# Daily Post Questions
## 2025
### 2025.01
- 01.01
- Numbers 6.24-26
- Whom have you blessed this year?
- 01.02
- Ephesians 6.10-20
- What are your thoughts about Paul's 4X-exhortation to stand?
- 01.03
- Matthew 24.36-41
- Are you ready? Are you helping others get ready?
- 01.04
- Matthew 24.42-44
- What are you doing to "keep watch?"
- 01.05
- Matthew 24.45-51
- What does a "faithful and wise servant" look like in 2025?
- 01.06
- Matthew 25.1-13
- What does it look like to "keep watch?"
- 01.07
- Luke 12.35-38
- What does it look like to "be dressed for service?"
- 01.08
- Luke 12.35-38
- What does it look like to "keep your lamps burning?"
- 01.09
- Luke 12.39-40
- How are you preparing for Jesus' return?
- 01.10
- Luke 12.42-48
- What does a "faithful and wise manager" look like in 2025?
- 01.11
- Luke 21.34-36
- Are you ready "to stand before the Son of Man?"
- 01.12
- Revelation 3.1-6
- 01.13
- Revelation 16.15
- 01.14
- 2 Corinthians 4.16-18
- Happy Birthday to my bride!!
- 01.15
- Revelation 22.17
- What will it take for Christians to say, "Come Lord Jesus!!?"
- 01.16
- 1 John 2.12-14
- Who do the "little children" represent?
- I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
- 01.17
- 1 John 2.12-14
- Who do the "fathers" represent?
- 01.18
- 1 John 2.12-14
- Who do the "young men" represent?
- 01.19
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What is the significance of John writing to the little children about having their sins forgiven?
- 01.20
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What does, "know Him who is from the beginning" mean?
- 01.21
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What is the significance of overcoming the evil one?
- 01.22
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What is the difference between "little children" and "children?"
- 01.23
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What is the significance of knowing the Father?
- 01.24
- 1 John 2.12-14
- Who is "Him who is from the beginning?"
- 01.25
- 1 John 2.12-14
- Why did John say exactly the same thing twice to fathers?
- 01.26
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What is the significance of John's second exhortation to young men?
- 01.27
- 1 John 2.12-14
- Again, who is "Him who is from the beginning?"
- 01.28
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What are children to be and to do in 2025?
- 01.29
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What are young men to be and to do in 2025?
- 01.30
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What are fathers to be and to do in 2025?
- 01.31
- 1 John 2.12-14
- What does it look like "to know" someone?
### 2025.02
- 02.01
- Mark 12.28-34a
- How well do you know God?
- 02.02
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What is God's love language?
- 02.03
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Which commandment is the most important?
- 02.04
- Mark 12.28-34a
- "Hear" is like a coin. What are the two sides?
- 02.05
- Mark 12.28-34a
- To whom does the Great Commandment apply?
- 02.06
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does "Lord" mean?
- 02.07
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does "the Lord is One" mean?
- 02.08
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does it look like to love God?
- 02.09
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Which god is your Lord?
- 02.10
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Are you loving God "your" way or "His" way?
- 02.11
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does it look like to love God with your "heart?"
- 02.12
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does it look like to love God with your "soul?"
- 02.13
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does it look like to love God with your "mind?"
- 02.14
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What does it look like to love God with your "strength?"
- 02.15
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Are you loving God with "all" or just "part" of your heart, soul, mind and strength?
- 02.16
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Why is loving my neighbor "second" after loving God?
- 02.17
- Mark 12.28-34a
- How do I love my neighbor if I don't love myself?
- 02.18
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What authority / credentials does Jesus have to rate the commandments?
- 02.19
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Why did Jesus sum up all the commandments into these two?
- 02.20
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What are your thoughts about the scribe evaluating Jesus' answer?
- 02.21
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What is the difference between "mind" and "understanding?"
- 02.22
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What are 2025 examples of "burnt offerings and sacrifices?"
- 02.23
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What is wisdom?
- 02.24
- Mark 12.28-34a
- How does one "answer wisely?"
- 02.25
- Mark 12.28-34a
- What is the kingdom of God?
- 02.26
- Mark 12.28-34a
- Where is the kingdom of God?
- 02.27
- Mark 12.28-34a
- How near to / far from the kingdom of God are you?
- 02.28
- Mark 12.28-34a
- After spending almost a month on the Great Commandment, what changes will you make to your theology?
### 2025.03
- 03.01
- Matthew 3.7-10
- What does "fruit in keeping with repentance" look like?
- 03.02
- Matthew 3.16-17
- Which Persons of the Trinity were present in this scene?
- 03.03
- Matthew 4.1-11
- What does it look like to live "on every word that comes from the mouth of God?"
- 03.04
- Matthew 4.1-11
- What happens when scripture is misquoted or taken out of context?
- 03.05
- Matthew 4.1-11
- What does it look like to "worship the Lord your God and serve Him only?"
- 03.06
- Matthew 5.3-12
- What does it look like to be "pure in heart?"
- 03.07
- Matthew 5.3-12
- What does "for they will see God" mean?'
- 03.08
- Matthew 5.3-12
- What does it look like to be "blessed?"
- 03.09
- Matthew 5.3-12
- What does it look like to be a peacemaker?
- 03.10
- Matthew 5.3-12
- What does it look like to be called a "son of God?"
- 03.11
- Matthew 5.33-37
- What did Jesus have to say about oaths and vows?
- 03.12
- Matthew 6.5-8
- What rewards do you anticipate from your Father?
- 03.13
- Matthew 6.22-24
- How are your eyes?
