Galatians 1-6

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

Although faith is a gift, we can freely choose to believe. It is freely given already. Choose to believe for total salvation.

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Are my struggles to pray more an attempt to justify myself? I need your grace my Jesus. I need your grace. Let me not stray from you.

5.11 Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

2 Corinthians 9-13

13.11 Become complete.

How?

Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace

Right now, I'm in two minds. I am distressed without cause, and not at all at peace.

Ruth 1 cont.

2. There is providence in loss. Naomi could only feel emptiness - yet she returns at the beginning of the harvest. As we enter the new year, perhaps we look back and see losses - those who have backslidden, or those who truly are lost. Yet as we walk by faith into the future, could it be that we are approaching the beginning of a harvest? When people face loss and pain, sometimes we will pray that God might bring some good out of it. But doesn't our faith reach out for the possibility that God might do more than that? That He might do something great, that he might bring life where there was death, that He might give sight where there was blindness, that He might give fullness where there was emptiness. Do not limit the Lord to what you think is possible - He "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3v20)

Ruth 1

1. The line that is broken. One of the themes of the book is the lineage of Christ - the book ends with the line of descendants leading to King David. Naomi has suffered more than the loss of her sons - she has lost their sons, and their sons, and so on. This is at the core of her suffering. She says 'The Lord has brought me back empty' - yet she had Ruth with her. Her emptiness was not that she was without family, but that she would have no continuing line of descendents. She could not see how the Lord could bring life to this dead line - 'Am I going to have any more sons?...' There are two types of plan - one that anticipates, and one that assumes. We can and ought to prepare in anticipation - we should only assume that 'God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.'

Merry Christmas!

Hi, John, sorry to have disappeared - again! I've had to prepare for a couple of meetings, which has totally distracted me. Still, God inspires hope within me that next year I'm going to do better. Anyways, instead of Romans, here's a few thoughts on Ruth chapter one.

2 cor 5-8

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

He lives in us to do the same through us for others.

2 cor 1-4

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

If you can "see" it you can be it. When we see Him we shall be like Him.

1 Cor 9-16

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Activity, but from confidence in its source.

1 Corinthians 5-8

serve the Lord without distraction.

Focus on one thing: serving Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1-4

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony[d] of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human[e] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

Do we walk in the power of the cross? Do we minister the healing, the deliverance, the forgiveness and total salvation that Christ Jesus won at the cross? Or do we just talk about it?

Romans 13-16

Ch 13: Patriotism honours the highest authority?

Ch 15 talks of the scriptures of "patience and comfort" and the "God of patience and comfort". We are to wait expecting the promised goodness of our God in every situation.

Romans 9-12

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “ Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Pursuing holiness doesn't work: pursuing the Holy One does.

Romans 5-8

if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Led into righteousness. Submit.

Romans 1-4

Romans 4:20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

I have to believe that God is able to perform in my body exactly what He says He is able to perform: self-control, patience....all that is in Christ. Believing is the beginning of righteousness.

Romans, here we come!!!

Phew! Okay, I admit, I rushed through the last bit of the OT, but it feels good to be spending some time in the scriptures, and meditating upon it, albeit on a relatively superficial level in places!

Malachi 1-4

(1v6-14) The priests pollute the offerings to the Lord by despising the Lord's table. They offer lacklustre service to the Lord, and give Him as little as possible. The Lord's favour and grace are never an excuse for our laziness. The Lord makes clear His judgment - (4v1) the arrogant will be like stubble that is set ablaze.

Zechariah 9-14

(9v16) "...for like the jewels of a crown, they shall shine on His land..."
How good it is to be loved by the Lord!

Zechariah 5-8

(8v3) "I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem"
The Lord's desire is for a heartfelt relationship, not a heartless religion.

Zechariah 1-4

(1v3) "Return to me...and I will return to you..."
Okay, an easy choice from a bewildering selection of visions. The Lord reveals His love for His people - there will always be a remnant, and even when Israel turn away as a nation, the Lord does not reject them forever. His judgments upon them send the same message again and again - "Repent and believe!"

Habakkuk 1-3

(3v17, 18) "Though the fig tree should not blossom...yet I will rejoice in the Lord"
A very timely passage to read, as I am preaching on Ruth chapter one in a couple of weeks - working title "The Providence of Loss". The Lord works for the good of His people. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we are poor, He is our wealth. Though we can die, we can never truly "lose" our lives, because the Father holds us in His hands.

Acts 24-28

I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme

I'm struck afresh by the severity of Paul's zeal, and the greatness of God's mercy it reveals.

Nahum 1-3

(1v2) "The Lord...keeps wrath for His enemies."
We have inner peace knowing we have outer peace with God. We are safe in Christ - nothing can now separate us from the love of God. We are no longer enemies or 'children of wrath' - we can rest knowing God's justice has been satisfied by the cross. His wrath will be kept for His enemies.

Micah 5-7

(5v4, 5) "And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace"
At last, the perfect king and the perfect kingdom! Only Christ would be able to bring peace to the people of God. He would be the perfect servant - in receiving his righteousness, we receive the covenant blessings that go with it. God delivered up his own Son for us all - "How will He not also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8v32)

Micah 1-4

(2v6) ' "Do not preach" - thus they preach...'
The hypocrisy of those who reject God.I'm reading an interesting book called 'The Reason For God' by Tim Keller, dealing with the many inconsistencies in the reasons people give for their rejection of God and his Word - hence this verse taking my notice.

