A Spiritual Feast

January 01, 2013            Gen 1–3, Matt 1, Ps 1, Prov 1:1–2

Today as we celebrate the New Year let us even more celebrate the new life we have in Christ. We begin this year reading, meditating, and applying God's Word. In the Scriptures, God reveals Himself to us, which leads us to worship His holy Name. Please be careful to not look at these daily readings as just another task to get through.We do not seek to conquer the Word of God as we would a textbook for an exam, but rather we seek to let the Word of God conquer us. We seek to be transformed, motivated, and amazed by the reading of God's Word. As you read the Scriptures do not be afraid to ask questions and seek answers. If I can help you in any way do not hesitate to ask. 

Genesis 1-3
Genesis is a book of beginnings. In these first three chapters of the Bible we see the beginning of creation, life, marriage, temptation, sin, sacrifice, death, and the promise of the Messiah. Psalm 19 and Romans 1 speak of how God reveals Himself through His creation. As we begin 2013 may we have a sense of awe of what God has created. 

What from Genesis 1 is most amazing to you? 
What does it mean that we are made in the image of God? What was lost in the fall? What was regained through Christ? In what way is Jesus the true image of God (Col. 1)?

In Genesis 2 God rested from His work. How can we apply this principle today?
What was the purpose of Adam naming the animals? 
What does Genesis 2 teach us about God's intent for marriage? 

In Genesis 3 sin enters into the picture. Satan deceived Eve and in turn Adam. How could they have protected themselves from the schemes the devil? How can we today?
How does Satan distort God's truth today?
How can we know when something is sinful?
What was God's judgment upon each individual in this text? How can we see this curse in effect today?
Verse 15 is the first promise of the Messiah. Read 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Praise God that He is not only all powerful, but full of love and grace for His creation. 

Matthew 1
Matthew wrote his gospel to a Jewish audience. His intent was to prove that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. He quotes the Old Testament 129 times and in many ways Jesus is the great teacher in this gospel. Another great theme in this book is the authority of Christ. As you read through Matthew over the next several days note all the areas that Jesus has authority. 

What is the significance of this genealogy? 
What made the birth of Jesus unique? 
What does it mean that God is with us?

Psalm 1 
We need to have discernment in all the steps of our lives because the progression of sin is often slow. We go from associating with sin (walking), to considering sin (standing), to committing sins (sitting, joining).  
A key to staying away from sin is delighting in God's Word. Do you delight in the Word? Do you look forward to your spiritual feast as much as you do your physical feasts? 
This Psalm begins with blessing and ends with cursed. How are you going to position yourself for God's blessing and growth this year?

Proverbs 1:1-2
The Book of Proverbs is all about seeking wisdom from God. 
In what ways are you showing wisdom and in what ways are you showing foolishness in your life? 
How are you seeking God's wisdom? How are you helping others to do the same? 

Please pray for God to give you wisdom to be who He is calling you to be today. Pray for strength and discernment to be able to avoid temptation. 
We are called to lift one another up, spur one another on, and encourage in any way we can. Who can your encourage today? 

Seeking Significance

Seeking Significance

Where do you seek your significance? We tend to look for it in all the wrong places. If we seek significance in our appearance this will fall short for we all grow older and loose our looks. If we pursue it in our work we may be happy for a time, but there comes a time in every life in which we no longer are able or willing to continue working. If we strive for significance in our material possessions this too falls short because it is never enough and it is far from eternal. If we seek our significance through the approval of others we will always be let down. I am convinced that we must seek our significance not in things that will fade away, but in the eternal God who is our Lord. 

One powerful verse of Scripture that points us in the right direction is Isaiah 43:1 which says, “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” 

We can find true, lasting significance in the truth that God is our Creator. He created us and formed us. We are not an accident and we have a purpose. We also can find significance in the reality that God is our Redeemer. God says we are not to fear for He has redeemed us. Praise God that He did not simply create us and leave us. The God we serve sent His only begotten to redeem us (John 3:16). Third, we can find significance in the fact that God calls us by name and claims us as His own. We are wanted and cared for by the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient Lord of all. Consider that the Holy Spirit is the Divine dwelling within us and working through us. These facts are where we must seek our significance. 

      We must not seek to find significance in any created being or thing, but in the Creator. Remember, the Lord loves you because He loves you, because He loves you, not because of what you have or what you have done. As we move into this New Year I urge you to seek the Lord for He is seeking you. 

I invite you to join me in reading the Word of God this year. I will put up what to read each day and some helps along the way to help us position ourselves for spiritual growth this year. I am excited about what God has in store for His people this year.

Blessings,

Bane

First Post

For the longest time I have considered writing a blog. I have not done so because I am crazy busy. However, I realize this does have value. My intention is to help others to be conformed into the image of God, as I see to do the same. Someone said a great preacher must have the mind of a scholar, the wisdom of counselor, and the skin of a rhino. I am not sure I have any of these so be nice please as I seek to do the best I know how while seeking the Spirit's leading.