Back on Track - Day #3

1 Kings 8:27
"But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"

Have you ever typed "the universe" into Google? How about "Hubble Telescope", "galaxies" or "NASA"?

Psalm 147:4 Does God know my name? Psalm 108:4 Does God love me? Isaiah 48:13 God put the stars in the palm of his hand and then spread them out in the universe... just how big is this guy?

Jeremiah 32:17, Job 25

Is it too difficult for Christ to restore me? Christ, by the way, is a co-creator (Colossians 1:15-17)

Psalm 8:3-4 - God is HUGE and we are tiny. Romans 12:1-2 says God can take us from the ooze of the mud to the ozone of the universe. Philippians 2:13, the Bible says that God works in me for his purpose. He can. He will. He does. The question is then, do I allow myself to believe that?

Google God. Then Choose God. Again. He is astronomical.

1. From what you know about the solar systems and space, take a few moments to contemplate how big God is. Now try to describe that immensity.
I have studied astronomy in high school and college. I know, or at least have an idea, how big the universe is... which is why I feel so tiny sometimes when I pray. I wonder if God is as big as I think he is, then why would he give my thoughts ANY KIND of consideration. God is bigger than the universe, he could probably wrap his arms around the universe, which makes me the tiniest cell within a cell to a mammoth of a giant.

2. If you could keep a clear view of an astronomical God in the forefront of your mind, how would that affect your faith?
It would make me much more humble. I would even think that it would squish whatever faith I had... why would a God that massive give so much a consideration to me?

3. If you viewed your life from God's perspective, what might you see that you don't now see?
I might have a better understanding of why God loves me.

4. List three things that a huge God could help do in your life and circumstances this year.
1: Get Restored 2: Overcome depression 3: Overcome Fibromyalgia

Back on Track - Day #2

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

This chapter is about the Dragon from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, one of the Chronicles of Narnia books/movies. Specifically there is a moment where the dragon /boy has to become humble to never be a dragon again. He has to "undragon" himself by allowing Aslan to undress him.

Ephesians 5:18
Be drunk on the Holy Spirit of God verses the unholy spirit of wine. Why? Because whatever you are filled with it will be noticeable to others. What are people noticing about me?

(1 Thessalonians 5:19) Do I quench the Spirit or put out the fire? God gave me a Counselor (John 16:7) because I need to be counseled. God gave me a helper (John 14:26) because I need help. God gave me a comforter (John 14:16) because I need comforting. God told the disciples it would be better for them if they when he left (John 16:7), saying that the Holy Spirit would live within them. Do I believe that?! Would I rather have Jesus next to me or the Holy Spirit in me? Jesus says it is better to have the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2 the Holy Spirit shows up. Acts 4:29-31, it shows up again. The book of Acts is a living testimony to people who were changed not by their own might or power but by the Spirit of our omnipotent God.

Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

People realized these men were who they were because of Christ.

Questions at the end of this chapter:

1.What dragon-like characteristics do you naturally exhibit?
I like to think of Galatians 5:19-21 for the dragon-like characteristics. And if that is the case, I find myself struggling with impurity the most, followed by fits of rage.

2. Write down everything you know about the Holy Spirit.
It lives in you. This feels like a test ;) The Holy Spirit is a counselor, God living in me, a helper, a comforter, a guide for my life.

3. How have you seen the Holy Spirit change your life in the past and in the present?
I have seen the Holy Spirit change how I view people. I have also seen my character change some in regards to purity, money, basic values such as friendship, respect, and love for others. I have become more patient in a lot of areas and I continue to grow even now.

4. How can you tap into God's power today and see his strength unleashed in your life?
I think requires a lot of prayer and a lot of studying the Bible.

Back on Track - Day #1

The number forty recurring over and over in the Bible.

Genesis 7:12, Exodus 24:18, Exodus 34:28, Numbers 13:25, Matthew 4:1-2, Acts 1:3

Six areas of Devotion: My God, My Head, My Heart, My Hands, My Feet, and My Lips.

