Category Archives: Bible Studies

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Hosanna!

{Image: crosscards.com}  

Jesus made His triumphant entry into the City of Jerusalem.

I’d think that some in the crowd were likely disinterested bystanders.

Others may have been curiosity seekers.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Matthew portrayed most of the crowd favorably. The people gave homage to Jesus. They shouted out praise!

“When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,  saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.’ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

‘Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Gentle, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David;
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:1-9 NASB).”

Shouts of praise soon became cries for crucifixion…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Stood Still, It’s a Miracle!

photo credit: ruifo <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/111245738@N08/33265816618″>Waxing Gibbous Moon</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ was a 1951 science fiction movie.

It’s been said that truth is stranger than fiction.

Biblical truth is miraculous!

“Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, ‘Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.’ So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors. The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.’ So Joshua came upon them suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. And the Lord confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,

‘O sun, stand still at Gibeon,
And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.’
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies.

Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. There was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel (Joshua 10:6-14 NASB).”

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Missions, Salvation

70 Sent

Seventy sent…

“Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city (Luke 10:1-12 NASB).”

Seventy returned…

“The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’ And He said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. ‘Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:17-20 NASB).”

Seventy rejoiced!

 

 

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Bible Studies, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

The Sunrise From On High

photo credit: Noel F. <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/37563893@N00/45770871165″>Bartolo</a&gt; via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.’

And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel (Luke 1:76-80 NASB).”

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Bible Studies, Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Cries of the Unborn

Sanctity of Life …Right to Life …Life Marches…  

Hear the cries of unborn children.

These are the words of King David; yet, they carry the message of multitudes targeted for abortion.

“O God, hasten to deliver me;
O Lord, hasten to my help!
Let those be ashamed and humiliated
Who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight in my hurt.
Let those be turned back because of their shame
Who say, ‘Aha, aha!’

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
‘Let God be magnified.’
 But I am afflicted and needy;
Hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay (Psalm 70:1-5 NASB).”

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Score One for the Serpent

photo credit: verchmarco <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/160866001@N07/44863745295″>A red apple with the leave attched on a wooden table – close up</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a>  

“The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:8-9 NASB).”  

Adam worked in God’s garden.

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it (Genesis 2:15 NASB).”  

Adam and Eve sowed seeds of disobedience.

“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:4-6 NASB).” 

Adam was duped.

“Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;

Cursed is the ground because of you;
In toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life.
‘Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
And you will eat the plants of the field;
By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread,
Till you return to the ground,
Because from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:17-19 NASB).”

 

 

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christmas, Devotionals, Salvation

He Gave

photo credit: JLS Photography – Alaska <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/50830796@N04/39252158801″>Merry Christmas!</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

 

Many children write letters to Santa; it’s a very busy time at the post office.

When I was young, one of the Syracuse, New York television stations had Santa segments. He read letters from the boys and girls in the Central NY area. They asked Santa for gifts from their wish lists.

The Heavenly Father is the giver of gifts. I don’t wish; I pray.

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (James 1:17 NASB).”

God gave the perfect gift.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16 NASB).”

The LORD gave the gift of life.

He gave us His Son.

He gave Jesus.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6 NASB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

White as Snow

photo credit: mripp <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/56218409@N03/39624591724″>Dog owners are more healthy</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a>   

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

Your life can be transformed; you can be white as snow every Christmas.

“Come now, and let us reason together,’
Says the Lord,
Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool (Isaiah 1:18 NASB).”

Dressed in garments white as snow…

“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Revelation 3:5 NASB).”

Children make angels in the snow. The Father makes hardened sinners as white as snow.

 

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Bible Studies, Christmas, Devotionals, Salvation

Silent, Holy Night

photo credit: Riccardo Palazzani – Italy <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/45503185@N06/23421017403″>Nativity 2015</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a> 

 

Luke 2:1-19 (KJV)

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Be Prepared

photo credit: Anna Toss <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124391226@N01/13611340833″>Många volontärer på #soppköksthlm #soppkökstockholm #soupkitchen…</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a> 

Plan ahead.

Prepare for the worst.

“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. The seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless, scorched heads of grain are seven years of famine.

‘It is just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.  Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt. After them, seven years of famine will take place, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land.  The abundance in the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows it, for the famine will be very severe (Genesis 41:25-31 HCSB).”  

Prepare for changes in the economy.

At times America is blessed with a ‘chicken in every pot.’

Yet; in economic downturns and depressions many have taken handouts at soup kitchens.

Trust God.

“I have been young and now I am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned
or his children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25 HCSB).”

 

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