thenotesaregood – Page 6 – The Notes are Good

Getting Excited for Matthew

I am really excited to begin our study of Matthew this year.

I had a great summer and participated in a 10 week Precept In and Out study on Revelation Part 1 which covered the letters to the churches. It was a great study and I’m both excited and nervous about studying the Book of Revelation in BSF in a couple of years.

There are so many new great things in BSF this year. We had our first leaders’ meeting last weekend and I left very fired up in the spirit. I don’t want to take away the thunder from your group so I’m trying to keep quiet on the changes, but there is one I have to praise: memory verses. I’m a children’s leader and in the lower levels we really emphasis putting God’s word in your heart and memory each week. Every week we have a specific memory verse that ties to our lesson and we spend the last 15 minutes of the night going over fun ways, such as songs, rhythms, pictures, and hand motions to memorize the verse and its address in scripture. Starting with the new format of Matthew not only is a weekly memory verse front and center in the children’s lesson, but it is now also printed on everyone’s lesson! I think this is such a great addition and I’m challenging everyone to take 15 minutes in your week and just memorize it. At the end you will have 30 verses tucked away in your head and heart and you will be amazed at how often you use them in your daily language and discussions.

For the blog, I am making a few changes/improvements as well. You may have already noticed a new visual theme (thanks WordPress!). I picked this theme because it has a great mobile view and, as more and more people are doing their study on iPads, Kindle and other mobile devices, this is increasingly important. It also is very clean and prints well. I’m still including links to the scriptures, but I’m going to change the order of my posts and put my Daily Journal at the top and my answers to questions below. With more personal applications questions in the study this year, I want to move the emphasis of writing to application of the Big God Story and less on my particular answer to question 7b.

I get to work with Level 1 this year, 1st and 2nd grade, and I am very excited. The faith these young children have and their openness to diving deep into the Word of God always impresses and humbles me. When God provides the instructors, our Children’s Administrator said we might split and form 2 Level 1 classes. I know many BSF classes are struggling to fill all levels of their children’s program but it is so exciting to think we have so many Dads wanting to bring their young children that we may need 2 classes. Praise the Lord.

I’m asking for more dialog this year on this blog, more comments, more questions, more sharing. We are not trying to duplicate a BSF class, that is not the point. But God is big and His church is big and we can learn from each other in many ways and through shared experiences. Thanks for being part of the journey with us.

BSF Genesis: Week 31, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

6.
Pharaoh honored him by the entourage he sent to his graveside. Dignitaries of his court, all the dignitaries of Egypt, Chariots and horsemen, a very large company, so great the the Canaanites renamed the place to mourning of the Egyptians. Only Hebrew children and livestock left behind.

7.
a.
The size and scale and the mourning that occurred at the threshing floor of Atad

b.
v12. Did as he commanded them, carried him, buried him.

c.
We are aliens here – our citizenship is in heaven. We have been saved through Christ.

My Daily Journal:

Jacob was a mirror who reflected God. When the bible says God is the God of Israel or the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it does not mean these men owned God. It means that they reflected God for others to see.

Jacob reflected God in his prayer life. He reflected God in His trust of God’s word. He reflected God in his willingness to speak truth (especially in his later years). He reflected God in his blessings (which were actually God’s blessings). He reflected God in and through his children and especially through Joseph.

When pharoah send a very large company, chariots, horsemen; when he sent all the riches of Egypt; when he provided the royal embalmers; when the Egyptians mourned at the threshing floor; when the Egyptians stayed with the Israelite children and flocks so their parents could all go back to Canaan (even though they found shepherds detestable)… When all of these things occurred they reflected directly through Jacob back to God, His God, The God of Israel.

When we go to a funeral and participate in eulogies today it is the same thing. When a christian has spent their life reflecting the glory of God, there is absolutely nothing wrong with spending some time reflecting on that reflection! The glory is not going to the individual, it is going to the source of the light that they helped shine.

BSF Genesis: Week 30, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

5.
Hand on neck of enemies, brothers praise you, relatives bow down, Lion, scepter will not depart, ruler’s staff…until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, whom all nations will honor

6.
a.
all bow to him, victorious against his prey, holds the scepter and ruler’s staff for they belong to him, from the line of Judah, the one whom all nations will honor

b.
1 Cr 15:54, Death has been swallowed up in victory; Rom 6:9 Death no longer has mastery over him; Luke 22:69 The Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God; Heb 1:2 by His Son whom he appointed heir of all things; Heb 1:8 about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter…, Matt 27:18 Christ was dressed in a crimson robe (crimson would be the color of a robe died in the blood of grapes, it was also the color representing sin, e.g., the crimson sash hung outside the window by Rahab.)

c.
He is victorious over death so I need not fear the grave. He is at the right hand of God and holds the scepter of heaven, so I can trust in His rule.

