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 ]

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 ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD [77]

Today’s Word:  Praying or prayer

Scripture reading: Eph. 6:¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  [ Saints should be praying for other Saints!]

Quote: Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines. ~Satchel Page

^{Psalms 145: 18} The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. [ We are to talk to Him in spirit and truth!]

Quote: Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  [ pray in faith]

Quote: Prayer may not change things for you, but it sure changes you for things. ~Samuel M. Shoemaker

( prepared by Winston Staples )

 

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 74

Word of the Day: Courage

Quote: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.  ~Ambrose Redmoon

Psalms 27:¹⁴ Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Quote: Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Psalms 31:²⁴ Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Quote: Courage is what is taken to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.  ~ Winston Churchill

Joshua 1:⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

^{Acts 28:15} And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

As believers we should fight our adversary the devil using the words of God and the mighty tool of prayer daily with great courage.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 73

Topic:   Proper attitude toward God’s Word :

*to stand in awe of: Psalms 119:¹⁶¹ Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

*tremble at the word: Isaiah 66:² For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and [trembleth] at my word.  ⁵ Hear the word of the Lord, ye that [tremble] at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

*speak faithfully the word: Jer. 23:²⁸ The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him [speak] my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.

*search the word: Acts 17:¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and [searched] the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

*speak boldly: Acts 4:²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with [all boldness ]they may speak thy word,  ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and [they spake the word of God with boldness.]

*preach the Word: Acts 8:²⁵ And they, when they had testified and [preached the word] of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and [preached] the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

*receive the Word: Acts 11: 1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the [Gentiles had also received the word of God.]

*Glorify the Word: Acts 13:⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and [glorified the word] of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

*obey the Word: 1 Peter 3:Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:1-2 (AMP)

Godly Living

3 In the same way, you wives, be ^[a]submissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,^(A) 2 when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God].

*teach: Acts 18:¹¹ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.

*handle accurately: 2 Timothy 2:¹⁵ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

*Do: James 1:²² But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

^{23 For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror;}

*suffer: Rev. 1:⁹ I, John, who also am your brother and [companion in tribulation] and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the isle that is called Patmos, [for the Word of God] and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 72 [Lesson 3]

Topic — Witness of the Holy Spirit:

1/ Given to the Saints.

*When they believe— Acts 15:⁸ 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.

*Testify of Christ — 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:

*Give evidence of our being adopted — Romans 8:¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

*Give evidence of Christ living in the believer — 1 John 3:²⁴ 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.

*Give evidence that God dwells in the believer — 1 John 4:¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

* Against all unbelievers —Neh.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.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 72 [lesson 2 ]

TOPIC—Witness of the Holy Spirit

*Exalted to  be Prince and Savior  Acts 5: ³¹ Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a [a] Prince and a Saviour, for to [b] give repentance to Israel, and [c]forgiveness of sins.  Under lined refers to Christ the Son!

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.

*to witness perfecting Saints    Hebrews 10:¹⁴ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. [He refers to Christ ]

¹⁵ Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

*As fortold    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:   [Colored words speak of the Holy Spirit!]

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

*witness the confirming of preaching the gospel   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?

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

ANOTHER FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTER

I love the letter Paul wrote to the Romans so I chose chapter 5 to share with you as another favorite chapter.

Romans 5  (KJV)

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

¹⁰ For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

¹¹ And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

¹² Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

¹³ (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

¹⁵ But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

¹⁶ And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

¹⁷ For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

¹⁸ Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

²⁰ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

I trust as you read this it will become your favorite too!