Bryan's Notes and Stuff

Notes, ideas, and other things I hope are helpful to others

Happy Mother's Day

Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. ” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Turf Wars

Notes from a sermon by Ronnie Norman - 5/6/12

God, why don't you flex your muscles more? If the Kingdom of God is here, why aren't things better? Why don't you put broken things in their place?

Jesus teaches often with stories. He taught 42 parables, but only explained 2 of them.

Key question: how should we live in a world where the kingdom of darkness coexists with the Kingdom of God?

Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV)
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. [25] But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. [26] When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. [27] "The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' [28] " `An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull them up?' [29] " `No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

Explanation:

Matthew 13:36-43 (NIV)
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." [37] He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. [38] The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, [39] and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. [40] "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. [41] The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. [42] They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

We do not live in a world characterized by the absence of weeds. But we do live in a world characterized by the presence of goodness.

Four Kingdom Lessons:

1. The world is the stage on which Satan continues his opposition to God.

The Holy Spirit is more than able to renew that which the evil on has broken.

2. The enemy cannot destroy the wheat, but he can create less than ideal growing conditions.

3. When we grow impatient for God's vindication, remember that he is waiting for some weeds to become wheat.

How long must we wait? 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

4. Harvesting is God's job, and you can rest assured that a righteous harvest of judgment and victory is just around the corner. Matthew 13:40-43 (NIV)
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. [41] The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. [42] They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

For a while the kingdom of God coexists with the kingdom of darkness and we must live in it. But a harvest is coming, and we must have faith in the promise of a life without darkness. Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

You may be a weed today, but if you turn to God with a mustard seed of faith and repentance, you will become wheat and be harvested at the end of the age. God wants none to perish!

Thought for the Day

John 15:1,5 (NIV)
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. [5] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

"What is the proof that Christ is in you and in me?...that others are receiving Life thorough us, that we minister the Life of Christ to others, that when hungry and needy people come into touch with us they feel the touch of Life."
-- T. Austin-Sparks

Heaven

Hey FCYG 10th Graders! I really enjoyed our class on Heaven this past Sunday. You guys had some great comments, and it is thrilling yo see you all seeking God and thinking about Him the way you do. I just realized that I forgot to give you the handout in class on Sunday, so here it is!

Click here to download:
Heaven - Handout.pdf (55 KB)
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Flowermania

This web site showcases the artwork of the daughter of one of my coworkers. She was born with cerebral palsy and has a lot of disabilities. I've watched Brittany grow up since she was 4 years old, and it is truly amazing to see her joy in life and watch her use her talents to bring beauty into the world. Her artwork is for sale through the site. You really should check it out, read her story, and see what she can do. It will warm your heart.

http://www.flowermaniaart.net/

Plagues that Preach

Plagues that Preach
Ronnie Norman - 2/22/2012

The ten plagues are divine blows directed against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. Each plague was an attack on a particular god. The plagues are miraculous ecological disasters that serve as warnings to the hard-hearted.

Exodus 7 - 11

The first nine plagues gradually build in intensity. They are structured into 3 triads.

Plague - Warning - Timing

1. Blood - Yes - Morning
2. Frogs - Yes - Go to Pharaoh
3. Gnats - No - None

Message: The living God of Israel has more power than the gods of Egypt.

4. Flies - Yes - Morning
5. Livestock - Yes - Go to Pharaoh
6. Boils - No - None

Message: The living God knows who belongs to Him. These plagues did not touch the Israelites.

7. Hail - Yes - Morning
8. Locusts - Yes - Go to Pharaoh
9. Darkness - No - None

Message: The living God is incomparable in His mighty works.

10. First-Born - yes - one

 

Notice the symmetry of the plagues narrative.  The plagues are ordered into three series of three disasters each.  The tenth plague stands alone and is the climax.  The symmetrical structure is established by repititions within the narrative.  Notice that a time indication is provided for only the first, fourth, and seventh plagues.  No forwarning is given for the third, sixth, and ninth plagues.

Why was God so dramatic in this situation when he could have simply moved Pharaoh to let the Israelites go? One reason may be to create stories.

Joshua 9:8-10 (NIV)
"We are your servants, " they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?" [9] They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, [10] and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan---Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.

Take Home: Keep the "glory of God" on the front burner of your life and your prayers. Your motive in all prayer needs to be "God let your glory shine through in this situation", whatever it is that you are praying for.

Daniel 9:15-19 (NIV)
"Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. [16] O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. [17] "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. [18] Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. [19] O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

1 Samuel 17:45-46 (NIV)
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

Isaiah 45:5 (NIV)
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,

 

After the Rain

Leviticus 26:4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.

We have had such a bad drought this year, and the rain this morning was such a blessing.  I went out into my backyard and enjoyed the dampness after the rain and took a few photos.

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