23 Dec (Revelation 13)

Revelation 13

v.1 I know when I first read this book, the imagery was confusing and seemed like a science-fiction novel! However, this is God's Word, and He did say we would be blessed if we understand this book! Rev 1:3

We need to understand the Old Testament in order to understand this book. All throughout the Bible, the sea is a type of the peoples...most often referring to Gentiles. So this "beast" is a man who comes from the Gentiles and is what we call the Anti-Christ.

Remember to tell your kids that Anti-Christ not only means against Christ, but it also means in place of Christ. In other words, the Anti-Christ will try to emulate Christ, and deceive many.

Why does John call this man a beast? Because he is more than just a man...he is the devil incarnate...like Jesus is God incarnate.

10 Horns = 10 Kings Rev 17:12
7 Heads = 7 Kingdoms Rev 17:9-10

There have been 7 great empires that have been Israel's enemy over history:

Sameria (Nimrod/Tower of Babel/Nineveh)
Egypt
Assyria
Babylon (modern day Iraq)
Medo-Persian (modern day Iran)
Greece
Rome (Two parts to Roman Empire = East and West)

v.2 This description is the same as in Dan 7:3-8 but in reverse. I had a teacher remind me that John is writing this from the point of view of eternity, so the events are reversed since he is looking back on history, where Daniel was looking forward.

v.4 Many times, Satan tries to copy God, in order to fool people. Satan has his own unholy trinity:

God the Father vs. Satan (Satan wishes to be like the Most High) Isaiah 14:14
Christ Jesus vs. Anti-Christ (emulate Christ and deceive many who don't know Christ)
Holy Spirit vs. False Prophet (The HS tells us to worship Jesus; the FP will do the same with AC)

v.5 The Anti-Christ will be a great orator, but since the believers will be already raptured, the unsuspecting unbelievers will think that he is speaking wisdom. To our ears, he will be speaking blasphemy and gibberish, but to the world, he will have the answers to heaven on earth.

v.8 Is your name written in the Book of Life? If you have allowed Jesus to be your Savior AND Lord, then it is! Satan will make war with God, His chosen people (Israel), the Church (already in heaven).

v.11 This is the False Prophet...who "looks" like a lamb, but speaks like Satan. He comes from the earth, so we see the typology of people who worship Satan here...he will be a religious leader who tells everyone to listen to the Anti-Christ who is a political leader.

v.12 The AC will be wounded...but not die. We see some more detail of this in Zech 11:17

v.14 The earth dwellers are unbelievers in Christ...they will be fooled because they don't know the Bible and don't have a personal relationship with Christ. Also, because they chose wickedness, the blasphemies that the AC speaks, will be music to their ears!

v.15 The people must decide...follow God and be killed, or follow Satan and be doomed to hell.

v.16 The right hand and the forehead jumped out at me...this is Satan emulating God again. In Exodus 13:9 God commanded Israel to have His Word on their foreheads and right hands. They would have Scripture in leather pockets that they tied around their wrists and foreheads when they worshiped.

v.17 With computers, online banking, and eventually a world economy and leader, all money transactions will have to have the number of the Beast in them to purchase and sell goods. If one refuses to have that number, they will starve.

17 Dec (Revelation 6-7)

Revelation 6

(v.2) At first glance we think that this is Jesus coming on the white horse, but if we look at what he does, and the company that he keeps, the identity is much clearer. Remember, the word, Antichrist, doesn't just mean "against Christ" it also means "like Christ." In other words, the Antichrist will use characteristics of Christ, and fool many who don't really know Christ.

The reference to a bow should also remind us of Nimrod, who was the first world ruler who competed with Christ for men's souls. Gen 10:8

(v.4) This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation spoken of by Christ Himself in Matt 24:6

(v.6) In the last days, it will take more than a days wages to buy one loaf of bread! The food supply will be hard to get, and many people will perish from hunger and violence over getting food for their families.

(v.8) Disease and pestilence will abound...aren't we so grateful that we won't endure this since we will have been raptured before this happens?

(v.11) We see again another sign that the Church will be in heaven when this happens, for they are clothed in white. Do a word search in a good Bible concordance for white robes or white clothing, and you will see this means the saints...the Church.

(v.16) We don't usually see a lamb as having wrath...unless it's the Lamb of God...Jesus!

Revelation 7

(v.4) God is going to seal 12,000 Jews who believe in Christ from each tribe...that's 144,000! They will preach the Gospel like no one has ever done before, and gather the last believers before God closes the door on salvation!

