Bible Study December 1, 2023

John 4:4 – 7; 9 – 10 (NASB)

“4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He *came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about [a]the sixth hour.  7 There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.

9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Racial issues have faced society from the beginning of time. Christians should believe it is time to end it. That is the example we have with Jesus and the meeting with the woman from Samaria at well in Sychar. There was conflict with the Samaritans. However rather than avoiding Samaria Jesus traveled to Galilee and took an alternate route and went through Samaria. He did those things – divinely.

Jesus meets the Samaritan woman in any other Jews eyes she was a downcast, married multiple times and living in an unmarried state a sixth time. But she meets the Man from Galilee who changes her life and her focus. She now can lift her head high and walk with dignity she has encountered not only forgiveness but the One who forgives.

Jesus a man … a Jew … in broad daylight … in a public place .. talking to a woman .. a Samaritan woman .. with a bad reputation. An ordinary Jew would have walked away but there was nothing ordinary about Jesus.

What barriers can we break down?

God Bless.

Bible Study November 30, 2023

Luke 10:40 – 42 (Modern English Version)

“But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Then tell her to help me.”

41 Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed. And Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.”

How often do we miss the obvious for that not so obvious? Mary had it right, Martha was missing the point. Jesus was there give Him all your attention. Her desire was good but her actions were wrong. What Jesus wanted was for her to put aside her cares and learn from Him. We all get our priorities wrong at times.

Jesus said Mary had discovered what was important that Martha needed to find what Mary had found. He was confirming Mary’s desire to become His disciple. This was not normal for a woman to become a disciple in that day it was left to men.

We do not know from what Luke left us with that Jesus continued to say and teach. Neither does it include what was said to Martha but later she confesses that she is one who has always believed.

As we read this story who do we most identify with? Mary who sought time with Jesus or Martha who was busy about other things. I will confess I find myself in both situations at different times I need to follow the example of Mary more.

Are we to busy today?
God Bless.

Bible Study November 29, 2023

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (KJV)

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” (NLT)

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” (Message)

I am a believer in the power of words. I was given a small book by a really good friend and true Christ Follower by Charles Capps. It contain forty-six pages of positive conviction and truth.

Capps says “What you believe and speak not only affects your body but your immune system as well. Your words become either a blessing or curse to you.

What we speak is vital to what we believe and practice. I anticipate many will not agree with what I write here but I would encourage you to give it a try and develop some new habits of speech.

Begin confessing faith in your life. Thanks God for health, for your spouse, your family, your home, your friends, your faith, your church we begin to see the picture. When we confess these things we no longer can confess the evil or bad. That does not mean we will not face tough times but we can see our way through and praise our way through.

James 3:9-10 says “Beasts, birds, reptiles, and all kinds of sea-creatures can be, and in fact are, tamed by man, but no one can tame the human tongue. It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. We use the tongue to bless our Father, God, and we use the same tongue to curse our fellowmen, who are all created in God’s likeness. Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth—surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen! Have you ever known a spring to give sweet and bitter water simultaneously? Have you ever seen a fig-tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine? It is just as impossible for a spring to give fresh and salt water at the same time.” (Phillips)

To paraphrase the words of the last verse. “You cannot praise and speak negatively at the same time.

Bible Study November 28, 2023

Matthew 4:23 (NLT)

“Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.”

Matthew summarizes Jesus’ teaching by describing His three primary activities: preaching, teaching, and healing. “Preaching the good news of the kingdom”. This is almost repeated in 9:35 creating a bracket around the teaching in His Galilean ministry. The crowds responded by bringing their sick to Jesus to be healed (4:24) following Him from region to region.

Too often we get complacent in our lives. Right before us is an opportunity but we go through our daily lives so fast we often miss them. We see in reading this verse that Jesus went around everywhere performing miracle after miracle. His miracles are too numerous to list.

Do we think He doesn’t do today what He did in the New Testament times? Have we become complacent that the miracle working God is no longer at work. I hope not. Do we miss opportunities because we move too fast?

God is still performing miracles and He said we will do greater ones than He did. I believe we all may have missed some opportunities to minister to one another in our lives.

As we begin the Advent season in 2023 let us vow it will not happen. Let’s be alert for opportunities to touch a life and give them new life. God is performing miracles and He is looking for those willing to slow down and see them happen or be the instrument of them.

You never know the next miracle may be in your life.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 27, 2023

John 6:35 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

We often think and read about the need of water in our lives to sustain us. It is often said you cannot go without water for an extended period of time. It sustains the physical body. The same is true for food we need it to sustain life and have a healthy diet.

But what about the spiritual food that John refers to here? We need that even more so. We do not want to neglect the physical, we should not neglect the spiritual either.

As we grow older we understand the seasons of life and how things will fade away, wear out. Or become obsolete. While in the business world I was given many opportunities with the company I worked for through promotions and moves. But I have come to look back and often think I may not have done it again. I cannot change the past. But I can prepare for the future. I must remain spiritually healthy.

I often sought the advice of others as opportunities presented themselves. We faced a particularly difficult decision on our move to California and I sought the advice of a friend and colleague his name was Al. He provided great insight for us.

Our best source of advice however comes from the One who said, “I am the bread of life.” He is the source of our life without Him there is no hope for tomorrow.

Jesus is our spiritual food and drink eat and drink heartily.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 24, 2023

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NLT)

“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

We all have had those special people outside our families who have taken an interest in us. Many may have been a pastor, a teacher, or maybe a close friend. I remember a pastor by the name of Ted Ingram when I was in high school. He had a son and daughter around my age. He was a happy man. I even had the opportunity to visit with him in Arkansas after he left Hannibal. He left an everlasting impression on me.

I also remember guys I played sports with in Junior High school that at times were mentors. I have tried to emulate what I saw in several of them. However we should try to emulate Christ. See Him in others.

Many of us avoid trying to be a role model because we understand we are not perfect and fear failure and ruin another’s life with our actions. Things that are shortcomings in our lives should not and do not make us ineligible to help others. We are not perfect but we should still serve as a role model when we can by serving others. God called us to serve knowing we are imperfect in all we do.

Be intentional in all you do to help and guide younger people letting them know you do not claim to be perfect but will do the very best you can to help them along their journey of life.

Step up and be a role model do not wait until you think you are ready.

God Bless.

When I woke up today this song was on my mind. Today I am thankful for so many things but I can say “Thank” for one reason it is because of Jesus.

Enjoy reading the lyrics of this worship song written by Harry Smith in 1978.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

give thanks to the Holy One;

give thanks, because he’s given

Jesus Christ, his Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

give thanks to the Holy One;

give thanks, because he’s given

Jesus Christ, his Son.

And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,

let the poor say ‘I am rich’,

because of what the Lord has done for us;

and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’,

let the poor say ‘I am rich’,

because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks…