Today’s Reading: Jer 4:19–5:31, Col 2:6–23, Prov 11:13–31

Today’s Theme: Alive in Christ

Today’s theme is that we are alive in Christ and so should live in light of that and bear fruit like trees planted by a stream of water. The principles of godly living are found throughout today’s readings.

Jeremiah 4:19–5:31

Don’t be stupid

“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”(Jeremiah 4:22, ESV)

God has not called us to simplicity or stupidity, rather God has called us to faith, holiness, wisdom and knowledge.

God’s word is fulfilled

“For this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above be dark; for I have spoken; I have purposed; I have not relented, nor will I turn back.”(Jeremiah 4:28, ESV)

When God purposes something, it will come to pass because He is free, powerful and Sovereign.

Justice and truth

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.(Jeremiah 5:1, ESV)

We should seek truth and mobilise in action to seek justice for our community, city, nation and world.

Don’t be stubborn

O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.(Jeremiah 5:3, ESV)

Lord, please keep us and forgive us from making our face like rock in stubbornness and rebellion.

Flee spiritual adultery

“How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of whores. They were well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbor’s wife.(Jeremiah 5:7–8, ESV)

What a terribly sad situation. Lord, You feed us so well both physically and spiritually, please keep us from this kind of adultery, it is a horrible picture but all too common.

Powerful words

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: “Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them.(Jeremiah 5:14, ESV)

Lord, our words can be so detrimental, help us to watch and use words with wisdom and power. Help us to respect the words spoken by Your servants.

Listen intently

“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.(Jeremiah 5:21, ESV)

This condition persists, since Jesus’ day until today,  some who have ears but do not hear. Determine for your part, to listen intently to the Lord today.

God is worthy of our fear

Do you not fear me? declares the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.(Jeremiah 5:22, ESV)

We should fear God for His mighty acts in creation, let alone redemption and our lives.

Don’t be kept from good

Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you.(Jeremiah 5:25, ESV)

Lord, we want to enjoy the good life You have provided, please keep us from sinful ways which will bring robbery and disqualification from the good You intend for us.

Sin keeps us from God and ultimate good.

Social justice

Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?”(Jeremiah 5:29, ESV)

We are called to pursue social justice. We must always remember to do it in context to the gospel and in the name of Jesus.

Beware false prophets

the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?(Jeremiah 5:31, ESV)

This is happening today through prosperity preachers in the Word of Faith movement. Lord, help Your people that they will not be deceived by these false prophets.

Colossians 2:6–23

Be rooted and established in Jesus

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.(Colossians 2:6–7, ESV)

We are called to behave in a new way, to reflect our new belief. Our roots, progression and growth in the faith is all in Jesus.

Be rooted in Jesus today, you are alive in Him, bear the fruit of praise, thanks and good works to the glory of God.

The incarnate God

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,(Colossians 2:9, ESV)

Jesus is the incarnation of God, the fullness of God in bodily form. Jesus is God, in His incarnation, He is the one unique God-Man. We are made alive in Him.

Jesus is sovereign

and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.(Colossians 2:10, ESV)

Jesus is Sovereign over all rulers, this should give us boldness as we pray today.

Faith in God’s great power

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.(Colossians 2:12, ESV)

We put our faith in God’s great power, the same great power that rose Christ from the dead.

The devils claim, wiped out

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.(Colossians 2:13–14, ESV)

Contrary to contemporary theology, the devil has no legal claim on us, it was wiped out by the cross. Hallelujah, those in Christ are free from the devil’s claims on us. The legal demands have been met in the cross of Christ.

The devil is defeated

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.(Colossians 2:15, ESV)

God’s great victory over the demonic through Jesus. Sing praise to His glorious name today, because our great enemy Satan was defeated at the cross and resurrection of Christ, to God’s glory and our salvation.

Fulfilled in Jesus

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.(Colossians 2:17, ESV)

The feasts of Israel, the mosaic diet and even the Sabbaths, were all pointing to Christ and find their fulfilment in Him.

False visions

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,(Colossians 2:18, ESV)

This can happen in the church today, when someone gets a vision etc and it is not checked against the bible, or is seen on the same level as the bible.

Growth from God

and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.(Colossians 2:19, ESV)

God brings church and personal growth.

Self made religions have no value

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.(Colossians 2:23, ESV)

A blast against legalism, and false religion in all its forms.

Proverbs 11:13–31

Be trustworthy

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.(Proverbs 11:13, ESV)

Lord, we have seen this so often in the church and may have been seduced by it ourselves, help us to be trustworthy.

Don’t fly solo

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.(Proverbs 11:14, ESV)

This is why fellowship, relationship and discipleship under godly leadership is so important. It also makes a case for looking to the work of others, when studying. For example, seeing what a trusted commentator says about a difficult verse etc.

Good violence

A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.(Proverbs 11:16, ESV)

There must be a type of violence or aggression in our spirit as men. Don’t be passive, we should have violent faith in the spirit.

Be kind

A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.(Proverbs 11:17, ESV)

This is a great reminder to always show kindness.

Delight the Lord

Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.(Proverbs 11:20, ESV)

We should bring delight to The Lord in our conduct.

Have discretion

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.(Proverbs 11:22, ESV)

The idea of discretion has been so horribly eroded today that many women do not even know what it looks like. May the biblical picture of manhood and womanhood be restored.

Good desires

The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.(Proverbs 11:23, ESV)

When we are walking in righteousness, we can trust our desires to help guide us.

Be a blessing

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.(Proverbs 11:24, ESV)

This is hugely important, this is why we should give freely, generously, lovingly and honestly to The Lord and needs which arise in the church community… To both be a blessing and be blessed ourselves.

Trust the Lord

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.(Proverbs 11:28, ESV)

We should not put our trust in wages, banks, property, we trust in The Lord.

Be wise

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.(Proverbs 11:30, ESV)

It follows that we must use wisdom to capture souls.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Colossians 2

Today’s Reading: Jer 3:1–4:18, Col 1:15–2:5, Prov 11:1–12

Today’s Theme: The Christ Hymn

Today we enter one of the richest passages in the entire New Testament known as the Christ Hymn, where we learn some fascinating things about the person, power, work and position of Christ.

Jeremiah 3:1–4:18

Be genuine

Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.”(Jeremiah 3:10, ESV)

Is this why Josiah’s reforms had no effect, was it done in pretence? Anything done in pretence will have no lasting impact and has no impact with God at all, because He knows our hearts and mind, so we should be genuine and heartfelt in everything we do.

The teaching Pastor

“ ‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.(Jeremiah 3:15, ESV)

A Pastor’s job is to teach and to teach well, not to abuse or neglect the sheep. Give God thanks today for our own Pastors and all good Pastors who seek to feed and teach God’s people.

Sexual sin and worship

Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.(Jeremiah 3:23, ESV)

It seems false worship is always connected to sexual sin. This explains the enemy’s tactic of flooding our culture with sexual deviancy and perversion.

Circumcise your heart

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”(Jeremiah 4:4, ESV)

Even in the OT circumcision was about the heart. Through the OT we see clear connection to the revelation of the NT.

To circumcise our hearts is to cut away anything that is unclean and seeks only the selfish and destructive pleasures of sin.

Wicked thoughts

O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?(Jeremiah 4:14, ESV)

God calls us to this washing today too. Lord, keep us from having wicked thoughts stuck in our heads.

