Feb 2020
29 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Answers to Prayer
Prayer is talking to God
B1 Formal: Solomon in 1 Kings 8:22-53
B2 Informal: Nehemiah 2:3-5 (Nehemiah was in the king’s presence and didn’t have any time to be on his knees. Essentially, in his soul he prayed, “God help me”).
Why pray?
B1 Needs of spiritual, physical, and/or emotional nature
C1 Of others
C2 For ourself
B2 Our counselor
C1 For consolation
C2 For complaining. This would include our story of persecution, abuse, difficulties, hardships, etc.
B3 Seeking
C1 God’s will
C2 Wisdom
B4 Ministering. Help
C1 For preaching the Gospel
C2 For teaching
C3 For preaching (pastors, deacons, deaconesses, etc.)
C4 For the sick and troubled
C5 For the hurting
B5 Situations
C1 Patience
C2 Forgiveness (our need of forgiveness and help to forgive others)
C3 Judgment and other decisions about ourselves or others
C4 Dedication (of meetings, places of worship, etc.)
B6 Towards God
C1 Being thankful
C2 Blessing God
C3 Praising God
Hindrances to prayer
B1 Unforgiven sin (my sin or in not forgiving others)
B2 Treating wife badly (which is sin)
B3 For our lusts instead of needs
B4 For cursing someone
B5 Trying to manipulate God for any answer
False views about prayer
B1 Name it, claim it
B2 Have to word it perfectly
B3 Have to pray until it is answered (the way I want it answered. This is “praying through”)
B4 Believing if we pray enough prayers, He will answer. There are no price tags (number of prayers) for an answer
B5 Believing that if we have enough people or the right people (super-spiritual) people pray, it will be answered
Attitudes towards God regarding prayer
B1 Honoring God
B2 Being humble
B3 Being honest
B4 Being accepting and seeking God’s will
B5 Being teachable
B6 Being confessing of sins
B7 Being mindful of others first
B8 Being generous instead of covetous
B9 Being in expectation
B10 Seeking God’s kingdom (wanting to learn God’s ways, promoting God’s ways, living in God’s ways. His ways are His beliefs, rules, and way of life in His kingdom).
Questions
B1 Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?
C1 He always answers prayer—it may be yes, no, or wait
C2 Wrong reasons for prayer (treat wife badly
C3 Ignoring and disobeying God’s Law. For the Jew, it was Mosaic Law. For the Christian, it is the rules in the New Testament. Proverbs 28:9
C4 A person doesn’t believe God can answer, will answer, or doesn’t believe what God has in the Bible, etc. Hebrews 11:6 & James 1:6-7
C5 At the correct time. Compare Titus 1:3 & Luke 18:7
C6 Pray only for show and praise of people. See Mark 12:40
C7 Unconfessed sin and/or not having believed the Gospel and place trust into Jesus Christ. See Proverbs 15:29 & 1 Peter 3:12
C8 Being an arrogant person. See Luke 18:10-14
C9 Not persevering in prayer, that is, quit too soon. See Luke 18:1-6
C10 He does answer, but it is different than what we prayer for. See 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.
C11 It is not His will See 1 John 5:13-14
B2 I prayed if I should marry this man. I did. He was abusive. So why did God do this?
C1 There were red flags and cautions to you and/or others, but they were ignored. Sometimes the desire to marry and believe the best is greater than exists.
C2 Sometimes we are deceived by a facade of godliness.
C3 Sometimes we get in a hurry and rush. Compare Psalm 40:1.
B3 I prayed for deliverance for my family member, friend, myself, etc. but nothing has happen.
C1 God may want to teach the person some things that cannot be learned any other way.
C2 God may want to use this person to teach others.
C3 (Daniel 10:12-14 NET Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.” (Emphasis was added).
B4 Why do we pray in Jesus’s name?
C1 Our recognition that Jesus is God and Messiah
C2 To honor Him
C3 To be recognizing that the Father’s will and the Son’s will are in unity.
C4 See John 16:26, 1 John 5:13, Ephesians 2:18
B5 Does God answer prayers of unbelievers?
C1 For salvation See Luke 18:13-14
C2 As a witness to His love
C3 As a call to the Gospel and service See 1 Samuel 3:10
B6 When should we not pray?
C1 When it is time for action instead of praying any longer (the prayer is answered so start). See Exodus 14:15
C2 When we know the answer is “No.” 2 Corinthians 12:8
B7 How does prayer sanctify something?
C1 Us when our sin is exposed See Psalm 50:1-2
C2 When we agree to God’s will See Luke 1:38
C3 When we ask for God’s wisdom See James 1:5
C4 God says so See 1 Timothy 4:4-5
B8 Can we pray directly to God?
C1 Because Jesus is our High Priest. See Hebrews 10:19-22
C2 We can pray directly to God to honor His name See Psalm 115:1
B9 What happens if I don’t pray?
C1 We miss out on fellowship with brothers, sisters, and God Himself. See Matthew 18:20 & Psalm 130:5-6
C2 We disobey God. Why wouldn’t someone want to communicate with the one who loves us?
C3 Might lead to reject of God and by God See John 15:16
C4 God’s blessings See James 4:2
C5 Might not be delivered from temptation Matthew 26:41
C6 Might brings God’s wrath See Jeremiah 10:21
B10 How often should someone pray?
C1 Every day for guidance and safety See Psalm 5:3
C2 Every day for leaders 1 Timothy 2:2
C3 Every day for all brothers and sisters. We are one family. 1 Thessalonians 1:2
C4 Every day for all things See 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
B11 Why have a prayer meeting?
C1 It was done by the first Christians and indeed all since then See Acts 1:14
C2 For other’s needs See James 5:13-20
C3 For the Gospel to be spread Colossians 4:3-4
C4 For when our brothers and/or sisters sin 1 John 5:16-17
Psalms 5:2-3 BSB Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.
A Few Thoughts About Answers to Prayer 29 Feb 20
Prayer, Answers to Prayer, Questions about Prayer
24 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Marriage, Money, and Budgets
Some quotes:
B1 Arguments about money hamper many marriages. If you consider that about a third of adults with partners report that money is a big source of conflict in their relationships, it’s no wonder that financial problems are the leading cause of divorce. What you may not know is that the challenges can actually start even before you say “I do.” (Source)
B2 One of the most common sources of conflict in marriage is money, how to spend it, and how to save for things that really matter. It doesn’t make sense when you think about it logically. Money is simple. Keeping a budget is something an 8-year-old can do. (Source)
B3 Finances are the leading cause of stress in a relationship, according to a survey of people in a relationship or partnership released Wednesday by SunTrust Bank. Some 35 percent of all respondents experiencing relationship stress said money was the primary cause of friction. (Annoying habits came in second, at 25 percent.) Among respondents with relationship stress aged 44 to 54, 44 percent said money was the primary cause. (Source)
B4 The number one issue couples fight about is also a topic many couples avoid discussing — money. According to a new survey by Ramsey Solutions, money fights are the second leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity. Results show that both high levels of debt and a lack of communication are major causes for the stress and anxiety surrounding household finances. (Source)
There is an answer
B1 Some basics
C1 All money, belongings, real estate, etc. is God’s: Psalms 24:1 GW A psalm by David. The earth and everything it contains are the LORD’S. The world and all who live in it are his.
C2 He supplies our needs: Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
C3 We need to be content with what we have: 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV But godliness with contentment is great gain.
C4 Covetousness is condemned: Luke 12:15 NLT Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.
B2 Priorities
C1 God’s kingdom, His worldview, His way of life occupy the highest and first priority: Luke 12:29-31 NLT And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
C2 We are not to conform to the world’s covetous ways: Romans 12:2 GNB Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.
C3 Life and body are more important than food and clothing: Luke 12:23 Williams Your life is worth more than food, and your body more than clothes.
D1 The Greek word for life is ψυχή psychḗ and is usually translated as soul or mind.
D2 Believer’s Bible Commentary by WILLIAM MACDONALD notes:
The emphasis of the NT is that the cause of Christ should have first place in our lives. Food and clothing should be subordinate. We should work hard for the supply of our current necessities, then trust God for the future as we plunge ourselves into His service. This is the life of faith.
When the Lord Jesus said that we should not worry about food and clothing, He did not mean that we were to sit idly and wait for these things to be provided. Christianity does not encourage laziness! But He certainly did mean that in the process of earning money for the necessities of life, we were not to let them assume undue importance. After all, there is something more important in life than what we eat and what we wear. We are here as ambassadors of the King, and all considerations of personal comfort and appearance must be subordinated to the one glorious task of making Him known.
D3 Philippians 3:8 GNB Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ
Some ideas
B1 Have a budget. It’s not hard. You might want to consider Pear Budget.
B2 Plan priorities together. Agree with each other. This is no time to be the bully.
B3 God gets something first. Give to your local church first.
B4 Then give to the regular bills of housing, food, utilities, etc.
B5 Entertainment should be last. We can always find something relaxing for free.
B6 We don’t have to eat the greatest and best. We don’t have to eat out as often. Eat as a family.
C1 The Benefits of Eating Together For Children and Families
C2 9 Scientifically Proven Reasons to Eat Dinner as a Family
C3 Why the Family Meal Is Important
B7 Ways of saving money
C2 23 Easy Ways to Save More Money in 2020
B8 Live minimalistically
C2 How To Start Living A Minimalist Lifestyle
Love each other:
B1 The acts of love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends,
B2 All our doings are to be done in love: 1 Corinthians 16:14 GNB Do all your work in love.
B3 Serving each other, yes husbands are to do this too: Galatians 5:13 GW You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love.
God cares: Luke 12:6-7 NLT What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Give thanks to God: Ephesians 5:20 NLT And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Few Thoughts About Marriage, Money, and Budgets 24 Feb 20
Money, Marriage, Budgets, God provides
23 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Evil
In order to understand righteousness or evil, we must have a standard of right and wrong. If there is no standard, then it is impossible to decide. A short answer about God’s standards. God’s summary of the standard of right is Luke 10:27, the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20), and all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Definitions of evil:
B1 English:
C1 Can be something wrong, something harmful (disasters, health problems, etc.), misfortune, character, something unpleasant (odor), or an entity of power (demon), etc.
C2 Some synonyms: There are many, see here (need to scroll down).
B2 Hebrew:
C1 The most common word is רַע raʻ as it is used 663 times. It means, much like English, things unpleasant, etc. so in weather, animals, harm, emotions, distress, misery, etc.
C2 In the book of Proverbs, for example, it is used in various ways. This link is a list of the uses in Proverbs.
B3 Greek:
C1 One Greek word is πονηρός ponērós. It is used 76 times and means annoyance, hardship, physical ailments and weaknesses, and evil in character, words, and deeds, etc.
D1 Not only are they evil, they become more evil over time. This is a result of deception. 2 Timothy 3:13 GNB and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.
D2 There is a contrast: Matthew 13:49 GNB It will be like this at the end of the age: the angels will go out and gather up the evil people from among the good
C2 One other Greek word we will read about is κακός kakós. It is used 51 times and means something bad, so regarding morals, agriculture (bad fruit), breaking a law (as in wicked deed, etc.), not nice actions against people (hate, lying, stealing, etc.).
D1 Mark 7:21-23 GNB For from the inside, from your heart, come the evil ideas which lead you to do immoral things, to rob, kill, 22 commit adultery, be greedy, and do all sorts of evil things; deceit, indecency, jealousy, slander, pride, and folly—23 all these evil things come from inside you and make you unclean.”
D2 2 Timothy 4:14 WEB Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
Source of evil:
B1 When God created, He created a measure of free will. This is not a sovereign free will as some Calvinists define, rather a limited free will. We can resist. Also, I might want to do something but am unable.
C1 An article that explains my position: 5 Arguments For The Existence Of Free Will by Evan Minton.
C2 A followup of the above article responds to objects: Responding To Free Will Critics by Evan Minton.
B2 Love is a choice, not an emotion or feeling (see the above articles).
B3 The Lord Jesus states: John 14:15 GW If you love me, you will obey my commandments.
B4 Faith is believing God.
C1 The Greek word for faith (as is most frequently translated) is πίστις pístis. This is a noun.
C2 The Greek word for believe (as is most frequently translated) is πιστεύω pisteúō. This is a verb.
C3 Both have the idea of what is most reasonable. It is not blind faith. The root word for both is πείθω peíthō. I know that we are not to apply too much from these Greek words being related, nevertheless do show a relationship.
B5 The first sinner started loving himself. He is known as satan now.
C1 Ezekiel 28:12-17 ESV Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. 16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.
D1 Most interpret this as referring to the King of Tyre and only him.
