Christmas

I hope everyone had a great Christmas !!!

We read about the events around Jesus' birth back on October 18th - 21st.

I'm going to review those today and tomorrow.

Lord and Christ

Well we're coming down the home stretch. I hope everyone is keeping on pace or catching up. I know I've got some work to do. It seems like the blog is fizzling out this month. I'm going to miss it next year. It's been great. Let's get in a few more great posts this last week or so!

Has anyone ever noticed that though Jesus dying on the cross is the most important event in the bible, in the gospels they spend very little time even describing it? Matthew 27 says, "When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots." The crucifixion doesn't even get its own sentence. The other gospels are similar. I wonder if it's because it was so painful for God that he just didn't have that much written about it.

At the beginning of Acts, it got me when Peter said, "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both lord and christ." Lord being like my boss, or leader, or authority figure above me who's the best guy we've got. Christ meaning my savior, he came to help us and serve us. And how did we treat this guy? Not only did we reject him, but we killed him and tortured him in a humiliating way. I know it's sort of a famous scripture but it had some new meaning to me after this year of reading the Chrono I think. It sunk in a little more about what I did to contribute to the cross.

Acts and Romans

We have finished Acts and Romans over the past couple of days.

I looked at a mini concordance in the back of one of my Bibles and read through the baptize/baptized scriptures in Acts. This would make a good study on baptism.

I also have a borrowed DVD movie of the book of Acts, similar to the DVD I watched about the Gospel of John. Hopefully I will get to watch this over the next few days.

One of my favorite DPI books (www.dpibooks.org) is Gordon Ferguson’s "Romans: The Heart Set Free". I’ll probably read this early next year.

We just have a couple weeks left. We will be reading the rest of the letters and finishing in the Book of Revelation.

My conscience is clear but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praises from God.
-If we regard ourselves having a clear conscience, it is not enough to call ourselves righteous. God will reveal the truest of hearts. We cannot hide.

When we are cursed, we bless; when we 
are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 1 cor 4:9-13
-this is the ultimate way to humilty. So hard. To become scum is so lowly but I need to let my pride go.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
-don't just talk the talk..walk it!

Hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 
1 cor 5:5
- I was very convicted by this scripture. Sometimes we let our own brothers and sisters be given over to Satan...just in hopes that they learn and see their deep desire for God. Harsh...but it's tough love.


Now to the unmarried and the widows I say; it is good for them to stay unmarried, as i am. But if they cannot control themselves they should marry, for it is better to marry than burn w/ passion. 1 cor 7:8-8
- I've always found this passage so fasinating. God tells the singles that it's awesome to be single, but if ur struggling w/ sexual passion, then u should marry.
Advantages of singleness...undivided devotion to the Lord. For no other reason does he encourage marriage.
 
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us.....so if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 
-sometimes the best lessons learned are from other people's mistakes!

God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 
-Amen to that! God is so amazing in how he cares for us and keep watch over our needs and weaknesses.

??? Man's glory is the image of God. But the woman is the glory of man. 
-What does that mean? Are we (women) suppose to be an outward trophy for men? Or does this symbolize the power women have in affecting men's greatness because she is supportive and strong.

Jesus has the authority

Only one more month to go! The finish line is in sight. Let's all meet there.

Ive really enjoyed reading about Jesus this time around. It's refreshing after the sad history and the prophets.

The gosepels are a different type of book than others in the bible. In the OT we have prophets who say what's going to happen and history that tells us some major events during a kings reign. There might be lessons in what happens but it's not taught to us by a priest who says do this or explains something in a certain way. The priests aren't recorded that much. I think that's what makes Jesus so amazing. He knew the Law and etc but also could give new teachings.

