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.

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.