Showing posts with label Blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blessing. Show all posts

5/24/26

The Messianic Banquet in Luke 22:29-30

And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. Luke 22:29-30

Looking at Bible Hub I found these additional cross references: Luke 13:29, People will come from east and west and north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. and Luke 14:15, When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.

These three passages form a coherent thread in Luke's Gospel around a single image: the eschatological feast in the kingdom of God. This image draws from Isaiah 25:6-9 and Jewish expectation of a great banquet when God restores his people.

In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” Isaiah 25:9

Luke 13:29 — The Narrow Door

Jesus has just been asked, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" His answer subverts the question. He warns that many who assume their place at the table, those who ate and drank with him, in whose streets he taught, will find the door shut. Meanwhile, Gentiles from every direction will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The shocking reversal: assumed insiders out, unexpected outsiders in.


Luke 14:15 — The Parable of the Great Banquet

Jesus is at dinner with a Pharisee on the Sabbath. He has been teaching about humility (take the low seat) and generosity (invite those who can't repay you). A dinner guest, perhaps moved by the imagery, blurts out a pious beatitude: "Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Jesus responds with the Parable of the Great Banquet — where the invited guests all make excuses, and the host fills his table with the poor, crippled, blind, and lame, and then people from the highways and hedges. The beatitude is affirmed — but again with the same reversal dynamic.


Luke 22:29-30 — The Last Supper

Now the image becomes covenantal and intimate. Jesus is at his final meal with the Twelve. He has just addressed the dispute about greatness among them. His response: I am giving you a kingdom — the same way my Father gave one to me — and in that kingdom, you will eat and drink at my table. The Greek word for table (τράπεζα / trapeza) is the same domestic table word used throughout Luke. The Twelve will also sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes.


The Thread Together

PassageSettingWho FeastsEmphasis
13:29Travel narrativeNations from all directionsReversal — outsiders in
14:15Sabbath dinner with PhariseesThe poor, the outcast, the far-offReversal — invited reject, uninvited receive
22:29-30Last SupperThe Twelve specificallyCovenant grant — intimacy and authority

Luke is building a theology of the kingdom table that moves from broad (all nations) to specific (the Twelve), from warning (don't assume your seat) to promise (your seat is secured by covenant). The Last Supper itself is the foretaste — the actual meal in the actual kingdom has already begun.

Revelation 2:26-27, And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. / He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.

Rev 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Revelation 20:4, Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Fellowship with Christ

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5/6/26

Stillness is the discipline underneath all others (Psalm 46:10)

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 

This week we finished BSF Exile and Return. I was enjoying the year in a word "Freedom." A big part of that is God, make my heart Yours again: obedience, integrity, and character. The Leader’s Inner Life

  • Leaders lose their way when they lose their private life with God.
  • Daily intimacy is the antidote to fear, comparison, pride, and exhaustion.
  • Spiritual disciplines protect the soul and align the heart to Christ.

Here are targeted references for each point, with enough variety to choose from:


Leaders lose their way when they lose their private life with God.

  • 1 Samuel 13:8–14 — Saul acts without waiting on God; Samuel declares the kingdom will not continue. Loss of private obedience precedes public collapse.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:16 — Uzziah's heart was "lifted up to his destruction" after his strength grew. Success without private humility breeds the fall.
  • Psalm 51:10–12 — David's prayer after collapse: restore the inner joy of salvation. The crisis was first interior before it was public.
  • John 15:4–5 — "Abide in me... apart from me you can do nothing." Fruitful leadership is contingent on hidden connection.

Daily intimacy is the antidote to fear, comparison, pride, and exhaustion.

  • Isaiah 40:31 — Those who wait on the Lord renew their strength. Exhaustion is answered by intimacy, not strategy.
  • Psalm 27:1, 4 — "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" One thing David seeks: to dwell in God's presence. Intimacy displaces fear.
  • Galatians 1:10 — "Am I seeking the approval of man or of God?" The cure for comparison is having an audience of One.
  • Proverbs 4:23 — "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Daily vigilance over the inner life is leadership's first work.
  • Matthew 11:28–30 — Jesus invites the weary to come to him. Rest is relational, not recreational.

Spiritual disciplines protect the soul and align the heart to Christ.

  • Luke 5:16 — Jesus himself "withdrew to desolate places and prayed." Disciplines were Jesus's own pattern, not just a prescription for others.
  • Psalm 119:9, 11 — "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word... I have stored up your word in my heart." The Word as protective discipline.
  • 1 Timothy 4:7–8 — "Train yourself for godliness... godliness is of value in every way." Paul frames spiritual disciplines as training (askeo), a deliberate, repeated practice.
  • Romans 12:2 — "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Alignment to Christ is a disciplined, ongoing renovation of the inner person.
  • Hebrews 12:11 — "No discipline seems pleasant at the time... it produces a harvest of righteousness." The fruit of disciplines is a protected, aligned soul.
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4/18/26

How can we know we are "repenting" (Malachi 3:6-7)

"I the Lord do not change...Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 3:6-7

God uses material faithfulness as the proving ground for spiritual trust and formation. The themes flow from covenant to conduct to consequence.

1. God's unchanging covenant is the foundation God's faithfulness is not reactive. It is predetermined and rooted in His promises to Jacob (Mal. 3:6; Rom. 11:28–29). Israel's survival is not due to performance but covenantal commitment (Deut. 7:9; Lam. 3:22–23). This establishes trust. Return is always possible because God does not change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).

2. Return to God is expressed through tangible obedience "Return to me" is not abstract (Mal. 3:7). It is demonstrated through tithes, offerings, and stewardship (Mal. 3:8–10). Withholding is framed as distrust and misalignment with God's order. Giving becomes a diagnostic of the heart (Matt. 6:21; Luke 16:10–11).

3. Stewardship reveals spiritual alignment Material resources are positioned as "very little" (Luke 16:10). Yet they expose deeper loyalties (Luke 16:11–12). Faithfulness in money equals faithfulness in trust. Mismanagement signals divided allegiance. You cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13; Matt. 6:24).

4. God invites testing in one domain to build trust in all domains Malachi presents a rare invitation. Test God through obedience in giving (Mal. 3:10). The outcome is provision, protection, and overflow (Mal. 3:10–11; Phil. 4:19). This is not transactional prosperity. It is relational validation of trust (John 14:21; James 2:18).