- 03.14
- Matthew 6.25-34
- How much do you worry about food, drink and clothing?
- 03.15
- Matthew 6.25-34
- What comes to mind when you look at a lily; a field of flowers?
- 03.16
- Matthew 6.25-34
- What point is Jesus making as He compares flowers and clothing?
- 03.17
- Matthew 6.25-34
- What does it look like to "seek first the kingdom of God?"
- 03.18
- Matthew 6.25-34
- What do you worry about?
- 03.19
- Psalm 19.1-4a
- What are the heavens saying to you?
- 03.20
- Matthew 9.1-8
- What are your thoughts about Jesus' authority?
- 03.21
- Matthew 12.1-8
- What are your thoughts about "keeping the Sabbath?"
- 03.22
- Matthew 12.1-8
- What are your thoughts about David breaking the law without consequence?
- 03.23
- Matthew 12.1-8
- How is it that the priests broke the Sabbath yet were innocent?
- 03.24
- Matthew 12.1-8
- Who is the "Son of Man?"
- 03.25
- Matthew 12.1-8
- What does it mean that the "Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath?"
- 03.26
- Matthew 12.22-30
- What is the significance of Jesus being the "Son of David?"
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see. The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
- 03.27
- Matthew 12.22-30
- What did Jesus mean, "I drive out demons by the Spirit of God?"
- 03.28
- Matthew 12.22-30
- Who or what is the "Spirit of God?"
- 03.29
- Matthew 12.22-30
- What did Jesus mean, "the kingdom of God has come upon you?"
- 03.30
- Matthew 12.31-32
- What is blaspheme?
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.
{Matthew 12.31-32 (BSB)}
- 03.31
- Matthew 12.31-32
- What does it look like to "blasphemy against the Spirit?"
### 2025.04
- 04.01
- Colossians 1.13-14
- NOT APRIL FOOLS -- In which kingdom are you?
- 04.02
- Matthew 13.44
- What is "the kingdom of heaven?"
- 04.03
- Matthew 13.44
- In this passage, what does the "treasure" represent?
- 04.04
- Matthew 13.44
- What does the "field" represent in this passage?
- 04.05
- Matthew 13.44
- How much would you "pay" for such a field?
- 04.06
- Matthew 13.45-46
- What does the "pearl" represent?
- 04.07
- Matthew 13.45-46
- How much would you pay for such a pearl?
- 04.08
- Matthew 13.52
- What is discipleship?
- 04.09
- Matthew 13.52
- What do the "treasures" represent in this passage?
- 04.10
- Matthew 13.52
- What is the significance of bring out both new as well as old treasures?
- 04.11
- Matthew 13.52
- What's in your storeroom?
- 04.12
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.13
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.14
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.15
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.16
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.17
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.18
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.19
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.20
- [[Easter_Verse_Plan]]
- 04.21
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- What does it look like for children to obey their parents?
- 04.22
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- What does Paul mean, "your parents in the Lord"?
- 04.23
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- What does Paul mean, "for this is right"?
- 04.24
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- What does it look like to "honor" someone?
- 04.25
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- In what ways is honoring your father different than honoring your mother?
- 04.26
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- Which of the 10-commandments discusses parent-child relations?
- 04.27
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- What does Paul mean, "which is the first commandment with a promise?"
- 04.28
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- What does Paul mean, "that it may go well with you?"
- 04.29
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- How do you define "long life on the earth?"
- 04.30
- Ephesians 6.1-3
- How well did you honor your parents?
### 2025.05
- 05.01
- Ephesians 6.4
- Why did Paul only address fathers and not mothers too?
- 05.02
- Ephesians 6.4
- What does it look like to "provoke" someone?
- 05.03
- Ephesians 6.4
- What is "wrath" and what does it look like?
- 05.04
- Ephesians 6.4
- What does "discipline ... of the Lord" look like?
- 05.05
- Ephesians 6.4
- What does "... instruction of the Lord" look like?
- 05.06
- Ephesians 6.4
- What does Biblical parenting look like?
- 05.07
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- Who are the "slaves" and "masters" Paul is addressing?
- 05.08
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What does it look like to show respect toward your boss?
- 05.09
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- How is fear of your boss a good thing?
- 05.10
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What does a "sincere heart" look like?
- 05.11
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What does it look like to "obey" your boss as you would "obey" Christ?
- 05.12
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- How well do you obey Jesus?
- 05.13
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What do you do when your boss isn't watching?
- 05.14
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- How well do you serve Jesus?
- 05.15
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What is "the will of God?"
- 05.16
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- How well do you do the will of God "from your heart?"
- 05.17
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What does it look like to "serve with good will?"
- 05.18
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- How well do you serve God rather than men?
- 05.19
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- Enumerate biblical rewards.
- 05.20
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What "rewards" to you hope to receive?
- 05.21
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What have you done to receive rewards?
- 05.22
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What have you done that puts your "rewards" at risk?
- 05.23
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- Define "slave" and "free."
- 05.24
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- Do you think of yourself as a "slave" or "free?"
- 05.25
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- When are "threats" an effective management tool?
- 05.26
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- How should "masters" treat their "slaves?"
- 05.27
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- Who is the ultimate "master?"
- 05.28
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- What is favoritism?
- 05.29
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- Summarize Paul's commands with regard to masters and slaves.
- 05.30
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- In what ways does the topic of "masters" and "slaves" make you feel uncomfortable?
- 05.31
- Ephesians 6.5-9
- In light of this passage on masters and slaves, what changes will you make?
