Day 516 - Matthew 25 & Psalm 143

 Julie

Today's reading was parables and the final judgment. The parables seem to be explaining who Jesus will be returning for and taking with him. From the first one it seems that he is saying that he will be taking those that have prepared, which I take to mean that those who have been following in the Word of God and preparing their hearts with the faithfulness and trust that God asks us for. That we have given ourselves to God and did not wait until the last minute to do it. The second one is to take what is given to us by God and use it it as he intended and give back to him. We should not hoard or covet what we are given and trust that God will always provide. The final judgment tells us that if we are not kind and giving to those in need then we will be left behind. We need to show the compassion of Christ to others. 

Guide us Lord and protect us from our enemies or those that intend evil. Guide us in staying faithful and trusting in you.

Michelle

I have never heard of the ten virgin's parable, but the others are familiar.  The one about the bags of gold is also used when they speak about finances in the church and how you are to use your money according to God's will.  The end of the sheep and goats parable is familiar from a song, I think.  "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of he least of these, you did not do for me."  If we do not do for other or those in need, we are not walking in Jesus' footsteps.

"My spirit grows faint", is what stands out.  It seems like a prayer or cry for mercy and refuge.

Day 515 - Matthew 23 -34 & Psalm 142

 Julie

Jesus spends 23 telling the holy men that they have not been the Christ followers that they should be and that they have not been treating people well. He reprimands them for persecuting those that do not follow the laws of God when they are not following them either. 24 goes into the end of days. Reading this you have to wonder if we are in the begining of this. However,  Jesus does say that we will not know when it comes and we are not meant to. Yes, there will be signs and the things that we should be the most careful of is false prophets and false christs. He gives an explanation as to what it will look like when he returns and that we should not believe anything that falls outside of that description. 

The Lord is my refuge.

Michelle

This reading really caught my attention.  When he talks about the end times and not knowing and that one will be taken and the other left behind.  There are shows and movies about this very event.  And yes, he is reprimanding them for not following as they should.  Chapter 24 I feel like I should read again, even though I already got the picture in my head.  He does say we won't know the hour or day, but some of the explanation does make you think, this is the beginning.  We see so much of the types of behavior in times today, as our ancestors prob saw as well.  

The writer is crying out to God asking for refuge.

Day 514 - Matthew 21-22 & Psalm 141

 Julie

Having internet issues today. I have already typed this out once, but it did not save it. Not sure I can remember exactly what I said...

The parables in today's reading seem to be Jesus telling the holy men that they are lacking in faith and are not following the will/direction of the Lord. However, those that they look down upon and see as sinful people are showing their faith and following the Lord. He is also telling them that they will, in the end, have a hand in his crucifixtion. They seem to be acting more like politicians than holy men in that they are bending to the will of the people and their own selfish desires instead of the will of the Lord.

Lord protect and guide by words so that I do not speak evil and please be a refuge for me during times of difficulty so that I might glorify you in how I speak.

Michelle

There is just alot going on in today's reading.  I think you got it right stating that they seem like politicians and not holy men.  At the beginning it says Jesus entered Jerusalem as King and the crowds new him as a prophet.  He then rid the temple of all the money changers and started to heal people.  It does seem like their faith is in question throughout this reading.  Then they are surprised when he tells them to give Caesar what is his and God what is his.  Then Jesus again tells them that the greatest command is to love one another.  The last section has me a little confused.  It seems that it's saying that even thought Jesus came from the line of David, it doesn't make him his son, but God's.  I do not know if I am understanding that right.

I feel like I am reading something different from you.  But then I don't feel like I understand this psalm at all.  The only thing that stands out is, "But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death".  

Day 513 - Matthew 19-20 & Psalm 140

 Julie

You know it's interesting to see how Matthew tells the stories. It's like he is trying to get in as much information as possible as succinctly as possible. He covers so much. It will be interesting to compare with the way that the others write theirs. What stood out in this reading was the part about the rich young man. This should be a good reminder for us that it's not about the money but about following God and making the most out of what he has provided for us. Yes, we need enough to do our works, but we should not have an excessive amount. It should be something that makes us rethink our priorities in life.

Deliver us Lord from the evil around us. I think that this is a good prayer for the times that we are experiencing. 

Michelle

It does seem like he is trying to share alot of info in a short amount of time.  This book so far seems very full and like I should focus on smaller bits to really get more understanding, as I feel like I am missing things.  The beginning of this chapter talks about divorce, and it's asked why Moses allowed men to divorce their wives.  When reading the response, it sounds like there is only one acceptable reason that someone should divorce and that is for adultery, or sexual immorality as its stated.  And then Jesus speaks of the Eunuchs and that some choose that life for the sake of God's kingdom.  I am not quite understanding this part.  Later on, Jesus tells of the commands we are to keep to.  And it seems the young rich man is struggling to give it all up for God.  It's understandable, to be asked to give it all up, your whole life.  But then I thought of you and the fact that you have given up your entire life to be where you are, and that it seems that God has called you to that.  It's been a difficult road for you and seems to still be at times, and it's very hard to watch you go through it not knowing how to help you or be there for you.  I do not know why God has called this upon you and constantly ask that it be shown to you.  I struggle to understand the why's and am constantly asking for them, knowing I will never get an answer.  I supposed I have come to terms with that in a way, but the questions still come.  I worry about you on this journey and pray for you as much as possible.  The vineyard parable has me scratching my head.  The end stands out when he says, "Don't I have a right to do what I want with my own money?  Or are you envious because I am generous?"  Jesus then talks about his death again.  The last line of the next section is powerful and very popular, "just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many".  It seems a call to have a servant's heart no matter you position in life.

There are few lines in this that seem like a prayer, but they are good when we feel evil taking over.  Most of this psalm sounds like the person is asking for bad things to happen to others.  I am not sure why I am reading it this way.

Day 512 - Matthew 18 & Psalm 139

 Julie

The parable of the lost sheep is one of my favorite ones because it reminds us that in a world where we are judged that God will go and find us and bring us back. He is not looking for perfection or for the perfect people, he is looking for those that need him. 

God knows our hearts and knows who we are and what we will do before we do. He loves us through it all.

Michelle

The lost sheep story is a powerful one.  We are constantly told that God does not seek the perfect but calls those that are lost to him.  Verse 20 is a well-known verse about when 2 or more gather in Jesus' name, he is there with them.  The last section of this chapter is about forgiving others and how many times you should forgive them.  It says many times over as if you are forgiven so you should forgive others in the same way, this is as God forgives you.  This can be hard to do, especially when they continually hurt you or themselves.  I think when we talk about forgiveness, no matter if it's debt or actions, or words, or whatever, we think we have to trust the person in future dealings.  It's one thing to forgive, but I am not sure that we are supposed to keep getting run over by whomever it is.  But as God says, forgive as I have forgiven you.  And as we have read, he forgives the people over and over and over again.  Calling them all back to him. 

The part that stands out is the last few verses.  "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  I think this stood out because often I feel like my anxiety is a test from God.  Like how far can I push her before she snaps.  Or that is what it feels like.  

Day 511 - Matthew 16-17 & Psalm 138

 Julie

The pharisees and the sadducees are demanding that Jesus show them signs and he basically tells them that he won't do that because they haven't been able to see the signs that they have already been given. They have pretty much lost their way. So Jesus warns the disciples to be wary of the teachings of the pharisees and sadducees as they are not teaching the Word of God. Jesus is also beginning to warn the disciples of his coming death and they are having trouble with this. Simon tells him that will not happen and Jesus reprimands him for his words and tells him to stop living of this world. Jesus is meant to die and be resurrected and he must trust in this prophecy. 

The Lord is there when we call and protects and guides us through difficult times. 

Michelle

I found it interesting that Jesus tells them they won't get a sign because they don't see the ones already in front of them or told them over the years.  Aren't we always seeking signs, yet not seeing the ones that are already there?  Jesus is revealed to the disciples and heals a boy, he also shares the details of his death, or some of it anyway, but his followers don't want to believe it and are grieved.  Jesus also pays his taxes.  I am not sure why this part stood out.

Sing of what the Lord does for you.  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life...with your right hand you save me.

Day 510 - Matthew 13:53 - 15 & Psalm 137

 Julie

Jesus is still healing those that come to him, but this adds where he feeds thousands with a little bit of bread and fish. What really stood out in this reading today though is where he is reprimanding the pharisees for not really teaching the commandments, but for manipulating them in their own way and making things more of a tradition than a commandment. So they are asking Jesus why his disciples did not wash their hands before they ate, because this was something of importance at the time and actually a tradition. Jesus tells them that we are not defiled by what we put into our mouth because it doesn't affect anyone but the person eating. However, we are defiled by what comes out, by our words, because that comes from the heart and is subject to sinfulness if we speak evil.

I am not sure what to say about this psalm today. I read it a few times, but nothing really stood out and I am not sure what it is really trying to say.

Michelle

John the Baptist is beheaded at the beginning of this reading.  Herod's daughter asks for his head from Herod for her birthday.  And even though he wanted him killed, he knew he shouldn't because the people revered him.  But he did it anyway.  Jesus then feeds the masses with little and walks on water, his disciples are still questioning if he is real.  Some of the disciples still seem to be struggling to understand the parables.  But I think you are right about the words that come out are from the heart and can be evil if we let them.   I did not understand how he saw the woman's faith when she spoke about the dogs eating the crumbs from their master's table.  Jesus also feeds the masses with little again.  

It sounds like they are talking about the destruction of Babylon.