Revelation of Jesus Christ is Apostle Peter's 1st letter

Monday, August 17, 2009: 1 Peter 1:6–7 (DNT)

Wherein ye exult, for a little while at present, if needed, put to grief by various trials, that the proving of your faith, much more precious than of gold which perishes, though it be proved by fire, be found to praise and glory and honour in [the] revelation of Jesus Christ

Will your faith be praised at the revelation of Jesus Christ?

It is the tests that prove your faith that will be honored.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009: 1 Peter 1:10–11 (DNT)

Concerning which salvation prophets, who have prophesied of the grace towards you, sought out and searched out; searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which [was] in them pointed out, testifying before of the sufferings which [belonged] to Christ, and the glories after these.

When Noah prophesied about the coming flood, God’s judgment against sin, what did the Spirit of Christ reveal to him?

Noah’s redemption from God’s judgment was by faith: a foretaste of our salvation based only on faith. Every thing but the door was watertight: God Himself sealed it!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009: 1 Peter 1:13–16 (DNT)

Wherefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, [be] sober [and] hope with perfect stedfastness in the grace [which will be] brought to you at [the] revelation of Jesus Christ

Why should we gird up the loins of our minds?

We have hope — a hope for the future when Christ is revealed.

Thursday, August 20, 2009: 1 Peter 4:12–13 (DNT)

Beloved, take not [as] strange the fire [of persecution] which has taken place amongst you for [your] trial, as if a strange thing was happening to you; but as ye have share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that in the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exultation.

How are we to view persecution, here described as fire on us?

It is not strange, but a share in the sufferings of Christ. Glory will follow.

Friday, August 21, 2009: 1 Peter 5:1–4 (DNT)

The elders which [are] among you I exhort, who [am their] fellow-elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, who also [am] partaker of the glory about to be revealed

How is Peter similar and yet different from elders?

He is a fellow elder but one that is an eyewitness of the unimaginable sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Summer of Youth

The season of summer is likened to youth. Here’s the Bible’s advice about youth.

Monday, August 10, 2009: Job 29:2–4

“Oh, that I were as in months past,
As in the days when God watched over me;
When His lamp shone upon my head,
And when by His light I walked through darkness;
Just as I was in the days of my prime,
When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent

Why does Job, now in pain and anguish, remember the days of his youth? Job remembers his youth with God as counselor. His walk was in the light of God through the darkness of the world.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009: Psalm 25:7

Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

What is King David’s Psalm of prayer to God? David wishes God to remember him in mercy rather then the sins of his youth.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009: Psalm 103:1–5

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Why does David Bless the Lord in this Psalm? David has repented of his sins and found forgiveness in the sight of God by faith. His youth is renewed by God’s benefits.

Thursday, August 13, 2009: Ecclesiastes 11:9–10

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring you into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
And put away evil from your flesh,
For childhood and youth are vanity.

Why does the wise King Solomon call childhood and youth vanity? If we remember God and His judgment against sin, we will, as youth, put away evil from our flesh. Otherwise, if used only for pleasure, childhood and youth are but vanity, and will pass away without benefit.

Friday, August 14, 2009: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”

What are the days of our youth? They are even now. Remember God now: you’ll never regret it. But other days will surely come that will be unsupported by God.

Solomon's Wisdom, Part 2.

Monday, August 3, 2009: 1 Kings 11:1-2

But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.
Where did wise Solomon go wrong? His love was women, even more than God.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009: 1 Kings 11:4–6

For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David.
Why did Solomon’s heart not loyal to God? His wives turned his heart to follow their gods.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009: 1 Kings 11:9–11

So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded.
What displeased God about Solomon? Solomon did not keep the Lord’s commands.

Thursday, August 6, 2009: Matthew 6:28–30

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
What was the thought (consideration) Jesus Christ pointed to? God, who has clothed wildflowers in beauty has much more provided for man: just have faith in God instead of your labor and diligence.

Friday, August 7, 2009: Acts 3:11–12

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.
So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
Background: a beggar, lame from birth asked for alms at a gate of the Temple. Peter invoked the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to heal him.
What was Peter anxious to avoid? Peter wanted everyone to know that it was not their power or holiness that healed the lame beggar, but the Lord Jesus Christ’s Name.

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?

Walk the Walk of Faith.

Monday, July 20, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:3–6

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; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
Background: sanctification is a word misunderstood as sainthood. Faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ makes us holy and without sin in God’s sight. Believers are already saints, set apart for doing God’s will.
Why does Paul warn the sin-free believers against fornication and adultery within the church? We are not sinless, just forgiven by God and sin-free. Committing such sin takes advantage and defrauds another believer. It is also a lack of control over self. (possess your vessel) It brings God’s vengeance on us in this life, even though eternally safe.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 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.
How can you show brotherly love by minding your own business? The rationale is working, not to get rich, but to provide for yourself and walk properly in the sight of non-believers.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
How can we feel joy and thank God when things go wrong or bad? An important part of our life as believers is recognizing that God brings trials in our life for our good. Thanking God for the trial we face not only is putting our faith in God for deliverance in circumstances beyond our control.

Thursday, July 23, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
What does quench imply? It’s like putting out a fire by pouring water on it. A believer can put self in the driver’s seat instead of allowing God’s Holy Spirit to take control.

Friday, July 24, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
What is the end result of sanctification? Resurrection, which preserves out body soul and spirit at the (second) coming of the Lord.

Spread the Word.

Monday, July 13, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
Background: Paul, Timothy and Sylvanus are under persecution for preaching their faith in the city of Corinth and are concerned about the Assembly (Church) planted in Thessalonica.
Is Paul joyful because of the Thessalonians’ faith in the word of the Lord? Paul’s joy is that the word of God has been transmitted (sounded forth) and their faith has not been kept to themselves but has gone out.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 2:13–14

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans
What was the similarity between the Judeans (Jews) and the Macedonians (Thessalonians)? Those who did not believe the good news actively persecuted the believers in both places.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 3:12

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you
Why differentiate between ‘one another’ and ‘all’? The former group is the Assembly (the Church, which really means people who are called out of the world) while the latter is the people of their world.

Thursday, July 16, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God
What does Paul urge the Thessalonians to do? Paul exhorts them to walk to please God in more aspects of life.

Friday, July 17, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
What are we to do? We do not take revenge. We pursue good deeds (instead of a pursuit of pleasure) towards self and others, even enemies!

Rapture & the Second Coming of Christ

Monday, July 6, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Background: Paul remembers how he transmitted the Gospel to the Thessalonians. Their faith and relaying the Gospel to others mirrors the former.
Whom do we wait on and wait for? We now wait on (serve) the living God (not idols) and wait for His Son who is coming from heaven to deliver us from the wrath of God.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.
Background: The conditional, ‘or’ is not employed as a choice. It is a progression from the future (hope) to the present (joy) to the past goal (crown).
What does Paul exult in? Paul’s glory is the presence of the Thessalonian believers at Christ’s Second Coming.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13

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.
Background: Paul invokes God’s providence to increase our love towards believer and unbeliever alike.
What is the result of God’s increasing our love? He launches our holy, unimpeachable (blameless) hearts at the Second Coming of Christ with us, His saints.

Thursday, July 9, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Background: The Lord will descend from heaven; we will meet Him in clouds.
Is this the Second Coming of Christ? No, this is the Rapture, when believers will suddenly vanish from earth.

Friday, July 10, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What is the only difference in the two phrases of this invocation? It is the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.