An Appropriate Time for Fasting

Saturday, January 31, 2015
Matthew 9:9-17 KJV 

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Jesus had just healed a paralytic in His own city. Who did Jesus see after that? What was the man doing? What did Jesus say to him? How did the man respond? (v.9)
2) Who came and sat next to Jesus, as he was eating? (v.10)
3) What did the pharisees ask Jesus' disciples after they witnessed this? (v.11)
4) How did Jesus respond after He heard what the Pharisees asked His disciples? (v.12-13)
5) What did John the Baptist's disciples ask Jesus' disciples? (v.14)
6) What was our Lord's response to them? (v.15-17)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) If you fast, when and why do you fast?
8) Have you been baptized (filled) with the Holy Spirit? If so, do you fellowship at a Spirit-led church?

LIFE LESSONS
9) Fasting is often used by believers to draw closer to the Lord and to hear Him more clearly.
10) Spirit-filled believers are generally not  comfortable in, or accepted by, church fellowships that are laden by religious tradition.

Humble Yourselves Before God

Friday, January 30, 2015
2 Chronicles 34:24-33 KJV 

24Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, [even] all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: 25 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. 26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel [concerning] the words which thou hast heard; 27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard [thee] also, saith the LORD. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. 29 Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. 31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. 32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand [to it]. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 33 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) During King Josiah's reign, the people began to repair the house of the Lord. At the same time, Hilkiah (the high priest) found the Book of the Law. The king was grieved and commanded Hilkiah to seek the word of the Lord through Huldah the prophetess.  What did the Lord proclaim to His people and to their king? Why? (v.24-28)
2) What did the king do? (v.29-33)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that convicted your heart of the error of your ways? If so, please describe one such time?
4) What did you do to repent of (turn from) your sins?

LIFE LESSONS
5) Ignorance of God's word does not exempt us from the penalty for not doing what the word says.
6) God has given us His word so that we may, humble ourselves before Him, ackowledge our sins, repent of them, and be forgiven.
7) We receive the blessings of the Lord when we are obedient and humbly submit to His word (will) for our lives.

If My People Humble Themselves

Thursday, January 29, 2015
2 Chronicles 7:11-18 KJV

11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; 18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man [to be] ruler in Israel.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What had King Solomon completed in the early years of his reign? (v.11)
2) What did the Lord say to Solomon concerning the work of the king's hands? (v.12)
3) How did the Lord tell Solomon that His people were to respond if He allowed calamity to befall their nation? (v.13-14)
4) What did the Lord promise He would do when the people offered prayers within the temple? Why? (v.15-16)
5) What would the Lord do for Solomon if he obeyed the Lord? (v.17-18)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What has the Lord placed within your heart to do for Him this year?
7) How important is it to you to do all that He has placed within your heart to do for him this year? Please explain.
8) What do you typically do when trouble befalls this nation and/or the nations of this world?

LIFE LESSONS
9) When we make the Lord's business, our greatest priority, He will take care of our business.
10) The Lord hears and answers our petitions when we humble ourselves and seek to know His will concerning whatever concerns us.

Humility Before God

Wednesday, January, 28, 2015
Luke 18:9-14 KJV 

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who did Jesus speak this parable to? (v.9)
2) Who were the two men in the parable and what were they going to do? (v.10)
3) What did the Pharisee do and pray while in the synagogue? (v.11-12)
4) What did the publican do and pray in the synagogue? (v. 13)
5) What did Jesus tell His disciples about the publican and how did he explain His statement (v.14)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) When you pray or fellowship with other believers, do you ever remind them of your good deeds or righteous acts? If so, why?
7) Have you ever believed yourself to be better than other believers? If so, why?
8) Do you believe that the Lord is impressed with your good deeds or righteous acts? If so, why?

LIFE LESSONS
9) Those who exalt themselves for approval from God, or others, will not earn anyone's approval.
10) The Lord, and His people, are more impressed by the humble in heart than with those who are self exalted.