5. Blessing includes provision, protection, and public witness The "windows of heaven" represent sufficiency (Mal. 3:10; Ps. 78:23–24). The "rebuked devourer" represents protection from loss (Mal. 3:11). The result is external credibility. Others recognize God's favor (Mal. 3:12; Matt. 5:16). The community becomes a signal.

6. Tithing trains the fear of the Lord Deuteronomy clarifies intent (Deut. 14:22–23). Giving is formative, not merely financial. It teaches reverence, dependence, and worship. The outcome is wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Prov. 9:10; Ps. 111:10). Fear of the Lord is the gateway to all three (Job 28:28; Isa. 33:6).

7. Generosity is designed to sustain community and justice Provision extends beyond the giver. Levites, foreigners, widows, and the fatherless are included (Deut. 14:28–29; Mal. 3:5). This embeds equity into the system (Lev. 19:9–10; Amos 5:24). Kingdom economics are communal, not individualistic (Acts 2:44–45; 2 Cor. 8:13–15).

8. True riches are spiritual, not material Jesus reframes value. Money is "unrighteous wealth" (Luke 16:11). True riches are the life of the Spirit. Righteousness, peace, joy, wisdom, and empowerment (Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:3). Material trust is preparation for spiritual entrustment (Luke 16:11–12; 1 Tim. 6:17–19).

9. Faith is developed through constraint before abundance "Very little" is intentional (Luke 16:10). It is the training environment. Trusting God in scarcity builds capacity for abundance (Deut. 8:2–3; 2 Cor. 9:8). This aligns with Paul's learned contentment across all conditions (Phil. 4:11–13; Heb. 13:5).

10. The end goal is Spirit-enabled purpose and impact The Holy Spirit brings wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge (Isa. 11:2; 1 Cor. 12:7–11). These enable God's work through people. Like Bezalel, individuals are empowered for specific kingdom assignments (Exod. 31:3–5). Faithful stewardship unlocks participation in that work (Matt. 25:21; Eph. 2:10).


In summary, the passage teaches a progression. Covenant leads to trust (Mal. 3:6; Rom. 8:28). Trust is proven through stewardship (Luke 16:10–12). Stewardship forms reverence (Deut. 14:23). Reverence unlocks wisdom and Spirit-led living (Prov. 9:10; Isa. 11:2). Material faithfulness becomes the gateway to true spiritual riches (Luke 16:11; Eph. 1:3).

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4/5/26

Dying to Self, Living for God (Galatians 2:20)

Because Jesus died and rose again, nothing will ever be the same. The old you does not have to run your life anymore. Sin does not have to win. Death does not get the last word. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive in every person who belongs to him. This is not just a story from long ago. Today, right now, in this year of our Lord, the risen Christ is calling people to stop living for themselves and start living for him. He says: give me your life, pick up your cross, follow me. Lose yourself and you will find something far greater. The seed that falls into the ground and dies does not stay dead. It rises and bears fruit that lasts forever. Resurrection Sunday is the proof that dying to self is not the end. It is the beginning. If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day. If you have been holding back, today is the day. The tomb is empty, grace is real, and the door is wide open. This is the day of salvation.

🌱 The Old You Must Go

  • Your old sinful self was nailed to the cross with Jesus, so sin no longer has to control you. Romans 6:6
  • Get rid of your old self. It was full of wrong desires. Put on your new self, made to be like God, good and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
  • You have died, and your life is now hidden safely with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

✝️ Follow Jesus, Take Up Your Cross

  • If you want to follow Jesus, say no to yourself, pick up your cross every day, and follow him. Luke 9:23-24
  • If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give your life up for Jesus, you will save it. Mark 8:35
  • Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Jesus cannot be his follower. Luke 14:27

🌾 Dying Brings New Life

  • A seed must fall into the ground and die. If it does not die, it stays just a seed. But if it dies, it grows and makes lots of fruit. John 12:24
  • If anyone belongs to Christ, he is brand new. The old is gone. The new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

💧 Buried With Jesus, Raised to New Life

  • When we were baptized into Jesus, we shared in his death. And just like Jesus rose from the dead, we get to walk in a brand new life. Romans 6:3-4
  • If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him. Romans 6:8

🔥 Stop Letting Sin Be the Boss

  • Think of yourself as dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus. Romans 6:11
  • Sin does not have to be in charge of you anymore. You are not under the old rules. You are under God's grace. Romans 6:14
  • Do not let the sinful parts of your body do wrong things. Instead, give yourself to God as someone brought back from death to life. Romans 6:13
  • Put to death the wrong things in your life: bad desires, greed, and all that belongs to your old self. Colossians 3:5

🙌 Live for God, Not for Yourself

  • Give your whole body to God as a gift, a living sacrifice. Do not copy the world. Let God change the way you think. Romans 12:1-2
  • Those who belong to Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to the cross. Galatians 5:24
  • Walk by the Spirit, and you will not do what your sinful self wants. Galatians 5:16
  • He must become greater. I must become less. John 3:30

💪 Christ Lives in You

  • I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. The life I live now, I live by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
  • For me, living is Christ. Dying is even better. Philippians 1:21
  • I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

🤝 Put Others First

  • Do not be selfish or try to look important. Be humble. Think of others as more important than yourself. Philippians 2:3-4

🏆 Nothing Is Worth More Than Knowing Jesus

  • I count everything else as worthless compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8
  • What good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Luke 9:25

🕊️ Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love

  • Not death, not life, not anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

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3/1/26

Cain Builds His Name; Seth Brings Repentance to God's Name

 AIM: Our sin nature leads to broken relationships. God alone can repair them.

Opening Reflection

  • As we worship with our whole lives today, we praise the One who gave us life, ability, desire, and forgiveness. He gave us new life. That truth makes any sacrifice pleasing to Him.
  • Lord, let our spirits leap for joy in praise for what you have done and continue to do. May everything we say and do point to you, so that many will come to saving knowledge of your work through the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A) The Blessing of Family Turns to Murder, Grief, and Banishment (vv. 1–16)
vv. 1–2. Adam and Eve bear two sons: Cain who works the soil and Abel who tends flocks.
vv. 3–5. Both bring offerings. God rejects Cain's offering. God accepts Abel's firstborn and its fat portions. Cain becomes angry.