D2 I have some problems with that interpretation.
D3 The king of Tyre was
E1 Never in the Garden of Eden
E2 Never the example of perfection.
E3 Never full of wisdom
E4 Never perfect in beauty
E5 Never covered with every precious stone
E6 Never an anointed guardian cherub
E7 Never on the holy mountain of God
E8 Never walked through the midst of stones of fire
E9 Never blameless
D4 It seems more reasonable to understand this as satan, the power behind the throne of the king of Tyre.
D5 Note how he loved himself (verse 17)
C2 Isaiah 14:12-14 ESV How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’
D1 Most understand this to refer to Nebuchadnezzar and only him.
D2 Personally, I think it refers to Nebuchadnezzar and the power over him, that is, satan.
D3 The being described here fell from heaven. In supreme arrogance, he states that he will ascend into heaven. His plan apparently, is conquering, sitting his throne above all thrones, and ruling as the Most High.
D4 To me, it is kinda tough to think this of Nebuchadnezzar.
Evil humans
B1 The first human sinner was Eve, but she
C1 Admitted that she was deceived
C2 Made no excuses
C3 Received only one curse—pain in childbirth
B2 The second human sinner was Adam, and he
C1 Passed blame to Eve and then to God
C2 Did not admit his guilt
C3 Was the cause of the universe coming under God’s curse
C4 Note the Scriptures say Adam and man: Romans 5:12 NIV Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned
B3 Sinners are punished to eternal torment, not because of Adam’s sin but our own sin (See here). The sin nature is passed on through the generations. Adam and Eve were no longed sinless. They had the curse of God. Death was coming to them. They could not have sinless children, because they were not perfect, nor sinless.
C1 They had the curse of God and a sin nature. Compare: 1 Corinthians 15:22 NIV For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
C2 We don’t die for Adam’s sin. Compare: Ezekiel 18:14, 18-20 NIV But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: … 18 But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. 19 “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. 20 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
B4 There is truth, and there are lies. God lives in, speaks in, judges in, acts in truth. There is truth, and there is imagination. Truth is reality. Imagination is a substitute truth. Truth was resisted and rejected, so God punished. Humans did not believe God.
C1 Genesis 6:5 WEB Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
C2 Romans 1:17-21 WEB For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 21 Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
Solution to evil:
B1 Punishment
C1 1 Corinthians 6:8-10 WEB No, but you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that against your brothers. 9 Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God.
C2 Revelation 21:8 WEB But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
B2 Believe the Gospel and trust in Jesus Christ
C1 Romans 1:16 LEB For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
C2 Ephesians 1:13 PickNT about whom, to be sure, we had heard the true Word—the Gospel of your salvation; by whom, since you also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
C3 Acts 20:21 PickNT solemnly proclaiming to both Jews and Greeks the repentance toward God and the faith into our Lord Jesus.
C4 Luke 18:13-14 PickNT The tax collector, staying a good ways off, did not even venture to look up to heaven, but started beating on his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I say to you that this one went back home justified rather than that one; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
A Few Thoughts About Evil 23 Feb 20
Evil, Source of evil, humans are evil, Gospel
22 February 2020
1 Year Bible—James
James the half-brother of the Lord Jesus
Chapter 1
B1 Temptation/testing
C1 The Greek word is πειρασμός peirasmós. It means trials, temptations, etc. The word has the idea of testing a drug to see if it works as intended, thus, the various applications. Vocabulary Of The Greek Testament (Moulton & Milligan 1929) states: “trials” made of drugs to see their effect in certain diseases.
C2 The idea can be taken either way. A temptation is a trial, or a trial can be a temptation.
C3 We can be joyous mainly in the sense of producing endurance strengthening our spiritual muscles. Endurance has the idea of constancy, loyalty, etc. Romans 5:3-5 EMTV And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance; and endurance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
C4 When we are tested, in trials, being tempt, remember
D1 Pray even if we do not want to
D2 Share our burden with brothers and sisters. We need to help each other. We are in the Christian life together.
D3 Read the Psalms. Some speak to this issue. For example:
Psalms 13:1-6 GNB92 How much longer will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me? Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don’t let me die. Don’t let my enemies say, “We have defeated him.” Don’t let them gloat over my downfall. I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me. I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have been good to me.
D4 Ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8)
B2 Both rich and poor suffer alike. Let us be humble.
B3 If we endure (with God’s assisting grace), then at the Bema Seat we will receive a crown of life.
C1 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV2011 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
C2 The words judgment seat are the Greek word βῆμα bēma. The is a seat/throne on a raised platform for the official to judge.
C3 The Bema seat judgment occurs shortly after the Rapture.
B4 We cannot blame God for our temptation.
C1 The devil asked for permission to persecute Job. God gave him permission. The devil, however, did NOT have to do so.
C2 Jesus was tempted also.
C3 Regardless of what we face, God teaches us and strengthens us.
B5 James 1:22-25 ESV2011 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
C1 We learn what we say and what we do must match.
C2 We learn what we do must be consistent in public and private.
C3 We learn that the perfect law, that is, the law of liberty is now our law, not Mosaic Law, nor the law of our sinful nature.
D1 If the Law of Liberty refers to the Gospel, then when we believe we are free from the requirements of Mosaic Law and its punishment, for Jesus suffered and shed His blood for our sins.
D2 The Law of Liberty might refer to the rules Jesus gave us to obey either directly or through His Apostles and recorded in the New Testament.
Chapter 2 deals with
B1 Treating everyone equally, especially believers. We know
C1 There is only one race—the human race.
C2 There are priorities. God is to have first priority, then spouse, then family, the local congregation, then the greater body of Christians, then everyone else.
C3 We should love and live in God’s ways. This is seen in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds according to the characteristics in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
C4 God treats people equally, too according to His priorities: 1 Timothy 2:4 NIV who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
C5 Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
B2 In verses 14-17, it is taught that what we say and what we do must match in private and public.
B3 Works are not for salvation but are proof of a changed life by God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Some examples are the Abraham, Rahab, Prodigal Son, and King Manasseh.
Chapter 3 deals with
B1 If we teach the Scriptures, we are held accountable for what we teach.
B2 Rules of what we say.
B3 The 2 types of wisdom. The difference between God’s wisdom and any other.
Chapter 4 deals with
B1 The dangers of covetousness (lust). How covetousness leads to problems, arguments, fighting, scabbing, and a lot of disunity.
B2 There are only two worldviews, namely, God’s worldview and all others. We are servants of God and only His view is correct. The world is all other views. The foundation of that worldview is me first, God last.
Chapter 5 deals with
B1 The danger of riches, that is, trusting in money instead of God. Our love changes from God to stuff.
B2 Christians suffer. We must bear with this as the whole family of God does in every generation and in every part of the world. We need to pray and support each other.
B3 The need to pray. We are talking to God. We were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever. The Psalms show a wide variety of prayers. God is a wonderful Counselor/Adviser.
Trials make
the promise sweet,
Trials give
new life to prayer;
Trials bring me
to His feet,
Lay me low,
and keep me there
—William Cowper
1 Year Bible—James 22 Feb 20
James, trials, testing, Christian endurance, equality, Christian life
20 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Believers Sinning After Death
The verse in question: Revelation 6:9-11 NKJV When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Seeking vengeance is for God to do, not people. When people seek, want, and do vengeance, then sin.
B1 Hebrews 10:30 NRSV For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.
B2 Romans 12:19 NLT Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.
Thus some say the believes in Revelation 6 are sinning.
They are seeking justice, not necessarily revenge.
Revenge
B1 The action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. (Source)
B2 ISBE: The same Hebrew and Greek words are used to express the idea of “to avenge” and “to revenge” (נקם, nāḳam, or derivative; ἐκδικέω, ekdikéō, or derivative). In English these words are synonymous in that they are both used to express the infliction of punishment upon the wrongdoer, but “to take revenge” may also imply a spiteful, wrong or malignant spirit. In the latter case, the Revised Version (British and American) preserves “revenge” (compare Jer 20:10; Eze 25:15; Eze 25:17 is an anthropomorphism), but, wherever it is synonymous with “avenge,” this word is used (compare Num 31:2, Num 31:3; Psa 79:10; Nah 1:2; Judith 13:20; Rom 13:4; 2Co 7:11; 2Co 10:6 the Revised Version (British and American); the King James Version has “revenge” in all these cases).
B3 Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Whether in Old or New Testaments, the Bible teaches that people are not to take personal revenge for what they consider to be wrong done to them. They should forgive the offender and allow God to deal with the person as he sees fit (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Revelation 5:9-11; see WRATH)…Although individuals have no God-given right to pay back wrongdoers, civil governments have. They are to execute judgments fairly, and not give a light punishment for a serious offence or a heavy punishment for a minor offence. The punishment must be in proportion to the crime – ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a bruise for a bruise, a scratch for a scratch’ (Exodus 21:22-24; Romans 13:4;
Bible verses showing the principle
B1 Not for people to seek their own revenge:
C1 Leviticus 19:18 NIV Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
C2 Romans 12:19 NIV Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
B2 God has ordained the government to do so. Most do not obey God’s rules regarding vengeance. Romans 13:1-4 NIV Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
B3 God will do correct vengeance whenever He wishes:
C1 Hebrews 10:30 ESV For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
C2 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Seeking justice against those who have broken God’s laws against us is not wrong. God has ordained law enforcement for this work. We must report it to them to stop the evil person from hurting others.
B1 Isaiah 1:17 NKJV Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.
B2 Leviticus 19:15 LEB You shall not do injustice in judgment; you shall not show partiality to the powerless; you shall not give preference to the powerful; you shall judge your fellow citizen with justice.
The Tribulation believers who have been killed are asking God to punish murders, which He will do at the correct time. They are not sinning. It is no more than reporting a crime to law enforcement.
Psalm 101:1 NLT A psalm of David. I will sing of your love and justice, LORD. I will praise you with songs.
Isaiah 61:11 NLT The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
A Few Thoughts About Believers Sinning After Death 20 Feb 20
Justice, Vengeance, Question about sin, Revelation 6:9-11
18 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Why People Do Not Believe the Gospel
Some believe that if Christians answered every question, met every need, bring justice to the world, have a comfortable setting with great music, then people will believe.
B1 Most questions are already answered, but they will not accept that answer. People think their answer is better. Sometimes they have a favorite answer already, or they don’t like or agree with the answer given.
B2 The world is unjust and evil. Many times what is a need is really only a desire. The real needs of shelter, food, safety might be already met, but they have a need of more money, or better food than they have, or ______.
B3 People define justice differently. Today many (maybe most) define justice as the “equals.” Everything must be provided for free as health care, nutrition, safety, education, etc. But different solutions are offered. Some want the socialist answer of central planning. Some want the libertarian solution of minimal government. The standard is not fixed and agreed upon.
B4 The Lord Jesus provided for all these in His ministry of earth, yet very few believed.
Others find the reason for rejection resulting from their particular bias, that is, their idea of God, their idea of punishment, their idea of Christianity, their idea in worldview and lifestyle, etc.
Some find the reason for rejection is that God only choose a small number to understand, be regenerated, then given faith to be born again. I say this sarcastically. It is the idea of selective predestination and regeneration preceding faith.
Personally, I find the Scriptures to show that it is pride and love of sinful pleasures.
B1 Pride:
C1 “I’m a good person.”
D1 Luke 18:10-12 NKJV Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
D2 Romans 10:21 WEL But to Israel he says, “All day long I have stretched out my hands to a people who refuse to believe and defiant people.”
C2 Resist (because of pride)
D1 John 3:36 WEL “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.”
D2 Hebrews 3:18 WEL Or to whom was it that he swore that they wouldn’t enter into his rest? Wasn’t it with those who refused to believe?
C3 Peer pressure (because of fear)
D1 John 9:22-23 NKJV His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.
D2 Acts 5:12-13 NLT The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them.
C4 A greater love for something (because of pride in something)
D1 John 12:42-43 WEL Nevertheless, even of the leaders many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess, lest they should be thrown out of the synagogue, 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
D2 2 Timothy 4:10 NRSV for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
B2 Love of sinful pleasures:
C1 John 3:19-21 NRSV And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.
C2 Revelation 9:20-21 NKJV But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Some other verses that may apply see here.
We must not reject: Romans 1:18-22 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…
We must accept: Romans 10:9-13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
A Few Thoughts About Why People Do Not Believe the Gospel 18 Feb 20
Gospel, Gospel rejected, Reasons people reject
15 February 2020
1 Year Bible—Hebrews
Outline
The Superiority of Jesus
Jesus Is God Chapter 1:1-4
Superior To Angels Chapter 1:5-14
Jesus Provides the Only Salvation Chapter 2:1-4
Jesus Is Fully Human and His Purpose Chapter 2:5-18
Jesus Is Superior to Moses Chapter 3:1-6
Jesus Warning About Unbelief Chapter 3:7-19
God’s Promised Rest Is Coming Chapter 4:1-13
Jesus Is The High Priest Chapter 4:14-Chapter 5:10
Warning To Not Fall From the Faith Chapter 5:11-14
Encouragement to Grow Doctrine Chapter 6:1-12
God’s Promise Is Sure Chapter 6:13-20
The Great Priest Melchizedek Chapter 7:1-10
Jesus Is Greater Than Aaronic Priesthood Chapter 7:11-28
The Priestly Work of Jesus Chapter 8:1-6
Jesus Is the Priest of The New Covenant Chapter 8:7-13
The Earthly Tabernacle Chapter 9:1-10
Jesus Is Priest of Heavenly Tabernacle Chapter 9:11-28
Earthly Sacrifices Do Not Cleanse Sin Chapter 10:1-4
Messiah’s Sacrifice Cleanses From Sin Chapter 10:5-18
Messiah’s Blood Was the Acceptable Sacrifice Chapter 10:19-25
Our Faith Must Continue Chapter 10:26-39
Faith Defined and Examples Chapter 11
Let Us Persevere To The End Chapter 12:1-3
God’s Discipline Chapter 12:4-13
Warning To Not Falter Chapter 12:14-17
We Do Not Come To The Mountain of Fear Chapter 12:18-21
We Come To The Mountain of Joy Chapter 12:22-24
Do Not Reject God’s Warning Chapter 12:25-29
Various Rules and Requests Chapter 13:1-19
Blessing and Prayer Chapter 13:20-25
Notes
The Superiority of Jesus
In everything, in every way, over every person, every angel, every creature. Superior in essence, life, wisdom, love, holiness, work, etc.
Jesus Is God Chapter 1:1-4
B1 The Son of God is heir of everything, everything.
B2 The Son of God is creator of everything. He did not create Himself.
B3 The Son of God is the exact substance (essence) of the Father and the Spirit. Essence is the stuff that God is. God is spirit.
B4 Those who saw Jesus in the flesh, saw God in the flesh.
B5 The creeds state: Jesus is one person with two natures. He is God as God is, and He is man as man is. See the Chalcedonian Creed. A shortened history with a few comments is here. You are encouraged to read the Athanasian Creed, too.
Superior To Angels Chapter 1:5-14
Jesus Provides the Only Salvation Chapter 2:1-4
B1 Since He is so great, the salvation that He has given us must not be disregarded.
B2 Dangers of disregarding it are all the punishments and effects of sin.
Jesus Is Fully Human and His Purpose Chapter 2:5-18
B1 Jesus
C1 Is one person, not two.
C2 Is one person, not some type of hybrid.
C3 Is a divine nature and is a human nature.
C4 Is a permanent state. As Schaff writes (Source): The union of the divine and human nature in Christ is a permanent state resulting from the incarnation, and is a real, supernatural, personal, and inseparable union—in distinction from an essential absorption or confusion, or from a mere moral union; or from a mystical union such as holds between the believer and Christ. The two natures constitute but one personal life, and yet remain distinct.
C5 Is one self-consciousness: As Schaff again writes: The self-consciousness of Christ is never divided; his person consists in such a union of the human and the divine natures, that the divine nature is the seat of self-consciousness, and pervades and animates the human.
C6 Is doing one ministry. This ministry is not just the God nature or the human nature. It is one ministry (caring, attending, serving). It was His purpose. He was successful. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.
C6 Jesus’s human did not exist until the incarnation. His human nature is not an independent nature.
C7 Divine nature is His personality (character traits).
C8 Before incarnation was in the form (what we would see) of God, who in the incarnation took the form of a human man.
Jesus Is Superior to Moses Chapter 3:1-6
Jesus Warning About Unbelief Chapter 3:7-19
B1 First principle taught: Do not harden our hearts by unbelief: Hebrews 3:7-8 NRSV Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness,
B2 Second principle taught: We are to encourage our brothers and sisters in the Christian life: Hebrews 3:13 NRSV But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
B3 Third principle taught: There is a relationship between obeying God and belief, and there is a relationship between disobeying God and unbelief. We cannot claim to be a believer and disobey His rules: Hebrews 3:18-19 NRSV And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
God’s Promised Rest Is Coming Chapter 4:1-13
Jesus Is The High Priest Chapter 4:14-Chapter 5:10
Warning To Not Fall From the Faith Chapter 5:11-14
Encouragement to Grow in Doctrine Chapter 6:1-12
B1 Do not deny Christ and abandon the faith (lose salvation): Hebrews 6:4-6 GNB For how can those who abandon their faith be brought back to repent again? They were once in God’s light; they tasted heaven’s gift and received their share of the Holy Spirit; 5 they knew from experience that God’s word is good, and they had felt the powers of the coming age. 6 And then they abandoned their faith! It is impossible to bring them back to repent again, because they are again crucifying the Son of God and exposing him to public shame.
B2 Not all accept this interpretation.
B3 I have assurance, yet still believe it is possible, though incredibly rare, to deny faith. Think of Charles Templeton, Dan Barker, and Bart Ehrman.
B4 They had faith, enlightenment, heaven’s gift, partakers of the Holy Spirit, God’s goodness, and God’s power and blessing.
B5 They left the love of God to follow the love of the world: 2 Timothy 4:10 CSB because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. [Emphasis is added]
B6 Mediator of the New Covenant: Hebrews 9:15 NRSV For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.
C1 The word loved is agape (ἀγαπάω agapáō).
C2 The word world is age (αἰών, aion)
God’s Promise Is Sure Chapter 6:13-20
The Great Priest Melchizedek Chapter 7:1-10
Jesus Is Greater Than Aaronic Priesthood Chapter 7:11-28
Chapter 8-9
B1 The Priestly Work of Jesus Chapter 8:1-6
B2 Jesus Is the Priest of The New Covenant Chapter 8:7-13
B3 The Earthly Tabernacle Chapter 9:1-10
B4 Jesus Is Priest of Heavenly Tabernacle Chapter 9:11-28
B5 As High Priest, He
C1 Sits at the right hand of the Father
C2 Ministers in the heavenly Temple in the Holy of Holies
C3 Is a priest because of a better covenant than the Mosaic Covenant.
C4 Offered His own blood, because the blood of animals is not sufficient: Hebrews 9:11-12 NRSV But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
C5 Purifies our conscious: Hebrews 9:14 NRSV how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!
B6 As humans we need to know
C1 All must die, then the judgment: Hebrews 9:27 GNB Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.
C2 Jesus died only once for sins. There is only one sacrifice. It is finished. And, He will return to deliver us from this world: Hebrews 9:28 GNB In the same manner Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are waiting for him.
Earthly Sacrifices Do Not Cleanse Sin Chapter 10:1-4
Messiah’s Sacrifice Cleanses From Sin Chapter 10:5-18
Messiah’s Blood Was the Acceptable Sacrifice Chapter 10:19-25
Our Faith Must Continue Chapter 10:26-39
Faith Defined and Examples Chapter 11
B1 Faith is believing God. This is seen by obedience as explained above.
B2 We have examples to encourage us.
Let Us Persevere To The End Chapter 12:1-3
God’s Discipline Chapter 12:4-13
Warning To Not Falter Chapter 12:14-17
We Do Not Come To The Mountain of Fear Chapter 12:18-21
We Come To The Mountain of Joy Chapter 12:22-24
Do Not Reject God’s Warning Chapter 12:25-29
Various Rules and Requests Chapter 13:1-19
Blessing and Prayer Chapter 13:20-25
Isaiah 25:9 WEB It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is Yahweh! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”
Isaiah 61:10 WEB I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
1 Year Bible—Hebrews 15 Feb 20
Hebrews, Jesus is Greatest, High Priest, Salvation, New Covenant, Christology
14 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Love on Valentine’s Day
Love is a choice
B1 1 John 4:10-11 NRSV In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
B2 Deuteronomy 30:19-20 GNB I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. 20 Love the LORD your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that he promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
B3 Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vine – Love
Verb, agapao, G25
and the corresponding noun agape (B, No. 1 below) present “the characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has used it to express ideas previously unknown, inquiry into its use, whether in Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the NT. Cp., however, Lev 19:18; Deut 6:5.
“Agape and agapao are used in the NT (a) to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, John 17:26; the human race, generally, 3:16; Rom 5:8; and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly, John 14:21; (b) to convey His will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another, 13:34, and toward all men, 1Th 3:12; 1Co 16:14; 2Pe 1:7; (c) to express the essential nature of God, 1Jo 4:8.
“Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1Jo 4:9-10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, Cp. Deut 7:7-8.
“Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2Co 5:14; Eph 2:4; 3:19; 5:2; Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Gal 5:22.
“Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1Jo 2:5; 5:3; 2Jo 1:6. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God.
“Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to ‘all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,’ Gal 6:10. see further1 Cor. 13 and Col 3:12-14.” * [* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, p. 105.]
In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant “love” and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential “love” in them towards the Giver, and a practical “love” towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.
Love is an action
B1 If we love, there are attitudes and actions that will reveal itself.
B2 These attitudes and actions are in private, as well as, in public.
B3 Love is according to God’s standard, not any other standard.
B4 Love listens without interruption.
B5 Love gives time.
B6 Love can be in a warning.
B7 Love is NOT controlling, micro-managing, etc.
B8 Love has these characteristics:
C1 Very patient
C2 Kind
C3 Not envious
C4 Doesn’t brag about itself
C5 Is not haughty
C6 Doesn’t behave improperly
C7 Is not self-seeking
C8 Is not easily aggravated
C9 Doesn’t keep a list of wrongs
C10 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice
C11 Rejoices in truth
C12 Bears all things
C13 Believes all things
C14 Hopes all things
C15 Calmly endures all things
C16 Never ends
C17 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends
C18 Abusers claim they do this, but the abused knows differently.
C19 Abusers demand this of the ones they abuse, but they will not do so themselves. They choose their own standard instead of God’s standard.
C20 Abusers go to hell. (Note, I did not place a comma after the word abusers. Cheers).
C21 Real love by God’s standard is like this: Psalm 31:7 NIV I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. (Note, God notices the troubles and comforts. The abuser is just the opposite).
Love is selective
B1 The highest priority of love is the love for God.
B2 Next, priority is our spouse, then family, then believers, then nonbelievers.
Love is not just mental, but physical, emotional, and spiritual.
B1 See my thoughts here.
B2 Mark 12:32-33 NRSV Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Love must be genuine: Romans 12:9-10 ESV Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
B1 A spouse who abuses verbal, sexually, emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc. does not love. Any abuse is not love. Abuse is genuine hate.
B2 A spiritual leader or teacher who abuses, micro-manages, or controls does not have love.
Love words in the Bible. Just a few are given.
B1 Bible Words
C1 Hebrew
D1 One Hebrew word for love is חָשַׁק châshaq. It means to be attached, to join together, long for, etc. It is a choice.
E1 Genesis 34:8 ESV But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him to be his wife.
E2 Deuteronomy 7:7 ESV It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
E3 Psalms 91:14 NRSV Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
D2 Another word is אָהַב ʼâhab. It means to have affection for, like, sexual love, etc.
E1 Genesis 24:67 NRSV Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
E2 Genesis 27:14 NRSV So he went and got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared savory food, such as his father loved.
E3 Jeremiah 5:31 NRSV the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
C2 Greek. The main word is ἀγαπάω agapáō. It means the deepest love of commitment, a love of choice, instead of just emotion. John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
A few other verses about love:
B1 Psalm 11:5 NIV The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.
B2 Psalm 23:6 NIV Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
B3 Psalm 36:7 NIV How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
B4 John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone believing in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Questions
B1 How do I measure according to God’s standard?
B2 Have I showed loved today?
B3 Why is love to important?
B4 Why do we need to love and need love?
A Few Thoughts About Love on Valentine’s Day 14 Feb 20
Valentine’s Day, love, genuine love, characteristics of love, actions of love
13 February 2020
My Devotions on 13 Feb 20
Mark 4 What does this mean? Why parables instead of just telling it plain and simple? Because the people who listened, in general, wanted the show, the healing, and the food. They did not want to believe that Jesus was THE Messiah. People reject Jesus as their Messiah because of pride ("I'm a good person.") and they love sinful pleasures and did not want to give them up. Parables are a punishment to withdraw understanding. Those who wanted would have to come and ask Him to explain it. He tests those who ask by saying, “Don’t you see what this parable means? How will you understand any parable?” Why? Because He was testing their genuineness to want to learn. So, He explains. The word is sown by people. God will bless the growth of the word, but the reception is different. The parable of the Lamp is transparency. We are not to hide our faith (pretend we are not Christians), not to hide our sins (we are to confess and repent), and/or lie. Truth is important to God. He also warns us about judging. We must use God's standards, not ours. Judgment, that is, testing is important; we are required to do so, but if I use the wrong standard, then I might be judged by that same standard, too. I will be found out to be a hypocrite. We must judge and test, because otherwise we will be deceived by trusting wrong people. The more we listen to Christ's ways and teachings, the more we will learn. The more we apply and live, the more we will be able to live. We don't understand spiritual growth. We plant; God increases. We tend; God blesses. We harvest; we are thankful and enjoy. It is the providence of God. We are to do spiritual work as preaching, teaching, and living. God gives the increase and brings it to maturity. God's kingdom continues to grow. This is a spiritual kingdom, not a human kingdom on earth. We are to mature in the faith and not stagnate. Finally, the Lord Jesus wishes to go to the other side of the sea. While the men work to sail there, a violent wind storm arises, threatening the ship, for it is “full of water.” The men near to panic awake the Lord Jesus, who is sleeping. He arises, rebukes the wind and sea, that is, telling it to be calm and at peace. It complies, for Jesus is the creator. He then teaches the men, that they should have had faith. If Jesus was not worried and fearful, neither should we. Only God can give real, lasting peace. There is no peace to the wicked. Posted by choco at 08:42 13 Feb 20 Labels: devotions, Mark 4
12 February 2020
A Few Web Sites that I Use Often
I have ranked them very subjectively. These are the ones I use daily to frequently. I’m not going to give reasons why or why not on how I rated them.
For search I use
B1 DuckDuckGo
B2 Start Page
B3 Bing
B4 Swiss Cows
For browsers I use
B1 Firefox
B2 Brave
B3 Opera
B4 Web (Gnome browser)
B5 For sensitive information I use TOR
For OS I use
B1 Mint Mate (19.03 Tricia)
B2 Plus many other Linux OS that I have tried.
Highly recommended
B1 Christian Studies
C2 Bible Hub
C6 Study Light
B2 Theology
C1 Society of Evangelical Arminians (A long list of resources on their site see here)
C4 Pre-Trib Org
B3 Churches
C2 Grace Bible Church Gillette
C3 Beacon Baptist Church Raleigh, NC
B4 Bibles
B5 Blogs
C1 Julie Roys
C5 Jimmy DeYoung (Prophecy)
B6 Apologetics
C1 CMI Topics
C2 Gary Habermas (A long list of resources on his site see here)
C4 Institute for Creation Research
Recommended
B1 Christian Studies
C1 Bible Org
C4 Swartzentrover (Large collection of commentaries, Bible studies, etc. Also goes by the name Holy Pig(?)
C6 Lumina
C8 Bible Atlas
B2 Theology
B3 Churches
C2 Christ Reformation Church (Jeff Crippen)
B4 Bibles
C1 Bible Research (Textual Studies)
C2 Open Bible Topics (Topical studies)
B5 Blogs
C3 David Wilkerson Text Messages
B6 Apologetics
C4 Apologetics Coordination Team
C7 Be Thinking
C8 Reasonable Faith (Dr. William Lane Craig)
C9 Holly Pivec
OK
B1 Christian Studies
C1 Agape Bible Study (Roman Catholic)
C2 Biblia
C3 CCEL
C4 David Pawson
C5 NTS Library (online Christian studies, books, etc.)
B2 Theology
C1 Roger Olson
C2 Visual Theology (Great charts, etc.)
C3 Soteriology 101 (Dr. Flowers)
B3 Churches
C2 Jesus Plus Nothing (Home church)
B4 Bibles
B5 Blogs
C1 Dove Online Christian Counseling Center
B6 Apologetics
C3 TruthXChange
C4 Evan Minton
Not recommended
B1 Christian Studies
B2 Theology
B3 Churches
B4 Bibles
B5 Blogs
B6 Apologetics
Avoid
B1 Christian Studies
B2 Theology
B3 Churches
B4 Bibles
B5 Blogs
B6 Apologetics
A Few Web Sites that I Use Often 12 Feb 20
Websites, Christian websites
11 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Being Cautious
Even skeptical
Defining terms:
B1 Blind faith: Belief in something that has not been proved or is not capable of being proved (Source)
B2 Skepticism: Having or showing doubt; questioning (Source)
the idea is to hear, read, see something and not accepting it without analyzing it.
B3 Cynical: (Source)
C1 Distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; like or characteristic of a cynic.
C2 Showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one’s actions, especially by actions that exploit the scruples of others.
C3 Bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.
B4 Reasonable faith: (Source)
C1 In accordance with clear thinking and good judgment
C2 Within the limits of reason; not excessive
Some dangers of being overly trusting is becoming deceived in some way as financial, emotional, relationships, etc. Deceived by
B1 Philosophy and philosophical arguments: Colossians 2:8 NRSV See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.
B2 Authority (pastors, experts, teachers): Ephesians 4:14 GW Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray.
B3 False prophets, dreams, spiritual experiences, etc.: Jeremiah 29:8-9 GW This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Don’t let the prophets or the mediums who are among you trick you. Don’t even listen to your own dreams. 9 These people are prophesying lies to you in my name. I didn’t send them, declares the LORD.
B4 Seek counsel from stupid people: Isaiah 19:11-13 NRSV The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish; the wise counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the sages, a descendant of ancient kings”? 12 Where now are your sages? Let them tell you and make known what the LORD of hosts has planned against Egypt. 13 The princes of Zoan have become fools, and the princes of Memphis are deluded; those who are the cornerstones of its tribes have led Egypt astray.
Some ideas for advice
B1 Good advice:
C1 The best counsel comes from Scriptures for they are the only source of 100% truth.
C2 People who are successful in a field. A person who is successful in the study of Augustine is a more reliable source than a person on the street. We still need to be aware though.
C3 Some believers have the gift of wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
D1 A gift of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:8 WEB For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit.
D2 A prayer for all believers to have: Ephesians 1:17 NIV I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
C4 We must be a little skeptical and study issues for ourselves.
D1 Pray: James 1:5 ISV Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him.
D2 The Bible gives rules of what we must do and some things we must not do.
E1 Must do: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NRSV but test everything; hold fast to what is good.
E2 Must not do: 1 Thessalonians 5:19 NRSV Do not quench the Spirit.
D3 The Bible gives principles we must do and some we must not do. For example, consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:29-37.
D4 The Bible gives examples of those who were successful and those who were not.
E1 Who were: Acts 4:34-37 Barnabas
E2 Who were not: Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira
D5 Avoid signs and experiences, for the devil can give signs, too. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 NRSV The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, 10 and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
B5 Bad advice
C1 Pride. We think we can make always make the best decision. Consider Edom: Jeremiah 49:16 NRSV The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Although you make your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down, says the LORD.
C2 Thinking there is no consequences of advice. All advice, if followed, has results: Galatians 6:7 NRSV Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.
C3 Seeking guidance from spirits, fortune tellers, cards, boards, or anything occultic: Revelation 18:23 NRSV and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more; and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more; for your merchants were the magnates of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. [Emphasis is added]
We need to test all things
B1 A standard is needed. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NASB But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
C1 We must examine.
C2 We must hold fast (keep) what is good
C3 We must abstain (avoid and reject) every form of evil.
B2 For the Christian, it is basically the New Testament.
B3 We must study to know what it says.
B4 We must believe what it says.
B5 We must do what it says.
B6 We must interpret the Bible in the plain, normal sense.
B7 J. C. Ryle writes in Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, w/Notes, J.C. Ryle – Luke 6:39-45
WE learn, in the first place, from these verses, the great danger of listening to false teachers in religion. Our Lord compares such teachers and their hearers to the blind leading the blind, and asks the reasonable question, “Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” He goes on to confirm the importance of His warning by declaring, that “the disciple is not above his master,” and the scholar cannot be expected to know more than his teacher. If a man will hear unsound instruction, we cannot expect him to become otherwise than unsound in the faith himself.
The subject which our Lord brings before us here deserves far more attention than it generally receives. The amount of evil which unsound religious teaching has brought on the Church in every age is incalculable. The loss of souls which it has occasioned is fearful to contemplate. A teacher who does not know the way to heaven himself, is not likely to lead his hearers to heaven. The man who hears such a teacher runs a fearful risk himself of being lost eternally. “If the blind lead the blind both must fall into the ditch.”
If we would escape the danger against which our Lord warns us, we must not neglect to prove the teaching that we hear by the holy Scriptures. We must not believe things merely because ministers say them. We must not suppose, as a matter of course, that ministers can make no mistakes. We must call to mind our Lord’s words on another occasion, “Beware of false prophets.” (Mat 7:15.) We must remember the advice of Paul and John: “Prove all things.” “Try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1Th 5:21; 1Jo 4:1.) With the Bible in our hands, and the promise of guidance from the Holy Ghost to all who seek it, we shall be without excuse if our souls are led astray. The blindness of ministers is no excuse for the darkness of the people. The man who from indolence, or superstition, or affected humility, refuses to distrust the teaching of the minister whom he finds set over him, however unsound it may be, will at length share his minister’s portion. If people will trust blind guides, they must not be surprised if they are led to the pit.
B8 Clement of Alexandria writes in The Stromata, Or Miscellanies. Book I. Chap. X.
“But strong meat belongeth to those that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb 5:14) “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe,” (Heb 5:13) and not yet acquainted with the word, according to which he has believed and works, and not able to give a reason in himself. “Prove all things,” the apostle says, “and hold fast that which is good,” (1Th 5:21) speaking to spiritual men, who judge what is said according to truth, whether it seems or truly holds by the truth. “He who is not corrected by discipline errs, and stripes and reproofs give the discipline of wisdom,” the reproofs manifestly that are with love. “For the right heart seeketh knowledge.” (Pro 15:14) “For he that seeketh the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness; and they who have sought it rightly have found peace.”53 “And I will know,” it is said, “not the speech of those which are puffed up, but the power.” In rebuke of those who are wise in appearance, and think themselves wise, but are not in reality wise, he writes: “For the kingdom of God is not in word.” (1Co 4:19, 1Co 4:20) It is not in that which is not true, but which is only probable according to opinion; but he said “in power,” for the truth alone is powerful. And again: “If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” For truth is never mere opinion. But the “supposition of knowledge inflates,” and fills with pride; “but charity edifieth,” which deals not in supposition, but in truth. Whence it is said, “If any man loves, he is known.” (1Co 8:1, 1Co 8:2, 1Co 8:3) [Emphasis is added]
God, Himself, loves us and wants us free from lies and deceptions. So let us remember the words of the Lord Jesus:
John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
A Few Thoughts About Being Cautious Even skeptical 11 Feb 20
Skeptical, reasonable faith, testing all things, Bible standard, good decisions, bad decisions
10 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Sin
Sin defined
B1 Unrighteousness: 1 John 5:17 WEB All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.
C1 Unrighteousness is the Greek word ἀδικία adikía. It means violating a standard. The Bible standard is God’s laws, rules, decisions, character, etc. Anything deviating from that standard is unrighteousness.
C2 OT passage: Leviticus 24:22 NASB ‘There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God.
C3 NT passage: Matthew 7:2 NLT For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
C4 NT passage: Philippians 3:16 YLT but to what we have come—by the same rule walk, the same thing think;
B2 Breaking God’s law: 1 John 3:4 GNB Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law.
B3 Negligence, etc. of God’s law: James 4:17 NLT Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
B4 Unbelief: Romans 11:23 GW If Jewish people do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted onto the tree again, because God is able to do that.
B5 Foolish schemes: Proverbs 24:9 GNB Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.
B6 Despite: Proverbs 14:21 NIV It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
C1 The Hebrew word is בּוּז bûwz. It means to look with contempt and treat contempt someone for their looks, socioeconomic status, physical features, where they live, etc. It does not include despising murders, rapists, abusers, etc. God hates murders, rapists, abusers, etc.: Psalms 11:5 GW The LORD tests righteous people, but he hates wicked people and the ones who love violence.
C2 Proverbs 1:7 NLT Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
B7 There is danger in talking too much: Proverbs 10:19 GNB The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.
The basis of all sin is unbelief.
B1 Abraham believed God for which God counted Abraham as righteous: Galatians 3:6 NLT In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
B2 Unbelief has serious consequences: Hebrews 3:19 NLT So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.
