Bible 365: Week 41

Monday, Monday, Monday.  The reminder of this year is moving full steam ahead.  This weekend was a weekend full of the sickness.  I got sick Friday.  Moo was playing nurse and helping me out.  Then, Saturday morning we woke up and my little nurse had a cold too.

And Sunday, JJ woke up at 6 AM with a runny nose and sneezing.  Thankfully, the Mr had to work this weekend and didn't have to be around us too much.  The last thing we need is EVERYONE to be sick.  I definitely think that this sudden drop in temperature and the chilly winds are the cause of our colds.  I've officially pulled out the fall jackets with hoods.

Now on to the Week 41 recap.  We finished up the book of Luke and started the first few chapters of the book of John.  Now, a little interesting tidbit that I found out while doing a little background research is that John was actually one Jesus' best friends.   Yes, Jesus had friends.  And I imagine that His friends played a big part in helping Him stay calm throughout His journey to cross.  Let's be real, if you had to wake up day in and day out knowing that one day was going to be your last, you'd need a friend or two to help you deal as well.  Let's talk about what else I learned in Week 41.

1-"And He said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away!  Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" (John 2:16)  Last year, I got into a small debate on Twitter about my dislike for churches that charge for everything and are constantly selling something.  I understand that the physical building itself requires money for its upkeep and you have to pay the pastor for his/her service and maybe, even the musicians.  And if you're not making enough on tithes and offering, I can understand a little fundraiser here and there.

But there are some churches that have truly turned church into a commercial experience.  And that should not be so.  As Jesus said, the church should never get to the place where it is looked upon as a piece of merchandise in which the congregation and pastor can make money off of it.

2-"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)   At the end of the day, Jesus was sent to us to help us make it to Heaven.  However, just like back then, in today's society a lot of us don't take advantage of the gift that has been extended to us.  We make all kinds of excuses about why we can't walk in line with God's word. We day it's too hard.  We say we're not perfect, but at the end of day an excuse is an excuse.

3-"Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19)  Like father, like son.  People were getting mad at Jesus and not thinking that they were also in turn getting mad at God.  Jesus was only doing what He was sent and commanded to do. Also, we can apply this scripture to everyday life as parents.

So many of us have this do as I say and not as I do approach to raising our kids.  Then, we wonder why they continue on and do the exact opposite of what we just told them not to do.  Listen actions speak louder than words.  Even the Bible tells us that faith (words) without action is dead.  We have to be willing to lead by example and not by lip service!

4-"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." (John 6:27)  We are such a materialistic generation.  We work to pay bills, but after the bills are paid, we want to shop, shop and shop.  The reality is that instead of constantly focusing on making more and more money to afford materialistic things, we need to be putting in overtime to feed our spirits God's word.  We need to be doing things to help others because that what Jesus was all about.

If there was someone who was hungry, He feed them.  He healed the blind.  He pulled people back from the grips of death.  Jesus was the ultimate Good Samaritan and humanitarian.   We definitely should be striving to pass this torch of giving back and being a service to others from generation to generation.

What is your favorite way to give back?  And are you more of a lip service parent or do you lead by example?

Week 42 Readings

10/14: John 7-10

1015: John 11-12

10/16: John 13-14

10/17: John 15-16

10/18: John 17-19

10/19: John 20-21

10/20: Acts 1-4