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]

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 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 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 WORD 71 LESSON 6

Topic: Rewards of the Saints continued!

• The Saint enters into the joy of the Lord!  Matthew 25:²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.   Hebrews 12:² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
•  The Saint enters rest!  Hebrews 4:⁹ There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  Rev.14:¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
• Receive a prize in the high calling of God in Christ!  Phil.3:¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  
• Matthew 19:²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.   Luke 12:³³ Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.  The Saint has treasure in Heaven!
• The Saint inherits an eternal weight of glory!  2 Cor.4:¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
• The reward is full! 2 John 1:⁸ Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we^[a] have worked for, but may win a full reward.  [ESV.]
• The reward is sure!  Proverbs 11:¹⁸ The wicked earns deceptive wages,
      but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. 
• The reward satisfies!    Psalms 17:¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
      when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.  [ESV.]
• Rewards cause rejoicing!   Romans 5:² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, [and we rejoice] in hope of the glory of God.
• { to be continued}

SHARING WORDS OF LIFE!

This morning as I was doing my Bible readings, this chapter in 1 Peter seemed to say share! Here is that chapter and I pray it will speak to you as you read this and bless you.

1 Peter 5 King James Version (KJV)

5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

³ Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

¹³ The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

¹⁴ Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 70[lesson seven ]

This lesson concludes the series on who can be blessed by God; I trust you have enjoyed the Bible readings!

*Saints at the Judgement day will receive a blessing as stated in Matt.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:

*They shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God! Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

Here are a few more verses I want share with you all my friends!

*John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

*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:

*James 1:2 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

*Revelation 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.

*Revelation 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.

*Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.  

• This concludes this study on blessings from God!

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 70 [ lesson 4 ]

TOPIC: Who receives blessings from God?  Today we are looking at Scriptures on who receives God’s blessings. Open your Bible to the following verse and read the wonderful words. I am using the King James Version.

1/Isaiah 30 :18 tells us that those who wait for the Lord will be blessed! Isaiah 30:¹⁸ And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

2/ God blesses those who find strength in the Lord!   Psalms 84:⁵ Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

3/ The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:6 that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be blessed.   Matthew 5:⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

4/ Psalms 65:4—- 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.  Psalms 84:⁵ Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. These verses tell us those who visit the house of God and seek His presence will receive a blessing!

5/ Blessed are they who avoid the wicked!  Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

6/ Blessed are they that endure temptation! —-James 1:¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

7/ We read in Revelation 16:¹⁵ Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

8/ Blessed are they that watch for the Lord! —- Luke 12:³⁷ Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

[ to be con’t ]

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD 70 [ lesson 2 ]

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GOD’S WORDS BLESS!

God blesses those who believe—-  Luke 1:⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.  Gal.3:⁹ So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

God gives blessings to those with their sins forgiven—- Psalms 32: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.² Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.  Romans 4:⁷ Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

God gives righteousness without works —- Romans 4:⁶ Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,⁷ Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.⁸ Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.⁹ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

God blesses those whom He chastises—- Job 5: ¹⁶ So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.¹⁷ Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

God blesses those who suffer for Christ.—- Luke 6:²² Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Those whose Lord is their God are blessed. Psalm 144:¹⁵ Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]