Our Daily Bread study will take us through Hebrews 12, Exodus 16-17 and Proverbs 7:6-27. We will be looking a little deeper into what it means when God disciplines us...
Hebrews 12
Exodus 16-17
Proverbs 7:6-27
Hebrews Commentary:
Heb 12:4-7
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.'
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons."
Heb 12:11
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Discipline is never fun. Regardless of our knowledge that righteousness and peace will result from it, we would still like to avoid it. Especially when you are getting a heavenly slap on the hand by God. But take heart! God disciplines us because He knows what we could be...what we should be...and He is helping us get there. Like any loving father, God loves His children and does not want to harm us. Instead, God will discipline us to correct whatever sinful pattern or behavior we are choosing to partake in. Jeremiah 29:11 says:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Most of us remember being disciplined by our parents when we were children. And most of us can agree, we respect our parents more because of it. Good parents will provide instruction for developing children into well-mannered, well-behaved individuals. When ill-mannered or defiant behavior is demonstrated, it is swiftly disciplined. It is a process that, in the end, not only yields productive citizens in society, but people (and children) that are a pleasure to be around.
The bottom line is our sinful behavior is a path to self-destruction. It will eventually catch up to us; we will eventually be punished. As Pastor Bil (from Bay Area Fellowship in Corpus Christi) says, "Someone is going to lay the smack down on your children...Why don't you do your children a favor and let it be you." That quote is loosely paraphrased by memory... however, I could not agree more. If discipline is not provided in the home... the bad behavior will rear its ugly head in school...and eventually on the job and out in society. The discipline will then come from their teacher, their principal, their boss and eventually the judge. And it all could have been prevented by nipping it in the bud at home.
Similarly, our Heavenly Father will see a sinful behavior leading us down a destructive path and will discipline us. In turn, it is our job to recognize and appreciate the discipline and correct our behavior accordingly. Lets remember what a privilege it is to be called "sons" by the Creator of the Universe. What a privilege it is that He cares enough about us to discipline us and develop us into people of character. As unpleasant as it may be... it is all for our spiritual good. :)
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Showing posts with label Our Daily Bread. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Our Daily Bread. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Our Daily Bread 4/23
Our daily bread will take us through Hebrews, Exodus and Proverbs today... and each are linked to the specific passage at BibleGateway.com. Here you can change the translation if you prefer, say, the New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version, etc. Or you can follow along in your bible.
Hebrews 11:1-40
Exodus 15
Proverbs 6:1-7:5
Hebrews Commentary:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Heb 11:6)
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Stew on that for a moment. Without faith it is impossible to please God. What a powerful statement. Faith is obviously and blatantly critical to pleasing God and, therefore, it is something that we should take very seriously. In Hebrews 11:1 we see that "Faith is being sure of what we hope for (faith in future things) and certain of what we do not see (faith toward invisible things)". Now that we have an idea of what faith means, we can re-read Hebrews 11:6 with a clearer idea of what is pleasing/displeasing to God.
Lets give it a try:
And without [being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see] it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
God is faithful and wants us to believe wholeheartedly in the promises He makes to us. He wants us to believe that He is in complete control, that He is sovereign, He will provide for us, and that He cares about what happens to us. Faith is more than just believing, however, it is backed with action and obedience to God. Hebrews 11 lists biblical figures who lived lives of faith... Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Could you imagine the amount of mocking Noah must have endured as he faithfully built a gigantic ship for a "supposed" flood? But Noah believed in what was not seen and God spared him, not only because he had faith, but his faith resulted in action.
I find so much truth in a commentary on faith from the NIV Quest Bible:
"Ultimately, the way we see God will determine the shape of our faith. If we see a big, faithful, all-powerful God, then our faith will rise to those levels. If, on the other hand, we see a smaller God, a distant or less active God, then our faith will plateau at those levels."
Proverbs Commentary:
"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19
Anything that the Lord hates or finds detestable I want to take note of and steer completely clear of. It is easy to point out and despise these seven things in others, however, we must take inventory and hate these qualities in ourselves and through prayer and self-discipline, eliminate them.
Haughty eyes... arrogant, lofty and snooty. Instead, we should strive to be humble. Matthew 23:12 says, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Lying tongue... deceitful, deceptive or misleading words, being two-faced. Proverbs 26:28 says, "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin." Instead, we should focus on being truthful and honest with those around us. " The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful." Proverbs 12:22
Hands that shed innocent blood... murder, battery, brawling. There is no excuse or condoning the shedding of innocent blood. "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14
A heart that devises wicked schemes... planning, plotting or contemplating things that are shameful, unethical or scandalous. Proverbs 10:20 "...the heart of the wicked is of little value." Instead, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things." Philippians 4:8.
Feet that are quick to rush into evil... taking part, without consideration, in things that are corrupt, destructive, harmful, hateful, malicious and wrathful. Instead, we should be quick to exercise self-control and self-discipline. "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11
A false witness who pours out lies... A person who intentionally and voluntarily lies about another person, including slandering another person's character through rumors and false testimony. "A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will not go free." Proverbs 19:5 Instead, be truthful and consider the repercussions your honesty (or dishonesty) will have on another person...and your own reputation. "A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies." Proverbs 12:17
A man who stirs up dissension among brothers... A person who provokes and encourages gossiping, arguments, bickering, strife, friction or trouble among family and friends. Instead, seek to peaceful, to encourage harmony among family and friends and to promote agreement. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
In conclusion, let our hearts burn to please our Lord, by earnestly seeking to know Him more deeply.... that we may understand the Lord in a way that we readily admit how much we still have to learn... to realize how big and all-mighty the Lord really is... and, accordingly, have faith that can move a mountain. Let our faith be a way of heart and mind, but also of action. Let us strive to be a person of character, seeking to be humble, self-disciplined, truth-seeking and peace-making. Let our lives be a shining lamp on a hill for all the world to see... so through us, the world can know Jesus and God be glorified...for He is worthy. :)
Read All About It!
Hebrews 11:1-40
Exodus 15
Proverbs 6:1-7:5
Hebrews Commentary:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Heb 11:6)
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Stew on that for a moment. Without faith it is impossible to please God. What a powerful statement. Faith is obviously and blatantly critical to pleasing God and, therefore, it is something that we should take very seriously. In Hebrews 11:1 we see that "Faith is being sure of what we hope for (faith in future things) and certain of what we do not see (faith toward invisible things)". Now that we have an idea of what faith means, we can re-read Hebrews 11:6 with a clearer idea of what is pleasing/displeasing to God.
Lets give it a try:
And without [being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see] it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
God is faithful and wants us to believe wholeheartedly in the promises He makes to us. He wants us to believe that He is in complete control, that He is sovereign, He will provide for us, and that He cares about what happens to us. Faith is more than just believing, however, it is backed with action and obedience to God. Hebrews 11 lists biblical figures who lived lives of faith... Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Could you imagine the amount of mocking Noah must have endured as he faithfully built a gigantic ship for a "supposed" flood? But Noah believed in what was not seen and God spared him, not only because he had faith, but his faith resulted in action.
I find so much truth in a commentary on faith from the NIV Quest Bible:
"Ultimately, the way we see God will determine the shape of our faith. If we see a big, faithful, all-powerful God, then our faith will rise to those levels. If, on the other hand, we see a smaller God, a distant or less active God, then our faith will plateau at those levels."
Proverbs Commentary:
"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19
Anything that the Lord hates or finds detestable I want to take note of and steer completely clear of. It is easy to point out and despise these seven things in others, however, we must take inventory and hate these qualities in ourselves and through prayer and self-discipline, eliminate them.
Haughty eyes... arrogant, lofty and snooty. Instead, we should strive to be humble. Matthew 23:12 says, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Lying tongue... deceitful, deceptive or misleading words, being two-faced. Proverbs 26:28 says, "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin." Instead, we should focus on being truthful and honest with those around us. " The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful." Proverbs 12:22
Hands that shed innocent blood... murder, battery, brawling. There is no excuse or condoning the shedding of innocent blood. "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14
A heart that devises wicked schemes... planning, plotting or contemplating things that are shameful, unethical or scandalous. Proverbs 10:20 "...the heart of the wicked is of little value." Instead, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things." Philippians 4:8.
Feet that are quick to rush into evil... taking part, without consideration, in things that are corrupt, destructive, harmful, hateful, malicious and wrathful. Instead, we should be quick to exercise self-control and self-discipline. "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11
A false witness who pours out lies... A person who intentionally and voluntarily lies about another person, including slandering another person's character through rumors and false testimony. "A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will not go free." Proverbs 19:5 Instead, be truthful and consider the repercussions your honesty (or dishonesty) will have on another person...and your own reputation. "A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies." Proverbs 12:17
A man who stirs up dissension among brothers... A person who provokes and encourages gossiping, arguments, bickering, strife, friction or trouble among family and friends. Instead, seek to peaceful, to encourage harmony among family and friends and to promote agreement. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
In conclusion, let our hearts burn to please our Lord, by earnestly seeking to know Him more deeply.... that we may understand the Lord in a way that we readily admit how much we still have to learn... to realize how big and all-mighty the Lord really is... and, accordingly, have faith that can move a mountain. Let our faith be a way of heart and mind, but also of action. Let us strive to be a person of character, seeking to be humble, self-disciplined, truth-seeking and peace-making. Let our lives be a shining lamp on a hill for all the world to see... so through us, the world can know Jesus and God be glorified...for He is worthy. :)
Read All About It!
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