MAKE US WORTHY
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Thessalonians+1:3-12
Dear Father, almighty God,
Hasten your coming, that glorious time when even those who already
believe will marvel at your greatness. We have believed. We now
believe. We intend to keep on believing.
Mighty God, make all of us worthy of your call. Fulfill every good
resolve and work of faith by your power. Let the name of Jesus be
glorified in us, and us in him, according to that grace which comes
from you and the Lord Jesus.
In his name I pray. Amen.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
God's Promises and God's Law
God's Promises and God's Law
Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Galatians 3:16-18)
Early in our meditations, we considered one of the most profound subjects in the Scriptures: the relationship between the grace of God and the law of God. These verses engage a comparable subject: the relationship between God's promises and God's law.
Again, we are reminded of God's fundamental use of promises in bringing forth His will among mankind. "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made." God made far-reaching promises to Abraham and his descendants, promises that included the coming of the Messiah, the anointed King, the Savior. Although these promises guaranteed an innumerable posterity to Abraham, this statement specifies one descendant in particular. "He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." The Lord Jesus Christ is in view here. The promises that were the root of the new covenant of grace were made by the Father to His Messiah (as well as to Abraham). "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made." God provides us added assurance here. The Father's primary commitment was to His Son!
Now, what about the law of God, which was added hundreds of years later? Could the law possibly have replaced the promises to Abraham and to the Son of God? "And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ." The promises of God to Abraham and to His Son were not nullified by the giving of the law of God ("that it should make the promise of no effect" ). People, through their own law performance, cannot become heirs of that which God promises to His children. If they could, then God's blessings are no longer based on God's fulfillment of His promises. "For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise." This cannot be, because "God gave it to Abraham by promise." God's work among mankind stands on His ability to fulfill His promises. It does not depend on our ability to live up to the perfect law of God.
Dear Father, my heart is assured of these promises of blessing for man that you made to Your Son. My heart rejoices that Your work in my life rests on Your promises and not on my performance, Amen.
Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Galatians 3:16-18)
Early in our meditations, we considered one of the most profound subjects in the Scriptures: the relationship between the grace of God and the law of God. These verses engage a comparable subject: the relationship between God's promises and God's law.
Again, we are reminded of God's fundamental use of promises in bringing forth His will among mankind. "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made." God made far-reaching promises to Abraham and his descendants, promises that included the coming of the Messiah, the anointed King, the Savior. Although these promises guaranteed an innumerable posterity to Abraham, this statement specifies one descendant in particular. "He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." The Lord Jesus Christ is in view here. The promises that were the root of the new covenant of grace were made by the Father to His Messiah (as well as to Abraham). "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made." God provides us added assurance here. The Father's primary commitment was to His Son!
Now, what about the law of God, which was added hundreds of years later? Could the law possibly have replaced the promises to Abraham and to the Son of God? "And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ." The promises of God to Abraham and to His Son were not nullified by the giving of the law of God ("that it should make the promise of no effect" ). People, through their own law performance, cannot become heirs of that which God promises to His children. If they could, then God's blessings are no longer based on God's fulfillment of His promises. "For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise." This cannot be, because "God gave it to Abraham by promise." God's work among mankind stands on His ability to fulfill His promises. It does not depend on our ability to live up to the perfect law of God.
Dear Father, my heart is assured of these promises of blessing for man that you made to Your Son. My heart rejoices that Your work in my life rests on Your promises and not on my performance, Amen.
Friday, July 30, 2010
EVIDENCE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
EVIDENCE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Thessalonians+1:3-12
Dear Father,
Thank you now, and every day, for every loyal soul whose faith is
growing abundantly, whose love for others is increasing, whose
stance is steadfast, and who endures in the face of persecutions
and afflictions.
May they take their experience as evidence of your righteous
judgment - that you are making them worthy of your kingdom, for
which they are suffering - that you will reveal your wrath, not
against them, but against those who trouble them and who do not
know you and who refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
We believe in this Jesus and come to you through him. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Thessalonians+1:3-12
Dear Father,
Thank you now, and every day, for every loyal soul whose faith is
growing abundantly, whose love for others is increasing, whose
stance is steadfast, and who endures in the face of persecutions
and afflictions.
May they take their experience as evidence of your righteous
judgment - that you are making them worthy of your kingdom, for
which they are suffering - that you will reveal your wrath, not
against them, but against those who trouble them and who do not
know you and who refuse to obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
We believe in this Jesus and come to you through him. Amen.
The Gentiles Included as Children of Promise
The Gentiles Included as Children of Promise
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Ephesians 3:6 and Galatians 3:14)
There are monumental implications when we become children of promise through faith in the promises of God. One of the consequences of outstanding significance is highlighted in our present verses. It involves the Gentiles.
It is quite obvious in the Old Testament that God had great plans for the Jews (for Israel, His chosen people). "'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). God's plans ultimately included the Gentiles (the nations of the world). "Oh, praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!…The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 60:3). Nevertheless, the Jewish people would have a special place in God's purposes. "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 14:2).
In light of these Old Testament truths regarding Israel, imagine what an astounding revelation it was when the Holy Spirit began to unfold, through the Apostle Paul, the full participation that the Gentiles would have in the promises of God: "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs." By believing in the promises of God, the Gentiles would have full partnership shares ("fellow heirs" ) in the inheritance of God for His people. The Gentiles would also be "of the same body." This body that included Gentiles and Jews was the church of Jesus Christ. "And He is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18). Jew and Gentile would comprise one new unit, the church. There is no longer a separation. Also, the Gentiles would be "partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel." Through the promises of the gospel of grace, Gentiles would share fully in eternal life, daily blessing, and intimate access to the Lord. By faith in the God of Abraham, the Gentiles would also enjoy (along with any Jew who believed in Jesus as Messiah) the promise of the Spirit: "that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Yes, now the Holy Spirit would dwell in the lives of all who would believe—not only the Jew, but also the Gentile!
Lord God of Israel, I praise You for being the God of believing Gentiles as well. How glorious is Your grace—how mighty are Your promises—Jews and Gentiles sharing in common the realities of God that are freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ!
That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Ephesians 3:6 and Galatians 3:14)
There are monumental implications when we become children of promise through faith in the promises of God. One of the consequences of outstanding significance is highlighted in our present verses. It involves the Gentiles.
It is quite obvious in the Old Testament that God had great plans for the Jews (for Israel, His chosen people). "'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). God's plans ultimately included the Gentiles (the nations of the world). "Oh, praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!…The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 60:3). Nevertheless, the Jewish people would have a special place in God's purposes. "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 14:2).
