Lev 1-4
I sure am glad that I don't live on the old testament days! All those sacrifices and procedures would be a chore. But they were all a picture of things to come.
Every offering...peace, sin, burnt, meat...one requirement was the same...without blemish. I chuckled to myself as I thought about all the blemished animals. They never had to fear for their life to be taken at the altar. The unblemished animals though were a picture of Christ to come. Only his sacrifice would ben sufficient. Now that I think about it, I'm one of those blemished lambs. It's not that I'm worthless and useless, that's just not my mission. And it's Christ that makes it so that I can live. His perfection took my place.

Tough stuff..
1 john
Loving Your Brother
I find it kind of ironic that maybe the one person in the world that I have a tough time "loving" is my literal brother (well, other than Allan)
God, its hard to love someone that you feel like is constantly fighting against you. And continually hurts Mom. What do I do? Well, I know what to do, but I struggle with doing it. Forgive, forgive, and forgive again. Don't take it personally but help me to keep my mouth shut Lord, and love instead of criticizing like I so often like to do.

Attitudes

Matthew 1-2

Talk about extreme insecurity. When Herod heard of Jesus' birth, he was on an immediate mission to kill him. When the wise men mocked him by not bringing word of where this Christ child was so he could "worship" him. He ordered that all the children 2 years and under to be killed. He felt threatened by a baby. He thought he could destroy what had been prophesied by the prophets hundreds of years ago.
I considered all those mothers whose babies were slaughtered because of the wrath and jealously of Herod. What was their reaction to Christ? Was it pure anger toward Herod or to God too because had not Jesus been born at that time their children's lives would have been spared. Herod, too, had no prejudice as to whom should be killed. So their religion or social status had no bearing.

My observations to this....

1. Have my emotions often destroyed those who were "in the way"? A bad attitude whether it's jealousy, anger, depression, etc. can often spill over to others that have nothing to do with the situation. No, I'm physically killing anyone, but I could be hurting someone by not giving a smile or saying a kind word because I'm "not in the mood".
2. Though it wasn't God's plan to have all those babies killed, He knew it was going to happen. Those families had no choice to the circumstance, but they had a choice in their attitude or reaction. Their circumstance could drive them to God or drive them away from God. I really have no clue as to their reactions, but I figure peoplen are much the same across generations and cultures. It was downright not fair for them to lose their babies, but for some reason this is what God allowed. I must remember this when persecution or difficult times come though they are unfair and completely unjust because of an unrighteous person, God has allowed it. The circumstance can drive me to Him or away from Him. The reaction part IS my choice.

1 peter 1-4
Let your feet and hands do the talking
My mouth is not required to prove that I am a Christian, but it's my testimony that speaks louder than any words I can utter. This is especially true if I suffer wrongfully. Taking a stand doesn't win people over, but acting completely opposite if what they expect does. The key though is not that they are controlling me, but My Father is and everything is unto Him.

Hebrews 1-6
Forgive me, Lord for getting sleepy while reading. But I do love Hebrews and how it explains your purpose. How everything before was a picture of things to come. The law, the priests, the tabernacles...all of it....proof of Your coming and the completeness of Your sacrifice. It's so plain and clear. Thank You for Thy Word that everreminds me of how wonderful you are.

Proverbs 17
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Okay when I first read this I was thinking it said that whoever rewards evil with evil...because I was having a problem with that...but evil for good...I don't think I do that, especially since I'm not a teacher now. :) But it is a good reminder to me now as a Sunday school teacher. Don't reward teenagers that are doing evil with my time and focus when the "low maintenance" kids deserve a little extra love and care.

2 TIM 1
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Another reminder from you, Lord, not to worry or fear. You've got it all under control. Thank you, Jesus.

I Timothy 2
"...exercise thyself unto godliness."
Exercise takes work. It's uncomfortable and puts you, but majesty you feel better after. I write this after skipping out in my workout session this morning.:( I can rarely say I look forward to exercising, though I don't really loathe it, but after I've done it, I'm rather glad I did and it makes me proud that I've pushed myself and did what was good for me instead of giving into my fleshly laziness. Such is the case with my path of godliness. I'm always glad after the fact that I've chosen the godly choice, and the more I do it the larger and stronger my spiritual muscles get. Thanks for that reminder today, Lord. I love You!

Philippians 1-4
The battlefield of the mind
"Be careful for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving lets your requests be made known unto God....whatsoever things are true...think on these things..."
Worrying never solves anything. Tell God about it and don't dwell on negative things.

Ephesians 1-3
Praise Jesus that He destroyed the enmity between me and God! He broke down the wall. By Him I have access to the Father. My little mortal brain can't quite wrap itself around the greatness of that action or the true power of Your sacrifice, Jesus!
Thank You for making it all dependent on you, and not by works. Amazing, amazing grace! I had never paid attention to that verse before about You breaking down the middle wall or the partition. I think I will dwell on that more.

Galatians 6-9 ?
Paul was talking to the Galatians about how you are either lead of the Spirit or if the flesh. They are walking in complete opposite directions. You can't do both. I am either producing fruits of the Spirit or fruits of the flesh.

12. Your husband is defined by who he is and not by what he does.
13. Change yourself, that's an easier burden. You cannot change anyone. If you try to do it, it just leaves you frustrated and discouraged. No amount of talking and pleading, and/or nagging will make a difference. Just as God allows circumstances in our life for our own good, I believe He does the same with relationships. They allow us to look at ourselves and let God allow Him to change us. God put my husband on my life because He knew my husband is what I needed to draw me closer to Him.

Galatians 1-3
Salvation is by faith through grace- not the law! Amen! The law was given to help me realize my need and come to Christ. Thank You Jesus for being my mediator!

2 Corinthians 4-7
Come out from among them and be ye separate faith the Lord. I shouldn't look or act like the world. There should be an obvious difference because I am a child of God, and since He died for me the least I can do is live for Him.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation. Worldly sorrow worketh death. When I feel sorry for ways I've hurt the Lord, it makes me better.
My abundance should be given toward those that lack. It's an unspeakable gift that God had given me. To be able to help others and then they help others too. It's not a welfare system. But it's everyone helping each other in the church. Lord, giving is one area that I need to be more liberal in for sure. Help me to know that balance of providing our needs then also giving toward others in need.

2 Corinthians 1-3
My suffering is so I cam know the consolation of Christ and then to ne able to help someone else.
Paul encouraged the Corinthians to forgive. He said it wad necessary because he knew unforgiveness is one of Satan's greatest devices.
In the Old Testament when Moses received the law from God, his face shown so brightly he had to wear a bail when he spoke to the people. If God's written law made that big of an effect, how much more should His word living in me cause me to glow too. I didn't shine very brightly today, Lord. Please forgive me. Your word wasn't reflected very well because I did light the candle in my heart this morning. I need You, Lord. I can't do it on my own. I love You!