Do all things well (Mark 7:37)

Questions at the end of each chapter:

1. What has been the worst "train wreck" day of your life? Your past month?
I've had a few. All of them that are coming to mind are all based on what has happened wrong in a relationship.  Once a girlfriend went missing. Another time, a friend was unfaithful. Combine all that with drug use, it spells out a mental mess. The past month hasn't the drama as my long-term history. I do have a six year old who knows how to push my anger button. And when he pushes it over and over and over again, a train wreck can ensue for sure.

2. What event has most thrown you off spiritually?
I would say that the issues with pornography throw me off the most. Pornography tends to close me up and I don't share or stay open for very long.

3. What damage or repercussions have you seen in your spiritual life when you have gotten off track?
It has led me to leave God, the Church, and I even considered leaving my wife and suicide.

4. What can you begin to do today to make steps toward getting back on track?
I'm not sure. I have a number of things already in process in getting restored, such as staying open, studying the Bible, etc. and those things have really been helpful.

Daily Reading

Leviticus 15

• This is a discharge from a man that makes him unclean chapter. It also takes about a woman's period and how that makes her unclean. I think the key verse here is that you can die in your uncleanliness. That's why you have to separate yourself from the things that are unclean. I think this carries over into the new testament where you dispel the immoral person from the church. You have to keep the church clean spiritually as much as you can.

Leviticus 16

• The rules for the scapegoat. It is very interesting how the goat goes free but is carrying the sin of the Israelites with it. The key part is the Israelites have to confess their sin. It doesn't say to whom they confess the sin to, but I am sure it was to someone that was in their life on a regular basis. To confess for the sake of confess to a stranger wouldn't be beneficial.

Leviticus 17

• Some rules on sacrifices... mainly pertaining to eating the blood of the animal and where the animal is to be sacrificed. Violations of these rules would mean that you would be cut off from the people of Israel. And it doesn't give a way of how to be restored back to the people of Israel.

Leviticus 18

• You defile yourself by having sexual relations with family members, members of your extended family or animals, you get cut off from the people of Israel. That is this chapter in a nut shell.

Leviticus 19

• I think probably the most key scripture in the entire Bible is here in verse 2. Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Does that not just sum up the whole Bible right there? Everything else centers around that whole verse. I could write a book on that verse alone.
• This chapter is full of what not to do and some things of what to do. Another key verse in here says to love your neighbor as yourself, something Jesus would say several times.

Confession Study #6

Psalm 51
God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again. I know about my wrongs, and I can't forget my sin. You are the only one I have sinned against; I have done what you say is wrong. You are right when you speak and fair when you judge. I was brought into this world in sin. In sin my mother gave birth to me. You want me to be completely truthful, so teach me wisdom. Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you crushed be happy again. Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Do not send me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit. Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong, and sinners will turn back to you. God, save me from the guilt of murder, God of my salvation, and I will sing about your goodness. Lord, let me speak so I may praise you. You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them. You don't want burnt offerings. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin. Do whatever good you wish for Jerusalem. Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with right sacrifices and whole burnt offerings, and bulls will be offered on your altar.

• Another example of confession and humility together. David had sinned with Bathsheba and made this Psalm in response. 

Micah 7:8-10
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness. Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets.

• Coming out of the darkness into the light through confession and humility! What a great combination!

Confess is a verb.
Definition: admit, confirm
Synonyms: acknowledge, affirm, allow, assert, attest, aver, avow, blow, blurt out, chirp, clue in, come clean, come out, concede, confide, declare, disclose, divulge, dump on, evince, finger, fink, grant, humble oneself, leak, let on, level with, make clean breast of, manifest, narrate, open one's heart, own, own up, post, profess, prove, rat on, recognize, relate, reveal, sing, snitch, sound off, spill the beans, spit out, squeal, tip hand, unload, vent, weasel
Antonyms: conceal, deny, disavow, disown, hide, mask, repudiate, secrete

Confession Study #5

Leviticus 16:20-22
"When Aaron has finished making the Most Holy Place, the Meeting Tent, and the altar ready for service to the Lord, he will offer the living goat. He will put both his hands on the head of the living goat, and he will confess over it all the sins and crimes of Israel. In this way Aaron will put the people's sins on the goat's head. Then he will send the goat away into the desert, and a man who has been appointed will lead the goat away. So the goat will carry on itself all the people's sins to a lonely place in the desert. The man who leads the goat will let it loose there.

