Bible Study - Heart of Worship (5) - The Lifestyle of Worship - Colossians 2 and 3 - February 16, 2025

 

Bible Study – Heart of Worship (5) – The Lifestyle of Worship – February 16, 2025

Life is an act of worship when we know the truth. Life upon earth is the training ground for eternity.

Our focus scriptures are selected passages from Colossians 2 and 3.

The Apostle Paul was in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae. Colossae was 1,300 miles away from him.

The Apostle Paul had not visited the church in Colossae.

Let’s read Colossians 2:1-5:

2 For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. ² I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.^[a] 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

There was no need for them to explore other religions or seek other paths to THE ONE TRUE GOD because JESUS THE CHRIST is a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge, and JESUS is all you need. True then and true now.

The Jewish teacher Gamaliel educated the Apostle Paul. Paul knew the Law, but grace was revealed to him on the Road to Damascus through his faith in JESUS The CHRIST.

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

⁴ I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. ⁵ For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.

The Apostle Paul had not visited Colossae. But he had a heart for the Christians in Colossae. Why? Because they were brothers and sisters in JESUS through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

The Apostle Paul was in Rome when he wrote his letter to the church at Colossae, 1,300 miles away. Paul’s letter is GOD’S gift to Christians then and today.

The Apostle Paul knew that Satan would do all he could to get the Christians to compromise. The same battle takes place today. We must study GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible, and build our trust in JESUS based upon truth and not hearsay. It is up to every true Christian to know GOD’S Word and evaluate it against what is being taught by fellow Christians, teachers, pastors, etc.

Why? Because as we get close to the second coming of JESUS, the distortion of the TRUTH will get worse.

In Matthew 24: For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Spirit-born Christians are the elect.

The Apostle Paul was concerned with the Spiritual growth of all the Christians in Colossae being misled by corrupt teaching. The Apostle Paul then and to us today admonished Christians to focus upon the teachings of JESUS and not distortions of truth that sound good to the flesh.

As Spirit-born Christians how are you to do that? You need to know who you are in JESUS and not to look at the world for your teaching but to elevate your thinking to the things in the Heavenly realm, not the earthly realm. Why?

Because as a Spirit-born believer your citizenship is now in Heaven for eternity.

The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of this fact in Philippians 3:20:

²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5: ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (she) is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has^[d] come! ¹⁸ Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

2 Corinthains 4:7 - ⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin (JEUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

The Apostle Paul considered himself already in Heaven, he was witnessing, teaching, and waiting until HIS LORD JESUS was finished with the work GOD had for him upon earth.

While we are upon earth, GOD and JESUS have work for each Spirit-born person to accomplish for the Kingdom.

While you are still upon earth, always keep foremost in your mind, who you are in JESUS. You know the truth, don’t hide it because others need to know what you know, and GOD will give you opportunity to share the Gospel through your life and/or through your life as you encounter life each day.

Those who know the truth of salvation are the light of JESUS in a world of darkness.

Therefore, be prepared to share what you know, which is ----

Colossians 3:1-25:

The Life of the New Man (Or Woman)

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (WOW!!!)

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient,^[b] 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. ⁸ But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[c] Creator. ¹¹ In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Notice, in verses 9 and 10, you are in control of what you put on and what you take off. These actions are acts of your will.

As a Spirit-born Christian your life is ever changing on an ascending scale because you are growing in the knowledge and application of truth through your faith in JESUS.

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,^[d] singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ in Your Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, ²⁴ knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Relationships are vital when Christians serve their LORD JESUS, especially those who are married. Husband and wife relationships are vital to serving our LORD JESUS.

Why are husband and wife relationships vital?

1 Peter 3:7 - ⁷ Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

James 4:3 - When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

The bottom-line is what is in our hearts? Are we trying to deceive or con GOD? GOD knows our hearts, so be truthful with GOD when we approach HIM.

Keep in mind as recorded in John 3:16:

¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[a] He gave^[b] his one and only Son (JESUS), so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Notice: EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS!

Everyone who places their faith in JESUS is, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Those who are born of the Holy Spirit are called to be GOD’S ambassador. That is a high calling to serve GOD. An Ambassador represents his/her country in a foreign land. Since Heaven is the home of all who are Spirit-born, they are in a foreign land. 

