SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

BE MY VALENTINE

2012-02-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 283 February 19, 2012
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When I say, “Be my valentine“, I am not necessarily thinking of hearts, chocolates, flowers, and gifts. They may be appropriate under the right circumstances. Nor, am I thinking of one day of the year to celebrate.

Putting aside my inherit aversion to public demonstrations of emotions, and the origin of Valentine’s day, I can hardly totally ignore it. Besides, there is a lot said in the Bible about love. I Corinthians 13: is called the “Love Chapter“ of the New Testament. Also, John is especially known for his often spoken admonition that Christians should love one another. If the Bible says we should do something, then we should. We have no excuse not to. If it is also said that if there are three commands, God really means we should do it now, but what about this? I simply searched the words, “love one another” and my computer promptly showed, not one time, not two, not three times, but 19 times! And that does not count other variations in the wording. As Christians, we are to be known for our love for one another.

Paul wrote these beautiful words: (In current English, the word “charity” here should now be translated “love”) I have made that change here.

1 Corinthians 13:1-10

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

(1 Corinthians 12:10, 2 Corinthians 12:4, Revelation 14:2, Psalm 150:5)

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not (love), I am nothing.

(Matthew 7:22, Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 11:4, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4:1, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 15:51, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23)

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not (love), it profiteth me nothing.

(Matthew 6:2)

4 (Love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

(Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Peter 4:8, Acts 7:9, 1 Corinthians 4:6)

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

(1 Corinthians 10:24, Philippians 2:21, 2 Corinthians 5:19)

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

(2 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 John 4, 3 John 3f)

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

(1 Corinthians 9:12)

8 (Love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

(1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13:1)

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

(1 Corinthians 13:12)

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

This describes true, meaningful Christian love, not to be confused with what currently is so often called love in song or print. I once returned a film to our local library with a sticker label adhered suggesting that it be destroyed as it was pure garbage. It was not pornographic, but it had disgusting dialog and no story line or message at all. God wants our lives to be a message of Christian love for Him to a world that surely needs it but probably has no idea of what it really is.

It requires action. “God so loved the world, that He gave…..,” Gave what? “His only begotten Son.” Why? That we might be able to have life eternal with Him.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

FEBRUARY

19th. Sunday – Exodus 21, 22, Mark 4:26-41, Psalm 22:19-31
20th. Monday – Exodus 23, 24, Mark 5:1-20, Psalm 23
21st. Tuesday - Exodus 25, 26, Mark 5:21-43, Proverbs 5:15-23
22nd. Wednesday - Exodus 27, 28, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 24
23rd. Thursday - Exodus 29, 30, Mark 6:30-56, Psalm 25:1-11
24th. Friday – Exodus 31, 32, Mark 7, Psalm 25:12-22
25th. Saturday - Exodus 33, 34, Mark 8, Proverbs 6:1-11

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 809 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

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Our weekly Bible Letter
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Questions and discussions
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Favorite Scripture Quotation
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Representing 70 world languages
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Short Bible studies
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Suffer he little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10:14b

__________

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Notable Quotations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I try to lose weight, but it keeps finding me.

My figure does nothing for me, so why should I do anything for it?

Diet is 'die' with a T.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and fat are really good friends.

Every time I think about exercise, I lie down until the thought goes away.

Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

I am not fat! I am big boned.

Mama taught me to clean my plate; she didn't teach me not to pile it high.

I'm thinking of all the starving children in China, like Mama said.

Forget health foods. I need all the preservatives I can get.

THE LORD'S SUPPER

2012-02-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 282 February 12, 2012
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Matthew 26:26-30
King James Version (KJV)

THE PASSOVER OF THE OLD

When Jesus and his Apostles reclined at the Passover Table to observe that feast, they had no idea that this was not to be only the memorial they had observed all of their lives. It was to be the last of their old covenant with God, and the first of the new one. This was a feast, ripe with symbolism to draw their memories back to their deliverance from Egypt. The unleavened bread; the Passover lamb, indeed every portion of the Passover observance was, and is still today, observed by orthodox Jews every year. The prophetic meaning of the blood sacrifices of the Old Covenant were climaxing in the final blood sacrifice of the Son of God. The Old Covenant was being fulfilled before their very eyes.

At the close of this feast, Jesus used the same emblems, the unleavened bread and the wine to introduce God’s New Covenant with His people. Building upon the Old, Jesus makes the link with the New.

THE LORD’S SUPPER OF THE NEW

The Bread

This was not just any bread. In preparation for the Passover, every trace of yeast is searched out and removed from the house and from those items to be used. Yeast is an impurity in bread inserted in the recipe to cause the bread to rise and be filled with tiny bubbles. It is killed by the baking process, making the finished loaf lighter because of those bubbles. Symbolically it represents sin. So, one uses unleavened bread for the communion service. Christ is without sin. The bread which represents his body is without leaven.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

(Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, 1 Corinthians 10:16, Matthew 14:19)

The Cup

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Since I am not familiar with wine making, I can’t say with certainty if the wine of Jesus’ day did or did not use yeast. Certainly the good wine of the wedding feast was fresh. And just as certain the Communion Wine of today is very alcoholic. The same word is used for either, but because of the search for every trace of yeast before the Passover feast suggests to me that it was probably also without.

I know from experience that the water of Jerusalem is undrinkable and there was a warning of the bath room tap, “Do not drink.” Bottled water was sold everywhere for those who did not wish to drink wine. Timothy must have had a problem.

The cup of the communion, representing Jesus’ blood, would have been pure.
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(Exodus 24:8, Hebrews 9:20, Matthew 20:28)

Christ shed his blood and died for our sins. This memorial has been observed in memory of that fact when his followers gather to worship, “on the first day of the week” throughout the world. This is his command. “This do in remembrance of me.”

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

We look forward to drinking it with him in Heaven. While I eat grapes, I personally reserve their juice for this memorial alone and look forward to drinking it with him at his wedding feast in Heaven.

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
(Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:31-34, Matthew 21:1)
There is no comment of the hymn, but the Talmud and tradition, suggest Psalm 118 to close the Passover meal.

________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

FEBRUARY

12th. Sunday – Exodus 6, 7, 8, Matthew 27:32-66, Psalm 20
13th. Monday – Exodus 9, 10, Matthew 28, Proverbs 4:20-27
14th. Tuesday - Exodus 11, 12, Mark 1-27, Psalm 21:1-7
15th. Wednesday - Exodus 13, 14, Mark 1:28-45, Psalm 21:8-13
16th. Thursday - Exodus 15, 16, Mark 2, Psalm 22:1-8
17th. Friday – Exodus 17, 18, Mark 3, Proverbs 5:1-14
18th. Saturday - Exodus 19, 20, Mark 4:1-25, Psalm 22:9-18

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 808 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books

__________

WEDNESDAY WAS MY 84TH BIRTHDAY, THANKS TO THE LORD

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
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Notable Quotations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The world asks, 'What does a man own?' Christ asks, 'How does he use it?' " - Andrew Murray (1828-1917), South African evangelist and writer

"The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application." - Miguel de Cervantes

"Wealth shines in giving rather than in hoarding: for the miser is hateful, whereas the generous man is applauded." - [Anicius Manlius Severinus] Boethius

"I was once young and now I am old, but not once have I been witness to God's failure to supply my need when first I had given for the furtherance of His work. He has never failed in His promise, so I cannot fail in my service to Him." - William Carey

"Things themselves do not remain, but their effects do. Therefore we should not be mean and calculating with what we have but give with a generous hand. Look at how much people give to players and dancers-why not give just as much to Christ?" - John Chrysostom

THE SERVANTS AND THE HEIR

2012-02-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 281 February 5, 2012
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Matthew 21:33-45 King James Version

Webster’s defines a parable to be “a story that illustrates a moral lesson.” After our retirement, I worked as a volunteer filing the records of a Christian Care Center. They always had a stack of unfiled records. There were certain levels of division in everything to be placed in the folder, usually of an individual staff member or resident. In most cases, the proper name was not sufficient. That was only the first step. The second step was the position in the file. There were several things to consider, insurance, why they had a file at all, if tie document dealt with finances, and so on.

Jesus taught with stories. We call them parables. There was always a literal application, and many of those who heard them only heard the stories as stories. Many of the children’s stories, fairy tales, are like that. They have a literal meaning, and the children usually hear that, but as they grow more mature, they realize, no, there is more to that than just a simple story. Some were political in meaning, some otherwise.

The Pharisees knew the scriptures well. Literally they felt they were superior to the masses who followed Jesus. They knew the law, they, like the rich young ruler on another occasion, strove to keep the law, and to just be sure, they had a whole system of protective fences set up. As examples, they tithed even the mint in the garden and the spices, and travelled only so many feet in the Sabbath Day, but they also made a whole set of methods to break the principle. You could leave an old shoe at the place where you had walked that legal distance, and this permitted going as far again, for the shoe was your property. You could declare your wealth “dedicated to God,” and neglect their widowed mother’s needs. This scripture is a parable, but it has a deeper meaning. The Pharisees saw it as a story, a liberal faith, would see that only, and say, “The Bible is full of fables.” The faithful follower of the Lord, looks for the real meaning, simply cloaked in the parable.

This is “another” parable. He had just told them of the parable of the two sons.
33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

(Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19, Isaiah 5:1-2, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 21:28,

Matthew 25:14)

This parable, concerns the church, which has the responsibility to carry God’s Word to the nations. God has sent His Word through prophets, angels and finally His own Son, Jesus Christ.
Judaism has never been particularly evangelistic. They accept proselytes, but don’t particularly go to the nations.

34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
(Matthew 22:3)

As Jesus spoke with the Pharisees he reminds them that, as a people, they have beaten, killed and stoned the prophets, and rejected, even the angels that God has sent. In desperation, He finally gave His own Son. (John 3:16-17) Why, because He loved the entire world not only their nation. They are the husbandmen in this story. This is playing out a parallel to the garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. God made that very special place for them and they were there to care for it. When they sinned, they were put out. Even now, He is making another place ready for His own. We call it heaven.

35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
(Matthew 22:4)
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

They here, pronounce judgment upon themselves. God does not judge in so much as He will enact the judgment we have brought upon ourselves by our daily lives.

Jesus is the one by which we measure ourselves. Few modern buildings really have a corner stone as such, but they all have a point from which all over measurement are taken. Jesus describes that point as “the head of the corner.” God so loved the world that he sent His Son to be the head of the corner. He was talking about the church! What the Jews did not do, He turned over to the Gentiles. But, if the Gentiles do not do it, what will He do? We have seen what He has done with nations. Powerful nations, even empires have risen and fallen or stagnated when they turned from the Word, to follow men, or men’s religions. Much of the world worships power and wealth these days. When God gives wealth, there is a reason, and it not for personal edification. With it, comes responsibility.

42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Jesus applies this lesson to the individual. He is the point of reference, we rise and fall according to what we do with Jesus. Our nation will rise or fall according to what we do with Jesus. The whole “building” of the church, is measured from its point of reference Jesus Christ. That is what Jesus meant when He said to Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

FEBRUARY

5th. Sunday – Job 32, 33, Matthew 24:26-51, Proverbs 4:1-9
6th. Monday – Job 34, 35, 36, Matthew 25:1-23, Psalm 18:26-36
7th. Tuesday - Job 37, 38, Matthew 25:24-46, Psalm 18:37-42
8th. Wednesday - Job 39, 40, Matthew 26:1-30, Psalm 18:43-50
9th. Thursday - Job 41, 42, Matthew 26:31-56, Proverbs 4:10-19
10th. Friday – Exodus 1, 2, 3, Matthew 26:57-75, Psalm 19:1-6
11th. Saturday - Exodus 4, 5, Matthew 27:1-31, Psalm 19:7-14

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 807 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14
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Tidbits of Wit

It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, there's shipping and handling too!

Teacher to Parent: "If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens during the school day, I'll promise not to believe everything she says happens at home."

I'm willing to make mistakes if someone else is willing to learn from them.

CHURCH TRADITIONS

2012-01-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 280 January 29, 2012
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Matthew 15:1-9 King James Version (KJV)
Dating, at least, from the time that Moses went up the mountain to receive the ten- commandments from God, mankind has had the attitude, “We never did it this way before!” It wasn’t just the leeks and other foods of Egypt they missed. Egypt had set the example of worshipping all manner of gods. Many were represented by idols. Now, this Moses, had come back down the mountain after a long stay, with a set of laws engraved on stone and the idea of only one God. He found that they had taken the gold they had brought from Egypt, and made themselves a golden calf they could see and worship as they had seen others do in Egypt. Yes, in his anger Moses had shattered the ten-commandments, and utterly destroyed the golden calf before he went back, empty handed, to get another set of commandments from the Lord. They had to change from many gods, to one God, and a whole new concept of what is right or wrong. And they struggled, and they complained. One generation crossed the Sea, but it was a whole generation later that crossed the Jordan.
Many generations later, we are still struggling with the habit of resisting change in our worship style. When the church was young, Barnabas sold land and gave the money he received to Peter to aid the infant church in caring for the needy in Jerusalem. This was a good thing and God blessed it, but Ananias and Sapphira, when they saw and heard the people speaking well of Barnabas, did the “same.” The only difference was their motive, and that they kept part of the money and told Peter that they were giving all. They were adding lies to greed and envy. Without realizing it they were starting a new tradition; a little different, but appearing the same.

1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

(Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23, Mark 3:22, Mark 7:1, John 1:19, Acts 25:7)

2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

(Luke 11:38)

In 1955, when we first moved to Kimberley, the African churches were delighted to have missionary speakers and to celebrate with a church dinner just after services. No matter how many people had thronged the place of worship, they customarily placed the speaker, and all missionaries present at the door and as every person filed past, shaking their hands and then stepping into line to also shake hands with everyone else. Then they wondered why all the American missionaries wanted to wash their hands before eating! They never bothered.
This is not the same washing meant this text. Devout Jews observed a very set way of washing the hands and it had to be done precisely. Soap and clean water had little to do with it. It was a tradition, just as the communion bread had to be literally broken off a larger piece, because we “break bread.” We have broken tradition, it seems when we placed the Lord’s table in a side room, at least when I last actually saw it. The pulpit soon followed, where I do not know, as did using the Acts 2:38 scripture as a scripture lesson on the reason we immerse, other than the meaning of the word itself. Some churches have actually done away with the use of water at all. Now our Piano and Organ are hidden behind curtains. Times are changing things. Since we are not offered evening worship, city style, we recently visited an nearby church and enjoyed a delightful evening in a crowded service where there was no piano to start with, and no “stringed or percussion instruments,” someone off in a corner started the hymns the words and music for which were projected very clearly for the rest of us.

Every church has its own traditions today, and that is why there are so many denominations. We have followed men, and not the Word.

3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

(Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9)

5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

(Isaiah 29:13)

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
(Colossians 2:22)

IS IT OF THE WORD?

God gave the Holy Spirit to be our ever present guide and comforter, but are we replacing Him with our own traditions, rather than those of God?
__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

29th. Sunday – Job 13, 14, 15, Matthew 21:1-22, Psalm 17:1-5
30th. Monday – Job 16, 17, 18, Matthew 21:23-46, Psalm 17:6-12
31st. Tuesday - Job 19, 20, Matthew 22:1-22, Psalm 17:13-15

FEBRUARY

1st. Wednesday - Job 21, 22 Matthew 22:23-46, Proverbs 3:21-36
2nd. Thursday - Job 23, 24, 25, Matthew 23:1-22, Psalm 18:1-6
3rd. Friday – Job 26, 27, 28, 29, Matthew 23:23-39, Psalm 18:7-15
4th. Saturday - Job 30, 31, Matthew 24:1-25, Psalm 18:16-24 _______

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 806 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” – Matthew 15:8-9
__________

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________

The man told his doctor that he wasn't able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination was complete, he said, "Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me?"

"Well, in plain English," the doctor replied, "you're just lazy."

"Okay," said the man. "Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife."

THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN

2012-01-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter 279  January 22, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________
AFRICA TRACTS GEMS BIBLE STUDIES BOOKLETS
Here is a text which rises from a statement made by the self righteous Pharisees who were always on the watch for something that they could use against Jesus. They could not deny that He performed miracles so they questioned the source of His power instead. Only a few verses earlier we see the context. Here, it is important. “When the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” (Matthew 11:24)

Even without it’s foolishness, this is a ridiculous statement to start with. Very basic to settling a disagreement, whether in a debate, a war, or a simple conflict is the phrase, “divide and conquer.” Jesus reminded them of this fact when he said, “every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city of house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?”

God sent His Son for the very purpose of making a way for the sins of the world to be forgiven. That, he did, through his death on the cross, making the last great blood sacrifice for sin. He did not defend himself when he was arrested, nor when he was tried in a mock trial, abused, beaten and finally nailed to a Roman cross. He willingly gave his life, because that was the only way in to make redemption possible. Bur, there is a sin, that can not be covered by this. It happens only to a believer who has given his heart to the Lord, then takes it back and returns to his old sinful ways attributing the work of the Holy Spirit, to Satan.

Matthew 12:31-37 King James Version

ALL, BUT:

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

(Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, Luke 12:10)

THE HOLY GHOST

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

(Luke 12:10, Matthew 13:22, Matthew 13:3, Mark 10:30, Luke 16:8, Luke 18:30, Luke 20:34-35, Ephesians 1:21, 1 Timothy 6:17, 2 Timothy 4:10, Titus 2:12, Hebrews 6:5)

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

(Mark 7:16-18, Luke 6:43-44, John 15:4-7)

LIKE THE SERPENT

The danger of a poisonous serpent is in his mouth. Even the constrictors of the serpent world who first crush their victims, then swallow them, all the poisonous kind carry their poison in their mouths. The serpent in Eden, with his mouth and with the power to speak to Eve, used his lies to deceive her. Losing that ability to deceive many of his kind now still spread their poison literally through the mouth.
Vipers, cobras, mambas adders, rattlers, in all their variations, it is their mouths to fear. They are all dangerous.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil,speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

(Matthew 3:7, Matthew 23:33, Luke 3:7, 1 Samuel 24:13, Isaiah 32:6, Matthew 12:34-35, Matthew 15:18, Luke 6:45, Ephesians 4”29, James 3:2-12)

One reveals through his mouth what is in his heart. This being a fact, we need to be careful what is in our hearts. What do we read? What do we seek after?

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

(Proverbs 10:20-21, Proverbs 25:11-12, Matthew 13:52, Colossians 4:6)

It is often the little things that trip us up; the idle words. Have you ever tripped over a ten foot high boulder? No, it is a small stone that we did not notice at all that tripped us. It is in the idle chatting that we are prone to slip.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
(Matthew 10:15)

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

22nd. Sunday – Genesis 44, 45, Matthew 15:1-20, Psalm 13
23rd. Monday – Genesis 46, 47, Matthew 15:21-39, Psalm 14
24th. Tuesday - Genesis 48, 49, 50, Matthew 16. Proverbs 3:1-10
25th. Wednesday - Job 1, 2, 3, Matthew 17, Psalm 15
26th. Thursday - Job 4, 5, 6, Matthew 18, Psalm 16: 1-6
27th. Friday – Job 7, 8, 9, Matthew 19, Psalm 16:7-11
28th. Saturday - Job 10, 11, 12, Matthew 20, Proverbs 3:11-20
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Questions and discussions
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Representing 70 world languages
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” – Matthew 12:32b

__________

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

Signs You Have A Bad Apartment...

It's the same bedroom you had as a kid, but now your parents are charging you two grand a month.

Your building's security system is a cardboard cutout of Clint Eastwood.

Rent must be paid in small, non-sequential bills.

Every time you pass the doorman, he's wearing another article of your clothing.

You can't get through your bedroom door because of the yellow police tape.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The company psychiatrist was interviewing a young friend of mine. As she sat in the chair, the psychiatrist asked a series of questions to determine if she was emotionally suitable for the company. Things were not going well for my friend.

The psychiatrist decided to try a new approach, to give my friend one last chance. He asked, "if you could have a conversation with someone, living or dead, who would it be?"

My friend quickly replied, "The living one!"

JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

2012-01-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 278 January 15, 2012

Matthew 9:10-13 King James Version

10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

(Matthew 11:19, Mark 2:16, Luke 5:30, Luke 15:2)

12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

(Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31)

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

(Matthew 12:7, Hosea 6:6, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:32, 1 Timothy 1:15)

It is a fact that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s will, and that God loves everyone, (John 3:16.)

Jesus came to fulfill his Father’s purpose. What he taught, and who he taught, was his Father’s will. It is the will of the Lord God that all have an opportunity to receive the forgiveness of sins. This is the background and reason for the great commission of Matthew 28:19.

He not only commanded us to go to all nations, but he set the example himself. Isaiah had prophesied, “And leaving Nazareth, he came down and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, and the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nepthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and the shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:13-18.)

Where he went, and as he went, he spoke to the people. Recall, his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in Samaria. Most Jews despised Samaritans and would have ignored this woman of bad reputation. More than once Jesus went to the aid of Romans. The Romans held their nation as an oppressed people. Pharisees hated both of these peoples and avoided all contact with them they could. Not once do we ever see Jesus turning anyone away because they were sinners; not even the woman taken in the act of adultery, not Matthew the tax collector for Rome, not even Judas who betrayed him with a kiss. No sin was too evil for him to be filled with compassion for the sinner. Why was that? It was because sins do not come in degrees of evil in God‘s sight. All have sinned. There are no black-black lies and no little white lies. We are told that there will be no liars enter into heaven; no mention of what degree of lies. As Paul said “Of such were some of you.” There are no social drinkers, and no alcoholics, the statement is that there will be no drunkards, and probably none of us can be certain that we would not abuse that addiction, thus it is safer not to place that burden of decision upon ourselves. Even as a sailor, I never had an alcoholic drink, and there were many others like me in that. The same could be said of Marijuana, crack, painkillers, or whatever. I prefer to under-medicate on any medication I take, so long as it accomplishes the purpose.

But we are off the point. Jesus did not avoid sinners, they were everywhere, and they needed him the most. Likewise, since all have sinned, if they have not accepted the Lord and been obedient to him in repentance and baptism, they are our challenge. We rub shoulders with such people every day. Even in the retirement home where we live, spiked punch, is common on certain occasions. The party becomes far more boisterous at those times, but they now know to bring me Sprite, not from the punch bowl. The vital words of the great commission are “as you go, teach.” It is part of living to go. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water. He was breaking several “No, No’s” in doing that. This was a woman, she was a woman of bad reputation, she was a Samaritan., and they were alone in a remote place. It seems not to be where most women gathered to fill their water jars. A present-day setting could be, a woman, a prostitute, a woman of a different race than our own, late at light on a dark street corner. Now Jesus would not have us put ourselves into such a setting, but what is he saying, is “As you go, teach, all nations whatsoever I have commanded you, baptizing,” and he set the example by doing what he asked of us. Let us not be so concerned about whether they have believed and lived an acceptable life in the past that we forget we who have been sent. We are just the messenger, the carrier of good news. Jesus came to save sinners. Let us go for the same reason.

Only we have the light that will take away darkness. We are sent to do the same.

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

15th. Sunday – Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 9:12-20
16th. Monday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
17th. Tuesday - Genesis 34, 35, Matthew 13:1-23, Psalm 10:1-11
18th. Wednesday - Genesis 36, 37, Matthew 13:24-43, Psalm 10:12-18
19th. Thursday - Genesis 38, 39, 40, Matthew 13:44-58, Psalm 11
20th. Friday – Genesis 41, Matthew 14:1-21, Proverbs 2:12-22
21st. Saturday - Genesis 42, 43, Matthew 14:22-36, Psalm 12
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. – Matthew 12:35

__________

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________
Tidbits of Wit

Have you ever considered the awesome power of the spoken word?

For instance:

Waiter: What'll you have for dessert?

First Diner: Nothing for me.

Second diner: I'm stuffed.

Third diner: Couldn't eat another bite.

Waiter: It comes with the dinner.

First Diner: Ice Cream.

Second Diner: Pecan Pie.

Third Diner: Chocolate Layer Cake.

EVEN JESUS WAS TEMPTED:

2012-01-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 277 January 8, 2012

Lest we feel that we are especially singled out for Satan’s attention, we need to realize that even though we read that the angels of heaven are rejoicing, Satan has also made note and we can expect a period of temptation that we might return to our old ways with our old friends with whom we did those things. Even our Savior Jesus Christ, immediately after He was baptized to set an example for us, and received the blessings of God, His Father, was led into the wilderness where Satan attempted to destroy his ministry, even before it began. “we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Let us take note of how Jesus responded to temptations, and follow His divine pattern.

(1 Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” God has promised that there is no temptation that we, personally, are not able to escape. As we read our text, note those. Verse 14 points out that one of them is to flee.

16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 5:16)

Matthew 4:1-11

TO LOSE HIS TRUST IN HIS FATHER’S PROVISION.

The temptations of Jesus, all singled in on the fact that he had taken an earthly form, so that would be his weakest point, and in this the first went for his faith in His Father. His body was crying for food. Try not eating for forty days! You can be certain that none of us would make it. Recently the doctor wanted to have blood tests done, so she made an appointment for us with the qualification that we must fast. She said nothing after midnight until the appointed time the following morning. She was apologetic, and my wife put a granola bar in her purse to eat on the way home. That is not a fast, not really.

You can be certain that Jesus was really hungry.

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
He did not make those stones into loaves of fresh baked bread. What we need for Spiritual strength does not come from loaves of bread, it comes from the Word. God would provide physical food, but not in answer to temptation.

TO USE HIS POWERS FOR SELFISH REASONS.

This seems such a simple way, to put on a “show” for all the doubters, just step off the top of the high temple and float gently to the pavement beneath. How often was the demand “show us a sign!” to be asked of him throughout his ministry? But, He never used miracles for the sake of entertainment and self-glory. They were used for others and to affirm his divinity before the Word was recorded in writing.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

One of Satan’s strongest powers is “half-truths” and scripture taken out of context. He has used that trick with great success in providing the many religions and cults even today. Scripture is still the best commentary you can consult today. As an example, read all the scriptures on “baptism” in your Bible. When you have finished, you will have consulted everything God has to say about it; when; who; how; why! You can do the same with nearly any major doctrine, faith; prayer; worship. Never make an application with only one scripture. That is called a “proof-text” and is nearly always taken out of it’s context.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

TO SEEK A SHORTCUT WAY.

Jesus had come to die on the cross, be buried and rise again on the third day. There could be no shortcut. What Satan was saying is “Just worship me, and you don’t have to die. The world is mine and I will give it all to you.” It had worked with Eve, then he said, “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 2:4,5) No command of the Lord is open for making a counter offer. There are no shortcuts. What God has said, will be. God gave His Son knowing that he would have to die. (John 3:16,17)

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
The Christian has made the choice to serve the Lord and to obey His every command directed to him. Like Jesus, confront temptation with Scripture.
__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

8th. Sunday – Genesis 16, 17, 18, Matthew 7, Proverbs 1:8-19
9th. Monday – Genesis 19, 20, Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9
10th. Tuesday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Wednesday - Genesis 24, Matthew 9,18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Thursday - Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Friday – Genesis 27, 28, Matthew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Saturday - Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
__________

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Questions and discussions
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http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And, behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12
__________

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________

Tidbits of Wit

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance!

For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

A balanced diet is having a cookie in each hand.

When you get tired talking to your friend about God--, talk to God about your friend.

HOME AT LAST!

2011-12-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 276  January 1, 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________________
AFRICA TRACTS GEMS BIBLE STUDIES BOOKLETS

Revelation 21:22-27 King James Version

The Tabernacle and the magnificent temples in Jerusalem were provided on earth for Israel to have a place that they could point to as the Home of God. And they could go to worship Him. Even today the Holy of Holies, the heart of the temple, represented the presence of God and it was before these structures that the people gathered for prayer and worship. Orthodox Jews still do not stand on Temple Mount in case they might tread on holy land. They gather at the Wailing Wall to pray and worship. (It is a remnant of the retaining wall safely distant from the actual site of the temple itself.)
We do not expect to see the building of the Temple in heaven, for to be in Heaven is to be in the very presence of God always. John writes:
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
(Matthew 24:2, John 4:21, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 14:4)
Light is used throughout the Bible as an indication of the presence of God. God spoke to Moses from the fire of the burning bush. The Tabernacle was filled with Light and smoke when God entered into it; also the temple. In Heaven, the presence of God and His Son, assure eternal light. Without light, life could not exist on earth, just as without the light of Christ and the Father heaven could not exist. We picture Hell as being a place of darkness lighted only by smoke and flames.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
(Isaiah 24:23, Isaiah 60:19, Isaiah 60:20, Revelation 21:25, Revelation 22:5, Revelation 21:11, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 14:4)

Christians from all over the world shall walk peacefully in Heaven.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
(Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:5, Psalm 72:10, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:16, Revelation 21:26)
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
(Zechariah 14:7, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 22:5, Revelation 21:12, Revelation 21:15, Isaiah 60:11)
26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
(Psalm 72:10, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:16)
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
(Isaiah 52:1, Ezekiel 44:9, Zechariah 14:21, Revelation 22:14, Revelation 3:5)
Revelation 22:1-5
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
(Revelation 1:1, Revelation 21:9, Revelation 22:6, Psalm 46:4, Ezekiel 47:1, Zechariah 14:8, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:17, Revelation 4:6)
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
(Revelation 21:21, Ezekiel 47:12, Genesis 2:9, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 22:14, Revelation 22:19)
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
(Zechariah 14:11, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 7:15)
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

(Psalm 17:15, Psalm 42:2, Matthew 5:8, Revelation 14:1, Revelation 7:3)
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
(Zechariah 17:7, Revelation 21:25, Isaiah 60:19, Revelation 21:23, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:27, Matthew 19:28, Romans 5:17, Revelation 20:4)

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

JANUARY

1st. Sunday – Genesis 1, 2, Matthew 1, Psalm 1
2nd. Monday – Genesis 3, 4, Matthew 2, Psalm 2
3rd. Tuesday – Genesis 5, 6, Matthew 3, Psalm 3
4th. Wednesday - Genesis 7, 8, Matthew 4, Proverbs 1:1-7
5th. Thursday - Genesis 9, 10, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 4
6th. Friday – Genesis 11, 12, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 5
7th. Saturday - Genesis 13, 14, 15, Matthew 6, Psalm 6
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 802 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://pricceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And, behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12

__________

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

________

A feisty 70 year-old woman had to call a furnace repairman.

After a quick inspection, the man put some oil into the motor and handed her a $70 bill for labor.

"Labor charges! One hour?" she exclaimed. "It only took you five minutes!"

The repairman explained that his company had a minimum one-hour charge on every house call.

"Well, I want my remaining 55 minutes of labor," the lady responded, and she handed him a rake.

The repairman spent the next 55 minutes in her yard bagging leaves.

CHRIST IS BORN, BETHLEHEM

2011-12-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter 275 December 24, 2011
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Luke 2:1-20
Our family has four daughters, all are American, but two were born in America, one in Namibia, and one in South Africa. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, but the prophets had foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, so God caused Caesar Augustus to decree that everyone must return to the place of his family origins and pay a tax. Joseph and Mary‘s background required them to return to Bethlehem to be counted in a census and pay that tax. It was God’s timing that this should cause Jesus’ birth to be at Bethlehem and fulfill that prophecy. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(Matthew 22:17, Luke 3:1, Matthew 24:14)
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
(Matthew 4:24)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
(Luke 1:27)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Matthew 1:25)
Surprisingly we were not shown an inn site, but there are two sites for the stables. One is almost literally under the dividing wall between two church buildings. One enters the very old Greek Catholic building, is shown part of the mosaic floor of a still more ancient building that once stood there; then passes down a set of stairs past the traditional site of the stables, and emerges on the other side of the wall into the Aramaic church. We were told that there is a nearby cave that is also a possible alternative site. Bethlehem is a very hilly area, and is probably still surrounded by shepherds with their flocks. I don’t recall any obvious evidence of farming nearby. It is only a few miles from Jerusalem.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
(Luke 1:11, Acts 5:19, Luke 24:4, Acts 12:7)
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
(Matthew 14:27)
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Matthew 1:21, John 4:42, Acts 5:31, Matthew 1:16, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 16:20, John 11:27, Luke 1:43, Acts 2:36, Acts 10:36)
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
(1 Samuel 2:34, 2 Kings 19:29, 2 Kings 20:8, Isaiah 7:11, Isaiah 7:14)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Matthew 21:9, Luke 19:38, Luke 3:22, Ephesians 1:9, Philippians 2:13)
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
(Luke 2:51)
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
(Matthew 9:8)
While the Matthew account is included with the Christmas events, it clearly tool place several months later. These visitors had seen this new star and interpreted it to mean that a new king had been born. Three types of gifts were brought, but there may have been more in the company, and probably were as they had travelled many miles through hostile country. Joseph and Mary, and Jesus had found a house after others had returned home, and Joseph had probably established himself in his trade. But, Bethlehem was not to be their permanent home. He was to come from Egypt. God warned the wise men to return home by a different way that would not be through Jerusalem, and told Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt
Herod was the power in Jerusalem, and when he heard of these visitors, their wealth, and why they had come, he was very angry. A new king! He was the king! He issued a decree that all the baby boys near Bethlehem be killed. It was quickly done, but baby Jesus was already on his way to Egypt not to return until Herod was dead.
Matthew 2:1-11
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(Micah 5:2, Luke 2:4-7, Luke 1:5)
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

(Jeremiah23:5, Jeremiah 30:9, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 27:11, Luke 19:38, Luke 23:38, John 1:49, Numbers 24:17)
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
(John 7:42)
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
(Micah 5:2, John 7:42)
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
(Numbers 24:17)
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
(Matthew 1”18Matthew 12:46, Matthew 24:14)

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

DECEMBER

25th. Sunday – Zephaniah 1, 2, 3, Revelation 19:1-9, Psalm 147:12-20
27th. Monday – Haggai 1, 2, Revelation 19:10-21, Proverbs 31:10-20
27th. Tuesday – Zechariah 1, 2, 3, 4, Revelation 20, Psalm 148:1-6
28th. Wednesday - Zechariah 5, 6, 7, 8, Revelation 21:1-12, Psalm 148:7-14
29th. Thursday - Zechariah 9, 10, 11, Revelation 21:13-27, Psalm 149
30th. Friday – Zechariah 12, 13, 14, Revelation 22:1-9, Psalm 146
24th. Saturday - Esther 9, 10, Revelation 18:12-24, Proverbs 31:21-31
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 801 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:23

__________

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
________

A surgeon, an architect, and a politician were considering the question of whose profession was the oldest.

"I think my line of work would win this one hands down," the surgeon said. "After all, Eve was created from Adam's rib, and that sounds like surgery to me."

"Maybe," the architect said, "but before Adam, order was created out of chaos. That was architectural accomplishment."

"Sure," the politician said. "But before that, someone had to create the chaos."

Bob and Phyllis Mills

NUMBER - 666

2011-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 274 December 18, 2011
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Revelation 13:11-18 King James Version

Two beasts dominate this chapter of Revelation. Both of them are servants of the Dragon, (Satan). The first seems to represent the Roman Empire at its peak of political power. The known world was dominated politically. At that time Greek was spoken throughout the empire, roads were built to enable the military to travel rapidly to far-flung cities where there might be rebellions. But. in time there arose another beast.

This is the one we are concerned here, because the message is still that of Satan, but the emphasis here is more of a spiritual nature, and believers are especially targeted. Satan is the master of “half-truth” lies, so this message often sounds good, but soon twists the conclusion to be revealed, a lie. His specialty is a multiplicity of “churches.” The protection is to know the word so that these are evident, and to make it possible to have an answer. Scripture speaks of “false prophets,” and “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” We can recognize them by their lives, and words. This text speaks of “horns like a lamb,” but, one who “speaks as a dragon.” (demon)

ANOTHER BEAST

11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

(Revelation 13:1, Revelation 16:13, Daniel 8:3, Revelation 13:4)

This second beast has all the power and the message of the first, but he claims to follow Christ, just twisting the truth into a lie. He has added religion to his political power. His purpose is the same, to destroy the faith of all believers. As an empire, he failed, but as an apparent believer, he will succeed for a time.

12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

(Revelation 13:4, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:15, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 16:2, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 13:3)

PERFORMS MIRACLES

The wonders he performs, added to his deceptive message will convince many, and masses will flock after him. We see it in the mega-churches of today, in the masses of responses to “miraculous” healings, the hypnotic effect of following the masses attracted by music copied from the world.
We have yet to witness the fire from heaven, but it will come. The talking image is already not only possible but here. How many have heard all the toys that talk just as you pass by, or the greeting cards that sing and speak?

13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

(Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 13:3)

14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

(Matthew 24:24, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 19:20, 1 Kings 18:38, Luke 9:54, Revelation 11:5, Revelation 20:9)

DEATH TO THOSE WHO REJECT

The time is near when these will be placed in religious images, if not already, and a built in camera will record if you have “paid homage” to the idol or not.

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

(Daniel 3:3, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 16:2, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:4)

HIS MARK

The name of this second beast is not given, but his number is. I have in my Bible collection, a New Testament called the Numeric Translation. That is a version based on number values for the letters and words. Very evident is the fact that our computers are all based on numbers, not letters of the alphabet. The number of the second beast is 666.

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

(Revelation 11:18, Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18, Galatians 6:17, Revelation 7:3, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 20:4)

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

(Galatians 6:17, Revelation 7:3, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 15:2)

HIS NAME

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

(Revelation 17:9, Revelation 21:17)

Whether it is physically or emotionally, the forehead, and mind, and the hand and serve, are the same. Revelation 19:20 reveals the judgment for either.

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012

DECEMBER

18th. Sunday – Nehemiah 10, 11, Revelation 14:9-20, Proverbs 30:24-33
19th. Monday – Nehemiah 12, Revelation 15, Psalm 145:1-7
20th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 13, Revelation 16:1-11, Psalm 145:8-13
21st. Wednesday - Esther 1, 2, Revelation 16:12-21, Psalm 145:14-21
22nd. Thursday - Esther 3, 4, 5, Revelation 17, Proverbs 31:1-9
23rd. Friday – Esther 6, 7, 8, Revelation 18:1-11, Psalm 146
24th. Saturday - Esther 9, 10, Revelation 18:12-24, Psalm 147:1-11
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 800 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Revelation 13:8
__________

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MERRY CHRISTMAS
Bob and Phyllis Mills

THE THRONE OF GOD

2011-12-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 273  December 11, 2011
______________________________________________________________________________________________
AFRICA TRACTS GEMS BIBLE STUDIES BOOKLETS

Revelation 4 King James Version

One comes before the throne of God only by invitation. Few have experienced this. John, and Stephen were so invited. That door in heaven was opened by God. Man attempted to build a tower to reach God’s presence at Babylon, only to fail completely. God opened the door and invited John in. We are blessed by what he saw and preserved for us. We may travel the world to see God’s handwork, but this is a glimpse into His very throne room!

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

(Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:19, Ezekiel 1:1, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 1:10, Revelation 11:12, Revelation 1:19, Revelation 22:6)

IN THE SPIRIT

The only way John could do this was in the spirit. The physical body is not capable to such honor. A glimpse blinded Saul. Stephen entered as he was dying. Moses to whom God spoke, glowed so that he had to wear a veil afterwards. How wonderful that God chose to give us this glimpse..

2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Earthly thrones, are normally placed in rooms, but there is no mention of a room here. This throne is visible to all. As Christians have access to God in prayer now, they shall also have access in spirit in heaven.

(Revelation 1:10, 1 Kings 22:19, Isaiah 6:1, Ezekiel 1:26, Daniel 7:9, Revelation 4:9)

JASPER (diamond), SARDIUS (ruby red), EMERALD (cool green)

3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

(Revelation 21:11, Revelation 21:20, Ezekiel 1:28, Revelation 10:1, Revelation 21:19)

We are not familiar with all the gems of heaven, but it is thought that Jasper must belike a diamond, reflecting light in the entire spectrum of colors. Many years ago, I was blessed by being able to see a famous diamond, I think it was the Hope, displayed for the public to see. It was placed under a special light and the colors reflected were phenomenal. I suppose one would say “awesome” now, though the word does not adequately describe it, because of its misuse for nearly anything

JOINT RULERS WITH CHRIST

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Twenty four seats probably indicate more than the tribes if Israel. They indicate all Christians world wide. The elders who sit upon them all wear crowns. They are co-rulers with Christ, seated, not standing. They are highly honored in having a place that is their own in the very presence of God.

(Revelation 4:6, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 4:10, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 19:4, Revelation 19:28, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 3:18)

THE AWESOME POWER OF GOD

5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

The Holy Spirit is here represented by the perfect number seven in the lamps., and the thunder and lightnings of the great power of God. World wide, voices of God.

(Exodus 19:16, Revelation 8:5, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 16:18, Exodus 25:37, Zechariah 4:2, Revelation 1:4)

A SEA LIKE GLASS

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Clearly this is not a sea as we think of seas. There is no sea in heaven, but my mind goes back to a night on our ship as we approached the Panama Canal from the Pacific side. The sea was absolutely placid and the stars unbelievable. John said “like unto crystal.”

I picture the four cherubim, or “living beings” on all four sides of the throne, who see all, and know all. There will be no whispering with a friend there. They have eyes all over and they hover around the throne constantly praising the Lord. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.”

(Ezekiel 1:22, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 21:18, Revelation 21:21, Revelation 4:4, Ezekiel 1:5, Revelation 4:8, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:6, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 19:4, Ezekiel 1:18, Ezekiel 10:12)

THE FOUR CREATURES, CHERUBIM

A description of these four suggest that they represent wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion. This is suggested by the different faces to match.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

(Ezekiel 1:10, Ezekiel 10:14)

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

(Ezekiel 1:5, Revelation 4:6, Revelation 4:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:6, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 19:4, Isaiah 6:2, Ezekiel 1:18, Ezekiel 10:12, Revelation 14:11, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:4)

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

(Psalm 47:8, Isaiah 6:1, Revelation 4:2, Deuteronomy 32:40, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 15:7)

The twenty four elders fall down in worship, knowing how unworthy they are. Such praise is for God and His Son alone.

10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

(Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 7:11, Revelation 11:16, Revelation 19:4, Psalm 47:8, Isaiah 6:1, Revelation 4:2, Deuteronomy 32:40, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 5:7)

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

(Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:12, Acts 14:15, Revelation 10:6, Revelation 14:7)

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

DECEMBER

11th. Sunday – Ezra 8, 9, Revelation 9:1-11, Psalm 140:6-13
12th. Monday – Ezra 10, Revelation 9:12-21, Psalm 141
13th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 1, 2, Revelation 10, Psalm 142
14th. Wednesday - Nehemiah 3, 4, Revelation 11, Proverbs 30:11-23
15th. Thursday - Nehemiah 5, 6, Revelation 12, Psalm 143
16th. Friday – Nehemiah 7, Revelation 13, Psalm 144:1-8
17th. Saturday - Nehemiah 8, 9, Revelation 14:1-8, Psalm 144:9-15
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 799 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Anything For You...
A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters.

He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him.

The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her.

Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20... But, on one condition."

Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.

The man replies, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."

The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand along with her address.

She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says,

"Clean my house."

THE CHURCH GOD LOVES

2011-12-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 272  December 4, 2011
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Revelation 3:7-13 King James Version

“But who do you say that I am?”
And answering, Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.”

And answering, Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah,
because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in
heaven. And I also say to you that you are ‘Petros,’ and upon this ‘Petra’ I will
build My church, and the gates of Hades will not be victorious over it“ (Matthew 16:13-20)

At that time, not long before his crucifixion, Jesus said, “I will build.” The only occasion possible for this to happen, is in Acts 2. This reference, Acts 2:47 ends, “The Lord added to the church.” That Pentecost is generally accepted as when Christ built, (established) His church.

Notice the use of two different Greek forms of the word for stone when Jesus spoke to Peter in the Matthew reference. “Petros” the Greek for Peter means a small stone, such as gravel, while “Petra” means a great outcrop of stone such as the famous one in Australia. The church was not built on Peter. It was built on the solid, immovably solid fact that “Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.” He adds his promise that the church will not fail. It is eternal. One becomes a part of that church for eternity, even physical death does not separate him.. He can only be separated by his own choice, that is, by returning to his old sins and rejection of Christ.

The two great “R” movements which stand out in the history of the church are the “reformation movement” and the “restoration movement.”

The “Reformation” movement came about as an attempt to reform the church because of its sins, the selling of “indulgences” (permissions to sin), and other practices which had crept into the church at the time. On October 31, 1517, a priest, Martin Luther, listed 95 such evils,
And nailed them on the door of the church. The result was the eventual formation of the Lutheran Church. This movement utterly failed to reform matters, but started the process of many splinter churches which continued for many years.

On Sept 8, 1809, the second “R” came about in America when Alexander Campbell wrote his ‘”Declaration and Address,” urging the restoration of the unity and doctrines of the church to its Biblical origins. At first this swept like wild fire through the scattered prairie settlements. In those days, the Bible was the basic textbook for education and those who had fled religious persecution in Europe had settled in America. The Bible was where it was meant to be, the authority; the Word of God. It was the rock foundation for successful life.

Today many say, “Surely you don’t want to restore the church of Corinth.” No, we don’t. The letters to Corinth show us how to deal with the same sins today, and of the letters to the churches in Revelation, it is only the church at Philadelphia that received no criticism of the Lord. It can be taken as a pattern of what the church should be doing today. It was pleasing to the Lord.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

(Revelation 1:11, Revelation 6:10, 1 John 5:20, Revelation 3:14, Revelation 19:11, Job 12:14, Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 1:18)

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The way one can know that he is pleasing the Lord, is that God opens doors of opportunity for each of us to use our inherent abilities in the best way to His glory. The foundation of it all is that we be well founded in the Word. One does not have to be a master. I am battling to set up a Kindle given to me by my daughter. It will come, but it is a challenge. I use “Kindle for PC” on my computer, but this is portable where the computer is desk bound. I can transfer the Bible and all that I need from the computer and carry it all in my pocket, once I get it up and running. All but two of my wife’s books are there, but so far, I still have to use the computer monitor and not the built-in one. Perhaps God will send me someone to show me the way.

(Revelation 3:1, Acts 14:27, Revelation 2:13)

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

(Revelation 2:9, Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:14, Isaiah 43:4, John 17:23)

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

We can expect tests of our patience. While we are here on earth, we are tested and forced to grow.

(John 17:6, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 1:9, 2 Timothy 2:12, 2 Peter 2:9, Revelation 2:10, Matthew 24:14, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 6:10, Revelation 8:3, Revelation 11:10, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14, Revelation 17:8)

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Here is the assurance that Our Lord is aware of our problems and that He will come quickly. Here is our first problem. Our interpretation of quickly is not that of the Lord. We always must learn patience, and trust.

(Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 12:20, Revelation 22:5, Revelation 2:10)

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The award of patience and trust is that we can be what we probably are not now, pillars in the Lord’s church. I remember touring the Parthenon on the top of the mount in Athens. Typically of it’s era, the roof was supported by massive pillars, and they are still standing after all these years. God wants us to be pillars of the faith, and we can be, if He wants that. He made us to be, or He would not have said this.

(Revelation 3:5, 1 Kings 7:21, Jeremiah 1:18, Galatians 2:9, Revelation 14:1, Revelation 22:4, Ezekiel 48:35, Revelation 21:2, Galatians 4:26, Hebrews 13:14, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10, Isaiah 62:2, Revelation 2:17)

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
So many times we Hear, but we do not “listen.” The Letter to Philadelphia is one we must listen to.

(Revelation 3:6)

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

DECEMBER

4th. Sunday – Daniel 7, 8, Revelation 3:1-10, Psalm 138
5th. Monday – Daniel 9, 10, Revelation 3:11-22, Psalm 139:1-8
6th. Tuesday – Daniel 11, 12, Revelation 4, Proverbs 29:19-27
7th. Wednesday - Ezra 1:1-2:42, Revelation 5, Psalm 139:9-16
8th. Thursday - Ezra 2:43-3:13, Revelation 6, Psalm 139:17-24
9th. Friday – Ezra 4, 5, Revelation 7, Psalm 140:1-5
10th. Saturday - Ezra 6, 7, Revelation 8, Proverbs 30:1-10
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 798 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

__________

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

New Perspective...

After being married 25 years, a man looked at his wife one day and said, "You know, 25 years ago we lived in a cheap apartment, drove a cheap car, had only a sofa bed and watched a 14" black and white television.

But, every night I got to sleep with a hot 25-year-old blonde."

"Now," he continued, "We have a nice house, a new car, a big flat-screen TV, but I have to sleep with a 50-year-old woman. It doesn't seem fair."

His wife was a reasonable woman.

She replied, "Well, why don't you go out and get yourself a hot 25-year-old blonde? Then I'll make sure you will once again live in a cheap apartment, drive a cheap car, have only a sofa bed and watch a 14" black and white television."

The man rethought his priorities.

CHRIST WILL TAKE OVER!

2011-11-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 271

November 27, 2011
______________________________________________________________________________________________

2 Peter 2:1-10 King James Version

EXPECT FALSE PROPHETS

Many seem to expect things to get better and better until Christ returns to rule, but Scripture seems to point out that the very opposite is to be expected. It would seem that things are going to make a full cycle until they are very similar to that which existed at the time of Noah and the great flood. Christ will return as judge and then to set things in order.

Today there are many false teachers all about us, evidence by the many churches, cults and pagan religions to be found in America. Many of these deny the divinity of Christ. They shall be judged of the Lord.

