Sunday, February 12, 2012
Romans 13-14
Dave, you have given great points on the scripture readings. I would like to hear from some of you others that are reading and let us old guys know what you are thinking about. These chapters reveal several things to me. 1) I need to submit to governing authorities. Give them the respect that they deserve. God has placed them in their positions for His purpose whether I like it or not. This is a hard one to swallow sometimes but I need to trust that God knows much better of how to get others to Him than I. 2) In 13:8 he says to owe no one anything, except to love each other.. I have taken this not only in the sense of obligation to help, return a favor, etc but also as a point to not get into debt. I think it is important for the young adults to understand that debt causes a lot of problems later. Avoid credit card bills, etc that are just debt for the sake of filling earthly desires and you will be free. 3) The times when we quarrel over opinions is meaningless. In 14:1 it is discussing you trying to make a point of what is right or wrong with someone who is weak in the faith. Let God deal with that. It is okay to share what you interpret the truth as but you do not need to force others to believe your way. God will take care of that and hold each of us accountable according to what we know. Do not judge yourself or other or cause a stumbling block for you brother whether it be through judgement, actions, or words. There is no reason to do something, though it may be permissible, if your brother thinks it is wrong. There are numerous situations that this can come into play. Trust God and His word. Have faith in what He is doing. As it says in 14:23..For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. If we try to justify ourselves and what we want lacking the faith then God says it is sin. Whoa. Heavy stuff but it is truth and I choose to follow it.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Matthew 14-16
Matthew 14
John’s ministry was now completed. He had heralded the coming of the King and had faithfully preached God’s truth. Christ must increase, and he must decrease (John 3:30). Any Christian who is faithful to the Word of God, as John was, will suffer persecution. The world is not the friend of the Christian. The world has rejected the King and will also reject His messengers.
John’s ministry was now completed. He had heralded the coming of the King and had faithfully preached God’s truth. Christ must increase, and he must decrease (John 3:30). Any Christian who is faithful to the Word of God, as John was, will suffer persecution. The world is not the friend of the Christian. The world has rejected the King and will also reject His messengers.
Isaiah 29-33
Isaiah 29:
“Ariel” was a pre-Israelite name for Jerusalem. It is probably used as a play on the word for “altar stone.”
The people were in such a spiritual stupor that the word of the Lord through the prophet was as a “book that is sealed.”
It is only when God is known with the heart as well as the mind, when his word is a part of the life as well as the lips, that the ways of God can be known.
Spiritual insecurity is the result of spiritual stupor. Which way is God moving? We do not always know beforehand. When God begins to act we will be better able to discern it and to move with him if our hearts are aligned with him. (Teachers Bible commentary).
“Ariel” was a pre-Israelite name for Jerusalem. It is probably used as a play on the word for “altar stone.”
The people were in such a spiritual stupor that the word of the Lord through the prophet was as a “book that is sealed.”
It is only when God is known with the heart as well as the mind, when his word is a part of the life as well as the lips, that the ways of God can be known.
Spiritual insecurity is the result of spiritual stupor. Which way is God moving? We do not always know beforehand. When God begins to act we will be better able to discern it and to move with him if our hearts are aligned with him. (Teachers Bible commentary).
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Job 11-12
Job 11: Zophar says a lot of right things but “his pride is showing.” He asks Job “can you fathom the mysteries of God?” (implying correctly that Job can’t), and then acts as if he can by suggesting to Job why he is suffering. His assessment would be valid if we were only talking about sin and it’s consequences. He is acting as a mouthpiece for Satan. The “mysteries” of God that Zophar is not addressing are His mercy, compassion, wisdom, love, plans, and all others to numerous to mention.
Lessons for me are: to be conscious of God in every person , place, and thing. To listen to James when he says “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” To come to every situation and person I meet today with a spirit of humility.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Lessons for me are: to be conscious of God in every person , place, and thing. To listen to James when he says “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” To come to every situation and person I meet today with a spirit of humility.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Psalms 15-17
Psalm 16
8 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever
I read some commentary on this Psalm. It’s the third messianic psalm. It touches on the life of Christ (v8), the death of Christ (v9), the resurrection of Christ (v10), and the ascension of Christ (v11). I did not know that, but I can see it now.
8 I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever
I read some commentary on this Psalm. It’s the third messianic psalm. It touches on the life of Christ (v8), the death of Christ (v9), the resurrection of Christ (v10), and the ascension of Christ (v11). I did not know that, but I can see it now.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Judges 1-6
Judges 6:25-26
That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. Then build an altar to the LORD your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.”
I’m weary of the direction of our country. I’m ready for a Gideon to arise and destroy our idols. I pray for revival that we return to the one true God. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. Then build an altar to the LORD your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.”
I’m weary of the direction of our country. I’m ready for a Gideon to arise and destroy our idols. I pray for revival that we return to the one true God. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Genesis 20-23
Genesis 22:1-24
True faith is always tested. Of course, God did not want Isaac’s life; He wanted Abraham’s heart. Isaac was dear to Abraham, and God wanted to be sure that Isaac was not an idol standing between Him and Abraham. It was possible that Abraham was trusting Isaac to fulfill the promises and not trusting God. How did Abraham go through this test? For one thing, he rested on God’s promises (Heb. 11:17–19). God had promised Abraham many descendants, and this promise could not be fulfilled unless Isaac lived or God raised him from the dead. Abraham knew that God would not lie, so he rested in His unchanging Word. “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.” Abraham obeyed without delay. If we do the one thing God tells us to do, He will reveal the next step when the right time comes. God’s answers never arrive a minute too late! God supplied a ram just when one was needed. This is why Abraham called the name of the place “Jehovah-Jireh—the Lord will see to it!” (Wiersbe)
True faith is always tested. Of course, God did not want Isaac’s life; He wanted Abraham’s heart. Isaac was dear to Abraham, and God wanted to be sure that Isaac was not an idol standing between Him and Abraham. It was possible that Abraham was trusting Isaac to fulfill the promises and not trusting God. How did Abraham go through this test? For one thing, he rested on God’s promises (Heb. 11:17–19). God had promised Abraham many descendants, and this promise could not be fulfilled unless Isaac lived or God raised him from the dead. Abraham knew that God would not lie, so he rested in His unchanging Word. “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.” Abraham obeyed without delay. If we do the one thing God tells us to do, He will reveal the next step when the right time comes. God’s answers never arrive a minute too late! God supplied a ram just when one was needed. This is why Abraham called the name of the place “Jehovah-Jireh—the Lord will see to it!” (Wiersbe)
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