What is Life About?

O. T. #2153  "What is Life About?"

March 21, 2022

Summary of Obadiah

LET IT GLOW

At one time or another in our life, we have probably all wondered life is all about. We are not here by accident, friend. God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. Luke 10:27 sums it up:

Love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Love is our purpose  here.

As we wrap up 1 John 3, we have learned to confess our sins to God, keep our hope in Jesus, and listen to the Holy Spirit. The big lesson for us is that we are told to love the brethren, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, we are to show the love of God in our actions and deeds, not just in our words. The world will hate us, to be expected.

Look at verses 22-24, And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.

Here are some reassurances, gold nuggets for our soul:

• We can ask and receive because we keep His Word and do what pleases God.(verse 22)
• Believe on Jesus and love one another, then we dwell in Him and He dwells in us. (verse 23-24a)
• Jesus has given us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit so we know He is with us.

LET IT GROW

According to MacArthur, Edom and the Edomites are mentioned over a hundred times in the Old Testament. We know that Edom was a descendant of Esau. He sold his birthright to his twin brother, Jacob. Jacob received the blessings/promises of his grandfather, Abraham, although through deception. (Edom's line continued through King Herod, a Roman who wanted Jesus dead.)

Since we are finishing the book Obadiah wrote, let's recall what we can learn from him and what God told the prophet to say:

• Pride can be a chief sin. Edom was wealthy and had their security in themselves, not in God.
• Wisdom and a great army is no challenge for our God, for they were destroyed.
• God sees how we treat others, if it is with love or not, resulting in blessing or curse for us.
• As God took care of Israel from their enemy Edom, He will take care of us.
• The Day of the Lord is coming, when He judges the nations.
• Israel will be restored; the Jews will believe in Jesus as The Messiah; Jesus will reign as King over all the world for a thousand years, the Millennium.

God isn't asking us to figure it all out. He is asking us to trust Him that He already has.

Embrace your place in the King's plan. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GO

Let love reign in our heart and life-love for God and others.

Strive to keep His commandments and ways.

Be a blessing to others.

Keep sharing Jesus is our Savior and the only way to heaven.

What is True?

O. T. #2152  "What is True?"

March 18, 2022

LET IT GLOW

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 3:19-21)

If we love in action and truth, we will be reassured in our heats and we are not condemned. Then God gives us peace. Serving others results in a calm heart when turmoil surrounds us.

When we keep God's commands, believe in Jesus Christ, and love others, then we have confidence before God and receive whatever we ask from Him. (verses 14-15)

We know God hears our petitions. The key is to pray in His will, not ours. Then He will place His desires in our heart and will fulfill them.

Why are our prayers not answered? Is there sin in our life? Do we ask for our self selfishly? Maybe it is not in God's timing to give it yet. Could be it is a "no" for us and we need a change of heart. Whatever, we know that God is sovereign and in control.

LET IT GROW

Look at the rest of the chapter, verses 15-2. We know the nation of Edom no longer existed by the first century A. D. It was an example of all the nations that are hostile to God and His people. He punishes those who mistreat His people.

What is the message of God's judgment?

1. Evil will certainly be punished.
2. Those faithful to God have hope for a new future.
3. God is sovereign in human history.
4. God's ultimate purpose is to establish His eternal kingdom. (Life Application Study Bible)

So, be sure we do not feel so comfortable with our wealth or security that we fail to help God's people. If we do, then it is sin, and because God is just, sin will be punished.

When all is said and done, the Lord will still be King, and the confidence we place in His will not be in vain.

Do you know my Jesus as your Savior today?

LET IT GO

Keep trusting in Jesus, keep hoping in Him, and doing His Kingdom Work.

You are the God who fights for us and gives victory.

Lead us through the deep waters of life, as you did the Hebrews with Moses.

Be with us in the fire as You were with the 3 Hebrew boys.

Protect us from lies as Daniel survived the lions in the den.

Deliver us from our prisons as You did Joseph.

 

How to Show Love

O. T. #2151  "How to Show Love"

March 17, 2022

Obadiah-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

How is your love life? Now, I am talking about your heart, is it loving others as it should? Claiming to love is not enough. Love is not sentiment, but deeds. (1John 3:18) Are we putting feet on our talk and walk?

Let's peek at what John MacArthur has to say about this:

When we have a lifestyle of love in action is the demonstrable proof of salvation, then shall assure our hearts before Him. (verses 16, 19)

John give 3 benefits of love  (of Christ) for the true Christian:

1. The first benefit is assurance of salvation since love in action is the test of Christian profession. (4:7) Displaying love as a pattern of life is the proof that believers stand uncondemned before God. (verse 19)
2. The second benefit of love is answered prayer. (verse 19-21) Since love is the heart of obedience to the law, its presence in one's life evidences submission to God which He blesses by answered prayers. (verse 22)
3. The third benefit of love is the abiding presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit. (verses 23-24)

Believing, loving, and obeying are the major evidences of true salvation.

Jesus reassured us when He said this:

For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

 

LET IT GROW

Judah had many attacks from their enemies throughout the centuries-Philistines, Arabians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, Romans, Moslems. Since they were descendants of Esau and Jacob, the Edomites were brothers with Judah.

