Good Old Testament stuff. My notes say this is almost identical to Psalm 14 and I just looked back and it is! (Imitation is the highest form of flattery)
1. Fools say there is no God and they are corrupt.
2 - 3. God looks down to see wise people who seek him, but there is no one (probably as true today as it was then, unfortunately)
4 - 5 The evildoers "devour my people as they devour bread." (scary). They'll get it in the end. "For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them." (scarier)
6. Finally, Jacob will rejoice when Zion is restored.
The biggest thing I take from this is that God is looking down and not seeing people follow him. I should try to change that.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Psalm 52
1 - 4 The psalmist asks why his opponent loves evil more than good and lying more than the truth.
5 - 7 He promises that God will break him down (he who trusts riches more than God)
8 - 9 The psalmist compares himself to an olive tree, trusting in the love of God. He thanks God forever and proclaims God's good name.
5 - 7 He promises that God will break him down (he who trusts riches more than God)
8 - 9 The psalmist compares himself to an olive tree, trusting in the love of God. He thanks God forever and proclaims God's good name.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Psalm 51
A great to Psalm to start with! I know it as THIS SONG.
1 - 2 The psalmist starts by asking for mercy.
3 - 5 When we sin, we go against God's wishes. "Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight" (4). We were also born sinful - "A sinner when my mother conceived me" (5)
6 - 9 The psalmsist describes a ritual with the hyssop (my notes) that represents a Jewish cleansing ceremony. He asks God to "Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities."
10 - 12. Here's the part I'm familiar with from the song. The psalmist asks God to create a clean heart within him, and not cast him away.
13 - 14 The psalmist offers to teach transgressors God's ways and help sinners to return to him.
15 - 17 We must be penitent (and mean it) "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise"
It's psalms like this one that makes me wish I really had time to study the Bible. I'm really glad we're going through the Bible, but this is one I'd like to know through and through (a keeper).
1 - 2 The psalmist starts by asking for mercy.
3 - 5 When we sin, we go against God's wishes. "Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight" (4). We were also born sinful - "A sinner when my mother conceived me" (5)
6 - 9 The psalmsist describes a ritual with the hyssop (my notes) that represents a Jewish cleansing ceremony. He asks God to "Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities."
10 - 12. Here's the part I'm familiar with from the song. The psalmist asks God to create a clean heart within him, and not cast him away.
13 - 14 The psalmist offers to teach transgressors God's ways and help sinners to return to him.
15 - 17 We must be penitent (and mean it) "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise"
It's psalms like this one that makes me wish I really had time to study the Bible. I'm really glad we're going through the Bible, but this is one I'd like to know through and through (a keeper).
Monday, November 27, 2006
1 Corinthians 16
1 - 4 The Collection for the Saints
Paul wraps up the letter. My notes say Paul was collecting "a fund for the Jerusalem church to which Paul committed himself and his congregations.
5 - 12 Plans for Travel
Paul intends to go to Macedonia. He says Timothy might stop by.
13 - 24 Final Messages and Greetings
"Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (13 - 14)
Tomorrow: Deuteronomy
Paul wraps up the letter. My notes say Paul was collecting "a fund for the Jerusalem church to which Paul committed himself and his congregations.
5 - 12 Plans for Travel
Paul intends to go to Macedonia. He says Timothy might stop by.
13 - 24 Final Messages and Greetings
"Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (13 - 14)
Tomorrow: Deuteronomy
Sunday, November 26, 2006
1 Corinthians 15
1 - 11 The Resurrection of Christ
3 - 8. "For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received; that Christ died for our sins in acordance with the scriptures, and that he was burried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James and then to me.
12 - 34 The Resurrection of the Dead
21. "For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being. He goes on to say, "Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (34)
35 - 58 The Resurrection of the Body
". . . Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable . . . but we will all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." (50 - 52)
He concludes (to memorize): "Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
3 - 8. "For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received; that Christ died for our sins in acordance with the scriptures, and that he was burried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James and then to me.
