14 Dec (Revelation 2)

Revelation 2

These seven churches encapsulate the seven stages of Church history. These were real churches in the day of John's writing, but they also are types of the churches to come.

Ephesus ~ The Loveless Church

(v.2) We can look at each of these churches in a personal way, as a church, and as prophecy to Church history. It seems that the people of Ephesus were great about spotting counterfeit Christians, and were holding true to the doctrines taught them by Paul and others.

(v.4) Ouch! Like Martha in Luke 10, they were obsessed with deeds and actions, where they forgot to sit and worship Him! We all have to watch out for this, for it's easy to get caught up in serving and doing the Church things, when we forget to have quiet time listening to God!

(v.5) If they can lose their lampstand, it means they aren't saved. This is how I interpret this, and it makes sense. So many people do the "Church Thing" every Sunday, but they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus. They don't have a prayer life of conversing and listening to Him, and they just keep doing what they think pleases God.

(v.6) Nicolaitans are the ruling class over the people. It seems that in the early Church, there were some who thought they should be listened to more than Jesus. Their pride got in the way of true worship.

(v.7) Here is another reason I believe these people aren't truly saved at this point, for Jesus promises to let them eat from the Tree of Life if they overcome their sins.

Smyrna ~ The Persecuted Church

Smyrna has the same base word as Myrrh, which means death. This church faced rampant persecution by the hands of the Romans, and were martyred and killed for their faith.

(v.8) Again, when did the Father (YHWH or Jehovah) die? It was the Son, and He is God!

(v.10) This must have been hard to take, knowing you were about to be put in jail and killed for your faith! However, many Christians have suffered this same fate over the centuries...even today. We are lucky in America, and we should use that fortune to be more vigilant about spreading the Good News of Christ!

Pergamos ~ The Compromising Church

This church speaks of the time in history where the Roman Catholic Church made Christianity blend with pagan practices to create unity in the Empire. So many practices by the RCC can go back to Babylon, and their acceptance of pagan practices into the church.

The word, Pergamos, in Greek, means mixed or perverted. This is what the church did...they mixed the pagan practices with Biblical Christianity, and created a mixed marriage that wasn't devoted to Christ. Remember what Paul said to those that allowed sin and pagan practices into their lives? 1 Cor 5:6

(v.13) Scholars believe that the Tower of Babel was erected in the same area as Pergamos. The start of Satanic practices was where the RCC decided to make Christianity the only religion, and worse, that the State would run it!

(v.14) The docrine of Baalam Num 31:16 was the act of tempting God's people into sin...this is what this church did with its believers.

(v.15) Notice that Ephesus was doing the deeds of the Nicolaitans, where now it is doctrine. The Church had incorporated the pagan practices and moved away from Scripture.

Remember, once Satan lost at the cross, he tried to kill the church through persecution at the hands of the Jews and Romans. This only made the Church grow stronger! So what did Satan do? He made up the phrase, "If you can't beat them, join them!" He infiltrated the Church, and little by little, had people focus on traditions and doctrines not from Scripture, and thus, the beginning of cults were born!

Thyatira ~ The Corrupt Church

(v.18) This is the same description of Jesus as noted in Daniel 7:9, 10:6

(v.20) There is so much to research here, and I suggest you do, but in short, He is talking about the popes of the Roman Catholic Church. They used their power to seduce and enslave.

(v.22) Very scary...they aren't saved and will endure the Tribulation on earth. This doesn't mean that Catholics aren't saved...most are, but the doctrines and leaders of the RCC have a lot of explaining to do with Jesus!

(v.24) So many people follow the traditions of men, and don't know why. They think it's just what God wants. But if they read their Bible, they will see that God doesn't want us to chant or say repetitive prayers, or worse yet, pray to mortal people!

God knows who hearts are pure and seek Him, and He will lead them to Him.

3 Dec (James 3-5)

James 3

(v.8) It is so important to teach our kids not to gossip, and to think before they speak. We all can think of things that people have said to us that still hurt...words can't be taken back.

I like to remind my kids that God gave us TWO ears and only ONE mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak!

(v.13) Let others see our faith by our actions...by love and service to others.

James 4

(v.3) Jesus told us to ask in His name, and we will receive it. This is often misunderstood. We need to ask for things that we need, not just what we want. God doesn't care about keeping up the the neighbors as far as toys and clothes...He cares about our souls. We should be praying for wisdom, like Solomon did, and tools for loving and serving others.

(v.10) It's good to pray at all times during the day, but we also should spend some time each day on our knees...humbling ourselves to Him, and giving Him the respect He deserves.

(v.17) This is important for our kids to know...of course when we do something stupid or selfish, we are sinning. But James points out that we can sin by doing nothing as well. If we know what we should do, and we don't do it, that is a sin.

James 5

(v.7) James uses a great illustration here...the farmer who toiled to prepare and plant the crops, must wait patiently to see the fruit come from it. God does that with us, so we should be that way with God, and let Him bless us on His timeline!

(v.16) This is one of the most important aspects of Church...to have fellowship. We need to be with other believers, to pray for each other, to support each other, and to confess our sins so others can help us since they have experienced the same sins.

(v.20) Bringing someone back to God is an act that God loves! There are times for rebuke, but what works most of the time is loving support. Encourage your friend to seek the LORD, and be there for them to walk back to God.

2 Dec (James 1-2)

James is the half-brother of Jesus...they share the same mother, but their fathers are different. James and Jude were the offspring of Joseph and Mary after Jesus was born of Mary by the Holy Spirit. Matt 12:46, 13:55

James and Jude did not believe that their half-brother was God, and were not believers until after the resurrection of Jesus. James became the pastor and leader of the Church in Jerusalem. This fact is one of many that negate the claim by the Roman Catholic Church, that Peter was the first pope...Peter took orders from James! Acts 15:13

James 1

(v.2-3) This is a different way to think...it is contrary to our nature! But if we are set apart by God, to live for Him, then we should think differently.

It's important to teach our kids, that trials will always be with us in our lives. What James is saying here, is that these trials are opportunities to become stronger in the LORD! The key is to rely upon Him, and to let Him work out the problem for us!

(v.5) God wants us to know Him better, so if we ask for His wisdom, and seek it in His Word, He will provide abundantly.

(v.6) When we pray in His will, we need to do so in faith...knowing that He will respond on His timing.

(v.12) We are tempted every day...what James is speaking of, are the temptations that continually keep us from God. The list of these are many, but search your hearts, and find out what sins consistently trip us up, and seek His help in overcoming them.

(v.13) Critics often say that God tempts us, and He made us sinners...this is false. God made everything good Gen 1:31 but when sin entered the world, death and destruction became a part of life.

(v.15) This verse displays what James is talking about. When we allow ourselves to keep sinning by a certain temptation, then it becomes a lifestyle that prevents us from walking with God. This will lead to death.

(v.19) Wise words...remind your kids of this verse!

(v.22) This is key...we need to show the love of Christ in us by our actions AND our words, not just by words, and act like the world does.

James 2

(v.4) God warns us of showing favoritism to the rich...why? This is pride at its core, since if we are nice to the rich, it's only because we want something in return. What can being nice to a poor person gain us? That is what God is saying here...be loving to all, and let God reward us, not man.

(v.10) Many people try to follow the Law today, and even Paul thought of himself as a strict observer of the Law. But we see here, and by common sense, that NO ONE can keep the Law perfectly...we are fallen sinners, and even the best of us will slip up now and then. It took God Himself to die for us, for no man could keep the Law perfectly.

(v.17) James is speaking to believers here, for if we believe, we should be doers of what Jesus commands us...to love others. John 13:35

(v.26) This is clear...if we are followers of Christ, then people should be able to see a difference in our lives, not just by our words.

20 Nov (Col 3-4)

Colossians 3

(v.2) We are to think and desire upon Jesus and heaven...not of this world. If we do that, things that happen on earth won't bother us as much as they used to. We have the hope in Christ of things to come in heaven!

(v.4) When Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation, we will come with Him! He will conquer evil and we will be appointed as rulers during the Millennium.

(v.8) One of the best signs that we are following God, is if we don't curse and say nasty things or dirty jokes...we won't want to engage in those things if we are trying to be more like Christ.

(v.14) Nothing shows our faith better than love does...love others and let our actions witness to them instead of just words.

(v.18) Wives are to let the husbands be the head of the home...like Christ is the head of His Church, the Bride of Christ. This doesn't mean that women are inferior, but God does want order and has given us the model for the best way for a family to grow closer to the LORD. The mother/wife nurtures and provides love and wisdom daily to the family, while the husband/father leads the family spiritually and provides for the family.

(v.19) We husbands are to adore our wives...treat them with love and affection. There is a phrase that fits this verse: A happy wife leads to a happy life!

Colossians 4

(v.1) For anyone that has employees or people that work for them, remember that we all serve a higher boss...God! Be fair and just, like our Father in heaven is fair and just.

(v.2) Prayer is the key to our walk with God...if we do it less, we will see our walk slowing down.

(v.6) When we witness to unbelievers, we need to be confident in God's Word, but to share it with grace and love...like Paul, we need to know who we are talking to so we can present God's Word in truth, but in a way that they understand and will listen to.

With that said, the reference to salt is important...salt makes food taste better like witnessing with love. But it also agitates wounds...much like the truth pierces the darkness and causes some to lash back. Don't be afraid of that, for the truth is the truth, and let the LORD's Spirit do the rest!

13 Nov (Rom 11-12)

Romans 11

(v.5) God has NEVER gone back on His promise to Israel. That covenant was unconditional...meaning it didn't depend upon the obedience of Israel. God will once again nurture and protect Israel in the last days...He will remove His Church first in the Rapture.

(v.11) As a Christian, and a student of the Word of God, I understand (still learning) and see how Christ is in the Old Testament. The Jews (as a whole, but not individually) do not. When I see how Christ fulfilled the Spring Feasts of Israel in His first coming, and will fulfill the Fall Feasts in His second coming, I have an awe and joy for God that only the Jews had before Christ. Until Christ, only the Jews knew God personally, but after Christ, all can know Him! This is what Paul means by provoking them to jealousy...when they see Christians worshiping YHWH!!!

(v.17) Paul uses imagery here that the people of that time would understand. Israel is the tree, God is the root, and the Church are the branches grafted in. Because Israel (for the most part) didn't accept Christ, the Church is grafted into the promise to Abraham.

One thing to point out...the Church NEVER...I repeat NEVER...replaces Israel in God's promises. We are only able to partake of the same promise of salvation that God revealed to the Jews. If your church teaches that God is done with Israel, and the Church has replaced Israel, then go to another church...that makes God out to be a liar!!!

(v.23) Because God is merciful and loving, He will graft back in those Jews who realize that Jesus is the Messiah.

(v.25) Remember, there are two phrases in the Bible that are often confused:

The Fullness of the Gentiles ~ This is the gathering of the Church. One glorious day, the Father will have the amount of people He deems to be complete, and He will send His Son to gather them in the Rapture.

The Times of the Gentiles ~ This started with Babylon and King Nebuchednezzar, and continues until the Return of Christ. God's focus on Israel was put on hold from the time of Babylon until He raptures His church, and starts the clock again with Israel.

(v.32) God didn't create robots that obey Him without feeling or love. He allowed sin to enter the world, so that the world would realize what love is, and see His mercy and grace! Only then, can someone make the choice to love God and follow Him.

Romans 12

(v.1) Here is a great contrast between Islam and Christianity...Muslims are taught that the only way to assure their salvation (like they could actually earn it) is to die for allah. This entails killing the unbelievers in the process.

Christianity, on the other hand, teaches us to live for Christ, and love and serve others because we are saved by what He did for us on the cross.

Which one is the REAL peaceful faith?

(v.6) The Body of Christ is the Church...it is made up of the people who believe. Like the human body, every part is designed with importance, and a crucial function for the whole body to live. Not all of us can be teachers, pastors, missionaries, administrators, etc, but with the gifts that God has given us, we need to use them for His Church.

One of the most important things we all need to realize, is what God has gifted us with. We may not find that gift the one we would desire, but it's the one that God wants us to use for His glory. Who are we to tell God that He gave us the wrong gifts?

(v.9) There is such a thing as righteous anger. After all, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees with harsh words and turned the tables violently at the Temple. John 2:15

So many people recite the words from Jesus, where He says to turn the other cheek. This is valid up to a point. We are to be loving and kind, where we wouldn't draw violence to us by our actions. If we are combative and harsh with others, we will get hit back with insults and even physical violence.

But if we love and serve others, and we still get hatred, then Jesus says to let Him take care of it, and keep loving and serving.

With that said, we are not to be the pushovers and doormats of the world. We are strong in Christ, and we can protect ourselves and loved ones from harm.

It all comes down to this...if we are His, then we will love what He loves, and we will hate what He hates. God hates evil, for He is good. We are to stand up for the defenseless and for what is good. That is Scriptural.

(v.16) There are scores of Proverbs that repeat this over and over...we are not to believe that we are wise on our own...we are only wise if we use and have God's wisdom. That would be evident if we act in humility, and in a loving and meek manner.

(v.21) We overcome evil by God's power...use prayer and reliance upon Him, and we will prevail in the end!

3 Nov (1 Cor 13-14)

1 Corinthians 13

In verses 1-3, Paul shows us that works are no good without love. If we do works without love, they are attempts to please man, not God. Works will never save us, but we do them because of our love and gratitude to Christ. Because we are grateful, we love and serve others to reflect His love.

Verses 4-7 are often read at weddings...they are good reminders for us to keep our marriage strong and loving. What I like to do with my kids, is put the name of Jesus in every spot where the word love is...it fits even better, and shows us what true love really is.

(v.11) Now that we are saved and walking with Christ, we need to grow. We can only do that by consistently studying His Word, daily prayer, and loving others the way Christ wants us to.

(v.13) Paul reiterates this concept of love by stressing it over faith and hope. All things go back to love, which in reality, we wouldn't have faith and hope without the love that Christ showed the world on the cross!

1 Corinthians 14

(v.2) The gift of tongues is both controversial and confusing. Speaking in tongues is not meant for others, so there is no need to do it in public. The Holy Spirit does this for us many times when we can't utter the right words to the Father. Rom 8:26

Prophecy helps the whole Body of Christ. The more we understand what God has shown us will happen, the more we are at peace and can act accordingly.

(v.22) Paul summarizes what the importance of prophecy is...speaking in tongues is for unbelievers and speaking with God. Prophecy is for believers and encouraging them to stay the course!

(v.26) Let all things be done for edification...if we pray, prophesy, speak in tongues, teach, etc, we should be doing it for the growth of the Church as a whole, and for each individual. If that is not the result of one of these gifts, then it's not from God.

(v.33) Some churches have speaking in tongues sessions, and the whole congregation starts yelling, crying, dancing in convulsions...this is not from God. If you witness this, get out of that church! The Holy Spirit does not have us act irrationally or without order.

(v.40) Paul confirms this by saying that all things must be done in order, and with purpose. Barking like dogs, or acting crazy is not of the Holy Spirit, but from another spirit that temporarily rules this world...Satan.

26 Oct (1 Thes 1-4)

1 Thessalonians 1

This letter was written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica. This church was vibrant and healthy but they were concerned about the return of Christ, and what would happen to those who died before that.

(v.3) Paul hits on the three points of being a Christian:

Faith ~ We have to work to keep our faith strong

Love ~ We have to labor to love others...it's not natural in our sinful state

Hope ~ We have to be patient, knowing that our reward is not on earth, but in heaven

I like to point out that Paul uses these three facets of Christianity in 1 Cor 13:13

1 Thessalonians 2

(v.4) Now that we know what Jesus did for us, we are like Paul, and we are bound to share the good news of the Gospel to others.

(v.13) We should be thanking God without ceasing for what He did for us. This should be the foundation of our lives, and because of that, we are impelled to share Christ with others.

1 Thessalonians 3

(v.12) We are to love and minister to other Christians first, then to the lost. This is not mean or proud, for God wants us to encourage and uplift each other, so collectively, we can minister to the lost.

(v.13) Here is another reference to the Rapture. We shall come with Christ, so we will be with Him before that moment...in heaven!

1 Thessalonians 4

(v.3) We touched on this before, but there are three stages of salvation:

1. Justification ~ When we accept Christ, we are justified to the Father by the blood of His Son

2. Sanctification ~ When we are justified, God gives us His Holy Spirit, and He works in our lives to make us more like Christ.

3. Glorification ~ When we finally reach heaven, we are glorified in our new heavenly bodies that will never decay, tire or have any pain!

(v.7) When God created Adam, he was sinless and holy in the eyes of the Father. However, once Adam and Eve sinned, all mankind is tainted with sin. We are not pure or holy, and it takes the blood of God Himself, Jesus, to wash away our sins.

(v.10) Again, we love and encourage other believers, and because of that, we are equipped and strengthened to reach the lost.

(v.14) When the Rapture happens, Jesus will bring all who died in faith to Him. To be more specific, the faithful are already with Him in heaven in spirit, but at the Rapture, God will lift up their DNA from their earthly bodies and make our new heavenly bodies from them.

(v.17) For the faithful still on earth, they will be lifted up in body, and God will make our heavenly bodies out of our current earthly bodies.

Don't think this is weird or impossible. If we think of how God made the whole universe by His Word, and thought and spoke it into existence, then converting our fallible earthly bodies to immortal heavenly bodies will be nothing for Him to do!!!

23 Oct (Gal 5-6)

Galatians 5

(v.1) We are bound by the Law...to sin and death. However, becoming a Christian is viewed as a downer by the younger ones, for they believe that following Christ is no fun. As a man, who at the age of 18 accepted Christ as his LORD and Savior, the only real fun I've had has been with other believers. Sure, I've laughed and had good times in the flesh, but they don't last. The times I've had with my friends in Christ stay with me.

With Jesus in our lives, we are free from sin, and can live more powerful lives!

(v.13) For us who are saved, we are free to live, love and serve others for Christ!

(v.16) I've found it impossible to sin and think bad things when I'm praying or reading the Word...God has us focus on Him when we do those things.

(v.21) We will sin and do some of these things occasionally, even if we're walking with God. However, we are not walking with God if we habitually do these things...there is a big difference!

One thing I point out to my kids, is that when I sin, and I'm already saved, I feel bad about it. In my life, before I was saved, I wouldn't have felt bad about that. That is the Holy Spirit working in us! We find that earthly sins don't satisfy like they once did, and spiritual love and joy gets sweeter the more we are walking with God!

Galatians 6

(v.2) Have your kids memorize this verse...it encapsulates what we are to do as Christians:

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(v.5) We all answer to God...make sure we all look at our lives and compare it with what God wants for us.

(v.6) Even though God anoints teachers of His Word, they are not any better than the people he teaches. We all have our place in this world, and in the Church. All of the gifts of the Spirit are important and worthy of hard work.

(v.8) If we focus on being light to the lost, and encouraging the Brethren, then we are reaping in the Spirit.

15 Sep (John 13:31-35)

The Gospels: Jesus' New Commandment

John 13:31-35

(v.34) Jesus is showing us that we are to treat other believers as we would Christ Himself! We are to love, comfort and support one another. We witness to the lost, but we serve the faithful.

(v.35) There is a fine line between calling out heresy, and bringing on division. We must pray and practice prudence when choosing what to do when we are dealing with someone else in God's Church.

If we love Christ, then we will love and serve His own.

14 Sep (John 13:1-17)

The Gospels: Jesus Washes the Feet of the Disciples

John 13:1-17

(v.1) ...He love them to the end...Jesus always loves us, and He showed it by taking our sin and guilt on, and dying on the cross!

