Bible Notes

Put up a Fence

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I am putting up a fence in my backyard. Fences are meant to keep things in [like dogs and kids] and keep things out [like stray dogs and other unwanted guests]. Have you put up a fence? I do not mean one in your yard. Have you put up a fence in your heart? You need to keep certain things in your heart [like God’s Word] and keep certain things out [like ungodly influences]. Proverbs 4:23 states, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” In other words, guard your heart. Put up a fence and keep the good things in and the bad things out. Do you have a fence around your heart? 

  

From A-Z

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Here is a great way to focus on and praise God. Go through the entire alphabet and assign an attribute of God to each letter. For example:  A = Almighy, B = Beautiful, C = Compassionate. Some letters will be difficult, such as Z, but it really helps you think about who God is. You can also turn it into a time of prayer and thanksgiving.

Keeping people from Jesus

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In Luke 18 people were trying to keep others from encountering Jesus. Parents were bringing their babies to Jesus so He could touch them. How did the disciples respond? They rebuked them. The disciples didn’t understand that the Kingdom was for children as well. Shortly thereafter a blind man was crying out to Jesus, “Son of David have mercy on me.” The people told him to keep quiet, but he ignored them and received sight! You and I may not rebuke parents or tell the blind to keep quiet, but we can keep people from encountering Christ. How so? We do this by what we do, living lives that contradict the gospel. We also do this by what we do not do, telling others about Christ. Ask yourself: “Am I drawing people to Jesus or keeping people from knowing Him?”

Spring Time

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Spring time is wonderful. Things bloom. The birds chirp. Best of all, winter is past tense! In the dark and coldness of winter, there is always hope for spring. It brings change for the better. Life is like the four seasons. There are times, for example, you go through a season of winter. You wonder, “When will this unpleasant darkness ever end?” “I can’t bear it any longer. When where there be relief?” Before you know it, spring comes. Your dark days are turned into days of brightness. Your gloom is turned into joy. Your heart is filled with hope and determination. In time, your miserable season is over and things change for the better. If you are going through a season of difficulty, if your winter is now, have hope. Spring is coming!

Psalms 30:11-12

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Read Upside Down

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This evening I was reading through Genesis 8-11. I found my mind racing and giving no thought to the words. So I did something to cure that – I read upside down. What do you mean? I turned the Bible upside down and started reading. This forced my mind to slow down and process the truth. It sounds weird, but it works. When you are racing through your readings, or you can’t seem to concentrate – read upside down [the book – not yourself of course]!

Jonah Outline

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I love the book of Jonah. I just began preaching through it at my church. I encourage you to read the book, even if you are very familiar with the story. Here is an outline to assist you:

1. An Assignment from God, 1:1-2

2. Running from God, 1:3-16

3. Praying to God, 1:17-2:10

4. Turning to God, 3:1-10

5. Questioning God, 4:1-11