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Tuesday 020425

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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 Timothy 2:1-4; John 12:27-36.

Tonight’s lesson might get a little rocky for some … but I think there is value in it.

Over the years, have you noticed the songs that have come on the radio? I’m going to just a few:

I can only Imagine

Talking to Jesus

If I got Jesus

These hardly can be considered a long list, but my point is, have you ever put your earbuds in and actually listened to the lyrics?

I remember when my mother-in-law was still alive, and ‘I can only imagine’ came on the radio. Arms were lifted into the sky and praise and worship followed.

I still want those memories to come into my life.

Surrounded by Your glory… What will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus… Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence… Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah… Will I be able to speak at all?

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

To this day, this is one of the more powerful GIFTS that we (mankind) have been given. The gift of our imagination can be so strong and influential in our lives. We can use our imagination to our advantage but with that being said, our imagination can destroy us. It can lead our hearts in the direction of darkness. We can bury ourselves if we allow ourselves to focus on the wrong image.

This is another good reason why we keep in God’s Word. It’s an even better reason why we keep in constant communication with Him.

While I was still working, a song came out, that to this day I want to shout and begin talking with Him.

I’m talking about the song:

TALKING TO JESUS

When I worked, we couldn’t wear earbuds, we were told it was a safety hazard. By not hearing this song, it was the real ‘safety hazard.’

If you’ve never been blessed enough to hear the words, turn on your radio; pull up the video on your phone, tablet or laptop. Put in your earbuds, put on your headphones, turn up the volume and just listen to the words and enjoy.

The song begins:

Grandma used to pray out loud, By her bed every night…

This song tells it all in the first sentence. Even though today I’m a grandpa, when I heard this song for the first time, I remembered hearing the voices and sounds from my grandparents.

To me, it sounded like mumbling… Like she was out of her mind…

From this point, the song just grabbed onto me, holding me quiet and still, wanting to hear every syllable.

She said, Boy, this kind of praying… Is what saved my life… You outta try it sometime…

And then, the ‘frosting on the cake’ …

And now I know she was right… She was talking to Jesus… She was talking to Jesus… She’d been talking to Jesus… For all of her life…

Kids, parents, grandparents … this is a lesson we all need to hear.

1 Timothy 2

vs1 ‘…So then, this is what I want to ask you first. Please pray for all people. Ask God to supply what they need. Ask God to help them. Thank God for what he does for everyone…’

vs2 ‘…Pray in that way for kings and for all rulers and people who have authority. Pray for God to help them, so that we may live our lives without trouble or danger. Then we can live in a good way that respects God and other people…’

vs3 ‘…It is good that we should pray like that. It makes God, our Saviour, happy…’

vs4 ‘…He wants to save all people. He wants everyone to know his message about what is true…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Cause now I’m talking to Jesus… She got me talking to Jesus… She got me talking to Jesus… Yeah, my mama was right…

Cause now I’m talking to Jesus… Yeah, I love talking to Jesus… And I’ll be talking to Jesus… For the rest of my life…

This is what our lives are missing is that one-on-one relationship with Him that is going to save us.

What a friend we have in Jesus… What a friend we have in Jesus… Don’t you know… What a friend we have in Jesus… Oh-oh-oh, what a friend we have…

It is in those times when we are alone and in His presence when time stops. Our lives are made complete. The questions we may have, they’ve been answered.

What a friend we have in Jesus… What a friend we have in Jesus… What a friend we have in Jesus… Oh-oh-oh…

This one song, still to this day, just satisfies me.

I saw my wife post a video on Facebook this morning…

IF I GOT JESUS

The song’s opening lyrics are relatable, as they convey the idea that Jesus is all that is needed, even during the darkest times of loss.

I’ve had a dollar to my name… I’ve had friends that walked away… And I’ve even lost myself a time or two… There were bridges crossed and burned… But through all the wreckage I have learned… There is one thing that I can never lose…

This song begins as if it were an example of life. How much money has just slipped through our hands throughout this life we’re in? Maybe today we need money.

How many friends have gone away over the years? Think back through your school years, your college days, how many friends have you had and how many are still here today?

There is one lesson from this song that we can ALL learn from.

If I got Jesus… I’ve got all that I could ever need…
Take the world away from me… And I’ll be okay…

Repeat it and say it again:

If I got Jesus… There’s a hope that’s living deep inside… A joy that I could never hide…
a safe place to fall… If I got Jesus, I got it all, mmm…

This is our Hope. It is the one only wish that will ever keep us human beings whole. This world that we live in is trying so hard to stop you in your tracks so they can take from you, whatever it is that you have …

But:

If I got Jesus… There’s a hope that’s living deep inside… A joy that I could never hide…
a safe place to fall… If I got Jesus, I got it all, mmm…

After Jesus had raised Lazarus from his tomb, He foretold us of His own death.

John 12

vs27 ‘…Now my heart is troubled—and what shall I say? Shall I say, Father, do not let this hour come upon me? But that is why I came—so that I might go through this hour of suffering…’

vs28 ‘…Father, bring glory to your name! Then a voice spoke from heaven, I have brought glory to it, and I will do so again…’

vs29 ‘…The crowd standing there heard the voice, and some of them said it was thunder, while others said, an angel spoke to him…’

vs 30 ‘…But Jesus said to them, it was not for my sake that this voice spoke, but for yours…’

vs31 ‘…Now is the time for this world to be judged; now the ruler of this world will be overthrown…’

vs32 ‘…When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me…’

vs33 ‘…In saying this he indicated the kind of death he was going to suffer…’

vs34 ‘…The crowd answered, Our Law tells us that the Messiah will live forever. How, then, can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man…’

vs35 ‘…Jesus answered, the light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going…’

vs36 ‘…Believe in the light, then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

We should continue with these verses …

You have until I call your name, when the trump sounds it is over for my church.

My Father’s will is done, once again.

The end is near, ARE YOU READY?

I love all of y’all. Keep your Bibles open and continue to study His Word every day. Rely on His Message always.

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>

Ps-since I’ve wrote this,

JESUS CHRIST by Van Zant

… they hung Him up …

… on a cross …

… they nailed Him by His hands and feet …

… the blood He lost …

… … …

… our SAVIOR …

… the HOLY One …

JESUS CHRIST

Monday 020325

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 2 Timothy 4:3; Ephesians 5:6-10, :15-16; Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:9-10; Romans 11:33-35; Colossians 4:5-6, 2:2-3; 1 Corinthians 1:25, 30.

So, this morning I woke up, read my morning devotional from the Bible, and today lesson was planned out for me.

This morning’s devotional was found in:

Proverbs 13:20 ‘…One who walks with wise people will be wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The book of Proverbs is a great book that we can read and use as our devotionals every month. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, if we were to read a chapter every morning that corresponds with the date, in the months of January, March, May, July, August, October and December; by the end of the month, we’d have the book of Proverbs completed. In the months of April, June, September and November, if we were to read an extra sentence every day, by the end of the month, we’d also have the book completed. Our biggest struggle would be in February, where there are only 28 days: 29 on leap year (every 4^th year). In the month of February, we’d have to do a little extra reading throughout the month so we could finish by the end of the month. But after a while, we’d get it done.

