Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

November 27, 2012

“Abstain From Every Form of Evil” (11/27)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Thessalonians 1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3.

It is common for brethren to take Paul’s warning to the church in Thessalonica about abstaining from every form of evil and apply it broadly to every type of sin imaginable. It is certainly true that Christians are to strive to abstain from sin and every form of evil (Romans 6:11; Ephesians 5:1-11). But Paul was making a specific point here. Notice the context:

“Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

In the context, Paul was discussing what had been revealed by God. To quench the Spirit would be to remove the power from the gospel that had been revealed by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:7-10). To despise prophetic utterances would be to disregard the message of “men moved by the Holy Spirit” who “spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). Paul’s point was that these brethren (as well as all of us today) needed to accept the inspired word of God.
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November 26, 2012

“His Spirit Was Being Provoked Within Him” (11/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 17:1-18:18.

When Paul came to Athens, he preached the gospel just as he did wherever he went. But it is noteworthy to consider what provoked him to preach there.

“Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present” (Acts 17:16-17).

Paul’s “spirit was being provoked within him” by the idolatry that existed in the city. It bothered him to see the people devoting themselves to so many false gods instead of worshipping the one, true, living God.
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November 25, 2012

“Whatever a Man Sows, This He Will Also Reap” (11/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Galatians 4-6.

Paul warned the saints in the churches of Galatia of the importance of sowing the proper seed in order to be able to reap the desired harvest.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

When he told them not to be deceived and that God was not mocked, he warned them not to think that they would prove to be the exception to the rule. If we wish to reap spiritual rewards, we must sow “to the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8).

In the first ten verses of this chapter, Paul mentioned three examples of how to sow in order to receive a reward.
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November 24, 2012

“Those Who Were of Reputation Contributed Nothing to Me” (11/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Galatians 1-3.

When Paul obeyed the gospel and went from being an enemy of Christ to being an apostle of Christ, we might expect that he would have gone and met with the other apostles for encouragement, support, and help as he began his work for the Lord. Yet he told the Galatians that this is not what happened.

“I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles, except James, the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:16-19).

Paul did not need to seek out the apostles immediately after his conversion to get some sort of validation from them. He had been given a mission from the Lord, and he simply got busy doing it.
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November 23, 2012

“That Very Hour of the Night” (11/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 15-16.

The conversion of the Philippian jailer is often used by those who wish to argue that belief is the only requirement God places upon man for his salvation. They try to find any passage they think will support their belief that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Yet this example that they often cite does not support their belief at all. In fact, it shows the great importance of baptism. Notice the context:

“And after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household’” (Acts 16:30-31).

If we stop here (and many want to stop here), it may appear as though Paul told the jailer that belief is the only prerequisite to salvation. Yet when Paul told this man to believe, he did not know what to believe. He was not acquainted with the gospel. So Paul taught him.
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November 22, 2012

“He Who Turns a Sinner from the Error of His Way” (11/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from James 1-5.

“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

James closed his letter with a reminder of the concern that fellow Christians were to have for one another. In these verses we learn a few lessons about sin.
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November 21, 2012

Teachers in the Church (11/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 13-14.

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:1-3).

This was the beginning of the first preaching tour by Saul (later known as Paul). Before being sent out, he was one of the teachers in the church in Antioch. He, along with Barnabas, was divinely chosen to go out and preach the gospel in other regions.

Though it may seem like a simple point, it is significant that the Holy Spirit went to the church to find the teachers needed to carry out this work. Why did He go to the church? It is because the church is the place to find those who are preaching and teaching the gospel. The Holy Spirit did not go to the college or seminary. He did not visit the missionary society or any other institution. He went to the local church.
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