Newsletter 248 June 19, 2011
Acts 9:1-22
King James Version (KJV)
SAUL THE PERSECUTOR
Do you see a comparison? Saul of Tarsus was a young fire brand sort of personality, on fire for God, or so he thought. He was of good background, well educated at the best money could buy. He had been taught by Gamaliel, the most outstanding teacher of his day. He was a Pharisee, the most strict, of the strict, in as far as the Law of Moses was concerned. He had everything going for him politically, if he was not a member of the Sanhedrin, he was certainly headed there, and he was determined that this upstart movement called simply, “the way” must be stopped and destroyed right from its roots. Apparently he and his followers felt that they had cleared it from Jerusalem, so he turned his attention to Damascus.
What he had not taken to mind was the fact that God had other plans for him; plans that were directly opposite to those he had. God made him with this personality, but directed in a totally different direction. He was a persecutor, today we would say “guilty of murder,” for he “aided and abetted,” and probably organized the stoning of Stephen, an innocent man. God took him over as he was headed to another city to search out these believers in Jesus Christ. First, God stopped him in his tracks as he neared the city, and left him blind and groping for someone to lead him. Listen to what the Bible says.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:13-21)
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (Acts 9:14, Acts 9:21, Acts 22:5, Acts 26:10, Matthew 10:17, Genesis 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17, John 14:6, Acts 18:25, Acts 19:9, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14, Acts 4:22)
MEETS CHRIST
He was not yet converted while on the way. This bewildered man had time to contemplate what he was doing, and that he had God’s full attention. God was not pleased. That was not what he expected. He expected God to bless and assist him! What did God want? What was he doing that was wrong in God’s sight? He was ready to listen. And God had the answer. “Go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.”
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (1 Corinthians 15:8)
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Acts 22:7, Acts 26:14)
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:16)
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. (Acts 26:14, John 12:29, Acts 22:9)
SAUL THE HUMBLED LED TO ANTIOCH
He was led into the city of Damascus, where he sat and thought about what had happened. For three days he thought, and you can be sure, prayed. He did not even drink anything.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Acts 9:18, Acts 22:11, Genesis 14:15,,2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17)
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
GOD SENDS HELP TO HIM
God sent a very reluctant, but obedient man, Ananias, to lead him and baptize him. How would we feel, if we knew about any prospect, what Ananias knew about Saul of Tarsus?
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (Galatians 14:15, 2 Corinthians 11:32, Galatians 1:17, Acts 22:12, Acts 10:3, Acts 10:17, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:5, Acts 12:9, Acts 16:9, Acts 18:9)
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:30, Acts 11:25, Acts 21:39, Acts 22:3)
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:17)
SOMETIMES GOD GIVES HARD INSTRUCTIONS.
It is not for us to be shy, when God says, “do this.” Ananias probably felt that he was walking into a death trap, but nevertheless, he went, and he did his part in the conversion and baptism of the most powerful evangelist the world has ever known. God had a plan for Saul, and Ananias had a simple part in making it come to be. Because he did this, it was said later of Paul that he “turned the world upside down.” for the Lord.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41, Acts 20:10, Romans 1:7, Romans 15:25, Romans 15:26, Romans 16:2, Romans 16:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2)
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. (Acts 9:2, Acts 9:21, Acts 7:59)
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 13:2, Romans 1:1, Romans 9:23, Galatians 1:125, Ephesians 3:7, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:17, Romans 1:5, Romans 11:13, Romans 15:16, Galatians 1:16, Galatians 2:7, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 4:17, Acts 25:22, Acts 26:1, Acts 26:32)
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 20:23, Acts 21:4, Acts 21:11, Acts 21:13, 2Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 11”23-27, 1 Thessalonians 3:3)
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 5:23, Acts 6:6, Acts 9:12, Acts 22:13, Acts 2:4)
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
WAS HIS EYESIGHT THE “THORN”?
Even after all of this preparation, God chose to leave Saul with one major weakness, probably eye problems. The glorious light from above had simply been too much for human eyes to handle. This remaining problem, which he called a “thorn in the flesh” stayed with him for life, (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) a constant reminder of what he had been, and now had become. He was now a new man, with a new direction in his life. From then on, we know him as, “Paul the Apostle.” He became a “fire brand’ for God in God’s way now. You and I an rejoice in this. Without it, history would be different, and mankind would possibly already have destroyed all life on earth.. He wasted no time and immediately began to preach Christ, to the very people that he carried letters of authority to destroy what he was now preaching.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. (Acts 26:20, Acts 9:26, Acts 9:38, Acts 11:26)
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 13:5, Acts 13:14, Acts 16:13, Acts 17:2, Acts 17:10, Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19, Acts 19:8, Matthew 4:3, Acts 9:22, Acts 19:33)
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? (Acts 8:3, Acts 9:13, Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23, Acts 9:14)
THE TEACHER IS MORE BLESSED
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
If we allow him, we too can be a changed people, being a light to the darkness around us. Remember, I said, “see a comparison.”
There are a misinformed people of great zeal, ready to give their very lives for a false message that they believe to be the will of God. We are engaged in a “holy war” in that sense only. God sent a reluctant believer, fearing for his very life, to convert just such a man. God is able to bring about just such a change when the time is right. This is the same God, the same Jesus,. The same personality, dedication to a false premise, and we are certainly as hesitant as was Ananias.
