J12. GOD CREATED MANKIND FOR RELATIONSHIP & HIS GLORY

ACCESS TO GOD

• God desired relationship with His creation so much that He limited Himself to the point of sending His Son into the world

• Imagine God being willing to have his diaper changed, do chores, work at a job and grow into manhood so we can identify with Him  <D40>

• Our very DNA that God designed in us is meant to communicate with Him, an outside entity  <M1501>

Genesis 3:8-9 NIV

[8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

• Everyday the enemy tries to entice believers to ignore and even harm their relationship with Christ

• Believing in Jesus and accepting his sacrifice allows believers to experience God's grace and presence  

• Satan hates the fact that believers have access to God and will do everything in his power to stop them from growing and thriving in their faith

• He wants to keep believers from living abundant, fulfilling, difference-making, holy lives

• To this end, the enemy will set traps with scenarios that exploit their weaknesses and go against God  <L120>

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

PROTECTION

1 Corinthians 11:31 NIV

[31] But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

• To guard against the enemy's attacks, followers of Christ should introspectively discern where they have a weakness that leads to sin  <M1501>

• Then be ready to repent when falling prey to that weakness, with resolve to combat it in the future

• This process of sanctification will ultimately deepen the believer's relationship with their Father while advancing a holy fulfilled life

• For example, the byproduct of Christ's command to love God and love each other, is that we have intimate relationship with Him and one another

• Love is the perfect bond that unites

Philippians 2:5 NIV

[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus

Mark 12:29-31 NIV

[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”

FAITH IS RELATIONSHIP

• Paul’s faith had ‘substance’ and that substance was to be believed; the foundation of faith is a personal relationship with God through Jesus

• Paul didn’t say ‘I know WHAT I have believed’ but ‘I know WHOM I have believed’  <R1795>

• Do we believe in the ‘idea of God’ or do we have a relationship with our Savior?

2 Timothy 1:12b NIV

[12] …I know whom I have believed…

RELATED COMMENTS

Note: each ** comment in this APPLICATION doc comes from CHAPTER doc(s), where the comments are in numerical order according to verse(s) from the chapter

** Concentrate on expressing the excellent and praiseworthy qualities Paul lists, so that we not only dwell on them but they dwell in us  <R1795>

• True = meaning the truthful in thought as well as every aspect of life

• Noble = meaning that which wins respect; the honest, honorable, worthy

• Right = meaning that which fulfills all our obligation to God and to others

• Pure = meaning that which fits us for fellowship with and service to God, including but more than freedom from bodily sins

• Lovely = meaning that which is attractive and winsome

• Admirable = meaning that which is kind and likely to win others

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

[8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

** We were created to be in fellowship with God and, ultimately, we need to adjust our lives in order to exist in this relationship

How do we live our lives for God?  

• We walk in integrity; not only in show but with godly internal motive, for integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching

• We do not plan evil for our neighbor but rejoice and mourn with them through their experiences

• We are not guilty of speaking against someone or going along with slander voiced around us

• We consistently live with integrity throughout all our days, not just on Sundays  <C31>

Psalm 15:1-3 NIV

[1] Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? [2] The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; [3] whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others

** It's important we understand why God created humans in His image  <M1501>

• Being made in God's image is not a matter of gaining sentience, conscience or intelligence

• Some think the image is possible because God breathed life into man, but animals also have the breath of life

• Some think it's a reflection on God because man has a soul and spirit, but animals have those as well

• Man and woman are made in the image of God  SO we can serve a purpose: to work according to God's kingdom and His will

• Our being made in God's image is not an inherited character trait of God, but a function for His glory

• Embryos are not just a clump of cells, but are formed and ordained by God to serve His purpose

• Those living today -- those who escaped abortion -- are called to protect and emulate the image of God, as Christ personified God and kept His commandments when He walked the earth

• Christians bear Christ's name and, therefore, are a reflection of Him

• Those who do not live functionally according to God's leading are taking His name in vain

Genesis 1:27 NIV

[27] So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

[18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

** David referring to 'dwelling with God' was a poetic way of saying 'remaining in relationship with God' through prayer and studying His Word  <M1501>

• Yes, believers are human so some days will be better than others

• The key for Christians is to devote themselves wholeheartedly to their relationship with God, entering into His presence regardless if they think it suits their schedule or feel like it

• God protects His devoted followers while living in this dangerously evil world

Psalm 91:1 NIV

[1] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

[1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, [2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 100:3-4 NIV

[3] Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 91:9-10 NIV

[9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, [10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

** Followers of Christ learn to recognize His voice

• Those who belong to God will recognize and respond to His voice

• Some say God's voice (the unction of the still small voice) usually does not sound like our desire, and goes against what makes us comfortable or what we want, and often speaks in ways we haven't figured out  <M1501>

John 10:27 NIV

[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

• Other verses emphasize that God speaks through His Word (Heb 4:12) and that the Holy Spirit guides believers (John 16:13)

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

[12] For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

John 16:13 NIV

[13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

** Relationships often deepen when friends share with each other their love for God and the impact of His Word on their lives

1 Samuel 20:42 NIV

[42] Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, 'The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever. ' ” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

Psalm 119:63,79,165 NIV

[63] I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. [79] May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. [165] Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

** Paul called the church in Corinth and all subsequent churches to be without division, united in mind and thought in DOCTRINE based solely on God’s Word

• “The only source of unity is God’s Word which establishes the standard of truth on which true unity exists”  <M130>

• Inward unity of mind and thought is needed for outward harmony

• Paul was requesting they genuinely consider the issues to produce ‘real unity’ than simply pretending to agree  <R1795>

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

[10] I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Luke 8:21 NIV

[21] [Jesus] replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

[11] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

** The Bible's vision of Christian community is one of both giving and receiving  <D502>

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

[12] Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Romans 16:1-2 NIV [Paul requesting of the members in Cenchreae]

[1] I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. [2] I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

** Encouraging other believers ends up encouraging everyone involved; Paul stressed the importance of interacting with other believers, to encourage them in their walk with the Lord  <D40> <M132>

Romans 1:12 NIV

[12] that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

[17] As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

** I think I can speak for all truly born-again believers when I declare Jesus is not my imaginary friend, as mockers of Christians claim. He is my best friend, and He has stayed true to me even in the times that I have miserably failed Him.

He has also been true to His Word of giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit to live inside of me and guide me to the truth in all things. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, has opened up my understanding of how Jesus and His Father are One and how His Father is also my Father. He who began a good work in me is being faithful to complete it, and I will be eternally grateful for His faithfulness.  <S2000>

John 15:13-15 NIV

[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

** God doesn't want mere words: He wants our hearts  <D502>; God wants all of who we are when acknowledging and living for Him -- mind, body and soul

Matthew 22:37-38 NIV

[37] Jesus replied: “ 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment.

Romans 12:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship.

Matthew 15:7-9 NIV

[7] You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: [8] “ 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [9] They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. ' ”

** God directed Moses to meet Him on the mountain together with a select group of others at a distance; God doesn't want a group of followers who blindly abide by a law but, rather, those who value and hunger to be in His presence  <M1501>

• Moses face glowed after spending time in God's presence, for no one can be in the presence of God without being changed

• No doubt, witnessing Moses' encounter with God inspired others to experience the shekinah glory in His presence  

Exodus 24:1-2 NIV

[1] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, [2] but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”

Exodus 34:29 NIV

[29] When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

• God is a refining fire, as experienced by Isaiah when an angel touched his unclean lips to atone for his sin

Isaiah 6:5-7 NIV

[5] “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” [6] Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. [7] With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. ”

• As New Testament believers, we don't have to climb a mountain to have access to God but can invite Him into our lives and experience His transforming power

Proverbs 15:3 NIV

[3] The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Job 34:21 NIV

[21] “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.

• Prayer and reading His Word are the primary vehicles by which we have access to God  

• After encountering God, it is our duty as Christ followers to let this light shine so others will be drawn to experience God for themselves

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

[12] For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1 Peter 3:12 NIV

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Matthew 5:14 NIV

[14] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

** Why are we here on this earth? According to the Bible, we exist primarily to bring pleasure to God. He predestined us to bring Him glory. That is a foundational truth that we all need to lay hold of.

God didn’t create us for our own pleasure; He created us for His pleasure. He created us to glorify Him.

That thought really bothers some people because they like to think that the world revolves around them. The result is they will end up squandering their lives in pursuit of something they never should have been seeking outright, and that something is happiness.

When people try to find happiness in someone or something, it always will be a little bit beyond their reach, a little bit elusive, a little bit hard to get. They think it will be in that next relationship, that next experience, that next possession, or that next accomplishment.

Those who live this way don’t care what it costs. They don’t care about rules and regulations. Happiness is the main priority of their lives. But they never will find it.

Here’s the good news for us as Christians. When we seek to fulfill the purpose for which God created us -- which is to glorify Him, honor Him, and bring Him pleasure -- then we will find happiness.  <L120>

Isaiah 43:7 NIV

[7] everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. ”

Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV

[4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

** Simon Peter’s new name meant “rock” and, ultimately, he would grow into that name; Jesus saw his potential  <L120>

John 1:42 NIV

[42] And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

** God did not simply impose His law on Israel, for Moses carefully explained what God expected of His people

• Israel’s ratification of the Law marks a change in relationship with God

• The people committed themselves to keep God’s commands and were fully responsible for their acts

• This also shows us that God has expectations in our relationship with Him before asking commitment  <R1795>

Exodus 24:3 NIV

[3] When Moses went and told the people all the Lord's words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.”

** Believers in Christ must be willing to prioritize their relationship with Christ above anything else

• People care way too much about offending other people, sometimes at the cost of their relationship with Christ

• Do we care more about losing our relationship with another person or losing our relationship with God?

• Obedience to God's truth should be priority number one, regardless if others are offended

• Truth is what separated Jesus from the religious leaders in His day, and truth WILL separate us from those who do not adhere to God's Word

• Those who reject God want to see if we will apologetically dance to their tune  <D40>

• Denying truth = affirming lies, accommodating, finding nuance and compromising

• We will be asked to choose between our human relationships and our relationship with the Lord

• Be prepared to lose relationships when they challenge Christ's truth and you stand firm in your relationship with Him

John 18:37b NIV

[37] Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Mark 13:12-13 NIV

[12] “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. [13] Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

** Why is the cross so important?  Primarily, it was on the cross that Jesus redeemed sinners so they can be in relationship with God and defeat Satan's ultimate evil power  <G72>

• We know of God’s great plan of salvation recorded for us in the Bible

• Jesus' conquering death and resurrection fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the coming redeeming Messiah  

• When Jesus uttered the words, "It is finished" He declared the debt owed to His Father was completely wiped away forever

• Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant; no more atonements are needed for Christ paid the ultimate atonement  <D40>

• At that moment, God's will for Jesus was accomplished because Christ perfectly obeyed His Father

• Christ's death on the cross was a crucial moment in His mission to ‘seek and save the lost’

• Without the cross and resurrection, our Christian faith is futile

• Without the cross and resurrection, we might as well 'pack up and go home' because following Christ would be hopeless and meaningless  <W2196>

Luke 19:10 NIV

[10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

John 12:31 NIV

[31] Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

John 19:30 NIV

[30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Hebrews 2:14 NIV

[14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death---that is, the devil---

1 Corinthians 15:17 NIV

[17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

** God operates His world through covenants which are legally binding relationships initiated by Him  <E54>

• God's covenant with Noah is an example of a covenant He established, where He provided the rainbow symbol of His promise never to judge a rebellious world (via flood) in the same way again  

• Covenants reveal the character of God, like the covenant with Noah shows His grace and mercy, even when faced with a rebellious people

• God initiates covenants, not man

• We abide by the terms of God's covenants or suffer the consequences  <D40>

Genesis 9:12-15 NIV

[12] And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: [13] I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. [14] Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, [15] I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

** As Jesus prepares a place for us in heaven, He prepares US for that place

• We are uniquely wired a certain way to accomplish what God wants of us

• What we do here on earth is preparing us for our eternal home  <F60>

John 14:3 NIV

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Corinthians 12:18,27 NIV

[18] But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. [27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

** Being a servant or slave in Christ means we obediently follow His commands (which should always be our aim) but this is just the beginning in our relationship with Christ  <H86>

• Obedience is internal (controlling our thoughts) as it is external (with our actions)

• As we grow in our relationship with our Lord as we obey Him, we become His friend and He provides us with needed insights

• These insights help us to discern what is happening around us and sets us apart from those in the Laodicean camp

John 15:14-15 NIV

[14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

** Hurt people hurt people; followers of Christ are to demonstrate healing and 'completeness in Christ' by the way they act toward others  <B305>

Ephesians 4:2 NIV

[2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

** The world categorizes Christianity as ‘another religion’ when it could be categorized as ‘a collection of persons who placed their faith in Jesus Christ and now have a relationship with Him’ — each genuine follower having experienced a life-changing transformation that only Christ can orchestrate when they recognize Him as Lord of their life

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV

[16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Colossians 1:29 NIV

[29] To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

[10] For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

** The presence of a friend in trouble is cheering and consoling. but it is too often the case that our friends, like the friends of Job, prove to be miserable comforters. They do not enter into our troubles or they can not help us. The advice they give at times only aggravates our woe and adds to our distress.

Appearances may be very dark; the night may seem very long; and your pains, weakness, and fears may be many and great. But, believer, your God says, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you!" What a thought is this!

Isaiah 43:5a NIV

[5] Do not be afraid, for I am with you

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

[17] Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, [18] yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The great, glorious, omnipotent Jehovah promises to be with me to:

• Help me

• Comfort me

• Sanctify me

• Save me

• Hold communion with me

• Listen to my sighs

• Number my tears

• Secure me from all injury

He is also with me:

• As a kind benignant Father

• In every place, in every trouble, in every conflict

• On the bed of sickness

• Through all my journey and for evermore  <S183>

Isaiah 43:1b-3a NIV

[1] Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. [3] For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

** Needless to say, Israel was overjoyed when hearing his son Joseph was alive and ruler over all Egypt; Jacob realized he would see his lost son (that he loved deeply) before he died

• This is an emotionally-charged chapter in the story about Joseph

• It shows that God’s most important works are not those He does in shaping world events but those He does in the hearts of human beings – transforming a Judah and bringing Jacob unexpected joy  <R1795>

Genesis 45:25-28 NIV

[25] So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. [26] They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. [27] But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. [28] And Israel said, “I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

** God created the family unit to set the pace for which society was created; God designed the family and decided what it would be  <E54>

• God owns the family by ‘created fiat’ — not government or anyone else

• God backs the family when they operate as He created them to operate

• Men must take on the responsibility they have in the family, and own their mistakes, or paganism sets in  <E58>

• Families who choose to go their own way will ‘pick up the tab’ to fix the issues that arise

• The future of every civilization rests on the state of the family  <D40>

Genesis 5:1 NIV

[1] This is the written account of Adam's family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.

Proverbs 13:24 NIV

[24] Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Proverbs 19:18 NIV

[18] Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Isaiah 3:12 NIV [When men do not lead]

[12] Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.

** The vine is a frequent illustration in the Old Testament of God’s people  <R1795>

• Psalm 80:8 speaks of Israel as a ‘vine brought out of Egypt’

• The clearest use of the image is found in Isaiah 5

• But Israel failed to produce the fruit of righteousness and justice that God looked for, so Christ came as the ‘true Vine’ that in and through Him all believers might produce the fruit of true godliness

• Only through relationship with Jesus can anyone strive for the moral qualities that God seeks  

Psalm 80:8 NIV

[8] You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Isaiah 5:1-2,7 NIV

[1] I will sing for the one I love

 a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. [2] He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. [7] The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.

** A branch that is properly grafted in the vine will be healthy and naturally bear fruit; a vine that is not properly connected to the vine will die and be thrown aside  <B299>

John 15:4 NIV

[4] Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

** It is utterly impossible to know Christ and not become inspired to:

• Love Him supremely

• Serve Him devotedly

• Resemble Him closely

• Glorify Him faithfully here, and

• Enjoy Him fully hereafter!  <W211>

Ephesians 4:13 NIV

[13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

1 John 3:2-3 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. [3] All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Philippians 3:8-11 NIV

[8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

** A relationship with God is not a sentimental journey or method by which to make life easier, but is defined as knowing God, His righteousness and obeying His commands  <M130>

• Believers are not commissioned to go make disciples that have an emotional relationship with God but disciples who obey His commands

• Most people love all the free food and healing Jesus can provide but don’t like His challenging words that hold us accountable

• This is true regardless if Israel in the Old Testament wanted to follow God or Church Age believers want to follow Christ

Leviticus 26:3,9 NIV

[3] “ 'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, [9] “ 'I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

[19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

John 8:31 NIV

[31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

** Humans are the creation of our Heavenly Father, God knows every detail of every individual and has numbered their days before they were even formed!

Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

[13] For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV [To Jeremiah]

[5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ”

** The Tribulation will bring Israel to a point of ending their transgression (sin) so there can be reconciliation and blessing from God

• Likewise, anyone who desires relationship and blessing from the Lord must first recognize their sin and make amends for it

Daniel 9:24 NIV

[24] “Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

** Choose your friends wisely so you can encourage each other in the Lord and live lives that are pleasing to Him; bad company corrupts good character

• Satan would love if we consume our time obsessing over every relational hiccup

• On occasion, we simply need to ‘assume the best’ when questioning another’s motive; God knows the heart and will fairly judge all of our motives in the end

• If a pattern of behavior becomes a concern, confront the friend with your observation and give them an opportunity to explain

• Allow God to make up for every relational disappointment experienced in others

• Remember: the relationships we have with brothers and sisters in Christ in this world will be perfected in the next!

• In the meantime, remember that one day God will evaluate the way we conducted ourselves in our relationships in this lifetime

Proverbs 12:26 NIV

[26] The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 18:24 NIV

[24] One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NIV

[12] Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. [13] Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV

[33] Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

** There is a special relationship between Christ and His Church, similar to the relationship found in marriage

Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV

[31] “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” [32] This is a profound mystery---but I am talking about Christ and the church.

** Encourage those who are young in their faith to grow in Christ, while rejoice and learn from those who show signs of a deeper walk in Christ

• Siblings are to sharpen each other in our faith journey for the duration of our lives; we remain a work-in-progress and should be able to learn from one another

• We gauge another’s walk with Christ by ‘detecting a tree by its fruit’ — can we see evidence of their faith that matches their words?

• Walk with them according to this evidence, encouraging them to prioritize God and obey His Word

Proverbs 27:12,17 NIV

[12] The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. [17] As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Luke 6:43-44 NIV

[43] “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

• At the same time, remember what we witness of others is surface-level and is usually not the ‘whole story’; we typically do not know motives and all the layers that drive another’s thinking and behavior — but God knows and that is what is important!

• Remember Christ’s response to Judas even when He KNEW that his motive was to betray Him — before the journey to the cross, Jesus washed Judas’ feet at the last supper and later in the garden He reached out to give ‘His false accuser’ another chance to change his mind

• Exhibit concern for others but stay clear of drawing final conclusions about them — it is God to judge in the end, and not for us to judge along the way

• If there is concern for a brother or sister in Christ, then encourage them on their journey to hold true to what God outlines in His Word

• At the same time, be on guard against false doctrine and evil intent while remaining in prayer for them!

