20111031

1 Corinthians 10 - Outline

v1-5
Israel had many of the same standings that we do, and many of them fell
v6-12
the things that happened to Israel were for an example and warning to us, to not do the same things
v13
God will always make us a way of escape
v14-23
we can't serve God and idols at the same time
v24-33
we should do everything not for ourselves, but for others and for the Lord

20111030

Matthew 22:23-46 - Outline

v23-28
the Sadducees' ignorant error, about the Bible and the power of God
v29-33
Jesus' astonishing doctrine, about the resurrection
v34-40
the two "new" commandments of love
v41-46
an answer from God, to end all questions

20111029

I am not eloquent

Exodus 4

v12

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

If we're afraid we won't be able to speak well, we shouldn't let that stop us from going out and preaching the gospel to people, and encouraging them to grow in Jesus. We should trust the Lord to be with us and enable us, just at the right time, to speak the way that He wants us to.

20111028

2 Samuel 13 - Key

v3

But Amnon had a friend, whose name [was] Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab [was] a very subtil man.

We should be careful who our friends are.

20111027

2 Samuel 12 - Key

v20

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

When a bad situation is over, we should get back up and go on. Even if we've done really bad things before, and if really bad things have happened to us and to others around us, there is a time to let it go. Once we have done everything that we can do about it, and it is over, we should forget about it and go back to worshiping the Lord and serving Him..

Proverbs 24:16
For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

20111026

1 Corinthians 9 - Key

v27

But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul was a good example, in that he avoided being a hypocrite. While Paul was helping instruct others in the right way to go, he was making it an even higher priority to maintain self-control in his own life.

Application

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Before I go talk to somebody that I have a conflict with, I'll pray, and I'll determine to just listen, peacefully. I'll make sure to be gracious and not respond the wrong way to them (angrily, arguing, etc.), even if they keep responding the wrong way to me.

20111024

1 Corinthians 9 - Outline

v1-2
proof that Paul is an apostle
v3-14
Paul had the right to stop working and just live off of preaching the gospel, if he chose to
v15-18
Paul preached the gospel without charge because he chose to
v19-23
becoming all things to all people, so he could save some of them
v24-27
avoiding hypocrisy by exercising his own self-control, while preaching to others

20111023

Matthew 22:1-22 - Outline

v1-7
they which were bidden were not worthy
v8-10
the opportunity for everybody in the world to receive mercy through Jesus Christ
v11-14
you might be able to fool most of the people most of the time, but you're not going to sneak past Jesus
v15-17
the Pharisees asked Jesus a loaded question about paying taxes
v18-22
Jesus answered in a way that revealed their hypocrisy, by mentioning our higher obligation to give our entire selves to God

20111022

down to deliver them

Exodus 3

v7

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

This is such a great and amazing promise: When we have trouble and sorrow, and when we pray and cry to the Lord about it, then He does see, hear, and know. The Lord has heard the prayer of His people. And, (Praise the Lord!), as Christ suffered on the cross, He knows our sorrows. Here is good news, that He will deliver us, and that He will deliver us with a great deliverance.

20111021

2 Samuel 11 - Key

v11

And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? [as] thou livest, and [as] thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

We shouldn't indulge ourselves, while fellow-believers suffer, and we can do something about it.

1 Corinthians 12:26
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

20111020

2 Samuel 10 - Key

v12

Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

When facing many great difficulties, as servants of Christ, we should be mighty and courageous. We steadfastly persevere in the face of adversity, for the sake of the Lord, His people, and the things He leads us to work on in our lives. Then, we should quietly rest, in our hearts, with peace, trusting the outcome to Christ. Knowing that He loves us and that His plan will be the best, we can have confidence to accept whatever is His will.

20111019

1 Corinthians 8 - Key

"Infirmities of the Week"

v9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

If we really think that we have reached a superior level of knowledge and righteousness about a certain subject, then we shouldn't use that to attempt to exert our superiority over people who are still struggling with that subject. Thay are also Christ's beloved children, our brethren, and parts of the same body.

v2
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

If we are truly stronger in some area, then we should use that superior strength (or knowledge) to help others with the struggles that they still have. If we can be confident in truly knowing better, then we can rest peacefully in that for ourselves, without feeling the need to prove that we are better than other people. We shouldn't lower ourselves back down to their level by arguing about which one of us knows better.

Application
Romans 15:1

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Next time I'm tempted to get into an argument with somebody about something, I'll remember that having charity is more important than having knowledge.

20111017

1 Corinthians 8 - Outline

v1-3
which is better, to know things, or to be known to God?
v4-6
so-called "lords" and "gods" are nothing; there is only one God of all
v7-13
being considerate of the weak

20111015

their cry came up unto God

Exodus 2

v23

And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

When we have a hard time and pray about it, our cry does come up to God and he hears us and cares about it. When we are burdened by trouble, let's be praying to God about it.

20111013

2 Samuel 10 - Key

v12

Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

Instead of giving up because failure seems inevitable, or becoming passive and taking victory for granted, we should strive courageously for the Lord.

20111012

taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens

Exodus 1

v12

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Sometimes we are troubled with difficult burdens and rigorous labor. We should take those opportunities to learn and become stronger. For example, I should take advantage of having a packed schedule to learn to overcome my problem with perfectionism.

20111010

comfort them and speak kindly to them

Genesis 50

v21

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Joseph showed amazing mercy and forgiveness to his brothers, even though they had treated him so badly. That is what Christ has done for us believers, and that is how we must treat others as well.

20111009

Matthew 21:1-22 - Outline

v1-6
the Lord has need of them
v7-11
who is this?
v12-13
cleaning out the house
v14-17
out of the mouth of babes
v18-22
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer

20111008

enduring a hard time

Genesis 49

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 had a very hard time in his life, but the Lord gave him strength and great blessings. This verse is an encouraging promise, answering my prayers: sometimes it seems like we have many overwhelming burdens in our lives; but, as we trust in Him, and follow in righteousness, receiving the strength that He gives, the Lord will abundantly bless us with all of the strength that we need, and with every good gift.

20111007

2 Samuel 9 - Key

v7

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

David was like Christ, who showed great mercy on us, even though we made ourselves His enemies by being sinful, in the past. As David was kind to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake (despite Saul's sin), God was merciful to us for Jesus' sake.

Like David's example, we should be merciful like Christ; we should use the good gifts that the Lord gives us to bless other people. Also like David, we (especially those of us who are men), should be doing good hard work to make sure that we have plenty of blessings to share with others.

20111006

2 Samuel 8 - Key

v11

Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

Whenever the Lord blesses us with some great gift (a house, a car, stock in the stock market, etc.), we should recognize it as being from Him, and we should dedicate it to Him. First of all, we should prayerful consider before Him, whether He really wants us to get and keep all of the things that we have, or not. For the things that God does want us to keep, we should make sure we always and only use them in ways that would please Him.

20111005

1 Corinthians 7 - Key

v32

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

Single people should take advantage of their singleness to wholeheartedly care for the things of the Lord and for pleasing Him.

20111003

1 Corinthians 7 - Outline

v1-9
marriage as an alternative to immorality
v10-11
the Lord's command against divorce and remarriage
v12-16
maintaining peace with an unsaved spouse
v17-24
stay as free to serve the Lord as you can; but, if you already made an inescapable, lifelong commitment, then serve the Lord in the calling that you have
v25-38
undistracted attention to things of the Lord
v39-40
widows are free to remarry

20111002

Matthew 20:17-34 - Outline

v17-19
Jesus foretold the gospel to His 12 disciples
v20-23
closeness to Christ requires willingness to suffer with Him
v24-28
the reversed road to greatness through serving
v29-34
know your need and persistently cry out to Jesus for mercy

20111001

His ways are higher than our ways

Genesis 48

v19

And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Sometimes the Lord works things out for us, so that what we thought was not as good, ends up being better than what we thought was better.

Isaiah 55:9
For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
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