Christian Paradigm Shifts

  This summer I plan to do a study on the titles of Christ. I made a worksheet to go with the study. I'll print both pictures on 8 x 11 paper. The study page will be double sided for a total of 97 pages. I'll have them bound at my local staples which costs about $5. I plan to use this study with my new HCSB Bible (I reviewed it here) . The Bible lists all the titles of Christ and their Bible reference.

    Today's reading was about Abraham's intercession or prayer for Sodom, the city's destruction and the rescue of Lot and his family.   I want to focus on the following portion: 23  Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. 24  Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25  He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. 26  But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. 27  Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord ’s presence. 28  He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace. 29   But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the...

  Today's reading from the NLT Year Chronological Bible was about Noah and his family entering the ark.   Here's the part of the passage I'd like to concentrate on:    8  Then God told Noah and his sons, 9  “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, 10  and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth. 11  Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.” 12  Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13  I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. 14  When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, 15  and I will remember my covenant with yo...

As I am reading through the NLT One Year Chronological Bible, I am looking for signs of God's grace toward the people He made in his image. Grace is God's unmerited favor towards people.   I came across two individuals that God showed grace towards ~ Cain and Noah.   You may be saying to yourself, "I can understand grace toward Noah but Cain? Didn't he kill his brother and was cursed by God?"   Yes, Cain was cursed by God for killing his brother but even God's judgment was tempered with grace.    Here's the passage:   8  One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.”And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. 9  Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” 10  But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from th...

(click above to enlarge) The new year is almost upon us and I have been pondering what I am going to study. This year I've decided to make my own study guide rather than following a premade study,   I have made my own study guide using a free resource by Robin at Heart of Wisdom (listed under favorite links).   The page that I printed can be found under freebies. I am using the Bible Passage sheet.   Here's a sample of the page (please print out at Robin's site):      I printed it using Georgia Pacific Premium copy paper. I purchased it at Walmart for about $5.   Here's a picture for reference:      I had it bound at my local Staples for about $5.   I am using the One Year Bible chart which is available online. I will be using the New Testament portion. I believe these are the same readings in the One Year Bible.   I plan on using my new Bible I received for Ch...

Let's start today with a video... Today's post is about the relationship between Naomi and her mother-in-law, Ruth. Last spring I posted about the book of Ruth. I would like to share them again today - A Famine in the Land A Temporary Stay to Permanent Consequences The Journey Back Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem The daughter-in-law/mother-in law relationship is much maligned in society. I am sure at times there are clashes in this type of relationship. The story of Ruth and Naomi runs counter to the usual jokes or stereotypes which surround this type of relationship. I have a good relationship with my mother-in-law. We talk, joke around, and spend time with each other. I will also say that we may not always agree on everything but we try to work things out. Friendship with Feet Take time to pray for your mother-in-law. Pray about your relationship with her. If you don't have a mother-in-law, pray for your mother [you could pray for her, in a...

Let me start with a video.... The need for human relationships has been around since the beginning. Adam needed a companion. Someone who would be his helper. One that was suitable to him. While the creation of woman speaks to the importance of the marital relationship, there is something else we can glean from this passage. We need people. The bottom line is we cannot go it alone. We need to do many things if we are to live in relationship to one another... We need to live in unity - Psalm 133:1 We are to love and honor one another - Romans 12:10 We are to mind our own business [Can anyone say the word busybody?] - 1 Thessalonians 4:10 We are to love each other as brothers and sisters - Hebrews 13:1 We are to love deeply, from the heart - 1 Peter 1:22 Sometimes when a friend gives correction or calls us on a matter we may not like it. We may think the friend is not being kind to us. At times, I know I have thought, "How dare they say that to me? I know what I...

First of all, I'd like to thank Jane Freund, the author of the Bible study The Fine Art of Female Friendships , for allowing me the privilege to blog about the study. I thought I start this post off with one of my favorite friendship songs. It was used as the theme song for one of my favorite shows, The Golden Girls. I used to watch the show with one of my favorite older friends, my grandmother. What is a friend? Here are a few definitions - 1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. 2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance. 3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade. 4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement I would define a friend as someone who is kind and caring. A friend is there when you need them. A friend gives encouragement and support. A friend is someone with whom you can share your deepest thoughts. You can be open and honest with them. But what does the Bible have to say ab...

Greg Olsen The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman has always fascinated me. It is one of my favorite Bible passages. It fascinates me for several reasons.   Jesus met this woman where she was. (John 4:6). He will meet us where we are, too. Jesus was a Jewish rabbi who was not supposed to speak with a Samaritan, let alone a woman (v.9). Jesus is a friend of sinners who will speak to us and call us to Himself. As women, we can trust that he wants us to know Him. He wants us to know theology.   Jesus met her need for salvation (v. 10-15). He will save us when we call upon Him.   Jesus knew "all about" this woman (v.17-18). He knows all about us as well. There is nothing hidden from his sight (Hebrews 4:13). If we have repented and put our trust in God this should not make us fear. It should comfort us. We serve a God who notices us and cares for us through all of life's joys and trials.   Jesus answered her questions about wo...

