Ponder the Path of Thy Feet.....

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Which ground are you? Do you hear the Word and it never takes root? Or are you rocky ground where it's root is not deep? Or are you the ground with thorns, where money, possessions, and worldly pursuits cause the Word to be choked out of your life? Dear Ones, What we should be is the last that Jesus mentions, good soil.. where the Word embeds in our hearts, flourish and grows and produces fruit in our lives. The fruit should make us seem strange to those who met us, people should desire to be with us, but hate it at the same time because of conviction. The Lord should radiate from us that people can no longer see us but only see Christ. So which are you? If you are truly transparent and honest- you would not say the last because in our flesh and sinful nature we each are all three. God forgive us. Let us glorify Christ and rejoice in the grace He bestows in our lives. Thank you for journeying with me- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones, As we take the time to examine scripture, Jesus shows us in his words that it is an investment. It takes time. We must toil dig, cultivate, plant and then the harvest comes. According to the Holman study Bible-the Old and New points to the old knowledge that comes from the Old Testament and the New is the teachings (for the disciples) of Jesus. For us today it is the same we are so blessed to have the entire bible to learn and store within us. For the most part we take advantage of the fact that we have the freedom to have so much knowledge at our fingertips. Let us seek to grow and store this knowledge for GOD's glory. Thank for journey with me.- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones, Yesterday in my reading these scriptures stood out to me. I started thinking about Joseph's willingness to take on this great responsibility. His obedience, without complete understanding. Imagine the confusion he felt when he found out the woman he was betrothed to was pregnant. Betrayal, hurt, maybe even anger had to consume him, but even in that he desired no harm to come to her. (Let's remember the cultural background- she would have been killed for betraying her covenant with her future husband) He was going to quietly "divorce her" and just leave it and that, but an angel of the Lord came to him and told him what Mary probably was trying to explain all along. He told him to marry her, and to name the baby Jesus (because it was the husband that named the baby) I wonder in all this how Mary felt. She was betrothed to this man, so she didn't actually pick him, her father did. So she probably didn't love him. I wonder after watching his willingness, his obedience to God, his consideration, and thoughtfulness because he waited till she wasn't pregnant to be intimate with her that her heart grew and her love for him was sparked. What amazing thing to see the willingness and obedience of Jesus earthly parents. Just some thoughts and things to make you think more of how truly wonderful God's plan is. Thank you for journeying with me. - Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones because at this time I am taking a class that is requiring me to read a lot of Chapters of the Word of God. All 27 books of the New Testament in 8 weeks. It doesn't sound like a lot but when you add that with two required books for the same course, writing papers, discussion board posts and replies, tests each week, and any other required item. So I am pushing pause on Romans and going to share random thoughts, and insights from what I am reading now :) thank you for journeying with me! - Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones- I first want to apologize for all the typos in my last post. I tried a new program that did not work real well. (And I did not read over my work) Please forgive me... Ok We have finally reached the end of Chapter 2- Paul is still trying to make his point in these last verses to the Jewish people. "Circumcision was a sign and seal of a covenant that God made with Israel (Ex 12:44-49) The rite went back to Abraham and the covenant God made with him (Gn 17:9-14). Circumcision became a badge of Jewish identity and, it was thought, a guarantee of salvation. Some later rabbis even taught that Abraham sat at the entrance to Gehenna (“hell”) and would not permit any uncircumcised Jew to enter there. By implication, the way you lived made no difference." (taken from the Holman Christian Standard Study Bible) Let us reflect on how we are no different in our hearts than Jewish people. We walk around declaring our salvation in Christ, but yet our actions speak differently. We are impatient with the waitress or waiter, we curse the driver that cuts us off, we do not love our neighbors, and we show no kindness, grace or mercy to those who we do not know or care about. These are not a reflection of one who is following after Christ. Dear Ones, we have a responsibility to walk in the ways of Christ. We are expected to live out in action the Word of God to those who are lost, hurting and need to see the light in this world of darkness. Let us live in this calling. Let us glorify God in word and deed. Thank you for journeying with me- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones. Paul continues to address his Jewish brothers. After Guesting their hearts um verses 21-23 he concludes with a reminder that their actions Defames the name of GOD and that their actions affect how others see Gob. Oh how this message rings true for us to day. How many timeshave you heard people say they won't go to church because it is full of hypocrites. (as if the only place you find hypocritesis church-but that is another message) or that they won't go to church because of the people. DearOnes, though these words are truefor the person saying it. It should not be this way! What the people of the church forget is we are to be reaching the hurting and lost. We are Not a social club that gathers once a week. We are servants And messengers, sent to be the hands, feet, mouth and heart of Christ. Let us not forget that! Thank you for journey with me.- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones Paul is still addressing his Jewish brothers. Remember, they knew the law, so thought highly of themselves. We examine these scriptures, let us ask ourselves these same questions. Dear Ones, do we teach others, but not live out what we teach? Do you steal and tell others not to? Do you look upon a woman with lust and yet tell a friend not to commit adultery? In so many ways we have the do as I say not as I do "mentality. That is not really how it works. People are watching. Children mimic, people follow Trends in every area of life. There are people who say," I do my own thing, but honestly, they follow something, they mimic someone. We all must watch ourselves, especially those in leadership. Before submitting to a body or it's leadership, exam that leadership. Be sure that their private life matches with their church face. The sad case is that people are living double lives. And what you find is the "do as I say NOT as I do" heart. None of us Exempt, we are all subject to this, so let us exam our hearts. Let our actions and hearts bring Glory to God. Thank you for journeying With me- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones As we continue on in our study of Romans we see here that Paul again addresses the Jewish people. Here he reminds them that they are to boast in God. As Christians, followers of Christ, what do we boast in? Ourselves, our own righteousness? When we desire the things of God, and God's will, it is no easy task. " In these verses Paul engages in "if" clauses spelling out the benefits and privileges that the Jews possess through the Covenant. Each of these items is a cause for pride on the part of the Jewish people." (Excerpt from Encountering the book of Romans) In so many ways we see the same dilemma in our Christian churches. Those who believe that they are the "chosen generation", above everyone else, or even above every other church. Calling themselves the Remnant. Dear Ones, God calls all to repent and follow after Him. No one can understand or know the heart of another, yet in high mindedness, and pride we look down on one another because we are not of the same church, same denomination, or same culture. If you call yourself a Christian, then you are no longer black, white, or any other culture, Or you are not of Pentecost, or you are not of Baptist but you are of Christ. When you put on the mind of Christ and remember from whom we receive our salvation, and we love as He loved, all the Worldly things will not matter.. If you are a light in the darkness, then remember that light comes from Christ. Let us live in the truth of the Gospel of Christ and walk in it. Thank you for journeying with me. - Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones The Gentiles were not raised knowing the Torah (the law). They didn't know the expectations of God according to that law yet naturally some showed God' law. It showed that God writes on the heart, of everyone, His name and we each naturally know right or wrong. "The Jews could not claim exemption on the ground that they had a special place in God's plan. The Gentiles could not claim exemption on the grounds that they had never received the written law. The Jews would be judged as men and women who had known the law; the Gentiles as people who had a God-given conscience. God will judge us according to what we know and have the change to know." (Excerpt from William Barclay's Romans commentary) Dear Ones, take the change to know God, take the change while you have it to know that He loves you and desires joy, peace, love, kindness, goodness that comes only from Him. Rejoice today that He has given us a written Word to guide us and that we do not have to be as the Gentiles and just wing it. Thank you for journeying with me- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts.

