Joshua 11:20  For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Complaints against God

          One of the most bitter complaints against God by critics opposed to the Bible is its portrayal of the severity of God, especially in His command to Moses to destroy all the Canaanites (Deut 7:2; 20:16-17). This seems even more severe upon reading of our text from Joshua 11:20 that God Himself hardened the hearts of the Canaanites against Israel so that they would come boldly to destroy Israel and Joshua would then destroy them.

False concepts of God

     The notion that God is merely a kindly grandfather figure is a self-serving figment of man’s sinful imagination. The attributes of God are innumerable but man tries to focus upon the kindness and mercy of God above all others so that man too often is emboldened in their sinful ways. If we take one attribute and place it above all others we get out of balance with proper

1 John 3:11-18 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.   Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Love and hate

     The old song says, “Everybody loves somebody sometime.” And if that is true and the meaning of love in that context

Mark 11:12-14  And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

      Mark tells us clearly that the time of figs was not yet – it was not the season of figs. Many look at this as a fit of petty anger on Jesus’ part even after He has instructed His disciples concerning quarreling and so on. Jesus has just entered Jerusalem the day before and allowed the people to proclaim Him as Son of David (Lu 19:39-40), He goes to the temple and looks around. After this He goes to Bethany and resides there for the night (probably with Lazarus, Mary and Martha). The next day He goes back into Jerusalem and upon this occasion sees the fig tree with leaves but finds no figs

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

What is love?

      The word used in the NT is agapao and means “to love dearly, fond of, to welcome”. The Hebrew word is ‘ahab and carries the whole swing of love, affections and desires. (Deut 6:5). It carries all these meaning because the command is love God with all our being – even our emotions and feelings.

      The Bible gives more what love does than the emotional side of love. When it speaks of individuals loving another then the emotions and feelings are also involved. When God speaks of loving our enemy it speaks of our treatment of them – feed, give water, help them in a bad situation.

      The “Love chapter” is originally translated charity because that word carries the idea of action over feeling. In this chapter Paul tells us what love is and what it is not by telling what it does and what it does not.

      Love suffers long – long spirited; doesn’t lose heart; perseveres patiently, bravely, enduring misfortunes and troubles; patient in

2 Peter 3:13   Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

The cosmos 

 The word cosmos is most often translated world, but not every time that the word world appears does it come from the word cosmos. Many times the word used for world is aion and carries the idea of period of time. However cosmos means: 1 an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government. 2 ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, ‘the heavenly hosts’, as the ornament of the heavens. 1 Pet. 3:3. 3 the world, the universe. 4 the circle of the earth, the earth. 5 the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race. 6 the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. 7 world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly.

      Our word cosmology and other related words come from this word, which always carries the idea of outward adorning and not true substance. Now, when we talk about cosmos in the context of our study, we are meaning all things – every system, every structure, every organism, every

 2 Peter 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

BE mindful:

     Peter tells the Christians he is writing to that they should stir up their pure minds by way of remembering. One thing they are to remember is what God has said through the prophets of the Old Testament as well as the Apostles of the New Testament (2 Pet 3:1-2). God's word is of utmost importance for us today. In the days when Peter wrote they only had the Old Testament Scriptures and the spoken words of the Apostles and their letters to the Christians. Today, we have both recorded for us in the Bible. It is very important and we need to remember and take heed to it. Solomon tells about those who despise God' word (Prov. 13:13). A person's attitude toward the word determines God's attitude toward that person. When Adam and Eve despised God's commandment they brought sin and death into the world. The Hebrew word despise is from a root meaning "not to respect" and is very similar to the word meaning

Star – The star that led the wise men to where Jesus was has been the source of some people’s discussion and investigation. Was it a real star? Was it an angel? On and on some discussions go, but sometimes we focus so much on portions of the event we miss the true importance. Jesus is the focus and not the star. The wise men knew this and that is why when they arrived where Jesus was, they forgot about the star and worshipped Him and presented gifts to Him. Jesus is the reason for the season

Cross – We rejoice at the birth of family members and we speak of new life and the plans and purposes of this new person. But if you think about it we all begin to die the moment we are born. We grow, mature and go on through life heading toward that ultimate and unavoidable time of death. Jesus was born particularly to die – for the sin of mankind. He lived His life in the shadow of the cross. Even in His birth we see it. He was wrapped in “swaddling clothes””. These were strips of cloth used for wrapping the bodies

James 2:22-24 ^{{Jas 22}}  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ^{23}  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. ^{24}  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

One passage, two apostles:

      Paul and James both used Gen 15:6 for their defense of faith without works and faith with works. Both deal with justification and both are in agreement with each other, but on the surface they appear to be opposite. James appeals to Abraham’s willingness and actions in offering his son, Isaac, to God. Although the one passage is removed from each other by several chapters and a number of years, yet they go together in showing works and faith.

      Paul uses Gen 15:6 in Gal 3:6 and Ro4:22 to show that we are not justified by works. Paul says that it is only through faith that we are justified before God (Ro 5:1). Were James and Paul at odds in their teachings?

Scripture fulfilled:

      James speaks

Hebrews 3:13   But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Exhorting:

      The Greek word in our text is para-kaleo and means: “comfort, beseech, call to one’s side, admonish, console, encourage, strengthen”, etc and literally “come along side”. Two examples of the word used by Paul are: 2 Cor 1:4; Phil 10.

      In the noun form, Jesus used it in Jn 15:26 of the Holy Spirit that He would send to us after His departure back to heaven. It has a variety of use and applications for us. The emphasis in this passage is that we are to exhort one another. In Heb 10:25 the writer tells us that this encouraging is to be accomplished by us when we join together in fellowship, worship or Bible study. Elsewhere when the word is used in Scripture, it is in relation to remaining true to the Lord or holding unto our faith (Acts 11:23; 1 Thes 2:11-12).

