Bible Study May 13, 2026

Romans 16:13 – 17 (NKJV)

17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”

Have you ever met a person who is divisive? No matter what is suggested they want something different. Different ideas are good but that is not what Paul is teaching about here.

He is talking about those who undermine Christianity and what is stands for. People are divisive, churches are divisive, Churches which teach certain things are acceptable but contrary to scripture are divisive. A church that teaches it is okay to live in a homosexual lifestyle is divisive. Same is true of those churches that approve of gay and lesbian pastors, they are an abomination to God. What Paul is saying – avoid them! But love them.

Genuine love will forgive but not condone bad actions. There are those who say we should only have Christian friends buy how can we share the message of Jesus if we do not contact those in sin? Simply said we cannot. But to share a message of love does not mean you live in sin.

We are called to warn people of sin and call them to repentance.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 111, 2026

Romans 13: 1- 4 (NKJV)

13 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”

We see a great amount of criticism toward our government. Many over the years have criticized the president, his cabinet, the Supreme Court, you name it. Many prefer criticism rather than grace.

How much better off would we be if we prayed for our leaders rather than if we criticized them? You cannot curse someone or something and praise God at the same time. We must understand that principle.

Not long ago Tim Kane a senator for Virginia disagreed with a witness who said” our rights come from God and our privileges come from the government.” Even the writers of the Declaration of Independence stated that. “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is a foundational phrase from the 1776 Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. It defines “unalienable rights” endowed by a Creator, establishing the moral basis for American government, whereas the Constitution sets the legal framework, often citing “life, liberty, or property”

Let me challenge you to pray for our government for the next two weeks and criticize it not. Here is what will happen to you from Romans 13:3b – 4 “Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”

God Bless, pray for our government.

Bible Study May 1, 2026

Mark 3:1-6 (NKJV)

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

The scripture above is one of many where Jesus healed a person suffering from disease or some type of medical issue. No matter how much good a person does someone is out to get them. In this case the Pharisees the ‘religious leaders” who should have been supporting and working with Jesus.

New Testament healing is a central component of Jesus’ ministry, demonstrating the arrival of God’s Kingdom, compassion, and power over physical and spiritual sickness. Healings often occurred instantaneously, frequently involving verbal commands or touch, with faith from the individual or others playing a key role. It highlights restoration to wholeness, spanning physical, spiritual, and emotional restoration.

However, when we pray for healing and it is not instantaneous how do we react? I have experienced healing both immediate and then times I had to wait. Waiting is hard, immediate is easy. Both healings take faith. I have no idea why God does what He does a in the timing He does it. That is not for me to know but the one thing I need to keep in mind that he knows all and knows what is best for me. When I can accept that then I have reaching toward spiritual wholeness.

How is our faith when we wait?

God Bless.

Bible Study April 30, 2026

1 Corinthians 12: 1- 12 (NKJV)

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Jon and I are finishing our series on the gifts of the Holy Spirit this Sunday. We have asked for questions because there is simply no way to cover this topic in the time period we did. I’m certain questions have arisen in the minds of our congregation.

My question for your consideration and I would like to see some comments what do you believe about the gifts? I speak for both of us in believing the church of 2026 should be a New Testament church. If so, then the nine gifts Paul speaks to the Corinthians should be operation in the church today. Are these gifts moving in your church? Have we become to churchy to allow the Spirit to move and move freely.

Many people believe some of the gifts are no longer functioning in the church but if God is never changing why would He remove some gifts. Something to think about.

God Bless.

Ps. Don’t miss verse twelve in your thoughts.

Bible Study April 29, 2026

Acts 9:26 – 30 (NKJV)

26 “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.”

Scripture is interesting because it involves people. Saul tried to join the disciples but they wanted nothing to do with him. How do you feel when someone “different” than you enters the church where you attend? Is there a difference in attending and worshipping that makes us see people differently. Sad to say the disciples were not much different than today.

All it took was one person to stand up and stand for Saul it was Barnabas who took the courage step and said the is man is now one of us. We read of his conversion now we see he is speaking out for Jesus. One man named Barnabas changed the whole attitude toward Saul. After this Saul disappeared from prominent ministry.

Look at the next verse following those above. “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

The one man they feared, now converted changed their complete outlook. Persecution will come but we must be faithful in all.  The churches were edified and they multiplied.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 28, 2026

Acts 9:17 – 19 (NKJV)

17 “And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.”

We read a great deal about the Apostle Paul both before his conversion and following but what about the guy sent to minister to him? Not a great deal is said about Ananias.

Ananias had to be man of faith. Saul was stricken blind on the road to Damascus. When blinded his response was “Who are you, Lord?” I’m uncertain if Saul had a clue what was going on but he did ask. Jesus response was a simple yet profound one. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Goads were sticks used for prodding cattle.

We get down to verse ten and Jesus is calling Ananias to go speak to this brutal man named Saul. What Ananias didn’t know was all the God had done in the life of Saul. Jesus spoke to him and told him of the things that had occurred, yet Ananias was uncertain and tried to argue but faith and obedience allowed him to say “Yes.” Is that what it still takes in 2026 to follow Jessus?

What would have happened if Ananias had not been faithful and obedient? God calls us to do miraculous things that only we can do. Are we hesitant, hoping someone else will volunteer? Remember when we are obedient God is glorified.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 24, 2026

Acts 2:22 – 28 (NKJV)

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having [b]loosed the [c]pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart  rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’”

By many supernatural acts God validated Jesus as the Messiah. From eternity past God had predetermined that Jesus would die a death for you and me. His death is in vain if we do not accept the gift of life which His death gave us. Just because His death was predetermined does not absolve those who took His life from any degree of guilt.

But the good news is that death could not keep Him in the grave. His soul does not remain in Hades which in the Greek is “sheol” and here it means a place of the dead. Remember after Jesus’ crucifixion His soul left the grave but His body remained He went to the place of the dead from the Old Testament to free their souls. They had not the opportunity under the Old Covenant to live in faith but lived a life of sacrifice provided by the priests of their time.

How much greater is our opportunity to live in faith than through the sacrifice of a priest. That is the gift of eternal life.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 23, 2026

Acts 1:23 – 26 (NKJV)

23 “And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

There’s a great lesson that can be learned from this passage of scripture. Peter was in a group of disciples numbering one-hundred twenty, he stood up and declared “scripture had been declared.” He was talking about scripture being fulfilled in the life, story, and death of Judas.

The group of twelve was down to eleven as Judas had betrayed Jesus and hung himself. Peter explains what had happened in some earlier verses. The group wanted to replace Judas so they “cast lots”, we might call it drawing straws.

What is interesting here once they cast their vote and selected Matthias to replace Judas something happened that never occurred in the scriptures again. Beginning in chapter two and I know you the scriptures were divided into chapters to make it ‘easy” for us. But immediately following the casting of lots the Holy Spirit descended on those in the group. Read it without the chapter break.

What occurred from that point on is the Holy Spirit guided their decisions no longer will you find any palce in the scriptures where they “cast lots” to make a decision. Are you led by the Holy Spirit, is your church where you attend led by the Spirit?

Something to consider.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 22, 2026

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Our national leaders are involved in reading the scriptures for five hundred as they read the complete Bible over seven days.

We have people coming from all facets of leadership to participate. I thought it interesting but refreshing to see the president of the United Staes reading the portion that includes the above scripture. Before anyone says anything this is not political but I am thankful for that he is participating.

I see so many Facebook posts criticizing people and it caused ne to wonder if those who criticize also pray for our countries leadership. I say that because you cannot both praise and cure at the same time.

Let me challenge you when one wants to criticize take a moment first and thank God for who you are, where you live, what God given opportunities you have been given before you curse our leaders.

Something to think about.

God Bless.