• A way to get rid of sin: the scapegoat. The only way this works is if people confess the sins. If the hide the sin, then it doesn't work.

Leviticus 26:40-42
" 'But maybe the people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors; maybe they will admit they turned against me and sinned against me, which made me turn against them and send them into the land of their enemies. If these disobedient people are sorry for what they did and accept punishment for their sin, I will remember my agreement with Jacob, my agreement with Isaac, and my agreement with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

• God just wants me to be sorry for my sin and accept the punishment. I've noticed how my son is closer to me than before his punishment. I think really God doesn't want me to sin in the first place, but if I do sin, to have a heart of confession first instead of trying to hide it or ignore it.

2 Samuel 12:7-14
Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'I appointed you king of Israel and saved you from Saul. I gave you his kingdom and his wives. And I made you king of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you even more. So why did you ignore the Lord's command? Why did you do what he says is wrong? You killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and took his wife to be your wife! Now there will always be people in your family who will die by a sword, because you did not respect me; you took the wife of Uriah the Hittite for yourself!'

"This is what the Lord says: 'I am bringing trouble to you from your own family. While you watch, I will take your wives from you and give them to someone who is very close to you. He will have sexual relations with your wives, and everyone will know it. You had sexual relations with Bathsheba in secret, but I will do this so all the people of Israel can see it.' "

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord."

Nathan answered, "The Lord has taken away your sin. You will not die. But what you did caused the Lord's enemies to lose all respect for him. For this reason the son who was born to you will die."

• A sign of humility. David acknowledges that he has sinned and immediately confesses to Nathan. And by doing so, he receives some grace. He still receives some consequences, but he also gets some grace.

Luke 15:11-20
Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, 'Give me my share of the property.' So the father divided the property between his two sons. Then the younger son gathered up all that was his and traveled far away to another country. There he wasted his money in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a time came when there was no food anywhere in the country, and the son was poor and hungry. So he got a job with one of the citizens there who sent the son into the fields to feed pigs. The son was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. When he realized what he was doing, he thought, 'All of my father's servants have plenty of food. But I am here, almost dying with hunger. I will leave and return to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son, but let me be like one of your servants." ' So the son left and went to his father.

• The younger son already had some consequences but is still restored to his family. He received some grace from his father. He was humble and wasn't expecting the loving reception from his father. The first thing he did was he confessed.

Confession Study #4

Nehemiah 1:1-7
These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, I, Nehemiah, was in the capital city of Susa. One of my brothers named Hanani came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish people who lived through the captivity.

They answered me, "Those who are left from the captivity are back in Judah, but they are in much trouble and are full of shame. The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned."

When I heard these things, I sat down and cried for several days. I was sad and fasted. I prayed to the God of heaven, "Lord, God of heaven, you are the great God who is to be respected. You are loyal, and you keep your agreement with those who love you and obey your commands. Look and listen carefully. Hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we Israelites have done against you. My father's family and I have sinned against you. We have been wicked toward you and have not obeyed the commands, rules, and laws you gave your servant Moses.

• You can see the humility of Nehemiah here. It's humbling to read it. It is interesting how he takes on the sins of others in his confession. He chooses we instead of I...

Ezra 10:1-4, 9-11
As Ezra was praying and confessing and crying and throwing himself down in front of the Temple, a large group of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him who were also crying loudly. Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel the Elamite said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying women from the peoples around us. But even so, there is still hope for Israel. Now let us make an agreement before our God. We will send away all these women and their children as you and those who respect the commands of our God advise. Let it be done to obey God's Teachings. Get up, Ezra. You are in charge, and we will support you. Have courage and do it."

