September 14th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 15:1-18:7 ~ Galatians 1:1-24 ~ Psalm 58:1-11 ~ Proverbs 23:12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - This week is Isaiah we will read many prophecies against cities and kingdoms. I realize these can be tough to read in some ways.  As you read these prophecies, consider why these prophecies were written. Why were these prophecies proclaimed by Isaiah?   Bible.org's excellent commentary on this section of the book of Isaiah titled "The Burdens Upon the Nations" is worth spending a few minutes reading at this link.

Today we read in Isaiah chapter 15 a message against Moab, or the Moabites!  Now, the big question for each of us is how many sermons in your life have you ever heard that touch on the Moabites??  I will admit that there is only one I can think of - and I actually just heard it on my iPod while jogging yesterday!  From a previous post, many of you know that I'm a fan of Josh Harris and listen to his sermons often.  Well, he has a recent sermon about the Moabites from Numbers 22 through 25, where the Moabites were first fearful of Israel (Num. 22) because of their size, and they realized they could not defeat them in open warfare.  So, they tried to get Balaam to curse the Israelites (Num 23 & 24), but Balaam wouldn't do it because God was giving him messages of blessings upon the Israelites!  So, finally the Moabites decide to simply seduce the Israelites (Num 25) into worshiping their gods and this strategy worked!  To the point where God ended up killing 24,000 Israelites with a plague (Num 25:9) because of their disobedience!  Josh Harris does a great job of integrating this story of the Israelites and the Moabites into our lives and how we can fall prey to temptation just like the Israelites if we're not careful. You can download an MP3 of this great sermon on temptation at this link.  And you can check out more of Josh Harris' sermons online at this link: http://www.covlife.org/sermons/  A very bright map that shows where Moab is located in comparison to Judah and Israel is below:

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Galatia!  Paul’s letter was sent from either point #1 to point #2 or from #3 to #4 in the image below:

~ Galatians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Unknown
Date: A.D. 48 or 49
Content: Paul had preached to the inhabitants of Galatia on his first missionary journey (Act 13:14-14:23). Shortly after his departure, a group of Jewish believers arrived to insist that the Gentile Christians submit to the laws of Moses in order to be saved. Paul writes to combat this error by showing that Abraham, who lived over four hundred years before the giving of the law, was saved by faith in the gospel – so how could it be argued that the law could either save a man or make a believer in Christ more perfect? Paul couples this with a vigorous defense of himself as an apostle and with a discussion of how a Christian ought to live.
Theme: Paul energetically defends the truth of the gospel, which is that man is saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ and nothing else. Any other teaching is a perversion of the truth of God (Galatians 1:7). We are made right in the sight of God by faith (Galatians 2:16) and become the people of God (sons of Abraham) in the same way, by faith (Galatians 3:7). Because we are free in Christ, we must never allow anyone to drag us back to the idea of working for our salvation, but must live out of the gospel. This involves submission to the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:16) and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Galatians 5:14). (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 25-26) More great commentary on Galatians is at this link

Wow. I have to share with you that Paul's words in Galatians chapter 1 verse 1 stopped me in my tracks today when reading them: "This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group or by human authority. My call is from Jesus Christ himself and from God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead."  The thing that struck me about this was Paul saying that he was not appointed by any group or by human authority to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.  His call was from Jesus Himself!  And this just made me think about our modern world today, where I am afraid that sometimes we will only maybe do bold things in our life for the Gospel - for the Kingdom of God - if we feel like we have been appointed by some group or by some human authority to do it.  When, in fact the important thing is if we have been called by Jesus to do it!  I hope humbly here I can share with you that there are probably a ton of reasons of why I "shouldn't" be leading an online Bible study like this one.  I don't have a Seminary degree.  I am not an ordained minister or pastor.  Yes, I have been in a Bible study before, and I do a lot of studying each day for this ministry.  But - no group or human authority has appointed me to do this.  I have just done it because I do feel very called to it!  And I share this with you not to pat myself on the back, but to encourage you.  Maybe you've never been to Seminary.  Maybe you're not an ordained minister or pastor.  Maybe you've never done _____,  ____, or ____.  (fill in your blanks)  But, maybe God is calling you to do something bold for his Kingdom, and the question becomes when will you do it?  When will you stop relying on an old excuse of not being appointed by a group or human authority to do it? If God is calling you to something, please, please, do it!  Our time is short.  Your time is now.  The water is fine.  Please, dive in!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Galatians Chapter 1 titled "Giving Up the Gospel" is at this link and "Was Paul a Man-Pleaser?" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 58 verse 11 stood out to me today - ""There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.""  I think this is wise for us to remember that God indeed judges.  We don't.  We shouldn't.  But God indeed judges justly.  This verse also brings up the question - are we living for God?  If so, what will our reward be?  Are you looking forward to the reward?

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 23:12 we read: “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”  Does this describe your heart and your ears?  Are you open to instruction?  Do you have a "teachable heart"?  Are you listening for words of knowledge?  What are some specific things in your life that demonstrate this?

Worship God:  Okay, with my comments above on Galatians 1:1 and the picture of the boy jumping into the pool, I want to share with you today Steven Curtis Chapman's amazing song "Dive."  What in your life is God calling you to dive into?  Dive in!

Have you dived into a relationship with God yet?  Click here and dive!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[R]

Isaiah 15:1-18:7

As I read chapters 15 & 16, I am intrigued by the judgment of Moab. Moab was Israel’s relative, conceived by an incestuous relationship between Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and Lot’s oldest daughter. Ruth, King David’s great-grandmother, was from Moab yet God does not look upon this nation or any nation by considering their blood relationship with Israel/Judah, he looks upon the nation’s relationship to Himself.

I think about how many of us think that we can skate into God’s kingdom based on who and what are in our genealogies. Our access to certain benefits upon the earth and in our countries and communities may be given or denied based on who are parents and forefathers were, but God is a forward looking God. Our past and current connections to great men and woman of God matter not unless we have a current relationship with Him. God has no grandchildren, only children.

[Anka]

"The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24And they praised God because of me.
What a great testimony and it must have been a huge encouragement for the persecuted church.I guess God knows we sometimes have doubts,it seems like we get the tougher end of the stick than even those who have no regard at all for God...yet like a father he still draws us near.
After I became a christian,I joined a church that seemed pretty big on spreading the word.As time went on I began to ask certain questions in my heart....we were always invited to sow big time into the work of God...yet no mention was made of the poor...if a member was in financial distress he was encouraged to sow a seed etc....we were really encouraged to sow into the lives of our ministers to get a prophets reward...a pastor in one of the satelite churches even decided to take on the name "pastor wealth".Well after a while I got a scholarship outside the country(which I really didn't want)and not long ago I also started really studying God's word with the OYB.Where I'm going with this is that sometimes,we get caught up in the wrong gospel...but when you really want to know the truth,God will make a way...the way may seem a bit tight(really uncomfortable)but well,that's why it's called the straight and narrow I guess.
God bless you all

[John]

Galatians 1

Two for two. I am keeping track of epistles and how many of the problems are "internal to the church" versus external persecution. How does this relate today to the problems of the church? Are most of our problems internal? do they revolve around unsound, watered down, or false gospels?????
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STERN, SOLEMN, and SEVERE

Galatians does not contain one word of commendation, praise, or thanksgiving. There is no request for prayer, and there is no mention of their standing in Christ. - Paraphrase from J. Vernon McGee

This "letter" is a declaration of emancipation from legalism of any type.

"Galatians is the strongest declaration of and defense of the doctrine of "justification by faith" in or out of Scripture." - ibid

"Grace is a way "to life" and a way "of life". - ibid.
======================================================
Paul's background

and 180 degree turn to Christ.

