Bible Commentaries

Ezra 9:1-15 — field with mixed seed. Unequally yoked – they had taken pagan wives. (NLT) Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. (2b) Their Sins

Psalms 93:1-5 — INTRO: Intro: This is the 1st of the Theocratic Psalms(95-100). Psalms that magnify Israel’s Theocracy(God/rule). Autocratic government - headed by a strong man or a dictator. [Auto/self] Kratos = Gk word for power. Monarchic

Isaiah 26:1-21 — Jehovah. Let us rest upon Him with all our weight! - Let us drive out all unbelief! - Let us rid ourselves of doubts & fears! Spurg, “A loving parent would be sorely grieved if his child could not trust him!” (5,6) The proud enemy is brought down. Waiting for & Desiring God! (7-11) It is always springtime in the heart that loves God. Brother Lawrence, “Let us give our thoughts completely to knowing God. The more one knows him, the more one

Isaiah 26:1-21 — Jehovah. Let us rest upon Him with all our weight! - Let us drive out all unbelief! - Let us rid ourselves of doubts & fears! Spurg, “A loving parent would be sorely grieved if his child could not trust him!” (5,6) The proud enemy is brought down. Waiting for & Desiring God! (7-11) It is always springtime in the heart that loves God. Brother Lawrence, “Let us give our thoughts completely to knowing God. The more one knows him, the more one

Isaiah 37:1-38 — Step] Call on Prayer Support! (2-4) Calling in backup doesn’t mean you leave! No they back You up. Hezekiah considered God’s glorious name to have been insulted & profaned by the pagan nation. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.52) (4) He asks simply for Isaiah the prophet to pray for the remnant in Judah. [3rd Step] Do not be Afraid! (5-13) (5-7) In every battle, His word to you is, “Do not be afraid of”! Why? He has everything under control! –

Isaiah 37:1-38 — Step] Call on Prayer Support! (2-4) Calling in backup doesn’t mean you leave! No they back You up. Hezekiah considered God’s glorious name to have been insulted & profaned by the pagan nation. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.52) (4) He asks simply for Isaiah the prophet to pray for the remnant in Judah. [3rd Step] Do not be Afraid! (5-13) (5-7) In every battle, His word to you is, “Do not be afraid of”! Why? He has everything under control! –

Isaiah 44 overview — Image! (1-8) (1) Transition – from discipline of last verses, to blessings of ch.44. (2) Once again God reminds them: He Made them, formed them, & chose them. So, no need to be afraid(“fear not”), for God meets every need(3-5). Jeshurun - a poetical name for the people of Israel, a term of endearment, meaning, “the dear upright people”. (root = “To be blessed”) (3) I will pour water on him who is thirsty! Q: Anybody need that tonight? He

Isaiah 44 overview — Image! (1-8) (1) Transition – from discipline of last verses, to blessings of ch.44. (2) Once again God reminds them: He Made them, formed them, & chose them. So, no need to be afraid(“fear not”), for God meets every need(3-5). Jeshurun - a poetical name for the people of Israel, a term of endearment, meaning, “the dear upright people”. (root = “To be blessed”) (3) I will pour water on him who is thirsty! Q: Anybody need that tonight? He

Jeremiah 2:1-37 — collected water! “Like these cisterns we too have cracks in our bottoms!” Story - A United Press release in a midwestern city told of a hospital where officials discovered that the firefighting equipment had never been connected. For 35 years it had been relied upon for the safety of the patients in case of emergency. But it had never been attached to the city's water main. The pipe that led from the building extended 4 feet underground -- and there it stopped! The medical staff

Jeremiah 2:1-37 — collected water! “Like these cisterns we too have cracks in our bottoms!” Story - A United Press release in a midwestern city told of a hospital where officials discovered that the firefighting equipment had never been connected. For 35 years it had been relied upon for the safety of the patients in case of emergency. But it had never been attached to the city's water main. The pipe that led from the building extended 4 feet underground -- and there it stopped! The medical staff

Jeremiah 40:1-16 — His enemies. 2 Sam.12:14 "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme(the sin w/Bathsheba), the child also who is born to you shall surely die." Vs.5 – “Rations, a gift basket, & his freedom” - Prov.16:7 “When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Vs.6 – So, should he stay or go? Esp. after telling for

Jeremiah 45:1-5 — Baruch (1-5) Baruch was Jeremiah’s secretary who also was taken to Egypt. This event occurred after he wrote a 2nd copy of the prophecy, because Jehoiakim burned the original(36). We praise God for what Jeremiah had done, but also for his

Daniel 2:24-49 — repentance. It’s never too late to come home! Repent (2a) Take words w/you. – These are obviously not “words only” but we see the action of confession “take away all iniquity.” This is quoted later in Heb.13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Receive (2b-4) Receive His Grace(2b) And remember, He is more concerned w/the “sacrifice

Hosea 14:1-9 — repentance. It’s never too late to come home! Repent (2a) Take words w/you. – These are obviously not “words only” but we see the action of confession “take away all iniquity.” This is quoted later in Heb.13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Receive (2b-4) Receive His Grace(2b) And remember, He is more concerned w/the “sacrifice

Hosea 7:1-16 — time! Illus - MPD/range/Jim Ganley/shotgun/slugs. It could be said of Israel “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Mt.7:27 4 IMAGES! (1-5) A HOT OVEN! (1-7) (1) Your sin is always naked before God, “Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” Ps.139:12 (4) It refers to excessive sexual

Hosea 7:1-16 — time! Illus - MPD/range/Jim Ganley/shotgun/slugs. It could be said of Israel “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Mt.7:27 4 IMAGES! (1-5) A HOT OVEN! (1-7) (1) Your sin is always naked before God, “Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” Ps.139:12 (4) It refers to excessive sexual

Numbers 15:1-41 — report, see 14:34) But praise God unbelief is not genetic, so God could begin afresh with another group. One way God demonstrated His ongoing relationship with Israel was through the giving of new laws. Four sets of laws appear in ch.15. Outline: Assurance; Obedience; Arrogance; Remembrance. SMALL THINGS WITH A BIG MESSAGE! ​​​​​​​ASSURANCE! (1-21) (2) A word of assurance here. Despite the sin of the older generation the younger

Numbers 3:1-51 — INTRO: My friend Steve: Chapters 1-4 God deals with the outward conditions of the camp(set up; layout). Chapters 5-10 God deals with the inward conditions. PLAYING WITH FIRE! ​​​​​​​STRANGE FIRE! (1-4) Censer(firepan) - (Show Picture) The priest filled the censer with live coals from the sacred fire on the altar

Hebrews 5:12-14 — Supersize Deliveries Have Doctors Worried.” Over the last few decades there’s been a spike in developed countries of the birth of big babies. Last year a Pennsylvania woman had a 13 lbs 12oz little girl. A German baby weighed in at 13.5 lbs. And here in California came the biggest baby our state has seen, tipping the scales at 16lbs, 1.7 oz (name on screen) In March last yr a British mom delivered “little George,” who weighed 15 lbs, 7oz. They took back his infant clothes,

Hebrews 5:12-14 — Supersize Deliveries Have Doctors Worried.” Over the last few decades there’s been a spike in developed countries of the birth of big babies. Last year a Pennsylvania woman had a 13 lbs 12oz little girl. A German baby weighed in at 13.5 lbs. And here in California came the biggest baby our state has seen, tipping the scales at 16lbs, 1.7 oz (name on screen) In March last yr a British mom delivered “little George,” who weighed 15 lbs, 7oz. They took back his infant clothes,