Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category

Spiritual Training 06 December 2011

Posted: December 6, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command

John 12: 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, and expensive perfume, she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair.  Ant the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

 John 12:4-6 But one of his disciples Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him objected, why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?  It was worth a year’s wages.  He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money, he used to help himself to what was put into it.   

John 12:7-8 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Judas used a pious phrase to hide his true motives.  But Jesus knew what was in his heart.  Judas’s life had become a lie, and the devil was gaining more and more control over him.  Satan is the father of lies, and a lying character opens the door to his influence.  Jesus knowledge of us should make us want to keep our actions consistent with our words.  Because we have nothing to fear with him, we should have nothing to hide.

This act and Jesus response to it do not teach us to ignore the poor so we can spend money extravagantly for Christ.  This was a unique act for a specific occasion, and anointing that anticipated Jesus burial and a public declaration of faith in him as Messiah.  Jesus words should have taught Judas a valuable lesson about the worth of money.  Unfortunately, Judas did not take heed; soon he would sell his Master’s life for 30 pieces of silver.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  

Proverbs 6:1-5 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 6, 2011 in Bible Study, Scripture Memory, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command

Proverbs 6:1-5 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go and humble your self; press your pleas with your neighbor!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.  Free yourself, like a gazelle from that hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 

These verses are not a plea against generosity, but against overextending one’s financial resources and acting in irresponsible ways that could lead to poverty.  It is important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship.  God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he does not promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment.

Proverbs 5:3-10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 5, 2011 in Acceptance, Battle of the Mind, Beliefs, better than life, Bible Study, business pratices, Churches in Maryland, clean break, Daily Motivation, Dear Woman, Encourgement, evil men, Fear, Fear of rejection, Fellowship, fools, government policies, Happiness, Healing, Human Suffering, Inspiration, Jesus Answer, Job Opportunity, Justice, Security, and Happiness, Personal Growth, rebukes, Scripture Memory, Security, Self-Talk, Sudden disaster, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, valid criticism, winning
0

Under Gods Command 

Proverbs 5:3-10 – For the lips of an adulterous drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edge sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.  She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. Now then, my sons listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.  Keep to a path far from her; do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man’s house.   

This “adulteress” is a prostitute.  Proverbs includes many warnings against illicit sex for several reasons.  First, a prostitute’s charm is used as an example of any temptation to do wrong or to leave the pursuit of wisdom.  Second, sexual immorality of any kind was and still is extremely dangerous.  It destroys family life.  It erodes a person’s ability to love.  It degrades human beings and turns them into objects.  It can lead to disease.  It can result in unwanted children. Third, sexual immorality is against God’s law.

Any person should be on guard against those who use flattery and smooth speech (lips that drip honey) that would lead him or her into sin.  The best advice is to take a detour and even avoid conversation with such people.

Spiritual Training 05 December 2011

Posted: December 5, 2011 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command

 John 12: 1-3 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  Here a dinner was given in Jesus honor.  Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.  Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, and expensive perfume, she poured it on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair.  Ant the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.   

John 12:4-6 But one of his disciples Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him objected, why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?  It was worth a year’s wages.  He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money, he used to help himself to what was put into it.   

Judas often dipped into the disciples’ money bag for his own use.  Jesus knew what Judas was doing, but never did or said anything about it.  Similarly, when we choose the way of sin.  God may not immediately do anything to stop us, but this does not mean he approves of our actions.  What we deserve will come.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  

 

Proverbs 02:10 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 2, 2011 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Happiness, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 2:11 Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you. 

 Discretion is the ability to tell right from wrong.  It enables the believer to detect evil motives in men and women.  With practice it helps us evaluate courses of action and consequences.  For some it is a gift; for most it is developed by using God’s truth to make wise choices day by day.  Hebrews 5:14 emphasizes that we must train ourselves in order to have discretion.

