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Assurance of Victory for Those Who Share Gospel of Kingdom (Insights in NT)

6/13/2013

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Here is the process of victory for those who share the gospel of the  kingdom in the world: 
1. Recognize how Satan destroys unbelievers
2. Know that people refuse repentance even after a third of mankind killed
3. Meditate on God's word
4. Recognize God's control to protect and empower to witnesses to perform miracles and share testimonies
5. Worship God knowing earthly kingdoms will become His kingdom to reign forever

Recognize How Satan Destroys Unbelievers 

The fifth angel sounded his trumpet and John saw a star fallen from the sky given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. After opening it, smoke came out like from a gigantic furnace, which darkened the sun and sky. Locusts came down and stung like scorpions for five months those without the seal of God on their foreheads. People sought death because of the agony. The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle with faces like human ones, teeth like lions and breastplates like iron whose king was the Destroyer angel (Rev. 9:1-11). Recognize how Satan destroys those without God's seal.

Know That People Still Refuse Repentance Even After Killing a Third of Mankind
Two other woes were yet to pass. The sixth angel blew his trumpet and a voice came from the horns of the golden altar before God to release the four angels and two hundred million troops. The horses' heads resembled lions' heads and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur to kill a third of mankind. The rest of mankind not killed by the plagues did not repent of the work of their hands, murders, magic arts, sexual immorality or thefts. They continued worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood that could not see, hear or walk (Rev. 9:12-21). Know that people still refuse repentance even after God allows demonic power kill a third of mankind. 

Meditate on God's Word and Share Gospel of Kingdom
A mighty angel came down from heaven robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head, face like the sun and legs like fiery pillars. He held a small scroll planting his right foot on the sea and left one on the land. John heard the voices of seven thunders, but a voice from heaven said to seal up what was said and do not write it down. The angel said the mystery of God would be accomplished as He announced to the His prophets after the seventh angel sounded his trumpet. The angel told John to eat the scroll as it would turn his stomach sour, but be sweet as honey in his mouth. He was told to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings (Rev. 10:1-11). Meditate on God's word and share gospel of kingdom to the world.

Recognize God's Control to Protect and Empower Witnesses to Perform Miracles and Share Testimonies
John measured God's temple and the altar. He  counted the worshipers there, but not the outer court given to Gentiles. They trampled the holy city 42 months. He empowered His two witnesses to prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. Two olive trees and two lampstands stood before the Lord. He protected them from harm, gave the witnesses power to stop rain while prophesying, turned the waters into blood and struck the earth with every kind of plague anytime they wanted. When they finished their testimony, the beast came up from the Abyss and killed them. Their bodies laid in Jerusalem  where their Lord was crucified. The earth celebrated by sending gifts because the two prophets tormented those on earth. Three and a half days after their death, God brought them to life and raised them to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched. An earthquake killed 7,000 people and collapsed a tenth of the city, but the survivors gave glory to God (Rev. 11:1-14). Recognize God's control to protect and empower His witnesses to perform miracles and share testimonies. 

Worship God Knowing Earthly Kingdoms Will Become His Kingdom to Reign Forever
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and a loud heavenly voice said the kingdom of the world became the kingdom of their Lord and His Christ to reign forever. The 24 elders seated on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God giving thanks to the Lord God Almighty who is and who was because they took His great power and began to reign. The nations were angry as His wrath came to judge the dead, rewarded His servants the prophets and those who reverenced His name and destroyed those who destroyed the earth. God's temple in heaven was opened to see the ark of His covenant (Rev. 11:15-19). Worship God knowing earthly kingdoms will become His kingdom to reign forever. 

Be assured of victory in sharing the gospel of the  kingdom in the world when you recognize how Satan destroys unbelievers and they refuse repentance even after a third of mankind are killed. Meditate on God's word and recognize His control to protect and empower to witnesses to perform miracles and share testimonies. Worship God knowing earthly kingdoms will become His kingdom to reign forever.


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Participate in God's Kingdom Purposes (Insights in Prophets)

4/25/2013

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How do you participate in God's kingdom purpose in the world, whether it's arts & entertainment, business, education, family, government, media and religion? Prioritize seeking and building God's kingdom by obeying and recognizing His presence. Be strong and steward God's resources by turning to Him and meditating on His word.