So within three days all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem. It was the twentieth day of the ninth month. All the men were sitting in the open place in front of the Temple and were upset because of the meeting and because it was raining. Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, "You have been unfaithful and have married non-Jewish women. You have made Israel more guilty. Now, confess it to the Lord, the God of your ancestors. Do his will and separate yourselves from the people living around you and from your non-Jewish wives."

• Confession to the Lord is how confession should be done. If you don't confess it to God, but just people, then I think you are wasting your time. God should be who confession is mainly done to but people should be included, mainly someone who is in your life on a consistent basis.

1 Samuel 7:5-6
Samuel said, "All Israel must meet at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you." So the Israelites met together at Mizpah. They drew water from the ground and poured it out before the Lord and fasted that day. They confessed, "We have sinned against the Lord." And Samuel served as judge of Israel at Mizpah.

• Because you sin against the Lord is the reason you should confess to the Lord. But notice, as they confessed, Samuel was the one that was there. The confessed to a spiritual guide (Samuel) and to God.

Joshua 7:19-21
Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, tell the truth. Confess to the Lord, the God of Israel. Tell me what you did, and don't try to hide anything from me."

Achan answered, "It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I did: Among the things I saw was a beautiful coat from Babylonia and about five pounds of silver and more than one and one-fourth pounds of gold. I wanted these things very much for myself, so I took them. You will find them buried in the ground under my tent, with the silver underneath."

• Sin in secret will be found out somehow and someway.

Confession Study #3

Daniel 9:20-23
While I was saying these things in my prayer to the Lord, my God, confessing my sins and the sins of the people of Israel and praying for God's holy hill, Gabriel came to me. (I had seen him in my last vision.) He came flying quickly to me about the time of the evening sacrifice, while I was still praying. He taught me and said to me, "Daniel, I have come to give you wisdom and to help you understand. When you first started praying, an answer was given, and I came to tell you, because God loves you very much. So think about the message and understand the vision.

• Confession was something that was done in the Old Testament. It's not just a New Testament thing. Daniel was confessing to God in this passage.

Proverbs 28:12-14
When good people triumph, there is great happiness, but when the wicked get control, everybody hides. If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy. Those who are always respectful will be happy, but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.

• Confessing sins will give you mercy.

Psalm 38:17-18
I am about to die, and I cannot forget my pain. I confess my guilt; I am troubled by my sin.

• Carrying sin around is like carrying a heavy bag, full of guilt. Guilt is pretty heavy and causes you for feel troubled.

Nehemiah 9:1-5
On the twenty-fourth day of that same month, the people of Israel gathered. They fasted, and they wore rough cloth and put dust on their heads to show their sadness. Those people whose ancestors were from Israel had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins and their ancestors' sins. For a fourth of the day they stood where they were and read from the Book of the Teachings of the Lord their God. For another fourth of the day they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God. These Levites were standing on the stairs: Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani. They called out to the Lord their God with loud voices. Then these Levites spoke: Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah. They said, "Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who lives forever and ever."

• They stood and confessed their sins, worshiping the Lord. Confessing sin is another way to worship God. I had never thought of it like that before reading this passage, but I guess it makes sense. To confess is to worship.

Daily Reading

Leviticus 11

• Foods that you can and cannot eat, according to Mosaic Law. The pig, rabbit and badger are unclean. Snakes are out, but most other fish seems to be in and OK to eat. Most insects are out, but a few are OK to eat. There is a long list of the animals you shouldn't eat here...

Leviticus 12

• How a woman becomes clean after giving birth to a son or daughter.

Leviticus 13

• What happens if you have a skin disease... whether it is a rash or something more serious. Also, what to do when there is mildew.

Leviticus 14

• How to clean skin diseases and mildew.

Confession Study #2

Acts 19:16-19
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them. Because he was so much stronger than all of them, they ran away from the house naked and hurt. All the people in Ephesus—Jews and Greeks—learned about this and were filled with fear and gave great honor to the Lord Jesus. Many of the believers began to confess openly and tell all the evil things they had done. Some of them who had used magic brought their magic books and burned them before everyone. Those books were worth about fifty thousand silver coins.

