Sunday, January 25, 2009

Self-control

Monday, January 26, 2009: Acts 24:25
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Why was Felix not interested in further conversation? Self-control is a trait of one who masters his sensual desires and passions. Felix was convicted in his heart.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009: Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

What does the fruit of the Holy Spirit have to do with so personal and inward quality as self-control? One of the results of the Holy Spirit working in our life is having power over selfish desires.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009: Titus 1:7–9
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Why does an overseer need to be self-controlled? Power is only useful in a temperate person: otherwise it is misused.

Thursday, January 29, 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.

Why is self-control a central addition in going from faith to love? Restraint is an essential ingredient of dealing with fellow humans.

Friday, January 30, 2009: Galatians 3:5–6
Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

The words ‘supply’ and ‘add’ (in Thursdays’ selection) come from the same Greek word. What does it imply? It implies stock up or add on top of.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Beggar

Monday, January 19, 2009: Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Why are the poor rich in faith? The rich don’t need faith; their wealth provides their need, or so they think.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009: Mark 12:42–44
Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

What is the lesson here? God gave us all He had — His only begotten Son!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009: 1 Corinthians 13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Doesn’t sacrifice of self or money count for something? Nothing can profit us anything in God’s sight if unaccompanied by love.

Thursday, January 22, 2009: 2 Corinthians 6:4, 10
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

What is prayer? Prayer is asking God to give a friend what you can’t give.

Friday, January 23, 2009: Galatians 4:9–10
But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Doesn’t following the Law count for anything? If eternal life depends on faith, not following the Law, how can following the Law please God when you can never follow it?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Satisfied!

Bruce Hulshizer spoke about the Samaritan woman at the well. Here's a spin-off.
Monday, January 12, 2009: John 4:6–7, 9–10
Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.
Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.

How does Jesus Christ come looking for you? He seeks you where you are.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009: John 4:11, 13-14
The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well* is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

The first well* is the word which means a hole in the ground under which lies a tank or cistern. The second is like an Artesian well where the water springs up like a fountain.
A commercial for a drink: “It satisfies; have another.” What is the problem? The deceitfulness of this world enslave to whatever you depend on. Jesus Christ satisfies fully.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009: John 4:19-21, 23
The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
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.

What is the difference between the worship that the woman tried to divert attention to and the true worshippers that Christ spoke about? False worship appeals to the senses and gets us caught up in sight and sound. True worship is spiritual and truthful: it needs no trappings at all.

Thursday, January 15, 2009: John 4:25-26, 28-29
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

Why did she leave her waterpot? This indicates that she was satisfied to overflowing.

Friday, January 16, 2009: John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Is it possible to have everything and not be satisfied? Or have nothing and be fully satisfied? Yes, both are not just possible but occur in our own lives. No Christ, no satisfaction; know Christ, know satisfaction.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

President

President of the United States of America

This is an extension of thoughts shared by Robin Osborne about the President.

Monday, January 5, 2009: Romans 13:1-2

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

What is your mind-set regarding the President of the United States of America and the Administration he heads? God designed power: don’t resist God’s ordination.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009: 1Peter 2:13-14

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

What should you do if you don’t agree with a Presidential order? Submit to the order issued willingly: second guessing is to be kept personal and private.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009: 1Peter 2:17

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

What is the simplest way to honor the President? Always address him by his full title.

Thursday, January 8, 2009: 1Timothy 2:1-2

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

How should you pray if the President acts against Biblical principles? Pray harder!

Friday, January 9, 2009: 1Timothy 2:3-4

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

What should our supplication for knowledge of the truth be? Pray for the President that he should come to the knowledge of the truth. Pray for his advisors.