On this date, July 23rd, Margo was reading in Luke 20:20--26 titled, "Paying Taxes to Caesar" and in Colossians 3:9--14 titled "Principles for Holy Living".
Margo underlined one sentence in the commentary on the passage in Luke. To provide some context I'll quote a couple verses from the bible passage and a couple from the commentary.
Luke 20: 20--26
Keeping a close watch on Him, they [the religious leaders] sent spies, who pretended to be honest. ...the spies questioned Him: "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
He saw their duplicity and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"
"Caesar's" they replied.
He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
...astonished by His answer, they became silent.
Commentary:
...Jesus turned His enemies' attempt to trap Him into a powerful lesson: God's followers have legitimate obligations to both God and the government. But what is important is to keep our priorities straight.
Here's what Margo underlined:
When the two authorities conflict, our duty to God always comes before our duty to the government.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 22nd
On this date, July 22nd, Margo was reading in Luke 20:1--19 titled, "The Parable of the Disloyal Tenants" and in Colossians 3:1--8 titled "Keep Your Heart on Things Above".
Margo didn't underline any verses or any of the commentary on the passage in Luke, but she underlined a verse in the passage in Colossians. To provide some context I'll quote a couple verses leading up to the one she underlined.
Colossians 3:5--8 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
Here's what Margo underlined:
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Margo didn't underline any verses or any of the commentary on the passage in Luke, but she underlined a verse in the passage in Colossians. To provide some context I'll quote a couple verses leading up to the one she underlined.
Colossians 3:5--8 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
Here's what Margo underlined:
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 21st
On this date, July 21st, Margo was reading in Luke 19:41--48 titled, "Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem" and in Colossians 2:16--23 titled "Do Not Be Enslaved by Legalism".
Margo didn't underline any verses or any of the commentary on the passage in Luke, but she did underline several sentences in the commentary on the passage in Colossians. In order to provide some context I'll quote some of the verses in the passage and then quote the sentences in the commentary she underlined.
Colossians 2: -- Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day...Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize...Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not Taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish...Such regulations have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Here's what Margo underlined:
"Man-made religions focus on human effort; Christianity focuses on Christ's work. Paul agrees that believers must put aside sinful desires, but that is the by-product of our new life in Christ, not the cause of it. Our salvation does not depend on our own discipline and rule-keeping, but on the power of Christ's death and resurrection."
Margo didn't underline any verses or any of the commentary on the passage in Luke, but she did underline several sentences in the commentary on the passage in Colossians. In order to provide some context I'll quote some of the verses in the passage and then quote the sentences in the commentary she underlined.
Colossians 2: -- Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day...Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize...Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not Taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish...Such regulations have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Here's what Margo underlined:
"Man-made religions focus on human effort; Christianity focuses on Christ's work. Paul agrees that believers must put aside sinful desires, but that is the by-product of our new life in Christ, not the cause of it. Our salvation does not depend on our own discipline and rule-keeping, but on the power of Christ's death and resurrection."
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 20th
On this date, July 20th, Margo was reading in Luke 19:28--40 titled, "Jesus' Triumphal Entry" and in Colossians 2:11--15 titled "Alive with Christ".
Margo underlined a sentence in the commentary on the Colossians passage, and the following remarks from the commentary will provide the context:
"God has declared us not guilty, and we need no longer live under sin's power. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots--we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin."
Here's what she underlined:
"The difference is that before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful nature, but now we can choose to live for Christ."
She also underlined this verse in Proverbs 19:
"21 -- Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
She was experiencing His plan for herself and I know she was depending on Him to get her through.
Margo underlined a sentence in the commentary on the Colossians passage, and the following remarks from the commentary will provide the context:
"God has declared us not guilty, and we need no longer live under sin's power. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots--we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin."
Here's what she underlined:
"The difference is that before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful nature, but now we can choose to live for Christ."
She also underlined this verse in Proverbs 19:
"21 -- Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
She was experiencing His plan for herself and I know she was depending on Him to get her through.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 19th
On this date, July 19th, Margo was reading in Luke 19:11-27 titled, "The Nobleman and His Servants" and in Colossians 2:1-10 titled "Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge".
Margo underlined Colossians 2:8-10:
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."
This time last year we had just returned home from an MRI at Swedish Hospital in Denver and a consultation with Dr. Arenson. Margo had to have a sedative in order to get through the MRI. We were still hopeful but the fight was getting tougher. She was so strong and such a sweetheart.
Margo underlined Colossians 2:8-10:
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."
This time last year we had just returned home from an MRI at Swedish Hospital in Denver and a consultation with Dr. Arenson. Margo had to have a sedative in order to get through the MRI. We were still hopeful but the fight was getting tougher. She was so strong and such a sweetheart.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 13th
On this date, July 13th, Margo was reading in Luke 18:1-8 titled, "A Parable About Prayer" and in Colossians 1:1-6 titled "Paul Thanks God for the Colossians".
Margo underlined Luke 18:1:
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
This is a parable about an "unjust judge" "who neither feared God nor cared about men." This judge was pestered over and over by a woman who wouldn't quit asking for justice "against" her "adversary". The judge finally acquiesced and granted her request.
Margo underlined the last few sentences in the commentary on the Luke passage:
"Constant prayer means keeping our requests constantly before God as we live for Him day by day, always believing he will answer. When we thus live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay answering, but his delays always have good reasons, and we must not confuse them with neglect. As we persist in prayer we grow in character, faith, and hope."
