DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: Psalm 73:1-5 PRAYER THOUGHT: Pour out your heart to God openly and honestly, He already knows what you are thinking. Tell Him about all the things that are so unfair in your life.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Psalm 73:6-12	PRAYER THOUGHT: Don't forget to remind God about how the wicked are prospering and getting richer and getting worse and worse.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Psalm 73:13-16	PRAYER THOUGHT: Tell God how cheated you feel because you are doing right and suffering. Tell Him about the times you wanted to give up and didn't know why you should keep trying.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Psalm 73:17-20	PRAYER THOUGHT: Remember that not all accounts are settled in this life and remember what will happen to the wicked. Thank God for the mercy you can receive to avoid their fate.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Psalm 73:21-24	PRAYER THOUGHT: Confess the foolish thoughts you have had and ask God's forgiveness for the sins you committed in ignorance and the times you forgot about His promises to punish the wicked and reward the righteous.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Psalm 73:25-28	PRAYER THOUGHT:

Ask for strength to continue, and knowledge and wisdom to avoid being deceived by the way things often appear to be.

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ASSIGNMENTS

1. Once a day read over this material and read or sing the song.

2. Keep the scripture where you will see it often each day.

3. Think of areas of your life where you have been ignorant.

4. Write down something new and useful that you have learned.

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When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. - Mark Twain

"Ignorance is not a shameful condition, unless you allow it to persist." -Professor Meta Schutz, Brooklyn College, 1950

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 49

IGNORANCE - 6-30-13 to 7-6-13

SCRIPTURE - Psalm 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

COMMENT – We have all had times when we thought, 'that was so stupid, I can't believe I didn't know better'. What we have to avoid is living in a state of ignorance. We are all born in total ignorance, but we cannot remain that way. Life is a continual learning process that doesn't stop just because we are not in school anymore.

SONG - I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

1. I know not why God's wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love Redeemed me for his own.

2. I know not how the Spirit moves, Convincing men of sin, Revealing Jesus thru the word, Creating faith in Him.

3. I know not what of good or ill May be reserved for me, Of weary ways or golden days Before His face I see.

4. I know not when my Lord may come, At night or noonday fair, Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him, Or meet Him in the air.

Chorus- But I know whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I've committed Unto Him against that day.

THOUGHTS

More copies of the Bible were printed last year than in any previous year. Although it is the most outstanding piece of literature ever produced, many, "enlightened" Americans seem to know little or nothing about it.

A few years ago, a test of Bible knowledge was given to five classes of high school seniors. Most of them failed the exam completely! Some were so confused that they thought Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers, or that the gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John. Others said that Eve was created from an apple, and that the stories Jesus used in teaching were called parodies. More than 80 percent of the pupils could not complete such familiar quotations as "Many are called but few are (chosen)"; or "a soft answer turneth away (wrath)." How deplorable that such ignorance of the Bible is so widespread in a nation where the Judeo-Christian ethic has shaped the destiny of our land for more than 200 years.

A Gallup poll conducted some years ago revealed that 60 percent of Americans did not know what "the Holy Trinity" was. 66 percent couldn't say who delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and 79 percent were unable to name a single Old Testament prophet. When people are questioned about the Bible on radio or television, it is remarkable and disconcerting to see their complete lack of knowledge on the subject. Some are almost as confused as the little boy who wrote on his test paper that "the epistles were the wives of the apostles, and that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife."

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Polycarp (69-155), an early Christian, was put on trial because of his faith in Christ. When the Roman proconsul told him to deny his faith, Polycarp answered, "For 86 years I have served Him, and He has never wronged me. How can I blaspheme my King, who has saved me?"

The proconsul then threatened to cast him in with the wild beasts, but Polycarp answered, "Call them!" He was then warned that he might be burned at the stake. Even that failed to move him. He responded, "You threaten me with fire which burns for only a moment, but you are ignorant of the fire of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly."

These are Polycarp's final words: "O Father of Thy beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ! I bless Thee that Thou has counted me worthy of this day, and of this hour, to receive my portion in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Christ."

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Many years ago a poor cripple was cruelly nicknamed "Old Rattle Bones" by a group of boys on the street. The ringleader named Freddie was quite worried, however, when the man headed straight toward his home one day. Because his friends were with him, the boy tried to hide his anxiety. "Go on, Old Rattle Bones," he shouted, "see who cares if you talk to my mother." The man said with sadness as he continued on his way, "You wouldn't call me names if you knew what caused my condition." Arriving at his destination, he was welcomed by the boy's mother. She told her son to come in also. Turning to Freddie, the man said, "Years ago when you were just a baby, your nurse took you out in your carriage for a ride near the river. When she let go of the handle for a moment, it suddenly began to careen down the hill. Before she could catch up with it, the buggy had plunged into the water below. I jumped into the river and after a difficult struggle brought you safely to shore, but I left before anyone could ask my name. The water that day was frigid, and it aggravated my rheumatic condition. Now, 10 years later, I can scarcely hobble along." Freddie hung his head and began to cry. "Thank you for saving me. And forgive me for calling you 'Old Rattle Bones.' I didn't know who you were!"

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Canada and the United States have long been the best of friends, justly proud of the undefended border between them. It has not always been so. During the War of 1812, between the United States and Britain, the Americans crossed the border and destroyed York, modern day Toronto. The British retaliated by burning Washington, D.C. Finally, on December 24, 1814, representatives of the two countries, who had been meeting in Belgium signed the Treaty of Ghent, which agreed on the details of an armistice.

Unfortunately, the news of the peace was delayed, and, on January 8, 1815, unaware of the armistice, the two armies met in the Battle of New Orleans. More than 2,000 men lost their lives in a totally unnecessary battle, because they were ignorant of the peace treaty.

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I WOULD _______ HAVE YOU IGNORANT

Lead Statement - We Shouldn't Be Ignorant . . .

I. In ______________ Against Him - Acts ___:12-19

II. In Our ___________ of Him - ________ 17:22-23

III. Of Our ______________ to Him - Romans 11:___-___

IV. Of Our ____________ - 1 Corinthians ___:1-5

V. about Spiritual _________ - __ Corinthians 12:1

VI. Of Satan's _________ - 2 Corinthians 2:___

VII. Of _______ and the Resurrection - 1 _______ 4:13-14

VIII. ___________ - 2 __________ 3:5

IX. Of God's Relationship with _______ - 2 Peter ___:8-9

X. Of Other Christians' _________ - 2 Corinthians __:8-11

I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT

INTRODUCTION:

A. ILLUSTRATION - Loaded for the Kill

During the Franco-German War two shells fell close to a house near the scene of the conflict. The owner decided to keep them as a curiosity. After polishing them, he put them near his fireplace. One day he showed these interesting objects to a visiting acquaintance. His friend was suddenly struck by a horrible thought. "What if they're still loaded?" he inquired in alarm. Being an expert in such matters, he quickly examined the shells. "Get them away from the heat of the fire immediately! They're as deadly as the day they were made!" he exclaimed. Without realizing it, his host had been in grave peril. So, too, many go on enjoying "the pleasures of sin for a season," ignorant of impending doom. By failing to obey the Gospel, they face the dreadful prospect of being "punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."

B. PSALM 73:21-23 "Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. {22} So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. {23} Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand."

LEAD STATEMENT - WE SHOULDN'T BE IGNORANT . . .

I. IN SINNING AGAINST HIM - Acts 3:12-19 "And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? {13} The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. {14} But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; {15} And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. {16} And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. {17} And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. {18} But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. {19} Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

II. IN OUR WORSHIP OF HIM - Acts 17:22-23 "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. {23} For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."

A. Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"

B. Romans 10:2-4 "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. {3} For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. {4} For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

III. OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO HIM Rom 11:19-25 KJV) "Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. {20} Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: {21} For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. {22} Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. {23} And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. {24} For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? {25} For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."

IV. OF OUR HISTORY - 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; {2} And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; {3} And did all eat the same spiritual meat; {4} And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. {5} But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness."

V. ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS - 1 Corinthians 12:1 "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."

VI. OF SATAN'S DEVICES - 2 Corinthians 2:11 "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

VII. OF DEATH AND THE RESURRECTION - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

VIII. WILLINGLY - 2 Peter 3:5 "For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:"

IX. OF GOD'S RELATIONSHIP WITH TIME - 2 Peter 3:8-9 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. {9} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

X. OF OTHER CHRISTIANS' SUFFERING - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: {9} But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: {10} Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; {11} Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf."

CONCLUSION

A. A Closer Look

Many years ago, while on a visit to America, a wealthy Chinese businessman was fascinated by a powerful microscope. Looking through its lens to study crystals and the petals of flowers, he was amazed at their beauty and detail. So he decided to purchase one of these devices and take it back to China. He thoroughly enjoyed using it until one day he examined some rice he was planning to eat for dinner. Much to his dismay, he discovered that tiny living creatures were crawling in it. Since he was especially fond of this staple food in his daily diet, he wondered what to do. Finally he concluded that there was only one way out of his dilemma -- he would destroy the instrument that caused him to discover the distasteful fact! So he smashed the microscope to pieces. "How foolish!" you say. But many people do the same thing with the Word of God. They hate it and would like to get rid of it because it reveals their evil nature.

B. Appeal

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm

73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalm 73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.