Prioritize Seeking God and See Your Needs Met
God told Haggai during Darius reign to speak to Zerubbabel, Judah's governor, and Joshua, the high priest. People said their time had not come to build the Lord's house. God revealed to Haggai that they were living in paneled houses while His house remained a ruin. They were to consider their ways because they planted much, but harvested little, ate, but never enough, drank, but never satisfied, put on clothes, but not warm. They earned wages but it dissolved like falling through a purse with hole in it (Haggai 1:1-6). Prioritize seeking God and see your needs met. 

Prioritize Building God's Kingdom for Spiritual and Economic Prosperity
Haggai said that building God's kingdom honored Him. Building their own saw it blow away. Being busy with their concerns apart from building His kingdom caused ruin, drought and unemployment (Haggai 1:7-11). Prioritize building God's kingdom to assure spiritual and economic prosperity. 

Obey and Recognize God's Presence for Empowerment
Zerubbabel, Joshua and the remnant obeyed God through Haggai's message because He sent him and feared Him. He said, "I am with you," and stirred their spirits to work on the house of God 23 days later (Haggai 1:12-15). Obey and recognize God's presence who empowers you to build His kingdom. 

Be Strong and Steward God's Resources for His Glory
One month later Haggai asked who saw this house in its former glory. They were to be strong and work since God was with them. Haggai reminded them of His covenant with those who came out of Egypt along with His Spirit that remained in them. In a little while, God would again shake the heavens, earth, sea and dry land so the desired of all nations would come and fill His kingdom with glory. The silver and gold was His. The glory of this present house would be greater than the glory of the former one (Haggai 2:1-9). Be strong and steward God's resources for His glory.

Turn to God Instead of Trusting Yourself
Two month later Haggai asked the priests if the law taught that consecrated meat touching another article could consecrate it as well. They answered no. Haggai asked if a person defiled by contact with a dead body would defile another article by touching it. The priests answered yes. Haggai said their actions and what they offered were defiled.  They were to consider how God struck all their work with blight, mildew and hail, but still did not turn to Him (Haggai 2:10-17). Turn to God and do not trust yourself, which leads to corruption.  

Meditate on God's Word for Blessing
They were to give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid. They were to consider whether there was any seed left in the barn since every plant did not bear fruit. From this day on, He would bless them (Haggai 2:18-19). Meditate on God's word to receive blessing from Him. 

Glory in God's Choosing You to Participate in His Purpose
God's word came to Haggai a second time on the same day to tell Zerubbabel  that He would shake the heavens and earth, overturn royal thrones, shatter the power of foreign kingdoms and overthrow chariots and their drivers so they were killed. On that day He would make His servant Zerubbabel like His signet ring since God chose him (Haggai 2:20-23). Glory in God's choosing you to participate in His kingdom purpose.

Participate in God's kingdom purpose in the world by doing the following:
1. Seek God
2. Obey and recognize His presence
3. Be strong and steward God's resources
4. Turn to Him and meditate on His word


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How to Make Disciples of Christ (Insights in Law)

11/25/2012

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"My business is with all my might to serve my own generation. In doing so I shall best serve the next generation, should the Lord tarry. I have but one life to live on earth and this one life is but a brief life for sowing in comparison with eternity for reaping" (George Muller)

To make disciples of Christ, be strong and courageous, read, study and obey God's word as you mediate on His greatness so you can employ spiritual gifts, pray in the Holy Spirit and share intimate knowledge of God with others. 

Be Strong and Courageous
The Lord told Moses not to cross the Jordan since God and Joshua would cross ahead of him to take possession of their land. The Lord would destroy these nations like He did to Sihon and Og, kings of the Amorites. The Lord delivered them up so Israel could do what He commanded.  Moses told Joshua in the presence of Israel to be strong and courageous as He went with the people into the land and divided it as their inheritance. Because the Lord went before them, they would not fear or be discouraged (Deut. 31:1-8). Be strong and courageous as you pray against spiritual enemies since God is always with you.

Read God's Word
Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, sons of Levi, who carried the ark. At the end of every seven years when debts were cancelled during the Feast of Booths, they assembled everyone including children and aliens to read the Law so they would hear, learn, obey and fear the Lord in the land they possessed (Deut. 31:9-13). Read God’s word so people learn and obey it during times of financial blessings.

