As I was driving in to work this morning, I was considering what I would write on my blog today. Next thing you know, one of my favorite songs came on the radio. It's Aaron Shust's "My Savior My God." Are you familiar with it? Well I'd love to put all the words here in my blog but can't because of copyright issues. :( At any rate, the song really lays out how amazing God is--He is past, present and future and always there for us! (How about an amen to that?) It never ceases to amaze me that Jesus came to earth to live among us, and in doing that, He experienced humanity to the fullest, even dying an awful death on the cross so that we could have a one-on-one relationship with God. That "experienced humanity to the fullest" part is important because it shows us that whatever we're going through, God knows and understands exactly. Do you believe that? There have been so many times in my life where something has happened or a circumstance arises where the only response that gets me through is to step back and say "Lord, I know you know what I'm dealing with, and I know you are here with me. Give me wisdom and discernment. Help me get through." When I do this, it's the best response ever for me because it takes the load off me and gives it to God. So you'd think I'd do that all the time, but the truth is, I'm still growing and learning. I'm hoping you can relate?
One more thing. If you have any questions about Hebrews or any of your Bible reading, let us know. We'll answer. I promise. Hope your week is off to a good start. Talk to you again on Thursday. Tami W.
P.S. If you haven't responded to my September 4 blog, there's still time. I still want to hear about you.
Hi Tami,
In this blog you mentioned that
"If you have any questions about Hebrews or any of your Bible reading, let us know. We'll answer. I promise."
How do I submit my questions? I always have lots. Do I just put them in a comment to this blog?
Thank you
Melissa
Melissa (and everyone),
Glad you asked how to post your questions! If you have any questions at all about the Bible readings, you can post them in a comment right here on the blog. I will get back to you with an answer and will post it on whichever blog your question appeared on. So send those questions! Tami W.
Hi Tami,
I'm really glad Melissa asked the above question, because "me too"...I often have questions. Like right now, my question is about Melchizedek in Hebrews 7. What's the big deal? I don't get it's significance. I went to BibleGateway and read the commentaries but I just don't get it.
Thanks,
Deb
Dear Tami,
I just wanted to Thank you so much for your wisdom & encouraging words. Your obedience to the lord is a true testament to me and inspires me to be more like God wants me to be. I'm always drawn to those who seem to have a huge heart for our Lord. I Love that you wear your Light on your sleeve. It's wonderful and refreshing to see. So Thank you, for your ministry, your ups & your downs, as it all helps me in my walk. Powered by 4 has also helped me to be faithful in my readings, I look forward to it everyday now. God bless you .
Tami;
I certainly can relate. How our Lord relates to us is just one of His magnificent characteristics. He understands better than we do how we fight to do the right thing (as Paul talks about), but end up doing the wrong thing. Praise the Lord for His loving kindness and forgiveness.
I like how Hebrews relates back to the Old Testament, and how through Christ, today is different, yet we can still learn and relate to those who have gone before us. Therefore we too can relate to those who are coming after us. Isn't it wonderful how He never changes. Another wonderful and amazing characteristic of our Lord.
I, we, all have so much more to learn from our Lord. I pray none of us ever stop desiring to learn about our gracious and merciful Lord of Lord's and King of Kings.
Tami,
I'm not given to posting comments very often on blogs, but I have to say I really enjoy P4 and the constant emphasis on the practicality of Scripture and your encouragement to "keep on keeping on." As a pastor, I find it refreshing to have the simplicity of Dr. Kroll's teaching every day waiting for me when I get to my study and to have it backed up with the daily Bible reading from P4. Thanks for your ministry.
Deb, thanks for sending your question about Melchizedek. Here's a response from our Biblical Communications department here at Back to the Bible. Tami W.
Melchizedek in the Old Testament is a type (a foreshadowing) of Christ in the New Testament. The name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness" and we know that Jesus was the perfect example of righteousness. When we receive Christ as our Savior, His righteousness becomes our righteousness (Phil. 3:9). Melchizedek was also the king of Salem (later to be called Jerusalem). Salem means "peace." Jesus is our peace. Through Him we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Melchizedek was also a priest. Jesus is our high priest (Heb. 4:15, 5:5-6). Last, but not least, Melchizedek appeared to be eternal (Heb. 7:3). As a human, we know that he wasn't--but his parentage and genealogy was so clouded in mystery that he gave that appearance. But Jesus actually is (John 1:1).
