Bible Brothers

Romans 1

2010-09-30T02:15:00.001-07:00

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

Bondservant means a slave. A man without his own rights.

Titus

2010-09-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

The next verse basically says, so get on with it. Believing enables you to do it.

2 Timothy

2010-09-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Slap on those hands and give away the goodies preacher man!

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Work.

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Walk away from sin.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

Even Paul didn't have a 100% success rate in healing the sick.

1 Timothy

2010-09-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

1-2Don't be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.

Family.

8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Prosperity.

Ezekiel 46-48

2010-09-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

9-10 "'But when the people of the land come to worship God at the commanded feasts, those who enter through the north gate will exit from the south gate, and those who enter though the south gate will exit from the north gate. You don't exit the gate through which you enter, but through the opposite gate. The prince is to be there, mingling with them, going in and out with them.

We're leaving the Holy place a different way then we came in!

16-18 "'A Message from God, the Master: If the prince deeds a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it stays in the family. But if he deeds a gift from his inheritance to a servant, the servant keeps it only until the year of liberation (the Jubilee year). After that, it comes back to the prince. His inheritance is only for his sons. It stays in the family. The prince must not take the inheritance from any of the people, dispossessing them of their land. He can give his sons only what he himself owns. None of my people are to be run off their land.'"

Yay! Our inheritance cannot be robbed forever!!

ezekiel 40-45

2010-09-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

4-5 The bright Glory of God poured into the Temple through the east gate. The Spirit put me on my feet and led me to the inside courtyard and—oh! the bright Glory of God filled the Temple!

Show me your Face God! Show me your Face!

5 God said to me, "Son of man, get a grip on yourself. Use your eyes, use your ears, pay careful attention to everything I tell you about the ordinances of this Temple of God, the way all the laws work, instructions regarding it and all the entrances and exits of the Sanctuary.

Then gird up my loins so I can stand in that holy place!

Ezekiel 37-39

2010-09-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

5-6 God, the Master, told the dry bones, "Watch this: I'm bringing the breath of life to you and you'll come to life. I'll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You'll come alive and you'll realize that I am God!"

The gospel is a prophetic declaration that calls us into life. We cannot know God until we are made alive in Christ. Like Ezekiel we have the awesome privilege of making that declaration of life to people so they might hear and live. Speak to the dead souls that work with you and eat with you. Declare life over them through the cross of Jesus Christ!

Ezekiel 33-36

2010-09-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36.26

There are verses in this chapter that slam Israel's failure, but over 20 times God says "I will" followed by a different promise of restoration. What's the point? You couldn't do it, so "I will". Peter wrote that:

[God's] promises...enable you to share his divine nature.
2 Peter 1.4.

So we become holy by believing in a promise. His work, not mine. His will not mine. His glory, not mine. Holiness does not begin with my behaviour. Holiness comes through changing my beliefs. Do I really believe I can access the nature of God?

Jesus did not just die to forgive my sins, He died to make me one with Him. He didn't just deal with the stone tablets that condemned me (the stone heart) he brought me into His nature, (His heart of flesh). This is why Paul wrote:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2.20

I died when He died, and I experience His nature the same way I experience His forgiveness: by faith in the promise of Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 31-33

2010-09-17T01:42:00.000-07:00

7-9 "You, son of man, are the watchman. I've made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them. If I say to the wicked, 'Wicked man, wicked woman, you're on the fast track to death!' and you don't speak up and warn the wicked to change their ways, the wicked will die unwarned in their sins and I'll hold you responsible for their bloodshed. But if you warn the wicked to change their ways and they don't do it, they'll die in their sins well-warned and at least you will have saved your own life.

Responsibility to cry out!

14-16 "'On the other hand, if I tell a wicked person, "You'll die for your wicked life," and he repents of his sin and starts living a righteous and just life—being generous to the down-and-out

Care for the poor is part of the saved lifestyle.

30-32 "As for you, son of man, you've become quite the talk of the town. Your people meet on street corners and in front of their houses and say, 'Let's go hear the latest news from God.' They show up, as people tend to do, and sit in your company. They listen to you speak, but don't do a thing you say. They flatter you with compliments, but all they care about is making money and getting ahead. To them you're merely entertainment—a country singer of sad love songs, playing a guitar. They love to hear you talk, but nothing comes of it.

Is application in our minds when we hear the word of God? What are the action points from Sunday mornings?

Ezekiel 28-30

2010-09-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

22-26 "Therefore, God, the Master, says, I am dead set against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will go ahead and break his other arm—both arms broken! There's no way he'll ever swing a sword again. I'll scatter Egyptians all over the world. I'll make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and put my sword in his hand, but I'll break the arms of Pharaoh and he'll groan like one who is mortally wounded. I'll make the arms of the king of Babylon strong, but the arms of Pharaoh shall go limp. The Egyptians will realize that I am God when I place my sword in the hand of the king of Babylon. He'll wield it against Egypt and I'll scatter Egyptians all over the world. Then they'll realize that I am God."

God is able to shatter the strength of those who oppose, and empower our enemies' enemy.

