Bible Study

December 22, 2025

Isaiah 9:6 – 7a) NKJV

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,”

“Prince of Peace”

Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet who teaches so much about the coming of the Messiah. His clarity is remarkable and is quoted more often than any prophet. The events that he prophesized about occurred between the dates of 742 and 681 BC.

He said a child was to born. I mentioned yesterday in my morning message that Jesus was only born to Mary but He was born to everyone who has lived. He was given to “us” as Isaiah said in the scripture above. Just give some thought to the impact of that statement on all mankind.

When Isaiah speaks of the government being “upon His shoulder” he is referring to His second coming associated with His millennial Kingdom. Once the church is raptured and the living and those who died as Christ Followers will be taken up to heaven to spend eternity with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit along with all the saints who have gone before us. Satan will be cast into the fiery pit (as described in Revelation) and Jesus will rule along  all the believers during a thousand year rule upon the earth.

We are told He will be “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Here we see the “near” and the “far” as it appears often in the Old Testament prophecy because Jesus was born over two thousand years ago as a child but the government of the universe will be placed “on His shoulders.” This will happen when the coronation of the King of Kings and Lord of lords in the millennium.

God Bless.

Bible Study

December 19, 2025

1 Thessalonians 4:14 – 15 (CSB)

14 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.”

“Taken Away”

Many people believe Jeus was a real person and we who believe have faith in His Word. Paul is saying “if we believed”. The crux of Christianity was born of a virgin, lived on this earth for thirty-three years, healed people, forgave sin, died on a cross, shed His blood and in three days he rose again (in bodily form) ate with His followers and rose to be with God our and His Father.

It takes for faith for an atheist, the agnostic to not believe in God. Faith after all is trust in the unseen. A basic element is believing in what isn’t fully visible or proven, like God’s promises or a future outcome.

Paul says if we believe then we believe He is returning as He promised, the dead will be raised up, the living at the time will join Him and those dead  (asleep) in Christ and the church will be raised up into heaven. This is the rapture of the church. See some references in John 14:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:51 – 58.

If we want to experience this new life in Him then we must believe and accept His offer of forgiveness while we are still alive. There is no such thing as “praying” people into heaven. The sole way to join is to be forgiven of the sin in our lives by making a personal decision.

Many people do not understand the ‘rapture” of the church since the word “rapture” does not appear in the scriptures. But there is strong evidence of the Jesus return and those who sleep will be raised and along with those who are alive will be taken up into heaven where our fate is sealed for eternity.

God Bless.

Bible Study

December 18, 2025

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (CSB)

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.”

“Grieve What?”

“Those who are asleep” is a common term for those who have died in scripture. It is a euphemism for death which describes the appearance of the deceased.

It describes the physical body not the soul of man. Sleep is used of the daughter of Jarius (Matt. 9:24) whom Jesus raised from the dead. It also describes Stephen who was stoned to death (Acts 7:60, 7:39, 2 Pet. 3:4).

Those who sleep are identified as asleep in Christ. The people of the day thought that if a person had died they would miss the Lord’s return and they were grieved over their absence at His glorious return. Revelation explains this to us in wonderful detail.

There is no reason to grieve the death of a believer. We miss them but they are eternally secure in God’s presence. Zig Ziglar who lost his daughter to death was asked if he would like her to come back? His response was “Oh No.” He goes on to say she is far better off where she is.

There is no doubt we miss those who have passed away and sometimes we try to ease the pain by some of the terms we use. But rest assured as we sleep at night they who slept before us and died as a believer would not trade places with any of us. Sleep in Jesus is simply falling asleep on earth and waking up in paradise. People may try to tell you something different but I am telling you what scripture teaches.

God Bless.

Bible Study

December 17, 2025

1 Thessalonians 4:8 – 12 (CSB)

“Spirit Led?”

8 “Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 9 About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. 10 In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers and sisters in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, 11 to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.”

God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can be led by His Spirit or we can choose our way. He does give the Spirit to us to help us on our daily walk. If you were to ask anyone who has served the Lord for any number of years they will tell you to follow the Spirit.

The Spirit is the One who will lead us into love. He can help us love anyone, which is something we cannot do on our own. To be honest there are just some people who are hard to love that is why we need His help.

Paul refers to one who dose not present social problems or generate conflict among others. When we live that kind of life then our soul rests even in the time of difficulty. When we live in peace with all men then we can mind our own business. One way to mind our own business is to work. Paul mentions work with your own hands which is a great lesson for us today in a society that awaits their next hand out without “working with their hands.”

The term “outsiders” here refers to non-Christians who watch our every move. We should watch our every move to be a witness for Jesus.

God Bless.  

Bible Study

December 16, 2025

1 Thessalonians 4:4 – 7 (CSB)

“Our Calling From Sin”

4 “That each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God. 6 This means one must not transgress against and take advantage of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. 7 For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness.”

Some versions of this scripture uses the term “vessel” to describe one’s own body. Even in Ruth 4;10 and 1 Peter 3:7 it could mean “wife.” It is used here as “body” which one possesses. Paul is speaking to all people here.

Paul is speaking here to both men and women to stay pure. Do not allow yourself to be drawn away into sin. One must be vigilant to maintain their purity since there are so many forces drawing us away.

We are called to care for one another not to take advantage of others. We are not to be avengers in this world. To often human beings want to get back at another for something that occurred in their life. Paul is calling us to do just the opposite. People when caught in sexual immorality will see their partner do the same to “get even.” We are not the ones to bring justice God is the one who will ultimately work out all things including justice. Thank God for mercy.

In scripture when we see the term ‘called us’ it a reference to being called into a saving relationship with Jesus, it is linked to justification, nothing else.

God Bless.

Bible Study

December 15, 2025

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 4 (CSB)

“His Will is Sanctification”

“Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing—do this even more. 2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4 that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor,”

Paul wrote with the authority of Jesus Christ. Here he is appealing to the fact of his authority. How do we please God? We please Him by keeping His commands. What are His commands? We find them throughout scripture. We can begin with the Ten Commandments and go from there but all trough scripture we find His guidelines.

There are many people today who do not believe we should follow the law as it was given to Moses. But honestly, that is the beginning. We know the commands He has given us but there are some we do not like and do not follow. But to be frank, honest, blunt, and candid we have no choice if we want to live a life set apart from the leading of our desires. God’s Word contains His will.

His will includes salvation, self-sacrifice, submission, Spirit filling, suffering, satisfaction, settledness, and sanctification. It is here Paul speaks of sanctification. It literally means being set apart from sin to holiness, In the present context Paul is referring to sexual impurity which can come in many forms. It can be fornication, adultery, pornography and there could be many others.

The point Paul is making is one being aware of the temptations that cause us to fall His perfect will. Be vigilant in our daily walk, in where we go, what we watch. We must be willing to stand against the desires of our flesh which draws us away from God.

God Bess.

Bible Study

December 10, 2025

1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 13 (CSB)

“He’s Coming”

12 “And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.”

A quick search of New Testament phrases shows us “one another’s” is used thirty times. Most frequently we find it associated with the word ‘love.’ Love is the key to all in the scriptures from God first loving us to us loving those who persecute us. It all started with God and He handed it down to man.

We are to love the unlovely, those caught in sin, those who support issues and ideas we do not. Love is all encompassing without compromise. Easy, not in all cases but God loves us unconditionally no matter who we are.

Along with love we are to pursue peace with all men, do good towards all, pray for others, and show consideration and aid when it is needed. Seems like a big task but it all  begins with the decision to love one another.

Paul prayed that our hearts would be without blame as we serve God. We will stand before God in a holy state and we can start by living a holy life while we serve Him on this earth.

The coming of the lord in this reference refers to the rapture of the church when Jesus returns for His bride (the church). At that moment the church will rise with Jesus to its eternal home in heaven. That event, although long awaited is closer than it was yesterday.

God Bless.

Bible Study

December 9, 2025

1 Thessalonians 3:6 – 11 (CSB)

“Message is Faith”

6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

What better report could Paul have heard than the one given to him by Timothy. “your church in Thessalonica is doing well. The adversary Satan has been unable to destroy the church. Faith and love abound in this congregation. They were special and they gave Paul fond memories of his time there.

Paul tells them he is encouraged by all they do but I am certain there is the admonition from Paul to “stand firm” in their faith. You have stood against the enemy, he said you have won the battle, you are stronger today for what you have done now ‘stand firm.’

Paul says he is encouraged by their faith. Every pastor standing before his congregation would be so encouraged when reports of faith are shared. In 2025 we see very little of this but Jesus even said we would do greater things than He did – so where are these greater things in the church today? This is not a message for the early church only it is a message for the church of all ages. The church is vehicle for Jesus to move on the earth today – what is your church doing or what better things could they be doing?

In verse ten Paul gives us the reason some churches do what they are called to do and others just exist. He prayed day and night a good reminder for the church today. Maintain an attitude of prayer then put it into practice.

Paul prays for them but tells them although they are doing good they are “lacking in faith.’ This is not a criticism but an admonishment to continue.

Our churches today would be well advised to take his message.

God Bless.

Bible Study

December 8, 2025

1 Thessalonians 3:3 – 5 (CSB)

“Be Vigilant”

‘So that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.”

God had made many promises to his people but He made one the Paul that is very interesting. He told Paul he would have many future sufferings as a result of following God. Annais told him that in Acts 9:6. How would we like to hear that in the very beginning. I ask if pastors have been wrong in telling people their new walk with Jesus will not always be easy but the rewards are awesome?

There were a couple of reasons Paul told them this so they would not think God’s plan was not working out. Paul told them to expect persecution as he had before his experience with the church in Thessalonica. When we know this we will better be prepared to deal with it when it occurs in our life. Paul faced tribulation in his walk with Jesus.

Why is there a hindrance in our walk? Satan is busy at work trying to destroy the very thing Christ has given you and that is new life. He will continue to tempt and try us to get us to fail in this new walk. Paul was aware of how Satan works as he was not a bit deceived by Satan’s actions.

I would add along with his knowing of Satan’s actions that he also knew his methods as we read in Ephesians 6:11 – 13 “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”

Paul took action to counterattack Satan to assure his work was beneficial.

God Bless.