Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Psalm 103:1-13 KJV
1 [[[A Psalm] of David.]] Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How does David encourage himself in the Lord? (v.1-2)
2) What six benefits do the Lord's people enjoy? (v.3-6)
3) Who did te Lord reveal His ways to? Who witnessed His acts? (v.7)
4) What is the Lord like, according to David? (v.8-10)
5) Whom has the Lord pitied and revealed His mercy to? How? (v.11-13)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Have you ever been chastened by the Lord? If so, please describe one such instance.
7) If you answered affirmatively to the above question, how long did the Lord's chastening (correction) last?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord is gracious to the oppressed.
9) The Lord is merciful to those who fear Him.
10) The Lord has not given us what our sins deserve.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Lev 26:22-33 KJV
22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate. 23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26 [And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Lord God told His people what would happen to them if they walked contrary to Him or disobeyed Him. What did the Lord say that He would do if His people rebelled against Him? How would this affect their families and their property? (v.22)
2) What twelve things did the Lord God say would happen if His people refused to repent and do as He commanded them to do? (v.23-33)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Have you ever experienced progressively difficult hardships or troubles in your life? If so, please describe the most recent difficulty?
4) What do you typically do when you are inundated with difficulties in life?
5) Have you ever considered that your troubles may be the result of your disobedience to the Lord's commands? If not, why not.
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord chastens his children when we do not obey His commands because He wants what is best for us.
7) When we refuse to repent, the Lord's chastening becomes increasingly more punitive and progressively more severe.
8) A genuine change of heart that leads to obedience is the only acceptable sacrifice of the rebellious when facing the wrath of Almighty God.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Matthew 6:1-8 KJV
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are Christians not to do when serving others or praying? Why? (v.1,5a)
2) How do hypocrites act when serving others or praying? Why? (v.2,5b)
3) How are true believers to act when serving others or praying? Why? (v.3-4,6-8)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What are your true motives for ministering to others or praying corporately?
5) What are the right motives for serving others or praying corporately?
LIFE LESSONS
6) The true motives of our hearts are revealed in who we seek to please when serving the Lord and/or His people.
7) When we seek the approval of man more than the approval of God our ministry for the Lord is in vain.
8) The Lord rewards those with clean hands and pure hearts in serving His people.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Matthew 14:22-36 KJV
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What three things did Jesus do after feeding the five thousand? (v.22-23)
2) What happened to the ship? Why? (v.24)
3) What did the disciples see and how did they respond? (v. 25-26)
4) What did Jesus say to them? (v.27)
5) How did Peter respond? Why? (v.28-30)
6) What did Jesus do and say to Peter? (v.31)
7) What happened next? (v.32-36)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) What is your typical response to trouble? Describe one such time?
9) How do you typically respond when the Lord delivers you out of trouble?
LIFE LESSONS
10) At times, it is the Lord's will for His children to go through trouble to grow our faith.
11) The safest place on earth to be is in the center of God's will.
12) The best and only acceptable response to God, in troubled times or good, is worship.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Matthew 15:21-31 KJV
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. 29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Where did Jesus go to? (v.21)
2) What did the woman say to the Lord? (v.22)
3) How did the Lord and His disciples respond to the woman? (v.23-24)
4) How did the woman respond to the Lord? (v.25)
5) What did the Lord say to the woman? (v.26)
6) What did the woman say in response? (v.27)
7) What did Jesus say to the woman? (v.28)
8) What happened next? (v. 29-31)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Has the Lord ever seemingly refused to answer your prayer requests, only to grant them later? If so, what happened during one such instance?
10) How do you typically respond when the Lord does not answer your petitions immediately? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
11) The best response to unanswered prayer is continued prayer.
12) Faith in God's Word and Person are the keys to effectial prayer.
Friday, December 16, 2014
Matthew 17:14-20 KJV
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a [certain] man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What happened after Jesus and His disciples joined the crowd? (v.14)
2) What did the man say to the Lord? (v.15-16)
3) What two things did Jesus do in response to what the man told Him? (v.17-18)
4) What did the disciples ask Jesus? (v.19)
5) What was Jesus' response to them? (v.20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What do you need mountain moving faith for this day?
7) Who, or what, can change your impossible situation in this life?
LIFE LESSONS
8) It takes very little faith to move the hand of our all powerful God.
9) Miracles are not the result of our faith alone, but the result of our faith In God alone to do the impossible.
10) God is the only Person with all power in His hands.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
John 1:1-9 KJV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. 9 [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who or what was in the beginning and who or what was He (it) with? (v.1-2)
2) What was made by Him? (v.3)
3) What was in Him and what did it give to men? (v.4)
4) What could the darkness not comprehend? (v.5)
5) Who was sent from God to bear witness to the Light? (v.6-8)
6) Who is the true Light? (v.9)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Are you the light of the world or do you reflect the light? How do you know?
8) What do you do to reflect the goodness of the Lord in your own life?
LIFE LESSONS
9) The Lord Jesus Christ is the true Light in this dark world.
10) Those who do not reflect the Light live in darkness.
11) Like the moon reflects the light from the sun, Christians reflect the radiance of our Lord Jesus.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Mark 9:15-24 KJV
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the people do when they saw Him? (v.15)
2) What did Jesus ask the scribes? (v.16)
3) Who responded to Jesus? What did he tell Him? (v.17-18)
4) What did Jesus say to His disciples? (v.19)
5) How did the young man with the dumb spirit act before Jesus? (v.20)
6) What did Jesus ask his father? (v.21a)
7) What was the father's response? (v.21b-22)
8) What did Jesus tell the father? (v.23)
9) What was the father's response? (v.24)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
10) Has it ever been difficult for you to believe the promises of God? If so, please describe one such time.
11) If you answered positively to the previous question, did you pray and ask the Lord to enable you to overcome your weakness?
LIFE LESSONS
12) God wants to be believed.
13) The Lord understands that, at times, because of our human frailty, we cannot believe His promises.
14) It is always best to be honest with the Lord about our unbelief, because only He can overcome it.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Luke 8:19-25 KJV
19 Then came to him [his] mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him [by certain] which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why couldn't our Lord's mother and brothers get to Him? (v.19)
2) What was our Lord's response when told that His blood family wanted to see Him? (v.20-21)
3) Who suggested that the disciples go to the other side of the lake? (v.22)
4) What happened as they were sailing? (v.23)
5) How did Jesus' disciples respond? (v.24a)
6) What happened after the disciples awoke the Lord? (v.24b)
7) What did our Lord ask His disciples? (v.25)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) Have you ever been in trouble and wondered why the Lord did not respond immediately to your situation? If so, briefly describe one such time.
9) What do you typically do when waiting on the Lord to answer your prayers?
LIFE LESSONS
10) Our Lord allows trouble in our lives to test our faith in Him.
11) The greatest test of our faith is learning to wait on the Lord when we desperately need His intervention.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Hebrews 11:1-6 KJV
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What is faith? (v.1)
2) What did faith do for patriarchs of our faith? (v2)
3) How were the world's framed? (v.3a)
4) How did the things that are visible appear? (v.3b)
5) What did Abel and Enoch do by faith? (v.4-5)
6) What is impossible to do without faith? Why? (v.6)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) When was the last that you acted out of faith in God? Briefly describe what happened.
8) Who in your life exemplifies a faithfilled life? Why?
LIFE LESSONS
9) Faith in God does not depend upon our circumstances, but upon His faithfulness.
10) It is not possible for the God's children to please Him if we do not have faith in Him.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Luke 2:8-20 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Where were the shepherds and what were they doing? (v.8)
2) What miraculous thing happened to them and how did they respond? (v.9)
3) How did the angels greet them? (v.10)
4) What did the angels announce to them? (v.11-12)
5) What happened before the angels departed? (v.13-14)
6) How did the shepherds respond to what they had been told and what did they find? (v.15-16)
7) What did the shepherds do after confirming what the angels said? (v..17)
8) How did those who heard and saw what was told them respond? (v.18-20)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) How are you celebrating the miracle of Christ's birth, this year?
10) Whom have you shared the gift of Christ with, this season?
LIFE LESSONS
11) The miracle of our Savior's birth is not only to be celebrated on one specific day, but every day of every year.
12) We were saved to share the gift of salvation, through Jesus Christ, with everyone we meet.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Luke 2:1-7 KJV
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why did Joseph and his family leave Nazareth? (v.1-5)
2) What happened while they were in Bethlehem? (v.6)
3) What did Mary do with her first born baby? Why? (v.7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What circumstances has the Lord orchestrated in your life that caused you to make a major life change?
5) What circumstances has the Lord allowed in your life that drew you closer to Him?
6) Has a major life change negatively impacted your relationship(s) and/or daily routine? If so, please explain how and what the long-term consequences of that change were?
LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord allows major life changes to draw us closer to Himself.
7) The Lord orchestrates major life changes to lead us closer to our divine destiny.
8) Major life changes are inevitable. We please the Father when we do not allow those changes to negate our trust in Him.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Romans 5:1-5 KJV
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are we justified by? (1a)
2) What is the result of our justification? (1b)
3) Who and what grants us peace with, and access to, God? (1b-2)
4) Why do we "glory in tribulations"? (v.3-5a)
5) What does the indwelling Holy Ghost do for us? (v.5b)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do you typically respond to trouble in your life?
7) Give one example of how the Lord used your trouble(s) to conform you to the image of Christ?
