A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Bible Study

Studies in Malachi

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The theme this week with the Homeschool Review Crew is something old.  I was pondering what this post could be on and then thought… you know what?  The bible is the oldest book and it tells the oldest story. I got to thinking about how as I study through books of the bible I am engaging in “something old”.   The desire to know God more.  My studies in Malachi started on April 28.  I will be finished probably May 26.   

Studies in Malachi

What is Malachi all about

I started my studies listening to Peter Baker.  He summed up the history of Israel before Malachi came on the scene.   You can view my entire playlist should you wish to. 

I love this idea you know.  That discipline starts from a place of love. God demonstrates his love for us. Stating his love for us BEFORE he exercises discipline.  We should be like this with others in our lives don’t you think?

Malachi

I was captured this week by a recurring thought in Malachi 2. How do we honour God?  If we don’t go to church expecting to meet God and just go through the motions… how does that honour God?   If we fail to consider the one that we call our Lord and Saviour throughout the day… how does the honour God?  

We need to consider who God is as we go about our faith duties.  Perhaps duties is the wrong word, but how we live out our faith matters!  In James, we were oft reminded that if we didn’t let our lives be changed by the words we hear we are merely fooling ourselves.  So if God’s word doesn’t cause us to honour him more… what are we really doing?

I don’t want to be seen as offal in the sight of God…the gross bits of cattle, goats and sheep when they were sacrificed to God.  Do you?  I want God to be pleased when he sees me, to know that he makes a difference in my life. I want God to see the respect I offer to him, as insufficient though it be. 

malachi 2

Opinions Abound

Occasionally the comments that made me think caused others to think as well, sometimes with strong opinions.  This one on tithing was one such post.    The point with tithing though is this… doesn’t matter what you give to God.  Other things are much more important.  First, we have to remember it’s all his in the first place.  Second, our giving needs to be done joyfully and generously.  Third, 10% is a basic amount, a good starter for saving for yourself, for encouraging people in ministry and for helping to grow the kingdom of God.  

One of the speakers I was listening to made this statement “Our spouses are like a garment”.  I was fascinated by that idea and almost forgot to listen to the rest of the sermon!  🙂  But it made me think of how some women need to dress the part or their spouses are looked down upon… even if the wife has no part in her husband’s work.   Then I got to thinking about how my hubby doesn’t care about what I wear, if I dress up or down, but how if I dress up, his eyes smile.  Kinda like my eyes smile when I’m wearing something that I particularly like to wear.   Smiles are worth it, even if it causes you to do something you’d rather not.   I keep thinking I might be missing something but for now, isn’t it an interesting thought?

Excellent Sermons

On my second last day of listening to Malachi Sermons I watched this video below.   I loved the message of his sermon.  Malachi is a book of God calling his people back, offering hope instead of wrath. A call to see something deeper, that something more is offered.   Which has people looking forward to the New Testament where Jesus’ birth is the first thing talked about!

Oh…and that depiction of cattle when released from the barn for the first time after winter!  Brings back memories from my childhood of crazy cows and heifers delighting in freedom.   We should delight in the same way!

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May 2020

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James Living through Crisis

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Our pastor started to preach from James just as I finished going through Deuteronomy. I thought it would be a nice short book of the bible to go through before starting another book. It also would be great to learn from James alongside my pastor.  🙂  James is a practical guide to living through crisis and walking in faith. 

James Living in Crisis

Unexpected Appreciation

One of the things that surprised me was how much I enjoyed listening to different pastors preach on the same verses.  The overlap was so interesting as each pastor would emphasize different parts of the text, or sometimes have different interpretations. 

I also discovered a new pastor that I enjoyed listening too.  David Guzik often pulled up quotes from people of faith that spoke adroitly to the text at hand.  Good quotes that often made me think. 

My Methodology

Most of the time I do my devotional time while walking on the treadmill.  I have my youtube playlist and just work my way through it.  As I listen along I read along on my phone, I use the ESV bible app.  Then I copy and paste passages to facebook.  I don’t listen well unless I can take notes to help me remember so I share those thoughts or questions to facebook as well.  Then I can go back over the course of the day as I ponder what I learned. 

I normally open up my overall study time with a video that gives an overview of the book I am studying, and then more specific videos by chapter or verse groupings. 

Some of what I learned

So have you considered what it means to have joy in trials?  How does one DO that?  After all, trials tend not to be fun events.  Through James, I learned that the joy in trials comes from knowing the result of going through trials.  The result of going through trials, particularly if you do so with a God-focus, is that you grow in wisdom and the ability to remain steadfast in the face of difficulty.  