Study God’s Word
The Lord appeared in a pillar of cloud saying Moses would die, people would prostitute after foreign gods of the land they entered, forsake God and break the covenant He made with them. God hid His face and destroyed them with many disasters and difficulties. They asked if these disasters came because God was not with them. Moses wrote and taught this song as a witness against Israel and their descendants when they came into the land flowing with milk and honey, became satisfied, prosperous and turned to other gods and served them. Moses told Joshua to be strong and courageous since God would be with him. Moses commanded the Levites to place the book of the complete words of the law besides the ark of covenant as a witness against them for God knew their rebellion and stubbornness. Moses knew after his death they would act corruptly (Deut. 31:14-29). Sing songs and study God’s word to warn prosperous Christians of the danger in worshiping a culture’s false gods.

Meditate on God's Greatness
Let God’s teaching fall like rain and descend like dew and showers on new grass. He proclaimed the greatness of the faithful God whose works were perfect and ways just.  A warped and crooked generation was no longer His child even though God was their Father and Creator. He divided all mankind and set up boundaries for the peoples. God cared, guarded and led His people like an eagle hovering over its young so no foreign god was with them. God fed and nourished them with honey from the rock, fattened lambs and the finest kernels of wheat. When Jeshurun grew fat and filled with food, he rejected the Rock his Savior and angered Him with detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared and gods their fathers did not fear. They deserted the Rock and forgot God who gave them birth (Deut. 32:1-18). Meditate on God’s greatness through repeated teaching of God’s word in order to worship Him and not false gods.

Obey God's Word
God rejected and hid His face from a perverse and unfaithful generation. He sent wasting famine, consuming pestilence and deadly plague into a nation without sense, discernment and understanding. Their vine came from the vine of Sodom and their wine was the venom of serpents. The Lord judged His people and had compassion on His servants when their strength was gone. He brought death and life. He wounded and healed. God took vengeance on His enemies and made atonement for His land and people. By taking these words to heart, they could command their children to obey them carefully as their life to live long in the land. Moses died because he broke faith with God by not upholding His holiness among the Israelites (Deut. 32:19-52). Obey God’s word in teaching your children and disciples.   

Employ Spiritual Gifts
Moses blessed Israel and the Lord came with many holy ones who bowed down and received instruction. God loved His people as they followed His steps leading to life. God defended Israel’s cause and helped them against their enemies. The godly man was tested by God at Massah when he contended with Him at the waters of Meribah. He taught them His law and blessed their skills as they offered incense and burnt offering.  The Lord’s beloved rested securely for He shielded them all day. The Lord blessed His land with precious dew from heaven (Deut. 33:1-17). Employ your spiritual gifts as you learn God’s word, pray and surrender to testing.

Pray in Holy Spirit
They feasted on treasures hidden in the sand. He enlarged Gad’s domain, chose the best land and carried out the Lord’s righteous will concerning Israel. Naphtali abounded with the Lord’s favor full of His blessing. Asher bathed his feet in oil. They rested in the arms of the eternal God.  He destroyed their enemy so Israel could live in safety. The Lord as glorious sword saved Israel. Their enemies cringed before them as they treaded upon their high places (Deut. 33:1-29). Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit to enlarge your kingdom domain by defeating spiritual enemies. 

Share Intimate Knowledge of God
The Lord showed Moses the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants. Moses died according to God’s word and buried him in Moab. Israel wept for Moses thirty days. Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses laid his hands upon him. Israel listened to him and did what the Lord commanded Moses. Since then, no prophet arose in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face who did miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt to Pharaoh and his whole land (Deut. 34:1-12). Share intimate knowledge of God with others as your goal in life.



Commit yourself to being a disciple of Christ and study Deuteronomy on how to develop intimacy with Christ so you can share it with others. 


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Impact and Lifestyle of True Worship (Insights in Prophets)

10/15/2012

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True worship can be summarized as acknowledging God's holiness and greatness to gain understanding and learn instruction. It begins with repentance of sin and trusts in the Holy Spirit for strength. Personal impact: Waits on Him in prayer and meditates on God's word to heal wounds. Corporate impact: Praises God to defeat evil in the world. Internal impact: relies on the truth of God's word to deliver you from strongholds. External impact: explains God's truth fluently and clearly to satisfy spiritual hunger and thirst. True worship lifestyle: Seeks God desperately until the Holy Spirit works peace, confidence and freedom.

