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Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Friday - Loving God & Brothers & Sisters - I John 4:20-5:5 - 3/3/17

It is easy to say we love God when it doesn't cost us anything more than weekly attendance at religious services. But the real test of our love for God is how we treat the people right in front of us - our family members & fellow believers. We cannot truly love God while neglecting to love those who are created in his image.


When we become Christians we become part of God's family, with fellow believers as our brothers & sisters. We are simply called to accept & love them. How well do you treat your fellow family members?


Jesus never promised that obeying him would be easy. The hard work & self-discipline of serving Christ is no burden to those who love him. And if our load starts to feel heavy, we can always trust Christ to help us bear it (see Matthew 11:28-30).

Reference summary is used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Friday, March 3, 2017

Monday - Christ Died for Us - I John 3:11-17 - 2/27/17

We must love other Christians.

Cain destroyed his brother Abel when God accepted Abel's offering & not Cain's (Genesis 4:1-16). People who are morally upright expose & shame those who aren't. If we live for God, the world will often hate us because we make them painfully aware of their immoral way of living.


John echoes Jesus' words that one who hates another person is a destroyer at heart (Matthew 5:21,22). Christianity is a religion of the heart; outward compliance alone is not you is an evil cancer within you & will eventually destroy you. Don't let a "root of bitterness" (Hebrews 12:15) grow in you or your church.


Real love is an action, not a feeling. Sometimes it is easier to say we'll die for others than to truly live for them, which involves putting others' desires first.


Christians must show their love, & one way to do that is to provide money or material possession to help others' needs. How clearly do your actions say you really love others?

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Stand - Book Review

Staying Balanced with Answers for Real Teen Life

The advice offered herein does not constitute a substitute for professional treatment, therapy, or other types of professional advice & intervention. The author nor publisher does not assume any responsibility for use of these materials & information.


Stand:

a. An attitude toward a particular issue, a position taken in an argument

b. Have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet

c. Withstand an experience or test without being damaged


When a guy is controlling, checks your phone, manipulative or a cheater, he is not Christ-like & he is not for you. We are reminded in 2 Corinthians 6:14 that we are not to be "yoked together" with unbelievers. In biblical times, a yoke was used to keep oxen together when they would plow the fields.


Cute guys don't always have cute character. Proverbs 27:19 says, "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." We know a person's heart by the way they live. You may be dating a cute guy, but does he treat you one way in private & another way in public?


When a guy truly cares about you, he will treat you with the same respect & adoration in public that he does in private.


Don't "sugar coat" how you feel & state upfront that you are only interested in being friends.


When your friends motives are pure, he can see things in other guys that you may not see & help protect you from making a mistake.


It is okay to say, "NO!"


Taking Out the Trash: "A woman is not written in braille. You don't have to touch her to know her." - Unknown


Why is it so important that we keep our morals? Our study group would like to assure you EVERYONE IS DOING IT. The girls in our study group have made a commitment to save themselves for their husbands.


You must be the one that is worthy of the chase.


In case you're still tempted to experiment with sex outside of marriage, knowing that approximately 750,000 teenagers get pregnant every year may help yu reconsider ("Teen Pregnancy Facts"). If you fantasize about quitting EVERYTHING in your life to take care of someone else for the next 18 years, you are definitely in the minority. I have never spoken to an unmarried teen who said, "I'm so glad I got pregnant." Their friends eventually went off to college & they were left alone. Contrary to what "Hollywood" promotes, most guys do NOT stay with or marry the teen mother of their child.


God loves you & you will never find a love greater than His.


Compromising your morals & your values is going too far.


So what if we've already messed up. I've got good news! Jesus Christ gave His life so that we can be healed from past mistakes. He can forgive you & give you a new start TODAY when you ask HIM for one. This is what His grace is all about. We've all messed up, & we all need forgiveness. Don't allow shame to tell you it's too late to start over. THAT IS A LIE. God wants to walk with you into every situation in your life. I John 1:9 say's, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful & just to forgive us & PURIFY us." He can restore the purity you have lost & make you a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). He loves you & has great plans just for you when you turn away from making your own decisions & allow Him to help you make the right ones.


Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times." Friendship is an "equal opportunity" relationship, & both friends must take responsibility for the friendship to work.


Communication is crucial in friendship because when we stop talking, problems arise.


Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8


Trust is a key characteristic in friendship.


God NEVER Changes!


ask God to till the hole that is there with the "high" only He can give.


Choices are life-changing.


It's our job to share the truth. It's God job to do the changing.


Beating the Bullies: Your values doesn't decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth. Idiot. Ugly. Fat. Loser. For most of us, nothing is more painful than rejection. Bullies feed on their victims reactions such as hurt, fear, insecurity, & weakness. God did not design us to be mistreated or bullied. Bullies do not get to defines us, GOD does.


The most important thing you must DO is to notify your parents & health officials immediately after the rape occurs, whether it is by a boyfriend, family member or a stranger.

Shannon Perry is an author, conference speaker, recording artist & TV host. She worked in the public school system for over fourteen years as a school teacher & counselor before entering full-time ministry. She helped create an Anti-bullying program which is still used by one of the largest school systems in America. She has one son who is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force.

She is the creator of the "In Her Shoes" Conference written especially for Moms & their teen daughters.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Sunday - The Source of All Love - I John 4:7-19 - 3/5/17

In reality, love is a choice & an action. God is the source of our love: he loved is enough to sacrifice his son for us. Jesus is our example of what it means to love; everything he did in life & death was supremely loving. The Holy Spirit gives us power to love; he lives in our hearts & makes more & more like Jesus. God's love always involves a choice & an action, & our love should be like his.


The world thinks love is what make you feel good, & it is willing to sacrifice moral principles & others' rights in order to obtain such "love." Our definition of love must come from God who is holy, just, & perfect. At the same time, if we truly know God, we must learn to love as he does.


"Only begotten" means God's unique Son.


Love explains (1) why God creates; (2) why God cares; (3) whey we are free to choose; (4) why Christ died; & (5) why we receive eternal life.


Nothing sinful or evil can exist in God's presence. He cannot overlook, condone, or excuse sin as if it never happened. We can be acquitted (Romans 5:18) by his atoning sacrifice ("propitiation").


Jesus is the complete expression of God in human form & he has revealed God to us. When we love one another, the invisible God reveals himself to others through us, & his love is made complete ("perfect").


John isn't telling us how many people to love, but how much to love the people we already know. Our job is to faithfully love the people God has given us to love, whether there are two or two hundred of them. If God sees we are ready to love others, he will bring them to us. God provides us the strength to do what he asks.


When we become Christians, we receive the Holy Spirit. God's presence in our lives is a proof that we really belong to him & gives us the power to love. If you lack assurance of your salvation, listen to the Holy Spirit within you (Romans 8:16).


The day of judgment is that final day when we will appear before Christ & be held accountable for our actions. We can look forward to the judgment, because it will mean the end of sin & the beginning of a face-to-face relationship with Jesus Christ.


If we ever begin to dear eternity, heaven, or God's judgment, we can remind ourselves of God's love. We can be confident of what lies ahead if in this life we have determined to be more like Jesus.


God's love is the source of all human love, & it spreads like fire. In turn, they love others, who are warmed by God's love through them.

Reference summary used from Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Sunday - Christ Creates Holy Living - Galatians 5:18-6:10 - 2/26/17

Live each day controlled & guided by the Holy Spirit. Then the words of Christ will be in your mind, the love of Christ in your actions, & the power of Christ will help you control your selfish desires.


In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucify them). These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality & witchcraft.


The Spirit produces character traits, which are found in the nature of Christ. The result will be that we will fulfill the intended purpose of the Law - loving God & man. Which of these qualities do you desire to produce in you?


Because the God who sent the Law also sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God's Law.


When you do your very best, you feel good about the results & there is no need to compare yourself with others. When you are tempted to compare look at Jesus Christ. His example will inspire you to do your very best, & his loving acceptance will comfort you when you fall short of your goals.


It would be certainly be a surprise if you planted corn in the ground & pumpkins came up. Every actions has results. If you plant to please your own desires ("soweth to the flesh"), you'll reap a crop of sorrow & evil; if you plant to please God you'll reap joy & everlasting life.