Who knows but perhaps we are today’s equivalents of Esther to whom it was said, “Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this.“ (Esther 4:14) We are of his kingdom, the church. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
19th. Sunday – 1 Kings 7, Acts 13:26-52, Psalm 75
20th. Monday – 1 Kings 8, Acts 14, Psalm 76
21st. Tuesday – 1 Kings 9, 10, Acts 15:1-22, Proverbs 15:9-18
22nd. Wednesday - 1 Kings 11, Acts 15:23-41, Psalm 77:1-9
23rd. Thursday - 1 Kings 12, Acts 16:1-18, Psalm 77:10-20
24th. Friday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Saturday - 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:19-26
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 789 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
“Who knows but that thou art come unto the kingdom for such a time as this.“
Esther 4:14
__________
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
__________
We Three Tortoises...
Three tortoises, Mick, Alan and Les, decide to go on a picnic. So Mick packs the picnic basket with Coke and sandwiches. The trouble is the picnic site is ten miles away so it takes them ten days to get there.
When they get there Mick unpacks the food and Coke. "Ok, Les Give me the bottle opener."
"I didn't bring it," says Les. "I thought you packed it."Mick gets worried, He turns to Alan, "Did you bring the bottle opener??"
Naturally Alan didn't bring it. So they're stuck ten miles from Home without a bottle opener. Mick and Alan beg Les to go back for it, but he refuses as he says they will eat all the sandwiches.
After two hours, and after they have sworn on their tortoise lives that they will not eat the sandwiches, he finally agrees. So Les sets off down the road at a steady pace.
Twenty days pass and he still isn't back and Mick and Alan are starving, but a promise is a promise.
Another five days and he still isn't back, but a promise is a promise. Finally they can't take it any longer so they take out a sandwich each, and just as they are about to eat it, Les pops up from behind a rock and shouts....
"I KNEW IT!......I'M NOT FREAKING GOING!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
UNTO ALL THE NATIONS
Newsletter 247 June 12, 2011
Acts 8:26-39
King James Version
When the Lord gives an instruction, He not only wants us to listen, but wants an immediate response. Moses’ first response was, “Not me Lord.” He saw the fire in the bush, he heard and recognized the voice to be that of the Lord, He knew the task was worthy. But being a humble man, in spite of knowing that he was only there because God had preserved him, when most boy babies were being killed, in spite of the special preparatory training God had given him in Pharaoh’s palace, then how to live in the desert, he made excuses that he could not do this. How very like us all. God gave us all weaknesses that we might be strengthened through overcoming them.
Moses pointed out that he could not speak well. Perhaps he stuttered, Abraham could have said, “Not my only son God, I can‘t sacrifice him.” Saul of Tarsus could have pointed out, “My eyesight is poor.” God knew all these things, but He also knew how to overcome them and make each a more effective witness, perhaps through overcoming an obvious weakness. Where there is a weakness, there is always a way to overcome it.
GOD SENT
The first important point is that God sent Philip. Here was a man who was engaged in a very worthy task. He was helping, “serve” the widows, as a deacon. He was already preaching to a very responsive people, when God sent him out into a deserted spot. I can just hear him thinking, “Not right now, Lord, these people are being converted every day.” But, God said, “Go,” so he went without delay, and because he did, he found himself in the right place, just at the right time .to open the door to the continent of Africa, through the Ethiopian he met there.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Acts 5:19, Acts 8:29, Acts 8:5, Genesis 10:19)
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, (Psalm 68:31, Psalm 87:4, Isaiah 56:3, 1 Kings 8:41, Jeremiah 12:20)
A RECEPTIVE PERSON
This was just the man to reach for the Lord. He was wealthy, he had bought a hand written scroll of the Prophet Isaiah. He was a man of influence, the treasurer of Ethiopia. But he would never been able to become a Jew because he was an eunuch, a servant of the Queen. To follow the Lord, no problem.
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8:39, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6, Acts 7:20-23Acts 21:11, Acts 28:25, Hebrews 3:7)
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said , How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
It was no coincidence that he was reading exactly the right prophet, and in just the right place, when Philip asked him a simple question.
START WHERE THE LISTENER IS
He had a question, and here was a man who could answer it. God’s timing is perfection.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Isaiah 53:7)
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. (Isaiah 53:8)
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of him self, or of some other man?
THE MESSAGE IS JESUS
God set the stage, and Philip gave him the answer. Jesus! Jesus is always the answer, His own words, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Matthew 5:2, Luke 24:27, Acts 17:2, Acts 18:28, Acts 28:23, Acts 5:42)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 10:47)
When he spoke of Jesus, he also showed the way through Jesus. He saw a body of water and asked, *What doth hinder me to be immersed?” (The Greek word here is “bap-tid-’zo” meaning “to make fully wet’ “Wash.”
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Dipping in water would have been meaningless if he did not first believe in the divinity of Jesus. This confession is the solid rock on which the whole church is built. Without this faith in Jesus, there is no hope. All is lost. (Matthew 16:18)
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(1 Kings 18:12, 2 Kings 2:16, Ezekiel 3:12, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:1, 2 Corinthians 12:2).
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
12th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 73:1-14
13th. Monday – 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Thursday - 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
17th. Friday – 1 Kings 3, 4, Acts 12, Proverbs 15:1-8
18th. Saturday - 1 Kings 5, 6, Acts 13:1-25, Psalm 74:18-23
__________
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
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
__________
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
__________
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water, at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Acts 8:26-39
King James Version
When the Lord gives an instruction, He not only wants us to listen, but wants an immediate response. Moses’ first response was, “Not me Lord.” He saw the fire in the bush, he heard and recognized the voice to be that of the Lord, He knew the task was worthy. But being a humble man, in spite of knowing that he was only there because God had preserved him, when most boy babies were being killed, in spite of the special preparatory training God had given him in Pharaoh’s palace, then how to live in the desert, he made excuses that he could not do this. How very like us all. God gave us all weaknesses that we might be strengthened through overcoming them.
