Bible Study August 8, 2023

Proverbs 27:4 (ESV)

“Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”

Jealousy will destroy a person in no time. People are jealous of other in the workplace, jealous of the neighbor with the bigger house, nicer car, and yes pastor’s get jealous of those with larger churches. I’ve always felt that you bloom where you are planted. Ehen it’s time God may transplant you but be patient.

Jealousy places a toll on the person who is jealous. I know that from personal experience in some people’s lives I have been in contact with. There are many examples of jealousy in the Bible. It began early on with Cain who killed his brother. The descendants of Esau the Edomites lived in jealousy after Jacob stole Esau’s birthright.

Things have not changed over the centuries since that time. People still struggle with it. If it is left unchecked it will escalate and it will destroy a person. It will leave a grudge and often times leads to revenge.

Stay in faith, trust God to keep you from being jealous.

God Bless.

Bible Study – August 7, 2023

Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV)

““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Life is a precious commodity in this world. We have all lost loved ones that we wish we could share a few minutes with and have some good fellowship. Many of us have lost children. I have experienced the losses and so have you.

I remember a home full of toys for one little boy it seemed as though everyone was giving him something to play with. But above the toys we ask what is our influence on our children? I look back and think I would have done this or that different but I do not beat myself up over it either, the past has past. He’s gone I cannot do anything now but if we have children we can make a difference.

There is nothing more important in this life than our children and spending time with them. We do not like the missed opportunities so we must make the best of the present time.

Spend time with your spouse, your children when they do not expect it, that is when it is most valuable to them. We all have things going on in our lives but we should keep in mind what is really important.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 5, 2023

Romans 3:22-24 (ESV)

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

We know salvation is by faith yet some continue to believe it is by works. In all fairness to those who believe that think about this. We get paid for doing a job – work. We think that to gain something we must do something first, you do something, you get rewarded. It’s an interesting concept.

We put effort into all we do and in return there is some type of reward for our efforts. Athletes practice and if good enough they are rewarded with a contract to play professional sports. It is a reward for what they have done and the effort they have made.

No wonder some people think salvation is what we do, and also some people cannot just accept a gift. I had a professor in college who I really appreciated in fact he held a revival for us in out first pastorate. He said something one day in class that has stuck with me (he said many things that stuck). He said if someone offers you something accept it, if your reject it they will miss out on a blessing I have never forgotten that comment.

Salvation is a wonderful thing in that you do nothing but say “Yes.” What an interesting revelation it is free for the taking. What we deserved Jesus took for us. Our freedom from sin is free we just accept it. How much easier could it be just a simple “Yes.”

If you have not made that choice say “Yes” to Jesus today.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 4, 2023

Isaiah 43:1-3 (ESV)

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom.”

In our Christian life many people want to walk but sometimes you just need to run. Exercise is valuable and it does us a great good. Walking, they say is a good way for people to exercise and keep their physical health.

However, sometimes we need to run in a spiritual sense I’m talking here. Run from the things that could harm us. I once told someone who was in a bad relationship to run as fast as you can as far away from the situation that you possibly can.

The story is told of a young girl who accepted Christ as her Savior and applied for membership in a local church. “Were you a sinner before you received the Lord Jesus into your life?” inquired an old deacon.

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

“Well, are you still a sinner?”

“To tell you the truth, I feel I’m a greater sinner than ever.”

“Then what real change have you experienced?”

“I don’t quite know how to explain it,” she said, “except I used to be a sinner running after sin, but now that I am saved, I’m a sinner running from sin!”

She was received into the fellowship of the church, and she proved by her consistent life that she was truly converted.

Sometimes we just need to run but first check your direction.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 3, 2023

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Paul tells us in this verse we are saved by grace but many people believe we are saved by good works. The scriptures teach us we are saved grace to do good works. Works are good but no give you forgiveness for sin.

Paul who wrote this epistle to the Ephesians is the same guy struck blind on the road to Damascus by God. He was going about doing what he thought was good works by persecuting Chrsit followers o his time. Who determines good works it certainly not the worker of the deed. God saw a future in Saul that he had not seen.

In a moment of time Saul was changed by being converted what he was “doing” was changed his life had been forever changed – he was new man. God sought Paul for a new work but note it was after his conversion that he changed.

God hounded Saul; he was converted because God never gave up on him. He will not give up on us but we must decide to allow our lives to be changed. I am certain several are reading this and are on the same road to Damascus that Saul was journeying on. Allow God to catch you and make you anew person reborn in His image.

Drop me a IM if you have nay questions with a contact number I will give you a call.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 2, 2023

2 Kings 2:4-6 (ESV)

“And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing.”

Have you ever had the desire to begin something new, make the plans, get the funding, hire the employees and then everything begins to dry up? But you know God is in it and He set the vision for you and your desires.

People worry about wondering if they will make it to the next day, what do I do, how do I do it? What we often forget is the God has a supply of oil for us and we should forget He created the oil for our use He has it under control.

When things are not going the way we think they should we need to remember who created the oil and His resources are abundantly able to meet our need. Trust, persevere, and look for the outcome.

God Bless.

Bible Study August 1, 2023

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Have you known someone was praying for you or had someone unexpectedly pray for something happening your life? It is an awesome feeling.

It is most reassuring when we are facing a difficult time or something is challenging us. We can see the trouble on a person’s face and we just know God is speaking to us to speak to them. Sometimes we must step out of our comfort zone and act.

Prayerfully think about people we can pray for then act on the thought we all need to do that. Pray for our leaders. We may not always agree with them but we are required to pray for them that they lead properly and righteously.

When you pray for someone let them know you will encourage them more than we may think.

God Bless.

Bible Study July 31, 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.”

If you are a baseball fan and live in St. Louis we all had big expectation for our beloved Cardinal baseball team this year. I believe it was Derrick Goold who recently said the Cards were positioned to win ninety-three games and National League Central division, they will win it if they reverse the standings. So they are making moves to trade players.

However, in discussing this we get the idea that instant change may bring instant results. Change will occur but all new teammates must become aware of their surroundings. We like to think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence but when in fact it is only greener where you water it. We get the idea change is what we need and in many cases change is needed. For the one outside a relationship with Jesus change should be made and is needed. When that change comes we need to learn a new way of living, we change teams and join the winning team we adjust to our new lifestyle, some things will change, sometimes the change is difficult but it has lasting rewards.

Change is sometimes necessary and when necessary accept it. Next spring we will plant new flowers, maybe change our landscaping all for the better it will be new for us. We will enjoy it. Live into the new.

God Bless.

Bible Study July 28, 2023

Romans 13:7 (ESV)

“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

 Respect, a word we can easily misinterpret. Many think they are owed respect when in fact respect is earned.

 Respect isn’t a right that is owed us, it is not something we are entitled to and we cannot gain respect by demanding people respect us. Respect is earned based on our character. It is also earned by giving it to others. If we want to be respected we must show ourselves to be worthy not by who we are, our status, or our accomplishments. But by our integrity, our being honest, and by being responsible. Someone once said if you something then give it away – this reference was to love but it works in all areas of life.

 Too often we think we are owed something when in all cases we should have earned it by our character. Living in the St. Lous area the Cardinals have a player who has gained respect for who he is and what he stands for. His name is Adam Wainwright. Second only to Bob Gibson in Cardinal wins as a pitcher.

 His accomplishments on the field are one thing but his off-the-field accomplishments are equally remarkable. He is the founder of Big-League Impact, a fantasy football network that is designed to raise money for charities he founded with two other former players.

 In the offseason, Wainwright resides in his home state of Georgia with his wife and five children. The Wainwrights have four natural-born daughters, and they adopted their son, Caleb, in 2019. He and his wife Jenny are devout Christians, and spoke about the prospect of adopting a child who did not have a home of their own, before finally deciding to do so when they welcomed the cherubic sweetheart into the family.

 Character is who we are but first and foremost before we become respected we must show respect. There may be many ways to become respected but to Wainwright he talks of his faith and practices it – the test of being genuine.

God Bless