Acts 27:1-3
And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
Subject: God's Care for His People
Paul is actually a prisoner. In the above passages we can read what was happening to him on his trip to Rome. He was headed there to be taken to court before Caesar. The Roman court system and prison system was not necessarily a "equal treatment under the law" system. However, Paul was a Roman citizen and due certain rights. What we see in the above passage, however, is God's intervention in the affairs of His faithful believers. God is constantly watching and caring for us. He provides special treatment for those faithful to Him!! Julius did not have to give Paul the above privileges. But, he did. God moved into his heart to move him and put Paul favorable in his eyes. God does this for us. We are special to God and He moves the hearts of even unbelievers to treat us in a way He prefers. We might often think that our behaviors and personality and skill sets are giving us special privilege in front of the world. However, it is God's care for us and opening hearts to be favorable to them. God puts those feelings in people's hearts, not us. God cares for His faithful believers.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 30, 2016
Subject: God's final Judgement - Revelation 18-22
Revelation 18:21-24
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,
“So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more;
and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,
will be heard in you no more,
and a craftsman of any craft
will be found in you no more,
and the sound of the mill
will be heard in you no more,
and the light of a lamp
will shine in you no more,
and the voice of bridegroom and bride
will be heard in you no more,
for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
and of all who have been slain on earth.”
Subject: Final Judgement
In this chapter the political, military, material and powerful world of Babylon will finally be destroyed. Babylon, in Scripture, is both a system and an actual place. In this chapter, although John is writing about an actual place, he is also describing the system. However, he refers to an actual city four times in this chapter, so it is most like Babylon the capital city of Babylon the system. It is a representative city. God's destruction of this place is so devastating that there were be "no more" sound of music, sound of craftsmanship, marriage celebrations, visible light or exchanging of commerce. The Antichrist, by this time, will build a tremendous commercial system with himself at the center of worship. These things will be destroyed, not because they are evil, but, as the last verse states, because this commercial world was used to deceive all nations. They were deceived through commercialism and sorcery (the use of drugs and witchcraft). The "city" and "system" will be destroyed because of this deception and because they oppressed the believer(s). God's final judgement will be on the rich and powerful who have no time or respect for God and Jesus Christ. This was all stated years prior to this book in Psalm 2:
Psalms 2:1-4
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
God gets the last laugh!!!
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,
“So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more;
and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,
will be heard in you no more,
and a craftsman of any craft
will be found in you no more,
and the sound of the mill
will be heard in you no more,
and the light of a lamp
will shine in you no more,
and the voice of bridegroom and bride
will be heard in you no more,
for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
and of all who have been slain on earth.”
Subject: Final Judgement
In this chapter the political, military, material and powerful world of Babylon will finally be destroyed. Babylon, in Scripture, is both a system and an actual place. In this chapter, although John is writing about an actual place, he is also describing the system. However, he refers to an actual city four times in this chapter, so it is most like Babylon the capital city of Babylon the system. It is a representative city. God's destruction of this place is so devastating that there were be "no more" sound of music, sound of craftsmanship, marriage celebrations, visible light or exchanging of commerce. The Antichrist, by this time, will build a tremendous commercial system with himself at the center of worship. These things will be destroyed, not because they are evil, but, as the last verse states, because this commercial world was used to deceive all nations. They were deceived through commercialism and sorcery (the use of drugs and witchcraft). The "city" and "system" will be destroyed because of this deception and because they oppressed the believer(s). God's final judgement will be on the rich and powerful who have no time or respect for God and Jesus Christ. This was all stated years prior to this book in Psalm 2:
Psalms 2:1-4
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
God gets the last laugh!!!
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Subject: Satan's Mission and Work - Job 1-2
Job 1:6-7
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.
Subject: Satan's mission and work
Although it is not wise to blame all the bad in our lives on Satan's work, it is quality foolish to discount his work in the bad of our lives. Satan's mission is to corrupt through deceit. Here is what Jesus said about his work:
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
From the above text we can see that Satan has access to God and attempts each moment to corrupt through deceit those that believe. Satan's tool is accusations and false implications:
Zechariah 3:1 (ESV Strong's)
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
See also: 1 Kgs 22:19-22; Zech 6:5
In 1 Peter 5:8 we are told Satan is a lion roaming the earth seeking to devour us. In Daniel 7:9-14 we are told that Satan even fights the angels who do the work of God to hinder them. See also Ps 7:8 [7]; 29:9-10; 82:1; 89:7-8 [6-7]; 103:19; Isa 6:1-8; 40:13-14; Job 15:8. Satan is an active foe who seeks our demise. He creates a system in the world that is based upon deceit for the purpose of our demise. We must fight him and resist him in the Name of Christ. His work is real and affective on those who ignore him or consider him a myth.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.
Subject: Satan's mission and work
Although it is not wise to blame all the bad in our lives on Satan's work, it is quality foolish to discount his work in the bad of our lives. Satan's mission is to corrupt through deceit. Here is what Jesus said about his work:
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
From the above text we can see that Satan has access to God and attempts each moment to corrupt through deceit those that believe. Satan's tool is accusations and false implications:
Zechariah 3:1 (ESV Strong's)
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
See also: 1 Kgs 22:19-22; Zech 6:5
In 1 Peter 5:8 we are told Satan is a lion roaming the earth seeking to devour us. In Daniel 7:9-14 we are told that Satan even fights the angels who do the work of God to hinder them. See also Ps 7:8 [7]; 29:9-10; 82:1; 89:7-8 [6-7]; 103:19; Isa 6:1-8; 40:13-14; Job 15:8. Satan is an active foe who seeks our demise. He creates a system in the world that is based upon deceit for the purpose of our demise. We must fight him and resist him in the Name of Christ. His work is real and affective on those who ignore him or consider him a myth.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Subject: Praise and Worship - Psalm 148-150
Psalms 148:1-6
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Subject: Praise for God from all sources
Psalm 148 is a call to praise from two sources: Heaven (vs. 1-6) and Earth (vs. 7-14). The writer is calling upon all to praise Him, both animate and inanimate. In the above passage we see the writer calling for the created heavens and the created heavenly hosts to praise God (in the first section). In the second section the people and the creation on earth are called to worship and prizes. The key to the Psalm is that all things are called to praise and worship God. This is not an option we reserve for a one-hour service on Sunday, however. In each section there is a reason given as to why God deserves are worship. Neither of the reasons given is because it is Sunday and time for Church. The reason given (above) is because God created you, therefore worship Him. He establishes us. In the second session the reason for the worship is because God has "raised up a horn for His people" and His name "alone is exalted." We worship a God who deserves our worship 24/7 because He is who He is and because we are His created being.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Subject: Praise for God from all sources
Psalm 148 is a call to praise from two sources: Heaven (vs. 1-6) and Earth (vs. 7-14). The writer is calling upon all to praise Him, both animate and inanimate. In the above passage we see the writer calling for the created heavens and the created heavenly hosts to praise God (in the first section). In the second section the people and the creation on earth are called to worship and prizes. The key to the Psalm is that all things are called to praise and worship God. This is not an option we reserve for a one-hour service on Sunday, however. In each section there is a reason given as to why God deserves are worship. Neither of the reasons given is because it is Sunday and time for Church. The reason given (above) is because God created you, therefore worship Him. He establishes us. In the second session the reason for the worship is because God has "raised up a horn for His people" and His name "alone is exalted." We worship a God who deserves our worship 24/7 because He is who He is and because we are His created being.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Subject: Revenge and Justice - Esther 6-1
Esther 7:9-10
Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.
