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DIGGING DEEPER STUDY GUIDE FOR JUNE 1-6 FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM DANIEL 5:1-6; 13-30

5/31/2015

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Monday - Holy Articles - Numbers 3:30-31 
From the very beginning of the setting up of the tabernacle and later on the Temple, there were certain goblets, the ark, the table, the lampstand and other articles used in the worship of God that were set aside (sanctified) to be only used by the priests in those worship services. These items were not for everyday or common usage but for the specific services in worship of God Most High. And only certain priests were placed in charge of them. In the story from Daniel we see that these sacred items were being used in unholy ways.

Tuesday - Finger of God - Luke 11:20 
Throughout scripture when God revealed His power and mighty it was talked about as the moving or working of His mighty right arm. But to relate how strong God was in wisdom and justice the Bible speaks of the finger of God. In Luke, Jesus shares that if He cast out demons using the power of just the finger of God that the people would know that the kingdom of God had come. Jesus was sharing that the will of God is so powerful that God's finger could make all the difference in the world. In the story of Belshazzar in the book of Daniel, the handwriting on the wall was done by the finger of God and delivered a powerful message that brought fear to the king and his partying companions.

Wednesday - Guilty Fear - Hebrews 10:26-27 
The writer of Hebrews shares with us that when we deliberately continue to sin without regard to the will, calling, and commands of God, there will be no sacrifice left to be offered. And when there is no sacrifice that would be acceptable then only the fearful expectation of God's judgment is left for us to receive and with that comes the unquenchable, all-consuming fire of destruction. When the handwriting of God appeared for Belshazzar, he was filled with a guilty fear to the point his knees knocked together. 


Thursday - Hearts Searched - Jeremiah 17:10 
God deals with us in a fare and appropriate way according to what our life's deeds deserve. In the verse we see that God declares Himself as the One who can rightly search a man's heart, discovering his motives, and He can examine the mind, understanding the logic that we use to guide our actions, and with all of that information brings the correct reward to go along with the conduct that we demonstrated. That reward may be one that is uplifting if our actions and motives have been right, but the reward could also be destructive if we have acted in such a way as to destroy the honorable relationship that we ought to have with God and with others.

Friday - Divine Balances - Revelation 6:5 
In the story from Daniel we saw how Belshazzar had been put on the scales and weighed and was found to be lacking in what counted or what brought about balance in life. In this passage from the book of Jesus' Revelation to John, we see that again the idea of a set of balance scales will be used to balance out the blessings of God to the value of the individual that is being weighed. Belshazzar was found not to be of the proper weight and so was seen as need to have done more but it was too late. What we have need of will also be measured out to us in an appropriate ways according to the balance of God's marvelous grace that is extended to us. 


Saturday - Sins Penalty - Romans 5:12 
Just as in the time of Belshazzar, sin will be dealt with in a most just fashion. Paul shared that sin came into the realm of this world by one man and through that action of influence death also came. It comes to all men, for all mankind have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God's blessing. In chapter 6 and verse 23 it tells us that what is earned by wrong doing (sin) is death, and that is seen in the idea of both physical and spiritual death. There is no escape from the judgment of God, for the opportunity to repent and gain forgiven (eternal life) is just as available, if accepted by men who pray.

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DIGGING DEEPER STUDY GUIDE FOR MAY 18-23 FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM ACTS 13:16-23 

5/17/2015

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Monday - God Knows David - 1 Samuel 13:14 
In this passage of scripture we see how Samuel declares to Saul that God knows the overall heart of each man and knows whether we are seeking after God or not. Samuel tells Saul that the future of the kingdom has been taken out of the hands of Saul and given to one whose heart is and will (overall) seek what God's will might be for himself and for God's people. That man would be David, who Samuel has anointed to be the next king of Israel. God knows our hearts as well and will bless us and make us a blessing for His kingdom's sake.

Tuesday - God Exalts - 2 Samuel 7:8 
God sent Nathan, the prophet, to speak to David about a promise that God had for him. Verses 8-16 share how God has been with David and how God will continue to be with David's descendants, keeping them on the throne forever (this being accomplished through the coming of Messiah, Jesus). But the whole promised is based in the fact that it is and always will be the hand of God that lifts shepherd boys to kingly heights.

