Strength Behind the Focus

• Faith 
• Family
• Fight
• Forward Thinking
• Forgiveness

Fight

Heb 12:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Heb 12:2

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:3

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Faith 

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Family

Deuteronomy 6:6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 

Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

3 John 1:4

Forward Thinking 

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Mar 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Mar 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down [e]at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you [f]all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [g]his trespasses.”

Go Ahead Make My Day

Discuss the Way God has created purpose for each Day

Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Eph 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

2Ti 1:9

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

What Was

Ephesians 2:2

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

BE what you have been called to walk in

Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Romans 8:29

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Benefit of doing it GOD's way

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Humbling Direction for the day

Psalm 100:3

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

When was the selection/purpose/call made?

Ephesians 1:4

For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love

Who get's this call?

Isaiah 43:7

everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made."

Who keeps the gifts

Romans 11:29

For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.

Operational Attitude

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Romans 8:28

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Are You HUNGRY YET?

 

The Assignment

Bless the Works of My Hands

 

Mantra: (Montra “take refuge under”)

Luke 1:37 (KJV) For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Vision:

Ps 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (KJV)

Ps 90:17 May our sovereign God extend his favor to us! Make our endeavors successful! Yes, make them successful! (NET)

Mission

• 1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (KJV)

• John 4:34

Problem Statement

• Principle Is 55:8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

• Posit

Our world has portrayed the way to wealth as something that can happen overnight; in some circumstances so has the church.

Resolution:

Change of mind (not the pie in the sky)

Rom 12:1-2

1 Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Implementation:

1. Study 

1. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success

2. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

2. Remove common barriers (i.e. Forgiveness)

1. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

2. Was Eden without work?

1. Gen 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

2. In Hebrew Work is Aw-vad (Exercise the work of GOd)  

     3) Authorized to do the work and have dominion 

• Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

4) Commitment

1. Pro 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (NIV)

1. Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. (NKJV)

2. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3. Pro 16:26 The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

4. Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

5. 1 Cor 10 (as unto GOD) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

6. Pro 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (There’s only one way to get a good name!)

5) God will set the atmosphere

1. Prov 16:7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

2. Pro 16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

3. 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

4. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

6) GOD’s Will 

1. Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it

2. Deuteronomy 28:1-2

1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Work Ethics

1. I Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

2. Titus 2:7-8 (NIV)

7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us

3. Ps 90:13 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

4. 2 Thess 3:10 (must produce if you want to eat the produce)

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

5. Psalm 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

6. Pro 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

7. Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

8. Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

9. Pro 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Establishing Relationships

1. Col 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.

2. Col 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Poor Work Ethics

1. 2 Thess 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

2. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

3. Pro 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

4. Pro 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5. Proverbs 21:25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

6. Proverbs 24:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

7. Proverbs 6:9-11 How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit

8. Proverbs 19:15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

9. Proverbs 20:13 Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

10. Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

11. Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

12. Pro 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

13. Pro 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Results

1. Proverbs 12:11 NIV

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom. (NET)

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. (KJV)

2. Ps 37:23 The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. (KJV)

The LORD grants success to the one whose behavior he finds commendable. (NET)

3. Deut 28:12 The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none.

4. Deuteronomy 15:6

When the LORD your God blesses you as He has promised, you will lend to many nations but borrow from none; you will rule over many nations but be ruled by none.

5. Deuteronomy 23:20

You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.

6. Ezekiel 34:26

I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season--showers of blessing.

7. Deuteronomy 11:14

That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

8. Leviticus 26:4

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

9. Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Ask

Ps 90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Prayer for wisdom

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

When you fail to ask

Joshua fails to consult with God

Joshua 9:1-27 

Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Conclusion

• 2 Timothy 2:6

The harvestman who labours in the field must be the first to get a share of the crop.

• 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

• Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Work to help others

1. Ex 23:10  And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.

2. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Commitment and God’s timing (Grace and favor) aka the Right Opportunity. Not all opps are the same.

You Are The Temple

God Speaks to Solomon as he begins to build the Temple.

I king 6:11 The word of the Lord came to Solomon: 12 “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. 13 And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.”...38 In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.

There is a big word in verse 12 “IF”. IF will determine what, how and when you receive your promise and even more, how long you walk in that promise to receive it to the full.



How the Ark of the Covenant was made

Exo 25

10 They are to make an ark of acacia wood - its length is to be three feet nine inches, its width two feet three inches, and its height two feet three inches. 11 You are to overlay it with pure gold - both inside and outside you must overlay it, and you are to make a surrounding border of gold over it. 12 You are to cast four gold rings for it and put them on its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other side.

Exo 25:13 You are to make poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold,

Exo 25:14 and put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them.

Exo 25:15 The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from it.

Exo 25:16 You are to put into the ark the testimony that I will give to you.


The Ark of the Covenant rested in the Holies of Holies; the sacred place for GOD to commune with His people.


Mark 15:37-38 tells us,

"And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."

The tearing of the Temple veil provides access to GOD. Whereas before, only the High Priest could obtain unfettered access to GOD, now all those who are His can come before His throne boldly. Even better than that we see the scripture below illustrate how GOD had intended to be more to all of His people.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.


Acts 17:24 ESV

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,


Isaiah 66:1-2 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

If you were a trainer, what characteristics would you look for in a disciple?

sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly.

Mar 7:23

All these evils come from within and defile a person."

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ESV

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.


1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?


1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1. Belief.

The mere belief that you can succeed is critical to your success. 

Heb 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

When your heart and mind are fully convinced that you can do it, nothing can stop you. You can soar to any height and be everything you ever wanted. Just believe.

2. Action.

Proverbs 14:23 In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Belief is not enough on its own. You need to follow it up with consistent action. Take the first initiative and plan a concrete course of action to gain focus. Act upon those plans wholeheartedly to reach your goals and achieve success. Remember nothing moves until you do.

Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

You should always move by faith. Ask yourself, How many things do I do in a day that are not planned, are simply random because I have not assigned the time to an objective?

Right size your objectives and enhance your vision

1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

3. Discipline.

Action alone is also not enough. You need discipline to succeed. Discipline means having self-control in thought and action over base desires like immediate satisfaction. Discipline means making no excuses for poor or inadequate execution of your plans and course of action for success. Discipline is asserting your willpower to succeed.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing

Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Justice for ALL (Be A Blessing to your neighbor)

 Three things you must know to review/interpret scripture

1. Know who’s talking

2. Who are they talking to

3. What brought about the conversation 

You Need a Witness

2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Deuteronomy 19:15

A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Matthew 18:16

But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'

Jesus uses the power of Witness to establish Truth

John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

The Fourfold Witness

31 “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true…

How much Justice to you want?

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

FIGHT FAKE NEWS in the church

FOCAL VERSES: Exodus 23:1-13

1 “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 

Notes:

• Ps 125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

• How does one escape the rod or punishment of the wicked?

• My mom used to say …Learn to Keep your hands to yourself

• Romans 1:30–32 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

• Romans 1:30–32 — New Century Version (NCV)

30 and say evil things about each other. They hate God. They are rude and conceited and brag about themselves. They invent ways of doing evil. They do not obey their parents. 31 They are foolish, they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or mercy to others. 32 They know God’s law says that those who live like this should die. But they themselves not only continue to do these evil things, they applaud others who do them.

• Infighting is the number one cause of corporate disruption. Place gets too big and people get too comfortable. 

This is not you saying brother cucumber can’t sing this is you saying brother cucumber is sleeping with sister potato and not having any facts to back it up. It doesn’t matter who told you.  Job supervisor said one thing to make all the employees go against another employee but none of the employees ever asked….Or not going to brother cucumber to ask him? 

• 1 Timothy 5:12–13 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

• Lev 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

• BTW Proverbs 20:19 states “Gossips can’t keep secrets, so avoid people who talk too much.”

• Pro 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. 

Notes:

Q: Is there a scripture in Romans that would speak to this?

A: Romans 12:1-2

• Proverbs 5:20-21, NIV Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

•  Anyone ever been a companion of a fool?

• 1 Peter 1:14, ESV As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance

  

3 You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

Notes:

• James 2:1-9
• Lev 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour

4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.

5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

NOTES:

• Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
• Job 31:29 If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him 30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse
• 2 Sam 1:1-19 12*
• See David's heart toward Saul

Amplification: Even when you were enemies of GOD HE died for you. GOD answered your prayers even when you were in your sins....

• Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
• Romans 8:34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God--and He is interceding for us.

6 “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. 7 Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. 8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

Notes:

• Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous--both are detestable to the LORD.
• Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

9 “Also you shall not oppress a [a]stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Notes:

• Don’t forget where you came out of/what you were delivered from
• Exodus 22:21 You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
• Leviticus 19:33 When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him.

The Law of Sabbaths

10 “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your [b]olive grove. 

Notes:

Lev 19:10 You must not pick your vineyard bare, and you must not gather up the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You must leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God. 12 Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed. 13 “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.