Isaiah: God’s Condemnation and Consolation to the Nation of Israel When They Reject His Guidance!

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

Artwork Credit: biblestudy.pppst.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Isaiah: God’s Condemnation and Consolation to the Nation of Israel When They Reject His Guidance!

God loves His people! God loves you! Consider this never-ending truth:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. ”

(Jeremiah 31:3, ESV)

This is the message of all of the Bible, and especially the book of Isaiah. As the father of a rebellious teenager, God is trying to bring His people back to a path that will avoid their certain injury and destruction.

Reading through these compiled messages to the nation over three to four decades, God speaks through Isaiah, one of the men of God at that time. His messages are pointed and repeated. There is one path to abundance in life and another to destruction and death. How God longs for His people to choose life and do a u-turn from their present course.

Since the nation is a theocracy (a God-run nation through a king), many of the messages are addressed to the leadership of the nation – namely the king, his advisors and influencers. Israel is not singled out in this book though. God also addresses other nations and their leaders with messages as well. This reminds us that the love of God has always been a global-love, one that has sought to bring the leadership and love of God to all humanity!

As you read through the book, you will see these compiled messages are broken into three distinct sections:

  • First, God is addressing His rebellious covenant people before it’s too late! (Isaiah 1-39)

As you read through this large section, you will see how the people of God have chosen the world over God – the cravings to be like their culture over the calling to be like the character of their God. Isaiah walks onto the scene and willingly volunteers for the mission of God (Isaiah 6), not knowing what it will involve.

As God works through the message and messenger, he seeks to bring them back to a lifestyle of purity, one that radiates the wisdom and blessing of God’s path. Unfortunately, like most of history teaches us, the majority takes Israel to disaster. Some return to God and enjoy His kindnesses. However, the nation fails to respond and is taken into captivity by Babylon 150 years later. The message of God can be summed up in these words …

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling! ” (Isaiah 30:15, ESV)

  • Second, God is addressing His rebellious covenant people after it’s too late! (Isaiah 40-55)

Isaiah speaks of the impending captivity from God’s perspective – as one who sees all of time. Thus, for God, the captivity is inevitable. Isaiah gives God’s heart-felt messages of love and compassion to the people who will be in exile. He aches with His captured and demoralized people. Note there is no shame or brow-beating here. Just messages of love and caring instruction flow from God. God never wants His children to suffer – that’s why He gives them His path to follow, the path of life and abundance. God’s hope of rescue and return can be heard in these words …

“And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ” (Isaiah 40:5, ESV)

  • Finally, God is addressing His covenant people of all times before the end of times! (Isaiah 56-66)

Ultimately, this compilation of messages ends with a section to all who trust God’s love and live out His will. You will find these chapters filled with instructions on how to live in preparation for our coming life with Messiah (Jesus Christ), when He is ruling and reigning over the world from Jerusalem. The summary of this life in Messiah is expressed in these words …

“Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. ” (Isaiah 56:1, ESV)

Isaiah reminds us time and again that we are citizens of a different world, led by a different Lord, the King of glory who gave His life to remove our failures and bring us into abundant life with God: ““Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ” (Isaiah 55:6–7, ESV)

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

 

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

 

======

 

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

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Route No. 4: Listening to God’s Warnings Through His Messengers!

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Artwork Credit: kaneva.com

 

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Route No. 4: Listening to God’s Warnings Through His Messengers!

Continuing our journey through the Word of God, we will explore how God tried to guide Israel on the easiest path he could provide for their lives during their history. God’s messengers here are his prophets.  Although they do not originate their messages, they did deliver them with passion for God. The primary focus of each of these messengers is the nation of Israel. Often those messages are not received well, and just as often the messenger is abused or killed for delivering the message of guidance from God. This may be where the phrase “Don’t shoot the messenger” found its earliest origins. We will explore each message in more detail as we proceed. For now, consider:

  • The book of Isaiah, God’s condemnation and consolation to the nation of Israel when they reject his guidance.
  • The book of Jeremiah, God’s message of the coming Babylonian invasion to the defiant nation of Israel.
  • The book of Lamentations, God’s funeral for the capital city of Jerusalem.
  • The book of Ezekiel, God’s desire for his people him know him, despite their rejection and defiance of him.
  • The book of Daniel, God’s future plans for his captive people and for the world until the end of time.