### 2025.06
- 06.01
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What did Paul discuss in the previous 5 & 1/2 chapters?
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- 06.02
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- In whom or what are we to "be strong?"
- 06.03
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What does it look like to "be ... ?"
- 06.04
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What does it look like to "be strong?"
- 06.05
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- Whom or what is "the Lord?"
- 06.06
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What is "His mighty power?"
- 06.07
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- How does one "be strong" in the Lord and His mighty power?
- 06.08
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What is the "full armor of God?"
- 06.09
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- How does one "put on" the armor of God?
- 06.10
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What is the significance of the "fullness" of God's armor?
- 06.11
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- Under what circumstances should one "take off" the armor of God?
- 06.12
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- How does one "stand" against the devil's schemes?
- 06.13
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What does Paul mean, "make your stand?"
- 06.14
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What is a "scheme"?"
- 06.15
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- What are modern day examples of the "devil's schemes?"
- 06.16
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- To what "struggle" does Paul refer?
- 06.17
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- To what does "flesh and blood" refer?
- 06.18
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- So ... what about all the struggle mankind has against flesh and blood?
- 06.19
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- To whom or what does Paul refer in the phrase "rulers, authorities and powers?"
- 06.20
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- Describe "this world's darkness."
- 06.21
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- Describe the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
- 06.22
- Ephesians 6.10-12
- Where or what are the "heavenly realms?"
- 06.23
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- To what does the "therefore" refer?
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- 06.24
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- Again, what is the "full armor of God?"
- 06.25
- Ephesians 6.11, 13
- What is the difference between "put on" and "take up?"
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
- 06.26
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What / when is the "day of evil?"
- 06.27
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What does "stand your ground" mean?
- 06.28
- Ephesians 6.10-17
- What is God communicating by repeating "stand" four times in Ephesians 6.10-20?
- 06.29
- Ephesians 6.10-17
- What does it look like to "make your stand," "stand your ground, " "stand" and "stand firm?"
- 06.30
- Ephesians 6.10-17
- Why is it so important to "make your stand," "stand your ground, " "stand" and "stand firm?"
### 2025.07
- 07.01
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What is the significance of "truth" being a belt around the waist?
- 07.02
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What is the purpose of the "breastplate of righteousness?"
- 07.03
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What is the "gospel of peace?"
- 07.04
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- Why are feet associated with the "gospel of peace?"
- 07.05
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What does the "shield of faith" represent?
- 07.06
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What do the "flaming arrows of the evil one" represent?
- 07.07
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- How does the "shield of faith" extinguish the flaming arrows?
- 07.08
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- How does one train to effectively use the "shield of faith?"
- 07.09
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- Why did Paul associate salvation with a helmet?
- 07.10
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What does it mean to "take" (or receive) the helmet of salvation?
- 07.11
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What is the "sword of the Spirit?"
- 07.12
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- How are the "sword of the Spirit" and the "word of God" related?
- 07.13
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- Which items of the armor of God are defensive and which are offensive?
- 07.14
- Ephesians 6.13-17
- What does God want us to do with His word?
- 07.15
- What did you learn and how are you going to put it into practice?
- Over the last three-weeks we have critically examined 5 verses in Ephesians 6; 13-17. What did you learn and how are you going to put it into practice?
- 07.16
- What does it look like to "pray in the Spirit?"
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
{Ephesians 6.18-20 (BSB)}
- 07.17
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- How many times a day do you chat with God?
- 07.18
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What are some of the "kinds of prayer and petition?"
- 07.19
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What is the difference between "prayer" and "petition?"
- 07.20
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What does it look like to "stay alert" in your prayers for all the saints?
- 07.21
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What does it look like to "persevere" in your prayers for all the saints?
- 07.22
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- To whom do the "saints" refer?
- 07.23
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What is the gospel?"
- 07.24
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- When was the last time you "boldly" shared the gospel?
- 07.25
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- How often do you ask God to give you words to share the gospel?
- 07.26
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What is the "mystery" of the gospel?
- 07.27
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What are the duties of an "ambassador?"
- 07.28
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- What activities should an ambassador avoid?
- 07.28
- Ephesians 6.18-20
- When was the last time you fearlessly proclaimed the gospel?"
- 07.29
- What are the connections between the armor of God and proclaiming the gospel?
- 07.30
- What are the connections between prayer and proclaiming the gospel?
- 07.31
- No post today
### 2025.08
- 08.01
- Genesis 3.7 & Ephesians 6.14-15
- What is the connection (if any) between Adam & Eve's fig leaves and the belt of truth?
- 08.02
- Genesis 3.21
- From where did the skin for the "garments of skin" come?
- 08.03
- Genesis 3.21
- Why did God clothe Adam and Eve with "garments of skin?"
- 08.04
- Genesis 4.15
- What sort of mark did God put on Cain?
- 08.05
- Genesis 24.53
- How valuable were clothes in Biblical times?
- 08.06
- Genesis 27.15-16
- What are your thoughts about the actions of Rebekah and Jacob?
- 08.07
- Genesis 37.3
- What is the significance of Joseph's robe of many colors?
- 08.08
- Genesis 37.23-24
- Was Joseph naked after his brothers took his robe?
- 08.09
- Genesis 37.29
- What was Reuben communicating / expressing when he "tore his clothes?"
- 08.10
- Genesis 37.31
- What is the significance of dipping Joseph's robe in blood?
- 08.11
- Genesis 37.34
- What was Jacob communicating / expressing when he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth?
- 08.12
- Genesis 49.11
- What does this passage mean, "He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes?"
