They Said to God, “Keep Away”
1. “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
2. All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations?
3. a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick;
4. who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat;
5. who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day.
6.“See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps?
7. both your sins and the sins of your fathers,” says the LORD. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.”
The Remnant
8. This is what the LORD says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is yet some good in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.
9. I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live.
10. Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me.
11.“But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,
12. I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”
Thank you for your mercy and patience Lord.. it was interesting to read this passage because it had my name in verse 10! also the fact that God rewards those that stay faithful in Him..
Friday, April 24, 2009
April 23, 2009 - Isaiah 64:1 - 64:12
Prayer and Confession
1. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!
2. As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
3. For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
4. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
5. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?
6. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
7. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.
Petition
8. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9. Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people.
10. Your sacred cities have become a desert; even Zion is a desert, Jerusalem a desolation.
11. Our holy and glorious temple, where our fathers praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins.
12. After all this, O LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?
1. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!
2. As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
3. For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
4. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
5. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?
6. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
7. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.
Petition
8. Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9. Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray, for we are all your people.
10. Your sacred cities have become a desert; even Zion is a desert, Jerusalem a desolation.
11. Our holy and glorious temple, where our fathers praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins.
12. After all this, O LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?
Monday, April 20, 2009
April 20, 2009 - Isaiah 62:10 - 63:6
Salvation . . . for All Peoples
10. Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.
11. The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’”
12. They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
Terrifying Wrath
1. Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2. Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?
3.“I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
4. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.
5. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
6. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.
10. Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.
11. The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’”
12. They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.
Terrifying Wrath
1. Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2. Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?
3.“I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.
4. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.
5. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me.
6. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April 19, 2009 - 오직 예수
오직 예수
나의 일정은 너무 빡빡하고
짊어져야 할 의무와 책임이
감당할 수 없을 만큼 무거워 보인다.
하지만 나는 휴가를 원치 않는다.
나는 절대 포기하고 싶지 않다.
내가 원하는 것은 동정도, 물질도,
명예도, 도피처도,
심지어는 기적도 아니다.
나는 오직 예수님을 원한다.
-앤 그레이엄 로츠의
‘그 무엇과도 바꿀 수 없는 예수’ 중에서-
삶의 과중한 책임과 각종 업무로
피곤하고 지친 당신에게도,
모든 것을 가졌지만
때때로 찾아오는 공허함에
즐거움을 쫓아가는 당신에게도,
성공의 그림자를 따라 바쁘게 달리는 당신에게도,
그리고 주님의 이름을 부르면서도
때때로 그분의 선하심을 의심하는 당신에게도
필요한 것은 오직 주님, 한 분 뿐입니다.
다른 것을 찾지 마십시오.
다른 것으로 채우려 하지 마십시오.
주님을 구하십시오.
오직 주님만을 바라십시오.
생각이 아닌, 지식이 아닌
살아계신 주님을 만날 때,
당신은 이 땅에서 천국을 소유하게 될 것입니다.
오직 주님만.. 원합니다.. 저같은 죄인.. 용서하십시요.. 주님만 원해야하는데.. 그게 왜 이렇게 힘들까요.. 주님! 주님품안에 있기 원합니다. .
나의 일정은 너무 빡빡하고
짊어져야 할 의무와 책임이
감당할 수 없을 만큼 무거워 보인다.
하지만 나는 휴가를 원치 않는다.
나는 절대 포기하고 싶지 않다.
내가 원하는 것은 동정도, 물질도,
명예도, 도피처도,
심지어는 기적도 아니다.
나는 오직 예수님을 원한다.
-앤 그레이엄 로츠의
‘그 무엇과도 바꿀 수 없는 예수’ 중에서-
삶의 과중한 책임과 각종 업무로
피곤하고 지친 당신에게도,
모든 것을 가졌지만
때때로 찾아오는 공허함에
즐거움을 쫓아가는 당신에게도,
성공의 그림자를 따라 바쁘게 달리는 당신에게도,
그리고 주님의 이름을 부르면서도
때때로 그분의 선하심을 의심하는 당신에게도
필요한 것은 오직 주님, 한 분 뿐입니다.
다른 것을 찾지 마십시오.
다른 것으로 채우려 하지 마십시오.
주님을 구하십시오.
오직 주님만을 바라십시오.
생각이 아닌, 지식이 아닌
살아계신 주님을 만날 때,
당신은 이 땅에서 천국을 소유하게 될 것입니다.
오직 주님만.. 원합니다.. 저같은 죄인.. 용서하십시요.. 주님만 원해야하는데.. 그게 왜 이렇게 힘들까요.. 주님! 주님품안에 있기 원합니다. .
Thursday, April 16, 2009
April 16, 2009 - Isaiah 59:9 - 59:21
Lost in Darkness
9. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.
11. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.
12. For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13. rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.
15. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
Setting Things Straight
16. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
17. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18. According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.
19. From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.
20. “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.
21. “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
9. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
10. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.