      It is the duty of all believers to exhort, but it is especially the duty of ministers to exhort (2 Tim 4:2).

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3   Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ^{2}  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; ^{3}  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Paul’s interest in the church:

          After establishing the church in Thessalonica, Paul was forced to leave due to problems by the Jews who did not believe. This did not prevent Paul from his concern for the believers there and he wrote two letters to them to encourage and teach them and us truths for Christian life. In this first letter and our text, Paul is commending the believers for their example of being Christian and we can apply that to our churches today as we endeavor to apply Scripture and our belief to everyday living.

Their faith:

     Faith must be taken in two ways – one is our

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Contradiction today:

      There are many Christians and even ministers that think that it not against Scripture to drink alcoholic drinks as a “social” drinker. They will use this verse as proof that it is okay to drink as long as you do not become drunken – excess. In reality, medical science tells us that the alcohol in even one glass of beverage alcohol (beer) cannot be completely utilized by the body and the body places the unused portion in the body until it can be eliminated from the system, thus making it impossible for anyone to drink a little and not have the “slightest” effect upon them. So, then there is evidence of being filled with the effects of just a little alcohol.

      In the verse Paul counters the cult of “social” drinking by the words that follow – but be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. One cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit (which implies complete control by the Holy Spirit), if he/she has come to even the slightest degree under the control of alcohol (or anything else

1 Corinthians 15:57   But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are many things we can thank God for and should thank Him for – as the song writer says, It will surprise what the Lord has done. We are told to give thanks when we make requests in prayer (Phil 4:6) and also to render thanks in and for all things (Eph 5:20; 1 Thes 5:18). But there are three notable gifts mentioned by Paul in his letters to the Corinthians in which he was led to use the particular phrase, “Thanks be unto God”.

Victory:

      The first one is in the text which says that God has given us the victory through Jesus Christ. There are many victories we could attach to this verse, but since it uses the definite article: “the” victory, he is probably thinking of one thing in particular. The context of the verse also tells us that Paul is referring to the victory that we have through Christ over death and the grave. This victory is one of two victories. From verses 51-53 he is speaking of our

2 Peter 1:3   According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Needy people:

Our basic needs and our perceived needs are often miles apart. Paul tells us that having food and raiment we are to be content (1 Tim 6:8). As the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness they had very little, yet God said they lacked nothing (Deut 2:7). They lived on manna and water as well as goat’s milk. They had food basics, raiment and shelter (man-made and the cloud of God). God provided for their needs with manna and keeping their clothes in good condition (Deut 8:3-4).

      Agar asked that he be feed with convenient food and that God would not make him wealthy or poor (Prov 30:8-9). David said in the shepherd’s psalm that since the Lord was his Shepherd, he would not want – lack anything he needed. In the gospels, Jesus tells us not to worry about certain things because our Heavenly Father knows all about it and will provide for us

Philippians 3:2   Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Potential problems:

      Paul warns of potential failures in our faith and walk in the Lord. In Col 2:8 he speaks of being “spoiled” which means to be carried away as captive; to be lead away from one’s persuasion. We can be spoiled about our beliefs. Paul also mentions making “shipwreck” of our faith (1 Tim 1:19) and Peter mentions of falling away from our steadfastness” (2 Pet 3:17).

      Faith and doctrine are integral parts of our salvation. We need faith to believe and enter into the born again, new life, experience; but we must also keep our faith grounded in God’s word – the pure doctrine of Scripture. Scripture warns of these errors – Ro 16:17; Eph 5:6-14; Col 2:18; Heb 13:9; 2 Jn 8

Dogs:

      Paul mentions “dogs” as a danger to our spiritual life. The word means a literal animal, dog, but metaphorically a man of impure mind, an impudent man. The term dog is used throughout Scripture and is always used in a bad or negative sense – Deut 23:18; 2 Ki 8:13;

Proverbs 29:2  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

During these tumultuous times Christians are often torn about their duty as a Christian in the midst of politics and government. But when you look at the whole of Scripture and also view it through historical and present day settings along with historical accounts, our duty seems clear.

Attitude toward government – According to Paul in Rom 13:1 & 4 God is sovereign over this world and He sets up leaders and takes down leaders. Paul tells us that those in authority are actually God’s ministers to stop evil and a “terror to evil doers”. He tells us that they carry weapons for the purpose of stopping the spread of evil. As God’s representatives in this world, we are to obey laws that do not contradict God’s laws. The apostles refused to stop preaching Jesus because their commission was from God and the rulers had no right to stop them. Daniel also prayed three times a day to God even though the law said it was illegal. Man cannot usurp God’s law. We are also told to pray for

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Definition of faith:

      The “faith chapter” of Hebrews is a wonderful chapter in God’s word. Here it is defined, not as some intangible wistfulness, but as “substance” and “evidence”.

      Faith must first have a legitimate object, and that object is nothing less than the mighty Creator by Whom the worlds were created out of nothing by His very word.

      Beyond this, faith is defined, not by what it is, but by what it does. The man of faith comes to God by a more excellent sacrifice – like that of Abel (verse 4) – which typifies Christ and His death for us. Faith will, like Enoch, live to please God (Verse 5), and will, like Noah, prepare an ark – do whatever is necessary out of obedience to God – to the saving of his house (verse 70.

      True faith will, like Abraham, go out as God leads, not knowing where and willing to live in tents if necessary (verse 8, 9) as he looks for the eternal city