20120430

2 Corinthians 12 - Outline

v1-5
The vision with top secret words from paradise
v6-10
...when I am weak, then am I strong. (v10b)
v11-15
The Corinthians should have loved Paul more
v16-19
Paul and Titus were amazingly trustworthy
v20,21
Warning against strife, uncleanness, and other sins

20120429

1 John 1 - Outline

v1-2
The witness of eternal life
v3-7
We have fellowship
v8-10
We should confess our sins

20120425

2 Corinthians 11 - Key

v16

I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

Paul was making a point that, if they could brag, so could he, but, it is still clear that bragging is fooling.

Application

During the next week, I'll watch out to make sure that I'm not bragging.

20120424

3 John - Key

v5

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

We should receive, help, and show the Lord's love, toward the people that we are already very close to, and toward people whom we have not met before.

Application
v14

But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

Greeting people is a good way to start out receiving them, helping them, and showing them Christ's love. I'll make sure to focus on greeting the Lord's people.

20120423

2 Corinthians 11 - Outline

v1-3
Paul entreated the believers to not be deceived
v4-12
If they put up with other supposed "apostles," they should certainly put up with Paul
v13-15
Just because someone looks very good and right, that does not prove that they are truly Christs'
v16-29
If we are going to listen to others bragging about their achievements, then we should consider that Paul has far more achievements than them, even though he usually doesn't brag about it
v30-33
Paul boasted in His weaknesses rather than in his strengths

20120422

3 John - Outline

v1-2
Loving others and wishing that they may prosper
v3-4
The Joy of walking in The Truth
v5-8
Helping The Truth by receiving the brethren and strangers
v9-11
A warning against following evil like Diotrephes did
v12
Demetrius had a good report
v13-14
Seeing each other face to face is better than writing a letter

20120421

Why Jesus died on the cross

1 Peter 2

v24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Jesus suffered much, and died on the cross, to take upon Himself, the punishment for our wrongdoings. Everybody in the world would have needed to die and suffer punishment for the things that we have done wrong. Jesus, in His great love for us, took our place, so that we can be saved.

Now Jesus has risen from the dead, and all that we have to do to be saved, is to believe in Him. If you are not sure that you have been saved from your sins and received everlasting life, please take a moment to talk to God and ask Him to be your Savior.

20120420

Psalm 12 - Key

v3

The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things:

It is ungodly people who speak wrongly like this, and we can see how the Lord will deal with it seriously. If we don't want the Lord to punish us like this, for being ungodly, we need to make sure that we are not speaking wrongly.

Application

I'll remember the warnings in this verse, and beware to not speak like the ungodly.

20120419

1 Chronicles 13 - Key

v12-14

And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God [home] to me?

So David brought not the ark [home] to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

David's house and all that he had, missed out on three months of blessing, because he was afraid of God. We need to have a heart for spending time with the Lord; not dreading that it will be boring, but realizing that, without it, we would miss out on incredible blessing.

20120418

2 Corinthians 10 - Key

v5

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 we're sitting there in the worship meeting on the first day of the week, we shouldn't let our minds wander into thinking about all different kinds of things. We have the mightiness, through God, to keep our minds on Him.

Application
Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

When I pray, I'll pray in such a way as to focus on prayer and prevent distractions.

20120417

2 Thessalonians 3 - Key

v13

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

The enemy tells us that "it is too hard, and you will never get it all done, so you might as well just have fun wasting time, and not even try."

Application

I'll keep in mind that I'll actually end up having more fun by getting what the Lord wants me to do, done.

20120416

Psalm 12 - Outline

v1
All have sinned
v2-4
Warning against wrong speech
v5
The Lord will protect the poor
v6,7
The Lord's Words are everlasting and pure
v8
The prevalence of wickedness, for a time

20120415

2 Corinthians 10 - Outline

v1-2
A warning about what is coming for some people, if they don't change
v3-6
We need to keep ourselves from distractions.
v7-8
How could we not acknowledge that the Apostles must be Christ's servants, while we think that we can be Christ's servants?
v9-11
We should listen to the Word instead of having to learn the hard way
v12
We shouldn't compare ourselves against each other
v13-16
We shouldn't be proud, or brag about things beyond the amount that the Lord has given to us right now
v17
Instead of getting all excited about other things, we should get all excited about the Lord
v18
We should be convicted to make sure that we are actually going to be acceptable to the Lord

20120414

2 Thessalonians 3 - Outline

v1-5
Preaching the Word freely, and waiting patiently for God
v6-12
Don't be lazy; work very diligently and faithfully
v13
...be not weary in well doing.
v14-15
The need to show tough love to some people
v16-18
Peace, salutations, and grace

20120413

1 Chronicles 12 - Key

v33

Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: [they were] not of double heart.

When I hear that they were not of double heart, that makes me think that they did not go back and forth between having some love and desire for what is right, and some for the enemy. They had consistent thoughts and intentions toward what the Lord wanted. That is the way that we should be.

20120412

1 Chronicles 11 - Key

v19

And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with [the jeopardy of] their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

David's mighty men had risked their lives to bring him a drink of water, but he poured it out on the ground to the Lord. Like David, we should be sensitive to our conscience. Even if something was precious, desirable, and hard to obtain, we should be willing to give it up for the Lord, if it is not something that would please the Lord, for us to do, at the time.

20120411

2 Corinthians 9 - Key

v6

But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Besides for giving money to people, this can also apply to other things, such as preaching the gospel and working for Christ. If we limit our efforts, we limit our outcome. We should serve Christ bountifully, from our hearts.

Application
v7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Serving the Lord should be our delight, not a drudgery. When I'm tempted to think that spending time with the Lord is boring, I'll arrange it a little bit to be more enjoyable--because there's nothing wrong with enjoying serving the Lord.

20120410

2 Thessalonians 2 - Key

v17

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

If we seek wisdom from the Lord about direction for our lives, then here's an encouraging answer: to be established ...in every good word and work. All that we have to do, is to stand firm in whatever we can find that is good to say and do. The Lord will take care of the rest.

Application

Next time I have a hard time figuring out what the Lord wants me to do, I'll just be steadfast in the things that I know would be good.

20120409

Fashioning yourself

1 Peter 1

v14

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

The things that we long for, actually conform us into the type of people that we become. That is why it is so important that, instead of evil things, we long for holiness.

v15,16

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

20120408

2 Corinthians 9 - Outline

v1-2
You know how you need to minister
v3-5
You should be ready
v6-7
Give bountifully and cheerfully
v8-10
The Lord will provide for you
v11-15
Giving also helps toward thanksgiving

20120407

2 Thessalonians 2 - Outline

v1-2
Don't be deceived by anything, that Christ has come early
v3-4
#666 must be revealed before the day of Christ
v5
Don't we remember what the Lord has already told us?
v6-7
Right now, there is someone preventing #666 from being revealed, but that is going to change
v8
The Lord, with His coming, will destroy the Wicked one
v9
With all power and signs and lying wonders
v10-12
The reason why people get deceived: because of what they love and have pleasure in, in their hearts
v13-14
Our salvation from that destruction, and the glory that we will obtain, is because of our calling; and our calling is by the gospel
v15-17
Let's stand firm every good work, as we have good hope through grace

20120406

always prayer and praise

James 5

v13

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Whether we are troubled or cheerful, we should pray and sing songs of praise to the Lord. This is not just a suggestion, but, when we are having a hard time, we are commanded to pray. And, when your heart is overwhelmed, and you don't know what to do, the Lord always still deserves our songs of praise.

20120405

Psalm 11 - Key

v5

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

The Lord's soul hates people who love violence. This is not just about doing violent things. This is about people who love violence in their hearts. We should not entertain ourselves by watching, pretending, or even thinking about, violent things.

Application
Isaiah 33:15

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

I'll stop watching a certain TV show.

20120404

2 Corinthians 8 - Key

v11

Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have.

Often, it is easy to get excited about the possibility of doing something for the Lord, and to give much thought to getting ready for it. But, when it comes time to actually do the thing, then there is the temptation to put it off and never really get it done.

When we're thinking about, talking about, or preparing to do something that the Lord wants, let's not delay to take action and do it.

Application
Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

A brother pointed out how this verse says that we should be Praying... with all prayer.... It can be easy for me to think about how I should pray for something, and how I am going to pray for it. In that case, I'll make sure to not just do that, but to actually pray for it, too.

20120402

Psalm 11 - Outline

v1
When we have troubles, we don't need to be overwhelmed with discouragement, if we put our trust in the Lord
v2
Here is what is going on behind the scenes: we have spiritual enemies
v3
Sometimes things seem hopeless, even for righteous people
v4
The Lord is closely watching
v5
There is a real and extreme difference between the outcomes for the righteous and the wicked
v6
A stern warning for the wicked
v7
An encouraging promise for the righteous

20120401

2 Corinthians 8 - Outline

v1-5
The example of the Macedonians: Despite great affliction, they were willing beyond their ability, begging Paul and Timothy to receive their gift; and, most importantly, they gave themselves to the Lord
v6-11
Don't just be ready to do something good, but actually finish performing it
v12-15
Giving isn't just to move money around, but so that everybody will be able to have as much as they need
v16-24
Titus, and the need for trustworthiness in serving the Lord
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