Bible Study November 17, 2023

Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

“Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Two names came to mind when I read this verse. Phillip K. Wrigley who owned Wrigley’s gum and the Chicago Cubs was said to have donated ninety percent of his income to others and lived on ten percent. Art Rooney Sr. lived on the north side of Pittsburgh he owned the Pittsburg Steelers. The story is told that he knew everyone in the organization from the quarterback to the cleaning staff. The story goes to say that during a sanitation workers strike in Pittsburgh some striking sanitation workers picked up his trash because they respected who he was.

We do not gain respect from what we have, where we live, how much money we have, or the people we associate with. Somewhere along the line respect was considered for those listed above. We missed it.

But true respect is gained from having true integrity, providing for your family, being involved in the community, and working hard. These should be the characteristics that bring respect. Parents are to be respected, same for grandparents. Being good parents has nothing to do with being rich or famous sometimes that is a detriment.

It’s okay to seek respect just do it for the right reasons.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 16, 2023

Galatians 5:22-23 (Message)

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”

Where do we find our identity? Is it found in success, maybe fame, fortune? Do we wish we were someone else maybe more successful than we were? Is there that elusive butterfly out in front of us that we pursue in order to be known as someone or for something different than we are?

What is our identity? Paul says the fruit of the Spirit is in our internal characteristics that identify who we are. They shape us from within and are expressed outwardly toward others. God’s eyes are on who we are and how we are shaped for the kingdom. Out identity is formed in Jesus which grows and cannot be taken away.

God did not create us to compete with one another but to complement one another. We’re not designed to get ahead of others. We are not defined in the kingdom by what we earn, who we know, how we perform., or how well we impress others.

We are defined by the value He assigns us, as His child and His Spirit shapes us as He sees fit. Our goal should allow the Spirit to shape us and direct us as He sees fit. We should define ourselves in the way God defines us not the way the world looks at it.

The fruit of the Spirit will ripen as we review the fruit in our life.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 15, 2023

1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (NLT)

“I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.”

Many people are single. Many people feel their situation will change but a broken relationship, accompanying pain, or the beginning of a new relationship shows the hope it begins to bring.

Many times in society we feel being single as a burden. We should be married, we aren’t married, why is that? That isn’t God’s attitude toward the matter, however. We must learn to wait on God for real peace to come.

Paul in these verses from 1 Corinthians saw marriage as a distraction from doing the Lord’s work and told the disciples “God helps those who stay unmarried (Matthew 19:11). Jesus was not talking down marriage He was simply saying the unmarried often have a better opportunity for ministry.

There is nothing wrong with being married or single. If single we should take our time and rush into something that is out of the will of God for your life. If single stay focused on God and His plan for your life, if married stay committed to your marriage covenant.

We should be cautious in all we do – do not rush it God has it under control.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 12, 2023

Proverbs 9:8-9 (NLT)

“So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.”

Sunday I closed the message saying a word concerning conflicts. They are in the world, our nation, our homes and even in our churches. That is not what God wants in any of these areas. We see them all around us. We are taught to live in peace with everyone.

I personally am not a fan of conflict; however I realize there are those who like to bully others. Disagreements become personal and too often people call each other names and in some cases such as a recent road rage incident they become deadly.

Conflict can be a positive thing if we see it in the right light. It can help us better understand one another and see that everyone has a right to their opinion. Sharing ideas without letting differences get personal is healthy.

Always maintain a positive attitude understanding others opinions and ides are valuable. We can often learn from one another and in some cases our opinions may change from learning from others. We do not have to agree but we need to be open and understanding.

We should take the opportunity when in a discussion with others to let them understand we value their opinion when it is different from ours. How do we discuss something without getting upset over it, understanding that people are more important than being right or wrong and if we are wrong we need to admit it?

Be open minded and we can see things in a clearer picture.

God Bless.

Bible Study November 13, 2023

Matthew 16:21-22 (NLT)

“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus while on earth was surrounded by His disciples upon selecting them we see them throughout the New Testament. He spent time with them talking to them, teaching them, discipling them, and showing them who He was. He wanted them to get to know who He really was and the power He operated under.

As we read the scriptures we see Jesus was a busy man and He kept the disciples busy but he also had the “quiet time” He could spend with them. We need that quiet time in our lies as they did. With all that is going on around us we need to get away from the hustle and the bustle of everyday activity and spend time alone.

Try getting away from the television, sit down with your spouse, your children and find out what is really going on in their lives. This needs to be an intentional time for all of us. It will make us better partners in their lives. Men take the leadership opportunity in your family and spend time alone with those you love.

I think once we do this intentionally we will find valuable time and something that we will remember throughout our lives. It is building memories with those we love.

No better time that today to start.

God Bless.

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 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.