Sunday School Lesson for Nov. 14, 2010: God Is Forever (Psalm 90:1-12)

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.



Psalm 90:4
A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.



Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.



Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.



Daniel 7:13-14
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.





OK, I have a little story. You see, the lesson this week makes the point that God is age…less. Ageless. That He is from ‘everlasting to everlasting’. So let me challenge your ‘sanctified imagination’ for a moment. You see we always think of God as…. , well… ancient. You know, that wizened … old man, who uses that scepter in His hand as a staff. Just waiting till Jesus shows up to take his place in glory and allow Him (the Father) to assume the role of ‘God Emeritus’. Forgive my irreverence here, but if we allow the paradigm to shift just a little, we can gain an insight from the scripture that tells us that God literally does not age. That, though He is eternal He is not ‘aged’ in appearance. In appearance, He is vital and strong. Life literally comes out of Him. Having set this all up, let me get back to my story.

My dad had five children, three sons. I’m the oldest, but my mother would not allow him to name me ‘Junior’. That was not allowed until his last child, the baby boy was born. It’s just as well too, because, as it turns out, he is the ‘spittin’ image’ of my dad. If you took a picture of both of them at age 12 and placed them together, you could make the argument that they are ‘twins’. The resemblance is remarkable.

Now let’s transpose this ‘story’ to Heaven. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the express image of the Father. They ‘look’ just alike. Jesus and the Father could very well be indistinguishable. Imagine the wonder of being in their Holy presence and not being able to tell them apart until (here comes the hoop) … you noticed the scars in Jesus’ hands and feet. Whoa! It’s OK to shout. You looked real close and you saw the marks in his brow from the crown of thorns. Glory! For a moment, His robe slipped off His shoulder, and you caught a glimpse of …. The stripes on His back. You get the picture. Here I am, dancing in my Father’s robes again. Time for me to close.. I’ve got those ‘Holy Ghost goose bumps’ right about now. Have a blessed week..



J wb





John 14:9
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.



Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed



Zechariah 13:6
If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body ?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’

.......

I forgot…



A real quick comparison of God, the Father to Jesus, the Son. These are verses I did not include in last week’s lesson…



Daniel’s vision of the Father…



Daniel 7:9-10
9 “As I looked,

“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened.



John’s vision of Jesus…



Revelation 1:12-16
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.



We serve a vital God, from whom all of the ‘Zoe’ kind of life emanates. He may be ‘ancient’, but He cannot age. And… Jesus is His express image….. ( I’m jumping up and down on the inside again… J )



Blessings,



..wb

Sunday School Lesson for Nov. 7, 2010: God is Awesome (Psalm 66:1-12)

Genesis 15:1
[ The LORD’s Covenant With Abram ] After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. ”



Nehemiah 1:5
Then I said: “LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,



Lamentations 3:22
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.



John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.



Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
All of the platitudes that come to mind are obvious, but they are worth repeating. God is awesome. Everything about Him is awesome. His great design of creation is awesome. The fact that He simply spoke all that is into existence is awesome. His love for us is awesome. His plan for us is awesome. His provision for us is awesome. His son Jesus is awesome. The fact that he shed his heavenly glory to humble himself among us is awesome. When He opened blind eyes and opened deaf ears it was awesome. When He walked on water and raised the dead… awesome. When he went to the cross and gave His life for ours, it was awesome. When he overcame death and the grave and rose in victory it was awesome. When He ascended into Glory… awesome. Then He sent us the Gift, the Holy Spirit… awesome. This Church that He’s the head of… awesome. And the Glory that awaits us in Eternity… awesome. I don’t know about you, but when reached down and touched my heart, when he opened my eyes, when he pulled me from the very jaws of death and gave me eternal life… awesome. Thank the Lord (all three of Him :) ) for the richness of His love and mercy which He has shown us through us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Have a Blessed week!

Sunday School Lesson for October 31, 2010: God’s Comforting Presence (Psalm 63)

Psalm 89:1



♪ I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. ♪



Psalm 59:16-17

♪ But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble. ♪

♪ O my Strength, I sing praise to you;
you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. ♪

Psalm 77:6


♪ I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired: ♪

Job 38:7


♪ while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? ♪

Ephesians 5:19


Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Remember that the Book of Psalms was the national Hymnal of the Nation of Israel. These were songs. As I read the lesson this week, a few of the lines from Psalm 63 really struck a chord with me (thanks bro’ Eric J ). It’s clear that David was singing them and finding comfort in the singing. C’mon you know. There are some songs that just stick in your head.. and in your heart. A song elicits feeling, emotion. A song sooths, it comforts. Oftentimes, you can relate what the singer is going through; good or bad. Singing touches the heart. What a glorious Creator we serve and what a wonderful gift He has given us in music and song. They reach into the core of our being and refresh and revive us. They strengthen and encourage. And when directed toward our Creator, our Father, Our God, they open a window into the heavens, to the very Throne of the King of Glory. David was having a wilderness experience, but He was seeking the Presence. And he sought It with a song. Forgive me, but I’m including some of the lyrics to one of my favorite. I really just want it to touch you, to bless you as you are reminded of it. Be Blessed!



O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed;




Stanza 2:

When through the woods

And forest glades I wander

I hear the birds

Sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down

From lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook

And feel the gentle breeze;




Refrain:

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

Sunday School Lesson for Oct. 24, 2010: God’s Universal Reign (Psalm 47)

Revelation 4:8-11 (New International Version)

8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."

Revelation 7:9-12 (New International Version)
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"





The Texas Rangers won the American League Baseball Championship last night. Hurrah! High fives all around, right? There was ample reason for celebration last night and Rangers fans celebrated. from about the middle of the 5th inning on through the end of the game and beyond. Why? Because the Rangers are making history this year. Never in the history of the franchise has Texas gone this far in the post season. This is a moment worthy of celebration. North Texans are proud of ‘their’ teams accomplishments.

Why this nod to the Texas Rangers today? I wanted to direct your attention to the fan’s celebration. It’s corporate and participatory. In essence, There is a sense of camaraderie. This is not many individuals celebrating individually. This is many individuals becoming of one mind, celebrating as a single entity. This is common in sporting events. You have the You might have the seven friends who each painted and individual letter on their chest to spell R-A-N-G-E-R-S. You might witness something like a ‘wave’ where whole sections of people stand and sit in a coordinated fashion so as to create the appearance of motion around a stadium. The list goes on.

The text of today’s lesson points to a worship or celebratory environment like that. The psalmist exhorts his listeners to celebrate the Majesty and the Magnificence of God. Clapping, shouting, singing, dancing… this is a parade. An organized, synchronized, corporate assembling of many nations to celebrate our Lord. A celebration. We celebrate weddings, anniversaries, babies, graduations, any number of events. We do this as an acknowledgement of events in our lives that are praise worthy. This weeks lesson points to the nation of Israel praising God in like manner and encourages the Church (you and I) to do likewise. Go to Church and celebrate the Lord corporately this week. Sing, dance, shout, clap,…participate. God is truly worthy of our celebratory praise.



Blessings,



wb





Revelation 7:13-14 (Amplified Bible)

13 Then, addressing me, one of the elders [[a]of the heavenly Sanhedrin] said, Who are these [people] clothed in the long white robes? And from where have they come?

14 I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.(A)

Sunday School Lesson for Oct. 17, 2010: God’s Safe Refuge (Psalm 46:1-7)

Psalm 46:2-3 (Amplified Bible)

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas,

3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!


Sometimes, we don’t see the trees for the forest Verse’s two and three of this week’s lesson describe a terrible calamity. A Tsunami and accompanying earthquake that swallow a whole mountain and cause the mountains around it to quake and tremble. There are a couple of things that stand out in this narrative. Number one: the writer of this verse would probably have been an eyewitness to such a calamitous event to describe it so succinctly. He would not have had the benefit of watching it on TV. He would not have been able to TIVO it and rerun it dozens of times as he tried to describe the fury and the force of the destruction he had witnessed. Let there be no doubt. This was an earth shaking event. Whatever happened here, the landscape was changed after it was over. Number two: One of the characteristics of mountains is that they are made of… rock. They are regarded as permanent, immovable, safe. A mountain was (is) a place of refuge. High ground. A fortress, as it were. To see a landmark of such majesty and presence disappear into the foaming sea would cause one to question… everything, wouldn’t it? Couldn’t it?
What is your greatest fear? What causes you to go ‘weak in the knees’ at it’s very thought? What causes you to tremble inwardly? What can or has happened in your life the shook you to your core? When these events happen, one of the first questions that we ask is: ‘How can this be God’s will for me?” As, a nation, we’ve had a few of these moments in our recent history, most notably September the 11th and Hurricane Katrina; events that affected how we perceived the world around us. On a personal level, every one of us has been or could be affected by illness, financial crisis, the death of loved ones; life altering events that we could not foresee or prevent. Events that might cause us to question God’s will concerning us. Is He with me? What did I do to deserve this? Am I; are we outside of His will somehow?
Beloved, Verse one of the lesson puts these questions to rest. Be assured: God is with you and for you. An ‘always’ present, always available help in time of need. A hiding place. A place of refuge and security when everything around you has crumbled. No matter what the circumstance, God is in control. Let there be no doubt, some of the stuff that we are going through: God is directly or indirectly responsible for. And yet, He is still with us and for us. Whatever the issue, whatever the circumstance, whatever… it will work for the good, the benefit of those who love the Lord, who are called and chosen according to His purpose. Fear not Beloved. You have an unction; an anointing from the Holy One. He has not given you a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of Power (dunamis), Love and of a sound, whole, stable, pure mind in the Holy Ghost. Rest in the assurance, walk in the confidence that God clears the path before you, stands guard over you, surrounds you with His presence in those moments surrounding life’s greatest challenges. Peace be with you… wb

Hebrews 12:28-29 (The Message)

28-29 Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!

God’s Perfect Law (Psalm 19:7-14)

Wayne’s two cents worth

Proverbs 2:6 (New International Version)

6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)

8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Corinthians 2:12 (Amplified Bible)

12Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.

Over and over again, we read it. Each time, getting new enlightenment, new revelations, greater understanding. Growing in Wisdom and in the knowledge of Him who loves us, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All that we know about God. All that we can know about Him, all that we will ever know about Him can only be found there. It is absolutely the most essential component of our Christian exiperience: our Bible. God’s Word is truly a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path. We don’t get to just make it (Christianity) up as we go along. Get rooted and grounded in God’s Word. Be like the tree that is planted by the stream. Your leaf will not whither. Get into God’s Word and He will proper you. That’s His promise. And that which He has promised, He is able to perform. Blessings…

I don’t know if you can see the image above. It’s from a set of screen savers that a good friend put together for me. It’s an enhanced image of an actual constellation nicknamed ‘God’s Eye’ (google it). When I see it, I think of Him. How big He really is compared to my problems, my circumstances, my issues. I’m encouraged and strengthened by that fact that He is with me, and the when He is with me, we are in the majority. I’m reminded that He is the Captain, I am only a passenger. I understand how little I understand about Him… really. And I remember.. that He loves me. How do I know? The Bible tells me so God is worthy of our praise. Anytime. Anywhere. All of the time. Take a moment. Reflect on how good He’s been to you. How far He’s brought you from. May your day and your week be Blessed!