The Bible

In April of 2013 I started reading the book of Genesis with the goal of reading the Bible cover to cover.  Just shy of 7 years later, I accomplished my goal!  It has been such a commitment, experience and period of discovery.  I have had dry spells, can't get enough spells, and lukewarm to the idea of it spells.  But isn't that our journey of faith?  Discovery, and falling in love over and over with God and his word?

1 Peter

• Blessings cannot be destroyed and are kept in heaven
• Faith is shown pure in troubles
• Before we know we follow evil ways; now tat we know, we must live a holy life
• As babies want milk, want the teachings; Jesus is the cornerstone
• Live for God, obey authority
• Respect our spouse; wives be holy to influence; not influential by clothes and/or jewelry
• Suffer for doing right = blessed
• Respect Christ, be ready to explain your hope with gentleness and respect
• Strengthen yourself as Christ did to withstand evil desires
• Love will cause sins to be forgiven
• Suffering because a Christian trust and faith gets you through
• Watch over your people humbly as an example not as a ruler
• Give your worries to God

Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph

Our church's Advent Bible Study is reading this book.  While I don't attend the Bible Study class with other folks, I do read along.  And our Pastor preaches on this lesson for the week on Sunday's too, so I enjoy following along.

However, I did not love this youth study book version.  I found it only loosely connected to Joseph and distracted from the story of Joseph with many other stories along the way.  Each with their own merit, but I wish I'd just read the original book in place of this.

James

• Trouble should equal joy for troubles test our faith and give us patience
• Doubters are like waves in the sea; thinkin in 2 different directions at once and being undecided
• Poor proud because rich in spirit; rich proud because shown spiritually poor
• God does not tempt anyone; lead to sin by our own evil desire
• Listen, study and obey God's word
• Care for orphans and widows and stay free of evil
• Do not make some people more important than others
• Disobey a command and it is like you've broken all the commands
• Faith without action is nothing/dead
• Deeds alone don't show belief; demons believe in on God too
• Faith made perfect in action; they work together
• Control your tongue, we all make mistakes but good and bad shouldn't come from the same source
• True wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle and easy to please
• Selfish desires lead us away from God
• Come near to God and God will be near to you
• Don't judge
• Knowing the right thing and not doing it is sin
• Worldly riches don't last
• Be patient and watch your words
• Prayer is powerful

Titus

• Paul write to Titus
• Titus is appointing elders in towns; elders must have only 1 wife and believing children
• Elders hold onto what is true and can tell others when their ways are wrong
• Paul tells Titus to encourage the people: young and old; men and women - to be wise and true; to show they serve God and are waiting for hope and the coming of Jesus
• Don't speak evil and do goo
• Don't follow the enjoyment of your body, but remember the kindness and love of God and do good deeds
• Also Titus, help others teaching the Good News

2 Timothy

• Paul encourages Timothy
• Timothy comes from a family of faith
• They serve sharing the Good News
• Avoid evil and quarreling and do good
• In the last days, believers will turn away and turn to evil
• Follow the teachings, use the scripture to guide your life; keep the faith

1 Timothy

• A letter from Paul to Timothy
• Stay and tell them not to spend time on false teachings but on faith items
• God shows mercy when we believe
• Jesus is patient
• Don't shipwreck your faith
• Pray for believers and leaders
• Men: pray without anger or arguments
• Women: do good deeds, not fancy clothes
• Women should be quiet and not teach because of Eve, but saved through children
• What qualifies someone to be an elder and deacon
• Don't follow false teachers
• Serve other and serve God for it helps you in every way in this life and the future
• Treat others with respect as parents and siblings
• Care for windows who are alone, let families care for their own windows
• Families should care for each other so the church can care for those without family
• Don't share in others sin
• Some sins and deeds aren't easily seen until later
• Want of money leads you astray; serving God makes us very rich

