15 Dec (Revelation 3)

Sardis ~ The Dead Church

The church of Sardis represents the Reformation movement, away from the Nicolaitan doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation deservedly has been praised for moving back to the Word of God, instead of the practices of men, but they fell short as well. Remember, it's never good to put your faith in a particular church, pastor or denomination...all are lead by men and prone to sin and pride.

I hope you see my point here, since I'm tough on the RCC, but I also want you to see that the Protestant Churches erred just as much.

(v.1) This describes the Protestant church then, and even today...it has the name of Christ, but is not following Christ. So many churches focus on traditions and works, that they fail to focus on fellowship with each other and especially God.

I was raised in the Lutheran Church, where Martin Luther is given the credit for starting the Reformation movement. He was a big player, but many other Catholic priests were involved in going back to the Word of God, and not the word of a pope.

Unfortunately, one of the results of the Reformation was the failure to acknowledge the Jews as God's people. Martin Luther and many other Reformists were anti-Semites, and believed that the Church replaced Israel for God's promises and blessings. This is called Replacement Theology, and not only is it completely against Scripture, but it makes God out to be a liar!

I suggest you look up Martin Luther's quotes in his books about the Jews, and how the Church has replaced Israel for God's blessings.

(v.3) Of course, as with the Catholics, the Protestants are filled with believers...it's the leadership that Jesus is rebuking.

(v.4) It all comes down to a personal relationship with Jesus, not any affiliation with any particular church that saves us.

Philadelphia ~ The Faithful Church

(v.8) The church of Philadelphia faced all the same temptations and persecution of the earlier churches, but God is commending them for keeping the faith, and for persevering.

(v.10) This is another verse that shows us that the faithful believers will be Raptured before the Tribulation comes upon the earth.

Laodicea ~ The Lukewarm Church

(v.14) Cults use this verse to say that Jesus was created, and not God Himself. What they fail to see is that the Greek word used to say "beginning" here, is Arche, where we get the word "architect" from. This word also means authority, and since Jesus created the universe, He is the authority of it as well. John 1:1

(v.16) There are many ways to approach this, for the neighboring towns had hot and cold springs that Laodicea tried to pull from, but the main focus for us is our faith. It's one thing to be an atheist or to deny Christ as our Creator...that is bad. But it's also bad to know who Jesus is, and not do anything about it...lukewarm faith.

This church is prophetic to the state of the church in the last days...apathetic and ineffective.

(v.17) We can see this being so relevant to today, for in most of the Western world, we are rich and forget to praise God for the blessings and wealth He has given us. This is why Solomon didn't want to be overly rich and think that he created his wealth, and not God. Prov 30:9

(v.19) Like a loving parent, God rebukes us to open our eyes and see the right path!

(v.20) Remember, at the beginning of these churches, Jesus was in the midst of them. Now, because the apathy has been so severe, Jesus is outside the church, knocking on the door to come in!

If we let Jesus into our lives to be the LORD of our lives, then we will one glorious day dine with Him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Rev 19:9

11 Dec (Hebrews 11-13)

Hebrews 11

(v.1) Here is a great definition of faith...we don't see God physically, but we see His handiwork in His creation, and by how He works in our lives!

(v.6) This is such a great verse! Without faith, we don't enter heaven. Without faith, we don't learn to know God. With faith, we are blessed abundantly!

(v.7) Remember, Noah was building this huge ark when the people had not experienced rain before! He looked like a fool, and was no doubt being ridiculed for his faith. But what did his faith give him? It saved him from the wrath of God! This is the same typology of the last days...those of us who have faith will be removed from experiencing God's Wrath.

(v.12) If we have faith, we are the Seed of Abraham...he was the first Hebrew (which means crossing over) and we are Hebrews in the sense that we have left our love for this life and this world for a new love of Christ and heaven!

(v.13) Before Jesus paid for our sins on Calvary, the faithful were holding in Paradise, or Abraham's Bosom, until that debt for sin was paid. Once Jesus did that, He went to free the faithful and take them to heaven. Every day after that, we who die in faith go immediately to heaven with Jesus!

(v.27) We are all faced with that same dilemma in our lives...obeying God, or obeying man. It's easy when man's laws and God's laws are the same, but when man's laws contradict God's laws (abortion), then we must stick with God and endure the worldly consequences. The reward is far too great to give it up for a moment in eternity for peace.

Hebrews 12

(v.9) God set up the family unit to train us to obey Him. We are to obey and respect our parents, so we can learn to obey and respect God.

(v.11) We never ask for trials to come into our lives, but they always make us better, and we will reap the rewards for overcoming, in heaven.

Hebrews 13

(v.2) This is a heavy verse! God puts angels into our paths to see where our hearts are. Just think of that the next time we see a bum asking for money. Or when we have a person who rankles us, and instead of responding with anger, we show love...that is what God is looking for!

