Bible Study July 24, 2023

John 17:4 & 22 – 23 (ESV)

4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

People look at the world from many different perspectives. Some only see the good, then there are those who believe that if a cloud is in the sky it is going to rain on them. I know those people and they are correct I do not believe it will rain on me. Maybe they are correct. Some people are contagious in their enthusiasm for life and they infect everyone around them.

Many of have those people are in our lives that are infectious and, in many cases, we are that person to others. I remember before moving to Missouri I had lunch the last day we were in Ohio with a pastor who I had been in an accountability group with. We bounced stuff off each other I enjoyed our conversations. Jeff was the guy I appreciated for his insight, wisdom, and encouragement.

I thought that is how God relates to us He wants to hear from us let Him know how things are going in order that we can be encouraged. All He did for us is an amazing thought. He is enthusiastic for us we should spend more time with Him.

Bible Study July 22, 2023

Psalm 126:2 (ESV)

“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Many people do not believe God wants us to laugh and be happy but I believe the opposite is true. Laughing being excited about something is healthy for the soul. A church should be full of joy, laughter, and the excitement of things to come.

But we do not always find that in the church. I have been criticized for telling a joke and one person said it wasn’t appropriate to tell a joke after celebrating the joys and prayers in a person’s life. Thankfully my current church doesn’t feel that way.

Christians can be sour puss’s and sometimes the most unhappy people you have met.

Be different, have fun, get excited about the next thing in your life. Live in the expectancy of excitement. God created everything we have and if we cannot find joy in creation, we are a sad people.

We have hope in the future that should bring us joy. Let someone know you’re happy and share your joy with others. If it’s not easy for you ask God to show you joy then act on what He gives you, it is to be shared.

Our joy should be contagious because if we do not have something to be joyful about how are we going to share the message of the Cross?

God Bless

Bible Study July 21, 2023

Romans 2:1

“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” (ESV)

People tend to judge others although we are taught not to do so from an early age  but our human nature too often controls our common sense. We have been taught since we were young not to judge others but it still happens.

Paul in Romans 2:1 looks into the gospel and we realize through Jesus that we have fallen short of His expectations for our lives. No one is perfect no matter how hard we try. Trying will not get us there it takes Jesus to get us there.

People who have dark hearts and do not glorify God in the natural we are prone to doing wrong, that is where the need for forgiveness comes in to play for all mankind. What Paul is saying in this verse is simple. “Do not point your finger at others since you are guilty of what you are condemning in another. You are as bad as they are. No one is capable of keeping the law no one is better than the next.”

How about considering this when we are tempted to judge – discern first, redirect our thoughts, and offer encouragement. It will make us a better person.

I read this today – “Don’t judge me by my past I don’t live there anymore.” Thankfully we have moved from our past. God Bless

Bible Study July 20, 2023

1 Peter 3:13-16

“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared” which was their motto when I was in the scouts a few years ago.

What are we to be prepared for in our lifetime? The simple answer is everything that we face we need to be prepared because we do not know what it might bring. However, thinking about this it is very broad area to be concerned about.

Tony Dungy the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts said when he coached in Pittsburgh Chuck Noll then the head coach said he wanted his staff to know what he was teaching. Players would listen to the coaches out of respect for what they were saying.

Dungy said we are teachers first and the goal was to prepare the players for what they would face in a game.

The same is true when God tells us to go out and speak about Him. He wants us to be ready to tell someone what we believe and why we believe it. Why we accepted Jesus into our lives, why we follow Him.

“Be Prepared” is the same for us as it is the Boy Scouts.

This popped up the other day: “How do people start attending church?”

• A friend invited me – 86%
• Organized visitation – 6%
• Invited by the Pastor – 6%
• Advertising – 2%

Bible Study July 19, 2023

1 Timothy 4:7-8

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

God has given us gifts to stir us unto activity for godly purposes. We should be thankful for what He has blessed us with and be ready to use them when called upon. Do not dismiss a blessing from God.

We all get suggestions on how to change things in our lives. I think about professional sports maybe because I am a fan. Recently the Cardinals sent down a promising rookie on the team a man by the name of Jordan Walker to “change” his launch angle on a baseball. He took it well, went back to Memphis and came back a better player – as he admits. Positive help for this young man who took it well and improved.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work out. But we can be assured that when God brings something to our mind or spirit, He has a purpose that will not only benefit us but benefit the church and society. No one likes rebuke but we can grow through it and be better for following through.

Jordan Walker was disciplined in his demotion taking it to heart to make him a better hitter. We should be the same way when guidance comes from God or a spiritual brother or sister trying to help us grow in Christ. Test the Spirit is this from God and if so, take it to heart and come back better than ever in Christ.

We should use the same passion we have for business, for family, for all things on the earth to better grow in grace and Jesus.

God Bless.

Bible Study July 18, 2023

Mark 3:14 ESV

” And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.”

If you follow the Olympics, you may have heard this story about a man named Derek Richmond who was from England. He believed he could win a medal so he entered the 1992 Olympic competition. He had suffered numerous surgeries and complications but he had determination.

He won two heat races and in the semifinals was running and felt a sharp snap in his leg, he had again torn his Achilles tendon and in doing so fell to the track in pain. However, Derek was not one to give up so he got to his feet and limped on toward the goal. He wanted to get across the finish line.

As he was moving forward, he felt a hand on his shoulder thinking it might be an official telling him he did not need to finish but in looking around he saw it was his dad who had come to him. His dad told him he didn’t need to finish but insisting on finishing his dad walked across the finish line with him.

This to me is a father -son relationship which I find more important that finishing the Olympic race. Our children need to know we are there for them. The journey can be difficult for some, not everyone but everyone needs to know mom and dad have their backs through it all.

We may not always know the exact words to say but we can be there. God has the words for us that can be found in His scriptures that He has given us and they provide great wisdom for us. But we must read His Word to gain His understanding.

God Bless.

Bible Study July 17, 2023

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

English Standard Version

12 “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Temptation to comes to all of us in some form or another but it comes in our weakest moments. God is faithful as He was to the Israelites whom He led out of Egyptian captivity. Yet, they succumbed to temptation, by worshipping false idols and on several occasions outright rebellion.

It is easy today to be distracted as we go along our paths of daily routine thinking we are not susceptible to temptation that we can handle anything at that point Beware!

There is so advice that can help us along.

• Stay rooted in the Word – read the scriptures daily,
• Do not try to go it alone, find an accountability partner to join with you,
• Find, and join a Bible believing church that teaches the Word of God without reservation. If they do not follow the scriptures fine on that does,
• Stay close to God by talking to Him on a daily basis, let Him know you are out here (although He already knows that but He wants to hear from us).

Remember He will lead, we must be willing to follow.

God Bless.