Bible Study November 11, 2023

Revelation 2:19 (NLT)

“I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”

Do you believe your actions reflect the state of your heart? John in writing the Revelation seems to indicate that is the case.

Our actions really do indicate the state of our faith. Our words, our actions, our treatment of others re all indicative of our hearts.

What is important here that I see is the second part of the scripture. “Constant improvement” is an area that we all can grow into. Are we better today than yesterday. What bit of my faith has grown more today than yesterday; how can I impact someone today that maybe I missed the opportunity yesterday?

I know I need to grow, to grow my faith, to change my words to words of faith and deeper belief. What I learn today that will help me grow, do I anticipate the opportunity for new challenges in my life? Am I looking for areas where I need help and seek it out?

We must be certain the outside reflects the inside.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 10, 2023

Philippians 3:15-16 (Message)

“So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.”

Be spiritually mature is the charge given us from the writing of Paul to the Philippians. We must grow in order to serve others. Serving is the example that Jesus left us.

Commitment is important in our lives. As individuals we make promises (commitments) and we should follow through on them if at all possible. I know things come up but when they do decide to complete the commitment.

I read the story of Wade Phillips who was involved with a group called One Heart. It was a movie concept dedicated to getting people involved with youth, specifically at risk and incarcerated youth.

A football game was set up between Faith Christian School in and Gainesville State teams. Gainesville State was the incarcerated ones. The Gainesville team had no fans so they divided the parents up between the teams and you may have been rooting for a child on the other team to tackle your son but it was to lend support for the troubled youth. Phillips was to be in attendance since it was his dream.

Unfortunately, Phillips was fired from his coaching position on the day of the event and they did not anticipate Wade Phillips to show up. However to everyone’s surprise he opened the door of the locker room and entered.

Commitment followed being fired he put others above his own disappointment. That must have been a difficult thing to deal with I understand it all to well. He did what he had committed to do. That takes integrity.

Any commitments that need followed up on today?

God Bless.

Bible Study November 8, 2023

Luke 19:26 (JB Phillips)

“‘But, sire, he has a hundred pounds already,’ they said to him. ‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘and I tell you that the man who has something will get more given to him. But as for the man who has nothing, even his “nothing” will be taken away.”

I remember meeting with a guidance counselor for a student at the request of his mother. He was attending a trade school and wanted to transfer back to his high school to graduate. During the meeting she said, “I do not think ___________ can do it.” Needless to say I was disappointed in her remark. I believe at this point encouragement would have been a better avenue. By the way he transferred and graduated like he wanted.

We need to see the potential in people. God has shaped and developed each one of us for a purpose that He can show. We may the one to help a person see their true identity. He knows what the world needs and those who surround us. He knows how we can impact their lives for the good.

The same thing is true with us. Often we allow fear to creep into our lives and keep us from becoming all the God wanted for us. When that happens we are fearful of using the gifts and abilities he has given us. Fear of failure. We can all probably admit we have failed at least once in our lives but we have come back. We have the power to avoid it again. Fear becomes a disappointment; fear never measures up. Fear seems to have overtaken our society.

God measures how we use the gifts he has given us. Let’s promise not to fall short.

Be courageous.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 7, 2023

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)

“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Forgiveness is something we all either deal with or have dealt with in our lives from an early age. Forgiveness is hard but it is rewarding. Things happen that should have never happened or we meant for them not to happen they just did. There are some things easier to forgive than others but God never qualified forgiving by saying what the size of the hurt was.

Marriage as example is often a covenant where there must be forgiveness. Something is said or interpreted incorrectly, forgiveness is needed and should be immediate. Forgiveness should be the first thing we pray for after thanking God for all He has done for us.

Peter was interested in a number of times to forgive when we read the scripture. Jesus always shows us something new in His response. Peter may have thought he was being generous with seven times yet Jesus provides a new understanding of never-ending forgiveness.

Is there that person or action against us we need to forgive? Maybe we need to ask ourselves who is free once we forgive another. Freedom comes to one who is forgiving.

I had a conversation yesterday with a person and they brought up the idea of forgiveness and told me they never were completely free until the forgive a hurt that someone did to them.

What or who do you need to forgive today?

God Bless.

Bible Study November 6, 2023

Psalm 20;1-5 (AMP)

“May the Lord answer you (David) in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high [and defend you in battle]! 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary (His dwelling place) And support and strengthen you from Zion! 3 May He remember all your meal offerings And accept your burnt offering. Selah. 4 May He grant you your heart’s desire And fulfill all your plans. 5 We will sing joyously over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.”