For the November 11th reading, I liked how Jesus handles the pressure of being questioned by the leaders. It says the chief priests, teachers of the law and the elders questioned him. Holy Cow that's a bunch of important guys. Imagine if all the leaders of your church questioned you. The thing is though Jesus had the authority. It'd be like you questioning your boss on what he was doing. Jesus asks them "johns baptism-was it from heaven or from men?" And he throws in a "tell me!" Exclamation point! Jesus doesn't buckle under the pressure and it's really Jesus who should be questioning them. He let's them have it in a few chapters too. He's a tough dude. Good stuff. I think I'd be a little more shaky under that kind of pressure but Jesus is inspiring.


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yeppp He loves YOU :)

I meant to blog last night but I fell asleep hehe... but I wanted to say, I love 1 Cor 13 (yesterday's reading), ah love... the amazing, healing, motivating, life changing... power of love. The standard of real love is quite high huh? (patient, kind, etc... never fails) I know I have not successfully loved someone under this definition of love, I'm glad I still have the chance to aim to love people this way, and I am even more glad that God is able to truly love me---and YOU. I heard this song on Pandora (I "love" the Pandora app on my phone, so useful!), hope you like it too (and what's cool is there is a part in the video that shows the bible open to 1 Cor 13, hehe... PERFECT)

MORE
Take a look at the mountain, stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean, far as your eye can see
And think of Me
Take a look at the desert, do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever, where you go is where I am
And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you, I'm spelling it out one by one
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more
Just a face in the city, just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me
And I want you to know, that I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone
....
And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun

Exhausted from Sorrow

In reading about the last couple of days before Jesus went to the cross. These few words struck me.

Luke 22:45
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

I wanted to ponder on how Jesus was feeling.
Exhaust: to drain of strength or energy, wear out, or fatigue greatly, as a person
Sorrow: The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good, real or supposed, or by disappointment in the expectation of good; grief at having suffered or occasioned evil; regret; unhappiness; sadness.

I think there are the beauties and thorns in relationships. Sometimes, people bring the best out in us and other times, they burn a whole straight through our hearts w/ their words or actions. Just from this passage, I see that Jesus was overwhelmingly hurt. It makes me sad to think about how he must of felt. I too then had to reflect on moments when I felt the most sorrow. It didn't feel good. You couldn't eat, sleep, think...or do anything. It was even hard to breathe. You just lay there, not moving and feeling a heavy burden of pain and grief. It's an overwhelming feeling.

If Jesus felt this just because his disciples were sleeping and not keeping watch with him....I can't even imagine the heartbreak he felt when he died on that cross. Study says Jesus died of a broken heart. He loved me so...and I just can't imagine hurting God anymore. I continue to reflect on what Jesus went through and it makes me grateful and desire to live my life to please him.

Unmerciful Servant and the woman caught in adultery

Take two on posting this. Got deleted while I was writing it. i guess the last one wasnt inspired by the spirit but this one is hopefully. November 3 was the parable of the servants in debt. What stuck out to me was that servant just didn't get it. You can tell by the way he treats his servant but also in what he says to his master. He thinks he can pay back everything if he just had more time. To me it's like the performance mentality or perfectionist who thinks one day I'll get it right. Being perfect means you don't need grace or God but that's not what God wan and not how we are designed. We need to be in a relationship with him. For me it helps to know I don't have to be perfect before he accepts me. Like this post, I really think the last one was better but maybe it doesn't matter because this one can still help someone. Anyway it takes some pressure off.

With the woman caught in adultery, it really stuck out to me that Jesus asks her "Has no one condemned you?" "No one sir." "Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." Jesus didn't condemn this woman even though she was in sin. There is an expectation to stop but he doesn't blast her. Where is the line between correction and condemnation? What is your discipling like? Do you condemn or rebuke? This passage comforted me a little today that Jesus and God aren't about condemning me for all my mistakes, and that Jesus came to save the world not to judge it.

Search

Hi Chrono Bible readers,

I'm not sure if you are aware or have used this feature of the blog buy at the top there is a search bat that let's you search all the post for the whole year. So if you are behind or at a different place than others you can search and go back to the older posts. The cool thing about this blog is that we've created content over the whole year which can stay up and anyone the web can read it.


