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January 26, 2025

Unbelief in church

Sunday 012625

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

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

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Revelation 12:4, 1:20; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Galatians 1:15-18; Acts 13:9-11; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

So, our lesson I wrote yesterday, educated and allowed me to see more than I’ve ever known about early Christianity, the Roman empire and Jesus’ half-brothers James and Jude; just as a reminder, James and Jude were Jesus’ half-brothers. Like I said, I really enjoyed the lesson.

In all honesty, it had to have been very difficult for that Jewish individual, their entire life living under the Law, following Jewish rituals and holidays, and then, to all of a sudden, to just stop and put those things behind them, it would have had to have been a very difficult time.

I need to step easily here, because to that person today in the 21^st century, that grew up in a family where a certain religion was practiced, that person too, would have to have gone through the same hardships as those Jews in Jesus’ times of ministry. They both would have confronted some difficult times.

To continue and go another step further, if there was a person that grew up in an atheist environment for a generation or more, with absolutely zero exposure to any religious influence at all, it too, would have to have been difficult for that person to change from how they were brought up in their environment, to all of a sudden, there be a change to something totally different, it too would have been a very difficult change in their lifestyle.

In this writing, I’m going to attempt to portray this world today, most of the population today, live their lives totally away from God.

There are so many young kids today that have never had the exposure to God being in their life because their parents are so anti-church.

With that statement alone being said, our churches today, not all of them but many of them, put too much of a focus on tithing. Too much emphasis is put on collection baskets and some churches place them everywhere, another words, these churches are spreading a false message. This is the reason so many have left the church. This shows us a degree of unbelief, but in all reality, it’s not an unbelief in God, these churches never talked about God, they were to interest in lining their pockets with money and these kids seen this. Their unbelief is in the church not in God. They are left wandering because they never heard the real message. That is where you and I need to come in. We need to voice the real TRUE Message that God has given us to pass on to this world. All of us MUST take part in this service to our fellow man.

It is estimated today on google.com, that there are around 8.2 billion people alive on the earth. That’s a lot of people.

345 million of those people live here in America alone. And that number increases daily for those that cross our borders trying to get into this country. Is it right for these people to flood this land because they want to come to America? The majority of these people have had nothing their entire lives. We in America throw away items in our garbage, that we no longer want or need. But for that person, that’s never had a thing, our garbage to them is everything.

And now with President Trump’s new policy on illegal aliens, I think we can forget about those coming into our country, for now.

30% of the individuals in America today, claim they are Christians, that’s 103 million people. Of that 103 million people, how many of them will God actually save, we should ask ourselves?

There is no way for a human being alive today, that could possibly calculate that math equation problem accurately, but it should get our gears turning, just thinking about that question.

We have so much available to us today in this country and our outlook is so tiny. We have no value here in this country.

In a way, the same value is found in Revelation 12.

Revelation 12:4 ‘…And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman, which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born…’ KJV (King James Version)

There are those today that claim every time there is something bad that happens in the world or in the bible, there is a finger that points directly to an angel or to the devil. Well in this case anyway, the ‘stars in heaven’ are referring to the angels.

Revelation 1:20 ‘…The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches…’ KJV (King James Version)

If a person doesn’t study the Bible, how are they able to criticize what has been written in the Bible? To take that point just a little further, the elite in Jerusalem, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, these men read the scrolls continuously throughout every day. These men knew the writing forward and backward, but Satan must have hardened their hearts because these men, that were constantly reciting what was written in the scrolls, were not listening to what had been written, they were only reciting words. We have that same problem today, people that study the Word daily, they sometimes forget to listen to what has been written and instead they’re just reading the words written on the pages.

Here is maybe one of the truer statements found in the Bible.

1 Corinthians 3

vs1 ‘…My Christian friends, I could not teach you as I would teach people who have God’s Spirit. I had to teach you as people who belong only to this world. You were like little children who could not understand the message about Christ very well…’

vs2 ‘…I had to teach you things that were easy to understand, like a mother gives milk to a baby. You were not yet ready to receive proper food. And you are still not ready to receive God’s complete message…’

vs3 ‘…You still do what your human nature wants to do. You are jealous of each other, and you quarrel with each other. Yes! This shows that you do what your human nature wants to do. You live like people who do not know God…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Too often today, when the Word is preached it has been diluted down, hoping that some of its value could reach a person’s heart. But the problem with that, the message has been so watered down for so long, the actual strength of the Message, is lost. It has been made cloudy trying to get a message heard. It is better to read the message the way it has been written and after, then that should be broken down so the message can be understood.

Galatians 1 …

v15 ‘…But God in his grace chose me even before I was born and called me to serve him. And when he decided…’

v16 ‘…to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the Gentiles, I did not go to anyone for advice…’

v17 ‘…nor did I go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and then I returned to Damascus…’

v18 ‘…It was three years later that I went to Jerusalem to obtain information from Peter, and I stayed with him for two weeks…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Four verses taken from one letter written to devout followers of Jesus Christ, all congregated in various churches, in the region around Galatia. The book is believed to have been written sometime in the mid first century, around 49 – 50 A.D.

The letter was written by Paul in response to the theological issue that confronted the early church over the Mosaic Law.

But the first five words used in vs. 15, should be all that needs to be addressed or even mentioned, they should be the first and final words that even need to be said.

But God in His Grace

Not Paul wishing the Gentiles had the best or, not a god that gives only to his people or, your tithes have bought you freedom … but instead it states:

But God in His Grace

None of the original twelve knew anything about ‘God’s Grace.’ They never heard anything about it, ever.

God’s GRACE should be the ultimate rule.

It was God’s grace that accepted Saul to be the one that would spread the word of God to the Gentile world.

In Acts 13

vs9 ‘…Then Saul—also known as Paul—was filled with the Holy Spirit; he looked straight at the magician…’

vs10 ‘…and said, You son of the Devil! You are the enemy of everything that is good. You are full of all kinds of evil tricks, and you always keep trying to turn the Lord’s truths into lies…’

vs11 ‘…The Lord’s hand will come down on you now; you will be blind and will not see the light of day for a time. At once Elymas felt a dark mist cover his eyes, and he walked around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand…’ GNT (Good New Translation)

Saul began using the name of Paul more frequently and those that traveled with him, they too began referring to him as Paul.

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)

Keep your Bibles always open and continuously study His Word.

I love all of you. Keep yourselves ready for that day when the Trumpet will blow.

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>

January 25, 2025

blinking of an eye

Saturday 012525

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Jude 1:1, 1:22; Romans 12:17; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9.

Tonight’s lesson might be difficult for many of us. Today’s year date is 2024 A.D. and the first book we are going to begin with tonight, was written between 63 – 67 A.D.

There are some teachers today that claim this book was clearly written to the Jewish man that had his entire life completely turned upside down because of the events that happened in and around Jerusalem after Jesus’ crucifixion.

There is going to be some of tonight’s lesson that will rely heavily on our own conjecture since history is not recorded very accurately in the Bible, but with the leadership of God and His helpful assistance, I am confident that He will guide us through this study.

After the crucifixion, approximately 30 A.D., there was the presence of a very high resistance in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

One could point a finger, directly at the Jews themselves, for their own involvement in the execution of such a, highly recognizable, religious leader, such as Jesus Christ. Their own involvement in His execution may have pointed many fingers in their own direction, and it was all because of their own unjustifiable degree of UNBELIEF that corrupted so many leaders in that Jewish religion.

Maybe it just showed the point when God Himself, just gave up on a people that He had chosen (the Jews), and a force that thought they were an indestructible force (the Romans) that could defeat any man, or any man’s God.

The same furry that originally made God cast, one-third of His created angels, to the center of this earth, or also from this planet’s own history, when God wiped out everything, living on this planet, ALL but eight individuals that came out of the ark that God kept safe Himself, the entire planet, all of its life was destroyed.

