Today’s Reading: Mal 1:1–2:9, Acts 27:1–44, Job 31:9–22

Today’s Theme: Sloppy Leftovers

Today’s theme is that we should not give God the sloppy left overs but give Him our best. This attitude will filter throughout every area of our lives so that we also love and honor each other more.

Malachi 1:1–2:9

Gods purpose in election

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” (Malachi 1:2-3 ESV)

This was said that God’s purpose in election might stand as an example to us all, note the motivating factor of God’s election is a special love that He does not have for everyone.

Honour God

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ (Malachi 1:6 ESV)

This is the Lord’s question to us today, we should honour God as our father, instead, so many completely dishonour Him by seeing how far they can go.

Polluted food

By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. (Malachi 1:7 ESV)

The Word of God corrupted, badly interpreted and taught.

Sloppy Leftovers

When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:8 ESV)

We should not be giving God the sloppy left overs of our time, energy or resource. He should get the prime cut of these things which is why it is important to spend time listening to Him in His word and in prayer at the very start of the day and to serve Him throughout the day with joy and vigour.

Give good pleasure

Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. (Malachi 1:10 ESV)

God does not have pleasure in religious people, those involved in external observance and ordinance or those who simply attend church. God only gets pleasure from those who put their faith and trust in Him.

Don’t cheat

Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. (Malachi 1:14 ESV)

Cheating will bring a curse to our lives, it is impossible to cheat God, He is the great king on the throne.

Turn others from iniquity

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6 ESV)

One of the purposes of being a priest, we are a royal priesthood.

Study Gods Word

For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 2:7 ESV)

A leader in the church should study the word of God so that they can give a biblical answer when asked questions. The same applies to all Christians as God’s priesthood.

Pray for neglected sheep

But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, (Malachi 2:8 ESV)

A pastor’s call is serious, their lives and teaching affect so many, this is why their judgement is more severe. We should pray for those who have leaders causing them to stumble.

Thank God that we have good pastors.

Acts 27:1–44

Gods quiet work

We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. (Acts 27:7 ESV)

God is quietly at work here directing Paul’s steps.

God’s plans will succeed

and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:24 ESV)

God’s plan would not be thwarted, God intended to save the empire. Those around us can benefit because of God’s purpose in our lives.

Receive the word in faith

So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. (Acts 27:25 ESV)

God’s word to Paul via the angel was received in faith, we should also receive the word of God in faith.

Let’s stick together

Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 27:31 ESV)

Mother Greenidge used this scripture to encourage us to stick it out together.

The whole man

Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” (Acts 27:34 ESV)

God is concerned with the whole man.

Don’t give up

and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. (Acts 27:44 ESV)

This is often referred to as the saying ‘even if you make it by the skin of your teeth… don’t give up’.

Job 31:9–22

What if someone did it to you?

then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down on her. (Job 31:10 ESV)

This is the right way to measure lust. If a man allows his heart to be enticed it is as Jesus said adultery in the heart. A great deterrent as a married man is to consider your wife sleeping with another man as a result of your thoughts and actions.

The fire of lust

for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my increase. (Job 31:12 ESV)

Lust is a fire that brings ultimate destruction.

Abortion is murder

Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb? (Job 31:15 ESV)

God makes babies in the womb, abortion is murder.

Social Justice

“If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, (Job 31:16 ESV)

From here to verse 22 Job speaks about social justice and responsibility and that not pursuing this would be a terrible sin.

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

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Acts 27