Resource Manager Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 01 May 2016 Deuteronomy 18 Ecclesiastes 10 Acts 9 "WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME" What a dramatic conversion Paul experienced – we read this today in Acts 9. Let’s think back to what Jesus said to Peter because he knew Peter would, in the extremity of the shock of his Master’s arrest, deny him three times. He said to Peter, “when you are converted, strength your brethren” [Luke 22:32]. That is how the old A.V. renders Jesus’ words; modern versions say “when you have turned about” or “turned back”! Conversion is turning around to face the opposite direction! Although a disciple of Jesus for three years – Peter was not yet converted. Conversion for Paul, as it had been for a great many others on that dramatic day of Pentecost was being turned right around to live their lives for a new purpose – this brought them face to face with light – they did not realize they had been in darkness! Paul was struck down by that light from heaven! It is true that, for some, they experience a sudden illumination as to what the eternal purpose of life really is. Think back to what we read yesterday in Acts 8 of the Eunuchs’ experience. He had been to Jerusalem to worship; Jesus knew he was searching for more illumination to his understanding of God – his reading of Isaiah showed this – so the Spirit motivate Philip to meet him.. We must never stop searching for greater insights – but they must be ones that bring us closer to Christ, that as our world grows ever darker, our minds grow ever brighter – and help can come in unexpected ways. Did you notice what Jesus said to Paul as he lay blinded by the light from heaven? “Why are you persecuting me”. That must have shocked him! Paul was to learn as his life in Christ progressed – that Christ really was in every believer – those whose life have been truly turned around. When other believers look into our eyes can they see Christ? Ponder Romans 8:1,8, 9. These are spiritually powerful words that it is valuable to memorise! “There is there now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….Those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” The word IN is powerful! If we belong to him we are no longer our own….Christ really is in us, and it is when we fully realize this – that our conversion is complete. Those who endured persecution 500 years or so ago must have fully realized this; they no doubt wondered if they were living in the “last days” – by we have much more reason to believe this! Daniel was told ”there shall be a time of trouble such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book.” [Daniel 12:1] Let us make sure that you and I have been genuinely converted - turned right around – to face our Lord – and therefore be truly ready when the angels call – as he is returning.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2016 02 May 2016 Deuteronomy 19Ecclesiastes 11Acts 10 "YOUR PRAYERS ... ASCENDED AS A MEMORIAL" Today in reading Acts 10 we saw how Peter had his eyes opened to realize that non-Jews (Gentiles) had been called to repentance and belief in salvation through Christ. In Acts 10:2 we read of a man named Cornelius – a Centurion who was “a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously …, and prayed continually to God. " God sent an angel to him but Cornelius "stared at him in terror" [Acts 10:4] and we paused to ponder about our reaction when God "will send out the angels and gather his elect" [Mark 13:27] remembering that Jesus further said concerning, "that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." [Mark 13:32] Surely this is a matter for our earnest prayer, Cornelius sets us an awesome example. Cornelius is told "your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God," so he is known to God both for his prayers and his generosity in giving to the needy - we note how they are described as a "memorial." How interesting this is - and how challenging! What do we say and do that ascends to God as a memorial? Peter experiences a remarkable vision to prepare his mind for meeting with Cornelius so that when he arrives he is ready to witness to him. Peter declares: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him … the word that he sent ... preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) ..." [Acts 10:34-36] There follows what is obviously a brief summary of Peter's message about the teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus and how Jesus "commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead" and "that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." [Acts 10:43] Then Peter is left in no doubt as to the will of God for "while Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard" [Acts 10:44] This leads Peter to declare, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." [Acts 10:47-48] This was the outcome of sincere prayer; may our prayers ascend as a memorial to God - as a testimony to our faith in his word which we read and meditate on every day. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 03 May 2016 Deuteronomy 20Ecclesiastes 12Acts 11; 12 "... WITH STEADFAST PURPOSE" One of the early converts after the day of Pentecost was a man called Barnabas; we are not told all that much about him but what we are told is most interesting. At the end of Acts 4 we read of a Levite, one of the priestly tribe, named Joseph “who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement) (who) … sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet.” It is evident from today’s chapter in Acts [Acts 11] that Barnabas became very useful in the Lord’s work. After the death of Stephen those who were scattered because of the persecution … travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus (Barnabas was a Cypriot) speaking the word (but) to no one except the Jews.” [Acts 11:19] “The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad and exhorted (encouraged) them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” [Acts 11:22-23] “A great many people were added to the Lord” [Acts 11:24] at this time – so then “Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they … taught a great many people.” [Acts 11:25-26] Then a famine arose which must have particularly affected those in Jerusalem, so “the disciples (in Antioch), determined, everyone according to his ability to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so … by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” [Acts 11:29-30] True believers today need the equivalent of Barnabas among them, ones who “remain faithful … with steadfast purpose” Do you remember how Paul concluded 1 Corinthians 15? Memorise this verse, “Therefore my beloved brothers. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” To this we can add the closing words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes which we also read today, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” How close now is that judgement! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 04 May 2016 Deuteronomy 21Song 1Acts 13 “BEWARE …WHAT IS SAID IN THE PROPHETS …” Our reading of Acts 13 has many lessons about the actions of God and then - the reactions of men to the message of Jesus as it was spread by Paul and Barnabas. They came to Antioch in Pisidia (southern Turkey) and went into the synagogue and were invited to speak [Acts 13:15]. Paul started by giving them a history lesson of God’s actions in bringing Israel through the wilderness and establishing them in the promised land and then giving them kings, in particular David. Then Paul’s message jumps forward to John the Baptist. We must not underestimate the impact and spread of John’s preaching because later, at Ephesus, Paul is to find those who only know John’s baptism [Acts 19:3] – and that’s a long way from the Jordan! Paul’s reference to John leads him to talk about Jesus and his message. He points out that those who lived in Jerusalem “did not recognise him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day,” and they “fulfilled them by condemning him” [Acts 13:27]. Paul knew that the same misunderstanding was going to happen in Antioch as they became jealous of the non-Jews when they accepted the message that “everyone who believes (in Jesus) is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.” [Acts 13:38-39]. Then comes the punch line! “Beware therefore, lest what is said in the prophets should come about.” [Acts 13:40] And it did come about! And the same warning needs to be made today! Paul quoted the words God inspired the prophet Habakkuk to write, “Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’” [Acts 13:41, Habakkuk 1:5] Today we have scoffers who deride the Bible, apparently learned men scoff at the very thought that there is a God. One day, maybe soon, they will “be astounded and perish.” Then God’s laws will come into action, no longer will the permissive laws of man corrupt mankind. Let us prepare for that time by understanding the utterances of the prophets, including Jesus and Paul – and taking them to heart.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 05 May 2016 Deuteronomy 22Song 2Acts 14; 15 "... AND FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY" There is a very interesting link between our 3 readings today. The early church has a crisis meeting to decide whether the new Gentile converts should be expected to keep the Law of Moses. Leaders including Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James participate in, what we would call today, a high level conference in Jerusalem . The end result of this Conference is that a letter is compiled to be sent to all the churches telling them that it is not required that they should keep that Law, but it did add that they should “abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols … and from sexual immorality.” [Acts 15:29] Our Deuteronomy reading [Deuteronomy 22] has a section headed ‘Laws concerning sexual immorality’ [Deuteronomy 22:13-30] in which rules are laid down that the people must abide by an upright moral code and that a woman should preserve her virginity until marriage and if she is found not to have done so she is to be put to death “because she has done an outrageous thing … so you shall purge evil from your midst” [Deuteronomy 22:21]. There is no evidence that such punishment ever happened amongst the followers of Christ. Baptism into Christ blotted out all past sins. However we read in Hebrews, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord … that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy …” [Hebrews 12:14-16] Our other reading today was in the Songs of Solomon which is an allegorical story of true love and how a bride adores her beloved. “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” [song 2:16], this is interpreted as illustrating Christ’s love for his church. Paul wrote, “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her … that she might be holy and true and without blemish” [Ephesians 5:25,27] All those who aim to be true members of the body of Christ should have these words very much in mind, may that include all those who are reading this. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 06 May 2016 Deuteronomy 23Song 3Acts 16; 17 “SIGNS AND WONDERS” We read today one of the better known incidents in the Bible, it is when Paul was in Athens and confronted the idol worshippers and then gave his speech on Mars Hill (or Areopagus). [Acts 17:22]. Paul comments on how religious (AV superstitious) they are! “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious: for I passed along and observed the objects of your worship.” Paul seizes on the fact they had even made an altar to the unknown god, in case they had missed one! Paul’s describes the God they do not know as the one true God, a God that is REAL and not the product of human imagination. Today we have ‘evolution’ as the product of human imagination which is, in a sense, ‘worshipped’ by most of the intellectuals of this age. This belief in evolution – as a sort of ‘God,’ sets free its worshippers from any sense of having a conscience toward their Creator in the way they behave. Consciences today are motivated by what is called humanism; this should give humans some sense of responsibility but more and more live with very little at all. Does it occur to you to wonder why Paul performed no miracles at Athens? At the beginning of the Apostle’s preaching there had been a dramatic healing in Jerusalem. Miracles occurred again in Cyprus and then at Iconium where “the Lord bore witness … granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” [Acts 14:3] and again at Lystra and Philippi. The healings helped convince many, or at least challenge them to respond! So why not at Athens? It appears that the people of Athens were so set and confident in their ways of religious thought that they did not deserve to witness a miracle! Remember Jesus “could no mighty work in Nazareth because of their unbelief” [Mark 6:4-6] Is this not comparable to today and the attitudes to be seen on almost every hand? As more and more is discovered of the “wonders” in our world and the universe around us, the more extraordinary are the theories that are advanced to explain how it all came into being without the need for a Creator. There is now a conviction, especially among intellectuals, that there is no God at all – leading to a belief, among those who think at all - that all things “created” themselves! As for the rest, the majority, – nearly all live for today! This attitude reminds us of Jesus’ parable of one who says, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry." [Luke 12:19] When the miracle of Christ’s return astonishes and overwhelms our world - it will be too late to start believing. Belief in God has its foundation built on faith that is created by reading God’s word regularly and meditating on it! Let us make sure our foundation is really strong – it cannot be too strong! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 07 May 2016 Deuteronomy 24Song 4Acts 18; 19 "SPEAKING EVIL OF THE WAY" As the message about Christ spread opposition increased among those whose minds were locked into disbelieving the teachings about him. What were the reasons for this in those days? Why did they refuse to believe the teaching of Paul and others? Extremes of opposition developed! Sometimes it was not for an intellectual reason, but because of the extent of the conversions to what was true - was starting to affect their livelihood. Our reading in Acts 19 reveals how at first it was some of the Jews in the synagogue "became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation ..." [Acts 19:9] This reaction, and other ways of reacting (or distorting) the teaching of what is true and is proven by Scripture, has continued through the centuries. An illustration of how and why idol worshippers reacted is given later in the chapter. Acts 19:23 states that "about that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way." It is interesting that the first way of describing those who were following the teaching of the disciples and apostles was "the Way." We can add, ‘the narrow way’! This disturbance was made by those "who made silver shrines of Artemis” and this “brought no little business to the craftsmen." [Acts 19:24] Their income and way of life was threatened. The same has been seen, in various ways, ever since! How many are content to practice a little of 'watered down' Christianity - as long as it does not mean changes to their way of life. However those who develop a full appreciation of what Jesus meant when he said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." [John 14:6] find that this appreciation invades their thinking at every level and progressively turns them right around to fully embrace “the way”. We read an interesting example of this today is in Acts 18:24 "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures." But he had known only "the baptism of John." [Acts 18:25] But, "Priscilla and Aquila heard him" speak "in the synagogue, and "took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." [Acts 18:26] As a result when he came to Achaia, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." [Acts 18:27-28] May our constant reading of the Scriptures lead us into experiences, as we read today what happened in Ephesus, how "… the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily." [Acts 19:20] even though today some may "speak evil of the way."-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 08 May 2016 Deuteronomy 25Song 5Acts 20 “I DO NOT COUNT MY LIFE OF ANY VALUE” The Apostle Paul, as a result of his total commitment to Christ, attracted intense devotion from those he converted. In today’s chapter of Acts [Acts 20], he says, “I do not count my life of any value, nor as precious to myself.” [Acts 20:24]. This is a total contrast to the attitude seen in nearly everyone today – and this can influence us. We are surrounded by those who live to serve themselves, especially their pleasures! Paul reflects on how he had been among them “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials … I did not shrink from teaching you … of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Acts 20:19-21] We note his emphasis on teaching a way of life, just as much, as making sure they correctly understood God’s will and purpose. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” [1 Corinthians 11:1] Paul tells the Corinthians. Our Lord illustrated this in his life; his love was seen by his actions, his spirit of compassion – even as they were leading him to the cross. His was the ultimate example that Paul was following. When we say we are followers of Christ – how do we show what it means when we say this? In the Old Testament we are reading the Song of Songs, we can see this, at least partly, as an allegorical story illustrating the love between Christ and his bride and her response and seeking for him. Parts of the story illustrated this today when we read how the bridegroom says, “I came into my garden, my sister, my bride” [song 5:1]. She responds, “He is altogether desirable. This is my beloved” [song 5:16]. Christ will come into his garden when he returns to make this world a paradise, may that time come soon and may we experience the greatest possible joy in seeing our faith turned to sight. Paul wrote, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” [Romans 8:35] and the answer is nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” [Romans 8:39]. Let us say, with Paul “I do not count my life” as one of seeking opportunities to serve myself” – instead, - “I will try – more and more - to be an imitator of my Lord - and - see Paul as a special example of how to do this.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 09 May 2016 Deuteronomy 26Song 6Acts 21; 22 "WHEN THEY HEARD IT. THEY GLORIFIED GOD" Can we not say today, when we read it, that we “glorify God”? What is the “it” that brings glory to God? Well, the chapters we read today in Acts told us how Paul, after all this travels, finally returns “to Jerusalem,” and "the brothers received us gladly." [Acts 21:17]. Then we read that Paul " After greeting them, “related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry." [Acts 21:19] Let us particularly notice of their reaction! "And when they heard it, they glorified God." [Acts 21:20] Today we do not have a Paul to return and give us detail of the success of his travels in spreading God’s word, but some of us can listen to the reports of some who have, and even see pictures, and most of us can read the latest news of how the gospel has spread to distant parts of our world - and into many languages. My wife and I were uplifted yesterday by the unexpected pleasure of meeting 'Joyce' - a sister from India whom we have not seen for many years, in my wife's case, for over 30 years! So we rejoiced and "glorified God" for this encounter and all the things we had previously been privileged to witness in following "the path of life," knowing, as David had written that there will come a time, “by his grace” [Titus 3:7], when "in your presence there is fullness of joy..." [Psalm 16:11] Oh the wonder of our anticipations of that time to come “in your presence.”! We compare this with what we read in Proverbs a few weeks ago, "... the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." [Proverbs 4:18] We long for the "full day" when - by the grace of our Lord - we will even meet Paul and be among the great many who, in various situations, have "glorified God" in their lives.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 10 May 2016 Deuteronomy 27Song 7Acts 23; 24 "THIS DAY YOU HAVE BECOME ..." Our readings today began by telling us how "Moses and the elders of Israel" [Deuteronomy 27:1] made a special effort to make all the tribes who were about to enter the promised land "keep the whole commandment that I command you today." Moses tried to, sort of 'engrave' the consciousness of obedience to God on their minds! He tells them to divide into 2 groups, each of 6 tribes and tells them that "on the day you cross over the Jordan" [Deuteronomy 27:2] they are to first "build an altar to the LORD" [Deuteronomy 27:5] and then "write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly" [Deuteronomy 27:8] because "this day you have become the people of the LORD your God." [Deuteronomy 27:9] Their crossing of the river, was a sort of baptism, it was miraculous, because the waters ceased flowing [Joshua 3:13]. Today in Deuteronomy, in Deuteronomy 27:12-13, we read of an uncommon activity they were also to engage in! "When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. And these shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali." The people of course had no books to read, so this occurred to impress on their minds God's ways - and his promised blessings, but also the promised curses if they failed to keep God's ways - and not only failed - but instead made “a carved or cast metal image, an abomination to the LORD, a thing made by the hands of a craftsman ..." [Deuteronomy 27:15] How the "hands" of humans today know how to make, buy and use things which take their minds away from their Creator - surely he will hold them responsible for how they have used their lives! Finally, a rather parallel thought is to be found in our chapter in Acts. Paul is now in Roman custody and a rather fascinating relationship develops between him and Governor Felix; "he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present ..." [Acts 24:25] Let us think carefully about our reaction to the things the Scriptures tell us? Or are we, all too often, too busy to read it, putting it “away for the present”? Have we pushed to the back of our minds what we "have become"? Let us remember the day we crossed the baptismal waters of the Jordan, for surely, with joy, we stood on the "mount" with visions of the kingdom at that time - embracing God’s laws as a wonderful guide in our lives! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 11 May 2016 Deuteronomy 28Song 8Acts 25; 26 "THE HELP THAT COMES FROM GOD" The more we live – doing our best to serve God – the more there are occasions and situations when we sense “the help that comes from God” – through his Son. This inspiring statement was made by Paul of his experiences, as he gave his defence before King Agrippa in Acts 26:22 that we read today. The wonder of this relationship is parallel with the words of Moses we also read today in the first 14 verses of Deuteronomy 28. Here Moses, in his last message to the people, tells them of all the blessings that will be theirs from God “if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today ..." [Deuteronomy 28:14] And this was the nations' initial experience as the book of Joshua reveals. But then they began to "turn aside" – and lost “the help that comes from God” the ultimate and awesome time being after they put their Messiah to death. However, after this happened though, God's message of truth started to spread into all the nations of the world - and many, if not all these nations had times when at least some of the people had times when they sensed “the help that comes from God" – especially when, to quote Paul "they repent(ed) and turn(ed) to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance." [Acts 26:20] It is rare to find examples of this today! We recall the question of Jesus, " when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" [Luke 18:8] We pray we may increase our efforts to become more like him and frequently sense “the help that comes from God.” Even more, we pray, he will find in us - genuine faith – because we have heeded what Paul wrote, that “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” [2 Corinthians 7:1] As a result we will surely experience the wonder of the time, indeed the climax, of “the help that comes from God" as God deals with this age of total ungodliness - and the words of the Psalmist will be proved true one final time, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." [Psalm 46:1] And how awesome is the rest of that Psalm! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 12 May 2016 Deuteronomy 29Isaiah 1Acts 27 "THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE SCARLET" What a soul stirring set of chapters we read today! First we read more of Moses final message to God’s people, God’s command to him is to emphasize “the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb” [Deuteronomy 29:1] and remind them of all that happened to their parents on their wilderness journey, and the recent blessings they had experienced. "Therefore," says Moses, "keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do." [Deuteronomy 29:9] Surely the same needs to be said today - to all who are living with the hope - and expectation - of reaching a greater promised land – a glorified earth with Christ in control.. Then we started reading the prophet Isaiah, how challenging is the message God gives us through him. The way of life of his people is outwardly one of service, but it is only outward! "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD ... Bring no more vain offerings ... cease to do evil, learn to do good ..." [isaiah 1:11,13,16,17] Let us make sure our offerings of “words” are not just words – but come from our hearts and are shown in our actions. Then we read on and felt uplifted by a wondrous appeal and promise made to those who are willing! "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ... If you are willing and obedient..." [isaiah 1:18-19] Then we read of the wondrous promises to those who are willing,! "Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness." [isaiah 1:26-27] May we strive ever harder to be among those who "are willing and obedient." Then in Acts 27 we read Luke's graphic eye-witness account of his disastrous voyage with Paul which ended in shipwreck. Is not our world on a similar voyage! The prophets reveal our world is going to get wrecked. How much we need a Paul to give us words of encouragement, for the time is surely coming, as the LORD prophesied through Jeremiah, a time when "at his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation." [Jeremiah 10:10] The sins of the world "are like scarlet" and how few have a genuine relationship with him so that "they shall be as white as snow" in his sight! For some, "on that day" they will be – that will be because they have embraced a genuine relationship with God through His son now. Let us make sure we have done this– and that it is an ongoing relationship - day after day after day.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2016 13 May 2016 Deuteronomy 30Isaiah 2Act 28 "... THEIR EARS CAN BARELY HEAR" We pondered the causes of the reactions of human beings to the word of God today - as we read the final chapter of Acts with Paul’s quotations from Isaiah. Paul quoted these in reaction to the rather negative attitudes of the Jews who came to see him. We have also started reading Isaiah itself, the most remarkable of the prophets – and how particularly thought-challenging is today’s Isaiah 2! We tend to highlight the first few verses and their reference to what "shall come to pass in the latter days" [isaiah 2:2] and put little emphasis on the later verses which tell us "the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty ... against every high tower ... And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." [isaiah 2:12,15,17] What high buildings and towers have been built in recent years! Ponder the word "haughtiness"! This attitude develops in those who think they know all the answers! Our "educated" world abounds with that attitude today - man is "god" – so many think there never was a Creator! This thought brings us back to the passage Paul quoted - that was being fulfilled in his experience - and it is now being fulfilled in ours! "Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand ... see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed ..." [Acts 28:26-27] Most of the Jews who came to see Paul had hearts, ears and eyes that were not at all receptive to what he told them. Today, people have eyes that have boundless opportunities to read, but they are so 'full' of themselves and all the cleverness in the world that surrounds them - that their minds have "grown dull" and " their ears ... can barely hear." If people have any awareness of God's word at all, it is such that they "barely hear" it, because they "barely" read it. May that not apply to you and I. But I know some whose " heart has grown dull" and are failing to do as Jesus instructed his followers; "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning" [Luke 12:35] Let us make sure we are not among them, but we have "ears (that) can … hear" and eyes that can see – and hearts that know – and we are in awe of what “shall come to pass in the latter days" believing Paul when he told believers to “walk by faith, not by sight.” [2 Corinthians 5:7]. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2016 14 May 2016 Deuteronomy 31Isaiah 3; 4Colossians 1 "DEFYING HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE" We have particularly challenging (and uplifting) chapters to read today. In Deuteronomy 31 "Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel." [Deuteronomy 31:1] It is his final message in his old age, he says, "I am 120 years old today." [Deuteronomy 31:2] He seeks to lift their hearts with inspiring words - and these words have meaning for us, especially as we sense more and more that our promised land - of a renewed and wonderful earth with Christ in control - is about to unfold before an astonished and humbled world. Moses tells them, "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." [Deuteronomy 31:8] Ponder how the divine action in going before them was (and will be for us) an awesome experience! Our chapters in Isaiah [isaiah 3; 4] today, are a complete contrast to this; to a considerable extent they describe the spirit in our world today. God's nation "... has stumbled ... has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence." [isaiah 3:8] And so the wonder of the all-seeing God is denied and defied - then - and now "Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves." [isaiah 3:9] But the nation is not totally evil and God tells Isaiah, "Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds." [isaiah 3:10] What is our fruit? We have food for our minds – may we so ‘eat’ this food that it leads us to produce godly “fruit.” In Isaiah 4, we read the wonderfully inspiring words the LORD gives Isaiah. "In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious ..." [isaiah 4:2] Jesus is the branch! This leads us to Paul's challenging prayer - in his letter to the Colossians. We read Colossians 1 today. Paul tells them - and may this be equally true of us – in our actions toward each other. "We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy ..." [Colossians 1:9-11] And so we, instead of "defying his glorious presence" – we will - because we have acquired "the knowledge of his will" through our regular reading and meditation on His word, look forward with great awe in our hearts to the coming great wonder of "his glorious presence" on earth – through the return of His Son. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2016 15 May 2016 Deuteronomy 32Isaiah 5Colossians 2 “THEY ARE OF NO VALUE IN …” This saying in Paul’s message to the Colossians arrested our attention this morning. He tells them, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition …” [Colossians 2:8] Jesus had warned against “traditions” that religious leaders of his day had developed (see Matthew 15:3-9). Creating things to observe and keep do not make us more righteous – indeed they have the opposite effect – they can make us self-righteous. Paul tells the Colossians, “let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow …” [Colossians 2:16] Observing festivals, e.g. Easter and keeping the Sabbath, does not make those doing so more righteous, Paul says, “they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” [Colossians 2:23] What is of value? It is by “holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” [Colossians 2:19] And how does God cause growth? We are wonderfully blessed that each one can own and read - as he or she makes the time – the whole of the word of God revealed and written through men like Moses, prophets like Isaiah, the Gospels and the letters of the Apostles. They provide essential spiritual nourishment every day. As a result many other things are seen more and more “as of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” – and we have to admit that more and more such things surround us today – and encourage such indulgence. But it is not so much a case of setting our minds to stop ourselves doing things that our human nature inclines us toward thinking and doing – but instead - of occupying our thoughts to a greater degree with spiritual things. The result will be that we will be less and less inclined to indulge in fleshly thoughts and activities – “they are of … value in” the “growth that is from God.” [Colossians 2:19] and we appreciate his word to ever greater degrees. As a result, Paul tells the Colossians, “when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:4] And that “glory” will be truly unique for “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” [1 Corinthians 2:9] -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 16 May 2016 Deuteronomy 33; 34Isaiah 6Colossians 3; 4 "LET THE WORD ... DWELL IN YOU RICHLY" Today we finished reading Moses’ last message to his people – the last 2 chapters of Deuteronomy. And then the LORD buried him on Mt. Nebo – and the people wept in mourning for him for 30 days [Deuteronomy 34:8] They wept for Jesus for only 3 days! Wondrously, they did not need to weep any longer. We ponder the comparison between natural Israel and spiritual Israel. We read Paul’s words today in Colossians 3:15 "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body." We have a greater Joshua and a far more wonderful promised land (earth) to enter as long as we are genuinely part of the calling into "one body" But let us carefully consider Moses’ final words in the last verse of Deuteronomy 29, "Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield ..." And spiritual Israel has been saved by the LORD's Son. Moses was leaving a people who had been chastened and refined by their wilderness journey. We sense that our wilderness journey is nearing completion, how do we feel? Can we say with David, “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” [Psalm 33:20] What kind of shield can we can take and use and put on? Look at the words of Paul we read today in Colossians. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another ... [Colossians 3:12-13] "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ... And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ..." [Colossians 3:14-16] These are the only true riches available today. Do we feel rich? We should! We must! Our sense of this must grow and grow – the more we read His word. Paul adds, after making this point, that the word will result in us "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom" and cause us to have "thankfulness in your hearts to God" so that "whatever you do, in word or deed, (we) do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." [Colossians 3:17] Let us make every effort to "let the word dwell in us richly" - no casual reading – it is the only foundation to enable "the peace of Christ" to truly "rule in (y)our hearts." -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 17 May 2016 Joshua 1Isaiah 71 Thessalonians 1; 2 "... GOD WHO TESTS OUR HEARTS" Paul makes a very instructive point in his 1st letter to the Thessalonians that we started reading today. Paul was greatly encouraged by the believers there and had many positive things to say about them - rather a contrast to his letters to the Corinthians. Paul, with "Silvanus and Timothy" [1 Thessalonians 1:1] told the Thessalonians we are "constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope ..." [1 Thessalonians 1:2-3] Dare we use a little imagination and think that if some brethren of the present day were writing a message, they could say something similar about us and our works of faith and our steadfastness ? Paul tells them "you became an example to all the believers ... For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you ... but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything." [1 Thessalonians 1:7-8] How does faith go forth? By example, not by words. How spiritually strengthened Paul felt: he rejoiced "that our coming to you was not in vain." [1 Thessalonians 2:1] We ponder the present state of faith among believers in our godless world - has some of the work of preaching and converting – and setting an example to our children - ended up being "in vain"? Paul declares "... we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." [1 Thessalonians 2:4] Paul is stating an essential principle! He then declares, "we never came with words of flattery ... Nor did we seek glory from people ..." [1 Thessalonians 2:5-6] The gospels show how much the scribes and Pharisees opposed Jesus despite witnessing his miracles! He challenged them, "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?" [John 5:44] Their hearts failed the test! Paul, as a result of his conversion, was now fully conscious that the aim of his life must be "to please God who tests our hearts." Peter, in his mature years, wrote and told believers to "rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." [1 Peter 4:13] We know not whether there will be "sufferings" to test our hearts in the traumas that may surround us as Christ is about to come - but may "our faith in God" have "gone forth" to strengthen others, so that they, with us, can "endure" - for "if we endure, we will also reign with him" [2 Timothy 2:12]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 18 May 2016 Joshua 2Isaiah 81 Thessalonians 3; 4 "ENCOURAGED YOU AND CHARGED YOU TO ..." Our readings today provoked two opposite thoughts: well, in truth, several others also. What were the thoughts in the heart of Rahab as she took in the Israelite spies and hid them? She said of her people , "as soon as we heard it, (i.e. the conquests of Israel beyond the Jordan) our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth ..." [Joshua 2:11] It was the honesty of this declaration of her belief in God that was surely the key factor in her and her relatives being saved as Jericho is destroyed. These words would have "encouraged" the spies - and also Joshua - when they were reported to him. Should not we be “encouraged” today by these inspired "words" today!? Then Isaiah tells us how "the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me" and "warned" him "not to walk in the way of this people ... do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread ..." [isaiah 8:12] Our world is increasingly fearful of the future although, as much as they can, they put it at the back of their minds. Isaiah is told, "The LORD of hosts ... Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary ..." These words surely "encouraged" Isaiah as his nation lost its’ vision of divine things more and more. How would he feel (and fear?) as he was told the LORD will become "... a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. ... They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken." [isaiah 8:13-15] We can see how much these words apply to our world today. Isaiah is told "... seal the teaching among my disciples.... To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." [isaiah 8:16, 20] There is "no dawn" for this world - only increasing darkness - and increasing "fear" and "dread." When those who truly “fear” God experience this - they turn with ever greater urgency to their Saviour and Lord. May we do this. Finally, we are greatly "encouraged" by the words of Paul in his 1st letter to the Thessalonians. May we, "encourage one another" in our "work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" [1 Thessalonians 1:3] and, with all our hearts, "wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." [1 Thessalonians 1:10] Finally, in 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul reminds them how we "encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." [1 Thessalonians 2:12] May our constant reading of God’s word encourage us to really do this and “establish (y)our hearts blameless in holiness … at the coming of our Lord Jesus” [1 Thessalonians 3:13]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 19 May 2016 Joshua 3; 4Isaiah 91 Thessalonians 5 "WICKEDNESS BURNS LIKE A FIRE" Isaiah has a blunt and challenging message for his people in today’s chapter [isaiah 9] of his prophecy – it is rather in contrast to the positive picture we read in Joshua 19 where the people cross the Jordan into the promised land. Isaiah says, "For wickedness burns like a fire" [isaiah 9:18] and "Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land is scorched, and the people are like fuel for the fire ..." [isaiah 9:19] We sense that this is a poetic picture that can also be applied to God's judgments that will soon come on this earth where "wickedness" has been burning “like a fire” to blot out anything that is genuinely godly! The time is surely coming - and soon - when God will act. Our chapter in Thessalonians, 1 Thessalonians 5, has several parallel thoughts. Paul had already made them "fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." [1 Thessalonians 5:2] This evidently means that the world will have no awareness that the Lord is about to act - and today it has almost totally lost consciousness that there is a Creator. Since 1939 we have lived through wars in many parts of the world, but today, the only war, if you can call it a war, is conflict between some Islamic factions north east of Israel: the Islamic concept of the Creator is very fictional, there appears to be no "fear" toward him: there is spiritual "darkness" in them and throughout the world. Paul tells the Thessalonians, and us, that those who really know God's word know, says Paul, that they "are not in darkness … for that day to surprise you..." [1 Thessalonians 5:4] and "since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love" - and then he adds, "and for a helmet the hope of salvation." [1 Thessalonians 5:8] A "helmet" protects our head - our mind – so essential when everyone else is losing theirs - using it for useless purposes. Paul told the Ephesians to "take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." [Ephesians 6:17] Back in Thessalonians, the next verse [1 Thessalonians 5:9] inspires by telling us, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." Our world is "destined to wrath" because it abounds with "wickedness" that "burns like fire"! Our responsibility, as Paul told the Thessalonians, is to "encourage one another and build one another up" [1 Thessalonians 5:11] and to "encourage the fainthearted" [1 Thessalonians 5:14] and "pray without ceasing." [1 Thessalonians 5:17]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2016 20 May 2016 Joshua 5; 6Isaiah 102 Thessalonians 1; 2 "INFLICTING VENGEANCE ON THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD" Our thoughts today arose largely from the challenging words of Paul in the first 2 chapters of his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians. Let us appreciate that when the lessons in God’s word are particularly challenging to us and we struggle to clearly discern their meaning - that this is part of God’s wisdom to make His word food for our whole lifetime. Our foundation ‘step’ – is to read the whole context and grasp as clearly as we can the flow of the reasoning. This particular letter of Paul starts on a very encouraging note; he says, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing." [2 Thessalonians 1:3] It is challenging for each community of true believers today to ask themselves, if Paul were here and knew our ecclesia, would he write something similar about us? Paul tells them he is able to "boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith" especially "in the afflictions that you are enduring." [2 Thessalonians 1:4] Paul then describes the utter drama of the time (how soon now?) "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 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." [2 Thessalonians 1:7-8] What is it to "not know God"? It is different to saying he does not exist! We prove we know him - by our actions! John wrote, "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." [1 John 4:8] Back in Thessalonians, in his 2nd chapter Paul writes of "the mystery of lawlessness" [2 Thessalonians 2:7] Why is it a mystery? Our particular line of thought is that “lawlessness” is natural to human nature – and how it is increasing today! We suggest it is a mystery because men are more conscious than ever in our days of the wonders of the miracle of creation - yet they are trying harder than ever to believe there is no Creator, " We recall what Jesus said, when asked “what is the sign of your coming?” He said, "because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." [Matthew 24:3,12] - although most may still claim to believe! Today we wait with heart-felt awe, for what could be very soon - "Jesus revealed from heaven" and the awesome actions Paul describes in today’s 2nd chapter take place! There will be a particular “lawless one …whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” [2 Thessalonians 2:8] More than ever, as we sense with awed hearts what is coming on our world, let us make sure we “know God” in the fullest sense. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2016 21 May 2016 Joshua 7Isaiah 112 Thessalonians 3 "MAY THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS" Our first reading today described the tragedy of Achan. After the wonder of Divine help in the conquest of Jericho, surely everyone would have been in awe of the power of the one true God - the wonder of what he was able to do in giving the nation a dramatic victory. One man, Achan, did not, he was self-centred, his mind focused on personal gain, an early example of the spirit of Judas Iscariot. The family of Achan must have been party to hiding the spoil he took from Jericho so they all paid the penalty. This is a challenging message for us! From the Psalms, natural Israel sings, “Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” [Psalm 106:3] Then in Isaiah 11 our hearts and minds were lifted up by the picture of Eden restored - by the "branch" from "the stump of Jesse" the father of David - and how this "shall bear fruit." [isaiah 11:1] And what a wondrous fruit was the result! It revealed to men and women "... the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." [isaiah 11:2] The more we ‘know’ of the LORD – the more we are filled with “fear” in the sense of awe! This will lead to that wondrous promised time for those whose minds ‘eat’ of this “fruit”! They will be there when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." [isaiah 11:9] Our readings were fittingly completed by the last chapter of Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. Paul asks them to "pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men." [2 Thessalonians 3:1-2] Finally, let us take into our hearts and minds - Paul's petition - surely made from his heart! It was; "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." [2 Thessalonians 3:5] The more we seek the Lord the more that spirit of "steadfastness" will develop and we will "not grow weary in doing good." [2 Thessalonians 3:13] The people, entering the promised land learnt this the hard way, what a lesson Achan's failure was to them! Paul ends his epistle by saying/praying, "may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way ... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Let us pray that "the Lord will direct (y)our hearts" so that, as he told the Thessalonians "you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." [2 Thessalonians 2:14] at his coming - and how close are we to that time now! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 22 May 2016 Joshua 8Isaiah 121 Timothy 1; 2; 3 “GODLY AND DIGNIFIED” We live in a world where those in authority are constantly being challenged. Where democracy is practiced, elections become public confrontations – and we are experiencing this in Australia at the moment. An earnest and committed Bible believer has feelings of dismay. What attitudes should he or she take? In the early days of our community, the pioneers were confronted in the USA by the Civil War, it was a testing time as these pioneers realized they had a higher citizenship, knowing that Paul wrote, “our citizenship is in heaven” [Philippians 3:20]. Our God and Saviour are the highest authority, and, as we will read next week in Hebrews, that authority is “discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart … no creature is hidden from his sight” [Hebrews 4:12-13]. Our Lord in heaven sees all. Today’s chapters in 1 Timothy contain some valuable principles we need to ‘hold’ in our minds. Timothy has been left at Ephesus to help the ecclesia grow [1 Timothy 1:3]. Paul’s letter highlights the fact that our foremost allegiance is to “the king of the ages, immortal, the only God,” to him “be honour and glory for ever and ever” [1 Timothy 1:17]. A true believers’ relationship with human authorities is not one of rebellious actions against such authority -however justified than might sometimes seem. However, history shows that some believers have destroyed their faith and service before God by doing this. Paul tells Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and dignified in every way” [1 Timothy 2:1-2] What a challenge this was to Paul in his own life, such was the nature of the opposition he encountered, yet he was “godly and dignified” in all the confrontations that were forced upon him. It becomes increasingly evident that the true believer takes no part, or sides, in the confrontations between factions in elections because he (or she) serves a higher authority. 1 Timothy 3 today illustrated Paul’s concern that those in authority in the church “must be above reproach” [1 Timothy 3:2] and details the spiritual qualities they should have. “I am writing these things to you that … you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth” [1 Timothy 3:14-15]. For those who will, by His grace, have authority in God’s coming kingdom, this is a valuable period of training. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 23 May 2016 Joshua 9Isaiah 131 Timothy 4; 5 "LET US MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES" What place is named in the first and last books of the Bible – and in many in between? Yes, it’s Babylon, yet you may not recognize that it occurs in Genesis because it is translated in its Hebrew form of Babel. The account in Genesis [Genesis 11] is about what happened when the descendants of Noah multiplied and built a city and a tower and said “let us make a name for ourselves” [Genesis 11:4]. They so soon forgot the lesson of the flood and the example of faith of their forefather Noah. God judged that city and scattered its inhabitants. Yet the name keeps occurring as further examples of human pride! Remember Nebuchadnezzar’s pride. Recall the visions in Revelation where Babylon is used in connection with the latter day destruction of human pride and godlessness at the return of Jesus Christ. Isaiah is the main Old Testament prophet that is caused to prophecy about Babylon. The city was a growing power in his day and a threat to Jerusalem. Yet in the prophecies God gave him about Babylon are included some words which obviously apply to its final destruction. Today’s reading of Isaiah 13 is the first time we encounter this in Isaiah. Isaiah 13:1 tells us its “the oracle concerning Babylon” but part of what follows is echoed in words Jesus used to describe God’s judgements in the last days, Isaiah 13:10, “for the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light, the sun will be dark at its setting and the moon will not shed its light.” Jesus spoke of the time when “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light … then will appear in heaven the sign of the son of man … and they will see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” [Matthew 24:29-30] Looking further at Isaiah at the next verses to what we quoted we read, “I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. I will make people more rare than fine gold … the earth will be shaken out of its place at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger” [isaiah 13:11-13]. The world today ignores and denies God as much as the people did in the days of Noah. We fear that God’s message through Isaiah will come true, dreadfully true in the near future. The cry is heard, Who is on the LORD’S side? Well, who is? -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 24 May 2016 Joshua 10Isaiah 141 Timothy 6 "WHAT IS FALSELY CALLED KNOWLEDGE” Our world is now swamped with inventions, our ancestors would be astounded by the things we humans can now do and possess. What wonderful "knowledge" the world now has. So few recognise that the Creator put all the 'foundations' for these things into place at the beginning. For instance, it was men like Faraday who, because they reasoned that the Creator of all things, as described in the Bible could not have created the air, with nothing in it, that radio waves were first discovered: this ultimately led to the invention of many things, especially the marvel of mobile phones and instant communication around the world. Our thoughts 'strayed' along these lines as we read Paul's concluding words of warning to Timothy at the end of his first letter to him. "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the ... contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you." So much "knowledge" is in the world today - that people have a form of "faith" in it - but it is only 'faith' for this life! In the end the "knowledge" that matters above all else is, as Paul tells Timothy in his 2nd letter, the "knowledge of the truth" the knowledge that leads to eternal life, which some, although “always learning,” are “never able to arrive at” [2 Timothy 3:7], – because they do not seek to know the things that eternally matter. Much of what God inspired Isaiah to write in today's 14th chapter is a prophecy of how God will ultimately deal with godlessness, and this surely results in the end of so much of "what is falsely called knowledge" – especially the notion that there is no God - that all that exists sort of 'created' itself. Isaiah is caused to "take up this taunt against the king of Babylon" [isaiah 14:4] It is fascinating to realize, in checking the original Hebrew - that 'Babylon' is the word 'Babel' - and we know the destruction of the original Babel and what it led to! [Genesis 11:1-9]! It is more than 2,500 years since Babylon existed! But the way today's Isaiah chapter starts with its' statement that "the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land" shows this is a prophecy for our days. Look at the words in Isaiah 14:4-5! It is at this time "you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon ... The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked" We ponder in awe what is said of “Babylon” in Revelation 18! Our world today – is “Babel” in God’s eyes. Isaiah is also caused to prophecy about Assyria! It is over 2,800+ years since that nation existed – and its’ area is a large part of the present day Syria.. God sees a latter day equivalent! "I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot ... This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?" [isaiah 14:26-27] Only God's word can be "called" true "knowledge" – it is eternally valuable to read some of it every day – this also has value in helping the true intent of prophecy to become increasingly clear to us. -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 25 May 2016 Joshua 11Isaiah 152 Timothy 1 "I AM CONVINCED …" Our Old Testament chapters are largely factual in content. Joshua 11 details Israel’s conquests in the northern part of the land of their inheritance. The text details all that the ‘kings’ Joshua conquered – we rather see these as ‘mayors’ of these cities. It is interesting that Joshua 11:22 tells us that "only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain." It is intriguing that this is the area of the so-called 'Gaza strip' today. Is it not part, in some circumstances at least, of the will of God, to allow some situations to exist to test the genuineness of our faith? In Isaiah 15 we read of "an oracle concerning Moab" an area which forms part of today's Jordan: this chapter needs to be read in conjunction with Isaiah 16: together they only amount to 23 verses. Isaiah 16 ends by telling us "the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt ... those who remain will be very few and feeble." And so it has been, the people in the area have never been significant enemies of Israel: today’s situation is interesting. The second letter of Paul to Timothy is the last he wrote, it is written from Rome where he was a prisoner. Paul's convictions are now absolute - not that they were lacking before ! He boldly declares, "I thank God whom I serve ... with a clear conscience" [2 Timothy 1:3] Central to his conscience and strength of mind and source of encouragement is Timothy. He tells him, how "I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy." [2 Timothy 1:4] The mainspring for Paul's joy is Timothy's "sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well." [2 Timothy 1:5] Do we talk and think of faith 'dwelling' in us? How valuable is the example of dedicated sisters. Paul sees 'faith' as taking up residence in our heart. How unstable are those in which this does not happen - or is only fitful at best. Paul declares, "I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." [2 Timothy 1:12] May we ourselves say, "I am convinced" that the Lord is guarding me - and I am strengthened by being regularly among those who are also "convinced." How close is "that Day" now? How inspiring - and challenging - is Paul's declaration to Timothy! He tells him, "there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day" and then he adds, "and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." [2 Timothy 4:8] The "appearing" of Jesus changed the lives of all who "loved" him, and ever since, has changed the lives of those who were built up by the inspired records about him and other men and women who were inspired by God and his Son. May we each, in faith say, "I am convinced ..." and declare with Paul, "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord … will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." [2 Timothy 4:8] and “continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” [1 Timothy 2:15]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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