O. T. #199 "Honorin' Parents"
Dec. 31, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 6
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12
LET IT GLOW
Saturday I spent several hours with my two favorite woodsmen. We weren't dressed in camouflage to hunt. I was in her red razorback sweatshirt and hubby was in his blue long sleeve shirt. We were out to saw up, split up, and load up wood for our two fireplaces in preparation for more winter weather. So the three of us loaded up in our son's old green Chevy and drove through the muck and mire from the melted snow. We went to the hill on the back of our farm. I filled two boxes and a bucket with smaller sticks and pieces of wood for starters of a warm fire. (Sunday's high is forecasted at 26 degrees.) What a wonderful day! The nippy wind blew, the sun was shining brightly, and eagles flew overhead. I picked red berries on a leafless bush for my white vase inscribed "grateful", which is sitting on my kitchen table. The only wild critters I encountered was a tiny worm at home inside a log. Thankful for no snakes or skunks!
I was singing to the Lord out there with the saw buzzin' and the splitter puttin'. I was grateful for Dad and Mom leaving me this farm to live on while I served the Lord the last season of my life. Childhood memories flooded my head of picking daisies and wild strawberries, heardin' the cows up with Dad, helping in the chicken houses, and talking to God on that hillside. How can I honor my parents since they have been gone some 16 and 26 years? By being grateful for the upbringin' they gave me, sharing their love with others, and serving our God. Honoring parents. Didn't I read that somewhere in the Good Book?
The fifth commandment which God gave to His children through Moses was just that-honor your father and mother.
Honor (kebed) means to make heavy, weighty, honored. (Young's Concordance)
This is an obligation as long as one's parents are alive. They must always be respected and must be obeyed while under their direct authority in the home prior to a young person's marriage (Gen. 2:24, leave his father and his mother). This commandment begins the second table of the law. The first four reveal our duty to God; the final six our proper relations with man. (Falwell)
This commandment has a promise-living long in the Promised Land.
It is extended to all ancestors in the ascending line-parents of father and mother to grandchildren to come. Rebellion is costly, and many have paid a high price personally for their rebellion against their parents. If the younger generations are constantly at war with older generations, the foundations of society will be destroyed.
[Reference: John Gill's Commentary and David Guzik's Commentary]
Are we teaching our children and grandchildren to obey their parents and elders?
LET IT GROW
Ephesians 6:1-2 NIV says, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. " Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise-that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
Other verses on this subject are: Col. 3:20-21; Mal. 1:6; Lev. 20:4; Deut. 21:18-21; Prov. 13:24, 22:6, 1:8.
Do we want a long, blessed life? The answer is found here.
Parents have the responsibility of teaching their children right and wrong, God's Word, obedience, and modeling them.
Children are to obey God rather than men when abuse or breaking the law is involved. (Acts 5:29)
Parents are to be respected, as well as adults.
LET IT GO
Do not be a rebellious person, but an obedient one.
Love God's Word; love our parents; love our children and grandchildren.
Respect my parents.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sewing on Sunday?
O.T. #198 "Sewing on Sunday?"
Dec. 30, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 5
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
LET IT GLOW
As a young adult, I would sometimes sew at my sewing machine on Sundays. It was a relaxing hobby for me while the preschool children took naps. I had a deacon's wife scold me for such an activity. But to me, it was not a sinful act at the time. Now, I don't have the energy for such an activity and it would be work for me and I don't do it. Come to think about it, I don't do it any other day of the week either. What does the fourth commandment say about this?
Every seventh day belonged to the Lord and would not be a work day, but one set apart (holy) for rest and for time devoted to the worship of Yahweh. The term Sabbath is derived from "to rest or cease from work." The historical precedent fro such a special observance was the creation week; a span of time equal to what man copied weekly in practice. (MacArthur)
Deuteronomy 5:12-13 says, Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work.
It is taken for granted that the Sabbath was instituted before; we read of God's blessing and sanctifying a seventh day from the beginning (Gen. 2:3) so that this was not the enacting of a new law, but the reviving of an old law. (Matthew Henry)
How was the Sabbath to be observed?
LET IT GROW
Sunday is not the Israelites' Sabbath (Friday 6 p.m. to Saturday 6 p.m.). Most early Christians worshiped on that day (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). However, as Christians, we honor Jesus' resurrection by worshiping on Sunday, the first day of the week. It is the new pattern of the dispensation of grace that we worship on Sunday. Experience teaches us that it is best for our bodies if we have a day of rest for strength renewal. Our soul needs renewal, also.