Margo also underlined a couple sentences in the commentary on the passage in Colossians:
The last part of Colossians 1 verse 6 reads:
"...All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth."
Here's what Margo underlined in the commentary:
"...God's word is not just for our information, it is for our transformation!...New believers have a changed purpose, direction, attitude, and behavior. They no longer seek to serve themselves, but to serve God...."
Margo underlined Luke 18:1:
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
This is a parable about an "unjust judge" "who neither feared God nor cared about men." This judge was pestered over and over by a woman who wouldn't quit asking for justice "against" her "adversary". The judge finally acquiesced and granted her request.
Margo underlined the last few sentences in the commentary on the Luke passage:
"Constant prayer means keeping our requests constantly before God as we live for Him day by day, always believing he will answer. When we thus live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay answering, but his delays always have good reasons, and we must not confuse them with neglect. As we persist in prayer we grow in character, faith, and hope."
Margo also underlined a couple sentences in the commentary on the passage in Colossians:
The last part of Colossians 1 verse 6 reads:
"...All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth."
Here's what Margo underlined in the commentary:
"...God's word is not just for our information, it is for our transformation!...New believers have a changed purpose, direction, attitude, and behavior. They no longer seek to serve themselves, but to serve God...."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 2nd
On this date, July 2nd, Margo was reading in Luke 14:1-6 titled, "Jesus Heals on the Sabbath" and in Philippians 1:8b-30 titled "Life is Christ, Death is Gain".
Margo didn't underline any verses but underlined some sentences in the commentary. To get the context I'll quote the relevant verses.
Luke 14:1-6
"One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, He healed him and sent him away.
Then He asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say."
Commentary: By healing this man on the Sabbath, Jesus was rejecting the Pharisaic tradition which did not allow for this.
Here's what Margo underlined:
"Showing mercy should always take precedence over a rigid keeping of rules."
Philippians 1:21-26
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."
Here's what my dear wife underlined in the commentary:
"If you're not ready to die, then you're not ready to live. Once you know your eternal purpose, then you're free to serve--devoting your life to what really counts without fear of dying."
Margo didn't underline any verses but underlined some sentences in the commentary. To get the context I'll quote the relevant verses.
Luke 14:1-6
"One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, He healed him and sent him away.
Then He asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" And they had nothing to say."
Commentary: By healing this man on the Sabbath, Jesus was rejecting the Pharisaic tradition which did not allow for this.
Here's what Margo underlined:
"Showing mercy should always take precedence over a rigid keeping of rules."
Philippians 1:21-26
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."
Here's what my dear wife underlined in the commentary:
"If you're not ready to die, then you're not ready to live. Once you know your eternal purpose, then you're free to serve--devoting your life to what really counts without fear of dying."
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Margo's Bible Verses July 1st
On this date, July 1st, Margo was reading in Luke 13:31-35 titled, "Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem" and in Philippians 1:12-18a titled "The Gospel Advanced Through Paul's Chains".
Margo didn't underline any verses but underlined a couple sentences in the commentary. To get the context I'll quote the relevant verses.
Philippians 1:12 - 14
(These verses are hard for me to even quote, considering what my sweet wife was going through at this time...)
Paul writing while under arrest in Rome during the reign of Caesar Nero. I think he might have had some inkling what lay ahead:
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
Here are the sentences Margo underlined in the commentary:
"Paul realized that his current circumstances weren't as important as what he did with them. Turning a bad situation into a good one,..."
This time last year Abigail our youngest was home getting ready to leave for another tennis tournament and Margo's sister Brenda and her nieces came to visit for a day or so.
We didn't know it at the time, but in just a couple days I was going to be offered a job with ITT Corp in Colorado Springs. The interview was set for July 3rd. After the interview, I was offered the job and Margo and I decided it would be best for me to take it.
We prayed about this for several days before deciding. We were ready to start our own business, had spent several thousand dollars to get it going, had licenses, and everything was ready, but the job in Colorado Springs seemed like an answer to prayer.
Margo emphatically urged me to take the job. At that time we thought things were going well, and better than expected. I think Margo must have known that things weren't going as well as we thought, or at least as I thought. The job turned out to be a tremendous blessing, considering the too soon unraveling of our hopes.
Margo had such tremendous insight.
Margo didn't underline any verses but underlined a couple sentences in the commentary. To get the context I'll quote the relevant verses.
Philippians 1:12 - 14
(These verses are hard for me to even quote, considering what my sweet wife was going through at this time...)
Paul writing while under arrest in Rome during the reign of Caesar Nero. I think he might have had some inkling what lay ahead:
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
Here are the sentences Margo underlined in the commentary:
"Paul realized that his current circumstances weren't as important as what he did with them. Turning a bad situation into a good one,..."
This time last year Abigail our youngest was home getting ready to leave for another tennis tournament and Margo's sister Brenda and her nieces came to visit for a day or so.
We didn't know it at the time, but in just a couple days I was going to be offered a job with ITT Corp in Colorado Springs. The interview was set for July 3rd. After the interview, I was offered the job and Margo and I decided it would be best for me to take it.
We prayed about this for several days before deciding. We were ready to start our own business, had spent several thousand dollars to get it going, had licenses, and everything was ready, but the job in Colorado Springs seemed like an answer to prayer.
Margo emphatically urged me to take the job. At that time we thought things were going well, and better than expected. I think Margo must have known that things weren't going as well as we thought, or at least as I thought. The job turned out to be a tremendous blessing, considering the too soon unraveling of our hopes.
Margo had such tremendous insight.
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