Help Me, O Lord My God

Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Psalm 109:21-27 KJV 

21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy [is] good, deliver thou me. 22 For I [am] poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. 25 I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads. 26 Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy: 27 That they may know that this [is] thy hand; [that] thou, LORD, hast done it.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) In this psalm, David asks the Lord to judge his accusers, what does he ask of the Lord? Why? (v.21-25)
2) What does David ask of the Lord for himself? (v.26-27)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Have you ever asked the Lord to judge your adversaries? If so, why?
4) How have you reacted when your opponents experienced difficult times in their lives? Why?
5) What doors have you unwittingly opened to the enemy, in the lives of your spiritual brothers and sisters, because of your unforgiveness?

LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord vindicates His people. His people are those who live in His love, even for our enemies.
7) As believers, we are to forgive and pray for those who mistreat, or otherwise oppose, us.
8) When we react in unforgiveness and/or bitterness toward others, we open doors to the accuser to wreak havoc in their lives. 
9) We will always reap what we sow in this life. To reap kindness, sow kindness. 
10) The Lord often chastens His children by withdrawing His hand of loving protection from us to allow the enemy to wreak havoc in our lives.

Draw Near to Me, O Lord

Monday, January 26, 2015
Psalm 69:5-18 KJV

5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. 6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. 9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. 10 When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. 11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them. 12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I [was] the song of the drunkards. 13 But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. 16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness [is] good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. 18 Draw nigh unto my soul, [and] redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Lord know about the psalmist? (v.5)
2) Who does the psalmist plead for? Why? (v.6)
3) What four (4) things happened to the psalmist? Why? (v.7-8)
4) What eight (8) things had the psalmist done that made him a reproach to his brethren? (v.9-12)
5) What ten (10) petitions did the psalmist make of the Lord? (v.13-18)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Have you ever suffered reproach, or been misunderstood, by your fellow believers, because of your zeal for the Lord? If so, please describe one such time.
7) If you answered the previous question affirmatively, what was your response to the situation?
8) Who else was consumed by zeal for the Father's house (see Matthew 21:12-13)? 

LIFE LESSONS
9) Our love for the Lord can be misunderstood by those who do not have the same zeal for Him.
10) Drawing closer to God, when we have been shamed because of our religious fervor, always leads us further into alignment with the Father's will for our lives.

The Prayer of Faith

Sunday, January 25, 2014
James 5:13-18 KJV 

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are those who are merry and those who are afflicted directed to do? (v.13)
2) Who are the sick to call to and what are the called to do for those believers? (v.14)
3) What will the "prayer of faith" do for the sick and for the sinful? (v.15)
4) How does James encourage all believers to pray? Why? (v.16)
5) Who (or what) does James use as an example of the prayers of the righteous? (v.17-18)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What do you do when you are afflicted in your mind, body, soul and/or spirit? Why?
7) If the Lord hears your prayers, why should you seek the prayers of more spiritually mature believers?

LIFE LESSONS
8) Believers are afflicted in many different ways (i.e., mind, body, soul, and/or spirit). 
9) The Lord hears the prayers of those in spiritual leadership and/or authority over the members of His body, to heal them.
10) The Lord hears and answers the earnest prayers of those who have unwavering faith in, and are in intimate relationship with, Himself.

The Prophet's Suffering and Patience

Saturday, January 25, 2015
James 5:1-12 KJV 

1 Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you]. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are the twelve (12) reasons that James cites for why the wealthy will mourn in these last days? (v.1-6)
2) What are the three things that the people of God are to do, or refrain from doing, as we wait for our Lord's judgment (return)? (v.7-9)
3) Who does James tell believers to look to as examples of patience? (v.10-11)
4) What does James say about making oaths? (v.12)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Do you consider yourself to be a materially wealthy individual? If so, why?
6) Have you used your wealth in less than God honoring ways? If so, how?
7) What are you doing to prepare for the Lord's return?
8) Typically, how faithful are you in keeping your promises?

LIFE LESSONS
9) It is not a sin to be wealthy, it is sinful to love money more than God and/or His people.
10)The Lord will repay the wicked and the righteous are to wait patiently on Him.
11) Because the Lord is faithful in keeping His promises, He expects His children to be so also.
12) The Lord is slow to anger, it is not His will that anyone perish.

