Hey ya'll....
I'm excited about this week's passage!! It has been something I keep going back to a lot. I hope you get something from it!!
If you don't have your Bible in front of you, you can visit this website: www.bible.com There you can put the passage into the search box, and it will find it for you. You can also switch to different translations there!!
When you call someone a "loser" what do you mean? What if someone calls you a loser? Does that give you a wonderful feeling? Do you ever feel like a loser? What does it take to get you out of this 'slump'? Let's look today and see if we really are losers... then, let's see what that does to our thinking!!
Find Romans 8:28-39.
This whole chapter has become one of my favorites over the past several years. I keep going back to different parts of it pretty often!! The passage we are looking at now is basically a big pep talk from our Heavenly Father.
~The first verse we're looking at will probably sound familiar to some of you. Many times, we use this when there is a situation that looks kind of bad, or grim... "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (v28). What does this mean to you? Does it mean that no matter what, everything is good? Explain your thoughts, please!!
~Following v 28, Paul explains that those of us God foreknew (knew before), he predestined to be conformed into the likeness of His Son. That is COOL... you know why?? He 'foreknew' EVERYONE!! Psalms 139 talks about how well, intimately He knows us!! He knew me before I was ever 'knit together' in my mother's womb. Who is it He wants to conform to the image of Jesus? EVERYONE... John 3:16 also says it.... "Whosoever will" WHO EVER!!! That is YOU!!! So, if God knew you before you were created, and chose you.... what does that say to you?
~Verse 31 asks, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? IF God is for us, who can be against us?" So.... if God loves you enough to know you so well even before you are created.... and he chose us.... then... what IS your response? Do you believe it? What about those days when everything is going wrong? Do you FEEL like God is for you on those days? What about when you have a disagreement with someone you love? What about when life is throwing things at you like never before? If God... the God of the universe; the God who created the sunset; the God who made ice cream; the God who created fire flies; THAT God is for you? WHO (bigger than that) can be against you? What do you think about that?
~The other verse I'd like to examine a little bit is verse 37. Between v 31 and 37, Paul talks about God being the one who chooses, justifies and condemns. Then, he asks the question, "Who can separate us from the love of Christ?" But, strangely, doesn't list people, but 'things'.... trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword... those are the things that he asks about. That just about covers it, doesn't it? When you are going through any of these things, don't you feel pretty much like a loser? Do you feel separated from God during these times? Do you feel like He is a million miles away? Do you feel that sometimes you bring these things upon yourself and you don't deserve to be close to God? Or that He doesn't want to be close to you?? Read on, my friend.... v 37 is the coolest... it says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
THAT says a LOT.... what are we? why are we? Not only do we win, we conquer. Not only that we are MORE than a conqueror!! Have you ever seen an unhappy, unsettled, insecure conqueror? YOU are more than that if Jesus lives within you!!! How does that make you feel? How does that change your thinking? Does it speak to you? Respond, please!!!
If you continue reading, Paul lists the things that cannot separate us from the love of Christ.....
Now that we've walked thru this passage a little, think about it: When you feel like a loser, are you really? Is there anything that can 'make' you a loser? Are there any losers in this world? If so, who? Talk to us about your thoughts on this passage.....
Remember: YOur comments will not post immediately. Me or Chris have to approve them. Also, what do you think.... you wanna share this blog with your friends? It's alright with me!! Is it alright with you?
I love you guys.... I am better for knowing you and I appreciate what you mean to me!!
Live your life like a conqueror this week!! Walk tall and confident in the Father's love for you!!!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Jesus' Question
So, here we go!! I am going to post some scripture and some questions. Please respond to questions!! You can also respond to someone else's comment, if you want. If that makes you think of another question, please post that for us to ponder, as well!! Hope this will get us all thinking!!!
If you have trouble, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I think I've got it set up right, but I'm still learning so, we'll see!!
Please read John 5:1-15
As you read; ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see in this passage.
I'd also like you to think about the possible sights, smells and sounds that were happening in this passage. We read that this pool was near the Sheep Gate (shoooo weeee); there were many disabled people (which would mean lots of things.... blind, lame (can't walk), mute, mentally challenged, etc)
The next thing I'd like to ponder a minute was the length of time this man had been 'invalid'.... 38 years!! That is a LONG time... your whole life plus a lot. Almost my whole life!! This was a lame man (Jesus saw him lying there; later Jesus said, "Get up!!" We don't know WHY he couldn't walk, just couldn't!) What would it mean not to be able to walk? How would that affect life?
Here is how this pool worked. The water was still in the pool and at different times, the water would begin to stir. When the water would begin to stir, the people would scramble to get into the pool, because the first one in would be healed of whatever their ailment was. (Some versions of the Bible have a verse that explains that an angel of the Lord would stir the water.) So, we learn of this man who had had some kind of issue for 38 years ~
We see in verse 6, Jesus saw him lying there and learned he'd been in this condition a long time, then he asks a question. Re-read that section and think about that question.....