To mankind, ‘WISE’ might mean to be smart. In the dictionary the word WISE is defined as: having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Bible defined the word in several ways:

1 Corinthians 2

vs12 ‘…We have received God’s own Spirit, not a spirit that belongs to this world. As a result, we can understand all the good things that God has given to us…’

vs13 ‘…Those are the things that we speak about. We do not use clever words to speak about human ideas. Instead, we speak the message that God’s Spirit has taught us. In that way, we explain a spiritual message to people who have God’s Spirit…’

vs14 ‘…If someone does not believe in God, they cannot accept the message that comes from God’s Spirit. They think that God’s message is silly. They cannot even understand those things. Only God’s Spirit can explain them to people…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

A wise person has the ability to discern and handle practical matters.

A wise person is open to learning from others.

A wise person pursues righteousness, which includes being forgiving and hating falsehood.

A wise person focuses on relationships and day-to-day living.

A wise person walks with other wise people and cares for the poor.

A wise person demonstrates their wisdom with a meek spirit.

A wise person shows their wisdom through their good conduct.

A wise person avoids jealousy and selfish ambition, which are considered earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

A wise person builds their life on Jesus’ words and message of the body of Christ.

So many of our churches today, in their own minds they are wise, they say they tell the truth, they speak about Jesus and then they completely fall apart and begin teaching His Flock what they want to teach.

They begin making up sermons using mans words instead of reading what God has had written for us, they begin to ‘tickle our ears’ with words they want us to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3 ‘…For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

From maybe a clearer version:

2 Timothy 4:3 ‘…Do this, because a time will come when people will not listen to God’s true message. Instead, they will want to hear all kinds of new messages that will make them happy. So, they will find many teachers for themselves who will tell them what they want to hear…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Wise can easily be explained by comparing a man that, to himself he ‘thinks he understands’ what is right and wrong; compared to the man that reads his Bible so he can find out how God has defined a word in His Word.

Ephesians 5

vs6 ‘…See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience…’

vs7 ‘…Therefore do not become partners with them…’

vs8 ‘…for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light…’

vs9 ‘…for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth…’

vs10 ‘…as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Us, mankind, we are never going to do enough to please God on our own, we need Jesus in our lives to accomplish this.

No matter how much we want to do well, we are never going to be able to get over that hump in the road that will get us to the other side.

As soon as we realize this simple fact, we will be able to make ourselves complete by allowing Jesus to take control in our lives and steer us in the ONLY correct way forward.

It is the hardest lesson we MUST learn and then once we truly understand it, it is going to be the easiest thing that we’ve ever done. We simply need to move out of the way and let Jesus show us the way.

Ephesians 5

vs15 ‘…So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise…’

vs16 ‘…making the most of your time, because the days are evil…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

We are ONLY able to sense this if we are taught the right way. When we try and do it on our own, we’re going to fail. And I don’t mean that looking only at ME, MYSELF and I … I mean when ‘WE,’ ALL of us human beings, when WE try and do it on our own, WE ARE GOING TO FAIL. We need Jesus to guide us in the right and ONLY way.

Romans 12:2 ‘…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…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

These words are so simple and yet they’re so important for us to realize, WE NEED GOD ON OUR SIDE.

Philippians 1

vs9 ‘…And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment…’

vs10 ‘…so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

That ‘Day of Christ’ is going to be the most important day in our lives. The more we have His Bible open, and we read His Words, we’ll know what that day is going to mean to our future, with and InHIM.

This is where you must realize that we need Jesus each and every day that we are on this earth, alive and how important that it is that we are doing HIS will, we are living the life that HE wants for us to live. Everything that really matters is from Him.

Romans 11

vs33 ‘…Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways…’

vs34 ‘…For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor…’

vs35 ‘…Or who has first given to Him, that it would be paid back to him…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

This earth and universe that we are living in, our lives and everything that we see in front of our eyes, have all been given to us by our Creator. Everything that we have, He has given us. We need to wake up and realize this one simple truth.

If and when that day comes, if we haven’t accepted this simple and easy choice, our life as we know it will be over. This is that ONE opportunity of using our FREE WILL for us to choose.

We can either BELIEVE or we have the option to unbelieve but that is all there is that we, ourselves can truly do on our own.

The choice is wide open for us to decide which way we want to go.

Colossians 4

vs5 ‘…Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity…’

vs6 ‘…Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Colossians 2

vs2 ‘…that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself…’

vs3 ‘…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Life, as we know it can be so short, life as the Bible tells us is actually going to be sooo LONG.

We have the ability to choose LIFE and live with Him that has created us or we can opt on nothing but torment and exist the way we have chosen for our future.

1 Corinthians 1:25 ‘…For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

1 Corinthians 1:30 ‘…But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Make your choice wisely and allow God to be your pilot and steer you in the direction that He wants you to go.

I love y’all. Keep reading His Word and study more and more every day. Studying is the only thing that really matters. Keep your Bibles open and easily accessible.

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 020225

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Exodus 1:1-6; Matthew 9:29; Mark 5:34; Luke 18:42; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrew 11:1; Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:31; John 13:31, 35; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Timothy 2:5-7.

After finishing the book of Genesis, I had my Bible opened at Exodus 1, and I began to read:

Exodus 1

vs1 ‘…Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob…’

vs2 ‘…Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah…’

vs3 ‘…Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin…’

vs4 ‘…Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher…’

vs5 ‘…And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already…’

vs6 ‘…And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

I had to ask myself, is this not life? In life, people get married, children are born, they grow up and live their lives and then one day, we die, and we’re gone.

Our lives today have been filled with so many half-truths that we never end up hearing an entire story anymore, it seems so much is left for our imagination to complete a sentence, and it is this imagination that is getting so many in this world in trouble.

The other day, my wife and I were traveling in the car spending an afternoon together, when over the radio I hear a man speaking about how great a song is, and paraphrasing, the words to the song were something like ‘Jesus loves you all the time.’

I spoke up to my wife and I said, its such a shame that the artist stopped after just saying ‘half the truth’ and not finishing with the entire truth.

My wife asked me what I meant, you might be asking the same thing, but it should be a ‘GIMMIE,’ it should be something that we should ALL already know.

Jesus loves us, we should ALL know that … but that alone and by itself, doesn’t really do anything for us to make us complete.

Listen, we know we don’t have to jump through any hoops or ring any bells, for us to earn Jesus’ love, but what we do need to do is BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and what the Word tells us about Him.

Jesus ‘PRIMARILY’ came to this earth for the House of Israel; but Jesus also came to teach ALL the world about FAITH and how we were going to need it in our future.

Matthew 9:29 ‘…Then He touched their eyes, saying, it shall be done for you according to your faith…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Mark 5:34 ‘…And He said to her, daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 18:42‘…And Jesus said to him, regain your sight; your faith has made you well…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

Hebrews 11:1 ‘…Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus LOVES Every One of us, but we need to BELIEVE that He loves us. We MUST BELIEVE that Jesus died for our sins to give us LIFE. We MUST BELIEVE that Jesus is God, and we MUST BELIEVE that God can do whatever He tells us that He can do.