Colossians 2 and Romans 14-15 teach that believers should not judge one another with reference to holy days or Sabbaths. To say that a person is lost or unspiritual for not keeping the Sabbath is to go beyond the bounds of Scripture. (Wiersbe)
Personally, I need the time set apart from my regular routine of the week for rest and relaxation. Now, I have found that I need worship for my soul to be rejuvenated for the week ahead. Fellowship with other believers is needful, too. I realize there are times beyond their control that people cannot make it to a worship service, but that should not make this a habitual practice.
Our God and Savior deserves and desires to be worshiped. He should be praised and His Word studied. Of course, this practice can be continued daily.
Are we pleasing the Lord with our activities on Sunday? I try to do my regular shopping on other days, but we eat out on Sundays, too. So, perhaps it is best to seek the Lord in this matter. I don't want to be like the Pharisees and neglect the needs of others. (Jesus fed his disciples.) Yet, I want to honor Jesus with my life. You decide for yourself concerning this matter, friend.
LET IT GO
Worship the Lord Jesus Christ on His day, Sunday, known as The Lord's Day.
Set aside time on Sunday to rest.
Dec. 30, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 5
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8
LET IT GLOW
As a young adult, I would sometimes sew at my sewing machine on Sundays. It was a relaxing hobby for me while the preschool children took naps. I had a deacon's wife scold me for such an activity. But to me, it was not a sinful act at the time. Now, I don't have the energy for such an activity and it would be work for me and I don't do it. Come to think about it, I don't do it any other day of the week either. What does the fourth commandment say about this?
Every seventh day belonged to the Lord and would not be a work day, but one set apart (holy) for rest and for time devoted to the worship of Yahweh. The term Sabbath is derived from "to rest or cease from work." The historical precedent fro such a special observance was the creation week; a span of time equal to what man copied weekly in practice. (MacArthur)
Deuteronomy 5:12-13 says, Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work.
It is taken for granted that the Sabbath was instituted before; we read of God's blessing and sanctifying a seventh day from the beginning (Gen. 2:3) so that this was not the enacting of a new law, but the reviving of an old law. (Matthew Henry)
How was the Sabbath to be observed?
- It was to be observed on the seventh day, after working six days.
- They were to do no work in their callings or worldly business.
- They were to make it a different day from the others.
- All the family, children and servants, as well as the husband and wife were to observe it.
- Even strangers (Gentiles) were to observe the Sabbath day. (Is. 56:6-7).
LET IT GROW
Sunday is not the Israelites' Sabbath (Friday 6 p.m. to Saturday 6 p.m.). Most early Christians worshiped on that day (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). However, as Christians, we honor Jesus' resurrection by worshiping on Sunday, the first day of the week. It is the new pattern of the dispensation of grace that we worship on Sunday. Experience teaches us that it is best for our bodies if we have a day of rest for strength renewal. Our soul needs renewal, also.
Colossians 2 and Romans 14-15 teach that believers should not judge one another with reference to holy days or Sabbaths. To say that a person is lost or unspiritual for not keeping the Sabbath is to go beyond the bounds of Scripture. (Wiersbe)
Personally, I need the time set apart from my regular routine of the week for rest and relaxation. Now, I have found that I need worship for my soul to be rejuvenated for the week ahead. Fellowship with other believers is needful, too. I realize there are times beyond their control that people cannot make it to a worship service, but that should not make this a habitual practice.
Our God and Savior deserves and desires to be worshiped. He should be praised and His Word studied. Of course, this practice can be continued daily.
Are we pleasing the Lord with our activities on Sunday? I try to do my regular shopping on other days, but we eat out on Sundays, too. So, perhaps it is best to seek the Lord in this matter. I don't want to be like the Pharisees and neglect the needs of others. (Jesus fed his disciples.) Yet, I want to honor Jesus with my life. You decide for yourself concerning this matter, friend.
LET IT GO
Worship the Lord Jesus Christ on His day, Sunday, known as The Lord's Day.
Set aside time on Sunday to rest.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Valued Names
O. T. #197 "Valued Names"
Dec. 27, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 4
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. Exodus 20:7
LET IT GLOW
I value my name. I have been using it and been known by it for some fifty odd years now. There are only two people which I allow to call me by my first and middle name. They are both good friends. One was a neighbor gal when I grew up, my sister's friend and a dear friend of the family. The other is a brother in the ministry whose wife passed away a few years ago. Her first name was my middle name. So I am honored when he calls me by both of my names.
What about your name?