• They began by confessing sins and then they burned the books they led them to sin. They took radical steps in their repentance as they did in their sinful ways.

Matthew 5:29

If your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

• Tells us how to be extreme in our repentance as we were in our sinful ways.

Mark 1:4-5

John was baptizing people in the desert and preaching a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins. All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

• Before they were baptized, they confessed their sins. This was John's baptism, a baptism of forgiveness.

Matthew 3:4-6
John's clothes were made from camel's hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey. Many people came from Jerusalem and Judea and all the area around the Jordan River to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

• This goes along with Mark 1, you need to confess your sins to be saved.

Confession Study #1

2 John 1:7-8
Many false teachers are in the world now who do not confess that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human. Anyone who does not confess this is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. Be careful yourselves that you do not lose everything you have worked for, but that you receive your full reward.

• This is a passage about false teachers. False teachers do not confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

1 John 4:13-16a
We know that we live in God and he lives in us, because he gave us his Spirit. We have seen and can testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God has God living inside, and that person lives in God. And so we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love.

• There has to be a confession that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 1:5-10
Here is the message we have heard from Christ and now announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we are liars and do not follow the truth. But if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from every sin.

If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and we do not accept God's teaching.

• Forgiveness of sins is conditional. You have to confess the sins to be forgiven of the sins.

James 5:13-16
Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises. Anyone who is sick should call the church's elders. They should pray for and pour oil on the person in the name of the Lord. And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned, the sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.

• Confession should be done between each other so that God can heal.

Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

• With confession, there has to be prayer. With prayer, there has to be belief. If you believe when you pray, then it will be done. Condition: It has to be a righteous prayer. 

Daily Reading

Leviticus 7

• The Penalty Offering is the most holy. The Fellowship Offering is an offering to show thanks to the Lord. There is a part of the Fellowship Offering that would belong to the Priest. 

Leviticus 8

• Aaron and his sons are appointed as Priests. I like how each paragraph ends with 'as the Lord had commanded him.'

Leviticus 9

• A number of sacrifices are made by Aaron and his sons so that they can see the glory of God.

Leviticus 10

• God destroys Aaron sons, Nadab and Abihu for not doing a sacrifice properly. Eleazer and Ithamar are appointed to replace them. Aaron tells them the rules for how to live.

Daily Reading

Leviticus 1

• Rules for the Burnt Offering. I find it interesting that the goat's death removes the sin from the people. In another it says that blood must atone for sin, so that makes sense for the goat's death, but what is really interesting is that God finds the smell pleasing. 

Leviticus 2

• Rules for the Grain Offering. It says that the Grain Offering is the most holy part of the offerings. I can't help but think of the similarities between communion today and the Grain Offering. And if you consider Leviticus 1 and that the juice represents the blood of Christ, then there is a TON of similarities between communion and these two chapters.

Leviticus 3

• Rules for the Fellowship Offering. It doesn't say why someone would need to make a Fellowship Offering...

Leviticus 4

• Rules for the Sin Offering. God knew that there would be a King someday, as he has rules of what a ruler must do when he sins.If someone sins by accident, then they are guilty.

Leviticus 5

• Rules for Special Types of Accidental Sins. "When anyone is guilty of any of these things, he must tell how he sinned." Confession was something that happened in the Old Testament. We are responsible for our sin. 

Leviticus 6

• Rules for lying, stealing, and other sins. Very interesting stuff. The general response is to return and make amends by paying an additional 1/5 of the value. Then there is the rules for the Whole Burnt Offering, the Grain Offering, and Sin Offering. 

The Light Study #9

Proverbs 15:30
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

• I read this as you should share your faith. But it could also be read as visiting someone with good news (IE: good news sharing) lifts up the spirit. So, it is probably both.

Proverbs 20:27
The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

• OK, this one is definitely about sharing your faith. Your heart is being convicted by the Spirit that is in you.

