Some Sevens In Scripture

Some Sevens In Scripture:

One theme that has always interested me in Bible study is the number seven. To me it is God's stamp of approval, His personal sign of handiwork on His Word. The number seven or a multiple thereof signifies perfection, fulness, completion. (This can be seen in Daniel's 70 weeks of years, Jesus' command to forgive a brother seventy times seven times, and Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1, where each section lists fourteen names.) This idea is also carried across when something happens seven times, a phrase or idea is repeated seven times, or a description of something has seven aspects to it - like Hebrews 1:1-3 mentions seven things about our risen and ascended Lord that assert His divinity, Matthew 15:19 describes how completely evil man's heart is, and Ruth's seven-fold declaration to Naomi in Ruth 1:16-17. Revelation 5:6 refers to Jesus Christ and states symbolically that He has perfect (complete) strength (7 horns - omnipotent), perfect (complete) wisdom (7 eyes - omniscient), perfect (complete) presence (7 Spirits sent forth into all the earth - omnipresent).

As a cautionary note: Do not force a meaning into a passage that is not there because a certain number is used that symbolically carries a specific meaning - just notice what is there, and compare the numerical usage with what is clearly stated in the passage already. While many prophetic passages have symbolical meaning (for example: the books of Daniel and Revelation, the temple and sacrificial system, the types of Christ and the Holy Spirit in the OT, etc.), we want to be careful we do not ever twist the text of the Bible to bring some "spiritual meaning" out that is not justified by the text.

Seven Blesseds in the book of Revelation:

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Jesus' Seven I Am statements in the book of John:

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. (See also verses 48 and 51)

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (Also verse 9)

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. (Also verse 14)

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. (Also verse 5)

Seven times Jesus is declared as the Word of God:

John 1:1 (3x), 14; 1 John 1:1; 5:7; Revelation 19:13;

From Genesis:

Seven times God declared His creation was good:

Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 17, 21, 25, 31. Notice this last time, He emphasizes His declaration by stating, "It was very good."

Seven times God is said to have spoken to Noah:

Genesis 6:13; 7:1; 8:15; 9:1, 8, 12, 17.

Seven dimensions to the ark described in Genesis 6:14-16.

Sevenfold covenant/promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.

Written September 18, 2004
Jerry Bouey

Devotionals Preached At The Gospel Mission In 2011

Devotionals Preached At The Gospel Mission In 2011

This post is my memorial of all the devotionals I preached at meals times at the Kelowna Gospel Mission during my last seven months working there. Lord willing, I will add links to any of these that I have previously posted on any of my sites, and I will add any links in the future to any outlines or full studies that came from these notes.

If you are a preacher, I hope this list of studies is a challenge and encouragement to you in your service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

January:

• 3rd - 2 Samuel 6:12-23 David, The Ark Of God, And Michal
• 6th - 2 Samuel 9 David's Example & How We Should Respond To Our Enemies
• 10th - 2 Samuel 12 Hope For The Sinner/Backslider
• 13th - What's New With You?
• 14th - 1 Chronicles 11-12 Mighty Men Serving Their King
• 15th - 2 Samuel 13:19-29 The Destruction Of Sexual Abuse And God's Healing
• 17th - 2 Samuel 15:1-12 Absalom Wins The Heart Of The People
• 21st - 2 Samuel 18:1-18 The War With Absalom
• 22nd - 2 Samuel 19:1-14 David's Inconsolable Grief For The Death Of Rebellious Absalom (Contrasted With His Hope In The Death Of His Baby)
• 23rd - John 14 Hope In The Midst Of Our Grief
• 24th - 2 Samuel 15:23; John 18:1 Jesus Became A Man (To Identify With Us, Share Our Sorrows, Die For Our Sins)
• 28th - 2 Samuel 23:1-7 David's Last Words
• 30th - 2 Samuel 24 David's Sin And His Altar
• 31st - Intro To Hosea

February:

• 4th - Hosea 2 The Valley Of Trouble
• 6th - Hosea 3 God's Redeeming Love (Sermon by Clarence Sexton)
• 7th - Hosea 4:1, 6 No Truth, Mercy, Or Knowledge Of God
• 14th - Hosea 7 Return And Remember
• 17th - Hosea 7:7-8 Sow The Wind, Reap The Whirlwind
• 23rd - Hosea 11:8-11 I Loved Him (Sermon by Clarence Sexton)
• 26th - Hosea 14 Hope For Backsliders (Sermon by A. C. Dixon)
• 28th - Introduction To John

