BENSHOUN.US

NotesOn: Luke 8:35

Tue, 14 May 2013 07:00:33 -0400

Luke 8:26-39 tells the story of Jesus casting many demons out of a man who had an extremely difficult life. He had been tormented for years, and our imaginations can only tell us what his life might have been like. Those demons are of course no match for Jesus, who immediately sends them out of him and into a herd of pigs and into the water.

Verse 35 gives us a glimpse into the man’s new life. He is clothed, in his right mind, and sitting at the feet of Jesus. Many of us long to be sitting at the feet of Jesus and yet still feel tormented. The difference may lie in what we’ve been healed from. Ask Him today to reveal what He wants to do in you.

NotesOn: Luke 6:46-49

Thu, 09 May 2013 07:00:35 -0400

Much of what we do in the Christian life can be drawn from Luke 6:46-49. We build and we live out of what we build. By reading the Bible for ourselves, we are building. The same is true when we go to church, spend time with other Christians, pray, fast, sing, etc. We’re preparing for living in the house we are building.

The difference in a house standing or falling is in the application of what we read or hear. We are blessed if we hear His words and DO them.

NotesOn: Luke 3:16

Tue, 07 May 2013 07:00:25 -0400

John the Baptist knew His place. Jesus was far greater than He was, though many were amazed at his teaching. So much greater was Jesus that John says “if you think water baptism is good, just wait til Jesus comes with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Fire is both purifying and painful. It cleans and clarifies. Do you sense the fire of Jesus around you?

NotesOn: Luke 1:37-38

Thu, 02 May 2013 07:00:35 -0400

Imagine Mary - young and engaged, with a bright future. One day an angel shows up. An angel.

I understand Mary’s faith isn’t the determining factor in God’s plan to save the world, but it always amazes me that she responds to the angel that she is the Lord’s servant and He can do whatever He pleases with her.

Are you fully surrendered to God’s plan?

When a friend uses language like this is one of the best, most...

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:00:37 -0400

When a friend uses language like this is one of the best, most challenging sermons I’ve ever heard, it’s worth watching. I was convicted by this teaching from the gospel of Mark.

Our team’s world for the last 24 and next 6 hours! We...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:50:13 -0400

Our team’s world for the last 24 and next 6 hours! We covet your prayers for these 2 weeks in The Philippines.

NotesOn: Ephesians 6:10-20

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:00:38 -0400

We have an unseen enemy. Our fight is against him.

The armor of God is more than an analogy. It’s very applicable for how we dress each day. It’s a great passage for us to pray through, not just read through. Here are some simple ways to pray through these verses.

The belt of truth: Lord, today I choose to believe what you say, not what I say or what the enemy tells me.
The breastplate of righteousness: Lord, I know I am righteous because of Jesus’ righteousness applied to my life and that no matter how unrighteous I feel He has made me clean.
The shoes of the gospel: Lord, help me take the gospel to my world today. Help me see with Your eyes and to be bold.
The shield of faith: Lord, I know today I will be challenged in my beliefs by the world and the accusations of the enemy. I will withstand them by faith.
The helmet of salvation: Lord, renew my mind today so I think and live like someone You have purchased with Your blood.
The sword of the Spirit: Lord, Your Word is truth. I choose to meditate on it and apply it today.

"As we dig into the Word with eyes open to this glorious message, we pray, “Spirit of God, show..."

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:37:06 -0400

“As we dig into the Word with eyes open to this glorious message, we pray, “Spirit of God, show me Jesus,” and looking to him, we’re transformed.”

- Daniel Montgomery (Faithmapping)

NotesOn: Ephesians 5:15-16

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:00:49 -0400

I waste a lot of time. Too much. These verses always convict me. The days are evil, and as the kingdom of God advances we should take full advantage of the days He’s given us.

Do you ever consider how you spend your time? Do you or does your family sit down with a calendar and contemplate how to maximize your days? It’s wise to do so (see Psalm 90:12).

What needs to go into or come out of your schedule to maximize today for the glory of God?

NotesOn: Ephesians 5:3-5

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:25 -0400

These three verses point out an important truth - even a little sin is too much. We’re taught that sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness shouldn’t even be named among us. None. Never. Not even a little bit.

Often we measure on a curve. We tend to think improvement is good enough. Improvement is good, and growth is a process, but the goal is to have no immorality.

Here is a great book with lots of insight into this thought.

NotesOn: Ephesians 4:17-32

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:00:49 -0400

When God changes us, there is a three-fold process. Notice from these verses:

We put off our old self (we stop thinking or doing what we were thinking or doing) - v. 22.
We are renewed in our minds (we begin to think differently about who we are and used to be) - v. 23.
We put on our new self (we begin to live differently) - v. 24.

Notice how in the verses that follow we’re taught to change what we think and do in this pattern.

NotesOn: Ephesians 4:11-16

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:00:25 -0400

The end goal of the church is a big one - full maturity in Christ, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (v. 13). Maturity is possible and the Holy Spirit can supply it, but it requires focus. The idea is that we as the body of Christ together should become as mature as if Jesus were among us in this community.

