47 day journal March 13th entry

What impossible things do you need him to do in your life?

How do our expectatons of Jesus effect our expectations of ourselves/

Read John 12: 9-11

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there, so they came. But they did not come only because of Jesus. They also came to see Lazarus. After all, Jesus had raised him from the dead.

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too. 11 Because of Lazarus, many of the Jews were starting to follow Jesus. They were putting their faith in him.

This passage makes it clear that word about the miraculous thing that Jesus did for Lazarus--raising him from the dead and giving him a new life spread far and wide and Lazarus became famous because of Jesus's intervention in his death. In his death, Jesus freed us from the power of sin and death and gave us new spirtual lives just as he did for Lazarus physically. To what extent are our lives defined by what Jesus has done for us in the same that way that Lazarus was? how many of our friends, family. members, and co-workrs would, when asked to define us, would mention Jesus?

How can we live our lives in such a way that each day our words and actions bring honor and praise to Jesus, just as the crowds in Jersalem praised him on Psalm Sunday so many years ago?

My Response:

hmm to what extent is my life defined by what Jesus does..I try to do this in my actions, love, and attitude. i definately think theres more work for me in these areas because im far from perfect but im no where where i used to be. My life is completely changd since Jesus came in.

I think many people when asked to define me would mention Jesus. Alot of people know my relationship wth the Lord and how important my spirtual life is.

i think by thinking on the things Jesus thought on and obeying the commandments mentioned in the new testament. i went to find that verse and instead stumbled upon this website that listed this items of new testament commandments and think this without a doubt shows how we should live our lives.

1. "FORGIVE EVERYBODY OF ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU."
(Forgive, and be forgiven.)

2. "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN."

3. "ABIDE IN ME, AND LET ME ABIDE IN YOU."

4. "LET PEOPLE SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS." (Do not hide your light
under a basket.)

5. "END DISPUTES QUICKLY."

6. "WHATEVER CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GET RID OF IT."

7. "DO NOT SWEAR OATHS AT ALL."

8. "DO NOT RETURN OFFENSE FOR OFFENSE." (Turn the other cheek.)

9. "GIVE WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU, AND GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED."

(Go the extra mile.)

10. "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND THOSE WHO WORK AGAINST YOU."

11. "GIVE TO THE POOR TO PLEASE GOD, NOT TO GAIN APPROVAL FROM OTHER PEOPLE."

12. "PRAY PRIVATELY AND SIMPLY, NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE."

13. "MAKE YOUR PRAYERS BE LIKE THE LORD'S PRAYER."

14. "WHEN YOU FAST, DO IT SECRETLY, NOT FOR SHOW."

15. "STORE UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, NOT ON EARTH."

16. "DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS."

17. "DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE."

18. "MAKE GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS."

19. "DO NOT JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE."
(Judge not, lest ye be judged.)

20. "DO NOT GIVE HOLY THINGS TO DOGS OR CAST YOUR PEARLS
BEFORE SWINE."

21. "ASK GOD FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HAVE."
(Seek, and ye shall find.)

22. "FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, SHELTER THE HOMELESS, COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS."

23. "FOLLOW THE NARROW PATH TO LIFE."
(Enter by the narrow gate.)

24. "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS."

25. "EXERCISE POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS."

26. "LOVE LITTLE CHILDREN, DO NOT DESPISE THEM."

27. "DO NOT TAKE THE TITLES 'MASTER' OR 'FATHER' FOR YOURSELF."

28. "RESOLVE DISPUTES IN AN ORDERLY WAY, LIKE THIS . . . "

29. "DO NOT OPPOSE OTHER BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO ARE NOT IN YOUR GROUP."

30. "HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING."

31. "BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN."
(Go, and do likewise.)

32. "LOVE OTHER PEOPLE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU"

33. "EAT BREAD AND DRINK WINE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME."

34. "WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET."

35. "BE MERCIFUL."

36. "GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM."

37. "KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."

38. "BE PREPARED FOR YOUR MASTER TO RETURN."