 

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Heart of Worship (4) - The Benefits of Worship - Psalm 63:1-11 - February 9, 2025

Bible Study – Heart of Worship (4) – The Benefits of Worship – Psalm 63:1-11 – February 9, 2025

We find all we need when we come to GOD in worship.

GOD reveals Himself when we earnestly seek HIM through JESUS. 

We, who live at this time, are blessed because we have the revelation of GOD on an ever-ascending scale. We have the Old and New Testaments that reveal the One True GOD, YAWH, the birth of HIS only SON, JESUS, which is confirmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion.

What is worship? We, as humans, can place our faith in many things, such as people, a rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover, favorite item of clothing, a god, GOD, JESUS, etc.

In John 4:24: ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

GOD knows a person’s heart, therefore, do not try to con GOD. Be honest with HIM because HE will be honest with you. Truth prevails in relationships, especially with GOD. Why? Because HE knows your true heart.

David wrote Psalm 63 when he was in the wilderness. A person can be in the wilderness because he/she chooses to be there or because circumstances place the person in the wilderness.

Alone time gives many of us time to pause and reflect. The question is, “What do we reflect upon?”

In our early years, my precious wife and I traveled to Europe and her aunt kept our children. We saw many beautiful sights but when we got into our hotel room, away from the things that occupied our minds, we thought of our children. We looked at their pictures.

David was in the wilderness as he penned Psalm 63. Let’s explore!

First, let’s consider the foundation upon which David had built his trust in GOD. We read 1 Samuel 17 when David was just a young person when he told King Saul that he would fight Goliath, the giant:

1 Samuel 17:33-37:

³³ But Saul replied, “You can’t go fight this, Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young.”

³⁴ David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, ³⁵ I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur,^[g] strike it down, and kill it. ³⁶ Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷ Then David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”

As a young lad, David experienced GOD’S power working through him as he shepherded the sheep. It built his trust in GOD, which equated to faith and confidence in GOD and GOD’S ability.

JESUS taught HIS disciples as recorded in Matthew 17:20:

“Because of your little faith,” he told them (HIS disciples). “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Of course, David lived before JESUS, but David had faith in GOD, he trusted GOD. The key is placing your faith in truth not just anything.

 

Since the time of King David, GOD has fulfilled HIS promise of sending HIS only SON, JESUS, to earth WHO was the promised Messiah. As such JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless to pay, in full, for all sin for those who place their faith in HIM and HIS passion – physical life, physical death, physical resurrection and physical ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER.

Let’s explore!!!

As you read, study, and mediate on this Psalm, what is GOD revealing to you?

Our scripture is Psalm 63:1-11.

Let’s read Psalm 63:1-5:

Psalm 63

Praise God Who Satisfies

A psalm of David. When he was in the Wilderness of Judah.

¹ God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you.
I thirst for you;
my body faints for you
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
² So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.

³ My lips will glorify you
because your faithful love is better than life.
⁴ So I will bless you as long as I live;
at your name, I will lift up my hands.
⁵ You satisfy me as with rich food;^[a]
my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.

Have you ever been really thirsty?

Our young son and I walked on the Swamp Fox Trail in the Sumter Forest, SC. The trail map indicated that it was a 12-mile hike. We began after lunch and as the sun began to fade, we realized we had a problem. We got to camp about 9 PM, out of water and our muscles were screaming. As it turned out the map was wrong, it was 22 miles instead of 12 miles.

We wanted water, food, and rest. Our desire was to get water, food, and shelter.

David knew this desperate feeling and he equated it to his desire to being in right relationship with GOD because he was secure in GOD.

GOD allows HIS chosen to experience situations that don’t go according to plan. What do we do? Do we fret or stop and pray?

Stop and ask GOD to show you what you need to do.

Let’s read Psalm 63:6-8:

⁶ When I think of you as I lie on my bed,
I meditate on you during the night watches
⁷ because you are my helper;
I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ I follow close to you;
your right hand holds on to me.

King David trusted GOD to watch over him when he slept and when he was standing a night watch. He was in partnership with GOD and as such GOD was his helper.

Why did David have this confidence in GOD? David lived so close to GOD that David walked and lived in GOD’S shadow.

When I was growing up, people referred to me as my dad’s shadow. I followed him wherever he went.

Since the Passion of JESUS, all who have placed their faith in JESUS had the joy of the presence of GOD in them in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. Awesome!!!