Subject: Revenge and Justice
One of the most difficult aspects of life is dealing with an injustice that has been done against you, or will be done against you. We have such an innate sense of justice, we know when something isn't "right" and we fight to make it "right." In the story of Esther and Mordecai we have such an issue. Wicked Haman sought to have Mordecai killed by having all the Jews killed. He even built gallows in his back yard to hang Mordecai. But, God intervened. God rescued His people and had Haman hung on those very gallows.
Proverbs 26:27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
God is a God of justice and He will turn the very things in unjust do, back onto their own heads. Paul recognized the feelings and anger we get and the desire for revenge we get within ourselves. In Romans 12 Paul tells us to NOT take vengeance but to release the injustice to God. This is the only way true "justice" can be had. We are not just people and skew justice to meet our version of truth. God is the only one who can exact perfect, righteous, justice. This is the story of Mordecai and Esther. We are to give our enemies and issues over to God and allow Him to work those things out. That is living by faith in the midst of injustice.
Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman's house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.
Subject: Revenge and Justice
One of the most difficult aspects of life is dealing with an injustice that has been done against you, or will be done against you. We have such an innate sense of justice, we know when something isn't "right" and we fight to make it "right." In the story of Esther and Mordecai we have such an issue. Wicked Haman sought to have Mordecai killed by having all the Jews killed. He even built gallows in his back yard to hang Mordecai. But, God intervened. God rescued His people and had Haman hung on those very gallows.
Proverbs 26:27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
God is a God of justice and He will turn the very things in unjust do, back onto their own heads. Paul recognized the feelings and anger we get and the desire for revenge we get within ourselves. In Romans 12 Paul tells us to NOT take vengeance but to release the injustice to God. This is the only way true "justice" can be had. We are not just people and skew justice to meet our version of truth. God is the only one who can exact perfect, righteous, justice. This is the story of Mordecai and Esther. We are to give our enemies and issues over to God and allow Him to work those things out. That is living by faith in the midst of injustice.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Subject: Testing - Job 23
Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Subject: Testing
Job is unaware of the Satan vs God discussion of chapters one and two. Job is only aware of the suffering he has been through. He is not assuming that God is using all this for a test. He is assuming that God knows. God knows the path he takes in life. Therefore, as Job's friends accuse him of wickedness and unfaithfulness, Job is stating, "Since God knows all, you guys can't be right. If God knows all He will know the purity of my heart (and the sin in my heart) and will judge me faithful and I will be seen, by God, through Christ, as Gold." Job knows that God, if He is giving a test, does not grade on a curve. Job knows that God must make him righteous (we see this in other parts of the book). There is a sense that Job is justifying himself and he may be, to his friends. The friends are putting him in a place of defense. They came to comfort him, but he is, instead, needing to defend himself. The truth here, however, is that God does know that Job is blameless (see chapter 1). Job has some credibility to say this, even if he is acting piously. We have to be careful to remember that "coming out as gold" is a God thing. Job must simply remain faith. Which is what Satan is trying to demonstrate to God about Job. Satan thinks if God allows this to happen to Job he will curse God. Job is challenging God, but he is not cursing God.
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
Subject: Testing
Job is unaware of the Satan vs God discussion of chapters one and two. Job is only aware of the suffering he has been through. He is not assuming that God is using all this for a test. He is assuming that God knows. God knows the path he takes in life. Therefore, as Job's friends accuse him of wickedness and unfaithfulness, Job is stating, "Since God knows all, you guys can't be right. If God knows all He will know the purity of my heart (and the sin in my heart) and will judge me faithful and I will be seen, by God, through Christ, as Gold." Job knows that God, if He is giving a test, does not grade on a curve. Job knows that God must make him righteous (we see this in other parts of the book). There is a sense that Job is justifying himself and he may be, to his friends. The friends are putting him in a place of defense. They came to comfort him, but he is, instead, needing to defend himself. The truth here, however, is that God does know that Job is blameless (see chapter 1). Job has some credibility to say this, even if he is acting piously. We have to be careful to remember that "coming out as gold" is a God thing. Job must simply remain faith. Which is what Satan is trying to demonstrate to God about Job. Satan thinks if God allows this to happen to Job he will curse God. Job is challenging God, but he is not cursing God.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Subject: Worship of Christ - Jude
Jude 1:25
to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Subject: Worship of Christ
The book of Jude is a warning to the false teachers about their failure to honor Christ in their teaching. Jude warns us that in the last days there will be those who teach another doctrine for their own personal gain (prosperity gospel churches would fit this description). These are teachers who are more concerned with their market share and gain market share under the guise of the Gospel of Christ. The accumulation of their wealth is more important to them than their honor of Christ, albeit the former is done under the banner of the latter. Christ is to be honored about all things. Paul did not accumulate wealth via the Gospel. These false teachers did not put the above doxology in their lives, although it may have been posted on their walls. Jesus Christ our Lord is to have glory, majesty, dominion and authority. That is the focus of our teaching and living. God will grant wealth, but it ought not be in the perversion of the Gospel message, to water it down to gain converts to stuff coffers.
to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Subject: Worship of Christ
The book of Jude is a warning to the false teachers about their failure to honor Christ in their teaching. Jude warns us that in the last days there will be those who teach another doctrine for their own personal gain (prosperity gospel churches would fit this description). These are teachers who are more concerned with their market share and gain market share under the guise of the Gospel of Christ. The accumulation of their wealth is more important to them than their honor of Christ, albeit the former is done under the banner of the latter. Christ is to be honored about all things. Paul did not accumulate wealth via the Gospel. These false teachers did not put the above doxology in their lives, although it may have been posted on their walls. Jesus Christ our Lord is to have glory, majesty, dominion and authority. That is the focus of our teaching and living. God will grant wealth, but it ought not be in the perversion of the Gospel message, to water it down to gain converts to stuff coffers.
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Subject: Power and Influence - Acts 27:31-32
Acts 27:31-32
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
Subject: Power and Influence
Chapter 27 of Acts is the final chapter of Paul's journey from Jerusalem to Rome. He is being charge by the Jews in the court of Caesar and is being brought to Rome by a centurion. It is important to remember that God wants him in Rome for the sole purpose of preaching the Gospel. Satan does not want him there for that very reason. Chapter 27 is Satan's attempt to destroy God's messenger. At first the centurion ignores most, if not all of Paul's warnings along this journey. In the above passage, because the wisdom God has given Paul is being demonstrated time and time again, Paul begins to accumulate influence over the centurion. The ship they are on is about to be destroyed so the sailors are ready to abandon ship. However, Paul tells them that everyone MUST stay on the ship for God to save them. In the past the centurion would have listened to the sailors. But, now the soldiers are listening to Paul. Why? Because Paul's faith is coming through in compassion and wisdom and that is a powerful combination for influence. Paul has already expressed that they need to eat and take care of their bodies. Paul has already given them several pieces of wisdom that, if they would have listened, they would not be in this boat (no pun intended). Now that the see Paul's faith and and wisdom (from God) they allow him to have influence and power of their decisions. That is how it works in the world. As we practice our faith and ask God for wisdom and boldly speak up in Christ, we are granted powerful influence in the affairs of men (think Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah).
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
Subject: Power and Influence
Chapter 27 of Acts is the final chapter of Paul's journey from Jerusalem to Rome. He is being charge by the Jews in the court of Caesar and is being brought to Rome by a centurion. It is important to remember that God wants him in Rome for the sole purpose of preaching the Gospel. Satan does not want him there for that very reason. Chapter 27 is Satan's attempt to destroy God's messenger. At first the centurion ignores most, if not all of Paul's warnings along this journey. In the above passage, because the wisdom God has given Paul is being demonstrated time and time again, Paul begins to accumulate influence over the centurion. The ship they are on is about to be destroyed so the sailors are ready to abandon ship. However, Paul tells them that everyone MUST stay on the ship for God to save them. In the past the centurion would have listened to the sailors. But, now the soldiers are listening to Paul. Why? Because Paul's faith is coming through in compassion and wisdom and that is a powerful combination for influence. Paul has already expressed that they need to eat and take care of their bodies. Paul has already given them several pieces of wisdom that, if they would have listened, they would not be in this boat (no pun intended). Now that the see Paul's faith and and wisdom (from God) they allow him to have influence and power of their decisions. That is how it works in the world. As we practice our faith and ask God for wisdom and boldly speak up in Christ, we are granted powerful influence in the affairs of men (think Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah).