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Dear Ones Everything the Jews did was based on the law of God. They truly lived in the law, and believed in the law. Especially those who lived righteously for God. Here Paul is reminding them that though some do not live by the law, they will die and those who live by the law will be judged by the law. Those who live by the law and it manifest in their lives (doers) will be declared righteous. What does this mean? Well, in my simple mind, I will try to explain it. 'Paul's claims that God would impartially judge."(remember verse 11 says there is no favoritism.) But the Jews who were God's chosen people believed that they were above everyone else. They didn't believe that God would treat them as the heathen or the Gentiles. "All who have sinned apart from The law (the law given to the people by Moses also know as the Torah) and those sinned under the law, Paul alleges the results for each group is the same, they will perish. Paul is asserting the equality between Jew and Gentile before God in the judgement. Jews will be condemned even though they have the Torah because God justifies doers of the law, not only who just hear it." (Exert from Encountering the book of Romans)Dear Ones, though we have been set free of the law with the blood sacrificial atonement of animals, we are not free of obeying the Word of God. God does expect his "chosen people" those who call upon the name of Jesus to be doers of the Word and not just hearers. We will be judged one day for the new life we are to be living in Him. Study your Word, know what God desires for you and from you. Thank you for journeying with me. -Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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Dear Ones As we reflect on this scripture we see some things that we should take note. One that glory, honor and the best gift of all the gift of peace is given to those who do good. - What does that mean in the eyes of God, to do good? Well, I would translate that into obeying His Word, loving others as he has called, sharing the light to this world which is the Gospel of Christ. We have truly been given a gift as well as a responsibility and God does not show favoritism. We are all called to do the will of God, love one another, and shed the light of Christ to all. Thank you for journeying with me- Angie #dailyscriptureandthoughts

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