18 Aug (Matt 5)

The Gospels: The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5

This Sermon that Jesus gave, was not to the multitudes, but to His disciples. He gave this wisdom to His own...those who were already saved and justified by their faith in Him.

Blessed are those who are poor in spirit ~ this doesn't mean those that have weak spirituality...it means those that KNOW that they are wretched sinners, and require a Savior to rescue them from their doom to hell. Again, Jesus is speaking to the saved, not the unsaved here.

Blessed are those who mourn ~ Because we are sinners, and we fail at meeting God's commandments, we mourn our failures. This puts our hearts in the right place for God to comfort us and use us for His purposes!

Blessed are the meek ~ We often associate being meek as being shy and weak. This is not what the Greek word means...to be meek is to be humble and respectful.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness ~ When we are saved, we hunger to be nearer to God, and to learn more about Him. As Jesus said, He is the Living Water John 4:10 and the Bread of Life. John 6:35

Blessed are the merciful ~ When we are saved and have the Holy Spirit in us, we love others and put their needs before our own.

Blessed are the pure in heart ~ As saved children of God, we seek to be pure and emulate our King, who showed us how to live and serve others.

Blessed are the peacemakers ~ There are two parts to being peacemakers...the first is to try to settle conflicts, and the other, is to lead others to Christ, for they are at war with their flesh and God until they accept Christ.

Blessed are those who are persecuted ~ We always think of those that died for Christ, but this also includes us who live for Christ, and are mocked and persecuted because of it. God will not forget our faith and service in His name.

(v.13) Salt either increases pleasure, or it irritates. God wants us to do both. He wants us to irritate in order to wake people up from their apathetic view of life, and He wants us to enhance the quality of life with love and service.

(v.14) Light overpowers darkness. We are a reflection of God's light. I like to tell my kids how the moon reflects the sun's light in darkness. We are to have God's love reflect off of us to the lost.

(v.17) Jesus was a Jew, and He observed the Law and the Feasts of Israel. He did them perfectly, and by doing so, He absolved our sins by being our Passover Lamb on the cross!

(v.22) Jesus took the Law to another level...when we have hatred and resentment, we allow the devil to move us away from love and God. No matter how bad we've been wronged, we need to give those hurts to God, and let Him deal with it. If we don't, it will keep us from being effective ambassadors for Christ.

(v.28) Lust is the gateway to hell. I take time to point out to my kids, that Satan uses our eyes to tempt us, while Jesus always has us use our ears to hear the Word of God. Once we go on the road of our temptations by our sight, we fall away from God.

(v.44) The best way to defeat an enemy is to love him or her. Love conquers all. Bullies and evil doers are often subdued by love and respect, when in reality, that's what they've been missing all along!

However, I do point out to my kids, that Jesus doesn't want us to be pushovers and punching bags! In Luke 22:36 He instructs His disciples to buy a sword for self defense. It is righteous to protect your friends and family, but it's not Christian to bully or conquer for material gain. There lies the difference.

Apr 7 (1 Kings 1)

1st Kings 1

David is about to die, and he has neglected to show the people who the next king will be. He had anointed Solomon some time before, but now, David was bedridden and not ruling on his throne. One of David's sons, Adonijah, wanted to be the king, so he acted like it. I tell my kids that sometimes people assume things or believe someone because they seem to be correct. But we must always seek God's guidance, and test the events in our lives with Scripture.

(v.5) Adonijah's pride reminds me of Lucifer's in Isaiah 14

(v.6) As parents, we can relate to David's fault here...he was tired, and he didn't have the strength to keep correcting his son. However, we Daddies are supposed to keep order in our households, so even though David was old and tired, he still needed to keep his sons in line if they acted up!

(v.29) David looked back on his life, and he saw that God was always there for him, and protecting him. David gives praise to God, and uses the prophets to anoint Solomon. This makes the kingship official for Solomon.

(v.53) Solomon shows mercy to his rebellious brother. I believe that he did so since Adonijah worshipped God when he heard the news of Solomon's anointing, and when he bowed to Solomon at the throne. Solomon was like his father with Abigail, and showed mercy.

Mar 14 (2 Sam 8-9; 1 Chr 17-18)

2nd Samuel 8

In the previous chapter, God gives David rest, but now, God wants David to go out and conquer. As Jon Courson says in his commentary, this is like us when we were saved. First, we have an immense sense of peace and rest, knowing that God provided for us our salvation. But then, shortly afterwards, we have this insatiable urge to spread the Good News to our family and friends. We then move on to reach the lost who we don't even know!

