Bible Study October 10, 2023

Acts 15:37 – 39 (ESV)

“Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,”

We have a constitution and Bill of Rights that allow for free speech. It is a guarantee in the first amendment. That means we have a right to our opinion even if it is in opposition to someone else. Everyone should be able to say what they believe without hurting someone or being criticized for what they say. As an example I support Israel in their war with Hamas, there is a Palestinian flag flying in our neighborhood. I disagree with them but I am not going to their house and destroy their flag. However, if they were to ask me how I felt I would gladly tell them my feelings and why I believe the way I do.

But if we disagree how do we handle it? No one should be so offended with an opposite point of view that they refuse to be civil. No one should take their ball and go home because of a disagreement. I remember on several occasions in the business world introducing things I disagreed with that became new procedures. I would discuss them with my Sales Manager or Regional Manager then go about doing me job never telling someone who reported to me how I felt.

In the case of Paul and Barnabas they had a true disagreement. They had discussions but came to the point they could not go on together so Paul left Barnabas to do his own thing. There is nothing contained in scripture that says their disagreement alienated them as friends.

How do we handle disagreements? With grace and understanding or with anger and bitterness? Should someone be forced to accept my way of thinking? What will be our witness if we cannot handle conflict?

It’s okay to disagree but do it gracefully.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 9, 2023

1 John 2:16 (ESV)

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

What does it take to be a real man? Many of us would remember a professional basketball player who will remained unnamed. He once bragged about the number of women he had an intimate relationship with the number was in the thousands. He was proud of his accomplishments. Too often that is the basis for what some think a real man is.

There could be nothing farther from the truth. However this is the way manhood has been for years simply put, measured by the wrong standards. Recently I shared a thought about being a role model but often society looks differently than a believer looks at these things.

It’s important we teach our children and grandchildren about right and wrong and sex outside of marriage and before marriage is wrong. It may be difficult for some who have guilty feelings about their activity prior to marriage. One of the requirements we set for doing ministry in a previous church setting was you needed to experience the issue you were leading a group in. For instance, GriefShare was lead by a person who had been through a deep grief experience. DivorceCare the same. In the past if we have done wrong we are the best teachers for sharing the experience and it impacts our lives.

If you are not married stay celibate until marriage. If you are married stay in a faithful relationship with the one you love. Adulthood should be defined by such things as integrity, honesty, patience, maturity to name a few attributes. Be different than what society and our desires tell us to do.

It takes a strong person to stay strong.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 6, 2023

1 John 2:16 (ESV)

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

What does it take to be a real man? Many of us would remember a professional basketball player who will remained unnamed. He once bragged about the number of women he had an intimate relationship with the number was in the thousands. He was proud of his accomplishments. Too often that is the basis for what some think a real man is.

There could be nothing farther from the truth. However this is the way manhood has been for years simply put, measured by the wrong standards. Recently I shared a thought about being a role model but often society looks differently than a believer looks at these things.

It’s important we teach our children and grandchildren about right and wrong and sex outside of marriage and before marriage is wrong. It may be difficult for some who have guilty feelings about their activity prior to marriage. One of the requirements we set for doing ministry in a previous church setting was you needed to experience the issue you were leading a group in. For instance, GriefShare was lead by a person who had been through a deep grief experience. DivorceCare the same. In the past if we have done wrong we are the best teachers for sharing the experience and it impacts our lives.

If you are not married stay celibate until marriage. If you are married stay in a faithful relationship with the one you love. Adulthood should be defined by such things as integrity, honesty, patience, maturity to name a few attributes. Be different than what society and our desires tell us to do.

It takes a strong person to stay strong. God Bless

Bible Study October 5, 2023

Psalm 122: 1 (ESV)

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

Baseball season is over for all but eight teams. I watched a little bit of the Arizona Diamondbacks game on Wednesday night. If they won they go on to play the Dodgers. They did win beating Milwaukee two games to zero to win their playoff series. At the end of the game after the last pitch for a strikeout they all celebrated the victory. They were hugging each other, showing a great amount of camaraderie in victory. Unity was definitely present.

David, the writer of this Psalm expresses excitement in worshipping with the people of Israel in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. The bride of Christ is His church and the church represents to the world that bride. If we want to grow we need the fellowship of the church to grow our faith. As we see God move in other people’s lives our faith is strengthened.

Our private fellowship joined in with corporate fellowship causes our faith to grow. That is the importance of being a part of a Bible believing body who worships the living God.

As believers we need to focus on unity and being one in the Spirit. There are basic pieces of our beliefs that cannot and should not be compromised. Some things are not as important the translation we use, the color of the church walls those types of things. Along with unity there must be clarity in what we believe and the faith we practice. When we see this we will see unity in the body of Christ, His bride, the church.

Be committed to a body of faith. Be in unity.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 4, 2023

John 20:26 – 29 (ESV)

26 “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

In this life we have troubles it is a simple fact. No matter who we are issues arise that we must deal with. Family, business, relationships, church almost everything at some point has a trial we must deal with.

Thomas often referred to as “Doubting Thomas” had one of those moments in his life. His faith did not allow him to believe something without seeing it. We sometimes express similar doubt.

Thomas was not always doubting. Remember the words of Thomas when Jesus was heading back to grave of Lazarus. “let’s go, too and die with Jesus.” Thomas was willing to stand with Jesus when He was alive but doubted He was risen. He wouldn’t take the other disciples’ word for it.

Jesus didn’t criticize Thomas for what he was told by the others He simply said, “Put your finger here.” Maybe you haven’t been in Thomas’ shoes for a while and experienced doubt. Maybe it has been recently. If we doubt on a regular basis it can be devastating and we may lose hope. That is the goal of Satan to make you doubt. But Jesus told us to “stay strong.”

Jesus simply said to Thomas “put your finger here.” Sometimes we must do as Jesus spoke to Thomas and regain our faith. Practice living doubt-free.

Jesus is waiting to help you cast doubt away.

God Bless.

Bible Study October 3, 2023

James 2;14 (ESV)

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”

How often do we consider our destiny and the legacy we leave behind? I look back at my life and so many people come to mind that had an impact on my life. I remember my elementary teachers who showed me how to enjoy school as a very young child. There was Mrs. Walmsley, Mrs. Williams, Miss Eddingfield, and maybe my all-time favorite Mrs. Ellis in sixth grade. I know some reading will feel the same way as I do.  My coaches in junior highs school. I especially remember Oscar Estill our junior high basketball coach made playing basketball fun but challenging. He care for people who played for him.

These people had a commitment to make those who came before them better. Better learners, better people, better citizens. They left a positive impact on my life they gave back in a sincere way.

I am certain but I cannot say for sure but I believe those who most impacted my life were faithful Christ Followers. Their works in my life left me a better person for having crossed paths with them. Our works in the Christian life are important because that is what we do with our faith. Faith saves us but our works define that salvation.

We are called to do good. John Wesley left us with these words “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” What we do for people is important in our lives.

When have I called that friend missing from church, and dropped them a note letting them know we miss them? How often have we shared a prayer with them? Maybe we could share a meal, do something special a little different for them.

Build into their lives to make difference.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 29, 2023

1 Timothy 6:17 – 19 (ESV)

17 “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

America is blessed (financially) more so than many parts of the world. I know that is true in my life. I remember when Cindy and I lived in St. Peters in the mid 80’s we bought a spilt level home on Roland Drive. It was probably fifteen hundred square feet. My mother and dad came by one day and her response was “why do you need a house this big?” We have more than either of our parents ever had but it is because God has blessed us. Believe this house was not anything special.

What do I or we do with the blessings God has bestowed upon us? James Brown wrote a book titled Role of a Lifetime where he shares several lessons about the “depths” of our foundation and the “height” we should reach for. Our depth should be comprised of our personal beliefs, integrity, stewardship. Our height as we reach for God.

Although we have been blessed with things. We understand God is our source He has provided for us. Life is not about material possessions or how the world sees us it is about how we use our God given opportunities for others. All that we have we should use to store up treasures in heaven.

God does not look at the check we write, the offering we place in the offering basket. He looks at our hearts and our willingness to be generous.

God gave us all we have let’s value it in the lives of others.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 28, 2023

Psalm 139:14 (ESV)

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

As a pastor I meet with a committee annually to determine if they want me to remain with them for another year. This is one of the ways a to determine the tenure of a pastor.

We all hear about things said about us that are said in the background. Tony Dungy once said he did not listen to talk radio when he was a coach but listened to his assistant coaches, superiors, and players. He went on to say he did analyze things said by sportswriters. We all listen to things and too should analyze what we hear.

If we know who we are and what we stand for as a child of God people will find fault with us. That is not necessarily bad (if it is accurate) because if we analyze it we might find we need to change. However, that change should come after prayer and reflection. Pride will not allow us to change if we need to, humility allows us to admit a possible change may need to be made.

When our performance reviews are negative it can be devastating, equally true when they are favorable it says to keep going in the direction you are going and you the support of those around you.

As a manger in the business world my reviews were based on the office or function results. One year when I was asked to move to manage a poorly performing office. We looked at the results and made needed and necessary changes. The next year the office was the best performing office in the region it was because the staff bought into what we needed to do, we staffed properly, and got results.

God has made each of unique, He did not make any mistakes. God does not make junk. The writer of Psalm 139 said “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.” He has a plan for that wonderful you, step into the waters and enjoy the swim.

God Bless.