- 08.13
- Exodus 3.5
- What it is about his sandals that defiled the ground on which Moses stood?
- 08.14
- Acts 7.33
- Of all the things in Israel’s past, why did Stephen feel it was necessary to quote this phrase?
- 08.15
- Exodus 3.5 & Exodus 12.11
- Compare and contrast "sandals" in these two passages.
- 08.16
- Exodus 12.11 & Revelation 16.15
- What is the primary message in these two passages?
- 08.19
- Exodus 12.11 & Revelation 16.15
- What does it look like to "be ready?"
- 08.20
- Exodus 28.2
- What was the purpose of the "holy garments?"
- 08.21
- Exodus 28.2
- What are glory and splendor?
- 08.22
- Exodus 28.2 & John 13.34-35
- Compare the purpose of Aaron's holy garments with the purpose of Christian brotherly love
- 09.23
- Exodus 28.2
- What does it look like to "be holy?"
- 08.24
- Exodus 28.2
- How are "holiness" and "glory and splendor" related?
- 08.25
- Exodus 28.3-5
- What is the significance of each of the articles of the priests' clothing?
- 08.26
- Exodus 28.3-5 & Ephesians 6.13-17
- Compare the priest's clothing in Exodus 28 with the armor in Ephesians 6
- 08.27
- Exodus 34.29-35
- Why did Moses hide the Lord's radiance behind a veil?
- 08.28
- Exodus 34.29-35
- In what ways are you hiding the Lord's radiance?
- 08.29
- Leviticus 6.8-11
- What are your thoughts about all the required wardrobe changes?
- 08.30
- Numbers 20.27-29
- How important is a formal change of command?
- 08.31
- Judges 6.12
- How would you react if someone said to you, "The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor?”
### 2025.09
- 09.01
- Judges 6.14
- How would you feel about being sent to save an entire nation?
- 09.02
- Judges 6.11-12, 14, 16-17, 20-27, 34, 36, 39-40
- Look at all the occurrences of Lord, God & angel in Judges 6.
- {Judges 6.11-12, 14, 16-17, 20-27, 34, 36, 39-40}
- Is Gideon talking with an angel or the Lord God?
- 09.03
- Judges 6.17, 36-40
- What "signs" have you asked of God?
- 09.04
- Judges 6.22-23
- How will you react when you meet the Lord face-to-face?
- 09.05
- Judges 6.27
- Will you obey God boldly, or in fear of man?
- 09.06
- - [[My_Military_Oath|My Military Oath]]
- What oaths have you kept and what oaths have you broken?
- 09.07
- Judges 6.34 (ESV)
- What does it look like to be "clothed" by the Holy Spirit?
- 09.08
- 1 Samuel 17.38-40
- Compare David's choice of battle attire with Saul's.
- 09.09
- 1 Samuel 18.3-4
- Compare your relationship with Jesus in light of David and Jonathan's relationship. What does the "covenant" represent?
- 09.10
- 1 Samuel 18.3-4
- Compare your relationship with Jesus in light of David and Jonathan's relationship. What does the "robe" represent?
- 09.11
- Colossians 1.13-14
- Which king have you been serving? Which king do you want to serve?
- 09.12
- 1 Samuel 18.3-4
- Compare your relationship with Jesus in light of David and Jonathan's relationship. What does the "tunic" represent?
- 09.13
- 1 Samuel 18.3-4
- Compare your relationship with Jesus in light of David and Jonathan's relationship. What do the "sword" & "bow" represent?
- 09.14
- 1 Samuel 18.3-4
- Compare your relationship with Jesus with that of David and Jonathan. What does the "belt" represent?
- 09.15
- Ephesians 6.11-12
- Who are your enemies?
- 09.16
- Matthew 5.43-45a
- How are we to treat our enemies?
- 09.17
- Matthew 5.38-42
- How are we to treat evil people?
- 09.18
- Matthew 5.44 & Luke 19.27
- How do you reconcile these two passages?
- 09.19
- Matthew 4.4, 7, 10
- Was Jesus' interaction with the devil offensive or defensive?
- 09.20
- Matthew 5.5, 7, 9, 39, 44
- Is Jesus a pacifist?
- 09.21
- Joshua 5.13-15
- Is Jesus the "Commander of the Lord's Army?"
- 09.22
- Revelation 19.11-16
- Is Jesus the "Commander of the Lord's Army?"
- 09.23
- Revelation 19.11-16
- List the descriptions of Jesus in this passage
- 09.24
- Revelation 19.11-16
- What does this mean: "With righteousness He judges and wages war?"
- 09.25
- Revelation 19.11-16
- What is the significance of the "sharp sword" proceeding from Jesus' mouth?
- 09.26
- Matthew 10.34-39
- What did Jesus mean, "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword?"
- 09.27
- Luke 12.49
- What did Jesus mean, "I have come to ignite a fire on the earth?"
- 09.28
- Luke 12.51-53
- Why did Jesus come to bring division?
- 09.29
- Exodus 1.15-17
- What would you do in this situation?
- 09.30
- Exodus 22.2-3a
- What are your thoughts about this passage?
### 2025.10
- 10.01
- John 15.12-13
- For what friend would you die?
- 10.02
- Luke 22.35-36
- What are your thoughts about Jesus' command to sell your clothes and buy a sword?
- 10.03
- Luke 22.35-38
- Why did Jesus say "That is enough" when the disciples told him they had two swords?
- 10.04
- Revelation 6.12-17
- Who is the "One seated on the throne?"
- 10.05
- Revelation 6.12-17
- Who is the "lamb?"
