Theme 1: Believers are changed people through whom the love of Christ flows.Peter stated that if goodness,knowledge, self control, godliness, affection and love abounded they would grow in Christ. (1:1-10). He warned them to keep on following Christ and not to become misled by myths and fables that were contrary to Christ's teaching. ( 1:11-20). He also warned them not to forsake Christ and the love he gave them , turning from the Lord's truth to seek false prophets for they would be judged and punished.( 2:1-10).
Theme 2: Believers must trust in the Lord and not become discouraged for he is not slow in keeping his promises. A day for the Lord is like a thousand years and we must patiently await Christ ( 3:1-10) and grow in his character. ( 3:11-18).
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Isaiah
Theme 1 : (1-10): The Lord judges and disciplines those whom he has a friendship with to make them closer to himself. Isaiah noted that the Lord had been merciful to Israel choosing not to judge the nation like he did Sodom and Gomorah (1:2-9). The Lord works through difficult circumstances to make those who seek him more godly and to strengthen his relationship with us. ( 1:21-31). The Lord will judge those who take advantage of others and do not obey his commands to care for other people. ( 3: 13-17). The Lord in his mercy does not punish the entire nation of Israel but spares a remenant. ( 4:2-4). The Lord uses various experiences to guide and direct us and to allow us to grow closer to him ( 5:26-30) , in order to give us a desire to seek and serve him( 6). The Lord foretold his plan to save the world through Jesus in advance (7:14-16) and promised to save all people from their sin and allow them to come and know him (9:6-7). Even in his judgement the Lord promised to restore his relationship with the nation of Judah during the exile. ( 10:20-34).
Theme 2: (11-20): The Lord is to be thanked for his goodness as he allows all people the opportunity to change their ways and trust in him. A key characteristic of the Kingdom or reign of God is the abundance of peace and righteousness. ( 11:1-10). The Lord is to be thanked for the salvation he gives to the nations. (12:1-2). The Lord planned to redeem the nations of Israel and Judah (14:1-3) and to discipline those who disobey his commands. ( 16: 6-7). Although he disciplines people , the Lord uses this to draw people back to himself and to bless the nations. (17:1-9). Those who trust in things other than the Lord will face judgement (19:10) and those who attempt to control everything in their life will be frusturated for the Lord is sovereign over all.( 20).
Theme 3: 21-30: The Lord is in control of all and those who trust in him will be secure. Chapters 21-30 contain prophetic judgements against various nations for refusing to obey the Lord and his commands.
Theme 4: 31-40: The Lord in his sovereignty works through human history to accomplish his plans for the world. Isiah 31 warns the nation of Judah against trusting in Egypt rather than the Lord. Isiah 32 speaks of the kingdom of God which will be characterized by righteousness. (17). Isiah 33 speaks of the restoration of Jerusalem as the place where the Lord dwells and as a place of salvation and wisdom. Isiah 34 contains judgements against the nations for not obeying the Lord. ( 16-17). Isiah 35 tells of the goodness of the Lord in restoring his people to their land with joy (35:10). The deliverance of Judah from Assryia by the Lord is an example of his sovereignty. ( 36&37). The Lord showed his mercy by choosing to heal King Hezekiah ( 38) and his sovereignty is shown when he rebuked Hezekiah for boasting of his riches to the envoys from Babylon telling him of the forecoming conquest of Judah by Babylon.(39). The goodness of the Lord in responding to his people and caring for them is also noted. ( 40:39-41).
Theme 5: 41-50 : Salvation from the Lord is avaliable to all but in order to receive it we must repent and change our ways. The Lord promised to be with and to restore Judah (41:10) but urged them to follow the Lord and repent of their ways , so they might be a light to the nations.(42:6). The Lord promised to restore and provide for his people following the exile.(43: 18-19). The Lord is the one through whom restoration is possible ( 45:18-22)and his salvation is readily avaliable to all who seek it. ( 46:9-13). The Lord will judge all who seek things other than himself ( 47:12-15) , but will use the exile to teach and guide his people in goodness , allowing us to be blessed. ( 48:17-19). In his love he calls us back to him when we wander away from him. ( 49: 14-21) and saves and supports us through life's events. ( 50: 1-7).
