A Coincidence or Godincidence?

For the first time, we put an ad in Craigslist to sell some baby things yesterday.  I received an email from someone interested in purchasing an item today.  We connected and he arrived at our house earlier this afternoon.  It turns out that they are expecting twins.  We had our twins almost a year ago.  I noticed that he had an Ichthus on his car just like ours.  It turns out that we and are wives are both Christians.  He and his wife have even attended the Coffeehouse at our church!  In addition to that, they have a black lab just like we had although Annie died last year.  They also have relatives in Indiana just like we do as well.  Last but not least, it was our 26^th wedding anniversary today and it was their 4^th today.   I was overwhelmed with the awesomeness of God in all this.  We chatted a bit and then before we parted ways, we prayed for each other. If you have eyes to see, I am sure you will see Him as well in this.

34 for 30: Day 11 - Nahum

The Old Testament book of Nahum was written about 663-654BC by Nahum.  In its three chapters the destruction of Nineveh was described.  Over one hundred years earlier, Nineveh responded to Jonah in complete repentance.  That did not happen in Nahum's time!  This is a powerful reminder that we need to be aware of our sinfulness in respect to God's holiness.  Also, God's justice should not be overlooked.

Gospel Centered Life: Lesson 4

We talked about legalism and license in the context of Romans 10:1-4.  I thought this was summed up well in the statement of "the law drives us to the gospel and the gospel frees us to obey the law."  The obeying of the law out of pleasure and love is so significant.  God's Word, His precepts, His ordinances are not to be looked at as a cold set of rules, they are to be delighted in!  The grid exercise definitely personalizes the way we can look at the Scriptures and is a good tool.  We look at the command, recognize our sinfulness in not being able to do it on our own, recognize Christ's holiness in how he was able to obey perfectly and finally see how the Holy Spirit is the One who can empower us to obey the command.  What a powerful lesson!

34 for 30: Day 10 - 2 Peter

2 Peter has 3 chapters and was written about 66/67AD.  The assurance of Christ's return is stated and the warning that it will come like a thief.  This makes me think about preparation and the urgency of sharing the gospel.  I suppose this was even more of a heavy emphasis since I found out that my cousin died unexpectedly. We just don't know!  I felt that 2 Peter 1:10 was my key verse.  It states that if I practice the qualities of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love I will never fall. I can only do this when I rely on the Holy Spirit.  It is He that enables us to be effective and fruitful!

34 for 30: Day 9 - 1 Peter

Reading through these 5 chapters, written about 64/65AD, the theme of suffering popped off the page and in particular out of the third chapter.  Not just any suffering mind you, but sake of Christ.  There was certainly plenty of other content in the book, but it was the types of trials and how to endure that was important to me in this reading.  It also makes me think about what true suffering really is.

34 for 30: Day 8 - Habakkuk

This was a two chapter book written about 605BC.  To be honest, nothing stood out to me in particular when we read this.  My son and I have been doing this together and I encourage you to read with someone else as well.

34 for 30: Day 7 - Zephaniah

We are towards the end of the Old Testament in reading the 3 chapters of Zephaniah.  This writing is dated about 622/611BC.  This reading took an emotional toll on me with the first chapter.   The great day of the Lord is described along with wrath, distress, anguish, ruin, darkness and blood.  These strong actions are because of the sin against the Lord.  The last chapter brings hope in restoration as our God is indeed mighty to save! Amen!

34 for 30: Day 6 - 3 John

Another one chapter day reading through 3 John.  The time is somewhere around 85-95AD.  I saw again the encouragement about walking in the truth.  It is good to have that message repeated.  It means that is something God really thinks is important if it is emphasized in this way.  John also tells us that we need to imitate what is good.  That reminds me of what Paul said: "Imitate me as I imitate Christ."  When God's Spirit is in you, you also have the power to imitate Christ (1 Cor 11:1).  It is almost too awesome!

34 for 30: Day 5 - 2 John

I was away for a bit and unable to update this blog and yet I have still been able to keep up with the reading.  That is the beauty of 34 for 30 in that each day there is so short of a time commitment.  There was only one chapter to read and the author is also John.  The time is still somewhere around 85-95AD.  What was important to me in this reading was the word 'walk'.  'Walking in the truth' and 'walking according to His commandments' both require action on our part.  This is not magic!  It is hard work to practice these things so be diligent. So, stay close to the deposit of truth that has been entrusted to you!

34 for 30: Day 4 - 1 John

Today's reading was from 1 John, which has a total of 5 chapters.  The book was written about 85-95 A.D. by the apostle John.   There were two words that stood out to me in the reading.  The first was 'know' (e.g.to know Him, know the truth, know love, know God listens, know that you have eternal life). The second was the word 'practice'.  In one way it was good as in to practice the truth and practice righteousness.  In another way it was not so good as in to practice sin and practice lawlessness. 1 John 2:15-17 is a good warning for us all. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."  It is true.  The world is passing away.  Hold on to Christ.