Tag: Christianity

Q&A#4: More Verses

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#4
Q: What are some further attributes of God?
A: God is eternal, self-existent, self-sufficient, and unchanging, full of glory and beauty.

Memory Verses
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
– Psalm 90:2

Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
– Psalm 96:6

Further Supporting Verses
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  – John 5:26

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
– Acts 17:24-25

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
– Malachi 3:6

I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
– Isaiah 42:8

Reflections on Hosea 8-10

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Hosea is called to illustrate in his own life Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s love.

  • Righteousness or Iniquity – Hosea calls Israel to sow and reap righteousness and love, but instead they sow and reap iniquity and injustice (10:12-13). What are you sowing and reaping?  How do you need to repent?
  • Eating Lies – Israel is eating the “fruit of lies” (10:13). What lies do you see in our culture?  How is our culture eating the fruit of those lies?  How are you tempted to do the same?

Hosea 8-14: A Call To Return

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(8-13) What words, phrases, and pictures does Hosea use to describe Israel’s sin?

8:1 –

9:1, 10 –

10:1-2, 13 –

12:1, 7-8 –

13:2 –

In what ways are we tempted to follow Israel’s example?

What “fruit of lies” are we tempted to eat (10:13)?

What has Israel become because of their sin (8:8, 9:10, 13:3)?

(10-14) God calls Israel to return to him.  What would such a return look like?

10:12 –

12:6 –

14:1-3 –

14:9 –

How is this different from the way many people think of repentance?

(11-14) Returning to the Lord is possible because of who God is.  How does God reveal himself in 11:1-12, 13:4, and 14:8?

How do these verses encourage you?

(11-13) How does 11:1 and 13:14 point forward to Jesus (see Matthew 2:15 and I Corinthians 15:55)?

 

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Too Busy to Love My Neighbor – Ryan (A Small Work)
I noticed one unpleasant effect of this busyness. At least in me, busyness aggravates self-centeredness.

The Devil’s Glasses – Barry York (GR)
When you are being tempted, the devil sets on your nose a pair of false glasses. These glasses make the sin look so small that you view engaging in it as trivial….

10 Bible Reading Habits I’ve Learned from My Pastor’s Sermons – Colin Smith
Here are 10 habits I have picked up from my pastor’s weekly sermons….

Seven Key Lessons in Diversity from Grace Fellowship Church – Tim Challies
Over a few hours (and some pretty tasty soup and sandwiches) we discussed diversity and arrived at a number of keys to our experience. Here, from Grace Fellowship Church, are seven lessons on finding unity in diversity.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!

Sermon Songs: Revelation 12

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

The devil is our enemy, He roars – seeking to devour
But in Christ we have victory, He has crushed the devil’s power
Through the Lamb’s blood, Satan loses
Dear Christian in Christ stand firm

By word of our testimony, We will conquer the dragon
Not hiding but standing boldly, Pointing others to the Son
Keep believing, Strong in your faith
Dear Christian in Christ stand firm

In the battle of the ages, Flung from heaven is our foe
His time is short so he rages, Full of fury – working woe
But we have hope, Christ is coming
Dear Christian in Christ stand firm

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Reflections on Hosea 4-7

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God wants Israel to seek and know Him, but they have turned away and refuse to return.

  • Sin – Hosea recounts some of their sin in 4: 2. They swear, lie, murder, steal, and commit adultery. The latter three you may avoid in practice, but what about your heart: do you hate or get angry, covet, or lust (Matthew 5:21:30)?  And how do you use your tongue?  Do you swear or curse?  Do you lie or deceive?  Is there sin in your life for which you need to repent?
  • Know God – God wants his people to love him, to know him in a real relationship (6:6). But Hosea makes clear that they do not know God (4:1, 6; 5:4).  How well do you know God?  Not about God – how well do you know him?  Are you seeking to grow in your relationship with God?  Will you press on to know Him (6:3)?

Reflections on Hosea 1-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Hosea is called to illustrate in his own life Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s love.

  • Unfaithfulness – Hosea marries a wife who is unfaithful – a vivid picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. In what ways can we be unfaithful to God?  How does this picture reveal the horror of our sin?
  • Redeemed – Hosea redeems his wife and brings her back home. God will judge his people, yet he promises restoration.  Jesus redeems us from our unfaithfulness.  A day is coming when peace and righteousness and faithfulness will reign, and we will know the Lord (2:18-20).  Praise the Lord for his incredible love for us!

Hosea 1-7: Whoredom and Hope

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) What does God tell Hosea to do, and why (v2)?

How might we be unfaithful today (see James 4:4-5, Revelation 2:4-5)?

What does God tell Hosea to name his children, and why?

(4) For what sins does God condemn Israel in v1-2?

Give examples of how we see these sins in our country.

How are we tempted to excuse some of these sins as lesser sins?  Does the church need to repent of some of these sins?

For what two main sins does God condemn Israel in v12-14?  How might the former sin lead to the latter sin?  How do we see this today?

What is the result of these sins in v3, and how might we see this today?

(4) The people don’t know God (v1,6).  Why not (v4-6)?

How might we apply this point to our homes, churches, and nation?

(2-7) In what way are the people seeking the Lord, and why does God reject it (2:11, 5:6-7, 6:6)?

In what way does God want them to seek him (5:15)?

What application is there for us?

(1-3) What hope is given 1:10-2:1?  How does this begin to play out in the New Testament (John 1:11-12, Ephesians 5:23)?

What further hope is given in 2:14-23?  How do we see this play out in the New Testament (Matthew 9:15, II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 7:15-17, 19:6-9, 21:1-9)?