Proverbs 11:24-25 (NASBStr)
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.
The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.
Subject: Giving
There are some who say the Proverbs are not "promises." And, as we read some of them, we can see their point. They would say that a proverb is simply an "observation" of an axiom of life. It might, however, be best to say, that some proverbs ARE promises, some are precepts, some are principles and some are patterns of life. In the above proverb, when comparing the truth of it with other Scripture, we have to conclude it is a promise of God. But, not in the way we might think. This proverb is based upon the fact that God is a giver. God teaches us to give. We are to demonstrate the gift of giving in our day to day actions; so as to be like God in our giving. In the above two proverbs God tells us that when we give we are going to be blessed but when we withhold it will be withheld from us. The law of the harvest is one of God's key principles outlined numerous times and in numerous ways in God's word. Being a generous person will result in water flowing down on you. Being someone who withholds will result in want. God does not idly provide us with these principles for us to ignore. When we scatter good seed through faith we reap a good harvest. When we, through the flesh, withhold we reap little. Water and be watered. The second proverb in the above (v. 25) states that a "generous man will be prosperous and he who waters will himself be watered." We need to capture this character quality in our lives. In our relationships with others (whether at work, home, play; or, with family, friend or foe) we need to practice the art of giving. We will be "watered" ourselves when we give. Who, after serving others, has not said, or heard said, "I got more out of it than I gave!"? Yes, according to the proverb we, ourselves will feel watered, but, more importantly we will be like our Father, who is a Giver. It is better to be a giver than a taker in a relationship with others. This proverb DOESN'T say HOW we will be watered! It DOESN'T say HOWwe will reap! Too many of us think in a materialistic manner and that hinders us from capturing the true meaning of "giving." Paul gave his time, energy and teaching to the church and lived as a pauper. But, his "fruit" was others in Christ. This proverb only tells us the promise we will receive when we give. No place in Scripture does it tell us how God will bless us. Only that He will!!
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Subject: Blessings from Forgiveness - Psalm 84-86
Psalms 85:10-13 (ESV Strong's)
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
Subject: Blessings in Christ after Forgiveness
Psalm 85 is a lament from the people of God. They have been disobedient and are seeking God's forgiveness. Because God is a merciful and gracious God, they ask for God's restoration and forgiveness. In verses 4-6 they ask, "restore us again; revive us again" for the purpose: "That your people may rejoice in you?" When we get to the above verses, at the end of the Psalm, we are reading the results of God's forgiveness. When we experience the forgiveness of God we see the coming together (like old friends) love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. They come together and "kiss" each other. God restores the people and then, materialistically, restores the blessing on the land. In their disobedience, God had closed off the fruit of the land. In their repentance, God restores this to them. In the New Testament age, the material is less valued, as we seek a deep fellowship in Christ and have not been promised the material blessings of a "land flowing with milk and honey." In the NT, Christ promises fellowship in the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit vs the fruit of the land. But, even though the results are different, the avenue for restoration is the same: Repentance from sin and seeking God's favor. When God gives us His favor they come together like loved ones who kiss for greeting. Repentance leads to kissing!!
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
Subject: Blessings in Christ after Forgiveness
Psalm 85 is a lament from the people of God. They have been disobedient and are seeking God's forgiveness. Because God is a merciful and gracious God, they ask for God's restoration and forgiveness. In verses 4-6 they ask, "restore us again; revive us again" for the purpose: "That your people may rejoice in you?" When we get to the above verses, at the end of the Psalm, we are reading the results of God's forgiveness. When we experience the forgiveness of God we see the coming together (like old friends) love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. They come together and "kiss" each other. God restores the people and then, materialistically, restores the blessing on the land. In their disobedience, God had closed off the fruit of the land. In their repentance, God restores this to them. In the New Testament age, the material is less valued, as we seek a deep fellowship in Christ and have not been promised the material blessings of a "land flowing with milk and honey." In the NT, Christ promises fellowship in the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit vs the fruit of the land. But, even though the results are different, the avenue for restoration is the same: Repentance from sin and seeking God's favor. When God gives us His favor they come together like loved ones who kiss for greeting. Repentance leads to kissing!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Subject: Pride in Leadership - 2 Kings 11-15
2 Kings 14:10 (ESV Strong's)
You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?”