If we don’t BELIEVE it ALL, then what good is only believing part of it going to do for us, I mean really?

When we read that Jesus came to this earth, to die on a cross for our Salvation, if we don’t BELIEVE in it, what have we gained?

What did Jesus gain if we don’t believe in Him?

Jesus came to this earth to die on a cross for us, He gave up His life, for our Salvation; but if we don’t believe it, then nothing is going to happen for us.

Everything is based on our FAITH. We MUST BELIEVE for it to be so.

Jesus did come to this earth and die on a cross for our Salvation, we MUST believe that for us to gain from Jesus’ sufferings on that cross.

It is when you don’t believe, the fact is still going to remain the same that Jesus DID die on that cross for our Salvation, except, because you didn’t believe, there will be no salvation for you … one day, you eventually are going to die and after your life has ended, your future will be, everlasting torment.

In our man-made churches that exist all around us today, when the end comes, can you just sense what evil is going to fall onto their shoulders.

Jesus is going to ask them ‘why didn’t you teach them to ‘Follow Me?’

What could they answer … ‘I taught them to love’ … ‘I taught them John 3:16’ … ‘we sang good music’ … ‘we held our services on tv every week.’

It is so hard for me to sit back and watch newly formed, neighborhood churches prey on an area over earthly monetary values. I was in a church that was just starting up and all they focused on was what was the average annual income for the homeowners, what were the family sizes in a neighborhood, where they needed to build for the most bang for their buck.

I don’t remember reading about that anywhere in the Bible, where we’ve been directed to place our focus on that type of attack to teaching ‘HIS’ flock.

What happened to teaching the world around us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What happened to spreading the Good News to every soul within our reach?

Where do these churches find this hate among themselves that would make any person want to seek out such evil instead of teaching the truth?

Jesus came to teach us all about love, how we were to love our fellow man.

Matthew 22

vs37 ‘…And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…’

vs38 ‘…This is the great and foremost commandment…’

vs39 ‘…The second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Mark 12:31 ‘…The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

John 13

vs31 ‘…I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another…’

vs35 ‘…By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

1 John 2

vs15 ‘…Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him…’

vs16 ‘…For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world…’

vs17 ‘…The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

How can anyone argue that they love others, more than they love themselves, when they’re only interested in the earthly monetary gain when setting up a new church?

Are these man-made churches interested in anything other than money?

Listen, all of you out there reading this article, shout at the top of your lungs to those around you, tell them to open the Word for themselves and read about what God has given us. Tell them to learn the Word for themselves and learn what is right and what is wrong. Tell those around you they need the Word in their lives, not a neighborhood church.

Jesus hated religion when He came to this earth to save us. He didn’t die on the cross just so a church could get started in a neighborhood. He died on that cross for you and me. He dies so that we could live out Eternity in heaven with Him.

2 Corinthians 5

vs14 ‘…We are ruled by the love of Christ, now that we recognize that one man died for everyone, which means that they all share in his death…’

vs15 ‘…He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but only for him who died and was raised to life for their sake…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

The important One here is Jesus. He is the only One that matters.

He is the One that should be preached on Sunday mornings. We shouldn’t be noticing how comfortable the pews are. We shouldn’t be talking how great a sermon our pastor gave. We shouldn’t be talking about how good the coffee was in the church’s break room.

Our time in church should be ALL about Jesus. Instead of us having 60-minutes of Bible study and then a 60-minute church service we should have two hours of Bible study. We should study and read the Word all day long.

Man, whether he’s a pastor, a deacon, a bishop, a priest, a pope, whatever, none of the prior are anything but a simple, ordinary ‘man.’ They’re not going to get you into heaven, they’re not going to get you Everlasting Life, they’re not Jesus, they aren’t standing in for Him while He’s away, they’re nothing but a ‘MAN.’ Jesus is the ONLY way.

1 Timothy 2

vs5 ‘…For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus…’

vs6 ‘…who gave himself to redeem the whole human race. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved…’

vs7 ‘…and that is why I was sent as an apostle and teacher of the Gentiles, to proclaim the message of faith and truth. I am not lying; I am telling the truth…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Keep your Bibles open and keep your nose in the
Word. Study as much as you can. Share what you read with those around you.

I love y’all.

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 020125

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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 14:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40; Ephesians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:8, 12:19, 13:10; Ephesians 4:16.

In tonight’s lesson I think we should delve deeper into this edification of the church.

The word ‘edify’ comes from the Greek word oikodomé, which appears in the New Testament of the King James Bible about 20 times and translates to ‘the building of a house.’ In the Bible, edification is more than just encouragement, and it’s considered to be one of the purposes of the church. 

Some say that Christians who are edified are more effective and enthusiastic, and that those who are weak in knowledge and strength are more likely to become discouraged and fall away from their faith.

The explanation above should be reason enough, why we should keep our Bibles always open and set next to where we normally sit at night, so that we can easily grab onto them, at any time, and begin reading the Word.

1 Corinthians 14:12 ‘…So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

More than just teaching the church our feelings or teaching them what we believe in, I think it is important that we teach our church what has been written in the Word.

Right away there will be those ‘version police’ that will pop up out in the open and spark the debate on which version we should and should not be reading from. My only real problem with that is where is it written which version is the only correct version for us to read? If we’re reading an English or a Spanish version of the Bible, it is a translation, it’s not the first one ever written. A personal opinion has nowhere to be voiced in a church.

A person should keep an opinion of any sort, if it cannot be found in the Word, it should be kept privately to themselves.

The original Bible was written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. Primarily the O.T. was written in Hebrew and the N.T. was written in Greek.

So, the argument over which version we should read in English shouldn’t even be a discussion by anyone. It doesn’t really matter, whatever version we use in English is a translation, it is a version written different from the original version.

The Word is what we have been given by God. It is that Word that we should be passing on and teaching to those that are being edified. As I’ve stated earlier, we shouldn’t be teaching our feelings or our beliefs, we should allow God to handle that on His own and we should ONLY teach the Word as it is written.

There are four versions that I use the most, the KJV (King James Version), the NASB (New American Standard Bible), the GNT (Good News Translation), and the EASY (Easy English Bible) versions.

When I do, visually show the KJV (King James Version), almost always it is for the benefit of those ‘version police’ out there among us.

To me, if a person doesn’t talk like a Shakesperean play, ‘wherefore art thou Romeo’ what value is there in the KJV (King James Version).

There are some teachers of the Word, that change the words that have been used, to make it easier for them to read that version of the Bible, but to me, what these teachers are mostly teaching is the exact reason I tell others, to use a different version of the Bible that they understand, mostly because, it’s okay.

I display most times the NASB (New American Standard Bible) because, once again, to me, it is the most accurate Bible in English. compared to the original languages that were used.

There is the GNT (Good News Translation) and for me, this version has been written using the words I most often use. I am most comfortable when I read from the GNT.

And then finally, there is the EASY (Easy English Bible). The EASY version is used in the most very basic words found in the English language. The writings are so much more in detail.