Alright: Now that you have a good idea of maybe what the scene looks like, lets get to the questions..... Comment on one or all, but please participate!!!
1. Verse 3 tells us there were a 'great number' of disabled people surrounding this pool. What kind of people do you think these were? Do you think this was a pleasant place to be? Do you think there were people who were not disabled there? What kind of risk was involved in going here? (For both disabled and non disabled people?)
2. Verse 5 says, "One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years." Define invalid for me. How does a person come to be an invalid? What does valid mean? What do you think, in Jesus day, it meant to have a physical or mental difference? Do you ever feel like an invalid? Do you see others around you that perhaps feel like an invalid?
3. In verse 6, Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to get well?" Why do you think He asks that question? Wouldn't one assume if this man is at the pool he would want to get well? (Do you think the man wanted to say, "DUH... I'm here aren't I?')
4. Is the man giving excuses or reasons that he is unable to get into the water? What is the difference? Do you think if a person gives reasons for doing/not doing something others can see that as excuses? Is it our business? Does it matter? What did Jesus do? (WHether it was reason or excuse, Jesus just healed the dude. It didn't matter to him, apparently.)
5. The man, who hadn't walked in 38 years, got up and walked.... "at once"... that is pretty cool. But, the Jews were focused on what? (verse 10) So, what do you think about that? Do things like this happen now? (Do we see/hear of miracles happening right before our eyes but miss it because we are focused elsewhere?)
6. The man who was healed didn't have a clue who Jesus was!! Can you imagine?? All this dude knew was that he was at the pool waiting for the water to stir, knew he probably wasn't going to get in first, but still stayed there. (Maybe he had no way to get home. Maybe he had no home, and this was his only hope?) THen, this man shows up, asks a question and BOOM, he's walking like nothing was ever wrong!! Then, later, Jesus finds him at the temple and tells him to stop sinning. The passage doesn't say Jesus introduced himself to the man, but after the 2nd encounter, the man says it was Jesus who made him well. Has Jesus ever showed up in your life, but you didn't recognize Him? How do you think this man's life changed (besides the obvious)? When you realize that Jesus has been around in your life, does that change your life? The man by the pool walked differently (obviously), talked differently (didn't understand what had happened, but told people), his whole life was changed in just a few minutes.
What have I left out? What did you see in this passage? What can you take away from this? Have you learned something? WIll you look at people differently? Will you look at yourself differently?
I hope you have a great week. I"m looking forward to hearing from all of you!!
If you have issues, either FB me, or email me (ckmiller5@gmail.com)
I love you! You are precious!!
Krista
If you have trouble, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I think I've got it set up right, but I'm still learning so, we'll see!!
Please read John 5:1-15
As you read; ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see in this passage.
I'd also like you to think about the possible sights, smells and sounds that were happening in this passage. We read that this pool was near the Sheep Gate (shoooo weeee); there were many disabled people (which would mean lots of things.... blind, lame (can't walk), mute, mentally challenged, etc)
The next thing I'd like to ponder a minute was the length of time this man had been 'invalid'.... 38 years!! That is a LONG time... your whole life plus a lot. Almost my whole life!! This was a lame man (Jesus saw him lying there; later Jesus said, "Get up!!" We don't know WHY he couldn't walk, just couldn't!) What would it mean not to be able to walk? How would that affect life?
Here is how this pool worked. The water was still in the pool and at different times, the water would begin to stir. When the water would begin to stir, the people would scramble to get into the pool, because the first one in would be healed of whatever their ailment was. (Some versions of the Bible have a verse that explains that an angel of the Lord would stir the water.) So, we learn of this man who had had some kind of issue for 38 years ~
We see in verse 6, Jesus saw him lying there and learned he'd been in this condition a long time, then he asks a question. Re-read that section and think about that question.....
Alright: Now that you have a good idea of maybe what the scene looks like, lets get to the questions..... Comment on one or all, but please participate!!!
1. Verse 3 tells us there were a 'great number' of disabled people surrounding this pool. What kind of people do you think these were? Do you think this was a pleasant place to be? Do you think there were people who were not disabled there? What kind of risk was involved in going here? (For both disabled and non disabled people?)
2. Verse 5 says, "One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years." Define invalid for me. How does a person come to be an invalid? What does valid mean? What do you think, in Jesus day, it meant to have a physical or mental difference? Do you ever feel like an invalid? Do you see others around you that perhaps feel like an invalid?
3. In verse 6, Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to get well?" Why do you think He asks that question? Wouldn't one assume if this man is at the pool he would want to get well? (Do you think the man wanted to say, "DUH... I'm here aren't I?')