Never Ceasing to Pray for you

Friday, January 23, 2015
1 Samuel 12:19-25 KJV 

19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king. 20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great [things] he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The children of Israel asked for a king and the Lord granted their request with a display of His power, what did the people say to the Prophet Samuel as a result? (v.19)
2) What did Samuel say to the people of God, in response? (v.20-21)
3) What did Samuel declare to the people about the Lord their God? (v.22)
4) Why did the prophet agree to pray for the people and what else would he do for the people of God? (v.23)
5) What was the prophet's warning to the children of God? (v.24-25)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Who has the Lord given you a burden to pray for?
7) How obedient are you to pray for them?

LIFE LESSONS
8) At times, the Lord will relent and grant our heart's desire, though it may not be in keeping with His good and perfect will for our lives.
9) We are assigned to pray for those the Lord has brought into our lives, whether we agree with them or not.
10) When we refuse to pray for those we are responsible for, we are disobeying the Lord.

You Heard my Plea

Thursday, January 22, 2015
Lam 3:52-58 KJV 

52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause. 53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. 54 Waters flowed over mine head; [then] I said, I am cut off. 55 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. 56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. 57 Thou drewest near in the day [that] I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. 58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Jeremiah (the "weeping" prophet) pours out his complaint and praise to the Lord throughout this lamentation. What does the prophet write concerning his enemies? (v.52-53)
2) What else happened to the prophet and how did he feel about it? (v.54)
3) What did Jeremiah do about his predicament? (v.55)
4) What was the prophet's request of the Lord? (v.56b)
5) How did the Lord respond to Jeremiah? (v.56a, 57-58)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Have you ever felt cut-off from the Lord? If so, briefly describe one such time.
7) What did you do to draw nearer to the Lord?

LIFE LESSONS
8) At times, the Lord allows our enemies (fear, doubt, unbelief, etc.) to overwhelm us, so that we will be more desperate for His presence.
9) The Lord allows us to go through seasons of desperation to draw us closer to Himself and to reassure us that He is not far from us.
10) We draw nearer to God through prayer, worship and the study of His word.

We Pray to God for You

Tuesday, January 21, 2015
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 KJV 

5 [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle Paul commended the believers at Thessalonica for their faith, love and patient endurance during persecutions. How would their sufferings benefit them? (v.5-7)
2) What will the Lord Jesus do to avenge those who have been persecuted and what will become of their persecutors? (v.8-10)
3) What else would the brethren pray for concerning those who had been troubled? Why? (v.11-12)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever suffered trouble or difficulty because of your faith in Jesus? 
5) If so, how do you typically respond in these troubling situations?

LIFE LESSONS
6) Every believer can expect to be troubled by non-believers because of their faith in the Lord Jesus.
7) As followers of Christ, we are never to avenge ourselves of the wrongs done to us because God is glorified when we endure hardship for His sake.
8) The Lord Himself will vindicate us on the day when He is glorified in us and the wicked are eternally punished.

Pray to the Lord for Us

Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Jeremiah 42:1-6 KJV 

1 Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, 2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, [even] for all this remnant; (for we are left [but] a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) 3 That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. 4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard [you]; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, [that] whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare [it] unto you; I will keep nothing back from you. 5 Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. 6 Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the leaders and the remnant of the people ask of Jeremiah? Why? (v.1-3)
2) How did the prophet respond to their request? (v.4)
3) What else did the people say to Jeremiah? (v.5-6)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever asked another believer to intercede on your behalf? What were some of the reasons why?
5) Have you ever sought to know the Lord's will for your life from a prophet or other minister of God? If so, what was your most recent response to God's word for you?

LIFE LESSONS
6) The Lord hears and responds to the prayers of the righteous.
7) It is always helpful to seek other believers to agree with us in prayer. But, their prayers should never replace our own prayers to the Lord.
8) The Lord's word to us, through other believers, should confirm what the Lord has already spoken into our hearts.
9) The Lord expects to be believed and obeyed.

