18 Dec (Revelation 8)

Revelation 8

(v.1) If you read the book of Joshua, specifically Joshua 5 & 6, you will see a lot of the same details unfold. The reason I mention it here, is that after six times the Jews circled around Jericho in the book of Joshua, they were silent...then God brought down the walls. This is a template for what is now described in Revelation.

God ultimately fights the battle for us, but He uses us for His purposes to train us and empower us.

If we compare Joshua to Revelation, we see a pattern:

After Joshua and the Jews conquer Jericho (by God's wrath), they reclaim the land, all debts are forgiven, and the slaves are freed. Think about the Millennium, where after Jesus brings justice upon the earth, and we are all freed from sin and death! This would be a good study for those of you that have older children.

(v.7) God's first creation in the beginning, trees and vegetation, will be the first to receive His wrath. We will see this repeat itself by mirroring the Genesis creation order.

Again, if we understand the Old Testament, we will understand this complicated but very insightful book!

(v.12) Scholars believe this is a reference to the fallen angels who left God's service for serving Lucifer.

One thing I remind my kids, is that when the Bible mentions earth dwellers, He is talking about non-believers. We who are His are not of this earth...we are sojourners, working and serving until He calls us to our real home...heaven!

8 Dec (Hebrews 3-4)

Hebrews 3

(v.4) Take time to look at God's creation...look at the majesty! Then think on the fact that this current creation is fallen...it used to be so much better! One glorious day, we will see it like it should be! Rev 21:1

(v.19) If we look at the model that God put out for us to study...the Jews leaving Egypt were called by Him. Their wanderings through the Wilderness is like our time here on earth, full of trials and doubts. But their unbelief kept them from entering the Promised Land...those who don't accept what Christ did for us, will be given their wish...eternity separated from God.

Hebrews 4

(v.3) Imagine no more pain, no more worrying, no more hardship...forever! That is what is awaiting us if we push on through this life! This is our time to serve the LORD by loving and serving others! Think of this life as a giant invite to the best party ever...it is up to us to invite and motivate as many who will listen to attend!

(v.9) In this life, we have His peace, but in heaven, we have His rest!!!

(v.12) I have been confronted with such venom by reciting a verse in the Bible! It's not my words, but God's words! When you have this happen to you, remember that truth hurts those who are walking in darkness. Love and encourage them, and let the Holy Spirit do His work!

(v.15) We should never think that God doesn't understand our problems...He was tempted in all ways that we are, and He endured the most horrific and painful death for us! He knows what we go through, and He loves for us to cry out to Him and let Him work in our lives!

29 Nov (2 Tim 1-2)

2 Timothy 1

This is the second letter to Timothy from Paul. This is the last letter that Paul wrote before he was executed in Rome. It seems that Paul knew what was coming, and he wanted his disciple, Timothy, to pastor the church in Ephesus with as much wisdom as possible.

(v.5) I love how Paul makes a point to let us know that Timothy's faith came from the teaching and love from his mom and grandmother.

(v.7) We who are His don't fear death, or what this world threatens us with. Sure, we don't want to go to prison or be killed, but we know what's waiting for us if we do die...eternity with Jesus!

(v.9) God chose us to be His BEFORE He created the universe!

(v.13) If you have a pastor or teacher that sometimes says things that are Scriptural, and sometimes not, then you need to find a new church! The teacher should ALWAYS be reading from God's Word!

2 Timothy 2

(v.3) It's important that our kids know that just because we accept Christ, doesn't mean we won't have hardships and problems in life. God uses those times to draw us closer to Him, and we come out better for it! James 1:2

(v.5) We don't get the crown of salvation by doing good works, or going to a particular church...the rules are that we are to have complete faith and trust in Jesus, then we are saved. John 3:16

(v.15) We need to study the Bible...we need to look at what God is telling us through His Word, so that we can apply it to our lives, and understand God's character more. There is a huge difference between knowing OF Jesus, or knowing Jesus!

(v.23) Kids need us to keep reminding them that the things they think are important are not in the big picture of life! They need to learn to not get so upset over little things, and focus on the goodness of Jesus, which will make them more calm and joyful.

(v.25) We need to be loving and kind when discussing the LORD with unbelievers. We can't get them to listen if they feel they are being attacked or made fun of.

9 Nov (Rom 1-2)

Paul wrote the book of Romans to the church in Rome, and addressed the Jewish believers mostly. Paul had not been to Rome yet, but he knew he would go, and ultimately die there.

Romans 1

(v.1) The name, Paul, means little one in Greek. Paul counted himself little in comparison to God, and knew that he was saved from hell by the grace of Christ. He was an apostle, which means that he was sent forth with authority from God to preach the Gospel.

(v.19) Everyone has a spirit, and that spirit seeks God. He has revealed Himself, in one way or another, to everyone. What we do from there is the most fateful decision in our lives. If we accept and seek God, He will save us and work in us. But if we push Him away, and want to be our own god, then we will die in our sins.

(v.20) You may have heard someone ask, "Does God send people who have never heard of Jesus to hell?" The answer is, "It depends." The reason it's not a simple answer, is everyone has a understanding that there was a Designer to this universe. We see examples of that daily by seeing the human body, the seasons change, the incredible beauty and complexity of life. No matter if a person is in a dense jungle and never heard of Jesus, they are faced with the same decision we all have...there must be a Designer to all this! If a person believes and accepts that, then they are saved. But if a person refuses to believe the obvious evidence of God, then they are doomed to hell...by their own choice!

(v.22) Whenever I read this verse, it makes me think of the "intellectuals" in academia and the ruling elite. They have man's wisdom, which is utterly foolish compared to God's Wisdom. It also makes me think of this verse:

The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. ~ Psalm 14:1

(v.25) So many Environmentalists have done what is described in this verse...they have come to worship the creation, instead of the Creator. Don't get me wrong, as Christians, we are to treat the earth and all God's creation well, but we are NEVER to put the creation ahead of the Creator in importance!

(v.27) Homosexuals and Heterosexuals are sinners alike. Unless we have Jesus, we are all doomed to hell in our sins. However, God ordained and blessed marriage between one man, and one woman...in order to make babies that will grow up to praise God. Homosexuality is an abomination to God, for it betrays the purpose of marriage and sex.

