7 Nov (2 Cor 6-8)

2 Corinthians 6

(v.14) As the saying goes, "You can't pick your family, but you can choose your friends."

It's so important for us parents to counsel our kids about their friends. We need to stress to them that they should choose for friends other believers. I find that I have less problems with believers than with nonbelievers. I love being in the company of believers, and I cherish my time with the Brethren at church, or online in a Christian site, etc. Those are the little slices of what heaven will be like...we all worship and love the LORD, and we encourage each other!

2 Corinthians 7

(v.1) Can we ever be perfect on this earth? No, but we should strive to be so. If we are followers of Christ, then being a disciple is to imitate our Teacher. If we act more Christ-like, then we are doing the work of God.

(v.8) Paul is not sorry for his harsh words to the Corinthians earlier...rebuke is necessary if other believers are acting outside God's Word. Of course, we need to do this with love, and not rebuke others to make them look bad, but in order to build them up.

(v.10) If we are saved and the Holy Spirit is working in us, then we regret our sins, and we feel awful about them.

2 Corinthians 8

(v.4) The money we have is not ours. It has been given to us by God. We are to be joyful givers, and to consistently give to our church and ministries that do the LORD's work. All of us can't be missionaries, but we can all support them in prayer and funds.

(v.9) I marvel at this especially at Christmas time. Jesus, the Creator of the universe, came to us in the most humble and poorest ways. He was born in a filthy cave where animal dung and foul smells were abundant. He didn't show up as a King, but one day, He will. Rev 19:11

(v.14) Paul is speaking about Socialism or Communism, for if he was, he would be telling them to give to the Roman government, and let them tend to the poor. No, he was speaking to individuals, who like us, have the duty to take care of others. That is doing the Law of Christ. Gal 6:2

3 June (Isaiah 31-35)

Isaiah 31

(v.1) Aren't we all guilty of this? We don't let God work in ALL parts of our lives, so we end up crying out to Him for help when we get ourselves in a big mess! I teach my kids that God's rules aren't to keep us from having fun, but rather, to keep us from harming ourselves. If we walk with God and let Him work in our lives, then we'll see so much joy and peace. And when we do come upon hard times or events, we'll be able to trust in Him and let Him fight our battles!

(v.4) The Muslims think they own the Temple Mount...but they will find out like all of us, that it's God's Holy Mountain, and He will reclaim it in His Second Coming!

Isaiah 32

(v.8) Oh how I want to live up to this verse! My wife and I teach our kids that we need to follow Jesus' lead, and give of ourselves for others. He washed the feet of His disciples to show us that. John 13:5

(v.17) This is a great verse! Pastor Chuck Smith says that godliness is being right with God, and righteousness is being right with people...God wants us to do both!

Isaiah 33

(v.6) It will be so great when we all will live with a perfect King who gives His wisdom and knowledge to us abundantly. Of course He does that now, but the difference will be that EVERYONE will be wise in His knowledge and wisdom! How great will that be!

(v.17) The first time Jesus came, He didn't look out of the ordinary, but when we see Him in heaven, He will be the most beautiful thing we've ever seen!

(v.22) Even the most righteous and well-meaning man can't compare to Jesus when He rules! Jesus is our Judge, Lawgiver and King!

Isaiah 34

(v.16) God's Word is true and infallible. God tells us to read it every day so we don't forget His promises, nor His advice to live for Him. Every one of God's prophecies will come true, and we know how it all ends...with the faithful in heaven singing His praises!

The Apostle Paul supports this in 2 Tim 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Isaiah 35

(v.10) The ransomed shall walk with God with everlasting joy on their heads! The word ransom is key here...Jesus purchased us as the ransom for sin. We are His, but only if we accept His gracious gift of salvation.

Mar 21 (2 Sam 22-24)

2nd Samuel 22

Read this chapter along with Psalm 18 and you will see a close resemblance. Many scholars believe that this chapter is written from David's point of view, in relation to his status in Christ. Psalm 18 is said to be prophetic of Christ, who was truly righteous and worthy of being our Passover Lamb.

We believers will never be perfect until we are in heaven. That is why God Himself had to die for us...the perfect One who could be our Lamb of God and die in our place.

We as believers are constantly scrutinized by the world and by the accuser, Satan, in order to make us ineffective in our witness. We need to remember 2 Cor 5:21 where the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are righteous in the Father's eyes, since we as believers are washed with the blood of His Son. We are pure as snow in the Father's eyes!!! I like to tell my kids that the Father looks at us through Jesus-filtered glasses...He only sees His Son when looking at us believers!

2nd Samuel 23

David points out three key factors for us to be successful ambassadors for Christ in these three men he singles out:

~ Be a child of God in prayer...if we are prayer warriors, we are in tune with Him

~ Put our complete trust in God, and be fearless against evil

~ Be faithful with our gifts that God gave us...use them to love and serve others

2nd Samuel 24

Most current translations say that God made David count the people by putting a capital "H" in he. But if we go back to the original transcripts, it is not capitalized, and says that Satan moved David to do this.

(v.10) David realized that he wasn't walking with God here, and repented and admitted his mistake. That is the reason for the famine. David repented, so he was right with God again, but all our actions have consequences.

David bought the threshing floor from Araunah, and it would become the eventual site where the Temple would be. Araunah wanted to give the property to David, but David insisted to buy it...it wouldn't be a sacrifice if it came to David for free.

This reminds me of telling my kids about giving. If we give something of value to another, it is good. If we give free stuff or worthless things to others, then it's worthless. It doesn't have to be monetarily valuable, for it could be our time and service as well. If we are willing to set aside our own ambitions and desires, for the needs of others, then we are doing as David did here.