Friday, December 23, 2016
Subject: Jesus is the Center of all things - Revlation 18-22
Revelation 19:9-10
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Subject; Jesus is the Center of all things
The book of Revelation can be overwhelming to read and understand. The literal parts seem to flow freely into the word pictures and the word pictures seem to flow into multiple options of meaning. The above verse gives us the main key to understanding, both The Revelation, and all prophecy: Jesus Christ is the centerpiece. This book, and indeed the entire Bible, is Christ-Centered. We ought to look to see Christ and the Gospel message of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, in every book of the Bible. Revelation is no exception. God is at work in the world and the work is the work of Jesus. He is the Spirit of Prophecy. All we read here and in other parts reflect the Person and Work of Christ. This is why John is told to "worship God." Why? "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." This is pretty simple, despite some of the language and writings of the book itself.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Subject; Jesus is the Center of all things
The book of Revelation can be overwhelming to read and understand. The literal parts seem to flow freely into the word pictures and the word pictures seem to flow into multiple options of meaning. The above verse gives us the main key to understanding, both The Revelation, and all prophecy: Jesus Christ is the centerpiece. This book, and indeed the entire Bible, is Christ-Centered. We ought to look to see Christ and the Gospel message of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, in every book of the Bible. Revelation is no exception. God is at work in the world and the work is the work of Jesus. He is the Spirit of Prophecy. All we read here and in other parts reflect the Person and Work of Christ. This is why John is told to "worship God." Why? "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." This is pretty simple, despite some of the language and writings of the book itself.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Subject: Romance and Intimacy - Song of Songs 7-8
Song of Songs 7:6-9
How beautiful and pleasant you are,
O loved one, with all your delights!
Your stature is like a palm tree,
and your breasts are like its clusters.
I say I will climb the palm tree
and lay hold of its fruit.
Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
and the scent of your breath like apples,
and your mouth like the best wine.
SheIt goes down smoothly for my beloved,
gliding over lips and teeth.
Subject: Romance and Intimacy
The above Hebrew poetry are Solomon's words to his new bride. Chapter eight of this book is the culmination of all the romance and verbal foreplay leading up to the wedding night. Notice how beautifully he speaks of this act of intimacy. This is not true in our society today. Through Hollywood, pornographers and the entertainment industry we have objectified and made intimacy dirty and lewd. God created intimacy. The book of Song of Solomon was written for us to see what happens when we follow Gods plan for intimacy and it is shared between a couple committed to God and to each other. Although God is seldom mentioned in the book, His handwork over these two created beings is evident. Solomon is recognizing the beauty of his new bride and is not ashamed to say (and record it for us). We ought not be ashamed of intimacy and should rejoice in the spouse God gave us. We ought to celebrate that person. 1 Corinthians 7 talks about the wife not owning her body, but it belongs to the husband and the husband not owning his body, but it belonging to the wife. The above passage shows these thoughts in action. God created romance and intimacy ... praise Him for it and in it.
How beautiful and pleasant you are,
O loved one, with all your delights!
Your stature is like a palm tree,
and your breasts are like its clusters.
I say I will climb the palm tree
and lay hold of its fruit.
Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
and the scent of your breath like apples,
and your mouth like the best wine.
SheIt goes down smoothly for my beloved,
gliding over lips and teeth.
Subject: Romance and Intimacy
The above Hebrew poetry are Solomon's words to his new bride. Chapter eight of this book is the culmination of all the romance and verbal foreplay leading up to the wedding night. Notice how beautifully he speaks of this act of intimacy. This is not true in our society today. Through Hollywood, pornographers and the entertainment industry we have objectified and made intimacy dirty and lewd. God created intimacy. The book of Song of Solomon was written for us to see what happens when we follow Gods plan for intimacy and it is shared between a couple committed to God and to each other. Although God is seldom mentioned in the book, His handwork over these two created beings is evident. Solomon is recognizing the beauty of his new bride and is not ashamed to say (and record it for us). We ought not be ashamed of intimacy and should rejoice in the spouse God gave us. We ought to celebrate that person. 1 Corinthians 7 talks about the wife not owning her body, but it belongs to the husband and the husband not owning his body, but it belonging to the wife. The above passage shows these thoughts in action. God created romance and intimacy ... praise Him for it and in it.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Subject: God Sustains Creation - Psalm 148-150
Psalms 148:5-6
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Subject: God Sustains Creation
In Paul''s letter to the Colossians, he is speaking about the supremacy of Christ. He wants all believers to know that Christ is deserving of our praise because He is above all things. He can therefore save us to the uttermost. In that letter he makes this supremacy claim with verses like this:
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In the above Psalm we have the OT basis for Paul's doctrine. God created the universe and by Him all things hold together. By His "decree." Mankind thinks the heavens and the earth are going to be destroyed. They eventually will, but not by green-house gases; rather by the same Word that Created it. God created the world by His Word. God sustains the world by His Word. God will destroy the world by His Word. Until then nothing is going to happen. God creates and He sustains. He is worthy of our praise.
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Subject: God Sustains Creation
In Paul''s letter to the Colossians, he is speaking about the supremacy of Christ. He wants all believers to know that Christ is deserving of our praise because He is above all things. He can therefore save us to the uttermost. In that letter he makes this supremacy claim with verses like this:
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In the above Psalm we have the OT basis for Paul's doctrine. God created the universe and by Him all things hold together. By His "decree." Mankind thinks the heavens and the earth are going to be destroyed. They eventually will, but not by green-house gases; rather by the same Word that Created it. God created the world by His Word. God sustains the world by His Word. God will destroy the world by His Word. Until then nothing is going to happen. God creates and He sustains. He is worthy of our praise.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Subject: God's Sovereignty and the Affairs of Man - Esther 6-10
Esther 10:1-2
King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
Subject: God's Sovereignty in the Affairs of Mankind
Note the following, taken from one web source:
Three of the historical books, namely, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther and three of the minor prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi have their context in the reign of the Medo-Persian Empire. During this period the captives of Judah were permitted to go back to Jerusalem and restore their ancient city and its temple. The key to the Babylonian Empire is Gentile dominion over Jerusalem. The key to the Empire of the Medes and the Persians is restoration of Jerusalem.
When the nation of Israel was taken captive by the Babylonians, they were treated as slaves. However, due to their God's constant care, under the Medes and the Persians God began to elevate them. Under Babylonian rule, Daniel is the one mentioned being brought into the leadership of the kingdom. Under the Medes and Persians, Nehemiah is brought into leadership and, eventually, Mordecai, in this book of Esther. Although Esther is the main figure of the book, the story is about God intervening in the affairs of the Medes and the Persians to put Mordecai in the right place, to persevere the Jews. Remember, God is to bring fourth His Son, the Messiah (Christ Child) via the Jewish lineage. Satan wanted to destroy all Jews to prevent that. The acts of evil Haman, who wanted to kill the Jews (and Mordecai in specifically) were simply the outworking of Satan's desire to kill the Son of God's redemption plan. God intervene in history (as He always does) to assure that the Gospel message is not hindered. This is God's purpose. God protected His people to protect His plan to assure His prophecies would come true. The Christ would be born and no act of King Ahasuerus or wicked Haman would prevent that. God intervenes in history to make sure His-Story is completed.
