John 21
4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Note that Jesus fed the disciples (his "flock") and then told Disciple #1, Peter, to "Feed my sheep." Three times to make his point (which probably reminded him of his three-time denial of Christ earlier, gently restoring Peter as leader, but keeping him humble in the process).
Repeated three times, "Feed my sheep" is one of Christ's most important commands to the leader of his disciples, and still today to any others who are assistant shepherds (pastors, elders, deacons, fathers and mothers).
How do we feed sheep?
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
For example, do you take steak and make a baby eat it? Or give a watermelon to a 3 year old? No, you give the baby milk and you cut up the watermelon into small pieces for the children. Note the way that our Shepherd/Lord leads us beside the still water (easy to drink) and makes us lay down (we're not smart enough to do it ourself) in green pastures (easy to eat).
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Promise or Command?
Is this a promise or a command? Hmmmm....
Psalm 127:5
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them
Psalm 127:5
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them
The Greatest Commandment includes the Greatest Commandment to Parents
Deuteronomy 6
The Greatest Commandment
1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’[a]
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one![b] 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Visual: in a suit, I illustrated verse 7 (kids got into this): "teach...diligently...when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
By the way are there any other positions or activities other than these? Not really. This command is a comprehensive, 24/7 priority #1 activity for ALL parents. God's First Rule for Parents!
Question to ponder: what are some ways we can actually do this in our society?
This requires us to, first of all, have a daily relationship with our children, and spend time with them, while we are about our daily work.
Jesus referenced this as the greatest commandment in the new testament. Even though he's quoted as only saying the "Love the Lord your God" part, the entire Scripture passage would have been immediately recalled to the minds of his listeners at the time.
By the way, the above passage includes what's known as the Shema (prayed by devout Jews daily, typically first thing in the morning, various versions...this is the shortest version): “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!"
The Greatest Commandment
1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’[a]
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one![b] 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Visual: in a suit, I illustrated verse 7 (kids got into this): "teach...diligently...when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
By the way are there any other positions or activities other than these? Not really. This command is a comprehensive, 24/7 priority #1 activity for ALL parents. God's First Rule for Parents!
Question to ponder: what are some ways we can actually do this in our society?
This requires us to, first of all, have a daily relationship with our children, and spend time with them, while we are about our daily work.
Jesus referenced this as the greatest commandment in the new testament. Even though he's quoted as only saying the "Love the Lord your God" part, the entire Scripture passage would have been immediately recalled to the minds of his listeners at the time.
By the way, the above passage includes what's known as the Shema (prayed by devout Jews daily, typically first thing in the morning, various versions...this is the shortest version): “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!"
Fathers
The word "father" is in the Bible 1,501 times.
I was impressed to focus on Proverbs and the implications of these words about what a father should do: instruct, correct, communicate understanding, command, share wisdom, be the glory of his children, be grieved by foolish children, provide an inheritance, set the ancient landmarks, speak to his children, cause them to hear and listen, greatly rejoice in his children, delight in his children, and be glad about his children.
Proverbs 1:8
[ Shun Evil Counsel ] My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 4:1
[ Security in Wisdom ] Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,And give attention to know understanding;
Proverbs 4:3
When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
Proverbs 6:20
[ Beware of Adultery ] My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
Proverbs 10:1
[ Wise Sayings of Solomon ] The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Proverbs 15:20
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 17:21
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
Proverbs 19:14
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:26
He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Proverbs 20:20
Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
Proverbs 22:28
Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.
Proverbs 23:10
Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Proverbs 23:25
Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.
Proverbs 27:10
Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Proverbs 28:7
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Proverbs 28:24
Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer.
Proverbs 29:3
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother.
Proverbs 30:17
The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
I was impressed to focus on Proverbs and the implications of these words about what a father should do: instruct, correct, communicate understanding, command, share wisdom, be the glory of his children, be grieved by foolish children, provide an inheritance, set the ancient landmarks, speak to his children, cause them to hear and listen, greatly rejoice in his children, delight in his children, and be glad about his children.
Proverbs 1:8
[ Shun Evil Counsel ] My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 4:1
[ Security in Wisdom ] Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,And give attention to know understanding;
Proverbs 4:3
When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
Proverbs 6:20
[ Beware of Adultery ] My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
Proverbs 10:1
[ Wise Sayings of Solomon ] The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Proverbs 15:20
A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
Proverbs 17:21
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
Proverbs 19:14
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:26
He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Proverbs 20:20
Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
Proverbs 22:28
Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.
Proverbs 23:10
Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Proverbs 23:25
Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice.
Proverbs 27:10
Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Proverbs 28:7
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
Proverbs 28:24
Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, “It is no transgression,” The same is companion to a destroyer.
Proverbs 29:3
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother.
Proverbs 30:17
The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
April's Lesson on Mothers
The word "mother" is in the Bible 306 times.
Genesis 3:20
And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Genesis 17:15-16
15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”
Genesis 3:20
And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Genesis 17:15-16
15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Wife's Responsibilities
The word "wife" is in the Bible 370 times.
The word "wives" is in the Bible 126 times.
Psalm 128:3
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
Proverbs 5:18
Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
Proverbs 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:13-14
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
The Virtuous Wife
Proverbs 31
10 Who[b] can find a virtuous[c] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Ephesians 5:22-24,33
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything......33...and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Colossians 3:18
[ The Christian Home ] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
1 Timothy 3:11
Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
1 Peter 3:1
[ Submission to Husbands ] Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
Wives are to be:
fruitful
excellent, not cause shame
prudent, not contentious
virtuous (priceless)
safe
trustworthy
gainful
good
productive
strong
compassionate
an early riser
profitable
prepared (not just for herself but for others also, for snow, food, etc.)
unafraid
perceptive
skillful
wise
kind
watchful
not idle
blessed
praiseworthy
reverent
submissive
respectful
not slanderers
temperate
faithful in all things
ready (prepared for her husband. Prov. 31:22 and Rev. 19:7)
The word "wives" is in the Bible 126 times.
Psalm 128:3
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
Proverbs 5:18
Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
Proverbs 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:13-14
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
The Virtuous Wife
Proverbs 31
10 Who[b] can find a virtuous[c] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Ephesians 5:22-24,33
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything......33...and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Colossians 3:18
[ The Christian Home ] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
1 Timothy 3:11
Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
1 Peter 3:1
[ Submission to Husbands ] Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
Wives are to be:
fruitful
excellent, not cause shame
prudent, not contentious
virtuous (priceless)
safe
trustworthy
gainful
good
productive
strong
compassionate
an early riser
profitable
prepared (not just for herself but for others also, for snow, food, etc.)
unafraid
perceptive
skillful
wise
kind
watchful
not idle
blessed
praiseworthy
reverent
submissive
respectful
not slanderers
temperate
faithful in all things
ready (prepared for her husband. Prov. 31:22 and Rev. 19:7)
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