Ezekiel 25-27

2010-09-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

1-5 God's Message came to me:
"Son of man, face Ammon and preach against the people: Listen to the Message of God, the Master. This is what God has to say: Because you cheered when my Sanctuary was desecrated and the land of Judah was devastated and the people of Israel were taken into exile, I'm giving you over to the people of the east. They'll move in and make themselves at home, eating the food right off your tables and drinking your milk. I'll turn your capital, Rabbah, into pasture for camels and all your villages into corrals for flocks. Then you'll realize that I am God.

The historian Oswald Spengler claimed the history of man was the history of nations and that the history of nations was the history of war. Life can be lived that way: Carve out your territory, defend it and hope others lose. Such a jealous, gloating territorial spirit will not end well.

Ezekiel 22-24

2010-09-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

30-31 "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one. So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of God, the Master."

God is in charge, but He's not in control. He waits for us to wait on Him.

Ezekiel 19-21

2010-09-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

7 "'At that time I told them, "Get rid of all the vile things that you've become addicted to. Don't make yourselves filthy with the Egyptian no-god idols. I alone am God, your God."

Addiction relates to the source of our comfort and joy, our peace and satisfaction; the recipe for freedom is to enjoy God. This is not the same as enjoying religion (which would be a challenge)!

32 "'What you're secretly thinking is never going to happen. You're thinking, "We're going to be like everybody else, just like the other nations. We're going to worship gods we can make and control."
33-35 "'As sure as I am the living God, says God, the Master, think again! With a mighty show of strength and a terrifying rush of anger, I will be King over you! I'll bring you back from the nations, collect you out of the countries to which you've been scattered, with a mighty show of strength and a terrifying rush of anger. I'll bring you to the desert of nations and haul you into court, where you'll be face-to-face with judgment.

Judgement is more severe for the people of God, both because He disciplines the son He loves, and because He cannot let His people misrepresent Him.

44 "'But, dear Israel, you'll also realize that I am God when I respond to you out of who I am, not by what I feel about the evil lives you've lived, the corrupt history you've compiled. Decree of God, the Master.'"

I love this: God judges out of His identity, His core values, not emotional reaction

13"'Testing comes.
Why have you despised discipline?
You can't get around it.
Decree of God, the Master.'

Good word.

Ezekiel 16-18

2010-09-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

49-50 "'The sin of your sister Sodom was this: She lived with her daughters in the lap of luxury—proud, gluttonous, and lazy. They ignored the oppressed and the poor. They put on airs and lived obscene lives. And you know what happened: I did away with them.

Lack of love for the poor is deadly.

21-23 "But a wicked person who turns his back on that life of sin and keeps all my statutes, living a just and righteous life, he'll live, really live. He won't die. I won't keep a list of all the things he did wrong. He will live. Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right—really living?

Big mercy.

Ezekiel 13-15

2010-09-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

9-11 "'If a prophet is deceived and tells these idolaters the lies they want to hear, I, God, get blamed for those lies. He won't get by with it. I'll grab him by the scruff of the neck and get him out of there. They'll be equally guilty, the prophet and the one who goes to the prophet, so that the house of Israel will never again wander off my paths and make themselves filthy in their rebellions, but will rather be my people, just as I am their God. Decree of God, the Master.'"

We are responsible for our appetite and our diet.

12-14 God's Message came to me: "Son of man, when a country sins against me by living faithlessly and I reach out and destroy its food supply by bringing on a famine, wiping out humans and animals alike, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job—the Big Three—were alive at the time, it wouldn't do the population any good. Their righteousness would only save their own lives." Decree of God, the Master.

If the nation is to prosper, the nation must be saved. If the nation does not prosper, the individual can still be saved, even as Goshen in the midst of Egypt.

Ezekiel 10-12

2010-09-07T13:20:00.001-07:00

19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

My God, his heart.

Ezekiel 4-6

2010-09-06T14:45:00.001-07:00

14 And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah [f] —wherever they live. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' "

But God is good.

Ezekiel 1-3

2010-09-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

26 Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. 27 From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. 28 All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone’s voice speaking to me.

What does the glory of God look like to me, and what is my response?

Back online

2010-07-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Finally been reconnected after about a month offline due to moving house. Did the first prayer meeting talk, based on verses in Romans 8.

2 Chronicles 1-3

2010-07-05T04:34:00.000-07:00

10 Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly,[e] for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?”

Independence is not an option.

Layout for series on prayer

2010-06-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

While I have time, here are some of the titles for the series, and the verses that they would be based upon:

1. Pray first, ask questions later - Romans 8v26

2. Prayer must be single-minded, not double-minded - James 1v5-8

3. There is no strength in numbers, but there is strength in weakness - 2 Corinthians 12v9

4. The long, bold walk to the throne of grace - James 5v16

Marriage seminars

2010-05-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Just been asked, as a couple with another couple, to run some seminars during the Carey Family Conference. The subject is 'protecting marriage and the family'. An idea for one seminar:

Title: 'Being naked and unashamed: strengthening marriage by making yourself vulnerable'

We would look at three areas where marriages can be strengthened, and need to be protected.
1. Physical nakedness
2. Emotional nakedness
3. Spiritual nakedness

More when I've got it!

James 1v5-8

2010-05-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Prayer Meeting 2. Single-minded, not double-minded

James 1v5-8

E.M.Bounds writes 'prayer moves the hand that moves the world'. But this influence is not automatic. In this passage James tells us of a person who 'will not receive anything' from the Lord.