  • Their offerings reveal the heart. Cain said, “Look what I did.” Abel said, “Look what you did, Lord.” Jesus calls us to worship in spirit and truth. Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices that please God. Romans and Titus clarify that no one is righteous apart from God. Cain’s heart displays that truth.

vv. 6–7. The Lord warns Cain. “If you do what is right, you will be accepted. If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires you, but you must rule over it.”

Principle: Doing what is right protects us. Sin behaves like a predator that waits to control us.

vv. 8–9. Cain kills Abel. When God asks where Abel is, Cain deflects.
vv. 10–12. God says, “Your brother’s blood cries out.” The ground will no longer produce for Cain. He will be a wanderer.

  • Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel…Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking... Heb 12:10-29
vv. 13–14. Cain protests that his punishment is too much.
vv. 15–16. God places a sign on Cain to protect him. Cain leaves for Nod, east of Eden.

Application: What sin in my life needs to leave my home?

B) Cain's Line Builds Success; Lamech Builds a Bigger Name (vv. 17–24)
vv. 17–18. Cain’s wife bears Enoch. Cain builds a city and names it after him. The line continues to Lamech.
vv. 19–22. Lamech takes two wives.
Adah bears Jabal and Jubal, the fathers of herding and music.
Zillah bears Tubal-Cain, who forges tools of bronze and iron, and Naamah.

vv. 23–24. Lamech commits murder and boasts about it. He twists God’s protection of Cain and claims a greater right to revenge.

Vengeance vs. Forgiveness. Cain’s line magnifies revenge. Jesus reverses it. “Forgive seventy-seven times.” The Old Testament already taught this ethic.

  • One of the greatest barriers to Christian maturity is knowing what to do with forgiveness. Jesus' use of exaggeration makes the point that one forgives and forgives. There is no limit. How long does it take until you have worked through forgiveness? Until you can want the well-being of the other who has trespassed against you. The import of Jesus' teaching here is that our lack of willingness to forgive our neighbor acts as a barrier to accepting God's forgiveness of our own sin.

Sidebar: Forgiveness and Unresolved Conflict

  • Reading C. S. Lewis this week reminded me how unresolved childhood wounds damage adult relationships. Scripture warned us early. “Do not hate your brother in your heart.” The New Testament does not invent forgiveness. It clarifies and perfects it.
  • Lewis notes the continuity between the Testaments. Jesus repeats and fulfills Old Testament ethics.
  • Help your enemy. Do not celebrate his downfall. Feed him when he is hungry.
  • Scripture shows seven as a number of grace. God uses it throughout the story for cleansing and restoration.
  • Lewis also warns that religious zeal without repentance produces great harm. A high calling can fuel humility or self-righteousness. There is no neutral ground.

C) Seth Is Born. People Begin to Call on God’s Name (vv. 25–26)
vv. 25–26. Adam and Eve bear Seth. Eve says, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel.” Seth fathers Enosh. At this moment people begin to call on the name of the Lord.

Principle: Our testimony shapes others. Eve’s words of faith over Seth set in motion a renewed movement of worship.

Questions for reflection

  • What fruit has forgiveness produced in your life?
  • How can we teach our children and ourselves to live in the light of forgiveness instead of the shadow of unresolved conflict?

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1/30/26

Ice in a cold windy city.

Enjoying Knowing God yet living in sin leads to destruction (Hosea 8-9) and thinking about the current moment the culture of Minneapolis finds itself with fraud, waste, and abuse. It's a good time to repent from sin, return the the Lord and pray for all people to receive a fresh start. 

 “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat. And even if there is any grain, foreigners will eat it. Hosea 8:7 (NLT)

My pastor had a good word this last Sunday, Be focused on Jesus not the current story but the greater story God is telling. As Stephen was killed, Saul approved - but later become the apostle Paul. Stephen models a legacy worth following. Live with clear mission, share the gospel. Desire forgiveness for sinners, not judgment. See people through eternity, not politics. Stand bold at death. Stephen dies praying, forgiveness and confident in Christ. Acts 7:59-60 He confessed to feeling "nuclear till they glow" in his heart toward people rather than, forgive them as we give up our lives as a heart attitude. 

I've been reminded lately of my friend Don Z, "the best thing I can do for those I'm leading is stay holy to the Lord." Hosea 8-9 captures why this is true. 

A) The Problem with "Knowing God" yet Living in Sin (Hosea 8)

8:1-3) Alarm! Covenant-Breaking Despite Claiming to Know God

Additional References:

  • Titus 1:16 - "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."
  • Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father... I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
  • 1 John 2:3-4 - "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar."
  • James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?... faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
  • 2 Timothy 3:5 - "Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
  • Jeremiah 11:1-10 - The covenant curse for those who don't obey the covenant terms
  • Deuteronomy 28 - The blessings for obedience and curses for covenant-breaking

Application: True faith isn't a crisis hotline to God—it's a covenant relationship that transforms how we live daily.


8:4-10) Planting Wind, Harvesting Whirlwind

Additional References:

  • Galatians 6:7-8 - "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
  • Job 4:8 - "As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same."
  • Proverbs 22:8 - "Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail."
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6 - "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
  • Romans 6:21-23 - "What fruit were you getting from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death... the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life."

Application: Every choice is a seed—you cannot plant rebellion and expect to harvest righteousness.


8:11-14) Forgotten Maker, Building Their Own Greatness

Additional References:

  • Deuteronomy 8:11-20 - "Take care lest you forget the LORD your God... Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'"
  • Psalm 106:13, 21 - "But they soon forgot his works... They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt."
  • Jeremiah 2:32 - "Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number."
  • Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."
  • Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
  • Luke 12:16-21 - The parable of the rich fool who built bigger barns but wasn't rich toward God
  • Genesis 11:1-9 - Tower of Babel: humanity's attempt to "make a name for ourselves"
  • Isaiah 22:11 - "You did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago."
  • Habakkuk 1:16 - "Therefore he sacrifices to his net... for by them he lives in luxury" (worshiping our own efforts)

Application: When we forget God is our Creator, we become our own creators—building monuments to ourselves that will burn.


B) Wasted Life Ends in Destruction (Hosea 9)

9:1-6) The Wasted Life: Spiritual Pollution and Homesickness

Additional References:

  • James 4:4 - "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
  • Ezekiel 16 & 23 - Extended metaphors of Israel's spiritual adultery
  • Jeremiah 3:1-20 - "Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful."
  • Romans 1:21-25 - "For although they knew God, they did not honor him... but became futile in their thinking... they exchanged the truth about God for a lie."
  • Ephesians 2:1-3 - "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked... carrying out the desires of the body and the mind."
  • Philippians 3:19 - "Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."

