"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HELPING ONE ANOTHER RECEIVE WHAT GOD HAS FOR US"
Judges 1:1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”
Judges 1:2 And the LORD said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”
Judges 1:3 So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
This passage explains what happens after Joshua died, and how the children of Israel worked together to accomplish the will of God, and receive what God had willed for them to have and possess. There are several great Biblical principles that apply in our lives today. God has a will for each of us, and, He wants us to walk in it, and we can assist one another in this regard.
1. We start by praying and asking God for wisdom and direction.
Judges 1:1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”
We see here that the children of Israel prayed, and asked the Lord to show them who would be the first to go in and begin fighting against the enemies of God and of the children of Israel. We can do the same thing, and are promised that God will hear us and answer our prayer for wisdom.
2. We can trust God to answer our prayers and give us wisdom.
Judges 1:2 And the LORD said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”
As we can see, the LORD spoke to them, and gave them exact answers to their prayers. Along with the answer as to who would go in first, there was given a promise of victory. God was not only telling them who would go in and fight, but that they were going to win the battle, because, God Himself was going to deliver the land into the hands of the tribe of Judah.
Jas 1:5* If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
3. We are called by God to love and serve one another.
And, that is exactly what happened in this case. Judah asked his brother Simeon, if he and his tribe would come and help him in the battle. They would fight the enemy together. Judah then promised that he would then go and fight by Simeon's side when he went into gain his land. We see that Simeon agreed to the request. So, they teamed up, and went in to fight together. God has called us to this kind of teamwork.
Judges 1:3 So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him.
Ga 5:13* For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
A prayer:
Father, You have adopted us and placed us into Your family as Your children, but then as being members of one another. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. You set the example by coming to earth not to be served, but to serve us. And, He has called us to serve one another. In fact, Jesus told us that the greatest in the kingdom, is the person who takes on the role of serving one another. Help us Lord to follow Your example. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE"
Joshua 24:23 “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.”
Joshua 24:24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!”
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
These were some of Joshua's final words of exhortation and direction to the people on how to live their lives for the Lord. Let's take a look at several of the clear and encouraging direction that we can apply in our own lives.
1. Put away foreign God's which are among you. Or destroy the idols among you. The people has allowed themselves to compromise their lives with God, by allowing some of the pagan idols into their lives. They were now being told by Joshua, "put these things away" "Get rid of those things that don't belong in your life"
Joshua 24:23a “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you. This is tremendous counsel from God. Remove that which does not belong in your life.
2. Incline your heart to to the LORD God of Israel. Or turn your hearts to the LORD, who is the God of Israel.
This is the proverbial other side of the coin, put away sin, and pursue the Lord. It starts in our hearts. By His grace and power, we can turn our hearts towards Him, and draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us.
Joshua 24:23 “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.”
3. Make a decision to serve God and to obey Him. That is what the children of Israel did in response to the words of God through Joshua. They were simply saying, “We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone.”
These two things make for a wonderful life here on earth. Serving God and obeying God. Or trust and obey.
Give yourself to the Will of God, and then walk in obedience to what He says to You.
Joshua 24:24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!”
4. In summary.
(1) Get rid of what does not belong in your life
(2) Put away sin, and pursue the Lord with all your heart.
(3) Decide today, "I'm going to serve God, and I'm going to obey God"
(4) Remember, You can't do these things on your own, but God will give you the grace and the power to do them, and He will bless You as You do them.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for the clarity of Your Word. It literally and simply makes things so clear, bringing into focus who You are, and who we are, and where we are going, and where You want us to go, and what will happen if we go our way, or Yours. We want to go Your way Lord.
Would You this day, please forgive us of our sins, and bring the power, strength and might of the Holy Spirit into our lives this day. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Joshua 24:23 “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.”
Joshua 24:24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!”
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
These were some of Joshua's final words of exhortation and direction to the people on how to live their lives for the Lord. Let's take a look at several of the clear and encouraging direction that we can apply in our own lives.
1. Put away foreign God's which are among you. Or destroy the idols among you. The people has allowed themselves to compromise their lives with God, by allowing some of the pagan idols into their lives. They were now being told by Joshua, "put these things away" "Get rid of those things that don't belong in your life"
Joshua 24:23a “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you. This is tremendous counsel from God. Remove that which does not belong in your life.
