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God's Operation of Grace in Salvation and Evangelism (Insights in NT)

8/30/2012

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 "If the church would only awaken to her responsibility of intercession, we could well evangelize the world in a short time. It is not God's plan that the world be merely evangelized ultimately. It should be evangelized in every generation. There should be a constant gospel witness in every corner of the world so that no sinner need close his eyes in death without hearing the gospel, the good news of salvation through Christ" (T. S. Hegre).


Apostle Paul had this kind of heart for Israel and explained God's operation of grace in salvation and evangelism. 

God Chooses His Children Based on Grace, Not Works
Paul had great sorrow in his heart for Israel who were cut off from Christ  even though they received divine glory, covenants, law, temple worship, the promises and patriarchs that traced Christ's lineage. Natural children were not descended from Israel or regarded as Abraham's children, but children of the promise became God's children. The word of promise states a specific time for Sarah to have a son and Rebekah conceiving twins through Isaac. Before the twins had done anything good or bad so God's purpose and choice might stand, not because of works but because of His calling, Scripture said, "The older will serve the younger." It was written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Rom. 9:1-13). God chooses who becomes His children based on grace according to His purpose, not based upon works.

God Shows Mercy to Display His Power and Proclaim His Name in the World
God is not unjust and said to Moses that He would have mercy and compassion on whom He desired, not dependent on man's desire or effort. Moses as revealed in Scripture said to Pharaoh that God raised him up to display His power so His name would be proclaimed in all the earth. God shows mercy and hardens whom He desires (Rom. 9:14-18). God shows mercy and hardens whom He desires to display His power and proclaim His name in the world.  

God Prepares Objects of Mercy As Sons to Experience His Rich Glory
Why does God still cast blame since no one can resist His will? The reason is that no one can talk back to God. He made us like a potter with one vessel for noble purposes and others for common use. God demonstrated His wrath and made His power known by enduring patiently with objects of wrath prepared for destruction. Then the riches of His glory could be made known to objects of His mercy prepared in advance for glory like us whom He called from among the Jews and Gentiles. In Hosea He called those "who were not My people, My people, and her who was not beloved, 'beloved."' Those not His people would be called the sons of the living God. Isaiah said only the remnant would be saved among the vast number of Israelites. The Lord would execute His word thoroughly and quickly upon the earth so we would not be like Sodom and Gomorrah (Rom. 9:19-29). God prepares objects of mercy as sons to experience rich glory and objects of wrath to experience destruction.

People Attain Righteousness without Shame by Believing in Christ
Gentiles attained righteousness through faith even though they did not pursue it. Israel pursued a law of righteousness by works but did not attain it. They stumbled over Christ, the stumbling stone, which causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. He who believes in Him will be unashamed (Rom. 9:30-33). People attain righteousness without shame by believing in Christ.

People Experience Lordship of Christ and Freedom from Law by Calling upon the Lord
Paul prayed earnestly for Israel's salvation realizing their zeal for God without knowledge. They tried to establish their own righteousness without submitting to God's righteousness. Christ ends the law so everyone who believes may have righteousness. He who practices righteousness by the law lives by that righteousness. Obtaining righteousness by faith means the word is in your mouth and heart, namely the word of faith we proclaimed. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. You are justified by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth so you can be saved. Anyone who believes in Him will be unashamed. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. To call upon the Lord, you must first believe. To believe, you must hear. To hear, you must have someone preaching the word to you. Someone must send the preacher as Isaiah says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Rom. 10:1-15). People experience the Lordship of Christ and freedom from the law by believing and calling upon the name of the Lord.

God Sends His Word to the Whole World so People Hear and Believe Christ
Not all the Israelites believed the good news. Faith comes from hearing the message of God's word. The word went out to the whole world so no one could say they had not heard. Moses said Israel would be made jealous by a nation without understanding. Isaiah said those who did not seek Christ found Him and God revealed Himself to those who did not ask for Him. He told Israel that He was available to a disobedient and obstinate people (Rom. 10:16-21). God sends His word to the whole world so people can hear and believe in Christ. 

Review the following truths on God's operation of grace in salvation and evangelism from Rom. 9-10:

1.   God chooses you to be His child, not based upon works 

2.   God shows mercy to display His power and proclamation  

3.   God prepares objects of mercy as sons to experience the riches of His glory  

4. People attain righteousness without shame by believing in Christ

5.   People experience the Lordship of Christ and freedom from the law by believing and calling upon the name of the Lord

6. God sends His word to the whole world so people can hear and believe in Christ  

How do these truths encourage you? What difference do they make in understanding grace versus works? How do they affect your attitude about evangelism?



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Characteristics of a Godly Wife (Insights in Psalms)

8/29/2012

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Too many women have too much leisure time for their own good. They have time for criticism, gossip, faultfinding, and complaining. They have time for idle games and lay too much attention to things of the flesh. There are other women who have too little time for the enduring things of life. They are too busy flitting about doing this and that. They have great activity and much doing, but they lack time for building Christian characters. Both kinds of women -- the too-idle and the too-busy need to take time for meditation and quiet repose in prayer to God. They need time to cultivate their souls that in turn they may cultivate their children's lives" (Billy Graham).
Proverbs 31 explains the characteristics of a godly wife in the home and community. 

My son, do not spend your strength and vigor on women who ruin kings. If rulers drink wine and crave beer, they forget what the law says and deprive the oppressed of their rights. Speak up for those who are destitute, judge fairly and defend the rights of the poor and needy (Prov. 31:1-9). God-fearing leaders speak up and defend the rights of the poor and needy. 


A wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her, lacking nothing of value. She brings him good everyday. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like merchant ships bringing her food from a distance. She gets up early and provides food for her family and servants (Prov. 31:10-15). Wives' good character save money on food and clothing as they prepare meals for their families. 

She considers a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard out of her earnings. She works diligently on her tasks. She works late making sure her trading is profitable. She is generous and helps the needy. She clothes her household in scarlet so they are prepared in every season. She makes coverings for her bed and is clothed in fine linen and purple (Prov. 31:16-22). Wives' business sense and poise supply extra income for their families while helping the needy.

Her husband is respected in a city leadership position. She makes and sells linen garments while supplying sashes for merchants. She clothes herself with strength and dignity and can laugh about the future. She speaks with wisdom and provides faithful instruction. She watches and is never idle over the affairs of her household. Her children and husband praise and call her blessed (Prov. 31:23-28). Wives' creativity, strength, dignity, wisdom, instruction and diligence enhance their husbands' capabilities.

She surpasses all other women who do noble things. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring praise among city leadership (Prov. 31:29-31). Wives who fear God and do not rely on charm and beauty will be praised by others.

As a wife or someone who will be married in the future, evaluate yourself on the following checklist: 
1. Save money on food and clothing as you prepare meals for your family 
2. Business sense and poise supply extra income for your family while helping the needy
3. Creativity, strength, dignity, wisdom, instruction and diligence enhance your husband's capabilities
4. Fear God and do not rely on charm and beauty to be praised by others


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Preparation to Receive God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

8/26/2012

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We wonder why people don't obey God's word after hearing it. Certain things must be in place for people to be doers of the word. For disciples to receive God's word, they must consider His holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God's protection and presence and reject faith in humankind and their strategies.

Consider God's Holiness
In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a high and exalted throne with the train of his rope filling the temple. Above Him were seraphs with six wings each calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." The doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Isaiah cried out that he was ruined with unclean lips and living among a people of unclean lips but his eyes saw the King, the Lord Almighty (Is. 6:1-5). Consider God's holiness to reveal personal and community sin. 


Experience Forgiveness of Sin
A seraphim flew with a burning coal taken from the altar and touched Isaiah's mouth. He said his iniquity was taken away and sin forgiven. The Lord said, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said to go and tell this people that they were always hearing but never understanding and always seeing but never perceiving. Their hearts were insensitive, ears dull and eyes dim so they could not hear, understand, return to the Lord and be healed. The Lord said Isaiah would do this until cities lie ruined without people, houses deserted, fields ravaged and land completely forsaken. A tenth as the holy seed would remain in the land as a remnant like a stump in the land (Is. 6:6-13). Experience forgiveness of sin and hear God's call as an ambassador of reconciliation. 

Trust God's Protection
Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah, king of Israel, battled against Ahaz, king of Judah, without conquering them. Israel's king and peoples' hearts shook like trees in the wind. Isaiah and his son told Ahaz to be calm, not fear or be fainthearted because of the fierce anger of these two kings who planned evil against them. God said their terror would not make a breach in its walls. Within 65 years Ephraim would be no longer be a people because of their unbelief (Is. 7:1-9). Trust God's protection, stay calm and do not fear when people seek evil.

Live in God's Presence
The Lord told Ahaz to ask for a sign but he refused not wanting to test God's patience. The Lord gave the sign of a virgin who would bear a son whose name would be called Immanuel. He would eat curds and honey when he was old enough to refuse evil and choose good. The land of the two kings they dreaded would be laid waste in the early childhood of the boy. The Lord would bring the king of Assyria causing great natural and economic trials to Judah (Is. 7:10-25). Live in God's presence instead of testing His patience by exercising faith in humankind.

Reject Faith in Humankind
The Lord said to write ordinary letters on a large tablet, "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey," and called Uriah the priest and Zechariah as reliable witnesses. He went to a prophetess and she gave birth to a son named, "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey." The wealth of Damascus and spoil of Samaria would be carried away by the king of Assyria. These people rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and Pekah. As a result,  Judah experienced devastation by the king of Assyria (Is. 8:1-8). Reject faith in humankind to prevent your land from being devastated. 

Reject Human Strategies
All nations that prepared for battle would be shattered. They devised their strategy but it was thwarted "for God is with us." God warned them with mighty power not to follow the way of this people and say, 'It is a conspiracy,' what the people called a conspiracy. They were not to fear what they feared or be in dread of it, but regard God as holy. He was  their fear and dread. He would become a sanctuary for both houses of Israel as a stone that caused men to stumble and a trap and snare for the people of Jerusalem (Is. 8:9-15). Reject human strategies by regarding God's holiness and presence. 

To be in position to receive the Word, these prior things--consider God's holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God's protection and presence, and reject faith in humankind and their strategies--must be in place. 

Receive God's Word
Bind up the testimony and seal the law among His disciples. Isaiah would wait and trust in the Lord who hid his face from the house of Jacob. He and the children God gave him were signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord Almighty. They consulted the Lord and not mediums and spiritists men suggested. If they did not speak according to the law and testimony, they had no dawn but were distressed, hungry and their anger caused them to curse their king and God. They would see only distress and fearful gloom and be thrust into utter darkness looking toward the earth (Is. 9:16-22). Disciples receive God's word so they can consult and speak of the Lord as signs and wonders in the land.

Preparation Steps in Receiving God's Word: 
1. Consider God's holiness to reveal personal and community sin. 