4. Is the man giving excuses or reasons that he is unable to get into the water? What is the difference? Do you think if a person gives reasons for doing/not doing something others can see that as excuses? Is it our business? Does it matter? What did Jesus do? (WHether it was reason or excuse, Jesus just healed the dude. It didn't matter to him, apparently.)
5. The man, who hadn't walked in 38 years, got up and walked.... "at once"... that is pretty cool. But, the Jews were focused on what? (verse 10) So, what do you think about that? Do things like this happen now? (Do we see/hear of miracles happening right before our eyes but miss it because we are focused elsewhere?)
6. The man who was healed didn't have a clue who Jesus was!! Can you imagine?? All this dude knew was that he was at the pool waiting for the water to stir, knew he probably wasn't going to get in first, but still stayed there. (Maybe he had no way to get home. Maybe he had no home, and this was his only hope?) THen, this man shows up, asks a question and BOOM, he's walking like nothing was ever wrong!! Then, later, Jesus finds him at the temple and tells him to stop sinning. The passage doesn't say Jesus introduced himself to the man, but after the 2nd encounter, the man says it was Jesus who made him well. Has Jesus ever showed up in your life, but you didn't recognize Him? How do you think this man's life changed (besides the obvious)? When you realize that Jesus has been around in your life, does that change your life? The man by the pool walked differently (obviously), talked differently (didn't understand what had happened, but told people), his whole life was changed in just a few minutes.
What have I left out? What did you see in this passage? What can you take away from this? Have you learned something? WIll you look at people differently? Will you look at yourself differently?
I hope you have a great week. I"m looking forward to hearing from all of you!!
If you have issues, either FB me, or email me (ckmiller5@gmail.com)
I love you! You are precious!!
Krista
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Welcome....
"Welcome to what?" you may ask!! Welcome to a new school year!! Welcome to a fresh opportunity!! Welcome to our brand new Blog!!
Each year while you were in youth, many of you participated in mission trips and centrifuge! If you did go on these trips, you know the frustration of being there (wherever it was... Ecuador, New Orleans, Centrifuge, etc) and wanting to continue the 'camp high'.... that is why we are going to blog. We want to continue some of those things that created the camp high!
I'm not really hung up on numbers, however, there is an overwhelming and alarming number I'd like you to know about. The funny thing is, I don't even KNOW the number! Haa haa. Here it is: According to statistics; something like 80% (this is the number I do not know!) of high school graduates NEVER return to being actively involved in a church once they leave home! That is SCARY to me!! I have had the honor or watching most of you grow from aggravating middle schoolers into wonderful young adults. You have so much to offer those around you. I have seen you grow in your walk with your Jesus, and I do NOT want to see that stop just because you aren't at home any longer.
So, we are going to give this blog a go... see what happens. Here is how it will work:
Each week (Sunday night, most likely) I will post a scripture and a few discussion questions.
You, at some point in the week, will visit the blog and respond to the questions!!
How does that sound? Easy? I sure hope so!!! I do not want this to be a burden at all, but something you look forward to.
I will also create a post for you to comment on relating to prayer requests.
I want this to be YOURS.... so... What suggestions do you have??
Also, I am making this a 'closed' blog. That way, not just anyone can leave comments!! IT does NOT have to be only FBCBlairsville friends, it can be friends you have while you are at school, I will just have to give them permission to join!!
So, what do you think? Ready to get started?
Love you bunches.....
Krista
Each year while you were in youth, many of you participated in mission trips and centrifuge! If you did go on these trips, you know the frustration of being there (wherever it was... Ecuador, New Orleans, Centrifuge, etc) and wanting to continue the 'camp high'.... that is why we are going to blog. We want to continue some of those things that created the camp high!
I'm not really hung up on numbers, however, there is an overwhelming and alarming number I'd like you to know about. The funny thing is, I don't even KNOW the number! Haa haa. Here it is: According to statistics; something like 80% (this is the number I do not know!) of high school graduates NEVER return to being actively involved in a church once they leave home! That is SCARY to me!! I have had the honor or watching most of you grow from aggravating middle schoolers into wonderful young adults. You have so much to offer those around you. I have seen you grow in your walk with your Jesus, and I do NOT want to see that stop just because you aren't at home any longer.
So, we are going to give this blog a go... see what happens. Here is how it will work:
Each week (Sunday night, most likely) I will post a scripture and a few discussion questions.
You, at some point in the week, will visit the blog and respond to the questions!!
How does that sound? Easy? I sure hope so!!! I do not want this to be a burden at all, but something you look forward to.
I will also create a post for you to comment on relating to prayer requests.
I want this to be YOURS.... so... What suggestions do you have??
Also, I am making this a 'closed' blog. That way, not just anyone can leave comments!! IT does NOT have to be only FBCBlairsville friends, it can be friends you have while you are at school, I will just have to give them permission to join!!
So, what do you think? Ready to get started?
Love you bunches.....
Krista
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