1:1-8 Paul writes to the church as Colossae. He offers prayers for them and reminds them of the fruit  they are bearing. 1:9-14 Because of the gospel they have heard, they are now in a new kingdom with new ideals. 1:15-23 He reminds them of who Christ is and what he has done for them. 1:24-2:5 Paul tells them his purpose - to minister the mystery of the gospel which is Christ 2:6-2:15 Beware of false teaching. They are complete in Christ. They were once dead but have now been made alive 2:16-23 Don't rely on external observances. Trust in what Christ has done. 3:1-11 Set your mind on things above. Live a life which reflects a heavenly mindset. 3:12-4:1 How to live out the Christian life day to day. 4:2-18 Focus on prayer. Paul gives closing remarks of who has helped him in ministry.      

Photo Credit The fall study has begun. Great resources are available at the Good Morning Girls website . I've been reading Colossians for the past week to get a feel for this letter which was written to the church at Colossae. Doing this helped me to get an overall picture. Here are somethings which maybe helpful to you as you begin this study: Paul's audience was made up of believers They were a young church that was growing and maturing They were facing issues such as deception, worldly philosophies, asceticism (self-denial) as a way to have a relationship with God. Key words to watch for: prayer Gospel wisdom knowledge all (referring to completeness or totality) faith mystery in Him, through Him, before Him, etc Paul's purpose for writing: To remind them what they have in the Gospel  Refute false teaching To live life according the Gospel Key points: Supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as the creator, the sustainer, the image of God, t...

Boaz has won the right of redemption. He redeems Noami's land and marries Ruth. He has now taken responsibility for their future and family inheritance. A blessing is declared over Ruth. The people at the gate ask that the Lord would make her like Rachel and Leah, who built up the house of Israel. They ask that Boaz would act worthily and be renowned. They ask that his house would be like that of Perez (born of Tamar and Judah). This is all because of the offspring that the Lord would give Boaz through Ruth. Rachel and Leah were Arameans (Gen 30:14-15, 31:19-20). Tamar was probably a Canaanite (Gen 38:2, 6, 14-18, 26). These foreign women gave birth to the descendants of Israel. Ruth would join this illustrious list of women. The Lord gave her conception and she gave birth to a son. It is interesting to note that it is the women who visit Naomi who name the child. They name him Obed. Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament states "This name was gi...

Ruth Chapter 4, Part I ~ Christian Image Source Boaz is at the city gate. He calls to the kinsman as he went by. Boaz calls him to come and sit down. He then took ten men, who were elders of the city, and asked them to sit down as well. Boaz is about to make his case in order to redeem Ruth. Some background on the importance of the city gate in Old Testament times: In the ancient Near East, the elders of a city would hold court in the city gate The elders probably wore garments that distinguished their service [In later Rabbinic interpretation the assembly of 10 men became the basis for the minyan , the minimum legal number of men needed to hold a synagogue service.] Parties would approach the gate, state their case, and count on a wise ruling No clear judge, jury and lawyer - participants probably discussed & argued their way through the issue  Crowds might gather to watch and participate Boaz confronts the the redeemer. He inf...

Boaz is the kinsman-redeemer to Elimelech's family. But what is a kinsman-redeemer? A kinsman-redeemer in Hebrew is go'el . It is literally translated 'redeemer'. But it is also translated 'close relative' or 'kinsman-redeemer'. It comes from the root word ga'al which means 'to redeem or buy back' and occurs 23 times in Ruth. The duties of a kinsman-redeemer may include:  avenging a murder [Number 35:19]  marrying his brother's widow to raise up a son on behalf of the deceased brother [Deuteronomy 25:5-10]  redeeming any family land which had been sold [Leviticus 25:25]  redeeming a family member who had been sold into slavery [Leviticus 25:47-49] caring for family members in need [Leviticus 25:35] The role of a kinsman-redeemer would go to the brother of the man, then an uncle, then to an uncle's son, then to any near relative [Leviticus 25:48-49]. A kinsman-redeemer had to meet three qualification:  Blood Relationsh...

