obedience Archives - Page 32 of 49 - Plain Bible Teaching

Andy Sochor May 25, 2012

Every Morning and Evening (5/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Chronicles 23-25.

Near the beginning of Solomon’s reign, the text records the responsibilities of the Levites. Among them is the following instruction:

“They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the Lord, and likewise at evening, and to offer all burnt offerings to the Lord, on the sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals in the number set by the ordinance concerning them, continually before the Lord” (1 Chronicles 23:30-31).

We remember the special festivals and observances that were commanded in the Law of Moses. These required the work of the Levites. But their work in serving God involved more than just the weekly Sabbaths and yearly observances. They were to thank and praise the Lord “every morning… and likewise at evening.”
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: obedience, worship

Andy Sochor May 24, 2012

“Keep Back Your Servant from Presumptuous Sins”

The psalmist wrote, “Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression” (Psalm 19:13). Presumptuous sins are those that we commit deliberately, acting without regard to God’s will. The problem with these sins is that we are often fooled into thinking that our presumptuous actions are works with which the Lord will be pleased. In this article, we will consider some common excuses for presumptuous sins, the danger of presumptuous sins, and how we can guard against presumptuous sins.
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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: obedience, sin, word of God

Andy Sochor May 23, 2012

"You Will Prosper, If…" (5/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22; Psalm 30.

Shortly before Solomon took over for his father as king over Israel, David charged him with the task of building “a house for the Lord God of Israel” (1 Chronicles 22:6). As he assigned him this work, David spoke of the conditional promise of success for his efforts.

“Now, my son, the Lord be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you. Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.

“Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed” (1 Chronicles 22:11-13).

The Lord chose Solomon over David for this work of building the temple (1 Chronicles 22:7-10). However, the promise of success and prosperity for Solomon would only come about if he met the divine conditions that were required for him to continue to receive God’s blessings.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: blessings, grace, obedience

Andy Sochor May 22, 2012

The Lord Is Our Maker, We Are His People (5/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 95, 97-99.

“The sea is His, for it was He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 95:5).

Who owns the ocean? The psalmist says that God owns it. But how did God come to be the owner? He did not purchase it, trade for it, or receive it as a gift. Rather, the psalmist tells us that the sea belongs to God because He created it.

Of course, this point is not just for the natural world. This same principle applies to us as well. The psalmist goes on to point this out.
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: creation, obedience

Andy Sochor May 20, 2012

"They Oppose Me, Because I Follow What Is Good" (5/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 5, 38, 41-42.

“For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

“But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. And those who repay evil for good, they oppose me, because I follow what is good. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me!” (Psalm 38:18-21)

As David calls to the Lord for help, he states the reason why the wicked were opposed to him – he followed what was good (Psalm 38:20). Yet right before this, he acknowledged that he had committed iniquity (Psalm 38:18). What should this teach us?
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Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: obedience, persecution, sin

Andy Sochor May 10, 2012

"What Right Have You to Tell of My Statutes?" (5/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75.

It is natural to feel a sense of indignation when we hear one who has rejected God attempt to explain the Scriptures to us. This feeling should not be surprising, for even God has this reaction to the attempts of the wicked who claim to speak His truth.

“But to the wicked God says, ‘What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes’” (Psalm 50:16-21).

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: obedience, teaching, word of God

Andy Sochor May 4, 2012

"How Can I Bring the Ark?" (5/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23; 1 Chronicles 13-16.

Most of us remember what happened to Uzzah: he touched the ark (which was forbidden) in order to steady it on the cart, and God struck him (1 Chronicles 13:7-10). David was upset over this. Not only did this man die, but now the king was not sure how to bring the ark to him.