False Worship Summarized
God set up siege works against Ariel where David settled causing them to mourn. Their enemies became like fine dust. The Lord Almighty came with thunder, earthquake and devouring fire so those nations waging war against Mt. Zion became faint with unquenched thirst. The Lord brought deep sleep to the prophets' eyes and His vision was sealed in a scroll so no one could read it. The Lord said His people came near and honored Him with their lips but their hearts were far away. Their worship consisted of rules taught by men. The wisdom of the wise would perish and intelligence of the intelligent vanish (Is. 29:1-14).  False worship consists of following man's rules without heart behind them.


True Worship Summarized
Woe to those who hid their plans from God and worked in darkness thinking no one saw them. Should what is formed say to his creator that he did not make him or the pot to the potter, "He knows nothing?" The deaf heard the words of the scroll and eyes of the blind saw. The humble and needy rejoiced in the Lord. The ruthless vanished and mockers disappeared. God cut down those with an eye for evil whose false testimony deprived the innocent of justice. The Lord said Jacob would no longer be ashamed, but acknowledged His holiness  and stood in awe of the God of Israel. Those with wayward spirit gained understanding and complainers learned instruction (Is. 29:15-24).  True worship acknowledges God's holiness and greatness to gain understanding and learn instruction. 

True Worship Initiation

Woe to those who carried out plans and formed alliances without His Spirit. They went to Egypt without consulting God. Looking to Pharaoh for protection brought shame and disgrace instead of help and advantage. Write on a tablet about these rebellious and deceitful children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. They said to the seers and prophets that they wanted no more righteous visions where they were confronted with the Holy One, but pleasant words and illusions. The sin of relying on oppression and depending on deceit became like a high wall that collapsed  instantly. In repentance and rest was salvation, in quietness and trust was strength, but instead of being willing, they left on horses with little threat to them (Is. 30:1-17).  True worship repents of sin for salvation and trusts in the Holy Spirit for strength. 

True Worship Personal Impact
The Lord longed to be gracious and compassionate. Blessed were those who wait for Him. God showed grace and answered when they cried for help. He revealed the way to walk during adversity and affliction so they did not trust in the idols of materialism. He sent rain to sow the seed in the ground that yielded plentiful food. The Lord bound up their bruises and healed their wounds (Is. 30:18-26). True worship  waits on Him in prayer and meditates on God's word for the healing of wounds.

True Worship Corporate Impact
His wrath shook the nations and placed a bit to lead them astray. Their hearts sang and rejoiced on the mountain of the Lord. Men heard God's majestic voice to the music of tambourines and harps that shattered Assyria with His scepter and punishing rod (Is. 30:27--33). True worship praises God as the chief weapon of spiritual warfare to defeat evil.

True Worship Internal Impact
Woe to those who went to Egypt for help, relied on horses and trusted in many chariots instead of seeking help from God. The Lord Almighty shielded, delivered and rescued Jerusalem while defeating evildoers. God called Israel to return to Him and reject idols their hands made. The sword of God's word devoured Assyria, placed young men in forced labor, broke their stronghold and caused commanders to panic (Is. 31:1-9). True worship relies on the truth of God's word for deliverance from evil strongholds and slavery to sin.

True Worship External Impact
A king reigned in righteousness and rulers ruled with justice like a shelter from the wind, refuge from the storm and streams of water in the desert. The blind saw, the deaf heard, the rash discerned the truth and the stammering tongue was fluent and clear. The fool was not called noble nor the scoundrel highly respected since the fool spoke nonsense, practiced ungodliness and spread error concerning the Lord so the hungry left unsatisfied and withheld water from the thirsty. The scoundrel made evil schemes and destroyed the poor with lies even when the needy spoke truth. The noble man made noble plans and stood by them (Is. 32:1-8). True worship explains God's truth fluently and clearly to satisfy spiritual hunger and thirst.

