Read the NT in 10 week - Acts

Acts 4:11-12
¹¹ This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ ¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I just like this verse. I often search for it because I haven't actively memorized the reference. Now I think it is about time. Acts 4:11, Acts 4:11, Acts 4:11, Acts 4:11. Say it several times outload now. Ok I think I got it.

This verse summarizes our need to accept Jesus alone as our savior. Sometimes I guess it can feel restrictive, but it is the narrow path that we are called to walk.

What do you wish?

John 15:5,7
⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

I often do get what I pray for, what my heart asks for. I am currently going to Bible College to get a degree in Biblical Counseling. I prayed to be used by Jesus, to be prepared for His ministry. Jesus answered my prayer by letting me go to school. Now I wonder what I have gottent myself into. It is hard work and I am just taking one class at a time. On the other hand though it is refreshing to be studying the Bible and Biblical principles for complex problems. If we abide in His will He takes care of us.

Thank you Jesus!

Read the NT in 10 Weeks - John

John 4:1-2
¹ Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John ² (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples)

This verse caught my attention for a couple reasons. First I never really noticed before that Jesus had been baptizing people. And He even baptized more than John did. And of course the second part, Jesus didn't baptize directly but His disciples did.

From the beginning baptism was an important part of becoming a disciple. I think also He demonstrated that baptism was to continue by not doing the baptism Himself, but the very people that were baptized, where also baptizing others into the faith.

Jesus, thank you for forgiving my of my sins. Help me to follow you and to let others know about you that they to might be forgiven and be saved.

Has the rooster crowed for you?

Luke 22:60-61
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Jesus new before hand that Peter would deny Him, yet He still told Peter "on this rock I will build My church." That is a humbling thought. Jesus is saying that despite our weakness He is strong.

Now I have to turn this inward. How many times have I denied Jesus - failing to say something when He is challenged in my presence so I won't get stared at or whatever. Sure sometimes it could be legitimately minding my own business, but there were times when I knew I should say something. Maybe a polite, "I believe in Jesus", when people are putting the faith down. It doesn't have to be confrontational. There have been several times when I felt a real conviction in my spirit for not saying something.

On the other hand. There have been times I have been faithful. Like when I was on the bus reading my Bible and someone challenged, "Do you really believe in that book?" I was able to keep calm and say "Yes, I do, every time I read it I find more truth." After that we actually had a decent conversation about the Bible. His initial challenge was a kind of test to see if I was weak or would get angry. He even had an apologetic tone.

Has the rooster crowed for you?

Read the NT in 10 weeks - Luke

Luke 7:28
For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

I noticed this verse while reading Luke because of thinking about what it means to be a prophet. John foretold of Jesus' coming. It seem like there is another place in the Bible that says John the Baptist was the last prophet. I will keep my eyes open for it as I read through the New Testament this time.

You may have noticed I changed my title from 5 to 10 weeks. Thats right, I am a slacker :). My study partner and I haven't been keeping up with the 5 week schedule, but we are doing pretty good with a 10 week one. Now I just have to get some more verses posted from the other books I have read. I am up to Acts.

Read the NT in 5 weeks - Mark

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many

In my Bible it describes the Gospel of Mark as portraying "Jesus as a Servant on the move". I wondered if that is what I would notice while reading Mark this time. I have to admit, that I didn't really. I noticed something more mundane. That there seemed to be less "red letters" as in less quotes from Jesus and more narrative compared to Matthew's account. Don't get me wrong I don't think this Gospel is any less inspired. The narrative of Jesus' life is amazing. There a few verses that I underlined.

Mark 4:34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

7:28 And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs"

11:20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

15:17-18 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

What verses would you notice as you read through Mark?