A Week of Contrasts

Just like in the final week of Jesus life before he was crucified, this week while reading in the books of Numbers, Proverbs and Luke a lot of contrasts where brought to light:

• Numbers 22 tells the story of a man named Balaam and his donkey. Balaam beats his donkey 3 different times for not taking him where he wanted to go. Then the donkey actually spoke to Balaam and the angel who was blocking their way was revealed to Balaam. Ultimately Balaam gets to where he is going and blesses the tribes of Israel 3 times.

• A gossip betrays, the trustworthy keeps confidences (Proverbs 11:13)

• Balaam did not sell out to Balak (the world) but did what pleased the Lord (Numbers 24)

• In Luke 2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit and blessed Joseph and Mary along with prophesying about Jesus and his future

• Jesus grew and became strong, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and the grace of God was upon him (Luke 2:40)

• A kind man benefits, a cruel man brings trouble (Proverbs 11:16-17)

• In Luke 3 the lineage of Jesus is traced all the way back to God

• The righteous attain life, the evil death (Proverbs 11:19)

• Luke 4:1 states that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and he was hungry after 40 days of eating nothing. This shows us his humanness.

• What a contrast between Luke 4:22 where all the people spoke well of Jesus and Luke 4:28 where all the people were furious with Jesus. What did he say that made such a change?

Happy Easter Everyone!

Thoughts from Chapter 3 of How to Win Friends and Influence People

Talk about what others want and show them how to get it

Ask the question “how can I help this person want _________”

Secret of success is to have empathy for others in addition to your own point of view

Arouse in the other person an eager want

Humility Leads to Wisdom

This week during my Bible reading I finished the book of Mark and started the book of Luke. Some thoughts from my week of reading Scripture included the following:

• In Mark 14 Jesus valued the woman who perfumed him and stated that the poor will always be with us. This passage reminds me of the contrast of valuing Jesus and betraying him like Judas did.

• Numbers 12 states that Moses was the most humble man on Earth. Now that’s a compliment! God spoke to him face to face. Now that’s a privilege!

• Why do we pray before eating a meal? See Mark 14:22

• Pride leads to disgrace; humility leads to wisdom (Proverbs 11:2)

• The fool says there is no God (Psalm 53:1)

• In Numbers 15 a man is taken out and stoned because he gathered wood on the Sabbath. Now that’s swift and severe punishment!

• Jesus was declared risen from the grave by a “man” dressed in white at the tomb (Mark 16) That's what our upcoming Easter weekend is all about.

• Luke 1 states that Luke investigated and wrote an orderly account. My kind of man...

That’s it for this week, thanks for reading.