2 of 2 ... Hopeful Living ... May 5, 2013

Sunday School Lesson for May 5, 2013. Unit III. A Call to Holy Living. I Peter 1:3-12 (Devotional Reading Lamentations 3:19-24).


I Peter 1:3-12

Verses 3-5

Verse 3 ... Duties To God; Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving for Christ & His Salvation

Verse 4 ... Eschatology/Last Things; Heaven; Description of Heaven, An Inheritance Incorruptible

Verse 5 ... Man Redeemed; Blessedness Of The New Life; Perseverance Unto the End ... The Lord's Love & Care for His Children

We do not nor or we operating on our own strength.

(I Corinthians 13:13; Hebrews 10:23; I Peter 3:15; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 1:18; 4:4; I Thessalonians 4:13; Colossians 1:27; I Timothy 1:1 - Reference Scriptures in the Sunday School Book)


Verses 6-7

Verse 6 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Joy in Persecution

Verse 7 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Steadfastness Rewarded

Christians/Saints of God become distressed by life;s struggles but we are not a people without hope. As believers our hope is in Christ.


Verses 8-12

Verse 8 ... Man Redeemed; Faith; Immunities & Rewards of Faith, Blessedness & Joy .... Everlasting Life & Heaven Promised

Verse 9 ... Eschatology/Last Things; Heaven; The Blessedness of Heaven, Salvation

Verse 10 ... Man Redeemed; The New Covenant; Salvation Is by Grace ... Scripture; Characteristics Of Scripture; Divinely Inspired

Verses 11,12 ... Scripture; Characteristics Of Scripture; Divinely Inspired


I Peter (First Epistle of Peter)n was written by the apostle Simon Peter to:

1.Comfort & strengthen the Christians in a season of severe trial by fiery persecution.

2. Enforce the practical & spiritual duties involved in their calling.

3. To remove all doubt as to the soundness & completeness of the religion which they had received; for they had received of the knowledge & the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whose majesty & glory the apostle himself had been an eyewitness.


Lamentations 3:19-24

Verses 19,20,21 ... Works of God; God's Providence In Moral Discipline; Patient Endurance of Affliction

Verses 22,23 ... God; Attributes Of God As Person; Mercy & Compassion

Verse 24 ... Duties To God; Hope; Hope in God


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Reference Bible; The International Teacher's Bible Encyclopedia Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, & KJV New Devotional & Explanatory Family Bible

5-1-2013 ... Truth, Integrity, & Honesty

April/May/June 2013 Devotional & Educational Quarterly Emphasis is on "Building Character ... Truth, Honesty, & Integrity." For any new readers of this devotion I want to share that this Devotion is designed to be studied once a week by our Church. I share Scriptures from the devotion and my study notes.

Topic Scripture ... Proverbs 6:16-19

Devotion Scripture ... Hebrews 10:10


Key Verse ... Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17).

Scripture: Characteristics of Scripture; Perfection & Truth of Scripture

Call to Worship: Matthew 11:28-29 .... Joy & Peace & Rest Promised ... Whosoever Will May Be Saved

Matthew 11:28 ... Man Redeemed; Blessedness Of The New Life; Assurance of the Divine Favour

Matthew 11:29 ... Jesus Christ; Offices Of Christ; Christ Our Example


Proverbs 6:6-19 ... Against idleness & mischievousness & seven things hateful to God ... A FAther's Warning & Advice (Proverbs 1:8-9:18)


Hebrews 10:10 ... Jesus Christ; Office Of Christ; Our Propitiation ... (propitiation - atonement)


Topic Discussion Scriptures .... John 17; John 17:17; II Corinthians 7:1; John 17:18-19; John 17:16

John 17 ... The great prayer of Jesus/Yeshua (John 17:1-26) .... The Upper Room Ministry (John 13:1-21:25) ... Christ prayed to his Father to glorify him, to preserve his apostles, & all other believers.

II Corinthians 7:1 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Perfection To Be Aimed At ... Renewal Of Bonds Between Paul & The Corinthians (II Corinthians 6:1-7:16)


John 17:18-19

Verse 18 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Humanity; Christ Compared with the Father, In Dignity

Verse 19 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Performs the Works of God, In Bestowing Spiritual Blessings


John 17:16 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Non-Conformity to the World

The Gospel of John (Book of John) "the most influential book in all literature."

John writes from personal knowledge. John shows us how a divine personage infuriated the hiearchy by claiming to be one with Jehovah. There is in St. John's Gospel a large element which, although under the guidance of the Spirit comes form himself.

In the issues of the ministry a more complete revelation is made to the disciples (John Chapters 13-20).