Ecclesiastes 2:13-14
I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

• Being in the light is better than being in the darkness.

John 11:9-10
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

• If you are in the darkness, you will stumble. If you walk in the light, you will not stumble.

1 John 2:3-11
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

• If you are in the light, you have to love everyone, including your enemy (but not the devil, it's OK to hate the devil).

Daily Reading

Exodus 36

• How the craftsmen made the Holy Tent

Exodus 37

• The making of the lampstand and other items.

Exodus 38

• The making of a bronze bowl and altar of burnt offerings. Also the total amount of items used.

Exodus 39

• Clothing for the priests, what they wore and how they were made.

Exodus 40

• Moses finishes the work on the Tent of Meeting. The Cloud of the Lord covers and fills the Holy Tent.

My heart is sad this morning... so hard to get motivated and inspired to read, so I felt to wrap it up at the end of Exodus and start Leviticus tomorrow.

The Light Study #8

John 9:1-5
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

• You know, I think that still applies today, that Jesus is the light of the world even now. He's the light that is in the Christians today. If there is light, then Jesus is there.

John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

• When you believe in Jesus, you become a child of the light. Or at least you might be able to become a child of the light. It does say that you 'MAY' become children of light.

John 12:44-46
Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

• Jesus came as a light, so that people wouldn't stay in darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-13
You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

• If I live as a child of light, then there would be fruit of the light, such as goodness, righteousness, and truth. I need to find out what pleases the Lord and do that. I also need to have nothing to do with fruitless deeds, but focus on exposing those deeds. Everything illuminated becomes a light. So if sin is exposed, it, too becomes a light. I may not be understanding that correctly.

Daily Reading

Exodus 28

• Clothing that the priest's should wear, Aaron and his sons. 

Exodus 29

• Ceremonies for the priests and rule son sacrifices

Exodus 30

• I noticed that a lot of things in the Bible were made from Acacia Wood... so this is what that looks like. Below is the altar for incense.

• Below is a picture of the Ark of the Covenant

Exodus 31

• The Sabbath is a holy day, not to be treating like any other day, but a day of rest. It was a big deal to God. If you didn't obey, you were put to death.

Exodus 32

• God made the tablets with the ten commandments. Moses threw the tablets down in his anger. Aaron makes a golden calf, which the people worship. The people are forced to kill those who sinned against God. Moses asks God to wipe him out if God is going to kill everyone else. God chooses to forgive the people for their sin if they repent.

Exodus 33

• The people take off their jewelry at Mount Sinai due to the "Golden Calf" incident. Moses sees God's glory.

Exodus 34

• God gives warnings as he makes an agreement with Moses. He goes over the Ten Commandments again as they write the tablets a second time. Moses' face shines because he had talked with the Lord.

Exodus 35

• Clothing for the priests that they had to wear on the Sabbath and rules that went with the Sabbath.

Daily Reading

Exodus 20

• The Ten Commandments.

Exodus 21

• Mosaic laws, what to do in certain situations. It is where the 'eye for an eye' saying comes from.

Exodus 22

• More Mosaic laws. These tend to focus more on theft. You had to pay back double and even up to four times what was stolen, depending on the situation.

Exodus 23

• More Mosaic laws. The is also direction on what to do in court cases and the preparation of going into the promised land.

Exodus 24

• A covenant between God and the God's people was made.

Exodus 25

• Instructions on how to make several things, such as the ark, a table and a lampstand.

Exodus 26

• Instructions on how to make the Tabernacle.

Exodus 27

• More instructions regarding the Tabernacle, but indirectly. This chapter focused more on things that went around the tabernacle, such as the courtyard and the Altar, as well as the purity of the oil for the lampstand.

The Light Study #7

Luke 11:33-36
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

• Everything seems to go back to what you look at with your eyes. If you are looking at darkness, then your heart becomes full of darkness. If you look at righteous things, then your heart becomes full of light... kind of like the saying, 'you are what you eat' but in this case, 'you are what you see.'