Ephesians 2:8-9

‘…For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…’ ‘…Not of works, lest any man should boast…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…’ ‘…not a result of works, so that no one may boast…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…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)

‘…When you believed in Jesus, God saved you because he is very kind. You could not save yourselves, but that is God’s gift to you…’ ‘…He has not saved you as a result of any good things that you have done. So, nobody has any reason to be proud about it…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

If we are going to Edify those believers that are around us, maybe rather than us telling them what they need to believe in, we should allow them to find the writings for themselves in the Bible and they should study on their own. This idea to me defines a ‘church’ because if and when we do get together, we can speak about what we have each been reading on our own.

I think rather than us going to church to be preached to, we should instead be going to church so that together, we can be taught what the Word says.

There are churches that are so large that the members sign up into smaller groups so they can personalize their learnings a little more. Once again to me, this then should be their church, the smaller group.

To much emphasis is put on the ‘size’ of the church that we go to … who is the pastor … what kind of music do they play … do they have coffee and doughnuts … is there childcare. To me none of the above has anything to do with church and the ‘edification’ that the Bible teaches us.

According to GotQuestions.org, Paul repeatedly mentions edification in:

1 Corinthians 14

vs1 ‘…Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy…’

vs2 ‘…For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries…’

vs3 ‘…But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation…’

vs4 ‘…The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church…’

vs5 ‘…Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification…’

vs6 ‘…But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching…’

vs7 ‘…Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp…’

vs8 ‘…For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle…’

vs9 ‘…So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be talking to the air…’

vs10 ‘…There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning…’

vs11 ‘…So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible to me…’

vs12 ‘…So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church…’

vs13 ‘…Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret…’

vs14 ‘…For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive…’

vs15 ‘…What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also…’

vs16 ‘…For otherwise, if you bless God in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the outsider know to say the ‘Amen’ at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying…’

vs17 ‘…For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified…’

vs18 ‘…I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all…’

vs19 ‘…nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue…’

vs20 ‘…Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature…’

vs21 ‘…In the Law it is written: ‘By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,’ says the Lord…’

vs22 ‘…So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe…’

vs23 ‘…Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane…’

vs24 ‘…But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all…’

vs25 ‘…the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you…’

vs26 ‘…What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification…’

vs27 ‘…If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret…’

vs28 ‘…but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God…’

vs29 ‘…Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment…’

vs30 ‘…But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent…’

vs31 ‘…For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn, and all may be exhorted…’

vs32 ‘…and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets…’

vs33 ‘…for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints…’

vs34 ‘…the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says…’

vs35 ‘…If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church…’

vs36 ‘…Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only…’

vs37 ‘…If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment…’

vs38 ‘…But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized…’

vs39 ‘…Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues…’

vs40 ‘…But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Ephesians 4:12 ‘…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

2 Corinthians 10:8 ‘…For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

2 Corinthians 12:19 ‘…All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for building you up, beloved…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

2 Corinthians 13:10 ‘…For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Ephesians 4:16 ‘…from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Paul’s goal was to edify, and he believed that edification was one of the reasons spiritual gifts were given to believers. He also believed that the church should work to edify itself for the health of each member.

I love every one of you. Remember that one day, Jesus is going to teach each one of us what all entails in that word LOVE.

Keep your Bibles always open and study the Word that God has given to each one of 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>

Friday 013125

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Romans 3:24; Acts 9:15; John 6:28-29; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:9; Mark 9:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:26; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 1:16; Hebrews 10:19-26; Mark 11:22-23.

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

whosoeverinhim.weebly.com

lrabbe2024.wixsite.com/my-site-2

lrabbe2024.wixsite.com/whosoeverinhim

whosoeverinhim.blogspot.com

www.tumblr.com/whosoeversblog

whosoeverinhim.cw.center

inhim.webador.com

free-4140862.webador.com

So, tonight’s lesson we’re going to allow Jesus to teach us Himself what He wants for us to hear.

Romans 3

vs24 ‘…Anyone can be made right with God by the free GIFT of His loving-favor. It is Jesus Christ Who bought them with His blood and made them free from their sins…’ NLV (New Life Version)

A couple of weeks ago, we had a lesson on the gospels found in the N.T.

From that lesson, there shouldn’t be, but one obvious point made here, Jesus had to die and be used as a sacrifice for ALL of mankind’s sins to be forgiven.

This was known by Jesus when He walked this earth. A major question arises as to why Jesus didn’t make those around Him, in His earthly ministry, know what was going to happen. This is one of the many mysteries that mankind today in the 21^st century will ask as they study that time period during Jesus’ ministry. I can’t speak for God but there had to be a reason why His disciples were never told ALL of the facts.

With all that has been said above, mankind also needs to accept and believe before any of what Jesus has done for us, will mean anything to us.

The Word is the only place where we are going to be able to find out what God has done for us and what He expects from us in return.  

In the past, we’ve probably never heard enough good things that we’ve been promised in the Bible, mostly because we’ve never taken the time to study what has actually been written down for us to hear.

In studying the mystery that the apostle Paul spoke about in his writings, we maybe first have to realize that Paul was not even chosen to be giving us the words concerning the MYSTERY until after Jesus had been crucified, buried and then ascended up into heaven to sit at the right-hand side of His Father, God.

Jesus chose Paul to be the teacher to the Jews and the Gentile nation. God, in ALL His wisdom chose a man that had previously killed those believers, that had believed in Jesus, His Son. Why we can ask until we a blue in the face and it will not change the fact or the writings where we are told that Paul was chosen.

Acts 9:15 ‘…But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus CHOSE Saul/Paul to be the teacher to the
Gentiles. This has to be noted as being part of the MYSTERY that confronts any believer.

There are so many questions about what we have been told to follow. The fact remains, we MUST believe for any of the promises to help us in this life we are living and get us into the promised life that God has given us. We have been told ‘ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TO BELIEVE.’

John 6

vs28 ‘…So they asked him, what can we do in order to do what God wants us to do…’

vs29 ‘…Jesus answered, what God wants you to do is to believe in the one he sent…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Hebrews 11:6 ‘…No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Romans 10:9 ‘…If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

How many verses MUST we be shown that will make us look towards Him and believe what He has tried to tell us instead of us listening to what a human being tells us what the Word is really saying?

Read the Word for yourself … ask yourself the question: who is telling you the truth and who is lying to you?

There are so many hurdles that we must get over, just to begin to recognize what God wants from us.

The problem with us trying on our own to get over these hurdles, in itself, is the problem. We’ve been told that we need to believe.

A young boy was possessed with an evil spirit and Jesus told the boys father, what he needed to do.

Mark 9:23 ‘…Jesus said to the father, you should not say, if you can do anything. Everything is possible for those people who believe…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

The Bible, this time after Jesus was raised, we mankind MUST believe in a man’s writings about what God wants and demands from us.

This is one of those times when the verses can be used in our favor.

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, ALL.

How can anyone argue with what has been written.

Too many man-made churches, on Sunday mornings, are preaching how we’re told in the Bible we MUST tithe 10 percent of our income to that church instead of teaching us what is actually written in the Bible.

This is probably the reason why most man-made churches don’t open their Bibles up on Sunday mornings, because they don’t want us to see their lies.