March:

• 4th - John 1:23-29 Behold The Lamb Of God
• 6th - John 2:1-11 Filling Our Empty Vessels
• 7th - John 2:12-25 Cleansing His Father's House
• 9th - John 3:16 The Gospel In A Nutshell
• 11th - John 4:27-42 Sowing The Gospel In Samaria
• 12th - Compound Names Of The Lord
• 14th - John 5:18, 21-30 Jesus, The Judge Of Man
• 17th - John 6:25-40 Sealed And Satisfied In Christ
• 19th - John 6:51-63 Partaking Of Jesus' Sacrifice By Faith
• 20th - John 7:25-44 Living Water Flowing Forth
• 21st - John 8:1-11 The Sinless Saviour And The Blind Stone Throwers
• 25th - John 8:59; 9:5, 11-38 Sight And Spiritual Light Given To A Blind Man
• 26th - John 10:1-10, 14, 27 I Am The Door
• 27th - John 10:22-42 My Father And My Sheep
• 28th - John 11:1-37 I Am The Resurrection And The Life
• 29th - John 11:45-12:3 The Line Being Drawn For Or Against Christ

April:

• 2nd - John 13:1 Jesus Loved Them To The End
• 3rd - John 14:2-14, 18-19 The Way To The Father's House
• 4th - John 14:22-31 The Peace That Jesus Gives
• 9th - John 17 Given By The Father To The Son (Part One)
• - John 17 Given By The Father To The Son (Part Two)
• 10th - John 17 Given By The Father To The Son (Part Three)
• 11th - John 18 Bold And Rash Peter
• 14th - John 19; 20:27-28 Behold - Your Saviour! (Fivefold Picture)
• 18th - Matthew 27 The Responses Of Those Around Christ's Cross
• 25th - John 20:1-10 The Disciple  Whom Jesus Loved (7 times referred to in John)
• 28th - Introduction To Genesis
• 29th - Genesis 1:6-8 Day Two (Creation Vs Evolution)
• - Genesis 1:9-13 Day Three (Built On A Solid Foundation)

May:

• 2nd - Genesis 1:26-31 Day Six (The Trinity Creates Man)
• 5th - Genesis 2:15-25 A Help Suitable For Adam
• 6th - Genesis 3:1 Background On Satan
• 7th - Genesis 3:1-13 Three Avenues Of Temptation
• 9th - Genesis 4:1-11 Contrast Between Cain And Abel
• 11th - Genesis 5 A Picture In Genesis Five
• 12th - Genesis 6:8-22 Preparing The Ark
• 13th - Genesis 7:17-8:1 God Remembered
• 14th - Genesis 8:1-12 God's Sovereignty/Preservation
• 15th - Genesis 8:20-9:17 The Rainbow The Sign Of God's Covenant
• 16th - Genesis 9:18-28 Slavery And Servanthood
• 21st - Genesis 15:1-21 Righteousness Credited To Abram's Account (And Ours) By Faith
• 23rd - Genesis 17:1-16 A Mature (Perfect) Walk With The Lord
• 29th - Genesis 21:9-21 (And Chapter 16) Hagar's Growing Faith
• 30th - Genesis 22 Abraham Offering Isaac

June:

• 5th - Genesis 25 Jacob, The Plain Man
• 6th - Genesis 26 Isaac, The Man Of Wells And Peace
• 8th - Genesis 27 A Family In Disarray (Learning From Their Mistakes)
• 13th - Genesis 30:25-43 God Blessing Jacob With Cattle
• 15th - Genesis 32 When The Lord Became A Wrestler (Chapter 5 of Wrestling With God by Greg Laurie)
• 16th - Genesis 32 Wrestling Until The Daybreak
• 20th - Genesis 37 The Romans 8:28 Of The Old Testament
• 23rd - Genesis 39 When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned Part One
• 24th - Genesis 41 When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned Part Two
• 25th - Genesis 42 When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned Part Three
• 27th - Genesis 43-44 Jesus, The Sinner's Surety
• 30th - Genesis 45 Israel's Faith Is Strengthened

July:

• 2nd - Genesis 47:13-31 Joseph Faithful In Much
• 4th - Genesis 49:1-28 Jacob's Last Words
• 8th - Romans Road: Romans 10:9-10, 13 Believing In Your Heart
• 9th - Romans Road: Romans 8:1, 35-39 Present Tense Salvation
• 10th - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter And The Strangers (Chapter 2 of Strengthen Thy Brethren by Clarence Sexton)
• 15th - 1 Peter 2:11-12 Living In Light Of Jesus' Soon Coming
• 16th Supper - 1 Peter 2:21-25 The Shepherd And Bishop Of Your Souls (Chapter 1 of Strengthen Thy Brethren Volume Two by Clarence Sexton)
• 17th - 1 Peter 3:1-6 Submitting To God's Authority In The Home
• 18th - 1 Peter 3:8-12
• 23rd Lunch - 1 Peter 5:10-11 The God Of...
• Supper - 1 Peter 5:12-14 The Value Of Friends
• 25th Lunch - Steps To Christian Growth
• Supper - 2 Peter 1:1-8 Precious And Growing Faith Part One

She Was A Virgin

 She Was A Virgin

(The Law Of First Mention)

Genesis 24:16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.

This is interesting. Rebekah is stated to be both a virgin and not to have known a man. The Hebrew word here (Strong’s # h1330) for virgin is used often to denote a healthy young woman or young maiden (comparable to another word meaning healthy young man, not necessarily denoting purity) - though the next phrase shows she was pure (neither had any man known her).

However, a little later in the chapter it says this about her:

Genesis 24:43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

The word for virgin here is different - almah, Strong’s # h5959, which ALWAYS means virgin, pure, and is used in Isaiah 7:14 about the Messiah’s mother and in the title of Psalm 46 (ie. alamoth - virgins were to sing those songs in the temple worship).

The interesting thing is the differentiation between the two words. The first one means "young woman," not necessarily pure - so God clarifies on this case that Rebekah was pure. The second word continued the idea - showing she is what we typically refer to as a virgin. This is also the first use in the Bible of each word - therefore the first use of almah definitely shows a true virgin was in view, not just a young woman. And the law of first mention gives the usage of a word usually as it is used throughout the rest of the Bible.

The critics don’t have a leg to stand on with the word almah, as it only ever refers to a virgin in the Scriptures - never to just a young woman or maiden, AND the first time this word is used in the Bible, there is no doubt what kind of woman is being talked about; therefore setting the meaning and usage intended for the rest of God’s Word.

I thought that was worth passing on to all those who love to hold onto and defend their King James Bibles!

December 2, 2022
Jerry Bouey

Saved To The Uttermost!

Saved To The Uttermost!

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

The Greek word for uttermost is panteles. The root word pan means “all, every.” Teles and the word Jesus used in John 19:30 for “It is finished” come from the same root word meaning “(to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state).”

Just as everything needed to save us was done at Calvary (ie. by our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, shedding His blood, bearing our sins and suffering God’s wrath in our place) - It is finished! - even so, will all be done in and through us (the process of calling us, justifying us, sanctifying us, glorifying us - in fact, every single thing that our Lord promises to do for us in regards to our salvation) will be done by Jesus. Just as He finished the work of dying for our sins on Calvary, even so will He do all things needed to make us fit to dwell eternally with Him - from the guttermost to the uttermost, as they say.

July 31/2021
Jerry Bouey

Cities Of Refuge
Saved To The Uttermost! - Part Two

Reading The Scriptures

Reading The Scriptures

There are two main words for know (and its forms) in the New Testament.

1) Strong’s #1492, eido. This word basically has the idea of head knowledge, knowing about something.

2) Strong’s #1097, ginosko (from the root word, gnosis, knowledge). This word has the idea of knowing about something personally, personally experiencing what you know about.

Looking up every time the word know (or a form thereof) occurs in the NT (with these basic definitions) is a worthwhile study - to see what true believers then and now know personally, and what other things the NT talks about that were known (via head knowledge as compared to personal knowledge).

All that said, I am now pointing out a related word: anaginosko (#314) - the main word used for reading in the New Testament.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Ana basically means again - like the first part of the Greek word for resurrection (anastasis, to stand up again).

So anaginosko means to (personally) know again. It is used in 30 verses in the NT, most of the references are about reading the Scriptures.

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Reading here is #320, a slightly different form of the same word.

You know how we are to read, study and meditate on God’s Word daily, right? It is like Jesus and the Apostles are saying , Read, reread, become personally familiar with the Scriptures again - and like Revelation 1:3 states when we read and heed the Bible, the Lord blesses us.

February 2, 2023
Jerry Bouey

Power For Preaching And Serving The Lord

Power For Preaching And Serving The Lord

This is an awesome promise to claim whenever we need boldness or strength to do God’s will. I have literally claimed it hundreds and hundreds of times when preaching at the Gospel Mission.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The word for fear means timidity, cowardice. God says that this kind of fear does not come from Him. If you ever have fear (or even hesitation) in doing what is right or what God has called you to do, you just need to acknowledge your fear to God - knowing it does not come from Him - and ask Him to take it away and fill you with His Holy Spirit. See also James 4:7. A good cross reference for 2 Timothy 1:7 is Romans 8:15. We are not given the spirit of fear - but the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of adoption.

The word for power is dunamis, where we get dynamite from - spiritual power. This is the spiritual power to make an impact for the Lord and it works through you to touch the lives of others.

The word love here is agape - the selfless love of God, love for God and love for man. This love is what gives us the motivation to serve the Lord faithfully, to witness to and preach to the lost. See Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:14; and 1 John 4:18.

A sound mind is being self-controlled and sober in your thinking, in control of your thoughts. If you are in control of your thoughts, you will also have self-control in regards to your body, your actions, your words. When you are filled (controlled or influenced by) the Holy Spirit, you are able to do God’s will and say or do what He would have you to do. See Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:6.

God’s love and power will give you the strength and ability you need to fulfill God’s will for you, will remove your fear and enable you to step out in faith to do whatever He has called you to do.

August 10th, 2023
Jerry Bouey

Devotions Preached At The Gospel Mission In 2010

I thought it might be profitable for me to start keeping track again of the devotionals I preach at the Gospel Mission for several reasons. I didn't think to do this until partway through the month of February, so I really can't remember the first few messages preached in January or what dates I covered my first few devotionals in February. The dates where I have two devotionals listed are days that I preached at both lunch and supper.

One of the main reasons I want to start keeping track again of the devotionals preached is so I can easily check the lists to find the last time I touched on a certain theme or passage of Scripture.

Sometimes I use devotionals that I receive in my emails (such as from Days Of Praise) that I have adapted; sometimes I re-use an older study of mine (which I may have modified); and other times I preach a brand new message. I will post those lists of devotionals preached here for those who may be interested, with links to those I have typed up (I will also add the link to ones I post later).

In September, the Mission Chaplain wanted to do something new, and we started a series on the book of James, where each staff member preaching devotionals would cover the next section of the book. This was to create a bit of continuity between most of the devotionals preached. It has been a challenge, but the renewed interest by the clients and the increased build up in Bible knowledge since then has been well worth it. In 2011, after James we tackled Ruth, two weeks on the theme of Thanksgiving, 1 Samuel, a week of staff sharing their testimonies, the first ten chapters of Proverbs, Old Testament passages prophecying about the coming Messiah and their fulfillment (a different approach to the Christmas story), then we started 2 Samuel.

February 2010:

- The Work of thy Hands (plus some comments on verses from Ps 68)
- Eye to Eye and Faith to Face
12th - Resting On The Promises
13th - The Song Of The Altar
15th - True Friendships (Jesus)
18th - First half of My Victory Over Depression
19th - Second half
21st - What God Wrote
27th - A Psalm Of Guidance (Psalm 25) (I covered the whole Psalm, but this linked study only contains the first part of the message preached)
28th - Continue

March 2010:

1st - Choices (1 Kings 19, Deut 30, Josh 25)
6th - Real Success (Phil 3; Jer 9:23-24)
7th - Psalm 19
- Six Questions In Romans 8:31-39
8th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Eden (first half)
9th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Eden (second half)
13th - Blessed Is
14th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Gethsemane (first half)
15th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Gethsemane (second half)
22nd - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden With The Empty Tomb
25th - Psalm 90
- Mustard Seeds And Mountains
29th - The Story Of Four Gardens: Paradise, The Garden Of Eternity

April 2010:

1st - This Is Jim Checking In (Emphasized the importance of having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the assurance of sins forgiven)
2nd - It's Friday But Sunday's Coming (Luke 22:52-53) (No, I don't believe in a good Friday, but I preached this on the Friday before Easter Sunday, and emphasized the theme of the dark time of trials coming before the dawn; ended with the statement: "Spiritually, it's Friday - but Sunday already came!")
- New Beginnings (What Jesus Saw, 8 times in John) also read A Brand New Start
5th - What God Cannot Do/What God Can Do, also read God Is
12th - Psalm 40
13th - I Am The Bread Of Life
16th - I Am The Good Shepherd
17th - Praying & Waiting For Answers
18th - The Shepherd's Rod And Staff
19th - I Am The Door
23rd - Compound Names Of The Lord
25th - I Am The Light Of The World
- Earthen Vessels
26th - My Hiding Place (Psalm 32)

May 2010:

1st - The Shadows Flee Away
2nd - I Am The Resurrection And The Life (Our Mom's Victory Through Faith)
3rd - I Am the Messiah (John 4)
9th - Who I Am
10th - The God Of...
24th - Disappointment - His Appointment (Summed up life of Joseph, life's disappointments - Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20) 
31st - I Am The True Vine

June 2010:

5th - Shew Me Thy Glory
7th - True Worship 
12th - Behold (Intro & part of Behold My Servant)
13th - Behold My Servant
14th - Behold Your King
19th - Behold The Man
20th - God Our Heavenly Father
26th - 1 John 1:1-2:2
27th - Magazine Article From Let The Bible Speak (On the Gospel of John)
28th - Behold Your God Part One
- Behold Your God Part Two

July 2010:

4th - The Road Of Life (Paul Chappell devotional)
5th- God Is Nowhere/Now Here
12th - Gratefulness (Ten Lepers)
30th - Devotional by Paul Chappell on roadblocks to avoid in our spiritual walks
31st - Gideon

August 2010:

2nd - Is Your Name Written Down?
6th - Who Touched Me? (Sermon by Clarence Sexton on the touch of faith)
7th - Wrestling Until The Daybreak
8th - Sinking In The Mire
9th - What's Your Net Worth?
14th - Leaning On The Lord
15th - They Delivered Jesus Because Of Envy
21st - The Armour Of God Part One
23rd - The Armour Of God Part Two
28th - Eight Things God Requires Of Man (Micah 6:8) Part One
29th - 8 Things Part Two
30th - Judge Not (Matthew 7:1-5)

September 2010:

6th - James, Son Of Thunder (a character study on the wrong James, but still worth preaching on!)
9th - James 1:18-22
13th - James 2:13-20
18th - James 4:13-17
20th - James 5:14-20
26th - Ruth Recap and Overview
27th - Ruth 4:1-12 Kinsman Redeemer

October 2010:

1st - History of Thanksgiving (devotional by Paul Chappel)
2nd - Thankful For His Benefits (Psalm 103:1-5)
4th - Thank Him For The Thorns
9th - Praising The Lord Throughout The Day
10th - Thankful For The Love Of God
16th - 1 Samuel 3:11-21 The Necessity Of The Negative
17th - 1 Samuel 4:10-22 The Glory Of God (in Christ)
18th - 1 Samuel 6:1-16 Humour And Providence (recap chapter 5)
24th - 1 Samuel 11:1-11 Men of JabeshGilead/Covenant With A Serpent
25th - 1 Samuel 12:1-7, 14, 22-24 Israel's Spiritual Leadership & God's Covenant

November 2010:

1st - 1 Samuel 15:20-35 History Of The Amalekites/Saul's Insincere Confession Of Sin
3rd - 1 Samuel 17 Introduction to The Valley Of Elah (Strength)
6th - 1 Samuel 17:51-58; 18:1-16, 28-30 David's Valour & Growing Reputation
8th - 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19; 20; 23:16 Jonathan's Friendship To David
11th - 1 Samuel 21:10-15 David, Mad Or Fearful?
15th - 1 Samuel 24 Saul In David's Hands
20th - 1 Samuel 29 The Lord Holding David Back From Sin 
- 1 Samuel 30 The Road To Jerusalem Goes Through Ziklag (Sermon by Clarence Sexton)
22nd - 2 Samuel 9 David And Mephibosheth
27th - Testimony Part One (Salvation and early Christian walk)
28th - Testimony Part Two (How I came to the Mission)
29th - Proverbs 1:1-7 Introduction And Comments

December 2010:

4th - Proverbs 3:25-35
5th - Proverbs 4:10-19
6th - Proverbs 5:1-14
12th - Proverbs 10:1-14
13th - The Angel's Announcement & Mary's Faith
19th - Preparing The Way For The Messiah (John The Baptist's Ministry And Message)
20th - The True Shepherd Vs False Shepherds (Ezekiel 34)
27th - Introduction To 2 Samuel
30th - 2 Samuel 3:12-18 Michal, A Snare To King David