Who was Paul?

Monday, Feb.27, 2012: Acts 21:39 – 40 (NKJV)            Where was Paul from?

But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”

So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Where was Paul from? Paul was from the seaside town of Tarsus and spoke Greek and Hebrew.

Tuesday, Feb.28, 2012: Acts 22:3 (NKJV)             Where did Paul learn?

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

Where did Paul learn? Paul learnd the Jewish faith in Jerusalem as a disciple of Gameliel. He tells his conversion on the road to Damascus

Wednesday, Feb.29, 2012: Acts 22:4 – 5            What did Paul do to Christians?

I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

What did Paul do to Christians? Paul persecuted Christians to death.

Thursday, March 1, 2012: Acts 22:19 – 21            What Was Paul’s commission?

So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”

What was Paul’s commission? God sent Paul to preach to the gentiles.

Friday, March 2, 2012: Acts 22:23 – 25 (NKJV)            Where was Paul born?

Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

Where was Paul born? Born in Rome, Paul was a Roman citizen by birth.

Paul's Farewell to The Ephesian Elders

Monday, Feb. 20, 2012: Acts 20:17 – 18a, 26 – 27 (NKJV)            Why was Paul innocent?

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Why was Paul innocent? Some groups keep secrets for the select few. But Paul declares that he openly preached the entire counsel of God.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012: Acts 20:28 (NKJV)             Who appointed the elders?

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Who appointed the elders? The Holy Spirit (not man, nor degree) made the elders overseers to shepherd the flock.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012: Acts 20:29 –30 (NKJV)            Is the flock endangered?

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Is the flock endangered? Yes, it is, from internal and external threats.

Thursday, February 23, 2012: Acts 20:32 (NKJV)            What is the flock’s defense?

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

What is the flock’s defense? The Word of God builds up.

Friday, February 24, 2012: Acts 20:33 –35 (NKJV)             What was Paul’s example?

I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

What was Paul’s example? Paul worked to provide for himself and his companions.

Branches of an Olive Tree

Monday, February 13, 2012: Romans 11:17 – 18 (ESV)                  Can a Christian have arrogance?

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

Can a Christian have arrogance? In spite of this clear warning in God’s word, it is common for preachers to do so from the pulpit!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012: Romans 11:19 – 20 (ESV)                  What outlook should we have?

Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

What outlook should we have? Remember the difference: sinners vs. sinners saved by grace.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012: Romans 11:21 – 22 (ESV)                  Can God be kind and severe?

For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Can God be kind and severe? Yes. The Jews endured the holocaust. Visit the museum.

Thursday, February 16, 2012: Romans 11:23 – 24 (ESV)                  What is the antonym of unbelief?

And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

What is the antonym of unbelief? Faith, in Jesus as Christ (anointed) the Savior and Lord.

Friday, February 17, 2012: Romans 11:25, 28 – 29 (ESV)                  What is the fullness of the Gentiles?

Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

What is the fullness of the Gentiles? The fullness of the Gentiles is this present era. It will end.

Earning or Gift?

Monday, February 6, 2012: Romans 6:3 – 4 (NKJV)            Is this baptism in water?

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Is this baptism in water? No, it is the icon of ‘born again.’

Tuesday, February 7, 2012: Romans 6:7 – 8 (NKJV)            Are we slaves any more?

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him

Are we slaves any more? No, we are dead to that slavery. We are engaged to Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012: Romans 6:10 – 11 (NKJV)            Is reckoning an accounting term?

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is reckoning an accounting term? Yes, it is. Count yourself alive and engaged to Jesus Christ.

Thursday, February 9, 2012: Romans 6:12 – 13 (NKJV)            What is presenting?

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

What is presenting? Presenting is offering a gift, in this case, your day and your services to Jesus Christ.

Friday, February 10, 2012: Romans 6:14, 23 (NKJV)            How is a salary different from a gift?

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How is a salary different from a gift? The former is earned and deserver, the latter is God’s grace for life during our engagement and eternal life as the bride of Christ.

Monday, January 30, 2012: Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV)            Seven Spirits of God

If three colors of light mingle, seven colors result:  3 pure, 2 doubles and 1 triple overlap.

      For who has despised the day of small things?

      For these seven rejoice to see

      The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

      They are the eyes of the Lord,

      Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

Revelation 1:4 (NKJV)

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne

Revelation 3:1 (NKJV)

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 5:6 (NKJV)

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

 

1 4 2

Father                 Son

7

6 5

Holy Spirit

3

Tuesday, January 31, 2012: John 10:28 – 30 (NKJV)             Union of Father & Son, yellow overlap 4.

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.”

Wednesday, February 1, 2012: Galatians 4:6             Union of Son and Holy Spirit, cyan overlap 5.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Thursday, February 2, 2012: Mt. 10:20             Union of Father & Holy Spirit, magenta overlap 6.

for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Friday, February 3, 2012: Lu. 23:45 – 46             Union of Father, Son & Holy Spirit, white overlap 7.

Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Endure

Monday, January 23, 2012: 2 Corinthians 11:3 – 4 (NKJV)                  Do you put up with a different Jesus?

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Do you put up with a different Jesus? The way to detect a false Christ is to read the Bible.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012: 2 Corinthians 11:17 – 20 (NKJV)                  Do you put up with being in bondage?

What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.

Do you put up with being in bondage? From the time of the apostles we have false teachers who enslave, rob, abuse believers while exalting themselves.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012: 2 Timothy 4:2 – 4 (NKJV)                  Do you dictate to your church leaders?

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Do you dictate to your church leaders? If you dislike criticism, you do not put up with sound doctrine, which builds you up. Some tell their leaders that a message was inappropriate!

Thursday, January 26, 2012: Ephesians 4:1 – 3                  Are there church members you can’t bear?

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Are there church members you can’t bear? You are wrong: love them as Christ did and put up with them.

Friday, January 27, 2012: Colossians 3:12 – 13 (NKJV)                  Are there church members you can’t forgive?

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Are there church members you can’t forgive? You are wrong: forgive them as Christ forgave you.

Life After Work: Get A Life!

Monday, January 16, 2012: Proverbs 19:24 (NKJV)                   How NOT to be a home decoration

      A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,

      And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

How to be a home decorator: finish what you started to do in the strength of the Lord.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012: Proverbs 6:9 – 11 (NKJV)                   How NOT to be a sleepyhead

      How long will you slumber, O sluggard?

      When will you rise from your sleep?

      A little sleep, a little slumber,

      A little folding of the hands to sleep—

      So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

      And your need like an armed man.

How to be a provider: change your stationary status to movement.

Wednesday, January 18: Proverbs 10:26 (NKJV)                   How NOT to be a sour taste in God’s mouth

      As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

      So is the lazy man to those who send him.

How to be God’s workman: limit your rest to a short nap; rise up and build.

Thursday, January 19, 2012: Proverbs 13:4 (NKJV)                   How NOT to be a dreamer

      The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;

      But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

How to be a doer: finish what you started in the strength of the Lord.

Friday, January 20, 2012: Proverbs 21:25 (NKJV)                   How NOT to be a dead duck

      The desire of the lazy man kills him,

      For his hands refuse to labor.

How to get abundant life: please family and friends in loving works.