Let Us Seek God's Favor Together

Monday, January 19, 2015
Zechariah 8:18-23 KJV 

18 And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, 19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. 20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; [It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one [city] shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Lord declare that the result of His people's obedience to Him would be? (v.18-19)
2) What will the inhabitants of other cities and nations do in that time? (v.20-22)
3) What will be the response of other peoples to the Jews, in that day? Why? (v.23)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever backslidden in your faith in the Lord Jesus? If so, why?
5) What, if anything, did you to restore relationship with the Lord?
6) What has your relationship with God, and other people, been like since recommitting your life to Christ?

LIFE LESSONS
7) The Lord longs to shower His children with His blessings and favor.
8) The fullness of the Lord's blessings and favor are reserved for those who are obedient to His way and His will.

A Great High Priest

Sunday, January 18, 2015
Heb 4:14-5:10 KJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

 1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why may we be confident of our profession of faith in our Lord Jesus? (v.14)
2) Why may we come boldly to the throne of God in our time of need? (v. 15-16)
3) How does the author describe earthly priests? (5:1-4)
4) How does the author explain how Jesus was qualified to become our faithful High Priest? (v.5-9)
5) On what order was our Lord's priesthood founded? (v.10)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Who do you act as priest for (e.g., your wife, your children, etc.)?
7) Why are you qualified to intercede for them?
8) What do you do to ensure that your prayers are heard by the Lord?

LIFE LESSONS
9) The Lord has given believers the task of interceding on behalf of those we are responsible for on this earth.
10) We are qualified to intercede for those we love and care for because of our relationship with them and with the Father.
11) Before interceding for others, we must confess our own failures and shortcomings to the Lord.
12) We can boldly present our requests to God because of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Boldness and Confidence Through Faith

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Eph 3:7-13 KJV 

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS

1) The Lord revealed the revelation concerning the Gentiles to the Apostle Paul. What did the apostle write about his role in that revelation? (v.7)

2) What did the apostle write about himself and the ministry that was given him? (v.8-9)

3) What was the Lord's eternal plan in making the mystery known? (v.10-11)

4) What do believers have through faith in Christ? (v.12)

5) What was the Apostle Paul's desire for the reader? Why? (v.13)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

6) What has the Lord assigned you to do on earth?

7) How qualified do you believe you are to fulfill that role?

8) How dependent are you upon the Lord to complete the task?

LIFE LESSONS

9) The Lord calls every believer to be His witnesses.

10)The effectiveness of our witness does not depend on our qualifications, but upon the Lord's ability to use us.

Gratitude for God's Steadfast Love

Friday, January 16, 2015
Psalm 107:1-15 KJV 

1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, [being] bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and [there was] none to help. 13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15 Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Why should we give thanks to the Lord? (v.1)
2) What should the Lord's redeemed do? Why? (v.2-7)
3) What else does the psalmist say that the redeemed of the Lord should do? Why? (v.8-9)
4) How does the psalmist describe the unredeemed? (v.10)
5) Why are the unredeemed in such trouble? (v.11)
6) What does the Lord allow to happen to them? (v.12)
7) How do the unsaved respond and what does the Lord do for them? (v.13-14)
8) What is the psalmist's final exhortation? Why? (v.15)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) How has the Lord demonstrated His goodness to you this week? 
10) What have you done in response to God's goodness to you?
11) Do you know of anyone who is bound by sin and troubled in soul?
12) What might you do to help them?

LIFE LESSONS
12) The Lord is good to those He has redeemed. 
13) The Lord is worthy to be praised for His goodness to us.
14) Only God can save the lost, but He expects us to tell them about Him.

Jesus Prayed in Anguish

Thursday, January 15, 2015
Luke 22:39-46 KJV

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After celebrating passover with His disciples, and washing their feet, what did our Lord do and who followed Him? (v.39)
2) What did our Lord ask His disciples to do? Why? (v.40)
3) Where did Jesus go and what did He do after leaving the disciples? (v.41)
4) What did Jesus say to the Father, in prayer? (v.42)
5) Who, or what, strengthened our Lord, after His initial prayer? (v.43)
6) What happened when Jesus continued to pray? (v.44)
7) What were the disciples doing after Jesus arose from prayer? Why? (v.45)
8) What did the Lord say to them? (v.46)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Have you ever made a petition to the Lord during a time of tremendous hardship or difficulty? If so, briefly describe one such time.
10) How did you conclude your prayer?

LIFE LESSONS
11) The Lord expects His children to be transparent in prayer and to ask for what we really want?
12) As children of God, we must be willing to forsake our will for the Father's will, even if the Father's immediate will involves personal distress.

Our Faithful High Priest

Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Hebrews 3:1-6 KJV

1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house. 3 For this [man] was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some [man]; but he that built all things [is] God. 5 And Moses verily [was] faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How did the writer of Hebrews address the readers (fellow believers)? (v.1a)
2) Who did the writer of Hebrews tell the readers to take note of (consider)? (v.1b)
3) How did the writer of Hebrews describe our High Priest? (v.2-3)
4) What did he write about God? (v.4)
5) What was written about Moses? (v.5)
6) What did the writer tell us about our Lord Jesus? (v.6)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) What ministry has the Lord appointed you to?
8) Why do you believe that the Lord chose you to fulfill that particular calling?

LIFE LESSONS
9) Every believer is called to the ministry of reconciliation, of restoring the lost to relationship with our Creator.
10) The calling and election of God is not based upon our goodness but upon His.

An Advocate with God

Tuesday, January 13, 2015
1 John 2:1-6 KJV 

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

OBSDRVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle John previously wrote about fellowship with Jesus and fellowship with one another. Why did the apostle write about these things to his spiritual children? (v.1a)
2) What hope do we have when we sin? Why? (v.1b-2) 
3) What proves that we know God? (v.3)
4) How does John describe those who say they know God, but continue to sin? (v.4)
5) How does John describe those who know God? (v.5-6)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What typically happens in your relationship with God, and with other believers, when you have unconfessed sin in your life?
7) How do you know whether you have genuine relationship with God, or not?

LIFE LESSONS
8) When we sin our fellowship with God, and with other believers, is hindered until we confess our sins to God.
9) Those who have genuine relationship with the Lord, obey His word and follow Him.
10) The love of God is perfected in every believer as we become increasingly obedient to His word.

The Grace of God Has Appeared

Monday, January 12, 2015
Titus 2:11-15 KJV 

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Apostle Paul tell Titus about the grace of God? (v.11)
2) What should believers refrain from? (v.12a)
3) How should we live instead? (v.12b-13)
4) Why did our Lord Jesus redeem us? (v.14)
5) What three things does the apostle tell Titus (us) to do, in light of what was previously written in this Scripture passage? (v.15)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do you handle ungodly behaviors in your life, or in the lives of your spiritual children?
7) What do you do to live a life that pleases God?

LIFE LESSONS
8) As followers of the Lord Jesus, we are to die (cease from indulging in) whatever causes us to live ungodly lives.
9) Our Lord Jesus died to save us from sinful behaviors that keep us from growing in grace and the knowledge of God.
10) We are not saved from ungodliness by our own power alone, but by the power and grace of God.

Sanctified in the Truth

Sunday, January 11, 2015
John 17:6-21 KJV 

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are]. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did our Lord tell the Father that He had done for His disciples? (v.6a)
2) What did Jesus tell the Father about His disciples? (v.6b-7)
3) What had Jesus given His disciples and what did they know as a result? (v.8)
4) What did Jesus say to identify those He was praying for? (v.9-11a)
5) What did Jesus pray and ask the Father to do for His followers then, and His followers to this present time? Why? (v.11b-21)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do you know that you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?
7) What distinguishes you from the people of the world?

LIFE LESSONS
8) Those who follow Christ are being sanctified (conformed to the image of Christ) by the word of God.
9) The people of the world and the people of God have the sames problems, but followers of Christ trust in Him alone, in times of trouble.