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia & Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & Zondervan Commentary

Daniel's Fast & How To Pray ... 2/2003

Scriptures on how to pray - this is one of my Feb. 10, 2003 Writings.

http://injesus.com/message-archives/christian-living/ChristianThinkers/daniel-fast-and-how-to-pray

What was on my mind when I wrote this in 2003?

I am sharing scriptures on Daniel fast:

Daniel 6:18-24, Daniel 9:1-19, Daniel 10:3-13

The book of I Timothy 2:1-2 has on record how to pray as well :::::

I EXHORT therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
KINGS::::::::::::IN THE USA TO MY UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE A PRESIDENT INSTEAD OF A KING...IN OTHER COUNTRIES THERE ARE KINGS, PRESIDENTS, PRIME MINISTERS, ETC...........


ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY

I Timothy 2:1-2 teaches us the Duty of Intercession and Peaceableness.

I Timothy 2:1-2 refers us to Ezra 6:10, Jeremiah 29:7 and Romans 13:1:

a. which has on record sacred places "Zerubbabel's Temple" and commands the applicants to promote the building.

b. Pleading in prayer, for country, national pardon

c. Civil/social life and obedience to rulers

I Timothy 2:4 ... Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

ALL MAY BE SAVED -- Man Redeemed

Scripture text and reference taken from: Crusade @ Bible Publishers, Inc. 1970, Mt. Juliet, TN, USA, 37122

Angela Watkins, Book Reviewer, Writer/Blogger, Researcher, Former Sunday School Teacher, http://angelawatkins57.blogspot.com, http://www.writers.net/writers/21422

Sepher Tehillim ... Psalm of Gratitude ... 12/05/2007

This is not a new article, I shared this in 2007.


Psalm 40:1-5 (Week of 12-9-07 Devotional Sunday School Bible Reading)

Psalm - Prayer, Praise & Adoration = "Sepher Tehillim" the Book of Praises

David is the Writer of this Psalm. David also danced before the Lord (II Samuel 6:14,16)


Psalm 40 is a Psalm of Gratitude

Psalm 40:1-5

Verse 1 -- I WAITED patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Duties To God -- PRAYER -- In Humility & Patience

Verse 2 -- He brought me up also out of "an" horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock; and "established" my goings.

Blessedness of The New Life -- Assurance of the Divine Favour

"an" -- a pit of noise

"established" -- Psalm 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Works of God -- God's Providence in Moral Discipline - Support in Affliction

Verse 3 -- And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

FAITH -- Examples of Faith

Verse 4 -- Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

FAITH -- Immunities (power or position of resisting the creation and growth of a disease) & Rewards of Faith

Real Life 101 --- Immunities (I wanted to use this for a personal stand point)....... Jehovah-Rapha.... The Lord My Healer... Exodus 15:26

Verse 5 -- Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

The Creator Praised -- The Creator of the World

Genesis 1:1 & 1:2b

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

II Samuel 6:14 -- David danced before the LORD (II Samuel 6:14, 16)

Sacred Places -- The Tabernacle & The Ark From Moses to Solomon, Michal's Contemptuous Behaviour

Contemptuous (looking at one such as despised, disgrace, scorn, worthless)


Scripture Reference Taken From:

KJV, Topical Reference Bible Edition, Crusade Bible Publishers, Mt. Juliet, TN

The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encycolpedia & Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, The John C. Winston Co., Entered 1915 at Stationer's Hall

I freely share book reviews as well as my sunday school lesson notes with various sites/places. Any additional writing-reading(s)-teaching, etc. are by appointments unless I feel directed to do so.

Some years ago a preacher email me and wanted to refer me to help write sunday school literature for the company that he was or he had written for. He told me they will pay you but they pay slow. I told him no thank you for I did not want that type of pressure put on me and another thing I have never been to Theology or Seminary School so I decided not to take him up on his offer.

1 of 2 ... Hopeful Living ... May 5, 2013

My Sunday School Bible Reading for the week of May 5, 2013 is coming from the Books of Job, Psalm/Tehillim, Lamentations, and I Peter.

As you know I have no Seminary/Theology Training so I wanted to explain first where some of my study notes came from:
The International Teacher's Bible Encyclopedia & Concordance of the KJV Precious Promise Bible KJV.


Monday - April 29, 2013 - I Have No Help in Me - Job 6:8-13

Job's second speech (Job 6:1-7:21)

A discussion between Job and his friends written in poetry. There are three sets of speeches.

The book of Job seems written to point out that such suffering is often permitted as a test of faith and a means of grace.

Job was a non-Israelite, a dweller in the land of Uz (probably near Edom, on the east or northeast), a man of wealth and exemplary piety.


