Psalm 15 as a test of one's own life & holiness....countered by 1 John 1:8-9
Psalm 16 -
The marks of a believing person (v1-4): They take refuge in God, they have God alone as their possession, they will not pursue or follow other gods.
The privileges of a believing person (v5-8): Their portion and cup has been secured by God, their lot is secure and their boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places, The Lord counsels them, they will not be shaken.
The prospects of a believing person (v9-11): They will not be abandoned to the grave, they will not see decay, the path of life is made known to them & they are filled with joy in God's presence and His eternal pleasures at His right hand.
Psalm 17:1-7 David's plea is based on God being the sole judge, seeing what is right, and a great loving God who saves those who take their refuge in Him.
David is earnest in pleading to God. He is honest and seeks God's approval only. He desires to be the apple of God's eye
In contrast, his enemies are violent. They surround David, they speak with arrogance and are vicious. Their reward is only in this life. \
Psalm 18
v1-3 God was a rock, fortress, deliverer, shield and horn of salvation - in today's lingo, we'd say He was impregnable, a bunker, a protection and a means of rescue.
Today, I am reminded through Hab 3:17-18 and Heb 13:5-6 that God is all I need - He is my joy, my treasure and my delight. Whatever else may happen, I have Him and He is ALL I need.
David realises God is powerful to help and that He delights to help those who show themselves faithful to Him. He will help because He is absolutely flawless and His character oozes goodness (unlike mine).
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Hosea 11-14 God's persistent love, Psalms 13-14
11:1-4 God's love in Israel's beginnings - He called Israel out of Egypt, despite their unfaithfulness to Him and their obliviousness of Him. God led them with kindness and love.
Despite their repeated failings and unfaithfulness, God still goes with them and loves them. He does not give them up.
In Ch 12, God desires an attitude of love and justice. He wants us to be faithful to Him. Israel's response to God's pleadings however is one of contempt and neglect. God deserves and demands better than that.
Ch13 God's coming judgment is coming like:
v3 Chaff swirling from a threshing floor and like smoke escaping from a window.
v7-8 Like a lion or a bear
v15 An east wind blowing in from the desert
v16 Falling by the sword, dashed to the ground and their pregnant women ripped open
These remind us of the seriousness of sin. Sin corrupts us completely & is serious before a holy God.
Ch 14 The triumph of God's love. Repentance involves returning to God (v1), the use of words that ask for forgiveness and change of relationship (v2), changed behaviour (v3) and then fruitfulness that comes from God (v8). The divine response is that God's ways are right - He wants His people to walk in them.
Psalms 13-14
Ch13 David is having to endure the opposition of his enemy and the feeling God has forgotten him. He avoids depression and despair by trusting in God's love and salvation.
Ch14 People say there is no God because they are foolish, corrupt, vile and do no good. We must remember it is God who opens eyes, not us - (2 Cor 4:3-4). It is God who reveals Himself, and shows His salvation.
Despite their repeated failings and unfaithfulness, God still goes with them and loves them. He does not give them up.
In Ch 12, God desires an attitude of love and justice. He wants us to be faithful to Him. Israel's response to God's pleadings however is one of contempt and neglect. God deserves and demands better than that.
Ch13 God's coming judgment is coming like:
v3 Chaff swirling from a threshing floor and like smoke escaping from a window.
v7-8 Like a lion or a bear
v15 An east wind blowing in from the desert
v16 Falling by the sword, dashed to the ground and their pregnant women ripped open
These remind us of the seriousness of sin. Sin corrupts us completely & is serious before a holy God.
Ch 14 The triumph of God's love. Repentance involves returning to God (v1), the use of words that ask for forgiveness and change of relationship (v2), changed behaviour (v3) and then fruitfulness that comes from God (v8). The divine response is that God's ways are right - He wants His people to walk in them.
Psalms 13-14
Ch13 David is having to endure the opposition of his enemy and the feeling God has forgotten him. He avoids depression and despair by trusting in God's love and salvation.
Ch14 People say there is no God because they are foolish, corrupt, vile and do no good. We must remember it is God who opens eyes, not us - (2 Cor 4:3-4). It is God who reveals Himself, and shows His salvation.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Hosea 4:1-10:15 It is time to seek the Lord
4:1-14
The outward sins that caused God to have a controversy with His people: No faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God. Cursing, lying, murder, stealing, adultery, bloodshed following bloodshed,
The inward sins that the outward sins were an outcome of: rejecting God's knowledge, ignoring God's law, deserting the Lord, turning to idols, being unfaithful to God.
The description of the Israelites is as apt for us today - we inwardly turn from God and that leads us to outwardly display our turning from Him.
4:15-19 A warning to the Southern kingdom of Judah not to get brought into Israel's sins. We become like those we spend time with.
Ch 5: The real obstacles that separate the people from God and God from the people:
A prostitute mindset - belonging to others and not to God.
God allows them to face this and will find He has withdrawn Himself from them.
God's wrath is coming, like a flood of water.
The people will eventually realise their guilt and will seek God's face, and in their misery will earnestly seek Him.
5:15-6:6 is a dialogue between God and the people. Their repentance isn't real and therefore, they will be surprised by God's response.
Throughout 6:7-8:13, we are told about the abundance of sin, but the certainties of God. The Israelites have been caught up in multiple sins that have led them to turn away from God, but He longs to redeem them. Their alliances have been with idols and not with God. The cause of their perilous position is their own making - they have turned from God and He has allowed them to.
9:1-8 Hosea is describing the changes that exile will bring. It will lead to the eating of unclean food, the sacrifices they make will not please God, they will be overrun and time of punishment and reckoning will be coming.
9:9-17 Their sin will lead to their glory deserting them, they will be in a barren place and face real hardship, pain and suffering.
Ch 10 The deceit of the heart is spoken of - their many oaths and promises cause them problems, they turn to idols, their idols will be destroyed and they will see their ruin.
Hosea reminds them to sow seeds of righteousness. Seek the Lord and He will come and shower righteousness on them.
The outward sins that caused God to have a controversy with His people: No faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God. Cursing, lying, murder, stealing, adultery, bloodshed following bloodshed,
The inward sins that the outward sins were an outcome of: rejecting God's knowledge, ignoring God's law, deserting the Lord, turning to idols, being unfaithful to God.
The description of the Israelites is as apt for us today - we inwardly turn from God and that leads us to outwardly display our turning from Him.
4:15-19 A warning to the Southern kingdom of Judah not to get brought into Israel's sins. We become like those we spend time with.
Ch 5: The real obstacles that separate the people from God and God from the people:
A prostitute mindset - belonging to others and not to God.
God allows them to face this and will find He has withdrawn Himself from them.
God's wrath is coming, like a flood of water.
The people will eventually realise their guilt and will seek God's face, and in their misery will earnestly seek Him.
5:15-6:6 is a dialogue between God and the people. Their repentance isn't real and therefore, they will be surprised by God's response.
Throughout 6:7-8:13, we are told about the abundance of sin, but the certainties of God. The Israelites have been caught up in multiple sins that have led them to turn away from God, but He longs to redeem them. Their alliances have been with idols and not with God. The cause of their perilous position is their own making - they have turned from God and He has allowed them to.
9:1-8 Hosea is describing the changes that exile will bring. It will lead to the eating of unclean food, the sacrifices they make will not please God, they will be overrun and time of punishment and reckoning will be coming.
9:9-17 Their sin will lead to their glory deserting them, they will be in a barren place and face real hardship, pain and suffering.
Ch 10 The deceit of the heart is spoken of - their many oaths and promises cause them problems, they turn to idols, their idols will be destroyed and they will see their ruin.
Hosea reminds them to sow seeds of righteousness. Seek the Lord and He will come and shower righteousness on them.
Monday, 4 March 2013
Amos 8:4-9:15, Hosea 1 & 3 The God who woos and wins
Social injustice is symptomatic of the problem - it shows the neglect they have for others and reveals their hearts.
The 7 forms of judgment in 8:7-14 are:
Not forgetting
The land being stirred
The sun going down at noon
Religious feasts becoming times of mourning and weeping
Famine throughout the land - a famine of the words of the Lord
Men & women will faint as a result
They will fall & never rise again
These judgments are connected with the sin of the nation - the things they took for granted are now the areas where they face judgment.
Judgment is part of the purposes of God, however, it is also part of His perfect plan for restoration. He will redeem and buy back His people.
Hosea 1 & 3
Hosea was attentive and obedient to the word of the Lord. His eyes were on Him and He guided him.
Hosea was aware that Gomer was adulterous, but was probably unaware of what she would do when married. However, he saw God's hand throughout it all and helped him understand and then illustrate what Israel's unfaithfulness meant to God.
God is the perfect craftsman - He knows exactly what He is doing and His ways are perfect. Hosea buys back Gomer, but then disciplined her for a time - it is all part of his perfect love and plan.
Hosea illustrates what Israel has done to God and then says "God says" - which brings it much closer to home and points the finger directly at Israel, showing what they have done.
The promise of God alluring Israel back and giving her back all she lost out on, showing her love and compassion. God promises to woo her and win her. The chapter illustrates what God has done and is doing with His people today.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Acts 3:1-8:3 Remember God!
The responsibility of the people of God is to walk with Him - He has chosen them and is in control.
3:9-15 is about seeing what God does with those who aren't obedient to Him.
Ch 4 is a reminder of not living in a way that neglects others. It says that we should not get sucked up into religious formalism that has not shaped the heart, and also that God has done significant things in an attempt to bring Israel to her senses. 4:12 is a reminder we will stand before God and we need to be prepared for that.
5:1-17 is a rebuke against people not seeking God. They have gone their own way & living in a self-obsessed world, but have not seen everything God gives as from Him and His to use.
5:18-27 To make our worship acceptable to God, we need to submit to His justice and turn to Him.
Ch 6 The Israelites were insensitive to God's judgment because they felt secure in their own lives. We must remember whatever God gives us belongs to Him and we need to rest in Him, not become self-consumed and satisfied.
Amos has 4 visions:
7:1-9 Swarms of locusts - they stripped the land clean. Leading Amos to cry out "Forgive"
A plumb line and a wall - a reminder that God has His standards of what we must measure up to
8:1-3 A basket of ripe fruit - a reminder that God has set the seasons in place & knows exactly when things will happen. He chooses them.
Songs in the temple turned to wailing - A reminder of the awfulness of God's judgment.
7:10-17 Amos was willing to go to the King and give God's message - he was fearless. We must be willing to tell people "Hear the word of the Lord!" and tell them exactly what God says.
3:9-15 is about seeing what God does with those who aren't obedient to Him.
Ch 4 is a reminder of not living in a way that neglects others. It says that we should not get sucked up into religious formalism that has not shaped the heart, and also that God has done significant things in an attempt to bring Israel to her senses. 4:12 is a reminder we will stand before God and we need to be prepared for that.
5:1-17 is a rebuke against people not seeking God. They have gone their own way & living in a self-obsessed world, but have not seen everything God gives as from Him and His to use.
5:18-27 To make our worship acceptable to God, we need to submit to His justice and turn to Him.
Ch 6 The Israelites were insensitive to God's judgment because they felt secure in their own lives. We must remember whatever God gives us belongs to Him and we need to rest in Him, not become self-consumed and satisfied.
Amos has 4 visions:
7:1-9 Swarms of locusts - they stripped the land clean. Leading Amos to cry out "Forgive"
A plumb line and a wall - a reminder that God has His standards of what we must measure up to
8:1-3 A basket of ripe fruit - a reminder that God has set the seasons in place & knows exactly when things will happen. He chooses them.
Songs in the temple turned to wailing - A reminder of the awfulness of God's judgment.
7:10-17 Amos was willing to go to the King and give God's message - he was fearless. We must be willing to tell people "Hear the word of the Lord!" and tell them exactly what God says.
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Acts 28:17-31 Preaching Jesus unhindered. Amos 1 & 2 The Judgment of God
Paul's main purpose on reaching Rome was to talk of Jesus - the hope of Israel. He was concerned also not to discredit the name of Jesus in any way.
Paul's message to the Jews at Rome was the Kingdom of God and Jesus, from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. He explains to them that they are unbelieving because the Spirit had said this would happen. He expected the Gentiles to listen. Sadly, we expect no-one to listen, despite God telling us that some will believe.
Luke spells out: 2 years, own rented house, welcoming all, boldly and without hindrance, preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus.
Key verses in Acts:
1:8 - Witnesses to an expanding area
6:7 - The word spread, disciples growing
9:31- The church strengthened, encouraged and growing, living in the fear of the Lord
12:24 - The word of God continued to increase & spread
16:5 - Churches were strengthened in the faith & growing daily
19:20 - The word of the Lord spread widely & grew in power
28:31 - Boldly & without hindrance, the kingdom of God was preached & Jesus taught
20:18-35 Paul's humility is evident, his perseverance is clear
21:13 Paul's sensitivity and willingness
21:14 His determination
23:1 His good conscience
24:16 His good conscience again
26:19-23 His desire to be obedient to God
26:29 His single-mindedness in longing for people to come to Jesus
27:22-25 His faith in God and fearlessness in that
Amos 1 & 2
The sins of the nations (1:3-2:3)
Damascus - threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth
Gaza - took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom
Tyre - sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood
Edom - pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion
Ammon - ripped pregnant women of Gilead open so as to extend his borders
Moab - he burned the bones of Edom's king
Judah - they rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, they have been led astray by false gods
Israel - sell the righteous for silver & the needy for a pair of sandals, profaning God's holy name
God hates things that go against His character - He is holy, fair, loving and just - we must also be.
Judah & Israel have failed to live up to God's Law. 2:4-16 shows what was expected of them:
Obedience to the law of God & keeping His decrees
Keeping true to Him.
Looking after the righteous & needy, not oppressing the oppressed.
Honouring His holy name.
Helping others to be faithful to God and do His will (prophesying).
We similarly fail to take God at His word & think we can make up our own rules. He calls us to completely follow Him in all areas of our lives.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Acts 27:1-28:16 Unusual kindness
Paul received kindness from Julius enabling him to go to his friends who could provide for his needs. Early on, Paul is not listened to, because the danger is not quite as real as in v21-25.
Paul found opportunities for service in Malta - he received kindness, but also was able to heal Publius' father and the other sick of the island.
Paul had wanted to reach Rome and finally manages it. There have been many obstacles, but God has brought him there. Now, God's purpose has been fulfilled and glory should be given to Him.
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