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Think on These Things
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Background: Paul wrote the book of Philippians while imprisoned in Rome. He had planted the church of Philippi during his second missionary journey; this church had a special place in his heart. Chapter four is specifically on having a secure mind (God’s peace – 4:1-9; God’s power – 4:10-13; and God’s provision – 4:14-23). I think our December memory verse is the exact truth needed…
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All Thine Heart
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Background: The human penman for Proverbs is Solomon which is appropriate as “he was wiser than all men” (1 Kings 4:31). Therefore the book of Proverbs were written for our learning – to make us more wise – in all areas of life: divine ethics, politics, economics, exposing every sinful weakness, and exhorting every virtue. Matthew Henry (1662-1714) said Proverbs 3 “is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and…
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Thou Art Worthy
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Background: The book of Revelation is filled with hymns of praise (Revelation 4:8, 11; 5:9-13; 7:12-17; 11:15-18; 12:10-12; 15:3-4; 16:5-7; 18:2-8; 19:2-6) which is significant knowing that John wrote this book to encourage people who were going through suffering and persecution. Revelation 4-5 opens a window to how worship occurs in heaven. John has entered heaven in Revelation 4:1, and by verse 10 he sees the four and twenty elders in unity as they cast their crowns of earthly achievement at…
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Perfect Peace
Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Background: Isaiah 26 was written by Isaiah for the land of Judah as a song of thanksgiving to the Lord Jehovah for providing all the things they need, including their ultimate need of salvation. He sings of how one day Israel will walk in peace and righteousness when God restores them. Our Creator God knows His people are fragile and fearful. Cares of this life threaten to take away our peace, but in the chaos of this world we long for a sense of calm and stability. Strife will come…
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Meditate Day and Night
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Background: Joshua was born into slavery in Egypt (given the name “Hoshea,” Numbers 13:8); then he became well known as a soldier (many church children can tell you about his fight on Jericho); he was also known as Moses’ servant (Exodus 24:13); then we know him as one of the two spies with a good report of Canaan; but as…
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Abiding in Him
John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Background: This verse is from a parable that Jesus gave to His disciples regarding the nation of Israel. (A parable in the Bible is a story that illustrates a spiritual truth.) Israel was a rebellious people who forsake God and His ways. They did not respond to the “Master Gardener,” so He sent Jesus Christ to restore the vine and make it healthy. Jesus Christ tells us He is the True Vine, and we are the branches. The…
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Transformation by Renewal
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Background: Romans follows the same pattern of other epistles written by Paul, beginning with a strong doctrinal statement (Romans 1-11) followed by exhortations of how we should “therefore” live as Christians. Doctrine and duty go together. This is the fourth “therefore” in Romans, and this one is of dedication…
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Dwell in Safety
Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Background: All the psalms in book 1 (chapters 1-41) are attributed to David writing them (with the exception of 1, 10, and 33). Psalm 3 was written as a morning psalm when David fled Jerusalem after his son, Absalom, had taken over. It is believed that Psalm 4 was written during the same events making this month’s verse considered an evening psalm because of the verbiage. How many of us have lie in bed at night unable to sleep because of something going through our mind? Obviously, at two…
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Come Boldly
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Background: The early church faced persecution and began to waver between standing firm for Christ and falling back to the Jewish religion. The temple still stood and all the priestly ceremonies occurred daily. The writer of Hebrews asks his readers to evaluate their faith and what Jesus Christ had to offer. These second-generation Christians were being seduced by false doctrines. It may seem like they were at a standstill, but in the Christian life, if you do not go forward, then you are going…