21 | January | 2019 | This Year's Bible Reading Guide

Yesterday, I typed up my post in the new editor. The Bible verses ran off the page! I tried again in the classic editor and the same thing happened. After the third attempt, I decided to wait until today to try again. I won’t quit.

Matthew 18:1, “Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.” The Message

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I like to make people laugh. Not everyone gets my dry humor.

We didn’t have a guitar player for worship. The director decided to cut one instrumental.

I objected, “I get one piano solo and you cut it out.” I didn’t get a laugh.

Instead, the bass player said, “Sounds like someone is doing this for the wrong reasons.”

I burst out laughing. I thought he was funny.

Later, I shared this with a friend who “gets” my humor. I told her I should just keep quiet.

She disagreed, “You can’t stop being yourself.”

Luke 18:14, “…If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” The Message

I’ve spent more time flat on my face than I care to admit. I’ve also spent time with my foot in my mouth. God loves me anyway.

“You’re an original, and it didn’t happen by accident. God designed your DNA. He made you the way He wanted you to be. He gave you your voice, your smile, your freckles, your curly hair, all those things that make you who you are.” The Word for You Today, January 21, 2019

Does everyone get your humor?

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“The movie ‘Ben Hur’ won more Academy Awards than any other movie in history. Charlton Heston, who played the hero in this movie, had to drive a chariot for his role. He was supposed to win the climactic chariot race, but there was a problem: He was having trouble learning to drive the chariot. He walked over to his director, William Wyler, and said, ‘Mr. Wyler, I can barely stay on the chariot. I can’t win this race.’ Wyler looked at Heston and said, ‘Son, your job is to stay on the chariot; my job is to make sure you win.’ …Stay on the chariot. Don’t quit on God and don’t stop trusting in Him. Your job is to obey; His job is to make sure you win. …” The Word for You Today, 1-19-19

A chariot race is a good picture of a marriage. Everything goes so fast. You have 4 horses who want to go in 4 different directions.

Those who try to win the race – keeping ahead of their neighbors – don’t survive. Those who survive win.

Those who jump off are either killed or maimed. Sometimes, it’s really exciting. Other times it’s really scary. If you’re married – just hold on tight!

Matthew 19:10-12, “Jesus’ disciples objected. ‘If those are the terms of marriage, we’re stuck. Why get married?’ (11) But Jesus said, ‘Not every one is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. (12) Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked – or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.’ ” The Message

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“Two leading schools of Pharisees debated over what constituted appropriate grounds for divorce. The school of Hillel said that divorce was unfortunate, but that a man could divorce his wife for simply burning his toast. By contrast, the school of Shammai declared that a man could divorce his wife only if she had been sexually unfaithful in some manner …He [Jesus] replied by allowing divorce in only one situation: when the wife had committed ‘sexual immorality’ (19:9). …When ancient divorces went to court, a charge of immorality could determine who got the wife’s dowry. …he considered the innocent party in a divorce, and allowed exceptions for those divorced or betrayed against their will (Matthew 5:32; see 1 Corinthians 7:15).” Chronological Study Bible Notes

Jesus chose not to marry for the sake of the Gospel. He knew His mission and let go of everything else.

Marriage is one of the blessings of God. He blesses us with other things but we are to hold them loosely. They may pass through our hands to someone else.

Matthew 19:22, “That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.” The Message

God’s blessings are not reserved for the saints among us. The same grace and mercy extended to Mother Teresa is given to the deathbed convert.

“God’s rewards are not earned by the time we serve or the energy we expend. They are His gracious gifts to all who follow Him faithfully. Matthew’s parable explains the proverb ‘first will be last’ (Matthew 19:30; 20:16).” Chronological Study Bible Notes

How long have you been following God?

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