THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2014
Summarized by Marisa Schindler
Watchword: Abide Now.
This morning we opened up our Bible to have a look into the verses of Luke 13: 6-9.
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’ ”
We focused on three main topics. First, we thought about ‘How can we bear fruit?,' second, ‘How does our fruit matter to God?‘ and last, but not least, ‘What is the result of abiding in Christ and bearing fruit?'
In the scripture, we have seen a great picture of how a tree can bear good fruits or no fruit at all. No fruit results in the cutting down of the tree, which means death. A parallel scripture in John 15: 1-8 led us to the fact that we should abide in our Creator, as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself. If we are led and willing to be used by God, we can see ourselves like a fruit growing till the day of fulfilling comes. The aspect of timing should also be in our focus. It can takes weeks, months, or years till we actually see fruit, but as the scripture teaches us in Mark 11: 13, sometimes it’s not the time to see fruit. However, we shouldn’t give up on it. Instead, we should plant seeds without ceasing, trusting that the season of fertility will come. There will be a season of growing and caring and also a season of bearing fruit. Also, God planted a seed in our heart which will grow and become a fruit. We shouldn’t be jealous or worried if people around us have different fruits that seem sometimes prettier or more useful than ours. An apple tree can only bear apples, and a fig tree can only bear figs. Use your talents in order to obey God, and don’t try to change your actual identity of fruit. Every fruit is useful to its time and matter. Don’t forget to enjoy the fruits you have seeded, because it’s the blessing which comes from God. Our fruits matter to God in that way, that through us he spreads out his love and care. If we are a living fruit, we are witnesses of God's perfection. Beyond that, we are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. We are realizing that we’re becoming a huge part in God's salvation story. God is patient with his children and he wants us to bear much fruit in our lives. It matters to God whether we are set out to bring fruit or whether we’re wasting the seeds God planted in us. In all that we do, wherever we find our identity, no matter how much fruit we bring, we should never forget to abide in Christ, now and forever. Amen!
WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2014
Summarized by Agnes Bruna
Watch Word: “Better to be merciful than to be right”
Main Passage: Luke 12:57 to 13:5
Today, we started our worship with a quote from Psalm 63:3 – Your faithful love is better than life! Afterward, we read also verses 1 to 3, which express that we long for God and our soul thirsts for Him. It was good to be reminded that our whole lives must be focused on Him and that His faithful love (chesed in Hebrew) is more important than anything we can do for Him. Our works and will disappear, but the reminder of His steadfast love even in desperate circumstances can be a lasting testimony to future generations.
The first part of our discussion of the scriptures centered on Jesus’ statement that we need to judge for ourselves what is right. He tells us not to spend our time and lives seeking to defend and justify ourselves. Various examples were given of how, on the one hand, we need to forgive when we are wronged. But, on the other hand, we need to hold on to truth and sometimes even justice. The main focus of these verses (vv. 57-59) is Jesus’ statement: “Make an effort to settle”. Sophie quoted from Romans 12:16-21 (see also 1 Peter 3:9), emphasizing the need to leave vengeance to God. We can overcome evil with good. We also noticed that in seeking to justify ourselves, we can easily forget our part in any wrong committed. When there is an argument, there are usually two sides to the situation and admitting to and repenting of where we went wrong can often defuse the whole situation.
Which brought us to the second part we talked about, found in Luke 13:1-5. As Jonathan said, it almost sounds like some clips from newspaper articles about things that happened to people at the time. Jesus says here that when people die, either by the hand of men, or through a natural disaster, it is not up to us to judge whether this happened to these people because they were worse sinners than we are. After all, no one is good and we are all sinners. We all need to repent, and even more so those of us who are believers. Often our testimony is hindered by us pointing out sin in others rather than dealing with our own. Repentance, us turning back to God, is an essential part of our walk with God.
So, we need to acknowledge freely when we are wrong and repent but also not lose track of truth. Once we see what truth is, we can then decide to be merciful and not pursue our “right.” And that is why we decided on our watch word for the day: “It is better to be merciful than to be right.”
TUESDAY, 5 AUGUST 2014
Summarized by Nick Boyum
Watch Word: “A Living Sacrifice”
Main Passage: Luke 12:54-59
Christ, addressing a crowd, appeals to the familiarity of some local weather patterns: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens." (v54-55) Weather, not only in the Holy Land but also elsewhere, will often creep in from the west. And the southern scorching wind, which is commonly referred to as 'khamsin' (literally 'fifty') in the Middle East, is used to refer to the tendency for large dust storms to pick up heat and sand in the Arabian Peninsula and dispense it over the regions north of it. I imagine that the more the people in the crowd related to these phenomena, the sharper Christ's words were that followed: "You hypocrites! you know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?" (v56)
Our discussion this morning reminded us that perhaps these words should be sharp to us as well. How do we fail to interpret the times we live in? Many examples were brought to our attention of groups who claimed to have predicted the end of times. Those who slapped an actual date on their predictions did not stand the test of time, for '...no one knows the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32) However, completely discounting the imminence of the end of times, Christ's return, would be equally as foolish because He makes it clear countless times in scripture that he will return "...just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west" (Matt. 24:27).
