Philippians 4:4-7

Joy in the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ and in the assurance of the Father with the indwelling of Holy Spirit…This is our strength. 

Praise God…Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Phillipians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Show consideration for one another. By displaying gentleness toward all people—believers and unbelievers alike—Christians reveal the gospel’s power to transform and reconcile. Paul again references the Day of Christ as motivation to live in a godly manner. The early Christians lived with a sense of urgency because they believed the Lord’s return was imminent. Faithlife Bible.

In the midst of difficulties, in the midst of all situations, Christians are to rejoice. The joy of Christians is not based on agreeable circumstances, instead it is based on their relationship to God. The gentle person manifests a calmness and fairness of spirit. A person who is gentle is willing to sacrifice his or her own personal rights to show consideration to others. The Lord’s return could occur at any moment. Paul uses that fact to motivate the Philippians to honor God with their lives.

Paul exhorts the Philippians to pray about their circumstances instead of worrying over them. They are to commit their problems to God in prayer, trusting that He will provide deliverance. NKJ Bible.

Psalm 55:22  Cast your burden on the LORD,And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Isaiah 26:3  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Matthew 6:25  “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 12:12  rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Jeremiah 44:1-6

God hates pride and arrogance. He will not tolerate any god before Him.

Have we made a man our god?

Jeremiah 44:1–6

44 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who dwell in the land of Egypt, who dwell at Migdol, at Tahpanhes, at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘You have seen all the calamity that I have brought on Jerusalem and on all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are a desolation, and no one dwells in them, 3 because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke Me to anger, in that they went to burn incense and to serve other gods whom they did not know, they nor you nor your fathers. 4 However I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!” 5 But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods. 6 So My fury and My anger were poured out and kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as it is this day.’

Archaeological evidence supports an increase in the population of Jewish communities in Egypt around this time. The most important evidence of Jewish daily life in Egypt comes from the colony at Elephantine. The prophesied judgment has occurred; they should take warning from the example. A common refrain in Jeremiah, highlighting how Israel had consistently rejected the message of Yahweh’s prophets.

The fundamental sin of Judah was idolatry. Faithlife Bible.

Migdol is a common Semitic term meaning “Watchtower.” Here the term is identified with a small fortress 25 miles east of Tahpanhes. Noph is another name for Memphis, the capital of Lower Egypt. Pathros is Upper Egypt. Since Jehoahaz had been deported to Egypt in 609 b.c., a number of Jews had settled there in the fertile lands along the Nile.

Jerusalem was brought to desolation because the people broke God’s covenant by worshiping other gods, rejecting the lordship of God, and thus provoking Him to anger.

Jerusalem had been warned time and again by faithful and tireless messengers from God they did not listen or incline their ear. The reference here is to the people’s disobedience in continually worshiping foreign deities. NKJ BIble.

9-11

9 Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, the wickedness of the kings of Judah, the wickedness of their wives, your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 10 They have not been humbled, to this day, nor have they feared; they have not walked in My law or in My statutes that I set before you and your fathers.’

11 “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will set My face against you for catastrophe and for cutting off all Judah.

The remnant that escaped to Egypt is under the same indictment of judgment for idolatry. Unless they repent, the punishment will follow them wherever they flee. Faithlife Bible.

The present generation of Jews had learned nothing from the past failures of the nation. The people were not broken in heart, only more stubborn.

God, is here pronouncing judgment upon the rebellious Jews in Egypt. God had set His face against the remnant of Judah because they had set their face to enter Egypt against His will. NKJ Bible.

2 Chronicles 36:15  And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place.

John 15:1-4 and 9-11

We must abide, live in and through, Jesus Christ. In Him all the world is justified. Through His birth, death and resurrection, in His blood, we are cleansed and made whole. Man is not capable of this on his own. Joy in the Lord and in salvation gives us the strength to endure the troubles that are common to mankind.

In Him, with Him and in the unity of Holy Spirit we are reserved here and  for eternity!

John 15:1-4 and 9-11

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus is the center of the Christian faith—He is the source of life and the way to eternal life.

Grapevines are more plentiful if pruned. The pruning may refer to hardship that (eventually) produces faithfulness and closer relationship with God, such as the disciples are about to experience. Jesus also could be referring to the pruning of dead branches, which would entail removing what is undesirable.

Jesus, showed His love by being willing to sacrifice His life for them. The Spirit will be their guide in this process. Faithlife Bible.

With such a vinedresser, the branches can experience complete confidence and security.

Every branch is said to be in Christ. Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” to speak of a Christian’s legal and family position as a result of God’s grace. The emphasis of in Me in this passage, however, is on deep, abiding fellowship. Jesus’ purpose was to move His disciples from servants to friends. This would involve a process of discipline in regard to His commandments. No plant produces fruit instantaneously; fruit is the result of a process. Such is also the case with believers. Once the fruit is on the vine, the vinedresser cleanses the fruit of bugs and diseases. The spiritual counterpart is cleansing which is done through the Word. For the branch to produce more fruit, it must abide, which means to dwell, to stay, to settle in, to sink deeper. The way to abide in Christ is to obey. The believer who lovingly obeys the Word of God produces much fruit. 

The love of God the Father for God the Son is the measure of the love of the Son for believers.

Christ loves believers unconditionally. But as believers obey Christ’s Word and abide in His love, they come to experience and understand His love for them more and more. That your joy may be full is an expression peculiar to John. It describes a believer’s experience of Christ’s love: complete joy. NKJ Bible.

John 5:20  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

John 14:15  “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 16:24  Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 17:26  And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

1 John 1:4  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Our battle is not with flesh and blood but against the evil that tries to influence the world.

Stand with God clothed in His armor. Christ within is the power of Holy Spirit who will never leave you nor forsake you and who will deliver you safely to the heavenly throne of God.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul’s use of the Greek word methodeia suggests that the devil is cunning and uses deception to advance his evil purposes. In reference to hostile supernatural entities because of Christ’s victory over the evil powers, believers have courage and strength to resist them.

The belt around a soldier’s waist held the breastplate in place and provided an attachment for the sword. The shield was the soldier’s primary defense in battle. In the same way, the believer’s trust in God provides protection against the devil and his schemes. The assurance of God’s salvation protects the believer just as a helmet protects a soldier in battle. This weapon helps believers proclaim the gospel message, act on God’s behalf, and combat attacks from the devil. Paul’s use of the Greek word rhēma here primarily refers to the proclamation of the gospel and its ongoing work in the life of the believer.

Prayer should not be an afterthought for believers, but rather their primary source of strength. In Acts, Paul’s preaching is characterized by boldness. Paul was compelled to proclaim the gospel even during his imprisonment. Faithlife Bible.

Be strong may also be translated “be made strong.” The passive voice would suggest that we cannot do it ourselves.

The whole armor of God is the believer’s protection against evil and the Evil One. Paul presented the extended metaphor of the battle dress roughly according to the order in which the various pieces were put on. 

Wiles of the devil are Satan’s subtle tricks to defeat Christians in spiritual warfare. Our real battle is not with human cultists, false religionists, atheists, agnostics, and pseudo-Christians, but with the demonic beings working through them, of which even the flesh and blood opponents themselves are sometimes unaware.

The evil day is taken by some to refer to the end times when the Evil One will launch a ferocious campaign against Christ and His army. A more common view is that any great spiritual contest in a believer’s life could be in view here.

Verses 14–17 present the six pieces of spiritual armor. Four are mentioned specifically and the belt and shoes are implied. Soldiers girded themselves with a belt, from which hung strips of leather to protect the lower body. Truth is considered crucial by Paul, because a dishonest Christian cannot hope to withstand the father of lies himself. The truth referred to here is integrity, a life of practical truthfulness and honesty. The breastplate of Roman times went completely around the body, so that the back of a warrior was also protected. The breastplate was made of hard leather or metal. The righteousness that the breastplate represents is not the righteousness of Christ, which all believers possess, but the practical, righteous character and deeds of believers. A Roman soldier’s feet were shod with hard, studded shoes. Paul used this image to represent the preparation of the gospel of peace. This may mean either that the gospel is the firm foundation on which Christians are to stand or that the Christian soldier should be ready to go out to defend and spread the gospel. Above all may mean that the shield is to be used against everything. It may also mean that the shield is to cover the whole armor. A Roman soldier’s shield typically measured two and a half feet by four feet. The Christian’s shield offers protection against all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Flaming arrows could not penetrate the fireproof shield of the ancient Roman soldier, nor can the assaults of Satan penetrate to the believer who places his or her faith in God. The intricately designed Roman helmet protected the soldier’s head and also made him look taller and more impressive. The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the believer’s armor. This weapon is not necessarily the Bible as a whole, but the specific word that needs to be spoken in a specific situation. To have the precise word ready, a person must know the Bible intimately.

