Bible Study September 27, 2023

John 15:1 – 4 (ESV)

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

We have two lilac bushes and two burning bushes in our backyard. To say these bushes have overgrown is an understatement. We will be pruning when the right time comes. One provides some privacy but it has grown out through the fence. By pruning them they will flourish once again.

Jesus said it very well in the above verses. But we must allow Him to prune us. Like the bushes in our yard if cutting back and cutting out improves the bush in the long run Jesus’ pruning us will improve us in the long run. Sometimes it can be painful but worth the cost.

He prunes us to make us more effective in our ministry setting. If it were not for His pruning us we would wither away and be fruitless.

Pruning is necessary in order for us to mature and bear fruit. Do not resist the cutting away of the stuff in your life. Painful maybe, painful yes but look at the good we could do when we are moving in the path that He has set before us.

What do I need to be pruned of so I can stay healthy?

God Bless

Bible Study September 26, 2023

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

12 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

I remember running track in high school during gym class and wind sprints during football and basketball practice. Those days are over for me no more racing. But Paul is talking about a much different race in Hebrews he is talking about the spiritual race we run.

Picture with me the vast stadiums of Greece where they ran the original Olympics, that is the image the writer is trying to lay out for us as we read these scriptures. There is a vast list of people who went before us that show us the way, that provide encouragement that the race can be won.

Sports fans are passionate about their teams. I am a fan but I can sleep at night if my favorite wins or loses. Maybe that doesn’t make me true fan I do not know but I still enjoy a victory. That is what life is about the final victory in life. Every team loses a game, some more often than others. The game of life must be won on the playing field with Jesus as our head coach and looking at these in Hebrews as assistant coaches.

Paul writes about the “cloud of witnesses” that are cheering us on, praying for us, helping us fight the battle. It is by God’s grace that the race can be won by running with endurance to the final tape.

Adversity will come, we will be misunderstood, people will ridicule us but keep in mind what Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary. When we understand His sacrifice the race can be endured.

The race is worth the effort.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 25, 2023

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)

10 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

We have been taught not to test God but here He is saying “put Me to the test.” Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16. Quite an interesting concept when it comes to our giving. Malachi says to bring ten percent into the storehouse or the church.  Many people give to God after all else is taken care if we do that do we put God to the test? He bring the “full tithe” he means do not shortchange God.

I do not think it is about the percentage it is about the heart. Everything we have belongs to God we are we are told to bring it in that others may be blessed and we too will be blessed. I have never heard anyone tell me that God failed them because they did not give from their heart or give back to God.

How are we using what God has given us? It is more than just dollars and cents it is attitude of our giving. It is about our talents, our abilities, our skills. God will bring people across our paths and the question is how do I respond to them in their need?

When we give God will provide, He will pour blessings out upon us that we cannot even imagine. Here it is again he will pour His out blessings upon us.

God wants us to use our gifts to be a blessing to others. It is the blessings He has given us that we share with others. It’s from the heart.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 23, 2023

Ephesians 6:11-13 (ESV)

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.””

Football season is back. I enjoy watching football either college or professional. I have often observed that some players wear more padding than others. Wide receivers not as much as an interior lineman, Maybe the big guys need more. The tight ends are in the same category as the receivers.

But the one thing they all wear is a helmet no exceptions with that piece of equipment. This is physical armor but Paul is talking about more important armor than our spiritual armor. Not everyone needs a football helmet but we all need a spiritual helmet.

We are engaged in a battle for our souls, those of our families, our nation, our friends. Paul is telling us to put on the full armor of God. Each item is needed for a particular point of war and we need it all to fight off Satan and his demons.

The proper equipment for the fight is mandatory. Be prepared.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 22, 2023

1 Corinthians 1:1 (ESV)

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

I guess a good place to start – is there any better person to imitate than Jesus? Jesus as a role model that would change many things in the world if more people would follow His example.

We look back and many of us had role models although I cannot think of one I had. It may have been Steve McQueen who stared in television when television was good as a bounty hunter. I have no idea why that just hit me. I would have been better off had it been someone like Billy Graham, I do not know much about the McQueen guy.

But we all are a role model to someone even though we may not think much about it, I used to watch the NBA but I have not for a number of years but I remember Charles Barkley saying, “he did not want to be a role model.” However he was. We may not feel worthy of the recognition as a role model, we may think our behavior only affects us but there are many people watching our every move some may even criticize our moves. That is part of people watching us.

Our families, co-workers, neighbors, see what we do. They see where we go some may even watch on Sunday morning to see if you’re going to church. Our lives may be under someone’s microscope. More often than not it is under a microscope.

Since we an example to others let’s commit to being the best example we can.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 21, 2023

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13 – 24 (ESV)

12 “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Many people in this life seek fame, fortune, comfort, status all the things that sound good but leave us empty. King Solomon seemed to have everything the world could offer but it was not enough to satisfy him. Anything we do to find satisfaction may disappoint us in the long run if we do not keep the proper perspective.

Solomon’s end came in despair he had it all and lost it all. There is much to say about what the scriptures teach us if we gain the whole world and lose our soul then life is wasted. Solomon could have had all he had, we can have all we have but the focus must be on Jesus and that we are where we are because we are favored in His sight.

What would each of our lives look like if we “chased after God” rather than the stuff we have. God will provide we must set our priorities and make Him first He will then supply all we need.

In order to put things in priority the question arises “when do we start?” The answer we all know is right now. What are the blessings of God in your life right now? What do you value from God, from the world? What is most important? Changing or shifting what is important will require some sacrifice. It may not be easy in all areas. Solomon had the key to a life of fulfillment in God he let it get away. But it is worthwhile.

Make Him your center, let His priorities become your priorities.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 20, 2023

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (ESV)

7 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”

Wow did I need this today? It seems at times that Satan is constantly on attack it seems that way because he always is on attack. There are times in our lives that we are bombarded with stuff and it seems at times we are unable to cope with it. But keep in mind God is greater than anything Satan can do to us.

Satan is at work to bring us down. As we live our lives we must understand that when we grow in character, faith, and belief that we will defeat Satan and his attempts to destroy us, our ministries, our families, everything he can down he will and then with all that he offers an eternity in hell away from God. Seems like an easy choice to make.

We are attacked, hunted down, perplexed anything negative Satan will do and yet people follow after him in many cases diligently. 2 Corinthians tells us when things happen to us do not get discouraged. We carry Jesus’ death with us as a treasure in cracked and chipped earthen vessels. This gives the poser and passion to get up and move again.

We need to brace for the next blow because it will come as long as we are faithful to Jesus satan will attack. We may also be picking ourselves up from the last but Jesus is there to help us fight back and get back in the fight once again.

With Jesus in our life we may be knocked down but never knocked out.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 19, 2023

Exodus 18:18-19 (ESV)

18 “You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God,”

In my business career I was privileged to work for some great people and some not so great. One in particular fits in the second category. I seldom called him because I didn’t think I needed to talk to him. He said to me one day “you never call me as much as the other managers do.” I have a problem sometimes talking before I think lots of responses run through my mind so I have learned to think then speak. I explained to him I was hired to do the job they had placed me in. I guess he felt he could do the job better than me.

However, one of the difficult things for me was to delegate but it makes the job easier. Moses may have thought he could do the job better than anyone else until his father-in-law Jethro spoke to him. Jethro had a great idea for Moses to share the work – delegate.

Its not easy to delegate it takes trust, competence, and a willingness to give up control. But when you do it gives you an opportunity to build into the lives of your friends and associates. By delegating we add value to others. We will build new relationships and new bonds of friendship.

If we are a controller time to turn it over.

God Bless.