get back up and keep running

Galatians 6

v9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

I've been trying to break bad habits and have a more productive schedule (like getting up on time in the morning), but it's easy to fall back on old ways. After we've slipped up, we should still work diligently toward doing what we know is right. When we're determined to do something, we'll get there eventually.

1 Timothy 4 - Key

v13

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Us men need to pay attention to giving people good teaching from the Lord, because there's a real need for that today.

v1

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

The remedy for this flood of sinful deception towards the Lord's people, is good doctrine and the truth.

Application

v16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

I'll take advantage of the ability and opportunities the Lord has given me for preaching and teaching. I'll pay close attention to doing them well, being mindful that they're needed to keep people from being deceived.

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1 Timothy 4 - Outline

v1-2

lies spoken by those who go away from believing

v3-5

there's nothing wrong with marriage, or with every kind of food, as long as they're received with prayer and with giving thanks

v6-9

teach godliness, not old wives tales, or the gymnastic exertion of abstaining from relatively inconsequential physical activities

v10-11

teach belief and trust in the living God for salvation

v12

be a good example in your behavior, so that nobody can look down on you for being young

v13-16

pay attention to the gift that you have for teaching, because that's what will really do people a lot of good and save them

Genesis 41 - Key

v14

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

I was struck by how Joseph was ready for the Lord to change his life in such a big way, so suddenly. There are things I pray and seek the Lord for, that I would say I'm believing Him for, like my business and education, but do I actually expect it to happen? Would I ready if He suddenly answered the prayers and changed my life in such a way?

In Joseph's rags-to-riches moment, he basically shaved, changed his clothes, and went from being a jailbird to being a world ruler. How was he ready? He must have had a good relationship with the Lord to interpret the butler's dream, and then to interpret Pharaoh's dream. Joseph was ready by being faithful to the Lord and walking with the Lord in the place where he was.

Application

I'm seeking the Lord for success in my work and school, so I'll work on having good habits (like getting up on time in the morning) and having my life well organized so I'll be ready for the Lord to move in the ways that I'm believing Him for.

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Revelation 13 - Key

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.

I think about how we'll need to overcome this if we're there in that day. It will a terrible tribulation of people being led into captivity and killed, with strong temptation and deceit, even with powerful force and miracles.

The last part of this verse said, Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. If we're going to be able to overcome in the end, we must be living with such patience and faith today. Let's be strong against our little troubles and temptations now, so we'll be ready.

Application

Romans 12:11

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

I'll pursue more ambitious goals in my work. That way I can show patience and faith in the face of relatively minor difficulty.

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Genesis 41 - Outline

v1-7

Pharaoh dreamed two dreams

v1-4

Pharaoh dreamed that 7 thin cows came and ate 7 fat cows that had been before them

v5-7

Pharaoh dreamed that 7 whithered ears of corn ate 7 good ears that had been before them

v8

Pharaoh couldn't find anybody who could interpret his dreams

v9-13

the butler finally remembered to tell Pharaoh about Joseph

v14-16

Pharaoh called Joseph out of prison quickly to interpret the dream, and Joseph humbly gave the Lord the credit

v17-24

Pharaoh told his dreams to Joseph

v17-21

Pharaoh told his first dream to Joseph

v22-24

Pharaoh told his second dream

v25-36

Joseph did a chapter summary of the dreams

v25-28

Joseph's outline

v29-32

Joseph's meaning

v33-36

Joseph's application

v37-46

Pharaoh chose Joseph to rule over the whole country, and Pharaoh gave him a wife

v47-49

Joseph still worked faithfully, to keep his application, and gathered food during the plentiful years

v50-52

Joseph had two sons and glorified the Lord by the names he gave them

v53-57

the famine came true, so everybody came to Joseph to buy food

Revelation 13 - Outline

v1-2

the beast with seven heads and ten horns

v3-4

all the world wondered and worshiped the dragon and the beast

v5-10

the beast was temporarily given permission to overcome the saints

v11-15

a second beast deceived people into worshiping the first beast and his image

v16-18

the mark of the beast