(v.9) This is the Church...from all over the world, speaking different languages, and from different times in history!

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.

12 Dec (1, 2 & 3 John)

The Apostle John wrote three letters to the Church to encourage them in their faith. Gnosticism was abundant, and God had John exhort and encourage the Church to stick to the Word of God.

1 John 1

(v.9) The blood of Christ washes away our sins...the Levites could only cover up our sins. It took the blood of God Himself to wash them away so they would be remembered no more.

1 John 2

(v.1) This is the only case of nepotism that we should embrace! Satan is accusing us daily of sins and disobeying God. But we have the Son, going to His Father, and saying, "Daddy, that one is mine for he/she knows Me." The Father will then judge us innocent, for the blood of the Most Innocent washes us clean in the eyes of the Father!

(v.15) Think about what you love in this world...material things, fame, people liking you. All those things will burn in judgment. But the love of heaven and Jesus will endure forever!

(v.22) The spirit of the antichrist has been alive since God declared He would save mankind. Satan has tried to thwart God's plan of redemption for man, and he has used evil men to do his evil work. Look at any religion or cult, and they all have one thing in common...they deny the deity of Jesus! This goes back to the work of Satan.

1 John 3

(v.1) If you spend time around other believers, we can talk about the things of God, and know what the other is talking about. If we talk about those things with unbelievers, they will be lost and not understand us. It take the work of the Holy Spirit to open up their eyes.

(v.2) I love this verse! When we are in heaven, we will see the glory and power of Christ! Unlike the disciples after Jesus was resurrected, we will understand His appearance, and even see the scars from His love on the cross for us! Rev 5:6

(v.13) The world hates us because they don't understand us, and most of all, they don't understand God!

1 John 4

(v.1) Whenever you are taught from Scripture, or experience something that feels like God is speaking to you, immediately check it with Scripture. If it doesn't contradict God's Word, then you can know that God is speaking to you.

(v.4) We all need to remember this verse when faced with seemingly insurmountable trials...if we are on God's side, what do we really have to fear?

(v.9) The more we think about what God did for us, the more we should worship Him! John 3:16

(v.15) We are not to keep silent about the love of God...we are to witness and share what God is doing in our lives!

1 John 5

(v.7) Remember this verse about the Trinity, and the deity of Jesus!

(v.14) We need to pray with our thoughts on God, not asking Him to think like us. We should spend some time of prayer just listening, and He will put thoughts and ideas in our heads that we can act upon.

2 John

We don't know for sure who the "elect lady" is whom John is addressing, but we do know that she had a big influence on many people's lives. My personal opinion, is that this may be addressed to Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus.

First of all, when Jesus was on the cross, He told John to take care of her, and for him to treat her as his own mother. John 19:27

Secondly, John warns this lady to be watchful for false prophets and people who wish to affect her. What greater thing could an unbeliever do, than have the mother of the Christ deny Him or accept doctrines that aren't Scriptural?

No matter who John is speaking to, he really is speaking to us as well...we need to hold onto the Truth, and be watchful for people sent by Satan to discourage us.

3 John

(v.11) People will know that Christ is in us if we stop doing the worldly things we did before we were saved. Try to spend time with other believers, who will be far less likely to try to get you to sin than your old "friends."

11 Dec (Hebrews 11-13)

Hebrews 11

(v.1) Here is a great definition of faith...we don't see God physically, but we see His handiwork in His creation, and by how He works in our lives!

(v.6) This is such a great verse! Without faith, we don't enter heaven. Without faith, we don't learn to know God. With faith, we are blessed abundantly!

(v.7) Remember, Noah was building this huge ark when the people had not experienced rain before! He looked like a fool, and was no doubt being ridiculed for his faith. But what did his faith give him? It saved him from the wrath of God! This is the same typology of the last days...those of us who have faith will be removed from experiencing God's Wrath.

(v.12) If we have faith, we are the Seed of Abraham...he was the first Hebrew (which means crossing over) and we are Hebrews in the sense that we have left our love for this life and this world for a new love of Christ and heaven!

(v.13) Before Jesus paid for our sins on Calvary, the faithful were holding in Paradise, or Abraham's Bosom, until that debt for sin was paid. Once Jesus did that, He went to free the faithful and take them to heaven. Every day after that, we who die in faith go immediately to heaven with Jesus!

(v.27) We are all faced with that same dilemma in our lives...obeying God, or obeying man. It's easy when man's laws and God's laws are the same, but when man's laws contradict God's laws (abortion), then we must stick with God and endure the worldly consequences. The reward is far too great to give it up for a moment in eternity for peace.

Hebrews 12

(v.9) God set up the family unit to train us to obey Him. We are to obey and respect our parents, so we can learn to obey and respect God.

(v.11) We never ask for trials to come into our lives, but they always make us better, and we will reap the rewards for overcoming, in heaven.

Hebrews 13

(v.2) This is a heavy verse! God puts angels into our paths to see where our hearts are. Just think of that the next time we see a bum asking for money. Or when we have a person who rankles us, and instead of responding with anger, we show love...that is what God is looking for!

(v.17) We have no idea the work our pastors do for us...they pray for us, they look out for us, and they motivate us. Give them respect, and most of all, pray for them. Satan likes to make pastors sin, so the whole flock will become discouraged. John 18:14

10 Dec (Hebrews 8-10)

Hebrews 8

(v.6) The explanation of why Jesus came to save us can't be put any better than this verse!

(v.7) The Law is good, but it's purpose is to reveal our sin...we can't be saved by this alone. We need to realize our sinful nature, and seek the One who can wash our sins away...God Himself...Jesus!

(v.13) It is good for Christians to know and respect the Law and the Mosiac laws, but we are not under the Law, and should not be going away from the New Covenant to the Old Covenant.

Hebrews 9

(v.7) Blood was required for the covering or washing away of sins...the Levites did the covering in the Tabernacle and the Temple, but Jesus did the washing by His own blood at Calvary!

(v.12) After Jesus released the faithful in Hades or Sheol, He sprinkled His blood on the Throne in Heaven, and created the New Covenant.

Hebrews 10

(v.1) The Law points us to Christ, but only Christ can save us...not the Law.

(v.4) Only the blood from God could wash away our sins...thank you Jesus!

(v.12) Jesus accomplished the salvation of mankind on Calvary over 2,000 years ago...nothing we can do afterward can change or alter that. This is why Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross. John 19:30

(v.29) This is the pivot point in all of our lives...do we realize what God did for us, or do we push it aside, or walk on the blood of Jesus in order to be our own gods? That is the decision of life!

9 Dec (Hebrews 5-7)

Hebrews 5

(v.1) Depending on the age of your kids, use discretion on describing the practice of killing and sacrificing animals for sin. With that said, God ordained and commanded this...why? To show the Jews (and all believers) that there is a cost for our sins.

This started in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve tried to clothe themselves from their shame, and God killed a lamb and gave them it's hide to wear to cover their sin. Gen 3:21

God later put it in writing by the pen of Moses, to offer animals as sacrifices for sin. These practices only "covered up" sin, but it took the blood of God Himself to wash away the sin! John 1:29

(v.8) It's hard for us to fathom that Jesus learned obedience, since He is God, a part of the Holy Trinity. But when He became man, He lived as we are to strive to live...in obedience to the Father, loving and serving others.

(v.14) When we are new to Christ, we only understand the basics. God is showing us that like a baby, we can only take easy to digest wisdom. Later, as we mature in Christ, we are to be hungry for more meat and solid food, so we can grow and understand God's character better.

Hebrews 6

(v.6) This is a difficult section of Scripture, for there are many opinions and theories about salvation. Some people (the Calvinists for example) believe that God called some people to salvation, and not others...there is no way of changing who He called...there is no way for those who weren't called to be saved.

Others, the Armenians, for example, believe the opposite. They believe that we can attain and lose our salvation at will...it's a daily struggle. This also means that what God sanctifies, can be changed by man.

In each case, both are correct, and both are false. Only God can save us, but He does wish for all of us to be saved. John 3:16

What I have learned from some great Bible teachers, is that what the author is saying here, is when we are saved but fall away, or go back to some sinful lifestyle that prevents us to grow in the LORD. This is key...we are still saved, but we are not walking or growing in the LORD. Only when we repent of that sinful lifestyle, can we again be walking with God, and having fellowship with Him.

Hebrews 7

(v.1) Here is an example of the translators creating chapter breaks incorrectly! Nonetheless, the important thing to show our kids, is that Melchizedek is really Jesus in the Old Testament...a theophany or Christophany! Abraham gave tithes to Mechizedek, and Melchizedek performed communion. Melchizedek had no beginning or end, and he was both a King and a Priest...unlike the roles for the sons of Judah and Levi. Gen 14:18-20

(v.25) Jesus is our King, but He's also our High Priest. Because of this, Jesus is able to save us from sin, and speak to the Father on our behalf.

