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.

Sabbath Instituted

Monday, December 29, 2008: Exodus 16:4, 19-20

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

What was God’s tests for Israel? God wished to test Israel’s faith in believing that the manna would last one day only.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008: Exodus 16:23-24

And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

How did the test change on sabbath? Yes, because Israel now had to believe that the same manna would last two days without stinking or breeding worms.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008: Exodus 16:32-34

And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

What happened to the memorial manna that was to be placed near the testimony? It NEVER stank nor bred worms. It was to show future generations that God provided Israel with food in the wilderness.

Thursday, New Years Day 2009: Exodus 31:16-17

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

What did God call the sabbath? The sabbath was a sign between God and Israel. Commandments 1-3 were to God and commandments 5-10 were to man; all nine are irrespective of time. Only the fourth commandment applied to a specific day, one day out of seven.

Friday, January 2, 2009: Psalm 16:10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

What prophetically would NOT happen? God’s Holy One, Jesus Christ, would never be corrupted while His body lay in the tomb or ever afterwards. The Jews could not enter the tomb on the sabbath; the sabbath prevented them from corrupting the tomb.

God Manifested

Monday, December 22, 2008: Romans 16:25–27

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
What mystery was kept secret since time began but is now shown to mankind? God, alone wise, glorified in Christ Jesus.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008: 1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
What begins the mystery of Godliness? God was manifested in the flesh.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008: 1 John 1:1–3

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
How was the Word of life manifested? In the Father (unseen) and in His Son, Jesus Christ (seen)

Thursday, December 25, 2008: 1 John 4:9

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
What was shown to us when God sent His Son into the world? God’s love for us was manifested in that first Christmas day. Have a very merry Christmas!

Friday, December 26, 2008: 1 John 3:5

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Why was God’s Son born? He was born to take away our sin.

Angels and Mankind

Monday, December 15, 2008: Luke 1:11–13

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Background: Zacharias was one of the priests performing his duties inside the Holy place of the tabernacle. No one else was allowed to be anywhere near.

Why was Zacharias afraid? Wouldn’t you be afraid if a person suddenly appeared in an area where only you were supposed to be? Furthermore, this person knew you, your wife, and told you that you would have a son and name him John!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008: Luke 1:18–20

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

Why was Zacharias reply inappropriate? It is not too difficult to know that a woman is pregnant! Such a dumb reply deserved the punishment he received.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008: Luke 1:26–32

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

What did it mean, in those days, to be ‘a virgin betrothed to a man?’ Engagement was then considered marriage. But the man had to build his own room inside his father’s property. When it was finished, he brought his wife into their new home to consummate their marriage.

(Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In what way was Mary’s reply correct? Mary’s faith, and not her understanding allowed her to accept this rationally impossible declaration.)

Thursday, December 18, 2008: Luke 1:38

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

What did it mean that Joseph her husband was minded to put her away secretly? Public denouncement would have ostracized her from Israel. Joseph thought highly of her and decided not to do this, but not consummate their marriage.

Friday, December 19, 2008: Matthew 1:24-25

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Was Joseph’s answer correct? Yes, he immediately followed the vision that very night.