Bible Study August 24, 2023

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)

“23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

As I read these verses nothing is exciting about picking up a cross and following someone even if it is Jesus. Heaven sounds wonderful but the journey is not so enticing.

I speak a great deal about grace in life, our dealings with other people, and how we conduct ourselves. Grace is so important as we deal with life. I remember hearing one day the term “cheap grace” and I wondered about the meaning of the term for some time. We live in a society today that is intolerant of anything it does not agree with.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer a German pastor wrote many books and stood up for the forgiveness of sin in the midst of the opposition to Hitler. He says “cheap grace” is “justification of the sin without justification of the sinner.” In other words our sin is forgiven and we go in life feeling secure in our relationship with God but we do not change.

Bonhoeffer brings up the idea of “taking up a cross daily” the creates a different idea for us. Sounds like a good way to get nailed to the cross. When we speak out the possibility of being criticized becomes more apparent. Bonhoeffer goes on to say it is “costly grace” we do not want to talk about. This is the part that deals with Jesus’ death on the cross and the blood He shed. This is the part that requires complete obedience to Him. We try toa void talking about this part of it because it just might lead to sacrifice.

Bonhoeffer stood in rebellion to Hitler it cost him his life.

Taking up our cross may mean hanging on it with Jesus.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 23, 2023

Romans 12:1 (ESV)

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Are we conformed to the image of Christ or to the world? Is the church today conforming to the world? The scriptures teach us we should be a holy, living sacrifice following Him. For some that is easy, for others more difficult and we can only answer that question on an individual basis.

This is from the dictionary meaning for conforming “behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards.” Jesus turned the tables on conformity. He brought a new message of salvation by grace not by works or conforming the Jewish six hundred and twenty some laws. Grace opens up a lot of new doors for people. Some believe that you can sin and grace will keep you yet Paul said, “do we sin that grace abounds?” My answer is “No” but each of us has to answer that question for ourselves.

Tony Dungy wrote “We know character is a product of more than just our thoughts. The values we hold dear and how we implement them into our lives and relationships are key.” That tells me the purpose should be guided by God to build our character.

Character begins with what we think and the goes into all areas of our life and flows from who we are.

Our thought process directs our character. As my former pastor said and I quote often “Guard your heart.”

God Bless

Bible Study August 22, 2023

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

“33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

We all have friends who we want to be around and hang out with. When I was growing up in Hannibal, Missouri it was a great place to grow up. We lived and attended grade school in Oakwood. I made friends whom I am thankful for I still have today. Then off the Junior High school and I made more friends. Friend choices expanded to more people. So did consequences.

Character has always been important to me I must have received that from my parents who kept their word. We cannot always choose the people we hang out with because many are at work, many are in the neighborhoods. We should strive to find those who we can build long bonding relationships with. But never avoid the ones that need encouragement, need love, need care, and most of all need Christ. I will always remember what my friend and former pastor Jeff said as I paraphrase it “all your friends should not be Christians otherwise who do you share Jesus with?”

We are called to be the church in a society that today is seriously hurting from division around every corner we turn. It doesn’t have to be that way but that is the way we have allowed it to happen. That’s a whole different topic. Pray for your friends, encourage them, find time to be with them, share your life and get ask how you can help and support them. Most of all be a friend.

Are there friends you should be spending more time with, maybe some less time with. It may be time to reassess your time.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 21, 2023

Romans 13:5 (ESV)

“5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

I did a message series on words people hate and “subjection” was one of them we simple do not like the idea of being in subjection to one another. However, we are all subject to someone. In the business world we are subject to our employer, in marriage we are subject to the thoughts and ideas of our spouse, in Christianity we are subject to the precepts of God.

We accept it when we have to without any thought it’s simply a way of life. Our children for example are subject to the rules placed upon their household. Must be in by a certain time, there are jobs that need to be done, there are conditions that are placed upon them. It is to help them not harm them.

Whether we are a parent, a teacher, maybe a neighbor we have influence over someone. Our influence is often greater than you think (reminds me of Mr. Hampton I mentioned yesterday). As we influence others we need to also allow ourselves to be influenced by others, accept it as God gives grace for their help. We need to be aware of the influence that we have on others and make certain it is positive.

Never believe you do not influence someone, look today to find a person that you can encourage.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 19, 2023

Acts 14:19 – 20 (ESV)

“19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.”

As a sports fan I find it interesting when a player gets hurt. Some fans from the opposing are silent but unfortunately there are those that cheer although few in number. The one thing you do see is the trainer from the injured players’ team and often the opposing team’s trainer will come out to assist. They want to help in any way possible.

