The 7 Day Experiment is an opportunity to connect with God through daily devotion by reading the Bible, journaling and blogging. Our goal for this experiment is for each of us to hear from God in His way.
When I read the first part of Chapter 11, I see a funny skit in my mind. Here John the Baptist sits in prison, hearing about what Jesus is doing. He probably had a million questions rush thru his head... He probably said to a disciple, "go find this Jesus fellow and ask Him if He comes by God's authority?" (as the disciple starts to leave, John rethinks his question and hollers) "Wait! No, ask him if He was born of a virgin?" (the disciple starts to leave again) John hollers, "Wait, no, that's too personal... ask him if He comes to bring salvation." (disciple starts to leave again) John hollers, "Wait, that doesn't sound right.... aw hell, just ask him if He's the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Love vs. 29... my prayer is to always take God's yoke upon my life and learn for Jesus. "I am gentle and humble in heart"... this touches me because it is the picture of God that I see and feel. His gentle words in my life are my sole source of peace and rest for my soul.
Ch 11:4-6- A kind of Ah-Ha moment for me. John was doubting whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. When I doubt Gods work in my life, I turn AWAY from God. I have the mind set that if prayer isn't working, just forget it, I will take care of it. This passage reminds me to turn TO God. Which, for a person who likes to be in charge, get things done a certain way and in a certain time, be organized, and needs answers NOW; is VERY DIFFICULT to do. How... How to relinquish that mind set and constantly turn TO God?
Ch 11:28-30- I am writing this down and I am going to hang it in my bathroom and kitchen, so I can see it daily. Only God can change meaningless, exhausting, hopeless situations into spiritual healing and spiritual purpose. I need to quit wallering (spelling?) in my despair.
I have a book I read WITH the Bible... it's kind of "easier to understand" book. It's called, How to Find God: Living Water for those who thirst. Anyway... it said this about 11:28-30, and I found it interesting: 3 things we must do to find true peace/rest: 1. come to Christ 2. exchange your yoke for His yoke 3. let Jesus lead Number 3 is hard for me!!
Guys -- My wife just pointed out to me that I was ahead of where others are at. I commented on these chapters yesterday and read ahead today. Oh well. (My comments will be great coming up!) :-)
Cathy - v.1 Among the first place that Jesus went to preach was in the cities his disciples came from – make the most of your contacts. And why would I want to be sent to some faraway country to tell others about Jesus if I don’t do it with the friends at school. They know me and my life so hopefully would be more likely to hear my story.
v.3 the biggest spiritual giants still have their doubting moments. That’s not a sin.
V17-19 you will never please the public. Don’t try. Stay on message.
v.28 -30 Love this passage too. The idea of a nap with Jesus is great. But what strikes me is the part where we actually get rest is when we stop and learn of Him. So I don’t need to worry about keeping up with what all the other mom’s at school know or the latest current events or what happened on Survivor or American Idol. But if I take that time and spend it learning about Him I will get that rest. Easy to write this but hard to consistently do.
V15 – was this still on the Sabbath day and was Jesus “stickin it” to the Pharisees by “healing them all”?
Overwhelmed with how Jesus didn’t turn them all to dust by the end of the chapter. Shallow conversation, knows all the shallow things they are thinking and don’t say, accusing him of being the devil, healing on the Sabbath, do us a magic trick Jesus, your mommy is calling you. Ahhh! The human race would be extinct if I was Jesus for a day. What amazing Grace!
Cathy, I agree with you. I would have just pointed my finger and zapped them all.
Chapter 11: V2: Why did John doubt it was Jesus? He baptized him. Why did he now have doubts and when his disciples return and say, "yep, He's the one, he is now going to believe.
V20: Jesus comdemed the cities where they were eyes witnesses to Jesus' miracles. Ok, the lived it, breathed it, smelled it, but still didn't believe. So, I should not be so hard on myself, when I pray and nothing happens and I say, where are you, God?, I shouldn't beat myself up.
Chapter 12: V33-35: What is in your heart is what comes out of your mouth. Good heart = Good words, Bad heart = Bad words.......Stealing a quote from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High, "Read it, Learn it, Live it."
V36: Every word said will have to be accounted for.....I am in serious trouble!!!!
I posted a question in the Day 5 Question section.
I am baffled. John the Dunker must have grown up with Liz, his mom, saying, "ya know your cuz is the Messiah." And then John dunked Jesus and heard and saw the most bizarre thing that he had ever seen. And now later he asks, "Are You The ONE?" Why? I am really confused at this question.
Soft cuddly Flannel-board Jesus wouldn't say mean things like the WOES would HE? I got to take Jesus more seriously. I think I would be a bit more aggressive in my evangelism if I really truly grasped that the proverbial poo is going to hit the fan when the Lion of the Tribe of Judah returns. Lord help me truly live in that reality...for the sake of the lost!
NAPS! I LOVE NAPS! I fullon agree with everyone on NAPPIN' on our Father's lap. Right on!
There's Matt's favorite saying again, "i desire mercy, not sacrifice!"
Lame pharisees...Jesus healed a man in broad Sabbath daylight and that moves their minds to visions of rageful murder...that makes sense...NOT. Jesus read their minds. Superhero powers. Sweet.