(v.17) We have no idea the work our pastors do for us...they pray for us, they look out for us, and they motivate us. Give them respect, and most of all, pray for them. Satan likes to make pastors sin, so the whole flock will become discouraged. John 18:14

25 Nov (Phil 3-4)

Philippians 3

(v.7) Think of all the things that the world cherishes...material things, notoriety, fame, fortune...they are worthless to God. What He cares about is my heart...is it open for Him or not?

(v.9) We are righteous in the Father's eyes, because we have the cleansing blood of His Son on us! The Father sees us through Son-tinted glasses!

(v.12) We are still sinners on this earth, but we must press on, to strive to be more like Christ.

(v.20) We believers have a citizenship that can NEVER be revoked, never taken away, and we will enjoy His presence for eternity! That is a hope worth living for!

Philippians 4

(v.1) Crowns are rewards from God...we receive them for winning others to Christ. Of course, God did all the work, but He rewards us for doing our part, and doing His will.

(v.6) Be anxious for nothing...if we have trust in the LORD, then we won't fret about things we can't change. Leave our problems at the foot of the cross, and let Him lead us.
by prayer and supplication...we need to be prayer warriors! Prayer and reading of His Word are the two best ways to grow closer to God.

with thanksgiving...how fitting that this chapter came on Thanksgiving this year! Every day should be a day of thanksgiving, for every day is a gift from God. The hard part is to do His will every day!
let your requests be made known to God...of course, God knows what we desire and what we need, but He loves for us to talk with Him and snuggle up to Him with our needs.

(v.8) If we focus on good, we are more likely to do good. If we focus on evil, then we are more likely to sin...it's as simple as that!
(v.13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. If we are on the side of the Creator of the universe, then how can we fail? Be bold in Christ!!! Rom 8:31

23 Nov (Eph 5-6)

Ephesians 5

(v.1) Those of us who have children, we see that they imitate us. Whether it be acting like they're on the phone, talking in a certain way (hopefully not badly) or any other imitation. They are watching us, and we need to remember that. Paul here is using that model to have us imitate Christ.

(v.3) Paul lists many sins that we have done over our lifetimes, and the purpose is for us to not be in a habit of these things. We will always be sinners on this earth, but we will sin less with the Holy Spirit working in us. If He is working in us, sinning won't be as fun or as enticing.

(v.7) We as parents need to keep track of who our kids play and hang out with. The ideal is for our kids to be friends with other believing children.

(v.8) I always like to use this illustration of what Paul is saying here, by telling my kids that the sun is the light source, and the moon reflects that light in the darkness. God is the sun, and we are the moon...reflecting God's light in the darkness!

(v.11) So many people say, Don't judge me! This is a self-preservation ploy to take the light off their sin. We are to rebuke our family and friends of their sins, but only God judges. But as Paul says here, we are free to identify and expose bad actions and words for what they are...bad. God wants us to be discerning and act accordingly.

(v.16) Redeeming the time...this is like Carpe Diem, the Latin into English, means Seize the day!

We are here at this time in history for a purpose. We have to make the most of what God puts in our paths. That may be just loving and serving our family and friends, or all the way to doing missionary work abroad. Figure out what God has for us to do, and do it!

(v.17) The more we pray and read the Bible, the more we will know what God's will for us is.

(v.22) This is always a sore subject with women, but if they really understand what God is saying here, it makes sense. Jesus is the Groom, and we are the Bride of Christ. We submit to Him, so God has made that template here in marriage. The wives are vital and equal partners in the marriage, but they are to submit to the authority of the husband...like the Church does with Christ.

(v.25) In order for wives to submit, they need to have a husband who is godly. A godly husband will give up his self interests, and love and serve his wife like Christ did for His Bride.

So what we have here, is a reciprocating order, where the Husband gives His life for the Bride, and the Bride loves and submits to the Husband...both are being loved and served at the same time!

(v.32) Back in the Old Testament times, the Church was not seen by the prophets. They wrote of these things, not knowing fully what it meant. God was laying down the Word to show us that He planned to save the whole world...not just the Jews...from sin.

Ephesians 6

(v.1) My kids laugh and smile when I read this to them! They know that they are to obey their parents, but like us parents, we don't always obey our Heavenly Father either! The key is to keep trying and focusing on obedience. When we are walking with God, we have freedom that we never believed was possible!

(v.4) An abusive or domineering father is evil. We are to be firm with our kids, but loving at the same time. Our kids need to see both sides of us.

(v.11) We are at war...the instruments being fought for by God and the devil. In order for us to stay in step with God, we need to do the following:

Gird your waste with truth ~ Know what the Truth is and focus on it

Put on the breastplate of righteousness ~ We have righteousness in our faith in Christ

Shod your feet with the Gospel ~ We are to witness to others the Good News of Christ's work
Take the shield of faith ~ Our faith wards off the devil's attempts to take us away

Take the helmet of salvation ~ We are saved, and we protect ourselves in Christ's work

The Sword of the Spirit ~ The Word of God is a double edged sword, convicting the soul

Praying always ~ It's near impossible to sin when we are praying

If we are going into battle, we need to do these things daily, BEFORE we enter the battle!

