20101031

give thanks in everything

1 Thessalonians 5

v18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

We should give thanks in every situation, and we should even give thanks for everything. Even when there are difficulties and sad situations, we shouldn't forget to be thankful for the good things. We should find things to be thankful for, and we should even give thanks for the difficult situations too, because the Lord causes everything to work together for good for His people who love Him.

we will be together with the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4

v16

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

We don't need to have the same amount of sadness as hopeless people, because Jesus will raise the dead who are "in Him," as He Himself rose from the dead.

v17
Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Let's take comfort in the fact that we have a hope in Christ, for the future, that we and those who have died and are His will meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

20101029

1 Samuel 5 - Key

v2

When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

Sometimes we try to have the things of the Lord in our lives, but also our idols at the same time. That doesn't work.

Application

When I spend time with the Lord, I'll get that done before read the news or things like that, instead of trying to do both at the same time.

20101028

1 Samuel 5 - Outline

v1-7
first the Philistines tried keeping the ark at Ashdod, by their idol Dagon, but the Lord broke their idol, destroyed them, and gave them hemorrhoids
v8-9
next they tried the ark at Gath, but the Lord made a very great destruction of the city
v10-11
when they tried to send the ark to Ekron, the Ekronites didn't like that, so they all decided to send the ark back to its place
v12
the cry of the city went up to heaven

20101027

Titus 1 - Key

v9

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

There's a need for faithful teaching, because there are many false teachers who lead many people astray. They can be stopped by holding forth the true Word faithfully, which is able to exhort, convince, rebuke, and shut them up.

Application

I know that the context of this passage of speaking specifically about overseers, but I also think that these are things that all men should aspire to. I'll work on faithfulness in preaching the Word.

Philippians 3 - Key

v13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

When we've truly fully repented from what we've done wrong before, we can safely put it out of our minds, except to remember not to make the same mistake again. We shouldn't live in guilt, or think that we must keep doing the same thing, but we should acknowledge that our sin has been taken away and we're free from it now.

Application

v14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Once I've confessed my laziness and repented from it, I'll cheer up and press forward in being diligent.

20101025

Titus 1 - Outline

v1-3
Paul's identity as a revealer, through preaching, of God's promise of eternal life
v4-5
Paul's relationship, blessing, and purpose, for Titus
v6-9
the ways an overseer and his children must be
v10-12
unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, whose mouths must be stopped
v13-14
rebuke them so they stop paying attention to fables
v15-16
Unto the pure all things are pure, but some people are defiled and just faking that they know God

20101024

Philippians 3 - Outline

v1
rejoice
v2
who to beware of
v3
don't have confidence in the flesh
v4-6
if anybody could have had confidence in the flesh, Paul had it all
v7-11
Paul was willing to count his own righteousness of the law as garbage, in order to win Christ
v12-15
forget the things behind, and press forward toward God's calling
v16
for what you have reached, keep up the good work
v17-21
follow examples with heavenly behavior instead of an earthly mindset

20101023

blameless through fervent love

1 Thessalonians 3

v12,13

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

If we want to have our hearts established, unblameable in holiness, something we can work on toward that end is to increase and abound in love for the Lord's people and for everybody.

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

20101022

1 Samuel 4 - Key

v3

And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

The people were trying to use God. They didn't have a real relationship with Him, but they wanted to have and use the things of Him, to help them in their physical situation in the world. God doesn't appreciate it when people do that, so we need to make sure we're honest, repenting from our sins, and not trying to "use" God.

Application

Having the ark without really having the Lord on their side, reminded me of 1 Corinthians 13:

1 Corinthians 13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

When I have conflicts with other people, even if I have understanding and knowledge about the subject, and think I'm really doing what's right in the situation, even that doesn't do any good if I don't have the Lord's love. I'll work on suffering long, being kind, not being proud, not seeking my own benefit, not being easily provoked, thinking no evil, bearing all things, and enduring all things.

20101021

1 Samuel 4 - Outline

v1-2
Israel went to battle against the Philistines, and the Philistines were beating them
v3-5
Israel had the bright idea to bring the ark of the Lord into their camp so it could save them
v6-9
their plan backfired because the Philistines just fought harder
v10-12
the Lord brought on Eli's family, the judgment that He had warned them about
v13-18
Eli died when he heard that the ark of God had been captured
v19-22
Ichabod was named for the glory of the Lord having departed from Israel

20101020

Psalm 73 - Key

v28

But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Sometimes we have troubles when we're trying to do what's right, and we're tempted to think that pursuing God doesn't do any good. Then we need to consider the truth and the end of the story.

Application

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.

Next time I feel like my work isn't doing any good and I'm not getting anywhere, I'll remember that we have eternal rewards beyond this life.

20101019

Philippians 2 - Key

v1

If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any heart and mercies,

If we have any opportunities or abilities to share comfort and consolation, or affection, fellowship, and mercies, we should do that. This makes me think of preaching the Word, which is a great opportunity to share comfort and fellowship.

Application

Next time I have a good opportunity to preach the Word, if I have any message to preach, I'll preach it.

20101018

Psalm 73 - Outline

v1-3
it's true that God is good to His people
v4-16
sometimes wicked people seem to have things going well with them for a while
v17-20
but they are just a blink away from utter destruction and terror
v21-26
the Lord's people have a good and sure future
v27-28
draw near to God

Philippians 2 - Outline

v1
share with others, all of the comfort, consolation, fellowship, and mercy, that you can
v2
unity
v3
humility
v4,21,30
unselfishness
v5-11
the mind of Christ:
v6
though He is God
v7-8a
He humble Himself
v8b-9a
the gospel of the cross
v9b-11
Christ is now above all
v12-18
work for the Lord:
v13
the Lord is the one who enables you
v14
don't complain or bicker
v15,16
hold forth the Word, as lights in the world
v19-24
Timotheus served selflessly, as a son
v25-30
Epaphroditus was a good example of serving Christ even without regard to his own life

20101016

joy keeping the commandment of love

John 15

v12

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

When we just hear the part about how we need to keep "His commandment" in order to abide in Him, then we might misunderstand and get all upset trying to find out all the unpleasant religious things we think we need to do for the Lord.

"His commandment" does not consist of written rules to weigh us down and harm is, but it is the law of love written on our hearts. His commandment is that we would have the kind of care for other people, that we would give up our own selfish comfort to do what would be best for them. That is actually where real joy is found, because ...It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

20101015

preaching the gospel with laboring night and day

1 Thessalonians 2

v9

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Along with preaching the gospel, we should be faithful to work (and/or do schoolwork) diligently, without getting weary. Sometimes it's OK to loose sleep over our work, if that's what we need to do in order to be faithful. We shouldn't be lazy.

20101014

preach the gospel everywhere

1 Thessalonians 1

v8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

We should sound out the Word of faith, by speaking the gospel in every place.

20101013

Exodus 1 - Summary

fear the Lord more

Outline

v1-5
the names of the children of Israel which came into Egypt
v6
Joseph and his generation died
v7-10
a new Pharaoh turned against Israel
v11-14
the Egyptians made the children of Israel's lives hard with slavery, but the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied... (v12a)
v15-16
the evil government mandated something almost like partial-birth, sex-selection abortion
v17-21
God blessed the midwives because they feared Him and didn't kill the children
v22
the government charged people to kill infants born alive after failed infanticide attempts

Key
v17

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

The only reason that this verse gives, that the midwives refused to kill the babies, is the midwives' fear of God. The midwives feared God more than they feared the king of Egypt, so they weren't afraid to disobey the king. When we're tempted to sin, we should realize that the Lord is worthy of our fear.

Application

Next time I'm tempted to sin, I'll remember the fear of the Lord, and go away from sinning.

20101012

Philippians 1 - Key

v4

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

We should care about other people from our hearts, and pray for them all the time.

Application

I'll remember to pray for a person who specifically requested me to pray for him personally.

20101011

the ministry you received

Colossians 4

v17

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

What is the service that the Lord has given me to do? (For example, being a witness of the gospel and preaching the Word.)

Let's pay attention and be faithful, to take the time to prepare for and to do those things.

20101010

Philippians 1 - Outline

v1-4
constant prayer and thanks
v5-7
the fellowship, defense, and confirmation of the gospel
v8-11
longing for them be be filled
v12-14
Paul's trouble ended up making people more bold to speak the Word
v15-18
some people even preach Christ out of contention, but Paul wanted the gospel preached so much that he still even rejoiced in that
v19-22
Paul was willing to live or die for Christ
v23-26
he would rather live so he could help others
v27-30
strive for the gospel, and don't be afraid when you suffer

20101009

forbear and forgive if any quarrels

Colossians 3

v13

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

How did Christ forgive us? When we were still sinful, He gave up everything, even to the point of being willing to die, in order to give us everything. We need to forgive with action, not just saying I forgive you, but doing good and being kind to the person we forgive.

20101008

1 Samuel 3 - Key

v13

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

In the first part of this verse, it says, I have told him that I will judge... for the iniquity which he knoweth... The judgment wasn't coming for an unsure thing that was maybe wrong, but for the iniquity which he knoweth. And the Lord had already warned him about it: I have told him that I will judge...

Application

What is the iniquity which I know, and the Lord has told me He will judge? I must be zealous to repent before the point comes where (v14) the iniquity... shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. That reminds me of:

Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins...

20101007

1 Samuel 3 - Outline

v1-3
Samuel served the Lord, and the stage was set
v4-8
the Lord kept calling Samuel, but he thought it was Eli
v9-10
Eli told Samuel how to respond, and Samuel started listening to the Lord
v11-14
the Lord told Samuel what He was going to do against Eli's house
v15-18
in the morning, Eli asked Samuel what the Lord said, and he told him
v19-21
Samuel grew and the Lord was with him

20101006

Genesis 50 - Key

v21

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

We should forgive others like this, not because they have been good, but because of the Lord. We should nourish and comfort people, and speak kindly to them, especially to children.

Application

I'll work on forgiving the people in my family this way.

20101005

Genesis 50 - Outline

v1-3
Joseph wept and had his father embalmed, and the Egyptians mourned
v4-9
Pharaoh gave them permission to bury Jacob in Canaan, so they went
v10-11
the great and very sore lamentation at the threshing-floor of Atad
v12-14
Jacob's sons did what he said, buried him with his ancestors, and returned Egypt
v15-18
Joseph's brothers humbled themselves and requested forgiveness with tears
v19-21
Joseph showed great mercy, recognizing the Lord's providence despite evil intentions
v22-24
the death of Joseph

20101004

heavenly creatures giving glory

Revelation 4

v9

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

Like those in this chapter, we should give glory and honor and thanks to the Lord.

20101003

completely forgiven

Colossians 2

v14

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The Lord really has taken my sins away and forgiven me of them. I can praise Him with a clear conscience and a pure heart, knowing I'm at peace with God.

Sometimes, for some reason, even when I've done everything that I know, to repent and to be reconciled to God, I still might not feel sure that I really have a completely clean heart. But then I can keep listening, and pray and trust the Lord to give me wisdom and reveal what I need to know, to recognize and repent from any sin that I might still have.

20101002

continually care and pray for the saints

Colossians 1

v9

For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

For people that we've shared the gospel with, and have gotten saved, we should care about them and continue to pray for them like this.

20101001

1 Samuel 2 - Key

v1

And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

Hannah rejoiced in the Lord and His salvation by praying and praising Him. When we want to strengthen and encourage ourselves in the Lord, we should rejoice in praising Him.

Application

When I get the chance to pray and sing and praises to the Lord, I'll rejoice in doing those things, and in that way, I'll encourage myself in Him.

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