#curiouskris

Hi there, again. 

After a lazy, chilly day here in Florida, I got some good God-time in. I feel like a majority of my posts are going to be really stream of conscious, which may or may not be a good thing. Haha. 

Regardless, here goes nothing. 

Verses for reference: 

Luke 2: 21–24

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 

23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 

I've mentioned this study before, but I don't know if I went into too much detail on what I've learned yet. It's called, "Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only" by Beth Moore. I don't know what I expected with it, but it's been a bit different than I had expected. 

I haven't had too much to share from it lately since it's taking us slowly through the birth of Christ. I started this devotional because I realized how much I didn't know about Christ himself—aside from the classic God qualities and whatnot that just seem to come naturally from being in faith—and that worried me. So I'm taking this step by step. 

At this point in the lessons, Jesus has just been circumcised and taken to the temple to be "redeemed". It's cool because Beth Moore talks about the Jewish traditions and whatnot—explaining what all of the rituals in these verses mean. 

After a Jewish child had been circumcised—or made physically set apart as a child of God—a mother had to wait thirty-three to "present her child" at the temple. So, it was basically a symbolic act of giving the child to God, and then purchasing it back through sacrifice. It's a crazy parallel since Mary and Joseph—being devout Jews—did all this to the man that would one day purchase them into the kingdom of God. 

I love how intentional God is—it's really very incredible! He just so carefully crafts the situations in our lives to fit together perfectly. I think that's so awesome and something to totally brag about—the glory of our God is just so mind-blowing.

So, as for that study, that's where I got today! I'm kind of surprised how slow the study is—although I'm thankful for that. Some studies are just so dense it makes for a heavy reading. But this is light and fulfilling all in the same. 

Some of the questions that she asked in her study were really good, I thought I would also share some of those and see what you guys thought!

1. What is the difference in being obedient to custom—merely tradition—or being faithful to do what God has commanded?

I liked this attention to the heart. I've grown up in a non-Christian home, so I've never been one to pray before meals or other "customs" like that, so it was interesting for me to think about that. I know family I breeze through the prayer before a meal and that always seemed to defeat the purpose to me.

2. Which religious customs carry the most meaning for you?

For me, I can appreciate the purpose of baptism. As a believer, I know that the simple act of being baptized will not secure me a place in Heaven, but I can appreciate the state of mind and heart that would compel a person to make a public "statement" such as that. 

Anyway, all good things to consider! Let me know what you guys think (: 

In efforts to combat this overwhelming desire to sleep in too late every morning this break, I've decided to stay up all night to equal something out—hopefully. 

So, here I am now, doing my late night/early morning devotion. I've also decided to include links to the books I reference because they're super awesome and I would recommend having any of them in your personal libraries!

Related verses: 

—Psalm 31: 19-20

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,

which you have stored up for those who fear you

and worked for those who take refuge in you,

in the sight of the children of mankind!

20 In the cover of your presence you hide them

from the plots of men;

you store them in your shelter

from the strife of tongues.

—Romans 8:31

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

—Ephesians 6:15

15 ...and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

01. I really enjoy my "Jesus Calling" devotional by Sarah Young. If you haven't heard of it, it's a little book written in the perspective of Jesus. It's a really unique way of listening to God's word and—at least for me—I feel like I can better absorb what I learn as something that God says personally to me. And recently, I bought a little companion book, "Jesus Lives," and I've been using that simultaneously. 

For January 3rd, the focus is on constantly being mindful and refreshed in God's peace. I like to think of this like the James Bond movies—how he is always so conveniently given new gadgets that just so happen to be exactly what he needs for whatever he's assigned. Sarah Young describes peace as "a gift that is always available to us to enjoy." This stood out to me because I've never really thought of emotions as something that God gave to us as something we can "tap into" whenever we feel the need. 

02. Also, she mentions the armor of God from Ephesians (which I included a bit of this previously). 

It's times like this where I wish I had more knowledge surrounding these ancient times and the culture of the Romans. I recently read something from "Charles Stanley's Handbook for Christian Living" about the armor of God and what all the pieces really mean. 

I won't go into all of that now (feel free to contact me if you want to know more about it!), but when Paul describes "the armor of God" in relation to Roman armor, he was very intentional about it. During battle, Roman's often wore boots with spikes on the bottom so they could stay grounded while suffering blows from the enemy. 

I think this is exactly what we're instructed to do with the Bible—or the "Gospel of Peace" as Ephesians 6:15 puts it. Simply put, God is cool enough to give us exactly what we need right when we need it. And the crazy part about that, is we're supposed to suck without Him. The Christian life doesn't mean you'll never have something you can't handle—the idea is that you will! But with God, you'll be able to conquer it. 

So, I guess that sums up my lesson for today. It tends to just be a strange concoction of thoughts, but hey. Hopefully you can pull some kind of nugget from the madness. 

I hope everyone has a great day! Here's to not falling asleep! 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. --Psalm 1:1-3

For the beginning of this project, I thought it would be appropriate to look first at Psalms and Proverbs... also, I didn't have any other ideas. Anywayyy, it was a good decision, because in Psalm 1 I was reminded of what I should know but often forget to put into practice: avoid sinful behavior and focus on God's law/will. Somewhere in my room, likely buried under architecture magazines and scented lotions, is an old notebook where I used to jot down verses to memorize. This is one of my many good-intentioned ventures that broke over the past few years, slowly supplanted by solitaire and Hulu, among other things. What I've learned from looking back over 2013 is that I have far too many bad habits and far too little self-discipline. I'd like to rectify this soon. Perhaps discipline should be the theme of these devotions? 

Onward! I don't have much to say about my reading of Proverbs 1 for the time being. It was, as always, a good reminder that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." I think it's high time I started praying for wisdom again.

Regarding bad habits... I have just come across that part of 2nd Corinthians where Paul discusses his "thorn in the flesh", and how the Lord allowed it to remain with him despite his prayers that it would be removed.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. --2 Corinthians 12:9-10

This is a difficult section for me to understand, although I recognize its importance in my life. I won't go into detail now as this entry is becoming rather longer than I expected, but I constantly struggle with weaknesses (involving gluttony, lust, sloth, to name a few). I just cannot yet seem to grasp this concept of allowing Christ's power to "rest upon me" instead of my own. I find myself wasting my meager strength on the smaller battles of daily life, and ignoring the larger ones, until the entire war seems futile. At the end (or sometimes the beginning) of the day I am exhausted and frustrated and disappointed with myself. This cannot be allowed to go on.

Moving on to Ephesians 5, I find another few verses which I frequently return to... Actually, make that all of chapter five.... and part of six as well. Um, I'll just share what stands out to me today, and you can go read the rest at your leisure.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and those are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." --Ephesians 5:14-17

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. --Eph 5:22-23

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Eph 6:7-9

That's all I have for today. Toward the end of my reading, I was listening to music played in another room, and thought it quite fitting. If you would like the same musical accompaniment while you consider today's thoughts, I suggest two Casting Crowns songs: If We've Ever Needed You and To Know You. Happy Wednesday, folks!