2. Incline your heart to to the LORD God of Israel. Or turn your hearts to the LORD, who is the God of Israel.
This is the proverbial other side of the coin, put away sin, and pursue the Lord. It starts in our hearts. By His grace and power, we can turn our hearts towards Him, and draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us.
Joshua 24:23 “Now therefore,” he said, “put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD God of Israel.”
3. Make a decision to serve God and to obey Him. That is what the children of Israel did in response to the words of God through Joshua. They were simply saying, “We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone.”
These two things make for a wonderful life here on earth. Serving God and obeying God. Or trust and obey.
Give yourself to the Will of God, and then walk in obedience to what He says to You.
Joshua 24:24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!”
4. In summary.
(1) Get rid of what does not belong in your life
(2) Put away sin, and pursue the Lord with all your heart.
(3) Decide today, "I'm going to serve God, and I'm going to obey God"
(4) Remember, You can't do these things on your own, but God will give you the grace and the power to do them, and He will bless You as You do them.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for the clarity of Your Word. It literally and simply makes things so clear, bringing into focus who You are, and who we are, and where we are going, and where You want us to go, and what will happen if we go our way, or Yours. We want to go Your way Lord.
Would You this day, please forgive us of our sins, and bring the power, strength and might of the Holy Spirit into our lives this day. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S PROMISE TO HELP HIS PEOPLE HAVE VICTORY"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S PROMISE TO HELP HIS PEOPLE HAVE VICTORY"
Joshua 23:5 “And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.
Joshua 23:6 “Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,
Joshua 23:7 “and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,
Joshua 23:8 “but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
Joshua 23:9 “For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day.
A few explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
These were some of Joshua's last words to the children of Israel, and they include promises of what God would do for them, and they include encouragements, and instruction. All of these verses do indeed give sound direction for the Christian today, that when followed help us to live the Victorious Christian life.
1. God promised to expel their enemies, so that the could possess the land God had promised to them.
Joshua 23:5 “And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.
In applying this to our lives, God promises to keep us from evil, He has provided spiritual armor, and we can possess the blessings of the abundant life He has promised.
2. Notice what God called His people to be. Very courageous, and to keep His Word, to keep them from straying off the path He had for them. The word courageous means to be strong, and the word keep, means to be careful to follow God's instructions.
Joshua 23:6 “Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left.
3. Here God explains that obedience to His Word will keep them from living a compromised life with the pagan peoples around them. They were to live separate from the pagan people around them. That is, not to fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.
Joshua 23:7 “and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,
Another way of saying this is. Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or worship them. NLT.
4. God calls His people to hold fast to Him. And, He mentions that holding fast to Him, is what they had been doing right up to this moment of Joshua's speech to them. The idea here is that of being faithful to God.
Joshua 23:8 “but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
5. God had done a great work for them, so much so, that no one was able to stand against them. We have this same promise in the NT, that God who is in us, is greater than he who is in the world.
Joshua 23:9 “For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. God had given them victory over their enemies.
6. In summary.
(1) God will expel your enemies, and allow you to enjoy the blessings He has for you.
(2) God call us to be strong and to carefully follow His instructions.
(3) God encourages a fully committed life to Him, and wants us to avoid any compromise. Compromise lead to defeat.
(4) God wants You to hold fast to Him. If you have been, then He wants you to just keep holding fast, If you have lost that hold, then you can regain it today by repenting, and turning to Christ once again, and then Hold fast till He comes for you.
(5) God has done a great work on Your behalf. He is greater than all your enemies. Be encouraged.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for all of Your Word. Both the Old and the New Testaments. The stories in them are true, and filled with teaching about who You are, and Your ways, and how we are to live our lives. Thank You also that You have a blessed life for us to live. Please help us to take heed to ourselves, and to take heed to Your Word. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Joshua 23:5 “And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.
Joshua 23:6 “Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,
Joshua 23:7 “and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,
Joshua 23:8 “but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
Joshua 23:9 “For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day.
A few explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
These were some of Joshua's last words to the children of Israel, and they include promises of what God would do for them, and they include encouragements, and instruction. All of these verses do indeed give sound direction for the Christian today, that when followed help us to live the Victorious Christian life.
1. God promised to expel their enemies, so that the could possess the land God had promised to them.
Joshua 23:5 “And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.
In applying this to our lives, God promises to keep us from evil, He has provided spiritual armor, and we can possess the blessings of the abundant life He has promised.
2. Notice what God called His people to be. Very courageous, and to keep His Word, to keep them from straying off the path He had for them. The word courageous means to be strong, and the word keep, means to be careful to follow God's instructions.
Joshua 23:6 “Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left.
3. Here God explains that obedience to His Word will keep them from living a compromised life with the pagan peoples around them. They were to live separate from the pagan people around them. That is, not to fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.
Joshua 23:7 “and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,
Another way of saying this is. Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or worship them. NLT.
4. God calls His people to hold fast to Him. And, He mentions that holding fast to Him, is what they had been doing right up to this moment of Joshua's speech to them. The idea here is that of being faithful to God.
Joshua 23:8 “but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
5. God had done a great work for them, so much so, that no one was able to stand against them. We have this same promise in the NT, that God who is in us, is greater than he who is in the world.
Joshua 23:9 “For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. God had given them victory over their enemies.
6. In summary.
(1) God will expel your enemies, and allow you to enjoy the blessings He has for you.
(2) God call us to be strong and to carefully follow His instructions.
(3) God encourages a fully committed life to Him, and wants us to avoid any compromise. Compromise lead to defeat.
(4) God wants You to hold fast to Him. If you have been, then He wants you to just keep holding fast, If you have lost that hold, then you can regain it today by repenting, and turning to Christ once again, and then Hold fast till He comes for you.
(5) God has done a great work on Your behalf. He is greater than all your enemies. Be encouraged.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for all of Your Word. Both the Old and the New Testaments. The stories in them are true, and filled with teaching about who You are, and Your ways, and how we are to live our lives. Thank You also that You have a blessed life for us to live. Please help us to take heed to ourselves, and to take heed to Your Word. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Monday, April 21, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD KEEPING HIS PROMISES"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD KEEPING HIS PROMISES"
Joshua 21:45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
Some explanatory thoughts/application and a prayer:
1. This verse comes out towards the end of the book of Joshua, and has to do with the many things that God had promised His people, and which He then accomplished. Let's take a look at what is said here.
(1) Jos 21:45a "Not a word failed" That is, all of God's promises came to pass. Not one of them failed. But, literally everyone one of them came to pass.
(2) Jos 21:45b " of any good thing " All of God's promises to His people are good. His thoughts and plans for us are not evil but good. Jer 29:11 God is working all things together for our good.
(3) Jos 21:45c "Any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel." God gave many, many promises to the children of Israel, just as He has to us in the New Testament. God speaks to us through His Word. These promises have come from none other than God almighty, He cannot lie.
(4) Jos 21:45d "All came to pass." Or to say it another way, each and every promise has come to pass. And, it's no different today. All of God's promises to us are going to come true as well.
2. May I encourage you this week as you read the Bible or listen to the Word being preached, to try and make note of the promises you read, or hear. And, please remember that He does not change, and thus every promise He makes will also come to pass.
3. God calls us to believe Him. To trust Him. To rely on Him. He is reliable, and He is trustworthy.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for Your care, and Your faithfulness to us. Would You help us this week to zero in on Your promises as we read Your word, and hear Your Word. And, as we do, please remind us that these are not empty words, but true words, because they are Your Words. we love You Lord. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Joshua 21:45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.
Some explanatory thoughts/application and a prayer:
1. This verse comes out towards the end of the book of Joshua, and has to do with the many things that God had promised His people, and which He then accomplished. Let's take a look at what is said here.
(1) Jos 21:45a "Not a word failed" That is, all of God's promises came to pass. Not one of them failed. But, literally everyone one of them came to pass.
(2) Jos 21:45b " of any good thing " All of God's promises to His people are good. His thoughts and plans for us are not evil but good. Jer 29:11 God is working all things together for our good.
(3) Jos 21:45c "Any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel." God gave many, many promises to the children of Israel, just as He has to us in the New Testament. God speaks to us through His Word. These promises have come from none other than God almighty, He cannot lie.