- 10.06
- Revelation 6.12-17
- Describe the wrath of Jesus
- 10.07
- Revelation 17.14
- What are your thoughts about Jesus winning the war?
- 10.08
- Exodus 14.13-14
- What were the Israelites commanded to "do" in the battle with the Egyptians?
- 10.09
- Joshua 1.9
- On what basis are we to be strong and courageous?
- 10.10
- 1 Samuel 17.45-47
- What does "spiritual warfare" look like?
- 10.11
- Mark 1.1-3
- What is the "gospel?"
- 10.12
- Mark 1.1-3
- What does it look like to be a messenger of God?
- 10.13
- Mark 1.1-3
- Jesus is coming back! What are you doing to prepare the way?
- 10.14
- Mark 1.1-4
- What is the significance of "wilderness" in the book of Mark?
- 10.15
- Mark 1.4
- What is the significance of "baptism" in a Christian's spiritual journey?
- 10.16
- Mark 1.4
- What does it look like to "repent?"
- 10.17
- Mark 1.4
- What is "sin?"
- 10.18
- Matthew 3.13-17
- If you have been baptized, describe your experience. If you have not been baptized, why not?
- 10.19
- Mark 1.6
- What other Biblical prophets were counter-cultural in their clothing or diet?
- 10.20
- Mark 1.2
- Should we be preparing the way for Jesus' return? If so, what does it look like?
- 10.21
- Mark 1.8
- What does "baptize you with the Holy Spirit" mean?
- 10.22
- Mark 1.12-13
- What are your thoughts about the "Spirit" driving Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan?
- 10.23
- Mark 1.15
- What is the "kingdom of God?"
- 10.24
- Mark 1.14-15
- Why did Jesus wait until John's arrest to start preaching?
- 10.25
- Mark 1.15
- From what specific sin is Jesus commanding all of us to repent?
- 10.26
- Mark 1.16-18
- Describe a time when you dropped everything to obey Jesus
- 10.27
- Mark 1.16-20
- Within minutes, Jesus called 4 of His 12 disciples. What's your success rate at calling disciples?
- 10.28
- Mark 1.21-22
- Who is your favorite spiritual teacher?
- 10.29
- Mark 1.21
- Why did Jesus choose the "synagogue on the Sabbath" as a regular venue for His teaching? {1.21}
- 10.30
- Mark 1.21-22
- WRT OT Sabbath laws, why was it okay to "teach" on the Sabbath?
- {Mark 1.21-22}
#### More Questions
- What are your thoughts about the unclean spirit's use of plural pronouns? {1.23-26}
- Please tell the X community about a time when you commanded unclean spirits out of someone. {1.23-26}
- What are your thoughts about Peter's mother-in-law serving the group immediately after being healed? {1.29-31}
- In Mark 1, how many words / phrases occur that indicate ASAP action? {1.0}
### 2025.11
- 11.01
- Matthew 6.9-13
- Why did Jesus teach His disciples (and us) to pray in the plural?
- 11.02
- Matthew 6.9-13
- Why did Jesus command us to pray to our "Father in Heaven?"
- According to Jesus, to whom are we to pray?
- 11.03
- Matthew 6.9-13
- Who or what is our "Father in Heaven?"
- 11.04
- Matthew 6.9-13
- What special honor should we render to our creator?
- 11.05
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 5 - Hallowed - What does "hallowed" mean?
- 11.06
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 6 - Be - God IS holy! We need to treat Him and His name as holy!
- 11.07
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 7 - Your - It's all about God, not me.
We live in such a narcissistic world that we want to make everything about us.
It's not!
Father, please forgive us and please help us honor You and worship You as we should.
- 11.08
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 8 - Name - You Are Your Name
- Father, Your name is a perfect representation of who You are
- Please help us honor You and Your name
- Please help us treat Your name as holy
- 11.09
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 9 - Your
- This is the second "Your" in the first 9 words of this prayer
- It's all about YOUR kingdom and YOUR will
- Not my kingdom or will
- 11.10
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 10 - Kingdom
- Father, You are King over the universe!
- We ask that Your kingdom reigns:
- over the lives of all 8+ billion people
- over your Church
- over the physical earth
- I ask that Your kingdom reign in my life
- 11.11
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 11 - Come
- Father, we ask that Your kingdom come:
- into every aspect of the lives of all 8+ billion of us on this earth
- into our families
- into our marriages
- into our children
- into our homes
- into our friends
- into our bodies
- into our health
- into our pets
- into our work, our coworkers, our bosses
- into our governments
- into our recreation
- into our entertainment
- into our religion
- into the earth
- into the climate
- into the weather
- into the its resources
- into the creatures
- 11.12
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 12 - Your
- Father, in the prayer Your Son taught His disciples, there are three "Yours" in the first two of five verses. It would seem He wanted them (and us) to put a lot of emphasis on You:
- +Your name
- +Your kingdom
- +Your will
- Please forgive us for being so narcissistic and help us worship You as You desire
- 11.13
- Matthew 6.9-13
- 13 - Will
- Father,
- + Your will is perfect
- + Your will is the absolute best for each and all of us
- + Your will caused Your Son, Jesus:
- ++ to be born in a manger
- ++ to live a perfect life
- ++ to die on a cross
- ++ to be raised from the dead
- ++ to seat Him at Your right hand in heaven
- ++ to eventually return to earth to judge the nations
- ++ to be a substitution for my sins by His shed blood
- ++ Please help us discern Your will
- ++ Please help us love Your will
- ++ Please help us obey Your will
- Thank you Father for Your will, may it be done on earth as it is in heaven
- 11.14
- Matthew 6.9-13
```
14 - Be Done
Father as You know, I researched "be done" in the BibleHub dictionary in the context of "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"
Thank You for showing me the meaning of these words, "be done"
- to become
- signifies a change of condition, state or place
- to come into being / manifestation implying motion, movement, or growth
I like the words of M. Vincent, "it is used for God's actions as emerging from eternity and becoming (showing themselves) in time (physical space)
So, Father please cause Your eternal will to show itself on our earth and in all mankind
Father, as You know I believe:
- Your "will", will become with or without my request or approval
- The purpose of prayer is to align all aspects of my being (mind, "my will", emotions, body, spirit and etc.) with You
Father, I surrender to You and ask that Your will "come into being " in me
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- 11.15
- Matthew 6.9-13
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Be Ready - Saturday, 2025.11.15
15 - On
Father, we ask that Your will be done:
- above the earth
- after the earth
- among the earth
- around the earth
- at the earth
- before the earth
- below the earth
- beside the earth
- concerning the earth
- embracing the earth
- for the earth
- in the earth
- on the earth
- onto the earth
- over the earth
- referring to the earth
- through the earth
- towards the earth
- under the earth
- within the earth
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- 11.16
- Matthew 6.9-13
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Be Ready - Sunday, 2025.11.16
16 - Earth
Father,
What did Jesus mean when He told us to pray that Your will be done on "earth?" To what "earth" was He referring:
- the third rock from the sun?
