Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2015 Bible Study — Don’t Be Fooled By Those Who Try To Excuse Sin

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9544

Proverbs 24:7

    When true leaders discuss the actions which should be taken for the good of all, fools have nothing of value to add.

DSCN9541

Psalm 69:19-36

    Praising God pleases Him more than any gifts and offerings we might give. Those who humbly seek God’s help will be aided. He hears the cries of the needy and comes to their assistance.

DSCN9542

Ephesians 5

    I find this passage extremely relevant in today’s society. There are three things which we must not allow ourselves to be: a sexually immoral, an impure, or greedy person. Anyone who is any of those things is an idolator. Notice that these three things are lumped together by Paul. He goes on to warn us not to be fooled by those who try to make excuses for these sins.
    Rather than let ourselves be caught in such sins, we need to carefully determine what actions please God. Once we have made that determination, let us make the most of every opportunity we have to do good. In order to make the most of our opportunities we must never act thoughtlessly. Paul warns us against getting drunk, one of the leading causes of people acting thoughtlessly. Instead, we can gain a similar feeling by allowing ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

DSCN9543

Isaiah 51-53

    Isaiah reminds us that if we truly know and fear God there is no reason to fear any human being. We do not need to fear the oppressor, or those who have made themselves our enemies. God is our comforter and His law will be proclaimed. The earth and everything in it will come to an end, but God’s salvation is eternal. Isaiah tells us that God’s name has been blasphemed because of the actions of those who claim to serve Him, but God is going to truly reveal His name to His people. He will fill them with His power. On that day, and that day is today, the good news of God’s salvation will be proclaimed in all of the earth. God is sovereign over all of the earth.
    Then Isaiah tells us how this day came to be (although when Isaiah proclaimed it, it was still in the future). God sent Jesus to suffer for our sins. He was despised and rejected. It seemed at the time that He was punished for His sins, although, in fact, He was punished for ours. Jesus was made an offering for sin. Yet, it was because of His weakness that He was victorious. By accepting that suffering Jesus was able to bear the sins of all the world and bring the offer of salvation to all who would receive it. Let us joyfully accept the gift He has given us.

Daily Bible Study

September 26, 2015 Bible Study — Get Rid of All Bitterness, Rage, Anger, Harsh Words, and Slander

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9537

Proverbs 24:5-6

    Those who act wisely will defeat those who rely solely on might. You will need wise guidance to gain victory in any contest of strength (from sporting events to war), seek many advisers before beginning the contest.

DSCN9538

Psalm 69:1-18

    There has only been one time when I felt as utterly overwhelmed by life circumstances as the psalmist expresses here and even then I knew that I was not truly in floodwaters up to my neck. However, even now when God has made my life good, there is something here that speaks to me. I must acknowledge that God knows how foolish I am, and every one of my sins. I cannot hide my sins from God. I pray that God does not allow me to do anything that will cause shame to those who trust in Him. Let each and every one of us consider our actions so that we do not bring shame on others who trust in God. As I typed this I realized that there is a second reading to that phrase that is just as important…we should not feel shamed by the actions of those who are doing the Lord’s will (it is one thing to be shamed by someone who claims to serve God and does wrong, it is another to be shamed because someone is doing God’s will).

DSCN9539

Ephesians 4:17-32

    In a way, everything Paul has written up to now in his letter to the Ephesians has been by way of introduction. In today’s passage he begins to get to the point. We are to stop living the way that unbelievers do. They are confused. They want to live righteous lives, but think they can do so while living for lustful pleasure and practicing all kinds of impurity. They think they can find righteousness while refusing to have anything to do with God. Those who follow Christ have learned that truth comes from Him. We cannot live righteously until we find God. In order to find God we must throw off our sinful, lustful nature and allow the Holy Spirit to make us new in our thoughts and attitudes. Paul then goes through a checklist which we can follow in order to allow that transformation to occur.

  1. Stop telling lies

    2. The first step to being transformed is to be honest with everyone: no more lies, no more half-truths, no more truths told in such a way so as to deceive.