1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

(Deuteronomy 13:1, Jeremiah 6:13, 2 Corinthians 11:13, Matthew 7:15, 1 Timothy 4:1, Galatians 2:4, Jude 4, 1 Corinthians 11:19, Galatians 5:20, Revelation 6:10, 1 Corinthians 6:20)

MANY WILL FOLLOW THEM

There is no shortage of people who follow such leaders. Some of the largest gatherings in His name deny in practice that He is Lord of Lord and King of Kings, the creator all that we see about us. They not only deny Christ to the Son of God, but condemn those who believe the Bible.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

(Genesis 19:5, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 4, Acts 16:17, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Romans 2:24)

THEY WILL BE MEN FILLED WITH GREED

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

(1 Timothy 6:5, 2 Peter 2:14, Jude 16, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:5, Romans 16:18, 2 Peter 1:16, Deuteronomy 32:35)

GOD WILL REMEMBER AND PUNISH

God has a long and perfect memory and has prepared a place for even the angels who rebelled. God did not make hell for mankind, He made it for the punishment of fallen angels, who rebelled against his authority.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

(Jude 6, Revelation 20:11)

Mankind was so deluded by Satan by the time of Noah that he had no alternative but to destroy all but eight persons, through whom He repopulated the world after the great flood.

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

(Ezekiel 26:20, 2 Peter 3:6, Genesis 6:8, ,9, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 3:6)

By the time of Abraham and Lot many again turned away and the result was the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In this case angels led Lot, and his two daughters to safety. His wife looked back, probably longingly remembering their home in those evil cities, and was turned into a pillar of salt.

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.

(Genesis 19:24, Jude 7, Isaiah 1:9, Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:23, Romans 9:29, Jude 15)

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

(Genesis 19:16, Genesis 19:29, Genesis 19:5, 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 4, 2 Peter 3:17)

Even to this day, the name of Sodom is remembered in the word “sodomy,” after their evil lives. Let remained righteous, but in reality, he lost his personal family because of where he chose to make his home.

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

(Hebrews 11:4)

The time is coming when Christ will sort out the good from the bad as in the parable of the sheep and the goats. I still remember sorting and washing bushels of potatoes in my aunt’s grocery store to remove the rotten from the good, and throw away the bad before they corrupted the entire basket, as they certainly would if left. Like the potatoes, God wants to save all, but he will separate and destroy before the world becomes so corrupted that even the righteous are in danger.

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

(1 Corinthians 10:13, Revelation 3:10, Matthew 10:15, Jude 6)

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

(2 Peter 3:3, Jude 16, Jude 18, Titus 1:7)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

NOVEMBER

27th. Sunday – Ezekiel 48, 1 Peter 5, Psalm 135:1-12
28th Monday – Joel 1, 2, 3, 2 Peter 1, Proverbs 29:1-9
29th. Tuesday – Habakkuk 1, 2, 3, 2 Peter 2, Psalm 135:13-21
30th. Wednesday - Obadiah, 2 peter 3, Psalm 136:1-12

DECEMBER

1st. Thursday - Daniel 1, 2, Revelation 1, Psalm 136:13-26
2nd. Friday – Daniel 3, 4, Revelation 2:1-17, Proverbs 29:10-18
3rd. Saturday - Daniel 5, 6, Revelation 2:18-29, Psalm 137

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Questions and discussions
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Favorite Scripture Quotation
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Representing 70 world languages
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Short Bible studies
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” – 2 Peter 2:9

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Most of us spend the first six days of the week sowing wild oats, then we go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure.

A Bible that is falling apart probably belongs to someone who isn’t.

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

2011-11-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 270 November 20, 2011

James 1:19-25 King James Version

One commentary, I consulted, suggests that this must of necessity be the first New Testament book to be written, and that James, the half brother of Jesus and a pillar of the church in Jerusalem, wrote it for the benefit of the Christians who had been scattered from Jerusalem as a result of the persecutions under Herod Agrippa 1, which followed the death of Stephen. Josephus, the Jewish historian, said that James was martyred in the year 62 a.d. That would have been eight years before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 a.d.

James deals with the practical day-to-day need of these scattered Christians from the Jerusalem church. I think of it as being a “handbook” where the letters of Paul to the churches went into greater depth and detail for the churches that had by that time developed specific problems. Both, in perfect agreement, deal with the needs of the church of their greater acquaintance.

SWIFT TO HEAR - SLOW TO SPEAK

That means that we need to be good listeners, but not to jump into a conversation with our ideas until we are sure of them. One of my professors used to say, never say “I think.” No one wants to know what you think, but be positive about what you know to be true. We know God’s word is true, so, use the word of God, but if someone does not understand it as you, don’t get angry about it. You can not change a person with angry words.

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

(1 John 2:21, Acts 1:15, James 1:2, James 1:16, James 2:1, James 2:5, James 2:14, James 3:1, James 3:10, James 4:11, James 5:12, James 5:19, Proverbs10:19, Proverbs 17:27, Proverbs 16:32, Ecclesiastes 7:9)

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Angry words, won’t convict a person who does not want to believe something.

(Matthew 5:22, Ephesians 4:26)

BOLSTER YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE WORD

I have seen many old church homes that have been bolstered physically
to keep them from crumbling. Likewise, let us “back up” our faith with the Word.

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

One version says, “putting aside all filthiness, and all that remains of wickedness” of which the commentary compares this line as one would put aside all his dirty clothes and put on clean. That of course means we must put off our old sinful thoughts and ways, and replace them with clean and pure. The way to change a habit is to replace it with a new one. It does not work to stop sinning, if you don’t replace with other actions and thoughts.

BECOME DOERS OF THE WORD

The Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10) should never be replaced with self-centered activities. Hearing is good, but we are just fooling ourselves if we allow that to be our only commitment, faith is linked with action. Faith and works are twins that are always found together.

(Ephesians 4:22, 1 Peter 2:1, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Peter 1:22)

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

(Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49, Romans 2:13, James 1:22-25, James 2:14-20)

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

(1 Corinthians 13:12)

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

(John 8:32, Romans 8:2, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 6:2, James 2:12, 1 Peter 2:16, John 13:7)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR

NOVEMBER

20th. Sunday – Ezekiel 35, 36, James 3, Proverbs 28:1-14
21st. Monday – Ezekiel 37, 38, James 4. Psalm 130
22nd. Tuesday – Ezekiel 39-40:1-31 James 5, Psalm 131
23rd. Wednesday - Ezekiel 40:32-41:1-28, 1 Peter 1, Psalm 132
24th. Thursday - Ezekiel 42, 43, 1 Peter 2, Proverbs 28:15-28
25th. Friday - Ezekiel 44, 45, 1 Peter 3, Psalm 133
26th. Saturday - Ezekiel 46, 47, 1 Peter 4, Psalm 134

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OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 797 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
- James 3:24

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Lines That Make You Smile

1. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!

2. Wrinkled Was NOT One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up!

3. Procrastinate Now!

4. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?

5. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

6. A journey of a thousand miles must, begin with a cash advance.

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
7. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!

8. He who dies with the most toys, is nonetheless DEAD.

9. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.

10. Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

THE URGENCY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

2011-11-13T14:21:00.000-08:00

Newsletter 269  November 13, 2011

Hebrews 6:1-8 King James Version

JESUS COMMANDED TEACHING DOCTRINE

In the great commission of our Lord Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16) The instruction and emphasis is “whatsoever I have commanded you.” The basic facts spoken of in these two references are basic to faithful Christianity.

In (Hebrews 6:1,) Paul calls them “the principles of the doctrine of Christ.” This is the reason that I edited a booklet of the scriptures presenting these and other basic doctrines, and titled it Christian Doctrines. With brief introductions, I put it together almost totally of scripture, as a workbook requiring the student to look each text up and complete the words I wanted to emphasize, in the spaces left for them. The final page had ten places for the addresses of friends. This worked beautifully in that requests simply rolled in, especially after I made it available in all the official languages of the country, and more from other countries. South Africa alone has eleven official languages and dialects.

These are basic doctrines, which explains why I was really shocked when a minister and customer in our book store made the statement, “Oh I never teach doctrines.” If that is so, what does he preach? These are the foundation. On the other hand there was the street evangelist, who taught his listeners the scriptures on baptism, and then brought 25 of them for me to baptize, with his assistance in the baptistery of our chapel.

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Philippians 3:13, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 5:14, Hebrews 9:14)

BASIC DOCTRINES

From these basic doctrinal scriptures, one can go on to study more deeply. At one time while our fellow missionary was still living, he made this booklet a requirement for new students in the minister’s training school he headed. This was particularly true if they came from another background. Some of the best ministers came with this introduction.

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (John 3:25, Acts 19:3, Acts 6:6, Acts 17:31)

3 And this will we do, if God permit. (Acts 18:21)

SECURITY IN THE FAITH

Scripture, correctly understood and taught, brings light into darkness. Once, one has learned of the scriptures, and received the Holy Spirit in baptism, (Acts 2:38) his life is enlightened, filled with light, and the promise of Heaven is his. Christ Jesus brings light, and shows the way to His Father God.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Hebrews 10:32, John 4:10, Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:2, Hebrews 2:4)

Regretfully, there will be those who let their light go out, they have “tasted the word of God,” but have not appreciated what they have been given nor of the “world to come.”

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (1 Peter 2:3, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 2:5)

Not realizing what they have been given, they fall away back into sin, and forfeit Heaven. They make the sacrifice of our Lord forfeit for the sake of the world.

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Matthew 19:26, Hebrews 10:26, 2 Peter 2:21, 1 John 5:16, Hebrews 10:29)

7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: (2 Timothy 2:6)

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Genesis 3:17, Deuteronomy 29:22)

That one’s life can be either a blessing, or a curse, is illustrated here. The same portion of land can bear crops or thorns and briars. As a child, we lived on a small farm of small fields. Much good land was lost by those fences. One can till only so close to a fence or either side, and that is where we went to pick wild blackberries from the briars that grew there. Now, most of those are now gone and that space is farmed as well.

The doctrines of the Bible unite, but the doctrines of men divide. Don’t be like the minister who never taught doctrine, be like the one without benefit of a building, who taught truth, and reaped abundantly.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
NOVEMBER

13th. Sunday – Ezekiel 21, 22, Hebrews 11:1-22, Psalm 124
14th. Monday - Ezekiel 23, Hebrews 11:23-40, Psalm 125
15th. Tuesday – Ezekiel 24, 25, 26, Hebrews 12:1-11, Psalm 126
16th. Wednesday - Ezekiel 27, 28, Hebrews 12:12-29, Proverbs 27:21-27
17th. Thursday - Ezekiel 29, 30, Hebrews 13, Psalm 127
18th. Friday – Ezekiel 31, 32, James 1, Psalm 128
19th. Saturday - Ezekiel 33, 34, James 2, Psalm 129

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 798 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:24-25
__________

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I Wonder...

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are going dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

DO NOT NEGLECT SALVATION

2011-11-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 268 November 6, 2011

Hebrews 2:1-4
King James Version

This portion of scripture is introduced with the word “therefore,” referring back to Gods statement, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” They have been sent with the message of salvation for Christians.

WE NEED TO LISTEN.

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

We all have heard things that we did not bother to remember, because they did not seem important at the time, or they were things that we thought we might need to know some time in he future, or they were things that we knew were really important. If God has chosen to send a messenger to deliver a message and the Holy Spirit to help us to understand and confirm it, then it is of utmost importance! If He has sent His own Son to carry it, it is urgent. Christ Jesus came with a message of salvation for believers. We need to hear and act.

TO IGNORE IT IS A SIN

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Two words stand forth in this sentence, The first word, transgression, describes the sin of commission. It carries the meaning, “to step across the line,” to know and simply deliberately do it anyway. For example to know that it is a sin to eat the only apple on your neighbor’s young apple tree, but to steal and eat it anyway. The second word, disobedience, is a little different. It means to know what one should do, but to ignore and not do that God has directed. Under this category falls to know what God has commanded to be the way to be saved, but to substitute something one would rather do in its place. As an example, to only partially obey the command to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. To ignore either one is to only partially obey. Immersion without repentance or repentance without immersion are equally sins. Peter’s words on that glorious first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection were, “Repent and be baptized (immersed) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38)

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE?

This is, of course, a rhetorical question. We are not expected to answer, because it is obvious that to not respond to the Lord, failure is certain. Jesus gave the answer when he said, “No man cometh unto the father but by me.” We can not disobey God and be saved. Neither, can we ignore him as if we do not know the way. There is no other way than through the way that Jesus gave to his apostles. The answer is the same whether you were contemporary with the apostles, or live today in the heart of Africa, or Dallas, Texas. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life, for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17)

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

To know what God wants of us, and to choose to put it off or aside, is of course, an answer.

GOD HAS GIVEN US SIGNS AND WONDERS

The very existence of the creation demands a creator. We do not question that the motor car we drive was designed and built by someone. How can we live in a universe that shows with every season the clockwork of God? Men ask, “Where did it come from?” God has answered that question, “In the beginning God.” There is not a man on earth that has not seen God’s hand in everything, if he will just look and wonder. What did God do? “He created the heavens and the earth.”

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.

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ANSWERED PRAYER

All praise to God! and, thanks to our daughter, Donna, who drove miles to drive me to surgery and again this morning. I am now seeing better than I have for a very long time this morning. I am to return to Dr Ku’s office next week and again in a few weeks.
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
NOVEMBER

6th. Sunday – Ezekiel 7, 8, Hebrews 6, Psalm 119:169-176
7th. Monday - Ezekiel 9, 10, 11, Hebrews 7, Psalm 120
8th. Tuesday – Ezekiel 12, 13, Hebrews 8, Proverbs 27:1-10
9th. Wednesday - Ezekiel 14, 15, Hebrews 9:1-14, Psalm 121
10th. Thursday - Ezekiel 16, Hebrews 9:15-28, Psalm 122
11th. Friday – Ezekiel 17, 18, Hebrews 10:1-18, Psalm 123
12th. Saturday - Ezekiel 19, 20, Hebrews 10:19-39, Proverbs 27:11-20
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 797 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” - Hebrews 5:8,9

__________

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From the Archive

A priest is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street.

However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach.

After watching the boys efforts for some time, the priest moves closer to the boy's position.

He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.

Crouching down to the child's level, the priest smiles benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?"

To which the boy replies, "Now we run!"

ANTI!CHRIST IS HERE NOW

2011-10-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 267  October 30, 2011

1 John 2:15-27 King James Version

The excessive love of the material things of this world, which we call “materialism” has a far more sinister name, “antichrist.” Scripture tells us that it is impossible to love “mammon” and God at the same time, and that we must make a choice between them. Actually these three words are synonyms for the same thing. The majority of mankind is madly in love with material objects, whether they be in the form of money, homes, massive flat screen televisions, computers, luxury automobiles, all are included in the term, “mammon.” We can not permit that love to take charge of our lives. If we do, the spirit of antichrist, has won . The word antichrist mere means against, or opposed to Christ. The Christian can not be a lover of physical things. Certainly, there may be a time come when there will be “the” antichrist, but his spirit is alive and well even today.

LOVE NOT THE WORLD

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

IT IS THE LAST TIME

This is not something we can to face many years from now, there are many of this spirit upon us now. It is already the last time.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

MANY WERE NO LONGER WITH THEM.

Even in John’s day, those strong in the faith stayed with them even through persecution, but those weaker were being replaced by new babes in the Lord. Thus it is possible to grow rapidly and still be weaker, like the Willow by the stream compared to the Oak at a distance from the water..

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

ALL DREW STRENGTH FROM THE LORD

Spiritual strength does not come from the material things of the world. It comes only from the Lord. Those to whom John was writing knew this fact, they only needed to be encouraged to avail themselves of the truth through prayer and the word. God has given the material blessings of the world as tools for his work; not as a goal in life. He gives wealth that we might be generous in support of the weaker, buildings that we might use them to His glory, yes, even television and computers that we might be able to spread His message of salvation.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

If they knew the truth, and they did, They had the power to make things go smoothly, like grease on a rusty hinge, to God’s glory. God sees to it that all Christians have that needed to work smoothly together to His glory. John was not writing to teach, they had been taught. He was writing to encourage..

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

ANTICHRIST IS ANYONE WHO DENIES GOD

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him

____________

PRAYER REQUEST.

I WILL BE HAVING A SECOND CATARACT OPERATION MONDAY. Please pray that all will go well. I will still have a retina problem. We just pray that it will not require more attention. If I miss next week’s mailing, it will be because there is a problem of some sort.
_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

OCTOBER
30th. Sunday – Song of Solomon 5, 6, 3 John, Psalm 119:120-136
31st. Monday – Song of Solomon 7, 8, Jude, Proverbs 26:11-20

NOVEMBER

1st. Tuesday – Lamentations 1, 2, Hebrews 1, Psalm 119:137-144
2nd. Wednesday - Lamentations 3, Hebrews 2, Psalm 119:145-152
3rd. Thursday - Lamentations 4, 5, Hebrews 3, Psalm 119:153-160
4th. Friday – Ezekiel 1,2,3, Hebrews 4, Proverbs 26:21-28
5th. Saturday - Ezekiel 4, 5, 6, Hebrews 5, Psalm 119:161-168

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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“ Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” - 2 John 9-11

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_________
Problem Solving in the Suburbs

A neighbor was annoyed because he had to search for his newspaper each morning after the paperboy tossed it. Often he would find it, covered with dirt, under the car in the gravel driveway.

Then one-day the paperboy's mother mentioned that her son's ambition was to play professional basketball.

Our neighbor had an idea. When he got home, he attached a basketball hoop to a post on the front porch. Sure enough, the next morning there was a resounding "plunk" as the newspaper sailed through the hoop and landed by the door.

He never had to search for his paper again.

THEIR CONVERSION

2011-10-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 265 October 16, 2011

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

NOT IN VAIN

This is considered to be the first of Paul’s letters to the churches, and the church at Thessalonica did not seem to have the moral or doctrinal problems that some of the others has so it is not a book with a lot of doctrinal teaching. Paul here spends more time on practical matters.

This chapter begins with his encouraging them that he feels that his time there was well spent, and well worth all that had happened. It was not in vain. There were places that he probably felt that his stay was not only painful, but ineffective. Thessalonica was definitely time well spent.

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

Being that Philippi was a nearby city, they would have been aware that at Philippi he had been arrested, and mistreated, but that he had been well accepted by some, including the jailor and his family, and of course Lydia and her fellow workers in their trade.

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

The fact is that we are sent of God and not of men, and our message is not our own. We are His spokesmen and it is to Him that we must answer. This is as true today as it was in that day. We will be judged by how well we represent God and His word, not whether people believe and obey. Every day that passes means we are one day nearer to the judgment. This is even more apparent when we compare our own present span of life with the average span. Some are already well past that point years ago.

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

If we are overly concerned that we please men, we would drop all reference to “sin” and “stewardship,” and “repentance,“ and “forgiveness.“ In fact there are many who preach such a message today. A church I knew in South Africa treated the musical portion of their worship as a “pep session.” building up to the message which will make people feel even better about themselves and their lives. For example, to pray specifically for what you want, their evangelist wanted gleaming black Mercedes. After all, they reasoned, God wants to bless you. I would like to see the chapter and verse for that particular promise. You won’t find it if you are thinking of this life on earth. Jesus suffered, and we can expect to get the same sort of response. He does promise blessings if we suffer for his sake.

Speaking from personal experience, my email address and blog addresses have been appropriated by the “Nigerian Mafia.” They in turn have the full attention of the United Nations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secretary of State, and others, even the receiver of Revenue. The fact that I know none of these people is hard to believe when there are bank accounts In Lagos, and other banks as well, which have my e-mail address in place of a name on them. I can neither close them nor move them. To go to Nigeria in person, would be to risk one’s life, perhaps even a knock on my own apartment door, for they have scattered over the world. If it is ever made available, I have a list of worthy Christian missions and charities to send it, after taxes of course. I am not holding my breath though. It is up to my Lord.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

A FREE MESSAGE

Paul, as ourselves, did not expect those we hope to help to pay as well. He was a tent maker, I a missionary..

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

NOT CHARGEABLE

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

MINISTRY OF WITNESSING

We, along with the church at Thessalonica, are saved to tell others of our Lord and His message of salvation because of his great love.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

EXHORTED AND COMFORTED

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

BRING THE WORD

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER

16th. Sunday – Jeremiah 37, 38, 39, 2 Thessalonians 1, Psalm 119:41-48
17th. Monday – Jeremiah 40, 41, 42, 2 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:49-56
18th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 43, 44, 2 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:57-64
19th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 45, 46, 47, Titus 1, Proverbs 25:11-20
20th. Thursday - Jeremiah 48, 49:27, Titus 2, Psalm 119:65-72
21st. Friday – Jeremiah 49:28-50:46, Titus 3, Psalm 119:73-80
22nd. Saturday - Jeremiah 51:1-58, Philemon, Proverbs 119:81-88

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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;” - 1 Thessalonians 1:2

__________

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_________

CHURCH ANSWERING MACHINE

“For the church service schedule, press one, For office hours, press two, For forgiveness of sins, press three, If you want to pray alone, hang up”

“When it comes to giving, some folks stop at nothing.”

“If one first gives himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy.”

WILLING TO SUFFER FOR THE LORD?

2011-10-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 264 October 9, 2011
Philippians 1:12-26 King James Version (KJV)

This letter is addressed to the church at Philippi. This church began with the conversion of Lydia and her fellow workers when they believed his teaching and obeyed his instructions out under the trees that bordered the riverside. Then it probably doubled with the conversion of the jailer and his family after they had been arrested and thrown into prison. These were people who knew hard work and suffering, and they showed this in the intensity of their love for others and for Paul, their evangelist. They sent often to aid him, even though at the time of writing, he was in prison again. He was there again because of preaching unpopular truths to nonbelievers.

He never complained of these problems, but counted them to be permitted of God that His Word might be preached, even to those who rejected it.

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

God can turn all conditions to good if we allow Him.

PAUL’S IMPRISONMENT SPREAD THE GOSPEL EVEN IN THE PALACE

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

How else could he have reached the very guards and staff of the palace? and through them, many others as well.

THIS STRENGTHENED THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

There began during and after the great depression in America, a period when church buildings were neglected, and people were suffering, My own mother resorted to welfare for a short time, and I as a child mowed yards for 25c a time. Pockets were empty, but people were living by faith, and missionary projects both at home and abroad flourished. Bible colleges opened all over the nation. I, myself, enrolled in one of those infant schools, now a university. Then it had one concrete block building on an 18 inch campus all around. That was a time when faith and love flourished, and the church grew by leaps and bounds all over the world; also the college!

BUT IT WAS ALSO A TIME WHEN SOME BEGAN TO PREACH FOR THE WRONG MOTIVES.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

When things are easy, there is also a tendency to follow the easy path of seeking, not for love, but numbers for number’s sake, wealth, huge congregations, beautiful buildings with every amenity, and the ways of the world creep in. Why? Probably because the members feel unloved and neglected; perhaps, that they have become just a number.

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

The whole gospel message is a message of love, so make those other things at least secondary, and return to a love based message where every convert has a job to do out of love. Not everyone is self motivated. Those will stay, but if he feels unloved and unnecessary, perhaps even “used” the weaker is going to find greener fields in which to graze, using the illustration of the church as like a flock.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

LIKE PAUL, TO DIE IS GAIN FOR ALL BELIEVERS

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

IF THE CHURCH SUFFERS, IT WILL GROW.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

BUT IF IT IS SOFT, UNLOVED, UNLOVING, AND FAITHLESS, IT IS ALREADY DEAD AND DOES NOT KNOW IT.

That is the difference between the church at Philippi, (Revelation 3:7-13) and the church at Laodicea. (Revelation 3:14-22).

To me the church at Philippi represents the church struggling and coming out of the depression years, the church at Laodicea, the present, (materialist), loveless time of wealth, numbers, pride, and unfortunately death.

If we think of the letters to the churches as charting the church from beginning until the end of the era, then, the last one is also a warning. God spoke to all of them up until the last one as a body. He speaks to Laodicea as individuals.
_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER

9th. Sunday – Jeremiah 20, 21, 22, Colossians 3, Psalm 118:1-8
10th. Monday – Jeremiah 23, 24, Colossians 4, Psalm 119:9-16
11th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 25, 26, 1 Thessalonians 1, Proverbs 24:23-34
12th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 27, 28, 29, 1 Thessalonians 2, Psalm 119:17-24
13th. Thursday - Jeremiah 30, 31, 1 Thessalonians 3, Psalm 119:25-32
14th. Friday – Jeremiah 32, 33, 1 Thessalonians 4, Psalm 119:33-40
15th. Saturday - Jeremiah 34, 35, 36, 1 Thessalonians 5, Proverbs 25:1-10

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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:9-11
__________

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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________

If you have insomnia, don’t count sheep,. Talk to the shepherd.

Sign in the window of the IRS - In God we trust; everyone else we audit.

If evolution is true, why do mothers still have only two hands?

WALK WITH THE LORD

2011-09-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 263 October 2, 2011

Ephesians 5:1-21
King James Version (KJV)

I am sure that we have all seen the three year old boy, dressed as like his father as is possible, and copying his father in everything. He copies his walk, his mannerisms, and his talk. We see him and we laugh and say, “how cute.” But, this is what we as Christians ought to be doing, in our relationship with God our Father. This is what Jesus did in his relationship with his father, God. He said, “He that hath seen me has seen the father.” He is our perfect example.

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Our text naturally divides into three parts. The first is:

WALK IN LOVE

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

The world sings it’s “love songs”, meaning a totally different thing than Christian love. When Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” God so loved the world,” “greater love hath no man than this,” he was speaking a “foreign language” to most of the world. Then he went on to define by example, what he meant. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son.” This is sacrificial love, beyond comprehension to most of the world, but, so very clear to believers. God, who made all things, loves us that much!. Just to make sure that we understand, Paul goes on to show the contrast between Christians and the world.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

To place he bow on the parcel, consider I Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three but the greatest of these is love.” This sets Christians apart. “By their love, ye shall know them.”

WALK IN LIGHT

They walk confidently, for they walk in light. They walk confidently because they are not in spiritual darkness. John 1:4-5, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.“

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

If you do this, you shall be fruitful. The presence of the Holy Spirit, given at baptism, when one “puts on” Christ, assures the Holy Spirit, the Spiritual guide

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Those things that may have once seemed so important, are now something to be ashamed of.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

WALK IN WISDOM

We seek and study that we might gain knowledge, but wisdom is given in answer to prayer. Solomon pleased God when he asked for wisdom and not power and wealth. As long as he kept his eyes on God, he had wisdom in such quantities that he is spoken of yet as the wisest man the world has ever known. People came from afar, to consult him, but when he took his eyes off God and started looking about at the pagan gods of his many wives, he started to make more foolish mistakes. Walk not only in light, but walk wisely in the steps of the Lord.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Why? , because the days are evil.

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
OCTOBER

2nd. Sunday – Jeremiah 3, 4, Philippians 1:15-30, Psalm 116:1-11
3rd. Monday – Jeremiah 5, 6, Philippians 2:1-13, Proverbs 24:1-12
4th. Tuesday – Jeremiah 7, 8, Philippians 2:14-30, Psalm 116:12-19
5th. Wednesday - Jeremiah 9, 10, Philippians 3, Psalm 117
6th. Thursday - Jeremiah 11, 12, 13, Philippians 4, Psalm 118:1-16
7th. Friday – Jeremiah 14, 15, 16, Colossians 1, Proverbs 24:13-22
8th. Saturday - Jeremiah 17, 18, 19, Colossians 2, Psalm 118:17-29

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Ctrl/click to follow these
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Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
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http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
__________

http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________

One man met some interesting people when he moved into a new apartment complex. One woman told him, “I miss my ex-husband, but my aim is getting better. “ Another women said, “Sometimes I wake up grumpy, but most of the time I just let him sleep.”
__________

A little girl became restless as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”
__________

After church on a Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided I’m going to be a minister when I grow up.”
“That’s okay with us,” his mother replied, but what made you decide to be a minister?”
“Well,” he said, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit still and listen.”

JUDGMENT TO COME

2011-09-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 260 V September 11, 2011

2 Corinthians 5:6-16 King James Version

Satan and his host of fallen angels are making a proverbial last stand. The Bible tells us that he is like a raging lion seeking whom he might devour, Recall when he tempted our Lord, pointing out the nations of the world, that he suggested that if Jesus would just worship him, he would turn the whole world over to Him. To be able to do that, he would have had to have the entire physical world under his control. You can not give away, that which is not yours.

That world, under Satan’s power, became such a vile place that there was little hope for any faith to survive. When it had come to that, God destroyed it using the great flood, saving only Noah and his immediate family to make a new start.

Satan then led them to build the Tower of Babel, but he was defeated yet again. When he tried to take over the Spiritual world, God defeated his goal by dividing the people into nations and scattering them abroad.

Our Lord had created that world (John 1:3), and it was perfect. Satan could only corrupt it. But, let us take a look at today’s world. It certainly is not perfect. On the purely physical side a hurricane destroyed a big portion of New Orleans. Many came to Texas and stayed. Their homes were gone. Just this year alone, An earthquake and tsunami, and now a typhoon have battered Japan, Haiti suffered an earthquake; a monstrous tornado destroyed a huge swath out of Joplin, and multiple tornadoes destroyed the south-east, now a hurricane has sped up the east coast accompanied by massive flooding and an earthquake. At the present after months of record breaking heat and drought, Texas is fighting massive outbreaks of raging fire everywhere, Its cattle are dying.. These are all physical. Satan, knowing that his end is looming is making a great struggle to destroy all that he can, and to financially destroy all that survive throughout the world. You could not pay me enough to live in California where so many earthquakes are considered to be “normal.” A really big one is expected, at any time.

Still, there is safety for the faithful. The church, which is Spiritual, is our refuge, and it shall safely survive it all. Because the church is Spiritual, Satan can not destroy it from the world. We are in the world, but need not to be of the world..

IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF IT.

We have a physical body, but we shall leave it behind, for Christians are basically spiritual beings, “born of the water and of the spirit.” We have “put on Christ.” Satan can not destroy Christ, or His.

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

A SEPARATION IS COMING

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MEN

If he died for all, then all were lost, whether they knew it or not. The greatest needed thing on earth is not physical, it is spiritual. Food, clothing, shelter, money, transportation, and all the contents of our homes. None of these things can go to heaven. The world’s Museums are filled with the wealth of past empires, because. they could not take it with them. It is for this reason that when I pray for the sick, I also try to remember to pray for their Spiritual well being as well, for that is why our Lord came to dwell among us.

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER

11th. Sunday – Isaiah 27, 28, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Psalm 106:40-48
12th. Monday – Isaiah 29, 30, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 107:1-9
13th. Tuesday – Isaiah 31, 32, 33, 2 Corinthians 12, Proverbs 22:17-29
14th. Wednesday - Isaiah 34, 35, 36, 2 Corinthians 13, Psalm 107:10-22
15th. Thursday - Isaiah 37, 38, Galatians 1, Psalm 107:23-32
16th. Friday – Isaiah 39, 40, Galatians 2, Psalm 107:33-43
17th. Saturday - Isaiah 41, 42, Galatians 3:1-14, Proverbs 23:1-9
__________

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Representing 70 world languages
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2 Corinthians 8:17
__________

http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
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Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” You will weep with her but in the end rejoice. only $ 7.69 for the “cloud” version

After church one Sunday morning, a mother commented: “The choir was awful this morning.” The father commented, “The sermon was too long.” Their seven-year old daughter asked: “You’ve got to admit it was a pretty good show for a dime.”
"MARY'S LETTERS"

ISBN 978-1-4628-9618-9, hard cover $29,99
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THE CHURCH ETERNAL

2011-09-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 262  September 25, 2011

Ephesians 3:14-21 King James Version

The church is not a building, whether simple of costly, it is only a building. Even the temple built in Jerusalem in honor of God and spoken of as His home was only a building and a rather short lived one at that, considering how long it was under construction. It was totally destroyed in 70 a.d. All that remains today is the wailing wall, really a retaining wall for the temple area.

The church is composed of those believers who have been obedient to the command to: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) We know this because for the first time the church is spoken of as being present in (Acts 2:47) where we read: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Other versions say, “were being saved.” Symbolically, Peter used the key, when he first preached, at Pentecost, how to become a Christian. No man adds anyone to the church. Our, all knowing, almighty Lord does that, It is His church. Through Christ, and His church, we come to the Father.

GOD THE FATHER

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

ALL CHRISTIANS BEAR THE SON’S NAME

How very right it is that we bear he name “Christian”, meaning belonging to Christ. Add to that to be a part of the “whole family”, both here and in Heaven is an infinitely greater blessing. We are not there as servants, that is the work of the angels, we are there as adopted children, who bear the same name and have the same rights as our brother by adoption, Christ Jesus.

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

STRENGTHENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

A truly Christian family is a wonderful thing, and to make certain that we remain that way, God sent us a blessing in the gift of the Holy Ghost.

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

THROUGH WHOM WE ARE STRENGTHENED

If the Holy Ghost in our hearts with Jesus as well, through faith we are rooted and well grounded for ever. We are enfolded in His love for us and we for one another. That includes all saints, Christians world-wide, “breadth, length, depth, and height.” As Jonah was in the belly of the great fish, and the astronauts have been in outer space, God is there, and His love is there for and with us.

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

HIS LOVE CAN NOT BE MEASURED

There is no way that we can understand that great love. It is beyond our ability, but it is there. It encompasses far beyond our human limitations, but one day we will know. Sometime we say, “I want to ask this when I get to heaven.” I think we will know without asking.

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

GLORY TO HIS PEOPLE, THE CHURCH, ETERNAL

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER

25th. Sunday – Isaiah 63, 64, Ephesians 3, Proverbs 23:19-27
26th. Monday – Isaiah 65, 66, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 112
27th. Tuesday – Micah 1, 2, Ephesians 4:17-32, Psalm 113
28th. Wednesday - Micah 3, 4, 5, Ephesians 5:1-16 , Psalm 114
29th. Thursday - Micah 6, 7, Ephesians 5:17-33, Proverbs 23:28-35
30th. Friday – Nahum 1, 2, 3, Ephesians 6, Psalm 115:1-9

OCTOBER

1st. Saturday - Jeremiah 1, 2, Philippians 1:1-14, Psalm 115:10-18 __________

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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
__________

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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
_________

OOPS!

The pastor received the following thank you note from a newlywed in his congregation. “Dear pastor: I want to thank you for performing our marriage ceremony. It was beautiful the way you brought my happiness to a conclusion.”
__________
A pastor was called to a local nursing home to perform a wedding. An anxious old man met him at the door. The pastor sat down to counsel the old man and asked several questions. “Do you love her?”
The old man replied, “Nope.”
Is she a good Christian woman?”
“I don’t know for sure.” the old man answered.
“Does she have lots of money?” asked the pastor.
“I doubt it.”
“Then why are you marrying her?” The preacher asked.
“Cause she can drive at night.” The old man said.

THE TWO COVENANTS

2011-09-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 261 September 18, 2011

Galatians
4:21-5:1-6

While the purpose of a Last Will and Testament may be good at the time, they often become outdated or overlook something important. I was the executor of the last minute will of a fellow missionary, signed as we left to take him to the hospital. Only twelve days later, he had died. And it was up to me to take over his estate, which was really very simple. He had already changed his banking affairs into his wife’s name, and they rented their home, but it was unknown to me that he had advanced money to a friend and they had bought an automobile while they were in America for a short trip. I only learned when the license had to be renewed that it even existed and was registered in his name and not the friends. Circumstances change, a will needs to be kept up to date. Two of our daughters drew up wills that if anything happened to themselves, we would be responsible for their children. Those children are all now married and have families of their own. That portion is no longer needed. We used to have a will that was going out of date, so we, living in Texas now, changed to a much more flexible Revocable Living Trust, and a pre-paid cremation service.

Are you aware that God made two separate wills?, not for His death: but for ours. We know them as the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Times have changed since the first, the Law.

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? (Luke 16:29)

GOD’S FIRST WILL, LAW

We all know the account of God giving Moses the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. They were inscribed, on stone. Their purpose was to guide and prepare his people for the Messiah whom He would send when the time was right. The apostle Paul used the wives of Abraham to explain this difference, but even today many seem to have missed the point, and we find the dispensations mixed in the teachings of many cults and churches. Three or four come readily to mind, but remnants still remain in many church doctrines. The Zion Christian Church of Africa, the Mormon practices, the Seventh Day Adventists, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses come to mind, but there are many more who teach things which were really for the Old Covenant.

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. (Genesis 16:15, Genesis 21:2)

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, (Romans 9:2, Galatians 4:29, Genesis 17:16, Genesis 18:10, Galatians 4:28, Hebrews 11:11)

24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— (1 Corinthians 10:11, Deuteronomy 33:2, Galatians 4:3)

25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—

THE CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED

But now, beginning with the founding of the Lord’s own people, the Messiah has already come, and the whole picture is changed. The Old covenant was ruled by law, and did not remove the sins of the people. Their sacrifices only prepared them for the final blood sacrifice, that of His Son who would die because of our sin, and offer salvation through obedient faith. This began in the old Jerusalem, and from there to the entire world. Today we can become Christians because of the grace of God. The word “grace” means “undeserved, or unmerited good favor.” That is totally different from the commandments of the Law. Christianity is based on Love, not Law.

26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 21:2,)

27 For it is written: (Isaiah 54:1)

“ Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. (Galatians 4:23, Romans 9:7, Galatians 3:29)

29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. (Galatians 4:23, Genesis 21:9, Galatians 5:11)

The world which looks at Christianity through the eyes of Law, can not understand love.. We love Him because he first loved us. “And now abideth Faith, Hope, Love, and the greatest of these is love.” “By their love, ye shall know them.”

30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” (Genesis 21:10, Genesis 21:12, John 8:35)

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

GOD’S SECOND WILL, GRACE

Galatians 5
Christian Liberty

The key word of the second covenant is “Grace.” No man can buy grace, no man deserves grace because of good works. Yet good works is at the heart of many churches. One does good works because of his love, not for “points” with God. In the words of 1 Corinthians 13: we read, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” To which James adds, “:Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” People know who and what we are by what we do.

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ((John 8:32, John 8:36, Romans 8:15, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 5:13, 1 Corinthians 16:13,Acts 14:10, Galatians 2:4)

2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. (2 Corinthians 10:1, Acts 15:1, Galatians 5:3, Galatians 6:11)

3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole (Luke 16:28, Acts 15:1, Galatians 5:2, Romans 2:25)

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Hebrews 12:15, 2 Peter 3:17)

If for religious purposes you keep a part of the Old Covenant, Paul says, you are obliged to keep all of the law. In such case you are “fallen from grace” because you are seeking salvation through works, not through Christ.

5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 1:7)

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 3:26, 1 Corinthians 7:19, Galatians 6:15, Colossians 1:41, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, James 2:18, James 2:20, James 2:22)
_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
SEPTEMBER

18th. Sunday – Isaiah 43, 44, Galatians 3:15-29, Psalm 108:1-5
19th. Monday – Isaiah 45, 46, 47, Galatians 4:1-16, Psalm 108:6-13
20th. Tuesday – Isaiah 48, 49, 50, Galatians 4:17-31, Psalm 109:1-15
21st. Wednesday - Isaiah 51, 52, 53, Galatians 5, Proverbs 23:10-18
22nd. Thursday - Isaiah 54, 55, 56, Galatians 6, Psalm 109:16-31
23rd. Friday – Isaiah 57, 58, 59, Ephesians 1, Psalm 110
24th. Saturday - Isaiah 60, 61, 62, Ephesians 2, Psalm 111
__________

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Several pages in length
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__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:22
__________

http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

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Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” You will weep with her but in the end rejoice. only $ 7.69 for the “cloud” version

Country singer Barbara Mandrell said that when her son Nathan was born, she always sang three songs to him: “Jesus Loves Me,” “This is the Day the Lord Has Made,” and “Jesus Loves The Little Children.” She said: ”I wondered which of these would be the first song that Nathan would sing on his own. It was none of these three. The first song he sang was “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

"MARY'S LETTERS"

ISBN 978-1-4628-9618-9, hard cover $29,99
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TIMOTHY - FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD

2011-09-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 259 V September 4, 2011

TIMOTHY - FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD

2 Timothy 1:5-18 King James Version (KJV)

This is probably the last of Paul’s letters, and was written from prison. As he was not certain that he would even be living by the time Timothy could come to him he used the opportunity to include final instructions, and encouragements to his “son in the faith.” It is very personal and clearly shows his familiarity with the family. Timothy’s father had been a Greek, but his grandmother and mother were faithful Jewish women who lived by, and taught Timothy the Old Testament scriptures. Here was one Jewish family who readily accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and was probably converted by Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary tour in that area. Timothy must have been in his late teens at that time. Now, perhaps fifteen years later, Timothy is following in the footsteps of Paul, and will carry on the work he had started.

5 I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. (1 Timothy 1:5, Acts 16:1, 2 Timothy 3:15)

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (1 Timothy 4:14)

He reminds Timothy that he had taught him in the faith, and endowed him with special gifts that he would need in his ministry. He was concerned, perhaps that Timothy might be fearful, but fear was not of God who gave him love and power added to his good mind.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (John 14:27, Romans 8:15)

One of Satan’s weapons is fear. No one wants to be scorned or called a lunatic, both of which were likely to happen in the future, both then and now. All of the apostles died a martyr’s death with the exception of John, who survived death, but was banished to the Roman prison colony on Patmos instead.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (Mark 8:38, Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:6, Ephesians 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:9, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:8)

God has a purpose for each of us and has called us to serve, in a task for which He has prepared us. From the beginning, He knew the end, and He specially made each of us to be where we are, at the exact time to do the job that we were prepared to do. We are not “off the rack Christians,” we are “one of a kind,” and specially made for our task.

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (Romans 11:14, Romans 2:28, Romans 11:29, Ephesians 2:9, 1 Timothy 1:1, Romans 16:25, Ephesians 1:4, Titus 1:2)

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (Romans 15:26, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:11, 2 Timothy 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Hebrews 2:14)

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (1 Timothy 2:7)

Paul had been following his own plans until Jesus stopped him in his tracks, on the road to Damascus. He was going there to destroy those of the faith, but God directed him into his ministry of spreading that very same faith. He did it well, once he turned his life over to the Lord. The persecutor became the persecuted through Christ and he was never ashamed of the faith.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:16, Titus 3:8, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:13, 2 Timothy 1:18, 2Timothy 4:8)

Paul knew what lay ahead for Timothy, so he gave him the encouragement he would need.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14, Titus 1:9, Romans 2:20, Romans 6:17, 1 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:21 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 1:1)

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (Romans 8:9, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:1-12)

It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can, any of us, persevere.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

SEPTEMBER

4th. Sunday – Isaiah 8, 9, 2 Corinthians 4, Psalm 105:23-36

5th. Monday – Isaiah 10, 11, 2 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 21:24-31

6th. Tuesday – Isaiah 12, 13, 14, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 105:37-45

7th. Wednesday - Isaiah 15, 16, 17, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 106:1-15

8th. Thursday - Isaiah 18, 19, 20, 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 106:16-31

9th. Friday – Isaiah 21, 22, 23, 2 Corinthians 9, Proverbs 22:1-16

10^th. Saturday - Isaiah 24, 25, 26, 2 Corinthians 10, Psalm 106:32-39

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 788 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com

Our weekly Bible Letter

http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com

Biographical, with photos

http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com

Questions and discussions

http://scripturegems.blogspot.com

Favorite Scripture Quotation

http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com

Representing 70 world languages

http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com

Short Bible studies

http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com

Several pages in length

http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com

Portions of Phyllis’ published books

httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

1 Timothy 4:1-2

__________

http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” You will weep with her but in the end rejoice. only $ 7.69 for the “cloud” version

Army of the Lord...

Jack was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands.

The preacher grabbed Jack by the hand and pulled him aside.

The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"

Jack replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."

The Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"

Jack whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."

"MARY'S LETTERS"

ISBN 978-1-4628-9618-9, hard cover $29,99
ISBN 976-1-4628-9617-2, soft cover $15.99
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A STILL UNFULFILLED PROPHECY

2011-08-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 258 August 28, 2011

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The world is made up of only two classes of people. In the long run, it makes no difference in what race or nationality you happen to have been born. You were born a sinless individual, but as you matured, you, like Adam and Eve sinned, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” What you do about this then your own decision to make, God has done his part. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life, for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17). We call a non-believer, lost, but God calls him a sinner and the wage of sin is death. That is a certainty.

Most Biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled, and the remainder deal with end times and could be fulfilled momentarily. They are not all fearful things, but they will all happen.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (Matthew 16:17, John 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Romans 2:7)

There are two parts to this verse. These will happen and the result is certain. No one will go to heaven in this physical body. That is very good news for any adult person. Our bodies were given to be temporary abodes for the real us, our souls. The body is temporary, and the soul is eternal. We inherited a body that is subject to neglect, misuse, abuse, disease, and just plain wearing out. Sometimes there is nothing we can do about that, but, our souls are eternal and we have full control of them.

What is the mystery here?

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 13:2, 2 Corinthians 5:2-4)

The mystery is that not all will die a normal physical death, called “sleep” here. Those who happen to be physically, still living, will be changed.

HOW IT WILL HAPPEN

With the blast of the angel’s trumpets, “the twinkling of an eye” the dead shall be raised and all will witness the Lord’s return to earth. The “saved” among the currently living, shall be changed, and all the physically deceased who died in Christ, those who “sleep;” Will join them

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (Matthew 24:31, John 25:48, 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 4:17)

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (Romans 2:7, 2 Corinthians 5:4)

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (Isaiah 25:8)

VICTORY IN CHRIST

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (Hosea 13:14)

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (Romans 5:12, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15, Romans 7;8)

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 7:25, 2 Corinthians 2:15, Romans 8:37, Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 5:4, Revelation 21:4)

God has prepared the way. He has revealed it through His Word. It is over to us to act upon it. To do nothing is fatal.

MAKE CERTAIN YOU ARE READY

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (2 Peter 3:14, 1 Corinthians 16:10)

_________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
AUGUST

28th. Sunday – 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 2 Timothy 1, Proverbs 21:1-12
29th. Monday – 2 Chronicles 31, 32, 2 Timothy 2, Psalm 104:1-14
30th. Tuesday – 2 Chronicles 33, 34, 2 Timothy 3, Psalm 104:15-25
31st. Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 35, 36, 2 Timothy 4, Psalm 104:26-35

SEPTEMBER

1st. Thursday - Isaiah 1, 2, 2 Corinthians 1, Proverbs 21:13-23
2nd. Friday – Isaiah 3, 4, 2 Corinthians 2, Psalm 105:1-11
3rd. Saturday - Isaiah 5, 6, 7, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 105:12-22
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 787 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, al things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 6:17-18
__________

http://www.earchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/09/order-book-for-christmas
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” You will weep with her but in the end rejoice. only $ 7.69 for the Cloud version.

What is a father?

Someone has said, "A father is a person who is forced to endure childbirth without anesthetic."

Someone else has observed "A father is a thing that growls when it feels good, and laughs very loud when it's scared to death."

Paul Harvey suggests that "Fathers are what give daughters away to other men who aren't nearly good enough, so they can have grandchildren who are smarter than anybody else's."

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

2011-08-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 257 August 21, 2011

1 Corinthians 13 New King James Version

We have all seen pictures of starving babies. Famine is spreading over large portions of the globe for different reason, but the end is the same. Sometimes it is unrest and war. Farming comes to a stop, and food soon is lacking. The hungry parent neglects the little ones first. Even in the best of times I have noted, in Africa, that the men of the family eat well. The mothers eat a poorer selection, and if there is any thing, left the children scrape it from what is left on a plate or pan here or there with their fingers. When water is scarce and the streams dry up, everyone suffers and soon the little ones start to die. A mother can not nurse her children if she herself is struggling to live.

Spiritually speaking, the line of supply and demand is much the same. We have a friend who runs a weekly “soup kitchen”, not necessarily soup as it has to be much finger food, served up with Bible instruction. The children flock for a proper meal; hundreds of them! The Bible lessons they hear are about all they know about the Bible. That is in a culture where “stories” are a part of their heritage. That is the old way to teaching them.

How many new Christians expect to stay just about where they were spiritually when they were first baptized into the Lord. Keep in mind that this is called a new birth. Baptism is the starting point, ,just as we expect physical growth in our children, God expects Spiritual growth in His children. Our Spiritual food is the word, applied through prayer and sharing. Just as you cut a potato into portions, each with an eye, to produce a patch of potatoes. You produce fruit by sharing.

THE BABY ISN’T GROWING!

