Warning After Warning

Monday, August 30, 2010: Jeremiah 17:24 – 25 (NKJV)

“And it shall be, if you heed Me carefully,” says the Lord, “to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever.

Background: Jeremiah the prophet has warned the people of Judah and Israel of the impending judgment of God on an unrepentant people in vain.

What was connected with keeping the Sabbath holy? The Kings of Israel would be sovereign over a peaceful nation. This is one with open gates and honored Kings. This is God’s provision.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010: Jeremiah 18:5 – 8 (NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.

Background: Sent by God to a potter, Jeremiah sees a flawed vessel reshaped by the potter.

What does God desire? Repentance for evil, not sacrifice no some great work. He provides.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010: Jeremiah 18:11 (NKJV)

“Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”

Is the warning from God without a way out? No: God, in His mercy calls on each person or nation to repent or turn around to the good pathway. He will provide.

Thursday, September 2, 2010: 2 Chronicles 36:16 (NKJV)

But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

What does no remedy imply? There is a point of no return after God, in His longsuffering has waited: then comes judgment.

Friday, September 3, 2010: Galatians 1:3 – 6 (NKJV)

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel

If the gospel is that our Lord gave Himself for our sins, what is turning away from the gospel mean? It means that you start to believe that what good you do can provide a way to heaven.

Day of Visitation

Monday, March 1, 2010: Numbers 16:28–29

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.

Background: Korah and others rebelled against Moses during the journey through the wilderness.

Just because you have right motives, can you approach God in the way that you choose? No, you only approach God in the way He chooses. Korah didn’t, and the earth opened up and swallowed him.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010: Job 10:10–12

Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

Background: Job has lost all his property, his children have died and sores plague him.

What does Job recognize in all his misery? Job recognizes that God has preserved his spirit.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010: Micah 7:3–4

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

What does Micah prophecy against wayward Israel? Their corrupt ways will be judged and they will wonder why their ways do not serve to prosper them any more.

Thursday, March 4, 2010: Luke 19:43–44

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Background: Jesus Christ prophecies on Palm Sunday against Jerusalem and its temple.

What will happen and why will it happen?

Friday, March 5, 2010: 1 Peter 2:11–12

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Background: Peter writes to believers who have been scattered by persecution and are suffering.

Why does Peter emphasize good works even when persecuted? In the day that God visits for judgment, they will remember and bring glory to God.

Solomon and Wisdom: Part 1

This is part of a message given by George Varghese on 7/26/09 in the evening.

Monday, July 27, 2009: James 1:5–6

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Is there a precondition to God’s gift of wisdom? Yes, there is. The precondition is faith in God. If we ask in faith, we have God’s word that we will receive wisdom.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009: 1 Kings 3:5, 9

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
Did Solomon ask God for wisdom? Yes, he did. But, to be specific, he asked God to grant him an understanding heart so that he would discern between good and evil in the people before him for judgment, and mete out justice to them.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009: 1 Kings 3:11–12

Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
How pleasing was this answer to God? The answer so pleased God, that He gave Solomon more wisdom to judge correctly than any before or after him. He made him the wisest judge of human nature, ever.

Thursday, July 30, 2009: 1 Kings 3:13–14

And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
What more did God lavish on Solomon? God gave Solomon riches and honor unconditionally. He also promised him longer life under the condition of obedience.

Friday, July 31, 2009: 1 Kings 4:29–30

And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.
How great was God’s gift to Solomon? Others could not even begin to estimate the depth of his wisdom, the height of his understanding and the width of all he knew.

Next week: What was Solomon’s downfall?