Biblical Shakers

Please click on the blue title, 6th Week Advent Matthew, to see the video. Week Six Monday, Intro to Matthew Matthew Intro Delores Little THOUGHT The gospel of Matthew was written by a Jew, Levi, or as we know him better Matthew the tax collector. Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecy. In the opening sentence, Matt.1:1 we read: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, and the Son of Abraham.” Matthew identifies Jesus as the Son of Abraham saying, “In you shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  All families of the earth include both Jews and Gentile. Since the focus of the Old Testament scripture is on the coming of the Messiah and His Kingdom, Matthew used the phrase, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ more than 30 times, ‘Son of David’ 10 times, and ‘that it might be fulfilled which was spoken’ at least 9 times.  Matthew recorded more than 20 of Jesus’s miracles.  Matthew has more than a 100 references to Christ Jesus and r...

  Week Five - Psalms Monday, Psalm 103 written by David Psalm 103 Verses 1-5 Matt Strayer Verses 1-5:  “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits---- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with LOVE and COMPASSION, who satisfies your desires with good things so your youth is renewed like the eagles.” THOUGHT I pray these verses in daily for everyone.  This chapter is full of forgiveness and the love of God. In 8 & 9 we read His Love in those verses for us sinners. In verses 10-12 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. With this verse I remember all the times that I had been hurt by someone’s words or deeds. I’d want to hurt them back in some way.  By reading this, God shows us that it isn’t the right way to do it.  We should react like verse 11 says.  He doe...

  Week Four, Proverbs  Monday, Proverbs Intro Proverbs Intro Tanya Ruden Written by Solomon to teach people how to attain wisdom, discipline, a prudent life, and how to do what is right, just and fair. THOUGHT Can you imagine writing a book with all your wisdom in it? I love to give advice and talk about my experiences.  That is where I think many of us gain true wisdom.  It is from our own learning. I think that older people with more experiences have lots of wisdom to share. I think it is so important to listen to them and learn from them. They have so much to teach us. I believe there is a time in our lives when we think it a waste of time to listen to them.  I pray we are wiser now and listen to our parents and elders in our lives. I liked the definition of knowledge - having facts, as compared to wisdom - applying those facts to life.  My dad always said we go to college to learn how to think, and I think this intro explains that a little bit. We learn...

Week Three, II Thessalonians  Monday, Introduction II Thessalonians Intro Jeanie Boldt THOUGHT This letter was written by Paul about 2 months after he had sent the first letter to Thessalonica. Many in the church were confused about the timing of Christ’s return. Many thought that He could come at any moment so they stopped working for the Lord and just waited. Adding fuel to the fire was the continued persecution of the church. Many felt that indeed this must be the “Day of the Lord”. Responding quickly, Paul sent a second letter to this young church. In it he gave further instruction concerning the second coming and the day of the Lord. The letter begins with Paul’s trademark greeting. He mentions their perseverance in spite of their persecution and trials and uses this situation to broach the subject of Christ’s return. Paul shared that at this time Christ will vindicate the righteous who endure and will punish the wicked. We are closer to Christ’s second coming than the Thessal...

Monday:  I Thessalonians, Chapter One I Thessalonians 1 Verse 7 Bart Strayer Verse 7: And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. THOUGHT I must admit, I was having writer’s block on this first chapter of Thessalonians. I got some help from Mindy on this one. We had been talking about lifestyles lately. For example, if you could afford it should a lavish lifestyle be sought after?  For example, what house is too big?  What car is too nice?  Etc?  We both had interesting things to say about the topic.  Mindy’s comments had everything to do with Verse 7.  Live an average life even if you have much.  The objective is to become a benchmark of fiduciary duty to the church by living an average life even if you have much.  Not only will the church be a benefactor, but your brother and sisters’ lusts after your materialism will be at a minimum because you will have an average lifestyle. I thought that was a good point to m...