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 ]

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]

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 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 ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 72 [ LESSON 1 ]

TOPIC: witness of the Holy Spirit:

• 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.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.

• Borne to Christ—- 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 .    John 1: ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
• 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.

[ to be continued ]

EXPLORING GOD’s word71[lesson 2]

TOPIC: Rewards of the Saints.

*Rewards also prepared by Christ—- John 14:2 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.

*We are rewarded for our service for Christ—-Col.3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 

*We are not rewarded for our merit!—–Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

*OUR REWARDS ARE DESCRIBED AS:

*Being with Christ.—–Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: [ Col.3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.][ Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.].

*Beholding the Face of God—–Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. [Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.][Rev.22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.].

[ to be continued ]

Bible Verses I Like:

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Eph.3:20-21 KJV.

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 69 {LESSON 5}

STEADFASTNESS CONTINUED a/ Saints are are to pray for steadfastness. 

Psalms 17:⁵ Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

b/ Saints praise God for their being steadfast.   Psalms 116:⁸ For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

c/  MINISTERS ARE  1/ EXHORTED TO BE STEADFAST     2 Timothy 1:¹³ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.  TITUS 1:⁹ Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

2/Ministers are to pray and rejoice for their people!   1Thess. 3:⁸ For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. Colossians 2:⁵ For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

This finishes our brief study on being steadfast; I trust it has been a blessing to you! ~ Winston Staples

JUST THINKING!

Just thinking,

about childhood days,

as I listen,

listen to the falling rain,

how we would climb,

into our tree house,

and play monopoly,

all day long.

I knew some,

were less than honest,

as they moved around,

quickly around the board.

Sometimes I long to,

long to have those,

happy moments back;

I realize one grows,

and makes mistakes,

as we travel this land;

so let us place our lives,

with the FATHER,

who knows, always knows,

what for us is best!

~ Winston Staples

 

THE RANSOM!

One day,

a kidnapper came,

he took our beings,

and I know his name;

his name is Satan,

he loves, kidnapping,

kidnapping our souls,

he sneaks in,

without us seeing.

God loves,

the souls of HIS Children;

HE knows our names,

HE sent a RANSOM,

JESUS, HIS SON came.

HE shed HIS blood,

on that old rugged cross,

that RANSOM paid the price,

and in the BOOK of LIFE

HE recorded our names!

~ Winston Staples