2 Thessalonians

• Paul, Silas and Timothy brag of the Thessalonians to other churches for they stand in suffering and trouble
• When they Lord comes, non-believers will be punished
• Man of Evil will come and turning away from God by the people before the Lord will come again
• Man of Evil from Stan and will do false miracles, signs and wonders
• Stand strong and believe Good news teachings
• Pray the Good News keeps spreading
• Be willing to work for yourself, but don't treat those who don't as enemies, but warn them as fellow believers

1 Thessalonians

• Thessalonians believed and stopped worshipping idols and spread the Good News
• Paul uses his words to try to please God, not people
• Paul accepted them as the word of God, not just people
• Paul wants to visit again, but is glad when Timothy brings good news of them back to him
• Live a life pleasing to God, no sexual sin
• Take care of your business and you will be respected
• When the Lord comes again, those who have died first will go before those still living
• The Lord's coming will be a surprise but believers should be prepared and not asleep; faith, love and hope will protect us in the coming of the Lord
• Appreciate hard workers
• Live in peace
• Encourage the afraid
• Help the weak
• Be patient
• Don't return wrong with wrong
• Keep what is good, stay away from evil

Love Beyond Reason

This book took me awhile.  It had a more academic reading/feel to it and I had a more difficult time staying engaged and following along.  It's a busy season, and I'm tired in the evenings so my mind wanders and often falls asleep.  It certainly had good points in it, and I'm sure I missed some great points too as I lost focus on the reading.

Colossians

• Paul writes to the people of Colossee wishing grace and peace and thanking them for their faith, hope and love
• Christ is first; all things are created through Him and for Him; Christ first rose from the dead and made us friends with God again
• Christ is our only hope for glory; so we share all God's teachings with other people to bring everyone to God
• Paul in body is away from them, but with them in heart
• Be strong in faith as taught and thankful
• Don't be fooled by human teaching
• Don't follow rules of people about eating, drinking, feats; hold tight to Christ - the rules don't really control sinful desires as they aim to
• Paul tells of how you should live with your new life in Christ: think only of heaven, stop evil things for doing them is like serving a false God, forgive, love, everything you do, do for the Lord
• Treat other people well
• Always be kind and pleasant with talking with others
• Paul tells of the people whit him and who he sends to the people
• Share the letter with the church

Philippians

• Paul opens his letter wishing them grace and peace from prison
• Paul prays joy and thanks for these people in Philippi and prays for their love and understanding and the work God is doing in them
• Paul in prison helps spread the Good News; people are more bravely sharing the message
• Some are sharing Good News for the wrong reason, but the message is still being shared
• Be unselfish like Christ; be humble
• Hoping Timothy and Epaphroditus are sent to them soon for they work in Jesus
• Paul strictly followed the law as a Pharisee, then he learned of Christ and was made right
• Paul is continuing toward Christ's goal for him, but he hasn't yet reached it
• Our homeland is in heaven
• Christians should be full of joy in the Lord, be gentle and kind; don't worry about anything; pray about everything; give thanks; God will bring peace
• Think about good and worthy things
• Paul is tankful for their care and giving
• Paul can live in poverty and plenty with strength of Christ
• Paul isn't wanting gifts, but wants Christians to have the good that comes from giving

Ephesians

• God chose His people before Jesus in love; He has given us every blessing with Jesus
• Heaven & Earth joined together; Christ is the head
• Holy Spirit is guarantee of God's promise
• We are all sinful and deserve God's anger for our sin; but God's mercy is great and He gave us new life with Christ
• We cannot save ourselves
• Christ broke down the barriers between Jews and non-Jews
• God's love is more than we can understand
• Christ gave gifts to people, the body of Christ to grow each other in peace and love toward Christ's perfection
• Change your life; know Biblical truth not false prophets; don't steal; don't say harmful words; be kind, loving & forgive
• Live a life of love
• No sexual sin; don't talk of other dark sins
• Be careful how you live
• Husbands love your wives as you love yourselves; wives respect your husbands
• Children obey parents; parents teach your kids about the Lord
• Slaves and masters: treat each other well
• Wear the amour of God