Colossians 1:15–2:5

Jesus, the perfect image of God

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.(Colossians 1:15, ESV)

Verse 15-20 is known as the Christ Hymn and was part of a creed or confession sung by the first church. It is one of the most important passages in scripture because it quite clearly states the divinity of Christ as distinct, yet connected to the Father.

The word used for ‘image’ is the Greek word ‘eikon’, which is also used in Genesis (1:26-27) when God says He will make Man as His image bearers. This connection alone teaches us a number of important truths.

Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s nature and being, reflected to us as humans in His earthly mission from incarnation to resurrection.

Jesus brings God into our human understanding by making the invisible God visible, He is God’s ultimate self revelation.

We only see what the unspoiled image of God looks like in Christ, the image we should have been but fell short of in sin. He fulfils humanity’s creation role to be the vehicle for God’s own self expression in the earth.

Jesus the Creator

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.(Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Jesus created all things and therefore cannot be Himself created, He has always exited for all eterrnity.

Jesus holds it all

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.(Colossians 1:17, ESV)

Jesus is the force holding all reality and every atom together, without Him reality and creation itself would not be here and could not be sustained.

Jesus the preeminent

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.(Colossians 1:18, ESV)

The word ‘firstborn’ and ‘preeminent’ are linked. Christ is unique and preeminent.

The term firstborn means preeminent and has nothing to do with the order of creation, the image here is of the son who is entitled to the inheritance. Jesus is eternal because He is God.

Jesus comes before all creation, is above all creation and is distinguished or set apart from creation.

The watchtower Society and others have perverted the interpretation of this hymn, claiming that Jesus was the first creature created. By this very assertion, Jesus cannot be divine as they blasphemously hold that he is just the greatest creation or the mightiest of all the Angels. This is heresy.

Jesus the incarnate

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,(Colossians 1:19, ESV)

We celebrate this every Christmas, it is in the incarnation that Jesus brings us the fullness of God in bodily form, as the one and only God-Man.

Called to persevere

he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.(Colossians 1:22–23, ESV)

Jesus has reconciled us in order to present us as blameless and above reproach before the Father, however this is not disconnected from our responsibility to persevere in sanctification and holiness. We must continue in the faith.

Suffering for the name of Jesus

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,(Colossians 1:24, ESV)

The suffering of Christ on the cross was complete and sufficient, this verse simply means Paul suffered for the church on Christ’s behalf and so should we all.

Warn and teach

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

Thank God our Pastors do a lot of warning and teach too, just like Paul and the Apostles.

Use the energy God supplies

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.(Colossians 1:29, ESV)

We should work hard with the energy God has given.

The lukewarm church

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,(Colossians 2:1, ESV)

Laodicea is the church that became lukewarm, this is despite the struggles and work of Paul for them. We must be alive to the danger of lukewarmness despite the efforts of our leaders, it is each of our responsibility as believers, to stay on fire for God.

Full assurance

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,(Colossians 2:2, ESV)

Understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery should lead the believer to full assurance in Christ. We should not doubt our salvation or Christ because doubt itself is sin.

Go treasure hunting

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(Colossians 2:3, ESV)

We should go treasure hunting in the very person of Christ.

Eroding arguments

I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.(Colossians 2:4, ESV)

The plausible arguments of errant theology can subtly erode our assurance and confidence in the Lord… Paul is writing to combat this.

Proverbs 11:1–12

Guided by integrity

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.(Proverbs 11:3, ESV)

Thank you Lord that Your integrity guides us this morning.

The bondage of lust

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.(Proverbs 11:6, ESV)

This is true, lust will take you captive at its own will.

Learn to be silent

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.(Proverbs 11:12, ESV)

This verse talks about the virtue of staying silent. The previous verse is not saying that speaking bad of the city mystically pulls it down, it is alluding to the result of the bad words politically and socially.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Colossians 1

Today’s Reading: Jer 1:1–2:37, Col 1:1–14, Prov 10:1–32

Today’s Theme: Deep Knowledge

Today we begin two new books, Jeremiah and Colossians. I found reading the introduction to each book incredibly useful so have pasted the intro from the ESV for you below.

Today’s theme is deep knowledge, God has deep knowledge of us from before we were even born. We are called to have deep experiential knowledge of God, which inspires and feeds our intellectual pursuit of the knowledge of God.

Jeremiah Intro (ESV)

Jeremiah, often called the “weeping prophet” because of his sorrow over the persistent message of God’s judgment, prophesied to the nation of Judah from the reign of King Josiah in 627 B.C. until sometime after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586. He dictated his prophecies to a scribe named Baruch (36:4, 32). Jeremiah’s task as a prophet was to declare the coming judgment of God. However, throughout the book we also see God’s concern for repentance and righteousness in individuals as well as nations. This dual focus is seen in God’s instructions to Jeremiah: he was “to pluck up and to break down” but also “to build and to plant” (1:10). Jeremiah sees a future day when God will write his law on human hearts, and “they shall all know me,” and “I will remember their sin no more” (31:33–34).

Colossians Intro (ESV)

Paul wrote to the church in Colossae to fortify it against false teachers who might try to impose strict rules about eating and drinking and religious festivals. Paul shows the superiority of Christ over all human philosophies and traditions. He writes of Christ’s deity (“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” [1:15]) and of the reconciliation he accomplished with his blood. He explains that the right way of living in this world is to focus on heavenly rather than earthly things. God’s chosen people must leave their sinful lives behind and live in a godly way, looking to Christ as the head of the church (1:18). Paul wrote while in prison, probably about the same time as he wrote to the Ephesians.

Jeremiah 1:1–2:37

Chosen before birth

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”(Jeremiah 1:5, ESV)

The first part can be applied to any of our lives, the second part was specifically toward Jeremiah.

God knew us before we were formed in the womb, this shines light on two important truths.

Firstly, life begins at conception so abortion is always murder.

Secondly, God knows us from before we were even born, before we ever make a decision to do anything He elects us and sets out a destiny before us, that means your life has a purpose.

Don’t be afraid

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”(Jeremiah 1:8, ESV)

Delivering God’s word can be a frightening thing, it is good that Jeremiah did not have false confidence and so had to depend on the Lord. We don’t have to be afraid when delivering God’s word in anyway, if God is with us.

Authority by God’s word

See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”(Jeremiah 1:10, ESV)

This was because the Lord had put His word in his mouth. With God’s word in our mouth, we too have a degree of influence and spiritual authority over nations and kingdoms.

Like Jeremiah, this authority does not come from our own words or thoughts, but from God Himself and His words speaks through us.

God watches and performs

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”(Jeremiah 1:12, ESV)

God actively brings His word to pass. God is not passive, He is watching over His own decrees and sees that His royal decrees are performed in whichever way He sees fit.

We can take great confidence in God’s word with the knowledge that He watches over His word and actively brings it to pass.

Dress for work

But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.(Jeremiah 1:17, ESV)

We must prepare ourselves for the Lord’s work. This principle is picked up in the NT where we are told to put on the Lord Jesus, good works and the armour of God.

See Romans 13:14, Ephesians 6:11, Colossians 3:10, 12, 14, 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

Become what you pursue

Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?(Jeremiah 2:5, ESV)

You will become what you pursue.

If we pursue God we will become more like God. If we pursue the things of the world, we will become more like the world. If we pursue God’s word, we will become more like the word we consume.

