@Livingwater Study 1B LOT: A SAVED SOUL – A LOST LIFE (Scripture Portions: Genesis 12: 1-5; 13: 1-13; 14: 1-16; and 19: 1-38) In Genesis 19: 15-16, we read that Lot “hesitated” –- which tells us that his conscience was seared (1 Timothy 4: 2). How slow he was to obey God, even when God had warned him of impending judgment! –- look up 2 Thessalonians 1: 7 – 9. These are some of the most solemn words in the Bible. 3 . Lot had no influence for God . He did not look, walk or act like a man of God, and nobody ever dreamed that he was one. As a believer he should have exerted a powerful influence for the Lord, but because he was so weak and so worldly his influence for God counted for nothing at all. He had no influence with the men of Sodom. We learn this from Genesis 19: 1-11, and particularly notice in verses 7 –- 9 that they laughed him to scorn. The men of Sodom must have despised Lot, and the world despises a worldly, “make-believe” Christian. He had no influence with his chi
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LW: The worldly Christian lays up treasure on earth and has little or no treasure in Heaven
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@Livingwater Study 1A LOT: A SAVED SOUL – A LOST LIFE (Scripture Portions: Genesis 12: 1-5; 13: 1-13; 14: 1-16; and 19: 1-38) In this series of studies we shall concentrate our attention upon ten Old Testament characters. There is no better way to encourage ourselves and one another than by studying the lives of men and women who have served God in the past –- look up Romans 15: 4. But this line of study will also bring us solemn warnings about the dangers and pitfalls which confront us –- look up 1 Corinthians 10: 11-12. This series, therefore, will provide us with a balance of encouragements and warnings. We begin with a word of warning, as we read and study the character of Lot. The scripture references above make very sad reading. They tell us about a man who was saved, as is made clear when he is referred to as “that righteous man” in 2 Peter 2: 6 – 9. In New Testament language, Lot was a saved man, but he was only just saved; he was a worldly Christian who had a saved soul
LW:Is there any joy like the joy of winning a soul to Christ? And if the joy is great now, what will it be then, when we see those whom we have won in the presence of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 2:19)?
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@Livingwater Study 10B A PROMISE TO CHRISTIAN WORKERS (Scripture Portion: Psalm 126) The Christian Worker is one who SOWS SEED All true Christian service consists of seed sowing – taking a Sunday School class, distributing tracts, preaching, visiting the sick, letter-writing……Look up Luke 8:11 and see what the seed is. 1. This seed is precious (Psalm 126:6 (KJV); 2 Peter 1:4). There is none like it; it is life-giving (John 6:63). 2. This seed is powerful (Romans 1:16; Hebrews 4:12). It can turn sinners into saints (Psalm 19:7). 3. This seed is productive (Daniel 12:3). It brings forth an eternal harvest. But the seed must be sown! Seed in the basket will never produce a harvest. It is not the truth we know but the truth we sow that bears fruit –- and we shall reap what we sow! Sow wheat, and there will be a harvest of wheat; sow truth, and there will be a glorious harvest; sow error, and there will be a harvest of shame –- look up Galatians 6:7. 4 . The Christian Worker h
LW:To be imbued with this heavenly concern for the lost; and once we are really concerned our tears will flow
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@Livingwater Study 10A A PROMISE TO CHRISTIAN WORKERS (Scripture Portion: Psalm 126) The last two verses of this psalm are the key-verses of this study, and the last two phrases in particular are wonderfully prophetic, in a three-fold sense. First , they are prophetic of Israel’s history. The words have already received a large measure of fulfilment, and today the Jews everywhere are passing through the time of tears and weeping. Soon their time of weeping will pass and they will “return with songs of joy”. Second , they are prophetic of our Lord’s ministry. Meditate on the separate phrases in verse 6, and compare the following: Psalm 40:7; Luke 9:51; 19:41; John 11:25 and Hebrews 5:7; John 12:24; 14:3; Jude 14. Third, these words are prophetic, or descriptive of Christian workers. There is a three-fold contrast: (1) going out and coming in again; (2) weeping and rejoicing; (3) carrying seed and carrying sheaves. Let us look at the description of the Christian worker in verse 6.