  2. Don’t let anger control us

    3. Yes, we will still get angry, but we need to let the anger go. The sooner the better, but certainly before the end of the day. Our anger will allow us to justify doing wrong: “He did wrong to me, so I can do wrong to him.”

  3. Work hard so that you can give to those in need.

    4. Stop thinking that it is OK to live off of the productivity of others, or that it is charitable to take others wealth to help those in need.

  4. Do NOT use foul or abusive language

    5. Instead be careful to only say things which are helpful and build others up. I think I do a fair job on the “not” part. However, I have a long way to go on the “instead” part.

  5. Do not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way you live.

    6. To a large degree this follows from the previous four, but not entirely. Paul then gives us a two sided list: things not to do and things to do in order to not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit.

And here is that two sided list;
Get rid of:

  • bitterness
  • rage
  • anger
  • harsh words
  • slander
  • all types of evil behavior

Instead:

  • be kind to others
  • be tenderhearted
  • forgive one another

DSCN9540

Isaiah 48:12-50:11

    Much of this passage is a Messianic prophecy which was fulfilled by Jesus. However, some aspects of it are both that and guidance for how we should live our lives. Each and every morning God has spoken to us. Have we listened? Let us not turn away or rebel. Let us offer our backs to those who beat us, because God will help us. If we are determined to do His will, we will not be disgraced.
    If we are walking in darkness without a sliver of light, let us trust and rely on God. He will guide us. The danger will arise if we try to create our own light in the darkness. That light will deceive us and lead us to torment. Let us trust in God and look for the light from Him.

Daily Bible Study

September 25, 2015 Bible Study — Seek Unity In Truth

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9478

Proverbs 24:3-4

    When the proverb writer refers to “house” here, I do not believe he is referring to a building. Rather he is referring to a group of people who work together for the common good. In a way he is referring to a family business, except unlike what we normally think of, decisions are not made which are the “best for the business”, rather decisions are made about what is best for the “house” (that is, the people who make up the group). Such a group only comes into existence when wisdom is applied to its formation. It requires understanding and common sense for it to become established, and knowledge is necessary for it to thrive.

DSCN9479

Psalm 68:19-35

    Let us praise God. His enemies may seem powerful, but He will bring them down. The rulers and nations of this earth may have declared war against God, but they will be bringing gifts and tribute to Him before the war is done. Let us praise God for His power. He will not win His victory with a mighty army. No, He will win with a crucified Son.

DSCN9485

Ephesians 4:1-16

    We have been called to humbly work together to be unified by the Spirit into the Body of Christ. As I wrote that I realized that it seems to say more than it does. Paul instructs us to be humble and gentle, to be patient with our fellow believers, making allowance for their flaws as we work together in love. I think the first place to start in understanding what Paul is telling us is with the word “love”. If we love someone we want what is best for them and act to bring the results which lead to their greatest happiness into being. Of course, this is where being humble and gentle come into play. We need to recognize that we may be mistaken about what is best for those we love.
    In order to bring about the unity which Paul tells us we should strive for God has given the Church many gifts. In particular, He has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Actually, it is interesting that Paul divides these five into two groups. He puts apostles, prophets, and evangelists in one group and he puts pastors and teachers in another. From various things I have read, the first group represents those whose primary mission is to reach out to unbelievers, the second group has the primary mission of ministering to those who are already believers. This only represents their primary mission, not their entire purpose. All of us are called to one degree, or another, to minister both to believers and unbelievers.
    Regardless of their primary mission, all of those with these gifts have the responsibility to equip God’s people to do God’s work and to build up the Church, the Body of Christ (and when Paul says this he is not referring to the organization, he is referring to the people who make up the Body of Christ). How do we know that they have been successful? When the Church, and its members, are not blown about by every new teaching which comes down the road. Paul warns us against lies which are so cleverly told that they sound like the truth. When confronted by such teachings let us speak truth in love. Again remembering to humbly acknowledge that we may not fully comprehend the truth. It is important to remember that while I may not be correct in my understanding about what is true, those who claim that there is, therefore, no truth are certainly incorrect. Let us remember that there is such a thing as absolute truth while humbly seeking to learn what that truth is. We will never fully comprehend God’s truth while we are in this world, but if we continue to seek God and allow Him to correct our mistakes, He will gradually reveal ever more of that truth to us.

