A Few Thoughts About Psalm 111

Psalms 111:1-10 GW Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company of decent people and in the congregation. 2 The LORD's deeds are spectacular. They should be studied by all who enjoy them. 3 His work is glorious and majestic. His righteousness continues forever. 4 He has made his miracles unforgettable. The LORD is merciful and compassionate. 5 He provides food for those who fear him. He always remembers his promise. 6 He has revealed the power of his works to his people by giving them the lands of other nations as an inheritance. 7 His works are done with truth and justice. All his guiding principles are trustworthy. 8 They last forever and ever. They are carried out with truth and decency. 9 He has sent salvation to his people. He has ordered that his promise should continue forever. His name is holy and terrifying. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by everyone who follows God's guiding principles. His praise continues forever.

The Psalmist

B1 Praises God

B2 Gives thanks to God

B3 Offers praise and thanks publicly

God is described as

B1 Doing spectacular deeds

C1 To a Jew this would cause reminders of God’s deliverance from Egypt and all the miracles that happen then and in their 40 years of wandering.

C2 To a Christian, not only the above, but also all the miracles of the Lord Jesus. We see His authority over death, sickness, weather, demons, evil people, etc.

B2 Righteous

C1 To be righteous, there must be a standard to measure.

C2 God’s standard is primarily the 10 Commandments. God always has, is, and will live perfectly by that standard in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

B3 Doing miracles

C1 Miracles show Yahweh is the creator. Only the creator can create in these ways as healing, etc.

C2 Miracles authenticate one’s qualifications.

D1 The devil can do miracles: Exodus 7:11 WEB Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments.

D2 The devil’s miracles are limited: Exodus 7:12 WEB For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.

D3 God can do miracles: Exodus 7:8-10 WEB Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform a miracle!’ then you shall tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.’” 10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

D4 God’s miracles are superior: Exodus 7:12 WEB For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. [Emphasis is mine]

B4 Merciful

C1 God has the authority to judge and sentence. 2 Timothy 4:1 NET I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

C2 God has given conditions under which one can receive His mercy. He does not have to, but enjoys doing so because of His love.

D1 John 3:18 WEB He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

D2 James 2:13 GW No mercy will be shown to those who show no mercy to others. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

C3 Ephesians 2:4 NET But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us,

B5 Compassionate

C1 Showing concern for other’s hurts and needs

C2 2 Corinthians 1:3 GW Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort.

B6 Providence

C1 Able to, wanting to, and does supply our needs.

C2 For example:

D1 2 Corinthians 9:10 BSB Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

D2 Philippians 4:19 BSB And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

B7 Keeps His promises: Hebrews 6:16-18 BSB Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument. 17 So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. 18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

B8 Does everything in truth

C1 Truth is reality.

C2 John 14:6 WEB Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

C3 Hebrews 6:18 EMTV in order that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong encouragement, who have fled to take hold of the hope being set before us;

B9 Does everything with justice

C1 Justice is treating all equal when judging, etc.

C2 Deuteronomy 32:4 LEB The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just; he is a faithful God, and without injustice righteous and upright is he.

C3 Psalms 9:8-9 CPDV But the Lord remains in eternity. He has prepared his throne in judgment. 9 And he will judge the whole world in equity. He will judge the people in justice.

B10 His wisdom is trustworthy

C1 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NET He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this.

C2 Psalms 19:7 GW The teachings of the LORD are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the LORD is dependable. It makes gullible people wise.

C3 When we read His words in Scripture, we know they are 100% true.

D1 Direct quotations of God are 100% true.

D2 Direct quotations of others are a 100% truthful recording of what they said and did.

B11 Does everything decently

C1 God has standard.

C2 He lives by His standard.

C3 What He requires of others, He, Himself, lives by.

C4 The word for decency (uprightness in the KJV) is a word meaning (via Thayer)

D1 straight, upright, correct, right

E1 Straight, level

E2 Right, pleasing, correct

E3 Straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper

E4 Uprightness, righteous, upright

E5 That which is upright

D2 Psalms 119:137 MKJV You are righteous, O LORD, and Your judgments are right.

D3 Nehemiah 9:13 GW You came from heaven to Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them fair rules, trustworthy teachings, and good laws and commandments.

B12 Holy

C1 The Hebrew word is קָדוֹשׁ qâdôwsh meaning separated from evil, dedicated to God for service, etc. Free from defilement of crimes, idolatry, and other unclean and profane thing (Gesenius Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon).

C2 Psalm 78:41 NLT Again and again they tested God's patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

C3 Zechariah 14:5 NLT You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.

B13 Awesome (worthy of reverence)

C1 The Hebrew word is יָרֵא yârêʼ. It means fear of something (thus running away from it), to fear God (as in fear of the one who can judge, sentence, and punish), to tremble for joy (as in Isaiah 60:5), and something so wonderful we are in shock and awe (as in Psalm 66:3 and 5).

C2 Revelation 19:16 NLT On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

One more thing

B1 Psalm 111:10 CSB The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.

B2 God’s ways are best. Look at the mess in the world of all societies and nations.

B3 Commenting on this verse Whedon writes:

10. The beginning of wisdom—Not only in the sense of order of time, but also as chief or first in dignity. See Proverbs 1:7; 4:7, where the same word, “beginning, ” occurs. Understanding must here be taken in its ethical sense of wisdom, prudence, discretion; which was always looked upon as the gift of God and the guaranty of success and happiness. Job 28:28; Proverbs 13:15.

His praise endureth—Whose praise? Some suppose the praise of the wise man, who keeps the commandments, is meant, as in Psalms 112. But Jehovah in his works is the theme of the psalm, and the pronoun more properly refers to “Lord ” in the first member of the verse, to whom all praise is due.

Revelation 22:17 NLT The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say, "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part N

E12 Transcendence

F1 Definition: beyond what we can conceive. He is greater and higher, with greater power and being than we can understand. It also deals with not being known and unknowable. But, God reaches out and reveals Himself in many ways.

F2 Unknown and beyond our comprehension

G1 Higher

H1 2 Chronicles 2:6 NLT But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?

H2 Job 37:23 NIV The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

G2 Unknown

H1 Amos 3:7 NLT Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.

H2 John 15:15 NLT I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

F3 Without God’s revealing Himself, we could not know Him or about Him. God revealing Himself

G1 Through creation: Romans 1:18-20 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

G2 Through revelation

H1 Directly: Deuteronomy 5:24 NIV And you said, "The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.

H2 Indirectly: Daniel 2:28 NIV but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these.

G3 Through Jesus: John 17:25-26 NIV Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

G4 Through provision: Acts 14:17 NIV Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.

F3 Even though He is transcendent, He is also immanent or close to all:

G1 Isaiah 57:15 NIV For this is what the high and exalted One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

G2 Luke 19:10 NIV For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

E13 Uniqueness

F1 Definition: He is the only being who is God.

F2 He is the one and only.

F3 He is perfect in all His attributes. We have attributes as love, mercy, knowledge, etc. but only God has the highest amount possible, is perfect, is complete, and lacking nothing.

F3 Some verses:

G1 Isaiah 40:25 NIV To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

G2 Exodus 8:10 NIV "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said. Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God.

G3 1 Timothy 1:17 NIV Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

C2 God’s beliefs

(A few theology books that I align with are BIBLE DOCTRINES Beliefs That Matter by MARK G. CAMBRON, D.D. and Study of Theology from Grace Bible Church Gillette, WY, Torrey's Topical Textbook (look up a topic and the Bible verses are on popup), The Topical Concordance,  Great Doctrines of the Bible By Rev. William Evans, etc . I cannot vouch for the websites or books perfectly. I have found them helpful. There are others online for sale or free use. As always, be a Berean: Acts 17:11 NLT And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth).

D1 On Himself (What the Bible teaches about God)

D2 Angelology (What the Bible teaches about angels)

D3 Bibliology (What is taught about the Bible)

D4 Christology (What the Bible teaches about Jesus)

D5 Creation (What the Bible teaches about creation/origins)

D6 Ecclesiology (What the Bible teaches about the church)

D7 Eschatology (What the Bible teaches about the future)

D8 Evangelism (What the Bible teaches about preaching the Gospel)

D9 Hamartiology (What the Bible teaches about sin)

D10 Anthropology (What the Bible teaches about humans)

D11 Pneumology (What the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit)

D12 Soteriology (What the Bible teaches about salvation)

B2 Why it is

C1 Doctrine is important because

D1 Christianity has truths.

D2 We must know these truths

D3 We must be taught these truths

D4 It gives us identity

C2 Some basics (Source)

D1 Our faith is based on a specific message

D2 Gospel is a sacred trust given to us

D3 What we believe affects what we do

D4 We must ascertain truth in a world of falsehood

D5 The end of sound doctrine is life

D6 It encourages believers

B3 Do you believe it?

B4 Do you live it?

B5 Do you teach it?

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part M

E9 Self-existence

F1 Definition:

G1 This is also known as aseity.

G2 God has no beginning and no end, He is always. He has no needs. He is dependent on nothing; all are dependent on Him.

G3 Because He needs nothing and is dependent on nothing, His word is true. His promises are true. His doings are true.

F2 God existed before anything else existed. He created all things: Psalms 102:24-27 GNB O God, do not take me away now before I grow old. O LORD, you live forever; 25 long ago you created the earth, and with your own hands you made the heavens. 26 They will disappear, but you will remain; they will all wear out like clothes. You will discard them like clothes, and they will vanish. 27 But you are always the same, and your life never ends.

F3 He is dependent on nothing and no one, for everything is dependent on Him: Isaiah 40:28-31 GNB Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. 29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired. 30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted. 31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.

F4 God does not to be made alive, for He is the one who gives life: John 5:26 GNB Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life.

F5 He is the giver, not the receiver: Acts 17:23 GNB For as I walked through your city and looked at the places where you worship, I found an altar on which is written, 'To an Unknown God.' That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it, is what I now proclaim to you.

F6 God needs nothing, ever. He gives, always. He does not get old, grow tired, run out of supplies, etc. Psalm 23:1 NET The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

E10 Self-sufficiency

F1 Definition: not dependent on anything or anyone to exist.

F2 He has no emotional needs, physical needs, spiritual needs, or financial needs. He has no need for worship or for worshippers.

F3 He has no need for a life giver, for He is the life itself.

F4 In the past, He needed nothing. In the present, He needs nothing. In the future, He will need nothing.

F5 Some verses:

G1 John 14:6 WEL Jesus explains to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

G2 Isaiah 40:28 BSB Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will never grow faint or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.

G3 John 1:3-4 WEL Everything was made through him, and without him was nothing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light for people.

G4 Isaiah 40:28-29 GNB Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts.  29  He strengthens those who are weak and tired.

E11 Sovereignty

F1 Definition: It is usually defined as complete freedom from any control. That would be any control in any area. Pain might control me. I cannot go without sleep, for that would control me. The same could be said about breathing. There is no superior being that can control God in any way.

G1 Jerry Walls defines it thusly:

H1 So what is the sovereignty of God? Simply put, it is the truth that God is in control, that he has supreme power. It is the truth that he is the Lord of the Universe and of everyone and everything it contains. He gives Nebuchadnezzar as an example of God’s sovereignty.

H2 In the same article, Walls states: ...the sovereignty of God is everlasting, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

H3 Finally, he contrasts the Calvinist view with the Wesleyan view: 

Now here is a good place to highlight the difference between the Calvinist view of God’s sovereignty and the Wesleyan view. According to classic Calvinism, God’s sovereignty means that he determines literally everything that happens in the sense that he specifically causes everything to happen exactly as it does.

This can sound like a very pious thing to say, and at first it might seem to glorify God. But on closer inspection, it has very troubling implications. On this view, God caused Nebuchadnezzar to be proud, caused him to boast, and then caused his downfall, as well as his subsequent repentance. This is a troubling view because it means God actually caused his sin as well as his punishment.

The Wesleyan strongly disagrees. In the Wesleyan view, God did not cause or will Nebuchadnezzar to be proud. Rather, he became that way by his own free choices, by taking undue pride in his accomplishments. God then punished him to bring the truth home to him in order to move him to repentance. When he acknowledged the truth about God, he was restored to his kingdom.

G2 Another article explaining the difference: Kevin RK David, “Does God Need Ultimate Control to be Ultimately Sovereign?”

F2 God can do anything He wants, at any time, in any way, and no one can stop Him.

F3 God is sovereign over His sovereignty. He is not like the kings of Media/Persia. God is totally free. Nothing stops or hinders His freedom.

G1 Daniel 6:8 CSB Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.

G2 Daniel 6:12, 15 CSB So they approached the king and asked about his edict: "Didn't you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions' den? " The king answered, "As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable."  ... Then these men went together to the king and said to him, "You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.

F4 Other verses

G1 1 Timothy 6:14-16 BSB Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ 15, which God will bring about in His own time—He who is blessed and the only Sovereign One, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

G2 Revelation 4:11 NRSV You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part L

E7 Omniscience—Knowledge (including foreknowledge and middle knowledge)

F1 Definition

G1 Knowledge

H1 The English word gives this as one definition:

1. a particular or specialized form of understanding or skill.

2. Webster’s Dictionary Unabridged 1828 has

a) A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas.

b) We can have no knowledge of that which does not exist. God has a perfect knowledge of all his works. Human knowledge is very limited, and is mostly gained by observation and experience.

H2 An example of some Bible words

I1 One of the Hebrew words is דַּעַת daʻath. It means knowledge, perception, skill, discernment, understanding, wisdom. Referring to God, it would have the meaning of knowing everything.

1. God gives this knowledge when necessary: Exodus 31:3 NET and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.

2. The amount of God’s knowledge is impossible for us to understand: Psalm 139:6 NET Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.

3. Whatever knowledge and skill is needed for creation, God has: Proverbs 3:20 NLT By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

4. He knows everything about us: 1 Samuel 2:3 NRSV Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.

I2 One of the Greek words is γνῶσις gnōsis. It means general intelligence and understanding.

1. God’s knowledge is so vast that we cannot examine it or understand it: Romans 11:33 NET Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways! 

2. Note “all:” Colossians 2:2-3 PickNT That their hearts may be encouraged, being united in love and into a great wealth of confident understanding, into a real knowledge of the mystery of the God and Father and of the Christ, 3 in whom all the treasures of the wisdom and the knowledge are hidden.

G2 Foreknowledge= knowledge of the future. The English definition: knowledge or awareness of something before it occurs or exists. This is not a decreed action that is rendered certain. It is truly knowledge of the future. It seems to me that the Calvinist doesn’t believe that God truly knows the future. They believe that God exhaustively decrees the future and renders it certain. They believe the only way God knows the future is to decide what it will be, have a perfect memory, and ensure that it takes place. To me that makes God a superman but not one who truly knows the future without decreeing it. The following article might help to understand the Arminian view: Ed Jarrett, “Arminianism: Foreknowledge, Predestination and Election”

H1 Acts 2:23 NRSV This man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law.

H2 1 Peter 1:2 ISV The people chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying action of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus, the Messiah, and to be sprinkled with his blood. May grace and peace be yours in abundance!

G3 Natural knowledge= All that can happen. God knows all that can be known whether it will exist or not. The usual example given if God was going to make a universe, He would have to know everything, how they would interact, how they would respond to stimuli (both pleasurable and noxious), and if rebellion occurred, how it would occur and its results. Perfectly and exhaustively know math, chemistry, physics, decisions, etc.

G4 Middle knowledge= All that would happen. God knows exactly how a person will choose or respond in any given circumstances. The usual example is Peter choosing to deny that he knows Jesus. It is the middle between a person’s free will and God’s sovereignty.

G5 Free knowledge= All that will happen. This is not just what science and math know and predict. It is what is the unknown as well. God knows the future perfectly. He knows every response, every decision, every action, every word, and every thought.

F2 Bible verse

G1 Luke 10:13 CSB Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

G2 Matthew 26:24 CSB The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.

G3 Exodus 9:14-15 NLT If you don't, I will send more plagues on you and your officials and your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth. By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.

G4 People making choices different from God’s choice.

H1 Matthew 23:37 CSB Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 

H2 2 Peter 3:9 CSB The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

H3 Isaiah 30:1 CSB Woe to the rebellious children! This is the LORD's declaration. They carry out a plan, but not mine; they make an alliance, but against my will, piling sin on top of sin.

E8 Perfect

F1 Definition: without any flaw.

F2 Words

G1 The Hebrew word is תָּמִים tâmîym. It means complete is various applications such as completely well, time as complete, morally complete (sinless), completely meeting the standard of truth and justice.

H1 God’s law is perfect: Psalm 19:7 NIV The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

H2 His lifestyle: Psalm 18:30 NIV As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

H3 All that He does: Psalm 111:7 NIV The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

H Note the contrast with the devil: Ezekiel 28:15 NKJV You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.

G2 The Greek word is τέλειος téleios. It means much the same as the Hebrew word. It is complete, finished, not lacking anything, so morally, intellectually, spiritually, etc. perfect.

H1 God’s standard of life is perfect. It lacks nothing and meets the standard of perfection is every possible way: Matthew 5:48 NIV Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

H2 God’s will is perfect: Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

H3 The Law of Jesus is perfect (in contrast with Mosaic law. If one tried as hard as possible to obey the Mosaic law, it would not save from God’s wrath, but if one follows Messiah’s law, it does): James 1:25 CSB But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

H4 God’s love is perfect, and we should have this same type of love: 1 John 4:18 ESV There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

H5 God’s words are perfect, ours are not, but that is God’s standard: James 3:2 NIV We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part K

E6 Omnisapience

F1 Definition: Literally, this means all wisdom or complete wisdom. God’s wisdom is perfect. He cannot learn, for He knows all. He cannot learn wisdom, for He can apply knowledge perfectly and without any flaws. He knows every possibility.

F2 His communication is perfect. He knows how to word what He does, what He thinks, what He plans perfectly and without flaw. His decisions are perfect. His words and communication are perfect. Yet, so many will not interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

F3 Knowledge and wisdom are related, but they are separate. One can have knowledge but not be wise; likewise, someone may be wise but not have much knowledge. Knowing facts is something different then using knowing how to use them wisely. We see that in making decisions.

F4 Some of the difference can be seen from this verse: Proverbs 2:6 NLT For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

G1 Wisdom:

H1 Hebrew word for wisdom is חׇכְמָה chokmâh. It means skillful. This is seen in many ways from creative ability, to making decisions, to living life. It is practical and in many cases life saving.

H2 We see this in

I1 Contrast between pride and humility: Proverbs 11:2 NLT Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

I2 Contrast between bullying and fighting and receiving advice: Proverbs 13:10 NLT Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

I3 Contrast between “following my heart” and truth and God’s insight and advice: Proverbs 28:26 NLT Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

G2 Knowledge:

H1 The Hebrew word is דַּעַת daʻath. It means having facts on any subject or situation.

H2 God knows everything we do and think: Psalm 94:10 NLT He punishes the nations—won't he also punish you? He knows everything—doesn't he also know what you are doing?

H3 God knows everything about creation, how to make it, sustain it, and dissolve it: Proverbs 3:20 NLT By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

H4 We have to know something before we can make a decision: Proverbs 19:2 NLT Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.

H5 Knowing God is more important than human wisdom: Proverbs 30:3 NLT I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.

H6 God knows how to do this: Isaiah 44:25 NLT I expose the false prophets as liars and make fools of fortune-tellers. I cause the wise to give bad advice, thus proving them to be fools.

H7 God knows who is true and who is fake: Isaiah 58:2 NLT Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.

G3 Understanding:

H1 The Hebrew word is תָּבוּן tâbûwn. It means knowing the “whys” of how something works, thinks, acts, etc.

H2 Proverbs 14:29 NLT People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

H3 Proverbs 18:2 NLT Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.

H4 Speaking of wooden idols: Isaiah 44:19 NIV No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, "Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"

F5 God gives wisdom to those otherwise impossible to have it: Exodus 31:3 NLT I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.

F6God is the source of great wisdom: 1 Kings 4:29-30 NLT God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt.

F7 God’s creative ability shows His great wisdom: Psalm 104:24 NLT O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.

F8 Wisdom is something that is to be coveted, asked for, and grateful when God grants it: Proverbs 23:23 NLT Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

F9 An example: Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 NLT Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works. There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterwards, no one thought to thank him.

F10 Another example: Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 NLT Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works. There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterwards, no one thought to thank him.

F11 God has all power and understanding: Psalm 147:5 NLT How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!

F12 He has all wisdom. There is no one who can give wisdom, advice, counsel, what is right or what is just: Isaiah 40:13-14 NLT Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the LORD ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?

F13 Jesus Christ is God, God the Son, and so has the same omniscience and omnisapience as the Father: 1 Corinthians 1:24 NLT But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

F14 God is so wise that we cannot understand: Romans 11:33 NLT Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part J

E4 Omnipotence

F1 This unlimited power relates to what God’s character is. Since He is a God who tells the truth, He cannot do illogical things as make a rock so huge that He cannot lift it, a square circle, 2+2=5, or make Himself not exist.

F2 Isaiah 43:12-13 NLT First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God," says the LORD. "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.

F3 Matthew 19:26 NLT Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible. (Vincent’s Word Studies notes: Not the salvation of rich men, but salvation in general. It is in answer to the question, who can be saved? Man cannot save himself nor his fellow. God only can save him).

F4 Some comments from other writers

G1 Adam Clarke on Exodus 4:21 regarding the revealing of God’s omnipotence:

Pharaoh made his own heart stubborn against God, Exo 9:34; and God gave him up to judicial blindness, so that he rushed on stubbornly to his own destruction. From the whole of Pharaoh’s conduct we learn that he was bold, haughty, and cruel; and God chose to permit these dispositions to have their full sway in his heart without check or restraint from Divine influence: the consequence was what God intended, he did not immediately comply with the requisition to let the people go; and this was done that God might have the fuller opportunity of manifesting his power by multiplying signs and miracles, and thus impress the hearts both of the Egyptians and Israelites with a due sense of his omnipotence and justice. The whole procedure was graciously calculated to do endless good to both nations. The Israelites must be satisfied that they had the true God for their protector; and thus their faith was strengthened. The Egyptians must see that their gods could do nothing against the God of Israel; and thus their dependence on them was necessarily shaken. These great ends could not have been answered had Pharaoh at once consented to let the people go.

G2 Precept Austin website on God’s omnipotence. An example: Seven Stages of God's Power

H1 In his commentary on Ephesians (God's New Society, pp. 139-140), John Stott shares a delightful analysis of Paul's famous benediction at the end of Ephesians 3:

H2 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)

H3 I am going to retrace his comments, with one or two slight changes. Let's call this the Seven Stages of God's Power.

1. He is able, for he is the true and living God.

2. He is able to do, for he is neither inactive, idle, nor dead.

3. He is able to do what we ask, for he hears and answers prayer.

4. He is able to do what we ask or imagine, for he reads our thoughts, and sometimes we imagine things for which we do not dare to ask. But he can do those things anyway.

5. He is able to do all that we ask or imagine, for he knows it all and can perform it all.

6. He is able to do more than all we ask or imagine, because his expectations are higher than ours.

7. He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, because his power is unlimited.

H4 As a simple summary statement we may say that there are no limits to what God can do because there are no limits to GOD.

E5 Omnipresence

F1 This is somewhat related to His trait of infinite. There is no place in the universe or outside it that He is not there. He knows our hearts and minds perfectly; we cannot hide. He knows every situation. He always knows where we are. Truly, He is the perfect leader, savior, comforter, source of all wisdom, knowledge, love, and assurance.

F2 Psalms 139:7-13 GW Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run to get away from you?  8 If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there. 9 If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, 10 even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me. 11 If I say, "Let the darkness hide me and let the light around me turn into night," 12 even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. 13 You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother.

F3 God lives in the most inner place of the believer’s being: 1 Corinthians 3:16 NRSV Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?

F4 A question arises, then, is God’s presence in hell?

G1 I believe hell, the place of eternal torment is a literal place.

H1 I read and interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

I1 Matthew 5:29 NRSV If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

J1 The body of unbelievers will be thrown into hell.

K1 What body is this?

K2 It is a resurrected body. It is resurrected, in this case, for punishment.

K3 Daniel 12:2 NLT Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

K4 Revelation 20:12 NLT I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.

K5 John 5:28-29 NLT Don't be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God's Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

J2 We have a choice according to God’s decree. If we obey the Gospel, we go to heaven. If we disobey the Gospel, we go to hell.

I2 Matthew 10:28 NET Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

J1 Body and soul are distinct from one another.

J2 Destroy does not mean annihilation. The Greek word is ἀπόλλυμι apóllymi. It means lose, kill, mar, ruin, and even misery. Some interpret this word as destroy to mean annihilation, but what it really means is to render useless, and by application to kill, lose, mar, ruin, etc.

I3 Where God is there is light, love, warmth, etc. In hell, there is no light, love, comfort, etc.

J1 Light or darkness

K1 1 John 1:5 NET Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.

K2 2 Peter 2:17 NET These men are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness have been reserved.

J2 Love, comfort, etc. versus no love, discomfort, etc.

K1 2 Thessalonians 2:16 NLT Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,

K2 Revelation 14:11 NIV And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name."

I4 There are Greek different words for presence.

J1 Revelation 14:10 CSB he will also drink the wine of God's wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb, [Emphasis is mine. It is the Greek word ἐνώπιον]

K1 The Greek word for presence is ἐνώπιον enṓpion. It means is sight of.

K2 Thus, God can see all, know all, etc.

J2 Revelation 22:4 NLT And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. [Emphasis is mine. It is the Greek word ]

K1 The Greek word for presence (see His face) is πρόσωπον prósōpon. It means the face.

K2 Thus, God’s face is there.

H2 So, there is a difference with God’s presence seeing and God’s presence being there. He is seeing hell and its inhabitants, but not physically present.

G2 God is in hell, in the sense of knowing, seeing, etc. but not in hell.