dregregory

dregregory added a text contribution Why do we tell the story wrong
Every year at Christmas I hear the "Christmas story". And every year the 3 Magi, or Wise Men, are told to be at the manger when they present their gifts. However, according to these versus this can't be true. Verse 11 states that they came to their house. Also, why would Herod have all of the children 2 and under killed if Jesus had just been born. I know it makes for a better story to say that they were at the manger, but promoting that falsehood only helps to discourage peo… Read more »
- via YouVersion
dregregory added a text contribution Why do we tell the story wrong
Every year at Christmas I hear the "Christmas story". And every year the 3 Magi, or Wise Men, are told to be at the manger when they present their gifts. However, according to these versus this can't be true. Verse 11 states that they came to their house. Also, why would Herod have all of the children 2 and under killed if Jesus had just been born. I know it makes for a better story to say that they were at the manger, but promoting that falsehood only helps to discourage peo… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution Screwed up again
In the first verse we see that God is angry with Israel again. Not disappointed or annoyed, but angry. Yet he still loved them. Yes, they did have to suffer the consequences of their actions, but he showed them mercy. Once they decided to turn back to him. How many times do we decide not to take our problems to God because we commit the same sins over and over. I know there have been times where I have felt that I have no right to ask God for help because it is my own stupid fault. But th… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution Sinning again
It's funny how Saul had forced all of the mediums out of the land in v.3, but as soon as he didn't hear from the Lord, in the way he wanted, he went right back to them in v.7. I can't count how many times I have done that. I will turn away from something that is wrong in my life but as soon as I don't hear from God in the way I desire, or receive the answer I desire, I will quickly embrace my sin again. Why is that God?? Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution Holiness
Chapter 22 is a chapter full of lies. David basically lies to the priest as well as the king. So is lying acceptable at times? Also, when he asked the priest for bread the only requirement for being holy was that he should have abstained from being with a woman. Maybe the things we think make us holy really don't. Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution Conviction
"...who try to obey him with their whole heart". This portion of this verse is really convicting and challenging. How often have we known the rules and followed them just to the extent to where they are comfortable. But soon as God pulls our hearts in a direction that is foreign to us, we find excuses to pull back. Whether it is due to pride, fear, anger, laziness, self righteousness, or a false sense of adherence to something else we may have read in the bible. How different woul… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution All this for a servant
All this for a servant. Here we have a Roman official (Centurion) who apparently is in charge of many people. Why would he go so far for simply a servant? I know that he showed immense faith, however to me he showed something more. He showed a duty and responsibility for what seems to be the most insignificant person in his house. This forces me to reevaluate what I do. If someone that I am really cool with does not show up to church in a while I will give him a call. But if it is someone… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution obedience
Saul is a guy after my own heart. After reading these versus I am not sure if Saul actually believed what he was telling Samuel or lying to cover up for his own disobedience. But the truth of the matter is that we all do this. We will rationalize disobeying God because it makes our lives more comfortable in the long run. If Saul was telling the truth and truly disobeyed b/c he thought it was best, he is also doing something that we all do. We will 'do' things, with the best intent… Read more »
- via YouVersion
dregregory added a text contribution Something we all do
What Saul did in verse 9 reminds me of things that I tend to do. Even when i know that I am suppose to give up something or stay away from it, more often than not I will hold on to it because it is pleasing to me. The things that have an unpleasing appearance (clothing, food, people in need) I quickly shy away from and can easily justify it to myself. However things that are physically pleasing (technology, attractive people, really good food), though I should avoid them at time...I choose n… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dregregory added a text contribution Faith
What has changed between the faith and obedience of Joseph to the current day? I don't think that I would just obey a dream if it told me that my fiancee was pregnant by the holy spirit and I should not be afraid to marry her. I believe that my own pride or fear would kick it. Is God moving in the same miraculous ways today and we are just not listening? Read more »
- via YouVersion

YouVersion