DSCN9486

Isaiah 45:11-48

    I was struck by this statement which God declared through Isaiah: “I am the Lord, and there is NO other.” There is someone I speak with from time to time who was raised a Christian, and who still considers themselves a Christian. However, they worship as part of an inter-faith congregation (not an inter-denominational congregation, but an inter-faith one). They worship together with Wiccans, Buddhists, Hindus, and others who consider themselves Christians. Wiccans and Hindus worship beings other than God (whether the beings they worship are real or imaginary is a discussion for another place). Those who worship with them are not Christians. Those who believe that Paul’s call for unity means that we should be unified with those who worship gods other than God have misread Paul.
    There is a couple of other statements made by God in this passage which I think we need to remember. “I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.” God does not make quiet little claims that can be easily overlooked and He does not call us to do so either. Let us publicly, boldly proclaim God’s promises, not whisper them obscurely in some dark corner. There may be those who will belittle us for doing so, but better that than for them to cry, “Why didn’t you tell me?” when God’s judgment is made. This passage also tells us that God would not have told people to seek Him if He could not be found. Let us seek the Lord and encourage others to do so as well. Those who genuinely seek God WILL find Him.

Daily Bible Study

September 24, 2015 Bible Study — The Mystery of Christ

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9569

Proverbs 24:1-2

    The wicked may seem like they have everything they want, but they are constantly stirring up trouble and plotting violence. It is sometimes hard to remember that the “nice” things such people have do not offset the sense of self=loathing we would have if we acted like they do.

DSCN9570

Psalm 68:1-18

    The wicked fear God and His presence drives them away, but the godly rejoice in His presence. God is father to the fatherless and a defender to widows. The powerless turn to Him for justice, and He grants it to them. God will turn aside a mighty army with a horde of those with no military skills. They will flee leaving behind their wealth for those they thought to oppress. Let us praise God for His mighty acts.

DSCN9574

Ephesians 3

    We, as people, constantly want to separate ourselves into groups. Those who are “inside”, or us, separated from those who are on the “outside”, or them. Paul points out the great mystery of the Gospel. God has declared that these two designation no longer have any meaning. He sent Christ for the purpose of uniting all people into one body (and by body Paul does not mean group, he genuinely means a body composed of many people, just as our bodies are composed of many cells). God intends for the Church, the Assembly of believers, to demonstrate this new way of being. God has called us to demonstrate that the Gospel message is for all people, not matter what their heritage. In God’s plan as revealed through Christ, there are no Jews and Gentiles, there are no Brahmans and Untouchables, there are no Blacks, Whites, Asians. In God’s plan there are only people, who need to accept God’s love and grace.

DSCN9497

Isaiah 43:14-45:10

    Here Isaiah prophesied what Paul said in the Ephesians passage. God declared through Isaiah that He was going to do a new thing. God has chosen a people for Himself, that people is composed of those who proudly declare that they are His and follow His commands. God will pour out His Spirit on those people who will proudly proclaim themselves as belonging to Him, those who take the name of Israel as their own.
    I was going to stop there, but I really have to comment on the end of this passage. What a sad day we have come to when people believe that they have the understanding to tell their Creator, “Stop, you are doing it wrong!” We live in a society where children have sued their parents for giving them birth…and there are those who think they are right to have done so. God is our Creator and He has made us the way we are for a purpose. Let us recognize that our physical flaws are not a mistake, they are there to serve God’s purpose.

Daily Bible Study

September 23, 2015 Bible Study — Happy Anniversary to My Lovely Wife

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. Today my wife and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I am so grateful both to God and to her for these 15 wonderful years. I pray to God that we have many more together.

DSCN9494

Proverbs 23:29-35

    If you spend your time trying all the latest wines, beers, or mixed drinks, you will suffer for it. I don’t think there is anything I can say to add any clarity to what is said here.

