Psalms 107:43 (ESV Strong's)
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Subject: God's Love - His steadfast love!
You can not read this section of Psalms (105-107) without seeing the theme, summarized in the above verse. These three Psalms are rich with the theme of God's amazing love. The word for love in this verse carries such rich meaning. Note the following comment on this word in the Hebrew, "checed":
(Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.
The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.
These three Psalm magnify God's unfailing, steadfast, strong love for us. Despite the believers failings, God continues to love. There is nothing the elect can do that will separate us from the love of God:
Romans 8:37-39 (ESV Strong's)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Subject: Sanctification (doing the work of God) - 1 Chronicles 20-24
1 Chronicles 22:14-16 (ESV Strong's)
With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”
Subject: Sanctification (doing the work of God)
In the above passage we see the words of King David, speaking to his son, Solomon. David wanted to build a Temple for God (instead of the Tabernacle, made out of tent). God said YES to the idea but NO to the man, David. David had killed too many people and could not build the Temple. But, that did not keep him from preparing for the Temple. David leaves his son, Solomon, with all the material, plans and labor to make it happen. Yet, in the above verse see see Solomon's "role" in the building. He tells Solomon, "To these you must add." He further states at the end, "Arise and work!". So, we see that although David did all the work, Solomon has a role. This is a perfect picture of the Christian walk. Although Jesus paid the price and provided all the redemption, you and I are to "add to the work." We are not to "add" in our own strength, however. Note the last part of the above passage. David states to Solomon, "The Lord be with you." This is not a simply closing line. David's thought here to his son is that Solomon CAN'T do this in his own strength. David had tried that. The thought here is the Solomon will need God's strength to finish the work. God enables. God strengthens. We do this work (sanctification) through the power of God. We have a role to take what is given us (the finished work of Christ), but it is through faith and by faith alone. Solomon will finish the Temple, but does so by asking for wisdom through prayer (an act of faith).
With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”
Subject: Sanctification (doing the work of God)
In the above passage we see the words of King David, speaking to his son, Solomon. David wanted to build a Temple for God (instead of the Tabernacle, made out of tent). God said YES to the idea but NO to the man, David. David had killed too many people and could not build the Temple. But, that did not keep him from preparing for the Temple. David leaves his son, Solomon, with all the material, plans and labor to make it happen. Yet, in the above verse see see Solomon's "role" in the building. He tells Solomon, "To these you must add." He further states at the end, "Arise and work!". So, we see that although David did all the work, Solomon has a role. This is a perfect picture of the Christian walk. Although Jesus paid the price and provided all the redemption, you and I are to "add to the work." We are not to "add" in our own strength, however. Note the last part of the above passage. David states to Solomon, "The Lord be with you." This is not a simply closing line. David's thought here to his son is that Solomon CAN'T do this in his own strength. David had tried that. The thought here is the Solomon will need God's strength to finish the work. God enables. God strengthens. We do this work (sanctification) through the power of God. We have a role to take what is given us (the finished work of Christ), but it is through faith and by faith alone. Solomon will finish the Temple, but does so by asking for wisdom through prayer (an act of faith).
Monday, August 29, 2016
Subject: Faith and Decisoin Making - Numbers 14-17
Numbers 14:4 (ESV Strong's)
And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Subject: Faith and Irrational Behavior
The above verse is in the context of the twelve spies who went into the Promise Land to spy it out. All twelve of the spies returned and told how great the land was in regard to food and provisions. However, ten of them (all except Joshua and Caleb) said the people in the land were so big and the cities so strong it was useless and hopeless to try to take the land as a possession for Israel. There solution was to return to Egypt. Think about how foolish and irrational this statement is? If they went back, what would the Egyptians do to them? The lack of faith causes us to make irrational and foolish decisions. This is what a lack of faith does in our lives. Note what Romans 14:23 states. Paul in this passage is talking about eating meat that was sold in the market place but was also sold to idols. His conclusion is as follows. Note the emphasis on faith:
Romans 14:23 (ESV Strong's)
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
He states, "whatever does not proceed form faith is sin." If we can't believe in God about something we are entering into the world of sin. This irrational decision making of the people of Israel is a lesson to us to act in faith. When we move to flesh for our decisions this is what happens. The Egyptians would kill them on sight. Fear and flesh make us choose sinful decisions. Faith enables us to walk with God and see great things in our lives.
And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Subject: Faith and Irrational Behavior
The above verse is in the context of the twelve spies who went into the Promise Land to spy it out. All twelve of the spies returned and told how great the land was in regard to food and provisions. However, ten of them (all except Joshua and Caleb) said the people in the land were so big and the cities so strong it was useless and hopeless to try to take the land as a possession for Israel. There solution was to return to Egypt. Think about how foolish and irrational this statement is? If they went back, what would the Egyptians do to them? The lack of faith causes us to make irrational and foolish decisions. This is what a lack of faith does in our lives. Note what Romans 14:23 states. Paul in this passage is talking about eating meat that was sold in the market place but was also sold to idols. His conclusion is as follows. Note the emphasis on faith:
Romans 14:23 (ESV Strong's)
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
He states, "whatever does not proceed form faith is sin." If we can't believe in God about something we are entering into the world of sin. This irrational decision making of the people of Israel is a lesson to us to act in faith. When we move to flesh for our decisions this is what happens. The Egyptians would kill them on sight. Fear and flesh make us choose sinful decisions. Faith enables us to walk with God and see great things in our lives.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Subject: Eternal Security and Sanctification - 2 Timothy 1-2
2 Timothy 1:12-14 (ESV Strong's)
which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Subject: Eternal Security and Sanctification
How do I know that I am saved? How do I know that my "performance" in my Christian life, that is highlighted by my constant failings, won't be rejected by God in the end? Because the above verse tells me that MY performance is not what keeps me saved. The above passage tells us that Paul's faith was convinced and assured because He knew that what GOD had promised, GOD was able to "guard" my faith. God gives me the Holy Spirit to "guard" the "good deposit entrusted to you." We have been given a "deposit" and God is there to guard it and the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell inside us to guard it. With the God-head guarding my salvation there is nothing or no-one who can disrupt that salvation - including myself. We have eternal security and our sanctification is enabled by the work of the Holy Spirit in dwelling us.
which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Subject: Eternal Security and Sanctification
How do I know that I am saved? How do I know that my "performance" in my Christian life, that is highlighted by my constant failings, won't be rejected by God in the end? Because the above verse tells me that MY performance is not what keeps me saved. The above passage tells us that Paul's faith was convinced and assured because He knew that what GOD had promised, GOD was able to "guard" my faith. God gives me the Holy Spirit to "guard" the "good deposit entrusted to you." We have been given a "deposit" and God is there to guard it and the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell inside us to guard it. With the God-head guarding my salvation there is nothing or no-one who can disrupt that salvation - including myself. We have eternal security and our sanctification is enabled by the work of the Holy Spirit in dwelling us.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Subject: God's Glory - John 10-12
John 11:40 (ESV Strong's)
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Subject: The Glory of God!
The above verse is taken from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was not in the home town of Lazarus when he fell ill. Lazarus was related to Mary and Martha and had died from his illness. When Jesus first heard of this illness, He stated the following:
John 11:4 (ESV Strong's)
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Jesus was about to show them His Glory and the Glory of the Father. This illness, that resulted in death, was to bring about the glory of God. It would show the power of God and give an authoritative voice to Jesus' work. Note, later, what is said about Jesus as a result of HIs raising Lazarus from the dead:
John 12:17-19 (ESV Strong's)
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
None of this would have happened if Lazarus had not died. God used this illness to bring about a testimony for Jesus and many believed. We don't see tragedy in this vain. But, this is why God brings about these things. For His glory!!! That is why He allows tragedy in our lives ... to bring about His glory.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Subject: The Glory of God!
The above verse is taken from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was not in the home town of Lazarus when he fell ill. Lazarus was related to Mary and Martha and had died from his illness. When Jesus first heard of this illness, He stated the following:
John 11:4 (ESV Strong's)
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Jesus was about to show them His Glory and the Glory of the Father. This illness, that resulted in death, was to bring about the glory of God. It would show the power of God and give an authoritative voice to Jesus' work. Note, later, what is said about Jesus as a result of HIs raising Lazarus from the dead:
John 12:17-19 (ESV Strong's)
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
None of this would have happened if Lazarus had not died. God used this illness to bring about a testimony for Jesus and many believed. We don't see tragedy in this vain. But, this is why God brings about these things. For His glory!!! That is why He allows tragedy in our lives ... to bring about His glory.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Subject: The Effects of Sin - Hosea 8-14
Hosea 13:7-9 (ESV Strong's)
So I am to them like a lion;
like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;
I will tear open their breast,
and there I will devour them like a lion,
as a wild beast would rip them open.