Whatever we pursue and consume will become a part of us.

We cannot sit on the fence, as creatures we will pursue something and will be given over to whatever we pursue, so we need to make a decision to pursue God through His word everyday.

Leaders should know God

The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.(Jeremiah 2:8, ESV)

The leaders of God’s people must know and seek God experientially. We should pray for all the churches where the leaders do not have a living relationship with God and have accepted heresy and compromise, that God would replace the leaders with men who love Him.

Our supreme treasure

for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.(Jeremiah 2:13, ESV)

We must recognise God as our supreme treasure, how can we exchange Him for something else?

Your words judge you

Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.(Jeremiah 2:19, ESV)

Jesus picks up on this by saying that peoples’ own words will judge them on the day of judgement. See Matthew 12:37

We are not free, choose your master

And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, ‘We are free, we will come no more to you’?(Jeremiah 2:31, ESV)

The self deception of our libertarian way of thinking today, keep us from this pitfall Lord, of thinking we can do whatever we want without consequence.

We are not truly free, we have to choose a master; will it be the dictates of the flesh and the enemy or will we submit to God?, There is no middle ground of freedom, we are slaves to sin or to righteousness, make the choice today.

Colossians 1:1–14

Faith and love

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,(Colossians 1:4, ESV)

Faith and love are always spoken of together, there is an important reason for this, one cannot truly exist without the other.

The word of truth

because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,(Colossians 1:5, ESV)

The Gospel comes in words not just actions, these are words of truth about the hope we have laid up for us in heaven. Let’s be very clear, the Gospel is the word of truth.

Hear, understand and do the gospel

which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,(Colossians 1:6, ESV)

We need to hear the gospel, understand it and do so in sincerity.

Rooted, experiential knowledge

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,(Colossians 1:9, ESV)

As Pastor often teaches us, this is about experiential deep rooted knowledge of the Lord, not just intellectual assent but personal recognition of God’s will.

Increase in knowledge

so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.(Colossians 1:10, ESV)

This knowledge of God is to do with our minds, so the experience should feed the mind’s appetite to learn more about God and vice versa. We must increase in our knowledge of God.

Endure with joy

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,(Colossians 1:11, ESV)

We must endure with Joy but can only do this by God’s power. We are called to persevere, not in misery but in deep rooted joy.

Jesus has delivered us

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,(Colossians 1:13, ESV)

Jesus HAS delivered us from the domain of darkness, this is actual and present tense.

You do not need a “man of god” to deliver you, or a deliverance ministry or a Shaman or witch doctor or juju man. None of these are needed because Jesus has already delivered you, so put your trust in Him.

Proverbs 10:1–32

God will feed you

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(Proverbs 10:3, ESV)

A promise to stand on for provision of food, even in hard times.

Be diligent

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.(Proverbs 10:4, ESV)

Lord, help our hands not to be slack in anything but to be diligent workers.

Receive God’s commands

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.(Proverbs 10:8, ESV)

Lord, keep us from just babbling, give us wise hearts to receive your commands

Have integrity

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.(Proverbs 10:9, ESV)

We absolutely must walk in integrity.

Don’t keep offence

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.(Proverbs 10:12, ESV)

Father please forgive us where our heart keeps offence, help us to walk in love.

Money

The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.(Proverbs 10:16, ESV)

God allows the money we make to lead to life.

Restrain your lips

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.(Proverbs 10:19, ESV)

Lord, help us to do this, to hold back our words and to exercise self control.

Find pleasure

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.(Proverbs 10:23, ESV)

We should find pleasure in God’s word.

Desires granted

What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.(Proverbs 10:24, ESV)

God will grant our righteous desires, thank you Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Colossians 1

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 23:28–25:30, Eph 6:1–24, Prov 9:13–18

Today’s Theme: Godly Discipline

Godly parenting and discipline is an important theme today. Children are told to obey their parents while parents are told to instruct and discipline their children and not to discourage them.

God desires that we flourish as humans and knows that the godly family is the best environment for this.

Other important things in today’s reading include God’s discipline of Judah, the reality of the spiritual battle we are in, the call to prayer and the call away from folly.

2 Kings 23:28–25:30

God Judges

Surely this came upon Judah at the command of the Lord, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done,(2 Kings 24:3, ESV)

It seems it was the specific wickedness of Manasseh’s reign that was the catalyst for the assured judgement of Judah.

This is a very sad end to the book of Kings. One of the important lessons it teaches us is that God is not passive, He is active in judgement, discipline and in bringing prophecy to pass.

Let the brutal end to the kingdom of Judah serve as a warning to all of us, that compromise and wickedness will only lead to destruction.

God is not mocked

and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord would not pardon.(2 Kings 24:4, ESV)

There are some things The Lord will not pardon, even the cross is not just a blank check, God remains Sovereign even over salvation and forgiveness, it is not automatic and cannot be abused. Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked.

Ephesians 6:1–24

A command for children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(Ephesians 6:1, ESV)

This is a command for all children as long as the parents do not instruct the child against the Lord, it must always be in line with God.

Modern psychology and ways of thinking in the West have tried to liberate children from having to obey their parents, with awful consequences.

God’s pattern for the family is clear. One of God’s great purposes is that human beings would flourish and the best conditions for this are when Husbands are loving, Wives are submissive, Children are obedient and Parents discipline their own children.

A command to parents

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.(Ephesians 6:4, ESV)

Parents (the word father can be translated as parent) are encouraged to bring their children up with both discipline and clear instruction.

We must not provoke or push our children to anger by neglecting them, ignoring them, spoiling them, teasing them, pressuring them, comparing them or doing anything that takes away from their careful and loving discipline and instruction.

As Parents we must set a good example, give regular correction, and consistent discipline. We must be patient with our children. Also remember that discipline is more about a child’s heart than their behaviour because behaviour comes from the heart, so we must help our children understand the nature of sin, we must shepherd their hearts.

A command to workers

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,(Ephesians 6:5-6, ESV)

This is the attitude we should go to work with. We should see our service at work as service to Christ and do God’s will in the workplace, from our hearts.

As Christian employees we must not be the ones who slack off, complain and perform poorly, we should be the total opposite.

Rewards from God

knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.(Ephesians 6:8, ESV)

Our rewards will come from The Lord so be encouraged in doing good.

Take your stand

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.(Ephesians 6:11, ESV)

This is the reason we put on the armour, not so much to fight, but to stand.

We fight the devils army

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Our fight is not with men but with the satanic horde. Make no mistake, we are in a very real battle against evil and demonic forces.

Pray in the Spirit

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,(Ephesians 6:18, ESV)

To pray in the Spirit means we pray as guided by the Spirit while walking in step with the Spirit. This is true for all types of prayer (not just praying with the gift of tongues for example).

A prayer for minsters

for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.(Ephesians 6:20, ESV)

We should pray this for all of God’s ministers who, like Paul, are charged with declaring the Gospel.

Love incorruptible

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.(Ephesians 6:24, ESV)

Wow, this is a summary of the true Christian’s life, love incorruptible.

Proverbs 9:13–18

Avoid folly

The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.(Proverbs 9:13, ESV)

This is applicable to men and women, avoid loud folly.

The lie

“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”(Proverbs 9:17, ESV)

The lying promise of sin’s pleasures.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Ephesians 6

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 22:1–23:27, Eph 5:1–33, Prov 9:1–12

Today’s Theme: God’s Reforming Word

The word of God is powerful and brings reformation to our lives and nations. The truth of God’s word should motivate us and drive us forward to live lives that bring glory to God.

Through God’s word we learn to imitate God, to submit to and love one another, and live in purity before God. God’s will is revealed in His word (The Bible).

2 Kings 22:1–23:27

Children, serve the Lord

And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.(2 Kings 22:2, ESV)

Josiah followed the Lord from a young age and did not compromise. This shows that you don’t have to live in the dark shadow of your father.

Read the bible

And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.(2 Kings 22:8, ESV)

How dark and destructive our lives would become without God’s word. Read or listen to the bible today.

The only way of escape

because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.(2 Kings 22:19, ESV)

Penitence and humility are our only route of escape, as we put our faith in God and repent.

The word restores

And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord.(2 Kings 23:2, ESV)

This is wonderful, Josiah brings them back to the word of God. The only thing that will truly restore those who have fallen away is the flesh shattering truth of God’s word.

Apply the word

And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.(2 Kings 23:3, ESV)

Josiah did more than just read, he did something about it.

The pathway to reformation

And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.(2 Kings 23:4, ESV)

The first step in these reforms was to destroy all remnants of false worship and idolatry. This is true in our own lives and nations too.

Destroy idolatry

And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people.(2 Kings 23:6, ESV)

Let us beat all idolatry and false worship to dust.

Save the children

And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Molech.(2 Kings 23:10, ESV)

Josiah’s reforms would save the lives of innocent children.

Prophecy fulfilled

And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the mount. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the Lord that the man of God proclaimed, who had predicted these things.(2 Kings 23:16, ESV)

The prophet who was deceived by the old prophet and disobeyed the Lord, the word he declared has now been fulfilled.

God’s servant

And he said, “Let him be; let no man move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.(2 Kings 23:18, ESV)

Even though he failed in the end, he was still honoured in death because he was God’s servant. As God’s servant you may fail in your task but you remain God’s servant and God will be glorified in the end.

False altars

And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.(2 Kings 23:20, ESV)

He sacrificed these false priests on their false altars. The sin you worship will one day devour you. Give sin up before it gives you up.

Motivated by the word

But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in Jerusalem.(2 Kings 23:23, ESV)

This king was driven by the word of God.

Run after the word

Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.(2 Kings 23:25, ESV)

Josiah was the most godly king that ever lived, and it is because he ran hard after the word of God. We will be the best we can be if we seek to fulfil the word of God, revealed in the bible.

Sin must be judged

Still the Lord did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him.(2 Kings 23:26, ESV)

Despite the great reforms, the sins of Manasseh were so great that punishment could not be averted.

Ephesians 5:1–33

Imitate God

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.(Ephesians 5:1, ESV)

We are not little gods, we should imitate God. This means we should learn from and try to emulate His attributes of goodness, love, kindness, forgiveness etc.

Walk in love

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(Ephesians 5:2, ESV)

This is our noble and high calling; to walk in love.

Sexual immorality

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.(Ephesians 5:3, ESV)

This covers adultery (physical and mental), fornication, pornography etc. – all sexual sin. It is as if this was written specifically for us today, our culture is over saturated with sexual immorality. As saints we are called to live above sexual immorality.

Be thankful

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.(Ephesians 5:4, ESV)

It can be so easy to be drawn into this kind of thing, we must stand our ground. Avoid worthless and foolish talking, instead give thanks. Our brothers in America have just celebrated thanksgiving, let us use our lips to give God thanks for His goodness today.

Called to discipleship and purity

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.(Ephesians 5:5, ESV)

This does away with the idea that anti discipleship Christians (the “only believe” crowd), are even saved. As Christians we are called to live pure lives.

Don’t believe empty words

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.(Ephesians 5:6, ESV)

Do not be deceived by the empty words of those who say we do not need to live pure lives before God. Like Paul says, it is because of things like sexual immorality that the anger of God is directed to fallen man.

Called to holiness

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light(Ephesians 5:8, ESV)

We have been called to holiness, we should live pure, open, honest lives in the light of God’s revelation, found in His word.

Expose the works of darkness

and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.(Ephesians 5:10–11, ESV)

This is why we watch and make documentaries exposing the works of darkness. We should be shining the light of truth, or reading books defending the truth, over and against the works of darkness.

We are called to be defenders of the faith and to show the works of darkness for what they really are.

The best way to expose the dark is to shine the light long and hard.

Don’t waste time

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.(Ephesians 5:16, ESV)

Time is so key, we cannot waste it because once it is gone we can’t get it back.

God’s will…REVEALED!!

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.(Ephesians 5:17, ESV)

The will of the Lord is not some mystical thing, it is clear and outlined in the Word of God. For example, live in purity and avoid sexual sin.

Drunkenness is sin

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,(Ephesians 5:18, ESV)

This is why I do not drink, for fear of getting drunk, drunkenness is debouched sin.

Submitting to each other

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.(Ephesians 5:21, ESV)

This is in both the home and church, to both men and women.

Wives, submit to your husbands

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.(Ephesians 5:22, ESV)

Wives are particularly encouraged in this because the fall made it harder for women to do this, and even from Roman times the devil has tried to subvert God’s design by tempting women to be “strong and independent” and not submit to their own husbands.

Submit in everything

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.(Ephesians 5:24, ESV)

Not just in select things but in everything, the church should be submitted to Christ. This model should be played out in the marriage too as a wife totally (not partially or with reservation), submits to her husband.

Husbands, love your wife

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,(Ephesians 5:25, ESV)

This must be the life verse for husbands relationship with their wife, we need to seek to love her in the way Christ loved the church, daily… providing for her and being a covering is part of my understanding and working out of this verse.

Do yourself a favour, love your wife

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.(Ephesians 5:28, ESV)

This is so true, life can be so full of joy if we make an effort and let love rule over everything else. Do yourself a favour… Love your wife.

The devil wants to rob the joy and satisfaction from your relationship by drowning you in stress and busyness, don’t fall for it, enjoy your marriage by loving your wife.

Love and respect

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.(Ephesians 5:33, ESV)

A quick practical summary in case we missed the point.

Proverbs 9:1–12

Don’t be simple

Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”(Proverbs 9:6, ESV)

We should use the mind God has given us, leave simple mindedness behind.

Embrace correction

Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.(Proverbs 9:8, ESV)

We must learn to love reproof.

Knowing God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10, ESV)

True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, knowing who God is is so key to everything else.

The secret to long life

For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.(Proverbs 9:11, ESV)

Lord, please help me to walk in wisdom so that years can be added to my life.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Ephesians 5

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 20:1–21:26, Eph 4:1–32, Prov 8:27–36

Today’s Theme: Humble Majesty

Today we see two extremes, the kings in the Old Testament displayed cowardly indifference and selfishness in their positions as royalty. However in the New Testament we see the call to walk in humble majesty as the body of Christ building one another up in love as we stand in the one established and true faith.

Walk in humble majesty today as children adopted in God’s house by His grace for His work, for the glory of His name and our joy.

2 Kings 20:1–21:26

God hears and answers prayer

“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, (2 Kings 20:5, ESV)

It is comforting to know that God hears our prayers and sees our tears and is not only moved but lovingly responds.

God’s motivation

and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.” (2 Kings 20:6, ESV)

God is motivated most by the pursuit of His own Glory.

Use discretion

And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. (2 Kings 20:13, ESV)

We are called to be wise and discreet people. Jesus warned us not to throw our precious pearls before pigs that have no appreciation for such things and so will turn on us and trample us. Jesus also told us to be as harmless as doves but as wise as serpents who do not expose themselves to danger unnecessarily.

Whatever this represents in your life, ask God by His Holy Spirit to give you, discretion, wisdom, integrity and discernment so the enemy does not get a foothold.

Don’t be a selfish coward

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” (2 Kings 20:19, ESV)

This man had an inherent cowardliness and selfishness, he was even too cowardly to face death.

Don’t be selfish thinking only of your own life, consider the generations to come. Don’t be a coward.

God acts

because they have done what is evil in my sight and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.” (2 Kings 21:15, ESV)

God does act, sin angers Him, He does judge sin.

Buried in the back yard

And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son reigned in his place.  (2 Kings 21:18, ESV)

This king led the people into gross depravity and was so wicked they had to bury him in the back yard.

Ephesians 4:1–32

Walk like humble royalty

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:1, ESV)

Because we have been saved we should live for God. We should live holy lives. We have been called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, our daily conduct should clearly reflect this.

You would not expect a prince or princess to be playing in the dumps, God has adopted us and given us a glorious inheritance, making us a part of His royal household so we should walk as king’s children.

Walk as royalty because in Christ you are royal so walk with that dignity and consciousness. This will change the way you think and behave, you will not want to play in the dump of sin when you belong in God’s house.

We should balance our understanding as royalty in Christ with love and gratitude to God which will also affect the way we think and behave. Paul writes from a place of humility as God’s prisoner.

All humility

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2, ESV)

Our lives should be marked by humility. This is the true mark of maturity and greatness in God’s kingdom.

This can only be done genuinely with God’s help, we need to bear with our brothers in love.

Cast pride, selfishness and laziness aside today and ask God to help you to think and walk with humility.

One Faith

one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:5–6, ESV)

There is just one faith it does not have two tiers, ways or classes it is just one. We may have different ways of doing things, cultures and traditions but it is still just one faith.

The oneness of the faith is defined and defended in statements like the Apostles Creed and The Westminster Confession which outline the core essentials of our faith.

Check out our statement of faith here

Building and Unity

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:12, ESV)

We praise God for the ministers He has given to us and the church across the world, to build the church up.

This building up is done through the teaching of God’s word.

In a special sense this refers to those gifted to bring unity to the faith through the written cannon which we now have and cannot be taken from or added to. Now all ministers submit to this revelation (The Bible) to build and unify the church.

The Cannon

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:14, ESV)

This is a reference to the foundational work of establishing the Christian religion and the written word of God. The Faith is clearly defined in the words of scripture, it is not open to interpretation as post modernists assert.

The faith is clear, rooted, firm and written in black and white to the glory of God and the stability of the church. Because the fundamentals of the faith have been written down it has helped the church survive and thrive for more than 2000 years.

Honest love

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)

We must always speak the truth in love, truth without love can be very harmful and destructive. Let our speech be seasoned with love.

Work properly

from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:16, ESV)

Work properly! God has placed you into the body of Christ, you are an essential part holding together the whole. When we all play our part the body of Christ will supernaturally grow.

The more we love and serve each other the more we will grow.

Hard hearts

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:18, ESV)

Man is darkened through the hardness of our own hearts. Pray today that God would soften the hearts of those you are praying would be saved so they are not alienated from God and can come to the light of the truth.

Don’t harden your heart, it leads to alienation and darkness.

Put it off

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, (Ephesians 4:22, ESV)

We are called to sanctified lives. You need to consciously take off the old dirty clothes of your old nature with its evil desires. This is your responsibility, not God’s so do it today, put off the old ways of thinking and behaving.

Be who you are in Christ, let the new nature thrive.

Work and be generous

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Ephesians 4:28, ESV)

Men, we are called to work, we should be in a place where we can be generous to others.

Watch your talk

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)

Corrupt talk is obviously unsavoury speech like swearing but it is also corrupt thoughts like bad teaching.

We should watch what we say, insensitive and foolish words can really hurt people so think about what you say.

Say good things to build others up and show the grace of God to those who hear you.

Don’t grieve God

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30, ESV)

We must not grieve the Holy Spirit, remember He is God.

Proverbs 8:27–36

God is the great creator

when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, (Proverbs 8:29, ESV)

God’s scientific wonder in the world around us is amazing and should elicit our praise.

Find life and favour

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, (Proverbs 8:35, ESV)

Keep seeking wisdom it leads to life and favour.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Ephesians 4

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 18:13–19:37, Eph 2:1–3:21, Prov 8:19–26

Today’s Theme: Saved by Grace

Today’s reading was rich with deep truths in all three passages. In the Old Testament we learn about the sovereignty of God over the enemy and history so we don’t have to fear or even respond to the devil.

In the Proverbs we learn about the supreme value of wisdom and that with it we have an inheritance.

However the greatest lessons come from our reading in the wonderful book of Ephesians. We learn that although we were dead in sin God made us alive in Christ, saving us by His grace for the good works he prepared for us to do.

We also learn about the importance of the Bible and the riches of our new nature and inheritance in Christ, both Jew and Gentile as the one new man.

2 Kings 18:13–19:37

Don’t lean on the flesh

Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. (2 Kings 18:21, ESV)

This is like a picture of Satan, those who trust in him and their own ways will be cut by leaning on him/it.

God is sovereign

Moreover, is it without the Lord that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.’ ” (2 Kings 18:25, ESV)

A misunderstanding about the sovereignty of God. Although He allowed and used this it does not change His commitments, devotion and defence of His people.

You can’t make peace with the devil

Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, (2 Kings 18:31, ESV)

This is the call of the devil and the flesh but we must resist. You can’t make peace with the devil, he is hell bent on your misery and destruction. You can’t make peace with your flesh, it seeks only its own pleasure and hates God.

We are at war and there is no peace with the enemy but there is peace from and with God.

Don’t talk to the devil

But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.” (2 Kings 18:36, ESV)

We do not need to dignify the devil with a response. We don’t find prayers in the Bible where the devil is addressed directly, instead he is bypassed because in prayer we just talk to the boss, God Himself.

Jesus addresses the devil directly in His temptation but this was the actual devil himself and Jesus answered him with the word of God.

When Jesus taught us to pray the devil was not addressed even once, instead we were taught to entreat the Father to deliver us from evil including the evil of the devil.

We may talk about the devil when we pray but we do not talk to him, instead we talk over him. The only response he will get from us is the word of God when he tempts us like Jesus showed us and the Lord’s rebuke as we saw in Jude.

Sovereign over devils

Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’ ” (2 Kings 19:7, ESV)

Demonic spirits are under God’s Sovereign control, this is why we don’t need to enter into conversation with them. We appeal to the God who is the sovereign king even over them and commands them and they must obey.

Go to God with your problems

Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. (2 Kings 19:14, ESV)

We can tell his heart was for God, because he would always go to God first (realising the time he tried to buy someone off did not work).

We need to do that, to spread out our problem before The Lord.

God, king over the earth

And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. (2 Kings 19:15, ESV)

God, not Satan is king over the whole earth.

Sovereign over history

“Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass, that you should turn fortified cities into heaps of ruins, (2 Kings 19:25, ESV)

God is sovereign over history, His plans and purposes are continually being worked out. History is not on it’s own random course and is not solely in the hands of men, demons or angels. God is directing history in such a way as to glorify His name in all the earth.

Roots and Fruits

And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. (2 Kings 19:30, ESV)

Yes we need to take root downwards (in the word and Spirit) and bear fruit upwards (praise and behaviour).

Ephesians 2:1–3:21

We were dead

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, ESV)

This is the awful and serious state we were in before salvation, we could not respond to the Gospel because we were dead, we needed to be made alive.

Children of wrath

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:3, ESV)

This is a summary of life outside Christ. We are cheating people by telling them God loves them just the way they are, it just is not true, before we were saved, we were children of wrath. Those who do not know God are under God’s wrath (righteous anger).

Made alive in Christ

even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:5, ESV)

God made us alive, this is more than an analogy, the edict from Eden is true, all men from Adam were dead, dead in trespasses and sin.

This is so profound, it is by grace, not sense or response but grace by which we dead people have been made alive and saved.

Us being made alive, spiritually made as brand new creations, born all over again, regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit is the single most amazing miracle any of us will ever experience.

Look at the strength of the words used here, we were dead in our sins and while in that state where we could not help ourselves (dead people can’t do anything or even respond to anything) God does the IMPOSSIBLE, He by His unfathomable grace MADE US ALIVE!

Saved by grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)

The sum of reformed soteriology (the theology of salvation). We hold to what the reformers discovered in the word of God and so broke away from the Church of Rome which is that man is not saved by his own works, instead man is saved by God’s own grace.

God has saved us in this way so no one can boast that they had the common sense to respond to the Gospel and so essentially saved themselves and technically becomes the initiating agent of His own salvation.

The beautiful reality is that it is God Himself who saves us and not ourselves. If we saved ourselves we would have to keep ourselves which is not going to happen and makes us no different to all the futile religions of this world where the religious mind set / stronghold / spirit causes men to run after “God” through good works and human effort.

God is the one who saves us and keeps us, this truth should cause us to burst out in praise to God for His amazing grace which has saved us, not generally made salvation possible but actually, consciously, deliberately, specifically, chosen and really saved us.

Glory to his name forever!!

How should we then live?

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

This is how we should then live… We were saved to work good works. Our salvation is not an end in itself, we were saved for a purpose.

Works do not get us to salvation but we have been saved to work, we work BECAUSE we are saved.

The work God has for us has been predestined for us to do. We can have confidence in God’s purpose and provision for our lives.

The pathway has been prepared, now walk in it by faith working the good works of the one who has created us anew in Christ.

We are His workmanship, we are not generally, or mass manufactured, each of us has been created specifically by the great workmanship of God. Each a particular tool to be used in the building of God’s kingdom and for the glory of God’s great name.

May all the earth rejoice today, may the church rejoice, we are His workmanship, He has moulded and formed us for His purpose. Your life is not an accident, you are not a number, you are not random or general, you are special, God has created you specially in Christ to work the works He prepared for you specifically long before the world began.

One new man

by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (Ephesians 2:15–16, ESV)

We are indeed one new man in Christ, we should no longer distinguish ourselves as different or better because of being a physical Jew or Greek, we are one new man in Christ we are the church. We are not the messianic and gentile church, not the black and white church just the church.

Members of God’s household

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)

We are fellow citizens with the saints of Israel. God has made us members of His own household. We read yesterday that He adopted us in love, that means He was not our father in the spiritual sense or He would not need to adopt us.

Like Jesus said, if we call God Father we would do His works but we do the devil’s works proving the devil is our father. It is only by God’s magnanimous act of adoption that we become God’s children and members of His household.

The foundation

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (Ephesians 2:20, ESV)

The Apostles and Prophets are foundational to the church, their life and works were special and can not be repeated in the sense that they were the founders of the church. Their writings are considered holy scripture, divinely and specially inspired by God.

The canon of scripture is CLOSED and the church is already established so no Prophet or Apostle today can be seen on the same level or with the same office as the first ones who had a specific and special mission given to them by Jesus Himself.

We stand upon the foundation of their life and teaching as captured in the Bible with Jesus as the ultimate foundation.

God’s dwelling place

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22, ESV)

We are not only personally but corporately a dwelling place for God. Church is essential and critical for every believer, when we come together God dwells in our midst as we are built up each week.

None of us is being built up individually, we are being built alongside one another. It is not about one of us being such a big brick that it can’t be used in the wall.

God has set up the body of Christ, the Church, in such a way that we need each other to genuinely grow and without each other growth is stunted. If there is anyone reading this today who is out of fellowship with other believers you need to humble yourself and get connected or you will not grow… you may get head knowledge but you won’t be built up together with the saints by the Spirit of God.

Attending church is not enough, you need to actually fellowship, live and serve with other believers to be built up together into a dwelling place for God.

God’s revelation

which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:5, ESV)

Revealed to them to write it down in the Bible. Now we have the Bible there are no new revelations in that sense, the foundation as mentioned earlier has been laid.

This is why the Bible is so important, it is the record of God’s revelation.

Fellow Heirs

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:6, ESV)

The gentiles have been made fellow heirs with the faithful of Israel and receive the messianic promises that were given to the children of Israel. We are joint heirs, the Jews get no more or less than us, we are one in Christ.

We are rich

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, (Ephesians 3:8, ESV)

We have unsearchable riches in Christ. We are rich beyond our wildest dreams. The inheritance we have is priceless and eternal… Hallelujah

The light for everyone

and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, (Ephesians 3:9, ESV)

This is what Paul has done through his writings, the light for everyone is the Bible.

God’s purpose realised

This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Ephesians 3:11, ESV)

God’s eternal purpose is realised in the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You have accesses

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (Ephesians 3:12, ESV)

All saints through our faith in Christ have access to God, no intermediary is needed. Again the reformers were right, we don’t need priests, monks, pope’s, nuns, Mary or dead saints.

This is amazing, we have direct access to God, go to Him and talk to Him TODAY.

Inner strength

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16, ESV)

Yes Lord may our inner being be strengthened in You today as we rejoice in Your word by your Spirit.

Comprehend

may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (Ephesians 3:18, ESV)

God made our minds and wants them to be engaged and used for Him. May our minds be strengthened as we meditate on and study the word of God that we might know mentally / intellectually and by experience the love of God.

The fullness of God

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19, ESV)

A knowing that goes beyond just books but finds its form in reality and experience.

We cannot be filled with the fullness of God without studying His word.

God’s power at work in us

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20, ESV)

It is God who is able through His power at work in us (not our powerful words).

Proverbs 8:19–26

The value of wisdom

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. (Proverbs 8:19, ESV)

What comes from wisdom (its fruit) is far more valuable than money or what money can buy.

An inheritance

granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. (Proverbs 8:21, ESV)

When we gain wisdom we will also gain an inheritance and we will also prosper in the physical world.

The wise creator

Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. (Proverbs 8:23, ESV)

God used wisdom to create the world.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Ephesians 2 and 3

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 17:6–18:12, Eph 1:1–23, Prov 8:9–18

Today’s Theme: The Blessed, Bless God

Today is an exciting day, we begin our study of Ephesian’s, this is one of my favourite books in the Bible. Today’s theme is the wonderful blessings we are blessed with in Christ which causes us to praise our God. A shortlist of 11 blessings are outlined for us to meditate on and give thanks to God for.