King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
Subject: God's Sovereignty in the Affairs of Mankind
Note the following, taken from one web source:
Three of the historical books, namely, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther and three of the minor prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi have their context in the reign of the Medo-Persian Empire. During this period the captives of Judah were permitted to go back to Jerusalem and restore their ancient city and its temple. The key to the Babylonian Empire is Gentile dominion over Jerusalem. The key to the Empire of the Medes and the Persians is restoration of Jerusalem.
When the nation of Israel was taken captive by the Babylonians, they were treated as slaves. However, due to their God's constant care, under the Medes and the Persians God began to elevate them. Under Babylonian rule, Daniel is the one mentioned being brought into the leadership of the kingdom. Under the Medes and Persians, Nehemiah is brought into leadership and, eventually, Mordecai, in this book of Esther. Although Esther is the main figure of the book, the story is about God intervening in the affairs of the Medes and the Persians to put Mordecai in the right place, to persevere the Jews. Remember, God is to bring fourth His Son, the Messiah (Christ Child) via the Jewish lineage. Satan wanted to destroy all Jews to prevent that. The acts of evil Haman, who wanted to kill the Jews (and Mordecai in specifically) were simply the outworking of Satan's desire to kill the Son of God's redemption plan. God intervene in history (as He always does) to assure that the Gospel message is not hindered. This is God's purpose. God protected His people to protect His plan to assure His prophecies would come true. The Christ would be born and no act of King Ahasuerus or wicked Haman would prevent that. God intervenes in history to make sure His-Story is completed.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Subject: The Method and Subject of Teaching about God - Deuteronomy 32-34
Deuteronomy 32:1-3
“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,
and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distill as the dew,
like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
and like showers upon the herb.
For I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
ascribe greatness to our God!
Subject: The Method and Subject of Teaching about God
This chapter of Deuteronomy is the last song of Moses. God had told him that, because of his failure to follow in faith during the incident of the water coming out of the rock, he will not be allowed to go into the promise land. He is about to go up to the top of a mountain to die. The "song,"" as stated in the above verses is Moses' teaching. Notice that this is not "harsh" teaching. Moses wants his teaching to "drop as rain" and he wants his speech to "distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass." Teaching about God should not fall like bricks on people. Nor should it be like paint drying. It should be neither harsh nor boring. The word picture he gives us is that of refreshing and nurturing. Teaching about God should fall on people's ears in a way that wants them to drink it in. Why? The last line of the above verses tells us. Because he is proclaiming the "name of the Lord." Moses is about to "ascribe greatness to our God! If the method of our teaching is to be refreshing the subject of our teaching is to be exalting ... exalting the God of the universe. God is worthy of praise and exaltation and we should be lifting Him up in our teaching in a way that causes others to be refreshed.
“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,
and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distill as the dew,
like gentle rain upon the tender grass,
and like showers upon the herb.
For I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
ascribe greatness to our God!
Subject: The Method and Subject of Teaching about God
This chapter of Deuteronomy is the last song of Moses. God had told him that, because of his failure to follow in faith during the incident of the water coming out of the rock, he will not be allowed to go into the promise land. He is about to go up to the top of a mountain to die. The "song,"" as stated in the above verses is Moses' teaching. Notice that this is not "harsh" teaching. Moses wants his teaching to "drop as rain" and he wants his speech to "distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass." Teaching about God should not fall like bricks on people. Nor should it be like paint drying. It should be neither harsh nor boring. The word picture he gives us is that of refreshing and nurturing. Teaching about God should fall on people's ears in a way that wants them to drink it in. Why? The last line of the above verses tells us. Because he is proclaiming the "name of the Lord." Moses is about to "ascribe greatness to our God! If the method of our teaching is to be refreshing the subject of our teaching is to be exalting ... exalting the God of the universe. God is worthy of praise and exaltation and we should be lifting Him up in our teaching in a way that causes others to be refreshed.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Subject: Hospitality - 3 John
3 John 1:5-6
Support and Opposition
Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
Subject: Hospitality
We often think of hospitality as hosting someone in our homes. That would be the classic definition. However, in Christianity, hospitality is actually a spiritual gift and the word carries a much broader, nobler and Gospel meaning. Paul states the spiritual gift of hospitality this way:
Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Or, consider the Hebrews writer's text:
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
The word translated as hospitality in the Bible is the Greek word, "philoxenia." It is made up of two Greek words. It is the combination of the word for "friend" and "stranger." It actually means, "to be-friend a stranger." The English concept of hospitality is not so much the entertaining idea as it is the assisting and meeting needs idea. This is were we are in the 3 John passage above. John is thanking them for assisting and meeting the needs of those who are traveling through their church, spreading the Gospel message. Our Christian hospitality is not about having a wonder home, decorated just right with the right appetizers for our friends. It can be that, but also needs to add the concept of assisting and meeting needs of strangers and furthering the Gospel message or demonstrating the Gospel message.
Support and Opposition
Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
Subject: Hospitality
We often think of hospitality as hosting someone in our homes. That would be the classic definition. However, in Christianity, hospitality is actually a spiritual gift and the word carries a much broader, nobler and Gospel meaning. Paul states the spiritual gift of hospitality this way:
Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Or, consider the Hebrews writer's text:
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
The word translated as hospitality in the Bible is the Greek word, "philoxenia." It is made up of two Greek words. It is the combination of the word for "friend" and "stranger." It actually means, "to be-friend a stranger." The English concept of hospitality is not so much the entertaining idea as it is the assisting and meeting needs idea. This is were we are in the 3 John passage above. John is thanking them for assisting and meeting the needs of those who are traveling through their church, spreading the Gospel message. Our Christian hospitality is not about having a wonder home, decorated just right with the right appetizers for our friends. It can be that, but also needs to add the concept of assisting and meeting needs of strangers and furthering the Gospel message or demonstrating the Gospel message.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Subject: God's Sovereignty vs. Mans Free Choice
Acts 25:9-12
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
Subject: God's Sovereignty vs. Man's Free Choice.
Earlier in Acts Paul received the following vision from God about his future and God's purpose for Paul:
Acts 23:11 - The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Paul knew he was to be in Rome to profess the Gospel. However, he didn't know the method he would take to get to Rome. For us today we may have thought the journey would be first class travel on American Airlines. Yet, that is not the case in the above passage. Paul is actually simply worshipping in Jerusalem and is accused of false worship by the Jewish religious leaders. They want to kill him but he narrowly escapes and is brought to trial before the local procurator, Festus, for Roman rule (Chief Financial Officer of the Province ... his job as to collect taxes). Later we learn that Paul would have been let go and released with no guilt, had he NOT appealed to stand before Caesar, in Rome. However, God used this incident to get Paul where He wanted him to be. Paul could have used the court system for his release. But, instead, he used the court system to accomplish God's will. God had arranged for him to be in Rome. It just was not going to be on the guided tour type method. It was to be through the prison system. Nero, Caesar at the time, was not yet, but would soon be, a chief enemy of the Christianity. Paul did not care either way. Paul knew God wanted him to be in Rome and he choose to use his free will to accomplish God's sovereign plan. That is how God guides and directs. God accomplishes His design through man''s obedient walk of faith.
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
Subject: God's Sovereignty vs. Man's Free Choice.
