Bible Study September 5, 2024

Romans 8:12 – 14

“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

Do we know where we are going? Yesterday I needed to make a trip Belleville, Illinois so I pulled the address up on GPS on my phone and took off knowing it would lead me there. It did through  downtown St. Louis to I-44 West, to back north again, to across the river, getting off at Route three then through East St. Louis only to be caught by a train. Coming back I went a different direction.

GPS is great when it works to our benefit but sitting at a train stoppage in East St. Louis on a ninety-one degree day was not what I had planned. As Christ Followers we have an internal system that guides and directs us – He is the Holy Spirt. However, like GPS we can change courses and when we do we often have to wait.

So what do we ask ourselves – I believe it is a simple question and that is “Will I follow His GPS? I know I would have arrived at my destination eventually but I could have done it more efficiently by looking in a different direction. We may not always know where we are or where we are going but we can be assured that His leadership will get us there safely.

“When led of the Spirt, the child of God must be ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.” Lewis Sperry Chaffer.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 4, 2024

Matthew 5:43 – 44

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Loving your enemies is not a simple task but it is a requirement for those in the Kingdom of God. You may not want to love someone but the choice has already been made when Christ came into your life. In a simple search I found this comment. “The Bible has a lot to say about love. Like a lot a lot. Depending on which translation you pick up, you will find the word love dropped in the Bible between 310 times (the King James Version) and 801 times (the New Living Translation).”

Each one of us has been hurt by someone in our lives and we needed to forgive them and show them some grace. I can think of things in my life that have passed and every once in a while they resurface and I forgive again. There is a reason we are reminded of things.

We may find grace hard to comprehend because we are not naturally grace people. This is because as fallen people we are unable to relate to each other. The key to change is 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. Bible verses about grace abound.

Grace is a result of the Cross.

“Every cat knows some things need to be buried.” Ruth Bell Graham.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 3, 2024

Matthew 6:5 – 6 (ESV)

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Prayer is an important  part of our day as it maintains fellowship with our Father. Jesus et an excellent example for as he prayed in public and in private. There are those who have a prayer closet they can get away from everything to pray. Some have a quiet place, some a chair that we sit in. I remember hearing David Jeremiah say he walked around when he prayed because if he knelt down he got sleepy.

To humble ourselves in prayer is mental decision God does not care about our position, many people cannot kneel and He understands that. Humbling ourselves is an attitude made by decision.

We should set aside some time every day to pray make it an appointed time when you be undisturbed. Safeguard your time with God and it will be a meaningful time.

“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.” Corrie Ten Boom.

Bible Study August 30, 2024

Galatians 5:1

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Paul often spoke about standing firm. It could be used in battle as troops must stand firm in their positions then move forward as they advance in battle. The same thing is true for a Christ Follower. We take ground as we grow in faith and we stand.

But we should not be content with only standing firm we should move forward. As we mature we take more ground; our faith increases in all we do.

Paul on numerous occasions told us to persevere in the face of adversity. He said in 1 Corinthians 16:13 to stand fast in our faith, in one spirit (Philippians 1:27), in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:8).

We must be aware of the enemy who desires to destroy us but the power of God is so much stronger. There are people all around speaking of the demise of the church, of Christianity with much of it from politicians and far left wing people, along with the Satan worshippers. We should not apologize for what we believe, stand together, stand strong, dig our feet, and say “We shall not be moved.”

“We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to become so.” Phillip Brooks.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 29, 2024

2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.”

There is a lot wrapped up in this one verse. Aim for restoration how many times do you see unrest and families in conflict? If we have harmed someone we are to go to them and make amends – don’t tell someone else – tell the person then be restored.

Comfort one another. Many times while leading GriefShare people have told me things said to them that hurt rather than heal. We want to help; we want to say something but sometimes it is not comforting – maybe “I’m sorry” will suffice.

Agree with one another. There are some things we agree on and some we do not. As an example we cannot agree that sin is all right we need to take a stand. I believe Paul is saying here that you can agree even though we have differing opinions. In most cases there can be a point of agreement without compromise.

Live in peace. Do not create conflict but bring peace to one another. Speak kind words that do not agitate a person. Be intentional in all you do to bring peace to a troubled person, throw water on the fire not gasoline.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The “holy kiss” could have many meanings, including: It could imply that all believers are equally loved and accepted, and that no elite groups exist.  It could represent humility between rich and poor. It could represent love that welcomes and desires to serve the person being greeted.

“Although it is true we will never achieve a sinless perfection until we reach heaven, this should never keep us from striving ana saying with Fanny Crosby, “Take the world, but give me Jesus.” Kenneth W Osbeck.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 28, 2024

Galatians 5:10

“I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.”

Have you ever given any thought to what your confidence level is in the Lord? We pray, we ask for His blessings on our lives, we seek His counsel but do we have confidence He will do what He said He would?

A German writer by the name of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once observed, “Correction does much, but encouragement does more.” We need both correction when needed and encouragement.

Paul wrote many letters to churches and in several he is writing of rebuke for what they have done or are not doing. But he did not only correct he also was an encourager leaving them with a positive thought or guidance as he left them. When we are constantly rebuked and not encouraged we get down on ourselves. God never meant for that to happen to His creation to be discouraged.

Paul writing to the Galatians in chapter five above says he has confidence in the Lord. He will do what is best for His followers leading them correctly and encouraging them as needed.

Don’t criticize people, help them correct their sin then encourage them to move forward in the Lord where our confidence lies.

“Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him … Every individual responds to confidence.” Booker Washington.

God Bless.