some notes from the sermon

Are you in a storm?

(short story I heard that related to the msg as paraphrased by me) I really love to drink coffee. Sometimes when I’m in a hurry though, I will pour the coffee and sugar and head out (not always making sure the lid is on tight). When I hit the first bump, I am reminded quite quickly of the importance to have the lid on tight. Coffee spills everywhere and I am left with a mess. There is no question as to how full my cup was.

Here in Luke 8, we are examining the disciples in a storm and we find that their attitudes during a storm directly reflect how much faith is in their cup. So it is with us also that when a storm, trial, or tribulation hit us, our reactions to that storm will display the level of faith in our cup. Are we filled to the brim? If so, will not faith overflow and be seen for all by our actions? Also a key to think about here is what we look to during our storms. Do we look to Jesus, knowing that He has power over the storm? Or do we forget the Master we serve and become filled with fear, doubt, and hopelessness?

Luke 8:22-25 NKJV

Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Luke 8:26-27 NKJV

Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The contrast of what Satan’s aim is vs. why Jesus came. This demon possessed man can still be seen today in the culture of society. We see him nude and self mutilated from his state of possession by demons. We look in the world and see nudity/porn/self mutilation among teens and persons of all ages. Satan was using this guy as a messenger of darkness whilest Jesus is the message of light. Notice how much brighter a light seems when shone into a dark place? This isn’t anything new. The battle has been waging since the beginning. Are you in the darkness and of the darkness of this world or are you the taking the light of Jesus to shine into the darkest places the love of God?

Luke 8:28 NKJV

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”

So this is a conversation between demons and God. Notice that the demons (as with those indulged in the darkness of this world today) want nothing to do with Jesus; nothing to do with salvation. Instead the demons show their selfish nature in that their first concern is their own well being. They don’t want the torture that they know they not only deserve but that Jesus is capable of delivering.

Luke 8:29 NKJV

For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

So this shows societies thought of how to deal with a demon. They shackle the one affected, and under guard keep him hidden. This is a blatant show of ignorance. Why didn’t the people know what to do with this man? Because only Jesus can heal a person from spiritual warfare and bring out demons. When we attempt something such as this, we must use the power of the name of Jesus Christ for we cannot alone attempt of our own authority to call out that which is under our master’s authority without the word of the Master.

Luke 8:30-31 NKJV

Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”

And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

Legion is 6000. So here we have 6000 demons possessing one man.

Abyss is “bottomless pit”. No wonder the demons weren’t for that idea.

Luke 8:32 NKJV

Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them.

Why did Jesus allow that? Have you ever wondered? Think about it for a second. Your goal is to bring a message to a people whose hearts need to be prepared for the message. You aren’t valued by the people yet. You must get their attention. And the message that you have prepared for them is one that will require the loss of every earthly thing you would place as a priority before God. What do you do to both get their attention and begin sharing this message? Well, during this time, the pigs would have been a source of income for the locals. Jesus knows their attention will be quickly gained and their priority quickly laid plain for all to see if He loudly messes with the income of the community. There is something far greater and more important than their current lifestyles. There is an urgent reliance on the Lord that is required of all who would realize their sin and the price to bridge them to the Father.

Luke 8:33 NKJV

Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

The Bible is clear about Satan and demons and that we are not to be ignorant to their powr and how real they are but also not to give them too much credit. The book of revelation says it was just one angel that stopped satan in the end. Michael said, “the Lord rebuke u”. And when we bring God into it, we have victory. Just as Jesus was victorious here and is always victorious over demons and Satan.

Luke 8:34-37 NKJV

When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

Youd think theyd be rejoicing when they encountered the power of God working in someone’s life. We see this so often today also in our walks with God. When we take a step forward and make positive change or a sacrifice for the sake of our walk with the Lord, often we find that others (associates, colleagues, friends, and even family sometimes) want nothing to do with us as a result of it.

We also must see that the unbelievers here made the request for Jesus to leave just as so often today they by their actions deny Jesus. Notice that Jesus grants this request to the unbelievers. God can make the world believe in Him and follow after him. But that’s not the goal. The world has free will. They have a choice to make. You have a choice to make. If you request the Lord depart from you, He will. Careful what you request in life. You may get it. But also notice that He doesn’t leave without leaving a missionary. In other words, he didn’t just give up on the people because they didn’t want the Lord yet, He instead left a witness to testify that the Lord may continue working in the hearts of those not yet ready to receive salvation. He does this still today. Look around your life and you will either find a man or woman of God that was strategically placed (often unbeknownst to them) to be a witness to you, or you will find that you have shut out all the witnesses in your life with one excuse or another (often influenced by the demons that redirect your thinking).

Luke 8:38-39 NKJV

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Oddly you may say this man had no training, no college, no degree, no pastoral experience, etc. and so then how was he left to be the missionary for the Lord? So unqualified are the many examples chosen in the Word of God. Think about almost every author in the Bible. Can you say that any of them before their engagement for the Lord were qualified for the duty He completed through them? These are exactly the type of people we all as Christians are when we come to Jesus. We are unqualified. One of my favorite sayings is, “God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” We don’t get hung up on what we can’t do when we come to salvation. We instead can immediately begin sharing with others what God has done in our lives. This testimony is a powerful witness and lives can be changed when we share what God does in us. I once was __________, but now, by the power of God’s saving grace I’m ________. Go tell the world.

Luke 8:40-43 NKJV

So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,

Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue and thus was risking everything to come to Jesus Christ. He was desperate for help and this type of desperation is often the type of desperation that brings us to Christ. He had a daughter in need and nothing would stop him from seeking help. Those with children I’m sure understand this desperation. Do u realize how desperately u need Jesus in your life?

We also see a contrast here of these two females. The 12 year old girl in need has likely had a life of great advantage and wealth having every desire met, and the woman who for twelve years bled likely had the opposite. Consider her condition. Bleeding for a Jewish woman meant uncleanliness. This meant that for 12 years of her life, she was outcast by those around her. She could not even be touched for she was considered unclean. Un holy. Her life had for 12 years been devastating. Here, she in desperation seeks the one that she knows can heal her, just as Jairus in desperation seeks the one that he knows can save his daughter.

Luke 8:44 NKJV

came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

Picture this in the crowd that pushed every which way. A man whose daughter is dying fights through the crowd to reach the one that can save her. A woman presses onward until she is able to reach only the border of His garment knowing that this alone was enough to heal her. What faith is shown here! How amazing to have an all powerful merciful God that can heal us when we call.

Luke 8:45 NKJV

And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

Jesus isnt worried about the multitude pushing this was and that (throng). He is concerned with the singular person of faith. He already knows this person’s story needs to be told so that Jairus can hear her testimony and receive hope. Can you picture the crowd here? Jairus is going to need this stoy to have his faith boosted as his daughter is fixing to die. We never know when God has this set up that someone needs to hear what we have been saved from; what the Lord has brought us through and thus we need to continuously share. We must live in constant testimony of what the Lord has done for us. I know some that say it’s not their responsibility, but they are wrong. It is all Christians’ responsibility to share their faith. God only knows whose ears are needing to hear.

