Day 32 - 1 Corinthians 11:11-16

11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

Terrie's Comments:

The thing that is jumping out at me at the moment is "Judge for yourselves".  I really am not feeling convicted to change what I do with regards to literally covering or not covering my head.  I do have long hair but I am not sure that it is for spiritual reasons either.  

In other translations in verse 16 it refers to "practice" as "Custom".  It doesn't seem to be a command from God but rather a custom, or practice that is in the churches at the time of Paul.  I think if it was more than this many more churches would be promoting women wearing head coverings while in worship and in prayer.  Perhaps Paul was encouraging this custom to continue in the Church because of their famous corrupt morals in that part of the world as a visual reminder that they were under authority.

I do acknowledge that my husband offers a spiritual covering over me, and Jesus is his spiritual covering and God is a covering over Jesus.  Like an authoritative chain of command.  I don't dispute these things.  I am thinking that the literal covering was more born out of tradition of men rather than a direct commandment from God.  I have not studied this matter, this is just my feelings right now as I am reading through this time.  

Keep in mind that our relationship with our husbands is a reflection of Jesus and his relationship with the church.  Yes we do submit to Jesus Christ but he also covers us with his blood providing eternal provision and protecting us from eternal judgement.

Tori's Comments:

I have trouble understanding why this is something not practiced in the church nowadays, especially considering the bible states it's necessity.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 3 - Hebrews 2:7 - 2:18

Hebrews 2:7-18 

7 Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
8 You gave them authority over all things.”
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12 For he said to God,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
    I will praise you among your assembled people.”
13 He also said,

“I will put my trust in him,”
    that is, “I and the children God has given me.”
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.


16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Terrie's Comments:

Through Jesus becoming a man He also became equal to us for a little while.  He became like us in every respect so He could be our Merciful (giving undeserved favor) and faithful High Priest(our mediator before God).  Jesus did not come to earth to help the angels but to help those who trust in Him alone (descendants of Abraham).  It is amazing that God calls us His children, His flesh and blood.  He sent His son to earth to become like us so that we know Jesus is able to sympathize with us when we suffer and go through trouble.  Jesus went way out of His way to understand what His children go through when they are tempted in every way just so we have an awesome advocate with our Heavenly Father.  Jesus tasted death just so that we don`t have to taste eternal death.  Every punishment that is ever deserved has already been paid for.  You just have to accept that fact.

My brothers and my sisters.... We are in excellent hands!!  Trust that Jesus has your back.



Tori's Comments:

So many things that stuck out to me in this section! A few highlights were that we are legitimately in Jesus's family (vs. 11) and that God is truly the comforter because he himself was tempted (vs. 18). When the struggling is too much we can run to the one who has fully shared our pain.

Verse 15 in particular has definitely resonated with me. 

"and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

And it's time for....

STORYTIME WITH TORI

When I was a child, I had a strange fear of death. I say strange because when it came time to rest my head on my pillow at night, the thought of it plagued me constantly. I would be visited by nightmares of dying by natural disasters, gunshots, and things I assume aren't a regular part of any 7-year-old's sleep ritual. It was a very real thing for me. Somehow, this may sound confusing, but somehow Satan had convinced me that God wouldn't let me die if I wasn't saved. So I chose not to follow Jesus, and Satan made sure I didn't lose that fear, so he could keep that grip on me. Reading this verse brought the memories of those chains (it certainly felt like slavery) back, ones I am so thankful God has freed me from. Once I realized it was a lie and gave my life to God, there was no more room for Satan in my head, and I certainly let him know that. :)

STORYTIME WITH TORI OVER

My favorite day yet, which isn't saying much (considering it's only day 3), but at least it's saying something.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!