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Saturday, August 30, 2014

Forgiveness at Work Matthew 18: 22, 25, 27


click to Read the passage: Matthew 18  (a new browser window will open)


Forgiveness at Work:


V 22 1) not limiting the frequency of granting - as often as necessary.
Jesus saith unto him, Is ay not unto the, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.)

V 23 2) not extending responsibility beyond mercy.
(would take account ••• )

V 24 3) not qualifying mercy (placing a value on).
(owed him ten thousand talents)

v 25 4) not placing a greater value on one's rights than on life (lives).
 ( ••• he had nothing to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, ••• )

v 25 5) not building expectations beyond another's capacity of performance.
 ( … and all that he had)

v 25 6) not a work of punishment but of grace.
 wife, children, and all that he had,

v 27 7) not satisfied without recognition of one's own plight apart from God's grace.
( ... and forgave him ... ) 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

What God Asks 2 Kings 5: 10-14


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)

Note:  the simplicity of God’s expectation--faith and obedience.

v.10 1. God doesn’t ask for something we cannot do.
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven
                times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.)

v.10 2. What God asks may not be predictable.
God is God, He may not do His work the same way as  before.)

v.10 3. What God asks may seem unreasonable.
(in the Jordan)

v.11 4. What God asks may not fit our expectations.
(But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold I thought, He will
                 surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God,
                 and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.)

v.12 5. What God asks may appear illogical.
(Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of 
                Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a 
                rage.)

v.11, 6. God will ask us to give up our pride, to yield ourselves to Him to trust Him
                alone.
   13 (But Naaman was wroth, …)(…How much rather then, when he saith to thee,
                wash, and be clean)

v.14 7. We can do what God asks.
(Then went he down, …)









Saturday, August 23, 2014

The Security of Prayer Jonah 2: 1-10


click to Read the passage: jonah 2  (a new browser window will open)



v.1            1.            Anywhere in need is the right place.
                        (Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly.)
                        God does answer.  
                        God works in us to aid our prayer.
                        If it is beyond us, we have an advocate.   1 John 2: 1
                        1 Peter 3: 12- The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and His ears are 
                        open unto their prayers.
                        groanings Romans 8: 26, 27
                        Jesus does it for us all.  Ps. 141: 1, 2   Rev. 5: 8, 8: 3 Romans 8:  27  
                        Hebrews 7:  25

v.2            2.            The greatness of the need is communicable.
                        (And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction, )

v.2            3.            Prayer gets through to God.
                        (unto the Lord, and He heard me; out of)

v.2            4.            We never get out of range for God.
                        (out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.)

v.7            5.            Our weakness is noted in prayer.
                        (When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer 
                        came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.)

v.9            6.            Our prayer is vain unless God saves.
                        (…Salvation is of the Lord.)

v.10            7.            Our prayers are secured by God’s faithfulness.
                        (And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry
                        land.)

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

When Deliverance Came 2 Kings 5: 10-14


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)


As seen in Naaman’s life:

v.13 1. When he became realistic regarding his condition.
(And his servants came near and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the
                prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how
                much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?)

v.14 2. When he abandoned himself to God.
                (Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the
                saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little
                child, and he was  clean.)

v.14 3. When he accepted God’s conditions.
v.14 4 When he took God at His word.
He responded to the grace and mercy extended him.

v.14 5. When obedience was complete.
(seven times in the Jordan,)

v.3, 6. When God extended a divine opportunity.
10 (…Go and wash…)

v.14 7. When God did what only God can do.)
                (and his flesh came again unto him like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was
                clean.)








Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Attitude We Need Philippians 2: 13-17


click to Read the passage: Philippians 2  (a new browser window will open)



                                The Attitude We Need:



v.13            1.            Harmony with God’s will.
                        (For it is God who worketh in you …)

v.14            2.            A heart free of dispute.
                        (Do all things without murmuring and disputings)

v.14            3.            Meeting of obstacles with faith, not blame.
                        (Do all things without murmurings and disputings)

v.15            4.            No reproach brought to Christ.
                        (That ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God, without rebuke, in the
                        midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among …)

v.15            5.            Allow the light of Christ to shine through you.
                        (among who ye shine as lights in the world,)

v.16            6.            Remain true to the word of God.
                        (Holding forth the word of life, …)

v.17            7.            Keep a servant’s heart.
                        (Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and 
                        rejoice with you all.)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Instruction Which God Gives 2 Kings 5: 10


click to Read the passage: 2 Kings 5  (a new browser window will open)


1. Sent by God at a time of need.
(And Elisha sent a messenger unto )
Sent according to His word, may be sent by a messenger.
God is certain to give instruction to those in need. His word is profitable for that.
                God will send it, thus, a believer in need should be prepared to receive God’s 
                instruction.

2. It is personal.
(unto him, saying)
                God has a message personalized. It is not for another person or just any person,
                but for the one having need for the message.
                So often believers explain the message of God away by considering it as having
                application to another and not to him-her.
Depersonalizing a message circumvents the issue affording obedience.
God’s personal message hits home and requires a response.
Often, believers are uncomfortable in being that accountable.

3. Requires a response.
(Go)
When God speaks to man he requires a response.
God does permit disobedience.
Man does not always give the correct response, but does respond.
Even if man needs time to think it over, he is responding.
                God, in sending His word, sends it with purpose; therefore man must respond.
                Is. 55: 11

4. Is clear and understandable.
(Go and wash)
There is no confusion in God’s instruction; it is not God’s nature.
God presents Himself very clearly. His instruction is understandable.

                Any misunderstanding comes only when man’s flesh intervenes, is not
                submissive to God’s instruction.  (reasoning, questioning, uncertain, impatient,
                delay, etc.)

5. Is precise and specific.
(Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and)
God gives very detailed instructions expecting specific obedience.
                We do not obey God generally but specifically. God doesn’t give general 
                instructions.
                Men need to be very alert to the preciseness of God’s instruction before acting,
                to be sure they understand God’s requirement for obedience.

6. Is simple.
(Go and wash …)
God has no reason to make things complicated.
                If God’s instruction seems complicated, it is because our heart is not yet
                prepared to understand and obey the mysteries of God.
God reveals Himself to those desiring to obey.
This revelation is simple enough for anyone and everyone to be able to obey.
God excludes no one who desires to obey His word. 
                God is not a respecter of persons.

7. Is unique.
Only God could give the instruction of His word. It is His to give.
Only the Holy Spirit could communicate truth to man’s heart.
Man’s ways are not God’s ways, thus God’s ways are unique.
                Man cannot originate God’s instruction, man may be an instrument but the
                origination of truth is unique.
God’s solutions are unique.

8. Is extraordinary, that is out of the ordinary.
God’s instruction is not like what man normally hears.
                His instruction is always divine, beyond the ordinary, requiring faith to 
                comprehend.
                Often a good test of whether or not instruction is from God--Is it beyond the 
                ordinary; beyond the reach and ability of man?
                Naaman could not heal himself but could obey the extraordinary instruction of
                God, uniquely God honoring. 
There would be no misunderstanding as to whose power was manifested.

9. Is obeyable.
God’s instruction can be obeyed. That is God’s desire; that we obey.
God does not give instruction that cannot be obeyed.
God is a God of truth- never changing truth.
                Man has no excuse for disobedience. God has done all He can for us to please
                Him.
God gives instruction and encouragement, but man must obey.

10. Is redemptive or restorative.
(and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.)
God’s instruction redeems the sinner, restores the child of God
  -instruction to be saved- from sin.
  -instruction to be healed- from sickness
  -instruction to be delivered-from captivity
  -instruction to be free- from bondage, temptation
                God’s instruction always brings men to God from man’s own environment. (his
                own ideas, ways, thoughts, etc.)
                God’s instruction literally redeems man from what he would receive apart from 
                God.





Some applications to obeying God’s instruction.
Corresponding to the preceding points by number.


1. Keep track of your needs and what you are trusting God for.
Be careful about who or what you exclude.
Expect God to speak within your pressure bounds, in the midst of your pressure to hear.
Be in God’s word; it is your guide and compass for hearing and doing.
Stay attentive before the Lord; don’t be misdirected nor distracted.

2. When God is speaking to you, expect to give a response. When God is speaking, a response from you is likely.
Their will be a witness to your spirit from the Holy Spirit that God is the one communicating.
It will be so personal that it won’t fit anyone else nor their circumstances.

3. Understand God’s ways.  God is not giving you multiple choices. 
God is not experimenting with you. God is not trying out something new.
God is not just giving you information.
God is not building up your stored information; He is the storage of truth; God is granting to you the specific portion you are presently in need of- your daily bread portion.
The word of God brings accountability to its message.  To lay down God’s instruction and do nothing with it is a measured response, albeit an incorrect one.
Be prepared to respond. Plan to respond obediently, for God’s sake and glory.
Anticipate being challenged in doing.
4. God is not attempting to confuse you, nor likely to overwhelm your understanding.
If you are confused- stop. Get before the Lord until that is cleared up. Don’t move on in doubt or confusion.
God’s instruction is very clear and understandable.
Keep your fleshly responses out of the way. That is don’t question God, doesn’t allow doubt nor fear to intervene. Don't add some uncertain or complicated portions to God’s simplicity.
Watch human reasoning.
Watch for doubt and or fear.
Don’t delay as delay allow for fleshly intrusion.

5. Avoid seeking more information from God when God has spoken.
Caution, this is an area where doubt may lead to unbelief.
Begin asking God for grace in hearing and His power in doing, that is in obeying.
Ask for God’s accompaniment as you go forward to complete the task assigned.
It may help to write down what God is saying; record you own thoughts of hearing and what your spirit is picking up from God’s spirit.
If there are no specific instructions from God, then there is not a response specifically to give.
Look, listen for God’s specific instructions.
Hear all of what God is stating.
Again, God doesn’t give some generalized instruction when you need something to carry out and obey.
6. God says His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Complexity is deep water to obedience.
Communicate your desire to God to obey Him. 
Ask God for a plain path as David did.
God wants your obedient response. He will help your obedience.


7. Remember you are spiritual. Things spiritual must be handled and obeyed spiritually.
God is not speaking to your flesh. Your flesh is not the way to determine what God is saying.
The ways of God are going to be different than the ways of man.
God’s answer will likely be one you never considered.
God’s answer will challenge your faith and only be obeyed in faith; that is the spirit side of your life.
God will have a unique answer to your unique need.

8. Often a good test of whether or not instruction is from God--Is it beyond the ordinary; beyond the reach and ability of man?
God does the impossible. God does what He does so that it is clear that only He can do what He does.
God uses means whereby man is refuted and God is seen.
God is not interested in protecting the pride of the flesh. 
Pride always interferes with the will of God in an individual’s life.
Don’t be afraid of the out of the ordinary pursuits with God.

9. God does not give instruction that cannot be obeyed.
Understand God gives instruction to be obeyed. 
God is desiring to help you grow, to help you in your trials and challenges.
God wants you to learn to lean upon His understanding, not your own.
Ask for God’s help in obeying. Communicate your desire to obey.
Understand obedience is the only correct response to God. 
Obedience is a present action,not a deferred one.
Don’t make excuses for yourself or someone else. Be accountable to God.
You can obey. God has done all He can to help you obey and even as you take that step of faith, God is there to help you proceed onward.
God gives enough instruction; obedience then is the believer’s part that cannot be set aside nor transferred.

10. God may be granting instruction to keep us out of trouble.
God may be granting instruction to restore us from trouble.
The child of God is to have a free pathway for He has been forever set free by the truth of scripture and the blood atonement of Christ.
The natural side of man continues to enslave the child of God even, to his own thoughts, the thoughts and rule of others, confused ideas and concepts, troubles of varying origin, and on and on.
God’s work through His word is freeing and restorative to the child of God.

It is God’s answer the child of God needs. 
It is God’s solution the child of God heralds.
Obedience is the door of liberty.
God wants the follower of God to have what the follower of God asks for in faith.
God works in the heart of that follower to bring His will to pass in that follower’s life.
It was not difficult for God to heal Naaman, who was not a follower of God, but a Syrian.
How much more is God’s desire in the life of a believer to reward that believer with the pure
goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.