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Freedom to serve one another in love by living by the Spirit

Freedom to serve one another in love by living by the Spirit.

I like the way Paul's letters get intertwined though out the book of Acts in the Chronological Bible.

Here are some scriptures on Freedom, Love, and the Spirit in the book of Galatians.

From Galatians 3:23-29: The law was put into place to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed youselves with Christ.
...all are one in Christ

From Gal 4:21-5:1
Present Jerusalem represents slavery.
But the Jerusalem that is above is free.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

From Gal 5:2-12:
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

From Gal 5:13-15:
You were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

From Gal 5:16-26
Live by the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

From Gal 6:7-10
The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life

Good News

Good News!

Here are some of my favorite scriptures on Good News preached in Acts 13 & Acts 14

out of Acts 13:26-41:

It is to you this message of salvation has been sent.
God raised Jesus from dead.
Those who saw him raised are now witnesses to the people.
We tell you the good news: What God had promised our fathers he has fulflled for us, their children, by raising Jesus.
Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the the law of Moses.

out of Acts 13:48-52:

The disciples where filled with joy even when persecuted.

out of Acts 14:11-18

We are bringing you good news telling you to turn from worthless things to the living God.

out of Acts 14:21-23

They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.
They: strengthened, encouraged.
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God."
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders, prayed, fasted.

out of Acts 14:24-28

They gathered all the church togeather and reported all that God had done through them and how how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Acts 8 and 9

The book of Acts is so interesting, there is so much activity going on in one book! Here are some of my thoughts from today's reading...

Receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:4-17)
When Philip went to Samaria, he performed many miracles and preached about Jesus. Many people believed and were baptized. INTERESTING DETAIL: The believers did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came to them and prayed for them.

Why didn't they receive the Holy Spirit at their baptism?

• This occurred after Jesus had already ascended to heaven... so the Holy Spirit was available to believers already.
  
• This occurred after Acts 2 when Peter preached baptism for 1) the forgiveness of sins and 2) the receipt of the Holy Spirit... so the Holy Spirit has been preached.
  
• Philip was there, he was an apostle just like Peter and John... so he was able to perform valid baptisms.
  
• Perhaps Philip didn't baptize all (or any) of them.
  
• Or perhaps he didn't pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit if he did baptize them.
• This occurred before Acts 10, when Peter received confirmation that salvation--and thus, the receipt of the Holy Spirit-- was not limited to the Jews. So perhaps this occasion occurred in this fashion to emphasize to the apostles--and to us--that salvation is for everyone who is willing to make Jesus the Lord of their lives.
• Hmm?

Saul (Paul) was blind (Acts 9:1-19)
I have always found the conversion of Saul absolutely fascinating. In Acts 7, Saul had witnessed and approved the murder of Stephen (in addition to the murder of other disciples). Saul must have been so hard hearted, arrogant, cold, etc. To humble him, God blinded Saul for 3 days. Interesting! God could have given him leprosy, or crippled his hands or feet, or given him boils as was Job's case... He could have afflicted Saul with many other conditions.

Why did God choose blindness?

• Perhaps being blind, Saul was forced to sit still, and in quietness, consider his life... his actions thus far, his heart towards God and people. And God did not restore his sight a day later; Saul's sight was not restored until THREE days later, giving him ample time to sit and think.
• Perhaps being blind was enough to humble Saul; perhaps being crippled or having leprosy, etc. would not have been as effective or would have been overly much in God's discipline of Saul. And God does not give us more than we can handle. (1 Cor 10:13)
  
• Perhaps being blind, Saul was forced to depend on others to lead him... a prelude to depending on God to lead him.
• Hmm?

God knew exactly what Saul needed to become the most effective disciple, and eventually, the central figure of the book of Acts (aside from Jesus, of course)... and perhaps that was blindness.