He destroys you, O Israel,
for you are against me, against your helper.
Subject: The effects of sin
God has loved Israel and redeem her out of the land of Egypt. When they were under bondage at the hand of Pharaoh, God delivered them. When, in the time of Judges, they fell into sin, God delivered them. Now, in the midst of their rebellion and trusting in their riches, they have once again abandoned God. Like Hosea's wife, purchased and married even though she was a whore and who returned to her whoredom, so, too, Israel. This is the story of the book of Hosea. This book is a story of what happens when we sin. In the book of Genesis we God pursuing Israel to make her His Bride. In Exodus was see God pursuing Israel to redeem her from enslavement. In the above passage we see God now pursing Israel to consume them. God is characterized as a leopard; a bear; a lion and a wild beast seeking to destroy them. This is the effect of sin in our lives. God goes from being close to us and seeking us as His bride to the hunter seeking to discipline us. God does not change, but our relationship with Him does. Once close, sin puts Him at arms length. God is the God who wants a close relationship with us. These verses show us how sin disrupts that warmth.
So I am to them like a lion;
like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;
I will tear open their breast,
and there I will devour them like a lion,
as a wild beast would rip them open.
He destroys you, O Israel,
for you are against me, against your helper.
Subject: The effects of sin
God has loved Israel and redeem her out of the land of Egypt. When they were under bondage at the hand of Pharaoh, God delivered them. When, in the time of Judges, they fell into sin, God delivered them. Now, in the midst of their rebellion and trusting in their riches, they have once again abandoned God. Like Hosea's wife, purchased and married even though she was a whore and who returned to her whoredom, so, too, Israel. This is the story of the book of Hosea. This book is a story of what happens when we sin. In the book of Genesis we God pursuing Israel to make her His Bride. In Exodus was see God pursuing Israel to redeem her from enslavement. In the above passage we see God now pursing Israel to consume them. God is characterized as a leopard; a bear; a lion and a wild beast seeking to destroy them. This is the effect of sin in our lives. God goes from being close to us and seeking us as His bride to the hunter seeking to discipline us. God does not change, but our relationship with Him does. Once close, sin puts Him at arms length. God is the God who wants a close relationship with us. These verses show us how sin disrupts that warmth.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Subject: Wisdom - Proverbs 20-21
Proverbs 20:5 (NASB Strong's)
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV Strong's)
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
It is hard to know what others are thinking or planning. They may not even know it themselves. How many people walk around each day and respond to events their lives in one way or another and have no clue why? The psychy of the human mind and spirit is tough to figure out sometimes. Events that happen years ago in our lives often propell us, drive us and coral us in ways we have no conscious understanding or explanation. That is where a wise man of understanding comes into play. What Solomon is telling us in this Proverb is that a "man of understanding" can draw out the deeper meanings hidden in the heart of another. How is this possible? Remember that Solomon has already explained that "understanding" is another term for wisdom. A man of "understanding" is a man of "wisdom." Wisdom comes from God so a man who is fearing the Lord and has been given wisdom by God has the ability to understand and discern what is in the heart of anotehr ... to "draw" it out ... because God knows what is in that heart. God gives wisdom to others to draw out what they don't know themselvs. Others may not know the "plans" in their heart but God does. When God does, He can reveal that to someone who "fears the Lord" to unfold and unpackage the deepest part of the heart. When Solomon was introduced to the Queen of Sheba, note what happened:
1 Kings 10:3 (ESV Strong's)
And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
We also see Joseph and Daniel as examples of God revealing to those who Fear the Lord (giving them wisdom) to revel the heart of man.
Man's steps are from the Lord and he can't understand his ways ... this is why God sends other men into our lives to help us find meaning in our steps:
Proverbs 20:24 (ESV Strong's)
A man's steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV Strong's)
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
It is hard to know what others are thinking or planning. They may not even know it themselves. How many people walk around each day and respond to events their lives in one way or another and have no clue why? The psychy of the human mind and spirit is tough to figure out sometimes. Events that happen years ago in our lives often propell us, drive us and coral us in ways we have no conscious understanding or explanation. That is where a wise man of understanding comes into play. What Solomon is telling us in this Proverb is that a "man of understanding" can draw out the deeper meanings hidden in the heart of another. How is this possible? Remember that Solomon has already explained that "understanding" is another term for wisdom. A man of "understanding" is a man of "wisdom." Wisdom comes from God so a man who is fearing the Lord and has been given wisdom by God has the ability to understand and discern what is in the heart of anotehr ... to "draw" it out ... because God knows what is in that heart. God gives wisdom to others to draw out what they don't know themselvs. Others may not know the "plans" in their heart but God does. When God does, He can reveal that to someone who "fears the Lord" to unfold and unpackage the deepest part of the heart. When Solomon was introduced to the Queen of Sheba, note what happened:
1 Kings 10:3 (ESV Strong's)
And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
We also see Joseph and Daniel as examples of God revealing to those who Fear the Lord (giving them wisdom) to revel the heart of man.
Man's steps are from the Lord and he can't understand his ways ... this is why God sends other men into our lives to help us find meaning in our steps:
Proverbs 20:24 (ESV Strong's)
A man's steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Subject: God's Eternality - Pslam 102-104
Psalms 102:25-28 (ESV Strong's)
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
but you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.
Subject: God's Eternality
In the above passage we read about God's Eternality. God is eternal, in that He never changes. God is not limited by time and does not "grow old." Who God was at creation, God is now. Although we change, grow old and eventually perish, God remains the same. The glory of this truth is that we can dwell secure knowing that God is not fickle. What God says He will do, He does. God remains the same so that we can remain secure. Our security is not in the ever changing culture we live in. Our security is not in the ever changing political structure that governs us. Rome changed and fell. Greece changed and fell. England changed and fell. Our security is not in the Constitution of the United States. It will fall, as well. Our security is in the Eternality of God.
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will remain;
they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
but you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
their offspring shall be established before you.
Subject: God's Eternality
In the above passage we read about God's Eternality. God is eternal, in that He never changes. God is not limited by time and does not "grow old." Who God was at creation, God is now. Although we change, grow old and eventually perish, God remains the same. The glory of this truth is that we can dwell secure knowing that God is not fickle. What God says He will do, He does. God remains the same so that we can remain secure. Our security is not in the ever changing culture we live in. Our security is not in the ever changing political structure that governs us. Rome changed and fell. Greece changed and fell. England changed and fell. Our security is not in the Constitution of the United States. It will fall, as well. Our security is in the Eternality of God.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Subject: Leadership and Justice - 1 Chronicles 15-19
2 Chronicles 19:4-7 (ESV Strong's)
Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”
Subject: Leadership and Justice
God establishes rulers and judges among us. We are commanded in 1 Timothy 3 and in Romans to pray for leaders. Leaders are held to a high standard by God ... whether they are believers or not. In the above passage we see an example of this truth being drawn out by Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah. The key in the above passage is: Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord.". These judges the king was putting into place had a morale and spiritual obligation to judge "for" God. Today we have leaders and judges who stand for themselves. Or, they judge for some political agenda. What we have here is a formula for leadership in making judgments over man. The king states, "There is no injustice with the Lord our God." We don't have a choice in our judgements. God is the standard. Every leader who must make a judgement about the men in their charge must bow to this standard.
Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”
Subject: Leadership and Justice
God establishes rulers and judges among us. We are commanded in 1 Timothy 3 and in Romans to pray for leaders. Leaders are held to a high standard by God ... whether they are believers or not. In the above passage we see an example of this truth being drawn out by Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah. The key in the above passage is: Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord.". These judges the king was putting into place had a morale and spiritual obligation to judge "for" God. Today we have leaders and judges who stand for themselves. Or, they judge for some political agenda. What we have here is a formula for leadership in making judgments over man. The king states, "There is no injustice with the Lord our God." We don't have a choice in our judgements. God is the standard. Every leader who must make a judgement about the men in their charge must bow to this standard.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Subject: Sin - Why we crave it? - Numbers 9-12
Numbers 11:4-6 (ESV Strong's)
Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
Subject: Sin - Why we crave it!!
In the above passage we read about the cravings the nation of Israel had as they were led out of Egypt and into the promise land. This is a great example of how you can take the man out of Egypt (a picture of a place of sin and bondage) but you can't take Egypt out of the man. This is a great picture of the nature of man. The Hebrew word in the passage, "craving" is a word that means "longing" or "lust.". This was a strong desire in the nature of man. When you see all the blessings God has given the nation of Israel, up to this point, you would think that they would overflow in praise. Yet, we can be saved out of sin, but we have yet to be saved from the presence of sin in our lives. They craved what they had in bondage, even though in bondage they cried out to God. It is only through the Spirit of God and faith in the Son of God that we have freedom from this bondage. This is why we have cry out to God for strength in the Spirit every day. These former cravings will haunt us and hunt us. Satan uses them to stop us from pursuing God. It is only in faithful obedience that we can defeat the nature in us, with the God who fights for us.
Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
Subject: Sin - Why we crave it!!
In the above passage we read about the cravings the nation of Israel had as they were led out of Egypt and into the promise land. This is a great example of how you can take the man out of Egypt (a picture of a place of sin and bondage) but you can't take Egypt out of the man. This is a great picture of the nature of man. The Hebrew word in the passage, "craving" is a word that means "longing" or "lust.". This was a strong desire in the nature of man. When you see all the blessings God has given the nation of Israel, up to this point, you would think that they would overflow in praise. Yet, we can be saved out of sin, but we have yet to be saved from the presence of sin in our lives. They craved what they had in bondage, even though in bondage they cried out to God. It is only through the Spirit of God and faith in the Son of God that we have freedom from this bondage. This is why we have cry out to God for strength in the Spirit every day. These former cravings will haunt us and hunt us. Satan uses them to stop us from pursuing God. It is only in faithful obedience that we can defeat the nature in us, with the God who fights for us.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Subject: Training (Exercise) - 1 Timothy 4-6
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV Strong's)
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Subject: Training (Exercise)
Google how much people spend on fitness and you will be blown away by the number. Some 40-50 billion, yes, billion, dollars is spent each year on our obsession with fitness. In my own personal life that number is a ridiculous amount. Most of our fitness woes are centered around correction other bad habits that lead to improper fitness and health. We indulge one side of our life so that we can discipline the other. The word in the above passage, "train," is the Greek word Gumnazo. It is the Greek word that gave birth to our English word, gymnastics or gymnasium. It literally means to train naked. The key to understanding the passage to remember that in ancient world the training of athletes was a sophisticated as we are today. Their training was self-discipline at its best. What Paul is saying is that there is a training that brings "some" profit to us ... but it is only temporary because it affects only the body ... and, the body will soon perish. However, committing the same focus of disciplined training to our spiritual walk, is quite beneficial. Paul is not telling us to leave our physical well-being alone and to neglect it. Paul is telling us that our focus ought to be eternal. We ought to put our thoughts and hopes on the afterlife. We ought to train ourselves "by faith" for Godliness.
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Subject: Training (Exercise)
Google how much people spend on fitness and you will be blown away by the number. Some 40-50 billion, yes, billion, dollars is spent each year on our obsession with fitness. In my own personal life that number is a ridiculous amount. Most of our fitness woes are centered around correction other bad habits that lead to improper fitness and health. We indulge one side of our life so that we can discipline the other. The word in the above passage, "train," is the Greek word Gumnazo. It is the Greek word that gave birth to our English word, gymnastics or gymnasium. It literally means to train naked. The key to understanding the passage to remember that in ancient world the training of athletes was a sophisticated as we are today. Their training was self-discipline at its best. What Paul is saying is that there is a training that brings "some" profit to us ... but it is only temporary because it affects only the body ... and, the body will soon perish. However, committing the same focus of disciplined training to our spiritual walk, is quite beneficial. Paul is not telling us to leave our physical well-being alone and to neglect it. Paul is telling us that our focus ought to be eternal. We ought to put our thoughts and hopes on the afterlife. We ought to train ourselves "by faith" for Godliness.
Subject: Prayer and Pleasing God - 1 Timothy 1-3
1 Timothy 2:3 (ESV Strong's)
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
Subject: Prayer and Pleasing God
It is best to please God. Note the following:
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV Strong's)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
To please God, you have to start with faith.
(We can only please God by faith (Hebrews 11:6); we stand by faith (1 Corinthians 16:13); we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7); we live by faith (Galatians 2:20); we fight by faith (Ephesians 6:16); God will remain faithful when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13).
Nothing we do can be absent faith. We can't get past faith. Faith is the beginning of all else the "pleases" God. Later in this same book, Paul will tell us something else about pleasing God:
1 Timothy 5:4 (ESV Strong's)
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Paul is telling us there are things we can do in faith to please God. The above verse tells us that praying for kings and all who are in high positions (1 Timothy 2:2) will please God. God is pleased when we "pray for kings." This implies that God is not pleased if we complain about leaders. He is not pleased when we are critical and degrading to leaders. He is pleased when we pray for them. This shows that is not our "vote" that changes things. It is not our activity in the political process that changes things. It is our prayer that changes things. That is an act of faith and recognizes that God is in control and God is the one who puts up one and puts down another.
Psalms 75:7 (ESV Strong's)
but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
This DOESN'T mean we don't vote or get involved in political process. It means we start with prayer and seek God's work in the lives of man as a priority in our approach. God is pleased with our act of faith in prayer to change leadership.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
Subject: Prayer and Pleasing God
It is best to please God. Note the following:
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV Strong's)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
To please God, you have to start with faith.
(We can only please God by faith (Hebrews 11:6); we stand by faith (1 Corinthians 16:13); we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7); we live by faith (Galatians 2:20); we fight by faith (Ephesians 6:16); God will remain faithful when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13).
Nothing we do can be absent faith. We can't get past faith. Faith is the beginning of all else the "pleases" God. Later in this same book, Paul will tell us something else about pleasing God:
1 Timothy 5:4 (ESV Strong's)
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Paul is telling us there are things we can do in faith to please God. The above verse tells us that praying for kings and all who are in high positions (1 Timothy 2:2) will please God. God is pleased when we "pray for kings." This implies that God is not pleased if we complain about leaders. He is not pleased when we are critical and degrading to leaders. He is pleased when we pray for them. This shows that is not our "vote" that changes things. It is not our activity in the political process that changes things. It is our prayer that changes things. That is an act of faith and recognizes that God is in control and God is the one who puts up one and puts down another.
Psalms 75:7 (ESV Strong's)
but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
This DOESN'T mean we don't vote or get involved in political process. It means we start with prayer and seek God's work in the lives of man as a priority in our approach. God is pleased with our act of faith in prayer to change leadership.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Subject: Elitism - John 7-9
John 7:15 (ESV Strong's)
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”
Subject: Intellectual Elite
During the Festival Jesus comes onto the scene, not in public array, but privately. In this account of John we read that He enters the Temple and begins to teach them. As He begins to teach the "Jews" (the Spiritual Elite of the day ... to them, they were the "enlightened Ones"). We have other accounts from the other Gospel writers that speak of the response of the others in the crowd. Mark 1:22 states that the people were astonished at His teaching because He taught them as one "having authority and not as a scribe." In Luke 4:22 we read that they "marveled at the gracious words coming from His mouth." They were amazed because they knew He was "Joseph's son." For someone to speak (especially in the Temple) of spiritual things, with no "formal" training, it was unheard of. Note the following commentary thoughts:
(Word Biblical Commentary) Authority and graciousness were the marks of his speech, but both in Nazareth and in Jerusalem it caused anger (for "amazement" in a pejorative sense cf. v 21). That he taught "not as the scribes," i.e. without appeal to rabbinic authorities ("Rabbi A. B. said in the name of Rabbi CD.…"), and that he had not served as a disciple of an acknowledged rabbinic master are one. If this fresh mode of teaching delighted the crowds, it scandalized the Jerusalem elite ("the Jews," v 15). Soá¹a 22a Bar has the statement, "Who is one of the people of the land (Ê¿am haʾares)? The others (= the school of Rabbi Meir) said: ‘If anyone has learned the Scripture and the Mishna but has not served as a student of the Learned he is one of the people of the land. If he has learned the Scripture but not the Mishna he is an uneducated man. If he has learned neither the Scripture nor the Mishna the Scripture says of him: "I sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with seed of men and seed of cattle" ' " (i.e., he is reckoned as an animal!).
The issue we have here is that the "establishment" placed high priority on their "systematic" training of those who would be the "learned" in their society. The same is true today. Poor Amos of the OT would not work in our world because he was just a shepherd. So, too, David. Peter, James and John were lowly fishermen. Paul was of the "taught" but he counted that "dung." In our circles today our churches want seminary grads to fill our pulpits. God wants those who have a heart for Him. We can soon, like the world, get into elitism with our learning. Someone who graduated from this "school" is better than someone who graduated from this "school," is often on our own lips. Declaring God's Word out not to be about what school you attended but if you are properly explaining the Scripture. School helps, but is not the criteria. Jesus is about to declare Himself the Son of God in this passage. That is teaching NONE of them were ready for!!
