Category Archives: Bible Studies

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Grief

Big Boys Do Cry

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‘Big boys don’t cry!’

Who told you that?

Big boys and full grown men do cry…

“Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God (1 Samuel 30:1-6 NKJV).”

David, fearless before the giant Goliath shamelessly wept before his men.

His army, often fearless when outnumbered by their enemies wept before their leader.

Mourning turned to rejoicing…

“So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all (1 Samuel 30:18-19 NKJV).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Grassroots Evangelism

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In this election year, America is called to action.

We are at the proverbial fork in the road. Do we veer to the left, to the right or try to straddle a fence in the median?

Grassroots activists rush to crowded malls; they canvas their precincts and operate telephone banks in efforts to get out the vote. Volunteers are fervent and faithful because they believe in their candidate and hope to persuade you to become a supporter too.

They seek firm commitments with a sense of urgency.

While adults do most of the foot-work, children frequently join them at busy intersections with campaign signs. Teens and young adults distribute pamphlets and share the importance of voter registration. The process works in all levels of government: local, state, and national elections.

It takes money to run a campaign; yet, grassroots action is at the core of our Republic’s government election process. It is tried and true.

Followers of Jesus Christ proclaim Him as the way, the truth and the life. He has commissioned believers to carry His message to every people group… in the midst of sprawling neighborhoods, cities of all sizes, states, and nations.

We can fulfill His Great Commission through grassroots evangelism.

“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20 HCSB).”

Sheep entrust their well-being into their shepherd’s hands. As followers of Christ, we know we can trust Him to provide consistently and protect persistently. He is blameless in character and worthy to lead.

Jesus is building a kingdom. His church has the privilege and responsibility of recruiting followers (making disciples).

Love is at the root of outreach.

“[I pray that] you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and width, height and depth, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17b-19 HCSB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Moses Trembled

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He is known for his bold demands; in obedience, he carried God’s message to Pharaoh.

“Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go (Exodus 5:1-2 NKJV).”

Moses knew and revered the LORD that Pharaoh had mocked. Before he met Pharaoh in Egypt, he met with God at a burning bush.

“So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’ Moreover He said, ‘I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God (Exodus 3:4-6 NKJV).”

In the New Testament, Stephen (before being martyred) told of Moses encounter with God.

“And Moses trembled and dared not look (Acts 7:32b NKJV).”

We worship Holy God. 

Compelled through Moses example, we will approach the LORD reverently.

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

True Greatness…

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Great, not second-rate…

“Now the LORD had said to Abram:
‘Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJ).”

Easier said than done?

When God speaks, it is done already. He is eternal and all powerful. It will happen.

True greatness is not easily recognized in our me generation.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me (Matthew 18:1-5 NKJ).”

The family of God is blessed through the humility and faith of Abraham (Abram). 

Yes indeed, God made his name great.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Reckon & Renew

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I reckon there will…

There will be a day of reckoning.

“But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:26b-28 HCS).”

Praise the Lord; I need not fear judgment day! He bore my sin.

I reckon He loves me that much.

“No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13 HCS).”

How can I repay Him?

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2 HCS).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Sacred Script

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Though not raised in a Christian home, my first Bible was a gift from my parents at Christmastime. It remained boxed and unread for years. Little did I know the great treasure I had left unclaimed? God warns and woos through sacred script.

“Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us (2 Kings 22:13 NKJ).”

I discovered truth & treasure.

“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:1-3 NKJ).”

Sadly, we often don’t know the value of what we have until we lose it.

“Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD,
‘That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the LORD.”
(Amos 8:11 NKJ)

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Know the Motives

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‘Why did you do that?’

Good question.

Why do I do the things that I do?

Why do you?

Knowing the motives of pride and greed, some have offered gifts for favors.

“They came to Balaam and said to him, ‘This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Let nothing keep you from coming to me, for I will greatly honor you and do whatever you ask me. So please come and put a curse on these people for me!’ But Balaam responded to the servants of Balak, ‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the command of the LORD my God to do anything small or great (Numbers 22:16-18 HCS).” 

Jesus died for us; He was motivated by love for His Father and for mankind. 

The Lord is to be glorified in all we do. When obedient, we are most like the Master. 

“Though He was God’s Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8 HCS).’

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Missions, Salvation, Women

Women on Mission

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The Lord God frequently does what we least expect. If we try to put His activity in a box He is sure to escape its confines. Resurrection morning was not scripted by any of the disciples.

Before daylight, a close knit group of faithful women began a mission of love for their departed Lord and friend. Laden with spices to anoint His body, they reverently approached His tomb. They likely discussed the problem of getting inside to perform their task. The large stone sealing His tomb created a barrier they needed to overcome.

The sight of His open tomb caught them by surprise. The stone lay off to the side, giving complete access to the burial place (that had been given by a wealthy Council member). The kindness of Christ follower Joseph of Arimathea did not go unnoticed.

The women humbly entered the tomb and discovered the tomb was empty; Jesus no longer occupied the grave!

Suddenly, they encountered two men in radiant clothing. The natural reaction of fright gripped the women; in awe, they fell to the ground.

The men asked a penetrating question, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead (Luke 24:5b NAS)?”

The messenger continued, “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:6-7 NAS).”

Yes, they remembered Jesus telling them of his death and resurrection. To rise again? That had not seemed possible. Alive? They saw Him die! Three days had passed since His lifeless body had been sealed inside the tomb…

The morning skies brightened. Hearts cold with grief now pulsed with hope and joy.

Culture, tradition and prejudice prevailed. Women held few places of influence. Against all odds, women were the recipients of the angel’s resurrection announcement. Matthew said, “And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to his disciples (Matthew 28:8 NAS).”

Catch sight of frail women lifting their skirts and breathlessly running to tell Jesus’ disciples.

Before carrying out their mission, they came face-to-face with Christ. He encouraged the women and gave them His personal message. “Do not be afraid; go and take word to my brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see me (Matthew 28: 10 NAS)”

Women…

*Women were first to see the open tomb.

*Women were first to hear of His resurrection.

*Women were first to see the risen Redeemer.

*Women were first to carry the Gospel message. Jesus lives; He conquered death.

The disciples rejected their message.

“And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them (Luke 24: 11 NAS).”

Jesus later appeared to His disciples in His resurrected body.

Proof cancelled out rejection.

He lives and He is coming again!

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Symbols of Victory

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“The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: ‘Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One—the King of Israel (John 12:12-13 HCS).”

Have you ever been part of a festival’s exuberant crowd? The excitement is contagious. We lived in the historical city of De Funiak Springs Florida, for several years. Serving as home to the annual Chautauqua Festival, it has drawn crowds numbering several thousand. I have a sense of what the Jerusalem crowd anticipated as they waited for the arrival of Jesus…

They awaited their King, expecting him to deliver them from Roman rule. As symbols of victory they palmed palm branches and rushed to see this Jesus, King of Israel. Shouting praises they gave him an enthusiastic welcome. The public opinion quickly changed. In a matter of days, shouts of ‘Crucify Him’ replaced ‘Hosanna.’

“Pilate asked them, ‘What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?’ They all answered, ‘Crucify Him (Matthew 27:22 HCS).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Under Their Heels!

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I assume you are familiar with the children’s  Itsy-Bitsy Spider sing along.

In the Old Testament book of Numbers, we find whining Hebrew spies. Faithless, they felt like itsy-bitsy-grasshoppers.

“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight. (Numbers 13:33 NAS).”

They saw themselves as insignificant and powerless. Likewise, the giants in the land saw them as spineless invaders they would crush under their heels.

In contrast, Caleb had seen God’s children through eyes of courage and faith.

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it (Numbers 13:30 NAS).”

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