Maybe it was from that same degree of fury that God destroyed the city and the temple in Jerusalem and the Roman empire was allowed to be defeated by the Flavian dynasty.

Those that lived before us and those that will come after us, as well as us, you and me, ALL of us will not know for sure until that one final day when God determines He’s had enough. It will be on that day, that one moment in time when every question will be answered in the blink of an eye.

So, let’s tighten the reins a little and get into this lesson that we’re going to look at tonight. Back between 63 – 67 A.D., there was a book written by a half-brother of Jesus named Jude. We have on several occasions, read and followed some of the writings from another one Jesus,’ other half-brothers, James.

Both of these two brothers had to live their lives out always being hidden in the back since Jesus would have always been kept out in the forefront. This being said, Jesus was still their brother.

After Jesus’ crucifixion, there had to be some sort of family camaraderie that would have eaten away at the hearts of the half-brothers and half-sisters of Jesus. Eventually, there would have come that point when they could not take it anymore.

The half-brothers and half-sisters wouldn’t allow themselves to just sit back and watch people drag Jesus down any longer. The point had come when His earth family would have finally said ‘that’s enough.’

James and Jude, both wrote short letters to area churches after Jesus’ crucifixion. Both James, Jude and Jesus for that matter, were brought up in a Jewish home, they celebrated Jewish traditions, and they all followed Jewish Laws.

But there came the time when Jesus eventually, drifted farther and farther away from what was taught in the synagogue. Jesus came for the House of Israel (the Jew) but later in His ministry He taught us about Faith. It is from this faith, the faith the size of a mustard seed, where James and Jude began growing.

Jude wrote in Jude vs1, how he was related to Jesus and to James.

Jude 1:1 ‘…This letter is from me, Jude. I am Jesus Christ’s servant, and I am James’s brother. I am writing to you people that God, the Father, loves. God has chosen you to be his own people. He is keeping you safe until the time when Jesus Christ returns…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

There is much said in this one verse that only a person that wants to see it will be able to find.

So, it’s obvious that Jude and James are brothers and then that would mean they were Jesus’ half-brothers.

Next, we’d see the word ‘God’ and then the word ‘chosen’ followed by ‘His own people.’ Jude is talking to the Jewish man.

The next part is stating how their waiting for Jesus’ return … this is all looking forward to the end. This is all written to the Jewish individual.

There is not one word of Grace, there’s nothing written about a ‘rapture’ or being ‘caught up’ in the air.

Then we continue in the very short letter, and we read maybe the most important words written in the entire letter.

Jude 1:22 ‘…Help those people who do not know whether to trust God. Be kind to them…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

This one verse might deserve to be shown in our other versions so we can talk about it.

‘…And of some have compassion, making a difference…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…And have mercy on some, who are doubting…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…Show mercy toward those who have doubts…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Jude knew what it was like to being on the back burner. He knew what it was like to show others what it meant to change your values, what it meant to look at something differently, and what it meant to let others know that you changed your mind.

This is from a Jew that had beliefs changed to Christianity. He knew the hardships, the pain and the sufferings.

He knew that was happening to all of those changing their beliefs.

Is it not amazing, that in the 2000 years since Jesus’ death, this one verse was never looked at.

Have compassion, have mercy, show mercy and help those who are having a hard time trusting God.

You mean like an abortion clinic?

You mean like divorce courts?

You mean like prison walls?

You mean like witch hunts?

This list could just about be endless if every atrocity was to be named and listed that has happened in the past 2000 years.

This ALL boils down to mankind’s UNBELIEF.

Romans 12:17

‘…Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…If someone has done bad things against you, do not do bad things back to them. Try to live in a good way so that people will respect you. They will see that you do good things…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

God forgave us, what would make anyone think we shouldn’t do the same thing to someone else. Who do we think we are?

John 3:16

‘…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…God loved the people in the world so much that he gave his one and only Son to save them. As a result, everyone who believes in the Son will not die. Instead, they will live forever with God …’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

The above verse, today in the 21^st century, is said to be the most known verse found in the entire Bible. To me it is so sad because this next verse, to me, was written for the Jewish man and for the Jewish man.

There is no promise of GRACE.

The only thing the verse mentions is a person (a Jew) has to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and he was promised Everlasting Life.

In the 1^st century, that’s all a Jew had to believe.

Ephesians 2

vs8 ‘…For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…’

vs9 ‘…Not of works, lest any man should boast…’ KJV (King James Version)

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

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

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

vs8 ‘…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…’

vs9 ‘…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)

To me, this should be an eye-opening lesson. How many times today do we look at someone with question in our minds, with untrust in our hearts and the Word tells us we’re not to be that way.

Give it to God and let Him handle it for you. Our lives could be so much easier if only we’d let Him take over for us.

I remember back a few years ago, there were t-shirts, license plates and posters that all said:

GOD IS MY CO-PILOT

And then I remember there was a couple of months that went by and then all of a sudden, new t-shirts, new license plates and new posters came out for the public to see:

If God is your Co-Pilot … CHANGE SEATS

We have been promised Everlasting Life, but we have to BELIEVE.

Not just that Jesus is the Son of God … we have to BELIEVE that Jesus died on a cross for our sins … He was killed and buried and on the 3^rd day He was resurrected back to life.

Our promise comes AFTER Jesus died, was buried and was resurrected.

Paul’s Gospel, the ONLY Gospel we should worry about today is in 1 Corinthians 15.

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)

Keep your Bibles always open and near where you’re sitting so you can easily grab it and begin reading His Words. There are verses we can find in the Bible that can mean so much, there is going to be so much power in just one verse. The thing is, you MUST be in your Bible so you will be able to find that ‘ONE’ verse.

I love y’all. It is because of you that I am able to show and care so much. If you only knew … but there will come that one day when ALL will know,

Always remember, Jesus loves each one of us more than we will even know.

Love ALL those around you, especially if they’re your enemy.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 24, 2025

Angels cast down to earth

Friday 012425

The verses we are going to study tonight:

2 Peter 2:1-3, 1: 4; Genesis 1:1, 2; Ezekiel 28:13-15; Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelation 12:4, 1:20; Jude :6; Ephesians 6:10-24.

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

Tonight, we’re going to continue in 2 Peter, but I want us to remember where we left off so we’re going to begin our lesson back in vs1 and work our way up to vs4.

2 Peter 2

vs1 ‘…But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction…’

vs2 ‘…And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of…’

vs3 ‘…And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not…’ KJV (King James Version)

Remember the point I made to you how these man-made churches today are looking right at you as nothing more than ‘merchandise.’ You are nothing but money to them.

So, let’s begin tonight’s study in vs4.

2 Peter 2:4 ‘…For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment…’ KJV (King James Version)

Remember we began with Peter writing about the ‘False Prophets.’ Peter is trying to make us aware of what we are going to be confronted with.

…if God spared not the angels that sinned but cast them down to hell… let’s turn to Genesis 1:1.

Genesis 1:1 ‘…In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…’ KJV (King James Version)

The words we are going to focus on in this verse are those 1^st three words …

… in the beginning

This is nothing but PERFECTION on God’s part in this verse.

Everything after this first verse involves anything but perfection.

Go back to 2 Peter really quick and remember that Peter is speaking how God ‘did not spare these angles that sinned’ and He ‘cast them directly down to hell.’

I believe this verse that Peter is telling in 2 Peter happened between vs1 and vs2 of Genesis.

Genesis 1:2 ‘…And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters…’ KJV (King James Version)

Remind you again in vs1, heaven and earth were created; in vs2, the earth was without form and ‘darkness’ was upon the deep.

What happened to the sun, where’d it go?

Heaven had already been created according to vs1.

This darkness came from the casting down of the angels that sinned against God.

