April 26 - Week 13 - Robyn Watts

Genesis 27-28

Oh, Rebekah.... have you ever watched a movie in which you feel dread for the main character as they make choices you know are not going to turn out well? Even though Isaac's blessing **somehow** had to land on Jacob, I just cringe at the way that all transpired. I think I cringe mostly because Rebekah and Jacob were so manipulative and took advantage of the fact Isaac could not see well. How many times have I manipulated situations to my benefit?

Isaac should have trusted his intuition when at first he questioned whether it was really Esau (vs 22). I find myself in Isaac's position once in a while too. When Esau does finally come in with his father's stew, I have so much compassion for Isaac. In verse 33 the Bible says, "Isaac trembled violently..." As the reality settles in and Isaac realizes he had been duped, I can't imagine how he felt not having any blessing left for his favored son. (okay, well that was a problem too... the favor part... for both Isaac and Rebekah!)

Jacob is usually crowned as the "hero" in this story, but I do feel sorry for Esau. Yes, he was foolish to give up his birthright in the first place, but I'm guilty of not looking beyond the nose on the front of my face too. I can't understand the longing for stew, but if it was chocolate....

I love how at the end of chapter 28, God restates the promise he made with Abraham and Isaac. God's whole "agenda" is to spread His people throughout the earth so that all people can be blessed through them. The blessings, the descendants, the land... all would be given to them so that they would become a blessing to the world... showing others who God is. God promises in verse 15 of chapter 28,

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Can you imagine being Jacob and receiving that promise from God. God has given us a promise too... in Philippians 1:6 we read,

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

What work is God doing in you that you need to be confident that He will complete?

Psalm 14

"Oh, that the salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!" (vs.7) Thank you God, that it has! You have restored the fortune of your people let us rejoice and be glad!

Proverbs 14

Wow, anyone could spend a life time gleaning wisdom from this 35 verse proverb! Verse 33 really stood out to me. "Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning, and even among fools she lets herself be known." I love that God does not hide the Truth from those who refuse to accept it. Often times the Truth stares them right in the face, but they just refuse to see it. God's wisdom prevails over all and He will make sure that even among those who don't believe, the Truth will shine through.

John 14

There is so much in this chapter... it is one of those chapters where I can picture myself curled up on Jesus' lap with him reading it to me, arms around me....

In my Bible most of this entire page is "red" as Jesus was quite long winded here! But the words he says in this chapter have life long consequences for every person on earth. Jesus starts by giving us the prescription for a trouble-free heart.... "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (vs.1)

Wow, that's it! Trust. So, why do our hearts seem to be troubled so much? I find it interesting that Thomas (who asked Jesus the first of three questions in this chapter) decided to camp on the fact that he didn't know where Jesus was going instead of learning more about the trust. Personally, I would have camped on how to trust better!

Later, after a question from Philip in verse 8, Jesus remarks, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you for such a long time?"

I picture how it must have felt to be Philip hearing the Son of God say that to him. Sometimes I wonder what the disciples were thinking when they would ask certain things. Having the benefit of 2000 or so years we have some hindsight that makes what they asked seem ridiculous. However, if I'm really honest with myself, I'm guessing I would have asked some of the same questions. And, if I'm REALLY honest with myself... I find I do now. Really, all Jesus asks of us is to believe him. Trust in him. Love him. Obey him. We don't need to solve all the world's problems, just lead the world to Who already has....

The third question asked of Jesus came from Judas (not Judas Iscariot the Bible tells us). He asked Jesus in verse 22, "but Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

Oh, how small our vision can be sometimes! Jesus starts his explanation of the Holy Spirit with the words, "If ANYONE" (vs. 23) Not just jews... anyone loves me.... He goes on to explain the Holy Spirit will come and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will make their home with anyone who loves them. I love how Jesus used the word "home" and not "house". It feels so warm and inviting....

All this Jesus tells the disciples ahead of time for one reason... so they will believe (vs 29). That's what God wants most from us... our belief. Not just belief in Him, that He exists... actually believing the promises God gives us... that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. Do we truly believe?

