:1 - masters = 1) a teacher
2) in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
a) one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so
b) the teachers of the Jewish religion
c) of those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. John the Baptist, Jesus
d) by preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as one who showed men the way of salvation
e) of the apostles, and of Paul
f) of those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians, undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit
g) of false teachers among Christians
:2 - For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.~Well here's another verse I didn't realize was in there. One of the most awful feelings is to know that you've offended someone, I think. And sometimes you don't even know what you said! And sometimes it's not what you said, it's how you said it! And sometimes it's their expectation of what you should or shouldn't say and you break that. And still, you have offended them, and will receive the greater condemnation if you are considered the teacher (according to the previous verse.):17 - Wisdom from above is pure.
James 4
I think the best all around practical advice chapter I've read so far. Full of quotables.
:2 - Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.~Check out the context on that one! We've all been there I think--pulling teeth and putting up our dukes to get what we want, when really we just need to ask the right one.~
:4 - ...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.~Well, this ought to put the fear of God in us for being too worldly! Or for trying to win the world by being like them.~
:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
:13-15 - Use the expression: If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that.
James 5
:4 - Sabaoth is not the same as Sabbath. It is only used twice in Scripture -- here and Romans 9:29.
Sabaoth = 1) "Lord of Sabaoth"
a) Lord of the armies of Israel, as those who are under the leadership and protection of Jehovah maintain his cause in war
:13 - 15 - What to do when you're afflicted, merry, or sick.
:16 - Okay, this must be another misquoted scripture. Confess your faults [not sins] one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Instead of being named for who the letter is sent to, this one is named for who wrote it.
:1 - This book is addressed to the strangers of many lands, not the church in one specific region, as previous letters.
:13 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;~Which does not have to be the end of physical life.~
:15-16 - Not only is it possible now to be holy, but it is commanded.
:22 - love one another with a pure heart fervently.
:25 - But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.~God's word is not just out there in outer space somewhere in another dimension. Thank God!~
1 Peter 2
:4-8 - This passage is special to me because I see God doing a progressive work building His house, which are His people. It is a progressive thing to him. And the house I've grown up in has been a progressive thing also, so I have a concept of living in contentment while things are still a working progress (although I have to admit it isn't always easy. But being lost and worldly without the voice and approval of God would be much harder.)
:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
:12 - day of visitation~I'm ready for one of these!
:13-16 - Obey the law of the land you're in.
:25 - Jesus is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls!
1 Peter 3
:4 - ...even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.~Personally, I think this would be nice on the men as well as the women.
:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
:20-21 - Baptism is compared to the water that saved Noah's 8.
1 Peter 4
:1 - Being armed by the mind of Christ
:6 - For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.~In the Hebrew, there is no past tense to constitute the word "was".~
:8 - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
:11 - If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.~One of my favorite sermons to preach. Here it is (Just click the orange triangle in the middle to play):
:12-13 - Still working on being happy for trials.
:17 - For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Peter 5
:2 - Peter gives the instruction Jesus gave him: Feed the sheep.
:13 - Was Marcus Peter's natural son? According to http://www.blueletterbible.org, Marcus was converted by Peter, which is why he is called his son.
2 Peter 1
:4 - partakers of the divine nature
:10 - ...give diligence to make your calling and election sure
:11 - ...an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
:19 - We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2 Peter 2
Of the unrighteous false teachers that despise government, are presumptuous, walk after the flesh, are of Balaam...who love wages of unrighteousness, and are wells without water.
:13 - These people are spots and blemishes.
2 Peter 3
If I had forgotten that Jesus said I would deny him and then did it, I would probably repeatedly advise others to remember, also.
:1 - I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance
:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
:13 - New heavens and a new earth are coming after the day of judgment in fire (:7).
~References are made to the first earth being recreated after the flood, but that the next time recreation will happen by fire.~
:16 - Peter talks about how people don't understand Paul's writings and wrestle with them, which is destructive to those wrestlers.
1 John 1
The tangible Word of Life.
1 John 2
Walk in the light. Darkness is in the past. Don't love the world. How to identify the antichrists.
:27 - But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
1 John 3
:8 - The devil sins. I guess that's pretty obvious, but never thought of it.
:9 - Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.~Some things just need to be quoted. Often.~
:15 - Hating a brother is the same as being a murderer.
:20 - For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1 John 4
How to discern the spirits.
:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 5
:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.
:7 - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
:8 - And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
2 John 1
Written to an elect lady and her children!
:7 - For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
3 John 1
To Gaius
:2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Jude 1
:3 - ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
:9 - Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.~I love the message Dr. Harlo White preaches Battle in the Heavenlies...wherein he quotes this verse. Here is a link to listen to some of his free mp3 audios: http://harlowhiteministries.org/Radio-Mp3's-Transcripts.htm
:14 - Now we learn something the OT didn't mention about Enoch--that he prophesied!
:24-25 - Benediction! Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
~Jude appears to be a very essential book in the explanation of spots in the garment.~
Revelation 1
Ok, we begin the least understood book of Scripture. It has been told to me that in addition to Harlo White, whom I mentioned in Jude, a preacher named Lynn Hiles also has a real grasp on this book from a spiritual perspective. You can watch some of his videos free at www.lynnhiles.com (Click to go directly to his online free videos page http://www.lynnhiles.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=133 )
~It is interesting that John, who laid his head on Jesus' breast (showing the degree of love he shared with Jesus) is chosen to receive this intensely spiritual visitation. After reading all the John books, I can also see how much John spoke of love. Really loving God. And that Jesus said of him If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (John 21:22)~
:3 - Opening greeting calls this book this prophecy.
:4 - 7 churches, 7 Spirits
:11 - 7 churches of Asia to whom this prophecy is written: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
:12 - 7 candlesticks
:16 - 7 stars
:20 - 7 stars = 7 angels of the 7 churches
Revelation 2
:7 - The Tree of Life is back, as well as the paradise of God.
Ephesus = left their first love
Smyrna = some say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan
Pergamos = they had the doctrine of Balaam-to eat things sacrificed to idols & fornicate
Thyatira = they let Jezebel teach and seduce God's servants to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols
:17 - Hidden manna, white stone, new name that no one but the owner will know.