It is discouraging to continue to do right & receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Friday, February 24, 2017

Friday - Practice Mutal Discipline - Matthew 18:15-20 - 2/24/17

These are Jesus' guidelines for dealing with those who sin against us. Jesus' words are not a license for a frontal attack on every person who hurts or slights us. They are designed to reconcile those who disagree so that all Christians can live in harmony.

By contrast, we should go to the person first, as difficult as that may be. Then we should forgive that person as often as he or she needs it.


Ideally, the church's decisions should be God-guided & based on discernment of his Word. Handling problems God's way will have an impact now & for eternity.


Jesus looks ahead to a new day when he will be present with his followers not in body, but through his Holy Spirit. Two or more believers, filled with the Holy Ghost, will pray according to God's will, not their own; & thus their requests will be granted.

Reference summary used from Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Thursday - Wholeness by Prayer & Action - James 5:13-20 - 2/23/17

James refers to someone who is incapacitated physically. Thus oil can represent both the medical & the spiritual spheres of life. Jesus Christ is Lord over both the body & the spirit.


The elders should be on call to respond to the illness of any members & the church should stay alert to pray for the needs of all its members.


"And the prayer of faith," does not refer to the faith of the sick person, but to the faith of the church. God heals, faith doesn't, & all prayers are subject to God's will. That is why God often waits for our prayers of faith before intervening to heal a person.


"Confess your faults" can be translated "Confess your sins." Christ has made it possible for us to go directly to God for forgiveness, but confessing our sins to one another still has an important place in the life of the church. In Christ's Kingdom, every believer is a priest to other believers. We must help others come to Christ & tell them of Christ's forgiveness.


The Christian's most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. Since God's power is infinitely greater than our own, it only makes sense to rely on it - especially because he encourages us to do so.


For more about the great prophet Elijah (Elias), read his Profile in I Kings 18.


Clearly the person who has slipped away is a believer who has fallen into sin - one who is no longer living a life consistent with his belief. Christians disagree over whether or not it is possible for people to lose their salvation, but all agree that those who move away from their faith are in serious trouble & need to repent. James urges Christians to help backsliders return to God. By taking the initiative, praying for the person, & acting in love, we can meet the person where he is & bring him back to God.


The book of James emphasizes faith in action. Right living is the evidence of result of faith. The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly & truthfully, live in obedient to God's commands, & love one another. The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God & one another. If we truly believe God's Word, we will live it day by day. God's Word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do. Belief, faith & trust must have hands & feet - ours!

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Tuesday - The Sower & the Seed - Luke 8:4-15 - 2/21/17

Jesus often communicated spiritual truth through parables - short stories or descriptions that take a familiar object or situation & give it a starting new twist. By linking the known with the hidden & forcing listeners to think, parables can point to spiritual truths. A parable compels listeners to discover the truth for themselves, & it conceals the truth for themselves, & it conceals the truth from those too lazy or prejudiced to look for it. In reading Jesus' parables, we must be careful not to, read too much into them.


Why would a farmer allow precious seed to land "by the way side," upon rocks, or among thorns? He is using the acceptance method of hand-seeding a large field - casting it by handfuls as he walks through the field. That some of the seed produced no crop was not the fault of the faithful farmer or the seed. The yield depended on the condition of the soil where the seed fell. It is our responsibility to spread the seed (God's message), but we should not give up when some of our efforts fail. Remember, not every seed falls on good soil.


God told Isaiah that people would hear without understanding & see without perceiving, & this is what happened to Jesus. The parable of the soil was an accurate picture of the people's reaction to the rest of his parables.


Wayside people, like many of the religious leaders, refused to believe God's message. Hard-rock people, like many in the crowds who followed Jesus, believed his message but never got around to doing anything about it. Thorn-patch people, overcome by materialism, left no room in their lives for God. Good-soil people, in contrast to all the other groups, followed no matter what the cost.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishing, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Monday - Walk in Newness of Life - Romans 6:1-11 - 2/20/17

This section deals with sanctification - the change God makes in our lives when we become Christians. Chapter 6 discusses the continuing struggle believers have with sin.