Being tempted is not sin.  Sin is when we act upon our temptation or linger on it.  For instance… I was at the grocery store once and had forgotten that I plunked an onion in my pocket as I was swiftly walking through the store picking up whatever.  Got to the car and it’s like OH>> there’s an onion here I didn’t pay for.  I briefly considered just going home, but then returned to the store and apologized for walking out with it and then paid for it.  It wasn’t sinning to walk out with it, or to briefly think about going home. It WOULD HAVE been sinful to go home with it.   This doesn’t mean I can’t regret or repent of the sinful desire to skip out with it once I remembered.  

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  James 1:22  We need to have our lives impacted by the word of God.  Listening to what God has to say and then living it out.  If all we do is listen by don’t act, we are just fooling ourselves.  God’s word needs to matter.   God’s word, as it tells us in James, helps us living through crisis. 

Does keeping yourself from being polluted by the word mean you need to remove yourself from it, much like the Hutterites, Mennonites and Amish do?   Or does it mean something else?  I’m tending to think it’s a bit of both. 

For instance, going to see a show that glories in death, or a singer who promotes sexual immorality is not something we should be doing.  But refusing to visit a neighbour just because he’s not a believer, or turning my back on a wayward family member, how does that draw them to the Lord?   One of the pastors I listened to mentioned that it’s what our focus in on.  Is it on God, or is it on what’s around us?  Is our focus God-centric or people-centric (often self-centric)? If we focus on God, the pollution of the world will be much less able to influence us. 

James, a practical guide

Can you see how, if you take the lessons from James to heart, that you will have a practical guide to living through crisis?   

Trials put us in a place where we need to ask God for wisdom.  This draws us deeper into his word.  As we do so we learn to put his word into action.  All of this deepens our faith. 

This makes trials a matter of joy.  

Just because, trials are a matter of joy, doesn’t mean I still LIKE trials. If I change my perspective on them from the now to the later, it helps in the immediacy of whatever situation I am in. 

Don’t you also find this to be true?

Understanding Deuteronomy

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You may recall that last month I studied Philippians as I walked on my treadmill.  This month I am doing Deuteronomy.  I never expected it would be so fascinating!   Let me tell you some of what I’ve been learning and pondering.  

Understanding Deuteronomy

An Overview of Deuteronomy

Part of understanding Deuteronomy is knowing where it falls in the bible.  It’s the fifth book in a series of books called The Pentateuch.  It’s part of the history of Israel. 

Deuteronomy contains sermons by Moses, acts of grace and covenants between God and his people. You’ll see laws for religious observance, laws concerning leadership, as well as civic and criminal law.  Before I dove completely in I reviewed what Bible-At-A-Glance had to say. 

Thought from Deuteronomy

What I am Doing

Once a day I walk on my treadmill.  Monday through Saturday I play listen to teachings on Deuteronomy as I walk.  Visit my playlist. 

I used to just walk and listen but found that I was missing a lot and sometimes the teaching would just fade into the background as I got distracted by thoughts or life.  Therefore I figured out a method to help with that.  I post one or two lines on twitter or facebook so I can remember points that struck me.  Interestingly enough, some of those points have resonated with others and discussions have occurred.  More thinking!  

we don't remember the Lord with statues but with a meal together.

I find myself looking forward to the daily interactions with people via facebook or twitter.  To catching glimpses of how others react to the truths I am learning.  But most importantly I love thinking deeper about the things of God.  Of having questions raised and answered. Particularly lately I am enjoying seeing how the Old Testament connects to the new and how it can inspire conversation and continued thought. 

Understanding Deuteronomy

What Have I Learned?

Deuteronomy repeated points out God’s care for his people.  From giving them rules to live by (many of which are repeated in the New Testament), safe places to go when accidental deaths occur, to reminding people that false testimony has it’s consequences.  

I’ve been challenged to think about how we treat the leaders in our church, to talk to God first when I struggle with issues, and how we set up doing service within the church. 

I’m looking forward to learning more.  It’s kinda find it funny actually, when I thought about studying a new book and Deuteronomy was placed firmly in my mind my biggest thought was WHY?  Why Deuteronomy?   And now I’m learning so much I can’t imagine stopping.  🙂

Understanding Deuteronomy

Why not stop by and join me?  You might find yourself completely intrigued like I am.  🙂  You just might find that understanding Deuteronomy really isn’t as hard or as distant as you originally thought.

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Thou Art the Christ

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ASCOT media FTC

Are you looking for a devotional that will walk you through the life of Jesus?   Jonathan Jenkins has put together a devotional where you can use any translation of the Bible that you are comfortable with.   Let me tell you call about it in this review. 