LW:Are our wills bent on pleasing self, or bent on pleasing God? Do we want to go our way, or His way?
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@Livingwater Study 9B HOW TO BE WELL-BEHAVED (Scripture Portion: Psalm 101) The deeds of faithless men David hates, and he resolves that they will not cling to him. “I’ll not let a worldly spirit get hold of me!” It is so easy for a Christian to be like a worldling: by indulging in the world’s questionable pleasures, using the world’s corrupt forms of speech, adopting the world’s debased standards, and so on 3 . The well-behaved Christian refuses to regard iniquity. See verse 3. We cannot help seeing “vile” things, but it is a very different matter deliberately and willingly to set them before our eyes –- look up Psalm 66:18 and Romans 13:14. How necessary it is for us to make the resolve of verse 3, and to apply it to the literature we read, the places we go to, the people we associate with and the thoughts of our heart! We are called unto holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1); and what have we to do with wickedness (2 Timothy 2:19)? 4 . The well-behaved Christian is separate from the
LW:“My behaviour shall be such as will be pleasing to God and commendable in the sight of men.”
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@Livingwater Study 9A HOW TO BE WELL-BEHAVED (Scripture Portion: Psalm 101) It has been said that there are two kinds of psalms: psalms of Praise and psalms of Practice. An example of the former is Psalm 100 –- full of praise and thanksgiving; and an example of the latter is Psalm 101. Psalm 101 is full of resolutions made by David at a time when he was about to become king of Israel. They all have to do with daily life and conduct, and that is why the psalm is so practical. Eight times David says, “I will” . The key-verse is verse 2: “I will be careful to lead a blameless life.” That is: “My behaviour shall be such as will be pleasing to God and commendable in the sight of men.” Are you a Christian? Are you a well-behaved Christian? 1 . The well-behaved Christian has a spirit of praise . A life that is filled with praise to God –- verse 1. The important thing to notice is that the psalmist sings just as much of “love” as he does of “justice”. Naturally speaking, it is far easie
LW:Within the visible church is that invisible company who have been truly born again into God’s family..are you part?
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@Livingwater Study 8B THE SEVEN-FOLD GLORY OF THE CHURCH (Scripture Portion: Psalm 87) All types of people are in the Church –- verses 4 and 5 –- “this one and that one”. How wonderful it is to sit at the Lord’s Table and remember that all over the world others gather in a similar way to worship the same Lord, to remember the same death, and to rejoice in the same great salvation –- rich and poor, nobles and common people, who have been proud, rebellious, worldly –- all saved by Jesus Christ and brought into His Church! 4 . THE GROWTH AND COMPLETION OF THE CHURCH ARE CERTAIN Look at verse 5 (last part), and compare Matthew 16:18. How wonderful to know that the Lord Himself is building His Church and that nothing will prevent Him from completing the work! Many forces are arrayed against the Church, as well as many from within, but the Lord has declared that He will build it, and He will not fail! Look up Acts 2:47 –- it is still happening! –- and read Philippians 1:6. 5 . ALL T
LW:The visible church has many within it who merely profess but do not possess Christ (2 Timothy 3:5).
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@Livingwater Study 8A THE SEVEN-FOLD GLORY OF THE CHURCH (Scripture Portion: Psalm 87) The Church is distinctively a New Testament revelation, and the epistles of Paul tell us much about the glories of the Church. For example, in Ephesians 5:25-27 (KJV) we find the expression “a glorious Church”; but link this up with Psalm 87:3, and let the “city of God” represent the Church, then read the rest of the psalm and discover the glories of the Church that are mentioned –- at least seven. The word “Selah” at the end of verse 3 means, “Pause, and think of that!” So the psalmist is saying, “Glorious things are spoken of the Church. Pause and think of them! 1 . THE CHURCH HAS A SURE FOUNDATION What is the sure foundation upon which the Church is built? Turn to Matthew 16:13-18 and in particular notice our Lord’s words to Peter just after his confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). He said, “You are Peter ( petros , a piece of rock, ‘a little rock’), a
LW: The greatest barrier to revival is sin. Are you right with God? Is there sin in your life? Are you living in disobedience to the Lord?
