Month: January 2025

Monday 011325

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

We have two ground rules in this study:

1 – we are ONLY going to read and follow what is found (that pertains to us), in the Holy Bible.

2 – we are ONLY going to learn from a study, what effort we put into that study.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Ephesians 6:10-20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jonah 1:1-3; James 1:1; Genesis 1:26.

Paul teaches that we should use all the help that God gives us. Part of this includes putting on the armor every day to protect ourselves from attacks by the devil and his minions.

Ephesians 6

vs10 ‘…Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power…’

vs11 ‘…Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks…’

vs12 ‘…For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age…’

vs13 ‘…So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground…’

vs14 ‘…So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate…’

vs15 ‘…and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace…’

vs16 ‘…At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One…’

vs17 ‘…And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you…’

vs18 ‘…Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason, keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people…’

vs19 ‘…And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel’s secret…’

vs20 ‘…For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

It’s not necessarily the devil himself that is always attacking you, maybe it’s his interns, his helpers of evil doings. Maybe we’re not important enough to get the attention of Satan. Satan isn’t present everywhere. He’s not omnipresent like God is, he can only be in one place at one time. He thinks he can replace God, but he is incapable of knowing everything like God, Satan is not omniscient. There are many things that Satan is unable to do himself but, he has a lot of interns to do his work for him, this world is full of them.

If a person is not being confronted every second of the day by someone trying to get you to fail, that person should worry because it looks as if you’ve already been defeated. You are no threat to Satan, the devil and his helpers. Your future is not looking very bright for you.

But for those few that are attacked constantly throughout your day, feel good because the devil sees you as a threat to him. He is trying to constantly attack you hoping that you will fail, but you can combat this by keeping your Bible at hands reach. The Word is the only piece of armor that
God has given us that can be used as an offensive and a defensive weapon.

The more we study and the more that we learn about God’s GRACE and the promise that He has made to us concerning our Everlasting future with Him; the more we’ll be able to defeat the devil every time we’re being attacked.

It’s like doing a daily regimen of exercises at the gym, so open your Bible and read the Word. Strengthen your mind and get yourselves in shape.

2 Timothy 3

vs16 ‘…All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living…’

vs17 ‘…so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

ALL Scripture is inspired by God but NOT ALL Scripture is meant for each one of us to follow.

Maybe the easiest example of this is using the Scripture of Johah. Jonah ran away, in the other direction so he could get away from God and hide.

Jonah 1

vs1 ‘…One day the Lord spoke to Jonah son of Amittai…’

vs2 ‘…He said, go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it; I am aware of how wicked its people are…’

vs3 ‘…Jonah, however, set out in the opposite direction in order to get away from the Lord. He went to Joppa, where he found a ship about to go to Spain. He paid his fare and went aboard with the crew to sail to Spain, where he would be away from the Lord…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

We are not to take this passage and follow Jonah as an example for us to live.

We have been shown these passages to show us how NOT to live.

Scripture does not tell us to run and hide.

Sometimes there MUST be a little common sense used here (unfortunately in the 21st century, that is one thing that is really missing in this world today).

We’re not told we can pick and choose which parts of the Bible we can pick and choose to follow either. But by reading and studying almost any book from the Bible we are shown who a particular book has been written to.

When James writes in 1:1 ‘…James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting…’ KJV (King James Version)

We should know, or we should have the common sense to know, the book of James has been written to the Jewish believer.

Not every book in the Bible, informs its readers who the book has been written for, but there are also some books that are plainly explained by the author of his intentions of who he was writing to.

The more we open the Bible, and we study the writings, the more familiar we will be with what we are being told.

If we use our Bibles as coasters in our living room or window advertisement in our back windows of our cars, this is exactly what we will get out of the Bible that God has given to us.

But when we open the covers of our Bibles and we read of the love that God has for us and we witness how mankind, since the beginning of Adam has had an UNBELIEF in their beings toward God, His Son, His Love for us and the FREE Gift that He has given us, if only we were to accept this, our entire lives would be changed right in front of our eyes, as well as those around us.

Now, as I’ve said in some of our other lessons, I understand there are those that are going to find it difficult to walk away from the only religion they’ve ever known since birth.

Just look at the nation of Israel and how they have struggled to walk away from that religion. I understand there are going to be those today that are going to have just as hard of a time to walk away and BELIEVE what God has told us.

Just think of all the excuses why it can’t be this easy.  

Genesis 1:26 ‘…Then God said, Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

If God didn’t see any reason to design us so we could jump through hoops, as we ring large church bells, all the while humming and whistling to a soft beat, why is it that so many religions today want us all to conform to their way of thinking.

Why are we not taught the words that God gave us?

Why are we not taught which words have been meant for us to learn and know and voice to others around us?

I remember when I first found Jesus in my life, I went to a church, and I wrote down everything that happened at the service. I wrote down the verses that were read. I wrote down as much of the sermon as I could. My wife and my daughter allowed me the time to get alone by myself, I opened my study Bible and I read what happened that day at church.

I cross referenced verses. I searched for the meanings of certain words. I taught myself to seek what God has given us in His Word.

Over many years, I have drawn back a little and I have cautioned myself from walking how a man suggests I walk, and I read more in the Word, and I learned how God wants me to walk.

God requires so much less than what most religious men want you to believe what God wants. The denominations of mankind are interested in money even though they preach how money is not important to God. There are denominations today that only focus on how long a person’s hair is, how much their 3-piece suit costs, and how loud they can shout the words to their congregation.

It is amazing to me the sound system in some church buildings, when Jesus gave His sermon at the mount, there were no speakers, no amplifiers, no microphones to speak into.

Jesus spoke the truth and it resonated to ALL the people that sat in front of Him listening to the wonders they were being told.

We don’t need bells and whistles for God to accept us. We don’t need fancy clothes and fancy cars to be accepted by Him, the only One that matters.

ALL we need to do is to BELIEVE in the Message that He has given to us and from it, we will be saved.

I love every one of you. I hope and pray that these words have been shared so that just even 1 person might have the opportunity to find and know Jesus Christ.

Remain in the Word and relax in His arms and read how easy it really is to BELIEVE.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Sunday 011225

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Since the beginning of this study, our vision has been that we are ONLY going to follow what is found in the Holy Bible, that pertains to us, and we realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into this study, that we’re going to take anything away for our own use.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

1 Corinthians 15:24, 50-53; Deuteronomy 29:29; Romans 1:16, 16:25; 1 Corinthians 15:50-53; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:13, 19-20; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 11:15, 20:4; Ephesians 2:8-9.

So, last week’s lesson, I tried showing the different verses in the Bible, referring to the Kingdom of God. tonight’s lesson, I want to speak on the Gospel of GRACE.

This is our promise, it is a Gift that has been given to us Gentiles, by God.

This gift was originally told to the apostle Paul which he was to teach us about.

If we continue hearing these words taken from the Bible, that were never meant for us, we will never know there’s a difference. This is what has happened today, in the 21^st century. The Bible is ONE book, but just as there’s a O.T. and a N.T., there’s the Kingdom economy and then there is the Gift of GRACE that God has given to us, but we must accept it.

Now to begin, Paul speaks on this Kingdom of God that was told in the O.T. and in the N.T. gospels by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

1 Corinthians 15:24 ‘…then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to our God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

God could do this because He is God, He can do anything.

Another words, God is SOVERIGN.

1 Corinthians 15

vs50 ‘…Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable…’

vs51 ‘…Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed…’

vs52 ‘…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed…’

vs53 ‘…For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

It is from this MYSTERY that was taught to the apostle Paul, that has allowed us to be the one offered this Gift.

In a Bible dictionary, a MYSTERY is defined as a secret. A mystery is not comprehensible until its meaning is revealed.

In Scripture, MYSTERY refers to God’s secret thoughts, His plans, and dispensations, hidden from human reason and comprehension

Deuteronomy 29:29 ‘…The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, so that we may follow all the words of this Law…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Think about it for a minute, God can do whatever He wants to do, whenever He wants to do it … He’s God.

We can believe what He tells us and be saved or, we can go out on our own and … it’s ALL on us to do the saving. I’m going to TRUST in God!!!

Romans 1:16 ‘…For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

One needs to ask themselves, is this the gospel of the Kingdom … or is this the Gospel of GRACE?

Romans 16:25 ‘…Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

We are being told a ‘secret.’ We should read 1 Corinthians again …

1 Corinthians 15

vs50 ‘…Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable…’

vs51 ‘…Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed…’

vs52 ‘…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed…’

vs53 ‘…For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

I am going to BELIEVE and accept this MYSTERY that is being given to me.

Galatians 1

vs6 ‘…I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel…’

vs7 ‘…which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ…’

vs8 ‘…But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed…’

vs9 ‘…As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

How many today are being taught the incorrect Word?

How many of those teachers are promised in vss8 and 9, they are going to be cursed. I think this world needs to wake up FAST and in a hurry.

Philippians 3:20 ‘…For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ …’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Colossians 1:13 ‘…For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Colossians 1

vs19 ‘…For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him…’

vs20 ‘…and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Titus 2

vs11 ‘…For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people…’

vs12 ‘…instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age…’

vs13 ‘…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…’

vs14 ‘…who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds …’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Hebrews 12:28 ‘…Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe …’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Revelation 11:15 ‘…Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Revelation 20:4 ‘…Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years …’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Revelation 20:6 ‘…Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

These are all written promises for what our future could be, if you let God in and allow Him to give you, His Gift. If you accept what He has for you, your promise is so much more than you’ve ever been taught before.

There are two verses in the Bible that I cannot believe are not repeated every day. Why are these verses not the most known verses in the entire Bible.

Ephesians 2

vs8 ‘…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…’

vs9 ‘…not a result of works, so that no one may boast…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

There’s nothing that you need to do other than BELIEVE.

It is your FAITH in Him, in what we have been promised that will save us from doom.

Jesus came to this earth to teach us about FAITH. Faith is being able to believe in something without seeing it. Sight unseen, this is FAITH.

Later on in this study, I am going to tell you about a lie that the entire human race was told. What is so unfortunate, back in that time period, there were no printed Bibles in our homes, we couldn’t run home and read the Word for ourselves just to double check if what we were being taught was written in the Word. We had to rely on our teachers and unfortunately, Satan mislead those that were teaching the Word of God.

This could very well be another version of this false gospel Paul was talking to us about.

Today, we MUST get back into the Word and double check what we are being taught at our churches.

Keep your Bibles open and continue to study His Word continuously throughout your day.

I love y’all. Just remember that Jesus loves each one of us even more than we can comprehend what the word entails.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Saturday 011125

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Since the beginning of this study, our vision has been that we are ONLY going to follow what is found in the Holy Bible, that pertains to us, and we realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into this study, that we’re going to take anything away for our own use.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 9:6-7; Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 15:24, 1:1, 3:2, 4:23, 5:18-20, 6:33, 9:35, 10:7, 24:14; Mark 1:14-15, 16:15; Luke 4:43, 8:1, 9:2, 16:16, 24:47; John 3:3, 18:36-37; Acts 1:3, 1:6-7, 3:19-21, 8:12, 20:21, 20:25, 20:27, 28:31; 1 Peter 4:17, Revelation 5:10.

So, these next lessons are going to be on the Gospel of the Kingdom (Kingdom of God) and the Gospel of GRACE (Kingdom of Christ). Unsure how many papers it’s going to take but we’re going to work through this.

Psalms 145:13 ‘…Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in His words,
And holy in all His works…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Starting in the O.T., the Word speaks of a Kingdom.

Isaiah 9

vs6 ‘…For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace…’

vs7 ‘…There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Zechariah 14:9 ‘…And the Lord will be King over all the earth; on that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Malachi 3:1 ‘…Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will clear a way before Me. And the Lord, whom you are seeking, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the Lord of armies…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Our God is an amazing God. We are lucky that we have the chance to have Him in our lives.

Now, as we start in the N.T., we should slow down and read parts taken from the Bible that might clear some things up for us.

Our 1^st Scripture from the N.T. is when Jesus walked this earth.

Matthew 15:24 ‘…But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel…’ KJV (King James Version)

Jesus, when He walked in His earthly ministry, He came for the Jewish individual walking this earth.

We have been given 4 gospels in the Bible that are mostly, written to the Jewish individual.

Matthew wrote his account of Jesus’s ministry to show that Jesus was and is indeed King, Israel’s long- awaited Messiah. He reflected this concern in his opening line, ‘…The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham…’ (Matthew 1:1).

The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark. He was an interpreter for Peter in Rome. Mark interpreted Aramaic words and Jewish traditions to the Gentiles.

Luke intended his Gospel to be read primarily by a Gentile audience, and he presented Jesus Christ as the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. Luke specifically addressed His gospel to ‘Theophilus,’ which in Greek means friend of God or beloved of God.

And finally, John’s gospel is for anyone who wants to be a believer that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and anyone who wants eternal life through His name. The Gospel of John was written for Greek-speaking diaspora Jews. The sheep ‘not of this fold’ in the Parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10 were the diaspora Jews.

What is evident though in the four gospels, the word ‘GRACE’ is never used. These four authors did not know or believe in God’s Gift of GRACE. This was only told to the apostle Paul. 

Matthew 3:2 ‘…Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 4:23 ‘…Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogue and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 5

vs18 ‘…For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished…’

vs19 ‘…Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven…’

vs20 ‘…For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 6:33 ‘…But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 9:35 ‘…Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 10:7 ‘…And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven has come near…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Matthew 24:14 ‘…This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Mark 1

vs14 ‘…Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God…’

vs15 ‘…and saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Mark 16:15 ‘…And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 4:43 ‘…But He said to them, I must also preach the kingdom of God to the other cities, because I was sent for this purpose…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 8:1 ‘…Soon afterward, Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 9:2 ‘…And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 16:16 ‘…The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John came; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 24:47 ‘…and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

John 3:3 ‘…Jesus responded and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

John 18

vs36 ‘…Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, my kingdom is not of this realm…’

vs37 ‘…Therefore Pilate said to Him, So You are a king? Jesus answered, you say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose, I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Acts 1:3 ‘…To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Acts 1

vs6 ‘…So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel…’

vs7 ‘…But He said to them, it is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Acts 3

vs19 ‘…Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…’

vs20 ‘…and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you…’

vs21 ‘…whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Acts 8:12 ‘…But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Acts 20:21 ‘…solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

20:25 ‘…And now behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

20:27 ‘…For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

28:31 ‘…preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

1 Peter 4:17 ‘…For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Revelation 5:10 ‘…You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

These verses above ONLY speak of the Kingdom of God. What we MUST do to find our way into the Kingdom.