John 1:1-13
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

• Jesus is the light of mankind and overcomes the darkness.

John 3:19-21
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

• If you do evil things, you are communicating that you hate the light, thus you hate Jesus. That is what you deeds indicate. But if you live by the truth, you come into the light, showing that everything you have done was with God watching and overseeing the work.

John 8:12
Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, "I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life."

• If you follow Jesus, you live in the light that gives life and never live in the darkness.

The Light Study #6

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

• What good is it if there is light in a room and nobody is in the room? It's useless. In the same way, if a person is full of light, but they do nothing with it, wouldn't that be useless too?

Matthew 6:19-24
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

• What is interesting in this passage is that the darkness is talked about like it is a type of light. kind of like you could shine your darkness on someone... and I guess, in a sense, you could. If you body is full of light, your eyes will show it.

Luke 8:16-18
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

• I find that intriguing that it says 'be careful how you LISTEN.' It's not careful what you think, or be careful what you say, but be careful how you listen. It does make sense. What you hear will have an affect on you, whether positively or negatively. Food for thought.

The Light Study #5

Psalm 89:15-18
Happy are the people who know how to praise you. Lord, let them live in the light of your presence. In your name they rejoice and continually praise your goodness. You are their glorious strength, and in your kindness you honor our king. Our king, our shield, belongs to the LORD, to the Holy One of Israel.

• There are ways you can praise God. There has to be knowledge in how to do it, as some KNOW how to praise the Lord. Those who know how to praise God life in the light.

Psalm 97:10-12
People who love the Lord hate evil. The Lord watches over those who follow him and frees them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on those who do right; joy belongs to those who are honest. Rejoice in the LORD, you who do right. Praise his holy name.

• If you love God then you hate evil. Light shines on those who do right. 

Psalm 119:105, 113-114, 117, 120
Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. I hate disloyal people, but I love your teachings. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Help me, and I will be saved. I will always respect your demands. I shake in fear of you; I respect your laws.

• The word is like a light for my path. The word lights the way.

Proverbs 6:20-23
My son, keep your father's commands, and don't forget your mother's teaching. Keep their words in mind forever as though you had them tied around your neck. They will guide you when you walk. They will guard you when you sleep. They will speak to you when you are awake. These commands are like a lamp; this teaching is like a light. And the correction that comes from them will help you have life.

• Do I look at God's commands like a light? The corrections that come from them give life direction and help me have life. Am I going aimlessly or do I have direction?

Isaiah 5:20-21
How terrible it will be for people who call good things bad and bad things good, who think darkness is light and light is darkness, who think sour is sweet and sweet is sour. How terrible it will be for people who think they are wise and believe they are clever.

• How terrible it will be for people who think that darkness is light and light is darkness.

The Light Study #4

Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

 The Lord is light and salvation. Goes back to Genesis 1 where it talks about in the beginning there was light. God is light. Question: Do I see God as my possession? Do I see him as my salvation?

Psalm 36:5, 9
Lord, your love reaches to the heavens, your loyalty to the skies. You are the giver of life. Your light lets us enjoy life.

 Having God's light allows me to enjoy life. Without the light, it is truly difficult to enjoy life on a deep level.

Psalm 43:3
Send me your light and truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to where you live.

 God is the one who can send light. Light is also a guide.

Psalm 56:12-13
God, I must keep my promises to you. I will give you my offerings to thank you, because you have saved me from death. You have kept me from being defeated. So I will walk with God in light among the living.

 This passage shows thanks... but the key thing to take note is that I must keep my promises to God to walk in the light. God is the one that has kept me alive and from defeat.

Goals 2012

I noticed that I haven't done this for this year and really haven't kept on track in the past few years on my goals... so I thought I would take another shot at it this year.

Goals:

1. Read the entire Bible
2. Being that January is pretty well shot, this one is as of February 1: Be 95% consistent on having a QT
3. Get a full time job by the end of the year (this would also have to take other things into account)
4. Get Fibromyalgia under control
5. Get weight down to 199 pounds

This is a good list thus far. All are measurable, with maybe a slight exception for #4, but I think it would be significant to know if there is a positive or negative change.