Luke 8:46-49 NKJV

But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”

Try to picture the situation. Put your self mentally there. All the pushing and shouting and shuving to get close to Jesus (picture it like when you are in line in a crowd of people that seem to think that pushing you harder into the person in front of you is going to move the live forward). Now picture your desperation to get to the front of the crowd because this is the only way to save your daughter. You are anxious, impatient, perhaps angry, but desperately trying to get through the crowd. Just then, your cell phone rings and you get the message that your daughter is dead… you were too late. Don’t even bother anymore. Just come back. How down hearted Jairus must have been until he heard through the crowd how Jesus had just healed a woman simply from her touching His cloak. What faith is needed as Jesus tells Jairus to just have faith? Has this man been prepared for this moment in just a few moments in the crowd?

Luke 8:50-54 NKJV

But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.”

Sometimes we need to just put all the mockers and all of those that ridicule us and all the scoffers outside of our relationship with Jesus and spend some intimate time with our Lord. Here we see a great picture of Jesus' power and also of his gentleness as he held her hand. What a gentle powerful God we serve. Who has power over storms, demons, and death? My God! Who holds my hand or gently embraces me when I am in need? My God! We must reorganize our desperate need for Him today and every day. Remember when you first came to Christ? Remember when you first realized you were a sinner before a holy God and that you needed salvation? Remember that moment? Remember that you called upon the name of the Lord and you were saved upon surrendering your life to Him?

If u haven’t done this yet; if you don’t yet know Jesus; if you are in storms and wanting to become stronger, then cry out and fall to your knees desperately before the risen Lord Jesus Christ and confess today. If this is you, know that God has power over the demons that are gnawing at you. He has power over the impurities in your life. He has power over the storms that toss you about. He can pick you up and set you on the solid foundation that doesn’t move. He can clense you, stop the storm and build you up. If you want help, send me a private message and I will pray with you, speak with you, try to answer your questions today. Be blessed.

some notes taken from a recent sermon

Luke 8 - today’s notes are on “hearing”
So a man goes to the doctor and tells him that his wife is starting to have issues with her hearing and he wants to know what they can do. The doctor says he’d be happy to help the man’s wife but he wants the man to go home and run a test for him. He says, “go home and stand very far away from your wife and in a normal voice ask her a question and then take a few steps forward and ask her again. Continue doing this until she responds and then let me know how close you were when she responded.” The man agrees and decides to perform the test while his wife is cooking. Standing 20 feet behind her the man ask, “what’s for supper hun?”. Hearing no response the man moves several feet closer and repeats, “what’s for supper hun?”. He does this a few more times until he’s just behind her and repeats one more time, “what’s for supper hun?”. At this the wife turns around a bit angry and says, “FOR THE 5TH TIME, BEANS AND STEAK!”
The whole time the husband thought the wife had issues hearing when really he was the one becoming hard of hearing.
The Importance of “Hearing”
Luke 8:1 NKJV
Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,

This is indeed great news. Don’t miss out on the glad tidings of the kingdom today or any day of your life as we get overwhelmed by the activities in this world. Forget not that you are in the world... not of it. Receive glad tidings and share it with others.

Luke 8:2 NKJV
and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

Notice the emphasis on this healing being in the past. How many people wrote her off? Jesus didnt. He healed her and she imediately considered the old her to be past. Never write someone off... Jesus can heal.

Luke 8:4 NKJV
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable:

This is a great multitude is a huge amount of people, but it doesn’t mean that they were all paying attention or getting it. Just like in our lives there are so few whose hearts are ready for the seed of truth that God gives which is the Gospel salvation. Jesus gives a fairly difficult parable here (which means " to come along side") knowing that only a few will get it. He is passionate in this message that those that who will pay attention should receive and share..

Luke 8:5-8 NKJV
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

We need to apply this to our lives. We need to not only be present at sermons and also read our bibles, but we need to pay attention to what we are hearing and reading and act on it. This determines the state of our heart. Does the message from the word take root and grow in your life? How is the soil of your heart?

Luke 8:9-10 NKJV
Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that
‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’

Here Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9 which says, “ 9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
Jesus also names two types of people.. Those that are seeking after the Word and apply it to their lives are searching for the spiritual lesson in the story so they can apply it to their life. The other people are pretty much just here for the free lunch or for the look of being spiritual or religious.

Luke 8:11-12 NKJV
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

So here we see that the birds were the representation of satan and he comes and takes away the seed so that u don’t receive it. He has and is doing this in so many people’s lives right now. He is stopping them from attending church bringing up in their mind excuse after excuse to not attend church and he is also doing the same thing for when they should receive the word outside of church; distracting their thoughts so they don’t receive.

Luke 8:13 NKJV
But the ones on the rock are those who (when they hear) receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. “
We can now look at this and see that belief has a by-product. If you have faith in Jesus Christ as you Lord, you won’t abandon all hope when there are troubles in your life. If you are saved by faith, then it is by faith you live… even when the living gets tough.
Dont give up on your relationship with Jesus Christ. Maybe someone told you it would be easier than this, but that’s not the case and now you are losing interest. Or maybe satan has distracted you now that you have this seed and so you are forgetting the seed and the purpose of the seed. Its going to be rough but it is worth it. Don’t make a shallow commitment that gives up when times get rough.

Luke 8:14 NKJV
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

The cares of this life - rent, laundry, bills, work, arguements, and all the other business as people spent their entire life wondering how comfortable they are going to be when they die instead of being eternal minded. Bear fruit while we are here. Don’t let the cares of this life become more important than the word of God in your life. Matthew talks about this as he quotes jesus talking about the love of money becoming the root of all evil. You can’t serve two masters. Songs of solomon also hits on this note talking about the meaningless of the seasons of placing your trust in money and living for pleasure and self instead of for God. Now this doesn’t mean that there is no pleasure in a Christians life. There is joy and there are pleasures and vacations and such, but make sure those pleasures are in Jesus and that he goes with you on vacation. Make sure your focus is on God. Go through you daily life now and start pulling weeds. Be sure nothing is hindering you from the closeness that is intended in your relationship with Christ.

Luke 8:15 NKJV
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Galations 5:22 & 23 tell us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Can you take a step back and look at your life and describe it with the fruit of the spirit listed in galations 5? If you can’t then that is a big deal. You must examine why and correct the heart of the issue. Are you hearing the word of God in such a way that it brings forth fruit in your life and to those around you? Make adjustments accordingly so that it does.

Luke 8:16 NKJV
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light.

This is part of that fruit and planted growing seed issue. God is not a God of secrets.. share Him with the world. It is not hidden, its made known. We want to hear the word, apply the word, share the word.

