Bible Study #740

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. #740 11 Aug 15 Now brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 1 Cor. 14:6 Grateful for . . . . THE WORD OF GOD ! (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) (\0/) Greetings! if I come to you . . . what will I profit . . .? Even an apostle who spoke in tongues did not spiritually benefit a congregation unless, through interpretation, his utterance was clarified so that the revelation and knowledge could be understandably preached and taught. Any private use of this gift is excluded for several reasons: 1. it is a sign to unbelievers (v. 22) 2. it must have a translator to have any meaning, even to the speaker (v. 2) 3. it must edify the church (v. 6) Keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart! ♥ Memory verse for this week: Acts 17:26 This week's Trivia's: [answer's below . . ] 1. What is another term for the "wise men" who visited baby Jesus? 2. Jesus told us not to fear those who kill the body, but instead we should fear those who kill what? * * * * * * * * * God does business with those that mean business * * * * * * * * * BIBLE MEDITATION: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Jesus tells us that when we seek after righteousness, we will be filled. Sounds like we’ll be happy, don’t you think? But happiness is not something we find by hungering for it, it is something we receive by serving the Lord. God doesn’t want us to be happy without Christ. God allows us to experience unhappiness in our lives in the same way we experience pain when we step on a nail. The pain tells us something is wrong. ACTION POINT: Now, for us to seek happiness without seeking righteousness would be like breaking our arm and then not taking a pain killer and getting it set. Blessing comes when we find the Deliverer. When you hunger for Him, you will have Him. How much of God do you want today? from the Ministries of Love Worth Finding . . . by Adrian Rogers * * * * * * * * * Knowledge comes by looking around .. wisdom comes by looking up * * * * * * * * * We have begun another journey and will learn from the book "AGENTS of the APOCALYPSE" written by David Jeremiah. A Riveting Look at the Key Players of the End Times. GBY . . . . AGENTS of the APOCALYPSE . . . . THE EXILE . . [part 1] It was a Sunday morning in the first century AD, and the members of the Ephesian church were gathering to worship in the spacious atrium in the villa of Marcellus, a wealthy Roman convert who freely offered his home as a meeting place. As the members arrived, their faces were taut with uncertainty. Tension filled the air, like a mooring line ready to snap. The meeting began as usual, with a hymn, but today the church sang with little feeling. Their minds were distracted by the ominous rumors coming out of Rome. After a prayer and a reading from the prophet Isaiah, Tychicus, one of the deacons, stood to address the congregation. “Dear brothers and sisters, the church leaders have asked me to inform you of evil tidings. A decree has just been posted in the forum telling us that the Roman emperor Domitian has assumed the title ‘master and god.’ He has demanded that everyone in the empire swear an oath to worship him. He has already launched an aggressive campaign to enforce the edict in every city under Rome’s jurisdiction. What is worse, he has especially singled out Jews and Christians because he suspects our disloyalty to Rome.” A voice from the crowd called out.” Are the rumors true that the edict has already been enforced in some of the other churches?” The deacon nodded soberly. “A fortnight ago Roman soldiers invaded all the Christian homes they could find in Pergamos and demanded that every member immediately take the oath of worship to Domitian.” ”Did they do it?” another tremulous voice asked. A pained look crossed Tychicus’s face. “It grieves me to report that two-thirds of them gave in and took the oath.” A gasp rippled through the crowd. “What happened to those who would now bow?” someone asked. “I am sorry to tell you that they were brutally flogged and executed. And we can be sure the same thing will soon happen here in Ephesus.” The room fell silent. Finally someone asked, “What can we do?” At that moment, an aged man who had been sitting to the side stood slowly, aided by the staff in his hand. Unlike the other faces in the room, his showed no distress. In fact, he positively radiated joy. “It was almost as if his face glowed,” one member later observed. The apostle John faced the group. “My dear brothers and sisters,” he began, “you ask what we can do. There is but one answer.” At the age of ninety, his voice still rang out clear and strong. But there was a warmth in his delivery that dissolved much of the tension in the room. “We can stand ready to give back to our Lord Jesus Christ what He has given to us. He gave us life by giving up His life, and we must do no less for Him.” “Perhaps we should stop meeting for a while,” Marcellus said. “That would keep us from being so visible and identifiable.” “No, that is exactly what we must no do,” John replied. “We must look at this trouble coming our way as a test of our faith. Will we love our Lord enough to stand firm and suffer with Him? Or will we turn our backs on the One who gave us the greatest gift of love in history? With such trouble coming, we need more than ever to meet together in order to support and encourage one another to stand strong. If