Most recent public comments by Abigail Holt https://nowcomment.com/users/73080 https://nowcomment.com/documents/244218?scroll_to=2226087 https://nowcomment.com/documents/244218?scroll_to=2226087 This reminds me of what we've been studying in Exodus, how God spoke to Moses, who then wrote the first five books of the Bible so that future generations would have God's words, too. I am so thankful that Moses wrote these things down, and I am thankful that the Jews carefully preserved the Scriptures so that we could read God's words. Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:47:16 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/242708?scroll_to=2212119 https://nowcomment.com/documents/242708?scroll_to=2212119 Verses 12-29 make me think of the parable of the wise and foolish builders. If we just hear God's Word, but do not act on it, we are acting foolishly, and as Paul says, even sinfully. Just going to church or reading our Bibles or memorizing Scripture is not enough: the Bible is not meant to just be read or heard, but to be obeyed. This is a hard truth, because it's much easier to read or even memorize God's Word than to live it out. If I am honest, there are a lot of things that I do that don't conform to the standards set down in Scripture. But if I want to honor God in my life, I need to let His Word change me inside and out. I need to build my life on the foundation of the Bible. Mon, 23 Nov 2020 13:06:44 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240393?scroll_to=2193499 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240393?scroll_to=2193499 Many people are famous worldwide for various things, but not many people are well-known because of their faith. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had the kind of faith the Roman church had, so that people all around the world would would hear about the faith of Keizer Community Church? If we could be known for one thing, wouldn't it be great to be known by our faith? Tue, 17 Nov 2020 10:11:55 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/233576?scroll_to=2118776 https://nowcomment.com/documents/233576?scroll_to=2118776 Not only that, Jesus had told them that this would happen - that He would be put to death and rise again. Yet Jesus was so patient with them. He didn't have to appear to any of them, He could have just gone straight to heaven, yet He appeared to many people on multiple occasions. 1 Corinthians tells us that He appeared to literally hundreds of people before He ascended. Personally, had I been Jesus, I think I would have been tired of earth and the doubtful apostles. But Jesus loved us enough to patiently show us that He really was alive. I wonder in what areas of my life God is patiently working with me, showing me that His promises are true. I often find myself acting like the disciples, having all the promises and even physical evidence, and yet doubting God's power. I am thankful that God is so patient with us. Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:12:04 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231221?scroll_to=2102158 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231221?scroll_to=2102158 To them it seemed so preposterous that He was a King, they laughed and joked about it. I wonder if any of them came to Christ later in life and realized Who He was? Or were any of them around when He died and heard the centurion say "This must have been a son of God"? Sat, 03 Oct 2020 07:33:12 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231221?scroll_to=2102128 https://nowcomment.com/documents/231221?scroll_to=2102128 I've often thought that it must've been so scary for him to go to Pilate, the one who had pronounced the death sentence, and ask for Jesus' body. Doing so, as well as taking Jesus' body from the cross, would have publicly identified him with Jesus. I imagine the news must have spread all around town that a prominent member of the Council who condemned Jesus had buried Him in his own tomb. It's also interesting that Joseph of Arimathea was willing to do this when the disciples were too scared. Like you said, he was willing to do a very uncomfortable and even dangerous task for Jesus, even when Jesus' closest disciples had deserted Him Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:09:30 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/226422?scroll_to=2079653 https://nowcomment.com/documents/226422?scroll_to=2079653 He could have demanded the honor and dignity that He deserved, He could have stopped the whole trial and revealed Who He was and judged those who were slapping Him. But He didn't. He chose to go to the cross for us. Wed, 23 Sep 2020 13:22:37 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/226422?scroll_to=2071936 https://nowcomment.com/documents/226422?scroll_to=2071936 I imagine that this Passover, in particular, must have been a vivid picture of what was about to take place, just as God intended that it would be. I wonder if, years later, the disciples looked back on that Passover meal with Jesus and saw the incredible symbolism of that entire Passover week in which Jesus was crucified. Wed, 23 Sep 2020 07:15:14 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/226422?scroll_to=2071929 https://nowcomment.com/documents/226422?scroll_to=2071929 They gave what they had and Jesus saw their service to Him, even though the world looked down on them. Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:22:40 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/207592?scroll_to=1926920 https://nowcomment.com/documents/207592?scroll_to=1926920 If we are saved and have our names in the Lamb's Book of Life, we should be sharing Jesus with others and making sure that those around us have had an opportunity to have their names in the Book of Life, too. They might not accept Christ, and sometimes we might not even have opportunity to share the whole Gospel with them, but I think that God wants us to be aware of the unsaved around us and be praying for them and witnessing whenever we have opportunity. When Jesus comes back, it'll be a great day for us,but a very sad day for many around us. Wed, 15 Jul 2020 15:28:47 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/205656?scroll_to=1915936 https://nowcomment.com/documents/205656?scroll_to=1915936 The Pharisees were unwilling to acknowledge the Jesus was the Son of God, and instead of really listening to the important things He had to say, they asked Him all these silly questions. I think that some of the questions that people ask in their effort to avoid the truth are valid questions. For example, people often ask why there are so many hypocrites in the church. But very often they are trying to dodge the real issue. I think the best way to deal with a situation like this is probably to pray for the person and ask that God will soften their heart. Sun, 21 Jun 2020 06:32:50 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/205656?scroll_to=1915935 https://nowcomment.com/documents/205656?scroll_to=1915935 They didn't want Jesus to take away their power and authority, yet they were afraid of the people so they didn't know what to do. This is an extreme example of what can happen when we put our own desires for power, authority, or people's approval before God. Instead of fearing God, the Pharisees ended up fearing the people and fearing that they would lose their authority. Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:08:50 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200299?scroll_to=1893666 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200299?scroll_to=1893666 I think if I had been Jesus, I would've laughed at them or gotten angry or maybe said something sarcastic. But Jesus didn't do any of these things. His patience toward people is such a challenge to me; if God-the One Who made us all-didn't get angry when people insulted and challenged Him, I certainly shouldn't be angry when people challenge or question or insult me. Thu, 21 May 2020 20:50:26 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200299?scroll_to=1893654 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200299?scroll_to=1893654 Very often, I pray for things that I want or think would be best, and God answers my prayers in totally unexpected ways. Sometimes I get what I ask for, but sometimes I get something a little different that ends up being so much better than what I originally asked for. And very often it doesn't happen right away, it happens in God's timing, which is always best. I completely agree that it is wonderful to have confidence that God hears us! Thu, 21 May 2020 20:43:47 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200306?scroll_to=1881900 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200306?scroll_to=1881900 Here was this blind man that other people apparently considered a nuisance, and yet Jesus stopped in the midst of the crowd and healed him. He was on His way to the cross to fulfill His mission on earth and conquer sin forever, yet He stopped to heal a poor blind man. Jesus cares about people who the world considers misfits or burdens to society. No one is too small or insignificant for Him to see and care about. Thu, 14 May 2020 19:45:56 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200306?scroll_to=1881160 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200306?scroll_to=1881160 But God's way of doing things is much different than ours. He could've told the rich man to use his social status to influence people for Christ, or He could've told him to use his money to build a fancy synagogue or something. But instead Jesus asked him to do what Jesus Himself was about to do-give His all. I think that God is more concerned with whether we give Him what we have, not how much we have to give. Thu, 14 May 2020 13:06:15 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/196952?scroll_to=1844996 https://nowcomment.com/documents/196952?scroll_to=1844996 Jesus' response to the disciples reminds me of Paul's response when people were proclaiming the Gospel because they wanted to cause distress for Paul while he was in prison. He said, "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice." Philippians 1:18 NASB Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:40:47 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/196952?scroll_to=1844983 https://nowcomment.com/documents/196952?scroll_to=1844983 It seems that he believed that Jesus was not only able to heal people physically, but that He could also work in people's hearts. It seems that he was more aware of Who Jesus was than many others who came to Him seeking healing. Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:33:01 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/192673?scroll_to=1822584 https://nowcomment.com/documents/192673?scroll_to=1822584 If someone is really opposed to the truth, sometimes the best thing is just to pray for them, not waste time trying to pursuade them. Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:58:05 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/192673?scroll_to=1822562 https://nowcomment.com/documents/192673?scroll_to=1822562 The rich man died and was in torment, so he asked Abraham to send Lazarus, who was in heaven, to the rich man's family to warn them. But Abraham said that if the rich man's family refused to listen to God now, they would not listen even if Lazarus came back from the dead to tell them. Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:52:42 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/192673?scroll_to=1822555 https://nowcomment.com/documents/192673?scroll_to=1822555 God has shown me so many times that He can work in amazing ways, yet when I am faced with a big problem, I often forget or doubt that God can take care of whatever I am facing. It's silly, but sometimes the problems in our lives can look bigger than the things God has done for us, or the things that He has promised us. Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:45:17 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/189705?scroll_to=1784469 https://nowcomment.com/documents/189705?scroll_to=1784469 I'm guessing they had no idea how deep this statement really was, but it's almost prophetic. Because Jesus is God, He did everything well during His life on earth. And He is continuing to do all things well and will do all things well for all of eternity because He is good and holy and perfect. And if Jesus is working through me, those around me should be able to say that I am doing things well, just like Jesus did. I should be following Christ in this way. Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:48:15 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/189705?scroll_to=1784429 https://nowcomment.com/documents/189705?scroll_to=1784429 Instead,we should compare our actions and others' actions to God's commands. For example, if someone celebrates communion in a different way than we do or if someone has a slightly different lifestyle than we do, that's okay. As long as we are all truly following God, we shouldn't have to worry about man-made rules and guidelines. Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:45:44 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/184884?scroll_to=1735223 https://nowcomment.com/documents/184884?scroll_to=1735223 Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:59:40 -0700