When I read the first part of Chapter 11, I see a funny skit in my mind. Here John the Baptist sits in prison, hearing about what Jesus is doing. He probably had a million questions rush thru his head... He probably said to a disciple, "go find this Jesus fellow and ask Him if He comes by God's authority?" (as the disciple starts to leave, John rethinks his question and hollers) "Wait! No, ask him if He was born of a virgin?" (the disciple starts to leave again) John hollers, "Wait, no, that's too personal... ask him if He comes to bring salvation." (disciple starts to leave again) John hollers, "Wait, that doesn't sound right.... aw hell, just ask him if He's the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
ReplyDeleteLove vs. 29... my prayer is to always take God's yoke upon my life and learn for Jesus. "I am gentle and humble in heart"... this touches me because it is the picture of God that I see and feel. His gentle words in my life are my sole source of peace and rest for my soul.
Chapter 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
ReplyDeleteThis is like a nap in God's lap. I love this picture!
Ch 11:4-6- A kind of Ah-Ha moment for me. John was doubting whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. When I doubt Gods work in my life, I turn AWAY from God. I have the mind set that if prayer isn't working, just forget it, I will take care of it. This passage reminds me to turn TO God. Which, for a person who likes to be in charge, get things done a certain way and in a certain time, be organized, and needs answers NOW; is VERY DIFFICULT to do. How... How to relinquish that mind set and constantly turn TO God?
ReplyDeleteCh 11:28-30- I am writing this down and I am going to hang it in my bathroom and kitchen, so I can see it daily. Only God can change meaningless, exhausting, hopeless situations into spiritual healing and spiritual purpose. I need to quit wallering (spelling?) in my despair.
I have a book I read WITH the Bible... it's kind of "easier to understand" book. It's called, How to Find God: Living Water for those who thirst. Anyway... it said this about 11:28-30, and I found it interesting:
3 things we must do to find true peace/rest:
1. come to Christ
2. exchange your yoke for His yoke
3. let Jesus lead
Number 3 is hard for me!!
Susan -- I love the skit idea. :-)
ReplyDeleteGuys -- My wife just pointed out to me that I was ahead of where others are at. I commented on these chapters yesterday and read ahead today. Oh well. (My comments will be great coming up!) :-)
Cathy -
ReplyDeletev.1 Among the first place that Jesus went to preach was in the cities his disciples came from – make the most of your contacts. And why would I want to be sent to some faraway country to tell others about Jesus if I don’t do it with the friends at school. They know me and my life so hopefully would be more likely to hear my story.
v.3 the biggest spiritual giants still have their doubting moments. That’s not a sin.
V17-19 you will never please the public. Don’t try. Stay on message.
v.28 -30 Love this passage too. The idea of a nap with Jesus is great. But what strikes me is the part where we actually get rest is when we stop and learn of Him. So I don’t need to worry about keeping up with what all the other mom’s at school know or the latest current events or what happened on Survivor or American Idol. But if I take that time and spend it learning about Him I will get that rest. Easy to write this but hard to consistently do.
V15 – was this still on the Sabbath day and was Jesus “stickin it” to the Pharisees by “healing them all”?
Overwhelmed with how Jesus didn’t turn them all to dust by the end of the chapter. Shallow conversation, knows all the shallow things they are thinking and don’t say, accusing him of being the devil, healing on the Sabbath, do us a magic trick Jesus, your mommy is calling you. Ahhh! The human race would be extinct if I was Jesus for a day. What amazing Grace!
Well, since I don't have a wife (Cathy) ... and I just read Tim's comments, I'm with him. I read chapters 13-15 today so I'll comment tomorrow too!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I LOVED your turning "TO" God comment!
Susan, loved the skit...you crack me up.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I agree with you. I would have just pointed my finger and zapped them all.
Chapter 11:
V2: Why did John doubt it was Jesus? He baptized him. Why did he now have doubts and when his disciples return and say, "yep, He's the one, he is now going to believe.
V20: Jesus comdemed the cities where they were eyes witnesses to Jesus' miracles. Ok, the lived it, breathed it, smelled it, but still didn't believe. So, I should not be so hard on myself, when I pray and nothing happens and I say, where are you, God?, I shouldn't beat myself up.
Chapter 12:
V33-35: What is in your heart is what comes out of your mouth. Good heart = Good words, Bad heart = Bad words.......Stealing a quote from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High, "Read it, Learn it, Live it."
V36: Every word said will have to be accounted for.....I am in serious trouble!!!!
I posted a question in the Day 5 Question section.
I am baffled. John the Dunker must have grown up with Liz, his mom, saying, "ya know your cuz is the Messiah." And then John dunked Jesus and heard and saw the most bizarre thing that he had ever seen. And now later he asks, "Are You The ONE?" Why? I am really confused at this question.
ReplyDeleteSoft cuddly Flannel-board Jesus wouldn't say mean things like the WOES would HE? I got to take Jesus more seriously. I think I would be a bit more aggressive in my evangelism if I really truly grasped that the proverbial poo is going to hit the fan when the Lion of the Tribe of Judah returns. Lord help me truly live in that reality...for the sake of the lost!
NAPS! I LOVE NAPS! I fullon agree with everyone on NAPPIN' on our Father's lap. Right on!
There's Matt's favorite saying again, "i desire mercy, not sacrifice!"
Lame pharisees...Jesus healed a man in broad Sabbath daylight and that moves their minds to visions of rageful murder...that makes sense...NOT. Jesus read their minds. Superhero powers. Sweet.
Lord KEEP my mouth CAREFUL!