Luke 8:17-18 NKJV
For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Here we see the concept, "use it or loose it". This has been used in arguments about loosing salvation. But if you read carefully and put into practice what you read and learn then you have given evidence of being saved. If you don’t display this evidence to start with, odds are u were never truly saved to begin with and thus you don’t loose salvation, you loose the illusion of being a saved person. I see so many people that fall into this catagory. They appear to have salvation but they have no fruit. They do not live a Godly life. They live just like the rest of the world but they attend church. So sad. They have no light and they are fully transparent to the saved.

Luke 8:19-21 NKJV
Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

1John 1:6 says, ”If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”
So we know that we are saved and we are family with jesus when we do what the Word says and have fellowship with Him. If God’s word has impressed upon you to do something then do it. We must put God’s word into practice or we will fail. It’s easy to say you are a Christian... but being a Christian is not easy at all. It is hard, but not regretable. Don’t say you are a Christan and then live in and of the very same darkness the rest of this world does. You are not of God if u are also of the darkness of satan’s kingdom. Don’t be fake. Make a change. Stand out from the rest of the world. Repent of your sins (turn away) and confess Jesus as Lord in your life. Let him begin working in and through you today and don’t hide it. Let that work show. Spend time in the word and apply it to your life. Begin bearing good fruit by him working mightily in you. Shine Christian shine. Make no tolorance for sin in your life.

just felt like writing this one down.. it's on Daniel 1. needs some critiquing i'm sure.

A study of Daniel chapter 1
Israel was recently split into north (Ephraim) and south (Judah). The book Daniel takes place chronologically as Jeremiah comes to an end and at the same time as Ezekiel. Daniel is written just after the Lord followed through on the warnings Jeremiah gave and destroyed the north hill country of Ephraim. My memory is a little hazy so don’t quote me. But I think this is about the right general idea of where we start out in Daniel.

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia[a] and put in the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.[b]
In verse 3 and 4 the kink that has now besieged Jerusalem describes the type of men from nobility of the Israelites that he will take into his kingdom and basically turn into Babylonian servants to the king. The description included Daniel.
5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
And then the king immediately attempts to show what he considers generosity as to turn these Israelite men of God to serve the king’s idols and gods.
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

Let’s take a look at the meanings of these names real quick to get a better idea of what’s going on here. Why would the king rename these men? Well, the name Daniel means “God is my judge”, but Belteshazzar means, “Bel’s prince”. The name Hannaniah means, “Beloved by the Lord”, but Shadrach means, “Illumined by sun-god”. The name Mishael means, “Who is as God”, but the name Meshach means, “who is like venus”. And, finally the name Azariah means, “the Lord is my help”, but the name Abednego means, “servant of nego”. So you can see by the meaning of the names that it is clear that the king intended this change to get these men away from serving the Lord our God and get them to begin accepting the things of Babylon. It is so similar with our lives as Christians when we live in a secular world that daily attempts to convince us that we are being too strict, or too legalistic and that it is ok to do this or that (even though we know the Lord is against these things). The world attempts daily to change our identity in Christ that we would follow after their ways, but we are strictly warned of the end result of following after the ways of this world.

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

Wow! What amazing nerve it must have taken, what faith to stand in the face of a man who was just involved in destroying everything and almost everyone you knew and as his prisoner make such a statement. “I won’t defile myself in such a way”, and he “resolved” or decided in his heart strongly that he wouldn’t do this thing. Daniel stood firm on his faith in the Lord and on what the Lord asked of him even in this stressful and dangerous time. So it us with us in the world daily when we are begged to go astray from our teachings and take part in the feast of sin that is available to us, that we must stand solid on the Word. Do not be move Christian.

11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

So We read that Daniel did not take part in the evil things that were offered to him and here we have just read the out come… He was blessed because of it. Not only was he healthier for following what the Lord had taught him, but he (along with those that were with him) gained understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. He also received the gift of interpreting visions and dreams. And so it is with us. Though often we will receive persecution from the world for taking a stand on the Word of God, we will also be blessed by our Lord for doing so. He will multiply our efforts. He will set us apart.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

The passage I read was 2 Peter 3:4-12
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203:4-12&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Speaking of the rapture, Peter says that some people have acted impatient saying “where is this ‘coming’ you speak of” regarding Christ’s return. He reminds the people that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. So God is not being slow to keep his promise by any means. Instead, peter offers that the Lord doesn’t desire that any should perish and thus is giving us as much time as possible for repentance. He goes on to say the Lo0rd will come like a thief (which is to say it would be when you least expect it) and at that point everything will be made obvious (or, “laid bare”). After having stated this fact, Peter then gives the guideline by which we should live knowing He could come at any time. “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming”

As I reflect:
It seems too often by even once placing an expectation for God to do “our will” in “our timing”. Here we are reminded to be patient and to also be doers of the word mean while. We are not told to be idle in our patient anticipation, but rather to be holy and godly. We are given a great manual on the how to’s behind being holy and godly (the Bible) and even a guide along the way in case we misunderstand the word (the Holy Spirit). In that manual we are told that we have a great commission – which is to bring the Gospel truth to every nation tongue and tribe (some believe this may have already occurred – but I believe that we have new persons entering this world by the thousands every day as old persons exit this world by the thousands every day). We have a job to do and being as God doesn’t will anyone to perish, I’d say it’s safe to say he goes with us to do this will of sharing the Gospel. I personally want to be doing His will on the day He returns for me. I want to be trying to help others keep from perishing by clinging to the Lord’s grace on the day that He returns as a thief. I want to be living holy and godly as I look forward to the day of God and I want to be part of helping it to occur sooner then later.

My response to the Lord:
Lord God, I thank you for sharing your will that none should perish through your word with me. I am thankful for this word you provided that I wouldn’t be aimless in my attempts to follow you. I am thankful that you have given me your Holy Spirit here with me so that my efforts would be multiplied and so that I might be triumphant by your power over the enemy. You are so good to us Lord.. You are so patient. I am thankful for your shining example given that I might know my faults and aim to improve by your grace alone. May I be more patient as you have me waiting now on employment. May I learn to love more as I hear of other’s pain and hurt (whether they openly confess this or not). May you bless my enemies as I forgive them Lord. I believe your saving grace is so often best demonstrated in your unconditional love that calls all to come to repentance and be saved. May I reflect this love more and more and Lord please remove in me more and more that thing which causes me to judge when I should love; to turn away when I should accept; to grow angry when I should forgive. More of you and less of me Holy Father. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

week of 11-17-10 4rth recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Nehemiah 9:16-25
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%209:16-25&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Nehemiah speaks of the “stiff-necked” people (the Israelites that refused to follow God and kept turning from his commands to worship others). He says they forgot miracles, refused to listen, rebelled, but that God is forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Because of this, the Lord gave them great love and took care of them anyway giving them kingdoms and nations and countries. Verse 25 says, “They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.