1 Corinthians

• Paul is thankful to God for Jesus; Jesus keeps us strong to the end
• Paul l earns of problems and arguments in the church; who each group say they follow: Paul, Apollos, Christ - Christ should be the answer (Paul & Apollos aren't important)
• Paul came to teach nervous and trembling so you'd know it was God's wisdom through the Spirit
• Spirit - inner knowing (only the Spirit knows the deep secrets of God); we really can know God through the Spirit
• Only our inner spirit knows our inner thoughts; Spirit teaches us
• Not spiritual if quarreling; talked to like babies without the Spirit
• Paul planted seed; Apollos waters it; Only God makes it grow (God important; not Paul or Apollos)
• Paul & Apollos are God's workers, will be rewarded, but not important
• Wisdom of the world is foolishness to God
• Apostles serve Christ and feel las in the world
• Don't associate with believers who cheat, sin sexually, are greed, abuse or worship idols; don't want evil among you, but it will be in the world in non-believers because to avoid them you'd have to leave the world
• Solve problems among believers in the church, not in court
• We can do all tings, but not all things are good for us
• Your body is connected with Christ, do don't sin sexually to sin against your own body
• Your body is a temple
• God says no divorce, please your husband/wife
• Paul says single is better unless you are too overcome with sexual desire
• Don't cause another believer to do something they think is wrong because you think it is okay (i.e. eating meat)
• Learn from Israel's past
• God will give you a way out when tempted
• Do what is good for the most people, not just yourself
• Woman came from man and for man
• Wait for each other to eat in the church; dot use it to display your abundance; if you're really hungry, eat at home to avoid judgement
• Spirit gives different gifts to different people
• Out gifts are like part of 1 body, all needed, important and working together for God
• I am nothing without love
• Out gifts will end; they are not perfect
• Faith, hope and love continue forever, love is the greatest
• You should want spiritual gits, especially prophecy for it helps the church grow stronger
• Speaking in languages isn't useful if people don't understand, use only if there's an interpreter
• Women shouldn't speak at church, but ask their husbands at hoe
• Christ was human and raised from the dead so humans can be raised from the dead
• If we aren't raised from the dead, there isn't much to live for
• Earthly body and heavenly body
• Work for God is never wasted
• Be strong in faith and have courage

Out of the Spin Cycle

It took me quite awhile to get through these devotions, but they were so great.  And I'd recommend it for any mom. 

Romans

·         Paul goes to share the Good News to the Romans who God seeks too

·         All people are sinful, don’t give thanks or glory to God

·         God judges all the same; when we judge, we judge ourselves guilty too because we are also sinful

·         A true Jew is a Jew on the inside too, not just outside (circumcision)

·         God trusted Jews with His laws, but having the law isn’t enough, following it is, but we cannot be made right with the law, the law shows us our sin

·         We are made right by faith in Jesus

·         Abraham’s FAITH made him right with God not works or deeds

·         Abraham is father of all believers, circumcised and not

·         Faith in God through Jesus is enough

·         Because of Jesus: faith = peace, grace, hope, joy

·         Trouble produce patience; patience produces character; character products hope; hope = no disappointment

·         Jesus made us God’s friends again (not anger enemies)

·         Adam’s 1^st act = sin; Jesus 1^st act = salvation

·         We shared Jesus death in our baptism – new life, old life dead so sin doesn’t have power over us

·         Not under law (sin); under God’s grace

·         Not slaves to sin; slaves to goodness

·         Law showed us what sin is; sin used something good (law) to bring death

·         Sin & goodness in each of us warring for our time and attention (mind=slave to God’s law; sinful self = slave to the law of sin)

·         Follow the spirit, not sin; Spirit helps you avoid sinful ways

·         God will finish making us His children in glory = freedom

·         Hope is what we cannot see

·         We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit speaks for us

·         The law cannot make you right with God

·         Believe in our hearts and proclaim with our mouths so we are saved

·         God calls people to share the Good News

·         God of mercy

·         Pray; love; use your gifts; be humble; work for God; don’t punish others; help others

·         Obey the law and rules put there by God

·         Owe others nothing but love

·         Loving your neighbor is following all other rules; love doesn’t hurt a neighbor