Hmm interesting :)

Bible for the 21st Century

Check out this new HD bible software BIBLEGLO

Here is the YouTube link that has 8 videos to show how it works

A King, Part 2

Way back on June 11th, I wrote a post about the definition of a king. He is a person in authority, and given authority for others. Not like Jeroboam who used the people to make him king. I want to point out another example of a good king.

http://chrono2009.blogspot.com/2009/06/king-part-1.html

What was Nehemiah's title? Was he a king, a prophet, a governor, a priest? He was appointed governor by King Artaxerxes. On October 9th (Nehemiah 5), the people were crying out, "We have to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards." Basically, the kings and nobles before had put a high tax on the people so the king could have lots of stuff, but it was so great that the people were selling their children into slavery and their land to pay the tax. Nehemiah does two things that made him a good "king." The first is that didn't take from the people. He cancelled the tax and even though he was entitled to a big meal everyday he didn't take it. "I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people (Nehemiah 5:19)." So he didn't make his leadership about him, but he was there for the people.

The second way he was a good 'king' was that he used his authority for others. He is only one who could stop the tax. One lowly Joe-Jew could not stop the tax. Nehemiah was put in charge and given authority to make good decisions for the people. Here he exercises that authority by canceling the tax. "When I heard the outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials (Neh. 5:6)."

Although Nehemiah was not an official royal blood and titled king, he was in a kingly position and acted properly in it. It's interesting to me too that he is the end of the Old Testament. Could this be a foreshadowing of kings to come in the future? Part 3 coming soon.

Funny thing too, listen to what some of the negative accusers say of Nehemiah as they are rebuilding:

"It is reported among the nations...that you and the Jews are plotting a revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king..." (Nehemiah 6:5-7)

Now what this guy was saying was false, but his accusers were thinking that Nehemiah was acting like a king. I hope this insight adds to your knowledge.

John 15-17

I love the chapters of John in today's reading; before I was a disciple, I spent very little time reading the bible, but when I did, I usually read these chapters in John... no idea how I learned about them, but I would go to these chapters when I was sad, lonely, or afraid and Jesus' words always comforted me. Here are some reasons why they comfort me stilllllll...

• Jesus promised that if we remain in Him and His words remain in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be given to us.
  (Note: not to confuse with scriptures that require praying with faith and a pure heart, God's plans for us, God working for the good of those who love Him, etc.)
  
• Jesus said the word "love" so many times in these chapters. Isaiah 43 is one of the few places God says He loves us; here Jesus says similar words, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you."
• Jesus tells us about the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit will guide us, and provide us with direct access to Jesus' thoughts and heart "the Spirit will take what is [Jesus'] and make it known to you".
• And the BEST part... hearing (reading) Jesus' prayers. I love praying with people; I take it to mean that the other person is not only sharing what they are thinking and feeling, but also their relationship with God. That is what Jesus did here, He is allowing us to know His thoughts, concerns, hopes, etc. and also to allow us a glimpse of His relationship with God.
  

I LOVE that Jesus prayed for me--and you--before we were even born.

:) Tera

The Paralytic

I just read the part where the paralytic is lowered through the roof. When Jesus sees this guy, he says, "Your sins are forgiven." The way this section is organized is that Jesus is doing miracles and the people are amazed and keep following him, so much so that he has to stay out in the 'lonely places.' I wonder why this guy wanted to get to Jesus. Was it because he wanted his sins forgiven or because he wanted to be healed? We talk about being urgent with this story, but was this guy urgent to know Jesus or urgent to be healed? The paralytic believed Jesus could heal him but did he or was he following any of Jesus' teachings? And this guy also got his sins forgiven. So i guess he didn't need to be baptized or was that just for his past sins? I guess too Jesus was just making an exception for him like he will later with the thief on the cross.

Intense!

Reading about Jesus last days on earth has been super intense! From the prophecies about the end and Jesus' second coming to his betrayal. Jesus overcomes it all. I can never complain about a bad day again...it is insignificant to what Jesus went through.