With that said, we Christians are to love and respect homosexuals, but we are never to tolerate or equate their lifestyle with heterosexual marriage. To tolerate is to accept, and that is sinning against God. We need to love the sinner, but hate the sin.

(v.32) President Bush rightly said that we are at war with terrorists and regimes that support them. This is the same concept as this verse...if we allow sin to be common and acceptable, then we are as guilty as the ones doing the sinning.

Romans 2

(v.3) We are to discern and discriminate in our decisions in life, but only God condemns and judges the guilty. It is our job to love and encourage those lost in sin, and try to show them the love of Christ.

(v.11) God doesn't love anyone or any group of people more than another. The Jews are God's chosen people, only in the sense that He chose to reveal Himself to the world through them. They are not any more holy, righteous or good than the rest of mankind. With that said, they are His chosen people, and they deserve respect and our support. Gen 12:3

(v.24) God is tough on the Jews, for by their disobedience and idolatry has caused the Gentiles through time to resist God and call Him names by their terrible ambassadorship. This is why the Third Commandment is so important...people are watching us who are called His.

21 Jul (Job 38-42)

Job 38

God lists some of the things that He has done and continues to do...and obviously, Job has no response to this...none of us would. God's power makes us speechless, and all we can do is bow down to Him.

(v.7) The sons of God are angels...the Hebrew wording is Bene HaElohim. Again, Elohim is a plural noun listed in the singular...this is the Holy Trinity!

We don't know for sure when the angels were created, since there is not a verse or combination of verses that says so. However, in Gen 1:1, it says that God created the heavens and the earth. And in Exo 20:11 it says that He created the heavens and the earth in six literal days.

So the angels saw the creation of the universe and shouted for joy...so they were either the first thing that God created, or they were created early in the creation, perhaps before God created the whole univers and earth...the third day.

(v.17) God refutes Job's claim that he wished he were dead, so he wouldn't sense or know anything anymore. This is a common belief, that once dead, we will be without feelings. But God explains to Job that we will be conscious and know where we are. Jesus confirms this in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Luke 16:20-31

(v.32) Acturus is known as the Runaway Star, which wasn't discovered until the 20th century. How did Job know this? It's important to stress to our kids, that this is one of many proofs that the Bible was written by God, for it's outside our time domain.

Job 39

God lists a bunch of questions about His creation, that just by our own minds, to consider them and think of creating and maintaining them, is mind-boggling! God created all and keeps it in order daily!

Job 40

(v.15) Lazy scholars believe that the behemoth is an elephant. Most scientists today don't want to admit that God created the universe, that it happened by chance. This is another example of trying to fit the Bible into evolution.

Evolution is from Satan. Evolution comes in two parts...micro and macro. Micro Evolution is the subtle changes of a species as it adapts to their environment. For example, the shorter haired dogs survived in the hotter climates, and the longer haired dogs survived in the colder ones. They are all still dogs, but the DNA genes that they got were from their dog ancestors. All the information was there, but depending upon the environment, only the ones suited for that environment survived.

Micro Evolution is valid and we see it happen in science. For instance, a mouse that changes colors, or adapts to it's environment is an example of micro evolution. The key is the fact that the mouse is still a mouse...it hasn't changed species or kinds like the Bible says. However, we have NEVER seen a mouse turn into a cat, or anything like that in science.

Macro Evolution is the theory that one species adapts and grows into another species. This theory is full of holes, and there have never been legitimate examples of links of species. There are missing links, and there always will be, since God created all the animals with all the information and DNA at the beginning.

(v.17) We have never seen an elephant move it's tail like a giant cedar tree! The behemoth is a dinosaur, and they existed with man. After the flood of Noah, the environment changed dramatically, and all the bigger dinosaurs died off, since the oxygen in the air decreased considerably. Most of the bigger dinosaurs had nostrils the size of a modern day horse. The oxygen rich air before the flood was ample for these big animals to suck in enough oxygen to fuel their giant lungs. But after the flood, they couldn't breathe and died off.

Job 41

(v.1) This is another example of dinosaurs in the Bible! This creature was either a giant sea serpent, or a dragon of old legend.

(v.19) Here we see that Leviathan breathes fire...just like all the recorded drawings and lore of early man who describes dragons on the earth. It's likely that the dragons suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs, since their nostrils probably weren't sufficient to get enough oxygen after the air was altered by the flood of Noah.

Job 42

(v.5) Job says that he had heard of God by mouth, probably by his parents, but in the whirlwind and clouds, he saw God's majesty first hand!

Also, after God explained His work in all the creation, I believe that Job could rightly say, as we can today, that God's handiwork is evident to us in all His creation. The incredible skies, the seasons of the year, the human body and many other examples show us daily that there is a Creator who designed all of what we see! Psalm 19:1

15 May (Joel 2)

Joel 2

(v.1) The Day of the LORD is coming indeed! I like to use the Blue Letter Bible for referencing and looking up verses, so I did a search for Day of the Lord, and here is what you can find:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=day+of+the+lord&t=NKJV

God died on the cross for us, just so we can be redeemed and be with Him forever in Paradise! All He asks in return, is for us to acknowledge that, and to give our lives to Him, so He can work in us and through us. For those that reject Him and what He did, they will see a terrible day of Judgement...but they brought it upon themselves, since God has been pleading with them to repent.

(v.2) This is a prophecy to the Day of the Lord, but we've seen similar instances of darkness over the earth...God works that way...He shows us a pattern that we can look for and rely upon. He is not flippant or capricious, He is steady and true. Here are some other verses describing the darkness over the land:

~Exodus 10:22

~Job 5:14

~Psalm 97:2

~Isaiah 60:2

~Amos 5:20

~Matthew 27:45

~Acts 2:20

~2 Corinthians 4:6

~Ephesians 6:12

~1 Peter 2:9

~Jude 1:13

~Revelation 16:10

As you can see, God's Word is consistent from Genesis to Revelation! It is one message, and it's God's love letter to us, to bring us back to Him!

I am reminded of the phrase, "It's the darkest just before the dawn"...I believe this phrase is true, and we will see great evil just before Jesus comes again! He gives us warning and even describes what to look for...all it takes is a desire to understand!

