Bible Study April 23, 2024

Matthew 27:22 – 24 (ESV)

“22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who
is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why?
What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” 24
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was
beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am
innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”

Leaders have responsibilities some handle it better that
others. Many of our presidents have done better jobs than others. It lies at
all  levels of management also. But being
a leader is also willing to do what you expect others to do. It has always been
said “there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” We need strong Chiefs
and willing Indians.

Pilate would never do what he expected others to do because he
was a coward without a backbone, without any moral fortitude. He was pressured
and pushed by many forces and he had no heart conviction to stay strong in the
face of adversity.

The washing of his hands only did something to satisfy him it
did nothing to erase what he was going to do. Symbolism is only effective if
you follow through on the right path to accomplish something for the good.

As believers we must accept the responsibility for what we do
and stay strong in our convictions. No wavering, no second guessing but staying
strong on the course.

“God pays in joy that is fire=proof, famine proof-proof, and
devil proof.” Billy Sunday.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 22, 2024

1 Peter 3:13 – 17

13 “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Often people confuse the idea of weakness with gentleness as used in verse fifteen above. They are in fact total opposites. One can have a gentle spirit yet stand firm in what they believe being strong. Never change to go along with something you know is wrong.

There are countless examples of meek people in the scriptures that were without any doubt truly strong people. We could always include the term meek along with weak with is also a complete opposite term. Moses was meek but certainly was not weak. He led two million people out of bondage which takes a strong person to do.

Never confuse being meek or gentle with being weak. Others may tell you that but stand strong in what you believe. Stand strong and do not allow your beliefs to be changed to satisfy others. If you do then you become who they are. Stand for right in the midst of demands made to change. Society does not dictate who we are or who we are to become the scriptures do that.

“To be truly meek means we no longer protect ourselves, because we see there is nothing wrong with defending.” D. Martin Lloyd-Jones.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 19, 2024

Matthew 10:28 – 30 (NASB)

28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

Do not fear but why should you when you know someone who knows the number of hairs on your head? Never fear three times that word appears in the above in those four verses. God is sovereign and knows all things, He knows our more about us than we know of ourselves and He even knows all about our future that should be a comforting thought.

Daniel was in a lions den, three Hebrew boys were in a fiery furnace, John was exiled to Patmos, eleven disciples were martyred and God knew it was going to happen. He did

He did not deliver them from the peril before them but He was there with them when they faced some very tough times. He is the same for us today. He brought them out and he will bring us out of tough times.

He will accomplish His ultimate purpose for all of us if we allow Him to move about in our lives. Acts 28:8 says, “8 For in him we live and move about and exist.”

“Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His Plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control.  Joni Eareckson Tada.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 18, 2024

1 Peter 5:6 – 9

6 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”

We all wrestle with the daily occurrences that go on in our lives from children to jobs, to our homes, to relationships. The list is unending and can become quite burdensome – if we allow it.

The words above tell us to cast our care on the One who cares for us. When living in Ohio I attended a church that had an adult Sunday Scholl class. The teacher was a Middle Eastern doctor who had converted to Christianity. He used an example on Sunday that I thought was very powerful.

He said, imagine when you come home that before you enter your home you stop and look at the tree by your front door. As you look at it take the monkeys off your back that have attached themselves to you during the day. In other words cast your care before you go in the door.

If we were to that how much more pleasant would our family life be if we just dropped all the burdens, all the cares of the world, put aside your workaholic desires and enjoy some peace..

“Worry is an old man with bended head, carrying a load of feathers which he thinks is lead.’  Corrie Ten Boom.

Try it, God Bless.

Bible Study April 17, 2024

Romans 12:10 – 15 (NLT)

10 “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”

God calls all of us for certain tasks and He also calls of us for the same task. Paul writes in the scriptures we should genuinely love one another, honor each other, never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

When trouble comes (and it will) be patient and pray, help God’s people and practice hospitality. Then it gets tougher “Bless those who persecute you, don’t curse them but pray God will bless them.” It sounded good till we get to the part about bless the ones who abuse us doesn’t it?

Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians in his second book chapter one, lays out what we should do. He says God comforts us when we suffer so we can comfort others when they are in need. When we suffer we receive the comfort of God, then we can help others.

Suffering will find us around any corner it cannot be avoided but when we walk through it with the help of Jesus we will be stronger for it. Pray for others to help during their time of crisis.

“Learn to write your hurts in the sand and carve your blessings in stone.” Unknown.

God Bless.

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 16 (NASB)

14 “We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”

“Don’t Give Up the Ship,”  You can feel the pride behind this centuries old phrase. These five words are a rallying cry, a powerful thread running through the Navy’s vast and colorful history, and a song we keep close to our hearts. They’re immortalized in the flag preserved in the USNA Museum, and they run through our blood every day. Here is where the story originated.

James Lawrence was a Navy Captain commanding the USS Chesapeake during the War of 1812. On June 1, 1813, his crew was locked in a fight with the British HMS Shannon and he was shot. As he grappled with this fatal injury, Lawrence’s last command was “Don’t give up the ship.” These heroic words were turned to legend shortly after by his friend and fellow naval officer, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero in his own right.

It is easy to give up but we are called to persevere in all we do. Whether we building a wall one brick at a time, praying for our children, doing any type of ministry we are charged with never giving up. The same is true in all we stay in faith, persevere, do the right thing and victory will come.

“Looking to Jesus till the glory doth shine, moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.” Daniel White.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 16, 2024

Bible Study Aoril 15, 2024

Romans 13:1 – 3 (NASB)

“13 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.”

Does anyone in America look forward to April 15^th every year? It’s the dreaded tax day and I admit after looking at what I paid and getting the check book it is dreaded for us. Somehow writing the check to our church is not as painful as the one to the government.

Reading the verse above should make us cheerful givers. Paying taxes is being submissive to our government. We are to pay what is established we were not asked to do it joyfully but that does help.

We are admonished on the scriptures to obey the governing officials which is a sign of submission. If we can do that in a joyous way then we will be much happier. So I write the check to Uncle Sam thanking him for living in America and have my freedom.

So today I am remined of the words share by Lee Greenwood:

“And I’m proud to be an American

Where at least I know I’m free

And I won’t forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I’d gladly stand up next to you

And defend Her still today

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt

I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A.

Bible Study April 11, 2024

Jeremiah 2:13 (NASB)

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water.”

I remember growing up and visiting my grandmother who was known to me as “Grannie.” She was the best. She lived in a two room house with a big screened in porch on the back. She got her water out of a well in her backyard. I remember going mushroom hunting with her and there was this spring on her property that flowed with freshest cool water you could ever desire.

That spring would have been of no benefit if I ignored it I would have missed the joy of its cool refreshing water. We do that believers we often miss the cool waters of the Lord that brings refreshment because our minds are not focused on Him.

Grannie could have captured that water if she wanted to but she knew it would always be there. Jesus said “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never thirst again. The water I give him shall become like a fountain springing up to eternal life.

If you have not experienced the promise of eternal life today is the day to ask God to give you the water that will you to never thirst again. Do not put it off.

“I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst, was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.” Horatius Bonar.

God Bless.

Bible Study April 10, 2024

Psalm 37:23

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.”

Space did not permit me add all this passage for I would have added verses one through twenty-three. Everything that comes before verse twenty-three leads us up to this verse.

There is security in following Jesus, We are told to not be envious against those who persecute us or do evil. They along with their deeds will soon perish. In fact he says they will wither like the grass. But we are to trust in the Lord and follow His paths. And while trusting in Him we should pray for those who persecute us.

The promises of God are beyond anything we can comprehend, He is amazing in all He does. Dwell in the land, cultivate faithfulness. I would encourage you to read the verse prior to twenty-three to see the background of what He is saying.

God orders our steps and we should be thankful for all He does in our lives but for many He is an inconvenience to their lifestyle. He is so much more for the Christ Follower who yields his life to the Lord.

He is our God of righteousness and will do all He can that we are willing to allow Him to do in our lives. Today is the day to completely sell out to Jesus. Do not let one additional day pass without complete submission to Him.

“Order my footsteps by Thy Word and make my heart sincere; let sin have no dominion, Lord, but keep my conscience clear. Isaac Watts.

God Bless.