Genesis 23-26, Matthew 12-13

Yesterday's Reading: Genesis 23 and 24, Matthew 12
Today's Reading: Genesis 25 and 26, Matthew 13

argh! Just wrote a long post and lost connectivity - same hotel in Austin where I had issues last go round. I will learn not to click "publish post" until I check for connection. :)

The sequence of the parables in Matthew 13 struck me. So here's the reader's digest version of what I was thinking about for the past 20 minutes:

The Word hits my heart - which may be any one of several types of soil. As part of the kingdom of heaven, I'm in good soil, but that doesn't preclude the enemy working around me (tares). I may be in good soil, but as part of the kingdom of heaven, I'm tiny...but can become much as the kingdom grows and flourishes (mustard seed and leaven). Am I willing to give up everything to acquire the kingdom of heaven (as if it were hidden treasure or a costly pearl)? Some are and some aren't...so still the dragnet.

What's resonating with you from these chapters? Please post!

Tomorrow's Reading: Genesis 27 and 28, Matthew 14

Genesis 21 and 22, Matthew 11

hee, hee - reading Genesis 21 while a show about having babies when you're elderly...one of the moms did ivf and had a baby at 70...is on in the background.

Matthew 11: 28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

This is one of my favorites - the notion of rest for my soul is what I love the most.






Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 23 and 24, Matthew 12

Genesis 19 and 20, Matthew 10

Today's reading:
Genesis 19 and 20
Matthew 10

Matthew 10: 8b
Freely you have received, freely give.

Hm. This follows - heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy....I have received grace with my sick spiritual heart and received a "spiritual transplant" that can't fail... that can't "catch" another's spiritual disease if I'm taking care of my new heart...and that means that I need to freely give - regardless of spiritual or physical state. I don't need to consider costs or play out scenarios or assess risk - I just need to give.

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 21 and 22
Matthew 11

Genesis 17 and 18, Matthew 9

Today's reading:
Genesis 17 and 18
Matthew 9

Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.

What a great summary of the covenant...we have the detailed explanations and conversations and then this reader's digest version.
A covenant with the LORD is not just "Him"-sided. We receive Jesus as our Savior. We disciple our children and households in the ways of the LORD. The LORD will bring about what He has promised...I haven't had a detailed conversation like Abraham did, but he didn't have the printed Word (Thanks, Amy, for that reminder). I have what is printed as promises (some of my faves) that come from walking by faith, in faith, through faith, with faith:

• prosper not harm me, a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)
• trust that suffering builds endurance, endurance builds character, and character builds hope. and hope does not disappoint us because God has poured outhis love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3-5)
• love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8a)

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 19 and 20
Matthew 10

Genesis 15 and 16, Matthew 8

Today's reading:
Genesis 15 and 16
Matthew 8

I wonder if God ever sighed when Abram brought up the whole "descendents" thing time after time after time. Is that why He decided to take him outside?

And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendents be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15: 5-6

What did the LORD do to "take him outside"? I can't even imagine what the stars looked like with no city lights and street lights...pretty overwhelming to have what he must have seen compared to his descendents. But the visual aid helped Abram - because then he believed. What visual aids has the LORD given me?

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 17 and 18
Matthew 9

Genesis 13 and 14, Matthew 7

Today's reading:
Genesis 13-14
Matthew 7

Matthew 7:2 "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you."

Hmmm...how often is my standard more persnickety than God's standard? ...that whole expecting perfection (or close to perfection) thing from the saved and the unsaved...God doesn't expect perfection. He expects me to be perfected by Him. I'm not really wanting a standard of perfection applied to me because though saved by grace through face, I mess up quite a bit.

Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 15-16
Matthew 8

Today's reading:
Genesis 11 and 12
Matthew 6

Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

Matthew 6:25,27 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

I wonder what Abram's first thought was....Was it "everyone"? Was it "that will be a trip"? Was it "super! let's get packed honey"...What was his second thought? His third thought? I would have worried - a lot - but disguised it under a million questions.

Then I flip to the NT and Jesus says "do not worry about your life"...

Learned something today that will alter my journey at work - nothing major - but a change, and I started thinking of a million questions. Then I started worrying...and then tonight's scripture. Timely, I think. I think the Lord is showing me some new land - and it's land that I won't be going to even though I would like to...and I'm reminded not to worry about my life.


Tomorrow's reading:
Genesis 13 and 14
Matthew 7