18 Nov (Acts 25-28)

Acts 25

(v.11) As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal to be heard by Caesar. This was Paul's chance to preach the Gospel to the current ruler of the world!!!

Acts 26

(v.6) Paul beautifully points out the conversion of the Jews who believe in fulfilled prophecy...they lived according to the Law, but found that Jesus did that for them, so they live by faith in Him.

(v.17) This is what happens when we are born again...we are saved from hell and Satan's grip to God and His promises!

(v.28) How many people do we know like Agrippa? They can see the truth and the logic, but their pride keeps them from believing. We need to keep praying for our family and friends who are not believers. I have seen God work miracles in hearts that were once hard towards Him.

(v.32) Paul was destined to speak to Caesar, and ultimately, to die for Christ.

Acts 27

I like to point out to my kids that Paul had faith in Christ all along, and God provided for them the whole trip!

Acts 28

(v.20) Paul knew his mission...to give the hope of Christ to Israel and the Gentiles.

(v.30) This is a great example of God using us for ways we never thought possible. It seems, at first glance, that Paul is limited and made a prisoner. But if we look at all the letters and encouragement that Paul wrote to the churches, we see that God used that time of Paul's imprisonment to strengthen His Church.

I have to remind myself, that even though I don't always feel that I'm being used by God, I really am. It may be preparation for something coming up, or for me to see the chance to witness to a coworker at a job that is not my ultimate choosing. We need to treat our family, friends and community as our mission field!

12 Nov (Rom 8-10)

Romans 8

(v.1) This is one of the most reassuring verses in the Bible...if we are truly saved, then we will always be saved! This is true because we didn't save ourselves...Jesus saved us. So if Jesus saved us, then He can't lose us!

(v.2) That is why Jesus said He was making a new covenant with mankind...not of Law, but by faith. Luke 22:20

(v.3) Because we are sinful and can't keep the Law, God had to perform the act of propitiation, and take our place! Thank you Jesus!

(v.8) We can only please God if we are acting in His Spirit...if we are acting as the world does, then we are not pleasing God.

(v.14) In the Old Testament, the phrase, sons of God, is referring to angels. That is because they are direct creations of God. Adam was also a direct creation of God. From Eve, to their descendants, we have been reproductions of the creation (Adam).

So what is Paul saying here? He is saying, that by our rebirth in spirit, we are again direct creations of God! Not only that, but as sons (and daughters) of God, we are given His inheritance...heaven!

(v.15) So when we are born again, we are once again direct creations of God and sons and daughters of God. We can call Him Daddy, which is the equivalent to Abba! We are adopted back into His family!

(v.19) All of creation was in harmony before Adam and Eve sinned...it is waiting for everything to be restored in the Millennium.

(v.25) We know that heaven will be wonderful, but for now, we need to work and serve for God, and we will live for eternity with Him.

(v.26) Have you ever been so sad or distressed that words just wouldn't come out? The Holy Spirit knows what you're thinking and feeling, and He prays to the Father for us! That is really cool that God prays for us!

(v.28) This is a verse that all of us need to know when times become hard...He is always with us, and He will work on us so that we are stronger and better off from the trials.

(v.31) If God is for us, who can be against us? I love this verse, since it gives me complete comfort, knowing that God is on my side. Or rather, I'm on His side!

(v.34) Not only do we have the Holy Spirit making intercession for us, but we have the Son...talk about a sure way for the Father to hear our prayers!

(v.38) Nothing can come between us and Christ if we are saved. We can't be unsaved, and He will always be with us!

Romans 9

(v.8) The Promise is the one that God made to Abraham...who is the Father of the Faithful. Not only the Jews, but all who believe in Christ are the seed of Abraham.

(v.15) Notice that God says He will have mercy and compassion on whomever He wishes...those are good things! We should never be jealous of other people's blessings. We should praise God and work to serve God and see what He does with us!

(v.32) The Jews became fixated on the Law, and forgot the righteousness of Abraham by his faith. We have that knowledge, but it's easy to forget.

Romans 10

(v.2) Paul, like Moses before him, offers up his own salvation if God would save the nation of Israel from their religiosity. That is admirable, but everyone must stand before God individually. Our relationship with God is personal...no one can do anything for us, we need to seek God ourselves.

(v.9) Some people say that their faith is "personal" and not to be shared with others. This is against Scripture. If we realize what Christ did for us, then we should be so grateful, that we want others to be saved as well. That can't happen unless we witness and share with others the Gospel.

We can't be ashamed or scared of being a Christian...we will probably be made fun of and perhaps persecuted, but that's a small price to pay for eternity!

