HOPEful girl

  Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. -Psalm 46:10 I have this sense of urgency, but I feel like God is working on me still, preparing me for something more.  I don’t know what that is, yet, but I’m to be still and do the work I have set before me.  My mind is never still.  In the stillness, I will praise God and worship him , glorify him with the work set before me.  The year is almost half way done and Ive been without social media. Although I do feel disconnected from those I know, I do feel more connected with my Lord. Have I gotten anywhere with my book? It is definitely slow going, but I will say I am further along then I was last year.  And even more then I was yesterday.   So I guess that’s something.  Instead of scrolling, I’ve just been filling my head with bible reading and studying.  I do watch YouTube, but mostly Christian topics appear on my feed.  S...

  CHAPTER 26-28 As I conclude this blog devotional in the book of Matthew, I hope that you’ve been blessed by it by learning more of who Jesus of the Bible is.   In these last three chapters, we learn about the days preceding his death.  In some churches this is called ‘Passion’ or ‘Holy’ week.  We learn about the passion of Jesus.  When I look up ‘passion’ in the dictionary, it is defined as a strong and barely controllable emotion. It is also defined as the suffering and death of Jesus.    I guess I could say the suffering and death of Jesus came from a strong emotion-that is God’s love for us.  However, it is God who was always in control. This was always his plan and if you study the Old Testament which I encourage you to do next, this plan is evident.  QUESTIONS  Chapter 26 Why weren’t the Jewish religious leaders planning to kill Jesus on Good Friday at the Passover? Why didn’t Jesus see the woman’s action as wasteful...

  CHAPTER 23-25 QUESTIONS Chapter 23  Why did Jesus speak so harshly against the Pharisees and the scribes? Was He just finally fed up with them? What does Jesus show us about His heart toward His people who rejected Him? Chapter 24 Why were the disciples so impressed by the temple buildings? What was Jesus impressing on the disciples and us? What should we think about the various signs (earthquakes, famines, wars) when they have been going on for centuries and may keep going on for many centuries forward? What is the “abomination of desolation” (v. 15)? What will Jesus’ return be like? Was Jesus wrong when He said, “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (v. 34)? How can Jesus say He does not know the day or hour of His return if He is the Son of God? Do verses 40 and 41 speak of the rapture? Chapter 25 What are the “extra flasks of oil” Christians should have as we await Christ’s return? What is Jesus teaching us about our ta...

  CHAPTER 21-22 QUESTIONS What was the meaning of the word “hosanna” that the crowds shouted to Jesus? Why did Jesus use so much force and anger when He cleansed the temple? Why would Jesus do something so harsh in the early spring? (21:18–22) Why didn’t Jesus directly answer their question? (21:23-27) What was Jesus teaching through this parable? (21:28-32)  What is the meaning of this parable? (21:33-46) What is Jesus trying to teach through this parable? (22:1-14) What answer were the Pharisees hoping Jesus would give? (22:15-22) Why were the Sadducees rejecting the resurrection of the dead? What was the trap here? (22:34-40) Why were the Jewish scribes unable to answer Jesus’ question? (22:41-46)  This week is Palm Sunday and we’ve appropriately reached the point in our study of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.   This is the origin of the celebration of Palm Sunday- ..and a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches fro...