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@Livingwater Study 7 SEVEN STEPS TO REVIVAL (Scripture Portion: Psalm 85) 2 . We must admit the POSSIBILITY of Revival. Are we convinced that revival is possible? The psalmist was! Six times in verses 1-3 he reminded God of what He had done –- “You showed… You restored“. And the fact that God has sent revival in the past demonstrates the possibility of revival coming again. Some people will not admit the possibility of revival coming in our day; for example, the ultra-dispensationalists, and all pessimistic, unbelieving, self-satisfied, worldly Christians will be slow to admit the possibility. But history, plus the promises of God, prove the possibility of revival. Look up 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 33:3; Malachi 3:10 3 . We must recognise the SOURCE of Revival Where does revival come from? Verse 6 tells us. “You……” –- look up Psalm 62:11. It comes from God; it is not worked up but sent down, and therefore our eyes must not be upon men, methods, churches or denominations –- b
LW: There will never be any revival until we are willing to admit our desperate need for it.
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@Livingwater Study 7A SEVEN STEPS TO REVIVAL (Scripture Portion: Psalm 85) In verse 6 of this wonderful psalm, the psalmist prays for revival. Multitudes today are praying a similar prayer, and in this study we shall discover some of the things that God says about revival. Some of us have seen revivals on a very small scale, where in crowded meetings many souls have been saved, lives have been transformed and there has been a deep spirit of prayer resting upon the people of God; but few of us have seen any large-scale revivals. We have read sufficient about such mighty movements of the Spirit of God to make us long for the Lord to do it again! But – what is revival? Revival is renewal, restoration –- a fresh inflow of the life, love and power of God. People faint and then, when help is brought, they revive. Flowers droop, and when placed in fresh water they revive. Christians and churches also droop, faint and need reviving. There are degrees of revival. A sick person may revive an
Lw: Good health is a great enemy of depression, and bad health is a good friend of depression.
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@Livingwater Study 6B THE CAUSES AND CURE FOR DEPRESSION (Scripture Portion: Psalm 77) # WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEPRESSION? 1. A morbid, pessimistic outlook on life. In verse 2, the psalmist “refused to be comforted”. Some people are full of pessimism, always thinking and speaking in a “minor key” – “enjoying bad health”! As Christians, we should cultivate a holy optimism and deliberately refuse to dwell upon the dark side of things. What right have we to be pessimists? 2. An offending conscience. In verse 3, he tells us that in his depression he suddenly remembered God “…and was troubled”. Evidently he did not have a conscience “clear before God” (Acts 24:16). There was something between himself and God. Is there anything between us and the Lord? Are we disobeying Him in any way (Ephesians 4:30)? 3. A complaining spirit. In verse 3, the psalmist says, “I remembered you, O God, and I groaned”. The person who is always complaining is especially prone to depression. A
Lw:Most of us know what depression is, and few can claim that they have never experienced depression of any kind.
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@Livingwater Study 6A THE CAUSES AND CURE FOR DEPRESSION (Scripture Portion: Psalm 77) Most of us know what depression is, and few can claim that they have never experienced depression of any kind. Certainly the psalmist was depressed when he wrote Psalm 77; and since he knew what depression was, and we know it also, we shall base this study upon two books –- the Book of God and the Book of Human Experience. What gloomy and depressing reading this psalm makes! Have you ever felt like verses 2, 3 and 4? And have you ever said verses 7, 8 and 9? # NOTICE THAT DEPRESSION AFFECTS US IN AT LEAST FOUR WAYS 1. It overwhelms our spirit. The psalmist tells us this in verse 3. One dictionary definition of depression is “a lowering of the spirit”. How often some of us have experienced this! For some unaccountable reason we have found ourselves down in the depths –- our spirit has been defeated, dejected and overwhelmed. 2. It awakens our memory. In verse 6 the psalmist tells us that in hi
LW: Once we have cast our burden upon Him He assumes full responsibility for it and for us, and He promises to sustain or uphold us
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@Livingwater Study 5B WHAT TO DO WITH LIFE’S BURDENS (Scripture Portion: Psalm 55) What ARE we to do with life’ s burdens ? Three things are indicated in our key-verse – Psalm 55:22 1. ACCEPT the burden FROM the Lord. The word “burden” here literally means “that which He has given you”; or the word may simply mean “gift”. Did you ever think of your burdens as a trust from God? To understand this is to take the first step in the transformation of trouble. That trial, disappointment, loss –- is that God’s doing? Yes, He has permitted it; He has trusted you with it for some very wise and loving purpose – – Romans 8:28. It has not come because of “fate” or “bad luck”; it may have come from the Devil, but only with the Lord’s full permission. Therefore, accept it from His hands. One reason God gives us burdens to bear is that they may bring us closer to Himself –- look at verse 19. It is easy to forget Him and become slack when things go smoothly, when there are no “changes”! Compar
LW:It is easy to give up, and let trials and disappointments overwhelm us –- see verses 4-5; but relief from our burdens is not found this way!
