Jesus Is Taken Up Into Heaven. The Ascension.
The Disciples Commissioned.
Where did Jesus go? Will people on earth ever see Jesus again?
Acts 1:11 ... "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But He will come back in the same way you saw Him go."
Jesus' work on earth was done. He got to go back to heaven and reign with God, His Father. He promised to come back someday. If we, believe in Him, He will take us to heaven to live with Him.
When Jesus went to heaven, He was no longer a man. He had a heavenly body. He now could reign in heaven with God.
Jesus led His disciples out to the area near Bethany. Then He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
While He was blessing them, He left them. He was taken up into the heaven.
Then they worshiped Him. With great joy, they returned to Jerusalem.
Every day they went to the temple, praising God.
When the Lord Jesus finished speaking to them, He was taken up into heaven. He sat down at the right hand of God.
After Jesus said this, He was taken up to heaven. The apostles watched until a cloud Him from their sight.
While He was going up, they kept on looking at the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothing stood beside them.
"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But He will come back in the same way you say Him go."
1. Jesus went to heaven.
2. Jesus reigns in heaven with God.
3. Jesus is coming back someday.
Reference scripture used from The NIrV May the Faith Be With You Holy Bible @ Zondervan 2017 and The New American Standard Bible (Parallel Bible) Zondervan Bible Publishers
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Friday, April 27, 2018
Sunday - Jesus Gives His Followers a Job to Do - Children's Sunday School Lesson - Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:36-49 - 4/22/18
Matthew 28:16-20 ... Jesus' Final Orders to His Disciples. The Great Commission.
Luke 24:36-49 ... Jesus Appears to the Disciples. Jesus Other Appearances.
A witness is someone who has seen something happen and tells others about it. The disciples were witnesses of Jesus'miracles, His death, and how He came back to life. Jesus wanted to tell other people about all the things He had done.
A good exercise is to let children spell the name of the city and state they live in and name states from a map that is close to their state.
You may pray that people in this country learn about Jesus. Someday, God may even use you and or others to tell people in that country about Jesus.
Acts 1:8 ... You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw Him they worshiped Him. But some still had their doubts.
Then Jesus came to them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."
The disciples were still talking about this when Jesus Himself suddenly stood among them (Jesus Appears to the Disciples).
They were surprised and terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
Jesus told the disciples to look at His hands and feet.
Jesus told them it was really Him. He told them to touch Him and see. A ghost does not have a body or bones. But they could see that He did.
After Jesus said that, He showed them His hands and feet.
But they still did not believe it. They were amazed and filled with joy. So Jesus asked them do you have anything to eat? They gave Him a piece of cooked fish.
Jesus took it and ate it in front of them.
Jesus said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about Jesus in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true."
Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
He told them, "This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day.
His followers will preach in His name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem.
You have seen these things with your own eyes.
I am going to send you what my Father has promised. Stay there until you have received power from heaven."
Reference scripture used from The NIrV May the Faith Be With You Holy Bible @ Zondervan 2017 and The New American Standard Bible (Parallel Bible) Zondervan Bible Publishers
Luke 24:36-49 ... Jesus Appears to the Disciples. Jesus Other Appearances.
A witness is someone who has seen something happen and tells others about it. The disciples were witnesses of Jesus'miracles, His death, and how He came back to life. Jesus wanted to tell other people about all the things He had done.
A good exercise is to let children spell the name of the city and state they live in and name states from a map that is close to their state.
You may pray that people in this country learn about Jesus. Someday, God may even use you and or others to tell people in that country about Jesus.
Acts 1:8 ... You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw Him they worshiped Him. But some still had their doubts.
Then Jesus came to them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."
The disciples were still talking about this when Jesus Himself suddenly stood among them (Jesus Appears to the Disciples).
They were surprised and terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
Jesus told the disciples to look at His hands and feet.
Jesus told them it was really Him. He told them to touch Him and see. A ghost does not have a body or bones. But they could see that He did.
After Jesus said that, He showed them His hands and feet.
But they still did not believe it. They were amazed and filled with joy. So Jesus asked them do you have anything to eat? They gave Him a piece of cooked fish.