In speaking of wisdom, James is applying a biblical principal - 'God desires to fulfil His promises'. Our prayers must be in accordance with God's character and promises. However, prayers must also be fueled by faith in those promises. We must be single-minded, reliant only on the promises and power of God.

What does it mean to be double-minded? James writes in 4v8: 'Purify your hearts, you double-minded'. To be double-minded is to allow something of the world to share the rule of your heart with the Lord. It is to lack the faith to believe that only God can give you satisfaction, whether that is in answer to prayer (1v6) or in the way you live (4v8).

Ideas for a bible study series

2010-05-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

Someone told me the other day that the last thing you should speak about at a prayer meeting is prayer - it will surely make everyone feel as though they aren't able to pray properly, and discourage prayer within the meeting. This suggestion inspired the following outline for the first of a series of meetings:

Prayer Meeting 1: Pray first, ask questions later

Romans 8v26: 'Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.'

1. We do not know what to pray for as we ought, and that is ok.

2. It is ok because we are made acceptable prayer offerers by the work of Christ, and our prayers are made acceptable offerings by the intercession of the Spirit.

3. This freedom, which allows us to pray as we ought not to, should inspire us to pray more as we ought.

The aim of this outline is to encourage people to 'pray first, and ask questions later'. In other words, we pray because of the work of Christ and the Spirit, not because of our work studying the bible to learn about prayer. However, while we 'pray without ceasing', we strive to learn more about prayer because we wish to be more like Christ, the perfect prayer offerer.

John 17v24

2010-05-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

From 'Pierced by the Word' by John Piper

"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world" (John 17v24)

'I assume that this prayer is a loving act of Jesus. But what does He ask? He asks that, in the end, we might see His glory. His love for us makes Himself central. Jesus is the one being for whom self-exaltation is the most loving act. This is because the most satisfying reality we could ever know is Jesus. So to give us this reality, He must give us Himself. The love of Jesus drives Him to pray for us, and then die for us, not that our value may be central, but that His glory may be central, and we may see it and savor it for all eternity.'

Catch up 5

2010-03-29T15:07:00.001-07:00

Monday, 29 March 2010
Judges 13-15
18And the Angel of the Lord said to him, Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?

God identifies Himself as the God of wonders. We can expect Him to act in accordance with His identity as we identify with Him!
wonderful

23But his [sensible] wife said to him, If the Lord were pleased to kill us, He would not have received a burnt offering and a cereal offering from our hands, nor have shown us all these things or now have announced such things as these.

C'mon, that is Holy Spirit logic!! Why would He give me all these promises and not expect me to see them fulfilled in my life?

6Then the Philistines said, Who has done this? And they were told, Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he [the Timnite] has taken his [Samson's] wife and has given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up and burned her and her father with fire.

She was intimidated and sinned, but the very thing she feared came upon her anyway.

19And God split open the hollow place that was at Lehi, and water came out of it. And when he drank, his spirit returned and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore [the spring of him who prayed], which is at Lehi to this day.

Call out for springs men of prayer!!
Posted by Jingle at 3/29/2010 11:05:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Luke 23
47Now the centurion, having seen what had taken place, [q]recognized God and thanked and praised Him, and said, Indeed, without question, this Man was upright (just and innocent)!

Salvation came to the thief and the centurion at the cross of Christ.
Posted by Jingle at 3/28/2010 09:55:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Judges 10-12
3 He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. 4 He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair. [b] 5 When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon.

There's something about every son knowing he has his own donkey and his own town and being content with his own bit that makes everything stable and secure.
Posted by Jingle at 3/27/2010 11:52:00 PM 0 comments
Friday, 26 March 2010
Judges 7-9
10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, 11 and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.

I love God: " if you are afraid to go down, go down". As you step out, you get the confirmation; before that its all trust.

22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.”
23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” 24 Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.
25 So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder. 26 Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks. 27 Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

Gideon did well to give God the honour, but in making this ephod made himself a focus of devotion to God
Posted by Jingle at 3/26/2010 10:27:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Judges 1-6
1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, that He might test Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan 2 (this was only so that the generations of the children of Israel might be taught to know war, at least those who had not formerly known it)

Challenges are there so we can learn to fight.
Posted by Jingle at 3/25/2010 11:49:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Joshua 21-24
11Be very watchful of yourselves, therefore, to love the Lord your God.

Genuinely, we need to observe what our heart runs after, and how we respond to blessing and trials. What is our spiritual temperature?
Posted by Jingle at 3/23/2010 09:15:00 PM 0 comments
Joshua 14-20
19Achsah answered, Give me a present. Since you have set me in the [dry] Negeb, give me also springs of water. And he gave her the [sloping field with] upper and lower springs.

Ask

1 ALLOTMENT WAS made for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan because he was a man of war.

Possess according to identity.

3Joshua asked the Israelites, How long will you be slack to go in and possess the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?

Get on with it.
Posted by Jingle at 3/23/2010 09:08:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Joshua 9-13
12Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, be silent and stand still at Gibeon, and you, moon, in the Valley of Ajalon!

Joshua spoke to the Lord and then commanded the Universe. Proclamation proceeds from the Lord.

24When they brought out those kings to Joshua, [he] called for all the Israelites and told the commanders of the men of war who went with him, Come, put your feet on the necks of these kings. And they came and put their feet on the [kings'] necks.