Ezekiel 28:13-15

vs13 ‘…Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created…’

Can you just imagine the beauty that must’ve been present in the garden of Eden?

vs14 ‘…Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire…’

vs15 ‘…Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee…’ KJV (King James Version)

Remember in Eden, besides God there were only 3 others present that we know of: Adam, Eve and Satan (the devil).

So, who is being talked about in these verses?

Isaiah 14

vs12 ‘…How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations…’

vs13 ‘…For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north…’

vs14 ‘…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High…’ KJV (King James Version)

In vss13 and 14, Satan was thinking how he would ascend over and above God in heaven. His arrogance is so highly shown to the reader that would take their time and look through Scripture at what has been written.

We are going to go back into the NT and look all the way towards the end.

Revelation 12:4 ‘…And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman, which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born…’ KJV (King James Version)

The ‘stars’ in heaven are the angels.

In Isaiah we were told ‘thou cut down to the ground’ just as in 2 Peter ‘they were cast down to hell’ and just as in Revelation 12, they were ‘cast them to the earth.’

We continue reading in Jude.

Jude vs6 ‘…And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day…’ KJV (King James Version)

Where was their first estate, you might ask … in Revelation 12:4, it was written, the stars of heaven … the angels in heaven. Heaven was their first estate.

All we need to do is read and study the Word. God gave us the Word so we could prepare ourselves to be in His presence.

In Ephesians 6, God gave us the ‘Armor’ that we could wear to protect ourselves from evil. One part of that armor is the Word. In fact, the Word, the Holy Bible, is the only offensive piece of armor that we have been given.

Ephesians 6

vs10 ‘…Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might…’

vs11 ‘…Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil…’

vs12 ‘…For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places…’

vs13 ‘…Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm…’

vs14 ‘…Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…’

vs15 ‘…and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace…’

vs16 ‘…in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one…’

vs17 ‘…And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…’

vs18 ‘…With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints…’

vs19 ‘…and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…’

vs20 ‘…for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak…’

vs21 ‘…Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you…’

vs22 ‘…I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts…’

vs23 ‘…Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…’

vs24 ‘…Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Keep your Bibles always open and set right there in front of you, so you can easily grab it and start reading the Word. He has given us this piece of armor to protect us and prepare us for the evil one.

I love all y’all. Remember that Jesus loves us even more than we can even comprehend what the word LOVE actually means.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 23, 2025

False Teachers

Thursday 012325

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Mark 1:17, 2:14; John 1:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 14:3; Ephesians 4:29; Romans 14:19; Galatians 6:6-8; 2 Peter 2:1, :3, :17.

So, maybe before we get too far into tonight’s lesson, we should define a few words so that we can all begin on the same page tonight.

We need to begin with titles that are put on people. These titles include prophet, apostle, disciple, and finally, a teacher.

In the Bible, a prophet was someone who was believed to be in contact with a divine being and speaks on their behalf. Prophets were said to receive messages from God and share them with others, such as individuals, groups, or even the entire nation. The word ‘prophet’ comes from the Greek word prophetaes, which means ‘one who speaks forth’ or ‘advocate.’ Prophets were also called ‘seers’ because of their spiritual insight or their ability to ‘see’ the future.

Then there was an apostle. The Bible doesn’t explicitly define the term ‘apostle,’ but the Greek word apostolos used in the NT means ‘messenger’ or ‘one who is sent.’ In the NT, an apostle is someone who was sent and had the authority to speak for and represent the one who sent them.

Next, in the Bible, a disciple is a follower of a teacher, or ‘master,’ who is dedicated to learning from them. The term appears in the NT in the gospels and Acts. In Jesus’ time, learning was more relational and holistic than it is today, so discipleship was more than just learning information. It involved imitating the teacher’s life, adopting their values, and reproducing their teachings. This was a deliberate apprenticeship that made the disciple a living copy of the master.

In Christianity, a disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus. When Jesus called His first disciples, he told them, ‘Follow me.’

Mark 1:17 ‘…And Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will have you become fishers of people…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Mark 2:14 ‘…As He passed by, He saw Levi (Matthew), the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, Follow Me! And he got up and followed Him…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

John 1:43 ‘…The next day He decided to go to Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, Follow Me…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

To have been a disciple of Jesus was to be in a relationship with Him, to trust and believe in Him, and to follow His words and example. It’s about seeking to be like Jesus and belonging to him as one of His disciples.

And then finally, a teacher of the Word. The teacher of the Word is to share what he has been taught to those that hunger for that same Word. The teacher is to ‘edify’ those in front of him.

The apostle Paul used the word edify many times in his writings.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ‘…Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing…’ NKJV (New King James Version)

1 Corinthians 10:23 ‘…All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify…’ NKJV (New King James Version)

1 Corinthians 14:3 ‘…But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men…’ NKJV (New King James Version)

Ephesians 4:29 ‘…Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers…’ NKJV (New King James Version)

Romans 14:19 ‘…Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another…’ NKJV (New King James Version)

The apostle Paul was taught by Jesus Himself, to teach the Gentiles about God. Paul taught, with the ability to teach others so the student would be able to teach others what they had learned. This is the path we have been told to follow through with today.

Galatians 6

vs6 ‘…The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him…’

vs7 ‘…Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap…’

vs8 ‘…For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Today, in the 21^st century, we have been given the Word. The Word is God’s Inspired voice speaking to us to tell us what He wants and expects from us.

The NT of the Word was all written in the 1^st century. After it was completed, God gave each one of us the responsibility to save ourselves. We no longer needed an individual to speak to God for us. Each one of us was given that ability to speak to God for ourselves.

Throughout all the writings in the NT, the apostle Paul has been told to be the teacher to us Gentiles. There are other writings in the NT that have not been written for us ‘Gentiles’ to follow but with that being said, there are writings, that ALL mankind can learn from.

One of these writings was written by Peter. Peter was a teacher to the House of Israel, the Jew. Peter teaches in some of his writings that we should ALL listen to.

2 Peter 2:1

‘…But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…False prophets appeared in the past among the people, and in the same way false teachers will appear among you. They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines, and will deny the Master who redeemed them, and so they will bring upon themselves sudden destruction…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…Many years ago, there were false prophets among God’s people. They did not speak God’s true messages. In the same way, there will also be false teachers among you. They will come among you, and they will teach you things that are not true. Their wrong ideas will deceive people. Those false teachers will even speak against the Master, who paid the price for their sins. As a result, they will bring trouble on themselves that quickly destroys them…’ EASY (Easy English Translation)

In all four of these versions, Peter has foretold how us in the 21^st century is going to have ‘False Teachers’ among us. Teaching us what they feel is important for us to be aware of.

ALL of us today need to beware of what ‘man’ has put in front of us today, trying to make their words sound more important than they really are.

Continuing to read in 2 Peter 2, a verse we all need to be aware of before we go into visit a man-made church.

2 Peter 2:3 ‘…And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not…’ KJV (King James Version)

How many churches today are more interested in a member tithing on Sunday morning than they are teaching what has been written in the Word. That pastor is merchandising you. He is more interested in getting your money than he is in teaching you the Words you need to know to attain Everlasting Life with Jesus Christ.

‘…and in their greed, they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…In their greed these false teachers will make a profit out of telling you made-up stories. For a long time now, their Judge has been ready, and their Destroyer has been wide awake…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…The false teachers want you to give them money. So, they will teach things that are not true. A long time ago, God already decided that he must punish them. God is ready to do that now. Certainly, he will soon destroy them…’ EASY (Easy English Translation)

These verses that these men preach to you are lies meant to trip you up from the truth. If you do not study the Word for yourself, you won’t know that you’re being lied to.

When the pastor from this man-made church tells you to tithe more money, if you are unaware of the truth, you’ll open up your wallet and give away what maybe you and your own family really need.