Jesus took it and ate it in front of them.
Jesus said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about Jesus in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true."
Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
He told them, "This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day.
His followers will preach in His name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem.
You have seen these things with your own eyes.
I am going to send you what my Father has promised. Stay there until you have received power from heaven."
Reference scripture used from The NIrV May the Faith Be With You Holy Bible @ Zondervan 2017 and The New American Standard Bible (Parallel Bible) Zondervan Bible Publishers
Monday, April 23, 2018
He has Risen - Luke 24:1-12 - Daily Sunday School Reading
The women brought spices to the tomb as we would bring flowers - as a sign of love and respect. Ordinarily a body was embalmed at burial and not a day and a half later, but Jesus died only a few hours before sun down on Friday. When the Sabbath began. By the time Joseph had received Pilate's permission to take the body and had put it in his tomb, there was longer time for embalming. The women went home and kept the Sabbath as the law required. From sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, before gathering their spices and returning to the tomb.
The two angels in shining garment. They asked the women why they were looking in a tomb for someone who was alive. Often we run into people who are looking for God among the dead. They study the Bible as a more historical document and go to Church as if to a memorial service. But Jesus is not among the dead - He lives! He reigns in the hearts of Christians, and He is the head of the Church. Do you look for Jesus among the living? Do you expect Him to be active in the world and in the Church? Look for signs of His power - they are all around you.
People who hear about the resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story, like the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief.
(1) At first, they may think it is a fairy tale, impossible to belief.
(2) Like Peter they may check the facts but still be puzzled about what happened.
(3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally are they able to accept the fact of the resurrection.
(4) Then as they commit themselves to Jesus and devote their lives to serving Him, they begin to understand the reality of His presence with them.
It was very early in the morning on the first day of the week. The women took the spices they had prepared. Then they went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled back away from it.
When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
They were wondering about this. Suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them.
The women were terrified. They bowed down with their faces to the ground. Then the men said to them, "why do you look for the living among the dead?"
Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how He told you He would rise, it was while He was still with you in Galilee.
He said, the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people. He must be nailed to a cross. On the third day He will rise from the dead.
Then the women remembered Jesus words.
They came back from the tomb. They told all these things to the eleven apostles and to all the others.
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them were the ones who told the apostles.
But the apostles did not believe the women. Their words didn't make only sense to them. Their words didn't make any sense to them.
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent over and saw the strips of linen lying by themselves. Then he went wondering what had happened.
At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn't find the body of the master Jesus.
They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of no where it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, "why are you looking for the living one in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how He told you when you were still back in Galilee that He had to be handed over to sinners, lost his life on a cross, and in three days rise up?" Then they remembered Jesus words.
They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things, to the apostles, but the apostles didn't believe a word of it.
Reference scripture used from The Life Application Bible, The NIrV Bible, and The Message Bible
The two angels in shining garment. They asked the women why they were looking in a tomb for someone who was alive. Often we run into people who are looking for God among the dead. They study the Bible as a more historical document and go to Church as if to a memorial service. But Jesus is not among the dead - He lives! He reigns in the hearts of Christians, and He is the head of the Church. Do you look for Jesus among the living? Do you expect Him to be active in the world and in the Church? Look for signs of His power - they are all around you.
People who hear about the resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story, like the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief.
(1) At first, they may think it is a fairy tale, impossible to belief.
(2) Like Peter they may check the facts but still be puzzled about what happened.
(3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally are they able to accept the fact of the resurrection.
(4) Then as they commit themselves to Jesus and devote their lives to serving Him, they begin to understand the reality of His presence with them.
It was very early in the morning on the first day of the week. The women took the spices they had prepared. Then they went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled back away from it.
When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
They were wondering about this. Suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them.
The women were terrified. They bowed down with their faces to the ground. Then the men said to them, "why do you look for the living among the dead?"
Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how He told you He would rise, it was while He was still with you in Galilee.
He said, the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people. He must be nailed to a cross. On the third day He will rise from the dead.
Then the women remembered Jesus words.
They came back from the tomb. They told all these things to the eleven apostles and to all the others.
