20080630

Luke 16 - Outline

v1-9
the unjust steward
v10-12
you will only be as faithful with many things as you have been with smaller things
v13
nobody can serve 2 different masters at the same time
v14
don't be covetous
v15
God knows your hearts
v16-17
the law
v18
divorce and adultery
v19-31
the rich man and Lazarus

20080629

turn with whole heart

Jeremiah 3

v10

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.

When we turn to the Lord, we shouldn't just kind of pretend to turn to the Lord. We need to repent from all our sin all the way. We should turn with our whole heart, not in a fake way.

20080628

your backsliding

Jeremiah 2

v19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

When we do wrong, we must be diligent to repent from it. We should fear the Lord, and examine ourselves. We shouldn't say we haven't sinned when we have.

20080627

Romans 9 - Key

v33

As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Sometimes we suffer, and our situations seem overwhelming, and we're tempted to give up hope. The important thing is to believe in Jesus. We have a precious promise that if we believe in Him, we won't be ashamed.

Application

When I feel overwhelmed, I'll remember the hope that I have, and just keep trying to follow Jesus with all of my strength.

20080626

Romans 9 - Outline

v1-5
sorrow because of brethren not believing
v6-10
children of the promise
v11-18
not whether we do good works, but whether God has mercy on us
v19-23
don't talk back to God
v24-26
mercy on the Gentiles also
v27-29
only a remnant of Israel saved
v30-33
seek righteousness by believing in Jesus, not by performing the works of the law

20080625

speak all that I command

Jeremiah 1

v17

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

We shouldn't be afraid of people when the Lord has called us to preach the gospel to them.

20080620

Romans 8 - Key

v15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

We're supposed to pray to God as our dear Father. There's a tendency to say, "Dear Heavenly Father," without thinking about it.

Application

I'll think about what I'm saying when I start my prayers.

20080619

Romans 8 - Outline

v1-14
walk with the Lord, not like the old man
v15-27
The Holy Spirit helps us pray according to the Lord's will
v28-39
nothing can separate us from God's love

20080618

reward for waiting for the Lord

Isaiah 64

v4

For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

There's an unimaginable reward for people who wait for the Lord. We should be serious about doing what's right and following Him.

20080617

Luke 14 - Key

v11

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Even when we're sure we're right, we should be willing to give up our own way, time, money, and convenience. Even when there's a conflict about something the Lord wants us to do, like preaching the gospel, we should be humble about it. If somebody wants to do something wrong to us, sometimes we should just let them.

Application

I'll remember to be humble while I'm preaching the gospel.

20080616

Luke 14 - Outline

v1-6
they watched Him (v1), but they couldn't answer him (v6).
v7-11
humble yourself (v11)
v12-14
store up your treasure in heaven, not on earth.
v15-24
don't make excuses against coming to Jesus (v18)
v25-35
counting the cost and forsaking everything for Him (v33)

20080615

the lovingkindnesses of the LORD

Isaiah 63

v7

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, [and] the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

I can think of many good things the Lord has done for me and given to me. When we feel discouraged, we can sing praises to the Lord.

20080614

a city not forsaken

Isaiah 62

v2

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Let's remember that the Lord will never forsake His people.

20080613

Romans 7 - Key

v25

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We should thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Application

I'll thank the Lord for delivering me from sin.

20080612

Romans 7 - Outline

v1-6
an analogy from marriage about being dead to the law
v7-14
the law is good, but sin is the problem
v15-25
there's a war between doing good or evil, going on inside us

20080611

righteousness and praise

Isaiah 61

v11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

We should preach the gospel, rejoice, and praise the Lord. He's going to get righteousness.

20080610

your people will be all righteous

Isaiah 60

v21

Thy people also [shall be] all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

This is an answer from the Lord that He's going to do great things in the future, and work out righteousness in His people. We should be glad and rejoice for the great things the Lord is going to do. We should preach the gospel because the Lord is going to bring people into His kingdom.

20080609

your lips have spoken lies

Isaiah 59

v3

For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

We've got to make sure that we don't say things that aren't true. I told somebody yesterday, "Telling a lie is definitely a sin." But I need to make sure that I'm not being a hypocrite, and that I don't say anything that isn't true.

20080608

strife and debate

Isaiah 58

v4

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

Sometimes it seems like the Lord isn't hearing us when we seek Him. It's no wonder it seems like that. If we want the Lord to hear us, we shouldn't strive, debate, and be wicked like hitting people with a fist.

20080607

a contrite and humble spirit

Isaiah 57

v15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

The solution to situations of strife is to have a contrite and humble spirit. Instead of setting ourselves up and seeking good things for ourselves, we should consider other people to be more important than ourselves.

v17

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

We should also make sure we aren't covetous.

20080606

Romans 6 - Key

v11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I've had a lack of peace, wondering whether I have sins I need to repent from.

Application

I'll repent from the sins I can think of, and then trust the Lord to show me any other sins I need to repent from. I'll trust Him to forgive me all the way.

20080605

Romans 6 - Outline

v1-5
we should walk in newness of life (v4), not continue in sin (v1)
v6-11
baptism means, Dead to sin, alive to God. (v11)
v12-14
we don't have to sin
v15-19
we will be captivated by the sin or righteousness we choose
v20-23
the fruit of sin and the fruit of serving God

20080604

house of prayer for all people

Isaiah 56

v7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

If we want the Lord to make us joyful, we should meet together for prayer.

20080603

Luke 13 - Key

v7

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

This fruit tree is like my neighborhood. I'll preach the gospel in my neighborhood while I have the chance.

20080602

Luke 13 - Outline

v1-5
people aren't necessarily more sinful just because something bad happens to them
v6-9
we should be fruitful while we have the chance
v10-17
having an answer from God that puts your enemies to shame
v18-22
what the kingdom of heaven is like
v23-30
strive to enter in at the narrow gate (v24)
v31-35
lamentation over Jerusalem

20080601

return unto the LORD

Isaiah 55

v7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

We need to repent from our own unrighteous and wicked ways and thoughts. Then we can have the Lord's mercy and abundant pardon.

v6

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

We can pour out our hearts to the Lord, tell Him what we really want, and ask Him to deal with and take care of situations that are a burden to us.

Bookmark and Share