 

Spiritual Training 02 December 2011

Posted: December 2, 2011 in Acceptance, Bible Study, Encourgement, Happiness, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command
Lazarus Becomes Sick and Dies

John 11:38-44 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone, Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out” The man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Jesus friend Lazarus was dead. His brief sickness proved stronger than any available medicine. Jesus had been sent for, but in their eyes he had failed to arrive in time. Death didn’t wait. Following the wisdom of hot countries, the body was soon wrapped and buried. Four days later, Jesus arrived. Lazarus’s sisters, Mary and Martha, reacted in shock. Grief-stricken, they struggled to understand why Jesus had delayed in coming. We have no idea how Lazarus reacted to his own death; In fact, we don’t have a record of a single word he said. We do know that he listened to Jesus. Even when the curtain of death was between them. Lazarus responded to Jesus voice. He came hobbling out of his cave-tomb, still wrapped with strips of linen. Jesus raised him from the dead!

When all is said and done, only what God accomplished through us will really matter. We will take little credit. Jesus worked in and around Lazarus just as he does with us. We have Christ’s invitation to participate in his work, but we must not forget that he will do much more than we will know. Meanwhile, we delight in what Christ does with the little we have to offer him. Lazarus’s resurrection poses an important question: When you die, do you fully expect that your next conscious experience will be hearing the voice of Jesus call you by name.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 1:10-19 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: December 1, 2011 in Bible Study, Encourgement, Inspiration, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command (Warning Against Enticement)

Proverbs 1:10-19 (10): My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. (11): If they say, “Come along with us; lets lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul; (12): Lets swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; (13): we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; (14): throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse (15): my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; (16): for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. (17): How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! (18): These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! (19) Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Sin is enticing because it offers a quick route to property and makes us feel like one of the crowd. But when we go along with others and refuse to listen to the truth, our own appetites become our masters, and we’ll do anything to satisfy them. Sin, even when attractive, is deadly. We must learn to make choices, not on the basis of flashy appeal or short-range pleasure, but in view of the long-range effects. Sometimes this means steering clear of people who want to entice us into activities that we know is wrong. We can’t be friendly with sin and expect our lives to remain unaffected.

Spiritual Training 30 Novermber 2011

Posted: November 30, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command
Lazarus Becomes Sick and Dies

John 11:21-27 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Jesus has power over life and death as well as power to forgive sins. This is because he is the Creator of life. He who is life can surely restore life. Whoever believes in Christ has a spiritual life that death cannot conquer or diminish in any way. When we realize his power and how wonderful his offer to us really is, how can we help but commit our lives to him! To those of us who believe, what wonderful assurance and certainty we have: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19)

Martha is best known for being too busy to sit down and talk with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). But here we see her as a woman of deep faith. Her statement of faith is exactly the response that Jesus wants from us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Spiriual Training 18 November 2011

Posted: November 18, 2011 in Battle of the Mind, Bible Study, Spiritual Training, The book of John, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command
Jesus encounters crucial events in Jerusalem

John 11:1-3 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

As their brother grew very sick, Mary and Martha turned to Jesus for help. They believed in his ability to help because they had seen his miracles. We too know of Jesus miracles, both from Scripture and through changed lives we have seen. When we need extraordinary help, Jesus offers extraordinary resources. We should not hesitate to ask him for assistance.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 17:09 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: November 17, 2011 in Bible Study, Spiritual Training, trust in the Lord with all your heart, Uncategorized, Under Gods Command
0

Under Gods Command

 Proverbs 17:9 – He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.    

This proverb is saying that we should be willing to forgive others’ sins against us.  Covering over offenses is necessary to any relationship.  It is tempting, especially in an argument, to bring up all the mistakes the other person has ever made.  Love however, keeps its mouth shut-difficult though that may be.  Try never to bring anything into an argument that is unrelated to the topic being discussed.  As we grow to be like Christ, we will acquire God’s ability to forget the confessed sins of the past.

Older Entries
Newer Entries