• There are times we need to disconnect with another who vehemently opposes God’s truth while asking the Holy Spirit to correct erroneous thinking and behavior

Galatians 5:25-26 NIV

[25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Colossians 3:11-14 NIV

[11] Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. [12] Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 NIV

[20] Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, [21] which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Luke 6:37 NIV

[37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

** If we want to be real disciples of Jesus, then we need to slow down and learn to listen.  A disciple will carefully read, study, and live according to God’s Word.  The truth we find in the Bible is the only absolute truth we can be certain of in life. And when we understand what God says about life, it sets us free.  <L120>

Psalm 46:10 NIV

[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

John 8:31-32 NIV

[31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

** Sin takes our attention off God, and places it on ourselves and things around us.

Grace calls our attention off of everything else to fix it upon God, for grace directs us to:

• Look to the Lord

• Come to the Lord

• Trust in the Lord

• Wait on the Lord

• Hope in the Lord, and even

• Delight in the Lord

"Delight yourself in the Lord." Take delight, not in health, or wealth, or position, or friends, or in anything that is changeable — but in the unchangeable Lord.

Delight yourself in Him, as the:

• Father of the fatherless

• Friend of the friendless

• Hope of the wretched, and

• Savior of the lost

Delight yourself in His glorious character — as gracious, merciful, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.  <S183>

Psalm 130:5-8 NIV

[5] I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. [6] I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. [7] Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. [8] He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Psalm 37:4 NIV

[4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 33:20-22 NIV

[20] We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. [21] In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. [22] May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

** The comparison between Mary and Martha is helpful for believers, to remember the need to prioritize Jesus in their Christian journey  <F60>

MARTHA:

• Distracted from Jesus

• Chose to prepare for Jesus

• Stood on her feet for Jesus

• Prioritized the physical instead of Jesus

• Busied by many things

• Worried and upset about everything

• Attacked Mary for not doing anything

• Was upset at Jesus

• Needed to do what she wanted

• Wanted to take Mary away from Jesus

• Earthly minded in the temporal

MARY:

• Focused on Jesus

• Chose to listen to Jesus

• Sat at the feet of Jesus

• Prioritized the spiritual because of Jesus

• Blessed by the one and only best thing

• Calm and peaceful, worried about nothing

• Defended by Jesus for doing the right thing

• Blessed by Jesus

• Wanted to do what she needed

• Took herself away from Martha to be with Jesus

• Heavenly minded in the eternal  

Luke 10:38-40 NIV

[38] As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Luke 10:41-42 NIV

[41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

John 12:25 NIV

[25] Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Colossians 3:2 NIV

[2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

** We know that God created us in His image and created us male and female for the purpose of procreation and forming family units

• God created male and female with obvious  differences — not only physical, but with varying talents and emotion

• God created us with purpose, so it is crucial to understand WHY God made humans the way He did and not just condone when a person goes against God’s design or ‘plays God’ with a feeble attempt to change the way they were made

• God has a purpose for us that was known before time began!

Genesis 9:7 NIV

[7] As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

Psalm 139:16 NIV

[16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

** Bottom line: trust the Bible with God’s clear message that says He created us male & female for a specific purpose and His emphasis on a male-female family-led unit

Genesis 1:27 NIV

[27] So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Romans 1:21,26-27 NIV

[21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [26] Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. [27] In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

• Way too often the Bible and Gospel are compromised in churches in order to make people “feel better” about attending and continue living alternate lifestyles and genders

• It may not be their intent to place Scripture as low priority but it happens when the main concern becomes making people feel comfortable instead of calling them out on their sin that will determine their eternal destination

• At this point, the church becomes so concerned about fitting into the world that it ceases to be an influence on it

Romans 12:2 NIV

[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Rather ERR on the side of offending others and sticking to God’s word than worrying about people’s feelings.

• Done in love, we can call each other on our sin and glorify God at the same time

** God values humans so much that ‘relationship with humanity’ is at the heart of His plan of salvation — not only offering Jesus in human form to sacrifice Himself for us on the cross but with plans to come again to abolish evil and have humanity rule with Him in eternity!

Psalm 8:4-6 NIV

[4] what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. [6] You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet

Hebrews 2:14 NIV

[14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death---that is, the devil

** The parable of the Prodigal Son is a typology of Christ’s forgiveness when we mess up and ask forgiveness  <A10>

• When we experience God’s salvation, we are privileged with an elevated stature in His kingdom

• Our status changes because of the righteousness we receive from Him

Luke 15:20-22 NIV

[20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV

[30] It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God---that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Philippians 3:8-9 NIV

[8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

** It doesn’t matter where a committed believer in Christ travels around the world, they can always unite and bond with other genuine committed believers because they share the same Spirit!

1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV

[11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

** God created people for a purposeful relationship with Him and has given every opportunity for everyone to accept Him  <S190>

• Everyone’s decision must be made by the end of their lifetime

• Everyone is created for eternity, only some with be with Him and others without Him

• Every sin is recorded and exposed

• True to the teachings of Scripture, there is an eternal punishment for those who are not believers, similar to the eternal punishment reserved for Satan and his demons

• There is no opportunity to work off sin through purgatory or reincarnation; only options are Heaven or Hell

• God talks about punishment (retribution) for sins, not correction; in anticipation, everyone should be willing to change his ways and aim for a righteous life in Christ

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

Matthew 25:46 NIV

[46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

** God's plan for mankind was that we would inhabit the earth, find Him, repent of our sin and reach out to others

Acts 17:26-27 NIV

[26] From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. [27] God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

Acts 17:30-31 NIV

[30] In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. [31] For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

** Paul wanted to know more of Christ, for Christ had appeared to Paul, was revealed in him, and was constantly preached by him  <S183>

Christ was the:

• Object of his trust

• Subject of his ministry, and

• Joy of his heart

But Paul knew there was much in Christ with which he was unacquainted. He knew but in part. He desired, therefore, to know more of the:

• Glory of His person

• Riches of His grace

• Magnificence of His work

• Excellency of His natures

• Majesty of His kingdom!

Everything in Christ interested Paul. Creation was good, and grace was better. But Christ was best of all. Paul was never weary of thinking, speaking or learning of Christ.

Beloved, how is it with you? Do you sympathize with Paul in this desire of his heart? Is it your daily wish, ardent desire, and constant aim to know more of Jesus?

Throughout eternity we shall be learning Christ!

• He is the lesson placed before us in the church on earth, and

• He is the lesson placed before the church in Heaven.

Time is given us to learn Christ and eternity will be given to us to learn even more of Christ!

Philippians 3:10 NIV

[10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

** Understand: accepting Christ in the present ‘here and now’ means we get Him in the future ‘there and then’

• Our job may seem complete right now but we need to be ready and focused on where God wants us next

• Don’t look back but look forward!

• Think of our life in Christ as a chess game, where God has reasons for both current and future moves

• God knows the BIG picture regarding our current position, where we are headed and why

• Most likely He wants us to learn from the present day and change positions on the battlefield to place our focus where needed

Proverbs 24:14 NIV

[14] Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Job 8:7-10 NIV

[7] Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. [8] “Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, [9] for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. [10] Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?

Psalm 37:37,39-40 NIV

[37] Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace. [39] The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. [40] The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

** Believers in Christ do not need to entertain any fear regarding what is happening in the world today because we know our final destination  <S187>

2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV

[8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

** The Lord loves us! Yes, and with a love that is eternal, immutable, sovereign, infinite, and free! All the love of God is lavished upon us as His special people in Christ.  <S183>

John 17:23b NIV

[23] [you] have loved them even as you have loved me.

** “God created and ordered human sexuality to the permanent, exclusive, comprehensive, and conjugal ‘one flesh’ union of man and woman, intrinsically ordered to procreation and biological family, and in furtherance of the moral, spiritual and public good of father, mother and child”  (excerpt from Rock Harbor statement of faith)

Genesis 1:27 NIV

[27] So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:24 NIV

[24] That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Matthew 19:4-6 NIV

[4] “Haven't you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' [5] and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? [6] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Romans 1:26-27 NIV

[26] Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. [27] In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV

[9] Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men [10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 5:25-28 NIV

[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her [26] to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, [27] and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. [28] In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

• God created the institution of marriage, complete with father, mother and child

• God refers to marriage even when referring to those who follow Him: as one day Christ’s union with His bride

Revelation 19:7-9 NIV

[7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. [8] Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) [9] Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Revelation 21:2 NIV

[2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

** God designed us for the new heaven and new earth, which we can reflect in our words and actions on a daily basis

We can expect the old to pass away:

• Not in part, like a renovation to the existing, but in whole

• We can expect perfection in the new heaven and earth — from land, plants, to humans without disease, pain, or struggle

• This will include a perfect relationship with God; no sin or barrier will hinder us from approaching our eternal God!

• As a result, we will be fulfilled by God's love

• Worship will be pure and fulfilling, recognizing God throughout eternity

• All relationships we have will be good and we will relate in the right way

• No marriage in heaven because we will have perfect intimacy with God

• Every tear will be wiped away — no death, sadness, or sickness

Revelation 21:1-5 NIV

[1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” [5] He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Character and provision in the new Heaven and the new earth:

• The kings of the nations will bring their glory to heaven

• As God created cultures in His original design, so will the diversity of culture be represented in heaven

• Our personal uniqueness as individuals will continue

• Economic commerce will continue

• We will continue to be used and grow through eternity; caretakers of creation  <C31>

Revelation 21:22-26 NIV

[22] I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. [25] On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

Compare the picture of heaven with God's original creation — Genesis 1-3 with second coming/heaven Revelation 21-22

• The tree of life in heaven will provide fruit in order to meet our needs

• The Lord will provide us with everything we need, including light

Revelation 22:1-5 NIV

[1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. [3] No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

** Followers of Christ can look forward to the upcoming wedding supper when Christ finally unites Himself with His bride  <S190>

• Christ purchased the bride (the Church) by laying down His life for her

• Believers are Christ’s bride and He provides her with clothing of righteousness to be holy and acceptable

• Do our lives reflect this gift?

• Those who accept Christ’s offer of salvation know they are invited to His wedding supper; this relates with Matthew’s account of people rejecting the invitation of the salvation message

• We are to worship Jesus Christ the bridegroom, not the angel messenger

• History finishes with a great Hallelujah!

Revelation 19:9-10 NIV

[9] Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” [10] At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

** Jesus is our Intercessor to God — as Jesus is in God, we can be in Jesus, and therefore be in unity with God; Jesus can give believers the glory that the Father gave Him

John 17:22-23 NIV

[22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--- [23] I in them and you in me---so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus is the Advocate for Christians, meaning He is our Great Defender and is always pleading our case before the Father — like a defense lawyer on our behalf; this is the intercessory role He currently fulfills for those who are His  <G72>

1 John 2:1 NIV

[1] My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father---Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

** God's justice is against sin which should stress the seriousness of sin; when we realize the seriousness of sin and the penalty is death, we are amazed at His mercy!

Revelation 15:3 NIV

[3] ...“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.

** As Christians we should think about what is most important in life and want to connect with the living God

Mark 12:28 NIV

[28] One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

• Jews put a lot of emphasis on following the law and were often tempted to add to it

• The scribe asked about the priority of commandments most likely because he wanted to trick/discredit Jesus

• Jews treated God like they would when following a recipe; their relationship was based on works

• Our aim should be to move beyond following the rules and concern ourselves with spiritual reality

• As fruit has a seed to produce, so God plants a seed in us with all the genetic info needed to produce and reach our potential

• We need to be rooted in His soil in order to grow and realize our potential

• We all have opportunity to nurture our faith in this way  <C31>

** Loving others flows from our loving God

• Our primary task is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength

• Loving God prepares us to love each other

• If we love God then we can't help but love our neighbor

• God doesn't need us but created us with a purpose to love Him and others

Mark 12:29-31 NIV

[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

** Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength means that we don't leave any part of life unaffected by our love for Him

• God desires that we connect with our Creator

• Jesus simplistically summed up the message of the Bible and Jewish law to "love the Lord your God" and "love your neighbor as yourself"

• Heart = affections, desires

• Soul = being, inner self

• Mind = intellect

• Strength = physical endurance  <C31>

Mark 12:29-31 NIV

[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

** God assured His people in Old Testament days they could rely on Him, for He is the foundational cornerstone of Zion

Isaiah 28:16 NIV

[16] So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

** To love and be loved--is real happiness. Our highest honor and our sweetest happiness below, is to be beloved of God. For if God loves us, He will withhold no truly good thing from us.

WHY does He love me? Just because He will. The cause, the reason, is to be found in His loving heart and sovereign will alone. Not because I am good, or amiable, or can repay His love--for He loves freely and fixes His love on the most unlikely and unworthy objects!

How precious the Lord's people are to Him:

• Notwithstanding all their unworthiness and sinfulness

• Notwithstanding all their departures from Him and unkindness to Him

There is nothing on earth, or in heaven, except His only begotten Son that is as precious to the heart of God as His people are!

Lord, help me to believe the love which You have for me and to love You in return! O shed abroad Your sweet love in my heart and fill that heart with glowing love to You!  <S183>

Hosea 14:4 NIV

[4] “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

[3] The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV

[17] And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

** The benefits of the cross are multiple: atonement for sin, presence of the Holy Spirit within us, conquering death, eternity, etc  <C31>

FIRST SIN AND FIRST SIGN OF HOPE

• Adam & Eve were in a perfect relationship with God in a perfect environment

• They brought sin and death into the world when disobeying God's command

• Likewise, we like sheep have gone astray in sin and are responsible for our actions

• In the middle of curses, God gave hope!

• God promised to destroy Satan's power, for Jesus (seed of Adam) will strike his heel meaning that Satan's plan to reign could not be fulfilled

Genesis 3:15 NIV

[15] And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

RESURRECTION PROMISED LONG AGO

• God always had a plan to deal with this sin and give us life

• Mary gave birth to Jesus who would solve this problem through mankind

• Daniel refers to God protecting those who belong to Him in times of trouble, and Job also knew of this hope

Daniel 12:1-2 NIV

[1] “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people---everyone whose name is found written in the book---will be delivered. [2] Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Job 19:25-27 NIV

[25] I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. [26] And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; [27] I myself will see him with my own eyes---I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

HOPE IS REALITY AT EMPTY TOMB

 • Until Jesus walked out of the tomb, He was still just another guy

• The resurrection miracle proved He is God and guarantees OUR resurrection when we follow and trust Him

• The rainbow and empty tomb are reminder that God is in control and Jesus promises to intercede for us!

• Given these realities, WE HAVE HOPE

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 NIV

[20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

** Worship God with a joyful heart together with fellow believers; we can't worship God if we don't truly know and love Him

Psalm 100:2,4 NIV

[2] Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 103:17-18 NIV

[17] But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children--- [18] with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Hebrews 10:22a,25 NIV

[22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

** Followers of Christ should attend church services to worship and focus on God alone

• Some church attenders go to church because of the eloquent speaker, social club, choir or organ music

• These superfluous reasons may enhance the church-going experience but are not why God desires we attend

• Let us recognize Yahweh as our only source in life, for everything comes from God!

• God carefully and lovingly created each one of us

• We belong exclusively to God as a product of His creation, desiring that continue to come to Him in worship

• We are well cared for which should encourage us to worship Him  <C31>

Psalm 100:3 NIV

[3] Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

[13] For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

** Christ Jesus is unutterably precious to believers!  Nothing gives the believer so much joy as fellowship with Christ.

The Christian has joy as other men have in the 'common mercies' of life. For him, there are

• Charms in music

• Excellence in painting

• Beauty in sculpture

• The hills have sermons of majesty

• The rocks hymns of sublimity

• The valleys lessons of love.

He can look upon all things with an eye as clear and joyous as another man's; he can be glad both in God's gifts and God's works. He is not dead to the happiness of his home; his friends are his comfort and refreshment. He accepts the comforts which soul and body can yield him, according as God sees it wise to afford them unto him.

But he will tell you that in all these separately, yes and in all of them added together--he does not find such substantial delight as he does in the person of his Lord Jesus.

As for the house of feasting, the joy of harvest, the mirth of marriage, the sports of youth, the recreations of maturer age--they are all as the small dust of the balance, compared with the joy of Immanuel our best beloved.  <S185>

1 Peter 2:7a NIV

[7] Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.

** God holds all men responsible for their response to His creation

• Some may refuse to acknowledge what He has shown of Himself in His creation

• Even those who have never had an opportunity to verbally hear the gospel, receive witness of the existence and character of God

• If a person positively responds to His revelation, even if it is a solely ‘natural revelation’, God will provide some means for that person to hear the gospel  <M130>

Romans 1:20 NIV

[20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Acts 17:27 NIV

[27] God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

Acts 8:26-29 NIV

[26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road---the desert road---that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” [27] So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

** God had unlimited power in creation. Now, if He willed to make a people who would be His favorites, who would be united to the person of His Son, and who would reign with Him--why did He not make a new race?

When Adam sinned, it would have been easy enough to strike the earth out of existence. He had but to speak and this round earth would have been dissolved, as the bubble dies into the wave that bears it.

There would have been no trace of Adam's sin left; the whole might have died away and have been forgotten forever!

But no! Instead of making a new people--a pure people who could not sin; instead of taking to Himself creatures that were pure, unsullied, without spot--He takes a depraved and fallen people and lifts these up, and that, too, by costly means--by the death of His own Son, and by the work of His own Spirit; that these must be the jewels in His crown to reflect His glory for ever!

...God's choice will ever seem in the eyes of unrenewed men, to be a very strange one. He has passed over those whom we would have selected; and He has chosen those who thought themselves the least likely ever to taste of His grace!

Before your sovereignty I bow, great God, and acknowledge that You do as you wish, and that You give no account of Your matters.  <S185>

Psalm 115:3 NIV

[3] Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

** Christians are called to do two things —

1. Share the gospel and make disciples around the world, and

2. Know the sign of the times

If Noah didn’t know the time he was in, he would not have built the ark; likewise we won’t be ready for Christ’s return or help others wake up if we don’t know the time!  <G70>

Matthew 16:1-4 NIV

[1] The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. [2] He replied, “When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' [3] and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. [4] A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

[19] We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Luke 12:39-40 NIV

[39] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

James 5:8 NIV

[8] You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

** When we let God navigate our lives and remain close to Him, we gain purpose, strength and wisdom

• Like a sailing ship navigated and supported by the wind, so our lives can be strengthened through our relationship with God who directs and sustains us

• Maintaining a relationship with God involves following His word

• When we find our strength in God then our life is maximized and journeys in a positive direction

• Worldly happiness = when we are dependent on circumstances such as the gospel of health, wealth and happiness

• Godly happiness = when we make the choice to depend on God and obey Him

Psalm 1:1 NIV

[1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers

PURPOSE

• The person who does not give in to compromise finds a productive life; their tree of life is healthy and fruitful

• Real faith impacts the way we live

• Finding and following God's purpose and living by faith gives our life meaning!

• When we are healthy we can help others, regardless of the variety of fruit our tree produces (apples, oranges, mangos etc)

• A ship is made for a water environment; likewise, we need to plant ourselves next to God and in the environment He made for us to survive

• Do not plant yourselves in the world and its purposes but next to God and His purposes; delight yourselves in the Lord!

Psalm 1:3 NIV

[3] That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither---whatever they do prospers.

