Interconnected thoughts

Mark 3:33-35 (HCSB)

He replied to them, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"  And looking about at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother."

These verses really motivates us to seek out God's will and do what He's already to us to do ... and not just study and hear His word.  Of course, as we do what He says and constantly commune with Him, we draw closer and know what He wants in a better way.

James 1:22 (HCSB)

But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Along the same lines, to be a friend of Jesus', we have to obey His commands.

John 15:14 (HCSB)

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Which (I'm not backing this up with Bible, but I think it's fairly logical.  Feel free to argue if you see something wrong.) I would take to mean that being familiar (like family) with God is more than just following rules, and more of just loving Him and other people.

Matthew 22:37, 39 (HCSB)

He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Which of course means:

Luke 6:31 (HCSB)

Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

And we would follow Jesus' example of loving ... and living really.  Otherwise, He wouldn't give us this command:

Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Cuz... you know... all those rules... They're not there so we can get on the "good side" of God.  They're for our own good.  For example the Sabbath:

Mark 2:27 (HCSB)

Then He told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath."

God loved His people so much, He literally commanded them to take a break, so their bodies wouldn't break down.
All He wants is to love us with His unlimited and unconditional love and that we would love Him back.  And you can't very well love someone if you don't obey Him.

Anyways... just some thoughts from Bible reading...

Mizzoria~

Special Seat

While I'm not the avid reader I used to be nor am I as desperate for reading as I know some to be... this type of furniture is still appealing to me...

Whaddaya think?

Mizzoria~

Reading Radical

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDhhwi5Cr4lYaG_9sYBvcuTxHZqz0TcoQfV93mcnA72wztBalh4Q

I'm starting the book God at War [Amazon Link]and wow!  It is good!  It's radical to the point where it goes 100% percent against what I was taught in the 7 years of my homeschooling (I'm not including college, where I wasn't taught any theology). HOWEVER, it answers many of my questions about evil and spiritual warfare.  I would tell you more about it, but since I don't hold a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary, I would HIGHLY recommend you read Gregory Boyd's above-mentioned book with an open mind and see for yourself! I'm not saying that I agree with all of it, even with my background, but the theodicy is quite convicting.

It just goes to prove a common saying that I use and I'm not sure if some famous person has created it before me, "Just because everyone else is doing it, does not mean it's right."

Mizzoria~

God's Will and Leading

To know the Will of God -

Read the Bible.

To be led by the Spirit of God -

Do the Bible.

-Lester Sumrall-

How many people do you know don't know what God's will is?  How many people don't know if they are led by the Holy Spirit?  I think the quote above sums it up VERY simply and truthfully.

Mizzoria~