Moses pointed out that he could not speak well. Perhaps he stuttered, Abraham could have said, “Not my only son God, I can‘t sacrifice him.” Saul of Tarsus could have pointed out, “My eyesight is poor.” God knew all these things, but He also knew how to overcome them and make each a more effective witness, perhaps through overcoming an obvious weakness. Where there is a weakness, there is always a way to overcome it.
GOD SENT
The first important point is that God sent Philip. Here was a man who was engaged in a very worthy task. He was helping, “serve” the widows, as a deacon. He was already preaching to a very responsive people, when God sent him out into a deserted spot. I can just hear him thinking, “Not right now, Lord, these people are being converted every day.” But, God said, “Go,” so he went without delay, and because he did, he found himself in the right place, just at the right time .to open the door to the continent of Africa, through the Ethiopian he met there.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Acts 5:19, Acts 8:29, Acts 8:5, Genesis 10:19)
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, (Psalm 68:31, Psalm 87:4, Isaiah 56:3, 1 Kings 8:41, Jeremiah 12:20)
A RECEPTIVE PERSON
This was just the man to reach for the Lord. He was wealthy, he had bought a hand written scroll of the Prophet Isaiah. He was a man of influence, the treasurer of Ethiopia. But he would never been able to become a Jew because he was an eunuch, a servant of the Queen. To follow the Lord, no problem.
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (Acts 8:39, Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12, Acts 13:2, Acts 16:6, Acts 7:20-23Acts 21:11, Acts 28:25, Hebrews 3:7)
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said , How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
It was no coincidence that he was reading exactly the right prophet, and in just the right place, when Philip asked him a simple question.
START WHERE THE LISTENER IS
He had a question, and here was a man who could answer it. God’s timing is perfection.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Isaiah 53:7)
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. (Isaiah 53:8)
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of him self, or of some other man?
THE MESSAGE IS JESUS
God set the stage, and Philip gave him the answer. Jesus! Jesus is always the answer, His own words, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Matthew 5:2, Luke 24:27, Acts 17:2, Acts 18:28, Acts 28:23, Acts 5:42)
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Acts 10:47)
When he spoke of Jesus, he also showed the way through Jesus. He saw a body of water and asked, *What doth hinder me to be immersed?” (The Greek word here is “bap-tid-’zo” meaning “to make fully wet’ “Wash.”
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Dipping in water would have been meaningless if he did not first believe in the divinity of Jesus. This confession is the solid rock on which the whole church is built. Without this faith in Jesus, there is no hope. All is lost. (Matthew 16:18)
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(1 Kings 18:12, 2 Kings 2:16, Ezekiel 3:12, Ezekiel 3:14, Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 11:1, 2 Corinthians 12:2).
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
12th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 73:1-14
13th. Monday – 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Wednesday - 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Thursday - 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
17th. Friday – 1 Kings 3, 4, Acts 12, Proverbs 15:1-8
18th. Saturday - 1 Kings 5, 6, Acts 13:1-25, Psalm 74:18-23
__________
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
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
__________
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
__________
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water, at the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Thursday, June 2, 2011
THEN, THE END SHALL COME
Newsletter 246 June 5, 2011
Recent television news informed us that the world was to come to an end urgently, and then a few days after that date had come and gone, again to tell us that it was a mistake and that another date is the right one. This has been repeated over the years at regular intervals and just proves that people are not reading their Bibles. They are leaving the reading to others. They believe just what they are told..
ITS TRUE,
The Lord is coming again. Satan is the father of lies, and a “half truth” is his basic starting point. Remember the time when Jesus had not eaten for nearly forty days. By that time some stones could easily “look like” loaves of bread, so Satan suggested, “turn them into bread; eat.” Jesus could have used His powers for himself, but it would have defeated His purpose to go so. He was not deceived by that and he knew just which scriptures to use. Would you know? You wouldn’t if you hadn’t read the Bible.
TURN TO THE WORD
I do not have space to use the all of Matthew 24 and 25, but you will find plenty there to serve your need to help your confused friend. An isolated hurricane, as in New Orleans, a flood as in the Mississippi now, a tsunami as was a few years ago in the far East, the earthquake that hit Japan, the tornado which destroyed much of Joplin, Missouri, and those that have shattered the South East; Even the recent wide fires of Texas. All of these, as treacherous as they have been, are not signs of the Lord’s immediate return. They may be judgments on the sinfulness of mankind, abortions, alcoholism, sexual sins, materialism, and the like, but all these things will come before the end. They are like the budding of the fig trees which tell us Spring is near. (Matthew 24:32-33)
MATTHEW 24:3-8
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
THERE IS MORE TO COME
There is still more. Satan and his own are also at work turning man against man.
MATTHEW 24:9-14
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
False prophets grow more and more frequent, each with greater violence destroying the faith of many who are weak in knowledge of the word. They have been feasting on the ideas of men and not on the word of the Lord.
It is only after all this that we see, perhaps in desperation, that the “gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world for a witness to the nations.“
Satan makes one last frantic attack.
MATTHEW 24:15
“When ye therefore shall see the abomnation of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MATTHEW 24:29-32
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
WHEN WILL HE COME?
No one knows when, but are we ready?
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:37)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
5th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 8, 9. Acts 5:1-16, Proverbs 14:10-18
6th. Monday – 2 Samuel 10, 11, Acts 5:17-42, Psalm 70
7th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 12, 13, Acts 6, Psalm 71:1-8
8th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 14, 15, Acts 7:1-36, Psalm 71:9-18
9th. Thursday - 2 Samuel 16, 17, Acts 7:37-80, Proverbs 14:19-25
10th. Friday – 2 Samuel 18, Acts 8:1-24, Psalm 71:19-24
11th. Saturday - 2 Samuel 19, Acts 8:25-40, Psalm 72
__________
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
“Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41
__________
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
__________
Thoughts on Marriage
1) Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence (a life sentence).
