When I first began this blog, one thing I wanted to do was to keep track of my bible study. Sadly, I let it fall away for the longest time. I tried bible study on my own, but each time I'd end up stopping for some reason or another. Knowing that I would be writing my notes here on the blog each day kept me accountable. It worked for me, so I'm bringing it back.
Last week my family went to the funeral of a dear lady. She was a good Christian woman, and one thing that was said about her, among many, is that she knew her bible well. She'd start in the beginning, read it from cover to cover, and start over again. She kept the word of God in her heart, and quite obviously fresh on her mind each day. She lived by the Word.
To me, she was the epitome of southern hospitality. I didn't know her as well as my husband did --she moved to be closer to family shortly after we married--but she welcomed guests into her home, fed them, and talked with them for long periods of time. And of course, she loved to talk scripture. It poured from her. There is another like her. My mother in law. But I'm getting off track here.
Today I began to read the book of Esther. The first chapter deals with king Ahasuerus. The very first verse says he ruled over 127 provinces, from India to Ethiopia. That's quite a spread! In the third year of his reign, Ahasuerus decided to throw this elaborate banquet for the nobles. They partied for several days with lots of food and wine. Vashti, the queen, had her own party in the royal house for the women. They spared no expense on all this.
Vashti was a beautiful woman, and Ahasuerus knew this. On the seventh day of feasting, being fairly well drunk, he sent for Vashti to come to him. He wanted to show off his lovely queen. Now, when the king calls you, you show up, no questions asked. He is after all, the king and it would be an insult (and could prove quite dangerous) to displease the king. But Vashti, for whatever reason, refused to make an appearance. Perhaps she had a headache and just did not feel well. Or maybe she just did not want to be shown off to a bunch of drunk men. She was sent for and she refused.
The king, not used to being ignored like this, was quite angry. His advisors told him to banish her. Give her position and estate to someone else. After all, the women of Persia and Media looked to Vashti as an example. If she could defy her husband like that and get away with it, the other women might defy their own husbands. Vashti would no longer be allowed time with the king. Ahasuerus agreed to this and it was so.
In time his anger waned, but he remembered that she had refused him and now was banished by his own decree. But a king needs a queen so he went to his advisors once again, and they came up with an idea to, well, audition for a queen. They would choose the most beautiful young maidens of the land and they would come to the palace to live for a year. They'd be given beauty treatments and such, and one by one they would spend time with the king himself. Then he could choose one of them to be his new queen. In chapter two, which I had just begun to read before I had to stop, Esther was introduced. We will talk more about her tomorrow.
It seems strange that the King and Queen would celebrate separately, and the queen would be at her husband's side only at his request, but this was the custom of the day. Vashti knew her role and she risked everything by defying her husband's command. And during this time is a young girl in the care of her cousin, with no idea that she would soon be a queen. Hope to see you tomorrow so we can continue.
Showing posts with label morning cup of tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morning cup of tea. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Sunday, July 17, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus on Adultery and Divorce
Good morning.It's a beautiful Lord's day here. My household is preparing to go to worship services in a bit.
Today's lesson is from Matthew 5: 27-32.
27. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already with her in his heart.
Now ladies, I'm going to stop right here for a second. We all know that this information goes both ways. I'm also going to say that that the old excuse "I can't help it if some guy looks at me. They're going to look anyway" does not fly. Sorry, that dog just don't hunt.
Yes, there are some out there who would wolf whistle at a woman covered head to toe. But that does not give us the right to dress immodestly. We don't necessarily have to go back to high neck blouses and skirts down to the toes unless you happen to like that look. But wearing the microscopic shorts that barely cover the "essentials" and the tops that either show the belly or half your chest is like having a flashing sign over your head saying, Hey, look at me!
Yes, I know it's hot outside. And I know the excuse, they shouldn't look. If you didn't want guys to look would you be dressing that way? honestly? A tip, ladies: leggings are great for exercising and such. Out in public, please wear something else over your hips.
Dressing modestly applies to men as well. We need to teach our sons not to be wearing tight jeans or conversely, pants that are so loose that you have to walk funny to keep from losing them completely.
29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out , and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30. And if they right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Simply put, we should be keeping a tight rein on ourselves, and taking care of the "trouble spots."
31. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
I don't think Jesus could get any plainer than that. There is no biblical reason for divorce other than one partner straying from the marriage bed. Marriage should be sacred. NOTHING should get between a man and a woman who are married. Yes, I understand that people also divorce because of abuse. I would never , ever advocate staying where you are not safe. But scriptural divorce is only in that one case.
One day i would love to do a post or series on marriage. But for now, if you would like to read some great husband/wife advice, please go to heavenly homemakers
for Laura and Matt's series on Healthy Marriage Tips From A to Z.
Have a wonderful day!
Today's lesson is from Matthew 5: 27-32.
27. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already with her in his heart.
Now ladies, I'm going to stop right here for a second. We all know that this information goes both ways. I'm also going to say that that the old excuse "I can't help it if some guy looks at me. They're going to look anyway" does not fly. Sorry, that dog just don't hunt.
Yes, there are some out there who would wolf whistle at a woman covered head to toe. But that does not give us the right to dress immodestly. We don't necessarily have to go back to high neck blouses and skirts down to the toes unless you happen to like that look. But wearing the microscopic shorts that barely cover the "essentials" and the tops that either show the belly or half your chest is like having a flashing sign over your head saying, Hey, look at me!
Yes, I know it's hot outside. And I know the excuse, they shouldn't look. If you didn't want guys to look would you be dressing that way? honestly? A tip, ladies: leggings are great for exercising and such. Out in public, please wear something else over your hips.
Dressing modestly applies to men as well. We need to teach our sons not to be wearing tight jeans or conversely, pants that are so loose that you have to walk funny to keep from losing them completely.
29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out , and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30. And if they right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Simply put, we should be keeping a tight rein on ourselves, and taking care of the "trouble spots."
31. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
I don't think Jesus could get any plainer than that. There is no biblical reason for divorce other than one partner straying from the marriage bed. Marriage should be sacred. NOTHING should get between a man and a woman who are married. Yes, I understand that people also divorce because of abuse. I would never , ever advocate staying where you are not safe. But scriptural divorce is only in that one case.
One day i would love to do a post or series on marriage. But for now, if you would like to read some great husband/wife advice, please go to heavenly homemakers
for Laura and Matt's series on Healthy Marriage Tips From A to Z.
Have a wonderful day!
Monday, July 11, 2011
A Morning Cup of Tea
Good morning! Last night's lesson was part of a series the preacher is doing on spiritual growth. It touched me so deeply, making me realize I haven't been growing as I should be. I obeyed the gospel and became a Christian at the age of 18, and that was (mumble) years ago. While I have gone to worship, and studied, and done the best I can, I don't always follow through with personal study, and summer time seems to be hard on my husband and me when it comes to attendance. More on that in another post. Today I want to focus on bible study, and I hope that you will study along with me.
I decided yesterday, that the perfect time for me to have quiet time is in the morning. Most of the time I'm an early riser and wake before my son does. My plan is to have a comfortable place to sit, my bible, a notebook for notes and questions, and a cup of tea. In the middle of July my "cup" is more often than not going to be a glass of iced tea, but I hope you settle in with your favorite , whether it be tea, coffee, or juice :) We don't have to make it complicated, just time to sit back, read, and reflect.
If during your bible study you choose to follow along with me, I've decided to read the New Testament, starting in Matthew. As we all know, smaller bites are better for digestion, so I'm concentrating on a few chapters at a time.
Today's reading is Matthew chapters 1 and 2.
Chapter one of course, deals mainly with the genealogy of Christ, on Joseph's side. I thought it interesting to note that Rahab and Ruth were also mentioned at this time as part of his lineage, when most of the time they focus on the fathers.
In chapter two, the wise men are on the search for king of the Jews born in Bethlehem. King Herod is ruler during this time and he's not at all pleased that someone may be trying to usurp him. He asks the wise men to come back and let him know where the baby is, so that he may go and worship also. But when he finds that the wise men have gone home another way, he made a decree to kill all children two and under in the area. But at this time Joseph had taken his family to Egypt, being warned in a dream they were not safe where they were.
What insights or questions do you get out of these two chapters?
I decided yesterday, that the perfect time for me to have quiet time is in the morning. Most of the time I'm an early riser and wake before my son does. My plan is to have a comfortable place to sit, my bible, a notebook for notes and questions, and a cup of tea. In the middle of July my "cup" is more often than not going to be a glass of iced tea, but I hope you settle in with your favorite , whether it be tea, coffee, or juice :) We don't have to make it complicated, just time to sit back, read, and reflect.
If during your bible study you choose to follow along with me, I've decided to read the New Testament, starting in Matthew. As we all know, smaller bites are better for digestion, so I'm concentrating on a few chapters at a time.
Today's reading is Matthew chapters 1 and 2.
Chapter one of course, deals mainly with the genealogy of Christ, on Joseph's side. I thought it interesting to note that Rahab and Ruth were also mentioned at this time as part of his lineage, when most of the time they focus on the fathers.
In chapter two, the wise men are on the search for king of the Jews born in Bethlehem. King Herod is ruler during this time and he's not at all pleased that someone may be trying to usurp him. He asks the wise men to come back and let him know where the baby is, so that he may go and worship also. But when he finds that the wise men have gone home another way, he made a decree to kill all children two and under in the area. But at this time Joseph had taken his family to Egypt, being warned in a dream they were not safe where they were.
What insights or questions do you get out of these two chapters?
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