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 [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 [76]

Exploring God’s Word [76]
Today’s word: HOPE
Quote: The oil of hope makes life’s machinery run smoothly. ~ James Basford
Scripture: Psalm 23:The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. John 14: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

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.
The Lord is my hope, rest and Peace!
Quote: Once you choose hope, anythings possible. ~Christopher Reeve
When the world says, give up; Hope whispers,” Try it one more time.” ~Author unknown.
[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 75

Today’s Word:  FAITH

Quote: Faith is like radar that sees through the fog. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Bible Verses for today: 1 Peter 1: ⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Quote: Reason is our souls left hand, faith her left. ~John Donne

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

 

 

Life’s Roads

Roads: Some roads are long and narrow,some roads have hills dangerously steep, some roads are short and wide, some roads have valleys very deep. All roads have a beginning, all roads have an end; but all roads are not our friend. The Bible speaks of two roads, one narrow and one wide, the wide one leads to destruction, and on this road, everyone’s journey begins. The other road, the straight and narrow, this road is where God wants you to be, this road is entered by knowing Jesus, our one true guide you see. This road leads to Heaven, with Jesus on our side, when we reach Heaven, with God we will abide.

~Winston Staples

SETTING SAIL!

Setting Sail: Life is like a voyage, sailing across the sea, setting our sails, to find breezes to set us free. as we set sail, we find the sailing may be rough, the waves roaring high, visibility mighty tough. We discover it is so hard, to be captain of our ship, when we have an enemy, seeking to make us slip. When our lives, like the ships, face tempest and despair, we need to seek a harbor, and find shelter there. In this voyage, we have a choice, who will captain our ship, Jesus, who wants to save us; Satan who wants us scuttle our ship. So dear soul, who will your captain be; Satan who keeps you in bondage, or Jesus who will set you free?

~Winston Staples

WHERE THE RED PINE GROW!

There is a place,about a mile away,where I would go,and spend hours every day.

I got on an old four wheeler,on  it I would go,

to my quiet place,where the red pine trees grow.

Some days I would see,a doe in the grove,if slowly I drove.

At the right time,late in the day;I would stop,and watch the beaver play.

Most of the time, their play for me,was work to them,and while they swam;

they quickly repaired the dam; while In the branches of the pine,

the  blue jays cried,and the squirrels played,with the gentle breeze,

the red pine trees swayed.It became my favourite quiet place to go,

to meditate on God’s word, to keep my outlook on life,

His Words that are sharper than  a two edged sword.

~Winston Staples

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 71 [lesson 7]

Topic: REWARDS OF THE SAINT’S— 2 John 1:⁸ Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.   We must walk the walk and talk the talk of a follower of Christ that we will not lose a reward.

* Prospect of our receiving a reward should lead us to do the following:

• Be diligent—–[ 2 John 1:8 ]
• To press forward —– Phil. 3:¹⁴ I [press toward the mark ]for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  
• To endure suffering —– 2 Cor. 4:¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. [ also read Hebrews 11:26 ].
•  To be faithful unto death —– Rev.2:¹⁰ Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.[ to be continued ]