(v.12) Turn to Me with all your heart...this is God pleading with all of us to set aside our sinful pride, and let Him work in our lives. God is love, but He does demand that we choose Him or hell...it's that simple.

(v.18) Many good scholars believe that this part is describing the Millennium...after the Great Tribulation, where Jesus rules on David's Throne in Jerusalem for 1,000 years.

(v.23) I agree with the scholars who believe that there was a water canopy that protected the earth before the Flood. That canopy came down, and the water from the depths came up, and the whole earth was covered in water. After Jesus returns, there will be a reset of His creation, where the earth will enjoy the things it enjoyed in the beginning.

(v.28) Right at the end of the Great Tribulation, God will pour out His Spirit upon all mankind. There will be a great last harvest, before the Son comes to destroy the wicked. We need to pray and share the Gospel with all we meet...time is running out!

Apr 27 (Ecc 10-12)

Ecclesiastes 10

(v.10) Strength and power don't always do the job, and if they are relied upon, we can spend way too much time on things if we don't seek God's wisdom. His wisdom helps us be effective and more powerful with less. This reminds me of Paul's saying in 2 Cor 12:10

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

When we let God guide us, and we rely on His strength, we are stronger than we ever could be on our own!

(v.20) This verse hits me hard, since I am guilty of saying unloving things about our current President, and others who don't rule according to God's laws. I need to respect who God has put into authority, and pray for them. God will fight evil and wickedness, and I need to be light and love to them.

Ecclesiastes 11

(v.5) Modern science can explain a lot about life, but not completely. We still can't create life out of nothing like God did. I remember the amazing things I discovered with the pregnancy and birth of our children...I saw the majesty of God at work!

(v.10) I explain to my kids, that they need to enjoy their childhoods, and listen to me and their pastors regarding God's ways. For when they get older, they will face trials and temptations, and if they're not walking with God, they will endure more hardships than if they were with God.

Ecclesiastes 12

(v.1) Remember our Creator...that is our daily task to keep. He gives us each new day, each new breath, and the experiences we have. He numbers our days, so we should make the most of them...loving and serving those around us.

(v.7) I teach my kids that God thought of each one of us before He made the universe. We were in Him until He put us into earthly bodies. One day, our body will go back to the dust, and our spirits will return to Him! But in the meantime, we are to live for Him, and know that He loves each of us, and each one of us has a purpose!

Apr 22 (Prov 30-31)

Proverbs 30

(v.1) This opening seems normal, but if we look at the meaning of the names (in Hebrew), we see a whole new preface:

Agur ~ The Collector (name for Solomon's collection of wise sayings)

Jakeh ~ The Pious One (David)

Ithiel ~ God With Us

Ucal ~ God Arrives to be Consumed

So if we reread this opening with the meaning of the names, we read:

The words collected by the wise son of the pious father, the prophecy of the mighty oracle: That God arrives to be consumed.

I also read John 6:51-58 where Jesus says He is the Bread of Life, and it all comes together for my kids, and they understand!

(v.4) The Rabbis have a tough time with this verse, since it prophesies that the Messiah, who is the Creator, is the Son of God!

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Hosea 5:15

Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Psalm 135:7

Who has bound the waters in a garment? Psalm 104:6

Who has established all the ends of the earth? Psalm 72:8

What is His name, and what is His Son's name. If you dare? Psalm 110:1

These are Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah, and Jesus fits the bill in all of them! He is our Creator John 1:1 and our Savior John 3:16 and He is the Son of the Father!

Proverbs 31

Every parent should read this chapter to their kids, to show them what God wants a woman to be like, when serving Him. It's good for both girls and boys to see what their mother does for them when they're not looking.

(v.1) This chapter is written by Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon. If we remember, Solomon's birth name was Jedidiah, but when he became king, it was changed to Solomon. It seems that like many mother's throughout time, Bathsheba had a nickname that she called her son, as a sign of endearment.

Lemuel = Devoted to the LORD

(v.10) This verse is so true...I thank the LORD for my wife, who is loving and virtuous, and she makes me a better man. All young boys and girls need to hear this from their Daddies, and see that their Mommy is loved and appreciated.

It's important for young boys to see their father treat their mother with love and respect, so they will do the same when they are men. Also, it's important for young girls to see their father treat their mother with love and respect, so they demand the same from their boyfriends and eventual husband!

(v.19) The previous verses show how a mother is resourceful, hard-working and diligent. The mother is the boss of the household. Even though the father is the head, the mother is the one who runs the show! The father's duty, traditionally, is to provide and lead the household in the ways of the LORD.

(v.20) Women are more prone to feel empathy for the needy, and they usually lead the way when it's time to give. God made men and women different, and together, we make a bond that is powerful if we're following the LORD!

(v.26) We all remember the wise sayings our mothers told us while growing up. We need to keep that going, and fathers need to make sure that the kids respect and revere their mother.

(v.27) Isn't this verse an understatement! The old saying is true, "A mother's work is never done!" And it's also true that when the kids grow up, the mother is still important and involved in their lives. Once a mother, always a mother!

(v.29) Every girl and woman should hear this from their husbands and fathers!!!

(v.30) Every woman is beautiful...some on the outside, some on the inside. But the blessed man has a wife who is beautiful on the outside and the inside! I am blessed to be one of those men!

Apr 18 (Prov 20-21)

Proverbs 20

(v.1) This is a good verse to talk about with your teenagers. It's ok for Christians to have a beer, or a glass or two of wine, but if we get drunk, we've gone too far. Drunkenness makes us do things we shouldn't, and we regret what we've done most of the time.

Jesus drank wine, but we never read where He drank too much, or got drunk. If we drink alcohol, we need to do so in moderation. We need to be sober in spirit and body in order to serve our King!

(v.7) As a Daddy, I strive for this verse to be true in my walk. I pray that the Holy Spirit will empower me, and guide me, so I can be a godly example for my kids. They watch what we do and say, so they're more likely to be godly adults, if they have seen their folks act godly all their lives.

(v.12) Evolution is a lie, and even Charles Darwin admits that the eye is an example of an Intelligent Designer!

To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree. ~ Charles Darwin

The LORD created everything in the beginning, and did it with unmeasurable detail, that we should see every day His handiwork!