10 Nov (Rom 3-4)

Romans 3

(v.2) The Jews were blessed to have God start His relationship with mankind through them. Through them, He gave the world the Bible. But with that came responsibility, and as we read in the Bible, they squandered that. But before we get too judgmental, we do the same thing now.

(v.19) Just as in the parable of the Wedding Feast that Jesus tells the disciples in Matt 22:12 the ones who rejected the free gift of salvation in Jesus, will be speechless when confronted with their sin.

(v.20) Ask your kids why God gave the Jews in the OT the Law...this is important. Did God do that to condemn them to hell, since no one can keep the law? Psalm 14:3 No one can, so why did God give them the Law?

God gave them the Law to point them to Himself!!! If we realize that we can't run our lives on our own, and we are doomed to hell in our sins, then we need a Savior to help us! The Law was given to point us to God...Jesus!

(v.21) After Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, He gave us His Spirit...we no longer need the Law to show us our sin and our need for a Savior...we have His Spirit to guide us and convict us of sin.

(v.23) Since God is perfect and holy, there has never been a human who has attained that holiness...it took God Himself...Jesus, to come and take our punishment for sin. That was the only way for our sins to be washed away...the Holy Lamb of God had to be our Passover Lamb in our place! John 1:29

(v.28) This is the difference of Christianity from any other religion...works doesn't earn salvation, but only the faith in the works of God does!

Romans 4

(v.3) God isn't sitting in heaven with a big calculator, counting out our good works and our bad works. The calculator that matters is our faith! Abraham is our example...he obeyed God because he had faith in God. This was counted or tabulated as salvation in the Father's eyes. The word used in Hebrew means imputed, credited or counted...it's an accounting term. Gen 15:6

(v.13) This is why Abraham is called the Father of the Faithful...and why God said that his descendants would be like the stars in number. God wasn't talking about only Jews from Abraham's family tree, rather, God was talking about all the faithful...Jews and Gentiles!

(v.24) We are heirs of the Father's blessings and love, like Christ, since we died to sin and are born again...just like Jesus did for us!

4 Nov (1 Cor 15-16)

1 Corinthians 15

(v.3) In case you don't know, or wish to have your kids understand the Gospel in definition, Paul gives it to us plainly:

1. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...I stress that Christ fulfilled prophecy since the Jews of that day and many throughout history don't see that Christ was spoken about in detail all through the Old Testament.

2. ...and that He was buried...Christ actually died and was buried. He didn't get revived in the grave, but was dead and God brought Him back to life.

3. ...and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Jesus told the disciples many times He would be killed and rise again in three days. Also, He gave the Pharisees notice that like Jonah, He would die and be alive again in three days. Matt 12:39, 16:4

Verses 5-8 show us that there were eye witnesses, and not just a few, but hundreds...this shows us that this wasn't made up. For if there was any falsehood in these statements, there were people still alive that could refute it...but none did.

(v.12) We often focus on the death of Christ, but not the resurrection. They are both important. Jesus' death on the cross justified us back to the Father. But without His resurrection, we would be lost in death. We needed our Savior to live again so we can follow Him and live again!

(v.22) Adam's sin cursed all of us to be sentenced to hell. But Christ's death and resurrection washes away that curse, and we are alive in Him by faith.

(v.36) Paul uses an illustration that makes sense to the people of that time...farming. A seed is not alive...it is dead. When it is buried in the ground, it will become alive again and bear fruit. Does this sound familiar? When we are born again, we are truly alive, and we bear fruit by our faith and works.

(v.44) Once again, we see why the disciples didn't recognize Jesus after the Resurrection...He was in His heavenly body. God will take one piece of our DNA and make our corruptible bodies into incorruptible. If this is hard to believe, then ask yourself why it's so hard for us to believe that God spoke the universe into existence, and we can't believe He can recreate our bodies?

(v.47) Paul makes a great comparison here...we are born of the earth, since Adam was born of the dust. But when we have a spiritual rebirth, we are born of the Spirit, which is not mortal.

(v.52) Paul gives us a clear and simple picture of the Rapture:

1. Christ will meet all believers in the clouds

2. Those that have already died in faith, will have their DNA raised and given new immortal bodies

3. Those believers who are still on earth, will be lifted up in a twinkling of an eye...that is fast!

(v.58) Memorize this verse...it should motivate us daily!

1 Corinthians 16

Paul gives orders and encouragement to the Church in Corinth, and leaves them with wishes of love and grace!

29 Oct (1 Cor 1-3)

1 Corinthians 1

(v.17) Baptism is great for a public display of our faith, but it doesn't save, and it doesn't help the lost. Paul stresses to them and to us, that the most important thing we can do, once we are saved, is to love and serve others in order that we show them the love of Christ...the Gospel.

(v.18) I love this verse! The university "intellectuals" believe they have life figured out. The work on the cross by Jesus seems foolish to them. That is because they don't want to believe in a God or that they are sinful...doomed to hell. For those of us who do believe, it makes perfect sense, and we are grateful to God for providing the way of salvation in His Son!

1 Corinthians 2

(v.7) If Satan and the leaders he controlled knew the plan of God...they would have killed David and all his descendants. Satan tried to thwart God's plan of redemption for mankind back to Him, but God always had at least one person or group of people to fulfill His plans.

(v.12) The worldly intellectuals don't understand the Word, and they don't see the beauty of it. For if they did, they would become saved. I pray that more do before it is too late.

1 Corinthians 3

(v.6) We learned from some pastor or Bible teacher, we witnessed and shared God's love, but the real glory and credit goes only to God! For in all of that, He was at work...not us.

(v.14) When we face Christ in heaven, He will review our life. Most of it will be burned in truth. But our acts of love will be given rewards...this is what motivates me and all Christians...to earn rewards in heaven, not on this earth.

24 Oct (Acts 16)

Acts 16

(v.6) Here was Paul, inspiring believers everywhere, and he wanted to go to Asia. But the Holy Spirit had His own timing and plans, and He kept Paul from going there. I can relate to this. I once a a great opportunity, or so I thought, to use my talents for a ministry. I was fired up and excited. Other things were happening in my life, that seemed clear to me that this is what He wanted me to do. But doors closed and the opportunity slipped away.

Our thinking is not God's thinking. Our plans are not His. We need to remember that when we believe He is speaking to us, and it doesn't turn out like we hoped.

(v.14) We may hear the Gospel dozens of times spoken to us, before we finally get it and realize we need Jesus. God's timing is perfect, and all we can do is plant the seeds for Him to water and grow!

(v.25) When I read this, I think about my reactions to my problems. Do I rejoice and praise God? Or do I mope, worry or get frustrated? I think all of us do the latter most of the time, but here Paul and Silas show us what James 1:2 is talking about. If we are persecuted, then it is because Satan doesn't like what we are doing for God's people! God allows those hard times in our lives to make us stronger, and better equipped to do the next task.

(v.31) Notice Paul didn't say, "Get baptized, do five hail marys, give your money away..." No, all that is required for salvation is the true faith and belief in what Jesus did for us on the cross!

(v.38) Our kids need to understand that since Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, the treatment of them was against Roman law...the people who arrested them and beat them were guilty and deserving of the same punishment.

16 Oct (Acts 10)

Acts 10

(v.2) We don't know how, but Cornelius was converted to follow Christ, and it turns out he was a generous giver. That is how we should be as followers of Christ...a cheerful giver since we realize what Christ saved us from...eternal torment in hell. 2 Cor 9:7

(v.4) We can't please God by our works...they are like filthy rags compared to the love and works of God. Isa 64:6 However, when we serve and love with a heart that is grateful to God, we do the work of God. Gal 6:2

(v.9) There are two points to make with our children here...first, God speaks to us when we pray. When we are praying, and mostly listening to God put thoughts and ideas into our minds, then we will see what He wants us to do. Secondly, notice that God is working in Cornelius and Peter at the same time.

This is important, for if you believe that God is speaking to you about someone, then more often than not, God is already speaking to that person as well. So when you talk to that person, they will immediately know it's from God, for He had been speaking to that person already.

(v.15) We Gentiles are clean by the blood of Christ. What God has cleansed, is set apart and not common to this world.

(v.25) Take note that only God allows others to worship at His feet...look up the times that angels and men had this done to them, and they immediately rebuked the person for showing worship to them. Only God has earned the right to be worshiped. We may admire and respect Christian teachers, friends and preachers, but we must never put them on the same level as God.

(v.43) This is Peter's version of John 3:16

14 Oct (Acts 7-8)

Acts 7

Steven, a common man of the Church, was filled with the Spirit, and gave a detailed and inspiring recount of the Old Testament! This should be something all Christians should be able to do. In order to understand WHY Jesus came, we need to know the Old Testament first.

(v.51) Steven sounds like John the Baptist and Jesus, where he confronts the hypocrisy and hard hearts of the Pharisees. When we witness, we need to know our audience. Love conquers all, but there are times when we need to confront non-believers with their selfish pride. This will either make them recoil and push you away, or God's Word will pierce their heart, and they will repent. It's not our job to save people, it's our job to share the Good News of Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest!

(v.54) In this case, the Pharisees were hard of heart, and not walking with God. Therefore, they lashed out at Steven, and he became the first martyr of the Church.

(v.56) What a day that will be for all of us, when we see Jesus at the right hand of the Father in heaven!!!

(v.60) In the end, Steven showed love, and called on God to forgive them of their sins. This was like Jesus on the cross, and we need to have the same attitude and heart. We may fight evil here on earth, but ultimately, all people are God's children, and we should wish for them to be saved.

Acts 8

(v.1) Saul of Tarsus (later to be known as Paul the Apostle) was a high-ranking Pharisee who managed the stoning of Steven.

One thing I point out to my kids, is that once Satan lost at the cross, he shifted his work from trying to prevent the Messiah from redeeming mankind to God, to trying to keep as many people from salvation as possible. Satan is still doing that today.

At first, Satan tried to scare and persecute the Church to give up. But what we see here is that the more Satan had the Jews, then the Romans, then the Roman Catholic Church, and then Islam persecute the Church, the more it grew!

Satan is wise, though, and once he saw this, he took another tactic...infiltrate the Church and make it and it's people ineffective for God's work. That is what we are dealing with today in most churches...they are dead.

(v.20) Like Simon here, many churches and "preachers" today use wealth and prosperity as a sign of salvation. They don't talk about sin and the need for a Savior, they focus on living a wealthy life here on earth. This is dangerous!

Jesus said He would give us His rest when we accepted His gift of salvation. Exodus 33:14 & Matt 11:29 However, Jesus didn't promise us a life of prosperity and wealth in this life if we are His...He promised us rest and joy. Those come from the knowledge of His Word, that we are saved and will be with Him in heaven for eternity. In the meantime, we are to endure hardships and work to love and serve others while on this earth.

Do you see the difference?

(v.27) Why was this Ethiopian eunuch in Jerusalem at that time? Many Bible scholars believe the Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia today, and it's their duty, when the Messiah returns, to present the Ark to Jesus...for He is to sit on the Mercy Seat (the lid of the Ark) as His throne to rule for the Millennium. For more on this, check out this website for some interesting info:

http://www.baseinstitute.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=68

It is my belief, that this eunuch was sent to present the Ark, but they didn't know that the Messiah had to die first...then come back as the Conquering King. That is why Philip was spirited to the eunuch to show him Isaiah 53 which details the Suffering Servant and the reason for Jesus to die on the cross.

I believe, one great day, the Ethiopians will present the Ark to Jesus, and we'll be praising God the whole time!

This is one of those subjects that brings up much debate, so please look into this yourself, and see what God speaks to you. Acts 17:11

(v.37) This is why infant baptism is ineffective...the baby doesn't know what is going on. It takes a mind and a heart that knows what baptism proclaims...the death of our old life to sin, and the resurrection of our new life to salvation. That is why my kids have come to wish to be baptized about the ages of 7 or 8, when they understand what it means, and they believe with all their heart.

13 Oct (Acts 5-6)

Acts 5

(v.2) This is important to stress to our kids...it wasn't a sin to save some wealth or possession from the church...we all need to feed our families and pay our bills. What was wrong, was that they made it look like they gave ALL that they had...seeking praise from men.

(v.11) God used this moment, like He did in the days of Moses, to make an important point. The people paid attention, and they didn't cheat the Church or lie to God about their tithes and offerings.

(v.28) The Pharisees reveal their real fears and intentions here...they don't want to lose their own power over the people, and they also know that Jesus' blood is on their hands. They want this to go away, instead of repenting and accepting they sinned. Pride keeps us from God.

(v.34) Gamaliel was a highly revered Rabbi, who in fact, taught and tutored another Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus...the Apostle Paul.

(v.39) Gamaliel was wise...he knew that if this new sect of Judaism, Christianity, was of God, then there would be no use fighting it. But if it were just a false cult, then it would die off. Well, over 2,000 years have gone by, and Christianity is the largest faith in the history of man!

(v.41) They rejoiced at their persecution...that is hard for us to understand. But when we read James 1:2 we see things more clearly!

Acts 6

(v.3) A teacher of God's Word is hindered by doing all the other things of a church or ministry. He needs godly people to do their part, and allow that teacher to pray and preach to the people. Steven was one of those men who was gifted with serving, and he did it well.

(v.13) The Pharisees used the same tactics on Steven they used to arrest Jesus...false witnesses to make a case for death.

(v.15) This is something I and all of us should strive to attain...the look of peace and joy in Christ, that no matter what life throws at us, we have a look of peace like an angel.

12 Oct (Acts 3-4)

Acts 3

(v.6) This coincides with the verse Jesus said in Matt 6:20 regarding treasures and riches. Our riches on earth stay here and are burned. But the power of God is everlasting, and it changes lives on earth and in heaven!

(v.16) God heals those with Faith...we need to put our complete trust and faith in God, and let Him work in our lives, instead of trying to do it for Him!

(v.18) I can't help but think of Isaiah 53 when I read this! Prophecy is important, not only to validate God's Word, but to see that the whole Bible is one long love letter from God!

Acts 4

(v.4) We see throughout this book, that the more the Jews and Satan persecute the Church, the greater and faster it grows!

(v.12) In case you or someone you're talking with thinks all religions lead to salvation, read this carefully and think about it. This verse and many others, like John 14:6 should renew our faith and make us more eager to love and serve Christ.