As I reflect:
I am all that I am because of God’s great love for me. In comparing the great change in all of my characteristics, friends, connections, material possessions, emotional and spiritual growths and breakthroughs to those of the past, I can think of nowhere else for the glory to go but God. He is completely responsible for molding me in every way. I (like the Israelites) didn’t earn any of the abundant blessings the Lord has poured out in my life. I’d like to think I haven’t made a golden cow and had sex with it or worshiped it like the Israelites in the desert, but still, I know I have defiled his creation in despicable ways in my past and that I still occasionally fall into some of Satan’s traps. Don’t hate…They aren’t all as obvious as one might expect. Lol. Anyhow, I don’t have to feel guilt or fear of retaliation from God for those things. Because I, like the Israelites children, am inheriting His blessings not because of my merit, but rather because I chose to fall on the mercy and merit of One whose sandals I am not fit to carry. I am not chosen to be a child of God because I am qualified to serve this glorious Master. I am a child of God because this glorious Master purchased me and chose to qualify me for His will. Just as He alone is to be glorified for all that He did through the Israelites throughout history, He is to be glorified in and through me as well.

Even when I fail and when I fall flat on my face, there is glory to be had that God will pick me back up. Even when the Israelites fell into sin and turned away from God, He was glorified in that after a period of accountability for their sin God was always willing to rebuild them bigger and stronger for His glory. He would let other nations see it too. It’s almost as if He’d wait and watch Israel headed into complete sin and turning away from Him like a train wreck, just so that He could show all of the other nations after there was nothing left and Israel was totally smite and left to rubble, that God could not only rebuild this fallen people, but He’d make em bigger and better each time. (I know this isn’t quite the way it worked….I mean He always gave them ample warning). It seems this way in my life as well. I thought I was “the stuff” in my youth. I was wrong. I thought I was the epitome of cool when I had my leather jacket and muscle car and combat boots stage. I was a moron. I thought I was all big and bad as a gangsta. Pathetic is more like it. A martial artist, a drug addict, and the many stages of my spiral of what I though in my lost mind was greatness all lead me to being broken down for a rebuild. And God allowed me to fall into the accountability for my sins. I ended up homeless and trying to make the best of that as I pondered on the mysteries of the world as a (ya ready for this?....) “philosopher”. LOL. Wow right! Even at rock bottom I wasn’t ready to submit to the authority of God. But when family was ripped away from me; when I had no one left to share philosophy with; when I realized my physical, emotional, and spiritual condition; when I finally pondered on what was left in my life that was real, that’s when I knew I needed God. And I can look back and say that He honestly rebuilt me better than I had ever been, for all that is good in my life has come from Him and exist to glorify Him. All that I relied on in me is gone. Now Christ is the center, and like Israel, if I will keep Him in the center, then and only then may my weakness become a strength.

My response to the Lord:
Lord, you are worthy of all of the glory and honor forever. You are worthy of more than I give even now. May you take all of me and always use me to your glory Father. I know because I have read and believed in your word that Israel many times turned away from you. I know that you warned them through many prophets that you sent throughout history and that they usually ignored the warnings and were broken down to be rebuilt as a result. Father, let me not ever turn away from you. May I never break your heart or cause you to break me for a rebuild. Please continue the work you began and mold me into the very thing that gives purpose to my creation. May I never turn to other gods. May I not be lead astray by the world and their lust to put things before you. God, I am wholly yours. May I always revel in your great goodness. In Jesus Name

week of 11-17-10 3rd recorded Bible study

The passage I read was James 2:17-25
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202:17-25&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Faith without actions is worthless. The simple belief in something or someone has no affect without an action based on that belief. Abraham is given as the example of actions because of faith in that he was willing to sacrifice his son. (This was credited to him as righteousness). Because of this example, James is able to say that a person is proven righteous by their deeds and not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute giving lodging to the spies is also given as an example of a faith based action.

As I reflect:
Yay!! I have a Bible study in the book of James. How exciting! I love every word in this short book. So powerful. So applicable. So wise and straight forward. We had a Bible study at our house on the book of James and though I thought it’d be short, it ended up being several months. So much good info compacted into these few short chapters. This particular passage started off with another favorite verse of mine: (verse 17) “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” I’d like to quote it with the previous 2 verses though for context,

15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

I see this very thing sooo often in my life. It’s something that haunted me when I was a homeless drug addict. Almost every Christ professing Christian I came across wanted to give me a Bible tract and say, “God bless you”, but only one that I met really wanted to do something about it and she was willing to put herself and her family in danger to prove that Christ loved me. Now, I wasn’t in the right mindset at the time and my heart wasn’t ready for the message, but it did stick in the back of my head. It worked in me for a number of years. When My wife and I lived in an apartment, it is that very same influence that started us taking in homeless and drug addicted people from the streets and witnessing by lifestyle how they could be saved from their addictions and entire lifestyles if they would but have faith and let Christ do a work in their lives. It was this doing that stepped up the game and really began allowing for growth in our own relationships with Christ. It got us up out of our comfort zones and got us studying harder so we could answer more questions. It got into more fellowship because more support was needed. It got us into starting our first weekly and even nightly Bible studies at our home. All these things were by-products of faith because we allowed faith to guide our works. Our works didn’t save us, but the fact that we had been saved meant that we couldn’t just remain the same. We had to grow. Our works had to change because we were becoming new creations.

Now, I know many people that claim to be Christians but don’t display any fruits of the spirit in their lives. They show no growth. They live the very same way they lived before they came to faith. Last I heard the percentage was 80% of Americans that think that they are Christian because they believe in God….Or because they attend church occasionally. Yea….Cuz going to church makes you a Christian about as much as walking into a garage turns you into a car.. James 2:19 says, “You Believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. “ I have used this verse in witnessing and (though it may be a bit coming on strong for some people) it has hopefully caused others to stop and ponder the Salvation that brings change in one’s life. The kind of Salvation that results in evidence of your faith beyond just words. Faith shown by deeds. Verse 18 says, 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

If you are claiming to be a Christian, then may I encourage you to evaluate what that means in your life. Evaluate if that belief is based on anything more than the belief in the existence of a God or if it is based on more than just that some preacher that told you you were saved after a prayer of salvation. If you are claiming to be Christian, then you are saying that you are saved by grace and following after the example that Christ gave you. It says that you are no longer of the world. You are different, a new creation. You are now a light to shine into a dark world the love of Christ. You by faith live for the Lord. You live to do His will. Let your deeds reflect your faith fellow Christian. Get into the Word. Get into fellowship. Grow. Love others. Share the gospel. Help others. Whatever you do, DON’T STAY THE SAME! ;-)

My response to the Lord:
Wow Jesus, you really made a man that can ramble on when you made me. Lol. I look up at my reflection time and realize that was a mighty small portion of the things I reflected on. I hope my little personality quirks like that are as entertaining to you as they are to my wife. I hope you laugh with me when I make fun of some of those quirks Jesus. I hope you lol too when the sound of the keyboard stops and I look up and laugh at what was meant to be my “short” notes. Lol Lord, thank you with all that I am, for making me into all that I am. Thank you for not letting me stay in that sinful state you saved me from. Thank you for causing growth in me and for allowing me to experience the trials and tribulations to gain strength. Thank you for each patience building person you brought into my life; for each newer better characteristic that you worked into me through circumstance and study; for each person that helped me learn to love; and least I forget, Lord, thank you for the work you have yet to do in me. I have faith and will act on the faith that you will fulfill your promise to complete the work begun in me. May I not forget that my life is to reflect to the world that watches what you have done in and through me. May I not set this light beneath a bowl, but rather set it on a hill and let my deeds show as evidence of the God I serve.