Let’s read Psalm 63:9-11:

⁹ But those who intend to destroy my life
will go into the depths of the earth.
¹⁰ They will be given over to the power of the sword;
they will become a meal for jackals.
¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by him will boast,
for the mouths of liars will be shut.

Again, King David rejoices in the fact that GOD comes to his aid in times of need or trouble. David knew that GOD was his protector and that his enemies would be food for the jackals.

King David would rejoice because he knew GOD had him covered.

We know that David was not perfect, and neither are we.

This we do know, JESUS died for every person whoever has or will walk the face of earth. The key is that each person must place his/her faith in JESUS. All who do, will live, and walk in Heaven for eternity, as members of GOD’S chosen Family.

The Bible is replete with scripture encouraging people to seek the right relationship with GOD:

Luke 11:9 - ⁹ “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

Revelation 3:20 - See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The Holy Spirit knocks on the heart’s door of all humans. The latch is only on the inside and can only be opened by the person inside. GOD knocks but it is up to us whether or not we open the door of our hearts.

Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, ask JESUS, right now, verbally to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your heart and save you from eternal Hell and give you eternal life through faith in HIM. WOW!

That is exciting. If you prayed that prayer, you have become GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of being born-again in your spirit – rejoice and thank HIM for your salvation. Your first birth is human and is subject to death. Whereas your second birth is Spiritual and is eternal. As a newborn, you need exercise by reading and studying GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible. You need to grow Spiritually by reading and studying GOD’S HOLY WORD. If you do not have a Bible, get one. Get a version you are comfortable reading. Talk to GOD and JESUS. Tell your family that you have prayed to receive JESUS as your SAVIOR. You are on an exciting journey.

Every person is a miracle. Life upon earth is a gift from GOD. I believe life upon earth is the training ground for eternity.

One of my favorite scriptures, when I ponder life upon earth, is recorded by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1: ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons/daughters through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses (sins), according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

WOW!!! What a heritage. Eternity is just a heartbeat away.

Written in love for all who read and respond. Don’t ignore the knock on your heart’s door. Only you can open it from the inside.

Trust and obey for there are no other ways to be happy in JESUS but to trust an obey!

 

Blessings!!! 

Bible Study - Heart of Worship (3) - The attitude in Worship - Psalm 40:1-11 - February 2, 2025

 Bible Study – Heart of Worship (3) – The Attitude in Worship – Psalm 40:1-11 – February 2, 2025

We are to come to GOD with a heart fully focused on HIM alone.

A person’s attitude toward GOD or JESUS is vital when we look to HIM for help or consultation. In Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”

Often, we need to just be still and talk with GOD and let HIM know our heart and then wait upon HIM as HE answers us.

Did you know what nature does? Romans 8:19 -
For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed.

Amplified version of Romans 8:19 -
For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons/daughters to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship/daughtership].

Even nature itself waits for the return of JESUS. All people are surrounded with GOD’S love and calls to all to “be still and know!!!”

When we pause and consider GOD, what flows through our minds? Those who are seeking will find and those who have sought will be enriched and come closer to GOD through faith in JESUS. “Be still and know.”

Let’s explore through the words coming from the heart of David.

Our focus scripture is Psalm 40:1-11.

Let’s read Psalm 40:1-5:

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord,
and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.

David was seeking GOD, The LORD, whom he knew existed because he had called upon HIM to help him and HE did, as we read on ----
² He brought me up from a desolate^[a] pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

Have you ever been in muddy clay? It clings to you and is very slippery. It is hard to get out of clay in which you become mired because the more you try the worse it gets until your feet come into contact with a solid surface, like a solid rock.

What takes place when we place our feet upon that solid foundation? We get a renewed hope in GOD during the Old Testament and JESUS as revealed in the New Testament and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit since the passion of JESUS. After we encounter GOD/JESUS, what takes place? A person has a new focus because he/she has encountered the ONE TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, GOD/Yahweh/YHWH as revealed in the Old Testament or YHWH/JESUS in the New Testament. GOD revealed Himself to those who placed their faith in HIM both in the Old Testament and most especially in the New Testament.

What takes place when a person places his/her faith in JESUS? Let’s read on -----
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and they will trust in the Lord.

4 How happy is anyone
who has put his trust in the Lord
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!
⁵ Lord my God, you have done many things—
your wondrous works and your plans for us;
none can compare with you.
If I were to report and speak of them,
they are more than can be told.

When a person encounters the ONE TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE as revealed in the Old Testament OR JESUS, as revealed in the New Testament, a person’s life is changed dramatically. There is a new joy within that person’s being. For those Spirit-born since JESUS and the coming of the Holy Spirit, all have the guarantee of eternal live through their faith in JESUS, sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

All who are born-again are guaranteed eternal life the instant they place their faith in JESUS and that Guarantee is eternal.

Don’t we wish the things in life upon earth had such a guarantee?

Let’s read Psalm 40:6-8:

⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
you open my ears to listen.^[b]
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.
⁷ Then I said, “See, I have come;
in the scroll it is written about me.
⁸ I delight to do your will, my God,
and your instruction is deep within me.”

Dear GOD, I know that life is more than me giving YOU things because I know that YOU are only interested in me giving myself to YOU and obeying YOU. My eternal relationship with YOU is all about my heart toward YOU!

WOW!!! Still true today. The love of GOD as expressed through HIS only SON, JESUS, is overwhelming.
Dear FATHER in The Name Of JESUS, help all who read this to see this truth.

Let’s read Psalm 40:9:11:

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
see, I do not keep my mouth closed^[c]—
as you know, Lord.
¹⁰ I did not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I spoke about your faithfulness and salvation;
I did not conceal your constant love and truth
from the great assembly.

¹¹ Lord, you do not^[d] withhold your compassion from me.
Your constant love and truth will always guard me.

What is righteousness? It is right standing with GOD through faith in GOD in the Old Testament and faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, in the New Testament. Once a person has been born-again/Spirit-born, darkness has been removed and the true light of JESUS shines through and into our hearts. That person has been born-again in his or her human spirit by the Holy Spirit that only comes from GOD, through the passion of JESUS through faith in JESUS.

When a person is born-again, the indwelling Holy Spirit is his/her guarantee of eternal life through his/her faith in JESUS and with the arrival of the Holy Spirit comes a guarantee, as we read in 2 Corinthians 5:5: Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who also has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise].

Ephesians 1:13:
In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

When a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior, he/she not only receives salvation through the miracle of Spirit-birth, that person is sealed and receives Spiritual Gifts to be used as that person obediently serves GOD and ministers to others.

If you have been Spirit-born ask GOD/JESUS to reveal to you your Spiritual Gift or Gifts.

What the Psalmist longed for, we have today through the life, death, passion, resurrection, and ascension of JESUS.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life for all who place their faith in HIM.

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and for JESUS to come into your heart now and redeem you from Hell by forgiving you for all your sins and making you HIS Child through the miracle of being born-again/Spiritual birth into GOD’S eternal Family, never to be unborn.

If you prayed this prayer or something similar, thank GOD for redeeming you and making you HIS Child through the miracle of Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS and what JESUS did for you.

If you prayed this prayer, tell others what you did and especially, if you are in a fellowship or church of believers. Tell them that you have asked JESUS to come into your heart and ask them to help you grow Spiritually because as a new born Christian, you need to feed upon the true Word of GOD, The Holy Bible, talk to GOD and JESUS and ask them to help you mature into the Spirit-born Christian you are. Thank GOD and JESUS for what they have done in your life and are yet to do as you grow Spiritually.

I pray for all who have joined the eternal Family of GOD through faith in JESUS. May our LORD endow you with HIS strength, vision, and purpose as you walk with JESUS on your life’s journey.

Blessing!!!

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Heart of Worship (3) - The Inspiration of Worship - Psalm 25:4-15 - Ephesians 1 - January 26, 2025

 Bible Study – Heart of Worship (3) – The Inspiration of Worship – Psalm 25:4-15 – January 26, 2025

Our focus scripture is Psalm 25:4-15.

GOD’S goodness and love leads us to worship HIM.

There is a yearning within all humans to seek completion within themselves. The various writers of Psalms express that yearning through the words they write. This is true of humans today, we seek completion. When a person places his/her faith in JESUS is the beginning to fulfill his/her yearning. This is the beginning of an awesome journey.

Spirit-born people will only be complete when they exit their human bodies and experience their new Spirit-born bodies, fashioned by GOD through faith in JESUS.

Consider earth, the birthplace of humans. Earth was formed by GOD and placed at just the right place in the universe to support life upon earth. Where did we come from? We may say, “my mother and father.” This is true but where did they come from? Their mother and father! Keep going until you get to the origin of life upon earth – GOD.

The Apostle Paul sheds light on human life on earth in Ephesians 1:3-14:

God’s Rich Blessings

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^[d] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

GOD chose you but the question is, “do you choose HIM through faith in JESUS?” Keep in mind that JESUS our Shepherd goes after the “one” lost sheep. HIS desire is for NO ONE to be lost and go to “HELL.” Don’t be the exception.

So, where did you come from? You came from the heart of GOD! The question is, “Where will you spend eternity?”

In Psalms, we read expressions of thanksgiving from the hearts of those seeking to be in right relationship with GOD.

The Good News for all people, since the passion of JESUS, is JESUS has come to earth, paid the price for sin, in full, for all who will accept HIM as their Savior. Salvation is step one. Step two is to allow JESUS to be the LORD of your life and seek to follow JESUS as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit – An Awesome Journey!!!

So, where did the Apostle Paul get his information regarding Heaven?

We read in 2 Corinthians 12:2: (The Apostle Paul wrote Corinthians.)

I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

It is believed that this “man in CHRIST” was the Apostle Paul. The first heaven is the sky we see and where the birds fly. The second heaven is where the sun, moon, stars, and planets reside. The third heaven is where GOD, JESUS, Angels, and those who have departed earth with faith in JESUS reside.

The writers of Psalms expressed their heart felt expressions as they sought the right relationship with the One True GOD of the universe.

Let’s read Psalm 25:1-22:

Dependence on the Lord

Of David.

¹ Lord, I appeal to you.^[a]
2 My God, I trust in you.
Do not let me be disgraced;
do not let my enemies gloat over me.
³ No one who waits for you
will be disgraced;
those who act treacherously without cause
will be disgraced.

⁴ Make your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
I wait for you all day long.
⁶ Remember, Lord, your compassion
and your faithful love,
for they have existed from antiquity.^[b]
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
or my acts of rebellion;
in keeping with your faithful love, remember me
because of your goodness, Lord.

⁸ The Lord is good and upright;
therefore he shows sinners the way.
⁹ He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth
to those who keep his covenant and decrees.
¹¹ Lord, for the sake of your name,
forgive my iniquity, for it is immense.

¹² Who is this person who fears the Lord?
He will show him the way he should choose.
¹³ He will live a good life,
and his descendants will inherit the land.^[c]
14 The secret counsel of the Lord
is for those who fear him,
and he reveals his covenant to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he will pull my feet out of the net.
¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am alone and afflicted.

¹⁷ The distresses of my heart increase;^[d]
bring me out of my sufferings.
¹⁸ Consider my affliction and trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
¹⁹ Consider my enemies; they are numerous,
and they hate me violently.
²⁰ Guard me and rescue me;
do not let me be disgraced,
for I take refuge in you.
²¹ May integrity and what is right
watch over me,
for I wait for you.

²² God, redeem Israel, from all its distresses.

The Prophet Samuel stated in 1 Samuel 13:14: but now your reign (King Saul) will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.

That man was David!

So, why did GOD get upset with King Saul?

We read in 1 Samuel 13:6-14:

⁶ The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns. ⁷ Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. ⁸ He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. ⁹ So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering.

¹⁰ Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So, Saul went out to greet him, ¹¹ and Samuel asked, “What have you done?”

Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, ¹² I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor.’ So, I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”

¹³ Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, ¹⁴ but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart,^[i] and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” 

GOD desires obedience when we serve HIM.

Life under the Law was rigid. JESUS ushered in GOD’S Grace!

GOD responded to the requests of those under the Law.

The Passion of JESUS established a deeper relationship with GOD because we read in 1 Corinthians 6:19: Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

When a person is Spirit-born through faith in JESUS, the shed blood of JESUS cleanses the body of that person, makes it Holy in order to house the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:27

God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life for all people by the shedding of HIS sinless blood. The price for sin has been paid, in full.

What a person chooses depends upon where that person will spend eternity – Heaven or Hell.

My prayer is that all choose Heaven by asking JESUS to forgive them for their sins and ask JESUS to come into their hearts and to forgive them for their sins and experience the gift of eternal life.

If you prayed that prayer or something similar, then thank JESUS for saving your soul and for coming into your life.