Without prayer, all the armor in the world would be of no use. General prayers and specific petitions in the Spirit are to be made for all believers and at all occasions. Perseverance and patience in prayer are essential. The apostle Paul was not ashamed to ask other believers to pray that he would have the courage to proclaim the gospel. Even as a prisoner, Paul still wanted to be a faithful witness for the Lord. Paul was an ambassador in chains in Rome for the gospel of Christ. His prayer was that he might speak boldly, as an ambassador for the King of kings ought to speak. NKJ Bible.

Thessalonians 5:8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Be prepared for whatever God places in your life. 

Philippians 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

Listen closely to Holy Spirit and follow it up with action.

2 Timothy 4:1–5

4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

This refers to the second coming  of Jesus Christ, when He returns to establish His kingdom. Paul uses the certainty of Christ’s return to motivate Timothy to fulfill his ministerial tasks, even in the face of opposition. Timothy must be ready whether it is convenient or inconvenient for him. 

In Paul’s time, speakers addressed their audience when they were most open to persuasion. Both interpretations are related—an inconvenient time for the audience would be an inconvenient time for the speaker. Timothy, however, must be ready regardless.

Paul emphasizes not only right content, but right manner in preaching. The Greek word used here refers to healthy teaching. Those who reject healthy teaching are spiritually sick. These false stories promote useless speculation rather than knowledge of the truth. The Greek word used here, euangelistēs, refers to a person who proclaims or announces the gospel message as part of their particular church office or role. Faithlife Bible.

Paul underscores the importance of his command to Timothy by calling on God and Jesus to be witnesses to it. He reminds Timothy that Jesus will return in judgment. Paul’s charge to Timothy is to preach the word. The foundation of any ministry is God’s Word. Preaching God’s truth is a sacred and demanding task, requiring perseverance and courage. Be ready means to take a stand. Timothy was to be alert at all times to his responsibilities, even when it was inconvenient. This type of ministry is not for a novice. Patience and instruction are two necessary components of an effective ministry. True spiritual growth occurs over a period of time, through consistent teaching and application of God’s Word. Timothy needs to be alert and ready to preach God’s Word. Sound teaching is essential for spiritual maturity, but will not always be tolerated. There will come a time when people will seek out teachers to tell them what they want to hear and what makes them feel good. As Paul faced execution, he was evidently concerned that his son in the faith would be tempted to depart from truth, lured by deceptive false teachers. Watchful means “sober.” Endure afflictions refers to the hard toil of ministry, which will have its own reward. An evangelist equips and encourages believers to share the Good News. NKJ Bible.

1 Timothy 4:13  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

Titus 2:15  Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Hosea 7:8-11

We all go around half baked and without common sense seeking answers when the answer has been right in front of us all along…Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Christ within is the hope of glory!

Hosea 7:8-11

8 “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples;

Ephraim is a cake unturned.

9 Aliens have devoured his strength,

But he does not know it;

Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him,

Yet he does not know it.

10 And the pride of Israel testifies to his face,

But they do not return to the Lord their God,

Nor seek Him for all this.

11 “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense—

Israel was weakened from reliance on foreign aid. Perhaps alluding to Israel’s inconsistent and ineffective foreign policies. Their plans are only half-baked. The dove is a symbol of ignorant innocence. Instead of seeking Yahweh, Israel foolishly gambled on foreign alliances, wavering between Assyrian (Russia/Korea) and Egyptian loyalties. Faithlife Bible.

Instead of depending on the Lord for political stability, Israel formed alliances with surrounding nations. The destructive outcome of this policy is compared to a cake that has been placed over a fire and left unturned. Israel did not recognize that its power was declining and its freedom was slipping away, like an aging man who is gradually overtaken by the signs of old age. Israel was caught between the two superpowers, Egypt and Assyria. Israel tried to maintain its independence by playing one power against the other, but this vacillating policy was without sense. Israel was like a silly dove, flitting about from place to place. The Lord would trap them and chastise them for their spiritual unsteadiness. NKJ Bible.

Isaiah 1:7  Your country is desolate,Your cities are burned with fire; strangers devour your land in your presence; and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

Isaiah 9:13  For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, nor do they seek the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 42:25  Therefore He has poured on him the fury of His anger and the strength of battle; it has set him on fire all around, yet he did not know; and it burned him, yet he did not take it to heart.

Colossians 1:24-29

Amazing how Holy Spirit works…on my morning walk “Christ in you” was the podcast message of Beth Moore. I mentally thought how wonderful it would be if in my Bible Study You brought this up!! You are so very faithful, merciful and kind!

Christ in us the hope of glory!

Colossians 1:24-29

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Paul refers to his imprisonment, which he considers part of his calling—not a cause for shame. His attitude serves as a model for the Colossians of how to endure hardship for the sake of others. Hardships traditionally were expected to befall the Messiah’s people in advance of His return (sometimes called the “messianic woes”). The idea behind this tradition was that a certain amount of suffering was necessary before God’s people would be vindicated. Paul seems to be referring here to this remainder of afflictions that the Church must endure. He considers his own sufferings to represent some portion of this remainder; in this way, he is suffering on behalf of the Church. 

God’s plan of salvation is revealed through the death and resurrection of Christ. This specifically involves Christ’s ministry of reconciliation, which unites Gentiles (non-Jews, such as the Colossians) with Jews and creates one people of God. The Colossians’ non-Jewish ethnicity did not exclude them or disqualify them from God’s promises and plan. On the contrary, the work of Christ makes them eligible to share in the inheritance of God’s people. The inclusion of Gentiles  into the people of God was always part of God’s plan of salvation. False teachers may have promoted special knowledge that was available only to a select few. Paul wants the Colossians to understand that the truth and wisdom of the gospel is available to everyone in their congregation; all believers are called to full maturity in Christ. Paul explains that he, too, is on the path to Christian maturity. Like all believers, he is pursuing the hard work of discipleship in cooperation with Christ’s indwelling presence. Faithlife Bible.

Paul is not saying that Christ’s death was insufficient or that somehow he was a co redeemer with Christ. Paul is making the point that a Christian will endure the sufferings that Christ would be enduring if He were still in the world. Christ had told His disciples that if the world hated Him it would hate His followers. If people persecuted Him they would persecute His followers. Paul believed he was suffering the afflictions God wanted him to endure. Instead of facing his difficulties with dread, Paul saw his troubles as a time of joy because they were producing an eternal reward.

In Greek pagan religions, a mystery was a secret teaching reserved for a few spiritual teachers who had been initiated into an inner circle. Paul uses the word to refer to knowledge that had been hidden from ages and from generations but was now being revealed by God. The Lord had revealed this mystery to Paul and called him to be a steward of it. The mystery is that Christ now lives within Gentile believers: Christ in you, the hope of glory. This is in harmony with Ephesians. In that letter, Paul states that the mystery is the union of Jews and Gentiles in one body, Christ’s church. The concept of perfection in the NT means completeness or maturity. Here the reference is probably to the coming of Christ, when every believer will experience the completion of Christ’s work in him or her. Paul toiled and agonized for the perfection of his fellow believers not in his own strength but by the power of God working in him. NKJ Bible.

Romans 8:10  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Romans 8:11  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Philippians 4:16-20

When we give of our time or finances to those in need or to the Church we give to God.

