Contradicting

The Greek word antilego is translated as speaking against or contradicting.

Monday, February 16, 2009: Titus 1:9

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.

Background: Paul is speaking to Titus, asking him to identify overseers (bishops) in the Churches of the cities on the Island of Crete. This verse is end of the characteristics that qualify them.

How should Overseers build up while convincing those who contradict of their error? This evidence of having oversight is when one has used his knowledge of the Word of God and has used sound doctrine (teaching) to edify (build up) the critic and to convince him of error.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009: Titus 2:9–10

Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Give an example of what should NOT be done during a staff meeting. Why should it not be done? It simply leads to bitter feelings: nothing positive can come out of it.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009: Luke 20:27

Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,

What reflection we can glean out of this example about the Saducees? The Saducees, who did not believe in resurrection, were forever plying their hidden agenda before everyone and convincing nobody. They were patronizing and their motives were transparent to others. Let this not happen to a believer.

Thursday, February 19, 2009: John 19:12

From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

In their desire to see Jesus Christ crucified, what tactic did the Jews resort to? They perverted justice by using politics and treason as reasons to accomplish Christ’s death.

Friday, February 20, 2009: Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Why were the Jews filled with envy? Paul was not preaching Christ Jesus to them only, but to the Gentiles! Their strategy changed into opposing and speaking against the Word of God.

Addages

I am indebted to Alan Parks for 'Addages.'

Monday, February 9, 2009: John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

What are our sources of trouble and peace? We will have trouble in the world as followers of Christ, but in Him we have peace.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009: Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

How are our needs supplied? Our needs are met, not from, but according to His riches in heaven.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009: John 14:3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

What is the essence of this promise? If I go, I will return for you.

Thursday, February 12, 2009: James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Does faith require works? No, but without works, faith is like a dead (useless) person.

Friday, February 13, 2009: Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Should the followers of Jesus Christ look out for themselves? No, we are to look for God’s kingdom — then all our needs will be added to us.

Work while there's time.

Monday, February 2, 2009: 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Do you know anyone that fits this description? There is a point in life when a person stop being dependant on parents and strike out on their own. Of necessity, they stop being disorderly.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Is lacking nothing connected with work? No, it is also connected to minding your own business and behaving properly to the world around you.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009: 1 Corinthians 3:12–13

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

How will our work be tested? The fire of judgment will check its worth in the Kingdom of
God.

Thursday, February 5, 2009: 1 Peter 1:17–19

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 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.

If salvation depends on our faith, what does this passage mean? Reward for eternity depends on doing God’s will in your life.

Friday, February 6, 2009: Galatians 6:4–5

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

Doesn’t our supervisor examine our work? Yes, but if we objectively examine our work in terms of the requirements set before us, we will better bear our load.

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.

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?

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.

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.