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them were the ones who told the apostles.
But the apostles did not believe the women. Their words didn't make only sense to them. Their words didn't make any sense to them.
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent over and saw the strips of linen lying by themselves. Then he went wondering what had happened.
At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn't find the body of the master Jesus.
They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of no where it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, "why are you looking for the living one in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how He told you when you were still back in Galilee that He had to be handed over to sinners, lost his life on a cross, and in three days rise up?" Then they remembered Jesus words.
They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things, to the apostles, but the apostles didn't believe a word of it.
Reference scripture used from The Life Application Bible, The NIrV Bible, and The Message Bible
Sunday, April 22, 2018
God's Exclusive Claim - Daily Sunday School Reading - Exodus 20:1-12
God spoke all these words: I am God your God. Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a life of slavery. No other gods, only Him.
No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am your God and a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents passed on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate God. But I'm unswervingly loyal to to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments. No using the name of God, your God in curses or silly bantor; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.
Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don't do any work - not you, nor your sons nor your daughter, nor your servant nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your own town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and Sea, and everything in them; He rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; He set it apart as a holy day. Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
The Israelites had just come to Egypt, a land of many. Since each god represented a different aspect of life, it presented a different aspect of life, it was common to worship many gods in order to get the maximum number of blessings. When God told His people to worship and believe in Him, that wasn't so hard for them - He was just one more god to add to the list. But when He said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," that was hard for the people to accept. However, if they didn't learn that the God who led them out of Egypt was the only true God, they could not be His people - no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments. Thus God made this His first commandment and emphasized it more than the others. Today we can allow certain values to become gods to us. Money, fame, work, pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for meaning and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But with the amount of time they occupy in our lives, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thought and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.
God's name is special, for it carries His personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realize how serious it is. The way we use God's name conveys how we really feel about Him. We should respect His name and use it with great respect, speaking it in Praise or Worship rather than in curse. We will be found guilty if we dishonor His name.
The Sabbath was a day set aside for rest and worship. God commanded a Sabbath because we need to spend unhurried time in worship and rest each week. A God who is concerned enough to provide a day each week for us to rest is indeed wonderful. To observe a regular time of rest and worship in our hurried world demonstrates the importance of God in our lives while having the extra benefit of refreshing our Spirits.
This is the first commandment with a promise attached, to live in peace for generations in the Promised Land, the Israelites would need to respect authority and build strong families. But what does it mean to "honor" Parents? Partly it means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect (but not to obey them if this means disobedience to God). Parents have a special place in God's sight. Even those who find it difficult to get along with their parents are still commanded to honor them.
Reference Scripture used from The Life Application Bible and The Message Bible
No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am your God and a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents passed on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate God. But I'm unswervingly loyal to to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments. No using the name of God, your God in curses or silly bantor; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.
Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don't do any work - not you, nor your sons nor your daughter, nor your servant nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your own town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and Sea, and everything in them; He rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; He set it apart as a holy day. Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
The Israelites had just come to Egypt, a land of many. Since each god represented a different aspect of life, it presented a different aspect of life, it was common to worship many gods in order to get the maximum number of blessings. When God told His people to worship and believe in Him, that wasn't so hard for them - He was just one more god to add to the list. But when He said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," that was hard for the people to accept. However, if they didn't learn that the God who led them out of Egypt was the only true God, they could not be His people - no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments. Thus God made this His first commandment and emphasized it more than the others. Today we can allow certain values to become gods to us. Money, fame, work, pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for meaning and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshiping these things. But with the amount of time they occupy in our lives, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thought and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.
God's name is special, for it carries His personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realize how serious it is. The way we use God's name conveys how we really feel about Him. We should respect His name and use it with great respect, speaking it in Praise or Worship rather than in curse. We will be found guilty if we dishonor His name.
The Sabbath was a day set aside for rest and worship. God commanded a Sabbath because we need to spend unhurried time in worship and rest each week. A God who is concerned enough to provide a day each week for us to rest is indeed wonderful. To observe a regular time of rest and worship in our hurried world demonstrates the importance of God in our lives while having the extra benefit of refreshing our Spirits.
This is the first commandment with a promise attached, to live in peace for generations in the Promised Land, the Israelites would need to respect authority and build strong families. But what does it mean to "honor" Parents? Partly it means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect (but not to obey them if this means disobedience to God). Parents have a special place in God's sight. Even those who find it difficult to get along with their parents are still commanded to honor them.
Reference Scripture used from The Life Application Bible and The Message Bible
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Jesus Fixes Breakfast - John 21:1-14 - Children's Sunday School Lesson - Sunday - 4/15/18
Jesus Appears at the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and the miracle of many fish. Only the book of John tells us how Jesus came to the seven disciples as they were fishing. John remembers how many fish they caught, and their surprise and relief of finding the fishing had not been torn.
Jesus provides.
Once before, Jesus helped His disciples catch a big bounce of fish. Helping them catch a miraculous amount of fish this time showed the disciples it really was Jesus who was alive again.
How did the disciples know that this man was Jesus? ... None of the disciples dared asked Him (Jesus), "Who are You?" They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12
Only Jesus could make that big catch of fish happen. This man on the beach had to be Jesus who had come back to life!
Jesus showed the disciples He had come back to life by helping them catch a miraculous amount of fish.
How many fish did the disciples catch during the night? Zero
When did the disciples go fishing? At night time.
How many fish did the disciples catch when Jesus told them to fish? 153
What was Jesus doing on the lake shore? Making breakfast
Simon Peter said to the disciples, "He was going fishing." The disciples said to Simon Peter, "They would also go with him." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus therefore said to them, "Children (Disciples), you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Jesus, "No."
And Jesus said to the disciples, "Cast the net on the right-hand of the boat, and you will find a catch." They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread.
Jesus, said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught."
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, and a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many that the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
Scripture reference used from The Comparative Study Bible, Copyright 1984 by the Zondervan Corporation, New American Standard Version and NIrV May The Faith Be With You Holy Bible @ Zondervan 2017
Jesus provides.
Once before, Jesus helped His disciples catch a big bounce of fish. Helping them catch a miraculous amount of fish this time showed the disciples it really was Jesus who was alive again.
How did the disciples know that this man was Jesus? ... None of the disciples dared asked Him (Jesus), "Who are You?" They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12
Only Jesus could make that big catch of fish happen. This man on the beach had to be Jesus who had come back to life!
Jesus showed the disciples He had come back to life by helping them catch a miraculous amount of fish.
How many fish did the disciples catch during the night? Zero
When did the disciples go fishing? At night time.
How many fish did the disciples catch when Jesus told them to fish? 153
What was Jesus doing on the lake shore? Making breakfast
Simon Peter said to the disciples, "He was going fishing." The disciples said to Simon Peter, "They would also go with him." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
But when the day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus therefore said to them, "Children (Disciples), you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Jesus, "No."
And Jesus said to the disciples, "Cast the net on the right-hand of the boat, and you will find a catch." They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.
But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread.
Jesus, said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught."
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, and a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many that the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
Scripture reference used from The Comparative Study Bible, Copyright 1984 by the Zondervan Corporation, New American Standard Version and NIrV May The Faith Be With You Holy Bible @ Zondervan 2017
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Results of Solomon's Decisions and Actions - Daily Sunday School Reading - 2 Chronicles 7:12-22
Months, maybe years, had passed since Solomon's prayer of dedication. Several other building projects were completed after the Temple. After all this time, God told Solomon that He had heard his prayer. How often do we look for immediate answers to our prayers and, when nothing happens, we wonder if God heard us? God does hear, and He will provide for us, but we must trust that He will answer at the proper time.
In Chapter 6, Solomon asked God to make provisions for the people when they sinned. God answered with four conditions for forgiveness: (1) humble yourself by admitting your sins, (2) pray to God asking for forgiveness, seek for God continually, and (4) turn from sinful behavior. True repentance is more than talk - it is changed behavior. Whether we sin individually as a group, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness. God will answer our earnest prayers.