B3 Rejection, that is, unbelief destroys: Jude 1:5 ESV Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
B4 Disbelief brings God’s wrath: John 3:36 WEL “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.”
God’s standard is this summary: Luke 10:27 NLT The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
The set of all God’s rules/laws is the Ten Commandments: Exodus 20
The subset of the Ten Commandments are the individual commandments. Each subset includes every sin possible. Example: Exodus 20:16 BSB You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Every type of lie, everything false, deceptive, false pretenses, etc. would be in this category. Consider this article to think about: 8 Different Types of Lies People Tell.
Results of sin:
B1 God’s anger
C1 Colossians 3:5-8 GW Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). 6 It is because of these sins that God’s anger comes on those who refuse to obey him. 7 You used to live that kind of sinful life. 8 Also get rid of your anger, hot tempers, hatred, cursing, obscene language, and all similar sins.
C2 Romans 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
B2 Death
C1 Affects: Spiritual, Physical, and Eternal
C2 The penalty for even one sin is death. God gives the death penalty for all sins, even if it is only one. James 2:10 GNB Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all.
C4 Romans 6:20-21 GW When you were slaves to sin, you were free from doing what God approves of. 21 What did you gain by doing those things? You’re ashamed of what you used to do because it ended in death.
C5 Romans 6:23 GW The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B3 No peace: Isaiah 57:21 GW There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.
Source of sin:
The sin nature is on the whole human race. The sin nature is essentially me first, my wants, my ideas, my ways, etc.:
C1 Consider the pride of Babylon: Isaiah 47:8-10 NRSV Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children”— 9 both these things shall come upon you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. 10 You felt secure in your wickedness; you said, “No one sees me.” Your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” [Emphasis is mine]
C2 And Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel 4:30 NRSV and the king said, “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?“
Remedy for sin
B1 Sin must be punished. A sinner receives the death penalty. So, all must die.
B2 But, if a substitute is willing, that person can take the place of a sinner.
C1 He/she must be sinless, or else they die for their own sin.
C2 He/she must be willing, that is, a volunteer.
C3 He/she must be a human. A sheep or steer cannot substitute, because for human sins, a human must be punished.
C4 There is only one—Jesus, the Messiah who meets this criteria. He has always been Messiah, is Messiah, and will always be Messiah.
D1 He is sinless: 1 Peter 2:22 GNB He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips.
D2 He is willing: Matthew 26:42 GNB Once more Jesus went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.“
D3 He is human:
E1 Hebrews 10:5 NIV Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;
E2 1 Timothy 2:5 GW There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans-a human, Christ Jesus.
C5 Jesus is the Passover Lamb: 1 Corinthians 5:7 GNB You must remove the old yeast of sin so that you will be entirely pure. Then you will be like a new batch of dough without any yeast, as indeed I know you actually are. For our Passover Festival is ready, now that Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
B3 We must believe the Gospel and place our faith and trust into Jesus Christ alone.
C1 Illustrated by Jesus teaching about the arrogant Pharisee and the despised tax collector in Luke 18:9-14.
C2 The Pharisee trusted in what he did.
C3 The tax collector believed and did 3 things:
D1 He believed and was convicted that he was a sinner. He must have repented from thinking that he was not a sinner to confessing that he was.
D2 He knew God alone could forgive sin. He calls on God’s name.
D3 He confessed that he was a sinner.
D4 He knew he had to ask for this salvation (call on the name of the Lord). For only God can forgive sins.
D5 THE Judge, Jesus Christ, pronounced him justified.
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
1
And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2
’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
3
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
4
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
5
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
A Few Thoughts About Sin 10 Feb 20
Sin, definition of sin, source of sin, cause of sin, remedy for sin,
9 February 2020
1 Year Bible—Titus and Philemon
Titus Outline
B1 Chapter 1
C1 Titus 1:1-4 Salutation
C2 Titus 1:5-9 Church leaders
C3 Titus 1:10-16 Rebuke
B2 Chapter 2
C1 Titus 2:1-2 Older Men
C2 Titus 2:3-5 Older Women
C3 Titus 2:6-8 Young Men
C4 Titus 2:9-10 Slaves and Masters
C5 Titus 2:11 God Wants All to Be Saved
C6 Titus 2:12-15 Preach Godliness
B3 Chapter 3
C1 Titus 3:1-2 Dealing with non-Christians
C2 Titus 3:3-8 What We Were, and How God Changed Us
C3 Titus 3:9-11 Avoid
C4 Titus 3:12-15 Final Greetings
Philemon Outline
B1 Salutation Chapter 1:1-3
B2 Thankfulness for Philemon’s Faith Chapter 1:4-7
B3 Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus Chapter 1:8-22
B4 Final Greetings Chapter 1:23-25
Titus and 1&2 Timothy are similar. Both are written to pastors. Both are instructions to young pastors. Both give qualifications of church leaders.
The first chapter of Titus has this:
B1 Titus 1:16 ESV They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
B2 We learn
C1 There are fake believers
C2 There are fake church leaders
C3 There is a test. Do their words and live in private and public match?
C4 These fakes are describes as detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
D1 The Greek word for detestable is βδελυκτός bdelyktós. It means something hated, loathing something, entirely disgusting. God has a poor view of these creeps.
D2 God says this about these people: Isaiah 65:5 GW They said, “Stay away! Don’t touch me! I’m holier than you are.” They have become like smoke in my nose, like a smoldering fire all day long.
D3 The Greek word for disobedient is ἀπειθής apeithḗs. It means impersuasible, uncompliant, contumacious [A. V. disobedient] (Source is Strong’s). It has the idea of being obstinate and rebellious.
D4 The Greek word for unfit is ἀδόκιμος adókimos. It means worthless after being tested. It does not meet the standard. God is the one who does the testing. His standard is what is used to judge. These people fail God’s test.
D5 Hebrews 6:8 GNB But if it grows thorns and weeds, it is worth nothing; it is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.
C5 The Greek word for deny is ἀρνέομαι arnéomai. It means contradict, reject, disavow.
D1 Peter did repent and was restored, but he did deny (same word) Christ. Peter spoke his denial. These people in our passage speak correctly but what they do shows their denial.
D2 Mark 14:69-71 NIV When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
D3 Matthew 23:2-3 NIV The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
C6 We must not imitate them. God help us.
The second chapter of Titus has this
B1 Teach sound doctrine
C1 Sound doctrine is the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles.
C2 Consider the opposite: 2 Timothy 4:3 GNB The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear.
B2 Sound rules for our actions in society
B3 Salvation is offered to all people: Titus 2:11 WEL For the saving grace of God has appeared to all people,
B4 Titus 2:13-14 GNB as we wait for the blessed Day we hope for, when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear. 14 He gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone and are eager to do good.
C1 Jesus is going to return.
C2 We are are excited that He will. We are looking forward to seeing Him.
C3 He gave Himself for us. He did not have to do this.
C4 He rescued us from our wickedness, the wickedness of society and the world, and the sin nature.
C5 His desire is that we be pure Christians, that is, Christians who believe what He taught and live the way He instructed us.
The third chapter of Titus teaches us
B1 The contrast between who and what we were to who and what we are.
C1 What and who we were: Titus 3:3 ESV For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
C2 What and who we are: Titus 3:4-7 ESV But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
D1 The Greek word for kindness (goodness) is χρηστότης chrēstótēs. It means 1. moral goodness, integrity 2. benignity, kindness (Source is Thayer’s).
D2 The Greek work for loving kindness is φιλανθρωπία (philanthrōpía. It means benevolence, kind-heartedness, humane feeling, or, in a weaker sense, kindliness, courtesy (Source is Liddell/Scott/Jones Greek-English Lexicon).
D3 Note: these are characteristics of God, so they must be our characteristics, too.
D4 The washing of regeneration might refer to baptism but only in the sense of
E1 Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. (Source is Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament).
E2 Conversion is really a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17), and here that new creation is presented under the figure of a bath. It is the same figure used by the Lord Jesus when He taught the disciples that there is only one bath of regeneration but many necessary cleansings from defilement (John 13:10). That bath of regeneration has nothing to do with baptism. It is not a bodily cleansing by water, but a moral cleansing by the word of God (John 15:3). Baptism is not even a symbol of this bath; it rather depicts burial with Christ into death (Romans 6:4). (Source is Believer’s Bible Commentary by MacDonald).
E3 Also note Titus 3:7 ESV so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [Emphasis is mine]. We are not justified by baptism.
D5 Titus 3:9-11 teach us
E1 To avoid arguments in stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law (NRSV).
E2 MacDonald (Believer’s Bible Commentary) gives good advice:
The man who majors on these minors is a divisive heretic. He usually has one note on his violin and plays it to death. Soon he gathers around himself a coterie of people with a negative outlook, and the rest he drives away. He will divide an assembly rather than abandon his doctrinal hobbyhorse. No church should put up with such nonsense. If after one or two warnings, he refuses to desist, he should be expelled from the fellowship of the local church and the Christians should refrain from having social contact with him. Hopefully, this ostracism will bring him to repentance and to a more balanced handling of the word of God.
Philemon is a personal letter to an owner of servants/slaves. Onesimus, a slave, ran away, became a Christian, and is helping Paul in the ministry. Paul makes an appeal to Philemon to forgive Onesimus and if willing release him to help me (Paul). We learn how to make an appeal, a reason for making an appeal, helping our brother/sister, and how to forgive.
Psalms 13:5 GW But I trust your mercy. My heart finds joy in your salvation.
Psalms 31:7 GW I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy. You have seen my misery. You have known the troubles in my soul.
1 Year Bible—Titus and Philemon 9 Feb 20
Titus, Philemon, fake believers, sound doctrine, sound lifestyle, Christian’s new life
8 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About the Beauty in Marriage
Marriage
B1 Body
C1 Container. This is an illustration for the sexual need in humans. The idea of a comes from of idea of emotional needs, etc.
E2 This idea was popularized by Dr. Ross Campbell. Here is one review (PDF). I believe the book is still for sale.
D1 A man has a sexual container to enjoy his wife’s beauty. This container needs to be filled up. It cannot be filled in only a minute.
D2 A woman has a sexual container to have her husband enjoy her beauty. This container needs to be filled up. This too, cannot be filled in only a minute.
D3 This enjoyment has to be done by all the senses: eyes (seeing), taste (kissing), feel (touching), smell (perfume, etc.), hearing (communication).
D4 Some verses to give you the idea:
E1 Eyes
F1 Song of Solomon 1:10 GNB Your hair is beautiful upon your cheeks and falls along your neck like jewels.
F2 Song of Solomon 4:5 GNB Your breasts are like gazelles, twin deer feeding among lilies.
E2 Taste
F1 Song of Solomon 1:2 GNB Your lips cover me with kisses; your love is better than wine.
F2 Song of Solomon 4:11 GNB The taste of honey is on your lips, my darling; your tongue is milk and honey for me. Your clothing has all the fragrance of Lebanon.
E3 Feel
F1 Song of Solomon 1:13 GNB My lover has the scent of myrrh as he lies upon my breasts.
F2 Song of Solomon 2:6 GNB His left hand is under my head, and his right hand caresses me.
E4 Smell
F1 Song of Solomon 1:3 GNB There is a fragrance about you; the sound of your name recalls it. No woman could keep from loving you.
F2 Song of Solomon 1:12 GNB My king was lying on his couch, and my perfume filled the air with fragrance.
E5 Hearing
F1 Song of Solomon 1:15-16 GNB How beautiful you are, my love; how your eyes shine with love! 16 How handsome you are, my dearest; how you delight me! The green grass will be our bed.
F2 Note hearing, seeing, and hearing: Song of Solomon 2:14 GNB You are like a dove that hides in the crevice of a rock. Let me see your lovely face and hear your enchanting voice.
F3 Song of Solomon 4:1 GNB How beautiful you are, my love! How your eyes shine with love behind your veil. Your hair dances like a flock of goats bounding down the hills of Gilead.
C2 Eventually we all get into middle age and beyond, and our bodies don’t look like they did when we were in our 20s. Pregnancy changes this also (a good article is A Mom’s Body Change After Pregnancy) [When I find the link, I’ll update the article.]
D1 Your wife/your husband still needs these things. You still need to enjoy her beauty and let her know this.
D2 It is evil to look around at others. It happens, but it is evil.
E1 Exodus 20:14 NLT You must not commit adultery.
E2 Think of the 10 Commandments as a set, each of the 10 Commandments as a subset, and each subset having every possible sin. In our quote above, this subset of adultery includes every sexual sin possible. Thus porn, etc. is wrong, sin, evil, condemned by God, etc.
E3 Hebrews 13:4 NLT Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
D3 Both husband and wife are to enjoy sex. 1 Corinthians 7:3 NLT The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs.
E1 Sex is not just the release. It is both of them enjoying physical pleasure. Both need time to enjoy this pleasure. It is not something that happens in a couple of minutes.
E2 The wife can refuse, and the husband must submit. However, it should not be often. See the verses below:
F1 She can refuse: 1 Corinthians 7:4 NIV The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
F2 There is a time limit: 1 Corinthians 7:5 NLT Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
B2 Soul
C1 This is the beauty of each other’s character, personality, gifts, abilities, likes, and dislikes, etc. It is what makes each of us unique.
C2 We are to enjoy each emotionally, intellectually, and daily living.
C3 The more compatible we are, the easier this is to do. [See note 3]
C4 Take time with each other to work together, chore together, laugh together, work on family situations together, plan together, think together, eat together, listen to each other, help each other, encourage each other, be kind to each other, be compassionate to each other, forgive each other, console each other, be aware of each other’s needs, frustrations, hard day at work, etc.
C5 Live love the way God has instructed us [See note 4]. These things should be between both of us: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends,
C6 Wives do give good counsel. There is safety in a multitude of counselors: God first, Bible, spouse (yes the wife counsel is important, too), etc.
D1 Moses didn’t listen to his wife’s counsel, so God came to kill Moses: Exodus 4:24-26 NET Now on the way, at a place where they stopped for the night, the LORD met Moses and sought to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off the foreskin of her son and touched it to Moses’ feet, and said, “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said, “A bridegroom of blood,” referring to the circumcision.)
D2 Pilate: Matthew 27:19 NET As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today.”
B3 Spirit
C1 For the Christian, this is a life of worship together, serving God together, and fellowship with God and His people together. We are to be seeing in our wife or in our husband the following beautiful things:
D1 Seeing the beauty of your spouse as you celebrate God, His worldview, His lifestyle, His attributes, His beliefs (doctrines), His Gospel, His care, and His people.
D2 Seeing the gifts of the Spirit in your spouse. Both wife and husband have gifts of the Spirit.
E1 Romans 12:6-8 NIV We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. [See note 1 and 2 below]
E2 Also see 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:11-16, James 1:17, etc.
C2 The following are rules for the whole church, but I am applying these today to our marriages. Husband and wife living this type life serving, God, each other, fellow believers, and everyone else:
D1 Romans 12:9-21 NIV Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
D2 Husband and wife are to living, thinking, applying, doing the above in private and publicly—firstly to your spouse, secondly to the rest of your immediate family, thirdly to the believers you fellowship with, fourthly to believers worldwide, and lastly to everyone else.
Unity
B1 It is required:
C1 Genesis 2:24 NLT This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
C2 If we are to have fellowship with God and fellow believers, then it is more so to have fellowship with our spouse: 1 John 1:3 NIV We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
B2 This verse is a principle of doing something together, being yoked together, so partnerships, fellowship in church, business, marriage, etc. Husband and wife are to be yoked together:
C1 Everything in creation was pronounced good, except that Adam was left alone. Eve was then created for Adam to have fellowship and a thinking mate for counsel and consoling. Adam did not have all the gifts and ability to take care of the Garden; God made it so. Eve had the other gifts and ability needed to work together. They were yoked together.
C2 2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
C3 This was written to the congregation at Rome, but I believe it can be applied to marriage as well. You decide. Romans 15:5-7 NIV May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
[All emphasis is mine]
Note 1: Prophecy is not a gift in use today. Maybe you believe so, but I am not here to fight about this but the qualifications are 100% correct in the doctrine that one teaches, the advice that one offers, the wisdom, the rebukes, the warnings, even speaking future events. There is simply no one who could be qualified by the Apostles of Jesus Christ, since they are no longer living on earth. The so-called apostles of today have no proof that they meet God’s qualifications of Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Paul had witnesses), 2 Corinthians 12:12, Revelation 2:2. If there are no apostles to authenticate them. There is no way to know if they are prophets or not.
Note 2: I would agree with this: Are there prophets in the church today?
Note 3: Compatibility Sources but be aware not all have Biblical ideals
B1 Free Quiz with Marriage Compatibility Questions
B2 Marriage Compatibility 7 Critical Areas to Evaluate (Note this site evidently teaches courtship, so be aware).
B3 Pre-Marriage Awareness Questionnaire (PDF)
Note 4: The 5 Love Languages Quiz
A Few Thoughts About the Beauty in Marriage 8 Feb 20
Christian marriage, beauty, oneness, love, compatibility, body, soul, spirit
7 February 2020
1 Year Bible—1 & 2 Timothy
The main topic of these letters is directed towards pastors, elders, etc.
Everyone can benefit from these letters.
Some topics covered today
B1 False teachers
B2 Prayer
B3 Qualifications for church leaders
B4 Jesus is God
B5 Warnings and reminders given to church members
B6 Helping needy believers
B7 Timothy’s health
B8 Living the Christian life
B9 Endurance
B10 Suffering and persecution
B11 Characteristics of the last days
B12 The importance of Scripture
B13 Preach anyway (if suffer and persecuted)
B14 Abandoning the faith
False Teachers
B1 Christian doctrine has a standard. The standard is the New Testament interpreted in the plain, normal sense consistently. We have to be careful that teachers would use standard definitions of words, take the passage in context, and not corrupt it in some ways by their personal beliefs.
B2 False teachers deviate from this standard for various reasons. Maybe one of the following or a combination.
C1 Money: Consider Balaam
D1 2 Peter 2:15 GW These false teachers have left the straight path and wandered off to follow the path of Balaam, son of Beor. Balaam loved what his wrongdoing earned him.
D2 Micah 3:11 GW Your leaders exchange justice for bribes. Your priests teach for a price. Your prophets tell the future for money. But they rely on the LORD when they say, “After all, the LORD is with us. Nothing bad will happen to us.”
C2 Power: Acts 13:6-8 NRSV When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
C3 Sex: Jeremiah 23:14 GW Say this about the prophets of Jerusalem: I see something horrible. The prophets of Jerusalem commit adultery and live a lie. They support those who do evil so that no one turns back from his wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me, and those who live in Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.
B3 To avoid the effect of false teachers, false prophets, false apostles, false preachers, etc. we must know the truth. We must study the Scriptures and know its teachings (doctrine).
Prayer
B1 I believe God created humans for fellowship and to serve God. In prayer, we fellowship with God. Adam and Eve did in the garden before sin. Other examples are Enoch (Genesis 5:22), Noah (Genesis 6:9), and Moses (Exodus 33:11).
B2 It is coming to the throne of the King of all kings, Lord of all lords, King of the Universe to be a priest for others.
C1 Hebrews 4:16 NRSV Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
C2 Revelation 5:10 PickNT and You have made them kings and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.
Wilbur Pickering Ph.D. notes regarding this verses 9 (note5) and 10 (note 6): 5 Every Greek manuscript except one, of inferior quality, reads “us”. Many modern versions follow that lone manuscript and omit the pronoun, but that leaves the transitive verb “redeem” without a direct object, so they usually supply “men” or some such thing. But the true reading is obviously “us”, so the 2 elders are among the redeemed, and they are already in heaven wearing crowns.
6 A very few late manuscripts read “us”, as in KJV, but almost all the manuscripts read “them”. The 2 elders exclude themselves when it comes to reigning on the earth—evidently they will not be involved in the administration of the millennial kingdom.
B3 Qualifications for church leaders—churches should be very careful to follow these instructions. It appears that many do not, instead seeking someone who is cool, trendy, and has a lot of advanced degrees. Nothing wrong or sinful about being cool, trendy, and lots of advanced degrees, but when a congregation considers that criteria as a priority, there will be problems.
B4 Jesus is God. Wilbur Pickering Ph.D. notes:
Instead of ‘God’, 1% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘who’, and most modern versions follow this 1%. But ‘who’ is nonsensical (in the context), so most of them take evasive action: NEB and NASB have “he who”; Phillips has “the one”; NRSV, Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render “he”. Berkley actually has “who”! In the Greek Text the relative pronoun has no antecedent, so it is a grammatical ‘impossibility’, besides being a stupidity—what is so mysterious about someone being manifested in flesh? All human beings have bodies. The pronoun can be accounted for as an easy transcriptional error, a simple copying mistake, so why not stay with the 98.5%? “God was manifested in flesh”—now there you have a mystery! elders exclude themselves when it comes to reigning on the earth—evidently they will not be involved in the administration of the millennial kingdom.
B5 Warnings and reminders given to church members
C1 Passage: 1 Timothy 4:1-5 LEB Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 by the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience, 3 who forbid marrying and insist on abstaining from foods that God created for sharing in with thankfulness by those who believe and who know the truth, 4 because everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thankfulness, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
C2 Some things we learn:
D1 We are taught that some will leave the faith, that is, true doctrine that Jesus and the Apostles taught.
D2 These will turn to mysticism and experiences instead of the Scriptures.
D3 Some will turn to lying teachers who have no problem with lying and teaching false doctrine.
D4 Some will forbid marrying.
D5 Some will insist of food laws.
D6 That foods are sanctified by the word of God (He said so) and (our) prayer.
B6 Helping needy believers
B7 Timothy’s health: it is OK to drink a little wine as medicine.
B8 Living the Christian life: a number of rules for various situations arising in the church. These are principles for all believers. Some topics are work, widows, meeting needs for Christian workers (food, clothes, housing, etc.), dealing with those who teach false doctrine, contentment, money, philosophy, etc.
B9 Endurance
C1 Not to be ashamed of Jesus Christ and His gospel: 2 Timothy 1:8-10 LEB Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor me his prisoner, but suffer along with me for the gospel, according to the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been disclosed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought to light life and immortality through the gospel,
C2 To remain steadfast and faithful to the faith: 2 Timothy 1:13 NRSV Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
B10 Suffering and persecution: 2 Timothy 2:10-13 NRSV Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
B11 Some characteristics of the last days (of the church age): 2 Timothy 3:17 WEL Know this also, that in the last days perilous times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, braggers, arrogant, users of abusive language, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, impossible to please, false accusers, unable to control themselves, fierce, despising those who are good, 4 Traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 Having an appearance of godliness but having spurned its power. From such turn away. 6 For this type are those who wheedle into houses and captivate gullible women loaded with sins carried away with various evil desires, 7 Ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
B12 The importance of Scripture:
C1 2 Timothy 3:16-17 WEL All Scripture is inspired and is beneficial for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 So that God’s people may be completely ready, fully equipped for all good works.
C2 John Wesley writes on this verse: All scripture is inspired of God – The Spirit of God not only once inspired those who wrote it, but continually inspires, supernaturally assists, those that read it with earnest prayer. Hence it is so profitable for doctrine, for instruction of the ignorant, for the reproof or conviction of them that are in error or sin, for the correction or amendment of whatever is amiss, and for instructing or training up the children of God in all righteousness.
C3 Matthew 4:4 NIV Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
C4 An article: In What Sense Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?
B13 Preach anyway (if suffer and persecuted)
C1 2 Timothy 4:3-5 NRSV For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
C2 We learn
D1 People will begin not listening to the teachings of Jesus.
D2 Christians will want cool, trendy, degreed pastors, instead of godly, practical, and degreed or not pastors. As noted above, these pastors are chosen based on the criteria as a priority.
D3 We must not quit even if discouraged. We must always pray for pastoral staff and all believers.
B14 Abandoning the faith: 2 Timothy 4:10 NRSV for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Our goal: 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NRSV I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
1 Year Bible—1 & 2 Timothy 7 Feb 20
Summary 1&2 Timothy, Instructions for pastors, Christian life and worldview
6 February 2020
A Few Thoughts on Psalm 69 and the Plight of the Abused Person
The abused and controlled suffer beyond what words can express. There are a number of sites online to read them if you wish.
Psalm 69 appears to be the words of one who is abused. The situation is unknown.
A not from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown: This Psalm is referred to seven times in the New Testament as prophetical of Christ and the gospel times.
Save me, O God! The water is already up to my neck! I am sinking in deep mud. There is nothing to stand on. I am in deep water. A flood is sweeping me away.
A description of becoming overwhelmed. The feeling of one who absolutely cannot take any more but is stuck in a situation. The Psalmist not only feels helpless but also hopeless.
I am exhausted from crying for help. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are strained from looking for my God.
The Psalmist has been praying continuously for relief and for the abuse to stop, but the Psalmist feels God does not answer or deliver. Many times God allows others to understand that abuse is happening. God does this, so that he/she/they can help the abused to find deliverance and safety. Frequently, those who understand are not willing to help the abused.
Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are mighty.
The abuser/s have control. They have power. They are assisted by those who join in. So many abused people find their pastors and pastor’s wives support and believe the abuser. The same will NOT believe the abused. For example of some stories see Spiritual Abuse & Domestic Violence – A Call for Stories and scroll down to the comments.
They have no reason to be my enemies.
Self explanatory.
I am forced to pay back what I did not steal.
This is from lies, slander, identity theft, pressure, etc.
O God, you know my stupidity, and the things of which I am guilty are not hidden from you.
God knows the truth. The abused are so verbally abused by being called stupid and much worse that self esteem and self ability are lost. These poor folks feel they can do nothing. The abuser is full of lies.
The application to all of us is to believe the abused until further information is available. Here are a couple of pages listing information to know if one is abused and to help find help:
C1 Recognising the signs of domestic abuse
C3 If you’re in the USA, the hotline number and site is The National Domestic Hotline. 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
C4 When we are aware that abuse is happening we must take action. There is no excuse not to help. Some suggestions are here:
D1 How to help a friend who is being abused
D2 5 Ways to Help Someone Who Is Being Abused
C5 Awareness: See Relationships Safety and Violence (This is a PDF).
Do not let those who wait with hope for you be put to shame because of me, O Almighty LORD of Armies. Do not let those who come to you for help be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel.
The Psalmist cares for others. Often the abused is concerned with his/her children.
Indeed, for your sake I have endured insults.
The abuser loves doing this. Often, it is because they enjoy it. Their greatest joy, it seems, is to hurt.
Humiliation has covered my face.
The feelings many abused feel in public. It also applies to many who are re-abused by those who do not believe them.
I have become a stranger to my own brothers, a foreigner to my mother’s sons.
Abusers like to move away from the abused’s family. The family is usually the greatest support and help. Abusers know this, so get them to move far away. Then they can abuse more freely.
Indeed, devotion for your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
Many of the abused pray and go to church, but the church and pastoral staff abuse them even more.
I cried and fasted, but I was insulted for it.
The abuser frequently mocks the abused when they see the abused suffering.
I dressed myself in sackcloth, but I became the object of ridicule. Those who sit at the gate gossip about me, and drunkards make up songs about me.
The abused suffer from the abuser’s friends.
May my prayer come to you at an acceptable time, O LORD. O God, out of the greatness of your mercy, answer me with the truth of your salvation. Rescue me from the mud. Do not let me sink into it. I want to be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep water. Do not let floodwaters sweep me away. Do not let the ocean swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O LORD, because your mercy is good. Out of your unlimited compassion, turn to me. I am in trouble, so do not hide your face from me. Answer me quickly! Come close, and defend my soul. Set me free because of my enemies. You know that I have been insulted, put to shame, and humiliated. All my opponents are in front of you. Insults have broken my heart, and I am sick. I looked for sympathy, but there was none. I looked for people to comfort me, but I found no one. They poisoned my food, and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
B1 The abused continue to pray. At least, there is one who cares and will listen. This is a wonderful blessing that Yahweh will listen to us intently and caringly as often as we need.
B2 See the resources listed above. There is no excuse not to help someone when we notice they are abused.
Let the table set for them become a trap and a snare for their friends. Let their vision become clouded so that they cannot see. Let their thighs continually shake. Pour your rage on them. Let your burning anger catch up with them. Let their camp be deserted and their tents empty. They persecute the one you have struck, and they talk about the pain of those you have wounded. Charge them with one crime after another. Do not let them be found innocent. Let their names be erased from the Book of Life. Do not let them be listed with righteous people. I am suffering and in pain. Let your saving power protect me, O God.
The abused ask God to judge the abuser. The bastard, evil abuser will get punishment. The faster the better.
I want to praise the name of God with a song. I want to praise its greatness with a song of thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than sacrificing an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. Oppressed people will see this and rejoice. May the hearts of those who look to God for help be refreshed. The LORD listens to needy people. He does not despise his own who are in prison. Let heaven and earth, the seas, and everything that moves in them, praise him. When God saves Zion, he will rebuild the cities of Judah. His servants will live there and take possession of it. The descendants of his servants will inherit it. Those who love him will live there.
When God delivers, all will be happy except for the abuser. We don’t know when God delivers, but He will. GOD WILL GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO LEAVE. You can. There are many resources to help; see above.
In any emergency, call 911 if in the USA.
Regarding the Messianic meaning of this passage, see here:
B1 The Messiah would be the righteous sufferer
B2 Psalm 69 – The restoration and the zeal of the Lord (As always be a Berean as I don’t know much about the site).
A Few Thoughts on Psalm 69 Regarding Being Abused 6 Feb 20
Psalm 69, abuse, Psalms and emotions, resources to help the abused
5 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Being Steadfast
Steadfast in the Faith
1 Corinthians 15:58 WEB Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This passage is at the end of the great resurrection chapter. The Gospel has been summarized. Jesus has conquered life, death, goodness, evil, and has overcome the world.
Knowing all this is wonderful, but we must continue in the faith. We must not fail as is illustrated by our Lord: Matthew 13:21 WEB yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
We are
B1 To be steadfast
C1 The Greek word is ἑδραῖος hedraîos. It means to be settled and not movable. It is like a fence post secured in concrete.
C2 It is used 3 times in the New Testament with the idea of firmly believing something. A decision has been made that will not change.
C3 Robertson’s Word Pictures has this note on this passage: Let the sceptics howl and rage. Paul has given rational grounds for faith and hope in Christ the Risen Lord and Saviour.
C4 We have a reasonable faith. It is rational. It is not blind faith. We have reasons, witnesses, and proofs.
C5 Some verses illustrating this idea:
D1 Proverbs 10:25 WEB When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
D2 Note the contrast between believers and unbelievers: Psalms 20:7-8 NRSV Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.
C6 Our (that is all Christian believers) foundation is the most stable: Ephesians 2:19-20 NKJV Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
C7 Our stability has a purpose. Look today how many do not know what they believe: Ephesians 4:14 GNB Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent.
B2 To be immovable
C1 The Greek word for immovable is ἀμετακίνητος ametakínētos. It means firmly persistent. It is used only in this one passage in the New Testament.
C2 To be firmly persistent we must be continually alive. We get our life from the Lord Jesus. We must continue in His teaching: John 15:4-5 WEB Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
C3 We need to pray. It is part of the Armor of God: Ephesians 6:18 WEB with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
C4 Be tested in and about our faith makes us stronger in the faith: James 1:2-4 NRSV My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
C5 Our love for God and His love for us is described in these actions: 1 Corinthians 13:7 NRSV It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [Emphasis is mine]
B3 To be abounding in the Lord’s work
C1 Abounding is the Greek word περισσεύω perisseúō. It means to have much, very much even to overflowing.
C2 Vincent’s Word Studies has this note here: The former refers [steadfast] to their firm establishment in the faith; the latter [immovable] to that establishment as related to assault from temptation or persecution. Fixedness is a condition of abounding in work. All activity has its center in rest. [insert is mine]
C2 John Wesley writes: Be ye steadfast – In yourselves. Unmovable – By others; continually increasing in the work of faith and labour of love. Knowing your labour is not in vain in the Lord – Whatever ye do for his sake shall have its full reward in that day. Let us also endeavour, by cultivating holiness in all its branches, to maintain this hope in its full energy; longing for that glorious day, when, in the utmost extent of the expression, death shall be swallowed up for ever, and millions of voices, after the long silence of the grave, shall burst out at once into that triumphant song, O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?
C4 The work of the Lord Jesus is described: John 4:34 NRSV Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.
D1 Our work in this life and forever is to do God’s will.
D2 We were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever.
D3 We serve Him by
E1 Obedience to His laws. These are the ~1,000 rules in the New Testament. John 14:23-24 GNB Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them. 24 Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.
E2 Doing life the way God intended and to grow in the knowledge about God: Colossians 1:10 NRSV so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.
E3 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NRSV remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
E4 This fruit should be cleanly seen by all. May God continue to work in our lives: Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
E5 Serving other believers. All believers can help one another believer sometime. I think we all see too many times others work to undermine another’s faith. God forbid! This is what we must do. It is an example for us: Hebrews 6:10-11 GNB God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to other Christians. 11 Our great desire is that each of you keep up your eagerness to the end, so that the things you hope for will come true.
The reason for steadfastness is so our work for the Lord does not become empty.
B1 We don’t want
C1 Empty preaching or an empty faith: 1 Corinthians 15:14 NKJV And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
C2 To be deceived by empty words: Ephesians 5:6 NKJV Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
C3 Be cheated out of our faith by philosophy and empty deceit: Colossians 2:8 NKJV Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
B2 The Greek word for empty is κενός kenós. It means no effect, no results, no substance. It is just hot air and good for nothing.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NRSV We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Few Thoughts About Being Steadfast 5 Feb 20
Steadfastness, immovable, busy for God, Christian life
5 February 2020
A Few Thoughts About Tithing
Jewish Regulations
B1 First source: TERUMOT AND MA’ASEROT
B2 Second source: Tithing
B3 Third source: TITHE
B4 The Mosaic Law tithes:
C1 The first tithe is given to the priests or the Levites as in Numbers 18:21-24. The notes from the resources vary of who the tithe was to go to. The Levites or the priests then gave 10% to the High Priest.
C2 The second is to be brought to Jerusalem and eaten there. It could be redeemed for money, if the distance was too far, but 20% had to be added. See Deuteronomy 14:22-26.
C3 The third tithe was in the 3rd and 6th year (or once every 7 years, its confusing) for the poor. See Deuteronomy 14:28-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12.
C4 A number of estimates I saw listed the mean (average) tithe was 22-23% of income a year.
C5 The tithe was not money. It was grain, fruit, wine, and animals. If it was an animal, it was the 10th animal. The owner could not pick one of the 10, but he was required to give the 10th animal.
B5 Fourth source from a Messianic Jew: Tithing
Abraham
B1 Abraham did not give 10% of his income.
B2 He gave 10% of his spoils of war.
B3 Genesis 14:11-12, 14, 16, 18-20 NIV The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. … 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. … 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. … 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
B4 So, the laws of tithe from the Law would not apply.
I’ve heard sermons on this verse “proving” the tithe is for the Christian. At one point, I did myself. Let’s look at in its plain, normal sense.
B1 Verse: Matthew 23:23 NIV Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
B2 The Lord Jesus is speaking to the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees.
B3 He points out that they are meticulously careful about their tithes.
B4 The more important points of Mosaic Law, justice, mercy, and faithfulness, are neglected.
B5 The Lord Jesus tells these people they must do both according to Mosaic Law.
B6 This is descriptive, not prescriptive. The Lord is not telling us to do this. He is not correcting us; He is correcting the teachers and the Pharisees.
B7 The teachers and the Pharisees had greater care in following the ceremonial laws, then they did following the moral laws. Yet, God requires both to be fulfilled. Jesus did fulfill both.
The New Testament does teach
B1 To give money and supplies
C1 To the needy brothers and sisters
D1 See Deuteronomy 15
D2 Hebrews 13:16 GNB Do not forget to do good and to help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God.
D3 Acts 11:29 NRSV The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea;
C2 To the full-time and/or needy workers: Galatians 6:6 NLT Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
B2 To give as God has prospered: 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
B3 To give cheerfully
B4 To give willingly
B5 To give without expecting anything in return. It is not an investment.
C1 Some would consider this to teach that the tithe is an investment. The more you give; the more you receive: 2 Corinthians 9:6 NRSV The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
C2 The reward is not necessarily financial increases for us to keep. It refers to spiritual blessings as well as material blessings for the purpose of giving to others even greater amounts. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NRSV And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
C3 If we are to lend to our enemies and expect nothing in return, then surely we would expect us to do the same for our brothers and sisters: Luke 6:35 NIV But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
B6 To give in acknowledgment of God’s blessing in granting us extra to give: 2 Corinthians 9:8 GNB And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.
B7 To give with an attitude of our treasures are in heaven, not on earth: Matthew 6:20-21 EMTV but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not dig through and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
B8 To NOT give to moochers, etc.: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 GNB While we were with you, we used to tell you, “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.” 11 We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people’s business. 12 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command these people and warn them to lead orderly lives and work to earn their own living.
When giving, we
B1 Should have the attitude that we are giving to God, for He gives us to meet our needs and extra to help others in need. We are a family.
B2 Give to our family first, then our brothers and sisters in our local congregation, then our brothers and sisters around the world, and lastly to non-believers.
C1 1 Timothy 5:8 MKJV But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
C2 1 John 3:17 NET But whoever has the world’s possessions and sees his fellow Christian in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God reside in such a person?
B3 Always meet the needs in the local congregation. There are month to month expenses, utilities, insurance, repair, staff needs, out reach, missions, etc.
B4 Should not be giving to get the special offer for a donation. We should give extra to cover the cost of the donation gift whether it is a book, DVD, pamphlet, etc.
B5 Give knowing it is a Christian sacrifice: Philippians 4:18-19 NRSV I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
B6 Should know that giving is greater joy than receiving: Acts 20:35 NRSV In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
B7 Know that giving is a characteristic of believers: 1 John 3:17 WEB But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
Amounts
B1 10% would be burdensome to someone who only earns $1,000 a month.
B2 10% doesn’t have much effect on one with a monthly earning of $10,000.
B3 Some could give only 1%, while others could give 50% even.
B4 1 John 3:17 WEB But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
B5 Just because someone earns $20,000 a month, it shouldn’t be expected of them to give 50%.
B5 Whatever we give, it must be of our free will, cheerfully, humbly, and as a sacrifice to God.
The love of money is a root of all evil: 1 Timothy 6:10 WEB For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
We are to be content: Hebrews 13:5 WEB Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.
A Few Thoughts About Tithing 5 Feb 20
Tithing, reasons to give money, priorities in giving money
3 February 2020
1 Year Bible—1&2 Thessalonians
Holiness versus evil
B1 God’s standards versus every other standard
C1 We are to walk worthily: 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 WEB As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
D1 Walk is the New Testament term for lifestyle. It is our day to day life. It is how we are to live our life in public and private.
E1 Luke 1:6 WEB They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
E2 Romans 8:1 WEB There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
D2 Walk, in agreement with the above point, also is a lifestyle without darkness. A life without darkness is a life lived with God’s help, God’s blessing, God’s truth, and God’s freedom:
E1 John 8:12 WEB Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
E2 John 12:35 WEB Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
B2 Live God’s standards
C1 No sexual sins. Both husband and wife (only husband and wife according to God’s standards) are to enjoy sexual pleasure and togetherness. The wife is to enjoy pleasure just as the husband. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 WEB For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God.
C2 Living a quiet and upright life
D1 No gossip. If we tell the truth, it is not gossip. It we warn others, it is not gossip. If we can prevent further crimes or abuse, it is not gossip. If we are seeking help and tell our story, it is not gossip. If it is a truth about someone and they complain that it is gossip, it is not gossip. Gossip is when we have a secret just between you and me that is not criminal or injurious, and then I spread it far and near. For example, I had a job once where I learned to never tell a certain person what was happening in the family, finances, plans for the future, complaints, etc, because she would blab it to everyone. I did take advantage of this once, for I wanted some information to be given to all the other workers. I told this worker the information, and she told everyone. Ha!
D2 We are to work to meet our needs and have some extra to help others especially believers. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 WEB For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, 8 neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you; 9 not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, don’t let him eat.”
B3 Living by God’s standards and being God’s people will result in a witness of our faith.
B4 Here are a number of rules for all Christians to be living this very day and tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 WEB We exhort you, brothers,
C1 admonish the disorderly—the disorderly cause trouble in society and/or the church
C2 encourage the faint-hearted—these are those discouraged, sad, etc.
C3 support the weak—in persecution, distresses, physical
C4 be patient toward all. 15
C5 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all—calling law enforcement to report a crime is not returning evil. To call is a protective measure. 16
C6 Rejoice always—if nothing else, we rejoice that God will never leave us and also suffered. 17
C7 Pray without ceasing—this is an attitude not a 24 prayer vigil 18
C8 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19
C9 Don’t quench the Spirit. 20 by disobeying the Scriptures and in those days, not following the advice of the Apostles
C10 Don’t despise prophesies. 21
C11 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22 The Scriptures are our standard.
C12 Abstain from every form of evil. Again, the standard is God’s Word as in recorded in the Scriptures.
B5 To stand firm in the faith. This is to continue in the doctrine that the Lord Jesus and the Apostles taught. This does not change in time or different societies. God’s way is best. Our way is not.
C1 Malachi 3:6 NRSV For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.
C2 Hebrews 13:8 NRSV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
C3 Proverbs 14:12 WEB There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
B6 Living by God’s standards and being God’s people will result in persecution.
Some encouragement
B1 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NRSV Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, 2 and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
B2 We are to pray for the Christian brothers and sisters
C1 For the Gospel to be spread to others
C2 For believers to be rescued from evil people
C3 For God’s strength. He WILL strengthen us.
C4 For safety from the evil one, especially satan. God is always victorious.
C5 For continuing in the faith in beliefs and lifestyle
C6 For continual seeking God’s help and wisdom
Psalms 28:7 NRSV The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalms 55:22 NRSV Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
John 16:33 NRSV I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!“
1 Year Bible—1&2 Thessalonians On Holiness 3 Feb 20
Christian lifestyle, God’s standards, Christian Bible rules
2 February 2020
1 Year Bible—1&2 Thessalonians Part B
B3 Rapture
C1 Rapture and Second Coming:
Question: “What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?”
Answer: The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two. The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in twinkling of an eye. The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16. [Source]
C2 Table
| Second Coming of Christ | |
| Rapture | Glorious Appearing |
| Not in the OT (1 Corinthians 15:51) | Predicted in the OT (Zech 14:1-4, Malachi 3:1) |
| Christ comes for his own (John 14:3, 1 Thes 4:7) | Christ comes with his own (Rev 19:14) |
| He comes in the air (1 Thes 4:17) | He comes to the earth (Zech 14:4-5, Acts 1:11) |
| He comes to claim his bride (1 Thes 4:16-17) | He comes with his bride (Rev 19:6-14) |
| Removal of believers (John 14:3, 1 Thes 4:17) | Removal of unbelievers (Matt 24:38-41, 13:38-43) |
| Only his own will see him (1 Thes 4:13-18) | Every eye will see him (Rev 1:7, Matt 24:30) |
| The tribulation begins (2 Thes 2:6-9) | The millenium begins (Rev 20:1-7) |
| Saved delivered from wrath (1 The 1:10, 5:9, Rev 3:10) | Unsaved experience wrath of God (Rev 6:12-17) |
| No signs preceed the rapture (1 Thes 5:1-3) | Signs preceed the glorious appearing (Matt 24:3, Lk 21:11-28) |
| Focus: the Lord and church (1 Thes 4:13-18) | Focus: Israel and the kingdom (Matt 24) |
| Believers receive glorified bodies (1 Cor 15:50-57, Phil 3:20-21) | No one gets a new body (Isaiah 65:20) |
| Rewards for church saints (1 Cor 3:10-15, 2 Cor 5:10) | Judgment for unbelievers (Matt 25:31-46, Rev 20:11-15) |
| The world is deceived (2 Thes 2:3-12) | Satan is bound (Rev 20:1-2) |
[I found this online, but I do not know the original source]
Thessalonians 4:13-18 WEB But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
From this passage we learn:
C1 We are not to be in ignorance
C2 Jesus is in heaven and will return with believers, which are also in heaven, for they are brought with Him.
C3 The believers who have died will be resurrected, that is, reunited with a new body like Christ has.
C4 We who are alive will be caught up (seized, snatched, raptured) to Christ in the air.
C5 We are to comfort one another.
We do not go through the Tribulation: 1 Thessalonians 5:9 WEB For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 WEB Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; 9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
From this passage we learn:
C1 There will be a lawless one. There are many lawless people today, but this is the ultimate in lawlessness-just one of a kind.
C2 Yeshua will destroy him with just a word.
C3 The lawless one is empowered by satan.
C4 satan and his crowd can do miracles (compare Pharaoh’s magicians in Exodus 8:7, etc.)
C5 The purpose of these miracles is to deceive
C6 Those most easily deceived are those who want to be deceived
C7 These who are deceived reject the truth
C8 They reject believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and placing faith and trust in Him.
Let us
B1 Eagerly wait for Him: 1 Corinthians 1:7 NIV Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
B2 Be ready. We do not know the day: Philippians 3:20 NIV But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Year Bible—1&2 Thessalonians Part B 2 Feb 20
Bible lessons, Jesus coming, First coming of Jesus, Second coming, Rapture
1 February 2020
1 Year Bible—1&2 Thessalonians Part A
There is one overriding topic that we will discuss. Yet, there is so much to learn.
Outline
1 Thessalonians
B1 Chapter 1: The Gospel Preached, Believed, and Lived Chapter 1:1-10
B2 Chapter 2
C1 We Came For You To Believe Gospel and Nothing Else Chapter 2:1-12
C2 Gentile Believers Persecuted Just As The Jewish Believers Chapter 2:13-16
C3 We Long To Be With You Chapter 2:17-20
B3 Chapter 3
C1 Timothy Sent To Strengthen and Encourage Them Chapter 3:1-5
C2 Timothy’s Encouraging Report Chapter 3:6-10
C3 May God Make a Way for Us to Visit Chapter 3:11-13
B4 Chapter 4
C1 Commit No Fornication Chapter 4:1-8
C2 Live a Quiet and Upright Life Chapter 4:9-12
C3 Teaching Concerning the Rapture Chapter 4:13-18
B5 Chapter 5
C1 Always Be Ready for His Return Chapter 5:1-11
C2 Final Instructions Chapter 5:12-22
C3 Paul’s Prayer for Them Chapter 5:23-28
2 Thessalonians
B1 Chapter 1: The Christians are suffering, but God’s judgment is coming.
C1 Greetings and Thankfulness Chapter 1:1-4
C2 God Will Judge the Evil and Deliver the Righteous Chapter 1:5-10
C3 Paul’s Prayer That Their Faith Grows and Is Steadfast Chapter 1:11-12
B2 Chapter 2: Anti-Christ
C1 Anti-Christ Chapter 2:1-12
C2 Stand Firm in the Faith Chapter 2:13-17
B3 Chapter 3: Requests
C1 For Prayer Chapter 3:1-5
C2 For Them to Work Chapter 3:6-15
C3 For God to Bless Them Chapter 3:16-18
Topic one
I’ll hopefully study this later
B1 Holiness versus evil
C1 God’s standards versus every other standard
C2 Live God’s standards
D1 No sexual sins
D2 Living a quiet and upright life
C3 Living by God’s standards and being God’s people will result in persecution.
Topic two
B1 Jesus is coming
C1 First coming
D1 As Messiah
E1 Foretold. Just one passage given: Isaiah 53. For more information on Messianic prophecies see Jews for Jesus has curate approximately 40 of the most helpful messianic prophecies along with their New Testament fulfillments
E2 Purpose to suffer for our sins in undergo punishment for our sins.
F1 Hebrews 9:28 WEB so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.
F2 1 Peter 3:18 LitV Because even Christ once suffered concerning sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God; indeed being put to death in [the] flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;
F3 He is our Passover Lamb: 1 Corinthians 5:7 NET Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough – you are, in fact, without yeast. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
E3 Jesus was proven successful: 1 Peter 1:3 NET Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
D2 Fulfilled: John 20:31 NET But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
C2 Second coming
D1 Foretold: Zechariah 14:4 NET On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which lies to the east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, leaving a great valley. Half the mountain will move northward and the other half southward.
D2 Fulfilled: Revelation 19:11-13 NET Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war. 12 His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. 13 He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God.
B2 Christ versus anti-Christ
C1 Christ: I John 1:5 BSB And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
D1 Light signifies:
E1 Purity in every conceivable way: Isaiah 5:20 BSB Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.
E2 Exposure of sin, thus truth. God’s exposure of sin is for 2 reasons. The first is for the sinning person to repent. The second is for others not to imitate what the sinner is doing, thus, a warning. John 3:19 CSB This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
E3 Those who are godly want the light: Psalms 119:105 NRSV Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
D2 The message given by Jesus Christ, God the Son, is true and righteous. All of God’s decisions, messages, and doings are done in wisdom, love, and holiness.
C2 anti-Christ
D1 Loves darkness. Darkness signifies:
E1 A desire for sin to be hidden: John 3:20 WEB For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
E2 Sin, evil, worldview, lifestyle, a culture: Proverbs 2:12-13 NRSV It will save you from the way of evil, from those who speak perversely, 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,
D2 Loves to deceive, which is the true opposite of truth and exposing evil.
E1 We term this love bombing today. Let us beware: Proverbs 26:24-28 WEB A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. 25 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
E2 The anti-Christ, the lawless one, is of satan and is a lying, deceiver: 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 WEB Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
1 Year Bible—1&2 Thessalonians Part A 1 Feb 20
Bible lessons, Jesus coming, First coming of Jesus, Second coming, Christ vs anti-Christ