Abraham leaves everything to Isaac who has Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25-26)

Genesis 25-26

A) Abraham has many more children but leaves everything to Isaac

1-4) Abraham, second wife Keturah, Zimran, Jokshan (Sheba, Dedan(Ashurites, Letushites, Leummites)), Medan, Midian(Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, Eldaah), Ishbak, Shuah

5-6) Abraham left everything to Isaac, but while alive gave gifts to sons of concubines, sent far east

7-11) Abraham 175, Isaac and Ishmael buried him cave Machpelah w/Sarah

12-18) Ishmael (137) sons/12 tribal leaders: Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Misbasam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah. Eastern border of Egypt, hostility all relations

B) Prayful Isaac has twins Esau (dad's son) and Jacob (mom's son)

19-23) Isaac 40, married Rebekah, Isaac prayed on her behalf; pregnant twins; Lord to Rebekah two nations, separated, one stronger, older will serve younger

 - Doctrine of Election is God's irrevocable call for everyone (Genesis 25:23)

 - Relational Consequence with God and People John 15-6: "You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. - John 15:16-17, I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith - John 16:1"

 - Eternal security, assurance of salvation

24-26) firstborn red, hairy Esau, second grasping Esau's heel Jacob; Issac 60

27-30) Esau skillful hunter, Jacob stay at home loved Esau's food, Rebekah loved Jacob, hungry Esau/Edom, famished!

31-34) Jacob, "First, sell me your birthright", Esau agrees swore an oath, ate, drank, left, "Esau despised his birthright"

God's promises and sovereign will, seen in our lives (Romans 9:1-19)

 - God's purpose, election (not works but him who calls)

C) Blessed Isaac successful in life struggles with God, Esau brings grief

26:1-6) Famine, Isaac to Abimelek- Philistines; Lord appears; don't go to Egypt, stay where I tell you, I will be with you/bless you. Confirm oath to Abraham, numerous as stars, through offspring all nations on earth blessed because Abraham obeyed me, did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, decrees, instructions (Gen 26:5).

7-9) Isaac uses dad's lie, Rebekah is my sister, fear of losing his life, but caught

10-11) Why, you would have brought guilt upon us, king guarantees Isaac/Rebekah safe

12-15) Isaac crops/hundredfold, LORD blessed him, wealthy, Philistines envied, stopped wells

16-22) Abimelek, move away Isaac, he did, opened wells - leading to fights until no one fought

23-25) Beersheba; LORD appeared "I am the God father Abraham, don't be afraid, I am with you, bless you increase descendants; Issac altar called on the name of the LORD, home

26-31) Abimelek saw clearly LORD's favor on Issac, treaty/agreement/peace; feast oath

32-35) Isaac's servant well Shibah, Beersheba; Esau 40 married Judith (Beeri/Elon, Hittite) grief for Isaac and Rebekah

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Pray First! The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel

I re-discovered odb.org via https://twitter.com/ourdailybread, I ordered encouraging booklets for Christmas for my mntc.org friends (who I'm in Alpha series 18). Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with Joe who miraculously answered the call to help start Alpha at Freedom Works, who then miraculously started Alpha yesterday without our help. So we prayed for them, knowing it's God who makes it all happen, not our efforts. So back to odb, I read this excerpt from Pray First! The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel by James Banks in the article The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel

 Jesus declared His dependence on God in everything He did. He told His disciples, “By myself I can do nothing” (john 5:30). Then He demonstrated that dependence in a practical way by keeping the lines of communication constantly open through prayer, confident that the Father “always” heard Him (john 11:42). The New Testament makes clear that “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (hebrews 5:7). Jesus prayed continually, submitting His life to the Father moment by moment and drawing every strength from Him.

When Peter told the crowd on the day of Pentecost to “repent and be baptized,” he added, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (acts 2:38–39). Jesus is calling, calling lost souls out of darkness and into His everlasting love and light.