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”
Subject: Intellectual Elite
During the Festival Jesus comes onto the scene, not in public array, but privately. In this account of John we read that He enters the Temple and begins to teach them. As He begins to teach the "Jews" (the Spiritual Elite of the day ... to them, they were the "enlightened Ones"). We have other accounts from the other Gospel writers that speak of the response of the others in the crowd. Mark 1:22 states that the people were astonished at His teaching because He taught them as one "having authority and not as a scribe." In Luke 4:22 we read that they "marveled at the gracious words coming from His mouth." They were amazed because they knew He was "Joseph's son." For someone to speak (especially in the Temple) of spiritual things, with no "formal" training, it was unheard of. Note the following commentary thoughts:
(Word Biblical Commentary) Authority and graciousness were the marks of his speech, but both in Nazareth and in Jerusalem it caused anger (for "amazement" in a pejorative sense cf. v 21). That he taught "not as the scribes," i.e. without appeal to rabbinic authorities ("Rabbi A. B. said in the name of Rabbi CD.…"), and that he had not served as a disciple of an acknowledged rabbinic master are one. If this fresh mode of teaching delighted the crowds, it scandalized the Jerusalem elite ("the Jews," v 15). Soá¹a 22a Bar has the statement, "Who is one of the people of the land (Ê¿am haʾares)? The others (= the school of Rabbi Meir) said: ‘If anyone has learned the Scripture and the Mishna but has not served as a student of the Learned he is one of the people of the land. If he has learned the Scripture but not the Mishna he is an uneducated man. If he has learned neither the Scripture nor the Mishna the Scripture says of him: "I sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with seed of men and seed of cattle" ' " (i.e., he is reckoned as an animal!).
The issue we have here is that the "establishment" placed high priority on their "systematic" training of those who would be the "learned" in their society. The same is true today. Poor Amos of the OT would not work in our world because he was just a shepherd. So, too, David. Peter, James and John were lowly fishermen. Paul was of the "taught" but he counted that "dung." In our circles today our churches want seminary grads to fill our pulpits. God wants those who have a heart for Him. We can soon, like the world, get into elitism with our learning. Someone who graduated from this "school" is better than someone who graduated from this "school," is often on our own lips. Declaring God's Word out not to be about what school you attended but if you are properly explaining the Scripture. School helps, but is not the criteria. Jesus is about to declare Himself the Son of God in this passage. That is teaching NONE of them were ready for!!
Friday, August 19, 2016
Subject: God's Word, Spoken Through God's Man - Hosea 1-7
Hosea 1:1 (ESV Strong's)
The word of the Lord that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Subject: God's Word Spoken By God's Man
In this first verse of Hosea we are given a wealth of information about the message to follow. Here are some lessons to learn from this single verse:
1. God spoke to men who, in turn, are speaking to us. It should be clear from this passage that this book is really God's message to His people (that includes today's reader). The text reads, "The Word of the Lord that came to Hosea." The non-believing world would like to think the Bible is a collection of quaint sayings and stories. However, without embarrassment, the Bible claims to be the "Word of the Lord."
2. God speaks to men. We do not worship a God who is silent, mysterious, or aloof. We have a God who communicates with us. He does that through men, Hosea was willing to listen to God.
3. God speaks to men and through men and the message never becomes irrelevant. Notice in the above text that God spoke to Hosea and Hosea used that message with five different kings. Even though leadership changes, God's message to them doesn't. Even though cultures, circumstances and generations change, God's Word remains the same.
4. God's Word is not spoken outside of history. There were historical things happening on earth and God spoke into and about those things. People like to think God isn't active in history. However, this verse (and many more) show us that God is active in history.
5. God, particularly, speaks to Leadership. This is a Word of the Lord, to the people of God, spoken to the leaders of God's people.
God's Word is relevant for today, just as it was in Hosea's day. We can trust it and believe it and follow it and know that we have the God of the universe interacting in history.
The word of the Lord that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Subject: God's Word Spoken By God's Man
In this first verse of Hosea we are given a wealth of information about the message to follow. Here are some lessons to learn from this single verse:
1. God spoke to men who, in turn, are speaking to us. It should be clear from this passage that this book is really God's message to His people (that includes today's reader). The text reads, "The Word of the Lord that came to Hosea." The non-believing world would like to think the Bible is a collection of quaint sayings and stories. However, without embarrassment, the Bible claims to be the "Word of the Lord."
2. God speaks to men. We do not worship a God who is silent, mysterious, or aloof. We have a God who communicates with us. He does that through men, Hosea was willing to listen to God.
3. God speaks to men and through men and the message never becomes irrelevant. Notice in the above text that God spoke to Hosea and Hosea used that message with five different kings. Even though leadership changes, God's message to them doesn't. Even though cultures, circumstances and generations change, God's Word remains the same.
4. God's Word is not spoken outside of history. There were historical things happening on earth and God spoke into and about those things. People like to think God isn't active in history. However, this verse (and many more) show us that God is active in history.
5. God, particularly, speaks to Leadership. This is a Word of the Lord, to the people of God, spoken to the leaders of God's people.
God's Word is relevant for today, just as it was in Hosea's day. We can trust it and believe it and follow it and know that we have the God of the universe interacting in history.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Subject: Satisfaction - Proverbs 19
Proverbs 19:23 (ESV Strong's)
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
Subject: Satisfaction
In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs the psychologist attempts to find the ultimate motivation behind man's attempt for what God already explains in the above verse: Satisfaction. Maslow's words don't come close to the power packed in these few words. Man is constantly looking for his needs to be meet and his life to be satisfying. There is not a loss of voices who attempt to provide thoughts on, "how to be satisfied in life." However, no human psychologist has ever published a best seller on the real answer: Fear the Lord. If we want true satisfaction we have to be willing to cast ourselves down and exalt the King of Kings. That is where satisfaction comes from ... from coming low in worship of the king. Maslow's thought was that each man wants to be "self-actualized". That's a cute way of saying they want to be the "master of the own soul." But God tells us in this verse true satisfaction is about bending the knees in submission to God not puffing the chest to become your own god. Communion will God will happen when stand in Awe of Him. That is when we find true satisfaction: Having God "visit" us, or, have a relationship with us. That is true actualization.
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
Subject: Satisfaction
In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs the psychologist attempts to find the ultimate motivation behind man's attempt for what God already explains in the above verse: Satisfaction. Maslow's words don't come close to the power packed in these few words. Man is constantly looking for his needs to be meet and his life to be satisfying. There is not a loss of voices who attempt to provide thoughts on, "how to be satisfied in life." However, no human psychologist has ever published a best seller on the real answer: Fear the Lord. If we want true satisfaction we have to be willing to cast ourselves down and exalt the King of Kings. That is where satisfaction comes from ... from coming low in worship of the king. Maslow's thought was that each man wants to be "self-actualized". That's a cute way of saying they want to be the "master of the own soul." But God tells us in this verse true satisfaction is about bending the knees in submission to God not puffing the chest to become your own god. Communion will God will happen when stand in Awe of Him. That is when we find true satisfaction: Having God "visit" us, or, have a relationship with us. That is true actualization.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Subject: Goal Setting - Pslam 99-101
Psalms 101:2 (ESV Strong's)
I will ponder the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
Subject: Goal setting
The "subject" of this particular verse might seem odd at first. However, in the opening of this Psalm the writer states:
Psalms 101:1
I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.
The writer states the standard he recognizes in God. God is a God of perfect Love and perfect Justice. When you think about Love and Justice you have have two terms that are conflicting in our society. Some want to Love and have it triumph over Justice. Others want Justice to triumph over Love. Yet, God is the Perfection of both. That is the standard this writer recognizes right away. So, from there, he states, "I will ponder the way that is blameless." The word "ponder" is not actually in the Hebrew, but the thought is there. After recognizing God's perfection of Love and Justice, the writer is going to "take heed" (NASV); is going to be "be careful to heed" (NIV); ponder this Perfection and make that his life. Such a life would cause him to "walk in integrity" in his house. The setting of this goal is the writer's way of saying, I want to be like God. We fail in our life if we have no standard(s). We fail for eternity if that standard is not God. God is holy and He demands that we, also, are holy. Setting a goal to be a godly person is a noble goal. You can't do this on your own, of course. Only God can make us holy. He sets the standard AND enables the standard to be met!! What an awesome God!!
I will ponder the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
Subject: Goal setting
The "subject" of this particular verse might seem odd at first. However, in the opening of this Psalm the writer states:
Psalms 101:1
I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.
