The Cares of This Life

Entire text for today: Luke 7:31 - Luke 21:38

Luke 21:34

34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drukenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

The cares of this life? How many times do we say I'll read that verse tomorrow, pray a little more tomorrow, go to church tomorrow, because today I have that big project. Today I have to worry about work and if I don't work then I won't be able to take care of my family. Today I need to go to class otherwise I will not be able to have the career that I want.

Jesus was fully aware that it would be in our human nature to put off our spiritual life and focus on the physical world surrounding us. Prior to this verse He describes the coming end of the world and extols the need for us to be prepared for His arrival. Does this mean we should neglect our jobs to be more prayerful? Absolutely not. We are told not to let our hearts be overcharged. What happens when all we do is focus on the things of this world? We tend to become very tired and very drained. At times we may seek outlets to release the stress and these outlets may then take over our hearts. Surfeiting (overeating) and drinking are some of the examples Christ gives but there are many other activities that we may place more value and time. When these things overcome our hearts we are even less likely to focus on the spiritual.

In handling the rigors of our every day lives we should take care to make time for Christ. It is really tempting to focus only on the things of this world but bear in mind, the physical is temporary and handling the stress of life will be easier when we set time aside for the spiritual.

In Christ's Love,
Phoebe Jane

The Words of Others

From October 25, 2010

Entire text for the day Mark 2:13 - Luke 7:23

Matthew 5:11-12

11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12) Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Luke 6:22-23

22) Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. 23) Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Words can be such powerful things. Through the use of words one can uplift an entire nation, and tear down a person's life. There has been many talk of words in the news today. Bullying has taken center stage as people have resorted to taking their lives after enduring such harsh words.

How should one deal with bullying and other harsh words? False stories that are spread to demean your character in the eyes of others ? Misconceptions that have been repeated or construed solely for the benefit of the perpetrator?

The Bible tells us that those of us on the receiving end of such treatment will be blessed for our efforts of endurance. Some may read the passages and say "no, one will only be blessed if they are persecuted for Christ." That is true. However, take this into account. How often will one tell you the reason why they are spreading such slanderous lies? Most of them will never admit their acts to your face. Lies are usually spread when there is nothing truthful about your behavior that can be used against you. What does this all mean?

When you try to model your life in the way God instructs us to, there is very little that people can use against us. Instead, they create falsities to tear down our desecrate our reputations, and to make us feel low. Since our way of living is in the way of Christ, we are being reviled for His sake. Now if we were to stoop to the level of those who are busy mud-slinging, gone are those blessings that we are promised. For our behaviour is not that of Christ.

These verses were too inspire us in our time of frustration with the acts of others. We are told to hold on to joy and be glad. That may seem a very difficult task, but Jesus not only said it, he lived it as false witnessed came before the high priest and told lies in order for Christ to be crucified. (Matthew 26:60-61)

Not only do the verses serve as inspirations, they also serve as a warning. Christ is letting us know, they dealt badly with the prophets, they dealt badly with Him and they will deal badly to you. Keep this in mind when you hear that rumour or that lie and know that although we may feel discouraged, we will blessed for the evil deeds committed against us.

In Christ's love,
Phoebe Jane

Then Tear the Roof Off

The entire text I read for today: Mark 1:1-3:6

Mark 2:2-5

2) And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3) And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4) And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Ever really wanted to accomplish a task that proved too daunting? Situations seemed insurmountable, like there was nothing you could do to make this happen?

In the passage above a group of friends ventured to the city of Capernaum in search of a healer to help their friend born with palsy. However, when they arrived they found the house was packed with too many people. Most people would have seen the crowd, heard no one else was allowed in and went home. In fact, many people may have walked away, but this passage is not about those who gave up. This group of friends were so determined, they climbed the house, tore a hole in the roof, and lowered their sick friend to Christ.

How often do we see the crowds and turn around and go home? We see the difficulty and give up despite all the effort we put in to come this far. If this sounds too much like a previous reading, I would not be surprised. The Bible is full of examples of those who overcame the odds, stepped out on faith, and completed their journeys. Are these coincidences? Did God need a break from talking about heaven and hell, love and repentance and needed a few other stories to use as filler? Nothing in the Bible is a coincidence or an afterthought! God knew that we would all be faced with challenges and need constant reminders to have faith and push through the obstacles to accomplish our goals.

So, when you are faced with what may appear to be immovable barriers keeping you from your mission, do not be afraid to scale the wall and tear the roof off.

In Christ's love,
Phoebe Jane

Even Unto the End of the World

Once again, I got carried away with the things of this life and I've been putting off my Bible readings. I can give a long list of excuses, but they are just that, excuses. You may be interested in knowing that although I have not updated in some time, I have been reading a verse or two here and there. As such, this morning's readings concludes the book of Matthew. I will be starting the book of Mark in my next reading.