·         Don’t’ criticize other’s methods for following God

·         Do not cause other to sin

·         Paul wants to reach those who haven’t heard the Good News, not build on someone else’s start

·         Paul needs prayer support from others in his work

John

• Jesus is the light of the world and was there at creation
• When Jesus came His own people didn't recognize Him
• John tells people about Jesus and that he is unworthy to even untie Jesus sandals
• Jesus starts collecting followers
• Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding turning water into wine when His mother let Him know the wine had run out
• Jesus went to the temple and Jerusalem for Passover and He knew all people
• Jesus love for the temple motivated Him to throw out the money changes and corrupt business buying and selling in the temple
• A Pharisee, Nicodemus, comes to Jesus and believes He is from God, but even as an important Jewish leader, didn't understand
• We must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven (Holy Spirit)
• Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing followers and John was happy more were going to Jesus: Jesus = more important, John = less important
• God gave Jesus the Spirit fully
• Believe Jesus = eternal life
• Pharisees had heard of Jesus so He left Judea for Galilee via Samaria
• Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink at the well; He tells her of the living water and her 5 husbands and she tells the town the news
• He stayed in Samaria 2 days and many believed
• A King's officer from Capernaum went to Galilee for Jesus to heal His son; Jesus sends him away telling him his son will live; he and his people then believed
• Jesus heals a man, sick 38 years, at the pools on Sunday and Jews begin to persecute Him
• Jesus authority comes from God; Jesus is the Son and works to please God, not Himself
• Jesus fed 5,000 who had followed Him with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; then He went to the hills alone
• The followers went ahead in the boat on high waves, when Jesus walked out on water to them, calmed them and their boat was at their destination right away
• Jesus is the bread of life (His flesh); whoever believes has eternal life
• Spirit gives life
• God leads people to Jesus
• Jesus knew who believed and who would betray (Judas)
• Jesus brothers don't believe and people aren't talking openly about Jesus in fear
• Jesus teaches what comes from God, not Himself or other teachers
• Don't judge by looks, but by what is right
• Jews wanted to kill Jesus but He kept teaching because it wasn't the right time and some people were confused why He could keep teaching if His death was wanted
• They try to arrest Him; Jesus says not yet, but soon I will go where you can't find me
• The Holy Spirit will soon come for people
• People didn't agree with each other about Jesus {and they still don't today}
• The people bring Jesus a woman in adultery and ask if they should stone her for her sins; Jesus says the person without sin can throw the first stone; they all left, but Jesus
• Jesus is the light of the world, God is His witness
• Jesus does only what is pleasing to God and to know Jesus is to know the father, but people don't understand
• All honor comes from God
• The people bring Abraham, their father, to the discussion claiming Jesus cannot be greater than him, but Jesus says He was before Abraham and people throw rocks at Him
• People believed God talked to Moses and Abraham but not Jesus
• Jesus heals a man born blind and the Pharisees question him
• Sheep follow the voice of their shepherd because hey know him; follow Jesus, know his voice
• A good owner/shepherd protects His flock and doesn't leave when a wolf comes; He calls his flock together
• The people through they knew God better than Jesus
• Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died and they sent for Jesus; Jesus went knowing he was dead and wept with them, but they went to the tomb and Jesus rose Lazarus from the grave
• Caiaphas foretold Jesus death to save many, the Jewish people
• Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus days before the Passover (preparation for death)
• Leading priests decide they want Lazarus dead to since that miracles is making believers
• Don't say 'father save me' but 'father, bring glory to you'
• Jesus didn't come to judge but to save
• Accept Jesus people = accept Jesus = accept God
• Jesus washes disciples feet
• Jesus talks of His death and Judas betrayal
• Jesus tells Peter he will deny knowing him 3 times
• Jesus is preparing a place in heave for His followers in the many rooms
• God will send the Holy Spirit to His people
• I am a branch, Jesus is the vine; can do nothing without Him
• Love each other as Jesus loves us
• Jesus is a friend
• Jesus followers don't belong to the world
• Jesus tells of what the Holy Spirit will come do
• Short term sadness at Jesus leaving will lead to long term joy
• Jesus will have victory over the world
• Jesus prays for His glory and His followers and those His followers teach to be safe, to join Him and to see the glory
• Judas leads them to arrest Jesus in the garden
• Simon Peter cuts of fa servants eat that comes to arrest and Jesus tells him to put the sword away
• Jesus is questioned by leaders and officials and Peter denies knowing Him
• Jesus connects one of His followers with His mother as family on the way to the cross
• The Jews choose to crucify Jesus and He dies and is buried
• Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty and gets the followers
• Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and she rushes to give the message to the followers
• Jesus appears to the followers in locked rooms twice
• Jesus did so much more on Earth than is written
• Jesus appears again
• Jesus tells Peter to take care of His sheep
• Don't worry what Jesus is doing in another person (no comparisons); focus on your work Jesus leads you

