Daily Bible Nugget #732, Exodus 18:21

The Nugget:

Exo 18:21  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exo 18:22  And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

My Comment:

Read carefully, Exodus 18:21 furnishes insight into how to effectively “make disciples” (Matthew 28:20). A major principle illustrated here is the need to work in smaller groups, ideally groups of ten or twelve or less. These groups need to be continuing groups that continue to meet for spiritual growth, instruction, discipleship, and fellowship. They need to meet often, not just once a month. Weekly and more often as possible is best. Unfortunately, many if not most churches are not structured for fellowship. But they could be, and if they are to be effective in the mission of reaching others with the Gospel, they must be.

The notes and cross references I have placed at Exodus 18:21 will provide further guidance about disciple making:

Bible Study Notes from the NTSK and UCRT:

Exodus 18:21
Moreover. Deut 1:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Act 6:3.

provide. or, see. i.e. look out for. Exo 24:11, Gen 22:8, Job 19:26, 27, Psa 11:4; Psa 11:7; Psa 17:2, Pro 24:32, Song 6:13, Isa 30:10 (prophesy). Lam 2:14, (S# H2372).

able men. T312, Exo 18:25, Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15; Deut 16:18, 1Ki 3:9, 10, 11, 12, 1Ch 26:8, Pro 28:2, *2Ti 2:2, Tit 1:5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

such as fear God. Exo 9:20; Exo 23:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Gen 22:12; *Gen 42:18, *2Sa 23:3, 1Ki 18:3; 1Ki 18:12, *2Ch 19:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Neh 5:9; *Neh 5:15; Neh 7:2, Job 1:1; Job 1:8; Job 2:3, +*Psa 119:38, Pro 1:7, Ecc 12:13, *Mat 10:28, Luk 18:2; Luk 18:4.

men of truth. Job 29:16; Job 31:13, Isa 16:5; Isa 59:4; Isa 59:14, 15, Jer 5:1, Eze 18:8, Zec 7:9; Zec 8:16, +*Act 6:3.

hating covetousness. Exo 23:8, *Deut 16:18; *Deut 16:19, 1Sa 8:3; 1Sa 12:3, 4, +*2Ki 12:15, Psa 26:9, 10; +*Psa 119:36, *Pro 28:16, *Isa 33:15, Eze 22:12; *Eze 33:31, Mat 13:22, *Mar 7:21; *Mar 7:22, *Luk 12:15, +*Act 6:3; Act 20:33, +*1Co 4:2, +*2Co 7:2; **2Co 8:20, 1Ti 3:3; 1Ti 6:5; 1Ti 6:9, 10, 11, 2Pe 2:14, 15.

rulers of thousands. Note: Whatever matter the decarch, or ruler over ten, could not decide, went to the pentecontarch, or ruler over fifty, and thence by degrees to the hecatontarch, or ruler over a hundred, to the chiliarch, or ruler over a thousand, to Moses, and at length to God himself. Each magistrate had the care or inspection of only ten men; the decarch superintended ten private individuals; the hecatontarch, ten decarchs; and the chiliarch, ten hecatontarchs. An exactly similar system obtained in the kingdom of Peru (See Heriot’s Canada, p. 565). Num 10:4, Deut 1:15, Jos 22:14, 1Sa 8:12. But contrast Young’s comment here (Concise Critical Comments), “This advice, though excellent as a whole, was carrying the divisions too far; for 600,000 men there must have been, according to this plan, 60,000 heads of tens, 6000 heads of hundreds, 600 heads of thousands, in all 78,600 judges! It was apparently found unworkable, for at a later period seventy elders were chosen, and fitted to assist him.” Yet reference to thousands throughout the rest of the Old Testament may suggest some form of this organization remained in place (+*Mic 5:2). Exo 24:1; Exo 24:9, +*Jos 22:21, Jdg 6:15, *Psa 84:10 note. +*Mic 5:2, Luk 10:1; Luk 10:17, Act 4:32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.

rulers of hundreds. Jdg 7:16, 1Sa 25:13, Act 1:15.

rulers of fifties. Gen 18:24; Gen 18:26, Mar 6:40, %Luk 10:1; %Luk 10:17.

rulers of tens. As noted, by this system each magistrate, ruler, or leader would have the care of only ten men. Studies of small-group dynamics suggest that 10 or 12 is the maximum size for a group where effective listening to one another (+Rom 12:5, 1Co 14:26, Eph 5:19, 20, 21, Jas 5:16) can occur, essential for effective nurturing (Eph 6:4), comfort (2Co 1:4), caring (+*1Ti 3:5), exhortation (+*Heb 3:13), and fellowship (Mal 3:16) for spiritual growth and the discipling of new leadership (1Ti 4:16, 2Ti 2:2). It was prescribed in Jewish practice that ten men as heads of families were required to establish a local synagogue, or to conduct a service. Where a building for the purpose was not available, Edersheim notes “they might meet for worship in a private dwelling, a sort of ’Synagogue in the house’ (Phm 1:2)” (The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, vol. 1, p. 433). *Gen 18:32, Rth 4:2, 1Sa 25:5, Mat 10:1, Act 19:7.

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Daily Bible Nugget #731, Psalm 42:8

The Nugget:

Psa 42:8  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

My Comment:

Psalm 42 is instructive in times of joy, trial, or difficulty. Jesus quoted from this Psalm (Psalm 42:6 is quoted in Matthew 26:38 as He is about to begin is prayer in Gethsemane; it is also cited in John 12:27).

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook post of 2/28/23:

Bible Gems
Cast Down
Psalm 42.5 Why are you cast down , O my Soul ? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope Thou In God, for I shall yet Praise Him for the Help of His countenance.

Hope
Lamentations 3.24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul,
therefore will I Hope in him.

Psalm 21.13 Be Thou exalted ,Lord, in Thine own strength:
so will we sing and Praise Thy Power.

Psalm 34.1 I will bless the Lord at All times: His praise
shall Continually be in my mouth.

1 Peter 1.6-7 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold
temptations. vs 7 That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth , though be
tried with fire, might be found unto Praise and Honour
and Glory at the Appearing of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5.3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, 4
And patience, experience; and experience, Hope: 5
And Hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
which is given unto us.

Job 13.15 Though He slay me, yet will I Trust in Him.

1 Samuel 30.6 David Encouraged himself in the Lord.

Psalm 56.3 What time I am afraid, I will Trust in Thee.

Psalm 84.12 O Lord of Hosts , Blessed is the man that
Trusteth in Thee.

Psalm 2.12 Blessed are All they that put their Trust in Him.

A Mighty Fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing ; Our
helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For
still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft
and power are great, And armed with cruel hate, On earth
not his equal. Did we in our strength confide, Our striving
would losing. Were not the right Man on our side, The Man
of God’s own choosing, Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus , It is He; Lord Sabaoth His name From age
to age the same, And He must win the battle. God’s truth
abideth still, His Kingdom is forever. Amen

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My answer to Muslim claim that Islam is the religion of good morals

Muslim documentation in the Opening  Post:

Islam is the religion of Good Morals:

================================

Abu Ad-Darda’ reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Nothing is heavier on the scale than good character.”

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad

—————————————————————–

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said:

“The Prophet, (PBUH), was neither coarse nor loud. He used to say:

“The best of you is the one who has the best character.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari 6035

—————————————————————–

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said,

“I was sent to perfect good character.”

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad

Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)

My Answer:

No match for the morality of our Lord Jesus Christ who lived an absolutely sinless life.

Muslim Moderator (MM) response:

how can you attribute to Jesus or God that a rape victim should be forced to marry her rapist. Or women are not allowed to speak in the church. Or a non virgin should be stoned to death if her husband declares she is not a virgin. Or a slave that should obey his master.

Are these the biblical morality you attribute to Jesus and God!?

My Response to MM:

Where in the Koran does it teach to love your enemies and pray for them? That is what Jesus taught.

Where in the Koran does it state the equivalent of what is commanded in Romans 12:19?

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Now as for the matters you have mentioned (a rape victim should be forced to marry her rapist), it would help me answer your question or challenge if you give me the Bible reference you are referring to.

