All Scripture (Again)

Our new memory verse for Sunday school is 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.(NAS)

An interesting thing to note is that ALL scripture is profitable. Like our "guest" pastor* today said, and demonstrated, something being in the old testament or even in Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, or any other book that has a "bad rep," does not make it any less profitable to study. We can learn from any verse as long as we're willing to listen.

*("guest" in quotes because he's a member gone off to college again and back visiting for a month or so)

Almost a Break

It seems like there's a break in the steady barrage of homework this weekend. Or is there? I have a rough draft due sometime next week for my next English paper, and since it involves watching a specific film, I should probably get started soon. Then there's the trip to the garbage dump tomorrow. Yipee...

Dead To Self

2 Cor 5:11-15
11 Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but {are} giving you an occasion to be proud of us, that you may have {an answer} for those who take pride in appearance, and not in heart.13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.(NAS)

This was the lesson in youth group tonight. The main focus was verse 14. Jesus died for us, but we die the moment we come believers. We die to our old sinful selves. As Christians we are under "new management." God is in control of our lives. Our old selves still get in the way sometimes, but the norm should progress more and more towards Christlikeness.

Too Much With Too Little

A lot of bloggers take plenty of time to make their blogs more extensive. They add links, videos, lots of pictures, polls, maps, counters. Maybe I could do some of that, but having dial-up, it's not so much fun for me to try to do some of those things. Especially things like uploading videos. My internet browser has too little speed for so much "extras." Maybe I'll have to try some of these features sometime in the future.

Proverbs

When reading Proverbs, it's easy to get into the pattern of reading each verse by itself. In some cases, the point gets across by doing this, but much more can be learned by putting it into context.

A repeated theme in Proverbs, as well as in Psalms and well... pretty much throughout most of the Bible. Anyway, a repeated theme is that abiding in, and dwelling on the Word is the way to avoid sin.

Prov 6:20-24
20 My son, observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother;21 Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.22 When you walk about, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk to you.23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life,24 To keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.(NAS)

The context is sexual sin, but the concepts apply to all forms of temptation. Relying on the Word and constantly dwelling in it allows us to resist temptation.

Well, That's New

Today we had a pulpit exchange with another church. There is a church in Puyallup that has been around for about two years. Our church and their church are kind of "joining forces," so to speak. We plan on sending musicians, helping out with children's events, etc. at their church. Today, sort of as a kick-off I guess, the pastor from their church came to our church, and our pastor went to their church. It was an interresting experience.

Here's the New Wineskin!

Heb 7:18-22
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.20 And inasmuch as {it was} not without an oath21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

"The Lord has sworn
And will not change His mind,
'Thou art a priest forever'");

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.(NAS)

It is likely that Jesus, our new priest described in the above passage, is what Jesus was referring to in the parable of the wineskins. The old sacrificial system of Moses was never meant to be a permanent fix. That is why Jesus came, to give us a salvation not based on the law or on repeated animal sacrifice, but based on His grace received through the faith given to us by Him. That is the hope that Jesus brings. Believers are eternally saved by Jesus' priesthood, and nothing can take that away.

Home Sick, no... wait

Today I experienced something that I hadn't experienced in a very long time: writer's block. I have a paper rough draft due tomorrow, but for some reason I had trouble with the introduction... okay, and the middle; and while we're at it, let's just say I had trouble with the end too. All told, it took me all day to write a two to three page rough draft, and I'm still not really happy with how it turned out. On top of that, I had to forgo youth group for the sake of finishing my paper. No one sick, no bad weather, just a LOT of homework. And more to come this weekend.