The writer states the standard he recognizes in God. God is a God of perfect Love and perfect Justice. When you think about Love and Justice you have have two terms that are conflicting in our society. Some want to Love and have it triumph over Justice. Others want Justice to triumph over Love. Yet, God is the Perfection of both. That is the standard this writer recognizes right away. So, from there, he states, "I will ponder the way that is blameless." The word "ponder" is not actually in the Hebrew, but the thought is there. After recognizing God's perfection of Love and Justice, the writer is going to "take heed" (NASV); is going to be "be careful to heed" (NIV); ponder this Perfection and make that his life. Such a life would cause him to "walk in integrity" in his house. The setting of this goal is the writer's way of saying, I want to be like God. We fail in our life if we have no standard(s). We fail for eternity if that standard is not God. God is holy and He demands that we, also, are holy. Setting a goal to be a godly person is a noble goal. You can't do this on your own, of course. Only God can make us holy. He sets the standard AND enables the standard to be met!! What an awesome God!!
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Subject: Repentance and God's Discipline - 2 Chronicles 10-14
2 Chronicles 12:7-8 (ESV Strong's)
When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
Subject: Repentance and God's Discipline
The story we have here in the above verse is about Rehoboam, who was Solomon's son. After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam was the new king. However, unlike the succession from King David to Solomon, this succession from Solomon to Rehoboam was not as smooth. And, it certainly wasn't as God honoring. Solomon may have written the Proverbs with many admonishments to "my son.". But, the son did not listen. In says in the first verse of this chapter, "he (Rehoboam) abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him." God sends the Egyptian army to discipline the king and the people. At this point is when our above verses are stated. Rehoboam saw the sin he was in and did repent. He humbled himself and declared, "God is righteous," thus declare himself sinful. God honors that humility, but that doesn't take away all the consequences of sin. Allowing sin into our lives, as believers, can be forgiven ... 1 John 1:9 tells us!! However, the consequences we do out bodies is similar to what happen to the king. He did repent but the Egyptians were still at the door. Living for God keeps sin away from us. Opening our lives to sin invites the enemy to plunder us. We can be forgiven but we now have conditioned our body to enjoy the sin. Like trying to break the habit of eating chips at night, sin hangs on. We might not want the chips, but our taste buds are on fire for the salt and the carbs. Sin is the same way. God WILL forgive us of our sin. We KNOW this to be true. But, sin still has power in our lives (not over our lives). When we feed sin, it gets more power and produces more circumstances. God's discipline can remain, despite the forgiveness. Forgiveness wipes out the eternal penalty for sin as it puts it on Christ's account. But, the circumstances on earth may not change. There are examples when it does change. There are examples when it doesn't ... as in the above verses.
When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.”
Subject: Repentance and God's Discipline
The story we have here in the above verse is about Rehoboam, who was Solomon's son. After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam was the new king. However, unlike the succession from King David to Solomon, this succession from Solomon to Rehoboam was not as smooth. And, it certainly wasn't as God honoring. Solomon may have written the Proverbs with many admonishments to "my son.". But, the son did not listen. In says in the first verse of this chapter, "he (Rehoboam) abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him." God sends the Egyptian army to discipline the king and the people. At this point is when our above verses are stated. Rehoboam saw the sin he was in and did repent. He humbled himself and declared, "God is righteous," thus declare himself sinful. God honors that humility, but that doesn't take away all the consequences of sin. Allowing sin into our lives, as believers, can be forgiven ... 1 John 1:9 tells us!! However, the consequences we do out bodies is similar to what happen to the king. He did repent but the Egyptians were still at the door. Living for God keeps sin away from us. Opening our lives to sin invites the enemy to plunder us. We can be forgiven but we now have conditioned our body to enjoy the sin. Like trying to break the habit of eating chips at night, sin hangs on. We might not want the chips, but our taste buds are on fire for the salt and the carbs. Sin is the same way. God WILL forgive us of our sin. We KNOW this to be true. But, sin still has power in our lives (not over our lives). When we feed sin, it gets more power and produces more circumstances. God's discipline can remain, despite the forgiveness. Forgiveness wipes out the eternal penalty for sin as it puts it on Christ's account. But, the circumstances on earth may not change. There are examples when it does change. There are examples when it doesn't ... as in the above verses.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Subject: God's Voice - Numbers 5-9
Numbers 7:89 (ESV Strong's)
And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.
Subject: God's Voice
This morning I heard God's voice. It was certain. It wasn't audible like the above passage states with Moses. But, it was God's voice. Most would correct me and say, "No, you read God's Word. You didn't "hear" His voice!". However, when we have the Spirit of God indwelling us and we read God's Word, the Spirit can speak to our heart in a way we sense the Spirit's moving in our lives. I don't believe the Spirit of God works separate than God's Word. But, I do think when God's Word is read the Spirit can speak to our hearts ... as we seek His leading in our lives. In the above passage Moses had to go into the "tent of the meeting" for this to happen. Today we can simply have fellowship with God anywhere; read His Word, anywhere; and have a clear voice from God. We don't have to go through a sacrificial system. God has opened the way through the sacrifice of Christ.
And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.
Subject: God's Voice
This morning I heard God's voice. It was certain. It wasn't audible like the above passage states with Moses. But, it was God's voice. Most would correct me and say, "No, you read God's Word. You didn't "hear" His voice!". However, when we have the Spirit of God indwelling us and we read God's Word, the Spirit can speak to our heart in a way we sense the Spirit's moving in our lives. I don't believe the Spirit of God works separate than God's Word. But, I do think when God's Word is read the Spirit can speak to our hearts ... as we seek His leading in our lives. In the above passage Moses had to go into the "tent of the meeting" for this to happen. Today we can simply have fellowship with God anywhere; read His Word, anywhere; and have a clear voice from God. We don't have to go through a sacrificial system. God has opened the way through the sacrifice of Christ.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Subject; LIfe Profession/Work/Career - 1 Timothy 1-3
1 Timothy 1:1 (ESV Strong's)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
Subject: Life Profession/Work/Career
I am what I am by the command of the Father! Everyone is in the position they are in (professionally) by the command of Christ. We often think of our profession and/or career as something WE choose. People who do not recognize the Lordship of Christ or the Sovereignty of God will reject the truth that God is "in control." People like to think THEY are in control. But, the truth is, as Paul so plainly states for his own life, Christ commands and puts us where He wants to accomplish His plan. Again, the unsaved world rejected this notion. Yes, when Paul was explaining election to the Roman church he quoted God's Word in regard to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. In Romans 9 we hear God telling us that He put Pharaoh in his place just to show God's wrath upon him. God puts leaders in place. God puts school board presidents in place. God puts teachers, coaches baristas, police officers in place. They all are not believers, but they are all, through their own fallen wills, exactly where God wants them to be.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
Subject: Life Profession/Work/Career
I am what I am by the command of the Father! Everyone is in the position they are in (professionally) by the command of Christ. We often think of our profession and/or career as something WE choose. People who do not recognize the Lordship of Christ or the Sovereignty of God will reject the truth that God is "in control." People like to think THEY are in control. But, the truth is, as Paul so plainly states for his own life, Christ commands and puts us where He wants to accomplish His plan. Again, the unsaved world rejected this notion. Yes, when Paul was explaining election to the Roman church he quoted God's Word in regard to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. In Romans 9 we hear God telling us that He put Pharaoh in his place just to show God's wrath upon him. God puts leaders in place. God puts school board presidents in place. God puts teachers, coaches baristas, police officers in place. They all are not believers, but they are all, through their own fallen wills, exactly where God wants them to be.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Subject: Alone Time - Personal Recovery - John 6-7
John 6:15 (NASB Strong's)
So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Subject: Alone time (Recovery)
Jesus did not need to recover!! That needs to be said before this blog is written. However, the fact that Jesus did get alone, is something we should take note of and attempt to mimic. In Matthew, Mark and John's account of the feeding of the 5,000, the next passage records Jesus going to the mountain to pray. In Luke 5:16 we read:
Luke 5:16 (NASB Strong's)
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Note what the prophet Habakkuk writes when he pours his complaint out to God. He seeks a place to be alone with God to hear God's voice:
Habakkuk 2:1 (ESV Strong's)
I will take my stand at my watchpost
and station myself on the tower,
and look out to see what he will say to me,
and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
After Elijah defeated, through God's power, the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he fled into the wilderness. He actually fell into a state of depression. This happened after he a miraculous event. Seeking a time alone with God to hear from God is the point. Jesus went to the mountain to pray!! He wanted to be in communion with the Father. "Alone time" is not about me!! Alone time is about connecting with God! We must all get away to re-charge our batteries. We do this in our own private place to find strength in God.
So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Subject: Alone time (Recovery)
Jesus did not need to recover!! That needs to be said before this blog is written. However, the fact that Jesus did get alone, is something we should take note of and attempt to mimic. In Matthew, Mark and John's account of the feeding of the 5,000, the next passage records Jesus going to the mountain to pray. In Luke 5:16 we read:
Luke 5:16 (NASB Strong's)
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Note what the prophet Habakkuk writes when he pours his complaint out to God. He seeks a place to be alone with God to hear God's voice:
Habakkuk 2:1 (ESV Strong's)
I will take my stand at my watchpost
and station myself on the tower,
and look out to see what he will say to me,
and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
After Elijah defeated, through God's power, the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he fled into the wilderness. He actually fell into a state of depression. This happened after he a miraculous event. Seeking a time alone with God to hear from God is the point. Jesus went to the mountain to pray!! He wanted to be in communion with the Father. "Alone time" is not about me!! Alone time is about connecting with God! We must all get away to re-charge our batteries. We do this in our own private place to find strength in God.
Friday, August 12, 2016
Subject: Lordship of Christ - Daniel 7-12
Daniel 7:14 (NASB Strong's)
“And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.
Subject: Christ Rule and Authority
We hear a lot of talk in our churches about believers "making" Jesus the Lord of their lives. When we are told that we are to "make" Him Lord, we fail to realize the truth of the above passage. In this passage Jesus was already given Lordship, of everyone's life. Today, believes and non-believers don't "make" Jesus the Lord of their lives; He already is. The difference between a true believer and a pretender and/or a non-believer is that a believer simply recognizes Jesus' Lordship. Jesus is Lord over all the universe. He has yet to take His Kingdom in the way He will, but this passage shows that it IS His and that we will all submit to His rule. Non-believers can boast and pretend and play as though Jesus is not Lord. But, one day, that will all stop. Jesus IS Lord and He will someday take His rightful throne!!!
“And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.
Subject: Christ Rule and Authority
We hear a lot of talk in our churches about believers "making" Jesus the Lord of their lives. When we are told that we are to "make" Him Lord, we fail to realize the truth of the above passage. In this passage Jesus was already given Lordship, of everyone's life. Today, believes and non-believers don't "make" Jesus the Lord of their lives; He already is. The difference between a true believer and a pretender and/or a non-believer is that a believer simply recognizes Jesus' Lordship. Jesus is Lord over all the universe. He has yet to take His Kingdom in the way He will, but this passage shows that it IS His and that we will all submit to His rule. Non-believers can boast and pretend and play as though Jesus is not Lord. But, one day, that will all stop. Jesus IS Lord and He will someday take His rightful throne!!!
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Subject: A Calm Spirit in the Storm - Proverbs 17-18
Proverbs 17:27 (NASB Strong's)
He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Subject: Controlling your Spirit
Note Solomon's attention to this subject of a calm spirit and its relationship with understanding and wisdom:
Proverbs 18:2 (NASB Strong's)
A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
Proverbs 14:29 (NASB Strong's)
He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Allowing God to calm your spirit will allow Him to also provide you with wisdom. Wisdom is not something we accumulate over time, through the educational pedagogue, or through the study of the great authors of the word. Wisdom is a gift from God (James 1:5-6). In the above proverb Solomon is telling us that when our spirit is "cold" (calm and not affected or titilated by circumstances) we can be in a place to received wisdom and understanding. In the middle of the story you can scream, run and fling your arms. Or, you can stay calm and look for shelter. Wisdom comes to those who all the Spirit of the Lord to give them peace in the storm and then He gives them wisdom to deal with it.
He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Subject: Controlling your Spirit
Note Solomon's attention to this subject of a calm spirit and its relationship with understanding and wisdom:
Proverbs 18:2 (NASB Strong's)
A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
Proverbs 14:29 (NASB Strong's)
He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
Allowing God to calm your spirit will allow Him to also provide you with wisdom. Wisdom is not something we accumulate over time, through the educational pedagogue, or through the study of the great authors of the word. Wisdom is a gift from God (James 1:5-6). In the above proverb Solomon is telling us that when our spirit is "cold" (calm and not affected or titilated by circumstances) we can be in a place to received wisdom and understanding. In the middle of the story you can scream, run and fling your arms. Or, you can stay calm and look for shelter. Wisdom comes to those who all the Spirit of the Lord to give them peace in the storm and then He gives them wisdom to deal with it.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Subject: Victory - Psalm 96-98
Psalms 98:1 (NASB Strong's)
O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.
Subject: Victory
Yesterday, in my discussion with a client, I almost claimed success for myself due to my own skill-sets and power. But, then I caught myself. Nothing I have done, EVER, past and present and future, has been accomplished or will be accomplished without the truth of the above verse. God has done wonderful things in my life. His right hand (where Christ sits) have gained the victory. We are all too quick to claim success based upon our own opinion of ourselves. Remember the story of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel had warned him about his pride. Never-the-less he erected a statue of himself and thought it great to play as though he were God. Instead he because a mad-man and was found eating grass, like a cow, in the field. The writer of this Psalm wants to remind us that "victory" is from God and is due to His work in our lives and His intervention in our lives. Let's sing a new song, not based upon what we think are our accomplishments, but rather based upon what He has done for us.
O sing to the Lord a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.
Subject: Victory
Yesterday, in my discussion with a client, I almost claimed success for myself due to my own skill-sets and power. But, then I caught myself. Nothing I have done, EVER, past and present and future, has been accomplished or will be accomplished without the truth of the above verse. God has done wonderful things in my life. His right hand (where Christ sits) have gained the victory. We are all too quick to claim success based upon our own opinion of ourselves. Remember the story of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel had warned him about his pride. Never-the-less he erected a statue of himself and thought it great to play as though he were God. Instead he because a mad-man and was found eating grass, like a cow, in the field. The writer of this Psalm wants to remind us that "victory" is from God and is due to His work in our lives and His intervention in our lives. Let's sing a new song, not based upon what we think are our accomplishments, but rather based upon what He has done for us.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Subject: Warring in God - 1 Chronicles 5-9
1 Chronicles 5:21-22 (NASB Strong's)
They took away their cattle: their 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys; and 100,000 men. For many fell slain, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile.
Subject: Waring for God and by God
The above text is taken from the section that speaks of the tribes of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They had secured land on the opposite side of the Jordan during the conquest into the new land while being lead by Joshua. In the Chronicles the author is recording an account of those in the land and those in leadership. However, in the above text the writer outlines one of the victories of these tribes. The bounty is listed in regard to the camels, cattle and livestock taken. This alone is remarkable, in that each sheep, donkey, etc. is accounted for. To have the number of each animal listed in God's Word gives us some indication of how important this was to God. Obviously, the key phrase in this text is the statement, "for many fell slain, because the war was of God." When God sent Israel into the land, He meant the war to take place. God wanted them to secure the land and those living in the land were evil. God enabled them to fight. God is the strength of their world and their wars. God is the strength of our world and our wars. Today we also war against evil. Always in our hearts, sometimes in our walk. We are not asked to kill others, but we are asked to fight the evil in this world with the tools God gave us: Prayer, His Word, the Fruit or the Spirit, etc. We are in a battle with Satan, our sin nature and the worldly systems. That battle cannot be won in our strength but by relying on God's strength to work in us, through the Spirit of God. We may not be in a physical war (although more of that is coming), but we are in a spiritual war that can only be won by faith in God.
They took away their cattle: their 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys; and 100,000 men. For many fell slain, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile.
Subject: Waring for God and by God
The above text is taken from the section that speaks of the tribes of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They had secured land on the opposite side of the Jordan during the conquest into the new land while being lead by Joshua. In the Chronicles the author is recording an account of those in the land and those in leadership. However, in the above text the writer outlines one of the victories of these tribes. The bounty is listed in regard to the camels, cattle and livestock taken. This alone is remarkable, in that each sheep, donkey, etc. is accounted for. To have the number of each animal listed in God's Word gives us some indication of how important this was to God. Obviously, the key phrase in this text is the statement, "for many fell slain, because the war was of God." When God sent Israel into the land, He meant the war to take place. God wanted them to secure the land and those living in the land were evil. God enabled them to fight. God is the strength of their world and their wars. God is the strength of our world and our wars. Today we also war against evil. Always in our hearts, sometimes in our walk. We are not asked to kill others, but we are asked to fight the evil in this world with the tools God gave us: Prayer, His Word, the Fruit or the Spirit, etc. We are in a battle with Satan, our sin nature and the worldly systems. That battle cannot be won in our strength but by relying on God's strength to work in us, through the Spirit of God. We may not be in a physical war (although more of that is coming), but we are in a spiritual war that can only be won by faith in God.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Subject: Leadership/Follower-ship - Numbers 1-4
Numbers 1:4-5 (NASB Strong's)
With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father’s household. These then are the names of the men who shall stand with you: of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; ...