Thou Art the Christ - jonathan jenkins

What I am Reviewing

Thou Art the Christ: a devotional on the Life of Jesus by Jonathan Jenkins was written in 2019 and published by Westbow Press.  At 380 pages this softcover book does a good job at walking people through the life of Christ. 

Thou Art the Christ provides a nonbreaking narrative of Jesus’s life, connecting it to Old Testament prophecies about God’s promise to send the Messiah for the whole world for any whosoever believing him. (from cover)

The Details on Thou Art the Christ

Thou Art the Christ is divided into 11 parts, they are: 

  1. Incarnation
  2. Offer of a new life
  3. Sermon on the mount
  4. Trains the twelve
  5. The turning point
  6. Trains the seventy
  7. Point of no return
  8. Passion week
  9. Last supper
  10. Our Good Friday
  11. His resurrection commissions us
Thou Art the Christ table of contents

One of the things I really appreciate in this devotional is that each devotional reading is directly applicable to the scripture reading.   It’s one of the reasons I dislike reading devotionals.  You read the passage, then the devotional reading and wonder how one connects to the other.  I did not have that with any of the devotionals I read. 

Thou Art the Christ - sample page

With each devotional came 2-5 questions to answer.  Again, directly related to the scripture passage and the devotional. These weren’t empty minded questions, but ones designed to make you think. 

Thou Art the Christ - jonathan jenkins

Would I recommend?

Though I haven’t read every single devotional in this book, I like it.  I love that the author was clear about what he wanted to accomplish.  A devotional about the life of Christ.  He deals with the various aspects of Jesus’ ministry, from birth through resurrection. 

Each scripture reading is small, most of the devotions filled one page, the odd one going to a page and a half. Easy to read, good follow up questions, AND you can use whatever bible you fill most comfortable with. Instead of quoting scripture he provides the scripture reference so you can look it up yourself.  

Thou Art the Christ - jonathan jenkins

Studies in Philippians

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I have to admit, I have been struggling with what to do for the letter P.  I almost decided to simply skip it, but thought Philippians!  Why not talk about my studies in Philippians? 

man in water with sunrise, text Studies in Philippians

Why study Philippians?

As you might know, I’ve been mostly housebound since late fall, and have recently been feeling a bit better.  Not better enough to go for my daily walks, but better enough to want to DO stuff.  I found a treadmill on facebook, and now I am walking inside the house! 

I’m using my time to delve deeply into the book of Philippians.  I started my studies in Philippians simply because when I was looking around at video options, it was the first book that jumped out at me!  🙂   I started off listening to the audio bible on youtube, and then moved into this introductory video. 

I gradually added speakers to listen to. I’ve gone so far as to create a playlist.  New skill for me by the way!  🙂  Born of necessity as I kept having to hunt up the video I was listening to! 

BUT I’ve not only been listening to youtube videos!  Part of having a membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com is a membership to RightNow media.  My latest review of this k-12 membership site is available.  

RightNow Media is a subscription service where speakers across the spectrum of faith present biblical material.  They have a number of studies on Philippians. 

RightNow Media

What am I learning?

Knowing the background and history of Philippians is important!  Philippians was written to the people who lived in Philippi.  This Thracian city was taken over by Philip II of Macedon who named it after himself. It was later taken over by Rome and set up as a military outpost. It was the urban centre, and populated by mostly Greek speaking citizens, who lived Roman law and lifestyle. 

Paul went to Philippi in answer to a dream.  He ministered there and later became a prisoner.  During his imprisonment, most likely in Rome, he wrote this letter to the Philippian church. 

Major Themes of Philippians

As I listen to these various teachers one of the words I keep hearing is Joy.  This joy allows us to gladly live for the sake of Christ and others.  This joy we have allows us to rejoice in who God and the Saviour are and what he has called us too.  Even our prayers need to be based in joy. 

Live a life of service to God and those around us. Strengthen the faith of others,  Consider their needs before your own. 

Work hard in your faith, strive to work out your salvation. Don’t be apathetic in your faith, work to make a difference and to show your faith in a living, loving God. 

Studies in Philippians, count it all joy silhouette of girl jumping

Future Plans?

I’m not sure how long I will stay with my Philippians study.  I do want to finish the precepts class but find that it moves very slowly.   It’s hard when I’m walking fast to try to skip ahead past the sales pitch stuff (because it’s taken from her TV program).  I could just hang out in Philippians until the end of February.  I would hope by then I would know this book of the Bible really really well.  🙂

If you are intrigued by RightNow Media

If you are intrigued by RightNow Media, you can purchase (as a church) a subscription that fits your membership.  And let’s say your church doesn’t have a subscription and you’d like to be a part of it. You can get it with your SchoolhouseTeachers.com subscription.  Now in February the price is going up, and what price you start your membership at is what it stays at as long as your membership is current.  Therefore NOW is a good time to get your membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com. 