7.
His region was beside the sea of Galilee and included Capernaum. Many gentiles (ships) lived there and were saved (safe harbor)

8.
The tribe of Issachar were to be farmers. We know from the time of Adam that farming would be hard work and toil, but we know also from Eccles 3:12-13 that toil is a gift from God. God encourages us to work and do good hard work which yields benefits to us now and eternally

9.
Samson – Judges 13-18 – killed many Philistines who ruled over Israel at the time

My Daily Journal:

Many of us know the story of Samson and his incredible strength when the spirit would come upon him in strength. But as I reread the story I was struck by his parents.

Manoah, who was from the tribe of Dan, lived in the land unjustly ruled by the Philistines. The Israelites had been turned over to the Philistines because of their sin. Manoah was married to a woman who was childless. The angel of the Lord came to her and told her she would give birth to a son who would be a Nazirite and he will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.

The part that came next is what really struck me in relation to our lesson this week. In Judges 13:18, “Then Manoah prayed to the LORD: “Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.””

In our scripture this week Jacob has assembled and is speaking truth about the future to his sons, including many things they either don’t understand or, in some instances, things they don’t want to hear. This made me think about what I should do if God delivered news about my future to me. What if he told me something about my health, my finances, my children, my church? Should I worry about it? Should I jump into action? Should I just take the news and do nothing? Should I use my own intellect to “figure things out”?

But, the example we learn from Manoah is the right response. Given revelation about the future, my first step should be to drop to my knees and humbly pray to God to come into my life and teach me how to do what He wants with this revelation. To teach me how to honor Him and be true in my work in the future to His calling for my life.

BSF Genesis: Week 29: Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

10.
a.
He bi-passed Joseph and gave blessing to his 2 sons, Ephraim and Manasseh

b.
Cane and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Shem Japheth Ham

11.
47:31 – Every agreement Jacob made was not only with another man but with and through God. Important to remember in dealings with other – also and always includes God and praise should always go to Him.

12.
Angel of the Lord – Pre-incarnate Christ

13.
May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh

14.
21-22I am about to die, but God will be with you[h] and take you[i] back to the land of your[j] fathers. 22 And to you I give one more ridge of land[k] than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.

My Daily Journal:

I was convicted by Jacob in the agreement he formed with Joseph regarding burying him in the tomb of the patriarchs. It wasn’t the agreement itself or his desire to be buried back in the promised land. But it was his approach to the agreement as related to us in verse 31. Jacob approached every agreement he made with another to be not only an agreement with that person but also one bound by God. And, why not? Should we be making agreements without God? Should God be a part of everything we commit to? Verse 31 says “”Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff (or Israel bowed down at the head of his bed).”

I make a lot of agreements. I’m making promises and agreements every day at work. I make commitments to my wife and children and to my friends and church. I make a lot of deals. If my word reflects my faith, then I should ask God to be a part of each of those agreements and I should praise Him for each of them. I’m convicted to how this would affect both the deals I make and my behavior and commitment to them. Too often I’ll agree to something, but become distracted and not give it my all. But if worship and prayer were part of every commitment I make, then what extra power and strength I would have in more court to honor those and reflect God’s glory in my word and actions.

We talked in our circle about doing more to point the glory to God alone in our daily lives and dealings. I believe this passage helps teach us that begins in the beginning of those dealings, by prayer and praise before and as we make the commitments. By including God here, it is only natural that the glory for the work accomplished also go to Him.

BSF Genesis: Week 26, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

3.
a.
As prophecy of things to come. To give Joseph guidance and fortitude

b.
He wasn’t street smart or worldly wise, but, is it unwise to share visions from above?

c.
Keep your audience in mind when delivering something sacred, the sweetness will turn to bitterness when mixed with their emotions and contempt

4.
He was his father’s favorite. He was a dreamer. They were jealous of him and he came across to them as being arrogant

My Daily Journal:

I liked the discussion on Matthew 7:6, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” While my answer stemmed from the viewpoint of the giver in the sentence, it is interesting to turn the tables and look at it from the opposite perspective.

Joseph’s brothers, and even father for that matter, were only able to see Joseph’s dream through the goggles of their own sinful heart. They couldn’t rejoice for him that God might someday make him a king or ruler, they couldn’t see the blessings that might flow to them if he achieved such a stature. They could only see him as something less than themselves. What nerve for him to have such a dream. Who does he think he is? We need to knock him back down a few notches.

There is an old saying, when you lay down with dogs you get fleas. In the same way, when you wallow in sin, you get dirty like a pig. This is where Joseph’s family was. With itchy fleas and mud-caked flesh, how could they have possibly seen God’s providential blessing for their brother and son?

But how often do I do the same thing. My own sin clouds my ability to see God’s blessing. My sin distracts me and irritates me so that I miss rejoicing and come across as upset, irritated or distracted. Like Joseph’s brothers, the sin in my heart can make it so I can’t look past the mud.

But, that is also the beauty of the analogy of this scripture. Through the saving grace of Jesus, God offers to wash my sins away and cloth me in new garments. He offers to remove the scales from my eyes, as he healed the blind time and again. All I need do is the same thing Joseph’s family should have done, repent my sin and seek the cleansing power of my loving Father.

BSF Genesis: Week 25, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
a.
Spiritual cleansing is purity: whiter than snow, pure heart, steadfast spirit. Spiritual cleansing means change: stop doing wrong, turn away from evil deeds, walk in the light

b.
leads to fruit, the Holy Spirit, Humble yourself and He will lift you up

c.
Not just sacrifice, but who it is offered to – to God. Separate ourselves from sin: immoral, impure, greedy have no inheritence. We must abandon idols and turn only to God

d.
Time spent in pursuit of non-God serving activities, or better said, the activities are not the problem, but I am doing them on my own without seeking God and without giving the glory to Him alone.

12.
a.
Terror of God fell on towns around them so no one pursued them. God reclaimed not only Jacob/Israel but his descendants

b.
He has reclaimed me and brought me back into His family of believers. He has strengthened me by reminding me of His promises

c.
That God’s own voice is speaking to me, through the scriptures, in answer to prayer and through other believers

d.
Reunited for a time with his brother (vs 6-7), many descendents, chiefs, kings, a mighty nation

My Daily Journal

One of the comments our leader made in his lecture last week was “God is waiting for me to realize that He is in control.” I thought it was amazing how we see this lived out in Jacob/Israel. Jacob wrestles with “the man” and receives a blessing where he becomes a new person with a new name. Clearly he has changed, but, he continued to live a life wanting to still be in the driver’s seat and have God as his co-pilot.

Instead of going to Bethel, as promised, he goes the opposite direction. Instead of living apart, he moves right next door to people who, evidently, believe there is nothing wrong with raping someone then buying them to marry them. Instead of being the spiritual leader of his house, he does nothing because his sons are out in the fields with the flocks.

But when things go south and he repents and returns to God, God is waiting. God repeats His promise to him and changes his name (again) to Israel.

God’s place is not as co-pilot of our life. If you were in a car with Jeff Gordon, would you want him riding shotgun or sitting behind the wheel? I need to move over and let God drive.

God is waiting patiently for me to realize that He is in control.

BSF Genesis: Week 25, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

9.
a.
Go up to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar to God

b.
… I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord[f] will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

c.
Settle in a place with other believers and demonstrate daily worship to God.

10.
a.
get rid of foreign gods, purify yourself, change your clothes, come, let us go (including rings in their ears)

b.
purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and soul; put off old self, put on new; walk in light not darkness, confess our sins; love God and carry out his commands

c.
Things we find of high monetary worth but that do not bring glory to God. Things that may lead others away from God. Things that take our time and attention away from God

My Daily Journal:

My family and I have made a number of trips recently to a couple of the nearby Amish communities. My wife has taken up quilting and enjoys the materials, supplies and ladies she has met in the communities. The Amish bulk stores are also amazing places for a gluten-free household.

On a recent trip we checked out a book on CD from the library called House Calls and Hitching Posts: Stories from Dr. Elton Lehman’s Career Among the Amish. In the book, the author relates a story about what makes the Amish people unique:

Some years ago a group of 52 people chartered a bus and came to Holmes County to see the Amish. They had arranged to have an Amishman meet them and answer some of their questions. The first question was, “What does it mean to be Amish?” The Amishman thought a bit and then he asked a question of his own. “How many of you have TV in your homes” Fifty-two hands went up. “How many of you feel there are things on the TV that are inappropriate or un-Godly?”, again almost all of the hands went up. “How many of you believe that time spent watching TV is normally not time spent honoring God?”, every hand. “Now, how many of you feel that perhaps you would be better stewards of the faith if you spent less time watching TV in your homes or didn’t watch it at all?” Again, fifty-two hands went up. “All right. Now, how many of you are going to go home and get rid of your TV?” Not one hand went up! Now that is what it means to be Amish. As a church, if we see or experience something that is not good for us spiritually, we will discipline ourselves to do without.

