Bible Study June 12, 2025

1 John 1:5 – 6 (ESV)

“Light Overshadows Darkness”

5 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

The message we have heard from Him is a message that came directly from God not from man. We know that because of what is written “God is light.” When  we look at the words “light” and “darkness” we know that “light” represents biblical truth and “darkness” represents sin or doing wrong. One might ask what is considered doing right or wrong. The scripture is clear on what is right and what is wrong. Man may want to add what he wants but the true of right and wrong, good and evil is well laid out in scripture.

If we are to walk in true light then we must recognize the sin in our lives and seek repentance for it. One may ask what is sin and the simple definition is “a thought, word, or action that goes against God’s will or moral law, or a failure to meet God’s perfect standard of holiness. It can be understood as a transgression of divine law or a violation of a divine command. In essence, sin is a deviation from what is considered righteous or good.”

What distinguishes a mistake from a sin is the continual practice of wrong. An example could be a person in a marriage relationship continually committing adultery they know it is wrong yet they continue to commit the act. That is sin willful acts against a known law or God’s will.

Many today walk in darkness (sin as defined above) but think they are walking in light. You cannot sin and be a fully committed Chrsit Follower. Mistakes will be made and when they are we should seek repentance and no longer commit the wrong. Light is defined by scripture not by man.

“Do not practice:” refers to the habitual failure regarding the practice of truth.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 11, 2025

“What Gives Complete Joy?”
1 John 1- 4 (ESV)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

Do you ever ask yourself in times of being at peace and celebrating the joy in your lives why does this happen? John answers that question in verse four of our reading today. “fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

But how do we get there? John uses terms such as made manifest … seen … testify … proclaim. We have not seen Jesus with our eyes but we can see Him through those that followed Him who did see Him. It is through them that we see.

Fellowship is not a social experience but it but a participation in possessing eternal life. John writes to tell of the physical reality of Jesus but he is also talking about personal salvation through Jesus. Once we are in a salvation experience with Jesus then we are in fellowship. John is saying here “fellowship” in Jesus produces eternal life. He uses these two terms interchangeably.

How do we tie each of these verses together? John is writing to show us how to create joy in our lives. The proclamation of the gospel is found in these four verses. The reality of the gospel (1-2) produces fellowship in eternal life (vs. 3) and in turn fellowship in eternal life produces the joy in our lives.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 10, 2025

“When Dislike Turns to Hatred”

John 4:9 (ESV)

9 “The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

We have been doing a series on the “Red Letter Words” of Jesus and I was looking at the conversation Jesus has with a deeply hurting woman from Samaria. The scripture above gives a short comment about the lack of love between two groups of people – the Jews and the Samaritans.

A Jew (Jesus) strikes up a conversation with a woman. No doubt she was confused why a Jew would talk to her a Samaritan woman but she had no idea who she was about to have an encounter with. This made me think back on the issues with the Russians and the Ukrainians, the Roman rule over the Jewish people, the deep hatred Hitler had for the Jewish people, the hatred of those who berate Israel. Now we see it going on between protesters in California. It is nothing new to the world. Hatred thrives where love should prevail. This is only the tip of the iceberg concerning hate.

When Satan was thrown out of heaven all hell broke loose on the earth, in fact it took a flood to cleanse the earth. All creation had fallen and remains in that same state.

What is the answer? It is an answer that not everyone is willing to accept. One man took all this hatred and died for mankind to live in peace and yet he rejects the offer of peace. It is all about self and wanting to control others. When (if) mankind comes to his knees and realizes all his efforts are in vain things may change. I’m not a pessimist but I know the outcome and that makes me an optimist. Jesus will ultimately rule over this nonsense man is allowing himself to be controlled by until then – Pray.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 9, 2025

“What Is Your Hope Through Trials?

1 Peter 1:6 – 9

6 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

I read this yesterday. “This trial is refining you. The test is maturing you. The valley is preparing you. The delay is disciplining you. And God is working in you.”

None of us like trials in our lives. We would prefer smooth sailing verses a turbulent sea to cruise on, that’s human nature. But life has it’s turbulent times and we must be prepared them.

We should all understand these tough times are designed to make us stronger although at the time we wonder why. They are not by any means meant to destroy us. That is where todays’ scripture brings us. These tests which we will endure are God’s way of helping us grow stronger. This is what brings about patience in our lives.

The valleys you walk through are not the end and in fact we should only walk through them, not stop but keep walking. These times prepare us for the mountains that will come as we wait patiently.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Never are we told to stop and build a house and live in the gloom that we find in the valley.

Andrae Crouch in his famous song “Through It All’ says to trust Jesus. We can do that because we know He is working to mature His followers.  Grow in grace, stand firm, and trust His process — your spiritual strength is being forged in this season.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 6, 2025

“What Does It Take to Thrive As a Christian?

Philippians 1:1-6 (English Standard Version)

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Researchers at Thriving Cities asked three simple questions:

1. What does it mean to thrive?

2. What does it take to survive?

3. Who gets to thrive?

What they hoped to find was a human, and cultural, understanding of what it means to thrive in the 21st century. The ultimate vision :To see a world where all individuals and institutions work together to create a common good.” They listed six “endowments” to achieve this goal. They are: The True, The Good, The Beautiful, The Prosperous, The Well Ordered and Just, and The Sustainable.

I have no idea what it cost for this study but they could have went to the scriptures and found the answers.

What is True? Scripture encourages believers to walk in truth, to love in truth, and to be honest in their actions and speech. This is simply establishing our life with God’s will and character.

What it the Good? Scripture teaches us what is considered encouraging and to assist us as we walk through this life facing what we do.

What is The Beautiful? “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.

What is the Prosperous? Being prosperous is not all about what we have in a material world. Prosperity should be found in following God’s will, trusting His provision for our life, and seeking spiritual growth on a daily basis.

What is The Well Ordered and Just? Our lives should have order. As an example following our conversion we should seek baptism. An ordered life says we are living a life that is disciplined, and aligned with God’s wisdom and commandments. To do so we must become more disciplined to following God’s Word. Living a just life involves fulfilling legal and moral obligations towards God and people, living in mercy allowing God to judge.

What is the Sustainable? God is our ultimate sustainer in life and the future. A sustainable life found in scripture is fully dependent on God’s grace, realizing He is One who gives life.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 5, 2025

“Order In Life – Good or Bad”

Matthew 3:13-17 (English Standard Version)

13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Have you ever given any thought to the order in a believer’s life? To the non-believer temptation is not temptation it is a way of life. To the Christ Follower temptation comes way to often. In Jesus’ life there was order. He was baptized, then led into he desert to be tempted, He quotes scripture, then Satan left Him. But then Satan came back – sound familiar in your life? He’s worse than a fly at a picnic.

I have been doing a series during Sunday worship titled “The Red Letters” speaking on the things Jesus said that are recorded in scripture. I found order there also.

In His first saying He simply said “Follow Me” to fishermen, a tax collector, and a carpenter to become His disciples. They followed. Jesus was baptized then led into the desert by the Spirit.  God is on the offensive against Satan He takes no backseat to Satan. We can do the same. Baptized, then tempted. We might have thought after His baptism all would be great but it was not. He overcomes these temptations then He is at a wedding feast, the wine is gone and He is called upon to make the next move. I love His response “My time has not come.” He knew full well about what the future held. As they say, “timing is everything.”

My point here is a simple one yet somewhat complex. Following Jesus is not always without its challenges, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Just think about your first temptation and how it was overcome – that is victory and we can build victory upon victory by following the example of Jesus in the desert – resist Satan by the Word of God.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 4, 2025

Jude 15 – 20

“Prophecy Is Straightforward”

“To execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. 17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They[a] said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,”

The point of prophecy is straightforward: final judgement is coming. We often think judgment is only for sinners but think about this for a moment. But what about what another writer said? James wrote in 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” Or what about what Jude says in verse sixteen? “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” The key word here is “sinful desires.”

Jude concludes his letter by counseling his readers on what to do about this situation. The apostles had warned people about the coming of the apostates in the church so they would be prepared. There are mockers who claim to know when judgment will come. Although we do not the exact day or time we can see things coming to pass such as the reestablishment of the nation of Israel.

These people fractured the church and will be held accountable for their actions at judgment. Apostates have knowledge but deceive people with their words. True believers will build a foundation with Jesus as the Cornerstone. The truths have been provided they now must be followed.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 2, 2025

“You Are Mine”
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1.

First of all thanks Christy Ridenour for this verse today. It made me think about what has been labeled as “Pride Month” by the left wing of todays society.

God created each of us in His image. Genesis 1:26 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

June is “pride month” as labeled by many people and I will say at the very beginning of this study that is a lie that comes from Satan. First of all “pride” is something that should be spurned by all of us. God created man in His image, His spiritual image. He created male and female man and woman He did not make any mistakes. If you see it differently then you are mistaken or you do not accept scripture as the foundation of your ethics and morality.

The basis of scripture following salvation is love. We are called to love everyone no matter who they are or what they call themselves.  God sent His Son to save the world from sin; sin is condemned by God. We are called to love everyone but that does not mean we are called to love the wrong they do; in fact we should hate sin.

What has happened and sin has infiltrated the churches in America that consider homosexuality as acceptable behavior. Churches have spilt over this issue and rightly they should no one should believe anything contrary to what is written in God’s Word. But we have allowed the subtle leading of Satan to infiltrate our minds and society.

I will not be supporting “pride night” in any form. I am thankful for those who stand against this behavior. Many sports are supporting these pride nights, many have taken a stand against them and I admire those who say wrong is wrong.

Do I know people who support these things, do I know people who are supportive of gay rights, do I care for these people? The answer to those questions is “Yes.” We are called to love everyone but not called to love their choices.

God Bless.