Due Diligence

Diligence... I seem to have run out of steam... my energy level is petering rather quickly.  I'm on my last Clomid cycle and I can't wait for this to be over.  My husband is toying with the idea of another IVF cycle.  I don't think I can do it... not mentally, not physically. I believe that if a child is in our future, you will provide us with one... the one that you will want us to raise as our own for your sake.

Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Heals a Paralysed Man
Jesus asks what is harder, to forgive a man for all his sins or to heal a paralysed man? A teacher had called Jesus asking him what authority did he have to forgive a man of sin, for only God can do that.  Jesus says that he is the son of God...

Romans 7: 7-13
God's Law Reveals Our Sin
I found this passage difficult to interpret.  It states that because of the 10 Commandments, we realize what is wrong and what is right, and thus the meaning of sin.  Because of these laws and the thought of "loss of freedom", many of us may feel condemned and doomed. But that is not why God gave us these laws.  He gave it to us so that we could lead a meaningful life, a God honouring life.

Sin and Shame... Judgement Awaits...

I forgot how exhausting work is... prepping for science labs and projects...ahhhh...
Definitely looking forward to this weekend... =)

Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
John foreshadows the coming of Christ.  I am actually quite alarmed that John primarily ate locusts with honey.  John baptised all who wanted a new life  through the confession of sins. He became so famous that Pharisees and Seduces were coming to get baptized. However, John did not baptize them, instead he called them a brood of snakes!  Because they did not "practice" what they preached.  They did not turn from their sin.  They were only giving God lip service.

Romans 2: 1-16
God's Judgement of Sin
God does not show favouritism (11)...  This resonates with me because there are times when I wonder if God loves me less and if I am dealt "harsher" cards in life.  I know it is wrong to think this way, but it's my "humanity" that I'm fighting against.

God's law is written within us, many a time, we don't have to know the Word, to know what is right in God's eyes.  Judgement Day will come... This was interesting as I do inherinently believe God will judge us all and it doesn't take a literate person to figure out how to live a life that is righteous.

Finding Joy

Acts 15:1-21
The Council at Jerusalem
This passage is a reminder that God sent Christ to save all of us.  Cirumcision is not required to be saved.  We should stop eating meat sacrificed to idols... this makes me think of my in-laws as they are faithful to their religion and they do sacrifice their food to their "elders/ancestors"...

Hebrews 13:17 -25
Jesus never ceased being God...but he did abandon his power of being God to experience human conditions.  Jesus willingly bore our sins.  We should be able to put the needs of others before ourselves. We must make time for others - JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself).  By using JOY as our acroynm of priority, we will find joy...

Our God is Mighty to Save

Dear Lord, am I ever stressed.  Father, I give you my burden... please take it...
I have not been as diligent about my devotions and have felt out of sorts.  I pray for your forgiveness.

Acts 7:44-60
This is a passage about a man named Stephen who was stoned to death for telling the people and officials that we are stubborn people because we are heathen at the heart and deaf to the truth because we resist the Holy Spirit.  He went on to say how we betrayed our Messiah and persecute God's prophets...

This reminds me of how we are blinded by money and greed.  We lack faith and only believe when we are given proof... how sad we are...

Hebrews 10:1-18
Christ's Sacrifice One for All
I love this line, " I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds." (17)

Christ's sacrifice was the ultimate one. Our God is mighty to save.