Key Verse: Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.” (Luke 31-32)
I. The Work of God I Experienced
This conference was a lot different from the other conferences I have been to. Because I wasn’t originally going to be sharing a testimony, and only participated in a few music programs, I had a lot more time to relax and enjoy the conference in a different way. I was very glad that I participated in the various programs that I did, but it was also an opportunity to listen and understand instead of worrying about the many things that needed to be done.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Luke 5:12-32
(Written during the Great Lakes Region Summer Bible Conference, July 17-19, 2009)
Key Verse: Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.” (v. 31-32)
Throughout this passage, we are shown Jesus’s love and compassion for people. The people in each situation were approached in a way that was unique to them in their specific circumstances and the state of their heart. The leper honestly sought after Jesus with faith and was healed because of his earnest desire to seek Jesus. The paralytic man was greatly blessed to have such great friends of faith, friends who would even lower him through a roof to bring him to Jesus. Jesus respected their faith, calling them his friends and healing the paralytic as well. Then, as Jesus called Levi, who would later be called Matthew, Levi had the faith to leave all his belongings behind to follow Christ. He recognized the value of being a follower of Jesus and left all he had, and then celebrated his new life with Jesus with a feast.
At this celebratory banquet the Pharisees asked Jesus’s disciples, ““Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance”” (v. 30-32).
Again, Jesus shows his compassion for sinners. He truly had a shepherd heart for mankind and it is something we need to emulate, and to seek God’s direction in so that we also can look at individuals and see their humanity, but as sinners who have different needs, feelings, and situations… and a need God’s love.
Key Verse: Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.” (v. 31-32)
Throughout this passage, we are shown Jesus’s love and compassion for people. The people in each situation were approached in a way that was unique to them in their specific circumstances and the state of their heart. The leper honestly sought after Jesus with faith and was healed because of his earnest desire to seek Jesus. The paralytic man was greatly blessed to have such great friends of faith, friends who would even lower him through a roof to bring him to Jesus. Jesus respected their faith, calling them his friends and healing the paralytic as well. Then, as Jesus called Levi, who would later be called Matthew, Levi had the faith to leave all his belongings behind to follow Christ. He recognized the value of being a follower of Jesus and left all he had, and then celebrated his new life with Jesus with a feast.
At this celebratory banquet the Pharisees asked Jesus’s disciples, ““Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance”” (v. 30-32).
Again, Jesus shows his compassion for sinners. He truly had a shepherd heart for mankind and it is something we need to emulate, and to seek God’s direction in so that we also can look at individuals and see their humanity, but as sinners who have different needs, feelings, and situations… and a need God’s love.
Friday, June 5, 2009
John 18:28-19:16
Key Verse: "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)
The Jews brought him forward, trying to do away with any evidence of this Christ, this “Messiah.” In their hearts was nothing but malice, but still they went through the motions of their pointless religiousness and brought Jesus to Pilate, not daring to set foot inside the Gentile place lest they be deemed ceremoniously unclean and banned from participating in the Passover. Trying to shift the blame, Pilate and the Jewish leaders passed responsibility for Christ’s fate back and forth, and Pilate consented to interview Jesus. He asked him many questions regarding the false charges brought against him, who he was, where he hailed from… The Jews, in their own conniving way, twisted Christ’s true identity and used it against him, declaring that Jesus claimed to be a king—the king of the Jews.
Later, this title would follow Christ all the way to the cross, a sign hanging above his head declaring satirically calling him “King of the Jews” (John 19:19). The title is true- Jesus is king of the Jews; in fact, he is king over all. However, when Pilate asked Jesus about this, Jesus turned to him and asked, “Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?” (John 18:34). Pilate, avoiding the question and his own convictions, responded: “Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” (v. 35)
The Jews brought him forward, trying to do away with any evidence of this Christ, this “Messiah.” In their hearts was nothing but malice, but still they went through the motions of their pointless religiousness and brought Jesus to Pilate, not daring to set foot inside the Gentile place lest they be deemed ceremoniously unclean and banned from participating in the Passover. Trying to shift the blame, Pilate and the Jewish leaders passed responsibility for Christ’s fate back and forth, and Pilate consented to interview Jesus. He asked him many questions regarding the false charges brought against him, who he was, where he hailed from… The Jews, in their own conniving way, twisted Christ’s true identity and used it against him, declaring that Jesus claimed to be a king—the king of the Jews.
