Tag: bsfnotes

27.2 BSF Matthew Week 27, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

A large crowd had made its way to Jerusalem for celebration of the passover.  They had begun arriving the week before.  5 days before Jesus had been all the buzz and a large crowd had gone out to find him at the dinner at Lazarus’ house.  This was when Mary had anointed Jesus with the perfume.  4 days before Jesus had ridden into Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd.  Hosanna!  Blessed is the King of Israel.  Tonight they show up as an armed mob with torches and clubs and betrayal and hatred on their lips. Tomorrow they will be screaming for his execution in the most brutal and demeaning manner possible.

What did Jesus do in less than 4 days time that went from triumphant and joyful arrival to rejection and hatred of him?  It isn’t what He did that was the problem.  It is what He didn’t do.  He didn’t change who He was to become who they wanted him to be.

God is immutable.  Unlike the crowd and popular opinion, He doesn’t change; never has, never will, and we humans get frustrated by that.  Why doesn’t God…?  How can God….?  That… may have been true back then but we know….

Our challenge today is the same challenge of that day.  All too often the basis of our perception of God is in what we think or what we have been told rather than what the bible actually says.  According to a 2013 research study by the Barna Group, more Americans had read Twilight, the Hunger Games and 50 Shades of Grey than had read the bible cover to cover.  Of those who do read the bible only 26% read it regularly with 57% touching it less than 4 times per year.  Yet, we have no limit to our opinions about who God is and how He should behave and what He would or should say!

Beware of crowds.  Beware of the “wisdom of our age”.  Beware of popular opinion.  Beware of your own strength and your own opinion.  There is only one place in which to place your trust, one source that will last beyond both earth and heaven because it is true and unchanging: the word of our Lord.

We are quickly approaching the end of our study of Matthew – what will you do this summer to not fall into temptation?

My Answers:

3.
a.
Peter

b.
battle between the large crowd with sword and clubs and the handful of apostles

c.
Jesus had outlined what would happen – He was in control, but Peter was in denial of that control over the situation

d.
mostly in the form of worry and stress. They don’t yield results but submitting to God does

4.
a.
betrayed with a kiss, captured with swords and clubs, deserted by apostles

b.
attackers drew back and fell to the ground

c.
let these men go, I have not lost one of those you gave me, healed the man’s ear

d.
shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?

24 BSF Matthew Week 24, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

From the old testament scriptures and prophecies, the faithful were expecting a Messiah who would rule as King.  As Jesus approaches His final days it has become important for clarification.

There are only 3 possibilities.

1. The scriptures and prophecies were wrong

2. The followers understanding and interpretation of the scriptures and prophecies was wrong

3. Jesus was not the Messiah

Jesus clarified that the prophecies are true and all will be fulfilled, through Him.  However, instead of this happening in a single event, as followers thought they understood, He explained to them about His second coming.  This was in no way a contradiction or a change to anything in the scriptures, it was, instead, an illumination on a perspective that they had not previously understood.

They had put their faith and trust in the physical church; the building (temple), the infrastructure of the pharisees and teachers of the law, the courts and offerings.  So Jesus started with that.  It would all be destroyed, but His word would live forever.

My Answers:

3.
a.
2. not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.

b.
when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?

c.
End of the age = That Christ’s reign as King and Lord would not be a continuation, but a new beginning

d.
70 AD

4.
a.
1. Persecution of the believers, trials and betrayal (12-19); 2. Desolation of the temple, flee (20-21); 3. Time of punishment(22-24) 4. Signs in the Heavens and the return of the Son of Man (25-28)

b.
Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled

5.
a.
(from Luke) seize, persecute, handed over to synagogues and prison, trials, betrayal, everyone will hate you, dread, distress, tramples, faint with terror, apprehension, (from Matt): False christs, wars, rumors of war, nation rise against nation, famines, earthquakes, persecution, death, hatred, false prophets, deceit, wickedness, love of most will grow cold.

b.
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations

c.
Missionaries have reached almost every unreached group –  Local/International Missions

22 BSF Matthew Week 22, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

On any fruit tree the leaves are what feed the plant and the fruit is what feeds others and prepares the next generation.  But how many people do we know at church who are all leaves?  I know during a period of my life my main focus in deciding what church to go to was what am I getting out of it.

Jesus did not have any frustration with the fig tree because it had leaves.  A healthy plant needs to be fed.  But His frustration was that it only had leaves.  When we approach spiritual life with a complete focus on what is in it for me, we model the same hypocrisy.

