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 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 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 71[LESSON 8]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 71 [LESSON 8]
TOPIC: REWARDS OF THE SAINTS
I TRUST YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS STUDY THE PAST FEW MONTHS ;THIS WILL BE THE LAST POST ON THIS TOPIC ON THIS BLOG.
* PRESENT AFFLICTIONS NOT TO BE COMPARED WITH —– ROMANS 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 COR.5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

*REWARDS SHALL BE GIVEN AT SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.—-MATT.16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. REV.22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I TRUST YOU ENJOYED THIS BLOG STUDY!

WINSTON STAPLES

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 71 Lesson 5!

Topic: Rewards of the Saints continued:

• Saints inherit a Kingdom : Matthew 25:³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  Luke 22:²⁹ And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
• We inherit a Kingdom shinning as the stars. Daniel 12:^{3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.}
• This Kingdom has everlasting light! Isaiah 60:¹⁹ The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
• The Saints inherit everlasting life.  Luke 18:³⁰ Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. John 6:⁴⁰ And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Also read Romans 2:7; 6:23; 1 John 5:11.
• They receive an enduring substance. Hebrews 10:³⁴ For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
• They receive a house eternal in the Heavens.  2 Cor.5:1/For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, made an house not e with hands, eternal in the heavens.

  2/For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

• Saints inherit a city with a sound foundation. Hebrews 11:10/For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
• [ to be continued ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 70 [ lesson 3 ]

Today is lesson three about who God blesses. We are looking at Bible verses that speak about this topic so let’s continue on:

God blesses those who trust Him!—- Psalm 2:¹² Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.   34:⁸ O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.    40:⁴ Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.  84:¹² O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

God blesses who fear Him!—- Psalms 112: 1/Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 128: 1. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. 128:4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.  

God blesses read and follow His word!—- Psalms 119:² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.  James 1:²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  Luke 11: ²⁸ But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Rev.1:³ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 22:⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. ¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

[ to be continued ]  [ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD [70]

Topic: The Blessed

I am sitting  in my study thinking about blessing and who is blessed and now I am looking at Bible verses about the blessed, it may take a few writings to share most of them starting with this one.

a/ Here are a couple of verses about whom God chooses.  Psalms 65:⁴ Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. —- Eph. 1:³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [KJV].

b/ The next verses are about whom God calls.   Isa 51:² Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. —– Rev.19:⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

c/These next verses are about those who know Christ. —- Matthew 16:¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

d/ Those who know the gospel will be blessed. —-Psalms 89:¹⁵ Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.

e/ Those who are not offended in Christ receive blessings. —- Matthew 11:⁶ And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

[ to be con’t ]  [ prepared by Winston Staples ]

MY WORD FOR TODAY!

TRUTH: Here is a good quote about truth. God offers to every mind it’s choice between and repose. Take what you please – you can never have both. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

BIBLE TEACHING: John 4:⁴⁴ For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.  Jesus went into his own village to teach truth and they did not want to hear the truth and He left before they could harm HIm.  As His followers we today are rejected in many places because they do not want the truth.

TRUTH QUOTE: The trouble about man is two fold. He cannot learn truths which are too complicated; He forgets truths which are too simple.  ~ Rebecca West

BIBLE TEACHING: Psa.25: 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

TRUTH QUOTE: Truth never hides; yet how hard to find! ~James Lendall Basford (1845–1915), Seven Seventy Seven Sensations, 1897

BIBLE TEACHING: Psa 33: 4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

Psalms 117: 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 69 LESSON 4

TOPIC: STEADFASTNESS continued

Should be manifested by:

*In holding fast the confidence and rejoicing in hope. Heb.3:⁶ But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Heb.3:¹⁴ For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

*Keeping the faith – Col.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. 1 Peter 5:⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

*Standing firm in the faith- 1 Cor.16:³ And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

*Holding fast to what is good – 1 Thess. 5:²¹ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

*Maintaining Christian liberty – Gal.5:Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

*Striving for faith of the gospel – Phil.1:²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Jude 1:³ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

*Steadfast even under affliction – Psalm 44: ¹⁷ All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.¹⁸ Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;¹⁹ Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.  Romans 8:³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 1 Thess. 3:⁵ For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

[ to be continued ]

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EXPLORING GOD’S WORD [67]

Topic: Christianity — Christianity is not religion; it is a relationship with Christ.

a/ Founded in Christ—- 1 Cor.3: ¹⁰ According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.¹² Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ¹³ Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.¹⁴ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?¹⁷ If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.¹⁸ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.²⁰ And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

b/ Based on doctrine—- 1 Cor.15: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

c/ Designed for all—- Matt.28:¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

d/ Centers in salvation—- Acts 4:¹² Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

e/ Produces change—- 1 Cor.6:¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.¹² All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.¹³ Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.¹⁴ And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

I trust you are blessed by reading of theses verses that Christianity is a real relationship with Christ, the only true Savior.