Snare

Monday, June 27, 2011: Matthew 2-3 (NKJV)

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

Background: After His baptism, Jesus Christ was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness where He fasted 40 days and was tempted by the devil.


How important is the word ‘if’? This is how the devil still tempts us. Using egocentric arguments that can easily sidestep clear knowledge and generate strife or disobedience.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011: Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Background: We are believers engaged in spiritual battle. We are admonished to use our time on earth to ‘suit-up’ for the battle up ahead.


Why is it important that we put on the whole armor of God? The devil knows how to target our vulnerabilities: a fallen warrior is useless.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011: 1 Timothy 3:7 (NKJV)

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Background: These are characteristics of an elder or overseer (bishop).


Why is outside opinion of concern? The world knows our reputation. The adversary will use character imperfections against an elder.

Thursday, June 30, 2011: 1 Timothy 6:9 (NKJV)

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Background: love of money, not money itself, is the root of all evil.


Who can desire to be rich? We can have such desires even if we are quite rich: this desire is a trap that can snare many believers and make them useless for Christ.

Friday, July 1, 2011: 2 Timothy 2:26 (NKJV)

and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Background: A teacher must be patient and humble while teaching righteousness.


How can those who are already in the devil’s snare escape? A humble teacher can make us aware of the real snare and teach us enough to exit the trap ourselves.

The Declared Will of God

The declared will of God tells us what we need not ask God about because the Bible teaches that such is  the will of God. (Marathi Sammelan '11, B. Pimplekar)

 

Monday, June 20, 2011: 1 Peter 2:15 – 16 (NKJV)

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

Why should we do good if we are forgiven of sin? The declared will of God is that in doing good you silence foolish people.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011: 2 Timothy 1:1 (NKJV)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus

What do believers become? Those who have eternal life in Christ become ambassadors for Him by the declared will of God.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011: 1 John 2:16 – 17 (NKJV)

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

How is temporary different from the permanent? The world and its lusts are passing away: those who are not of the world are permanent.

Thursday, June 23, 2011: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – 5 (NKJV)

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God

What is one aspect of sanctification (separation to God)? Sexual immorality is not in God’s declared will: possessing one’s own body in honor is His will.

Friday, June 24, 2011: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 (NKJV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Are we to give thanks when bad things happen? Yes, even then we can imagine a scenario where things could e much worse, or that the experience will teach us compassion.

Son of God

Monday, June 13, 2011: Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham

Who is Jesus Christ introduced as? He was the Son of both David and Abraham, as prophesied in the old Testament.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011: Mark 1:1 (NKJV)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Who is Jesus Christ introduced as? Good news (gospel) because He is the Son of God.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011: Luke 1:1 –4 (NKJV)

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Who is Jesus Christ introduced as? The subject of an eyewitness’ narrative of truth.

Thursday, June 16, 2011: John 1:1 –2 (NKJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Who is Jesus Christ introduced as? The Living Word of God!

Friday, June 17, 2011: John 1:11 –12 (NKJV)

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name

What’s astounding about these two verses? If we receive Him in faith, we become the sons of God!

Laws, Statutes and Precepts

Monday, 6/6/11: Psalm 119:33 – 34 (NKJV)

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (NKJV)

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

Be mature in understanding: read the Bible

Tuesday, 6/7/11: Psalm 119:36 – 37 (NKJV)

Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

And not to covetousness.

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,

And revive me in Your way.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Let God revive you: turn from coveting the worthless

Wednesday, 6/8/11: Psalm 119:41 – 42 (NKJV)

Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—

Your salvation according to Your word.

So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,

For I trust in Your word.

Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Trust God’s word: it is the power of God to salvation

Thursday, 6/9/11: Psalm 119:43 – 44 (NKJV)

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

So shall I keep Your law continually,

Forever and ever.

Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Speak the word of truth: trust in the gospel of salvation

Friday, 6/10/11: Psalm 119:45 – 46 (NKJV)

And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts.

I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,

And will not be ashamed.

James 1:25 (NKJV)

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Walk at liberty: not just a hearer but a doer