Bible Study September 19, 2024

Romans 12:9 – 12

9 Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10 being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.”

The “Jesus Movement” of the 1970” sparked a revival in America. I have a devotional book titled “Jesus Freaks”  which is stories of those who stood for Jesus. I will share of them beginning tomorrow.

What was the Jesus movement of the 1970s? Here is a description from – Wikipedia.

The term Jesus People is used to describe the group of originally outcasts, drug-obsessed, and all-around anti-religious who during the 1960s and 1970s turned towards the Christian faith and Jesus. They took the Bible and Jesus and began to understand it in their own lives and reformed their lifestyles for the better.

I remember this well as a twenty-two year old in 1970. They were criticized for their stance but I would challenge anyone to question a person’s conversion to Jesus.

Do these words sound familiar? “What will people think when they find that I’m a Jesus freak? What will people do (Freakshow) when they find that it’s true? Ho, ho.” These are words from the song “Jesus Freak” by Toby Mac.

Are you a Jesus Freak? Are you willing to put Jesus first above and beyond all else in your life?

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” John Piper.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 18, 2024

1 Peter 1:13 – 16  (LSB)

13 Therefore, having girded your minds for action, being sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, not being conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Grace is mentioned 128 times in the New Testament (NKJV). Grace is mentioned 23 times in the Old Testament (NKJV).

Grace is the basis for the Christian faith. We believe we are saved by faith through grace. God’s grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given. We count on God’s grace and the bridge he built in our relationship with him.

John Wesley identifies three essential means of grace that Christians throughout time have always observed: prayer, scripture and the sacrament of communion. In prayer, we turn to God for help, strength and/or forgiveness while opening ourselves up to God’s guidance.

Wesley also taught there are three types of grace: prevenient grace, which is God’s active presence in people’s lives before they even sense the divine at work in their lives; justifying grace, through which all sins are forgiven by God; and sanctifying grace, which allows people to grow in their ability to live like Jesus.

“God dispenses his goodness not with an eyedropper but a fire hydrant. Your heart is a Dixie cup, and his grace is the Mediterranean Sea. You simply can’t contain it all. So let it bubble over. Spill out. Pour forth”. Max Lucado.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 17, 2024

Luke 16:24 – 26 (LSB)

24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things. But now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you are not able, and none may cross over from there to us.’

I have heard and most likely you have people say that those in paradise can see what we are doing on earth. According to Luke that cannot happen.

In this case the rich man was suffering and knew his family and how they lived. He did not want them to suffer  as he is suffering so as he desired a drop of water he implored for someone to speak to them.. When that was  not feasible he asked someone go to his brothers and tell them about the torment he was facing.

That was not possible because of the separation of paradise and Hades. We try to reach mankind through human efforts but Jesus bridged the gap between heaven and hell for us. It was God’s initiative that salvation to man. When we turn to Jesus we will find God and that is our access to the Father.

“If there were no hell, the loss of heaven would be hell.” Charles Spurgeon.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 16, 2024

Isaiah 40:7 -8 (LSB)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of Yahweh blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”

Sometimes when we speak we are misunderstood. Not everyone understands where we come from when we speak. Jesus said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ That is easy to understand.

We can stand assured of what God has said will withstand time forever more. He is unchanging in all He does and all He says. Throughout the scriptures God spoke and His Word is unchanging. What He promised in the Old Testament is still true and relevant today.

What would be your impression of God if He were untrustworthy, went back on His word” What if He did not mean what He said about our salvation, about heaven, about eternal life? Where would we be?

We can rest assured that He will not change, His Word is good, it will remain beyond time.

“Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” Corrie Ten Boom.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 11, 2024

Proverbs 14:34

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” is a Bible verse from Proverbs 14:34. It’s a proverb that succinctly expresses the idea that a nation’s success or failure is determined by righteousness or sin. The verse is part of a series of proverbs that contrast positive and negative traits, such as work ethic, self-control, and wisdom.

The word righteousness in this passage is not referring to an individual’s right standing with God but to a nation that adheres to God’s righteous standards as found in His moral law.

We all remember September 11, 2001, and where we were when the murderous thugs struck New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Our nation came together in a time of mourning, searching for some answers as to why it happened. Church attendance increased and people sought a new relationship with God and family.

But time passes on, things change, a new generation is born and they know nothing of this tragedy that so many remember. Our prayers must be that our nation remains strong and we remain strong. How do we do that? We find our strength in the Word of God and remaining righteous in the face of trial and trouble. WE pray for our nation, we pray for our leaders, we learn to encourage one another to do the same.

If “righteousness exalts a nation then we must remain strong and committed in our faith, hope, and most of all in God.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 10, 2024

Hebrews 12:1 – 2 (KJV)

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Life is busy seems like so much to do, so much needs to be done how do we accomplish it all? Or do we need to do everything that comes up?

We hear sounds all day, we listen, we ignore those that do not affect us directly. So we can ignore some things but are we ignoring the most important things in our life?

We all could spend more time studying and read the scriptures and books that edify us and help us better understand the scriptures. There are also many good books outside of Christian books that are worthwhile. I remember reading Jim Baker’s book “I Was Wrong” and captivated by it.

Commit to a time every day that you can set aside to stop, read some scripture and ask God for His guidance in your life. That of your family, your church, and our world. Some may need to refocus some may already be there. Pray for one another.

“Turn your focus to God’s love.” Rick Warren.

Bible Study September 9, 2024

Galatians 6:6 – 7

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

As I read these scriptures I thought about the responsibility of pastors to teach the Word of God. I realize everyone has the responsibility to rightly divide the truth yet the truth lies with the teaching for many people.

What if we teach something incorrectly can it ever be corrected in the minds of people? Do they research it and find the proper application for their lives?

Question after question concerning this comes to my mind. A farmer will plant corn and corn will grow. You may find some wheat or soybeans in the field but they did not sprout from a corn seedling.

What do we do with our spiritual life? How do we garner it for growing in Christ. What are our reading habits, our TV habits, our computer usage, the music we listen to what seeds are we sowing there? By studying the Word, we know the truth. WE cannot allow another to lead us astray.

Holiness is the result of planting the right seed in properly prepared ground and nurturing it to fruition. Then we will reap the crop that is sown – isn’t that what we want?

God Bless.

Bible Study September 6, 2024

Psalm 31:1 – 2

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!”

Sin can easily trap us into believing wrong is right. I have been reading a series of comments made on Facebook concerning abortion. The consensus of opinion from thirty response was a simple one that abortion is up to the person. I agree with that but our beliefs and practices should be dictated by His Word.

We have allowed the media to influence us rather than the Word of God, we are listening to others opinions and accepting them without looking to what the Word of God says. Commandment number six says simply “Thou shall not kill.” Yet many consider it acceptable. The explanation is “a woman’s right to choose.” What about the right of the unborn?

Bottom line is we must decide what we believe, why we believe it, and who we are to believe. It’s extremely difficult to ask God to rescue us when we do not follow His Word. Even a more telling question is why should God deliver us when we break His laws and commandments?

I am certain in reading the comments that I referred above came from cult members so they have a completely different set of values if any values at all. If we expect and desire God to be with us then we must follow His Word.

[Contrary to] people pleasers, only, only people-lovers can confront.” Edward T. Welch.

God Bless.