Notice also how Abraham paid homage to him (Heb. 7:4-10). If a human could be treated with such respect and honor, how much more so should we treat the Lord Jesus Christ. Melchizedek was just a symbol; Jesus is the real thing.
Additional Resource: You might also want to read, listen to or watch Tuesday's Back to the Bible program where Dr. Kroll teaches on this section of Hebrews. It has some really good content.
Thank you your perspective. I also subscribe to Daily Bible Verse.org. The theme there this week has been (to paraphrase) "Vengeance is mine!" says the Lord. "I will repay!" I thank God for his Word because I wanted very badly to take matters into my own hands because of injustice and persecution at my place of work. Now, I know I didn't necessarily suffer for the sake of Christ, but it still hurt!! Especially coming from a person or two who claim to be Christians! But although it is hard to endure, Jesus suffered much more than I am currently experiencing. Even seeing a clip this morning about the persecution of teenagers who are being tortured and killed for the sake of Christ in Vietnam and other countries makes me feel like whiner. I'm blessed beyond what I deserve. But it still hurts ... I know Jesus will see me through this.
Thank you for your ministry,
ScatterGun
Good morning Tami, God has really blessed you. Thank you so much for sharing even though I have been amiss in reading the blogs daily. You asked us to share. What would you like to know?
I confess that I have trouble trusting God in my finances and have been lax (but need to) get back to tithing. I don't pledge to the church which I attend because I don't want to promise but not deliver consistently.
As a way of coping with different challenges in my life: I seem to be passive-aggressive in certain areas. Your lesson on temptation has helped a great deal. I am a 53 year old male virgin (physically, but struggle mentally. I see celibacy in some ways a blessing and someways a curse. I also realize that celibacy is better than an unhappy marriage.
Forming relationships with the opposite sex is a challenge because I seem to be a magnet to the very ones who wouldn't be good for me nor I for them. The only time I had a girlfriend was when I was 22 years old and the woman was 7 years older as well as bi-polar(I believe). Because I didn't date in high school, it took em many years to get over, forgive her, etc. Oh yes, she was a Christian who even though saved, overcommitted to serving a dead church. But a lot of good came out of that way back when. Back many years ago, an agency got me into driving trucks. I only drive a pickup with a 14 foot box on it, but I also have a class B Maine commercial Driving license. God used that for His Glory and I am really blessed in that area.
I am grateful to have elderly parents who are living as well as 2 sisters and an older brother. My older sister is Catholic, my older brother is serving the Lord in Ohio, and my younger sister is agnostic.
I hope that Dr. Kroll will be able to come to Maine, again. I heard he backed out of going to Gardiner Maine at Winter Street Baptist Church because of an illness. I was sorry to hear that. I wanted to see and meet him.
I often wonder how I can use my experiences to help others. Thanks for listening. My prayer for other singles who struggle with celibacy is to continue serving the Lord and if the believe that God has someone for them, that they will work on becoming the right person. For those who are at peace at never marrying or never marrying again, I pray God's grace and peace on them also.
Thanks for listen again and God Bless.
Lloyd.
Hello Tami & P4 Buddies,
My name is Tina and I just signed up to be a part of this team. I am so excited about getting started and making this commitment with you all. I attend church on a regular basis and attend a Life Group, which is like in-home bible study, but they are done in series/themes. However, I still fall short on reading my bible on a consistent and daily basis. Doing it alone sometimes get hard, but I'm hoping by having a group of christian brothers and sisters I can read, communicate and blog with daily, will give me new inspiration and hope. I know I can't do this alone, so I'm reaching out to you all to help me alone the way. Please pray for me as I will do the same for you. Tina
Good morning Tami madam, My name is dayakar from New delhi Capital of India. God has really blessed you in your ministry. Thank you so much for sharing word of God. And you have shared wonderful words that "God is-He is past, present and future and always there for us. He experienced humanity to the fullest, even dying an awful death on the cross so that we could have a one-on-one relationship with God. we really enjoyed the word of God. we work very hard to live faithful life according to word of God. please pray for us, she is now pregnant almost 7 months, and also pray for my country.
Thank you for spiritual words.
Dayakar.
Dayakar,
Thank you so much for your blog and for your prayer requests. I want you to know that our staff will pray for you and your wife and India this week. Thanks, too, for letting us know you're part of the P4 family all the way from India. How awesome! Tami W.