9/14/12

The "Great" debate



First, let me say that the title of this picture is a misnomer.  Does it really matter which way you place the toilet paper on the roller?  As a guy, I don't think its important, but my wife does and that is what really matters.  So, to please her, I always choose "B".  More importantly than this choice is making sure there is paper in the bathroom!!!  When you really need it and its not there, THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!!!  As a result of thinking about this, I naturally consider about priorities and this passage comes to mind...

Romans, Chapter 14
1 Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions.  2 One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.  3 Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.  4 Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.

  5 One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.  6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks.  7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.  8 For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  9 For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

This passage from Romans does not teach that its OK to do anything you want doctrinally.  To believe that is the same as the "do your own thing" from the 60's era.  What it does teach is understanding and consideration for one's brother and coupled with love and a correct doctrinal stance, will yield correct actions in all circumstances.  Love, understanding and doctrine apply to everything, whether it be food or even something as mundane as the direction of the flow of toilet paper. Think it doesn't matter... ask your wife!!!!

ps. Personally, if I lived alone I would choose "A" because its easier to grab the paper.  But, really, who cares?

Sept. 14 Psalms 68-70


Sept. 14
Psalms 68-70

Psa 68:1 Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.
Psa 68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Psa 68:3 But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
Psa 68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!
Psa 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Psa 68:6 God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
Psa 68:7 God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... Selah.
Psa 68:8 The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai-- at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Psa 68:9 You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary.
Psa 68:10 Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.
Psa 68:11 The Lord announced the word. The ones who proclaim it are a great company.
Psa 68:12 "Kings of armies flee! They flee!" She who waits at home divides the spoil,
Psa 68:13 while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.
Psa 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.
Psa 68:15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged.
Psa 68:16 Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, Yahweh will dwell there forever.
Psa 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary.
Psa 68:18 You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among men, yes, among the rebellious also, that Yah God might dwell there.
Psa 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.
Psa 68:20 God is to us a God of deliverance. To Yahweh, the Lord, belongs escape from death.
Psa 68:21 But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.
Psa 68:22 The Lord said, "I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea;
Psa 68:23 That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies."
Psa 68:24 They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
Psa 68:25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines,
Psa 68:26 "Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!"
Psa 68:27 There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
Psa 68:28 Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us.
Psa 68:29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you.
Psa 68:30 Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war.
Psa 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.
Psa 68:32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord! Selah.
Psa 68:33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.
Psa 68:34 Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies.
Psa 68:35 You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!
Psa 69:1 Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck!
Psa 69:2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
Psa 69:3 I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Psa 69:4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn't take away.
Psa 69:5 God, you know my foolishness. My sins aren't hidden from you.
Psa 69:6 Don't let those who wait for you be shamed through me, Lord Yahweh of Armies. Don't let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel.
Psa 69:7 Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face.
Psa 69:8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's children.
Psa 69:9 For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
Psa 69:10 When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach.
Psa 69:11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.
Psa 69:12 Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards.
Psa 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation.
Psa 69:14 Deliver me out of the mire, and don't let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.
Psa 69:15 Don't let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don't let the pit shut its mouth on me.
Psa 69:16 Answer me, Yahweh, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.
Psa 69:17 Don't hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me speedily!
Psa 69:18 Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies.
Psa 69:19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor. My adversaries are all before you.
Psa 69:20 Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none.
Psa 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.
Psa 69:22 Let their table before them become a snare. May it become a retribution and a trap.
Psa 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can't see. Let their backs be continually bent.
Psa 69:24 Pour out your indignation on them. Let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
Psa 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents.
Psa 69:26 For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.
Psa 69:27 Charge them with crime upon crime. Don't let them come into your righteousness.
Psa 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous.
Psa 69:29 But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me.
Psa 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psa 69:31 It will please Yahweh better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs.
Psa 69:32 The humble have seen it, and are glad. You who seek after God, let your heart live.
Psa 69:33 For Yahweh hears the needy, and doesn't despise his captive people.
Psa 69:34 Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas, and everything that moves therein!
Psa 69:35 For God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah. They shall settle there, and own it.
Psa 69:36 The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein.
Psa 70:1 Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh.
Psa 70:2 Let them be disappointed and confounded who seek my soul. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
Psa 70:3 Let them be turned because of their shame Who say, "Aha! Aha!"
Psa 70:4 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, "Let God be exalted!"
Psa 70:5 But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don't delay.

Sept. 14 1 Corinthians 10


Sept. 14
1 Corinthians 10

1Co 10:1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2 and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 and all ate the same spiritual food;
1Co 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5 However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1Co 10:7 Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."
1Co 10:8 Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
1Co 10:9 Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.
1Co 10:10 Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.
1Co 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall.
1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1Co 10:15 I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.
1Co 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a sharing of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.
1Co 10:18 Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don't those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?
1Co 10:19 What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
1Co 10:20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that you would have fellowship with demons.
1Co 10:21 You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
1Co 10:22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good.
1Co 10:25 Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,
1Co 10:26 for "the earth is the Lord's, and its fullness."
1Co 10:27 But if one of those who don't believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.
1Co 10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."
1Co 10:29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?
1Co 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32 Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
1Co 10:33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland

                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To appreciate the need for endurance and faithfulness to the will of
   Christ

2) To note the warnings against profane and vain babblings, foolish and
   ignorant disputes

3) To consider how the servant of the Lord can be a vessel for honor, 
   useful for the Master and prepared for every good work

SUMMARY

Paul continues with exhortations to Timothy in this chapter, with an
emphasis on endurance and diligence.  Encouraging him to be strong in
the grace that is in Christ Jesus, Paul then charges Timothy to commit
what he has learned to faithful men who can pass it along (1-2).

Using the illustrations of a soldier, athlete, and farmer, Paul exhorts
Timothy to endure hardship, to be faithful, and to work hard.  Writing
of his own endurance in hardship, Paul stresses the need to be true to
the Lord (3-13).

The last half of the chapter is devoted to telling Timothy how to be
"useful to the Master", a worker who does not need to be ashamed.  With
warnings to shun profane and vain babblings, and avoiding foolish and 
ignorant disputes, Paul reminds Timothy of things he should flee 
(youthful lusts) and what he should pursue (righteousness, faith, love,
peace).  Properly handling the word of truth, and correcting others 
with gentleness and humility, Timothy can truly be a servant of the 
Lord who is prepared for every good work, especially when dealing with
those who have been ensnared by the devil (14-26).

OUTLINE

I. EXHORTATION TO TRANSMIT THE TRUTH TO OTHERS (1-2)

   A. A PLEA TO BE STRONG (1)
      1. Directed to Timothy as his son (1a)
      2. To be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (1b)

   B. COMMIT WHAT HE HAS HEARD TO FAITHFUL MEN (2)
      1. Those things he heard from Paul among many witnesses (2a)
      2. Commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others (2b)

II. EXHORTATION TO ENDURE HARDSHIP (3-13)

   A. AS A SOLDIER, ATHLETE, AND FARMER (3-7)
      1. Endure hardship as good soldier of Jesus Christ (3)
         a. Not entangled with the affairs of this life (4a)
         b. That he might please the One who enlisted him (4b)
      2. As an athlete, follow the rules of competition in order to win
         (5)
      3. It is the hard-working farmer who will be the first to partake
         of his crops (6)
      4. May the Lord give him understanding as he considers what Paul
         is saying (7)

   B. THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL HIMSELF (8-13)
      1. Remember that Jesus was raised from the dead, according to the
         gospel (8)
         a. For which Paul suffered trouble as an evildoer, even to the
            point of chains (9a)
         b. Yet the word of God was not chained (9b)
      2. Paul endured all things for the sake of the elect (10a)
         a. That they might obtain the salvation in Christ Jesus with
            eternal glory (10b)
         b. A faithful saying to encourage us to endure hardship 
            (11-13)
            1) If we died with Christ, we shall live with Him
            2) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him
            3) If we deny Him, He will also deny us
            4) If we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot
               deny Himself

III. EXHORTATION TO DILIGENCE AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD (14-26)

   A. INSTRUCTIONS RELATED TO HIS WORK (14-19)
      1. Remind others, charging them not to strive about words (14)
         a. Words that do not profit
         b. Words that only produce ruin of the hearers
      2. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God (15)
         a. As a worker who does not need to be ashamed
         b. As a worker who rightly divides the word of truth
      3. Shun profane and vain babblings (16-18)
         a. For they only increase to more ungodliness (16)
         b. For their message will spread like cancer (17a)
            1) Hymenaeus and Philetus are example (17b)
            2) Who have overthrown the faith of some by saying the
               resurrection is already past (18)
      4. God's solid foundation stands, having this seal:
         a. The Lord knows those who are His (19a)
         b. Let those who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity
            (19b)

   B. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BEING USEFUL TO THE MASTER (20-26)
      1. A great house has all kinds of vessels, some for honor and 
         some for dishonor (20)
      2. If anyone cleanses himself from things of dishonor, he will be
         a vessel of honor (21)
         a. Sanctified and useful for the Master
         b. Prepared for every good work
      3. Instructions that will make one a servant useful to the
         Master:
         a. Flee youthful lusts (22a)
         b. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who 
            call on the Lord out of a pure heart (22b)
         c. Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes that generate strife
            (23)
         d. Do not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, 
            patient (24)
         e. In humility correct those in opposition (25-26)
            1) Perhaps God will grant them repentance, so that they may
               know the truth (25)
            2) Perhaps they may come to their senses and escape the 
               snare of the devil who has taken them captive to do his
               will (26)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Exhortation to transmit the truth to others (1-2)
   - Exhortation to endure hardship (3-13)
   - Exhortation to diligence as a servant of the Lord (14-26)

2) In what did Paul want Timothy to be strong? (1)
   - The grace that is in Christ Jesus

3) What did Paul want Timothy to do with the things Paul had taught 
   him? (2)
   - Commit them to faithful men who would teach others

4) What three illustrations does Paul use to encourage Timothy to 
   endure hardship and to work hard? (3-6)
   - Those of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer

5) What did Paul want Timothy to remember? (8)
   - That Jesus Christ was raised from the dead

6) What did Paul suffer in behalf of the gospel?  Did it hinder the
   gospel? (9)
   - Trouble as an evil doer, even to the point of chains
   - No

7) Why was Paul willing to endure all things? (10)
   - For the sake of the elect, that they also might obtain salvation
     with eternal glory

8) What encouragement is given by "a faithful saying"? (11,12a)
   - If we died with Christ, we shall also live with Him
   - If we endure, we shall also reign with Him

9) What warning is given by "a faithful saying"? (12b)
   - If we deny Him, He also will deny us

10) What was Timothy to charge others? (14)
   - Not to strive about words to no profit

11) What was Timothy to be diligent in doing? (15)
   - Presenting himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to
     be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

12) What was he to shun?  Why? (16)
   - Profane and vain babblings; because they lead to more ungodliness

13) What two individuals had been guilty of spreading such things? (17)
   - Hymenaeus and Philetus

14) What had they taught?  What was the effect of their teaching? (18)
   - That the resurrection was already past
   - It overthrew the faith of some

15) What is the "seal" of God's solid foundation? (19)
   - "The Lord knows those who are His"
   - "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity"

16) What will a "vessel of honor" be? (21)
   - Sanctified and useful for the Master
   - Prepared for every good work

17) What was Timothy to flee?  What was he to pursue? (22)
   - Flee youthful lusts
   - Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace

18) What was he to avoid?  Why? (23)
   - Foolish and ignorant disputes
   - They generate strife

19) List what must be true of a servant of the Lord (24-25a)
   - Must not quarrel
   - Be gentle to all
   - Able to teach
   - Patient
   - In humility correcting those who are in opposition

20) Why must a servant of the Lord be this way to those in opposition?
    (25b-26)
   - Perhaps God will grant them repentance, so that they may know the
     truth
   - Perhaps they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the
     devil, for they have been taken captive by him to do his will