Wednesday - Divine Favor - Acts 7:45-47 
In relationship to the worship of God and God's knowledge of the motives of the heart, favor was extended to Israel's leadership like Moses, Joshua, Samuel and David. David had the desire to build a place of permanent Worship of Yahweh because of the shame of living in a beautiful palace while God was being worshipped in a tent. David was allowed to help gather the building materials, but because of his hands being stained with the blood of war, his son Solomon was allowed to build the Temple for him. When we desire to do the work of God, having the right motive as the center, we may experience the favor of the Lord and the richness of His blessing.

Thursday - David's Humble Repentance - Psalm 51
There have been those who ask the question how can a man who committed grievous sins such as adultery and murder, be considered a man after God's own heart? We must look at David the way that the Lord looks at him and us after the time of repentance, turning from the life of sin. David's cry was that God would not look at his sin any more but wash him with whatever it would take to cleanse his heart to make him worthy of being found in the Presence of God. David knew that the work of cleansing could only be done by God through the power of His forgiveness. 


Friday - Son of David - Mark 12:35-37 
Jesus shares in this revealing scene that He is a Son of David and can be Lord or Messiah at the same time. For Jesus uses the very words of this patriarch to point out the fact that the Messiah would be Lord even to the beloved king of Israel that all Israelites looked up to. Jesus knew that some were hung up on the fact that He was known as Jesus of Nazareth, not remembering or knowing that He was born in Bethlehem the city of David.

Saturday - God's Promises - 2 Corinthians 1:20 
Paul here shares the truth that all the promises that God has made find their fulfillment in Jesus being the Christ, the omnipotent Messiah, who allows and provides for all those promises to be completed to the full meaning of "Amen," and let it be so. Paul when speaking of what God was and is doing through His Word that was being preached as not vacillating, but being constant and as true as God Himself. We need to rely upon the promises of God without worry For His promises are true.

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DIGGING DEEPER STUDY GUIDE EOR MAY 4-9 FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM 1 SAMUEL 17:31-51

5/4/2015

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Monday - Courage - Deuteronomy 31:6 
God gives us a command of sorts that we ought not to be fearful when we know that He is with us. This command comes with a promise that if we are faithful to follow after the Lord and abide with Him, He will be there to tight the battles, to give of His strength when we are weak, and to never ever leave us alone or forsake us. God is there to strengthen us and keep us in every situation that we face in life as we walk with Him. So "be strong and of good courage!" He is there.

Tuesday - Strength - 2 Samuel 17:35 
There are many times that we have received a strengthening of our spirits to make the right decisions or to get through and emotional time. There are those situations where a strengthening of spirit may not be all we need, but we need a physical strengthening to accomplish a task. It may be a situation where we find ourselves tired and weakened by the stresses or labor that we have been involved in... and then suddenly we are desperate to get what some may call our "second wind." God knows about our needs and when those types of moments come He is there with all the additional power that we would have need of. Again God is there.

Wednesday - Living God - Matthew 16:16 
There has always been a distinction between the Judeo-Christian God and all others. Yahweh, or Jehovah, has been distinguished by both Jew and Gentile as being the Living God. In stories in both the Old Testament and New Testament, God has been referred to as the God who is Living and in the passage from Sunday we hear David explain that he will overcome the Philistine by the power given him from the Living God because Goliath had insulted the Living God. Peter when he made his confession did not just say that Jesus was the son of a god, but Son of the Living God. What a joy to know that God is a God who lives, abides, and interacts with us. Glory to His Name! 


Thursday - Confidence in God - Psalm 23 
David, when writing the Shepherd's Psalm, gives us insight into the fact that when we face any hardship in our lives lived for God, we can have a confidence that He is there. With that in mind, we can be at a stage of peace of heart and mind for God is present in the midst of the uncertainties of life in this world. When we are caught off-guard, there is one, God, who has the situation covered and takes care of the unseen and unexpected. In those times we gain more confidence in the One who watches over us.

Friday - Name of the Lord - Philippians 2:9 
There is a name that we can call upon that opens up all kinds of potential for victory and joy and praise. It is the Name of Jesus. Just as in the Old Testament, when people would call upon the Name of the Almighty God, they would soon find out that there is no one else like Him. The Mighty God has given Jesus a Name that is like unto His own Name.. .full of grace and truth, glory and grace.

Saturday - Israel Victorious - Joshua 6 
The story of the fall of Jericho is one of many that depict the provision of victory that God gives to His people. When His plan is followed, however strange it may sound, God grants a victory that leaves no question but that He is with them. It is the same way as with us in these days. God provides the victory over the many battles we face, but we have the truth of His written Word that the war has been won through the power of God seen in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. What was accomplished on the Cross sealed the victory for us all.

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    Study guides provided by Pastor, Dr. David Shirer

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