STRENGTH

• We can be strong because we are located by and rooted in God's law

• Location is everything; we choose to stay close to God (on an hourly basis sometimes) as a tree is planted by a river which is its source of life

• Roots can go deep — not only to find nutrients but to stabilize the tree when the winds blow on the surface, like difficult circumstances in life

• The Holy Spirit can help us endure challenges

James 4:8 NIV

[8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

WISDOM

• The one who meditates on God's law day and night will grow in wisdom

• God's law is easily accessible and always on our mind, ready to put into action

• Wisdom implies the action or implementation of knowledge

• Use the knowledge of right and wrong as we make daily decisions

Psalm 1:2 NIV

[2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

• If we don't feel close to God, then ask "who moved?"

• Following the world is like a tree planted in the desert with shallow roots and no sustenance  <C31>

** God loves believers in Christ because they have placed their faith in Him

• Does God love everyone? Yes, He shows mercy and kindness to all.

• Does God love Christians more than He loves non-Christians? No, not in regards to His merciful love.

• Does God love Christians in a different way than He loves non-Christians? Yes; because believers have exercised faith in God’s Son, they are saved. God has a unique relationship with Christians in that only Christians have forgiveness based on God’s eternal grace.

• The unconditional, merciful love God has for everyone should bring us to faith, receiving with gratefulness the conditional, covenant love He grants those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior.  <G72>

John 16:27 NIV

[27] No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

** God values every person and can use any one of us to speak into the lives of others!

• For instance, Charles Spurgeon (from 1800s) learned his theology and Bible content from the cook at his boarding school

AT TIMES WE FEEL INSIGNIFICANT

• How do we estimate our personal worth?

• So many people find their worth in a relationship (such as parent approval or spousal relationship), educational degree or career

• What happens if/when these things are taken away?

• David took his stand (probably in facing Goliath) because of his trust in God

• David was reminded of God's power when looking at the night sky, and he recognized that man is nothing without God

Psalm 8:4 NIV

[4] what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

NO ONE IS OVERLOOKED BY GOD

• We should never undervalue the majesty of God, for He is the God of all creation; reread Genesis 1-2

• God can use anything to demonstrate His glory

• God created/designed us and knows what is best for us

• God loves us too much to leave us as we are and we should strive to continually grow

• Understand that we have a special place in God's world because we are sons of God

• We should reflect God as we have dominion over the earth  <C31>

Psalm 8:5-6 NIV

[5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. [6] You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet

** God is as much concerned about every one of His redeemed people, as though there were only that one in the whole universe!  <S179>

Psalm 145:18 NIV

[18] The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 56:8 NIV

[8] Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll---are they not in your record?

Psalm 34:15 NIV

[15] The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry

** It is a slap in God's face when we refuse relationship with Him, the One who breathed life in us, knows us and designed us

• God wants to work with us to bring about inner change

• Genuine faith means we put our relationship with God and His desires into action  <C31>

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

** May our daily walk be as pleasing to God as Enoch’s who walked with Him for 300 years

• Enoch believed God existed, had faith in His word and believed God rewards those who believe in Him

• Enoch was taken by God and spared death because of his faith

• Just as God took Enoch to be with Him, so one day He will take all of those who believe in Him — maybe not in the same way but He will take us nonetheless  <C31>

Hebrews 11:1-2,5 NIV

[1] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for. [5] By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

Genesis 5:23-24 NIV

[23] Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. [24] Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

** While we have limited time on earth, God has ETERNITY at His disposal to fulfill His plan — not just the last thousands of years that we know about that were written in Scripture

We are called to repent, turn from sin and turn toward God

• Part of His plan was to die in our place and for us to recognize the cost/ugliness of sin

• We have the choice whether we will accept this gift and repent toward a better life

• Like a potter who is patient when creating, God is patient in creating us

• God is patient so more people can turn to Him, but there will be an end point

Isaiah 49:6 NIV

[6] he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 8:21 NIV

[21] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

• One day is like a thousand years and God is patiently guiding history toward His second coming

• God created all of us for relationship and to experience His love, even though not everyone will accept

• God's plan toward this end has not changed and we continue to move in this direction  <C31>

2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

[8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Isaiah 14:26-27 NIV

[26] This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. [27] For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

** We should aim to understand the big picture, asking why God created the heaven and earth: He desires an ever-increasingly deep relationship with His creation  

• Humans were the only creation with a soul — with the ability to think and reason — and were set above everything else

• God created humans in His image and continues to desire relationship with us

Genesis 1:26 NIV

[26] Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

** Some believe God is more like a clock-maker who created the world and then wound it up to let it run its course while followers of Christ view God more like a gardener who plants, tends, and harvests

• Peter reminds the reader of God’s creation and the flood to show His intervention in human history  <C31>

2 Peter 3:5-6 NIV

[5] But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. [6] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

** Falling away from Christ leaves an increased emptiness; void of righteousness

2 Peter 2:20-21 NIV

[20] If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. [21] It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

** Everyone is made in the image of God and, like items in the temple, are then to be set apart for His purpose

• Christians are to be different from who they were before being saved, for they are made new in Christ!

• If there is no difference when becoming a Christian, the follower of Christ needs to look carefully at the reason for their indifference

• Christians are to make sure they are separate from the world  <C31>

2 Timothy 4:3-5 NIV

[3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [5] But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

1 Peter 1:13-16 NIV

[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

** We prove we belong to God when we reside in Him and allow Him to shine through us; understanding this requires looking to God for salvation and sustenance

CHOSEN

• Our salvation is completely dependent on God who chooses us; He is in control of all things

• God invites us to Him; we have the choice (as with any invitation) to turn Him down

• We start as spiritually dead and God brings us to the point of accepting His invitation of salvation

• Our response to His invitation is the only thing we can do toward salvation; God does everything to get us to this point and beyond

• A changed life is evidence of salvation; we cannot belong to God without change in our heart

• Put in the effort to seek spiritual growth

• This does not involve putting on a spiritual face but true inner growth

• Where do we get our last reserves to make it across the finish line?

CONSISTENT

• Our aim should be to consistently live as God desires us to live

• We can possess an ID that identifies us belonging to a group but it does not prove our effectiveness

• If we honestly live out godly traits then we cannot fall; this does not mean we won't sin but God honors our efforts and will sustain us

• God can provide stability and help us improve

• When we follow Him, we will be less likely to fall into discouragement, fear, and be overwhelmed by life  <C31>

2 Peter 1:10-11 NIV

[10] Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, [11] and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

** The heart of the believer is Christ's garden. He bought it with His precious blood, and He enters it and claims it as His own.

A garden is a place of BEAUTY, it far surpasses the wild uncultivated lands. The genuine Christian must seek to be more excellent in his life than the best moralist, because Christ's garden ought to produce the best flowers in all the world. Even the best is poor, compared with Christ's deservings; let us not put Him off with withering and dwarf plants. The rarest, richest, choicest lilies and roses ought to bloom in the place which Jesus calls His garden.

The garden is a place of GROWTH. The saints are not to remain undeveloped, always mere buds and blossoms. We should grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Growth should be rapid where Jesus is the Gardener, and the Holy Spirit the dew from above.

A garden is a place of RETIREMENT. So the Lord Jesus Christ would have us reserve our souls as a place in which He can manifest Himself, as He does not unto the world. O that Christians were more retired, that they kept their hearts more closely shut up for Christ! We often worry and trouble ourselves, like Martha, with much serving, so that we have not the room for Christ that Mary had, and do not sit at His feet as we should. May the Lord grant the sweet showers of His grace to water His garden this day.  <S185>

Song of Songs 5:1a NIV

[1] I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice.

** A man may appear much like a Christian, and yet possess no vital godliness! This is the common talk:

• "We are all Christians."  

• "Why, we belong to a Christian nation — are we not born Christians?"  

• "Surely we must be all right — we have always attended our parish church, is not that enough?"

• "Our parents were always godly; we were born into the church, were we not? Did they not take us up in their arms when we were little, and make us members of Christ? What more do we lack?"

Walk through the British Museum and you will see all the orders of animals standing in their various places and exhibiting themselves with the utmost possible propriety. Every creature — whether bird, beast, or fish — remains in the particular glass case allotted to it. But you all know well enough that these are not the living creatures but only the outward forms of them. Yet in what do they differ? Certainly in nothing which you could readily see, for the well-stuffed animal is precisely like what the living animal would have been. Yet you know well enough that there is a secret inward something lacking, which, when it has once departed, you cannot restore.

So in the churches of Christ, many professors are not living believers, but stuffed believers — stuffed Christians!

There is all the external of religion, everything that you could desire, and they behave with a great deal of propriety too. They all keep their places and there is no outward difference between them and the living, except upon that vital point: they lack spiritual life. This is the essential distinction — the spiritual life is absent.

It is almost painful to watch little children when some little pet of theirs has died; how they can hardly realize the difference between death and life!

Your little boy's bird moped for awhile upon its perch and at last dropped down in the cage. You remember how the little boy tried to set it up, and gave it seed, and filled its glass with water, and was quite surprised to think that birdie would not open his little eye upon his friend as it did before, and would not take its seed, nor drink its water!

Ah, you finally had to tell the poor boy that a mysterious something had gone from his little birdie and would not come back again. There is just such a spiritual difference between the mere professor and the genuine Christian.

There is an invisible, but most real, indwelling of the Holy Spirit — the absence or the presence of which makes all the difference between the lost sinner and the saint.  <S185>

John 6:63 NIV

[63] The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you---they are full of the Spirit and life.

** Followers of Christ should exhibit a noticeable genuine love and radical obedience that has its foundation in God

Love must be based on God:

• We can truly love because we are born again, which is the starting point for every good deed

• We need to focus on God, which is possible when we are born again

• Our focus needs to shift from temporal to eternal (what is important)

• Understanding this life is temporary gives us motivation to share the Gospel

1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV

For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, [25] but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

Obeying God radically changes our life:

• We start out of focus but grow into focus as we obey and trust in God

• This is the difference between religion and relationship, for following rituals (religion) doesn't change the heart

• Our growing stronger in obedience and faith will help us in times of struggle and, in turn, trials will further purify our faith

• The world says "follow your heart" but we are to believe God's truth because it is tested, eternal  and perfect

1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Genuine love emits from a changed life:

• Genuine love can start with brotherly love; love that brings the church together as a group

• There is sincerity, not putting on a show but a genuine outpouring of a changed life

• Growth in us will lead to an agape type of love, which is opposite to the typical view of "what can I get from this?"

• As Christ chose to go to the cross in unconditional love, so we must choose (strive) to have unconditional love for others  

• A pure heart has the right motives given by God  <C31>

** If we want to be useful in God’s Kingdom then we need to look past the superficial and see people as spiritual souls — based on whether they have a sincere relationship with Christ and are a new creation  <M130>

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV

[16] So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

** God is far above us in every way — character, holiness, power, and majesty; we won't be in awe of God if we are not in love with God

1 Peter 1:17-21 NIV

[17] Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. [18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [20] He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. [21] Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Psalm 148:13 NIV

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Three ways to live in awe of God;

a) Remember that God is our Heavenly Father

• As a Father, He looks at us as one who loves us and as a disciplinarian and creator etc

• God wants what is ultimately good for us

• God does not show any partiality; stays doesn't matter but rather our sin condition

b) Rejoice that we have been ransomed (18-19)

• We are saved from difficult situations

• We are held captive until God provides Jesus to be our ransom

• Without Christ we are slaves to sin

• At the time when this was written, there were an estimate of 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire; they would understand the word 'ransom'

• We can do nothing to redeem ourselves (silver or gold) but only Jesus can meet God's requirement for the penalty of sin which is death

c) Rest secure in God's eternal plan (20-21)

• Jesus planned to die before He created the world!

• It is difficult to understand but we can be in awe that He thought of and provided a way to redeem us

• God chose the perfect time in history to come to earth and die for us; the Roman Empire was ripe for spreading the Gospel

• Christ’s resurrection guarantees our faith and hope

** We can observe the condition of David’s heart from the first verses of Psalm 23: he confessed his faith in God (5), had absolute confidence in God's goodness and love (6a), and he committed himself to a life of faith (6b)  <C31>

CONFESSION

David confessed his faith in God and saw God as the provider of all needs

• God prepares a table to supply every single need even in the presence of his enemies

• God does not always remove us from our difficult situations while providing

• The oil is a refreshment and assurance for a guest that the host will take care of them

• A cup that overflows is one that is already full!

• God is able to do more than we expect

Psalm 23:5 NIV

[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

[20] Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

CONFIDENCE

David had absolute confidence in God's goodness and love

• As sheep we are stupid but God will pursue and protect us

• David saw God as shepherd who is constantly seeking the welfare of His sheep

• God constantly pursues us out of love in order to do good

• David didn't need to seek His mercy and love but God's love followed him!

• This does not mean all things are good, but that God can work good in difficult situations

• He does this all the days of our lives!

Psalm 23:6a NIV

[6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

COMMITMENT

David committed himself to a life of faith

• David wanted to dwell in His house and commit to God every day despite the fact that things may not be safe

• It was at this time that David desired to build the temple

• David wanted to live in God's presence everyday

• He would return to God after failing Him; he knew the need for repentance and reconciliation

• Living a life of faith is a daily choice; we commit to live in God's presence and to return to Him when we mess up

Psalm 23:6b NIV

[6] ...and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

[22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

** The Christ child was to be named Jesus, which means 'Savior' and 'Immanuel'; Christ arrived at a time when there were no living prophets

Matthew 1:21 NIV

[21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:23 NIV

[23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

** We were created to be in fellowship with God and, ultimately, we need to adjust our lives in order to live in this relationship

How do we live our lives for God?  

• we walk in integrity; not only in show but with internal motive, for integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching

• we do not plan evil for our neighbor but rejoice and mourn with them through their experiences

• we are not guilty of speaking against someone or going along with slander voiced around us

• we consistently live with integrity throughout all our days, not just on Sundays  <C31>

Psalm 15:2-3 NIV

[2] The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; [3] whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others

** Followers of Christ should not fear death, for God will not abandon them when they breathe their last; Christ conquered death when He rose from the grave so we can live eternally with Him!

Psalm 16:10 NIV

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

** What a mercy it is for the troubled Christian, that his Lord has experienced trouble as well as himself; so that He can sympathize with him. Jesus once said, "Now My soul is deeply troubled!" He has a fellow-feeling with us in all our troubles; and will first sanctify them, and then safely bring us out of them.

Let us carry our troubled heart to Jesus, pour it out before Him. He can calm it, soothe it, and give it cheering repose. Take it to Jesus, to sanctify it for you.  <S183>

Psalm 38:6 NIV

[6] I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.

** Believers should be able to call on God and depend on the supportive prayer of others in time of need  <C31>

Psalm 16:2 NIV

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 16:3 NIV

I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”

Psalm 16:4 NIV

Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.

** David went to God first thing in the morning in order to help him get through the day; it's the perfect way to start our day!

Psalm 5:3 NIV

[3] In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

** Fathers (Ps 128:1), mothers (Prov 31:30) and children (Ps 34:11) are to fear the Lord; Psalm 128 may have been the basis for Jesus’ parable regarding the two builders (Matt 7:24-27)

Psalm 128:1-4 NIV

[1] Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. [2] You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. [3] Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. [4] Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.

Proverbs 31:30 NIV

[30] Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Psalm 34:11 NIV

[11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

[24] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

** People desire unfailing love; if they also pursue righteousness, they can find prosperity and honor

Proverbs 19:22 NIV

[22] What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.

Proverbs 20:6 NIV

[6] Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?

Proverbs 21:21 NIV

[21] Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

** A guilty conscience imagines accusers everywhere, while a clear conscience produces a  boldness to face everyone

Proverbs 28:1 NIV

[1] The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Psalm 53:5 NIV

[5] But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them.

** Being made “in the image of God” means we resemble the invisible attributes of God, also called communicable traits, which gives us value, dignity and respect  <H86>

For instance, God equipped humans with:

• A will or volition

• Ability to love

• An intellect with reasoning ability

• Freedom of choice

• A conscience with God’s law on our hearts and understanding of a moral code

• Creative abilities

• Emotions

• Ability to be relational with God and others

Genesis 1:26 NIV

[26] Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

** God made male and female and gave us unique qualities to exhibit

• For instance, as image-bearers of God, men are to exhibit tough discipline with an altruistic (loving) motive

• As it turns out, men are attacked in today’s society if this is attempted because society doesn’t want to be held accountable for anything

• Don’t buy into society’s label of ‘male toxicity’ because we are made in His image

• Men are to exhibit their God-given male character, as women are to exhibit the qualities given them

• Trouble is, society has corrupted and confused these God-given qualities, so we end up trying to survive in a dysfunctional society  <D40>

Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV

[5] And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV

[11] My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, [12] because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 13:24 NIV

[24] Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Proverbs 19:18 NIV

[18] Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Revelation 3:19 NIV

[19] Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Psalm 94:12 NIV

[12] Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law

** Jesus humbly calls us sinful worms — His friends! But He not only calls us so but treats us as such and expects us, as His friends, to do whatever He commands us.

Is Jesus your friend? And

• Then visit Him often; let Him hear your voice in prayer and praise

• Then trust Him confidently; let Him see evidence of your faith in your dependence

• Then walk with Him in love; let Him enjoy much of your company

• Then expect Him to be your Friend in sickness and health, poverty and plenty, life and in death!

If Jesus is our Friend,

• We can never be destitute; if our father and mother forsake us, He will take us in

• We can never be miserable; He will receive us and be a wise and loving Father unto us

• We can never be neglected, for He will never fail us nor forsake us; He will do for us all that He has promised in His Word such as defend us from foes, visit us in sickness, and cheer and support us in death!

Precious Lord Jesus, You are my Friend.  <S183>

John 15:14 NIV

[14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

Song of Songs 5:16b NIV

[16] He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend.

** How happy should we be who are loved by the Lord Jesus!

Especially when we consider on the one hand:

• Despicable

• Poor

• Worthless, and

• Unlovely

And on the other hand:

• Glorious

• Wealthy

• Worthy

• Lovely in JESUS

To be loved by Jesus, is to be preferred before the possession of a world!

Think of the:

• Glory of His person

• Vastness of His possessions

• Number of His angelic attendants

• Unlimited sovereignty He exercises, and

• Excellent character He bears

Also bear in mind that He knew what loving us would COST Him, how He would be treated by us and by others for our sakes! Yet He fixed His love upon US! He loved US just because He would!

He did not, could not, NEED us — for He was infinitely happy and glorious without us! Yet He loved us and He still loves us!  <S183>

Romans 8:37 NIV

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

** Accept one another, as Christ accepts us, to bring ultimate praise to God

Romans 15:7 NIV

[7] Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

** ChristIans are expected to encourage and instruct one another in the ways of the Lord

Romans 15:14 NIV

[14] I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

** A genuine brother in the Lord will seek out accountability for himself and be willing to hold another brother in the Lord accountable; intellectual and theological discussion is joy for those with sharp minds

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

[17] As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

** If we claim to follow Christ, we will desire to be a good witness for Him by having fellowship with one another asking Christ to purify us from all sin

1 John 1:5-7 NIV

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. [6] If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

** The woman realized that nothing can separate her husband’s love for her, just like nothing can separate the love God has for us!