So God has David reclaiming the land that God gave Abraham for the nation of Israel. As we all know, that has shrunk to what we see today, and even that tiny piece of land called Israel is disputed by santanic influences. In Gen 15:18, we see that Israel's land is huge, and will be one great day when Jesus comes back to take ownership and rule!!!

2nd Samuel 9

This is a wonderful chapter of honor and mercy. David promised his dear friend Jonathan, that he wouldn't perform the standard practice of killing all the descendants of the previous king (to eliminate rivals) and he reached out to Mephibosheth.

(v.6) David says his name, and it must have lifted a great weight of fear off of this lame man's shoulders. Much like Jesus, when He said "Mary" (John 20:16) at the tomb, only then, did Mary know that all was going to be fine.

(v.11) David is a type of Christ, and he shows us mercy and priviledge. David has Mephibosheth sit at his table, much like we will sit at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9) with Jesus one day! We are like Mephibosheth...we are lame and crippled, but one day, we will be in our new heavenly bodies, without shame and pain, and dine with our LORD!

Mar 8 (1 Sam 26)

1st Samuel 26

After Saul admitted that David would be king, and asked David to spare his descendants, David thought that Saul would not lead his men after him again. But when David's spies told him otherwise, David must have been sad and angry at the same time.

When David had a second chance to kill Saul, he could have very likely have thought that THIS TIME, God was giving Saul over to him, but he didn't. David is a great model of patience and faith...He let God fight his battles...we should do the same!

I remind my kids, that David had the right to kill Nabal earlier, but he let the LORD take care of it on His own terms and timing...and He did!

Saul is near death, and he realizes that he's been pursuing the wrong things...hatred and pride. Instead of being kind to David and helping him flourish, Saul has persecuted David. When we look back on our lives, we all want to feel we made a positive contribution...it's sad that Saul didn't feel that when he had so much opportunity and promise.

We all have the opportunity to exact revenge on someone who has wronged us...but it would be better for us to be like David and let the LORD take care of that wrong, and return anger with love.

Mar 7 (1 Sam 25)

1st Samuel 25

(v.1) Samuel, a great man of God, dies. He started at a young age and served God and Israel admirably. But, he was human, and we see that he didn't do such a great job with his sons, much like his tutor, Eli. Because of Samuel's rebellious sons, the people demanded a king instead of God. But on the whole, as with all of us who have stumbled and failed at times through life, Samuel did well, and the nation of Israel rightly mourned his passing.

(v.3) Here we meet a man called Nabal. His name, Nabal, in Hebrew means "fool" so he decided to act out his name! Oddly enough, Nabal was a descendant of Caleb, the mighty man of valor along with Joshua, who wasn't afraid of the giants in the land!

(v.13) After Nabal insults David and his men, we see the human side of David here. David showed great restraint and faith in God when he didn't kill Saul in the cave. Yet, here he lets his emotions get the better of him, and wants to kill Nabal.

(v.14) Abigail in hebrew means "Joy of the Father" and she shows us all what wisdom and humility means. Her compassion and respect to David overcomes him, and he decides not to kill Nabal. Abigail reminds me of Prov 15:1 and 25:11 where kind and loving words tame anger.

Abigail is a good model for all of us...in that we are often associated with fools. Some may be at work, our family, or our friends act foolishly. But Abigail let the LORD handle those things, and she showed kindness and respect to David.

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. ~ Prov 10:12

Mar 6 (1 Sam 23-24; Psa 63)

1st Samuel 23

(v.2) David does a wise thing...he asks the Lord to give him direction before acting. This is a good thing to remember in our own lives. Often, we seek other people's counsel (Prov 11:14), and that is ok only if those people have been praying and seeking God's direction as well. God sometimes speaks to us through other believers.

(v.6) An ephod is the vest worn by the high priest. It has twelve gems on the breastplate which represents the twelve tribes of Israel.

The rest of this chapter reveals Saul's obsession with killing David. Not only is Saul fighting David, but he's fighting God as well...and we all know what happens to those who try to fight God! Another thing to keep in mind, is when we are so focused and even obsessed with one thing, our main responsibilities can be neglected. While Saul was pursuing David, the Philistines attacked Israel.

I teach my kids that if they have all their duties and responsibilities done, THEN they can do a hobby or play. If they obsess with their hobby, then their responsibilities suffer.

Psalm 63

David wrote this psalm while hiding in the wilderness of Judah. He was greatly troubled, and frantic from being on the run constantly, but David made time to worship God and be grateful for His guidance. This is so hard to do, but essential. It's at times like these, that we should lay aside all the unimportant things, and focus on God. He is the only one to save us and guide us.

