Tonight was the epitome of a great night for Bible reading. I waited until everyone went to bed, went outside on the back porch and prayed under the light of a beautiful moon, and then came back inside and read in blissful silence.
Today's reading included John chapter 1, which describes Jesus as the one who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Many times I have meditated on that phrase, grace and truth, and I still marvel at the combination. So many times humans corrupt the truth by using as a weapon with which to bludgeon another person. Others lack the courage to tell the truth or the wisdom to discern it, and so their "grace" has no depth to it. But Jesus perfectly combines those two qualities to the extent that John uses them to describe who he is.
I pray that God would give me those qualities in just the right proportion-grace enough to use the truth to build others up, instead of tearing them down.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Christmas In October
Every year it seems the American marketing machine cranks up Christmas a little earlier than the year before. Aside from Pastor Louie, who has to start listening to Christmas music in July, most of don't start thinking too seriously about it until after Halloween. However, if you're reading through the Bible chronologically, you're now in the middle of the Christmas story.
There are some benefits to that. You can read the story without the tinsel, shopping, and dinners distracting you. You can take time to think about the power of this remarkable story. This morning I was struck once again by how odd all of this must have seemed to Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the three wise men from the east. But that's the way God works. By the circumstances of our every day lives, he prepares us for the moment when he changes everything. What qualified Mary and Joseph to play the leading roles in this drama? Their walk with God. Their conformity to image of the Son she would soon bear. What a beautiful story.
There are some benefits to that. You can read the story without the tinsel, shopping, and dinners distracting you. You can take time to think about the power of this remarkable story. This morning I was struck once again by how odd all of this must have seemed to Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the three wise men from the east. But that's the way God works. By the circumstances of our every day lives, he prepares us for the moment when he changes everything. What qualified Mary and Joseph to play the leading roles in this drama? Their walk with God. Their conformity to image of the Son she would soon bear. What a beautiful story.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Hanging On
Fellow Bible Readers,
If you're reading through the Bible chronologically, then you're just now turning the corner into the New Testament, and you may be dragging a little bit. It may also be that you've lost your way somewhere between Leviticus, Ezekiel, and the return of the exiles. Whatever the case, simply start up on the current date and keep reading.
Maybe you're on a different reading plan and you've not missed a day. Wonderful. Keep up the good work. Whatever the case, I want to encourage you to keep digging into God's Word. It will pay wonderful dividends!
Pastor Jared
If you're reading through the Bible chronologically, then you're just now turning the corner into the New Testament, and you may be dragging a little bit. It may also be that you've lost your way somewhere between Leviticus, Ezekiel, and the return of the exiles. Whatever the case, simply start up on the current date and keep reading.
Maybe you're on a different reading plan and you've not missed a day. Wonderful. Keep up the good work. Whatever the case, I want to encourage you to keep digging into God's Word. It will pay wonderful dividends!
Pastor Jared
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thoughts From Marilyn
Hello Fellow WCAG Bible-Readers,
This week I’ve been asked to write some comments about our journey – Through the Bible in a Year. It’s a wonderful, motivating, arduous adventure alright! I’m a pretty slow reader so I’ve had to give up listening to a favorite radio preacher at noon, and go to my quiet place and read the Bible instead. Another friend told me he gets up 15 minutes earlier in the morning to read his portion. However you fit it into your schedule, it’s rewarding. This week I’ve completed First and Second Kings. Whew! - I felt uncomfortable the whole time. Why were so many of those kings in Israel “evil in the sight of the Lord?” How could they be so blind to their idolatry and rebellion? Oops! I was judging them! Then I compared our country’s spiritual conditions today, and I realized how much we need God’s mercy and forgiveness. We’re so blessed to be living under the New Covenant, with Jesus’ Blood available when we cry out for forgiveness of our sins.
Back to First and Second Kings. The way I kept track of their names, length of reign, and “good or bad” leadership in God’s eyes, was to watch for the pattern in each chapter, and write it in the margin. That way was like keeping score. Oh, how I wished the good guys had won! But no, the majority of the kings led their people to sin by worshipping idols, and ignoring the prophets – Elijah and Elisha. Because of their sins, God had the Northern Kingdom (Israel) defeated and taken captive by Assyria. Later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was defeated and exiled to Babylon.
The whole history of the Kings reminded me of God’s good parenting. He gave His Commandments for our own good, and there are consequences when we disobey. His faithfulness shows up every time they repented, and His mercy is always there when we obey.
Let’s press on in our journey with Him and His Word – He is washing us in the water of the Word.
Thanks For Listening,
Marilyn Knoepfel
This week I’ve been asked to write some comments about our journey – Through the Bible in a Year. It’s a wonderful, motivating, arduous adventure alright! I’m a pretty slow reader so I’ve had to give up listening to a favorite radio preacher at noon, and go to my quiet place and read the Bible instead. Another friend told me he gets up 15 minutes earlier in the morning to read his portion. However you fit it into your schedule, it’s rewarding. This week I’ve completed First and Second Kings. Whew! - I felt uncomfortable the whole time. Why were so many of those kings in Israel “evil in the sight of the Lord?” How could they be so blind to their idolatry and rebellion? Oops! I was judging them! Then I compared our country’s spiritual conditions today, and I realized how much we need God’s mercy and forgiveness. We’re so blessed to be living under the New Covenant, with Jesus’ Blood available when we cry out for forgiveness of our sins.