(v.27) This is one of many verses that rebuke religions and churches that say that the communion actually becomes the body and blood of Jesus! No, He died once and for all, and we only take communion to remember what He did for us.

7 Dec (Hebrews 1-2)

The book of Hebrews is believed to be written by Paul, and the intent is to encourage Jewish Christians. No matter who wrote this, it is written by the Holy Spirit, who wants to give us a clearer picture of who Jesus is, and what He did for us!

Hebrews 1

(v.3) In order to get a grasp of the Holy Trinity, but not to say we fully comprehend it, I like to teach my kids that the Father is the mind of God, the Son is the body of God, and the Holy Spirit is the spirit of God. John 14:9

(v.4) Think about it...Jesus, the Creator of the universe, the angels and mankind...gives up all of His power to become man and die for mankind. But now, He is back to where He belongs, working in all things, being the Savior for all. Thank you Jesus!

(v.14) Angels are direct creations of God...that is why they are called the sons of God in the Old Testament. Adam was called a son of God, for he alone is the only man who was directly created by God. All the rest of us, including Eve, were descendants of Adam, and born to a sinful nature.

The angels were created by God to minister to us...this is one of the main reasons that Lucifer rebelled, for he wanted to be worshiped like God.

Because God gave angels the gift of free will and choice, some of them followed Lucifer to sin, and they will be eternally punished. 2 Peter 2:4

The rest of the angels are God's servants, serving us and helping us!

Hebrews 2

(v.3) This is why it doesn't work just to be a "good person" for God made the ONLY way for salvation...the blood of His Son. No matter how nice and good our friends and family are, if they aren't in a personal relationship with Him, and reading His Word and praying with Him daily, they aren't saved from hell. This is harsh to some, but it's the truth.

God created all, and He is the One that provided the way to be with Him...who are we to think we can find another way?

(v.9) Remind your kids, that the Creator of the universe, came into His own creation, suffered and died for us...all because He loves us so much!

(v.11) Even though Jesus is our God and Savior, He says we are His brothers and sisters, for if we are His followers. Beyond that, when we are in fellowship with Him, He calls us His friends! How cool is that? John 15:14

(v.16) God exalts us for we are made in His image, not the angels. Gen 1:26 He made us to be like Him, with mind, body and spirit. That is why He wants to be with us forever!

(v.17) This is the reason Jesus became flesh...to be our propitiation, or payment, for sin.

(v.18) Remind your kids that Jesus experienced every temptation, and every pain that mankind suffers from. He knows how we feel, so when we pray, He is listening!

4 Dec (Jude)

Jude, along with James are the half brothers of Jesus. They both didn't believe that their older brother was the Messiah, until they saw Him again after He was resurrected! That would make anyone believe!

Both served as leaders of the early Church. In fact, James was the leader of the Church in Jerusalem, and even Peter followed James' directives regarding church affairs.

The main purpose of the short, but impactful book, is to warn of the last days where apostasy or falling away is prevalent before the return of Christ.

Jude

(v.1) As I've noted in earlier books, there are three stages of salvation (Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification). Here, Jude shows us three aspects to our salvation:

Called ~ The Father chose us for Himself, and called us to Him John 15:16

Sanctified ~ Because the Son died for us, we are being purified, or sanctified to be like Him while on this earth. John 14:23

Preserved ~ Once we are saved, we are always saved! The Holy Spirit works in our lives and teaches us and guides us! Acts 12:5

(v.6) We go all the way back to Gen 6:4 where the fallen angels, the Nephilim, mated with the daughters of men, and made hybrid offspring. These end up being almost superhuman, and are giants who stand over 9 feet tall...Goliath was one.

The focus of this verse, is that the angels gave up their heavenly powers, and became earth-dwellers and mated with humans. This was against what God made them for, and they are damned to hell with Satan for it.

(v.7) As in Romans 1 we see that God considers homosexuality and other immoralities as sinful acts and lifestyles. Again, God loves the sinner, but hates the sin...we are to do the same. We should pray for those trapped in the destructive lifestyle of homosexuality, and give them love and support.

