The Knowledge of Jesus Christ

(I am going to be on vacation so I'm posting this blog ahead of time. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!)

Monday, December 28, 2009: 2 Peter 1:2–3

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

What does the knowledge of Jesus Christ become a channel for? Knowledge becomes a channel for divine power for our life to become godly.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009: 2 Peter 1:4

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What do the promises given to us by the knowledge of Jesus Christ allow us to do? We partake of love’s divine nature and escape lust’s corruption.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009: 2 Peter 1:5–7

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

God’s arithmetic: Faith + virtue+ knowledge + self-control + perseverance + godliness + brotherly kindness + love.

Thursday, December 31, 2009: 2 Peter 1:8

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is knowledge of Jesus Christ enough? It leads to a life bearing fruit for God.

Friday, January 1, 2010: 2 Peter 1:9

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

What about those who lets the world get in the way? They are like the blind who have forgotten how they were cleansed from their sin.

Death Prophecy

Monday, December 21, 2009: Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Background: God speaks to the serpent (devil) after deceiving Adam and Eve.

What does bruise imply? This Child born of a virgin will die but rise from the dead, thus reversing the curse of death.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009: Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

What does ‘given’ imply? Given on the cross to die as a sacrifice, but then usher in the Kingdom of God’s peace.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009: Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

What does Immanuel mean? It means God with us.

Thursday, December 24, 2009: Luke 2:12

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Background: Angels announce the birth of the Savior to humble shepherds.

What were swaddling cloths? Travelers in those days wrapped their abdomen with linen cloths. If they died, they were wrapped in these strips - swaddling cloths! The sign was that He came to die for us.

Christmas, Friday, December 25, 2009: Luke 24:6–7

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

Background: The angels speak at the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

What was the declaration? He is alive!

Birth Anouncement

Monday, December 14, 2009: Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Background: God speaks to the serpent (devil) after deceiving Adam and Eve.

What does ‘her seed’ mean? A child will be born to a virgin.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009: Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

What does ‘unto us’ imply? To mankind, not to Joseph!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009: Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

How can a virgin conceive? This unique event is the promised bruiser of Satan, the Seed of the woman.

Thursday, December 17, 2009: Luke 2:10–12

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Background: Angels announce the birth of the Savior to humble shepherds.

Who was the Savior born to? To the Shepherds and to all people!

Friday, December 18, 2009: Luke 24:6–7

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

Background: The angels speak at the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

What was the reminder? He always is the Son of Man.

Parable of the Good Shepherd

Monday, December 7, 2009: John 10:11,14-16

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

How can a dead Shepherd care for His sheep? He cannot, unless He rises from the dead!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009: John 10:17–18

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Who has power to die voluntarily and raise self from the dead? Only the sinless Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009: John 10:19, 22-24

Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

What is the Feast of Dedication? Hanukah! This is the only place in scripture where mention is made of this festival. It is alluded to in the non-canonical books, Maccabees.

Thursday, December 10, 2009: John 10:25–27

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Why did Christ Jesus say, “My sheep hear My voice?” This was the answer to the Jews’ question, “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Friday, December 11, 2009: John 10:28–30

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Do we earn eternal life or try to stay in Christ Jesus’ hand? No, this is His doing.

Precious in God's Sight

Monday, November 30, 2009: 2 Peter 1:1

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ
Why is the true Christian faith so precious? Our faith is precious because it is similar (like) and it depends, NOT on our good works, (righteousness) but the righteousness of God.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009: 1 Peter 1:6–7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ
Why is the testing of our faith important? The genuineness of our faith only emerges through trials.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009: 2 Peter 1:4

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Is there any use of God’s promises, great and precious though they are? Any promise that remains unaccepted is still only a promise.

Thursday, December 3, 2009: 1 Peter 1:18–19

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Don’t your donations of silver and gold help redeem you from the Pawn Shop of sin? Only the precious blood of Christ can redeem you. Nothing else can.

Friday, December 4, 2009: 1 Peter 3:3–4

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
What is valuable in God’s sight in a woman? The incorruptible beauty of a quiet spirit is precious!

Thanksgiving & Worship

Monday, November 23, 2009: Hebrews 13:10, 15

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

What is the only sacrifice we can now make? Through our High Priest, Jesus Christ, we offer the words of our prayers as a sacrifice, praising God for His grace to us.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009: Matthew 15:7–9

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,

And honor Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

What must worship include? Worship, as set apart from thanksgiving, is from the heart, a response to God’s salvation apart from the law (or the sub-laws made by man) in a group setting.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009: John 4:23–24

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

What is true worship, as expressed by Jesus Christ? Individuals expressing themselves as led by their spirit and their true feelings of thanksgiving for Christ’s sacrifice.

Thursday, November 26, 2009: Colossians 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving

What is the vehicle of thanksgiving to God? Prayer offered with thanks for recognized favors of God.

Friday, November 27, 2009: Philippians 4:6–7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Can we give thanks for a prayer request before it is answered? Yes, because God always gives an answer, be it yes, no or wait.

Righteous and Justified

Monday, November 16, 2009: Matthew 13:49–50

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Why is separation between the wicked ones and the just ones needed? They are so similar that mankind cannot separate the two: only angels can.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009: Matthew 25:46

And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
What does everlasting or eternal mean? Exactly what it says.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009: Mark 2:17

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Is anyone righteous? No, only self-righteous: these think they are not sinners.

Thursday, November 19, 2009: Romans 5:7–9

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
How do sinners become righteous? Only the blood of the Lamb of God wipes sin away.

Friday, November 20, 2009: Romans 3:21–24

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Can a sinner ever have the righteousness of God? Yes, and that freely in Christ Jesus.

City of God

Monday, November 9, 2009: Genesis 11:4

And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

Background: This is about the people who tried to build the Tower of Babel after the flood.

What were they trying to do? The people wanted to reach God in their own power.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: Hebrews 11:9–10

By faith he (Abraham) dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

What did Abraham do? Abraham left his city, (Ur) lands and family and went where the Lord told him to go.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: Hebrews 13:14

For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

What would we do if we were nomads? We would travel light.

Thursday, November 12, 2009: Revelation 21:1–2

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

What is the plan of God? God is building a city that will descend to the new earth, not rise like Babel’s Tower.

Friday, November 13, 2009: Revelation 21:27

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Who will inhabit the city? Only believers, purchased by the blood of the Lamb, will enter in.

The Kingdom of Heaven

Monday, November 2, 2009: Matthew 25:14

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
Who does this parable refer to? This parable speaks about the Lord Himself who would ascend into heaven and entrust believers with the gospel.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009: Matthew 25:19

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
As the end of the same parable, what does this verse speak about? This verse speaks about the return of Jesus Christ for believers, His servants, to settle accounts.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009: Matthew 9:15

And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Background: John the Baptist’s disciples wanted to know why the disciples of Jesus Christ did not fast.
What did the answer that Christ gave tell us today? The Church, as the Bride of Christ, awaits His return and is not in the state of joy that will exist when the Bridegroom returns.

Thursday, November 5, 2009: Matthew 9:16

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.
Background: this parable immediately follows the previous verse.
What does this parable mean? This parable refers to the change coming when the Bridegroom is removed from the earth: a big change was coming and Christ informed His disciples about it in this way. There would be a tearing away, patched up with the same faith that would keep the disciples going after the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord. He would then go away in the Ascension.

Friday, November 6, 2009: Matthew 9:17

Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
This parable is a continuation from the previous verse. Christ is still telling His disciples that a big change is coming. He will not be with them. They will do the work without Him. They will make new disciples with the wine of the gospel.

Light and Darkness

Monday, October 26, 2009: John 1:4–5

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Does darkness have understanding? It is mankind that is in darkness, being away from God, separated by sin.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009: John 1:8–9

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

Background: this passage is about John the Baptist, the ‘announcer’ of Christ’s arrival.

What does this verse claim? This verse states that only in Jesus Christ can any man have the light of God: else the man is in darkness.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009: John 3:19–20

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

What is the condemnation in these verses? It is not just that men are in darkness but that they love it and do not want their sin exposed.

Thursday, October 29, 2009: John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

What is the implication of following Christ? Those who do, walk in God’s light instead of man’s darkness.

Friday, October 30, 2009: Acts 26:18

to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Background: this is Paul before King Agrippa, telling about his conversion on the road to Damascus.

What does it mean to be turned from darkness into light? It means that Satan’s grip on you is lost and you are under God’s power.

The wise man built...

Monday, October 19, 2009: Luke 6:46

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

Matthew 7:22–23

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Are these verses comparing words to deeds? No, it is a comparison between not believing what you speak and believing what you confess.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009: Luke 6:47-48

Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

What does digging to bedrock mean in life? Each believer must uncover dirt (sin) before reaching solid rock, the Savior.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009: Luke 6:49

But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

What does doing nothing or not digging disclose? It tells us that there are those who are expecting that their good works will outweigh the bad: they think that it is what they do that will fit them for heaven.

Thursday, October 22, 2009: Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Does this mean that some Christians will NOT be in heaven? Yes, in the words of Jesus Christ Himself.

Friday, October 23, 2009: John 6:40

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

How can you do the will of God in order to enter heaven? The key is to believe in (don’t do anything) Christ Jesus’ finished sacrifice at Calvary.

Jonah

Background: Jonah was a prophet who received the word of God. He was to go to the hated city of Nineveh and proclaim their destruction in 40 days if they did not repent from their evil ways and turn to God. In spite of his relationship to God, he decided not to fulfill God’s commission in the hope that Nineveh would be destroyed.

Monday, October 12, 2009: Jonah 1:9-10

And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

Was there any logic to what Jonah told the sailors and his actions? No, there was no logic to his actions. Where could he run from the God who made the dry land and the sea? What’s surprising is that we try to do the same. Or else, we pretend that God doesn’t see us or know our thoughts.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009: Jonah 1:11, 15-16

Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

What was behind Jonah sentencing himself to death? He realized his sin and his just punishment. So did the sailors when they witnessed the result - the tempest calmed immediately! Do we see signs and ignore them or explain them away as coincidences?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009: Jonah 2:3, 9

For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

What did Jonah realize about his condition in the ‘belly (2:2) of hell?’ Jonah realized that God was behind ‘from the frying pan into the fire.’ Thrown into a raging tempest to drown, and now in an enclosed place for three days and nights, he understood that this was his salvation. Do we realize that Jesus Christ used this ‘sign of Jonah’ to tell the Jews that He would be three days and nights in a tomb and then rise from the dead?

Thursday, October 15, 2009: Jonah 3:8, 10

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Nineveh repented and turned from their evil ways after Jonah fulfilled his commission. (It is probable that the returning sailors spread the news of Nineveh’s imminent destruction and the prophet they had thrown into the tempest) God saw and turned from His anger. Do we heed warnings and act upon them? To grow as a Christ-one is to recognize God’s discipline in our life. Do not ignore it or explain it away. Search Scripture for the way you must go and follow it.

Friday, October 16, 2009: Jonah 4:1, 5, 11

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Jonah picked a vantage point to view Nineveh’s destruction and was angry that it was not destroyed. What was God’s reason? God wants even the worst sinner to repent and turn away from sin and seek God’s salvation. Beyond this, God wants those who have received salvation not to hate anyone God has placed in their life, no matter how unlovable.

Peter: Disciple to Apostle

Monday, October 5, 2009: John 18:17

Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

Acts 4:10

Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
Background: The first verse was after Jesus Christ was taken by the officers of the chief priests: the second, before the 70 top leaders (Sanhedrin) after the lame man was healed in the Name of Christ.
What made Peter so bold? He had witnessed the resurrected Christ and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009: John 18:25

Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”

Acts 4:11

This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
First Peter tells the top people of the Jews that they crucified Christ but God raised Him from the dead, now he tells them Christ is the chief cornerstone of prophecy. What did peter call them? Peter called them the builders who rejected Christ as a stone in the building of God.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009: John 18:26–27

One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

Acts 4:12

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
After denying being Christ’s disciple, the apostle Peter now makes a defining and exclusive statement. What is so exclusive about it? There is NO other name by which we must be saved. Anything or anyone different just will not get you to heaven, no matter what.

Thursday, October 8, 2009: 1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit
What is the implication of ‘once’? Christ died once, never to die again: He’s alive forevermore.

Friday, October 9, 2009: 1 Peter 2:22–24

“Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Peter was Christ’s disciple and lived with Him three years. How does Peter sum up Christ? Christ committed no sin and there was no lie in His mouth. He took our sins on His own body: no one else did.

Marriage, Part 2.

All cardinals are red; all cardinals fly: therefore all red things fly.

Why is this incorrect? The last statement works only on an IFF (IF and only iF) basis. All cardinals must be red AND all red things must be cardinals, etc.

Monday, September 28, 2009: Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Does this mean that a wife should expect that her husband love her as he loves himself? Or does it mean that a husband expect or demand submission or respect from his wife? This, the reverse, is NOT true and is unsupported in scripture. Each statement is a one-way statement and isn’t reversible.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009: Ephesians 5:22,24

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Do wives submit to their husbands? Does the Church submit to Christ? This is the way it should be but is only partially true in reality

Wednesday, September 30, 2009: Ephesians 5:25,28

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Do husbands love their wives? It is said that a man marries a woman hoping she won’t change and a woman marries a man hoping to change him: it just doesn’t happen that way. But Christ loves the Church perfectly in both expression and demonstration.

Thursday, October 1, 2009: Ephesians 5:23,29

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

How does a husband establish his headship? The only way is by serving up the word of God. Tell husbands you know that my blog on workweekbible.blogspot.com can be used for five minutes after dinner to establish spiritual headship in his family.

Friday, October 2, 2009: Ephesians 5:30,32

For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Can you guess what the missing verse 31 quotes? It quotes Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Marriage, Part 1.

Monday, September 21, 2009: Genesis 2:18

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
God declared that creation was good. What is the meaning of this first ‘not good?’ It was God’s decision to make a helper for Adam. God has determined your spouse.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009: Genesis 2:20

So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
What really was ‘not found?’ God has created in the soul of man a need for one to love. Adam recognized this.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009: Genesis 2:21–22

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
What are the implications of the end of this passage in scripture? God brings a woman to a man.

Thursday, September 24, 2009: Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
What is the implication of leaving Father and Mother? In God’s eyes the new husband and wife are one, not two.

Friday, September 25, 2009: Mark 10:7–9

‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, answering the Pharisees about divorce. Which ‘man’ is most responsible for separation of a marriage? The husband or the wife is most responsible, not outside influences!