What is encouraging though is God continues to promise us great things and victories if we trust in him! Especially the receiving of the holy spirit. How amazing is that? There will be a time the world will neither see him or know him, but he will live in us!!! WOW.
Love is not just a feeling but actions. Know God's command and OBEY it...then you have showed God you love him...and he will love us by showing himself to us. To the pure hearted...they will see God.

What are your thoughts when Jesus washed his disciples feet? It states that this was how he was going to show the extent of his love. Why this act? Is it because he was becoming less and showed true servitude and dept of humilty that we should have in response to loving others the same way?

When Jesus announced that one of his 12 will betray him n gave him the bread...he even denies it and says, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Whoa, that's pretty crazy that Judas would even say such a lie and almost sounding condensending. It is convicting to see a man who walked with Jesus and saw all the great things he did on earth but yet lose sight of God the almighty and Lord of the earth. It states that Satan entered him. It's faithbuilding yet convicting that there will be those of us now who have lost hope and harden our hearts towards God. Many parables speak of such things and even the things that will happen in the last days. Parable of the Seeds & Weeds. The reality is, we are dark without God, hence all the more reason we should stay near to his word, meditate, pray and obey.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so that you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

1.5 months left

Hi everyone!

Just 1.5 months left, which constitutes to about 45ish days! I'm so grateful for the discussions we've had! Having deep substantive discussions on the bible is soooooo fulfilling, I love it! I honestly don't know who is still checking this blog (besides Teena and Danger), but I know we still have a good number of people reading and that was the point of Chrono... to get more people to read God's word on a consistent basis.

But NOTHING lasts forever (except God) and every good thing must come to an end. Hopefully we will be able to have lots of fun interacting the remainder of our time together! :)

I def wanna end this Chrono adventure STRONGER.

:) Tera

"Love one another deeply from the heart..." 1Pet 1:22

40

Did you know that there are 40 parables in the bible? In reading the gospels, Jesus spoke in lots of parables. Interestingly, it was a total of 40. This number seems to pop up a lot in significant events in the bible.
Jesus fasting for 40 days/nights. Noah's ark was in the flood rain for 40 days/nights. Moses stayed up in the mountaintop w/ God for 40 days/nights. Moses also fell prostrate before the Lord for 40 days/nights. The people of Israel walked in the desert for 40 years. Elijah traveled 40 days/ nights to reach Horeb, the mountain of God. And speaking of dead people in the blog b4 this, it takes 40 days to embalm a dead person. Am sure there are many other 40# references. Just a few I observed.

I thought I heard someone mentioning why God used that 40# often, but can someone explain?

Also...my point of this blog was to get your input on which of the 40 parables you like the most and why? Thanks!

Lazarus... distinct?

In today's reading, after Jesus received the letter regarding Lazarus, He said "This sickness will not end in death. No it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

Hmmm... the scriptures (and many lessons preached) indicate that Jesus performed a number of miracles during his 2.5ish-year-ministry because He had compassion on the people but also, to demonstrate God's power and build faith in his followers (including us, centuries later). But here's my question...

What made raising Lazarus from the dead distinct from the other two occasions in which Jesus performed a similar miracle?

• Occasion 1: Jesus raised the woman's son to life in the town of Nain. (Luke 7:11-17)
• Occasion 2: Jesus raised Jairus's daughter to life. (Matt 9:23-26, Mark 5:35-43, Luke 8:49-56)

Perhaps there were more people around and aware when Lazarus was raised to life? Perhaps because the Pharisees were specifically informed of this 3rd occasion and thus their scheme to kill Jesus was officially set in motion? Perhaps this occasion with Lazarus more closely resembled Easter morning when Jesus rose from the dead; Lazarus had been dead for a few days, he was in a tomb, there was great rejoicing when he was raised to life, etc.? Hmmm?

:) Tera