Digging Deeper~ 24th week after Pentecost

Jud. 4:1-7:The children of Israel did evil in the site of the Lord, so God let King Jabin oppress them for 20 years. God rose up Deborah to be judge over them. They went to her to be judged. 

Ps. 123: A song that speaks of ever keeping our eyes on God. 

1 Thess. 5:1-11:Paul speaks to the Thessalonians of how the 2ed coming of Jesus will be like and how they are do act until He comes. One thing we should do is be ever watchful for it.

Mat. 25: 14-30:Jesus tells a story showing what the Kingdom of heaven is like. In this one he tells of a man who gives talents to men before he goes away. Then it tells of how he rewards them when he come back by how they used the talents. 

The theme is being faithful to God & his will. 

In  Psalms 123, we read a song that tells the Israelites to every keep the eyes on God and be faithful to him. In Judges 4:1-7, we see what happened to the Israelites when they were not faithful to God and his will for them. They undergone 20 years of oppression from King Jabin of Canaan. We also see how Deborah was faithful in judging the people during that time. 

Jesus tells a story about the the kingdom of heaven and talents God gives to us to to use for the kingdom of God (Mat. 25:14-30). This story tells us what God expects us to be doing after we become Christians until the day we either die or Jesus comes back for us. Paul tells the Thessalonians to be ever watching for Christ's return (1 Thess. 5:1-11).

Challenge of the week:

This week, seek ways to keep your eyes on God, the kingdom of God while using your talents for Him & growing the kingdom of heaven. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did you go about doing the challenge? How did that bring you closer to your spiritual goal & God?

Digging Deeper~ 23rd week after Pentecost

Jos. 24:1-3a,14-25:Joshua tells the people what God told him to say. That they now needed to choose whom they would serve the real God or the gods of Egypt. Then he said, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Ps. 78:1-7: a song telling the people to listen when Jesus spoke of the Godly things in stories called parables. 

1 Thess. 4:13-18: Paul encourages the Thessalonians about those who died as Christians raising from the dead first when Christ returns. 

Mat. 25: 1-13:Jesus shares a story explaining that we must be ever watching for Christ's return or we will miss going into the kingdom of heaven. 

 Just like the people of God had to do when thy were getting ready to enter the promised land. Each day, we must choose whom we will serve also (Jos. 24:1-3a, 14-25). Jesus shared many stories that explained God &  the kingdom of heaven(Mat. 25:1-13). God's people use to sing a song letting God's people to listen when Jesus comes and tells the stories called parables (Ps.78:1-7).We too should listen and learn from his parables. As well as the whole word of God.

Challenge of the week:

This week let's be more active in the kingdom of God.

Accomplishment of the week:

How did you do? How did that help your walk with God?

Digging Deeper~ 22ed week after Pentecost

Jos.3:1-17:God talks to Joshua telling him how to get the people across the Jordon River. 

Ps. 107:1-7,33-37:Song of how God lead the Israelites out of bondage, across the river and into the promised land. 

1 Thess. 2:9-13:Paul speaks to the Thessalonians of how he had worked day and night while preaching to them so not to burden them. 

Mat. 23:1-12:Jesus tells he followers to obey what the scribes & Pharisees who sit on the seat of Moses says, but not how they live. For they seek to lord over people. God's leaders should serve and not be served. 

The theme is being a leader for God among the people. In these verses above, we read how those who lead others should say & act. We also read the warning of how leaders should not act. 

Challenge of the week:

This week search yourself to make sure you are leading others in the way in which god wants you to do. 

Accomplishment of the week:

In doing the challenge of the week, what did you find out? How did you go about fixing it?

Digging Deeper~ 21st week after Pentecost

Deut. 34:1-12: Moses is the only prophet that ever talked face to face with God until Jesus came to earth. But he disobeyed God, so God took him up on a mountain and let him see the land that was promised to the Jewish people. then told him that he would not let him go into the land. then Moses died there & God buried him. But before Moses died, he laid hands on Joshua. 

Ps.90: 1-6,13-17: A prayer Moses prayed.

1 Thess. 2:1-8: Paul, Silas, and Timothy write to the Thessalonians thanking God that they show their faith by showing love to one another, as well as, endure hardship for Christ. 

