20090831

Genesis 27 - Outline

v1-10
Rebekah came up with a plot to get Jacob blessed instead of Esau
v11-17
Jacob talked back to his mother, so she gave him a very clever disguise
v18-29
Jacob lied to his father Isaac, so Isaac gave him a unmatchable blessing
v30-40
Esau was very sorry and cried for the blessing, but it was too late
v41-46
Rebekah sent Jacob to Laban to keep Esau from killing him

20090830

last chance for fruit

Luke 13

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?

There are certain long-standing problems that the Lord has been working on in my life, like wasting time. It's as if He has come looking for fruit in that area for years. He does everything He can to help us be fruitful.

We should take advantage of the Lord's help, to grow in areas where we have weaknesses, while we still have a chance to do that.

20090829

beware of hypocrisy

Luke 12

v3

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

What we think and do in our time by ourselves will eventually be shown to everyone.

For example, we shouldn't waste time on entertainment, like games and videos, especially bad videos, when we should be working at home or working on homework.

20090828

prayer has an effect

Luke 11

v9

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

We should remember the importance of seeking the Lord in prayer. Here we have promises that it will be effective.

20090827

one thing is needful

Luke 10

v39

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

The one good part that was needful and wouldn't be taken away, was to sit as Jesus' feet and hear His Word. We should serve much, but we shouldn't let our much serving get in the way of our Bible time.

20090826

Dating

1 Timothy 5:1&2

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren;
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

I believe that this verse teaches that single men and women we should treat each other like brothers and sisters. I think that we shouldn't be completely separated from each other, but I don't think we should act like we're married either. I think we should be just friends. It says, with all purity. (I added the emphasis.) That includes not just physically, but also in mind and heart.

Genesis 26:7-9, Especially v8
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac [was] sporting with Rebekah his wife.

When Abimelech saw the way Isaac was playing with Rebekah, he knew for sure that she wasn't just Isaac's sister. I don't agree with the dating game, because I feel that as singles, we shouldn't have fun with each as if we're married, but without the commitment. If we do, we're not treating each other as just brothers and sisters.

Should a brother and sister in the Lord just suddenly get married then? I don't think so.

Proverbs 19:2
Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.
Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.

In order to avoid haste, and consider our steps, I believe in courtship: spending time together to seek the Lord for His will about the relationship.

don't look back

Luke 9

v62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

One of the Lord's followers has to be a focused worker. If we're going to be His servants, we have to be faithful and follow through with our work for Him.

20090825

Genesis 26 - Key

v22

And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.

This was a time of famine, and water was necessary for survival. This was especially true because the Lord had told Isaac not to go down into Egypt like people usually did in famine.

What really stood out to me in this chapter was that, when there was a conflict, Isaac avoided fighting by giving up what was rightly his and moving on. We should be like that.

Application

A few things we should never compromise, but sinful pride makes us want our own way whenever there's strife. More often, I'll humble myself by giving up my own way even when I'm right.

20090824

Genesis 26 - Outline

v1-5
obey and be blessed
v6-11
Isaac lied about his wife to try to save his life
v12-17
the Lord blessed Isaac so much that there wasn't room for him in the land
v18-25
when there was strife, Isaac gave up what was his and moved on
v26-33
Abimelech made a peace treaty with Isaac
v34 & 35
Esau's parents were grieved by the foreign wives he chose

20090823

what kind of ground?

Luke 8

v14

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

I happened to come to this in my daily Bible reading, and when my friend was speaking this morning, he encouraged us to consider this parable. People's hearts are like 4 kinds of ground in which the Lord's Word can be planted like a seed. Which of the 4 kinds of ground are we?

In this 3rd kind of ground, cares and pleasures, like thorns, choked out the Word of God so it didn't produce good things. We can be tempted by pleasures and cares, like worries that lead to anger and complaining. Sometimes we're tempted by riches, to have slightly dishonest business practice, or to withhold generosity.

v15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.
The key to making our hearts into good ground for the Word, is to have patience.

20090822

the greatest faith ever

Luke 7

v9

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

The greatest faith is manifest by the humility of the believer.

20090821

Proverbs 11 - Key

v27

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

Application

We should work hard, because hard work will pay off.

20090820

Proverbs 11 - Outline

v1,15,24,26
righteous business practices
v2
be humble
v3, 5-8, 17, 19-21, 23, 29
a person's righteousness or wickedness is the thing that will end up helping them or hurting them
v4,28
righteousness matters more than riches
v9, 12&13
be discrete in speech
v10,11
righteousness effects cities
v14
the importance of counsel
v16,22
good character for women
v18,27,31
much effort for righteousness will pay off well, but wickedness pays off too, in a different way
v24&25
generosity pays back
v30
win souls

20090819

family size

Topic: Family Size -- Your Opinion

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.
Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

My opinion about family size is that the Bible teaches that children are a blessing from the Lord, and that having many makes a person happy.

  1. God commanded people to be fruitful and multiply in the beginning (Genesis 1:28, Genesis 9:1).
  2. God is the one who "opens and closes the womb." (Genesis 20:17&18, Genesis 21:1&2)
  3. Jesus loves children, and we should love them and bring them to Him: Mark 10:13-16

20090818

Genesis 25 - Key

v21

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

When we have troubles, we should entreat the Lord for them like Isaac did for this. That can actually make a difference.

Application

James 5:13
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Next time I'm troubled and I feel like complaining, I'll entreat the Lord about the situation instead.

20090817

Genesis 25 - Outline

v1-6
Abraham's other children
v7-11
Abraham's burial
v12-18
the family tree of Ishmael
v19-22
the short story of Isaac
v23-28
the beginning of Jacob and Esau
v29-34
Esau sold his birthright to Jacob

serve without reward

Luke 6

v35

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.

This is a good reminder that we shouldn't look at our situations like we deserve good for ourselves. We should be living to serve.

20090815

going out & bringing people to Jesus

Luke 5

v10

And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

When we go places, we should remember that we're supposed to be fishermen to bring people to the Lord. Just like the Lord gave James and John the huge catch of fish, it's the Lord that does the work to draw people to Himself when we're faithful to speak up for Him.

Let's do that, and be bold to preach the gospel to people everywhere we go.

20090814

Proverbs 10 - Key

v5

He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son: [but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.

At first I thought this just meant that people should sleep when it's time to sleep, and not when it's not time to. Then I started to think that it's not normal to harvest in summer, at least not that much. I suppose there are certain summer crops that people can plant and then have to harvest in the summer, but, in general, harvesting in summer is probably a supplementary thing. Now I think this verse something along the lines of, 'A wise person will work hard for extra time, when he doesn't even have to, but a person who causes shame won't even work when it's obviously time to.'

I think it's interesting that this verse talks about a wise son and a son that causeth shame, because it really parallels with

verse 1:

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.
If it's a time when we want to be a comfort or encouragement to our parents, we should make sure that we're wise, and that we're diligent.

Application

This week I'll work on not sleeping too much.

20090813

Proverbs 10 - Outline

righteousness
wickedness or righteousness, it will eventually have a real effect
(v1, 7,9,10a,24,25, 27-30)
wealth
the real value of work and wealth is based on righteousness
(v2,3,16,22)
diligence
(v4,5,26)
speech
much about good and bad speech
(v6,8b,10b,11,14, 18-21, 31&32)
listening
if you will be wise and do well, you have to listen to other people and to criticism
(v8,14a,17,23)

20090812

complaining

Philippians 2:14-16

Especially v14:

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

The word, murmurings, according to Thayer's Lexicon, means a secret debate [or] secret displeasure not openly avowed... querulous discontent.

Jude 16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

The people with the terrible character described in Jude were characterized by murmuring and complaining.

Psalm 142:2
I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

The acceptable usage of complaining, is to pray to the Lord about your troubles.

20090811

Genesis 24 - Key

v55 & 56

And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us [a few] days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

The Lord had helped things go quickly up to this point, but they could have easily lost the time afterward. And often, things that get put off don't get done.

Application

I have a problem with wasting time. Sometimes the Lord answers prayer and helps me get things done quickly, like this servant. Then it's tempting to let things slide, and I loose the time afterward anyway. When I see that the Lord has prospered my way so far, I won't let things hinder me and make me slip back.

20090810

Genesis 24 - Outline

v1-9
Abraham said that the Lord would send an angel (v7)
v10-27
...the LORD led me... (v27)
v28-33
I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. (v33)
v34-49
Abraham's servant's testimony
v50-61
he wouldn't be stalled or hindered
v62-67
he loved her and was comforted -- the comfort in loving others

20090809

to preach the gospel

Luke 4

v18

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

This is talking about how God appointed Jesus, and it says ...he hath anointed me to preach the gospel... But we can also take this as encouragement for us to preach the gospel. That's the Lord's work that we're privileged to be brought into.

20090808

really repent & be content

Luke 3

v8a

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance...

We too, should fear the Lord's awesome judgment, and not just talk about repentance, but make some real changes. Including:

v14

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.

The part that says, ...be content with your wages makes me think of contentment in general, and how we should be content.

When I've had something I need to do that I don't think I'll enjoy (like my homework), it's easy to walk around dreading it and complaining. But once I really get started and get into what I'm supposed to be doing, it's usually not as bad as I thought. We should be content with what we have to do.

20090807

Proverbs 9 - Key

v8

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

Often when people correct or criticize somebody, they also have a problem at the same time, or a problem in the way they're finding fault.

When that happens to me, it's tempting for me to respond unlovingly.

That's what a scorner does, but I should be a wise man instead. Even if my reprover has problems too, I can humbly examine myself and learn something from it that I can do better.

Application

v9
Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.

I'll be teachable.

20090806

Proverbs 9 - Outline

v1-6
wisdom was different from the strange woman in some ways, but still outgoing
v7-9
wise people have to be teachable
v10-12
more about wisdom
v13-18
the contrast with the foolish woman

20090805

general views on finances

Question: Is it possible to save up too much money?

I. Warnings About Riches

Money, in general, is a good thing. However, it is possible for believers to accumulate more money than they should. What makes an amount excessive? Is it OK or good to be rich?

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

A common, reasonable-sounding teaching is that there's nothing wrong with having a lot of money, but the love of money is the problem. I don't exactly agree.

1 Timothy 6:9
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

This verse doesn't just say they who love money, but they that will be rich. In other words, not only should we not love money, but we shouldn't want or desire to be rich.

James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

The poor are rich in faith.

Luke 18:25
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Interpreted correctly, this verse means that it's difficult, (though we see in the next verses that it's not impossible), for rich people to get into the kingdom. That's the fact.

James 5:1
Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

Rich people will be miserable. The Bible has many warnings about riches, but as far as I've seen, I don't think it seems to say that it's OK or good for believers to be rich.

II. Saving Up Is Important

We might not want to be rich, but money is valuable, and it is good and important to save.

Ecclesiastes 10:19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all [things].

This verse tells the value of money.

Proverbs 10:15
The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city: the destruction of the poor [is] their poverty.

Having savings is like investing in property, like owning a field, building a house, and having security. It's my favorite type of insurance policy. And, if you don't want to take on debt, saving up for large expenditures beforehand is debt-free alternative.

III. Warnings Against Waste

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Proverbs 27:23 & 24
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.
For riches [are] not for ever: and doth the crown [endure] to every generation?

Anna's example

Luke 2

v37

And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day.

I'm impressed with this Anna, who departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day. We should serve God and pray, night and day.

20090804

Genesis 23 - Key

v13

And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou [wilt give it], I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take [it] of me, and I will bury my dead there.

Abraham insisted on being fair. He wasn't afraid of spending too much money, when spending a lot of money was the right thing to do. We should also be painfully honest.

Application

I'll insist on doing what I know is right, even when other people pressure me; Not for selfishness, but in love.

20090803

Genesis 23 - Outline

v1 & 2
Abraham responded to Sarah's death and mourned and wept
v3 & 4
he asked for a burying place
v5-9
he picked a specific place and offered to pay for it
v10 & 11
Ephron offered to just give it to him
v12-18
Abraham insisted on paying for it anyway
v19 & 20
Abraham buried Sarah

20090802

blessed for believing

Luke 1

v45

And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

I saw several times in this chapter, how the Lord will keep His promises. We should believe in Him because He'll do what He's said.

20090801

they believed not

Mark 16

v14

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

I think of 1 Corinthians 15, which talks about our hope in that Christ rose from the dead and we believe that we will also rise again:

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Out of belief in the Lord and belief that He will reward us, we should be diligent to do what He wants us to do.

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