April 19 - Week 12 - Doug Mathers

We are finishing our 3rd month of Bible reading ~ if you are still with us (and I hope you are), way to go!

Here are some thoughts, observations and questions for this week's chapters:

Monday Genesis 25

Did you notice Abraham got married again? Wow, talk about stamina. He was an old man when he was married to Sarah, she dies and next thing we know he's married again, apparently to a younger woman because she gave him more children!

Reread verse 5. What wisdom did Abraham demonstrate in the manner he left his inheritance? How did that protect Isaac and his half brothers?

Jump to 27-34 --- why would Esau make this deal? Does it not sound like the dumbest decision in the Bible? For a moment, give Esau the benefit of the doubt concerning his intelligence. Remembering this all took place about 2000 years prior to Jesus, what situation would make this "trade" a good one?

Tuesday Genesis 26

Reread verse 5. What do you notice about God and how he honors faith and obedience? Does this seem fair and right? How does it change how we view our own faith/obedience? Is there more on the line than you thought?

We as Americans have been trained to think as individuals. We hold the inward conviction that each generation will be responsible for itself (for good or bad). But the reality seems to be that each generation sets the trajectory for the next.

How do you think you are setting the trajectory for your children and grandchildren today? How are we doing it as a culture?

Wednesday, Psalm 13

What is the tension the author is feeling? What is his conclusion? When have you felt a similar tension in your life? What was your conclusion?

Thursday, Proverbs 13

Reread verse 22. How does this echo Genesis 26:5?

Friday, John 13

What struck me most as I read this chapter was Jesus' understanding of the events around him and his own future. Verses 1,3,and 11 all emphasize this with the words "He knew.." But read the chapter and observe other ways John emphasizes that Jesus knew exactly what was happening and going to happen to him.

What difference does this foreknowledge make? Why does it matter to you as you follow Jesus or trust God?

What if I've fallen way behind?

So I am in "Easter Recovery Mode" (a pastoral affliction). And I find myself a bit behind my usual pace right now. It got me thinking that some of you maybe in recovery mode as well (pick your own favorite holiday for a name).

And maybe... you have fallen grossly behind in your efforts to read the Bible with us... and the question you are asking is:

"What do I do if I've fallen behind in my Bible reading?"

Well I think you have some options:

Option A

Feel guilty! Of course this accomplishes nothing except to make you feel even less worthy as a person and especially as a follow of Jesus. But guilt is where many of us find life and life less abundantly!

Option B

Pretend I'm not behind. Quickly read a chapter or two and then tell a friend what you received out of your devotional reading today. This will create the impression that you read every day without fail and will likely give your friend a case of the "spiritually inferior to you" syndrome.

Option C

Quit the plan! This is by far the easiest. Just don't think about your intentions to read the Bible this year. Don't talk about reading the Bible and if someone else brings it up... change the topic! As in... "Hey, how about those Twins this year?!"

Option D

Start reading again. Don't play catch up... don't feel guilty... just turn to this week's reading and dig in again. You miss out on the guilt. You don't get to be spiritually superior to others. But you do get to engage in God's word just like you planned on in January (remember that?).

What about the parts you missed?

They aren't going anywhere... you can pick up on them our next read through!

Please use the comment button to leave feedback about this blog or any of this week's readings. I would LOVE to see more of us, okay after last week I will say "someone" leave some comments!

-doug

4/6 - 4/10 Comments Only Week!

Okay - so every week we've had different folks around church leave write a blog of their comments and questions from the readings.

So this week - we are going to try something new. Instead of reading the thoughts of someone else, we want to hear your thoughts, insights and questions. (We always want to but this week we are putting the pressure on!)

So below there are no comments... but you can see each day's readings. After you read - share a thought - question - problem or insight!

All you have to do is click on comments for each day.

Looking forward to learning from you!

Monday - 4/6 - Genesis 21

Tuesday - 4/7 - Genesis 22

Wednesday - 4/8 - Psalm 11