Embarking on this section of the Bible often stops many in their tracks. All they can see are messages of discipline. However, when you see discipline, remember this truth about God found in these two verses from the New Testament: “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:6, ESV) “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”  (Revelation 3:19, ESV)

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

 

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

 

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

 

======

 

 

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

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Song of Solomon: Warmed by a Love Song of Marriage!

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: agapeworldwide.wordpress.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Song of Solomon: Warmed by a Love Song of Marriage!

Wrapping up Route 3, we come to the Bible book on the love and sex life of the married couple. Often people are surprised by the open treatment of the gift of sex in the Bible. Many forget sex was God’s idea – He created it! And while sex is a part of the married life of a man and a women, it is glorious and wonderful.

We would be remiss if we forgot the lessons found in the book of Proverbs, which we have recently read. Among them, we discover:

  • Adultery is to be avoided is you are seeking wisdom. (Proverbs 2:16)
  • When adultery is committed, it yields 4 unchangeable consequences. (Proverbs 2:18-19)
  • Being sexually active apart from one’s spouse follows 6 consequences of the one who seduces you with folly. (Proverbs 5:3-6; 9:13-18)
  • 12 personal losses can happen to the person who is sexually active apart from their spouse. (Proverbs 5:7-14)
  • Many are the sexual benefits that come to a loyal married couple. (Proverbs 5:15-19)
  • The Lord himself watches adultery! (Proverbs 5:20-21)
  • The sexually active, apart from their spouse will die for lack of discipline! (Proverbs 5:22-23; 7:21-27)
  • Those who disregard their parent’s teaching are sexually active apart from their spouse. (Proverbs 6:23-24; 7:1-5)
  • Adultery is committed by a senseless person and can bring 11 consequences! (Proverbs 6:25-35; 7:6-9)
  • A prostitute is wily of heart, loud, wayward and forward. (Proverbs 7:10-13)

With this foundation firmly in place, we understand that sex can be a terrible master when experienced apart from the loyalty of a relationship between one man and woman who are married.

Song of Solomon shows us the joys and thrills of love and sex when it is found in a faithful relationship. The book is more like a play, with parts designated to the specific actors on the stage. At the center of this story is the relationship of Solomon and his Shulammite wife. From this love story we discover …

  • The passion of desire between a married woman and her husband. (Song 1:2; 2:8-17; 3:1-5; 5:11-12; 7:10; 8:14)
  • The adoration between a husband and his wife is constantly expressed. (Song 1:8, 12-16; 5:2-8; 8:6-7; 8:13)
  • Sexual intimacy is a constant passion in the loving married couple! (Song 1:16-17; 2:3, 6; 4:16 – 5:1; 7:6-9; 8:3)
  • The physical attraction of a man and wife in marriage is strong and virile! (Song 4:1-16; 5:10-16; 6:4-10; 7:1-9; 8:10)
  • The importance of getting away for time alone to keep the marriage passionate and romantic. (Song 4:8; 6:2-3; 7:11-13)

Reading through the Song of Solomon reminds us of God’s intention: “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”  (Proverbs 5:18–19, ESV)

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

 

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

 

======

 

 

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

 

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Ecclesiastes: Understanding the Futility of a Life Lived for Self

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: foundationsforfreedom.net

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

 

Ecclesiastes: Understanding the Futility of a Life Lived for Self

Selfishness is an all-consuming, all crushing pursuit. When one comes to the end of a journey lived for self they find themselves alone. Perhaps they are surrounded by all the things they hoped for, perhaps not. Yet, one can be sure that the end of such a life is lonely, empty and ultimately of no eternal profit.

Most people agree that the writer of this book is Solomon, King of Israel. It is quite possible that the book was written towards the end of his life, at a time when he realizes his failures during the last two decades of his reign.

Whatever the circumstances of this book’s creation, there is little confusion about the purpose. Solomon writes this book to share the lessons he has learned as the richest king on the planet. Nothing has been withheld from him and he withheld nothing from himself.

As an explorer of life’s purposes and meaning, Solomon comes to a singular conclusion, which he repeats several times within the pages of this scientific journal chronicling the experimentation phase of his life:

  • Enjoy the life God has given you with great passion!