In Obadiah, verses 12-14, we read of 8 admonitions delivered to Edom. In the day of Judah's calamity, he is not to:

1. gloat over the brother's day of misfortune; (verse 12)
2. rejoice over the day of destruction; (verse 12)
3. boast of his brother's day of distress; (verse 12)
4. enter his brother's gate in the day of his disaster; (verse 13)
5. gloat over his brother's calamity; (verse 13)
6. loot his brother's wealth; (verse 13)
7. harass the fugitives from Judah; (verse 14)
8. imprison the survivors from Judah. (verse 14)

How do we treat our brothers and sisters? Are they seeing Jesus in us?

LET IT GO

In the eye of the storm, You love surrounds me, Jesus.

You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn; Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm.

Help us to obey Your Word, believe in You, Jesus, and love others as well love You.

How do We React When Others Are in Need?

O. T. #2150 "How do We React When Others Are in Need"

March 16, 2022

Obadiah-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Do you consider yourself a compassionate person? Compassion refers to love, pity, kindness. When we see others in need, what is our reaction?

1 John 3:17-18 tells us how we should react: But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

What is the most practical expression of love, God's love? When we help a fellow believer in need, love is expressed when we provide for him. After all, the love of Christ for us was demonstrated when He laid down His life for us. It was voluntary, a willing action. (Evans) Can we make a little sacrifice to help others?

Are we only speaking this love or are we showing it? One day we may be in need.

LET IT GROW

Previously, we discovered the Lord God was planning to destroy Edom. They were descendants from Esau, whose twin brother was Jacob, Judah and Israel's father. 

Edom felt secure in their location and lives apart from God. Today we will find out what seemed to be Edom's strength was actually their downfall:

• They depended upon their safety in their city in the mountains; (verses 3-4)
• Pride in their self-sufficiency so God would humble them; (verse 4)
• Wealth-thieves would steal all they had; (verses 5-6)
• Allies they trusted-God would turn Edom's allies against them (verse 7)
• Wisdom. (verses 8-9)

The Edomites were only fooling themselves when they trusted in themselves and not in God. There is no security unless it is in our God. Where is our security? Is it in objects, money, people, or in God alone? Possession and people can disappear in a moment, but God last forever. Only He can supply true security.

[Resource: Life Application Study Bible]

*Folks, if you need some encouraging music, check out KLRC.com, 101.1 on the dial. They play Christian music from our local Christian college town. They have certainly encouraged me when I was and get down. (They are available in 39 different countries.)

LET IT GO

Help us be on guard that wealth, wisdom, and pride do not prevent us from helping others in need.

Open our eyes, Sweet Jesus, to those in need.

May we care and share, love and give today.

Loving Neighbors and Brethren

O. T. #2149  "Loving Neighbors and Brethren"

March 15, 2022

Obadiah-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Do you love the brethren? Do you know that you have passed from death to life? John gives us instructions in 1 John 3:14, 16, We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Loving the brethren, other believers, whether in our church or elsewhere, is evidence that we are spiritually alive with Jesus. If we remain in Jesus, then we will have fruit-love, joy, answered prayer. Real love is an action, sacrificial giving, serving others, putting their desires before ours.

Are we asking our Lord who He wants us to serve today? How can we encourage the hurting, troubled, needy brothers and sisters in the faith?

LET IT GROW

Neighbors are not always friends. When one does not take care of their cows, they get out into the neighbors' yards and fields. When one works hard keeping their yard looking good, they don't want holes in it, nor cow piles, messes.

Edom was Judah's southern neighbor, sharing a common boundary. Edom liked nothing about Judah. Perhaps it went back to their ancestors being at odds-Esau and Jacob. Edom had cities cut into rock cliffs and set in a canyon that could be entered only through a narrow gap (Petra). What Edom though to be their stronghold became their downfall.

Obadiah was sent by God as prophet from Judah to Edom, sharing His coming judgments.  What will happen? The bad news for Edom is found in verse 2, Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.

In the Hebrew language, despised refers to disesteem, think to scorn.

God is greatly disgusted with Edom. Since Edom lifted their heads loftily against God and surrounding nations, God and the nations will do the same. Edom will be wiped out and Judah will do it.

 

LET IT GO

Teach us to love our neighbors and brethren.

Help us to show them love and mercy as You, God, do to us.

Give us wisdom to know when to show tough love, standing for Your Word and ways.

 

Lovely vs. Ugly

O. T. #2148  "Lovely vs. Ugly"

March 14, 2022

Obadiah 1

LET IT GLOW

If you are new to this blog, welcome, and we will get into the prophesy of Obadiah after we look for some encouragement found in 1 John 3. (The major prophets kind of bogged us down and so does the minor prophets, so I decided to find some uplifting words.)

Looking at verses 11 and 12, we are reminded that Cain killed his brother (Able) because his works were evil and Able's were righteous. The story is found in Genesis 4. Able offered unto God  a best first-born lamb (blood sacrifice) as required for sin, but Cain offered from his crops what he had raised.