On the Elder Brother (Luke 15:25-32):

  • Matthew 20:1-16 - Workers in vineyard who complained about grace to latecomers
  • Jonah 4 - Jonah angry at God's mercy to Nineveh
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Without love, even right actions are nothing

Application: You can waste your life in two ways—the prodigal's reckless rebellion OR the elder brother's resentful religion. Both are far from the Father's heart.


9:7-9) Payday for Sin: Hostility to God's Messengers

Additional References:

  • Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
  • 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - "The LORD... sent persistently to them by his messengers... but they kept mocking... until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy."
  • Matthew 23:29-37 - Jesus condemns those who kill prophets: "You serpents, you brood of vipers!"
  • Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen: "You stiff-necked people... you always resist the Holy Spirit... Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?"
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 - Those "who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets... displeasing God and opposing all mankind"

On Sin as Default Occupation vs. Vocation:

  • Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
  • Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Since sin pays death but God gives eternal life, present yourself to Him and live as one freed from sin and bound to righteousness. (Romans 6:11-23)

  • Reject sin’s rule. You are dead to sin and alive to God, so do not let sin control your body. Under grace, offer yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness and live out the Law of Love.
  • Renounce old patterns. Sin’s power has been broken. Leaving impurity behind protects you from increasing wickedness and from the shame that sin produces.
  • Offer yourself fully to God. Obey from the heart. Become a servant of righteousness that leads to holiness and ends in eternal life through Christ.


9:10-14) From Fresh Grapes to Barrenness

Additional References:

  • Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard: "He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!"
  • Jeremiah 2:21 - "Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?"
  • John 15:1-6 - "I am the vine; you are the branches... If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers."
  • Luke 13:6-9 - Parable of the barren fig tree given one more year
  • Matthew 21:18-19 - Jesus curses the barren fig tree
  • Deuteronomy 32:32-33 - "For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom... their grapes are grapes of poison."

Application: God plants us to bear fruit for His kingdom. Barrenness isn't neutrality—it's judgment.


9:15-17) Rejected for Disobedience: Homelessness

Additional References:

  • 1 Samuel 15:23 - "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king."
  • Jeremiah 6:19 - "Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words."
  • Hebrews 12:25 - "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape."
  • Proverbs 1:24-31 - Wisdom rejected leads to calamity: "Because you have ignored all my counsel... I also will laugh at your calamity."
  • Lamentations 1:1-3 - Jerusalem's desolation: "How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow... she weeps bitterly in the night."
  • Duet 32:52 - "So you will see the land from a distance, but you may not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel."

On Listening and Obeying (Jesus' Teaching):

  • James 1:22-25 - "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
  • Matthew 7:24-27 - Wise builder builds on rock (hearing + doing); foolish builder builds on sand (hearing only)
  • John 8:31-32, 47 - "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples... Whoever is of God hears the words of God."
  • Luke 6:46-49 - "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"
  • Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door..."

On Salt and Light (Luke 8-14 themes):

  • Matthew 5:13-16 - "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world."
  • Luke 8:16-18 - "No one after lighting a lamp covers it... For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest."
  • Luke 11:33-36 - "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light."
  • Philippians 2:15 - "That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."

Summary Cross-References on the Central Theme:

The Danger of Empty Religion:

  • Isaiah 29:13 / Matthew 15:8 - "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
  • Amos 5:21-24 - "I hate, I despise your feasts... let justice roll down like waters."
  • Micah 6:6-8 - "What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Path to Life:

  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil... Choose life!"
  • Joshua 24:15 - "Choose this day whom you will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
  • John 14:6 - "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Final Application: Knowing about God means nothing without knowing and obeying God. The fruit reveals the root.

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1/8/26

Bless the LORD, O my soul! (praise flows from awareness Psalm 104)

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1

Psalm 104 is a creation hymn that highlights why God is worthy of praise by walking through His ongoing, active governance of the world. The themes are ordered, intentional, and expansive.

Praise-worthy themes in Psalm 104

1. God’s majesty and glory (Psalm 104:1–2)

  • God is clothed with splendor, light, and honor.

  • Creation reflects His greatness, not human effort.

Theme: God is worthy of praise for who He is, before anything He does.

2. God as Creator and Architect (Psalm 104:2–9)

  • He stretches out the heavens, sets beams in the waters, and establishes the earth securely.

  • Creation is intentional, not accidental.

Theme: Order, design, and stability flow from God’s wisdom.

3. God’s provision for all life (Psalm 104:10–15)

  • Springs water the valleys.

  • Plants grow for animals and people.

  • Food, wine, oil, and bread are named explicitly.

Theme: God sustains daily life, not just spiritual life.

4. God’s care for every creature (Psalm 104:16–23, 27–28)

  • Animals receive food in due season.

  • Lions seek prey from God.

  • Birds nest, goats climb, sea creatures roam.

Theme: Nothing in creation is overlooked.

5. God’s authority over time and rhythms (Psalm 104:19–23)

  • He appointed the moon for seasons.

  • Day and night govern work and rest.

Theme: God orders time itself, enabling both labor and renewal.

6. God’s wisdom displayed in diversity (Psalm 104:24)

  • “How manifold are Your works.”

  • Creation is rich, complex, and abundant.

Theme: Diversity is not chaos. It is wisdom expressed.

7. God’s sovereignty over the seas and the unknown (Psalm 104:25–26)

  • The vast sea teems with creatures.

  • Leviathan exists under God’s authority.

Theme: Even what feels uncontrollable remains under God’s rule.

8. God as the giver and sustainer of life (Psalm 104:29–30)

  • When God gives breath, life flourishes.

  • When He withdraws it, life returns to dust.

Theme: Life is sustained by God’s Spirit, not human strength.

9. God’s enduring glory and righteous order (Psalm 104:31–35)

  • God rejoices in His works.

  • Sin is incompatible with this ordered creation.

Theme: Praise aligns the worshiper with God’s holy order.

Summary insight

Psalm 104 teaches that praise flows from awareness.
When we see creation rightly, provision rightly, and time rightly, praise becomes the only reasonable response.

