I am reading through the book of Acts in the New Living Translation. This book used to seem boring to me! That's crazy talk. Chapter 12 was on the docket today and I almost find it hilarious. Usually it is the end of this chapter that draws me in when Peter comes to the door and Mary doesn't believe it is Peter.. but let's back up.... At the beginning of 12, James, the brother of John is killed and apparently Peter is going to be next so the nasty King Agrippa puts him in jail. The church is praying for Peter to be released. When reading verses 6 to 11 I thought to myself, "I don't want to sleep like a baby. I want to sleep like Peter!!" Or maybe rather it is the peace of Peter that is something to be sought after. Here are my thoughts. 1) He was asleep... between two guards. (And naked or close to it.. I'll get to that in a minute.). Perhaps the soldiers were bantering back and forth also. So chained, m...
I have been thinking about this post since Joni posted it. Suffering. Healing. I have changed my beliefs over the years. Those who have known me awhile know I have read a lot of John Piper on suffering. And to be honest those were encouraging to me!!!! I mean, if I can suffer for the Lord- that's kinda cool. However, where is the hope in that? I mean there is hope for the long term and heaven and the magnificence that encompasses. And that is not to be minimized. But Jesus died for more than that. After reading the Word more, and reading more words by different authors such as Art Thomas and Bill Johnson I have come to a different conclusion. 1) Jesus died for our healing.. not "just" our salvation. 2) Christians are to carry out the command to "heal the sick". We play an intricate role. 3) When it doesn't happen (and we should expect that it will), it is not Jesus' or God's fault. Becaus...
We are reading Psalm 22 this week as part of our lessons at Roots School of Ministry . Wow. It might be my new favorite Psalm. I am still trying to memorize Psalm 27 but this one might just come naturally. Psalm 22 is written to the "tune of Doe in the Morning." You can google and find many potential musical options.... and commentaries that tell you what it meant. A common theme seems to be that it was a solemn tune. When you read it you can see why. When I read Scripture many times I stop at certain points.. to pray my own prayer. I suppose I am inserting my own "Selah". So I felt maybe I was suppose to share a bit of this maybe over a series of several posts. It is quite a long Psalm. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning. v1-2. Of course these are the words Jesus utters to God as well. (Matthew 27:46) Often I feel...
Comments
Post a Comment