Alongside this main theme we see the destruction that reigns in the lives of those who do not trust in God and the call to wisdom.

2 Kings 17:6–18:12

Don’t fear other gods / demons

And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods (2 Kings 17:7, ESV)

One of the reasons the children of Israel were led into bondage was because they had feared other gods. We can end up in bondage by fearing things in our life more than and in place of God.

Also in a very direct parallel we should not fear the false gods and demons, we fear God only.

Nothing is secret

And the people of Israel did secretly against the Lord their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. (2 Kings 17:9, ESV)

Lord deliver us from the folly of thinking we can do anything secretly from you.

God has anger

and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the Lord carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the Lord to anger, (2 Kings 17:11, ESV)

God has actual personal anger which can be provoked. I recently saw a good Christian documentary that went too far in making the point that God is loving by stating God is not angry when in fact the Bible teaches that God is loving and is angry too, our sins provoke God to actual anger.

Don’t be stubborn

But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God. (2 Kings 17:14, ESV)

God sent messengers in His love to warn the people but they stood in stubborn rebellion. We should not stand in judgement of this but look at ourselves and ask if we are also being stubborn.

What are you running after?

They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them that they should not do like them. (2 Kings 17:15, ESV)

You will become what you run after, if like the people you run after false and empty idols you too will become false and empty.

Depravity

And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. (2 Kings 17:17, ESV)

Israel reached a level of gross depravity, even sacrificing their babies to demons. As human beings we are inherently evil because of the fall and left unchecked we will descend into anarchy and depravity. This is why God set up laws, governments, the authorities (police, courts etc), schools and of course the church.

Syncretism is not right

So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. (2 Kings 17:33, ESV)

This is like modern day syncretism, where some teach that someone can have Christ in context with their cultural religion… simply not right or true.

Do it for your children

So these nations feared the Lord and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children’s children—as their fathers did, so they do to this day. (2 Kings 17:41, ESV)

What we do, our children are likely to do. Serve the Lord faithfully for the sake of the generations that will follow you.

Don’t make idols

He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). (2 Kings 18:4, ESV)

There are great things God used and did in the past that we must not make idols of today. This could include the nation of Israel, the reformation or some past revival etc.

Trust in God

He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. (2 Kings 18:5, ESV)

This is a huge statement that Hezekiah trusted in the Lord more than all other kings (including David).

Rebel against the enemy

And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him. (2 Kings 18:7, ESV)

Let us rebel against Satan and the flesh and not serve them. Rebel against the tyranny of sin.

Listen and obey

because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed. (2 Kings 18:12, ESV)

We must both listen and obey. Listening is pointless without obedience. Obedience is impossible without first listening.

Ephesians 1:1–23

Blessed people bless God

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:3, ESV)

God is blessed and praised by those He has blessed which is all those He has redeemed. Moreover God is blessed by those who recognise His blessing in their lives.

Paul declares that we have every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. He will spend the next few verses detailing exactly what those blessings are, they are spiritual in the sense that they are for God’s people only and are in the heavenly (permanent) dimension rather than the earthly (temporary) dimension.

I will give you a sketchy outline of some (not all) of the blessings expounded on by Paul.

Blessing 1: Election

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (Ephesians 1:4, ESV)

This puts election in context, we were chosen before creation began. The reformed understanding of this is correct. God chose us long before we were created, meaning His choice was not dependant on our own choice, sense, goodness, religiousness, ethnicity or any other thing initiated by us.

Blessing 2: Adoption

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (Ephesians 1:4b–5, ESV)

The full stop is put in the right place so this reads that it was in His love that He predestined us and went so far as to adopt us. Our adoption is evidence of His special love for us.

Blessing 3: Grace

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (Ephesians 1:7, ESV)

How wonderfully rich is the grace of God. There is more than one blessing here, the others are redemption and forgiveness of sins but both come from the over arching blessing of His grace.

Blessing 4: Knowledge

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ (Ephesians 1:9, ESV)

We know the mystery of God’s will. God’s will is not a mystery to us, it is clearly defined in the Bible, the Gospel message and the Holy Spirit guide us daily.

Blessing 5: Inheritance

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)

God is sovereign in election and works all things after the counsel of His own will, not mans, not circumstance but His own will. In relationship with Him we have an inheritance as Pastor prayed and taught this time last year.

This is one of the great themes of this letter, our inheritance in Christ.

Blessing 6: Hearing

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13, ESV)

Hearing and believing is 100% necessary for our salvation. Not everyone hears so even this is a blessing from God.

Blessing 7: Sealed

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13–14, ESV)

This is not something for graduated saints only, but for all saints. We have been sealed by the promised Holy Spirit. This means we can have confidence and assurance in our salvation, it is not something that can be simply or easily lost, it and we are sealed by God Himself.

You are secure in Christ unlike Islam and other works based religions where there is no guarantee or security.

Blessing 8: Enlightened

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18, ESV)

Our eyes should be open and clear to the hope to which we are called, this letter goes a long way to opening our hearts to the truth of this hope in the predestined love and plan of the Father.

We should not live in fear of losing our salvation at the last minute or of missing the mark and so being cast into hell. We who trust in Christ and have been predestined have eternal security.

We have been enlightened regarding the hope we have in the glorious inheritance of Christ. Hallelujah!!

Blessing 9: Power

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (Ephesians 1:19, ESV)

We are kept by God’s great power, you can’t get more secure than that.

Blessing 10: Jesus

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:21, ESV)

Jesus is king and we are on His side, this is the greatest blessing.

Blessing 11: The Church

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22, ESV)

Jesus, not the pope is the head of the church. The church itself is a blessing for God’s people to be nourished, protected and built up in Him.

Proverbs 8:9–18

Wisdom is precious

for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (Proverbs 8:11, ESV)

Wisdom is the most precious commodity in the world.

Study and apply

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. (Proverbs 8:12, ESV)

Wisdom, prudence, knowledge and discretion, this is shouting that studying the word of God thoroughly and applying it is both good and key.

Hate evil

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13, ESV)

The fear of the Lord simplified is to hate evil.

Invest

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. (Proverbs 8:17, ESV)

This is good, this is why we invest time and effort into the reading, study and meditation of God’s word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Ephesians 1

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 15:1–17:5, Gal 5:1–6:18, Prov 8:1–8

Today’s Theme: Free to Love

Today we look at the wonderful truth of our freedom in Christ. We have been freed to love so the crux and cycle of love, faith and work can operate in our lives and leave a legacy for generations to come to the Glory of God.

2 Kings 15:1–17:5

The Long Reign

He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. (2 Kings 15:2, ESV)

Uzziah was the longest reigning monarch in the history of Israel which is directly connected to his mostly godly life.

A godly legacy

And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. (2 Kings 15:34, ESV)

Again the importance of a godly legacy and example.

Don’t burn your children’s heritage

but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. (2 Kings 16:3, ESV)

When we compromise and commit sin, it is the same as burning our children in sacrifice… The opposite of legacy.

Hold fast to true religion

When King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, he saw the altar that was at Damascus. And King Ahaz sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar, and its pattern, exact in all its details. (2 Kings 16:10, ESV)

We should be careful not to copy false religions, the pomp of state religion or the new untested and sometimes ungodly church fads. We should hold fast to the tried and tested faith.

Sanctification is needed

And the bronze altar that was before the Lord he removed from the front of the house, from the place between his altar and the house of the Lord, and put it on the north side of his altar. (2 Kings 16:14, ESV)

A church goes very wrong when a need for sanctification is removed. In fact a church that takes away an emphasis on living godly lives is a ticking time bomb. All those people coming together without godliness can only result in sin, hurt and frustration.

Northern Israel’s fall

Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land and came to Samaria, and for three years he besieged it. (2 Kings 17:5, ESV)

The great fall of Israel, this was a sad day in the land of Israel (the northern kingdom). The fall was not happenstance, it was judgement from God.

Galatians 5:1–6:18

Stand in Freedom

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

We are called to make a stand, that takes effort, to stand in freedom. Notice also to submit to the bondage of sin’s slavery is not involuntary but requires submission to those passions and lusts.

Don’t fall away

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4, ESV)

We can fall away from grace so we need to make an effort to stand in freedom.

The rhythm of life

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6, ESV)

A summary of the rhythm of our lives, they should be lives of faith operating through love. Love > Faith > Work.

Sin is like a virus

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9, ESV)

A little compromise can destroy your whole life/group. Sin’s nature is like a virus, it is spread with aggressive speed and intent so we must cut it out or we will harm our own lives and those around us.

Free to love

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Love is the key, yes we are free but we should not use that as an excuse to sin (this would actually be evidence of bondage to sin), we should use the freedom to willingly and lovingly serve.

The crux

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14, ESV)

The crux of Christian life and practice is to love your neighbour as yourself.

Walk in the Spirit

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16, ESV)

We should, live, walk and behave ourselves in line with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Desire vs desire

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17, ESV)

Which desires will you satisfy, the desires of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you or of your flesh? You will inevitably satisfy one of them so make a choice today.

Drunkenness

envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21, ESV)

Drunkenness is a sin which leads to other sins. This is why I (and many other Christians) choose not to drink alcohol.

This is a really clear, black and white statement, those who walk in sin shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22, ESV)

The result of the Spirit, of walking in the Spirit is fruit.

Kill the desires of the flesh

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24, ESV)

Yes we must put the flesh and its desires to death.

Keep in step

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25, ESV)

We must have daily sensitivity to this.

Restore others

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

We should seek to restore our brothers in the right spirit.

Bear others burdens

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

This is the church, we need to bear each others burdens, this is Christ’s law of love for one another.

Bear your load

For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:5, ESV)

We each have a load to carry and should be sober in our awareness of this not thinking of ourselves as more than we actually are.

God is not a force

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

God is not some force we can fool, He is a person and knows our hearts.

Invest in the Spirit

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8, ESV)

My life verse for investing in the things of God’s kingdom.

Do good

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10, ESV)

Doing good is part of the Christian life, especially within the church, we should not grow weary in this.

A new creation

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:15, ESV)

Both Jews and Gentiles are a new creation in Christ.

The ultimate Israel

And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:16, ESV)

This is wider from the context than the physical Israel of circumcised Jews. This speaks of believes past, present, future, Jew and Gentile.

Proverbs 8:1–8

Men be wise

“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. (Proverbs 8:4–5, ESV)

God is specifically calling out to men to learn to be prudent and to have good sense. This is why our culture has tried to make it normative that it is cool for men to be dumb when in fact we are called to be wise.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Galatians 5 and 6

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 13:1–14:29, Gal 4:1–31, Prov 7:21–27

Today’s Theme: The Fullness of Time

In today’s reading we see that Jesus was born in the fullness of time, at God’s appointed time to redeem and adopt us as God’s sons. The theme of the fullness of time seeing prophecies fulfilled is also seen in the Old Testament reading and even in the call to keep striking the ground for a fuller victory.

In the fullness of time Jesus inaugurated a better, new, second covenant between God and man of which we are all the beneficiaries. Let’s pray that we live in light of this new freedom as God’s children and use our time as God has appointed to His glory.

2 Kings 13:1–14:29

Seek God

Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the Lord, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them. (2 Kings 13:4, ESV)

His father was a godly leader with a zeal for God and his son at least knew to seek God.

Strike the ground

And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. (2 Kings 13:18, ESV)

I’ll never forget the message Pastor brought about this, we need to strike and strike and strike the ground, we need the zeal of the king’s grandfather Jehu.

The dust of the ground speaks of the flesh, so strike the flesh in faith.

God keeps covenant

But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now. (2 Kings 13:23, ESV)

Thank God that He is a compassionate, covenant keeping God.

Prophecy fulfilled

Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities that he had taken from Jehoahaz his father in war. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel. (2 Kings 13:25, ESV)

This is a direct fulfilment of the prophecy we read about earlier. Only the Bible contains actual prophecies that have actually been fulfilled.

A godly heritage

And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. (2 Kings 14:3, ESV)

More hope for Judah, another godly king, leaving a godly heritage is so important.

The deception of pride

You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?” (2 Kings 14:10, ESV)

Beware when you stand lest you fall. Our stand in Christ should not give us false confidence in the flesh.

God saves Israel

But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. (2 Kings 14:27, ESV)

God sovereignly saves Israel (in a military sense) even with a king that was not righteous. We should remember this as we pray for the nation today.

Galatians 4:1–31

The fullness of time

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (Galatians 4:4, ESV)

As we approach Christmas we remember the miraculous birth of Christ, born through the virgin woman Mary as the incarnated Son of God and we remember that this was all a part of God’s predetermined plan of salvation.

The idea of appointed times is seen throughout Jesus’ ministry and the New Testament.

When Jesus came the stage was set and the conditions were just right to fulfil the specific prophecies, fulfil the law and the world was at that point so well connected by Rome that the spread of the gospel was expedited.

Adoption as sons

to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:5, ESV)

We have been adopted as God’s own sons, because Jesus came in the fullness of time and purchased our freedom. Hallelujah!

The inner witness

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6, ESV)

The inner witness of the Holy Spirit is so crucial to our joy and assurance in God.

Known by God

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Galatians 4:9, ESV)

This is key, does God know us? He does not know all of us intimately, because on the day of judgement He will say to many I do not know you.

This does not mean God does not know about us but the intimacy of the adoption relationship is something reserved only for the redeemed.

Stand for the truth

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Galatians 4:16, ESV)

This happens so often but we must stand for the truth even when people turn against us because of it.

Anguish

my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! (Galatians 4:19, ESV)

We should feel this anguish for those we are responsible for or discipling that Christ be formed in them.

Two Covenants

Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. (Galatians 4:24, ESV)

Some say that we are wrong to call the New Testament new. Some argue that there is only one covenant but the Bible teaches that there are two major covenants and Jesus inaugurated the new covenant in His blood which was the fullness and fulfilment of the old one under the law.

Thank God today that Jesus has made a new covenant on better promises between God and man.

Proverbs 7:21–27

Dumb animals

All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast (Proverbs 7:22, ESV)

A good picture of the bondage of sexual sin, it leads men away like dumb animals.

Defeated by lust

for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. (Proverbs 7:26, ESV)

Many men have been defeated by their own sexual lust.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Galatians 4