2. Experience forgiveness of sin and hear God's call as an ambassador of reconciliation. 
3. Trust God's protection, stay calm and do not fear when people seek evil. 
4. Live in God's presence instead of testing His patience by exercising faith in humankind. 
5. Reject faith in humankind to prevent your land from being devastated. 
6. Reject human strategies by regarding God's holiness and presence.  

To be in position to receive the Word, these prior things--consider God's holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God's protection and presence, and reject faith in humankind and their strategies--must be in place first. 


7. Disciples receive God's word so they can consult and speak of the Lord as signs and wonders in the land.

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How to Protect the Institution of Marriage (Insights in Law)

8/25/2012

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Spiritually battle through prayer and  hearing God's word to do His will. Follow God and renew your thinking in Christ to prevent worldliness and idols.  Learn from the bad fruit of Israel's history when they did not follow the Lord. These spiritual disciplines equip you to do God's mission and discover your unique inheritance. Then you can exercise justice in the church and community to atone for bloodshed in the land, which will protect the institution of marriage.    

Spiritually Battle
The Lord told Moses to take full vengeance on the Midianites using 1,000 men from each tribe along with Phinehas the priest who killed every male and five kings of Midian and Balaam.  Moses was angry they spared the women who followed Balaam as he caused them to sin against the Lord at Peor before the plague struck God’s people. He told them to kill every boy and women who had slept with a man along with purifying themselves, captives and clothes. Moses instructed them to count and divide the booty between the soldiers who fought the battle and the rest of the community. They levied a tax for the Lord from those who went out to battle, one in 500 persons and cattle as a half-share to give to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the Lord. They took one out of every 50 persons and cattle to give to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle. Moses and Eleazar took the gold articles to make atonement for themselves and brought it to the tent of meeting as a memorial for Israel before the Lord (Num. 31:1-54). All believers spiritually battle through prayer and hearing His word to do God's will.

Follow God
Reuben and Gad with large livestock herds asked Moses if they could possess Gilead on the east side of the Jordan. Moses asked why their brothers would go to war and be discouraged from crossing the Jordan into land the Lord gave them while they sat in Gilead. He accused them of following their fathers’ example of sinning in not following the Lord fully by taking the land and wandering 40 years in the wilderness. Reuben and Gad said they would build cities for their children and be armed and ready to cross the Jordan until Canaan was possessed. Moses said they would be free from obligation and gave Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh the land and cities of Sihon, king of the Amorites, kingdom of Og and king of Bashan. They drove out the Amorites who were in the land (Num. 32:1-42). Follow God fully to enable your family and congregation embrace His kingdom purpose.

Renew Thinking 

Moses recorded the journeys of Israel coming out of Egypt by armies under his and Aaron’s leadership according to their starting places. Israel started out boldly and the Lord executed judgment on the Egyptian gods. After crossing the Jordan into Canaan, they drove out all the inhabitants of the land and destroyed the carved images and cast idols, and demolished all the high places to take possession and live in the land. They inherited it by lot according to their families with the larger ones getting more inheritance and smaller less. If they did not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those remaining became barbs in their eyes and thorns in their sides to give them trouble. Then God would do to Israel what He planned to do with them (Num. 33:1-56). Renew your thinking in Christ so you reject worldliness and  idols.

Do Mission

When they entered Canaan, the Lord through Moses gave specific boundaries for the land allotted to them as an inheritance. He assigned the land by lot as an inheritance to 9 ½ tribes because Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh received theirs on the east side of the Jordan River. Eleazar the priest, Joshua and one leader from each tribe helped assign the land for an inheritance (Num. 34:1-29). Do God's mission and discover your unique inheritance. 

Exercise Justice

Moses commanded Israel to give the Levites cities and pasture lands surrounding them to live in according to specific dimensions. Six cities of refuge (three on each side of the Jordan) were assigned so someone who killed a person accidentally could flee and 42 other towns were given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe. The cities of refuge would be places to protect someone accused of murder before he stood trial with the murderer put to death. The accused would stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest and then could return to his own property. Anyone killing a person would be put to death on the testimony of at least two witnesses. Bloodshed polluted the land and atonement could only be made for the land by shedding the blood of the one responsible. Do not defile the land where you live for God dwelled among the Israelites (Num. 35:1-34). Exercise justice in the church and community to atone for polluting the land with bloodshed. 

Protect Marriage

The Lord commanded Moses to give land by lot to Israel as an inheritance and to give the inheritance of Zelophehad to his daughters. If they married sons from other tribes, their inheritance would be withdrawn and added to the inheritance of the tribe they married into. When the Year of Jubilee came, their inheritance would be added to the tribe into which they married and property taken from the tribal inheritance of their forefathers. They could marry anyone they pleased within the tribal clan of their father. No inheritance could be transferred from tribe to tribe, for every Israelite would keep the tribal land inherited from his forefathers. Zelophehad’s daughters married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh and their inheritance remained in their father’s clan and tribe (Num. 36:1-13). Protect marriage as the basic building block for a stable society through laws, mentoring and economic incentives. 


Ask God to accomplish the following in your life and city:
1. All believers engage in the spiritual battle
2. Follow God fully to enable your family and congregation to embrace His kingdom purpose
3. Renew your thinking in Christ so you reject worldliness and idols
4. Do God's mission and discover your unique inheritance
5. Exercise justice in the church and community to atone for polluting the land with bloodshed
6. Protect marriage as the basic building block for a stable society through laws, mentoring and economic incentives




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Connected to the Divine Power Source (Insights in NT)

8/22/2012

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Would it not be the height of folly if Tasmania were to resolve to cut the supply of power from that mountain lake and to substitute handpower? Would not the factories soon close down, and the incipient harvest of prosperity suddenly wither? Yet it often seems as though the modern Church were in danger of making a similar mistake. In scores of cases she [the Church] is disconnecting herself from the dynamic of Pentecost, and is endeavouring to find compensation for her loss of spiritual power in brilliance of intellect in the pulpit, in highly organized and expensive machinery, and by calling to her aid incidental accessories, which are borrowed from the world; and which, even where they may be comparatively innocent, are totally unfit to secure the great ends for which she was called into being, according to the purpose and plan of her great Architect (F.B. Meyer). Romans 8 is the central passage on how to walk by the Holy Spirit so you are connected to the divine power source.

There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus because the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. The Law was powerless through the flesh, but God sent His Son, Jesus, in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering and so condemn sin in the flesh. Walking in the Spirit and not the flesh fulfilled the Law's requirement in you. Those who walk in the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. The mind set on the flesh is death so you are hostile toward God, not subject to the law of God and cannot please God. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace so you belong to God in righteousness with His Spirit indwelling you. God's Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead gives life to your mortal bodies (Rom. 8:1-11). God's Spirit indwells you with resurrection power to produce life and peace so you can obey the Law and please God. 

You are obligated by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body in order to live. Those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. You received a spirit of adoption as sons crying out, "Abba! Father!" instead of a spirit of slavery leading to fear again. The Spirit bears witness we are children and heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ if we suffer with Him in order to be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:12-17). God's Spirit produces intimacy with God in suffering as co-heirs with Christ to glorify Him. 

Our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to future glory. The creation waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed. God subjected the creation to frustration in hope that it will be liberated from bondage to decay and brought into glorious freedom of the children of God. The whole creation and ourselves groan and suffer the pains of childbirth together until now. Having the first fruits of the Spirit, we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons and the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but with perseverance we wait eagerly for what we do not see (Rom. 8:18-25). God's Spirit redeems your body as you are liberated into glorious freedom as a child of God.

The Spirit helps our weakness for we do not know how to pray but the Spirit intercedes with groans that words cannot express. God searches the hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. He causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He predestined to become conformed to the image of Jesus hat He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Those He predestined, He also called, those He called, He justified, those He justified, He glorified (Rom. 8:26-30). God's Spirit intercedes according to God's will to conform you into the image of Jesus.

If God is for us, who is against us? He will freely give us all things since He delivered up His own Son for us. No one will bring a charge or condemn those God chose since He justifies and Christ died and was raised to sit at the right hand of Him who also intercedes for us. Nothing will separate us from Christ's love including trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword. If was written that for His sake we face death all day long and are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, life, angels, demons, things present or to come, any powers, height, depth or other created thing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39). God gives freely all things including His abiding and eternal love. 


Praise God for His indwelling resurrection power producing intimacy with Him in suffering as He redeems your body into glorious freedom as His child.  Thank Him for interceding according to God's will so you can be conformed into Christ's image as He gives freely all things, especially His abiding and eternal love. 

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How to Pursue Multi-Dimensional Aspects of Discipleship (Insights in Psalms)

8/21/2012

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Someone wrote, "Plant a word in the mind, and you will reap an act. Plant the act and you will reap a habit. Plant a habit and you will reap a character. Plant a character and you will reap a nature. Plant a nature and you will reap a destiny." Proverbs 29-30 explain how to pursue the multi-dimensional aspects of discipleship.

Bring Stability and Concern for the Poor
Someone who hardens his neck after many rebukes will be destroyed beyond remedy. People rejoice when the righteous thrive but groan when the wicked rule. A man loving wisdom brings joy to his father but a companion of prostitutes wastes his wealth. A king gives  stability to the land through justice but one taking bribes overthrows it. Flattering a neighbor spreads a net for one's feet. An evil man ensnared by his own sin has no concern for the poor but the righteous sing and care about justice for the poor (Prov. 29:1-7). Bring stability, joy, and concern for the poor, not a hardened heart, wasted wealth, flattery and sin. 

Seek Souls and Judge Poor with Discernment
Mockers stir up a city but the wise turn away anger. The wise has controversy with fools who rage and scoff. Men of bloodshed hate a man of integrity, but the righteous seek his soul. A fool always loses his temper but the wise keeps himself under control. All his officials become wicked when a ruler listens to lies. The Lord gives sight to both the poor man and oppressor. A king's throne is always secure if he judges the poor with truth (Prov. 29:8-14). Hold your temper, seek the souls of others and judge the poor with truth and discernment.

Teach His Word and Nurture Others to Obey God
A child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother but the rod of correction imparts wisdom. The righteous see the downfall of the wicked and their sin. Correct your son and he will give you comfort and delight to your soul. Without revelation, the people are unrestrained but happy is he who keeps the law. A servant cannot be instructed and respond by words alone even though he understands. A man who speaks hastily has less hope than a fool. He who pampers his servant from childhood will find him to be a son long-term (Prov. 29:15-21). Correct, present negative examples, teach His word and nurture others so people can obey God.

Trust Lord in Humility
An angry man stirs up strife and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. A man's pride brings him low but a humble spirit gains honor. A partner with a thief hates his own life but dare not testify under oath. The fear of man brings a snare and whoever trusts in the Lord will be exalted. Many seek the ruler's favor but the Lord gives justice. The righteous detest the dishonest and the wicked detest the upright (Prov. 29:22-27). Be humble, trust the Lord and detest the dishonest resulting in honor and exaltation. 

Seek Accountability in God's Word
Who has gone up to heaven, gathered up the wind, wrapped up the waters and established all the ends of the earth? What is his name or his son's name? Every word of God is flawless and He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar (Prov. 30:1-6). Seek accountability and protection from an all-powerful God whose word is flawless and true. 

Pursue Truth and Ask for Daily Provision
Keep falsehood and lies from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches, but only my daily bread lest I be too rich and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" or become poor and steal so I dishonor the name of my God. Do not slander a servant to his master or he will curse you. Some curse their fathers, do not bless their mothers, pure in their own eyes but not cleansed from their filth, others have haughty eyes and arrogant glances, teeth like swords and devour the poor and needy (Prov. 30:7-14). Pursue truth and ask for daily provision.

Learn Mystery from Creation
The leech has two daughters that cry, "Give! Give!" Three things are never satisfied: Hell, barren womb and land that is never satisfied with water. Four that never say, "Enough!": Fire, eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, food pecked out by ravens and eaten by vultures. Three things too amazing for me and four I do not understand: way of an eagle in the sky, way of a snake on a rock, way of a ship on the high sea and way of a man with a maiden. An adulteress eats and wipes her mouth and says she has done nothing wrong. Under three things the earth trembles and and under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes a king, a fool full of food, an unloved woman who is married and a maidservant who displaces her mistress (Prov. 30:15-23). Learn mystery from creation that some things are too amazing or powerful to be understood.

Learn Wisdom and Influence from Creation
Four things on earth are small and extremely wise: ants have little strength but store up their food in the summer, badgers have little power but make their homes in the rocks,  locusts have no king but go out in ranks and a lizard can be caught with the hand but is found in kings' palaces. Three things are stately in their stride and four move with stately bearing: lion, mighty among beasts, does not retreat before any; strutting rooster; male goat and a king with his army around him. If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or planned evil, put you hand on your mouth. Stirring up anger produces strife like churning the milk produces butter and pressing the nose produces blood (Prov. 30:24-33). Learn wisdom, influence, humility and self-control from creation.

Ask God to help you pursue the following multi-dimensional aspects of discipleship:  
1. Bring stability, joy, and concern for the poor, not a hardened heart, wasted wealth, flattery and sin. 
2. Hold your temper, seek the souls of others and judge the poor with truth and discernment. 
3. Correct, present negative examples, teach His word and nurture others so people can obey God.
4. Be humble, trust the Lord and detest the dishonest resulting in honor and exaltation.  
5. Seek accountability and protection from an all-powerful God whose word is flawless and true. 
6. Pursue truth and ask for daily provision.
7. Learn mystery from creation that some things are too amazing or powerful to be understood.
8. Learn wisdom, influence, humility and self-control from creation. 

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Process of Implosion Unless You Repent (Insights in Prophets)

8/19/2012

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Joel C. Rosenberg book, Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic & Spiritual Challenges in Time?, explains how the US is in the midst of unprecedented and skyrocketing federal debt, severe economic troubles, political uncertainty, declining morality, a weak church, growing spiritual apathy and apostasy, historic natural disasters and other daunting challenges that many wonder if America's best days are behind her. 

Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, "Does it grieve you my friends, that the name of God is being taken in vain and desecrated? Does it grieve you that we are living in a godless age... But, we are living in such an age and the main reason we should be praying about revival is that we are anxious to see God's name vindicated and His glory manifested. We should be anxious to see something happening that will arrest the nations, all the peoples, and cause them to stop and to think again." 


Isaiah 3-5 explains the process of implosion from removing resources and leadership to being conquered by another nation unless the church repents of its sin. 

God Removes Resources & Overthrows Leadership
The  Lord took all the supplies of food and water from Jerusalem and Judah along with the military, politicians, judges, pastors, businessmen and workers. He made children govern them, people oppress each other, young rise up against the old and inferior against the honorable. No one would take leadership without having answers and their sin exposed like Sodom. The righteous enjoyed the fruit of their deeds but the wicked got what they deserved.  Youths oppressed God's people and women ruled over them. Guides led them astray and confused the direction of their paths (Is. 3:1-12). God removes resources and overthrows leadership because sin causes implosion. 


God Judges Pride and Injustice
The Lord judged the people including elders and leaders who ruined the vineyard and plundered the poor to their own advantage. The women of Zion were proud, flirted with their eyes and drew attention by the way they dress. The Lord brought sores on their heads, mad them go bald and removed the beauty of their clothing and accessories. The gates of Zion mourned after the men are killed in battle (Is. 3:13-26). God judges pride and injustice toward the poor by killing men in spiritual battle.

God Washes Away Sin
Seven women took hold of one man to remove disgrace and be called by his name. The Branch of the Lord would become glorious. The fruit of the land was the pride of Israel's holy survivors. The Lord washed away the filth of Zion's women and cleansed Jerusalem's bloodstains by a spirit of judgment and fire. The Lord created a canopy of glory using a cloud of smoke by day and flaming fire by night as a refuge from heat, storm and rain (Is. 4:1-6). God washes away sin and returns His glory and protection if His people repent.

Consider this the point of no return. If the church fails to repent of sin, pride and injustice toward the poor, God commands desolation, brings fruitlessness, burns in anger and empowers nations to defeat the country where the body of Christ resides. 

God Commands Desolation
He planted a loved one's fertile vineyard with the choicest vines. He cut out a winepress but it yielded only bad fruit. Judge between the builder and the vineyard as you consider why it yielded bad grapes. He commanded the vineyard to become a wasteland with thorns and no rain. The vineyard of the Lord Almighty was Israel and the men of Judah as the garden of His delight. He looked for justice but saw bloodshed, for righteousness but heard distress (Is. 5:1-7). God commands desolation for His people if they shed innocent blood and are unrighteous. 

God Brings Fruitlessness
God declared that all fields and great houses would be left unoccupied. The vineyards would yield little fruit. People pursued alcohol and parties while disregarding the Lord's deeds and disrespecting His works. Therefore He exiled people for their lack of understanding, leaders died of hunger and masses were parched with thirst. Many entered hell humbling the pride of mankind. The Lord Almighty will be exalted by His justice and show Himself holy by His righteousness. Sheep graze in their own pasture and lambs feed among the ruins of the rich (Is. 5:8-17). God brings fruitlessness to His people if they disregard Him, disrespect His works and lack understanding of His word. 

God Burns in Anger

Woe to those who glory in deceit and ask God to rush His works so they may understand it. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, substitute darkness for light and light for  darkness, and substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, heroes at drinking wine and justify the wicked for a bribe but deny justice to the innocent. Because they rejected the law of God and despised His word, tongues of fire consumed them, their roots decayed and their flowers blew away as dust. God's anger burned against His people (Is. 5:18-25). God burns in anger if His people do not trust His working and timing while calling evil good and good evil. 

God Empowers Nations
He lifted up a banner for distant nations. No one grew tired, stumbled or slept. Their arrows were sharp, all their bows were strung and chariot wheels were like a whirlwind. They roared like young lions and seized their prey with no one to rescue. If one looked at the land, they would see darkness and distress (Is. 5:26-30). God empowers nations to be the means of judgment against His people. 

Consider the process of implosion in the church and how repentance begins with you and me in #3 below so we don't enter into the point of no return in #4-#7: 
1. God removes resources and overthrows leadership because His people sin causing implosion.
2.   God judges pride and injustice toward the poor by killing its men in spiritual battle.
3.  God washes away sin and returns His glory and protection if His people repent. 
4. God commands desolation for His people if they shed innocent blood and are unrighteous.
5.  God brings fruitlessness to His people if they disregard Him, disrespect His works and lack understanding of His word.  
6. God burns in anger if His people do not trust His working and timing while calling evil good and good evil.
7. God empowers nations to be the means of judgment against His people.  









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Risk Believing God (Insights in Law)

8/16/2012

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Maintaining the status quo and not believing God to defeat “giants” in the land lead to dying in the wilderness without experiencing His mission in the world. God chooses a particular mission for every believer in the world. He desires every person walk in that mission.  Fathers and leaders have responsibility to equip their physical and spiritual offspring so they can discover their mission in the world. Identifying the world’s lies and deceptions that compromise families is a vital first step. To experience God’s peace and well-being, spend sufficient time with God in vital spiritual disciplines. Numbers 25-30 provide a blueprint in believing God.  

Motivation for Believing God
Israel indulged in sexual immorality with Moabite women and worshiped their gods including the Baal of Peor. The Lord told Moses to kill the leaders of the people in broad daylight to turn away God’s anger. Phinehas, son of Aaron, pierced an Israelite man and a Midianite woman through the body to stop the plague after 24,000 died while Moses and the congregation wept at the tent of meeting. The Lord told Moses that Phinehas' zealousness for God's honor turned away His wrath so He did not destroy Israel. He made God’s covenant of peace a lasting priesthood and atonement for the Israelites. The Lord said to kill the Midianites whose hostility and deception concerning Peor caused the plague (Num. 25:1-18). Zealousness for God’s glory motivates prayer to defeat the evil one’s lies and deceptions so you embrace the truth of God's word.

Environment for Believing God

God spoke to Moses and Eleazar to take a census of those 20 years and older in Israel by their fathers’ households who could go out to war. The earth swallowed up Dathan and Abiram and devoured 250 men by fire who followed Korah when they rebelled against Moses and Aaron as a warning.  The sons of families numbered according to the 12 tribes totaled 601,730. They divided the land as an inheritance in proportion to the number of names according to lot between the larger and smaller groups. Aaron’s sons died when they offered strange fire before the Lord. Only Joshua and Caleb survived in the wilderness (Num. 26:1-65). Obedient families create the environment for children to implement God's mission in the world.

Passion for Believing God
The daughters of Zelophehad stood before Moses, Eleazar and the leaders of Israel at the tent of meeting saying their father died for his own sin in the desert and was not among Korah’s followers who disobeyed the Lord. They asked why their father’s name was withdrawn because he had no son. After they asked for property among their father’s relatives, Moses brought the daughters’ case before God. The Lord told Moses that it was legal to give them property and turn their father’s inheritance over to them as his nearest relative (Num. 27:1-11). God exalts those who passionately seek Him in doing His mission.

Accountability for Believing God
The Lord said for Moses to go up the mountain and see the land He had given Israel since he would die like Aaron. The Lord reminded Moses that he rebelled against God by not treating Him  holy before Israel at the waters of Meribah in of Kadesh. Moses asked the Lord to appoint a man to lead Israel so they would not be like sheep without a shepherd. God instructed Moses to lay his hand on Joshua, commission and put some of his authority on him so the congregation would obey him. Joshua would stand before Eleazar who asked for the judgment of Urim before the Lord. At his command they would go out and come in (Num. 27:12-23). God appoints leaders who prayerfully lead the flock so every sheep has a shepherd.

Means for Believing God

The Lord through Moses commanded Israel to present two one-year-old male lambs without defect as a continual burnt offering daily in the morning and at twilight along with a grain offering mixed with oil. At the beginning of each month, present burnt and grain offering mixed with oil to the Lord. Present one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement. On the 14th day of the first mouth they observed the Lord’s Passover with unleavened bread eaten for seven days beginning the following day. On the first and seventh day, they did not work (Num. 28:1-31). God requires daily spiritual disciplines of surrender, confess sins, read His word  and prayer to live out His will.

