December 18, 2022 – Love with Us

Love with Us

Isaiah 7:10-16 - New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, ¹¹ “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

¹² But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”

¹³ Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ¹⁵ He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, ¹⁶ for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 

Who spoke to Ahaz (verse 10)?

What was Ahaz to ask for (verse 11)?

In your opinion, why did Ahaz refuse to ask, was it that he did not want to put “the Lord to the test” or was there something more (verse 12)?

Who did Isaiah address his response to (verse 13)?

What sign was the Lord going to give (verse 14)?

In your opinion, why will the son be called Immanuel (verse 14)?

What will he be eating when he “knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right” (verse 15)?

What will happen to the “land of the two kings you dread” (verse 16)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how can we see God’s love in this passage?

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
    shine forth ² before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
    come and save us.

³ Restore us, O God;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

⁴ How long, Lord God Almighty,
    will your anger smolder
    against the prayers of your people?
⁵ You have fed them with the bread of tears;
    you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
⁶ You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors,
    and our enemies mock us.

⁷ Restore us, God Almighty;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

¹⁷ Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
    the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
¹⁸ Then we will not turn away from you;
    revive us, and we will call on your name.

¹⁹ Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

Who sits “enthroned between the cherubim” (verse 1)?

What was the Psalmist’s request (verse 2)?

What does the Psalmist say will happen if God’s face shines on Israel (verse 3)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to say that God’s anger smolders “against the prayers of your people” (verse 4)?

What are God’s people being made to drink “by the bowlful” (verse 5)?

Who has made Israel “an object of derision to our neighbors” (verse 6)?

How can Israel be saved (verse 7)?

What will God do for the “son of man” (verse 17)?

When will Israel call on God’s name (verse 18)?

Who does the psalmist ask to restore Israel (verse 19)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how can we see God’s love in this passage?

In your opinion, how are Ahaz in Isaiah 7:10-16 and the psalmist in Psalms 80:1-7, 17-19 different?

Romans 1:1-7 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. ⁶ And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

⁷ To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does Paul describe himself (verse 1)?

What does Paul say he is “set apart for” (verse 1)?

How had God promised the gospel “beforehand” (verse 2)?

Who was God’s Son “in his earthly life” (verse 3)?

How was Jesus “through the Spirit of holiness . . . appointed the Son of God in power” (verse 4)?

What was Paul to do because of the apostleship he received from Jesus (verse 5)?

Who is Paul writing to (verse 7)?

How does Paul bless the readers (verse 7)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how can we see God’s love in this passage?

In your opinion, what does Romans 1:1-7 help us understand about the one that God said through Isaiah 7:10-16 would be Immanuel (God with us)?

In your opinion, how does God exceed the request for Him to shine His face on Israel in Psalms 80:1-7, 17-19 by Paul’s call to apostleship in Romans 1:1-7?

Matthew 1:18-25 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ²⁵ But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

How does Matthew describe Jesus (verse 18)?

What was found before Mary and Joseph “came together” (verse 18)?

Why was Joseph going to “divorce her quietly” (verse 19)?

How did the angel appear to Joseph (verse 20)?

What was Joseph not to be afraid to do (verse 20)?

Why is Joseph to name the son born to Mary Jesus (verse 21)?

What was this to fulfill (verse 22)?

What is the son of the virgin to be called (verse 23)?

What did Joseph do when he woke up (verse 24)?

What did Joseph name Mary’s son (verse 25)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how can we see God’s love in this passage?

In your opinion, why would God promise a sign to a king who rejected Him in Isaiah 7:10-16 that would find its ultimate fulfillment in Matthew 1:18-25 in the birth of a son who “will save his people from their sins”?

In your opinion, how would the psalmist, who described God as sitting enthroned between the cherubim in Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, have a different view of a relationship with God than Matthew, who wrote Matthew 1:18-25 and who knew God with Us? 

In your opinion, how is God’s love, which is lived out in Matthew 1:18-25, also expressed by Paul in Romans 1:1-7?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Psalms, Romans and Matthew teach us about how God loves us?

In your opinion, as we learn that God is with us, how can we respond to His love?

In your opinion, how do we share the love of “Immanuel” with others?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

December 11, 2022 – Joy on the Journey

Joy on the Journey

Isaiah 35:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ The desert and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, ² it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God.

³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;
⁴ say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you.”

⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer,
    and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert.
⁷ The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

⁸ And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.
⁹ No lion will be there,
    nor any ravenous beast;
    they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
¹⁰     and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
    everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

 

What will the wilderness see that will cause it to “rejoice greatly and shout for joy” (verses 1 and 2)?

Who will come to save those “with fearful hearts” (verse 4)?

What will happen to the eyes of the blind (verse 5)?

Where will shouts of joy come from (verse 6)?

What will “the burning sand” become (verse 7)?

Who will not walk on “the Way of Holiness” (verse 8)?

Who will walk there (verse 9)?

Who will “gladness and joy” overtake (verses 9 and 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to God’s mercy?

James 5:7-10 - New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

How long are the “brothers and sisters” to be patient (verse 7)?

What does the farmer wait for (verse 7)?

What is near (verse 8)?

Why should “brothers and sisters” not “grumble against one another” (verse 9)?

Who is an “example of patience in the face of suffering” (verse 10)?

Who is counted as blessed (verse 11)

What is the Lord full of (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to God’s mercy?

In your opinion, what does Isaiah’s prophecy of joy from the wilderness in Isaiah 35:1-10 offer those who are tempted to grumble about suffering in James 5:7-10?

Matthew 11:2-11 – New International Version (NIV)

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

When did John send his disciples to Jesus (verse 2)?

What question did he have his disciples ask Jesus (verse 3)?

What were John’s disciples to report (verse 4)?

What is “proclaimed to the poor” (verse 5)?

In your opinion, what does it mean to not “stumble on account of” Jesus (verse 6)?

When did Jesus begin to speak to the crowd about John (verse 7)?

Where do you find “those who wear fine clothes” (verse 8)?

Who is “more than a prophet” (verse 9)?

What was written about John (verse 10)?

Who is not greater than John the Baptist (verse 11)?

Where are the least greater than John the Baptist (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to God’s mercy?

In your opinion, how would John, who sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was “the one who is to come” in Matthew 11:2-11 have responded to the report that Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 35:1-10 with what he was doing?

In your opinion, what does the fact that the one who is the greatest of “those born of women” needed to ask Jesus a question in Matthew 11:2-11 help us understand about needing the message of patience given in James 5:7-10?

Luke 1:46-55 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

Who said “my soul glorifies the Lord” (verse 46)?

Why does she say “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (verses 47 and 48)?

What has the Mighty One done (verse 49)?

How long does “His mercy” extend (verse 50)?

Who has been scattered (verse 51)?

What has happened to the humble (verse 52)?

Who will be filled “with good things” (verse 53)?

What has He done for “his servant Israel” (verse 54)?

Who will He be merciful to forever (verse 55)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about responding to God’s mercy?

In your opinion, how is Mary’s prayer in Luke 1:46-55 an example of the prayer that all who walk on the “Way of Holiness” proclaimed in the prophecy of Isaiah 35:1-10 should be singing?

In your opinion, how is Mary’s situation in Luke 1:46-55 as she was pregnant and anticipating the pain of childbirth similar to the Christians who James 5:7-10 is instructing to be patient? 

In your opinion, in Matthew 11:2-11 is it more likely that John the Baptist, in prison, or those who were being healed would sing the song that Mary sang in Luke 1:46-55?  Should their situation make a difference?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, James, Matthew, and Luke teach us about walking on the Way of Holiness?

In your opinion, where do we find joy no matter our situation on the Way?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

December 4, 2022 – From Chaos - Peace

From Chaos - Peace

Isaiah 11:1-10 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
² The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
³ and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
⁴ but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
⁵ Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

⁶ The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
    and a little child will lead them.
⁷ The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

¹⁰ In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 

What will the Branch bear (verse 1)?

Who will rest on the Branch (verse 2)?

What will the Branch delight in (verse 3)?

In your opinion, what is the difference between judging “by what he sees with his eyes” and judging “with righteousness” (verses 3 and 4)?

How will the wicked be slayed (verse 4)?

What will live with the lamb (verse 6)?

Who will eat straw (verse 7)?

What will the young child do (verse 8)?

Why will “they neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain” (verse 9)?

Who will “stand as a banner for the peoples” (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal about the source of peace?

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Endow the king with your justice, O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.
² May he judge your people in righteousness,
    your afflicted ones with justice.

³ May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.
⁴ May he defend the afflicted among the people
    and save the children of the needy;
    may he crush the oppressor.
⁵ May he endure as long as the sun,
    as long as the moon, through all generations.
⁶ May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
    like showers watering the earth.
⁷ In his days may the righteous flourish
    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

¹⁸ Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
    who alone does marvelous deeds.
¹⁹ Praise be to his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

What does the Psalmist pray for the king to be endowed with (verse 1)?

How does the Psalmist pray that the people will be judged (verse 2)?

What does the Psalmist pray that the hill will bring to the people (verse 3)?

Who does the Psalmist pray that the king will save (verse 4)?

How long does the Psalmist pray that the king will endure (verse 5)?

In your opinion, what does it mean that the king may “be like rain falling on a mown field” (verse 6)?

Who does the Psalmist pray will flourish (verse 7)?

Who “alone does marvelous deeds” (verse 18)?

What does the Psalmist pray will be filled with the king’s glory (verse 19)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal about the source of peace?

In your opinion, how is the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalms 72:1-7, 18-19 a fitting prayer for the shoot that comes up from the stump of Jesse in Isaiah 11:1-10?

Romans 15:4-13 – New International Version (NIV)

⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹ and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”

¹⁰ Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹ And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”

¹² And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What do “the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide” help Christians have (verse 4)?

What can “the God who gives endurance and encouragement” also give us “toward each other” (verse 5)?

Who should Christians with “one mind and one voice” glorify (verse 6)?

How should Christians accept other Christians (verse 7)?

Why has Christ “become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth” (verse 8)?

What is the other reason that Christ has “become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth” (verse 9)?

Who might “glorify God for his mercy” (verse 9)?

Who are the Gentiles to rejoice with (verse 10)?

What are “all the peoples” to do (verse 11)?

Who says “the Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope” (verse 12)?

What does Paul pray for Christians to be filled with “so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (verse 13)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal about the source of peace?

In your opinion, which prophesies of peace found in Isaiah 11:1-10 are shown by Paul to have been fulfilled by Jesus in Romans 15:4-13?  What prophesies remain to be fulfilled?

In your opinion, how is the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalms 72:1-7, 18-19 appropriate for Jesus as He is proclaimed by Paul in Romans 15:4-13?

Matthew 3:1-12 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Where did John the Baptist preach (verse 1)?

What did he say (verse 2)?

What message does Matthew say Isaiah predicted John the Baptist would have (verse 3)?

How was John distinctive (verse 4)?

Where did people come from to see him (verse 5)?

What did people do before they were baptized by John (verse 6)?

Who did John call a “brood of vipers” (verse 7)?

What did John tell them to produce (verse 8)?

In your opinion, why did John tell them not to say to themselves “we have Abraham as our father” (verse 9)?

What trees will be “cut down and thrown into the fire” (verse 10)?

How would the One who comes after John baptize (verse 11)?

Where will the One with the winnowing fork gather the wheat in to (verse 12)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage reveal about the source of peace?

In your opinion, why is the prayer for a king who judges with righteousness in Isaiah 11:1-10 significant for the One that John the Baptist said was coming after him in Matthew 3:1-12?

In your opinion, how are the prayers and praises of Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 especially appropriate for the One that John the Baptist said was coming after him in Matthew 3:1-12? 

In your opinion, how does the baptism for repentance followed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist talks about in Matthew 3:1-12 prepare us for the transformation of “attitude of mind toward each other” and filling “with all joy and peace as you trust in him” that Paul prays for in Romans 15:4-13?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, Psalms, Romans, and Matthew teach us about how the world will be transformed and filled with peace?

In your opinion, how do the passages help us have peace in the world that we live in now?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)