Climbing Higher~ 20th week after Pentecost Oct. 7

Job 1: 1,2:1-10:God asked Satan if he had considered Job who was an upright man. Satan said, "He is upright because you protect him. So God allowed Satan to cause sickness to come upon Job, but did not allow him to die. Yet still, Job remained upright. 

Ps. 25 & 26: David prays for help in affection/ judge, examine, & redeem me and I will praise thee in the temple. 

Heb. 1:1-4: In time past, God spoke to mankind through Prophets. Then he sent Jesus to not only speak to mankind, but to let mankind see what God was like by seeing his son. Not only that, but Jesus also made it possible to have our sins pursed. He now sits on the right hand of God the Father in heaven. 

Mark 10:2-16:The Pharisees tempted Jesus by asking what the law was on marriage and divorce. Jesus gave them God's answer. Then young children were brought to him. His disciples tried to send them away. But when Jesus saw this he was mad. He told them to let the children come to him. And used this situation to teach his disciples that we should have hearts like children. When the children got to Jesus , he laid his hands on them and blessed them. 

Since time began, mankind had experience temptation & affection. In the past, when God's people went through hard times. We see how Job, David, and even Jesus dealt with it (Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Ps. 25 & 26, Mark 10:2-16).  In times past, He sent Prophets to explains and encourage his people. Then God sent his son, Jesus. So that all could see how God wanted us to live our lives. He also took the time to explain things and encourage people (Heb. 1:1-4). 

Challenge of the week:

This week, strive to stay true to how God wants us to live. Taking the time to ask God to examine you to make sure that you are staying true to him. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did it go? Write it down.

Climbing Higher~ 19th week after Pentecost

Ps. 124: All we do is in vain if God is not in it. Children are a gift from God, a man who has many of them is blessed and should be happy. 

Esther 7:1-6,9-10,9:20-22:After hearing that Haman had a law pass to kill all the Jews. Esther has a dinner for the King and asks Haman to come to it also. During the meal she tells the king of this law. The King changed the law to allow the people to protect themselves. Now the Jewish people has a fest each year to remember that God saved them. This all happened after Queen Esther & the Jewish people fasted and prayed. 

James 5:13-20: If anyone among you is sick, pray for them and God will heal them. The prayer of a godly man will do great things. Look at Elias, he prayed that it would not rain. And it did not rain for 6 months. then he prayed that it would rain again and it did. He is our example of the power of prayer. 

Mark 9:38-50: Jesus tells his followers that everyone who does anything in Jesus name shall receive a reward. Then he goes on to say that you should get rid of whatever keeps you from serving God. For what good is a Christian who is not doing the will of God?

Challenge of the week:

This week, work hard to make sure god is in everything you do. Also remember to pray about everything, & everybody. Lastly remember to thank God for all the blessings he has given you. 

Accomplishment of the week:

How did this week's challenge help your walk with God?

Climbing Higher~ 18th week after Pentecost

Prov. 31:Who can find a virtuous woman? She is of higher value than rubies. Then it lists some of what a virtuous woman does. 

Ps. 1: Blessed is the man who stays in God Bible following what it tells us to do, hiding it truths in our heart, & staying away from following after sinful men. God will bless this man. 

James 3:13-4:3,7-8a: Do not be angry and bitter lusting after things you do not have. These feeling is what leads to wars, and killing, but in the end no one wins. Instead  you have a need ask God for it. Summit to God and the devil will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. 

Mark 9:30-37: Jesus tells his followers that to be the greatest among men you need to be a servant. 

In these verses this week, we read of what is expected of a woman of man who follows God should and should not do. 

Challenge of the week:

This week, examine your life and see how you line up to the good and bad examples. Where do you fall short? Ask God to help you to do better and then do as he says. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So what did you find out? How did you and God change that?

Climbing higher~ 17th week after Pentecost

Prov. 1:20-32:Wisdom calls out to us. Bad things will happen when we do not listen.

Ps. 19: The heavens declare the glory of God. You can hear it all over the world. God's Word makes our souls perfect.  We will be rewarded richly for keeping it. Lord, please let my words be pleasing to you.

James 3:1-12: God's followers are told to not sin with what we say. As what we say shows the sin in our hearts. 

Mark 8:27-38:Jesus asks his disciples who people said that he was. Then Jesus asked who they thought that he was. Peter said that he was the Christ. Jesus told them to tell no on of this. Later, Jesus tells them that he will be going to die. Peter yells at him telling not to say that. Jesus called Pete,r Satan and told him to get behind him. Because he was trying to keep him from doing the will of God. Jesus went on to tell them that we have to die of self to follow him. 

We receive wisdom through the Word of God. But it is not enough to read it. We must also follow what it says, living the life as god would want us to. 

Challenge of the week:

This week, read the Bible and act on what you read, for this will please God. 

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you learn that you needed to change while reading the Bible? How did that change help you get closer to God?