My Answers:

3.
a.
may you never bear fruit again

b.
Immediately the tree withered

c.
They had nourishment to grow, but no fruit – They pretended to be what they were not

4.
a.
with faith, command and move mountains, don’t receive reward in the act – trust in God.  Bear fruit!

b.
Forgive others (cleanse yourself) so that God may forgive you

 

20 BSF Matthew Week 20, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

To me, the discussion about the Law of Moses and divorce is like a discussion about daredevil safety equipment.  Let’s put it this way.  If you are going to ride a motorcycle at high speeds and jump it over a bunch of flaming cars, someone is going to suggest you have on a really good helmet and flame retardant clothing.

The better idea is to not do it.  But since some people are set and determined to do it anyway, sufficient guidelines and protective gear is designed.

When Moses outlines these “laws” about divorce, I don’t think he is saying this is a good idea or the right thing to do.  I think he is simply saying, you are going to do this anyway because you are hard hearted, so let’s take these steps to minimize the damage.

My Answers:

4.
God created male and female in His image.  He joined them together and commanded them to be fruitful.  They become one flesh, man must leave his father and mother and be united with his wife

5.
a.
Prohibited from returning to a relationship where a husband sends her out of their house

b.
Their hearts were hard

c.
God will allow me to do things that are wrong.  That doesn’t make them right, but if I’m hard headed and hard hearted enough He will allow it.

18 BSF Matthew Week 18, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Unveiled Glory:  In Exodus 34 we learn that after Moses would leave the sanctuary, from being in the presence of the glory of the Lord, he would veil His face because the Israelites could not handle the shine of his face.

In 2 Cor 3:13 Paul wrote: “We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.”

Jesus did not hide what was going to happen from His disciples or from us.  It wasn’t veiled in a parable.  It wasn’t disguised in code.  It was as plainly spoken as one could speak.  He would be put to death and then rise 3 days later.

It was not that Jesus had less shine than Moses.  Just the opposite.  But it was time for the glory to be unveiled.  Like a bride at marriage lifts her veil when joined to her spouse.  The bridegroom had arrived and the time had come and was coming for the veil to be removed.

My Answers

3.
a.
up a high mountain

b.
Peter James and John

c.
spending time with the disciples

4.
a.
transfomed into holy radiance.  He was in communion with the saints and prophets, His appearance and being reflected His soul, one free and clean of sin

b.
He was an eye-witness.  He saw and heard it as fact, not story

c.
Both

5.
Matt: coming on the clouds of heaven
John: seen the glory of the Son
John: Glorify your son that your Son may glorify you
Acts: a light, brighter than the sun – voice from heaven
Phil: exalted by God – given the name above all names
Rev: son of man, his face shining like the sun, hair white as snow and eyes blazing like fire

 

BSF Matthew Week 16, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal

Jews didn’t eat with gentiles, much less feed 4000 of them.  But that is the miracle Jesus performs.

We saw on similar before, with the feeding of the 5000.  So similar that it is easy to miss some of the differences.

The Jews sat of grass, the gentiles on the ground.  This reminded me of the parable of the sower.  The Jews were a field with existing growth, not to mention a number of weeds, but the gentile soil was barren and ready to be be planted.

The feeding of the 5000 had 12 baskets of food left over, the feeding of the 4000 had 7 baskets of food left over.  Interesting that there were 12 tribes of Israel and 7 tribes of Canaan.

But I think most interesting and applicable to my life was the response of the Apostles.  The apostles had not only been present at the feeding of the 5000, but they were in the middle of the whole thing.  Now, just a very short time later, when Jesus turns to them in verse 32 and says, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”  Not one of His disciples says, “no problem, we have some fish and loaves, let’s do that thing again.”  Not one of them asked Him what to do, even though they now recognized and knew that He was the Son of God.  Instead, their first response was totally self-reliant.  “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

Before I get too harsh on the apostles, I need to confess – this is me.  I know who Jesus is, but I don’t ask for miracles.  I see the way He has miraculously provided for me and my family, and then the next day I begin worrying about how I’m going to figure things out on my own.  I open my eyes and see limited resources instead of looking at things through the lens of faith and seeing unlimited possibilities.

There is a song I enjoy called, “Are you ready for a miracle?”  If I’m honest, though, I am too like the apostles – most of the days the answer to the question is no, not really.

How can I make the knowledge of these passages part of my life?  I can follow the example of the Canaanite mother.  I can pray for miracles for myself and for others.  I can not only pray, but I can pray with confidence in the One who has the power to perform those miracles.  When I don’t hear an answer, I can keep praying, in faith.  When I don’t understand something, I can be like Peter and ask.  When I don’t have the strength to carry on, lest I may collapse on the way, I can sit at the feet of Jesus and not only be fed, but be satisfied, knowing that when He provides that provision is magnified.  I can be ready for a miracle!

