Sunday, August 30, 2015

Bible Study #738

The goal of Bible Study is not just learning, but living If you are saved, you will have a desire to be holy, a hunger for the Word, the inner witness of the Spirit, and a desire to share Jesus. These are the birthmarks of the believer. #738 28 July 15 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor. 14:2 Grateful for . . . . THE WORD OF GOD ! (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) Greetings! one who speaks in a tongue: This a singular indicating that is refers to the fake gibberish of the counterfeit pagan ecstatic speech. The singular is used because gibberish can't be plural; there are not various kinds of non-language. there are, however, various languages; hence when speaking of the true gift of language, Paul uses the plural to make the distinction. The only exception is in vv. 132, 27, 28 where it refers to a single person speaking a single genuine language. does not speak to men but to God: This is better translated, "to a god". The Greek text has no definite article (see similar translation in Acts 17:23). Their gibberish was worship of pagan deities. The Bible records no incident of any believer ever speaking to God in any other than normal human language. no one understands . . . in his spirit he speaks mysteries: The fleshly, or carnal, Corinthians using the counterfeit ecstatic speech of paganism were not interested in being understood, but in making a dramatic display. The spirit by which they spoke was not the Holy Spirit, but their own human spirit or some demon; and the mysteries they declared were the type associated with the pagan mystery religions, which was espoused to be the depths that only the initiated few were privileged to know and understand. Those mysteries were totally unlike the ones mentioned in Scripture (e.g., Matt. 13:11; Eph 3:9), which are divine revelations of truths previously hidden (No matter what the gift, ministry, or effect, all spiritual gifts are from the Holy Spirit. They make Him known, understood, and evident in the church and in the world, by spiritually profiting all who receive their ministry . . ie: v. 12:7) More on this subject next week. Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart! ♥ Memory verse for this week: 2 Cor. 4:18 This week's Trivia's: [answer's below . . ] 1. What became closed in the household of Abimelech because he took Sarah to be mistress? 2. Name the Jewish ruler who came to see Jesus secretly at night. * * * * * * * * * Jesus said "I don't wanna condemn you .. I wanna save you" * * * * * * * * * BIBLE MEDITATION: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…” 2 Peter 1:2 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Have you ever noticed how God puts things in sequence in the Bible? For example, the Bible says, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you.” It never says “peace and grace”—always “grace and peace.” Why? You’ll not know peace until you know grace. The Bible also says “Believe and be baptized.” Not “Be baptized and believe.” If you were immersed or sprinkled before you gave your heart to Jesus and truly believed, you haven’t been “baptized” at all. True baptism follows true belief. There is another order that God has put in the Bible. Not only grace and peace, not only belief and baptism, but repentance and faith. Always in that order: repentance first, then faith. If you’re having difficulty with faith, try repentance. ACTION POINT: There’s nothing so damning, so debilitating, as sin in the heart. The writer of Hebrews says, “Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief.” from the Ministries of Love Worth Finding . . . by Adrian Rogers * * * * * * * * * Christ loves us DEARLY- and wants us restored and conformed into His image * * * * * * * * * We have begun another journey and will learn from the book "Hard To Believe" written by John MacArthur. In his book John helps us to understand the high cost and infinite value of following Jesus. GBY . . . . . . . . . . HARD TO BELIEVE . . . . . . . . . . . . BUT SOME WILL BELIEVE . . WHY BOTHER WITH THE TRUTH? . . Even before you dedicate yourself to proclaiming the whole truth of Christianity, you face the question of whether or not witnessing and evangelism of any kind are worth the trouble. If the gospel is that hard to accept, and if God chooses His people anyway, why should you put yourself out? To some people God grants His gracious Spirit, to work in them at an early age, so that they never doubt the necessity and urgency of salvation. Others come to an understanding of what the truth is gradually, over time. Still others can point to dramatic events in their lives when the power and importance of the gospel jumped out at them suddenly and gripped their hearts. And so it is that many of you, who have been Christians for some time, have been for the first time awakened dramatically by this book to the glory of the true gospel. In an earlier chapter I wrote that meeting a beautiful cheerleader names Polly was one especially important even in my spiritual life. Another happened the summer after my freshman year at the university. I was thrown from a car going 75 miles an hour—this was before seat belts—and slid about 120 yards down an Alabama highway on my backside. I was fully conscious (I even stayed in my own lane!), and I tried to brake by putting my hands down. The scars on my hands are still there. No one else was hurt, and a passerby took me to the nearest hospital. After the doctors there did what they could, they wrapped me up and put me on a plane home to California. I spent three months lying on my stomach and wondering if I’d