week of 11-17-10 2nd recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Mark 12:1-9
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A1-9&version=NASB

My summary of the passage is this:
Jesus’ authority has just been questioned in the previous chapter. Here He tells a parable about a man which builds a vineyard and then rents it out and goes on a journey. While away he sends a servant to fetch some wine from the people he rented the vineyard to but they beat him badly. He sends another servant, so on and so on until no servants are left (either from being beaten or from being killed). Then he sends his beloved son saying, “surely they won’t kill him. They will recognize his authority as my son.” The men then killed the son too. The parable is wrapped up with the question and answer; “What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others.” (verse 9)

As I reflect:
This parable (also found in Luke 20) is broken down as such:
We are the 3 slaves that were sent and treated cruelly, for we are the master’s servants today and we are persecuted for doing His will (Christians doing the will of God are persecuted in the missions field and at home).
The vine growers are the wicked men and women of the world who have no respect for the Master’s authority (Jesus and the authority from God the Father). They didn’t want to share the vineyard; as people of the world today claim everything as theirs and give no recognition or glory to God for the creation they have been allowed to steward.
The Master who built the vineyard and sent servants and His son…. That’s God the Father
The Son..That’s Jesus. And a few verses after this portion of the parable is actually one of my favorite verses.
Mark 12:10 “Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone;”
Rather interesting if you look into what the purpose of a corner stone is/was at the time, but that’s another Bible study all together.
For this Bible study, I think some of the detail that can be applied to our daily/my daily life is that as Christians we can expect that we will receive persecution when doing the will of the Lord. Another way to put it, “If you want to know if you are a threat to Satan, think about how often and heavily his army attacks you.”
An enemy has no need to attack those that aren’t a threat to the enemy’s primary purpose. If you are under attack; if the vine farmers are trying to beat you down, then rejoice and take heart, for you are doing the will of the Master.

My response to the Lord:
My Father in Heaven, you have created for us the most beautiful creation and then you created us to enjoy the creation and glorify you. When we failed by falling into sin, you sent your only begotten Son to save us from our own wicked ways in this vine press. Lord, I pray you would help us to be fruitful and be good stewards of all that you have given. For those that seek to take and keep for themselves your creation, Lord protect us from their fiery darts and ways of evil, but not at the cost of doing your will. Lord, when you send us to these people please prepare their hearts for the message we bring, or prepare our hearts to be strengthened and brought closer to you through the persecution they will give. May we as Christians never cease to do your will though. In Jesus Name.

week of 11-17-10 1st recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Psalm 86:1-17
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+86%3A1-17&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
David prays and says he is poor, needy, faithful, and trusting in God but he is in distress. He ask the Lord to have mercy on him and bring him joy. He lifts up the name of the Lord. He asks for the Lord to teach him so he can rely on the Lord’s faithfulness. He asks for an undivided heart. He compares his unbelieving enemies to himself and his servants heart before the Lord and he ask that God would show his strength by saving him and letting his enemies see that he has been saved so that they will be put to shame.
The verse that most stuck out to me is:
11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

As I reflect:
I guess for me this passage contains two areas of application to my daily life. One area is that of deliverance from enemies. And the other is studying the Word of God. I believe that they go hand in hand also. To help me to learn how to fully rely on God, I have his word and Holy Spirit here with me teaching me. For that to occur, I must then apply myself to spending time in his word and meditating on it daily. (Psalm 1:1&2 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, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.) This is clearly seen in David’s early to mid life. He didn’t act like the wicked. He instead meditated and applied the word of God daily and was constantly being saved by the Lord from his enemies. I can say it is the same in my life. I have certainly had enemies and I’m sure some still exist, but I am not heavy pressed by them because I am constantly being delivered by my Lord as I meditate daily on His Word and apply the scriptures to my life. And so it is also with this passage. I will apply it to my life, knowing how very important it is to meditate on the Word and not let these teachings be forgotten, and trusting every day in my Lord to lead me and protect me as I do His will.

My response to the Lord:
Lord, though persecution will come and I count it all joy to be persecuted as your servants; your friends of past, I am joyful that you will deliver me from my enemies if I but ask and have faith that you will answer. Father God, please keep me ever mindful of your Word. Through your Holy Spirit I ask that you would keep your teachings constantly on my heart and mind and bless my application of your word to my life and those around me. I ask these things in Jesus name.

week of 11-10-10 5th recorded Bible study

The passage I read was 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
You can find it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Paul reminds the believers in Corinth of the gospel he preached to them previously, emphasizing that this gospel is how they are saved and otherwise they are not. He reiterates that Christ died for our sins and was buried and raised again appearing to Peter and the disciples and then 500 others (even though some no longer live changed by that experience). Jesus then appeared to James and the apostles and lastly to Paul. Paul then speaks quite humbly of himself as he explains that he is undeserving because he persecuted the church. He goes further to explain that he has come to be who he is by grace alone. He explains that it wasn’t him that did all that he did for God, but rather grace through him.

As I reflect:
I first think of Paul reiterating the gospel to a saved people and then I compare it to my life. While I am around my Christian brothers and sisters or while I write to them through the many forums made available to me, do I speak of and joyfully continue to share the gospel that we saved have all come to agree and stand on? Perhaps a gentle reminder there that even among saved, it is good not to forget why. We should remind each other of this more often. It would be near impossible to do so without also expanding upon the fact that it is by grace that we are saved and it is by grace that we are capable of any good thing. Not to lessen any portion of the Bible, for it is all God-breathed and is all useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, however I must say that often I am deeper impacted by the letters written by Paul. Perhaps we share a common sarcasm to the method by which we answer people’s questions at times, or maybe it is a deeper sense of relation because like Paul, I once persecuted the church and attacked believers. Regardless of the reason, I (like Paul) realize how very unworthy I am of grace. We both acknowledge that the only good done through us is due to Christ alone. We have both at times felt the least of our brethren. I love that here he comes back to the very basic truth by which we are saved, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The fact that He died, rose again, and completely showed His grace, love, and omnipotence in sacrificing himself for our debts and resurrecting himself for our new life is the very basis of our belief system and without that, we are just another blind people aimlessly chasing after a god we cannot grasp.

