour
They’re falling by the score
You know, it’s getting very simple now
‘Cause no one believe in me anymore
Oh, heaven’s just a state of mind
My books read on your shelf
And have you heard that God is dead?
I made that one up myself
They dabble in magic spells
They get their fortunes read
You know they heard the truth
But turned away and followed me instead
I used to have to sneak around
But now they just open their doors
You know, no ones watching for my tricks
Because no one believes in me anymore
Everyone likes a winner
With my help, you’re guaranteed to win
And hey, man, you ain’t no sinner
You’ve got the truth within
And as your life slips by
You believe the lie that you did it on your own
But don’t worry
I’ll be there to help you share our dark eternal home
Oh, my job keeps getting easier
As day slips into day
The magazines, the newspapers
Print every word I say
This world is just my spinning top
It’s all like childs-play
You know, I dream that it will never stop
But I know it’s not that way
Still my work goes on and on
Always stronger than before
I’m gonna make it dark before the dawn
Since no one believes in me anymore
Well, now I used to have to sneak around
But now they just open their doors
You know, no one watches for my tricks
Since no one believes in me anymore
Well I’m gaining power by the hour
They’re falling by the score
You know, it’s getting very easy now
Since no one believes in me anymore
No one believes in me anymore
No one believes in me anymore