(v.24) There are times in our lives, when we don't know why we made certain decisions, and why things turned out as they did. I like to show my kids the story of Joseph, who was godly and innocent, and thrown into jail for turning away from temptation. He did everything right, and yet, he was in jail for 12 years! It would've been understandable and easy to see if he rejected God, or was mad at him. But we see no evidence of that...only faith and praise! God used that situation to teach and mold Joseph into the important person he became. God will do the same with us if we let Him!

Proverbs 21

(v.3) God wants us to talk about Him to others, but He wants us to live out our faith, not just talk about it. God doesn't want us to do a bunch of rituals and chant prayers...He wants a personal relationship with us, that is free and loving, so He can work in our lives. Focusing on traditions and rituals only pleases man...God wants a pure heart.

(v.13) We need to help the poor and disadvantaged, because that's what Jesus did for us. He came to set the poor and needy free. We need to give food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, water to the thirsty, but most of all, God's Word to the lost!

(v.31) If we prepare ourselves for battle like God teaches us in Ephesians 6 then we can fight the enemy on God's terms. He will fight our battles for us, and make us victorious!

Apr 13 (Prov 8-10)

Proverbs 8

(v.11) God's wisdom is greater than anything we can have on earth. If we have God's wisdom, then that means we are saved! And if we're saved, and we seek more wisdom, then He will give it to us!

(v.13) It is godly to hate...but only to hate evil. We should hate how the wicked kill, maim, rob and steal from all of us. We should desire the pure, and detest the filthy. We are to hate evil, but let God take care of evil on His terms. If we have an evil person in our lives, then we should pray and ask God how we can help them with love, and to have God take care of their wickedness.

(v.17) God is not hard to find. He is in the sunshine, the birds in the air, the beautiful trees and flowers. He is in all of us who believe in Him. He has created everything, and all we need to do, is seek Him. He wants all of us to accept what Christ did on the cross John 3:16 and choose to love Him.

(v.23) This verse shows that Jesus, the Word of God, and Wisdom Himself, is God. He was there in the beginning, and He will be there at the end. He is our God who was, who is, and who is to come!

Proverbs 9

(v.5) This is a foreshadowing of the communion that Jesus had with His disciples in the Last Supper. The Passover meal was designed to reveal who Christ is...our Messiah!

(v.8) It's difficult to give advice or wisdom to someone who doesn't value it. However, a brother or sister in Christ should value our advice, since often times God speaks to us believers through other believers.

Proverbs 10

(v.1) A rebellious son or daughter brings grief and shame upon the parents. We parents will torture ourselves with questions about how we brought them up...did we make mistakes? Of course we make mistakes, but if we love our kids and show them through God's Word how to live, then we've done our duty. Then, our kids need to choose to live for Christ, or for themselves. No matter how much we parents would like to affect that, it's ultimately up to each person to decide his or her faith.

(v.12) I remind my kids that love covers up so much hurt. Love is powerful. Not lust or a fleeting affection, but true love is to give of ourselves for another. 1 Cor 13

(v.19) It's sometimes hard to do, but if we think before we speak, we will be less likely to regret our speech. We can all remember or think of someone we respect, who when he or she speaks, we meditate upon it, since they don't speak often, but when they do, it's very wise!

(v.21) If our hearts are pure, then our actions and words will feed the lost. Giving others love, food, and affection is from God, so let's do it cheerfully!

Apr 4 (Psa 139, 145, 148, 150)

Songs of Joy and Praise

Psalm 139

(v.2) Who do we think we are kidding when we do things in private and think no one will know? God knows all our actions and our thoughts, so we should remember that, and focus on Him so He can guide our lives.

(v.8) The psalmist makes this point even more clear...God is everywhere...in heaven and He knows who's in hell.

(v.13) This is a great verse to remember when talking with someone who thinks the baby in the womb is a fetus...God is molding that baby the whole time.

(v.14) When my first daughter was in my wife's womb, I came back to Christ realizing the miracle that it is to have a baby! I decided right then, to learn God's Word, and to be led by God's Spirit to help me be the best Daddy to her!

(v.17) We have no idea the wonderful thoughts God has for us, but we can realize many of them if we just let Him guide our lives...He will bless us abundantly!

Psalm 145

(v.5) I have been blessed to sit in my backyard, and observe all the wonderful things in God's creation! From the plants with the pretty flowers, and the birds, and even the insects! The amazing complexity of it all is marvelous and worthy of praise to our Creator!

(v.8) The God of the Old Testament is given a bad rap by those who don't know Him. They think He's a mean and vindictive God who likes to punish. But quite the contrary, He is loving and merciful, and full of compassion.

(v.18) If we are reading His Word, praying and living out His commands, then we are walking with Him. And then we know He is with us...and in us...working in our lives.

(v.19) I love reading this verse to my kids! God loves to bless us, and He will never forsake us!

Psalm 148

What a great summary of the whole creation praising the LORD! We all need to take more time out of our day, and think upon what God has done for us. Some say the phrase, "Smell the roses" but I say "Taste the Grace!"

Psalm 150

One thing I learned about worship in church, is we can often get caught up with the song selections. Sometimes we love the song, and then we'll get bent out of shape if we don't like the next one! We need to remember WHO the worship is for...God...and let the Spirit lead the worship team, and we let the Spirit move us in worship.

Apr 3 (Psa 122, 124, 138)

Songs of Joy and Praise

Psalm 122

This psalm is focused on Israel, as is the majority of the Bible. God views all time and events with Israel as His focus. Only now, during the time of the gentiles, has God focused on putting together and bringing home His Church. Once the Church is raptured, God will once again focus on Israel, and save them from their enemies.

(v.8) The Bible tells us that Israel will not have complete peace, until the Prince of Peace comes. However, we are still to pray for the peace for Jersusalem and Israel. This is the same as God knowing what we need and desire, but He still wants us to pray and call out to Him.

The USA has been blessed because it's the nation that God established to evangelize the world, but also because it's been a friend and ally to Israel. Currently, in 2010, that has changed. If we don't change our mistreatment of Israel, then Gen 12:3 will be our epitaph. We are on a dangerous path.

Psalm 124

(v.1) This phrase is similar to "But by the grace of God, go I" since if we acknowledge that we are guided and protected by God. If we didn't have God, then we would be susceptible to evil and even more problems.

