6/22/12

Gone with the wind


I feel certain in saying that the hat wrecked someones picture of the pyramids!!!  Face it; things happen, and sometimes quite suddenly.  When you lest expect it....wham!!!  I couldn't help but think of Egypt and how Pharaoh opposed God and look what happened to him!!!  Fast forward to the new testament and we find this passage in the book of Thessalonians....

2 Thessalonians, Chapter 2
1 Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you 2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.  3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,  4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.  5 Don’t you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?  6 Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.  7 For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.  8 Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;  9 even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  11 Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;  12 that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  13 But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;  14 to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, whomever you think the "man of sin" is one thing is certain: God has power over him and will destroy him as easily as breathing on him.  Man may do great things; brag about his accomplishments and seem to be in control, but frankly it just isn't so.  In God's time, in God's way, all who oppose HIM will be like that hat in the wind.  Nothing can stand before him; absolutely nothing!  Some things we just need to accept by faith... this is one of them!!!

June 22 2 Samuel 7-9


June 22
2 Samuel 7-9
2Sa 7:1 It happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2Sa 7:2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains.
2Sa 7:3 Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you.
2Sa 7:4 It happened the same night, that the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying,
2Sa 7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh, Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in?
2Sa 7:6 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.
2Sa 7:7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar?
2Sa 7:8 Now therefore thus you shall tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel;
2Sa 7:9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
2Sa 7:10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,
2Sa 7:11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house.
2Sa 7:12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
2Sa 7:13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2Sa 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
2Sa 7:15 but my loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
2Sa 7:16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before you: your throne shall be established forever.
2Sa 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.
2Sa 7:18 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?
2Sa 7:19 This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but you have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come; and this too after the manner of men, Lord Yahweh!
2Sa 7:20 What can David say more to you? for you know your servant, Lord Yahweh.
2Sa 7:21 For your word's sake, and according to your own heart, have you worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
2Sa 7:22 Therefore you are great, Yahweh God: for there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
2Sa 7:23 What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make him a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeem to you out of Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
2Sa 7:24 You established for yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, Yahweh, became their God.
2Sa 7:25 Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have spoken.
2Sa 7:26 Let your name be magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of Armies is God over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you.
2Sa 7:27 For you, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, I will build you a house: therefore has your servant found in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
2Sa 7:28 Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant:
2Sa 7:29 now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it: and with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed forever.
2Sa 8:1 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.
2Sa 8:2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
2Sa 8:3 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
2Sa 8:4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.
2Sa 8:5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2Sa 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
2Sa 8:7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
2Sa 8:8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
2Sa 8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer,
2Sa 8:10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
2Sa 8:11 These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued;
2Sa 8:12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
2Sa 8:13 David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.
2Sa 8:14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
2Sa 8:15 David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people.
2Sa 8:16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
2Sa 8:17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe;
2Sa 8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.
2Sa 9:1 David said, Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2Sa 9:2 There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, Are you Ziba? He said, Your servant is he.
2Sa 9:3 The king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet.
2Sa 9:4 The king said to him, Where is he? Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.
2Sa 9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
2Sa 9:6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. David said, Mephibosheth. He answered, Behold, your servant!
2Sa 9:7 David said to him, "Don't be afraid of him; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually."
2Sa 9:8 He did obeisance, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?"
2Sa 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master's son.
2Sa 9:10 You shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants; and you shall bring in the fruits, that your master's son may have bread to eat: but Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread always at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
2Sa 9:11 Then said Ziba to the king, According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
2Sa 9:12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.
2Sa 9:13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king's table. He was lame in both his feet.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS" Chapter Seven by Mark Copeland




                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                             Chapter Seven

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand the Jewish Christian's relationship to the Law of
   Moses

2) To comprehend the dilemma one faces without Jesus Christ

SUMMARY

Paul has just completed discussing how being baptized into Christ makes 
us dead to sin and free to present our bodies as instruments of 
righteousness unto holiness.  For the benefit of his Jewish readers 
(those who know the Law), he now carries the concept of death and 
freedom one step further: the Jewish believers become dead to the Law 
that they might be joined to Christ.  He illustrates his point by 
referring to the marital relationship.  The result of being freed from 
the Law is that they might "serve in the newness of the Spirit and not 
in the oldness of the letter." (1-6)

Lest his Jewish readers think he is implying that the Law was sinful, 
Paul is quick to dispel that notion.  The Law, he says, is "holy and 
just and good."  The problem is that the Law only makes known that 
which is sinful, but sin took opportunity by the commandment to produce 
evil desire and deceived him, resulting in death (7-12).

To further illustrate his point, Paul pictures himself as man under the 
Law who finds himself in a terrible dilemma.  With his mind he knows 
that which good and wants to do it.  He also knows that which is evil 
and wants to avoid that.  But he finds a "law" (or principle) in his 
flesh which wins over the desire of the mind (13-23).  As a prisoner he 
cries out for freedom.  Is there no hope?  Yes!  God provides the 
solution through His Son Jesus Christ, upon which Paul will elaborate 
in chapter eight (24-25).

OUTLINE

I. JEWISH BELIEVERS AND THE LAW (1-6)

   A. A PARALLEL TO BEING RELEASED FROM MARRIAGE (1-3)
      1. Law has dominion over those who live under it (1)
      2. As illustrated by a woman who is married to a man (2-3)

   B. THEY HAVE DIED TO THE LAW (4-6)
      1. So they can be married to Christ (4)
      2. So they can serve in newness of the Spirit, far superior to
         serving in the oldness of the letter (5-6)

II. LIMITATIONS OF THE LAW (7-25)

   A. THE LAW IS HOLY AND JUST AND GOOD (7-12)
      1. The Law is not sin, but rather makes known sin (7)
      2. But sin takes occasion by the commandment to lead one to death
         (8-12)

   B. THE LAW CANNOT SAVE ONE FROM SIN (13-25)
      1. The problem is not law, but sin (13)
      2. The Law is spiritual, but man is carnal and sold under sin
         (14)
      3. Though one may desire good and hate evil, one is still
         enslaved by sin (15-23)
      4. Deliverance comes only from God, through Jesus Christ (24-25)

WORDS TO PONDER

in the flesh - "to be in the flesh is to be under the flesh; and to be
               under it is to be controlled by its propensities, evil
               inclinations, and desires" (Moses Lard)

The Law - the Law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments (cf. v.7)

law of my mind - that inner desire, which in the context of this
                 chapter, is the desire of one to do that which is
                 good and right

law of sin in my members - "The law which I see 'in my members' is the
                           constant tendency which I notice in them to
                           sin, whenever excited by sinful objects"
                           (Moses Lard)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
   - Jewish Believers And The Law (1-6)
   - Limitations Of The Law (7-25)

2) Who is Paul speaking to in this chapter? (1)
   - Those who know the law (Jewish Christians)

3) What example is given to show their relationship to the Law? (2-3)
   - How a woman whose husband dies is free to be married to another
     without being guilty of adultery

4) What is their relationship to the Law when joined to the body of
   Christ? (4-6)
   - Dead to the law, delivered from the law

5) How do we know the Law referred to is the Ten Commandments? (7)
   - To illustrate his point, Paul mentions "You shall not covet", one
     of the Ten Commandments

6) Was the Law responsible for death?  If not, what was? (13)
   - No!  It was "sin" that produced death

7) What dilemma does one face in trying to keep the Law? (15-21)
   - The DESIRE to do good and avoid evil may be there, but the ABILITY
     is found lacking

8) What is the end result of this dilemma? (23)
   - CAPTIVITY to the law (or principle) of sin in one's members

9) Where can one find freedom from this dilemma? (24-25)
   - From God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!