2) Marriage is very much like a violin; after the sweet music is over, the strings are still attached.
3) Marriage is love. Love is blind. Therefore marriage is an institution for the blind.
4) Marriage is an institution in which a man loses his Bachelor's Degree and the woman gets her Master's.
5) Marriage is a thing which puts a ring on a woman's finger, and two under the man's eyes.
6) Marriage certificate is just another word for a work permit.
Recent television news informed us that the world was to come to an end urgently, and then a few days after that date had come and gone, again to tell us that it was a mistake and that another date is the right one. This has been repeated over the years at regular intervals and just proves that people are not reading their Bibles. They are leaving the reading to others. They believe just what they are told..
ITS TRUE,
The Lord is coming again. Satan is the father of lies, and a “half truth” is his basic starting point. Remember the time when Jesus had not eaten for nearly forty days. By that time some stones could easily “look like” loaves of bread, so Satan suggested, “turn them into bread; eat.” Jesus could have used His powers for himself, but it would have defeated His purpose to go so. He was not deceived by that and he knew just which scriptures to use. Would you know? You wouldn’t if you hadn’t read the Bible.
TURN TO THE WORD
I do not have space to use the all of Matthew 24 and 25, but you will find plenty there to serve your need to help your confused friend. An isolated hurricane, as in New Orleans, a flood as in the Mississippi now, a tsunami as was a few years ago in the far East, the earthquake that hit Japan, the tornado which destroyed much of Joplin, Missouri, and those that have shattered the South East; Even the recent wide fires of Texas. All of these, as treacherous as they have been, are not signs of the Lord’s immediate return. They may be judgments on the sinfulness of mankind, abortions, alcoholism, sexual sins, materialism, and the like, but all these things will come before the end. They are like the budding of the fig trees which tell us Spring is near. (Matthew 24:32-33)
MATTHEW 24:3-8
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
THERE IS MORE TO COME
There is still more. Satan and his own are also at work turning man against man.
MATTHEW 24:9-14
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
False prophets grow more and more frequent, each with greater violence destroying the faith of many who are weak in knowledge of the word. They have been feasting on the ideas of men and not on the word of the Lord.
It is only after all this that we see, perhaps in desperation, that the “gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world for a witness to the nations.“
Satan makes one last frantic attack.
MATTHEW 24:15
“When ye therefore shall see the abomnation of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MATTHEW 24:29-32
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
WHEN WILL HE COME?
No one knows when, but are we ready?
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:37)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
JUNE
5th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 8, 9. Acts 5:1-16, Proverbs 14:10-18
6th. Monday – 2 Samuel 10, 11, Acts 5:17-42, Psalm 70
7th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 12, 13, Acts 6, Psalm 71:1-8
8th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 14, 15, Acts 7:1-36, Psalm 71:9-18
9th. Thursday - 2 Samuel 16, 17, Acts 7:37-80, Proverbs 14:19-25
10th. Friday – 2 Samuel 18, Acts 8:1-24, Psalm 71:19-24
11th. Saturday - 2 Samuel 19, Acts 8:25-40, Psalm 72
__________
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
“Then shall he say unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41
__________
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
__________
Thoughts on Marriage
1) Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence (a life sentence).
2) Marriage is very much like a violin; after the sweet music is over, the strings are still attached.
3) Marriage is love. Love is blind. Therefore marriage is an institution for the blind.
4) Marriage is an institution in which a man loses his Bachelor's Degree and the woman gets her Master's.
5) Marriage is a thing which puts a ring on a woman's finger, and two under the man's eyes.
6) Marriage certificate is just another word for a work permit.
Friday, May 27, 2011
OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN
Newsletter 245 May 29, 2011
Acts 5:17-32 (King James Version)
ARRESTED WITHOUT CHARGE
Yes, it can happen even today. Soon, following the establishment of Christ’s church on the first Pentecost after his resurrection, the apostles were still preaching, this good news, actually in the temple compound in Jerusalem. It is not surprising that the temple authorities protested and they were arrested and thrown into prison.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, (Acts 15:5, Matthew 3:7, Acts 4:1)
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. (Acts 4:3)
GOD RELEASES AND COMMANDS
God intervened. The temple was built and dedicated to be God’s home in Jerusalem. In it, the Ark of the Covenant represented His presence. To this day, I was told, Orthodox Jews will not walk about on the temple mount, lest they accidentally walk over the site where Holy of Holies was situated.
God releases the apostles, and sends them back to His temple to preach the Good News of salvation.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, (Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:24, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19, Matthew 28:2, Luke 1:11, Luke 2:9, Acts 8:26, Acts 10:3, Acts 12:7, Acts 12:23, Acts 32:23)
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. (John 6:63, John 6:68)
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. (John 8:2, Acts 3:6, Matthew 5:22, Acts 5:27, Acts 5:34, Acts 5:41)
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, (Matthew 26:58, Acts 5:26)
THEIR CELL IS EMPTY
The guards, being sent by the temple authorities, found the cell where the had been held prisoners, to be empty, even though the keepers were still on duty in front of the locked doors. They were still bewildered how this could be when it was reported to them that these same prisoners were back preaching right where they were when they were arrested.
