Hidden (but not from God)

Monday, January 18, 2010: 1 Peter 3:3–4

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Background: the Apostle Peter writes a general letter to believers who were dispersed by Jewish persecution. Here he addresses women, but the word translated ‘person’ is ‘man’ in Greek text.

What is implied by ‘fine’ in italics? It is not there in the original text, but added. We have to wear clothing, but man sees the outward appearance while God sees the heart: that’s where the real beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit resides.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010: Mark 4:21–22

Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

Background: Jesus Christ spoke to the crowds in parables from a boat just offshore. Then he spoke privately to his disciples, explaining the parables and using simple analogies.

What is the astounding revelation of this parable? God knows the mind of each person.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010: Matthew 6:6–7

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Background: This is part of the Sermon on the Mount.

What are the two major implications of these verses? The first is that you should have a prayer closet. The second is that anyone using repetitions in prayer uselessly is like an unbeliever!

Thursday, January 21, 2010: Romans 2:12, 16

For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law … in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Background: This is part of the opening argument of the book of Romans where Paul tells that both those who attempt to gain heaven by following God’s perfect standard, the Law, and those who hope to do so by their good works (apart from God’s law) will be judged by their sins.

What will God judge? God will judge the secret sins of the heart by Jesus Christ.

Friday, January 22, 2010: 1 Corinthians 14:24–25

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

Background: Paul addresses two topics: speaking in unknown languages and prophesying in the Corinthian church. The believers were using the gift of languages to put on a show.

What does prophecy in the common language accomplish? An unbeliever is convicted of hidden sins and is brought to the knowledge of God.

Angels and Fire

Monday, January 11, 2010: Isaiah 6:6–7

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said:

“Behold, this has touched your lips;

Your iniquity is taken away,

And your sin purged.”

Background: Isaiah (700 B. C.) saw a vision of God on His throne in the year King Uzziah died. The Angels surrounding the throne were Seraphim having six wings. They cried, “Holy, holy, holy…”

What is a live coal from an altar before God’s throne? Holy, and on fire, such a coal is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, doing the will of the Father in sacrifice for purging sins.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010: Ezekiel 10:7–8

And the cherub stretched out his hand from among the cherubim to the fire that was among the cherubim, and took some of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed with linen, who took it and went out. The cherubim appeared to have the form of a man’s hand under their wings.

Background: Ezekiel (580 B. C.) saw a vision of the glory of God departing Jerusalem accompanied by cherubim. His prophecy includes the destruction of Jerusalem and its future rebuilding.

How are Cherubs similar yet different from Seraphs? Both have wings but cherubs have a ‘hand’ under their wings and fire among them.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010: Exodus 3:2, 4-5

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

Background: Moses (1450 or 1250 B. C.) sees the ‘burning bush.’

Did Moses see the Angel of the Lord? No, Moses saw the flame, which was the Angel of the Lord, in the bush, which was not burned. However, the place was holy, which meant that God’s presence was there.

Thursday, January 14, 2010: Judges 6:21–22

Then the Angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.

Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”

Background: The time of the Judges of Israel (1,300 to 1,050 B. C.) was before Kings like David.

What did the Angel of the Lord look like? There was not much to show a difference from man except that the sacrifice was consumed with unearthly fire! Then Gideon knew and was afraid.

Friday, January 15, 2010: Judges 13:19–21

So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on—it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. When the Angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the Lord.

Background: The time of the Judges of Israel (1,300 to 1,050 B. C.) was before the Kings like David and Solomon. The references are about the parents of Samson who were childless till the Angel appeared.

The Angel had appeared to Manoah’s wife and told her about having a son. The next time after Manoah prayed, the Angel appeared and would not tell his name.

What did the Angel do? The Theophany went up to heaven in the fire of the burned offering, and fear fell on Manoah and his wife.

False Teachers

Monday, January 4, 2010: 2 Peter 2:1

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.
What is one characteristic of a false teacher? A false teacher secretly (not openly) denies that Jesus Christ died for the sin of the world.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010: 2 Peter 2:3

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
What is another characteristic of a false teacher? A false teacher’s deceptive words exploit you because of greed for money.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010: 2 Peter 2:9–10

then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
What are other characteristics of a false teacher? A false teacher gives in to lust and despises authority.

Thursday, January 7, 2010: 2 Peter 2:14-15

having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
What are other characteristics of a false teacher? Adultery is on the mind of a false teacher who also prefers to earn wages from unbelievers for prophecies.

Friday, January 8, 2010: 2 Peter 2:18–19

For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
What are some more characteristics of a false teacher? Often a charismatic speaker, a false teacher, in bondage to sin, can trap even believers by claiming to set them free.

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ

(I am going to be on vacation so I'm posting this blog ahead of time. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!)

Monday, December 28, 2009: 2 Peter 1:2–3

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

What does the knowledge of Jesus Christ become a channel for? Knowledge becomes a channel for divine power for our life to become godly.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009: 2 Peter 1:4

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What do the promises given to us by the knowledge of Jesus Christ allow us to do? We partake of love’s divine nature and escape lust’s corruption.

Wednesday, December 30, 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.

God’s arithmetic: Faith + virtue+ knowledge + self-control + perseverance + godliness + brotherly kindness + love.

Thursday, December 31, 2009: 2 Peter 1:8

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is knowledge of Jesus Christ enough? It leads to a life bearing fruit for God.

Friday, January 1, 2010: 2 Peter 1:9

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

What about those who lets the world get in the way? They are like the blind who have forgotten how they were cleansed from their sin.

Death Prophecy

Monday, December 21, 2009: Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Background: God speaks to the serpent (devil) after deceiving Adam and Eve.

What does bruise imply? This Child born of a virgin will die but rise from the dead, thus reversing the curse of death.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009: Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

What does ‘given’ imply? Given on the cross to die as a sacrifice, but then usher in the Kingdom of God’s peace.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009: Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

What does Immanuel mean? It means God with us.

Thursday, December 24, 2009: Luke 2:12

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Background: Angels announce the birth of the Savior to humble shepherds.

What were swaddling cloths? Travelers in those days wrapped their abdomen with linen cloths. If they died, they were wrapped in these strips - swaddling cloths! The sign was that He came to die for us.

Christmas, Friday, December 25, 2009: Luke 24:6–7

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

Background: The angels speak at the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

What was the declaration? He is alive!

Birth Anouncement

Monday, December 14, 2009: Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Background: God speaks to the serpent (devil) after deceiving Adam and Eve.

What does ‘her seed’ mean? A child will be born to a virgin.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009: Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

What does ‘unto us’ imply? To mankind, not to Joseph!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009: Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Background: Isaiah prophecies about Messiah centuries before His birth.

How can a virgin conceive? This unique event is the promised bruiser of Satan, the Seed of the woman.

Thursday, December 17, 2009: Luke 2:10–12

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Background: Angels announce the birth of the Savior to humble shepherds.

Who was the Savior born to? To the Shepherds and to all people!

Friday, December 18, 2009: Luke 24:6–7

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

Background: The angels speak at the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

What was the reminder? He always is the Son of Man.

Parable of the Good Shepherd

Monday, December 7, 2009: John 10:11,14-16

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

How can a dead Shepherd care for His sheep? He cannot, unless He rises from the dead!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009: John 10:17–18

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Who has power to die voluntarily and raise self from the dead? Only the sinless Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009: John 10:19, 22-24

Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

What is the Feast of Dedication? Hanukah! This is the only place in scripture where mention is made of this festival. It is alluded to in the non-canonical books, Maccabees.

Thursday, December 10, 2009: John 10:25–27

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Why did Christ Jesus say, “My sheep hear My voice?” This was the answer to the Jews’ question, “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Friday, December 11, 2009: John 10:28–30

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Do we earn eternal life or try to stay in Christ Jesus’ hand? No, this is His doing.