Climbing higher~ 16th week after Pentecost

Prov. 22:8-9,22-23:  Speaks of how God will treat the wicked and righteous. 

Ps. 125 or 124: These are songs of degrees. They were ones that the Jewish people sang as they traveled to the temple from their homes far away. These songs speaks of God's blessings in the righteous people and his wrath on the wicked.

James 2:1-10(11-13),14-17:Blessed are those who fall into many different tests and stay faithful though them all. You will be richly rewarded by God on the end. 

Mark 7:24-37:Jesus healed. 

The theme is how God will treat those who are faithful to him and not faithful to him. 

Challenge of the week:

Try to be faithful in how God wants you to live, being faithful to how God wants you to live. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So what trial did you face this week that you were faithful to God on?

Climbing Higher~ 15th week after Pentecost(Sept 2)

Song of Solomon 2:8-13: God calls to those he love to come away with Him.

Ps. 45:1-2,6-9: Song of God's blessings on his anointed.

Or

Ps. 72: Solomon's prayer for an anointed king.

James 1:17-27 :James speaks of how a follower of God should live. This is to show what is in the followers heart.  

Mark 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23 : Jesus said that what is within a man is what will defile him. 

Theme: The responsibilities, and blessings of God's anointed. 

James speaks of the responsibilities of an anointed follower of God should act. We should not do it for show, but as a fruit of what God has put inside our heart (James 1:17-27). Jesus spoke of how even spiritual leaders can not line up. He also said that what defiles us the most is what we say (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23). As the leader of a nation, Solomon prayed for himself to be true to his calling (Ps. 72). He also sings a song speaking of the blessings that God gives to those who stay faithful to God (Ps. 43:1-2,6-9). In song of Solomon Solomon shows how God calls us away to spend time with him (Song od Solomon 2:8-13).

Challenge of the week:

This week, let us answer God's call to come away with him and his Word to feed on His Word and strength. As doing this will give us the wisdom and strength to live as we should. 

Accomplishment of the week:

Did you get away with God? How has that helped refresh you and give you the wisdom and strength to live as you should?

Climbing Higher~ 14th week after Pentecost

1 Kings 8:1,6,(10-11)22-30,40-43: Solomon had the ark brought to the Holy of holies.  God filled the holy place. Solomon then stood before the altar and prayed.

Ps. 84: I love to be in God's house of worship. God is a sun and shield to the upright giving them grace and all good things. 

Eph. 6:10-20: Paul tells of the spiritual warfare and the weapons of it to put on for fighting. He speaks of prayer as one of the weapons. 

John 6:56-69:Jesus feeds the 5,000 men plus women & children, after praying over the food.  Then his disciples goes over the sea. The waves become angry. Jesus walks on the water and they see him. He tells them not to be afraid. 

The theme is prayer.

We see  David singing of how he loved to go and pray in the house of God(Ps. 84). We see his son,Solomon going into the house of God and praying (1 Kings 8:1,6,(10-11), 22-30, 40-43). We see how Jesus was able to feed 5,000+ people with very little food after he prayed over it. We also see David speaking of God being with his people in hard times (Ps. 84). Then we see Jesus coming to his followers during a storm on the waters (John 6:56-69). Lastly, we read how we too can fight spiritual battles when we are dressed in spiritual armor and in prayer (Eph. 6:10-20). 

Challenge of the week:

Remember to use your weapon of prayer 

Accomplishment of the week:

How did using the weapon of prayer help you this week?.

Climbing Higher ~13th week after Pentecost (Aug. 19)

1 Kings 2:10-12;3:3-14: King David dies and his son, Solomon became king & the kingdom did great. Solomon burnt sacrifices to God in the high places. God asked  Solomon what he wanted God to give him. Solomon ask God to be wise enough to rule the people well. God was pleased & not only gave him wisdom, but riches also.

Ps. 111: Praise the Lord for he has done wonderful things.Like give wisdom to all who fear him. 

Eph. 5:15:20:Walk as wise men & redeem the time as the days are evil. How? Do not get drunk, but be filled with the Spirit. Give thanks for all things from God through Jesus. Lastly, speak to each other in Psalms, hymns & spiritual songs. Making melody in your heart to the Lord.

John 6: 51-58:Jesus tells the Jewish people that he was the bread that came down from heaven. He tells them that he is also now the bread of life. 

God wishes to give his people wisdom, but we need to seek it from him. Once way to do that is to ask for it, as Solomon did (1 Kings 2:10-12:3:3-14). Another way is to seek him who is the bread of life, Jesus (John 6:51-58).then search his Word to see how he wishes us to live (Eph. 5:15-20). Lastly, we should thank and praise God in music for his great gifts given to us through Jesus, like wisdom (Ps. 111).

Chalenge of the week:

This week, seek Jesus, His Word for wisdom. then thank & praise him when he gives it to you.

Accomplishment of the week:

What wisdom did God give you this week?