Acts 21-24

Tertullus is a rubbish orator. He multiplies words without substance whereas Paul succinctly and clearly sets out his case, point after point.

Acts 17-20

Paul does not stop. He isn't worried about getting enough sleep. Or being beaten up. Or getting chained up: he knows no restraint. He is free.

Acts 13-16

They preach the word and are led by the Spirit.

Acts 9-12

10.38 ...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

God anointed Peter with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

God anointed Tom and John with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with them?

Acts 5-8

Those who represent what God did yesterday will sometimes resist what God is doing today.

Acts 1-4

"with one accord" is emphasised by Luke 3 times in the first two chapters. Unity is a key to breakthrough: Genesis 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Understood as with one language, just as on the day of pentecost: 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Peter didn't pray: he exercised his God-given authority.

Barnabus: encouragement is about actions as well as words.

Great to see you back

I'm glad you're also back on the blog, John. Your valiant efforts to keep going when I had stopped were so encouraging to me - I didn't realise how much until you stopped. I'm going to complete the Old Testament, then jump in wherever you are in Acts. This has been the most successful effort I've made at systematically reading the bible. How about introducing a third person next year? Someone of a similar age/background as us?

Jonah 1-4

(2v7) "When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord..."
Isn't it so often the case that it isn't until the last minute that we throw ourselves before the Lord, and seek His answers to our problems?

Obadiah

(v4) "Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord"
'The first shall be last...' Grace is not impressed by earthly power and prestige. 'Blessed are the poor...the meek in spirit..." There will be a day of vindication for God's people, when those who believed they were untouchable will meet the God of eternal justice.

Amos 5-9

(5v21) "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take take no delight in your solemn assemblies."
There is no pretence before the Lord. "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice...this is your spiritual worship." (Rom 12v1). Worship is not about feasts and assemblies, but all that we do! The Lord will not want our melodies if we are not striving to be righteous in His eyes (5v23, 24)

Amos 1-4

(3v6-11) "...yet you did not return to me..."
The Lord keeps telling the people, but they do not listen. Instead of running to His mercy, they run into His judgment. Selective hearing will not hide us from the consequences of our sin.

On second thoughts...

I'll catch up with Luke and John when I find my dictaphone. Acts here I come...

Joel 1-3

(2v27) "You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel..."
The Lord dwells among His people. The prophecy points us to Christ, 'the word become flesh', and to our experience now, as our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit.

Hosea 9-14

The end of the prophecy clarifies God's position. He does not wish to pass judgment, but rather that the people would "return...to the Lord your God" (14v1). The message of the Bible resounds once more - "Repent and believe the good news!"

Hosea 5-8

(6v6) "...I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice..."
Neither works nor the wallet can buy God's approval.

Hosea 1-4

(2v23) '...and I will say to Not My People "You are my people" and he shall say "You are my God" '

An expression of salvation - children of wrath becoming the children of God. A complete reversal of a person's situation.

Iron sharpens iron

It is so encouraging to see you back on here. I was feeling a little disappointed that it looked like we'd given up as the end of the year approaches, and than a little thought told me to look at the blog: and there you were after all! Tom, I shall begin again with fresh resolve! I have got some thoughts I'd put onto dictaphone, so I'll put those up and move on.

Daniel 9-12

(9v2, 3) "...I...perceived in the books...according to the word of the Lord...Then I turned my face to the Lord God..."
A great example of the purpose of prayer. Daniel understood the word of the Lord - a prophecy was to come to pass imminently. But Daniel did not sit back and let it happen - he prayed for it to happen. By prayer, we do not aim to change God's will - we aim to be a part of it.

Daniel 5-8

(7v14) "his dominion is an everlasting dominion"
Daniel's heavenly king would outlast every human king.

Daniel 1-4

(2v22) "...He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him..."
Where is true wisdom found? Only in God. Questions will sometimes make people push God away, but He is the only one with all the answers. We can look into the darkness because with God we are never without light.

Hi, John

Hope you're ok, John, I plan to ring you at the weekend. Meanwhile, your absence on the blog has spurred me to reconnect with it. God bless you, brother.

Ezekial 45-48

The closing chapters of Ezekial find God speaking of order and equality. He is not 'the author of confusion', but the Lord who brings peace where there was confusion, and rest where there was rebellion.

Ezekial 41-44

(43v7) "...where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever..."
The Lord's desire is to dwell with His people. True religion involves an eternal relationship with a personal God.

Ezekial 37-40

(37v13) "And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves..."
The amazing chapter 37, the valley of the dry bones. But what is the purpose of this incredible work? That we should know He is the Lord! It is not done for our benefit, but for His glory.

Ezekial 33-36

(33v6) "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet..."
The sobering responsibility of all those who know the truth, but particularly those who preach. We are not to hide the truth. We must warn the faithful to examine themselves, and the faithless to trust in Christ.

Ezekial 29-32

(31v3, 9) "Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches... I made it beautiful..."
Ironically, Assyria's self-centred pride was in her God-given beauty.

Ezekial 25-28

(28v9) "Will you still say 'I am a god' in the presence of those who kill you...?"
Eternity is a characteristic of the one true God.

Ezekial 21-24

(21v6, 7) "But as for you, son of man...groan before their eyes. And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that it is coming...' "
Ezekial's heart will break at the news of God's approaching judgment. The truth that there is a final day of reckoning should affect us as Christians. So many people have not found the safety that we rest in.