(4) Jos 21:45d "All came to pass." Or to say it another way, each and every promise has come to pass. And, it's no different today. All of God's promises to us are going to come true as well.
2. May I encourage you this week as you read the Bible or listen to the Word being preached, to try and make note of the promises you read, or hear. And, please remember that He does not change, and thus every promise He makes will also come to pass.
3. God calls us to believe Him. To trust Him. To rely on Him. He is reliable, and He is trustworthy.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for Your care, and Your faithfulness to us. Would You help us this week to zero in on Your promises as we read Your word, and hear Your Word. And, as we do, please remind us that these are not empty words, but true words, because they are Your Words. we love You Lord. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Saturday, April 19, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WISDOM (3 TRUTHS) FROM PROVERBS"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WISDOM (3 TRUTHS) FROM PROVERBS"
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. Pro13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. There are two things said here. One has to do with disappointment, and one has to do with joy.
(1) When what we hope for is deferred, or prolonged, or drawn away, or to be postponed is the idea, this will make our hearts sick. To be heart sick, means to be weak, grieved, in pain, to travail. We might call it depression today. Isn't that what happens?. We are hoping for something to come to pass and when it does not, we are very sad.
(2) But, please notice the second part of the verse. Pro 13:12b But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Or to say it another way, "but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." Let me say two things here. First all of we can commit all of our hopes and desires to the Lord. He knows what is best for us. And, by letting Him have all of our hopes and desires we are pleasing Him by trusting Him. Secondly, please know that God is faithful, and in His own time, and in His own way, He is going to bring what He wants to to pass. And, one day, can you imagine the life and joy we will experience when our hope of seeing Jesus face to face is realized.
2. Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. This verse gives us God's wisdom about our attitude towards His Word. One leads to destruction, and the other to reward.
(1) Pro13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed. To say it another way, "People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble;"
(2) The choice of which attitude we are going to have is up to us. And, the consequences of those choices are set in stone.
(3) Despising, or to disrespect the Word, will lead to trouble. The person who does not respect and obey God's Word will get themselves in trouble.
(4) Fearing, or respecting, obeying, submitting to God's Word will bring reward. Or they will find themselves succeeding in life, rather than being destroyed.
3. Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.This verse does not compare or contrast any truth, but rather tells us two things about what God's Word does in the life of a believer who actually trusts and obeys God.
(1) Pro13:14a The law of the wise is a fountain of life, or, the advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain. Isn't that wonderful and encouraging. God can and will give us wise counsel from His word through wise people. His Word itself is a fountain of life. God certainly paints helpful Word pictures for us. A fountain of life. Indeed it is.
(2) Pro 13:14b To turn one away from the snares of death. In other words, if a person accepts the Word of God, that is to believe it, and to do it. then, it will cause them to avoid the snares of death. There are so many snares set by Satan. And, if a person is in the Word, trusting and acting on the Word, those snares will not get them.
Life can be like a mine field. But, God's Word will show you where those mines are located so you can stay away from them, and not be damaged by them.
(3) Seek good counsel, seek the advice of good and wise, and Godly Christian friends. Associate with wise people, and take their advice to heart, it will keep you safe. Here are a few Scriptures along this line.
Pr 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Pr 6:22 Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you.
Pr 8:33 Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.
Pr 20:18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.
Pr 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for the Book of Proverbs. It's filled with the best wisdom we could find anywhere in this world. It's Your wisdom Lord, and You tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. So, Lord, we want to fear You and then find Your wisdom, and Your knowledge. Thank You again, and may we not be forgetful hearers, but faithful doers of Your Word. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. Pro13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. There are two things said here. One has to do with disappointment, and one has to do with joy.
(1) When what we hope for is deferred, or prolonged, or drawn away, or to be postponed is the idea, this will make our hearts sick. To be heart sick, means to be weak, grieved, in pain, to travail. We might call it depression today. Isn't that what happens?. We are hoping for something to come to pass and when it does not, we are very sad.
(2) But, please notice the second part of the verse. Pro 13:12b But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Or to say it another way, "but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." Let me say two things here. First all of we can commit all of our hopes and desires to the Lord. He knows what is best for us. And, by letting Him have all of our hopes and desires we are pleasing Him by trusting Him. Secondly, please know that God is faithful, and in His own time, and in His own way, He is going to bring what He wants to to pass. And, one day, can you imagine the life and joy we will experience when our hope of seeing Jesus face to face is realized.
2. Proverbs 13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. This verse gives us God's wisdom about our attitude towards His Word. One leads to destruction, and the other to reward.
(1) Pro13:13 He who despises the word will be destroyed. To say it another way, "People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble;"
(2) The choice of which attitude we are going to have is up to us. And, the consequences of those choices are set in stone.
(3) Despising, or to disrespect the Word, will lead to trouble. The person who does not respect and obey God's Word will get themselves in trouble.
(4) Fearing, or respecting, obeying, submitting to God's Word will bring reward. Or they will find themselves succeeding in life, rather than being destroyed.
3. Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.This verse does not compare or contrast any truth, but rather tells us two things about what God's Word does in the life of a believer who actually trusts and obeys God.
(1) Pro13:14a The law of the wise is a fountain of life, or, the advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain. Isn't that wonderful and encouraging. God can and will give us wise counsel from His word through wise people. His Word itself is a fountain of life. God certainly paints helpful Word pictures for us. A fountain of life. Indeed it is.
(2) Pro 13:14b To turn one away from the snares of death. In other words, if a person accepts the Word of God, that is to believe it, and to do it. then, it will cause them to avoid the snares of death. There are so many snares set by Satan. And, if a person is in the Word, trusting and acting on the Word, those snares will not get them.
Life can be like a mine field. But, God's Word will show you where those mines are located so you can stay away from them, and not be damaged by them.
(3) Seek good counsel, seek the advice of good and wise, and Godly Christian friends. Associate with wise people, and take their advice to heart, it will keep you safe. Here are a few Scriptures along this line.
Pr 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Pr 6:22 Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you.
Pr 8:33 Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don’t ignore it.
Pr 20:18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.
Pr 27:9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for the Book of Proverbs. It's filled with the best wisdom we could find anywhere in this world. It's Your wisdom Lord, and You tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. So, Lord, we want to fear You and then find Your wisdom, and Your knowledge. Thank You again, and may we not be forgetful hearers, but faithful doers of Your Word. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Friday, April 18, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WILL"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WILL"
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. Paul is telling us in no uncertain terms how a christian can know the will of God. By the way, the phrase "will of God" actually means "what is pleasing to God" It's interesting to think of it in this way. How to know what is pleasing to God. Or, that our Father is pleased when we walk and live a certain way.
2. This verse is telling us what is required on our part to personally know what is pleasing to our Father, how we can enter into the personal knowledge of what God's will is for our lives, Let's take a closer look at what is said here.
(1) Rom 12:2a "And do not be conformed to this world" Or, don't copy the behavior and customs of this world. The world here is not the physical and beautiful creation around us, but rather that mindset that unbelievers have. They live as if there is no God, and they are basically given over to three things. They do what they want to do. They get what they want to get, and they become what they want to become. God is saying, that's not how to live if you want to know His will.
(2) Rom 12:2b "But be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Or, let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" There is a change that God will bring about in our lives as we allow His Word into our lives, and as we seek to understand it, and obey it. When we do that on a consistent basis, we will experience a real transformation in our lives. God will change us into what He wants us to be, by renewing our mind. We will not think the way we used to think, but we will think the way He wants us to think, we will have the mind of Christ.
(3) Rom 12:2c "That you prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" Or, then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. The process of coming to know God's will is kind of like what happens in a baseball game. If you want to get to home plate, then you have to hit the ball, and then make your way to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and then home plate. You will have then scored a run. It's first things first you might say.
(4) In closing, as you can see there are some steps we must take if we are to know the will of God for our lives. And, just like in a baseball game, we must play by the rules. And, God has shown us here just how we can know His will. In fact, He has more than just shown us, it's actually a promise that we will. And, it's an expression of what He wants in our lives. He wants us to be blessed, and we are blessed beyond anything else we could possibly be, when we are knowing and walking in the will of God for our lives. So, if we will follow His instruction given to us here in Rom 12:2, we have God's guarantee that we will find ourselves right were God wants us to be.
A prayer:
Father, You have been so merciful to us. You have come to us while we were dead in our sins, and You have made us alive together with Christ. By Your grace, through faith we have become Your children. And, as adopted children living in Christ, You have something very pleasing to You. It's Your will for our lives, and for situations, and circumstances that we are in. Thank You that there is a clear cut path for us to follow that leads us into what is pleasing to You. Help us Lord to have the personal resolve, to follow Your Word and Your ways, for surely they lead us into that which is pleasing to You, and if it's pleasing to You, it will certainly be the greatest blessing we can experience in our lives. We love You Father, in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. Paul is telling us in no uncertain terms how a christian can know the will of God. By the way, the phrase "will of God" actually means "what is pleasing to God" It's interesting to think of it in this way. How to know what is pleasing to God. Or, that our Father is pleased when we walk and live a certain way.
2. This verse is telling us what is required on our part to personally know what is pleasing to our Father, how we can enter into the personal knowledge of what God's will is for our lives, Let's take a closer look at what is said here.
(1) Rom 12:2a "And do not be conformed to this world" Or, don't copy the behavior and customs of this world. The world here is not the physical and beautiful creation around us, but rather that mindset that unbelievers have. They live as if there is no God, and they are basically given over to three things. They do what they want to do. They get what they want to get, and they become what they want to become. God is saying, that's not how to live if you want to know His will.
(2) Rom 12:2b "But be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Or, let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" There is a change that God will bring about in our lives as we allow His Word into our lives, and as we seek to understand it, and obey it. When we do that on a consistent basis, we will experience a real transformation in our lives. God will change us into what He wants us to be, by renewing our mind. We will not think the way we used to think, but we will think the way He wants us to think, we will have the mind of Christ.
(3) Rom 12:2c "That you prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" Or, then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. The process of coming to know God's will is kind of like what happens in a baseball game. If you want to get to home plate, then you have to hit the ball, and then make your way to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and then home plate. You will have then scored a run. It's first things first you might say.
(4) In closing, as you can see there are some steps we must take if we are to know the will of God for our lives. And, just like in a baseball game, we must play by the rules. And, God has shown us here just how we can know His will. In fact, He has more than just shown us, it's actually a promise that we will. And, it's an expression of what He wants in our lives. He wants us to be blessed, and we are blessed beyond anything else we could possibly be, when we are knowing and walking in the will of God for our lives. So, if we will follow His instruction given to us here in Rom 12:2, we have God's guarantee that we will find ourselves right were God wants us to be.
A prayer:
Father, You have been so merciful to us. You have come to us while we were dead in our sins, and You have made us alive together with Christ. By Your grace, through faith we have become Your children. And, as adopted children living in Christ, You have something very pleasing to You. It's Your will for our lives, and for situations, and circumstances that we are in. Thank You that there is a clear cut path for us to follow that leads us into what is pleasing to You. Help us Lord to have the personal resolve, to follow Your Word and Your ways, for surely they lead us into that which is pleasing to You, and if it's pleasing to You, it will certainly be the greatest blessing we can experience in our lives. We love You Father, in the name of Jesus.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE"
John 13:17 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. This verse came from our Lord, as He was eating the passover dinner, just before His arrest and mock trial, leading to his death on the cross. May I encourage you to take a look at all the verses leading up to the one posted here. Just start in John 13:1, and then you will see what Jesus was talking about when He said, "If you know these things" etc. But, let's zero in on this one verse, and see what Jesus said. Because what He said is truly one of God's great keys to happiness.
(1) John 13:17a “If you know these things" Know here means, to perceive, to see, to perceive by the senses, it really is simply speaking of our understanding what He was saying. The things Jesus was talking about cover a wide range of subjects. For example, His love, His authority, His coming from God, and about to go back to God.
His being a servant, His being the teacher of God's Word, His call for His disciples to follow His example as a servant. And, there were many other things mentioned after 3:17. But, the above is a short list of what He meant when He said, "These things"
(2) John 13:17 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. The word blessed, means happy, or happiness. In fact, it means, supremely blessed, to be fortunate, to be well off, to be happier. Now, if you look at the verse again, you will see that Jesus connects knowing, doing and blessed, or happy together. Look again please at what He said. John 13:17 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
(3) Here's the same verse in the NLT Version. John 13:17 You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing. In fact, the disciples did know these things. Just as you and I know many things the Lord has taught us. So, in one sense, it's not a question of needing to know something, for we already do know many things, but rather, we are encouraged to take what we know, and to do them.
(4) Jesus was making the connection between what we know, and blessing. And, the pathway to blessing is simply doing what we know to do. Or being obedient to the Word of God. Obedience to God brings blessings into our lives.
(5) Here are a number of verses that say the same thing. Please remember, that blessed, means happy.
Jer 7:23 “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’
Ps 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Ps 106:3* Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!
Ps 112:1* Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
Ps 119:1* ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Ps 119:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
Pr 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
Jer 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.
Mt 24:46 “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
1Sa 15:22 Then Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
1Pe 1:22* Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
(6) So, just in summary, who does not want to be happy in their lives? I've never met anyone who does not want the blessings of being happy. What Jesus told us, is that being obedient to Him, and to His Word, is indeed the pathway to happiness. So, knowing what the Lord has said, and doing it, lead to our personal happiness.
A prayer:
Father, indeed, Your ways are above our ways, and Your thoughts are not ours. Your ways are right and true altogether. You have shown us Lord, that the desire for happiness is actually fulfilled not by direct pursuit of it, but rather by being obedient to You, and to the things You have taught us, and the things we know from Your Word. Thank You Father for bringing blessings into our lives. Thank You for Your wonderful Word that teaches us all about You. Lord, help us to not only know Your Word, but to understand it, and give each of us the personal resolve to be obedient to You Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
John 13:17 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. This verse came from our Lord, as He was eating the passover dinner, just before His arrest and mock trial, leading to his death on the cross. May I encourage you to take a look at all the verses leading up to the one posted here. Just start in John 13:1, and then you will see what Jesus was talking about when He said, "If you know these things" etc. But, let's zero in on this one verse, and see what Jesus said. Because what He said is truly one of God's great keys to happiness.
(1) John 13:17a “If you know these things" Know here means, to perceive, to see, to perceive by the senses, it really is simply speaking of our understanding what He was saying. The things Jesus was talking about cover a wide range of subjects. For example, His love, His authority, His coming from God, and about to go back to God.
His being a servant, His being the teacher of God's Word, His call for His disciples to follow His example as a servant. And, there were many other things mentioned after 3:17. But, the above is a short list of what He meant when He said, "These things"
(2) John 13:17 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. The word blessed, means happy, or happiness. In fact, it means, supremely blessed, to be fortunate, to be well off, to be happier. Now, if you look at the verse again, you will see that Jesus connects knowing, doing and blessed, or happy together. Look again please at what He said. John 13:17 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
(3) Here's the same verse in the NLT Version. John 13:17 You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing. In fact, the disciples did know these things. Just as you and I know many things the Lord has taught us. So, in one sense, it's not a question of needing to know something, for we already do know many things, but rather, we are encouraged to take what we know, and to do them.
(4) Jesus was making the connection between what we know, and blessing. And, the pathway to blessing is simply doing what we know to do. Or being obedient to the Word of God. Obedience to God brings blessings into our lives.
(5) Here are a number of verses that say the same thing. Please remember, that blessed, means happy.
Jer 7:23 “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’
Ps 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Ps 106:3* Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!
Ps 112:1* Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
Ps 119:1* ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Ps 119:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
Pr 8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
Jer 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.
Mt 24:46 “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
1Sa 15:22 Then Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
1Pe 1:22* Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
(6) So, just in summary, who does not want to be happy in their lives? I've never met anyone who does not want the blessings of being happy. What Jesus told us, is that being obedient to Him, and to His Word, is indeed the pathway to happiness. So, knowing what the Lord has said, and doing it, lead to our personal happiness.
A prayer:
Father, indeed, Your ways are above our ways, and Your thoughts are not ours. Your ways are right and true altogether. You have shown us Lord, that the desire for happiness is actually fulfilled not by direct pursuit of it, but rather by being obedient to You, and to the things You have taught us, and the things we know from Your Word. Thank You Father for bringing blessings into our lives. Thank You for Your wonderful Word that teaches us all about You. Lord, help us to not only know Your Word, but to understand it, and give each of us the personal resolve to be obedient to You Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
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