Mat. 22:34-46:The Pharisees test Jesus in asking him which is the greatest commandment. Jesus silences them when he sums up all the commandments in 2 commandments. Then Jesus asks them a question that they can not answer. So they leave him.

The theme is obeying God & loving your neighbor. In doing both, we fulfill all of God's commandments. We see what can happen when we do not obey God in Moses' life(Deut. 34:1-12).

Challenge of the week:

This week work to obey God's Word & love your neighbor. 

Accomplishment of the week:

In what ways did you accomplish the challenge of the week?

Digging Deeper~20th week after Pentecost

Ex. 33: 12-23: Moses talks God into showing mercy to the Israelites when God wanted to destroy them because of their lack of faith in Him. 

Ps.99: A song of praise for God leading and reigning over his people.

1 Thess. 1:1-10:Paul praises the Thessalonians for their great faith & in living that faith out as they told other about Jesus.

Mat.22:15-22: The Pharisees try to trick Jesus by asking him if it is lawful to pay taxes. Jesus tells them to pay the taxes & God what we owe.

The theme is faith. Faith that shows itself in how we live. In Exodus 33 we see what lack of faith looks like & how God feels about that. In Ps. 99, we see the song that those who have faith in God should be singing to Him. In Mathew 22 we hear Jesus words that tell us to honor those who have rule over us with taxes  to government & tithes  to God.  Lastly, In Thessalonians we listen as Paul praise the people of that church for living their faith out in word and deeds. 

Challenge of the week:

Do you show your faith in word and deed? How about how you handle your money? If you do not, hoe can you change that this week?

Accomplishment of the week:

What did God and you do this week?

Digging Deeper~19th week after Pentecost

Ex.32:1-14: While Moses was up on the mountain getting the ten commandments, the people were worshiping a false god.God wanted to kill them for doing so. Moses talked God out of it.

Ps.106:1-6,19-23:Speaks of praising God for his mercies, then tells of the mercy God showed them when they sinned in the wilderness by worshiping the golden calf.

Phil.4:1-9:Paul says to rejoice in the Lord, pray about everything, and think on the good things of God. 

Mat.22:1-14:Jesus tells the parable that tells how the kingdom of God is like a wedding feast for God's son. When those he invites does not come to it, he sends his workers out to invite the unwanted to come to the feast.

The theme is God's mercy. 

The verses speaks of the many times that God has been merciful towards those who were not worshiping him. They also tell us that we should sing praises to him for saving us when we did not deserve it. Jesus speaks of how those who were not suppose to go to the feast was invited to come after the chosen guests refused to go. We too are invited to the feast in heaven one day even though we may not be Jewish (God's chosen people). We should rejoice and sing praises to him for his mercy towards us.

Challenge of the week:

This week take the time to check to see if you have wondered from God's path like the Israelites did. If you have repent and make it right. No matter what rejoice and sing praises to God and think on all the good things of God.

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you and God accomplish this week together?

Digging Deeper~ 18th Week after Pentecost

Ex.20:1-4, 7-9,12-20: Some of the 10 commandments, which comes down to worshiping God only, & be loving towards others. Ps. 19: Speaks of the heavens declaring God's glory; The role of God Word; a prayer for forgiveness. Phil. 3:4b-14: Paul's testimony. Mat.21:33-46 : Parable of the vineyard & it's caretakers who beat the owners servants & killed his son.  The theme is What God views as sin, forgiveness, &  being faithful to obey God's Word.  God gave his people the ten commandants so that they would understand what God viewed as sin (Ex.20:1-20). Why because sin separated us from God & he wanted a relationship with people. The Psalms that the people sang spoke of God love for them & his forgiveness (Ps. 19). But just having the ten commandments did not save the people. Paul shows that when he gave his testimony. I  it, he tells of how he followed the law of God but found it did not save him. Knowing Jesus is what saved him from his sins (Phil. 3:4b-14). Jesus speaks of how God's people treated God, his prophets, and would treat himself by killing him. Also showing how important it is to do what God asks of people in the parable his tells of the vineyard keepers (Mat.21:33-46). We should work hard to make sure that we are staying close to God. We do this by reading, & obeying God Word. Challenge of the week: This week, check yourself to see where you do not obey God's Word~ The Bible. Then ask God to forgive you, and show you in His Word what it is that He want you to do instead.  Accomplishment of the week:  What did sin did God show you? How did you change it? What verses helped you to do so?