Bible Study June 18, 2024

Matthew 24:37 (Legacy Standard Bible)

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark.”

As I was reading today I was reviewing my comments for Cindy’s mom’s graveside service which I will conduct this morning.

Jesus is returning but we have no idea when. But He came for Cindy’s mom on May 31^st of this year. Thankfully she was a believer and now she is in paradise.

But that is not true for all who die. Scripture teaches us we all will die (unless Jesus comes back before we die). What does the future hold for each one of us? There are many theories floating around that our God of love would send no one into eternity lost.

That is partially true but a false teaching. We send ourselves into eternity by what we believe we either accept or deny Jesus. It is the hope of our creator that all find their peace through Jesus but unfortunately not all will seek it. Thankfully mom did. Our theology may not have been the same but Jesus was the same.

Someone once said we all die once but aa Christ Follower only dies once while an unbeliever will die both a physical and spiritual death. I believe that but I also believe we all spend eternity somewhere in that case we live somewhere forever.

The choice is ours to make – where do I want to spend my eternity. Jesus told His followers He is the way, the truth, and the life and the then immediately goes on to tell them He was going away to prepare a pale for them and for us.

Today let me encourage to find Jesus who is looking for you.

“O Christian … wait for the coming of your Lord, nut let it be with your lamps trimmed and your lights burning.” Charles Spurgeon.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 18, 2025

John 12:20 – 23 (Legacy Standard Bible)

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip *came and *told Andrew; Andrew and Philip *came and *told Jesus. 23 And Jesus *answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

 Jesus gives us healthy vision. Many people today are looking at life through rose colored glasses. They cannot accept what they see so they make all things what they want them to be.

In order to see our future clearly we must look through the spiritual eyes that God has gifted us with. We see our future through what the inspired Word of God has given us.

According to the scriptures, the god of this age has blinded the eyes and minds of those outside of a faith relationship with Jesus. As Christians we have the scriptures implanted in our vision to give us sight.

We can look at the headlines through the scriptures of God’s Word. We understand that Christ is returning according to the scripture. Though the times are perilous we have the peace of saying “But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels—Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9 LSB).

“Turn you eyes upon Jesus; look full into His wonderful face.” Helen Lemmel.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 17, 2024

Hebrews 11:1 – 5  (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was approved as being righteous—God approving his gifts—and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for prior to being taken up, he was approved as being pleasing to God.”

Yesterday I mentioned in my message about the legacy the father of the prodigal son wanted for his children and the fact he wanted them to leave a legacy also. Many people plan their celebration of life ending without ever considering what might be said concerning their legacy.

I will be doing my mother in laws internment this Wednesday morning and I met with her husband to plan the graveside service, they have both preplanned their services. Art and I talked about some things and we shared some stories of their lives together. This was the second marriage for both of them who lost their first wife and husband to illness.

One thing that came out in our discussion was something that Art said. “It was a partnership.” In other words they were in it together for better or worse. He share some stories that I did not know and I may use one or two of them Wednesday. Mom’s legacy will be one that is remembered.

Enoch transferred from earth to his presence into God’s presence in an instant, it wasn’t like that for mom but I am confident beyond any doubt she too is in His presence. They are both there because of “faith” which pleases God.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 14, 2024

Hebrews 11:1 – 6 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was approved as being righteous—God approving his gifts—and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for prior to being taken up, he was approved as being pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Hebrews has been referred to as the “Faith Chapter” in the scriptures. True faith says we continue to believe in the midst of our circumstances – any circumstance. Believing in God is not enough we must seek Him. All through scripture faith and seeking are synonymous.

Faith that actively seeks God out is the faith that pleases God. These people described in Hebrews eleven were faith seekers, believing God wholeheartedly. Let’s be diligent in seeking God and it begins with me, what does He want me to do?

Phillip Yancey in his great book “What’s So Amazing About Grace” speaks of the term “ungrace.”  Tells the story of a family where the father and husband was a drunk and kicked his wife and the children’s mother out of the house. Some of the children lived the same way – how they were raised. Yancey says “Ungrace does its work quietly and lethally, like a poisonous undetectable gas.”

This Sunday we are sharing about a situation where a dad showed grace and not ungrace. Join us if you can or follow us on Facebook.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 13, 2024

Daniel 11:32 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”

How do we know God and who He is? John Jesus said in John 17:3 “”And this is life eternal, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

I believe many of us would agree there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. Most people almost one hundred percent would say they know about God. It may be from a fleeting comment made by someone they overheard, it may be from a church visit or experience they had. I believe would also agree it that knowing about God is far different than knowing God.

The fool has said in his heart “There is no God.” Paul said, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools as they sought to change the glory of the incorruptible God and they began to worship and serve the creation more than the creator.

This refers to knowing God in a personal intimate way. In such a way as you carry on daily conversations with Him, and seek His advise before making any major decisions. You look to Him daily for comfort, advise, and strength, He is your closest friend and confidant.

Knowing about God will not get you salvation, a home in heaven but knowing God will get you peace, joy, forgiveness (salvation), a hope for the future, and an assured mansion in heaven.

“The right knowledge of God is the strength of the soul, and, in the strength of that, gracious souls do exploits.” Matthew Henry.

Bible Study June 12, 2024

Psalm 37:1 – 4 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward doers of unrighteousness. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. 3 Trust in Yahweh and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in Yahweh; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

As we see the latter days approaching for the great planet earth the church is going to face persecution. There will be evil doers among us doing what they can to destroy the church. It will come from many sources but rest assured governments will be involved in restricting religious freedom.

But nations will fall, leaders will fall because the church will survive forever. We see persecution is foreign lands and think it could never happen to us in America. We might ask what persecution is. While Christian persecution takes many forms, it is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Jesus Christ.

Religious freedom is a disrespected human right.

Freedom of religion, like all freedoms of thought and expression, is inherent. Our beliefs help define who we are. They serve as a foundation for what we contribute to our societies.

However, today, many people live under governments that abuse or restrict freedom of religion. Christians in such areas face persecution, suffer deeply, and are denied basic freedoms.

When countries restrict religious freedom—including the free expression of Christianity and free worship of Jesus—they are rejecting this vital human right, which is built into the conscience of every human being and has been validated time and time again throughout history.

And it could happen in America.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 11, 2024

Matthew 24:15 – 20 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18 And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his garment. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.”

Do you find it a paradox when we are told to understand the passage yet we scratch our heads asking what the writer is saying. I admit I do then I go to a good resource to help me out.

In this passage Jesus is talking about the image that will be erected in the temple and rule for three and one half years which will trigger the Great Tribulation. Daniel talks about this his book in chapters 9, 11, and 12. Paul too writes about it in 1 Thessalonians as well as John in Revelation 13.

Satan’s ultimate plan is to destroy all that exists but his greatest objective is to destroy mankind. Once he destroys a life he could care less about that life. When the life is gone he is off looking for someone else to destroy.

Unfortunately he is working daily to lead people away from a Jesus relationship and into his captivity of sin. It may be an addiction, adultery, thievery, it can take on any image but he wants your life and when he has he rejoices. Anything that separates us from a relationship with Jesus can allow Satan the open door to take us. Stay on guard.

“Let Jesus be first and uppermost in thought and life and let all other things trail on after.” S. H. Hadley.

God Bless.

Bible Study June 10, 2024

Matthew 24:14 & 22 – 24 (Legacy Standard Bible)

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

22 “And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

I am fairly certain many people who have went to paradise awaiting Jesus return often wondered how the Gospel will be proclaimed to all the world. It would have been a great question to raise since they were not alive during our time of the great technological advancements.

However, we can easily see it in our day how that will happen, but that raises even additional thoughts. We are commissioned with the great commission to evangelize the world and we have seen great crusades such as those held by Billy Graham in our day. As we see the day approaching of Jesus’ return we see the scriptures being fulfilled.

Even during the tribulation when all hell is loosed one earth people will find God through the 144,00 Jewish evangelists. God will not quit reaching out to His creation for salvation.

Until then we can do our part to share the message of hope for those we meet.

“While we are creating sophisticated organizations and employing the latest technology to win the world to Christ, let us not forget that our neighbor judges Jesus Christ by what he sees in us.” Charles Colson.

God Bless.