Tuesday - April 30, 2013 - Days without Hope - Job 7:1-6


Wednesday - May 1, 2013 - Will Mortals Live Again? - Job 14:7-17

Job's fourth speech (Job 1:1-124:22)


Thursday - May 2, 2013 - My Times Are in Your Hands - Psalm/Tehillim 31:9-16

Psalm of Supplication: affliction & trust in God

Psalms of Adoration: Of God's goodness & mercy

Prophetical, Typical, & Historical Psalms


Friday - May 3, 2013 - The Lord Preserves the Faithful - Psalm/Tehillim 31:19-24


Saturday - May 4, 2013 - Hope in God's Faithfulness - Lamentations 3:19-24

Third Lament )Lamentations 3:1-66)

A Man of Sorrows (Lamentations 3:1-21)

A Time to Hope in God (Lamentations 3:22-39)

In the LXX., Targum, & Talmud, Jeremiah is regarded as the author of Lamentations.

Targum ... Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.

Talmud ... 'doctrine,' from the Hebrew word "to learn," is a large collection of writings containing a full account of the civil & religious laws of the Jews.

Chapter 3 consists of sixty-six verses, and three verses, each beginning with the same letter, are assigned to each successive letter of the alphabet, so that there is a threefold alphabetical arrangement in that chapter.






Sunday - May 5, 2013 - New Birth into a Living Hope - I Peter 1:3-12

The Status Of The Christian (I Peter 1:1-2:10)

The Derivation of this Status from God (I Peter 1:1-9)

The Permanence of the Christian Status in the Counsel of God (I Peter 1:10-12)


Scripture reference used/taken from: International Teacher's Bible Encyclopedia & Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible & Zondervan Commentary

Creating a Mother-Daughter Bond That Lasts a Lifetime ... Book Review

I received an advanced reading copy of this book February 2007.

The authors, Shellenberger and Gowler will be speaking throughout the U.S. at the closer: Mother-Daughter events in 2007.

No question about it, you have your hands full. Whether you're happily married, or are a single mom, balancing life as a mother is exhausting. Many of you hold down a job, plus you're carpooling kids to ball games and keeping hungry mouths fed, clothes clean,dogs washed, bills paid...Maintaining a household and raising a family is work!

At least once a week, indulge yourself with an hour just for you.

To better love others, you must first love yourself.





Our daughters live in a much different world than we did at their age. We worried about things such as who would ask us to the prom and the big project due in class next week.

It may shock you to know what's really on your daughter's mind every day as she walks out the door to school.

Teen suicide is the leading cause of death among teens and youth ages 10 -19 years old. Hopelessness and depression are devasting emotions that need to be taken seriously.

Moms: Are you really in touch with the world your daughter lives in, or are you living in the past?

Daughters: Are you willing to take a risk and talk about the tough stuff with your mom?

A mother understands what a child does not say. __ Jewish Proverb

A covenant is much more than a decision or a promise or a commitment or a pledge or an agreement.

The word for covenant in the Old Testament comes from a Hebrew word that means "to cut."

Types of Covenant:

Covenants of God He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Issac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit" (Psalm 105:8 - 11 NIV).

Two different types of covenants used in the Old Testament:

1. Parity Covenant - I Samuel 18:3 - 4, Malachi 2:14, Obadiah 7

2. Suzerain Covenant - Ezekiel 17:13 - 14, Joshua 23:16





Variety of covenants made by God:

Edenic Covenant - Genesis 3:15 Noachian Covenant - Genesis 9:9 Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 15:18 Sinaitic Covenant - Exodus 19:5 - 6 Levitical Covenant - Numbers 25:12 - 13 Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 23:5 New Covenant - Matthew 26:28

"A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart" __ Author Unknown

It doesn't take long after the birth of your first child for sobering reality to hit: you're responsible for the health and well being of another human life.

From the moment of delivery it's your responsibility to care for and teach this little one about life, God, and eventually how to become independent of you.

A wise mom realizes that she's not up to the task on her own.

Go to your knees for wisdom and strength.

Trust the One who created your daughter.

God knows best how to nurture and encourage her to become all He intended her to be.

In the book there is a Mom and Daughter Quiz. Answers will varyh between true/false and multiple choice.

There is a quick quiz to check your apology quotient in the book as well.

There are Journal Entries with specific questions for moms and daughters to answer in the book as well.

Determine to leave behind all "faith by appearance" and dive into a genuine relationship with God with the understanding that nothing more will be done for show.

"How do I know my mom loves me?" Chelsea repeated. "well, that's easy! When I'm sick she makes me homemade chicken soup. She makes a special bed for me on the couch so I can watch TV if I feel like it. And she brings my special blanket to cover me up with.

"A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled." __ Emily Dickinson

Girls, there are five parts to a covenant you're being challenged to make with your mom. The only way you can be successful at making and keeping this sacred oath with her is by having a covenant with your heavenly Father.

If you don't have a genuine covenant with God, you can't have a genuine covenant with your mom.