Theme 6: 51-60: Obedience and sincerity in desiring to know Christ are key qualities for growing in our relationship with and serving him. All who trust in the Lord will be filled with joy. ( 51: 1-4). The Lord sent Christ to redeem us from our sins and bring us back to him. ( 52:13-15, 53:5-8). He promised to work through Israel and Judah after restoring them( 54:1-9) by allowing them to be a witness to all the nations, who he would call to himself. ( 55:4-6). Happiness is avaliable to all people who seek the Lord. ( 56:1-8) and his salvation is universal. ( 57: 16-21). The Lord promised to redeem Jerusalem ( Zion) and all people who repented and changed their ways. ( 59:20, 60:1-11).
Theme 7:61-66: The Lord plans a new world in which we will emulate the Lord becoming more godly , through Jesus Christ. The Lord's righteousness will spread through Christ's ministry of liberty (61: 9-11). The Lord will not forsake Israel (62: 7-12) and will restore them to himself. (63:13-19). The new world, the Lord will establish will be one in which peace abounds.( 65:18-24). The Lord has a new world planned in which all people will seek him. (66:23).
Theme 2: (11-20): The Lord is to be thanked for his goodness as he allows all people the opportunity to change their ways and trust in him. A key characteristic of the Kingdom or reign of God is the abundance of peace and righteousness. ( 11:1-10). The Lord is to be thanked for the salvation he gives to the nations. (12:1-2). The Lord planned to redeem the nations of Israel and Judah (14:1-3) and to discipline those who disobey his commands. ( 16: 6-7). Although he disciplines people , the Lord uses this to draw people back to himself and to bless the nations. (17:1-9). Those who trust in things other than the Lord will face judgement (19:10) and those who attempt to control everything in their life will be frusturated for the Lord is sovereign over all.( 20).
Theme 3: 21-30: The Lord is in control of all and those who trust in him will be secure. Chapters 21-30 contain prophetic judgements against various nations for refusing to obey the Lord and his commands.
Theme 4: 31-40: The Lord in his sovereignty works through human history to accomplish his plans for the world. Isiah 31 warns the nation of Judah against trusting in Egypt rather than the Lord. Isiah 32 speaks of the kingdom of God which will be characterized by righteousness. (17). Isiah 33 speaks of the restoration of Jerusalem as the place where the Lord dwells and as a place of salvation and wisdom. Isiah 34 contains judgements against the nations for not obeying the Lord. ( 16-17). Isiah 35 tells of the goodness of the Lord in restoring his people to their land with joy (35:10). The deliverance of Judah from Assryia by the Lord is an example of his sovereignty. ( 36&37). The Lord showed his mercy by choosing to heal King Hezekiah ( 38) and his sovereignty is shown when he rebuked Hezekiah for boasting of his riches to the envoys from Babylon telling him of the forecoming conquest of Judah by Babylon.(39). The goodness of the Lord in responding to his people and caring for them is also noted. ( 40:39-41).
Theme 5: 41-50 : Salvation from the Lord is avaliable to all but in order to receive it we must repent and change our ways. The Lord promised to be with and to restore Judah (41:10) but urged them to follow the Lord and repent of their ways , so they might be a light to the nations.(42:6). The Lord promised to restore and provide for his people following the exile.(43: 18-19). The Lord is the one through whom restoration is possible ( 45:18-22)and his salvation is readily avaliable to all who seek it. ( 46:9-13). The Lord will judge all who seek things other than himself ( 47:12-15) , but will use the exile to teach and guide his people in goodness , allowing us to be blessed. ( 48:17-19). In his love he calls us back to him when we wander away from him. ( 49: 14-21) and saves and supports us through life's events. ( 50: 1-7).