“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24–26, ESV)

  • Enjoy the work God has given you with great joy!

“So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?” (Ecclesiastes 3:22, ESV)

  • Enjoy the gift of life and work God has given you with total acceptance!

“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”  (Ecclesiastes 5:18–20, ESV)

  • Enjoy the food and life God has given you with continual intensity!

“And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.”  (Ecclesiastes 8:15, ESV)

  • Enjoy the life God has given you with the wife whom you love with dedicated might!

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”  (Ecclesiastes 9:9–10, ESV)

  • Fear God and keep his commands all the days of your joy-filled life!

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14, ESV)

While Solomon states that a life lived on earth for self is “vanity” he reminds us of one consistent truth: God wants you to enjoy the life he gives you, the work he sets before you and the people with whom he surrounds you!

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

======

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Proverbs – Becoming a Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: lacy.obeyingthetruth.com

 

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Proverbs – Becoming a Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)

As we wrap up the book of Proverbs we come to one of the mist exciting passages in the Old Testament. While many speak of the denigration of women in Bible times, this passage shows us that when that happened, it was NOT God’s will or desire.

As we look carefully into the virtues of this ancient woman, we see many of the desires of their contemporary counterparts – and a lesson for husbands as well. The Biblical term for this position is “home manager,” but do not look at that disparagingly. It is obvious to any, except perhaps the casual or bigoted observer, that this position was one of great power and authority!

In Biblical days it was “all hands on deck” to bring about the prosperity and dominion of the family. Rightly understood, the husband would work with his partner to extend their profits and prospects. This meant giving the virtuous woman the “keys to their kingdom,” allowing her to do what today would seem unheard of in the normal marriage! Consider the “careers” of this model woman, from the Old Testament book of Proverbs – the book of wisdom – and learn, if you will from them for your own prosperity and dominion in your community! She was …

  • A trusted partner in the family business! (31:11)
  • A commodity broker! (31:13)
  • A manual laborer!  (31:13)
  • An importer of goods!  (31:14)
  • A 5-star chef!  (31:15)
  • An employer and staff manager!  (31:15)
  • A realtor!  (31:16)
  • An investor!  (31:16)
  • A fitness enthusiast!  (31:17)
  • A retailer!  (31:18)
  • A clothier!  (31:19, 24)
  • A philanthropist!  (31:20)
  • A woman of wealth!  (31:21-22)
  • A political aid!  (31:23)
  • A valued counselor! (31:25-26)
  • A hard-working C. O. O.!  (31:27)
  • A blessed mother!  (31:28)
  • A praised wife! (31:29)
  • A godly woman!  (31:30)
  • A community leader!  (31:31)

After you recover from the impact of these realities, one this is for sure: Those who place women as second-class citizens through their faith, are truly misguided and mistaken as to their potential and possibility as joint-heirs of all God longs to provide for them!

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

 

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

======

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

 

 

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Proverbs – Real Life Lessons from Solomon and Others! (Proverbs 10 – 31)

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: deskofbrian.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

 

Proverbs – Real Life Lessons from Solomon and Others! (Proverbs 10 – 31)

As we wade deeper into the book of Proverbs we see that wisdom is the “make or break” issue of real life. In fact, as you read through the parenting manual for Solomon’s sons, you can see how this is true. How many people – perhaps even you – have been damaged and wrecked by the issues we have already studied?

As we transition to a compilation of wise sayings by Solomon and others, we discover some incredibly valuable nuggets for every-day, real life. Some are diagnostic (you can discern the truth about yourself or another), some are exemplary (you can learn a lot before you make that decision or choice) and even others are prescriptive (you should take these to heart like the medicine your doctor issues to you).  Among them, don’t miss these …