One last verse from Peter,

2 Peter 2:17 ‘…These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever…’ KJV (King James Version)

When Peter uses the word ‘these,’ he’s talking about ‘these false teachers’ that are waiting to strike on the unknowing.

Don’t find yourself being one of those unaware of what is going on around you.

This morning, I hope this Message is going out to ALL of y’all.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 22, 2025

Prophecy

Wednesday 012225

The verses we are going to study tonight:

1 Corinthians 14:1, 39; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15; John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 14:4, 13:2; Romans 15:4.

To Prophesy, is to make a prediction of what is going to happen in the future. It is a prediction of what is going to happen tomorrow to an individual or to an entire population.

Prophecy is a gift of speech that comes from the Spirit and is much to be desired.

1 Corinthians 14:1 ‘…So you must always want to love other people. Also, want very much to receive spiritual gifts from God. More than anything else, want to speak messages from God…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

It has been on my to-do-list for several years now, wanting to get each individual to open their own Bibles and read God’s Word for themselves.

It’s been tough, there are many religions that don’t want their congregations to read the Word, these churches would rather preach the message themselves.

I try to point out, why would God have given us the Word if He didn’t want us to read it?

1 Corinthians 14:39 ‘…My Christian friends, this is what I am saying to you: It is good when you want to speak clear messages from God. And if anyone has the gift to speak in a special language, do not stop them…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

This ‘special language,’ used in vs39 is more than Spanish, French, German or English. But in other versions it’s, ‘…be zealous to prophesy…’ in the Douay-Rheims version, ‘…desire to speak what God has revealed…’ in God’s Word Translation and ‘…proclaiming God’s message…’ in the GNT (Good News Translation).

This special language is speaking of voicing the Words that have been written and sometimes they haven’t been written down yet.

Prophecy edifies the church, and is for our strengthening, encouraging and comfort. When a person ‘edifies’ the church, he is teaching a group of people. Google describes it as the act of building up, enhancing, and developing each other spiritually. Christians are called to edify one another, and this is a work that Christ demands from the church as a whole. Edification can be individual or corporate, and it can include any activity that results in more Christlikeness.

1 Thessalonians 5

vs11 ‘…Because of that, you should help each other to become stronger as believers. I know that you are already doing that…’

vs12 ‘…Our friends, we ask you to respect your leaders who work hard among you. They lead you and they teach you what is right on the Lord’s behalf…’

vs13 ‘…Show them how valuable they are to you. And love them very much because of the work that they do. Live at peace among yourselves…’

vs14 ‘…Friends, you must warn lazy people that they should work. If people are afraid, help them to be brave. If people are weak, take care of them. Be patient with everyone…’

vs15 ‘…If someone does something bad against you, do not do anything bad against them in return. Never do that. Instead, always try to do good things that will help one other and help everyone else…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

When I conclude a lesson, just about every lesson I write: ‘I love y’all and remember that Jesus loves us even more than we can comprehend what the word LOVE truly means.’

Who’s to say, that when Jesus told us to ‘Love One Another,’ He wasn’t commanding us to voice with one another our own personal interpretation from the Word and sharing it with someone else so that both of us could learn from one another.

John 13:34 ‘…I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

There is going to be that ‘ONE’ day, when in an instant, miraculously we are all going to have every question answered by God Himself. Every question that has ever troubled our minds will be correctly solved and answered by the Creator Himself.

1 Corinthians 14:4 ‘…Anyone who speaks in a different language only helps himself. But a person who speaks a message from God helps the believers in the church to become strong…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Again, these words ‘different language’ are being used. There are probably more of us that can speak prophecy, the biggest hurdle is voicing that first word.

I’ve told people before that the first time you open your mouth to express an opinion, it is probably a little difficult, but the second time it will be easier.

I think it is that way for everything in our lives. The first time we opened up our Bibles and read the Word it is more difficult than it will be the second time, and the third time will even be easier than the second.

It’s the same way when we open up our voices to others, that first time it might seem very hard, but the second time is going to be easier.

Prophecy is nothing without love.

1 Corinthians 13:2 ‘…I may be able to speak messages from God. I may understand all God’s secret things, and know all the facts. I may have great faith so that I trust God enough to move mountains. But I am nothing if I do not love others…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

When Jesus gave us that NEW command in John 13:34, He was preparing us for what we are going to be confronted with.

If we stay locked up in our houses and we never go out into public, we are going to miss out on even more than we can even think of.

It’s up to each one of us to get outside of our comfort zones and share with one another the Glory that God has waiting for us.

Back when the books found in our Bibles were written, there were many that were able to physically see and hear God.

There were prophets back in the OT that were able to see God as well as through Jesus’ Ministry, there were those that were blessed with even living with and among Jesus.

Today, in the 21^st century, there has been no sightings or audible presentations from God in a while, but to me, that is perfectly fine since we’ve had the Word that He gave us, since the 1^st century when Jesus walked this earth.

There are some individuals that would rather hear some neighborhood pastor, early on a Sunday morning, speaking a sermon message rather than opening up their own Bible and reading the actual Words from God’s own Message.

It’s almost like these individuals are telling God, ‘I don’t need to hear Your Message’ or they’re shouting out, ‘they’d rather hear a pastor’s message instead of His.’

Some will say they can understand the pastor’s message better because they find it difficult, just to understand what has been written and that is my point when I tell people they’re reading from the wrong version of the Bible.

This is what these pastors should be teaching instead of voicing their own interpretation of what has already been written.

Romans 15:4 ‘…Everything that people wrote in the Bible in past times is there to teach us something. Those words help us to be patient and strong. As a result, we can trust God to do what he has promised…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

There are so many promises in the Word. Our Bibles are the Words from God. He has given us the Word to help us make it through these lives we are living in today in the 21^st century.

I teach the Word because I see so many people running around that have been taught the wrong thing.

I grew up in a Catholic family. In a small northern town in Michigan. I was an altar boy, and I knew one day I was going to be that Catholic priest having mass in front of the church. But life just didn’t work out according to the plans I had as a child. As I grew up and I’ll never forget, one night while reading the book of Revelation, I went up to my mom and asked her a question and her response was, ‘I guess that’s why we don’t read the Bible because of our questions. We go to church to get our questions answered.’ And as a kid, it hit me like a rock just landed up along the side of my head. If we weren’t supposed to read the Word, why did we even have it?

And from that night, I have spent my life trying to understand.

Many nights I found myself on the wrong side of the path, but I know the Spirit always turned me in the right direction.

Eventually I grew up and became a man. My youthfulness had grown up and I was living a life more concerned with what went on around me than what actually happened to me.

One day, I was re-introduced to the Bible and I read it with more gusto than I ever knew before. I was blessed with the ability to understand what had been written, with the ability to question why and the knowledge of finding out how it was really meant to be.

We, ALL of us, have been lied to for a long time. The devil is really trying to keep us all down from reaching the Glory that has been promised to each and every one of us. The only thing is that we have to make the first move. We have to want that more, that little extra. We have to desire to be let outside of this box that the devil has had us trapped up in for centuries.

It is in that moment when we ask Jesus to step in and help us, in that moment, our lives will be changed forever.

Open your Bibles and lift up your voices so others can get this same opportunity that you have been given. Share with others ALL of the opportunities that are available to us, but we have to want the changes to happen.

I love y’all. Always remember that Jesus loves each one of us even more than what we truly comprehend what that word LOVE fully means.

Study His Words and live in Him.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 21, 2025

Why are there so many English versions of the Bible

Tuesday 012125

The verses we are going to study tonight:

2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:4; Jonah 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 10:11, 10:1.

So, tonight’s lesson should begin with a little bit of an explanation from me.

I believe the reason why we have so many different versions today of the original writings of the Bible is because we have so many different languages how people talk today.

If there was only ONE specific language or version that the Word was to be studied in, I find it hard to believe that God would not have told us that language or version of the Bible.

Just look at the different languages that existed during the writing of the Bible, before it was even a book.

Hebrew, Aramaic (a cousin of Hebrew), and Greek.

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)

So, as I was writing this lesson, I started copying and pasting verses taken from the Bible and then I started using a couple of different versions on some verses and I thought, tonight I’m going to use the same different versions for every verse.

I’ve chose the KJV (King James Version), the NASB (New American Standard Bible), the GNT (Good News Translation) and EASY (Easy English Bible).

Colossians 3:16

‘…Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…Let Christ’s message always be in your thoughts, with all the good things that it brings. Use that message to teach and to warn each other. Be very wise as you do that. And also sing all kinds of spiritual songs to praise God. Sing psalms and Christian songs. As you sing, thank God from inside yourselves…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Have you ever heard or asked these questions before: Why was the O.T. even written; who was it written too and was it written to warn us?

So, I’m planning on answering these questions by using the different versions to hopefully, clarify what has been said.

God inspired the Old Testament to be written down so it could warn all of us what has happened in the past.

In Romans 15:4, Paul says that the O.T. was written for God’s people today. In this verse, however, he emphasizes the Good News found in the O.T.

Romans 15:4

‘…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…Everything that people wrote in the Bible in past times is there to teach us something. Those words help us to be patient and strong. As a result, we can trust God to do what he has promised…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

I am not trying to upset anyone by using my own made-up version, but I’d like to be able to teach the reader how they to, can break down the verses found in the Bible so they can understand them.

‘…the O.T. was written to educate us. By us studying Scripture, we should be able to trust God and learn what He has promised to us…’ Leon’s paraphrasing

Here is another question that pops up frequently: Life is short; why should I spend time studying the O.T. when the N.T. seems to do away with the teachings of old?

The easiest answer is that the N.T. tells us to read and study the entire Bible.

I put a good majority of the blame on some of the Bible teachers today, they teach to STUDY the entire Bible, and they leave it as that, but nowhere in the Word are we told we should FOLLOW everything that we read and what has been written in the Bible.

The passage found in the Bible that I always use to explain this is found in the O.T., in the book of Jonah.

Jonah 1:1-3

‘…Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying…’ ‘…Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me…’ ‘…But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord…’ (King James Version)

‘…The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying…’ ‘…Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me…’ ‘…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)

‘…One day the Lord spoke to Jonah son of Amittai…’ ‘…He said, go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it; I am aware of how wicked its people are…’ ‘…Jonah, however, set out in the opposite direction in order to get away from the Lord. He went to Joppa, where he found a ship about to go to Spain. He paid his fare and went aboard with the crew to sail to Spain, where he would be away from the Lord…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…The Lord spoke a message to Jonah, Amittai’s son…’ ‘…He said, ‘Go now to the great city of Nineveh. Tell the people in the city that I know how wicked they are. Tell them that I will punish them because of their sins…’ ‘…But Jonah did not want to obey the Lord’s command. He decided to run away to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa. There he found a ship that was ready to sail to Tarshish. After he had paid for the journey, he got into the ship. He wanted to go on the ship to Tarshish, to get far away from the Lord…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

We are not being taught to run away from God and hide on a ship going to Spain so we can get away from Him. We’re NOT told we should FOLLOW the example that we can get from Jonah.

Come on, REALLY!!!

But what we are shown is what could happen to us, like it did to Jonah, if we were to flee from God without doing as He has asked us.

The Apostle Paul tells us that the LORD’s judgments on OT Israel were recorded for our benefit, so we know what God did and we know what Israel did. In this verse, Paul recounts the LORD’s judgments that He put on Israel during the Wilderness Wandering.

1 Corinthians 10:11

‘…Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come…’ (King James Version)

‘…Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…All these things happened to our ancestors so that we would learn from them. They are written in the Bible to teach us important lessons. We are people who live at a time when all things will become complete…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

This next verse I want to use as an example why the Bible is read using so many different versions. The story in front of you opens a little more in each different version.

1 Corinthians 10:1

‘…Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea…’ (King James Version)

‘…For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

‘…I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

‘…My Christian friends, remember what happened to our Israelite ancestors. Moses led them out of Egypt long ago. While they followed Moses, they all walked under the same cloud. All of them walked across the Red Sea…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

By using different versions, we should be changing some words to help clarify what is being said. In the above verses, we read the same message, but we clearly can see more into the verse by using all the different versions.

So, the reason I chose to use the KJV, NASB, GNT and EASY versions: the KJV, by many believe that it is the only Bible that should be read in the English language; I disagree with that. The NASB is the most accurate version in English language compared to the original writings. The GNT, to me, is my favorite version; it uses the words that I use when I talk; it is the most comparable to me. And then finally, the EASY version, it clarifies the words down to their very basic form. If there is a verse and I cannot understand what has been written, I go to an EASY version to help me see what has been said.

When I study, I try to always check out several different versions just so I can clarify to myself what has been written.

I love y’all. Keep your Bibles always open and study the Word so that you will always know if some preacher or teacher of the Bible, is lying to you.

Open the Bible for yourself and read the Word that God has given to us.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 20, 2025

Edification of the Church

Monday 012025

The verses we are going to study tonight:

1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 2:8-9, 1:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jonah 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 14:33, 14:1-40.

So, after beginning this lesson, and searching through some very intriguing letters by Paul, I have concluded that the direction that I’ve been heading towards is right in line with what I have been shown.

Maybe the clearest reality for me is in my desire to teach the importance for us to read our Bibles. This morning, as I was studying and writing this lesson, I came across a word which intrigued my desire to search its meaning, the word was ‘edification.’

I found the word used in 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)

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.

That is exactly what I want to do, I don’t want anyone to miss out on what God has freely given each one of us … all we must do is accept the Gift that He has already given us.

Ephesians 2

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

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

Why is this not the number one verse known by us, that’s found in the Bible?

Why are we not reminded of this verse throughout every week?

How many times have you heard someone say that they believe in God, they prayed to Him throughout their lives, they pray to Him every day?

Do you think they could recite Ephesians 2:8-9?

No one will admit anything other than there is zero UNBELIEF in their body regarding God, but I must ask then, why don’t they know of this one passage found in the Bible?

Do you believe Jesus chose Paul to be the teacher to the Gentiles?

Do you believe that it was possible for God to change Saul’s mind from destroying the Christians on his way to Damascus and instead, become Paul and begin saving the Christian believers?

Do you believe God could possibly have the power to give us the Gift of GRACE and save us from an Everlasting death?

This all falls under the sub-title of MYSTERY.

Do you believe that can God give us a MYSTERY?

Do you believe that God can keep secrets from us?

Can we keep secrets from God?

Maybe we should begin at the very beginning … God, Himself is a MYSTERY.

Everything that God has ever done, the creation of the entire existence found in Genesis 1, cannot be defined as anything other than a MYSTERY.

The thing is, God let us know some of His mystery early.

Google explains it this way: but one of the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ is the unveiling of that mystery. According to his good pleasure, God has chosen to share with us the result of his work in creation. He is giving us a glimpse into what the future holds.

Eph 1:9-10

‘…He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him…’ ‘…regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Today, there is not an individual that can say for sure what is going to happen in the future.

They might be very lucky, and they could guess what might happen but, what are the odds they’ll be right?

Who knows, there may be a second set of MYSTERIES yet to happen, other than God, who can say for sure?

We are confronted with a predicament, we can stay in the spot where we are right now, and believe what we currently believe in or, we can move away from that UNBELIEF, that most all Christians have today and move on with what is written in the Word.

I’m not saying how we interpret what the writer tried saying, if we do that, then we obviously, don’t believe in 2 Tim 3:16-17.