In the above verses we see Paul who had been stoned dragging himself back into town readying for his departure tomorrow, He had been left for dead. Paul had the ability to persevere in the midst of a stoning. Paul was totally sold out for his calling to serve God. No one came to his rescue. Is it perseverance, attitude, or a desire to follow Christ at all costs?

We may be called to experience tough times like Paul in our walk with God. Hopefully never stoned for our beliefs but we face disappointments, heartaches, and sometimes trials come upon us that are sent by Satan to harm us.

No matter what happens Christ calls us to follow Him. We may not be beaten or jailed but persecution can come in many forms. We may not lose our lives for what we believe but what is important is that we are sold out for Christ.

Thank God you are able to share His good news.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 18, 2023

Hebrews 11:32 – 33 (ESV)

“32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.”

Hebrews chapter eleven has often been referred to as the “faith chapter.” I think that is a very true statement. There were many who preceded these and many have followed them. As we read chapter eleven we see countless numbers of people who have achieved great things through faith. Think about people in our time such as Smith Wigglesworth, Kenneth Hagin, Billy Graham who have done so much for the kingdom of God.

We see people in sports continue to play and never give up believing they can continue to compete at a high level. They are criticized for hanging on too long and bringing their teams down to a lower level. But that is not the case with faith. As we develop our faith it becomes stronger and matures. faith never runs out. Faith does not retire it continues to work.

We never get too old to serve and time has passed us by maybe in years but that is not the case with what God tells us. He says continue the good fight. Use your influence, your gifts, your talents to influence others to see the unlimited ability and potential through Christ who guides us to impact the lives of others.

We are limitless to achieve for God.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 17, 2023

2 Thessalonians 2:16 – 17 (ESV)

“16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

There is a famous Christmas movie called “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Today, It’s a Wonderful Life is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and among the best Christmas films. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.  

There a several aspects to the plot but looking at one. On Christmas Eve 1945, in Bedford Falls, New York, George Bailey contemplates suicide. The prayers of his family and friends reach Heaven, where guardian angel second class Clarence Odbody is assigned to save George in order to earn his wings. Clarence is shown flashbacks of George’s life. He watches 12-year-old George rescue his younger brother Harry from drowning, leaving George deaf in his left ear. George later prevents the pharmacist, Mr. Gower, from accidentally poisoning a customer’s prescription.

God has designed us for something directly suited to us. It may be for grandiose things it may not. The impact we make on the world is only the way we can, no one can do it for us.

God created each of use for an abundant life to be aligned with Christ. Our lives are designed as a pathway to impact others. God sometimes carries us to our destiny but we can be assured He will always be walking with us.

Life was given to us for a purpose – rise to the occasion.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 16, 2023

Isaiah 41:9 – 10 (ESV)

“You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Ever start your day looking forward to having a great day and then something interferes with it. You have a flat tire, the lines for gas is long and you need to be somewhere, The person in front of you is purchasing an item and there is no price tag on it? Things happen to all us to cause us trouble. It is part of life. By the way God is not causing you distress.

If you are having these types of problems know you are not alone in fact God told us “Life is hard, but He is good.” When we were in Ohio I was pastoring a church and had been there for over five years thinking I would be there until I wanted to leave. However, the chairperson of our Pastoral Committee was always joking she could fire me I know it was said in jest. We had stability.

Then something came along that changed our comfort zone. It was a bump in the road that caused us to pack up and move. So you take the next step understanding it is all in God’s hands. We would not be at that church forever; we would not be in Ohio forever it did not last forever but God does last forever and He has a calling for each of us and a place for each of us to serve.

Does each day bring something new for you? Sometimes we welcome it sometimes we are not so welcoming. We can all be used of God for our good and His glory.

God is always holding on to us.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 14, 2023

Hosea 1:9 (ESV)

“And the Lord said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.”

People come and go in our lives some become lifelong friends. When I retired one of my fellow managers said I would forget everything I learned within two months I jokingly said two weeks. I left with what I tell people was three things my computer bag, my pension, and some friends. I met a lot of great people in my nearly thirty-five years. I could care less about the computer bag I have replaced it by now eleven years later the pension is something I earned and the friends are those I gained. I still communicate with several of them. I retired early for several reasons but there were “other people” that helped me decide to leave early. As one friend has often said “it’s just people.”

In a way it’s the same with Hosea it was people they were breaking their covenant and God cut them loose like a football team trimming down it’s roster for the year. God was saying these people do not measure up to My standards. Some people are our friends but not close friends. We might break bread with them but not have a close relationship with them.  They fell out of relationship but God continued at the door of redemption waiting for them to turn around.

There are times we fall out of relationship with God and He is standing at the door with His hand on the doorknob waiting for us to knock we do not even have to open the door He will do it for us.

God is faithful even when we do not measure up.

God Bless.