The Need for Light

1 Peter 2:9-10
Out of darkness into the light.

Did you know that the US is only 4% of the world population?

7 BILLION sinners in this world. The world is a dark place. What can I do to change it?

I live in a dark world. People are hurting. Satan doesn't want me to see the world that way. He 'spins' it to look differently.

Galatians 1:6-9
No one can change the gospel. An angel can not change the gospel.

Matthew 5:14-16
We are called 'a light'. The light of the world. The world needs more light. Jesus changed twelve people to change the world. How do we get more light? Change people.

Matthew 9:35-38
---the solution is more workers.

Do I see the world as Jesus sees the world? Do I see people as harassed and helpless?

Luke 10:29-37
Action and compassion go hand and hand.

Am I indifferent to the needs of others? Do I pay attention to the needs of other people? A 2 year old is hit by a van. Twice. And people just walk by as if nothing has happened. A homeless man finally helps the injured child who later dies due to the injuries sustained.

Love my neighbor as myself. People have no hope. They are hopeless. My neighbor feels hopeless, harassed and helpless. Am I going to do something?

Acts 17:16-17, 22-23
Paul shared with people... who happened to be there.

Acts 19:8-10
Don't let obstinacy get in the way of sharing my faith. Texas needs more light. DFW needs more light.

The Battle for Righteousness

Romans 7:14-25 

We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not spiritual since sin rules me as if I were its slave. I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, and I do the things I hate. And if I do not want to do the hated things I do, that means I agree that the law is good. But I am not really the one who is doing these hated things; it is sin living in me that does them. Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them. I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do. So if I do things I do not want to do, then I am not the one doing them. It is sin living in me that does those things. So I have learned this rule: When I want to do good, evil is there with me. In my mind, I am happy with God's law. But I see another law working in my body, which makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and it makes me its prisoner. What a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death? I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Point #1: FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES 

James 1:12-15
When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever. God promised this to all those who love him. When people are tempted, they should not say, "God is tempting me." Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death.

1 Corinthians 10:14
So, my dear friends, run away from the worship of idols.

1 Timothy 6:11
But you, man of God, run away from all those things. Instead, live in the right way, serve God, have faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22
But run away from the evil desires of youth. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts.

What is a moral compass? How disgusting is my non-disciple life? Lot LOST his wife!!! Flee means to not stick around, don't flirt, don't challenge, just get out!!

Ephesians 5:1-7
You are God's children whom he loves, so try to be like him. Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

But there must be no sexual sin among you, or any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God's holy people. Also, there must be no evil talk among you, and you must not speak foolishly or tell evil jokes. These things are not right for you. Instead, you should be giving thanks to God. You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God who sins sexually, or does evil things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is serving a false god.

Do not let anyone fool you by telling you things that are not true, because these things will bring God's anger on those who do not obey him. So have nothing to do with them.

Colossians 3:5-10
So put all evil things out of your life: sexual sinning, doing evil, letting evil thoughts control you, wanting things that are evil, and greed. This is really serving a false god. These things make God angry. In your past, evil life you also did these things.

But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk. Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before. You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.

2 Timothy 2:22 (see above)
Grow Up! Flee from sin. Don't walk where it is slippery!

Point #2: STAY ON THE OFFENSE

Am I 'sitting on the ball'? Confession is not sitting on the ball, but staying on the offense.

Scriptures on Secret Sin:

Ecclesiastes 12:14
God will judge everything, even what is done in secret, the good and the evil.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived.

Romans 2:16

Psalm 32:3

James 5:16

Fumbling the ball: CONFIDENTIALITY

Proverbs 11:13

Proverbs 18:8

Proverbs 20:19

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

The Light Study #3

Psalm 27
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

This Psalm is becoming... kind of like my inspiration right now. It gives me hope in my moment of darkness and trying to be restored to God.