For devotions I have been going through 2 Timothy. At present I am at 2:2. I find this good because I am not in a hurry to finish the book. What I try to do is look at each phrase to and run cross references on them. I also meditate on the passage and sometimes ideas come to me. Sometimes I remember other passages that shed light on the one I am meditating on.
After I got past chapter 1 I started typing these notes. I may want to post these notes on my web page as a commentary. I think there is life from pondering the Scriptures.
I have struggled with what it means to be in Christ. I know its salvation but as I have pondered it I think that to be in Christ is to be walking in the Spirit. We are new creatures in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:17) But we don't live like that if we are not aware of spiritual things. When problems arise do I act as I should in Christ, or do I respond as a person without Christ. The difference in my actions is based on whether I am aware of Christ and looking to Him when the problem comes.
Some may respond naturally but I don't. I need to be looking to Jesus in my life at the present or the problem will catch me unaware.
Luke 12:35 Speaks volumes to me. "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit."
So being aware in Christ ties in to Bible memory and trusting Christ for the promises He has given to me. I quote the promise to counter the worry, and trust Christ in the midst of my efforts.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Psalm 44
I read this Psalm for devotions this morning and we went over it in house church.
Verses 1-3 talks about the history of Israel and how God came through for them in times of need.
Verses 4-8 talk about how God will come through for them in the future and shows some keys of what to do.
Verses 9-16 talks of the present.
17-21 talks of their faithfulness to God.
22-26 A prayer for help
Remember what God has done for you and others in the past. This will build hope. For God is faithful in the midst of trials. Jesus said that He gives peace in the midst of trials. If He took away the trail then there would be no need. Many times God meets our need to live in the midst of trials.
Verse 5 is key for me. It is through God that we will push back our adversaries. Through God means that we act according to the direction God specifically gives us to handle the situation. We do the pushing God gives the direction of how where and when to push. We provide the obedience and God provides the power.
Through Your name we will push back our adversaries.
When we do things under the command of Jesus we are doing them through the name of Jesus. So when we trample over our enemies we are walking in faith according to the leading of our Lord. We are acting in the name of Jesus.
Romans 16:19,20 is a great promise of deliverance. We walk and Jesus the God of peace crushes Satan under our feet. It is a walk of faith that wins the victory.
In verse 8 speaks to me about what I need to be doing.
“In God we have boasted all day long. And we will give thanks to Your name forever.
Boast in what God will do as verses 4-7 show. God will do great things on our behalf. It is imperative that we hear what He is telling us to do. Then we can boast of what He will do.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Forgiveness Repentance and Confessing
Thought about forgiveness and confessing sins.
Are we of the truth if we plan on sinning and then confessing later?
IE does confessing count if our attitude does not line up with our confessing?
Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks at the heart. God looks at what we say and our heart at the same time. We are not going to fool God.
If our heart and our words don't line up we are only fooling ourselves not God.
Then what are we to do? We know something is wrong. We want to stop sinning intellectually but emotionally we don't want to stop sinning.
How do we change our emotions to line up with our understanding?
Two answers that have come to me:
1. Do works in keeping with repentance. Make right what you have done wrong.
John the Baptist discusses this in Matthew 3:8 and Luke 3:8. The works are related to the sin. Zachaeus the Tax collector gave an example of repentance and works by saying to Jesus that he would repay those he defrauded by 4 times the amount.
2. Put your treasure where you want your emotion and heart to go.
The parable of the Kingdom of God and the man finding a treasure in a field. He then rehides the treasure and sells all that he has and buys the field. If we make the opposite of sin our treasure than sinning will become abhorrent to us. Instead of making sin our treasure make Jesus our treasure. It is Jesus that gives life. We learn from experience sin does not satisfy in the long run. Sin is destructive. God is not a God who delights in our suffering. He told us sin is sin, because it will destroy our life.
Acts 26:20 is another verse that refers to this issue. It is within the conscience of humanity that a person should repay the wrongs that he has done.
Some would suggest what I have said is teaching salvation by works. I believe that there is a difference in putting our faith in our own efforts and doing works to show our true repentance.
It is not that we have to work for forgiveness;. Its that our words alone don't change our heart. When we act we are solidifying our decision to change our ways.
What is repentance? It is changing direction. So if we don't go in a different direction after we confess our sins we have not repented.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Salvation is 2 fold.
1. We are saved from sin and enter the kingdom of God at one point of prayer.
2. We are saved from a life of sin and live for Jesus as a growth process.
Lets work to live a life unto God and not for ourselves.
Are we of the truth if we plan on sinning and then confessing later?
IE does confessing count if our attitude does not line up with our confessing?
Man looks at the outward appearance. God looks at the heart. God looks at what we say and our heart at the same time. We are not going to fool God.
If our heart and our words don't line up we are only fooling ourselves not God.
Then what are we to do? We know something is wrong. We want to stop sinning intellectually but emotionally we don't want to stop sinning.
How do we change our emotions to line up with our understanding?
Two answers that have come to me:
1. Do works in keeping with repentance. Make right what you have done wrong.
John the Baptist discusses this in Matthew 3:8 and Luke 3:8. The works are related to the sin. Zachaeus the Tax collector gave an example of repentance and works by saying to Jesus that he would repay those he defrauded by 4 times the amount.
2. Put your treasure where you want your emotion and heart to go.
The parable of the Kingdom of God and the man finding a treasure in a field. He then rehides the treasure and sells all that he has and buys the field. If we make the opposite of sin our treasure than sinning will become abhorrent to us. Instead of making sin our treasure make Jesus our treasure. It is Jesus that gives life. We learn from experience sin does not satisfy in the long run. Sin is destructive. God is not a God who delights in our suffering. He told us sin is sin, because it will destroy our life.
Acts 26:20 is another verse that refers to this issue. It is within the conscience of humanity that a person should repay the wrongs that he has done.
Some would suggest what I have said is teaching salvation by works. I believe that there is a difference in putting our faith in our own efforts and doing works to show our true repentance.
It is not that we have to work for forgiveness;. Its that our words alone don't change our heart. When we act we are solidifying our decision to change our ways.
What is repentance? It is changing direction. So if we don't go in a different direction after we confess our sins we have not repented.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Salvation is 2 fold.
1. We are saved from sin and enter the kingdom of God at one point of prayer.
2. We are saved from a life of sin and live for Jesus as a growth process.
Lets work to live a life unto God and not for ourselves.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Notes from Don't Pray Without Passion
Notes from Don't Pray Without Passion by Marilyn Sampson
Deep calls to deep. Ps 42:7
Know the mind of God not formulas.
Pray as you hear God's thoughts. Satan is our enemy (John 10:10, 1Pt 5:6-8) but we can head-off tragedy by strategic prayer.
Yield your mind to God's purpose for His will in prayer and action.
Search for the Father's will and follow that John 5:19
We can't anticipate God's thoughts, except by revelation. Isa 55:8,9
Pray God's heart and His will and we will have assurance of an answer 1John 5:14,15
Thy kingdom come, not my kingdom come. Pray to see the kingdom of God increase.
Matt 6:33 Does God answer our needs if we pray or not if we seek the kingdom first? No, we are to pray for our daily bread!
Our seeking first signifies that other needs are second, but not ignored.
What is the Kingdom of God?
1. We lay up treasure there.
2. It is the Father's business Lk 2:49
3. What I am responsible for 2Cor10:13
4. It is the weakness of your brother in Christ.
5. It is what you hear in the spirit.
6. It is praying God's will not our will.
Call forth what God is calling forth.
Rom 4:17 so call forth open doors and opportunities God gives the nations as we ask for them Ps 2:8 We are told to ask, seek and find Luke 11:9,10
How do we grow spiritually?
1. Consecrated, committed and regular prayer.
2. The light of revelation feeds your spirit.Eph 1:17
3. Giving to others
Cry out to God the way Mary did in Luke 1:38 Let it be done to me according to Your Word.!
Prophecy can cause spiritual growth
1Cor14:1
Resistance - means promotion and increase are coming.
Our weapons are prayer and spiritual authority.
Isa 54:17 No weapon formed against you will prosper. But we need to know what is coming against us.
Our armour is useless if we don't know how to use it.
Praying in the spirit is part of the armour. (mine we have the mind of Christ as we pray in the spirit to know how to use the armour)
Counter plan any plan,the enemy has devised.
Run not without aim, fight not as beating the air. 1Cor9:26
Pray in preparation against the spirits that would hinder a meeting or ministry. Better results come when people are expecting and ready to receive from God.
Don't harden your heart against the Lord Heb 4
the Lord speaks through the fruitful vine. You are fruitful when you have paid the price to know God. What keeps us from knowing God is self satisfaction and distractions.
God's voice is quiet
2 Have an attitude of expectation
3 God gives simple answers to specific requests.
God speaks to the heart not the brain
God speaks specificly
Record the directions each day from the Lord
How does God speak to us?
Scriptures
Thoughts and impressions
Hearing a word in your spirit
Peace
Pictures and visions
Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom
Dreams
Growth comes from hearing.
(mine)
[Matt 4:4 Man will live by bread in the physical and God's word in the spiritual. If we don't hear we aren't living.
In the physical if we aren't functioning correctly we stop eat and go to the doctor if needed. It should be the same in the spirit. If we are not hearing from God we need to stop and get it corrected.
Prayer is the vital link of Christian life. Bible study is so we can relate to God and man correctly. Prayer is to empower our relating.]
(end mine)
Don't give place to the devil.___
Pray for strength in your weak areas. "For the ruler of this world is coming and he has no place in me. John 14:30
Worry will give place to the devil, so all worry should be prayed over.
Notes on Thankfulness
Decentralizes self.
Develops humility.
Preserves mental health.
Brings release to your inner man.
- Is like medicine - it edifies the soul. .
Means a thankful heart, which is a healthy heart.
7. Enables you to focus on Kingdom motives.
. Helps you maintain reverence (keeps the things of the Spirit from becoming common).
. Helps you become 'airborne' rising above obstacles. Goes a long way - all the way to the Throne.
Thankfulness and expectation are the keys that unlock the warehouse of heaven and open the way for God to speak to •s. When God talks, awesome things always occur. Live with expectation. Pray with expectation. Listen with expectation.
Deep calls to deep. Ps 42:7
Know the mind of God not formulas.
Pray as you hear God's thoughts. Satan is our enemy (John 10:10, 1Pt 5:6-8) but we can head-off tragedy by strategic prayer.
Yield your mind to God's purpose for His will in prayer and action.
Search for the Father's will and follow that John 5:19
We can't anticipate God's thoughts, except by revelation. Isa 55:8,9
Pray God's heart and His will and we will have assurance of an answer 1John 5:14,15
Thy kingdom come, not my kingdom come. Pray to see the kingdom of God increase.
Matt 6:33 Does God answer our needs if we pray or not if we seek the kingdom first? No, we are to pray for our daily bread!
Our seeking first signifies that other needs are second, but not ignored.
What is the Kingdom of God?
1. We lay up treasure there.
2. It is the Father's business Lk 2:49
3. What I am responsible for 2Cor10:13
4. It is the weakness of your brother in Christ.
5. It is what you hear in the spirit.
6. It is praying God's will not our will.
Call forth what God is calling forth.
Rom 4:17 so call forth open doors and opportunities God gives the nations as we ask for them Ps 2:8 We are told to ask, seek and find Luke 11:9,10
How do we grow spiritually?
1. Consecrated, committed and regular prayer.
2. The light of revelation feeds your spirit.Eph 1:17
3. Giving to others
Cry out to God the way Mary did in Luke 1:38 Let it be done to me according to Your Word.!
Prophecy can cause spiritual growth
1Cor14:1
Resistance - means promotion and increase are coming.
Our weapons are prayer and spiritual authority.
Isa 54:17 No weapon formed against you will prosper. But we need to know what is coming against us.
Our armour is useless if we don't know how to use it.
Praying in the spirit is part of the armour. (mine we have the mind of Christ as we pray in the spirit to know how to use the armour)
Counter plan any plan,the enemy has devised.
Run not without aim, fight not as beating the air. 1Cor9:26
Pray in preparation against the spirits that would hinder a meeting or ministry. Better results come when people are expecting and ready to receive from God.
Don't harden your heart against the Lord Heb 4
the Lord speaks through the fruitful vine. You are fruitful when you have paid the price to know God. What keeps us from knowing God is self satisfaction and distractions.
God's voice is quiet
2 Have an attitude of expectation
3 God gives simple answers to specific requests.
God speaks to the heart not the brain
God speaks specificly
Record the directions each day from the Lord
How does God speak to us?
Scriptures
Thoughts and impressions
Hearing a word in your spirit
Peace
Pictures and visions
Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom
Dreams
Growth comes from hearing.
(mine)
[Matt 4:4 Man will live by bread in the physical and God's word in the spiritual. If we don't hear we aren't living.
In the physical if we aren't functioning correctly we stop eat and go to the doctor if needed. It should be the same in the spirit. If we are not hearing from God we need to stop and get it corrected.
Prayer is the vital link of Christian life. Bible study is so we can relate to God and man correctly. Prayer is to empower our relating.]
(end mine)
Don't give place to the devil.___
Pray for strength in your weak areas. "For the ruler of this world is coming and he has no place in me. John 14:30
Worry will give place to the devil, so all worry should be prayed over.
Notes on Thankfulness
Decentralizes self.
Develops humility.
Preserves mental health.
Brings release to your inner man.
- Is like medicine - it edifies the soul. .
Means a thankful heart, which is a healthy heart.
7. Enables you to focus on Kingdom motives.
. Helps you maintain reverence (keeps the things of the Spirit from becoming common).
. Helps you become 'airborne' rising above obstacles. Goes a long way - all the way to the Throne.
Thankfulness and expectation are the keys that unlock the warehouse of heaven and open the way for God to speak to •s. When God talks, awesome things always occur. Live with expectation. Pray with expectation. Listen with expectation.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Summery of First John
Here is the summary of First John that I came up with. Of course there would be many other ways to summarize but this is my attempt.
Read God's Word to know Him and to live according to what it says. We can't say we have no sin. We should confess our sins and walk in the light. If we sin, Jesus is our advocate. If we love God we will do His will. Walk as Jesus walked and love your brother. Do not consider the fleeting things of the world as being important. God's love leads us to live a righteous life in expectation of Christ's return. Allow the anointing of the Word to lead you in how to love others. Jesus is the answer for our sin. He frees us to love one another. We have assurance that we are from God and as we obey, God answers our prayers. Overcome because Jesus is within us. Those from God confess that Jesus came in the flesh and listen to the Bible. God is love. As we know God we love others. We move into love by confessing; this allows us to abide in Him. The obedience of faith that believes in Jesus brings victory.
If you want to see the whole outline click on this link.
Read God's Word to know Him and to live according to what it says. We can't say we have no sin. We should confess our sins and walk in the light. If we sin, Jesus is our advocate. If we love God we will do His will. Walk as Jesus walked and love your brother. Do not consider the fleeting things of the world as being important. God's love leads us to live a righteous life in expectation of Christ's return. Allow the anointing of the Word to lead you in how to love others. Jesus is the answer for our sin. He frees us to love one another. We have assurance that we are from God and as we obey, God answers our prayers. Overcome because Jesus is within us. Those from God confess that Jesus came in the flesh and listen to the Bible. God is love. As we know God we love others. We move into love by confessing; this allows us to abide in Him. The obedience of faith that believes in Jesus brings victory.
If you want to see the whole outline click on this link.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
De Shazer by Hoyt Watson
Jacob DeShazer flew in a bomber to bomb Tokyo for the first time, in World War 2. They were captured and he spent 40 months in solitary confinement. During this time he was permitted to read a Bible and receive Christ because of the witness of the Word of God. He devoted his life as a missionary to the Japanese after the war. The lead pilot that raided Pearl Harbor also became a Christian from the testimony of Jacob DeShazer and his story is told here.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
SUMMARY OF FIRST PETER
I outlined First Peter and came up with this summary. If you would like to see the complete outline read it on my website.
SUMMARY OF FIRST PETER
Because of the assurance that salvation brings, let the purposes of God be your purposes letting His love flow to others. Therefore reject the worlds ways and accept God's ways, living blameless before the world and proclaim God's excellences.
Submit to those in authority for Christ submitted unto death and we are called to follow in His steps. As we are to obey authority, wives are to obey their husbands. Husbands; treat your wives with understanding. Submit to authority and do good, not fearing but ready to share your hope in Christ knowing His outcome.
Choose to serve even if it brings suffering, be involved in your ministry. Suffering comes to test you, but His glory rests on you, rejoice and glorify God. Suffer according to God's will, entrust your soul to the creator. Because our brothers are willingly suffering for Christ, serve them with gentleness. Be humble, resist Satan in faith and God will complete you.
Because of the assurance that salvation brings, let the purposes of God be your purposes letting His love flow to others. Therefore reject the worlds ways and accept God's ways, living blameless before the world and proclaim God's excellences.
Submit to those in authority for Christ submitted unto death and we are called to follow in His steps. As we are to obey authority, wives are to obey their husbands. Husbands; treat your wives with understanding. Submit to authority and do good, not fearing but ready to share your hope in Christ knowing His outcome.
Choose to serve even if it brings suffering, be involved in your ministry. Suffering comes to test you, but His glory rests on you, rejoice and glorify God. Suffer according to God's will, entrust your soul to the creator. Because our brothers are willingly suffering for Christ, serve them with gentleness. Be humble, resist Satan in faith and God will complete you.
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