Subject: Leadership
In this beginning section of Numbers we see the identification of the leadership of each tribe. God wants Moses and Aaron to realize they are not in this alone and that God wants a form of governance and role responsibility in the nation. The governance model is hierarchal in nature. Moses will be the leader. Aaron will be the leader of the Tabernacle responsibilities. God expects order and He expects a firm chain-of-command. However, God does want each tribe and each leader of each tribe to do their part. This is a shared level of responsibility for the work. Each leader of each tribe will be responsible to make sure each tribe carries out God's Word. As the section unfolds God outlines for them they way they will camp and move out, when the nation is asked to move. God is specific in what He wants so He establishes leadership to carry out these directions. God was the one who first established the concept of leadership. God, therefore, should be the one we turn to in regard to leadership and follower-ship. In this passage we see the hierarchal approach God took. Later, some of the leaders will rebel agains Moses and Aaron. We will read about them complaining and quarreling about obeying God's Word, delivered through Moses. The leaders we read about in this section will be the leaders who lead rebellious behavior in the next section. Just because someone is a leader doesn't mean they lead correctly. It is important to know that God rejoices in structure. It is also important to know that man is the enemy of God's structures due to his sin nature and desire to rebel.
With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father’s household. These then are the names of the men who shall stand with you: of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; ...
Subject: Leadership
In this beginning section of Numbers we see the identification of the leadership of each tribe. God wants Moses and Aaron to realize they are not in this alone and that God wants a form of governance and role responsibility in the nation. The governance model is hierarchal in nature. Moses will be the leader. Aaron will be the leader of the Tabernacle responsibilities. God expects order and He expects a firm chain-of-command. However, God does want each tribe and each leader of each tribe to do their part. This is a shared level of responsibility for the work. Each leader of each tribe will be responsible to make sure each tribe carries out God's Word. As the section unfolds God outlines for them they way they will camp and move out, when the nation is asked to move. God is specific in what He wants so He establishes leadership to carry out these directions. God was the one who first established the concept of leadership. God, therefore, should be the one we turn to in regard to leadership and follower-ship. In this passage we see the hierarchal approach God took. Later, some of the leaders will rebel agains Moses and Aaron. We will read about them complaining and quarreling about obeying God's Word, delivered through Moses. The leaders we read about in this section will be the leaders who lead rebellious behavior in the next section. Just because someone is a leader doesn't mean they lead correctly. It is important to know that God rejoices in structure. It is also important to know that man is the enemy of God's structures due to his sin nature and desire to rebel.
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Subject: Church life/Fellowship - 2 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 3:6 (ESV Strong's)
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Subject: Christian Work/Fellowship
The letter of 2 Thessalonians is a letter sent by Paul to the Church at Thessalonica to correct a problem they had come across about Christ's return. Someone, or someones, had either arrived to teach the church or sent a letter to the church claiming that Christ had already returned and the church had missed it (2 Thessalonians 2:1). As a result of this teaching, some in the church had quick working and become idle. This "cancer" was about to eat away at the mission of the Church to grow in the knowledge of Christ, produce the fruits of repentance and squelch the spread of the gospel. Paul was writing to correct this false teaching. After correcting the doctrine of the false teaching, Paul moves to correct the living that had come about as a result of the false teaching. Those who believed Christ return had come were sitting around idle and doing nothing for their own growth and to contribute to the growth of the church. In fact, the idlers were living off the church and had refused to work altogether. Paul doesn't simply say admonish them. Paul tells the church to have nothing to do with them. Paul has, before, recommended separation from those in disobedience to keep one-self from corruption (1 Corinthians 5:9); as did John (2 John 10). When church members fail to hid God's Word after they are corrected, the church Fathers teach us that separation is the only way to keep the cancer from spreading. No on likes separation. It causes emotional struggles. But, it is Biblically evident that this is a method to expunge evil from the body. Like a health quarantine in a hospital because of a rare disease, so, too, a spiritual quarantine prevents the bug from spreading in the church.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Subject: Christian Work/Fellowship
The letter of 2 Thessalonians is a letter sent by Paul to the Church at Thessalonica to correct a problem they had come across about Christ's return. Someone, or someones, had either arrived to teach the church or sent a letter to the church claiming that Christ had already returned and the church had missed it (2 Thessalonians 2:1). As a result of this teaching, some in the church had quick working and become idle. This "cancer" was about to eat away at the mission of the Church to grow in the knowledge of Christ, produce the fruits of repentance and squelch the spread of the gospel. Paul was writing to correct this false teaching. After correcting the doctrine of the false teaching, Paul moves to correct the living that had come about as a result of the false teaching. Those who believed Christ return had come were sitting around idle and doing nothing for their own growth and to contribute to the growth of the church. In fact, the idlers were living off the church and had refused to work altogether. Paul doesn't simply say admonish them. Paul tells the church to have nothing to do with them. Paul has, before, recommended separation from those in disobedience to keep one-self from corruption (1 Corinthians 5:9); as did John (2 John 10). When church members fail to hid God's Word after they are corrected, the church Fathers teach us that separation is the only way to keep the cancer from spreading. No on likes separation. It causes emotional struggles. But, it is Biblically evident that this is a method to expunge evil from the body. Like a health quarantine in a hospital because of a rare disease, so, too, a spiritual quarantine prevents the bug from spreading in the church.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Subject: God's Gifts - John 3-4
John 3:27 (ESV Strong's)
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
Subject: God's Gifts
In the above passage John the Baptist is giving an answer to his disciples about a question that concerned the start-up ministry of Jesus. Like all leaders, John the Baptist had some over zealous followers, who wondered, out-loud, whenever was drawing the people away from their leader toward another leader. They had a specific concern that Jesus was seeing so many people come to Him. Their zeal was not matched with knowledge. John the Baptist has to teach them about some things he already had reminded them about, earlier. He had told them that he was the "fore-runner" of the Messiah and not THE Messiah. John the Baptist was born to be second, not the FIRST. The principle, however, that John gives them is that "if" there is another leader and they are drawing crowds for God, that can ONLY happen if God so wills it. In James we read:
James 1:17 (ESV Strong's)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
We also read in John 1:12 that it is through God that we "receive power" to be a child of God. John the Baptist is making the point that his followers need to understand. Any good that anyone does is from God. Paul states the same thing in the following verse about teachers preaching under false pretenses:
Philippians 1:18 (KJV)
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
If ANYONE does good, it is because God allowed it and gifted it. NO good we do is of ourselves. It is a gift of God.
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
Subject: God's Gifts
In the above passage John the Baptist is giving an answer to his disciples about a question that concerned the start-up ministry of Jesus. Like all leaders, John the Baptist had some over zealous followers, who wondered, out-loud, whenever was drawing the people away from their leader toward another leader. They had a specific concern that Jesus was seeing so many people come to Him. Their zeal was not matched with knowledge. John the Baptist has to teach them about some things he already had reminded them about, earlier. He had told them that he was the "fore-runner" of the Messiah and not THE Messiah. John the Baptist was born to be second, not the FIRST. The principle, however, that John gives them is that "if" there is another leader and they are drawing crowds for God, that can ONLY happen if God so wills it. In James we read:
James 1:17 (ESV Strong's)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
We also read in John 1:12 that it is through God that we "receive power" to be a child of God. John the Baptist is making the point that his followers need to understand. Any good that anyone does is from God. Paul states the same thing in the following verse about teachers preaching under false pretenses:
Philippians 1:18 (KJV)
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
If ANYONE does good, it is because God allowed it and gifted it. NO good we do is of ourselves. It is a gift of God.
Friday, August 5, 2016
Subject: Godly Reputation - Daniel 1-6
Daniel 5:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”
Subject: Godly Reputation
The first question we have to ask ourselves is: How did the Belshazzar not know this? How did the queen know it? Daniel, who by now must be in his older age, has established himself in the kingdom of Babylon as the "go to" guy to call when yo have a problem. Belshazzar is so "out of touch" with the resources around him the Queen has to inform him about Daniel. But, Daniel's reputation, established by God, was so large, almost everyone else knew about him. Note that he had a reputation that was firmly based upon his relationship with God. God made him what he was. The above text reads, "your father the king - mad him chief of the magicians ...". However, it was God who made Daniel what he was. My prayer is that my reputation and my business would be of this character and this magnitude to the lost world of leaders and leadership.