True Worship Lifestyle
Complacent women trembled in a little more than one year when the fruit harvest failed. They mourned for the fruitful until the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the land of God's people overgrown with thorns and the city of revelry with the abandoned fortress and deserted city became fertile. The fruit and effect of righteousness would be peace, quietness and confidence forever so His people could live securely in places of rest. Even as the city was leveled completely, how blessed to sow seed by every stream letting animals range freely (Is. 32:9-20). True worship seeks God desperately until the Holy Spirit works peace, confidence and freedom.

Begin to seek God desperately until the Holy Spirit works peace, confidence and freedom in your life. 






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Testimony of God's Glory (Insights in Law)

2/5/2012

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The vision God gave Moses was to focus on spiritual intimacy as a good soldier while making no provision for the flesh or being entangled in the affairs of everyday life (Ex. 39; 2 Tim. 2:3-4). Two additional  images Paul gave Timothy was a disciplined athlete and hard-working farmer that Moses implemented in setting up and operating the tabernacle as a testimony of God's glory (2 Tim. 2:5-6; Ex. 40). 

The Lord told Moses to set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting and place the ark of the testimony, veil around the ark, table, lampstand along with the lamps, gold altar of incense before the ark, and veil for the doorway to the tabernacle. Set up the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway and laver with water between the tent of meeting and altar. Anoint the tabernacle, altar of burnt offering and laver with oil so they can be holy. Wash Aaron and his sons with water before putting on holy garments so they can minister as priests to God throughout their generations (Ex. 40:1-16). Play according to God's rules in ministering as His priests (athlete). 

Moses erected the tabernacle, laid its sockets, set up its boards, inserted its bars and erected its pillars. He placed the testimony into the ark and put the mercy seat on top of it. He brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up a veil for the screen. He put the table in the tent of meeting on the north side outside the veil with an arrangement of bread. He placed the lampstand opposite the table on the south side. He lighted the lamps before the Lord. He placed the gold altar in front of the veil and burned fragrant incense on it. He set the altar of burnt offering before the doorway of the tabernacle and offered the burnt and meal offerings. He placed the laver with water between the tent of meeting and altar so Moses, Aaron and his sons could wash their hands and feet. He erected the court around the tabernacle and altar and hung up the veil for the gateway of the court (Ex. 40:17-33). Confess sin, surrender & pray to God, and meditating on His word while trusting in Christ's shed blood (farmer). 

The cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle so Moses could not enter. Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, Israel would set out and stay when it remained. The cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day and fire in it by night in the sight of Israel (Ex. 40:34-38). Be strong in God's grace to show His glory to the world. 

Use spiritual weapons of confessing sin, surrender, prayer, meditating on His word and trusting in Christ's blood to show His glory to the world.

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Benefits of God's Word in Affliction: Part 3 (Insights in Psalms)

12/23/2011

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Holistic spiritual growth through transparency and application of God’s word to overcome sin should be your goal in life. The journey involves hating falseness and expecting God to act. Meditate on God's word and ask for deliverance so sin won't rule over you.  Plead  your cause to be rescued and revived in the midst of adversaries.  Praise Him always, despise falsehood, and experience peace through transparency with God.  The outcome is spiritual growth in mind, emotions and will.

I did justice and righteousness so don't let the arrogant oppress me. It's time for the Lord to act because they have broken the law. I love His commandments more than gold while hating every false way (Ps. 119:121-128). Affliction motivates you to hate every false way and expect God to act. 

His testimonies are wonderful since the unfolding of His words gives light in understanding the simple. Establish my footsteps in His word so iniquity won't have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man so I keep His precepts (Ps. 119:129-136). Affliction motivates you to let God's word establish your footsteps so sin does not rule you. 

Because God's testimonies are righteous, faithful, true and pure, His servant loves them. My zeal has consumed me because adversaries have forgotten His words. I am  despised, in trouble and anguish, but His commandments give me understanding so I can live (Ps. 119:137-144). Affliction motivates you to have zeal in overcoming sin. 

I cried for help and deliverance with all my heart. I anticipate the night watches to meditate on His word. Hear my voice and draw near  according to His lovingkindness so I can be revived and protected from wickedness (Ps. 119:145-152). Affliction motivates you to cry for deliverance from sin while meditating on His word through the night.