12 - 34 The Resurrection of the Dead
21. "For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being. He goes on to say, "Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (34)
35 - 58 The Resurrection of the Body
". . . Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable . . . but we will all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." (50 - 52)
He concludes (to memorize): "Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Thursday, November 09, 2006
1 Corinthians 14
1 - 25 Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues
Here Paul recommends speaking in tongues (if this is something one can do). Also, if one speaks in tongues, one must pray to interpret what is said. If you speak in tongues, be sure that your mind is behind it (in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 19). He also says tongues are for unbelievers more than believers.
26 - 40 Orderly Worship
Paul recommends orderly worship, including, a hymn, a lesson, a revalation, a tongue, or an interpretation. More than this specific order, I believe Paul is recommending that there be a plan - otherwise, you're going to have a throng of noise. He summarizes by saying, "So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but all things should be done decently and in order."
I must admit that I have trouble with this chapter since I don't come from a church that prophesies or speaks in tongues. (But we have gobs of order!)
Here Paul recommends speaking in tongues (if this is something one can do). Also, if one speaks in tongues, one must pray to interpret what is said. If you speak in tongues, be sure that your mind is behind it (in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 19). He also says tongues are for unbelievers more than believers.
26 - 40 Orderly Worship
Paul recommends orderly worship, including, a hymn, a lesson, a revalation, a tongue, or an interpretation. More than this specific order, I believe Paul is recommending that there be a plan - otherwise, you're going to have a throng of noise. He summarizes by saying, "So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but all things should be done decently and in order."
I must admit that I have trouble with this chapter since I don't come from a church that prophesies or speaks in tongues. (But we have gobs of order!)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
1 Corinthians 13
1 - 13 The Gift of Love
Here it is, brothers and sisters, the passage that is quoted at nearly every wedding (including mine!). And with good reason. It's probably the most poetic passage in the New Testament. (Every time I read verse 11 about putting away childish things, though, I feel very guilty about my comic book collection).
"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (13) We can't go wrong if we have those three!
Here it is, brothers and sisters, the passage that is quoted at nearly every wedding (including mine!). And with good reason. It's probably the most poetic passage in the New Testament. (Every time I read verse 11 about putting away childish things, though, I feel very guilty about my comic book collection).
"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." (13) We can't go wrong if we have those three!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
1 Corinthians 12
1 - 11 Spiritual Gifts
Paul talks about the many kinds of spiritual gifts. Some utter wisdom, others knowledge. Some have faith, others healing, others working miracles, speaking prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. "All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses" (11).
12 - 31 One Body with Many Members
Paul's metaphor of the church as Christ's body. "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it" (27). He tells the congregation to strive for the greater gifts (mentioned above). And he will show us a better way tomorrow (love).
Paul talks about the many kinds of spiritual gifts. Some utter wisdom, others knowledge. Some have faith, others healing, others working miracles, speaking prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. "All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses" (11).
12 - 31 One Body with Many Members
Paul's metaphor of the church as Christ's body. "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it" (27). He tells the congregation to strive for the greater gifts (mentioned above). And he will show us a better way tomorrow (love).
Monday, November 06, 2006
1 Corinthians 11
2 - 16 Head Coverings
Should women cover their hair in church? It's not really clear: "Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of a man. For this reason a woman ought to have (a symbol of) authority on her head, because of the angels" (9 - 10). My notes state that this can be interpreted either way.
This just goes show how seriously we should take the worship service. I don't know about head coverings, but I tend to be more conservative about behaving in the church and the sanctuary. There should be a sacred place to take refuge from the world and all its secular trappings. This brings us to the Lord's Supper.
17 - 34 The Lord's Supper
Paul starts talking about abuses of the Lord's Supper. Apparently people were going there to feast and hog all the food so others go hungry. (This would be hard to do nowadays when one gets a pinch of bread and a shot of wine or grape juice). In lines 23 to 26 Paul tells how to institute the Lord's Supper (and my church quotes these lines). Paul then warns of taking the supper unworthily, advising that Christians to "Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgement against themselves." (28 - 29). Again, it is easy to forget the meaning of the Lord's Supper. I might even make a habit of examining my sins before the Lord's Supper (which we have on the first Sunday of the month).
Should women cover their hair in church? It's not really clear: "Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of a man. For this reason a woman ought to have (a symbol of) authority on her head, because of the angels" (9 - 10). My notes state that this can be interpreted either way.
This just goes show how seriously we should take the worship service. I don't know about head coverings, but I tend to be more conservative about behaving in the church and the sanctuary. There should be a sacred place to take refuge from the world and all its secular trappings. This brings us to the Lord's Supper.
17 - 34 The Lord's Supper
Paul starts talking about abuses of the Lord's Supper. Apparently people were going there to feast and hog all the food so others go hungry. (This would be hard to do nowadays when one gets a pinch of bread and a shot of wine or grape juice). In lines 23 to 26 Paul tells how to institute the Lord's Supper (and my church quotes these lines). Paul then warns of taking the supper unworthily, advising that Christians to "Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgement against themselves." (28 - 29). Again, it is easy to forget the meaning of the Lord's Supper. I might even make a habit of examining my sins before the Lord's Supper (which we have on the first Sunday of the month).
Thursday, November 02, 2006
1 Corinthians 10
1 -22 Do All to the Glory of God
Paul continues to discuss things offered to idols. Paul reminds the congregation about Israel's idolatry & sexual immorality and the danger of their own. Paul recommends they "flee from the worship of idols" (1-14). He describes the communal implications of religiousfeasts and warns against provoking the Lord to jealousy by "being partners with demons" (15-22). My notes say this is probably a rebuke to the sort of practice alluded to in 8:10, where some at the church in Corinth thought nothing of eating sacrificial meat even in an idol's temple.
23 - 33 Do All to the Glory of God
Paul gives specific instructions concerning meat later sold in the market place or offered at the dinner of an unbeliever to which they might be invited. He recommends they not be concerned unless someone specifically associates it with having been offered to an idol, and then to refrain out of consideration for the other's conscience (23-30).
What's the meaning of all this? "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (31) Do this so that the people you meet throughout the day may be saved. He concludes with another good quote: "Be imiatators of me, as I am of Christ" (11:1)
Paul continues to discuss things offered to idols. Paul reminds the congregation about Israel's idolatry & sexual immorality and the danger of their own. Paul recommends they "flee from the worship of idols" (1-14). He describes the communal implications of religiousfeasts and warns against provoking the Lord to jealousy by "being partners with demons" (15-22). My notes say this is probably a rebuke to the sort of practice alluded to in 8:10, where some at the church in Corinth thought nothing of eating sacrificial meat even in an idol's temple.
23 - 33 Do All to the Glory of God
Paul gives specific instructions concerning meat later sold in the market place or offered at the dinner of an unbeliever to which they might be invited. He recommends they not be concerned unless someone specifically associates it with having been offered to an idol, and then to refrain out of consideration for the other's conscience (23-30).
What's the meaning of all this? "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (31) Do this so that the people you meet throughout the day may be saved. He concludes with another good quote: "Be imiatators of me, as I am of Christ" (11:1)
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
1 Corinthians 9
1 - 26 The Rights of an Apostle
What rights does an apostle have? Food and drink - a believing wife, etc. Paul shows how he has restrained himself. Though he had the right to have a believing wife and be supported in the preaching the gospel (1-14), he freely chose not to exercise these and other rights. One reason was so he might be able to offer his service to the Lord (15-18), but Paul also wanted to save others (19-23). Also, Paul believes that self-restraint is necessary quality for salvation (24-27).
What rights does an apostle have? Food and drink - a believing wife, etc. Paul shows how he has restrained himself. Though he had the right to have a believing wife and be supported in the preaching the gospel (1-14), he freely chose not to exercise these and other rights. One reason was so he might be able to offer his service to the Lord (15-18), but Paul also wanted to save others (19-23). Also, Paul believes that self-restraint is necessary quality for salvation (24-27).
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