In light of these Old Testament truths regarding Israel, imagine what an astounding revelation it was when the Holy Spirit began to unfold, through the Apostle Paul, the full participation that the Gentiles would have in the promises of God: "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs." By believing in the promises of God, the Gentiles would have full partnership shares ("fellow heirs" ) in the inheritance of God for His people. The Gentiles would also be "of the same body." This body that included Gentiles and Jews was the church of Jesus Christ. "And He is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18). Jew and Gentile would comprise one new unit, the church. There is no longer a separation. Also, the Gentiles would be "partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel." Through the promises of the gospel of grace, Gentiles would share fully in eternal life, daily blessing, and intimate access to the Lord. By faith in the God of Abraham, the Gentiles would also enjoy (along with any Jew who believed in Jesus as Messiah) the promise of the Spirit: "that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Yes, now the Holy Spirit would dwell in the lives of all who would believe—not only the Jew, but also the Gentile!
Lord God of Israel, I praise You for being the God of believing Gentiles as well. How glorious is Your grace—how mighty are Your promises—Jews and Gentiles sharing in common the realities of God that are freely given to all who believe in Jesus Christ!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
SOUL, BODY AND SPIRIT
SOUL, BODY AND SPIRIT
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+5:23-24
Dear Father, all worthy God,
Please give me the mind of Christ so that my body may be a temple
of the spirit of holiness which is his.
May you yourself, O Father, make me holy through and through. May
my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless by your power at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I trust you to do this because you are the one who has called me,
and you are faithful. Your word says that you will do it!
By the authority of Jesus and in his name I ask for this growth in
grace. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+5:23-24
Dear Father, all worthy God,
Please give me the mind of Christ so that my body may be a temple
of the spirit of holiness which is his.
May you yourself, O Father, make me holy through and through. May
my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless by your power at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I trust you to do this because you are the one who has called me,
and you are faithful. Your word says that you will do it!
By the authority of Jesus and in his name I ask for this growth in
grace. Amen.
‘Now My Eyes See You, Lord!’
‘Now My Eyes See You, Lord!’
Job 42:5
5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.
You may have heard of God from a friend or colleague. Perhaps you continue to hear of Him in church services on Sundays. Like Job, you say to God, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear.” But God also wants you to be able to say to Him, “But now my eye sees You.”
When Job told the Lord, “My eye sees You,” he was not saying that he saw God physically. He was referring to the moment when he had a personal revelation of God.
Why was it so important for Job to have a personal revelation of God? You see, God wanted Job to know that without a personal revelation of Him, the devil could easily steal from him. But from the moment that Job had a personal revelation of God, things got a lot better for him, with God restoring to him double of everything that he had lost. (Job 42:10–16)
There was a lady who was separated from her husband because he had an affair with his colleague. But when she came to our church and began to have a personal revelation of God’s personal love for her, she believed God for the restoration of her marriage by the end of the year. She did not just hear of a God who “so loved the world”. (John 3:16) She came to know the God who so loved her!
Not long after that, her estranged husband started dating her and was soon falling in love with her all over again. God also “took care” of the other woman — she resigned from the company. And on the first of January the following year, the couple moved back into their matrimonial home, their marriage now built solidly on God!
My friend, when you are reading your Bible or hearing God’s Word being preached, and suddenly you exclaim, “I see it, Lord!” that is when your personal revelation of God has come. And you are now in a position to receive all that He has for you!
Job 42:5
5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.
You may have heard of God from a friend or colleague. Perhaps you continue to hear of Him in church services on Sundays. Like Job, you say to God, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear.” But God also wants you to be able to say to Him, “But now my eye sees You.”
When Job told the Lord, “My eye sees You,” he was not saying that he saw God physically. He was referring to the moment when he had a personal revelation of God.
Why was it so important for Job to have a personal revelation of God? You see, God wanted Job to know that without a personal revelation of Him, the devil could easily steal from him. But from the moment that Job had a personal revelation of God, things got a lot better for him, with God restoring to him double of everything that he had lost. (Job 42:10–16)
There was a lady who was separated from her husband because he had an affair with his colleague. But when she came to our church and began to have a personal revelation of God’s personal love for her, she believed God for the restoration of her marriage by the end of the year. She did not just hear of a God who “so loved the world”. (John 3:16) She came to know the God who so loved her!
Not long after that, her estranged husband started dating her and was soon falling in love with her all over again. God also “took care” of the other woman — she resigned from the company. And on the first of January the following year, the couple moved back into their matrimonial home, their marriage now built solidly on God!
My friend, when you are reading your Bible or hearing God’s Word being preached, and suddenly you exclaim, “I see it, Lord!” that is when your personal revelation of God has come. And you are now in a position to receive all that He has for you!
More on God's Children by God's Promises
More on God's Children by God's Promises
Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son"…Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise…As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." (Romans 9:8-9; Galatians 4:28; and Colossians 2:6)
Once again, our verses reveal a God of promises, who brings forth spiritual children of promise. This truth not only dictates how we enter the family of God, it also determines how we are to live as the children of God.
Ishmael could not be counted as the true seed of Abraham, because he was the product of fleshly ingenuity. "Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God." Only Isaac could be called the true seed. "But the children of the promise are counted as the seed." This is true concerning us as well. We became God's children through faith in the promise of the gospel. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). We could not be saved by any fleshly provision: "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). Isaac was born through faith in the promises of God. "For this is the word of promise: 'At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.'" We also were born again through faith in the promises of God. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise."
Children of promise are spiritually birthed by promise and spiritually developed by promise. Now that we have been born into God's family by faith in His promises, we are to live day by day in the same way that we became His children. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." The parallel is simple and straightforward: "As… so." As we were saved, so we are to walk. We started out with the Lord by faith in the life-giving promise of the gospel. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). We are to live each day by faith in the life-developing promises that are inherent to the gospel. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38)..
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a child of promise—born again through faith in Your life-giving promises. O Lord, teach me to live day by day in this same manner—sustained and transformed by trusting in Your life-developing promises, Amen.
Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son"…Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise…As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." (Romans 9:8-9; Galatians 4:28; and Colossians 2:6)
Once again, our verses reveal a God of promises, who brings forth spiritual children of promise. This truth not only dictates how we enter the family of God, it also determines how we are to live as the children of God.
Ishmael could not be counted as the true seed of Abraham, because he was the product of fleshly ingenuity. "Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God." Only Isaac could be called the true seed. "But the children of the promise are counted as the seed." This is true concerning us as well. We became God's children through faith in the promise of the gospel. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). We could not be saved by any fleshly provision: "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). Isaac was born through faith in the promises of God. "For this is the word of promise: 'At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.'" We also were born again through faith in the promises of God. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise."
Children of promise are spiritually birthed by promise and spiritually developed by promise. Now that we have been born into God's family by faith in His promises, we are to live day by day in the same way that we became His children. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." The parallel is simple and straightforward: "As… so." As we were saved, so we are to walk. We started out with the Lord by faith in the life-giving promise of the gospel. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). We are to live each day by faith in the life-developing promises that are inherent to the gospel. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38)..
Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a child of promise—born again through faith in Your life-giving promises. O Lord, teach me to live day by day in this same manner—sustained and transformed by trusting in Your life-developing promises, Amen.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
God's Children by God's Promises
God's Children by God's Promises
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise…Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. (Galatians 4:22-23, 28)
Our God is a God of promises. He characteristically works by making and fulfilling promises. We are His children. We are children of promise. We were birthed spiritually into God's family through faith in His promises. Two sons of Abraham (Ishmael and Isaac) provide a vivid contrast that attests our sonship by promise.
God had promised to make Abraham a mighty nation, through which would come the Messianic seed that would bless all nations. "I will make you a great nation…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:1-2). Yet, the years passed by, and Abraham was still without a son. Eventually, he implied to God that his servant would have to be the beginning of this promised seed. "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house [Eliezer, his servant] is my heir!" (Genesis 15:3). However, the Lord clarified His promise to give Abraham a true son, sired from his own body. "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir" (Genesis 15:4). As time passed, the aging couple decided that they would have to come up with another alternative for God. "Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children…So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.' And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived" (Genesis 16:1-2, 4). Thus, Ishmael was born as the result of Abraham's and Sarah's ingenuity: "But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh."
Thereafter, the Lord reiterated His promise of a son. "My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year" (Genesis 17:21). As God promised, so He did. "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken" (Genesis 21:1). Thus, Isaac was birthed as a result of God's promises. This is a picture of the only possible way that we could ever have become God's children, by His fulfilling of His promises. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise."
Dear Father, the God of promises, I praise You for promising salvation to all who would believe. I rejoice in being a child of promise. Lord, no effort or ingenuity of my flesh could have ever given me a place in Your family. Please teach me to live by Your promises, Amen.
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise…Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. (Galatians 4:22-23, 28)
Our God is a God of promises. He characteristically works by making and fulfilling promises. We are His children. We are children of promise. We were birthed spiritually into God's family through faith in His promises. Two sons of Abraham (Ishmael and Isaac) provide a vivid contrast that attests our sonship by promise.
God had promised to make Abraham a mighty nation, through which would come the Messianic seed that would bless all nations. "I will make you a great nation…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:1-2). Yet, the years passed by, and Abraham was still without a son. Eventually, he implied to God that his servant would have to be the beginning of this promised seed. "Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house [Eliezer, his servant] is my heir!" (Genesis 15:3). However, the Lord clarified His promise to give Abraham a true son, sired from his own body. "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir" (Genesis 15:4). As time passed, the aging couple decided that they would have to come up with another alternative for God. "Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children…So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.' And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived" (Genesis 16:1-2, 4). Thus, Ishmael was born as the result of Abraham's and Sarah's ingenuity: "But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh."
Thereafter, the Lord reiterated His promise of a son. "My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year" (Genesis 17:21). As God promised, so He did. "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken" (Genesis 21:1). Thus, Isaac was birthed as a result of God's promises. This is a picture of the only possible way that we could ever have become God's children, by His fulfilling of His promises. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise."
Dear Father, the God of promises, I praise You for promising salvation to all who would believe. I rejoice in being a child of promise. Lord, no effort or ingenuity of my flesh could have ever given me a place in Your family. Please teach me to live by Your promises, Amen.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
JOY, PRAYER, THE SPIRIT'S FIRE
JOY, PRAYER, THE SPIRIT'S FIRE
1 Thessalonians 5:16-23
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+5:16-23
Dear Father, holy God,
Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks
to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me in
Christ Jesus.
May I never put out the Spirit's fire in myself. May I never be
contemptuous of the prophetic word and the interpretation of it.
But let me test everything I hear. Help me hold on to what is good,
and to avoid everything that is evil.
May you yourself, Father, make every part of me holy.
In the name of your Holy Son, Jesus, who gave us the Spirit, I
pray. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-23
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+5:16-23
Dear Father, holy God,
Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks
to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me in
Christ Jesus.
May I never put out the Spirit's fire in myself. May I never be
contemptuous of the prophetic word and the interpretation of it.
But let me test everything I hear. Help me hold on to what is good,
and to avoid everything that is evil.
May you yourself, Father, make every part of me holy.
In the name of your Holy Son, Jesus, who gave us the Spirit, I
pray. Amen.
The Books of History
The Books of History
I Chronicles 5-9 Wednesday: Psalms 96-98
Thursday: Proverbs 17-18
Friday: Daniel 7-12
1 Chronicles 5
1
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
2
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
3
The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
4
The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
5
Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,
6
Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
7
And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
8
And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:
9
And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.
10
And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.
11
And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah:
12
Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
13
And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.
14
These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
15
Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.
16
And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.
17
All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
18
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.
19
And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
20
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
21
And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.
22
For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
23
And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.
24
And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.
25
And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
26
And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.
1 Chronicles 6
1
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
3
And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
5
And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
6
And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
7
Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
8
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
9
And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10
And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
11
And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
13
And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
14
And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
15
And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
16
The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
17
And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
18
And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
19
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
20
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
22
The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23
Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
24
Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25
And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
26
As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
27
Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
28
And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
29
The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30
Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
31
And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.
32
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.
33
And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
34
The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
35
The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
36
The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
37
The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
38
The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39
And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
40
The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
41
The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42
The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43
The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
44
And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
45
The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
46
The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,
47
The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48
Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
49
But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50
And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
51
Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
52
Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
53
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
54
Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55
And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57
And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58
And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59
And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
60
And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61
And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62
And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63
Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65
And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
66
And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67
And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68
And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
69
And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
70
And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71
Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72
And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73
And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74
And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75
And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76
And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77
Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79
Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80
And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81
And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
1 Chronicles 7
1
Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimrom, four.
2
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
3
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
4
And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
5
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
6
The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
8
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
9
And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
10
The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
11
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.
12
Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
13
The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
14
The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:
15
And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
16
And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
17
And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
18
And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
19
And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
20
And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
21
And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
22
And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
23
And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.
24
(And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.)
25
And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son.
26
Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son.
27
Non his son, Jehoshuah his son.
28
And their possessions and habitations were, Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:
29
And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
30
The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31
And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32
And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33
And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34
And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35
And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36
The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37
Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38
And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39
And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
40
All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
1 Chronicles 8
1
Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2
Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3
And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
4
And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5
And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6
And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:
7
And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.
8
And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9
And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10
And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers.
11
And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.
12
The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:
13
Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
14
And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15
And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
16
And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
17
And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
18
Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
19
And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20
And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
21
And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
22
And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
23
And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24
And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25
And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
26
And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27
And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
28
These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
29
And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:
30
And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31
And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
32
And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
33
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.
35
And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36
And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37
And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
38
And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39
And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 9
1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.
2
Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
3
And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;
4
Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.
5
And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.
6
And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.
7
And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,
8
And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;
9
And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.
10
And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
11
And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
12
And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13
And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
14
And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
15
And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
16
And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
17
And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;
18
Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.
19
And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.
20
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.
21
And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
22
All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.
23
So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards.
24
In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.
25
And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them.
26
For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
27
And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
28
And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.