A couple questions I had when reading John:

• Why does the writing describe one as "the one Jesus loved?" Why not list the name?  Jesus loved them all.
• There was a week between the first two times Jesus revealed himself to his followers after his resurrection, where was be the rest of the time?

Hope Heals

I finished this book on vacation last week.  It was an amazing story of love.  Yes, it was a story of hope too, but love was certainly profound throughout the story.  In sickness and in health commitment.  Their unwavering commitment to kindness, faith and each other is inspiring. 

Luke

• Luke write his studies and teachings of Jesus in order
• Zechariah, a priest, saw an angel in the temple who told of his coming son (John) and his ways; he didn't believe and los his ability to speak
• Elizabeth, who was old, did become pregnant
• Elizabeth stayed home 5 months
• The same angel Zechariah saw, went to Mary and tells her she will be pregnant and have Jesus; Mary says let it be so, she BELIEVED
• Mary goes to Elizabeth & John leaped inside Elizabeth and she became full of the Holy Spirit
• Mary praises God, stays with Elizabeth 3 months and returns home
• John was born and their people rejoiced with them; at John's circumcision Elizabeth named him John, but people protested because it was not the family name
• Zechariah wrote "his name is John" and he could speak again and praised God
• John lived in the desert until he came out to preach to Israel
• Cesar required a registration of everyone so Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and there it came time for Mary to give birth; there were no rooms in the inn, she wrapped Him in cloths, laid him in a manger
• Shepherd were in the field nearby when an angel appeared and told them of Jesus birth, so they went and saw and told Mary what the angel had said (she reassured it and through of those things)
• The baby was circumcised and named Jesus as the angel told Mary before the baby was growing in her
• Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to God and make a sacrifice
• Simeon, a good and godly man, had the Holy Spirit and knew he wouldn't die before he saw Christ as promised, Simeon went to the temple and held baby Jesus
• Simeon declared Jesus a light to non-Jewish and a sign from God many people will not accept and what will happen ill make Joseph and Mary sad too
• Joseph and Mary were amazed at what Simeon said
• Prophetess Anna fasted and worshipped and prayed in the temple always, she met Jesus and thanked God and spoke about Him to those waiting for Jerusalem to be free
• Mary and Joseph took Jesus back to Nazareth and raised Him
• After the Passover feast in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph headed home not realizing Jesus wasn't with them for a day; they went back to Jerusalem and found him in the temple listening and asking questions of the teachers
• Jesus told them He was in His father's house, but He returned with Mary and Joseph
• John preaches changed hearts; preparing the way for the Lord
• John preaches that your actions and life show your change, share your abundance and don't be greedy for more
• Jesus will come and baptize with the Holy Spirit
• John baptizes Jesus and the Holy Spirit comes
• Jesus family history (to Adam)
• Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert to be tempted by the devil for 40 days without food - devil tempted Him for food, power and angels
• Jesus teaches and received praise, except in His hometown; Nazareth tried to send Him over a cliff, but Jesus walked through the crowd and away
• Jesus sent an evil spirit out of a man and news of Jesus spread
• Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law from fever and she immediately serves them
• Jesus heals many more people who come to Him, then He went away to a lonely place; the people tried to get Him to return, but He must teach in other areas
• Jesus was teaching a crowd near the shore when He got in a boat and asked Simon to push off from the land so He could continue teaching
• After teaching, Jesus told Simon to put his nets in the deep water (after they'd fished all night for nothing) and they caught so many fish their nets were breaking and boats almost sinking
• Then they follow Jesus and fish for men (Simon, James, John)
• Jesus heals a man with a skin disease and sends him to make an offering quietly, but news of His works spread
• Jesus went away alone to pray often
• Jesus heals a paralyzed man brought to Him through a roof by his friends
• Jesus tells Levi the tax collector to follow Him and Levi hosts his friends and Jesus at dinner
• Jesus came for sinners (tax collectors were sinners)
• Jesus answers a question about His followers fasting - they will when Jesus is taken away
• Jesus followers picked grain to eat on the Sabbath and Pharisees questioned Him; Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
• Jesus heals on the Sabbath because it is good, not evil and Pharisees are angry
• Jesus went away for the night to pray on the mountain, the next day He chose 12 apostles from His followers
• Jesus teaches and heals
• Love your enemies, give expecting nothing in return; even sinners love their friends
• The way you give to others is how God will give to you
• A student can be like the teacher not better
• Don't be a hypocrite
• You are known by the fruit you produce; you speak and act what is in your heart
• Build your house on rock (the Lord); the you can withstand water and shaking
• Jesus heals a soldiers servant - the solider had great faith
• Jesus brings a young man back to life during the funeral, he felt very sorry for the widowed mother
• John was more than a prophet, a messenger; but he is less important than the least important person in the kingdom of God
• Pharisees wouldn't be baptized by John
• Out of great love a woman (sinner) brought perfume and washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried with her hair - her sins were forgiven - as someone who's a bigger debt is forgiven is happier than a small debt washed away
• Jesus, his apostles and some women (healed of sickness) were a group
• Seed planting parable: beside the road = disbelief; rocky ground = shallow roots; thorny weeds = worry and pleasure rule; good soil = good fruit
• Use what you have and share it with others
• Family is who listens to God
• Jesus calms a storm when they are crossing a lake on a boat
• A man with many demons came to Jesus and He forced them out into pigs who ran and drown; the people were afraid once this happened and news spread and asked Jesus to leave - the healed man asked to go too, but Jesus told him to stay and tell of the good God did
• A woman, bleeding 12 years, touches Jesus and is healed because she believed; Jesus feels it and seeks her out in the crowd to hear her story and acknowledge her
• Jesus bring life back to Jarius's daughter (a synagogue leader)
• Jesus sent the apostles out to teach and heal and take nothing with them - He also warned them to shake the dirt off their shoes and leave if they aren't welcome
• Herod (governor) kept hearing people's ideas of who Jesus was: Elijah, John the Baptist, other prophet from long ago - all risen from the dead; Herod tried to see Jesus
• Apostles returned to tell Jesus of their trips alone together, but people discovered where they were and flocked to him (5,000)
• Apostles told Jesus to send the 5,000 away late in the day to find food and places to rest, but Jesus said feed them; Jesus thanked God for their 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed everyone
• Peter answers Jesus that He is the Christ and Jesus tells them not to tell anyone for He will suffer, die and rise
• To follow Jesus you must give up your life
• Jesus, Peter, James and John went up a mountain to pray, during Jesus prayer, His appearance changed and 2 men talked with Jesus (Moses & Elijah) about the coming events in Jerusalem; the disciples were sleepy but saw the glory of Jesus and Peter offered to build them tents, but a cloud covered them and claimed Jesus as His son and to listen to Him - Moses and Elijah were gone and for awhile Peter, James and John didn't tell people what they'd seen
• The next day down from the mountain a man shouted and asked Jesus to heal his only son from an evil spirit that the followers couldn't drive out; Jesus answered that people have no faith and wrong lives and Jesus commanded the demon to leave the boy
• Jesus says He will be handed over, but the followers were hidden from understanding
• The followers argued over who is the greatest, Jesus took a child and said they must accept a child in His name, whoever is least is really the greatest
• If not against you, then for you
• Jesus sent people ahead to prepare for Jerusalem, but the town didn't welcome Him so they went elsewhere  the followers asked if they should destroy the unwelcoming
• When you follow Jesus, you must not look back
• Jesus sends 12 our in pairs to harvest people and pray for more workers to harvest, carry nothing, stay where people give peace, leave if they don't
• If unbelievers refuse to accept the workers, they are refusing God
• Our happiness should come from salvation to heave not for worldly things or obedience of others to you
• Jesus is shown to those like children
• The good Samaritan parable - go and show mercy to people, be a neighbor
• Mary listened to Jesus, the guest, Martha worried and fretted about getting stuff done but that wasn't important, Mary's choice was the more important role
• The Lord's prayer
• Ask and you will find; God wants to help us
• Jesus power is from God not Satan; Satan wouldn't drive demons out and be divided; a house divided falls
• An empty person has room for evil spirits
• Hear God and obey = happiness
• People want a miracle, but none will be given; Jonah is a reminder to our sins
• Be a light and it shines to others; don't let any darkness in
• Jesus accuses Pharisees of focusing on appearance, not heart
• Teacher of the law were offended by Jesus teaching; Jesus told them they made laws they themselves couldn't follow and are hindering others from learning because they aren't
• Don't be a hypocrite, your words will be heard that are said inside, fear God for His power, but you are worth so much He knows how many hairs are on our heads
• Do not speak against the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit will show you what to say
• Don't be greedy
• Storing up things for yourself in greed is useless, store things rich for God
• Seek God's kingdom first, not our own needs
• Do no worry, we cannot add life with worry
• Don't store money here, store faith and hope in heaven so your heart will be there
• Always be ready and welcoming for Jesus
• Much is expected of those with much (trusted)
• Jesus causes division
• Understand Jesus and scripture as we do our world
• Try to settle out of court with your enemy
• Change your hearts and lives so you aren't destroyed
• Those that died in events weren't more sinful than others
• A farmer wanted to get rid of a fig tree with no figs, but the servant asked for 1 more year to try to get it to produce
• Jesus healed a crippled woman with an evil spirit on the Sabbath and the synagogue leader was angry, but Jesus called them hypocrites, they care for their animals even on the Sabbath
• God's kingdom is like a mustard seed
• God's kingdom is like the yeast in the dough
• Jesus taught in many towns on the way to Jerusalem
• The heaven door is narrow; lowest will be high; high will be low
• Pharisees came to tell Jesus of Herod wanting to kill; Jesus says a few days to finish His journey to Jerusalem for He must die there and teach on His way
• People watched Jesus very closely
• Healing on the Sabbath ok for Jesus
• Don't make yourself important; choose a seat that is away and unimportant (humble to great)
• Give, expecting nothing in return
• Invite everyone not just your friends and family
• No one came that was invited to the banquet so they filled it with everyone from the streets
• Love Jesus first and most; give up everything and follow
• The lost sheep and lost coin are worth to be looked for - rejoicing in heave over sinners finding their way - celebrate them
• Celebrate the son who returned home because he learned and changed for good
• A rich man's manager was dishonest with the money he managed
• Dishonest with little = dishonest with lot
• Cannot serve 2 masters: God or worldly riches
• Important to people = hateful in God's sight
• The law of Moses stands
• Divorce and remarriage is adultery
• Lazarus with sores and poor laid at the rich man's gate for scraps of food; when Lazarus died He was with Abraham when the rich man died he could see Lazarus and Abraham from afar and sought help for himself and his family still living but they didn't believe the prophets
• Do not cause others to sin; warn others of sin and forgive them when they do
• Faith the size of a mustard seed can do a lot
• Serve others first, recognize we are unworthy servants doing work we are supposed to do
• Jesus sent 10 men with a skin disease to the priest and when 1 realized he was healed ran back to Jesus to give thanks
• God's kingdom is within you
• The son of man will come again as in the time of Noah and Lot in Sodom - people carried on, lived, drank married until they all died by flood or fire
