20120930

Mark 9:30-50 - Outline

v30-32
...afraid to ask Him. (v32b)
v33-37
A child was used to illustrate that the least will be the greatest
v38-40
The Lord uses other people outside of our own groups
v41-42
How we treat others, especially children, is equal to treating Christ that way
v43-48
Warnings about the serious judgment of Hell, and how that should affect our priorities
v49-50
...have peace one with another. (v50)

20120929

Beware against speaking harmfully

Revelation 17

v3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Several times, Revelation mentions that #666 (the beast) was involved with blasphemy. That means harmful or evil speech. To make sure that we are behaving differently from Christ's enemies, let's make sure to watch our speech.

20120924

Psalm 23,24 - Outline

Psalm 23

v1-2
The Lord provides
v3
He helps us with righteousness
v4
He comforts us
v5
He fills us with more than enough
v6
Supernal and eternal blessings in His presence

Psalm 24

v1
Even the earth and everyone in it, actually belongs to the Lord
v2
The Lord, the Creator
v3
A privilege that is not for everybody
v4-6
Blessings for purity
v7-10
The Lord is the King of glory

20120923

Mark 9:1-29 - Outline

v1-10
This is my beloved Son: hear Him. (v7)
v11-13
John the Baptist had fulfilled the prophesy that one would come before Christ, in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17)
v14-19
...bring him unto me. (v19b)
v20-27
...all things [are] possible to him that believeth. (v23b)
v28-29
A situation needing prayer and fasting

20120922

People still did not repent

Revelation 16

v11

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Even though the Lord did so much, and the people had all these judgments against them, they still did not repent. We need to consider how much the Lord has done for us; and, when many sore troubles come against us, we should consider whether we need to repent.

20120921

Psalm 28 - Key

v7

The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Like the Psalmist, we should have a plan to praise the Lord, when the Lord helps us.

Application

I'll sing songs of praise to the Lord during my commute to work.

20120920

Psalm 28 - Outline

v1-2
When the Psalmist prayed, he was engaged to the point where he really cared whether the Lord heard him or not
v3-5
The wicked do not regard the operation of the Lord's hands
v6-9
The Lord is my strength

20120919

Psalm 22 - Summary

Outline - Identifying with the sufferings of Christ

v1-2
Sometimes we feel a strong desire for the Lord to hear us about something, and we wonder why it seems like He has forsaken us for such a long time
v3-8
We consider how He has helped other people, and feel like we must be the lowest worm that crawls, for how sinful we must be, and unworthy of His help
v9-10
But I thought that I had a very special personal relationship with the Lord.
v11-21
Christ understands our deepest suffering
v22-23
Delivered to praise Him
v24-26
...He heard (v24)
v27-31
The Lord's purpose in all of this

Key
v27

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

The Lord has a purpose for our situation when we are suffering very long, when we are suffering pursuing righteousness, and when we are unheard and feeling forsaken by Him.

Christ allows those situations so that He can use me to get a great victory for His glory and kingdom (v28), to many people, all over the world (v31). That can happen if I remain faithful, as I turn the situation to praise Him.

Application

As I cry to the Lord for help with a certain situation in my life, I'll look forward to using His answer as an opportunity to praise and glorify Him.

20120918

Mark 8 - Key

v38

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Here is a serious warning against being ashamed of Christ and of His Words in the midst of a sinful generation of people.

How do we consider the Word of Christ? Especially, how about when we are around people who we think would not appreciate His Word? Do we savor it (v33) and stand boldly for it, or do we think little of it, and shy away from it?

Application

In this age, at work, and in casual conversations with friends, and at home, people are bold to talk about all kinds of other things, even in ways that are controversial and offensive. So, we might as well speak boldly of Christ and His Word.

I don't need to alienate my audience by always, only using the Authorized Version; But it can often be beneficial and powerful to say what is says in the Bible. I'll pray for the right opportunity, and the right way, to speak the Word boldly.

20120916

Mark 8 - Outline

v1-10
Jesus fed about 4000 people with seven loaves of bread
v11-13
The Pharisees sought for a sign from Jesus
v14-21
The disciples had trouble understanding Jesus' warning
v22-26
Jesus healed a blind man
v27-30
What people said about who Jesus is
v31-33
Peter savored the wrong things
v34-37
Our temporary life versus eternal life
v38
Never be ashamed of Christ or His Words

20120915

The King of saints

Revelation 15

v3,4

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

These are great verses to praise and worship the Lord, this week.

20120913

Psalm 27 - Outline

v1-3
If God is for us, then who can stand against us?
v4-6
The singular desire for the Lord
v7-10
Seeking the Lord, and not being forsaken by Him
v11-12
Teach me Thy way, oh Lord
v13-14
Wait on the Lord

20120910

Faith is the victory

Revelation 13

v10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The real key to victory over #666 is not by physical fighting, or by killing with deadly weapons. It is by not being deceived into worshiping him...and that is by patience and faith.

20120909

The Lord's superior power

Revelation 10

v1

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

There was power and greatness here...but there is even more power and greatness with the Lord, Himself. We should fear the Lord, trust in Him, and praise Him for His power.

20120906

Psalm 26 - Outline

v1-3
Confidence to ask the Lord to test us
v4-5
Innocence by not hanging out around the wrong people
v6-8
Loving the place of the Lord, and praising Him
v9-10
What sinners are like
v11-12
Standing in an even place because of walking with the Lord

20120904

Mark 7 - Key

v21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Here, in this list, are the things that we should be concerned to watch out, against.

Application

Instead of being overly concerned about other, less significant things, I'll pay attention to make sure that I do not have the kinds of evil things in this list, in my heart.

20120903

Psalm 21 - Outline

v1
The king's great joy in the Lord
v2
The Lord gives the king his heart's desire
v3-4
The Lord preserves the king's life
v5-6
The Lord makes the king exceedingly glad
v7
This is all through the mercy of the Lord, by trusting in Him.
v8-10
How the Lord will help the king destroy his enemies
v11-12
Why the enemies deserve to be destroyed
v13
Exalting the Lord

Psalm 20 - Outline

v1-3
Looking for help from the Lord
v4-5
Rejoicing in the Lord and setting up our banners in His name
v6
The Lord does hear and will save
v7-8
Trust in Him rather than in other things
v9
Be calling on the Lord

20120902

Mark 7 - Outline

v1-5
The scribes and Pharisees "found fault"
v6-13
They rejected God's commandment so they could keep their own traditions
v14-23
The real washing that people need, is a washing from sin
v24-30
Pursuing crumbs from Christ
v31-37
...He hath done all things well... (v37)

The accuser has been thrown down

Revelation 12

v10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

The devil is called, the accuser of our brethren...which accused them before our God day and night. I know that I have talked about this several times before; but, I see again, in this chapter, how we should make sure to not be accusers of the brethren.

There are circumstances where it is good and right for us to talk to other people about their faults; but, we must make sure to not be characterized by accusing our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

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