Bible Study March 26, 2025

“Love Brilliantly”

7-8 “To you whom I love I say, let us go on loving one another, for love comes from God. Every man who truly loves is God’s son and has some knowledge of him. But the man who does not love cannot know him at all, for God is love.” (J.B. Phillips)

On my computer today was an advertisement for Pandora. To those of you (and myself included I did not know what Pandora was until Cindy introduced me to it) Pandora  is a company that sells jewelry. Prior to my retirement from the business world I traveled three or four weeks a month. Each trip I would bring Cindy a gift sometimes from Pandora.

The advertisement today was titled “Love Brilliantly” which is exactly what we are called to do. There is simply no reason to do anything we do half way. Jesus set an example for us in John 3:16 “. For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not be lost, but should have eternal life.” (Phillips).

To “love brilliantly” is to love “in a very bright or dazzling way.” We should show the world who we are in Christ. Jesus gave His life few of us will be asked to give our lives for any cause. But His love for each of us was so “dazzling” that He gave all.

How can we show love during this season of Lent:

• By showing them respect by honoring their needs,
• Try expressing some appreciation for all they do or what they mean in your life,
• Accept yourself. God made you exactly who He wanted you to be, accept yourself as God’s gift then you can accept others,
• Speak words of encouragement to others,
• Be devoted and give preference to one another.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but a beginning we can always add to it as we grow.

God Bless.

Bible Study March 25, 2025

“It’s Baseball Season”

Philippians 2:14 – “Do all things without murmurings and disputing’s.” (KJV)
Now before you think anything about where is he going today I have a reason. Baseball season is opening on Thursday and I’m a fan. I have been since my mother took me to a Cardinals game at the old Sportsman Park in St. Louis and I saw George Crowe hit a home run to win the game. Date me if you want.

I have been reading a number of comments about the status of my favorite team and all the suspense that goes with  new season. I’m not optimistic for 2025. But I am not complaining it is entertainment to me.

So how did I get here? There is this Facebook page named “Cardinal Nation.” There is more complaining about the President of Baseball Operations and the manager than one can digest in one single setting. All the complaining and murmuring will not bring wins to this team so why do it?

I believe we are more accustomed to complaining than giving grace. It’s a game not the “game of life.” There is a much greater battle we face than which lineup is on the field today or why did he pinch hit that guy?

The children of Israel complained about having no food so they get food (manna) from heaven but is not enough, they get quail far more than they can eat. They still murmur. They complained about having no water. Should we not be able to learn a simple lesson from these people. It’s no secret that complaining gets us nowhere.

Be thankful you can afford to see a game and even buy concessions. Be thankful you  have a way to get to the ball park without walking. Be thankful you can get some sunshine vitamins. There is so much more to be thankful.

There is far more to be thankful than to complain it is a choice. Find something good and tell someone. There is an upside to all things just look for it.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Ps. 107:1).

God Bless.

Bible Study March 24, 2025

“New Bodies”

2 Corinthians 5:1 -2 & 16 – 18)

5 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.”

16 “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God,”

Many of you know a tornado passed through Missouri recently leaving a tremendous amount of damage and taking several lives in it’s path. We were fortunate only losing some singles, wind damage to the roof, and losing some siding and facia. Many were not so lucky. Trust me we are thankful for God’s watching over us.

Early today actually before seven o’clock the roofers showed up to replace the roof. At our home the old, damaged roof will again be new. Part of the re-roofing is tearing away the old roof. That is the same in our lives as we are forgiven for the past damage that we have done. The old must be torn away that is where Jesus can help you. We now have a new identity and it is found in Christ.

We ask the roofer a new roof, we ask Jesus for a new life. When we do that He tears away the past and gives us a new life. There is also the problem with our past that troubles us. We were told that if the sheeting were damaged it would need to be replaced you need to go to the foundation. There are things in our lives that need to be replaced (not sure what they are, God can show you). The old has passed away and the new will appear.

We replace the old by reading our Bibles, quantity is not as important as quality. We need to pray just ask God to help you change, grow in what He tells you, He will give you the strength to stay grounded. Find a good Bible believing church where you can worship and be free in your worship. Most of all “stand firm” in your new life.