- ancient classical elements: earth, water, air and fire?
- the band, "Earth, Wind & Fire?"
- the earth's climate systems?
- the dirt in the earth?
- "us," the people on the earth?
What do these passages in Your Word mean:
- For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. {Isaiah 65.17-19 (BSB)}
- Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth. {Zephaniah 1.18 (BSB)}
- Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” {Malachi 4.5-6 (BSB)}
- But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. {2 Peter 3.10 (BSB)}
- But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3.13 (BSB))
- Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. {Revelation 21.1-2 (BSB)}
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- 11.17
- Matthew 6.9-13
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Be Ready - Monday, 2025.11.17
17 - As It Is
Father,
What an incredible prayer request Your Son taught us to pray! He said we should ask that Your will be done here on earth in the everyday lives of all 8+ billion just like it is in heaven where You dwell!
As I was writing this, opposing thoughts came to me.
- Either heaven is really messed up, or we have yet to experience Your will being done here on earth.
- Or perhaps... ‘Your will be done on earth’ is happening right before our eyes… straight out of Romans 1:18–32
Thank You that we can trust You and Your Word!
Passages
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.
{Romans 1.18-32 (BSB)}
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- 11.18
- Matthew 6.9-13
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Be Ready - Tuesday, 2025.11.18
18 - In Heaven
Father,
Thank you for the many positive "teases" about heaven in Your Word!
I say "teases" because I have more questions than answers. I am guessing / assuming that You do such things to increase our faith.
Regardless, I am trusting that You know what You are doing and that You love me and the other 8+ billion people on this earth. I can't speak for all the others, but I am looking forward to hanging with You for all eternity whether the place is called "heaven" or the "New Jerusalem" or Your "Temple!"
I would love to be a pillar in Your Temple. Please give me all the grace necessary to be an overcomer.
## Passages
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
{Revelation 3.12 (BSB)}
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- 11.19
- Matthew 6.9-13
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Be Ready - Wednesday, 2025.11.19
19 - Give
Father,
I know you are a good God who loves Your children and wants to give good gifts to us!
It seems you desire that we ask you for what we need / want instead of just expecting that you will provide. Of course, that is consistent with any relationship. Jesus taught His followers (and us) to "ask, seek & knock."
Father, I want to know You. Please, not only give me the daily bread I need to survive, but please give me knowledge of Yourself!
Passages
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
{Matthew 7.7-8 (BSB)}
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
{1 John 2.12-14 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Thursday, 2025.11.20
20 - Us
Father,
You are an infinite God! There are NO limits that apply to You!
We on the other hand are concerned / worried / anxious about so many things not the least of which are food, water and clothing. (See Matthew 6.25-34)
But You ... You spoke into existence, from nothing, everything we see, feel, hear, taste & smell. More importantly, from nothing You created "us", mankind, man and woman. (See Genesis 1-2)
Again, we are so worried about everything. If we would but put our trust and faith in You, our needs would be met and peace would replace anxiousness. You can provide all of "my" needs as well as the other 8+ billion people and still have infinite resources available. (See Philippians 4.6-7)
Amen, I thank You, I praise You, I honor You! Please forgive us for failing to believe that You can provide for us.
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Friday, 2025.11.21
21 - This Day
Father,
- Thank You for providing all of our needs everyday of our lives!
- Thank You for sending Jesus, the "Bread of Life" and thank You for providing for our daily need for Jesus (See John 6.35)
- Since our "standing orders" or overall work assignment is to "believe in the One You sent (Jesus), thank You for giving us the "Plan of the Day (POD)" everyday so we can know how to partner with you in what You are doing each day. (See John 6.28-29)
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Saturday, 2025.11.22
22 - Our
Father,
On behalf of all mankind, I confess we are a selfish lot!
Because we don't trust that You love us and don't believe that You can and want to supply all of our needs, we steal and hoard. We also confuse "needs" with "desires." Please forgive us! (See Philippians 4.19)
I believe You have infinite love and infinite resources!
I ask on behalf of all mankind, please provide "our" daily needs.