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”
Subject: Godly Reputation
The first question we have to ask ourselves is: How did the Belshazzar not know this? How did the queen know it? Daniel, who by now must be in his older age, has established himself in the kingdom of Babylon as the "go to" guy to call when yo have a problem. Belshazzar is so "out of touch" with the resources around him the Queen has to inform him about Daniel. But, Daniel's reputation, established by God, was so large, almost everyone else knew about him. Note that he had a reputation that was firmly based upon his relationship with God. God made him what he was. The above text reads, "your father the king - mad him chief of the magicians ...". However, it was God who made Daniel what he was. My prayer is that my reputation and my business would be of this character and this magnitude to the lost world of leaders and leadership.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Subject: Leadership - Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16:11 (NASV)
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
Proverbs 16:11 (ESV Strong's)
A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
Subject: Leadership
There is perhaps no better way to see the values of someone than to put them into a business relationship. Business, like sports, test the character of a man. Competition and money are two very powerful tools to reveal what is in our heart. That is the point Solomon is making in the above proverb. To understand it you have to think of the Biblical days of the food market. When you purchased a "pound" of some item the scales would be brought out and a one pound weight would be put on one side of the scale and the product would be put on the other side to "balance" out the weight. However, the corrupt business man might hollow out the weight and, even though the name plate might say, "one pound", the actual weight is wrong ... so, less of the item is actually purchased. God doesn't like and in fact hates false weights. His judgment is not based upon false weights. He judges man in righteousness; in purity. He wants a businessperson to know that He is concerned about the way we do business. He is concerned if we use false business practices. "All" the weights in the bag are His concern. What does He think of your leadership in your business practices? In this time of political turmoil, this might be an appropriate passage for politicians to lead. They seem to focus more on the fluidity of their message than the integrity of their leadership. God will balance the scales, justly, however. God sees the injustice in the world of leadership and will correct it as He will.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
Proverbs 16:11 (ESV Strong's)
A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
Subject: Leadership
There is perhaps no better way to see the values of someone than to put them into a business relationship. Business, like sports, test the character of a man. Competition and money are two very powerful tools to reveal what is in our heart. That is the point Solomon is making in the above proverb. To understand it you have to think of the Biblical days of the food market. When you purchased a "pound" of some item the scales would be brought out and a one pound weight would be put on one side of the scale and the product would be put on the other side to "balance" out the weight. However, the corrupt business man might hollow out the weight and, even though the name plate might say, "one pound", the actual weight is wrong ... so, less of the item is actually purchased. God doesn't like and in fact hates false weights. His judgment is not based upon false weights. He judges man in righteousness; in purity. He wants a businessperson to know that He is concerned about the way we do business. He is concerned if we use false business practices. "All" the weights in the bag are His concern. What does He think of your leadership in your business practices? In this time of political turmoil, this might be an appropriate passage for politicians to lead. They seem to focus more on the fluidity of their message than the integrity of their leadership. God will balance the scales, justly, however. God sees the injustice in the world of leadership and will correct it as He will.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Subject: Worship - Psalm 93-95
Psalms 95:3-5 (NASB Strong's)
For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods,
In whose hand are the depths of the earth,
The peaks of the mountains are His also.
The sea is His, for it was He who made it,
And His hands formed the dry land.
Subject: Worship
Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and admonition. It begins in praise and ends with an admonition to note forsake obeying and praising God. God is worthy to be praised. If we didn't just know that the writer gives us some valid reasons to sing out in praise. No other god even claims to have made the earth. Man, even in disobedience and unbelief, gives the creation of the world to another god. Man has decided that the earth just made itself. But, in the above passage the writer tells us to praise God because He is above all gods BECAUSE He made the earth; the mountains; the sea; the dry land. Today man worships the earth. Going out to enjoy the earth without recognizing God's splendor in the earth is to worship the creation over the Creator. Paul stated that man's sin leads him to do just that ...
Romans 1:22-25 (NASB Strong's)
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
We are to worship the Creator, not the Creation!
For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods,
In whose hand are the depths of the earth,
The peaks of the mountains are His also.
The sea is His, for it was He who made it,
And His hands formed the dry land.
Subject: Worship
Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and admonition. It begins in praise and ends with an admonition to note forsake obeying and praising God. God is worthy to be praised. If we didn't just know that the writer gives us some valid reasons to sing out in praise. No other god even claims to have made the earth. Man, even in disobedience and unbelief, gives the creation of the world to another god. Man has decided that the earth just made itself. But, in the above passage the writer tells us to praise God because He is above all gods BECAUSE He made the earth; the mountains; the sea; the dry land. Today man worships the earth. Going out to enjoy the earth without recognizing God's splendor in the earth is to worship the creation over the Creator. Paul stated that man's sin leads him to do just that ...
Romans 1:22-25 (NASB Strong's)
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
We are to worship the Creator, not the Creation!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Subject: Peace - 1 Chronicles 1-4
1 Chronicles 4:40 (NASB Strong's)
They found rich and good pasture, and the land was broad and quiet and peaceful; for those who lived there formerly were Hamites.
Subject: Finding Peace
The above verse is a report about the expansion of the Simonite family. In this portion of Chronicles the author is giving us each family and their descendants. Simeon's family is addressed here and the above verse shows the results of one of the two recorded war campaigns to expand their territory. The result of this campaign was "the land was broad and quiet and peaceful." This is a theme throughout Chronicles. God had promised the tribes this land. He had promised them "broad, peace and quite." Here we see that realized. They would soon lose this quiet and peace because they would disobey God and God would allow hardship and war to steal their peace. Peace was contingent upon obedience. This truth does not change in the New Testament age. In Hebrew 3-5 we read about entering into God's "rest." We know that our obedience to God's Word is still a requirement for true, lasting peace. In John 14 we read that Christ would send us "peace." That peace would come in and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When we walk in obedience and faith in Christ the Spirit of God produces the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives ... Peace is a result of that Fruit and is that Fruit. So, like the Old, the New Testament believer is subject to walking in faith to experience a "land of peace."
They found rich and good pasture, and the land was broad and quiet and peaceful; for those who lived there formerly were Hamites.
Subject: Finding Peace
The above verse is a report about the expansion of the Simonite family. In this portion of Chronicles the author is giving us each family and their descendants. Simeon's family is addressed here and the above verse shows the results of one of the two recorded war campaigns to expand their territory. The result of this campaign was "the land was broad and quiet and peaceful." This is a theme throughout Chronicles. God had promised the tribes this land. He had promised them "broad, peace and quite." Here we see that realized. They would soon lose this quiet and peace because they would disobey God and God would allow hardship and war to steal their peace. Peace was contingent upon obedience. This truth does not change in the New Testament age. In Hebrew 3-5 we read about entering into God's "rest." We know that our obedience to God's Word is still a requirement for true, lasting peace. In John 14 we read that Christ would send us "peace." That peace would come in and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When we walk in obedience and faith in Christ the Spirit of God produces the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives ... Peace is a result of that Fruit and is that Fruit. So, like the Old, the New Testament believer is subject to walking in faith to experience a "land of peace."
Monday, August 1, 2016
Subject: Compassion and the Fear of the Lord - Leviticus 25-27
Leviticus 25:43 (ESV Strong's)
You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
Subject: Compassion and the Fear of the Lord
The above verse is found in the middle of a section about slavery. God doesn't institute slavery, but rather, recognizes that it will happen. Those who foolishly squander their money (and it happens) will eventually enslave themselves to those who don't. Note the following, a verse written just before our study verse for today:
Leviticus 25:39 (ESV Strong's)
“If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave:
This is the context of our verse today. People then, as now, become poor and "sell" themselves into slavery. The context here is not the good, bad, ethical or moral implications of slavery. The context here is what governs the act of slavery. The principle God gives us to treat the person who is now "enslaved" but in the "fear of your God." The guiding principle is to treat others in a way that is reverent to God. That is the principle we are to follow in any relationship, but especially in regard to those who have entered into some type of bondage of slavery. Employers, leaders, and others with power over the less fortunate need to follow this simple, but powerful, principle.
You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
Subject: Compassion and the Fear of the Lord
The above verse is found in the middle of a section about slavery. God doesn't institute slavery, but rather, recognizes that it will happen. Those who foolishly squander their money (and it happens) will eventually enslave themselves to those who don't. Note the following, a verse written just before our study verse for today:
Leviticus 25:39 (ESV Strong's)
“If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave:
This is the context of our verse today. People then, as now, become poor and "sell" themselves into slavery. The context here is not the good, bad, ethical or moral implications of slavery. The context here is what governs the act of slavery. The principle God gives us to treat the person who is now "enslaved" but in the "fear of your God." The guiding principle is to treat others in a way that is reverent to God. That is the principle we are to follow in any relationship, but especially in regard to those who have entered into some type of bondage of slavery. Employers, leaders, and others with power over the less fortunate need to follow this simple, but powerful, principle.
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