He is also calling us to follow Him into a world which desperately needs the salvation only He can give. Pray and go! The “Lord of the harvest” (luke 10:2) is waiting. He has promised, “We will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (galatians 6:9).

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Integrity of heart and skill (Psalm 78:70-72, 2 Cor 3:2-6,12-18)

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;  from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:70-72

1. Shepherd: loving compassion and care

 - Someone who watches over, looks after, or guides somebody.

 - The pastor of a church; one who guides others in religion.

2. Visionary: a clear vision of the future, see God's way to attract younger generations

3. Passion: eradicate Biblical poverty

3 part covenant

Doctrinal Integrity

Expository teaching methods

Non-negotiable policies: Leadership, financial, safety

2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

(v7-11 contrasts the old covenant glorious ministry that brought death and condemnation, with the new ministry that brings righteousness and eternal life)

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord help me take this training to heart, that I would have the integrity of heart and skill as evidenced by the men I'm called to lead.

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Not just the wax and wick but the flame

During Alpha this year I've come to notice several types of people (all of whom I've been in the past) who I'll illustrate with candles. In one of the Alpha films, Nicky talks about having the Holy Spirit as "pilot light Christians", but when the water heater is turned on you know it's running. That's what being "filled with the Spirit is."
So here are my candle illustrations;

Blown out by the devil: This candle represents the believer who has left the church, discourage, angry, offended. They once were full of light but are now dark and confused. They believe Jesus is the son of God, died for their sin and rose to life. They believe the gospel but also lies from the devil that leave hurt and confusion about the character and nature of God. The wick doesn't hold the flame anymore but can still glow when encountering the Holy Spirit.
Burnt out by the world and flesh: A candle that has run out of fuel, lost his childish wonder about God and lives in a Godless world. This is our starting state of being, at some point we come to the end of our rope. Our path has led to another dead end.

Ready for the flame: This is a believer who is ready to follow Jesus, leading in the cause for Christ without reservation.
Healthy, in use: this candle has a steady burn. with liquid fuel on top and a charcoal piece of wick on top. This represents the person actively involved in ministry to others.

In Ministry for the "blown out": The healthy candle pours out his liquid and burns extra high. That flame helps the other burn around and empty wax around their wick. This is mentoring, healing, confession, and prayer together. 
In Ministry for the "burn out": This is where we give ourselves to God and in return have a new life in Christ. We are made whole again, at peace, we understand that God has taken away our sin, shame, guilt and replace it with love, hope, and faith. We tell another person and are light up, ready to grow into who God has made us to be.
In Ministry for those "Ready":  The Healthy carries the flame and witnesses the change in their life from dark to light.
In Ministry for those "Healthy": We worship God together in song, hymns, and spiritual songs. Not neglecting to meet but all the more as we see the day approaching. 

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Hard to understand, hard to accept: we are interdependent (1 Cor 11:1-16)

Focus verses:
But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. - 1 Corinthians 11:3 NLT

But among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. - 1 Corinthians 11:11 NLT

We see perfect relationship in the Trinity: Authority, unity, deference, respect for authority, submission, role clarity. Jesus is not less than God the father. The Spirit unites us in harmony as we follow Christ together. Authority is good for us, submitting to authority is good for us.

Some truths are timeless, some are timely.  Head covering is a timely example from that time. So the reader would understand...

"Gender ideals"
- Feminism: empower women, diminishing men
- Chauvinist: men empowered, diminishing women
- Complementarism: equal in worth and value, but different roles

Co-Leadership not in back, not in front, but along side Gen 2:22-23. A helper suitable to him.

Gender fluidity? Gender is fixed. Not 58 gender options as in our culture. God is not confused or confusing. Our self hatred is not from God (hatred of roles).