Theme 6: 51-60: Obedience and sincerity in desiring to know Christ are key qualities for growing in our relationship with and serving him. All who trust in the Lord will be filled with joy. ( 51: 1-4). The Lord sent Christ to redeem us from our sins and bring us back to him. ( 52:13-15, 53:5-8). He promised to work through Israel and Judah after restoring them( 54:1-9) by allowing them to be a witness to all the nations, who he would call to himself. ( 55:4-6). Happiness is avaliable to all people who seek the Lord. ( 56:1-8) and his salvation is universal. ( 57: 16-21). The Lord promised to redeem Jerusalem ( Zion) and all people who repented and changed their ways. ( 59:20, 60:1-11).
Theme 7:61-66: The Lord plans a new world in which we will emulate the Lord becoming more godly , through Jesus Christ. The Lord's righteousness will spread through Christ's ministry of liberty (61: 9-11). The Lord will not forsake Israel (62: 7-12) and will restore them to himself. (63:13-19). The new world, the Lord will establish will be one in which peace abounds.( 65:18-24). The Lord has a new world planned in which all people will seek him. (66:23).
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I Peter
Theme 1: (1-2): Trials and difficult circumstances are used by the Lord to make us more like Christ and to strengthen our faith in the Lord. Peter told the believers that they should rejoice in trials as they resulted in their faith being tested and that through this testing they would be found worthy of praise and glory when Christ came for them. He commended them for having faith in Christ though they had not seen him and encouraged them to keep growing in their knowledge of Jesus. (1:6-9). Peter also told them that they needed to be ready for action and to discipline their mind by focusing it on Christ Jesus and his return(1:13).
Peter noted that struggles were a way of Christ working in them , transforming their hearts and allowing the love of Christ to flow through them. ( 1:22-23). Christ used all of his followers for his purpose and we become part of his household when we submit to him. ( 2:1-5). Peter told the Christian Jews scatttered around the Roman Empire that they were to live holy lives which were different than the world , becoming ridiculed for the Lord and being witnesses to him through their lives. ( 2: 11-12). Peter urged slaves to obey their masters noting that in doing so they should emulate Christ's example of suffering and trusting the Lord while doing so. ( 2:13-25).
Theme 2: (3-5): Christ's followers must love each other and be united through the love of Christ flowing through their lives. Part of this process involves submitting to each other in love. Wives are required to submit to their Husbands and Husbands must love their wives and be considerate to them. ( 3:1-7). Part of this love involves being ready to share the hope of Christ's salvation with others in a gentle and respectful way and with good conscience and conduct. ( 3:15-16). Peter urged the believers to discipline themselves through prayer and to use their gifts to serve each other for in doing so they glorified the Lord. ( 4:7-11). Part of following the Lord in love means being ready to follow him and to suffer for being obedient to his commands. ( 4:12-19). Peter told the Church leaders that they needed to humble themselves and not to use their authority to boss people around but to serve others. ( 5:1-6).
Peter noted that struggles were a way of Christ working in them , transforming their hearts and allowing the love of Christ to flow through them. ( 1:22-23). Christ used all of his followers for his purpose and we become part of his household when we submit to him. ( 2:1-5). Peter told the Christian Jews scatttered around the Roman Empire that they were to live holy lives which were different than the world , becoming ridiculed for the Lord and being witnesses to him through their lives. ( 2: 11-12). Peter urged slaves to obey their masters noting that in doing so they should emulate Christ's example of suffering and trusting the Lord while doing so. ( 2:13-25).
Theme 2: (3-5): Christ's followers must love each other and be united through the love of Christ flowing through their lives. Part of this process involves submitting to each other in love. Wives are required to submit to their Husbands and Husbands must love their wives and be considerate to them. ( 3:1-7). Part of this love involves being ready to share the hope of Christ's salvation with others in a gentle and respectful way and with good conscience and conduct. ( 3:15-16). Peter urged the believers to discipline themselves through prayer and to use their gifts to serve each other for in doing so they glorified the Lord. ( 4:7-11). Part of following the Lord in love means being ready to follow him and to suffer for being obedient to his commands. ( 4:12-19). Peter told the Church leaders that they needed to humble themselves and not to use their authority to boss people around but to serve others. ( 5:1-6).