Subject: Pride in Leadership
In the above passage we have the words of Jehoash, the King of Israel, as he spoke to Amaziah, the King of Judah. Amaziah had some minor victory in battle and now believed he could lead Judah up against Israel. Jehoash warns him about his pride. This is ironic as Jehoash was an evil King. Note the following words in regard to Jehoash:
2 Kings 13:11 (ESV Strong's)
He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
Yet, here we have an ungodly king giving words of about pride to a king that was "supposed" to be walking with God. Here is what it said earlier about Amaziah:
2 Kings 14:3 (ESV Strong's)
And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done.
Even though he was supposed to be walking in the ways of God, Amaziah was lifted up by his pride and was even warned about it by an ungodly king. So, too, in our world today when we have a believer lifted up in pride. Even the world can see it and warn against it. When Amaziah should have been demonstrating extreme faith in God and trust for victory, his heart was lifted up and he and the nation of Judah suffered loss at the hands of Jehoash. Pride is not a respecter of persons. We must guard ourselves against this sin that has brought many down. Pride says, "I don't need God!" When we see that all we have is from God and empowered by God, we give glory to God and not ourselves.
You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?”
Subject: Pride in Leadership
In the above passage we have the words of Jehoash, the King of Israel, as he spoke to Amaziah, the King of Judah. Amaziah had some minor victory in battle and now believed he could lead Judah up against Israel. Jehoash warns him about his pride. This is ironic as Jehoash was an evil King. Note the following words in regard to Jehoash:
2 Kings 13:11 (ESV Strong's)
He also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin, but he walked in them.
Yet, here we have an ungodly king giving words of about pride to a king that was "supposed" to be walking with God. Here is what it said earlier about Amaziah:
2 Kings 14:3 (ESV Strong's)
And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done.
Even though he was supposed to be walking in the ways of God, Amaziah was lifted up by his pride and was even warned about it by an ungodly king. So, too, in our world today when we have a believer lifted up in pride. Even the world can see it and warn against it. When Amaziah should have been demonstrating extreme faith in God and trust for victory, his heart was lifted up and he and the nation of Judah suffered loss at the hands of Jehoash. Pride is not a respecter of persons. We must guard ourselves against this sin that has brought many down. Pride says, "I don't need God!" When we see that all we have is from God and empowered by God, we give glory to God and not ourselves.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Subject: Forgivenss and the Blood - Leviticus 16-18
Leviticus 17:10-12 (ESV Strong's)
“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.
Subject: Forgiveness and the Shedding of Blood
The above verses are the most famous of all the verses in Leviticus. The life (soul) of an animal and of man are in the blood. We know this biologically. If we lose blood we die. If we have a diseases in our blood we die. Stopping the bleeding is the first thing we do in an accident. Our very life is being poured out when we bleed. Note the list of verses from the New Testament that talk about Christ shedding of blood: (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14, 20; Heb. 13:12; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5). In each of these passages we see references of Christ pour out His blood for our sins. He gave His blood and His life was in the blood. Christianity is often spoken of as a "bloody religion." It is! Because life is in blood. Note what the writer of Hebrews tells us:
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV Strong's)
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Christ gave His blood for the remission of our sins. Life is in the blood!
“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.
Subject: Forgiveness and the Shedding of Blood
The above verses are the most famous of all the verses in Leviticus. The life (soul) of an animal and of man are in the blood. We know this biologically. If we lose blood we die. If we have a diseases in our blood we die. Stopping the bleeding is the first thing we do in an accident. Our very life is being poured out when we bleed. Note the list of verses from the New Testament that talk about Christ shedding of blood: (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14, 20; Heb. 13:12; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5). In each of these passages we see references of Christ pour out His blood for our sins. He gave His blood and His life was in the blood. Christianity is often spoken of as a "bloody religion." It is! Because life is in blood. Note what the writer of Hebrews tells us:
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV Strong's)
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Christ gave His blood for the remission of our sins. Life is in the blood!
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Subject: God's Word/Preaching - Colossians 1-2
Colossians 1:25 (ESV Strong's)
of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
Subject: God's Word/Preaching
Paul was given a ministry. He was to be a steward over the distribution of God's Word. He didn't see his mission as a career, or a professional position. He saw his role in the Kingdom to make the Word of God clear. What a great calling. What a great privilege to be entrusted with the task of making the Word of God known. We could have great jobs by the world's standards. Yet, this is the greatest calling one could have. God put into the body those who would teach, explain and challenge us with God's Word, so that we can be perfected and grow to serve in the Body. Note this other passage from Paul's pen:
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Paul had a great role in the body. We have the same obligation to make the Word of God known. It is our highest calling.
of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
Subject: God's Word/Preaching
Paul was given a ministry. He was to be a steward over the distribution of God's Word. He didn't see his mission as a career, or a professional position. He saw his role in the Kingdom to make the Word of God clear. What a great calling. What a great privilege to be entrusted with the task of making the Word of God known. We could have great jobs by the world's standards. Yet, this is the greatest calling one could have. God put into the body those who would teach, explain and challenge us with God's Word, so that we can be perfected and grow to serve in the Body. Note this other passage from Paul's pen:
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Paul had a great role in the body. We have the same obligation to make the Word of God known. It is our highest calling.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Subject: The Power of God's Word - Luke 19-20
Luke 19:47-48 (ESV Strong's)
And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.
Subject: The Power of God's Word
As Jesus spoke, these people were "hanging" on his words. In most Bibles the words of Jesus in the Gospel books are typically in "red." The point is that Jesus' words are important. The truth is, all of God's Word should be in red in our minds. There are people who are skeptical of God's Word, or, who don't even believe in God's Word. In Peter's day there were some who even refused to look at God's Word as authoritative. They ignored it:
2 Peter 3:5 (ESV Strong's)
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
There were some in Berea, however, who took God's Word seriously and made sure they studied it:
Acts 17:11 (ESV Strong's)
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
How we respond to God's Word will determine our success in life.
And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.
Subject: The Power of God's Word
As Jesus spoke, these people were "hanging" on his words. In most Bibles the words of Jesus in the Gospel books are typically in "red." The point is that Jesus' words are important. The truth is, all of God's Word should be in red in our minds. There are people who are skeptical of God's Word, or, who don't even believe in God's Word. In Peter's day there were some who even refused to look at God's Word as authoritative. They ignored it:
2 Peter 3:5 (ESV Strong's)
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
There were some in Berea, however, who took God's Word seriously and made sure they studied it:
Acts 17:11 (ESV Strong's)
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
How we respond to God's Word will determine our success in life.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Subject: Purpose of God's Discipline/Wrath - Ezekiel 25-30
Ezekiel 25:5b(ESV Strong's)
... Then you will know that I am the Lord.
Subject: Purpose for God's Discipline and God's Wrath
In this section (chapters 25-30), the prophet states 17 times the above phrase: "then you will know that I am the Lord.". He already has stated the same phrase numerous times in the previous chapters and will in the subsequent chapters. The phrase appears in the middle of prophecy against nations who rejected God, or inflicted suffering and contempt on God's people. What God gives us in these phrases is the purpose of God's wrath and discipline: God wants the created world to glorify Him and know His power and beauty. When they don't in the course of life after seeing all that God has given us, He will demand it by showing His power in His wrath. There is no one who will not, at one time or another, bow their knee to God. He is supreme and demands our submission to Him. The only question is if we will do it in this life or the next. We will all do so in the next. When God brought the plagues on Egypt He did so for the same reason. Note what God says through Moses after the 7th plague:
Exodus 9:16 (ESV Strong's)
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
God wants us to know Him. He revealed to us His Son and made Him manifested to us (John 1:1-5). But, if man rejects God, God will still reveal Himself to them ... through His wrath.
... Then you will know that I am the Lord.
Subject: Purpose for God's Discipline and God's Wrath
In this section (chapters 25-30), the prophet states 17 times the above phrase: "then you will know that I am the Lord.". He already has stated the same phrase numerous times in the previous chapters and will in the subsequent chapters. The phrase appears in the middle of prophecy against nations who rejected God, or inflicted suffering and contempt on God's people. What God gives us in these phrases is the purpose of God's wrath and discipline: God wants the created world to glorify Him and know His power and beauty. When they don't in the course of life after seeing all that God has given us, He will demand it by showing His power in His wrath. There is no one who will not, at one time or another, bow their knee to God. He is supreme and demands our submission to Him. The only question is if we will do it in this life or the next. We will all do so in the next. When God brought the plagues on Egypt He did so for the same reason. Note what God says through Moses after the 7th plague:
Exodus 9:16 (ESV Strong's)
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
God wants us to know Him. He revealed to us His Son and made Him manifested to us (John 1:1-5). But, if man rejects God, God will still reveal Himself to them ... through His wrath.
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