A clanging cymbal alone is not a very beautiful sound. It has to be a blend with other instruments. I am often reminded of poor Amos as he quotes God, “Therefore the Lord of hosts, the Lord says this:” (Amos 516, Amos 5:23) “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.” What he seems to be emphasizing is that the people lacked in sincere worship. All the noise, is just noise if the heart is not filled with love, I can not help but remember a gentleman who prayed the most beautiful prayers, but who arrived at worship staggering drunk to pick a fight because he had not been invited to event the night before. God blesses each of us with gifts which He expects us to use with love.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 2 Corinthians 12:4, Revelation 14:2, Psalm 150:5)

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (Matthew 7:22, Acts 13:1, 1 Corinthians 11:4, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 15:51, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23)

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (Matthew 6:2)

SIGNS OF GROWTH

Love is not something to be flaunted, not something, to envy, but flows from our hearts naturally as we grow S[iritually.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 1 Peter 4:8, Acts 7L9, 1 Corinthians 4:6)

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; (1 Corinthians 10:24, Philippians 2:21, 2 Corinthians 5:19)

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 John 4, 2 John 3)

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 9:12)

A WELL ROUNDED ADULT

The end result is a well rounded life used for the Lord. It is the one gift that will last for ever. There won’t be evangelistic meetings to convert the heathen in heaven, for all will already be living for the Lord, there will be no needs for tongs to evangelize the world, for that era is finished. We shall all possess full knowledge, for we see and all our questions are apparent. Perfection has arrived, all the prophecies are fulfilled

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. (1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13:1)

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. (1 Corinthians 8:2, 1 Corinthians 13:12)

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (2 Corinthians 5:7, Philippians 3:12, James 1:23, Genesis 32:30, Numbers 12:8, 1 John 3:2, 1 Corinthians 8:3)

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (Galatians 5:6)

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
AUGUST

21st. Sunday – 2 Chronicles 15, 16, 17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-29, Psalm 101
22nd. Monday – 2 Chronicles 18, 19, 1 Corinthians 15:30-58, Psalm 102:1-11
23rd. Tuesday – 2 Chronicles 20, 1 Corinthians 16, Psalm 102:12-19
24th. Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 21, 22, 1 Timothy 1, 2, Proverbs 20:21-30
25th. Thursday - 2 Chronicles 23, 24, 1 Timothy 3, 4, Psalm 102:20-28
26th. Friday – 2 Chronicles 25, 26, 1 Timothy 5, Psalm 103:1-12
27th. Saturday - 2 Chronicles 27, 28, 1 Timothy 6, Psalm 103:13-22
__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 798 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And now abideth faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13
__________

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Amazon has Cloud reader for the computer free. Phyllis’ new book, “Mary’s Letters” only $ 7.69 for the Cloud version. There are a lot of free classics and New English Bible, also free for the reader. Search Kendle.com. and Books by PJ Mills.

OH, OH !
"Do you believe in life after death?" the boss asked one of his employees.

"Yes, sir," the new recruit replied.

"Well, then, that makes everything just fine, " the boss went on. "After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral, she stopped in to see you."

A STUMBLING BLOCK WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT

2011-08-10T16:51:00.000-07:00

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter 256 V August 14, 2011

A STUMBLING BLOCK WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT

1 Corinthians 8

Like a BALLOON, pride may be without substance and end in LOSS.

The dictionary meaning of the word “sophomore,” is “brash and overconfident but immature.“ It refers to the second year of either high school or college as an excellent preacher used it recently. An old saying goes, “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” A little knowledge of Scripture can, and often is, a dangerous thing. A little knowledge of the words of a text, taken out of their context, has often been the cause of many of the religious cults and denominations of the world. There are literally thousands of little groups which call themselves “Christian” churches. They remind us of the very old illustration of three blind men who by feel described an elephant. The first felt the trunk and concluded that an elephant is like a fire hose. The second felt of its broad side and concluded that an elephant is like a wall, wide, high and solid, then the third felt of the tail and concluded that an elephant is like a rope. In reality, an elephant is like none of those things. Each gave only a part of the story.

Scripture illustrates the church in many ways, but a parable illustrates only a part of the whole. The church is a “body” and Christ is the head. The head controls the body. When man substitutes another head, he is brushing aside the Scripture that says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” and “No one comes to the Father but by me.” As well as, “I will build my church.” That church is all of these things and more, but any group which denies any of them, is not His church. It may be religious, but it is not Christian, and it is not His church. A little knowledge of Scripture is a dangerous thing. Note that God through Paul is speaking of knowledge not wisdom. We need wisdom in how to use our knowledge. Not like a balloon, filed with hot air. That will grow cold, and let you down!

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 6L7, 1 Corinthians 8:10, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 10:15, 1 Corinthians 4:6, Romans 14:19)

2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, 1 Timothy 6:4)

INSTEAD OF PRIDE IN SELF, LET US LOVE ALL

It is not knowledge or even wisdom that sets one aside as His own. It is love; the kind of love that puts God first, others second, and self last. This is the kind of love God has for mankind, and this is the kind of love that draws people to Him, and also to one another. This kind of love attracts the attention of a world that never saw it before.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.(Psalm 1:6, Jeremiah 1:5, Amos 3:2, Romans 8:29, Romans 11:2, Galatians 4:9)

Paul speaks of those things, that while they are not evil in themselves give a false impression and are best avoided. He spoke of meat that a part of which had been offered to idols and what remained was either eaten or sold in the market.

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. (Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 8:1, I Corinthians 8:7, 1 Corinthians 8:10, Acts 14:15, I Corinthians 10:19, Galatians 4:8, Deuteronomy 4:35, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 6:4, I Corinthians 8:6)

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many, (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

While we are not particularly concerned with meat that has been offered to idols

There are many things of the world that others do not expect to see Christians doing.

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (Deuteronomy 4:35, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 46:9, Jeremiah 10:6-7, 1 Corinthians 8:4, Malachi 2:10, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 11:36, John 13:13, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 4:5, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16)

7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:4, Romans 14:14, Romans 14:22+)

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. (Romans 14:17)

A STUMBLING BLOCK IS JUST IN THE WAY

Our freedoms, can in all innocence, become stumbling blocks to others of weaker, or no faith. I recall a pillar of the church who was shocked to see two ministers sitting in the window seats of a hotel bar. He didn’t notice what they were drinking, but only where they were. One was a guest of the hotel, but could have just as easily been served in a hotel lounge. In an African hotel, one might have to register in at a small hotel’s bar, but he would take his refreshments, tea or otherwise anywhere. People will make note of our choice of entertainment. Do they say in their mind, “He does the same things I do, and goes to the same places.” “He likes the same films I do.” It isn’t easy and not without paying a price. An example from myself. I was a sailor in the Navy for two years of my life, but while I was a year in San Diego, I never visited Tijuana or a bar with any of my fellow sailors. The price was that I had few ship-mate friends. I attended church, saw TV shows being taped in Hollywood, visited the beaches, went to skating rinks, stayed at the YMCA week=ends off, and dropped in at the USO occasionally. In Norfolk, I was close enough to spend many-ends with my brother and his family in North Carolina. The point is, “Be Selective.” Others are watching. A few weeks later, after I was in Bible College, one of the men I had known on my ship, became a member of my home church. Did he remember? I don’t know. Sixty four years later I remember him as that fellow who smoked a pipe filled with honey/tobacco..

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. (Romans 14:13, Romans 14:21, 1 Corinthians 10:28, Galatians 5:13, Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 8:10)

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (1 Corinthians 8:4, Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 8:1, I Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 8:7)

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (Romans 14:15, Romans 14:20)

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (Matthew 18:6, Romans 14:20, Matthew 25:45)

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (Romans 14:21, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 2 Corinthians 11:29)

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

AUGUST

14th. Sunday – 1 Chronicles 27, 28, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Psalm 96

15th. Monday – 1 Chronicles 29, 2 Chr. 1, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Psalm 97

16th. Tuesday – 2 Chronicles 2, 3, 4, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13, Proverbs 20:1-10

17th. Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 5, 6, 1 Corinthians 12:14-31, Psalm 98

18th. Thursday - 2 Chronicles 7, 8, 1 Corinthians 13, Psalm 99

19th. Friday – 2 Chronicles 9, 10, 11, 1 Corinthians 14:1-19, Psalm 100

20th. Saturday - 2 Chronicles 12, 13, 14, 1 Corinthians 14:20-40, Proverbs 20:11-20

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 797 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com

Our weekly Bible Letter

http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com

Biographical, with photos

http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com

Questions and discussions

http://scripturegems.blogspot.com

Favorite Scripture Quotation

http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com

Representing 70 world languages

http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com

Short Bible studies

http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com

Several pages in length

http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com

Portions of Phyllis’ published books

httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.”

1 Corinthians 13:9-10

__________

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Read Phyllis’s latest Book, Search <”Mary’s Letters” by PJ Mills>

True Psychology

A youngster was raising havoc in the toy department of the local department store. He was jostling the other kids about and pushing them this way and that. All the while, his mother was saying,
"Honey, please don't do this," "Honey, please don't do that."

When he got on a tricycle and began riding up and down the aisles, the manager of the toy department approached the mother and said, "It appears you're having some difficulty controlling your boy. We have a child psychologist here. Would you like me to call and ask for help?"

In desperation, the young Mother said, "Please, do." The psychologist arrived, inquired of the problem and the young mother said, "Oh my, there is nothing I can do to get my child to obey. If you have any suggestions, I'll be happy to take them."

The psychologist said, "Wait here", and going to the little boy, took him aside, bent over and whispered something in his ear. The youngster looked up with a start, turned, went back to his mother and said, "C'mon, Mom, let's get outta here!"

Well, the change in behavior was so startling, the young mother said, "Son, wait here for a moment, I want to talk to that person." She beckoned to the child psychologist and said, "Please, tell me, what on earth did you do? I've been trying to get my boy to obey me. He wouldn't do it. You come over, say one simple sentence and he responded immediately. What on earth did you say to him?"

The child psychologist said, "Why, ma'am, it's very simple. I just leaned over and said, 'Listen here, you little brat. If you don't get out of here, I'm going to set your britches on fire!'"

2011-08-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES: ORDER A BOOK FOR A \GIFT

THE CHURCH IN CORINTH

2011-08-04T09:22:00.001-07:00

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB

Newsletter 255 V August 7, 2011

Q&A AFRICA TRACTS GEMS BIBLE STUDIES BOOKLETS

THE CHURCH IN CORINTH

1 Corinthians 3: 1-17

Years ago, many fled Europe to settle in this country to escape the persecutions that were troubling Europe. Many were the result of official state sponsored churches. In England the State church, the Anglican church, In Germany The Lutheran, in Italy Catholic and so forth. Those were State supported to some extent, churches. America was relatively unpopulated at that time and there were few ministers. What there were, often became ”circuit riders” traveling from place to place to conduct services and serve communion at regular intervals.. This resulted in less emphasis on various denominations, and far more family worship using just the Bible as God’s authority. The result was that there came about a movement known simply as the Restoration Movement. Even the Constitution of our land reflect this, desire to be united in faith and not permit one official, State Supported church to be tax supported and have special privileges.

When we went to South Africa in 1953 as missionaries, we encountered, for the first time, State tax supported churches. They had beautiful buildings, but more troubling were the laws that could still be enforced. Worship services in private homes were illegal, and first choice was given to State churches for sites in African areas. One of the requirements to get a site was that you had to have seventy five members living within a walking distance from the site. How does one get that many members without having a building? Fortunately, most people ignored that law, even officials. Many of our services then were held on farms, or in school buildings and applications for sites were made as soon as we could come anywhere near the number. In most cases we already had the sites with derelict buildings on them that had to be replaced as soon as possible.

When we tell people that we do not represent any denomination and do not have an official Denominational headquarters because Christ is the head of His church, and spoke of it as his body they often say, “But look at the church in Corinth, surely you don’t want to restore that, we don’t want to be like them.” Of course not. Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth were to correct those flaws. Corinth provided the opportunity to deal with many different evil problems. Paul begins by calling them babies in the faith, worldly, not growing. They were filled with jealousy and internal problems and had divided over their favorite leaders. .

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

As a body, every part of the church has its own function. When our body gets out of balance, we rush for medical treatment. Paul used himself and Apollos as examples. Saying, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Planting and watering are important, but remember it is God who gives the increase and it is he we worship.

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Each of us has his own special abilities, even though we often work in other areas and ways as well. In Africa one member of our team was an experienced teacher, but was also excellent at working with his hands. He helped the building of many church buildings and the school for training ministers. I, on the other hand, could read and draw up the plans but as a builder had absolutely no experience, so I was elected to be the treasurer and handle the building fund money. I also took on the preparation and printing of the documents needed by the elders, deacons, and ministers, and tracts and booklets of many kinds as were needed. Since that went well with a Bible book store that also became my job. Many of the booklets and tracts stocked in the book shop came from our own press, and were distributed through the shop and our van. (See the pictures attached.)

Here, Paul changes his illustration and compares us to a building, God’s building. This Godly building is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We have no message, but that of Christ. He said, “I am the way,” “no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” There is no other way, but through Him. If Christ is not the heart of our preaching, we have missed the mark. South Africans build most buildings of brick, and the corners of the building are where they start and with a level and stretched cord they always measure back to that corner.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

__________

READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011

AUGUST

7th. Sunday – 1 Chronicles 11, 12, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalm 92

8th. Monday – 1 Chronicles 13, 14, 15, 1 Corinthians 7:1-19, Proverbs 19:11-20

9th. Tuesday – 1 Chronicles 16, 17, 1 Corinthians 7:20-40, Psalm 93

10th. Wednesday - 1 Chronicles 18, 19, 20, 1 Corinthians 8, Psalm 94:1-11

11th. Thursday - 1 Chronicles 21, 22, 1 Corinthians 9, Psalm 94:12-23

12th. Friday – 1 Chronicles 23, 24, 1 Corinthians 10:1-17, Proverbs 19:21-29 13th. Saturday - 1 Chronicles 25, 26, 1 Corinthians 10:18-33, Psalm 95

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 796 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com

Our weekly Bible Letter

http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com

Biographical, with photos

http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com

Questions and discussions

http://scripturegems.blogspot.com

Favorite Scripture Quotation

http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com

Representing 70 world languages

http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com

Short Bible studies

http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com

Several pages in length

http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com

Portions of Phyllis’ published books

httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

__________

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Read Phyllis’s latest Book, Search <”Mary’s Letters” by PJ Mills>

Warm Up Humor

A counselor was helping his kids put their stuff away on their first morning in Summer Camp. He was surprised to see one of the youngsters had an umbrella. The counselor asked, "Why did you bring an umbrella to camp?"

The kid answered, "Did you ever have a mother?"

EACH OF US IS MADE FOR A PURPOSE

2011-07-29T07:24:00.001-07:00

Newsletter 254 July 31, 2011

Romans 11:11-24

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

SALVATION OFFERED GENTILES, AFTER JEWS REJECTED CHRIST

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

PAUL CALLED TO EVANGELIZE THE GENTILES

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

JEWS WERE PAUL’S OWN FLESH

Even though Paul was chosen to go to the Gentiles, because they were his own flesh, a prepared people, he always gave the Jews “first option.”
We once did that with a couple who rented our home while we were back in America for furlough. The rent control board, recognizing improvements we had made to the property, raised their rent, so they chose to buy instead.
Before he turned to the Gentiles, Paul often went to his own nation, and God hardened their hearts. The rest of the world is the benefactor. Others of the Apostles also turned to preaching where there was a ready response. Had they been responsive, probably we would not be believers today. But, verse fifteen goes a little further with the words “what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

This would be a troubling phrase had he not illustrated it with a familiar illustration.” We are familiar with this practice ourselves but in a different application as a rule. Some trees san have grafts of a different sort grafted in,. It was not a graft, but I asked permission to remove a tree that was in an advanced state of dying Permission was readily given provided I planted another to take its place. I planted three which I had been nursing along in pots, and cut the original back leaving a stump about two feet tall. It promptly sent out shoots from the stump and in a year or two was a tree filled with healthy growth. Far in excess of the original. Who knows, perhaps God is telling us that when the time is right , from the “dead” will arise abundant life.

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

From the root, comes that which produces. We preach the truth, and the truth can set free, but it is God who gives the increase. The e Fruit of the Spirit is saved souls. One commentary suggested that this would happen when the Lord returns. That may be, but God knows when the time is right.

A large part of my African ministry was through printing and publishing. There was a tie when I wanted to change a few hundred miles to a better source of materials, but the time was not ready then. Years later that move was right and the difference was amazing.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

GOD MADE US FOR A PURPOSE.

Paul calls our attention that the grafted in branches are not the source of the fruit, the roots are. Interesting that apple branches do not bear the fruit of the root, but still bear apples, while other branches, that are from pear trees, bear pears even on the same plant. The same is true Spiritually. The same Spirit, works with all within his own personality. I personality, on this earth will never shine as great evangelist, or as a musician, and certainly not as a sportsman, but as a behind the scenes quiet worker, yes. God made us all for a certain type of job.

