Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A New Site
Good morning everyone! I am excited to introduce a new site for our Journey in the Word series. It has been wonderful to hear our church family buzzing about the daily readings. It seems to be a theme through many of our discussions-which is so EXCITING!! We still have the blog up and running, but have found that it's a bit cumbersome for people to easily interact with each other through comments. With that being said, we have started a new site http://ajourneyintheword.ning.com/ this site is a forum based format. You should only have to Sign up. I believe that most of the time it will keep you logged into this account. Once you are signed up and signed in, you should be able to make comments easily, invite friends and really keep the discussion going. I know for myself, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas and inspiration on the daily readings, so please, do not be shy and share with us. I believe that we can grow so much from learning from each other. Please let me know if you have any trouble logging in or signing up, I'll be glad to help. Again, this is new, so bear with me as I tweak the site. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks, Tanya
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Do Not put the Lord God to the test
In Matthew, reading about Jesus' test in the desert with Satan is so amazing. The strength Christ used to ward off the devil's temptations really puts into perspective how much we are to count on God for provision and security. Whether it be that God will provide us food and a house or health and safety, God is the provider.
We also can't go through life with out ever studying or worshiping God and have power to resist temptations. If you group Christ's replies to Satan together, it gives a good reminder of how we are to deal with temptations that Satan throws at us.
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'
I will end this again with a worship song for Christ said 'Worship the Lord your God'
This song is by the Newsboys and it's called In the Hands of God when you listen to it and read the lyrics, I think it gives the perfect example of how God takes care of us.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Delight in God's Law
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed are those
who do not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but who delight in the law of the LORD
and meditate on his law day and night.
3 They are like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
I read this scripture several times through. I typed it into Bible Gateway for different translations and each time the message is clear; We will be blessed when we delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night. How awesome is that!? We get to dig into God's Word and devour His scripture, and by following His laws - He will bless us! US!? Pretty amazing and what a great start to the year to be following the daily Bible reading and getting us into the Word. There's also a reminder there for us to bear fruit and not wither away. I know for myself, sometimes life gets busy and my Bible time gets pushed to the back burner. This scripture is makes it pretty clear that reading our Bibles isn't to be something we do as a chore, we are to delight in the law. It's comforting to know that when we do this, we will be blessed. Now there may be times when life gets difficult and trying, but when we have God's law in our knowledge we are so well armed for the times when the streams of life flood or dry up-God's Word is our life water-drink it in!
Here's a video with wonderful scriptures and pictures and one of my favorite worship songs!
Enjoy! Tanya
1 Blessed are those
who do not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but who delight in the law of the LORD
and meditate on his law day and night.
3 They are like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
I read this scripture several times through. I typed it into Bible Gateway for different translations and each time the message is clear; We will be blessed when we delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night. How awesome is that!? We get to dig into God's Word and devour His scripture, and by following His laws - He will bless us! US!? Pretty amazing and what a great start to the year to be following the daily Bible reading and getting us into the Word. There's also a reminder there for us to bear fruit and not wither away. I know for myself, sometimes life gets busy and my Bible time gets pushed to the back burner. This scripture is makes it pretty clear that reading our Bibles isn't to be something we do as a chore, we are to delight in the law. It's comforting to know that when we do this, we will be blessed. Now there may be times when life gets difficult and trying, but when we have God's law in our knowledge we are so well armed for the times when the streams of life flood or dry up-God's Word is our life water-drink it in!
Here's a video with wonderful scriptures and pictures and one of my favorite worship songs!
Enjoy! Tanya
Monday, January 4, 2010
I See the Lord
As I was reading through Isaiah today, Isaiah 6:1-3 stood out. Partly, because of this song
If you get a chance, play the video and meditate on the holiness of our Lord--He is so HOLY!! Take time today to give praise to Him. Visualize Him seated on the throne, exalted and think of how it will be when the whole earth, the whole earth will be filled with His Glory!
Have a wonderful day today- praising God! Tanya
If you get a chance, play the video and meditate on the holiness of our Lord--He is so HOLY!! Take time today to give praise to Him. Visualize Him seated on the throne, exalted and think of how it will be when the whole earth, the whole earth will be filled with His Glory!
Have a wonderful day today- praising God! Tanya
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!!
"Begin…. start….. commence…. open…. There is something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of a new day, the birth of a child, the prelude of a symphony, or the first miles of a family vacation. Free of problems and full of promise, beginnings stir hope and imaginative visions of the future."
Thus, begins the introduction to Genesis in the Life Application Bible. And it’s true. And it also applies to the start of a new year. Today is New Year’s Day and people of various backgrounds, religions and life experiences look at New Year’s Day and the year ahead with an expectation of hope of a better year ahead. Many make resolutions to alter a life style or habit to help make that better year happen. Most of the time the resolutions and the hope that accompanied them are soon forgotten and the new year becomes the old year. All to be repeated again the next January.
I think we can find much hope in the creation story. In the first 3 chapters of Genesis (Friday’s reading), along with the history of creation we learn about some of the attributes of God. We find that God is super creative. He is eternal (something I have yet to comprehend – what is the number you can’t add 1 to?). God is in control – He placed Adam and Eve in the garden and then removed them from it. God gives us free will, but we learn there are consequences to our decisions. God has authority over Satan.
As I think about these characteristics of God from Genesis, I am filled with hope because we are obviously valuable to God since He chose to create us in the first place. And He prepared the Garden of Eden for us to live in – a literal heaven on earth. That alone illustrates true love on God’s part for us, His creation.
