Deuteronomy 10:22 (ESV Strong's)
Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.
Subject: God's Blessing
Whatever we have, we have by the grace of God. We tend to think there are things we have "earned" and then their are things God gives us. But, in truth, everything we have is from God. In the above text it might be a thought that Israel started out as 70 and God blessed them. But, In Genesis 12 we see that God called Abraham when he had nothing and it was one!! Note what Stephen says in is first and only sermon in the book of Acts:
Acts 7:2 (ESV Strong's)
And Stephen said:
“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
God took Abraham and made of him a great nation. When Jacob (Israel) went down to Egypt (Joseph was second in command) he did so with 70. When they came out of Egypt via the plagues and the destruction of Pharaoh they were many. After wandering in the wilderness they were "as numerous as the stars of heaven." God makes nations. God makes families. God makes people. God blesses those whom He chooses. It is in praise that we understand these thoughts. God makes a church grown. God makes a business flourish. We can obey God's Word and that opens up the avenue of God's blessing ... but it is still God who makes the growth.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Subject: Steadfastness - James 4-5
James 5:11 (ESV Strong's)
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Subject: Steadfastness (Perseverance)
Note what Peter tells us about how steadfastness interweaves into the life of faith:
2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV Strong's)
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
In the old days we would call this "stick-to-it-ness." It may be a lost art in our modern society. God has provided us the strength to persevere to the end and the motivation, but we still see believers give up in the fight when the suffering and/or pain increases. This is a theme of James, from the very beginning of his book. He actually said we would receive a crown if we do endure:
James 1:12 (ESV Strong's)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
At the center of the perseverance is to "love Him." We cannot endure if we do not love Him more than anything else. More than life itself ... i.e. Job. James gives us the example of Job because it shows God's purpose in the end. God is a God of mercy and compassion. By allowing Satan to touch Job it allowed God to show His tender passion and mercy. God's purpose is to show us His mercy and He is to be glorified for His compassion on us. But, without sin and the results of sin in our lives, we can't see that mercy and compassion. Our purpose in life is to show that God is the God of mercy and we do that by enduring the pain and suffering in the world to His glory.
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Subject: Steadfastness (Perseverance)
Note what Peter tells us about how steadfastness interweaves into the life of faith:
2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV Strong's)
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
In the old days we would call this "stick-to-it-ness." It may be a lost art in our modern society. God has provided us the strength to persevere to the end and the motivation, but we still see believers give up in the fight when the suffering and/or pain increases. This is a theme of James, from the very beginning of his book. He actually said we would receive a crown if we do endure:
James 1:12 (ESV Strong's)
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
At the center of the perseverance is to "love Him." We cannot endure if we do not love Him more than anything else. More than life itself ... i.e. Job. James gives us the example of Job because it shows God's purpose in the end. God is a God of mercy and compassion. By allowing Satan to touch Job it allowed God to show His tender passion and mercy. God's purpose is to show us His mercy and He is to be glorified for His compassion on us. But, without sin and the results of sin in our lives, we can't see that mercy and compassion. Our purpose in life is to show that God is the God of mercy and we do that by enduring the pain and suffering in the world to His glory.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Subject: The Power of God's Word - Acts 11-12
Acts 11:18 (ESV Strong's)
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Subject: The Power of God's Word to stop the critics.
In chapter eleven we have the story of the Jewish Christian's response to Peter going to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Jews were not to eat with Gentiles. Peter was sent their by God but the Jews didn't know that. Peter gives the account of what God had told him to do (God's Word was spoken to Peter audibly at this time). The authority of the criticism was the the Old Testament Law. The Jews were technically right in their complaint. However, it was New Testament revelation that would be the final authority. The key is that when they heard Peter's account of God's work in action they "feel silent." This is a great pattern for the church and for conflict within the church. When God's Word is spoken that should put to silence descent within the church. We ought to be a people governed by God's Word. After they fell silent they "glorified God." That, too, should be the end of issues within the church. God is to be glorified. That is the chief end of man. The last thing they did was open their minds to Gentiles being saved. Evangelism and change of mind is the outcome of being confronted by God's Word and His plan. They fell silent, glorified God and opened their hearts to others as a result of their hearing the revelation of God. Nothing should change in that pattern today!!
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Subject: The Power of God's Word to stop the critics.
In chapter eleven we have the story of the Jewish Christian's response to Peter going to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Jews were not to eat with Gentiles. Peter was sent their by God but the Jews didn't know that. Peter gives the account of what God had told him to do (God's Word was spoken to Peter audibly at this time). The authority of the criticism was the the Old Testament Law. The Jews were technically right in their complaint. However, it was New Testament revelation that would be the final authority. The key is that when they heard Peter's account of God's work in action they "feel silent." This is a great pattern for the church and for conflict within the church. When God's Word is spoken that should put to silence descent within the church. We ought to be a people governed by God's Word. After they fell silent they "glorified God." That, too, should be the end of issues within the church. God is to be glorified. That is the chief end of man. The last thing they did was open their minds to Gentiles being saved. Evangelism and change of mind is the outcome of being confronted by God's Word and His plan. They fell silent, glorified God and opened their hearts to others as a result of their hearing the revelation of God. Nothing should change in that pattern today!!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Subject: Salvation and Restoration - Zephaniah
Zephaniah 3:9 (ESV Strong's)
“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord
and serve him with one accord.
Subject: Salvation and Restoration through Conversion.
Zephaniah is prophesying that Israel and the World will soon be judged ... in That Day. There is no doubt to that theme. The judgement is to be devastating. Look what the prophet says about it:
Zephaniah 1:14-15 (ESV Strong's)
The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Yet, God is going to save some out of this calamity. In the above passage the prophet tells them that God is going to change their speech, to make it pure. We know that the tongue is simply the outlet for the heart, so what God is saying He will create a new heart and that will result in a pure speech. He also states that through God's grace and intervention there will be unity among them. God, "In the Day," is going to bring men together for the purpose of praising Him. God will get the glory in the end. He is doing the work now. Currently we have such hatred and strife in the world. Jesus promises that we will some day have peace and pure speech between men of the world and nations of this world, God is going to restore man to worship Him and put Him in the center of their lives. We will call upon Him with one accord!! This is the ultimate goal and purpose of God. Our life mission is to see this happen. We are to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done ...".
“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord
and serve him with one accord.
Subject: Salvation and Restoration through Conversion.
Zephaniah is prophesying that Israel and the World will soon be judged ... in That Day. There is no doubt to that theme. The judgement is to be devastating. Look what the prophet says about it:
Zephaniah 1:14-15 (ESV Strong's)
The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Yet, God is going to save some out of this calamity. In the above passage the prophet tells them that God is going to change their speech, to make it pure. We know that the tongue is simply the outlet for the heart, so what God is saying He will create a new heart and that will result in a pure speech. He also states that through God's grace and intervention there will be unity among them. God, "In the Day," is going to bring men together for the purpose of praising Him. God will get the glory in the end. He is doing the work now. Currently we have such hatred and strife in the world. Jesus promises that we will some day have peace and pure speech between men of the world and nations of this world, God is going to restore man to worship Him and put Him in the center of their lives. We will call upon Him with one accord!! This is the ultimate goal and purpose of God. Our life mission is to see this happen. We are to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done ...".
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Subject: God's Justice on Injustice - Ecclesiastes 3-4
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 (ESV Strong's)
Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.
Subject: God's Justice
The above verses might be the prefect epitaph for today's society. Solomon is observing life in Ecclesiastes. He makes observations about sex, work-life, death, happiness, drinking, and a few other practical matters. In the above text he speaks to the conflict he sees in life between wickedness and righteousness in regard to power and the abuse of it over justice. He sees that there are wicked people in this life who are injustice. Since his conclusion is that God must judge BOTH the righteous and the wicked, it could be assumed that the righteous are NOT doing anything to correct the wicked. The stress in these verses is apparent. Righteousness struggles with wickedness. The injustice caused by the lack of righteousness is apparent. This is the world we live in today. Injustice seems to be ignored and righteousness is laughed, mocked, ridiculed and marginalized. God will just the wicked for this. But, He will also judge the righteous. Every matter and every work has an appointed time of judgement. This is the truth that God is giving us in these verses through the hand of the Preacher. God is showing us that He sees the injustice in the world. He does not ignore it. Yet, the "time" may not be NOW. There is a time coming that injustice will be dealt with. But, not now. Today we see it oppress righteousness and righteousness back away or back down. We ought to pray for justice!!! God can, will and is going to bring justice.
Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.
Subject: God's Justice
The above verses might be the prefect epitaph for today's society. Solomon is observing life in Ecclesiastes. He makes observations about sex, work-life, death, happiness, drinking, and a few other practical matters. In the above text he speaks to the conflict he sees in life between wickedness and righteousness in regard to power and the abuse of it over justice. He sees that there are wicked people in this life who are injustice. Since his conclusion is that God must judge BOTH the righteous and the wicked, it could be assumed that the righteous are NOT doing anything to correct the wicked. The stress in these verses is apparent. Righteousness struggles with wickedness. The injustice caused by the lack of righteousness is apparent. This is the world we live in today. Injustice seems to be ignored and righteousness is laughed, mocked, ridiculed and marginalized. God will just the wicked for this. But, He will also judge the righteous. Every matter and every work has an appointed time of judgement. This is the truth that God is giving us in these verses through the hand of the Preacher. God is showing us that He sees the injustice in the world. He does not ignore it. Yet, the "time" may not be NOW. There is a time coming that injustice will be dealt with. But, not now. Today we see it oppress righteousness and righteousness back away or back down. We ought to pray for justice!!! God can, will and is going to bring justice.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Subject: God's Blessing (His goodness) - Psalm 125-127
Psalms 125:4 (ESV Strong's)
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
Subject: God's Blessings
In the above verse from this Psalm we read that the writer is asking God to "do good" to those who are "good." The Hebrew word for "good" in this verse is "tob." It is used over 500 times in the Bible. The first time it is used is we see God saying:
Genesis 1:17-18 (ESV Strong's)
And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
God would late say in Genesis 1:31, on the sixth day, that the creation was "very good." What we learn from the statements in Genesis and the prayer in this Psalm is that only God can make something "good." Only God can be "goodness" into the world and into our lives. It is, based upon this Psalm, okay for us to ask God to do that. Today when you pray for someone it is okay for you to ask God to bring "goodness" into their lives. God is good and therefore wants to bestow that goodness onto others. We don't have to think that God is cruel and withholding from us ... but we do have to come to the bless to realize that goodness and blessing flow ONLY from God. Our U.S. Constitution guarantees our "right" to pursue happiness (goodness). But, only God can actually give goodness. In Psalm 23 we are told to follow the Shepherd. It says when I do, "surely 'goodness' and mercy will follow you all the days of your life." God tells us that when we follow Him, He will assure that goodness will follow us. If you want to have a good day, follow Christ. He will bestow goodness unto you. Note how James says it:
James 1:17 (ESV Strong's)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
God gives us ONLY good gifts. We might see the bad in a situation, but God means it for good. Our job is to find the good.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
Subject: God's Blessings
In the above verse from this Psalm we read that the writer is asking God to "do good" to those who are "good." The Hebrew word for "good" in this verse is "tob." It is used over 500 times in the Bible. The first time it is used is we see God saying:
Genesis 1:17-18 (ESV Strong's)
And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
God would late say in Genesis 1:31, on the sixth day, that the creation was "very good." What we learn from the statements in Genesis and the prayer in this Psalm is that only God can make something "good." Only God can be "goodness" into the world and into our lives. It is, based upon this Psalm, okay for us to ask God to do that. Today when you pray for someone it is okay for you to ask God to bring "goodness" into their lives. God is good and therefore wants to bestow that goodness onto others. We don't have to think that God is cruel and withholding from us ... but we do have to come to the bless to realize that goodness and blessing flow ONLY from God. Our U.S. Constitution guarantees our "right" to pursue happiness (goodness). But, only God can actually give goodness. In Psalm 23 we are told to follow the Shepherd. It says when I do, "surely 'goodness' and mercy will follow you all the days of your life." God tells us that when we follow Him, He will assure that goodness will follow us. If you want to have a good day, follow Christ. He will bestow goodness unto you. Note how James says it:
James 1:17 (ESV Strong's)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
God gives us ONLY good gifts. We might see the bad in a situation, but God means it for good. Our job is to find the good.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Subject: Service to God - 2 Chronicles 29-32
2 Chronicles 29:34 (ESV Strong's)
But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves.
Subject: Service to God
The above passage reveals something about those in the service of God we all should learn about and reflect upon in our own lives. The Temple worship, under previous Kings, had fallen into disarray and dysfunction. King Hezekiah had come onto the scenes and was determined to change that. His reforms in worship would, eventually, be a catalyst for reforms in day-to-day life experiences. We see just how bad Temple life had become in the above passage. The priest had fallen into apathy. The Levites were preparing themselves to lead the worship, but the priestly line had not. The priest did not see the urgency to consecrate themselves for worship. Hence when the crowds came and the hearts of the people were ready to worship, there were not enough priests to tend to the worship service. Note what it says in the next chapter about the people of Ephraim and Manasseh wanting to observe the Passover in the proper month and having to wait:
2 Chronicles 30:3 (ESV Strong's)
for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem—
When those in service for The King are not ready to serve, those who come to worship are hindered from doing so. If we are called to serve, we should consecrate ourselves for service to be ready to serve when called upon.
But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves.
Subject: Service to God
The above passage reveals something about those in the service of God we all should learn about and reflect upon in our own lives. The Temple worship, under previous Kings, had fallen into disarray and dysfunction. King Hezekiah had come onto the scenes and was determined to change that. His reforms in worship would, eventually, be a catalyst for reforms in day-to-day life experiences. We see just how bad Temple life had become in the above passage. The priest had fallen into apathy. The Levites were preparing themselves to lead the worship, but the priestly line had not. The priest did not see the urgency to consecrate themselves for worship. Hence when the crowds came and the hearts of the people were ready to worship, there were not enough priests to tend to the worship service. Note what it says in the next chapter about the people of Ephraim and Manasseh wanting to observe the Passover in the proper month and having to wait:
2 Chronicles 30:3 (ESV Strong's)
for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem—
When those in service for The King are not ready to serve, those who come to worship are hindered from doing so. If we are called to serve, we should consecrate ourselves for service to be ready to serve when called upon.
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