Like I told my friend Ed - who takes Paul with a "grain of salt". Either Paul is telling the Truth, and you better take him seriously, or Paul is lying or mistaken - and this whole Christian thing is for the "birds".

I think when you go from leading persecutor of Christians to leading evangelist for Christians - that should be enough to sit up and take heed of what the man writes in his "letters". Something happened!!!!
======================================================
Two points

1)patience
I always thought it would be neat to be like Paul. Get knocked off a horse, get up, commune with the Lord, and go out to your ministry.

I did not realize that given the time frames and dates implied in Paul's bio here that Paul spent close to FOURTEEN years in Arabia. Doing what? My guess, is he was learning the gospel and applying it to what he knew as Pharisee regarding the Old Testament. I would not be surprised if Paul's tutor here was Jesus Christ.

Makes the last two years I have been studying seem like a pittance. I am much more patient now regarding what God's plans for me are in this life. If Paul took fourteen years before heading out - who am I to demand less????

2) James - Jesus' brother

Gal1:19 "I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother." NIV

I have stayed away from this in the past, but this is the definative Greek statement in the Bible regarding James' relationship to Jesus.

I know this will be hard for some to accept, but you need to examine it, and decide for oneself. James is not a brother "in" Christ - James is the brother "of" Christ. The Greek texts are consistent and clear in the grammatical structure of this verse.

Jesus having an earthly half-brother - if true - should have a profound effect on the theology of some "believers". For others not so much.

Here is a link: analyzing Greek and going to extra-biblical sources starting in section 3.3. If you have a problem with this concept - PLEASE - just read through the article, think about it ,pray about it ,and decide for yourself.

http://www.christianorigins.com/doherty-muller.html

NOTE: One of the explanations given by some is that Joseph, being older, had children before marriage to Mary. But that can not be true. Jesus had blood rights to David's throne thru Mary, but His legal rights (the "male" line) to the throne of David came through Joseph as the Eldest Child (adoptive status is same as natural status in those times). To be the eldest child with the legal rights to David's throne - there could be no pre-existing living offspring of Joseph. Any other offspring of Joseph had to be after Jesus' birth. God pays pretty good attention to "detail", He does not violate standards He previously set up, sooooo......

[John]

Isaiah 15-18

Prophecies of Judgment:

MOAB (JORDAN), DAMASCUS (SYRIA), CUSH (ETHIOPIA OR ?)

Looking up history - all seemed to have been taken down and destroyed (to some degree) by Assyria. That will fulfill the prophecy in the near term - although not exactly, which lends itself to the idea of a long term fulfillment.
======================================================
MOAB (JORDAN)
Moab region of Jordan originally settled (supposedly) by Lot's eldest son (through incestuous relationship with daughter). Ruth was a Moabite. David sent his parents to Moab for safety during struggle with Saul.

Symbolically, commentators refer to this group of people as "people who profess to believe in God", but in reality "have no relationship with God".

Whether literal or symbolic, God will judge the people represented. It seems that there are people left in the end.

If literal, God is said to spare Jordan, because that is where the remnant will flee to (Petra, Jordan) during the Tribulation, and those Jordanians (that are left) will become "believers" with the remnant?????

If Moab symbolic of some group - there will be some portion of those people who are "false positive" in their faith that will convert during the end times.

Is16:5 is cited in Acts15:16 as an indication that this is a time when Jesus will return to "rule". Reaffirming that this is talking about the "end times" - millenium period???? First the Gentiles will be harvested for the "believers", and when that is done God will turn back to the remnant (Israel), and establish His throne (David's).
======================================================
DAMASCUS (SYRIA)
Is17:1
"An oracle concerning Damascus:
"See, Damascus will no longer be a city
but will become a heap of ruins." NIV

This is the verse people and prophecy sites kept citing during the recent conflict in the Middle East. The Syrians acknowledged that their military was on alert, and aircraft was manned 24/7 during that conflict. It does not take much of an imagination to paint a scenario where Damascus, as a city, would be at risk. "Heap of ruins" means there ain't no rebuilding.

Symbolically, this would be the people that reject and have always rejected the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For these people in end times there rejection will seal their "complete doom".

Isaiah here does not say how this will happen, just that it does. Seems the destruction of the state and it's citizens is complete. The judgment of God on a people who have historically been at war with Israel since the time of Book of Kings, and have continually rejected the God of Israel.

NOTE: Pre-trib rapture works in nice here in that if there are "believers" in Syria - they will not be around for this destruction.

Bottom-line: This is another place where you do not have to understand or interpret Prophecy to come to grips with Jesus' return. Can you see elements in Isaiah that have come true or seem very likely to come true soon. If you can picture an escalating scenario where Damascus is at risk.....then...

....are you praying for salvation of loved ones and friends? Are you living with a sense of urgency in Christ? Do you share the gospel when presented the opportunity?
======================================================
CUSH (ETHIOPIA OR ?)

Ethiopia, Group of African nations, Nations of the world, the United States????? A lot of speculation here, but in the end there is nothing new in the chapter.

There will be judgment and then gifts (worship) to the ruler of the world (Jesus). The judgement will take out the non-believers, and the people who came to Christ during the Tribulation will be the one's worshipping along with saints in "glorified bodies" in the millenium??????. (Still thinking this one out :)

What did Solomon say, "Nothing new under the sun"? the idea of the world being judged is not new. Even if this is the United States ( a stretch at best) Billy Graham said,

"If God doesn't judge America He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah."

(attributed to Graham)

[R]

Mike,

A comment regarding your comment about Psalm 58. Well, really not my comment but one from a commentary written by Albert Barnes and referrer to Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1

>> Psalm 58 verse 11 stood out to me today - ""There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."" I think this is wise for us to remember that God indeed judges. We don't. We shouldn't. But God indeed judges justly.>>

Mat 7:1 -
Judge not ... - This command refers to rash, censorious, and unjust judgment. See Rom_2:1. Luke Luk_6:37 explains it in the sense of “condemning.” Christ does not condemn judging as a magistrate, for that, when according to justice, is lawful and necessary. Nor does he condemn our “forming an opinion” of the conduct of others, for it is impossible “not” to form an opinion of conduct that we know to be evil. But what he refers to is a habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every palliating circumstance, and a habit of “expressing” such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily when formed. It rather refers to private judgment than “judicial,” and perhaps primarily to the customs of the scribes and Pharisees.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Albert Barnes (1798-1870)

I thought about writing this from my own thoughts but Albert Barnes said it best.

Isaiah 15:1-18:7
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
(Exodus 33:19 KJV)

For the past two days the above verse has been in my head as I read through the day’s readings. God chose Israel out of all the nations. In fact Israel was not Israel until after Abraham and Isaac. It was Jacob, the son and grandson of Abe and Isaac, who God chose to change his name from Jacob, supplanter, to Israel, “he will rule as God.”

Mercy is freely given, but Mercy must be paired with Truth. (Psalm 85:10) Reading the Prophets, as well as Israel’s history we can be tempted to think of God as being mean and vengeful in the Old Testament and loving and merciful in the New; but the scripture says that God doesn’t change, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Mal. 3:6; Heb 13:8). Mercy is unmerited favor, it isn’t’ earned and we cannot buy it. Mercy is freely given. So if Mercy is freely given and is unearned, then no one deserves mercy and it can’t be demanded because then it is not given freely. It is a mystery to us, but not to God, why God chooses to show His grace, favor and mercy on some and not to others

I know that I have experienced and been the recipient of God’s Mercy and I thank God that He chose me, little sinful me, and called me by name.

Galatians 1:1-24

I have an e-mail signature that says, “Change is not change until it’s changed.” Paul also is a man of change and uses changed lives, specifically his changed life, to validate that he is indeed an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although trained under the great Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) to be an outstanding Pharisee, Paul does not use his “seminary” training to validate who he is and the authority he has to preach the gospel, but he uses his changed life and the changed lives of those he has ministered to.