(v.5) I like to show my kids that this is like the President of the United States doing the tasks of a janitor, or mailman, or whatever is considered blue collar. Jesus was showing them and us, that in order to love others, we need to serve others.

(v.14) God is showing us to love and serve our brethren. We are to witness to the lost, but we are to care for the faithful.

14 June (Nahum)

Scholars believe Nahum came from the Galilee region, since Capernaum means "City of Nahum" in Hebrew. The prophet Jonah was also from the Galilee region, so we have three Prophets from Galilee...Jonah, Nahum and Jesus. So much for the theory that no prophet came out of Galilee! John 7:52

Over 150 years prior to Nahum, the prophet Jonah preached to Nineveh, saying that if they didn't repent, they would burn. They did repent, and even though Jonah was a failed prophet with his mouth, his life was prophecy of what Jesus would do later.

But now, the Assyrians were obstinate and didn't want to hear of the God that their ancestors repented to, and Nahum is there to tell them their fate if they don't change their ways!

Nahum 1

(v.3) So many people think that the God of the Old Testament is not the same God as the New Testament, since in Jesus, we see humility and sacrifice. But in Yahweh of the OT, we see vengeance and jealousy. Be sure to explain to your kids that the word jealous here is not like we think of it today. Jealousy today is viewed as childish, insecure and sometimes mean, but God's jealousy is different...He wants us to love Him. He wants us to choose to worship Him, and He looks after His own like a Father watching over His kids...don't mess with His kids!

(v.7) What a comforting verse! Even though God can and does mete out wrath upon the wicked, He is loving and protective of His own...make sure you and your family are His...not Satan and this world's child.

(v.11) This is an indicator to the False Prophet we read about in Rev 19:20

Nahum 2

(v.2) I remind my kids that God has not forgotten about Israel and the Jews...they are His people, and He will work with them again, after He has brought His Church to heaven!

(v.13) God fights our battles, and He does it like no other! Why not let Him take care of our problems since, after all, He's only the Creator of the universe!

Nahum 3

God almost dares the wicked from Nineveh to fortify and prepare, for He will bring destruction upon them no matter how much they think they can fight God!

17 May (2 Kings 13-14)

2nd Kings 13

(v.4) We often hear from unbelievers and skeptics that the God of the OT is mean, and the God of the NT is love. As the Apostle Paul would say, "Certainly not!" This is the same God, and He is love, but He spent the OT establishing the nation of Israel, and because of that, He dealt harshly with those leading His people away from His way of salvation. It's because He is love, that He deals harshly with us...like the Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews:

For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Heb 12:6

God loves us, and He wants us to love Him back. Those of us who are His, we fall away and sin, and He uses discipline to bring us back. And when we're back with Him, it's better than before!

(v.20) Elisha dies and performs a miracle in death! The man who hid in his grave and touched Elisha's bones was healed! Elisha's prayer was answered, and he did twice as many miracles as Elijah did...to the glory of God!

2nd Kings 14

(v.6) Amaziah kills the men who killed his father, but spares their sons since it's against the Law to do so...isn't that a case of selective righteousness?!?

(v.25) Remember Jonah...he is important and we'll talk about him the next few days. Jonah is often misunderstood, and his story is important to grasp in order to understand Jesus better.

10 May (2 Kings 6-7)

2nd Kings 6

(v.7) God has done many great miracles, but He has done so many more that we don't notice as much. It's the little things in life, that if we appreciate them, we will live a more joyful and contented life. God has Elisha make a heavy axehead float...defying gravity. He didn't raise the dead or give someone sight...He did a miracle to enable an ordinary man continue his work.

Think about it...God has us do and say things that we don't know why at the time, but later, we see God working. He makes us able to work and love every day, and He always works in those that are seeking Him!

(v.12) The king of Israel is puzzled as to why Judah knows all the moves that he will make, ahead of time! This is God at work! For any of you history buffs, we can recite many instances in history, where a leader made a fateful decision, that even defied logic! This was God working! God gives us free will, and wants us to choose to follow Him, but no matter what, His plans will be done, and He will use others if we're not listening.

(v.16) I love this story! We can easily get depressed and think we're alone, but we have God and His angels all around us, protecting us! This reminds me of what Paul wrote in Rom 8:31

If God is for us, who can be against us?

(v.17) There is another part to this story...if we're not walking with God, we won't see His work in our lives, nor other people's lives. However, if we are walking with Him, we will see His handiwork in so many things during every day of our lives!

(v.22) Elisha does what Jesus told us to do in Matt 5:44 where He commands us to love our enemies and to bless them. This works with Elisha...the Syrian raiders were grateful, and they didn't attack Israel again!

2nd Kings 7

There is an important lesson to learn from this chapter...if God provides for us, we shouldn't try to talk ourselves out of accepting it. The king of Israel didn't have faith, thus, he didn't see that God had made the whole Syrian army leave all their food, tents, gold, donkeys, horses, and useful goods for the nation of Israel to have.

Sometimes we get something in life that we don't deserve, or weren't expecting. We should accept it and thank God for providing for us. And while we're at it, we should thank Him daily for giving us the free gift of salvation in His Son!!!

Apr 15 (Prov 14-15)

Proverbs 14

(v.6) Those who mock us for believing in Christ, seek wisdom, but all they get is worldly knowledge. But we believers get knowledge because we understand our God, and see His work in our lives and in the world!

(v.12) Those that wish to be their own god, will find their folly in the end. We need to pray for the lost, and plant the seeds of the Gospel to them, and let the Holy Spirit convict them of their sins. Only then, can they repent and be saved!

(v.15) It's ok to live a simple life, but not to be a simpleton! We need to test the spirit 1 John 4:1 of what we hear and meditate upon what is taught to us. Satan likes to mislead us, and have us stray from God, so we will not be effective ambassadors of Christ. When we are taught the Word, we need to search the Scriptures to see if it is true. Acts 17:11

(v.26) Those of us who love the LORD, have a great sense of joy and boldness. We are on God's side, so what do we have to fear? Rom 8:31

We know where we're going, and who empowers us, so be bold, but with love!

Proverbs 15

(v.1) A soft word of love can extinguish a fight like nothing else. Love conquers all. If we are to be Christ's ambassadors, then we should be peacemakers. Matt 5:9

(v.3) I remind my kids that God knows what the evil are doing just as much as He knows what His children are doing. The wicked will get their rewards in God's timing...not ours. It is not good for us to obsess or wish to see evil come upon our enemies. We must let it go and let God take care of our troubles.

(v.29) Even though God knows what the wicked are doing, it doesn't mean He is close to them. He is close to us believers, and He loves to hear us pray and cry out to Him. The whole reason for our lives is to come to know Him, and to have fellowship with Him, through His Son. He loves us so much, He willingly died and suffered for us, just so we can have fellowship with Him forever!

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!

Mar 1 (1 Sam 18)

1st Samuel 18

This chapter starts with an incredible act of friendship. Jonathan loved David as if he was himself. This says a lot, since all of us look out for our own interests most of the time. But here, Jonathan was doing more than that...he was defying his father, the king of Israel. The only reason Jonathan, who was the rightful heir of Saul, to love and support David, was an act of God. Jonathan loved God more than his own blood.

(v.7) My kids crack up when we sing the song the people sang...we can imagine the look on Saul's face when they sang it!

(v.8) Saul shows his true colors here...he envies David, and is paranoid of him. Of course, he had no evidence to fear David. After all, David was a loyal servant to Saul, and he performed every task with great valor and might.

(v.12) This verse tells us all we need to know...Saul feared David because he knew the Lord was with David, and not with him. This is a good lesson for our kids...as long as we are the Lord's, and we pray and seek His guidance, we are to be feared. With God on our side, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31)

As we will see with Saul and Jonathan, they couldn't be more different in their character and actions. Saul fears and hates David, where Jonathan loves and protects David. In Jon Courson's commentary, he asks the question about whether we would sacrifice our own advancement in life in order to help another advance...that is a good question. Jonathan gave up the kingship in order to support God's anointed...at the risk of his own life. How many of us could say we have done the same thing?