Have you ever been in a tough situation and wonder how you can get out of it? Maybe what might be my next steps to move forward. Children can seek their parents during tough times but what do adults do?

Worry is a negative response that does nothing but allow us to worry more. Prayer on the other hand can help clam our fears and concerns. The inner storms can be calmed by looking to the Lord for our hope.

Jesus talks a great deal about prayer:

• When you pray (Matt. 6:5)
• But when you pray (Matt. 6:6)
• You should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1)

God wants us to seek him through devotion to prayer, to pray without ceasing, to pray boldly with God who loves to answer our prayers.

The next time something comes up rather than worry turn it ove to God, relax let Him work.

God Bless.

Bible Study 10-31-1023

1 John 4:19-21 (Message)

“We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. 20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.”

Barnabas was an encourager we all need them. Most likely Barnabas as he traveled on his missionary journeys needed some encouragement. Life can be tough and it helps when we have people to encourage you or you encourage them. We all need to be a Barnabus when people around us are going through a difficult time.

Think about opportunities you have to encourage someone. When someone did a good job do we let them know or do we just file it away in our minds? Husbands what about a compliment to your wife for a good meal, what about an encouraging word to a child at any age for an accomplishment, maybe a promotion to an adult child.

What about the last we tried to have a positive memory of someone. Husbands do you send flowers to your wife just because you want to. We make the decision to do what we want. Let me encourage you, you decide to do it for someone else. Take advantage of the opportunity to find something good in what they do. Create a good memory for someone by what you do or say to them.

Be intentional.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 30, 2023

Hebrews 1:1-3 (Message)

“Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!”

The scriptures have been with us for a long time. They were written by a number of different authors over a period of time. They all had direction through the Holy Spirit as he guided their writings with inspiration.

God uses His Word to speak to us but He also uses other means. Often times He speaks to us through others as they share what He has said to them to help strengthen us. He speaks to us personally through His Holy Spirit that shows us different things, the Spirt is our conscience that guides us. Some have said He speaks to us through nature.

The key to hearing from God is twofold. He speaks but we must listen to what He is saying. We need to develop our listening skills so we can become better listeners to His voice. Be still, set aside some time as we mentioned yesterday to hear from Him. There will be times throughout your day that He will speak to us by guiding us in a different direction, showing us something we have not seen before. He uses many ways to speak to us.

Has He been speaking to you lately? If not, maybe we have not been quiet enough to hear, so down and wait for His voice. We may have just missed it but it never too late to hear from Him.

Write down what He tells you, that will build your faith.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 28, 2023

Psalm 37:4 – 5 (Legacy Standard Bible)

“Delight yourself in Yahweh; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Most of us are committed to our jobs, we all have commitments to keep. One major commitment to keep is our relationship with Jesus. Do you have the desire to dramatically change your life and the lives of those around you? If so, spend some time with God on a daily basis. I know we are all busy but take some time to be with Him.

I suggest you take some time of a morning before your day gets busy and read from the scriptures. Quantity is not nearly as important as quality. Some days are busier than others and on those days get up a few minutes earlier for that quiet time.

Best time is in the morning when you are fresh from a good night’s sleep, afternoons tend to get busy as we try to get all caught up on what we need to get done for the day. Nights are not the best time because after that busy day we are tired.

Here’s a suggestion. Get a pad of paper, a Bible that is easy to understand and read a chapter or two a day. Make notes about what you read, write down questions that come up from your reading. Get a New Living Translation, the English Standard Version, or the New American Standard Bible (1977). These are all good and easy to read. You might consider a good commentary to help you better understand what you read. Close your reading and study with a prayer asking God to guide your day and ask God to bring someone across your path someone that you can share something you learned with them

Start with ten minutes if you are new to this and increase it as you go and grow.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 27, 2023

John 1:26 – 27 (NASB)

“John answered them, saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, of whom I am not worthy even to untie the strap of His sandal.”

John may have been one of the humblest followers of Jesus in the scriptures. In reading the above verse. It was never about John but always about One who would come and bring more good news.

John was an interesting character as we know from his diet to his clothing. Jesus first met John when He saw John in waist deep water in the Jordan River. Despite his voice, his outward appearances he had an uncommon authority. He had a message from God to share.

Large crowds gathered excited about what John might say at the moment. He said such things as “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one calling [d]out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’”

For those who came he baptized in the Jordan ““As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

John kept himself out of the way it was never about John to John it was always about someone greater than him. Maybe the greater impact is based on smaller the ego.

Life is not about me; it is about Him.

God Bless.