Theme 1: Living out the goal of becoming more like Christ, involves encouraging fellow believers in their walk with Christ. Paul stated that he thanked God for he heard of Philemon's love for the saints and his faith in Christ. He stated that the saints had been refreshed by Philemon and that he was encouraged to hear a good report of what was happening in the Church.(1:4-7).
Theme 2: As Christians we need to care for others and to treat each person equally. Paul encouraged Philemon to take his run away slave Onesimus , as he was even more valuable to him as he was a brother in Christ. (1:8-12).
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Psalms
As Pslams is a large book of poetry I have divided my reflections and insights by the 5 divisions of Psalms.
Book 1: 1-41: In Pslams 1-7, the theme or insight I gain is that the Lord is in control of everything and that he cares for us not letting us become overcome by destruction. In Psalms 8-14 I am reminded that the Lord is just and that he watches over those who fear him. In Psalms 15-21, I gain the insight that gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord are required and that part of this gratitude is being obedient to the Lord's commands. In Pslams 22-28, I gain the insight that the Lord is avaliable to guide , protect and direct those who seek him. In Psalms 29-35 I gain the insight that the Lord is to be worshiped for he is in control of all things and deserves to be thanked for his goodness to all people. In Psalms 36-41, I gain the insight that an attitude of passionately seeking the Lord in obedience and worship results in satisfaction for a person.
Book 2: 42-72: In Pslams 42-50, I gain the insight that although the Lord is sovereign over all, he still desires us to have a relationship with him in which we can ask him for guidance , protection and provision. In Psalms 51-58, the insight I gain is that the Lord is in control of all circumstances and will work circumstances and events to our benefit when we submit to him. In Pslams 559-66, I gain the insight that although we face struggles , the Lord watches over the lives of the people who follow him, not allowing them to come to ruin. In Psalms 67-72, I gain the insight that the Lord is gracious and abudantly provides for our needs.
Book 3: 73-89: In Pslams 73-77, I gain the insight that gratitude and trusting in the Lord are a natural response to his goodness. The Lord deserves to be thanked for his provision and guidance to those who seek him. In Psalms 78-82, I gain the insight that following the Lord involves obeying him and emulating his character. In Psalms 83-89, I gain the insight that the Lord's love for us is constant and that he will not abandon us and is ready to restore his father like relationship with those who seek him.
Book 4: 90-106: The insight I gain in Pslams 90-94 is that the Lord is the ruler of all and as such we need to come before him with awe. In Psalms 95-99 I gain the insight that the Lord is fair and just in his role as King and that as such I must also be fair and just. In Psalms 100-106, I gain the insight that the merciful acts of the Lord are to be remembered and that thanksgiving and praise with joy are the approriate response to his goodness.
Book 5: 107-150 : In Psalms 107-113, I gain the insight that the Lord is to be praised and thanked continually for he deals with us mercifully and provides for us generously. In Psalms 114-120, I gain the insight that the Lord is full of love towards the whole human race and that those who seek a relationship with him, will experience his love and feel confident to approach him with thanksgiving and to bring their requests to him. In Psalms 121-127, I gain the insight that joyfully praising the Lord is a vital part of worship that must be done despite our feelings or circumstances. In Pslams 128-135, I gain the insight that we need to continually praise the Lord and spend time seeking his wisdom. In Psalms 136-142, I gain the insight that prayer is essential as the Lord desires us to speak with him and to rely on him for direction as we journey through life. From Pslams 143-150, I gain the insight that it is vital to praise the Lord with joy and to show gratitude and thanksgiving for all he has done.
Book 1: 1-41: In Pslams 1-7, the theme or insight I gain is that the Lord is in control of everything and that he cares for us not letting us become overcome by destruction. In Psalms 8-14 I am reminded that the Lord is just and that he watches over those who fear him. In Psalms 15-21, I gain the insight that gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord are required and that part of this gratitude is being obedient to the Lord's commands. In Pslams 22-28, I gain the insight that the Lord is avaliable to guide , protect and direct those who seek him. In Psalms 29-35 I gain the insight that the Lord is to be worshiped for he is in control of all things and deserves to be thanked for his goodness to all people. In Psalms 36-41, I gain the insight that an attitude of passionately seeking the Lord in obedience and worship results in satisfaction for a person.
Book 2: 42-72: In Pslams 42-50, I gain the insight that although the Lord is sovereign over all, he still desires us to have a relationship with him in which we can ask him for guidance , protection and provision. In Psalms 51-58, the insight I gain is that the Lord is in control of all circumstances and will work circumstances and events to our benefit when we submit to him. In Pslams 559-66, I gain the insight that although we face struggles , the Lord watches over the lives of the people who follow him, not allowing them to come to ruin. In Psalms 67-72, I gain the insight that the Lord is gracious and abudantly provides for our needs.
Book 3: 73-89: In Pslams 73-77, I gain the insight that gratitude and trusting in the Lord are a natural response to his goodness. The Lord deserves to be thanked for his provision and guidance to those who seek him. In Psalms 78-82, I gain the insight that following the Lord involves obeying him and emulating his character. In Psalms 83-89, I gain the insight that the Lord's love for us is constant and that he will not abandon us and is ready to restore his father like relationship with those who seek him.
Book 4: 90-106: The insight I gain in Pslams 90-94 is that the Lord is the ruler of all and as such we need to come before him with awe. In Psalms 95-99 I gain the insight that the Lord is fair and just in his role as King and that as such I must also be fair and just. In Psalms 100-106, I gain the insight that the merciful acts of the Lord are to be remembered and that thanksgiving and praise with joy are the approriate response to his goodness.
Book 5: 107-150 : In Psalms 107-113, I gain the insight that the Lord is to be praised and thanked continually for he deals with us mercifully and provides for us generously. In Psalms 114-120, I gain the insight that the Lord is full of love towards the whole human race and that those who seek a relationship with him, will experience his love and feel confident to approach him with thanksgiving and to bring their requests to him. In Psalms 121-127, I gain the insight that joyfully praising the Lord is a vital part of worship that must be done despite our feelings or circumstances. In Pslams 128-135, I gain the insight that we need to continually praise the Lord and spend time seeking his wisdom. In Psalms 136-142, I gain the insight that prayer is essential as the Lord desires us to speak with him and to rely on him for direction as we journey through life. From Pslams 143-150, I gain the insight that it is vital to praise the Lord with joy and to show gratitude and thanksgiving for all he has done.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Titus
Theme 1 : Christians are to be godly people and to live lives different from the world which please Christ. Paul told Titus to appoint elders or pastors who were holy, lovers of goodness , devout and self controlled. (1:5-8). He told Titus that he was to teach believers to be godly and to emphasize self control. Paul instructed him to be a model of good works and in his teaching to show integrity(2:1-7). He told Titus that as believers waited for the coming of Christ they were to be godly for Christ had redeemed them to be set apart for him as a people zealous for good deeds. (2:14). Christians are to be obedient to those in authority, ready to do good, speaking ill of no one , avoiding quarrels and being gentle and courteous to all people. ( 3:1-2).
Theme 2: Christians need to be aware of the essentials of their faith and not be led astray from their purpose due to focusing on non essentials. Paul told Titus to appoint elders or pastors who had a grasp of the Scriptures , who were able to teach sound doctrine and to refute those who contradicted the gospel. ( 1:8-9). He also told Titus to rebuke those who taught what was wrong , allowing believers to grow strong in the faith and keeping them from myths. ( 1:11-14). In his closing words to Titus Paul encouraged Titus to avoid controversy over Jewish law and to shun a person who taught false doctrine after speaking to them twice and encouraging them to come back to the faith. (3:9-10). Thus it is crucial to focus on the Scripture and not modern ideas.
Theme 2: Christians need to be aware of the essentials of their faith and not be led astray from their purpose due to focusing on non essentials. Paul told Titus to appoint elders or pastors who had a grasp of the Scriptures , who were able to teach sound doctrine and to refute those who contradicted the gospel. ( 1:8-9). He also told Titus to rebuke those who taught what was wrong , allowing believers to grow strong in the faith and keeping them from myths. ( 1:11-14). In his closing words to Titus Paul encouraged Titus to avoid controversy over Jewish law and to shun a person who taught false doctrine after speaking to them twice and encouraging them to come back to the faith. (3:9-10). Thus it is crucial to focus on the Scripture and not modern ideas.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Job
Themes and Insights from Job
Theme 1 : ( 1-10) A relationship with the Lord involves trusting in him and committing to follow him, even in times of despair. Upon losing all of his wealth , Job stated that the Lord gave and the Lord had taken away and that his name was to be blessed. ( 1:20-21). Upon losing his health , Job continued to trust in the Lord and refused to curse him. (2:9-10). Job noted how his questioning why the Lord allowed circumstances to happen was common to people. (3:23-24). Job’s friend Eliphaz told him to remember the advice he had given to others in times of trial and to continue to have hope. ( 4:3-4). He also noted that the Lord was with those who faced affliction as he bond up their wounds.( 5:18-19). Through trusting in the Lord, an individual can ask for mercy from the Lord as Job did. ( 7:20). Job’s friend Bildad told him that the Lord heard his cries for mercy( 8:5-6) and that he would again restore joy and happiness. ( 8:22). Job admitted that he could not understand God’s ways( 9:1-12) and stated his belief that the Lord could again show mercy to him. (10:12).
Theme 2 : ( 11-20) Faith in the character of the Lord and in his mercy causes a person to persistently seek after God. Zophar told Job that through repentance his relationship with the Lord could be made new. ( 11:13-15). He also told him that the Lord dealt harshly with his priests and judged and disciplined them. So Job could also expect this. (12: 9). Job expressed faith in the justice and righteousness of the Lord stating that he wished to make his case before him as he knew the Lord would deal with him in mercy. (13:18-22). He further stated that he knew that God existed and that his redeemer would come upon hearing his plea. (19: 25). Zophar reminded Job that it was wise to seek after the Lord as those who did not trust in him and forsaked him would face his wrath. (20:26).
Theme 3: ( 21-31): God allows us to question his motives for events occurring in our life and we can do so without rejecting him outright. Job questioned why the wicked prospered as they did not seek the Lord. (21:15-17). He stated his desire to question God and to examine his motives for causing suffering (23: 3-5). He also questioned why those who sought God could not find him. (24: 1). His friend Bildad reminded Job that we can never understand the mind and motives of the Lord in allowing events to occur. (25: 1-4). Job noted that pain and sorrow were not outside the influence of the Lord as even hell submitted to him. ( 26:6). Job demonstrated that a person can question the Lord and still be a person of integrity who served the Lord. (27: 3-5). He noted that the Lord was the source of all wisdom and that wisdom was found in departing from our sin and seeking him. (28: 28). He sought the intimacy he had with the Lord in the past, longing for it. (29: 1-5). Job knew that there were times when the Lord was silent ( 30:20-21) and strived to be upright and pure for the Lord did not allow unholy people to come before him. (31:9-44).
Theme 4: (33-42): The Lord is great and above humanity and must be approached with reverence and we need to repent for our unbelief. Elihu noted that the Lord was above all people who were mortal and lived brief lives. (33:12-13). Each person will be judged for how they follow God‘s law and so we must act wisely. (34:23). The Lord needs nothing from us and we cannot do anything for him, for he has all things. (35: 6-8). God is to be worshipped and adored for he created the universe. (36:24-33). The Lord does wondrous things beyond our comprehension. (37:15). He is all knowing as his knowledge is beyond time. (38:4-7). The Lord is in control of all events that happen in the universe. (39: 5-9). He is in control of every aspect of the universe and his knowledge is above humanity’s. ( 40-41). Job’s response of repentance for speaking out about what he does not understand is to be our response when we question the Lord. (42: 2-6).
Theme 1 : ( 1-10) A relationship with the Lord involves trusting in him and committing to follow him, even in times of despair. Upon losing all of his wealth , Job stated that the Lord gave and the Lord had taken away and that his name was to be blessed. ( 1:20-21). Upon losing his health , Job continued to trust in the Lord and refused to curse him. (2:9-10). Job noted how his questioning why the Lord allowed circumstances to happen was common to people. (3:23-24). Job’s friend Eliphaz told him to remember the advice he had given to others in times of trial and to continue to have hope. ( 4:3-4). He also noted that the Lord was with those who faced affliction as he bond up their wounds.( 5:18-19). Through trusting in the Lord, an individual can ask for mercy from the Lord as Job did. ( 7:20). Job’s friend Bildad told him that the Lord heard his cries for mercy( 8:5-6) and that he would again restore joy and happiness. ( 8:22). Job admitted that he could not understand God’s ways( 9:1-12) and stated his belief that the Lord could again show mercy to him. (10:12).
Theme 2 : ( 11-20) Faith in the character of the Lord and in his mercy causes a person to persistently seek after God. Zophar told Job that through repentance his relationship with the Lord could be made new. ( 11:13-15). He also told him that the Lord dealt harshly with his priests and judged and disciplined them. So Job could also expect this. (12: 9). Job expressed faith in the justice and righteousness of the Lord stating that he wished to make his case before him as he knew the Lord would deal with him in mercy. (13:18-22). He further stated that he knew that God existed and that his redeemer would come upon hearing his plea. (19: 25). Zophar reminded Job that it was wise to seek after the Lord as those who did not trust in him and forsaked him would face his wrath. (20:26).
Theme 3: ( 21-31): God allows us to question his motives for events occurring in our life and we can do so without rejecting him outright. Job questioned why the wicked prospered as they did not seek the Lord. (21:15-17). He stated his desire to question God and to examine his motives for causing suffering (23: 3-5). He also questioned why those who sought God could not find him. (24: 1). His friend Bildad reminded Job that we can never understand the mind and motives of the Lord in allowing events to occur. (25: 1-4). Job noted that pain and sorrow were not outside the influence of the Lord as even hell submitted to him. ( 26:6). Job demonstrated that a person can question the Lord and still be a person of integrity who served the Lord. (27: 3-5). He noted that the Lord was the source of all wisdom and that wisdom was found in departing from our sin and seeking him. (28: 28). He sought the intimacy he had with the Lord in the past, longing for it. (29: 1-5). Job knew that there were times when the Lord was silent ( 30:20-21) and strived to be upright and pure for the Lord did not allow unholy people to come before him. (31:9-44).
Theme 4: (33-42): The Lord is great and above humanity and must be approached with reverence and we need to repent for our unbelief. Elihu noted that the Lord was above all people who were mortal and lived brief lives. (33:12-13). Each person will be judged for how they follow God‘s law and so we must act wisely. (34:23). The Lord needs nothing from us and we cannot do anything for him, for he has all things. (35: 6-8). God is to be worshipped and adored for he created the universe. (36:24-33). The Lord does wondrous things beyond our comprehension. (37:15). He is all knowing as his knowledge is beyond time. (38:4-7). The Lord is in control of all events that happen in the universe. (39: 5-9). He is in control of every aspect of the universe and his knowledge is above humanity’s. ( 40-41). Job’s response of repentance for speaking out about what he does not understand is to be our response when we question the Lord. (42: 2-6).
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