Matthew 1 - Outline

v1-6

The generations from Abraham to David

v7-11

From David until the carrying away into Babylon

v12-16

From the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ

v17

Each of those three eras were 14 generations

v18-19

Mary became pregnant by the Holy Ghost

v20-23

An angel told Joseph to not fear to take Mary, and how Jesus would be born

v24-25

Joseph did what he was told

Psalm 41 - Outline

v1-3

The Lord will bless the person who considers the poor

v4-9

Asking for the Lord's mercy because of of my sin and all of my enemies

v10-13

But thou, O Lord...

Daniel 1 - Daniel purposed in his heart

Outline

v1-2

The Lord gave the king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar

v3-5

Nebuchadnezzar told Ashpenaz to prepare some of the children to stand before him

v6-7

Daniel, Shardach, Meshach, and Abednego were included, and they received new names

v8-16

Melzar consented to Daniel's proposition for a 10-day trial of an alternative diet

v17-21

God gave the four children great gifts and abilities

Key

v8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel was determined to avoid doing these things when it would have been wrong for him to do them. When we know that it would be wrong for us to do something, we should purpose in our hearts to not do it.

Application

There are many videos including movies, TV, and online videos, that are wrong to display and watch. I'll be determined to avoid watching videos that I know shouldn't watch.

Psalm 40 - Outline

v1-5

Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust... (v4)

v6-10

How Christ came and brought to light the law of God, to be not in sacrifices, but in our hearts

v11-17

The evil will be desolate, but the Lord will think on those who seek Him

Psalm 39 - What do I wait for?

Outline

v1-3

A time to keep silence and a time to speak

v4-6

The brevity and vanity of human life

v7

Hope in the Lord

v8-10

The judgement for sin

v11-13

Our need for the Lord's deliverance

Key

v7

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee.

What things do we wait for, and hope for? That's a good question to ask ourselves. The things of this human life are temporary, and at best, vanity. We need to make sure that our hope is in the Lord.

Application

I'll ask myself what my hope is in, to make sure that the Lord is what I'm waiting for.

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Lot's hospitality to the angels

Genesis 19

v3

And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

Lot received the two angels with great hospitality...and they ended up being merciful to Lot and delivering him from the terrible judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Once again, let's take this example of the importance of showing great hospitality to people.

Abraham ran to meet the strangers

Genesis 18

v2

And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Abraham might not have realized, right away, that these three three men represented the Lord. We should follow Abraham's example to take opportunities to show hospitality and do good to strangers.

Hebrews 13:2

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.