My Answers

13.
a.
Jews      Gentiles
grass              ground
5000               4000
started by apostle, started by Jesus
5 loaves, 7 loaves
2 fishes, some fishes
12 baskets, 7 baskets

b.
Better to get the left-overs, there is more left over than the first served

c.
trust and rely on Jesus alone, He has full power to provide for all my needs, I am blessed to help, not needed to help

 

11.02 BSF Matthew Week 11, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I think the harvest field is such a beautiful and fitting image of the calling of Christians.  When we plant crops, we turn them over to God.  He is the only one who can make something grow.  To take it from a seed to a plant producing fruit and seeds.  He provides the soil.  He provides the nutrients.  He provides the rain and sunshine.  There is work to be done, including the work of bringing in the harvest, but, as we learn this week, He even provides for that.  He doesn’t say go and hire people or go and beg people or go and threaten people or go and scare/guilt people into the work.  He says to pray and God will provide.

We often forget this and begin to think we (you and I) need to get busy making plans and recruiting.  We need to get out there and polish our sales pitch.  God does call us to get out of our “holy huddle”, but it also makes it abundantly clear that the workers, the work, the power, the authority and even the harvest all are from and for Him alone.  Anything we allow ourselves to be tricked into thinking comes from our own power is an insult to the One from whom the true power and authority belongs.

My Answers:

3.
a.
It is His nature.  They were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd

b.
Ps: The Lord is my shepherd
Is: We all like sheep (Lord laid on Him the iniquity of all) He bore our sins
Je: lost sheep, scattered flock, led astray by shepherds, wandering
Ez: cared for self rather than flock, I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable
Jo: I am the good shepherd, not a hired hand

c.
Those in churches which do not follow scripture, everyone believe what they want, not the truth of God

4.
a.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers

b.
authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness

c.
Authority of truth of His word.  Power:  the hope, the riches, His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1)

BSF Matthew: Opening Night

My Daily Journal:

What an amazing night we had last night with the first and second graders!  These kids are so inspiring in their willingness to shout out the name Jesus, to confess their unwavering belief in Him as their personal savior and friend.  As part of the first night we passed out the questions and each child completed the first day including the question related to what they learned about the bible.  One little guy wrote, “Gses did 4 me” (Jesus died for me).

One of the things I love about spending time in bible study with young believers is that they don’t waste time and worry, they simply believe the word of God.  That was also something I really loved about the notes this week.  One of the ways the evil one attempts to cast doubt is to raise the question of whether the bible, particularly the New Testament, is reliable.  We see this teaching in organizations such as the Latter Day Saints or in popular fiction writers such as Dan Brown; an argument that the writings in the bible have been corrupted.  When we look at the world and see how mankind has corrupted everything else, it can cast doubt.  But God didn’t recite the bible word for word, he inspired 40 people to write it and He has inspired others to translate it.  God is alive and active.  God is the same and He is true and He uses human translators to give us His Holy Word in our language so we can learn about Him and use His Word to guide our life.  He does this with translators the same way He did with the original writers.  If God can use a man to write it with truth and accuracy, He can use another man to translate it in the exact same way.

I am really excited about the new format and tone of the notes this year.  I love the reference out to other books and materials (e.g., Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell).  I cut out the “Outline of Matthew’s Gospel” presented in the notes and laminated it and I’m keeping it in my bible this year as we go through the study.  If you are not in a study and getting the notes, it is really an important addition – the notes are good!

BSF Genesis: Week 27, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
a.
To be remembered by the cupbearer and be shown kindness, to be mentioned to Pharaoh as wrongfully imprisoned

b.
v23  The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

12.
He had work to do for God.  A ministry to an unbelieving nation who did not know the one true God of Israel

13.
Literally: Joseph was cast into the earth to be left for dead.  His identity (coat) was stripped from him.  His freedom was sold.  He was treated as a possession and false witness befell him, he was cast into a dungeon and forgotten.  Yet, he rose from this to a greater ministry, both to save the people of Egypt, but also his own kin.

My Daily Journal:

The means by which God directed Joseph and the lessons He taught him were hard taught.  Joseph didn’t sit in a classroom under a kind and gentle teacher.  He didn’t read leadership principles from a book.  He learned to rely on God and His blessings because there was no one else he could rely on.  Joseph didn’t learn grace and fairness from it being bestowed on him by other men.  He learned it from longing for it and seeing it come from no where but the Lord.

Yet, even in the darkest circumstances, even in the darkest dungeon, Joseph saw that God was there with him and Joseph learned to trust in God.  Joseph’s developed perseverance, patience, trust, character, forgiveness, and leadership from the one true Personal Trainer, God!

What parts of my life could use more time in God’s gym to be worked and strengthened?  What hardships and disappointments in my life do I need to re-examine to see God’s presence in them (He is there, whether I see Him or not)?  Where do I need to just get to work doing the work that God is giving me instead of spending time and effort fretting about my situation and unfairness I see?