Later, this title would follow Christ all the way to the cross, a sign hanging above his head declaring satirically calling him “King of the Jews” (John 19:19). The title is true- Jesus is king of the Jews; in fact, he is king over all. However, when Pilate asked Jesus about this, Jesus turned to him and asked, “Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?” (John 18:34). Pilate, avoiding the question and his own convictions, responded: “Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” (v. 35)
Friday, May 8, 2009
School-Year’s End Review 08-09
Key Verse: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. … You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” (James 5:1 and 3b)
I. God's Revelation and Blessings
This school year has been one filled with change. I have been privileged to truly experience God’s work in my life a lot this year, and He has really made a difference in my attitude, my perspective, and my heart. The year started like any other and I went through the semester fairly uneventfully. I was part of the Narrowgate Christmas presentation, and my character (like me) struggled with self-sufficiency—but nothing really sunk in. I skipped going to the Young Disciples Conference because I really didn’t feel like going, or shelling out the money, and spent my Christmas break sleeping and wasting time. I regret not going a little bit, but I think God needed to bring me to the place where I felt I needed Him before I really became involved.
I. God's Revelation and Blessings
This school year has been one filled with change. I have been privileged to truly experience God’s work in my life a lot this year, and He has really made a difference in my attitude, my perspective, and my heart. The year started like any other and I went through the semester fairly uneventfully. I was part of the Narrowgate Christmas presentation, and my character (like me) struggled with self-sufficiency—but nothing really sunk in. I skipped going to the Young Disciples Conference because I really didn’t feel like going, or shelling out the money, and spent my Christmas break sleeping and wasting time. I regret not going a little bit, but I think God needed to bring me to the place where I felt I needed Him before I really became involved.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Spring Conference Review Testimony
For those of you that don't know, this is a review on the conference itself and how I experienced it.
Key Verse: "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." (Mark 2:11)
I. The Work of God I Experienced
This was my first spring conference, and also the first time I had written and presented my life testimony. I was very reluctant at first to write a testimony, and continued to procrastinate and put it off because I didn’t feel like writing it. Part of that was my laziness, but another part was that I felt like I had nothing to say. I’ve been in church all my life and thought that telling about it would be boring. Instead, I was pushed to look at my life on a deeper level and really be honest with myself. I was looking at myself from the outside instead of the inside, where the real struggles are buried underneath what I do and say on the outside. I was able to analyze my life through God’s eyes and recognize my position in my relationship with God.
My key verse became Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I have been brought up the way I have for one purpose—God’s glory. He has prepared me by raising me up in Biblical knowledge and giving a firm foundation to build my faith on, and I am meant to complete good works He has laid out for me.
Key Verse: "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." (Mark 2:11)
I. The Work of God I Experienced
This was my first spring conference, and also the first time I had written and presented my life testimony. I was very reluctant at first to write a testimony, and continued to procrastinate and put it off because I didn’t feel like writing it. Part of that was my laziness, but another part was that I felt like I had nothing to say. I’ve been in church all my life and thought that telling about it would be boring. Instead, I was pushed to look at my life on a deeper level and really be honest with myself. I was looking at myself from the outside instead of the inside, where the real struggles are buried underneath what I do and say on the outside. I was able to analyze my life through God’s eyes and recognize my position in my relationship with God.
My key verse became Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I have been brought up the way I have for one purpose—God’s glory. He has prepared me by raising me up in Biblical knowledge and giving a firm foundation to build my faith on, and I am meant to complete good works He has laid out for me.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Mark 8: 27-38
(Originally written March 28, 2009)
Key Verse: "'Get behind me, Satan!' he said. 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'" (Mark 9:33b)
When Jesus and his disciples went on to Caesarea Philippi, he pulled them aside for some time in training. "Who do people say I am?" he asked them. After they had answered, he then asked them a more personal question: "Who do YOU say I am?"Peter immediately answered, "You are the Christ." This was a very personal confession for Peter, and in Matthew 16 Jesus attributes it to his heavenly Father as a revelation fromthe Lord.
As Christians and God's creation, we need to come to this point in our lives . In recognizing Jesus as the Christ, we not only acknowledge him in that role but also realize our own lowliness as sinners in need of a Savior. Discovering Jesus's identity goes hand-in-hand with discovering our own.
Through the writing of my life testimony, the James study, and attending this spring conference, I have had the privilege and blessing of finding my own identity; not just as a winner in all my shortcomings, but aslo as God's workmanship (based on Eph. 2:10). Still, without acknowledging Jesus as the Christ- MY Christ- This is all meaningless.
Key Verse: "'Get behind me, Satan!' he said. 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'" (Mark 9:33b)
When Jesus and his disciples went on to Caesarea Philippi, he pulled them aside for some time in training. "Who do people say I am?" he asked them. After they had answered, he then asked them a more personal question: "Who do YOU say I am?"Peter immediately answered, "You are the Christ." This was a very personal confession for Peter, and in Matthew 16 Jesus attributes it to his heavenly Father as a revelation fromthe Lord.
As Christians and God's creation, we need to come to this point in our lives . In recognizing Jesus as the Christ, we not only acknowledge him in that role but also realize our own lowliness as sinners in need of a Savior. Discovering Jesus's identity goes hand-in-hand with discovering our own.
Through the writing of my life testimony, the James study, and attending this spring conference, I have had the privilege and blessing of finding my own identity; not just as a winner in all my shortcomings, but aslo as God's workmanship (based on Eph. 2:10). Still, without acknowledging Jesus as the Christ- MY Christ- This is all meaningless.
Life Testimony- Spring Conference '09
(Originally written March 28, 2009)
Key Verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Part I: God has Blessed My Life
I was born Courtney Elaine Richards on the evening of May 2nd, 1988 in Starkville, Mississippi. I was the first child of four—two daughters, two sons. My sister, Autumn, is 19, two years younger than I, and my two brothers, Travis and Shawn, are 17 and 15.
With my father as a Southern Baptist pastor, my family moved around a lot. Moving was always hard; every time, we had to start all over again. My father always said it was according to God’s will; I went along with it, but I’d be lying if I said I liked it, or that I really understood. We moved a total of 7 times, lived in 5 different states and learned in 5 different school systems (6, if you count the 3 years I was homeschooled). We’re now living in Dundee, Michigan, and have lived there for 6 years.
Key Verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Part I: God has Blessed My Life
I was born Courtney Elaine Richards on the evening of May 2nd, 1988 in Starkville, Mississippi. I was the first child of four—two daughters, two sons. My sister, Autumn, is 19, two years younger than I, and my two brothers, Travis and Shawn, are 17 and 15.
With my father as a Southern Baptist pastor, my family moved around a lot. Moving was always hard; every time, we had to start all over again. My father always said it was according to God’s will; I went along with it, but I’d be lying if I said I liked it, or that I really understood. We moved a total of 7 times, lived in 5 different states and learned in 5 different school systems (6, if you count the 3 years I was homeschooled). We’re now living in Dundee, Michigan, and have lived there for 6 years.
James 5
(Originally written March 6, 2009)
Key Verse: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. …You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” (James 5: 1, 3b)
All the student leaders in Narrowgate were asked to write testimonies on one word they received from the James study, and I hadn’t decided on a passage until after Missionary Joan Park and I studied James 5 this afternoon; and I immediately knew what I wanted to write about.
James opens the end of his letter, the fifth chapter, with this warning: “weep and wail, because misery is coming.” It was not warning them about being rich, nor does he mean that Christians are not allowed to be anything but poor and destitute; instead, he is rebuking them for being selfish and proud in their riches and luxurious lifestyle. Essentially, their wealth was wasted; it had rotted, and moth had eaten their clothes. Their gold and silver had corroded, and that corrosion testified to their wastefulness. They had killed innocent men, indulging themselves and not even paying their hired workers (v. 2-6).
Instead of squandering their wealth, they should have glorified God with it. Their values were messed up—instead of placing their faith in God, they put their trust in material things, all of which will pass away.
Key Verse: “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. …You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” (James 5: 1, 3b)
All the student leaders in Narrowgate were asked to write testimonies on one word they received from the James study, and I hadn’t decided on a passage until after Missionary Joan Park and I studied James 5 this afternoon; and I immediately knew what I wanted to write about.
James opens the end of his letter, the fifth chapter, with this warning: “weep and wail, because misery is coming.” It was not warning them about being rich, nor does he mean that Christians are not allowed to be anything but poor and destitute; instead, he is rebuking them for being selfish and proud in their riches and luxurious lifestyle. Essentially, their wealth was wasted; it had rotted, and moth had eaten their clothes. Their gold and silver had corroded, and that corrosion testified to their wastefulness. They had killed innocent men, indulging themselves and not even paying their hired workers (v. 2-6).
Instead of squandering their wealth, they should have glorified God with it. Their values were messed up—instead of placing their faith in God, they put their trust in material things, all of which will pass away.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)