Right now the price is only $99/year (code ONLY99) or $12/month (code ONLY12). In February the price will be will rise to just under $225.  Who wants to spend that if you don’t have to?    

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Period of the Judges

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I know, it’s been a while, but I’m finally picking up my Learning about the Old Testament book again.  Last time we met we talked about Worship in Ancient Israel.   Today we are going to talk about the Conquest and the period of the Judges. 

period of the judges

The history So Far

We know that the exodus happened, Mount Sinai happened, and now they sit on the southeast corner of Canaan.  How do they progress?

God has promised them this land.  12 spies, 10 say “It’s a great land but it’s filled with strong, mighty men, it’s a no go”. but two say “we can do this.”

Israel decided to listen to the 10 rather than the 2.  They rebelled against God when they did so. They did rebelled again going in without Moses or the Ark of the Covenant.  Defeat followed.  They then needed to wander through the desert. 

They after a fair few years in the desert ended up on the east side of Canaan. The conquest of the land begins.   Moses giving over leadership to Joshua. 

Period of the Judges

The Conquest

Harman tells us that there are two aspects to the conquest

  1. God’s promises regarding this land.   
  2. The Israelites conquered the land but left pockets of Canaanites. 

This is where the period of the Judges comes in.  Shaking out those pockets of Canaanites.  

Because of the Israelites disobedience, these pockets of Canaanites “were a snare to them” (p 66) as well as a testing ground.  Would the people of Israel call out to God for help?   How would they handle these remaining Canaanites?

The Judges show this result. 

  • The people call out to God in distress
  • God helps them. 
  • The people again become unfaithful.
  • Repeat this cycle.

Eventually the Israelite people settle the land.   They are sometimes slow in the doing so, but eventually the land is there.   They have two problems.

  • Threats from within: the Canaanite faith system threatens the faith of the Israelites to the Lord.  At this point the synagogue had not been built.  Regular instruction of the things of God were infrequent and not well-organized.  Some of the similarities in the Canaanite religion and Jewish religion would have confused some and attracted others. 
  • Threats from without: the surrounding nations attack frequently.  The surrounding nations had establish governing systems.

By the end of this period the people of Israel were becoming unsatisfied with how they were governed.  They wanted stable continuity, and they wanted to be more like the nations around them.  Israelis wanted a king.

The Exodus

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In the time leading up to the Exodus, God remembered his covenant with Noah, and he remembered his covenant with Abraham.  This led the way to the birth of Moses. A man, born into a people enslaved in Egypt.  Pulled out of that, pulled away from his Jewishness, and yet he intervened into the life of a Jewish slave and his life fell apart. 

The Exodus

Moses, a well-educated man, took off.  Afraid of the repercussions from his actions.  He met a gal and worked for his father-in-law. 40 years passed.

God came to him.

Moses learned three important details

  1. God was holy.
  2. God was a covenantal God.  God is the same God who made covenants with forefathers. 
  3. This covenantal God has the special name. Jehovah. YHWH. LORD. This name is indicative of a gracious, loving God who works to redeem his covenantal people. 
  4. Moses would be his messenger, the one through whom he would deliver his people from slavery. 
  5. God would display his power against the Egyptians.  This would be God’s work, not the work of Moses.  God’s alone. 

This information was pivotal to Moses as he was prepared to lead the exodus.

The Exodus

And so God acted.  Moses, his chosen instrument. The Exodus took place with God doing much in the lives of his people.  His grace was shown clearly to his people. The Passover meal became a part of their lives.  The Israelites saw miraculous signs and wonders accomplished by their God.  YHWH God worked in their lives. 

There is much more in this chapter, but this is what I picked out as easiest to share. 

Thinking on what I read

God’s grace was poured out on his people.  He remembered his agreements that he made with Noah and Abraham. So when they called out to him in their distress, he remembered and then acted.

He made it clear to Moses that he would use him as his chosen instrument that it was not Moses who would be saving the people, but God and God alone. 

I wonder how often we forget that.  It is not us who lead people to God.   It is not us who clearly presents God to people.  It is YHWH God himself.  The Lord God himself who works through us to present himself to the people around us.  Do we remember that?  I don’t know about you, but it something I often forget.  I’m to be a vessel for God.  Just like Moses needed to learn and act as God told him to.  

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