When we are in need, there may be no one with whom we can talk, or we maybe afraid to share our need with another person, God assures Solomon, however, that He will not lack assistance when he comes to God in humility, seeking help. God promises to listen to every prayer offered in the right attitude. God is always available.
God plainly set forth certain conditions for Solomon to meet if he wanted the kingdom to continue. If he followed God Solomon and his descendants would prosper: if he did not, he and the nation would be destroyed. In Deuteronomy 27 and 28, these conditions were outlined before all the people. But sin is deceptively attractive, and Solomon eventually turned from God. As a result, his son and heir lost most of his kingdom. Following God brings benefits and rewards (not necessarily material). Turning away from Him brings suffering, punishment, and ultimately destruction. Today, God conditions are just as clear as they were in Solomon's day. Will you choose to obey God and live?
The LORD appeared to Solomon at night. The LORD said, I have heard your prayer, I have chosen this place for myself. It is a temple where sacrifices will be offered.
Suppose I close up the sky and there isn't any rain. Suppose I command locusts to eat up the crops. And I send a plague among my people.
But they make themselves humble in my sight. They pray and look to me. And they turn from their evil ways. Then I will listen to them, from heaven. I will forgive their sin. And I will heal their land. After all, they are my people.
Now my eyes will see them. My ears will pay attention to the prayers they offer in this place.
I have chosen this temple. I have set it apart for myself. My name will be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
"But you must walk faithfully with me, just as your father David did. Do everything I command you to do. Obey my rules and laws. Then I will set up your royal throne. I made a covenant with your father David to do that. I said to him, You will always have a son from your family line to rule over Israel'.
But suppose all of you turn away from me. You refuse to obey the rules and commands I have given you. And you go off to serve other gods and worship them.
Then I will remove Israel from my land. It is the land I gave them. I will turn my back on this temple. I will do it even though I have set it a part for my Name to be there. God will make all the nations hate it. They will laugh and joke about it.
This temple will become a pile of stones. All those who pass by it will be shocked. They will say, why has the LORD done a thing like this to this land and temple?
People will answer, 'Because they have deserted the LORD. He is the God of their people who lived long ago. He brought them out of Egypt. But they have been holding onto other gods. They've been worshiping them. They have been serving them. That's why the LORD has brought all this horrible trouble on them.
God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, He accepted your prayer; yes, He had chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If God ever shut off the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on His people, Solomon's God-defined, and the people respond by humbling themselves. Praying, seeking God's presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, He will be there ready for them: He will listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on God will be alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe God, He have chosen and sanctified this Temple that Solomon had built. God's Name was stamped on it forever: and His eyes are on it, and His heart in it always. As for you, if you live in God's presence as his father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life he had set out for you, attentively obedient to God's guidance and judgments, then God will back Solomon's kingly rule over Israel - make it a sure thing on a sure foundation. The same covenant guarantee God gave to David Solomon's father He will give it to Solomon. Solomon could count on always having a descendant on Israel's throne.
But if Solomon or his sons betray God, ignoring His guidance and judgments, taking up with alien gods by serving and worshiping them, then the guarantee is off: God would wipe Israel right off the map and repudiate this temple Solomon had just sanctified to honor God's Name. And Israel will be nothing but a bad joke among the peoples of the world. And this Temple, splendid as it now is, will become an object of contempt; tourists will shake their heads, saying; What happened here? What's the story behind these ruins? Then they will be told, the people who used to live there betrayed their God, the very God who rescued their ancestors from Egypt; they took up with alien gods, worshiping and serving them.
Scripture reference from The Life Application Bible, The Message Bible and The NIrV Bible
In Chapter 6, Solomon asked God to make provisions for the people when they sinned. God answered with four conditions for forgiveness: (1) humble yourself by admitting your sins, (2) pray to God asking for forgiveness, seek for God continually, and (4) turn from sinful behavior. True repentance is more than talk - it is changed behavior. Whether we sin individually as a group, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness. God will answer our earnest prayers.
When we are in need, there may be no one with whom we can talk, or we maybe afraid to share our need with another person, God assures Solomon, however, that He will not lack assistance when he comes to God in humility, seeking help. God promises to listen to every prayer offered in the right attitude. God is always available.
