Check-in
How's everyone doing with reading? I know lately I have gotten behind 2 or 3 days and then I will catch up and then I'll get behind another 2 or 3 days and then catch up again. Kind of a cycle happening there. The nice weather isn't helping so maybe these rainy days we are to expect will help.
A few things that are resonanting with me in general are (1) the violence, which I know is hard to understand given the historical and cultural context being so different from our own modern world. Although the genocide in Africa and the conflicts in the Middle East are examples that perhaps not so much has changed. And (2) this Easter season stands in stark contrast to what we are reading in the OT. No longer are we expected to wipe out our enemies and destroy them, but rather we are to kill them with the love of Christ. Actually the more I think about that perhaps I am wrong, maybe they are not so very different. Christ said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). So while the Israelites were expected to physically wipe out their enemies, we are expected to wage spiritual warfare against our enemies and slay them with the sword Christ brought, the sword of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Only these weapons will truly defeat the evil that pervades our lives.
A few things that are resonanting with me in general are (1) the violence, which I know is hard to understand given the historical and cultural context being so different from our own modern world. Although the genocide in Africa and the conflicts in the Middle East are examples that perhaps not so much has changed. And (2) this Easter season stands in stark contrast to what we are reading in the OT. No longer are we expected to wipe out our enemies and destroy them, but rather we are to kill them with the love of Christ. Actually the more I think about that perhaps I am wrong, maybe they are not so very different. Christ said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). So while the Israelites were expected to physically wipe out their enemies, we are expected to wage spiritual warfare against our enemies and slay them with the sword Christ brought, the sword of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Only these weapons will truly defeat the evil that pervades our lives.
Replies to This Conversation
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Permalink Reply by Steven & Candace Dahl on -
Wow, that perspective sure helps me get past the gore. My approach has been to try to stay ahead. So far, so good. Just plowed through 9 chapters of geneology in 1 Chronicles. Please don't quiz me. Steve
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Permalink Reply by Abby Kalina on -
awsome! we get to use swords now? is that permission? yay!
Rob, are you skippin ahead. what's with the matthew thing?
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Permalink Reply by Abby Kalina on
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jk
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Permalink Reply by Rob McNair on -
Yes, we need swords to defeat the vampires which show up in 1 Chronicles.
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Permalink Reply by Amber Kalina on -
I am so far behind it isn't even funny! I think I'm maybe 2 full chapters back now. I'm stilll in 1st Kings.
Yesterday, after reading the bible after such a long time, I actually took time to pray before giving in to sleep. It felt good. WE need to renew our attachment to God every once and a while. I mean, not that you should totally blow off doing things for him on a daily basis, but just have a time when you really voice (ex/internally) our feelings to him. He already knows what I"m thinking, even now, but let's not get lazy, people. :) Take the time to pray tonight and feel the spiritual bliss.
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