(v.13) Even the uneducated and untrained speak with authority when they have the Holy Spirit working in them!

(v.18) This verse makes me think of the times we are living in now...the name of Jesus is shunned and denied to be spoken in our government, in graduation speeches, and even in some churches!

(v.29) What a prayer this is! They knew that they would be persecuted and even killed for defying the Pharisees, but they couldn't help but proclaim the LORD to all who would hear! We all need to be more like this...time is running out!

(v.32) The Bible doesn't say that in order to be a follower of Christ, you need to give up your home, your life savings, and all your possessions. The early church did this, in order to organize and be prepared for the coming persecution. What we need to do today, is build strong friendships with other believers, and make ourselves as debt-free as possible, so we can use our possessions for the betterment of the Brethren.

8 Oct (Luke 24:13-45; John 20:24-29)

The Gospels: Jesus Reveals Himself to the Disciples

Luke 24

(v.15) While these disciples were talking about the last week's events, and wondering what comes next, Jesus suddenly appears with them! This is one of many examples we will see of the power of Jesus' heavenly, resurrected body. Our bodies will enjoy the same powers and dimensions that Jesus does!

(v.19) I love this verse! Here was the Creator of the universe, who just was beaten, spat upon, had His beard ripped off His face, crucified and buried, and He has the sense of humor to say, What things? Who says God doesn't like to laugh or tease us!

(v.26) Jesus reminds them that they should have known from the Scriptures what would happen...especially if they read Daniel 9, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53! In addition to that, Jesus told the disciples many times that He would be killed and rise again in three days!

(v.30) We must remember that the host is the one to bless the bread and pray, but they let this stranger do it...why? Perhaps they felt He had authority, and knew it was proper to let Him do it. And when they saw the holes in His wrists, they knew it was Him!

(v.31) Their eyes were opened...isn't that like us as well when we come to see Jesus as the Creator of the universe, who willingly died in our place, so we could be redeemed to the Father for eternity?

(v.32) Doesn't it warm your heart when God is speaking to you in His Word?

(v.36) I explain to my kids that on earth, we experience three dimensions plus time. So four dimensions are all we can understand. However, physicists have discovered that there are at least 10 dimensions in space, so Jesus had the ability to enter rooms and disappear, even though He was flesh and bone. We will have these same dimensions when we're in heaven. I believe Adam and Eve enjoyed these things in Eden before they sinned...then only four were allowed.

(v.39) Here were the men who spent three years, day after day with Jesus, and He told them many times He would be killed and resurrected, yet they didn't believe! This should give us comfort, for in those days our faith is tested, and we doubt. No matter what, if we are His, He will keep comforting us and showing us His love!

Another thing to note...Jesus says flesh and bones...not flesh and blood. This is important...He shed all His blood on the day He was crucified, and that blood was sprinkled on the throne in heaven to wash away our sins forever if we have faith!

(v.45) Jesus used the Word of God...the Scriptures to show them that what they had seen, and what they will see, is what God had the prophets speak about. What a Bible study that must have been!

John 20

(v.25) This is where the term Doubting Thomas came from. Thomas wanted to see the LORD before He would believe. How many skeptics say, If God would just show Himself to me, I would then believe? Our response should be, you see Him every day, in the sunset, in the trees, in the animals, and in a child's laugh.

(v.28) Thomas says something interesting here...My LORD and my God! This is one of many instances that show that Jesus is God, not an enlightened man like Ghandi or Buddha.

(v.29) Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. That's us...we haven't walked physically with Jesus, but He has reached us through His Word, through another Christian, and through His Holy Spirit! That's called FAITH!!!

5 Oct (Matt 27:55-61)

The Gospels: Jesus in the Grave

Matthew 27

(v.55) This is one thing I point out to my daughters...the Christian faith cherishes women! Probably the most devoted and obedient followers of Christ were the many women who administered to Him and the disciples. Unlike Islam and other false faiths, women are not to be viewed as servants in Christianity. As God put it in Gen 2:18, He made woman to be a compliment to man.

True, the man is to be the head of the household, but the woman is an equal contributor in the home, and equal in the eyes of Christ. Gal 3:28

I stress to my daughters, that only the women remained with Christ in His hour of struggle. Only John of the disciples stayed, but the women were faithful.

One other note...the Mary who is the mother of James and Joses (Jude)...that is Mary the mother of Jesus! Mary had other children after Jesus, for we also know this by the testimony of James and Jude, and the word of Matthew in Matt 13:55

(v.57) It was dangerous to be a follower of Christ, and especially after they had crucified Christ, the follower felt they would be next. So why did Joseph of Arimathea approach Pilate? It seems that Joseph was wealthy, and a powerful man in that culture. He probably knew Pilate and had conversations with him from time to time. Also, we see that Pilate didn't want to crucify Jesus, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Pilate in heaven, for he may have come to faith because of the events that unfolded before him!

(v.60) Another reason Joseph was allowed to take this dead "criminal" and bury Him, was to fulfill prophecy. Of course, Pilate didn't know this, but God was working all the time!

We see this if we read Isaiah 53:

And they made His grave with the wicked - but with the rich at His death. Because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Isaiah 53:9

This was fulfilled perfectly!!! Jesus was condemned and killed with the wicked, on the very rock that Abraham was to offer his son, Isaac, on many years before. And in that same rock, a rich man gave Him his grave to be put to rest.

(v.61) We all feel for Mary Magdalene for Jesus was her life...He saved her from a lifestyle of pain, shame and torment, and He gave her a new life. She would not leave Him! What an example she is for all of us!

3 Oct (Matt 27:32-44)

The Gospels: The King on the Cross

Matthew 27:32-44; Psalm 22

(v.33) The hill where Jesus was crucified was called Golgatha in Hebrew, which means skull. In Greek, the word is Calvary.

The hill is aptly named for if you stand about 100 yards away, you can see a skull, where there are two indentions that look like eyes, and another in the mouth area.

Through my own Bible study, I came across something that clicked with me, and I'll share it here for your information, and perhaps, incentive to look for yourself.

In Genesis, God says this to Satan after he tricked Adam and Eve to sin:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. ~ Gen 3:15

We have already looked at the prophecy of her Seed, which is the first hint of the Immaculate Conception. But also take note of what happens between the seeds...the seed of Satan, the Antichrist, will trip up mankind. But the Seed of the woman will bruise the head of Satan's seed.

When Jesus took on our sins that day in history for all mankind, He conquered sin and death. He crushed the head of Satan! Do you see the connection?

(v.35) This was prophesied in Psalm 22:18, and if we read Psalm 22 while reading the accounts of the crucifixion, we will see that God had David write this to point us to the cross!

(v.44) We read in Luke 23:43 that the other two criminals being crucified next to Jesus had a discussion. One was hard of heart and showed his evil nature. But the other one came to see who Jesus was. He asked forgiveness and he acknowledged who Jesus was...that is the equivalent of the Sinner's Prayer!

One thing to point out...Jesus didn't say, "I wish I could save you, but you haven't been baptized." He didn't say, "Say five Hail Mary's and serve your fellow man."

No...all that was needed to be saved was FAITH!!!

18 Sep (John 14:15-18)

The Gospels: The Promise of the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-18

(v.15) We can't just say we are saved, we must show that by truly following Christ and what He teaches. If we are His, then others should see that difference in us.

(v.16) Once we are born again, we are connected with God. We have the Spirit of God in us, and that will last for eternity!

(v.17) Those that aren't saved don't understand that God is with us that follow Him. As Paul says in 1 Cor 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

(v.18) God will never forsake us Heb 13:5 and He will come for us before He judges the world!

17 Sep (John 14:12-14)

The Gospels: Praying in God's Will

John 14:12-14

(v.12) When we read this, we think, "How can I do greater works than Jesus?" But if we think about it, by His power, we can. If we are allowing Him to work in us, we can affect hundreds, and even thousands of people in an instant.

(v.14) I take a lot of time on this verse, so my kids properly understand it. Jesus is not saying that praying in His name is like some secret "abra cadabra" or "hokus pokus" that will allow us to have whatever we want. In fact, that is not praying in His will.

If we are praying for the salvation of a family member or friend, and He wills that to happen, then it will happen.

If we pray for the Spirit to empower us so we can do a ministry or service for others, then He is listening and will empower us.

The key is to take time to listen when we pray, and He will put the thoughts and deeds He wills for us, and we will pray for them to happen.

31 Aug (Matt 15)

The Gospels: Feeding 4,000

Matthew 15

(v.7) Jesus points out the hypocrisy and coldness of the hearts of the Pharisees. He quotes Isaiah to illustrate His point. Isa 29:13

We need to be sure that we aren't just talking a good game, and not living what we are saying. It all starts with each one of us looking in the mirror, and choosing to live more like Christ.

(v.11) Most of what we regret in life, is what we said to someone, and wish we didn't. I teach my kids that God gave us two ears, and one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak!

(v.14) This is where the phrase, "The blind leading the blind" comes from! We can avoid this if we read the Word, and go to a church where the pastor reads the Word in it's entirety...not one verse and tell a story.

(v.22) This was a Gentile woman who knew that Jesus was the descendant from David that was promised! She is like Christians today who learn the Jewish ways, so we can better know Jesus!

(v.24) Jesus came to save Israel, but He also came to save the world. Jesus knew before He created the universe, that the Jews would reject Him, and the whole world would hear of Him.

(v.37) Jesus feeds 4,000 Gentiles and has seven baskets of food left over...He fed 5,000 Jews earlier and had 12 baskets. Remember, numbers mean things in the Bible, and seven represents completion (The Church) and the number twelve represents Israel (12 Sons of Jacob).