Ruth at Boaz's feet We've now come to the turning point of the story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Naomi and Ruth are widows without support. Ruth has gleaned in the fields of Boaz in whose sight she has found favor. Naomi now announces a plan to Ruth.  Naomi is about to be a matchmaker for Ruth and Boaz. Naomi instructs Ruth to prepare herself as a bride prepares herself for her husband. Ruth was to wash, to anoint herself, and put on special clothing. She was to not make herself known to Boaz but to observe where he would lie down. Naomi instructed that she should uncover his feet and lie down. It would be at this point that Boaz would tell Ruth what to do. Ruth asks Boaz to spread his wings over his servant because he was a redeemer. Ruth was asking Boaz for marriage and the protection it afforded [Shepherd's Guide: Ruth and Esther]. The Hebrew word for wings is Kanaph, the outer garment men wrapped about themselves in the day and used ...

Ruth 2:1-16 Christian Image Source Yesterday, I introduced the concept of God's sovereignty in our lives. According to Romans 8:28, God works all things for our good. In Psalm 139:16 NKJV - Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, t he days fashioned for me, w hen as yet there were none of them. God was working in the lives of Naomi and Ruth. He had a plan for them although they might not have been able to see it. At the beginning of chapter 2, Boaz is introduced as a kinsman of Naomi. He was a mighty man of wealth from the family (clan) of Elimelech. In verse 2, Ruth asks Naomi for permission to go glean in the field of him in whose sight she would find GRACE . Naomi tells her to go. In verse 3 it seems as if it was by pure "luck" or "happenstance" that Ruth came upon the field of Boaz. In God's economy there is no such thing as luck. Everything is done through God's sovereignty. It's kind of...

Ruth 1:19-22 Naomi and Ruth have left Moab behind. They journey back to Bethlehem which was about a sixty plus mile journey. When they arrive in the city,  the people were moved about them.After such a long absence, the people must have welcomed Naomi. They probably were happy to see her again. The people also said, "Is this Naomi?" What had changed about Naomi for women of the town to make such a statement? Had she changed in her appearance? Had the hardships of the years taken a toll on her countenance? Naomi confirms their question. Yes, she is Naomi. But she is no longer pleasant but bitter. For she declares that she is no longer to be called Naomi, which means pleasant. She is to be called Mara, which means bitter. Why was she bitter? Because she left Bethlehem full. She left with her husband and their two sons. But she has returned empty. She returned without her husband and sons. Who was the source of this hardship?  Twice, Naomi states that it was the LORD w...

After experiencing such tragedy, Naomi decided to return home. The Lord had attended to His people by giving them food. I am also sure she was longing for the comforts of home and extended family. She left Moab with her daughters in law. On the way, Naomi encouraged them to return to their family homes. She wished them kindness and blessings. She wished that they would go and find husbands to care for them. However, Ruth and Orpah insisted that they would return to Bethlehem. At this point, Naomi tells the women she could not fulfill the levirate marriage custom [Duet. 25:5:10]. She was too old to have children and even if she could have children, it would be years before the sons would be old enough for them to marry. Naomi asks them,"Would you wait?" All of the women were sad because of the circumstances. Reality dawned on them. The only choice for Ruth and Orpah seemed to be to return back to their family. Choices needed to be made. There were two different response...

Ruth 1:3-5 A short journey to Moab turned into a into a ten year stay which led to devastating consequences. Elimelich has died. Mahlon and Chilion marry Moabite women. This could have led them to feel more at home in this foreign land [Expositor's Bible Commentary]. In verse 1 we see that they sojourned to Moab. The word sojourn means to temporarily dwell. Then in verse 2 we see they continued there, i.e. remained. Finally we see that they dwelled there. They let go of their old roots and new roots took hold. Then Mahlon and Chilion die. There Naomi has no husband, no children, no descendants. There is no way to provide even for her basic needs. Orpah and Ruth are in a similar situation except they are young and could probably find new husbands. However, after each of them have been in a childless marriage for at least 10 years, it is doubtful that someone would marry them. For if a marriage was childless for ten years, it was grounds for divorce under rabbinic law [Hubba...

Ruth Chapter 1:1-2 As the book of Ruth opens there is a crisis, a famine, which leads the family to leave their homeland. They leave Bethlehem-Judah [House of Bread & Praise]. Others had made similar journeys. Abraham went to Egypt [Genesis 12] Isaac to Philistia [Genesis 26] Jacob to Egypt [Genesis 46] There is a play on words here. There is a famine in the land while the land is called the House of Bread. Were they looking for a geographical cure to avoid the difficulty of the famine? Did the grass look greener on the other side? According to the book, God Behind the Seen [page 25], it states that Moab was 50 miles away from Bethlehem. It would have been easy to see the green fields of Moab from the brown dusty fields of Bethlehem. Green grass may look great from a distance but when you get an up-close look it may actually be weeds. Maybe Elimelech thought Moab was a great place to be to get away from the famine. It looked like a lush land which was rich i...