February 22, 2024
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 Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 4 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.45 through 4.48 (pages 107-109)
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.
“Do you think I came to give peace to the world? No, I came to divide it!”
Wow…Powerful words! The truth of God has brought me so much peace through the years but not without heartache and opposition as well. It is hard to see someone we love living in sin or disobedience to God’s truth and while we want to ignore those things to “keep the peace”, we are called to be salt and light. Now we don’t have to lead with “eternal damnation” like Pastor shared last Sunday but we do need to share the Gospel and the truths in it. It starts with our own example and living the life we are called to live following the example of Jesus who was often left in situations of opposition. If we are doing it right, many times we will find ourselves in opposition to those we know and love very much but we need to stand firm in our faith and speak TRUTH in LOVE!
So powerful is right!
4.48
Does the fig tree ever harvest fruit?
yes, in season
6 ¶ “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
7 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.“
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.“
Luke 12:2-3 NKJV
I read in enduringword: hypocrisy requires secrecy.
This is so true and I think we are seeing it in our culture/politics now. There is a lot of gaslighting going on.
I completed reading Acts this morning. 23-28.
“I tell you, if you stand before others and are willing to say you believe in me, then I will say that you belong to me.”
Though proclaiming your faith in Jesus may seem to be a simple task for us to do, many people do not say that they believe in Jesus in public out of fear of what may happen to them. The fear that they experience comes from pride as Pastor talked about on Sunday. People are afraid of what may happen to them when they speak out such as their ego being hurt, or losing friends(friends who encourage sin are not your friends – 1 Cor 15:33, Proverbs 13:20). John the evangelist tells us to not be surprised that the world hates us(1 John 3:13) when you speak of your faith in Jesus and I can testify to that. When I first told of my faith in Jesus in school in January of 2023, the world did hate me. They criticized me and made fun of me for not wanting the same things that they wanted. But that’s great! They see that you believe in something and are being given strength and life that they cannot imagine. Hopefully some may see the fire that is within you, the fire that is being continually and eternally fed by God and will come to faith in Jesus(Matthew 5:16. The pressure and hate of this world can’t hurt me because the Spirit of God, the same one that was within Jesus, dwells within me and empowers me to do His will. God calls us to be lights in a very dark world, that is a command and we cannot brush that off like it’s a suggestion.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:14 & 16)
PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!
I compliment you on your courage, John, to stand up for your faith. Keep up the good work!
Sorry, the comment I made for today was meant for yesterday.
The fig tree that was not bearing fruit. Nothing in this world compares to being able to share the good news with others. Had that God given opportunity today
Again addresses His followers about the Pharisees. You can see how serious He is about those that deceive the people. He hates lies for He is always about truth and honesty. He knows every thought that a person has. So we need to guard our hearts and be sure that the things that we think about are pleasing to Him for after all the Holy Spirit indwells the true believer. We want to please Him that died for us on the cross. We should seek and please Him in all that we do and say and think. He wants us to be holy and draw closer to Him. Easier said than done in this body that we have for we still have the old nature that wants to sin but we also have the new nature. As scripture says: We are slaves to the one we obey. Romans 7. The statement by Jesus: Whoever says something against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. I think that this is because when a person turns to God and recognizes his sins and asks Christ to be his Savior, the Holy Spirit is actually the One who comes in and indwells that person. Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit no one can be saved. So someone cannot speak against the Holy Spirit and be saved. I hope that I explained this right. Jesus latter speaks about the divisions in families because of Jesus. Some don`t want to hear about Him because of their sins. Still others may be turned off because of religion but we know that true Christianity is not religion but a personal relationship with Jesus the Christ. And so many other excuses that they will bring up. But this is a side step to avoid the true issue which is their own sin and where they will spend eternity. But we as believers need to be patient and let the Lord lead and guide us in the words we should use. Keep praying. God bless you all.
I think it is because the Spirit is the One who testifies to Christ in our hearts and draws us to Him. So if we speak against Him, then we will not “hear” Him pointing to Jesus.
The Life of Jesus 4.45-4.48; Mark 15-16
“One of the men in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, our father just died and left some things for us. Tell my brother to share them with me.’
But Jesus said to him, ‘Who said I should be your judge or decide how to divide your father’s things between you two?'”
Often we press God to guide us in the insignificant details of our lives. But we are called to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything else will be added on after that.
“ Don’t worry about what you will say, The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what to say” this situation happened with some people, challenging my belief/faith.
They stumped me with statement or question, I don’t recall which, but for a brief moment I said to myself “ ok Holy Spirit, now what ?” It’s weird I don’t recall anything other than the feeling of the Holy Spirit speaking through me, the brevity, articulate, to the point beyond argument everything which I don’t do; so I know didn’t come from me. I still
Think of that day,
Hoping that happens more and more Steve!
Lentel Day 4
Lenten 2024-Day 4
4:35 – 4:44
One of the deceptions that satan uses is to tell us no one will ever know. Well God does, and He will make it known in a way that challenges us being one way in private and another in public. It is something that God never encourages and welcomes us to recognize the complete nature of His truth and provision that would cause us to live for Him and with Him all the time. And hypocrisy is like yeast, it permeates more than we think and effects many aspects of life. And I just love that Jesus says to fear God and then don’t be afraid just a few sentences later. The first fear is to recognize that God’s opinion is the only one that matters and the biggest question we need to settle in life is what makes us right with Him (and not what people think of us)….thank you for faith in Jesus that resolves that. The “do not fear” is WHEN we come to Him, we come before a God who cares for us and knows us, and so when coming to Him, we don’t need to be afraid. And because it is His opinion that matters, we should gladly and boldly align ourselves with Him and not be ashamed of Him even when we face opposition. Because the gospel draws lines in the sand and divides people, even families. And what a promise that when we face opposition, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to share.
And Jesus came to change many aspects of life. One is the way we think about money. Life is not about getting the most and keeping it all for ourselves. That is not truly being rich. Being rich is seeking God’s kingdom first (good word Josiah) and then let Him decide what He adds to you because of it. And then being generous with the way we manage the things that we have. Another thing Jesus wants to change is the transactional orientation that the law encourages. If bad things happen, the people must have been evil. If good things happen, then the person must be righteous. We have to watch how these perspectives even permeate our own thinking. God wants us oriented to grace and relationship as opposed to transaction. God has the prerogative to allow good things to happen to bad people, and bad things to happen to good people. It is not the normal way God works, but when He does, we engage with God as to what his purpose is for doing it, particularly in our lives, and look for His provision in it. See life is about His kingdom and His glory, not our comfort or material possession, and as we grow in relationship with Him and recognize even when He is being good to us, it is because of His grace, we just take life as it comes. We make good decisions along the way to foster the best that can be, but then we leave the rest to God to do as He sees fit. There is no greater freedom than that!
John, keep speaking out for Jesus and let Him work. Many times we are criticized or put down for believing in Jesus. I have been in many of those conversations over the years. But trust in Jesus and let Him speak through you. Our part is to share the gospel and God will work in their heart. Just be kind and gracious with your speech. But bold to shine the light of Jesus. I don`t think we have met. But my wife and I would be glad to meet you some Sunday. I have also enjoyed reading your comments. Hope more join this reading/ study.
Steve P. keep putting yourself out there to share the gospel and God will give you the words to share. I have been there and have been used of God to speak for Him and didn`t even know where the words were coming from but only that the Lord was using my tongue. Even when I knew little scripture. But remember God does know His Holy Bible and He does indwell us. Keep commenting brother. Peace to you.