29
Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
30
And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
31
And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.
32
And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.
33
And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.
34
These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.
35
And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:
36
And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab.
37
And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.
38
And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
39
And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
40
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah.
41
And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz.
42
And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;
43
And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
44
And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel.
I Chronicles 5-9 Wednesday: Psalms 96-98
Thursday: Proverbs 17-18
Friday: Daniel 7-12
1 Chronicles 5
1
Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
2
For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
3
The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
4
The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
5
Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,
6
Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
7
And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
8
And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:
9
And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead.
10
And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.
11
And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah:
12
Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
13
And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven.
14
These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;
15
Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.
16
And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.
17
All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
18
The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.
19
And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
20
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
21
And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.
22
For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
23
And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.
24
And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.
25
And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
26
And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.
1 Chronicles 6
1
The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
2
And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
3
And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
4
Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,
5
And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,
6
And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,
7
Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
8
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,
9
And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,
10
And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)
11
And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,
12
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,
13
And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
14
And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
15
And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
16
The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
17
And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.
18
And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
19
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.
20
Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,
21
Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.
22
The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,
23
Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,
24
Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
25
And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
26
As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,
27
Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.
28
And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
29
The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,
30
Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.
31
And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.
32
And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.
33
And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
34
The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,
35
The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,
36
The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
37
The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
38
The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.
39
And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,
40
The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
41
The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,
42
The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,
43
The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.
44
And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,
45
The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
46
The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,
47
The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48
Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.
49
But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
50
And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,
51
Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,
52
Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,
53
Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.
54
Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.
55
And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.
56
But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
57
And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,
58
And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,
59
And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs:
60
And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.
61
And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.
62
And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
63
Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
64
And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.
65
And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.
66
And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.
67
And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,
68
And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,
69
And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs:
70
And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.
71
Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:
72
And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,
73
And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:
74
And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,
75
And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:
76
And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.
77
Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:
78
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,
79
Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:
80
And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
81
And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.
1 Chronicles 7
1
Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimrom, four.
2
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
3
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
4
And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
5
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
6
The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
7
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
8
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
9
And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
10
The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
11
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.
12
Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
13
The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
14
The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:
15
And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
16
And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
17
And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
18
And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
19
And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
20
And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
21
And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
22
And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
23
And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.
24
(And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.)
25
And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son.
26
Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son.
27
Non his son, Jehoshuah his son.
28
And their possessions and habitations were, Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:
29
And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
30
The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
31
And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
32
And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33
And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34
And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35
And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
36
The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
37
Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
38
And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
39
And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
40
All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
1 Chronicles 8
1
Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2
Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3
And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
4
And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5
And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6
And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:
7
And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.
8
And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9
And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10
And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers.
11
And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.
12
The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:
13
Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
14
And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15
And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
16
And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
17
And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
18
Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
19
And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20
And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
21
And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
22
And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
23
And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24
And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25
And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
26
And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27
And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
28
These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
29
And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:
30
And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31
And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
32
And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
33
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.
35
And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36
And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37
And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
38
And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39
And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40
And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.
1 Chronicles 9
1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.
2
Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
3
And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;
4
Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.
5
And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.
6
And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.
7
And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,
8
And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;
9
And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.
10
And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
11
And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;
12
And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
13
And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
14
And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
15
And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
16
And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
17
And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief;
18
Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.
19
And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.
20
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him.
21
And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
22
All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.
23
So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards.
24
In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.
25
And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them.
26
For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
27
And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
28
And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.
29
Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
30
And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
31
And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.
32
And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.
33
And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.
34
These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.
35
And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah:
36
And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab.
37
And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.
38
And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
39
And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
40
And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah.
41
And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz.
42
And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;
43
And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
44
And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel.
How We are to Respond to God's Promises
How We are to Respond to God's Promises
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)
How are we to respond to God's promises of blessing? Such promises are not automatically at work in every life that hears them. Some people respond correctly, while others respond improperly. Some enjoy the benefits of God's promises, whereas others do not. In these two verses, we are given the necessary response to all that pertains to the gospel of grace. That response is faith. This would certainly include living by the promises of God.
Paul was unashamed of the gospel because he knew its effective character. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation." The good news about Jesus Christ is essentially the grace of God proclaimed to man: "the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This grace is God's power poured out unto the saving of souls. This power is experienced by all who place their faith in the gospel, whether Jew or Gentile: "for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." The gospel is effective, because it holds forth God's righteousness to sinful man, if he is willing to trust in the Lord. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith."
The gospel is referred to in the Scriptures as a promise. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The gospel is often stated in the form of promises: "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved… whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 15:11 and Romans 10:13). These gospel promises are partaken of by faith. "The just shall live by faith."
In addition to initial salvation, the good news of God's grace includes many other promises from God. "I will build My church…You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (Matthew 16:18; John 8:32; and 16:13). All of these promises are experienced by faith as well, because "the just shall live by faith"—continually, as well as initially.
O Lord God, I want to respond to Your promises properly. How gracious that You only ask me to trust in what You have promised to do. I do not want to ignore Your promises or doubt them. I want to live by relying upon every promise You have ever made. In Your faithful name I pray, Amen.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)
How are we to respond to God's promises of blessing? Such promises are not automatically at work in every life that hears them. Some people respond correctly, while others respond improperly. Some enjoy the benefits of God's promises, whereas others do not. In these two verses, we are given the necessary response to all that pertains to the gospel of grace. That response is faith. This would certainly include living by the promises of God.
Paul was unashamed of the gospel because he knew its effective character. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation." The good news about Jesus Christ is essentially the grace of God proclaimed to man: "the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This grace is God's power poured out unto the saving of souls. This power is experienced by all who place their faith in the gospel, whether Jew or Gentile: "for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." The gospel is effective, because it holds forth God's righteousness to sinful man, if he is willing to trust in the Lord. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith."
The gospel is referred to in the Scriptures as a promise. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The gospel is often stated in the form of promises: "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved… whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 15:11 and Romans 10:13). These gospel promises are partaken of by faith. "The just shall live by faith."
In addition to initial salvation, the good news of God's grace includes many other promises from God. "I will build My church…You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (Matthew 16:18; John 8:32; and 16:13). All of these promises are experienced by faith as well, because "the just shall live by faith"—continually, as well as initially.
O Lord God, I want to respond to Your promises properly. How gracious that You only ask me to trust in what You have promised to do. I do not want to ignore Your promises or doubt them. I want to live by relying upon every promise You have ever made. In Your faithful name I pray, Amen.
Friday, July 23, 2010
God's Faithfulness and His Promises
God's Faithfulness and His Promises
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Previously, we reflected upon God's ability in conjunction with His promises. The capability of the one making promises is strategic when promises are made. When relating God's ability to His promises, we have full assurance that He can fulfill what He has promised to do. "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You…Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:17, 27). Our Lord created all the universe, and He is ruler over all of humanity. Surely, He is able to fulfill all of His promises.
Now, we have another issue to consider: faithfulness. When promises are made, faithfulness is just as important as ability.. It is vital to know that the one promising is not only able, but is also reliable. In our present verse, we are given reason to exercise unwavering confidence in God, based upon His faithfulness. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
In the book of Hebrews, we are given a recurring call to stand firm in the hope of the Lord. To participate more and more in the reality of being God's spiritual household here on earth, we are to confidently embrace throughout our pilgrimage the hope that is available in our Lord: "whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (Hebrews 3:6). To fully partake of all that is ours in Christ, we are to persistently cling to Him by faith right up to our last days on earth. "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" (Hebrews 3:14).
Our present verse also stresses persistent faith in the hope of the Lord. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering." This persistence of trust in God is related to His promises and His faithfulness. "For He who promised is faithful." We can cling tightly to the promises of God. We can confidently hope in God's fulfilling His promises to us. We do not need to waver in doubt, because God is reliable. He is trustworthy. He is faithful.
Dear God of faithfulness, how delightful to realize that my persistence of faith in You hinges on Your faithfulness toward me. I see that I can continue to depend upon You, because you are fully faithful to me. What expectation this gives me as I consider Your great promises! You will be faithful to fulfill every one of them, as I place my trust in You!
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Previously, we reflected upon God's ability in conjunction with His promises. The capability of the one making promises is strategic when promises are made. When relating God's ability to His promises, we have full assurance that He can fulfill what He has promised to do. "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You…Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:17, 27). Our Lord created all the universe, and He is ruler over all of humanity. Surely, He is able to fulfill all of His promises.
Now, we have another issue to consider: faithfulness. When promises are made, faithfulness is just as important as ability.. It is vital to know that the one promising is not only able, but is also reliable. In our present verse, we are given reason to exercise unwavering confidence in God, based upon His faithfulness. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
In the book of Hebrews, we are given a recurring call to stand firm in the hope of the Lord. To participate more and more in the reality of being God's spiritual household here on earth, we are to confidently embrace throughout our pilgrimage the hope that is available in our Lord: "whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (Hebrews 3:6). To fully partake of all that is ours in Christ, we are to persistently cling to Him by faith right up to our last days on earth. "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end" (Hebrews 3:14).
Our present verse also stresses persistent faith in the hope of the Lord. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering." This persistence of trust in God is related to His promises and His faithfulness. "For He who promised is faithful." We can cling tightly to the promises of God. We can confidently hope in God's fulfilling His promises to us. We do not need to waver in doubt, because God is reliable. He is trustworthy. He is faithful.
Dear God of faithfulness, how delightful to realize that my persistence of faith in You hinges on Your faithfulness toward me. I see that I can continue to depend upon You, because you are fully faithful to me. What expectation this gives me as I consider Your great promises! You will be faithful to fulfill every one of them, as I place my trust in You!
GOD'S WORD
GOD'S WORD
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+2:13-20
Dear Father, real source of the Bible,
Thank you for the word proclaimed in the New Testament. Help us
accept it for what it really is, not mere words written by men, but
the word of God, your will revealed to us and made alive in our
lives.
May Jewish members of your church bear a great witness to Jesus as
their rightful Messiah. May non-Jewish members follow their example
and be willing to suffer with them for the salvation of mankind,
Jew and non-Jew.
Father, be with those young disciples who have come to you through
our efforts, even our own children. They will be our hope and joy
and crown of boasting when Jesus returns, for we shall be together
with them and with him. They will be our glory and our joy.
In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+2:13-20
Dear Father, real source of the Bible,
Thank you for the word proclaimed in the New Testament. Help us
accept it for what it really is, not mere words written by men, but
the word of God, your will revealed to us and made alive in our
lives.
May Jewish members of your church bear a great witness to Jesus as
their rightful Messiah. May non-Jewish members follow their example
and be willing to suffer with them for the salvation of mankind,
Jew and non-Jew.
Father, be with those young disciples who have come to you through
our efforts, even our own children. They will be our hope and joy
and crown of boasting when Jesus returns, for we shall be together
with them and with him. They will be our glory and our joy.
In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The Lord Promising a New Heaven and New Earth
The Lord Promising a New Heaven and New Earth
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance…Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:9, 13)
In our previous meditation, we considered Jesus' promise to return for His people. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). Many centuries have come and gone with that promise remaining unfulfilled. Consequently, some are inclined to scoff at this promise. The Scriptures have prepared us for this by giving us another promise. "Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days…saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation'" (2 Peter 3:3-4). Nevertheless, we who believe God's promises are convinced that He will keep His word and return for us. When He returns, He will fulfill another promise as well: the promise of a new heaven and new earth. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Two insights are offered here concerning the Lord's delay in His return. The first one pertains to God's compassion and patience in allowing more opportunity for people to repent and not perish. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." The second insight pertains to God's perspective on time. For our eternal Lord, it is as though He made the promise of His return only a couple of days ago! "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8).
Yet, some day the Lord will fulfill His promise to return for us. Then, the new, eternal reality will come. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." It is delightful to consider! "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:1-4).
Dear Lord, I eagerly await Your appearing.. I rejoice at the place You have prepared for us—a place of righteousness, joy, and peace. Above all, I anticipate dwelling in Your visible presence forever and ever, Amen!
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance…Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:9, 13)
In our previous meditation, we considered Jesus' promise to return for His people. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). Many centuries have come and gone with that promise remaining unfulfilled. Consequently, some are inclined to scoff at this promise. The Scriptures have prepared us for this by giving us another promise. "Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days…saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation'" (2 Peter 3:3-4). Nevertheless, we who believe God's promises are convinced that He will keep His word and return for us. When He returns, He will fulfill another promise as well: the promise of a new heaven and new earth. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Two insights are offered here concerning the Lord's delay in His return. The first one pertains to God's compassion and patience in allowing more opportunity for people to repent and not perish. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." The second insight pertains to God's perspective on time. For our eternal Lord, it is as though He made the promise of His return only a couple of days ago! "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8).
Yet, some day the Lord will fulfill His promise to return for us. Then, the new, eternal reality will come. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." It is delightful to consider! "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:1-4).
Dear Lord, I eagerly await Your appearing.. I rejoice at the place You have prepared for us—a place of righteousness, joy, and peace. Above all, I anticipate dwelling in Your visible presence forever and ever, Amen!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
GOD'S WILL: SANCTIFICATION
GOD'S WILL: SANCTIFICATION
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+4:1-7
Dear Father, sanctifier of families,
Help us to learn how we ought to live and how we ought to please
you. Help us give greater attention and effort to this. Your will
for us is our sanctification, so enable us to abstain from all
immorality.
Many people around us glorify and romanticize lust. Help us to
reject this way of looking at things. Guide believers into
marriages of holiness and honor, giving themselves to each other in
spiritual union with Christ along with the joining of personalities
and bodies.
Help our marriages to be established as the gathering of two in
your name. Help our families to be your church in miniature. Help
every follower of yours respect the marriage relationship of others
and defraud no one in this matter.
You have not called us to uncleanness, but holiness. Thank you,
Father, for this high calling. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+4:1-7
Dear Father, sanctifier of families,
Help us to learn how we ought to live and how we ought to please
you. Help us give greater attention and effort to this. Your will
for us is our sanctification, so enable us to abstain from all
immorality.
Many people around us glorify and romanticize lust. Help us to
reject this way of looking at things. Guide believers into
marriages of holiness and honor, giving themselves to each other in
spiritual union with Christ along with the joining of personalities
and bodies.
Help our marriages to be established as the gathering of two in
your name. Help our families to be your church in miniature. Help
every follower of yours respect the marriage relationship of others
and defraud no one in this matter.
You have not called us to uncleanness, but holiness. Thank you,
Father, for this high calling. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
The Lord Promising to Return for Us
The Lord Promising to Return for Us
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)
Jesus' promise to return for His followers was given to bring them heavenly comfort. How comforting to us, in this troublesome world, to know that Jesus will be back for all of us who have followed Him here on earth.
When the Lord Jesus spoke these words, He would soon be leaving His disciples. He knew that the cross, the resurrection, and His ascension were close at hand. As He spoke of His departure, they were troubled. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." One purpose in His leaving was to make ready a heavenly home for those who believed in Him. "I go to prepare a place for you." Then, the promise that followed brought Jesus' ultimate comfort. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Jesus would be returning to take His beloved followers to be with Him again.
After His atoning death and victorious resurrection, the Lord instructed the disciples for a brief season in the matters of His kingdom. Then, it was time to depart. "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Their gaze remained upon this one whom they had come to love. "They looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up" (Acts 1:10). Then, angelic messengers repeated the promise of His return. "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). What hope this must have stirred in their yearning hearts.
Throughout the history of the church, loving hearts have longed for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles were inspired by the Spirit of God to bring us comforting promises of His return. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the promised hope we are to live in day by day: "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
Dear Lord Jesus, I find sweet comfort in Your promises to return for me. I long to see You face to face. It is inexpressible joy to anticipate being with You forever. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)
Jesus' promise to return for His followers was given to bring them heavenly comfort. How comforting to us, in this troublesome world, to know that Jesus will be back for all of us who have followed Him here on earth.
When the Lord Jesus spoke these words, He would soon be leaving His disciples. He knew that the cross, the resurrection, and His ascension were close at hand. As He spoke of His departure, they were troubled. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." One purpose in His leaving was to make ready a heavenly home for those who believed in Him. "I go to prepare a place for you." Then, the promise that followed brought Jesus' ultimate comfort. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Jesus would be returning to take His beloved followers to be with Him again.
After His atoning death and victorious resurrection, the Lord instructed the disciples for a brief season in the matters of His kingdom. Then, it was time to depart. "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Their gaze remained upon this one whom they had come to love. "They looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up" (Acts 1:10). Then, angelic messengers repeated the promise of His return. "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). What hope this must have stirred in their yearning hearts.
Throughout the history of the church, loving hearts have longed for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles were inspired by the Spirit of God to bring us comforting promises of His return. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the promised hope we are to live in day by day: "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
Dear Lord Jesus, I find sweet comfort in Your promises to return for me. I long to see You face to face. It is inexpressible joy to anticipate being with You forever. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Answered Prayer Promised in Jesus' Name
Answered Prayer Promised in Jesus' Name
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)
We who belong to the Lord have a great invitation to thoroughly express our hearts to Him in humble, dependent prayer. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him" (Psalm 62:8). We also have a great need to speak to Him. "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). We also have great promises of answered prayer. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
When the people of God are prayerless, they do not receive from the Lord all that He wants to give to them. "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2). At times, God's children pray, but they still do not receive from the Lord. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). Their prayers are anchored in their own wills and interests. True praying is to be anchored in the will of God. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).
At this juncture, the Scriptures are vital in our daily prayer life. God's word directs us in praying according to the will of God. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). As we are abiding in (depending upon) Christ, we will want His word to have full sway in our lives. As we consistently get into His word, the Scriptures shape our thoughts and our desires. Consequently, we ask what the Lord teaches us to desire. In that beautiful biblical setting, He promises to give us whatever we ask.
All of this describes the essence of praying in the name of Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name is not merely a formula of words with which to conclude our prayers. Whether we verbalize that phrase or not, it is about praying as Jesus would pray (always concerned with the will of His Father). It is about praying based on all that the word teaches concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Those who pray this way enjoy the certainty of these great promises of answered prayer, and they see much glory brought to God. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Lord Jesus, thank You for these great promises of answered prayer. Teach me to pray in Your name. Please shape my praying by all that Your word reveals concerning Your will and Your work on my behalf. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)
We who belong to the Lord have a great invitation to thoroughly express our hearts to Him in humble, dependent prayer. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him" (Psalm 62:8). We also have a great need to speak to Him. "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). We also have great promises of answered prayer. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
When the people of God are prayerless, they do not receive from the Lord all that He wants to give to them. "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2). At times, God's children pray, but they still do not receive from the Lord. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). Their prayers are anchored in their own wills and interests. True praying is to be anchored in the will of God. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).
At this juncture, the Scriptures are vital in our daily prayer life. God's word directs us in praying according to the will of God. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). As we are abiding in (depending upon) Christ, we will want His word to have full sway in our lives. As we consistently get into His word, the Scriptures shape our thoughts and our desires. Consequently, we ask what the Lord teaches us to desire. In that beautiful biblical setting, He promises to give us whatever we ask.
All of this describes the essence of praying in the name of Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name is not merely a formula of words with which to conclude our prayers. Whether we verbalize that phrase or not, it is about praying as Jesus would pray (always concerned with the will of His Father). It is about praying based on all that the word teaches concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Those who pray this way enjoy the certainty of these great promises of answered prayer, and they see much glory brought to God. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Lord Jesus, thank You for these great promises of answered prayer. Teach me to pray in Your name. Please shape my praying by all that Your word reveals concerning Your will and Your work on my behalf. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.
CARE FOR ABSENT LOVED ONES
CARE FOR ABSENT LOVED ONES
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+3:1-13
Dear Father, our partner in caring,
How hard it is to be far away from those we want to encourage to
walk in your ways. We leave them in your hands, Lord, and ask you
to send your angels to guard their ways. Keep those that we love
from the power of the tempter. Grant us good news from them. We
long to hear that they are learning more and more of your will and
growing in your grace. Let us know that they are standing firm in
truth.
What thanksgiving we send before your throne, what joy we feel
for them before you, our God. What a torrent of prayer we pour out
before you that whatever is lacking in their faith may be supplied!
