RSC Day 4 and 5

I had to catch up blogging a bit, so here are both day 4 and 5!

Day four's reading was Mark 9:33-37. My favorite verse in this reading was verse 35: "He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.”

Exposure: Read Jesus' remarks to His disciples about being a servant. In the next 24 hours, live this out by serving someone. Especially think of a way you welcome a little child in Jesus' name.

Exploration: Why do you think Jesus took a child into His arms for this remark? What does it say about Jesus' ministry that a little child was already nearby?
Expression: Who do you think was blessed more? You the server or the people being served?
Experience: Take an inventory of how you spend most of your days. Is your life characterized more by beingserved or serving? Is it any different during Christmas time?

My Exploration: I think that Jesus really showed that living by His Words was really living out each word. Jesus was constantly a servant, constantly helping people and loved those he was with, including the children.
My Expression: I feel more blessed when someone does something nice for me. It is so humbling and make me want to be a servant for someone else as well, because I know that they will be fully blessed by the nice things I do, and hopefully the chain will continue.
My Experience: The only person I serve on a normal basis are the girls at work with extra help and my husband with dinners and extra treats or special things. I don't do enough for people I don't know and know need more help than those who are closest to me. I really need to strive to get involved more in the community.

Day five's reading is Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-3 and Matthew 5:14-16. My favorite verse in this reading is verse 17: "This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

Lights

Exposure: Read these passages about Jesus being the light. Research the beginnings of the tradition of Christmas lights. Drive around town with a group of friends or family and look at the different expressions of lights.
Exploration: How is Jesus the light of world? Think about the scientific facts you know about light. In what ways is light the perfect illustration God created from the beginning to illuminate who Jesus is?
Expression: Why do you think Jesus refers to His followers as the light of the world? What would that mean for your life to be a light in your relationships and situations?
Experience: How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.

My Exploration: Jesus brought like by being hope, salvation. Darkness is so depressing and feels like a black hole, but like hope and joy of salvation is a radiant life.
My Expression: Now that Jesus does not physically walk the earth we have to constantly be the light for him. We need to be open and public about our faith and share the message of salvation with those around us. I think that I have had to make some decisions in my life that has shown my beliefs to others. I also am not afraid to tell people that I am praying for them or hope that God will show them guidance.
My Experience: I am not sure if I shine bright enough, I am definitely going to start being more open about my faith.