Bible Study July 11, 2024

James 1:2 – 4   (Legacy Standard Bible)

“2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. 4 And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

No one likes to be tested. Being tested reminds us of school days when we had to take those dreaded tests. As an employee it seems like the company I worked for was always wanting to test a person’s knowledge or skills. You may have done the job for two or three years but they wanted to test you.

In our lives as Christ Followers God tests us. Galatians 5:22 – 23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” I do not know about you but I get tested on patience way to often maybe it’s because I need it, not maybe I do. Some of the others not so much.

God uses these tests to help us better understand who we are  relying on Him or on ourselves. The more we are tested the more we find out about ourselves and the kind of power we are relying on.

The more we are tested the more we should yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding. When we are tested rely on the Holy Spirit not on your own understanding.

“Hope is the foundation of patience.” John Calvin.”
God Bless.

Bible Study July 10, 2024

Joshua 6:1 – 5 (Legacy Standard Bible)

6 Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out, and no one came in. 2 And Yahweh said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors. 3 And you shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4 Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And it will be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down beneath itself, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.”

Let us admit we all get ahead of God and His perfect plan for our lives. This plan for the destruction of the city of Jericho was about as far out in space as anyone could imagine, yet God knew what He was doing.

Joshua followed the plan set out by God doing exactly as God had directed him to do. If I had been Joshua I would never have believed that walking around a city would bring down the walls of this fortified city. I ask – would you?

Too often when God directs us to do something we try to figure it all out, consider the outcome, then change His plan to ours but that is not what Joshua did he followed it perfectly.

Think about this, what if he only walked every other day, what if the trumpet player failed to play, what if “all” the people did not shout, what if? A lot of “what ifs” but no questions from Joshua he followed God. What if we did that today? What would happen to the church, where could it go in the future?

The same is true for us God has a perfect plan for our lives, He only requires acceptance of His offer of grace toward salvation then the doors open up.

“God moves in mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.” William Cowper.

Bible Study July 8, 2024Hebrews 11:23 – 29 (Legacy Standard Bible) 23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three
months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were
not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be
mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 regarding the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;
for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the
rage of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he kept
the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the
firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as
though they were passing through dry land, and the Egyptians, when they
attempted it, were drowned.”In these six verse the word “faith” is used five times. Moses
lived by faith but so did his mother. Male children lived under the death
threat of Pharoah who was in leadership at the time. Moses’ parents certainly saw
some potential in their son in this difficult time in history.Through their eyes of faith they saw something very special in
Moses. He would become important to God’s plan in the Israelite nation. Faith
is the key that unlocks so many opportunities for us. I have an article laying on my desk that I am going to read
when I conclude this study it is titled “How to Pray For a Miracle.” I am going
to share with our Leadership Team. Without having read it I am certain of one
thing the word “faith” will be used several times.Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to
please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who seek him.” Romans 10:17 says, So faith comes from
hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.’God Bless.

Bible Study July 4, 2024

Happy Fourth of July – thankfully we are free in Jesus.

Hebrews 11:11 – 13 (Legacy Stand Bible)

11 “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she regarded Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.”

Would you have laughed if God spoke to you and said you will have a child when you are in your nineties? More likely than not we would panic. Maybe a chuckle but maybe a “Why me Lord?”

God never goes back on His promises, they never change, He never forgets His Word. He promised a son in their old age. There is no doubt both Sarah and Abrahm went through periods of doubt during the waiting time but ultimately she believed God.

Sarah compared the idea of being humanely impossible with the promise of God and stood on the promise. The impossible in humanity became the divinely possible in faith. It is impossible for God to break any His promises to us.

“When the angel asserted that “with God nothing shall be impossible,” the two negatives add up to ringing positive.” A. W. Tozer.

God Bless.  

Bible Study July 3, 2024

Mark 13:33 – 37  (Legacy Standard Bible)

33 “See to it, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who, leaving his house and giving authority to his slaves—each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore, stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you I say to all, ‘Stay awake!’”

I remember the excitement around my birthday and Christmas when I would be excited about what I was getting. I was going to buy a car and my dad knew a man who was selling his 1951 Chevrolet four door just what a sixteen year old wanted – but it was mine and did I pamper it. I also watched the look on my son’s face at those times in his life.

Excitement for certain. But how many of us are looking forward with the same degree of excitement for Jesus return? I admit some days I look more forward than others maybe it’s those days I’m not at the top of my game. Maybe part of it is that we have heard about His return all our lives but rest assured he is coming back.

Hopefully as you read this today you will be ready. If not respond to this teaching and we will share how you can be ready.

“It is later than it has ever been before, and the smartest thing a man can do is et his watch by God’s clock.” Vance Havener.

God Bless.