Hey all,
Sorry for the complete lack of posts this past week. While I have still been having my "Quiet Time", I have been running very short on time and have not been able to post my Devo Notes/Musings.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
20 Mar. 2012 - Colossians 2:4-23
Colossians 2:4-23
"Christ Versus the Colossian Heresy"
Paul, here, is warning the Colossian church to avoid the world's arguments and philosophies. He does this in three steps:
"Christ Versus the Colossian Heresy"
Paul, here, is warning the Colossian church to avoid the world's arguments and philosophies. He does this in three steps:
- Being aware of and not following the world's philosophies and beliefs.
- Being aware of the salvation through the sacrifice of Christ.
- Not allowing anyone to judge or discount you because of their false faith./beliefs
In this passage in its entirety, Paul goes into great depth about what Christ went through to bring you this salvation, laying down his own life in sacrifice for us. He goes even further, describing to us as having died with Christ, being washed free of sin, and receiving the righteousness given through the sacrifice of Christ.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
17 Mar. 2012 - Colossians 1:1-8
Colossians 1:1-8
"Greetings" & "Thanksgiving"
Paul opens up this letter by giving thanks to God for the church at Colosse. What is the reason, however, that he is thankful?
Paul is thankful that the church has faith in God, shows love for one another, and stores hope in heaven. Paul is giving thanksgiving for faith, hope, and love. (side note: see 1 Cor 13:13) these three have appeared in numerous other accounts: fruit of the spirit, armor of God, the above verse.
Similarly, we need to be thankful for those around us who grow in their walk with Christ.
Plain and Simple
"Greetings" & "Thanksgiving"
Paul opens up this letter by giving thanks to God for the church at Colosse. What is the reason, however, that he is thankful?
Paul is thankful that the church has faith in God, shows love for one another, and stores hope in heaven. Paul is giving thanksgiving for faith, hope, and love. (side note: see 1 Cor 13:13) these three have appeared in numerous other accounts: fruit of the spirit, armor of God, the above verse.
Similarly, we need to be thankful for those around us who grow in their walk with Christ.
Plain and Simple
Friday, March 16, 2012
16 Mar 2012 - Genesis 59:1-26
Genesis 50:1-26
There are three main events that take place: Jacob's burial, the brothers' forgiveness, and Joseph's final requests.
Jacob's directions were followed to the letter - Pharaoh even gave Joseph time off to bury him.
The brothers began to realize that, with Jacob gone, there was nothing to prevent Joseph from exacting retribution. He didn't, though. He forgavethe brothers mercifully & kindly.
Lastly, Joseph asked that his body be taken to the promised land when the others and their descendants leave. He asked that he be dug up before they leave and later found.
There are three main events that take place: Jacob's burial, the brothers' forgiveness, and Joseph's final requests.
Jacob's directions were followed to the letter - Pharaoh even gave Joseph time off to bury him.
The brothers began to realize that, with Jacob gone, there was nothing to prevent Joseph from exacting retribution. He didn't, though. He forgavethe brothers mercifully & kindly.
Lastly, Joseph asked that his body be taken to the promised land when the others and their descendants leave. He asked that he be dug up before they leave and later found.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
15 Mar 2012 - Genesis 49:29-33
Genesis 49:29-33
"Jacob's Burial Instructions"
Here we see Jacob's last request: to be buried back in Canaan. The reason he gives is that his father, grandfather, wife (Leah - Rachel was buried elsewhere, earlier), mother, and grandmother are buried there.
There is, I think, another reason. I think another reason for this request would be a desire to be buried in the land promised to him and his descendants. He wanted to be in the centre of God's plan even after his death; that is how much he desired God towards the end of his life. As I mentioned before, though, this is only a speculative guess at another, unmentioned reason.
Still, we should be living looking towards God, seeking to be in the centre of His will and plans.
"Jacob's Burial Instructions"
Here we see Jacob's last request: to be buried back in Canaan. The reason he gives is that his father, grandfather, wife (Leah - Rachel was buried elsewhere, earlier), mother, and grandmother are buried there.
There is, I think, another reason. I think another reason for this request would be a desire to be buried in the land promised to him and his descendants. He wanted to be in the centre of God's plan even after his death; that is how much he desired God towards the end of his life. As I mentioned before, though, this is only a speculative guess at another, unmentioned reason.
Still, we should be living looking towards God, seeking to be in the centre of His will and plans.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
14 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 49:1-28
Genesis 49:1-28
"Jacob's Last Words"
Here, Jacob is blessing his sons with what verse 28 describes as a "suitable blessing". The odd thing is, each of these blessings or forecastings occurred. Weird, no? It goes to show how much God is outside of time and how much He works and directs our paths, even surrounding it.
He also spoke about their pasts when he gave the blessing and punished those necessary (Reuben, Simeon & Levi) with a fair punishment
"Jacob's Last Words"
Here, Jacob is blessing his sons with what verse 28 describes as a "suitable blessing". The odd thing is, each of these blessings or forecastings occurred. Weird, no? It goes to show how much God is outside of time and how much He works and directs our paths, even surrounding it.
He also spoke about their pasts when he gave the blessing and punished those necessary (Reuben, Simeon & Levi) with a fair punishment
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
13 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 48:13-22
Genesis 48:13-22
"Ephraim's Greater Blessing"
So, here we have an interesting, prophetic situation (well, I'm not sure whether to say prophetic or causative). Jacob is about to bless Manasseh & Ephraim (Manasseh is the elder of the two). Joseph lines them up such that Manasseh is on Jacob's right and Ephraim on his left. Then, Jacob goes and "messes things up", or at least in Joseph's eyes. Jacob crosses his arms and places his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh (The right hand is the hand of stronger blessing in this instance).
When asked why this was done, Jacob answered , saying that Ephraim would grow to be a greater, more populous nation. As to the prophetic/causative issue. I am not sure whether Jacob was foretelling Ephraim's future or whether he caused the more blessed future of Ephraim over Manasseh. Regardless, It is evident that God's hand was in play, guiding Jacob to say what he did in the manner he did.
"Ephraim's Greater Blessing"
So, here we have an interesting, prophetic situation (well, I'm not sure whether to say prophetic or causative). Jacob is about to bless Manasseh & Ephraim (Manasseh is the elder of the two). Joseph lines them up such that Manasseh is on Jacob's right and Ephraim on his left. Then, Jacob goes and "messes things up", or at least in Joseph's eyes. Jacob crosses his arms and places his right hand on Ephraim and his left on Manasseh (The right hand is the hand of stronger blessing in this instance).
When asked why this was done, Jacob answered , saying that Ephraim would grow to be a greater, more populous nation. As to the prophetic/causative issue. I am not sure whether Jacob was foretelling Ephraim's future or whether he caused the more blessed future of Ephraim over Manasseh. Regardless, It is evident that God's hand was in play, guiding Jacob to say what he did in the manner he did.
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