Another thing I stress with my kids, is that David often speaks of declaring God's love and glory to all in public. So many people believe that being a Christian is a personal thing...it is, but it's not private. If we have Christ in our lives, then we should want to share that with others...not keep it to ourselves.

1st Samuel 24

(v.3) Saul goes into a cave to "attend to his needs"...he had to go the bathroom! David is already in the cave, and could have killed Saul and ended the whole cat and mouse game. David could have seen this as a sign from God that He was giving Saul to him, but David didn't kill Saul. David allowed God to deal with Saul in His own way, and on His own timing. This is key for us to remember...God's timing is perfect, and most often, not our timing. We need to practice patience and faith, and He will see us through at just the right time, and in just the right situation.

(v.4) In my version of the Bible (NKJV), it says that David cut off a portion of Saul's robe. What he actually did was cut the hem of the robe. In those times, a leader would have his insignia and wording on the hem to show all that he had authority. Picture it like the stripes on the sleeve for a sergeant, or the stars on the collar for a general. David shows kindness while reminding Saul of who put Saul in his place of authority in the first place...God!

(v.14) David shows Saul that he was merciful and respectful to Saul. David kills Saul with kindness, and lets the LORD decide the outcome.

(v.17) Saul shows humility and gratitude for David's obedience and kindness. This doesn't last long, but it does make Saul give up his pursuit of David for the time being.

(v.21) Saul acknowledges that David will be king, and he asks the same thing Jonathan did...that David would not harm their descendants when David is king.

Mar 4 (1 Sam 21; Psa 34, 56)

1st Samuel 21

David runs away from Saul, not in cowardice, but to avoid conflict with the king that God anointed. David knows that he will be king, but only on God's schedule, not his own. This is important for us to remember when we pray for things...we want immediate gratification, but God has His own perfect timing.

The showbread was meant to be offered to God, and here is David and his men eating the consecrated showbread from the altar. This seems contradictory and even blasphemous, but Jesus shows us what is important in Matt 12:

I desire mercy and not sacrifice ~ Hosea 6:6

Jesus uses David's episode here as a way to teach all of us that traditions and sacrifices are not to be viewed as more important than mercy and love.

(v.13) David is in the land of his enemies, and he fakes insanity to strike fear into them...and it works! Some may view David's actions as shrewd and clever, but others may say that he didn't allow God to work in this situation, and acted impulsively. Regardless, we need to be ourselves and let God work...not act like someone else and deceive.

Psalm 34

After David was sent away by the king of Gath, he wrote this psalm to the Lord. David wasn't perfect, but he was a man after God's heart. Even though he faked insanity, he gives credit tot he Lord for saving him!

It is so inspiring to see athletes and people in the spotlight give credit to God. After all, the person may have accomplished some great task or feat, but it was God who gave that person the ability and gift in the first place! We need to work hard at our callings, but always give credit to God for the glory!

Psalm 56

David recalls his fears when in the hand of the king of Gath. He puts his trust in God, and he speaks an important life creed:

(v.11) In God I will put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

David realizes that God can kill our soul, where all man can do is kill our earthly body. We may not live long on this earth, but if we fear and love God, we will live eternally in His presence! That is the better life, by far!

Feb 8 (Lev 11-15; Deut 1-12)

Deuteronomy 1

This is a review of the 12 men who spied out the land of Canaan. There they saw the ancestors of Goliath, called the Anakim there. These were the giants who were described in Genesis 6.

One thing to note...when a word has the "im" ending to it, that means the plural of the noun. For instance in Hebrew, a cherub is a high angel, and a group of them are called cherubim.

Deuteronomy 2

(v.10) The Anakim are mentioned again, as well as in (v.20)

(vv.26-37) Here we have a tough part of the Bible where God orders the Jews to kill every man, woman and child of a tribe. God ordered this because they were families who had giants amongst them, and their DNA was corrupted by Satan.

Deuteronomy 3

(v.11) We see that the king of Bashan was spared, and his bed was nearly 8 feet wide and almost 18 feet long! These were big and scary men, who had supernatural power, and were against God's people...God had to deal with them.

Deuteronomy 4

Moses reminds the people of God's commands and warns of idolatry.

Deuteronomy 5

Moses reminds the people of the Law that God gave them...the 10 Commandments.

Deuteronomy 6

(v.4) This is what is know as the Sh'ma or Shema, since the first word is "hear" and that's what Sh'ma means.

The word for God used here is Elohim, which is a singular noun in the plural tense...indicating the Holy Trinity!

Also, the Hebrew word for "one" is echad, which also indicates a compound unity...the Trinity!

(v.7) This verse is one of the reasons I created this blog...God commands His believers to teach their children about God. We need to do this daily, and in all things. I often point out the presence of God in the weather, in the complexity of our bodies, in nature and its animals. Doing one prayer at night as our "God time" with our kids is not enough...we need to stay consistent and have them know that God is real, and He loves them, by using the things around us to prove that point!

Deuteronomy 7

The Jews are called "God's Chosen People" and we must teach our kids to love and respect the Jews. God did not choose them because they were more righteous and good than all on earth, in fact, in some ways, they were worse than the pagans! God chose the tiny nation of Israel to reveal Himself to the world. If He did it with Rome, then people would fear Rome because of its immense size and power. But tiny Israel has grown mighty, and the only explanation is that God was with them!

Deuteronomy 8

God reminds the Jews that He provided for them for 40 years! They didn't go without food or drink, and amazingly, their sandals never wore out! I remind my kids that they wear out their sandals twice a year, and they aren't traveling many miles for 40 years like the Jews did!

Deuteronomy 9

God reminds the Jews that they failed 40 years earlier, because they feared the giants more than they feared Him. Now, God is reassuring them that He is with them, and they will conquer these giants, and dwell in the land that God gave them!

I take this time to discuss "giants" that we face in this life with my kids:

~finances
~peer pressure
~sickness
~pride

We usually go through a big list, and it changes according to what's happening in their lives at the time. But no matter what makes us fearful, we need to remember that God is with us and we are His. I quote this to make the point:

"What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ~ Rom 8:31

Deuteronomy 10

God reminds the people that He loves them and gave them the Law to show them that they need God to provide for them. As the Apostle Paul writes in Hebrews 7:7, that he wouldn't have known he was a sinner unless he knew the Law.

Deuteronomy 11

I often hear that the Old Testament God is harsh, and the New Testament God is merciful. This just reveals to me that they don't know the God of the OT...He is loving and merciful, and He reminds us to do the same just as Jesus did in the NT. This is the same loving God in both Covenants!!!

Deuteronomy 12

God tells the people that one day, there will be a special place that is permanent (Temple) that will be much like the Tabernacle.

Also, God reminds the people to stay away from the pagan practices...it leads to idolatry and adultery.

(v.32) The last verse of this chapter reminds us what the Church has been fighting for centuries...the addition and subtraction to God's Word

Jan 21 (Exodus 4-5)

Exodus 4

(v.1) Moses is humble and doubts his ability to achieve this great task...this is just where God wants us to be daily. He doesn't want us to be weaklings, cowering in a corner, but He does want us reliant upon Him for strength.

(v.2) God uses what Moses has and feels comfortable with...he could have had a chicken in his hands, and God would have used it for His glory!!!

(v.12) God says what He has said many times to us..."Go, and I will be with you" but we are still afraid at times. I try to stress with my kids, that there is no greater feeling, than doing something we KNOW God is directing us to do...we are empowered!

(v.21) God purposefully hardens the Pharaoh's heart...why? My kids and I like to explore that. I think we usually come to the conclusion, that God wanted the odds and situation to seem hopeless and only His Hand could make Pharaoh relent.

(v.24) My 10-year-old asked me about this verse...why was God about to kill Moses? The best way that the Lord had me explain it was, that God meant business, and Moses had yet to obey and circumcise his son. God was showing Moses that he had to obey completely, not partially.

The reaction of Zipporah is interesting...was she mad that Moses made her do it? Or was she, being a Gentile, disgusted with this ritual of the Jews? We can only speculate, but we do see that she realizes that God is mad, and she knows that only their complete obedience will see them through...we all can learn from that!

Exodus 5

(v.2) How often do we as believers see this scenario? Trying to explain why we believe in what the Bible says, and do as God commands, seem foolish to the lost. They have turned their hearts away from God, and they don't know Him like we believers do. Of course, we will spend eternity trying to know Him completely, but He does reveal His nature and character to us in His Word!

(v.20) Pharaoh persecutes and takes out his anger on the Jews, and we see the first of many times where the Jews turn on Moses. The Jews were slaves, but they had grown accustomed to their plight. The Jews were not yet of the mind that they were ready to defy Pharaoh, but God would lead them through Moses!

We'll see numerous times ahead that it's much easier to get the Jews out of Egypt, than to get Egypt out of the Jews!