Plead my cause and rescue me so I am revived according to Your word. Great are Your mercies in the midst of persecutors and adversaries, but I do not turn aside from His testimonies. I loathe the treacherous, but love His precepts that revive me according to God's love (Ps. 119:153-160). Affliction motivates you to plead your cause in being rescued and revived in the midst of adversaries. 

My heart stands in awe of Your words when princes persecute me without cause. I hate and despise falsehood, but praise Him seven times a day. I have great peace and nothing causes me to stumble because I keep His precepts with all my ways before Him (Ps. 119:161-168). Affliction motivates you to praise Him always, despise falsehood and experience peace through transparency with God.

My lips utter praise because He teaches me His statutes. His hand is ready to help me because I have chosen His precepts. I long for His salvation and His law is my delight. Seek your servant as I have gone astray like a lost sheep (Ps. 119:169-176). Affliction motivates you to grow spiritually in mind, emotions and will in response to God seeking you.

Transparency and Application of God’s Word to Overcome Sin: Will Filled with Peace
Outcome: Holistic Spiritual Growth  


1. Hate every false way and expect God to act
2. Let God's word establish your footsteps so sin does not rule you  
3. Zeal in overcoming sin
4. Cry for deliverance while meditating on His word through the night
5. Plead your cause to be rescued and revived in the midst of adversaries
6. Praise Him always, despise falsehood and experience peace through transparency with God
7. Grow spiritually in mind, emotions and will in response to God seeking you


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Counteracting Apathy in Your Relationship with God (Insights in Psalms)

12/1/2011

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It's easy to take God for granted and diminish His attributes. We forget His great works in saving us. We diminish His honor and glory. We overlook how God transforms people. We disregard His presence in our lives. We fail to acknowledge His miracles of provision. To counteract apathy in your relationship with God, study His great works in sending His awesome redemption.  Delight in His commandments in bringing mighty descendants.  Praise His exalted honor and highest glory to transform people. Meditate in His powerful presence in providing miracle provision. 

Great Works

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company of the assembly. His great works are studied and remembered by all who delight in them. He gives food to those who fear Him because the Lord remembers His covenant. He has made known the power of His works by giving territory to His people (Ps. 111:1-6). Study God's great works for provision and territory to fulfill His covenant.

Awesome Redemption
God's works are truth and justice. His precepts are faithful forever. He has sent redemption to His people because His name is holy and awesome. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who do His commandments have a good understanding (Ps. 111:7-10). Do His commandments with wisdom as response to God's redemption.

Mighty Descendants
How blessed is the man who fears the Lord and greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth. Wealth and riches are in his house, while his righteousness, grace and compassion endure forever (Ps. 112:1-6). Fear the Lord and delight in His commandments to produce descendants, wealth and riches. 

Exalted Honor
He won't fear evil tidings, but trust in the Lord. He gives freely to the poor and will be exalted in honor. The wicked will be angry and melt away (Ps. 112:7-10). Trust in God allows generous giving to the poor. 

Highest Glory
Praise the Lord's name every moment of every day because His glory is above the heavens and all nations (Ps. 113:1-4). Praise God continually because of His glory.  

Transforms People
The Lord is enthroned on high. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to sit with princes. He makes the barren woman be a joyful mother of children (Ps. 113:5-9). God transforms peoples' stations in life. 

Powerful Presence
When Israel left Egypt, Judah became God's sanctuary and Israel, His dominion. The sea fled and Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams (Ps. 114:1-6). God lives through His people.

Miracle Provision
Tremble, O earth, before the Lord who turned the rock into a pool of water and the flint into a fountain of water (Ps. 114:7-8). God gets peoples' attention through miracles of provision. 
To counteract apathy in your relationship with God, consider which of the following is most needed in your life: 
1. Study His great works in sending His awesome redemption  
2. Delight in His commandments in bringing mighty descendants  
3. Praise His exalted honor and highest glory to transform people 
4. Meditate in His powerful presence in providing miracle provision
 


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The Greatness of God (Insights in Psalms)

10/10/2011

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The earth is intimately tied to the sun, around which it revolves. Without the sun, life on earth could not exist because of the need for light, energy and holding it in place so it won't spin off into outer space. Because the moon is big, its gravity tugs on the earth under the location of the moon producing high and low tides at various locations.  Since the sun also produces tides, the sun and moon work together to produce complex tidal variations across the earth. The greatest tides occur when the sun, earth and moon are in alignment with each other. This is one example of God's greatness and wisdom. Psalm 104 details this and other examples of God's greatness regarding His name, works, provision, wisdom and timing. 