Commitment for Believing God

In the seventh month of the first day, have a holy convocation to do no work. Offer burnt offerings as a pleasing  aroma to the Lord, grain offering mixed with oil and a sin offering to make atonement as an offering by fire to the Lord. On tenth day of the seventh month, have a holy convocation to humble yourselves and not do any work. Present a continual burnt, grain and sin offering. On the 15th day of the seventh month, have a holy convocation to do no work. Observe a feast to the Lord for seven days and present a continual burnt offering, grain offering mixed with oil and sin offering. On the eighth day, have a solemn assembly to do no work. Present these offerings to the Lord at the appointed times in the tabernacle where God reveals His will besides the vow, freewill, burnt, grain and peace offerings. Moses spoke to Israel what the Lord commanded (Num. 29:1-40). Spend sufficient time with the Lord daily so you discern His will and become a pleasing aroma to Him and others. 

Integrity for Believing God
Moses told the heads of Israel's tribes to not break their word when they make a vow. A woman has a binding obligation when she makes a vow while living in her father's house. The Lord releases her from a vow when her father or husband nullifies the vow. If a husband nullifies them later after hearing about them, he is responsible for her guilt (Num. 30:1-16). Fulfill promises you make to God and others.

 
Ask for the power of the Holy Spirit as you risk believing God using the following blueprint:
1. Motivation: Zealousness for God’s glory motivates prayer to defeat the evil one’s lies and deceptions so you embrace the truth of God's word. 
2. Environment: Obedient families create the environment for children to implement God's mission in the world. 
3. Passion: God exalts those who passionately seek Him in doing His mission. 
4. Accountability: God appoints leaders who prayerfully lead the flock so every sheep has a shepherd. 
5. Means: God requires daily spiritual disciplines of surrender, confess sins, read His word  and prayer to live out His will.  
6. Commitment: Spend sufficient time with the Lord daily so you discern His will and become a pleasing aroma to Him and others.  
7. Integrity: Fulfill promises you make to God and others. 


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Focus By Grace on Your Identity in Christ (Insights in NT)

8/14/2012

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"Suppose someone should offer me a plateful of crumbs after I had eaten a T-bone steak. I would say, "No, thank you. I am already satisfied." Christian, that is the secret - you can be so filled with the things of Christ, so enamoured with the things of God that you do not have time for the sinful pleasures of the world " (Billy Graham).

Focusing by grace on your identity in Christ through His death, burial and resurrection is the key to living the Christian life.

Should you keep on sinning so grace increases? Absolutely not! How can you live in sin by already dying to it? Those who were baptized (identified) into Christ were also identified into His death. You were buried with Him through baptism into death so when Christ was raised from the dead, you also may live a new life. You were united with Him in both His death and resurrection. Your old self was crucified with Him so your body of sin might be rendered powerless. As a result, you should no longer be a slave to sin. Because a dead person is freed from sin, believe that you live with Him. Christ's resurrection proves that death is no longer master over Him. In the same way, consider yourself dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:1-11). Consider yourself dead to sin but alive to God by identifying with Christ's death and resurrection.


Therefore do not let sin reign in your body so you obey its lusts. Do not offer the various parts of your body as instruments of unrighteousness, but offer the parts of your body to God as alive from the dead and as instruments of righteousness. Sin will not master you because you are under grace, not law (Rom. 6:12-14). Deny lusts and offer up the members of your body as alive to be instruments of righteousness under grace.  

Do not excuse sinning because you are under grace instead of law. You are slaves to the one you obey--either slaves of sin leading to death or slaves of obedience leading to righteousness. You became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching you were committed. Being freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness by presenting the parts of your body to righteousness resulting in holiness. You reaped no benefit being a slave to sin and death. Being freed from sin and enslaved to God, you reap holiness and eternal life. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:15-23). Become a slave of obedience to God leading to righteousness, holiness and eternal life. 

The law has authority over a man while he is alive. A woman is not an adulteress if she marries another man after her first husband dies. You died to the Law through the body of Christ so you could belong to Him who was raised from the dead to bear fruit to God. Sinful passions aroused by the Law bore fruit for death. Being released from the Law and the written code, you serve in the newness of the Spirit (Rom. 7:1-6). Die to the Law through Christ's body in order to serve in the Spirit. 

The Law is not sin! You could not know sin except through the Law. If the Law had not said, "You shall not covet," you would not know about coveting. Sin became alive by taking opportunity through the commandment to produce coveting of every kind resulting in death. For apart from the law, sin is dead. The Law and commandment is holy, righteous and good, but sin taking opportunity through the Law deceived you (Rom. 7:7-13). Understand sin through the Law and how it comes alive to deceive you into death. 

The Law is spiritual but I am of flesh sold as a slave to sin. I don't understand what I do. I do not do want I want. I do the evil I hate. I agree the Law is good but nothing good lives in me or my flesh. I cannot carry out my desire to do good. I do the evil I do not want to do because of sin living in me. My inner being delights in God's law, but the law of sin wages war against my mind and the members of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will set me free from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. My mind serves the law of God, but my flesh the law of sin (Rom. 7:14-25).  Set your flesh and mind free from being a slave of sin through Jesus Christ.

Review these truths concerning your identity in Christ:
1. Consider yourself dead to sin but alive to God by identifying with Christ's death and resurrection.
2. Deny lusts and offer up the members of your body as alive to be instruments of righteousness under grace.    
3. Become a slave of obedience to God leading to righteousness, holiness and eternal life.  
4. Die to the Law through Christ's body in order to serve in the Spirit. 
5. 
Understand sin through the Law and how it comes alive to deceive you into death.  
6. 
Set your flesh and mind free from being a slave of sin through Jesus Christ.

