As I've been reading along on this challenge, I am amazed at the different aspects that I've been reading. Usually I will read for a good heartfelt word (am I the only one to admit that?), but this time I've been paying more attention to who's writing and truly analyzing the words that they are saying.
I'll begin with Philippians...
I've read Philippians several times before, but again I'll confess that I typically only read out of desire to receive a word from the Lord. This time I understood that it was Paul who was writing, which is something that I'll admit to struggling with. I've always admired when individuals can say "(So & So) writes/says in the book of _______________." I never truly understood how they knew who was writing until I actually paid attention this time. Here are some of my favorite verses from Philippians.....
Philippians 1:20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
- I DESIRE TO BE BOLD FOR CHRIST. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY SHAME IN PROFESSING MY LOVE FOR MY SAVIOR!
Philippians 2:2-11 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:13-16 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
-HAVE A CHRISTLIKE ATTITUDE! Something that we ALL struggle with is living a life that reflects the attitude of Christ. I know for sure that this is something that I have to constantly remind myself.
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
-Self explanatory... WORRY ABOUT NOTHING! PRAY ABOUT ALL THINGS! TELL GOD WHAT YOU NEED AND THANK HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE!
Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
-ALL OF MY NEEDS HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED!
Now let's go to Titus...
I thoroughly enjoyed Titus. My favorite chapter out of the book was chapter 2. Prior to reading this book I've desired to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, but after reading I want to be a replica of the Proverbs 31 AND the Titus 2 woman.
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
I believe that something we lack now is the promotion of right teaching. Many of us have the "She can read the Bible like I do" mentality and refuse to guide other men and women of Christ into living right. I pray that I can have a change of mind and a change of heart, and that I can gain a mentality of "This is my Sister in Christ who needs guidance."
On to Philemon...
Although this book is only one chapter in length, that one chapter spoke a great volume. I loved what Paul said to Philemon in verse 4-6,
I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.We are instructed to pray for another, and Paul prayed for Philemon, thanking God for him. How often do we thank God for our brothers and sisters in Christ? How often do we pray for them? How often do we pray and thank God for our friends?
Lastly Jude....
I've never read Jude, and to be honest I often forget that this book exists until now. Again another one chapter book that contains so much. What stuck out to me in Jude was his call to remain faithful, especially verses 20-23
20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[g] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.22 And you must show mercy to[h] those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,[i] but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.[j]I interpreted this as Jude instructing us to lead others to Christ. By doing this, we are remaining faithful to Christ.
Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
Here's the schedule of what you have to look forward to...
- January 13 - Colossians 1
- January 14 - Colossians 2
- January 15 - Colossians 3
- January 16 - Colossians 4
- January 17 - James 1
- January 18 - James 2
- January 19 - No Reading/Discussion Day
- January 20 - James 3
- January 21 - James 4
- January 22 - James 5
- January 23 - 1 Thessolonians 1 & 2
- January 24 - 1 Thessolonians 3 & 4
- January 25 - 1 Thessolonians 5
- January 26 - No Reading/Discussion Day
- January 27 - 2 Thessoloninans 1 & 2
- January 28 - 2 Thessonolonians 3
- January 29 - No Reading
- January 30 - No Reading
- January 31 - No Reading
Be blessed as I am being blessed through the readings.
-The King's Daughter
It's amazing how the Bible becomes real to us when we take the time to read it and meditate on it!
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm learning the importance of taking a hiatus from daily distractions and focusing my sight on God and meditating on His word.
DeleteThank you so much for reading this blog as well :-)
This plan is amazing!! After the first day, I found myself praying that I could become more Christ-like. Jesus was the ultimate example of how we should be. Philippians 2:14 says "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation." I admit that I need to better. I am guilty of falling short. Philippians 4:6 "Let your requests be made known to God." This verse really stood out to me. There have been so many times when I just feel as if my prayers are going unanswered. But at the end of the day, I know that God's timing is perfect. I cannot get mad because things do not happen on my time. I told myself that there is no need to be anxious, there is no need to worry or complain. I can just take my request directly to God. Titus 2 was everything to me! We always talk about the Proverbs 31 woman, but what about the Titus 2 woman? Where is she? Verses 3-5: "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." I pray that I can be like this Titus 2 woman. Just like you Latrica, I have never read Jude. But as you said, it has so much information in it. I trust that God will give me the strength to represent Him in this world.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of this plan has been so powerful, I am excited to continue!
It is truly my desire to have an attitude like Christ. I don't understand how we can thrive as Christians without being a reflection of Him.
DeleteI just want to thank you times infinity for following this plan with me. It is so encouraging for me to know that someone else is taking the time to follow along with something that the Lord placed in my heart.