So as we move forward in these perilous days, let us remember the promise of our Lord, and that this is not our home. Let us be a willing, living sacrifice for him, that we may be wholly prepared for His coming. Let us heed Peter's warning to "...therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray... for the end of all things is near" (1 Peter 4:7).
THURSDAY MONDAY, 3 AUGUST 2014
Summarized by Matylda Tamkin
CHOOSE JESUS
… That was the final motto for the day. We talked today about the ultimate choice we are called to make: the choice between loyalty towards our Messiah and loyalty towards other people. Our starting point for the discussion was a passage from Luke's gospel 12:49-53:
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Through these words we were reminded today that Yeshua (Jesus) didn't come here to bring peace but, as His name implies, to save us. He came to reveal the true motives of people's hearts and to offer peace for all those who are determined to admit they are sinful and need God to rescue them. In fact, many people try to find alternative solutions to the problem of sin. Some would hide their sin, others would glorify it, and some try to justify themselves by blaming others for their actions. Many are locked in the trap of self-righteousness performing good deeds and thus finding themselves “better” than others. The Qur’an teaches that its followers will acquire eternal life by killing the “unfaithful.” That leads to all kinds of terrible things happening because men don't know any other way to deal with and be free from sin. One needs to believe in something.
Still God is the only source of forgiveness and inner peace. We can't obtain it without admitting our sins and repenting from them. Moreover, as we agreed, we must not search for peace, but for truth to be uncovered. This life is not to make us happy but to prove us true followers of God. As such we need to lead repentant lives – repentance shall be our lifestyle.
Nonbelievers will often not accept our choices to follow Messiah, and there will be divisions between us, often within one family. Our own experiences confirm that: one of the volunteers told us that when her mother entrusted her life to God she was thrown out of her parents' house. We need to be aware of the price. Our Master told us we will be persecuted and rejected.
According to Isaiah 8:14-15, Yeshua is “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” Yet He is also “the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61), in which we can take refuge. All depends on our decision: are we going to walk God's path and accept His redemption or seek our own ways? That is always the choice – either this or that, there is nothing in between.
THURSDAY, 31 JULY 2014
Summarized by Jesse Tilman
Watch Word: “Be Ready”
Our daily meal from God’s Word came from Luke 12:35-48 this morning. Jesus’ admonition here is to be ready and expectant for His return. This comes after He says that our hearts are where our treasure is; so let our hearts be in Him and His return! The parable is of servants waiting for their master’s return. Happy are they when they can open the door to him immediately when he knocks. Not only are they blessed when they are found watching for him, but the master even sets them down and serves them! That’s not a situation found very often with slaves and masters.
The Lord goes on to speak about another type of servant that does not do his master’s will or wait for him. This type thinks, “My master is still away a while.” Then he begins to abuse those under his care and live hedonistically. This servant also will have to face his master someday, a day when he is not ready or expecting it if he does not repent in time. Then it will be a judgment day.
Hope and the good expectation of a master’s return can be life-giving as we look for the care he is bringing or it can be a dread as we stay in a state of unpreparedness or even begin to revel in sin. Our daily choices are the road paths that soon become rigid guide rails, meaning that daily behavior can soon become habit and then a lifestyle.
Staying up on our devotions, prayer life, and personal relationship with our Lord prepares us for the days when we encounter any of His “pop-quizzes.” The only way to prepare for an unexpected test is to be in a state of readiness, where we are in the middle of what we are supposed to be doing with a heart looking for Him. This gives peace as fear is gone when what we need for a test is not out on some pieces of paper we should have studied or out in some work we should have done, but it's resting in our spirit already as it has practiced doing His will.
WEDNESDAY, 30 JULY 2014
Summarized by Joshua Miles
Our conversation focused on the concepts of understanding our place as God’s children, guarding our hearts, and abiding in the Lord. 1 John 3:1-3 started our conversation: “See what sort of love the father has given to us: that we should be called God’s children – and indeed we are! For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as he is. And everyone who has this hope focused on Him purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure.” Our conversation focused on our reality as God’s children and the promises that we have in this blessed truth. From there our conversation shifted to what it means to be God’s children and how we should conduct ourselves in this light. According to 2 Corinthians, “Although we live in this world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Our fight in this world is not against flesh and blood and our weapons are spiritual ones. In order to be equipped against the many trials and tribulations of this world, and with the promise that the Lord will not abandon us to face trials that are too much for us to bear, we know that stepping forward boldly is to be stepping forward into the world and to be facing the many trials that come with it. So how do we equip ourselves efficiently? How do we gird ourselves against what the world would throw at us? By abiding in the Lord. John 15:4-5 quotes our Lord as saying “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” What we choose to abide in will manifest in our actions, our hearts, and our speech. If we allow ourselves to be surrounded by influences that are negative or detrimental, our hearts will begin to reflect this. If we choose the opposite and focus our attentions and hearts on the Lord (in daily Bible study, prayer, etc), than our true abode will be in Jesus and our lifestyles should reflect this. Proverbs 4:23 calls us to “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.” As those who call the Lord “Father,” we are called to a higher level of abiding. We are called to guard our hearts and to equip ourselves with the right spiritual food in order to acquire the mettle to stand our ground in these dark times.