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)

As these letters were written, centuries ago, the authors of these letters were inspired by God to write what has been written. We haven’t been told to dissect what we’ve been given and then plan what we want to believe in, but at the same time, we haven’t been told to add words to the Scripture either, or the example I always use is ALL Scripture has been Inspired by God but, we haven’t been told to FOLLOW all Scripture.

And my clearest example of that is 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)

On one hand, we can believe in what we have learned since birth; believe in the God that we know and pray to Him, or we can believe in what the Word tells us.

We can study for centuries what the word is telling us, or we can read what has been written, use our common sense and follow what we have been given.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ‘…When we meet together as God’s people, he wants there to be peace among us. He does not want to bring trouble. This is what happens in all the churches where God’s people meet together…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

Here are a couple of other versions of this same verse.

‘…For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 14 is a treasure to read.

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.

Instruction for the Church

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)

Keep your Bibles open and keep yourself studying what He has for us to know.

Open your arms and accept this Gift that He has given us in Ephesians.

I love all of you. Always remember that Jesus loves each one of us even more than we know.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 19, 2025

GIVE

Sunday 011925

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 10:30-35; Matthew 6:2-4; 2 Corinthians 9:7; James 2:15-16; Luke 6:30; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

This morning’s lesson in today’s economy, to some, may seem difficult. There are going to be some that will not see the value in the lesson and then there will be others that will find this a very valuable lesson.

Let me go back and tell you a little story from my past.

I remember growing up in a small town that really had only two major sources of income for a family. In my hometown there were two manufacturing companies. Jobs then, as they are today, keep families together and continuously moving forward.

If a person was lucky enough to get hired at one of these companies, their family was going to reap the benefits that could last for generations.

But for those individuals that were unable to get a job with one of these large companies, their future didn’t look as promising, and it looked like life was going to be a struggle for them.

Now, the other jobs in and around the city all catered to these individuals that were lucky enough to get one of these high paying manufacturing jobs. The employees in one of these lower jobs that catered, the turnover was great, mostly because the money wasn’t even close in comparison and there weren’t any benefits, like insurance, but everyone needed some source of income, no matter how small it was.

It wasn’t until years later, after I had grown up and moved away from that small little town, that I seen more opportunities available to me, my future and for my family’s future.

That story looks at those that had and then there were those that wanted more. But let’s not stop there, let’s compare that individual without that high paying manufacturing job now to that individual from a less fortunate country than ours.

They have no manufacturing jobs, there aren’t any of those minor jobs that cater to those higher paying jobs either; there just isn’t anything.

That person would do anything for just about anything. No job is too small when money is involved.

Mark 12

vs41 ‘…Many people were giving their gifts for the temple. There was a box for money there. People threw their coins into it. Jesus sat near the box, and he watched them. Many rich people put a lot of money into the box…’

vs42 ‘…But then a woman came there. Her husband had died, and she was very poor. She put two small coins that had only a little value into the box…’

vs43 ‘…Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said to them, I tell you this: This poor woman has put a better gift into the box than all the other people have put in there…’

vs44 ‘…All those rich people have plenty of money. They only put a small part of that into the box. But this woman has almost nothing. She put in all the money that she had. That was all the money that she needed to live…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

So, ask yourself, what is the lesson in this story and in these verses?

Are we saying we should teach our kids to get that good job so they can do well for their family in the future or is the lesson that we should give without worrying about what we have or don’t have?

It’s not a tricky question, but really the lesson isn’t on what type of work you want to get in the future, the lesson is supposed to be on giving.

Let’s continue and go even further, I’m not putting an emphasis on what we give, I’m not saying we can only be giving to a church either. If I’m at a store and I keep the door open for a person in front or behind me, I’m giving. If I help a little old lady across the road, I’m giving. If I see a person, young or old, fumbling through their pockets looking for money at a check out line, if I have and I can, I should give them what they need. If I have an elderly neighbor and they are unable to get out and cut their grass or shovel the snow, if I am able, I should do it for them.

If I see someone that needs help and I can give it, I SHOULD GIVE.

If I see a car on the side of the road and a tire is flat or the hood is raised up where they’ve realized they need help, If I am knowledgeable enough on how to fix it, I should help them; I in this way, am GIVING.

Our man-made churches today have put way too much of an emphasis on our tithing 10% of our income in this country and our hearts have become hardened in just helping one another out when we need it.

Giving isn’t just meant to be in a basket at church. Giving is just that, it’s giving.

Luke 10

vs30 ‘…Jesus answered him with a story: A man was going down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho town. On the way, some men attacked him. They took away all his clothes and they hit him with sticks. He was almost dead when they left him…’

vs31 ‘…But it happened that a priest from the temple was going down that road. He saw the man, who was lying there. But he walked past him on the other side of the road…’

vs32 ‘…A Levite was also going down the road. He came to the place where the man was lying. He saw him. But he also walked past on the other side of the road…’

vs33 ‘…But then a man from Samaria was also travelling along the road. And he came to the place where the man was lying. When he saw him, he felt very sorry for him…’

vs34 ‘…He went across to him. He poured oil and wine on the places where he was bleeding. Then he tied those places with clean cloths. After that, he put the man on his own donkey to carry him. They arrived at a small hotel. He took the man in there and he was kind to him…’

vs35 ‘…The next day, the man from Samaria took out two silver coins from his purse. He gave the money to the man that was taking care of the hotel. Be kind to this man for me, he said. This money may not be enough. When I return, I will pay you for anymore that you have spent on him…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

This is a good lesson by Jesus Himself. There was a priest (a holy man), a Levite (a Jew) and a Samaritan (a Gentile). Three different people and the man that stopped was the Gentile from Samaria. As I said earlier, there has been too much of an emphasis on what we tithe at church, and we have been hardened to turn our backs onto those that really need our help.

Matthew 6

vs2 ‘…When you give something to a poor person, do not tell anyone about it. The hypocrites do this in their meeting places. They also do it in the busy streets of the town. They do this so that other people will praise them. I tell you this. They have already received their gift. God will not give them anything more…’

vs3 ‘…So when you give something to a poor person, keep it a secret from other people. Do not tell anyone. Your left hand will not even know what your right hand does…’

vs4 ‘…Nobody else will know about the good thing that you have done. But God sees the things that you do secretly. In return, he will give you good things…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

When we do good to someone else, the last thing we need is for the photographer to be there taking pictures, a news reporter being there so the facts can be noted so it can all be printed in the newspapers for all to see. The only one that matters is that God has seen us do good to someone other than ourselves. We helped someone else out, we weren’t selfish, we gave.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ‘…Each of you should think carefully and then decide how much you can give. Then you will not be sad to give that money. Nobody has made you give it. God loves someone who is happy to give help to other people…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

James 2

vs15 ‘…For example, maybe a believer does not have enough clothes to wear or enough food to eat…’

vs16 ‘…Then one of you may say to them, Go with God’s peace! I pray that you will be warm. I pray that you will eat well. But if you do not give to them what they need, that does not help them at all…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

The Bible is full of stories telling us about the good in giving. Our churches want to cloud the stories and insert their names in places to make others think we should be giving only to them.