Man-made churches don’t push us into needing to read the Bible for ourselves because if they did, we’d find out and realize just how many lies they are actually telling us each week.

A man-made church is there for only one reason, it’s not to get you saved, like you would think why they’re there, but rather, they’re there so they can get your money, that way, they might be able to survive another week.

So, in Romans we learned that ALL sins are forgiven but in this next verse a sin is different if it’s committed after having already been forgiven and then to sin again.

Hebrews 10:26 ‘…For if we sin willingly after we have received and acknowledged the Truth, sacrifice for sins no longer remains…’ RGT (Revised Geneva Translation)

In a way, it is not that hard to understand why it is unforgiveable, it is also not understandable that a person could continue to sin over and over again … Satan is really working overtime on some people.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ‘…My friends, God has made us these promises. So, we should stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits from being clean. We should honor God and try to be completely like him…’ CEV (Contemporary English Version)

Romans 1

vs16 ‘…I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God’s power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Hebrews 10

vs19 ‘…So then, Christian friends, we see that Jesus died as a sacrifice on our behalf. Because of that, we may go into God’s Most Holy Place. We are not afraid to do that…’

vs20 ‘…Jesus has opened a new way for us to come near to God. That way gives us life with God. It leads us through the curtain into God’s Most Holy Place. Jesus opened that curtain for us when he offered his own body to God as a sacrifice…’

vs21 ‘… We have a great priest who rules the people of God’s house…’

vs22 ‘…So we should come near to God, and we should not be afraid. But we must be honest, and we must continue to trust him. He has made us clean from the dirt of our sins. Our thoughts no longer give us trouble about our sins. We have become clean. It is like he has washed our bodies with clean water…’

vs23 ‘… We know that we can trust God to do the things that he has promised. So, we must continue to expect those things. We must tell other people that we trust God. We should not stop doing that…’

vs24 ‘…We should think about how we can help one another. We want everyone to show love to each other. We want everyone to do good things to help one another…’

vs25 ‘…Some people have stopped meeting with the group of Christians. But that is not good. We should all continue to meet together. We need to help one another to be strong and brave. That is now even more important, because the Lord’s great day is coming. You know that the Lord will return soon…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

We are promised LIFE except we MUST believe to gain God’s FREE Gift.

The Word is so simple it is hard. We, ALL mankind, try so hard at making our lives difficult because we always need to make sense, everything we read, must make sense.

I seen a television show the other night speaking on Genesis and asking the question if the book of Genesis could actually be a history lesson instead of just being the first book in the Bible.

The show expressed a viewpoint speaking on the flood, the Grand Canyon, this entire world and it all comes down to the fact that we have been told to believe.

We’ve never been told to figure out the context.

We’ve never been told to set the background of a story before we read what has been written.

We’ve been told to have FAITH in God and to BELIEVE in Him.

Mark 11

vs22 ‘…Jesus answered them, Have faith in God…’

vs23 ‘…I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

We will not know for sure, but when we find out, it might be too late if we aren’t already ready.

Keep your Bibles open always. Study His Word and listen to God speak to you Himself. Listen to His Words and hear Him speak to you.

I love ALL of y’all. Keep your wits and STAND FIRM. Put on the armor that God has given us for our protection.

Don’t allow Satan to creep in and whisper evil thoughts into your ears.

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 013025

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 5:6; Hebrews 7:27, 9:28, 10:12; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 14:12.

In tonight’s lesson, we’re going to strengthen our understanding of a couple of words.

The first word we should begin with is the word ‘church.’

On google.com, it is written that in the Bible, the church is a group of people, not a building.

The word ‘church’ in Greek is ‘ekklesia’ which means ‘called out ones’ or ‘assembly.’

In layman’s terms, according to the Bible a church is essentially a gathering or assembly of believers in Jesus Christ, often referred to as the ‘Body of Christ,’ meaning all those that have accepted Jesus as their Savior are considered part of the church.

The word ‘church’ appears about 120 times in the N.T. but it does NOT appear at all in the O.T.

Since the Bible does not specifically demand that you attend a church, it’s really easy for us to just not go. A person may think, ‘I can worship anywhere.’ While that statement is true, when a person visits and attends a church regularly, I’ve said it’s like a person is getting their batteries recharged or they’re getting their cup filled to the top.

A ’church’ is a group of people that are bound together by a shared commitment to each other and to living out the Gospel.

The word ‘gospel’ is defined as ‘the Good News.’

The word ‘gospel’ is used 93 times in the Bible, exclusively in the N.T.

The word comes from the Greek word ‘euaggelion’ where the English word ‘evangelist’ comes from.

The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have been referred to as the four gospels that are found in the New Testament.

These writings were writings about the life and times of Jesus Christ.

These four gospels were intended to show how Jesus was the promised Messiah that had finally come, the same Messiah that was promised to the Jewish forefathers, centuries earlier.

The apostle Paul’s definition is a little bit different what the Gospel’s intentions were.

Paul tells people that he preached to, as well as us today, that the Gospel is God’s power to Salvation to everyone who believes.

Romans 1

vs16 ‘…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…’

vs17 ‘…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘But the righteous one will live by faith…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Going back to the definition of gospel, the Good News was that Jesus Christ had finally come.

But actually, the Good News did not happen until Jesus, Himself had died. Jesus was used as the sacrifice that cleansed us ALL from our sins. Another words, the Good News didn’t happen until Jesus had died, buried and risen from the tomb.

There is only ONE Gospel found in the Bible that clearly states my above comment, and this ONE Gospel, was written by the apostle Paul.

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 ‘…For 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 ONLY real Gospel that is found in the Bible.

It was from Jesus’ life being given up as a sacrifice to ALL mankind which resulted in man’s Salvation from his sins.

Romans 5:6 ‘…For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Hebrews 7:27 ‘…who has no daily need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this once for all time when He offered up Himself…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Hebrews 9:28 ‘…so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Hebrews 10:12 ‘…but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

So, we have discussed the word ‘church’ and then the word ‘Gospel.’

Now let’s look at what can be found inside a church and look closer at what should be found.

Romans 12

vs3 ‘…God has been kind to me so that I can serve him. Because of that, I say this to every one of you: Do not think that you are better than you really are. Instead, think about yourself carefully. Decide how much God has helped you to trust him. Then you will know how to serve him well…’

vs4 ‘…Each part of our body works in a different way. But all the parts belong to our one body…’

vs5 ‘…In the same way, we are many people, but we all belong to Christ, like one body. We also belong to each other, like the different parts of one body belong to each other…’

vs6 ‘…God has been kind to us. He has given to each of us different gifts so that we can serve him. God helps some people to SPEAK his messages clearly. Those people should trust God to tell them what to say…’

vs7 ‘…God helps some people to SERVE others. They should do that well. God helps some people to be able to TEACH others. Those people should teach well…’

vs8 ‘…If God has helped you to make others strong, then you should do that. If God has helped you to share your things with others, do that seriously. If God has helped you to be a LEADer, do that carefully. If God has helped you to be kind to others, do that happily…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Speak, Serve, Teach and to Lead.