But what is different is there is no language using the promise of God in His Gift of GRACE.

That is where we will pick up on the next lesson tomorrow morning.

I love y’all. Keep your Bibles always open and READ of the beautiful mysteries in which He has given us.

Until next week.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen. InHIM. ><)))o>

Friday 011025

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Since the beginning of this study, our vision has been that we are ONLY going to follow what is found in the Holy Bible, that pertains to us, and we realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into this study, that we’re going to take anything away for our own use.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Genesis 1:1-2, 3:1; Isaiah 27:1; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jonah 1:1-3; 1 John 5:18; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13.

In my attempt to spread the Word, to the people in the 21^st century, I am posting a new lesson every morning.

I am posting my lessons on eleven (11) different sites.

On Facebook, I am:

Whosoever Inhim

Whosoever inhim Bible Study

Or, in a search engine, simply type:

lrabbe.wordpress.com

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When we read and study the Bible, we can only visualize what we’ve been taught or what we’ve heard earlier in our lives. It’s impossible for us to visualize something, if we’ve never heard about it before.

Where we need to be extra careful is when we’re reading the Word, we cannot associate what we’re reading with words that we use today in our lives.

An example of this is divorce and tattoo’s. These words used in the Bible are not even similar to how and about what the words mean today in our lives.

Most times. the two (2) things can be totally opposite from one another, and the majority of the time, they are.

When we study the Word, we need to listen and let God teach us what He wants for us to see.

Genesis 1

vs1 ‘…In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…’

vs2 ‘…Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters…’ NIV (New International Version)

We are limited in the English language by what we know. We either know or we must use our imagination.

Genesis is a difficult book to comprehend, because a lot of what has been written is left to our imagination, since we’ve never experienced anything like it before.

We need to keep a blank slate and let God paint a picture for us instead of thinking for ourselves what is being said.

Genesis 3:1 ‘…The Lord God made many wild animals. But the snake was the most clever of them all. The snake asked the woman, Did God say, you must not eat the fruit from any tree in the garden? Is that really true…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

This entire idea of a ‘snake’ speaking to a woman about eating fruit, leaves my internal screen, just all fuzzy.

What do you mean a talking snake?

This whole concept of the ‘devil’ isn’t really recognized as I’m reading along.

So, as I’m studying online, I’m trying to find out any information that I can on the devil. I’m quickly blown away when I come across a site that references the original Hebrew Bible and the words that were originally used.

From the Strong’s Concordance – 5175 – nachash – a serpent.

Definition of a serpent – a large snake.

Nachash is a sign we need to examine more carefully. We need to learn by attentive observation and experience, to hiss, to whisper, to divine, incantation, enchantment, augury and omen; it signifies also a serpent, so called from its hissing; it also signifies brass, copper, and iron, as inferior metals, chains and fetters.

When I read ‘hissing,’ a snake was my first thought. Doing some more searching through the Bible, I found the same word ‘nachash’ is used in another verse.

Isaiah 27:1 ‘…At that time, the Lord will punish Leviathan. The Lord will use his great and powerful sword to destroy that monster. Leviathan is a snake that moves very fast in the sea, and it turns in every direction. But the Lord will kill it…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

So, not trying to get too far away from the original plot tonight, I need to pull myself back towards the beginning of this lesson.

Throughout the New Testament, Satan is referred to as a tempter (Matthew 4:3), the ruler of the demons (Matthew 12:24), the God of this Age (2 Corinthians 4:4), the evil one (1 John 5:18), and a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).

2 Corinthians 4:4 ‘…Those people do not accept God’s good news. The god of this world has confused their minds. They cannot see the light that the good news brings. That message teaches about the great power of Christ, who shows us exactly what God is like…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Right now, I want to look at this verse found in 2 Corinthians. ‘The god of this world,’ is speaking of the devil. The ‘devil’ has confused the minds of the people of this world since the beginning of time.

This is the new direction I have tried to focus on, since I’ve been teaching, now, for the second time. Too often today, our churches are interested in everything but teaching us the Word and even then, when the Word is taught, it is the incorrect Word that’s being taught to the wrong people.

What do I mean by that, I know several people are asking.

2 Timothy 3

vs16 ‘…All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness…’

vs17 ‘…so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work …’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

ALL Scripture IS inspired by God, but NOT all Scripture is meant for us to follow.

The easiest example I can offer is found in Jonah.

Jonah 1

vs1 ‘…The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying…’

vs2 ‘…Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me…’

vs3 ‘…But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

These verses in Jonah are NOT meant for us to follow! We aren’t being taught to run away from God, get on a boat and go to Spain and hide!

But we are being shown how the UNBELIEF in the Old Testament was so bad. We are taught how we should not do as they did, hence, we should NOT follow them and their ways.

Our churches need to focus on teaching the Bible that pertains to each one of us personally, not just reading every word because it’s inside the covers of the book.

Our churches should be teaching us how important it is for each one of us, to personally build a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, out of convenience, there are churches that will display Scripture on overhead screens as they read the verses. When I preached on Sunday’s, I too used a screen to portray the Word. I wish now, in hindsight, I would have instead had everyone open a physical Bible for themselves to follow along with the readings.

Churches could offer instructions on how-to-download Bibles onto our smartphones or even onto our computers today, to get their members in the Word.

Churches need to get over the idea that they gather only on Sunday mornings. With what is available online today, a church and their members could be in constant communication with one another. We could work together for six days online and then finally, celebrate together on the seventh.

1 John 5:18 ‘…Nobody who has become a child of God continues to do wrong things. Instead, the Son of God keeps him safe. Satan cannot do anything against a child of God…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

1 Peter 5:8 ‘…Think seriously about how you live. Watch carefully for danger. Remember that the Devil is your enemy. He wants to hurt you. He walks about like a hungry lion. He is looking for someone to kill and then eat them…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Even though these past two verses have been written to those Jews wandering aimlessly out in the wilderness after Jesus’ Death, Burial and Resurrection, to you and me today, it is very important that we look for Jesus and His strength to protect us from the devil.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ‘…Remember how the snake deceived Eve. Because he was clever, she believed his lies. I am afraid that the same thing might happen to you. False teachers may make you believe wrong things. Then you will no longer love Christ in a pure and honest way…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Churches today may have different priorities than what they really need to be focusing on. It must be acknowledged that it is expensive today just to survive, as families but as churches also.

Churches all have electric bills. Most of them need water and sewer for their facilities. The Internet today is almost a have-to-have thing, everything works on the world-wide-web. The Pastor may have a family that also needs these same things in their home along with groceries, clothes, and insurance, our lists today could go on for quite a while.

Churches are mostly not free today.

The apostle Paul wrote an entire chapter warning us of False Prophets from back in his day of teaching.

Chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians may be a good idea for all those people out there in this world that visit our churches of the 21^st century.

2 Corinthians 11:13 ‘…Those men are not true apostles—they are false apostles, who lie about their work and disguise themselves to look like real apostles of Christ…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

When we visit churches today, we need to look further than just looking for good music, a good sermon, soft seats, nice carpeting and fresh coffee.

Ask yourself … Is Jesus being taught … this should be the ONLY thing that matters.

Are we being warned of UNBELIEF?

Are we being taught to follow God’s choices … I’m not talking about the 10 Commandments either, are we following the teachings of Paul that Jesus selected to teach the Gentiles of this world.

Always keep your Bibles open and ready to be read.

Stop hiding them in back bedrooms and in dark hallways. Keep them sitting next to the chair that you sit in so it can easily be grabbed and read.

I love y’all. Jesus is one day going to teach ALL of us just exactly what that word really means.

Be proud of who you are. Be proud that Jesus knows you by your first name. Keep Him with you throughout every day.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Thursday 010925

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Since the beginning of this study, our vision has been that we are ONLY going to follow what is found in the Holy Bible, that pertains to us, and we realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into this study, that we’re going to take anything away for our own use.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24-25; Matthew 25:26; Colossians 2:1; 2 Peter 3:10; Romans 16:25-27, 16:25; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 6:24; Colossians 2:3-5.

Luke 8:18 ‘…Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them…’ NIV (New International Version)

How much emphasis should we put on listening?

Is Luke cautioning us to simply open our ears so we can hear the sounds around us or might he be writing for us to open our eyes so we can read closer, what God has written in the Word for us to HEAR?

The same thing is written in the gospel of Mark.

Mark 4

vs24 ‘…He also said to them, pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you—but with even greater severity…’

vs25 ‘…Those who have something will be given more, and those who have nothing will have taken away from them even the little they have…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

In the gospel of Matthew, a parable told by Jesus of the three servants.

Matthew 25:26 ‘…You wicked and lazy servant…’ NKJV (New King James Version)

Google writes: the servant thought it was good enough to give the master back what was given to him. If he was a true servant of the master, he would have done something with his life and with his money. He wasted his life and did nothing with the money. Thus, the description of that servant is correct. He is a wicked, lazy servant.

How many preachers in the world today, will God say that same exact thing about. How many messages have pastors preached that have fallen to the wayside instead of grabbing ahold of the listener and moved them into wanting to read and study the Word more closely.

Colossians 2

vs1 ‘…I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally…’

I have been teaching for a while now that the last letter sent out by the apostle John, in the Book of Revelation, was to the church at Laodicea. I’ve also voiced, I believe this church that is mentioned in the Word is referencing Jesus’ church, that is still with us today, in the 21^st century.

As soon as this church age is finished the seven-year Tribulation will begin with its final judgement on the remaining mankind and the destruction of the first earth as we’re told in the Bible.

2 Peter 3:10 ‘…But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that Day the heavens will disappear with a shrill noise, the heavenly bodies will burn up and be destroyed, and the earth with everything in it will vanish…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

With all the confusion that is going on in our world, our lives, and with our future, we might be asking ‘what’s really going on here,’ and God lays it right in the middle of our plate, the most unthinkable thing possible. What is it, you might ask …

Romans 16

vs25 ‘…Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…’

vs26 ‘…but now has been disclosed, and through the Scriptures of the prophets, in accordance with the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith…’

vs27 ‘…to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen…’ NASB

Are you serious, a ‘MYSTERY,’ and it’s from God and we’re told He’s withheld it from the entire age of mankind. From the beginning of time, God’s message of the mystery has never been hinted to anyone until suddenly, one day, God reveals this wonder to the apostle Paul.

I want to search more on this MYSTERY, given to us by the apostle Paul, which was told to him by God, more in detail, but I want to end this looking at mankind’s church as a possible answer.

Simply put, what is it that we can achieve through a human, man-made church that cannot even teach us the truth?

We can be told how we need to tithe each week. We can be told how we need to dress and wear our hair. We can be told how we need to come to church every Sunday. We can be lied to and who are we gonna go to for help, since we’ve already turned our backs on the only real true God known to man.

This all goes back to the greatest sin ever committed against God by mankind and that sin is UNBELIEF. This world does not believe God.

Their excuse is that they did believe until they found out about a ‘MYSTERY’ and they couldn’t understand why they’d believe in something, again and in 4000 years it had changed into another, new mystery.

 Let me get back to that ‘MYSTERY’ told to us by Paul.

Romans 16

vs25 ‘…Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…’

Paul revealed that there was a new body of people. This new body of people would be revealed as a ‘church’ … Jesus’ church. A church that would be made up of Jews and Gentiles alike. All would be saved that accept this salvation that Christ worked out for us, when He died on the cross of Calvary.

This would all be given to us freely as a GIFT by God our Father in heaven.

Ephesians 2

vs8-9 ‘…For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

I’ve asked for several years now, why is this not the number one verse known by all mankind and it’s in every weekly sermon?

This is our ticket to Everlasting Life. The only thing that could possibly prevent this from ever happening is if we were not to believe … but with it being free, why would every man, woman and child not cling to these two verses?

The answer is really very easy … most of the mankind’s church doesn’t want you to think you’re getting something for FREE, so they don’t tell you about it. They don’t display it on signs hanging on the walls and when they speak their sermons on Sunday mornings, they make sure they’re a good way away from these two verses, so you won’t possibly find them.

If the man’s church doesn’t mention to you that you need to read the Bible, you’ll have no reason to open the covers of your Bible, except maybe, if you write family tree information on the inside covers of your Bibles.

Mankind’s church relies on your weekly tithe. They rely on whatever they can get.

It’s funny, they’ve been offered a FREE ticket for Everlasting Life, and they don’t believe it.

Colossians 2:2 ‘…I want all the believers to become strong in their spirits. I want them to help each other because they love one another. Then God will bless them very much, because they understand God’s secret message very well. They will be completely sure of it. And they will know Christ himself, who is God’s secret…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

God’s secret isn’t just that Jesus was His Son; Jesus and His Death, Burial and Resurrection is our promise that will save us from a Spiritual Death.

Paul taught us the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

vs1 ‘…And now I want to remind you, my friends, of the Good News which I preached to you, which you received, and on which your faith stands firm…’

vs2 ‘…That is the gospel, the message that I preached to you. You are saved by the gospel if you hold firmly to it—unless it was for nothing that you believed…’

vs3 ‘…I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures…’

vs4 ‘…that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

There is so much truth that our 21^st century churches could tell us, but they’re too interested in another factor other than saving lost souls to damnation, they are fooled by money.

Jesus taught us:

Matthew 6:24 ‘…You cannot be a slave of two masters; you will hate one and love the other; you will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

I’ve always told people that ‘if’ they find the church that is just right for them, it is their responsibility that they make sure that church is taken care of … financially, because if they don’t, they may want to go to church some Sunday, and the doors are all locked and closed.

Open your mouth and share with others, tell them why they need to open their Bibles and study the Word for themselves.

If you find a church you want to call home, make it known to others in that church what has drawn you into the building. Let others know that you ALL must work together to keep the doors open for others to find.

Start Bible study groups, share the Word with others and keep Jesus’ Words Alive.

Keep your Bibles always open and continuously keep in His Word.

Remember that I love all of you. Never forget that Jesus loves each one of us even more. He’s right there in front of you, all you need to do is call His name out loud and He’ll immediately be by your side.

Colossians 2

vs3 ‘…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…’

vs4 ‘…I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments…’

vs5 ‘…For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is…’ NIV (New International Version)

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Wednesday 010825

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Since the beginning of this study, our vision has been that we are ONLY going to follow what is found in the Holy Bible, that pertains to us, and we realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into this study, that we’re going to take anything away for our own use.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 2:37-41; John 5:24; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Matthew 10:8-15.

So, over the past couple of days, I’ve been writing down notes of the chronology since Jesus was crucified back in the 1^st century.

The time is just short of 2000 years, but the history that has occurred in that timespan, is really, unimaginable.

Paul wrote that when we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and that He rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures, our sins will be forgiven.

1 Corinthians 15

vs1 ‘…Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand…’

vs2 ‘…by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain…’

vs3 ‘…or I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…’

vs4 ‘…and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

This is the starting point; we MUST believe in these verses written by Paul so that our lives will be saved.

In the Bible, being saved means that a person’s sins have been forgiven and they are assured of living in heaven forever. It also means that they are justified by God through faith in Jesus Christ and are declared righteous in God’s court of law. 

Salvation is the gift that comes from God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Being saved, spiritually speaking, means your sins no longer count against you toward an eternal death sentence. Instead, they are forgiven by the grace of God, and you are given the gift of eternal life. Being saved does not spare you from earthly troubles, but it does spare you from eternal judgment.

Acts 2

vs37 ‘…Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what are we to do…’

vs38 ‘…Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…’

vs39 ‘…For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself…’

vs40 ‘…And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, be saved from this perverse generation…’

vs41 ‘…So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

John 5:24 ‘…Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Romans 3

vs21 ‘…but now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets…’

vs22 ‘…but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction…’

vs23 ‘…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…’

vs24 ‘…being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus…’

vs25 ‘…whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished…’

vs26 ‘…for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

There are so many today that do not believe it and the majority of that came from mankind’s churches continuously holding their hands out asking for money.

Lying to their congregation week after week, year after year. Preaching lies, false sermons about how the Bible tells us we are supposed to ‘tithe’ instead of telling them what is written in the Bible, about ‘giving.’

2 Corinthians 9

vs6 ‘…Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously…’

vs7 ‘…Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver…’

vs8 ‘…And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…’

vs9 ‘…as it is written: He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever…’

vs10 ‘…Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness…’

vs11 ‘…you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God…’

vs12 ‘…For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God…’

vs13 ‘…Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all…’

vs14 ‘…while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you…’

vs15 ‘…Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Once again, man in his greed thinks God has made a mistake and he could make a better plan.

The apostle Judas that tuned Jesus in for silver, his greed overwhelmed him. He stole from the ministry finances, and he constantly struggled to see why they were not doing financially better.

Jesus never asked for money, the entire time He walked this earth He never asked for anything.

When Jesus sent the twelve out to heal the sick he told them to not take anything extra with them and don’t ask for any money.

Matthew 10

vs8 ‘… Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give…’

vs9 ‘…Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts…’

vs10 ‘…or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support…’

vs11 ‘…And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city…’

vs12 ‘…As you enter the house, give it your greeting…’

vs13 ‘…If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace…’

vs14 ‘…And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet…’

vs15 ‘…Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Mankind’s churches, from day one, can only survive with money. They preach to their congregation, put your faith and trust in Jesus and He will make a way for you; however, these churches, they don’t believe themselves because of the amount of garbage they spew out of their mouths onto those that want to hear of the wonders of God.

These pastors, these evil doers, they will find out just how short this time on this earth really will be and they will experience Everlasting Torment the most for themselves.

Their evil is beyond ordinary evil, these men are destroying the future of those that want to hear of the promises, but they instead become frustrated, and they will leave.

But to those of us in the 21^st century, who have been given so much, we will not be able to say we were taught the wrong things because we have more than what this entire world has ever even thought of having.

There are those today that are going to suffer because they never even tried to open the Bible and find out for themselves what is out there and available to them.

There are so many lessons that we as a church could learn from looking back at earlier generations that had so little.

Back in earlier times, people had to go somewhere to hear the Word of God but today, ask yourself, how many Bibles do you have in your house? How many apps could you install on your phones, computers or tablets?

Our generation has been given so many opportunities it is going to be sad when that one individual, when standing in front of the Great White Throne of Judgement and they try and claim they never had the opportunity. Don’t ever forget how much Jesus loves each one of us.

Keep your Bibles open and continuously study His Word throughout your day.

Don’t look at your Bibles as a job that has to be completed, but rather look at them as a gift that we each have had the opportunity to open the covers and discover what is waiting out there for our future.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Tuesday 010725

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

We have two ground rules in this study:

1 – we are ONLY going to read and follow what is found (that pertains to us), in the Holy Bible.

2 – we are ONLY going to learn from a study, what effort we put into that study.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

John 11:38-44, 12:3-8; Jonah 1:3; 2 Chronicles 2:16; Acts 9:36-42, 10:8-10; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Zechariah 9:9; John 12:16; Deuteronomy 29:21; Romans 8:10-11.

Before this study began, I voiced of the importance I found in the television series ‘the CHOSEN.’

Last night before I turned the set off and went to sleep, I watched the 8^th episode of season 4 when Jesus was preparing to enter Jerusalem.

In the episode, Lazarus was raised from his tomb.

John 11

vs38 ‘…Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance…’

vs39 ‘…Take away the stone, he said. But, Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days…’

vs40 ‘…Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God…’

vs41 ‘…So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me…’

vs42 ‘…I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me…’

vs43 ‘…When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out…’

vs44 ‘…The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, take off the grave clothes and let him go…’ NIV (New International Version)

Lazarus’ sister, Mary, poured the oil on Jesus’ feet as she sobbed and wiped his feet with her hair.

John 12

vs3 ‘…Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume…’

vs4 ‘…But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said…’

vs5 ‘…Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor…’

vs6 ‘…He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it…’

vs7 ‘…Jesus said, leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial…’

vs8 ‘…For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me…’ ESV (English Standard Version)

The writings in the Bible are being played out and opening right in front of my very own eyes.

Last night was the end of season 4 and now I must wait an entire year before season 5 will come out and my mind begins racing through the stories I’ve known since my childhood years.

By being familiar with the Bible, I recognize Palm Sunday and what will happen in just a few days and then …

… the next following Sunday is Easter Sunday … Easter morning, the 1^st Easter given to us human beings on this earth and how many will miss it? How many will choose not to care? How many will turn and walk away as Jonah ran from God trying to get away.

Jonah 1:3 ‘…But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship that was going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to go with them to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

How many will choose to travel to Joppa and run away from God?

This world that we live in today is so small. It seems sometimes this world is no larger than a spinning coin flipped on its side.

Jonah not only fled to Joppa, but the timber used for Solomon’s temple floated through Joppa.

2 Chronicles 2:16 ‘…In the mountains of Lebanon we will cut down all the cedars you need, tie them together in rafts, and float them by sea as far as Joppa. From there you can take them to Jerusalem …’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Peter Raises Tabitha (Dorcas) From the Dead in Joppa.

Acts 9

vs36 ‘…Now in Joppa, there was a certain disciple, Tabitha by name (which being interpreted means ‘Dorcas’). This one was full of good works and acts-of-alms giving which she was doing…’

vs37 ‘…And it came about in those days that having become sick, she died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper room…’

vs38 ‘…Now Lydda being near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was in it, sent out two men to him urging, do not delay coming to us…’

vs39 ‘…And having arisen, Peter went with them— whom, having arrived, they brought up into the upper room. And all the widows stood near him, weeping and showing him tunics and garments— all-that Dorcas was making while being with them…’

vs40 ‘…And Peter— having put everyone outside and having put down his knees— prayed. And having turned to the body, he said, Tabitha, rise-up. And the one opened her eyes! And having seen Peter, she sat up…’

vs41 ‘…And having given her his hand, he raised her up. And having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive…’

vs42 ‘…And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many put faith upon the Lord…’ DLNT (Disciples’ Literal New Testament)

Peter also had his dream on the rooftop of the city of Joppa.

Acts 10

vs8 ‘…And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa…’

vs9 ‘…On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour…’

vs10 ‘…And he became very hungry, and would have eaten but while they made ready, he fell into a trance…’ KJV (King James Version)

The more we know of the Word, the better chance we will be able to fend off the devil on that day when he attacks us.

Ephesians 6:11 ‘…Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks…’ CEV (Contemporary English Version)

2 Timothy 3

vs16 ‘…All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living…’

vs17 ‘…so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

ALL Scripture is inspired by God and ALL Scripture teaches us the truth but, NOT ALL Scripture is meant for us to follow.

The more familiar we are with the contents inside the Word, the better prepared we will be for our future in Him.

The Bible tells us mankind’s past as well as it portrays our future, as much of it as we want to know.

Study the Word and attain as much as you possibly can. Keep Him by your side for that occasion when you will need Him the most.

I love y’all. Always remember that Jesus loves us more than we will ever comprehend what love really means.

As He got on the back of that donkey, knowing what was about to happen in His very near future, Jesus sat up straight and without embarrassment as He entered that city which was in front of Him.

Zechariah 9:9 ‘…Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

You should be asking yourselves, today, how many KNOW which way we are to go?

Jesus seen His future that was awaiting His arrival just as we can see our future written for us today. We have been given the opportunity to see our own future handed out in front of us, free from the errors of mankind and our own devious ways.

John 12:16 ‘… Jesus’ disciples did not understand all this at that time. They understood only after Jesus had returned to God in heaven. Then they remembered that someone had written these things about him in the Bible. And they remembered that these things had now really happened to him…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

A book that reveals the mysteries of God, has awaited time which is right around the corner in front of us. It’s too late to try and run away, for safety is held in His hands of Grace. Your churches are not going to save you, denominations fail the fools that won’t accept the truth.

Deuteronomy 29:21 ‘…The Lord will make an example of him before all the tribes of Israel and will bring disaster on him in accordance with all the curses listed in the covenant that is written in this book of the Lord’s teachings…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

It is time for our FAITH to stand up inside and give us the strength as we walk into that city, the city in front of us, awaiting time to come to an end.

Romans 8

vs10 ‘…But, if Christ lives in you, you have a new life because of his Spirit. Your body will die one day because of the power of sin. But your spirit lives because Christ has made you right with God…’

vs11 ‘…God raised Jesus, to make him alive again after his death. Now God’s Spirit lives in you. So, God, who raised Christ from death, will also cause your human bodies to live again. He will do that by his Spirit who lives in you…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Monday 010625

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Since the beginning of this study, our vision has been that we are ONLY going to follow what is found in the Holy Bible, that pertains to us, and we realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into this study, that we’re going to take anything away for our own use.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Revelation 5:11, 22:20; Colossians 4:5-6; Ecclesiastes 3:1-22; Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Matthew 24:42-44.

I’m on the computer this morning, checking out some articles written on Google and I’m just doing a little studying.

Let me share some of the opinions expressed online.

Time is a measurement of distance. Time is often used to measure distance, as implied by phrases like my home is ten minutes from work by car or the business district is a five-minute walk.

In these examples, the speed of walking or driving converts distance to time.

So, as I’ve stated in earlier studies, I’ve been watching the television series called ‘the Chosen.’

On one of the episodes, Jesus makes a comment on the word ‘SOON.’

Soon is a measurement of time but the word ‘soon’ could be in 30 seconds, or it could also be in 2000 plus years.

The lesson taught on the television series is that the word soon is the most imprecise word known and used by mankind.

So next I asked Google a question:

Does the bible make any reference to the words ‘soon’ or ‘time’ and Google responded with this for an answer.

Yes, the Bible mentions the word ‘soon’ and ‘time’ in many places, including verses that discuss God’s relationship to time, time management, and specific events.

I found only certain versions use the word ‘soon.’

Revelation 5:11 ‘…I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown…’ ESV (English Standard Version)

Revelation 22:20 ‘…He who testifies to these things says, surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…’ ESV (English Standard Version)

There are verses that speak about ‘time.’

Colossians 4

vs5 ‘…Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time…’

vs6 ‘…Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man…’ AKJV (Authorized King James Version)

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

vs1 ‘…There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven…’

vs2 ‘…A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted…’

vs3 ‘…A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up…’

vs4 ‘…A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance…’

vs5 ‘…A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing…’

vs6 ‘…A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away…’

vs7 ‘…A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak…’

vs8 ‘…A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace…’

vs9 ‘…What benefit is there for the worker from that in which he labors…’

vs10 ‘…I have seen the task which God has given the sons of mankind with which to occupy themselves…’

God Set Eternity in the Heart of Mankind

vs11 ‘…He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end…’

vs12 ‘…I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime…’

vs13 ‘…moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God…’

vs14 ‘…I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him…’

vs15 ‘…That which is, is what has already been, and that which will be has already been; and God seeks what has passed by…’

vs16 ‘…Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness…’

vs17 ‘…I said to myself, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for a time for every matter and for every deed is there…’

vs18 ‘…I said to myself regarding the sons of mankind, God is testing them in order for them to see that they are as animals, they to themselves…’

vs19 ‘…For the fate of the sons of mankind and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath, and there is no advantage for mankind over animals, for all is futility…’

vs20 ‘…All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust…’

vs21 ‘…Who knows that the spirit of the sons of mankind ascends upward, and the spirit of the animal descends downward to the earth…’

vs22 ‘…I have seen that nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The Bible also uses different words in Greek and Hebrew to refer to time:

Chronos: The Greek word for human time, which is used in the Bible 53 times, including in Matthew 2:7, ‘Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.’

Kairos: The Greek word for time in God’s time.

Et: The Hebrew word, which can mean linear time but is often associated with specific events.

The measurement of time is found in almost every book of the Word.

Time has been a valuable lesson for us human beings that we’ve been shown by God, and yet us human beings have not really grabbed ahold of the real meaning that God has tried to teach us.

I remember in my earlier years, those years I went to grade, middle, high school and in my college years, time seemed like it took forever for a 24-hour day to get done.

After college, I got my first job and just that 8-hour day seemed like on some days, it lasted for ever.

Over the years, those 24-hour periods have gotten a lot faster.

Now I’m in my late 60’s and there have been some of those days that just flew by. It seems like that minute hand on the clocks was just spinning faster and faster.

I’ve noticed though that when I’m in His Word studying, there are times when it seems as if time stops. What I thought might take hours to read may only take a few minutes to really comprehend what has been said.

I’m able to study for an hour and totally fulfill what my body seemed to be lacking. There have been times, when I’ve shut the computer down, closed the covers of the Bible only to find myself turning everything back on because of the hunger I’ve found that I have in a particular subject.

ONLY God knows when the end is going to happen.

Matthew 24:36 ‘…But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The end will come like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 ‘…For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

We’re told in the Bible to remain always READY.

Matthew 24

vs42 ‘…Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming…’

vs43 ‘…But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into…’

vs44 ‘…For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Be like a Boy Scout, our motto was to always, be prepared. Be ready for anything.

I love y’all. Keep yourself in the Word and learn of all the wonderful Mysteries God has waiting for us.

Read His Word and listen to the words He uses to teach us.

Listen to what God is trying to tell you, and forget about what someone else is saying.

Open His Word and HEAR Him speaking to you, you don’t need me, or a pastor, or a church or its denomination.

Listen to what God is telling you.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE AND READ HIS WORD.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Sunday 010525

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

Our vision for this study is going to focus on what we have been told in the Bible and ONLY listen to what pertains to us, instead of us following an idea that rewrites the Word to fit our lifestyle.

The more we learn, we’re going to realize that it’s ONLY from our own effort that we put into a study that will allow us to take something useful away with us.

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Galatians 5:13; Genesis 1:26; Acts 16:31; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:25; Luke 6:37; Philippians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:13; Romans 12:1-21.

So, tonight’s lesson is on BELIEVING.

We should ask ourselves the question, are we free to believe in what we want to believe?

We are given free will that we can choose for ourselves what we want to do, but we haven’t been told that we are free to believe in whatever we want to believe in.

Galatians 5:13 ‘…My Christian friends, God has chosen you to serve him as free people. But you are still weak and human. So, you are not free to do anything that you might want to do. Instead, you must serve one another, because you love each other…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

God has given us some freedom, so we are able to be free to move around but, we are warned that we are weak and human.

It is in this warning where we should become aware.

Our minds alone are so easily tempted and because of our weak minds, we can be lured away from what is ‘good’ and we can be turned towards that which is bad. It is our human nature.

From Genesis 1:26 we are told how we were made in the image of God, but we were only made in His ‘likeness.’

Genesis 1:26a ‘…Then God said, Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

On dictionary.com, likeness is defined as:

A representation, picture, or image, especially a portrait.

Beliefs are a choice that can be influenced by many things.

And now for a moment, I want you to think for yourself a little, how much of what has happened in your lifetime has influenced the way you trust and believe in something?

Just think.

How much of what has happened to the environment, has affected what you throw away in the trash every day?

How much of your past experiences affect the way you move throughout your daily lives?

Think of all the events that have happened in your lifetime that now make you live your life according to those events.

How much have individuals and society changed the way you think?

How much has your government changed your thoughts and actions. 

The strength of our beliefs is often determined by our emotions, and by other people that we might see every day.

Preformed beliefs can also be created by years of social, family, and media influences, which can create mental templates that cause people to favor information that confirms their beliefs and disregard facts that contradict them.

Just in a normal 24-hour day, we change our daily lives to fit around this belief system that we have acquired throughout our lifetime.

So, is it then understood that when we open our Bibles, or we simply go to a church service we have already formed a conclusion in what we believe in, based on our past experiences?

Here are some things we can find in the Bible:

1-Believe in Jesus.

Acts 16:31 ‘…They said, believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

2-Put living for Jesus first in your life.

2 Corinthians 4

vs16 ‘…Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is  being renewed day by day…’

vs17 ‘…For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison…’

vs18 ‘…while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

3-Read the Bible.

2 Timothy 3

vs16 ‘…All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness…’

vs17 ‘…so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

4-Become involved in a local Bible-believing church and seek friendships with Christ-followers.

Hebrews 10:25 ‘…not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

5-Forgive others.

Luke 6:37 ‘…Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

6-Live your life with thankfulness, not complaining.

Philippians 2:14 ‘…Do all things without complaining or arguments…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

7-Pray all the time.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ‘…pray without ceasing…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

8-Love others.

1 Corinthians 13

vs4 ‘…Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant…’

vs5 ‘…It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered…’

vs6 ‘…it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth…’

vs7 ‘…it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…’

vs8 ‘…Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

All these examples can and will strengthen our lives and our minds in the way that God wants us to live our lives.

These examples can also be portrayed as how God wants us to believe.

As we were shown in the first Bible verse in this lesson:

Galatians 5:13 ‘…My Christian friends, God has chosen you to serve him as free people. But you are still weak and human. So, you are not free to do anything that you might want to do. Instead, you must serve one another, because you love each other…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

… we are told God wants us to serve one another.

It is much easier for us to serve one another if we put ourselves in a person’s place and we try and please them as we would want to be pleased.

Maybe a good way for us to believe what God wants us to believe is to put another person’s feelings before our own.

The entire chapter Paul wrote in Romans 12 is a very good example for us to follow.

Romans 12

vs1 ‘…Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship…’

vs2 ‘…And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect…’

vs3 ‘…For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith…’

vs4 ‘…For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function…’

vs5 ‘…so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another…’

vs6 ‘…However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith…’

vs7 ‘…if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching…’

vs8 ‘…or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness…’

vs9 ‘…Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good…’

vs10 ‘…Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor…’

vs11 ‘…not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord…’

vs12 ‘…rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer…’

vs13 ‘…contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality…’

vs14 ‘…Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…’

vs15 ‘…Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep…’

vs16 ‘…Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation…’

vs17 ‘…Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people…’

vs18 ‘…If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people…’

vs19 ‘…Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord…’

vs20 ‘…But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head…’

vs21 ‘…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

I love y’all. Jesus loves us even more.

Love those next to you. Put yourself in their place and treat them with the same respect as to how you would want to be treated.

Keep studying your Bibles. Open them daily and read the amazing stories we have been promised.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>

Saturday 010425

Don’t let me or my writings influence or scare you in any way, instead, allow me to be used as a vessel to open the Word, just a little bit, and hopefully, together we are going to read and study His Word, and let God teach us what He wants us to hear.

We have two ground rules in this study:

1 – we are ONLY going to read and follow what is found (that pertains to us), in the Holy Bible.

2 – we are ONLY going to learn from a study, what effort we put into that study.

Continuing and ending our study tonight, we must observe mankind’s history. History can be difficult to accept but we’re given the opportunity not to make any mistakes.

So, let’s begin tonight’s lesson.

Jesus as we continue our study tonight, we need Your leadership and guidance to help us hear the message that You want us to hear. Open our ears tonight Jesus and allow us to hear what you have for us. We love You Jesus. Amen.

So tonight, here are the verses we are going to study:

1 Corinthians 1:11-13; Revelation 3:18, 19-22; Jeremiah 17:9-10.

So, I am right now posting my study on ten (10) different sites on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings:

Facebook    – whosoeverinhim Bible study

WordPress – lrabbe.wordpress.com

Weebly        – whosoeverinhim.weebly.com

Wix              – lrabbe2024.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Wix              – lrabbe2024.wixsite.com/whosoeverinhim

Blogger        – whosoeverinhim.blogspot.com

cw.center     – whosoeverinhim.cw.center

Tumblr         – www.tumblr.com/whosoeversblog

Webador       – inhim.webador.com

Webador       – free-4140862.webador.com

In my attempt to spread the MESSAGE of Jesus to the people in the 21^st century, instead of releasing ten (10) different papers a week, I’m going to try to release one (1) paper on ten (10) different sites.

As we continue with the countless distractions all around us, that are just waiting for us to trip and fall.

There is the Distraction of Political Opinion.

No matter where we stand politically, it is IMPORTANT for us to remember that being American and being a Christian are two very different things.

No matter where you align yourself politically, don’t let politics become a distraction to you or your church.

And as I stated earlier, a church is more than a building with four walls, a floor, a roof and a steeple with a bell. A church is a religious body, a body that is united as a group of believers, believers of ALL ages.

That’s us. We are a religious body, a group of believers. We are a church.

As soon as our political convictions become more important than the humanity of the person that we’re speaking with, we are no longer able to interact in a way that reflects Christ, and Christ should take precedence over any topic that comes out of our mouths.

There is the distraction of personalities.

We are given an example found in the Word.

1 Corinthians 1

vs11 ‘…For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers and sisters, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you…’

vs12 ‘…Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, I am with Paul, or I am with Apollos, or I am with Cephas, or I am with Christ…’

vs13 ‘…Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

It is our obligation that no one will love us more than the love they have for their Savior. A person should not identify with us any more than they do with Jesus.

This is a major distraction for us. I must admit, this is a blessing by communicating, by means of social media. 

And then finally, there is the distraction of tradition.

The past is not our enemy, but it can be if we let it.

It’s important to recognize and build on the past, but we cannot live in it.

As time goes by, we will always be confronted with doing things the way we used to in the past.

Tradition can be a beautiful aspect of church life, but a church distracted by the past can keep a ‘new’ church from being formed and connecting with others in a much better and greater way.

So, in this way we should always be on the lookout for a new and better focus.

Our focus should always be to build a better and a stronger relationship with Jesus. We need to always keep in our memory the church in Laodicea, it had grown lukewarm and distracted from its once clear and burning desire to serve God.

Jesus invited them to renew their focus.

Revelation 3:18 ‘…I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus offered the church, ‘eye salve’ so that they may see, in essence, He is offering us that eye salve so that WE may see. Buy from me ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Laodicea was famous for ‘Phrygian powder’, an ingredient used in a healing eye ointment. Jesus again makes a personalized reference to drive his point home. Only he could give them true vision. Only in Christ can we as Christians find our true purpose in life. The church in Laodicea had grown lukewarm and useless. Their selfish focus on wealth and culture kept them from living on purpose in this life. But Jesus offered them a second chance. He wanted a relationship with them again, and that relationship would put the church back on mission.

Today Jesus is voicing to us how we have lost our way. We have become blind. If we continue to ask Him to open our eyes so that we will be able to see, maybe we will still have the time to find our way home.

Revelation 3

vs19 ‘…Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore, be zealous and repent…’

vs20 ‘…Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me…’

vs21 ‘…The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne…’

vs22 ‘…The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

What about you? Can you relate to these distractions in your own life? It’s not too late to let Jesus in again. He wanted to spit the lukewarm Laodicean Christians out of his mouth. But for those flowing with purpose, he promises to use them.

Open our ears Jesus so that we will be able to hear the Words You have for us to hear.

In my attempt to prepare for this study, I came upon a list of 10 lies that us parents teach our children today and we don’t even give it a second of thought on how much we are damaging, one of the more precious gifts we’ve been given in this life. Allow me to share with you what I found.

10 lies we tell our children:

Now there are items on this list that the words never come out of my mouth. But then, look at the ones that come from your mouth.

1-Santa Claus exists.

This is so simple how can it even be on a list. But just think about the impact that we have on our child’s life.

2-Follow your heart.

Jeremiah 17

vs9 ‘…The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick, who can understand it…’

vs10 ‘…I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, to give to each person according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

3-If it feels good, it is good.

How many times has something felt good and you knew it was bad for you?

4-Live it up now.

Are we teaching them how to enjoy themselves or are we teaching them about enjoyment?

5-Habits don’t stick.

Maybe this is why the younger generation is so aptly wanting to destroy all of mankind’s history, maybe this way they won’t be able to acknowledge a habit.

6-Nobody loves me.

7-Life is pointless.

8-If you love me, you’ll agree with me.

9-There is no God.

Who would even think of such a thing to say to a younger person.

10-I can follow God tomorrow.

We are trying too hard to be our children’s friends rather than being their parents.

Here’s a question for you: do you think we are hurting them or are we hurting ourselves more?

The message that Jesus had for the church in Laodicea is as relevant today to the church in the 21^st century, as it was 2000 years ago.

The city of Laodicea was a well-defended city on a hill, famous for banking, finance, fashion, and pharmaceuticals. There was one major issue, and that was the lack of water, but being a wealthy city, aqueducts had been constructed to alleviate the situation.

To us here in America today, we have been given so much. We are so ‘wealthy’ that we are in reality, very poor. Jesus is going to return one day and we’re going to be asleep at the wheel if we don’t wake ourselves up and begin paying attention to what He has already given us.

This church in Laodicea had grown ‘lukewarm’ in their faith and zeal towards Jesus. This definition is us today in the 21^st century, we have lost our zeal towards Jesus.

What was wrong with Laodicea?

What is wrong with us in the 21^st century?

Keep your focus on the Word and keep yourself in it every day. Install Bible apps on your cell phones and computers and read His Word throughout your day.

I love every one of you and I hope you all realize that Jesus loves each one of us even more than our human minds can comprehend what the word LOVE really means.

As we close this morning ending this study, Jesus please keep us safe and open our mouths so we can repeat the knowledge You’ve allowed for us to see. Let others Jesus, have the opportunity to find out about You and give them the chance to see what it is You have given us.

Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen

InHIM. ><)))o>