In any case, I look forward to returning to answer all your questions soon. It is getting late for me in my time zone to attempt to answer your questions adequately tonight.

Thank you for asking good questions.

MM response to me:

Allah teaches us to be Just with people even our enemies. He commands us not to be unjust with those who are unjust towards us. Understand that.

You say Romans 19:12 [Romans 12:19]. Well this is what it says in Leviticus 24:17

“‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death”.

Do not see these contradictions that men have made to the Bible. How can this be attributed to Our Perfect Lord Our Creator. How!?

And before you say that Leviticus 24:17 is the old law read Matthew 5:17-18 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose

Think about the angle im presenting here.

The law for raped girls begin forced to marry their rapist. Deuteronomy 22:28-29. “If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.” This is Madness

Pure Is Allah above all these things. You really wanna learn about Isslamic morales read a book called Adab ul Mufrad.

My response to MM:

You comment:

“Allah teaches us to be Just with people even our enemies. He commands us not to be unjust with those who are unjust towards us. Understand that.”

If true, this is good. Where in the Koran is this taught?

You ask:

“do you love Hitler?”

If he were still alive I would love him enough to pray for his conversion to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus taught:

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

As for Leviticus 24:17, taken in context, this law involves prescribing the death penalty for intentional murder of another person. These laws in context set a limit upon the extent of punishment to be rendered for violent crimes. These laws establish the principle of the rule of law, not of men:

Lev 24:17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

Lev 24:18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.

Lev 24:19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;

Lev 24:20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.

Lev 24:21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.

Lev 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.

I plan to return later today to answer more of your questions.

MM responded to me:

To begin with here are three verses from the Qur’an.

“O you who believe! Stand firmly for Allah as Just Witnesses, and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you Unjust. Be just! That is closer to Righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (Surah 5 verse)

“And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.” (Surah: 42 Verse 40)

And worship Allah and do not associate with Him anything, and be good to parents and to kinsmen and orphans and the needy and the close neighbour and the neighbour who are strangers and the companion at your side and the wayfarer and to the prisoners of war you own. Surely, Allah does not like those who are arrogant, proud (Surah 4 verse 36)

Moving on…Hitler was a Christian. He grew up as a Christian in a country that identified as a Christian country. His mother and father were both Christians. These are the facts. To assume anything else has no basis.

So Hitler is a Christian. So i ask, “Do you love him” And he, according to your belief, will be forgiven for his crimes because You say Jesus died for you sins. Is that not what Christianity teaches. Think deeply about what im saying. Dont just try and be right or sound right. Reason man!

Moving on…

Can you not see that you yourself is highlighting biblical verses that are contradicting. What is it! do you forgive thy neighbour or do you blemish him if he blemishes you!?

Think man! Use your Reason. Our Creator is Perfect man. Dont just try and be right. Use your intellect and think independently.

Lastly and very interestingly you have made no further mention of the forcing the rape victim to marry her rapist as stated in the Bible…

Our Creator says:

“Do you enjoin righteousness upon others while you ignore your own selves, although you keep recite the Scripture? Will you not then reason?” (Surah Baqarah Verse 44)

My reply to MM:

There is no evidence that Adolf Hitler was ever a genuine Christian. And even if it were possible to prove that he was, the Bible firmly teaches the doctrine and danger of apostacy. Apostacy results in no salvation.

Thank you for furnishing the verses I asked for from the Koran.

You comment:

“Can you not see that you yourself is highlighting biblical verses that are contradicting. What is it! do you forgive thy neighbour or do you blemish him if he blemishes you!?”

The Bible does not contradict itself. When you think you have found a contradiction, almost always the problem arose because you have misread or misunderstood the Bible.

There is nothing in what the Lord Jesus Christ taught that suggests that those who believe in Him are to engage in tit-for-tat retaliation against our enemies. That is why I cited Romans 12:19,

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (KJV)

Rom 12:19 Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “If you don’t take justice in your own hands, I will release justice for you,” says the Lord. (TPT)

You comment:

“Lastly and very interestingly you have made no further mention of the forcing the rape victim to marry her rapist as stated in the Bible…”

I plan to return to explain that next. I have not forgotten.