This is the basis of what we should find in our churches. There is not one individual any more important than the other. A church is a group of people, gathered to help celebrate Jesus together. A church should all speak to one another; a church should all serve one another; a church should all teach one another what has been written in the Word and a church should all lead each other upwards to Him.

A church is a celebration of Jesus. Not of a denomination with their own rules and regulations, where in the Word does it say we can do that. A church is not the property of an individual human being, that is no better than anyone else inside the building … if it wouldn’t have been for the life of Jesus, given up for us, we ALL would be going to hell.

1 Corinthians 12

vs4 ‘…The Holy Spirit helps us with different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Spirit who gives them…’

vs5 ‘…We serve the Lord in different ways, but all of us serve the same Lord…’

vs6 ‘…We do different kinds of work. But it is the same God who helps us all to work in different ways…’

vs7 ‘…God helps each of us with a gift from his Spirit. He does that so that we can help others…’

vs8 ‘…The Spirit helps some people to speak wise messages. Other people can speak messages that help people to know what is true. It is the same Spirit that helps them to do that…’

vs9 ‘…The same Spirit causes other people to trust God strongly. He gives to other people gifts to make sick people well…’

vs10 ‘…The same Spirit gives other people power to do miracles. Other people can speak messages from God. Some people can recognize whether spirits are good or bad. Some people can speak in different kinds of languages. And other people can explain what those languages mean…’

vs11 ‘…There is only one Holy Spirit. The same Spirit helps people to do all these different things. He decides which gifts he will give to each person…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

The edification of the church is the work of God through the church’s ministry to build up the faith of its members and make the church spiritually beautiful. It involves activities that help people become more like Christ and can be individual or corporate. 

In the Bible, the word for edification is ‘oikodomé,’ which appears in the New Testament about 20 times and translates to ‘the building of a house.’ It means to instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge. Edification is more than just encouragement and can include any activity that results in more Christlikeness.

1 Corinthians 14:12

‘…Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…So, you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…So, think about what is best for you. You really want the gifts that come from God’s Spirit. Most of all, you should want the gifts that will help the whole church to become stronger…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

In the Biblical sense of the word, edification means to build up and strengthen one another – it means to help someone along in their walk with Christ – it means to promote spiritual growth and maturity. Simply put, edification means to help one another become more like Christ.

Keep your Bibles open and continue to study His Word that will keep you safe in this world that we live in.

I love y’all. Remember the day is coming when Jesus will finally be able to show us the real, true meaning of that word and show us just how much He loves each one of 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>

Wednesday 012925

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Mark 5:34; Luke 17:19, 18:42; Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 7:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 12:2-4; John 14:6.

As He got onto the back of that donkey, knowing what was about to happen in His very near future, Jesus sat up straight and without shame or embarrassment and He entered into that city.

So, we should ask ourselves, after we die, which way are we going to go, up to heaven or down to hell?

Jesus seen His future, in front of Him, because He is God and time has no control over Him, whereas we today, we are not God and we are unable to control time but, what we have been given, is the opportunity to read the Word and listen to what God has prepared for us, so that we are able to guide ourselves in the way that we have determined to go.

It is inside the Word that will reveal to us the mysteries that will determine our future and show us which way we are about to turn.

There is a time coming, which is right around the corner and staged in front of us; it’s too late for us to run away, get on a boat heading towards Spain and hide as if our heads are buried in the sand and flea from reality the way Jonah tried to escape from the presence of God.

It’s time that we reach for His robe and grab onto the safety that is held securely in His hands of Grace.

Your churches are not going to save you, and denominations are only going to fail the fools that won’t accept the inevitable truth.

The day is coming when our FAITH will give us the strength as we walk into that city, the city that’s in front for ALL of us to see, waiting for time, as we know it, to come to an end.

When Jesus walked this earth, during the three-years of His ministry, He taught His followers of the ‘Kingdom,’ but more importantly for us today in the 21^st century, He taught of the importance of FAITH.

There are so many verses written in the Bible where Jesus told those in front of Him, that it was their FAITH that would save them and make them well.

Mark 5:34 ‘…And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 17:19 ‘…And He said to him, stand up and go; your faith has made you well…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Luke 18:42 ‘…And Jesus said to him, regain your sight; your faith has made you well…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The one lesson that we are shown, over and over again throughout the Word, is meant for you and me to understand the importance of FAITH.

The closest that our Bible comes to offering an exact definition of the word FAITH is found in Hebrews 11:1.

Hebrew 11:1

‘…Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…This is what it means to trust God: We will be sure about the things that we hope for. We will be sure in our minds about things that we cannot even see…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Let’s begin by knowing that one day, this world is going to come to an end and we’re going to leave this life that we’ve been living.

This is where we have been given the opportunity to determine whether or not we will go left or go to the right, will we go up or we will go down. We have come to that ‘Y’ in the road.

We are given two choices.

Matthew 7

vs13 ‘…Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it…’

vs14 ‘…For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Now many times I’ve taught that NOT all Scripture has been written for us to FOLLOW. But ALL Scripture has been written for us to learn from.

These verses in Matthew have been written to show us that we have been given the opportunity to decide which way we want to go; we’ve been given the opportunity to choose.

We can FOLLOW the crowd and go through the wide gate, or we can choose to ENTER through the narrow gate and be saved.

Our lives are filled with choices.

We can do what’s RIGHT, or we can choose to do what’s wrong.

I’ve tried to teach one step further. This life we are living in is filled with so many choices: white, wheat or rye; steak, fish or vegetables; Sunday morning, Saturday night or Wednesday night; private, public or home; soup, salad or breadsticks; flat, satin or gloss; capri, straight of flared; Catholic, Methodist or Baptist. The list is unending.

None of the above choices have an influence on our future with God; all of the above are all man-made choices to choose from.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

We here are confronted with a choice:

We can choose to accept God’s GIFT and be saved because of our FAITH, all because of God’s GRACE or we could be like so many and determine that God is fake, the Bible is nothing more than a bunch of lies and follow the crowd and take the wide road that will lead to an Everlasting promise of torment and death away from the presence of God.

Again, two choices: LIFE or DEATH.

I am going to choose LIFE.

It is MY Faith, and I Believe. I am going to ACCEPT God’s Gift of Grace and grab onto my Gift of Everlasting Life with Jesus.

We each have the opportunity to choose for ourselves. Here may be a powerful lesson, there is only two choices: LIFE or DEATH.

There is only ONE way if we choose LIFE and that is through Jesus Christ, our FAITH that is in in Him.

But there are endless ways if we were to choose death.

We could choose to depend on our favorite pastor, our favorite church or our favorite denomination.

We could choose to believe in what a teacher or a professor may have taught us when we were in school.

We could believe in what our spouse or other family members might be telling us.

We could believe in what we read on our fortune cookie after last night’s meal.

Once again, this list is endless, it could go on for ever and ever until the end of time.

But if we were to return to the only way for LIFE is through Jesus Christ, we should keep our focus and our eyes on Him.

Hebrews 12

vs2 ‘…Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God’s throne…’

vs3 ‘…Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up…’

vs4 ‘…For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Our first sentence as we began tonight’s lesson …

As He got onto the back of that donkey, knowing what was about to happen in His very near future, Jesus sat up straight and without shame or embarrassment, He entered into that city.

We read in vs2 ‘…He did not give up because of the cross…’

Jesus knew as He mounted that donkey what was in front of Him.

Continuing in vs2 ‘…on the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God’s throne…’

Jesus KNEW!!!

Think back at what you did yesterday. You would almost, minute by minute be able to repeat your day as it happened.

Jesus was capable of looking forward and able to see His day, minute by minute before it had happened to Him.

JESUS KNEW!!!

This is where we MUST keep our focus. This is who we MUST keep our FAITH in.

The only way we are going to get into heaven is through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 ‘…Jesus answered him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

We are told these things in the Bible. This is why we should be inside the Bible every day.

I didn’t say this because it was my belief like a professor in college.

I didn’t threaten that the only way you would get a passing grade was if you believed what I told you.

Your future is not based on what you think of what I say?

Your future depends on what YOU believe. Keep your Bibles opened and study as much and as often as you can.

I love ALL of you. Remember that Jesus loves each one of us even that much more.

After you’ve read and heard about what is offered to you through the Word, it is your Gift to share that Word to others so that they too might have the opportunity to see more.

Those I’ve known earlier, know that I struggle with your decision. Know that I think of you every day. Know that I see your faces and also know that I pray and ask that you be given another chance to help clarify any question that may be your largest struggle.

I ask that the hurdle in front of you come lower so you could easily step over that and continue down His path of LIFE.

I love y’all.

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 012825

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Matthew 7:3-5; Ephesians 2:8; Jonah 1:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

In my hunger to teach the Word once again, I’ve found myself looking through the eyes of another person that’s across from me.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye.

Matthew 7

vs3 ‘…Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye…’

vs4 ‘…Or how can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, and look, the log is in your own eye…’

vs5 ‘…You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

These verses in Matthew have always been significant to me, how can I look on another when I’m at fault myself at something.

The only thing I can speak to and not feel ashamed is the fact that we, each one of us, MUST open up our Bibles and read the Word for ourselves and stop relying on someone else to read the Word to us.

We need to get out of this habit that we only get into the Bible if and when we go to a church. Of course, that has its own faults because there are so many churches today that don’t open up the Bible themselves and teach the Word.

I’m not talking about when we go to church an hour earlier and we sit through the Bible study part of the service before we go into the main Sunday service.

I’m talking about as the sermon is read it is read directly from the Bible to get a starting point.

Now I know when I preached on Sunday mornings, because of convenience, I had Bible verses displayed on the screen behind me so that those awake could see the verses I was reading from but in hindsight, I wish today I would have got people in the habit of opening up their own Bibles in front of me and follow along with the words being read.

We MUST get people inside the Word and read it for themselves. We need to get everyone into that little bit of time alone with God, every day, where is that brief moment that only the two are in union together.

This has to be the most significant task that each one of us in this world can do today. We MUST get people to open their own Bibles and read the words that have been written for us; we MUST.

The reason why the actual study in the Word has ceased to exist has to be directly pointed to Satan himself as being the one that has influenced the minds of so many in this world to bypass the Word and go out on our own.

We have to realize that ALL of us human beings are at risk of falling and missing out on the opportunity of having an Everlasting Life given to us that God has already offered to us through His Grace; ALL we have to do is accept it.

Once again, here is my favorite verse in the entire Bible:

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

If we never open the Word ourselves and read the words that God has Inspired to be written, we are assuredly going to miss out, how could we think anyway differently?

The Word has been given to each one of us and it is our own responsibility to read and follow what we have been told.

On that day of Judgement, who are we going to blame, other than ourselves, if we say we didn’t know it was in the Bible … we didn’t know it was already done for us … we’re sorry, we just didn’t know.

Who do you plan on saying that too?

God already knows what we’re going to say. He already knows the lies we plan on telling, trying to put the blame on someone else. God already knows.

The thing is, God already knows that this human life that we’ve struggled through for all these years, God knows what it’s been like. He knows our difficulties, our every day begrudging struggles that we ALL face, God already knows.

So when we make up these big elaborate stories trying to get us out of the situation that we, ourselves are the only ones that can be blamed, this one great big lie that we work to try and come up with, according to the Word, we’ve already been given the GIFT of Everlasting Eternal Life, ALL we have to do is accept His Gift.

We could turn our backs and run from the Word, we could be like Jonah and hurry and try to get away.

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)

We could use the excuse that it was Jonah that made us do the terrible lesson of teaching us to run away and hide but God already knows we’re lying.

I use these 3 verses from Jonah when I teach the following.

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 has been Inspired by God but NOT ALL Scripture has been meant for everyone to FOLLOW.

Jonah has always been my point, there is no way that God is trying to teach us to run away and hide … get on a ship and sail to Spain so we can hide from Him.

That’s not what God is doing.

But God, in His Wisdom He has had certain events that happen in our lives, noted in the Word and it’s not meant for us to follow but rather it’s there so we can learn to not make the same mistake that was made in an earlier age.

This Gift that God has tried giving to this entire world, can you just sense how many are going to turn their backs onto that gift for SALVATION and there going to go and sit down and look the other way, if they would have opened their Bible’s they would have seen what God was offering to us.

I’ve already notice how this lesson has been a lot of LEON, and I’ve only posted a couple of verses from the Bible, but in my defense, I want to get this world excited and open the Word for themselves and check it out.

This is ALL of our jobs; we are ALL to get out there in this world and spread the Word as to how people need to open up their Bibles for themselves and read His Words.

We need to tell our family members, tell our friends. Tell those we work with every day, tell the salesperson at the store when we’re checking out.

We might be that last little bit of opportunity to someone and if we keep our mouths shut, we may make someone else miss out on the opportunity to be saved. How would you ever continue to live if you found out you had the opportunity of a lifetime and you missed it?

When Jesus was being resurrected up into heaven for the last time and He told His disciples the Great Commission:

Matthew 28

vs19 ‘…Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…’

vs20 ‘…teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

These men never moved. They remained in Jerusalem, and they only taught the Jews. God didn’t wait, instead He hired Saul of Tarsus to teach the world.

God is telling you to GO!!!

He’s telling you, make disciples of all nations. Speak to everyone. Teach them. Open your mouths and shout of the love that God has to share with each one of us.

When Jesus ends, I’m with you ‘til the end of the AGE; this end of the age is this church age that we are living in. we’re in the final days.

There is coming that day when there is going to be that ‘SHOUT’ that this entire world is going to hear at the same time.

1 Thessalonians 4

vs16 ‘…For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first…’

vs17 ‘…Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord…’

vs18 ‘…Therefore, comfort one another with these words…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

If we don’t open our mouths before this day, we’re too late.

If we haven’t opened the Word and began reading of all the mysteries, we’re too late.

If we haven’t accepted and believed in the GIFT that God is trying to give us, we’re too late.

Take the opportunity today to begin your walk with Jesus by your side and live a happier life than you’ve ever known possible.

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

Keep your Bibles always open so it is easier for you to get inside the Word and read of His Love and Grace for 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>

Monday 012725

Ephesians 2:8-9 ‘…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)

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:

Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 12:7-12; Genesis 1:1, :2, 3:1, 4:9-10, 6:1-2, :4, :13, 7:13.

Salvation means deliverance or healing. It is the word Paul most often uses to denote deliverance from sin and its deadly consequences.

Titus 2:11 ‘…For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of all people…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Salvation is the Gift that God gave us so that we would be able to be in His presence.

Ephesians 2:8 ‘…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

So, if our lives are going pretty well, we seem to be okay in our relationships, we have a lot of different friends, we have a great job, we’ve been able to pay all the bills lately, we’re beginning to save money for our future, the kids are all healthy and we’re feeling pretty good about the way we’ve been living our lives.

This person might look at their physical life and ask the question why do I need salvation?

But what about that person where things are going terrible, their life really isn’t all that perfect, their relationship between them and their spouse might be going down a rocky road, their job isn’t really what they hoped for, they’re JUST making it paycheck to paycheck, their kids are having problems in school and it seems like everyone in the family has been sick a lot lately.

This person might look at their physical life and ask the question what I ever did to deserve this, let alone worry about Salvation.

There is nothing more important to our eternal disposition than Salvation.

Someone’s disposition is their mood or their general attitude toward life.

If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, you might need a disposition makeover.

If you are having a really, really bad day and it seems there is nothing going your way, you may need a disposition makeover.

If you’re waiting at the airport for the ‘vacation of all vacations’ to begin; you, your spouse, your kids … and then the CANCELLED light flashes over the flight schedule screen, after you calm down, you may need a disposition makeover.

If your cat got into your book report that you were proof reading before turning it in for your final grade except now, half of the pages are either missing or torn into bits, you might need to get rid of the cat and then maybe you might need a disposition makeover.

But just think of all of the things that can get messed up in our lives today.

And now for just a second, stop, step back and breathe … now realize, none of what we’ve just been talking or thinking about has anything to do with our Eternal Disposition.

It doesn’t matter whether we are or we’re not in a relationship with God; it doesn’t matter if we go to church every Sunday; it doesn’t matter if we feed every hungry person at the intersection on Wednesday afternoon; it doesn’t matter but for one thing and that is that we realize that ALL of us, living on this earth today, we are ALL sinners, and ONE DAY, we are ALL OF US, going to need SALVATION from God.

Who says so you might ask?

The easiest answer to that question is GOD SAYS.

But the best part of SALVATION is that it has already been freely given to us; all we have to do is accept the Gift that God has already tried giving us.

Here is the greatest verse in the entire Bible and too many people don’t even know the verse is in our Bibles:

Ephesians 2:8 ‘…For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

This should be the most popular verse in the Bible and hardly anyone knows of it.

It is impossible for us human beings to get into heaven on our own. It doesn’t matter how we live our lives; it is never going to be good enough to get ourselves into heaven after we die.

It doesn’t matter how good our job is or how much money we donate to charity. It doesn’t matter how many homeless we feed on the street corner, none of these matters.

I’m sure there are many man-made churches today that want you to know that if you put more money in the offering basket at church, you’d be better off but, in all reality, God doesn’t need your money and most times all you’d be doing is helping out that pastor or the church he’s from.

These man-made churches don’t tell you about this Gift that God is trying to give you, mostly because its ‘FREE’ and the church won’t get anything from it.

I was writing my blog and posting it onto several ‘FREE’ blogsites, only to later find out that free wasn’t necessarily free, in some of these man-made company’s eyes.

When I began tonight’s lesson, I got just about this far in the paper when I started reading through the book of Genesis, going along chapter by chapter, and writing down some notes for the study.

When all of a sudden, God shook me and woke me up and showed me clearly what I had been trying to write down all along.

In the entire Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, there is really only two words that define the entire Bible.

BELIEVE and UNBELIEVE

We either BELIEVE what God has told us through the written Word that’s in the Bible or we UNBELIEVE what the Word is telling us.

If we UNBELIEVE what has been written in the Word, we in essence, suffer from the same thing that so many have suffered from that’s written about in the Bible.

It’s an overly simple answer. So, let’s go back to the Bible.

Satan didn’t BELIEVE God was powerful, strong, perfect and Holy, he thought he could do better. He was cast down to hell before mankind was even created and put onto this world.

Revelation 12

vs7 ‘…And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war…’

vs8 ‘…and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven…’

vs9 ‘…And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him…’

vs10 ‘…Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God, day and night…’

vs11 ‘…And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death…’

vs12 ‘…For this reason, rejoice, your heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The above passage all began before man was even created and put on this earth.

Genesis 1:1 ‘…In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The next vs …

Genesis 1:2 ‘…And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

What happened to the sun? in vs1 the heavens and the earth were created, in vs2, the sun is gone … something happened between vs1 and vs2.

I believe it was from the evil contained in Satan himself that has caused this world to be such an evil place for us to live in.

Beginning in Genesis 1, the week of Creation was fulfilled by our Creator, God.

God created the planet earth and all of the other stars and planets in our solar system. God created all of the animals and human beings on our planet that we see today. But back in the Garden where God placed the first human beings, Adam and Eve; Satan crept in again.

Genesis 3:1 ‘…Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God really said, you shall not eat from any tree of the garden…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Throughout time, the devil has kept this evil desire in his heart to be better than God. Throughout history, he has attempted to make mankind fail so one day, in his mind, he could defeat the Wonders of God.

God had created a world of amazing beauty, but Satan made some of God’s creations fail. Satan thought by doing this he could eventually defeat God.

From the garden, man was told to be fruitful and multiply. God wanted man to populate this world with his offspring, but again, Satan wanted that request to fail.

Genesis 4

vs9 ‘…Then the Lord said to Cain, where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper…’

vs10 ‘…Then He said, what have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Cain killed his brother Abel and was cursed by God. Again, in history, Satan had his influence on mankind. The entire time, Satan trying to defeat God.

Genesis 6

vs1 ‘…Now it came about, when mankind began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them…’

vs2 ‘…that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Once again, Satan seen the success in God’s creation and in his jealousy, he wanted to destroy this creation.

These ‘sons of God’ were God’s male angels, and these ‘daughters of mankind’ were the female offspring of God’s creation.

Satan devised the scheme where he could overthrow God by polluting the offspring that resulted from sexual encounter between the human women and the angelic men. These sexual relations resulted in the giants spoken about in the Bible.

Genesis 6:4 ‘…The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The ‘Nephilim’ are a mysterious group of people or beings that are described as being very large and strong and are said to have lived before the Flood. Their origins are disputed. The author of the Book of Enoch, believe they are the offspring of fallen angels and human women.

Genesis 6:13 ‘…Then God said to Noah, the end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

God destroyed His creations on this earth all but eight individuals he saved on the Ark.

Genesis 7:13 ‘…On this very same day Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

We’ve run long in this study, but it is good that we made it through the flood. The earth will again start fresh and new.

There will be eight humans to repopulate the earth, Satan remains but God is in control. We’ll continue on from here.

I love y’all. Keep your Bibles open and keep studying His Word. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.

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>