Earlier in Acts Paul received the following vision from God about his future and God's purpose for Paul:
Acts 23:11 - The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Paul knew he was to be in Rome to profess the Gospel. However, he didn't know the method he would take to get to Rome. For us today we may have thought the journey would be first class travel on American Airlines. Yet, that is not the case in the above passage. Paul is actually simply worshipping in Jerusalem and is accused of false worship by the Jewish religious leaders. They want to kill him but he narrowly escapes and is brought to trial before the local procurator, Festus, for Roman rule (Chief Financial Officer of the Province ... his job as to collect taxes). Later we learn that Paul would have been let go and released with no guilt, had he NOT appealed to stand before Caesar, in Rome. However, God used this incident to get Paul where He wanted him to be. Paul could have used the court system for his release. But, instead, he used the court system to accomplish God's will. God had arranged for him to be in Rome. It just was not going to be on the guided tour type method. It was to be through the prison system. Nero, Caesar at the time, was not yet, but would soon be, a chief enemy of the Christianity. Paul did not care either way. Paul knew God wanted him to be in Rome and he choose to use his free will to accomplish God's sovereign plan. That is how God guides and directs. God accomplishes His design through man''s obedient walk of faith.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Subject: Eternal Security and the Perseverance of the Saints - Revelation 12-17
Revelation 14:12-13 (NASV)
Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
Subject: Eternal Security and the Perseverance of the Saints.
In this section of Revelation we have the destruction of the earth, mankind's government and man himself as the wrath of God is poured out on the earth. God is brining His judgement to all those who have rejected His grace via the Gospel. Yet, in the midst of this wrath, literally right in the midst of the description of this pouring out of wrath we have the above passage which describes one of the greatest truths in God's Word: The Perseverance of the Saints. The NASV rightly uses the term "perseverance." The ESV calls it the "endurance" of the saints, while the NIV calls it the "patient endurance" of the saints. The historical doctrine is "perseverance." This is the doctrine that once God elects you to be saved you will NEVER lose that calling and election. You will endure to the end. You will persevere to the end. God gives us this picture in the midst of the wrath to remind us He is not only faithful to bring the wrath He promised through the ages to those who REJECTED Him, but He also will faithfully hold onto those who ACCEPTED Him. The "saints" mentioned in this passage are the ones saved during the tribulation by the ministry of the two witnesses. There is no other saints in history that will endure what these saints mush endure. Yet, like all saints, they will be saved to the end. And, verse 13, be blessed. Both for how they died and what they will enjoy in death. We are blessed as we persevere in faith. This is God's "blessed" assurance based upon His faithfulness to His Word toward us!!!
Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
Subject: Eternal Security and the Perseverance of the Saints.
In this section of Revelation we have the destruction of the earth, mankind's government and man himself as the wrath of God is poured out on the earth. God is brining His judgement to all those who have rejected His grace via the Gospel. Yet, in the midst of this wrath, literally right in the midst of the description of this pouring out of wrath we have the above passage which describes one of the greatest truths in God's Word: The Perseverance of the Saints. The NASV rightly uses the term "perseverance." The ESV calls it the "endurance" of the saints, while the NIV calls it the "patient endurance" of the saints. The historical doctrine is "perseverance." This is the doctrine that once God elects you to be saved you will NEVER lose that calling and election. You will endure to the end. You will persevere to the end. God gives us this picture in the midst of the wrath to remind us He is not only faithful to bring the wrath He promised through the ages to those who REJECTED Him, but He also will faithfully hold onto those who ACCEPTED Him. The "saints" mentioned in this passage are the ones saved during the tribulation by the ministry of the two witnesses. There is no other saints in history that will endure what these saints mush endure. Yet, like all saints, they will be saved to the end. And, verse 13, be blessed. Both for how they died and what they will enjoy in death. We are blessed as we persevere in faith. This is God's "blessed" assurance based upon His faithfulness to His Word toward us!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Subject: Love and Intimacy - Song of Songs 5-6
Song of Songs 5:1
I came to my garden, my sister, my bride,
I gathered my myrrh with my spice,
I ate my honeycomb with my honey,
I drank my wine with my milk.
Eat, friends, drink,
and be drunk with love!
Subject: Love and Intimacy
Because of the increase in technology and its application to science and health, there as been some great studies recently on the human brain activity. A recent study showed, as they watched the activity of the brain, that the same areas of increased activity in the brain were the same when the subject was focused on God, sex and/or gambling (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/11/29/brain-looks-like-god-spiritual-experience-triggers-areas-sex/). That is quite remarkable, as it shows that what Paul was saying in Romans 6 is physically true:
Romans 6:12-14
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Our "members" are tools of the body that can be submitted to God or to sex or to gambling. In the Song of Solomon we might see the same thing. In the above passage we see the young man (Solomon) dreaming of intimacy with his soon-to-be bride. He is "drunk" on love. That same euphoric feeling he gets in worship he is getting in the feelings of intimacy. God created us to enjoy intimacy. When we use it for His glory it sparks the type of feelings as above. Our physical bodies are "members" we can submit to worship God, through sexual pleasure, or worship self, through sexual pleasure. They are the same, just different predisposition. One is to worship the Creator of sex and the other is to worship the creation: Sex! Note what Paul says about worshiping the creation rather than the Creator:
Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Song of Solomon is a complete lesson to us on how to worship the Creator in intimacy vs. the creation of intimacy.
I came to my garden, my sister, my bride,
I gathered my myrrh with my spice,
I ate my honeycomb with my honey,
I drank my wine with my milk.
Eat, friends, drink,
and be drunk with love!
Subject: Love and Intimacy
Because of the increase in technology and its application to science and health, there as been some great studies recently on the human brain activity. A recent study showed, as they watched the activity of the brain, that the same areas of increased activity in the brain were the same when the subject was focused on God, sex and/or gambling (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/11/29/brain-looks-like-god-spiritual-experience-triggers-areas-sex/). That is quite remarkable, as it shows that what Paul was saying in Romans 6 is physically true:
Romans 6:12-14
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Our "members" are tools of the body that can be submitted to God or to sex or to gambling. In the Song of Solomon we might see the same thing. In the above passage we see the young man (Solomon) dreaming of intimacy with his soon-to-be bride. He is "drunk" on love. That same euphoric feeling he gets in worship he is getting in the feelings of intimacy. God created us to enjoy intimacy. When we use it for His glory it sparks the type of feelings as above. Our physical bodies are "members" we can submit to worship God, through sexual pleasure, or worship self, through sexual pleasure. They are the same, just different predisposition. One is to worship the Creator of sex and the other is to worship the creation: Sex! Note what Paul says about worshiping the creation rather than the Creator:
Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Song of Solomon is a complete lesson to us on how to worship the Creator in intimacy vs. the creation of intimacy.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Subject: Reasons to Worship - Psalm 146-147
Psalms 146:5-7
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
Subject: Reasons to Worship God
This Psalm is about praise and worship. It is about lifting one's voice and life in a walk of praise to God. It gives us both the command to worship and the reason(s) to worship. In the above verses in particular we see the writer outline the reason we are blessed to find our help in the God of Jacob. Those who put their hope in the Lord do so because:
1. God is powerful enough to make all the heavens, earth and sea and fill them all abundantly with stars to swordfish to snails.
2. God is abundantly and forever faithful.
3. God is just and makes sure, in the end, justice is always administrated.
4. God makes sure those who are hungry (Physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc) are filled.
5. God makes sure those who are prisoners (physically, emotionally, spiritual, etc) are set free.
We have plenty of reasons to worship, praise a thank God!!!
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
Subject: Reasons to Worship God
This Psalm is about praise and worship. It is about lifting one's voice and life in a walk of praise to God. It gives us both the command to worship and the reason(s) to worship. In the above verses in particular we see the writer outline the reason we are blessed to find our help in the God of Jacob. Those who put their hope in the Lord do so because:
1. God is powerful enough to make all the heavens, earth and sea and fill them all abundantly with stars to swordfish to snails.
2. God is abundantly and forever faithful.
3. God is just and makes sure, in the end, justice is always administrated.
4. God makes sure those who are hungry (Physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc) are filled.
5. God makes sure those who are prisoners (physically, emotionally, spiritual, etc) are set free.
We have plenty of reasons to worship, praise a thank God!!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Subject: The Cost of Bitterness - Esther 1-5
Esther 5:11-13
And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.”
Subject: The cost of bitterness
Haman had become a bitter man. He was second in command in the royal palace. He had everything any man of his age would want. He was a man of great financial means (he personally was willing to fund the destructions of all the Jews). He was a man of great power and prestige in the kingdom. He had it made ... if it wasn't for that Jew, Mordecai. Mordecai, perhaps remember the example of the three Jewish boys tossed into the fire by King Nebuchadnezzar, also refused to pay homage to Haman. Although Haman had it all, he did not have the respect of one Jew. It is amazing how ego can lead to anger and how anger can lead to bitterness and how bitterness can lead to revenge. Haman will die from his ego, anger, bitterness and revenge. The trap he set for others he will fall into himself:
Proverbs 26:27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
A famous leader once said, "Being angry at someone is like drinking poison and hoping they will die as a result." Haman was drinking poison but it wasn't Mordecai who died. Allowing our ego to produce anger and, eventually, bitterness is a sure way to die from the inside out.
And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.”
Subject: The cost of bitterness
Haman had become a bitter man. He was second in command in the royal palace. He had everything any man of his age would want. He was a man of great financial means (he personally was willing to fund the destructions of all the Jews). He was a man of great power and prestige in the kingdom. He had it made ... if it wasn't for that Jew, Mordecai. Mordecai, perhaps remember the example of the three Jewish boys tossed into the fire by King Nebuchadnezzar, also refused to pay homage to Haman. Although Haman had it all, he did not have the respect of one Jew. It is amazing how ego can lead to anger and how anger can lead to bitterness and how bitterness can lead to revenge. Haman will die from his ego, anger, bitterness and revenge. The trap he set for others he will fall into himself:
Proverbs 26:27
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
A famous leader once said, "Being angry at someone is like drinking poison and hoping they will die as a result." Haman was drinking poison but it wasn't Mordecai who died. Allowing our ego to produce anger and, eventually, bitterness is a sure way to die from the inside out.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Subject: Obeying God's Word
Deuteronomy 30:15-16
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
Subject: Obeying God's Word
Throughout Scripture we are given the above formula. We are told over and over that obedience to God's Word produces life and good and disobedience to God's Word produces death and evil. We can't get around it. That doesn't mean all will be good, because God's Word does say that believers will suffer. We are to obey God's Word in that suffering and rejoice (James 1). However, we seldom take this literally. This isn't just our spiritual health, meaning if we obey we will be saved from hell. The very health of our body is also at stake. Moses tells them that disobedience has real practical consequences in the land and in their lives. Obedience to God's Word will bring us in favor with God and our bodies will rejoice in health as we walk in His way. The world around us will be a different place in our minds and thoughts as we see it through God's Word. God's Word, in our lives, changes our lives.
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
Subject: Obeying God's Word
Throughout Scripture we are given the above formula. We are told over and over that obedience to God's Word produces life and good and disobedience to God's Word produces death and evil. We can't get around it. That doesn't mean all will be good, because God's Word does say that believers will suffer. We are to obey God's Word in that suffering and rejoice (James 1). However, we seldom take this literally. This isn't just our spiritual health, meaning if we obey we will be saved from hell. The very health of our body is also at stake. Moses tells them that disobedience has real practical consequences in the land and in their lives. Obedience to God's Word will bring us in favor with God and our bodies will rejoice in health as we walk in His way. The world around us will be a different place in our minds and thoughts as we see it through God's Word. God's Word, in our lives, changes our lives.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Subject: Walking in Truth in the Context of Hospitality - 2 John
2 John 1:4
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
Subject: Walking in Truth
In the above verse the word "truth" is used for the fifth time already in this little letter to the church. The context of the letter is that some false teachers (non-truth) were entering the church and abusing the natural hospitality of Christian believers and love to preach their false teachings. John is writing to correct this. Hence the emphasis on the "truth" in the opening remarks. He wants this church to act in truth (faithful obedience to the teaching of Christ expressed in love for fellow believers). He actually was pleased that some of them were "walking" in truth. Note what MacArthur says about this term "walking" when referred to in the context of believers:
Walking is a frequent New Testament metaphor for the Christian life. Believers “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4), “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7), “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16, 25), “walk in good works” (Eph. 2:10), “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [they] have been called” (Eph. 4:1), “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2), “walk as children of Light” (Eph. 5:8), “walk in wisdom” (Eph. 5:15), “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects” (Col. 1:10), “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls [them] into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12), “walk in the same manner as [Jesus] walked” (1 John 2:6), and “walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6).
John doesn't simply want these believers to "believe" in the truth. He wants them to "walk" in it ... practice it at all cost. However, that does not mean assisting those who are anti-truth. The letter is clear: Truth should begat truth. We are not to assist false teachers under the guise of "love and truth." Those who hold to the truth they have in Christ must do everything to promote that truth. That is what walking in the truth is all about. But, we are NOT to assist, promote or be hospitable with those who teach false doctrine; non-truth. Our walk in truth must promote more truth.
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
Subject: Walking in Truth
In the above verse the word "truth" is used for the fifth time already in this little letter to the church. The context of the letter is that some false teachers (non-truth) were entering the church and abusing the natural hospitality of Christian believers and love to preach their false teachings. John is writing to correct this. Hence the emphasis on the "truth" in the opening remarks. He wants this church to act in truth (faithful obedience to the teaching of Christ expressed in love for fellow believers). He actually was pleased that some of them were "walking" in truth. Note what MacArthur says about this term "walking" when referred to in the context of believers:
Walking is a frequent New Testament metaphor for the Christian life. Believers “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4), “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7), “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16, 25), “walk in good works” (Eph. 2:10), “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [they] have been called” (Eph. 4:1), “walk in love” (Eph. 5:2), “walk as children of Light” (Eph. 5:8), “walk in wisdom” (Eph. 5:15), “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects” (Col. 1:10), “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls [them] into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12), “walk in the same manner as [Jesus] walked” (1 John 2:6), and “walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6).
John doesn't simply want these believers to "believe" in the truth. He wants them to "walk" in it ... practice it at all cost. However, that does not mean assisting those who are anti-truth. The letter is clear: Truth should begat truth. We are not to assist false teachers under the guise of "love and truth." Those who hold to the truth they have in Christ must do everything to promote that truth. That is what walking in the truth is all about. But, we are NOT to assist, promote or be hospitable with those who teach false doctrine; non-truth. Our walk in truth must promote more truth.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Subject: Conscience and the Will of God - Acts 23-24
Acts 24:16
So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Subject: A Good Conscience
In this section Paul is being forced to stand trial before the Jews and the current designated leader under Rome's rule - Felix. The Jewish council has brought charges (that they can't prove) that Paul has been disruptive to their Law and to the Temple worship. Paul must defend himself and, as a Roman citizen, is entitled to such a defense. Paul will use this conflict to get to Rome in hopes to present the Gospel to all in Rome. In his defense he makes the above statement to Felix and the government leaders. He had made the same statement in the last chapter in front of the Jewish Council:
Acts 23:1
And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
Paul was very much concerned that his "conscience" was always clear and in favor with God and man. Note the following verses from the pen of Paul:
1 Timothy 1:5
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
In this context it is our conscience that speaks to our heart about our moral excellence in regard to God's Word. The conscience brings us into a state of "knowing" along side something. Our conscience brings us into knowing God's will and our conduct. Paul's commitment is to have a clear conscience between God and man. He wants nothing that hinders that fellowship, as much as he can (Romans 12:18). We are to allow our conscience to speak to our conduct and change our conduct. The lost world has had their conscience served with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:3). Believers should have an active conscience and it should always push to align our conduct with God's Will and Man's needs.
So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Subject: A Good Conscience
In this section Paul is being forced to stand trial before the Jews and the current designated leader under Rome's rule - Felix. The Jewish council has brought charges (that they can't prove) that Paul has been disruptive to their Law and to the Temple worship. Paul must defend himself and, as a Roman citizen, is entitled to such a defense. Paul will use this conflict to get to Rome in hopes to present the Gospel to all in Rome. In his defense he makes the above statement to Felix and the government leaders. He had made the same statement in the last chapter in front of the Jewish Council:
Acts 23:1
And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
Paul was very much concerned that his "conscience" was always clear and in favor with God and man. Note the following verses from the pen of Paul:
1 Timothy 1:5
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
In this context it is our conscience that speaks to our heart about our moral excellence in regard to God's Word. The conscience brings us into a state of "knowing" along side something. Our conscience brings us into knowing God's will and our conduct. Paul's commitment is to have a clear conscience between God and man. He wants nothing that hinders that fellowship, as much as he can (Romans 12:18). We are to allow our conscience to speak to our conduct and change our conduct. The lost world has had their conscience served with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:3). Believers should have an active conscience and it should always push to align our conduct with God's Will and Man's needs.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Subject: God's Wrath - Revelation 7-11
Revelation 6:15-17
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Subject: God's Wrath
In this passage we are seeing what happens when man rejects God's grace - they, instead, experience God's wrath. Man, in pride, wants to live their life separate from God. Yet, when they want something they call out to God. At the end, God will bring His wrath on mankind, as seen above. Note that in these verses man wants to have the rocks crush him, instead of submitting to God. God's wrath is going to be so intense and man's pride so hard, that they would prefer to have rocks crush them than to submit to God's rule. The irony is that upon their death they will meet God face to face. So, in life they will experience His wrath and in death His wrath. When man rejects God's grace there is nothing left for God to provide except His wrath.
Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Subject: God's Wrath
In this passage we are seeing what happens when man rejects God's grace - they, instead, experience God's wrath. Man, in pride, wants to live their life separate from God. Yet, when they want something they call out to God. At the end, God will bring His wrath on mankind, as seen above. Note that in these verses man wants to have the rocks crush him, instead of submitting to God. God's wrath is going to be so intense and man's pride so hard, that they would prefer to have rocks crush them than to submit to God's rule. The irony is that upon their death they will meet God face to face. So, in life they will experience His wrath and in death His wrath. When man rejects God's grace there is nothing left for God to provide except His wrath.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Subject: Love vs. Sex - Song of Songs 3-4
Song of Songs 3:4-5
Scarcely had I passed them
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I had brought him into my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
that you not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.'
Subject: Love and Sex
In the above passage the woman in the story of love has been out looking for her lover. She finally finds him and is drawn to him. Although are not yet married, they have a lover for each other and in the previous verses they embrace. This embracing stirs the above response. The woman, in her mind, is ready to take her man to her bed to enjoy the physical side of their love. As she thinks through those thoughts, she stops to think again. She realizes that this physical intimacy she is thinking about is good and proper, but only in its time. As a result she stops her thought and makes sure the other women in the city realize that the power of intimacy is super strong and it should not be "awaken" until the proper time. Sexual desire is not wrong, but the timing of when to fulfill it, can be.
Scarcely had I passed them
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I had brought him into my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
that you not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.'
Subject: Love and Sex
In the above passage the woman in the story of love has been out looking for her lover. She finally finds him and is drawn to him. Although are not yet married, they have a lover for each other and in the previous verses they embrace. This embracing stirs the above response. The woman, in her mind, is ready to take her man to her bed to enjoy the physical side of their love. As she thinks through those thoughts, she stops to think again. She realizes that this physical intimacy she is thinking about is good and proper, but only in its time. As a result she stops her thought and makes sure the other women in the city realize that the power of intimacy is super strong and it should not be "awaken" until the proper time. Sexual desire is not wrong, but the timing of when to fulfill it, can be.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Subject: God's Blessing - Psalm 143-145
Psalms 144:12-15
May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars
cut for the structure of a palace;
may our granaries be full,
providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands
and ten thousands in our fields;
may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
Subject: God's Blessings
The above prayer is a prayer for blessing in one's life. The key to the prayer is to realize that it is God, alone, who provides such things. In our world today men and women think they can obtain this by themselves. We have believers who think we can secure this through an election. They think political office and political power is the way these things come to us. They think more about being a Constitutionalist than a Biblicist. In this passage King David gives us the formula for blessing in our lives and our lands: Ask God and submit to Him in obedience, fear and reverence. There is no other way.
May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars
cut for the structure of a palace;
may our granaries be full,
providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands
and ten thousands in our fields;
may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
Subject: God's Blessings
The above prayer is a prayer for blessing in one's life. The key to the prayer is to realize that it is God, alone, who provides such things. In our world today men and women think they can obtain this by themselves. We have believers who think we can secure this through an election. They think political office and political power is the way these things come to us. They think more about being a Constitutionalist than a Biblicist. In this passage King David gives us the formula for blessing in our lives and our lands: Ask God and submit to Him in obedience, fear and reverence. There is no other way.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Subject: Worship and Praise - Nehemiah 10-13
Nehemiah 12:43
And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
Subject: Worship and Praise
Nehemiah was the project manager for the rebuilding of the City of Jerusalem. He took years to inspire, instruct and correct those who not only built the city, but also rebuilt the culture and the system of worship. Part of that rebuilding was to rebuild the system of worship and praise. This was both a natural outcome of the success of their work rebuilding the city, but also Nehemiah's diligence in organizing the worship team(s). Nehemiah took nothing for granted. He assigned the specific singers and worshippers that needed to be assigned. So, by the time we come to the above passage we see that all the pieces were in place for God to use them in a way to bring praise to Himself. It says in the above verse, "... for God had made them rejoice with great joy ...". The key is that God used Nehemiah's organizational skills to set the musicians in order to be able to lead the people in true praise and worship. God enables us to do both the structure and the service of praise and worship. It is all by God's hand, through our gifted skill-sets and for the purpose of bring praise to Him!!!
And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
Subject: Worship and Praise
Nehemiah was the project manager for the rebuilding of the City of Jerusalem. He took years to inspire, instruct and correct those who not only built the city, but also rebuilt the culture and the system of worship. Part of that rebuilding was to rebuild the system of worship and praise. This was both a natural outcome of the success of their work rebuilding the city, but also Nehemiah's diligence in organizing the worship team(s). Nehemiah took nothing for granted. He assigned the specific singers and worshippers that needed to be assigned. So, by the time we come to the above passage we see that all the pieces were in place for God to use them in a way to bring praise to Himself. It says in the above verse, "... for God had made them rejoice with great joy ...". The key is that God used Nehemiah's organizational skills to set the musicians in order to be able to lead the people in true praise and worship. God enables us to do both the structure and the service of praise and worship. It is all by God's hand, through our gifted skill-sets and for the purpose of bring praise to Him!!!
Monday, December 5, 2016
Subject: Thankfulness - Deuteronomy 26-28
Deuteronomy 28:45-47
“All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that he commanded you. They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things,
Subject: Thankfulness
The nation of Israel was given blessing after blessing. In chapter 26 of this book God reminds them seven times that He was "giving" them blessings. They were to be thankful for what God had done for them and, therefore, obey His commands out of gratitude. If they did so, just be thankful and obedient, they would have even more blessings. Blessing upon blessing. But, as stated in the above, they did not practice an attitude of thankfulness. Thankfulness is practice via acts of obedience. Yes, being thankful is also an attitude, but it is ultimately expressed by being obedient to God's commands out of a heart of gratitude. Israel would fail at this and suffer all the curses God described to them. Thanksgiving is about grateful living through a life of obedience.
“All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that he commanded you. They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things,
Subject: Thankfulness
The nation of Israel was given blessing after blessing. In chapter 26 of this book God reminds them seven times that He was "giving" them blessings. They were to be thankful for what God had done for them and, therefore, obey His commands out of gratitude. If they did so, just be thankful and obedient, they would have even more blessings. Blessing upon blessing. But, as stated in the above, they did not practice an attitude of thankfulness. Thankfulness is practice via acts of obedience. Yes, being thankful is also an attitude, but it is ultimately expressed by being obedient to God's commands out of a heart of gratitude. Israel would fail at this and suffer all the curses God described to them. Thanksgiving is about grateful living through a life of obedience.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Subject: Prayer - 1 John 4-5
1 John 5:13-15
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Subject: Prayer
One of the benefits and blessings of knowing Christ is confidence in our eternal security. John writes this little epistle to assure us that those who have faith in Christ and confess that He is the Son of God and the Savior of the World can be assured of eternal life with Him. But, they can also be assured that while waiting for the consummation of that eternal life in glory to be fulfilled, they can have fellowship with Christ in prayer. That prayer is communion with the the King of Kings. That prayer is a direct line to the Power of God. John tells us an added blessing is the power of prayer, not based upon our own merit, but on the gift of Christ and the work of Christ. He tells us that we can ask anything in Christ will and we can be assured that Christ will hear us and answer us. This is not a freedom to ask for things, but to ask for God's will to be done, in heaven and on earth. We are to ask for Christ to conform us to His image. We are to ask for Christ to save lost souls, using our meager gifts and talents. We are to ask for Christ to give us the strength He promises. We are to ask for Christ to give us wisdom. We are to ask for Christ to save the world. This is praying in Christ will.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Subject: Prayer
One of the benefits and blessings of knowing Christ is confidence in our eternal security. John writes this little epistle to assure us that those who have faith in Christ and confess that He is the Son of God and the Savior of the World can be assured of eternal life with Him. But, they can also be assured that while waiting for the consummation of that eternal life in glory to be fulfilled, they can have fellowship with Christ in prayer. That prayer is communion with the the King of Kings. That prayer is a direct line to the Power of God. John tells us an added blessing is the power of prayer, not based upon our own merit, but on the gift of Christ and the work of Christ. He tells us that we can ask anything in Christ will and we can be assured that Christ will hear us and answer us. This is not a freedom to ask for things, but to ask for God's will to be done, in heaven and on earth. We are to ask for Christ to conform us to His image. We are to ask for Christ to save lost souls, using our meager gifts and talents. We are to ask for Christ to give us the strength He promises. We are to ask for Christ to give us wisdom. We are to ask for Christ to save the world. This is praying in Christ will.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Subject: Group Think - Acts 21-22
Acts 21:11-14
And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
Subject: Group Think - Shared Leadership
The above passage is a perfect example of what happens when groups want to make the decisions about your life. Paul, in the previous chapter had told everyone that the Holy Spirit was sending Him to Jerusalem, although he had no idea what would befall him there. Although he knew that wherever he went in Christ's name bad things would happen to him:
Acts 20:22-23
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
Subject: Group Think - Shared Leadership
The above passage is a perfect example of what happens when groups want to make the decisions about your life. Paul, in the previous chapter had told everyone that the Holy Spirit was sending Him to Jerusalem, although he had no idea what would befall him there. Although he knew that wherever he went in Christ's name bad things would happen to him:
Acts 20:22-23
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Now the prophet Agabus grabs hold of Paul's belt and tells everyone that whoever is the owner of the belt will suffer at the hands of the Jews. The "group" thinks it is not wise therefore for Paul to go to Jerusalem. Yet, the Holy Spirit, through Agabus, was not telling them Paul shouldn't go but only that he should expect the very thing Paul said in the previous chapter. The "group think" was to keep himself safe. The Spirit said "go" and be prepared for what awaits you. We often want to bend to "group think" because it is so logical. But it is not always spiritual. When God gives us His will it is not always comfortable and we are not avoid the parts of it He has also ordained, albeit not as comfortable. Group think causes us to miss God's will if it is not according to God's Word.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Subject: Worship - Revelation 1-5
Revelation 5:9-10
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Subject: Worship
The above couple of verses are the summary of the Gospel and the plan of God. From the beginning of creation this was the plan. Jesus was to come and ransom the people of God and, with Christ, they will reign on the earth. The passage starts with this phrase, "And they sang a new song, saying ...". It is new in regard to not been sung. But it is not new in regard to message. Genesis 3:15 starts the plan of God and it flows through ever book of the Bible. The Bible is "Jesus Centric." It is a bout the Worthiness of Jesus to fulfill and satiric the judgement of God on all sin and for us to receive that payment and to worship Him and reign with Him. This song is the song we will sing for eternity. It should be song now.
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Subject: Worship
The above couple of verses are the summary of the Gospel and the plan of God. From the beginning of creation this was the plan. Jesus was to come and ransom the people of God and, with Christ, they will reign on the earth. The passage starts with this phrase, "And they sang a new song, saying ...". It is new in regard to not been sung. But it is not new in regard to message. Genesis 3:15 starts the plan of God and it flows through ever book of the Bible. The Bible is "Jesus Centric." It is a bout the Worthiness of Jesus to fulfill and satiric the judgement of God on all sin and for us to receive that payment and to worship Him and reign with Him. This song is the song we will sing for eternity. It should be song now.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Subject: Committment in Marriage - Song of Solomon 1-2
Song of Songs 2:16
My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he grazes among the lilies.
Subject: Commitment in Marriage
The above line, appears three times in Song of Solomon (6:30; 7:10). It is the essence of the entire book and story. It is a statement of commitment and fidelity to each other. In Genesis 2:24 we are told that a man is to leave his father and mother and to cleave onto his wife. This is a statement of commitment. In 1 Corinthians 7:4 we are told that a husband and a wife had "authority" over each other's bodies. That thought would not fit our modern day world. However, God knows what He wanted when He created marriage and our relationships in marriage. When we commit to each other we get the benefits of love. The second line in the above verse is very provocative. She is saying that as a result of this commitment he will "graze among the lilies." This is a pleasent euphemism to refer to sexual pleasures. This commitment to one other is the root and the sexual pleasure she imagines is the fruit. When we attempt to have the fruit without the root we lose out on the real meaning of love making and the real purpose. It is an expression of our commitment.
My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he grazes among the lilies.
Subject: Commitment in Marriage
The above line, appears three times in Song of Solomon (6:30; 7:10). It is the essence of the entire book and story. It is a statement of commitment and fidelity to each other. In Genesis 2:24 we are told that a man is to leave his father and mother and to cleave onto his wife. This is a statement of commitment. In 1 Corinthians 7:4 we are told that a husband and a wife had "authority" over each other's bodies. That thought would not fit our modern day world. However, God knows what He wanted when He created marriage and our relationships in marriage. When we commit to each other we get the benefits of love. The second line in the above verse is very provocative. She is saying that as a result of this commitment he will "graze among the lilies." This is a pleasent euphemism to refer to sexual pleasures. This commitment to one other is the root and the sexual pleasure she imagines is the fruit. When we attempt to have the fruit without the root we lose out on the real meaning of love making and the real purpose. It is an expression of our commitment.
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