Communicating includes prayer for and with your daughter,written expressions of love and affirmation, verbal affirmation, and physical touch.

Christ wants you as close to Him as you can possibly get. He also wants you as close to your mom as you can possibly get. The way you draw closer to Christ is by being on your knees - or through prayer.

As you develop a strong, powerful prayer line that shoots directly into the kingdom of heaven, don't simply pray for yourself; pray for your mom as well.

Your daughter absorbs your mood swings, attitudes, unspoken vibes, and body language much faster than she does the words coming out of your mouth.

What You Can Expect: Ages 11 - 14

You've suddenly become the most annoying person on the face of the earth and have no idea what you're talking about most of the time; at least that's how she perceives you today. Tomorrow may be totally different.

She lives in a world that tells her to be more grown-up and sophiscated than she's ready for.

Keep a close watch on who and what is influencing her choices.

What You Can Expect: Ages 15 16

This is the fun stage of your daughter's life. She's become more confident, and her talents and areas of interest are narrowing down.

Here are a few tips to help you stay connected with her:

Step into her world and find out what she loves. She may have totally different interests than you.

Don't try to make her into a carbon copy of yourself or another sibling. She's one-of-a-kind.

Get to know her. Tap into her personality and discover what motivates her.

Encourage her to seek God's plan for her life.

Keep in mind your teen daughter is still a teenager, not yet an adult.

What You Can Expect: Ages 17 - 19

She needs your guidance now more than your lectures.

She wants you to talk to her, not at her. She wants your input but needs to make her own decisions.

This is the day you've been working toward for eighteen years. You've taken a helpless, totally dependent wrinkled baby girl and turned her into a confident and independent young adult.

You did it! With God's help, you did it.

Congratulations! Treat yourself to a pedicure or an ice-cream sundae. You deserve it!

I received a copy of this book for review February 8, 2007.

The authors:

Susie Shellenberger has written forty-one books, is in demand as an international speaker for women's groups and teens, and started the Brio Mother/Daughter Cruise for Focus on the Family.

Kathy Gowler has counseled hundreds of teen girls in person and by answering their email questions.

2 of 2 ... Sure Source of Hope ... 4/28/2013

Sunday School Lesson for April 28, 2013. Unit II. Resurrection Hope. II Thessalonians 2:1-3, 9-17 (Devotional Reading Titus 3:1-7).


Ezra & Nehemiah .... June/July/August 2003 & June/July/August 2013 Sunday School Lessons are both from the Books of Ezra & Nehemiah ......... Knowledge Should Be Guarded by Priest (Malachi 2:1-9 9/11/2003) .... Enemies Plot Against (Nehemiah 4:7-14 7/8/2003) .... Plans Are Made (Nehemiah 2:6-10 ... 7/3/2003)


In this Digital Age information is quick to retrieve, but remember the apostle Paul warned the Saints of God/Christians/Believers about the deception that comes from satan and his sources.

The apostle Paul instructed the Christians in I & II Thessalonians.

Thessalonica, a seaport town of Salonica in Macedonia.

Some individuals will not be saved and receive Salvation.

King Agrippa told the apostle Paul "thou almost persuaded me to become a Christian" Acts 26:68.


II Thessalonians 2:1-3, 9-17

Verses 1,2,3 ... Eschatology/Last Things; Christ's Second Coming; The Duty of Christians in View of Christ's Coming

Verse 3 ... Let no man deceive you by any means

(I John 2:18; Revelation 13:11-18 - Reference Scripture in the Sunday School Book)






Verses 9,10, ... Eschatology/Last Things; Christ's Second Coming; Antichrist to Be Destroyed

Verses 11,12 .. Works of God; The Purposes of God; Reprobation (reprobation ... a person who is condemned by God, hardened in sin) .... Man Redeemed; Faith; Unbelief, Punished

Verse 9 ... Even when, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Verse 10 ... because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Verse 11 ... God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(John 14:26; I Peter 1:15-16)


Verse 13 ... Works of God; The Purposes Of God; Elected to Holiness

Verse 14 ... Works of God; The Purposes of God; Human Merit

Verse 15 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Steadfastness

Verses 16,17 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Is Called Lord

Verse 13 ... But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Verse 14 ... He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 15 ... Brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Verses 16,17 ... A prayer from the apostle Paul that God would comfort the Thessalonians hearts and stablish them in every good work.


Titus 1:5-3:11 ... a discussion of the needs of the Cretan Church.

Titus is directed by the apostle Paul, concerning the things he should teach, and not teach.

Titus worked more or less independently. He had been with Paul in Rome during the apostle Paul second imprisonment, but had left to go into Dalmatia.


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible, and Reader's Digest Oxford Complete WordFinder