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SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB
Newsletter 176 V January 17, 2010
TRACTS STUDIES BOOKLETS STUMBLES AFRICA BOOKS SCRIPTURES EMAIL
The world wood it’s heroes with sweetness and flowers. Miss America gets praise, a giant spray of roses, a tiara, and financial awards. The talented, successful, sportsman may be offered a ridiculously high salary, but if he fails to produce, he will be fired and dropped like a hot brick. That is the way of the world. It is the way Satan works. Offer tremendous rewards, with meaningless promises. Remember, Satan is a liar who lures and holds prisoner his victims with meaningless promises. In a recent awards television show, one of the recipients made a point to deny God and that He had anything to do with it. Ignorantly denying God, she was giving credit to Satan, I wonder how soon she will find herself dropped. Perhaps not. Remember how Satan tempted Jesus, our lord, who created this world, with the promise that if he, Jesus, would just bow in worship of him, he, would give it all to him. It was a meaningless promise with nothing to gain, and all to lose, and Jesus’ response was, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matthew 4: 10)
The new Christian is as helpless as a little lamb before a wolf. Even a mature sheep has no defense on his own. The sheep needs a shepherd with a weapon. As Satan departed from Jesus, he in turn, has no answer to the wise use of scripture.
We read nothing about Jesus being tempted before his baptism and the beginning of his ministry for the whole time of his ministries, Satan was never very far away. His betrayer, Judas, was among his own apostles, and the priests, were watching his every move. Even Peter stumbled, and Thomas doubted.
The same is true of all Christians. There are “thorns in the flesh” in every congregation, perhaps well meaning, but misguided individuals. For every genuinely Christian thing that we do, Satan has a counterfeit, a counterfeit Bible, counterfeit churches, a twisted cross, a false gospel, greedy, misdirected evangelists. As time passes, these things qill grow worse, for Satan and his demons know that their time is drawing ever nearer.
But Christians need not be helpless. Jesus said, “I came to bring a sword.” Why, because his followers need to make use of it, the Bible, to respond to Satan. He showed us how, and Satan left him for the time.
Matthew 10:16-22 (King James Version)
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Luke 10:3, Genesis 3:1, Matthew 24:25, Romans 16:19, Hosea 7:11)
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; (Matthew 5:22, Matthew 23:34, Mark 13:9, Luke 12:11, Acts 5:40, Acts 22:19, Acts 26:11)
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. (Matthew 10:19-22, Mark 13:11-13, Luke 21:12-17, Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:11-12)
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (Luke 12:12, Acts 4:8, Acts 13:9, 2 Corinthians 13:3)
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. (Matthew 10:35-36, Mark 13:12, Micah 7:6)
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 24:9, Luke 21:17, John 15:18, Matthew 24:13, ark 13:13)
Be assured, Christians may lose the battle at times, but the Holy Spirit is with them, and they have been assured to the end.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JANUARY
17th. Sunday – Genesis 34, 35, Matthew 13:1-23, Psalm 10:1-11
18th. Monday – Genesis 36, 37, Matthew 13:24-43, Psalm 10:12-18
19th. Tuesday – Genesis 38, 39, 40, Matthew 13:44-58, Psalm 11
20th. Wednesday - Genesis 41, Matthew 14:1-21, Proverbs 2:12-22
21st. Thursday – Genesis 42, 43, Matthew 14:22-36, Psalm 12
22nd. Friday – Genesis 44, 45, Matthew 15:1-20, Psalm 13
23rd. Saturday – Genesis 46, 47, Matthew 15:21-39, Psalm 14
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 626 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29, 30
_______________
It Happened Like This...
The following are actual statements found on insurance forms where car drivers attempted to summarize the details of an accident in the fewest words:
Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.
The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intentions.
I thought my windows were down but I found out it was up when I put my head through it.
I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way.
A truck backed through my windshield into my wife's face.
A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment.
In my attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
THE GRAND CLIMAX OF ALL TIME
Newsletter 174 January 3, 2010
Revelation 20:11-15 (King James Version)
ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
THE HOLY CITY
Revelation 21:1-4
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:22-27
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
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.
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 honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
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.
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JANUARY
10th. Sunday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Monday – Genesis 24, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Tuesday – Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Wednesday - Genesis 27, 28, Matthew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Thursday – Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
15th. Friday – Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 9:13-20
16th. Saturday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 624 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14
_______________
My Goodness, Grandma...