God plainly set forth certain conditions for Solomon to meet if he wanted the kingdom to continue. If he followed God Solomon and his descendants would prosper: if he did not, he and the nation would be destroyed. In Deuteronomy 27 and 28, these conditions were outlined before all the people. But sin is deceptively attractive, and Solomon eventually turned from God. As a result, his son and heir lost most of his kingdom. Following God brings benefits and rewards (not necessarily material). Turning away from Him brings suffering, punishment, and ultimately destruction. Today, God conditions are just as clear as they were in Solomon's day. Will you choose to obey God and live?
The LORD appeared to Solomon at night. The LORD said, I have heard your prayer, I have chosen this place for myself. It is a temple where sacrifices will be offered.
Suppose I close up the sky and there isn't any rain. Suppose I command locusts to eat up the crops. And I send a plague among my people.
But they make themselves humble in my sight. They pray and look to me. And they turn from their evil ways. Then I will listen to them, from heaven. I will forgive their sin. And I will heal their land. After all, they are my people.
Now my eyes will see them. My ears will pay attention to the prayers they offer in this place.
I have chosen this temple. I have set it apart for myself. My name will be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
"But you must walk faithfully with me, just as your father David did. Do everything I command you to do. Obey my rules and laws. Then I will set up your royal throne. I made a covenant with your father David to do that. I said to him, You will always have a son from your family line to rule over Israel'.
But suppose all of you turn away from me. You refuse to obey the rules and commands I have given you. And you go off to serve other gods and worship them.
Then I will remove Israel from my land. It is the land I gave them. I will turn my back on this temple. I will do it even though I have set it a part for my Name to be there. God will make all the nations hate it. They will laugh and joke about it.
This temple will become a pile of stones. All those who pass by it will be shocked. They will say, why has the LORD done a thing like this to this land and temple?
People will answer, 'Because they have deserted the LORD. He is the God of their people who lived long ago. He brought them out of Egypt. But they have been holding onto other gods. They've been worshiping them. They have been serving them. That's why the LORD has brought all this horrible trouble on them.
God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, He accepted your prayer; yes, He had chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If God ever shut off the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on His people, Solomon's God-defined, and the people respond by humbling themselves. Praying, seeking God's presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, He will be there ready for them: He will listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on God will be alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe God, He have chosen and sanctified this Temple that Solomon had built. God's Name was stamped on it forever: and His eyes are on it, and His heart in it always. As for you, if you live in God's presence as his father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life he had set out for you, attentively obedient to God's guidance and judgments, then God will back Solomon's kingly rule over Israel - make it a sure thing on a sure foundation. The same covenant guarantee God gave to David Solomon's father He will give it to Solomon. Solomon could count on always having a descendant on Israel's throne.
But if Solomon or his sons betray God, ignoring His guidance and judgments, taking up with alien gods by serving and worshiping them, then the guarantee is off: God would wipe Israel right off the map and repudiate this temple Solomon had just sanctified to honor God's Name. And Israel will be nothing but a bad joke among the peoples of the world. And this Temple, splendid as it now is, will become an object of contempt; tourists will shake their heads, saying; What happened here? What's the story behind these ruins? Then they will be told, the people who used to live there betrayed their God, the very God who rescued their ancestors from Egypt; they took up with alien gods, worshiping and serving them.
Scripture reference from The Life Application Bible, The Message Bible and The NIrV Bible
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
God Listens to Obedient Worship - John 9:24-38 - Daily Sunday School Bible Reading
By now the man who had been blind had heard the same questions over and over. He did not know he was healed, but he knew that his life had been miraculously changed, and he was not afraid to tell the truth. You don't need to know all the answers in order to share Christ with others. It is important to tell others how Jesus has changed your life. Then trust that God will use your words.
The man's new faith was severely tested. He was cursed and evicted from the Temple. Persecution may come when you follow Jesus. You may lose friends, you may even lose your life. But no one can ever take away the Eternal Life that Jesus give you.