David’s conclusion mirrors Psalm 103.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

Praise is not emotional excess.
It is intelligent alignment with reality.

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1/7/26

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (Psalm 103:1)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1

Our words and our decisions are not neutral. Scripture consistently shows that what we speak and choose shapes our inner life, our direction, and our outcomes. Psalm 103 gives us a clear model.

Words shape the soul

“Bless the Lord, O my soul” is David speaking to himself. He does not wait for his emotions to align. He commands his inner being to remember truth.

  • Psalm 103:1–2. David instructs his soul to bless the Lord and to not forget His benefits. Words here act as spiritual leadership over the heart.

  • Proverbs 18:21. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we rehearse aloud trains our attention and affections.

  • Psalm 42:5. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God.” Scripture normalizes self-directed, truth-filled speech.

Biblically, speech is formative. Praise recalibrates memory. Gratitude interrupts fear. Truth spoken aloud realigns perspective.

Decisions reinforce what words begin

David’s call to praise is not abstract. It is grounded in remembered actions of God.

  • Psalm 103:3–5 lists forgiveness, healing, redemption, and renewal. These are not emotions. They are realities David chooses to dwell on.

  • Deuteronomy 30:19. “I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life.” Choices determine pathways.

  • James 1:22. Hearing without doing leads to self-deception. Decisions anchor words into lived obedience.

Words initiate direction. Decisions sustain it. Praise that is chosen becomes a habit. Habits become character.

Praise reorders memory and identity

Psalm 103 emphasizes remembering. Forgetting God’s goodness leads to distorted self-understanding.

  • Psalm 103:8–12 reveals God’s character. Merciful. Slow to anger. Abounding in steadfast love.

  • Lamentations 3:21–23. “This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” Hope flows from deliberate remembrance.

  • Romans 12:2. Renewal begins in the mind. What we return to mentally reshapes us spiritually.

Praise is not denial of hardship. It is disciplined remembrance of who God is within hardship.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12

From David to modern worship

This same biblical logic carries into modern worship, including the song 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord O My Soul). The lyrics echo Psalm 103 by urging continual praise, not based on circumstances, but on God’s unchanging goodness. It is Scripture translated into rhythm, reinforcing the same spiritual principle. What we sing repeatedly becomes what we believe deeply.

The outcome

  • Words direct the soul.
  • Decisions solidify direction.
  • Praise guards memory.
  • Memory shapes identity.
  • Identity influences destiny.

In essence, Psalm 103 teaches that a life of wisdom begins with intentional speech and faithful choices. When we bless the Lord from the depths of our soul, we are not only honoring God. We are actively shaping the trajectory of our own lives.

Next couple of days we'll look at how these themes carry forward in Psalm 104, 145 and 146

  • Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1
  • A Psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt You, my God and King; I will bless Your name forever and ever. / Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2
  • Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul. / I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Psalm 146:1-2

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4/20/25

King of Kings, resurrection and the Kingdom of Heaven (part 1)

 Reflecting on King David and Jesus "King of Jews" 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7

What is the kingdom of heaven, paradise, a world uncorrupted by sin. A place of perfection, where we will be like Jesus (eyes, ears, heart, and mind). 

Kingdom in the New Testament

Matthew 3:2: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

  • Matthew 4:8: Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (Jesus remember "serve the Lord only" and don't forget all of Deuteronomy 6-8 MSG  

Matthew 4:17: From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

  • Matthew 4:23: Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. (pattern continues in Matthew 9:35, Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near Matthew 10:7)
    • Matthew 5:3: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
    • Matthew 5:10: God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (like John the Baptist Matthew 11:11-12)
What does turning to God and humbly doing the right thing look like? Righteousness is asking God "your kingdom come, your will be done - on earth as it is in heaven." It's like the correct way to swing a golf club - the ball ends up where you wanted it. Humility doesn't swing harder, it swings righteously - trusting the club and learned mechanics to do the work. Turning to God, we find effortless joy and peace, the presence of God in our heart, the kingdom of heaven is ours. 

What does jesus say about ignorance, obedience, and teaching? To ignore is to forget, disregard, overlook, neglect, miss, reject, bypass, or omit. To obey is to follow, observe, conform (to), adhere (to), comply (with), abide by, keep to, mind, fall in with, submit (to), yield (to), surrender (to), hear, defer (to), agree (to), heed, watch, accede (to), regard, take, listen (to). 

Matthew 5:19: So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

  • Matthew 5:20: “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Pray and seek the kingdom of God above all else. Enter through the narrow gate by actually doing the will of Father God.
  • Matthew 6:10: May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Matthew 6:33: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
  • Matthew 7:13: “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
  • Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Jesus shared that when the Kingdom of Heaven is near we should repent of our sins and turn to God. 
  • Matthew 8:11: And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • Matthew 8:12: But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Turning to God in repentance is changing our minds. To receive the light of God and say yes to him, is to say no to all other spiritual forces that make us miss the mark. 
  • Matthew 12:28: But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
  • Matthew 13:11: He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 
Our heart must be prepared to receive the good news about the Kingdom. 

Read More ->>

11/19/24

Trusting the LORD brings clarity about yourself and others (Jer 16:19-17:10)

 Jer 16:19-17:10

key verse:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. Jer 17:9-10

Divisions

  • A) Jeremiah acknowledges God's character and receives God's plan (Jer 16:19-21)
  • B) Sin runs deep until the Lord intervenes with crisis and calamity (Jer 17:1-4)
  • C) God knows where our trust is and rewards accordingly (Jer 17:5-10)

A) Jeremiah acknowledges God's character and receives God's plan (Jer 16:19-21)

19) LORD, personal strength, fortress, refuge

19-20) Gospel truth; nations confess, "our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, worshiped worthless idols, made gods with their hands - obviously not real. "

  • For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 1 Peter 1:18
    • This week in BSF we studied Revelation 5.  In Revelation 5, only Jesus was found worthy to open God’s scroll because He,  the Lamb who had been slain, shed His blood on the cross to buy back people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. He delivers them from sin’s slavery and makes them a kingdom and priests to serve God. 
    • The Lord brought me to the application of of believing God and speaking. Searching for this I came to The Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. I've been thinking of Christine Foster's conversion into faith as a result of God's calling on my life and Greg/Rich, I just referenced this today

21) LORD, "I will show power, might, at last they will know and understand that I am the Lord."

