Bible Study July 2, 2024James 1:13 – 1513 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by
God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully
matured, it brings forth death.”We can easily be tempted by the many things that cross our
paths on any given day. We must remain alert to all attempts of the adversary
to destroy us and bring us away from our relationship with Jesus.I am planning on going fishing Friday, and we have a fishing
tournament scheduled for July 20^th from eight to twelve o’clock. Our
hope is to find that fish (or several) lurking under the water looking for a
fishing worm or the colorful lure that will attract it. This is what attracts
the catch.The same thing can happen to us as we take the bait offered by
Satan and are caught. All sin comes from Satan do not be deceived God does not
bring sin on us nor does He tempt us. God permits trials to come into our lives
but they are designed to strengthen us but Satan desires and tests us to expose
our weaknesses. Keep on guard. Be prepared for his assaults because they will
come.“There are some who say that there is no devil, but if they
would to live just one day for God, they would know that the devil exists.”
Herschel Ford.God Bless.

Bible Study July 1, 2024

Isiah 41:8- 10 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Abraham was the founder of a great nation and if he lived today we would erect some type of remembrance for all he did. Although we do not have Abraham with us today we do the words of scripture that describe his greatness.

In Genesis we read he was obedient to God in his life and as a result of his obedience God blessed him in every way. Genesis 24:1 “Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in every way.” (LSB).

When Abraham is spoken of in the scriptures he is “esteemed” in God’s sight. But with all the wonderful things said about Abraham he was not a perfect man. He was like us we make mistakes but Abraham sacrificed a blood offering for his sin and was restored into a right relationship with God. The same thing is true for us when we fail then we need to accept the atonement the blood sacrifice of Jesus for our sin.

However, possible the greatest word ever spoken over Abraham was that he was a friend of God. Are you a friend of God?

“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet your photo would be in it… Face it, friend He is crazy about you.” Max Lucado.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 28, 2024

Proverbs 26:6   (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

There are no perfect people in the world despite the words of Mac Davis in his song “It’s Hard to Be Humble.” There is a line that says “Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble. When you’re perfect in every way.” That simply is not the truth.

One of two things is true about our lives. We have either received guidance from someone or we are perfect and never need direction. Since we know there are no perfect we can see which of these are true.

Proverbs tells us that we are fortunate if we have someone in our lives that guide us and help us along. That is what true friends are for: nurture and direction. No friend or in fact no one should ever allow us to make a mistake if they knew they could help us avoid it.

If we see someone and we fail to guide them then we will derail their own spiritual growth. We do not want to do anything that will take them or us off our spiritual journey. We need guidance and when we receive it we should accept it graciously.

In the same manner when we give advice it should be given in the way we receive it. Do you need guidance or know someone who does? If so God will gift you for that time accept His direction and His words.

“Men give advice, God gives guidance.” Leonard Ravenhill.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 27, 2024

Matthew 25:31, 33 – 34 (Legacy Standard Bible)

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.’

33 ‘And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

There is a day coming when Jesus will return to judge the nations. When He does he will separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (non-believers). To some He will invite them into the kingdom “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” To the others the goats He will say “Depart from Me I never knew you.”

We are saved by grace there is no other way to be saved and there is only one way to heaven and that is through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Do not believe the lies that there are multiple ways to heaven – there is only one way. We are not saved by all the good stuff we do we are saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ who died on a cross, was resurrected three days later and rose to sit at the right hand of God our Father.

Fill your days with blessing everyone you find. Show them kindness, give someone a “God pocket” if you have one, if not we have extras. Share with them the way to heaven by being a sheep so they too my inherit eternal life.

“The seeming peace a sinner has, is not from the knowledge of his happiness, but from the ignorance of his danger.” Thomas Watson.

God Bless.

Bible Study 6/26/2024

Deuteronomy 31:7 – 8 (Legacy Standard Bible)

7 “Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. 8 And Yahweh is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

One of the many things we are taught from the scriptures is to not fear, yet we do. Before we say more I want to say that fear and faith are polar opposites. Moses gave the message of faith to Joshua but not only to Joshua but to all the nation “in the sight of all Israel.”

We all need encouragement from time to time and Moses was assuring Joshua that “all of the sight of Israel” was with him. They may not all had faith of Joshua but the admonishment was there for them and their leader.

This Sunday my message is from Mark chapter four on the crossing of the Sea of Galilee. Moses told them the land was theirs all they had to do was go was to take possession of it. Faith says I’m pushing ahead, God is going before me, and I will not be stopped by any force of Satan.

When God is with us we will not fail in fact we cannot fail because he has already won the battle for us. But because the battle is won does not mean we will not need to do anything. We need to take the land that is before us. We need to move the mountain that is standing in our way. We need to act.

“The presence of God in the flood is better than a ferryboat.” Charles Spurgeon.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 25, 2024

1 Corinthians 4:1 – 2 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Let a man consider us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found faithful.”

Accountability, we all want it from our school systems, our government at all levels, our business leaders, in fact we all want accountability. We have a right to expect it from those in leadership and in government. For those in government we hear so much about how money is spent, do they represent the majority or special interest groups? We hear about insider trading that occurs when indeed it should not.

As Christ Followers we are accountable to God and what He has given us. The parable of the three people given talents two of them doubled their talents while the third buried his and each received their reward for what they did. They were held accountable.

We belong to Christ if we have accepted His forgiveness. We are therefore accountable to Him. One day we will be judged on our faithfulness to Him.

When we see Christ we will show Him what we have done with what we have been given. All that we have will seem to be meager to what He has done for us but He will accept our offerings. He will bless what we offer because of our faithfulness to Him. We will be so happy to hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

“Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal, King of our lives, by Thy great grace we will be.” Frances Havergal.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 21, 2024

James 1:19 – 21 (Legacy Standard Bible)

19 Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, laying aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in gentleness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

This popped up today and just this week I saw  a posting on this same topic from my friend Greg. Years ago I heard an evangelist say we should listen twice as much as we talk since God gave us two ears and one mouth. I have a hard time doing that and I am certain some reading this may be in the same boat.

Washington Irving said, “The tongue is the only thing that gets sharper with use.” He couldn’t have been correct. It is so true.

It is said on one occasion a young man came to Socrates to learn to be an orator.  In his first meeting with his teacher, he talked without stopping. When the great philosopher Socrates could get a word in he said to the young man: “Young man, I will have to charge you a double fee.” “A double fee? Why is that? To which Socrates responded “I will have to teach you two sciences. First how to hold your tongue, and then how to use it.”

Socrates gives us some good advice along with the idea of thinking before we speak, is my offering valuable, should I reconsider how or what to say before I venture into a comment I wish I should have not said?
God Bless.

Bible Study June 20, 2024

Matthew 25:1 – 6

“Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”

This parable is about the ten virgins who were to light the way for the bridegroom and accompany him on his way to the wedding. They were to be illuminators. They did not know the time of arrival but were to be ready for his arrival.

One half of them were prepared. their lamps were trimmed, the had oil and they were waiting with anticipation for his arrival. The other five were sitting around waiting for something to happen that they were completely unprepared for. They were consumed with the happening of what was surrounding them they did not realize the need to prepare. We could ascertain from the parable they were all told about what was to happen.

When the time came for the arrival one half were not ready, they were left outside the house and the door was even locked so they could not enter. Verse twelve and thirteen of Matthew twenty-five says, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

Paul warned the church in Corinth to examine themselves and we have that same admonishment today, examine, prepare because we do not know the date or time of Jesus arrival for His bride.

God Bless.