He loves a cheerful giver :)

Philippians 4:16-20

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

By commending the Philippians’ gift, he is not indirectly seeking another. Rather, he is celebrating their generosity as a sign of their growing faith. His visit was a tangible expression of the Philippians’ concern for Paul and his needs. Paul’s needs were met through the Philippians’ generous financial gift. In the tradition of mutual exchange common to ancient friendship, Paul trusts God to meet the needs of the church at Philippi. The Philippians don’t need to practice caution in giving. They are free to give, and in doing so they testify to God’s provision. If they keep what they have in order to provide for themselves, they won’t experience the generosity of God through the generosity of others. Faithlife Bible.

Paul has in mind in this verse the material gift that the Philippians sent to him. Paul uses business terminology. The Philippians’ gift was producing spiritual profit just as money deposited in a bank account accrues interest. But Paul was not as concerned with their gift as with the development in the Philippians of the spiritual ability to give. By giving to Paul, the Philippians had offered themselves as a gift to God. Paul says that he is full because they gave. The Philippians, in turn, will be full because of the gifts God will give them. Out of His abundant wealth, God will more than amply take care of the Philippians. 

The Jewish practice of closing prayers with the word amen carried over to the Christian church as well. When found at the end of a sentence as it is here, the word can be translated “so be it,” or “may it be fulfilled.” At the beginning of a sentence, it means “surely,” “truly,” or “most assuredly.” NKJ Bible.

A sweet smelling aroma is drawn from the sweet-smelling incense which was burnt along with the sacrifices; their gift being in faith was not so much to Paul, as to God, before whom it “came up for a memorial”, sweet-smelling in God’s presence. Commentary

Psalm 23:1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Matthew 6:2  Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 16:27  to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:16  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Matthew 24:36-44

We need to be prepared for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Him we are safe, secure and protected against the powers of evil that seek to destroy those who believe in Him and in His salvation.

In the power and unity of Holy Spirit is victory.

Matthew 24:36–44

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

This phrase might describe the gathering of God’s people to Himself if that is the case there is no indication here of what happens to the remaining people. The point of this parable is that believers need to be vigilant for Jesus’ return, because it will be sudden and unexpected. Faithlife Bible.

This indicates that even Jesus Himself did not know the day and hour of His return. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He voluntarily limited His use of His divine attributes. Therefore He became hungry, thirsty, and tired. Luke records that Jesus grew in knowledge and wisdom. In this instance, Jesus surrendered the use of His divine omniscience.

As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Jesus was referring to the indifference of the people of that time to the coming disaster. There is nothing sinful about eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. However, the people of the end times will be doing these things without any thought of God or the coming judgment. As Noah was vigilant in preparing for the Flood, so should people living in the tribulation be alert. They should prepare for the return of Christ. NKJ Bible.

Genesis 6:3  And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Genesis 6:4  There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

Genesis 6:5  Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Luke 12:39  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

1 Thessalonians 5:2  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Acts 27: 9-11 and 21-25

Even when we fail to listen to Holy Spirit, if it is done in ignorance and not willful disobedience, God will provide a way out. He will work everything out for our good and for His plan for our life.

We can do the right thing for the wrong reasons. The wrong thing for the right reasons. Or God’s way…the right thing for the right reason!!

All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Acts 27: 9-11

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

27:21-25

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

The Greek text here refers to a fast that would have occurred on the Day of Atonement, which falls in September or October. This would be near the end of the usual shipping season, when travel on the Mediterranean became too hazardous to attempt. Paul had said the conditions could result in the loss of life, but God has now revealed to him that no one will die. Faithlife Bible.

Paul had been at sea many times before. He had been shipwrecked at least two other times, so he had some basis for what he was saying. However, his counsel was rejected. Because Fair Havens was a little town, the sailors decided to try to reach Phoenix, the major port on the west side of Crete, some 60 miles away. It could be that the owner of the ship wanted to get his grain to a larger port so that he could sell it. Furthermore Julius, the centurion in charge, probably wanted a better place to winter his men. In other words, greed and the desire for comfort may have gotten in the way of good sense.

Paul had been given absolute assurance by the all-powerful and all-knowing God that no one would be lost on the ship. Paul warned that if the sailors were successful in escaping from the ship, the Roman soldiers would lose their lives. Because of Paul’s comments, the soldiers stopped the sailors from leaving the ship and everyone made it ashore alive. God fulfilled His purpose and promise through the warnings of Paul and the choices of the soldiers. NKJ Bible.

Mark 1:1-8

new believers receive water Baptism for salvation and in preparation for the Baptism in the Spirit. 

Jesus baptizes His followers with the Spirit of the Living God.

Christ in us is the hope of glory.

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets:

“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.”

3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.’ ”

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The name iēsous (Jesus) is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua (yehoshua' or yeshua'), a common Jewish name in the first century ad. The Greek word used here, christos, translates the Hebrew title mashiach, meaning “anointed one.”

John understands himself to be the forerunner of the Messiah. Removing and carrying sandals was the work of slaves. John is stating that he is not worthy even to be a slave of the Messiah (the anointed one of God). John’s baptism was in preparation for the Messiah, through whom God would pour out His Spirit on the people of Israel. John anticipates that Jesus’ appearance would directly precede the arrival of God’s Spirit. Faithlife Bible.

John’s baptism of repentance should not be confused with Christian baptism. The latter always follows conversion and symbolizes the spiritual death, burial, and Resurrection with Christ that is accomplished in a believer’s salvation experience. It is performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism, on the other hand, prepared his followers to receive the new message about Christ and His kingdom. John’s baptizing was a recurring popular event that attracted large crowds. Mark vividly portrays the continuous stream of followers who flocked to John. One may visualize throngs making the trek to the wilderness, with people waiting in line to be baptized. As each person was baptized by John, he or she would admit to individual sin and the need for the Messiah.

John’s characteristic message was to promote expectancy and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said he was not worthy to loosen the Messiah’s sandal strap. Students often performed menial tasks for their rabbis, but even they were not expected to remove someone’s sandals. That task was left to slaves. John humbly understood and accepted his own role in the coming Kingdom.

The prediction that Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit appears in each Gospel and was repeated by Christ in Acts 1:5 as being “not many days from now.”  Though many English translations use the preposition with (with water and with the Holy Spirit), it is also acceptable to substitute the word in. The water is a physical representation of the future life in the Spirit that people who followed the Messiah would have. Presumably the Day of Pentecost marked the fulfillment of this promise. NKJ Bible.

Psalm 2:7  “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me,‘You are My Son,Today I have begotten You.

Isaiah 40:3  The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Isaiah 44:3  For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;

Malachi 3:1  “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, ”Says the LORD of hosts.

Romans 11:19-25

Only by the grace of God and the Blood of the Lamb are we saved! 

It was too small a thing that Jesus die for only the Jews He came to offer salvation to the world.

Romans 11:19–25

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Paul argues that Israel’s rejection of Jesus as Messiah ultimately leads to reconciliation between God and the entire world. He reasons that, if the Jews’ rejection produces such a redemptive effect, their acceptance of Jesus would bring even greater blessing. The passage uses the metaphor of an olive tree to explain how the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) have been included in God’s plan of salvation. Faithlife Bible.

Paul agrees with the objector that Israel was broken off because of unbelief and that Gentiles stand by faith. But he goes on to warn that Gentiles should not be haughty, but fear. Standing before God is based on faith. Feelings of superiority are out of place. Paul was warning the Gentiles not to be arrogant but to remember that they depended on God and were accountable to Him no less than the Jews were. If Gentiles continue in God’s goodness, they will not be cut off, and if Jews turn to God in faith, they can be grafted in again. This is not a reference to individual salvation but to God’s program for Jews and Gentiles.

It is far more natural to expect Israel, the natural branches, to be grafted in, than to expect Gentiles, the wild branches, to be included. If believers do not understand this mystery, chances are they will be wise in their own opinion, meaning they will be haughty and boast. The mystery is that Israel has been temporarily and partially hardened, but God has not rejected them. NKJ Bible.

Luke 21:24  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

John 10:16  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

John 15:2  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Romans 11:12  Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

2 Corinthians 3:14  But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.