8 Dec (Hebrews 3-4)

Hebrews 3

(v.4) Take time to look at God's creation...look at the majesty! Then think on the fact that this current creation is fallen...it used to be so much better! One glorious day, we will see it like it should be! Rev 21:1

(v.19) If we look at the model that God put out for us to study...the Jews leaving Egypt were called by Him. Their wanderings through the Wilderness is like our time here on earth, full of trials and doubts. But their unbelief kept them from entering the Promised Land...those who don't accept what Christ did for us, will be given their wish...eternity separated from God.

Hebrews 4

(v.3) Imagine no more pain, no more worrying, no more hardship...forever! That is what is awaiting us if we push on through this life! This is our time to serve the LORD by loving and serving others! Think of this life as a giant invite to the best party ever...it is up to us to invite and motivate as many who will listen to attend!

(v.9) In this life, we have His peace, but in heaven, we have His rest!!!

(v.12) I have been confronted with such venom by reciting a verse in the Bible! It's not my words, but God's words! When you have this happen to you, remember that truth hurts those who are walking in darkness. Love and encourage them, and let the Holy Spirit do His work!

(v.15) We should never think that God doesn't understand our problems...He was tempted in all ways that we are, and He endured the most horrific and painful death for us! He knows what we go through, and He loves for us to cry out to Him and let Him work in our lives!

6 Dec (2 Peter)

This letter was written by Peter from Rome, shortly before his death. The first letter he wrote, was directed to the Jews in Asia Minor (Turkey). This letter, is directed to Christians everywhere, and in every time.

2 Peter 1

(v.2) Grace and peace come to those who seek God's wisdom, and appreciate what He did for us on the cross!

(v.14) Peter is using a Jewish term, tent, to speak to the Christians. A tent refers to our earthly bodies, where we will shed this tent, and God will make us a new, and incorruptible one in heaven!

It is a fun Bible study to look up the references to tents, and especially the Tabernacle...such great typology!

(v.16) Peter reminds us that he spent time with Jesus, God in the flesh, and saw His miracles first-hand. There were many others that did as well, and if these accounts were fabricated or embellished, then history would have denounced them. The truth is, historians are finding more and more, that every event and person in the Bible were true, in spite of their goals to disprove them!

(v.21) Peter write so well what I've been trying to point out all along on this blog...godly men were told what to write by the Holy Spirit! There is no way that so many different men, who never met, and lived hundreds of years apart, could write the same things with intricate detail without God guiding them!

2 Peter 2

(v.6) As I mentioned in Romans 1 and Genesis 19, God made Sodom and Gomorrah as examples for us to see His anger at sexual sin. The tolerance and acceptance of the lifestyle of homosexuality was their sin. We need to love the sinner like God does, but also pray and encourage the sinner to stop their sinful lifestyles.

(v.14) Whenever I read this section, I can't help but picture all those televangelists who use God's Word to trick people into making them rich. They are not doing God's will, and their thoughts are only about money and lust. One by one, they have been exposed, and to the unlearned eye, they have stained the name of the LORD.

Read the Third Commandment of the Law in Exodus 20:7...we need to represent our King with love and righteousness, not earthly lusts and desires.

2 Peter 3

(v.4) When we witness to our friends and family, we often hear this argument..."I can't see God, and He hasn't come back for over 2,000 years! Why do you believe in such a God that would lead us on for so long?"

Know your Bible, and pray...your witness and your experience with God is the best counter to the skeptic. They can't argue with how God has enriched your life with joy and peace!

(v.8) This is one verse that can answer the question above...God is outside of time, and He works on our salvation tirelessly.

(v.10) Peter was given a vision, and it is the same as John received in Rev 21:1

(v.13) God will recreate what He started in Eden, and this time, sin will not be a factor!

(v.16) If one doesn't know God's wisdom, then they can't see what He's saying in the Scriptures. I pray that this blog is one of many tools to help you know God more, and to inspire you to study the Bible for your own eye-opening epiphanies!

3 Dec (James 3-5)

James 3

(v.8) It is so important to teach our kids not to gossip, and to think before they speak. We all can think of things that people have said to us that still hurt...words can't be taken back.

I like to remind my kids that God gave us TWO ears and only ONE mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak!

(v.13) Let others see our faith by our actions...by love and service to others.

