Bible Study September 9, 2023

(John 8:32) (ESV)

32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV),

32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT).

32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NASB),

32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NIV),

32 “And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” (AMP)

God is interested in our being honest. We may alter the truth (tell a lie, a sin) to a man but God knows the truth. My parents did not punish us often once we hit twelve or thirteen we just told them the truth. I remember a couple in the first church I pastored who had two children. The dad one day asked me about what to do about his six-year-old daughter lying to him. He would punish her for what she did. I suggested to him if he wanted to punish her (which I do believe in punishment) he should punish the lie she told because for some reason she was afraid to tell him the truth. Maybe her hesitance to tell the truth lies with the dad. Telling the truth should never cause punishment maybe rebuke by a parent.

No matter what we do in life, in business, in the church (even) we must be honest. If we find someone doing wrong we should not condone the wrong activity. Society and the church seem to condone sinful activity as okay – what then becomes of the church’s witness in the world keeping in mind the church is the “corporate body of believers. That is the reason Jesus came to earth to save people from making bad decisions, from acting against His will. Then accepting the sinner in love.

Sin has an interesting idea for many people. There is the idea floating around out there that sin is acceptable if we continually ask God to forgive us. The question becomes what is sin? It is willful, if I continue to do the same thing should I expect God to forgive me for the sin I am committing? Jesus discussed this in Matthew 18:22.

The struggle for Americans is that forgiveness requires admitting God’s control over our lives. We should not take revenge, because vengeance is the lord’s (Deuteronomy 32:35). We should not judge, because ultimately God will judge everyone (John 5:28-29). So, forgiveness demands a posture of humility where we remember we are not masters of our own fates, that we will all be judged in the end (Revelation 20). Since America as a country was founded during an act of rebellion against another power, we have individualism ingrained in our culture. We don’t like admitting we aren’t in control of our lives, that there are higher powers we will all answer to.

Live in the truth of the Gospel.

God Bless

Bible Study September 8, 2023

Acts 1:9 (ESV)

8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”

There are many times in our lives as Christ Followers we do things on our own. It is never wrong to be kind, show grace, to care for those in need, to help who you can help. But oftentimes we are called to do things out of the ordinary and these cannot be done unless we have received and do them in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God has so many things in mind and plans for us but we will not know them and accomplish them outside the power of the Spirit guiding us in our daily lives. How do we share the faith we have been given the Bibles says we all are given a measure of faith, has mine grown and been developed to move the kingdom forward?

Jesus left the earth in His ascension and empowered the disciples with the Holy Spirit to go into all areas of need. Most of will never be missionaries in a foreign land but our mission field will be close to home, our neighborhoods, our friends, and our families. Being a witness is sharing your God story about all He has done for you and offer that freedom to another person.

Seek the power of the Holy Spirit in your and move with Him.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 9, 2023

Luke 12:33-34 (ESV)

33 “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Is money what life is all about? Football season opens tonight with the Chiefs playing possibly without one player who is holding out for more money. He wants to be one of the highest paid players at his position. San Francisco 49ers just signed a player at the same position for a “record” amount of money.

For many people money is a motivator for some recognition is more important. I remember fitting into the second category while working in the business world. I was confident that if I did good work I would be compensated for it and I was. I remember one conversation with my Sales Manager when he presented my salary increase in his El Camino as we were driving back to a hotel after dinner. It was one of those conversations that the memories are forever.

Luke wrote about where we place our treasures. No one leaves this world with anything other than what they came into with. Work is a worthy endeavor while providing for your family. We should all make it a priority to pay our bills, provide for our families, and support the church financially. Check out 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Dave Ramsey has said to young people, save ten percent, give ten percent and you still have eighty percent to spend that will get most of us by.

We need to look at what is important, what is the big picture e see when we look ahead? What is our vision for our lives, what is most important?

Where is your (my) treasure being laid up?

God Bless.

Bible Study September 8, 2023

John 10:10 (ESV)

10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

This has always been a verse that I may look differently at the latter part of the verse than some people look at it. We all know Satan will anything he can to destroy a life. He will bring alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, pornography, or anything else into a person’s life to destroy them. The above list could include more things but we see the picture Satan is a killer and destroyer. He wants us in hell with him but he has no eternal rewards for those who follow him.

Looking at the second part of the verse is interesting to me. “I came that you may have life and hit it abundantly.” The intriguing word here for me is “abundantly.” As I read it I get the impression that we can live life and it can be a ho hum lifestyle offered by the pleasures of this world. I am not saying you cannot enjoy the things of this life but if we want an abundant life it must be found in Christ. He then can give us the abundant life John is referring to here.

The legalistic church I grew up in allowed for little pleasure the rules were overbearing. The life Christ offers is indeed abundant. You can live in this world but you can also live abundantly in this world.

If you are not living abundantly seek the Lord ask Him to give you the abundant life John is talking about. If you’re not sure how to achieve the abundant life get in contact with me through an IM we can talk.

God Bless.

Bible Study September 5, 2023

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

I have a book I have read portions of overt the years. It is titled “Christian Excellence An Alternative to Success.” Way to often we put too much emphasis on being successful rather than committing to being excellent in what we do.

The scriptures teach to find a more excellent way not to be just successful. For some it might be a matter of semantics but the excellent way is the right way. We consider a major league baseball hitter to be good if he hits at a certain average whatever that may be for that player. But is he doing it seeking to excel in his skill?

Paul is telling us in these scriptures to focus on being excellent, strive for the best in life, make right decisions based on the facts. Do what is right in the sight of God not in the sight of man to look good.

Do what is more admirable, honorable, pure, commendable that will bring excellence. It is living, breathing, the scriptures seeking what God wants from us.

You may how can we do that? Start with a positive outlook on life, find in the scriptures the answer to your questions they way that is excellent. After a few times it will become more and more clear to you.

Paul said, “think on these things.”

God Bless.

Bible Study September 4, 2023

Ephesians 5:21-25

21 “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
If a wife is to submit to her husband the husband must love his wife and be willing to die for her. Look at it this way Chrsit died for the church He expects the same for the husband.

Similarly, if a husband is expected to give up his life for his wife she must be devoted to him there are mutual responsibilities they share, The fit together so their differences complement each other.

Cindy and I are different as any two people. We have different likes; dislikes and we do not agree on everything but we make it work. God brings people together for His purpose we must never forget that point. He has a purpose in all He does.

However, without equal love and respect for each other it will not work.

God Bless, happy Labor Day.

Bible Study September 2, 2023

John 11:32-35 (ESV)

“32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.”

Four days after Lazarus’ death Jesus comes to town. Martha is distraught their brother has died and Jesus was late – or so she thought. She is upset the same Martha who is always in control, the same Martha that was always on duty doing something. In her confused look she may have thought He didn’t care or He would have been here earlier.

Jesus always considered these three to be His friends so why did He let a friend die? He was not there when they needed Him most or was He?

Then Jesus wept. He had lost a friend His humanity was showing yet His divinity was showing in that He wept for the lost who didn’t realize He was the Messiah. No matter how much they see Him or how much we hear of Him people still do not accept Him of His resurrection, The story of Lazurus is an intriguing one it begins with those who believe in Jesus will never die and ends with Jesus always being with us,

We will die once but we only need to die that one-time Jesus is calling us to follow Him and live eternally.

God Bless,