• When this time comes, remember Lot's wife - don't look back/go back for anything; give up your life to save it
• Always pray, never loose hope
• Humbleness = right with God
• Accept the kingdom of God like a child - let the children come to Jesus
• Rich man asked Jesus how to get to heaven; obey rules, sell everything and follow Jesus
• Hard for rich to get to heaven
• Jesus told disciples of coming death and resurrection as prophets wrote, but understanding was kept from them
• A blind man calls to Jesus on the road and is healed for believing, he followed Jesus and thanked God - those who saw this praised God
• A short Zacheus tax collector ran ahead of Jesus and climbed a tree to see Him; Jesus called him down to stay at his house
• An important man gave coins to men before he left and told them to do business with them; 1 servant returned 10 coins; 1 5 coins and 1 returned 1 coin (should have at least used a bank for interest)
• Trusted with little = trusted with much
• Those with will be given more; those with none will loose everything
• Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey in praise
• Jesus prayed over Jerusalem's future for they didn't recognize God's good salvation
• Jesus turned the tables/den of robbers and threw them out of the temple; He taught in the temple daily
• Some leaders wanted to kill Jesus but didn't know how because so many listened
• Leaders question Jesus' authority
• A farmer leaves his vineyard for others to work and they hurt and kill the people that went to collect his share
• Spies tried to trick jess into saying something so they could turn Him in
• Do we pay taxes? Give Cesar what is his and God what is His.
• Try to trick Jesus again by asking about marriage for a 7x widow in heaven
• Christ is not the Son of David
• Jesus warns to beware of some teachers
• Rich give what they don't need, poor woman with 2 coins gave all she had
• Keep the faith in trails and persecution for your beliefs; it is an opportunity to share Jesus
• When Jerusalem is destroyed, run to the mountains and it will be hard
• When the son of man comes in a cloud in glory, look up in freedom coming
• Earth and sky will go, but never God's word
• Always be ready for Jesus and pray for strength
• Satan enters Judas and he agreed to turn Jesus over for money when he was away from the crowd
• Jesus followers prepare the Passover and they share it together
• Lord's supper takes place with the cup and the bread
• Jesus tells His followers someone will turn against Him
• Don't loose your faith, but before the rooster crows 3x Peter will deny Jesus
• Be prepared for trouble
• Jesus takes His followers to pray, but they fall asleep and He prays passionately alone in sweat and earnest for strength, but God's will to take place, not His
• Judas leads them to arrest Jesus
• Peter denies Jesus 3x
• They make fun of Jesus, but finds no problems
• Pilate, the Roman governor, question Jesus, but finds no problems
• Pilate sent Jesus to Herod who questioned Jesus but Jesus didn't answer; they made fun of Him and sent him back to Pilate
• Pilate and Herod had been enemies but became friends that day (both found no fault with Jesus)
• Pilate was going to punish and release Jesus but the crowd wanted crucifiction and a free Barabbas; Pilate asked 3x before he handed him over
• Simon from Cyrene helped carry Jesus cross
• Jesus is crucified with two other criminals one of them believed, one did not
• Jesus dies after 3 hours of darkness mid day and the temple curtain tears in tow
• A Jewish leader who hadn't been against Jesus took his body to a new tomb
• Women went to care for Jesus body but why are you looking for the living among the dead? - reminded of what Jesus taught and went and told disciples
• Jesus appeared to the followers and they were scared and amazed and happy
• Jesus showed himself to them so they knew He wasn't a ghost and He ate fish
• Jesus opened their minds to understand
• Jesus went with them to Bethany then left them for heaven; the followers went back to Jerusalem and worshipped and praised and stayed in the temple

A Love Worth Giving

This book walked through the piece of the love chapter in 1 Corinthians and explained in detail and examples what it means to love someone from Jesus standpoint.  It resonated and was a great reminder and learning to dive deep into something that can change how I love in our fallen world.