God did not discard his people to make room for other. Verse twenty tells us that they disbelieved, others were grafted in to fill he gap that they left when they withdrew. He does that still, when a believer grows cold and turns away, he will raise up another to fill the gap.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

31st. Sunday – Jonah 3,4, Romans 16, Proverbs 18:11-24

AUGUST

1st. Monday – 1 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Psalm 89:46-52
2nd. Tuesday – 1 Chronicles 2, 3, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 90:1-10
3rd Wednesday - 1 Chronicles 4, 5, 1 Corinthians 2, Psalm 90:11-17
4th. Thursday - 1 Chronicles 6, 1 Corinthians 3, Proverbs 19:1-10
5th. Friday – 1 Chronicles 7, 8, 1 Corinthians 4, Psalm 91:1-8
6th. Saturday - 1 Chronicles 9, 10, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalm 91:9-16

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1
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Read Phyllis’s latest Book, Search <”Mary’s Letters” by PJ Mills>

Yoke Joke
A big city lawyer was called in on a case between a farmer and a large railroad company. The farmer noticed that his prize cow was missing from the field through which the railroad passed. He filed suit against the railroad company for the value of the cow. The case was to be tried before the justice of the peace in the back room of the general store. The attorney immediately cornered the farmer and tried to get him to settle out of court. The lawyer did his best selling job, keeping the conversation moving and not letting the farmer get much of a word in. The farmer finally agreed to take half of what he was claiming to settle the case. After the farmer signed the release and took the check, the young lawyer couldn't help but gloat a little over his success. He said to the farmer, "You know, I hate to tell you this, but I put one over on you in there. I couldn't have won the case. The engineer was asleep and the fireman was in the caboose when the train went through your farm that morning. I didn't have one witness to put on the stand." The old farmer replied, "Well, I'll tell you, young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself. That darned cow came home this morning!"

LAW REPLACED BY GRACE

2011-07-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 253 July 24, 2011

Romans 7:7-13 King James Version

SIN DEFINED BY LAW

Aside from the letter to the church in Corinth this letter to the church in Rome contains an abundance of teaching material, and I have over fourteen studies from each book. Even today there is great confusion over the difference between the old and the new testaments. Much of this would be avoided if we regarded the Old Testament as the history of mankind note that it is preparatory to the New Covenant.

Paul had been a Pharisee, tutored by the most brilliant teacher of his time, then personally by Christ after his conversion. He knew the law. He knew the history of his own people. He knew that the law itself was perfect, but it was not the answer to sin. No, it was that which identified what sin is.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

The law, puts into words basic facts that most nonbelievers, and even the followers of pagan religions accept are wrong.. Many of these people have some concept that it is wrong, to lie, to steal, to murder. The law is not wrong, it has been defined as a “schoolmaster.“ The purpose of the law was to prepare a rebellious, people for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. When they finally arrived at the Jordan river, it was a whole new generation of people who were to launch it’s conquest. Paul used his own history as an example. He had been a terrorist, to put it bluntly, trying to force everyone to follow his leading. He had thought he was serving God, but Jesus had to take a hand with him to get his attention. The result was a chastened, blind young man who was led by the hand to sit and ponder what he had been doing until Ananias came, also reluctantly, to lead him to the truth. His whole life and purpose was changed.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me?

forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

SIN OVERCOME BY GRACE

Christ, the Messiah, did not destroy the law. He fulfilled it. It had completed it’s purpose. It had defined sin, and it had introduced the way to conquer sin through Jesus Christ who had paid the price for our own sin with his own life and who shows a new and better way to live. That is why he said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” His purity shows us a better way, and the only way, to enter heaven. He did not tell us to kill our enemies, he tells us to love them. He tells us to pray for them. That is how Stephen could pray, Forgive them for they known not what they do.”

We must not think that becoming a Christian will solve all our problems. No, we are still human, but with something more. We have the Holy Spirit, and we have the assurance where we are going at the end of our physical life here. We each still have our own burdens, but so did Paul. He carried the results of his numerous beatings and stonings, and probably poor eyesight, to his grave. Those things are physical and do not carry over to heaven.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

24th. Sunday – Hosea 3, 4, Romans 11:1-17, Psalm 89:1-8
25th. Monday – Hosea 5, 6, Romans 11:18-36, Psalm 89:9-13
26th. Tuesday – Hosea 7, 8, Romans 12, Psalm 89:14-18
27th. Wednesday - Hosea 9, 10, Romans 13, Proverbs 18:1-10
28th. Thursday - Hosea 11, 12, Romans 14, Psalm 89:19-29
29th. Friday – Hosea 13, 14, Romans 15:1-16, Psalm 89:30-37
30th. Saturday - Jonah 1, 2, Romans 15:17-33, Psalm 89:38-45

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Several pages in length
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Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believrth.”

Romans 10:4
__________

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________

Mountain Neighbors...

Dan, a 35 year old new york stock broker had made it so big on Wall Street that he was able to retire at a young age. Using his wealth, he buys a small cottage in the vermont mountains. After 6 months of hardly any human contact, except for venturing into town for supplies, he hears a knock on his door. He opens the door to find this big, surly, bearded man standing in front of him.
"May I help you," Dan asks.
"The name's Jim, I live 'bout two miles down the road in my cabin," the man says.
"I'm having a party this coming Saturday and I thought I'd invite you seein' that you're new and all here."
Dan accepts the inviation saying, "Great, I haven't been out in six months."
Jim says "I gotta warn ya, there's gon' be a lot a drinkin at this party."
"Well, I've been to all the bars in New York and have held my ground with the best of them," Dan replies.
"A lot of fightin' goes on that these parties too," Jim says.
Dan replies "well, it'll be nice to get out and I think I can hold my own."
Jim offers, "there's also gon' be some wild love making."
"Well I have been alone for the last six months," Dan says with a laugh.
So the two exchange numbers and directions and just as Jim is walking away Dan says "What should I wear?" Jim turns and replies, "Whatever you want, just gon' be us two."

GOD’S ANGER AGAINST SIN

2011-07-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 252 July 17, 2011

Romans 1:18-27

King James Version (KJV)

SIN STIRS GOD TO ANGER

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Galatians 3:6, 2Thessalonians 2:6)

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24)

HIS ANGER IS REVEALED IN TWO WAYS.

1. Through natural events, unnaturally violent..
The flood.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, wars, famines
2. Through clear, immediate action
Adam and Eve, Able, The tower of Babel, the plagues of Egypt, Annanias and Saphira, Destruction of Sodom, Wall of Jericho.

HIS POWER IS CLEAR TO BE SEEN

His power holds everything, from every single atom to the universe from flying apart in self destruction. Common sense tells us that these things could not create themselves. The “Big Bang” is yet to come, but it will not be creative in nature. Mankind even struggles with how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, can be one. Some things are taken on faith. If God says, this is fact, and this is what He expects of us, then we need no more.

We all need a savior, because we have all sinned and fallen short. It is just much a sin to know to go good and not do it, as it is to know not to do something and to do it anyway.

We have a loving God who chose to send His own Son as a sacrifice that would make salvation a possibility. (John 3:16)
.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Mark 10:6, Job 12:7-9, Psalm 19:1-6, Jeremiah 5:2)

It is the fool who has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) There is no excuse for even him, for the proof is all about us in what He has made and done.

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (2 Kings 17:15, Jeremiah 2:5, Ephesians 4:17)

One does not have to look very far to find those who flaunt their graduate degrees, but deny God, who made all they see and use in a single week of time. Time is nothing to God. He spoke these things into being. Man struggles to extinguish a simple grass fire; what can he do when the earth itself is burning? .

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Jeremiah 10:14, 1 Corinthians 1:20)

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Deuteronomy 4:16-18, Psalm 106:20, Jeremiah 2:11, Acts 17:29)

The priests of Egypt made a god of almost every creeping animal, thus it was that when God gave the law to Moses, that was forbidden. They were instructed to hate these pagan gods so much that they were to utterly destroy all the people, and even the animals of the promised land. Those people killed their own children as sacrifices to those gods and glorified prostitution in worship to them.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:26, Romans 1:28, Ephesians 4:19, Ephesians 2:3)

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Isaiah 44:20, Jeremiah 10:14, Jeremiah 13:25, Jeremiah 16:19, Romans 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:31)

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:5)

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9)

As we look about us, it is clear that the world is making a complete cycle back to the sins of Scripture. Can we be surprised at the reaction of the anger of God? This is the same God who told Noah to build an ark and by it saved one family out of the millions living on earth at the time. There is one thing that God does hate, that is sin.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

17th. Sunday – 2 Kings 23, Romans 6, Psalm 86:1-10
18th. Monday – 2 Kings 24, 25, Romans 7, Psalm 86:11-17
19th. Tuesday – Amos 1, 2, Romans 8:1-17, Proverbs 17:13-20
20th. Wednesday - Amos 3, 4, Romans 8:18-39, Psalm 87
21st. Thursday - Amos 5, 6, Romans 9:1-19, Psalm 88:1-9
22nd. Friday – Amos 7, 8, 9, Romans 9:20-33, Psalm 88:10-18
23rd. Saturday - Hosea 1, 2, Romans 10, Proverbs 17:21-28

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 793 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, bur after the Spirit.“

Romans 8:1

__________

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Anything For You...
A woman is sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, middle-aged man enters.

He is so striking that the woman can not take her eyes off him.

The man notices her overly attentive stares and walks directly toward her.

Before she can offer her apologies for rudely staring, he leans over and whispers, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything that you want me to do for $20... But, on one condition."

Flabbergasted, the woman asks what the condition is.

The man replies, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."

The woman considers his proposition for a moment and then removes a $20 bill from her purse, which she presses into the man's hand along with her address.

She then looks deeply into his eyes, and slowly, and meaningfully says, "Clean my house."

AN UNLIKELY MISSION FIELD

2011-07-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 251 July 10, 2011

While our text is taken from the last chapter of the book of Acts in order to conserve space, I do plan to reference both before and after that portion. We must keep in mind that Acts is a record of the birth and expansion of the church. It began in Jerusalem, and had, at this point, spread to Rome, the capitol of the Roman Empire. It is not the biography of the Apostle Paul. It does not start with his birth, nor end with his death. Tradition tells us that he was released from this prison, made the missionary trip to Spain, that he had said he hoped to make, and then was arrested again, and finally was beheaded outside Rome.

What I would like to see today is how he took, what promised to be very impossible situations and fields, and turned them into opportunities to preach the Gospel. The first is the shipwreck itself. Paul was a prisoner on board a small ship that was being driven ashore, who knew where. He was probably been in chains, and would certainly have been lost, but he had become a friend of his guards and they were all released so that they could get ashore on their own. The setting is a bit obscure. One version says it was a “creek mouth,” while another translates it as a “beach.” Having been a sailor and been trained to beach landing craft. The beach is preferable by far, The creek mouth could well have a sand bar just under the surface, as we are told it did. The ship broke up and they all struggled ashore. Their first need was for warmth and dry clothing, so they gathered anything that would burn, including, unknown to them, a viper that had sheltered under some of it. Had God stranded them in a good field for evangelism? A resounding yes! They “just happened” to be on the property of the governor of the island, and his father was very ill. Paul, “just happened to be bitten by a deadly viper.

Acts 28:1-10

1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. (Acts 16:10, Acts 27:1, Acts 27:39, Acts 27:26)

Malta is a small island, only about 17 miles long.

2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. (Acts 28:4, Romans 1:14, 1 Corinthians 14:11, Colossians 3:11, Romans 14:1)

3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” (Acts 28:2, Luke 13:2)

5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. (Mark 15:18)

6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. (Acts 14:11)

God had turned these adverse situations into advantages for them all. The people had turned from thinking he was a murderer, unto thinking that he must be a god. After he also, healed the governor’s father of a very common illness there, they were ready to hear the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. (Acts 9:40, James 5:14,Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:23, Mark 6:5)

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

As soon as the warmer and milder weather came, a ship which had spent the winter on the island, and the crew, including the prisoners and their guards, sailed again headed for Italy. God sent them fellow believers, probably including people of influence, who saw to it that Paul was permitted to be under house arrest until his case could be heard before Caesar. Caesar’s own personal guards spent their assignments chained to Paul. Thus they heard everything that was said, so Paul had as a captive audience servants from the very household of Caesar and many of them became believers. He had two full years in which to live under house arrest but with a very welcoming audience.

God turned every “hindrance“ into an “advantage“ and the church spread.. When we first arrived in Africa from America, we learned that while we in America get our electricity in 110 volts, in Africa it comes as 220 volts, also with different cycles. Our first purchase was for a transformer so we could use our American electrical appliances. We did not have many, but we did have a small record player, and it, with clarion hymn chimes, became our very first real contact with the children of the area. In the cool of the evening, we played those chimes at the same time each evening, and with flannel graph, visible through our open doors, we told the Bible Stories to our invisible audience. After weeks of this, they became visible, when we decided to skip an evening. A hesitant knock at the door, introduced us to seven young people. After that they came in and brought their friends. God had turned a problem into a blessing. He later was to turn our inability to speak German or Afrikaans into another. We started English Correspondence Bible Studies. Demand for them rolled in from all over Africa, except where we were. Instead of a small village, God opened a continent. Now, years later, there is a Christian University in one of those west Africa countries. A chief project of that university is to reach the Islamic world for Christ.
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

10th. Sunday – 2 Kings 11, 12, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 83
11th. Monday – 2 Kings 13, 14, Romans 1:18-32, Proverbs 16:25-33
12th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 15, 16, Romans 2, Psalm 84:1-7
13th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 17, Romans 3:1-20, Psalm 84:8-12
14th. Thursday - 2 Kings 18, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 85:1-7
15th. Friday – 2 Kings 19, 20, Romans 4, Proverbs 17:1-12
16th. Saturday - 2 Kings 21, 22, Romans 5, Psalm 85:8-13

__________

OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS

(With links to 792 titles)

Ctrl/click to follow these links

http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com

__________

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.“

Acts 28:28

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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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Are You Insane?

It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time. This little test should get you started.

During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criteria is that defines a patient to be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub. We offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient, and ask the patient to empty the bathtub."

OK, here's your test:

1. Would you use the spoon?

2. Would you use the teacup?

3. Would you use the bucket?

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket as it is larger than the spoon."

"No," answered the Director.

========

"A normal person would pull the plug."

MESSENGERS OF GOOD NEWS

2011-07-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Newsletter 250 July 3, 2011

Acts 20:1-12 King James Version

The background of this portion of scriptures is that Paul and his party were carrying the offerings of the churches, for the needy, in Jerusalem and hoped to be there by Passover. Probably their group became larger as they visited each church. There is more safety in a larger group, but also less personal responsibility. For many years, I was the treasurer of our annual fund collection for building church buildings and evangelism purposes. I was always assisted by another missionary and we went directly to a branch of the bank used for the mission’s accounts. They accepted that responsibility and transferred the money to the branch we used. As we were often camping in tents, this was a much safer practice. Paul had no such banking system to rely upon. Like ours, both Paul’s group and ourselves, it was a large sum, and we were accepting it in an open church building thronged with people, we never had even a near robbery. Yes, our cars were in danger outside, but the Lord protected His own.

Because he knew that this might be his last visit with them, there were many delays. As I grow older, I too find saying farewell to those I love more difficult each time it happens. We have personally seen only two of our dozen great grand children, and probably will never see the others. Their parents are widely scattered over the globe. Even of our four daughters, only one lives nearby.

1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 11:26, Acts 19:21, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:3)

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

JEWS WERE HIS GREATEST DANGER

3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (Acts 9:23, Acts 20:19, Acts 4:24, Acts 16:9, Acts 20:1)

Plans had to be altered yet once again from sea to overland and by Pentecost instead of Passover.

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 17:10, Acts 19:29, Acts 17:1, Acts 14:6, Acts 16:1, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12, Acts 21:29, 2 Timothy 4:20, Acts 16:6, Acts 20:16, Acts 20:18)

5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. (Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 16:12, Acts 12:3, Acts 16:8)

Notice here is one of the “we’ sections of Acts. In verse 2 says Luke writes “he”, but in verse 6, he writes “we.” Luke had joined the party at Troas. This change of words is how we know.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 16:8)

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10, Acts 16:10, Acts 20:5-15, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:11)

They waited for the entire church to come together. This happened when they gathered as one to break bread. Acts 2:42, tells us that they did this “steadfastly”, not occasionally as is the custom of so many today. Paul knew that this was the way he would see most of the believers.

8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Matthew 25:1, Acts 1:13)

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

(Eutychus means lucky or of good fortune, perhaps it was his good fortune that there was an apostle present, that he might be brought back to life after his fall.)

10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. (1 Kings 17:21, 2 Kings 4:34, Matthew 9:23, Mark 5:35)

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. (Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7)

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JULY

3rd. Sunday – 2 Kings 3, Acts 23, Proverbs 16:1-15
4th. Monday – 2 Kings 4, Acts 24, Psalm 80:1-7
5th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 5, Acts 25, Psalm 80:8-19
6th. Wednesday - 2 Kings 6 Acts 26, Psalm 81:1-7
7th. Thursday - 2 Kings 7, 8, Acts 27:1-20, Proverbs 16:16-24
8th. Friday – 2 Kings 9, Acts 27:21-40, Psalm 81:8-16
9th. Saturday - 2 Kings 10, Acts 28, Psalm 82

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“Thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard, and why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.“

Acts 22:15,16

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SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.

http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________

Heckuva Engineer...

An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess."

He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week."

The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want."

Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer.
I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool.