Teaching Notes

(From the archives 2004)

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. Proverbs 12:1-2



The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. Proverbs 12:5-6


The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. Proverbs 12:13-14


The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:19-22


This entire chapter 12 of Proverbs is comparing two types of people. The first is a righteous man (or woman). Let's list the characteristics of the righteous person.


1. Loves instruction - Means that not only will you take instruction but you have a great desire to have instruction, even if it hurts to take it. Because you know that the reward for taking instruction is, knowledge from God about Godly things.


2. Right thinking - Means that you are conforming your thoughts to be Godly. What would God have you to do in any given situation? Because the reward for right thinking, is Godly living or holy living.


3. Speak words of deliverance - Means that the word from your mouth are to encourage, to correct when correction is needed, to speak truth at all times. Because as you do this, you will help those that need deliverance from sin or what keeps them down. And your reward is that you bring about the work of God in your life.


4. Delivered from trouble - This means that as you follow God, He will deliver you from the snares and traps that the enemy tries to set for you. And your reward is being in the safety of God.


5. Your words of truth shall last - When you speak the truth of God, it will not go to nothing. For God's truth is eternal. Your reward is that you can be established in God's word.


6. No evil shall happen to the Just - God will reward you with His peace and His joy, to those that follow Him. The just are a delight (pleasure) to the Lord. He is the protector of those that obey Him. Your reward is you can be secure in God's power and in His will.



Now the other person listed in this chapter is the wicked man. Let's see what happens to him.



1.Wicked are comdemned - When a person refuses to except God's instruction, he is refusing to follow after the things of God and his lot for this action is condemation. That also means even as you walk this life, your action will not be blessed by God. So you are condemned here in this earth, as well as condemned eternally.


2. You are deceitful - If your thoughts and actions are pure and truthful, you are being deceitful. You are planning ways to trick or misprepresent something. Scripture says that you are lying in wait to take blood. Well even if you are not killing in the flesh, you can be killing the spirit, or killing the name. This will bring to you, God's disapproval. For He knows what you are doing and He knows the heart of man.


3. You are caught in your lies - Scripture tells us that those that deceive or lie, will be caught in their own lies. Yes a person may go a long time and not be known, but God knows from the very moment that the thought is formed in your mind. You will receive for this action, God's judgement. For God is all knowing and all seeing. He knows all that we think or do. And God's truth will shine light on the lies of the lips.


4. You will be filled with mischief - As I read this scripture it struck me two ways. First the wicked will have in their hearts mischief (conduct that annoys or vexes, trouble, damage, harm). They will do things that destroy, bring about trouble, annoy people, or as the older generation said, vex people. Damage relationships and harm people. So the scripture says they are filled. The other thought that crossed my mind is that just as the righteous is filled with peace and joy because of obeying, then the wicked is filled with trouble in their own lives, they are damaging themselves and their relationships with others, the are doing harm to themselves spiritually and vexing their own spirit. So the resolute of this behavior is no peace or joy in their lives. They are filled with worry, and trouble.



So what is this scripture telling us. That their is no behavior that goes unnoticed by God. He rewards those that are faithful to Him, and he punishes those that disobey Him. He gives us warning and if we make the decision not to follow, then we choose what we will receive, punishment or promises.


So today, let's check ourselves and make sure we are on the right side of this Proverb so that we can receive God's promises and not God's punishments.

Praying for us to live righteous, holy lives.

Teaching Notes

How Much do I know?

Part 1

This week, I wanted to try something a little different. I have some questions that I want to give you to see how much you know about the Bible. (I'll give you the answers at the end of the quiz.)

1. Who was responsible for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem?
a. Nehemiah      b. Job      c. David

2. What Biblical character wore camel's hair and ate honey and wild locust?
a. Isaiah    b. John the Baptist       c. Ezra

3. To whom did Jesus say, "Ye must be born again"?
a. Paul     b. Nicodemus       c. Pharisees

4. Who was Paul's first missionary partner?
a. Barnabas          b. Peter        c. John

5. Who was known as the weeping prophet?
a. Isaiah      b. Elijah     c. Jeremiah

6. What Old Testament character wrestled with God?
a. Jacob      b. Hosea      c. Solomon

7. What prophet anointed Saul king of Israel?
a. Micah     b. Elijah     c. Samuel

8. Who was the mother of Jacob and Esau?
a. Rebeccah       b. Rachel     c. Sarah

9. What food did God provide for the Children of Israel in the wilderness?
a. Manna and quail       b. milk and honey       c. oil and bread

10. Who walked out of his tomb at the command of Jesus?
a. Nicodemus      b. Lazarus        c. Paul

11. What boy was taken to the mountains to be offered as a sacrifice to God, but a ram was offered instead?
a. Isaac        b. Solomon       c. Paul

12. What man in the Bible lived the longest?
a. Methuselah     b. Matthew     c. Abraham

13. Who lead an army of 300 to victory when he was far outnumbered?
a. Saul       b. Gideon      c. Samuel

14.Who was the wife of the tentmaker, Aquila?
a. Priscilla      b. Martha       c. Mary

15.Who betrayed Samson by having his hair cut while he slept?
a. Rhoda    b. Delilah     c. Martha


How do you think you did? Hear are the answers:

1. a
2. b
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. a
7. c
8. a
9. a
10. b
11. a
12. a
13. b
14. a
15. b

I hope this test challenges you to read your Bible more. We will have part two of this quiz next week. So until then: "Study to show yourself approved...."



Bonus Question: Can you tell me where the scripture I began to quote is from and what is the finishing line? Post your answer and you could be entered into a drawing for a free prize! So go ahead show your skills! (I'll post the correct answer next week).

Teaching Notes

Characteristic of Healthy Sheep

MONDAY
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. - Jeremiah 15:16

Healthy Sheep. Good habits. If a sheep is healthy it will be evident in its habits. Such as eating. It will eat and the more it eats, the more eager it will become in eating. It will be eager to consume and the hunger will increase along with the eagerness. This characteristic is one that God wants to see in his children.  God wants us to eat his word and the more we eat the more we should want to consume and to be eager to eat. Our desire to consume God’s word should increase. This is evidence that we are healthy to the shepherd.

Prayer: Lord help me to desire to eat your word, which really means help me to desire to read your word and feed my spirit on your truth. Give me the hunger for knowing what your word speaks for my life.

TUESDAY
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58

Healthy Sheep. Active. Healthy sheep are active. The shepherd knows his sheep are healthy if he sees them active in the fields.  The sheep are grazing and interacting with the other sheep. God wants us to be always working for Him. He wants us active in the work of the kingdom. This is what a healthy sheep looks like. We are required to labor in the field for the Lord. If we are not gazing (or seeking what is to do in the field) or interacting with other believers we are seen as unhealthy by the shepherd.

Prayer: Lord help me even at my age to be active in the kingdom.  Help me to always be available to show someone the truth of your word and help me to be active in fellowship with other believers.

WEDNESDAY
but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 2:10


Healthy Sheep. Love to Climb higher. Healthy sheep love to climb and seek higher grounds. This is what God wants to see in his children. God wants us to grow and he wants us to have a desire to "climb" to higher grounds to deeper understanding in him.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. This is what God requires from us to want to learn the deeper things of God, which will require us to climb.  It isn't easy climbing up the side of a mountain for the sheep.  If the sheep is unhealthy, he cannot climb.  If we are to climb we must be healthy and grow. We also have our strength increased as we learn to climb up the mountains.

Prayer: Lord, I want to have a deeper understanding in you.  I want to climb higher spiritually which means I must allow you to help me grow. It is by your Spirit that you will show me the truth so help me to have spiritual ears to hear.


THURSDAY
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

Healthy Sheep. Curious. Healthy sheep are curious. Yet in their curiosity they do not wonder but will explore their living areas thoroughly so that they have little difficulty locating things. God wants us to study so that we have no difficulty in understanding the word of God and therefore are able to correctly handle truth. It is good to be curious about the things of God. He does not want us to be ashamed of the truth.  Healthy sheep seek to understand where they live.  We are to desire to understand how to live our Christian life.  We have the desire to present ourselves before God rightly understanding his word.

Prayer: Lord I want to be curious about your word.  When I do, it helps me to grow and it helps me to know what is right and what is evil.  Help me to be able to navigate this walk so that I am not caught unaware stumble.


FRIDAY
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. - 1 Peter 2:11

Healthy Sheep. Good appetites. A shepherd looks for certain behavior in his sheep to know if the sheep is healthy. A depraved appetite is a sign that something is wrong with the sheep. If the sheep does not want to eat what is healthy for him, the shepherd knows the sheep is not well and will only get worse. God looks at his children and sees our appetites. If we do not have an appetite for healthy spiritual things lets him know we are not healthy and will only get worse. If we have a depraved appetitie for sinful things this will only cause harm for ourselves. God wants our desires to be for the things of God for he knows when we fulfill the desires, “the appetites” of the flesh we will die and war against our own souls.

Prayer: Lord help me to be spiritually healthy. I need to trust in you, be active, be curious about your word, and eat well (spiritually) so that I can be what you have desire for me to be. Help me this day and each day before me to exhibit the characteristics of a healthy sheep.

Teaching Notes

Matthew 25:31-46 (The Message)

The Sheep and the Goats

MONDAY
31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

There is coming a time when Jesus will return and when he does, he will sort the people into two groups.  Those that will be placed on his right and those on his left.  The scripture says that the goats will be put on the left and the sheep on the right.  This week on the web site I have a list of some characteristics of goats.  If you have had the opportunity to view it, you will see that these characteristics do not match what God would want from his children.  Selfishness, greedy, prideful are not good for God's people. The question then is, which side do you want to be on? Do not think that attitudes and behaviors go unchallenged by God.  There comes a time when our attitudes will call for us to stand before the Savior.  How do you think you will stand up?

Prayer: Lord, help me this day to stand on the side of what is right before you. Help me to be ready for not only the time of judgment but help me right now to be able to stand in every situation and every circimstance.


TUESDAY
34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'

The message that will come forth from the King (Jesus) is for those that are on his right (sheep) to enter into his kingdom. This kingdom was prepared since the beginning of the world.  God knew even before you were born, that he was going to offer the gift of the kingdom to those that obey him. What things he was looking at is how you treated others.  He says, when I was hungry you fed me...In other words it was not Jesus himself hungry but how did you treat others was also a reflection on him.  What you do to others then is what you do to God.  If you are loving to others, it is as if you are giving God your love.  If you are hateful to  others, it is as if you are being hateful to God.

Prayer: Lord you will reward those that have followed your voice and have lived by your commandments. Help me to love you first and then to love others.  Help me to be mindful of the needs of others and do unto them as if I am doing it to you. Amen.


WEDNESDAY
37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

The sheep were surprised and said when did I do this things to you, when did I see you and give you drink? Jesus' answer reflects what we said on Tuesday's note. When we do it unto others, God views it as being done unto him.  It is also important to understand that those that stood in receipt of a reward were surprised.  They were surprised because they were doing what was right but their focus was on simply doing and not on who was seeing it. In other words we need to do things not simply because we expect to receive a reward but because we know it is right to do so.

Prayer: Lord help me to have a heart of service. Help me to take care of others and their needs not only because I will receive a reward but because it is what is right. Help me to have a heart to do what is right. Amen.


THURSDAY
41-43"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because— I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.

Then Jesus will turn to the goats and tell them they are worthless. Jesus will tell them you did not take care of my needs. Again, we say it was not Jesus in jail or sick, but it was the needs of the people. To Jesus, those needs were his needs because he cares for people.  We as God's people become Jesus' hands and feet.  So it should be us that go to see about the sick and those lost.  When we do not we because like the goats that were only worried about themselves and their needs.  Selfishness and not having a heart for God is something that will keep us from received the blessings of God.

Prayer: I do not want to be a goat.  I do not want to see the needs in this world and ignore them to only think about myself. Help me to have a heart for people because you have a heart for people. Amen.


FRIDAY
44-46"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' "He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.' "Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward."

The goat will ask a similar question that the sheep asked, which is when did we see you and did not do these things? However the question is slightly different because the sheep did not do anything, where as the sheep did do something.  So we can surmise that the goat were really saying, where were you?  If we had seen you, we would have done something. What Jesus was saying to them is, every time you walked past someone in need, you were walking past an opportunity to serve me.  Every time you left someone in need, you past what I needed you to do.

Prayer: Lord help me see your need. Help me not to miss the opportunities that are there in front of me to give unto others.  Help me to feed you when you are hungry, give you drink when you are thirsty.  For when I do it to even the least, it is done in honor of you. Amen.