Parenting my “pre-teen” children brings it’s challenges, of course. I suppose when I was their age, my aunt probably had her share of struggles when she and my grandma raised my brother and I. This episode starts with a reminder to my daughter of why we WILL focus on God in this house. (As her parent I can help ‘set the stage’ but I pray that these seeds of investing time talking about Him and His word and living out my faith everyday will take root and grow deeply in their lives). I know that her complaining is really a mirror of our own discontent with God when we don’t get to do what we want to do or when our lives aren’t going the way we think they should go. I used the example of how my daughter refused to brush her teeth (or let me do it) when she was younger. She made the whole experience worse as I taught her that she WILL have her teeth brushed; it was that important so I did not give up. Thankfully, today it seems she understands why brushing her teeth is vital and so she does it on her own these days. I know that is not the best example to relate it to our time with God but I do pray that my children would come to know that this time with God is important although it doesn’t have to be done in this specific way. We do this together because we can right now and because I know that if a time isn’t set and it isn’t made a priority, it will fall off and not happen. Thank you for joining in with us. I hope this time encourages you in some way to get to know God more. The video today has a bit more than I will summarize here in this blog so check it out if you are able.
SONGS:
I Give Myself Away – William McDowell
We believe. We (Christians) believe in Jesus’ FREE gift. The gift of salvation. It’s not free as in it is worthless and costs nothing but it indeed came at a great cost. This free (to us) gift is only free because we didn’t do ANYTHING to deserve it or to earn it. We just accept it. Romans 6:23 ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ‘ https://my.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.6.23 Thank you God for providing the Way. May we not keep this great news to ourselves but share it with others all around us through our actions (as well as words).
Practical Tip – Just Begin reading the Bible!
Read the book of John which recorded the life of Jesus when He was here with us in the flesh. Maybe every time you eat together with your family, read a portion of the passage and talk about what you read. (FACT: I don’t understand everything I read in the Bible but over time and with study I definitely know more than I did before.) Start small. If you can read, then read a section a day and talk about what happened in the story. If you can’t read, you can listen as there are free Bible apps online that will read the text to you. Pray for understanding and wisdom and just go from there. Read one passage a day (or with every meal maybe? Because Jesus is the BREAD of life! Previous episode ) until you are done with that chapter and then that particular book of the Bible.
Today’s message: John 11-12
As Jesus is on his way preparing for his sacrificial death on the cross, this incident happens with Lazarus. Read (or listen) to the whole chapter here John 11. https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.11.ESV The points that we focused on today are that Jesus does not go when he is called, Jesus later goes to them even though it meant persecution, and Mary did not hold back her worship to God by giving up what was expensive and costly for her.
John 11:1-6 Jesus is summoned, but he does not go.
‘Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. ‘ John 11:1-6 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.11.1-6
God waited to act ON PURPOSE. (Read the rest of the chapter to learn why.) We might say, God you know I need you. I’ve been praying and calling out to you – what are you doing? Why aren’t you answering me God? What I know is that God is often doing a multitude of things and He knows way more than WE DO about ALL situations.
John 11:7-8 Jesus is asked why are you going back there at the risk of your life?
‘Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” ‘ John 11:7-8 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.11.7-8
Jesus went at great cost to Himself. Did Jesus go? Yes, he did. Read the rest of the chapter to find out the whole story. Even if you are familiar with the story, it is still good to read God’s Word again asking God to show you His glory.
John 12:1-8 Mary worshiped God with what was costly to her
‘Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” ‘ John 12:1-8 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.12.1-8
Let us respond in an act of pure worship to the Lord. Are you willing to give up what is important to you and give it (back) to God? How do you think you even got all that you have? Are we who are Christians trying to follow the example that he left for us? Jesus came and lived and died for people to the glory of God the Father. But it does not end there because Jesus was buried and then was raised 3 days later – He is alive! Only Jesus could beat death. Only Jesus can save! This truth needs to be shared to a watching, waiting world. We get to be messengers of His hope! How amazing is that? ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ‘ 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.15.3-4
Thank you SO MUCH for joining in and praying for us and others around the world. I pray this time encourages you to dig into your Bibles and to seek #truth and the understanding that comes from the Lord. We are in our third week of “no school at school” as everyone continues to go to school online to minimize group gatherings and help prevent the spread of the #coronavirus here in #Daegu, South Korea. I am thankful for our local leadership’s efforts. I am in prayer as I see the news of the spread around the world. I will continue this “Bible Time & Worship” online ministry as long as God gives me the ‘go’ to be used in this way. If so, I plan to be on at noon (Daegu time) via FB every Monday – Friday. Remember, God is able and #Godisbiggerthanxyz (any situation we may be facing); In HIM we continue to place our hope. Sincerely, Sejana
#homeworship #thankful #familyBiblestudy #Killthevirus #Godisbiggerthanxyz #onlineministry #discipleship #faithoverfear #bestrongdaegu #parenting #sacrificeiscostly #Jesussaves
Looking for a Bible Study to watch and consider during this time? Try these: https://sejanashines.com/2020/03/07/bible-time-worship-every-episode-summary/
Sejana Shines 