Read the Bible in 1 or 3 Years

FEBRUARY 2012 - GENESIS 39 TO EXODUS 19

2012-01-26T23:38:00.001-08:00

1^st February Genesis 39

Joseph is a most attractive character – he keeps his integrity in situations where most others would have given over and gone with the flow. Potiphar, as captain of the guard, had the charge of the Pharaoh’s prison. He continues to use Joseph, even as he placates his wife. David said: I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17

2^nd February Genesis 40

Potiphar assigns Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer to Joseph’s care. While he is content to leave Joseph in prison, he is more than willing to utilise Joseph’s talents. Joseph spends the next two years in the prison. How would your faith stand up?

3^rd February Genesis 41:1-49

God’s timing is perfect. He has purposed that Joseph will not only save his family in the coming famine, he will save the entire nation of Egypt. No doubt, Joseph blessed the circumstances he once cursed, that left him in a stinking prison for years.

4^th February Genesis 41:50 to 42:38

In the seven years of plenty, Joseph has two sons with Asenath. Children are the blessing of the Lord. In these two, Joseph feels blessed as well as knows it. The brothers before their brother is a most instructive piece. Every eldest has felt like Reuben at some time I’m sure.

5^th February Genesis 43

The brothers feast with Joseph amidst plenty but with fear and trepidation. Consider why the Scripture devotes so much time to this incident!

6^th February Genesis 44

Judah

has changed too, as well as Joseph. Judah willingly sacrifices himself for Joseph’s full brother Benjamin, where he once willingly sacrificed Joseph himself to slavery. Judah’s redemption is of moment in the sacred history. Your redemption is of moment too.

7^th February Genesis 45

God’s promise to Jacob: All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring, begins to be fulfilled with Joseph. Joseph saves millions from famine, including his own family. Joseph wept! Joseph is deservedly a much loved Biblical character, and one who mirrors his Master.

8^th February Genesis 46:1-47:26

God graciously appears to Jacob and confirms his going to Egypt. Joseph’s relationship with his brothers is amusing because it’s so like our sibling relationships. What do you find of blessing or encouragement in your own life from this passage?

9^th February Genesis 47:27 - 48:22

Manasseh and Ephraim are at least between 7 years of age and their early teens, when Jacob blesses them. Jacob acts as God’s prophet with his two grandsons. He makes no mistake when he blesses Ephraim, the second born with the first-born blessing. Have you ever prayed for God’s blessing for your grandchildren with them right there before you?

10^th February Genesis 49

Jacob’s blessing for his own sons contains much prophecy, as well as much character assessment. Jacob has no rosy-eyed view of his sons – see what he says about his later favourite – Benjamin. Judah’s blessing speaks most strongly of Christ.

11^th February Genesis 50

Genesis ends with two funerals – Jacob’s and Joseph’s. Joseph’s brothers’ behaviour is so typical of after-funeral family conferences. There can be much anger and resentment. We need to take Joseph as our example at such times.

12^th February Exodus 1:1 - 2:22

Much is sometimes made of the lies of the mid-wives to Pharaoh. Whatever we think of their actions, God commends these women for fearing Him and so saving lives. Moses birth and life up to 40 years of age are given briefly and succinctly.

13^th February Exodus 2:23 - 3:22

The next 40 years are also passed over in a few short verses. The refrain of the next few chapters is that God hears their cries, is concerned and acts. When God acts in salvation, He sends a saviour. The burning bush is the symbol of our Presbyterian Church.

14^th February Exodus 4

Moses does not want to be the saviour of Israel. He tries various excuses before he states categorically in verse 12: Please send someone else to do it! God does not let Moses off the hook, though He makes Aaron Moses’ spokesman. Righteousness is expected of a Saviour. Moses has deliberately neglected the covenant sign of circumcision for his own sons (this neglect is akin in seriousness to spitting on the cross today).

15^th February Exodus 5:1 - 6:12

At the start, every time Moses obeys God’s commands, everything gets worse! There is no great revival, only a long hard time of frustration, rejection by the Church, and overwhelming opposition from Pharaoh. God expects Moses to live by faith in His Word. He gives Moses a daunting commission in 6:11. If God were not God, faith would be folly!

16^th February Exodus 6:13 - 7:25

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? (Revelation 21:27) This question highlights the importance of genealogies in the Bible. It was very important that your name be written in the BOOK! Such books were kept in Jerusalem up to its destruction in 70AD. This is why no Jewish opponent in the First Century ever disputed Jesus’ position as Son of David. The Books were there in Jerusalem!

17^th February Exodus 8

Egypt

rejects the government of God. God withdraws His government (in nature) over Egypt and the ten plagues fall upon Egypt. In the Biblical perspective, natural disasters come as a consequence and corollary of Adam’s rejection of God’s government over his life, of Adam’s original sin.

18^th February Exodus 9

The first five plagues fall upon Israel too. They have to share the boils, livestock dying, the flies, gnats and frogs, the water turning into blood. We too have to share in the disasters that fall upon our people, even as Jesus shared. Faith is no lucky charm, but a trust in the person and character of the Lord.

19^th February Exodus 10

The great paradox in Exodus is where it says Pharaoh hardened his heart (9:34), and I the Lord have hardened Pharaoh’s heart. (10:1) God is totally sovereign in all things. We are totally responsible for our actions/lives. In the dimensions of eternity, both statements are equally true, though mutually exclusive in the dimensions of our existence.

20^th February Exodus 11:1 - 12:20

The first-born are the heirs in their families. Egypt’s heirs all die, except amongst those who joined Israel and sprinkled the blood over their doorposts - the mixed multitude of Exodus 12:38 who went up out of Egypt with Israel. Rebellion against God has no long-term future!

21^st February Exodus 12:21-51

The exodus is one of the central events of Scripture. When Moses and Elijah come and talk with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration about His death, they literally call it an exodus (translated departure in the NIV)! (Luke 9:30) The exodus is salvation by grace through faith!

22^nd February Exodus 13:1 - 14:4

The consecration of the first-born mirrors the plague of the first-born of Egypt. The future of Israel is with God. The heirs were to be God’s sons, men of faith and courage and righteousness. They were redeemed with a lamb! The connection with Jesus is obvious – 1 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 7:14.

23^rd February Exodus 14:5-31

The Red Sea is the finale of God’s great acts of salvation for Israel. This salvation was by His grace. Israel followed Moses and were led out into the desert and trapped - by the Sea, the desert and Pharaoh’s army. God Himself provided the means of salvation.

24^th February Exodus 15

This is one of the great songs of the Bible. It is the song of heaven together with the Song of the Lamb in Revelation 15:3. What do you find uplifting in this song?

25^th February Exodus 16

Grumbles and complaints were the stand-out characteristics of God’s people. They still are. When we look at ourselves so honestly, it humbles us. Our salvation too is only by grace through faith in God’s Word – Jesus.

26^th February Exodus 17

Water from the Rock is another of the great themes and metaphors of the Bible. Salvation comes from unexpected places. People did not expect the Water of Life either to be found in Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Rock on which we stand. Sing or say out loud one of the great hymns that uses the Water from the Rock theme.

27^th February Exodus 18

Moses can take advice from his father-in-law. This is a characteristic of good leadership – a teachable spirit. (2 Timothy 2:2) This chapter is one of the foundational chapters for understanding the eldership – their role and function within the people of God.

28^th February Exodus 19

The history of exodus is important in understanding the theology being taught through that history. God saves Israel by His grace through their faith in Moses - justification. The Red Sea comes before Mount Sinai. The Law, and especially the Ten Commandments, were given after Israel had been saved, not before. They have to do with how we should live as God’s people, with sanctification. The Ten Commandments were never intended as a means of justification or salvation! Pharisees always get it wrong.

BIBLE READINGS FOR JANUARY

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1^st January Genesis 1:1 to 2:3

John begins the opening words of his Gospel with the opening words of Genesis. We live in a universe that testifies to the creative intelligence behind it, to the joy of God in His creation. This is the starting point and foundation of the Gospel.

2^nd January Genesis 2:4-25

Adam worked in paradise. His work was not cursed with futility. That came later. These two chapters also reveal that we are made in God’s image – two persons (male & female) and one humanity/flesh. In what other ways are we made in His image?

3^rd January Genesis 3

The desire to be like God is a fount of sin and of much evil. The Bible teaches that we are creatures – created ones. The desire to be something else – grander, higher, less inhibited by our finitude, is the old temptation that lies behind some of our most cherished beliefs – as exampled by re-incarnation and evolution. When you come to Christ you accept that your final future is as a creature – a created one. Resurrection of the human body is that future.

4^th January Genesis 4, 5

Envy, jealousy, murder – and these are in the Church. Notice that Cain is not an disbeliever. He is like Satan in that he rejects the Lord and the Lord’s authority over his life and actions.

5^th January Genesis 6:1 to 7:10

Noah is a man of faith – he is not perfect, nor is he without sin (as we see later). Noah, like Abraham and Moses, exhibits the faith of Jesus – he listens to the Lord and does all that He commanded.

6^th January Genesis 7:11 to 8:19

The flood is one of the most persistent stories over the face of the earth. The ancient Chinese script has an ideogram for a boat made up of three characters – a vessel, eight, mouth. A boat is a vessel holding 8 people. Belief in Noah’s flood is not about religion versus science. The ancient deluge is rejected because it upholds belief in a Creator. The earth gives witness to several great catastrophes in our past.

7^th January Genesis 8:20 to 9:29

The rainbow is the eternal sign of God’s covenant with Noah. Every time you see one it is a testimony to that covenant. This chapter contains the sad story of Noah going on an alcoholic bender. Noah, like Paul and Peter, is a sinner saved by grace just like you and me.

8^th January Genesis 10:1 to 11:26

Language unites and divides humanity. The Day of Pentecost in Acts is parallel to this chapter of the Tower of Babel. Judgment and scattering is paralleled with salvation and gathering. In one the Spirit is withdrawn. In the other, the Spirit is poured out.

9^th January Genesis 11:27 to 12:20

The call to Abraham has a powerful attraction. It is the promise to a childless man of children. This is a rich and ever deepening stream of promise that leads from here to the New Jerusalem where a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, stands before the throne of God and in front of the Lamb.

10^th January Genesis 13, 14

We look for lessons of faith in the history of Abraham. We are to imitate his faith. See how Abraham handles his nephew’s greed, arrogance and lack of courtesy – with patience, courage and the risk of his life.

11^th January Genesis 15, 16

The words of 15:1 are well worth meditating on. With Abraham, we are given the example of his faith. We are also given the example of his stupidity. Sarah connives what she later blames Abram for.

12^th January Genesis 17

The covenant sign is given years after God’s covenant. We are never to confuse the covenant sign with the reality of the covenant relationship between God and us. The sign follows the reality of the relationship, so too with the New Covenant sign of baptism.

13^th January Genesis 18

When you have a JW come to your door, this is one passage to get them to turn to in their own Bible. Here is a man who is the LORD! Abraham’s prayer is to be our example in praying for our country and loved ones.

14^th January Genesis 19

Lot’s life spirals downward, no matter how many chances he is given. Lot cannot trust the Word of the Lord, as Abraham does. Lot is governed by his fears, not by his faith. He is an example of the stupidity of being governed by our fears. As Jesus said, the way of the Faith is pressed upon and confining (small and narrow), but it leads to LIFE! Matthew 7:13,14

15^th January Genesis 20, 21

Whenever Abraham gives in to his fears, his life too, like Lot’s, spirals downwards. The Lord chastises Abraham as well as Abimelech. Verse 21:1 tells us that grace is the motivating force behind the promise of God and its fulfilment.

16^th January Genesis 22

Abraham’s greatest test was in the offering up of his son, yet believing that God would do all He had promised through this son – give Abraham many descendants through Isaac (17:19). God, who is beyond Time, does not ask anything of us that He is not willing to do Himself. Jesus, unlike Isaac, comes wittingly and willingly to His greater sacrifice.

17^th January Genesis 23

Death is something we must all face. What example do you see in this chapter from the way Abraham handles the death of his beloved Sarah? The only plot of ground that Abraham owns in the Promised Land, is the family grave. Be encouraged by this parallel with our own situation in this present earth.

18^th January Genesis 24

Abraham feels that his own death is coming closer, and Isaac has no wife or child. Isaac is 40. Abraham selects his son’s wife from his own extended family – he wants a wife of the faith for his son. He trusts that God will guide his chief servant. This is a beautiful and gripping story. Its length will not stop you from reading to the end.

19^th January Genesis 25

There are many interesting snippets within this potted family history of Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac and Rebekah have to wait for 20 years before she conceives. The problems and the joys of life are exposed to us within this family for our spiritual growth and for our own wrestlings in life.

20^th January Genesis 26

Abimelech just means my father the king. It is a title of respect, not a personal name. This is a different man to Abraham’s Abimelech. Water rights are a modern concern too. Beersheba is where the Australian Light Horse made their famous charge in World War One.

21^st January Genesis 27

This is a sorry Days of Our Lives story, a warts and all picture of a family of faith. What do you find that encourages you within your family to persevere in prayer and worship?

22^nd January Genesis 28

You and I can’t reach into our children’s hearts and move that pointer around to the right direction. Our prayers for our children and grandchildren should take their cue from how God deals with Jacob personally. Prayer is to be the first resort.

23^rd January Genesis 29

The convolutions of this family with their scheming and manoeuvring makes for interesting reading. Leah and Rachael go from being close sisters to rivals overnight. Leah is the ancestress of David and Jesus. This fact is one of God’s little ironies of life. From beloved Rachael comes Joseph, one of the best loved characters in the Bible.

24^th January Genesis 30

Jacob ends up with four wives and eleven sons. After twenty years, he is still working for his father-in-law though prospering greatly – unlike Moses who remained a shepherd. Jacob is still a smooth operator. Isn’t it amazing that God chooses to use this character? Amazing grace!

25^th January Genesis 31

This flight and pursuit story is exciting. Rachael is a little thief with secrets from both her father and husband. She has only months to live, but no-one knows this. In an unruly situation where anything could have happened, God made sure that Laban treated Jacob carefully.

26^th January Genesis 32:1 to 33:16

Jacob next has to face the brother he so wronged twice, the brother that swore to kill him when next they met. Jacob wrestles with God and Esau. With the angel, he uses the angel’s strength to persevere and not give in – his hip is out. There is a good message for us here to persevere in prayer. With Esau, he divides up his company and sends out many gifts of the flock first. Bluff Esau forgives his little lame brother. Jacob’s lameness is a severe mercy from the Lord.

27^th January Genesis 33:17 to 34:31

What happens in today’s reading is the sorriest of stories. It is sordid, violent and bloody. There is dissension within the family over Dinah’s rape. Jacob is all for smoothing things over. Levi and Simeon find their father weak. We are permitted to see what they do in order that we might learn!

28^th January Genesis 35

Jacob shows Abraham’s faith – God speaks and Jacob listens to the Word and does it. God gives Jacob the Covenant Promise to Abraham – and beloved Rachael dies in childbirth. This is a family that God loves. We are to see that the wider effects of sin within the world are so undiscriminating and life-engulfing that God had to act – Jesus had to come.

29^th January Genesis 36

Esau chose wealth and fame and got it. He sold himself short on everything that is truly worthwhile – the things that last for eternity. Esau and his history should make us re-consider what we are spending our lives for!

30^th January Genesis 37

Jacob’s family begins to fracture with the death of Rachael and the rejection by Jacob of Levi, Simeon and Reuben in the position of his main heir. He pours out his grief in the very public favouritism he shows Joseph. The best of us grow weary and act unwisely or irresponsibly. Hatred stirs most in Judah’s heart – of whom great things are said later. We all need the work of the grace of God in every today.

31^st January Genesis 38

Consider Judah’s words about Tamar: she is more righteous than I, before judging her actions too harshly. (38:26) Tamar had the responsibility of producing the heir. Judah took that away from her unrighteously. He condemned her to a future of poverty and charity within the camp – she who was chosen to bear the heir! How did Joseph treat Mary – she who was chosen to bear the Heir?

December Bible Readings - 1 John 2-Revelation 22

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1^st December 1 John 2:1-17

Notice that obedience to Jesus and to His word or command is inescapable for the Christian. This is how God’s love is made complete in us. When you apply God’s Word to your life, be practical. Ask yourself how, when and who!

2^nd December 1 John 2:18-29

Talk over with someone else what it means today to deny that Jesus is the Christ. Can you give examples from our society in Australia today? In John’s day these were people who were inside the perimeter of the Church.

3^rd December 1 John 3

We are called to two things – to discontinue in sin and to love our brother Christian. 1 Corinthians 13, Zechariah 7:9,10 and 8:16,17, Leviticus 19:18 and much else of the case law in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy will tell you what loving your brother means in practice.

4^th December 1 John 4

What verse in today’s reading do you think would be a good one to memorise. This is another famous chapter on love.

5^th December 1 John 5

John summarises everything he has said in the first four chapters in this last chapter. Meditate on verses 11 and 12. What idols do you have to keep yourself from?

6^th December 2 John

The chosen lady is a church. John had to be careful when writing to a persecuted church. John reiterates themes from his gospel. What verse touches on some situation in your life?

7^th December 3 John

Gaius is presumably Paul’s friend at Corinth whose hospitality is noted – see Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14. I have always found his advice imitate what is good challenging. Find something that challenges you!

8^th December Revelation 1

This rich picture of Jesus is drawn from Genesis 3:24, Joshua 5:13-15, Ezekiel 1:7,27, Daniel 7:9,13, 8:17, Ezekiel 43:2, all through Ezekiel! This picture links Him to the whole of the Old Testament story of God’s dealings with mankind, from the Fall to Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land under Joshua, to the promise of the Messiah in Daniel’s revelation and in the prophets.

9^th December Revelation 2:1-17

We can find facets of our own congregation’s life in each of the seven churches. Do any of these descriptions apply to your congregation? What is your responsibility to Christ, to your congregation with what you see?

10^th December Revelation 2:18-3:6

Each of the seven churches is in what is now modern Turkey. Back then, Turkey was a polyglot mix of almost every nationality under the sun. Idolatry is called sexual immorality in the prophets – the image is that we the church are God’s wife! The idolatry of Thyatira was a mixture of current ideas with traditional Christian belief.

11^th December Revelation 3:7-22

The church at Philadelphia is the one church of the seven that did not receive a rebuke from Christ. What can you learn from what Jesus said to these Christians?

12^th December Revelation 4

The imagery of this chapter comes from the Exodus, Ezekiel’s visions, Noah, the 12 Patriarchs of Israel and the 12 Apostles. What have you found worthy about God this past week or month?

13^th December Revelation 5

The scroll is a will or testament. In ancient Rome, seven seals attested a will. Seven people put their seals on the will signed in their collective presence. It was hoped that at least one of the seven would be alive when the will was opened to attest its contents. In Revelation, There is no one who is able to open God’s testament to men and unlock the inheritance for us – except the Lamb!

14^th December Revelation 6

In John’s revelation Jesus opens the six of the seven seals. Jesus is the rider on the white horse. Then follow War, Famine, Death, Witnesses and Judgment (as in Egypt). What God is doing through Jesus within history is signed and sealed!

15^th December Revelation 7

John symbolises the whole of the Church (i.e. the true Israel of God) with the number 144,000 – 12 times 12,000. Israel is referred to as the thousands of Israel! (Numbers 10:36 Moses said, "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel”.) The reference to a seal on their foreheads is reference to their baptism. All of God’s people will be saved. He will not miss out one of His own!

16^th December Revelation 8

The seventh seal is silence. God waits for something – the prayers of the saints. Prayer is the signal for the trumpets – as on the Day of Atonement or the Feast of Tabernacles. The trumpets unleash God’s salvation – which is also His judgment, as in Egypt of the Exodus!

17^th December Revelation 9

I remember when I read one book that claimed that the locusts mentioned were helicopter gun-ships – viz a viz their guns in the back. This is all science fiction and should be treated as such. The third is mentioned, because this was the share of those who did not inherit! The rule of inheritance in Israel was that the heir got two mouths or bites at the cherry, everyone else divided up the final mouth. Jesus will get two mouths!

18^th December Revelation 10

The Angel is described like Christ, while being quite different. The Angel’s face symbolises God’s holiness; the rainbow symbolises God’s mercy and covenant faithfulness; and the cloud, God’s presence, both protecting and judging God’s people.

19^th December Revelation 11

The two witnesses are the Law and the Prophets, or Moses and Elijah. They are linked to the two olive trees (Zechariah 4) the Lord’s Anointed (or Christs) the King and the Priest. Remember what Jesus said in John 8:14-18.

20^th December Revelation 12

All this imagery comes from the Old Testament. Remember Joseph’s dream? Psalm 2 as quoted refers to Christ. Though Satan tries to destroy the Church, she is saved in God’s providence by fleeing to the wilderness. 1260 days are 40 months, recalling the 40 years in the wilderness.

21^st December Revelation 13

The Beast is identified with the secular world powers that are inimical to Christ and His Gospel – hence horns, crowns, leopards, thrones, authority over tribes, peoples, ethnic groups. Verses 8-10 contain the key – the Redeemer’s coming is this world’s death stroke. What is required of us?

22^nd December Revelation 14

We believers are espoused to one husband – Jesus Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:2. This chapter is a wonderful picture of what Jesus has done for you – we are cleansed and preserved by Christ and His Spirit.

23^rd December Revelation 15

John sees the Temple Above in Jerusalem Above. This is the Temple where Jesus offered up Himself as a sacrifice for our sins – Hebrews 9:11-14. You and I can serve the Living God, because Christ cleansed us from our sins.

24^th December Revelation 16

Judgment leads to the freedom of God’s people. The imagery of this chapter is meant to remind us of the history of the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. Seven is the number for completion or wholeness. God’s salvation of Israel was complete. So too shall be His salvation of the people of Christ! Hallelujah!

25^th December Revelation 17

Look at Proverbs chapters 5 to 9 and the warning about stupidity – the way of spiritual adultery. The adulteress is one major source for this chapter. So too is Zechariah 5:5-11. Babylon pictures all the allure of worldly thinking. The constant refrain of Revelation is the call for perseverance and faithfulness on our part.

26^th December Revelation 18

The image of Babylon is the same as what Jesus meant by Mammon. Nahum 3, Habakkuk 2 and Zephaniah 3 are all passages with the same message. Where have I placed my love? Is my profession the same as my practice?

27^th December Revelation 19:1-10

Heaven will be a wonderful place! Verse 10 is a key verse to understand what the Bible means by prophecy. A lot of modern Christian commentators place the spirit or focus of prophecy of the Old Testament in the Jews. John places it in the testimony of Jesus.

28^th December Revelation 19:11-20:6

What impresses you about Jesus in this tremendous passage? Once again Psalm 2 is part of the background. Psalms 1and 2 portray the Law and the Prophets – the 2 witnesses to Christ.

29^th December Revelation 20:7-21:8

The Great White Throne – you need never be afraid that God will make mistakes. His throne is WHITE! Meditate on 21:1-8. Find one thing that brings comfort to you?

30^th December Revelation 21:9-22:5

Shameful, deceitful and impure are adjectives of hell, not heaven. I have a responsibility to turn away from such today. When Christ returns, the Garden of Eden will become the Garden in the midst of the Holy City!

31^st December 2004 Revelation 22:6-21

Jesus is coming! This thought is repeated throughout these closing verses. May those people we pray for all come to say: Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

NOVEMBER 2011 - John 5 to 1John 1

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1^st November John 5:1-23

Verse 18: The Pharisees and the Sadducees were in no doubt that Jesus taught that God was His Father in a special way. The doctrine of the Trinity flows from the lips of Jesus Himself. What lesson is there in this healing?

2^nd November John 5:24-47

This passage contains one of Jesus’ grand promises – verse 24. Jesus taught resurrection. He also taught that He had the power to give the gift of life to whomever He wants. Ask Him in confidence!

3^rd November John 6:1-21

These two incidents flow into one another. Think through what they teach about Jesus. What stands out to you of His character and attitudes?

4^th November John 6:22-40

What is the food that endures to eternal life? (v.27) Jesus declares that He too is as meek as Moses – He has come to do God’s will. Jesus concludes his discourse with a reference to the last day.

5^th November John 6:41-7:1

Grumbling seems to characterise God’s people in every age. It was a problem in Moses’ day too. What marvellous truths does Jesus disclose about Himself, about faith. Why did people find these hard?

6^th November John 7:2-30

Jesus’ challenge (v.24) to the Pharisees is also for you and me – make a right judgment! Don’t go by appearances. We must be careful how we use the Scripture. The Pharisees used Scripture to oppose and ridicule Jesus!

7^th November John 7:31-8:11

The Feast of Tabernacles is where most commentators place Jesus’ discourse on Living Water. This was the feast after the harvest was over. It aligns with the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (or the Last Day), as the Crucifixion aligns with Passover.

8^th November John 8:12-30

The Pharisees were quite sure that Jesus taught that He was God. This is no mere addition by later generations of Christians as some have tried to make out. This is the whole point of whether Jesus’ testimony about Himself is valid. Who should you pray for to accept the validity of Jesus’ testimony about Himself?

9^th November John 8:31-59

What a tremendous claim Jesus makes in verse 42 (and verse 47). Love for Jesus is a very simple test to see if someone is truly godly. Love is SEEN – in patience, fairness, courage, and being long-suffering, as in 1 Corinthians 13!

10^th November John 9:1-17

A miracle does not require the recipient to know who is performing the miracle or even to have faith. Jesus just heals this man of a lifetime of blindness – this would include reprogramming the brain to understand the messages the eyes send to the brain! This should fill us with awe!

11^th November John 9:18-38

The man born blind saw more clearly than the whole academic weight of the Jewish world in the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. Courage and clarity mark this man. All he needs to become His disciple is to meet Jesus. Is there someone you know who needs to see Jesus with such clarity?

12^th November John 9:39-10:18

This most wonderful passage on the Good Shepherd should be read in conjunction with Psalm 23. Jesus is no hireling. What do you find challenging, heartening or comforting in Jesus’ words about Himself?

13^th November John 10:19-42

The Jews treated Jesus as if He were an Achan to stone, and not His namesake Joshua. Read Joshua 7. How do you treat Him? Notice that the claim of the divinity of Jesus is no second century addition by the Christian Church. The first century Jews understood that Jesus was claiming to be God!

14^th November John 11:1-27

The celebrated weaknesses and strengths of Martha and Mary are reversed in this incident to that of Luke 10:38-42. It is to Martha that Jesus says the wonderful words of John 11:25,26. Resurrection is our future in Christ, not re-incarnation, or nothingness, or angelhood.

15^th November John 11:28-44

On first sight verse 40 might seem a paradox - those who did not believe saw the glory of God. Yet this misses the point that Martha and Mary believed that Jesus was the Christ. Those who did not believe saw the resurrection of Lazarus and yet did not see any glory, but a trick – see tomorrow’s reading. You might find things Jesus says hard to believe, but do you believe that He is the Christ the Son of God? That is the important question.

16^th November John 11:45-12:19

Unbelief is a hard shell of sin that twists what is good – the desire to honour God, into something wicked and repugnant – the willingness to murder. Deliberate unbelief finds it opposite in Mary and the extravagance of her love. Be challenged by Mary’s extravagance in your love!

17^th November John 12:20-50

Jesus entered Earthly Jerusalem on that Sunday proclaimed as Israel’s King and returned from Heavenly Jerusalem on the next Sunday as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who needs to heed the voice from heaven in your circle? Continue in prayer!

18^th November John 13:1-30

See Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ washing their feet and to Jesus’ words in verse 7! Judas calmly lets Jesus wash his feet – without a murmur or a protest! Judas was ‘not clean’, but obviously this did register! Have you ever felt ‘dirty’, felt the need to be clean? Peter did!

19^th November John 13:31-14:14

There are so many wonderful words in these passages in John’s Gospel that it is hard to pick just one. Verse 13:34 is worthy of much meditation in the light of what the rest of the Scriptures say about love.

20^th November John 14:15-31

To love Christ is to obey Him! (verse 15) Obedience is placed in closest conjunction with the gift of the Counsellor the Holy Spirit. Obedience to the Word of Christ is one sure test of whether someone has the fulness of the Spirit. Without such obedience all the claims and signs are empty shells.

21^st November John 15:1-16

Israel is referred to as God’s vine in the Old Testament – eg Psalm 80:8-16, Jeremiah 2:21 and Ezekiel 17. Jesus is the true Israel of God. Israel the nation came from Israel the man. Just so, we come from this man the True Vine. This is a passage rich in teaching! Find something for your soul today!

22^nd November John 15:17-16:15

The treatment of the world is cruel. Hate is the world’s reaction to Christ! Christ’s counter to the hate of the world is the gift of the Comforter. He is come to convict the world and to guide believers into all truth.

23^rd November John 16:16-33

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the birth of joy into your life and world. Christ gives us confidence in prayer and to prayer, based on His resurrection and on the Father’s love for you and me. How has Jesus overcome the world?

24^th November John 17

This is the great high priestly prayer of Jesus. He prays for Himself, for His disciples and for all throughout all ages who believe in Jesus through their message. Find two things that stand out in today’s reading that encourage you and strengthen you faith.

25^th November John 18:1-27

John highlights the fact that Jesus was brought to Annas first. Annas could not find one charge to bring against the Christ. This is important! The priest finds no blemish in the sacrifice! This is important testimony to who Jesus is and shows what He has come to do.

26^th November John 18:28-19:16

John bypasses the trial before Caiaphas and concentrates on the trial before Pilate. It is good to read this passage on the passion out aloud.

27^th November John 19:17-42

Joseph of Arithamea and Nicodemus gave Jesus a costly burial, suitable for royalty. It is their declaration that Jesus is their King, their Messiah. They are drawn to Him in His death and confess their allegiance openly.

28^th November John 20

The Resurrection is the great pivot of faith. Everything depends on this being true, on this happening within time and space. John lets you see what stopped him in his tracks when he stooped in and saw, not an empty tomb or a mess of hardened myrrh-gummed linen scraps torn off the body, but the linen strips unglued and folded up by themselves. Resurrection!

29^th November John 21

Peter needed a public reinstatement because of his public denial of Christ. Jesus asks His question of Peter three times to answer for Peter’s three denials. Jesus’ question is well worth putting to yourself!

30^th November 1 John 1

John begins his letter in a manner similar to the beginning of his Gospel. It is easy to pretend to others and yourself that you don’t sin, that you are a good person. Why is it important to confess our sins to God and not pretend to Him or to ourselves?

Sermon Notes on Hebrews 12-13 for Sunday October 9th 2011

2011-10-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 11^th October Hebrews 12:18-13:6 Mount Sinai is the mountain that God’s people were not to touch. Mount Zion Above is the mountain that you should touch. It is only with Christ and His Gospel that all peoples will find God, will find their true home. Verses 12:28,29 are worthy of your deep thought.

Hebrews 12:18-13:6

Deuteronomy 4:20-31

Grow In Reverence And Awe Towards This God

The wars of religion – 20^th century wars of atheism. This time great fear – wars of Islam. So no-religion and religion cause wars. Where do we find the answer? In right religion, not wrong. Both atheism and Islam get God wrong – according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We look at the end product of religion to gauge its merit. What has been the product of Presbyterianism? – the Westminster parliamentary system of government, the world and life view that made modern science possible, the belief that ordinary people, not experts, should choose those who govern them in church and state, the belief that all authority should be limited, etc.

Consider the verse Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live at peace with all men and to be holy!

Does such teaching promote war or peace?

Get God right and grow in that knowledge – the fruit of this is your peace and happiness.

The Mountain That Can Be Touched

The mountain that could be touched – Mount Sinai! But death to those - animal or human - who touched it. Judgment for touching.
We have come to Jerusalem Above – the dwelling place of God and man - the place we touch by faith. We have come to the church of the first-born. We are all heirs – male and female! What liberating information!
We have come to God and to Jesus Christ, our Rock, our mountain. He can be touched, be approached at any time by any believer – not just priests or the especially holy, or devout.
We have come to the sprinkled blood of Jesus Christ – it speaks the word of redemption. Abel’s blood spoke the word of judgment on Cain. Jesus’ blood speaks to you and me the word of peace with God, or restoration, cleansing, renewal.

The Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

· The future for this earth – to be shaken – to be removed! PCA can disappear! Australia might not be a nation in another century. We have no guarantee. All powers here are only for a time – they will disappear. Even our lives end with death. We too are only for a time. Good times don’t last!

· The kingdom that cannot be shaken – the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ! The place Jesus has gone to prepare. You have a future beyond death that can never be taken away.

The new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

The Helper Whose Exhortations I Must Listen To

The LORD is your Helper – you and I must listen to Him! Live confidently with Him! “The design of Christ in giving Himself for us, is, that He might redeem for Himself a special people eager to do what is good.” MH Titus 2:14

· Keep on loving as brothers – live with each other as brethren – so others will say with esteem: “Behold how they love one another”.

· Be sure to entertain strangers! Hospitality to strangers – different from friends who will reciprocate. God has a special blessing for such hospitality. Look around the congregation – many are strangers to you!

· Remember those in prison for their faith. While we may be at liberty, many brethren face adversity, imprisonment and even death. Remember those such as young Pastor Joucef Nardakhani under sentence of death for converting from Islam to Christ in Iran.

· Honour marriage – keep faithful to each other. Honour whether married or single!

· Keep free from the love of money. Money is a resource to be used, not an idol to be worshipped. Fight covetousness!

· Be content with what you have. Rejoice in His provision and delight in His gifts.

BIBLE READINGS FOR OCTOBER - HEBREWS, TITUS, TIMOTHY, JOHN

2011-09-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

1^st October Hebrews 5:11-6:20

Faith and patience together lead us to the inheritance Christ has won for us. Faith does not give up either through despair or through apathy. Your hope in Christ is the anchor for your soul to keep you moored in God’s very presence. He is closer to you than you may think.

2^nd October Hebrews 7

Melchizedek was a Canaanite believer. The Canaanites once knew the Lord, but turned from Him. (cf- Romans 1:19-21) Melchizedek’s priesthood represents a higher priesthood than the Aaronic one. Jesus is a High Priest of the order or class of Melchizedek – this sort of priest alone will meet your needs!

3^rd October Hebrews 8

A lot of this chapter is a quote from Jeremiah 31. The theme is the new covenant. Jesus spoke about the Lord’s Supper in terms of the new covenant that was available to you and me through Him. Jesus’ place of priestly service is in heaven where God’s true tabernacle is.

4^th October Hebrews 9:1-14

Jerusalem Above (original) and Jerusalem Below (copy): Temple Above (original) and Temple Below (copy). With art, the original is prized rather than the copy. We should prize the work of Jesus in the Temple Above – this is the original salvation or religion!

5^th October Hebrews 9:15-28

The Law of Moses teaches us about the ministry of Jesus as our Messiah; about what He was to do. It helps us understand why it had to be that way. Reflect on verses 27,28.

6^th October Hebrews 10:1-18

Original – copy, reality – shadow, these are useful categories for understanding the good news of Jesus Christ. Why is it wrong to punish ourselves or our bodies for sin? (Think about what such practice says about Christ’s sacrifice.) Rather than punishment, what does the Gospel require us to do?

7^th October Hebrews 10:19-39

Faithfulness to Christ leads inexorably to your responsibility to your neighbour. Verses 23-25 should be learnt by heart. Verse 30 is a good motto for any family or church!

8^th October Hebrews 11:1-16

Verse 6 is a verse I was encouraged to learn off by heart as a young person. Saving faith is when we trust God and His promises in both Testaments. Such faith is evidenced by our practice of that faith – when we conduct ourselves and our relationships according to God’s ways.

9^th October Hebrews 11:17-40

All these heroes of faith are mentioned for you and me to find out about. The stories of their faithfulness will help your faithfulness. Find out about one of them. Look up a name in a concordance to the Bible.

10^th October Hebrews 12:1-17

When you face much opposition to your faith, there is someone whose life we should always turn to and consider – Christ’s. (v.2,3) A time of reflection on His life every day will strengthen you emotionally, spiritually and in every other way. This is the fount of living peacefully with others, the fount to a holy life – the good life.

11^th October Hebrews 12:18-13:6

Mount Sinai is the mountain that God’s people were not to touch. Mount Zion Above is the mountain that you should touch. It is only with Christ and His Gospel that all peoples will find God, will find their true home. Verses 12:28,29 are worthy of your deep thought.

12^th October Hebrews 13:7-25

The only worthwhile religion fits you to eat of that Altar Above. Worthwhile religion will strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, help you to be a peacemaker in your family and church, and a Gospel blessing to church leaders. Take this prayer (v.20,21) as your model in your prayers for family and congregation.

13^th October Titus 1:1-2:8

The hope of eternal life! Hope is the sure expectation of a good outcome. This hope is not a pipe dream because it is founded on two facts. They are in verse 2. How can we apply Paul’s words to older and younger men and women today?

14^th October Titus 2:9-3:15

Chapter 3 contains much valuable advice for practical Christian living. Genuine practice and not hypocrisy should be our hallmark as Christians.

15^th October 1 Timothy 1

Paul writes to strengthen and encourage the young Timothy. What areas did Timothy need to be strengthened and encouraged in? Why has God shown you mercy? (v.16)

16^th October 1 Timothy 2

Why would Paul single out these concerns for both men and women – prayer without anger or fighting for men; and modesty with behaviour appropriate to their profession of faith for women?

17^th October 1 Timothy 3

What should you pray for your elders? This list is of the characteristics an elder should have. Use this list to pray for your elders and the other list for members of your Committee of Management.

18^th October 1 Timothy 4

Paul gives much good advice to young Timothy. What might apply to your life? Bring some of his suggestions up to date – what groups today have taboos on Christian marriage and foods? (Think of groups opposed to Christian marriage and those who are obsessive about particular foods.)

19^th October 1 Timothy 5

Find some good pointers on cultivating relationships in today’s reading. Who will you apply them to?

20^th October 1 Timothy 6

Material possessions are not wrong in themselves. Our problem comes with our attitudes and desires. What reasons does Paul give for the stupidity of loving money? Look at the guidelines given for those with possessions. How will you practice them?

21^st October 2 Timothy 1

Gospel doctrine is the pattern for sound teaching. Teaching must be allied with faith in and love for the Lord. Why? What verse speaks to your heart today?

22^nd October 2 Timothy 2

Verse 2 is Paul’s recipe for spiritual reproduction – teach reliable disciples so that they, in turn, can teach a new generation of reliable disciples, who in their turn can repeat the teaching. Pray for each other that we might be such disciples.

23^rd October 2 Timothy 3

When society gets bad, take some time to consider the lessons of the Apostle Paul’s life. What is his key to faithfulness and perseverance? Look at verses 16,17.

24^th October 2 Timothy 4

The opening verses form the basis of a good prayer to pray for every minister. Do you feel like Paul at times – deserted? Write to someone and encourage him or her. Take Paul’s example.

25^th October John 1:1-18

It has been common for 2,000 years for Christians to learn these 18 verses off by heart. They are a great treasure trove of knowledge about Jesus Christ. Meditate on one verse that stands out in your mind today.

26^th October John 1:19-51

John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus gave Jesus His first disciples. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. Who should you bring? First, bring that one to God in prayer today.

27^th October John 2:1-22

These two incidents set the scene for the whole of Jesus’ ministry. As Jesus began, so He will finish. Hence the Bible finishes with a wedding feast and a cleansed temple in Revelation.

28^th October John 2:23-3:21

Nicodemus is someone who would not commit himself while Jesus was alive. Is there anyone you might write off as a waste of time, because of his or her continued equivocation and refusal to commit to Christ? Don’t! There are some memorable and precious words spoken by Jesus today.

29^th October John 3:22-36

John the Baptist honours his cousin Jesus as the bridegroom. What does this tell you about Jesus? Read carefully again verses 35 and 36. If this is true, what then?

30^th October John 4:1-30

Jesus says some of His most wonderful words to women. Consider verse 24. This says a lot about who God is and who we are. What does it mean for you in your church to worship in spirit and in truth?

31^st October John 4:31-54

Jesus tells us what He is truly about – see verse 34. Can you also aver with the Samaritans this man really is the Saviour of the world? The royal official took Jesus at His word (v.49). Pray for those on our congregation’s periphery that they too might take Jesus at His word!

New York Mayor Bringing Back Established Religion

2011-09-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Bringing Back Established Religion

The banning of prayer and readings from participants’ scriptures in the lead up to the New York commemoration of 9/11 was in reality the triumph and establishment of one religious viewpoint over all others, not the dis-establishment or banning of religion!

Secular humanism is at base a set of religious beliefs or concepts/ propositions. Secular humanism is a dominant religious viewpoint of many in the western world.

The idea of banning religion from the public sphere is one big con! You can ban particular religions or religious viewpoints, but whatever prevails at public ceremonies will be according to certain beliefs or allowed practices – according to some religious viewpoint – here secular humanism.

As an Aussie, I have no grief with not having a line-up of religious dignitaries (who can ever forget Peter Cook as the impressive clergyman in The Princess Bride), but to ban participants of such an emotional, important and central anniversary from prayer or reading any portion of scriptures is inexcusable. Grief is so personal and people should be able to participate as they need to in response to such a tragedy. I also thought it a damming thing that chaplains who rushed to the World Trade Towers on 9-11 2001 were not invited this time. If any clergy were to take part, it should have been someone from amongst these.

I think more highly of President Barak Obama for reading Psalm 46. Any participant of any faith in such a ceremony should be able to do so. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s prohibition was forcing the religious beliefs of secular humanism down people’s throats, not as he said to prevent religion from being forced down people’s throats!

New Testament: 1Thessalonians2, 2Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, 2Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, Hebrews, Titus, 1Timothy, 2Timothy, John, 1John, 2John, 3John, Revelation.

Daily notes written by Stuart A Andrews, Minister of St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Tamworth, NSW - below sermon notes.
Sermon Notes on Ephesians 6:10-24

Ephesians 6:10-24

Isaiah 59:12-21

Be Strong In The Lord

Non-religious ceremony? Mayor of New York - Michael Bloomberg. No prayers or readings from the Bible. The proposed ceremony exhibits the religious ideas and beliefs of secular humanism. OK no clergy, but to ban participants from prayer and quoting the Bible?

Email response to fact that reps of first responders to disaster not invited to ceremony: Due to "lack of room", NYC Police Officers , PA (Port of Authority, NY-NJ) PD Police Officers and FDNY Firefighters are not invited to the 10th anniversary of 9/11 at Ground Zero — they weren't invited on that day in 2001 either. They just showed up.

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said, "It is interesting to contrast the 10th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center's twin towers with the day of the attack. Chaplains and religious leaders were welcomed, and some were martyred, as they sought to minister their faith to the victims of the attack. On that day, political correctness didn't matter. It was overwhelmed by the crushing reality of the tragedy of 9/11, and people turned, as they always do, to solace from the realm of the spiritual."

Offers another way to God’s way – a common stratagem of the devil with humanity.

We have need of constancy, resolution and courage as we live – we all have to face hard times. You will find constancy and courage flow from your walk with God.

You Need His Strength

- for your spiritual struggle against the devil’s schemes

· We face spiritual forces as well as human foes. You must wage a spiritual battle against the wily ways of the devil, against rulers, authorities, dark powers and spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. There is a battle for the spirit of our country going on at present. We must fight in that battle with His weapons – trust Him!

· We have need of strength/power and ability beyond our own.

· We have a Captain who fights for us!

· Stand beside your Captain with His armour on.

Fight under your Captain’s banner, no other!
Sermon Notes on Ephesians 1:1-14 - September 1st 2011
1st July 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16Paul reminds these people of the disturbing events of his imprisonment and beating at Philippi (another city of Macedonia), and of the validity of his apostleship. Grumblings and murmurings appear to be an ever-present evil amongst God’s people, but one to be resisted and overcome. How?
2nd July 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
When you face trials, ask the Lord to send someone who will strengthen and encourage you in your faith. God did not create us to be independent islands unto ourselves.
3rd July 1 Thessalonians 4
Faith and works go together and should never be separated. Faith without works is dead, and works without faith is fruitless and directionless. What ambition fills your heart? Does it line up with Scripture?
4th July 1 Thessalonians 5
Speculation about end times is wrong. Speculation feeds on pride and leads to fights and arguments as we defend our position. Reread Luke 12:35-48 together with this passage. Who should you encourage and how will you build them up? (Verse 11)
5th July 2 Thessalonians 1
Worthy of His calling! This is a challenging description of the Christian. Who should you pray for regarding this, as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians?
6th July 2 Thessalonians 2
Let us forsake profitless speculation about the end times or the millennium. Christians waste much time over this. Such speculation only titillates our pride or frightens us silly. How does the Apostle’s advice in verse 15 apply today?
7th July 2 Thessalonians 3
Verse 5 is a wonderful motto for yourself, or a good prayer for your loved ones. This is an excellent verse to memorise.
8th July 1 Corinthians 1
Corinth was a cosmopolitan and hedonistic town – just like any modern city. The church suffered from materialism, party spirit, confusion over moral issues, and a legalism over incidentals. First, Paul approaches the twin problems of pride and arrogance. What does he highlight?
9th July 1 Corinthians 2
In this chapter, look for understanding on what godly wisdom is all about. Verses 4&5 are good ones to meditate on.
10th July 1 Corinthians 3
In verse 16, the you is plural! You (plural) are the Temple of the Holy Spirit! We need to remember that we are both individual and corporate! The church is vital to your individual spiritual health! Verses 5-15 have much to think about.
11th July 1 Corinthians 4
Verses 1,9-17 explain the importance of the Apostles for you today! It is God who alone can expose the motives of men’s hearts. (Verse 4) Notice that he says motives. This is why you can see one motive in someone’s actions and they another! God sees our several motives.
12th July 1 Corinthians 5
The leaders of this church were divided over what to do – this young man was living with his stepmother. Paul speaks straight to them. Today, the tendency in evangelical circles is to be just like these elders.
13th July 1 Corinthians 6
In verse 19, the your is again plural – “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” We put the emphasis on you the individual. Paul puts the emphasis on you plural i.e. the body of Christ. Individual sin taints the whole body of which you are a part. Meditate on verse 11.
14th July 1 Corinthians 7
The Apostle now turns to certain matters, which this church wrote to him about. He states firstly what they wrote and then gives his reply. Verse 1 gives their letter and belief. Verses 2+ give Paul’s reply. Notice in verse 8, he uses the term unmarried. This includes those who never married, and those who are divorced. Since widows were commonly held to be a special group, they are named separately.
15th July 1 Corinthians 8
Verse 1 gives what they wrote to Paul about – food sacrificed to idols. In verse 9-13, Paul gives them an important principle that can be applied in many different areas of life and conduct.
16th July 1 Corinthians 9:1-23
Paul, like Moses, constantly had to defend himself from attacks from within the church. This is always an encouragement for those in ministry to persevere as they did, with the Lord and with His people.
17th July 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:14
Run your life to win the crown that never perishes! God grant us Christ and His power, so that our running will not be in vain! Paul runs straight on into warnings from Scripture about taking spiritual things lightly.
18th July 1 Corinthians 10:15-11:1
Paul summarises his thoughts at the end of this section on food sacrificed to idols. What strikes you as applicable to your life today?
19th July 1 Corinthians 11:2-34
We read the second section in this reading at every communion service. The first verses contain the section on head covering in worship. While obscure, they deal with spouses showing respect publicly regarding each other’s role in marriage.
20th July 1 Corinthians 12
The Greek actually says in verse 1 about spiritual things! Gifts are one of the things the Apostle addresses. He talks about gifts, service and works. We emphasise gifts. Paul actually puts gifts in the context of their purpose! Do you see the difference between spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22,23)
21st July 1 Corinthians 13
The most excellent way! Love is described in terms of behaviour – patience, kindness, not being rude, not delighting in evil. Two passages in Zechariah fill this out a little more – Zechariah 7:8-10 and 8:16,17. Love can be commanded! It is different from liking or disliking, from how you feel.
22nd July 1 Corinthians 14
Paul uses the word to prophecy to mean speak in an understandable language. If you prophecy in a language no one understands, you edify only yourself (v.5). When I preached in the Chinese Church in Surry Hills, there was a Cantonese translator beside me. Someone else was translating into Mandarin through headphones for people. Revelation 19:10 tells us that to prophecy is to testify about Jesus. This is what every true preacher does every Sunday.
23rd July 1 Corinthians 15:1-34
The death and resurrection of Christ are central to the Gospel. Their truth is the hinge upon which our faith turns.
24th July 1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Resurrection is a necessary first step before we enter heaven. This resurrection hope in Christ takes the sting out of death, out of my death and yours. What a wonderful exhortation there is in verse 58!
25th July 1 Corinthians 16
I like to dwell on verses 13,14. They are so simple yet so challenging.
26th July 2 Corinthians 1
Achaia is Greece. Verses 3-5 call us out of ourselves and remind us of that higher purpose in our lives. God grant us to be useful in His kingdom today.
27th July 2 Corinthians 2
Remember the young man who lived with his stepmother? Well, he repented. Paul deals here with his re-admission into the congregation. Before the elders were too lax, now they have been too harsh. Isn’t this just like us!
28th July 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6
There is much of our Trinitarian understanding of God in this sentence: The Lord is the Spirit. (3:17) The designation the Lord is used for both Jesus and the Father!
29th July 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:16
What precious thoughts are these in verses 7-18. Christians have found comfort and strength from them for 2,000 years. Life often has difficult and hard times. May you be sustained by what is unseen and eternal!
30th July 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:10
God has committed unto you through His apostle the ministry of reconciliation! I first learnt these verses by heart many years ago as a young person. May the joy of being a new creation in Christ strengthen your heart today!
31st July 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16
This warning Do not be yoked together with unbelievers is for our comfort and well-being. This warning is for before you commit! Yoked means to be legally tied to someone in business or in any other relationship, such as marriage. Paul has already dealt with the situation where this is already so – 1 Cor.7:12-14.

1st August 2 Corinthians 8
Generosity is an attribute that we gradually lose, as we possess more of this world’s goods. The Macedonian churches will always be a challenge to us of rich generosity in a time of most severe trial, extreme poverty, but overflowing joy. Joy is the key to generosity!
2nd August 2 Corinthians 9
Giving! While this is an area between each of us and the Lord, we should be challenged by verse 6 and look boldly at what motivates us. Thanksgiving to God for His indescribable gift is the motivation behind all true giving.
3rd August 2 Corinthians 10
The Church treated the Apostles just as Israel treated Moses. We treat them just the same today – how often have you heard Paul denigrated? Our attitude should be: Paul is Jesus’ Apostle to me! Hear him!
4th August 2 Corinthians 11
False apostles are hard to pick. They play to our likes and dislikes, our longings and aspirations. We are easily taken in when we hear what we want to hear. In verse 4, Paul gives three signposts for telling false from true teachers.
5th August 2 Corinthians 12:1-13
This is the only occasion where an Apostle lets you into his private spiritual experiences. This uniqueness should give us pause. The human heart is too easily impressed and led astray by the self-proclaimed spiritual experiences of those who would lead. Such experiences should be treated as we treat the marriage bed – with a jealous privacy, modesty and respect!
6th August 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14
Are Paul’s fears for the Corinthian Church (12:20,21) realised in our church today? Of what value is Paul’s response in 13:5,6,11?
7th August Romans 1:1-16
Paul had never been to this church. They accepted him as Christ’s Apostle. Meditate on what Paul says in verses 5,6. You will find much to think through and about in this book.
8th August Romans 1:17-32
Righteousness is by faith! This is the Gospel key that helped Paul, that helped Luther. It will help you too. Faith leads you to following Christ, to obedience, to deeds that match your profession. Faith without works is dead is Paul’s teaching too!
9th August Romans 2
There is a difference between exercising your judgment and taking God’s prerogative of judgment on someone else. This reading demands that you exercise your judgment (see 2:7, 25-29). The warning is: Don’t sit in our Father’s seat! That is treating Him with dishonour.
10th August Romans 3
These chapters contain many verses worth learning by heart. Find one and learn it. Paul is expounding his teaching that righteousness is by faith with a steady though intense and concentrated logic. He is worth following at a slow pace!
11th August Romans 4:1-22
What lessons does Paul want you and I to learn from Abraham? Abraham’s history in Genesis is both for our example and instruction in the Lord. Abraham’s history is salvation history and thus important to the Christian.
12th August Romans 4:23-5:11
God’s demonstrated love is before us whether we listen or not. It is humbling and salutatory to know that I was God’s enemy in my own heart when He reconciled me to Himself.
13th August Romans 5:12-21
The way of righteousness is not the way to righteousness. We, like the Jews, often confuse the two. It is from this confusion that people come to believe that the Ten Commandments (or parts thereof) are irrelevant for Christians. Paul argues that the Law makes sin more exceedingly sinful, because, now knowing the Law, we sin wilfully rather than unwittingly.
14th August Romans 6:1-14
This passage is often used to teach immersion baptism. Paul is not speaking of the mode of baptism, but of the purpose of baptism – to live the new life, not the old one. People get to immersion teaching by taking the image of burial with Christ and mis-applying it to the mode of baptism. Paul teaches that baptism unites us with His atoning death – a continuing wilful life is not on for a Christian. We are saved unto good works as He defines them! (Ephesians 2:10) To be baptised into means to come under the control of! Hence Israel was baptised into Moses in the Red Sea. (1 Corinthians 10:2) It was the Egyptians who were immersed! A Christian is a slave to Christ, not to sin. This is the meaning of buried with Him in baptism, as Paul goes on to say explicitly.
15th August Romans 6:15-7:6
What does the phrase slaves to righteousness mean? We often understand the word negatively. If I am free, how can I be a slave? The problem is what slavery to sin entails. This degradation discolours our understanding. What are the right colours?
16th August Romans 7:7-25
Paul now deals with the issue of the purpose and place of the Law, and of the Ten Commandments in particular. At the heart of the issue is the Bible’s teaching of original sin. Paul’s finds a spiritual war going on within his heart and mind. The problem is not with the Commandments, but with his very nature. He looks to his own death and resurrection as the final resolution of this war within him.
17th August Romans 8:1-17
In this closely argued passage, Paul ends with a startling name for God – Dada. Abba is one of the first words a Jewish baby would say, just as ours say Dada. I find this a challenge to the distance and indifference of my own heart. I find my deceitful heart telling me that it is safer to keep God at a distance.
18th August Romans 8:18-39
Suffering seen against the backdrop of glory and resurrection can be endured. Romans 8:28-39 is a glorious passage, full of comfort, hope and courage. Nothing will be able to separate you from your Beloved!
19th August Romans 9:1-29
These next few chapters deal with national Israel, with the Jews as a people. Not all Abraham’s descendents are Abraham’s children! The sacred doctrine of election is dealt with here in the context of love and grace – notice Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing anguish. Is God’s heart not torn likewise?
20th August Romans 9:30-10:21
God’s purposes for Israel are the same as for Gentiles – faith comes from hearing the message through the word of Christ. Israel’s obstinacy and disobedience continue. So too does the holding out of the Gospel message to them by the Lord. In the light of these passages how should we treat Israel – as the favoured focus of Old Testament prophecy or as erring brothers and sisters who need to come to the Christ to find entrance into His Kingdom?
21st August Romans 11:1-15
In modern Israel there is a remnant chosen by grace. Verse 12 gives an excellent motivation for evangelism amongst Jews – their fullness (engrafting into Christ through faith in Him as Messiah) will mean greater riches for the Gentile believers.
22nd August Romans 11:16-36
God does not have some plan for Israel the nation apart from Christ. Some Christians believe that modern Israel is the focus of Old Testament prophecy. John declares that the spirit (or focus) of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus – not modern Israel. (Revelation 19:10b) Modern Israel’s hope is to be engrafted into Christ as natural branches!
23rd August Romans 12
Living sacrifices, different gifts, one body, sincere love, overcome evil with good. There are many wonderful thoughts, instructions, warnings, understandings – look for one that speaks to your present circumstances.
24th August Romans 13
Give everyone what you owe him. This is a command that we all fall far short in, yet believe against the evidence that we hit it. Think about those four terms - taxes, revenue, respect, honour. Think about them in regard to people with whom you disagree in positions of authority in the family, church, and society.

25th August Romans 14:1-18
Romans 14:1 is a most challenging admonition. It is so hard to do because we look at people like this as fools, misguided, ignorant. Can you find some good advice on how to behave towards those we disagree with, on peripheral points? How do you tell the difference between peripheral and major points of difference?
26th August Romans 14:19-15:13
Don’t these first verses search your heart? Paul expounds the parable of the Good Samaritan with telling effect – who is my neighbour?
27th August Romans 15:14-33
Meditate on the subject of prayer as found in verses 30-33. Is Paul asking for a once-off prayer, or a continuing struggle in prayer with the Lord until He grants our requests?
28th August Romans 16
Look at these salutations. Many are wonderful and heart-warming – whom I love in the Lord; my dear friend; tested and approved in Christ! Do you talk about others in your congregation like this?
29th August Galatians 1
These people are ethnic French - Gauls living in Turkey. Paul recounts his testimony – in order to unblock the ears of these Christians, so that they will listen to what he is saying. How easy do you find it when someone pulls you up about your beliefs?
30th August Galatians 2
The Apostles stood for the one and the same Gospel. There is a modern teaching that Paul gave one gospel and Peter a different version. This is just baseless speculation that goes against what the Apostles themselves wrote. Was Paul justified in his treatment of Peter?
31st August Galatians 3:1-14
Paul’s teaching is salvation by grace through faith unto good works. The false teaching he fights is salvation by your good works. What purposes does Paul give for the Law of Moses?

1st September Galatians 3:15-29
Christians are Abraham’s seed! The Old Testament teaching is that our eternal inheritance depends on God’s promise, and not on the Law of Moses (the ceremonial, food, and civil case law). The Law had a different purpose. It was given to guide God’s people in the process of sanctification until the Christ should come.
2nd September Galatians 4:1-20
The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the Son! In this passage you see the work of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in salvation. Everyone who has experienced misunderstandings in close relationships will appreciate Paul’s words as he seeks to build bridges with this congregation.
3rd September Galatians 4:21-5:9
Freedom! Freedom is not freedom to be like God, to be the one in control. Freedom is freedom from sin through faith in Christ! Free to live with love, justice, courage, goodness, mercy, peace. Free to live without arrogance, manipulative behaviour, substance abuse, immorality, anger and malice.
4th September Galatians 5:10-26
Freedom in Christ is freedom to serve one another in love. Love is fulfilling of the Ten Commandments in a manner that God defines. Read Jesus’ words on the Commandments in the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:17-48.
5th September Galatians 6
It is no mistake that Paul ends his treatise on salvation by faith and not by Law with teaching on works. We are saved unto good works. What works are emphasised by Paul to this congregation?
6th September Ephesians 1:1-14
These verses tell you God’s purpose for you in Christ and at least four things He gives you – verses 7-10. What does it mean for you to be for the praise of His glory?
7th September Ephesians 1:15-2:10
Verses 2:8-10 are a theme song for both the New and Old Testaments. They are excellent verses to memorize. Meditate on verses 1:22,23 and on the thought that we His Church are the fullness of Christ.
8th September Ephesians 2:11-22
The church is a holy temple - public worship is a vital part of our nature and purpose, and no optional extra. Consider the terms used to describe the church – fellow-citizens, members of God’s household, a holy temple, a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit! How do these terms alter our understanding of us as a church?
9th September Ephesians 3
Do you need someone to pray like this about you– May the Lord, out of His glorious riches, strengthen you with power in your inner being? (v16) This is a prayer that the prayed for need to know about. Can you, like Paul, let someone know this is how you pray for them?
10th September Ephesians 4:1-16
This chapter contains much doctrine that is central to what we should be on about as a Christian congregation. Christ’s gifts to the Church are men of His Word – Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. What does verse 12 tell you is God’s purpose for your minister and his ministry?
11th September Ephesians 4:17-32
There is now something you must no longer do! There are things you must put off! This is because there are things you must now be doing and things you must now put on! What are they?
12th September Ephesians 5:1-21
Verse 1 is directly related to Genesis 1:26,27. Salvation is not an insurance policy for eternity – it is the beginning of a new life, a different way to conduct relationships. It is living or walking in the LIGHT. The way of sanctification is therefore a matter of choosing wisdom rather than stupidity, with God defining the difference!
13th September Ephesians 5:22-6:9
Family life is an integral facet of congregational life, as is your personal spiritual life. Wives, husbands, children and fathers are all asked to do things they find hard and a struggle. Do you give the other credit for how hard their struggle is?

14th September Philippians 6:10-24
It is good to meditate on relationship between the armour image and the truth each part portrays. Read Isaiah 59:15-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8,9. Isaiah places this armour on Christ! Have you ever thought of the Christian’s armour as Christ’s armour? Do you realise how privileged you are?
15th September Philippians 1:1-20
Philippi was in the midst of a church fight over who would be top dog. What is Paul’s particular prayer for this congregation in verses 3-6? Notice he assures them of his love and of his sufferings for Christ. Suffering gives Paul the added edge for being heard and listened to.
16th September Philippians 1:21-2:11
Philippians 2:3 has the sense that it is better to allow yourself to be bested, rather than to destroy the church of God through ambition. Paul is not talking about a pretended humility but about seeking the attitude of Christ Himself for yourself.
17th September Philippians 2:12-30
Complaint and argument come naturally to us. These are some of the things we must put off! What do people hear from you: how great your God is, or how terrible your church is or fellow believers are?
18th September Philippians 3:1-4:1
Where do you place your self-esteem – on who you are in Christ or in what you are in the church, in the club, at work, in society? Consider Paul’s great desire for himself in verses 10,11. He wants to live the resurrection quality of life NOW!
19th September Philippians 4:2-23
Finally, Paul deals with Eudoia and Syntyche directly. He doesn’t berate, but pleads. He also asks a third person to help these two prominent women. What does Paul want? What is one point of comfort or strength you find in this passage?
20th September Colossians 1:1-20
There is a great awe of Christ behind verses 15-20. The fruit of salvation for our loved ones flows from His gospel. There are excellent guidelines for prayer here and the great statement of who Christ is.
21st September Colossians 1:21-2:7
This word perfect in verse 1:28 has the sense of mature or come to ripeness or fulness, and not our modern meaning of completely without flaw. Overflowing with thankfulness (2:7) is both a wonderful and a exacting challenge.
22nd September Colossians 2:8-3:4
Colossians 2:9 is a clear statement of the divinity of Christ. Buried with Him in baptism is a picture of being dead to sin (2:13) and not a picture of the mode of baptism! How does the warning against asceticism (2:20-23) apply to you within our culture? Or do we face the opposite temptation?
23rd September Colossians 3:5-4:1
It is a great tragedy and horror that such behaviour is encountered amongst the saints. The Apostle uses the very strong words put to death (3:5)! There are also the deeds of the tongue to be rid of. How do you identify the behaviours mentioned here in their subtle forms?
24th September Colossians 4:2-18
Paul gives an extended list of greetings here. Think about what the rest of the New Testament tells you about each one and consider what this list tells you that you can expect to meet in life.
25th September Philemon
Philemon was a Christian who owned slaves. How does Paul persuade him to free Onesimus? How does someone refresh the hearts of the saints?
26th September Hebrews 1
Life was hard, so hard that a group of Jewish Christians was thinking of abandoning Christ and returning to Judaism. What truths are expressed here about Christ? First Century Jews thought highly of angels.
27th September Hebrews 2
Find something about Jesus in this passage that stands out to you. Meditate on verses 14-18. Are there any temptations you think Jesus won’t understand or wouldn’t receive? Why?
28th September Hebrews 3
Verse 1 is good sound advice for you and me today. The writer gives several good reasons for fixing your thoughts on Jesus. The advice in 3:12&13 always challenges me.
29th September Hebrews 4:1-13
Sometimes we can grow very weary of life and its struggles. The promise of entering God’s rest still stands for you and me. Our responsibility here lies in refusing to harden our hearts towards God and His Word, and in doing things His way.
30th September Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Jesus is able to sympathise with your weaknesses! He is someone who has faced every temptation you have! Confidence in Jesus is the wisest thing we can give Him. It lies behind all prayer in hard and rending situations.

1st October Hebrews 5:11-6:20
Faith and patience together lead us to the inheritance Christ has won for us. Faith does not give up either through despair or through apathy. Your hope in Christ is the anchor for your soul to keep you moored in God’s very presence. He is closer to you than you may think.
2nd October Hebrews 7
Melchizedek was a Canaanite believer. The Canaanites once knew the Lord, but turned from Him. (cf- Romans 1:19-21) Melchizedek’s priesthood represents a higher priesthood than the Aaronic one. Jesus is a High Priest of the order or class of Melchizedek – this sort of priest alone will meet your needs!
3rd October Hebrews 8
A lot of this chapter is a quote from Jeremiah 31. The theme is the new covenant. Jesus spoke about the Lord’s Supper in terms of the new covenant that was available to you and me through Him. Jesus’ place of priestly service is in heaven where God’s true tabernacle is.
4th October Hebrews 9:1-14
Jerusalem Above (original) and Jerusalem Below (copy): Temple Above (original) and Temple Below (copy). With art, the original is prized rather than the copy. We should prize the work of Jesus in the Temple Above – this is the original salvation or religion!
5th October Hebrews 9:15-28
The Law of Moses teaches us about the ministry of Jesus as our Messiah; about what He was to do. It helps us understand why it had to be that way. Reflect on verses 27,28.
6th October Hebrews 10:1-18
Original – copy, reality – shadow, these are useful categories for understanding the good news of Jesus Christ. Why is it wrong to punish ourselves or our bodies for sin? (Think about what such practice says about Christ’s sacrifice.) Rather than punishment, what does the Gospel require us to do?

7th October Hebrews 10:19-39
Faithfulness to Christ leads inexorably to your responsibility to your neighbour. Verses 23-25 should be learnt by heart. Verse 30 is a good motto for any family or church!
8th October Hebrews 11:1-16
Verse 6 is a verse I was encouraged to learn off by heart as a young person. Saving faith is when we trust God and His promises in both Testaments. Such faith is evidenced by our practice of that faith – when we conduct ourselves and our relationships according to God’s ways.
9th October Hebrews 11:17-40
All these heroes of faith are mentioned for you and me to find out about. The stories of their faithfulness will help your faithfulness. Find out about one of them. Look up a name in a concordance to the Bible.
10th October Hebrews 12:1-17
When you face much opposition to your faith, there is someone whose life we should always turn to and consider – Christ’s. (v.2,3) A time of reflection on His life every day will strengthen you emotionally, spiritually and in every other way. This is the fount of living peacefully with others, the fount to a holy life – the good life.
11th October Hebrews 12:18-13:6
Mount Sinai is the mountain that God’s people were not to touch. Mount Zion Above is the mountain that you should touch. It is only with Christ and His Gospel that all peoples will find God, will find their true home. Verses 12:28,29 are worthy of your deep thought.
12th October Hebrews 13:7-25
The only worthwhile religion fits you to eat of that Altar Above. Worthwhile religion will strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, help you to be a peacemaker in your family and church, and a Gospel blessing to church leaders. Take this prayer (v.20,21) as your model in your prayers for family and congregation.
13th October Titus 1:1-2:8
The hope of eternal life! Hope is the sure expectation of a good outcome. This hope is not a pipe dream because it is founded on two facts. They are in verse 2. How can we apply Paul’s words to older and younger men and women today?
14th October Titus 2:9-3:15
Chapter 3 contains much valuable advice for practical Christian living. Genuine practice and not hypocrisy should be our hallmark as Christians.
15th October 1 Timothy 1
Paul writes to strengthen and encourage the young Timothy. What areas did Timothy need to be strengthened and encouraged in? Why has God shown you mercy? (v.16)
16th October 1 Timothy 2
Why would Paul single out these concerns for both men and women – prayer without anger or fighting for men; and modesty with behaviour appropriate to their profession of faith for women?
17th October 1 Timothy 3
What should you pray for your elders? This list is of the characteristics an elder should have. Use this list to pray for your elders and the other list for members of your Committee of Management.
18th October 1 Timothy 4
Paul gives much good advice to young Timothy. What might apply to your life? Bring some of his suggestions up to date – what groups today have taboos on Christian marriage and foods? (Think of groups opposed to Christian marriage and those who are obsessive about particular foods.)
19th October 1 Timothy 5
Find some good pointers on cultivating relationships in today’s reading. Who will you apply them to?
20th October 1 Timothy 6
Material possessions are not wrong in themselves. Our problem comes with our attitudes and desires. What reasons does Paul give for the stupidity of loving money? Look at the guidelines given for those with possessions. How will you practice them?

21st October 2 Timothy 1
Gospel doctrine is the pattern for sound teaching. Teaching must be allied with faith in and love for the Lord. Why? What verse speaks to your heart today?
22nd October 2 Timothy 2
Verse 2 is Paul’s recipe for spiritual reproduction – teach reliable disciples so that they, in turn, can teach a new generation of reliable disciples, who in their turn can repeat the teaching. Pray for each other that we might be such disciples.
23rd October 2 Timothy 3
When society gets bad, take some time to consider the lessons of the Apostle Paul’s life. What is his key to faithfulness and perseverance? Look at verses 16,17.
24th October 2 Timothy 4
The opening verses form the basis of a good prayer to pray for every minister. Do you feel like Paul at times – deserted? Write to someone and encourage him or her. Take Paul’s example.
25th October John 1:1-18
It has been common for 2,000 years for Christians to learn these 18 verses off by heart. They are a great treasure trove of knowledge about Jesus Christ. Meditate on one verse that stands out in your mind today.
26th October John 1:19-51
John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus gave Jesus His first disciples. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. Who should you bring? First, bring that one to God in prayer today.
27th October John 2:1-22
These two incidents set the scene for the whole of Jesus’ ministry. As Jesus began, so He will finish. Hence the Bible finishes with a wedding feast and a cleansed temple in Revelation.
28th October John 2:23-3:21
Nicodemus is someone who would not commit himself while Jesus was alive. Is there anyone you might write off as a waste of time, because of his or her continued equivocation and refusal to commit to Christ? Don’t! There are some memorable and precious words spoken by Jesus today.
29th October John 3:22-36
John the Baptist honours his cousin Jesus as the bridegroom. What does this tell you about Jesus? Read carefully again verses 35 and 36. If this is true, what then?
30th October John 4:1-30
Jesus says some of His most wonderful words to women. Consider verse 24. This says a lot about who God is and who we are. What does it mean for you in your church to worship in spirit and in truth?
31st October John 4:31-54
Jesus tells us what He is truly about – see verse 34. Can you also aver with the Samaritans this man really is the Saviour of the world? The royal official took Jesus at His word (v.49). Pray for those on our congregation’s periphery that they too might take Jesus at His word!

1st November John 5:1-23
Verse 18: The Pharisees and the Sadducees were in no doubt that Jesus taught that God was His Father in a special way. The doctrine of the Trinity flows from the lips of Jesus Himself. What lesson is there in this healing?
2nd November John 5:24-47
This passage contains one of Jesus’ grand promises – verse 24. Jesus taught resurrection. He also taught that He had the power to give the gift of life to whomever He wants. Ask Him in confidence!
3rd November John 6:1-21
These two incidents flow into one another. Think through what they teach about Jesus. What stands out to you of His character and attitudes?
4th November John 6:22-40
What is the food that endures to eternal life? (v.27) Jesus declares that He too is as meek as Moses – He has come to do God’s will. Jesus concludes his discourse with a reference to the last day.
5th November John 6:41-7:1
Grumbling seems to characterise God’s people in every age. It was a problem in Moses’ day too. What marvellous truths does Jesus disclose about Himself, about faith. Why did people find these hard?
6th November John 7:2-30
Jesus’ challenge (v.24) to the Pharisees is also for you and me – make a right judgment! Don’t go by appearances. We must be careful how we use the Scripture. The Pharisees used Scripture to oppose and ridicule Jesus!
7th November John 7:31-8:11
The Feast of Tabernacles is where most commentators place Jesus’ discourse on Living Water. This was the feast after the harvest was over. It aligns with the Marriage Feast of the Lamb (or the Last Day), as the Crucifixion aligns with Passover.
8th November John 8:12-30
The Pharisees were quite sure that Jesus taught that He was God. This is no mere addition by later generations of Christians as some have tried to make out. This is the whole point of whether Jesus’ testimony about Himself is valid. Who should you pray for to accept the validity of Jesus’ testimony about Himself?
9th November John 8:31-59
What a tremendous claim Jesus makes in verse 42 (and verse 47). Love for Jesus is a very simple test to see if someone is truly godly. Love is SEEN – in patience, fairness, courage, and being long-suffering, as in 1 Corinthians 13!
10th November John 9:1-17
A miracle does not require the recipient to know who is performing the miracle or even to have faith. Jesus just heals this man of a lifetime of blindness – this would include reprogramming the brain to understand the messages the eyes send to the brain! This should fill us with awe!
11th November John 9:18-38
The man born blind saw more clearly than the whole academic weight of the Jewish world in the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. Courage and clarity mark this man. All he needs to become His disciple is to meet Jesus. Is there someone you know who needs to see Jesus with such clarity?
12th November John 9:39-10:18
This most wonderful passage on the Good Shepherd should be read in conjunction with Psalm 23. Jesus is no hireling. What do you find challenging, heartening or comforting in Jesus’ words about Himself?
13th November John 10:19-42
The Jews treated Jesus as if He were an Achan to stone, and not His namesake Joshua. Read Joshua 7. How do you treat Him? Notice that the claim of the divinity of Jesus is no second century addition by the Christian Church. The first century Jews understood that Jesus was claiming to be God!
14th November John 11:1-27
The celebrated weaknesses and strengths of Martha and Mary are reversed in this incident to that of Luke 10:38-42. It is to Martha that Jesus says the wonderful words of John 11:25,26. Resurrection is our future in Christ, not re-incarnation, or nothingness, or angelhood.
15th November John 11:28-44
On first sight verse 40 might seem a paradox - those who did not believe saw the glory of God. Yet this misses the point that Martha and Mary believed that Jesus was the Christ. Those who did not believe saw the resurrection of Lazarus and yet did not see any glory, but a trick – see tomorrow’s reading. You might find things Jesus says hard to believe, but do you believe that He is the Christ the Son of God? That is the important question.
16th November John 11:45-12:19
Unbelief is a hard shell of sin that twists what is good – the desire to honour God, into something wicked and repugnant – the willingness to murder. Deliberate unbelief finds it opposite in Mary and the extravagance of her love. Be challenged by Mary’s extravagance in your love!
17th November John 12:20-50
Jesus entered Earthly Jerusalem on that Sunday proclaimed as Israel’s King and returned from Heavenly Jerusalem on the next Sunday as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Who needs to heed the voice from heaven in your circle? Continue in prayer!
18th November John 13:1-30
See Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ washing their feet and to Jesus’ words in verse 7! Judas calmly lets Jesus wash his feet – without a murmur or a protest! Judas was ‘not clean’, but obviously this did register! Have you ever felt ‘dirty’, felt the need to be clean? Peter did!
19th November John 13:31-14:14
There are so many wonderful words in these passages in John’s Gospel that it is hard to pick just one. Verse 13:34 is worthy of much meditation in the light of what the rest of the Scriptures say about love.
20th November John 14:15-31
To love Christ is to obey Him! (verse 15) Obedience is placed in closest conjunction with the gift of the Counsellor the Holy Spirit. Obedience to the Word of Christ is one sure test of whether someone has the fulness of the Spirit. Without such obedience all the claims and signs are empty shells.
21st November John 15:1-16
Israel is referred to as God’s vine in the Old Testament – eg Psalm 80:8-16, Jeremiah 2:21 and Ezekiel 17. Jesus is the true Israel of God. Israel the nation came from Israel the man. Just so, we come from this man the True Vine. This is a passage rich in teaching! Find something for your soul today!
22nd November John 15:17-16:15
The treatment of the world is cruel. Hate is the world’s reaction to Christ! Christ’s counter to the hate of the world is the gift of the Comforter. He is come to convict the world and to guide believers into all truth.
23rd November John 16:16-33
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the birth of joy into your life and world. Christ gives us confidence in prayer and to prayer, based on His resurrection and on the Father’s love for you and me. How has Jesus overcome the world?
24th November John 17
This is the great high priestly prayer of Jesus. He prays for Himself, for His disciples and for all throughout all ages who believe in Jesus through their message. Find two things that stand out in today’s reading that encourage you and strengthen you faith.
25th November John 18:1-27
John highlights the fact that Jesus was brought to Annas first. Annas could not find one charge to bring against the Christ. This is important! The priest finds no blemish in the sacrifice! This is important testimony to who Jesus is and shows what He has come to do.
26th November John 18:28-19:16
John bypasses the trial before Caiaphas and concentrates on the trial before Pilate. It is good to read this passage on the passion out aloud.
27th November John 19:17-42
Joseph of Arithamea and Nicodemus gave Jesus a costly burial, suitable for royalty. It is their declaration that Jesus is their King, their Messiah. They are drawn to Him in His death and confess their allegiance openly.
28th November John 20
The Resurrection is the great pivot of faith. Everything depends on this being true, on this happening within time and space. John lets you see what stopped him in his tracks when he stooped in and saw, not an empty tomb or a mess of hardened myrrh-gummed linen scraps torn off the body, but the linen strips unglued and folded up by themselves. Resurrection!
29th November John 21
Peter needed a public reinstatement because of his public denial of Christ. Jesus asks His question of Peter three times to answer for Peter’s three denials. Jesus’ question is well worth putting to yourself!
30th November 1 John 1
John begins his letter in a manner similar to the beginning of his Gospel. It is easy to pretend to others and yourself that you don’t sin, that you are a good person. Why is it important to confess our sins to God and not pretend to Him or to ourselves?

1st December 1 John 2:1-17
Notice that obedience to Jesus and to His word or command is inescapable for the Christian. This is how God’s love is made complete in us. When you apply God’s Word to your life, be practical. Ask yourself how, when and who!
2nd December 1 John 2:18-29
Talk over with someone else what it means today to deny that Jesus is the Christ. Can you give examples from our society in Australia today? In John’s day these were people who were inside the perimeter of the Church.
3rd December 1 John 3
We are called to two things – to discontinue in sin and to love our brother Christian. 1 Corinthians 13, Zechariah 7:9,10 and 8:16,17, Leviticus 19:18 and much else of the case law in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy will tell you what loving your brother means in practice.
4th December 1 John 4
What verse in today’s reading do you think would be a good one to memorise. This is another famous chapter on love.
5th December 1 John 5
John summarises everything he has said in the first four chapters in this last chapter. Meditate on verses 11 and 12. What idols do you have to keep yourself from?
6th December 2 John
The chosen lady is a church. John had to be careful when writing to a persecuted church. John reiterates themes from his gospel. What verse touches on some situation in your life?
7th December 3 John
Gaius is presumably Paul’s friend at Corinth whose hospitality is noted – see Romans 16:23, 1 Corinthians 1:14. I have always found his advice imitate what is good challenging. Find something that challenges you!
8th December Revelation 1
This rich picture of Jesus is drawn from Genesis 3:24, Joshua 5:13-15, Ezekiel 1:7,27, Daniel 7:9,13, 8:17, Ezekiel 43:2, all through Ezekiel! This picture links Him to the whole of the Old Testament story of God’s dealings with mankind, from the Fall to Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land under Joshua, to the promise of the Messiah in Daniel’s revelation and in the prophets.
9th December Revelation 2:1-17
We can find facets of our own congregation’s life in each of the seven churches. Do any of these descriptions apply to your congregation? What is your responsibility to Christ, to your congregation with what you see?
10th December Revelation 2:18-3:6
Each of the seven churches is in what is now modern Turkey. Back then, Turkey was a polyglot mix of almost every nationality under the sun. Idolatry is called sexual immorality in the prophets – the image is that we the church are God’s wife! The idolatry of Thyatira was a mixture of current ideas with traditional Christian belief.
11th December Revelation 3:7-22
The church at Philadelphia is the one church of the seven that did not receive a rebuke from Christ. What can you learn from what Jesus said to these Christians?
12th December Revelation 4
The imagery of this chapter comes from the Exodus, Ezekiel’s visions, Noah, the 12 Patriarchs of Israel and the 12 Apostles. What have you found worthy about God this past week or month?
13th December Revelation 5
The scroll is a will or testament. In ancient Rome, seven seals attested a will. Seven people put their seals on the will signed in their collective presence. It was hoped that at least one of the seven would be alive when the will was opened to attest its contents. In Revelation, There is no one who is able to open God’s testament to men and unlock the inheritance for us – except the Lamb!
14th December Revelation 6
In John’s revelation Jesus opens the six of the seven seals. Jesus is the rider on the white horse. Then follow War, Famine, Death, Witnesses and Judgment (as in Egypt). What God is doing through Jesus within history is signed and sealed!
15th December Revelation 7
John symbolises the whole of the Church (i.e. the true Israel of God) with the number 144,000 – 12 times 12,000. Israel is referred to as the thousands of Israel! (Numbers 10:36 Moses said, "Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel”.) The reference to a seal on their foreheads is reference to their baptism. All of God’s people will be saved. He will not miss out one of His own!
16th December Revelation 8
The seventh seal is silence. God waits for something – the prayers of the saints. Prayer is the signal for the trumpets – as on the Day of Atonement or the Feast of Tabernacles. The trumpets unleash God’s salvation – which is also His judgment, as in Egypt of the Exodus!
17th December Revelation 9
I remember when I read one book that claimed that the locusts mentioned were helicopter gun-ships – viz a viz their guns in the back. This is all science fiction and should be treated as such. The third is mentioned, because this was the share of those who did not inherit! The rule of inheritance in Israel was that the heir got two mouths or bites at the cherry, everyone else divided up the final mouth. Jesus will get two mouths!
18th December Revelation 10
The Angel is described like Christ, while being quite different. The Angel’s face symbolises God’s holiness; the rainbow symbolises God’s mercy and covenant faithfulness; and the cloud, God’s presence, both protecting and judging God’s people.
19th December Revelation 11
The two witnesses are the Law and the Prophets, or Moses and Elijah. They are linked to the two olive trees (Zechariah 4) the Lord’s Anointed (or Christs) the King and the Priest. Remember what Jesus said in John 8:14-18.
20th December Revelation 12
All this imagery comes from the Old Testament. Remember Joseph’s dream? Psalm 2 as quoted refers to Christ. Though Satan tries to destroy the Church, she is saved in God’s providence by fleeing to the wilderness. 1260 days are 40 months, recalling the 40 years in the wilderness.
21st December Revelation 13
The Beast is identified with the secular world powers that are inimical to Christ and His Gospel – hence horns, crowns, leopards, thrones, authority over tribes, peoples, ethnic groups. Verses 8-10 contain the key – the Redeemer’s coming is this world’s death stroke. What is required of us?
22nd December Revelation 14
We believers are espoused to one husband – Jesus Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:2. This chapter is a wonderful picture of what Jesus has done for you – we are cleansed and preserved by Christ and His Spirit.
23rd December Revelation 15
John sees the Temple Above in Jerusalem Above. This is the Temple where Jesus offered up Himself as a sacrifice for our sins – Hebrews 9:11-14. You and I can serve the Living God, because Christ cleansed us from our sins.
24th December Revelation 16
Judgment leads to the freedom of God’s people. The imagery of this chapter is meant to remind us of the history of the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. Seven is the number for completion or wholeness. God’s salvation of Israel was complete. So too shall be His salvation of the people of Christ! Hallelujah!
25th December Revelation 17
Look at Proverbs chapters 5 to 9 and the warning about stupidity – the way of spiritual adultery. The adulteress is one major source for this chapter. So too is Zechariah 5:5-11. Babylon pictures all the allure of worldly thinking. The constant refrain of Revelation is the call for perseverance and faithfulness on our part.
26th December Revelation 18
The image of Babylon is the same as what Jesus meant by Mammon. Nahum 3, Habakkuk 2 and Zephaniah 3 are all passages with the same message. Where have I placed my love? Is my profession the same as my practice?

27th December Revelation 19:1-10
Heaven will be a wonderful place! Verse 10 is a key verse to understand what the Bible means by prophecy. A lot of modern Christian commentators place the spirit or focus of prophecy of the Old Testament in the Jews. John places it in the testimony of Jesus.
28th December Revelation 19:11-20:6
What impresses you about Jesus in this tremendous passage? Once again Psalm 2 is part of the background. Psalms 1and 2 portray the Law and the Prophets – the 2 witnesses to Christ.
29th December Revelation 20:7-21:8
The Great White Throne – you need never be afraid that God will make mistakes. His throne is WHITE! Meditate on 21:1-8. Find one thing that brings comfort to you?
30th December Revelation 21:9-22:5
Shameful, deceitful and impure are adjectives of hell, not heaven. I have a responsibility to turn away from such today. When Christ returns, the Garden of Eden will become the Garden in the midst of the Holy City!
31st December 2004 Revelation 22:6-21
Jesus is coming! This thought is repeated throughout these closing verses. May those people we pray for all come to say: Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

Sermon Notes on Ephesians 1:1-14 - September 1st 2011

2011-09-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

Sermon Notes on Ephesians 1:1-14 - September 1st 2011

Ephesians 1:1-14

Psalm 66

To The Praise Of His Glory!

A couple in love for over 60 years – we think that this is something wonderful – and we are right. The fact that they chose each other we believe is right and good. Yet people do stumble over those words “choose” and “predestined”. We stumble because we see our world only through our experience. We are limited to 5 dimensions. God outside time! God can be in every moment of time at the same time! Time does not constrain Him as us. 2 dim explanation of 3-dim object - PARADOX. We finite humans experience paradoxes in understanding our infinite God.

Our problem is that we humans often have a very small idea of who God is. The problem with those words “chosen” and ‘predestined” is with the limits we place upon God. God has often been charged with being unloving over these words. However, when it’s us, we don’t think it strange that A choses and marries B out of all others.

The great mystery – love; His love!

Know His love

PARADOX Know that He is good! Give our Father in heaven our love today as we remember our earthly fathers and grandfathers.

Our commendation – know God as our Father - our good FATHER.

- know God as the Lord Jesus Christ – God become flesh like us. A unique person - wholly God and at the same time wholly human.

This God Is The Source Of Grace And Peace

· Remember first He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

· His glorious grace freely given to you and I in His beloved Son.

· Spiritual blessings given to all and in full measure – different from temporal blessings – health, wealth – some no health, some no wealth.

· Redemption is only through His blood! He broke through our great enemies of sin, the devil and death and made a way for us back to God. We were cut off from our Father in Heaven by these great enemies and unable to get back to Him. Jesus came and made a way at the cost of His own life – such was His love that He made the supreme sacrifice – His life for our lives.

· A guaranteed inheritance – the gift of His promised Holy Spirit. How awesome His works in man’s behalf! Ps66:5

The Mystery Of His Choice For Redemption

· Chosen in Christ before the creation to be holy and blameless.

· Destined before time to be adopted as His children – loved with an everlasting love! In that good way that a good father loves his children!

· The mystery of His will – see God calling us as something that He really wants to do (His good pleasure).

· Chosen because of His love and mercy and grace - not because we are better or more spiritual or good.

· We who hope in Him too are for the praise of His glory – We have a story to tell to the nations

The Joy Of Hearing And Believing The Gospel

· Heard the word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation.

· Believed and marked with a seal, an engagement ring as it were – the promised Holy Spirit.

· He has shared with us what he is doing and will do – He purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times have reached their fulfilment – the great coming together to our benefit and the benefit of heaven. 1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Literally the Apostle says: “the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the coming together.” People gather for our common good whether at a Saturday market or here in worship. Picture Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones!

· God’s great coming together is for our common good!

· In the evening there shall be light! Zechariah 14:7

Let me tell you what He has done for me! Ps 66:16

BIBLE READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER

2011-08-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

1^st September Galatians 3:15-29

Christians are Abraham’s seed! The Old Testament teaching is that our eternal inheritance depends on God’s promise, and not on the Law of Moses. The Law had a different purpose. It was given to guide God’s people in the process of sanctification until the Christ should come.

2^nd September Galatians 4:1-20

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of the Son! In this passage you see the work of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in salvation. Everyone who has experienced misunderstandings in close relationships will appreciate Paul’s words as he seeks to build bridges with this congregation.

3^rd September Galatians 4:21-5:9

Freedom! Freedom is not freedom to be like God, to be the one in control. Freedom is freedom from sin through faith in Christ! Free to live with love, justice, courage, goodness, mercy, peace. Free to live without arrogance, manipulative behaviour, substance abuse, immorality, anger and malice.

4^th September Galatians 5:10-26

Freedom in Christ is freedom to serve one another in love. Love is fulfilling of the Ten Commandments in a manner that God defines. Read Jesus’ words on the Commandments in the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:17-48.

5^th September Galatians 6

It is no mistake that Paul ends his treatise on salvation by faith and not by Law with teaching on works. We are saved unto good works. What works are emphasised by Paul to this congregation?

6^th September Ephesians 1:1-14

These verses tell you God’s purpose for you in Christ and at least four things He gives you – verses 7-10. What does it mean for you to be for the praise of His glory?

7^th September Ephesians 1:15-2:10

Verses 2:8-10 are a theme song for both the New and Old Testaments. They are excellent verses to memorize. Meditate on verses 1:22,23 and on the thought that we His Church are the fullness of Christ.

8^th September Ephesians 2:11-22

The church is a holy temple - public worship is a vital part of our nature and purpose, and no optional extra. Consider the terms used to describe the church – fellow-citizens, members of God’s household, a holy temple, a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit! How do these terms alter our understanding of us as a church?

9^th September Ephesians 3

Do you need someone to pray like this about you– May the Lord, out of His glorious riches, strengthen you with power in your inner being? (v16) This is a prayer that the prayed for need to know about. Can you, like Paul, let someone know this is how you pray for them?

10^th September Ephesians 4:1-16

This chapter contains much doctrine that is central to what we should be on about as a Christian congregation. Christ’s gifts to the Church are men of His Word – Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. What does verse 12 tell you is God’s purpose for your minister and his ministry?

11^th September Ephesians 4:17-32

There is now something you must no longer do! There are things you must put off! This is because there are things you must now be doing and things you must now put on! What are they?

12^th September Ephesians 5:1-21

Verse 1 is directly related to Genesis 1:26,27. Salvation is not an insurance policy for eternity – it is the beginning of a new life, a different way to conduct relationships. It is living or walking in the LIGHT. The way of sanctification is therefore a matter of choosing wisdom rather than stupidity, with God defining the difference!

13^th September Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Family life is an integral facet of congregational life, as is your personal spiritual life. Wives, husbands, children and fathers are all asked to do things they find hard and a struggle. Do you give the other credit for how hard their struggle is?

14^th September Philippians 6:10-24

It is good to meditate on relationship between the armour image and the truth each part portrays. Read Isaiah 59:15-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8,9. Isaiah places this armour on Christ! Have you ever thought of the Christian’s armour as Christ’s armour? Do you realise how privileged you are?

15^th September Philippians 1:1-20

Philippi was in the midst of a church fight over who would be top dog. What is Paul’s particular prayer for this congregation in verses 3-6? Notice he assures them of his love and of his sufferings for Christ. Suffering gives Paul the added edge for being heard and listened to.

16^th September Philippians 1:21-2:11

Philippians 2:3 has the sense that it is better to allow yourself to be bested, rather than to destroy the church of God through ambition. Paul is not talking about a pretended humility but about seeking the attitude of Christ Himself for yourself.

17^th September Philippians 2:12-30

Complaint and argument come naturally to us. These are some of the things we must put off! What do people hear from you: how great your God is, or how terrible your church is or fellow believers are?

18^th September Philippians 3:1-4:1

Where do you place your self-esteem – on who you are in Christ or in what you are in the church, in the club, at work, in society? Consider Paul’s great desire for himself in verses 10,11. He wants to live the resurrection quality of life NOW!

19^th September Philippians 4:2-23

Finally, Paul deals with Eudoia and Syntyche directly. He doesn’t berate, but pleads. He also asks a third person to help these two prominent women. What does Paul want? What is one point of comfort or strength you find in this passage?

20^th September Colossians 1:1-20

There is a great awe of Christ behind verses 15-20. The fruit of salvation for our loved ones flows from His gospel. There are excellent guidelines for prayer here and the great statement of who Christ is.

21^st September Colossians 1:21-2:7

This word perfect in verse 1:28 has the sense of mature or come to ripeness or fulness, and not our modern meaning of completely without flaw. Overflowing with thankfulness (2:7) is both a wonderful and a exacting challenge.

22^nd September Colossians 2:8-3:4

Colossians 2:9 is a clear statement of the divinity of Christ. Buried with Him in baptism is a picture of being dead to sin (2:13) and not a picture of the mode of baptism! How does the warning against asceticism (2:20-23) apply to you within our culture? Or do we face the opposite temptation?

23^rd September Colossians 3:5-4:1

It is a great tragedy and horror that such behaviour is encountered amongst the saints. The Apostle uses the very strong words put to death (3:5)! There are also the deeds of the tongue to be rid of. How do you identify the behaviours mentioned here in their subtle forms?

24^th September Colossians 4:2-18

Paul gives an extended list of greetings here. Think about what the rest of the New Testament tells you about each one and consider what this list tells you that you can expect to meet in life.

25^th September Philemon

Philemon was a Christian who owned slaves. How does Paul persuade him to free Onesimus? How does someone refresh the hearts of the saints?

26^th September Hebrews 1

Life was hard, so hard that a group of Jewish Christians was thinking of abandoning Christ and returning to Judaism. What truths are expressed here about Christ? First Century Jews thought highly of angels.

27^th September Hebrews 2

Find something about Jesus in this passage that stands out to you. Meditate on verses 14-18. Are there any temptations you think Jesus won’t understand or wouldn’t receive? Why?

28^th September Hebrews 3

Verse 1 is good sound advice for you and me today. The writer gives several good reasons for fixing your thoughts on Jesus. The advice in 3:12&13 always challenges me.

29^th September Hebrews 4:1-13

Sometimes we can grow very weary of life and its struggles. The promise of entering God’s rest still stands for you and me. Our responsibility here lies in refusing to harden our hearts towards God and His Word, and in doing things His way.

30^th September Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Jesus is able to sympathise with your weaknesses! He is someone who has faced every temptation you have! Confidence in Jesus is the wisest thing we can give Him. It lies behind all prayer in hard and rending situations.

THE WORKS OF A STRONG FAITH

2011-08-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

Friday 26^th August Romans 14:19-15:13

Don’t these first verses search your heart? Paul expounds the parable of the Good Samaritan with telling effect – who is my neighbour?

Bible Readings:
Romans 15:1-13
Luke 10:25-37

The Works Of A Strong Faith

Genuine Christian Religion among God's People. We don't have a passport to heaven in order to live as if we live in hell. Jesus is the originator of a new human race. We become a blessing and not a curse.

A Practical Love For Neighbour - In Paul's day, Jews would spit on the shadow of a Samaritan. The Samaritan in this story showed mercy. He was the true neighbour to the injured Jew. Who is my neighbour? We are to start with those of the house of God, like the people of St Stephen's and TCPC, then those outside.

The Fruit Of Endurance And Encouragement - God will do what He promised and give us everlasting life. We are to focus on others and not our own problems. Don't forget each other in the Church. A couple had family tragedy. When minister arrived, they said, "We knew you'd come!"

The Acceptance That Brings Praise To God - Accept each other as we are, not as we should be - as Christ accepts us. Remember, you are touching the Bride of Christ. No fighting. There were food issues in Paul's day too. Some Christians were Vegans and some were meat eaters. Show a different spirit. Christ accepts his own. John 1: "As many as received Him ..." We're to work with Him. He became a servant to the Jews. God is a good father who will show mercy.

A Wonderful Prayer For Each Other - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." When you pray, call Him "My God of Hope!" In believing Him, show your hope by being of most practical use!
He will do what He has promised.

ROMANS 7:7-25 - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and OUR SPIRITUAL WAR

2011-08-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 16th August Romans 7:7-25
Paul now deals with the issue of the purpose and place of the Law, and of the Ten Commandments in particular. At the heart of the issue is the Bible’s teaching of original sin. Paul’s finds a spiritual war going on within his heart and mind. The problem is not with the Commandments, but with his very nature. He looks to his own death and resurrection as the final resolution of this war within him.

BIBLE READINGS for Sunday Morning Sermon
Romans 7:7-25 (p.1117)
Exodus 20:1-17 (p.73)

SERMON POINTS

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and OUR SPIRITUAL WAR
Christians are optimistic pessimists!
- or pessimistic optimists.

The Ten Commandments – God’s Mirror (v7-13)
How to live with God and with each other - relationships - Love between ourselves and God and each other. Jesus' summary of the Ten Commandments - love God and love each other.

The Failure Of Our Human Heart (v14-20)
A mirror is not enough. Evil and good are at war. there is a struggle. The source of optimism for the Christian Church is not the church or its ministers.

The Wonderful Rescuer - Our Commander In Our Spiritual War (v21-25)

We need someone to rescue us. We are powerless. The Lord is the personal name of God. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God.
God brings people to Himself. He will do everything He has promised. This is the source of our optimism - our Hope and Joy.
We come as a person to a Person, not a person to a belief.

JUSTIFICATION IN ROMANS 5

2011-08-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday 13th August Romans 5:12-21
The way of righteousness is not the way to righteousness. We, like the Jews, often confuse the two. It is from this confusion that people come to believe that the Ten Commandments (or parts thereof) are irrelevant for Christians. Paul argues that the Law makes sin more exceedingly sinful, because, now knowing the Law, we sin wilfully rather than unwittingly.

PEACE, RECONCILIATION and ETERNAL LIFE
- The Fruits Of Your Justification By Faith

Justification The Foundation Of Our Spiritual Growth v.1-5

Justification The Source Of Our Reconciliation v.6-11

Justification The Bringer of Our Eternal Life v.12-21

CALVIN ON JUSTIFICATION

Definition: To be loved by God and to be justified in his sight are synonymous terms.

Importance:
• Justification is the principal hinge by which religion is supported.
• The safety of the Church depends as much on this doctrine as human life does on the soul. If the purity of this doctrine is in any degree impaired, the Church has received a deadly wound.

Justifying Faith:
• Why is our justification ever ascribed to faith? Because our faith directs us to Christ in whom is the complete perfection of justification, and thus our justification may be ascribed equally to the faith and the doctrine which teaches it.
• The just brings nothing before God except faith.
• Faith does not justify us for any other reason, than that it reconciles us to God; not by its own merit, but because we receive the grace offered to us in the promises.

What of works? Not only our persons, but even our works, are justified by faith alone.

Oppositin to the Doctrine: Satan has laboured at nothing more assiduously than to extinguish, or to smother the gratuitous justification by faith, which is here asserted [Gen.15:6]Abram obtained righteousness by imputation.

Affirmation:
• God justifies them so completely, that they may boldly appear in heaven, as being invested with the purity of Christ.
We cannot be deemed just in any other way than by a gratuitous imputation.

- Quotes collected by J. Graham Miller

Jesus, Your blood and righteousness
my beauty are, my glorious dress!
Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed
with joy shall I lift up my head.

Bold shall I stand in that great day,
and none condemn me, try who may:
fully absolved through Christ I am
from sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

This stainless robe its beauty wears
when all else fades with passing years;
no age can change its glorious hue,
the robe of Christ is ever new.

When from the dust of death I rise
to claim my mansion in the skies,
then this shall be my only plea:
that Jesus died and lives for me!

O let the dead now hear Your voice,
let those once lost in sin rejoice!
Their beauty this, their glorious dress:
Jesus, Your blood and righteousness.

Words by Nicolaus L Von Zinzendorf (trans John Wesley)

BIBLE READINGS FOR AUGUST - 2 CORINTHIANS, ROMANS, GALATIANS

2011-07-21T22:39:00.001-07:00

1^st August 2 Corinthians 8

Generosity is an attribute that we gradually lose, as we possess more of this world’s goods. The Macedonian churches will always be a challenge to us of rich generosity in a time of most severe trial, extreme poverty, but overflowing joy. Joy is the key to generosity!

2^nd August 2 Corinthians 9

Giving! While this is an area between each of us and the Lord, we should be challenged by verse 6 and look boldly at what motivates us. Thanksgiving to God for His indescribable gift is the motivation behind all true giving.

3^rd August 2 Corinthians 10

The Church treated the Apostles just as Israel treated Moses. We treat them just the same today – how often have you heard Paul denigrated? Our attitude should be: Paul is Jesus’ Apostle to me! Hear him!

4^th August 2 Corinthians 11

False apostles are hard to pick. They play to our likes and dislikes, our longings and aspirations. We are easily taken in when we hear what we want to hear. In verse 4, Paul gives three signposts for telling false from true teachers.

5^th August 2 Corinthians 12:1-13

This is the only occasion where an Apostle lets you into his private spiritual experiences. This uniqueness should give us pause. The human heart is too easily impressed and led astray by the self-proclaimed spiritual experiences of those who would lead. Such experiences should be treated as we treat the marriage bed – with a jealous privacy, modesty and respect!

6^th August 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14

Are Paul’s fears for the Corinthian Church (12:20,21) realised in our church today? Of what value is Paul’s response in 13:5,6,11?

7^th August Romans 1:1-16

Paul had never been to this church. They accepted him as Christ’s Apostle. Meditate on what Paul says in verses 5,6. You will find much to think through and about in this book.

8^th August Romans 1:17-32

Righteousness is by faith! This is the Gospel key that helped Paul, that helped Luther. It will help you too. Faith leads you to following Christ, to obedience, to deeds that match your profession. Faith without works is dead is Paul’s teaching too!

9^th August Romans 2

There is a difference between exercising your judgment and taking God’s prerogative of judgment on someone else. This reading demands that you exercise your judgment (see 2:7, 25-29). The warning is: Don’t sit in our Father’s seat! That is treating Him with dishonour.

10^th August Romans 3

These chapters contain many verses worth learning by heart. Find one and learn it. Paul is expounding his teaching that righteousness is by faith with a steady though intense and concentrated logic. He is worth following at a slow pace!

11^th August Romans 4:1-22

What lessons does Paul want you and I to learn from Abraham? Abraham’s history in Genesis is both for our example and instruction in the Lord. Abraham’s history is salvation history and thus important to the Christian.

12^th August Romans 4:23-5:11

God’s demonstrated love is before us whether we listen or not. It is humbling and salutatory to know that I was God’s enemy in my own heart when He reconciled me to Himself.

13^th August Romans 5:12-21

The way of righteousness is not the way to righteousness. We, like the Jews, often confuse the two. It is from this confusion that people come to believe that the Ten Commandments (or parts thereof) are irrelevant for Christians. Paul argues that the Law makes sin more exceedingly sinful, because, now knowing the Law, we sin wilfully rather than unwittingly.

14^th August Romans 6:1-14

This passage is often used to teach immersion baptism. Paul is not speaking of the mode of baptism, but of the purpose of baptism – to live the new life, not the old one. People get to immersion teaching by taking the image of burial with Christ and mis-applying it to the mode of baptism. Paul teaches that baptism unites us with His atoning death – a continuing wilful life is not on for a Christian. We are saved unto good works as He defines them! (Ephesians 2:10) To be baptised into means to come under the control of! Hence Israel was baptised into Moses in the Red Sea. (1 Corinthians 10:2) It was the Egyptians who were immersed! A Christian is a slave to Christ, not to sin. This is the meaning of buried with Him in baptism, as Paul goes on to say explicitly.

15^th August Romans 6:15-7:6

What does the phrase slaves to righteousness mean? We often understand the word negatively. If I am free, how can I be a slave? The problem is what slavery to sin entails. This degradation discolours our understanding. What are the right colours?

16^th August Romans 7:7-25

Paul now deals with the issue of the purpose and place of the Law, and of the Ten Commandments in particular. At the heart of the issue is the Bible’s teaching of original sin. Paul’s finds a spiritual war going on within his heart and mind. The problem is not with the Commandments, but with his very nature. He looks to his own death and resurrection as the final resolution of this war within him.

17^th August Romans 8:1-17

In this closely argued passage, Paul ends with a startling name for God – Dada. Abba is one of the first words a Jewish baby would say, just as ours say Dada. I find this a challenge to the distance and indifference of my own heart. I find my deceitful heart telling me that it is safer to keep God at a distance.

18^th August Romans 8:18-39

Suffering seen against the backdrop of glory and resurrection can be endured. Romans 8:28-39 is a glorious passage, full of comfort, hope and courage. Nothing will be able to separate you from your Beloved!

19^th August Romans 9:1-29

These next few chapters deal with national Israel, with the Jews as a people. Not all Abraham’s descendents are Abraham’s children! The sacred doctrine of election is dealt with here in the context of love and grace – notice Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing anguish. Is God’s heart not torn likewise?

20^th August Romans 9:30-10:21

God’s purposes for Israel are the same as for Gentiles – faith comes from hearing the message through the word of Christ. Israel’s obstinacy and disobedience continue. So too does the holding out of the Gospel message to them by the Lord. In the light of these passages how should we treat Israel – as the favoured focus of Old Testament prophecy or as erring brothers and sisters who need to come to the Christ to find entrance into His Kingdom?

21^st August Romans 11:1-15

In modern Israel there is a remnant chosen by grace. Verse 12 gives an excellent motivation for evangelism amongst Jews – their fullness (engrafting into Christ through faith in Him as Messiah) will mean greater riches for the Gentile believers.

22^nd August Romans 11:16-36

God does not have some plan for Israel the nation apart from Christ. Some Christians believe that modern Israel is the focus of Old Testament prophecy. John declares that the spirit (or focus) of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus – not modern Israel. (Revelation 19:10b) Modern Israel’s hope is to be engrafted into Christ as natural branches!

23^rd August Romans 12

Living sacrifices, different gifts one body, sincere love, overcome evil with good. There are many wonderful thoughts, instructions, warnings, understandings – look for one that speaks to your present circumstances.

24^th August Romans 13

Give everyone what you owe him. This is a command that we all fall far short in, yet believe against the evidence that we hit it. Think about those four terms - taxes, revenue, respect, honour. Think about them in regard to people with whom you disagree in positions of authority in the family, church, and society.

25^th August Romans 14:1-18

Romans 14:1 is a most challenging admonition. It is so hard to do because we look at people like this as fools, misguided, ignorant. Can you find some good advice on how to behave towards those we disagree with, on peripheral points? How do you tell the difference between peripheral and major points of difference?

26^th August Romans 14:19-15:13

Don’t these first verses search your heart? Paul expounds the parable of the Good Samaritan with telling effect – who is my neighbour?

27^th August Romans 15:14-33

Meditate on the subject of prayer as found in verses 30-33. Is Paul asking for a once-off prayer, or a continuing struggle in prayer with the Lord until He grants our requests?

28^th August Romans 16

Look at these salutations. Many are wonderful and heart-warming – whom I love in the Lord; my dear friend; tested and approved in Christ! Do you talk about others in your congregation like this?

29^th August Galatians 1

These people are ethnic French - Gauls living in Turkey. Paul recounts his testimony – in order to unblock the ears of these Christians, so that they will listen to what he is saying. How easy do you find it when someone pulls you up about your beliefs?

30^th August Galatians 2

The Apostles stood for the one and the same Gospel. There is a modern teaching that Paul gave one gospel and Peter a different version. This is just baseless speculation that goes against what the Apostles themselves wrote. Was Paul justified in his treatment of Peter?

31^st August Galatians 3:1-14

Paul’s teaching is salvation by grace through faith unto good works. The false teaching he fights is salvation by your good works. What purposes does Paul give for the Law of Moses?

THE EPISTLES - THESSALONIANS AND CORINTHIANS

2011-06-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

The Letters – Trust and Obey!

I Corinthians: Jesus Christ, Our Lord
4:3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

II Corinthians: Jesus Christ, Our Sufficiency
1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

1 Thessalonians: Jesus Christ, the Coming One
5:23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Thessalonians: Jesus Christ, Our Returning Lord
1:7 …when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY

2011-06-23T22:00:00.001-07:00

1^st July 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Paul reminds these people of the disturbing events of his imprisonment and beating at Philippi (another city of Macedonia), and of the validity of his apostleship. Grumblings and murmurings appear to be an ever-present evil amongst God’s people, but one to be resisted and overcome. How?

2^nd July 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

When you face trials, ask the Lord to send someone who will strengthen and encourage you in your faith. God did not create us to be independent islands unto ourselves.

3^rd July 1 Thessalonians 4

Faith and works go together and should never be separated. Faith without works is dead, and works without faith is fruitless and directionless. What ambition fills your heart? Does it line up with Scripture?

4^th July 1 Thessalonians 5

Speculation about end times is wrong. Speculation feeds on pride and leads to fights and arguments as we defend our position. Reread Luke 12:35-48 together with this passage. Who should you encourage and how will you build them up? (Verse 11)

5^th July 2 Thessalonians 1

Worthy of His calling! This is a challenging description of the Christian. Who should you pray for regarding this, as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians?

6^th July 2 Thessalonians 2

Let us forsake profitless speculation about the end times or the millennium. Christians waste much time over this. Such speculation only titillates our pride or frightens us silly. How does the Apostle’s advice in verse 15 apply today?

7^th July 2 Thessalonians 3

Verse 5 is a wonderful motto for yourself, or a good prayer for your loved ones. This is an excellent verse to memorise.

8^th July 1 Corinthians 1

Corinth was a cosmopolitan and hedonistic town – just like any modern city. The church suffered from materialism, party spirit, confusion over moral issues, and a legalism over incidentals. First, Paul approaches the twin problems of pride and arrogance. What does he highlight?

9^th July 1 Corinthians 2

In this chapter, look for understanding on what godly wisdom is all about. Verses 4&5 are good ones to meditate on.

10^th July 1 Corinthians 3

In verse 16, the you is plural! You (plural) are the Temple of the Holy Spirit! We need to remember that we are both individual and corporate! The church is vital to your individual spiritual health! Verses 5-15 have much to think about.

11^th July 1 Corinthians 4

Verses 1,9-17 explain the importance of the Apostles for you today! It is God who alone can expose the motives of men’s hearts. (Verse 4) Notice that he says motives. This is why you can see one motive in someone’s actions and they another! God sees our several motives.

12^th July 1 Corinthians 5

The leaders of this church were divided over what to do – this young man was living with his stepmother. Paul speaks straight to them. Today, the tendency in evangelical circles is to be just like these elders.

13^th July 1 Corinthians 6

In verse 19, the your is again plural. Your body is temple of the Holy Spirit. We put the emphasis on you the individual. Paul puts the emphasis on you as the member of the body of Christ. You are dragging this church with you into sin. Meditate on verse 11.

14^th July 1 Corinthians 7

The Apostle now turns to certain matters, which this church wrote to him about. He states firstly what they wrote and then gives his reply. Verse 1 gives their letter and belief. Verses 2+ give Paul’s reply. Notice in verse 8, he uses the term unmarried. This includes those who never married, and those who are widowed or divorced. Since widows often consider themselves apart from the others, he honours them with a separate designation.

15^th July 1 Corinthians 8

Verse 1 gives what they wrote to Paul about – food sacrificed to idols. In verse 9-13, Paul gives them an important principle that can be applied in many different areas of life and conduct.

16^th July 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

Paul, like Moses, constantly had to defend himself from attacks from within the church. This is always an encouragement for those in ministry to persevere as they did, with the Lord and with His people.

17^th July 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:14

Run your life to win the crown that never perishes! God grant us Christ and His power, so that our running will not be in vain! Paul runs straight on into warnings from Scripture about taking spiritual things lightly.

18^th July 1 Corinthians 10:15-11:1

Paul summarises his thoughts at the end of this section on food sacrificed to idols. What strikes you as applicable to your life today?

19^th July 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

We read the second section in this reading at every communion service. The first verses contain the section on head covering in worship. While obscure, they deal with spouses showing respect publicly regarding each other’s role in marriage.

20^th July 1 Corinthians 12

The Greek actually says in verse 1 about spiritual things! Gifts are one of the things the Apostle addresses. He talks about gifts, service and works. We emphasise gifts. Paul actually puts gifts in the context of their purpose! Do you see the difference between spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit?

21^st July 1 Corinthians 13

The most excellent way! Love is described in terms of behaviour – patience, kindness, not being rude, not delighting in evil. Two passages in Zechariah fill this out a little more – Zechariah 7:8-10 and 8:18,19. Love can be commanded! It is different from liking or disliking, from how you feel.

22^nd July 1 Corinthians 14

Paul uses the word to prophecy to mean speak in an understandable language. If you prophecy in a language no one understands, you edify only yourself (v.5). When I preached in the Chinese Church in Surry Hills, there was a Cantonese translator beside me. Someone else was translating into Mandarin through headphones for people. Revelation 19:10 tells us that to prophecy is to testify about Jesus. This is what every true preacher does every Sunday.

23^rd July 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

The death and resurrection of Christ are central to the Gospel. List Paul’s points about resurrection.

24^th July 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Resurrection is a necessary first step before we enter heaven. This resurrection hope in Christ takes the sting out of death, out of my death and yours. What a wonderful exhortation there is in verse 58!

25^th July 1 Corinthians 16

I like to dwell on verses 13,14. They are so simple yet so challenging.

26^th July 2 Corinthians 1

Achaia is Greece. Verses 3-5 call us out of ourselves and remind us of that higher purpose in our lives. God grant us to be useful in His kingdom today.

27^th July 2 Corinthians 2

Remember the young man who lived with his stepmother? Well, he repented. Paul deals here with his re-admission into the congregation. Before the elders were too lax, now they have been too harsh. Isn’t this just like us!

28^th July 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

There is much of our Trinitarian understanding of God in this sentence: The Lord is the Spirit. The Lord is used for both Jesus and the Father!

29^th July 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:16

What precious thoughts are these in verses 7-18. Christians have found comfort and strength from them for 2,000 years. Life often has difficult and hard times. May you be sustained by what is unseen and eternal!

30^th July 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:10

God has committed unto you through His apostle the ministry of reconciliation! I first learnt these verses by heart many years ago as a young person. May the joy of being a new creation in Christ strengthen your heart today!

31^st July 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16

This warning Do not be yoked together with unbelievers is for our comfort and well-being. This warning is for before you commit! Yoked means to be legally tied to someone in business or in any other relationship, such as marriage. Paul has already dealt with the situation where this is already so – 1 Cor.7:12-14.

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

2011-05-14T03:08:00.000-07:00

Luke has 24 chapters.
The four Gospels portray Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord
He is here!
The promised One has come!
The one whom all the prophets foretold, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Synoptic gospels – Matthew, Mark & Luke – give a collective view of Christ’s life. [Greek Syn-optic = together + view]
- present Jesus ministry in Galilee
- present His miracles, parables, addresses to the people
- portray Christ in action

JESUS IN LUKE’S GOSPEL

MAN … Luke portrays Jesus the perfect Man. Written to the Greeks – genealogy back to Adam, the first man. As a perfect Man, He is seen much in prayer and with angels ministering to Him.

LUKE shows the grace of a Perfect Saviour
We cannot explain the Gospels apart from the great Messianic prophesies in the Old Testament.

Man, the Son of Man: Genesis 3:15; 22:18; Isaiah 7:14-16; 9:6.

READING THE EPISTLES (Starting Thursday)

2011-04-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

THE LETTERS – TRUST AND OBEY!
First and Second Peter were dictated by Christ’s Apostle Simon Peter and written down by scribes.

I Peter: Jesus Christ, Precious Cornerstone of Our Faith
2 4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

II Peter: Jesus Christ, Our Strength
1 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature…

ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF MARK

2011-04-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

- our current Bible Readings

JESUS IN MARK
A SERVANT … Mark was written to the Romans. It has no genealogy because men are not interested in the genealogy of a servant. The Romans cared little for words & more for deeds & so it is short and pithy.

MARK COMPARED WITH THE OTHER GOSPELS
MATTHEW – coming of a Promised Saviour
MARK - the life of a Powerful Saviour
LUKE – the grace of a Perfect Saviour
JOHN – possession of a Personal Saviour

FRONT DOOR KEY TO MARK
MARK – Jesus the Servant – no history, no past

BACK DOOR KEY TO MARK
MARK – Jesus the Servant still labouring with His disciples

Thoughts on Acts 18

2011-03-15T00:06:00.000-07:00

Firstly, there are no chance meetings in life! We live in a world where God is active, not passive. The Apostle Paul went to Corinth and met Priscilla and Aquilla. They had just been turfed out of Italy on government orders as unwanted Jewish immigrants. What we see is God at work providentially, not a chance meeting. Priscilla and Aquila had just been through a very hard experience - a forced relocation to another country. God brings good out of something bad. This is how He works. We want Him to throw lightning bolts around. He sends us as His ambassadors to woo and to win through the Gospel of His Son. Every meeting in life is an opportunity to serve Christ. May you and I grasp those opportunities as providential.

Secondly, we want God to work and make things right immediately. God works farmer fast. The farmer waits to harvest unitl the crop is ripe. Then he works day and night to get the crop in. Another example is that of brain surgery. Do you want a surgeon fast with the knife or someone who will be meticulous and take the right time to do the surgery well, whose main aim is that the patient survive the operation well. Or consider, is it easier to mend a broken friendship or a broken chair? Obviously it's easier to mend a chair quickly! A broken friendship will take much longer and be exceedingly complex at times. God is very active in this world, and we neeed to know what that activity is. He might not be active in the way you and I think He should. He is active in the way He knows this world will become the Kingdom of His Son! We are right to trust Him!

ACTS portrays Jesus Christ, the Living Lord.

2011-03-10T22:15:00.001-08:00

BIBLE STUDY NOTES

ACTS portrays Jesus Christ, the Living Lord.

· Luke in his Gospel, shows what Christ “Began to do” on earth. In Acts Luke shows what He CONTINUED to do, in and through the Holy Spirit.

· Jesus’ Ascension is the closing scene in Luke. - Luke 24:49-51

· It is the opening fact in Acts. - Acts 1:10,11

· “Acts is not a record of the acts of all the apostles, as no extensive accounts are given of any apostles except Peter and Paul. It records the acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. His name is mentioned about 70 times. Look for some work of the Holy Spirit in every chapter of this book.” - H. Mears

· Another key word is witness. – used over 30 times

THEMES

· A guidebook to Missions

· Power for witnessing

· Christ shall return

· Holy Spirit at Pentecost – 1^st Martyr Stephen

· Peter’s Sermon

· Witnessing in Jerusalem

· Witnessing in Judea and Samaria

· Philip, the Evangelist

· Saul

· Witnessing in the Uttermost Parts of the Earth

· Beginning Foreign Missions

· Paul’s Third Missionary Tour

· Paul’s Farewell

How can you get the most out of reading the Bible?

2011-01-25T17:13:00.001-08:00

Stuart and I use a system that was passed on to us as young people and never gets tired or worn out. It also becomes a spiritual diary as the years go by.

We have a notebook for each month of the year. Each notebook needs at least 190 pages. We have headed each right hand page with the Bible readings for each day of the month and the date: two readings from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Nowadays, we read one passage from the Old and one from the New in the morning before breakfast, and the other in the evening. When time is at a premium in past years, we may not have got three readings done every day, but we did maintain one reading, even through the busiest times. God’s Word has become essential meat and drink for us, and we delight in it.

When we have read the day’s portion, we look for one thing to remember from that passage.

This morning, Australia Day, 26^th January, I read: Matthew 18:15-35. Then I checked what Stuart had written in the notes we hand out at Church: “Jesus has some searching words to say about children, relatives and the cultivation of mercy towards those closest to us. We are apt to have a short fuse with all three.”

My mind focussed on verse 18: “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” I wrote down: “2011 – v.18 The Word of authority – God’s Word in the mouth of his servants – the one thing I can speak with absolute conviction and authority, especially to my family.”

This notebook has an entry for every year since 1999, when my previous notebook ran out of space. It is good sometimes to look back and remember some of the lessons, the joys and the sorrows recorded in previous years. When I am retired, I plan to take yet more time and remember what God has spoken to me in His Word over many years.

I hope that many of God's people will find the wealth and benefit we have in the Bible.

Your servant in Christ,

Marion Andrews

PS When the grandchildren come, they love to write their names or draw a picture on a page, and these become precious memories. I use a pen with four ink colours to delight them. I pray that they too will do something like this when they are old enough.

Genesis 1 to Joshua 13: January to June

2008-02-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

OLD TESTAMENT I – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua.
Daily notes written by Stuart A. Andrews, Minister of St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Tamworth, NSW

1st January Genesis 1:1 to 2:3
John begins the opening words of his Gospel with the opening words of Genesis. We live in a universe that testifies to the creative intelligence behind it, to the joy of God in His creation. This is the starting point and foundation of the Gospel.
2nd January Genesis 2:4-25
Adam worked in paradise. His work was not cursed with futility. That came later. These two chapters also reveal that we are made in God’s image – two persons (male & female) and one humanity/flesh. In what other ways are we made in His image?
3rd January Genesis 3
The desire to be like God is a fount of sin and of much evil. The Bible teaches that we are creatures – created ones. The desire to be something else – grander, higher, less inhibited by our finitude, is the old temptation that lies behind some of our most cherished beliefs – as exampled by re-incarnation and evolution. When you come to Christ you accept that your final future is as a creature – a created one. Resurrection of the human body is that future.
4th January Genesis 4, 5
Envy, jealousy, murder – and these are in the Church. Notice that Cain is not an disbeliever. He is like Satan in that he rejects the Lord and the Lord’s authority over his life and actions.
5th January Genesis 6:1 to 7:10
Noah is a man of faith – he is not perfect, nor is he without sin (as we see later). Noah like Abraham and Moses, exhibits the faith of Jesus – he listens to the Lord and does all that He commanded.
6th January Genesis 7:11 to 8:19
The flood is one of the most persistent stories over the face of the earth. The ancient Chinese script has an ideogram for a boat made up of three characters – a vessel, eight, mouth. A boat is a vessel holding 8 people. Belief in Noah’s flood is not about religion versus science. The ancient deluge is rejected because it upholds belief in a Creator. The earth gives witness to several great catastrophes in our past.
7th January Genesis 8:20 to 9:29
The rainbow is the eternal sign of God’s covenant with Noah. Every time you see one it is a testimony to that covenant. This chapter contains the sad story of Noah going on an alcoholic bender. Noah, like Paul and Peter, is a sinner saved by grace just like you and me.
8th January Genesis 10:1 to 11:26
Language unites and divides humanity. The Day of Pentecost in Acts is parallel to this chapter of the Tower of Babel. Judgment and scattering is paralleled with salvation and gathering. In one the Spirit is withdrawn. In the other, the Spirit is poured out.
9th January Genesis 11:27 to 12:20
The call to Abraham has a powerful attraction. It is the promise to a childless man of children. This is a rich and ever deepening stream of promise that leads from here to the New Jerusalem where a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, stands before the throne of God and in front of the Lamb.
10th January Genesis 13, 14
We look for lessons of faith in the history of Abraham. We are to imitate his faith. See how Abraham handles his nephew’s greed, arrogance and lack of courtesy – with patience, courage and the risk of his life.
11th January Genesis 15, 16
The words of 15:1 are well worth meditating on. With Abraham, we are given the example of his faith. We are also given the example of his stupidity. Sarah connives what she later blames Abram for.
12th January Genesis 17
The covenant sign is given years after God’s covenant. We are never to confuse the covenant sign with the reality of the covenant relationship between God and us. The sign follows the reality of the relationship, so too with the New Covenant sign of baptism.
13th January Genesis 18
When you have a JW come to your door, this is one passage to get them to turn to in their own Bible. Here is a man who is the LORD! Abraham’s prayer is to be our example in praying for our country and loved ones.
14th January Genesis 19
Lot’s life spirals downward, no matter how many chances he is given. Lot cannot trust the Word of the Lord, as Abraham does. Lot is governed by his fears, not by his faith. He is an example of the stupidity of being governed by our fears. As Jesus said, the way of the Faith is pressed upon and confining (small and narrow), but it leads to LIFE! Matthew 7:13,14
15th January Genesis 20, 21
Whenever Abraham gives in to his fears, his life too, like Lot’s, spirals downwards. The Lord chastises Abraham as well as Abimelech. Verse 21:1 tells us that grace is the motivating force behind the promise of God and its fulfilment.
16th January Genesis 22
Abraham’s greatest test was in the offering up of his son, yet believing that God would do all He had promised through this son – give Abraham many descendants through Isaac (17:19). God, who is beyond Time, does not ask anything of us that He is not willing to do Himself. Jesus, unlike Isaac, comes wittingly and willingly to His greater sacrifice.
17th January Genesis 23
Death is something we must all face. What example do you see in this chapter from the way Abraham handles the death of his beloved Sarah? The only plot of ground that Abraham owns in the Promised Land, is the family grave. Be encouraged by this parallel with our own situation in this present earth.
18th January Genesis 24
Abraham feels that his own death is coming closer, and Isaac has no wife or child. Isaac is 40. Abraham selects his son’s wife from his own extended family – he wants a wife of the faith for his son. He trusts that God will guide his chief servant. This is a beautiful and gripping story. Its length will not stop you from reading to the end.
19th January Genesis 25
There are many interesting snippets within this potted family history of Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac and Rebekah have to wait for 20 years before she conceives. The problems and the joys of life are exposed to us within this family for our spiritual growth and for our own wrestlings in life.
20th January Genesis 26
Abimelech just means my father the king. It is a title of respect, not a personal name. This is a different man to Abraham’s Abimelech. Water rights are a modern concern too. Beersheba is where the Australian Light Horse made their famous charge in World War One.
21st January Genesis 27
This is a sorry Days of Our Lives story, a warts and all picture of a family of faith. What do you find that encourages you within your family to persevere in prayer and worship?
22nd January Genesis 28
You and I can’t reach into our children’s hearts and move that pointer around to the right direction. Our prayers for our children and grandchildren should take their cue from how God deals with Jacob personally. Prayer is to be the first resort.
23rd January Genesis 29
The convolutions of this family with their scheming and manoeuvring makes for interesting reading. Leah and Rachael go from being close sisters to rivals overnight. Leah is the ancestress of David and Jesus. This fact is one of God’s little ironies of life. From beloved Rachael comes Joseph, one of the best loved characters in the Bible.
24th January Genesis 30
Jacob ends up with four wives and eleven sons. After twenty years, he is still working for his father-in-law though prospering greatly – unlike Moses who remained a shepherd. Jacob is still a smooth operator. Isn’t it amazing that God chooses to use this character? Amazing grace!
25th January Genesis 31
This flight and pursuit story is exciting. Rachael is a little thief with secrets from both her father and husband. She has only months to live, but no-one knows this. In an unruly situation where anything could have happened, God made sure that Laban treated Jacob carefully.
26th January Genesis 32:1 to 33:16
Jacob next has to face the brother he so wronged twice, the brother that swore to kill him when next they met. Jacob wrestles with God and Esau. With the angel, he uses the angel’s strength to persevere and not give in – his hip is out. There is a good message for us here to persevere in prayer. With Esau, he divides up his company and sends out many gifts of the flock first. Bluff Esau forgives his little lame brother. Jacob’s lameness is a severe mercy from the Lord.
27th January Genesis 33:17 to 34:31
What happens in today’s reading is the sorriest of stories. It is sordid, violent and bloody. There is dissension within the family over Dinah’s rape. Jacob is all for smoothing things over. Levi and Simeon find their father weak. We are permitted to see what they do in order that we might learn!
28th January Genesis 35
Jacob shows Abraham’s faith – God speaks and Jacob listens to the Word and does it. God gives Jacob the Covenant Promise to Abraham – and beloved Rachael dies in childbirth. This is a family that God loves. We are to see that the wider effects of sin within the world are so undiscriminating and life-engulfing that God had to act – Jesus had to come.
29th January Genesis 36
Esau chose wealth and fame and got it. He sold himself short on everything that is truly worthwhile – the things that last for eternity. Esau and his history should make us re-consider what we are spending our lives for!
30th January Genesis 37
Jacob’s family begins to fracture with the death of Rachael and the rejection by Jacob of Levi, Simeon and Reuben in the position of his main heir. He pours out his grief in the very public favouritism he shows Joseph. The best of us grow weary and act unwisely or irresponsibly. Hatred stirs most in Judah’s heart – of whom great things are said later. We all need the work of the grace of God in every today.
31st January Genesis 38
Consider Judah’s words about Tamar: she is more righteous than I, before judging her actions too harshly. (38:26) Tamar had the responsibility of producing the heir. Judah took that away from her unrighteously. He condemned her to a future of poverty and charity within the camp – she who was chosen to bear the heir! How did Joseph treat Mary – she who was chosen to bear the Heir?

1st February Genesis 39
Joseph is a most attractive character – he keeps his integrity in situations where most others would have given over and gone with the flow. Potiphar, as captain of the guard, had the charge of the Pharaoh’s prison. He continues to use Joseph, even as he placates his wife. David said: I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17
2nd February Genesis 40
Potiphar assigns pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer to Joseph’s care. While he is content to leave Joseph in prison, he is more than willing to utilise Joseph’s talents. Joseph spends the next two years in the prison. How would your faith stand up?
3rd February Genesis 41:1-49
God’s timing is perfect. He has purposed that Joseph will not only save his family in the coming famine, he will save the entire nation of Egypt. No doubt, Joseph blessed the circumstances he once cursed, that left him in a stinking prison for years.
4th February Genesis 41:50 to 42:38
In the seven years of plenty, Joseph has two sons with Asenath. Children are the blessing of the Lord. In these two, Joseph feels blessed as well as knows it. The brothers before their brother is a most instructive piece. Every eldest has felt like Reuben at some time I’m sure.
5th February Genesis 43
The brothers feast with Joseph amidst plenty but with fear and trepidation. Consider why the Scripture devotes so much time to this incident!
6th February Genesis 44
Judah has changed too, as well as Joseph. Judah willingly sacrifices himself for Joseph’s full brother Benjamin, where he once willingly sacrificed Joseph himself to slavery. Judah’s redemption is of moment in the sacred history. Your redemption is of moment too.
7th February Genesis 45
God’s promise to Jacob: All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring, begins to be fulfilled with Joseph. Joseph saves millions from famine, including his own family. Joseph wept! Joseph is deservedly a much loved Biblical character, and one who mirrors his Master.
8th February Genesis 46:1-47:26
God graciously appears to Jacob and confirms his going to Egypt. Joseph’s relationship with his brothers is amusing because it’s so like our sibling relationships. What do you find of blessing or encouragement in your own life from this passage?
9th February Genesis 47:27 - 48:22
Manasseh and Ephraim are at least between 7 years of age and their early teens, when Jacob blesses them. Jacob acts as God’s prophet with his two grandsons. He makes no mistake when he blesses Ephraim, the second born with the first-born blessing. Have you ever prayed for God’s blessing for your grandchildren with them right there before you?
10th February Genesis 49
Jacob’s blessing for his own sons contains much prophecy, as well as much character assessment. Jacob has no rosy-eyed view of his sons – see what he says about his later favourite – Benjamin. Judah’s blessing speaks most strongly of Christ.
11th February Genesis 50
Genesis ends with two funerals – Jacob’s and Joseph’s. Joseph’s brothers’ behaviour is so typical of after-funeral family conferences. There can be much anger and resentment. We need to take Joseph as our example at such times.
12th February Exodus 1:1 - 2:22
Much is sometimes made of the lies of the mid-wives to Pharaoh. Whatever we think of their actions, God commends these women for fearing Him and so saving lives. Moses birth and life up to 40 years of age are given briefly and succinctly.
13th February Exodus 2:23 - 3:22
The next 40 years are also passed over in a few short verses. The refrain of the next few chapters is that God hears their cries, is concerned and acts. When God acts in salvation, He sends a saviour. The burning bush is the symbol of our Presbyterian Church.
14th February Exodus 4
Moses does not want to be the saviour of Israel. He tries various excuses before he states categorically in verse 12: Please send someone else to do it! God does not let Moses off the hook, though He makes Aaron Moses’ spokesman. Righteousness is expected of a Saviour. Moses has deliberately neglected the covenant sign of circumcision for his own sons (this neglect is akin in seriousness to spitting on the cross today).
15th February Exodus 5:1 - 6:12
At the start, every time Moses obeys God’s commands, everything gets worse! There is no great revival, only a long hard time of frustration, rejection by the Church, and overwhelming opposition from Pharaoh. God expects Moses to live by faith in His Word. He gives Moses a daunting commission in 6:11. If God were not God, faith would be folly!
16th February Exodus 6:13 - 7:25
Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? (Revelation 21:27) This question highlights the importance of genealogies in the Bible. It was very important that your name be written in the BOOK! Such books were kept in Jerusalem up to its destruction in 70AD. This is why no Jewish opponent in the First Century ever disputed Jesus’ position as Son of David. The Books were there in Jerusalem!
17th February Exodus 8
Egypt rejects the government of God. God withdraws His government (in nature) over Egypt and the ten plagues fall upon Egypt. In the Biblical perspective, natural disasters come as a consequence and corollary of Adam’s rejection of God’s government over his life, of Adam’s original sin.
18th February Exodus 9
The first five plagues fall upon Israel too. They have to share the boils, livestock dying, the flies, gnats and frogs, the water turning into blood. We too have to share in the disasters that fall upon our people, even as Jesus shared. Faith is no lucky charm, but a trust in the person and character of the Lord.
19th February Exodus 10
The great paradox in Exodus is where it says Pharaoh hardened his heart (9:34), and I the Lord have hardened Pharaoh’s heart. (10:1) God is totally sovereign in all things. We are totally responsible for our actions/lives. In the dimensions of eternity, both statements are equally true, though mutually exclusive in the dimensions of our existence.
20th February Exodus 11:1 - 12:20
The first-born are the heirs in their families. Egypt’s heirs all die, except amongst those who joined Israel and sprinkled the blood over their doorposts - the mixed multitude of Exodus 12:38 who went up out of Egypt with Israel. Rebellion against God has no long-term future!
21st February Exodus 12:21-51
The exodus is one of the central events of Scripture. When Moses and Elijah come and talk with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration about His death, they literally call it an exodus (translated departure in the NIV)! (Luke 9:30) The exodus is salvation by grace through faith!
22nd February Exodus 13:1 - 14:4
The consecration of the first-born mirrors the plague of the first-born of Egypt. The future of Israel is with God. The heirs were to be God’s sons, men of faith and courage and righteousness. They were redeemed with a lamb! The connection with Jesus is obvious – 1 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 7:14.
23rd February Exodus 14:5-31
The Red Sea is the finale of God’s great acts of salvation for Israel. This salvation was by His grace. Israel followed Moses and were led out into the desert and trapped - by the Sea, the desert and Pharaoh’s army. God Himself provided the means of salvation.
24th February Exodus 15
This is one of the great songs of the Bible. It is the song of heaven together with the Song of the Lamb in Revelation 15:3. What do you find uplifting in this song?
25th February Exodus 16
Grumbles and complaints were the stand-out characteristics of God’s people. They still are. When we look at ourselves so honestly, it humbles us. Our salvation too is only by grace through faith in God’s Word – Jesus.
26th February Exodus 17
Water from the Rock is another of the great themes and metaphors of the Bible. Salvation comes from unexpected places. People did not expect the Water of Life either to be found in Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Rock on which we stand. Sing or say out loud one of the great hymns that uses the Water from the Rock theme.
27th February Exodus 18
Moses can take advice from his father-in-law. This is a characteristic of good leadership – a teachable spirit. (2 Timothy 2:2) This chapter is one of the foundational chapters for understanding the eldership – their role and function within the people of God.
28th February Exodus 19
The history of exodus is important in understanding the theology being taught through that history. God saves Israel by His grace through their faith in Moses - justification. The Red Sea comes before Mount Sinai. The Law, and especially the Ten Commandments, were given after Israel had been saved, not before. They have to do with how we should live as God’s people, with sanctification. The Ten Commandments were never intended as a means of justification or salvation! Pharisees always get it wrong.

29th February Psalm 1,2

Leap year again. The theme of Psalm 1 is the Law of Moses (The first 4 books of Genesis – Deuteronomy), and that of Psalm 2 is the Prophets (Joshua-2 Kings, Isaiah-Malachi [but not Daniel]). These two psalms sum up much of the Old Testament teaching.

1st March Exodus 20
Do you know the Ten Commandments off by heart? Every Christian should learn them, together with Jesus’ summary in Luke 10:27. It is important that we realise that 75% of the words of the Ten Commandments are taken up with the first four! We should give a similar weight to our relationship with God!
2nd March Exodus 21
A lot of the laws in the Books of Moses are case law where cases are tried by judges on legal precedent and on the explication of basic principles (here the 10 Commandments). Case law is different from statute law, where each situation is covered by a rule. Case law often tells a tale – as here with Hebrew servants.
3rd March Exodus 22:1 - 23:9
Compensation and restitution were the rules of ancient Israeli justice. If someone was caught stealing your DVD, he, or his extended family, had to pay you back double. Financial liability meant that extended families policed their own members. We don’t get this standard of justice today!
4th March Exodus 23:10-33
The Sabbath principle worked too for the land – it had to lie fallow every seventh year. It is only in the last one hundred years that we have come to understand again that this is a good idea. The three great festivals are paralleled with the three great events of Jesus’ ministry:– His death and resurrection - Passover, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit - the Feast of Pentecost celebrating the beginning of the harvest, and the Marriage of the Lamb – the Feast of Tabernacles at the end of harvest.
5th March Exodus 24
When you read verse 15, look at one of the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration – Moses, the cloud and the top of a mountain. Moses stayed with the Lord on the mountain for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry – even as Jesus stayed in the wilderness for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry.

6th March Exodus 25
Verse 1 gives us the Biblical principle for giving – as our hearts prompt us. A generous spirit or its lack is a good indication the condition of the hearts of the Church. Giving should never be compulsory in the support of gospel work. The Biblical principle of the tithe is still a voluntary action.
7th March Exodus 26:1-30
When reading these passages from Exodus, it is a good idea to read chapters 9 and 10 of Hebrews for a New Testament perspective. One instructive lesson is that if God took such excessive care for this small mobile Tabernacle, how much more care will He be taking over that more glorious Tabernacle –the body of Christ, the Church.
8th March Exodus 26:31 - 27:19
The Tabernacle was beautiful from the point of view of the needlework and associated craftsmanship put into its construction. All the basic colours were widely used – red, blue and yellow (gold), with silver and purple dashed everywhere. God is also pleased with beautiful human art!
9th March Exodus 27:20 – 28:14
Right throughout the Old Testament, oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. These lamps were to be kept burning as a visible sign to Israel that the presence of God’s Spirit is the greatest blessing. We should do nothing to grieve the Spirit!
10th March Exodus 28:15-43
The breastpiece of the High Priest was worn over the heart. Read Hebrews from chapter 4:14 to chapter 8. It is very heartening to realise that Christ carries us over His heart!
11th March Exodus 29:1-37
Aaron and his sons were consecrated with blood and oil. Blood is for cleansing from sin and oil for the necessary work of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist’s words “He shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire”, contain the same twin priestly works of Christ necessary for us to come before God.
12th March Exodus 29:38 – 30:10
The Altar of Incense stood right before the curtain that divided the Holy of Holies from the body of the Tabernacle. When the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies once every year, this altar became one with the Holy of Holies as the curtain was opened. The High Priest anointed this small altar with blood and offering incense on it, prayed for the whole people of God. See Hebrews 9 & 10.
13th March Exodus 30:11-38
When reading verses like verse 29, think of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:16-23. Holiness is not magic. God tells us unequivocally that all aspects of our worship must be holy as He is holy. It is our responsibility to ensure that we treat our worship with special care.
14th March Exodus 31
When you read the descriptions of Bezalel and Oholiab, it should change our appreciation of all our ordinary crafts. There is a greater purpose for our gifts in needlework or woodwork than just our own enjoyment. Here they are used to help others worship God. Gifts should bless and help others.
15th March Exodus 32
Thirty-five verses are spent on this incident. It is meant to stand out in our minds and hearts. This is a most important lesson to learn for every generation. From this passage and others like it, our forefathers taught the Regulative Principle of worship to our Church – do in worship only those things which are commanded! We should not worship God wholly according to our own ideas and inclinations!
16th March Exodus 33:1 – 34:3
Another name for the Tabernacle is the Tent of Meeting – personal communion has always been at the centre of God’s purpose and desire for us. Meditate on the value of God’s presence to St. Stephen’s!
17th March Exodus 34:4-35
There are many lessons in this chapter. Consider the relationship of these three great feasts – Passover, The Feast of Weeks and The Feast of Ingathering (also called Feast of Tabernacles) with the three great foci of the New Testament – Crucifixion/Resurrection, Pentecost and the Marriage Feast of the Lamb at the end of the harvest of the world.
18th March Exodus 35
This first earthly Tabernacle is a copy of the real one in heaven – Hebrews 8:5, 9:24. Put all this together with the fact that the New Testament calls the Church the Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit, and that we are called to be builders of this spiritual Tabernacle. Should we offer anything less to this great building today anything less than the best of who we are and what we have in time, resources, encouragement and labour?
19th March Exodus 36
Every skilled person worked on the Tabernacle. What skills are necessary to be builders in the body of Christ the Church – at St. Stephen’s? They will be common and ordinary skills!
20th March Exodus 37
The Ark, the Table, the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense – all have great symbolical importance and can teach us much about the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very word Ark should alert us to start with Noah. Inside the Ark is safety from judgment! The Atonement Cover exactly covered the box – atonement is only for those inside the Ark. None inside shall be missed! Jesus is the DOOR!
21st March Exodus 38
Women gave their mirrors to make the Altar Of Burnt Offering. This was a precious gift. Mirrors were made of polished bronze. Their labour was not in vain in the Lord! Their example should encourage us in our greater building of the Church, the Tabernacle of His body.
22nd March Exodus 39
When you read this chapter, one refrain keeps coming through: they made … as the Lord commanded Moses. As the chorus says: Trust and obey, there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!
23rd March Exodus 40
The Tabernacle was set up and it and its contents together with Aaron and his sons (after being washed with water) were anointed with oil. The anointing of the Spirit follows Moses’ anointing – the Glory covers the Tabernacle and fills it. The priest is the Anointed/Christ/Messiah of the Lord. The priestly work precedes that of the King. This is the pattern of Jesus’ ministry. He accomplished His priestly ministry at Calvary. When He returns, it shall be as King!
24th March Leviticus 1
Leviticus is a book that looks at the question: how may a person be clean before God? The burnt offering was wholly consumed on the altar. Nothing was eaten. The offering had to be without defect. All of this helps us understand the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ death.
25th March Leviticus 2
Grain offerings were often given in thanksgiving – i.e. they were offerings from your first fruits in the harvest. Only a portion was burnt on the altar. Most was given to the priests for their sustenance. Such were their memorials – transient reminders of eternal Glory.
26th March Leviticus 3
With the Fellowship Offerings, all the separable fat together with the liver and the kidneys were burnt, and never eaten. This prohibition on blood and separable fat has health implications – they are restrictions that prevent many cardiovascular diseases and viruses and their spread.
27th March Leviticus 4:1-26
One major point in this reading is that the sin offering was only for unintentional sin, hence David’s Psalm 51 where he asks the Lord to cleanse him. There was no sacrifice that David could give that would do so! Hebrews 10:3,4 makes the same point. Old Testament religion is about grace!
28th March Leviticus 4:27 – 5:13
Sin is defined as acts of omission (failure to speak when you should) as well as acts of commission! The sins listed in Chapter 5 deal with what to us are slightly ridiculous things like touching the carcase of something that has died or human excrement, or giving a thoughtless promise. However, they all have to do with health – either physical or relational. We have in Australia mountainous regulations governing butcher shops for the same public health reasons.

29th March Leviticus 5:14 – 6:7
Restitution is a major part of making things right with God and with our neighbours. In ancient Israel there were no jails as such. When caught stealing, you and your extended family had to make restitution – often up to 20% more. Policing was done by the extended family, which was held responsible for your debts. This is a clan society. Victims saw justice.
30th March Leviticus 6:8 – 7:10
The guilt offering was food for the priests – every meal was a sacramental meal. From this chapter comes the New Testament understanding of our Communion Service. We, as a holy priesthood, eat the guilt offering of Christ – we eat and drink in remembrance of Him! Take and eat; this is my body! Matthew 26:26
31st March Leviticus 7:11-38
The offerer and his family and friends ate the Thanksgiving or Fellowship offering. Everything left by the third day had to be thrown out. We don’t always understand why God says things, but this passage should convince us to trust Him. We know today that there are good reasons not to eat unrefrigerated cooked meat a few days past its preparation!

1st April Leviticus 8
Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil and blood. They were the first anointed (Messiahs) in the Bible. Their mediatorial work came first before David was anointed as King centuries later. So, too Christ’s mediatorial work came first before He comes again to reign! Do you see testimony to Jesus!
2nd April Leviticus 9
These priests had to offer sacrifice for their own sins and that continually. We find here the reason Christ is most necessary. See Hebrews chapters 7-10, esp. 10:10,11, for a good understanding of how these chapters of Leviticus teach us of Christ.
3rd April Leviticus 10
It takes a priest without sin to stand before the holiness of God unburnt. Psalm 15 asks the same question: Who may dwell in Your sanctuary? He whose walk is blameless! Thank God for Jesus. Hebrews 10:19-27 is a reflection on this chapter.
4th April Leviticus 11
One thing this chapter teaches is that God is interested in everything regarding the welfare of His people. These regulations are to do with public health issues. Pig meat has many parasites that are transferable to humans. Usual cooking methods do not kill these parasites, hence our tough Australian regulation of the pig industry.
5th April Leviticus 12:1 – 13:23
Feminists have often got very heated over this chapter – the bit where a woman is unclean for twice as long with the birth of a girl. This is because we moderns don’t put two and two together very well. These women, who might have disappointed various powerful figures (mother-in-law, husband, aunts) in their extended family by producing a daughter, were given a protected space of 66 days where they could not be worked, have sex or be harassed. This is a regulation that blessed the women of the day – for a despised daughter they got twice as long off as for the desired son!

6th April Leviticus 13:24-59
Quarantine was the regular method of coping with outbreaks of infectious diseases. The point of the passage about mildew in clothes, harness etc is that we don’t like to expend money on replacement or repairs. A modern example is the government demand for the annual registration inspection of cars re roadworthiness. Unsafe equipment then as now often causes accidents.
7th April Leviticus 14:1-32
The procedure in this chapter is that which Jesus tells the leper He cleansed to go and do. (Matthew 8:2,3) Jesus said the same thing to the ten lepers He healed – though only the Samaritan came back to thank Him. (Luke 17:12-17) The atonement offering also reminded the cleansed sufferer of his greater need to be cleansed of that worse leprosy – sin.
8th April Leviticus 14:33-57
It is a most Christian thing to have a duty of care towards others by taking care that our buildings are safe. This is a major responsibility of our Committee of Management. Fungal attack of building materials can be a serious problem. Remember this is wood, mud brick, or wattle and daub. The Mosaic Law takes the opportunity of public safety and health issues to underscore the spiritual importance of living cleansed before God and man.
9th April Leviticus 15
Today we are conscious that bodily fluids can transmit all kinds of terrible viruses and diseases. This chapter’s advice has preserved over thousands of years any society which has sought to follow this advice – whether they understood the science and hygiene issues or not. God is so good!
10th April Leviticus 16
The Day of Atonement comes right before the Feast of Tabernacles. It reminds us that the door to paradise (the good times after the harvest) is through being made clean in God’s sight – that is, atonement has to be made for us. Hebrews 9:23-28 reminds us that Christ did not have to offer Himself every year, but only once – He is the atonement we need!

11th April Leviticus 17, 18
The regulations about sacrifice had both a spiritual and a public health role. They taught spiritual truths even as they preserved public health. Uganda is one African country that has almost beaten the AIDS epidemic. How? Young Ugandans have turned to chastity en masse. All these regulations are dealing with issues that are current TODAY!
12th April Leviticus 19, 20
These chapters explain what it means to love your neighbour in glowing practical detail! Find something that speaks to your life and situation, something that you will do.
13th April Leviticus 21
This chapter has some similarities to the passages in the New Testament that teach about elders and deacons – Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1- 12. Priests had to mirror Christ in holiness and separateness from sin. Like the sacrifices they had to be without blemish! Samuel and Kings reveal how blemished the priests were – the cleansing from sin that is eternal had to come from another priestly source!
14th April Leviticus 22
Jesus told us to serve God and not Mammon. We do this when we give of our best in our service, tithes and offerings joyfully, willingly, thankfully and freely. We show God what we really think of Him. A stunted offering shows Him and us how stunted our relationship with Him is. Let us hold what we have as a stewardship from Him!
15th April Leviticus 23:1-22
This first-fruits offering leads us directly to the Lord’s prayer: Give us this day our daily bread! In all the three great festivals and in this family offering, the ancient believer owned himself and his family as “the recipients of His bounty, the dependents of His blessing and the stewards of His property”.
16th April Leviticus 23:23-44
These three flow one into the other forming one whole – though with a prominent gap distinguishing each from the others. The Apostle John in the Book of Revelation takes up this framework – the Trumpets, the Bowls of Judgment, and the return of Christ with the finish of the world’s harvest. The festivals contain our Great Hope!
17th April Leviticus 24
Holiness and blasphemy are set side by side deliberately. Jesus had something to say on blasphemy too in Matthew 12:31. The Pharisees justified their stoning of Stephen and the crucifixion of Christ from here. The eye for an eye verses teach: the punishment must fit the crime – no leg for an eyelash! Ancient Israel operated on the practice of compensation for injury. This is advice for judges, not for a mob.
18th April Leviticus 25
This is a long chapter – it has something important to say. Remember the Books of the Law paint the picture of an ideal society. Israel only followed these regulations imperfectly. Land and debtors - both were to obtain rest. Ownership of land was not vested in the Crown as in Australia. It was vested in the clan and it returned to the clan. Clan members could not sell but only lease it out during a Jubilee cycle of 50 years. This gave great political power and freedom to ordinary people – such that we don’t have today here in Australia!
19th April Leviticus 26
Blessing and cursing side by side is common in the Scriptures. It is the picture of Salvation and Judgment. It is the picture of Passover – God’s angel passed over the Israelites to fall upon the Egyptians. Verse 40+ takes us to John the Baptist’s message. It is good to return to God our Father in Heaven!
20th April Leviticus 27
Redemption has a practical everyday application in ordinary life as well as spiritually or religiously. How do we redeem our words, our promises and vows?
21st April Numbers 1
Those who argue on the basis of David’s words on the sin of his census that Christians shouldn’t take part in censuses should read this chapter. The Lord commands Moses to take a census of Israel. There is a time and a place for everything under the sun! Judah and Joseph are the strongest tribes! These two tribes become rivals in Israel like Euodia and Syntyche in the church at Philippi.
22nd April Numbers 2
The Tabernacle was in the centre of the camp at the start. This was an ordered society though it was nomadic. The family bond is the cohesive glue of ancient Israeli society and at the centre was the LORD.
23rd April Numbers 3
The Levite clans all had their own particular responsibilities with the carriage, erection and function of the tabernacle. The tribe of Levi belonged to the Lord in the place of each first-born bought with the blood of the Passover Lamb! In Christ, we the Church of the first-born! Hebrews 12:23
24th April Numbers 4
The duties of the Levite clans were specified. There is nothing unspiritual about good organisation or administration in the worship and life of the Church. The Apostle Paul said: everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. 1 Corinthians 14:40 This is important for family and individual worship – if they are to happen!
25th April Numbers 5
A large part of this chapter is taken up with dealing with jealous husbands. Once again, remember that this is dealing with real cases – not with men as they should be, but as they are! Once a wife had undergone the ritual, he had no ground for complaint or innuendo. These are people living in tents in a camping ground! He couldn’t abuse her without everyone knowing! It left the outcome to God and a husband HAD to leave it there!
26th April Numbers 6
The Nazirite vow brought certain obligations and responsibilities. John the Baptist lived as a Nazirite. Paul was most probably paying for the offerings of a number of Jewish Christians who had taken the Nazirite vow, when he was arrested in the temple. The Aaronic blessing is still sung at baptisms.
27th April Numbers 7
Each tribe brought the same rich offerings to the dedication of the altar. The privilege of being a tribe in Israel brought responsibilities, no matter whether you were a large tribe or small, rich or poor. We, as a Christian congregation and denomination, have as great responsibilities in the Gospel – where our offering is Christ!
28th April Numbers 8
The Levites were sprinkled with the Water of Cleansing at their setting apart. They were a wave offering to the Lord in the place of every first-born son. The offering of the Levites made atonement for the Israelites so that they could worship unjudged. Similarly the offering of Christ makes atonement for us in ways that this wave offering could not.
29th April Numbers 9:1 – 10:10
The Cloud above the Tabernacle – the sign of God’s near presence. Look up cloud in a concordance and meditate on the New Testament references. The Cloud on the Mount of Transfiguration and the Cloud of Witnesses are two references worth meditating on. The cloud heralds God as the Giver of the Water of Life!
30th April Numbers 10:11 – 11:3
Moses’ words re the Ark (v.35,36) centred Israel’s attention on God’s manifold grace in salvation and to a present hope of His interest and leading. The phrase countless thousands of Israel is a reminder that God did keep His promises to Abraham. We too should be encouraged to hope in Him!

1st May Numbers 11:4-35
Complaints over hardships and difficulties and cravings for what we do not have and long for something different, mark the Church then and now. Complaints and cravings are corrosive of personal, family and church relationships. Moses words to the Lord (v. 21,22) are reminiscent of the disciples to Christ when He fed thousands.
2nd May Numbers 12, 13
Attack is hardest when it comes from within family, workplace and congregation. Moses has to deal with Miriam’s and Aaron’s jealousy. God’s response brings Moses’ anguished prayer: O God, please heal her! God’s love is tough – Miriam learnt an unforgettable lesson!
3rd May Numbers 14
Caleb and Joshua are the only two spies whose faith is up to the task set by God. They trust Him. The other 10 see only an unscaleable mountain before Israel. Israel came to the road to the Promised Land and wouldn’t take it! Jesus said: if you find the road that leads to life – take it. Don’t let your fears overcome your faith! Matthew 7:13,14
4th May Numbers 15
Freewill offerings were the daily meat supply for ordinary households. In Jesus’ words: Give us this day our daily bread! This is the attitude towards God that the Law of Moses encourages. The death of the Sabbath breaker is like that of Achan and of Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament – a terrible lesson about holiness and about judgment. Treating God with contempt is stupid.
5th May Numbers 16:1-40
A party spirit is a most insidious and dangerous cancer in the Church. Korah, Dathan and Abiram form and lead a large anti-Moses party. They use a good doctrine (the priesthood of all believers) to attack Church leaders out of motives of jealousy, ambition and pride. How should we handle such a spirit in our churches?
6th May Numbers 16:41 – 17:13
Aaron (an old man now) running through the camp to the Tabernacle and then back again with his censer – the symbol of intercessory prayer and atoning sacrifice - to stand between the living and the dead is a vivid and powerful picture. Such is the stamp of Christ’s love for His church!
7th May Numbers 18
The Levites had to tithe the tithe they received from the people. Ministers and missionaries and all in some full-time Christian mission work should all tithe their income too. Tithing is not just for ordinary members – it’s for everyone!
8th May Numbers 19
The Water of Cleansing was used for numerous purposes – sprinkling the Levites when they were set apart, sprinkling someone who has had to touch a dead body, and drunk by a woman with a jealous husband. These all deal with death – of the body or of relationship – and thus with sin. Sin and its effects must be cleansed! John the Baptist was using this type of cleansing with his baptism of repentance – for cleansing. Christian baptism draws from this as from circumcision.
9th May Numbers 20
Moses did not hallow God’s Name! (Verse 12) He got so angry with Israel – you rebels! Moses’ righteousness falls short in bridging the chasm of sin. He can not enter the Promised Land – until Jesus and the Mount of Transfiguration!
10th May Numbers 21
Much happens in this chapter. Jesus said of this incident with the bronze snake: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14) Jesus says this history is prophetic of His ministry – the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy! (Revelation 19:10b) Jesus is the template for Moses – not Moses for Jesus. Moses is the shadow play that helps us understand Jesus!
11th May Numbers 22:1-38
Balaam is a true prophet. Balaam is like Judas – he sells out the Lord for silver. (2 Peter 2:15 and Revelation 2:14) Balaam was a moral man who thought his spirituality was something personal and private that had nothing to do with his public and business practice. Balaam deceived himself. Do you and I?
12th May Numbers 22:39 - 23:26
God made it very plain to Balaam that Israel was His own special people. Balaam knew that God had specially delivered Israel from Egypt. Balaam had a good understanding of the Good News, yet he betrayed the Lord. Balaam and Judas are enigmas for us; nonetheless they are a potent warning and challenge.
13th May Numbers 23:27 – 24:25
Balaam utters seven oracles – seven is the number representing completion or whole. Biblical history reveals God’s purpose and intention. Israel’s king will be greater than the greatest existing king! The great national powers rise and fall. God’s word stands! This is a wonderful hope and realisation!
14th May Numbers 25:1 – 26:51
Just scan this genealogical list from the viewpoint of someone in Jesus’ day. Was my family mentioned? Is our name in the list? Is you name in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Revelation 3:5, 20:15
15th May Numbers 26:52 – 27:23
The list was important for a place in the Promised Land. Remember Jesus’ words: I go to prepare a place for you! Zelophedad’s daughters have a place in their own right! The requirement to marry within the clan preserved the clan’s inheritance. Title to land was in the clan, not in the government. This gave great political protection to ordinary people when dealing with powerful civil governments.
16th May Numbers 28
Joshua’s setting apart as the next leader flows naturally into this chapter, which details the worship of God in ancient Israel. Worship was to be only in conformity with these general commands. Joshua’s victory leads believing Israel to worship God! Jesus’ victory will also lead you and I to corporate worship! Evangelicals today who believe that corporate worship is not necessary for spiritual health are not listening to this prophetic message.

17th May Numbers 29
These three festivals form a whole package covering three weeks. They are prophetic of Christ’s ministry – His birth, death and return! Trumpets – proclamation of God’s wonderful promise of salvation (through Moses and through Jesus the Prophet Moses said would come in Moses’ stead), the Day of Atonement – the death of the first-born of Egypt/Red Sea and the death of the First-born Son/the Empty Cross and Tomb, the Feast of Tabernacles – the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! Footprints in Time large enough for the blind to fall into!
18th May Numbers 30, 31
Vows are directly related to the Third Commandment – “You shall not misuse (take in vain) the name of the LORD your God.” Every time a Christian promises, signs something or takes a vow, we automatically involve the Name of God. It’s like a child involves the name of his/her family in whatever he/she gets up to.
19th May Numbers 32
These two and a half tribes were cattlemen. The land across the Jordan was excellent for cattle – plain country with good grass. Moses speaks strongly. The tribes respond respectfully – they realise that Moses has an excellent point that they can’t refute. They kept their bargain with Moses.
20th May Numbers 33
Moses recorded every stage of their journey. The succeeding generations needed to know that God kept Israel throughout all their journeys. He knows each stage of your life too. The invasion of Canaan is founded in God’s judgment – with the warning to Israel that the same awaits them if they too are unfaithful to their Creator.
21st May Numbers 34:1-35:8
God set the boundaries of the Promised Land. John in Revelation 21 describes the boundaries of Jerusalem Above. Boundaries remind us that He is our Lord – we respect His will and desire. The Ten Commandments also are boundaries of a different sort. People who accept the boundaries make good neighbours!
22nd May Numbers 35:9 – 36:13
The Cities of Refuge were places that people guilty of manslaughter could live – restricted but productive lives with their families. Justice was served as far as the victim’s family was concerned too because the person guilty of manslaughter didn’t get off scot-free. Justice in family, church and society needs to show fairness, common sense and humanity.
23rd May Deuteronomy 1
The Arabah is the same place that Jesus went to be tempted by the Devil. Moses recounts the history of Israel, which reveals their rebellious heart. It was from here that Joshua (Hebrew for Jesus) went forth to lead the people into the Promised Land. Jesus, like His namesake, goes forth from this same place to begin His ministry.
24th May Deuteronomy 2
Notice that Israel never deserved God’s salvation. It is only by His grace that Israel enters the Promised Land. Salvation by grace not works is the Old Testament doctrine too.
25th May Deuteronomy 3
Under Joshua, Israel defeats all the enemies that come against her. Do you ever fear for the future of the Church, of Christianity? Don’t! Find in these readings the hope that John saw in Revelation 19 – that Christ is the victorious Joshua conquering His enemies. Great encouragement is ours that our labour is not in vain in the Lord!
26th May Deuteronomy 4
Trust and obey is the way to be happy in Jesus! Hebrews 12:18-24 gives you a New Testament perspective on verses 9-14. We have come to Jerusalem Above and to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant. This greater joy is yours!
27th May Deuteronomy 5
The Ten Commandments are the means for sanctification, never for justification, the means of growing in holiness, never the means for salvation. Meditate on why the Lord spent so much time stressing Commandments 2,3,4,5,10. What application is there for you today?

28th May Deuteronomy 6:1-7:10
Moses told the people to keep God’s Commandments before their eyes at all times in a quite literal way. We have Scripture verses for walls today too. Why do we need help in keeping focused on the Lord and on His word, will and way? What verses are you learning?
29th May Deuteronomy 7:11–8:20
The Israelites were terrified of the Canaanites. The Lord encourages the people to see Him as bigger than their fears. The Lord drove out the Canaanites with hornets and other natural means. God uses remarkable and totally unexpected means to keep His word! What verse stands out to you today?
30th May Deuteronomy 9:1–10:11
Moses acts as a mediator between God and Israel time and again. Will Jesus do any less for you? Mediator: 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24 are applicable verses.
31st May Deuteronomy 10:12–11:32
To fear the Lord our God is to love Him! This fear is different from craven fear – it encompasses awe, respect, reverence. The phrase: our God is a burning fire, has the same meaning for fear – a healthy respect. Is your respect of God healthy or unhealthy?

1st June Deuteronomy 12
In such chapters as this you find where our Church gets its teaching about the regulative principle of worship – do what is commanded! This principle gives an entirely different worship service than the commonly followed principle: do what is not forbidden. Eating of meat is given the thumbs up in verse 20.
2nd June Deuteronomy 13:1-14:23
The clean and unclean foods issue is more than fussiness. Public health regulations today are concerned with similar issues – for example about pig meat. Scavengers like pigs carry diseases and parasites that are readily transferable to humans. These laws kept the Jews healthy when other healthy people succumbed to disease – as testified by disease rates amongst immigrants to America early last century.
3rd June Deuteronomy 14:22-15:23
It is still a good principle to repay debts within seven years. Tithes were used to feed the Levites, the immigrants, the orphans, the widows and other disadvantaged people within a town. The Jews were encouraged to be generous and regular with the tithe with the promise that God does bless the generous in all the work of their hands.
4th June Deuteronomy 16
Three times a year a Jew was told to come to the Tabernacle to worship. The three reasons for each season are: Remember the cost of your salvation and who bore it, rejoice in the promise of the coming harvest as seen in its first-fruits, and be joyful as you gather in the completed harvest. The New Testament sees the fulfilment of these feasts in the life and ministry of Christ!
5th June Deuteronomy 17:1-18:8
One important principle of good civil government is given here – that of limited authority. The king, as representing civil government just as the prime minister does today in Australia, was to be under God’s law, under a higher authority. This is the spiritual basis of a government lasting a long time. We neglect this principle to our sorrow in family, church and nation.
6th June Deuteronomy 18:9-19:21
Detestable ways: child sacrifice, and all occult practices, such as the use of mediums to contact the dead or to prophesy the future. What Moses says about the prophet is fulfilled in Christ. (Acts 7:37+) The eye for an eye bit is just the requirement for judges that the punishment fit the crime!
7th June Deuteronomy 20, 21
War is terrible and horrible. Unregulated behaviour in war produces such bestiality, sadism and cruelty, unimaginable in peace time, that it is no surprise that the Lord gives regulations that mitigate against the extremes of human behaviour.
8th June Deuteronomy 22:1-23:8
Most of these regulations apply to either loving God or your neighbour. The three examples in 22:9-11 were visible pictures of the injunction to be unmixed in our affections towards God – anything unequally yoked was taken as a visible symbol of our rejection of God as our Creator. He made everything separate. Israel was to respect His order in creation in this visible way.
9th June Deuteronomy 23:9-24:22
Jesus injunction: Love your neighbour as yourselves, has many practical examples here taken from ordinary day life. This reading covers marriage, immigrants, the protection of workers by legislation, guidance for judges, etc. Think through one practical example for life in your town/suburb today.
10th June Deuteronomy 25:1-26:15
Verses 25:5-10 are background for the story of Ruth and the words of the Sadducees to Jesus in Matthew 23:23-32. The emphasis of the next chapter is on generosity towards God and man with the wealth in soil and material possessions that God has given them. The tithe fed the Levite, the orphan, the widow. The way the tithe was used in the early Church led to the creation of the office of deacon. Acts 6:1-7.
11th June Deuteronomy 26:16-27:26
The cursings and the blessings find a striking parallel in the New Testament – the Sermon on the Mount with its blessings and cursings in Matthew 5-7. There are the wages of sin and the gift of God – eternal life. (Romans 6:23) Remember the essence of sin is disobedience, a stopped ear towards God. It is not doing bad things per se.
12th June Deuteronomy 28:1-37
These blessings tell us something about drought – it relates to us the Church, and not to the state of our nation. Droughts happen under the providence of God. The blessings of rain and abundant harvest are blessing promised to the Church – God’s people. Droughts are an occasion for us to search our own hearts to see if we have been straying from the ways of God, to pray for rain and to husband our resources more wisely – to use and replenish!
13th June Deuteronomy 28:38-68
Times of prosperity are times for serving the Lord joyfully and gladly. (v.47) When you read verses 58-63, remember that the public hygiene regulations of Leviticus preserves life today wherever their principles are practiced. The Base Hospital signs asking visitors to wash their hands under running water before and after visiting a ward have a real public health purpose that we disregard because of ignorance. We don’t think it matters!
14th June Deuteronomy 29
It is from passages like this that our forefathers in Scotland took their practice of making and renewing covenants within society and church. What is the root that introduces bitter poison into our midst – in family and church? How do you deal with this spiritual weed in your own life?
15th June Deuteronomy 30:1-31:13
Remembrance can be a wonderful power for good. Remembrances can awake us afresh to God and to each other. Remembrance and repentance are corollaries. In the biblical history, Moses is succeeded by Jesus (Jesus is the greek form of Joshua). It is this Jesus who leads the people into the promised land. The Gospel is the burden of the Law of Moses!
16th June Deuteronomy 31:14-32:14
Observe God’s command to Joshua – consider it’s relevance to that other Joshua, Jesus of Nazareth. Consider Jesus’ cry: Why have You forsaken me? Consider these resurrection verses: Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:27, 13:35. The Song of Moses was for remembrance. What was one thing to be remembered?
17th June Deuteronomy 32:15-52
Moses does not rebel against the Word of the Lord, though it might seem harsh and bitter. Moses has to die outside, just like all that rebellious generation who fought Moses for so long. Instead of complaints over unfairness, Moses teaches trust and obey.
18th June Deuteronomy 33
Though Moses be the Judge of God’s people, the summation of his life and ministry is blessing. He is so like Jesus here. Think about the many and the few words for different tribes, about their faults and strengths. What do you pray for your family members and church?
19th June Deuteronomy 34
The parallel passages to read beside this short chapter are the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the Mount when Elijah and Moses came to talk with Him about His coming exodus, His death. Moses, by God’s grace, did have a more wonderful entry into the Promised Land than he could ever have dreamed of.
20th June Joshua 1
It is remarkable that Joshua is told several times in a short space of time to be courageous and strong. Life can be so battering that we quickly lose heart. An Israelite reading these words would thank God that Joshua heeded this command all his life. We too should be thankful that Jesus did so and does so.
21st June Joshua 2
Whatever else Rahab is she is a woman of great faith. She hears what God is doing with Israel. She believes and entrusts herself and her family to Him. She is especially mentioned in Matthew’s genealogy of the heirs of Abraham. (see Matt.1) Faith like hers will always bring family blessing.
22nd June Joshua 3
This crossing reminds Israel, and us, that salvation is by His grace. The God who opened the way through the Red Sea through Moses, is with them through Joshua. God is faithful to His covenant. Trust Him in your today.
23rd June Joshua 4:1-5:12
The 12 stones from the Jordan riverbed were a memorial for later generations. We need to remember what God has done in the past, that we might trust Him in today and in tomorrow. Israel practiced what they preached – this mass circumcision made the whole nation vulnerable. Trust and obey!
24th June Joshua 5:13-6:27
Rahab and her extended family are saved through her faith from the judgment that God brings on Jericho. The Canaanites were no different from the ancient Britons and others. They were doing what they were doing however, inside God’s place - The Promised Land! This was the land were God would talk with man face to face, just as in Eden. Joshua meets the guardian cherub as he crosses Jordan from the east! Eden’s guardian cherub was placed on the east side!
25th June Joshua 7
Achan has the place in the Old Testament that Ananias and Sapphira have in the New. Hypocrisy, selfish ambition, the love of adulation and praise are deadly cancers within the midst of God’s people. These two examples are ever before the Church to make us sober-minded and not take the Lord for granted.
26th June Joshua 8
The destruction of Ai is followed immediately with the renewal of the covenant on Mount Ebal. Israel’s taking of the Promised Land was a unique case – it was not an example for any other people to follow. Remember what Rahab said to the spies. The people of Ai chose to reject what they themselves believed was the doing of God. The people of Gibeon did otherwise with very different results.
27th June Joshua 9
The Gibeonites are like Rahab. They both have a different reaction to what they know God is going to do than the people of Ai and Jericho. Saving faith leads to Joshua and the people of God! Their faith is commended, if not their means. Their faith saves them. Gibeonites are amongst the returnees from the Exile some 800 years later. Nehemiah 3:7
28th June Joshua 10
The kings of the Amorites reject God. This is what is at the heart of this history. They know what God is doing, yet war against His purposes. Joshua protects the people of Gibeon. This is the character of that greater Joshua, our Jesus!
29th June Joshua 11, 12
Joshua defeats all the kings of Canaan. Jesus is pictured in Revelation 19:11-21 as doing something similar but on a cosmic scale. The proclamation of the Bible is that God’s Christ will prevail! This is a message of hope that we take by faith, so that we may find strength to live as a Christian should.
30th June Joshua 13
Joshua could not deliver everything. He was a limited Saviour and Judge for God’s people. His old age and death stopped his effectiveness. Thank God that He sent Jesus, who is alive forevermore at the Father’s right hand! Jesus’ saving work will be completed!