  • Lord, help me to minister to my family and make the room for you to be revealed in their life. Give us eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands. 
B) Sin runs deep until the Lord intervenes with crisis and calamity (Jer 17:1-4)
1-2) sin of Judah carved into hearts, in children, idol worship everywhere
3-4) LORD hands over holy mountain/wealth/treasure/idols to enemies, slipped away, captives

C) God knows where our trust is and rewards accordingly (Jer 17:5-10)
5-6) LORD says cursed who trust mere humans and turn hearts away from LORD, shrubs in desert (Matthew 13:22 (ESV), Mark 4:17 (ESV)
7-8) Blessed who trust/hope/confidence in LORD,  trees/river, deep roots - heat, drought no problem - always fruitful and green 
9-10) human heart deceitful/desperately wicked - LORD searches all hearts, secret motives/rewards according to actions
  • You know/understand my thoughts - Psalm 139:1-2
  • God will repay each one according to his deeds - Romans 2:6
  • LORD does not see as man does, he sees the heart - 1 Sam 16:7, Proverbs 21:2
  • Let the Word of God do it's work within your heart Heb 4:12-13
    • Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds. (Psalm 7:9)

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
Not just old testament, but applies to us today:
  • For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done. - Matthew 16:27
  • "Churches will know that that I am the One who searches minds and hearts and will repay each of you according to your deeds." - Jesus Rev 2:23
    • God knows Proverbs 24:12, Job 34:21
    • Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Gal 6:7-8
  • For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Cor 5:10
    • And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27

As I'm preparing for Alpha tomorrow, ministering to my father in law and have a hopeful heart for Sammy, Paul, Darren, Cassy, Missy, KC, Winn, Benjamin, Check, Joshua... I'm grateful for the call of God on our lives. His loving mercy and kindness, endures. Yesterday at church we celebrated the days of Elijah:

Rev 22:12 - Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 

The hardest part of ministry is loving people even when they are hard hearted, unrighteous and vile because it reveals the reality of our own hearts. 

  • God's Word is a mirror when we don't look our best, it's a plumb line when we're leaning on our strength, it's a cold shower to sober us up, it's the shock of lightening that blows up a tree, it's the vault that's impenetrable, without faith eyes that see. (poem based on Rev 22:11-12)

The easiest part of ministry is loving people who are made right with God, practice righteousness and continue to be holy. 

  • God's Word is a window into possibility when nothing is left, it's clear way of rescue when I'm this close to death, it's a pure drink of water from a bubbling brook, it's how life was intended, it's how love really works (poem based on Rev 22:11-12)

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8/28/24

How to get rid of the last 3% of sin in your heart (2 Kings 10:31)

But Jehu did not obey the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. (2 Kings 10:31)

2 Kings 10, tells how Jehu did away with every idol and evil thing burning it and killing every trace except the one thing of perceived value. 

  • Excuses inside (flesh): "I was born this way", "I can't forgive myself", "I can't stop"
  • Excuses outside (world): "everyone is like this", "You don't know what they did", "go with the flow"
  • lies from the devil: "did God really say" (Gen 3)
Truth about us: our heart is deceitful and deception is from the devil

  • The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
  • For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:21–23
  • ....(devil) He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
How can anyone turn from sin?
  • All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37
  • Abide faithfully in prayer with Jesus, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.', Ask, seek, knock (Matthew 6:13, Matthew 7:7-12), I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. (John 17:15). In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Eph 6:16, John 15-16)
  • Abide in fellowship with other believers,  But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one (2 Thes 3:3). Remember Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians are writing to believers/churches - not just names of Bible books.  
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10/12/21

Jesus teaches about honesty, intimacy with God and Kingdom living (Matthew 5:1-16)

Matthew 5:1-16

AIM: Kingdom character produces influence stemming from our identity in Christ

A) Jesus teaches heaven and earth belong to honest, humble people (1-5)

B) Jesus teaches desire for righteousness, mercy, purity, and peace enables an intimate relationship with God (6-9)

C) Jesus teaches the world hates him and us also, yet we are salt and light, heaven minded for earthly good (10-16)

1-2) Jesus teaches crowds on mountainside with disciples

3-5) Blessed ARE poor in spirit, mourn, meek; kingdom of heaven NOW, WILL later comforted, inherit earth

 - Application: Do I see the end of my life is near? How does having the kingdom of heaven now impact future promises? 1 Peter 4:7-11, Phil 4:4-7

 - MSG: With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

 6-9) Blessed ARE hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers; WILL Be filled, shown mercy, see God, called children of God

 - Application: Having seen myself as God sees me have my affections changed towards righteousness, mercy, purity, and making peace? Is my faith confidence in being satisfied? 

10) Blessed ARE those persecuted because of righteousness; kingdom of heaven is NOW

11-12) Blessed ARE, insulted, persecuted, falsely say evil to discredit Jesus, great IS reward in heaven

13-16) We are preservatives and flavor (salt), we share everything Jesus taught (light).

- Application: Is my light shining into dark places, do I have the fuel needed from God's kingdom to sustain light for the whole house? Salt is good for flavor and also for dung heap. Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14)



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3/11/21

Jacob blessed by God to bless his estranged brother Esau (Gen 32-33)

Gen 32-33 

A) Jacob prepared, prayed, and sent gifts ahead to Esau (Gen 32:1-21) 

 1-2) Angles of God meet Jacob, seeing them Jacob said this is the camp of God (Mahanaim)

 - The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7

3-5) Jacob's messengers to explain to Esau humble servant, favor in your eyes

 - 2 Kings 6:8-23; Psalm 34:7; Daniel 6:22; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Hebrews 1:14

 - 2 Kings Men of God, wisdom in working with people, confidence in God, Daniel 6:22 God shuts the mouths of lions, 1 Cor 6:3, competent judgment, Hebrews 1:14, God sends ministering spirits to us

6-8) Esau responds with 400 men, so Jacob divides his group so a remnant will live

 - Jacob cheated Esau when they were younger Genesis 25:27-34; 27:35-41; 32:6

9-12) Jacob prayed, calling out to God, repenting, confessing unworthiness, and promises - asking for salvation

13-16) Spent the night there, selected gifts for Esau, his best wealth-producing assets in spaces to meet Esau

17-21) Instruction; lead with gifts, belong to your servant Jacob, gift to lord Esau, Jacob coming behind us. Second night

