Bible Study January 4, 2023

Hebrews 5:8 (LSB)

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.”

How do we learn things in this life? One way is the example our parents set for us by showing us ways to do things we learn from them. I remember both our parents showed us different things and ways to do things. We learn by making mistakes and set our minds on not making that “one” again.

Many of us have had great teachers that taught us in school, college, and the business world. If you were lucky or unlucky enough to be in the corporate world we had policies and procedures we followed they had outlined – we learned to do things by the book.

However the one way to learn through suffering may be the most uncomfortable to us. No one likes to suffer in any way. From the writer of Hebrews we know Jesus learned obedience in His suffering. How can we apply that to our lives?

We learn to trust Him and obey His words. We follow His example in our daily lives. As we stand for Jesus, His Word, His church, His example we will be persecuted for our beliefs. It happens because people do not respect another’s beliefs. We all know people who are this way. We see it but we must stand for what we believe.

Romans 15:5-13 says “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” …

Let us all seek to live in harmony with one another.

God Bless

Bible Study January 3, 2023

Exodus 13:17 (LSB)

“Now it happened that when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.””

Pharoah had finally allowed the Israelites to leave captivity after the death of the first born from Pharaoh to one in the dungeon to the firstborn of the cattle. Although he would once again change his mind. Nothing was left undone. God spoke to Moses and Aaron and told them to get ready to move out, take your flocks, your herds and move out. They were in such a hurry they even took their dough before it was leavened.

Anytime we take a trip we normally plan the way to go. God does not always do thigs the way we do them, but He does them much better.

God took them by way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. He did this from what Moses wrote in the scripture above that they might change their minds. He led them into the Sinai desert instead of along the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea into the Promised Land.

He did this so they would not encounter the Philistines who would attack and allow the possibility they would return to Egypt for safety. They grumbled about the heat, the sun, and the conditions but at least they were safe and still alive.

If our path is changed we need to understand God has a better thing for us than we can imagine. We must stay in faith His plans are better than our plans

God Bless.

Bible Study January 2, 2024

Genesis 1:1-3 (ESV)

“Genesis 1–3

The Creation of the World

1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

There is so much packed into these three verses. We see the beginning of creation, the fact God existed before anything, the fact that darkness covered the earth, the state of the earth at that time. But maybe the most captivating word to me is this “And God said.”

God gave us the Bible through His inspired word to the writers of the scriptures. I believe it when He said it then it became truth for us. We should accept the written Word as His Word.

But unfortunately man decides to interpret the scripture as he see fit, to meet his understanding of what he wants it to say as it speaks to him at that moment. Then he becomes confused and resorts back to living in darkness. The problem with the interpretation is that it is ever changing to meet man’s current need. God’s Word is eternal, never changing as He is never changing.

As we begin this new year of 2024 let’s believe the Word for what it says which is what God originally meant when He spoke it. We need to interpret His Word in the light that it is written by bringing light to darkness not allowing the light to remain out or dimmed by what we want to believe.

Read His Word then ask Him what He meant, accept it, then follow it.

God Bless.

Bible Study January 1, 2024

1 Corinthians 9:27 (LSB)

“I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Happy New Year, hope you join in this year in these short studies of the scriptures.

Many people will make a list of resolutions for the new year. I am not one of those people who do but I congratulate those who do and stick to their list. One thing I remember hearing from a friend who said the gyms are crowded in January and begin to have less visitors in February. Discipline is difficult to maintain.

CNN in a poll said losing weight was the number one goal of many people surveyed. As a Christ Follower we should take aim at caring for our bodies and our minds. We should not neglect it either. We honor God in this way.

In 2024 I would encourage to learn more about God and our relationship to Him through His Son Jesus. As we care for our bodies which will decay do we care for our souls which endure? If we are going to be successful in our endeavor we must understand first of all we cannot do it alone – we need the help of the Holy Spirit. Our results will grow as we move closer to Him.

Where do you feel you need improvement? That is a good place to start. Take small steps, celebrate the victories and them take another step. Those extra pounds just didn’t show up one morning when you stepped on the scales. Here’s the bad news they will not melt off overnight but be disciplined in your effort. The same is true for building our relationship with Christ. We build on what we learn, our faith grows as we see improvement, better understanding. Be patient, stay the course, results will come.

You have the desire now discipline yourself and you will succeed.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 28, 2023

Matthew 5:14 – 16 (LSB)

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a [a]hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [b]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Jesus talked about light on several occasions. In John 8:12 He says He is the light of the world here in Matthew during the Sermon on the Mount He says those listening are the light the light of the world.

If we are light in the world how do we how do we light up things and people around us? For example how can we light up our homes, our friends, our business associates, or even ourselves?

We light up the world by reflecting who Christ is in our lives. By being present with people when we talk to the, encourage them, speak a positive word to them.

Phillip Yancy has written several excellent books. A couple come to mind “What’s So Amazing About Grace” and “Rumors of Another World” I recommend both of them. I read the following as an example on how to turn the light off in another’s world.

An alcoholic friend of Philip Yancey once said to him:

“When I’m late to church, people turn around and stare at me with frowns of disapproval. I get the clear message that I’m not as responsible as they are. When I’m late to AA, the meeting comes to a halt and everyone jumps up to hug and welcome me. They realize that my lateness may be a sign that I almost didn’t make it. When I show up, it proves that my desperate need for them won out over my desperate need for alcohol.”

Reflect the light on someone who needs it.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 27, 2023

Philippians 1:21-24 (LSB)

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know what I will choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better, 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

I read this somewhere I cannot remember where “You can achieve anything your mind can conceive.” I have always found this statement very intriguing for several reasons but most of all we must believe in something before we can see it to fruition.

At my age I still have goals not so much for myself I have been blessed with so much in my career, current opportunities at Asbury Chapel, opportunities to see America one of these days I am going to sit down and look back at all the states we have visited, driven through, or flown into. My goals now are to see things happen to other people and see them succeed.

I believe the difference between being able to succeed at anything is determined in our minds we need to see it first. For the next two weeks at Asbury Chapel we are going to look at the state of the church as I see it today. Then next week we are going to see what the scriptures say about the church. We need to know where we are before set out on a path to the future. Goals are only good if they precede vision.

What is present in our minds that are obstacles to moving forward. Maybe we have health issues that limit us but we think, plan, and share our ideas. We all have ideas but if unshared no one knows. Not every idea will work but yours just might or it might be the steppingstone to a greater one.

Use you mind’s eye to see the future, to see what can be accomplished and the route to get there.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 26, 2023

James 2:5 (LSB)

“Listen, my beloved brothers: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

We have all heard ministers, preachers, and televangelists give messages about a prosperity gospel. If you have enough faith God will give you greater blessings than the one who has less faith. I believe God supplies all our needs. He may even supply some of our wants. I will go on to say I believe God treats all people equally He has no favorites. He never promised us prosperity of stuff, but prosperity of our souls.

I look at professional athletes and recently Los Angeles signed two foreign players for contracts in excess of three hundred million dollars each. Personally I think that is ridiculous. Did they have faith, skill, luck, or did the team sell out to “win it all?” Do these two have more faith than others?

There are people of faith that have money, there are people of faith that have considerably less. It does not appear it is an indication of their faith. We cannot question God what does or what He wills.

However, faith is about a relationship with God, what we do with it, and how we grow it. He is an unlimited resource to provide for our needs and He has assured us He will do so. Faith is about relying on the source of our joy – God our creator. Our faith should overcome the things we have in our lives.

A relationship with Jesus is more valuable than all the stuff in the world.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 23, 2023

Luke 2:1-20

The True Meaning of Christmas

In today’s day and time,

It’s easy to lose sight,

Of the true meaning of Christmas

And one special night.

When we go shopping,

We say, “How much will it cost?”

Then the true meaning of Christmas,

Somehow becomes lost.

Amidst the tinsel, glitter

And ribbons of gold,

We forget about the child,

Born on a night so cold.

The children look for Santa

In his big, red sleigh

Never thinking of the child

Whose bed was made of hay.

In reality,

When we look into the night sky,

We don’t see a sleigh

But a star, burning bright and high.

A faithful reminder,

Of that night so long ago,

And of the child we call Jesus,

Whose love the world would know.

–By Brian K. Walters