How does man stay alive?

Mo. 8/19/13: Deuteronomy 8:2                  Why did Israel wander 40 years?

And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Why did Israel wander 40 years? God tested them to know what was hidden in their hearts.

Tu. 8/20/13: Deuteronomy 8:3                  How shall man live?

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

How shall man live? Man’s life is really lived by faith in the living God, not man’s ability to provide for himself.

We. 8/21/13: Deuteronomy 8:4 – 6                  What is heart knowledge?

Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

What is heart knowledge? Knowledge felt by the heart is applied in human wisdom.

Th. 8/22/13: Deuteronomy 8:14 – 17                  What is worldly wisdom?

… when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage … who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, … that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end— then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

What is worldly wisdom? Worldly wisdom is telling yourself, “I did it MY way.’

Fr. 8/23/13: Matthew 4:3 – 4                  What did Christ answer?

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

What did Christ answer? “I am here to do God’s will.” This is the meaning of His title, ‘The WORD.’

Covenant at Mount Horeb

Mo. 8/12/13: Deuteronomy 4:7 – 8                  Why was Israel special?

“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?

Why was Israel special? Israel had God dwell with them, answer them and give them statutes and judgments in the law.

Tu. 8/13/13: Deuteronomy 4:9 – 10                  Why were all Israel teachers?

Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, especially concerning the day you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’

Why were all Israel teachers? Israel’s children and grandchildren were to be taught the commandments that God spoke.

We. 8/14/13: Deuteronomy 4:11 – 12                  What did Israel NOT see?

“Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice.

What did Israel NOT see? Israel did NOT see God’s face: they saw fire, clouds and thick darkness and heard God’s voice.

Th. 8/15/13: Deuteronomy 4:13 – 14                  What were God’s words?

So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess.

What were God’s words? God declared the covenant at Mount Horeb.

Fr. 8/16/13: Matthew 5:17 – 18                  What does fulfill mean?

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

What does fulfill mean? Fulfill means obey commandments and satisfy prophecies flawlessly. This is what Christ came to do.

Balaam Today

Mo. 8/5/13: Numbers 31:16                  What did Balaam counsel Balak?

Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.

What did Balaam counsel Balak? Balaam counseled Balak to use women of Moab to seduce Israel and bow to idols.

Tu. 8/6/13: Nehemiah 13:1 – 2                  What did Nehemiah do?

On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God, because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

What did Nehemiah do? He publicly read the Word of God. It is surprising how easily Bible reading is neglected even today.

We. 8/7/13: 2 Peter 2:1, 15 – 16                  What is the way of Balaam?

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

What is the way of Balaam? Balaam used his reputation as God’s prophet for monetary gain. False teachers do the same today.

Th. 8/8/13: Jude 1:4, 11                  What do ungodly men do?

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

What do ungodly men do? They still creep into the Church unnoticed and lead people away from the Lord Jesus Christ for their own profit.

Fr. 8/9/13: Revelation 2:14                  Who are allow in Churches today?

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Who do some allow in their churches today? Just like Balaam of old, these people put a stumbling block before the Lord’s people by teaching sinful practices.

Pursuit of Holiness

Mo. 7/29/13: Exodus 28:36 – 38                  What did the engraved words mean?

You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet:

HOLINESS TO THE Lord.

And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.

What did the engraved words mean? They mean ‘wholly to the Lord.’ Aaron bore the sin where we could not follow the commandment, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.

Tu. 7/30/13: Romans 6:19                  What gifts do we present?

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

What gifts do we present? We present the members of our body to God.

We. 7/31/13: 2 Corinthians 7:1                  What do we cleanse ourselves from?

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

What do we cleanse ourselves from? We don’t remove dirt, but the inner filthiness of our human susceptibilities.

Th. 8/1/13: 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 13                  What does God work in us?

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

What does God work in us? God makes us increase and abound in love.

Fr. 8/2/13: Hebrews 12:12 – 14                  What are we to pursue?

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord

What are we to pursue? We actively pursue peace with all and holiness.

Rebellion

Busy weekend; early post!

Mo. 7/22/13: Numbers 16:1 –3                  What was the rebel’s complaint?

Now Korah … with Dathan and Abiram … rose up before Moses with two hundred and fifty … men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves... Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

What was the rebel’s complaint? Moses placed himself in a position of power.

Tu. 7/22/13: Numbers 16:4 – 7                  What was Moses’ reaction?

So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; and he spoke to Korah … saying, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His and who is holy … whom He chooses … to come near to Him … Take censers … put fire in them and put incense in them before the LORD tomorrow … the man whom the LORD chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!”

What was Moses’ reaction? Moses’ fell down and prayed: the LORD gave him an answer.

We. 7/22/13: Numbers 16:19 – 22                  How did Moses and Aaron avert catastrophe?

And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation. And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” Then they fell on their faces, and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?”

How did Moses and Aaron avert catastrophe? They pleaded for the children of Israel, not the rebels.

What danger did Korah put Israel in?

Th. 7/22/13: Numbers 16:23 – 26                  What was the LORD’s answer?

So the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.’” Then Moses … spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.”

What was the LORD’s answer? The LORD’s judgment would fall on the rebels and their families.

Fr. 7/22/13: Numbers 16:31 – 38                  What was the LORD’s judgment?

Now, … as he finished speaking … the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, … closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Tell Eleazar … to pick up the censers out of the blaze, for they are holy, and … let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar … they shall be a sign to the children of Israel.”

What was the LORD’s judgment? The earth swallowed them all up alive. The only sign left was the bronze covering for the altar made from 250 censers.

Fruit

Mo. 7/15/13: Luke 8:14                  The parable of the Seed Sower

Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

The parable of the Seed Sower: if you are choked with cares, riches and enjoyment, you will bring no spiritual fruit to maturity.

Tu. 7/16/13: John 15:1-2, 4-5, 8                  The vine and the branches parable

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

The vine and the branches parable: if you live your life in Christ, the Word of God, you will bear much fruit. This is a promise for eternal reward.

We. 7/17/13: Philippians 4:16-17                  Financial gifts

For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Financial gifts: in giving the gift, you receive so much more! Not just here but to your account in heaven.

Th. 7/18/13: Hebrews 12:11                  Chastening

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Chastening: corporal punishment is frowned upon and hard to take: if the giver is God, its yield is peaceable fruit.

Fr. 7/19/13: Hebrews 13:15                  Praise and thanksgiving

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.

Praise and thanksgiving: this is a sacrifice and the fruit of our lips.

Ordinances, O.T, & N.T. compared

Mo. 7/8/13: Exodus 12:43                 What is the Passover ordinance?

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it.

What is the Passover ordinance? It was an annual celebration of the last night Israel spent of 430 years of sojourn in Egypt. No foreigner was to participate.

Tu. 7/9/13: Leviticus 18:3  Whose ordinance was not to be followed?

According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances.

Whose ordinance was not to be followed? Neither Egypt nor Canaan’s ordinances were to be followed.

We. 7/10/13: Numbers 9:14         What about a stranger in Canaan?

'And if a stranger dwells among you, and would keep the LORD's Passover, he must do so according to the rite of the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land.'

What about a stranger in Canaan? After all males were circumcised willingly, they could keep the Passover.

Th. 7/11/13: Romans 13:2    Whose authority was not to be resisted?

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Whose authority was not to be resisted? Roman authority was not to be resisted. The Church had new instructions, being the Body of Christ on Earth.

Fr. 7/12/13: 1 Peter 2:13a         Whose ordinance was to be followed?

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake

Whose ordinance was to be followed? Every ordinance of man, for the Lord’s sake. This applies to members of the Body of Christ, a New Testament beginning.