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Sunday, 2025.11.23
23 - Daily
Father, Your Son taught us to pray to You asking for "daily" bread. I believe He was teaching us about the importance of connecting with You everyday. It shouldn't just be a once-a-week thing on Sundays or even worse; identifying as CEO (Christmas & Easter Only) Christians. Certainly, we do need to meet together regularly, but I believe in this "Lord's Prayer" passage, Jesus is talking about a daily, intimate thing between us and You. {Hebrews 10.25}
Father, I am asking that You put it on our hearts to feel starved until we meet with you everyday!
- I know there are some who have no experience connecting with their creator. Please meet them where they are and grow them into mature believers.
- I know there are some who have met with you many times in the past. But, for whatever reason the weeds of life have choked out their relationship with You. Please convict them and draw them back to you!
- Finally, I know there are also some who are mature in their relationship with you. Please take them even deeper. Show them more and more of Your character.
- {Compare with Mark 4.1-9, 13-20}
Father, please make all of us like the Bereans
- noble minded
- willing to receive Your message with great eagerness
- committed to examining Your Word everyday
{Acts 17.11}
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Monday, 2025.11.24
24 - And
Father, I have some random thoughts I want to discuss with You.
- For the most part, conjunctions such as "and" & "or" could be considered filler words like "like" is used today
- On the other hand, in legal documents and in computer programming, the correct usage vs the incorrect can yield radically different results.
- So, when Matthew recorded Your Son's words in the book of Matthew how important / how significant are the two "ands" in these five verses?
Father, I must confess my thoughts / questions discussed here don't reach the same level of urgency as many of the other ones we have discussed in the past. Unless otherwise directed (UNIDIR), I don't intend
- to stand at my guard post
- to station myself at the ramparts
- to watch to see what You will say to me or how I should answer
(See Habakkuk 2.1)
Nevertheless, thank You for Your Word! I always look forward to hearing from You and getting to know You better!
May the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Your glory as the waters cover the sea! (See Habakkuk 2.14)
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Tuesday, 2025.11.25
25 - Bread
Father,
I messed up and passed over "bread!" It should have been the topic yesterday.
Arguably, bread could be one of the more important words in this prayer. Not only is bread a staple of food around the world but Jesus is often identified as the "bread of life!" Jesus said about Himself / the bread of life: {John 6.48-51}
- I am the bread of life {48}
- This bread (Jesus) comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die {50}
- He is the living bread that came down from heaven {51a}
- If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever {51b}
- this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh. {51c}
Jesus continued in the next paragraph: {John 6.53-51}
- unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you {53}
- Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day {54}
- My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink {55}
Jesus wrapped up this topic in the next paragraph {John 6.56-58}
- Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. {56}
- Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me {57}
- Again, this bread came down from heaven {58a}
- Finally, unlike the Israelite fathers who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread (Jesus) will live forever.” {58b}
I am reminded of a conversation between Adam and the Lord God before Eve came on the scene.
- God had just placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and He gave Adam this command:
- “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil ... {Genesis 2.15-17a}
- My conclusion from that conversation is that God is quite generous and wants us to enjoy His creation to the maximum extent possible
tl;dr
- We should ask the Father to give us bread each day
- Bread could be the kind made from flour, or it could be Jesus
- If the bread in this prayer is Jesus then:
- Everyday, we need to ask the Father to give us Jesus, the bread of life
- We need to freely eat the bread the Father gives us
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Wednesday, 2025.11.26
26 - And Forgive us
As a dog father, I am constantly on watch for the things she puts in her mouth. I don't know which is more challenging; a toddler or my dog. But unlike a toddler which requires more finesse, most dogs can be trained to respond to commands. For decades, I used the command "drop" when I wanted my dog to spit out whatever she had in her mouth. However, it seems that recently some of the "dog trainer influencers" are using the command "leave it." I suppose "leave it" could be used for the times when my dog is interested in something but hasn't put it in her mouth yet and drop for those when the item is already in her mouth. But, to keep things simple (more for me than her) I have been trying to use "leave it" for both situations.
The Greek word "aphiémi" is translated "forgive" or "forgiven" six times in Matthew 6.9-15. Of the 146 occurrences of "aphiémi" in the New Testament, the most common translation is some form of "let" or "leave". So, it could be concluded that when Jesus is teaching on forgiveness, He is telling us to "leave it!"
When I tell my dog to "leave it", the types of things I want her to leave are either dangerous for her or disgusting. Either way, I have a strong desire for her to never go back to it again. I think the desired outcome of "forgiveness" is similar. God wants us to forgive and not pickup the issue again. I know for sure, my desire is for God to forgive me for the plethora of sins I have committed and not throw them back in my face at some time in the future. Since we are asking God to forgive us as we have forgiven others, I guess I better do the second half if I want the first half!
Father,
- As difficult it is to understand the word "forgive", it is even more difficult to put into practice.
- Please help each of us!
- Thank you!
Passage
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
{Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Thursday, 2025.11.27
27 - Our Debts
ALL of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory!!!! {Romans 3.23}
Regardless whether the word is translated "debts," "sins," "wrongs", "shortcomings" or "offences" the tl;dr, I screwed-up and the correct penalty is spending eternity separated from God (a.k.a. HELL).
Although the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord {Romans 6.23}
Therefore on this day of Thanksgiving, the number one recipient of thanks should be Jesus for voluntarily hanging on the cross to pay the price for my sins (and yours).
Disciple's Prayer
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ {Matthew 6.9-13 (BSB)}
Oh By The Way
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. {1 John 1.8-10 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Friday, 2025.11.28
28 - As we also have forgiven
Father, I have more questions than answers about this forgiveness thing. Please splain!