James 4

(v.3) Jesus told us to ask in His name, and we will receive it. This is often misunderstood. We need to ask for things that we need, not just what we want. God doesn't care about keeping up the the neighbors as far as toys and clothes...He cares about our souls. We should be praying for wisdom, like Solomon did, and tools for loving and serving others.

(v.10) It's good to pray at all times during the day, but we also should spend some time each day on our knees...humbling ourselves to Him, and giving Him the respect He deserves.

(v.17) This is important for our kids to know...of course when we do something stupid or selfish, we are sinning. But James points out that we can sin by doing nothing as well. If we know what we should do, and we don't do it, that is a sin.

James 5

(v.7) James uses a great illustration here...the farmer who toiled to prepare and plant the crops, must wait patiently to see the fruit come from it. God does that with us, so we should be that way with God, and let Him bless us on His timeline!

(v.16) This is one of the most important aspects of Church...to have fellowship. We need to be with other believers, to pray for each other, to support each other, and to confess our sins so others can help us since they have experienced the same sins.

(v.20) Bringing someone back to God is an act that God loves! There are times for rebuke, but what works most of the time is loving support. Encourage your friend to seek the LORD, and be there for them to walk back to God.

2 Dec (James 1-2)

James is the half-brother of Jesus...they share the same mother, but their fathers are different. James and Jude were the offspring of Joseph and Mary after Jesus was born of Mary by the Holy Spirit. Matt 12:46, 13:55

James and Jude did not believe that their half-brother was God, and were not believers until after the resurrection of Jesus. James became the pastor and leader of the Church in Jerusalem. This fact is one of many that negate the claim by the Roman Catholic Church, that Peter was the first pope...Peter took orders from James! Acts 15:13

James 1

(v.2-3) This is a different way to think...it is contrary to our nature! But if we are set apart by God, to live for Him, then we should think differently.

It's important to teach our kids, that trials will always be with us in our lives. What James is saying here, is that these trials are opportunities to become stronger in the LORD! The key is to rely upon Him, and to let Him work out the problem for us!

(v.5) God wants us to know Him better, so if we ask for His wisdom, and seek it in His Word, He will provide abundantly.

(v.6) When we pray in His will, we need to do so in faith...knowing that He will respond on His timing.

(v.12) We are tempted every day...what James is speaking of, are the temptations that continually keep us from God. The list of these are many, but search your hearts, and find out what sins consistently trip us up, and seek His help in overcoming them.

(v.13) Critics often say that God tempts us, and He made us sinners...this is false. God made everything good Gen 1:31 but when sin entered the world, death and destruction became a part of life.

(v.15) This verse displays what James is talking about. When we allow ourselves to keep sinning by a certain temptation, then it becomes a lifestyle that prevents us from walking with God. This will lead to death.

(v.19) Wise words...remind your kids of this verse!

(v.22) This is key...we need to show the love of Christ in us by our actions AND our words, not just by words, and act like the world does.

James 2

(v.4) God warns us of showing favoritism to the rich...why? This is pride at its core, since if we are nice to the rich, it's only because we want something in return. What can being nice to a poor person gain us? That is what God is saying here...be loving to all, and let God reward us, not man.

(v.10) Many people try to follow the Law today, and even Paul thought of himself as a strict observer of the Law. But we see here, and by common sense, that NO ONE can keep the Law perfectly...we are fallen sinners, and even the best of us will slip up now and then. It took God Himself to die for us, for no man could keep the Law perfectly.

(v.17) James is speaking to believers here, for if we believe, we should be doers of what Jesus commands us...to love others. John 13:35

(v.26) This is clear...if we are followers of Christ, then people should be able to see a difference in our lives, not just by our words.

30 Nov (2 Tim 3-4)

2 Timothy 3

(v.1-5) Doesn't this describe our society today? The sad thing is, it also describes our churches as a whole! Most churches don't teach the Bible as one book, showing how the Old Testament points to the New Testament, and the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament.

Cults and false religions take only a part of the Bible, and make it their only doctrine, instead of viewing the whole Bible as one book!

(v.12) How is that for a pep talk?!? It is true, however, that as Christians, the world will look at us as the enemy. We will be made fun of, and even persecuted for our faith. We need to know that going in, and by prayer and the support from other believers, we will overcome!