Bend the knee in your innermost being because God is very great and clothed with splendor and majesty. He covers Himself with light like a cloak and stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain. He lays beams of His upper chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds His chariot, winds His messengers and flaming fire His ministers (Ps. 104:1-4). The greatness of God's name causes you to bless His name in prayer.

He established the earth upon its foundation securely forever. God rebuked the waters so mountains rose and valleys sank down to their established place. He set a boundary so water would never cover the earth again (Ps. 104:5-9). The greatness of God's works causes you to bless His name in prayer. 

God sends springs in the valley so every animal can drink from them. The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. He causes grass to grow for the cattle and vegetation through man's cultivation. It provides food to sustain man's heart and make him glad (Ps. 104:10-17). The greatness of God's provision makes people glad.

The high mountains are for the wild goats and cliffs for rock badgers. God made the moon for the seasons and positioned the sun in its exact place. He appointed night so the lions could prowl to their food from Him. Man works and labors until evening. The Lord made His works in wisdom throughout the earth. Large and small animals live in the sea (Ps. 104:18-26).  The greatness of God's wisdom enables every living being to live. 

They all wait for Him to give food in its appointed time. They gather it and are satisfied with good. Their life and breadth is dependent on God (Ps. 104:27-30). The greatness of God's timing is delightful and fruitful. 

The Lord's glory endures forever. He looks at the earth and it trembles. He touches the mountains and they smoke. The proper response is singing praise and being glad in the Lord as you meditate on Him. He takes care of the wicked (Ps. 104:31-35). Meditate on and sing praise to God because His glory endures forever. 

Consider the greatness of God's name, works, provision, wisdom and timing. Your only appropriate response is to meditate on and sing praise to God because His glory endures forever. 

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How To Be Delivered Into Our Destiny (Insights from Psalms)

8/9/2010

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Life is hard. People seek many things to overcome its hardships so they feel in control. For some, pleasure provides that instant relief from pain. Others search for that perfect relationship to satisfy that longing for intimacy. We all know people who pursue accomplishments in the workplace or even volunteer activities for meaning in life. All of these are human strategies for deliverance so we experience peace, significance or influence. Do they succeed? Is there another way to be healed from life's frustrations and pain so we experience the purpose and destiny for why we were created? 

We can love many things on earth, but for the Psalmist, his chief love was the Lord (Ps. 18:1). Love in this context means a natural and soothing bond, mercy and compassion. God is our strength, might and help. For me, it's easy to watch television or do anything instead of coming to Christ who is the only one that fills the empty place in my soul. 

All of us need healing from emptiness, pain, heartache, shame, anger, control, bitterness, fear, anxiety and of
course, sin. The Psalmist discovered that God was his rock, fortress and deliverer in whom He took refuge to receive deliverance in every area of his life (Ps. 18:2). 


How do we get delivered? The short answer is calling and praising the Lord to be delivered from all these enemies listed above (Ps. 18:3).

The Psalmist next describes what it feels like before we are delivered (Ps. 18:4-5). The cords of death ensnared us because we are slaves of sin. The destruction we see everywhere, including our own lives, causes fear and utter terror. Because the source of all evil is Satan, human efforts for deliverance become worthless. On a human level, it seems hopeless.

Why aren't we delivered? The main problem is being content in our present situation. In other words, we coexist with evil. We don't sense the urgency for change. We become self-satisfied with the status quo and living with evil. We aren't distressed enough! The distress the Psalmist experienced motivated him to call upon the Lord for help (Ps. 18:6). The good news is that God heard his cry.     

I get that! We should call upon the Lord. Will God answer my prayers for deliverance? The Psalmist answered with an resounding yes! God is not silent, but described His activity with images of earthquakes, smoke, fire, darkness, brightness, hailstones, etc. (Ps. 18:7-15). He draws us out of many waters and delivers us in the "day of calamity" from our strong enemy who's too powerful for us to overcome in our own strength (Ps. 18:16-18).  

