Quiet Times Search

Started reading the one another scriptures in the Bible:

• Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you - Romans 15:7
• Admonish one another - Colossians 3:16
• Be at peace with each other - Mark 9:50
• Be devoted to one another in brotherly love - Romans 12:10
• Be kind and compassionate to one another - Ephesians 4:32
• Be patient, bearing with one another in love - Ephesians 4:2
• Bear with each other - Colossians 3:13
• Build each other up - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Carry each other’s burdens - Galatians 6:2
• Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another - 1 Peter 5:5

• Make your love increase and overflow for each other - 1 Thessalonians 3:12
• Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling - 1 Peter 4:9
• Pray for each other - James 5:16
• Serve one another in love - Galatians 5:13
• Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs - Ephesians 5:19
• Spur one another on toward love and good deeds - Hebrews 10:24
• Stop passing judgment on one another - Romans 14:13
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ - Ephesians 5:21
• Teach[one another] - Colossians 3:16
• Wash one another’s feet - John 13:14; John 13:34-35; John 15:12; John 15:17
• When you come together to eat, wait for each other - 1 Corinthians 11:33

• Servile fear - latin meaning slave
• Filial fear - meaning son

• Luke 18:11 - Prayer: I thank you that I am not like other men
• Philippians 3:19 - Their god is their stomach
• 2 Timothy 3:2 - People will be lovers of themselves

• 2 Timothy 3:4 - Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
• Proverbs 21:17 - He who loves pleasure will become poor
• 1 Timothy 5:6 - But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead

• Galatians 5:16 - Live by the Spirit and not our sinful desires
• Ephesians 4:19 - Lost all sensitivity

• Philippians 2:6-7, 19-22, 24-30
• A servant does not consider his work of serving as a humiliation. Not ashamed of being thought as inferior. It is his place and work to serve others.

• Philippians 2:6-8 - Humbled himself and became obedient to death
• Reason we often do not bless others by serving them is that we wish to address them as their superiors in grace or gifts or at least their equals.
• Matthew 3:14 - John tried to deter his humility
• Micah 6:8 - LORD require us to walk humbly with our God
• 1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another

• Being macho, to prove we are unfailingly strong
  • They think strong is the opposite of gentleness and kindness instead of being the opposite of weak
  • Daughters needs to see your strength and kindness
• The belief that men/boys needs are the same as woman/girls needs
  • Both need gentleness but woman generally place a higher priority on it
  • If you gentle to your wife and you would want someone to be gentle toward you, it is too little
  • Your daughter is a woman in the making - he needs are going to much closer to your wife than your own

• Take children to church service
• Pray with them regularly
• Have family devotionals

1. Be sure of their salvation
2. Love and understand God's Word
3. Know and willingly obey God's rules
4. Know their spiritual gifts
5. Be able to teach spiritual truths
6. Be effective witness
7. Spend daily time with God
8. Do acts of service for others
9. Exercise self-discipline
10. Fellowship with other believers
11. Understand the power of prayer
12. Maturely walk with God

• Centrifugal - force tends to pull away from a center
• Centripetal - force pulls toward the center

1. Teachable spirit
2. Spirit of dependance
3. Diligence

1. Stubborn: Pharaoh was stubborn towards the Lord’s will - Exodus 13:15
2. Pride: It’s hard to see your own pride but others can easily - Psalms 73:6
3. Arrogance: God hates arrogance - Proverbs 8:13

1. Proverbs 15:33 - fear of God brings about wisdom and humility
2. Proverbs 16:3 - put God first and you will be successful
3. Philippians 2:3 - putting others before yourself
4. Colossians 3:12 - we are to put on humility daily
5. 1 Peter 5:5 - respect others and clothe yourself with humility

• Being wimpy and letting people walk over you: Jesus was no wimp - John 2:15
• Have no opinions, become a spiritual robot: Paul pleased God not man - Galatians 1:10

• Getting and applying input - Proverbs 19:20
• Taking correction - Proverbs 12:1

• He was God but left heaven to become man (like you becoming an ant)
• He gave up being a king to serve those who didn’t love or respect him.
• He died for you and me.

1. Be humble towards each other
2. Be patient with each other
3. Focus on our love for others so that we can bear with their faults

• Jesus still died on the cross for you in spite of your character flaws.
• To get along with others we must put ourselves aside, just as Jesus did for us.
• John 13:34 - love one another
  

1. You put it on everyday
2. Not a natural part of us-has to be put on (thought about)
3. Should be the first thing people see

1. Grace
2. “Lifted up” – growing and being blessed
3. Relief because his burdens and anxieties will be carried by God
4. Better relationships (God opposes the proud, so do other people)

1. Accept full responsibility (don’t blame others for your actions)
2. Make no excuses (don’t be defensive)
3. Apologize humbly and go on your way rejoicing.

1. Tell them in a respectful way (don’t give in to faithlessness or fear)
2. Focus on your love for them and not on what they have done to you.
3. Forgive them (like Jesus did you) and move on being better friends.

A. What does it mean to “flee” from something?
     To desperately run away from something dangerous (a murderer, predator, etc…)
B. What does it mean to “pursue” something?
     To move toward something with all your strength

• How much is a hint? Are there any hints in your life?
•  What does God call us to replace impurity with?

* We overcome sin by meditating on God’s precepts (word) and following his statues.

* God wants you to be pure and holy, he’s given you his word and spiritual brothers and sisters to help you on your spiritual journey.

Summary

Adam's line was: Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Observations

Genesis 5:2 - He created them male and female and blessed them
It has always been God's intention to bless each and every one of us. And we do have many blessings!! But do we see them? We can not be grateful toward God unless we step back and look at all the great things he has done for us.

Genesis 5:22 - Enoch walked with God 300 years
Through the family line which is described here, God stops the pattern of listing the names of children and ages of important events to mention   Enoch's walk with God. Because of the obvious age limitations we have today, It was a walk longer than we will ever see with God on this earth - probably greater than 4 times. Can you imagine the faith and persistence he must have had?

Genesis 5:24 - then he was no more, because God took him away
Enoch did not see death but rather he was taken up to heaven. Along with Elijah [2 Kings 2:11], they were are the only two mentioned in the Bible to have gone directly to see him. How and why this happened, I am not sure but it does show God felt these relationship were very special to Him.

Personal Application

The challenge for me is simple: To finish the race [Acts 20:24] with great faith and perseverance. But not just to get by but to have a relationship with God that shines before others. When people talk about me, do they stop and mention my relationship with God like the Bible does with Enoch? What does God say about my faith?

Summary

God blessed Noah and set the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the earth again. Noah got drunk and cursed Ham's son Canaan.

Observations

Genesis 9:3 - Everything ... will be food for you; I now give you everything
Again God shows his willingness to everything to become eatable but meat that still had lifeblood. Many of our reactions would have given up on mankind. And if we had not given up, we would not have given as much freedom so there would less possibility of disobedience to occur. But God continues to give freedom to his people.

Genesis 9:17 - sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth
Freedom is not free. There was great pain for God  [Genesis 6:6]  to see the state of man's heart and how the only solution was to destroy all living things and start over again. Today, God is still grieving over how our hearts turn from him. This time - He had to pay the ultimate sacrifice of His only Son so that he and us may have a relationship. This is the only way, How have we responded?

Personal Application

I don't grow very well in the good times. It is the times of trials and difficulty when I forced by God's discipline to change. I want to change and grow while not under all circumstances. What does it show God when I move toward him only when pushed?

Summary

Abram journeyed with his nephew Lot. Their servants argued, so Lot went to Sodom, Abram to Canaan. The LORD promised Abram the land.

Observations

Genesis 13:7 - So there were quarrels
When there are many things involved, sometimes because there are quarrels. Quarrels come from our evil desires within us [James 4:1]. It is not the amount of items but our heart toward them. In this day in age, there are many quarrel and we have many things. Right now Congress can not agree on much of anything. Are we fighting the good fight or just fighting each other?

Genesis 13:11 - Lot chose for himself the whole region of the Jordan
Lot had a choice, the better Lot wanted the "well-watered" land for himself but in the ended up with the land full of sin. When chose what is better for ourselves rather than others, we many times not get what we think we are getting. If Lot had the choice over again, he would have likely would chose to give the land to Abram but it instead cost him his life.

Personal Application

I have been very quarrelsome at work recently - there is a lot that frustrates me right now. I need to relax and count my blessings. It is not worth broken relationships or loss of life.

• Paul learned thankfulness no matter what your circumstances
• Without doubt the most valuable secret in life.
• How can we learn to be thankful?

• Remember that you were an object of wrath and on the path to hell.
• Think how fortunate you are to be in God's grace and on the road to heaven.
• Were would you be today without God's grace?
  

• Learn to enjoy serving God and His people.
• Don't look for recognition.
• Old life hide sin, new life hide good

• What do you see?
  • Do not be anxious about anything - the Lord is near.
  • Constantly think about GOOD, NOBLE, HONOURABLE and PURE things. (Don't allow the devil to pollute your mind).
  • Rejoice in the Lord always.

1. Why do some people like to quarrel about words and spread their own ideas around? Do you ever quarrel about words? Have you talked about it with another disciple?
2. How can you train yourself to be an approved workman?
3. Have you been involved in any discussions lately about God's word or the church that were pointless or even harmful?

1. How can you fight the good fight?
2. How can a disciple "shipwreck" their faith?
3. Remember Hymenaeus (2 Timothy 2:17-18) and Alexander (2 Timothy 4:14-15).

1. Are you watching daily your life (as a disciple) and your doctrine (understanding the Bible)?
2. Has anyone noticed changes in you?

1. What does it mean to be a royal priesthood?
2. What message should you be sharing?
3. Are you really declaring God's praises or just giving out an invitation?

1. How can you tell if you're living for yourself or living for Jesus?
2. What does it mean to be Christ's ambassador?
3. Would Jesus be pleased with the way you present him?
4. What does it mean to APPEAL to and IMPLORE people?
5. What attitude should you have toward the lost?

1. Why was Paul distressed?
2. What are some sights around your city that should distress you?
3. Where did Paul share his faith?
4. Why did Paul begin his message by commending the Athenians for being very religious?
5. What does this teach you about preaching Paul's message?

1. What was David feeling as he prayed to God? Why?
2. How has the Lord treated you with undeserved honor and blessings?
3. How did God bless Israel?
4. How has he done even greater things for his people today?
5. What attitude toward God does this prayer express?

1. Why do you think the Lord answers this prayer so quickly?
2. The servant's prayer was simple, but he had great faith. How can you tell?
3. What was the servant's first response to the answered prayer?
4. Are you remembering to thank God for every answered prayer?

1. What makes prayer powerful and effective?
2. Do you pray eagerly and earnestly?
3. Do you pray with great faith? Have you been righteous this week?

1. Write out this passage substituting your name in place of the word love. Now read through it again, thinking about some specific relationships you have.
2. What do you see about yourself that needs to change?

1. What kind of talk is harmful to others?
2. Have you been involved in talk that is unkind, slanderous or mocking?

1. Who is "over you in the Lord"?
2. Is this based on how they live?
3. Write some names of Christians who work hard among you. Do you respect them from your heart?
4. What is your attitude toward Christians who are weak or slow to learn?

1. What are some disputable matters among Christians today? (dress, taste in music, food and drink)
2. What should your attitude be toward those who see these things differently?

1. What does God care about the most?
2. Are you doing anything that could cause others to stumble?
3. What does verse 23 mean?
4. Do you feel good about the way you are living now?

1. Why did the people criticize Jesus and John the Baptist?
2. Why do you think they were so different yet both were pleasing God?

• What is your attitude towards those who have fallen away from God?
• When was the last time you reached out to someone who has stopped being a part of the fellowship?

• He met people's spiritual needs. John 4: 1 - 26
• He taught people to serve by meeting physical needs. Luke 10:25 - 37

• He runs through the fields
• He crawls on his knees to pick us up
• He throws open his arms to forgive
• He carries us home in his arms

Arms of comfort

At Lazarus' death, the angels tenderly bring him to God - Luke 16:19-22

A child who is not regularly cuddled is deeply damaged

As a mother conforms her child, so I will comfort you - Isaiah 66:13

Sometimes we doubt and ours lives are frantic and full of activities and without the peace of God
God promises to take hold of the hands of kings - Isaiah 45:1
...and his people - Isaiah 42:6

Mary and Martha - Martha was too busy with the details of life to spend time with Jesus - Luke 10
She missed the peace that passes understanding
Time in prayer is time when we can quiet our anxious soul

Be still my soul and know that I am God - Psalms 46:10
God will give us rest - Matthew 11:28

Do you realize that as the leader of your home?
You are driving, the husband is more responsible.
Very, very rarely will a wife want out of a marriage if her husband is leading
Men simply give up when a marriage turns south or they disengage and sit around waiting for their wives

We must take courage and always be willing to make the first move, God has put something into men that longs to be courageous.
When a man uses that courage to lead his wife well, she tends to bloom.
When a wife lives with a leadership void, both of them will feel resentment toward each other and less secure together.

The idea of 50/50 leadership is a farce that creates two heads and two directions.
Our wives should have the freedom to influence without having to bear the weight of responsibility and accountability

History is littered with self-centered men who have dominated, belittled, ignored, and abused their wives in the name of male leadership.
God’s biblical design of leadership, the strong die for the weak.
The more powerful or influential you are, the more humble, servant-hearted, and sacrificial you are to become

Jesus, God’s Son was the most powerful leader of all time
He served and shepherded them instead of throwing His weight around
Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant - Mark 10:42-45
For there is no “greater love”  - John 15:13
Free her up from carrying the marriage and family. Rescue her.
She is called your helper, just as God is a “helper” to us - Psalms 54:4
Women are perfectly designed to partner with us so that our strengths complement one another’s weaknesses

Lead your wife by serving her well.

Summary

Abraham died and was buried with Sarah

Observations

Genesis 25:7 - lived a long and satisfying life
Don't we all want a long and satistying life? We all seek it but do not always find it. Because we are not searching for it correct place. We need seek God with all of our heart and we will find everything we need and some of what we want. In the end and after it is all finished, we want to hear great jobmy faithful servant [Matthew 25:23]

Genesis 25:18 - There they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives
Mentioned only for brief time, but the scripture says so much. Just because we are family, does not mean we just get along. Relationships - no matter who they are require work, patience, and understanding. There could be open hostility in our family but more likely hidden anger, hate, or bitterness toward one another. Just because others are family, it does not mean we should be an less kind

What do you think you are doing, building a beautiful tomb for yourself - Isaiah 22:16

Some have a "do what ever it takes" attitude toward raising up the ranks
God takes a dim view of such a strategies

Shebna discovered the quickest way to the bottom by using his high position to promote himself
The Lord stopped his plans, removed him from office, and exciled him far from Judah - Isaiah 22:17-18

God gave him everything he needed to become a great servant but he used it for himself

God wants to be the center of all your plans, God gave us gifts to exalt him not ourselves

Moses: Lord, please! Send anyone else - Exodus 4:13

What you succeed in doing often depends on your attitude

When God first appeared to Moses, his attitude was negative and self-defeating

Instead of focusing on the awesome task before him, he focused on his human frality

i "can't" attitude can keep you from enjoying the good things God has for you

God loves it when you turn your focus toward him and away from your own fears and doubt

Is there anything too hard for you to accomplish today?

Fools think their own way is right - Proverbs 12:15

David advised Solomon to observe the requirements of the Lord and follow all his ways - 1 Kings 2:3-4

Solomon may have spoken words of wisdom but his life ended in foolishness:

• Took 700 wives
• 300 mistresses
• Some of the woman were from outside his nationality and religon

Solomon's failure to practice what he preached led to his downfall

His wives turned his heart away from God and toward idol worship

You will save yourself a lot of trouble by knowing the Word of God and doing what is says

Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath or is it a day for doing evil? - Mark 3:4

Nothing gets the attention of a religous old guard faster than trying something new and different

Example: Jesus on earth with the Jewish leaders with so many rules and regulations

No one could keep all the rules and certainly not while joyfully serving God

Jesus' wisdom steered people back toward the spirit of the law - root in the love for God and neighbor

He healed a man in need and the leaders called it working therefore wrong

Are you legalist or do you enjoy the freedom Jesus came to give you?

Go away for now; When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again - Acts 24:25

Procrastination is a great enemy of accomplishment

It prevents you from being all that God wants you to be

Felix had an opportunity to repsond to the message of salvation but he allowed his fears to drive him away from Christ instead of toward him

Tragically, the "more convenient" time never came

Saul had a spear in his hand and suddenly hurled it at David intending to pin him to the wall - 1 Samuel 18:11

Jealousy is the emotion we feel toward someone who has something we believe we should have

KIng Saul jealous toward David, who did nothing but serve the king faithfully

Saul grow angry with him because of his growing popularity

Saul promoted David to army commander where he excelled, defeating the Philistines

Jealousy took over and and Saul went insane and it his life's goal to kill David

Being jealous steals the joy and contentment the Lord wants us to experience

Who is most likely to make you feel jealous?

Rest content in the knowledge of God - He has mapped out a life of blessing specifically for you

When King David heard what had happened, he was very angry - 2 Samuel 13:21

David was often a brilliant leader on the battlefield but he defaulted on his leadership at home

His family became dysfunctional:

• Amnon raped his sister
• David did not repond
• Absalom, David's oldest son, killed Amnon and fled Jerusalem
• Amnon's murder and Absalom's absense broke David's heart
• David restored Absalom but later became embitteed against his father
• Absaloom led a rebellion against David

Don't default on your responsibility  - as a father, you have the privilege of leading others toward godliness

I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you - 1 Samuel 12:23

Sometimes we feel thempted to write off a brother in Christ who made a mess of their faith

Bible teach us to pray for such a man and do everthing we can to restore him

Israel made a foolish and ungodly choice - insisted on an earthly king

Samuel felt disappointed but he did not write off the people

Instead Samuel took these steps:

1. He spoke the truth about their sins
2. Encourged them to continue growing spiritually
3. Warned them to not sink further into sin
4. Reaffirmed God's love and commitment toward them
5. Pledged to continue to pray for them and encourage them 

I will tell everyone about the wonderful thing you do - Pslams 73:28

It is never a good idea to establish a ruputation as a bragger

It is always good to count your blessings and boast of God's goodness

Asaph expressed frustration and anger toward God about the injustice, oppresion, godlenssness he saw

Although he was displeased, he still rememberd to thank God for his blessings

How often do you brag on God and his goodness?

Joel and Abijah were not like their father, for they were greedy for money - 1 Samuel 8:1-3

Samuel's sons showed the far reaching consequences of loving money more than God

They were appointed judges but were corupt and greedy men who "accepted bribes and perverted justice"

Their evil behavior hastened the end of era of judges and Israel's step toward nation rebellion 

The Hebrew people demanded a earthly king rule over them instead of relying on their heavenly king

When Joel and Abijah chose greed over contentment, they failed God and his people

Does contentemnt or greed dominate in your life?

Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus - Matthew 14:29

Learning to walk for a toddler is similar taking steps of faith - we dare to take steps, meet by success then failure

Peter was easily the most impulsive of Jesus' disciples - said and did things that others thought about but did not dare to say or do

Peter was a baby in faith who tried new things to discover what he is able to do

His impulsive move to get out of the boat was greeted with success then panic and failure

Peter clearly couldn't keep his eyes on Jesus but they were baby steps toward maturing his faith 

He turned his heart to worship other gos instead of being completely faithful to the Lord - 1 KIngs 11:4

Solomon was the proverbial riddle wrapped in an enigma

He was the wisest man who ever lived but he turned away from God and toward pagan idols

This turn led to the loss of everything he have accomplished - 1 KIngs 11:11-13

Despite God appearing to him twice and blessing him in every way, Solomon still turned to idols

Solomon's poor choices tained his service and led to big problems for the kingdom of Israel

It is far more important to perserve focus on the eternal prize God has for those who finish strong - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 

Summary

In Gerar, Isaac lied about Rebekah being his wife. 

Observations

Genesis 26:5 - Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions

• Abraham had not received the law yet
• He was described as one who kept the law by living by faith and obedience
• A man who lived by faith could be described as one who kept the law

Genesis 26:9 - I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me

• The son repeated his father's lie's [Genesis 20:2]
• Faith in God's promises causes fearless work with Him
• This time it was not God but Abimekech who protected and commad that the woman not to be touched
• The Philistine king emerged as the righteous one
• God continued to be faithful with Issac for the sake of future generations
• If Isaac's marriage had ended here, there would have been no Israelites

Application

The first step toward helping children live righteously is for the parent to live rightly. What kind of example I am setting for my children?

Prayer

Please help me to see what I am projecting onto my children by the life I am living

Mission is to help men fall in love with the character of Jesus

Some spend much time with:

• His chronology
• The geopgraphy
• His clothes
• Take photos of the lands he walked
• Customs during that time

We can become so interested in the outer life of Jesus and miss the secret his heart has to tell

Things Jesus experienced may be of some interest but not important

It is the character of Jesus which has unique and endless significance

New Testament writers were not interested in the outer Jesus but wanted us to have his character

• Friends were all obscure
• No office
• No wealth
• Born in a stable
• Taught for three years and died

They tried to describe how things affected him, how he looked at things,and how he felt toward things

James lived under the same roof and did not understand him

Paul lived far from him but understood him completely

Understand a character - akin to the deepest tendencies and aspirations

It is impossible to become too familiar with the way

He is the express image of the Father's person

The more we study him, the richer is our knowledge of the heart of God

We fix our minds on him  - how he looked at things, felt toward things, how things affected him

Common taunt of Scribes and Pharises that Jesus was a friend of sinners

He was friendly to the lowest and the best of society, a trait which created great scandal

These three statements about Jesus spoke a lot about how Jesus' heart toward others:

• He saved himself; he cannot save himself - Mark 15:13
• He went about doing good
• Friend of sinners

They tried to use his friendiness against him

Example: Tax collectors - ones who gathered taxes by any means nessary including by extortion or other dishonest measures

• Considered traitors to their country
• Objects of hatred and scron
• Their money was considered tained and not accepted in the synagogue
• Their oath was worthless
• Could not be a witness in a court of law
• Pelted with sneers by passers by
• Looked as wild beasts

Jesus made friends with them despite these truths

It was one thing to talk down to a bad man and give good advise, it is another to eat with them

Jesus cross the chasm over which no man was willing to do in that day and lost his reputation for the sake of being brotherly/friendly

Made himself nothing because he was determined on being firendly to all - Philippians 2:17

Everyone is part of the human race, children of God, despite what they have done