Luke 6:30 ‘…When anyone asks you for something, give it to him. Someone may take something that belongs to you. If he does, let him keep it. Do not ask to have it back again…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

1 Corinthians 13

vs1 ‘…I may be able to speak many different languages that people or angels speak. But that is worth nothing if I do not love other people. I would only be making a loud noise, like someone who hits a piece of metal…’

vs2 ‘…I may be able to speak messages from God. I may understand all God’s secret things and know all the facts. I may have great faith so that I trust God enough to move mountains. But I am nothing if I do not love others…’

vs3 ‘…I may give all my things to help poor people. I may let other people take my body to burn it. But that would not help me if I do not love others…’

vs4 ‘…If I love people, I will be patient. I will be kind. I will not be jealous of other people. I will not be proud and say that I am great…’

vs5 ‘…If I love people, I will be polite. I will not just want to please myself. I will not quickly become angry. If someone does a wrong thing against me, I will not keep it in my thoughts…’

vs6 ‘…If I love people, I will not be happy when bad things happen. Instead, I will be happy when things happen that are right and true…’

vs7 ‘…If I love people, I will always accept their problems. I will always believe them. I will always hope for what is best. I will always be patient in troubles…’

vs8 ‘…Love will always continue. The gift to speak messages from God will not always be necessary. The gift of speaking in different languages will stop one day. The gift of knowing special things will not always be necessary…’

vs9 ‘…At this time, we know only a part of everything. We can only speak a part of God’s whole message…’

vs10 ‘…But a time will come when everything becomes complete. When God does that, we will not need the small parts that we have now…’

vs11 ‘…When I was a child, I talked like a child. My thoughts were a child’s thoughts. I understood things in a way that a child understands. But now that I have become a man, I have stopped being like a child…’

vs12 ‘…At this time, we see things as if we were looking at them in a mirror. What we see now is not clear. But the time will come when we do not need a mirror. We will see everything clearly. Now we know only a part of what is true. But then we will know everything completely. We will understand completely, just as God understands us completely…’

vs13 ‘…At this time there are three things that continue. We continue to trust God. We continue to hope for his good things. We continue to love other people. But the most important of these things is love…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

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

Keep your Bibles open and keep studying the Words He has given to us. Download electronic Bibles on every device you own so you have access to Jesus each and every day.

When you give, don’t give because it’s expected. Give because you want to help.

Let someone eat a meal, let someone be warm, let someone else have.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 18, 2025

man’s church -vs- the WORD

Saturday 011825

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Matthew 28:1, 7, 16, 19-20; Luke 24:1, 9, 12, 14, 33, 47, 50-52; Mark 16:1; John 20:1; Acts 9:15.

Just as Jesus told the remaining eleven to baptize, I don’t want to be accused of sitting back in Jerusalem, as they did, and wait for Jesus to return at His 2^nd coming.

Since writing the above lines, I’ve done a short study showing the un-similarities between Matthew and Luke’s account of that first Easter morning through that day into the evening.

Matthew 28

vs1 ‘…After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs7 ‘…Go quickly now, and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from death, and now he is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him!’ Remember what I have told you…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs16 ‘…The eleven disciples went to the hill in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs19 ‘…Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…’

vs20 ‘…and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Luke 24

vs1 ‘…Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs9 ‘…returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven disciples and all the rest…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs12 ‘…But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he bent down and saw the grave cloths but nothing else. Then he went back home amazed at what had happened…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Then the story in Luke changes to two men on the road to Emmaus.

vs14 ‘…and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs33 ‘…They got up at once and went back to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven disciples gathered together with the others…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs36 ‘…While the two were telling them this, suddenly the Lord himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs47 ‘…and in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs50 ‘…Then he led them out of the city as far as Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs51 ‘…As he was blessing them, he departed from them and was taken up into heaven…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

vs52 ‘…They worshiped him and went back into Jerusalem, filled with great joy…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

The only similarities are found in vs1. The remainder of that 1^st Easter is like listening to two (2) entirely different events.

And in each book, Matthew and Luke, these are the last chapters.

This shows how each of us are today, we all think differently, we all notice different things, and we all speak differently … this is the reason I give why there are so many different versions available in English and that is because of our differences.

Mark 16:1 ‘…After the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to go and anoint the body of Jesus…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

John 20:1 ‘…Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the entrance…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

All four (4) gospels basically agree with their 1^st verse.

This may very well be the one example that will prove my point that I’ve been trying to make; I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe in the Words Jesus spoke to us regarding FAITH but it is right about there, when I have to step back and make the point that the remainder has all been forwarded by mankind and ALL of our evil ways.

Too many churches today, all they are interested in is getting the money from the congregation so they can stay in business for another week.

If mankind’s churches really cared about mankind, why would there be the lies over money and 10%? How many churches just lost all their credibility?

How many churches forget to FOLLOW what the Bible tells us and instead they preach their own messages. They might include a verse, taken from the entire Bible, but in their minds, they’re following the Word. How many churches just lost their credibility?

How many churches do we have left?

There is only ONE church and that is Jesus’ church. His church teaching us FAITH and how we must BELIEVE in the Words He taught us and not rely on what man is telling us.

Several times before I’ve made these same comments, so, let me at least once again voice some of them.

Where is it in the Bible where we’re told we can pick and choose what we want to believe in, we can study using whatever book we want to open, we can make up our own rules and laws regarding the church and we all will get maps on where we are to find the one and only narrow gate that we can get through so we can make our way to the land of
Everlasting Life?

If Jesus taught us about FAITH, where is it written that it’s okay for us to make physical copies and spread them anywhere throughout our homes or churches?

If Jesus chose Paul, who am I or anyone else that can wander off to where they want to go?

Jesus told the twelve to ‘FOLLOW ME’ and they chose to say: ‘okay let’s go’ …

… but JESUS chose PAUL to teach us after the twelve, remained in Jerusalem, waiting for Jesus to return and the Kingdom to come to this earth.

Acts 9:15 ‘…The Lord said to him, Go, because I have chosen him to serve me, to make my name known to Gentiles and kings and to the people of Israel…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Maybe it’s the version … it confuses what is trying to be said. Allow me to use more …

‘…But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel…’ KJV (King James Version)

‘…Then the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel…’ GNV (1599 Geneva Bible)

‘…But Moshiach Adoneinu said to him, Go, for this one is a keli nivchar (chosen vessel) of mine to carry Shmi before both Goyim (non-Jewish) and melachim (kings) and the Bnei Yisroel (children of Israel)…’ OJB (Orthodox Jewish Bible)

‘…However, the Lord said to him, Go, for this is the man I have chosen as a vessel to bring my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel…’ NCB (New Catholic Bible)

‘…But the Lord said to Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel…’ NIV (New International Version)

‘…But the Lord said, Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel…’ NLT (New Living Translation)

‘…But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel…’ ESV (English Standard Version)

‘…Go! said the Lord. This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel…’ BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

‘…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)

‘…But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…’ AMP (Amplified Bible)

‘…But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites…’ CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

‘…But the Lord said to him, Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites…’ HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

‘…And THE LORD JEHOVAH said to him, Arise, go, because he is a chosen vessel to me to take my name to the Gentiles and Kings and among the children of Israel…’ Aramaic Bible in Plain English

‘…The Lord said to Ananias, Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me…’ CEV (Contemporary English Version)

‘…And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel…’ Douay-Rheims Bible

‘…But the Lord said to him, Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel…’ NET (New English Translation)

‘…But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel…’ NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)

‘…Go, replied the Lord; he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name to the Gentiles and to kings and to the descendants of Israel…’ WNT (Weymouth New Testament)

‘…But the Lord said to him, go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel…’ WEB (World English Bible)

‘…And the Lord said unto him, be going on, because a choice vessel to Me is this one, to bear My name before nations and kings — the sons also of Israel…’ Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)

Twenty-one (21) different translations and they ALL say the same thing.

Ask yourself this ONE question: if Jesus made a CHOICE and He CHOSE somebody, who are we that we should choose someone else to teach us what Jesus wants us to hear?

Later on, this year in our study, we will dig into the phrase ‘REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY.’

Only those people searching for that narrow gate will sense just how much our churches and mankind lied to the people that so much desired to follow God.

Don’t point your finger at anyone and put the blame.

You take that finger, and you point it directly into your chest.

The blame belongs to anyone who left their Bible sitting on the table and they put their trust and confidence in another human being instead of God and His Word.

Our Bibles don’t tell us to settle for any word that is spoken aloud to us.