DSCN9490

Psalm 67

    Yes, I will make this my prayer today. May God’s saving power be known to all people throughout the entire earth. May they come to know and praise God. Then, and only then, will there be peace on the earth.

DSCN9491

Ephesians 2

    None of us have any place to boast about our salvation. It was a free gift from God given to us when we were still enmeshed in sin. He did not give it to us as a reward for our righteous behavior, because if salvation was a reward for righteous behavior no one would receive it. No, God recreated us in, and through, Jesus so that we could do good things. The good things we do are not ours to boast of, rather they are God’s doing. I do not do good things because I am a good person. Rather the good things I do are a product of God’s Spirit working through me.
    God, having given us salvation, is now joining us together into a Temple in which He may live. The purpose of this unity is to bring glory to God. We are not called to unity to make people feel better about themselves. We are not even called to unity to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Those are both valuable things, when done in service to the purpose for which God is bringing us together. That purpose is to glorify God. We do not bring glory to God, by proclaiming that sinful behavior is not sinful. However, we need to remember that we are called to confront ALL sinful behavior, not just sinful behavior we find distasteful.

DSCN9493

Isaiah 41:17-43:13

    As I read Isaiah recounting God’s call for the idols to tell us what they had done long ago, I am reminded that scholars and archaeologists frequently question the historical accuracy of the accounts in the Bible. In the early nineteenth century, it was the accepted “truth” that the Assyrian Empire had never existed, that the Biblical writers had invented it to make points about God’s power. Even after the discovery of Nineveh there were those who questioned the accounts given here and elsewhere of the Assyrian siege and withdrawal from Jerusalem, but those have now been confirmed. The idols worshiped by the skeptics had failed to reveal what had happened long ago, just as God had said that they would. Yet the Bible told us of those events. There is a similar call for those idols to tell us what will happen in the future. Before 1948, those who do not accept the Bible and God’s power would have told you that Israel would never again exist in Palestine. Yet, here in Isaiah, God proclaimed that one day He would bring His people back to the land He had promised Abraham.

    There is another theme in this passage which I want to touch on because it struck me as I read this. At the beginning of Chapter 42, we are told of God’s chosen servant, who will not shout, or raise His voice in public. This is a prophecy about Jesus. However, I felt the Spirit talking to me. We are not called to shout, and scream, and stamp our feet. We are called to calmly, gently, and firmly work to bring justice.

Daily Bible Study

September 22. 2015 Bible Study — Come and Listen To What God Has Done

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9465

Proverbs 23:25-28

    This proverb tells us that a promiscuous woman is dangerous, trying to get more men to be unfaithful. If you have ever met a promiscuous woman, you know that it is true. They prefer men who are in a relationship with other women, especially men who have been faithful. However, the same is true of promiscuous men. Look around at society and you will see that the more people practice sexual immorality the more they wish to convince others to do so as well. Do not fall into that trap by getting started in the first place.

DSCN9466

Psalm 66

    Let us join the psalmist in praising God, calling on everyone to come and see what God has done. The psalmist sums up how we are to witness to others at the end of this psalm.

Come and listen, all you who fear God,
and I will tell you what he did for me.

I will tell any who will listen what God has done for me. By doing so I hope to encourage those who believe, and convince those who do not.
For I cried out to him for help,
praising him as I spoke.

When I cry out to God for His help, I will praise Him at the same time. He has done great things for me in the past. I know that He will do great things in the future.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.

If I pretend that I am not a sinner when I call on God for help, He will not listen. It is only when I acknowledge my many sins to Him that He will listen to me. He cannot help us if we fail to acknowledge the areas where we most need help (our sins are our true problems, everything else is just a symptom).
But God did listen!
He paid attention to my prayer.

I will continue to seek out unrecognized sins in my life because God has listened. He has paid attention to my prayers. I will seek to identify other areas where my actions fail to please Him, so that He can transform those as well.