God Bless.

Bible Study March 21, 2025

“Antibiotics”

Romans 6:20 -23 (ESV)

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How many of us have taken antibiotics in our lives? As you know antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. They are used for a multitude bacteria. We do not hesitate to take them in order to feel better and heal. Now the question for today.

If we take prescribed medication for our illness why do so many people reject the offer of eternal healing from Jesus? Paul told the Romans in chapter six and he said very plainly “if you sin you will die.” We know we all will die once but we do not have to die a second time. Even the scriptures teach us that when we “die” as believers we are actually “asleep in the Lord.”

The ultimate healing antibiotic for sin is found in Jesus and His life giving answer to problems of society worldwide. If nations sought the healing power of the Gospel message sin could be eradicated and all people could live healthy lives free form the garbage that drags us all down.

I know this works because I was once one of the sick and outside the healing of Jesus. It is no secret we all were in that place in our lives. John3:16 offers the medication  that will free us from the second death. ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Here we find the prescription that brings about our healing.

All we have to do is ask for it as we ask the doctor for something to help get over a bacterial infection.

God Bless.

Bible Study March 19, 2025

“How Loud Do Our Actions Speak?”

1 Corinthians 6:9 (NLT)
9 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

I love a good conversation and yesterday was one of the times. The question posed was something along this line “Is any sin worse than another?” A great question. My answer was really a two-part answer. No one sin is worse than the other. If we were to look at the scripture above there are a number of things listed.

The second part of my answer was this and I used lust as an example. When a person lusts after someone of the opposite sex it only affects them however if they carry that desire (sin) out and commit a rape it affects more than one person. There was a follow up question to the original one. It was this “Why do we condemn one sin and not another?” I believe the reference was to a particular sin. I pastor a church which left a major denomination over the question of human sexuality. I believe the church made the right decision on that matter.

My answer was not that simple. First off scripture teaches what sin is and some examples are found in 1 Corinthians 6:9 although that is not all inclusive. There are other references to sin(s) in the scriptures. Secondly, scripture condemns us of sin if we are open to read and listen to the words that are written.

If we examine ourselves and are honest with what we find that we are not perfect in every way. While the scriptures do not explicitly state that we sin in thought, word, and deed in one single verse, the concept is supported by various passages that emphasize the importance of inner purity and outward actions, and that sin can manifest in both.

Sin in Thought:

Matthew 5:21-37: Jesus expands on the law, stating that even anger and lust in the heart are considered sin, demonstrating that sin can originate in our thoughts and desires.

Sin in Word:

James 3:2: James emphasizes that the tongue can be a source of sin, highlighting the power of words to both build up and tear down.

Sin in Deed:

1 John 3:18: This verse emphasizes that love should be demonstrated through actions, not just words.

Our words speak loudly but our lives speak louder. Does you words speak your life? No one sin is worse than another (other than the implications it has on others) but we are to avoid sin. If I had days I could add more.

God Bless.

Bible Study March 18, 2025

“What Has Happened to Integrity?”

Genesis 31:17 – 21

17 “So Jacob put his wives and children on camels, 18 and he drove all his livestock in front of him. He packed all the belongings he had acquired in Paddan-aram and set out for the land of Canaan, where his father, Isaac, lived. 19 At the time they left, Laban was some distance away, shearing his sheep. Rachel stole her father’s household idols and took them with her. 20 Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving. 21 So Jacob took all his possessions with him and crossed the Euphrates River, heading for the hill country of Gilead.”

In our Bible study last evening we looked at these verses from Genesis along with other verses from chapters thirty-one and thirty-two. I have commented before concerning Abraham lying about his wife as his sister, Isaac his son doing the same thing, then Jacob Isaac’s son following in their footsteps being less than completely honest. You can find the rest of the story in Genesis. The scriptures give us wonderful information on how to live but also on things to avoid.

I asked the question are we not seeing the same thing in our society today. We see it all around us. People caught in an adulterous relationship either lie about it, try to cover it up, or pay someone off to hide their sin.

It happens in business where companies may cut a few corners in a project to improve their bottom line. We see political PAC’s donating money for support of their own agenda although it not benefit the majority of people. We recently saw some of this concerning pharmaceutical companies with elected officials.

As look at these few examples it would seem it would be much better to be honest and forthright than go to the trouble to lie then you build lie upon lie to keep going to continue the deceit. Many times I am certain people forget the last lie because it has been so easy.

Here is an ancient understanding of this commandment. “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit. “ — Exodus 23:1-3

Let us all commit to practicing honesty in our lives.

God Bless.

Bible Study March 17, 2925

Is God Real In Your World”

Genesis 1:1 (NLT)

1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

I read the following article which I would encourage you to take a look at. Genesis 1:1 is the crux of the belief in God (my opinion) without accepting Genesis 1;1 I would ask what is your basis.

“Barna: America needs ‘spiritual renewal’ as fewer than half of Americans believe God exists”

‘Nothing short of sweeping national repentance and spiritual renewal can save America from itself’

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, March 16, 2025

“A new survey has found that more than half of Americans do not believe God exists or that He “affects lives,” prompting one prominent researcher to highlight the need for “sweeping national repentance and spiritual renewal.”

The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University released the second installment of its American Worldview Inventory 2025 on Wednesday.

The research found that overall, 60% of Americans do not believe God exists or that He “affects lives.” Nearly half of self-identified Christians (47%) and a slightly smaller share of theologically identified born-again Christians (40%) said the same.”

I have always wondered as we look around tis massive universe with all it’s beauty how one could believe it just began from nothing. Something we see around surely had it’s beginning by someone far greater than a “cosmic blast.”

The article goes on to say. “I can understand how 60% do not believe God exists (which takes faith) or affects their lives because they have never allowed themselves to be open to seeking the God of the universe.

“Among Americans who believe that God exists and “affects lives,” a plurality (38%) defined God as the “most important element” in their lives, while 23% described God as “extremely important” in their lives, and 18% characterized God as having a “very important” influence on their lives. Fourteen percent of respondents who believe in God agreed that He was “somewhat important” in their lives, while 5% considered God either “not too” important or “not at all” important. The remaining 3% placed their views on God’s influence in their lives into the category of “it varies.”

Two vantage points I would venture to say that those who believe in God worship regularly, commit to something deeper than occasional Sunday church attendance, and most likely read the scriptures, pray, and serve on a regular basis.

I quoted Tony Evans last week in my message with these words: ‘“Paul contrasts this to being filled with wine. we are not to be intoxicated with alcohol but intoxicated with the spirit, coming under the influence and governance of God in our daily lives. this will not happen if Christians merely ‘sip from the spirit’ on Sundays. Such limited engagement will not lead to changed lives.”

Here is the link for the Barna article. https://www.christianpost.com/news/less-than-half-of-americans-believe-god-exists-barna-survey.html?utm_source=Weekend&utm_campaign=Weekend&utm_medium=newsletter

God Bless.

Bible Study March 14, 2025

“Covenants”

1 Chronicles 17:7 – 8

7 “Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.”

In a meeting last evening someone made a reference to  1 Chronicles 17. I admit I do not remember reading this verse but I am certain I have heard on my MP3 player while traveling.

I decided to look it up today and see the full context of what was written. It is a covenant that the Lord made with David. If we were to research 1 Chronicles we would see how this covenant involves Nathan, David, Solomon, Abijah and Jeroboam. God’s covenants are far reaching.

At this time in 1 Chronicles things were well with Israel but not with God’s servant David’s heart. He lived in house made of cedar and the ark of the covenant was under tent. This made David ashamed and he wanted to build a temple for the ark or the presence of God. God reminded David He was a gift giver and David was the recipient. God had taken a shepherd from the pastures and placed him on a throne.

God declared He would make a name for David like that of the greatest on earth. He would subdue all David’s enemies. Imagine what God can do for us today. It is so far beyond our comprehension in our human minds and flesh.

We should be led by the Spirit of God then we can see from His perspective all He has in store for us. Do not be led by feelings but be led by the Word of God who truly gives life and gives it abundantly.

God Bless.