Psalms 107:43 (ESV Strong's)
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Subject: God's Love - His steadfast love!
You can not read this section of Psalms (105-107) without seeing the theme, summarized in the above verse. These three Psalms are rich with the theme of God's amazing love. The word for love in this verse carries such rich meaning. Note the following comment on this word in the Hebrew, "checed":
(Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfillment of a legal or other obligation.
The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy. The weaker party seeks the protection and blessing of the patron and protector, but he may not lay absolute claim to it. The stronger party remains committed to his promise, but retains his freedom, especially with regard to the manner in which he will implement those promises. Checed implies personal involvement and commitment in a relationship beyond the rule of law.
These three Psalm magnify God's unfailing, steadfast, strong love for us. Despite the believers failings, God continues to love. There is nothing the elect can do that will separate us from the love of God:
Romans 8:37-39 (ESV Strong's)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Subject: Sanctification (doing the work of God) - 1 Chronicles 20-24
1 Chronicles 22:14-16 (ESV Strong's)
With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”
Subject: Sanctification (doing the work of God)
In the above passage we see the words of King David, speaking to his son, Solomon. David wanted to build a Temple for God (instead of the Tabernacle, made out of tent). God said YES to the idea but NO to the man, David. David had killed too many people and could not build the Temple. But, that did not keep him from preparing for the Temple. David leaves his son, Solomon, with all the material, plans and labor to make it happen. Yet, in the above verse see see Solomon's "role" in the building. He tells Solomon, "To these you must add." He further states at the end, "Arise and work!". So, we see that although David did all the work, Solomon has a role. This is a perfect picture of the Christian walk. Although Jesus paid the price and provided all the redemption, you and I are to "add to the work." We are not to "add" in our own strength, however. Note the last part of the above passage. David states to Solomon, "The Lord be with you." This is not a simply closing line. David's thought here to his son is that Solomon CAN'T do this in his own strength. David had tried that. The thought here is the Solomon will need God's strength to finish the work. God enables. God strengthens. We do this work (sanctification) through the power of God. We have a role to take what is given us (the finished work of Christ), but it is through faith and by faith alone. Solomon will finish the Temple, but does so by asking for wisdom through prayer (an act of faith).
With great pains I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold, a million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weighing, for there is so much of it; timber and stone, too, I have provided. To these you must add. You have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of craftsmen without number, skilled in working gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The Lord be with you!”
Subject: Sanctification (doing the work of God)
In the above passage we see the words of King David, speaking to his son, Solomon. David wanted to build a Temple for God (instead of the Tabernacle, made out of tent). God said YES to the idea but NO to the man, David. David had killed too many people and could not build the Temple. But, that did not keep him from preparing for the Temple. David leaves his son, Solomon, with all the material, plans and labor to make it happen. Yet, in the above verse see see Solomon's "role" in the building. He tells Solomon, "To these you must add." He further states at the end, "Arise and work!". So, we see that although David did all the work, Solomon has a role. This is a perfect picture of the Christian walk. Although Jesus paid the price and provided all the redemption, you and I are to "add to the work." We are not to "add" in our own strength, however. Note the last part of the above passage. David states to Solomon, "The Lord be with you." This is not a simply closing line. David's thought here to his son is that Solomon CAN'T do this in his own strength. David had tried that. The thought here is the Solomon will need God's strength to finish the work. God enables. God strengthens. We do this work (sanctification) through the power of God. We have a role to take what is given us (the finished work of Christ), but it is through faith and by faith alone. Solomon will finish the Temple, but does so by asking for wisdom through prayer (an act of faith).
Monday, August 29, 2016
Subject: Faith and Decisoin Making - Numbers 14-17
Numbers 14:4 (ESV Strong's)
And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Subject: Faith and Irrational Behavior
The above verse is in the context of the twelve spies who went into the Promise Land to spy it out. All twelve of the spies returned and told how great the land was in regard to food and provisions. However, ten of them (all except Joshua and Caleb) said the people in the land were so big and the cities so strong it was useless and hopeless to try to take the land as a possession for Israel. There solution was to return to Egypt. Think about how foolish and irrational this statement is? If they went back, what would the Egyptians do to them? The lack of faith causes us to make irrational and foolish decisions. This is what a lack of faith does in our lives. Note what Romans 14:23 states. Paul in this passage is talking about eating meat that was sold in the market place but was also sold to idols. His conclusion is as follows. Note the emphasis on faith:
Romans 14:23 (ESV Strong's)
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
He states, "whatever does not proceed form faith is sin." If we can't believe in God about something we are entering into the world of sin. This irrational decision making of the people of Israel is a lesson to us to act in faith. When we move to flesh for our decisions this is what happens. The Egyptians would kill them on sight. Fear and flesh make us choose sinful decisions. Faith enables us to walk with God and see great things in our lives.
And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Subject: Faith and Irrational Behavior
The above verse is in the context of the twelve spies who went into the Promise Land to spy it out. All twelve of the spies returned and told how great the land was in regard to food and provisions. However, ten of them (all except Joshua and Caleb) said the people in the land were so big and the cities so strong it was useless and hopeless to try to take the land as a possession for Israel. There solution was to return to Egypt. Think about how foolish and irrational this statement is? If they went back, what would the Egyptians do to them? The lack of faith causes us to make irrational and foolish decisions. This is what a lack of faith does in our lives. Note what Romans 14:23 states. Paul in this passage is talking about eating meat that was sold in the market place but was also sold to idols. His conclusion is as follows. Note the emphasis on faith:
Romans 14:23 (ESV Strong's)
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
He states, "whatever does not proceed form faith is sin." If we can't believe in God about something we are entering into the world of sin. This irrational decision making of the people of Israel is a lesson to us to act in faith. When we move to flesh for our decisions this is what happens. The Egyptians would kill them on sight. Fear and flesh make us choose sinful decisions. Faith enables us to walk with God and see great things in our lives.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Subject: Eternal Security and Sanctification - 2 Timothy 1-2
2 Timothy 1:12-14 (ESV Strong's)
which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Subject: Eternal Security and Sanctification
How do I know that I am saved? How do I know that my "performance" in my Christian life, that is highlighted by my constant failings, won't be rejected by God in the end? Because the above verse tells me that MY performance is not what keeps me saved. The above passage tells us that Paul's faith was convinced and assured because He knew that what GOD had promised, GOD was able to "guard" my faith. God gives me the Holy Spirit to "guard" the "good deposit entrusted to you." We have been given a "deposit" and God is there to guard it and the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell inside us to guard it. With the God-head guarding my salvation there is nothing or no-one who can disrupt that salvation - including myself. We have eternal security and our sanctification is enabled by the work of the Holy Spirit in dwelling us.
which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Subject: Eternal Security and Sanctification
How do I know that I am saved? How do I know that my "performance" in my Christian life, that is highlighted by my constant failings, won't be rejected by God in the end? Because the above verse tells me that MY performance is not what keeps me saved. The above passage tells us that Paul's faith was convinced and assured because He knew that what GOD had promised, GOD was able to "guard" my faith. God gives me the Holy Spirit to "guard" the "good deposit entrusted to you." We have been given a "deposit" and God is there to guard it and the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell inside us to guard it. With the God-head guarding my salvation there is nothing or no-one who can disrupt that salvation - including myself. We have eternal security and our sanctification is enabled by the work of the Holy Spirit in dwelling us.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Subject: God's Glory - John 10-12
John 11:40 (ESV Strong's)
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Subject: The Glory of God!
The above verse is taken from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was not in the home town of Lazarus when he fell ill. Lazarus was related to Mary and Martha and had died from his illness. When Jesus first heard of this illness, He stated the following:
John 11:4 (ESV Strong's)
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Jesus was about to show them His Glory and the Glory of the Father. This illness, that resulted in death, was to bring about the glory of God. It would show the power of God and give an authoritative voice to Jesus' work. Note, later, what is said about Jesus as a result of HIs raising Lazarus from the dead:
John 12:17-19 (ESV Strong's)
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
None of this would have happened if Lazarus had not died. God used this illness to bring about a testimony for Jesus and many believed. We don't see tragedy in this vain. But, this is why God brings about these things. For His glory!!! That is why He allows tragedy in our lives ... to bring about His glory.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Subject: The Glory of God!
The above verse is taken from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was not in the home town of Lazarus when he fell ill. Lazarus was related to Mary and Martha and had died from his illness. When Jesus first heard of this illness, He stated the following:
John 11:4 (ESV Strong's)
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Jesus was about to show them His Glory and the Glory of the Father. This illness, that resulted in death, was to bring about the glory of God. It would show the power of God and give an authoritative voice to Jesus' work. Note, later, what is said about Jesus as a result of HIs raising Lazarus from the dead:
John 12:17-19 (ESV Strong's)
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
None of this would have happened if Lazarus had not died. God used this illness to bring about a testimony for Jesus and many believed. We don't see tragedy in this vain. But, this is why God brings about these things. For His glory!!! That is why He allows tragedy in our lives ... to bring about His glory.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Subject: The Effects of Sin - Hosea 8-14
Hosea 13:7-9 (ESV Strong's)
So I am to them like a lion;
like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;
I will tear open their breast,
and there I will devour them like a lion,
as a wild beast would rip them open.
He destroys you, O Israel,
for you are against me, against your helper.
Subject: The effects of sin
God has loved Israel and redeem her out of the land of Egypt. When they were under bondage at the hand of Pharaoh, God delivered them. When, in the time of Judges, they fell into sin, God delivered them. Now, in the midst of their rebellion and trusting in their riches, they have once again abandoned God. Like Hosea's wife, purchased and married even though she was a whore and who returned to her whoredom, so, too, Israel. This is the story of the book of Hosea. This book is a story of what happens when we sin. In the book of Genesis we God pursuing Israel to make her His Bride. In Exodus was see God pursuing Israel to redeem her from enslavement. In the above passage we see God now pursing Israel to consume them. God is characterized as a leopard; a bear; a lion and a wild beast seeking to destroy them. This is the effect of sin in our lives. God goes from being close to us and seeking us as His bride to the hunter seeking to discipline us. God does not change, but our relationship with Him does. Once close, sin puts Him at arms length. God is the God who wants a close relationship with us. These verses show us how sin disrupts that warmth.
So I am to them like a lion;
like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;
I will tear open their breast,
and there I will devour them like a lion,
as a wild beast would rip them open.
He destroys you, O Israel,
for you are against me, against your helper.
Subject: The effects of sin
God has loved Israel and redeem her out of the land of Egypt. When they were under bondage at the hand of Pharaoh, God delivered them. When, in the time of Judges, they fell into sin, God delivered them. Now, in the midst of their rebellion and trusting in their riches, they have once again abandoned God. Like Hosea's wife, purchased and married even though she was a whore and who returned to her whoredom, so, too, Israel. This is the story of the book of Hosea. This book is a story of what happens when we sin. In the book of Genesis we God pursuing Israel to make her His Bride. In Exodus was see God pursuing Israel to redeem her from enslavement. In the above passage we see God now pursing Israel to consume them. God is characterized as a leopard; a bear; a lion and a wild beast seeking to destroy them. This is the effect of sin in our lives. God goes from being close to us and seeking us as His bride to the hunter seeking to discipline us. God does not change, but our relationship with Him does. Once close, sin puts Him at arms length. God is the God who wants a close relationship with us. These verses show us how sin disrupts that warmth.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Subject: Wisdom - Proverbs 20-21
Proverbs 20:5 (NASB Strong's)
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV Strong's)
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
It is hard to know what others are thinking or planning. They may not even know it themselves. How many people walk around each day and respond to events their lives in one way or another and have no clue why? The psychy of the human mind and spirit is tough to figure out sometimes. Events that happen years ago in our lives often propell us, drive us and coral us in ways we have no conscious understanding or explanation. That is where a wise man of understanding comes into play. What Solomon is telling us in this Proverb is that a "man of understanding" can draw out the deeper meanings hidden in the heart of another. How is this possible? Remember that Solomon has already explained that "understanding" is another term for wisdom. A man of "understanding" is a man of "wisdom." Wisdom comes from God so a man who is fearing the Lord and has been given wisdom by God has the ability to understand and discern what is in the heart of anotehr ... to "draw" it out ... because God knows what is in that heart. God gives wisdom to others to draw out what they don't know themselvs. Others may not know the "plans" in their heart but God does. When God does, He can reveal that to someone who "fears the Lord" to unfold and unpackage the deepest part of the heart. When Solomon was introduced to the Queen of Sheba, note what happened:
1 Kings 10:3 (ESV Strong's)
And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
We also see Joseph and Daniel as examples of God revealing to those who Fear the Lord (giving them wisdom) to revel the heart of man.
Man's steps are from the Lord and he can't understand his ways ... this is why God sends other men into our lives to help us find meaning in our steps:
Proverbs 20:24 (ESV Strong's)
A man's steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV Strong's)
The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
It is hard to know what others are thinking or planning. They may not even know it themselves. How many people walk around each day and respond to events their lives in one way or another and have no clue why? The psychy of the human mind and spirit is tough to figure out sometimes. Events that happen years ago in our lives often propell us, drive us and coral us in ways we have no conscious understanding or explanation. That is where a wise man of understanding comes into play. What Solomon is telling us in this Proverb is that a "man of understanding" can draw out the deeper meanings hidden in the heart of another. How is this possible? Remember that Solomon has already explained that "understanding" is another term for wisdom. A man of "understanding" is a man of "wisdom." Wisdom comes from God so a man who is fearing the Lord and has been given wisdom by God has the ability to understand and discern what is in the heart of anotehr ... to "draw" it out ... because God knows what is in that heart. God gives wisdom to others to draw out what they don't know themselvs. Others may not know the "plans" in their heart but God does. When God does, He can reveal that to someone who "fears the Lord" to unfold and unpackage the deepest part of the heart. When Solomon was introduced to the Queen of Sheba, note what happened:
1 Kings 10:3 (ESV Strong's)
And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.
We also see Joseph and Daniel as examples of God revealing to those who Fear the Lord (giving them wisdom) to revel the heart of man.
Man's steps are from the Lord and he can't understand his ways ... this is why God sends other men into our lives to help us find meaning in our steps:
Proverbs 20:24 (ESV Strong's)
A man's steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way?
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