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@Livingwater Study 5A WHAT TO DO WITH LIFE’S BURDENS (Scripture Portion: Psalm 55) The key-verse of this study is Psalm 55:22. Look it up, for it introduces a theme that must make an appeal to all; we all have to carry burdens! This is a world of burden-bearing. Sorrow and trouble come alike to all mankind. There is no respect of persons; the rich have their share as well as the poor. How true are the statements in Job 5:7 and 14:1! Some have to carry heavier burdens than others, and some of us have little conception of the hidden burdens that some, maybe our own friends, are carrying. Often the deepest and most poignant burdens are not seen. 1 . What kind of burdens do people carry ? 1. Burdens to do with the home. To most of us home is “sweet”, but not to all. In many homes there is poverty, sickness, and strained or broken relationships. 2. The burdens of business responsibilities. 3. Burdens in connection with the Lord’s work (2 Corinthians 11:28). 4. Burdens to do with ou
LW:Why a table? In the east, the pastureland is so covered with insects and harmful creatures that the shepherd used to place the food for his flock on little raised “tables” to enable them to feed safely in the presence of these “enemies”
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@Livingwater Study 4B THE SWEETEST PSALM OF ALL (Scripture Portion: Psalm 23) #If the Lord is my Shepherd, verse 2 describes the POSITION into which I am brought . It is one of complete satisfaction. What is the secret of this satisfaction? 1. The sheep are fully satisfied because the Shepherd provides perfect conditions for them. Green pastures and still waters. Perfect rest and refreshment! Notice that the sheep lie down, something a sheep will never do while it is hungry. Here, then, is perfect satisfaction. Are you fully satisfied with Jesus? 2. The sheep are fully satisfied because the Shepherd is in full control of them. “He makes me to lie down……He leads me……” By nature we are foolish, wandering sheep (Isaiah 53:6), but if the Lord is our shepherd He assumes full responsibility for us; He gently makes us to lie down and He leads us in the way of His gracious provision. This is the secret of a fully satisfied life. It is not only the Shepherd’s provision that satisfies
LW: Sheep are foolish. They wander away, fall into a ditch here or get caught in a thicket there. Then what? The shepherd goes out and restores the sheep
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@Livingwater Study 4A THE SWEETEST PSALM OF ALL (Scripture Portion: Psalm 23) This psalm is undoubtedly one of the best loved passages in the Bible. Whoever we are, wherever we are and whatever circumstances we are in, it has its message for us. The whole psalm is a wonderful illustration of the truth expressed in Proverbs 4:18. The position of the psalm is significant. Psalm 22 is PAST tense and speaks to us of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); Psalm 23 is PRESENT tense and speaks to us of the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21); and Psalm 24 is FUTURE tense, speaking to us of the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). The key that unlocks the whole psalm is the opening phrase: “The Lord is my shepherd……” He is a shepherd, but best of all, He is my shepherd. Is He yours? It is only when we know Him that the blessings of the rest of the psalm become ours. It is possible to know the psalm without knowing the shepherd; it is better to know both! #. If the Lord is my Shepherd – POSSESSION – vers
LW: The most joyful people in the world are those who are constantly seeking to keep God’s commandments and please Him
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@Livingwater Study 3B THE REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE (Scripture Portion: Psalm 19) 2 . What are the rewards God promises to the man or woman who will keep His commandments? 1. LONG LIFE. Can obedience affect one’s length of days? Look up Deuteronomy 32:46-47; Proverbs 3:1-2. As a general principle, if we will seek to live in the will of God and obey His laws, then our days will be lengthened; but if we break His laws by living careless, intemperate, self-led lives, then our days may be shortened. 2. PROTECTION. There is a wonderful promise in Ecclesiastes 8:5 – look it up! Does it mean that nothing will “go wrong” if we obey God? It means that Romans 8:28 will be fulfilled in our experience. Sorrow, trials and testings will come, but as they come from Him they will never be “evil”, always “good” (Deuteronomy 23:5). 3. GLADNESS. Read Nehemiah 8:13-17, and notice the last words in verse 17. The most joyful people in the world are those who are constantly seeking to keep God’s commandme
LW: “Prevention is better than cure”, and God seeks to prevent us from sinning and grieving Him by giving us His commandments.