LIFE LESSONS
8) We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.
9) By faith in the Lord Jesus, we have access to God and His grace.
10) By the grace of God, we can endure the trials of life.
11) God uses trials to grow patience, experience, hope, and the love of God in our hearts, through His Holy Spirit.
12) The Lord uses the trials of life to transform us to the image of Christ.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Psalm 108:1-6 KJV
1 [[A Song [or] Psalm of David.]] O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I [myself] will awake early. 3 I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. 4 For thy mercy [is] great above the heavens: and thy truth [reacheth] unto the clouds. 5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; 6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save [with] thy right hand, and answer me.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does David tell God? (v.1)
2) What will the psalmist do for the Lord? Why? (v.2-4)
3) What is David's desire for the Lord? Why? (v.5-6)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) When do you typically set aside time to praise and worship God?
5) Why have you selected that time to exalt Him?
6) What typically happens when you do not set aside personal devotion time for the Lord?
LIFE LESSONS
7) We dedicate the first minute, or hour(s), of our day to the Lord because our lives and times belong to Him.
8) When the Lord is exalted first, He orders what remains of our day.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Psalm 19:1-14 KJV
1 [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which [is] as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, [and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth [is] from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward. 12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults]. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What do the heavens declare and what does the Lord's handiwork show? (v.1)
2) When and where on earth is God's glory not declared or revealed? (v.2-4a)
3) Where has God placed the sun and how does King David describe the sun? (v.4b-6)
4) What does David write about the word of God? (v.7-8)
5) What does the king say about the fear and judgments of the Lord? (v.9-12a)
6) What does the psalmist ask of the Lord? (v.12b-14)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) How has the study of Scripture changed your heart and soul?
8) Has the Lord ever convicted your heart of hidden and sinful thoughts or attitudes? If so, please describe one such instance.
9) What do you do to cleanse your heart of the evil that is within it?
LIFE LESSONS
10) The heavens and all of creation declare the glory and majesty of God.
11) God's laws convert the soul of, and provide wisdom to, the foolish in heart.
12) Our thoughts, our words, and our deeds are an expression of the impurity of our hearts.
13) God alone is able to cleanse the sinful human heart when we confess and repent of the wickedness within it.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
2 Chronicles 5:2-14 KJV
2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which [is] Zion. 3 Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which [was] in the seventh month. 4 And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark. 5 And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that [were] in the tabernacle, these did the priests [and] the Levites bring up. 6 Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude. 7 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims: 8 For the cherubims spread forth [their] wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. 9 And they drew out the staves [of the ark], that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. 10 [There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put [therein] at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place]: (for all the priests [that were] present were sanctified, [and] did not [then] wait by course: 12 Also the Levites [which were] the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, [being] arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of the LORD; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) King Solomon completed the building of the temple that would house the ark of the covenant. Who did Solomon assemble to bring the ark to Jerusalem? (v.1-5)
2) What did the king and the congregation do before the ark? (v.6)
3) What did the priest do? (v.7-9)
4) What was in the ark? (v.10)
5) When the priests came out of the holy place who assembed with them? Why? (v.11-13)
6) What happened to the priests? Why? (v.14)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Have you experienced the Presence of God during corporate worship? If so, briefly describe what happened during one such time.
8) During corporate worship, have you ever experienced God's Presence so strongly that your spiritual leaders were unable to minister to the people of God? If so, briefly describe one such instance.
LIFE LESSONS
9) The Presence of the Lord most often manifests when the people of God are assembled as one to worship the Lord.
10) The Presence of God is strongest when the people of God are united in thanksgiving, praise and worship to Him.
11) When the Presence of the Lord is strongest, the ministers of the Lord are too overwhelmed to minister to the people of God.
Monday, December 15, 2014
1 Chronicles 16:35-41 KJV
35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, [and] glory in thy praise. 36 Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD. 37 So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: 38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah [to be] porters: 39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that [was] at Gibeon, 40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and [to do] according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; 41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy [endureth] for ever;
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After the ark was placed in its rightful place in Jerusalem, King David penned a psalm and regular worship resumed. What does David implore the people of God to say to the Lord? (v.35)
2) How do the people respond to the king's benediction? (v.36)
3) Who did David leave to minister before the ark continually? (v.37)
4) Who were designated to be porters? (v.38)
5) What were Zadok, the other priests, and others chosen to do? (v.39-41)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What role, if any, do you have in ministering to God's people at your local church?
7) How do you prepare yourself for the work that you've been assigned in the household of faith?
LIFE LESSONS
8) The Lord has a role for every believer in building up a habitation for His presence.