My response to the Lord:
Lord, there is no greater love; no greater grace than that which you have given us on the cross. But not in that alone, Jesus also rose again to show his grace on us that we may live as new creation in Christ. Thank you Father for adopting us; for allowing us to drink from the living water; to partake in the body and blood; for your grace. For you saw the punishment that we required for our sins against you, and you graciously paid our debt that we may know you through Christ. Lord, my life is yours. Every bit of me is yours. This is all I have to give in thanks. So with this life will I sing your praise and worship your holy name, and with this life will I seek to do your will. In Jesus name.

week of 11-10-10 4th recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Psalm 84:1-12 (I absolutely love this Psalm)
You can find it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84%3A1-12&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
There are so many things to meditate and act on in this Psalm. I feel like each point in this passage should have it’s own Bible study devoted to it. These points will serve as my summary.
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you
They go from strength to strength
Look with favor on us
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere (oh how I love those words… They are so close to my heart and so true to me)
I would rather be a door keeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

As I reflect:
I am first off reminded of the song “better is one day” (written by Matt Redman and later sung by him, Chris Tomlin, Kutless, Petra, and many other bands and worships across the globe. – INSPIRED BY GOD). You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bldv9M_nXXE. It really is a beautiful song, as are the words of this Psalm.
Each one of the points from the passage could be a study entirely in and of itself. Our Lord is so beautiful and has provided so much for us. How could I live even one moment without yearning to be in His presence; to go home to my Father? So If I put some of these together I learn that I am blessed when I trust in the Lord, find my strength in Him, and dwell in His house. I believe this is not just the church or Zion, but also a state of living; a state of mind that brings His kingdom closer with every step. I often praise aloud during my days and occasionally I will come across verses or chorus lines that bring me to my knees in tears at just how wonderful it is to know Jesus and the things of my past that he has taken away from me. I cannot in privacy listen to or sing along with any songs about going home to Heaven or wondering what it will be like without having a complete breakdown (healthy by the way) of my emotions. There is no joy greater though a close 2nd place goes to knowing that my children will also be going to the same place one day. All thanks and praise be to God! There are days when in praise and worship and I feel as though I have spent the entire day in His courts of praise. I know there are days when I come back inside my home after this and my smile is just stuck like cement and others in my home can tell I have had tears in my eyes. I feel at those times as though there is nothing that could ruin that moment; nothing that could take me out of His arms reach, or from the warmth of His light. No sin is tempting to me when He has drawn that near to me. I feel as though everything I have on this earth could be taken away and I could be thrown in the deepest darkest dungeon without even the slightest effect to my joy in the Lord. As for verse 12 (Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you), I am living this now. I have old colleagues at my last job that may not understand and daily I come across the looks of those who scorn or are jealous of my life. It is quite simple. I have no secret to success. I have no hidden recipe of how my life is so blessed; how everything simply falls perfectly into place and just seem to work for us; how everything we apply ourselves to grows so quickly and does so well. Instead, we wear the recipe on our shoulder openly for the world to see…The only reason we are blessed by our Lord, is that our trust is in Him. We trust Him with every aspect of our life big and small.

My response to the Lord:
How else can I respond Father but to worship you as the Psalmist here also lifted up your name. You are worthy of no less and so much more than my everything Lord. I am so blessed by your love. I look forward to the day I get to come home, but I thank you for the opportunity to serve you daily here as well. Lord guide me to do you will as all that I am is yours.

week of 11-10-10 3rd recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Psalm 111:1-10
You can find it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20111:1-10&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
The Psalmist is celebrating God’s glory. I think he himself summarizes the passage best by verse 1 as he says that he will praise the Lord with all his heart both in public and in private. Here are some of the other points of the passage:
If we delight in God’s works, we ponder on them.
The Lord is Gracious and compassionate.
He is faithful and just.
He redeemed his people.
His name is holy and awesome.
Verse 10 = “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. “

As I reflect:
In reflection I am less likely to consider the praises of Our Lord as the topic of the lesson as this is something that naturally begins happening once one realizes what the Lord has done in their life (both for them and through them for others). I believe the focus during my reflection is that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The first Proverb (verse 1-7) says,
“1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.[b]
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom and instruction. “
Verse 7 has stuck out to me for a number of years and it was the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the last verse of today’s passage too. The fear of the Lord is a most important ingredient in our lives as Christians. Have you ever stopped and really thought about why we should have this reverent, humble respect as we serve the living God? I have. I can say it’s humbling to consider that though we are given the gift of being able to communicate with the Creator. It is certainly not our right and it is not to be taken for granted. When you approach the Lord, you are approaching the King of Kings.

My response to the Lord:
Lord, as I kneel before you in humble adoration, I bow my head in reverence. Lord my God, I pray you hear my prayer and answer your servant. Please mold me that you would find pleasure in your servant. Fill me with knowledge and wisdom and help me to be bold and discerning in how that knowledge and wisdom is shared with a world in need. Lord, you will be done in and through me. In Jesus Name.

week of 11-10-10 2nd recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Exodus 33:12-23
You can find it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-23&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Moses pleads with the Lord for His presence to go with him. The Lord grants this. Moses pleads with the Lord to see His glory. The Lord grants a view of His back side as He passes by Moses but refuses to show His face saying that Moses would surely die if he saw the face of God.

As I reflect:
I think Moses shows several human characteristics here that are comforting to know he felt. He showed worry, that he could not do this alone. He showed reverence and asked the Lord to continue to find favor with him and to teach him. He showed hesitation and fear that even though the Lord said He would go with him, he wanted the enemy to know that the Lord was with Him. Then he even requests a proving confirmation and shows his curiosity as he requests to see the Lord’s face. All these things I have done. I am not comforted at having something in common with Moses. What is comforting to know, is how God responded. God said, “I now you by name and you have found favor with me.” He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest… I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” I am convinced it is with us who have also found favor in the Lord’s sight, that He is with us always through His Holy Spirit and that He goes with us into our battles. There is nothing more comforting to know that I have The Almighty in my presence and that He cares for me.

My response to the Lord:
Lord, I thank you for your Holy Spirit here with me now. I thank you for your compassion and you mercy undeserved that is poured out on me here. I pray Lord that your goodness will be with me always; that your presence and rest will be with me. I pray that by your grace I may please you with the life you have loaned me. And Father, though at times I may fear what you have asked me to do, may I not hesitate or waver from your will. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

week of 11-10-10 1st recorded bible study

The passage I read was 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
You can find it here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+8%3A1-9&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
This was an encouragement and challenge to the believers at Corinth. Paul here tells them about the churches at Macedonia. He says they haven’t much but what they have they give. He says they are in a trial and still overflowing with joy, that they are generous even beyond their ability to give, and that they are urging others to also be this generous. Paul then challenges the believers at Corinth saying that they have so much faith and ability and that they have excelled in every good thing. He says he wants to test their sincerity of love by comparing them with the earnestness of others (such as the churches in Macedonia). They key verse that stands out to me is this:

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.

As I reflect:
Even thought the believers at Corinth wwere doing so well in so many areas, there was still room for improvement and Paul was quick to challenge them to continue growth in the area of generosity. As if it weren’t enough to compare them to this lowly set of churches with almost nothing, Paul goes one further and compares to our Lord Jesus Christ who gave all for us. That’s pretty convicting. A very strong example of the generosity that we ought to have in our own lives. In another passage of scripture we are reminded that we ought to have the mindset/heartset to lay down our life for another (even an underserving person). That Christ was willing to lay down His life to pay our debt and show His love for us while we were yet sinners is the ultimate example of what love truly is. It is an example that we should all follow. We should love not only those close to us, but even a complete stranger enough to die to our own desires to serve and help them any way we can. I am reminded that we are Jesus Christ’s hands and feet here. Where we go and how we act determines the view that others will make of what God is like. If God’s followers are stingy with their gifts, then we have misrepresented our Father. If God’s followers are willing to lay down their lives joyfully for the good of a stranger, how strong a witness of grace may we be to this world.

My response to the Lord:
Lord, full of grace you gave your Son for my debt to be paid. You loved me enough to do this and bring me close. I can never thank you enough Father. But while I am here on this Earth I can (if you are willing) be an ambassador for your kingdom. I know the general public view of a “Christian” because it is this view of us that I must battle at every opportunity to witness. Holy Father, I pray that you would use me and the many other men and women that are willing to change the public view of God by what our actions show. Lord help us to be salt and light as we draw the lost closer to you. Lord prepare the hearts of the many as we bring your kingdom. May we be generous even to the end of our lives, faithful to serve, and may we lose not the joy you have allowed as we take hold of our labor for sake of the harvest. In Jesus Name

week of 11-03-10 5th recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Hebrews 3:1-11
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Fix your thoughts on Jesus. God is the builder of everything. Moses was a faithful servant. Christ is faithful as the Son and is in charge of God’s house. We are his house (if we hold firm to our belief system in Him). Out of us have come some very faithful servants (such as Moses). We need to believe and act on that belief In Jesus. Think of the Israelite in the desert for 40 years. Their unbelief and improper actions despite the Lord proving Himself in so many ways to them ended up causing them to lose their lives.

As I reflect:
This passage stands out in two sections to me. One is a nice analogy of the body of the Lord. The other section is a warning of accountability for unbelief.
As for the analogy, we are His house. It makes since. He is our Architect; our Creator. We our His creation. The builder of the house deserves all glory for the compliment of the created. Jesus is in charge of God’s house. Moses was a servant in God’s house. We are all to be good stewards of the creation He has given us.
The second part seems to be pretty simple yet serves as a powerful reminder of accountability to the Christian. If you have claimed to be a follower of God, then follow Him. He will only tolerate your lack of commitment for so long. The example was given to us here of the Israelites in the desert and the ground swallowing them up for their constant turning from the Lord. We have also been told that if we continue to live in sin after Salvation, the Lord will eventually turn us over to that sin. And we know that sin can carry a very high punishment outside of the grace of Gods Spirit. It is good to be in the Law of the Spirit. May we choose not to live in sin and reap the consequences that we are not able to bare.

My response to the Lord:
Thank you for your graciousness Holy Father. Thank you for keeping me in your house; your body of believers. May I never stray Lord. May I never be like those who acknowledge you with their lips and then deny you with their actions. Lord by your grace alone I stand.

week of 11-03-10 4th recorded Bible study

The passage I read was 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A1-5&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
Paul shows confidence in the Thessalonians because of His confidence in God to work through them. He asks for prayer to spread the Gospel. He asks for prayer for deliverance from the wicked. Then he pronounces blessings that the Lord is faithful and will strengthen and protect the Thessalonians. He says, “may the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

As I reflect:
I already find myself over analyzing this one. But taking it at it’s face value may have a better result of fruitfulness. For this reason, I will look at the example set for me by a greater man than I.
A man of God should encourage other men and women of God. He should do so not because of his faith in the human condition to do great things, but because of his faith in the Lord to do great things through people despite their human condition. A man of God should always be humble enough to ask for help and accept prayer for deliverance from evil. A man of God should take note of where other believer’s walks are and encourage them based on the good things that He sees God doing in their lives and he knows God will continue to do. A man of God should bless others in the name of Jesus. I have often said, “The Lord bless and keep you.” Here, Paul says, “The Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” That is a very specific blessing. Mine is a bit more general, but I like what outcome is implied more by Paul’s blessing of the Thessalonians. If such a blessing were granted than the receiver would surely grow into Christ like characteristics of loving unconditionally and enduring for the sake of such love. What a powerful blessing.

My response to the Lord:
Father, please teach me your ways. Reveal to me your mysteries. Open my eyes and ears to know you more Lord. Thank you for the Biblical examples you have given us to live a life of devotion to you. Please help me to incorporate these examples in my own life that I may better reflect your characteristics through me. Help me to stay humble and accept the prayers of others. Allow me to better see your work in others that I may encourage them on those paths. Remind me that I am to bless others not only in action, but also in words that by faith I believe you will fulfill. Help me daily Lord to be more like you and less like what was once me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

week of 11-03-10 3rd recorded Bible study

The passages I read were Genesis 15:12-16 and Exodus 3:1-10
You can find those passages here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2015:12-16&version=TNIV
and here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%203:1-10&version=TNIV

My summary of the passages is this:
In the first passage Abram (later Abraham) goes into a deep sleep and dreams the Lord comes to him with a promise that for 400 years his descendants will be enslaved and mistreated in a country not their own. The Lord says he will punish that country and save them from there, giving them great possessions. He also tells Abram that he will have a long and peaceful life.
In the second passage, just over 400 years have passed now and the Lord comes to Moses in a burning bush, told him to take off his shoes (holy ground) and then said that He was concerned about the people’s sufferings. He told Moses that He has come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. He then sends Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.
As I reflect:
I was tempted at first to simply say this Bible study has the obvious meaning that God never forgets His promises and He is faithful to keep them, but that doesn’t really say how I can apply it to my own life (which should be the goal when one reads the Word). For me, I can say this tackles my impatience. The Lord confirmed in me and my wife about 6 years ago that we were to work in ministry. Though we minister as we can when we can and pretty much where ever we go, we haven’t actually gotten to step into a ministry with a full time role of any kind. Here I am 6 years later searching for an internship in ministry and finding a great deal of difficulty at times. I must not begin to doubt what God has confirmed in us. It is simply a matter of time and finding the right ministry. I know that He has an open door somewhere because He is faithful. I know that He will lead me to it if I just keep seeking, because He is faithful. I know that Moses (though scared and requiring help from his bro) did do what God said and because of that, God was faithful all through the process. As He is being faithful with us also. We continue the search and He makes sure my family and I are well taken care of financially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc. He has surrounded us with true friends that care and check up on us and are happy to be held accountable and to hold us accountable. He really has taken care of every excuse that one could come up with to run away from this search. He has labeled the hallway and set me on a path of trying door handles as I walk through it. One of them will open. That’s the one I’m going to keep looking for. I know Moses felt like giving up so many times. I have felt that way too. “Oh I can just get a telemarketing job, or move to the beach and do labor till I find something in my comfort zone, or go into sales, or customer service call centers”. But these are the areas God trained me in, not the areas He called our future to. As the Lord is faithful to bring us to completion, I must also be faithful to attempt to be the product He has called me to be. Being in front of people instead of being on the phone at a desk is out of my comfort zone. Just as publicly speaking was out of the stuttering Moses’ comfort zone.
My response to the Lord:
Holy Father, thank you so much for this study tonight. I had no idea what reflection was going to bring. Now I feel revived and reassured that I’m right where you want me. Lord please forgive my sins and lead me away from temptations. Please continue to mold and sanctify me through your Holy Spirit. Please never cease in guiding me to your perfect will for this life. Help me to focus and take one foot in front of the other; one knob after the other, until I come to your will. Do not allow me to fall into a comfort zone like the days of ole. I prayed and you have taken that away confirming that a different direction is what you have for me. Lord help me to find the right door. Take my hand Abba, for I cannot even breath without you. Help me not to settle for what the world calls success, but to continually keep my eyes on you that this storm would not stop me from finding the other side of the valley. Lord I praise and worship you for all your wonder. You are glorious Lord.

