Subject: Worship - Romans 9-11

Romans 11:33-36 (ESV Strong's)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Subject:  Worship

Chapters 9-11 of Romans may be the most amazing chapters in all of Scripture.  Especially as it relates to the Theological implications of the Foreknowledge of God and Election of God.   The "mystery" of Election (God choosing someone to be saved before the foundation of the earth) has split churches, confused laymen and caused friction among Elders.    Yet, Paul seems to have quite the clarity over the subject in these three chapters.   It should be noted that to Paul Election was not confusing.  It is only our interpretation of Paul's writings that make for the difficulty today.   However, Paul does make sure we understand the amazing aspects of the mystery of Election:  By how he ends the three chapters.  The above verses close out the words of Paul on election.   He admits in these these words how amazing the concept of Election and Foreknowledge are by saying, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!!"   Paul is telling us that what he just wrote is "deep."  We ought not to read it casually.  The mind of God is hard to know.   The one thing these chapters should do for us, however, is not split us, but cause us to join in unity in the worship of the glory of God!!   We ought to pursue the truth in these chapters and seek to understand them in humility.   We ought to read them in awe and wonder.   We can debate and sharpen each other's views on them, but, in the end, we ought to fall down in worship at the unsearchable ways of God!!  True worship is not always understanding God.  True worship is realizing we can't understand God and we fall down to praise Him as a result.

Subject: Sanctifiacation - bearing fruit - Matthew 11-13

Matthew 13:23 (ESV Strong's)

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Subject:  Sanctification - Fruit bearing

Jesus, in this passage in Matthew, had given a parable to the religious leaders of the day.  The parable was about the seed (God's Word) sown onto difference surfaces and in different conditions.  The seed (God's Word) was sown on the rocks and nothing could take root.  The seed (God's Word) was sown among the thorns and the throne choked out the Word.   And, finally, the seed (God's Word) was sown in good ground and fruit was produced.  This is a picture of the work God does in our lives to produce fruit in us and through us.   Too, too many believers believe it is their efforts that produce fruit.  However, what actually is producing the fruit in this parable?   The fruit is not coming from the soil (us). The fruit is coming from the seed ... God's Word!!   We are to have faith in God's Word to produce fruit in us.  We are not to have effort in our lives to produce fruit.   When we read God's Word and believe it will produce fruit in us (despite our clear understanding sometimes) we mix faith (a gift from God) with God's Word and fruit is produced!!!  That is the way sanctification in the life of believers works.   We don't produce fruit.  We have fruit produced in us and that is an act of God!!  

Subject: Salvation - Isaiah 23-28

Isaiah 25:6-8 (ESV Strong's)

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

And he will swallow up on this mountain
the covering that is cast over all peoples,
the veil that is spread over all nations.

He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.

Subject:  Salvation

God will "swallow up death forever."  Is there a better thought to mediate upon all day?   Can we find a better truth to herald?   Is there a more comforting set of words ever spoken?     Note how Paul picks up this same theme when writing to the believers in Thessalonica:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV Strong's)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

The great "hope" believers have is the knowledge of no more death.   Paul wrote also to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV Strong's)
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

We can see that God's hope is for Jew and Gentile.  We can trust and rest and hope in the fact that God keeps His promises and His biggest promise is the truth in these verses ... No more death!!! Rejoice!!!

Subject: Counseling - Job 11

Job 11:11-12 (ESV Strong's)

For he knows worthless men;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
But a stupid man will get understanding
when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

Subject:  Counseling

Chapter 11 of the Book of Job gives us the words of Job's third friend, Zophar.   Whereas Job's first friend, Elphaz, attributed Job's suffering in the context of his past righteousness and believes this current state is only a minor setback, soon to past; and, whereas Job's second friend, Bildad, attributed Job's suffering in the context of his children (they were much sinners and died, therefore Job must have only slightly sinned since he is still alive); Zophar has no patience for Job.  Zophar believes (and states what he believes bluntly) that Job is simply a sinner who has been discovered by God, and therefore is being punished by God.   Zophar does not mince words.   He says what he thinks.   And, although the rest of the chapter Zophar does offer Job some hope for repentance and relief of his suffering, in the above verses he paints a very dark outcome for Job.   In verse eleven he simply tells Job that God sees sin and he can't hide his from God.  He then, in verse twelve, offers little hope to Job, by quoting a proverb that in essences says, "the chances of a 'stupid man' (like Job) of getting 'understanding' has about as much chance as a wild donkey being born tamed (the better translation of the Hebrew word, than 'born a man').  What Zophar has done, like many of us, void of grace and the power of God, is to condemn Job and let him know that his sin is beyond repair and hopeless.   When we put ourselves in this place of judgment we do harm to the grace of God.   Remember, God knows Job and knows of his righteousness.  God is allowing Satan to do what he will, minus killing Job.  Zophar could not be farther off in his assessment.   Yet, he speaks of no hope and have Job's most certain guilt.   This is how we are about sin in people's lives, or hardship in people's lives.  We are quick to assume their unyielding guilt and certain hopelessness.  Yet, God has the situation well in control.   We ought to never counsel people in light of Zophar's words.  We need to remember that only God knows the situation and our counsel ought to be in light of God's amazing grace and the power of His love.   Yes, there might be little hope for people (when pigs fly), but God is the God of miracles and our counsel ought to reflect that hope and possibility.  

Subject: God's Guideance - Psalm 12-14

Psalms 13:3-4 (ESV Strong's)

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

Subject:  God's Guidance

In Psalm 13 we read about David's plea to God for deliverance.   He starts by asking God, "How long?"   Apparently David was in trouble and he needed God's deliverance.  Yet, the trouble lingers and God, to David's wishes, seems to delay.   As the Psalm unfolds, David prays specifically asking God to "light up my eyes."   This is a unique way of asking God for discernment and insight.  David needs that so that his enemies can't say, "I have prevailed over him."  David does not ask for punishment of his enemies, but the wisdom to know how to combat them.   The phrase "light up my eyes" can be cross referenced to many other passages that give us insight into what David may have meant:

Psalms 19:8 (ESV Strong's)
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;

Ezra 9:8 (ESV Strong's)
But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery.

Ephesians 1:18 (ESV Strong's)
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Only God can "light up the eyes."   Our own attempt for insight and understanding will fall short of the need in our life.   Truth wisdom and discernment are from the Lord (Proverbs 1:5-7).

Subject: God's Provision - Joshua 21-24

Joshua 24:12-13 (ESV Strong's)

And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.
I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’

Subject:  God's Provision

We tend, in our society today, to accumulate things.   We not only accumulate things, we like to brag and boast about the things we have accumulated.   It is in our nature.   We tie accumulation to success and therefore we tend to use these things to show others our great success.   Joshua was afraid, that after his death, the nation of Israel might think that their accumulated cities and towns and land was due to their good nature; great strength; exceptional wisdom.    In the above verse, Joshua reminds them that the reason they have these cities, this land, the crops and the bounty they have, is because the Lord gave it to them.   The very fruit in their mouth was because God allowed the nations that were there before them to plant the fruit and harvest the fruit.   The olive oil they had for baking, eating and utilizing was there because God allowed another nation, whom God destroyed, to harvest it.   God did not want the hearts of the people of Israel to get haughty because of their possessions.   The same is true with us.  We tend to think our great strength, skill-sets, schooling, talents, or experience and education gets us what we have today.  That is the way of our society.  God wants us to know that it is HIS great strength and grace and mercy that allows us to accumulate what we have.   We are to give God praise for the wisdom, strength, talent and skill-set.   We are not to take credit for theses things.  

Subject: Repentance - Genesis 16-19

Genesis 19:26 (ESV Strong's)

But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt

Subject: Repentance

The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a story repeated in a variety of places in God's Word.  Jesus, in the Gospels, uses the story to talk about the evilness of mankind and the need for repentance.   The story of Lot's wife, looking back, in desire for Sodom, ought to be a story we remind ourselves of often.  God had decided to destroy Sodom and, by His grace and as a result of Abraham's prayer, decided to save Lot and his family.  However, Lot's future son-in-laws did not want to come and, in fact, laughed at Lot for such a suggestion.   Worse, however, is Lot's wife.  So, attached to the evilness of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's wife, as they are departing the city with the Angel of the Lord (an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament) turns around to look, in desire, at her city.    In many ways you can relate to her wanted to see the destruction.  But, apparently this was not a look fostered out of a heart of curiosity.  This is a look out of envy and desire.    The fleeing of Sodom and Gomorrah ought to be a picture of repentance and confession of sin.   Lot and his family are saved from destruction of evil.   This should be a time of reflection and praise to God for His mercy and grace.  Yet, that is not what is happening in the heart of Lot's wife.   Instead she looks back in desire.   Since God looks at the heart, we can see that God is concerned about our hearts when it comes to sin and repentance.   Confession and repentance means to not look back.  Commitment to follow Jesus is to look to Him and to not look back.   God wants our full repentance, not feet headed one way and a heart looking back they other.