Song of Songs 6:3 NIV

[3] I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he browses among the lilies.

Romans 8:31-32,38-39 NIV

[31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** Song chapter 7 is a beautiful intense picture of the love the bridegroom has for his bride, and a beautiful picture of how God sees us — with the love God has for His bride

Isaiah 62:5 NIV

[5] As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

God does not see our sin but He sees His Son; we become pure and sinless in God’s eyes when we look to Him as our salvation  <F60>

Romans 6:6-7 NIV

[6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--- [7] because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Colossians 2:10,13 NIV

[10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins

1 John 3:5 NIV

[5] But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

Hebrews 10:22 NIV

[22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

** A perfect reuniting can result when you repent and return to Christ, as happened with the couple when they finally reunited

Song of Songs 6:13 NIV

[13] Come back, come back, O Shulammite; come back, come back, that we may gaze on you! Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim?

Sometimes we venture ‘off track’ and distance ourselves from God; sometimes our distancing is because of sin we commit

For instance, Revelation’s letter to the church in Ephesus was written 35 years after the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians; it appeared the church had done well, except for what the Lord had to say in verse 4 about leaving their first love for Him

Revelation 2:2-4 NIV

[2] I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. [4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

God beckoned the church’s return to Him and was willing to wait for His children with open loving arms; yes, there are consequences when we turn from Christ and when sin is involved, but the Father is overjoyed to receive us back when we repent and return to Him  <F60>

Luke 15:20-24 NIV

[20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

** God created human beings and desires to spend eternity with them!

Revelation 21:3 NIV

[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

** There is often a physical reaction to feelings of love especially in the infancy stage, but then the love relationship matures as should our relationship with Christ

Song of Songs 2:5 NIV

[5] Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.

** Do we have an excitement to be with the Lord, anxiously waiting to seek His mercies in the morning?

Song of Songs 2:8-9 NIV

[8] Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. [9] My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.

** God will make our alone time with Him the most important part of our day as we comprehend His love for us!

Song of Songs 2:14 NIV

[14] My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** The Lord cares for His children!

 • He knows our needs and will supply them

• He knows our foes and will deliver us from them

• He knows our fears and will make us ashamed of them

He is your Father, and His love to you is infinite. You are His delight — His dear child. Will He neglect you? Impossible!

Cast then, your cares upon Him. Tell out all your desires, fears, and troubles to Him; let Him know everything; keep nothing back. And then in the confidence of faith, expect Him to fulfill His Word, and act a Parent's part.

But never for one moment, or under any circumstances, distrust Him! He cannot love you more! He is your ever present help. He will rejoice over you to do you good, with His whole heart and with His whole soul.  <S183>

Philippians 4:6 NIV

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

** The bride doesn’t wait till morning but takes action to look for him; instead of letting fear or bad thoughts from the Enemy enter her mind, or even depend on the watchmen she passes, she takes it upon herself to URGENTLY seek after him

Song of Songs 3:3 NIV

[3] The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?”

** The bride continued to express a love-sick longing for her groom that affected her emotionally, physically and mentally; she longed for him which led to her seeking after him with all her heart, soul, spirit, strength

As the bride of Christ, likewise, our longing for our groom Christ should prompt us to seek Him every moment of our lives; that which we long for is that which we will seek after  <F60>

Song of Songs 3:1-2 NIV

[1] All night long on my bed, I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. [2] I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 [Paul’s final words to Timothy]

[7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

[6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

** Our complete delight should be in the Lord; wine is a metaphor for joy

Our desire should also be drawn away from this world to Christ by our choice, not because we have to; when we draw near to God He will draw near to us

Song of Songs 1:4 NIV

[4] ...We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine...

Hebrews 10:22 NIV

[22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

James 4:8 NIV

[8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

** When we behold the glory of God, we will not want Him to look at us because we are unclean

Song of Songs 1:6 NIV

[6] Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect.

** Paul went away from all human contact for several years, in order to spend time alone with God in the Arabian wilderness.

The newborn soul needs SOLITUDE, that, apart from the strife of tongues and the din of the world, it may meditate on those marvelous things which God has done for it. That it may frame a larger, deeper, more adequate conception of what salvation really is. That its gratitude may become more precise and more profound. That, with nothing and no one to distract, it may dedicate itself quietly and fully to its Lord.

The Bible teacher needs solitude, that he may apprehend the breadth and length and depth and height of that great, majestic, illimitable Book he is to proclaim. That he may seize hold of the truth of God — and that the truth of God may seize hold of him! That the truths of Scripture may become more than ever, his own possession and exceeding joy. And then, out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will speak.

Every saint needs solitude, that he may shake off the dust and grime of worldliness and sin. That, waiting on the Lord, he may renew his strength. That a fresh unction from the Holy One may make him spiritually wise and strong.

• In Arabia, as he came forth from the cloud, the face of Moses shone.

• In Arabia, the soul of Paul duly took and strongly kept the print of Heaven.

• None of us should dispense with our Arabian wilderness!  <S182>

Galatians 1:15-17 NIV

[15] But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, was pleased [16] to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. [17] I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

Mark 6:31 NIV

[31] Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

** God knows everything about everyone of us and is involved in our life; what an amazing thought that the righteous can be considered His “treasured possession” when we barely register as a spec on this earth, and the earth barely registers in His universe!

Malachi 3:16 NIV

[16] Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

** God singles out certain people to accomplish His will

Haggai 2:23 NIV

[23] “ 'On that day,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the Lord, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the Lord Almighty.”

** Ask God to make you worthy of His calling, for we cannot accomplish His will or have the proper motive on our own

2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

** Friends were present alongside the woman to help her look for her husband so they could get to  know him; hopefully others see our love for Jesus in a similar way so they desire to know Him as we do

Song of Songs 6:1 NIV

[1] Where has your beloved gone,

 most beautiful of women? Which way did your beloved turn, that we may look for him with you?

** Men were made to protect women on journeys into danger, as women desire and need from their husbands and male friends

Song of Songs 4:8 NIV

[8] Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon. Descend from the crest of Amana, from the top of Senir, the summit of Hermon, from the lions' dens and the mountain haunts of leopards.

** The Jews asking the prophet Zechariah about continuing the fast reminds us to not only consult His Word and ministers of God when inquiring of God’s will, but to seek His direction by fervent prayer

We learn from Zechariah that God hates hypocrisy, caring about the condition of the heart and motive of the individual to please God than about outward appearances  <H83>

Zechariah 7:4-6 NIV

[4] Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: [5] “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? [6] And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?

** It’s one thing to ask of God what He desires, but another thing to listen and obey with ‘pliable hearts’

Zechariah 7:8-12 NIV

[8] And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: [9] “This is what the Lord Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. [10] Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.' [11] “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. [12] They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

** God’s response to our prayer requests depend on whether our motive is to truly glorify God through the situation and obey His direction

Zechariah 7:13 NIV

[13] “ 'When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,' says the Lord Almighty.

** Woe to those who are complacent, thinking that God is not involved in our lives or will respond based on how we conduct ourselves

Zephaniah 1:12-13 NIV

[12] At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.' [13] Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, they will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.”

** The Lord God chose and set aside the Israelites as His people

• Recorded by Moses 1500 years before Christ (Deut)

• Recorded by David 1000 years before Christ (Ps), and

• Recorded by Zechariah 500 years before Christ

Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV

[6] For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Psalm 135:4 NIV

[4] For the Lord has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession.

Zechariah 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you---for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye--- [9] I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

** God chose the Jews to record His thoughts and plan of God over the centuries as a light to the Gentile nations  <H90>

• Almost all books of the Bible were written by Jewish authors

• Satan hates the Jews and does not want God’s chosen to survive

• The enemy has tried to annihilate the Jews throughout the centuries via Pharaoh (Exod 3), Haman (Esther), Tiachus Epiphanies, when Tidas destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD, and Hitler in the 1930-40s

• God always preserved a remnant of His people throughout these devastating years, to the point of giving them nationhood again in 1948 with close to 9 million population in Israel today (2022)

Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV

[6] For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Isaiah 42:6 NIV

[6] “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,

** God removed His blessings when the people neglected Him which, in turn, motivated them to change their ways and build the Lord’s house to honor Him

Haggai 1:9-11 NIV

[9] “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. [10] Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. [11] I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands. ”

Haggai 1:14 NIV

[14] So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God

** The Valley of Ben Hinnom was the actual place where people would sacrifice their children to Moloch on the altar of Topheth  <D40>

• This place was considered Hell on earth because of pagan practice of child sacrifice

• God hated this practice most of all and this led to His harshest judgment: the desecration of His people and eviction of the Israelites from their land

• This issue of child sacrifice is 'ground zero' on this planet between Heaven and Hell, and abortion remains so today

• When we get this wrong, we get the rest wrong

• We need to get back to defining and valuing LIFE as God defines and values it

Jeremiah 7:31,34 NIV

[31] They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire---something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind. [34] I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, for the land will become desolate.

Psalm 139:13-16 NIV

[13] For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

** The man of the house must take headship or RESPONSIBILITY, not tyrannical authority

His duties are to:

• Protect — to defend against those who would harm his family

• Provide — working to put food on the table

• Guide — giving counsel and imparting life experience

• As a result, he will earn a level of trust or faith because he demonstrated love and responsibility; others will desire to yield to him

• Christ demonstrated this responsibility to His enemies by dying on the cross; because He did this, Christ is the head of the church and all authority is granted to Him  <D40>

Ephesians 5:23-24 NIV

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

** God detests unfaithfulness to one’s spouse because it often destroys the possibility of Godly children; God likens a marriage betrayal to Judah who was unfaithful to Israel

Malachi 2:13-15 NIV

[13] Another thing you do: You flood the Lord's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. [14] You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. [15] Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

Malachi 2:11 NIV

[11] Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.

** God has strong language when a man wants divorce — He calls it an act of violence when he should protect his wife!

Malachi 2:16 NIV

[16] “The man who hates and divorces his wife, ” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

** Christ did not mean that I am to withdraw and seclude myself from society. He did not do so Himself. He came and dwelt with sinners, and He bids me to walk in His footsteps. I am to live in the world, as a holy child of God.

Nor does He wish me to moralize on the defects and errors of others. He has no desire that I should be fault-finding, critical, or harsh. I may be unsparing in judging myself; but in my thoughts and words regarding others, there must be all considerateness, all forbearance, all patience and hope.  <S182>

John 17:16 NIV

[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

** God knew the cost (punishment) of evil from the beginning, for He underwent punishment before us!

• All we have to do is look at the incredible punishment He alone endured to deal with sin on our behalf and to make relationship with Him possible

• Imagine our God of the universe enduring the punishment of death on a cross brought on by the very people He created!

Luke 12:49-50 NIV

[49] “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! [50] But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!

** Doesn’t Christ’s wondrous love deserve all that I have and all that I am?  <S182>

No love STOOPS like Christ's love.

• It abandoned the place and prospects and power to save me!

• It traveled from the heights of Heaven, to the depths of sinful earth

• God, pure and holy, chose voluntarily to make His home with me a sinner!

• The sole qualification I need to commend myself to Him is not my conviction of worth but my conviction of worthlessness — my knowledge that I am devoid of goodness and holiness!

• Then, when I confess myself penniless, He will invest me with His treasures

• He banishes no self-destroyed and forlorn and penitent man outside the pale of His grace

No love SUFFERS like Christ's love

• The test of affection is its willingness to suffer sacrifice and pain for another

• Never has any affection stood the test like the love of Jesus

• "It is certain," one writes, "that not for one hour on earth, was our Lord without the anguish of His passion"

• And at last He made the supreme offering of His life, for me

• Such bitterness, such dereliction, such unspeakable sorrow was there in my Savior's death

• For me He bore the hiding of His Father's face on Calvary

• It is an unfathomable pre-eminence of grief

• It is a horror of great darkness which I may not pierce

No love GIVES like Christ's love

• Love is always giving, but when was there human love with such wealth to bestow and such willingness to communicate it as the love of Christ?

• In simple fact, He imparts nothing less than Himself to me!

• The most unholy, the most tempted, the most despairing cannot desire anything more sufficient

And no love LASTS like Christ's love

• The truest and tenderest earthly love says farewell to its beloved in death

• And too often, even on this side of the grave, doubts insinuate themselves, and suspicions arise, and covenants are snapped and broken

• It is not so with the love of Christ, for neither things present nor things to come, the demands of today and the contingencies of tomorrow can chill that great heart of love!

• Christ's love is like Himself — eternal and unchangeable

Ephesians 3:19a NIV

[19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

** God deserves praise from everything that has breath for His surpassing glory!

Psalm 150:1-2,6 NIV

[1] Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. [2] Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

** Who better to be our Confidant than the One who loves, listens, instructs, guides, provides for, calms, assures, disciplines, reveals to, and protects us in perfect fashion and in His perfect timing?

Psalm 143:8,10 NIV

[8] Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. [10] Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

• In turn, we can be a shining witness for Christ when He stands with us

• Others can be equally encouraged!

Psalm 142:7 NIV

[7] Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

** We live in stirring days, when deeds are everything — when closet work is often neglected for active business, and little time is given to meditation. Yet, with more thought and prayer, wholesome activity would be greater in the end and all our actions more successful.

Time is not lost, which is spent in meditation — in searching wisdom's ways, and seeking out profound realities. There is one who often meditates and yet accomplishes much. There is another who hastens and yet does little. None works so heartily, nor reaps so fully as he whose wits are sharpened by prayer and meditation.

Reading either Scripture or Christian books, apart from meditation, does little good. It is much the same as not digesting what you eat which only starves the soul. How many read the Bible thus!

You say, "I am quite unused to meditating. How shall I begin?" Deal gently with yourself at first. Select your subject — some passage from the Word. Then fix the time you choose to give; say, five minutes at a time. Begin, and think aloud. This makes it easier, and saves the mind from distracted thoughts, the hardest task of all. The sound of your own voice will help you; it is like speaking to a friend. And what is meditation, but communing with self, that self may be a constant hearer.

But, more than all, make it a time of prayer and communing with God. This helps the matter greatly. Take the words of Scripture, and ask Jesus what they mean. In doing this, the mind is exercised. A glow of thought attends the effort. You honor Jesus; and He will honor you, by pouring out a largeness of capacity, a quicker mind. The interchange of thought between you and Jesus goes on apace, and you are surprised to find how long the exercise has lasted.

Meditation grows.  The more it is exercised it:

• Feeds the soul

• Expands the mind

• Increases thought

• Best of all, brings you into fellowship with Jesus

This is the very life and soul of meditation.  <M138>

Ecclesiastes 7:25 NIV

[25] So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.

Joshua 1:8 NIV

[8] Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 143:5 NIV

[5] I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 119:148 NIV

[148] My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises

** God dialogues with His people asking why they treat Him as they do when He has given so much, and then what He is to do in response

Micah 6:3-4,8 NIV

[3] “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. [4] I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. [8] He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:10-11 NIV

[10] Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed? [11] Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?

** God wants us to live in relationship where love and mercy prevails

Jonah 4:10-11 NIV

[10] But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. [11] And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left---and also many animals?”

** We live in a society where people puff themselves up in their brokenness and victimhood — it’s ’hip’ to be a victim instead of striving to be strong and helping others; shouldn’t our motivation be to emulate Christ, to become stronger and sacrifice for others as Christ did for us?

There are few leaders at every level — from the job site to government — who are willing to buck this societal trend but would rather play in their own sandbox; hence, there are few, if any, leaders we end up respecting

The church has abdicated itself to the welfare system and it’s members don’t need to get involved to help their neighbor — they simply write another check to another charity or figure the government will take care of the situation; hence, helpful relationships are not established and victims end up milking a system without personal accountability  <E58>

1 Peter 5:10 NIV

[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV

[9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

[23] Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

** God will pity impotency, but He will punish obstinacy.

• Lord, I see but enlighten my darkness!

• Lord, I hear but cure my deafness!

• Lord, I move but quicken my dullness!

• Lord, I desire but help my unwillingness!

It would be folly, indeed, to think that:

• our fields have no grain in them because there is some chaff around the wheat

• or that the ore had no gold in it because there is some dross mixed among it.

• In Heaven, there is service alone without any sin

• In Hell, there is sin alone without service

• But on earth, there is sin and service in the same man as there is light and shade in the same picture.

• Above us, there is light without any darkness

• Below us, there is darkness without any light

• But in this world, it is neither all day nor all night.

Though the lowest believer is above the power of sin, yet the highest believer is not above the presence of sin!  <S180>

Mark 9:21-24 NIV

[21] Jesus asked the boy's father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. [22] “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” [23] “ 'If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” [24] Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

** Jonah thought God was ending his life when a fish swallowed him, but later realized the fish was sent to rescue him!

After realizing he had been saved by God, Jonah promised to worship Him from the heart, for he had a future again

Question: had Jonah come to faith at that point and had gone through religious motions beforehand?

• Jonah realized he needed to be right with God in order to live his life for God

• Our lesson is to focus on maintaining a right relationship with Christ so we can be used by Him and good results can flow to others

• This should motivate us to maintain a good relationship with God and live a life of doing good works that is holy and pleasing to Him  <C31>

Jonah 2:9-10 NIV

[9] But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ” [10] And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

** Followers of Christ need to be close to Him in order to know what pleases Him and know His will and direction; knowing God's will starts with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength  <C31>

Mark 12:30 NIV

[30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

HEART = deepest part of who we are

• Seek fulfillment for your life and your being in God alone

• Do you trust God to lead you in what is right and best for you?

Psalm 37:4 NIV

[4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

SOUL = emotional and feeling side of us

• Distinguish between my will and God's will so we are not fooled by our emotion

• God's sheep know His voice and follow Him

Jeremiah 17:9 NIV

[9] The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

MIND = mental capabilities God gives us to make good decisions

• Ask God to help change your thinking so you will follow Him and know what He wants you to do

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

STRENGTH = ability to put into practice what is right

• We know what is right by following Scripture

• We can know enough about our next step — not too far into future — via our relationship with God and His word

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

** We cannot love God perfectly in this life, but we are to have desire to do so

• We will be able to love God perfectly one day in Heaven

• If we have been saved, we will want to love the Lord with everything we have and obey Him  <M130>

Mark 12:30 NIV

[30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

Jeremiah 11:4 NIV

[4] the terms I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace. ' I said, 'Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God.

Jeremiah 24:7 NIV

[7] I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

[26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Colossians 3:7-10 NIV

[7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Romans 6:1-2,5-6,11 NIV

[1] What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? [2] By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? [5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--- [11] In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

** Paul provides a beautiful image of believers coming together with a common goal of ‘building a structure’ where God can reside and interact with its residents

Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV

[19] Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. [21] In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. [22] And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

** God utters strong language against religious activity solely based on ritual, where people ‘act out’ their religion but their heart is not tuned to God

Amos 5:21-23 NIV

[21] “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. [22] Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. [23] Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

** God’s chastisement will not escape His chosen nation for God disciplines those He loves

Amos 3:1-2 NIV

[1] Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the Lord has spoken against you---against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: [2] “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins. ”

Hebrews 12:6 NIV

[6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

** Why did God permit David to fall so fearfully, and sin so grievously?

One reason may be that we might have set before our eyes the more clearly, the solemn fact that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9). Unmistakably plain as  the meaning of those words is, uttered by Him who cannot lie — yet how very slow we all are to really receive them at their face value, and acknowledge that they accurately describe the natural state of every human heart! But God has done more than make this bare statement: He has placed on record in His Word — illustrations, exemplifications, demonstrations of its verity--notably so in allowing us to see the unspeakable wickedness that still remained in the heart of David!