All of us know people who cried to God, but didn't experience deliverance described as a "broad place" (Ps. 18:19). You may be one. What prevents or short circuits deliverance after we ask for it? The short answer is our sin (Ps. 18:20-27). The Psalmist uses terms like righteousness, walking with God, following His ordinances, integrity, kindness, purity and humility as qualities as qualifications for deliverance. 

If I go to the trouble of purifying myself, what's in it for me? What are the benefits in deliverance? Light and prosperity in the totality of life. God guides our steps in the midst of darkness and provides supernatural power in the battles of life. God's way is perfect and tested. He puts us in protective custody to train us for the battles we face in life. We experience true greatness, enlarged steps, strength for the battle and total victory over our enemies (Ps. 18:28-42). As an added bonus, we experience deliverance from petty quarrels and favor in our sphere of influence where people actually serve our agendas (Ps. 18:43-45).

In summary, the Psalmist reiterates that the Lord is alive and active in delivering us from any internal or external enemy (Ps. 18:46-48). Our appropriate response is thanksgiving and praise to God because of His great deliverance and lovingkindness to us and all our descendants (Ps. 18:49-50).  

Praise God for His deliverance in your life. Take time meditating on each verse in Psalm 18 by rolling it around in your mind and listening for the voice of God. Write down what He says to you and do it!  

  

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How God Makes A Way to Fulfill Our Most Important Task

8/8/2010

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Sometimes it seems everything goes against us. People refuse to help us finish a project. Our best friend makes decisions that violate our convictions. An agreement with someone comes back to bite us. It’s tempting in times like these to withdraw, give up and pull out of the battle. In this study, we receive encouragement to continue moving in the right direction because someone fights for us.  
  

The king of Jerusalem formed an alliance with five Amorite kings to attack Gibeon. He feared Israel because they destroyed Jericho and Ai plus Gibeon was a great city with mighty men (Josh. 10:1-5). Joshua fulfilled his commitment to help Gibeon because of a prior covenant made with them.

Joshua and his valiant warriors relayed God's word to Gibeon that they would completely defeat this coalition. No need to be afraid (Josh. 10:7-8). How often do we lose heart when the going gets tough or obstacles confront our path?Joshua believed God's promise. The Lord fought for Israel and Gibeon by sending huge hailstones from heaven. More died from them than those Israel killed with the sword (Josh. 10:11). When we keep our commitments, God comes to our aid. 


Not only to God bring huge hailstones, but the sun stood still in this same battle to provide necessary daylight for Israel to defeat all their enemies (Josh. 10:12-13). Praise God for His supernatural victories in front of others so others will be encouraged to trust Him to fulfill their destinies. He can even supersede the laws of nature to assist in the spiritual battle if we call upon Him. God provides sufficient time so we can pray through to the end and see Him be victorious (Josh. 10:14). 

In Josh. 10:25, Joshua repeated a promise he heard earlier from Moses to be strong and courageous  (Josh. 1:6-7,9). In addition to prayer, meditation on the word of God is critical in being victorious  in battle (Josh. 1:8). 

Joshua and army utterly destroyed every person and left no survivor throughout the land. They captured all these kings and their lands at one time because the Lord fought for Israel (Josh. 10:28-40). For the body of Christ to take our cities from Satan's grasp, we have to be mission-focused and united in prayer.  Who are the kings in our cities? It's the philosophies that guides peoples' minds like materialism and sensuality. 


God calls the church of Jesus Christ to take peoples' thought processes captive to the obedience of Christ by teaching a Christian worldview so they follow Him (2 Cor. 10:3-5; 11:3). We do this by making disciples in every nation and cultural sphere (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). 

In Joshua case, they captured the land from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza and from Goshen to Gibeon (Josh. 10:41). We aren't fighting these battles by ourselves because God empowers us (Josh. 10:42). 


Remember that God provides the necessary resources to defeat our spiritual enemies in making disciples, even if it means hailstones or the sun standing still (Matt. 28:18,20b;  Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

Application: 

1. Watch John Piper video that lasts less than 4
     minutes to motivate you to make disciples. 2. 
Memorize 2 Tim. 2:1-4.  

3. Begin praying for a disciple ("Timothy") who you
     can help grow in Christ. 

4. If possible, invite several of your friends to pray
     about finding "Timothys" so you can encourage
     and be accountable to one another.  

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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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