Culture doesn't create sexuality, God did. God hss created complementary pairs for leading. Gender war broke out in Genesis 3, role conflict.
- We take our cues from Scripture not culture. Culture is the blind leading the blind.
- True is true, study the Trinity and the creation account for clarity.
- Say no to feminism and chauvinism and yes to complementarism
- See that husband's and wives need eachother
  - See the blessing of being under authority

Romans 5, Adam is held responsible for all sin. Jesus has granted us authority to give the Gospel of salvation. The power of God for all who believe.

https://benlorence.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-gospel-call-relationships-and-power.html?m=1

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Relationships in heaven and earth (living with God, loving-kindness to others)

During a recent Alpha class my friend Cody just found out that Jesus was physically resurrected some 2000 years ago. As we talked about heaven he was wondering what happens to our special relationships, do we have a wife, what if she remarries, who will be her husband. As he was genuinely asking I thought, Jesus addressed this specifically in Matthew 22. This whole discussion made to think more broadly about relationships_in_heaven.

Matthew 22:1-14,15-22,23-33,34-40,41-46
Kingdom of heaven like a great wedding feast for the king's son (1-14)
 - But the invited guest ignored them, went their own way, farm/business (5)
 - Others killed the messengers (6), king destroys murderers, invites anyone to come good or bad (7-10)
 - the king rejected a guest who wasn't clothed for the event (11-13)
 - Many are called few are chosen (14)

Pharisees try to trap Jesus with flattering words but Jesus knew their evil motives (15-22)
 - plot (15-16a), "teacher, your honest, teaching way of God truthfully, impartial" (16b-17)
 - Taxes? Jesus looks at the coin, whose name is on it? "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give to God what belongs to God" (19-21)

Sadducees think re-marriages and death during our lifetime will cause conflict at the resurrection (23-28)

Jesus says, "Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.
But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead.” (Matthew 22:29-32)

Pharisees asked about the most important commandment, Jesus says "love God, love people" (34-40)
Jesus asks them, "what do you think about the Messiah, whose son is he?"
  - "son of David"
 - Jesus: why does David under the inspiration of the Spirit call the Messiah 'my Lord'? (Psalm 110:1)
 - Since David called the Messiah 'my Lord,' how can the Messiah be his son? - no one could answer him, no one dared to asked more questions

Jesus rebukes teachers of religious law and Pharisees, do what they tell you, but don't follow their example (they don't practice what they teach).
Hypocrites
 - Crush people with unbearable religious demands, never lift a finger to ease the burden
 - everything for show
 - love honor from others instead of humble, service to God for the benefit of others
 - shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces, shamelessly cheat widows of property (Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47)
 - turn converts into twice the child of hell (15)
 - Blind guides, fools put money above people and God, careful to tithe but neglect justice, mercy and faith (16-26)
 - inside full of greed and self-indulgence, like a new tomb - beautiful on outside but dead inside (25-27

Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. (28)

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Five postures ministers take in relating to God (under, over, from, for, with)

My friend Josh shared this book with me - called With reimaging the way you related to God. I'm 40 pages in and love it. It has the best definition of sin I've seen. Sin is the human desire to control apart from God. Here's my paraphrase of the postures ministers take in the Christian faith:

• Under God: if I follow the rules God will bless me (because he owes me or has too)
• Over God: tools and techniques are needed, prayer and spirituality is time wasted (I'm smarter than God)
• From God: a faith ritual or superstition to get what I want from God (health, wealth, prosperity)
• For God: (most acceptable but still off) Doing things for God and His kingdom gives purpose, meaning (end poverty, help others, grow the church)

This helps makes sense in what we see in church leadership, often trying to get one group into another. Like from "Over God" to "Under God" and to move "from God" to "for God". 

The intention we see from Beginning to End is life WITH God.

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Sin, enmity and our relationship with God

Thinking about our first FRED talk at work today on prayer. The idea came to me about our greatest problem is sin and our greatest need is a relationship with God. Sin puts enmity between us and God and only God can remove our sin and give us right standing with him. Prayer is the means that he has ordained for us to draw near to God and confess our sins to him. Jesus is our mediator and He and the Holy Spirit intercede on our behalf.
The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness
The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-17
 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness
The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)
 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness
The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8 - Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

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Purge sin from within self and church (1 Cor 5)

1 Cor 5

1. Grieve over sin, don't celebrate it
- bring to God in simple prayer
2. Get serious about Christian trafficking in sin
- goal, decision, commitment:empowered by Holy Spirit. Grace empowers what truth demands
3. Get serious about so it doesn't spread
- passover, new bread
4. Get serious about sin in the church (kind, compassion to those outside the church)
- be honest with eachother
- admit to God and eachother
5. Get serious about your sin, SPECK
6. Get help if you are stuck in sin
- pornography is killing people in the church
- get better? Or life change? Away with the leven from Egypt. Passover.

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God and the world are polar opposites (1 John 2:15‭-‬17)

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15‭-‬17 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/1jn.2.15-17.NASB

Sam Houston, Where is the Love? July 26, 2018

Love the world is to put your heart to things, people and practices that are opposed to God.

This was a challenging word that has stuck with me this week. I've often heard more preaching about not retreating from the world but to win the world for Christ, through love (John 13:35, Matt 28:19-20). This teaching had built on the previous week about being all in (Jim Erickson). The big take away I see in bringing it all together is 1 Cor 10:12-13, "So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it"

Lack of Bible knowledge has convinced many that;

• Evangelism is not necessary 
• Works are necessary for salvation 
• Religious practice defines

God and the world are polar opposites
Matt 6:24. Can't serve or love two at once.
- two navigation systems at once: turn left, turn right
- we are trying to love two different masters

Categories of temptation
1. Sensual pleasures (flesh)
2. Pleasures of imagination (lust of eyes)
3. Pride of life (bragging about accomplishments)

World's short-term pleasure pails in comparison to God's eternal life
- ice castle not meant to last forever. (World is passing away)

John 14:15, love me keep my commandments

Choose to love world temporary pleasure, or love eternal God.

How do we keep from loving world
1. Study and understand God's love for us.
- The world can't love us back
- Every good and perfect gift comes from God
- the world can't give us anything good
2. Know who we are and our purpose
- eph 2:10, by God for him and works he prepared
3. Be aware of what and who we expose ourselves: Bad company corrupts good morals. Psalm 101:3, don't put worthless things in front of our lives.
4. Focus on goodness: Phil 4

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Just checking In

My dad personalized this poem by Roger Knapp for me yesterday, very sweet about loving kindness we experience in relationship with God and one another.

A Minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
To see who come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
And a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man
Hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was torn and shabby,
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt down and bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed at precisely noon,
The preacher saw this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,

.He decided to stop and ask the man

What are you doing here?'

The old man said he was a factory worker
And lunch was half an hour
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.
I stay only a moment
Because the factory's far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS BEN,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish,
Told Ben that it was fine.
He told the man that he was welcome
To pray there anytime.
'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said
As he hurried to the door.
Then the minister knelt there at the altar,
Which he'd never done before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
As he met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed down his cheeks,
He repeated old Ben's prayer:

'I JUST CAME by TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Ben hadn't come.
As more days passed and still no Ben,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Ben was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles and joy contagious.
Changed people were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Ben could be so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends had come to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
He's been here all the while.'
Everyday at noon He comes here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down and takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, BEN,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN .
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALWAYS
AND I LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND SO BEN, THIS IS JESUS,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY .'

 - http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/justcheckingin.htm

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Eyes of the Lord search, to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chron 16:9 )

“The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV)

NASB emphasizes, "that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His" - 2 Chronicles 15:17, shows that Asa's heart was blameless all his days. Yet in context of 2 Chron 16:7-10, shows Asa king of Judah had fallen away and began relying on his deals with other kings instead of "the LORD your God", he had forgotten how God searches the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him (2 Chron 16:9 NLT). I've often seen this verse as being a blessing, but in contexts - it's a rebuke to one whose fallen away and Asa is angered when hearing this. Wowza, it's like "I have some good news and some bad news. Let's start with the bad news..."