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. (Acts 4:1, Acts 5:26)
THE PRISONERS ARE PREACHING IN THE TEMPLE
What was the Sanhedrin to do? They represented Jewish law, and the temple was their responsibility. The people wished to hear what was being preached, so they were afraid to interfere openly. Instead, they, shall we say invited them to come to the Senate. But, in the privacy of the Senate the conversation became forceful.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. (Acts 5:24, Acts 5:22, Acts 4:21, Acts 5:13)
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, (Matthew 5:22, Acts 5:21, Acts 5:34, Acts 5:41)
Did we not “straitly command you?” To this they added the charge that thy were holding the Senate responsible for Christ’s death.
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. (Acts 4:18, Matthew 23:35, Matthew 27:25, Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36, Acts 3:14, Acts 7:52)
GOD HAD COMMANDED THIS
Peter spoke for all the apostles when he said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.“
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 4:19)
Then Peter adds the reasons for this statement. This Senate was responsible for Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion, but God responded by his Resurrection and the establishment of the church, the fulfillment of the prophecies they were claiming the right to interpret to their own benefit.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. (Acts 3:13, Acts 2:24, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:29, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24)
God exaulted Jesus to be the “King of King and the Lord of Lords’” to whom every earthly authority is ultimately responsible. He gave the gift of the Spirit to these and all Christians as witness of the truth of their words.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:31, Acts 3:15, Luke 2:11, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38)
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Luke 24:48, Acts 15:26, Acts 15:28, Romans 8:15, Hebrews 2:4)
God sent them to the temple, but all Christians to the whole world. The fact is clear. Jesus has all power. Satan and his will answer to Christ when he returns, as are all Christians. (Matthew 28:18,19, Mark 16:15,16)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
29th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 26, 27, John 19:23-42, Psalm 68:14-19
30th. Monday – 1 Samuel 28, 29, John 20, Psalm 68:20-27
31st. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 30, 31, John 21, Psalm 68:28-35
JUNE
1st. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 1, 2, Acts 1, Proverbs 14:1-9
2nd. Thursday - 2 Samuel 3, Acts 2, Psalm 69:1-12
3rd. Friday – 2 Samuel 4, 5, Acts 3, Psalm 9:13-28
4th. Saturday - 2 Samuel 6, 7, Acts 4, Psalm 69:29-36
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 785 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
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12
__________
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
__________
I Don't Wanna Work...
1. My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I couldn't concentrate.
2. Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.
3. After that, I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it - mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
4. Next, I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was too exhausting.
5. Then, I tried to be a chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.
6. I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it I couldn't cut the mustard.
7. My best job was a musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy.
8. I studied a long time to become a doctor, but I didn't have any patience.
9. Next, was a job in a shoe factory. I tried but I just didn't fit in.
10. I became a professional fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.
11. I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.
12. So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.
13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian - until I realized there was no future in it.
14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.
15. SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT AND FOUND THAT I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
HONOR TO CHRIST THE KING
Newsletter 244 May 22, 2011
John 12:20-36 (King James Version)
Today’s study follows the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, about which , when he was asked why he did not stop the crowds from crying out “Hosanna”, which is a transliteration of their word meaning “give salvation now,” replied that if he were to try to stop them, even the stones would cry out. He had often told his apostles not to do something as his time was not yet. His time had now come. This was, and still is, the time that he had been waiting for. Today, I have not given cross references, as the text is rather long. Instead, I have used the blue to emphasize words and portions for emphasis..
GENTILES
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
The gospel is for all nations, there were Gentiles who believed in God among those who came from far away. They were often simply spoken of as Greeks. Judaism recognized only two divisions, Judaism, and Gentile. Gentile meant anyone who was not a Jew. Those who were open to conversion, were called proselytes.
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
GOD
Only three times God spoke audibly to Jesus for men to hear. (1, Baptism, 2.Here, 3. Transfixion)
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, (Crucifixion), will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
THE PROPHETS
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
SOME OF THE CHIEF RULERS
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
JESUS ACCEPTS THEIR HONOR
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
22nd. Sunday – 1 Samuel 15, 16, John 13, Psalm 66:1-10
23rd. Monday – 1 Samuel 17, John 14, Psalm 66:11-20
24th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 18, 19, John 15, Proverbs 13:1-12
25th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 20, John 16, Psalm 67
26th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 21, 22, John 17, Psalm 68:1-6
27th. Friday – 1 Samuel 23, 24, John 18, Psalm 68:7-13
28th. Saturday - 1 Samuel 25, John 19:1-22, Proverbs 13:13-25
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 784 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
“He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. - John 10:1
__________
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
__________
TIDBITS OF WIT
“Your work should be a challenge, not a chore, a blessing, not a bore.” - Hal Stebbins
“Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?” - George Carlin
“If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?” – George Carlin
John 12:20-36 (King James Version)
Today’s study follows the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, about which , when he was asked why he did not stop the crowds from crying out “Hosanna”, which is a transliteration of their word meaning “give salvation now,” replied that if he were to try to stop them, even the stones would cry out. He had often told his apostles not to do something as his time was not yet. His time had now come. This was, and still is, the time that he had been waiting for. Today, I have not given cross references, as the text is rather long. Instead, I have used the blue to emphasize words and portions for emphasis..
GENTILES
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
The gospel is for all nations, there were Gentiles who believed in God among those who came from far away. They were often simply spoken of as Greeks. Judaism recognized only two divisions, Judaism, and Gentile. Gentile meant anyone who was not a Jew. Those who were open to conversion, were called proselytes.
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
GOD
Only three times God spoke audibly to Jesus for men to hear. (1, Baptism, 2.Here, 3. Transfixion)
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, (Crucifixion), will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
THE PROPHETS
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
SOME OF THE CHIEF RULERS
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
JESUS ACCEPTS THEIR HONOR
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
22nd. Sunday – 1 Samuel 15, 16, John 13, Psalm 66:1-10
23rd. Monday – 1 Samuel 17, John 14, Psalm 66:11-20
24th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 18, 19, John 15, Proverbs 13:1-12
25th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 20, John 16, Psalm 67
26th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 21, 22, John 17, Psalm 68:1-6
27th. Friday – 1 Samuel 23, 24, John 18, Psalm 68:7-13
28th. Saturday - 1 Samuel 25, John 19:1-22, Proverbs 13:13-25
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 784 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
“He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. - John 10:1
__________
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
__________
TIDBITS OF WIT
“Your work should be a challenge, not a chore, a blessing, not a bore.” - Hal Stebbins
“Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?” - George Carlin
“If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?” – George Carlin
Sunday, May 15, 2011
SIN
Newsletter 243 May 15, 2011
DEFINED
Webster defines sin as “the act of breaking a religious or moral law,”
And adds an “error, offense, or fault.“ Webster always defines in connection with the general public’s usage of a word, but let us look at a few references from the Bible and see how God defines it. The first sin, that of Adam and Eve, was more that breaking His command not to eat of that particular tree. It was more than that. It challenged God’s authority to make such a command, and in ignorance lay the real fault on God! The woman you gave me. The irony is that God had made them, and they deny that He had any right to limit them in any way. The result is that they were separated from God. Sin is separation from God. Sin separates man from God here on earth, and if un-repented, for eternal life to come. The prophet Ezekiel said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20) Clearly this is far more than an “error, offense, or fault.” It is not just a slap on the hands.
IT IS NOT, “THAT PERSON OVER THERE”
Just one violation makes a sinner of everyone. Romans 3:23 reads, :“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” There is not a human being on earth who has not broken God’s law in some way. The rich young ruler said, “These I have kept from my youth up,” but still he was greedy, he loved his wealth more than the Lord. He left Jesus there. That was his weakness.
JUST ONE EXAMPLE
Our text for today probably had its immediate roots in the confrontation that Jesus had with the Pharisees related in the previous chapter
John 8:1-11 (King James Version)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (Matthew 21:1)
The Mount of Olives faces the temple just across the valley east of the city and seems to be one of the favorite places Jesus and his apostles went for prayer and to be alone in the shelter of the olive trees which can be found there even until today.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (Matthew 26:55, John 8:20)
THE EXAMPLE OF A SINNER
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
The same law which condemned the woman to be stoned, also condemns her partner to the same punishment. If punishment was the purpose for which they had brought her, they would have brought both, and they did not need Jesus’ approval. In all likelihood one of her accusers was the male involved, and this was a trap they eagerly waited to be sprung.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (Luke 20:10, Luke 22:22)
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:1, Matthew 22:18, Matthew 11:35, Mark 8:11, Mark 10:2, Mark 12:15, Luke 10:25, Luke 11:16, Mark 3:3)
We are not told what Jesus wrote in the dust of the street, but it could have simply been a question as to where was her partner.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:10, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, Deuteronomy 17:7)
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
One wonders if it may not have been the name of the guilty person. It doesn’t really matter, they had all sinned, and they all knew that Jesus knew. One sin, any sin, condemns one as a sinner. There is no such thing as “white lies,” or any other division into major or minor sins. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. All are saved through the grace of God who willingly sent His Son to make a way for our redemption through him.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:7)
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 3:17, John 5:14)
God has done His part, and Jesus his; now it is up to us, like that woman, accept His grace, through repentance and obedience to Him. (Romans 13:14) “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. We do that through the new birth, being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5, Acts 2:38)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
15th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 1, 2, John 9, Psalm 61
16th. Monday – 1 Samuel 3, 4, John 10:1-21, Proverbs 12:1-13
17th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 5, 6, 7, John 10:22-42 Psalm 62
18th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 8, 9, John 11:1-27, Psalm 63
19th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 10, 11, John 11:28-57, Psalm 64
20th. Friday – 1 Samuel 12, 13, John 12:1-22, Proverbs 12:14-28
21st. Saturday - 1 Samuel 14, John 12:23-50, Psalm 65
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 783 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
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
__________
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
__________
Simple operation
A man was seen fleeing down the hall of the hospital just before his operation.
"What's the matter?" he was asked.
He said, "I heard the nurse say, 'It's a very simple operation, don't worry, I'm sure it will be all right."
"She was just trying to comfort you, what's so frightening about that?"
"She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to the doctor.
I had a cataract operation yesterday, but I am sure it is not his first!
DEFINED
Webster defines sin as “the act of breaking a religious or moral law,”
And adds an “error, offense, or fault.“ Webster always defines in connection with the general public’s usage of a word, but let us look at a few references from the Bible and see how God defines it. The first sin, that of Adam and Eve, was more that breaking His command not to eat of that particular tree. It was more than that. It challenged God’s authority to make such a command, and in ignorance lay the real fault on God! The woman you gave me. The irony is that God had made them, and they deny that He had any right to limit them in any way. The result is that they were separated from God. Sin is separation from God. Sin separates man from God here on earth, and if un-repented, for eternal life to come. The prophet Ezekiel said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20) Clearly this is far more than an “error, offense, or fault.” It is not just a slap on the hands.
IT IS NOT, “THAT PERSON OVER THERE”
Just one violation makes a sinner of everyone. Romans 3:23 reads, :“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” There is not a human being on earth who has not broken God’s law in some way. The rich young ruler said, “These I have kept from my youth up,” but still he was greedy, he loved his wealth more than the Lord. He left Jesus there. That was his weakness.
JUST ONE EXAMPLE
Our text for today probably had its immediate roots in the confrontation that Jesus had with the Pharisees related in the previous chapter
John 8:1-11 (King James Version)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (Matthew 21:1)
The Mount of Olives faces the temple just across the valley east of the city and seems to be one of the favorite places Jesus and his apostles went for prayer and to be alone in the shelter of the olive trees which can be found there even until today.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (Matthew 26:55, John 8:20)
THE EXAMPLE OF A SINNER
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
The same law which condemned the woman to be stoned, also condemns her partner to the same punishment. If punishment was the purpose for which they had brought her, they would have brought both, and they did not need Jesus’ approval. In all likelihood one of her accusers was the male involved, and this was a trap they eagerly waited to be sprung.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (Luke 20:10, Luke 22:22)
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:1, Matthew 22:18, Matthew 11:35, Mark 8:11, Mark 10:2, Mark 12:15, Luke 10:25, Luke 11:16, Mark 3:3)
We are not told what Jesus wrote in the dust of the street, but it could have simply been a question as to where was her partner.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:10, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, Deuteronomy 17:7)
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
One wonders if it may not have been the name of the guilty person. It doesn’t really matter, they had all sinned, and they all knew that Jesus knew. One sin, any sin, condemns one as a sinner. There is no such thing as “white lies,” or any other division into major or minor sins. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. All are saved through the grace of God who willingly sent His Son to make a way for our redemption through him.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:7)
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 3:17, John 5:14)
God has done His part, and Jesus his; now it is up to us, like that woman, accept His grace, through repentance and obedience to Him. (Romans 13:14) “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. We do that through the new birth, being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5, Acts 2:38)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
15th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 1, 2, John 9, Psalm 61
16th. Monday – 1 Samuel 3, 4, John 10:1-21, Proverbs 12:1-13
17th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 5, 6, 7, John 10:22-42 Psalm 62
18th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 8, 9, John 11:1-27, Psalm 63
19th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 10, 11, John 11:28-57, Psalm 64
20th. Friday – 1 Samuel 12, 13, John 12:1-22, Proverbs 12:14-28
21st. Saturday - 1 Samuel 14, John 12:23-50, Psalm 65
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 783 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
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
__________
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
__________
Simple operation
A man was seen fleeing down the hall of the hospital just before his operation.
"What's the matter?" he was asked.
He said, "I heard the nurse say, 'It's a very simple operation, don't worry, I'm sure it will be all right."
"She was just trying to comfort you, what's so frightening about that?"
"She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to the doctor.
I had a cataract operation yesterday, but I am sure it is not his first!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
THE WORD
Newsletter 242 May 8, 2011
John 1:1-5 (King James Version)
Before we look at the scripture itself, we need to realize that, from the context, any time in it that the writer refers to “John” he means John the Baptist, and that he never refers to himself as John. We know, however, that it was written by John, the brother of Jesus.
This portion of the book of John, including the few verses in the middle that I have not had space to include, is called the prologue of the book. This portion is very rich in material starting, as in Genesis, “In the beginning.” The very first words introduce the fact that Jesus, is more than being just a man, he was from the very beginning, before the creation. In fact he was part of the trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Verse three tells us that nothing was created without him. We can expect that John is going to reveal overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God It is not his purpose to give us a biography of Jesus’ life. The other Gospels do that. There are several key words of description used throughout the book. The first of these is used three times in the first verse. Jesus is the word.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:12, 1 John 1:1, John 1:14, Revelation 19:13, John 17:5, 1 John 1:2, Philippians 2:6)
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
We have learned that the creation was brought about by the entire Godhead. In Genesis 1:26, we read, “Let us make man in our own image.” God first prepared a suitable home for man. He was not the product of a “big-bang,” nor of thousands of years of gradual changes. From the beginning he was, and is, different than the animal life, sin may make him more like them, but they are different from the beginning. In my lifetime, I have had two pets that stand out to me. Our dog Ted, loved to “shake hands.”
And years later “Peaches” loved to “pray” but both were still only much loved dogs, and neither was in the image of God. See the attached photo of Peaches.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. (John 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2)
We may manipulate, or breed, but we do not “make” anything. It is still true that without God “not anything” is made. I am reminded of the “sourdough bread’ my mother made in my childhood. Often made it, and saved a “start” each time, but occasionally, she had to go back to the bakery and buy a new start of yeast. The old died and she had to go back to the source. God is our source. Jesus said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Go to the Word. In Him is light and life.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 5:26, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:46)
And that light makes all the difference. Where there is light, is no darkness. The darkness is driven away.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 3:19)
That Word became flesh. That portion of the Godhead became flesh. Why? Because of love, His love for that which He had made, mankind. (John 3:16)
John 1:14-18
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (Revelation 19:13, Romans 1:1, Galatians 4:4, Philippians 2:7, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 1:1, 1 John 4:2, 2 John 7. Revelation 21:3, Luke 9:32, John 2:11, John 17:22, John 17:24, 2 Peter 1:16, 1 John 1:1, John 1:16, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 18:37)
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:7, Matthew 3:11, John 1:27, John 1:30)
Note: here that the writer refers to John the Baptist simply as “John”. The context, identifies which john. Here, he introduces a new word, “grace” The Law given to Moses, and modified and manipulated by the Sanhedrin knew nothing about grace. It took the love of God through Jesus to introduce to us this whole new concept. We can’t earn salvation, it is given by a loving God, to his children, through His Son.
16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. (Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 3:19, Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9)
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 7:19, John 1:14, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 18:37),
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (Exodus 33:20, John 6:46, Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 6:16, 2 John 4:12, John 3:16, John 3:18, 1 John 4:9, Luke 16:22, John 13:23, John 3:11)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
8th. Sunday – Judges 12, 13, John 5:24-47, Proverbs 11:13-21
9th. Monday – Judges 14, 15, John 6:1-38, Psalm 58:1-6
10th. Tuesday – Judges 16, 17, John 6:39-71, Psalm 58:7-11
11th. Wednesday - Judges 18, 19, John 7:1-31, Psalm 59:1-8
12th. Thursday - Judges 20, 21, John 7:32-53, Proverbs 11:22-31
13th. Friday – Ruth 1, 2, John 8:1-32, Psalm 59:9-17
14th. Saturday - Ruth 3, 4, John 8:33-59, Psalm 60
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 782 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 God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that through him the world might be saved.” John 3:17
__________
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
__________
A man jumps out of an airplane with a parachute on his back. As he's falling, he realizes hiss chute is broken. He doesn't know anything about parachutes, but as the earth rapidly approaches, he realizes his options are limited; he takes off the parachute and tries to fix it himself on the way down. The wind is ripping past his face, he's dropping like a rock, and at 5000 feet, another man goes shooting up past him. In desperation, the man with the chute looks up and yells, "Hey do you know anything about parachutes?!"
The guy flying up looks down and yells, "No, do you know anything about gas stoves?!"
John 1:1-5 (King James Version)
Before we look at the scripture itself, we need to realize that, from the context, any time in it that the writer refers to “John” he means John the Baptist, and that he never refers to himself as John. We know, however, that it was written by John, the brother of Jesus.
This portion of the book of John, including the few verses in the middle that I have not had space to include, is called the prologue of the book. This portion is very rich in material starting, as in Genesis, “In the beginning.” The very first words introduce the fact that Jesus, is more than being just a man, he was from the very beginning, before the creation. In fact he was part of the trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Verse three tells us that nothing was created without him. We can expect that John is going to reveal overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God It is not his purpose to give us a biography of Jesus’ life. The other Gospels do that. There are several key words of description used throughout the book. The first of these is used three times in the first verse. Jesus is the word.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:12, 1 John 1:1, John 1:14, Revelation 19:13, John 17:5, 1 John 1:2, Philippians 2:6)
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
We have learned that the creation was brought about by the entire Godhead. In Genesis 1:26, we read, “Let us make man in our own image.” God first prepared a suitable home for man. He was not the product of a “big-bang,” nor of thousands of years of gradual changes. From the beginning he was, and is, different than the animal life, sin may make him more like them, but they are different from the beginning. In my lifetime, I have had two pets that stand out to me. Our dog Ted, loved to “shake hands.”
And years later “Peaches” loved to “pray” but both were still only much loved dogs, and neither was in the image of God. See the attached photo of Peaches.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. (John 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2)
We may manipulate, or breed, but we do not “make” anything. It is still true that without God “not anything” is made. I am reminded of the “sourdough bread’ my mother made in my childhood. Often made it, and saved a “start” each time, but occasionally, she had to go back to the bakery and buy a new start of yeast. The old died and she had to go back to the source. God is our source. Jesus said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Go to the Word. In Him is light and life.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 5:26, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:46)
And that light makes all the difference. Where there is light, is no darkness. The darkness is driven away.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 3:19)
That Word became flesh. That portion of the Godhead became flesh. Why? Because of love, His love for that which He had made, mankind. (John 3:16)
John 1:14-18
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (Revelation 19:13, Romans 1:1, Galatians 4:4, Philippians 2:7, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 1:1, 1 John 4:2, 2 John 7. Revelation 21:3, Luke 9:32, John 2:11, John 17:22, John 17:24, 2 Peter 1:16, 1 John 1:1, John 1:16, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 18:37)
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:7, Matthew 3:11, John 1:27, John 1:30)
Note: here that the writer refers to John the Baptist simply as “John”. The context, identifies which john. Here, he introduces a new word, “grace” The Law given to Moses, and modified and manipulated by the Sanhedrin knew nothing about grace. It took the love of God through Jesus to introduce to us this whole new concept. We can’t earn salvation, it is given by a loving God, to his children, through His Son.
16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. (Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 3:19, Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9)
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 7:19, John 1:14, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 18:37),
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (Exodus 33:20, John 6:46, Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 6:16, 2 John 4:12, John 3:16, John 3:18, 1 John 4:9, Luke 16:22, John 13:23, John 3:11)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
8th. Sunday – Judges 12, 13, John 5:24-47, Proverbs 11:13-21
9th. Monday – Judges 14, 15, John 6:1-38, Psalm 58:1-6
10th. Tuesday – Judges 16, 17, John 6:39-71, Psalm 58:7-11
11th. Wednesday - Judges 18, 19, John 7:1-31, Psalm 59:1-8
12th. Thursday - Judges 20, 21, John 7:32-53, Proverbs 11:22-31
13th. Friday – Ruth 1, 2, John 8:1-32, Psalm 59:9-17
14th. Saturday - Ruth 3, 4, John 8:33-59, Psalm 60
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 782 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 God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that through him the world might be saved.” John 3:17
__________
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
__________
A man jumps out of an airplane with a parachute on his back. As he's falling, he realizes hiss chute is broken. He doesn't know anything about parachutes, but as the earth rapidly approaches, he realizes his options are limited; he takes off the parachute and tries to fix it himself on the way down. The wind is ripping past his face, he's dropping like a rock, and at 5000 feet, another man goes shooting up past him. In desperation, the man with the chute looks up and yells, "Hey do you know anything about parachutes?!"
The guy flying up looks down and yells, "No, do you know anything about gas stoves?!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
