Bible Study May 26, 2025

“Remembering”

I was asked a great question yesterday – is there anything in the Bible about Memorial Day?

The scriptures do not specifically mention anything about it there are some things we can infer from them. There were many battles described in the Old Testament concerning the Israelites and the challenges they faced as a nation loved and led by God.

There are several verses that look at the idea of remembrance, honoring others and making sacrifices which could be the ultimate sacrifice of giving your life,

Here are some relevant verses:

Honoring – .

Verses like Psalm 34:18 (“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted”) and Psalm 116:15 (“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”) speak to the importance of remembering and honoring those who have died, especially those who served and made sacrifices.

Service and Sacrifice:

John 15:13 (“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”) and Mark 10:45 (“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”) emphasize the selfless acts of service and sacrifice that are often celebrated on Memorial Day.

Comfort and Hope:

Verses like 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (“Who comforts us in all our affliction”) and Revelation 21:4 (“He will wipe every tear from their eyes”) offer comfort and hope to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

God’s Care for the Righteous:

Psalm 34:18 and 1 Peter 3:12a (“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous”) remind us that God is near to those who serve Him and that He cares for the righteous.

God’s Recognition of Service:

Malachi 3:16-18 highlights God’s recognition of those who serve Him, emphasizing His compassion and appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to Him.

Memorial Day sets aside one day for us to remember but we should remember every day we are free because we have served or others have served to keep us safe.

Remember the families of those who have been lost in service to our country.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 21, 2025

Jude 8 – 10

“Wicked Fantasies”

“Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” . 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.”

There is so much packed into this one verse that it is easy to miss something. “These people … relying on dreams” refers to an abnormal state of mind. It affects their imagination which produces delusions and other sensual confusion.  Their minds were so perverted they were numb to the reality and truth.

When these happen many people will say they heard this from God when in fact that to is delusion since God does not operate like that. There are five occurrences in Jude of such behavior 10,12, 14, 16, and 19. These apostates who were much like Sodom and Gomorrah had no moral restraints – anything went.

They “reject authority” like the sinning angels of verse six. Maybe it would be best to refer to them as “Pretenders.” They rejected all authority, both civil and spiritual thus rejecting the scriptures.

Unlike Michael, the Archangel these lack the propriety of Michael are like animals do not understand what they slander. They follow their instincts not realizing in the end their impulses will destroy them.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 20, 2025

Jude 5 – 7

“Three Acts of Apostasy”
“Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

In verse five of our reading Jude lays out three acts of apostacy that came from the Old Testament. God delivered the nation of Israel out of the hands of the Egyptians yet they lived in unbelief, rebellion, and doubt during much of their time wandering in the desert. God promised to deliver them. They complained and rebelled and a generation died during the thirty-eight years in the desert.

There is the fallen angels who were also in apostacy. As far back as the book of Genesis we see angels cohabiting with women. Then Jude picks up on Sodom and Gomorrah which was consumed with homosexuality. Judgement for those caught in sin will be the ”lake of fire.”

We live in a day when some accept homosexuality as acceptable but the scriptures are clear on it. We even have states, judges, politicians, and worse yet church denominations supporting this sin that scripture so clearly teaches is wrong. Judgement will come. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed approximately 450 years after the flood during the lifetime of Shem, Noah’s son. These people had to have a clue about sin from the preaching of Noah yet they rejected sound teaching. That is true of our day.

All forms of sexual sin is condemned. Homosexuality in Genesis 19:4 -5 and heterosexual activity in Genesis 19:8 outside of a marital bond. Just because society accepts something does not make it right. The destruction of these two cities is an example of God’s earthly judgement but nothing compared to the eternal judgement people will face.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 19, 2025

Jude 4

“Beware”

“For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. “

After rereading my study from Friday I thought I would expand on what I said about false teachers and churches who do not follow scripture.

“Certain people have crept in unnoticed” are people who come to join you in worship and enter subtly but have other ideas in mind. Their intentions are to lead people astray. It is not only individuals but there are denominations that do not follow the scriptures, in fact many television evangelists are not preaching or teaching the Word. False teachers are in abundance. We are warned in scripture to “Beware.”

Who is behind the false teaching it is none other than Satan himself. His goal is to destroy everything that God teaches and those He has called to teach. These teachers are ungodly, teach a perverted form of grace, and deny the existence of  Jesus.

Apostacy has plagued the church since its inception this is nothing new. Scripture teaches there will be those who come as false teachers before the Savior comes. In the last days there will be false teachers rise up again, we may even be seeing some in our day.

Their goal is to infiltrate the church to corrupt it and steal its riches who are its people and the followers of Jesus. These people disown Christ and disdain any recognition of Him as Lord.

This is true of all false teachers and true apostates who distort the truth of scripture.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 16, 2025

“Subtle Deception”

Jude 1:1 – 4

1 “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Jude stresses the urgency of avoiding, opposing, and speaking against false doctrine that had crept into the church of the day. Seems as though things never change as we have cycled once again into false teaching in the church and have allowed the scriptures to say to us what we want them to say.

Jude as you may remember was the half brother of Jesus as well as the brother of James the Apostle. He had intimate knowledge of the teaching of Jesus. He knew right from wrong, right interpretation verses false teaching.

Jude initially had planned to write about the salvation that he and those reading had in common, but the threat of apostates (false teachers) who had entered the church caused him to write against —those who had rejected the truth and had turned away from God—persuaded him otherwise.

He warns those reading his letter about these apostates, and to help them better understand that false teachers will face the judgment of God for their immoral lifestyle and evil teachings. He explains the difference between true believers from apostates by identifying true believers as “called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1). He also identifies them as his “beloved,” or “dear friends” in some translations (Jude 1:3, 17), and encourages them to keep the faith and to minister to others (Jude 1:21–23). He assures them that God is able to preserve them and present them before himself faultless and with great joy (Jude 1:24).

If you attend a church check out what they believe, ask questions, get some real answers and if they teach contrary to the scriptures I would immediately look for a new church, Check out the websites their beliefs should be listed. If you are looking for a church search out a good scripture teaching church to worship in.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 15, 2025

“A Beloved Brother”

Philemon 15 – 25 (ESV)

“For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.”

As we read this it appears Paul was suggesting that there is good in all things. In the running away of Onesimus Paul believes it will produce ultimate good. There is a silver lining in all clouds sometimes we have to be patient to find it. I believe you can find something good in all things.

Paul did not ask Philemon to free his slave but to treat him as an equal. In fact, the scriptures do not teach against slavery they teach that all people are created equal in the image of God and should be treated fairly.

Paul makes an interesting offer to pay for any restitution that is owed by Onesimus as a reminder of what God did for us in sending Jesus to the Cross to free us from sin, He paid the price for us. Philemon however owed Paul for something greater than any debt owed him, Paul led him to Christ which is of far greater value.

Paul was offering some suggestions to Philemon on how to treat his slave. He could  (1). Welcome him back with enthusiasm, (2). Allow Onesimus to minister as well as serve as his slave, or (3). Or to forgive others.

Remember when Paul wrote this letter he was imprisoned so his desire to see Philemon once again indicated his release from prison was imminent. This is great example of a relationship that was once destroyed can now be restored by following the example of Jesus.

Are there any relationships in your life that need restored? Paul shows us how to do it.

God Bless.

Bible Study May 13, 2025

“Love and Faith”

Philemon 4 – 7 (ESV)

4 “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”

Paul in verse three  begins with “grace to you and peace from God.” What do you think someone today would think if we greeted them the same way Paul did? It might throw them for a loop definitely nothing they would expect you to say.

“Love” relates to the final phrase “for all the saints.” What is the love he is writing about here? It encompasses so much more than we might originally think. He is writing about the love of will, choice, self-sacrifice, and humility which was manifested in Philemon’s genuine faith “toward the Lord Jesus.”

Paul uses an interesting word in verse five “sharing.” “Sharing” in the Greek means much more than simply enjoying time with one another. Here it means a mutual sharing of life with one another. They can do this because of their mutual love for Christ and their common life shared in Jesus.

“Knowledge” referenced here is the deep knowledge of the truth of the Gospel message. It comes forth through the power of the message of truth. “The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” The word “heart” denotes the idea of “compassionate hearts.”  This is a much deeper meaning to the word “heart.”

His choice of the word “refreshing” is also interesting. It comes from the Greek military term that describes an army at rest following a march.

How do you greet people? Is Paul’s greeting something you might want to try?

God Bless.

Bible Study May 9, 2025

“Avoid Darkness By Walking In Good Light”

Proverbs 2:16 – 22 (ESV)

“So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, 17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18 for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; 19 none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life. 20 So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.”

To back track a bit from yesterday verse 12 – 15 tell us those who walk in the wicked path are described as Men of perverted speech who rejoice in what is ultimately harmful and they deceive themselves.

Like those who walk in the crooked path in the preceding description a woman who seeks to entice a man to adultery practices deception and also deceives herself and will ultimately have her house sink down to death.

The interpretation here refers to a woman who has forsaken her marriage vows when it speaks of “adulteress.” She has forsaken her marriage for another man.

Beginning in verse 20 we see a significant change. “The upright will inhabit the land” also looks at the possibility of a long life to be inherited. This life choices should be s simple one – Choose Life!

God Bless.