Romans

Romans

by Paul, the apostle

written 57 A.D.

16 chapters, about 14 pages 

Recently (Feb 2014) I received a list of passages, from a friend that goes to The Grove, that help to give a Biblical identity of those that are in God's family. As a number of them were from Paul's letter to those in Rome, I decided today to read the 16 chapter letter and look for clues that show me my identity.  This is what I have found: 

 1:7       I'm beloved of God and called to be a saint

3:24      I'm justified by his grace and redeemed

4:7-8    I'm blessed as one forgiven

5:1        I'm made right in God's sight by faith and have peace with God through Jesus 

5:2       I'm able to rejoice in hope of the glory of God

5:3-5   I'm able to rejoice in troubles, for through them God is building and strengthening me

5:8       I'm loved

5:9       I'm saved from wrath

5:10-11    I'm rejoicing in reconciliation to God

5:20   I'm one who receives God's grace that far supersedes my sin 

6:7     I'm freed from sin

6:11    I'm dead to sin and alive to God 

6:19   I'm a slave of righteousness

6:23   I'm given the gift of eternal life

8:1      I'm freed of condemnation 

8:2     I'm freed from the sin/death cycle 

8:10    I'm one in which God's Spirit dwells

8:14    I'm a child of God, led by His Spirit 

8:15    I'm adopted!

8:17    I'm a co-heir with Jesus.

8:29    I'm able to be conformed to the image of Jesus

8:31    I'm protected. God is for me 

8:32    I'm freely given all things

8:35&39    I'm inseparable from God's love 

8:37    I'm more than a conqueror through Jesus.

9:26    I'm a child of the living God.

12:5    I'm one body in Jesus

12:6    I'm given gifts to use

14:8   I'm one who belongs to the Lord!

15:13  I'm filled with hope and peace.

Joy Beyond Anxiety

 

Joy Beyond Anxiety
The Philippians' Peace
by Russell Minick
December 2007
43 pages

Russell did a great job at putting in written form the many lessens he has taught the Sojos church in the senior year of Hannah's class.  His conversational tone through out the booklet made for a great way to connect to important and life-changing ideas and truths that Paul originally put forth in his letter to a church he loved while he was imprisoned in Rome.  He had many reasons that they then were to keep the faith and keep the joy.  Those reasons still are applicable to us today for some things will never change.  Jesus left heaven to be our champion and we have now a way to live life that has meaning as we live forgiven and in community seeking to grow our love deeper in knowledge and depth on insight and in doing so be better equip to know what is best, live blamelessly and purposefully.  I liked reading the book again as it brought to mind the people we lived among when Russ first taught to us these truths.  His examples were from Thailand so it made it fun to again think back to those days and at the same time be encouraged at all the growth God has done in and through Sojo's church since that time in 2007-8.  Our family then left Chiang Mai; Hannah to university and the rest of us to one year in London.  May God continue to shape us into the character of His son I pray.  This booklet has in it the full letter that Paul wrote (broken into chunks) which Russell then explains in our context and in the time of when the letter was first penned.  I recommend it to anyone who desires to grow in joy and reduce anxiety as God tells us that peace is in Him.  May we all grow closer to the One who loves us most.  Amen.  I think Russ should make this available as an e-book.  I highly recommend it. 

Psalm 91

Psalm 91
Real-Life Stories of God's Shield of Protection
Authors: Peggy Joyce Ruth and Angelia Ruth Schum
248 paperback
2010

This book was chosen by my Tuesday noon prayer ladies from Houston's First.  The book has two parts: 1. Chapter by chapter where the author expands on the verse by verse of Psalm 91 and part 2. Brief stories of people who have experienced God's protection by praying Psalms 91.
The beginning shares a lot of examples of the military so as I read it and highlighted here and there,  I began to pray for Justin H. as he is at this time going through extensive military training. At times the author seems to advocate the power of the words of the ninety-first psalm rather than to focus on the power and relationship that comes from being connected to the Almighty.  All in all, the book is insightful and helpful to better understanding that personal protection is available for those that trust in The Lord.   What is important is to trust in God fully no matter your circumstances and to call out to Him when in need.  The original human author of psalm 91 is anonymous but there is strong evidence that Moses could have written this powerful song of protection and love of God.  I enjoyed the interaction of the ladies group as we studied this book and it has helped to shape my prayer life as I lift various people, as well as myself, before the Lord for protection.

The Minor Prophets

The Minor Prophets (minor not in their message content, but in the length of their message.)

Prophets of God were and still are people that God uses to remind his people the things they have forgotten so that they will once again turn back to God and stop their foolish, harmful ways and renew their relationship with the righteous King that is both just and merciful.

Hosea                   13 chapters         One Reminder: “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion, I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.” (Hosea 2:19-20)

Joel                        4 chapters           One Reminder: ... everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.  (Joel 2:32)

Amos                    9 chapters           One Reminder: “I hate all your show and pretense—the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.  Away with your noisy hymns of praise!  I will not listen to the music of your harps.  Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.” (Amos 5:21.23,24)

Obadiah               1 chapter             One Reminder: “The day is near when I, the LORD, will judge the godless nations! As you have done… so it will be done to you.  All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads.” (Obadiah 1:15)

Jonah                    4 chapters           One Reminder: Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 3:2)

Micah                   7 chapters           One Reminder: “…oh people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you God.” (Micah 6:8)

Nahum                 3 chapters           One Reminder: “The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.  He is close to those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:17)

Habakkuk            3 chapters    One Reminder:  “yet I will rejoice in the LORD!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength!” (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Zephaniah          3 chapters           One Reminder:  “For the LORD your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”  (Zephaniah 3:17)

Haggai                  2 chapters           One Reminder: “I am with you says the LORD!” (Haggai 1:13b)

Zechariah            14 chapters         One Reminder: “This is what the LORD Almighty says: Judge fairly and honestly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.  Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people. And do not make evil plans to harm each other.”  (Zechariah 7:9-10)

Malachi                4 chapters           One Reminder: “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings…”  (Malachi 4:2)

The Gospel According to Mark

Russell and I are now empty-nesters... actually, when Isaiah graduated high school, not only were all three kiddos off to new nests of their own, but Russ and I flew from our recent home as well. So since mid-July 2011 we have been on the move quite a bit. I started thinking about how Jesus spent his last three years on the move and so this most recent time to read through Mark's account of the life of Jesus, I paid attention to just where did Jesus go? Jesus lived a life of full obedience and filled with compassion he healed, fed, taught, prayed, removed demons and many other things. So where did he go to do these things?

Chapter one:
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan
then the Spirit sent Jesus out to the dessert for 40 days
next onto Galilee
and He walked beside the Sea of Galilee
after he chose some followers they went to Capernaum
the morning after much healing in the house of Peter's mother-in-law, Jesus went to pray in a solitary place then they traveled throughout Galilee to many near-by villages
Chapter 2
Jesus again entered Capernaum
Once again Jesus went out beside the lake
walked through the grain fields on a Sabbath
Chapter 3
Jesus spent time in the synagogue
Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake
Jesus went up on a mountainside
Chapter 4
Jesus again began to teach by the lake
Jesus told his disciples, "let us go over to the other side"
Chapter 5
they crossed the lake to the region of the Gerasenes
then they recrossed the lake to the other side
they went to a home of a synagogue leader
Chapter 6
Jesus went to his hometown
Jesus went around teaching from village to village
Jesus went with the apostles (after their first solo mission trip) to get some rest by boat to a solitary place. more ministry took place and Jesus sent the apostles to Bethsaida and he went up on a mountain-side to pray.
Jesus walked out on the lake to the apostles in the boat
they anchored at Gennesaret
and wherever they went--into villages, towns or countryside--Jesus healed the sick
Chapter 7
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre
after Tyre they went through Sidon, down the sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis
Chapter 8
Jesus got in a boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha
then again by boat went to the other side.
next stop: Bethsaida
then on to villages around Caesarea Philippi
Chapter 9
up a high mountain with Peter, James and John (the tranfiguration)
they left that place and passed through Galilee
then on to Capernaum
Chapter 10
Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan.
with Jesus leading the way they went up to Jerusalem
on the way they stopped in the city of Jericho
Chapter 11
they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives
Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple
but as it was late they stayed the night in Bethany and in the morning went again to Jerusalem
Jesus cleansed the temple and taught and when evening came they went out of the city
the next day back in Jerusalem
Chapter 12
all in Jerusalem
Chapter 13
Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple
chapter 14
Back in Bethany
to the city again for the Feast of Unleaven Bread
after the Last Supper they went out to the Mount of Olives
then on to Gethsemane where Jesus separated himself for a time of prayer
Jesus was taken to the high priest
Chapter 15
they bound Jesus and led him away to Pilate
the soldiers then led Jesus away into the palace (that is the Praetorium)
Then they led him out to crucify him.
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgtha (which means The Place of the Skull)
Joseph took down the body of Jesus and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock.
Chapter 16
if Jesus was just a man, the story would sadly end right here. But He is God. Mary, Mary and Salome entered that tomb and saw a young man dressed in a white robe who said, " He has risen! He is not here." He will go ahead of you into Galilee.
Jesus appeared to two walking in the country
then he appeared to the 11 as they were eating
Jesus is alive and shared with his Eleven that they were to go. "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Jesus was taken up into heaven.
Jesus sat at the right hand of God.


The Gospel According to Mark
by Mark
16 Chapters
written about A.D. 65

Philippians

Philippians was a letter, a short one at that, penned by Paul to a church that he loved and cared about. When I read it this time my focus was on the "Joy" bits and in just 4 chapters, "joy" and "rejoice" is used 14 times, the word "glad" is used 3 times and "cheered" is used once.

chapter 1:3-6 is a great opening, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

The first point my study Bible offered for me to consider was: Think of Christian friends separated from you by miles. Praise God for them and for what he is dong in their lives.

Presently nearly all of my friends are separated from me by miles and lately I have been pretty sad about it, but today I was encouraged to thank God for them, and so i did and enjoyed taking the time to let them know so too. I believe that rejoicing can lead to more rejoicing and when I am thankful a heart of gladness can pump joy in healthy ways.


Philippians
by: Paul
4.5 pages in large leather Bible
written about A.D. 62 from prison

The Gospel According to John

The Gospel of John has many fascinating themes running through it. This time I was not sure just what topic I would focus on but as I began to read it through it in the NIV 1984 translation, “truth” kept popping out at me. John starts off his account of the life and ministry of Jesus by saying, “the Word become flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Then John records over 2 dozen specific accounts of Jesus saying “I tell you the truth…” In reflecting on the truth that Jesus is proclaiming, I feel one can get a better understanding of the important things Jesus told those around him. And now through John’s writing all who read throughout the generations are able to glimpse with a little more clarity into those key things as well. I will list the “I tell you the truth…” of Jesus as I discovered them from chapter 1 on through to chapter 21.

#1 John 1:51 He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
#2 John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ”

#3 John 3:5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
#4 John 3:11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

#5 John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

#6 John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
#7 John 5:2 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.

#8 John 6:26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

#9 John 6:32 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
#10 John 6:47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

#11 John 6:53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

#12 John 8:34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
#13 John 8:51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

#14 John 10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
#15 John 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

#16 John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

#17 John 13:16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
#18 John 13:19 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

#19 John 13:21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”
# 20 John 13:38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

#21 John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

#22 John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
#23 John 16:20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

#24 John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

#25 John 21:18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

The Gospel According to John
Author: John
46 pages printed out in large font

the gospel according to Luke

Luke, one of the authors of the Gospel accounts of Jesus, wrote his testimony primarily to a non-Jewish audience so that they could further understand the life of Jesus, who he was and what he taught. Luke wrote this in about A.D. 70.

There are two areas of interest for me this time that I read through the Gospel of Luke…one is the issue of fear/afraid and the other is the personal ways in which Luke includes names in his account. So I will take it from the beginning and introduce us to each person for the first time that they appear in action (I will not list here names of those from the past or names of people who are off-stage but the main actors.) Then I’ll list the passages where fear comes into play. Here we go…

Theophilus (this is who Luke wrote the book for)
Zechariah- a priest
Elizabeth- wife of Zechariah
Gabriel- angel of the Lord
Mary- virgin pledge to be married to Joseph
The Holy Spirit- he over-shadowed Mary so she conceived a son
John- the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth
Joseph- pledged to be married to Mary, hometown Bethlehem
Jesus- Christ the Lord
Simeon- righteous and devout man in the temple
Anna- prophetess in the temple
Herod- locked up John in prison
God- in a voice from heaven said to Jesus at his baptism, you are my Son whom I love…
the devil, later in the book called Satan- tempting Jesus in the desert
Simon- also called Simon-Peter, a fisherman …Jesus went to his house and healed Simon’s mother-in-law
James and John- the son’s of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Levi- tax collector who followed Jesus
Jesus’ 12 apostles (some have been listed already):
Simon
Andrew- Simon’s brother
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James-the son of Alphaeus
Simon the Zealot
Judas the son of James
Judas Iscariot-became a traitor
Simon- a Pharisee that invited Jesus to dinner the night expensive perfume was poured on Jesus’ feet
3 women who helped to support Jesus:
Mary- called Magdalene had 7 demons come out of her
Joanna-the wife of Cruz, the manager of Herod’s household
Susanna
Legion- the name of a powerful demon that Jesus cast into a herd of pigs
Jairus- ruler of the synagogue whose 12 year old girl was dying
Moses and Elijah- met up with Jesus to talk about his departure
Martha- she opened her home to Jesus
Mary- Martha’s sister (she chose what was better)
Zacchaeus—a rich tax collector that now has salvation
Pilate- finally gave Jesus to the people for crucifixion, even tho he tried 3 times not to
Barabbas- a criminal that was released rather than Jesus
Joseph of Arimathea- a member of the Council that was waiting for the King of God and he wrapped Jesus’ body and lay him in a tomb.
Mary the mother of James-she was wth the other women at the empty tomb of Jesus.
Cleopas—one on the road to Emmaus and Jesus met with him


Fear and afraid in Luke
1:12-13 Zechariah was gripped with fear but the angel said, “do not be afraid”…
1:30 the angel said, “do not be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God.”
2:10 angel said to the shepherds “do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy…
5:10 Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”
8:25 when the boat was about to go down and Jesus speaks to the storm and it is calm the disciples “in fear and amazement ask each other, “who is this?”
8:50 someone came from the house of Jairus saying his daughter had died. Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
9:44-45 Jesus was telling his 12 about his betrayal …and they were afraid to ask him about it.
19:21 “I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man.” Part of a parable that Jesus told of a king and some minas.
20:19 “The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.” After Jesus told the parable of the vineyard and the owner sending his son who he loved and the tenants killed him.
21:9 Jesus told his disciples “when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened.
21:11… there will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
21:26 …Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
22:2..it was Passover time “and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
23:40…but the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God, “ he said…
24:5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “ why do you look for the living among the dead?
24:37… the disciples were in a room talking together saying Jesus had risen when he stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” They were started and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

The Gospel According to Luke
Author: Luke (who later wrote Acts)
46 page in large leather Bible

The Gospel according to Mark

The gospel according to Mark was written by Mark who was a young companion of Paul, Barnabas and Peter and he wrote it about 65 ad. This is an action-filled writing; the shortest of the four gospel records.   

Each time I read through one of the gospels, I see a different theme or something new about Jesus stands out to me.  This time in Mark’s account I encounter Jesus as the great healer…

 

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”~ Jesus

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus heals:

A man with an evil spirit in the synagogue at Capernaum

Simon’s mother-in-law with a fever

The sick and demon possessed and many who had various diseases of Simon’s town

Throughout Galilee Jesus drove out demons

A man with leprosy in Galilee

A paralytic through a roof in Capernaum

A man with a shriveled hand in the synagogue

Many from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan around Tyre and Sidon came to Jesus to be healed or have their demons cast out

In Gerasenes the strong man who lived among the tombs who was tortured by the demon named Legion was dressed and in his right mind when Jesus cast the demon into a herd of pigs.

The woman in a crowd who Jesus freed from her suffering of 12 years of bleeding

Jairus’ 12 year old daughter raised from the dead …Jesus said, “Talitha kuom!”  Little girl get up!

Jesus extends his healing power when he gives authority to his 12 to anoint many sick people with oil and heal them and to drive out many demons.

In Bethsaida and throughout that region the sick on mats and in the marketplaces; all who touched Jesus…

A little daughter of a Greek woman in Tyre healed of an evil spirit

A deaf-mute man of the Decapolis.

A blind man of Bethsaida

After the transfiguration, Jesus healed a man’s son (robbed of speech) and possessed by a spirit…this kind can come out only by prayer.

Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus), a blind man on the road outside of Jericho

Mary Magdalene- 7 demons driven out

And at the very end of Mark’s gospel, he records Jesus saying, “Go into all the world and preach the good news…and in my name they will be able to drive out demons… and they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”   

The Gospel of Mark
author: Mark
28 pages in large leather-bond Bible

The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book listed in the New Testament and was written by one of Jesus' disciples who at one time was a tax collector. As we had been studying the book of Daniel in house church the phrase in son of man (a reference to Jesus) stood out to me... Daniel 7:13-14
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
i then began to read Matthew looking for other times this title was used for Jesus.  i found over 2 dozen times and each time fills out more of who Jesus is and his love for us.
here are the places in Matthew's gospel where "son of man" are found.
Matthew 8:19-21
Matthew 9:5-7
Matthew 10:22-24
Matthew 11:18-20
Matthew 12:7-9
Matthew 12:31-33
Matthew 12:39-41
Matthew 13:36-38
Matthew 13:40-42
Matthew 16:12-14
Matthew 16:26-28
Matthew 17:8-10
Matthew 19:27-29
Matthew 20:17-19
Matthew 20:27-29
Matthew 24:26-31
Matthew 24:36-38
Matthew 24:38
Matthew 24:43-45
Matt 25:31-31
Matthew 26:23-25
Matthew 26:44-46
Matthew 26:63-65 

The Gospel of Matthew
author: Matthew
46 pages in large leather-bond Bible