we stop assembling, we will isolate ourselves and lose the strength we draw from each other. We must never stop meeting, no matter how severe the persecution.” “As long as this threat remains, we have decided that we should meet all over the city in separate homes,” Tychicus said. “The Romans will never be able to find us all. Some of us may fall, but the church in Ephesus will survive.” “And, I hope, grow even stronger in the face of the persecution,” John added. “Sometimes I fear that we are becoming complacent that that the love we originally had for our Lord and for each other is beginning to cool. Persecution could rekindle that love by drawing us together as we face a common danger.” “Why is God letting this happen?” a voice cried out from the back. “We have been loyal and dedicated. We have done many good things in Christ’s name. Yet the more good we try to do, the more the world seems to hate us.” “Do not marvel, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you,” John replied. “Our Lord and Savior was perfect in every way, and yet the world hated Him. People hate what they do not understand. We should look on this coming trial as a great honor. We are being chosen to share His cross and His sacrifice for us. Many who have already died for Christ have received their suffering with joy. In the years since His death and resurrection, all my fellow apostles, including that late-coming firebrand Paul, have been called to suffer death for Him. I am the only apostle remaining who has been denied that honor. And now that I see it on the horizon, I welcome it with all my heart. I urge all of you, my dear brothers and sisters, to remain steadfast and true to Christ, no matter the cost. You will receive a reward in heaven that will make your sacrifice seem as a mere trifle.” John resumed his seat, leaning heavily on his staff. After another hymn and several prayers, the assembly dismissed. As usual, the members clustered around John with questions or prayer needs, or simply to bask in the man’s magnetic presence. But today a tense undercurrent ran through the conversations. It wasn’t long before Marcellus pushed his way through the group and stood facing the apostle. His face was as red as wine, and his eyes blazed with anger. “How can you ask us to do this?” he demanded. “I have a wife and five young children. Do you expect me to just stand by while they are tortured and slaughtered? I will not do it! The rest of you can meet next Sunday like cattle waiting for these Roman butchers. But not I! You must find another place to meet. There will be no worship here until this crisis has passed. I am perfectly willing to live for Christ, but it’s too much to ask me to die for Him!” Without another word, Marcellus turned on his heel and walked away. Soon the remaining members dispersed to their homes. How would they react when the Romans came? They weren’t entirely sure. Would they face the crisis with the courage of their apostle John or with the fear of Marcellus? next week: . . Part 2 . . * * * * * * * * * Those of us who quit too soon will never learn to endure * * * * * * * * * THE PROMISE OF JESUS' RETURN, Part 1 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels. Matt. 16:27a ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF JESUS' ministry on earth is found in Matthew 16:27-17:6. It looks ahead to His return to earth in exaltation and glory, when all His enemies will be placed under His feet and He will establish the long-hoped-for eternal kingdom. At the time Jesus spoke to the disciples about His return, they were in desperate need of encouragement. Recently they had heard much of pain but little or gain, much of suffering but little of glory, and much of the cross but little of the crown. Jesus therefore assured them that He was indeed the Son of Man who would "come in the glory of His Father with His" thousands upon thousands and myriads upon myriads of holy angels to receive the kingdom and execute judgment. Here was Jesus' first specific revelation to His disciples of His second coming. After just telling them that He was God human flesh, that He was the promised Messiah, that He would build a kingdom that nothing could hinder or destroy-but that He first had to be rejected, killed, and raised from the dead-He now informed them that He will one day return in great glory and righteous judgment to establish His throne. ASK YOURSELF "The glory of [the] Father with His angels" may not be a sight with which you can do justice in your imagination. But spend a few moments trying to sense the majesty and drama of this coming event. How could meditating on this reality help you do real justice to this day? * * * * * * * * * If you learn to trust God, He will be there to meet your need * * * * * * * * * THE PRODIGAL SON . . . ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’ Lk 15:31 read the story of the prodigal son, and you get the idea that hardship never seemed to touch the life of the older brother. After the prodigal headed for “Hollywood,” the older son kept faithfully managing the father’s farm and paying the bills. He kept his nose clean and never suffered consequences of disobedience. Then one day, when his younger brother showed up, the father went crazy with excitement. Steaks on the barbecue. Crepe paper strung on the tent posts. “Welcome home” banners over the doorway. It wasn’t the cost of confetti and fatted calves that irked the older brother; it was the gushing favor of his father showered on his sibling. Just when the older brother thought he was missing out, he heard these words of tender reassurance: “’My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me and everything I have is yours.’” The prodigal son only had a portion of the inheritance. The older son possessed everything. He simply forgot that. This is an important lesson for those whose lives have not been touched or scarred by deep suffering. Christians who do not regularly taste pain and hardship must live more circumspectly and carefully. Without suffering, one could become like the prodigal’s older brother who, in his trouble free circumstances, forgot how much he had. But God has blessed every believer “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph 1:3). God has nothing more beyond Christ to give those who suffer…or those who do not. Father, thank You for giving me all things in Christ. If my days are blessed with ease and comfort, help me not to forget the rich and many spiritual blessings You have bestowed upon me. Help me to desperately and urgently cleave to You, even when my circumstances are pleasant. May I never forget what I have. May I always be grateful. Blessings, Joni Eareckson-Tada * * * * * * * * * Only God can inspire a believer to prophecy.. for Him * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The important thing is obeying God's commands. You all were bought at a great price, so do not become slaves of people. 1 Cor. 7:19-23 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Answers to this week's Trivia's: 1. What is another term for the "wise men" who visited baby Jesus? A. The Magi Gen. 13:9 2. Jesus told us not to fear those who kill the body, but instead we should fear those who kill what? A. The soul Matt. 10:28 * * * * * * * * * Answers to Questions about Heaven . . . David Jeremiah Q. What is the purpose for the Millennium? There are a number of reasons that a literal Millennium must occur. To reward the people of God: there are scores of promises scattered throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, guaranteeing God’s people that they will receive rewards for faithful service (Matt 16:27; 25:34; Rev 22:12). And part of our heavenly reward will be to reign and rule with Christ upon this earth during the Millennium. Each of us will have opportunities to serve the Lord based upon our faithfulness in serving Him right now. To respond to the prophets’ predictions: the prophets of the Old Testament predicted such a time (Ps 72:11; Isa 9:7; Lk 1:32-33). And without the Millennium, none of those prophecies could be fulfilled. To receive an answer to the disciples’ prayer (Matt. 6:8-13): One day, when Jesus returns, His kingdom will come and His will shall be done on this earth. To reemphasize man’s depravity and the necessity of Christ’s death: During the Millennium, those faithful servants who survive the Tribulation will bear children, in whom the sin nature will reside, because the fallen human nature of man will not be eliminated until eternity begins at the end of the millennial kingdom. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released, and he will stir up a final rebellion against God just as he did in the Garden of Eden (Rev. 21:1-3, 7-8). That’s right—even though Christ is ruling and reigning on the earth during the Millennium, some will yet be deceived. This demonstrates just how deeply man needs a Savior. Man can never achieve righteousness apart from God. * * * * * * * * * 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: Tabernacle and Temple . . . According to Hebrews 8:5, God told Moses to make the tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him on the mount. As Christians, we can learn much by comparing the utensils of the tabernacle to their symbolic references--light, bread, mercy; everything points to Jesus. The temple was patterned after the tabernacle but as a permanent dwelling. How much do you know about the tabernacle and the temple? 1. Which of the following was not one of the colors of the tabernacle curtains? Exo 26:1 a. blue c. purple b. red d. white 2. Which of the following was not placed in the Holy of Holies? Exo. 30:18 a. table of showbread c. a bronze basin for washing b. altar of incense d. golden lampstand 3. Who carried the tabernacle and its furnishings? Num. 1:50 a. the Levites c. the Reubenites b. the Gadites d. the Ephraimites 4. When the Israelites camped, the tabernacle was set up: Num. 2:17 a. to the north of the camp c. to the east of the camp b. to the south of the camp d. in the middle of the camp 5. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle as: Exo. 40:38 a. a pillar of cloud c. lightning b. a pillar of fire d. both a and b 6. Who built the first temple? 2 Chron. 2:1 a. Moses c. Samuel b. Solomon d. Hezekiah 7. When David wanted to build a temple, why did God tell him he couldn't? 1 Chron. 22:8 a. because he didn't have the right building materials b. because he sinned with Bathsheba c. because he had shed much blood d. because he was too old 8. According to 1 Chronicles 22:1-5, which of the following was not a material gathered to build the temple? a. iron c. stone b. brass (or bronze) d. gold 9. Jesus cleansed the temple of: Matt. 21:12 a. money changers c. Pharisees b. animals d. priests 10. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn in two from: Mark 15:38 a. bottom to top c. right to left b. top to bottom d. left to right