You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. but you must subdue it and be its master. (Gen. 4:7, NLT)

Apparently, Cain refused the LORD's instructions, for Cain killed his brother Able. It was because of jealousy and envy that Abel's acceptance by God that led him to hatred. He was sent away to be a wanderer as his punishment.

In 1 John 3:13-16, John told us to Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

What do we learn here?

• The world will hate us for living righteously and loving others.
• If we hate your brothers (biological and spiritual), then we are murderers.
• Murderers do not have enjoyment of the Christian life and intimacy with God.

Watch our attitudes towards others. Are we showing the love of God to all people? We may be the only source of love that they receive. Blessings and fellowship with God is worth the price of forgiving others and loving them.

LET IT GROW

Actions and words can be lovely or ugly. They reveal the heart. How evident is in in our world today.

Obadiah wrote down the vision that God gave him concerning Edom. Other nations were allied with Edom against Judah. They did not have instant information like we do today.

In verse 1, the rumour (news, announcement) was heard from the LORD, and an ambassador (messenger) was sent among the heathen (nations) for the purpose of convincing them to join forces against Edom in battle.

The Lord ordained this. History is His story. We should listen to the news to find out how He is governing. (John Wesley) God is on the throne working out His perfect will. (Don't blame God for foolish and wicked decisions and deeds of governments.) He is working out His divine purposes in human history. (Wiersbe)

Folks, are we praying for those suffering in the world because of evil? Do we pray for changed hearts? For our heart to be changed?

LET IT GO

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true;

Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.

Jesus, worthy is the Lamb of praise and glory and honor.

We trust in You.

Evil Vs. Good

O. T. #2147  "Evil Vs. Good"

March 11, 2022

Introduction to Obadiah-Part 2

This is the shortest book in the Old Testament, having only 21 verses. There are no details about the life of its writer. His purpose was to relate what was going to happen to Edom, why, and how, as God gave him a vision. Also, the hope of restoration of Jerusalem and Israel when the Messiah returns. This book preceded  Jeremiah by 250 years, so that puts into perspective.

Edom was a mountainous nation, occupying the region southeast of the Dead Sea. Like Esau, the Edomites were rugged, fierce, and proud warriors. They were always trying to return evil for good.

Themes

Obadiah is a case study of the curses/blessings in Genesis 12:1-3 with the judgment of Edom by God for cursing Israel, and Judah's restoration, including the territory of the Edomites (Isaiah 11:14). (MacArthur)

In this short book, we will read about the evil long-standing family feuds, how people eventually suffer for the way they treat others, and Israel's enemies will eventually be defeated and their kingdom be established. (Wiersbe)

God's treatment of us is based in part on the way we treat others in His kingdom family. (Evans)

Since God's holy nation is His church, under His love our God protects us and responds to all who attack those whom He loves. Are you a part of God's family? When we trust Christ as our Savior and are born again, we become adopted children of God.

On the other hand, doom is coming for those who reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior. Eternal separation from the love of God will be forever, as one suffers the result of their sins.

Dear one, I pray that today you will believe in this Savior I have been writing about, before it is too late.

 

 

 

A Family at Odds

O. T. #2146  "A Family at Odds"

March 10, 2022

Introduction to Obadiah

This is the shortest book of the Old Testament. Little is known about its writer, but his name, Obadiah, means  Servant of the LORD. There is no description of himself or his family. There are 12 other men in the Bible with the same name.

There is a controversy about the date Obadiah wrote his prophesy. It could have been in the 840's BC during Jehoram king of Judah's reign. Others think it was before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. So that is not our main focus. We know that the predictions of God's prophets occur and it what is more important.

Background

The Edomites are the subject of Obadiah's book, their destruction coming, and what caused it. They were descendants of Esau, who was a twin brother of Jacob, oldest son of Isaac and Rebekah (Abraham's son). Do you recall how the red-headed Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some stew? Also, Jacob deceived his father into giving Isaac's blessing to him and not his brother. Therefore, the two families have been at odds to this day.

Jacob's sons became the 12 tribes of Israel (another name for Jacob), forming the nation of Israel, the covenant people with God. They were called Hebrews and later known as Jews.

Esau disregarded the covenant promises by marrying two Canaanite women (Gen. 26:34) and later the daughter of Ishmael (Gen. 28:9). He loved the out-of-doors and continued to live in the open spaces (Gen. 25, 27). Esau settled in a region of mostly rugged mountains south of the Dead Sea (Gen 33, 36) called Edom (Greek "Idumea"), which was 40 miles wide and 100 miles long.

The struggle between the twins began in the womb and continues today. Arabs want to destroy Israel because they consider the ones who should have inherited the good land, the Promised land. Yet that was not who God chose. Something I discovered was that King Herod who reigned during Jesus' life, was a descendant of Edom and Esau. That explains a lot of things, right?

Continue with us throughout this study and we will find what will happen to Edom and why, as well as how the principles here apply to us today.

Are there ill feelings or jealousy in our family or church? Have we dealt with it? If not, it will continue and be destructive, not a blessed family or blessed church.

Do you recall that 1 John 3 gave a message to love our brothers? What can we do to show God's love or mend broken relationships?