(v.16) This is a very important verse:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God ~ Men physically wrote the Bible, but the words they wrote down were told to them by God in His Spirit. So many authors wrote of things they didn't understand, and even wrote about prophecies that were unfathomable to them, only to be fulfilled centuries later! The only way that could have happened, is that God told them to write those things down, since He knows the end from the beginning! Isaiah 46:10

Scripture benefits us for knowing God's commands to us, for correcting our sins, and for us to know what pure holiness is...and try to attain it!

(v.17) If we know God's Word, we are equipped to share the Gospel, and to help the needy.

2 Timothy 4

(v.3) We need to know the Bible, so we can understand God, and His plan of redemption. We can't be grateful for Jesus dying on the cross for us, unless we know what He saved us from!

(v.4) False prophets and cults lead people away from the holiness of God, using family and traditions to be coveted. Please stick to the Bible, and the Bible only, for doctrine...any other "holy book" is adding or deleting from God's Word.

(v.7) Stay the course, and keep your eyes on the finish line!

29 Nov (2 Tim 1-2)

2 Timothy 1

This is the second letter to Timothy from Paul. This is the last letter that Paul wrote before he was executed in Rome. It seems that Paul knew what was coming, and he wanted his disciple, Timothy, to pastor the church in Ephesus with as much wisdom as possible.

(v.5) I love how Paul makes a point to let us know that Timothy's faith came from the teaching and love from his mom and grandmother.

(v.7) We who are His don't fear death, or what this world threatens us with. Sure, we don't want to go to prison or be killed, but we know what's waiting for us if we do die...eternity with Jesus!

(v.9) God chose us to be His BEFORE He created the universe!

(v.13) If you have a pastor or teacher that sometimes says things that are Scriptural, and sometimes not, then you need to find a new church! The teacher should ALWAYS be reading from God's Word!

2 Timothy 2

(v.3) It's important that our kids know that just because we accept Christ, doesn't mean we won't have hardships and problems in life. God uses those times to draw us closer to Him, and we come out better for it! James 1:2

(v.5) We don't get the crown of salvation by doing good works, or going to a particular church...the rules are that we are to have complete faith and trust in Jesus, then we are saved. John 3:16

(v.15) We need to study the Bible...we need to look at what God is telling us through His Word, so that we can apply it to our lives, and understand God's character more. There is a huge difference between knowing OF Jesus, or knowing Jesus!

(v.23) Kids need us to keep reminding them that the things they think are important are not in the big picture of life! They need to learn to not get so upset over little things, and focus on the goodness of Jesus, which will make them more calm and joyful.

(v.25) We need to be loving and kind when discussing the LORD with unbelievers. We can't get them to listen if they feel they are being attacked or made fun of.

22 Nov (Eph 3-4)

Ephesians 3

(v.6) God first worked with the Jews to reveal Himself to, and to show them how to worship and obey Him. God planned all along to save Gentiles as well, for by faith we are saved, not by culture or ethnicity.

(v.9) God made the universe through His Son...God in the form of flesh. Jesus is God, and a part of the Holy Trinity. John 1:1

(v.12) Once Jesus died for our sins, we had redemption and access to the Father once again! There had to be a price for sin, and that was God Himself...dying on the cross as our perfect Passover Lamb! Thank you Jesus!!!

(v.18) These are the four dimensions we experience in life, but quantum physicists believe there are at least 10 dimensions in the universe. This makes sense, since Jesus lost practically all of those dimensions when He became man, but regained at least some of them when He appeared and disappeared suddenly after His resurrection.

Ephesians 4

(v.5) This is often cited by people that believe we should baptize our kids in water as newborns. If this were true, then Jesus' words to Nicodemus were a lie...we need to be baptized spiritually in order to be born again...that is what allows us to enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:5

(v.24) When we are born again, we are a new creation of God! We still have our old habits that we need to abandon, but we are focused on the things of God, and not of Satan!

(v.26) You've heard the phrase to not go to sleep mad at your spouse or your friend...this comes from here in the Bible. No matter how upset we are, we need to pause to pray, and talk things out lovingly. Only pride makes us avoid the discussion, and has us push away loved ones.

(v.29) One of the best ways for others to see where your heart is, is to stop cussing and saying mean and dirty things. Prov 8:7

(v.30) The Holy Spirit is a person...a part of the Trinity. We can't grieve a thing or a force, if we say and indulge in evil things.

20 Nov (Col 3-4)

Colossians 3

(v.2) We are to think and desire upon Jesus and heaven...not of this world. If we do that, things that happen on earth won't bother us as much as they used to. We have the hope in Christ of things to come in heaven!