Joshua 14 to Esther 10: July to December

2008-02-29T21:12:00.000-08:00

OLD TESTAMENT I – Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First & Second Samuel, First & Second Kings, First & Second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
Daily notes written by Stuart A. Andrews, Minister of St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church Tamworth, NSW

1st July Joshua 14,15
Every one of the people of God had a place in the Promised Land – that place where God would walk and talk with His people again. Consider too the importance of family faith. It is Caleb’s nephew Othniel who becomes his heir and who is Israel’s first Judge after Joshua dies.
2nd July Joshua 16,17
There is a recurrent refrain in this list of tribal allotments:– They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in …! Paradise does not remain paradise long when people hostile to God (either inside or outside His people) live there. Read Revelation 21:6-8. The new earth will be paradise!
3rd July Joshua 18,19
There is one detail that recurs throughout the Bible – men or angels who survey or measure the land. This recurs in Zechariah 2 and Revelation 21:15. If you belong to Jesus, there will be a place for you, just as He promised. John 14:2
4th July Joshua 20, 21
Ancient Israel did not have jails as we have them today. They relied on the extended clan to keep members in line regarding petty crime. For serious crime such as manslaughter, there were the cities of refuge, where people convicted of such could live productive lives with their families. They were confined to that town and so justice was given to the grieving family who lost someone.
5th July Joshua 22
Read Matthew 18:15,16. This is the principle at work in this chapter. It headed off a potentially violent confrontation between the tribes. The two and a half tribes from across the Jordan wanted to remind the others that the Lord was their God too. Our true unity is in the Lord our God and not in location or origin.
6th July Joshua 23
Joshua gives Israel a farewell speech. He gives them with a great commission to finish what he has begun. Our greater Joshua – Jesus Christ – has also given us a similar great commission to preach the Gospel to all the world. Our Joshua lives! It is no accident that the three Synoptic Gospels end with Jesus’ ascension and His great commission.
7th July Joshua 24
Verse 31 is one key verse to understand the spiritual import of this the first prophetic book in the Old Testament. This verse sets the scene for the rest of the Earlier Prophets – Judges, Samuel and Kings. It reveals the importance of Jesus’ resurrection – we must have a living Saviour, else we too will slip away.
8th July Judges 1:1-2:5
Israel begins to drive out the Canaanites and the Amorites from Palestine. It became easier to make the Canaanites pay tribute, so Israel formed a political accommodation with the stronger cities. This accommodation was a direct cause for the ensuing idolatry. Othniel (1:13) became the first Judge of Israel, as well as Caleb’s son-in-law.
9th July Judges 2:6-3:4
There is a cycle to the history related in the Book of Judges. That cycle is: the people begin to disobey the word of the Lord and begin to worship God according to their own light. Idolatry rears its head. God brings an enemy upon Israel. The people repent, so God brings a Judge who delivers the people from their oppressors. When the judge dies, the people fall immediately into idolatry and the cycle begins again.
10th July Judges 3:5-31
You will notice a downward spiral as judge succeeds judge. Othniel marries Caleb’s daughter Acsah. He has the spiritual strength of the wilderness generation. Israel’s long-time enemies are all mentioned – Iraq, Moab, Amalek, Ammon, the Philistine confederation. Political decay on a national scale is a dangerous time for any people.

11th July Judges 4
Deborah and Barak are in a similar relationship as Moses and Joshua. Joshua trusted the Word of the Lord through Moses the prophet of the Lord – Barak does not trust the Word of the Lord through Deborah the prophetess of the Lord! This is the major difference. God is gracious to Barak and to Israel.
12th July Judges 5
The Song of Deborah is one of several by women in the Scriptures. These songs or prayers of Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, and Mary should be read and pondered. (Exodus 16:21, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Luke 2:46-55) Verse 2 is the key verse to the song.
13th July Judges 6
Once again we see the cycle of Judges: the death of the judge, the people do evil in God’s eyes, an enemy comes who oppresses them, they repent and call out to God and He sends another judge. We need Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God as our Judge. While He lives, we too will live! Notice that God’s word is not enough for Gideon – this is a judge who falls far short of Moses and Joshua!
14th July Judges 7
The 300 who lapped the water were those who did not put down their weapons to drink – they were the professional core of the Israelite militia, or civilian army. Gideon only takes proven warriors to this battle. Are our numbers here at ….. too small to do what is necessary for our church to grow? Is that the real question for us?
15th July Judges 8
Several chapters are devoted to Gideon, because he epitomises the mixed state of Israel at that time. His life’s work ends in the snare of the golden ephod, or priest’s special garment. The religious symbol meant more to them than God Himself. Is there anything like the ephod in my life?
16th July Judges 9:1-10:5
Abimelech epitomises Jesus’ words in John on pagan rulers in Mark 10:42: “those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them.” Godly leadership is different. It comes to serve, not be served. Tola and Jair might have only 2 verses each, but what an eternal commendation!
17th July Judges 10:6-11:28
Jephthah is the rejected Judge who comes and saves God’s people. Jephthah has a similar background to Abimelech, but is of an entirely different character. Jephthah is one of the few characters (Othniel, Gideon, Samson, Jahaziel, Zechariah son of Jehoiada, Ezekiel) of whom it is said that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.
18th July Judges 11:29-12:15
The tragic story of Jephthah’s daughter is not one of human sacrifice. Jephthah’s daughter weeps not because she will die, but because she will now never marry. She is dedicated to the Lord and presumably serves Him at the Tabernacle with the other women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting! Exodus 38:8. Jephthah’s line will die out! This is a great catastrophe - one that we moderns miss, because we don’t think it is!
19th July Judges 13
The circumstances of the birth of Samson are similar to that of John the Baptist – Luke 1:15. An angel announces the coming birth to Manoah and his wife. Samson was to be a Nazirite from birth. Samson and Israel are both examples of the lowest point reached by God’s people. Like people like judge! The book of Judges opens with Israel having it all together, and ends with everything falling apart.
20th July Judges 14, 15
Samson is the Judge who marries outside the Faith. This is a tragic history, yet we see God’s grace. He keeps His promises to Abraham, Isaac and to Jacob! He is faithful even though Israel and her judge are not! It is the Lord Jesus who is not overcome by our darkness but who overcomes it.
21st July Judges 16
Samson is not an example to follow in his morality and stupidity. His life’s story gives us hope that we too may find God dealing so with us. It gives us courage to yet hope in Him – not because of what or who we are, but because of what and who He is!
22nd July Judges 17, 18
The next two pieces of history come from early in Israel’s possession of Palestine. Micah and his idolatry are but the backdrop for the story of the Levite. This man sold his birthright like Esau for a mess of pottage, for fame and status! God’s people have not changed! Thank the Lord for our Lord Jesus who can overcome us!
23rd July Judges 19
The second story is about another Levite and his common-law wife. They have relationship problems and she runs home to father. What happens to her is an indescribable horror – due to the behaviour of her husband as well as that of the men of Benjamin.
24th July Judges 20
Benjamin is almost destroyed as a Tribe of Israel! The message is that religion cannot make any difference in itself. We need the Lord Himself, the work of the Holy Spirit! Benjamin puts family first above all other considerations. This is misplaced loyalty because it puts family in God’s place. It destroyed them except for the grace of God!
25th July Judges 21
In God’s grace, a link is formed in all the tragedy between the people of Jabesh Gilead and the Tribe of Benjamin. This becomes important later in Saul’s time. Most of the population of Jabesh Gilead apparently escaped, as the history related in 1 Samuel 11 testifies. The refrain in these two stories is: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” Lawlessness destroys. The people need a Messiah!
26th July Ruth 1
This is the story of God’s grace. Someone of Moabite descent was not given citizenship even after 10 generations. Deuteronomy 23:3 David is the fourth generation descendant of a Moabite! What is impossible for man, is possible for God! There are many lessons you can learn from this narrative.

27th July Ruth 2
Boaz is one of Ruth’s kinsmen-redeemers. This was a precious relationship that the Lord made sure was clearly understood by Israel. As Boaz is to Ruth, so Jesus is to us. He is our kinsman-redeemer. It is His right and privilege to redeem His own!
28th July Ruth 3, 4
Besides being a love story with some unusual, humorous and romantic twists, Ruth is a book that brings us down to earth where spiritual things is concerned. Ruth’s salvation is part and parcel of the redemption of the land! Our salvation is part and parcel of the redemption of the earth! We are saved in order to LIVE on the earth life to the full! John 10:10
29th July 1 Samuel 1
Samuel follows right on from the book of Judges. The coming of the Messiah, the King was in answer to Israel’s lawlessness. Israel needed a Saviour. Before God sends the Messiah, He sends His prophet who will prepare Messiah’s way. There are many similarities between Samuel and John the Baptist. They are not accidental, but deliberate, and testify to the truth of the Gospel!
30th July 1 Samuel 2
Life is never smooth and has never been smooth. Godliness gives strength in difficulties, not escape from them. What speaks to your heart and soul in Hannah’s prayer?
31st July 1 Samuel 3
This is one of those precious records of where the Lord makes someone aware of Himself in a wonderful way. Paul’s meeting with Christ is equally dramatic and determinative for the future well-being of His people. This chapter makes the point that it was important that all of Israel recognized that God had attested Samuel as His prophet!

1st August 1 Samuel 4, 5
The glory departs from Israel! Phineas and Hophni did not realise this, Phineas’ wife did. Would you realise when the Glory has departed from our church or people? The Gospel is preached to the Philistines – they see that the Lord is God. He throws down their idol Dagon. Philistia has a different spirit to the city of Gibeon, who heard and believed and therefore did everything to join Israel.
2nd August 1 Samuel 6, 7
The thing about the calves is that the cows acted against their nature and left their calves. This was a testimony to the Philistines that the Lord is God – God in Philistia too. He is no regional god. Samuel calls Israel to repentance. The heart of repentance is seen in verse 7:3.
3rd August 1 Samuel 8:1-9:14
Israel has been told by the Lord that it is all right to ask for a king – Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The trouble is in the manner of their request. They demand of Samuel a king. They are like the people who tried to force Jesus to be king! The Lord gives them a king after their own heart – Saul.
4th August 1 Samuel 9:15-10:27
Samuel anoints Saul King! Saul is God’s Anointed or Christ. Samuel exhibits the same spirit towards Saul as John the Baptist does towards Jesus. Both prophets accept that they must decrease that he (God’s Christ) may increase! The pattern of how God makes a Christ is established here with Saul and David. What happens in the Gospels finds its roots here. God’s prophet anoints God’s Christ to his office, and then the Holy Spirit comes upon God’s Christ in power.
5th August 1 Samuel 11, 12
Saul rescues his own – doubly so. Jabesh Gilead had strong blood ties with the Tribe of Benjamin. Consider Samuel’s words to God’s Christ Saul and to God’s people – verses 12:24,25.
6th August 1 Samuel 13
Saul is revealed as a Christ who is not of the same heart as God. He acts according to his own will and understanding. He rejects God’s word when it seems politic to do so. Saul is pragmatic to a fault, religiously. His kingdom cannot last! Reflect on who Jesus is and why His kingdom will last!
7th August 1 Samuel 14
Jonathan as the heir of God’s Christ acts by his faith. It is faith, not chance or luck that guides this young man. God routs His people’s enemies. It is fear of the Lord that sends the overwhelming Philistine army running. The earthquake un-nerves them. They remember what happened the generation before with the Ark of the Lord. Faith not fears should warm our heart as we speak to others about Christ.
8th August 1 Samuel 15
Saul wins a great victory over the Amalekites. These people seem to be the rulers of the Sinai Peninsula and even Egypt – they have Egyptian slaves. The only people like them in present understanding of Egyptian history are the Hyksos – one of the most brutal peoples in history. Once again, Saul shows his heart – he follows his feelings, not God’s word. If Jesus followed His feelings first (take this cup from me), would He have gone to the cross?
9th August 1 Samuel 16
The Lord leads Samuel to the Christ who will be after His own heart – David. Samuel has difficulty in recognizing a person who is after God’s own heart – he would choose another Saul - Eliab. You and I often have the same difficulty. What do you look for really in a spiritual leader? Charisma, presence, looks, personality, ability, someone who boosts us! What did God look for?
10th August 1 Samuel 17:1-31
As the Christ of God, Saul sits and does nothing! David comes to the scene of the confrontation by God’s providence after forty days. The word forty immediately takes us to Moses and Joshua and the exodus. David, not Saul, is the one who will be like Moses and Joshua.
11th August 1 Samuel 17:32-58
David comes and does what the Christ should do – deliver his people from their enemies. David is revealed to Israel as the Messiah or the Christ of Israel. The point about Saul not seeming to know who David is, is that in such a culture, when a young man does something really brave or outstanding, you praise his father, not the young man. It’s the father who has produced such a son. Notice Saul does not say “Who is this?”, but “Whose son is this?”
12th August 1 Samuel 18:1-19:7
The story of the relationships between Saul, Jonathan and David is one that gives many insights into the Gospel. Jonathan and David are said to be one in spirit. Look at Philippians 2:2. Saul seeks to entrap and kill David, just as the Pharisee Saul and his compatriots sought to do with Jesus.
13th August 1 Samuel 19:8-20:42
The story of Jonathan and David’s friendship reminds you of Jesus’ with the beloved disciple. John records Jesus’ words: I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15. How do I count my friendship with the Son of David?
14th August 1 Samuel 21, 22
David flees to the Tabernacle, next to Gath, and then to a hideout cave. Jesus’ words: The foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Luke 9:58 Jesus was drawing a direct comparison of Himself with David. Both were rejected Christs. Saul show himself to be a Cain, with murderous designs against a close relative.
15th August 1 Samuel 23, 24
David does Saul’s job – he delivers Keilah from the Philistines. The people of Keilah are like us – in their pragmatic ethics. David is long-suffering. David’s unsuccessful attempts to win Saul through sparing his life reveal why we need Jesus – He is the one who could meet a ‘Saul of Benjamin’ but once and win him!
16th August 1 Samuel 25
Abigail’s prompt wisdom saves her husband and his workers. Abigail is an example of faith in action. She is like the Israelite midwives in Egypt – she saved lives. David repays her wisdom and love very badly. His lusts bring murder, rape and discord into his family and kingdom. You realise that this will not be an everlasting kingdom. David himself stops this from being realised.
17th August 1 Samuel 26, 27
David flees to Gath and its king. 600 men of Gath follow David later and become his bodyguard. David acts like Odysseus in the Greek myths. He deals craftily with Israel’s enemies. Appreciate the differences between David and Jesus. When Jesus visited Gentile territory, he healed a Canaanite woman’s daughter. Matthew 15:26
18th August 1 Samuel 28, 29
Saul starts his messiahship with a feast to the Lord (ch.9) and finishes using necromancy. Saul is religious, but he has never had a close relationship with God. He tries to talk to the dead Samuel, rather than the living Lord. Can you and I avoid Saul’s error?
19th August 1 Samuel 30, 31
Providence, not chance is at work here. The Amalekites are the original enemy of God’s people as they came up out of Egypt. David’s rescue of his own from their hands, is a divine beacon to the fact that David is the Christ/Messiah of God. His kingdom is to succeed Saul’s.
20th August 2 Samuel 1
The Christ of God’s choice never uses murder to gain or sustain power. David’s lament is published to proclaim this fact about David, as well as express his real grief. Saul died at the Lord’s hands, not his. David executes justice for Saul on his proclaimed murderer.
21st August 2 Samuel 2
Judah and Simeon (Simeon had its territory in the midst of Judah) anoint David king. In the fight at the pool, you begin to see what God thinks about us vying for position and status, about hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy in His church. Galatians 5:20,21
22nd August 2 Samuel 3
When you read this history as prophetic, it is important to remember that these are the events that led to the establishment of David’s (as Christ) kingdom. Here is pride, arrogance, betrayal, murder. It is and was important that everyone realised that David did not get his kingdom that way! Read Ephesians 5:5, Galatians 5:21, 1 Cor.6:9,10
23rd August 2 Samuel 4, 5
Ish-Bosheth is murdered by his own clansmen. However, David does not become King with blood on his hands. Remember Abigail’s words in 1 Samuel 25:30,31. Our redeemer must be clean of blood and no Cain, to deliver us from our great enemy. The Christ has the faith of Abraham, not of Cain.
24th August 2 Samuel 6
The first thing David does after the defeat of Israel’s enemies is to bring the Ark into Jerusalem. We are to live by the Word of the Lord – Uzzah lived by his own ideas, and died. The Levites didn’t make that mistake a second time – they carried the Ark as the Lord instructed Moses!
25th August 2 Samuel 7
This chapter contains God’s great promise to David, the promise that is a refinement to the one given to Abraham – that in his seed all nations would be blessed. David’s son Solomon was to build the Temple. The promise about an everlasting kingdom is given to David’s house, not David’s heir, Solomon! Jesus is not a direct descendant of Solomon, but of Solomon’s brother Nathan.
26th August 2 Samuel 8, 9
David’s victories, men, and mercy are highlighted. The foundation of his kingdom is the Lord – it is He who gives victory! David shows himself here to be like Jesus – going about doing what was just and right and merciful. Think about Gospel events that might parallel these events.
27th August 2 Samuel 10, 11
These chapters record the terrible turning point in David’s history. David begins not to accompany the army on the missions he sends it. Jesus leads always from the front. He came to us, and in Revelation 19, He rides in front on the white horse. The differences between the two are telling.

28th August 2 Samuel 12
Nathan does a John the Baptist. He approaches his ruler about that ruler’s immoralities. Nathan retains his head. David is no Herod! David repents. David’s words in verse 23 have brought comfort to many. Our resurrection hope is wonderful!
29th August 2 Samuel 13
David’s immorality has its consequences in his family. The fruits of rape, rejection, and murder are all harvested by David as time goes by. We see that David cannot change his children’s hearts. God’s people need a greater Saviour. Our families need this same Saviour too, as David’s did.
30th August 2 Samuel 14
Intra-family relationships can be fraught with many tensions. Joab is Absalom’s second cousin though much older. Joab is the son of David’s sister, though the same age as David. The big question in all this history is who will be David’s heir, and the worth of that heir? That is still the question today for the Jews.
31st August 2 Samuel 15
Absalom shows he is another Saul. His faith is not his father’s. David said: the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed (Christ). 1 Samuel 26:9 Just one interesting detail: David’s bodyguard are from Gath under the leadership on Ittai. David killed Goliath, and the men of Gath become his devoted bodyguard! It makes you wonder about Goliath.

1st September 2 Samuel 16, 17
David is met with both blessing and cursing. David too has a Judas, his close friend and confidante Ahithophel. A like end comes to both – death by hanging. You wonder if Judas did not choose to hang himself because he realised the parallels. The Messiah will be a suffering Messiah.
2nd September 2 Samuel 18:1-19:8
David mourns for Absalom in a very different way from that of his first child by Bathsheba. David’s grief here leads him to lose control of himself and to almost lose his followers. Jesus’ grief is seen at Lazarus’ grave. One is overcome, and the Other overcomes!
3rd September 2 Samuel 19:9-43
David’s return to the Kingdom is followed by party spirit, factions, discord and rebellion. David’s kingdom is falling apart. He doesn’t have any power stronger than the sin and death at work in himself and his family and kingdom. Why do our people, our families, our friends need Christ Jesus? Because He gives the Spirit; He atones for sin and opens up the only way to eternal life.
4th September 2 Samuel 20
Sheba’s rebellion comes to nothing. The wise woman’s words touch a Joab’s heart. Can we at ….. say something similar about ourselves: “We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel … a city that is a mother in Israel.”? In some ways we can! How can we do better?
5th September 2 Samuel 21
This is not pleasant reading. One important reflection is that it shows us why we need Jesus. David was a son-in-law of Saul. He was in that family, so to speak. Yet he does not offer himself to the Gibeonites for atonement of Saul’s slaughter. What might have happened if David had here been like Jesus and offered himself?
6th September 2 Samuel 22
What do you see of faith in this psalm by David at the end of his life? Is there some further knowledge of God or something that stands out to you about Him? Think about the words in verse 51: He shows unfailing kindness to His Christ!
7th September 2 Samuel 23
The Thirty was an elite group within the kingdom. All those who were part of this group are listed. David would not treat as common, water brought with so high a price. How do you and I treat Christ who has brought us living water?
8th September 2 Samuel 24
The sin was not in the census – Moses was told to take censuses. The sin was in placing his pride and trust on his growing power and military might. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 The place where mercy stayed the judgment of God was the future site for the altar!
9th September 1 Kings 1
There is Esau and Jacob and then there is Adonijah and Solomon. Adonijah’s name means Jehovah is my Lord, Solomon’s peaceable. The line or seed of promise is opposed from within the people of God. Party strife and rivalry still plague our churches.
10th September 1 Kings 2
The two books of Kings outline the history of Solomon’s line. David’s line through Solomon peters out! This is the tragedy of Solomon’s history. What did David make clear to Solomon in verses 2-4?
11th September 1 Kings 3
Solomon makes a good beginning. His request for wisdom to rule God’s people with equity, rather than a long-life, wealth or victory over his enemies brings God’s commendation! Administering justice in family, church or society takes wisdom from God!
12th September 1 Kings 4, 5
Solomon had the help of very able men in the ordering of the kingdom. His first great task was the building of the Temple. This is a theme that the New Testament highlights – the building of the true Temple to the Lord, the building not made with hands, but with living stones – we who believe and follow.
13th September 1 Kings 6
There is a lot of detail here about the Temple, just like with the Tabernacle in Exodus. Corporate worship is to be at the centre of the life of God’s people. Corporate worship has a place in spiritual health and growth that is undervalued today by western evangelicals. We mirror the individualism of our western culture.
14th September 1 Kings 7
In books or magazine articles today, the emphasis of this chapter would be reversed, with more space devoted to Solomon’s palaces than on a religious site like a national church building. God’s people are to remember in all of life’s avenues the awe-ful reality of the Living God!
15th September 1 Kings 8:1-30
This was a very important day when Solomon had the Ark of the Covenant brought into the Temple by the Aaronic priests. The theme of this passage is: they did it God’s way! The cloud of His presence filled the Temple as it did the Tabernacle in the wilderness hundreds of years before.
16th September 1 Kings 8:31-66
Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple has many segments that speak to your heart, mind and soul. Find one section that is relevant to your life in this decade.
17th September 1 Kings 9
Verse 4 contains the important proviso for Solomon: if you walk before Me in integrity of heart and uprightness. Like Solomon, we don’t have the stamina. Thanks be to God for our Lord Jesus Christ, as the Apostle Paul cried. Romans 7:25
18th September 1 Kings 10
There is an ancient Egyptian Queen, Hatshepsut, who went on a visit to the Land of Punt, i.e. the Divine Land, with similar presents. In our present piecing together of ancient Egyptian history, she went on her visit 600 years before Solomon. In several modern revised chronologies, she is revealed as the Queen of Sheba – of the South.

19th September 1 Kings 11
The opening sentence begins with a however. Having dealt with the glories of Solomon’s reign, the narrative turns now to two of the destructive forces at work in the people of God – Solomon’s love of many women with his consequent idolatry and the emergence of potent and protected enemies (protected by Egypt under a new Pharaoh).
20th September 1 Kings 12:1-24
Rehoboam is not some twenty-year old. He is forty years of age! Yet he acts like a spoilt child. He loses control of nine of the eleven tribes with land. Remember the Lord’s word to Solomon: if you walk before Me in integrity of heart and uprightness.
21st September 1 Kings 12:25-13:32
No doubt Jereboam deluded himself about this idolatry, that he was providing culturally relevant worship centres for his kingdom. His desire to control the worship of his kingdom led him into syncretism. Idols were often pulled on their carts in procession by oxen – see David’s mistake in 2 Samuel 6:6. People might not worship the Bull, but common belief was that the Bull carried the god, or was the symbol of his creative power.
22nd September 1 Kings 13:33-14:31
Isn’t verse 33 of chapter 13 tragic? Jereboam and Rehoboam grew up within a believing society when the tide of faith was at its high point. In terms of Psalm 2, they refused to kiss the Son and so they were destroyed in going their own way. Ponder on the words of God’s severe mercy to Jereboam’s son in 14:12,13.
23rd September 1 Kings 15:1-32
A bad king has a good son! For three thousand years the world has been reading this wonderful testimony to Asa in verse 14. What will the succeeding generations know of you? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they knew this too of you?
24th September 1 Kings 15:33-16:34
Northern Israel goes through a time of great political instability, with assassination commonplace. Israel has six kings while Judah has only one – godly Asa. The cycle of the Book of Judges is repeated, with no Judge arising to save Israel. God does send His prophet Elijah instead! Israel has rejected God and His Christ. Their way peters out, as Psalm 2 warns.
25th September 1 Kings 17
God sends His prophet before He sends His judge. His people need to hear His word firstly and foremostly. This prophet has come to call the people back to the faith of Abraham, back to God’s covenant with Israel made through Moses. The drought mirrors the state of God’s people and is His first word to them.
26th September 1 Kings 18
At the end of the third year there is the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The title Baal means Lord. The question was which god is God? The question for us today is: is my god (my understanding of god) the true God? or a Baal?
27th September 1 Kings 19
Elijah’s great victory and subsequent collapse is the setting for his dramatic meeting with God at Horeb or Mount Sinai. It is the still small voice that speaks to Elijah. He goes and obeys the Word of the Lord. What WORD should you be carrying out today?
28th September 1 Kings 20
Ahab shows he is a Saul, and not a David. He would spare Ben-Hadad, as Saul spared Agag. A great victory won by the Word of the Lord comes to nothing because of Ahab’s pride and conceit. The Lord is shown to be God of gods and Lord of lords. The hills and the valleys are both His!
29th September 1 Kings 21
Ahab’s repentance after the Naboth’s vineyard episode has a slight parallel with David’s repentance. An Ahab needs more than repentance; he needs a Saviour who can redeem him by grace. Repentance, by itself, cannot bring me forgiveness and eternal life. It is forgiveness in the blood of Christ. Jesus had to come!
30th September 1 Kings 22
The death of Ahab is placed with his rejection of the Word of God through God’s prophet Micaiah. Jehoshaphat was a godly person. He foolishly allied himself with Ahab through the marriage of his heir. Jehoshaphat’s foolishness had devastating consequences for his family!

1st October 2 Kings 1
Miracles cluster around Elijah as around Moses and Jesus. Elijah calls Israel to return to the covenant. His message is that of John the Baptist – repent and produce fruit in keeping with repentance! His ministry is a pivotal one too. What struck you as you read this history?
2nd October 2 Kings 2
Elisha is confirmed as the prophet to succeed Elijah by the presence of miracles. God is with Elisha as He was with Elijah. Elijah and Elisha’s talk reveals that death for Elijah was not the cessation of life but today being with Him in paradise. Resurrection hope is not just a New Testament hope or belief.
3rd October 2 Kings 3
This history reveals the decay, the entropy at work in human society, which is the result of sin. When a strong leader dies, everything can fall apart. Jehoshaphat gets involved because he allied his family with Ahab’s. Godly people are capable of great foolishness. Joram heard Elisha, saw what happened, and yet did not come to believe.
4th October 2 Kings 4
It is instructive to place these four miracles beside those of Jesus. Jesus’ first was with the water pots at the wedding at Cana. He fed the 5,000. He raised Lazarus to life. Remember that Biblical miracles cluster mainly around Moses, Elijah & Elisha, and Jesus. Their history and doings testify that Jesus is not some accidental figure of history, but God’s own Christ and prophet.
5th October 2 Kings 5
Naaman exhibits the faith of Abraham. He is an excellent example of the truth that we are justified by faith! Naaman had to humble himself first before he was healed. He had to bathe in a filthy, stinking river (not his own clear mountain streams) and listen to the advice of servants. The miracle is – he did!
6th October 2 Kings 6:1-23
The axe-head miracle testifies that our labour in not in vain in the Lord. God is no man’s debtor. These men were building a prophets’ retreat. Verse 17 reminds us of Jesus’ words on His parables: “Though seeing, they do not see …” We need our eyes opened!
7th October 2 Kings 6:24-7:20
The king is angry with God and thus with Elisha. He blames them for the siege and the famine. God could magic the enemy away or arrange things so that they left. God hadn’t done this. Have you ever been angry with God because He hasn’t done what you thought He should to relieve suffering?
8th October 2 Kings 8
Life is a mixture of blessing and cursing, of compassion to the destitute and of assassination. While things go right for the Shunammite widow and her son, they go very wrong in Syria, Israel and Judah. Did man’s wickedness stop God’s purpose in bringing the Christ, or His helping His humble servant?
9th October 2 Kings 9
Jehu is anointed by God’s prophet. Jehu is God’s Christ to bring Israel back to Himself. Jehu kills Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel. Israel’s redemption is not accomplished! Jehu is another Saul. Israel needed another Saviour! Read Ezekiel 22:30.
10th October 2 Kings 10
Jehonadab was one of the Rechabites. They were faithful to God in a degenerate age. Jehu’s apparent zeal for God is a cover to wipe out potential enemies. Baal worship was tied politically to Jezebel and her family’s kingdom in Lebanon. Jehu reinstituted the idols of Jereboam.
11th October 2 Kings 11, 12
Athaliah continues her mother’s (Jezebel) bloody example. She kills all her grandchildren and any other children of her husband. Joash survives in the Temple with his aunt and uncle. While Jehoiada is a domineering sort, he didn’t deserve Joash’s later repayment– the murder of his son. See 2 Chronicles 24:25
12th October 2 Kings 13:1-14:22
Jehoash is half-hearted with Elisha. He comes with great protestations. He treats Elisha as if he were very important to Israel’s future, but then is half-hearted in obeying Elisha’s command as the Lord’s prophet. James’ warning is apt. See James 1:5-8
13th October 2 Kings 14:23-15:31
Jehu’s family reigns in Samaria for four generations. The fifth generation king Zechariah reigns for only 6 months. Remember the proverbs: for 3 generations and for 4 … . The story of Azariah’s (Uzziah) leprosy is in 2 Chronicles 26. Azariah was a believer who thought he was as good spiritually as those appointed to the offices in the church (i.e. then priests, or now, elders and minister). He went up in the Temple to offer incense and prayer without the call or appointment of God.
14th October 2 Kings 15:32-16:20
Jotham was a steadfast believer. 2 Chronicles 27:6 His son Ahaz, however, was a cat of a different stripe. Ahaz was one of those who stood in Solomon’s sin and sacrificed their sons in the fire to Molech (the King of Heaven) or Baal (the Lord). We need to be discerning with “Christians” who would have us worship the “Lord” in a way contrary to Scripture. What “Lord” is he?
15th October 2 Kings 17
This chapter is a commentary on Israel’s history and the major lessons for us, viz. verse 7. What warnings do you see in this chapter that we today need to take note of.
16th October 2 Kings 18
Hezekiah is like Solomon, a glorious beginning with an ending that brings the dissolution of the kingdom and the judgment of God. Without Christ’s atonement, paradise is always lost by the saints. We who are spiritual (i.e. alive to God) are so easily overcome. Hezekiah repented (2 Chronicles 32:26) but that could not atone!
17th October 2 Kings 19
Hezekiah’s prayer is a good example for us ourselves. Isaiah’s prophecy is the answer to Hezekiah’s prayer. God hears His Messiah’s prayers. Lord, teach us to pray!
18th October 2 Kings 20:1-21:18
Manasseh is born after Hezekiah’s recovery. Hezekiah’s response to the prophecy of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and of his own children, “as long as it doesn’t happen in my lifetime, that’s all right”, is a sad revelation of his later spiritual state and lethargy.
19th October 2 Kings 21:19-22:20
Manasseh repented in his final years. His son Amon, however, took his father’s earlier and long set example. It is a wonderful example of God’s grace that the son of someone like Amon, Josiah, should burn so brightly with living faith.
20th October 2 Kings 23
Josiah did everything humanly possible to revive Israel spiritually, but the bones were still dry! (As in Ezekiel 37) All our efforts in evangelism, in building our congregation, in training our children, can be in vain. We need Jesus Christ to come and make our efforts live. 1 Cor. 15:58
21st October 2 Kings 24
Jehoiachin is the King mentioned in Matthew 1:11 as Jeconiah or Coniah. Jeremiah gives the prophecy “Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.” Solomon’s biological line peters out here. Jehoiachin’s heir is a distant cousin descended from Nathan, Solomon’s full brother.
22nd October 2 Kings 25
2 Kings ends with Jehoiachin released from prison, living out his life as a political captive. As the last anointed King, he was regarded as God’s Christ and heir of David. He it is who is listed in Matthew’s genealogy, not his uncles nor his father. 2 Kings ends with this slight ray of hope – that God has not finished with David’s line!
23rd October 1 Chronicles 1
These two books are not prophetic, but give guidance to the returning exiles in their struggles to restart and rebuild. Israel’s history teaches us good practical theology. This genealogy tells us that Israel had three roots – Adam, Noah, and Abraham. Skim over the names but think about the ones you know.
24th October 1 Chronicles 2
God chose Israel out of all Abraham’s sons for a purpose. Of all Israel’s sons, Judah was signalled out by the Lord to inherit the promises. The Caleb here (v.18) is not Joshua’s Caleb, but the ancestor of Bezalel, the man who constructed the Tabernacle for Moses, a man full of the Holy Spirit. Exodus 35:30-35.
25th October 1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23
This chapter contains the prayer of Jabez - made much of, today, in certain Christian circles. The example of Jabez is informative for the returning exiles and for us in this: the tribes of Israel needed to grow and expand. Jabez did not look to worldly wisdom to attain this end, but he looked to God for His blessing.
26th October 1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26
The three tribes mentioned here were the ones most easily overlooked, the ones who had played ever only a minor part in Israel. God did not want His people to overlook or forget these tribes in the return from exile. The hope was always a return for all Israel – as the Apostle Paul wrote: and so all Israel will be saved. Romans11:26 Are there people from your congregation’s past whom you have forgotten?
27th October 1 Chronicles 6
80 verses are spent on the Tribe of Levi. The worship of God as He instituted worship is of central concern in any rebuilding of the Church, the Israel of God. Ancient Israel’s treatment of Levi was an important catalyst and indicator of spiritual health. The New Testament reminds the Church that her treatment of preachers is a like catalyst and indicator. 1 Thess.5:17,18
28th October 1 Chronicles 7
This list is of the exiled and dispersed tribes that had been greatly blessed by God in the past and had been prominent in Israel. God blessed them in their days of faithfulness – will He not do the same for us today?
29th October 1 Chronicles 8, 9
One thing the Chronicler does in this chapter is to establish the right of the returning members of the tribe from exile to the cities mentioned – Ono, Lod, Gath. Land rights and squabbles over them were important back then too. Jesus Himself has given us land rights in the new earth – I go to prepare a place for you!

30th October 1 Chronicles 10, 11
God Himself transferred the royal power from Saul to David. This is one of the foundation stones of the subsequent messianic prophecies and longings. The coming Messiah will be of David’s line! The Chronicler majors on David’s faith – the positive aspects of his reign and life. Everyone knew the failures. The Lord was with David in a way unique! David’s kingdom depended on these mighty men. What is our need of people of such might in our congregation?
31st October 1 Chronicles 12
Kinsmen of Saul joined David even while he was at Ziklag serving with Achish King of Gath. National leaders began to flock to David in his exile. Some of those serving with the Philistines returned with David. Look again at the list of Jesus’ 12 disciples. You will find similar men.

1st November 1 Chronicles 13, 14
Immediately the kingdom is secure, David seeks to bring back the Ark. David looks for the wisdom of God in his dealings with his enemies and friends. David’s worldly success arose after years of faithfulness to the Lord, a faithfulness that stood firm when for those many years it looked like it was a waste of time. Be encouraged to continue faithful with God, even though it has brought you no worldly success to this point.
2nd November 1 Chronicles 15
David and the Levites do things according to God’s Word and they successfully bring the Ark into Jerusalem. David hearkened to his greater Son – the Word of God become flesh! The message is: do things God’s way!
3rd November 1 Chronicles 16
Joy and thanksgiving was one of the central planks of Old Testament worship, especially as expressed in song! It is so today, as the New Testament makes abundantly clear. Find one lesson from this Psalm for our congregation.
4th November 1 Chronicles 17, 18
Promise, prayer, victory! A house (extended family) and throne forever! Verses 17:11-14 are fulfilled in the birth, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension and return of Jesus Christ. Nathan said: your offspring will build My house. Jesus said: destroy this house and I will rebuild it in three days!
5th November 1 Chronicles 19, 20
Once again it is notable that the Chronicler does not introduce David adultery and his murder of Uriah. Everyone knew these things. The Chronicler wasn’t hiding anything. What he wanted the exiles to see is the great hope that the offspring (seed) of David would bring true glory to God’s people. We look back and see that hope fulfilled! Where do we find hope and renewed strength to build and rebuild the Church – especially our congregation?
6th November 1 Chronicles 21
It is not wrong for governments to gather statistical information. Moses is told to take a census of the people of Israel. The sin or wrong lay in David, in his pride, and with Satan. The Chronicler relays that Satan tempted or tested David and that David fell. Jesus was tempted three times and did not sin! Hallelujah!
7th November 1 Chronicles 22, 23
Chronicles was written to encourage the returned exiles to rebuild. David prepared for building the Temple of the Lord. This was the responsibility of the returnees too. Corporate worship of the Lord is not peripheral to spiritual growth and strength. It is our responsibility to provide for the worship of God!
8th November 1 Chronicles 24, 25
Notice how much space is given to these lists of priests, Levites and musicians. The chronicler reminds us that worship was at the centre of the life of David’s kingdom. What is it that is so important about these three – the Levites did all the work around the place, the priests officiated in sacrifices and worship, the musicians provided the music during worship. Such groups are important in our church’s life too.
9th November 1 Chronicles 26, 27
Gate keepers/those who police the place, treasurers, army officers/ those involved in defence and offence, political leaders and bureaucrats/those involved in administration. We need people of all sorts of gifts and abilities in the Church of God. Isn’t this Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 12 – different members but one body?
10th November 1 Chronicles 28
In a solemn sacred assembly of God’s people, David invests Solomon with the charge to build the Temple of the Lord. This was to be the great work of his life. The New Testament shows us that the Temple of the Lord that we are to be builders of is the Church. It’s a temple built of living stones! Jesus’ great commission was just such a solemn investiture of us disciples.
11th November 1 Chronicles 29
Everyone gave to build the temple of the Lord – king, priest, Levite, citizen of ancient Israel. It is everyone’s privilege to give today to build the living temple of the Lord – minister, elder, member, adherent!

12th November 2 Chronicles 1, 2
Our strength comes from the Lord! This is so true for our church too. Two letters are preserved here for us. It reminds us that in building the living temple, letters were important (the Epistles of the Bible) and are important today. Are my letters encouraging of faith? Am I concerned to seek help to build in His kingdom and church?
13th November 2 Chronicles 3, 4
Solomon did it! It seemed a mammoth task before he began, but he did it! Hallelujah! I’m sure everyone felt like that when our church building was finished. Likewise, Jesus shall finish what He has begun! That day, too, shall come!
14th November 2 Chronicles 5:1-6:11
The first worship service in the new temple is that of its dedication. We have a précis of Solomon’s speech. Notice the singing and musical theme of the service in verse 13 – He is good; His mercy is forever!
15th November 2 Chronicles 6:12-42
It is always salutatory to reread Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 together with this prayer. What stood out to you in this prayer?
16th November 2 Chronicles 7
David, Solomon and Elijah – the fire from heaven consumed their sacrifices! The Glory filled the temple, just as He did at the dedication of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. John tells us that Jesus is the Glory! John 1:14 We should always be a little afraid of the Lord and treat Him and His with reverential respect.
17th November 2 Chronicles 8, 9
The Chronicler does not mention Solomon’s sins. These are well known to his original readers. What he does is emphasise the blessings that Solomon received. God kept His promise to Solomon. This raises the question: Won’t He keep His promise to us? I will come again and receive you to Myself!
18th November 2 Chronicles 10, 11
Obedience and its blessing are contrasted with disobedience and judgment from this point on, in Chronicles. When Rehoboam disobeyed, judgment came. When he obeyed, God blessed him and his. One example is given – the priests and Levites from the new northern kingdom move down and strengthen Judah.
19th November 2 Chronicles 12, 13
Rehoboam forsakes God, and God’s judgment is not long in coming. King and leaders listen to Shemaiah the prophet and repent, and they were merely impoverished, not destroyed. Abijah testifies to the Lord and the Lord saves him from Jereboam.
20th November 2 Chronicles 14, 15
Asa trusts and obeys. His kingdom is made strong. God preserves the King and people from overwhelming enemies. The Lord powerfully answers the prayer of the King, the Christ of God, for his people. There are many lessons here for us too.
21st November 2 Chronicles 16, 17
Asa falls away from his first love of the Lord. He puts his trust in the King of Assyria and not in his Lord God. Consider the words of the prophet Hanani to Asa in 16:7-10. The Lord does not heal Asa.
22nd November 2 Chronicles 18, 19
Jehoshaphat is richly blessed by the Lord, but he then goes and marries his heir to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah, a worshipper of Baal – despite God’s explicit prohibition. Athaliah eventually murdered all but one of Jehoshaphat’s great-grandchildren.
23rd November 2 Chronicles 20
Jehoshaphat is one of the heroes of faith as in Hebrews 11. Consider what he says to God in prayer - verse 6. His life should encourage us to be likewise faithful.
24th November 2 Chronicles 21, 22
Jehoram forsakes the Lord. This has bloody consequences. He is like Cain, a brother-killer. After six years, Elijah wrote to him and warned him of coming judgment. Jehoram didn’t listen and repent as Ahab did one time, as other kings did. He hardened his heart like Pharaoh. It’s a message that says: Don’t!

25th November 2 Chronicles 23, 24
It is a sign of God’s covenant grace to David that Jehoiada uses David’s own dedication gifts of hundreds of spears and shields to save David’s heir and place him on the throne. Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Eccles. 11:1
26th November 2 Chronicles 25
Amaziah was a man with a disloyal heart. When he listens to the Word of God, he is blessed with victory. He becomes proud of his success and worships God according to the ways of the Edomites. Pride leads him to a great fall.
27th November 2 Chronicles 26
Notice verse 5: as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. Pride becomes Uzziah’s downfall too as with his father. Such histories are examples for our meditation, guidance and instruction today.
28th November 2 Chronicles 27, 28
We find here a leader who does what’s right in God’s sight, but a people who acted corruptly in spite of his example. Jotham’s own son and heir does not follow in his father’s footsteps, therefore judgment! 28:5 The religion he turned to condoned child-sacrifice! God was not pleased with this sincere religion!
29th November 2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah cleansed the Temple and restored public worship. This was a sudden revival that took everyone by surprise. (v.36) Verses 18-20 look to a greater and more powerful cleansing from sin than that of Temple sacrifice! The good Lord has provided atonement for us who look to Him – through Jesus!
30th November 2 Chronicles 30
Hezekiah kept the Passover! This was an example to follow for the returnees, and is an example for us today! In Gospel terms, we should not absent ourselves from the Lord’s Table. This sacrament is most necessary for our spiritual refreshment, growth and well-being.

1st December 2 Chronicles 31
Many from the northern tribes came to this Passover. They help to cleanse the land of Judah of its idolatry. Like the healed Gadarene demonic, they went back home to the north to declare the wonderful things God had done! Let us do what is good and right and true in God’s sight!
2nd December 2 Chronicles 32
When hard and terrible times came, Hezekiah joined Isaiah in prayer, and the Lord answered and delivered His people. When God tested Hezekiah, Hezekiah, just like us, failed the test. Jesus did not fail! Look again at what Jesus said when tested in Luke 4:1-13.
3rd December 2 Chronicles 33
Manasseh was the worst of kings and the best of kings. In his old age, the Assyrians captured him and imprisoned him for a while in Babylon. Manasseh is a prime example of the prodigal son. The lesson is: don’t stay in the dregs of life. Return to your Father in heaven!
4th December 2 Chronicles 34
For his first six years, Josiah knew only his grandfather’s faith! He followed that faith, the faith of his fathers that God blessed. There were many other faiths or religions of his ancestors that God did not bless, but judged, because they brought many evils. The high point was the rediscovery of the Bible! Unfortunately for God’s people, Josiah did not live forever! (v.33) Hallelujah for the birth of Jesus Christ!
5th December 2 Chronicles 35
This Passover was a spiritual high-point. Yet the complete dissolution of Israel happened within a few years. We must not rest on the laurels of the past. The Church is ever only one generation away from apostasy and decline. Our hope is in Jesus Christ – what He has started He will finish. He was raised from the dead – unlike Josiah!
6th December 2 Chronicles 36
Four kings follow in quick succession. All four did evil in the eyes of the Lord. (See 2 Kings 23:32 for Jehoahaz.) The book ends with Cyrus’ proclamation regarding the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. The great aim of these two books is to encourage believers to build the Temple – for us it’s the Temple of His Spirit, the Church.
7th December Ezra 1, 2
Ezra recounts the return of some exiles to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. The focus in this list of returnees is on those who came to rebuild the Temple. They are mentioned by name! What God had promised through Jeremiah and Ezekiel came true!
8th December Ezra 3, 4
The returnees began well, but stopped building the new smaller temple because political opposition led to the government of the day banning any further work for seventeen years. We too should expect opposition from both individuals and governments to the building of that spiritual temple the Church. The message is: don’t give up! Keep on!
9th December Ezra 5
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah were instrumental in getting the work on the temple restarted. The political situation had changed, but the people did not know this when they began to build. Think about Jesus’ words: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. Matthew 22:17
10th December Ezra 6
The joy of this Passover comes from the fact that their experience is so similar to the Jews in Egypt under Pharaoh. Do we experience a similar joy when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, or do we take it for granted?
11th December Ezra 7
Several years after the Temple had been rebuilt, Ezra is commissioned by the King of Iran to regulate the life of Jewish church in Palestine, Syria and Jordan. Though Ezra had political protection, it still took courage to do what he did. Ezra did not squander the years of peace and security.
12th December Ezra 8
One of God’s blessings to a church is people of integrity who can handle the temporal affairs of the church well. Let us thank God for His blessings.

13th December Ezra 9
The danger of idolatry was very strong. An unequal yoke makes life very difficult and laborious for a believer. It is the parents who are arranging such marriages for reasons of wealth and commerce. This was an age where young people minded what their parents thought and wanted.
14th December Ezra 10
The Bible tells us what people did do, as well as what they should do. Ezra and the majority of people went further than the Mosaic Law. The Apostle Paul tells believers not to divorce their unbelieving spouses because they are not believers. 1 Corinthians 7:14
15th December Nehemiah 1, 2
A cupbearer to a king is one of the most trusted officials – the king trusts him with his life every day. There were a number of Iranian kings called Artaxerxes. Without its walls, Jerusalem was open to every bandit raid on its inhabitants by the bikie/camel gangs of the day from the surrounding non-Jewish tribes.
16th December Nehemiah 3
It is interesting to observe the sorts of people who built the wall as well as those who refused to do any of the work. The same sorts of people today are builders or not of the walls of the living Church – the people of our congregation. The heavenly Jerusalem has a great high wall – an unbreachable security. Revelation 21:12
17th December Nehemiah 4
At different times Israel has different enemies. Here they are Arabs, Moabites, Ammonites, and men of Ashdod. So too will be our experience with those who oppose the Gospel. Nehemiah’s strategy was to neither fight nor talk, but to continue building!
18th December Nehemiah 5
Once Jerusalem is secure with a half-built wall, Nehemiah looks out for the poor of the land, those most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Verse 15 tells us what made Nehemiah a different sort of public official or bureaucrat to the norm. God grant us such a bureaucracy.
19th December Nehemiah 6
Tobiah’s name means God is good! Tobiah’s son was married into a priestly family. He had many friends in the rebuilt Temple. (Eg Eliashib the priest in charge of the Temple store-rooms.) The situation Nehemiah faced was complex, but he persevered!
20th December Nehemiah 7
Once the walls had been built, Nehemiah turned to the problem of peopling Jerusalem. The Presbyterian Church of Australia faces a similar issue – once the walls of the Faith have been rebuilt, we have to people the church. There was no simple answer for Nehemiah, but he turned for help to the families of believers first.
21st December Nehemiah 8
Nehemiah holds what could be described as a rally such as we are sometimes blessed with. Ezra is the preacher. There is a turning back to God amongst the people. This evangelistic crusade is greatly supported by family heads!
22nd December Nehemiah 9
We have here a summary of the sermon that was preached at another rally later the same month. The preacher makes similar points to the Apostle Paul in Romans – all have sinned; we are saved by faith through God’s grace. Look to God’s grace and mercy.
23rd December Nehemiah 10, 11
The Scots Covenanters took their practice of public or group covenants from passages such as this in chapter 10. The believers covenant to reform their lives and behaviour in certain specific areas. The list of settlers confirms for them and us the great fact that God has kept His promise through the Prophet Jeremiah – Jeremiah 29:10.
24th December Nehemiah 12
Key words are: dedication, thanksgiving, celebrate joyfully. Nehemiah records that the celebration could be heard kilometres away. Two choirs were used for this occasion. Choir work has a long record of service in the Church.
25th December Nehemiah 13
Verses 14,22,31 capture the reason for the season, as they say: Remember me, O my God! Hallelujah! He has remembered us.
26th December Esther 1
While the name of God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, His presence is the backdrop. The Biblical pattern is that when God’s people pray in their extremity, He answers by sending a man to save them. Even before Haman the Ammonite plots the destruction of the entire people of Israel, God is at work in the seeming chance happenings of a pagan court.
27th December Esther 2
In considering God’s providence, note that both Esther and Mordecai act with the integrity that comes from faith. They are trustworthy people in difficult and invidious situations.
28th December Esther 3, 4
Our reliance on God’s providence does not mean we sit on our leas and do nothing. Esther and Mordecai use every bit of courage, understanding and ingenuity they have. Faith leads to works! This is faith with works. It is not dead!
29th December Esther 5, 6
God’s providence brings rescue from destruction from an unlikely source – a seeming chance reading by the King. This is the pattern of Christmas.
30th December Esther 7, 8
Iranian kings were like the Pope, they were supposed to speak ex cathedra – with the voice of God. The king could not rescind a law he had pronounced. It makes you glad you live in Australia today! Mordecai is a good bureaucrat. He knows how to word a new proclamation so that, while it does not rescind the previous proclamation, it makes it inoperable.
31st December Esther 9, 10
The Jews celebrate with a feast. They still celebrate this feast in the 21st Century. This book is a memorial to the Lord. He didn’t just work right back at the beginning with Moses. He is there TODAY!

Read the Bible in 1 or 3 Years

FEBRUARY 2012 - GENESIS 39 TO EXODUS 19

BIBLE READINGS FOR JANUARY

2nd January Genesis 2:4-25

December Bible Readings - 1 John 2-Revelation 22

John summarises everything he has said in the first four chapters in this last chapter. Meditate on verses 11 and 12. What idols do you have to keep yourself from?

NOVEMBER 2011 - John 5 to 1John 1

Sermon Notes on Hebrews 12-13 for Sunday October 9th 2011

Hebrews 12:18-13:6

Deuteronomy 4:20-31

Grow In Reverence And Awe Towards This God

The Mountain That Can Be Touched

The Helper Whose Exhortations I Must Listen To

BIBLE READINGS FOR OCTOBER - HEBREWS, TITUS, TIMOTHY, JOHN

New York Mayor Bringing Back Established Religion

Bringing Back Established Religion

Ephesians 6:10-24

Isaiah 59:12-21

Be Strong In The Lord

You Need His Strength

Sermon Notes on Ephesians 1:1-14 - September 1st 2011

Ephesians 1:1-14

Psalm 66

This God Is The Source Of Grace And Peace

The Mystery Of His Choice For Redemption

The Joy Of Hearing And Believing The Gospel

BIBLE READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER

THE WORKS OF A STRONG FAITH

The Works Of A Strong Faith

Genuine Christian Religion among God's People. We don't have a passport to heaven in order to live as if we live in hell. Jesus is the originator of a new human race. We become a blessing and not a curse.

The Fruit Of Endurance And Encouragement - God will do what He promised and give us everlasting life. We are to focus on others and not our own problems. Don't forget each other in the Church. A couple had family tragedy. When minister arrived, they said, "We knew you'd come!"

A Wonderful Prayer For Each Other - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." When you pray, call Him "My God of Hope!" In believing Him, show your hope by being of most practical use!

He will do what He has promised.

ROMANS 7:7-25 - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and OUR SPIRITUAL WAR

JUSTIFICATION IN ROMANS 5

BIBLE READINGS FOR AUGUST - 2 CORINTHIANS, ROMANS, GALATIANS

THE EPISTLES - THESSALONIANS AND CORINTHIANS

BIBLE READINGS FOR JULY

When you face trials, ask the Lord to send someone who will strengthen and encourage you in your faith. God did not create us to be independent islands unto ourselves.

Let us forsake profitless speculation about the end times or the millennium. Christians waste much time over this. Such speculation only titillates our pride or frightens us silly. How does the Apostle’s advice in verse 15 apply today?

7th July 2 Thessalonians 3

Verse 5 is a wonderful motto for yourself, or a good prayer for your loved ones. This is an excellent verse to memorise.

8th July 1 Corinthians 1

Corinth was a cosmopolitan and hedonistic town – just like any modern city. The church suffered from materialism, party spirit, confusion over moral issues, and a legalism over incidentals. First, Paul approaches the twin problems of pride and arrogance. What does he highlight?

9th July 1 Corinthians 2

In this chapter, look for understanding on what godly wisdom is all about. Verses 4&5 are good ones to meditate on.

10th July 1 Corinthians 3

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

READING THE EPISTLES (Starting Thursday)

ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Thoughts on Acts 18

ACTS portrays Jesus Christ, the Living Lord.

How can you get the most out of reading the Bible?

Genesis 1 to Joshua 13: January to June

Joshua 14 to Esther 10: July to December

2^nd January Genesis 2:4-25

7^th July 2 Thessalonians 3

8^th July 1 Corinthians 1

9^th July 1 Corinthians 2

10^th July 1 Corinthians 3