(v.8) We need to always remember that God created everything...He is all-powerful and mighty, and this is what is referenced when we see the fear of the Lord...His ability to destroy us, but He loves us, and wants to have fellowship with us.

Psalm 138

(v.1) We need to worship without fear of what people will think or say about us. We need to sing to Him like when we are alone and no one is there but God.

I also like how the psalmist says to sing to the LORD before the gods, or the worldly idols that many people worship. We need to be bold and open in our faith, not reserved, ashamed or fearful of what others will think.

(v.4) This is a reference to the Millenium, where all the leaders of the earth will worship and praise Jesus as He sits on the Throne of David in Jerusalem!

(v.6) Even though God is almighty and powerful, He cares about the lowly, poor and needy. He actually focuses on us, and rebukes the rich and prideful in their folly.

(v.7) God's right hand is Jesus, and He will guide us and protect us if we're walking with Him.

(v.8) After we have been saved and justified in Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us to perfect us. We will not be perfect until we're in heaven, when we're glorified in Christ. Until then, the Spirit will sanctify and purify us, through trials and God's Word.

Apr 2 (Psa 119)

Songs of Joy and Praise

Psalm 119

This psalm is long, but if we read it all the way through, we will be blessed. There is so much to learn from this one psalm! I challenge you to read this whole psalm, and see if it doesn't bless you and motivate you to follow God even more!

(v.9) This is good advice for a young man or woman...stay in the Word and walk with God, and you will avoid many troubles you would have if you let the world influence you!

(v.15) This is important for us...we need to sit back and think about God...His characteristics, His ways and His many blessings. So many people who call themselves Christians, don't think about hell, heaven, prophecy or the like. They just go do their church thing on Sundays, and live a worldly life the rest of the week. God wants us to pray to Him many times a day, and to include Him in ALL PARTS of our day.

(v.19) For those of us who are born again, our home is not on this earth. We are travellers here, and we are lost without God.

(v.34) The more we come to know God and His Word, we will understand the Bible better, and it will bring us to another level of comprehension...that's the Holy Spirit at work! John 14:26

(v.37) This is the hardest part about being born again...leaving the things of the world behind. Just like Lot's wife, we want to look back and partake of things we did before we were saved, but they are not constructive for us. God's plans are better for us, so we must let Him guide us.

(v.42) We need to pray and read the Word every day, so we can be confident in what we believe, and be able to witness to others. I sought the Scriptures to see if it was true Acts 17:11 when I was taught something, and I found the Bible to be incredibly accurate and written outside of time. Jesus was all over the Old Testament, and I saw how the Holy Spirit wrote about Him in every book of the Bible!

(v.50) When we are having struggles, we need to go back to God's promise to us...His salvation in His Son. All our worldly troubles are faded away when we remember that God is with us, and He has provided a final resting place for us!

(v.59) This is the definition of repentance...changing our direction, and turning to God.

(v.66) I pray this every day...that God will teach me His ways, and His Word so I can be a better son to Him, a better husband to my wife, and a better Daddy to my kids.

(v.71) Often times, we call out to God when we're in trouble...not so much the rest of the time. God wants us to call out to Him daily, in whatever situation. People often wonder why a loving God would allow death and evil to exist, but they are necessary for us to see Him and His goodness. God didn't create evil...it came about from pride by Lucifer. But as God says in Rom 8:28 He works everything out for good for those that love Him.

(v.73) Whenever I read this, I think of God making and molding us in the womb. He loves us, and He thought of us before He created the universe. John 17:24

(v.83) All of us become discouraged and even doubt our salvation. It's part of our sinful nature. However, as the psalmist writes, even in dark times, God's Word is ingrained upon us, and we never completely walk away from Him.

(v.94) I am yours, save me! How wonderful a verse is this? It is believed that this is what Martin Luther was taught, to help him stay strong in his convictions to reveal the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church. We need to be at our end, and completely submit to His will, and He will guide and save us!

(v.98) Unbelievers are usually intellectuals. They think they have figured out life and think that mankind dictates its own destiny. There are so many people with MD, Phd, or the like behind their names, and yet, they are fools. They have rejected God, and they desire the "wisdom" of man instead of God. We who are His, are wise in His Word! 1 Cor 1:27

(v.100) This is something to think about, but we at this time are more knowledgeable of God's Word than those in the times of Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel and even the early Church. There have been prophecies that were a mystery to them, that make sense to us today, since time and events in history have revealed their meanings.

(v.102) It is good to use other's input like this blog and great Bible scholars. This blog is a compilation of many years of teaching to me by great men of God. However, no one is a better teacher of the Word than the Holy Spirit. We all should read the Word ourselves, pray and meditate upon what we are reading, and the Spirit will teach us personally!

(v.105) What a vivid picture this paints! God's Word lights the way for us, and we will never be in darkness if we trust in Him!

(v.113) I read this to say that those who straddle the world and the things of God are hypocrites. Trying to love the world and God will not work...we must choose our Master, and follow Him. Matt 6:24

(v.120) We should be afraid of God's wrath. It is terrible. But do not let your heart be troubled, for God has given us a way to avoid His wrath...His Son! Since we know this, we are relieved and grateful to God for doing this for us, and we rejoice and serve Him because of it!

(v.133) Even though we are saved and righteous in Christ, we are still sinners. The psalmist makes a good distinction here...we will sin, but we must not live in habitual sin. In other words, if there is a sin that always turns us away from God on a regular basis, then we must stop. Any sin that has dominion or power over us is not good. Sometimes we'll slip and sin, but if we aren't doing that sin as a lifestyle, then we are still walking with God.

(v.154) How comforting is it, that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, in intercession for us? We have the only case of nepotism that is good! Rom 8:34

(v.160) The Bible is God's Word, and in it's original Hebrew and Greek, is incredibly precise.

(v.164) The psalmist worships God seven times a day, but we who have the Spirit inside us, we can worship God much more than that a day! In our giving, our love, our kindness, our prayers and conversations with God all the day, we worship Him!

(v.172) It is natural and good to share with others what God did for us...be bold and without fear when sharing the Gospel of Christ!

(v.175) God's corrections or disciplines on us are for us to be closer to Him. He uses them to bring us back to Him, and to prepare us for work He has for us.

(v.176) He is our Good Shepherd, and will not let us leave His flock! Matt 18:12

Apr 1 (Psa 103, 104, 113)

Songs of Joy and Praise

Psalm 103

(v.1) To some of us, this seems backwards...doesn't God do the blessing, and we receive them? Well, yes, but we can bless God back as well. When we are faithful and obedient, we are blessing Him. When we love and serve others, we are blessing Him. When we let Him direct our paths and give Him the glory when we succeed, we bless Him.

(v.8) The God of the Old Testament is often confused with the God of the New Testament...the One in the OT seems judgmental and full of wrath, where the One in the NT is forgiving and merciful. He is all these things, at all times. If we look at how long God waited for the people of the world to repent, before He brought the Flood of Noah, we see that He's patient and longing for His creation to love Him. So many times throughout the OT, we see God answer the cries of His people, even though they didn't deserve His favor. I like to have my kids recall as many instances of mercy and grace God does in the OT.

(v.9) Even though God is love and He's patient and merciful, He will one day bring judgment upon the earth. That will be a terrible day, since the world will endure great terror and darkness. Even though God is kind, He is just, and He must bring justice upon those who are wicked and refuse His offer of grace.

(v.12) Isn't it wonderful to read this verse?!? No matter what we did prior, once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our sins are forgiven! God will remove them from His memory, since when He sees us, He sees the blood of His Son on us, and we're righteous in His eyes!

(v.13) Anyone who is a parent can relate to this verse...we love our kids, so we discipline them, but we always love them. There is a big difference between punishing and disciplining. Discipline is constructive and loving. Here are some great verses to show our kids that discipline is done out of love:

Psalm 23:4

Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 23:13, 29:15

Isaiah 11:1

Ezekiel 20:37

Psalm 104

(v.15) This is a great verse for two reasons. First, today's nutritionists have found that wheat germ is good for your heart...it has vitamin E in abundance in wheat. How did the psalmist know this? I tell my kids he didn't, but God did!

Secondly, Jesus said He is the Bread of Life in John 6:35

(v.19) The placing of the moon and sun in relation to earth is astounding! If either one is just a fraction closer or further away, life could not exist on earth. God holds all things together Col 1:17 and He keeps them there for His purposes. One day, that will change, but I like to show my kids that it's impossible and silly to believe that we have the fours seasons each year as a matter of chance. God designed it that way!

(v.26) Dinosaurs and ancient creatures are mentioned in the Bible, but not to prove that God made them, it is assumed and expected. I strongly urge all parents to keep a close eye on the teachings of evolution to our kids...it is not Biblical. God created EVERYTHING in six literal days, and to veer away from that is to deem the Bible as flawed. If it is flawed, then how do you know what to believe? Science today, more and more, is proving the Bible true, concerning the fallacies of evolution, confirming the Flood of Noah, and all the other events that are written in the Word!

Psalm 113

(v.1) Praise the Lord is also said this way: Hallelujah

(v.3) All of us get trapped and ensnared by our jobs, kids and personal lives, that we often neglect to worship God throughout the day. One way to remedy this, is to just talk with God in short prayers all day. Talk to Him as if He's right there next to you...because He is! While in school, or in the car, or at work, we should ask God to guide us in all that we do during the day.

(v.8) God uses the lowly and poor to teach the world. One day, all of us common people will be kings and priests, and rule with Jesus! Rev 5:10

Mar 31 (Psa 93, 94, 97-100)

Songs of Joy

Psalm 93

This psalm speaks of the eternal throne of Jesus. Before He made the universe, He planned out His death and reign of mankind. He made us, to love us...that's why He died for us. His power is greater than the strongest storm, since He commands the weather by His voice. Mark 4:39

Psalm 94

(v.3) As we have seen before in these psalms, the psalmist wonders why the wicked prosper and triumph in this world. I teach my kids that this may happen for a time, but in the end, they will be miserable and lost without Christ. We are better off to obey God and live for Him.

(v.9) I love this verse, since it makes us think of how incredible the human body is! I can't understand how someone could think that we came from ooze and are descendants of monkeys. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, in the likeness of our Creator. Praise God for His work!

(v.22) God fights our battles if we let Him, and who better to take care of our problems? He is our foundation, our stronghold...He delights in our reliance upon Him!

Psalm 97

(v.6) What we think of today as reading the stars, Astrology, is a pagan practice. But Astronomy is real and very interesting. Check the link at the bottom of the page, where it shows the danger of astrology.

(v.10) It is right to hate evil. If we are His, we hate it when we sin, and when others sin. However, we are to pray and let God take care of our sins, or others' sins. With the Holy Spirit in us, we desire good and the bad things we used to do, don't satisfy like they once did.

Psalm 98

(v.1) The right hand here is Jesus, who gained God victory at the cross!

(v.2) God has revealed Himself through the nation of Israel, and in His Word...the Bible. Today, with television and satellite communications, we are without excuse if we reject the Gospel of Jesus.

All of creation is waiting for the return of Christ, so once again, the whole of creation can be made right, and the curse of sin be lifted. Romans 8:22

Psalm 99

(v.4) I stress to my kids, that God is love and mercy, but He is also justice. If we sin and repent, we are once again in tune with God, but that doesn't mean there are consequences for our actions. I remind them of David, who sinned and repented, but he still lost his child as a consequence. 2 Samuel 12

(v.9) God is holy and pure, that is why we must be redeemed from our sins in order to be with Him in heaven. No man could fulfill the Law totally, so it took God Himself, Jesus, to fulfill the Law for us, and die for us. There was a consequence for sin...the death of the Son of God, to have His blood wash us clean.

Psalm 100

(v.2) Worship by song is Biblical and right. I used to be reserved about my singing and worship at church. Now, I sing and lift my hands when moved to do so. I like to close my eyes and picture us singing to Jesus on His throne in heaven! If we think of what God did for us, and all the blessings He has given us, we should lift our hands or get on our knees in worship to Him!

(v.3) This is a great verse...we are His sheep and He is our Good Shepherd. We need direction and guidance in this sinful world, so let's daily seek His face in prayer and the reading of His Word.

(v.5) God's Word endures for all generations, all cultures, and all movements. God is unmovable, so let's stop trying to change Him and His Word, and let Him change us for good!

Mar 30 (Psa 29, 33, 65, 66)

Songs of Joy

Psalm 29

(v.2) In our prayers, we need to always remember who God is...He is the Almighty, who made the heavens and the earth. He is all powerful, yet He is love. His grace and mercy are endless, and if we start our prayers with this frame of mind, we will be praying in His will.

The bulk of this song refers to the awesomeness of God's voice. There are many references to God's magnanimous voice in the Old Testament.

When we have a big thunder and lightening storm, I like to sit in our covered porch and watch the show with my kids. I teach them that God's voice is like the deafening thunder...but it's also soft like that is described in 1 Kings 19:12.

God speaks to us in times of trouble with a loud voice, and often in a soft voice through prayer, through reading His Word, or through friends or family.

(v.11) We need to remember that we are on God's team...we have the best Captain ever!

Psalm 33

(v.4) Although the Bible has been translated into many languages and formats, the Word of God is pure. If we look at the original Hebrew and Greek words of the Old and New Testaments, we will see that God is precise, and without error. If we let skeptics persuade us that the Word is tainted, then what do we have to base our beliefs on? If one part of the Word is false, then how can we trust it? We are then left to man's judgment and reasoning, and we see through history, that it is sinful and proud.

The Bible is the Word of God, and the more we study it and understand it, we see that all of the books of the Bible are inspired by God.

(v.12) God established the people of Israel, starting with Abraham and his sons, but making them a nation by Moses leading them out of Egypt. God chose to reveal His character and plans for us through the people of Israel.

God also established the United States of America. He used the USA to be a beacon of light to the world...through its freedoms, He used it to be the most evangelical nation ever. God used America to reach all the ends of the earth with the Gospel.

Today, our once great nation has pushed God away from it. We are not a nation that fears God in our institutions and laws. Individuals still love and fear God, but we've allowed the unbelievers to alter the intent of our Founding Fathers and of God. If we wish to see God back in our schools, courthouses and government, then it's up to us believers to lead the way.

Psalm 65

(v.4) All of us have a desire to know God. In that sense, all of us are chosen by God. However, few of us actually accept what Jesus did for us, and let God be the Master of our lives. If we do, then we are His Chosen Ones. If we don't, then we were called, but chose not to follow God.

I tell my kids that this is like when your friend sends out birthday invitations out. You were chosen to enjoy the party, but it's up to you to accept and attend. Those that attend and enjoy the party are like those that accepted Christ and will be joyous for eternity in heaven with Him.

Psalm 66

(v.5) We read about the awesome miracles that God did for the Jews of Israel, and we sometimes wonder if God is still around. Yes He is...He is in the starving child in Africa who accepts Christ, He is in the terrible earthquakes that devastate a land, but bring revival and many people to accept Him. He is in the emergency room, where a person is near death and there's no hope, but people are praying for healing, and defying all reason and medical logic, the person is restored.

Miracles happen all around us every day...we just need to have our eyes open to see them!

(v.10) God doesn't cause us to sin or make mistakes, but He does allow trials to come into our lives, so He can mold us and strengthen us. James 1:2 tells us that God uses hard times for us to make us stronger and more useful for Him. It's when we are in hard times, that we stop and think about our priorities...not when all is going smoothly.

(v.16) The hardest part about being a Christian for many people, is to share God with others. We have a fear of looking or sounding foolish. We are still learning the Bible, so how can we bring others to Christ?

The best witness to others is to tell them what God has done for you in your life. No one can argue with that, and it's a personal thing that connects with people.

After that, when your friend has questions, you can share the Word with them and let the Holy Spirit bring them to Christ.

Mar 29 (Psa 8, 16, 19, 24)

Songs of Joy

Psalm 8

(v.3) As part of our daily prayers, we should meditate and praise God for His wonderful handiwork with His creation. Think on the wonderful sunrises and sunsets, the beauty of an eagle in flight, the gurgling of a newborn baby...God has thought of everything, and He did this for our pleasure!

I even take this subject a little further, by reminding my kids that God's original creation was MUCH better than the most beautiful things we see today. After the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Flood of Noah, this universe has been under the curse of sin. Even so, it's loaded with such beauty amongst evil and darkness. I try to have my kids think upon how wonderful it will be when all we will see is beauty, instead of limited amounts.

(v.6) God made Adam ruler of the earth, and to keep it. But after Adam sinned, the earth is under the power of Satan. One glorious day, the last Adam, Jesus, will take back what was given to us, and rule with love and justice!

Psalm 16

(v.3) God delights in us believers, and He enjoys guiding us for His purposes...let's make the effort to allow Him to do that since He knows what is best for each of us!

(v.10) This verse is cited by scholars to be a verse about the Resurrection of Jesus...our Savior and Holy One. Peter cited this verse on the day the Church was born...the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:27

(v.11) God will direct us to a life of joy and contentment. I also take the time to show my kids that whenever the Bible cites the right hand, it is a sign of authority. This is usually given to Jesus, since He was given the seat at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Matt 25:34 & Acts 2:33

Psalm 19

(v.1) I teach my kids the silliness of the theory of evolution often, since it goes directly against the Word of God. He made all that we see today, including dinosaurs, in the beginning around 6,000 years ago. The whole universe speaks of a Creator and Designer, a loving God that created with Intelligence, not random chance.

(v.7) This points us to what Paul was saying in Romans 7 where the Law convicts us to see that we need God to save us from our sins. God in the flesh, Jesus, did that on the cross!

(v.11) We are warned to listen to God and obey, for if we do, we are rewarded with blessings and joy that the world envies!

Psalm 24

This psalm is about prophecy. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies in His First Coming. One of the most important, was His entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey Luke 19 & Zech 9 on Palm Sunday. Most rejected Him as foretold, and Jesus ascended to heaven after His crucifixion and resurrection, to glory with the Father. Lastly, He is coming again to take ownership of the title deed of the earth that Adam relinquished to Satan in the Garden of Eden. When Jesus returns, He will have collected His Bride, the Church, and saved Israel from her enemies. He will rule and reign for 1,000 years, called the Millennium, and bring judgment upon the wicked and all those who refused Him.

Jan 29 (Exodus 20-22)

Exodus 20

Here, God gives Moses the Law...the 10 Commandments. I go through each of them with my kids:

1. "You shall have no other gods before Me." ~ God doesn't want to be #1 on a list of 10...He wants to be #1 on a list of one! He wants us to include Him in ALL PARTS OF OUR LIVES...not just certain parts.

2. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image" ~ There is no way to make a likeness to God with human hands, so don't try it. Idols are man-made, and God wants us to focus on the Creator, not His creation. Oprah Winfrey turned away from God when she read that God is a "jealous" God. Of course, what she fails to see, is that jealous doesn't mean a jealous spouse. God wants to have fellowship with us, and to let anything get in the way hurts Him.

3. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" ~ Many people think this commandment is alluding to cursing or cussing. Certainly, we as believers should refrain from foul language, but I believe God is talking about something bigger. As Christians, we take on the name of our Lord...Christ. If we curse, steal, gossip, etc, then we are defiling the name of God. We believers are His ambassadors...we need to represent our King properly for His glory!

4. "Remember the Sabbath day...For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth" ~ First of all, every day is our Sabbath if we're in Christ. But it is helpful and fruitful to take a day to completely devout our time for God. We can do this by reading His Word most of the day, we can spend the day with other believers, or we can pray even more that day. We just need to do this for Him, and not for ourselves. Also, notice that God documents that He did create the universe in SIX LITERAL DAYS. Many good people can disagree on the merits of the Gap Theory, but the Hebrew used here definitely refers to six actual days...not six eras.

5. "Honor your father and your mother" ~ My kids smile every time I read this to them...they always say, "we're trying Daddy!" I stress to them that we love them, and even though we'll make mistakes, they should always show us respect.

6. "You shall not MURDER" ~ Notice that the original text doesn't say "kill" because it's not unlawful to kill in war or self defense. Murder is the act of deliberately killing someone for your own sinful reasons. There is a big difference between righteous killing and murder. If your kids ask for some examples, then refer them to Abraham, Samuel, David and Joshua...God commanded these great men of faith to kill evil.

7. "Honor your spouse" ~ You'll notice I don't say the "A" word...depending upon the age of your kids, it might be appropriate just to say that God loves marriage and hates divorce. However, if one has been divorced, they aren't condemned to hell. We all make mistakes, and if that person will include God in the next marriage, then the results would be different.

8. "You shall not steal" ~ Here God puts great importance upon private property. It's not right to take what is not yours. Some good discussions can come from this one!!!

9. "You shall not lie" ~ This is a real tough one on all of us, because at our best, we sometimes "stretch the truth" in order to avoid the pain of the whole truth. I stress to my kids that it's always best to tell the truth, since sometimes it's bad enough, rather than lie and get caught in a lie later!

10. "You shall not covet" ~ Almost all of the previous commandments can be related to this one...if we don't obsess or focus on material things and focus on God, we won't fill our minds with lust, envy or greed.

So why was the Law given? It is definitely a standard we should strive to keep, but we all know that it's impossible by our sinful nature to keep the Law our whole lives. We may do pretty well for a while, but we'll slip sometime. So what do we do?

God is holy and pure. He can't abide with sin in heaven. If we are unable to keep the Law, then we are doomed to hell and eternal separation from God. However, God provided the solution...Himself. Jesus came down from heaven to live as man and be our Kinsman Redeemer...to live a perfect life and keep the Law, and ultimately pay for our sins on the cross. We couldn't pay for our sins...it had to be washed away with innocent blood from our kin...God in the flesh...thank you Jesus!!!

Exodus 21

God shows us the Jewish tradition of master and slave. We must not equate this relationship as with the Jews in Egypt or the African slaves of America. As we saw from Abraham on down, God establishes a master of the house, and all the workers are essentially under contract to work for that master for seven years. This is why Jacob agreed to work for Laban for seven years to earn Laban's daughter Rachel.

At the end of those seven years, the servant has the option of going out on his own, or if the master has treated the servant fairly, then he can stay by choice. This ceremony is done by piercing the servant's ear to the doorpost, and is a prelude to the piercing our LORD took for our freedom from slavery to sin!!!

Exodus 22

For those of us who believe in the Constitution, and the right for private property, then this chapter is ideal. God ordains property ownership, and even tells us that it's lawful to kill an intruder in your home...that's so un-PC nowadays!

Jan 1 (Genesis 1-2)

Genesis 1

(v.1) This verse is crucial for the whole rest of the Bible...if one understands and believes this verse, then the rest of the Bible will go more smoothly. If not, then the parent has to tell their child that only parts of the Bible are accurate...that is dangerous! I recommend all parents make sure that their kids know that the Bible is proven to be written by God.

Also reference the Gospel of John 1:1, where it shows us that Jesus is God, and that He created all the universe.

Note: the Hebrew word for "God" in this verse is Elohim...this is a plural noun used in the singular tense...the Trinity is pointed out in the first verse of the Bible!

El............means "God" in the singular (one)
Ela..........means "God" in the dual (two)
Elohim...means "God" in the plural (three or more)

(v.26) This is another hint at the Holy Trinity...God (Elohim) says "Let Us make man in Our image..."

Genesis 2

(v.3) This might be fun to stress to our kids, that God wasn't "tired" but that He was finished with His work. Just as when we go to Heaven, we receive His "rest" our work on earth is finished.

(v.18) This is important to note that the "helper" for man is not a servant or slave...she is an equal with important responibilities and tasks in a marriage. Young girls need to know this, but they also need to know that God set up the marriage to have the husband be the head of the household, with the wife being a valuable partner and caretaker of the home and children.

(v.21) I need to find the link to this, but a preacher told me that he found a medical report that says the ONLY bone that grows back in the human body is the lower rib.

(v.24) God created and sanctified marriage as early as Genesis 2. The best way to procreate and raise children is with one man and one woman. Obviously, this is trickier with younger children, but we can point out that only a Mommy and Daddy become "one flesh" together...we are in accord and of one mind with God.

(v.25) Many Bible scholars believe that the original earth was much different than what we see today. It is quite possible and likely, that Adam and Eve enjoyed more dimensions than the four we have today (heighth, width, length and time). I believe that God's presence and the fact that Adam and Eve were sinless at this point, that their nakedness wasn't even noticed.