Category Archives: Bible Studies

Bible Studies, Christian Growth

Got Saved?

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Saved, what does that mean? To unbelievers the term might mean, “Got religion.” Another phrase takes our consideration further. “He was saved from a fate worse than death!” I turn to a trusted thesaurus, and chose most applicable save synonyms: rescue, deliverance, ransom, liberation, release, salvation, atone, redeem, free, liberate. (Roget’s International Thesaurus)

Saved, what does that mean to you, personally? Look through the list of synonyms again.  Without Christ, all are in dire straits, in need of rescue from sin, deliverance from the bondage of sin. He paid the ransom with His sacrificial death, freeing all who trust Him as Lord and Savior.

Jesus saves sinful men.

“And she will bear a Son; and you shall call his name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 NAS)”

“For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10 NAS).”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him (John 3:16-17 NAS).”

“But what does it say? ‘THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART’-that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Romans 10:8-9 NAS).”

“for WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED (Romans 10:13 NAS).”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9 NAS).”

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth

Peter’s Pointed Question

 

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“Why?” The repetitious questions of a three year old try the patience of parents. “What?”  The pointed question of Apostle Peter pricks my conscience. He was not giving believers a pop-quiz; his query is not testing intellect or IQ. Instead, he questions my commitment and character.  Do I pass the test? He sets the scene for a day of reckoning.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3:10-11 NKJ)…”

What type of person should I be and where should my focus be? “…looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:12 NKJ)?” God has called me to testify of His mercy; yet, as Noah, I warn of His pending judgment.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Family Occupation

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A blue jean and flannel shirt clad man proudly speaks up. “I’m a farmer; my father was a farmer and his father was a farmer.”  Your church pastor emeritus celebrates fifty years of service to congregations and to his Lord; he agrees to say a few words to the crowd. “I’m a simple country preacher; my dad, grandpa and great-grandfather were all preachers.” An occupation or trade often flows through family lines.

Jesus is the Great Shepherd. Caring for sheep went back to ancestors, Abraham, King David, Joseph and his father-Jacob. “This is the history of the descendants of Jacob and this is Jacob’s line. Joseph, when he was seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers (Genesis 37:2a Amplified Bible).” Joseph later made the family occupation clear when his family joined him in Egypt.

“I will go up and tell Pharaoh and say to him, My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been keeping livestock (Genesis 46:31b-32a Amplified Bible).” Yes, Jesus followed in His earthly father’s trade as a carpenter; yet, He has the heart of a shepherd. He continues to gather His sheep and appoints family members to carry on shepherding responsibilities.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth

Egotistic Self-Assessment

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Allowing oneself to get the big head of egotistic self-assessment often leads to a sudden awakening. “Me, myself and I” mentality blind us to the omnipotence of God. Through the Book of Daniel, we discover how quickly King Nebuchadnezzar fell from status of national leader to living as an outcast in the midst of wild animals.

“You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants (Daniel 4:25 HCS).”

The prophetic warning came true within a year. (Daniel 4:28-33) Humbled, he worshiped and praised the Most High. “Now, I Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride (Daniel 4:37 HCS).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth

Near Death Experience

 

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTUREMoses had a life-changing encounter with Jehovah God and became the Lord’s right hand man. He sent him on a mission of mercy and deliverance;  Moses returned to Egypt with God’s demand to Pharaoh. “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness (Exodus 5:1b Amplified Bible).” As Moses traveled to Egypt, he had a near death experience. Were you aware that he faced death before he faced Pharaoh?

“Along the way at a [resting] place, the Lord met Moses and sought to kill him [made him acutely and almost fatally ill] (Exodus 4:24 Amplified Bible).” Premeditated wrath? “[Now apparently he had failed to circumcise one of his sons, his wife being opposed to it; but seeing his life in such danger] Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son (Exodus 4:25a Amplified Bible).” Moses had knowingly failed to carry out a covenant command.

“He which is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male throughout your generations, whether born in [your] house or bought with [your] money from any foreigner not of your offspring Genesis 17:12 Amplified Bible).” The covenant remained binding. “And the male who is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant (Genesis 17:14 Amplified Bible). Moses nearly lost his life for his negligence.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Scientific and Spiritual Analysis

 

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTUREWho says science and spiritual analysis cannot mix? Today many scientists boldly take a stand for creation and archaeology has verified scripture. I believe Moses had both a scientific mind and a spirit in tune with the Creator. Seeing a burning bush spurred him into action.

“Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up (Exodus 3:2b-3 NIV). Scientists investigate and seek truth. Moses’ seeking led to a spiritual encounter.

“When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am (Exodus 3:4 NIV).” God called Moses as his servant to carry a message of deliverance to the Israelites and to Pharaoh.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Rejuvenation

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“He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3 Amplified Bible).”

Visualize a dog day of summer with sweltering three digit temperatures. You are caught in rush hour traffic; your vehicle AC is on the fritz and you are running thirty minutes behind schedule. Company is coming for dinner and you become frantic.

Swerving into your driveway, rushing inside your home, you hustle to your bedroom, slip out of perspiration-drenched duds and step into the shower. Cool water cascades down your shoulders and back; instantly you feel refreshed, restored and rejuvenated.

“He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it abound (Isaiah 40:29 Amplified Bible).” Draw from His well.

Forget the standard R & R get away for rest and relaxation. Seek the shepherd for refreshing and restoration. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] (Matthew 11:28 Amplified Bible).”  

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

In Summation-Love

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In summation:

“The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. [Exod. 20:13-17; Lev. 19:18.] Love does no wrong to one’s neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law (Romans 13:9-10 Amplified Bible).”

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth

Ananias’ Assignment

Ananias, available and alert, he arose and acted. God could have used any means to minister to Saul, following his Damascus Road blinding encounter. He might have appointed an angel. Barnabas would seem a good candidate. Soon, Saul would become Paul, and Barnabas would be his co-laborer in carrying the gospel. God would bring that to pass. First, He would entrust the care of Saul into the hands of Ananias.

The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision. He knew that he was available for service, always at His beckoned call. He was present and accounted for. “Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias (Acts 9:10a HCS)!” Just as a student, answering roll call, “Here I am, Lord!’ he said (Acts 9:10b HCS). Ananias, available and alert!

The Lord had his attention and gave him detailed, specific instructions, telling him where to go, what to ask, who to see, and what to do. (Verses 11-12) He was to go to Saul, lay hands on him in order that he would regain his sight. Ananias undoubtedly trusted the LORD’s guidance; yet, he also trusted him enough to share his doubts. (Verses 13-14) Saul had persecuted the church. He came to arrest those who called on Christ’s name. Ananias heard an affirmation from the Almighty.

“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel. I will certainly show him how much he must suffer for my sake (Acts 9:15-16 HCS)!” Ananias, available and alert, arose and acted. “So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17 HCS).” Saul met the Savior. Ananias acted on God’s word.  

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Rest Stops Mandatory!

We make frequent trips from Louisiana-to-Florida, and take countless stops along the way. Rest room breaks are mandatory. We know locations of state rest areas, and patronize truck stops offering clean restrooms and ample numbers of stalls. Even those blessed with bladder control need to stop, stretch their legs, and get the kinks out. We get weary when we travel.

Jesus covered many miles in his years of ministry. He walked and He grew weary. “So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the field which Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s spring was there. So Jesus, tired from His journey, was sitting by the spring just as He was. It was about noon (John 4:5-6 Williams NT).”

We tend to forget the man Jesus, in our acknowledgment of His deity. As man, He hungered, experienced thirst and became physically weary. Jesus needed a rest stop. He purposely planned to be at Sychar for a divine appointment with a woman at a well. Never too tired to minister, He spoke to her of living water. (Verses7-26) She rushed away to testify!

“The woman then left her pitcher and went back to town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who has told me everything thing I ever did. He is not the Christ, is He?’ So the people left town and rushed out to see Him (John 4:28-30 Williams NT).” Was Jesus rest period productive? Had he moved people from attention-to-action?

“Many of the Samaritans in that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, when she said, “He has told me everything I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they kept on urging him to stay with them; so He did stay there two days. Then a much larger number believed in Him because of what He said Himself (John 4:39-41 Williams NT).”

Jesus shared the message of salvation. He took time to talk to a woman. She told others… “and they were saying to the woman, ‘It is not merely because of what you said that we now believe, for we have heard Him ourselves, and we know that He is really the Savior of the world (John 4:42 Williams NT).” His rest stop brought rest to weary souls!

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