Back to First and Second Kings. The way I kept track of their names, length of reign, and “good or bad” leadership in God’s eyes, was to watch for the pattern in each chapter, and write it in the margin. That way was like keeping score. Oh, how I wished the good guys had won! But no, the majority of the kings led their people to sin by worshipping idols, and ignoring the prophets – Elijah and Elisha. Because of their sins, God had the Northern Kingdom (Israel) defeated and taken captive by Assyria. Later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was defeated and exiled to Babylon.
The whole history of the Kings reminded me of God’s good parenting. He gave His Commandments for our own good, and there are consequences when we disobey. His faithfulness shows up every time they repented, and His mercy is always there when we obey.
Let’s press on in our journey with Him and His Word – He is washing us in the water of the Word.
Thanks For Listening,
Marilyn Knoepfel
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Exodus-Episode II
Dear Bible Readers,
Last Sunday I talked about shows that are broken up into two episodes. Well, Joshua is sorta like Episode II of the Exodus. God not only promised to deliver his people from bondage, He also promised to lead his people into a land flowing with mile and honey. Exodus 3:8 says as much. "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites." The space between step number one (deliverance) and step number two (arrival) consisted of sin, punishment, intercession, repentance, all repeated so many times we lose count.
When we get to the book of Joshua, the people have wandered long enough and now stand ready to take hold of God's promise. Moses died outside the land because of his disobedience and Joshua now prepares to take the lead role in Episode II. If you like lots of action, you'll love the book of Joshua.
The following are some things to think about as you make your way through this amazing story. As you have thoughts, ideas, or questions, please post them to the blog or send an email and we'll discuss it as we go.
Pastor Jared
Last Sunday I talked about shows that are broken up into two episodes. Well, Joshua is sorta like Episode II of the Exodus. God not only promised to deliver his people from bondage, He also promised to lead his people into a land flowing with mile and honey. Exodus 3:8 says as much. "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites." The space between step number one (deliverance) and step number two (arrival) consisted of sin, punishment, intercession, repentance, all repeated so many times we lose count.
When we get to the book of Joshua, the people have wandered long enough and now stand ready to take hold of God's promise. Moses died outside the land because of his disobedience and Joshua now prepares to take the lead role in Episode II. If you like lots of action, you'll love the book of Joshua.
The following are some things to think about as you make your way through this amazing story. As you have thoughts, ideas, or questions, please post them to the blog or send an email and we'll discuss it as we go.
- How do we make sense of the instructions God gave Israel relating to holy war (7:1-26; 20:1-20; 21:10-14; 25:17-19)? What do we think about when we hear the phrase holy war, and how does that color our understanding of Joshua's message?
- Moses played the leading role in Episode I. Joshua plays the leading role in Episode 2. Are there any noticeable differences between these two leaders?
- Joshua was leading Israel into "rest," or the land (Deut 3:20; 12:10; 25:19; Josh 1:13, 15; 14:15, 21:44; 22:4; 23:1). But that rest was temporary at best. God eventually took it away from them when they sinned; they were deported by Assyria and Babylon. The New Testament argues that Jesus came to lead the people into rest that could not be taken away (1Peter 1:3-5) and that Joshua had not been able to fully secure (Heb 3:11, 18; 4:1-11). How does that affect our ideas of the land?
- How can we understand Rahab the prostitute as a model of faith, which is how she's presented in Hebrews 11?
- The Hebrew name for Jesus is Joshua. Are there points of connection between these two leaders?
Pastor Jared
Monday, March 16, 2009
Questions & Comments
Hey all, here are a couple questions from your fellow-readers.
What is a Nazirite?
Numbers 6:1-21 describes a Nazirite as a man or woman who consecrated themselves to God for a set time with a vow. As a part of the vow, they could not drink alcohol, cut their hair, or touch a dead body (even if a family member died). When the time of their consecration ended, they cut their hair, which was used as part of an offering made to God for well-being. Although some chose the Nazirite vow, others were consecrated as Nazirites from birth, like Samson (Judges 13:4-14) and Samuel (1Samuel 1:11). The vow continued to be made up to the time of the New Testament. Although Acts 18:18 and 21:20-26 do not use the word Nazirite, they describe Paul as being under a vow that required him to cut his hair.
What's the deal with Deuteronomy 25:11-12, which reads, "If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity."
This is one of those passages that people point to and say, "why is that in there?" I'm not sure there is a truly satisfying answer to the question, but let me at least offer some context. One, the word for fighting means...fighting. This situation describes one man who is physically fighting with another. This is not a heated disagreement--that would be too easy to explain. Two, the woman appears to be trying to rescue her husband from one that is too strong for him, which seems noble.
More than likely, the issue probably has to do with the importance of of men and women being able to raise up a family, since that is how God said he would bless the nation of Israel. If she were to hit him with a frying pan, stab him with a weapon, or throw dirt in his face, she would not be guilty, but to grab the assailant by his private parts was an offense to the other person, but more importantly prevented the man from raising up a family. Men and women would have both known this was the case. The other factor that should at least merit consideration is that the woman was not alone; she was fighting with her husband. If she were alone she would have few other options.
I realize, as I said, that is not very satisfying, but we must remember that this was written more than three thousand years ago and the original recipients would have understood it very well and not been at all surprised by it. I hope that helps.
Pastor Jared
What is a Nazirite?
Numbers 6:1-21 describes a Nazirite as a man or woman who consecrated themselves to God for a set time with a vow. As a part of the vow, they could not drink alcohol, cut their hair, or touch a dead body (even if a family member died). When the time of their consecration ended, they cut their hair, which was used as part of an offering made to God for well-being. Although some chose the Nazirite vow, others were consecrated as Nazirites from birth, like Samson (Judges 13:4-14) and Samuel (1Samuel 1:11). The vow continued to be made up to the time of the New Testament. Although Acts 18:18 and 21:20-26 do not use the word Nazirite, they describe Paul as being under a vow that required him to cut his hair.
What's the deal with Deuteronomy 25:11-12, which reads, "If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity."
This is one of those passages that people point to and say, "why is that in there?" I'm not sure there is a truly satisfying answer to the question, but let me at least offer some context. One, the word for fighting means...fighting. This situation describes one man who is physically fighting with another. This is not a heated disagreement--that would be too easy to explain. Two, the woman appears to be trying to rescue her husband from one that is too strong for him, which seems noble.
More than likely, the issue probably has to do with the importance of of men and women being able to raise up a family, since that is how God said he would bless the nation of Israel. If she were to hit him with a frying pan, stab him with a weapon, or throw dirt in his face, she would not be guilty, but to grab the assailant by his private parts was an offense to the other person, but more importantly prevented the man from raising up a family. Men and women would have both known this was the case. The other factor that should at least merit consideration is that the woman was not alone; she was fighting with her husband. If she were alone she would have few other options.
I realize, as I said, that is not very satisfying, but we must remember that this was written more than three thousand years ago and the original recipients would have understood it very well and not been at all surprised by it. I hope that helps.
Pastor Jared
Friday, March 13, 2009
Press On
Dear Bible-Reading Companions,
Why spend our time reading, studying, meditating on, and memorizing God’s Word? In the beginning of Deuteronomy, Moses warned the Israelites that their only hope of prospering in the land God was giving them was to fully and care-fully keep all the commands God was giving them. If they would, Moses said, the people around them would not only marvel how blessed they were, but would also give glory to God. So here’s what Moses said in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.”
Moses instructed the people to make God’s Word a part of every part of their life. First, God’s commands should be internalized—they should be in our hearts. There’s no way to internalize God’s Word without regular doses of it or times of reflecting and meditating on it. Second, God’s Word should be the foundation of what we pass on to our children and grandchildren. They must be impressed upon the next generation. Third, they should fill our conversations. Moses offers four examples of times when God’s Word makes for good conversation—1) sitting at home 2) walking on the road 3) lying down to go to bed 4) and waking up. That pretty much covers every part of our lives—the times we spend at home during the day, the times when we travel or run errands, and the routines we establish when we get up and go to bed. Finally, Moses instructs the people to leave visual reminders of God’s Word all around their homes so that they will be reminded of God’s commands.
I want to encourage you to press on in your quest to fill your life with God’s Word. It will bear fruit not only in your life, but in the life of your family.
Happy Reading!
Pastor Jared
Why spend our time reading, studying, meditating on, and memorizing God’s Word? In the beginning of Deuteronomy, Moses warned the Israelites that their only hope of prospering in the land God was giving them was to fully and care-fully keep all the commands God was giving them. If they would, Moses said, the people around them would not only marvel how blessed they were, but would also give glory to God. So here’s what Moses said in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.”
Moses instructed the people to make God’s Word a part of every part of their life. First, God’s commands should be internalized—they should be in our hearts. There’s no way to internalize God’s Word without regular doses of it or times of reflecting and meditating on it. Second, God’s Word should be the foundation of what we pass on to our children and grandchildren. They must be impressed upon the next generation. Third, they should fill our conversations. Moses offers four examples of times when God’s Word makes for good conversation—1) sitting at home 2) walking on the road 3) lying down to go to bed 4) and waking up. That pretty much covers every part of our lives—the times we spend at home during the day, the times when we travel or run errands, and the routines we establish when we get up and go to bed. Finally, Moses instructs the people to leave visual reminders of God’s Word all around their homes so that they will be reminded of God’s commands.
I want to encourage you to press on in your quest to fill your life with God’s Word. It will bear fruit not only in your life, but in the life of your family.
Happy Reading!
Pastor Jared
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