 

MM replied to me:

see you fail to accept facts. Hitlers mother and father were Christians. Whats apostasy got to do with it…?

According to your belief, anyone who accepts christ his/her sins are forgiven, irrespective of what sin they had done.

You say the bible does not contradict its self. Then explain are you to Forgive your enemy or is it eye for an eye. Which is it?

I look forward to your answer insight regarding the rape victim being forced to marry her rapist.

 

My reply to MM:

Thank you for your patience in awaiting my answer.

(1) As for Adolf Hitler, the faith of his parents has no bearing upon his own personal salvation and relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. His salvation is a matter of his continuing relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:1-3). If this relationship was never established, he was never saved and therefore never a Christian. If he did establish a relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, if he failed to continue (Colossians 1:23) in that relationship by engaging in moral or doctrinal apostacy, he no longer was saved.

Joh 17:1 When Jesus had said all these things, He lifted His eyes to heaven and said: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that He may glorify you,

Joh 17:2 just as you have given Him authority over all mankind to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him.

Joh 17:3 Now eternal life means knowing you as the only true God and knowing Jesus your messenger as Christ. (Williams NT)

(2) The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7) if we walk in the light as He is in the light. If we fail to continue in that walk, we are no longer saved (John 8:31. Colossians 1:23).

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (KJV)

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

(3) As for whether we are to forgive our enemies or retaliate “an eye for an eye,” the Bible does not contradict itself. Jesus commanded us to forgive our enemies. That is a command to each of us as individuals. The issue of “an eye for an eye” is a limitation on the degree of punishment that judges in Israel were allowed to require after judicial investigation. It has no reference to personal retaliation of one individual against another.

(4) Concerning the matters about rape in Deuteronomy 22:

a) adultery between two consenting adults, a man and an engaged woman:

Deu 22:23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;

Deu 22:24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

b) the forcible rape of an engaged woman, whose innocence is assumed:

Deu 22:25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:

c) the seduction of an unengaged woman (see also Exodus 22:16, 17):

Deu 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

Deu 22:29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

The underlying Hebrew text is so worded that the damsel is not forced to marry the rapist, but if she does, the man she marries may not divorce her.

In any case, that man is required to give her father “fifty shekels of silver,” what we might call a dowry. This custom was designed to soften the economic blow to the family from the loss of their daughter’s labor in the family.

Therefore, to suppose that the victim of forcible rape was required to marry her rapist is a mistaken and utter misreading of the text.

[I used two resources by Paul Copan from my Logos Bible software program which helped me formulate a clearer explanation of Deuteronomy 22:23-28.]

 

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Muslim claim that Jesus is a messenger of God only to Israel not true

Muslim Claim (opening post):

Jesus is a messenger of God:

=================================

Read the bible.

When Jesus said God sent him, so, he is a messenger of God.

Read the Bible:

○ ‘that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.’ (John 17:3)

○ ‘I do not seek my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.’ (John 5:30)

○ ‘For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.’ (John 6:38)

○ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24).

 

My Response:

The opening post contains some excellent verses from the New Testament. Yet these verses are often not understood by many Muslims. As another commenter said, these verses are taken out of context.

(1) John 17:3. This verse is misunderstood to mean that Jesus said God the Father is the only true God, thus excluding Himself, and so declaring that He is only a messenger, and not God or deity in any sense.

This interpretation is totally mistaken because it fails to take into account what it means in its context. Jesus is rather affirming that God has given Him authority over all mankind, over the whole world, to be the One who is authorized to give eternal life to as many who truly and permanently continue to know and to grow in their knowledge of God AND Jesus Christ through fellowship with both as they as individual believers study and grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ by reading and studying the word of God found only in the Bible. See 2 Peter 3:18 and 1 Peter 1:23.

(2) Jesus claims repeatedly that He has been sent by God the Father. But remember that Jesus also claimed in John 17:1 to be God’s Son:

John 17:1  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

(3) No mere prophet makes the claim that Jesus did: “For I came down from heaven,” John 6:38.