- It would seem the phrase "forgive us our debts" is dependent upon "as we also have forgiven our debtors." So, if I don't forgive others, then is it true that You won't forgive me for the plethora of sins I have / will commit??? Is that what Jesus meant in Matthew 6.14-15?
- So, let's assume I want to obey You and forgive someone for an egregious "sin" against me. How do I possibly do that? What does it look like to forgive him? Even after forgiving him, how do I ever trust him again? What about the times the "sin" pops into my head again and again? What about the possibility he will sin against me again in the future? Is this last question the same as the one Peter asked in Matthew 18.21-22?
- What did Jesus mean when He said to the disciples after His resurrection, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” {John 20.22b-23 (BSB)} Did that statement only apply to the 11 disciples, or does it apply to all believers today? WRT the "sins" in this passage, are they only against God, or do they include when someone hurts me?
- Why is this command plural? Was Jesus only talking about "community sins?" If so, what about sins against me? Was this verse meant as an all inclusive statement; sins against me as well as sins against my community?
- How does this forgiveness thing relate to the so-called church discipline paragraph, Matthew 18.15-17?
Father, my list of questions is seemingly infinite. However, I'll end this post with these:
- Please splain the whole thing with David, Bathsheba & Uriah. {2 Samuel 11-12.23}
- How is it that David states in Psalm 51.4a, "Against You, You only, have I sinned?"
- What about Uriah, the son who died, all the people David involved in the cover-up and the ripple effect on all the people of Israel for years to come? {2 Samuel 12.10 - 2 Samuel 20}
Father, even though I don't understand this forgiveness thing, I trust You know what You are doing! Somewhat like the father with a demon possessed son, I cry out, "I forgive, help my forgiveness! {Mark 9.24 (BSB)}
Disciple's Prayer & Epilogue
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
{Matthew 6.9-15 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Saturday, 2025.11.29
29 - Our Debtors
I just finished reading the 66 pages of Texas Property Code dealing with mechanic's, contractor's or materialman's liens. It was a real nail-biter all the way to the end. If you hire a contractor to do work on your property in Texas, I'd highly suggest understanding your requirements as an owner! (I assume most states have similar statutes.) The tl;dr, if a contractor doesn't get paid per the contract, he has a right to put a lien on your property and eventually foreclose if the lien isn't satisfied.
WHY IN THE WORLD DID I SPEND SOME OF MY SATURDAY AFTERNOON DOING SUCH A THING you might ask.
When someone does something to hurt us (sin against us) according to the Old Testament, we have a right, nay an obligation to put a lien on their life. You may have heard of the "Eye for eye and tooth for tooth, etc. thing." If not, check out Exodus 21:23–25, Leviticus 24:19–20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. BTW, there are a lot more rules about punishments for crimes against ME in the Torah. Unlike the Old Testament where a punishment was proportional to the injury, today, people met out extreme "retaliation" for injuries that didn't happen or were so minor that a simple "sorry" should be sufficient.
I believe these two scenarios (OT times and today) are exactly what Jesus addressed numerous times and ways.
Not only did Jesus tell us to forgive our debtors (release the lien against the other person) but He also told us resolve the problems WE caused. {Matthew 5.23-24}
Texas property statutes detail punishments for failing to follow the rules. Although it could include up to a year in jail, that punishment is inconsequential compared to what Jesus said about failing to forgive. We will talk more about that next week. For those looking for extra credit, check out Matthew 6.14-15
Disciple's Prayer & Epilogue
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
{Matthew 6.9-15 (BSB)}
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Be Ready - Sunday, 2025.11.30
And lead us not into temptation
What does it look like to be led? If you are led into temptation, is that a form of leadership? Can / does God lead us into temptation?
But before we talk about being led, let's discuss temptation. What is temptation? What does it look like to be led into temptation? I'll re-ask a question from the previous paragraph, "Can / does God lead us into temptation?"
Attempting to understand the Greek word, "peirasmos" tests my thinking ability. It occurs 21 times in the New Testament and is translated into temptation, trials, trial as well as testing. According to the Greek scholars at https://biblehub.com, both senses temptation and / or test can apply _simultaneously_ (depending on the context). The positive sense ("test") and negative sense ("temptation") are functions of the context (not merely the words themselves).
Some of the more noteworthy occurrences (but isn't All scripture noteworthy??):
- In the garden at Gethsemane, Jesus told Peter to watch and pray that he wouldn't enter into temptation {Matthew 26.41, Mark 14.38 & Luke 22.40}
- Jesus spent 40 days & nights in the wilderness being tempted by the devil {Matthew 4.1-11, Mark 1.12-13 & Luke 4.1-13}
- All of us get tempted (even Jesus), but God always provides an escape plan {1 Corinthians 10.13}
- The desire to be rich is a source of temptation {1 Timothy 6.9-10}
- According to James, we are to be joyful when we encounter trials because if we persevere, then we will receive the crown of life {James 1.2 & 12}
- We shouldn't be surprised by the fiery trials {1 Peter 4.12}
tl;dr
Temptation is kinda like a science experiment where everyone is a liar and your job is to avoid falling into their trap
Disciple's Prayer & Epilogue
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
{Matthew 6.9-15 (BSB)}
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### 2025.12
- 12.01
- And lead us not into temptation
- 12.02
- but deliver us from the evil one
- 12.03
- For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
- 12.04
- vs 14-15
### Start Christmas Verses
- See [[Christmas_Verse_Plan]] for the remainder of 2025
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## Question Resource
- [[DP_Q_TBD]]