As we reflect back over God’s love, we can be reminded of the Hope we have in Him. Everyday we think of God and dwell on His Word, we can have the same hope and anticipation everyone else experiences on New Year’s Day. May we all have the New Year’s Day hope each and everyday in 2010.
May you have a blessed year ahead!
Mahlen
Thus, begins the introduction to Genesis in the Life Application Bible. And it’s true. And it also applies to the start of a new year. Today is New Year’s Day and people of various backgrounds, religions and life experiences look at New Year’s Day and the year ahead with an expectation of hope of a better year ahead. Many make resolutions to alter a life style or habit to help make that better year happen. Most of the time the resolutions and the hope that accompanied them are soon forgotten and the new year becomes the old year. All to be repeated again the next January.
I think we can find much hope in the creation story. In the first 3 chapters of Genesis (Friday’s reading), along with the history of creation we learn about some of the attributes of God. We find that God is super creative. He is eternal (something I have yet to comprehend – what is the number you can’t add 1 to?). God is in control – He placed Adam and Eve in the garden and then removed them from it. God gives us free will, but we learn there are consequences to our decisions. God has authority over Satan.
As I think about these characteristics of God from Genesis, I am filled with hope because we are obviously valuable to God since He chose to create us in the first place. And He prepared the Garden of Eden for us to live in – a literal heaven on earth. That alone illustrates true love on God’s part for us, His creation.
As we reflect back over God’s love, we can be reminded of the Hope we have in Him. Everyday we think of God and dwell on His Word, we can have the same hope and anticipation everyone else experiences on New Year’s Day. May we all have the New Year’s Day hope each and everyday in 2010.
May you have a blessed year ahead!
Mahlen
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Poem for you to enjoy
Prepared
Can you believe it? December 27. Like, where did this year go?
Next year may bring happiness and joy. It may bring sadness and woe.
O how to prepare for those uncertain times ahead.
Will you have asked, “Is there something I could’ve done? Something I could’ve read?
Who will look out for us in this new year’s strange land?
Will it be our government? Our insurance policy? Our 401K Plan?
I think not! There’s just one thing you can count on, proven year after year.
Our Lord and Savior, The Bread of Life, written in the holy scriptures to hear.
To know our Savior, Our Rock, Our Comforter in times of stress
We must read His Word daily. Then we’ll be ready for any test.
So this Friday, let’s make a resolution; you know, it’s not all that absurd
To set aside some time daily for A Journey In The Word.
So new year, bring it on. Give me your best shot once again
Armed with my Daily Bible Reading Plan, I’ll be Prepared for anything in 2010.
By Mahlen Petry
Can you believe it? December 27. Like, where did this year go?
Next year may bring happiness and joy. It may bring sadness and woe.
O how to prepare for those uncertain times ahead.
Will you have asked, “Is there something I could’ve done? Something I could’ve read?
Who will look out for us in this new year’s strange land?
Will it be our government? Our insurance policy? Our 401K Plan?
I think not! There’s just one thing you can count on, proven year after year.
Our Lord and Savior, The Bread of Life, written in the holy scriptures to hear.
To know our Savior, Our Rock, Our Comforter in times of stress
We must read His Word daily. Then we’ll be ready for any test.
So this Friday, let’s make a resolution; you know, it’s not all that absurd
To set aside some time daily for A Journey In The Word.
So new year, bring it on. Give me your best shot once again
Armed with my Daily Bible Reading Plan, I’ll be Prepared for anything in 2010.
By Mahlen Petry
Monday, December 28, 2009
Always Be Prepared 1 Peter 3:15
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and that you are looking forward to the New Year! Wow-when I think 2010 will be rolling in on Friday-it's almost mind boggling ! At any rate, I hope you are still excited for what's to come this year and that you have time set aside to work through your daily Bible readings with us. I ran across this verse today when I typed in the word "prepared" in the Bible Gateway search bar.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
This verse really spoke to me today, especially with the building anticipation of reading through the Bible this year. I have, on more than one occasion, been in conversation with someone who had a question about my faith and been stumped on how to answer the question. This verse reaffirms the fact that we need to be prepared to answer those questions. I know that reading through the Bible this year will give me a broader knowledge base of scriptures that contain answers to those questions. It will also give me a greater strength to be able to answer them with confidence because I will be better prepared to share the gospel with those people that I come in contact with on a daily basis.
Another reason I think this is a wonderful verse for the upcoming New Year, is because it doesn't say "when you have hope" or "if you have hope" it says "give the reason for the hope you have"-which is Christ. I think this is a pretty powerful statement-our hope shouldn't waver when we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior!
Many Blessings to you as we close 2009!
Tanya
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
This verse really spoke to me today, especially with the building anticipation of reading through the Bible this year. I have, on more than one occasion, been in conversation with someone who had a question about my faith and been stumped on how to answer the question. This verse reaffirms the fact that we need to be prepared to answer those questions. I know that reading through the Bible this year will give me a broader knowledge base of scriptures that contain answers to those questions. It will also give me a greater strength to be able to answer them with confidence because I will be better prepared to share the gospel with those people that I come in contact with on a daily basis.
Another reason I think this is a wonderful verse for the upcoming New Year, is because it doesn't say "when you have hope" or "if you have hope" it says "give the reason for the hope you have"-which is Christ. I think this is a pretty powerful statement-our hope shouldn't waver when we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior!
Many Blessings to you as we close 2009!
Tanya
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