(v.4) When Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation, we will come with Him! He will conquer evil and we will be appointed as rulers during the Millennium.

(v.8) One of the best signs that we are following God, is if we don't curse and say nasty things or dirty jokes...we won't want to engage in those things if we are trying to be more like Christ.

(v.14) Nothing shows our faith better than love does...love others and let our actions witness to them instead of just words.

(v.18) Wives are to let the husbands be the head of the home...like Christ is the head of His Church, the Bride of Christ. This doesn't mean that women are inferior, but God does want order and has given us the model for the best way for a family to grow closer to the LORD. The mother/wife nurtures and provides love and wisdom daily to the family, while the husband/father leads the family spiritually and provides for the family.

(v.19) We husbands are to adore our wives...treat them with love and affection. There is a phrase that fits this verse: A happy wife leads to a happy life!

Colossians 4

(v.1) For anyone that has employees or people that work for them, remember that we all serve a higher boss...God! Be fair and just, like our Father in heaven is fair and just.

(v.2) Prayer is the key to our walk with God...if we do it less, we will see our walk slowing down.

(v.6) When we witness to unbelievers, we need to be confident in God's Word, but to share it with grace and love...like Paul, we need to know who we are talking to so we can present God's Word in truth, but in a way that they understand and will listen to.

With that said, the reference to salt is important...salt makes food taste better like witnessing with love. But it also agitates wounds...much like the truth pierces the darkness and causes some to lash back. Don't be afraid of that, for the truth is the truth, and let the LORD's Spirit do the rest!

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!

16 Nov (Acts 20-21)

Acts 20

(v.7) As we can see, the early church had worship and teaching, then they ate together. This is what we would call communion, but as I said before, it wasn't a piece of cracker and some grape juice! They had a meal together, where bread and wine would be the common items served with other things.

My family gives thanks before we eat every meal...remembering what Jesus did for us. Luke 22:19

(v.9) Here is a little humor in the Bible, because the man is made alive! It seems that Paul must have been going on and on, and the man fell asleep, which made him fall out the window! I don't feel so bad when I get a little groggy at church!

In reality, though, if the teaching is good, and the Word of God is being spoken, then I find it hard to fall asleep...it makes me alive!

(v.24) This is what being dead to the world, and alive in Christ is all about! If we are born again, then the things of this world that used to be important, are not anymore. Also, Paul yearned to be with Christ, so if he was killed, he knew he would be in heaven! Not having our grip on this world allows us to think like Paul.

(v.25) Paul knew that he was going to die soon.

(v.25) Give your family and friends the Gospel, and let the LORD do the rest!

Acts 21

(v.11) Paul's fate is revealed in prophecy.

(v.13) Paul was ready to die for Christ. This is a big distinction from Islam, where they MURDER for Satan...er...allah.

(v.14) Here was Paul, preaching the Gospel, and it seemed that the LORD wanted him in heaven. I bet some in the early church were asking, "Why?" We can relate, when a believer is killed or dies young, and it seemed they had so much to do for the LORD. We don't know God's ways, but if we look at the time after Paul, so many took his lead and preached the Gospel covering more ground and reaching more people. It almost looks like God knew what He was doing!

1 Nov (1 Cor 9-10)

1 Corinthians 9

(v.5) Here is where the early church was discussing tithes, and how to support the teacher/pastor. Some said they should only support teachers that weren't married, so they wouldn't have to support a whole family. Paul is citing Peter and other disciples who teach and are married.

Unfortunately, the Roman Catholic Church argued about the same thing, but chose to say that only pastors or priests can be celibate and unmarried. This way, they didn't have to take care of the family and his descendants. There was no Scriptural reason to do this, but it was about money and power.

(v.10) This is like a business...the owner should work for the bulk of the profit, but the helpers get a piece as well.

(v.17) Teach your kids not to be ashamed of the Gospel, and to share it with their friends. God will reward them, even though some kids might make fun of them, it will be worth it!

(v.19) This part can be summed up in one sentence...know your audience when you're sharing Christ, and try to relate to them by what they are comfortable with and what they understand.

1 Corinthians 10

(v.4) The Rock is Jesus and we know this by many references to the Rock in Scripture. Your kids might find it fun to look up all the references to rock in the Bible...Jesus will be in all of them!

I also take notice to stress to my kids that Peter is not the Rock...Jesus is the Rock...and what Peter said in Matt 16:18 was that Jesus is the Son of God. That is what the Church is built upon...not Peter.

(v.11) Why do we read the Bible? We do to learn from what others did, and to come to know God better. When we see what God said, and what He did with the people in the Word, we get a better idea of what He wants for us.

(v.13) This is a key verse for young kids...especially teenagers! We are not powerless over sin. God had been tempted in every way like us, and He lived without sin. He will provide a way for us to escape sin and temptation, but we have to be willing to escape. That is the key.

(v.31) We should not get drunk or eat things given to idols, otherwise, we are to be moderate in food and drink, and give thanks to God for His provision. That is why Jesus blessed the bread and wine, since the Jews had those two things for every supper. We are to give thanks to He who provides for us when we sit down as a family to eat.

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.

25 Oct (Acts 17-18)

Acts 17

(v.2) Paul knew the Old Testament Scriptures very well, and after being shown the light by Christ Himself, saw that the entire Old Testament was speaking of Jesus! This is important for all of us Christians to understand. Too many new Christians stay in the New Testament, and don't understand or even try to understand what the Old Testament is saying. We can't understand clearly why Jesus died for us if we don't know the Old Testament. We have to know the Jewish traditions and roots to understand our Jewish King Jesus! Luke 24:44
(v.6) Jesus said that His life and message would make everything different. Matt 10:34 Who Jesus is and what He did for us, forces all of us to make an important decision...will we accept what He did or will we choose to be our own god?

(v.11) Let me say this again...I am sharing what I've been taught by good Bible teachers, my own studies, and by the Holy Spirit. However, everyone must test what they are being taught by the Scriptures, and see that it goes with the flow of it, or against it.

(v.23) We must learn from Paul here...he noticed that the people were spiritual, but they didn't know who God really was. He complimented them on their spirituality, but directed them to the only true God. That is what we should do with friends and family that are following cults or false teachings. Let them know that they are right to seek, and help them find Jesus!

Acts 18

(v.3) It is right and just for a pastor to live off the tithes and offerings of the church. God did the same framework with the Levites who were the priests of the Jews. However, Paul wanted to teach all of us, that we should not live off other's work. We should work for our pay, and not be a financial burden to others. Too bad our government forgot that years ago, and tries to take the place of God and His Church!

(v.9) If we have Christ in us, then we can be bold and take comfort knowing He is with us. Remember Romans 8:31

(v.26) We can learn a lot from these godly ladies...don't rebuke another believer in front of others if you can help it. Take them aside and speak to them in love. Even in this case, where Apollos was speaking correctly, but not the whole story, they didn't inform him of this in front of the people he was teaching to. Again, we need to teach our kids (and ourselves) to respect others and think of them before we blurt out things.

25 Sep (Matt 24:32-51)

The Gospels: No One Knows When the Rapture Will Occur

Matthew 24:32-51

(v.35) Jesus uses the imagery of the fig tree to illustrate that things blossom and die. But His Word and His love will never die!

(v.36) Jesus is speaking of the Rapture here, and we see that only the Father knows what day that will be. Your kids may ask why the Son doesn't know, well, I don't know either! It seems that in the Trinity, each person has His own purpose and role to play. It seems that the Father is like the brain of God, Jesus is the body, and the Spirit is the soul. Together, they make perfection, and like them, we are made in that image...mind, body and soul.

(v.37) If we look back to Genesis 6 the world had rejected God. The world was a cold and hateful place, where Satan and his fallen angels had corrupted the seed of men. It looks like it will be that way again in the last days, and God will have to intervene one last time to make it right.

(v.40) The Rapture will freak out those who were left behind! They will have neighbors, coworkers, and family members that are suddenly gone. We should be busy about witnessing to them, since like God, we should wish that none will be left behind.

(v.44) Just like the Jewish wedding ceremony, our Groom will come for His Bride at an hour that we can't predict. The Rapture will happen, and then God will focus again on Israel.

20 Sep (John 15)

The Gospels: Joy in Christ

John 15

(v.2) Jesus uses an illustration to make His point...He is the root and the trunk, and we are His branches. If we are connected to Him, we will bear fruit by loving and serving others. The more we do this, the more God will empower us and bless us so we can do more.

(v.7) Like before, when we pray, we should pray for what we know to be in His will, and He will answer our prayers.

(v.8) Jesus came to glorify the Father, so if we are loving and serving others, we are giving glory to the Father!

(v.11) Have you been around people, who even in dark moments, seem to have an inner joy that won't let them get depressed or discouraged? That is the joy that Jesus is speaking of here. After all, the Apostle Paul said it best in Rom 8:31

If God is for us, who can be against us?

(v.13) Jesus loved us so much, that while we were filthy sinners, He died for us! This is also illustrated by our soldiers in wars...where they give up their lives for their friends to live. That is love, when we don't care about our own lives, but instead, deeply care about others.

(v.16) If the President of the United States called you and asked you to do a task for him, don't you think you would do it, and with gusto? Then we should do the same and more for God...He chose us to represent Him on earth, and He has plans for us!

(v.18) When we witness to the lost, sometimes they say hurtful and mean things to us...but we must try to remember that if we're only saying what is in God's Word, then they are mad at God, not us. We need to share God's Word, and let the Holy Spirit convict their souls to repentance.

(v.26) The Holy Spirit's job is to point us to Christ. Jesus pointed the Jews to the Father, and He does today, but the Spirit is in us, and reminds us of Christ. The Holy Trinity works as One.

6 Sep (Luke 10)

The Gospels: The Good Samaritan and Servanthood

Luke 10

(v.2) Jesus sent out seventy disciples two-by-two Ecc 4:9 to reach the lost. Jesus tells them:

The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few...

There is so much to do for the LORD, but we all only do a little. I teach my kids that I am guilty of this, and it's my prayer that we all try to love and serve others in the name of Jesus more!

(v.3) We must always remember that while we are in the world, we are amongst evil. We need to pray and be equipped in the Word in order to fend off the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:13

Also, remember that Jesus commanded us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matt 10:16

(v.18) This could be when Satan and his fallen angels were kicked out of heaven for good!

(v.24) We are even more blessed today, since we have the Bible, and the prophecies from the prophets that are coming to life right in front of our eyes daily!

(v.33) The Good Samaritan parable is self-explanatory, but I also like to point out that the good person in this parable is a Gentile...quite shocking to the disciples and the Jews who heard it! The Church needs to act in this manner today!

(v.39) We will read more of Mary and Martha in the next post, for they are the sisters of Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead in John 11 & Luke 16

Martha can be easily seen as the selfish one in this event, but let's remember that she was a believer, and she was gladly serving the LORD. She was frustrated that her sister wouldn't do the same. This is an important lesson for us...we can get too tied up in serving that we forget the true reason we serve...Jesus! Mary was doing the best thing...listening to Jesus when He is speaking!

29 Aug (Luke 12)

The Gospels: Wise Servants & Beware Hypocrisy

Luke 12

(v.1) The Pharisees were supposed to be teaching the people, and helping them grow closer to God. But in reality, they were only growing their power, and condemning the people for their sins. They were too focused on the Law and traditions, that they forgot what they were for! Remember, leaven is like yeast, and it puffs up like pride...God hates pride...Satan rebelled because of pride.

(v.2) Isn't this reassuring? God will not keep His wisdom from us, but we need to be seeking and looking for it, in order to attain it.

(v.5) Too often, people fear evil people on earth, and not what happens after death. Our days are numbered, so we need to make the most of them and focus on the One who has the power to cast us into hell, or welcome us into heaven!

(v.8) Christianity is not private...we are to share God's love and what He did for us on the cross to all who will listen. Then, we let the Holy Spirit do the rest!

(v.15) A successful life is not measured by what we attain in material things or financial wealth. Jesus shows us that what is important, is to love others in His name, and reach out to the lost...that is what builds up rewards and treasures in heaven, that NO ONE can take away from us.

(v.31) If we stay focused on what God is leading us to do, He will provide for us.

(v.34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Amen!!!

(v.48) We need to remember that with God's blessings, comes expectations. If we are given His wisdom and situations for us to be giving, we need to follow through with love and service to others.

(v.51) People who don't know Christ, think that He is love...He is, but He is also the One to bring wrath and justice upon the earth in the last days.

23 Aug (Matt 10)

The Gospels: Jesus Chooses the Twelve Disciples

Matthew 10

(v.7) When Jesus was on the earth in His first coming, the kingdom of heaven was there. They were charged with representing their King as ambassadors...we are to do the same today.

(v.20) It's hard sometimes to come up with the right words in certain situations, and we also are fearful that we may misspeak. We need to trust in the Holy Spirit, and He will speak for us.

(v.24) As someone who is learning from my Master, I am His disciple. I am being disciplined in the ways of my Master. We who are His are His disciples, and His ambassadors on earth. We need to always remember this when witnessing.

(v.32) I love this verse! I often hear skeptics say that being a Christian is a personal relationship with Christ, so it is private. I agree with the first part, but here Christ tells us to share His work with the world. How can we be saved and not want others to be saved as well, if we have the love of Christ in us? It's one thing to be a blowhard, but we should share what Christ has done in our lives to all who are seeking Him.

(v.34) Because Jesus is God in the flesh, and He died for our sins...we have a choice to make. This choice will either strengthen or divide families. Jesus wants our hearts, and if that means that those who wish to reject Him are less in our lives, then so be it. Of course, we should always be loving and try to reason with that family member or friend that rejects Christ, but we should never compromise our faith to get along with others.

Mar 30 (Psa 29, 33, 65, 66)

Songs of Joy

Psalm 29

(v.2) In our prayers, we need to always remember who God is...He is the Almighty, who made the heavens and the earth. He is all powerful, yet He is love. His grace and mercy are endless, and if we start our prayers with this frame of mind, we will be praying in His will.

The bulk of this song refers to the awesomeness of God's voice. There are many references to God's magnanimous voice in the Old Testament.

When we have a big thunder and lightening storm, I like to sit in our covered porch and watch the show with my kids. I teach them that God's voice is like the deafening thunder...but it's also soft like that is described in 1 Kings 19:12.

God speaks to us in times of trouble with a loud voice, and often in a soft voice through prayer, through reading His Word, or through friends or family.

(v.11) We need to remember that we are on God's team...we have the best Captain ever!

Psalm 33

(v.4) Although the Bible has been translated into many languages and formats, the Word of God is pure. If we look at the original Hebrew and Greek words of the Old and New Testaments, we will see that God is precise, and without error. If we let skeptics persuade us that the Word is tainted, then what do we have to base our beliefs on? If one part of the Word is false, then how can we trust it? We are then left to man's judgment and reasoning, and we see through history, that it is sinful and proud.

The Bible is the Word of God, and the more we study it and understand it, we see that all of the books of the Bible are inspired by God.

(v.12) God established the people of Israel, starting with Abraham and his sons, but making them a nation by Moses leading them out of Egypt. God chose to reveal His character and plans for us through the people of Israel.

God also established the United States of America. He used the USA to be a beacon of light to the world...through its freedoms, He used it to be the most evangelical nation ever. God used America to reach all the ends of the earth with the Gospel.

Today, our once great nation has pushed God away from it. We are not a nation that fears God in our institutions and laws. Individuals still love and fear God, but we've allowed the unbelievers to alter the intent of our Founding Fathers and of God. If we wish to see God back in our schools, courthouses and government, then it's up to us believers to lead the way.

Psalm 65

(v.4) All of us have a desire to know God. In that sense, all of us are chosen by God. However, few of us actually accept what Jesus did for us, and let God be the Master of our lives. If we do, then we are His Chosen Ones. If we don't, then we were called, but chose not to follow God.

I tell my kids that this is like when your friend sends out birthday invitations out. You were chosen to enjoy the party, but it's up to you to accept and attend. Those that attend and enjoy the party are like those that accepted Christ and will be joyous for eternity in heaven with Him.

Psalm 66

(v.5) We read about the awesome miracles that God did for the Jews of Israel, and we sometimes wonder if God is still around. Yes He is...He is in the starving child in Africa who accepts Christ, He is in the terrible earthquakes that devastate a land, but bring revival and many people to accept Him. He is in the emergency room, where a person is near death and there's no hope, but people are praying for healing, and defying all reason and medical logic, the person is restored.

Miracles happen all around us every day...we just need to have our eyes open to see them!

(v.10) God doesn't cause us to sin or make mistakes, but He does allow trials to come into our lives, so He can mold us and strengthen us. James 1:2 tells us that God uses hard times for us to make us stronger and more useful for Him. It's when we are in hard times, that we stop and think about our priorities...not when all is going smoothly.

(v.16) The hardest part about being a Christian for many people, is to share God with others. We have a fear of looking or sounding foolish. We are still learning the Bible, so how can we bring others to Christ?

The best witness to others is to tell them what God has done for you in your life. No one can argue with that, and it's a personal thing that connects with people.

After that, when your friend has questions, you can share the Word with them and let the Holy Spirit bring them to Christ.