Make us the agents who will supply their spiritual needs. Let
there be many times for us and our loved ones to be together for
times of refreshment in your word and in prayer.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+3:1-13
Dear Father, our partner in caring,
How hard it is to be far away from those we want to encourage to
walk in your ways. We leave them in your hands, Lord, and ask you
to send your angels to guard their ways. Keep those that we love
from the power of the tempter. Grant us good news from them. We
long to hear that they are learning more and more of your will and
growing in your grace. Let us know that they are standing firm in
truth.
What thanksgiving we send before your throne, what joy we feel
for them before you, our God. What a torrent of prayer we pour out
before you that whatever is lacking in their faith may be supplied!
Make us the agents who will supply their spiritual needs. Let
there be many times for us and our loved ones to be together for
times of refreshment in your word and in prayer.
In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Jesus answered and said unto them,
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. (Matthew 21:21)
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! With the Lord of all sovereignty behind us, we can be confident that He will ever enable us to accomplish His will.
My Prayer: Help me, Lord, to grow in faith! I thank You for granting us Your power to trust ever more deeply in You!
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! With the Lord of all sovereignty behind us, we can be confident that He will ever enable us to accomplish His will.
My Prayer: Help me, Lord, to grow in faith! I thank You for granting us Your power to trust ever more deeply in You!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A MARVELOUS MESSAGE
A MARVELOUS MESSAGE
1 Thessalonians 1:2-8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+1:2-8
Dear Father,
Thank you for the great numbers of believers in Jesus Christ, for
their works of faith, their labors of love, and their steadfastness
of hope which they have in Christ. Thank you for choosing all of us
and calling us to yourself by the Good News about Jesus. Thank you
that this marvelous message came to us not only in word, but in
power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. Thank you
for the example of your apostles as demonstrations of what the Good
News about Jesus can do in human lives.
Help us to imitate their labors, suffering, and joys in the Holy
Spirit so that we may become examples to others.
Let our faith, like theirs, go forth everywhere to all men so that
all men will turn from vain idols and self-worship to serve you,
the living and true God.
In the name of Jesus I pray and give thanks to you. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+1:2-8
Dear Father,
Thank you for the great numbers of believers in Jesus Christ, for
their works of faith, their labors of love, and their steadfastness
of hope which they have in Christ. Thank you for choosing all of us
and calling us to yourself by the Good News about Jesus. Thank you
that this marvelous message came to us not only in word, but in
power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. Thank you
for the example of your apostles as demonstrations of what the Good
News about Jesus can do in human lives.
Help us to imitate their labors, suffering, and joys in the Holy
Spirit so that we may become examples to others.
Let our faith, like theirs, go forth everywhere to all men so that
all men will turn from vain idols and self-worship to serve you,
the living and true God.
In the name of Jesus I pray and give thanks to you. Amen.
If the world hate you,
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:18-20)
The believer in Christ should not shrink from suffering or persecution, but should take heart in the fact that his suffering is counted as due to Christ. For of course, the redeemed children will be the object of scorn and derision! The world despised and hated the most loving, caring, hospitable, and merciful man to ever walk the earth; if they should hate Him so, how can we not expect them to hate those who follow that man—Christ Jesus!
The believer in Christ should not shrink from suffering or persecution, but should take heart in the fact that his suffering is counted as due to Christ. For of course, the redeemed children will be the object of scorn and derision! The world despised and hated the most loving, caring, hospitable, and merciful man to ever walk the earth; if they should hate Him so, how can we not expect them to hate those who follow that man—Christ Jesus!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
ANTICIPATING THE HARVEST
ANTICIPATING THE HARVEST
Galatians 6:9-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+6:9-10
Dear Father, just yet merciful God,
May I not become weary in doing good but rather work diligently,
energetically, and enthusiastically, keeping in mind the rich
harvest you will send at the proper time. Don't ever let me give up
on doing good or give up on you. And God, don't ever give up on me!
As I have opportunity, let me do good to everybody, especially to
those in my family of fellow believers.
In the name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen.
Galatians 6:9-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+6:9-10
Dear Father, just yet merciful God,
May I not become weary in doing good but rather work diligently,
energetically, and enthusiastically, keeping in mind the rich
harvest you will send at the proper time. Don't ever let me give up
on doing good or give up on you. And God, don't ever give up on me!
As I have opportunity, let me do good to everybody, especially to
those in my family of fellow believers.
In the name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen.
More on the Lord Promising to Build His Church
More on the Lord Promising to Build His Church
"I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18)
This promise has monumental implications for every follower of Jesus Christ. "I will build My church." Each of the five words in this brief declaration reveals an essential truth of Christian life and service.
First, this promise discloses who will build the church. "I [Jesus]will build My church." Jesus is the builder of the church, not man.. He wants to use us in the process, but He is the builder. Paul understood this arrangement. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation" (1 Corinthians 3:10). By the grace of God, Paul served the Lord. As he went about proclaiming Christ, the Lord was using him to lay the foundation (Christ) in lives that were being saved and individual churches that were being started.
Second, Jesus' promise reveals the certainty of His church being built. "I will [assuredly] build My church." There is no room for doubt. Jesus will do what He is promising. The only question for us is whether or not we will be available as a part of this wondrous process. The Lord wants to make us usable for His work: "sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).
Third, this promise indicates the manner in which the Lord wants to work. "I will build [construct] My church." As with any construction project, there are both the quantitative and qualitative aspects. The Lord saves souls, adding them to His church in a quantitative increase. "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). The Lord also enriches those He saves, bringing to His church qualitative development. "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).
Fourth, His promise settles the issue of ownership. "I will build My [Jesus'] church." The church does not belong to the Pastor, the Church Board, or the District Office. It is Jesus' church. He paid the price to redeem us: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
Fifth, this promise specifies exactly what Jesus is going to build. "I will build My church [His people]." The church is not a building. This word (church) literally speaks of "a called-out people." "But you are…His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God" (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Dear Lord Jesus, I honor You as the builder of the church. I rest in the certainty of Your task being accomplished, both quantitatively and qualitatively. I see that the church, Your redeemed people, belongs to You. Also, I humbly ask that You equip me and use me as You fulfill this grand promise, Amen.
"I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18)
This promise has monumental implications for every follower of Jesus Christ. "I will build My church." Each of the five words in this brief declaration reveals an essential truth of Christian life and service.
First, this promise discloses who will build the church. "I [Jesus]will build My church." Jesus is the builder of the church, not man.. He wants to use us in the process, but He is the builder. Paul understood this arrangement. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation" (1 Corinthians 3:10). By the grace of God, Paul served the Lord. As he went about proclaiming Christ, the Lord was using him to lay the foundation (Christ) in lives that were being saved and individual churches that were being started.
Second, Jesus' promise reveals the certainty of His church being built. "I will [assuredly] build My church." There is no room for doubt. Jesus will do what He is promising. The only question for us is whether or not we will be available as a part of this wondrous process. The Lord wants to make us usable for His work: "sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).
Third, this promise indicates the manner in which the Lord wants to work. "I will build [construct] My church." As with any construction project, there are both the quantitative and qualitative aspects. The Lord saves souls, adding them to His church in a quantitative increase. "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). The Lord also enriches those He saves, bringing to His church qualitative development. "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).
Fourth, His promise settles the issue of ownership. "I will build My [Jesus'] church." The church does not belong to the Pastor, the Church Board, or the District Office. It is Jesus' church. He paid the price to redeem us: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
Fifth, this promise specifies exactly what Jesus is going to build. "I will build My church [His people]." The church is not a building. This word (church) literally speaks of "a called-out people." "But you are…His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God" (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Dear Lord Jesus, I honor You as the builder of the church. I rest in the certainty of Your task being accomplished, both quantitatively and qualitatively. I see that the church, Your redeemed people, belongs to You. Also, I humbly ask that You equip me and use me as You fulfill this grand promise, Amen.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Lord Promising to Build His Church
The Lord Promising to Build His Church
"You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
"The" promise of all promises that God has made is the gift of everlasting life. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). All who respond by faith to this promise of life become part of the church Jesus promises to build. "I will build My church."
The Lord gave this promise after Peter's accurate confession of Jesus being the Messiah. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). As Jesus confirmed this confession, He let Peter know that he did not come up with that insight on his own. "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17). Then, Jesus contrasted the meaning of Peter's name with the kind of foundation He would lay for His church. "You are Peter [in Greek, "Petros," a stone], and on this rock [in Greek, "petra," a bedrock] I will build My church." Peter's name signified a stone, that which could be easily moved or held within one's hand. Jesus would not build His church on mere men, which at best are like movable stones. Rather, he would build upon a bedrock foundation that could not be moved. He would build upon the rock-solid truth contained in Peter's confession. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself would be the actual foundation for the church. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).
This picture of Jesus Christ as the foundation of His church is a fulfillment of one of the great prophetic promises the Lord made long ago. "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation'" (Isaiah 28:16). Also, this is in perfect harmony with the Old Testament revelation of God as our Rock. "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation" (Psalm 95:1). This rock-solid, anointed King (Jesus, the Messiah) would be fully effective in His mission. Even Satan and his demons, the authorities ("gates") of death and darkness ("Hades"), would be unable to prevent the fulfillment of His promise to build His church: "and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
Lord Jesus, I also confess You as the Christ, the Son of the living God. I praise You as the rock-solid foundation of Your church collectively—and of my life individually. Please use me as You fulfill Your promise to build Your church. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.
"You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
"The" promise of all promises that God has made is the gift of everlasting life. "And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life" (1 John 2:25). All who respond by faith to this promise of life become part of the church Jesus promises to build. "I will build My church."
The Lord gave this promise after Peter's accurate confession of Jesus being the Messiah. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). As Jesus confirmed this confession, He let Peter know that he did not come up with that insight on his own. "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17). Then, Jesus contrasted the meaning of Peter's name with the kind of foundation He would lay for His church. "You are Peter [in Greek, "Petros," a stone], and on this rock [in Greek, "petra," a bedrock] I will build My church." Peter's name signified a stone, that which could be easily moved or held within one's hand. Jesus would not build His church on mere men, which at best are like movable stones. Rather, he would build upon a bedrock foundation that could not be moved. He would build upon the rock-solid truth contained in Peter's confession. "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself would be the actual foundation for the church. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).
This picture of Jesus Christ as the foundation of His church is a fulfillment of one of the great prophetic promises the Lord made long ago. "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation'" (Isaiah 28:16). Also, this is in perfect harmony with the Old Testament revelation of God as our Rock. "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation" (Psalm 95:1). This rock-solid, anointed King (Jesus, the Messiah) would be fully effective in His mission. Even Satan and his demons, the authorities ("gates") of death and darkness ("Hades"), would be unable to prevent the fulfillment of His promise to build His church: "and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
Lord Jesus, I also confess You as the Christ, the Son of the living God. I praise You as the rock-solid foundation of Your church collectively—and of my life individually. Please use me as You fulfill Your promise to build Your church. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Timothy 4:17)
When it comes time for us to proclaim the gospel, we can stand in the Lord's strength and He will be right by our side the whole time. Be bold, O believer! Take your strength in the almighty arm of your Father, O child of heaven!
When it comes time for us to proclaim the gospel, we can stand in the Lord's strength and He will be right by our side the whole time. Be bold, O believer! Take your strength in the almighty arm of your Father, O child of heaven!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
SOWING SEEDS
Galatians 6:6-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+6:6-10
Dear Father, holy unscornable God,
Don't let me be deceived, my God, for I know that no one can mock
you with impunity. For whatever a person sows that is what the
person will reap. Those who sow to the flesh will from the flesh
reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal
life.
I want to reap eternal life, Father. Help me always to sow to the
Spirit!
Help me never to tire of doing good, for in your own due season I
will reap. Let me never lose heart, but, as I have opportunity, may
I do good to all people, especially to my brothers and sisters in
the household of faith.
In the name of Jesus I ask all this and that you will give me a
Spirit-filled life resulting in eternal victory! Amen.
Galatians 6:6-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+6:6-10
Dear Father, holy unscornable God,
Don't let me be deceived, my God, for I know that no one can mock
you with impunity. For whatever a person sows that is what the
person will reap. Those who sow to the flesh will from the flesh
reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal
life.
I want to reap eternal life, Father. Help me always to sow to the
Spirit!
Help me never to tire of doing good, for in your own due season I
will reap. Let me never lose heart, but, as I have opportunity, may
I do good to all people, especially to my brothers and sisters in
the household of faith.
In the name of Jesus I ask all this and that you will give me a
Spirit-filled life resulting in eternal victory! Amen.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
FREEDOM IS NO EXCUSE FOR SIN
FREEDOM IS NO EXCUSE FOR SIN
Galatians 5:13-15
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+5:13-15
Dear Father, guardian of the free,
May we never use freedom as a pretext for evil or as an excuse for
indulging sinful desires.
Rather, grant that we, out of love, will make ourselves servants
to one another. For the Lord has taught us that the whole law is
fulfilled in the one saying, "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself." Keep us from "biting" and "devouring" one another, lest
we be consumed by one another. Encourage and enable me and all my
brothers and sisters in Christ to live by love, your principle of
freedom.
In the name of Jesus I ask you to preserve my faith in freedom and
love. Amen.
Galatians 5:13-15
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+5:13-15
Dear Father, guardian of the free,
May we never use freedom as a pretext for evil or as an excuse for
indulging sinful desires.
Rather, grant that we, out of love, will make ourselves servants
to one another. For the Lord has taught us that the whole law is
fulfilled in the one saying, "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself." Keep us from "biting" and "devouring" one another, lest
we be consumed by one another. Encourage and enable me and all my
brothers and sisters in Christ to live by love, your principle of
freedom.
In the name of Jesus I ask you to preserve my faith in freedom and
love. Amen.
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