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March 1 – A Call to Accountability
Bible Lesson:Amos 5:18-24 (KJV)
Key verse: Amos 5:24 (KJV) - 'But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com)
What shall we learn from this lesson: The theme of this segment of Scripture from Amos is very simply that God is not interested in 'lip service' from us but instead He wants us to live a godly life. It is how we live that is important because in the end we will all be held accountable for our actions. The reference text cautions the readers to not look forward to 'the day of the Lord' if they expect a favorable judgment based only on their empty words and hypocritical actions. The Lord does not like show and pretense and empty adherence to religious celebrations (Amos 5:21). For us, in the society of today, we can make a good show of being a faithful Christian by often going to worship service and Bible study, and contributing generously to the church. But then, away from the eyes of the casual observer, the hypocrites willingly participate in sinful living. They go places they shouldn't go, do things they shouldn't do, and say things they shouldn't say. If those around us were grading us on how we will be rewarded for our living, we may get high marks when the Day of judgment comes. The problem with this scenario is that God is the one grading us and not other people. He holds us accountable for both secret and public living. He sees through any false facade that displays us as model Christians when we are not truly that way. He knows how we truly think and live. The reference Scripture ends on a high note; one of great expectation. Amos 5:24 NKJV is the ending of our reference text. It is a prophetic statement of hope for our future actions:
'But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.'
The lesson for today challenges us to do more than hypocritical living and only giving God 'lip service.' We are challenged to live as God wants us to in a society that holds justice and righteousness in high esteem. Then we can continue to look forward to the 'Day of the Lord' when all of us will give an accounting for our former life. The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of Amos 5:18-24. The key verse: Amos 5:24 (NLT) - 'Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.'
March 8 – A Prayer for Justice
Bible Lesson:Habakkuk 1:1-4, 12-14 (KJV)
Key verse: Habakkuk 1:13b (KJV) - 'Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com) What shall we learn from this lesson: Habakkuk the prophet was distressed with the way things were going in Judah. He saw violence, injustice, and wrongdoing prevailing without punishment (Habakkuk 1:2-3). He was frustrated at the lack of justice from the existing system of law (Hab 1:4). He wondered why God tolerated such injustice. When God revealed to him that He was sending the Babylonians (the Chaldeans) to punish Judah (Hab 1:6), this did not satisfy Habakkuk. He was concerned that these wicked people would be the chosen instrument of their punishment (Hab 1:13). He expressed concern that the Israelites would be treated like common fish in the sea being caught in the nets of the wicked without any regard to the fact they are God's chosen people (Hab 1:14). In the end, Habakkuk came to understand that the people should remain patient and trust in the Lord who moves by His own pace (Hab 2:3) and by His infinite wisdom. Conclusion: This segment of Scripture indicates how many people are today. Not only do we want God to grant our prayer requests to make things right as we see them but to do it the way we envision is best. We could easily forget that—because of who He is—His way, His plan, and His methods are always right. We should not become impatient if He is not doing things the way we think He should. The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of Habakkuk 1:1-4, 12-14. The key verse: Habakkuk 1:13b (NLT) - 'Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?'
March 15 – Consequences for Injustice
Bible Lesson:Habakkuk 2:6-14 (KJV)
Key verse: Habakkuk 2:12 (KJV) - 'Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com)
Special Note: This lesson contains side-by-side links to the King James Versionand New Living Translation to help with understanding the text. What shall we learn from this lesson: Little is known about the prophet Habakkuk. His name only appears in the Bible in the book he wrote. At first glance, many of us would not even recognize Habakkuk as a book in the Bible because it is not as popular as many of the other Old Testament books. The interesting and special thing about this book is that it contains an extended dialog between God and Habakkuk. In this dialog, the Lord allowed him to speak frankly—some might call this 'venting'—without being rebuked or punished. His writings suggest his outrage at the prevalence of injustice and wrongdoings in Judah and his implication that God was not moving fast enough to correct this situation. After his 'venting' to God about the sinful state of Judah, Habakkuk waited on an answer from God like a watchman in a watchtower (Hab 2:1 KJV, Hab 2:1, NLT). He had brought his concerns to the Lord and left them there. Then the Lord led Habakkuk to understand that He moves at His own pace (Hab 2:3 KJV, Hab 2:3 NLT). When God revealed to him that Judah would indeed be punished, this should have satisfied Habakkuk. But when he learned the punishment would be at the hands of the Babylonians (the Chaldeans) Habakkuk was distressed with this plan. He did not consider them to be worthy enough to punish the people of Judah (Hab 1:13 KJV, Hab 1:13 NLT). After all, these were ruthless people who worshipped false gods. God did not explain to him why He planned to use the Babylonians. He simply gave him a mission to inform the people of His decision (Hab 2:2 KJV, Hab 2:2 NLT). The injustice and wrongdoings of both Judah and the Babylonians would be dealt with. The people of Judah were admonished to wait patiently for God's plans to deal with the Babylonians to take effect even though it may seem to be slow in coming (Hab 2:3 KJV, Hab 2:3 NLT). He conveyed to them to not trust only in themselves as the proud do but to live by faith in God, as do the righteous (Hab 2:4 KJV, Hab 2:4 NLT). The reference Scripture contains condemnations of the Babylonians and others who have the same evil traits; portraying God's future judgment of them:
Many of us today fit into Habakkuk's mold. We do not understand why it is taking so long for the injustices and wrongdoings of today to be corrected. And if he was living today, no doubt Habakkuk would have plenty of injustice and wrongdoings to complain about. He might say, 'How can so many indiscriminate mass murders be permitted in schools, public events, and even churches? Why do drug dealers and those who abuse OPIOD distribution seem to prosper and propagate?' He could have his pick of political, financial, racial, and judicial injustice for which to complain. Then in response to his complaints, we can only imagine that God would give him the same answer as He did in our lesson today. We can imagine God telling Habakkuk to be patient because He is not an absentee God. He sees the injustice and wrongdoings in our society and He will deal with them but His action will be at His own pace. We can sum this up by saying that we should wait on the Lord (Romans 8:28). Habakkuk's dialog with the Lord did not immediately change the circumstances he was faced with but it did change him and the way he faced the circumstances. In Chapter 3, Habakkuk's attitude had evolved from one of outrage to one of praise for the Lord (Hab 3:3 KJV, Hab 3:3 NLT). Conclusion: Regardless of the circumstances we are faced with, we should remain faithful to hope in the Lord and His promises. We may not agree with his response to our concerns and requests, but we should live by faith in the Lord and not rely only on our own understanding—'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding' (Proverbs 3:5 NIV). The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of Habakkuk 2:6-14. The key verse: Habakkuk 2:12 (NLT) - 'What sorrow awaits you who build cities with money gained through murder and corruption!'
March 22 – Corrupt Leaders
Alternate Title – An Argument Against Corruption Alternate Title #2 – Leaders Should be Responsible
Bible Lesson:Micah 3:1-3, 9-12 (KJV);Micah 6:6-8(KJV)
Key verse: Micah 6:8 (KJV) - 'He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com)
What shall we learn from this lesson: Micah was a prophet whose place in history is a respectful one. A hundred years after Micah, his ministry was used in defense of the prophet Jeremiah who was in danger of being executed. The elders spoke up for Jeremiah by comparing his ministry to that of Micah (Jeremiah 26:17-19). As a result, his life was spared (Jeremiah 26:24). The Book of Micah begins with a denunciation of the evils which exist among the people in general (Micah 1:2). But in Chapter 3 he turns his attention to the evils that exist in the leadership (Micah 3:10-11). He depicts the leaders as those who prey upon the people for personal gain so much so it is likened, metaphorically, to those with cannibalistic tendencies (Micah 3:3 ESV)—draining the people for all they are worth. He said the leaders of Israel were supposed to know better; know right from wrong (Micah 3:1-2). But this did not stop the rulers from making decisions based on bribes. This did not stop some prophets from requiring payment to prophesy (Micah 3:11). This applies also to all of us. How many times have we ignored what we know is right to do something we know is wrong? In the democratic society of today, our elected or appointed rulers, officials and leaders unfortunately at times make decisions a certain way to keep their jobs whether that way is right or wrong. Often times, their decisions are based on what their political party determines or what a powerful lobby or contributor prefers. However, one of the most dangerous types of leader is one who does not know or believes in biblical right and wrong; a leader who operates only from a personal viewpoint and ignores God's way. Therefore, Micah's condemnation of the actions of some leaders during his lifetime also applies today. Even in the church, some leaders make decisions based solely on their personal preferences and not based on what is better for the church in general. Also, false prophets can twist God's word to justify their actions. That is how the Bible was used to justify slavery for 400 years. The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of Micah 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:6-8. The key verse: Micah 6:8 (NLT) - 'No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.'
March 29 – Leading Justly
Alternate Title – Need for Just Leaders Alternate Title #2 – God Punishes Bad Leaders
Bible Lesson:Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5-6 (KJV)
Key verse: Malachi 2:2 (KJV) - 'If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com) What shall we learn from this lesson: This lesson is specifically about the priests and their responsibility to lead justly and with no favoritism; to lead according to the Mosaic law. Some priests had abused their position and distorted the process of making sacrifices. As an example, some sacrificial animals that fell short of the requirements were sacrificed anyway. To lead justly is what is meant by honoring God's name for if you lead in His name you have a great responsibility to lead according to His wishes. Any leader in the church today has a moral responsibility to lead justly. We would have a hard time finding any position in church leadership in which the people being led expect the leader to be unfair or to purposely not follow what is right and honest. What leaders are we referring to? It could be anyone who has a position in traditional leadership or anyone who is a leader based on what others think of them. If people have come to trust us based on our previous actions, we have become a moral leader and have—perhaps inadvertently—assumed a responsibility to maintain that trust. One of my most disappointing experiences in the church was speaking to a deacon privately that I had the utmost respect for. I found he was quick to spread gossip and to use a profane way of talking. That disappointing experience had a bright side to it. It made me especially aware of how I spoke to church members in private. I did not want to disappoint anyone like I had been disappointed by the deacon. The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5-6. The key verse: Malachi 2:2 (NLT) - 'Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name,' says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, 'or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning to heart.'
April 5 – God's Just Servant
Alternate Title – A Just Servant Alternate Title #2 – God's Servant Jesus
Bible Lesson:Isaiah 42:1-9 (KJV)
Key verse: Isaiah 42:1 (KJV) - 'Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com)
What shall we learn from this lesson: Our reference text is about the coming of God's Just Servant who is the Messiah Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote the prophecy about the Just Servant hundreds of years before Jesus would come to earth. His prophecy was written before Judah would fall to the Babylonians due to disobedience to God. After Babylon's conquest of Judah and in the resulting exile, Isaiah's prophesy must have been comforting to them to know God planned to bring a remnant of them home and to raise up a Messiah. Much of Chapter 42 is about the nature of the Messiah's character as revealed to Isaiah. The first verse (Isaiah 42:1 NASB) tells us in no uncertain terms how pleased God was with the coming Messiah: 'Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.' We can only imagine the encouragement the Israelites must have felt to look forward to the coming of the Messiah who would delight 'God's soul'. He would also bring justice throughout the earth (Isaiah 42:3-4) It is obvious that God has full and complete confidence in the Servant described in Isaiah 42:6 NIV: 'I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles'. When Jesus came to earth, He took on the role of a servant sent to reconcile humanity to God. Who could better assume such a role than God Himself and that who Jesus is - God the Son. Jesus provided the only sacrifice which could cleanse all humanity of sin for all time. He sacrificed Himself. On April 12, 2020, we will celebrate Easter - the day we honor and thank God for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.This selfless act provided the means for our personal salvation through the grace of God. We are assured we will also be raised from the dead because we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and believe in our heart He was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9). The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of Isaiah 42:1-9. The key verse: Isaiah 42:1 (NLT) - 'Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.'
April 12 – A Resurrection Hope
Alternate Title – A Resurrected Savior Alternate Title #2 – Jesus Rose from the Dead
Bible Lesson:1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-14, 20-23, 42-45 (KJV)
Key verses: 1 Corinthians 15:19, 20 (KJV) - 'If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.'
(Pop-up references come from The New Living Translation courtesy of Reftagger.com) What shall we learn from this lesson: This Easter Sunday morning we celebrate the most important event in Christianity. This day we celebrate the Good News of the resurrection from the dead of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of this event, we gain our salvation. One day, we too will be resurrected and spend eternity with our Lord. Paul emphasized that the gospel of the Good News is not something he and others have made up. It is not simply their opinion similar to a sermon which came from the head and imagination of a preacher. The Good News is a fact that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and then was raised from the dead on the third day and appeared to Cephas (Peter) and then to the other twelve. (1 Cor 15:3-5) Afterwards, He appeared to more than 500 of His brothers and sisters (1 Cor 15:6). Then He appeared to His little brother, James (1 Cor 15:7). James had seen Jesus as they grew up together, and also when He was tortured and killed, and then buried. But afterwards he had seen him alive again. This only increased his devotion. Paul then referred to himself. He had been a doubter and had sought to persecute the followers of Jesus. But he then had a personal encounter with the risen savior Jesus in a vision while he was on the road to Damascus. He went from persecutor of Christians to someone willing to die for the Savior. He spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul put forth statement after statement which supported the fact that Jesus was killed, then buried, and and then was raised from the dead on the third day. This is the primary foundation of our religion and therefore is extremely important to emphasize and verify. The resurrection of Christ is the first fruits of the dead (1 Cor 15:20). If there is no resurrection, then our faith in the risen Christ is in vain; our resurrection preaching is in vain; our faith is also in vain (1 Cor 15:14). We must believe in the resurrection for if we do not, then our faith collapses and is sown in corruption (1 Cor 15:42). If we do not believe in the risen Christ, then Christ was not God and He is dead. If we do not believe Christ was raised from the dead, then there is no possibility for us to be raised from the dead and therefore we have died in our sins and have no salvation. Paul said, 'That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.' (NKJV 10:9) All of us are sinners and deserve only death. But today we affirm that Jesus really did live, He really did die, He really was buried, and He really did rise from the dead on the third day. Therefore, we are saved and will live for eternity with our Lord our Savior. The Bible lesson link (at the beginning of the lesson) is for the King James Version. You may also wish to read the New Living Translation Bible Version of 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-14, 20-23, 42-45. The key verses: 1 Corinthians 15:19, 20 (NLT) - 'And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.'
For access to all chapters of the King James Version Bible in audio and visual formats, visit the Audio-Bible.com web site. For other versions (NIV, New Living Translation, etc.) of the Bible in audio and visual formats, visit the World Wide Study Bible page of Christian Classics Eternal Library site. Also visit the New Living Translation web site. Some information on this page may be referenced from the NLT Study Bible, the Standard Lesson Commentary, and Commentary by David Guzik. Frederick L. Marsh is the commentary author of the information contained in this page. He is the author of the book: 'The Book of the Holy Spirit: Joyful living.' The opinions expressed on this page are his alone. Comments are closed.
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