Bible Study December 22, 2023

Proverbs 11:24 (LSB)

“There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who holds back what is rightly due, and yet results only in want.”

This is an interesting verse when we initially look at it. The belief of a Christ Follower is that you cannot out give God. In our last church we had a member who consistently said that he was correct.

The more you give of yourself, your means, or your talents the greater the blessing will come back to you. It sounds strange to give and receive greater than you gave but that is the principle of sowing and reaping.

It is Christmastime 2023 and many are in the gift buying and gift giving mode. That is wonderful it is a wonderful time of the year. But do we need more? Every year we exchanged gifts with my nieces and nephews. Cindy and I were asked what do you want and our answer invariably was “Nothing, we have all we need and we have no wants.”

This year we are doing something different with our Christmas Eve offering at Asbury Chapel. In the past we have made it available to help someone in the community. This year we are giving one hundred percent of it to a family who have a son with a serious heart condition. They will be traveling to Boston on January 10^th for another surgery. The costs are exorbitant as you might expect.

If you have some money this year that you have not spent and you would like to contribute it to their expense you may send a check to Asbury Chapel 2704 South Highway W in Foley, MO. 63347. Mark it Christmas Eve if you would. I realize it is Christmas and money may be tight this year but Solomon said “One who scatters, increases all the more.

The blessing will last forever.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 21, 2023

Proverbs 19:8 (LSB)

“He who acquires a heart of wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps discernment will find good.”

You cannot walk out of a grocery store without being inundated with a menagerie of magazines espousing popularity, wealth, style, pictures of beautiful people, or those making headlines for their next divorce, movie, etc. You know what I am talking about.

This is hardly the picture of true success as a Christian views it. Christ Followers see it much differently. In fact we should consider excellence over success any day. People spend their lives trying to make the magazine covers and in the end it is a futile attempt at success.

The scriptures outline the significance of what we should attain in our lives. We find it in knowing God and who He is then going about doing His work. It is a more excellent way. Our identity should be found in Him who created us in His image for His good works.

There is nothing in the world more valuable than being a child of God. When we see others like God see them then as His creation in His image then we recognize true worth.

Let our values shape who we are.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 20, 2023

Romans 12:3 (LSB)

“For through the grace given to me I say to each one among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”

Michael Jackson released the song “Man in the Mirror” in 1998. Following is an excerpt from that song:

I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I’m asking him to change his ways

And no message could’ve been any clearer

If they wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make a change

The meaning behind the song is about personal change as a result of looking at ourselves in the mirror of life. Jackson’s intent was for it to make a positive impact on the world by our changing what we saw. The lyrics were intended for man to make a positive change in his life to start.

That is all well and good if man could change himself but he simply cannot without God in the picture. Sure there are things many people can do but life changing situations need God to give the strength, the desire, and the help needed to change. Man on his own cannot make do it alone.

We may look at ourselves as special but without God we are not special He is the one that makes us special from conception to the end of our lives it is about who He forms us into if we are willing to be formed. It starts by looking in the mirror at who we really are then seeking the One who can remake us in His image.

A mirror only reflects what it sees the heart is the true picture of who we are.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 19, 2023

Acts 2:42 (LSB)

“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.”

As a believer I try to check my journey in my growth as a follower. Sometimes I am at a high point and then a point not so high. I wish I could say it was high all the time but I cannot.

As I read the above verse it seems to say to me that I need to “devote” myself more. It seems like the early Christ Followers spent much of their time in prayer, teaching, and communion. Maybe that is something we all should get back to doing more.

The best way (if we are able) is to attend church. There are times that we cannot but we should set aside time for study when we cannot attend. However you choose to study make it intentional. Find a good Bible that is easy to understand and a good Bible based commentary to use with your study.

One thing that has helped me is an accountability group that I am in. In fact, I just talked to a member of it yesterday always a joy to connect. Spend some time monthly sharing, encouraging, sharing, and praying for others and I am certain we will see our faith grow as well as our knowledge of the scriptures.

Along with group meetings do some personal time in study and prayer. There is no maximum or minimum but find time to wait for understanding it will come. Be intentional, committed, and faithful in your effort.

If you are reading this and do not have a church let me encourage you to find a Bible believing church and join them in worship.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 18, 2023

Ephesians 5:25 (LSB)

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,”

What do you do to surprise your spouse if anything? Is doing something for him or her a surprise, does it show I’m thinking about you? Maybe your home is one where decisions are made and one of you the other does not know what is going on. That is not a healthy environment.

How do we take care of each other’s needs. What can I do to make his or her life better today than it was yesterday, are there any surprises I can find to do something special for my spouse?

Honoring and respecting our spouse is paramount to a good marriage. The spouse that God has given us is with us until death how do I make it the fantastic relationship it is meant to be?

There are many simple things that can be done to show your spouse how special they are. Holding a door open for your wife, running to the grocery store to save her a trip, take the kids to the park to play, take the dog for a walk so your spouse can take a quick break.

Find a way to nurture your souse it will pay enormous dividends.

Love is a sacrifice.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 15, 2023

 (LSB)

“Not that I speak from want, for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in abundance; in any and all things I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

There is constant pressure on people to do better, achieve more, improve yourself, your company, your church. I know business improvement and church growth. In fact, many denominations judge the success of a church by their attendance. Why not judge it by spiritual growth? After all this must be foremost, then we are equipped to move forward.

The same thing is true for our personal lives. We set expectations for our children and if they do not achieve them in many instances we feel disappointed in their achievements hopefully not disappointed in them.

How can we be content when things fall short? We begin by thanking God for what He has done for us and where He has brought us from. Other people may have more than we do but we should be thankful for what God has blessed us with and celebrate that in our lives.

Paul as an example could find joy and peace sitting in a prison cell. In fact Philippians is a joyful book written from prison. If we are content in our situation then our families will be content. Same goes for all aspects of our lives. Should we seek more in life only if it advances you toward the kingdom nothing should interfere with that.

Do not feel like you missed out be thankful for each of God’s blessings.

God Bless.

Bible Study December 14, 2023

1 John 4:7-8, 12 (LSB)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 14. We have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”

Who are the lovers? They are the ones that have time for other people. One writer said they are the people that go for a five-minute walks and return an hour later, they are the ones who go to get a loaf of bread and are gone an hour. They find people to encourage, advise, laugh with, and cry with.

Do we take time to give that little extra? It makes no difference who we are we can all have impact on someone’s life. There is that person that you will find that only you can help them.

No better time that today to step up and step our and make the decision to be a lover. There is so much negativity going on in the world today people are looking for one that cares, will stop, and take some time with them and hear what is on their hearts. People have troubles and we can be the listener they need.

Is there someone you need to make special today? They are right before us. Be their encourager, their hearer, and maybe God will show us how to share about their liberator.

Spend time with the people God brings into your life.

God Bless.