Our Bibles warn of the temptations that Satan is going to spread all around us.

Our Bibles tell us but all we have to do is open the covers of the book and read what pertains to us and have FAITH and BELIEVE what He is telling us.

The blame belongs only to us.

We are the ones that left God, God NEVER left us.

But we are once again, given another opportunity that we can stand back up on our feet and we can have FAITH and TRUST in Jesus.

We have been given the opportunity again that we can BELIEVE in Him.

Keep your Bibles open and continue to study the Word that He has given us.

Stop relying on what another human being is telling you, open the Word and look it up for yourself.

Read the Word that God wants you to HEAR.

I love all of y’all.

Be blessed.

InHIM. ><)))o>

January 17, 2025

What IF

Friday 011725

The verses we are going to study tonight:

Matthew 28:1, 5a, 7, 16-20, 19:27-28; Acts 1:15-16, 21-26; Acts 8:1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

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

This morning lesson can be difficult … especially if you allow your humanness to get into your head instead of you just listening to what the Word is telling you.

Questions arise all the time in this world that we live in, so this morning, let’s begin our lesson and ask the question, what if?

What if the stories, events and the Word was never repeated after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection?

Well, it should be obvious to us that Jesus’ words never became silent and idle, since we still in the 21^st century, hear about Jesus today, it’s been almost two-thousand years since those events happened.

So, let’s turn to Matthew, just to begin a timeline and begin tonight’s lesson.

At this point in our readings, Jesus has already been crucified.

Matthew 28

vs1 ‘…Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb…’ NET (New English Translation)

In the NLT it is written that the ladies ‘…went out to visit the tomb…’ NLT (New Living Translation)

vs5a ‘…And the angel answered and said unto the women…’ KJV (King James Version)

The angel told the women to go quickly and let the eleven remaining disciples know that Jesus would meet them in Galilee.

vs7 ‘…Then go quickly and tell his disciples, He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there. Listen, I have told you…’ NET (New English Translation)

vs16 ‘…After this, the 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go…’

vs17 ‘…When they arrived at the place, they saw Jesus. Then they went down on their knees, and they worshipped him. But some of the disciples were not sure that it really was Jesus…’

vs18 ‘…Jesus went near to them, and he said to them, ‘God has given me authority over everyone and everything. I have all authority in heaven and in this world…’ EASY (Easy English Bible)

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)

This, vs19 is known as ‘the Great Commission.’ It happened after Jesus was crucified, buried and had risen from the dead.

What if, when Jesus told the eleven to go out and make disciples in all the nations, what if they wouldn’t have moved from their spots, what do you think might have happened?

What would have happened if Jesus’ Word would have just became still and never moved forward again?

After Jesus’ Ascension into heaven the apostles stayed primarily in Jerusalem, waiting for Jesus’ return to take them into the Kingdom that He talked about all the time while He was with the disciples.

Throughout the gospels of Matthew, chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 24, 25; in Mark, chapters 1, 4, 9, 10; in Luke, chapters 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 and finally in John, chapters 3 and 18 Jesus speaks of the Kingdom and again, in Acts, chapters 1,8 and 28 all make a reference to the kingdom.

The apostles all knew, the Kingdom that Jesus had promised them, was coming.

In Matthew 19

vs27 ‘…Then Peter spoke up. Look, he said, we have left everything and followed you. What will we have…’

vs28 ‘…Jesus said to them, you can be sure that when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the New Age, then you twelve followers of mine will also sit on thrones, to rule the twelve tribes of Israel…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

Peter knew there was the need for the twelfth disciple to sit on the twelfth throne after Judas’ death.

So, from the Book of Acts, we can hear Peter telling the other disciples they needed to fill that twelfth seat vacated by Judas when he hung himself.

Acts 1

vs15 ‘…At this time Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a group of about 120 people was there together), and said…’

vs16 ‘…Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Peter was concerned with this vacancy, the twelve were now only eleven.

vs21-22 ‘…So then, someone must join us as a witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He must be one of the men who were in our group during the whole time that the Lord Jesus traveled about with us, beginning from the time John preached his message of baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven…’

vs23 ‘…So they proposed two men: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas (also known as Justus), and Matthias…’

vs24 ‘…Then they prayed, Lord, you know the thoughts of everyone, so show us which of these two you have chosen…’

vs25 ‘…to serve as an apostle in the place of Judas, who left to go to the place where he belongs…’

vs26 ‘…Then they drew lots to choose between the two men, and the one chosen was Matthias, who was added to the group of eleven apostles…’ GNT (Good News Translation)

So, to continue and ask the question, once again …

What if, when Jesus told the eleven to go out and make disciples in all the nations, what if they wouldn’t have moved from their spots, what do you think might have happened?

What would have happened if Jesus’ Word would have just became still and never moved forward again?

Acts 8:1 ‘…Now Saul approved of putting Stephen to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Just for those that only read the KJV, this verse is for you …

Acts 8:1 ‘…And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles…’ KJV (King James Version)

Maybe there is a different version …

Acts 8

vs1 ‘…And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria…’ NIV (New International Version)

vs1 ‘…Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria…’ NLT (New Living Translation)

vs1 ‘…And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…’ ESV (English Standard Version)

vs1 ‘…And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria…’ BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

vs1 ‘…Saul wholeheartedly approved of Stephen’s death. And on that day a great and relentless persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles…’ AMP (Amplified Bible)

vs1 ‘…Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria…’ HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

I reckon it is true that all the different versions of the English Bible, don’t distract from the truth found in the Word.

The point I’ve tried making in this lesson, what if, when Jesus told the eleven to go out and make disciples in all the nations, what if they wouldn’t have moved from their spots, what do you think might have happened?

Obviously, nothing happened because the original remaining eleven, were replaced by the apostle Paul.

There are those from the old school way of thinking that always make a point of stating, ‘you’re all doomed since you haven’t believed in the words taken from the torah’ (which we could also state that it was those same forefathers, from that old school way of thinking, that didn’t listen either to their own torah’s since, it was them originally that had Jesus turned over to the Romans so they would kill and get rid of Him).

There are those that only trust and believe in ONE version of the English Bible, but the first problem with that is, where is it written (ANYWHERE) telling us that there is only one version that we should read, use, and listen to; this sounds like a personal preference more than a real thing to me. Secondly, is it maybe because its old … because, just to let you know, there are older English versions than the AKJV. And then Thirdly, it honestly sounds like the words used in this ONE version have been taken from a Shakespearean play, I mean really, who talks like that today?

Wherefore art thou Romeo.

There are the churches that we have in our society today that believe and follow that ALL Scripture written in the Bible, is the Inspired words of God and we should follow every one of them.

I agree, ALL Scripture has been Inspired by God, but I disagree that ALL Scripture has been meant for each one of us to follow.

Just let me list one passage taken from Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3), God told him to do something but rather than listening and following God’s commands, Jonah fled, bought a ticket to travel by ship and left his countryside for Spain … this is the example you want to teach your kids … this is the example you want to set as precedence for what is written in the Bible? I mean, REALLY!!!

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…’

And that kind of leads me into where I’m at today, why listen to the Torah, why only read one version of the Bible, and why would I FOLLOW all Scripture.

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)

So, I am told ALL Scripture has been Inspired by God, but nowhere does it tell me I should FOLLOW all Scripture.

And maybe a lot of you people need to get your heads out of the sand and start reading ALL the Scripture and stop living in the past.

Stop and focus on the Scripture that was written for us Gentiles … and start following Jesus’ CHOICE.

Keep reading your Bibles. Continue to study His Word … leave mankind’s words behind you, leave his thoughts and his examples and FOLLOW what God has given to us.

I love y’all and remember Jesus loves each one of us even more than we can comprehend the word LOVE.

InHIM. ><)))o>