God forgiveness does not make sin less serious. The availability of God's mercy must not become an excuse for careless living & moral laxness.


In the church in the apostle Paul's day, immersion was the usual form of baptism - that is, new Christians were completely "buried" in water. They understood this form of baptism to symbolize the death & burial of the old way of life. Coming up out of the water symbolized resurrection to new life with Christ.


We can enjoy our new life in Christ because we are united ("planted") with him in his death & resurrection.


The power & penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. Our "old man," our sinful nature, died once & for all, so we are freed from its power. The "body of sin" is not the human body, but our rebellious sin-loving nature inherited from Adam. The apostle Paul has already stated that through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, "not guilty" before God.


Because of Christ's death & resurrection, his followers need never fear death. This will affect all our activities - work & worship, play & Bible study, quiet times & times caring for others.


We are fully fenced off (because of our union & identification with Christ) from all the old ways of believing & behaving. We have a new start & the Holy Spirit will help us become in our daily experience what Christ has declared us to be.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible, KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois


Sunday, February 19, 2017

Sunday - Freedom in Christ - Galatians 5:1-17 - 2/19/17

Christ died to set us free from sin & from a long list of laws & regulations.


Trying to be saved by keeping the Law & being saved by grace are two different approaches.


We are saved by faith, not works, but love for others & for God is the response of those whom God has been forgiven.


It only takes one person to infect all the others by persuasion.


Persecution proved that the apostle Paul was preaching the true Gospel.


The "flesh" is not a reference to the body, but to the sinful nature that attempts to use our bodies to lead us into sin.


At the same time, you must beware of confusing your feelings with the Spirit's leading. Being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God's Word, & the sensitivity to discern between your feelings & his promptings.


The Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger, but we are weak. Our only way to freedom from our natural evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Saturday - Produce the Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-16 - 2/18/17

The "fruit of the Spirit: is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. They are the by-products of Christ's control, & we can't obtain them by trying to get them. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his. We must know him, love him, remember him, imitate him.


A person who is rich in the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the Law for better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his heart.


In order to accept Christ as Saviour, we need to turn from our sins & willingly nail our natural evil desires to the cross. As Christians we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin's power over us & no longer have to give in to it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God's control, daily crucify them, & moment by moment draw on the Spirit's power to overcome them.


As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God - emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so walk with him.


Those who look to God for approval won't need to seek it from others.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Tuesday - The Lord is God Alone - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - 2/14/17

Monotheism - believing only one God - was a distinctive feature of Hebrew religion. Many ancient religions believed in many gods. But the God of Abraham, Issac, & Jacob is the God of the whole earth, the only true God. This was an important insight for the nation of Israel, because they were about to enter the promise land filled with people who believed in many gods. Both then & today, there are people who prefer to place their trust in many different "gods." But the day is coming when God will be recognized as the only one. He will be King over all the earth.


We are to love God, think constantly about his commandments, teach his commandments to our children, & live our daily lives by the guidelines in his Word. God emphasized the importance of parents teaching the Bible to their children. The church & Christian schools cannot be used to escape from the responsibility. Eternal truths are most effectively learned in the loving environment of a God-fearing home.


Jesus said that loving God with all your heart, soul, & mind is the first & greatest commandment. This command, combined with the command to love your neighbor, on compass all the other Old Testament laws.


The Hebrews were extremely successful at making religion an integral part of life. The reason for their success was that religious education was life-oriented, not information-oriented. They used the context of daily life to teach about God. The key to teaching your children to love God is stated simply & clearly in these verses. If you want your children to follow God, you must make God a part of your everyday life. You must teach your children to see God in all aspects of life, not just those that are church related.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Monday - Christ, the Wisdom of God - I Corinthians 1:18-25 - 2/13/17

God's way of thinking is not like the world's way (normal human wisdom), but God offers eternal life while the world cannot. We can spend a lifetime accumulating human wisdom & never learn how to have a personal relationship with God. We must come to Christ to learn this important truth.


Many Jews thought the Good News of Jesus Christ was foolish because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering King accompanied by signs & miracles. Jesus had not restored David's throne as they expected. Greeks, too, considered the Gospel foolish; they did not believe in a bodily resurrection, they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods; & they thought no reputable person would be crucified.

The Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. Our society worships power, influence, & wealth. Jesus came as a humble poor servant, & he offers his Kingdom to those with faith, not works. This looks foolish to the world.


The message of Christ's death for sins sounds foolish to those who don't believe. Death seems to be the end of the road, the ultimate weakness. But Jesus did not stay dead. His resurrection shows his power even over death, & he will save us from eternal death, & give us everlasting life if we trust him as Saviour & Lord. This sounds so simple that many people won't accept it. They try other ways to obtain eternal life (being good, being wise, etc.), but their attempts will not work. The "foolish" people who simply accept Christ's offer are actually the wisest of all, because they alone will live eternally with God.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Saturday - Led by the Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:12-17 -2/11/17

"Mortify the deeds of the body" in verse thirteen means to put to death or regard as dead the power of sin in your body.


The apostle Paul uses adoption to illustrate the believer's new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family & gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father's estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he gains all the privileges & responsibilities of a child in God's family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit. We may not always feel like we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are & encourages us with his love.


Because we are God's children, we share in great treasures as joint-heirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his Son, forgiveness, & eternal life; & he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need.


There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Along with the great treasures, the apostle Paul mentions the suffering that Christians must face. In many parts of today's world, Christians face pressure just as severe as those faced by Christ's first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged Christians must not become complacent. Nothing we suffer however, can compare to the great price Jesus paid to save us.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Friday - The Spirit Brings Life - Romans 8:1-11 - 2/10/17

The "flesh" as used throughout this chapter refers not to our human bodies, but to the principle & power of sin. Sin is present & often operating in our body, not to be equaled with the body.


"Not guilty; let him go free"- what would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy Law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He has delivered us not guilty & has offered us freedom from sin & power to do his will.


The Spirit of life is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world, & he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.


Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the Temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin: blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned. But animal blood could not really remove sins. The sacrifices could only point to Jesus' sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins.


Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives lives on God. Use the Bible to discover God's guidelines, & then follow them. When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.


A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for for your salvation & acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, & you are a Christian. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son & that eternal life comes through him; you will begin to act as Christ directs; you will find help in your daily problems & in your praying; you will be empowered to serve God & do his will; & you will become part of God's plan to build up his church.


The Holy Spirit is God's promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. He is in us now by faith, & by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Wednesday - Power & Strength through Weakness - II Corinthians 12:7b-10 - 2/8/17

We don't know what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was because he doesn't tell us. Whatever it was, it was a chronic & debilitaling physical problem, which at times kept him from working. This thorn was a hindrance to his ministry, & he prayed for its removal; but God refused. Paul was a very self-sufficient person, so this thorn was difficult for him. It kept Paul humble, reminded him of his need for constant contact with God, and benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life.


Although God did not remove Paul's physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that God's power shows up in weak people should give us courage. We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than on simple energy, effort, or talent. Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, for in admitting our weakness, we affirm God's strength.


God does not intend for us to seek to be weak, passive, or ineffective - life provides enough hindrances & setbacks without us creating them. When they come, we must depend on God.


Paul was not merely revealing his feelings; he was defending his authoring as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was hurt that the church in Corinth doubted & questioned him, & he defended himself for the cause of the Gospel, not to satisfy his ego.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Tuesday - All Peoples are Blessed Through Abraham - Genesis 22:15-18 -1/31/17

Abraham received abundant blessings because he obeyed God. First, God gave Abraham's descendants the ability to conquer their enemies. Second, God promised Abraham children & grandchildren who in turn the whole earth would be blessed. People's lives would be changed as a result of knowing Abraham & his descendants. Most often we think of blessings as gifts to be enjoyed. But when God blesses us, his blessings are intended to overflow to others.

Reference summary used from the KJV Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Sunday - All Creation Praises God - Psalm/Tehillim 148 - 1/29/17

The psalmist exhorted the celestial, the terrestrial, & the rational creatures praise God.

Psalm 148:1 ... (Hallelujah.) PRAISE ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.