I am not advocating we all convert to become Amish, but there is a strong lesson in living a life that has the discipline to separate ourselves from the things that do not bring honor to God. We see this same example in those who take a vow of poverty for faith, who give up comfort and convenience to become missionaries in a foreign land and those who commit their lives to be the hands of God to the sick and needy. We also see it in the daily lives of people in our faith community who live as aliens in a foreign land, focusing on the eternal. These people stand out because they stand up for doing right for God. Which community do we want to fit in to? A community of Shechem or a community of the angels and saints?

BSF Genesis: Week 21, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

11.
a.
Obeyed his father and mother

b.
swore oath to God, Built altar to become God’s house, tithed

c.
served 7 years for Rachel but seemed like only a few days because of his love for her

d.
God was with him, blessed him, protected him, took from those who cheated

e.
Prayed, trusted in God for protection and salvation

12.
a.
Faith – God rewards those who earnestly seek him

b.
Patriarch – the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Inheritence not only of father, but of God, chosen to be his own, a trasured possession

13.
What good is it to me, married pagan wives (to the grief of his parents) Polygamist, married a granddaughter of Ishmael because she wasn’t Canaanite.

My Daily Journal:

First, to clear something up (or not). My view on Esau’s marriage to the grand daughter of Ishmael is evidently different than many of the others in my discussion group based on answers. I saw it as just another knee-jerk response rather than a slap in the face to his parents. He learned they didn’t like Canaanite wives, so he was bent on marrying the first available non-Canaanite woman he could find. Who else was around but the descendents of Ishmael?

Second, and this is a special prayer request, this whole thing about spiritual inheritance is a very important message particularly for the kids in my group. I’m blessed to work with middle-school kids this year. The idea that their actions speak for more than just themselves is a very, very important concept and one, frankly, they don’t get. When God says, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, this tells me that Jacob’s behavior, the way he is viewed by others, is not simply a reflection on him, but it is a reflection on his father, his grandfather and his God.

Is any less true for us? When we mis-behave or act inappropriately, what message does that send about my father, grandfather and God? When I look at my actions and decisions and behavior in that light, does it change the way I act.

In preparing for my lecture I made the statement “the choices we make reveal the person that we are. If we wish to be someone else, the path is simple… make different choices.” This isn’t meant to say that we need to rely on our own strength and judgment, but sometimes we make things out to be far bigger than they are. God has the strength to support us on any right path… but the choice is ours.

Am I looking at my immediate wants and desires, or am I looking at how my decisions reflect the character of my father, grandfather and God? I might have made a few better decisions in my life had I kept this in mind earlier!

Again, if you are reading this, I would ask your prayers for the delivery of this message to the middle school children, particularly the young men. I ask that their hearts be open to feeling the burden of this, not in a negative way, but in an empowering way. They have been gifted with a family name and a God who deserves their best behavior and their best decisions!

BSF Genesis: Week 21, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

Questions:

5.
a.
Isaac had a taste for wild game and Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the open country

b.
I don’t think God discourages a father’s love for a son. He probably would have preferred he loved both sons and wished the same for Rebekah.

c.
Discuss, pray and change

d.
Discuss, pray and change

6.
To be in charge of the household and resulting nation, a double share of inheritance, ultimately, the human ancestry of the Messiah

7.
a.
No

b.
No

c.
To be in charge of the household and resulting nation, a double share of inheritance, ultimately, the human ancestry of the Messiah

d.
God upheld the choice he made and kept him from receiving the benefits of the birthright. He did not look favorably on Esau or the sin that his descendents demonstrated.

My Daily Journal:

My wife pointed out how silly it was that Esau was fixated on Jacob’s soup in relationship to what other meals would have been available to him. Think of it this way. Assuming the brothers were at least 15 years old, their grandfather would have now died, leaving EVERYTHING, to their father. We know Abraham had vast wealth and servants. He had 318 fighting men in his household years earlier and had continued to prosper since. Isaac had inherited all of his possessions (not withstanding some gifts to other children). That would have put Isaac’s wealth on par with any king of the day, making Esau and Jacob the equivalent of Princes. Esau, as the oldest and holder of the birthright would have received a 2/3rds share of everything belonging to his father. That meant that any tent he approached and requested food would have recognized him and whose family he was, not to mention they would have had a 2/3rd probability of working for him in the future. Do you think they might have given him something more than bean soup to eat???

Secondly, I was convicted by the fact that God uphead the boneheaded choice that Esau made, despite how insulting it was to the Lord. This should make any of us think twice about any decisions and commitments we make to others. One of the childrens’ leaders, a few weeks ago, discussed the idea of SHALT (as in SHALT Not). It is unwise to make a decision when you are Sad, Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Anytime we are faced with making a decision or commitment it is wise for us to self-assess if we fall under any of the SHALT temptations and delay the decision. Whatever you bind together will be bound and whatever you loose will be loosed. These are very important words to remember with lasting consequences!