Do others see a change in my life? Have I allowed the mercy that God showed toward me effect such a change in my life that others see Jesus in me. Am I a living epistle revealing the mercy and truth of Jesus Christ? Can I sing truthfully, “Jesus on the inside working on the outside, O, what a change in my life!”

Psalm 58:1-11

Justice--do you rulers know the meaning of the word?
Do you judge the people fairly?

This Psalm begins with an introduction, “For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune Do Not Destroy!” Hmmm, if this song was song in the temple, which it probably was, then those who sang it or heard it sung would include the rulers over Israel—priests, scribes, the Levites, and in Jesus’ day, Pharisees and Sadducees.

My pastor and many others will say at least once in his message, “Turn to your neighbor and say …” He does this, he says, because we become committed to and accountable for the words we speak out of our mouths. Using that same concept or truth the leaders and rulers over Israel were passing judgment on themselves every time they sang this song if they were not ruling the people with justice. Jesus said,

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
(Matthew 12:37 NET.)

Proverbs 23:12

It takes hard work to gain knowledge. In truth we really don’t want to work for it we would rather someone just open our brains and poor the information in. But in God’s economy of scale we must work to get the key to knowledge. Ask, seek and knock.

[Vance]

Martin Luther is a giant of faith. He and his faith are still alive in the Presence of Jesus. Note some of his commentary on Galatians:

GALATIANS 1

VERSE 1.
O foolish Galatians.

Paul reproves the Galatians rather sharply when he calls them "fools, bewitched, and disobedient."
Grace does not suddenly transform a Christian into a new and perfect creature. Dregs of the old and natural corruption remain. The Spirit of God cannot at once overcome human deficiency. Sanctification takes time.

VERSE 1.
Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?

Since the devil has this uncanny ability to make us believe a lie until we would swear a thousand times it were the truth, we must not be proud, but walk in fear and humility, and call upon the Lord Jesus to save us from temptation.

Although I am a doctor of divinity, and have preached Christ and fought His battles for a long time, I know from personal experience how difficult it is to hold fast to the truth. I cannot always shake off Satan. I cannot always apprehend Christ as the Scriptures portray Him. Sometimes the devil distorts Christ to my vision. But thanks be to God, who keeps us in His Word, in faith, and in prayer.

VERSE 2.
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

We must learn that forgiveness of sins, Christ, and the Holy Ghost, are freely granted unto us at the preaching of faith, in spite of our sinfulness. We are not to waste time thinking how unworthy we are of the blessings of God. We are to know that it pleased God freely to give us His unspeakable gifts. If He offers His gifts free of charge, why not take them? Why worry about our lack of worthiness? Why not accept gifts with joy and thanksgiving?

GALATIANS 5

VERSE 6.
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

The question occurs to us, What difference is there between faith and hope? We find it difficult to see any difference. Faith and hope are so closely linked that they cannot be separated. Still there is a difference between them.
First, hope and faith differ in regard to their sources. Faith originates in the understanding, while hope rises in the will.

Secondly, they differ in regard to their functions. Faith says what is to be done. Faith teaches, describes, directs. Hope exhorts the mind to be strong and courageous.

Thirdly, they differ in regard to their objectives. Faith concentrates on the truth. Hope looks to the goodness of God.

Fourthly, they differ in sequence. Faith is the beginning of life before tribulation. (Hebrews 11.) Hope comes later and is born of tribulation. (Romans 5.)

Fifthly, they differ in regard to their effects. Faith is a judge. It judges errors. Hope is a soldier. It fights against tribulations, the Cross, despondency, despair, and waits for better things to come in the midst of evil.

VERSE 6.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love.

To think, "If faith justifies without works, let us work nothing," is to despise the grace of God. Idle faith is not justifying faith. In this terse manner Paul presents the whole life of a Christian. Inwardly it consists in faith towards God, outwardly in love towards our fellow-men.

VERSE 7.
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

The words, "Ye did run well," are encouraging indeed. Often our lives seem to creep rather than to run. But if we abide in the true doctrine and walk in the spirit, we have nothing to worry about. God judges our lives differently. What may seem to us a life slow in Christian development may seem to God a life of rapid progression in grace.

Vance

[Vance]

Proverbs 23 (NKJV)
12
Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.

NOTE:
This, to me, seems to summarize the entire reading of the judgments of the nations and of today’s reading.

How we “apply” the heart is key. Our time and what we do with our time is the most precious and important decision we can ever make.

I like this from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:

“Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good.”

Hebrews 12 (NKJV)
9
Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits [Heavenly Father] and live?
10
For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He [our Heavenly Father with perfect wisdom disciplines us] for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

Galatians 1 (NKJV)
3
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4
who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

NOTE:
Jesus came that we have eternal life. And eternal life begins NOW. “Greater is He Who is in us than he that is of and in the world” (I John 4)

We are called to live being “deliver[ed] from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” through the working of the Lord Jesus by the sealing of the Spirit.

Galatians 1 (NKJV)
12
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

NOTE:
When the Lord Jesus is revealed to us, He will come to always CONFIRM THAT GOD’S WORD IS TRUE!

2 Corinthians 1 (NKJV)
19
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.
20
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

We need always to obtain, and then maintain a personal relationship with the Living Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit, rooted and grounded in the Word of God and prayer.

Vance

[L]

I think God calls us to be faithful to each other in being part of the 'correction process'. Proverbs 9:8,9 says, Reprove a scoffer and he will hate you, reprove a wise person and they will love you. Give instruction to a wise person,and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous person, and they increase their learning." The other thought is Proverbs 27:5-6, Better is open rebuke than ove that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
I guess the key to approaching someone to 'check them' is that you have a heart for them and really love them. I wouldn't just go around 'correcting people' unless I have some kind of relationship with them. I think it's also wise to learn to 'ask questions' in a low key way rather than to make 'pronouncements' about one's behaviour. I hope those couple of thoughts are useful to you John.

regarding today's reading, I love that Paul says "God was pleased to reveal His Son in me". Isn't that what our faith is about--having a continual fresh revelation of the Son of God....In gal 2:20 he will say it again, "i have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live but Christ lives in me." It seems today we are caught up in popular, evangelical religious activity but there seems to be so little of people living in intimacy with Jesus as Paul was promoting. People are propped up by the religious programs that are 'offered' a la carte but who is pursuing Jesus with intensity and passion??

[Bethany]

This reading today in gal. ch. 1 was really speaking to me.
also with what you wrote about no-one appointing you to do this web-site missionary outreach ...well, God used what you wrote today to really speak into my heart about what my mission will be!! thank you, and God Bless your efforts. You really are reaching people, whether you know it or not!
your friend,
bethany

[Susanne]

Haha!!!
Yup.... "Dive" was my same immediate thought!!!!!

.... sink or swim- just dive in! The outcome is of the Lord. He will bless obedience and choice to follow the Spirit's lead. Mike- you are a testimony- worldwide!!! Thank you.

I've "senced" your CALL and i pray right now... in the Name of Jesus... a hedge of protection against anything that makes you "feel unqualified". Lord, please bless Mike with courage to be simple, yet bold in sharing Your love with others and creativity to do it in all his "weakness". Thank You Lord that You choose weak & show forth Yourself for me to "see". I am encouraged and more! AMEN

In His Love, with a grateful heart, ~susanne

p.s. today our 2 sisters, Jen & Mae will meet personally! i share this for prayer request to any who are led. Jen has had somewhat of a challenge and asked for prayer regarding her father & cancer. i'm also sharing cuz i'm so excited for them both... excited to see God at "work" and how He ordains divine appointments!

[JD]

Thank you for the UTube music. Today I want to dive into the bible and life with my Lord.

[John]

Isaiah Commentaries

I have noticed bible.org's commentaries on Isaiah are not exhaustive. Some of you may have hard back commentaries that have more complete thoughts on this book of the Bible.

For those that don't or are new to Bible research:

Here is a link that has audio commentaries on the whole book by Chuck Missler.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/missler_chuck/Isa/isa_template.html

I like chuck because he does a very good job of linking OT to NT, and always has supporting verses for his comments. When he is "way out there" in an observation, Chuck always says so, and encourages you to do your own research and make up your own minds based on your understanding of Scripture.

You may also "google" in advanced search any chapter of Isaiah and subsearch "sermons" - when the list comes up you may want to noodle through it and look for pastors you respect and at their sermons.

[John]

Galatians 1: (some thoughts from 2007)

verse 1: Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead...

verse 12...I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

I have stated before that a thread I see throughout the whole Bible is the complete reliance on, trust in, and dependance on God. Hopefully you have seen many examples of this in the OT. You do and good thing happen; you don't and bad things occur.

It also carries over into Salvation - ergo: there is nothing we can do to acheive our salvation - it is completely in God's hands to provide the way, the truth, and the life (eternal). We must rely on, trust in and depend on God for our salvation.

Finally it carries over into our Christian walk (sanctification). It is the Father through the Holy Spirit that provides the educating, shaping, and molding of our lives into an image of Christ. It will not be completed until we are with the Father, but the process starts NOW - the moment you become a "believer". We cannot do it as Paul states in Romans, we must depend on God. Yes, we can pray for and access the Holy Spirit from the Father, but the action of changing of our lives comes from God.

Jesus fully "knows" the Father, and we need to aspire to know the Father as Jesus does - through His Word, prayer, worship,etc. By staying in relationship (fellowship) with God as the Father the process of sanctification described above will advance more quickly. If we get out of "fellowship" with God bumps and potholes pop up on this road we are travelling. God will always bring us along, but I believe it is an easier process when we strive to know the Father (as our Father), and stay in fellwoship with Him. Just as a small child depends on his earthly father to bring him along in life.

Paul clearly states in these two verses that his apostalic mission, and the gospel he preached had nothing to do with man. It was of God and our Lord - Jesus Christ. He did not depend on "man", but rather he relied on the revelation from Jesus Christ for his message of the "good news" (gospel).
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verse 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I am continually astonished at some televangelists and the message they preach. Some readily admit that they prefer to share certain parts of the gospel and not others. The parts they share are "easier" on the ears, and help people cope with life here on earth.

Are you kidding me????? The gospel (good news) is about how God provides the way for us to share "eternal life" with Him in heaven. that eternal life begins now and has very little to do with creature comforts here and now on earth. It is a hard message, but one based on God's Glory and his love for us. Many people do not want to hear this message, but our job is to share our testimony and the "full" gospel. Not some watered down version that tickles man's ear. Pastors (teachers) of the Word have an even greater responsibility.

When you run across preachers that water down the gospel - run don't walk to the nearest exit (or channel changer).

Paul clearly states in these verses under "no other Gospel" that not only are these false preachers wrong - they are to be condemened.
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verse 23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."

For those Christians,and there is one particular Christian sect, that "cherry-pick" Paul's writings and take the rest with a "grain of salt" - I challenge you.

What made Paul switch teams?

What made a man who was a leading Pharisee - instructed at the foot of prominent Pharisee Gamaliel, who in the early stages of Christianity had the power to wipe out the Christian (or at least severely cripple Christianity), and who was so zealous in his extermiantion of Christians all of a sudden change?

(Note: Zeal does not make one right - it just makes one focused on the task at hand be it evil or good.)

Paul went from the "terminator" of Christians to the leading church planter and evangelical voice of the Gentile churches?

Either it is as Paul said - by and through God and Jesus Christ, or Paul was lying. If you do not believe Paul, what credible explanation do you have for his amazing 180 degree change regarding Christianity? If Paul is telling the truth should we not heed his messages?????