Eyes of the LORD (God who sees me El Roi - Gen 16:13,7-16)
 - The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)
 - For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes. (Jeremiah 16:17)
 - His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps (Job 34:21), He provides them with security and they are supported; HIs eyes are on their ways (Job 24:23 ESV)
 - Does He not see my ways and number all my steps (Job 31:4 ESV, Job 33:11 ESV), he watches ALL my paths. Amazing God knows my life like those decision novels, turn to page ___ to go or page ___ to stay.... loved those stories growing up.

Search all
God sees all people, to see if there are any who understand, who seeks after God? Psalm 14:2,53:2

God you have shown yourself strong on my behalf. Thank you Lord that you love me and care for me and you continue to show your loving kindness in my heart. God help me to never forget your work on the Cross and your Holy Spirit and heavenward call. May you give me wisdom, peace, joy and hope as I live for you today and forever.

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; HIs eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men (Psalm 33:13), From HIs dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth (Psalm 33:14)

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. (Psalm 139:16)

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Tasteful, sunny disposition brings glory to God (Psalm 34:8, Matthew 5:13-16)

Tasteful is defined as "showing good aesthetic judgment or appropriate behavior" and sunny is "(of a person or their temperament) cheery and bright", when we bring these qualities to our disposition it brings glory to God. This is what Jesus talked about in Matthew 5:13-16 (as he alluded to Psalm 34:8 - "Taste and See that the LORD is good"), "Salt and Light together...so that many will see your good works and praise God"

Stickers promoting my friends cafe

Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness

• The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-7

 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness

• The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)

 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness

• The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8

Disposition is a person's inherent qualities of mind and character

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." -2 Peter 1:3‭-‬11 NLT

Disposition is the way in which something is placed or arranged, especially in relation to other things:
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
 - Years ago this became part of my "life verse" (1 Peter 4:7-11). I've said it before but this "love covering a multitude of sins" is preventative. When we share our lives with people, showing the way and blessing them with our gifts, talent and blessing. We change, the world changes and God is glorified.
 - Glorifying God isn't something we add to God, it's pointing out to others that He is glorious, awesome and wonderful.

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Humbly Grateful Or Grumbly Hateful?

THeard this wonderful song today, great intro to Exodus 16, the teaching...
Do you grumble and groan,
Or let it be known
You’re grateful for all God’s done for you?
Good article here:
http://carynchristensen.com/2015/11/02/are-you-humbly-grateful-or-grumbly-hateful/

Folks were hungry and complaining about Moses and Aaron, God spoke to Moses (not them)..

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. (walk in my law or not. ESV)
Exodus 16:4 NLT

Sounds familiar,  Gen 2-3

We too grumble, we ask God to bless us, then complain about the blessings

So we are instructed.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV

Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11 NIV

Am I trusting God every day, (not just the big things)?
- God gives us what we need everyday.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19‭-‬21 NIV

God is powerful and personal
He uses basic human needs, to show how to be satisfied in him

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  ...Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life  ?
Matthew 6:25‭, 27

What life is all about? It's not about getting ahead, it's about resting in him. Manna and Sabbath = God is able too meet all our needs.

So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord . You will not find any of it on the ground today. Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”  Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” So the people rested on the seventh day.
Exodus 16:24‭-‬30 NIV

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord .
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  ”
Matthew 4:3‭-‬4 NIV

My ultimate need is to know God.

Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:22-40)
Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most (John 6:41-71)
Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles (John 7:1-52)

God provides and delivers
- you can't take it with you, use what you have today for today's needs.

Don't make the daily needs the pursuit of your life

Lamentations 3 show a man in pain, suffering and confusion. Yet he says...