ever play football again. I thought a lot about life and death, and what exactly we were on earth to do. I came to grips with the reality that life is fragile, and that I needed to make sure I was doing what the Lord wanted of me. It could all be over in a heartbeat, with no warning whatsoever. Up to that time, I was more concerned with finding my own direction in life, and picking my own career, than listening to what God might want for me. But then life took on a serious tone. I realized I wasn’t in control of my future. I had survived something that should have killed me; God suddenly had my undivided attention. I remember saying, “Lord, I’ll do anything You want me to do, and I understand that life is much bigger than my little agenda.” Like a lot of healthy young college students, I’d felt a sort of invincibility and assurance that I was going to carve out my own little world. After the wreck, I began to come to grips with the reality of eternity, and what really mattered. I remember lying in bed, reading the New Testament, and thinking seriously about the things of God. I eventually healed, and the Lord allowed me to go on and enjoy an extensive athletic career, which was grace upon grace. My introduction to Polly a short time later sealed the commitment. To know Him, to know His gospel, and to make it known became my life. God calls all Christians to proclaim the message of Christ. Most do it by word and deed, as a part of daily living. Some make evangelism their lives’ work, as God called me to do. I learned, early on, from that first experience at a South Carolina bus station down to the present, that I can’t save anybody. All I can do is proclaim the gospel. If you looked at the world and judged God’s power by the responses of men, you would give up trying to share the Word of God. I have gone places and poured out my heart, and nothing happened. But that’s all right, because all that the Father gives to Christ are going to come home. That’s what Jesus said: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” (Jn 6:37). I’m not responsible for who gets saved, and neither are you. I refuse that responsibility. Then who is responsible? “No man comes to Me,” Jesus said, “except the Father draw him.” God has that responsibility, not us. Therefore, I can look over the multitude and say, as Jesus said, “Most of your won’t believe.” But some will believe, brought to faith through reading the Bible, talking with a friend, or hearing a preacher on the street. Then, instead of being unbelievable and foolish, these words that are so hard to believe become the only balm that soothes a sinful heart; the only guide through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life; the only truth rich, complete, and holy enough to save a soul from eternal fire. Those hard words become precious and welcome and treasured. “All that the Father gives to Christ, they will come.” They will come. Our calling is to reach them with the truth. next week: . . "Agents of the Apocalypse" * * * * * * * * * When you come to Jesus you have a world wide group of brothers and sisters * * * * * * * * * This bears repeating every now-n-then . . . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lovely people, hold on to your faith today....Fight the good fight....Run the race that has been set before you....Nothing good will be withheld from those who love the Lord.... All good works will be rewarded....Now is not the time to give up....Answers are just in sight....God's time is not our time....Don't be discouraged today....God sees you.... He knows what you have need of....God doesn't fail and He'll never leave you comfortless....We have the precious Holy Spirit....My friends, you're never alone.... I don't care what you've done....God loves you and He will forgive you....So many of us struggle with believing that we don't deserve God's forgiveness....You'll never be "good enough"....Friends, our Father looks past our faults and loves us anyway....When you're covered by the blood of Jesus, He doesn't see your sins....You don't earn God's love....He just gives it to you....Don't ever let anybody tell you otherwise....My friends, He'll meet you right where you are today....He'll go down to the gutter if that's where you are....He's a big God and He fears NOTHING....He fought for Moses and His people....He'll fight for you....He's the same God who parted the sea....The same God who saved Daniel in the lion's den....The same God who stood with David before Goliath....He hasn't changed....Yes, hold on to your faith....God is moving on your behalf right now....Praise His holy name....Go ahead and shout about it!!!! "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." ~ Isaiah 41:10 Amen ♥ * * * * * * * * * Before you can reach someone, you must love them as Christ loves them * * * * * * * * * The Holy Spirit: An Absolute . . . C. Stanley Luke 24:36-49 Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as our Savior – He forgives us, transforms us, and sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin, it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally become greater. Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in church week after week, going through the motions yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers are unaware of the essential ministry of God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a member of the Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us that He existed before the formation of the earth and in fact participated in creation (Gen. 1:2, 26). Today, He has the critical role of helping and counseling all believers. The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child of God. His presence within us isn’t something we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a marvelous privilege – by indwelling our hearts, He can guide and strengthen, steering each believer away from danger and into truth (Jn 16:7-8). Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only when we listen to His Spirit and obey. Are you experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? He wasn’t talking about happy circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible through a relationship with Him. If you’re lacking in this area, consider your understanding of the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His promptings. * * * * * * * * * Resolve to enjoy life instead of enduring it * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. 2 Pet. 2:9 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Answers to this week's Trivia's: 1. What became closed in the household of Abimelech because he took Sarah to be mistress? A. The wombs of all the women Gen. 20:18 2. Name the Jewish ruler who came to see Jesus secretly at night. A. Nicodemus John 3:1-2 * * * * * * * * * Answers to Questions about Heaven . . . David Jeremiah Q. When will the "Millennium" take place? Now, it might not immediately seem important—what a person believes about the timing of the thousand years—but a person’s interpretation of that thousand-year period affects his or her interpretation of other passages and events in the Bible. Church history has seen the rise of three competing views. . . Postmillennialism: This is the view that the Second Coming will follow the Millennium. As more and more people are converted, the world will gradually be conquered for Christ. At that time, God’s justice will prevail across the earth, and Jesus will return to take up the throne that was won for Him by His Church. Amillennialism: This is the view that there is no literal Millennium. In other words, the events that are in Revelation 20 are happening right now, and the Church is reigning with Christ over the earth. This view leads to a highly allegorical interpretation of Scripture. Premillennialism: This is the oldest of the three views and is the view that I believe to be accurate. Premillennialism is based on a literal interpretation of Scripture and teaches that the Second Coming will precede the Millennium. This would place the Millennium after the Rapture and after the seven years of tribulation. Then Jesus Christ will come back and literally reign on the earth for a thousand years. Premillennialism Timeline: Old Testament .. Church Age .. Rapture .. Seven-Year Tribulation .. Second Coming of Christ .. Thousand-Year Millennium . . Heaven (Eternal State) * * * * * * * * * Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God. Until next time remember, "Keep looking up!" God loves you with an everlasting love! Nancy <\\\>< Remember: A man may go to heaven….. Without health, without wealth; Without fame, without a great name; Without learning, without earnings; Without culture, without beauty; Without friends and without ten thousand other things---- But he can NEVER go to Heaven without Christ. ~ This is a FREE e-mailing ~ This Bible Study is sent to subscribers only according to our strict NO SP*M policy. If you appreciate the information contained in this letter, please forward it to your friends. If you have acquired this letter from a friend and want to subscribe: Send an e-mail with Subscribe on the subject line to: hisfootprints4us@comcast.net If you do not want to receive these Bible Studies, please send an email with 'unsubscribe' on the subject line to hisfootprints4us@comcast.net No hard feelings This week's Quiz: Priests . . God instituted the priesthood. He chose the tribe of Levi because they were the only ones who stood with Moses to punish those worshipping the golden calf. The only book of the Bible names for a tribe of Israel is Leviticus, which describes the duties of the priests. Today we Christians are God’s royal priesthood. What do you know about the biblical priests? 1. When Samuel was dedicated to service in the house of the Lord, the priest he served was: 1 Sam. 1:20-25 a. Zadok c. Eleazar b. Eli d. Melchizedek 2. When Aaron died, what was the name of his son who became high priest? Deut. 10:6 a. Eleazar c. Joshua b. Phinehas d. Caleb 3. Melchizedek was a priest of: Gen. 14:18 a. Jerusalem c. the most high God b. Baal d. Israel 4. Which apostle wrote a book of the Bible that describes all believers as a royal priesthood? 1 Peter 2:9 a. Paul c. Joshua b. Peter d. John 5. When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, the high priest was: Haggai 1:1-2 a. Ezra c. Joshua b. Nehemiah d. Zerubbabel 6. David put the two priests Abiathar and Zadok in charge of: 2 Sam. 15:29 a. the temple service c. bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem b. the temple singers d. all the other priests 7. Hebrews says that Jesus is our High Priest forever according to the order of: Heb. 6:20 a. Moses c. Levi b. Aaron d. Melchizedek 8. In Jesus’ day a curious situation occurred in which two men were referred to as being the high priest. The two men were: Luke 3:2 a. Annas and Caiphas c. Annas and Zecharias b. Caiaphas and Zecharias d. Caiaphas and Gamaliel 9. Which of the following was not a part of what the priests were to wear? Exo. 28:4-39 a. ephod c. breastplate b. turban d. gloves 10. How often could the high priest enter the Holy of Holies, where the ark of the covenant was? Heb. 9:6-7 a. once a year c. on the Sabbath b. on holy feast days d. twice a year

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