The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish (John 1:14 MSG).
http://read.ly/John1.14.MSG
Bought a new Bible to read in 2011. It's The Message Remix 2.0. I think that this is the first Bible I have actually bought for myself. I have given and been given many Bibles as gifts, but I have always used the Bible my aunt and uncle gave me for my 12th birthday. I have to admit that I have always been a little skeptical of the translation of The Message, but I wanted to try it. I will probably pull out my old Bible on a daily basis to compare, but if the example of John 1:14 above is any indication, I am going to enjoy reading The Message. "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." I love it!
A group of us in Ruston are planning to read through the Bible in 2011 using the Life Journal reading plan (http://www.crossroadschurch.com/programs/pdf/LifeJournalReadingPlan.pdf). This plan has daily Old and New Testament readings. The Old Testament reading is chronological, and the New Testament reading each day often corresponds to what you are reading in the Old Testament.
If you would like to join us, please let me know (gina-palmer@suddenlink.net). In Ruston, we are meeting:
Wednesdays at noon - Frothy Monkey (upstairs)
Sundays at 5:pm - Trinity (room 205)
Also, you can join us for online discussion at: http://groups.google.com/group/the-word-is-alive. Come join us in the "neighborhood" :-)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Christmas season
Today we read from Matthew Chapter 1, verse 18 to Chapter 2, verse 12 in both Sunday School and Contemporary service. Our lesson in Sunday School was reflecting the light of Jesus that shines in the world, and Steve gave a good sermon in service helping us feel that moment of His birth.
Lord, thank you for family, friends and the body of Christ to remind us of the meaning of this season,
Jim
Lord, thank you for family, friends and the body of Christ to remind us of the meaning of this season,
Jim
Friday, December 17, 2010
December 17, 2010
Today we read: 2 Peter 1-3, John 1
Scripture: John 1:9 - The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Observation: Jesus is described here as a light in the darkness (see also Isaiah 9:2). Verse 12 says that all who receive him and believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God. When we receive him and believe him, we receive that light because we are born of God (verse 13).
Application: Yesterday, I found myself wrapped up in the stress of my agenda for the day. On top of that, I did not feel well because of an illness I have not completely recovered from. I proceeded to make mistakes I should not have made. By the afternoon, I found myself in a very negative thought pattern that I could not control.
When I focus on myself, my reputation, and the things of the world, it is easy to lose sight of the light and even forget who I am. I am born of God! This means that His light lives in me. When I start to lose sight of the light, I need to immediately stop what I am doing, stop listening to the dark, seek God and His grace, believing what I know to be true!
Prayer: Oh, Lord, forgive my self-absorption that distracts me from you and the light you are calling me to be. Help me to remember who I am and all you have done for me. Lord, you have given me every reason to believe you! Forgive me for being so easily deceived. Thank you so much for the grace you pour out on my life! From the fullness of your grace I have received one blessing after another. Thank you that your love is bigger than my biggest bungles!
Scripture: John 1:9 - The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Observation: Jesus is described here as a light in the darkness (see also Isaiah 9:2). Verse 12 says that all who receive him and believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God. When we receive him and believe him, we receive that light because we are born of God (verse 13).
Application: Yesterday, I found myself wrapped up in the stress of my agenda for the day. On top of that, I did not feel well because of an illness I have not completely recovered from. I proceeded to make mistakes I should not have made. By the afternoon, I found myself in a very negative thought pattern that I could not control.
When I focus on myself, my reputation, and the things of the world, it is easy to lose sight of the light and even forget who I am. I am born of God! This means that His light lives in me. When I start to lose sight of the light, I need to immediately stop what I am doing, stop listening to the dark, seek God and His grace, believing what I know to be true!
Prayer: Oh, Lord, forgive my self-absorption that distracts me from you and the light you are calling me to be. Help me to remember who I am and all you have done for me. Lord, you have given me every reason to believe you! Forgive me for being so easily deceived. Thank you so much for the grace you pour out on my life! From the fullness of your grace I have received one blessing after another. Thank you that your love is bigger than my biggest bungles!
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