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬24 ESV

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,
Hebrews 3:7‭-‬8 ESV

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Is God Really Good

"Is God Really Good?" - Psalm 73 - Troy Dobbs

Watch • Listen •  Outline

Pain suffering illness 

 - heartbreak in general 

Marriage, call our mentee couple 

Psalm 73

until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Psalms 73:17 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.17.ESV

Worship and prayer changes everything in our lives.

 - worship reveals reality 

 - 

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

Psalms 73:21‭-‬22 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.21-22.ESV

When we worship God, we understand our own faults before God. 

 - if while you give your offering it comes to mind someone has something against you. Drop it and go make it right.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

Psalms 73:23 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.23.ESV

God holds us through our questions

 - come together in corporate worship, hear the truth. He doesn't leave us.

 - we don't his hand. He holds ours. Like us with children. Protection, caring 

 

He councils us through our pain

 - not abandoned 

 - gift of Himself

****Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

Psalms 73:25 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.25.ESV

People in relationship with God have the best of both worlds 

Phil 1:21, live and die, all gain

****My flesh and my heart may fail, BUT GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalms 73:26 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.26.ESV

Titus 3:4, But...

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Titus 3:4‭-‬6 ESV

http://bible.com/59/tit.3.4-6.ESV

Good is being perfect, finished, whole, complete. Genesis 1...

Good is abundance, it wasn't good to be alone... Adam said, it's good!

Good is morally right, Psalm 25:8, 

Is God Good? Take it out of our context, to God's word. Is he perfect, abundant, morally right? God can do nothing other than the best. God is always good without fluctuating. 

Hope in God, not a job.

He councils us, doesn't freeze us out. 

*****But for me, it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalms 73:28 ESV

http://bible.com/59/psa.73.28.ESV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.....My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:13‭-‬16‭, ‬19‭-‬20 ESV

http://bible.com/59/jas.5.13-20.ESV

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Proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (Matthew 10:7)

Psalm 10, Matthew 10
Today was serendipitous, Pastor Troy preached on Psalm 10 and I'm lagging on my writing through the Psalms and Gospel reading plan.

Here's my notes on the first of his sermon series Honest to God:
Psalms are helpful because they are honest.

 - tough questions, real answers

 - bridge from pain of life and power of God.

Suffer and pain reactions

 - denial or dissection 

 - Psalms deal honestly with pain yet points us to God

Psalm 10:1, why is Lord hidden, far away

 (Injustice, lack of intervention, apparently uncaring)

Christian faith has room for honest lament.

 - We don't need to protect God from hard questions

10:2-4, Arrogant, greedy, wicked schemes live and think "there is no God"

 10:5-6) outrageous and frustrating success

10:7) abusive speech

10:8-10) intentional ambush

10:10) effectively crushing

10:11) without fear of God

Prayer  (crying out to God in honesty 12-13, and faith in His character 14, justice 15, sovereignty 16, personal "friend" of faithful people whose only hope is Him 17-18, Hebrews 11:1,6-7)

Application 

1.  Continue to turn to God, 10:12

 - We put our hope in God's ability to make things right 

2. Cling to faith

 - God sees and cares (look what God has done in the past)

 - God's "silence" is not absence, 3 days if silence before Jesus was raised from the dead.

3. Count on God's judgment 

 - 1 Peter 2:23, Jesus our example didn't retaliate but trusted in Jesus

4. Confidently rest in who, not why 

 - Psalm 10:16-18, God is good.

In Matthew 10 Jesus tells us how to be a witness and go about our lives with a ministry centered approved. "As you go proclaim the kingdom of heaven is at hand"

 - Ministry (healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, casting out demons) is done for free (Matt 10:8-10)

 - Give peace and let it peace return to you in all circumstances (11-31)

31 Fear not, therefore; (AX)you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 (AY)So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but (AZ)whoever denies me before men, (BA)I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

38 And (BH)whoever does not take his cross and (BI)follow me is not worthy of me.39 (BJ)Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Rewards

40 (BK)“Whoever receives you receives me, and (BL)whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

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Pride in our heart; it's companions and consequences

THE HUMAN HEART—Pride

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18)

COMPANIONS OF PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18;18:12; 21:4; 16:18;21:24; 27:2; 20:6; 17:19

A. Haughtiness (18:12: 21:4: 16:18). Haughtiness (arrogance, aloofness) is being disdainfully or contemptuously proud. Pride from our heart shows contempt for others because from the outside it seems obvious what that person should do - yet we are blind to our own problems.
 - Before disaster, the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance (18:12)

B. Scoffing (21:24). Why does he scoff? It is his way of letting you know his superiority and your inferiority.

 - acts with overbearing (egotistic, autocratic/dictatorial) and insolent (rude) pride. (21:24)C. Boasting (27:2; 20:6: 17:19). Pride’s greatest fear is that someone else will not notice the greatness it sees in itself. Therefore, it boasts of itself.

I. PRIDE VS. GOD

Proverbs 16:18;3:5-7; 8:13; 15:33; 22:4;16:5; 6:16-9;29:23; 15:33

A. Pride is the Ultimate Sin Against God (3:5-7). It is the assumption that man is self-sufficient and important enough to compete with God’s greatness. magnitude. strength and wisdom.

- Fear the Lord [with reverent (respectful, worshipful) awe (wonder) and obedience (submission, compliance, willingness)]
- And turn away from evil (sin, crime, wrong, darkness, disaster, injury, harm)

B. Pride Opposes the First Principle of Wisdom (8:13: 15:33: 22:4). That principle is the ‘fear of the Lord.”

How does it oppose this principle?

 - 22:4, The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Is riches, honor, and life.
 - Very important, but not most important
 - Jesus demonstrated humility,  emptied himself, being a bondservant, likeness of man Philippians 2:7, was homeless (Luke 9:58), for our sake become poor, through his poverty we become rich (2 Cor 8:9), he prayed earnestly for us (Heb 5:7, John 17), he was the greatest servant leader (Luke 22:27), he ate with outcasts (Luke 15:1-2), didn't look to men for glory (John 5:41), would not accept promotion (John 6:15), he washed his students feet (John 6:38)

C. Pride is an Abomination to God (16:5; 6:16.19). It claims honor for itself, but only God can bestow honor and He does so in response to man’s humility rather than his pride (29:23; 15:33).

 - (16:5) Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive (displeasing, insulting) to the Lord; Be assured he will not go unpunished.

 - A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others]. Wowza, it's mid-year review time....

II. CONSEQUENCES OF PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18; 11:2;25:27;13:10; 28:25;15:25: 16:18-19; 18:12

A. Shame (11:2:25:27). It is ironic that pride seeks glory for itself, yet receives shame.

 - (11:2) When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

B. Contention (13:10: 28:25). What kinds of relationships experience conflict, strife, and contention because of pride? Work relationships, home relationships, family, community, strangers on social media (Kathy Giffin beheading Trump)...

C. Destruction (15:25: 16:18-19: 18:12). God brings the man who challenges Him to ruin. He has no need to even compete with man for glory.

Thanks to Rob Harbison for sharing this excellent study on Proverbs

http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/harbison/proverbs-rh.pdf

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New Testament Descriptions of Gospel Relationships

In Daniel Henderson's book, The Prayer God Loves to Answer: Accessing Christ's Wisdom for Your Greatest Needs. He shares a table that is really helpful for looking at relationships from a New Testament perspective. I'm praying for my family members who need this today and hope Daniel doesn't mind me publishing this portion of his excellent book. http://www.strategicrenewal.com/prayer-God-loves/

James 3:17-18; Matthew 5:2-12; 1 Corinthians 13:1-18; Galatians 5:22-23

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