July Options

[ScarletKY]

to today's Romans reading. LOVE EVERYONE! Don't be proud, don't be conceited. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

I was reading a local pastor's (Pete Hise of Quest Community Church) blog today and he posted this...

Love someone radically and irrationally today. Do something for someone who doesn’t deserve it. Step outside the status quo. Risk something. You can be a dangerous leader for Christ.

[AuntRonda]

July 29

I don't understand how after these Kings, seeing all the great things God had done for them and their forefathers would keep messing up.

[faith_renewed]

A couple of things stuck out to me today.

¹ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, ^[a] who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.

When you think of how most 16 years olds today are, can you imagine being ruled by a 16 year old? Oh wait - I think I was sometimes ruled by 16 year olds when I was raising my kids.

¹Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

It sticks out to me for reasons I won't comment on in the Bible study.

⁸Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. ⁹The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet,"^[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."^{[b] 10}Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.




And this from yesterday -

¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

I guess it isn't always possible for live a peace with everyone. I see the "as far as it depends on you" as meaning don't stir up trouble yourself. But then you can't just always let someone be right when you feel they aren't right, although you can say your piece and then move on.

[Citizen]

You all are awesome ... I am so lifted up reading your comments this morning!

I only copied one line from today's reading; I think it only stood out to me because my dad was a farmer and was so in tune with seasons and rhythms of planting and harvesting. I understand how someone can "love the soil" I really miss him.

He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

[AuntRonda]

June 30

15 In Jerusalem he made machines designed by skillful men for use on the towers and on the corner defenses to shoot arrows and hurl large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.

Sounds like a catapult...

At 16 Uzziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. After he became "powerful"....he let his pride get in the way. Since his son took over, one could assume several years had passed...sad that he was wiser as a teenager than a grown man.

6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

7 The other events in Jotham's reign, including all his wars and the other things he did, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. 9 Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.

Finally, after a long line of Kings who blew it, one who followed God steadfastly.

[AuntRonda]

July 31

Hezekiah sparked a revival among the people.