The longer this man experienced his new life through Christ, the more confident he became in the one who had healed him. He gained not only physical sight but Spiritual sight as he recognized Jesus first as a Prophet than as his Lord. When you turn to Christ, you begin to see him differently. Peter tells us to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." If you want to know more about Jesus, keep walking with Him.
Again the Pharisees called the man who had been blind to come to them. Give glory to God by telling the truth! they said. "We know that the man who healed is a sinner.
He replied, "I don't know if he is a sinner or not. I do know one thing, I was blind, but now I can see!"
Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
He answered, "I have already told you. But you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples too?"
Then they began to attack him with their words. They said we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses. But we don't even know where this follow come from.
The man answered, That is really surprising! You don't know where he come from, and yet He opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does what He wants them to do.
Nobody has ever heard of anyone opening the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man had not come from God, He could do nothing.
Then the Pharisees replied, "When you were born, you were already deep in sin. How dare you talk like that to us!" And they threw him out of the synagogue.
Jesus heard that the Pharisees had thrown the man out of the synagogue. When Jesus found him, he said, do you believe in the Son of Man?
Who is He, Sir? The man asked, tell me so I can believe in Him.
Jesus said, You have now seen Him. In fact, He is the one speaking with you.
The the man said, "Lord I believe." And he worshiped Him.
They called the man back a second time - the man who had been blind - and told him. Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor.
He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind ... I now see."
They said, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
"I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become His disciples?"
With that they jumped all over him. "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses. But we have no idea where this man even come from."
The man replied, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about Him, but the fact is He opened my eyes! It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does His will. That some one opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of - ever. If this man didn't come from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
They said, "You're nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!" Then they threw him out in the street.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, "do you believe in the Son of Man?"
The man said, point him out to me, Sir, so that I can believe in Him.
Jesus said, "You're looking right at Him. don't you recognize my voice?"
"Master, I believe," the man said, and worshiped Him.
Scripture reference used from The Message Bible, NIrV Bible and Life Application Bible
The man's new faith was severely tested. He was cursed and evicted from the Temple. Persecution may come when you follow Jesus. You may lose friends, you may even lose your life. But no one can ever take away the Eternal Life that Jesus give you.
The longer this man experienced his new life through Christ, the more confident he became in the one who had healed him. He gained not only physical sight but Spiritual sight as he recognized Jesus first as a Prophet than as his Lord. When you turn to Christ, you begin to see him differently. Peter tells us to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." If you want to know more about Jesus, keep walking with Him.
Again the Pharisees called the man who had been blind to come to them. Give glory to God by telling the truth! they said. "We know that the man who healed is a sinner.
He replied, "I don't know if he is a sinner or not. I do know one thing, I was blind, but now I can see!"
Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
He answered, "I have already told you. But you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples too?"
Then they began to attack him with their words. They said we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses. But we don't even know where this follow come from.
The man answered, That is really surprising! You don't know where he come from, and yet He opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does what He wants them to do.
Nobody has ever heard of anyone opening the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man had not come from God, He could do nothing.
Then the Pharisees replied, "When you were born, you were already deep in sin. How dare you talk like that to us!" And they threw him out of the synagogue.
Jesus heard that the Pharisees had thrown the man out of the synagogue. When Jesus found him, he said, do you believe in the Son of Man?
Who is He, Sir? The man asked, tell me so I can believe in Him.
Jesus said, You have now seen Him. In fact, He is the one speaking with you.
The the man said, "Lord I believe." And he worshiped Him.
They called the man back a second time - the man who had been blind - and told him. Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor.
He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind ... I now see."
They said, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
"I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become His disciples?"
With that they jumped all over him. "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses. But we have no idea where this man even come from."
The man replied, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about Him, but the fact is He opened my eyes! It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does His will. That some one opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of - ever. If this man didn't come from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
They said, "You're nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!" Then they threw him out in the street.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, "do you believe in the Son of Man?"
The man said, point him out to me, Sir, so that I can believe in Him.
Jesus said, "You're looking right at Him. don't you recognize my voice?"
"Master, I believe," the man said, and worshiped Him.
Scripture reference used from The Message Bible, NIrV Bible and Life Application Bible
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