  • The fear of the Lord prolongs your life! (Proverbs 10:27)
  • You can tell a lot about a person’s character by their expectations! (Proverbs 11:23)
  • The definition of stupidity! (Proverbs 12:1)
  • The cause of depression! (Proverbs 12:25)
  • Those closest to me determine my level of success! (Proverbs 13:20)
  • Happiness is gained when we are merciful to the real poor! (Proverbs 14:21)
  • The spirit of a person is broken when the words you speak are perverse and when there is sorrow in the heart! (Proverbs 15:4, 13)
  • The trials of life are God’s examinations of our hearts! (Proverbs 17:3)
  • Selfishness is demonstrated by isolation! (Proverbs 18:1)
  • The secret to getting into the presence of famous people! (Proverbs 18:16)
  • Too much sleep leads to poverty! (Proverbs 20:13)
  • Riches, honor and life are gained by humility and the fear of the Lord! (Proverbs 22:4)
  • Gluttony and drunkenness are the same sins leading to the same end in life: poverty! (Proverbs 23:19-21)
  • “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small!” (Proverbs 24:10)
  • How to allow God to pour out His wrath on your enemy! (Proverbs 24:17-18)
  • Backbiters can be seen by their angry countenance! (Proverbs 25:23)
  • How to receive mercy from God! (Proverbs 28:13-14)
  • “The leech has two daughters – Give and Give!” (Proverbs 30:15)

In each of these chapters, we realize a central truth: True faith lives out God’s wisdom in real life situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

 

======

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Proverbs – God's Real Life Instruction Manual For Raising Children!

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: http://www.squidoo.com

 

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

 

Proverbs – God’s Real Life Instruction Manual For Raising Children!

 

Venturing into the book of Proverbs is so much different than anything we have read so far on our journey through the Bible. Wisdom is the issue and pithy sayings are the delivery vehicle for that real life instruction.

 

The book can easily be broken into three pieces as follows:

 

  • A Parenting Manual from Solomon (Proverbs 1-9)
  • Real Life Lessons from Solomon and Others (Proverbs 10 – 31:9)
  • Becoming a Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)

 

We will speak of each of these sections in more detail in the days to come. For the moment, let’s explore the Parenting Manual of Solomon as he raised his son, Rehoboam. Solomon sought to teach Rehoboam 10 key ideas through these small sayings. Here they are …

 

  • Beware the enticements against your parent’s instruction in order to avoid personal injury or worse. (Proverbs 1)
  • Understand the encouragements and punishments of wisdom in order to enjoy ease and security. (Proverbs 1)
  • Grasp the value and purpose of wisdom for stability and security. (Proverbs 2)
  • Enjoy the benefits of wisdom that lead to abundant happiness. (Proverbs 3)
  • Give attention to the sayings of wisdom for they are your life. (Proverbs 4)
  • Avoid the perils of adultery and immorality to prevent your total ruin. (Proverbs 5
  • Hate the foolishness of expecting something you haven’t worked for lest you find yourself destitute. (Proverbs 6)
  • Apply the words of wisdom in order to avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs 7)
  • Thrive with the companions of wisdom, enjoying the favor of the Lord. (Proverbs 8 )
  • Contrast the end results of the wise and foolish to enjoy a long life. (Proverbs 9)

 

Deep and meaty, these sayings show us that: Real life can be abundant when we choose to live by the experiences and life-lessons of those who have gone before us.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

 

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

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When All Seems Lost! (Psalm 74:18-23)

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Photo Credit: medicaltipsinfo.blogspot.com

 

You probably know the feeling – life was supposed to turn out differently, but it didn’t. You thought God would rescue you, but he hasn’t. You know the dire hopelessness as God has stopped speaking and no one seems to be able to tell you how long the situation will continue. Friends and family without Christ scoff at the idea that there is a God who cares when they talk with you about your situation and they revile God’s name constantly in your presence.

Asaph understood what you feel. After the Temple of Solomon has been destroyed he penned this prayer in Psalm 74 to appeal to God. He was desperate as well. His prayer is a great example to all of us when all seems lost.

When all seems lost, in prayer appeal to …

  • God’s reputation (the enemy scoffs at God’s name) v. 18
  • God’s people (the psalmist calls them “your dove” and “your poor”) v. 19
  • God’s covenant (“have regard for your covenant”) v. 20
  • God’s poor (called “downtrodden” and “poor and needy”) v. 21
  • God’s cause (“Arise, O God, defend your cause”) v. 22
  • God’s enemies (“Don’t forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you”) v. 23

Perhaps you need a little help to “flesh out” how you would pray this prayer. Let me give you a real-life example to consider:

Dear Lord, you know we have been unemployed for a long time and finances are gone. All seems lost, and even our friends say, “Our prayers don’t seem to be working.” Your reputation is at stake. Remember us, your children by faith. Have regard for the covenant with Jesus. You have said You would “never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). We are nearly at the end of ourselves, without resources and in need. Arise, Lord, defend your cause in our lives. Don’t allow your enemies to laugh at You and claim your inability or non-existence. Rescue us quickly Lord, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If all seems lost, cry out to Jesus for his help and don’t stop trusting. In reality, he is moving the pieces of life around and soon he will rescue you! And if he doesn’t, your reward in eternity will be great!

 

That’s my take, and I would love to hear yours. Please feel free to comment below.

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Psalms: God is the center of life and the central joy of life! (Book 5)

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: foundationsforfreedom.net

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Psalms: God is the center of life and the central joy of life! (Book 5)

The Psalms are, in reality, the words to the praise and worship songs of the long ago nation of Israel. We are asking you to imagine these lyrics as the power point slides or the song sheets handed out to those who come to sing praise to God each weekend.

Book 5 – Psalms 107-150 wrap this collection of worship songs up with the strong vocalization of God’s worth. From a several more songs from King David (Psalm 108-110; 138-145), to a series of songs pilgrims would sing on the way up the mountain road to Jerusalem to the longest psalm about the glories of the words of the King of kings (Psalm 119), to five “Hallelujah” (Literally: Praise God!) psalms (Psalm 146-150), Book 5 leaves the reader / worshipper with little doubt that God is the center of life and the central joy of life as well.

Praise is transforming! For the people of Israel, humiliated and downcast over the conquest of their nation and their internment in a foreign land, these songs of worship sought to lift and focus them on the greatness of God’s steadfast love. As these words sank deep into the DNA of these discouraged peoples, the strong encouragement to their return to the will and words of God as a lifestyle would be felt. A turn around – literally, turning back – to an intimate, real and passionate relationship with God would be the intended result of these praise songs.

As you read, be sure not to miss …

  • The call to seek God when in distress and to thank him when he delivers, as in Psalm 107.
  • The certainty of the coming of Messiah (the World-Wide Ruling King, a descendant of David), as in Psalm 110.
  • The futility of idols and the faithfulness of God, as expressed in Psalm 115.
  • The value and practicality of a life lived in harmony with the words of God as revealed in the Law (Genesis – Deuteronomy), as in Psalm 119.
  • The joy of entering into God’s presence at the Temple by singing as you traveled up the mountains to Jerusalem as expressed in Psalms 120-134.
  • The mercy of God, which endures forever, as repeated after every line of the song in Psalm 136.
  • The unfathomable knowledge of humanity by God concerning our every movement, thought or work, as in Psalm 139.
  • The happiness of God which surrounds those who have been delivered by this all-powerful God, as in Psalm 144.
  • The praise of God through every means possible so that God’s name and fame may be known by all, as in Psalm 150.

No matter the depths of despair and difficulty, this volume of praise songs causes us to understand: God is able and willing to deliver us from any and all of our most dire circumstances if we will but draw close to him and trust his steadfast love.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

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Transformed! Interviews Mike Slaughter about "Change the World!"

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We are so pleased you have returned to the Transformed podcast.

In today’s episode, we explore how we can recover the message and mission of Jesus, and thus, Change the World.

Matt’s guest today is Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg and the spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations.

When Mike arrived at Ginghamsburg Church in 1979, worship attendance hovered at 90 with 118 members and an annual budget of $27,000. Now, 4000 attendees on average worship weekly at Ginghamsburg and the multi-million dollar budget helps resource a faith community committed to serving the poor, lost and disenfranchised.

Today Matt and Mike talk about the church becoming a mission outpost, living out Christ’s ideals in today’s world. As they do, they will explore Mike’s book, Change the World.

You can also learn more about Mike by clicking this link.

You can also learn more about Mike’s ministry by clicking this link.

Matt wants you to pick up a copy of Mike’s book, Change the World. This resource will rock your world and help you rethink the message and mission of Jesus as it related to reaching your community in your generation.

Posted in Becoming Like Jesus, Book Reviews, christian life, Church Health, Discipleship, faith, God's will, Interviews, Missional, Multi-ethnic / Urban, Transformed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment