January - Reading 18

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

For whatever reason the Lord has given me a burden for the many deceived false believers among the brethren. This verse comes to mind often in my personal ministry. The faith that says but does not do is really unbelief. Jesus was not suggesting that works are meritorious for salvation, but that true faith will not fail to produce the fruit of good works. This is precisely the point of James 1:22–25; 2:26. Jesus and Paul’s teachings do not contradict James’ but rather they all point to works being the evidence of salvation, not the means.

Furthermore, there is no neutral position concerning belief and faith in God. Jesus said “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23 (ESV) Based on this, when one faces the “Judgment,” they will either hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:23 (ESV) OR they will hear ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

 

Good evening all,

Joseph certainly shows himself to be an upright man. Compare his refusal of the pharoah's wife to the reading last night where Judah sleeps with his daughter-in-law thinking that she is a prostitute. Both women use the same technique of "proof" in keeping an article that is easily identified with the man in question. The frame-up is a terrible trick played by a woman scorned, but Joseph will be out in a couple years, whereas Judah will remain bonded to his sin until death.
In chapter 40, Joseph confirms that dream interpretation is a revelation from God. As I stated last night, dreams play prominently in many Bible stories, especially in Genesis.
Another common theme for Joseph is that he starts out on top (favorite son of Israel, master of pharoah's house), is then put in a pit (the cistern, the pharoah's dungeon) and then once again, comes out on top.

In Acts tonight, though Peter followed Christ throughout his ministry, he is still receptive to the teachings of the Holy Spirit. He realizes that it is not only the food customs that need to be broken, it is the entire prejudice against Gentiles. Notice also that Peter had been staying with a tanner. This man would have also been unclean by Jewish tradition.
In verse 31, the angels revelation show that God recognizes those that deserve a chance at salvation and he can recognize good works for what they are.
Great climax to this chapter. Peter's question is, of course, rhetorical. Noone had a right to keep the new believers from being baptized. If RLVaughn has been keeping up with our postings, I bet he's nodding right now.

Thanks for the posting on Matthew, Brother John. Helen, I made a joke at your expense at the end of last night's thread at the beginning of my posting. You probably don't want to miss that.

May God bless you

- Clint

 

In the Matthew passage, I have to laugh at a mistake I made for so many years and which I heard others make -- until our pastor pointed out something. And I remember shaking my head at how ignorant I had been!

Who wears sheep's clothes? NOT A WOLF! A Shepherd wears wool clothing. It is the cheapest for him! A false shepherd has the heart of a wolf, but all those pictures of wolves coming to prey on the sheep dressed up like a sheep were so silly!

It is the false shepherd that is being spoken of here. "INWARDLY" they are ferocious wolves!

Then this entire passage comes into focus. Their teaching CANNOT bear good fruit, just as the teaching of the true message of Christ cannot bear bad fruit. The fruits here are the results of what is taught, not lifestyles.

This goes immediately into the passage John mentions above. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord Lord'...."

Again, this is talking about the false teachers. They have done false miracles, proclaimed falsely in the name of the Lord... I am betting we could all name a few names right now of some good examples of these men and women.

And "Depart from me; I never knew you..."

This is not a 'knowing' in the recognition of who someone is. This is a 'knowing' which is intimate -- Christ living in you through the Holy Spirit.


In Acts, Peter has learned the lesson we all must learn and learn well: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accpets men from every nation who fear him and do what is right..."

and a little later we read that "The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles."

I am reminded of an old Negro Spiritual:

"Children go where I send thee..."


Psalm 18 -- I am positive this psalm has, in the middle of it, reference to a natural and widespread catastrophe completely separate from the Flood catastrophe of Noah. The Lord is known to operate through nature, and David points this out quite clearly here. But what else is involved?

Earthquakes, volcanism -- vv7-8
One or more asteroid or meteorite impacts -- v. 9
Clouds and darkness; possibly a result of all the above, along with great winds -- vv 9-11
Hail (since this can mean rocks as well as ice, this may be, again, meteorite showers coming to the ground or it may be the hail from the turbulent skies at that point) -- v.11
Lightning -- v. 11
More than your 'average' thunderings -- v. 13
Giant tsunamis -- v. 15 (a tsunami will first roll back the water FROM the land, leaving the sea floor exposed for a ways out before it hits)

In short, I don't think this is figurative language! Verse 15 speaks of the Lord's rebuke. Would this be the Babel catastrophe? The events certainly would fit in with the multi-catastrophe model, and such a catastrophic series of happening would be sure to scatter people far and wide.

Whatever this was, David is recalling it as a picture of this time in his own life, when everything seems to be threatening him. The
"cords of death" had entangled him, but God heard him, and 'brought me out into a spacious place.'

I must say, though, I honestly have trouble with David's crediting himself with being righteous by the way he had followed the Lord's law. Maybe I just need to meet David in heaven to find out what he was talking about here?....


And onto the Genesis Gallop -- I think Clint covered it fine. Both these chapters show Joseph's character. He is considered by many expositors to be a 'type' of Christ, and this would be part of that 'type.' He refuses temptation and he credits God with anything he can do which exposes the truth.

Oh, Clint, I can't talk now. I'm going to go lick a flagpole. It's ALMOST cold enough outside.... just a few more minutes....

It only took the fire department half an hour to gete me unstuck the other night. But they were so nice, I thought it would be fun to get together with them again....

Besides, it's a great dietary method. Who can eat after that much pain?

 

Has anyone noticed that it seemed like a lot to read at first and now it's just not enough???? LOL. I can't quit! Zooooommmmm.
da Gina

 

Our Scriptures for 1/19 are:

Matthew 8:1-13

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 18:25-50

Genesis 41

 

Our Scriptures for 1/19 are:

Matthew 8:1-13

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 18:25-50

Genesis 41

 

Our Scriptures for 1/19 are:

Matthew 8:1-13

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 18:25-50

Genesis 41

 

Our Scriptures for 1/19 are:

Matthew 8:1-13

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 18:25-50

Genesis 41