3/2/12

What do you wish for???


What would make us ask a question like the rabbit's?  If you could have anything you wanted; what would it be?  And, oh yes; how MUCH would you want?  Therein is the rub!!!  You know, be careful what you ask for... you just might get it!!!  Which makes me think of Jesus and what was done to him.  Remember, when he was before Pilate and the Roman Governor asked the Jews who they wanted to release, Jesus or Barabbas and the chose the latter.  Then, later, we see Peter delivering his famous sermon in Acts chapter 2 and those same Jews come to grips with their choice...

WEB: Acts Chapter 2

[14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. [15] For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day. [16] But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

[17] ‘It will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.


Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions.
Your old men will dream dreams.


[18] Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.


[19] I will show wonders in the sky above,
and signs on the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.


[20] The sun will be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood,
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
[21] It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’


[22] “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know, [23] him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; [24] whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. [25] For David says concerning him,

‘I saw the Lord always before my face,
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.


[26] Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced.
Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;


[27] because you will not leave my soul in Hades,
neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.


[28] You made known to me the ways of life.
You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’


[29] “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, [31] he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. [32] This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. [33] Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear. [34] For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand,
[35] until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’


[36] “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
[37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

[38] Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” [40] With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

[41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. [43] Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] All who believed were together, and had all things in common. [45] They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.

 When faced with life or death, material "things" are of no importance.  The Jews realized what they had done and listened to Peter.  The church grew a lot that day!!!  As for things... well, they sold them and made distribution.  I wonder what the rabbit would do if he were Jewish?  I don't think he would care a whit about carrots anymore!!!!

Mar. 2 Exodus 12


Mar. 2
Exodus 12

Exo 12:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exo 12:2 "This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exo 12:3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household;
Exo 12:4 and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house shall take one according to the number of the souls; according to what everyone can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at evening.
Exo 12:7 They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it.
Exo 12:8 They shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs.
Exo 12:9 Don't eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and its inner parts.
Exo 12:10 You shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the morning you shall burn with fire.
Exo 12:11 This is how you shall eat it: with your waist girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh's Passover.
Exo 12:12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Yahweh.
Exo 12:13 The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:14 This day shall be to you for a memorial, and you shall keep it a feast to Yahweh: throughout your generations you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.
Exo 12:15 " 'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exo 12:16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you.
Exo 12:17 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this same day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance forever.
Exo 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty first day of the month at evening.
Exo 12:19 Seven days shall there be no yeast found in your houses, for whoever eats that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a foreigner, or one who is born in the land.
Exo 12:20 You shall eat nothing leavened. In all your habitations you shall eat unleavened bread.' "
Exo 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, "Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover.
Exo 12:22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.
Exo 12:23 For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.
Exo 12:24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.
Exo 12:25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Yahweh will give you, according as he has promised, that you shall keep this service.
Exo 12:26 It will happen, when your children ask you, 'What do you mean by this service?'
Exo 12:27 that you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of Yahweh's Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.' " The people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Exo 12:28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Exo 12:29 It happened at midnight, that Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of livestock.
Exo 12:30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Exo 12:31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said!
Exo 12:32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!"
Exo 12:33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, "We are all dead men."
Exo 12:34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
Exo 12:35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing.
Exo 12:36 Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the Egyptians.
Exo 12:37 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, besides children.
Exo 12:38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock.
Exo 12:39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt; for it wasn't leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn't wait, neither had they prepared for themselves any food.
Exo 12:40 Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years.
Exo 12:41 It happened at the end of four hundred thirty years, even the same day it happened, that all the armies of Yahweh went out from the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:42 It is a night to be much observed to Yahweh for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Yahweh, to be much observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations.
Exo 12:43 Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover. There shall no foreigner eat of it,
Exo 12:44 but every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it.
Exo 12:45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it.
Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; you shall not carry forth anything of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall you break a bone of it.
Exo 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exo 12:48 When a stranger shall live as a foreigner with you, and will keep the Passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one who is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you."
Exo 12:50 All the children of Israel did so. As Yahweh commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Exo 12:51 It happened the same day, that Yahweh brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

"THE BOOK OF PSALMS" Psalm 19 - God's Two Books by Mark Copeland

  "THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

                      Psalm 19 - God's Two Books

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To note two ways God has made Himself known to mankind

2) To be impressed with the value of God's revealed Will, i.e., the
   Word of God

3) To be reminded of the need for sanctification, and not just
   forgiveness

SUMMARY

This well-known psalm of David might be appropriately titled "God's Two
Books", for in it we are told how God has expressed Himself in two
different ways.

Through the book of creation, the glory and handiwork of God are made
known as one observes the heavens and firmament.  Day and night
"speaks" to the whole world if people will just listen (cf. Ro 1:20).
As an illustration of the pervasive nature of this revelation, the sun
passes through the heavens from one end to the other, like a joyful
bridegroom or a strong runner.  There is no place hidden from its heat
(1-6).

While one might learn of God's power and the fact of His deity through
nature, we learn of His Will for man only through His book of
revelation, i.e., the Word of God.  Using different synonyms for God's
Word (law, testimony, statutes, etc.), David extols its virtue and
impact upon the soul and well-being of man.  He praises it value as
worth more than much gold, and sweeter than honey (7-11).

The psalm ends with a prayer that is a proper response of one who has
been influenced by both "books". Acknowledging the challenge of knowing
one's own secret sins (cf. Ps 40:12; Lev 5:15-17), and the danger of
sinning presumptuously (cf. Num 15:30-31; Deut 17:12-13), David prays
for cleansing and help that he might be blameless and innocent.  But he
desires more than just forgiveness, David prays that his future words
and thoughts will always be acceptable in the sight of the Lord, the
source of his strength and redemption (12-14).

OUTLINE

I. THE GLORY OF GOD IN CREATION (19:1-6)

   A. DECLARED BY THE SKIES (1-4a)
      1. The heavens declare God's glory
      2. The firmaments shows His handwork
      3. The days and nights speak of His knowledge
         a. Such speech is universal
         b. Its distribution is worldwide

   B. DEMONSTRATED BY THE SUN (4b-6)
      1. The skies are like a tabernacle for the sun
      2. The sun passes through the skies
         a. Like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber
         b. Like a strong man rejoices in anticipation of his race
      3. The effect of the sun is universal
         a. From one end of heaven to the other
         b. Nothing is hidden from its heat

II. THE GIFT OF GOD IN REVELATION (19:7-11)

   A. THE VIRTUE OF GOD'S WORD (7-9)
      1. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul
      2. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
      3. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
      4. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
      5. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever
      6. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous forever

   B. THE VALUE OF GOD'S WORD (10-11)
      1. More desirable than much fine gold
      2. Sweeter than honey and the honeycomb
      3. By them God's servant is warned
      4. Keeping them has great reward

III. THE GRACE OF GOD IN SANCTIFICATION (19:12-14)

   A. A PRAYER FOR PURIFICATION (12)
      1. The difficulty of understanding (knowing) one's errors
      2. Plea for cleansing from secret faults (sins of which one is
         not aware)

   B. A PRAYER FOR PREVENTION (13)
      1. Plea to be kept from the domination of presumptuous sins (sins
         of which one is aware)
      2. Then one shall be blameless and innocent of great
         transgression

   C. A PRAYER FOR PERFECTION (14)
      1. That the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be
         acceptable in His sight
      2. Addressed to the Lord, the source of his strength and his
         redemption

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - The glory of God in creation (1-6)
   - The gift of God in revelation (7-11)
   - The grace of God in sanctification (12-14)

2) Who is the author of this psalm?
   - David

3) What is the character or style of this psalm?
   - Praise and prayer

4) What declares God's glory, and shows His handiwork? (1)
   - The heavens and the firmament (skies)

5) What speaks knowledge about God's glory? (2)
   - The passing of day and night

6) Where is this knowledge of God's glory heard? (3-4)
   - Through all the earth; there is no place it cannot be known

7) What provides an illustration of the pervasive reach of God's glory?
   (4b-6)
   - The circuit of the sun from one end of heaven to the other

8) What six synonyms are used for the Word of God? (7-9)
   - The law of the Lord
   - The testimony of the Lord
   - The statutes of the Lord
   - The commandment of the Lord
   - The fear of the Lord
   - The judgments of the Lord

9) What six attributes and benefits describe the Word of God? (7-9)
   - Perfect, converting the soul
   - Sure, making wise the simple
   - Right, rejoicing the heart
   - Pure, enlightening the eyes
   - Clean, enduring forever
   - True and righteous altogether

10) How does David compare the value of God's Word? (10)
   - More desirable than much fine gold
   - Sweeter than the honey and honeycomb

11) What two things are true of the words of God? (11)
   - By them the servant of God is warned
   - Keeping them offers great reward

12) What concern does David have regarding "secret faults"? (12)
   - Who can understand (know) them?
   - To be cleansed from them

13) For what does he pray concerning "presumptuous sins"? (13)
   - To be kept back from them
   - To not be dominated by them

14) What is David's prayer as he closes the psalm? (14)
   - That the words of his mouth and the mediation of his heart be
     acceptable in God's sight

15) How does David view God? (14)
   - As his strength and his redeemer