Psalm 148:2 ... (Reference scriptures: Psalm 103:20,21) Bless the LORD, ye his angels, (mighty in strength:) that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.


Psalm 148:3 ... Praise ye him, sun & moon: praise him, ye all stars of light.


Psalm 148:4 ... (Reference scriptures: II Corinthians 12:2 & Genesis 1:7) I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I can not tell: God knoweth;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.

Genesis 1:7 ... And God made the firmament (between the light & between the darkness.), & divided the waters which were under the firmament from the midst of the waters of the waters which were above the firmament: & it was so.


Psalm 148:5 ... (References scriptures Genesis 1:1,6,7 ...In the creation of heaven & earth, & of the firmament. Genesis 1:7 above.) IN the beginning God created the heaven & the earth.

And God said, Let there be a (between the light & between the darkness.)firmament in the midst of the waters, & let it divide the waters from the waters.


Psalm 148:6 ... (Reference scriptures 119:90,91) ... Thy faithfulness is (to generation & generation,) unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, & it (standeth) abideth.

They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all thy servants.


Psalm 148:7 ... (Reference scripture: Isaiah 43:20 ... God's promises to his chosen people to deliver his people.) The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons & the (ostriches) (daughters of the owl) owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, & rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.


Psalm 148:8 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 147:15-18 ... The psalmist exhorteth to praise God for his care of the church, his power, his goodness, his mercy;)


Psalm 148:9 ... (Reference scripture: Isaiah 44:23 ... An assurance to Israel of deliverance.)


Psalm 148:10 ... Beasts, & all cattle; creeping things, & (birds of wings) flying fowl:


Psalm 148:11 ... Kings of the earth, & all people; princes, & all judges of the earth:


Psalm 148:12 ... Both young men, & maidens; old men, & children:


Psalm 148:13 ... Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is (exalted) excellent: his glory is above the earth & heaven.


Psalm 148:14 ... (Reference scripture: Ephesians 2:17) And came & preached peace to you which were afar off, & to them that were nigh.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville,TN

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Saturday - God's Gracious Ways - Psalm/Tehillim 145:13b-21 - 1/28/17

The psalmist praiseth God for the glory of his kingdom, & for his saving mercy. David's Psalm of praise.

Psalm 145:13 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 146:10) ... The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zi'on unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.


Psalm 145:14 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 146:8) ...The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth righteous:


Psalm 145:15 ... (Reference scriptures: Psalm 104:27 & Psalm 136:25) (The dependence of all creatures upon God)These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

Psalm 136:25 ... Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.


Psalm 145:16 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 147:9) To execute them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.


Psalm 145:17 ... The LORD is righteous in all his ways, & (merciful, or bountiful.) holy in all his ways.


Psalm 145:18 ... (Reference scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:7 & John 4:24) For what nation is there is so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

John 4:24 ... God is a Spirit: & they that worship him must worship him in spirit & in truth.


Psalm 145:19 ... He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, & save them.


Psalm 145:20 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 97:10 ... An exhortation to hate evil & rejoice in the Lord.) Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.


Psalm 145:21 ... My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: & let all flesh bless his holy name for ever & ever.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Thursday - Joy & Wish for Perfect Harmony - Psalm/Tehillim 104:31-35 - 1/19/17

The Lord's glory is eternal.

Psalm 104:31 ... (Reference scripture: Genesis 1:31 ...) And God saw everything that he had made, & behold, it was very good. And the evening & the morning were the sixth day.


Psalm 104:32 ... (Reference scriptures: Habakkuk 3:10 & Psalm 144:5 ... ) The mountains saw thee, & they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, & lifted up his hands on high.

Bow thy heavens, O LORD, & come down: touch the mountains, & they shall smoke.


Psalm 104:33 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 146:2 ...) While I live, will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.


Psalm 104:34 ... My meditation of him shall be saved: I will be glad in the LORD.


Psalm 104:35 ... (Reference scriptures: Proverbs 2:22 & Psalm 104:1 ...) But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, & the transgressors shall be (plucked up) rooted out of it.

(An exhortation to bless the LORD for his mighty power, & wonderful providence.) BLESS the LORD O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour & majesty:

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN