The thirty-one day challenge

My friend recently challenged me to read 10 chapters of the NT a day for a month. At this rate, you go through the whole NT 3 times by the end of the month. I am already behind, but decided today would be night 2. Am very excited to see what God will teach me during this time as well as eagerly anticipating a comprehensive overview of the NT.

For the next several posts, am looking to write down what God has been showing me through this reading. But first, want to share a poem that I wrote on October 30th.

Timing and Speech - John 1

When the priests and Levites question John about who he was, he does not give them an answer which they expected. I find it interesting the humility with which John answers them. Instead of becoming puffed up and pretending to be someone of immense significance, such as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet,(which they asked him if he was) John says, "I am the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
The group can't seem to deal well with this answer so they say, "'Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?' John answered them, 'I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'"
An honest and humble answer, pointing significance to Christ. Verse 29 says that "The next day he saw Jesus coming." Imagine if John had not given glory to Christ. What if he had claimed credit for himself and not been honest with the priests and Levites, who were sent by the Pharisees? How awful and foolish would he have felt on seeing Christ the very next day?
He was a worker who was not ashamed when Christ appeared. I want to be that way as well: steadfast, not slipping in testimony, not faltering, giving an honorable and pleasing representation of who God is.
We must be pure and steadfast, holy and set apart. Pursuing a closer walk with Who we potray and conscious of How we potray Him who takes preeminence over any personal desire for gain, acceptance, or worth.

Bible Study and David Platt

Began watching a session by David Platt,author of Radical and pastor of Brook Hills, recorded during his secret church service meeting. The portion I viewed discussed how to study the Bible. He made an interesting point of not just studying it to get an application. He said that should be the final step, not the initial step. I believe this is an easy pattern to fall into for most believers. Hope soon to list some of his suggestions for Bible study.

Procrastination Prevents Progress

For too many years, I've allowed myself to think that progress simply happens. Now, if you asked me, "Do you just naturally get smarter and accomplish goals without effort?" I would reply, "Why, no, that's simply ludicrous!" But in reality, I've allowed myself to live that way. Yes, I've pursued goals that I've had and followed routines in order to achieve an education. However, it's much harder now that I'm out to pursue the areas that seem important. It's not from a lack of desire, just a lack of organized time. When you don't organize your time, then your goals don't get accomplished. Thankfully there is a remedy: find out how much time you spend in different areas. Plan out your free time. Okay, so not orginal ideas, but they work! In my family, it can be a little hard to do this due to having a needy handicapped brother who likes to demand attention. However, when I look at the situation honestly, I realize I could be doing much more with my time, rather than wasting it. I think we have to start with the knowledge that time is God's, abilities are God's, and we can only make of ourselves what God wants us to by being good stewards of both of these aspects. Easy? No. Possible? Yes, most definitely.

Planning must involve wisdom and a practical outlook to what we can really do with our time. The idealistic approach doesn't generally pan out. But God doesn't tempt us with abilities that we can further. He provides a way. I'm not going to magically learn the areas of Greek such as present tense, present progressive (or whatever it's called) that will help me understand my Bible better. I'm not going to become fluent in another language by thinking about how necessary it is. It can be hard because life happens, other people tend to impose on your schedule, and flexibility is a must. But perseverance produces progress. And God can give you strength.

What's My Motivation - - Accolades?

What is my motivation for helping those in my family?
I think when I was younger and, sadly, even throughout many of my teen and young adult years it has been to hear a "Well-done." I enjoy recognition and proving my worth.

A very interesting thought hit me recently: Do I serve for the person or for the praise? Seriously, though, do I sacrifice my time and energy in order to make someone's life easier because I love them or because I want to get the praise I know will emanate from their lips after the fact?

I think this feeling surfaces when you are a people-pleaser and when the duty you're doing is for someone close to you -- someone whose praise means a lot to you.
I think also that these two feelings can be intertwined at times. But the difference surfaces when you perform the service regardless of whether that person consistently verbally recognizes your efforts or not. Also, you will continue to do so even when you know that person will not notice that you are the one who's accomplished this task on his or her behalf.

Feelings make a difference too. No, I'm not suggesting you only help other people that you love when you feel like it or when you can't think of anything else you'd rather do with your time so you might as well help someone in your family out. That's not what I'm talking about at all.

What I'm referring to is the desire to make someone's life easier. The desire to do so which produces the will power to do so. Praying for a servant's heart enables you to see people's lives and duties in a different perspective -- as an opportunity to see what they need and to feel that need. That comes from God.

Furthermore, just like the initial feeling or motivation is different so is the resulting feeling. You will be satisfied that you were able to help out, even if the person shows absolutely no verbal gratitude.

Rewards in heaven, right? But also the ability to make a difference just by noticing needs and acting. Do I serve for the person or for the praise? God knows our heart. Do we?

Psalm 139:23-14
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

Taking a Stand: Take Courage

(referring to Martin Luther King Jr. during an address in Washington): "Nothing in his expression acknowledged the fact that death was waiting for him just around the corner. Perhaps he was genuinely unaware, in spite of the threats piling up around him. Perhaps instead, he'd come to terms with the fact that truth telling and dying often go hand in hand" (p. 212).

Notes from the Underground: "Never a coward at heart" though "always a coward in action."

"I do not see how we can rule anybody unless we start by ruling oursleves" Catherine of Siena.

"who willingly place themselves in danger for th esake of those less pwerful"(p. 237)