20100930

1 Samuel 2 - Outline

v1-10
Hannah prayed, praised the Lord, and prophesied of Jesus' coming
v11
Samuel served the Lord
v12-17
Eli's sons wickedly despised the offering of the Lord
v18-19
Samuel's mother visited him when she came
v20-21
Eli blessed Elkanah, and Hannah had more children
v22-25
Eli tried to talk to his sons about their sin some, but they didn't listen to him
v26
Samuel grew
v27-36
a man of God came and warned Eli about honoring his sons above the Lord (v29)

20100929

Genesis 49 - Key

v24

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Joseph was made ruler of Egypt after being sold into slavery. When we have trouble and difficulty, we should look to the Lord for strength, and take strength in Him.

Application

v25a
[Even] by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee...

When I meet with adversity, I'll strengthen myself in the Lord. Then I can find help and blessing in the Lord, like the Lord helped Joseph and abundantly blessed him.

20100928

Revelation 22 - Key

v9

Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

The part of this verse that says worship God, is inspiring to me. It reminds me of how we ought to be bowing down to the Lord and worshiping Him.

Application

Throughout the Bible, kneeling down, or even "falling down" in front of Lord, is associated with worshiping the Lord. I'll make sure that my heart is bowing down to the Lord when I worship Him, and, sometimes, I'll physically kneel down to Him too.

20100927

Genesis 49 - Outline

v1-2
gather to hear your father
v3-4
Reuben: his sin was found out
v5-7
Simeon and Levi: cruel and angry
v8-12
Judah: Christ would come through him
v13
Zebulun would dwell by the sea
v14-15
Issachar would become a servant
v16-17
Dan would judge
v18
Salvation
v19
Gad would overcome at last
v20
Asher would produce good grain
v21
Naphtali is like a wild deer
v22-26
the blessings of Joseph were the greatest
v27
Benjamin is like a wolf
v28-33
Jacob gave instructions about his burial, and then he died

20100926

Revelation 22 - Outline

v1-2
the water of life and the tree of life
v3-4
nearness to God and no more curse
v5
God gives them light
v6-7
these words are faithful
v8-9
worship God alone
v10-12
the time is coming soon when people won't be able to repent or change any more
v13
Jesus is Alpha and Omega
v14-15
those who do His commandments may enter, but not those who do evil
v16-17
the free invitation to the water of life
v18-19
the warning to not add or remove anything from the Bible
v20
John agreed and said for the Lord to come
v21
final blessing

20100925

be careful for nothing

Philippians 4

v6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Instead of being full of care about things, we should pray and let God know our requests about everything, remembering to give Him thanks. We shouldn't be worried and upset so that we murmur and dispute, but we should rejoice in the Lord and think about good things.

v8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

20100924

joy in righteousness from the Lord

Philippians 3

v13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

We shouldn't have confidence in the flesh, thinking we're righteous because we've kept the law. We shouldn't think we've already gotten to where we need to be, but we should continually press on.

v1a
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord...

20100923

Philippians 2

v14

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Do we realize that there's actually this verse in the Bible that teaches that we should do everything that we do, without disputing?

v3
[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

If we were of one accord and one mind like this, we wouldn't be disputing about things.

20100922

Genesis 48 - Key

v2

And [one] told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed.

I saw that even if we're weary and tired, we should strengthen ourselves to do what the Lord wants us to do, and bless other people.

Application

When I'm tempted to be lazy because I'm tired, I'll wake myself up and work hard, anyway, on the work that the Lord wants me to do.

20100921

Revelation 21 - Key

v8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

It is striking that one category of these sinners is the fearful. We should make sure to not be fearful. I think that being fearful comes from being unbelieving.

Application

Philippians 1:28
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

I've been going through Philippians in my personal time with the Lord. Here is my paraphrase of this verse (not what the verse said, by what I think about it:)

Don't be terrified about anything by your enemies. If you are not, then that is an obvious sign to them that they are headed for destruction; but to you it is an obvious sign that you are headed for salvation--and that is salvation of God.

When I encounter troubles and spiritual enemies, instead of being fearful, I'll remember and trust in the Lord.

20100920

Genesis 48 - Outline

v1-2
Jacob got ready to bless Joseph's sons before he died
v3-4
Jacob passed on the vision to Joseph
v5-6
Joseph's sons would be like Jacob's sons
v7
Jacob told Joseph about Rachel's death
v8-9
Jacob was sure to make a positive identification of who he blessed
v10-11
God did even more for Jacob than he asked or thought
v12-14
Jacob put his younger grandson before the older
v15-16
Jacob blessed Joseph
v17-19
Joseph wanted to correct his father, but Jacob knew what he was doing
v20
Jacob blessed Joseph's sons
v21
Jacob told Joseph what would happen in the future
v22
Jacob gave Joseph a double portion

20100919

Revelation 21 - Outline

v1-4
the greatness and pleasure that John saw of New Jerusalem
v5-7
the assurance, invitation, and promised inheritance of God
v8
the sinful people who would all have part in the lake of fire
v9-14
the angel showed John the holy Jerusalem, with the wall, the gates, and the foundation
v15-17
the angel measured the city
v18-21
the wall, foundations, gates, and street of the city were made of jasper, gold, all kinds of jewels, and pearls
v22-23
there was God and the Lamb, instead of a temple and a sun and a moon
v24-26
they will bring the glory and honor of the nations into the city
v27
there is no way that anything bad will enter into the city, but only those people who are written in the Lamb's book of life

20100918

in nothing terrified

Philippians 1

v14

And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

We should be so brave to preach the gospel, that we don't fear suffering or even death.

20100917

Titus 1 - Key

v9

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

In this passage, I see that men (like elders and overseers), should be apt to teach and preach the truth (v3). We should preach because there's a need for it, even because of evil men (v10-16), even evil men who seduce others (v11).

Application

I'll put effort into preparing for preaching, and into sharing preaching and teaching with the Lord's people.

20100916

Titus 1 - Outline

v1-4
we have a very sure hope (From v2)
v5-9
the way that overseers must be
v10-14
rebuke unruly talkers
v15-16
unbelieving people say they know God but their actions deny Him

20100915

serve as to the Lord

Ephesians 6

v8

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.

If we're under the authority of someone who we think might not give us a completely fair reward for our work, we should still do the best work we can, for the Lord, anyway, because it is ultimately the Lord who will reward us.

20100914

Revelation 20 - Key

v6

Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

It would be a great blessing to be part of the first resurrection and the millennial reign. The martyrs who were killed for their witness and for not worshiping the beast, will receive this privilege.

v4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Righteous living today can help us be ready to be faithful, in case we are martyrs one day.

Application

The way I'll work on living faithfully and doing what's right today, looking forward to the millennial kingdom in that day, is by singing hymns of praise to the Lord when I have a chance.

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20100913

Revelation 20 - Outline

v1-3
an angel bound the devil in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years
v4-6
the first resurrection and the millennial reign
v7-9
the last battle
v10
the end of the devil
v11-12
the great white throne judgment
v13-15
the second death

singing hymns to the Lord

Ephesians 5

v19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

One way we can walk as children of light (From v8) is to sing hymns all the time. That's also a way to encourage ourselves and cheer ourselves up. So, let's remember to be doing that.

It doesn't always have to be out loud and in public. It says, to yourselves and in your heart to the Lord, so we could, for example, sing hymns when were by ourselves driving in a car, instead of listening to the radio or just letting our minds wander.

20100911

walk worthy, not in vanity

Ephesians 4

v1

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

We really need to be faithful to the services the Lord has given us to do, (preaching, for example,) because there's great reward in that, and we'll really miss out if we don't.

v17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

We shouldn't be like unbelievers, deluded by sinful pleasures and vain wastes of time, like too much of a focus on entertaining ourselves. Let's walk worthy of our calling, instead of walking in vanity.

20100910

2 Timothy 4 - Key

v2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Preparing a message to share with the Lord's people is one of the things I know the Lord wants me to do, but I haven't been making the time to get it done.

Application

I'll make the time to prepare for preaching.

20100909

2 Timothy 4 - Outline

v1-2
Preach the word
v3-4
people will turn to fables
v5
do the work of an evangelist
v6-8
I have fought a good fight
v9-13
stick with believers and help them
v14-15
beware of a person who did much evil
v16-18
all men forsook Paul, but the Lord stood with him
v19-22
salutations, greetings, and blessing

20100908

Genesis 47 - Key

v3

And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What [is] your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants [are] shepherds, both we, [and] also our fathers.

Being shepherds is kind of like being Christians. It was despised by the people around them. Like Joseph's brothers admitted that they were shepherds, even though it was an abomination to the Egyptians, we should be bold to admit that we're Christians and to preach the gospel. When Joseph’s brothers admitted they were shepherds, it worked out so they got a better place.

Application

I'll be bold to preach the gospel at my university.

20100907

Revelation 19 - Key

v5

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

All creatures must worship and praise the Lord. This verse calls for praise from all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. We should fear the Lord and be His servants, and all of us should worship and praise Him like in these verses.

Application

I'll work on praising the Lord on other days, besides just at worship on Sunday morning.

20100906

Revelation 19 - Outline

v1-6
praise and worship from many people in heaven, the beasts and elders, all God's servants, and all who fear Him
v7-9
the marriage supper of the Lamb
v10
worship God
v11-16
Jesus, the Word of God, on a white horse
v17-18
an angel in the sun called all the birds to the supper of the great God
v19-21
The Word of God obliterated the beast and the false prophet, and the kings of the earth and their armies

Genesis 47 - Outline

v1-6
Joseph's plan worked. Pharaoh accepted his family, and they got the best land, the land of Goshen, to take care of their livestock
v7-10
Jacob met Pharaoh and blessed him
v11-12
Joseph kept his promise to take care of his family
v13-17
Joseph gave the people food for their livestock
v18-21
Joseph gave them grain for their lands and themselves
v22
"tax-exempt religious organizations"
v23-26
Joseph instituted a 20% income tax because the government owned the people
v27-31
Jacob was about to die, and he had Joseph swear to carry him out of Egypt and bury him with his ancestors

20100904

pray with more passion

Ephesians 3

v20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

The Lord has the power to do not just what we ask, but way, way more then we can even imagine. That promise should provoke us to ask for great things in righteousness, and to pray much more for the things we ask for.

20100903

2 Timothy 3 - Key

v2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

The first part of this verse says, For men shall be lovers of their own selves. That really stuck out to me last time I read this.

What do we think about when we get up in the morning? Just how we'll get to work or school and enrich our lives? How we'll buy some nice product for ourselves, or enhance our car or computer?

How about when we pray? Now don't get me wrong, it's a perfectly good thing for us to pray for ourselves sometimes. But we should naturally be thinking about other people and their needs when we pray. It shouldn't be a weariness to think about and pray for anybody other than ourselves.

Application

I've been noticing that too many of my prayers have become introverted. When I pray, I'll really think about other people, and also pray for them more.

20100902

Genesis 46 - Key

v4

I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

Like Israel into Egypt, the Lord has sent His people the Church into the world. We're not here to stay, because He's coming one day to take us out before he destroys the world. But while we're here, He promises to be with us and do great things for us.

v3
And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Application

Hebrews 13:5b
...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

When trouble happens, I'll pray to the Lord for help, remember his promises, and trust that He is good.

2 Timothy 3 - Outline

v1-9
ungodly men in the last times:
v1-4
what the ungodly will be like, as lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (v4b)
v5-7
they're sneaky and entice people to be led away, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof (v5a)
v8-9
they'll be stopped and get revealed, like Jannes and Jambres were
v10-13
Paul's good example, enduring troubles
v14-17
what we should do, continuing in faith and the Scriptures
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