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@Livingwater Study 3A THE REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE (Scripture Portion: Psalm 19) The key-words of this study are in Psalm 19:11 – “In keeping them there is great reward.” In this simple statement the psalmist tells us that there is a reward for obedience. Some of God’s children are disobedient, (in fact, we all are at times); but when we obey Him the Lord promises us a “great” reward. The reference is not primarily to future rewards which we shall receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), but to rewards we receive here and now. One day we must all appear before the Lord to be rewarded, or to suffer loss, according to the way we have lived and laboured for Him (1 Corinthians 3:9-15), but Psalm 19 is speaking of a reward for obedience which is to be received and enjoyed here and now. Notice the words “in” and “is”; that means that in the actual process of doing God’s will and keeping His commandments there is great reward. 1 . Before we think about the rewards that Go
LW:We are constantly surrounded by worldly and ungodly people, but we are not to make them our bosom friends. We cannot be true to God if we court the friendship of ungodly people.
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@Livingwater Study 2B THE HEAVENLY CITIZEN (Scripture Portion: Psalm 15) #THE HEAVENLY CITIZEN IS ONE WHO IS CAREFUL OF HIS FRIENDSHIPS In the first part of verse 4 we have a negative and a positive description of the right kind of companions to have. We are constantly surrounded by worldly and ungodly people, but we are not to make them our bosom friends. We cannot be true to God if we court the friendship of ungodly people. “The friendship of the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). We cannot serve two masters, God and mammon (Luke 16:13). How bad can be the influence of a bad friend; but how good can be the influence of a good friend! A great man was asked the reason for his success, and he replied, “Well –- I had a friend!” So, “make friends of God’s children! #THE HEAVENLY CITIZEN IS ONE WHO IS CHARITABLE TOWARDS HIS NEIGHBOUR #THE HEAVENLY CITIZEN IS ONE WHOSE WORD IS HIS BOND #THE HEAVENLY CITIZEN IS ONE WHO IS MERCIFUL IN HIS DEALINGS Verse 5 tells us this. God has
LW:God’s ideal man will be very slow to say and very slow to hear anything harmful about another..LOVE
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@Livingwater Study 2A THE HEAVENLY CITIZEN (Scripture Portion: Psalm 15) This brief but wonderful psalm presents to us a picture of a true citizen of Zion, one who is travelling on to the city of God, where he will dwell with Him for ever. The psalm may be said to be ethical rather than evangelical; it tells us what a Heavenly Citizen is like rather than the way to become a Heavenly Citizen. The psalm might well be entitled, “Practical Christianity”. In verse 1 the psalmist asks God a two-fold question. What is the significance of and difference between “sanctuary” and “holy hill”? Is there perhaps a reference here to the Church Militant (on earth), typified by the Sanctuary/Tabernacle, and to the Church Triumphant (in Heaven)? Before we can go to Heaven we must be a member of the true Church on earth, so the psalmist asks, “Lord, who are those who belong to the true Church down here……and who are travelling on to the Heavenly City? Describe them, Lord.” And the rest of the psalm i