(4) Matthew 15:24 is largely misunderstood by most Muslims to mean God sent Jesus as a prophet only to the lost sheep of Israel. This is an obviously mistaken interpretation:

a) In this very passage Jesus is ministering to a Gentile, identified as a “woman of Canaan” in Matthew 15:22!

b) Jesus did not always limit or restrict his ministry to none but the Jews. He healed the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:13);

c) He declared his Messiahship to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:25-26);

d) As a result of her vibrant testimony Jesus was asked by the townspeople of the Samaritan city of Sychar to stay two more days with them, which he did, and many of them believed (John 4:42), and even recognized Jesus is the Savior of the world.

e) When Jesus healed the ten lepers, one of them was a Samaritan, the only one who returned to give thanks (Luke 17:11-12; Luke 17:15-16).

f) Therefore, Christ’s directive (Matthew 10:5-6) that his disciples minister only to the lost sheep of Israel and not enter into any city of the Samaritans nor go in the way of the Gentiles was clearly a directive for that immediate mission, and does not mark a permanent policy of the ministry of Christ that limited His work only to the Jews. It is most clear that Christ came to save the world, not merely the lost sheep of the house of Israel, for He commanded that His Gospel be proclaimed to every creature (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 1:29; John 3:16; John 4:42; Acts 1:8; 1John 2:2).

g) This accords precisely with what was prophesied of the Messiah (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47; Acts 26:23).

Isaiah 49:6
6  And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
King James Version

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #730, Mark 11:24

The Nugget:

Mar 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

My Comment:

Even as a child in the third grade I had memorized Luke 11:9 as a promise to claim in prayer. When I began seriously and repeatedly reading the New Testament in August of 1953, Mark 11:24 became one of my favorite verses. When I attended the funeral of my Grandpa Smith with my Grandma Smith in a small white country church in Belfield, North Dakota, probably in the 1940s, I first heard and immediately loved the Gospel hymn, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” Thanks to Ken Sagely for activating precious memories with his Facebook post today!

There is much more to learn about prayer that I have posted on this site. I have posted material on the reasons for unanswered prayer. Get a copy of my newly released Bible study resource, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, and check the Subject Index, the Prayer Index, and the Topic Number Index for the subject of Prayer, and you will find much to learn and encourage your spiritual life and growth. Obtain a copy of the e-Sword Bible software for free at www.e-sword.net and download the premium module (listed in the top line within the software itself) found in the drop-down “Download” listing under “Commentaries,” fifth title up from the bottom of the “Premium Modules,”) and for about $30, purchase my digital Bible study resource, a much expanded version of my New Treasury, titled The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. In that software, under the “Dictionaries” view, open the UCRT Indexes (by clicking on the next-to-last open book icon), and scroll down to and click on the entry “Silence of God,” which will lead to notes on this subject at Psalm 50:3, Isaiah 8:17, and Isaiah 61:2.

From Ken Sagely:

Bible Promises

Mark 11.24 Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye Pray, Believe that you receive them and you shall have them.

WHAT.
Matthew 7.7– 8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 21.22 And All things, whatsoever you shall ask in Prayer, Believing, ye shall receive!!.

John 14.13 And whatsoever you shall ask in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it.

John 15.7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 16.24 Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Psalm 65.2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Hebrews 11.6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him!!!

“In faith about a particular matter it means confidence that there is a God who will hear prayer about this particular matter, “AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM (HEB 11.6).”

“What a Friend We Have In Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

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Daily Bible Nugget #729, Jonah 4:11

The Nugget:

Jonah 4:11  And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? (KJV)

Jon 4:11 And am I not to have mercy on Nineveh, that great town, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons without the power of judging between right and left, as well as much cattle? (Basic English Bible)

Jon 4:11  How much more, then, should I have pity on Nineveh, that great city. After all, it has more than 120,000 innocent children in it, as well as many animals!” (GNB, Good News Bible)

Jon 4:11  Shouldn’t I feel sorry for this important city, Nineveh? It has more than 120,000 people in it as well as many animals. These people couldn’t tell their right hand from their left.” (GW, God’s Word translation)

Jon 4:11 In that city of Nineveh there are more than a hundred twenty thousand people who cannot tell right from wrong, and many cattle are also there. Don’t you think I should be concerned about that big city? (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

“TLDR”–a very mistaken attitude which means you will continue in darkness because you refuse to learn in depth something new that can change your life for the better! The acronym means “too long, don’t read.” Yes, this post is long–just over 1200 words. Those who think that way will suffer loss for eternity because they did not take the time and effort to learn what would actually help them greatly. Read on to learn life-changing, life-saving information.