MONDAY, 28 JULY 2014
Summarized by Jesse Tilman
This morning we looked at some lessons from Paul’s letter to the Galatians. I was asked to put together a Bible study, and after finding some good guidance from this book in previous days, I wanted to share parts of it with our group. We read from chapter 3 verse 23 to chapter 4 verse 7, chapter 5 verses 13 to 24, and chapter 6 verses 7-10:
3:23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
4:1I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive iadoption as sons.6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
5:13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you arezled by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But ethe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
6:7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
First off, we considered how we are all under the law at first. Even people in the world are under one system of law or another. Chapter 4 verse 3 says that we are under the elementary principles of the world. Everyone grows up and has to learn how to live with the body we have in the world as it is. We all fall short of God’s glory, though, His good plan for us to live and prosper. Falling short drives us to Him in need of a Savior.
This Savior is Christ, who was able to live in fulfillment of the law. Because of His triumph, we have hope to live again.
One illustration of this is that of prisoners in jail. At first, when they get to jail, they don’t know how things work and always fall short of the requirements for life there. But as they get to know things they are able to learn and fulfill the law there. Maybe they receive help at first from a “savior.”
In chapter 5, we see that we’re called to freedom. Coming out of the “elementary principles of the world” we can live in a love that fulfills the law by loving our neighbor as ourselves. With this freedom we are then called to serve one another.
Next, as we considered the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in verses 19-24, we remembered that though the works of the flesh seem so obviously bad and the fruit of the Spirit seems so obviously good when we're reading about them, they sometimes appear differently in the world. Discernment from God is vital.
Finally, we looked at reaping what we sow. Our works and motives do come back to us. Fortunately, God is over us and can help us to overcome our sin and go on to His works. Crucifying the flesh we can find eternal life in the Spirit as we persevere in doing good.
TUESDAY, 22 JULY 2014
Summarized by Kirsten Perow
Main Passage: Luke 12:22-31
Watch Word: “Do not be anxious”
This morning, we reveled in the truth of our God being so good that He commands us NOT to worry or to be anxious. He instructs us to look to the ravens—notice how they do not store their food and they do not even make an effort to figure out how they will obtain their next meal, yet God provides for them. God cares about His little ravens getting enough to eat, so why is it so easy for us, His children, to believe that God will not be the same loving provider for us? We live in denial if we believe that worrying will change anything in our lives, for good that is, because worrying certainly has the capability of crippling our outlook on our lives. Sometimes it can feel more challenging to give God control (even though, in all actuality, He is already in control) rather than just try to manage our lives and problems in our own measly power.
We then discussed the question of how we look at situations in which we suffer – for example: missionaries who are trapped in their car and burnt alive by the very people they were trying to love and reach out to. How do we see God in those situations in which the world would deem Him to be absent from? As followers of Jesus, we choose to trust Him in believing that our lives do not suddenly cease with death. There is a bigger picture that Jesus so wanted us to get a glimpse of—a picture of never-ending love, that when we choose it, leads everlasting life.
Today’s reading reminded me a lot of the song written by John Foreman called, “Your Love is Strong.” The lyrics say:
Heavenly Father, You always amaze me
Let Your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need
To live through today
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wrong me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I walk to the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day
So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong (x3)
The Kingdom of the Heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The Kingdom of the Heavens
Is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?
Two things You told me
That You are strong
And You love me
Yes, You love me
Your love is, Your love is
Your love is strong (x4)
Our God in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons
And if you are a fan of youtube, you can check out this link to the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301S7NgAkLs
MONDAY, 21 JULY 2014
Summarized by Jon
Main Passage: Luke 12:13-21
Watch Word: “Be rich toward God”
At this point in Luke, Jesus is led to share a parable on covetousness. Prompted by one man’s request, Jesus first asks a question, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”
Although he would be the Judge at the end of days, Jesus chose not at this time to be made the judge of men. Rather, trusting his heavenly Father, he freely offered the Word of God and left the decision--and responsibility--to men. Understanding the heart condition behind the one man’s request, Jesus gives a warning against covetousness to all.
How easy it is for us to look to other men to validate our decisions, or contrarily, to overstep another man’s freedom and make a decision for him. But Christ was not interested in decision-making dominance or power struggles. Rather, he trusted God’s authority and was relentlessly focused on matters of the kingdom and position of the heart.
In the parable Christ tells, a rich man says to his own soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” What a deception is in that statement – that earthly goods should satisfy the soul! Christ lovingly warns us to turn to the only One who satisfies, and that for eternity.
Finally, Nick drew a contrast in Jesus’ last statement: that one can lay up treasure for himself, or he can be rich toward God. The latter is focused on others and earns riches not often seen.
Jonathan asked, “What are you looking toward to satisfy your soul?” How is it evidenced in your life, in your thoughts and attitudes?
THURSDAY, 17 JULY 2014
Summarized by Sarah Powell
Main Passage: Luke 12:8-12
Watch Word: “Holy Spirit, teach us what to say!”
In the passage that we read today, Jesus began by declaring that whoever confesses Him before men, He will confess before the angels of heaven, and whoever denies Him before men will be denied before the angels of heaven. Despite this sobering truth, though, Jesus goes on to say that anyone who speaks a word against Him (the Son of Man) will be forgiven. It is those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit that will not be forgiven. Jesus concludes by saying that we should not worry when we are brought to “synagogues and magistrates and authorities” because the Holy Spirit will give us the words that we need to speak at those times.
We began our discussion of this passage by considering Peter, who denied Christ three times and yet was forgiven. Surely, if Peter had not had a repentant and broken heart over his denial of Christ, it would have followed that Christ would one day have had to deny him before the angels of heaven indeed. But Peter's repentant heart allowed him to be forgiven even for speaking against Jesus, true to Christ's words in this passage.
We then went on to consider what it means to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and why that is different than speaking against Christ. Ruth pointed out that it is only by the Holy Spirit in us that we are able to believe unto salvation. Therefore, if we recognize the Truth through the Holy Spirit and then choose to reject Him anyway, we are acknowledging that we know what is the Truth and are deliberately choosing to ignore it. This would be an act of complete and deliberate rebellion against God and His revealed Truth.
Finally, we took courage in the fact that Christ promises to give us the words we need, through the Holy Spirit, whenever we are called upon to testify of the Truth. We do not need to worry about being able to represent Him correctly. We can simply trust in this promise that “the Holy Spirit will teach [us] in that very hour what [we] ought to say.” (vs. 12) That is truly something to be thankful for.
WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY 2014
Summarized by Agnes Bruna
Main Passage: Luke 12:1-7
Watch Word: “Fear God, not man”
Today, we were wondering what the “yeast of the Pharisees” is. First, we talked about how Jesus used yeast as a symbol of sin, which grows so that a little bit infects the whole batch of dough. We remembered how we discussed yesterday that hypocrisy is looking good on the outside but having hidden sin and bad things inside (Luke 11:39).
Jesse suggested that the revealing of all hidden and secret things (see vs. 2 and 3) could refer not just to judgment day at the end of time but also to the fact that we tend to act on sin that is hidden in our thoughts at first, then the sin becomes a habit, and eventually, it takes over our whole lives for everyone to see.
We then talked about confession of sins and how freeing that can be, and also how our confession can give other people courage to confess their sins. We also discussed whether confession should be public or restricted to the person we sinned against. Maybe sometimes we should use discretion, guided by the Holy Spirit, when choosing the person or people we confess our sins to. Ruth pointed out that we should not wait too long confessing our sins but deal with things as the Holy Spirit points them out and convicts us.
Lastly, we decided that we cannot control what people think of us when we confess, but the only One we should be concerned about is God, as He is the One with final authority. It is good to know that He loves us and considers us valuable (vs. 6 and 7). And this led us to adopt the word for today: “Fear God and not man!”
TUESDAY, 15 JULY 2014
Summarized by Anna Donnelly
Main Passage: Luke 11:37–54
Supporting Passage: Colossians 3:23
Watch Word: “Write Your law on my heart”
Today we read Luke 11:37 – 54 and looked at the difference between external forms of righteousness and righteousness in the heart. Jesus gives a series of admonitions in the form of “woes” to the Pharisees, which He delivers in sharply spoken, unambiguous terms. The passage starts off with a preliminary rebuke concerning them being like dishes that are washed on the outside but are dirty on the inside.
The successive woes begin in the same theme, with the case of the religious leaders dutifully giving a tenth, or a tithe, of their mint, rue, and herbs, which is an external action, all the while neglecting the heart attitudes of justice and love of God. Next, the woes go onto the issue of showiness before men as seen in their love of important seats in the synagogues and personal recognition in the markets. Their attitude was not sincere humility before God, but rather the pride of being promoted and admired by people in society. The next woe indicates that the Pharisees are guilty of leading people astray who do not know any better. In Jewish society, walking over a grave makes a person unclean, therefore, Jesus was saying that the Pharisees, who are like graves with no markings, defile those who would otherwise avoid that ground but don't know the actual nature of it -- i.e. the actual nature of the religious leaders, possibly due to their glossy, but convincing, veneer of religious claims and slick talk. This builds to the next woe which states that the religious leaders say one thing and yet do another, as they pile heavy burdens onto others while not adhering to those very requirements themselves, suggesting that they are hypocrites who go easy on themselves but make it very difficult for those they lead. The next-to-last woe shows them to be in league with those who rejected God's prophets and killed them: "Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers." (v. 48, KJV) The final woe speaks to the religious leaders as lawyers, or those knowledgeable in matters of the law, who have omitted the key to knowledge, so that they do not enter God's Kingdom, and furthermore, eclipse God's truth, hindering others from entering who had been previously on their way in.
Of course these woes trigger a strong response in their recipients, and we see further momentum gained among the Pharisees to target Jesus with something by which to accuse him.
For our personal application, we focused on how anyone can get puffed up and be just like the Pharisees, and in the process lose their testimony. Our testimony is that we know our brokenness and we know Who makes us whole. We never want to forget that it is not about superficial legal adherence but about God writing His truth on our hearts.
MONDAY, 14 JULY 2014
Summarized by Sarah Powell
Main Passage: Hebrews 10: 24-25
Watch Word: Consider one another!
Today, instead of continuing in the study of one of the books of the Bible, we heard a little bit from one of our short term volunteers about what God has been teaching her in recent years. Specifically, she shared with us about the way that God has been growing her in the last year through both personal quiet times with the Lord and through seeking the Lord in a community context.
In this past year, she was involved in a Bible study in which they were looking at their identities in Christ versus the labels that the world tries to put on them. She shared that at one point, they split into smaller groups and spent some time focusing on each individual in the group, being quiet before the Lord, to hear about who He had created that person to be and how He saw them instead of how the world saw them. She told us that she had been surprised at the way that words she received during that time matched up with things that the Lord had spoken to her in the past, and she encouraged us that God can use other people to speak powerful truths into our lives.
She also shared about the way she was learning that God could use her to encourage other people as well. She had found that when she took time to be quiet before the Lord, He would speak. And if she was willing to listen to what He said, then it could turn out to not only be a blessing for her, but also for other people with whom God would ask her to share.
When she was finished sharing, we discussed the way that the things she had shared could apply to our own lives. Then we sought for Scripture that backed up the truths she had shared. One of the passages that we came across, and from which we decided to pull our watch word for the day, was Hebrews 10:24-25. It says: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The phrase “consider one another” suggests a deliberate choice to think on another person and how we can stir them up to love and good works. Often, we are so concerned with our own lives and our own daily affairs that it does not even cross our minds how we might encourage someone living alongside us. Let us determine to live purposefully, pausing to consider those who God has placed in our lives and how He might want to use us to bless them today. Moreover, let us be willing to grow from the words that God might speak to us through other people. Let us “consider one another.”
WEDNESDAY, 9 JULY 2014
Summarized by Nick Boyum
Passage: Mark 9:33-37
This morning on Prophets Street was dedicated mainly to prayer and worship. There were many points for prayer. We spent a good amount of time praying for the people of Gaza and Israel following yesterday's many rocket attacks, including some that almost reached Jerusalem. We lifted up our sister Lina, a late member of our community, who has recently started a new job in Jerusalem. There were many names of friends and past community members who are enduring physical ailments, reminding us of our frail nature in our time here on this earth. And last, but certainly not least, we are continuing to stay in prayer for our beloved community members Josh and Madelyn as they are expecting their first child very soon.
Concerning that last prayer request, Jesse brought us a word from Mark chapter 9. Following Christ telling the disciples that he was going to be killed, for the second time nonetheless, the twelve begin arguing amongst themselves about who is the greatest in verse 33. Christ says these powerful words: "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all... Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." The idea of 'accepting children' hits our community right at home. Yesterday Anna celebrated the 5 month anniversary of our newest community member, little baby Clover. And very soon we will be celebrating with Josh and Madelyn, and welcoming a newborn baby girl into our community!
Join us today in praising God for the gifts of life and hedges of protection He has lovingly set up around us. Amen.
MONDAY, 7 JULY 2014
Summarized by Anna Donnelly
Main Passage: The Gospel of John
Watch Word: "Jesus is Lord of all"
Yousef led today’s discussion, the topic of which spanned Jesus’ ministry of miracles as described in the book of John. We learned that John wrote his gospel account to show that Jesus is superior to John the Baptist, which had been in question at the time among the people. John demonstrates that Jesus is more than a mere man through the testimony of the miracles Jesus performed. The seven miracles John includes in his book point to seven qualities of power that are beyond human and reveal that Jesus clearly transcends the human sphere.
We see that Jesus has power over the elements, or matter, in the first miracle, in which he turns the water into wine. In the second miracle, Jesus shows that he has power over distance, as he heals the nobleman’s son from another location. The third miracle reveals that Jesus is Lord over time because the man was paralyzed for 38 years before Jesus healed him, and Jesus was not limited by the length of time the man had the affliction. He also knew it had been this long. We see in the next miracle that Jesus is Lord of quantity. The boy has only a few pieces of food, and Jesus multiplies it into many thousands of loaves and fishes. In the fifth miracle, Jesus is Master over nature because he walks on the water, which no man can do. In the sixth case, Jesus heals a man who had been born blind. Jesus has power to grant sight where there is none. The man’s sight was not restored to him; he never had it to begin with. Therefore, Jesus has power over sight. The final miracle in the book of John shows that Jesus has power over the body, as it had been four days since Lazarus died, and his body had already begun to decay when Jesus brought him back to life.