Also, the fearful fall of David made way for a display of the amazing grace of God, in recovering His fallen people. If we are slow to receive what Scripture teaches concerning the depravity of the human heart and the exceeding sinfulness of sin — we are equally slow to really believe what it reveals about the covenant-faithfulness of God, the efficacy of Christ's blood to cleanse the foulest stain from those for whom it was shed, and the super-abounding grace of Him who is "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." Had David never sinned so grievously and sunken so low — he would have never known those infinite depths of mercy which are in the heart of God!

Also, had his terrible sin, his subsequent broken-hearted confession, and his pardon by God, never been placed in the Divine record — many of God's people throughout the centuries would have sunk in abject despair.

Also, by means of David's fall, they have been preserved from falling! Thousands, from age to age by this solemn example of David's terrible sin, have been rendered more:

• Suspicious of themselves

• Watchful

• Afraid of temptation

• Dependent on the Lord

• Fervent in prayer  <P161>

Psalm 51:1-2 NIV

[1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

** God cares about the poor and those in need

Psalm 140:12 NIV

[12] I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

** Some of the days of my life will be days of discipline--of the pruning knife and the cleansing fire.  But when He is with me, the discipline is a blessing, and not a curse.

Many of the days, too, will be days of monotony. They must be spent in little things--household labors, common concerns, unnoticed toil. I may long for a more striking and interesting experience. But when He is with me, I know that He makes my life like His own--the blessed life He lived among carpenters' tools, and village streets, and peasant people. The drudgery is a love-message--it is Jesus Christ in disguise!

Every day will be a day of temptation. In the home, in the business, in company, in loneliness--I shall encounter the devil's subtle snares. But let my Lord be with me, and temptation will but reveal the closeness and blessedness of the tie. It will be an instrument which He uses to impart more maturity to my graces--more courage, more patience, more trust.

Perhaps one of the days will be the day of death. But if He does not leave or forsake me, then death will be an ingredient in the training that fits me for the glorious inheritance! As John Bunyan pictures it--I must cross the 'River of Death' to reach the 'Celestial City'. Jesus did it Himself, and the disciple is not above the Master. His Everlasting Arms will sustain me in the flood; and, on the other side, I shall enter the 'Beautiful Gate' and see His face!

ALL the days He is with me--to the end, and through the end, and beyond the end forever and ever! Whether I live, therefore, or whether I die--I am His and He is mine!  <S182>

Psalm 139:16b NIV

[16] ...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Matthew 28:20b NIV

[20] ...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

** Blessings to those who contribute to the house of the Lord — both leaders and attendees

Psalm 134:1 NIV

[1] Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

Psalm 134:3 NIV

[3] May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

** It is good for us — for our honor, comfort and delight — to live in unity with our Christian brothers and sisters; the pleasantness of this is likened to the anointing of oil, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and proof of our union with Christ that adorns His gospel  <H83>

Psalm 133:1-2 NIV

[1] How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! [2] It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe.

** David embraced God's plan for his life similar to a weaned child who no longer cries for milk. David described being content in his soul and having outgrown the pursuit of achievement, for many others could do the job better!

Likewise, we find fulfillment when we embrace His purpose for our life. Ask yourself whether you are trying to reach beyond (too much) or do the bare minimum (too little) of what God wants for you?  <C31> (Sep 2016)

Psalm 131:2 NIV

[2] But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

** There was nothing to prove for David but his love for God; as king, David was telling the nation to put their trust in God and not their king

Psalm 131:3 NIV

[3] Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

** Sin brings ruin for individuals and nations, and the plain teachings of each man’s own life exhort him to ‘return to the Lord’; we have all proved the vanity and misery of departing from Him

Surely, if we are not drawn by His love, we might be driven to go back to God by our own unrest  <C38>

Hosea 14:1-2 NIV

[1] Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.

 Your sins have been your downfall! [2] Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

Hosea 14:9 NIV

[9] Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

** Grace is favor shown to the undeserving and has been defined as the unmerited favor of God.

• If unmerited, then none can claim it as their inalienable right

• If grace is unearned and undeserved, then none are entitled to it

• If grace is a gift, then none can demand it

Grace is the sinner's last and only hope; if he is not saved by grace, he will never be saved at all.  <P161>

1 Corinthians 15:10a NIV

[10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.

** There is no salvation through Christ without humility  <F67>

• Humility is required for salvation (Psa 34:18; 51:17; Isa 66:2; Matt 5:3-5; 18:34; Phil 3:3)

• Likewise, no man can serve or glorify God in this world without this God-given "humbleness of mind" (Col 3:12)

• Anything done for Christ must be done with humility (Matt 6:3, 5, 16, 33)

• Humility is not an act, but an attitude of the heart

• Humility is the brokenness of the heart before God by reason of sin and in gratitude for His love, mercy, and grace to sinners in Christ

Here are five things revealed in the Word of God regarding characteristics of humility:

1. Humility is a realization of personal unworthiness before God, by reason of one's own depravity and sin (Job 42:5-6; Psa 51:4-5). It is not a show of words which sound humble, but which are designed to gain praise. Rather, it is a heartfelt unworthiness before the holy Lord God (Luke 18:13; Isa 6:5).

2. Humility is a renunciation of all merit and personal righteousness in the sight of God (Phil 3:9). No man's heart is humbled before God so long as he imagines that he has anything by which he may merit God's favor or, his righteousnesses are more than filthy rags in God's sight (Isa 64:6).

3. Humility is an inexpressible gratitude of heart to God for His abundant, amazing grace to sinners in Christ (Psa 116:12, 16). It causes a person to live with a sense of delightful obligation and indebtedness to the Lord God.

4. Humility is a willing submission and devotion of one's heart to the Lord Jesus Christ that cries, "Lord, what will you have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). Humility is…

• devotion to Christ as Lord,

• submission to His providential rule of all things,

• a determination of heart to obey and honor Him regardless of cost.

5. Humility gladly ascribes the whole work of salvation to God's free and sovereign grace through Christ (1 Cor 15:10).  <F67>

Acts 20:19 NIV

[19] I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.

** God is the author of all life and knows the number of our days before we even take our first breath

Psalm 139:14-16 NIV

[14] I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Ezekiel 37:3-7 NIV

[3] He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know. ” [4] Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. [6] I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord. ’ ” [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.

** By claiming He is the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus let the Pharisees know that God is His Father and He is the Son of God  <M130>

• Jesus declared His equality with God and the Jews wanted to kill Him

• God’s representative, Jesus, came to earth to not only provide the only offer of salvation but show us the way to live

John 5:17-18 NIV

[17] In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” [18] For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 5 records Jesus as saying He is:

• Equal in works — capable of doing whatever God is capable of doing (19-20)

• Equal in power — raising people from the dead as God wills (21)

• Equal in authority

• Equal in judgment — God has given all judgment to the Son who will judge as God wills (22, 27, 30)

• Equal in honor — whoever honors God will honor His Son; this was an indictment on the entire Jewish religious system that did not recognize Jesus as God’s Son (23)

John 5:19-20 NIV

[19] Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

John 5:21 NIV

[21] For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

John 5:22,27,30 NIV

[22] Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, [27] And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. [30] By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

John 5:23 NIV

[23] that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

Luke 6:2,5 NIV

[2] Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” [5] Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

** As a shepherd rejoices over the finding of a lost sheep or coin, it is clear that God and all of heaven are excited when a sinner repents

• Everyone in Jewish society could relate to the parables of the sheep and coins because of their importance in their way of life

• Typically, leaving a herd of sheep in ‘open country’ was relatively safe so there is no question of abandoning the 99 to look for the one that was lost

• The coins revealed the importance of a person, such as when women who wore dowry coins in their headdress for others to see  <R1795>

• The parables of the lost sheep and coin reflect Jesus’ attitude toward the dregs of society

• Every person is important to Jesus, evidenced by the time He with them

• Likewise, every person God places in our path is to be recognized as a creation of God in need of His redemption

• What a reminder to us to look at others with God’s eyes – the mother on welfare, the teenage dropout, the convict behind bars, the jobless and homeless, the drunk sleeping in the doorway – are all God’s lost coins  <R1795>

• There is much rejoicing in heaven when even one sinner is found and repents!

Luke 15:7 NIV

[7] I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:8-10 NIV

[8] “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? [9] And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ [10] In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

** God is our Ultimate Shepherd who not only protects us from harm but desires to lavish us with blessings

Ezekiel 34:25-26,31 NIV

[25] “ 'I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. [26] I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. [31] You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.' ”

** No other religious writing includes prophecy beside Scripture -- proven to be 100% accurate

• Prophetic fulfillment proves to us the existence of God

• No one but God could instruct us through the prophets thousands of years ago of what is happening today and what will happen tomorrow besides the eternal God

• When prophecies begin to happen, people will know that God is the one and only God!  <F60>

John 13:19 NIV

[19] “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.

John 14:29 NIV

[29] I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

Ezekiel 22:16b NIV

[16] …you will know that I am the Lord.' ”

Luke 21:28 NIV

[28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

** Many people think of prayer only as coming to God with requests. They only tell Him their needs. They never bow before Him nor speak to Him, unless there is something they wish Him to do for them.

What would you think of a friend of yours who never came to you nor talked with you, except when he wanted to ask some favor of you? True friendship finds many of its sweetest moments, when there is no help to ask--but when only love's communion fills the happy time. It should be so in our relation with our heavenly Father. If we care to be with Him only when we have a favor to ask of Him--then there is something lacking in our love!

We are not to suppose that when Jesus spent whole nights in prayer, He was making requests all the time. He went away from the trying, struggling, troublesome life of the busy days among the people--to find shelter, rest, and renewal of strength, in sweet converse with His Father. Just so, most of the time we spend in prayer should be given to communion with God.

A minister relates that one Saturday morning, when he was in his study preparing his sermon, his little child opened the door and came in, stealing softly to his side. Somewhat impatiently, the father turned to her and asked, "What do you want, my child?" "Nothing, papa," the child replied. "I only want to be with you."

This is oft-times the only desire of the true Christian when he comes to pray. He has no requests to make--he just wants to be with his Father!  <M136>

Matthew 6:6 NIV

[6] But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

** God takes pledges and oaths with His children seriously; negative consequences await when they are broken

Ezekiel 17:18 NIV

[18] He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Because he had given his hand in pledge and yet did all these things, he shall not escape.

Ezekiel 17:19-21 NIV

[19] “ 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant. [20] I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me. [21] All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the winds. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken.

** God entered into a covenant relationship with Israel at Mount Sinai when she became ‘of age’; making a covenant signifies marriage, the figure of God’s relation to Israel  <M130>

Ezekiel 16:8 NIV

[8] “ 'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.

Exodus 19:5-8 NIV

[5] Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” [7] So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. [8] The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

** Instead of being thankful and committing to God, Israel used the gifts He gave her for selfish pleasure enticing Egyptian, Philistine, Assyrian and Babylonian adulterers

Ezekiel 16:15-19 NIV

[15] “ 'But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. [16] You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. [17] You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. [18] And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. [19] Also the food I provided for you---the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat---you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 16:26-29 NIV

[26] You engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians, your neighbors with large genitals, and aroused my anger with your increasing promiscuity. [27] So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct. [28] You engaged in prostitution with the Assyrians too, because you were insatiable; and even after that, you still were not satisfied. [29] Then you increased your promiscuity to include Babylonia, a land of merchants, but even with this you were not satisfied.

Ezekiel 16:32-34 NIV

[32] “ 'You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband! [33] All prostitutes receive gifts, but you give gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. [34] So in your prostitution you are the opposite of others; no one runs after you for your favors. You are the very opposite, for you give payment and none is given to you.

** It grieves God when His children turn their attention away from Him, lusting after idols

Ezekiel 6:9b NIV

[9] …How I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.

** [The man from Jerusalem in the Luke passage] was JUST in all his dealings with men and DEVOUT in his dealings toward God. It takes both of these elements to make true religion.

Some people are just and not devout! They are scrupulously honest in all their dealings — and yet they never think of God, or of their duties to Him. They do not bow to Him in prayer, nor do they ever lift their hearts to Him in praise. They do not love Him. They confess no obligations to Him. Their whole religion simply is honesty toward their fellow-men while they utterly ignore God, their Creator and Redeemer, in Whom they live, from Whose grace every blessing in their lives flows, and upon Whom they are dependent every moment for breath and existence. It is readily seen, that such religion is no religion at all.

While we are just and honest in our transactions with men — it is to God that we owe the first and highest duties. We are His creatures; we are saved, if at all, by His grace; we owe to Him obedience, faith, love, honor, service. So we must be devout as well as just.

On the other hand, there are some people who profess to be devout but are not just! They attend [religious services], they sing and pray; and then they go out into the week-day world, and are hard, unjust, greedy, and oppressive! It is very evident that this kind of religion does not please God. He wants our praise and honor — but He wants us to honor Him by our lives and actions, as well as by our lips.

There are two tables of commandments; and the second table commandments are as binding as the first. We are to love God with all our heart (the first table), but we are also to love our neighbor as ourselves (the second table). While we are devout toward God, we are also to be honest, true, and unselfish toward men.

The two things must go together, and must never be torn asunder!  <M136>

Luke 2:25 NIV

[25] Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

Mark 12:28b-31 NIV

[28] One of the teachers of the law asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” [29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”

** Satan’s 5 step strategy to prepare the world for globalism: by replacing God, destroying relationships and abandoning critical thinking

1. Distract - get people to be distracted from God and what really matters

2. Self-Focus - put their attention on themselves, evident by the number of ‘selfies’ and profiles

3. Break Apart - break people’s relationships apart

4. Divide Humanity - we are clearly at this stage right now where differences of opinion are not tolerated

5. Globalism - building a global community which is Post-Separatism and Post-Modernism

We clearly see this happening today with the iPhone devices and unfettered access to the Internet  <J102> (Sep 2021)

Genesis 3:1,4-5 NIV

[1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'? ” [4] “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. [5] “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Isaiah 14:13-14 NIV

[13] You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. [14] I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

** The people drifted away from a relationship with God yet blamed Him for their defeat with the Philistines

1 Samuel 4:3 NIV

[3] When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord's covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

** God desires we believe in Him and take action to prove our relationship with Him above all else; this was the message Samuel gave the Israelites when they wanted God to deliver them from their troubles

1 Samuel 7:3-4 NIV

[3] So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” [4] So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

** Our God is One of unfailing love and compassion; believers need to remember that God does not willingly assign affliction and no one is cast off by the Lord forever

Lamentations 3:31-33 NIV

[31] For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. [32] Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. [33] For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

** A friend is one who loves, and does not cease to love. Christ having loved His people, loves them unto the end.

One quality of true friendship is trust. What could be more sacred than this comfort of feeling safe with a person, absolutely safe? That is the kind of friend Jesus is. You may always feel safe with Him. You may confess all your sins to Him. You may tell Him all your faults and your failures — how you denied Him the other night, how you failed to be true to Him, and all the evil thoughts of your heart; and He will be just as tender and gracious, as if you never sinned! He loves to the end!

None of us would want to have our hearts photographed, and the picture held up before the eyes of our neighbors! We would not want even our best friends to see a full transcript of our secret life — what goes on within us, the:

• Jealousies

• Envyings

• Bitter feelings

• Impure thoughts

• Meannesses

• Selfishnesses

• Suspicions

• Doubts and fears!

Yet Christ sees all this unworthy inner life. He knows the worst that is in us, and loves us still! We do not need to hide our weaknesses from Him. He never withdraws His love. We may trust Him absolutely and forever!  <M136>

John 13:1 NIV

[1] It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

** Let people know you will pray for them “as the Holy Spirit brings them to mind”; better not to promise if we can’t keep the promise

Philippians 1:3 NIV

[3] I thank my God every time I remember you.

Proverbs 15:29 NIV

[29] The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

** God willingly involves us in His plans, specific with instructions and consequences for disobedience

Jeremiah 48:10 NIV

[10] “A curse on anyone who is lax in doing the Lord's work! A curse on anyone who keeps their sword from bloodshed!

** Do fathers know how VITAL their role is in the home, especially with the development of their sons?

• Issue: boys need to be affirmed of their physical, emotional, spiritual growth by their fathers

• This requires a Biblical family unit with fathers who have a firm moral foundation & directive from Christ

• Numerous current-day societal agendas are working against this type of support at full throttle, saying we need to discourage boys to become men

• It’s to the point of condoning changing their gender when they have questions!?

• How awesome that we can find direction and confirmation in Christ when our fathers don’t fulfill their duty

Proverbs 4:4 NIV

[4] Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

Ephesians 6:4 NIV

[4] Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord

** Cancel culture is laser-focused on judgment and accusation and punishment," and the goal of those who cancel others is to broadcast their sins from pillar to post, and never allow them to be removed or forgotten. Christ's goal, on the other hand, is love, mercy and grace.

Jesus spent a lot of time with people in His day who had been canceled, so to speak, mentioning the woman at the well and lepers.

It would be nice to think that cancel culture is a temporary phase that our world is going through, but society is becoming more intolerant and polarized by the day. And I'm not sure we'll see a reversal of all these trends. The more insidious elements of cancel culture are a malignant form of the spitefulness and self-importance common to human nature.

What we're seeing today reminds me of what Jesus described in Matthew 24:

Matthew 24:10 NIV

[10] At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other

Cancel culture is a "culture of disdain." Jesus talked about how easily people would be offended in the days leading up to the tribulation. Boy, is that ever true! Have you ever noticed how easy people get offended these days? None of us wants to be offensive. But doesn't it seem like people everywhere are too easily offended? How long before someone sees us reading a Bible on the airplane and feels uncomfortable? When will someone take offense when we wear a t-shirt with the slogan John 3:16 on it? What about the cross around your neck that could get you in trouble?  <J103>

** God can raise up friends for His people in distress, as was seen when orders were given for the prophet’s release by an Ethiopian called Ebed-melech who spoke to the king on Jeremiah’s behalf  <H83>

Jeremiah 38:8-13 NIV

[8] Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, [9] “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city.” [10] Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” [11] So Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. [12] Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, [13] and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

** The Lord announced that the Savior of the world will come through the line of David; Jesus Christ is the King whose reign will immediately occur when He appears at the Second Coming  <M130>

Jeremiah 33:14-16 NIV

[14] “ 'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. [15] “ 'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. [16] In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.'

Daniel 2:35,45 NIV

[35] Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. [45] This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands---a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

Daniel 7:13-14,27 NIV

[13] “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. [27] Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'

** When we meditate upon eternity past, we can say in reference to the most distant periods, "My Savior loved me then! He loved me from all eternity!" Glorious truth! He always has loved me, and He always will love me! He loved me...

• before angels existed,

• before devils appeared,

• before sin was committed!

He loved me when the Godhead dwelt all alone! O the depths! Astonishing mystery! It seems too good to be true! But God has said it, and my soul shall rejoice in it and praise Him for it!

His love to me is as eternal as His nature — without beginning of days, or end of years.

From His love, as from a mighty ocean, flows...

• all the acts of His power,

• all the displays of His benevolence,

• all the manifestations of His grace,

• and all the provisions of His gospel.

It is sweet to silently meditate upon the thought of such a vile and insignificant creature as I am — that Jehovah-Jesus not only thought of me but eternally loved me with all the strength of His Deity! He so loved me to be willing to take my nature and to save me by His humiliation, sufferings, and death!  <S183>

Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

[3] The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

** The truth that the Lord will never leave us ought to bring unspeakable comfort to God's children, who are called to suffer earthly losses. If they have GOD left to them, no other loss is irreparable!

A wealthy man came home one evening with a heavy heart and said that he had lost everything. Bankruptcy had overtaken him. "We are utterly beggared!" he said. "All is gone; there is nothing left! We must leave our home, and beg for tomorrow's bread!" His little five year old daughter crept up on his knee, and, looking earnestly into his despairing face said, "Why, papa, you have mamma and me left!"

Just so, what are temporal and worldly losses of the sorest kind — while God remains? Yes, what is the loss of money, houses, costly furniture, and other possessions — while God's love remains? There is surely enough in Him, to compensate a thousand times for every earthly loss!

Our lives may be stripped bare: home, friends, riches, comforts gone; every sweet voice of love, every note of joy silenced; and we may be driven out from brightness, tenderness and shelter into the cold ways of sorrow! Yet if we have God Himself left — ought not this to suffice? Is He not in Himself infinitely more than all His gifts? If we have Him, do we really need anything else?  <M136>

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 23:1 NIV

[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

** God, who came to earth as a man, didn’t come to lay down His life for social justice or climate change or a political movement or a Christian denomination

• Christ's primary purpose was to lay down His life to deal with sin and then give people the way forward to have relationship with Him  <D40>

• Likewise, followers of Christ are to value God and others above all else, including those who are lost because their story is not done yet

• Remember the transforming power God had over Paul’s life, and virtually everyone in Scripture

John 10:11 NIV

[11] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 15:12-14 NIV

[12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

1 John 3:16 NIV

[16] This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Matthew 22:37-39 NIV

[37] Jesus replied: “ 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

** When the Lord takes the time to rebuke you, to convict you, or to show you that you’re doing something wrong, it isn’t because He hates you. Rather, it’s because He loves you. And that very discipline is a reminder of your relationship with Him.  <L120>

Hebrews 12:6 NIV

[6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

** Can your minds fly back to the time when there was no time--to the day when there was no day, but the Ancient of Days?

Can you speed back to that period when God dwelt alone--when this round world and all the things that are upon it, had not come from His hand; when the sun flamed not in his strength, and the stars flashed not in their brightness?

Can you go back to the period when there were no angels, when cherubim and seraphim had not been born; and, if there be creatures older than they, when none of them had as yet been formed?

Is it possible, I say, for you to fly so far back as to contemplate God alone--no creature, no breath of song, no motion of wing; God Himself alone, without another?

Consider next, if you can, the eternal purpose of God that He would CREATE:

• He determines it in His mind.

• Could any but a divine motive actuate the Divine Architect?

• What must that motive have been?

• He creates that He may display His own perfections.

• He does beget, as it were, creatures after His own image that He may live in them; that He may manifest to others the joy, the pleasure, the satisfaction, which He so intensely feels in Himself.

I am certain His own glory must have been the end He had in view! He would reveal His glory to the sons of men, to angels, and to such creatures as He had formed--in order that they might reflect His honor and sing His praise.  <S185>

Revelation 4:10-11 NIV

[10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: [11] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 19:6-7 NIV

[6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

** Covenant of Redemption:

“In eternity past, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, live and exist in this perfect unity in the Trinity Godhead, in need of absolutely nothing!  

And then that perfect love spills out as the Father, out of His love for the Son, gives the Son a people.  And the Son, out of His love for the Father, gives Himself to redeem the people whom the Father had given. And then the Holy Spirit actually applies that redemption to those whom the Father gave and the Son redeems and spills over into His creation.

And you and I not only get to be the byproduct of that but we get to be a part of that as the love of God is proclaimed in all of creation through the redemption of the saints of God!”  

The gospel reminds us that God is love — look at His redemption.  How can we not, in return, love the Gospel?  <B292>

1 Peter 1:18-21 NIV

[18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [20] He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. [21] Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Galatians 3:13-14 NIV

[13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” [14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

** God will gather His children who have been scattered around the world preparing for the ultimate leadership under the Messiah; this prophecy is yet to be completely fulfilled at the time of this writing  <M130>

Jeremiah 23:3-4 NIV

[3] “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. [4] I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing, ” declares the Lord.

** This passage in the book of Jeremiah is confirmation the Jews are to return and live in the land God gave them

Jeremiah 23:7-8 NIV

[7] “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' [8] but they will say, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land.”

**Jeremiah prophesied about the coming Messiah Jesus Christ, a Shepherd born in the line of David whom His people will be able to trust

Jeremiah 23:5-8 NIV

[5] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. [6] In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. [7] “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' [8] but they will say, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land.”

Ezekiel 34:11-15 NIV

[11] “ 'For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. [12] As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. [13] I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. [14] I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. [15] I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.

** God told Jeremiah ‘times would be tough being the strong wall standing before the nations’; we are to commit to times of faith and obedience

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

[16] This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

** God’s punishment is sure even for those who have captured the heart of God

Jeremiah 22:24-27 NIV

[24] “As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off. [25] I will deliver you into the hands of those who want to kill you, those you fear---Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Babylonians. [26] I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another country, where neither of you was born, and there you both will die. [27] You will never come back to the land you long to return to.”

Jeremiah 22:6-7 NIV

[6] For this is what the Lord says about the palace of the king of Judah: “Though you are like Gilead to me, like the summit of Lebanon, I will surely make you like a wasteland, like towns not inhabited. [7] I will send destroyers against you, each man with his weapons, and they will cut up your fine cedar beams and throw them into the fire.

** Of all the pictures God could have chosen to show His love for the world, and of all of the pictures God could have chosen to show how much His church loves Him, He chose marriage. How do we know this? Because God says:

Ephesians 5:22-25 NIV

[22] Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Essentially the Lord is saying: “Hey, Planet Earth, do you want to know how much I love My people? Check out the way that Christian husband loves His wife. That’s what it’s like. And do you want to know how much My church loves Me? Look at the way that wife loves her husband. That’s how much my church loves Me.” Our love for God is a response to God’s love for us.

1 John 4:19 NIV

[19] We love because he first loved us.

Despite our sinfulness, wickedness, and shortcomings, despite all the horrible things we’ve done, God loves us. And His love wins us over.  <L120>

** We now see God as Father instead of Husband; only when we consider God from various relations with us can we measure the depth of our sin or motives we have for returning to Him  <B20>

Jeremiah 3:19 NIV

[19] “I myself said, “ 'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me.

** The central fact in every true Christian life is a personal friendship with Jesus.

Men were called to:

• Follow Him

• Leave all and cleave to Him

• Believe on Him

• Trust Him

• Love Him

• Obey Him

and the result was the transformation of their lives into His own beauty! That which alone makes one a Christian, is being a friend of Jesus.

Friendship transforms — we become like those with whom we live in close, intimate relations.

Life flows into life, heart and heart are knit together, spirits blend, and the two friends become one.

We have but little to give to Christ; yet it is a comfort to know that our friendship really is precious to Him, and gives Him joy — poor and meager though its best may be. But He has infinite blessings to give to us. The friendship of Jesus includes all other blessings for time and for eternity! If Christ is our friend, all of life is made rich and beautiful to us.

"I have called you friends." No other gift He gives to us can equal in value, the love and friendship of His heart.  <M136>

John 15:13-15 NIV

[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

** Christian reader, God says to you, "I have chosen you!" This is a great mystery and a comforting truth. God does not tell you WHY He chose you. He only tells you the simple fact. It is not for you to question it, or to shrink from it, but to receive it and be thankful.

God was free to love you or free to loathe you.

He was free to choose you or free to reject you.

He says, "I have chosen you!" Believe what God says, and rejoice. "Before the mountains were brought forth, before He had formed the earth and the world," God had chosen you! "From everlasting to everlasting, He is God." From everlasting to everlasting He loved, He chose, He delighted in His people.

Fellow-sinner, if God says, "I have chosen you," He says it to encourage, strengthen and sanctify you!  He says it so you may rest upon the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure.  He says it so you may look away from self, and see that salvation is altogether of the Lord.

Isaiah 41:9-10 NIV

[9] I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. [10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

[9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

** God is not looking for a temple of stone, since as the Creator of all things, the whole universe is His dwelling place; Stephen cited this passage before the Sanhedrin to point out the limiting of God to a temple made with hands

On the contrary, God is looking for a heart to dwell in, a heart that is tender and broken, not one that is concerned with externalities of religion; God is looking to dwell in the heart of a person who takes His Word seriously  <M130>

Isaiah 66:1-2 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says:

 “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? [2] Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

** God created the world to have it inhabited; God is a God of relationship

Isaiah 45:18 NIV

[18] For this is what the Lord says---he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited---he says: “I am the Lord, and there is no other.

** God formed and fully developed us in the womb; at that time He also gave us abilities to fulfill our purpose in life for His glory

Isaiah 49:1-3,5 NIV

[1] Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother's womb he has spoken my name. [2] He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. [3] He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor. ” [5] And now the Lord says---he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength---

** God is consistent from generation to generation and promises to be with each individual believer through their years on this earth

Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV

[3] “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. [4] Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

** The Lord is always patient and faithful in His relationships until it is evident when He has been tossed aside; God outlined in the book of Jeremiah the reason He divorced Himself from Israel and Judah

Jeremiah 3:6-8 NIV

[6] During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. [7] I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. [8] I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.

** On account of her persistent backsliding, God had "sent away” Israel, Judah's sister, and had given her a certificate of divorce. But He had not repudiated Judah, and her children were wrong to suppose themselves altogether cast off.

They had, in fact, by their transgressions (especially their idolatries) wilfully divorced themselves or separated themselves from God; but no sentence had gone forth from him to bar reconciliation and return.  The separation, such as it was, between God and his people was caused by their sins and not by any act of His.  <B20>

Isaiah 50:1 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Isaiah 3:8 NIV

[8] Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.

Isaiah 49:14 NIV

[14] But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”

** The prophet Hosea was instructed by God to marry an adulterous wife as an example to others; the restoration of Gomer by Hosea was a picture of God taking back His wicked, adulterous people  <M130>

Jeremiah 3:1 NIV

[1] “If a man divorces his wife

 and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers---would you now return to me?” declares the Lord.

Hosea 1:2 NIV

[2] When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.”

Jeremiah 3:12-13 NIV

[12] Go, proclaim this message toward the north: “ 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever. [13] Only acknowledge your guilt---you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,' ” declares the Lord.

** God pictured His covenant relationship with Israel as a marriage and pleaded with mercy for Judah to repent and return, for He will take her back; God will restore if we will repent!

Jeremiah 3:20,22-23 NIV

[20] But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” declares the Lord. [22] “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God. [23] Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

Jeremiah 3:14 NIV

[14] “Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you---one from a town and two from a clan---and bring you to Zion.

Jeremiah 3:12-13 NIV

[12] Go, proclaim this message toward the north: “ 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever. [13] Only acknowledge your guilt---you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,' ” declares the Lord.

** God promises to never put to shame and always stand beside His children Israel into eternity

Isaiah 45:17 NIV

[17] But Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

** Does not our Friend as far excel all other friends...

• as Heaven exceeds earth,

• as eternity exceeds time,

• as the Creator surpasses His creatures?

• See all the fullness of the Godhead, dwelling in One who is as meek and mild as a child.

• See His countenance beaming with ineffable glories, full of mingled majesty, condescension and love.

• Hear the soul-reviving invitations and gracious words which proceed from His lips.

• See that hand in which dwells everlasting strength, swaying the scepter of universal empire over all creatures and all worlds.

• See His arms expanded to receive and embrace returning sinners.

• While His heart, a bottomless, shoreless ocean of benevolence, overflows with tenderness, compassion, and love.

Sinner, such is our Beloved and such is our Friend.

Will you not then embrace Him as your Friend? If you can be persuaded to do this, you will find that the thousandth part has not been told to you!  <P164>

Song of Songs 5:9 NIV

[9] How is your beloved better than others, most beautiful of women? How is your beloved better than others, that you so charge us?

** The prophet Isaiah cannot bear to leave Israel under a ban but proceeded to give God’s endeared “chosen” ultimate hope

Isaiah 44:1-3 NIV

[1] “But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. [2] This is what the Lord says---he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. [3] For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Isaiah 44:6 NIV

[6] “This is what the Lord says---Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Isaiah 41:8 NIV

[8] “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend

** This verse in Isaiah is probably the high point of grace in the Old Testament, for in spite of Israel’s utter unworthiness, the Lord in His grace devised a way to forgive their sins and grant righteousness without compromising His holiness — this He would accomplish through the work of His Servant <M130>; Israel cannot argue with God regarding their sin

Isaiah 43:25 NIV

[25] “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Isaiah 53:6 NIV

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 43:26 NIV

[26] Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.

** God let His people know how much He loved them; His love extends to each one of us today in unfathomable measure

Isaiah 43:4 NIV

[4] Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

Malachi 1:2 NIV

[2] “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' “Was not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob,

Hosea 11:1 NIV

[1] “When Israel was a child, I loved him,

 and out of Egypt I called my son.

Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

[3] The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

John 15:9 NIV

[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV

[14] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Romans 8:35,38-39 NIV

[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** Even one of Jesus’ hand-picked twelve disciples would break through the net and be lost, for he was never actually one of them to begin with.  <N154>

John 6:70-71 NIV

[70] Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” [71] (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

** God established a plan from the beginning and continues to execute it in perfect faithfulness

Isaiah 25:1 NIV

[1] Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

** Once again we are comforted that God is completely in control of events; we do not need to fear the future, for God will execute His plan — the one He determined before the world was created!

Isaiah 14:24 NIV

[24] The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

Isaiah 14:27 NIV

[27] For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

** The Jewish concept of “peace” is “shalom” (from Hebrew origins) which is vastly different than our normative concept in today’s society

Peace is not just the absence of all conflict but also the presence of everything good; peace is not neutral — we are not to be satisfied with the absence of conflict but we are to actively bring the Gospel message and hope we have

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we CAN offer hope to others that God will remove their sin and they can also become righteous before Him

If we want to be peacemakers in today’s insane world:

a) keep Gospel convictions because bringing peace is not joining the latest cultural movement or to strive for unity between warring factions — we need to tell God’s truth in love to a hurting world

b) keep having Gospel conversations with those who are not like us in our non-Christian world; we can no longer assume the other person knows the basics of Christianity

c) if we follow the first two steps we can enjoy Gospel reconciliation, for peace can pass understanding with God’s help; we have no hope of living out the beatitudes without God to show us the way and enable us to do so  <J104>

Matthew 5:9 NIV

[9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Ephesians 4:15 NIV

[15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

** We believe, according to Scripture, that the Lord our God is a God of purpose, absolute and unalterable purpose. Before the world began, Almighty God sovereignly purposed all that ever comes to pass in time. Nothing in this world is left to chance. Everything is moving toward the predetermined end of God's eternal purpose with absolute, precise accuracy.

Even a casual reader of Holy Scripture has to face this fact: The God of the Bible is a God of purpose. The above passages plainly state that the Triune Jehovah is a God of purpose, and clearly teach several things about the purpose of God:

1. The purpose of God is eternal.

2. The purpose of God includes all things.

3. The purpose of God has for its peculiar design the everlasting benefit of God's elect. Everything that God has purposed is for the ultimate, spiritual, and eternal benefit of his covenant people.

4. The purpose of God is immutable and sure. The Lord himself says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" (Isaiah 46:10). And in its ultimate end, God's purpose will accomplish the eternal salvation of his chosen people and the glory of his own great name.  <F67>

Isaiah 14:24 NIV

[24] The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Acts 2:23 NIV

[23] This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

Acts 4:28 NIV

[28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

Psalm 33:11 NIV

[11] But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

[21] Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV

[9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life---not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Ephesians 1:11 NIV

[11] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 3:10-11 NIV

[10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 9:11 NIV

[11] Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad---in order that God's purpose in election might stand

** God offers to be part of our life and reward us when we ACT and invite Him to do so

Revelation 3:20-21 NIV

[20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. [21] To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

** Jesus Christ is our Counselor, our justice and our only hope – the One who created all and knows all!

Matthew 12:20-21 NIV

[20] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. [21] In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Colossians 1:16-17 NIV

[16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Isaiah 40:13-14 NIV

[13] Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? [14] Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

Revelation 4:11 NIV

[11] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Romans 15:4-6 NIV

[4] For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. [5] May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, [6] so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

** God notices our choices and behavior, which is often at the expense of investing in our relationship with Him and performing His deeds; God does not allow this behavior to continue

Isaiah 5:11-15 NIV

[11] Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. [12] They have harps and lyres at their banquets, pipes and timbrels and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands.

Isaiah 5:20-23 NIV

[20] Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. [21] Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. [22] Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, [23] who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.

Isaiah 5:13-15,25 NIV

[13] Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; those of high rank will die of hunger and the common people will be parched with thirst. [14] Therefore Death expands its jaws, opening wide its mouth; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers. [15] So people will be brought low and everyone humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled. [25] Therefore the Lord's anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

** In deducing from these words of moral and spiritual lessons, it seems that each individual in this life has some great purpose to fulfill. "David served God's purpose in his own generation." He has left his indelible footprints on the sands of time!

Everything in the wide universe has its special mission. Turn to whatever page we may in the vast volume of creation, we shall find in each, the record of some peculiar office and vocation. Mountains and seas, fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormy wind — all fulfill the word and decree and design of God.

And is it different with man?  Has he alone no momentous work to perform in the economy in which he is placed?  Is our whole earthly destiny to eat and drink, and sleep and die?

Are we to fritter away our brief hour on life's stage; to be ushered in with a few rejoicings at our birth, followed by a few tears at our departure? And when our sun has gone down, when the grass of the grave covers our resting places, shall we be as if we never were?  <M129>

Acts 13:36 NIV

[36] “Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.

** David understood he had a responsibility in his relationship to keep God’s commands and not just ask God for help when needed —  in other words, not just expect a one-way relationship

Psalm 119:145-146 NIV

[145] I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees. [146] I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.

** It is not enough for followers of Christ to read about God’s commands in Scripture (if they even do that) but meditate, memorize and apply them (obey) to their daily life; the communion table is a wonderful reminder to do this!

Psalm 119:147-148 NIV

[147] I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. [148] My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.

Psalm 119:10-11 NIV

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. [11] I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:167-168 NIV

[167] I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. [168] I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

** The world is, indeed, a very dangerous foe to the believer. To very, very many, it is the most destructive one. They are not so likely to be subdued by 'open vice' as by worldly-mindedness.

1 John 2:15 NIV

[15] Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

Worldliness is the sin of the age, and has deeply infected the church of Christ!

• Your business is the world,

• your family is the world,

• your comfortable home is the world,

• the wife of your bosom is the world,

• the children whom God has given you are the world.

"What! then," you exclaim, "are we not to love these?" Yes, in proper degrees — but not more than God. You are not to seek your highest happiness from them. You are not to be more solicitous to secure them, than Heaven. It is of a 'supreme love' which the apostle speaks.  <J101>

Matthew 10:37 NIV

[37] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

** God offers us a PERSONAL relationship with Him where He knows us, hears us, cares for us, saves us, and directs us in the best way possible — what better advocate could we desire for the duration of our lives even to the point of death?

Psalm 116:1-2 NIV

[1] I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. [2] Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:3-4 NIV

[3] The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. [4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me! ”

Psalm 116:5 NIV

[5] The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

** There are passages in the psalms confirming children as a blessing from the Lord, created for a purpose

Psalm 112:2 NIV

[2] Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalm 127:3-5 NIV

[3] Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. [4] Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. [5] Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

Psalm 8:2,5-8 NIV

[2] Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. [5] You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. [6] You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: [7] all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, [8] the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

** Jesus encourages us to pray that our faith would not fail and that we would help strengthen others along the way

Luke 22:31-32 NIV

[31] “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:40 NIV

[40] On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

** God changed His daily provision for the Israelites from manna to fruits of the land

• From now on, Israel would live by faith, not sight

• Daily visible evidence of God’s presence would be absent for the first time in the memory of many of the Isrealites – no manna or fiery pillar

• The people under Joshua learned to trust and obey God

• Seen or unseen, we can trust God to lead us to victory!  <R1795>

Joshua 5:11-12 NIV

[11] The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. [12] The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

** The Lord provides for His children for His glory; we are to pray for others and give glory to God for His faithfulness and being trustworthy in answering our prayers, remembering that God always knows BEST how to respond to our prayers

Psalm 111:4-8 NIV

[4] He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. [5] He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. [6] He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. [7] The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. [8] They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.

** There is an infinite difference between the materials that men employ to construct and compose their masterpieces, and the materials that God uses to create sinners anew in Christ Jesus. Men work with the best of materials to showcase their talents, but God works with the WORST to showcase His power, wisdom and skill.

The most gifted sculptors carve their creations out of the finest pieces of ivory, marble and jade. The best jewelers seek only the finest gold and silver to form their bracelets and rings — they utilize only the most desirable gems to adorn their jewelry; rubies of the highest grade, diamonds of most exquisite clarity, and emeralds of impeccable luster. Da Vinci painted on a clean canvas with fresh paint when he painted the Mona Lisa. Beethoven and Bach chose blank sheets of clean white paper upon which to compose their symphonies.

But God is not like men. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. God employs, not the best, not the finest, not the most appealing of materials when creating His masterpieces — but the worst! He uses what no one else wants. He uses the offscouring of humanity to display His handiwork and magnify His grace. God constructs His masterpiece, not from a perfectly shaped piece of ivory--but from a deformed, twisted, marred chunk of hard rough stone that has no attraction.

God has purposed to conform His redeemed people into the pristine image of His darling Son. While keeping His eye fixed upon His Son, using the chisel of His grace, God sculpts rebel sinners into the likeness of Christ!

God paints, not on a clean white canvas--but on a canvas that has been...

• stained with sin,

• spotted with corruption, and

•. bespattered with the filth of the fall.  <H81>

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

[10] For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Romans 8:29 NIV

[29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

** Even in a cursed universe, activity should not be meaningless; God made men for His eternal purpose and nothing in post-Fall time can bring them satisfaction  <M130>

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

[11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

** Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine and He desires that we love Him in this way as well:

Of all the relationships that we as believers share with our blessed Savior, perhaps none is more intimate and comforting than that of marriage. Jesus has betrothed us to Himself in holy matrimony and covenant grace. We are...

• His beloved bride,

• the apple of His eye,

• the darling of His heart;

and He is the gracious Husband of our immortal souls!  We are, by sovereign grace, forever one with Jesus our Husband.

Oh what a glorious privilege it is to be joined to Jesus in the blessed bond of marriage.

• He loves me.

• He cares for me.

• He defends and protects me.

• He provides for my every need.

• He comforts, supports, and cherishes me.

I have His heart — and He has mine!

"I am my Beloved's — and my Beloved is mine."

I belong to Him — and He belongs to me.  <H81>

Mark 12:30 NIV

[30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

** Christ is MOST precious. Angels are precious, saints are precious, friends are precious, Heaven is precious — but Christ is ten thousand times more precious than these!

A believer had rather have Christ without Heaven, than Heaven without Christ.  Let a believer search Heaven and earth, and yet he will find nothing comparable to Christ. To be like Him, is our happiness. To draw near to Him, is our holiness.  <D42>

Psalm 73:25 NIV

[25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

1 Peter 2:7a NIV

[7] Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.

Philippians 3:7-8 NIV

[7] But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

** Christians are to set all Christ's moral actions before them as a pattern for their imitation. In Christ's life, a Christian may behold the picture or lineaments of all virtues — and accordingly he ought to order his life in this world.

To walk as Christ walked is to walk...

• humbly,

• holily,

• justly,

• meekly,

• lovingly,

• fruitfully,

• faithfully,

• uprightly.

To walk as Christ walked is to...

• slight the world,

• despise the world,

• make a footstool of the world,

• to live above the world,

• and to triumph over the world as Christ did.

To walk as Christ walked is...

• to love those who hate us,

• to pray for those who persecute us,

• to bless those who curse us,

• and to do good to those who do evil to us.

To walk as Christ walked is to be patient, and silent, and submissive, and thankful under...

• the vilest reproaches,

• the heaviest afflictions,

• and the greatest sufferings.  <B24>

1 John 2:6 NIV

[6] Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 Peter 2:21 NIV

[21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

** Love and faithfulness are to be at the core of the Christian life which will then bring favor on God and man

Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

[3] Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

** Even as Job was suffering, he acknowledged God as Creator and Sustainer of his life

Job 10:12 NIV

[12] You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

** Job’s friends offer comfort to Job by meeting with him and suffering in silence

Job 2:11-13 NIV

[11] When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. [12] When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. [13] Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

** Job feels completely alone, without family or friends

Job 19:13-14,19 NIV

[13] “He has alienated my family from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. [14] My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me. [19] All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.

** Bildad, Job’s friend, recognizes the wisdom in seeking knowledge from former generations

Job 8:8-10 NIV

[8] “Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, [9] for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. [10] Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?

** Job lamented because it seemed he could not depend on friends who are commanded by God to help others in time of need; Job begs his friends to consider his plight

Job 6:14-15,21-23,27 NIV

[14] “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. [15] But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow [21] Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. [22] Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, [23] deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless'? [27] You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.

Job 6:28-29 NIV

[28] “But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face? [29] Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.

** Esther instructs Mordecai and all Jews in the land to fast and pray for three days before she approached the king, accepting the fact that God may or may not save her life

Esther 4:15-16 NIV

[15] Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: [16] “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

** Jesus is now exalted to His throne in the highest heavens; and from thence He takes a wide survey of the universe. He looks down upon our world--and beholds kings in their grandeur, victorious generals with all their power, nobles and great men in all their pomp. But these are not the objects that best please His eyes. "He shall see His seed!" He sees one here, and another there, bought with His blood, and born of His Spirit; and this is the most delightful sight our world can afford Him. Some of them may be oppressed with poverty, covered with rags, or ghastly with famine; they may make no great figure in mortal eyes; but He loves to look at them! He esteems them as His children, and the fruits of His dying pangs!  <D43>

Isaiah 53:10-11 NIV

[10] Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. [11] After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

** Paul is saying that Christians need to be “well dressed”, clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love; the world is watching us and desire to see us in this light; the fruit of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do these!

COMPASSION - it is so rare that people are often cynical when receiving it; we would be more compassionate if we knew what people were going through

KINDNESS - sometimes all we need to do is saying a kind word or leave a decent tip; as the kindness of God leads to salvation so our kindness is witness to Christ in our lives

HUMILITY - the opposite of being proud which is most like Satan; Jesus, of a humble heart, loved the children who were attracted to Him; we should emulate Christ so we are approachable

GENTLENESS - the opposite being hard and tough; it isn’t so much what you say as how you say it; delivery is 70% of the message

PATIENCE - equivalent to long-suffering; how attractive is genuine patience, not just obligatory patience to get your way

FORGIVENESS - do you hold on to bitterness and resentment, then that willful act of obstinance will destroy; think about how MANY times God had forgiven you!

LOVE - when you love others you are willing to do the rest; love binds all together and is a product of the Holy Spirit  <F60>

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

** God provides what we ask – as long as we remain in Him, His words remain in us, and our request is in accordance with His will

2 Chronicles 1:6-7 NIV

[6] Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. [7] That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

John 15:7 NIV

[7] If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 14:14 NIV

[14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

James 1:5-8 NIV

[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. [6] But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. [8] Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

1 John 5:14 NIV

[14] This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

** God’s love endures forever

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

[34] Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

** Soon we shall see Him as He is!  We shall be married to Him, reign with Him, and be entirely like Him!  <M142>

Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV

[17] And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Revelation 19:9 NIV

[9] Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

** The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies reminding us that God knows each individual personally throughout history — who we are and what we do is forever written in God’s mind!

It is also amazing to read how each person God selected (out of millions of choices) were ‘messed up’ in their own unique way.  For example: Moses stuttered and felt inadequate, Abraham took matters in his own hand and slept with his concubine, Jacob deceived Esau who was the natural heir in the family, David killed the husband of Bathsheba after sleeping with her, etc.  Yet God saw their overall obedient hearts and used them to accomplish His will!

1 Chronicles 7:3-5 NIV

[3] The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel and Ishiah. All five of them were chiefs. [4] According to their family genealogy, they had 36,000 men ready for battle, for they had many wives and children. [5] The relatives who were fighting men belonging to all the clans of Issachar, as listed in their genealogy, were 87,000 in all.

1 Chronicles 9:1 NIV

[1] All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

** Even along our pilgrim way, God walks with us and makes our hearts burn within us. These sweet foretastes of His love draw us on and whet our appetite for Heaven. A few more of these foretastes, and we shall get to the fountainhead and drink rivers of pleasure forevermore!  <R172>

** The king became close with his cupbearer who not only tested every beverage for poison but was his confidant; God sovereignty used this relationship between Jew and Gentile to deliver His people, as He did with Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai and Esther  <M130>

Nehemiah 1:11 NIV

[11] Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.

** When shall I ascend to the eternal throne of blessedness, where no comforts are lacking?

When shall I be covered with the glorious robe of immortality, and shine in the brightness of my Redeemer's innocence?

When shall I behold the lovely face of my Lord and dwell in the courts of His holy temple, where all tears shall be wiped away from my eyes, all sorrows removed from my heart, and all sins and spots are done away?

Where I shall exchange the dross of this world, for true and durable riches!

Where, instead of these earthly riches which moth and rust corrupt--I shall enjoy the heavenly riches of perfect peace and good conscience, never to be lost!

Instead of these false and flattering honors, I shall enjoy everlasting glory, and be admitted into the fellowship of my Redeemer to reign with Him in His glorious kingdom!

Instead of vain and momentary pleasures, I shall be filled with fullness of joy and be ravished with those delights which neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to conceive!

Instead of this dark and cloudy knowledge, I shall have my heart enlightened with the beams of the true light!

Instead of this feeble strength, I shall be endowed with the might of angels!

Instead of this transitory health, I shall enjoy a powerful and immortal vigor!

Instead of this fading beauty, I shall be adorned with the loveliness of Christ's spouse!

Instead of long life, I shall be crowned with life eternal! My heart and my strength fail me, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever!  <W2193>

Psalm 42:2 NIV

[2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

** We profess a difference between ourselves and the unsaved, as radical as that between light and darkness, and almost as wide as that between Heaven and Hell.  But in all the visible and practical concerns which interest the unrenewed heart--we nearly resemble them.

• Our words say that we believe riches to be vanity and emptiness.

• Our acts seem to say that we love and seek them as intensely as those do who make them their all and their god.

We say in words that "here we have no continuing city," but in act we are as eager to adorn our dwellings here as though they were our only home.  What is the result? The world believes our conduct, and not our words!  <D46>

Philippians 1:27 NIV

[27] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

2 Peter 3:11 NIV

[11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

** Solomon instructed his son to listen to his elders and beware of the greedy — those who want to take advantage of others — for they are ruthless and only end up destroying themselves

• Sadly, Solomon ended up not taking any of his own advice

• As we find out in the book of Ecclesiastes, he paid a heavy price for his folly and sin against God

• We learn that the ONLY thing that matters is to ‘fear God and keep His commandments’

Proverbs 1:8,10,15-16,18-19 NIV

[8] Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. [10] My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. [15] my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; [16] for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. [18] These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! [19] Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 19:20,27 NIV

[20] Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. [27] Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 20:12 NIV

[12] Ears that hear and eyes that see---the Lord has made them both.

Proverbs 20:20 NIV

[20] If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

Proverbs 20:29 NIV

[29] The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV

[17] Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, [18] for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. [19] So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.

Proverbs 22:28 NIV

[28] Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Proverbs 23:10-11 NIV

[10] Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, [11] for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

Proverbs 23:22 NIV

[22] Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:6-8 NIV

[6] Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; [7] for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. [8] You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Proverbs 30:17 NIV

[17] “The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV

[13] Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. [14] For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

** A wealthy woman looked after Elisha and his servant when they came to town, so Elisha told her she would be given a son to look after her in her old age

2 Kings 4:15-17 NIV

[15] Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. [16] “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don't mislead your servant!” [17] But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

** David's friend Jonathan helped him gain strength and peace in God

• This final meeting of the two friends reminds us how significant Jonathan was in the life of the younger David

• Jonathan had saved his life and now, when David seemed to have no future, Jonathan expressed his conviction that the Lord would make David king

• Jonathan was willing to take second place

• Even though Jonathan would have made a great and godly ruler, his role in life was to be a great and godly friend

• We too can be the kind of friend who helps others find strength in God  <R1795>

1 Samuel 23:15-17 NIV

[15] While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. [16] And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. [17] “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”

** Thank God for the community of believers that demonstrates an increasing love for one another and a faith that is maturing among its members; connect with brothers and sisters in Christ to find blessing and encouragement in your journey with Him  

2 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

[24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

** The community of God is to look out for one another

Deuteronomy 22:1 NIV

[1] If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner.

Deuteronomy 22:4 NIV

[4] If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

Deuteronomy 22:8 NIV

[8] When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof.

Deuteronomy 22:19 NIV

[19] They shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.

** Aware that God intended to strip the throne from his father’s house because of Saul’s sins, Jonathan pledged to support David, and David promised to do good to Jonathan and his family  <R1795>

• Though heir to Saul’s throne, Jonathan remained close to David and confronted his father for treating David unjustly

• For instance, when Jonathan learned that Saul had made up his mind to kill David, Jonathan warned his brother-in-law

• The love Jonathan had for David resulted in a loyalty and devotion indicative of covenantal love, and David's later reign from Jerusalem is marked by loyalty to the covenant with Jonathan  <M130>

• Jonathan’s unselfish love for David continues to serve Christians as a model for friendship

1 Samuel 18:1-4 NIV

[1] After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. [2] From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. [3] And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. [4] Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

2 Samuel 9:1 NIV

[1] David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

** Teach others using truths from past generations; it is our responsibility to pass on God’s praiseworthy deeds, power and wonders to future generations

• To quote Thucydides, "History will be of value in time to come"

• Human nature is the same throughout the generations, with the same ideas and agendas reappearing in different contexts

• In essence, we are people that are the same as the ancient Greeks and Romans with appetites that drive us  <H996>

• How crucial it is to teach future generations how God has worked with past generations!

Psalm 78:1-4 NIV

[1] My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. [2] I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old--- [3] things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. [4] We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:5-6 NIV

[5] He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, [6] so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

** We are to teach God’s truths to the next generation so they will learn from their predecessors and not be rebellious

Psalm 78:5-8 NIV

[5] He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, [6] so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. [7] Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. [8] They would not be like their ancestors---a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

** David understands that righteousness and justice are the foundations of God’s throne, thus enabling His followers to exhibit true love and faithfulness as they turn to Him and celebrate His righteousness

Psalm 89:14-15 NIV

[14] Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. [15] Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Psalm 89:16-18 NIV

[16] They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. [17] For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. [18] Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

** Christians experiencing God’s grace and blessings, reflect His goodness and testify to His salvation among the nations

Psalm 67:1-2 NIV

[1] May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us--- [2] so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

** God commanded the purging of evil from the Israelite community; there should remain a degree of accountability in the Christian community today based on testimony from two or three witnesses

Deuteronomy 17:2-5 NIV

[2] If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant, [3] and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky, [4] and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, [5] take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.

Deuteronomy 17:6-7 NIV

[6] On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. [7] The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 19:15 NIV

[15] One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

** Observing others who live in sin should help us from doing similar practices; we cannot live in sin and expect God's blessing!

Deuteronomy 29:16-18 NIV

[16] You yourselves know how we lived in Egypt and how we passed through the countries on the way here. [17] You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold. [18] Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

Deuteronomy 29:19 NIV

[19] When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.

** The Lord chose His people, made a nation of them and love them to this day

Deuteronomy 10:14-15 NIV

[14] To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. [15] Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations---as it is today.

Deuteronomy 14:2 NIV

[2] for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

** Even though David was living during the sacrificial days, he understood his heart and attitude needed to be right with God

Psalm 51:16-17 NIV

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. [17] My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

** God's Old Testament law went beyond property rights to address social issues, such as how to treat foreigners and those in poverty; God has a special compassion for widows and the fatherless

Exodus 22:21-24 NIV

[21] “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. [22] “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. [23] If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. [24] My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.

Psalm 146:9 NIV

[9] The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

** The Lord is into detail and specifies instruction for transference of inheritance in varying family circumstances

Numbers 27:8-11 NIV

[8] “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. [9] If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. [10] If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. [11] If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to have the force of law for the Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.’ ”

** Vows were to be fulfilled as promised and be part of what was offered to the Lord

Numbers 30:2 NIV

[2] When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

Numbers 29:39 NIV

[39] “ ‘In addition to what you vow and your freewill offerings, offer these to the Lord at your appointed festivals: your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings. ’ ”

** Similar to organization of the entire assembly, so the Lord organized the Levites according to clan

Numbers 3:23-26 NIV

[23] The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. [24] The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. [25] At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the tent of meeting, [26] the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes---and everything related to their use.

** God wanted the Israelites to live and be identified by their community surrounding the Tent of Meeting

Numbers 2:2 NIV

[2] “The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.”

** Special consideration and protection for parents and compensation for injured

Exodus 21:15,17 NIV

[15] “Anyone who attacks their father or mother is to be put to death. [17] “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.

Exodus 21:18-19 NIV

[18] “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, [19] the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.

Exodus 21:35-36 NIV [example]

[35] “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. [36] However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up, the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

** The Lord defends the cause of the fatherless, widow and foreigner; followers of Christ are to continue to follow His example

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 NIV

[18] He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. [19] And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.

** God cares for the disadvantaged who may not be able to pay when dedicating a person, animal or possession to the Lord

Leviticus 27:8 NIV

[8] If anyone making the vow is too poor to pay the specified amount, the person being dedicated is to be presented to the priest, who will set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford.