What "kings" will have my foot on their necks?
Posted by Jingle at 3/21/2010 09:15:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Luke 22
8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

Jesus prepared Peter and John to work together.

26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

The youngest.
Posted by Jingle at 3/20/2010 10:04:00 PM 0 comments
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Joshua 6-8
1 Now the LORD said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. 2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.”

6 For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’ Therefore we will flee before them. 7 Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

I love how the Lord redeems Israel's reputation, so that it makes their initial retreat (when they were defeated at Ai, ch 7) seem like a deliberate strategy to fool the enemy. God makes our all failures His perfect success.
Posted by Jingle at 3/18/2010 09:45:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Joshua 2-5
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.

When following the Lord, what does it mean to give Him space? Surely it means waiting for direction in advance of our journey at the start of the day.
Posted by Jingle at 3/14/2010 09:56:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Joshua 1
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Courage comes with the command.
Posted by Jingle at 3/13/2010 11:03:00 PM 0 comments
Luke 21
3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Can I prosper and yet still give like the widow? Can I live freely? Yes!
Posted by Jingle at 3/13/2010 12:11:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Deuteronomy 32-34
30 How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the LORD had surrendered them?

God has sold the nations into our hands for salvation! Let us serve them freely!

51 because you trespassed against Me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin, because you did not hallow Me in the midst of the children of Israel.

Showing God is Holy means obeying His moment by moment instruction, not just the written commandments.
Posted by Jingle at 3/11/2010 11:34:00 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Deuteronomy 29-31
5 Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. 6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Increase begets increased capacity fo increase.

23 Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

Courage comes from keeping His company.
Posted by Jingle at 3/10/2010 10:49:00 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Luke 20
38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.

By the promises we enter the divine nature: can we time travel?
Posted by Jingle at 3/09/2010 10:14:00 PM 0 comments
Deuteronomy 26-28
12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, thealien , the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

Always give to the poor.

7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

There will be enemies until the end; but there will be many many victories.

9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.

He will make us holy as we walk, not just as we wait.
Posted by Jingle at 3/09/2010 10:08:00 PM 0 comments

Catch up 4

2010-03-07T22:15:00.001-08:00

Monday, 8 March 2010
Luke 19
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

I love the joyful exuberance of salvation: may God restore that in my heart!

22 And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.

God create out of nothing and expects us to do the same! He looks for faith.
Posted by Jingle at 3/08/2010 06:13:00 AM 0 comments
Deuteronomy 23-25
5 Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.

Love breaks the curse and brings a blessing.
Posted by Jingle at 3/08/2010 06:03:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Luke 18
43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

I ask for more"immediatelys" on the streets of Bromley. Amen!
Posted by Jingle at 3/07/2010 09:58:00 PM 0 comments
Deuteronomy 20-22
10 Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.

There is a place for pooling strengths, but when tasks have been allocated let the donkeys do the donkey work and the oxes do their thing.
Posted by Jingle at 3/07/2010 09:53:00 PM 0 comments
Luke 17
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.[c] 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

Faith works through love, but love is demontrated in obedience.
Posted by Jingle at 3/07/2010 09:40:00 PM 0 comments
Deuteronomy 17-19
15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 16 But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ 17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.

Fiduciary.
Posted by Jingle at 3/07/2010 09:39:00 PM 0 comments
Monday, 1 March 2010
Deuteronomy 13-16
1IF A prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder,
2And the sign or the wonder he foretells to you comes to pass, and if he says, Let us go after other gods--gods you have not known--and let us serve them,
3You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being.

Prophecy tests our hearts.
Posted by Jingle at 3/01/2010 01:01:00 PM 0 comments
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Luke 16
13No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).
14Now the Pharisees, who were covetous and lovers of money, heard all these things [taken together], and they began to sneer at and ridicule and scoff at Him.

One master. Not ambition, not wealth, not fame, not power. One beautiful, loving, friend and Saviour. Jesus. He is worth all the rest.
Posted by Jingle at 2/28/2010 11:28:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Deuteronomy 10-12
8 At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to stand before the Lord as his ministers, and to pronounce blessings in his name. These are their duties to this day.

It still is the duty of the Lord's ministers to pronounce blessing. Those we bless will be blessed, as we declare what Jesus says over their lives. We must be careful that our correction doesn't carry over into cursing and we neglect the ministry of pronounced blessings.
Posted by Jingle at 2/27/2010 06:49:00 PM 0 comments
Luke 15
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

Search carefully.
Posted by Jingle at 2/27/2010 12:26:00 AM 0 comments
Friday, 26 February 2010
Deuteronomy 7-9
22 The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.

Conquest is assured according to our capacity to contain.
Posted by Jingle at 2/26/2010 01:33:00 AM 0 comments
Luke 14
33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Everything.
Posted by Jingle at 2/26/2010 01:21:00 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Deuteronomy 4-6
6So keep them and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Be set apart and youi'll be honoured; be the same and you'll be despised.

Luke 4v1-30

2010-03-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

v1-15
In a roundabout way, the devil now gives his testimony. Jesus faces the devil, and proves that God's voice has as much authority today as it did at creation. For all his power, the devil cannot silence God's words. Notice the teamwork here - the Son, led by the Spirit, speaks the words of the Father.