11. We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.
12. For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13. rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.
15. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
Setting Things Straight
16. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
17. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18. According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.
19. From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.
20. “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.
21. “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
April 15, 2009 - Isaiah 58:13 - 59:8
Keeping the Lord’s Day
13.“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14. then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
God Isn’t in a Hurry
1. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
3. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4. No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
5. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
6. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.
7. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.
8. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
From my QT book.. it says our greatest consequence of sin is losing fellowship with God.. I think this is really true cuz once I started to walk away from God.. whether it may be from just being lazy or whatever, it was easier to somewhat 'forget' the relationship I had with God. Just like praying.. the more often and longer I prayed.. it was easier for me to pray to God.. but when I stopped.. getting back to where I was.. took more effort.. This is why we need fellowship with fellow Christans too.. so we keep accountable for each other for we are ONE body of Christ!
13.“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14. then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
God Isn’t in a Hurry
1. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
2. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
3. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4. No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
5. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
6. Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.
7. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.
8. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.
From my QT book.. it says our greatest consequence of sin is losing fellowship with God.. I think this is really true cuz once I started to walk away from God.. whether it may be from just being lazy or whatever, it was easier to somewhat 'forget' the relationship I had with God. Just like praying.. the more often and longer I prayed.. it was easier for me to pray to God.. but when I stopped.. getting back to where I was.. took more effort.. This is why we need fellowship with fellow Christans too.. so we keep accountable for each other for we are ONE body of Christ!
April 14, 2009 - Isaiah 57:11 - 57:21
Where Do You Put Your Trust?
11.“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?
12. I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.
13. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
Grace to the Repentant
14. And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
15. For this is what the high and lofty One says?he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me?the breath of man that I have created.
17. I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways.
18. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
19. creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
20. But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
I know I should place my trust in God.. however I find myself trying to figure out things on my own.. but in reality i know that it is Christ who makes impossible possible! I need to pray more.. so I place it all down unto Him.. 주님만 보고 달리겠습니다..
11.“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?
12. I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.
13. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
Grace to the Repentant
14. And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
15. For this is what the high and lofty One says?he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me?the breath of man that I have created.
17. I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways.
18. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
19. creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
20. But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
I know I should place my trust in God.. however I find myself trying to figure out things on my own.. but in reality i know that it is Christ who makes impossible possible! I need to pray more.. so I place it all down unto Him.. 주님만 보고 달리겠습니다..
April 12, 2009 - Resurrection & Wonderment
Resurrection of the Lord Jesus
1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
2. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3. but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
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?
6. He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
7.‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”
8. Then they remembered his words.
Wondering Disciples
9. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
10. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
11. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
12. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Today is THE day Chris has risen from the dead! Because of Christ we are able to come to God... by His blood we are saved. If I was the first to found out that Christ has risen... I probably run around shouting in joy.. probably don't feel tired from running around so much lol THANK YOU LORD
1. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
2. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3. but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
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?
6. He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:
7.‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”
8. Then they remembered his words.
Wondering Disciples
9. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.
10. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
11. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
12. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Today is THE day Chris has risen from the dead! Because of Christ we are able to come to God... by His blood we are saved. If I was the first to found out that Christ has risen... I probably run around shouting in joy.. probably don't feel tired from running around so much lol THANK YOU LORD
April 11, 2009 - Matthew 27:57 - 27:66
Burying and Exposing
57. As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
58. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
59. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60. and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
61. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Sealing of the Tomb
62. The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
63.“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
64. So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65.“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
66. So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
'After three days I will rise again.. ' I love how Pharisees + others wanted Christ to be 'dead' and they refused to believe anything Jesus said.. however after He was dead they remembered Chris saying that and ordered guards to secure the tomb untill the third day! Doesn't this show that they actually do believe!
57. As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
58. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
59. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60. and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
61. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Sealing of the Tomb
62. The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
63.“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
64. So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65.“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
66. So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
'After three days I will rise again.. ' I love how Pharisees + others wanted Christ to be 'dead' and they refused to believe anything Jesus said.. however after He was dead they remembered Chris saying that and ordered guards to secure the tomb untill the third day! Doesn't this show that they actually do believe!
Friday, April 10, 2009
April 10 - Matthew 27:35 - 27:50
Darkened Minds
35. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
36. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
37. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
40. and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
41. In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
42.“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
43. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
44. In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Deepest Darkest Hour
45. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”?which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47. When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48. Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
49. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
God.. was on the cross.. for our sins.. for he knew no sin.. people mocked him and insulted him and said things like if you really are king of the jews.. come down from the cross. I can tell Jesus went though this not in some exceptional way but bore all the pain as human.. "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabchtani?"..
Today is good Friday.. the day that Christ died on the cross to cleanse our sins.. there is nothing but the blood of Christ.. Thank you Lord.. and I love you Lord.
50. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
35. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
36. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
37. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads
40. and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”
41. In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
42.“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
43. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
44. In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Deepest Darkest Hour
45. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”?which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47. When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48. Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
49. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
God.. was on the cross.. for our sins.. for he knew no sin.. people mocked him and insulted him and said things like if you really are king of the jews.. come down from the cross. I can tell Jesus went though this not in some exceptional way but bore all the pain as human.. "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabchtani?"..
Today is good Friday.. the day that Christ died on the cross to cleanse our sins.. there is nothing but the blood of Christ.. Thank you Lord.. and I love you Lord.
50. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
April 9 - John 19:5 - 19:16
Power from Above
5. When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
6. As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”
7. The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”
8. When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,
9. and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10.“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11. Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Power Failure
12. From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”
13. When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).
14. It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
15. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
16. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
Jesus is finally told to be crucified.. even when Pilate knew that Jesus had no reason to be. Tomorrow is Good friday.. These passages helped me reflect on myself.. how sinful I am.. I wonder if I was there during this time.. would i have also shouted out to have Christ crucified? He is our King.. no matter what the world view him as..
5. When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
6. As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”
7. The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”
8. When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,
9. and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10.“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11. Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Power Failure
12. From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”
13. When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).
14. It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
15. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
16. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
Jesus is finally told to be crucified.. even when Pilate knew that Jesus had no reason to be. Tomorrow is Good friday.. These passages helped me reflect on myself.. how sinful I am.. I wonder if I was there during this time.. would i have also shouted out to have Christ crucified? He is our King.. no matter what the world view him as..
April 8 - John 18:28 - 18:40
he Kind of Death
28. Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30.“If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
31. Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected.
32. This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
King from Another Place
33. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34.“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35.“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37.“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38.“What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
39. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
40. They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
I can see that the death of Christ is coming up.. I wonder how he felt when the jews were demanding him to give Barabbas instead of him. Christ has no reason for these kinda of treatments.. but Christ stilled endured all these hatred and pain and suffering..
28. Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30.“If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
31. Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected.
32. This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.
King from Another Place
33. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34.“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35.“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37.“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38.“What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
39. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
40. They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.
I can see that the death of Christ is coming up.. I wonder how he felt when the jews were demanding him to give Barabbas instead of him. Christ has no reason for these kinda of treatments.. but Christ stilled endured all these hatred and pain and suffering..
April 7 John 18:15 - 18:27
Many Questions
15. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,
16. but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17.“You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
18. It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
19. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20.“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22. When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23.“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
24. Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
So Few Answers
25. As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26. One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?”
27. Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
I think I will be like Peter.. or more like I have been Peter at times.. there are times where I was ashamed to be a Christian back in the days.. but back then I was young and now I am proud to be one. It 'll be challenging but through faith I'll overcome it. Even though I don't have a rooster crowing but I have my own guilts that tells me I have denied Christ by doing or saying things that Christ won't be happy to see me doing..
15. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,
16. but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17.“You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
18. It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
19. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20.“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22. When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23.“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
24. Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
So Few Answers
25. As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26. One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?”
27. Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
I think I will be like Peter.. or more like I have been Peter at times.. there are times where I was ashamed to be a Christian back in the days.. but back then I was young and now I am proud to be one. It 'll be challenging but through faith I'll overcome it. Even though I don't have a rooster crowing but I have my own guilts that tells me I have denied Christ by doing or saying things that Christ won't be happy to see me doing..
April 6 - John 18:1 - 18:14
Knowing His Own
1. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
2. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
3. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5.“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
6. When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8.“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
9. This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Knowing the Cup
10. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12. Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
13. and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Jesus knows all even when we try to hide it away from him.. but we still try to hide from Him and try to somehow get rid of our sins.. but Jesus knows it all!
1. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
2. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
3. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
4. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5.“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
6. When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8.“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”
9. This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Knowing the Cup
10. Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12. Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
13. and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
Jesus knows all even when we try to hide it away from him.. but we still try to hide from Him and try to somehow get rid of our sins.. but Jesus knows it all!
April 5 - Isaiah 57:1 - 57:10
To Die is to Gain
1. The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
2. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
Spiritual Solicitation
3.“But you?come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
4. Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?
5. You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags.
6. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; they, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In the light of these things, should I relent?
7. You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices.
8. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked on their nakedness.
9. You went to Molech with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the grave itself!
10. You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.
Many blame God for early death due to whatever reason whether it may be of a sickness or by an accident.. but in the Bible it says Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.. I guess death is not the bad thing for christians but an opportunity for us to see God and rest in peace
1. The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
2. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
Spiritual Solicitation
3.“But you?come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
4. Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?
5. You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags.
6. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; they, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In the light of these things, should I relent?
7. You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices.
8. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked on their nakedness.
9. You went to Molech with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the grave itself!
10. You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.
Many blame God for early death due to whatever reason whether it may be of a sickness or by an accident.. but in the Bible it says Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.. I guess death is not the bad thing for christians but an opportunity for us to see God and rest in peace
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