EXPLORING GOD’S WORD{83}

John 19: ¹⁶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

¹⁷ And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

¹⁸ Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

¹⁹ And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.

²⁰ This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

²¹ Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

²² Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

A few years ago as I sat  thinking about the pain Christ endured with each step He took baring a cross these words came to mind:

Painful Steps

Each painful step up Calvary’s hill,

He took His Father’s will to fulfill.

Each painful step was for you and me,

Providing us the way to walk into eternity.

Each painful step, each painful blow,

He endured for you and me,

His everlasting love to show.

Each drop of blood He freely gave,

To bare our sins, our souls to save.

The painful spear that pierced His side,

He willfully endured, so with Him we could abide.

Yes, dear soul! Jesus God’s only Son,

Through these painful steps, victory was won.

Jesus endured all this agony and pain,

To defeat Satan and our salvation to gain.

All hail the power of Jesus name,

Thank Him for His victory, we can claim.

He bore the sin of the world; His salvation to bring;

Jesus, the Christ, the Lord of Lords,

And King of Kings.

~ Winston Staples

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EXPLORING GOD’S WORD [ 82 ]

EXPLORING GODS’S WORD 82
TOPIC! CHRISTIAN HOPE, PEACE AND SALVATION
AS I LOOK AROUND THIS OLD WORLD AND SEE THE SITUATION IT IS IN AND IT’S CONDITION, THE ONE THING I DON’T SEE IS HOPE. AS I READ AND HEAR GOD’S WORD IT OFFERS US HOPE, PEACE, GUIDANCE AND BEST OF ALL SALVATION. WE ARE GOING ON A TRIP THROUGH THE PAGES OF GOD’S WORD AND GET SOME HOPE TO FUEL OUR SPIRITUAL TRIP ON OUR JOURNEY TO HEAVEN.
John 3:16 King James Version (KJV) 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. Jesus is our only hope of salvation!
Ephesians 2:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Jesus is our true peace!
Romans 15:13 King James Version
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
God is our source of strength! Isaiah 40:31 King James Version (KJV)
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Proverbs 13:12 King James Version
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
We are to be thankful! Colossians 3:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
We are to be like minded! Romans 15:5 King James Version (KJV)
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

John 3:16-18King James Version (KJV)

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.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Let’s look at these Bible verses:
2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

If we are to produce or show the fruit of the SPIRIT we must WALK IN FAITH!
Read Gal.5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
To obtain the wonderful jewels of life we must Call upon Jesus to forgive and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit walk in FAITH!

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD [81]

TOPIC: The Word is Borne —- John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.    John 14:⁵ Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.⁷ If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.   Jesus the word reveals the truth, the way and the life. This is the only way to Eternal life and the FATHER! There is only one true way unto the only one true God.

Galatians 4:5-6 (KJV)

⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  Philippians 2:⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 1 Timothy 3:¹⁵ But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.  Hebrews 2:¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  Hebrews 13:⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Yes, this same Jesus born of Mary conceived through the Holy Spirit was the living word and the truth and only way into the presence of God the Father by the redemption of His blood He shed on Calvary’s cross for the lost. HE is the true word giving truth of salvation to mankind. Believe on His name and thou shall be saved!

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD[80]

TOPIC: Proper use of our tongue!

I am sitting here giving some thought about little things that are powerful indeed; the tongue comes to mind. The Bible talks about the tongue a lot and the trouble it causes when misused.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TONGUE?

*James 3:⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  [ small but important]

*James 5:⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  [ untameable ]

*Proverbs 21:²³ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. [an uncontrolled tongue can cause many troubles]

*Psalms 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. [a tongue misused can lead us to sin.]

*Psalms 139:⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.  [God knows every word in our mouth before we speak it out.][ so be careful little tongue what you say!]

HOW SHOULD WE CONTROL THIS LITTLE MEMBER OF OUR BODY?

*Psalms 35:²⁸ And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.   [ to speak of God’s goodness and righteousness ]

*Psalms 37:³⁰ The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  [ we are to speak wisely!]

*Psalms 119:¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

*Psalms 47:⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. Psalms 126:² Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.  [ We are to sing praises to the Lord!]

*Proverbs 31:²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  [ We are to choose our words wisely and use them with kindness!]

*Philippians 2:¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [ We confess Christ as our redeemer!]

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

HERE I AM!

Here I am Jesus,

reading your word,

Guided by the Holy Spirit

to learn the greatest,

greatest story heard.

Here I am,

waiting for You,

to come,

to take me home,

to live with You,

and the Saints waiting,

for me to come.

Here I am,

praying for others,

to see their need,

and call upon Your name,

and be saved;

Their blessing from You,

they can claim.

Here I am,

are the words You say,

inviting the lost souls,

to come to You today!

~ Winston Staples

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 78[CON’T]

• The first preaching of the gospel confirmed by: Acts 14:3 ; Hebrews 2:4 [KJV]

• Acts 14:³ Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

  Hebrews 2:⁴ God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

• GIVEN TO SAINTS:
• On believing
  Acts 15:8 ; 1 John 5:10  Let’s turn in our Bibles to the before mentioned verses.

  Acts 15:8  (KJV)

  ⁸ And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;  1 John 5:¹⁰ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

• To testify to them of Christ
  John 15: ²⁶ “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. [ When Jesus went to Heaven to be with the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to us to teach us the truth and to guide our foot steps.]
• As an evidence of adoption
  Romans 8:¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,   
• As an evidence of Christ in them
  1 John 3:¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. verse ²⁴ And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
• As an evidence of God in them
  1 John 4:¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
• Borne against all unbelievers
  Nehemiah 9: ³⁰ Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands. ; Acts 28:²⁵ And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, ²⁶ saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: ²⁷ for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

[ I TRUST YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS BRIEF STUDY!][ prepared by Winston Staples]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD[78]

TOPIC: Witness of the Holy Spirit   The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity and was sent to teach the believers things about the Christ and to guide the believer the right way to walk the highway to heaven. The following are things He witnessed about Christ and Himself!

*He is truth—1 John 5:⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

*To be implicitly received — 1 John 5: ⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  ⁹ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

*Borne to Christ

• As Messiah   Luke 3:²² And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 
• Coming to Redeem and Sanctify   1 John 5: ⁶ This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.⁷ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

  ^{8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.}

  ⁹ If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

  ¹⁰ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

•  To Proclaim Christ to be Prince and Savior — Acts 5:³¹ Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.³² And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

• As pertaining to Saints — Hebrews 10: ¹⁴ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.¹⁵ Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
• Foretold by Himself — John 15:²⁶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
• In Heaven — 1 John 5:⁷ For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
• 1 John 5: ¹¹ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
• On Earth — 1 John 5:⁸ And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.      [ to be con’t ][ prepared by Winston Staples ]