Currently there is a revival taking place among students at Asbury College in Lexington, Kentucky. I pray that the Lord will continue to abundantly bless those students and their teachers and enable them all to commit their lives more fully to Him. I have seen reference made to negative comments regarding this move of the Holy Spirit of God. I believe there is no call for other Bible believing Christians (or anyone else) to be critical of this revival unless it were proven from the Bible itself that there is behavior or belief involved that is contrary to what the Bible clearly teaches. So far, I have not seen that.

Asbury College has a remarkable history. I like to think about the name Asbury, and to recall that Francis Asbury was a “circuit-rider,” a missionary-evangelist who rode many, many miles on horseback to share the Gospel message to the many groups who assembled to hear him.

We should all pray that God would send genuine revival to this nation and places all around the world. To change this culture and set it on a track that pleases God, we need revival. The kind of revival we most need is reflected in the following quotation I have placed in a note at 2 Kings 22:13 in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

2 Kings 22:13
13  Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
King James Version

“No revival is more to be desired than that of systematic, personal Bible study!”

To maintain the spiritual awakening and commitment produced during genuine revival, all involved must continue spiritual growth by becoming ever more grounded in God’s Word, the Bible.

To see this happen, we must do as Jesus commanded:  make disciples (Matthew 28:19) by teaching them (Matthew 28:20).

I have placed extensive notes about how to make disciples in a series of notes I wrote for The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, starting at the  key note at Jonah 4:11,

that great city. God’s great concern and compassion for the city is revealed in the book of Jonah, and confirmed by the following reference passages, which show:

Christ’s manner of sending his disciples into the city,

his own ministry to cities and single individuals within cities,

and his great compassion for Jerusalem.

Evangelism began from a city, Jerusalem (Acts 1:8).

Missionary activity began when missionaries were commissioned and sent forth from the church in the city of Antioch.

Paul spent quality time teaching God’s word in various cities, establishing adult men as permanent leaders and elders who would remain in the churches to continue the teaching after Paul went on to other places (compare Paul’s own instructions to Timothy in this regard, +*1Ti 4:16; +*2Ti 2:2).

Paul furnished converts a carefully balanced and sequenced spiritual diet, preserved most fully for us in the structure and sequence of the book of Romans:

Paul first emphasized doctrine (Romans 1—8), so believers would get the right perspective upon their own condition in the light of God’s character (%+*Mat 25:24 note), essential motivation for Christian service.

Paul next concentrated on prophecy, so believers would have a correct perspective on where God is leading in His total plan (Romans 9—11), and how He is absolutely committed to keeping His covenants and fulfilling His promises (Rom 11:29; Rom 15:8).

After thorough doctrinal and prophetic teaching, believers were ready for instruction in the practical application of spiritual truth (Romans 12—16), what Scripture calls the “meat of the word” (Heb 5:14).

The structure of Romans constitutes a plan for in-depth discipleship, an investment in the lives of individuals, where the person who is thoroughly taught in the word teaches everything he knows to those he is discipling.

Such instruction must not only be substantial in content, but must focus on teaching the disciple to be an independent, self-motivated student of Scripture, who knows how to feed upon, rightly interpret and apply the word of God (Dan 11:33 note. Rom 14:12, 2Pe 1:20 note).

The goal in disciple-making is to teach oneself out of a job. Independence, not dependence, is the desired outcome of instruction.

We must invest quality time with each person being discipled, and must not abandon new disciples after six months of instruction! Rather, we must continue to invest our life in their training for as long as they continue to desire spiritual growth, and for as long as the Lord enables us to be spiritually profitable to them, until they are equipped and are successful in discipling others.

Greater attention needs to be paid to the need for worldwide urban evangelism. But a truly effective missionary thrust must be supported by a strong home base consisting of churches that are thoroughly taught and practiced in the principles and doctrines of God’s word (+**2Ti 3:15, 16, 17).

The pastor’s ministry must concentrate on systematically teaching the Bible. His goal must be to develop stable spiritual leadership in the congregation.

To be more effective, churches need to be prepared to do unusual and unconventional ministry (something Jonah was not attitudinally and spiritually prepared for), to reach people where they are, at the times they are available.

A teaching ministry conducted by means of home Bible studies is one method to reach people presently outside of the church (+*2Jn 1:10). See related notes (+**Exo 18:21 note. 1Th 3:5 note. Heb 3:13 note. **Heb 6:9 note).

It is time to get serious about conveying to others the spiritual truth we have learned from the Bible. If we do not wake up others to the truths they need to know and live by found in the Bible, whole generations may be lost to the false philosophies and worldviews promoted by secularists in our schools, colleges, and the media. Be a blessing to others by sharing what you know when the opportunity arises (1 Peter 3:15).

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Daily Bible Nugget #728, Isaiah 26:9

The Nugget:

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (KJV)

Isa 26:9  At night I long for you with all my heart; when you judge the earth and its people, they will all learn what justice is. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Isa 26:9  With my soul I long for you at night. Yes, with my spirit I eagerly look for you. When your guiding principles are on earth, those who live in the world learn to do what is right. (GW, God’s Word translation)

My Comment:

I said in a recent post (February 11, 2023):

“We all need to be sharing the message of the Bible so others can come to personal faith in Christ and adopt values in line with what the Bible teaches. If enough of us do that, God can change the  trajectory of our society for the better.”

We can start in small ways to share our Bible-based faith with others as providential opportunities arise.

To more effectively engage those immersed in the current culture we can become more informed about that culture and its shortcomings when compared to what the Bible and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ instruct us as to how we ought to live.

We need to learn how to actually engage in making disciples. To do that, we must grow in Christ and our knowledge of God’s Word in the Bible. I have placed much material in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and its expanded software version, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, about becoming effective disciple makers.

In my  copy of the new 2023 New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, the main note on the subject of how to make disciples is found in an extensive note on page 886 for Jonah 4:11. In the 1992 edition this note is on page 992.

Cross-reference Bible study for Isaiah 26:9 from the UCRT:

Isaiah 26:9
With my. T1392, 2Sa 23:5, Psa 42:1, 2; Psa 143:6.

soul. Heb. nephesh, +Gen 34:3. +*Psa 84:2, +*Mat 11:29.

have I desired. Neh 1:11, Psa 5:3; Psa 42:1; *Psa 63:6, 7, 8; *Psa 73:25; *Psa 77:2; *Psa 77:3; Psa 84:2; +*Psa 119:62; +*Psa 119:131; Psa 130:6, Pro 11:23; Pro 18:1 note. Song 1:7; Song 2:5; *Song 3:1, 2, 3, 4; Song 5:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, +*Mar 1:35, *Luk 6:12.

the night. Psa 16:7; Psa 63:6; +Psa 119:55; +Psa 119:147, +Pro 3:24, Song 3:1, Lam 2:19.

spirit. Heb. ruach, +Gen 41:8. FS121A2, +Psa 51:10. +*Mar 2:8, Joh 4:23.

will I seek thee. +1Ch 16:11 note. +**Psa 9:10 note. *Psa 63:1, *Pro 8:17, Ecc 7:28, Lam 3:25, *Hos 5:15, **Mat 6:33, **Heb 11:6.

early. +Gen 19:27, +*Mar 1:35.

for when thy judgments. Isa 27:9, +Exo 7:4, Lev 20:22, Num 14:21, 22, 23, Deut 4:1 note. Psa 28:5; Psa 58:11; *Psa 64:9; *Psa 64:10; +*Psa 83:18; *Psa 105:7; +*Psa 119:155; +*Psa 119:175, Hos 5:15, +*1Ti 2:6, *Rev 7:14, 15, 16, 17; Rev 11:13; Rev 15:4.

in the earth. +*Rev 5:10.

the inhabitants of the world. Dan 4:35.

will learn righteousness. +*Psa 119:67; +*Psa 119:71, Eze 5:15; Eze 23:48, Jon 1:16, Rev 15:4.

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I just received my copy of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

 

My copy of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge arrived yesterday afternoon.

I was surprised and impressed by the size of the book!

I had to adjust the books on the shelf nearest to where I do my reading to accommodate this large volume.

I plan to begin using it myself this evening.

Now more Bible readers need to read the back cover text and take steps to dig into God’s Word to promote and facilitate spiritual growth!

From the back cover:

An exhaustive cross-referencing tool for interpreting Scripture with Scripture

The Bible is its own best commentary. To truly understand what the Bible teaches about a subject, we must consult all of what the Bible itself says about it. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge allows you to do just that.

Unlike a concordance, which is an alphabetical index to the words of the Bible, the cross-references given in The New Treasury are not merely to the same word, but to the same or related thoughts, themes, doctrines, subjects, concepts, figures of speech, or literary motifs, even those expressed in entirely different words.

Special Features:

  • Indicates degree of clarity, significance, or relationship between references
  • Can be used with any translation of the Bible
  • Arranged like a Bible for ease of use
  • Provides a far more complete selection of cross-references than any other source
  • Contains special study aids to help develop powerful lessons or sermons–straight from the Bible
  • Includes multiple indexes (subjects, figures of speech, etc.)
  • Uses Strong’s numbering system
  • Uses a new font that makes it easier to read than previous editions

No combination of other Bible-study tools quite duplicates the content in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. When used effectively, this invaluable resource will change your life.

“The one book, aside from the Bible itself, that I value most in my studies.”–John MacArthur

“A boundless resource for study and lesson/sermon preparation.”–Jack W. Hayford

Jerome H. Smith, a graduate of Bob Jones University, is passionate about teaching believers to use Scripture to interpret Scripture. He is also the editor of Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible (2007).

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Daily Bible Nugget #727, Matthew 5:9

The Nugget:

Mat 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

The Muslim Challenge:

“Jesus called his followers disciples and sheep. Christians claim they’re ‘children of God’. Where did Jesus use that title?”

My Response:

It always helps to check the Bible first!

Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
King James Version

Luke 20:36
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
King James Version

Note that both of the above texts were spoken by Jesus Himself.

John 11:52
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
King James Version

Romans 8:16
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God
King James Version

Romans 8:21
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
King James Version

Romans 9:8
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
King James Version

Galatians 3:26
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
King James Version

1 John 3:10
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
King James Version

1 John 5:2
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
King James Version

Not only does it help to read the Bible first, you would be encouraged by reading the cross references for the above verses as given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (NTSK) or The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury (UCRT).

Here is a sample of the cross references from the UCRT for Matthew 5:9,

called the children. Mat 5:44-45; Mat 5:48, Mat 18:3, Psa 82:6, 7, Mal 3:17, Mar 10:15, +*Luk 6:35; Luk 18:17; Luk 20:36, Rom 8:14, Eph 5:1, 2, *Php 2:14, 15, 16, +*Heb 12:14, 1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 1:14, 15, 16, +1Jn 3:1.

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Link to The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

A new edition (much improved) of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is to be released soon and may be purchased at a nicely discounted price from Christian Book Distributors (CBD).

Here is the link:

The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

This is a printed book, featuring a new Forward by Dr. John MacArthur, to whom I am most grateful for his testimony about how he first came to know about the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge from which he learned the value and benefit of cross reference Bible study.

Improvements include an easier to read type font, improved and corrected Figures of Speech Index which is now more complete, hundreds of corrected cross references and printing errors in previous editions now corrected. It took me a number of weeks last year to enter improvements I noted in my hard copy of the 1992 New Treasury made during my use of this work for nearly 30 years of Bible study.

Many have commented to me that they prefer doing Bible study using hard copy printed resources rather than just digital ones. It may be a slower process, but that is the point! I have found the slower process is more conducive to careful study and meditation. When I turn to each reference in a hard-copy Bible I can see the context better which greatly increases the insight I receive by studying the Bible this way.

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