week of 11-03-10 2nd recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Psalm 36:5-12
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%207:1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
God is faithful to fulfill the promises of his mercy which hath no end. This passage is an edification of God. The author is lifting up the name of the Lord and speaking of His love, kindness, righteousness, judgments, mercy, and light.
As I reflect:
The very first 2 verses say,
5 Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
This immediately brought a song to mind. “Your Love Oh Lord” by Third Day.
You can listen to that song here or i've also embeded the video below if you are unfamiliar:
the lyrics read,
“Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will lift my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of your wings”



No doubt in my mind that this passage is where they got the inspiration for that song. I love when I come across lyrics to a song I know in the Bible. That just makes my day.
Anyhow, back to reflecting (now listening to the song).
These are such simple words and yet I never would have on my own come to write them down. I think the closest I’ve ever come is when I tell the Lord allowed, “thank you for blessing me Lord. I am sooo undeserving. I am thankful that you keep blessing me, though I have not an understanding of the love you must have for a wretch like me to continue blessing even when I fail you.” That’s almost a daily thing now. I have to at some point (sometimes more than once) stop and thank my God for blessing so richly a man and family so undeserving of such grace. That He chooses to lead me to His wings protection despite my offenses is a beauty this earth has nothing to compete with.
My response to the Lord:
My response today is going to be a personalization of the passage.
Your love Lord, is everywhere in my life and I am not blind to how very often you are faithful to me, though I find myself unfaithful in my flesh. It is because you are so truly righteous that I fear your justice at times Father. But I have nothing to fear for your unfailing love provided that my debt be paid for me due to my inability to pay the price myself. This is something that is far beyond our poor power to fully grasp; that your love would not only allow for forgiveness, but that you would take in those that are responsible for your sons torture and death by way of sin against you….I am without words when I think that you not only are not going to destroy me for that, but that you love me enough to invite me to take refuge under your wing. The Lord has provided all that I need and soo much more. Perhaps had I heard of the life that you give to your children, I wouldn’t have believed it. But that I am blinded by it daily in my own life, makes it impossible to deny. Lord keep my heart upright though my flesh fail, that I may stay in your light and love. I ask the same of your other children; my brothers and sisters. May none of us become so so self centered or arrogant to stand against you, nor so blind or easily led that we should fallow your enemies. Let them not stand against us Father. In Jesus Name

week of 11-03-10 1st recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Deuteronomy 7:1-11
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%207:1-11&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:
God is about to give land to his children and he instructs them how to take hold of it. He tells them to completely destroy and drive out the nations in the way there and he is very specific in telling his children not to become one with those nations or in any way accept them and their pagan rituals. He makes it clear that if they end up letting their sons marry the daughters of those nations or vice versa, that it will result in pagan worship and that God would then need to punish His children out of anger. He is not only specific as to what not to do, but He also tells them exactly what to do. Burn down carved wooden gods, break down alters, etc. He then goes on to explain that He didn’t set apart the people of God because they were special in and of themselves. Matter of fact is that they were almost nothing when they were found. Instead, the reason that God saved them was 2 fold. 1 because He loved them. 2 because He keeps His covenants and is loyal. He had made a covenant with the forefathers of this generation and was now keeping it. This passage is wrapped up with a final reminder that even though he is loyal to those who love him, he is also quick to pay the wages of death to those who hate him. The passage stops at verse 11 saying to “take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.”

As I reflect:
This week’s bible studies are supposed to in one way or another reflect God’s faithfulness. I decided a few weeks ago not to let what the bible studies or “supposed” to be about effect what I might take away from the Word if given the openness to receiving directly from God what is meant to be given to me in that passage. It is no different in this passage. Instead of focusing on God’s faithfulness, I am left looking at the passage as a whole and waiting on a message that I can and will apply to my life.
Here are some things that kinda stick out:
Do not be unequally yoked
Do not accept evil
We are a treasured possession of God
We weren’t chosen because of our own greatness.
We were chosen because of love
God is faithful to His word
Take care to follow the commands and decrees and laws of God
As I came across the second to last point that stands out there, I got my reflection. God is faithful to his word, yes, but He also has a condition set in verse 9. He said Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Notice the last part of that verse states the condition of the covenant… It is to those who love Him and keep his commandments. That idea is kind of reflected in the first couple verses too as the Lord discusses the specifics of what to do as he brings them into the land. There are conditions that we are asked to meet in our walk with Christ. I’m not saying that these conditions necessarily are the basis of our salvation, but they are certainly things that we need to remember on the daily. Looking at my own salvation for example, I know that I am saved from hell. I know that I am saved from my own sin’s condemnation. But the only reason I know that is because I walk in a different law. The law of the Spirit through life in Christ Jesus, and this affects my ability to be free from such condemnation. Promise = freedom from condemnation, condition = walk in the law of the Spirit. Promise = all things work together for the good, condition = love God and be called according to His purpose. Promise = eternal life with Christ Jesus, condition = confess with your lips and believe in your heart (which WILL affect how you live) that Jesus is Lord over your entire life. There are many other conditional offers that exceed just being saved from eternity in hell. There is still more to a Christian walk. There are characteristics and fruits offered when we meet the required conditions of seeking after Him fervently and making our request known properly. That being said, this study did indeed come back to God’s faithfulness. It’s quite clear now just how this passage applies in that light. The conditions or part of the equation sometimes. Like God is faithful to forgive us (promise) if we will repent (turn away from) and confess our sins (condition of our heart).

My response to the Lord:
Lord, so far beyond our poor ability to grasp is the depth of the plans you have made for us. That you have so perfectly set up every little intricate detail is amazing to me. Even the rules by which we live and die, you have plainly given to us to either receive and follow, or ignore and fall. Thank you for putting thought into me Lord. Thank you for giving us the opportunities to improve and grow as we seek after you. May I daily be reminded of who I am in you and reflect it in my walk, talk, and thought. Thank you for your faithfulness Lord. I can rely on you to do what you said you will do, if I will do what you have asked me to do. And I thank you for your unconditional love and blessings undeserved that despite my failures, you continue to offer me and my family. I truly love you Father.