An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle.
She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her voice, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"
The four men didn't wait for a second invitation.
They got out and ran like mad.
The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition.
She tried and tried, and then it dawned on her why.
A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station.
The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing.
He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun. No charges were filed.
If you're going to have a Senior Moment, make it a memorable one!
Revelation 20:11-15 (King James Version)
ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
THE HOLY CITY
Revelation 21:1-4
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:22-27
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
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.
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 honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
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.
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JANUARY
10th. Sunday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Monday – Genesis 24, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Tuesday – Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Wednesday - Genesis 27, 28, Matthew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Thursday – Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
15th. Friday – Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 9:13-20
16th. Saturday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 624 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14
_______________
My Goodness, Grandma...
An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle.
She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her voice, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"
The four men didn't wait for a second invitation.
They got out and ran like mad.
The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition.
She tried and tried, and then it dawned on her why.
A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station.
The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing.
He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun. No charges were filed.
If you're going to have a Senior Moment, make it a memorable one!
Friday, January 22, 2010
THE GOOD AND THE BAD SEED
It is an obvious fact that there are misinformed individuals who believe that they can live a “good life” and attain heaven without a formal relationship with the Lord’s church. They have never repented of their old way of life, have not confessed the divinity of Christ before others, nor have they been obedient to the Lord in Christian baptism. So, they blend with the saints in the activities of the church and from all outward appearances, are Christians. Jesus, in this parable, and his half brother James in his book, both call our attention to the fact that that this is not an acceptable relationship. God looks at the heart, not the outward appearances. At “harvest time” they will be separated from the true. Yes, there are hypocrites in every congregation of the church flock, and they are not easy to see in this life. They are intermingled with the true and faithful, but Jesus tells us how to deal with them without uprooting the true and faithful in the process.
Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field (Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:33, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 18:23, Matthew 21:1, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 13:1, Mark 4:26-30, Luke 13:18, Luke 12:20)
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 3:12)
Matthew 13:36-40
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. (Matthew 13:1, Matthew 15:15)
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; (Matthew 8:20)
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; (Matthew 8:12, John 8:44, Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:qo, Matthew 5:37)
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. (Matthew 12:32, Matthew 13:22, Matthew 13:40, Matthew 12:49, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 9:26)
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. (Matthew 12:32, Matthew 13:22, Matthew 13:39, Matthew 13:40, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 9:26)
The tares in this parable probably refer to darnel, a weed which can hardly be distinguished from wheat until harvest time when it remains green and will have a different seed head from wheat. At that time, it is easy to separate the two.
Many have been quick to point out that there are hypocrites in the church. That is true, but it is God’s problem, not ours. The purpose of the church is to save souls so it is up to us to, set an example, to teach, and to lead them to salvation in the Lord. Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38,39, Acts 8:36-38)
__________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JANUARY
24th. Sunday – Genesis 48, 49, 50, Matthew 16, Proverbs 3:1-10
25th. Monday – Job 1, 2, 3, Matthew 17, Psalm 15
26th. Tuesday – Job 4, 5, 6, Matthew 18, Psalm 16:1-6
27th. Wednesday - Job 7, 8, 9, Matthew 19, Psalm 16:7-11
28th. Thursday – Job 10, 11, 12, Matthew 20, Proverbs 3:11-20
29th. Friday – Job 13, 14, 15, Matthew 21:1-22, Psalm 17:1-5
30th. Saturday – Job 16, 17, 18, Matthew 21:23-46 Psalm 17:6-12
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 627 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.”
Matthew 13:57
_______________
One Dead Duck...
A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. She laid her pet on the table. The vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's heart. "I'm so sorry; your pet duck has passed away."
The distressed owner wailed "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. The duck is dead," the vet replied.
"How can you be so sure," she protested. "I mean, you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few moments later with a black Labrador retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom.
He then looked at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog and took it out and returned a few moments later with a beautiful cat. The cat jumped up on the table and also sniffed the bird from its beak to its tail and back again.
The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly, jumped down and strolled out of the room. The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."
Then the vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys, and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "150!" she cried. "150 just to tell me my duck is dead?"
The vet shrugged. "I'm sorry. If you'd taken my word for it, the bill would have been twenty dollars. But, what with the Lab Report and the CAT scan, it all adds up.
Friday, January 8, 2010
BUILD YOUR LIFE ON A FIRM FOUNDATION
Newsletter 175 January 10,2010
Both parables deal with life and upon what foundation we build. Good works, done for the wrong motive, will earn nothing more than, perhaps the honor of our fellow men. They mean nothing unless we are first, good servants of our Lord. That is why Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-3) were punished with death when they lied to the apostles, to the church, and to the Lord by keeping a portion of the money from the sale of some of their property and then claiming that they had given all. Selling the land and giving the money to the Lord was not wrong, but doing it for the purpose of honor, was. Barnabas had given out of a pure heart, but they had not. Not all good deeds are rewarded. God knows the reason for them, and will reward accordingly, but salvation is not a reward. It is only by God’s grace through the death of his Son, to whom we become bond servants that we have been bought from servitude to Satan, who uses us, to service to God who loves us. This requires us to serve because we love Him. It can’t be bought, for we really have nothing that is all our own with which to buy. Some things are really not for sale.
Matthew 7:21-27 King James Version
(Luke 6:46)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (James 1:22-25, James 2:26, Luke 6:46)
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 25:11, Luke 13:25, Matthew 10:15)
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Psalm 6:6, Matthew 25:41, Luke 13:27)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24, Luke 6:47-49, Matthew 16:18, James 1:22-25)
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it
What is the difference between “rock” and “sand”? Both are composed of the same basic material. Like “good works,” God expects a Christian to do them, but for the right reason. The words he used makes this obvious. The rock is the solid underlying rock or perhaps a massive outcropping slab of stone. Massive structures extend deep down to reach for such a foundation.
I once lived in a house that was built on, not in, such an outcropping. It appeared to be very solid, but deep beneath, there were old abandoned and sealed up gold mines. Late one night, there was a rock-fall in one of those tunnels, and it sounded like an explosion inside the house. The next morning I examined the lowest floor where I found a crack from the floor to the ceiling. Near by, I also have seen huge cracks in the walls of beautiful houses which have been built on shifting sand. The building codes of that city are now very strict!
The Christian has the best life-foundation, ever available, Jesus Christ, God’s Son. There are no hidden flaws, there is strength, and stability, no matter what Satan may hurl at us. Serve him with a pure heart.
__________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
(This directory is reprinted intentionally to place us back in the proper place.)
JANUARY
10th. Sunday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Monday – Genesis 24, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Tuesday – Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Wednesday - Genesis 27, 28, Matthew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Thursday – Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
15th. Friday – Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 9:13-20
16th. Saturday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 625 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
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.”
Matthew 7:13
_______________
Car Trouble...
A Rabbi, a Monk, and a lawyer are riding down the road when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Spotting a farmhouse they walk over and tell the farmer they need a place to stay the night while they wait for a tow.
"I've got room in the house for two of you but someones gonna have to sleep in the barn." says the farmer.
The Rabbi says, "I've no problem with that, I'll go." He leaves.
Five minutes later theres a knock on the door. The farmer opens the door and the Rabbi is there.
He says, "Sir there is a pig in that barn; in my religion pigs are unclean, I cannot sleep under the same roof with a pig."
The Monk speaks up and says, "I have no problem with pigs I'll go sleep in the barn." He leaves.
Five minutes later theres a knock on the door. The farmer opens the door and the Monk is there.
"Sir there is a cow in that barn; in my religion cows are sacred, I cannot sleep under the same roof with a cow.
The lawyer responds, "I'll go sleep in the barn, I've got no religion." He leaves.
Five minutes later theres a knock on the door. The farmer opens the door and the pig and the cow are standing there.
_____________
Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to or and search for (Feet of Clay – P J Mills) This is the first volume of a series based in Guatemala, Central America. If this one pays the cost, she has 5 more volumes waiting in line. Her book “The Call to Africa” is also still available from Amazon.com. “Some of God’s Children” Any of these may be ordered from Phyllis herself.
Both parables deal with life and upon what foundation we build. Good works, done for the wrong motive, will earn nothing more than, perhaps the honor of our fellow men. They mean nothing unless we are first, good servants of our Lord. That is why Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-3) were punished with death when they lied to the apostles, to the church, and to the Lord by keeping a portion of the money from the sale of some of their property and then claiming that they had given all. Selling the land and giving the money to the Lord was not wrong, but doing it for the purpose of honor, was. Barnabas had given out of a pure heart, but they had not. Not all good deeds are rewarded. God knows the reason for them, and will reward accordingly, but salvation is not a reward. It is only by God’s grace through the death of his Son, to whom we become bond servants that we have been bought from servitude to Satan, who uses us, to service to God who loves us. This requires us to serve because we love Him. It can’t be bought, for we really have nothing that is all our own with which to buy. Some things are really not for sale.
Matthew 7:21-27 King James Version
(Luke 6:46)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (James 1:22-25, James 2:26, Luke 6:46)
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 25:11, Luke 13:25, Matthew 10:15)
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Psalm 6:6, Matthew 25:41, Luke 13:27)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24, Luke 6:47-49, Matthew 16:18, James 1:22-25)
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it
What is the difference between “rock” and “sand”? Both are composed of the same basic material. Like “good works,” God expects a Christian to do them, but for the right reason. The words he used makes this obvious. The rock is the solid underlying rock or perhaps a massive outcropping slab of stone. Massive structures extend deep down to reach for such a foundation.
I once lived in a house that was built on, not in, such an outcropping. It appeared to be very solid, but deep beneath, there were old abandoned and sealed up gold mines. Late one night, there was a rock-fall in one of those tunnels, and it sounded like an explosion inside the house. The next morning I examined the lowest floor where I found a crack from the floor to the ceiling. Near by, I also have seen huge cracks in the walls of beautiful houses which have been built on shifting sand. The building codes of that city are now very strict!
The Christian has the best life-foundation, ever available, Jesus Christ, God’s Son. There are no hidden flaws, there is strength, and stability, no matter what Satan may hurl at us. Serve him with a pure heart.
__________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
(This directory is reprinted intentionally to place us back in the proper place.)
JANUARY
10th. Sunday – Genesis 21, 22, 23, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 7:10-17
11th. Monday – Genesis 24, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 8
12th. Tuesday – Genesis 25, 26, Matthew 10:1-23, Proverbs 1:20-33
13th. Wednesday - Genesis 27, 28, Matthew 10:24-42, Psalm 9:1-6
14th. Thursday – Genesis 29, 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 9:7-12
15th. Friday – Genesis 31, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 9:13-20
16th. Saturday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 625 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
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.”
Matthew 7:13
_______________
Car Trouble...
A Rabbi, a Monk, and a lawyer are riding down the road when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Spotting a farmhouse they walk over and tell the farmer they need a place to stay the night while they wait for a tow.
"I've got room in the house for two of you but someones gonna have to sleep in the barn." says the farmer.
The Rabbi says, "I've no problem with that, I'll go." He leaves.
Five minutes later theres a knock on the door. The farmer opens the door and the Rabbi is there.
He says, "Sir there is a pig in that barn; in my religion pigs are unclean, I cannot sleep under the same roof with a pig."
The Monk speaks up and says, "I have no problem with pigs I'll go sleep in the barn." He leaves.
Five minutes later theres a knock on the door. The farmer opens the door and the Monk is there.
"Sir there is a cow in that barn; in my religion cows are sacred, I cannot sleep under the same roof with a cow.
The lawyer responds, "I'll go sleep in the barn, I've got no religion." He leaves.
Five minutes later theres a knock on the door. The farmer opens the door and the pig and the cow are standing there.
_____________
Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to
Friday, December 25, 2009
THE CHRISTMAS STORY
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB
Newsletter 173 December 27, 2009
Luke 2:1-20
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.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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 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,
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.
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,
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.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
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.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JANUARY
3rd. Sunday – Genesis 5, 6, Matthew 3, Psalm 3
4th. Monday – Genesis 7, 8, Matthew 4, Proverbs 1:1-7
5th. Tuesday – Genesis 9.10, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 4
6th. Wednesday - Genesis 11, 12, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 5
7th. Thursday – Genesis 13, 14, 15, Matthew 6. Psalm 6
8th. Friday – Genesis 16, 17, 18, Matthew 7, Proverbs 1:8-19
9th. Saturday – Genesis 19, 20, Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 623 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And Jesus answered him saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Luke 4:4
SEND FREE CHRISTIAN EMAIL GREETINGS FROM:
ecards@dayspring.com
3-movies@dayspring.com
_______________
“I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
_______________
GIFT SUGGESTIONS
$12 $12 $12
Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to or and search for (Feet of Clay – P J Mills) This is the first volume of a series based in Guatemala, Central America. If this one pays the cost, she has 5 more volumes waiting in line. Her book “The Call to Africa” is also still available from Amazon.com. “Some of God’s Children” Any of these may be ordered from Phyllis herself.
Newsletter 173 December 27, 2009
Luke 2:1-20
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.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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 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,
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.
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,
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.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
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.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JANUARY
3rd. Sunday – Genesis 5, 6, Matthew 3, Psalm 3
4th. Monday – Genesis 7, 8, Matthew 4, Proverbs 1:1-7
5th. Tuesday – Genesis 9.10, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 4
6th. Wednesday - Genesis 11, 12, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 5
7th. Thursday – Genesis 13, 14, 15, Matthew 6. Psalm 6
8th. Friday – Genesis 16, 17, 18, Matthew 7, Proverbs 1:8-19
9th. Saturday – Genesis 19, 20, Matthew 8, Psalm 7:1-9
____________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 623 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And Jesus answered him saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Luke 4:4
SEND FREE CHRISTIAN EMAIL GREETINGS FROM:
ecards@dayspring.com
3-movies@dayspring.com
_______________
“I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
_______________
GIFT SUGGESTIONS
$12 $12 $12
Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to
Thursday, December 10, 2009
THE SCROLL OPENED BY CHRIST JESUS
Newsletter 170 December 6, 2009
Realizing one can do little more than introduce the book of Revelation in the four weekly studies of December, last week I briefly introduced up to the letters to the seven churches of Asia. An earlier study already published, based on Revelation 3:14:22, asks the question, “Is This the Church of Today?” That was study #99. Whether the seven churches represent the condition of the church during seven chronological periods of time, or simply mean to cover a full spectrum of possible faults they represent, really makes little difference. They are there to serve as a warning or encouragement depending on the local congregation from that time onward.
Today, we are blessed to see a glimpse of Heaven through John’s eyes. This vision brings us through the turmoil leading up to the judgment. It opens before the very throne of God, where there clearly is no one worthy who open the scroll and reveal its message, until the very Son of God steps forward and does so.
Revelation 5:5-10 (King James Version)
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(Genesis 49:9, Hebrews 7:14, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12, Revelation 22:16)
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, John 1:29, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, Daniel 8:3, Zechariah 4:9, Revelation 1:4)
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Revelation 5:1)
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 4:6, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 4:10, John 1:29, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 15:7, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3)
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 149:1, Isaiah 42:10, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Revelation 14:3, Daniel 3:4, Daniel 5:19, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 10:11, Revelation 11:9, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 14:6, Revelation 17:15)
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 1:6, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 20:4)
Only Christ Jesus is worthy to break the seals and reveal what lay ahead, for only by his sacrificial death can anyone be saved, for “all have sinned and fallen short.” (Romans 3:23) Underlying the message of all the lambs that had been sacrificed since the law was delivered to Moses and the Tabernacle of the wilderness wanderings, and ultimately of the Temple in Jerusalem were dedicated, was the fact that Christ Jesus would be the final sacrificial lamb. Only through Him, can any man be saved. As he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) Being a scroll, it was sealed at seven intervals. These are opened one by one, leading up to the judgment and the glory of Heaven, prepare and reserved for the Saints, the family of God.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009
DECEMBER
13th. Sunday – Nehemiah 1, 2, Revelation 10, Psalm 142
14th. Monday – Nehemiah 3, 4, Revelation 11, Proverbs 30:11-23
15th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 5, 6, Revelation 12, Psalm 143
16th. Wednesday - Nehemiah 7, Revelation 13, Psalm 144:1-8
17 th. Thursday – Nehemiah 8, 9, Revelation 14:1-8, Psalm 144:9-15
18th. Friday – Nehemiah 10-11, Revelation 14:9-20, Proverbs 30:24-33
19th. Saturday – Nehemiah 12, Revelation 15, Psalm 145:1-7
_________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG SEARCHES
(With links to 620 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
Revelation 2:15-16
_____________
SEND FREE CHRISTIAN EMAIL GREETINGS FROM:
ecards@dayspring.com
3-movies@dayspring.com
________________
REPENTANCE ??
"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. For years I've been stealing building supplies from the lumberyard where I work."
"How much did you take?"
"Enough to build my own house and my son's house. And houses for our two daughters and our cottage at the lake."
"This is very serious. I'll have to think of a far-reaching penance for you. Have you ever done a retreat?"
"No, Father, I haven't. But if you got the blueprints I can get the lumber."
_______________
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS
$12 $12 $12
Need a Christmas present? Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to and search for (Feet of Clay – P J Mills) This is the first volume of a series based in Guatemala, Central America. If this one pays the cost, she has 5 more volumes waiting in line. Her book “The Call to Africa” is also still available from Amazon.com. “Some of God’s Children” Any of these may be ordered from Phyllis herself.
Once you have read the book, Please go back to the entry in Amazon, or the web search of the title and the author and after you have double clicked on the cover of the book there, you will find there is much more. Scroll down to “Create your own book review” and enter a note of appreciation and, if there is a space for them, the number of stars you rate it. These reviews are vital to good sales! Under the cover picture Google has made a link to their own write up, which has pages from the published book. They also encourage asking for it to be made available in Kindle e-book format.
Realizing one can do little more than introduce the book of Revelation in the four weekly studies of December, last week I briefly introduced up to the letters to the seven churches of Asia. An earlier study already published, based on Revelation 3:14:22, asks the question, “Is This the Church of Today?” That was study #99. Whether the seven churches represent the condition of the church during seven chronological periods of time, or simply mean to cover a full spectrum of possible faults they represent, really makes little difference. They are there to serve as a warning or encouragement depending on the local congregation from that time onward.
Today, we are blessed to see a glimpse of Heaven through John’s eyes. This vision brings us through the turmoil leading up to the judgment. It opens before the very throne of God, where there clearly is no one worthy who open the scroll and reveal its message, until the very Son of God steps forward and does so.
Revelation 5:5-10 (King James Version)
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(Genesis 49:9, Hebrews 7:14, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10, Romans 15:12, Revelation 22:16)
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, John 1:29, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, Daniel 8:3, Zechariah 4:9, Revelation 1:4)
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Revelation 5:1)
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. (Revelation 4:6, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:11, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 4:4, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 4:10, John 1:29, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 15:7, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3)
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 149:1, Isaiah 42:10, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:12, Revelation 13:8, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Revelation 14:3, Daniel 3:4, Daniel 5:19, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 10:11, Revelation 11:9, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 14:6, Revelation 17:15)
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 1:6, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 20:4)
Only Christ Jesus is worthy to break the seals and reveal what lay ahead, for only by his sacrificial death can anyone be saved, for “all have sinned and fallen short.” (Romans 3:23) Underlying the message of all the lambs that had been sacrificed since the law was delivered to Moses and the Tabernacle of the wilderness wanderings, and ultimately of the Temple in Jerusalem were dedicated, was the fact that Christ Jesus would be the final sacrificial lamb. Only through Him, can any man be saved. As he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) Being a scroll, it was sealed at seven intervals. These are opened one by one, leading up to the judgment and the glory of Heaven, prepare and reserved for the Saints, the family of God.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009
DECEMBER
13th. Sunday – Nehemiah 1, 2, Revelation 10, Psalm 142
14th. Monday – Nehemiah 3, 4, Revelation 11, Proverbs 30:11-23
15th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 5, 6, Revelation 12, Psalm 143
16th. Wednesday - Nehemiah 7, Revelation 13, Psalm 144:1-8
17 th. Thursday – Nehemiah 8, 9, Revelation 14:1-8, Psalm 144:9-15
18th. Friday – Nehemiah 10-11, Revelation 14:9-20, Proverbs 30:24-33
19th. Saturday – Nehemiah 12, Revelation 15, Psalm 145:1-7
_________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG SEARCHES
(With links to 620 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
Revelation 2:15-16
_____________
SEND FREE CHRISTIAN EMAIL GREETINGS FROM:
ecards@dayspring.com
3-movies@dayspring.com
________________
REPENTANCE ??
"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. For years I've been stealing building supplies from the lumberyard where I work."
"How much did you take?"
"Enough to build my own house and my son's house. And houses for our two daughters and our cottage at the lake."
"This is very serious. I'll have to think of a far-reaching penance for you. Have you ever done a retreat?"
"No, Father, I haven't. But if you got the blueprints I can get the lumber."
_______________
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS
$12 $12 $12
Need a Christmas present? Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to
Once you have read the book, Please go back to the entry in Amazon, or the web search of the title and the author and after you have double clicked on the cover of the book there, you will find there is much more. Scroll down to “Create your own book review” and enter a note of appreciation and, if there is a space for them, the number of stars you rate it. These reviews are vital to good sales! Under the cover picture Google has made a link to their own write up, which has pages from the published book. They also encourage asking for it to be made available in Kindle e-book format.
Friday, December 4, 2009
UNDERSTANDING THE FUTURE
Newsletter 169 December 6, 2009
As I was reading the scripture from Daniel 2, concerning the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and then the vision of John, on Patmos, recorded here, It seemed more than coincidence that they were both about the same era. Both of them contain a panoramic view of the latter days. They both end with the second coming of Christ. Daniel explains it starting with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the beginning of the period, while John is writing from the end of the same period of time, but relating it from the viewpoint of the church.
Revelation is the only book of the Bible which promises so great blessings upon those who read it. It is prophetic, written to a people who hunger to know what is to come to be. It promises great punishment for those who meddle with its content, who add to or remove portions; yet, so few people have really read it. Why? Yes, it is sometimes difficult to completely understand, but so was Daniel to those who read it then.
God used the seven churches of Asia as an example. There were seven postal districts in this which is the same as Turkey, today. Verse one tells us that this is shortly to come to pass. Since it is a panoramic view, he means to begin to unfold. They would roll the scroll they were reading, as we pan with a camera today. They show the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church throughout, no doubt using the Menorah, which has seven lamps even as did the candle stand in the tabernacle. It has been used by the Jewish nation throughout the same time span of history.. Seven is a symbol of completeness. We see that figure throughout the Bible. The light represents the presence of God, as in the Shekinah cloud of light. We read of it at the dedication of the Tabernacle, and of the Temple. We see it on the mount when Moses received the law, it was in the cloud that led them in the wilderness wanderings. God was with them, even when they sinned and had to be punished.
Revelation 1:1-8
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
This message came to Jesus, who was, who is, and who is to come. John told us in the Gospel of John, 1:1-3. That he was in the beginning with God, and he made all things. He created all things, he came to earth from His Father, John 3:16-17, and he is coming back for His church when he will separate the good from the bad. When he used the Alpha and the Omega, he used the Greek alphabet one unit in full from A to Z.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009
DECEMBER
6th. Sunday – Daniel 11, 12, Revelation 4, Proverbs 29:19-27
7th. Monday – Ezra 1:-2:42, Revelation 5, Psalm 139:9-16
8th. Tuesday – Ezra 2:43-3:13, Revelation 6, Psalm 139:17-24
9th. Wednesday - Ezra 4, 5, Revelation 7, Psalm 140:1-5
10th. Thursday – Ezra 6, 7, Revelation 8, Proverbs 30:1-10
11th. Friday – Ezra 8, 9, Revelation 9:1-11, Psalm 140:6-13
12th. Saturday – Ezra 10, Revelation 9:12-21, Psalm 141
_________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG SEARCHES
(With links to 619 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God”
Revelation 2:10
_____________
SEND FREE CHRISTIAN EMAIL GREETINGS FROM:
ecards@dayspring.com
3-movies@dayspring.com
________________
"An Atheist in the woods"
An atheist was walking through the woods.
"What majestic trees!"
"What powerful rivers!"
"What beautiful animals!"
He said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling
in the bushes behind him. He turned to look.
A 7-foot grizzly bear was charging towards him.
The man ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked
over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on
him. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was
even closer. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled
over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on
top of him, reaching for him with his left and raising his
right paw to strike him.
At that instant the Atheist cried out, "Oh my God!".
Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out
of the sky. "You deny my existence for all these years,
teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a
cosmic accident.. Do you expect me to help you out of
this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light and said, "It
would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat
me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the
BEAR a Christian?"
"Very Well", said the voice.
The light went out.. The sounds of the forest resumed..
And the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws
together, bowed his head & spoke:
"Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy
bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen."
_______________
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS
$12 $12 $12
Need a Christmas present? Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to and search for (Feet of Clay – P J Mills) This is the first volume of a series based in Guatemala, Central America. If this one pays the cost, she has 5 more volumes waiting in line. Her book “The Call to Africa” is also still available from Amazon.com. “Some of God’s Children” Any of these may be ordered from Phyllis herself.
Once you have read the book, Please go back to the entry in Amazon, or the web search of the title and the author and after you have double clicked on the cover of the book there, you will find there is much more. Scroll down to “Create your own book review” and enter a note of appreciation and, if there is a space for them, the number of stars you rate it. These reviews are vital to good sales! Under the cover picture Google has made a link to their own write up, which has pages from the published book. They also encourage asking for it to be made available in Kindle e-book format.
As I was reading the scripture from Daniel 2, concerning the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and then the vision of John, on Patmos, recorded here, It seemed more than coincidence that they were both about the same era. Both of them contain a panoramic view of the latter days. They both end with the second coming of Christ. Daniel explains it starting with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the beginning of the period, while John is writing from the end of the same period of time, but relating it from the viewpoint of the church.
Revelation is the only book of the Bible which promises so great blessings upon those who read it. It is prophetic, written to a people who hunger to know what is to come to be. It promises great punishment for those who meddle with its content, who add to or remove portions; yet, so few people have really read it. Why? Yes, it is sometimes difficult to completely understand, but so was Daniel to those who read it then.
God used the seven churches of Asia as an example. There were seven postal districts in this which is the same as Turkey, today. Verse one tells us that this is shortly to come to pass. Since it is a panoramic view, he means to begin to unfold. They would roll the scroll they were reading, as we pan with a camera today. They show the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church throughout, no doubt using the Menorah, which has seven lamps even as did the candle stand in the tabernacle. It has been used by the Jewish nation throughout the same time span of history.. Seven is a symbol of completeness. We see that figure throughout the Bible. The light represents the presence of God, as in the Shekinah cloud of light. We read of it at the dedication of the Tabernacle, and of the Temple. We see it on the mount when Moses received the law, it was in the cloud that led them in the wilderness wanderings. God was with them, even when they sinned and had to be punished.
Revelation 1:1-8
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
This message came to Jesus, who was, who is, and who is to come. John told us in the Gospel of John, 1:1-3. That he was in the beginning with God, and he made all things. He created all things, he came to earth from His Father, John 3:16-17, and he is coming back for His church when he will separate the good from the bad. When he used the Alpha and the Omega, he used the Greek alphabet one unit in full from A to Z.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009
DECEMBER
6th. Sunday – Daniel 11, 12, Revelation 4, Proverbs 29:19-27
7th. Monday – Ezra 1:-2:42, Revelation 5, Psalm 139:9-16
8th. Tuesday – Ezra 2:43-3:13, Revelation 6, Psalm 139:17-24
9th. Wednesday - Ezra 4, 5, Revelation 7, Psalm 140:1-5
10th. Thursday – Ezra 6, 7, Revelation 8, Proverbs 30:1-10
11th. Friday – Ezra 8, 9, Revelation 9:1-11, Psalm 140:6-13
12th. Saturday – Ezra 10, Revelation 9:12-21, Psalm 141
_________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG SEARCHES
(With links to 619 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. With it you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to any email address on earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
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’ 3 published books & more to come
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God”
Revelation 2:10
_____________
SEND FREE CHRISTIAN EMAIL GREETINGS FROM:
ecards@dayspring.com
3-movies@dayspring.com
________________
"An Atheist in the woods"
An atheist was walking through the woods.
"What majestic trees!"
"What powerful rivers!"
"What beautiful animals!"
He said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling
in the bushes behind him. He turned to look.
A 7-foot grizzly bear was charging towards him.
The man ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked
over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing in on
him. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was
even closer. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled
over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on
top of him, reaching for him with his left and raising his
right paw to strike him.
At that instant the Atheist cried out, "Oh my God!".
Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out
of the sky. "You deny my existence for all these years,
teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a
cosmic accident.. Do you expect me to help you out of
this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light and said, "It
would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat
me as a Christian now, but perhaps you could make the
BEAR a Christian?"
"Very Well", said the voice.
The light went out.. The sounds of the forest resumed..
And the bear dropped his right paw, brought both paws
together, bowed his head & spoke:
"Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy
bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen."
_______________
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS
$12 $12 $12
Need a Christmas present? Phyllis’ first missionary novel has been published, You can order a copy now. Go to
Once you have read the book, Please go back to the entry in Amazon, or the web search of the title and the author and after you have double clicked on the cover of the book there, you will find there is much more. Scroll down to “Create your own book review” and enter a note of appreciation and, if there is a space for them, the number of stars you rate it. These reviews are vital to good sales! Under the cover picture Google has made a link to their own write up, which has pages from the published book. They also encourage asking for it to be made available in Kindle e-book format.
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