The Israelites valued names. A person's name often reflected his or her character. God warned His people about the misuse of His name. God had revealed His name "I AM THAT I AM" to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14. The Israelites decided God's name was too sacred even to be spoken out loud, or written. They substituted Adonai (Lord) in their reading of Scripture.
In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, LORD (Yhovah/ Yeh-ho-vaw')means Self-Existent or Eternal, Jehovah; and God (Elohiym/el-o-heem') refers to Supreme God.
Young's Analytical Concordance says God refers to He who is, read Adonai.
Taking the name of the LORD thy God in vain has to do with using God's holy name for purposes other than worship. Also, Christian ought to shun minced oaths such as the use of Gee, Gosh, and Golly. (Falwell)
We can break the third commandment through profanity (using the name of God in blasphemy and cursing); frivolity (using the name of God in a superficial, stupid way), and hypocrisy (claiming the name of God but acting in a way that disgraces Him). The strength of this command has led to strange traditions among the Jewish people. Some go to extreme lengths in attempting to fulfill this command, refusing to even write out the name of God, in the fear that the paper might be destroyed and the name of God be written in vain. (Guzik)
To use God's name in such a way as to bring disrepute upon His character or deeds was to irreverently misuse His name. To fail to perform an oath in which His name had been legitimately uttered (Lev. 19:12; Deut. 6:13) was to call into question His existence, since the guilty party evidently had no further thought of the God whose name he had used to improve his integrity.
(MacArthur)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible mentions five ways of taking the name of the LORD in vain:
How careful are we when we use God's name? Is it with reverence and love we speak His name?
When I hear someone use God's name in an irreverent way, I tell them not to speak like that about my Heavenly Father.
LET IT GROW
What does the New Testament have to say about this verse?
In Matthew 5:33-37 NIV, Jesus said, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' but I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. simply let you 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
In what we call The Lord's Prayer, Jesus tells us to pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9 NIV)
James repeats Matthew 5:34-37 in his letter, James 5:12.
The way our society is now days, the name of the LORD God is not often valued. Do we let it go by without bringing it to one's attention when they use it in a swearing manner, or do we stand up and defend our Lord and Savior's holy and honorable name?
LET IT GO
Honor the Lord with my words.
Stand up for His holy name.
Dec. 27, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 4
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. Exodus 20:7
LET IT GLOW
I value my name. I have been using it and been known by it for some fifty odd years now. There are only two people which I allow to call me by my first and middle name. They are both good friends. One was a neighbor gal when I grew up, my sister's friend and a dear friend of the family. The other is a brother in the ministry whose wife passed away a few years ago. Her first name was my middle name. So I am honored when he calls me by both of my names.
What about your name?
The Israelites valued names. A person's name often reflected his or her character. God warned His people about the misuse of His name. God had revealed His name "I AM THAT I AM" to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14. The Israelites decided God's name was too sacred even to be spoken out loud, or written. They substituted Adonai (Lord) in their reading of Scripture.
In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, LORD (Yhovah/ Yeh-ho-vaw')means Self-Existent or Eternal, Jehovah; and God (Elohiym/el-o-heem') refers to Supreme God.
Young's Analytical Concordance says God refers to He who is, read Adonai.
Taking the name of the LORD thy God in vain has to do with using God's holy name for purposes other than worship. Also, Christian ought to shun minced oaths such as the use of Gee, Gosh, and Golly. (Falwell)
We can break the third commandment through profanity (using the name of God in blasphemy and cursing); frivolity (using the name of God in a superficial, stupid way), and hypocrisy (claiming the name of God but acting in a way that disgraces Him). The strength of this command has led to strange traditions among the Jewish people. Some go to extreme lengths in attempting to fulfill this command, refusing to even write out the name of God, in the fear that the paper might be destroyed and the name of God be written in vain. (Guzik)
To use God's name in such a way as to bring disrepute upon His character or deeds was to irreverently misuse His name. To fail to perform an oath in which His name had been legitimately uttered (Lev. 19:12; Deut. 6:13) was to call into question His existence, since the guilty party evidently had no further thought of the God whose name he had used to improve his integrity.
(MacArthur)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible mentions five ways of taking the name of the LORD in vain:
- by hypocrisy
- by covenant-breaking
- by rash swearing
- by false swearing
- by using it lightly and carelessly.
How careful are we when we use God's name? Is it with reverence and love we speak His name?
When I hear someone use God's name in an irreverent way, I tell them not to speak like that about my Heavenly Father.
LET IT GROW
What does the New Testament have to say about this verse?
In Matthew 5:33-37 NIV, Jesus said, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' but I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. simply let you 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
In what we call The Lord's Prayer, Jesus tells us to pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9 NIV)
James repeats Matthew 5:34-37 in his letter, James 5:12.
The way our society is now days, the name of the LORD God is not often valued. Do we let it go by without bringing it to one's attention when they use it in a swearing manner, or do we stand up and defend our Lord and Savior's holy and honorable name?
LET IT GO
Honor the Lord with my words.
Stand up for His holy name.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
How Do You Spend Your Day?
#196 "How Do You spend Your Day?"
Dec. 26, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 3
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me. Exodus 20:4-5
LET IT GLOW
I will confess that there were several times in my life that I allowed my teaching career to be too important. It took up my evenings and weekends. I graded papers, planned lesson, worked on projects and enjoyed it. Oh, don't get me wrong, I attended church and even read my Bible daily, but I wasn't surrendered to God totally. I wasn't doing His will His way. I was serving my flesh, my pride. I was wrong to do this and I repented of this sin. In this season of my life, I now spend my mornings in Bible study and worship. (I only work a few hours a couple of days each week.) God has changed my desires and type of service. He has my heart, my time, my will. Who or what has yours? How do you spend your day?
In our last study, we discussed the first of the Ten Commandments. In it, God told us to not have any other gods before our Lord God. As I look around in our time, I see that various religions in our world. Some of groups of people have refused to acknowledge our God as the One and Only True Living God. Instead of surrendering unto Him, admitting they are a sinner in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ, they make a substitute god to worship. They do it out in the open, too. There are people who worship a different god with similar characteristics, others worship a fat statue, some hold to good works, while others animals. Then there are ones who worship nothing, while some worship the devil.
Some religions have their own standard book as a substitute for our Bible. Then others have changed the wording of our Holy Book, making it say what they want and not what God wants.
Yes, won't you agree with me that this world is no different from the ones that existed during the Old and New Testament times? Mankind really hasn't changed.
John MacArthur had this to say, "all false gods stand in opposition to the true God, and the worship of them is incompatible with the worship of Yahweh."
With all that said, let's look at the second Commandment, which is concerning idol worship instead of God being worshiped.
Looking deeper, we find:
God is a spirit and cannot be represented by statues or any likeness. (Falwell)
The second commandment doesn't forbid making an image of something for artistic purposes; God Himself commanded Israel to make images of cherubim (25:18, 26:3). It forbids the making of images as an "aid" to worship. The use of images or other material things as a focus or "help" to worship denies who God is (Spirit) and how we must worship Him (in spirit and truth). (Guzik)
Do we make images of God which we worship or aid us in worshiping Him? Do we bow down to images, idols, as part of our worship? God forbids this. Beware of those who do.
Do we spend more time with our television, our computer, taking care of things than reading God's Word and worshiping Him? Is god only worshiped on Sundays, omitting daily worship?
LET IT GROW
Shall we look into the New Testament to see how we are cautioned?
(Matthew Henry)
The streams of mercy run now as full, as free, and as fresh, as ever. (Henry)
I would rather receive the streams of mercy from God's throne than His judgment. (See verse 6)
As deity, God cannot be captured in a picture or a statue to be worshiped. Neither does He allow substitutes to be worshiped instead of Him. Since God is a Spirit, we must worship Him with our spirit.
Does fame, money, or career threaten our loyalty to God? To what or whom do we give our time, our devotion, our heart, and love?
LET IT GO
Examine my life to see if I have anything before my God.
Don't make or allow anything to be worshiped in God's place.
Worship, love, and serve only the One True God.
Dec. 26, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 3
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me. Exodus 20:4-5
LET IT GLOW
I will confess that there were several times in my life that I allowed my teaching career to be too important. It took up my evenings and weekends. I graded papers, planned lesson, worked on projects and enjoyed it. Oh, don't get me wrong, I attended church and even read my Bible daily, but I wasn't surrendered to God totally. I wasn't doing His will His way. I was serving my flesh, my pride. I was wrong to do this and I repented of this sin. In this season of my life, I now spend my mornings in Bible study and worship. (I only work a few hours a couple of days each week.) God has changed my desires and type of service. He has my heart, my time, my will. Who or what has yours? How do you spend your day?
In our last study, we discussed the first of the Ten Commandments. In it, God told us to not have any other gods before our Lord God. As I look around in our time, I see that various religions in our world. Some of groups of people have refused to acknowledge our God as the One and Only True Living God. Instead of surrendering unto Him, admitting they are a sinner in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ, they make a substitute god to worship. They do it out in the open, too. There are people who worship a different god with similar characteristics, others worship a fat statue, some hold to good works, while others animals. Then there are ones who worship nothing, while some worship the devil.
Some religions have their own standard book as a substitute for our Bible. Then others have changed the wording of our Holy Book, making it say what they want and not what God wants.
Yes, won't you agree with me that this world is no different from the ones that existed during the Old and New Testament times? Mankind really hasn't changed.
John MacArthur had this to say, "all false gods stand in opposition to the true God, and the worship of them is incompatible with the worship of Yahweh."
With all that said, let's look at the second Commandment, which is concerning idol worship instead of God being worshiped.
Looking deeper, we find:
- Any attempt to represent or caricature Him by use of anything is forbidden by our one Lord.
- Artistic expression was not the issue, but idolatry and false worship was.
- The Lord demanded full and exclusive devotion, so violations would affect future generations.
- He is a jealous God, according to verse 5, 34:14, and Deut. 4:24, 5:9.
- Man-made representation which is worshiped was outright hatred of the true God.
- As a consequence of their parents' disobedience, the children would feel the impact, even to the third and fourth generations. They would practice similar idolatry.
God is a spirit and cannot be represented by statues or any likeness. (Falwell)
The second commandment doesn't forbid making an image of something for artistic purposes; God Himself commanded Israel to make images of cherubim (25:18, 26:3). It forbids the making of images as an "aid" to worship. The use of images or other material things as a focus or "help" to worship denies who God is (Spirit) and how we must worship Him (in spirit and truth). (Guzik)
Do we make images of God which we worship or aid us in worshiping Him? Do we bow down to images, idols, as part of our worship? God forbids this. Beware of those who do.
Do we spend more time with our television, our computer, taking care of things than reading God's Word and worshiping Him? Is god only worshiped on Sundays, omitting daily worship?
LET IT GROW
Shall we look into the New Testament to see how we are cautioned?
- John 4:24 tells us to worship God in spirit and truth. God is a Spirit.
- Romans 1:22-23 is where Paul exposes those who exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like man, birds, animals, and reptiles.
- Acts 17:29 instructs us to not think that the Godhead (divine being) is like gold, silver, or stone, or an image made by man's design and skill.
- 1 John 5:21 is stated by John to keep ourselves from idols.
- 1 Corinthians 10:7 and 14 is where Paul warns the Corinthian believers in Jesus to not be like the Israelites in Exodus 32, when they mad a golden calf and worshiped it.
(Matthew Henry)
The streams of mercy run now as full, as free, and as fresh, as ever. (Henry)
I would rather receive the streams of mercy from God's throne than His judgment. (See verse 6)
As deity, God cannot be captured in a picture or a statue to be worshiped. Neither does He allow substitutes to be worshiped instead of Him. Since God is a Spirit, we must worship Him with our spirit.
Does fame, money, or career threaten our loyalty to God? To what or whom do we give our time, our devotion, our heart, and love?
LET IT GO
Examine my life to see if I have anything before my God.
Don't make or allow anything to be worshiped in God's place.
Worship, love, and serve only the One True God.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Following a Star and Finding a Shack
Dec. 25, 2013
Merry Christmas to all!
We spent last night with our son and his family celebrating our Savior's birth and enjoying all the things He has provided. I spent the afternoon baking and cooking. My husband wanted oven baked chicken instead of the traditional turkey or ham and deviled eggs. He fried potatoes and made white gravy. We had homemade rolls that my granddaughter had jelly on. Baked beans and cream style corn was for my son. I didn't forget the cranberry sauce in Mom's dish that is traditional. My daughter in law baked a wonderful apple pie. I don't need a turkey in order to be stuffed.
I miss our daughter and her family at this time of year. We will speak to them later. My brother in law and his wife are coming today for lunch. I think we will have left overs. I am tired of the kitchen.
However, I am going to bake his favorite, raisin pie. (Hubby's pecan pie is thawing out.)
Well, that's it from the farm on this country road.
Wait, I have to share some notes from my husband's sermon last Sunday, with Matthew 2:1-12 is the Scripture background:
1. Wise men recognize God in the shacks of life.
2. Instruction (Rom 8:28; John 6)
3. Perfection-He is still trying to mold you into His image.
[Resource: sermonnotebook.org]
I want to be like the wise men and recognize God in my shacks of life. I want to render myself as a gift to Him and others. I am thankful for the saving and sustaining grace which He has shown to me.
Friends, have the best Merry Christmas today!
I love you faithful bloggers and I am so blessed for having you join me studying the Bible.
Let's share the love of Jesus today!
Merry Christmas Friends and Believers in Christ!
Linda
Merry Christmas to all!
We spent last night with our son and his family celebrating our Savior's birth and enjoying all the things He has provided. I spent the afternoon baking and cooking. My husband wanted oven baked chicken instead of the traditional turkey or ham and deviled eggs. He fried potatoes and made white gravy. We had homemade rolls that my granddaughter had jelly on. Baked beans and cream style corn was for my son. I didn't forget the cranberry sauce in Mom's dish that is traditional. My daughter in law baked a wonderful apple pie. I don't need a turkey in order to be stuffed.
I miss our daughter and her family at this time of year. We will speak to them later. My brother in law and his wife are coming today for lunch. I think we will have left overs. I am tired of the kitchen.
However, I am going to bake his favorite, raisin pie. (Hubby's pecan pie is thawing out.)
Well, that's it from the farm on this country road.
Wait, I have to share some notes from my husband's sermon last Sunday, with Matthew 2:1-12 is the Scripture background:
1. Wise men recognize God in the shacks of life.
- It wasn't what they had expected, but they came to worship and worship they did! They saw God in that shack! They saw God in Jesus!
- when life shatters your dreams, your first duty is to find the Lord. If you are His, then nothing can happen in your life that He has not allowed (Job 1:1-2).
- When your star leads you into a shack, remember that God is doing one of three things:
2. Instruction (Rom 8:28; John 6)
3. Perfection-He is still trying to mold you into His image.
- When your star leads to a shack-Look for God, He will be there!
- It would have been easy for these men to have turned around, packed up all they had and went home. It hadn't turned out like they had planned. But, they didn't! They gave Jesus what was rightfully His!
- When your star leads you to a shack, that is the time to give! (Mal. 3:8-10; Luke 6:38)
- The surest way to get a blessing is to be a blessing! (Matt. 25:14-30).
- While they were there, they experienced two kinds of grace: saving grace and sustaining grace. God saved them and then He directed their lives.
- When our star leads to a shack, we can expect to find God's grace in that hour of need (2Cor. 12:9). Life is seldom fair, nor what we think it ought to be. but, even when life lets us down, we can be sure that God never will! (Heb. 13:5, 4:15, 2:17-18)
- When our star leads to a shack, we can expect God to provide leadership and guidance for us (John 16:13).
- As God's children, we are never alone and never without recourse. He will always make a way for us and will support us through the shacks of life!
[Resource: sermonnotebook.org]
I want to be like the wise men and recognize God in my shacks of life. I want to render myself as a gift to Him and others. I am thankful for the saving and sustaining grace which He has shown to me.
Friends, have the best Merry Christmas today!
I love you faithful bloggers and I am so blessed for having you join me studying the Bible.
Let's share the love of Jesus today!
Merry Christmas Friends and Believers in Christ!
Linda
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
So Much to Do Before...
O.T. #195 "So Much to Do Before..."
Dec. 24, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 2
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3
LET IT GLOW
Christmas is tomorrow. Are you ready? There is always so much to do before the 25th of December. Church choir practice, parties and dinners to attend and cook, gifts to buy, cards to mail, pies to bake, candy to make, homemade rolls to fix before the planned time. No matter how much I plan, those plans seem to not work out. I'm probably not alone, am I?
When I think of why I do all those things, it should be because of love. I consider God's love that came down in the form of a human, endured pain and death for me. This was done before I was born. This was planned before the world and universe was created. Before.
Before means earlier than; ahead of; in precedence of; in advance, according to Webster's Dictionary.
I could ramble on, but before I do, let's take a look at how God used the word before.
Why has God given His commands?
This is why God deserves our complete devotion. Have you accepted this free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ? Will we give our heart only to Jesus, God in the flesh?
In Him and only Him will we have a merry Christmas.
LET IT GROW
David Guzik explains this first commandment:
The first commandment logically flows from understanding who God is and what He has done for us.
Nothing is to come before God. He is the only God we worship and serve.
Before refers to in face of .
This doesn't imply that they were permitted to have other gods, as long as they lined up behind the One True God. Instead, there are to be no other gods before the sight of the true God in our life.
In the days of ancient Israel, there was great temptation to worship the gods of materialism (Baal), sex (Ashtoreth), or any number of other local deities. We are tempted to worship the same gods, but without the old-fashioned names and images. God demands to be more than "added" to our lives. We don't just add Jesus to the life we already have. We must give Him all our life. Failure to obey this commandment is called idolatry.
John MacArthur says:
Before Me means over against Me. all false gods stand in opposition to the true God, and the worship of them is incompatible with the worship of Yahweh. When Israel departed from the worship of the only one and true God, she plunged into religious confusion (Jud. 17:18).
How is our loyalty to God? Who is the love of our life?
Priscilla Shirer in her book Gideon, defines an idol as anything in the visible, created realm that begins to operate in a role that should be reserved for God. The term idol can be called bad habits, issues, obsession, cravings.
What is competing for our love and devotion? What do we think about and work for? Is our job, our family, our material possessions getting more time than God?
Before we unwrap gifts on Christmas morning, our family has always listened as my husband read the Christmas story found in Luke 2.
LET IT GO
Evaluate my heart's devotion.
Be sure that only God gets my loving heart first.
Thank You Jesus for coming to dwell among us sinful people.
*Merry Christmas everyone!
Dec. 24, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 2
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3
LET IT GLOW
Christmas is tomorrow. Are you ready? There is always so much to do before the 25th of December. Church choir practice, parties and dinners to attend and cook, gifts to buy, cards to mail, pies to bake, candy to make, homemade rolls to fix before the planned time. No matter how much I plan, those plans seem to not work out. I'm probably not alone, am I?
When I think of why I do all those things, it should be because of love. I consider God's love that came down in the form of a human, endured pain and death for me. This was done before I was born. This was planned before the world and universe was created. Before.
Before means earlier than; ahead of; in precedence of; in advance, according to Webster's Dictionary.
I could ramble on, but before I do, let's take a look at how God used the word before.
Why has God given His commands?
- He wants to prosper Israel and us so we can live life to its fullest.
- They are designed to guide us to life's best.
- If we love Him, we will believe, trust, and obey God.
- God is love. Because of His love, His will for you is always best.
- He is all-knowing, so His directions are always right. (Deut. 6:20-25) (Experiencing God Workbook by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King)
This is why God deserves our complete devotion. Have you accepted this free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ? Will we give our heart only to Jesus, God in the flesh?
In Him and only Him will we have a merry Christmas.
LET IT GROW
David Guzik explains this first commandment:
The first commandment logically flows from understanding who God is and what He has done for us.
Nothing is to come before God. He is the only God we worship and serve.
Before refers to in face of .
This doesn't imply that they were permitted to have other gods, as long as they lined up behind the One True God. Instead, there are to be no other gods before the sight of the true God in our life.
In the days of ancient Israel, there was great temptation to worship the gods of materialism (Baal), sex (Ashtoreth), or any number of other local deities. We are tempted to worship the same gods, but without the old-fashioned names and images. God demands to be more than "added" to our lives. We don't just add Jesus to the life we already have. We must give Him all our life. Failure to obey this commandment is called idolatry.
John MacArthur says:
Before Me means over against Me. all false gods stand in opposition to the true God, and the worship of them is incompatible with the worship of Yahweh. When Israel departed from the worship of the only one and true God, she plunged into religious confusion (Jud. 17:18).
How is our loyalty to God? Who is the love of our life?
Priscilla Shirer in her book Gideon, defines an idol as anything in the visible, created realm that begins to operate in a role that should be reserved for God. The term idol can be called bad habits, issues, obsession, cravings.
What is competing for our love and devotion? What do we think about and work for? Is our job, our family, our material possessions getting more time than God?
Before we unwrap gifts on Christmas morning, our family has always listened as my husband read the Christmas story found in Luke 2.
LET IT GO
Evaluate my heart's devotion.
Be sure that only God gets my loving heart first.
Thank You Jesus for coming to dwell among us sinful people.
*Merry Christmas everyone!
Monday, December 23, 2013
A Part of Our Lives
O.T. 194 "A Part of Our Lives"
Dec. 23, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 1
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:1-2 KJV
LET IT GLOW
What do we allow to be a part of our lives? My time is precious to me in this busy world. I'm sure you feel the same way. I have been really busy this week, what with cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts, preparing for THAT DAY-CHRISTMAS DAY. Can't we just skip the Old Testament and read a few red lines that Jesus spoke?
Why even study the Law if we are under grace? Weren't the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites for them to obey? What about us?
If we didn't have these guidelines telling us it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, covet, where would our society be? I think it's like asking where would we be without electricity, automobiles, computers. They are a part of our daily lives. So aren't the Ten Commandments supposed to be a part of our lives, too?
Civil, social, and religious laws were received by Moses on Mt. Sinai, orally presented (verse 3), then written down (verse 4), and read to the people. The Ten Commandments, known as the Decalogue, was given directly from God. God spoke all these words. They are formed as a precept or direct command given in the second person. The Ten Commandments may be grouped into two categories. The first is the vertical, man's relationship to God (verses 2-11) and the second is the horizontal, man's relationship to the community (verse 12-17). (MacArthur)
The Mosaic Law was added to the Abrahamic covenant later, but it did not disannul it (Gal.3:13-18). God did not give the Law to save anybody, because it is impossible to be saved by keeping of the Law (Gal. 3:11,20). (Wiersbe)
Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it the Law or the prophets. (Matt. 5:17)
There are some things the Law cannot do:
The Law is our set of standards for right and wrong. I plan to study each one of the Ten Commandments separately in future posts.
LET IT GROW
As Christians, how are we to relate to the Law?
The Ten Commandments show us our sins and we cannot keep the Law. Thus, we see our need for a Savior, which is Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses us of our sins (spiritually). After we are under grace, these commandments are a guide for us.
What the Lord demanded of Israel then is still required of His people today. The only difference is that today we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to please the Lord and forgiven by grace when we sin. (Falwell)
Are my inward attitudes that of love towards God and others? In Matthew 27:37-40, Jesus tells us to love God and love our neighbor. These are the greatest of the commandments.
Since God is gracious to me, I am to be gracious to others. Grace is unmerited favor, what we don't deserve.
LET IT GO
Love God and love others.
Show grace to others.
Make the Ten Commandments a part of my life.
Dec. 23, 2013
Exodus 20-Part 1
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:1-2 KJV
LET IT GLOW
What do we allow to be a part of our lives? My time is precious to me in this busy world. I'm sure you feel the same way. I have been really busy this week, what with cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts, preparing for THAT DAY-CHRISTMAS DAY. Can't we just skip the Old Testament and read a few red lines that Jesus spoke?
Why even study the Law if we are under grace? Weren't the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites for them to obey? What about us?
If we didn't have these guidelines telling us it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, covet, where would our society be? I think it's like asking where would we be without electricity, automobiles, computers. They are a part of our daily lives. So aren't the Ten Commandments supposed to be a part of our lives, too?
Civil, social, and religious laws were received by Moses on Mt. Sinai, orally presented (verse 3), then written down (verse 4), and read to the people. The Ten Commandments, known as the Decalogue, was given directly from God. God spoke all these words. They are formed as a precept or direct command given in the second person. The Ten Commandments may be grouped into two categories. The first is the vertical, man's relationship to God (verses 2-11) and the second is the horizontal, man's relationship to the community (verse 12-17). (MacArthur)
The Mosaic Law was added to the Abrahamic covenant later, but it did not disannul it (Gal.3:13-18). God did not give the Law to save anybody, because it is impossible to be saved by keeping of the Law (Gal. 3:11,20). (Wiersbe)
Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it the Law or the prophets. (Matt. 5:17)
There are some things the Law cannot do:
- make anything perfect (Heb. 7:11-10, 10:1-2)
- justify from sin (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:20-28)
- give righteousness (Gal. 2:21)
- give peace to the heart (Heb. 9:9)
- give life (Gal. 3:20). (Wiersbe)
The Law is our set of standards for right and wrong. I plan to study each one of the Ten Commandments separately in future posts.
LET IT GROW
As Christians, how are we to relate to the Law?
- We are not under the Law (Rom 6:14; Gal. 5:18), but under grace.
- In Christ, we died to the Law (Rom 7:1-4) and have been delivered from the Law, so we serve in the newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter (Rom. 7:5-6)
- Christ was made under the Law (Gal. 4:4-6) and fulfilled the Law in every respect (Matt. 5:17).
- Since we live under grace, we are a son or daughter of God and must not become entangled again in the bondage of the Law (Gal. 5:1-4).
- The New Testament law of love deals with inward attitudes. (2 Cor.3)
- However, being free from the Law does not mean we are free to sin-liberty is not a license. We must use that liberty for the good of others and the glory of God (Gal. 5:13-26). By love we are to serve one another.
The Ten Commandments show us our sins and we cannot keep the Law. Thus, we see our need for a Savior, which is Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses us of our sins (spiritually). After we are under grace, these commandments are a guide for us.
What the Lord demanded of Israel then is still required of His people today. The only difference is that today we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to please the Lord and forgiven by grace when we sin. (Falwell)
Are my inward attitudes that of love towards God and others? In Matthew 27:37-40, Jesus tells us to love God and love our neighbor. These are the greatest of the commandments.
Since God is gracious to me, I am to be gracious to others. Grace is unmerited favor, what we don't deserve.
LET IT GO
Love God and love others.
Show grace to others.
Make the Ten Commandments a part of my life.
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