DSCN9467

Ephesians 1

    I really needed today’s passage because my study (OK, study is probably too strong of a word for it) of what is going on in the world right now is frightening. There are a lot of bad things happening and it looks to me like things will get worse before they get better (with no real evidence that they will get better). However, in this passage Paul reminds us that God HAS a plan. More importantly, God makes everything work out according to His plan. Things do not happen by accident. They happen because they are part of God’s plan. He has chosen us and part of His plan is to give us an inheritance. So, as scary as the world situation may appear today, God has a plan and He is in control. Things will turn out according to His plan.
    Paul then goes on to offer the prayer that we might receive the Spirit of wisdom (NIV). That Spirit will cause us to know God even better. It will open our eyes to God’s light so that we will know the great hope which God has given us. Once more, despite how scary things look in the world around us, we have the hope and knowledge that God will use these events to further His plan. That plan involves giving us the same power which raised Jesus from the dead through His Spirit. Let us use that power to further God’s plan to subject all things to Christ.

DSCN9468

Isaiah 39:1-41:16

    God is calling on us to shout that He is coming in power. Let our voices be heard. There is no reason to be afraid. Our God is a great God. It was He who created the universe and everything in it. Look at the scale of this universe. On that scale, this earth is insignificant and the nations even more so. There is nothing we can see, or imagine, to which we can compare God. Those who make images and idols are trying to limit God to a scale which they can understand, but such is not possible. God will not be limited.
    In chapter 40, verses 29-31 is one of the great statements for us to remember.

He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Are you at your wits end? Have you become exhausted doing God’s will? He will give you the strength to go on. Trust in Him and do not be afraid. He will not allow your grip to fail. He will not allow you to fall. Turn to Him for the strength you need. He is here to help us and He will not fail us.

Daily Bible Study

September 21, 2015 Bible Study — Do Not Measure Yourself Against Others

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9474

Proverbs 23:24

    We are told to honor our parents. This proverb tells us that the best way to do so is to live righteous lives. If we demonstrate wisdom and righteousness in our actions it brings honor to our father and mother. Make your parents proud and give them joy; live a righteous life.

DSCN9475

Psalm 65

    The psalmist reminds us that God will answer our prayers with awesome deeds. This is a reminder, and an incentive, to me that I need to pray more. How can God answer our prayers with awesome deeds if we do not pray? The more we pray, the more opportunity we give God to answer our prayers with awesome deeds!

DSCN9476

Galatians 6

    Paul makes an important point here. If one of our fellow believers is caught up in sin, we should work with them to guide them back to the correct path. However, we need to do so gently and humbly, recognizing that we are not perfect either. As we do this, let us be careful not to make the same mistakes we see them making. Further, it is important that we do not start thinking of ourselves as more important than we are. We need to recognize that our fellow believers do not need our approval, rather, they need God’s approval.
    We should not measure ourselves and what we do against others and what they do. Rather we should measure ourselves against what God is calling us to do. Are we faithfully carrying out the tasks which God has given us? We will reap what we sow. If we act to please our flesh, we will reap results that echo our flesh. Those results will gradually fail and decay, just like our earthly bodies. If on the other hand, we act to please the Spirit, we will reap results which will echo the characteristics of the Spirit, lasting and eternal. Therefore, let us do good to everyone, especially our fellow believers.

DSCN9477

Isaiah 37-38

    In yesterday’s passage the king of Assyria’s representative had told the people of Jerusalem that they could not stand against the Assyrian army. He first said that they should not count on God’s help because Hezekiah had torn down the various shrines in the high places. He followed that up by saying that God would not be able to stop the Assyrians even if He wanted to. In today’s passage the king of Assyria doubled down on those statements. He sent a letter to Hezekiah saying that the kings of Assyria have gone where they pleased and conquered whom they pleased. No other gods were able to stop them and neither would God be able to do so. As always when humans exhibit such hubris (pride/arrogance) God demonstrates that they are wrong. The king of Assyria was convinced that he could do as he pleased and no one could stop him. He probably went to his grave believing that to be true. And yet, he wanted to, and intended to, conquer Jerusalem but was never able to do so. Let us never forget that God does not always act in ways which are obviously supernatural.

Daily Bible Study

September 20, 2015 Bible Study — Live In Freedom

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9464

Proverbs 23:23

    Seek the truth, and when you find it do not trade it for any possible reward. Truth is more valuable than anything else you can have, followed closely by wisdom, self-discipline, and good judgment. If you possess these four things your life will be complete.

DSCN9461

Psalm 64

    The wicked plot their actions carefully and in secret, confident that no one will discover that it is they who are behind the crime. Despite their most cunning plans, God will know who is to blame. He will strike them down. Then, as people watch and listen, the wicked will be tripped up by their own words. We see this happen time after time. Someone carefully plans a wicked act in secret. Their plans are carefully concealed and the blame is initially placed elsewhere. Then, out of nowhere, a revelation will come and, through their own words, it will become obvious who is truly responsible for the wicked act.

DSCN9462

Galatians 5:13-26

    Paul reminds us that we have been called to live in freedom, not enslaved to a set of rules. However, he tells us that we should not use our freedom to satisfy our sinful nature, instead we should use our freedom to serve one another in love. If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our actions we will not do what our sinful nature desires. Paul goes on to point out the results of following our sinful nature. We should all regularly read that list because Paul tells us that anyone living that lifestyle will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. Paul then goes on to describe the lifestyle we will live if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives. It will be a life full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
    If we truly live this lifestyle we will not become conceited, we will not provoke one another, we will not be jealous of one another. Last week, I wrote about Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians, and us, to examine ourselves. This is the first step in such an self-examination. Am I conceited? Do I provoke my fellow believers by what I say, or what I do? Am I jealous of others? Either for what they have, or the position they hold?

DSCN9463

Isaiah 33:10-36:22

    Isaiah prophesies of a time when the Lord will act on His anger at the sins of the world. I am convinced that there has been more than one time in history when God’s message in this passage applies. I believe that we are once again living in a time when God will, and already is, express His anger with the sins of this world. He will destroy the nations and armies of this world. Everything will be dedicated to Him, those people and things which bring glory to God will blossom and be glad. Those people and things which do not bring glory to God will be destroyed completely.
    Once more God will act to bring salvation. This will not be a new act. It will be a revival of those who worship Him. Just as when Jesus walked this earth, God will move on this earth:

he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.

If those of us who worship His name will just faithfully pray to Him and seek to do His will, God will pour out His Spirit throughout the world. He will show His might and use us to bring glory to His name.

Daily Bible Study

September 19, 2015 Bible Study — Faith Is Expressed By Love

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9455

Proverbs 23:22

    This is important advice for young people. Listen to your parents, they may not understand what is going on in your life, but they gave that life to you. Do not despise them when they get old and no longer have anything to offer you (or so you think). There is however more to this than just that they gave you life. The most important thing to remember is that they were your age once and despite any seeming disconnect between what they tell you and what is going on in your life there is likely to be value in what they tell you. This remains true, no matter what age you are. And remember that your mother gave some of the best years of her life to raising you, when she gets old and suffers the disabilities of age, give her whatever joy is in your power to give her.

DSCN9456

Psalm 63

    This is a psalm of praise which I pray my readers, and all others, will make their own. I earnestly search for God, having been assured elsewhere that those who seek God will find Him. I have found God, but it is the nature of being human that I must seek Him again each day. I will praise Him as long as I live, praying to Him openly. I want everyone to know that I worship and praise God. I strive to live my life so as to not to bring shame to those who also worship Him.

DSCN9457

Galatians 5:1-12

    We will not gain favor with God by being circumcised, by inflicting pain on ourselves, or by making ourselves physically distinct from those around us. There were two aspects of circumcision that led some to claim that it was necessary for Gentiles to become true followers of Christ. The first aspect is the pain which an adult experiences when he is circumcised. There are those who believe that we need to inflict pain upon ourselves in order to be made right with God. We see this in the self-flagellation movements which have cropped up from time-to-time and place-to-place throughout history. Paul rejects that idea. The second aspect is that those who are circumcised are physically different from those who are not. Being circumcised is an action which cannot be undone. There were institutions in the Roman Empire of Paul’s day where those who had been circumcised would stand out as different from the norm. The Roman baths and the Greek gymnasiums were places where the men who were movers and shakers in society would meet. In both locations, men went naked as part of the experience, so everyone knew who was, and was not, circumcised. There were those who believe that we need to stand out from the crowd in ways we cannot undo by some physical manifestation. Paul rejects this idea as well.
    Neither of these approaches is of any value. We cannot make ourselves right with God by following either of those paths. We are made right with God by faith which is expressed by love. If we truly have faith in Christ we will express that faith by showing love to those around us.

DSCN9458

Isaiah 30:12-33:9

    All too often, instead of seeking God’s help, we try to figure out how to do it on our own. Or we seek powerful allies to stand with us against those we perceive as powerful. Instead of trusting in God we depend upon deception and oppression to win the victory. But God is waiting for us to turn to Him. It is only by repenting of our sins and resting in Him that we will be saved. If we ask for God’s help, He will indeed grant it. If we stop rejecting His words He will guide us in the safe path.
    It is a short little bit of this passage but it always strikes a chord with me. If we put our trust in God, He will be a voice in our ears saying, “Turn left here. Just a little further. Now turn right.” Those directions will guide us on the path to doing God’s will. I strive to quiet my thoughts so that I can hear that voice as it guides me.

Daily Bible Study

September 18, 2015 Bible Study — We Are All One In Christ

Leave a comment

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

DSCN9451

Proverbs 23:19-21

    We are warned against partying with those who drink and/or eat to excess. If we spend too much time with such people, we will do the same. The result of partying to excess is to end up much poorer than you started.

DSCN9452

Psalm 62

    The psalmist calls on us to wait quietly before God. It is easy to read that as “wait quietly FOR God,” but that is not what he is saying. The psalmist is telling us to go “before God” and wait quietly, my interpretation is that this is a form of prayer and meditation. At another point in the psalm, he tells us to pour our hearts out to God and trust Him. So, at all times we are to pour our hearts out to God, tell Him our deepest desires and fears, than to quietly wait in meditation for His answer or action. I really need to work on the meditation portion, on waiting quietly for God to speak to me.

DSCN9453

Galatians 3:23-4:31

    This passage has a lot of lessons for us, but I struggled to find the context which would allow me to tie them all together. Then it struck me that most of this letter to the Galatians is Paul’s response to some teachers whom the Galatian believers were starting to follow. These teachers were teaching them that some people were better than others because they followed certain rules (from the context I would guess that these rules were derived from Jewish law). Paul points out that while the law served its purpose, that purpose is now passed.
    These teachers whom Paul was responding were determined to win the Galatian believers away from Paul’s teaching, away from the Gospel. When Paul was in Galatia, these teachers were zealous to do good things for the Galatian believers, but once he left, their zealotry was for commanding the Galatian believers. They presented the idea to the Galatian believers that the other believers should follow their instructions because they were better than those others. Paul responded to this by pointing out to the Galatians that we are all one in Christ. The Jew is not better than the Gentile, men are not better than women, slaves are not less than those who are free. Christ died for each and every one of us. All who were baptized in Christ have been clothed with Christ. If we belong to Christ we are heirs to Abraham, and the promises he received.

DSCN9454

Isaiah 28:14-30:11

    The rulers, the elite, those who are in positions of power are all convinced that they have struck a bargain with death. They believe that they will be able to dodge the troubles and hardships which their actions have set in motion. With lies and deception they have fortified their positions, they are convinced that those fortifications can never be swept away. However, God has placed a foundation stone from which He will test all fortifications against the measuring line of justice and all walls against the plum-line of righteousness. Those whose fortification is made from lies will be swept away. They will discover that the bargain they struck with death is null and void. However, those who build on God’s foundation will have a fortress which will never be shaken. Those who establish their position on justice and righteousness will be secure. Look at our current crop of politicians, they are all convinced that the only way to rise to power is lies and deception, and the voters believe they are right. This path leads to destruction.