Verses 11-12 indicate that it’s the role of church leaders not to do this work but to equip the church for them to do this work. This is a privilege but a high calling.

NotesOn: Ephesians 3:14-20

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:00:25 -0400

One of the most challenging ideas in all of Christianity is understanding the love of the Father toward us. So much so that Paul prays here that He Himself would reveal it to them - it just be humanly comprehended. It’s wide, long, high, and deep.

Verse 19 seems to imply that it CAN be known, but He will have to show us. Let’s pray for that!

NotesOn: Ephesians 2

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:00:29 -0400

This chapter is one of the one most well-known in the whole New Testament, and rightfully so. It is a great summary of the gospel. As I read this time, the Holy Spirit showed me the power found in several two-word phrases. Check this out:

You were (2:1) dead in sin, not just immoral, but dead!

But God (2:4) is merciful!

Even when (2:5) we were still sinful - He didn’t wait on us to clean up!

By grace (2:8) He saved us, not through anything we’ve done!

So then (2:19) we are longer separated from Him!

NotesOn: Ephesians 1:15-23

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:00:45 -0400

This passage is a great example of how we should pray. We often spend time focused on praying for specific requests, whether for good health or provision, or anything else. This is definitely part of what prayer is for.

On top of praying for provision and health, there are many examples of how Paul prayed for people. He knows that God alone can open eyes (v. 18), and so He prays for Him to do so in the lives of these Ephesian followers of Jesus. Take some time today and pray the prayer that Paul prayed in this passage for yourself and those you love.

NotesOn: Ephesians 1:1-14

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:00:38 -0400

Talk about bad grammar: The passage that spans from Ephesians 1:3-14 is actually one long Greek sentence written by the apostle Paul! It is 202 Greek words in length. Your 7th grade English teacher would be horrified.

In my view, the sentence hinges on the idea found in verse 10. God’s plan all along was to save sinners like you and me through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It wasn’t plan B. It was a plan for the fullness of time, or at just the right time.

Take some time to thank God that you don’t have the power to mess up His plan and that you don’t have to worry that you will. The whole point of the gospel is that the gospel is the point! We simply need to open our eyes to the plan, which is where we’ll spend some time tomorrow.

NotesOn: Ephesians

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:09:00 -0400

As part of our Monthly Prayer and Bible Reading emphasis at Arrowhead, over the next few weeks I’m going to begin a long series of one-paragraph posts on portions of the book of Ephesians. The intent is to specifically help us all direct our thoughts and prayer in one direction and to help if you need some insight in a particular passage. If you’re not a part of Arrowhead Church, you can still of course benefit from study through these books of the Bible with us!

I’ll try to emphasize sticking points and difficult verses to interpret as well as points of application that the Lord has revealed I need work on. The goal will simply be to help us not miss what the Lord is saying.

Through May and the months following I’ll continue in the latter half of each month with whatever books we’re reading together and tag each “NotesOn.” Hope it’s helpful.

I Had a Moment Yesterday

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:06:51 -0400

At the end of the 11:00 service yesterday the Lord just overwhelmed me with gratitude for the life I have. I get a front row seat at Him changing lives, I have a family in a really fun stage, I love the people I work with, and He is continually showing me the depths of His love for me.

I never want to take for granted the blessing life with Jesus! If you weren’t at the 11:00 service yesterday, I want you to know I love you too. And today I’m not wearing my pink shirt, so I feel much better about saying it.

April Monthly Prayer and Bible Reading - Part 3

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:09:26 -0400

See Tuesday’s post for all the details.

Option 3: Read one paragraph per day.

As you read the Bible it’s important to know that the original letters and documents didn’t have the verse and chapter numbers. That may sound like a no-brainer, but we all read the Bible to a degree as if it’s a collection of well-ordered principles. It’s not. It’s literature.

So, it’s permissible to take a paragraph and read it as such. If you are short on time, just begin to work your way through Ephesians with us this month by simply reading a paragraph at a time. Digest the thoughts and (I’m a broken record…) take some notes!

I’m so hungry these days for all of us to hear God’s voice each morning. There’s no greater joy in life than to know you are in communication with the God of the universe. Take some time and walk with us together this month through Ephesians!

April Monthly Prayer and Bible Reading - Part 2

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 08:00:57 -0400

See yesterday’s post for the nuts and bolts for what we’re up to here.

Option 2: Read 1 chapter of Ephesians 6 times every day.

This second option, you’ll notice, isn’t less reading! Reading for 15 minutes a day is a good place to be. You can STILL do it!

This option will mean you’ll read only one chapter, so you’ll get less information each day, but you’ll read it over and over. Since there are 6 chapters in Ephesians, why not read it six times?

I promise, you’ll gain great clarity and you’ll have something to take with you as you walk throughout your day if you’ll read this way each morning. Take some notes. Pray specifically. Ask the Lord to show you why He’s pointing out to you the words and phrases in the chapter that stick out.

In 30 days, you’ll be able to work your way through the book like this 5 times.