20100731

get back up and keep running

Galatians 6

v9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

I've been trying to break bad habits and have a more productive schedule (like getting up on time in the morning), but it's easy to fall back on old ways. After we've slipped up, we should still work diligently toward doing what we know is right. When we're determined to do something, we'll get there eventually.

20100730

1 Timothy 4 - Key

v13

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Us men need to pay attention to giving people good teaching from the Lord, because there's a real need for that today.

v1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

The remedy for this flood of sinful deception towards the Lord's people, is good doctrine and the truth.

Application

v16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

I'll take advantage of the ability and opportunities the Lord has given me for preaching and teaching. I'll pay close attention to doing them well, being mindful that they're needed to keep people from being deceived.

20100729

1 Timothy 4 - Outline

v1-2
lies spoken by those who go away from believing
v3-5
there's nothing wrong with marriage, or with every kind of food, as long as they're received with prayer and with giving thanks
v6-9
teach godliness, not old wives tales, or the gymnastic exertion of abstaining from relatively inconsequential physical activities
v10-11
teach belief and trust in the living God for salvation
v12
be a good example in your behavior, so that nobody can look down on you for being young
v13-16
pay attention to the gift that you have for teaching, because that's what will really do people a lot of good and save them

20100728

Genesis 41 - Key

v14

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

I was struck by how Joseph was ready for the Lord to change his life in such a big way, so suddenly. There are things I pray and seek the Lord for, that I would say I'm believing Him for, like my business and education, but do I actually expect it to happen? Would I ready if He suddenly answered the prayers and changed my life in such a way?

In Joseph's rags-to-riches moment, he basically shaved, changed his clothes, and went from being a jailbird to being a world ruler. How was he ready? He must have had a good relationship with the Lord to interpret the butler's dream, and then to interpret Pharaoh's dream. Joseph was ready by being faithful to the Lord and walking with the Lord in the place where he was.

Application

I'm seeking the Lord for success in my work and school, so I'll work on having good habits (like getting up on time in the morning) and having my life well organized so I'll be ready for the Lord to move in the ways that I'm believing Him for.

20100727

Revelation 13 - Key

v10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

I think about how we'll need to overcome this if we're there in that day. It will a terrible tribulation of people being led into captivity and killed, with strong temptation and deceit, even with powerful force and miracles.

The last part of this verse said, Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. If we're going to be able to overcome in the end, we must be living with such patience and faith today. Let's be strong against our little troubles and temptations now, so we'll be ready.

Application

Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

I'll pursue more ambitious goals in my work. That way I can show patience and faith in the face of relatively minor difficulty.

20100726

Genesis 41 - Outline

v1-7
Pharaoh dreamed two dreams
v1-4
Pharaoh dreamed that 7 thin cows came and ate 7 fat cows that had been before them
v5-7
Pharaoh dreamed that 7 whithered ears of corn ate 7 good ears that had been before them
v8
Pharaoh couldn't find anybody who could interpret his dreams
v9-13
the butler finally remembered to tell Pharaoh about Joseph
v14-16
Pharaoh called Joseph out of prison quickly to interpret the dream, and Joseph humbly gave the Lord the credit
v17-24
Pharaoh told his dreams to Joseph
v17-21
Pharaoh told his first dream to Joseph
v22-24
Pharaoh told his second dream
v25-36
Joseph did a chapter summary of the dreams
v25-28
Joseph's outline
v29-32
Joseph's meaning
v33-36
Joseph's application
v37-46
Pharaoh chose Joseph to rule over the whole country, and Pharaoh gave him a wife
v47-49
Joseph still worked faithfully, to keep his application, and gathered food during the plentiful years
v50-52
Joseph had two sons and glorified the Lord by the names he gave them
v53-57
the famine came true, so everybody came to Joseph to buy food

Revelation 13 - Outline

v1-2
the beast with seven heads and ten horns
v3-4
all the world wondered and worshiped the dragon and the beast
v5-10
the beast was temporarily given permission to overcome the saints
v11-15
a second beast deceived people into worshiping the first beast and his image
v16-18
the mark of the beast

20100724

don't fall from grace

Galatians 5

v4

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

It's a pretty serious error to think that we can be made right with the Lord by following the Old Testament law. If that's what we're going to do, Christ coming and dying on the cross doesn't do us any good. No, we need to understand that we're saved by grace.

We can't save ourselves from our sin by anything good we do. We can only be saved by receiving the undeserved gift that was given by our loving God.

20100723

Galatians 4

v15

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if [it had been] possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

When we start out with grand ideals, let's follow through with real faithfulness.

20100722

Galatians 3

v11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

We can't be made right with God by doing the things in the Old Testament law. We can only be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

And faith doesn't consist of doing the works of the law, either.

v12
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

It's the same whether we're discussing the first time we come to Christ, or how we follow Him each day.

v3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

20100721

Genesis 40 - Key

v23

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.

Just like the chief butler was supposed to talk to the king about Joseph, we have people to talk to a King about, by praying for them. We shouldn't forget the people that we're supposed to care about and pray for.

Application

I'll remember my relatives on Papa's side of the family, and remember to pray for them.

20100720

Revelation 12 - Key

v10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

The loud voice in heaven called the devil, the accuser of our brethren. It says that he accused them day and night. Since the devil is the one who's called the accuser, we better make sure we're not characterized by accusing people who are brethren in the Lord.

This doesn't mean that we should never talk to people about their faults. But, we shouldn't be accusers, constantly calling people to account for faults or offenses.

Application

Sometimes I find my mind thinking of all kinds of faults with a brother in the Lord, especially things in the past that were supposed to be forgiven. Usually it seems like it's OK, because it's true. Sometimes I imagine myself voicing the thoughts, or even saying them to myself under my breath. Of course, if I open my mouth to speak with the person, what will I think of to say, but what I imagined myself saying?

I've been realizing, These thoughts aren't from the Lord. I don't really want to have them, but the devil has been tempting me to put them into my mind.

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

When I'm tempted to be an accuser in my thoughts or my speech, I'll remember that the devil is the accuser, and I'll fight to refuse those thoughts and forgive my brethren.

20100719

Genesis 40 - Outline

v1-4
Pharaoh's butler and baker ended up under Joseph in the prison
v5-8
the butler and baker had dreams, and Joseph asked them to tell the dreams to him
v9-11
the butler told that he dreamed that he pressed grapes into Pharaoh's cup
v12-13
Joseph interpreted that Pharaoh would restore the butler's position within 3 days
v14-15
Joseph asked the butler to mention him to Pharaoh
v16-17
the baker told that he dreamed that birds ate the baked goods out of the baskets on his head
v18-19
Joseph interpreted that Pharaoh would have the baker killed within 3 days
v20-22
everything came true like Joseph had interpreted it, because of Pharaoh's birthday
v23
however, the butler forgot Joseph

20100718

Revelation 12 - Outline

v1-2
in heaven, the woman laboring to deliver a baby
v3-4
the great red dragon ready to eat up the baby
v5
the man-child who was to rule all nations
v6
a place prepared to feed tho woman in the wilderness
v7-9
the war in heaven, and the dragon was cast out
v10-11
the way the brethren overcame the accuser
v12-16
the dragon was angry at the woman and persecuted her
v17
the dragon made war with the remnant of the woman's descendants

20100717

speak up boldly

Galatians 2

v6

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed [to be somewhat] in conference added nothing to me:

Sometimes we go to preach the gospel to people, but they seem like some kind of important people. And sometimes they seem to be banded together like being in conference. That can make it intimidating and awkward to talk to them about the Lord.

The Lord doesn't play favorites, or look at any one person above any other. When the Lord wants us to speak up for His sake, we should be bold to say what we should to people, without worrying about who they are, or who's associated with them.

20100716

preach the gospel of grace

Galatians 1

v6

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

This makes me think about the importance of us preaching the gospel. Let's look for opportunities to preach the gospel, and be willing to preach the gospel when we do have the opportunity.

1 Timothy 3 - Key

v1

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Even for people who aren't overseers right now, these would be good things for all of us to work on.

Application

v2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

It says a bishop must be ... given to hospitality.... I'll work on being hospitable, even to people I don't know very well, by being willing to strike up friendly conversations that might even lead to the gospel.

20100714

Genesis 39 - Key

v4

And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

We should make sure to work on being faithful servants to the Lord, like Joseph was, and then the Lord is able to give us grace and favor with our authorities and cause the things we do to prosper.

Application

I'll remember to work on serving the Lord in whatever situations come up this week.

20100713

Genesis 39 - Outline

v1-5
Joseph served, and the Lord blessed him
v6-10
Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph, but he refused
v11-12
Joseph ran from temptation
v13-18
Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph because he did what was right
v19-20
Potiphar was angry with Joseph and threw him in prison
v21-23
the Lord blessed Joseph in prison

20100712

Revelation 11 - Key

v18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

They said that the Lord would ...give reward unto [His] servants the prophets... As we're serving the Lord, we know that one day He will reward us for that, so let's make sure that we're His servants today.

Application

There's a reward for the Lord's servants, the prophets. Sharing a word from the Lord can be just like prophesy, so I'll be praying for the Lord to help me serve Him by preaching.

20100711

Revelation 11 - Outline

v1-2
the measuring-reed and the difference between the temple and the court
v3-6
the two witnesses would prophesy
v7-10
the beast appeared to have won
v11-12
the witnesses were raised and raptured
v13
there was a great earthquake, and people finally glorified God
v14-15
the third woe and the seventh angel
v16-18
the 24 elders worshiped God
v19
the temple was opened in heaven, and the ark was seen in it

20100710

"examine yourselves"

2 Corinthians 13

v5

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

There are serious punishments for sin, and we should be serious about dealing with it. We should seriously consider whether we're thinking, saying, or doing anything we shouldn't, and whether there's anything we should be thinking, saying, or doing, that we aren't.

Let's think about whether there's anything we are, anything we own, or any way we spend our time, in our schedules, that the Lord would want us to do differently. And whether there's anything else that the Lord would us to be, or to have, or to spend our time on.

We should be willing to go through pain and sorrow to give up our sin and to do what's right, no matter what the cost is. When we repent, we should admit that it is sin, that it's our own fault, and that we have no excuse.

20100709

don't glory of yourself

2 Corinthians 12

v5

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

Paul was a good example, that we shouldn't brag about ourselves, how great we are. Let's be wise by being humble and modest with our strengths.

20100708

1 Timothy 3 - Outline

v1-7
how the overseers must be
v8-13
how errand-runners and their wives must be
v14-15
written so we may know how we ought to behave in the Church
v16
the great mystery of godliness

20100707

Genesis 38 - Key

v24

And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she [is] with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.

Judah was being a hypocrite here, because he wanted Tamar to be judged for her sin, but he expected to get away with doing worse things than her. We shouldn't be hypocrites like Judah was here. The Lord has been merciful to us, so we should be merciful to others.

Application

Matthew 18:33
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

I had this idea that I had the right to do something wrong, like to be impatient or complain, if somebody else was doing the same thing to me. I just realized how backward I had that. Next time I start to think that way, I'll remember how much the Lord has forgiven me of, and that if I don't forgive others, the Lord won't forgive me.

20100706

Revelation 10 - Summary

Outline

v1-2
a mighty angel standing on earth and sea
v3-4
there are still some things that we don't know yet
v5-7
the Lord declared a mystery to His servants the prophets
v8-10
John ate the book, and it was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach
v11
John would prophesy again

Key

v6
And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

One day, there will be no more chances, because everything will be finished. We need to take every chance we have to do what's right, today.

Application

I'll work harder on keeping my schedule each day, remembering that, any day now, there won't be any more time.

20100705

Genesis 38 - Outline

v1-5
Judah had three sons by Shuah
v6-10
the Lord judged the wicked sons with death
v11-18
Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute, and Judah fell for her
v19-23
Judah couldn't find the prostitute
v24-26
Judah realized his hypocrisy
v17-30
the twins Pharez and Zarah were born

20100703

2 Corinthians 10

v6

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Are we going to be ready to go through and judge and destroy the sinful things of this world, if we allow ourselves to be enticed into loving them? How are we going to fight alongside the Lord when He comes back with His holy people to judge, if we're entrenched in the pleasures of the same things we're fighting against? Then it would be to our own suffering and loss.

In order to be ready to be on the Lord's side in the judgment, our hearts need to be for the right things today.

20100702

1 Timothy 2 - Key

v8

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

We should pray boldly, all the time. We shouldn't make a show, standing on the street corners to be seen by people, but wherever we are we should have prayer between us and God.

Application

It's interesting that it says, lifting up holy hands. We make a habit of examining our own hearts for sin before we come to the remembrance of Jesus' body and blood, but how about when we pray? When I lift up my hands to pray, I'll consider what my hands have been doing, and my conscience before the Lord.

20100701

1 Timothy 2 - Outline

v1-4
pray for authorities and everyone--they need saved
v5-7
there's one God and one mediator for us to testify of, and to preach and teach about
v8
the way men should pray
v9-10
women should clothe themselves, not with extravagant wealth, but with good behavior
v11-14
women should be silent in light of learning and teaching when it would violate men's authority
v15
a mysterious promise about some kind of salvation in childbearing
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