The entire text I read for today: Matthew 25:47 - 28:20

Matthew 28:19-20

19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; 20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever i have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Loneliness can be such a difficult emotion. Feeling as though no one understands or cares can be very draining and dangerous. In the book of Genesis God said "...It is not good for man to be alone..." (Genesis 2:18) However, what happens when it seems that everyone has turned against you? Your family, your friends? According to the verses above, we are never truly alone. God promises to be with us always. How encouraging to know that no matter what others may do or say, we do not have to fear getting through life's challenges on our own. So when we here that voice of doubt telling us to give up, no one else cares. Remember, that promise, that God will be with us, even until the end of the world.

In Christ's love,
Phoebe Jane

War & Rumours of War

The entire text I read for today: Matthew 21:33-24:36

Matthew 24:3-11, 23-27, 36

3) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4) And Jesus answered unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5) for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7) For nations shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. 8) All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9) Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11)And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

23)Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24)For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch, that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25)Behold I have told you before. 26)Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27) For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even into the west; so shall also be the coming of the Son of man be.

36)But of that day and hour knoweth no man, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.


Hollywood has taken off on the public's fascination with the end of the world through movies like Armageddon, The Knowing, and 2012. Lots of attention is given to the Mayan calendar as the year 2012 approaches. Some might think this curiosity surrounding of end times is fairly recent, and that in "the olden days" no one thought of such things. However, that is not the case.

The disciples asked Christ when the end was coming. They figured if anyone would know it would be Him. He gives them a list scenarios that make CNN and MSNBC look like prophecy revealed:

Wars and rumours of war? Who is not warring and/or threatening to war?

Nations against nations? Middle East, Africa, South America...

Famines? Check.

Earthquakes? Check again.

Then Christ talks about false prophets and those doing such wondrous things that even politicians and heads of churches will fall for their tricks and believe their lies. However, He instructs us that when Christ returns there will be no doubt, like lightening that flashes across the sky. All the world will see it and know.

So, what does this mean? The fact that the Bible written years and years ago and all these things He told us will happen has and continues to come to past. As such, we should not place grave concern on the final day. It is good to be informed and knowledgeable of current world events, but the fear of what we see on the news should not control our lives.

Christ tells us no man knows the time but God. So forget Nostradamus, do not fear 2012 or any other story that you may happen across. But live in the knowledge and peace that God knows what will happen and He is ultimately in control.

In Christ's Love,
Phoebe Jane

Mountains to Move?

The entire text I read for today is Matthew 19-21:22


Matthew 21:18-22

18)Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19)And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and he said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20)And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled saying, How soon is it the fig tree withered away! 21) Jesus verily answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22)And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive.

Can you even imagine? Faith so strong that you you can order a tree to wither and it will do so at your command? Or ordering a mountain to be cast into the sea and Mt Everest, picking itself up and throwing itself into the ocean? These feats seem extraordinary, and yet we are told by Christ himself that if we have enough faith with NO doubt and believing we can accomplish these things.

How often have we come to obstacles in our lives and said it was impossible? How many goals and dreams have we abandoned because it just seems too hard? God tells us whatever we ask in prayer believing we shall receive!! The thought of this can be really encouraging in a time when the media may be disheartening in the news stories that they cover and when friends, co-workers and even family may try to stomp on your dreams. Remember God's words. Keep them in your heart and in your mind through your trials today and everyday.

In Christ's Love,
Phoebe Jane

~~~

Cover to Cover

I have heard many people say:

"I have read the Bible from cover to cover"

I commend these people. Sadly, this does not describe me. Although, I am pretty sure I have read the entire Bible by gathering the pieces from here and there that I have read, I cannot say I have read the Bible from cover to cover.

This has to change.

It's not that I haven't tried. I have started many times in the Book 0f Genesis trying to work my way to Revelations. However, I usually stop when I reach a set of genealogy.

As a way of holding my self accountable and keeping myself motivated, I decided to do the following:

1) I will begin reading the New Testament and moving to the old. That is one of the great things about this Holy Book. Reading in this manner will not hamper my understanding in any way.

2) I will be posting some thoughts and things that I have learned to this blog.

3) I will be sending some of the things I find via email to those that I feel would feel as if they benefit from some meditations on scripture.

I have been doing this for about a week now. My posts will start with today's reading of the Word. However, I will write about my previous readings this week.

Such wonderful things have been reminded to me in the reading of the Book of Matthew. I pray that I can stay focused and dedicated to remembering God's Word every day.

In Christ's Love,
Phoebe Jane