9) Personal devotion precedes corporate worship in the household of faith.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Psalm 95:1-7 KJV
1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD [is] a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand [are] the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills [is] his also. 5 The sea [is] his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry [land]. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the psalmist encourage the Lord's people to do? (v.1-2)
2) Why does the psalmist encourage God's people to worship God? (v.3-5)
3) What else does the psalmist encourage God's people to do? Why? (v.6-7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) What is the difference, if any, between singing to the Lord and worshipping him?
5) How obedient are you to the Lord's will and word?
LIFE LESSONS
6) True worship is found not only in the songs we sing to the Lord, but in the attitude of our hearts before Him.
7) A genuine worshipper is also a genuine follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Hebrews 13:6-15 KJV
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Because the Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us (v.5) what can His children do? (v.6)
2) Who are we to remember and follow? (v.7)
3) What does the writer of Hebrews say about our Lord Jesus? (v.8)
4) What is the writer's warning to believers? Why? (v.9)
5) What altar does the new testament believer have that old testament priests cannot partake of? (v.10)
6) What are the differences and similarities between the old testament sacrifices and the new? (v.11-12)
7) What do new testament believers bear when we go to Jesus and depart from the religious rituals of the old testament? Why? (v.13-14)
8) What are our sacrifices to God? (v.15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) What teachers has the Lord blessed you with to teach you God's word and serve as your examples of faith?
10) How else is your heart established in the Lord (i.e., by works of the flesh, or by grace)?
11) Where do you make your sacrifices to the Lord?
12) What are your sacrifices to the Lord?
LIFE LESSONS
13) The Lord blesses the seeking heart with teachers who not only teach God's word, but live it.
14) The only acceptable altar to God is the altar of the heart.
15) The sacrifices that the Lord will not refuse are "a broken spirit and a contrite heart".
Friday, December 12, 2014
Deuteronomy 32:1-7 KJV
1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 [He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he. 5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot [is] not [the spot] of his children: [they are] a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? [is] not he thy father [that] hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? 7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) It is believed that Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible. What does Moses ask of the heavens and earth? (v.1)
2) How does Moses describe his doctrine and speech? Why? (v.2-3)
3) How does Moses describe God? (v.4)
4) How does Moses describe the people of God? (v.5)
5) What does Moses ask of God's people? (v.6)
6) What does Moses encourage God's people to do? (v.7)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) What do you do to show the greatness of our God?
8) Do you know of anyone who does not honor the Lord? If so, what do you do to help them?
9) What has the Lord done for you through your spiritual leaders?
LIFE LESSONS
10) We exalt God through our words, as well as our deeds.
11) Those who do not know the Lord are not able to honor Him.
12) The Lord blesses spiritual leaders to share His goodness with His people.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
1 Chronicles 16:7-15 KJV
7 Then on that day David delivered first [this psalm] to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. 8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He [is] the LORD our God; his judgments [are] in all the earth. 15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations;
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The ark of God had been returned to Jerusalem and placed in the tabernacle. What did King David do in response? (v.7)
2) What did King David encourage God's people to do in gratitude to the Lord? (v.8-12)
3) How did David address the people of God? (v.13)
4) What did the king say about the Lord? (v.14)
5) What else did King David encourage God's people to do? (v.15)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do you demonstrate your gratitude for what the Lord has done for you?
7) How important is the Presence of the Lord to you?
8) What will you do to draw nearer to the Lord in times of difficulty or hardship?
LIFE LESSONS
9) The Presence of the Lord comforts, encourages, and transforms our souls.
10) The Presence of the Lord is available to those who praise Him, in spirit and in truth.
11) God has chosen His people to worship Him and to praise Him in the beauty of holiness.
12) The Word of God, that is hidden in our hearts, keeps God's people from sinning against Him.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Hebrews 12:22-29 KJV
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God [is] a consuming fire.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The writer of Hebrews is contrasting Mount Sinai (Old Covenant) with Mount Zion (New Covenant). What do those who believe in Christ come to, according to the writer of Hebrews? (v.22-24)
2) What is likely to become of those who refuse to hear God's voice and reject Christ's offer of salvation? (v.25)
3) What did the voice of God do under the Old Covenant? (v.26a)
4) What does the voice of the Lord do under the New Covvenant? (v.26b-27)
5) What are believers receiving under the New Covenant? (v.28a)
6) How are believers to respond as citizens of the new kingdom? (v.28b)
7) How does the writer of Hebrews describe our God? (v.29)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) How have you responded to the voice of the living God? Why?
9) How grateful are you for the blood of Jesus?
10) Have you received Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If not, why not.
LIFE LESSONS
11) The Old Covenant (Mount Sinai) represents the law, but the New Covenant (Mount Zion) represents God's grace.
12) The blood of Abel represented vengeance under the Old Covenant, but the blood of Jesus represents redemption under the New Covenant.
13) Believers come to Mount Zion (the New Jerusalem) through the blood of Jesus.