You have been Spirit-born, and you are a baby in CHRIST, as such you need Spiritual nourishment. If you are not in a Bible believing and teaching Fellowship or Church, ask GOD to lead and guide you to where HE desires for you to go to be fed Spiritual food – reading and studying GOD’S Word, The Holy Bible, talking to GOD, which is prayer. As you pray ask GOD and JESUS help you with your needs and concerns. Tell others that you have asked JESUS into your life and especially those who have been Spirit-born to pray for you and to stand with you as you grow Spiritually!

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study – Heart of Worship (2) – Treasuring Who GOD Treasurers – Exodus 1:16-17, 22-2;10 January 19, 2025

 

Bible Study – Heart of Worship (2) – Treasuring Who GOD Treasurers – January 19, 2025

Our focus scripture is Exodus 1:16-17, 22-2:10.

Life is a gift from GOD we are to protect and preserve.

A few weeks ago, we studied Joseph and his brothers in Egypt. GOD was with Joseph and Pharoah elevated Joseph to rule over Egypt. GOD had a plan.

The following information is from the Book of Jasher: Joseph was 56 when his father Jacob and his wicked uncle Esau died at 147. The Pharaoh that raised Joseph up, above everyone in his land, loved him so much that he gave him charge over his son Magron after his death and asked Joseph (71) to be a father to him and to guide him. So, Joseph ruled Egypt for an additional 39 years. (Source is from the Book of Jasher, which is referenced in Joshua 10:13:

And the sun stood still
and the moon stopped
until the nation took vengeance on its enemies.

Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar?^[a]

So, the sun stopped
in the middle of the sky
and delayed its setting
almost a full day.

2 Samuel 1:18:

¹⁸ and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:^[a]2 and 2 Timothy 3:8 (I could not find a tie to Jasher in this Timothy reference.)

ttps://biblewisdomhub.org/why-was-the-book-of-jasher-removed-from-the-bible/) I have not concluded the value of these Biblical references to Jasher other than information. I found the reference to Jasher interesting, and it did add some history. I suggest you pray about it and then you decide.

Now, we transition to the Biblical version of events. Things change.

Let’s read Exodus 1:6-22:

⁶ Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation eventually died. ⁷ But the Israelites were fruitful, increased rapidly, multiplied, and became extremely numerous so that the land was filled with them.

GOD had a plan to preserve and protect HIS chosen people. Yes, they ended up slaves, but they were also protected and multiplied into a large number of Israelites. Generally, about a million or so people.

This is a message to us today that adjusting to change can lead to being enslaved. Consider our Presidential election and consider leadership in various states. We must pray and seek the wisdom of GOD, as revealed by JESUS as our world gets closer to the second coming of JESUS.

Well-orchestrated deception is evident in our world, and it takes over little by little. Only true believers will recognize it because it will be revealed by and through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

There was a leadership change in Egypt.

⁸ A new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. ⁹ He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are. ¹⁰ Come, let’s deal shrewdly with them; otherwise, they will multiply further, and when war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” ¹¹ So the Egyptians assigned taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. They built Pithom and Rameses as supply cities for Pharaoh. ¹² But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread so that the Egyptians came to dread^[c] the Israelites. ¹³ They worked the Israelites ruthlessly ¹⁴ and made their lives bitter with difficult labor in brick and mortar and in all kinds of fieldwork. They ruthlessly imposed all this work on them.

Translate to today – taxes get more and more and higher and higher.

Think about it, pray about it, stay informed and focused. Satan is an expert in hiding in the dark, but GOD is light and exposes what is in the dark or shadows.

¹⁵ The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives—the first, whose name was Shiphrah, and the second, whose name was Puah— ¹⁶ “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him, but if it’s a daughter, she may live.” ¹⁷ The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live. ¹⁸ So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this and let the boys live?”

Does this remind you of a national abortion policy?

What were GOD’S plans and what were Satan’s plans?

GOD was going to build a nation, and Satan was going to do all he could to prevent it. The battle rages today. We get to witness the hand of GOD at work as we read on -----

¹⁹ The midwives said to Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

²⁰ So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very numerous. ²¹ Since the midwives feared God, he gave them families. ²² Pharaoh then commanded all his people, “You must throw every son born to the Hebrews into the Nile but let every daughter live.”

WOW! Now that is very interesting. What did Pharaoh command?

This gives us a glimpse of the hand of GOD working to keep HIS chosen people and HIS chosen leader, Moses, alive to carry out HIS redemptive plan.

Abortion is a major issue we face today in America. