Job 36

v21

Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

When I have a choice between sin and discomfort, I should choose the discomfort. We shouldn't be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

From: The Master Hath Come

By Sar­ah Doud­ney, 1871 and from Welsh mel­o­dy

The Master hath called us; the road may be dreary
And dangers and sorrows are strewn on the track;
But God’s Holy Spirit shall comfort the weary;
We follow the Savior and cannot turn back;
The Master hath called us, though doubt and temptation
May compass our journey, we cheerfully sing:
“Press onward, look upward,” through much tribulation;
The children of Zion must follow the King.

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who will get mercy?

Proverbs 28

v13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

We shouldn't hide what we've done wrong. Instead, we must tell the truth about our sin. Not only that, we need to forsake our sins. Besides just confessing them, we need to stop doing them.

From: The Master Hath Come

By Sar­ah Doud­ney, 1871 and from Welsh mel­o­dy

The Master hath come, and He calls us to follow
The track of the footprints He leaves on our way;
Far over the mountain and through the deep hollow,
The path leads us on to the mansions of day:
The Master hath called us, the children who fear Him,
Who march ’neath Christ’s banner, His own little band;
We love Him and seek Him, we long to be near Him,
And rest in the light of His beautiful land.

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Luke 4 - Key

v4

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

I was impressed by how well Jesus knew the Word. He responded to specific temptations with specific quotations, over and over again.

v43

And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Jesus talked about Biblical events, the widow woman in the famine (v25,26) and the Syrian with leprosy (v27). Like Jesus, we should know the Word well, and use it to overcome temptation, and to share it with other people.

Application

I should be faithful to encourage a couple of people that I'm supposed to be helping to memorize Romans 6.

Luke 4 - Outline

v1,2

Jesus didn't eat anything for 40 days

v3-13

Jesus was tempted by the devil

v14-20

Jesus read the Bible in the synagogue

v21-27

Jesus talked about His own people not accepting the Lord

v28-30

Jesus left non-violently when they were going to kill him

v31-37

Jesus commanded an unclean spirit to come out

v38-44

Jesus healed Simon's mother, and others, and preached in other places

From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers, 1910

Soon He’s coming back to welcome me,
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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look well to your herds

Proverbs 27

v23

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.

As Christians, we know we shouldn't love money and want to be rich. However, we should still pay attention to take good care of our money and our stuff.

v24

For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation?

From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers, 1910

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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taking a dog by the ears

Proverbs 26

v17

He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

We should make sure that it's appropriate for us to get involved, before we get involved in a confrontation.

From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers, 1910

Feasting on the riches of His grace,
Resting ’neath His sheltering wing,
Always looking on His smiling face,
That is why I shout and sing.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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talk one on one

Proverbs 25

v9

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another:

When I need to say something about someone's sin, I should start by just talking to them about it, and usually not rebuke them in front of everybody.

From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers, 1910

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumbering chords again.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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be diligent in business

Proverbs 22

v29

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

It's difficult to be faithful to work hard instead of wasting time, when I'm doing my own business. We need to work for the Lord, believing that He will reward us. Even though we might have a hard time now, as we just keep working for Him with all our strength, it will be worth it.

From: He Keeps Me Singing

By Lu­ther Bridg­ers, 1910

There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

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Romans 6 - Outline

v1-7

baptism is about being dead to sin and alive to Christ

v8-14

yield yourselves to God, and don't let sin reign in your body

v15-19

sin or righteousness: choose who you will serve

v20-23

sin or righteousness: the end of those things

From: Precious Name

By Ly­dia Bax­ter, 1870 and William Doane in 1871

At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.

Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

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Luke 3 Key

v16

John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John the baptizer was humble, because when people thought he might be Christ, he admitted that he was not, and that Christ, who was still going to come, is greater. He pointed to Christ, admitted his own unworthiness, told how Christ was greater than him, and pointed to what Christ was going to do. We should be humble like that.

Application

On Sunday afternoon, the Lord saved 2 boys at a place my friend and I have been witnessing. I give the Lord the credit for that, because He is the One who is responsible. Praise the Lord.

From: Precious Name

By Ly­dia Bax­ter, 1870 and William Doane in 1871

O the precious Name of Jesus!
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!

Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

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Luke 3 Outline

v1-9

preparing the way of the Lord

v10-18

John preached many things in exhortation to the people (v18)

v19,20

Herod did many evil things

v21-23

Jesus was baptized

v24-38

genealogies

From: Precious Name

By Ly­dia Bax­ter, 1870 and William Doane in 1871

Take the Name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare;
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy Name in prayer.

Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

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have diligent thoughts

Proverbs 21

v5

The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

Diligence makes a difference in our thoughts, so diligent people have different thoughts. Our thoughts make a difference between having plenty of things or lacking things.

It's interesting that diligence is contrasted to hastiness. I never thought of that before. I thought part of being diligent was just doing things really quickly. However, we shouldn't be hasty.

From: Precious Name

By Ly­dia Bax­ter, 1870 and William Doane in 1871

Take the Name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.

Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

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work in the cold

Proverbs 20

v14

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.

It's lazy people who say, "That work would be uncomfortable, so I'll just sleep now." That's how people become beggars and go broke. Even when it's cold, we should be diligent.

don't be lazy

Proverbs 19

v15

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Sloths are very slow-moving animals, and slothfulness means laziness. If we don't want to sleep too much, and if we want satisfaction in our souls, we shouldn't be lazy.

Job 33

v27

He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;

This verse says, "It profited me not". Sin doesn't do us any good. Once we have done something wrong, we need to be humble enough to confess, "I have sinned."

From: I Am Thine, O Lord

By Fan­ny Cros­by, in 1875 and William Doane

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

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friends

Proverbs 18

v24

A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

If we want other people to be our friends, we should be friends to them. I should be friendly to people, and stick close to my friends.

Luke 2 Key

v20

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Just like other people saw in the last chapter, I saw in this chapter how we should praise the Lord.

Application

If I get depressed, I should sing praises, like singing "God is so good."

From: God Is So Good

By Tra­di­tion­al

God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He’s so good to me!

I praise His Name,
I praise His Name,
I praise His Name,
He’s so good to me!

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Luke 2 Outline

v1-5

God used taxes for His will

v6,7

no room for Jesus

v8-20

The angels told the shepherds about The Good Shepherd

v21-24

Jesus was named by an angel

v25-35

Simeon was just and devout

v36-38

Anna served God with fasting and prayer

v39-52

about the Father's business

From: Jesus Loves Even Me

By Phil­ip Bliss, 1870

If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

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don't repeat sin, cover it

Proverbs 17

v9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth [very] friends.

When a person has done something wrong, we shouldn't go around talking about it. If it doesn't have anything to do with us, we shouldn't get involved in the first place. If it is our business, we should do what we can to help get it dealt with, but once it's in the past, we should forget about it.

From: Jesus Loves Even Me

By Phil­ip Bliss, 1870

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

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thoughts established

Proverbs 16

v3

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

If I want the Lord to help me think the right way, I should be doing the things that please Him.

From: Jesus Loves Even Me

By Phil­ip Bliss, 1870

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

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delight is with God

Job 34

v9

For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

One strong temptation to sin is the idea that the sin would be fun and pleasurable, but that doing what's right would be boring and miserable. It's a problem to think that way, because we can delight ourselves with God, and that's worthwhile.

From: Jesus Loves Even Me

By Phil­ip Bliss, 1870

Though I forget Him, and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms I do flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

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justify God

Job 32

v2

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

Job had a problem, because he talked like he was right, but he didn't talk like God was right. We should admit that the Lord is the one who is just.

follow after righteousness

Proverbs 15

v9

The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

The Lord Loves people that follow righteousness. It's an awesome thought that the Lord would especially Love me if I would pursue righteousness. I should follow after righteousness.

From: Jesus Loves Even Me

By Phil­ip P. Bliss, 1870

I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

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profitable inconvenience

Proverbs 14

v4

Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox.

Work can be expensive and inconvenient, but it still provides a lot of money, so the unpleasantness is worth it.

From: Work, for the Night Is Coming

By Anna Coghill, 1854 and Lowell Mason, 1864

Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man’s work is o’er.

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gather by labor

Proverbs 13

v11

Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Money that we make from hard work will be valuable. Money that we get the wrong way, even if it's a huge amount, will seem to grow wings and fly away.

From: Work, for the Night Is Coming

By Anna Coghill, 1854 and Lowell Mason, 1864

Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.

Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor,
Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute,
Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man works no more.

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love instruction

Proverbs 12

v1

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.

We should love instruction and not hate reproof.

hold your peace

Proverbs 11

v12

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Going through Proverbs now, I'm reminded about how I need to be sure to not talk too much.

From: Take My Life and Let It Be

By Frances Havergal, 1874 and Hen­ri Ma­lan, 1827

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.

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delivering from death

Proverbs 10

v2

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

As we're trying to save people's lives from abortion, this is an encouraging promise that it's the right thing to do, and that it will be effective.

From: Rescue the Perishing

By Fanny Crosby, 1869 and Howard Doane, 1870

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

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don't hate rebuke

Proverbs 9

v8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

When somebody rebukes me, I should remember this. Instead of getting angry, I should be glad for the opportunity to learn.

From: Open My Eyes, That I May See

By Clara Scott in 1895 (I added the words, "with thy".)

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
[with thy] Spirit divine!

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seek wisdom early

Proverbs 8

v17

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

This is wisdom talking. We should seek wisdom early. Next time I seek the Lord by reading the Bible and praying, I should have a focus on seeking for wisdom.

From: Open My Eyes, That I May See

By Clara Scott in 1895 (I added the words, "with thy".)

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
[with thy] Spirit divine!

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listen to instruction

Proverbs 7

v1

My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

Somebody gave me some advice about how to do my work, and now I wish I had listened. I ended up wasting time because I didn't.

We should listen to good advice, especially from our parents.

From: O How I Love Jesus

By Frederick Whitfield, 1855 and 19th Century American melody

There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest Name on earth.

O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

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