Remember, Sodom and Gomorrah's sin was the tolerance of vast homosexuality and perversion, which is contrary to the family unit. God wants us to live as families, raising children to know Him and serve Him. Homosexuality, divorce and other sins work against God's institution of marriage.

(v.8) This should hit all of us hard! We all speak ill of our leaders...whether at work or in politics. We are to pray for them, and when given the chance, vote them out if they don't govern according to God's Word.

(v.9) We are to let God take care of evil...we can stand up for good, but we should let God judge the evil doers. The high angels, the Archangels, are the most powerful of them all. We only know of three named Archangels in the Bible: Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer.

As we saw in Colossians 1:15 where Jesus was called the firstborn over all creation, the word used for firstborn is Arche. This word, in Greek, means architect or authority. So the Archangels have authority over all the other angels...just like Christ is the architect of all creation, and has the authority over all of it!

So even Michael, a mighty Archangel, didn't condemn or judge Lucifer...he lets God do that! We should learn from that and realize our limitations, and let God to the heavy lifting!

(v.11) Here are the three DON'TS of the Bible:

The Way of Cain ~ Jealousy and pride caused Cain to murder his own brother Gen 4:3-8

The Way of Baalam ~ Used deceit and the love of money to cause believers to stumble 2 Peter 2:15

The Way of Korah ~ Pride caused the people of Korah to rebel against Moses and Aaron. Num 16:1-3

(v.12) Twice dead is important here...if we accept Christ as our LORD and Savior, we are saved from the second death...spiritual death.

(v.14) This is regarded as the oldest prophecy by man, Enoch predicting the Church coming with Christ to rid the world of evil. Of course, Jesus does all the work, but we get to join Him!

(v.24) Thank you Jesus!!!

1 Dec (Titus)

Along with the two epistles Paul sent to Timothy, this is the third letter called the Pastoral Epistles. Paul wrote them while in prison, and with the purpose of getting the churches organized and focused on the Gospel. We can deduce that Paul knew he was going to die for Christ soon.

Titus 1

(v.2) This is a fun game to play with your kids...ask them, since God can do everything, what is the one thing He can't do? The answer is that God can't lie...He is holy and pure, and without sin.

(v.11) Satan had been trying to kill the Messiah and the ancestors of the Messiah ever since it was proclaimed to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. That didn't work, so when Satan lost at the cross of Calvary, he infiltrated the Church. He already had infiltrated the Jews, with their obsession with rules instead of faith, and now he was doing what he did in the Garden of Eden with Eve...casting doubt and changing God's Word.

We see this today with all the cults that have changed God's Word, and are following a different version of the Gospel.

(v.13) Notice what Paul is doing here...he doesn't rebuke the people, but the leaders who are misleading them. Jesus did the same. We are to rebuke the teachings of the cults, and pray and witness to the people who follow them.

(v.16) This verse always makes me take stock of my own life...am I just a man who professes Christ as my LORD? Or am I living and walking with God? We all need to ask ourselves those questions and seek His guidance.

Titus 2

(v.5) Modern-day liberalism and many secular action groups hate this verse! Our family structure was established by God in Genesis. The man is to be the head, but to give up his fleshly desires of individualism, and love and serve his wife. The wife is to let the man lead, and raise and nurture the children.

Some people don't like to hear or read this, but if all parties are doing their duties, then the family will stay together and serve God. If we fail to heed God's plan for the family, then we will see it suffer...we see that today.

(v.13) Great God and Savior...here is another instance of the deity of Jesus in the Bible! Not only is Jesus our Messiah, but He is God in the flesh!

Titus 3

(v.3) Once we are saved, and we see the love and grace of Christ, we are not to act proud or superior to people who don't know Christ. We are to pray for them, and seek to love and serve them...witnessing to them in action and words.

(v.8) We can't earn our salvation...it was done for us by God in Jesus. However, once we are saved, we should be eager to serve others. This comes from gratitude from knowing what we were saved from...eternal torment in hell.

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.

23 Nov (Eph 5-6)

Ephesians 5

(v.1) Those of us who have children, we see that they imitate us. Whether it be acting like they're on the phone, talking in a certain way (hopefully not badly) or any other imitation. They are watching us, and we need to remember that. Paul here is using that model to have us imitate Christ.

(v.3) Paul lists many sins that we have done over our lifetimes, and the purpose is for us to not be in a habit of these things. We will always be sinners on this earth, but we will sin less with the Holy Spirit working in us. If He is working in us, sinning won't be as fun or as enticing.

(v.7) We as parents need to keep track of who our kids play and hang out with. The ideal is for our kids to be friends with other believing children.

(v.8) I always like to use this illustration of what Paul is saying here, by telling my kids that the sun is the light source, and the moon reflects that light in the darkness. God is the sun, and we are the moon...reflecting God's light in the darkness!

(v.11) So many people say, Don't judge me! This is a self-preservation ploy to take the light off their sin. We are to rebuke our family and friends of their sins, but only God judges. But as Paul says here, we are free to identify and expose bad actions and words for what they are...bad. God wants us to be discerning and act accordingly.

(v.16) Redeeming the time...this is like Carpe Diem, the Latin into English, means Seize the day!

We are here at this time in history for a purpose. We have to make the most of what God puts in our paths. That may be just loving and serving our family and friends, or all the way to doing missionary work abroad. Figure out what God has for us to do, and do it!

(v.17) The more we pray and read the Bible, the more we will know what God's will for us is.

(v.22) This is always a sore subject with women, but if they really understand what God is saying here, it makes sense. Jesus is the Groom, and we are the Bride of Christ. We submit to Him, so God has made that template here in marriage. The wives are vital and equal partners in the marriage, but they are to submit to the authority of the husband...like the Church does with Christ.

(v.25) In order for wives to submit, they need to have a husband who is godly. A godly husband will give up his self interests, and love and serve his wife like Christ did for His Bride.

So what we have here, is a reciprocating order, where the Husband gives His life for the Bride, and the Bride loves and submits to the Husband...both are being loved and served at the same time!

(v.32) Back in the Old Testament times, the Church was not seen by the prophets. They wrote of these things, not knowing fully what it meant. God was laying down the Word to show us that He planned to save the whole world...not just the Jews...from sin.

Ephesians 6

(v.1) My kids laugh and smile when I read this to them! They know that they are to obey their parents, but like us parents, we don't always obey our Heavenly Father either! The key is to keep trying and focusing on obedience. When we are walking with God, we have freedom that we never believed was possible!

(v.4) An abusive or domineering father is evil. We are to be firm with our kids, but loving at the same time. Our kids need to see both sides of us.

(v.11) We are at war...the instruments being fought for by God and the devil. In order for us to stay in step with God, we need to do the following:

Gird your waste with truth ~ Know what the Truth is and focus on it

Put on the breastplate of righteousness ~ We have righteousness in our faith in Christ

Shod your feet with the Gospel ~ We are to witness to others the Good News of Christ's work
Take the shield of faith ~ Our faith wards off the devil's attempts to take us away

Take the helmet of salvation ~ We are saved, and we protect ourselves in Christ's work

The Sword of the Spirit ~ The Word of God is a double edged sword, convicting the soul

Praying always ~ It's near impossible to sin when we are praying

If we are going into battle, we need to do these things daily, BEFORE we enter the battle!

21 Nov (Eph 1-2)

Ephesians 1

Ephesians was the first of the Prison Epistles written by Paul. Ephesus was a major trading city in the Roman Empire, and was located in modern day Turkey.

(v.7) Not the Law, our works, nor our good intentions earns our salvation...it is the blood of God Himself...Jesus, that washes away our sins.

(v.11) Christians have a tough time with predestination and free will. Both are true. God has predestined all of us to be with Him, but it all depends on our free will. If we choose God, then we will be saved. If we choose our pride, then we will die in judgment for our sins. It's that simple, and it's that important.

(v.18) When we are born again, we don't become Albert Einstein...but we do start to see God's plan of redemption. This makes us grateful, and we seek God in prayer and in His Word. God is faithful, and He will open our eyes to His character and plans, but only if we are diligent.

Ephesians 2

(v.2) God gave Adam dominion over the earth...Adam was a son of God, for he was a direct creation from God. Another creation of God, the angel called Lucifer, didn't like that Adam was treated the way he was by God, and wanted to be worshiped himself. When he tricked Adam and Eve, they gave up their dominion of the earth to Satan. He is the prince of the power of the air and has been ruling the world ever since then. Not until Jesus comes back to claim His authority and right to the deed of the earth (paid for by His blood on the cross), will Satan not be in control.

Please remember to tell your kids that there is only one God, but He allows Satan to rule over the earth, so the people can choose good or evil.

(v.8) Our faith makes us righteous in the Father's eyes, for we have the blood of His Son to wash us clean.

(v.14) I have incredible peace knowing that God took care of my salvation...all I have to do is let Him direct my paths, and obey Him when He calls me to witness or love others. All the stress and garbage I allow in my life just clouds that out...I need to keep focused on the cross and the empty tomb...as Jesus said Himself, It is finished! John 19:30

(v.18) Jew and Gentile are alike to God...one body of believers in His Son!

(v.19) I am proud to be an American citizen, but I'm even more happy to be a citizen of heaven!

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!

12 Nov (Rom 8-10)

Romans 8

(v.1) This is one of the most reassuring verses in the Bible...if we are truly saved, then we will always be saved! This is true because we didn't save ourselves...Jesus saved us. So if Jesus saved us, then He can't lose us!

(v.2) That is why Jesus said He was making a new covenant with mankind...not of Law, but by faith. Luke 22:20

(v.3) Because we are sinful and can't keep the Law, God had to perform the act of propitiation, and take our place! Thank you Jesus!

(v.8) We can only please God if we are acting in His Spirit...if we are acting as the world does, then we are not pleasing God.

(v.14) In the Old Testament, the phrase, sons of God, is referring to angels. That is because they are direct creations of God. Adam was also a direct creation of God. From Eve, to their descendants, we have been reproductions of the creation (Adam).

So what is Paul saying here? He is saying, that by our rebirth in spirit, we are again direct creations of God! Not only that, but as sons (and daughters) of God, we are given His inheritance...heaven!

(v.15) So when we are born again, we are once again direct creations of God and sons and daughters of God. We can call Him Daddy, which is the equivalent to Abba! We are adopted back into His family!

(v.19) All of creation was in harmony before Adam and Eve sinned...it is waiting for everything to be restored in the Millennium.

(v.25) We know that heaven will be wonderful, but for now, we need to work and serve for God, and we will live for eternity with Him.

(v.26) Have you ever been so sad or distressed that words just wouldn't come out? The Holy Spirit knows what you're thinking and feeling, and He prays to the Father for us! That is really cool that God prays for us!

(v.28) This is a verse that all of us need to know when times become hard...He is always with us, and He will work on us so that we are stronger and better off from the trials.

(v.31) If God is for us, who can be against us? I love this verse, since it gives me complete comfort, knowing that God is on my side. Or rather, I'm on His side!

(v.34) Not only do we have the Holy Spirit making intercession for us, but we have the Son...talk about a sure way for the Father to hear our prayers!

(v.38) Nothing can come between us and Christ if we are saved. We can't be unsaved, and He will always be with us!

Romans 9

(v.8) The Promise is the one that God made to Abraham...who is the Father of the Faithful. Not only the Jews, but all who believe in Christ are the seed of Abraham.

(v.15) Notice that God says He will have mercy and compassion on whomever He wishes...those are good things! We should never be jealous of other people's blessings. We should praise God and work to serve God and see what He does with us!

(v.32) The Jews became fixated on the Law, and forgot the righteousness of Abraham by his faith. We have that knowledge, but it's easy to forget.

Romans 10

(v.2) Paul, like Moses before him, offers up his own salvation if God would save the nation of Israel from their religiosity. That is admirable, but everyone must stand before God individually. Our relationship with God is personal...no one can do anything for us, we need to seek God ourselves.

(v.9) Some people say that their faith is "personal" and not to be shared with others. This is against Scripture. If we realize what Christ did for us, then we should be so grateful, that we want others to be saved as well. That can't happen unless we witness and share with others the Gospel.

We can't be ashamed or scared of being a Christian...we will probably be made fun of and perhaps persecuted, but that's a small price to pay for eternity!

10 Nov (Rom 3-4)

Romans 3

(v.2) The Jews were blessed to have God start His relationship with mankind through them. Through them, He gave the world the Bible. But with that came responsibility, and as we read in the Bible, they squandered that. But before we get too judgmental, we do the same thing now.

(v.19) Just as in the parable of the Wedding Feast that Jesus tells the disciples in Matt 22:12 the ones who rejected the free gift of salvation in Jesus, will be speechless when confronted with their sin.

(v.20) Ask your kids why God gave the Jews in the OT the Law...this is important. Did God do that to condemn them to hell, since no one can keep the law? Psalm 14:3 No one can, so why did God give them the Law?

God gave them the Law to point them to Himself!!! If we realize that we can't run our lives on our own, and we are doomed to hell in our sins, then we need a Savior to help us! The Law was given to point us to God...Jesus!

(v.21) After Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He gave us His Spirit...we no longer need the Law to show us our sin and our need for a Savior...we have His Spirit to guide us and convict us of sin.

(v.23) Since God is perfect and holy, there has never been a human who has attained that holiness...it took God Himself...Jesus, to come and take our punishment for sin. That was the only way for our sins to be washed away...the Holy Lamb of God had to be our Passover Lamb in our place! John 1:29

(v.28) This is the difference of Christianity from any other religion...works doesn't earn salvation, but only the faith in the works of God does!

Romans 4

(v.3) God isn't sitting in heaven with a big calculator, counting out our good works and our bad works. The calculator that matters is our faith! Abraham is our example...he obeyed God because he had faith in God. This was counted or tabulated as salvation in the Father's eyes. The word used in Hebrew means imputed, credited or counted...it's an accounting term. Gen 15:6

(v.13) This is why Abraham is called the Father of the Faithful...and why God said that his descendants would be like the stars in number. God wasn't talking about only Jews from Abraham's family tree, rather, God was talking about all the faithful...Jews and Gentiles!

(v.24) We are heirs of the Father's blessings and love, like Christ, since we died to sin and are born again...just like Jesus did for us!

5 Nov (2 Cor 1-2)

2 Corinthians 1

(v.1) Again, saints are living believers...not dead ones that have been immortalized by any church! I say this, because we who are living in faith are His saints...that is because we are holy in the Father's eyes by the blood of His Son.

(v.4) God the Father is a comforter...God the Son is a comforter...and the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. This is why God allows evil and suffering in the world...to draw us to Him when we finally realize we need His love and comfort. God didn't create evil, but it happened because God allowed free choice. Once Satan, Adam and Eve, and we realized that we can make decisions for ourselves, we can choose against God, or with Him.

(v.7) Our trials are tests on our faith and character...the better we go through it and keep on moving ahead with God, we will see blessings on earth, and even more abundantly in heaven!

(v.22) Once saved, always saved. If we are truly born again, we will have the Holy Spirit working on our lives. Sin will seem less fun, and holiness will be more desirable. That is how we know the Spirit is working in us. For if we still enjoy our fleshly lusts more than the things of God, then we aren't truly born again. Now, to be clear, saved and born again people are still sinners. We will slip and fall from grace, but it's how we react that's illuminating. If we feel bad and hate the sin we experienced, then we are repenting and getting back in tune with God. We can't live a lifestyle of sin if we are born again.

2 Corinthians 2

(v.7) People hurt us, and yes, Christians do as well. Often, being hurt by other believers hurts more. When this happens, we need to lovingly and honestly approach that person, and share with them why we are hurt. We don't go to unbelievers to solve our problems...we go to the person who wronged us. Read Matt 1815-20

(v.14) If we are seeking His wisdom, He will give us some to see what we do with it. If we are faithful servants, then He will bless us with more.

(v.15) Since Christ is a part of God, then those that are washed with the blood of Christ are holy and fragrant to the Father. We are sweet to Him who redeemed us!

29 Oct (1 Cor 1-3)

1 Corinthians 1

(v.17) Baptism is great for a public display of our faith, but it doesn't save, and it doesn't help the lost. Paul stresses to them and to us, that the most important thing we can do, once we are saved, is to love and serve others in order that we show them the love of Christ...the Gospel.

(v.18) I love this verse! The university "intellectuals" believe they have life figured out. The work on the cross by Jesus seems foolish to them. That is because they don't want to believe in a God or that they are sinful...doomed to hell. For those of us who do believe, it makes perfect sense, and we are grateful to God for providing the way of salvation in His Son!

1 Corinthians 2

(v.7) If Satan and the leaders he controlled knew the plan of God...they would have killed David and all his descendants. Satan tried to thwart God's plan of redemption for mankind back to Him, but God always had at least one person or group of people to fulfill His plans.

(v.12) The worldly intellectuals don't understand the Word, and they don't see the beauty of it. For if they did, they would become saved. I pray that more do before it is too late.

1 Corinthians 3

(v.6) We learned from some pastor or Bible teacher, we witnessed and shared God's love, but the real glory and credit goes only to God! For in all of that, He was at work...not us.

(v.14) When we face Christ in heaven, He will review our life. Most of it will be burned in truth. But our acts of love will be given rewards...this is what motivates me and all Christians...to earn rewards in heaven, not on this earth.

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!!!