From these seven miracles, which is also the number of completion and perfection in the Bible, John establishes that Jesus is not merely a man like John the Baptist was. He shows the deity of Jesus through the signs of these miracles.
On a personal note, as Christians, we can be encouraged because these earthly things often concern us, and we have seen that Jesus is Lord of them. These seven miracles can increase our faith as we live on earth with Jesus as our Lord, not our limited, earthly circumstances.
THURSDAY, 3 JULY 2014
Summarized by Joshua Miles
Main Passage: Daniel 12
Watch Word: “The wise shall understand and shine”
With the last chapter of Daniel comes the words of what is to come after a time. Words of warning, words of the dead rising, words of many being purified - made spotless and refined, and words concerning the wicked and the wise.
Today, in our study, we chose to focus on Daniel 12:3, which says “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Our conversation shifted to what it means to exercise wisdom, both in this day and age, and in looking to the age to come. Proverbs 1:7 showed us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” and James 1:5 proclaims that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
The conclusion to today’s study was to both fear the Lord, and to seek wisdom from Him that we might be equipped to face and recognize that which is to come. Not only do we need wisdom to discern and make our way through the day to day challenges, but we also will need to wisdom to see the will of God and understand that which is to come – the return of the Lord.
Pray then, that the Lord would grant us wisdom that we might shine like the brightness of the heavens.
WEDNESDAY, 2 JULY 2014
Summarized by Jesse Tilman
Main Passage: Daniel 11
Watch Word: “Those loyal to God will act valiantly”
Our study this morning was in Daniel chapter 11. Here we find Daniel receiving amazing revelation of the future from God concerning the kingdoms of Persia, Greece, and “kings of the north and south.” We see these kings and rulers rising and falling and working for their own ends. Interestingly, all this prophecy is being communicated from the “Book of Truth” mentioned at the end of chapter 10. All the kings’ greatest exploits are already known and are just a part of God’s overall plan for the world! What a comfort this is as we live through our own turbulent times in this age.
This week our city is in a furor about three Israeli teenagers who were murdered by Palestinians. Groups of angry Israelis are walking the city protesting, sometimes violently. Arabs are being harassed and there’s reports of deaths that might be linked to it. What encouragement we can take knowing that even if some “plot against each other at the same table, [it’s] to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed” in God’s Book of Truth. (Daniel 11:27)
Knowing God, we can stand firm and take action. (Daniel 11:32) As children of the True King, we don’t need to fear, panic, or get caught up in the anger against some that is prevailing with certain groups right now. Our Father is in heaven and is still watching over all things. Yes, we do take practical steps to stay safe and adjust our lives to the new circumstances, but we continue the work He has given us. Living and moving within His will is the right place to be. It is also the place from which we can take action or “carry out great exploits” as the King James Version puts it. From that place of strength, we have the wherewithal to follow His Spirit’s promptings with His power.
TUESDAY, 1 JULY 2014
Summarized by Sarah Powell
Main Passage: Daniel 10
Watch Word: “Greatly beloved, fear not!”
In Daniel 10, Daniel has “set [his] heart to understand, and to humble [himself]” before his God, so he is praying, abstaining from choice foods, and mourning for three weeks. At the end of these three weeks, he is on the edge of the River Tigris and a heavenly messenger appears to him. This angelic being's presence is so glorious that the men with Daniel, though they do not see the being, are struck with terror and flee, while Daniel himself falls trembling to the ground. Daniel is then strengthened by this being (or by another angel – the text is not clear) so that he can speak and express the sorrow that his visions have brought him. Two more times the angel strengthens Daniel until Daniel feels that he is able to hear what the messenger has to share with him. However, we do not know the message yet because it does not come until the next chapter.
We began our discussion by marveling at the power of prayer. When the angelic being first appears to Daniel, he declares that from the very moment Daniel first decided to fast and pray, he (the angel) had been commissioned to go to him. However, “the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood [him] twenty-one days.” Jesse shared that this reminded him of Frank Peretti's earliest books (like This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness), in which Peretti makes the spiritual battles that are apparently going on around us each day really come to life and portrays the powerful part that our prayers have to play in those battles.
Then we began to discuss whether or not this heavenly messenger was simply an angel whether he could actually be Christ. Daniel's description of the messenger's magnificent appearance is almost exactly the same as John's description of Christ in Revelation 1:13-15. And Daniel had experienced encounters with heavenly messengers before that did not leave him as frightened and awestruck as this encounter did. This made us think that it could be possible Daniel was actually having an encounter with Christ in this particular vision. With that in mind, we also marveled at the greatness of God that His Son (or even just His messengers) could inspire such awe and terror because of the glory of their presence. And they are not even the LORD Himself.
We also observed the difference between the interactions between angelic beings and humans in the Bible as compared to accounts of such interactions in Muslim tradition. According to Muslim tradition, when an “angelic” messenger first appeared to Mohammed, all that it said was, “Recite!” The account goes that it continued to say this to Mohammed, while beating him, until Mohammed began to miraculously recite the Qur'an (not yet in existence), and thus the Qur'an came into existence. In Biblical accounts of heavenly messengers coming to men and women, the angels' first words are always something along the lines of, “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.” The fact that Our Father's messengers always arrive in peace and love is something that we can take comfort in.
Finally, we selected our watchword for today from verse 19: “And he [the angel] said, 'O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!' So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, 'Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.'” Though God is so awesome and majestic that He may evoke terror as a first response, He also calls us “greatly beloved” and His heart for us is pure love. This means that, though we are struck with awe at Him, we can also be strengthened and not fear because His love is great and we can trust Him.
MONDAY, 30 JUNE 2014
Summarized by Joshua Miles
Main Passage: Daniel 9
Watchword: “Because of your great mercy”
The Lord is merciful and his compassion is infinite. Time and time again, throughout the Old Testament, we have witnessed the people of Israel turn away from the Lord to face suffering, scattering, sorrow, and repentance. Time and time again we have seen that the Lord’s mercy shows no shadow of turning and His people are redeemed. Psalm 111:9 proclaims: “He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is His name!”
In Daniel, chapter 9, we are made privy to the prayer of Daniel for the redemption of the people of Israel. This prayer acknowledges that the people have turned away from God’s commands and laws, ignored the Lord’s servants, and have been wicked and rebelled. This prayer also recognizes the righteousness and justice of the Lord.
We chose to focus, this morning, on verses 17 through 18 where Daniel beseeches the Lord to “hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.”
Isaiah 64:6 says: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”
As we read of the plight of Jerusalem, the diaspora, and Daniel’s plea for the Lord’s mercy, our focus was drawn to the reality that “all we like sheep have gone astray, each of us have turned to our own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)
We have turned from the Lord, have rebelled, partook in wickedness, and have turned our backs on Him. We, like the people of Israel, have seen the Lord’s wonders in our lives and yet still fall into doubt and disobedience.
Thank God, then, that we – despite the most righteous of our deeds being as dirty rags in the eyes of the Lord – have a fount of unending mercy upon which we can rely. Thank God that we, sinners to the bone, can make requests of the Lord, not because we are righteous, but because of His great mercy.
WEDNESDAY, 25 JUNE 2014
Summarized by Sarah Powell
Main Passage: Daniel 8
Watchword: “Get up and go about the King's business”
Today, we read about the second of Daniel's prophetic dreams. It involved a ram, a male goat, and a little horn, and the interpretation that Daniel received of the dream indicated that the first two parts of the dream referred to the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, while the last part of the dream was not interpreted at the time. Josh read a commentary from his Bible that suggested Daniel's dream prophesied both about the historic Medo-Perian and Greek empires that we have already seen rise and fall long ago and about the end times and Christ's second coming. However, obviously, none of us will really be able to be sure until all of it has come to pass and we're looking at it all in retrospect.
Acknowledging the fact that we could not really understand the full meaning of the prophesy right now, we moved on to look for things in the passage that might be applicable to our lives today. One of the topics that came up was the weight of responsibility that Daniel carried as a result of having the future shown to him. After seeing the vision, he “fainted and was sick for days” (vs. 27). We recognized the fact that God gives us strength for each day as it comes and that it is actually a blessing when He doesn't show us our futures because we would most likely be too afraid to walk in the fullness of the plan that He has for us if we knew all that it entailed. Yet, as we journey through the plan He has for us one day at a time, He equips us with all that we need every step of the way.
The final thing we meditated on was also from verse 27, the final verse of the chapter. After Daniel explains how ill he became for several days after the vision, he goes on to say, “Afterward, I got up and went about the king's business.” Of course, Daniel was referring to an earthly king that he was in service to. However, as Agnes pointed out, we as God's people are admonished to do exactly the same thing in Deuteronomy 29:29 in relation to our heavenly King. That verse in Deuteronomy says: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
It is doubtful that any of us will every completely understand these prophesies or the great complexities of God's great, overarching plan. However, the things that have been revealed to us clearly and that we have actually understood in God's word are the things that really affect our daily lives right now. They are the “words of this law” that we should be doing as they've been revealed to us. They are the “king's business” that we must go about at the end of the day, whether we can divine the meaning of these prophesies or not. Thanks be to God because He understands and cares for each of our fates the the fate of this world so that we don't have to worry about it. We can just live, trusting Him one day at a time.
TUESDAY, 24 JUNE 2014
Summarized by Agnes Bruna
Main Passage: Daniel 7
Watch Word: “Keep these things in my heart”
As we read and studied Daniel 7 today, we felt a bit overwhelmed by the imagery in Daniel’s vision. First thing we noticed was how the language and vision was similar to some of the imagery in the Book of Revelation. We found some notes which explained that the various beasts were referring to the various kingdoms in Daniel’s time and after. And that way it also very specifically refers to the coming of the Messiah.
Then we looked at personal applications in this chapter. We saw in verse 10 a reference to the coming Day of Judgement and discussed how important it is to be quick to repent when we sin. Then we saw, again, how God is faithful in that His people will receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever and ever (verse 18)! And lastly we saw that the ultimate victory will be His – His Kingdom is an eternal kingdom (verse 27).
So we took comfort and courage from these words and decided to “keep these things in our hearts”.
MONDAY, 23 JUNE 2014
Summarized by Philip Rasmussen
Main Passage: Daniel 6
Watch Word: “He delivers and rescues”
Today’s reading is one of extraordinary, supernatural deliverance. The well known story of Daniel being thrown into the den of lions can teach us many things – even things that are practical to our daily life with Jesus.
The chapter begins with Daniel who, though well aged, is finding so much favor in the eyes of the new king, Darius, that the king plans to set Daniel over the whole kingdom. This fills the other high officials with jealousy and anger. Knowing that Daniel is without any fault, the high officials make the king sign a decree that anyone who prays to any god or man except King Darius should be cast into the den of lions.The high officials later conveniently find Daniel in the midst of his prayer time and get him arrested and thrown into the den. But with God’s help, Daniel comes out unharmed and at the end of the chapter God’s name is praised and his everlasting kingdom is proclaimed.
In our discussion today, we first talked about how Daniel, knowing that praying would have him killed, continued his prayer habit and did not stop giving thanks to his Lord though the consequence was death. We easily find ourselves calculating how openly to speak about God or to worship Him, but rarely do we operate with scenarios of death being involved. God’s word tells us to generally obey the government as being set in place by God, but it takes a lot of discernment to know how to react when, for example, our freedom to worship God is forbidden. Thankfully most of us have never been in such a situation, but way too many of our brothers and sisters around the globe deal with this issue on a daily basis!
Another subject of our discussion today was our personal experience of “lions' mouths” being shut. Several members shared their stories of how they have seen God intervene supernaturally. These stories can vary from serious life threatening incidents to daily life experiences of how God opened doors that were supposed to be shut. Let’s not overlook how God is working in small and big ways, and I pray that we all will have the same courage and boldness as King Darius to proclaim the Lord’s deliverance and sovereignty.
THURSDAY, 19 JUNE 2014
Summarized by Nick Boyum
Main Passage: Daniel 5
Watch Word: “God holds your lifebreath”
Today's reading in Daniel found us at a posh dinner party, put on by the Babylonian king Belshazzar (not to be confused with Daniel's Babylonian name Beltashazzar). A thousand lords of Babylon had been gathered, and even the golden vessels hauled away from the temple in Jerusalem had been brought out and used for wine. The festivities are interrupted by a strange event however, an image of a hand appears and writes on the wall of the king's palace, the words 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin'. After receiving no interpretation from his magicians and wise men, Belshazzar is reminded of Daniel's wisdom by the queen, and Daniel is brought before the king. Daniel begins by reminding king Belshazzar of the rise and fall of his father Nebuchadnezzar, and that king Belshazzar has chosen to defile the holy vessels and refused to humble himself before the true God. And if that was not pleasing before the king, certainly the interpretation was adding insult to injury: the days of your kingdom are numbered; you have been weighed and are found wanting; your kingdom will be divided and handed over to the Medes.
Daniel's words at the end of his interpretation sum this passage up brilliantly: "you have praised gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, stone, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and in whose hands are all your ways, you have not honored." We marveled at Daniel's consistent bravery. In chapter 2 Daniel and all the wisemen of the land faced destruction, and he rose up to offer the interpretation that undoubtedly saved all their necks. And again here we see Daniel standing up before the royal court and a thousand lords of Babylon and rebuking them. Not only did we marvel at Daniel's bravery, but we were also astonished at Babylon's ignorance of God's previous signs and wonders. But it was here that we all stopped and realized that we are all the court of Babylon. We witness God's wonders before our very eyes each and every day here at Shevet. We have seen the Lord deliver children from near death to overflowing with life. We have witnessed the abounding love the Father has for all his children in the eyes of so many desperate children and families of Kurdistan. Yet still we doubt, still we question. What marvelous works of the Lord can the words of Daniel remind us of today?
WEDNESDAY, 18 JUNE 2014
Summarized by Kirsten Perow
Main Passage: Daniel 4
Watch Word: “His deeds are right and His ways are just”
The Bible is comprised of stories, and often times, they can seem a little strange. This morning, we read Daniel 4, which tells the story of King Nebuchadnezzar going to Daniel once again to have a dream that troubles him interprete