16-30
Jesus testifies of himself through the words of Isaiah. What an amazing passage - '...good news to the poor...liberty to the captives...sight to the blind...freedom to the oppressed...' And Jesus says 'This is about me!' This is the good news! Yet notice the response of the religious - they 'were filled with wrath'. The message of the gospel should have greatest positive impact upon the marginalised in society - is this reflected in our churches?

Luke 3

2010-03-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

Another two testimonies are added which shed light on the identity of Jesus - before his miracles prove he is God in the flesh.

Firstly, John the Baptist, who tells us Jesus is 'the salvation of God'. He challenges the crowds about their repentance, and notice his understanding of the true descendents of Abraham - 'God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham'. In other words, true citizenship of God's kingdom was not hereditary - it was obtained by grace through faith with repentance.

Notice also the strong language about Jesus in verse 17. He will gather the wheat, and burn the chaff.

The second testimony about the identity of Jesus comes from God himself - 'You are my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.' In one statement, we are told everything we need to know that Jesus could save us from our sins - he was without sin. He had been a perfectly obedient Son to his Father in heaven.

Finally, to add weight to the reality of Jesus in history, Luke finishes the chapter with a genealogy. He is saying 'Whatever else you think about Jesus, be sure of one thing - he is real!' When we start to confront the truth about Jesus, we are forced to consider our own response.

Luke 2

2010-03-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

Having given us the testimonies of Zechariah and Mary, now we have those of the angels (v1-21) and Simeon (25-35) as well as Anna (36-38).

First, the angels appear to the shepherds, and tell them of a saviour. This is good news 'for all the people' (v10). Jesus will bring glory to God, and good will to all men (v14). The gospel is a message of salvation to every kind of person.

In offering turtle doves (v24), Luke reveals to us the Jesus has been born into a poor family (Lev. 12v8).

Simon and Anna tell us more about Jesus - he will bring revelation and redemption.

Verses 41-50 are tricky - I'm not sure what I would preach on this passage. However, one thing is noticeable - for all of Luke's investigations, this is the only incident in Jesus' childhood that stands out. Other than this, it appears Jesus was simply a good son.

When we add this to Luke chapter 3, we find a repeated message - there were people who knew Jesus was the Messiah before he could prove it.

Luke 1

2010-02-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

Currently feeling like preaching through Luke, so will post my thoughts here. Because of the length of the chapter, I think it would be inevitable that it would be split into two sermons - one about Zechariah, the other about Mary.

Luke 1 - Good news if you're feeling doubtful

If you have any doubts about Jesus Christ, this is exactly what you want to hear: 'It seemed good to me...to write an orderly account...that you may have certainty...'
In other words, as we read Luke, we should see evidence of an investigation within the information he gives us, and the information he doesn't. My purpose in preaching through Luke will be to convince those listening of the identity and purposes of Jesus Christ.

In chapter 1, we find two people with doubts - Zechariah ('How shall I know this...?') and Mary ('How will this be...?'). They both submit to the will of the Lord (verses 38 and 63), and this leads to the expressions of praise which describe the power of the gospel.

'He has filled the hungry with good things' (v53)
'...to give light to those who sit in darkness' (v79)

When you submit to the gospel, God is able to transform your life, no matter how hopeless you may consider yourself to be. He is able to turn your world upside down - or rather, he is able to turn it the right way up. This is the power of Jesus Christ upon your life.

Catch up 3

2010-02-22T21:53:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Luke 13
12And when Jesus saw her, He called [her to Him] and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity!
13Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God.

The command to heal was fulfilled through the laying on of hands.

23And someone asked Him, Lord, will only a few be saved (rescued, delivered from the penalties of the last judgment, and made partakers of the salvation by Christ)? And He said to them,
24Strive to enter by the narrow door [force yourselves through it], for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

Go for the many and gain some.
Posted by Jingle at 2/23/2010 05:50:00 AM 0 comments
Deuteronomy 1-3
21Behold, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has said to you. Fear not, neither be dismayed.

Courage is more important than ability, when you work for the Almighty.
Posted by Jingle at 2/23/2010 05:44:00 AM 0 comments
Monday, 22 February 2010
Luke 12
7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

When we really catch a revelation of just how precious we are to God, that we are His prized possession, any fear of not being looked after will vanish. we are eternal beings, and absolutely everything will work out. Everything. He is so good, and He loves us so much. Blessed be the Name of the Lord, His Love endures forever!!!

33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

There is a safe place to invest our money :-)
Posted by Jingle at 2/22/2010 10:02:00 PM 0 comments
Numbers 35-36
12And the cities shall be to you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he has had a fair trial before the congregation.

Sometimes we are accused and pursued by the avenger even though we are not guilty. God provides refuge.
Posted by Jingle at 2/22/2010 05:36:00 AM 0 comments
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Luke 11
2And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.

Heaven is our model.
Posted by Jingle at 2/21/2010 09:29:00 PM 0 comments
Numbers 31-34
8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of those who were killed—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. Balaam the son of Beor they also killed with the sword.

The wages of sin is death.
Posted by Jingle at 2/21/2010 09:19:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Luke 10
3Go your way; behold, I send you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.

We go out in our vulnerable weakness...

19Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

...but equipped with His marvellous strength.
Posted by Jingle at 2/20/2010 01:17:00 AM 0 comments

Catch up 2

Exodus 34-37

2010-01-25T04:14:00.000-08:00

1 And the LORD said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke.

God holds leaders to account. He doesn't say, "the first tablets which got broken". He does say, "the first tablets which you broke."

“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty

God's goodness is linked to his determination that people experience the consequence of their actions.

29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.

Intimacy with God always affects how we appear to men; we should take confidence from that, but often we don't recognise the change God is working in our lives.

Matthew 28

2010-01-24T15:42:00.001-08:00

19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

It is important to receive the full ministry of the Trinity in our lives: the love of the Father, the forgiveness of the Son, the power of the Spirit.
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Exodus 30-33

2010-01-24T15:28:00.001-08:00

15 The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when you give an offering to the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves.

The price of forgiveness is the same for everyone.

25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),

Fathers shepherd their kids in the way they should go. They give direction and are not easily led by popular choice.

18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory."
19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

The glory of God is His goodness.
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Matthew 27

2010-01-23T17:44:00.000-08:00

14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

The more confident we are in our identity, the less we feel we have to defend it.

Exodus 22-29

2010-01-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

The diligent preparation of the priestly garment and the deliberate and thorough consecration of the priests impresses me. Though our salvation in Christ is so much more straightforward, we must be no less diligent in our pursuit of consecration to Him.

Matthew 26

2010-01-22T18:14:00.000-08:00

11For you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.

Give while the opportunity lasts.

Generosity can be offensive to the mean-spirited and the greedy: immediately after Mary pours her wealth out at Jesus' feet, Judas leaves to sell Jesus.

Exodus 23-26

2010-01-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

12Six days you shall do your work, but the seventh day you shall rest and keep Sabbath, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your bondwoman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

You may cope without rest, but you'll burn out those around you (and actually you can't cope either).

Reflecting on the detail God gave to Moses regarding the design of the tabernacle makes me wonder if we seek Him enogh for the detailed design of our lives.

Matthew 24

2010-01-21T17:34:00.001-08:00

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels

Hell wasn't made for man; the less that go there the better.

Exodus 20-22

2010-01-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

The same temptation to delegate relationship remains today.

31 “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

It is not humility to undermine your identity.

Matthew 23

2010-01-20T17:29:00.001-08:00

34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city

God sends scribes. Jesus ordains writers for Kingdom missions.
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Exodus 17-19

2010-01-20T17:21:00.001-08:00

15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;

The Banner declares identity, and in that identity is the intended victory.

11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.

C'mon! Egypt displayed its ability to curse and threaten, but the bully got his comeuppance!
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Matthew 21-22

2010-01-19T15:07:00.000-08:00

Psalm 8:2 Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have established strength because of Your foes, that You might silence the enemy and the avenger.(A)

Matthew 21:16And they said to Him, Do You hear what these are saying? And Jesus replied to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise?(D)

It was not explicit in the version of Psalm 8.2 used by most translations where the strength came from. Jesus reveals that God's manifest strength is established through praise (quoting the Septuagint version of Psalm 8.2 I think).

43I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it.

Where is the fruit in my ministry? How can I become more fruitful?!

Exodus 13-16

2010-01-19T14:39:00.000-08:00

15The Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward!

How often are we looking for a response from Heaven< and Heaven is wqaiting for a response from Earth?

3The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His name.

We cannot forget this. He still fights injustice; he has not changed. Those outside the blood covenant today are not privy to the benefits of that covenant.

26Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you.

Healing and obedient action go hand in hand in the gospels. So often Jesus gives basic instruction: offer your gift, sin no more etc. Conversely, a disobedient lifestyle will put its strain on the body. This does not mean every sickness is caused by an individual's sin as the book of Job attests.

matthew 19-20

2010-01-18T03:52:00.000-08:00

12Saying, These [men] who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them rank with us who have borne the burden and the [m]scorching heat of the day.

13But he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

14Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you.

15Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? [Or do you begrudge my being generous?] Is your eye evil because I am good?

Do I labour for the size of my reward? Is that my motive, or is it love for the Master? If it is the latter, I cannot be disappointed.

Exodus 9-12

2010-01-18T03:43:00.000-08:00

48 And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.

The Israel of God is not, nor has it ever been, exclusive. We now are privileged to be part of this noble vine because Jesus Christ has circumcised our hearts.

Matthew 17-18

2010-01-17T16:10:00.000-08:00

5While he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud [[b]composed of light] overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is My Son, My Beloved, with Whom I am [and [c]have always been] delighted. Listen to Him!(A)

The Amplified Bible's phrase "have always been delighted" led me to ponder how wonderful a blessing we have been brought into in Christ. He will be forever delighted by me in His Son, as if He had always delighted in me (which in His Son, He has).

Exodus 5-8

2010-01-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

21And the foremen said to them, The Lord look upon you and judge, because you have made us a rotten stench to be detested by Pharaoh and his servants and have put a sword in their hand to slay us.

Time and again Leaders are knocked by their people when the answer is not immediate. Leadership requires faithful tenacity, and a forgiving heart.

5I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians have enslaved

Is this really what they want? Yes, deep down.

Matthew 15-16

2010-01-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

13He answered, Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be torn up by the roots.

All roads do not lead to God.

19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth [r]must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth [s]must be what is already loosed in heaven.(E)

Heaven is what we pray to Earth. No sickness in Heaven, so we bind it up and cast it out here. Your Kingdom come O Lord!

Exodus 1-4

2010-01-16T16:21:00.000-08:00

12But the more [the Egyptians] oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that [the Egyptians] were vexed and alarmed because of the Israelites.

Pressure builds strength.

24And God heard their sighing and groaning and [earnestly] remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

God hears our cries according to His covenant.

4And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here am I.

God watches our reactions.

Matthew 13-14

2010-01-15T15:54:00.001-08:00

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

Its really important to connect with the people using relevant examples so they can understand the gospel appeal.

22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

A God given vision will be provided for; but provision without vision leads to dissipation.

10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.

If we call sinners to repentance, we will definitely experience some level of attack.

36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Just the peripheries of His presence brings healing. How deep can we really go in encountering God now?
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Genesis 46-50

2010-01-15T15:17:00.001-08:00

8 " Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;
Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father's children shall bow down before you.

Joseph dreamt his brothers would bow before him, and they did. Judah was blessed to know his brothers would bow before him. God raises up one and puts down another. Promotion comes from the Lord.
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Matthew 12

2010-01-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

It is amazing how theology can blind us to fruit. Discernment works with Love

16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known

The discretion of Jesus is interesting indeed. He didn't rely on advertising at all!

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned

Sobering words. I shall give account for every thoughtless comment.

42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Genuine humility does not hide giftedness to people's hurt.

Genesis 37-45

2010-01-14T16:14:00.000-08:00

8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

Obvious wisdom, but easy to forget: consider who you share your dreams with, as not everyone wants you to achieve your goal. People are rarely disinterested.

Its amazing the level of deceit in Jacob's household. Reuben deceives The boys, the boys deceive Reuben, they all deceive their Dad regarding Joseph's whereabouts. Jacob of course spent much of his life being tricked by his uncle, Laban. God saw Jacob's heart when he deceived his own Father and his brother, and God still blessed him, but boy did Jacob ever reap what He sowed.

8 And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also.

Family first.

23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority,[c] because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.

I read that and assume that Joseph was diligent and wise, which may well have been true, but its not what the verse says is it? The Lord was with him; the Lord made him prosper. (When recruiting staff, look for the level of favour on a person's life in other areas as well as their natural abilities).

8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Joseph changed from a proud son to a wise father.

Matthew 11

2010-01-13T15:47:00.000-08:00

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

Jesus' City-wide campaigns were built upon the work His disciples began.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus is rejected by Chorazin and Capernaum, but thanks God that they didn't get it, because God is in charge of who gets it. This is why His soul could rest and not struggle with the fear of failure.

Genesis 32-36

2010-01-13T15:38:00.000-08:00

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.

Practical humility: if you don't recognise the source, you won't be able to sustain the supply.

24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.

Wrestling with God? What do we expect in our pursuit of God? What does an "encounter" look like? Is there a normative experience of God?

10 And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

Having wrestled God, Jacob meets Esau expecting a struggle, but instead finds "the face of God". Battles wrought in the Spirit impose the face of God on our circumstances.

5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

Have we any idea how the world really perceives us?

Matthew 10

2010-01-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

Private revelation is our priority because it must precede public proclamation.

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

The fear of Isaac.

Genesis 28-31

2010-01-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

God can speak so specifically through dreams. Not just vague symbols, but detailed conversation. I want greater interaction with Him. Why should someone under an inferior covenant enjoy greater intimacy than me? I seek your face O God!

53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.

God is Holy, and worthy of fear.

Copied from http://www.avonmennonite.ca/sermonchat/?p=37

Isaac gets found out, gets a good stiff lecture, and then, oddly, things really start to go his way: he is blessed, incredibly blessed, so much so that the tables are reversed: Isaac had settled in the area as a refugee from famine, and now has more food than he knows what to do with; he began the story afraid of the Philistine and what they might do to him, now they are afraid of him. The man that was told by God to stay, is now told in verse 16 by a man, Abimilech, to leave.

After this the story is all about the wells. The Philistines begin by filling each of the wells Isaac’s father had dug. Isaac moves to Gerar and opens up some wells his father had dug previously, and gives them the same names that his father had given them, which was a way of asserting his property rights to the wells.

He digs 2 more wells, and each time the locals fight argue with him about it and he gives in and lets them have it while he simply moves on.

The third time he digs a well, they leave him alone.

The fear of Isaac

Something astonishing seems to have happened to Isaac somewhere around verse 16, so far as I can tell; somehow, this man who was afraid for his life that he was willing to pass his wife off as his sister, is so secure in his position that he is willing to walk away from his property, his hard work and his legal rights.

There is one last thing that is worth mentioning about the Fear of Isaac that I see in this chapter: the fear of Isaac, the fear of God inspires a response from others as well. Here the Fear of God makes such an impression on Abimilech that he says to Isaac, clearly, you are blessed; in Genesis 31.42 Jacob says that it is the fear of Isaac that has prevented Laban from doing more harm to Jacob than he did.

Isaac gets found out, gets a good stiff lecture, and then, oddly, things really start to go his way: he is blessed, incredibly blessed, so much so that the tables are reversed: Isaac had settled in the area as a refugee from famine, and now has more food than he knows what to do with; he began the story afraid of the Philistine and what they might do to him, now they are afraid of him. The man that was told by God to stay, is now told in verse 16 by a man, Abimilech, to leave.

After this the story is all about the wells. The Philistines begin by filling each of the wells Isaac’s father had dug. Isaac moves to Gerar and opens up some wells his father had dug previously, and gives them the same names that his father had given them, which was a way of asserting his property rights to the wells.

He digs 2 more wells, and each time the locals fight argue with him about it and he gives in and lets them have it while he simply moves on.

The third time he digs a well, they leave him alone.

The fear of Isaac

Something astonishing seems to have happened to Isaac somewhere around verse 16, so far as I can tell; somehow, this man who was afraid for his life that he was willing to pass his wife off as his sister, is so secure in his position that he is willing to walk away from his property, his hard work and his legal rights.

Apparently, when God is on our side, others will see it.

St Clement of Rome was an early church bishop, a disciple of the Apostle Peters, and in a letter that he wrote to the Corinthian church at the beginning of the 100’s he writes, “Let us rather offend men… than [offend] God. Let us reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us…

Clement of Rome – 1st epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 21

(I know there isn't a chapter 21: this was cut and pasted, and I'm leaving it in till I work out the right passage he is actually commentating on)

Genesis 17-44

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17-20: A promise, a place and a people. Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of God's promises to Abraham - Christ is the place (we are baptised into Christ) and he is the people (we receive his righteousness and become sons of God).

21-24: The people of God (represented by Isaac) are saved by a substitute provide by God.

25-28: The promises of God again point to the Messiah - 'In your offspring all the nations will be blessed' (26v4)

29-32: Jacob, who deceived Esau, is in turn deceived by Laban. He ends up fleeing, and must accept the forgiveness of Esau.

33-36: The promise of a King (35v11)

37-40: Joseph - the son becomes a servant - the innocent is punished.

41-44: The servant becomes a prince, and thus sustains the lives of God's people.

Matthew 9

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38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Sent. Thrust. Forced. Propelled.

Genesis 25-27

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35 But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.”

I am reassured that Jacob's desire to get the blessing of God was honoured, despite his ill-conceived ways of getting it. Bad theology will not stop a heart that desires God (not forever anyway).

Matthew 8

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12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Doubt is a dangerous thing.

Genesis 22-24

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2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning

Be quickest with the toughest task.

27 And he said, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”

We find the answer as we look.

Matthew 7

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2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

ALL our judgements must be made with a heart of mercy, hoping and praying for LIFE in those we adjudge.

Genesis 19-21

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16And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

May the mercy of God keep my imagination and that of my people from lingering in unholy places.

Matthew 6

2010-01-06T13:15:00.001-08:00

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Private.

Genesis 16-18

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13 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Nothing too hard.

Matthew 5

2010-01-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.

Pure here means cleansed. Seeing God really begins with a revelation of forgiveness.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Am I hiding, or just hiding what I believe?

Genesis 13-15

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11 Then Lot chose for himself

Abram gave Lot the choice, Lot chose for himself. One put the other first and was ultimately exalted; the other put himself first and in the end did not prosper.

14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.

Equipped. Trained home team. Long term ministry, prepared to push through at cost in seasons of warfare. Leader prepared to organise army aroud more than one issue/front.

11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

Drive away the birds of doubt: all the promise of God are Yes and Amen in the new covenant made in the blood of Christ Jesus!

Genesis 13-16

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Passage - Genesis 13v8-13

Suggested Sermon title - Sin, the cancer of creation

Themes - Abram give Lot a choice of land - Lot chooses the land which is more pleasing to the eye. However, this land was full of 'terrible sinners'. No matter how beautiful or bountiful the world is, it groans under the curse of sin. Sin is the greatest blot on any landscape.

Genesis 9-12

2010-01-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

Passage - Genesis 12

Suggested title - Now you see it, now you don't

Themes - Abraham's faith is evident at the start of the chapter as he leaves his home in obedience to the Lord. However, that faith seems to disappear as he lies to protect himself in Egypt. Ultimately, it is the Lord's faithfulness that brings about the fulfilment of His own promises in the life of Abraham (e.g.12v17). Today, our faith brings us into a new home - at salvation we are baptised, or immersed, into Jesus Christ. Ultimately, though, it is thanks to the faithfulness of God that we are brought into this new home and kept there. 'If we are faithless, he remains faithful' (2Tim 2v13)

Matthew 4

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6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

We need to know the word in context.

17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Straightforward message!

23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

All

Genesis 10-12

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3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Bless the man or woman who God blesses, and you'll get blessed!

Matthew 1-3

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19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Mercy precedes revelation.

8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance

Words are not enough.

Genesis 1-9

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14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years

God speaks through His creation. Observe the signs of the time we are living in.

19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

I like that God watched what Adam would call the animals. He knows all things, but He has the capacity to enjoy our choices nonetheless.

Genesis 5-8

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Passage - Genesis 6-8

Sermon title - Walking hand in hand with God

Suggested theme - Noah walked with God. It was not his holiness that saved him from the judgment, but his faith, which was accounted for righteousness. Noah was saved, like all of God's children, by grace through faith - he believed the promise of God that the ark would shelter him from the flood. Christ is our shelter from God's judgement, which we enter by faith when we believe the promise of God that Christ has died for our sins. In other words, we walk with God as Noah did, when God's hand of grace takes our hand of faith.