Bible Stuff

Comments, observations, and insights from my Bible reading

Why I read the Bible:

It teaches me.  

It guides me.

It nourishes me.

It encourages me.

It strengthens me.

It gives me hope.

It challenges me.

It shows me where I need to change.

It helps me grow.

An Invitation

You are cordially invited to a wedding celebration!

 

Groom & bride: Jesus Christ and his Church

Guest of honor: You!

Date: Any day.  However, he’s coming back when we least expect it.

Time: Whenever you’re ready.  But please don’t delay or you’ll miss out. 

Place: In your heart, in your life.  He’ll meet you there.  In fact, you’ll hear him knock before you open the door.  As a gentleman, he never forces his way in.

Attire: Come as you are.  He’ll be washing your clothes anyway.  He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the end.

Tickets: For you admission is free.  However, for him it cost everything he had.  And he’s already paid for everyone.  He says we wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway.

Gifts: He wants you, not your stuff.  In fact, he has many gifts waiting for you.  Such as forgiveness, joy, peace, truth, life, love, closeness with God, eternity in heaven, and much more.  He’s very generous. 

Entertainment: Miracles, healing, and power.  There will be a light show like none other.  And it’s all G rated, so bring your family and friends.

RSVP: This is essential.  He must know ahead so he can reserve a place for you at the table.  And, he’s keeping a list of his guests for future reference.  He calls it the Lamb’s Book of Life.

I hope to see you there!

 

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb [Jesus Christ] has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.  Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.”  (Revelation 19:7-9)

Comments on Exodus 16:

In this chapter the Israelites have left Egypt and are in the desert.  They are hungry and complain to Moses.  God then provides them with manna and quail to eat.  This teaches us the following things:
  • God knows our needs.
  • God hears our cries.
  • His supply is abundant.  He fed over 1 million people every day for 40 years.
  • He provided for the righteous and the unrighteous.
  • He made himself known to them.
  • He gave them a day of rest each week.
  • He may not satisfy all of our desires, but He will meet our needs.
  • He wants us to depend on him day-by-day.

Observations from the story of the centurion’s faith in Luke 7:

In this story, Jesus heals a servant who is sick and is near death. The servant belongs to a Roman centurion.

  • The centurion (a Roman soldier) valued his servant and had compassion for him, which seems out of the ordinary.

  • The centurion knew of Jesus and believed he could heal his servant, even though the centurion likely had not yet seen or met Jesus. This directly implies that we don’t have to see Jesus to believe in him and trust in him.

  • The centurion had great faith in Jesus - he believed Jesus could heal his servant with just a word.

  • Even though the centurion was in a position of authority in the Roman army, he was humble - he realized that Jesus had more authority than he did.

  • The events transpired seemingly without direct contact or communication - the centurion summoned Jesus through the Jewish elders and Jesus healed the servant without seeing or touching him.

  • Jesus shows his compassion for those who are not Jewish - the centurion and the servant. This shows that those who are not Jewish can believe in and be ministered to by Jesus.

Who is Jesus?

The identity of Jesus is described in the first chapter of the book of Hebrews:

  • He is the Son of God. (verse 2)

  • He has spoken to us. (verse 2)

  • He made the universe. (verse 2)

  • He is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of God’s being. (verse 3)

  • He sustains all things in the universe by his powerful word. (verse 3)

  • He provided purification for sins. (verse 3)

  • He sat down at the right hand of God in heaven. (verse 3)

  • He became superior to the angels. (verse 4)

  • His name became superior to the angels’ name. (verse 4)

  • God is his father. (verse 5)

  • He is God’s first-born. (verse 6)

  • The angels are to worship him. (verse 6)

  • His throne will last forever. (verse 8)

  • He loved righteousness. (verse 9)

  • He hated wickedness. (verse 9)

  • He is above his companions. (verse 9)

  • He was there in the beginning. (verse 10)

  • He is Lord. (verse 10)

  • He laid the foundations of the earth. (verse 10)

  • The heavens are the works of his hands. (verse 10)

  • He will remain. (verse 11)

  • He will roll the earth and heavens up like a robe. (verse 12)

  • He will remain the same. (verse 12)

  • His years will never end. (verse 12)

  • He sits at God’s right hand. (verse 13)

  • He has enemies. (verse 13)

  • His enemies will be made a footstool for his feet. (verse 13)

More to come!

Scripture verses are taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.