Bible Study April 23, 2025

“Choose Life”

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

There are several passages in scripture that teach us to choose life over death. We have life through obedience and death through disobedience. Disobedience will lead to curse and the nonbeliever will ultimately find death.

Deuteronomy 30:19, really sums it up bests and repeating, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live”.

God will make no one obey or disobey the choice is ours to make however there are some considerations to look at.

God offers a choice:

God presents individuals with a choice between loving and obeying Him (life and good) or turning away to worship other gods (death and evil). God has allowed His human creation the ability to make decisions. I remember my son’s grandfather saying God is a gentleman He will not force His way where unwelcome.

With choice come consequences of choice:

Obeying God leads to life, blessing, and prosperity, while disobedience results in death, destruction, and loss of the promised land. There are both good consequences to choosing life as there are bad consequences to choosing disobedience.

Choosing life should be our choice:

What is involved here is the importance of choosing life, which involves loving God, walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments. As the old hymn goes “There is no other way but to trust and obey.”

God Bless.

Bible Study April 21, 2025

“What Now?”

Mattherw 27:24 – 56

Each of the Gospels portray the death of Jesus suffering a brutal death by crucifixion. I list Matthew because he goes into great detail about the events of the day.

The question for today is a difficult one for many – “What do I do with the Cross today?” There are many things on can do. We have just celebrated Easter Sunday and hopefully all of you found a meaningful worship service yesterday.

But as the song says “Yesterday is gone” what will I do with the Cross today?

Here are the words to a portion of the song by Chad and Jeremy.

“Wait ’til summer comes again

I hope that you’ll remember when

Our love had just begun

I loved you yesterday and yesterday’s gone

Yesterday’s gone”

There are many options we can take:

• We can endear ourselves to it and make it the  focal point of our salvation,
• We can (along with others ) deny it just say nothing, do nothing,
• We can put it on the back burner until next year when we celebrate Easter on just one day,
• We can share the message of the Cross when God leads us to speak forth on fertile ground He has prepared.

We know Jesus remembers His love has just begun but what about ours? Will it continue into the remainder of our days? I pray that it does in my life and yours. Or do we wait till Easter again?

God Bless.

Bible Study April 17, 2025

“That Was the Week That Was”

(Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-30; John 13:1-30).

Thursday has arrived one day before the crucifixion and much will take place today.

Today the Passover will be celebrated in the Upper Room. This day is the first day of Passover along with the Lord’s Supper in the Upper Room

When the day had arrived of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples asked Jesus “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

His reply was simple yet exact to the point. He told them: “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples followed His directions and all was in place.

That night, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were upset and  sad and began to ask Him who it might be. “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

Jesus response, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, the betrayer said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Scripture says they sang a hymn then they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Luke tells us that immediately after sharing the bread and wine, the disciples began arguing over which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:31-38). Jesus was giving His life away, and they were arguing about who was the best! Can you imagine how much that hurt?

Jesus then predicts that Peter’s will deny Him, and Peter says, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same (Matthew 26:31-35).

But Jesus knew what his actions would be.

Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. While He prayed in agony, begging God to avoid the cup of suffering, He asked them to pray for Him. Because He was fully human (as well as fully God), He actually needed their comfort and support. But they fell asleep and left Him all alone.

Judas betrays Jesus.

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”  “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth, “they said.

Again Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” (John 18:2-9)

Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Annas and then to Caiaphas the high priest early Friday morning.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 16, 2025

“That Was the Week That Was”

Wednesday of Holy week has arrived in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The highlight of the day occurred in the evening. Mary anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume. We see this in Matthew 26:6-13. Mary of Bethany’s story is one of the most extravagant displays of surrender in all of scripture. “Undone by the compassion of Jesus, she disrupted a banquet and poured over Jesus an entire jar of perfume. The perfume she poured over him was worth over a year’s wages (in today’s terms, approximately $40,000-$50,000). What would it look like for you to offer God a gift of extravagant surrender? (Crowning Jewels).

The disciples were upset about this generous out pouring of love and grace. They said it could have been sold for great value and given to the poor. But Jesus told them it was preparation for His burial.

Thirty six hours later Jesus would be crucified, hanging on a cross. Of all the close followers of Jesus only Mary had this figured out she knew what was coming. If you were there what would you have seen in this moment between Jesus and Mary? Would it been seen as worship or waste?

We can count on Judas to take issue with it: “What a waste! And she’s spending it on you!” Can you imagine how much that hurt? What might Jesus have thought or maybe what ran through the mind of Mary?

Jesus had the perfect response when He told them “Leave her alone. She has done a marvelous thing. She’s anointing my body for burial while I am still alive and can enjoy it.”

After dinner that evening  Judas arranged to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. ““Depending on the actual coin, the value of the silver in today’s dollars would be somewhere between $91.28 and $441.28. However, in the era in question, 30 tetradrachms would’ve been equivalent to about 4 months’ wages for a skilled laborer.”

This the day before they celebrate The Last Supper. God Bless.

Bible Study April 15, 2025

“That Was the Week That Was”

It is now TUESDAY of Holy week. It is a busy day for Jesus.

Jesus was in all day in Jerusalem arguing with the religious leaders of the day , but He had time to teach many people and He did so through parables .and healing the sick.

He taught about the Last Supper, the good and evil servants, he told them of the teen virgins, of two young men who were sons and brothers. He further taught them of the Wedding Banquet, and the Ten Talents. You can find them in these verses. (Matthew 21:23-39; Mark 11:20-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4; John 12:20-50).

His priority might have been His teaching on “Love” as recorded in Matthew 22:37.

He pronounced sorrow upon the Scribes and Pharisees who constantly fought against Him. Here is a portion of what He said to them in Matthew 23:13-39: “Your ears are open but you don’t hear a thing. Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing. The people are stupid! They stick their fingers in their ears so they won’t have to listen; They screw their eyes shut so they won’t have to look, so they won’t have to deal with me face-to-face and let me heal them.”

Jesus commended the Widow’s Mite when the widow placed all she had left into the Temple offering plate. He spoke of how she gave her all out of poverty while the rich gave out of their wealth a lesson in humility. The Pharisees tried to trap Him, failed, and ceased to try again.

 He told His disciples of His impending death once again. Although He taught them it did not seem to register with them. Scriptures says He sat on the Mount of Olives and wept.

That evening He taught on future things in His  Olivet Discourse which He spoke of signs and wonders surrounding his second coming. This is the only place in Scripture where Jesus Himself shared his understanding of the end times.

He taught them there “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28)

How can we better honor Jesus this Holy week? God Bless.

Bible Study April 14, 2025

“That Was the Week That Was.”

This is the title of a British television program that made it to America I believe in 60’s. I thought of the title for this week’s study to look at the last week of Jesus life on earth.

We all celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday as He made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  But what did He do the remainder of the week prior to His death?

Today we will look back at Mondy of tha week.  

In the morning, Jesus cursed the out-of-season fig tree for having no figs. That seems fair or maybe you might consider it unfair since it was “out of season”. However, it was really symbolic. In the Old Testament figs represented the nation of Israel. Jesus was declaring that the nation of Israel had become spiritually bankrupt. Israel was dead or “out of season.” I am reminded as I look at this of the letters John sent to the seven churches in Revelation.

What is the background to His action? On Monday Jesua and His followers were leaving Bethany,  and He was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.  He had walked roughly two miles from Bethany to Jerusalem He sees the fig tree hoping to find something to eat. Fig trees produce immature green figs before coming to leaf and when foliage appears you should expect to see branches loaded with figs although not mature figs they are edible. We can assume the statement “It ws not the season for figs” as the season for ripe figs.

He then speaks to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

Then, later in the day, Jesus enters Jerusalem and cleans the Temple. The temple courts had become a marketplace for the buying and selling of animals to be sacrificed on the Temple altar. There, moneychangers plied their cheating trade. What was once a sacred place had become a pigsty. Some animals were unfit for sacrifice.

At that Jesus became incensed and said, “This is my father’s house and you have made it a den of thieves”

Tomorrow we look at what happened Tuesday.

Have a blessed holy week.

Bible Study April 11, 2025

“How Did You Wake Up This Morning?”

Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (ESV)

Psalm 32:11: “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (ESV)

What was your attitude toward the world this morning when you woke up? Did you have joy and peace looking forward to a new day and its opportunities? Or maybe it had the feeling of a day to be avoided, drudgery around every corner you were going to turn today?

Life is made up of choices and those choices are within us to make. We can choose how we see things around us. I look out the window this morning as I write this and  it is a dreary day. I cannot change the weather but I can change how I see the sky. I look up and the trees are budding with new life, three of the neighbors all have their dogs out running and playing. Those dogs have no cares they are well taken care of.

The same is true for us we are well taken care of by a Heavenly Father who has the desires of His heart waiting to give them to those who trust Him. The sun will shine again, the grass will grow again (I have mowed ours three times this year) I know that will happen. Kids are laughing and playing at the bus stop waiting for a new day at school. Our neighbor’s daughter just got her driving permit and I am certain she is looking forward to driving while mom sees her daughter grow up daily.

How did you wake up this morning? If on the wrong side of the bed as they say how about lying back down and getting up again. After all when we face adversity we need to get up again.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 10, 2025

“It’s Love Follow the Master Example”
Ephesians 1:1 – 2

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
We talk a great deal about leading people into a relationship with Jesus and the promise of a home in heaven. Paul told us we are to walk as imitators of God as His children. Great concept but do we do it?

The second portion of the passage is “walk in love.” That to sounds wonderful but can we (I) do it consistently? We can if we keep the focus on walking in His image. We have no greater calling as believers than imitate the example of Jesus. This is the purpose of sanctification that we grow into the image of Christ.

The purpose of sanctification is designed to produce godly attitudes towards others as modeled by Jesus. As we become more and more like Him we will grow closer to God.

Christ loved mankind so much that He was willing to give His life for each one of us. He is the supreme example of love in our world today. The sin what we committed and will commit has been covered by the blood of Jesus. He did this out of love.

Paul then lists several things to avoid (this is not an inclusive list) for us to avoid. These are in contrast to love and holiness espoused by God. Churches today accept sin more easily than they accept living a righteous life. Denominations that have turned or turn in the future from the Word of God are doomed to damnation. There is much support for this position found in scripture. If your church is one of those leave it now.

We can love the person but we must reject the sin that is prevalent in our world and filtering into churches today. To those who say you do not love because we do not accept the sinner it is the sin that must be spoken against not the person. That is their excuse for not being able to get you to go along with their false beliefs.

God bless.