B) Jacob encountered God at Peniel (face of God) (Gen 32:22-32)

22-26) that night, alone Jacob wrestled with a man who couldn't overpower him but could wrench his hip with a touch - "let go", "not until you bless me"

27-32) Your name is Israel, "you struggled with God and humans and overcome"

C) Jacob and Esau reconciled (Gen 33)

33:1-9) Esau asks why the gifts, "to find favor in your eyes, my lord" - yet Esau had plenty

10-15) Esau wants to accompany, but Jacob just wanted favor and distance

16-20) Esau back to Seir, Jacob to Sukkoth and built shelters, Paddan Aram 100 silver bought from Hamor, father of Shechem the ground - El Elohe Israel


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2/4/21

Rebekah conspires against Isaac for Jacob's blessing (Gen 27-28:9)

Gen 27-28:9 

A) Isaac desire for Esau (everything) is irrevocably given to Jacob

27:1-4) Blind Isaac ask Esau to hunt game for meal - to bless him before he dies

5-17) Rebekah eavesdrops, conspires with Jacob to impersonate Esau and take the blessing

18-25) Jacob lies, disguise, food and wine; "I am Esau, done as you told me", "LORD you God gave me success", "I am"

26-27) Isaac "kiss me", at the smell of Esau clothes on Jacob blessed him, 

 - smell of son, of field, LORD blessed

 - 28-29) God give; earth's rich produce/rain, nations serve you rule; curse or bless

Application: favoritism often backfires, bringing the opposite of our heart's desire. 

B) Isaac curses Esau, to a path of sadness, servitude, and violence (instead of owning his mistakes and going to the LORD)

30-35) Jacob leaves, Esau comes, livid Isaac realizes under deception blessed Jacob

 - Principle: Anger never leads to good decisions and our words have a lasting impact

36-38) Jacob's name, took birthright and blessing, Esau wept for any blessing from Isaac

 - Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he takes advantage of or he deceives.

 - Isaac left nothing on the table, he went all-in when the first blessing was given, everything means everything.

 - 39-40) Isaac gives curse; away from earth riches/rain, sword, serve - restless break yoke

Application: When I'm angry, sad, despondent and hurt - I need to go to the LORD and not lash out at the people I love most.  

C) Rebekah's second interference leads to more blessing for Jacob, further cursing Esau

41-45) Esau grudge plots murder, Rebekah sends Jacob to safety until fury subsides

46) Rebekah complains to Isaac, Jacob needs a better woman from Laban in Harran

28:1-5) Isaac blessed Jacob sending him to marry a cousin of Mom's brother, God Almighty bless you like Abraham

6-9) Esau, sees Jacob honored father and mother, multiple wives, displeasing Canaanite daughter of Ishmael

Application: Manipulation will always have residual side-effects.

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10/21/20

Sacrifice that pleases God, Jesus and our holiness for Him (Genesis 8:21)

 Genesis 8:28-21, tells us that God commanded Noah to leave the Ark, and in doing so - He first offered a Sacrifice to God that was pleasing to God. 

BSF lesson asked me what sacrifice is ultimately pleasing to God and what sacrifice can I make today that is pleasing to God. I never before connected the promise of God in Genesis 8:21-22 to Romans 3:25-26 "because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished" - His forbearance was the provision of Christ's atoning work on the Cross. "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness."

Read these verses to see God's work in Noah's life, Noah's response and the impact Noah's response had on God. I love how Genesis 8:21 tells us "God said in his heart," isn't this wonderful! 

Gen 8:15-22; John 12:27-33; Romans 3:25-26; 1 Peter 2:21-24;Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8; John 15:13; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 13:15-16

Personal lessons: 

Jesus died to make us right with God

 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" 1 Peter 2:24

 - This is demonstrated in John 12:31-33, "Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die."

 - Lord, let me die to sin and live for righteousness. Right, just, merciful, acknowledging God, humbly with God, to lay down my life for my friends, not conformed to the pattern of this world but transformed by the renewing of my mind. Help me to see your will and approve of it in me. You have glorified yourself and you are doing it again. Amen. Selah. 

Bring our first to God (each morning, each blessing, each thought)

 - I like BibleHub because of the Cross References to other Bible passages in line with the verse. Reviewing Gen 8:20, showed me Able brought the firstlings (Gen 4:4).

Pray for our family, interceding on their behalf: 

 - BibleHub also showed me that Job was concerned for his family's well-being. Knowing each person has a heart where every inclination is evil from Childhood (Gen 8:21), Job would interecede for them (Job 1:5)

 - Noah may have been following God's instruction to leave the Ark and realized sin in his family and perhaps his own attitude in the work. So instead of complaining he built an alter to the Lord and as Heb 11:7, talks about His Faith leading to actions for God and his family. "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. "

Live for God daily, kindness toward everyone

 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

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10/30/19

Angelic touch brings freedom for Peter and death to Herod (Acts 12)

In Acts 12 we see that angels can manifest and interact with people, bringing help in time of need or bringing judgment when a ruler has gone too far. We see divine intervention in Peter and Herod's life based on their character. We've seen the character of Peter living life obeying God and now we see the life of Herod against God. We also see that the prayers of the church matter, even when not everyone praying believes. And that being shrewd involves gaining support around an unreasonable king. I love the faith I see in this chapter, no fighting but trusting in God and witnessing miracles.

AIM: No matter what, the word of God spreads and flourishes

Acts 12
A) Angel frees Peter as people prayed
1-4) King Herod arrests/persecutes the church, James (John's brother) killed by the sword, Peter arrested during Unleavened Bread, public trial scheduled after Passover.
 - 5) Church earnestly prayed to God for Peter.
Principle: Prayer is our best response to any situation.  Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another
6-7) Night before trial, Peter sleeping between two soldiers, angel wakes him up "get up" chains fell off
 - 8-10) Put on clothes and sandals, follow the angel, they passed the guards at two gates, suddenly the angel left.
11-14) Peter came to himself, went to Mary (John Mark's mom), they were praying, Rhoda "Peter's at the door"
 - 15) they didn't believe her, they thought it was "his angel"
 - 16-17) Peter told them what happened and left
Application: divine appointments should be shared with others in the church.

B) Herod plays god and Angel strikes him dead
18-19) Herod looked for Peter, cross-examined guards and had them executed, went to Caesarea
20) Herod quarreled with people of Tyre and Sidon got support from Blastus (trusted servant) to seek peace with Herod for food.
21-23) Fancy Herod addresses people who praised him as a god, he didn't praise God, angel struck him down, eaten by worms and died
24)  But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

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5/31/19

Characteristics of true children of God (born of God)


By this the children of God and the children of the devil are clearly identified: anyone who does not practice righteousness [who does not seek God’s will in thought, action, and purpose] is not of God, nor is the one who does not [unselfishly] love his [believing] brother. 1 John 3:10 (AMP)
Practice righteousness (1 John 3:1-10), not practicing sin (1 John 3:6,9)
Love other Christians despite differences (1 John 3:11-24)

1 John 1-2 emphasizes fellowship, 1 John 3-5 emphasizes sonship

  • Born of God is the idea (1 John 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:1,4,18)

Unsaved person (even if he professes to be a Christian but is a counterfeit) lives a life of habitual sin.

  • Sin - especially the sin of unbelief - is the normal thing in his life (Eph 2:1-3). 
  • He has no divine resources to draw on (Isomorphic mimicry)
  • His profession of faith, if any, is not real (a form of godliness but denying it's power 2 Tim 3:5)
BIG Difference, true Christian knows God (My license plate says "Know Jesus, Know Peace, no Jesus, no peace"

Three reasons to live a holy life
1. God the Father loves us as his own children (1 John 3:1-3), saved by the grace of God through faith (Eph 2:8-9, Titus 2:11-15). Experiencing the love of God removes the desire to sin. An unbeliever sins against his Creator, a believer sins against his Father. Fear of the Lord, is reverence to God - respect that won't deliberately disobey Him or try His patience. 

The Christian view of Fear the Lord: 
  • "I'm not afraid my father will hurt me, I'm afraid I might hurt him"




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4/22/19

Live Well, Live Wisely James 3:13-18 (MSG)

James 3:13-18
13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

Prayer: God, let this be our life verse, Give us your Holy Spirit that we have ears that hear, eyes that see and a heart that understands. Today, let me be holy yours, give me an opportunity to make peace from the pieces resulting in new community, healing and praise. Let everyone I encounter see your love coming from within me. Forgive me Lord, bring me into your light - bring to mind what I need to repent from. Heal my mind and heart in Jesus Name.

Overcoming addiction: In the name of the LORD I will cut them off (Psalm 118)
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2/18/19

God has provided ways to guard ourselves against temptation

Following is from Bsf International People of Promise Land part 1 (lesson notes 20)

Every day, everywhere, society pressures us to accept unbiblical thinking. Fears or anxious thoughts may seem more real than faith. Our own desires often whisper, “Put yourself first. No one will get hurt.” Satan and those who unwittingly serve him try hard to turn us from God and His truth. Even trusted friends may encourage us to choose our own way instead of God and His will. If sin could capture a “man after God’s own heart,” how can we or anyone resist its power?

God has provided ways for us to guard ourselves:
■ Know and love God more deeply:

  • God is holy, perfectly pure and always just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 1:5). 
  • God’s goodness means He never tempts, (James 1:13-17) 
  • yet He does test His children.(Deuteronomy 8:2-5; Job 23:10; Psalm 26:2; 66:10; 81:7; 139:23; Proverbs 17:3)
  • Our Father controls all things, including tests, for His children’s highest good – to make us holy like Jesus. (Romans 8:28-29; 1 John 3:1-3)

■ Know sin destroys:

  • God gives His children a new nature, but sin’s nature remains unchanged – against God and unremittingly deadly. (Romans 6:23; 8:13; James 1:15)
  • Name what tempts you or identify your sin specifically. Acknowledge it for what it is: against God; evil and dangerous. As creatures made in God’s image, our actions matter. (Genesis 1:26) 
  • Therefore, even forgiven sin has consequences.

■ Know Satan’s lies:

  • “It’s such a little sin.” “No one will know.” “You deserve it.” “You can stop anytime.” “God will forgive you, so what does it matter?” (Romans 6:1-14; 1 John 3:4-10) 
  • Yet if you sin, Satan accuses: “You call yourself a Christian?” “Don’t pray; why would God listen to you?” “There’s no turning back.” (Micah 7:8-10, 18-20; Zechariah 3:1-4; Revelation 12:10)
  • Without God’s help, our enemy easily deceives us. Ask God to help you recognize lies, and cling to the truth.

■ Know yourself:

  • Temptations change at different stages of life but never stop until we are with Jesus in glory. If you think you are strong, have you realized that apart from God’s grace, you would fall? (1 Corinthians 10:12) 
  • What particularly tempts you, and whom could you ask to help you or hold you accountable?
  • Pray for yourself, your family, pastor, neighbors and country. Thank God for keeping you from sin, which would overwhelm you. Thank Him especially for His Spirit, who strengthens His people to live for Him. (Romans 8:1-17, 26-27)

■ Know and act on God’s Word:

  • God promises to provide a way out when temptation is too strong. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 
  • Run from temptation – turn off the TV; don’t take a second look when an image pops up on your computer. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; 1 Timothy 6:9-12; 2 Timothy 2:22-24)
  • Meditate on God’s Word to fill your mind with God’s thoughts. (Psalm 119:11; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:12) 
  • Our hearts lie to us, and our feelings sometimes shake us. (Jeremiah 17:9) 
  • Only God’s truth keeps us on solid ground. (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 7:24-27)

■ Know the power of prayer and of praise:

  • Jesus told the disciples to prepare for temptation through prayer. Do you? (Matthew 6:13; 26:41)
  • Ask God for grace to believe His warnings. 
  • Confess when your heart grows hard.
  • Choose to delight in God. (Psalm 119:14; Matthew 22:37; John 14:15; Philippians 3:1)
  • Run to Jesus often for help in loving Him more than you love sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

■ Know the gospel: (Hebrews 2:14-18)

  • The gospel is “the power of God,” bringing salvation and Christ’s own righteousness to all who believe. (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • Christ not only takes the judgment we deserve, but He becomes our righteousness.

■ Know your goal: God has destined all His children to be holy as He is holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

  • “All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) 
  • Look away from the short-term gains of compromise. Lift your eyes to the long-term view. Pray for God to continue to make you more and more like His beautiful Son. 
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