Song of Songs/Songs of Solomon
The insight that I gain from this book is that the Lord cares for us and longs to have a deep and meaningful relationship with each individual. He accepts all people and allows each person to enjoy his company (1:7).He brings those whom have come to him to a place of celebration showing them his love. (2:4). The Lord's love is to be cherished above all things(4:10) and his words to us are desirable and thoughtful. ( 5:16). It is the Lord's desire to have a restored relationship with each person(7:10) and the Lord makes haste to show his love to all.(8:14).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
James
Theme 1: ( 1-2): Trials are a part of our journey with the Lord and are used for our good. We live out our faith through our actions. Trials produce faith and allow us to become more godly. ( 1:2-4). Christ promised to bless those who suffered for their faith in him. ( 1:12). A vital part of our faith is our actions and we must care for the needy( 1:22-27) and not show favortism to others. ( 2:1-8). Faith without any actions to back it up is dead. ( 2:14-26).
Theme 2: ( 3-5): Controlling our thoughts and actions is a crucial part of following the Lord. The tongue must be controlled for if it is not controlled it will cause catastrophe . ( 3:1-12). It is foolish to boast about our plans for the future as only God knows about it for he controls all events and circumstances. ( 4:13-17). One action that is important is trust as we must trust the Lord and be patient during difficult times. (5: 7-11). A second vital action to practice is prayer for it is powerful and effective. ( 5:12-18).
Theme 2: ( 3-5): Controlling our thoughts and actions is a crucial part of following the Lord. The tongue must be controlled for if it is not controlled it will cause catastrophe . ( 3:1-12). It is foolish to boast about our plans for the future as only God knows about it for he controls all events and circumstances. ( 4:13-17). One action that is important is trust as we must trust the Lord and be patient during difficult times. (5: 7-11). A second vital action to practice is prayer for it is powerful and effective. ( 5:12-18).
Hebrews
Theme 1: (1-5) : Christ reedemed us from the penalty of sin and acts as a mediator between Christians and the Lord. The Christian's response is to seek after the Lord and obey him. Christ defeated death when he arose from the grave paying the penalty for our sin ( 1:3). Christ acts as a High Priest bringing us into the presence of the Lord. ( 2:17-18). Christians can enter the presence of the Lord through Christ's sacrifice for our sins and be refreshed when we seek him. ( 4: 4-16). As believers our response is to follow the Lord and to become people who emulate the character of Christ( 5:11).
Theme 2: ( 6-10): Christ created a new covenant through his death and ressurection and part of this covenant involves believers proclaiming the gospel. Jesus made a way for us to come into the presence of the Lord. ( 6:19-20). Christ's atonement for our sin : is final for all people and for all eternity( 7:27), made the old system of atonement obsolete ( 8:6-7), allowed every person who sought forgiveness to seek after him and grow in the knowledge of him(9:28), Christ on the basis of the new covenant encourages and equips us by the Holy Sprit( 10:14) and allows us to boldly approach God ( 10:22-23).
Theme 3: (11-13): Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with the Lord and allows us to go through trials. Faith involves trusting in the Lord and stepping out in boldness and allows us to serve the Lord and allows him to do marvelous things through us. ( 11:4-35). Difficult times of trial are used to discipline us and make us grow in the character of Christ. ( 12:11). Imitating Christ and trusting him is a crucial part of the Christian life and is an essiential part of walking with the Lord and becoming more like him. ( 13:7).
Theme 2: ( 6-10): Christ created a new covenant through his death and ressurection and part of this covenant involves believers proclaiming the gospel. Jesus made a way for us to come into the presence of the Lord. ( 6:19-20). Christ's atonement for our sin : is final for all people and for all eternity( 7:27), made the old system of atonement obsolete ( 8:6-7), allowed every person who sought forgiveness to seek after him and grow in the knowledge of him(9:28), Christ on the basis of the new covenant encourages and equips us by the Holy Sprit( 10:14) and allows us to boldly approach God ( 10:22-23).
Theme 3: (11-13): Faith is the cornerstone of our relationship with the Lord and allows us to go through trials. Faith involves trusting in the Lord and stepping out in boldness and allows us to serve the Lord and allows him to do marvelous things through us. ( 11:4-35). Difficult times of trial are used to discipline us and make us grow in the character of Christ. ( 12:11). Imitating Christ and trusting him is a crucial part of the Christian life and is an essiential part of walking with the Lord and becoming more like him. ( 13:7).
Proverbs
Theme 1: 1-11, Wisdom is based on seeking the Lord and in finding wisdom , a person is equipped to deal with the challenges of life and to avoid various pitfalls such as adultery and theft. Wisdom is based on respecting the Lord and showing reverence to him. (1:7). In seeking wisdom we please the Lord and he delivers the person who seeks wisdom from the pitfalls of sin.(2:1-15). The Lord's wisdom created the universe and is avaliable to all who seek it. (8:1-22). Seeking the guidance and wisdom of the Lord , being obedient to his commands and emulating his character brings security to a person's life. ( 10:27-29). Being a person of humility , integrity and obedience to the Lord's commands brings deliverance from the wrath of God against those who choose to disobey. ( 11:1-3).
Theme 2: 12-20: A vital part of wisdom is correctly applying it to one's life and being disciplined and self controlled in following the Lord's commands. Discipline is to be embraced as it provides knowledge. ( 12:1) and applying wisdom and living righteously brings satisfaction to a person's life. ( 13: 25). Seeking the Lord's wisdom and direction provides a refuge for us in difficult times. ( 18:10). Walking in the way of wisdom and living righteously provides happiness. ( 20:10).
Theme 3: ( 21-31): Wisdom involves making a choice of how to apply the knowledge we have to the situations we go through in life. Being a person of integrity who correctly applies wisdom is better than being rich. ( 22: 9). Fearing the Lord is the cornerstone of wisdom. ( 23:17). Part of wisdom involves submitting to those in authority ( 24:21)and watching what we say. ( 25: 11-12). We are not to add to the commands of the Lord for in doing so we will be punished. ( 30:6).
Theme 2: 12-20: A vital part of wisdom is correctly applying it to one's life and being disciplined and self controlled in following the Lord's commands. Discipline is to be embraced as it provides knowledge. ( 12:1) and applying wisdom and living righteously brings satisfaction to a person's life. ( 13: 25). Seeking the Lord's wisdom and direction provides a refuge for us in difficult times. ( 18:10). Walking in the way of wisdom and living righteously provides happiness. ( 20:10).
Theme 3: ( 21-31): Wisdom involves making a choice of how to apply the knowledge we have to the situations we go through in life. Being a person of integrity who correctly applies wisdom is better than being rich. ( 22: 9). Fearing the Lord is the cornerstone of wisdom. ( 23:17). Part of wisdom involves submitting to those in authority ( 24:21)and watching what we say. ( 25: 11-12). We are not to add to the commands of the Lord for in doing so we will be punished. ( 30:6).
Ecclessiates
Theme 1: Life is short and temporal and therefore we need to seek the Lord who is in control of all things. In serving and following the Lord's commands we gain wisdom. ( 2:26), satisfaction in our work ( 5:18) and prosperity in all that we do. (8:12).
Theme 2: God is in control of all things and must be honoured and obeyed. Seeking after him brings joy. God created order and a time and place for everything. ( 3:1-8). In respecting the Lord we need to watch our words and not be hasty in making promises we cannot keep.(5:1-6). Part of following the Lord is accepting the situations we face whether good or bad, knowing that he uses them for his purposes. (7:18).
Theme 2: God is in control of all things and must be honoured and obeyed. Seeking after him brings joy. God created order and a time and place for everything. ( 3:1-8). In respecting the Lord we need to watch our words and not be hasty in making promises we cannot keep.(5:1-6). Part of following the Lord is accepting the situations we face whether good or bad, knowing that he uses them for his purposes. (7:18).
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