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Input + Adapt + Seek God = Walk Wisely (Insights in Psalms)  

8/12/2012

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"I remember once hearing Whipple, of Minnesota, so well known as "The Apostle of the Indians," utter these beautiful words: "For thirty years I have tried to see the face of Christ in those with whom I differed." When this spirit actuates us we shall be preserved at once from a narrow bigotry and an easy-going tolerance, from passionate vindictiveness and everything that would mar or injure our testimony for Him who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (William Henry Griffith Thomas). Get others' input to adapt your processes before seeking the Lord so you can walk wisely. 
Input + Adapt + Seek God = Walk Wisely

Trust Others' Input
Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day brings. Let others praise you instead of yourself. A fool's irritation is heavier and more burdensome than stone and sand. Jealousy is harder to deal with than anger. Open rebuke and wounds from a friend are better than hidden love. He who is full hates honey and even bitter tastes sweet to the hungry (Prov. 27:1-7). Trust others' input of praise and rebuke instead of your own emotions.

Receive Good Counsel
A man straying from his home is like a bird straying from its nest. Perfume and incense brings joy to the heart like the pleasantness of a friend's earnest counsel. Better going to a neighbor nearby when disaster strikes than a friend far away. A wise son who brings joy to your heart enables you to answer those causing contempt. The prudent take refuge in danger but the simple continue on and suffer.  Cover potential losses from untrustworthy people by demanding money up front. A curse comes with a loud blessing early in the morning. Restraining the constant dripping of a quarrelsome wife is like grasping oil (Prov. 27:8-16). Receive good counsel to protect you from danger and bring joy to your heart. 

Get Accountability From Others
Iron sharpens iron like one man sharpening another. Looking after your master reaps honor like eating fruit when tending a fig tree. A man's heart reflects man like water reflects a face. Man's eyes are never satisfied like death and destruction. Man is tested by the praise he receives like the crucible for silver and furnace for gold. You will not remove folly from a fool even if you grind him like grain (Prov. 27:17-22). Get accountability from others to refine your character. 

Adapt Your Processes
Know the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds for riches are temporary and a crown is not secure for all generations. New growth appears and grass is gathered after the hay is removed.  Lambs provide clothing and goats bring the price of a field along with plenty of milk to feed you and your family (Prov. 27:23-27). Adapt your processes and resources in the home, church or business to meet the needs of those you serve. 

Seek the Lord
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing but the righteous are bold as a lion. A rebellious country has many rulers but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. A ruler oppressing the poor is like a driving rain destroying crops. Forsake the law and praise the wicked but obey the law and resist them. Those seeking the Lord understand justice but evil men do not. The poor who walk blamelessly are better than the rich with perverse ways. A discerning son keeps the law but companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Charging high interest to increase wealth gathers it for those showing kindness to the poor (Prov. 28:1-8). Seek the Lord to maintain order, resist the wicked and understand justice. 

Fear the Lord
Not listening to the law makes your prayers detestable. The upright going along an evil path falls into his own trap but the blameless receive a good inheritance. A poor and discerning man sees through the rich man wise in his own eyes. Great joy when the righteous triumph but men go into hiding when the wicked rise to power. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them finds mercy. Blessed are those who fear the Lord always but people with a hardened heart fall into trouble (Prov. 28:9-14). Fear the Lord as you listen to the law, confess and forsake sin and receive the blessing of answered prayer. 

Walk Blamelessly

A tyrannical ruler ruling over a helpless people lacks judgment like a charging bear. He who hates ill-gotten gains enjoys a long life. A man tormented by the guilt of murder is a fugitive without support until death. Walk blamelessly and be kept safe. Those with perverse ways fall suddenly. Chasing fantasies leads to poverty but those working the land harvest abundant food. A faithful man is richly blessed but the stingy eager to get rich will be punished with poverty. Showing partiality is not good but a man does wrong for a piece of bread (Prov. 28:15-22). Walk blamelessly and faithfully to be kept safe, blessed and harvest abundant food. 

Walk Wisely
Rebuking a man gains more favor in the end than flattery. Denying wrong when robbing your parents partners with him who destroys. Greediness stirs up dissension but those trusting in the Lord will prosper. Trusting in self is foolish but one is kept safe walking in wisdom. He who gives to the poor lacks nothing but closing his eyes to them receives many curses. The righteous thrive when the wicked perish but people go into hiding when the wicked rise to power (Prov. 28:23-28). Walk wisely by rebuking men, trusting God and giving to the poor. 

Input + Adapt + Seek God = Walk Wisely
1. Input: 
    a. Trust others' input
    b. Receive good counsel
    c. Get accountability from others
2. Adapt Your Processes and Resources

3. Seek & Fear God
4. Walk Blamelessly & Wisely
For an issue in your home, church, work or community, go through the above process and see what God does.







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    Mark Pomeroy

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    My goal is to ignite the hearts of people by explaining God's word in the Law, Prophets, Psalms and New Testament consecutively, much like the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32,44). I have been a missionary in Lincoln, NE, for 13 years with Christ For the City Int. and Sync with God.
     

    Sync with God is a highly versatile web app that hosts on-demand, virtual small groups. Sync is designed to connect young seekers in the faith and scripturally-trained mentors, even globally. It offers a safe, engaging interface for Millennials/Gen. Z and is readily adaptable to technical advances well into the future.

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