As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

As I read chapter 31 I must confess that I was disappointed. The problem is that The Revelation to John is always read from a theological perspective and The Story’s authors try to present this text without any theological bias. Read the rest of this entry »

As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

Chapter 30 tells us of the final days of Paul’s life.  As I reflected on his life and ministry I thought of how closely Paul followed Jesus’ example.  We know that Paul had some sin or cross that he carried his whole life but there is not scriptural reference that talks of Paul’s life being less than perfect in its service to God after his conversion.  As Jesus traveled to Jerusalem he knew that he was going to die there and so did Paul.  Just as both Jesus and Paul had followers who tried to talk them out of completing their journeys.  In the garden Jesus shared his heart with God and his friends and so did Paul in his letter to Timothy.  Finally both Jesus and Paul in the end pour their lives out for others.  Paul sees himself as a drink offering and Jesus was the final sacrifice for all of humanity.  I wonder if you and I could follow in their footsteps.

So what have you been thinking as you have been doing today’s reading?

As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

Chapter 29 covers the beginning of Paul’s ministry to right before his arrest which is covered in the next chapter.  As I read this chapter I found 3 keys to Paul’s amazing results.  Think of all of the people who accepted their relationship with the risen Christ because of Paul’s efforts.  Look at all of the churches that were started because of Paul’s efforts.  Finally, the early understandings of the message of Jesus Christ are mostly found in Paul’s theology.

Paul is a master organizer fine tuning his model of evangelism, developing his understanding of Christ, and starting all of those churches.  How about us, how are we answering our calls to evangelize, proclaim and explain the message of Jesus Christ?

So what have you been thinking as you have been doing today’s reading?

As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

Chapter 28 is a historical report of the birth of the Christian Church.  They would not be called Christians for over 50 years but there was a struggle for power between the Pharisees and the followers of Jesus within the Jewish community.  Modern Judaism would be controlled by the beliefs of the Pharisees but Christianity would evolve into one of the largest religious movements ever seen.

When you look at the price the early followers paid it is a humbling experience.  Would I really be willing to do what they did?  And yet under all the pressures the early church face it still grew like wild fire!  Driving the Jesus followers out of Jerusalem only caused the movement to spread that much further and faster.  The harder they were persecuted the faster the movement grew.

It is kind of like that in our faith journeys isn’t it?  The worst things get the more willing I am to turn to God.  Why is that so?

So what have you been thinking as you have been doing today’s reading?

As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

Chapter 27 begs the question, so how will you react to the resurrection?

The text tells the reaction of fear for the Jewish leaders who fear that Jesus’ followers would steal the body.  Our text tells us of the reaction of the guards, and the women, and even of the first disciples to go to the tomb.

I love the reaction of Thomas because I, too, would have wanted to see for myself.  Yet, none of us were there and we all are among those who must believe without seeing first hand.  Still I think believing in the resurrection has always been a matter of taking that first step in faith.  Once we’ve taken that step of faith, in time we see the proof of God in the transformed lives of Jesus’ followers.

So what have you been thinking as you have been doing today’s reading?

As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

Chapter 26 tells us about the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of the Romans and Jewish leaders. 
We have heard it a hundred times, but what does it really mean and how has it really affected us?  Have we really been changed forever?

I love the description of what is to happen as “shadows too dark for them to comprehend were beginning to fall on their hopes and dreams.” (page 307)  The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus breaks everyone’s dream.  The followers of Jesus see their dreams ended with the arrest and crucifixion.  And the Jewish leaders and the Romans see their dreams or at least their plan turned upside down by the empty tomb and the risen Christ.  How do you stop the movement when he is alive?

So what have you been thinking as you have been doing today’s reading?

As we read these stories of God and God’s interaction with humanity, try to answer these three questions:

Chapter 25 gives us the core of Jesus’ message; we have a choice between living God’s way, or living the World’s way.  You can lose your life to God and save it, or you can live your life for yourself and lose it all.

What does it mean to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Christ?  Must one give up their job and life and take up their begging bowl and work at connecting with God 24-7?  I do not think so; I think we can give ourselves to God by being who we are, where we are.

It is more about the little things and the things that connect us to each other.  Pat’s favorite Aunt died this week, and Pat has been obsessing over whether she should go to the funeral or not.  The trip will cost about $2000 and take up most of the week.  It’s not that we don’t have the money or the time, but there are a lot of other things we could to with the money and the time.  When Pat decided to go, a great peace came over me because I believe God wanted her to go.  When she gets back there may be some great story about hearts touched or lives changed.  But if there is not that great story, there will still be the knowledge that we put others first and tried to do what God wanted, for in this life we do not always see clearly but in the next . . .

So what have you been thinking as you have been doing today’s reading?

A great overview of the Bible, taught to you in 31 days.  A religious learning that highlights and summarizes a journey through the Bible brought to you by Pastor Combs. 

Make sure you have picked up your copy of The Story, published by Zonderan. I am using the revised edition copyrighted in 2008. This is also the edition we have available in the office for your purchase or rental.

Each day we will read one chapter with each chapter being about 10 pages. After you’ve done your reading you can post any questions or comments you have on our blog. If you need help or want to contact me you can always email me at pastor@myccumc.com

Thanks for being part of this study and I can’t wait to see where God leads us.

Pastor Duane