** God met Moses on Mount Sinai to communicate exactly what he was to tell the Israelites; He did so in such a way so the people would put their trust in Moses

Exodus 19:2-3 NIV

[2] After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. [3] Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:

Exodus 19:9 NIV

[9] The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

Exodus 20:18-19 NIV

[18] When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance [19] and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

** God uses the image of carrying us on eagles' wings, which is appropriate since eagles were known to carry their young on their wings when teaching them to fly

Exodus 19:3-4 NIV

[3] Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: [4] ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

Psalm 91:4 NIV

[4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

** Here is one of the sweetest privileges of the Christian life. The Christian is God's beloved child, and shares all the love and tenderness of the Father's heart!

This one thought is a fountain of unfailing happiness!

"I am at home with God!

• Once I was far off--but now I am near.

• Once I was a stranger--but now His beloved child!

• Once the thought of His presence was fear and dread--but now it is life, and joy, and peace.

• He is my Father, and in this Name all heart-joys meet.

• He knows me by name, and cares for me in all my cares.

• He pities me, and in tender compassion marks each tear I shed, and each sorrow that weighs upon my heart.

• He opens His hand, and each day gives me all that I need.

• He bows down His ear and hearkens to each prayer I offer.

• I have boldness and liberty to go at all times into His presence-chamber, and may tell Him every desire and ask of Him whatever is for my good."  <E53>

1 John 3:1a NIV

[1] See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Ephesians 1:5 NIV

[5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will---

Galatians 3:26-27 NIV

[26] So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

** The fact that God created man in His image indicates a special relationship with God who is different from the animals God also created; man is capable of reason, intellect, exhibiting a will and displaying emotion  <M130>

Genesis 1:26 NIV

[26] Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

** Just as children often take on the likeness of their parents, God created man and woman in His image and called them 'Mankind'

Genesis 5:3 NIV

[3] When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.

Genesis 5:1-2 NIV

[1] This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. [2] He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.

** God observed that it was not good for man to be alone and created a help mate

Genesis 2:18,21-22 NIV

[18] The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” [21] So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. [22] Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

** God's plan from the start of creation was that humans would multiply and inhabit the earth

Genesis 9:1 NIV

[1] Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.

Genesis 9:7 NIV

[7] As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

** Scripture makes special mention of the lineage of both Ishmael and Isaac

Genesis 25:17 NIV

[17] Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people.

Genesis 25:20-21 NIV

[20] and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. [21] Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

** God remembers and interacts with His creation, conscious of our thoughts, desires and needs

Genesis 8:1 NIV

[1] But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

** Abram often called on the Lord

Genesis 13:4b NIV

[4] There Abram called on the name of the Lord.

** God often provides for His children via the love and care from other Christians, which is a result of their love for Christ

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 NIV

[5] For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn---conflicts on the outside, fears within. [6] But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, [7] and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

2 Corinthians 8:23-24 NIV

[23] As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. [24] Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

** There is to be a marked difference between the mature Christian and world

• Christians, for instance, are not to be consumed by jealousy and quarreling

• “Milk” used in the New Testament refers to what is basic and needed for spiritual growth, such as elementary truths of God’s word

• Being ready for “solid food” refers to those more mature in the faith able to distinguish between good and evil

• In other words, Christian maturity happens when a believer purposely reads and obeys and applies God’s word to their life; growth is up to the individual

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NIV

[1] Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly---mere infants in Christ. [2] I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. [3] You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV

[12] In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

** Results of God working through our ministry should be reflected in the hearts of those around us

• In the earlier age, ministry involved teaching the commandments and lifestyle God ordained for the Jews

• In the present age, ministry involves sharing the Good News of Jesus and opening hearts to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit

• Paul tells us there is one unmistakable mark of New Covenant ministry: people are transformed

• What was once written in stone is now written on the heart  <R1795>

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NIV

[1] Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? [2] You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. [3] You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:5 NIV

[5] Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

** The apostles ‘gave all’ to those they visited and implored they open their hearts in return

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NIV

[11] We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. [12] We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. [13] As a fair exchange---I speak as to my children---open wide your hearts also.

2 Corinthians 7:2 NIV

[2] Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

** The kingdom of God is about righteousness, not following a legalistic program; therefore do whatever you can to build a righteous kingdom that promotes peace and mutual edification

Romans 14:17-19 NIV

[17] For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, [18] because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. [19] Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

** God is present when two or more are gathered in His name; it can be argued small gatherings of believers make up the church when meeting for fellowship, worship and with the express purpose of maturing through God’s word

Matthew 18:20 NIV

[20] For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

** God has a special place (or favor) for the Israelites because of their forefathers

Romans 11:28 NIV

[28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs

** The Church is the only earthly expression of heaven when God's will is done on earth in the church – when it deals with sin and is the source of truth  <M130>

• The church is the support and pillar of the truth, where we go to hear God speak!

• Rejoice in the gift of the church and may it be enough for us to ‘wear the uniform’ as members of the church

• Some day, in heaven, followers of Christ will experience worship, exaltation of Christ, presence of absolute purity (holy) and perfect harmonious fellowship

• In the meantime, the biggest problem in the church is the lack of discernment, or knowing right from wrong

• The only way we can gain discernment is through the learning and knowing of God's Word

• Review Psalm 19 that outlines different facets of His Word, including the power to transform lives, making wise the simple, etc

Matthew 18:18 NIV

[18] “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV

[14] Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, [15] if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Psalm 19:7-11 NIV

[7] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. [8] The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. [9] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. [10] They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. [11] By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

** Christ provides for us so we can comfort our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ

• This is one of the most powerful principles in ministry

• Paul was saying that people can identify with those who share the same pain

• If you’ve ever anguished over the pain in your life and wondered ‘why?’, this is one possible answer

• God is equipping you to minister to others who suffer in a similar way

• Without experiencing their pain, there is nothing you can say that would be heard

• It is only because you hurt that you can help others heal!  <R1795>

• How is God using your pain to help others?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

** We grieve others in Christ when we engage in sin

2 Corinthians 2:5-6 NIV

[5] If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent---not to put it too severely. [6] The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.

** Believers rely on the prayers of others for the ultimate glory of God

2 Corinthians 1:10-11 NIV

[10] He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, [11] as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

** God speaks through His servants, often on deaf ears

1 Corinthians 14:21 NIV

[21] In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

** There is to be unity in the congregation so that all members rejoice and are sorrowful as experienced by other members

1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV

[26] If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Romans 12:10 NIV

[10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:15 NIV

[15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

** The church is the greatest mission field, filled with comfortable non-believing misguided believers. Therefore, the church's mission should be to make the dead people in the church alive!  If church members are dead then the church is dead, regardless of the name on the front door; in contrast, vibrant churches will be under attack.  The church must be the conscience of the world and not to court the world; the church must show and warn the world of its destructive destination by proclaiming the sin of man.

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

** Sometimes God places people in our path desiring that we interact with them

Acts 16:13 NIV

[13] On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

Acts 16:16 NIV

[16] Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.

** Christians share a worldwide bond with other brothers and sisters who believe in the name of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV

[2] To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ---their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:6 NIV

[6] God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.

** Accept one another, as Christ accepts us, to bring ultimate praise to God

Romans 15:7 NIV

[7] Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

** Paul was not stating universal law from God but rather identified a local custom where men who would wear head coverings indicating role reversal with women

• Typically, it was women who were instructed to wear head coverings and not men

• As best as we can reconstruct the situation, some of the Christian women in Corinth were so excited at the freedom they had in Christ to participate in worship that they overreacted and felt they were like men – beginning to loo and act like men

• But Paul reinforced that God made a distinction between man and women that needed to be preserved  <R1795>

• In Paul’s day, head coverings revealed whether women respected the role of male leadership

• Today, we can determine the level of respect by observing women and their response to male leadership  <H86>

• Paul was not laying down an absolute law for women to wear veils or head coverings in all churches for all time, but declared the divinely established male and female roles to be genuinely honored in every culture  <M130>

1 Corinthians 11:4-5,7 NIV

[4] Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. [5] But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head---it is the same as having her head shaved. [7] A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 11:14-15 NIV

[14] Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, [15] but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

** Respectfully acknowledge the interdependence between men and women, and God as our head above all

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 NIV

[11] Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. [12] For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

** Differences will exist among us and God will show who has His approval

1 Corinthians 11:19 NIV

[19] No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval.

** The Lord commands us and provides us with everything needed (such as peace, strength, wisdom) to not only live a God-designed life but respond in a godly manner toward those who are difficult and oppose His message

• Opposition varies in degree and method

• It can come in the way of words, actions, passive aggressive behavior, etc

Psalm 43:3 NIV

[3] Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Galatians 6:1-2 NIV

[1] Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 NIV

[24] And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

** God's New Testament commands can be summarized in this command from God to love one another, possible only through the power of Christ; this sets the Gospel apart from the Law (that has no place for tenderness, feeling or pity), for a gospel that advocates loving others distinguishes it from all works-based religions

John 15:12-13 NIV

[12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:17 NIV

[17] This is my command: Love each other.

** Mary, Martha and Lazarus were among Jesus' closest friends; Jesus held human relationships in high regard while He walked the earth and now His friends urgently needed Him; every difficult situation is an opportunity to trust God, waiting for His good purpose in His perfect timing

John 11:3-5 NIV

[3] So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” [4] When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

** We are to operate contrary to this world of “taking care of number one”, by loving one another, sharing with them and honoring them above ourselves

Romans 12:10 NIV

[10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:13 NIV

[13] Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

** Jesus repeated instructions to the 72 He sent out, as He did with the 12 disciples

• Members of this larger group were to depend on God and resources provided by others

• This event reminds us how IMPORTANT it is to be hospitable and sensitive to God's call and to provide for others!

Luke 10:4,7-8 NIV

[4] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. [7] Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. [8] “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.

Luke 10:10-12 NIV

[10] But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ [12] I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Luke 10:33-35 NIV

[33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Luke 10:38 NIV

[38] As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

** Everyone in Jesus' circle of friends were anxious in this situation but every believer was about to be blessed and others came to believe in God as a result of this miracle; in the meantime, Martha proclaimed her undoubting faith in Jesus despite His untimely response and her resultant mourning

John 11:17,20-23 NIV

[17] On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. [20] When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. [21] “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” [23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

John 11:24-27 NIV

[24] Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” [25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; [26] and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [27] “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:45 NIV

[45] Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

** God put the desire for relationship with Him and eternity in our hearts; too bad the majority of people look at relationship with another human as the only one needed in life

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

[11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

John 1:12-13 NIV

[12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

** God is the Father and Jesus is His Son; the relationship roles entail that the Father guides, sends and looks after the Son

John 15:1 NIV

[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

** God is omnipotent and the Son of God is under God the Father; there is an order in the Divine as there is with our human existence

 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 NIV

[27] For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [28] When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

John 5:25-30 NIV

[25] [Jesus said] Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. [26] For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. [27] And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. [28] “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice [29] and come out---those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. [30] By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

** God calls us friends, wanting to share with us what He has learned from His Father and helping us as would a true friend, when we invest in our relationship with Him through obedience to His commands

John 15:14-15 NIV

[14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

"What a friend we have in Jesus

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!"

** Since Israel was considered a pastoral society for many centuries, God uses the image of sheep and Shepherd to illustrate His relationship with His people; this analogy works both ways -- God's children know His voice (enabling them to follow Him) while Jesus knows each sheep by name (confirming individualized relationship)

John 10:3-5 NIV

[3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. [5] But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

** God actively seeks to bring everyone into a relationship with Him

Luke 19:10 NIV

[10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

** God cares about every detail of your life

Luke 12:6-7 NIV

[6] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. [7] Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

** God has His watchful eye on His children even before their birth, providing wisdom and expecting faithfulness; proof that life starts in the womb

Psalm 51:5-6 NIV

[5] Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. [6] Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

** We are to think about what we expect of and how we deal with others, because those are the same expectations and dealings we can anticipate for ourselves; give to man what you hope to receive from God

Luke 6:37-38 NIV

[37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

** David humbly recognizes that God gave him life and has been with him from the beginning

Psalm 22:9-10 NIV

[9] Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. [10] From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

** God promises to remain a constant in our lives: past, present and future

PAST = "made known to me"

PRESENT = "heart is glad and tongues rejoices", "fill me with joy in your presence" and

FUTURE = "not abandon me", "eternal pleasures"

Psalm 16:9-11 NIV

[9] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, [10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. [11] You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

** Christians become partners with Jesus Christ and other believers through FELLOWSHIP; it is our spiritual duty to stimulate each other to righteousness and obedience in Christ

Acts 2:42 NIV

[42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Romans 12:10 NIV

[10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Galatians 5:13 NIV

[13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV

[9] Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

** John showed gratitude by embracing a relationship with God and humbly accepting his purpose to lead others to Christ; John could draw a crowd but realized his purpose was not to promote his own image/popularity/success but to get others to focus on Christ  

John 1:8 NIV

[8] He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light

** Like John the Baptist, we also have a God-designed and unique purpose meant for us; our greatest fulfillment comes from embracing and living out God's plan

John 20:21 NIV

[21] Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

** The early church community

Acts 2:44-47 NIV

[44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

** Those who follow God’s counsel will not fail; He is not one to 'wind up the world and let it go' but desires His followers seek His counsel in every aspect of life

Psalm 16:7-8 NIV

[7] I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. [8] I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

[10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

** God blesses us through our relationships in the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 3:8-9 NIV

For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. [9] How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

** We are to follow God’s example of giving for the benefit of others

2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

** Paul repeats that the aim of our giving is to be equality among believers

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 NIV

[13] Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. [14] At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, [15] as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

** Jesus sent the twelve, two by two, to spread the Gospel after having given them authority over impure spirits

• Jesus’ power is so great that it can be expressed through others

• We can minister to others, not because of some spiritual gift, but because Christ has chosen to work in and through those who believe in Him

• The power to serve involves being His feet, hands, and mouth when we surrender to Him  <R1795>

Mark 6:7 NIV

[7] Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

Mark 6:12-13 NIV

[12] They went out and preached that people should repent. [13] They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

** Our service must be motivated by our desire to honor the Lord and do what is right in the eyes of others

2 Corinthians 8:17-19 NIV

[17] For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. [18] And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. [19] What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.

2 Corinthians 8:20-21 NIV

[20] We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. [21] For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

** We advance the cause when we stand together in Christ; the opposition is well aware they will be destroyed against such a force

Philippians 1:27-28 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved---and that by God.

Philippians 2:2 NIV

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

** Recognize another’s situation and emotions when they are suffering; do not simply launch into a theological statement that may address the issue

• Eliphaz was unable to respond to the powerful emotions Job had shared but, rather, brought up a point of theology  <R1795>

• No doubt, Job would have loved to know someone cared about he was going through

• Empathizing with others is part of the ministry Christians can offer, including confronting evil and offering God-inspired direction

Job 4:4-6 NIV

[4] Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. [5] But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. [6] Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

** Look out for and care for others as did the friends of the paralytic

Luke 5:18-19 NIV

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. [19] When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

- this is a great example of how we should care for others, carrying the stretcher upstairs and making a  hole in the roof

- do I have faith and passion as did the friends?

** Jesus did not prioritize who was more important in society like demeaning women and children; everyone could be blessed by God

Mark 10:13-16 NIV

[13] People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. [14] When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [15] Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” [16] And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

** Notes on male/female relationship and striving to be first and caving into competition

- the worldly view of equal dominant smarter women has infiltrated the Christian arena

- thinking about the role of women as observed by sitcoms

- men have abdicated their role as mature leaders so women have stepped into the gap

- trouble is that women often continue to play this dominant role not allowing men to be responsible when ready

- hence women can become a competition rather than help/support mate for men who are responsible and are called to lead

- sensitive men can cave in to these conditions in order to keep the peace and not offend the woman

** God makes it clear that divorcing a spouse and marrying another is committing adultery

Mark 10:11-12 NIV

[11] He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. [12] And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

** God Himself works with us to help accomplish every good deed

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, [17] encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

** Pray that you and others will experience increased discernment; be filled with joy for those who share in the Gospel and the example you can be for one another

Philippians 1:3-6 NIV

I thank my God every time I remember you. [4] In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, [6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:9-11 NIV

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ---to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 2:2 NIV

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

** After spending time in the crowd performing miracles, Jesus goes to a solitary place to spend time with His Father and pray

Mark 6:46 NIV

[46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

** May we be filled with the fullness of God, including His light, wisdom, holiness, power, glory and immeasurable love for us; may we comprehend God's love (as much as our human minds are capable) its breadth (of all mankind), length (from everlasting to everlasting), depth (not to be fathomed by any creature) and height (not to be reached by any enemy)

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

** God actively pursues a relationship as seen from Genesis to Revelation

Genesis 1:27 NIV

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

** An intimate relationship with God involves our being honest with our thoughts and feelings

Psalm 38:9 NIV

[9] All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

** As a father lavishes love on his children, so Christ lavishes love on those He considers His children

1 John 3:1 NIV

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

** Christ is with us everyday, always

Matthew 28:20 NIV

[20] And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

** God created community so we would have opportunity to encourage another and spur each other toward love and good deeds

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

** Always be mindful of God's gift of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we can mutually encourage

Philemon 1:4-5 NIV

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, [5] because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

Philemon 1:6-7 NIV

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. [7] Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Philemon 1:20-21 NIV

I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. [21] Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

** Simon and Andrew were the first two disciples to be called by Jesus, while James and John were next; each immediately left their profession and family

Mark 1:16-18 NIV

[16] As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [17] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” [18] At once they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:19-20 NIV

[19] When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. [20] Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

** We are called to look past those who oppose our efforts in Christ and carry each others' burdens

• Remember people like Rees Howells who carried others burdens through changing habits (action) and intercessory prayer

• Even though some did not appreciate his efforts -- in fact, opposed him -- he continued because God called him to the task

Galatians 6:2 NIV

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

** Sometimes God uses us as a testimony to others

• Paul's illness was a trial to others

• No one can say for sure what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was

• It must have been a source of real pain in the apostle’s life and had affected those around him

Galatians 4:14 NIV

and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

** Allow others to hear your testimony, for perhaps they will identify with your experiences before conversion?  As Paul said when testifying before King Agrippa:

Acts 26:9 NIV

“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

** Jesus told His disciples that we are, in essence, His hands and feet; as followers of Christ if we help another then others will look at us and see Christ

Matthew 10:40-42 NIV

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. [41] Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. [42] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

** Jesus spent time in prayer with the Father; if Jesus spent so much time in prayer to determine God's will, how much more should we be in prayer

Matthew 14:23 NIV

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

** Jesus confirms that loving God with all your heart (will and affections), your soul (united powers of your being) and your mind (capacity of understanding) is the greatest commandment of all; greater than all possible burnt offerings and sacrifices

Mark 12:28-30 NIV

[28] One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” [29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 12:31 NIV

[31] The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

** Encourage one another to live a godly life as long as we live in this temporary world; God designed community for this purpose

2 Peter 1:12-14 NIV

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. [13] I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, [14] because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

** We have a responsibility to work with others, to warn, encourage, and help those we can help

• For the trouble-makers, warn them a few times, then have nothing to do with them because they have proven themselves self-condemned (warped and sinful)

1. Go to them alone

2. Go to them with a couple witnesses

3. Take it to the church leadership

4. If they still do not listen, treat them as a pagan so they will be ashamed, come to their senses and repent

Proverbs 6:12-19 NIV

[12] A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, [13] who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, [14] who plots evil with deceit in his heart---he always stirs up conflict. [15] Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed---without remedy. [16] There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, [18] a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, [19] a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.