Before a man can strive for maturity, he must understand forgiveness.  Here are most of the Bible versus about forgiveness:

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness

• This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
• This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,  and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)
• Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
• All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:34)
• I am sending you to them  to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:17-18)
• In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
• For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

You will notice that each one deals with forgiveness of sins.  Jesus died on the Christ so that we may have our sins forgiven.

If you are a man who wants to be fully mature, then the first step is to become a follower of Jesus.  Simply ask God to forgive your sins.

Next Step: Don’t settle to just receive forgiveness but strive to become Christlike.  I encourage you to seek out a godly church that focuses on discipleship.

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 17
2. Deuteronomy 22
3. 2 Corinthians 5
4. Revelation 1
5. Daniel 3
6. Psalm 24
7. Proverbs 19
8. 1 Chronicles 23
9. Zechariah 4
10. Romans 2

Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,  he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:29-30 TNIV)

And then God snatched the kingdom from Nebuchadnezzar that He allowed him to have.

Why?

Because Nebuchadnezzar was prideful and didn’t acknowledge that everything belongs to God.

Everything Belongs to God

You woke up at 5am to get ready for work.

God allowed you to live another day.

You have earned that promotion at work.

God gave you your abilities to be able to earn that promotion.

You have an awesome wife that you love.

God has given her to you.  She is on loan.

Everything we have is a gift from God.  He deserves to be praised.  There is nothing we have or nothing we do that doens’t require God’s strength.

After some time, Nebuchadnezzar recognized that God deserved glory.  After this God restored him to his position as King.

Nebuchadnezzar ends his thoughts with this,

“And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37 TNIV).

Spend some time today examining yourself.  Are there areas in your life were you are prideful?  If so, then I encourage you to repent.  Don’t wait for God to humble you.

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 17
2. Deuteronomy 22
3. 2 Corinthians 5
4. Revelation 1
5. Daniel 3
6. Psalm 24
7. Proverbs 19
8. 1 Chronicles 23
9. Zechariah 4
10. Romans 2

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Jesus

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a blazing hot furnace because they didn’t want to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar’s statue.

Before Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fire, he asked them,

“what god will be able to rescue you from my hand” (Daniel 3:15 TNIV).

They replied,

King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18 TNIV)

Where is Our Loyalty?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego put their trust in God, though knowing  that He may not save them from the furnace.

Are we willing to trust God?  Even if it means death?

Most of us will never be tested like this but it is a question we should ponder.

Not only did God choose to save them, but he chose to join them in the furnace!  Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego see Jesus when they were in the furnace?  The text doesn’t say.  Nebuchadnezzar did see the forth man and he exclaimed that “he looks like the son of the gods.”

In our time of testing, though we don’t see God, He is there with us.  Never doubt this.  Be encouraged by this.

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 16
2. Deuteronomy 21
3. 2 Corinthians 4
4. Jude
5. Daniel 2
6. Psalm 23
7. Proverbs 18
8. 1 Chronicles 22
9. Zechariah 3
10. Romans 1

(The movie didn’t have the corny background music.)

Maybe I am odd, but I really enjoyed The Book of Eli.  I do see it as a work of fiction, but there was at least one good message that can be taken from this movie.

Eli read the Bible everyday for 30 years.

At one point in the movie, Eli has the Bible stolen by a guy who is wanting to use it in order to gain more power.

Eli, without the Bible, arrives in San Francisco.  He informs a man that he has a King James Bible in his possession.  The man wants to make copies of the Bible, so he asks to see it.

Eli tells him to get a lot of paper and something to write with.  Eli then begins to quote the entire Bible from memory.

Now, I don’t know if after 30 years of reading the Bible that we could quote it in its entirety from memory.

I’m not even sure that is the point.

I believe the point is at least 3 things:

1. To know that the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

2. To share that message with others (Matt. 28).

3. To be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

That completes Day 10 of the 3650 Challenge.  100 chapters down and 3550 chapters to go.  How has God’s Word changed your heart these last 10 days?

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 15
2. Deuteronomy 20
3. 2 Corinthians 3
4. 3 John 1
5. Daniel 1
6. Psalm 22
7. Proverbs 17
8. 1 Chronicles 21
9. Zechariah 2
10. Acts 28

A Good Life Without Jesus Leads to Death

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25 TNIV).

How many Christians have read the Bible at least one complete time?  I have heard the figure is somewhere around 1%!  If 99% of Christians aren’t reading the Bible, then where are they getting their worldview?

The answer could be that they are getting their worldview from weekly church attendance.  Though I highly doubt this.

Why?

Because church consumes a mere 2 hours out of our 168 hour week.  The world works daily to feed us their view on life.  How can we combat this?

By reading our Bible daily.

In order to know the only correct way, we must read God’s Word.

And after we know the correct way, then we can live the correct way.

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 14
2. Deuteronomy 19
3. 2 Corinthians 2
4. 2 John 1
5. Ezekiel 48
6. Psalm 21
7. Proverbs 16
8. 1 Chronicles 20
9. Zechariah 1
10. Acts 27

Some unChristians believe that Christians are arrogant for spreading their message that there is only way to God.  One needs to keep in mind that it is not our message, but it is Jesus’ message.  Jesus said,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 TNIV).

I think it is great that we don’t have to guess at how to get to God.  Jesus made it clear.

It makes sense that there is only one way to God.

Last summer I ran my first ever 6k.  It took me 39 minutes to run the course that was set out for me.  There was only one way to get to the goal.  I wasn’t allowed to veer off course.  If I did, then I would have disqualified myself.

We win a race by running the one and only course.  There is only one way to earn a degree; it is accomplished by doing the course work.

There is only one way to go to God the Father, and it is through Jesus Christ.

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 13
2. Deuteronomy 18
3. 2 Corinthians 1
4. 1 John 5
5. Ezekiel 47
6. Psalm 20
7. Proverbs 15
8. 1 Chronicles 19
9. Haggai 2
10. Acts 26

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:12-17).

I Don’t Wash Feet

I don’t wash feet because compared to feet 2000 years ago, today’s feet are relatively clean.  But aren’t we supposed to wash feet?  We should probably wash our own feet for the sake of others around us.

We Should Serve Like Jesus

Jesus set us an example to follow.  He was Teacher to His disciples.  When He washed their feet, He made Himself a servant.

That is the point!  Jesus, though He is King, chose to make Himself a servant.  There is no job that is below us.

Ask yourself what is the equivalent to washing feet in 2012.  Whatever it is, we should be willing to do because Jesus would do it.

And if we serve, we “will be blessed.”

Today’s Bible Reading Bookmarks

1. John 12
2. Deuteronomy 17
3. 1 Corinthians 16
4. 1 John 4
5. Ezekiel 46
6. Psalm19
7. Proverbs 14
8. 1 Chronicles 18
9. Haggai 1
10. Acts 25

Because I got my first ever wisdom tooth pulled today, it has been a little difficult to focus.  But here is one thing that stuck out to me from doing the 3650 Challenge.

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus” (1 John 4:17 TNIV)

Are We Like Jesus?

• Do we want God’s will for our lives more than anything else?
• Are we willing to go anywhere for God just like Jesus did?
• Will we give up earthly comforts for the sake of the lost?
• Do we love our neighbor?
• Do we care about God’s Great Commission?

Am I like Jesus?  Not as much as I would like to be.  I do believe that I am going in the right direction but going that way takes a daily persistence.

“In order to become more like Jesus, we can’t live a life less like Jesus.” -Eugene Peterson

That concludes day 6.  If you have anything to share, please do so in the comments.  I’d love to talk to you!

I didn’t sleep well last night.  I just don’t like going to the doctors, or in this case the dentist.

Two weeks ago I broke one of my wisdom teeth.  Luckily I didn’t feel any pain.  Yesterday I had my wife call the dentist and set up an appointment.

Private insurance in Germany is wonderful.  Expensive, but wonderful.  I had my appointment this morning and they were able to pull my tooth.  1 down and 3 to go sometime down the road.

Nervous Wreck

So like I was saying, I couldn’t sleep well last night.  I asked God to relieve my anxiety and He did, but I eventually take over again.

I tried calming myself down, thinking of how painful this procedure would have been 100 years ago.  I tried thinking of all the starving people in the world or those who are beaten for their faith.

I try to keep everything in perspective.  This could have been worse.  And ultimately I am in God’s hands… even for something as simple as a wisdom tooth extraction.

After they pulled my tooth, I hopped on my bike and rode home.

Do you have a wisdom tooth tale?  Share in the comments.

PS: For anybody who may wonder why a missionary would pay for expensive health insurance, I wanted to let you know that I don’t have a choice.  It is required for my visa to stay here in Germany.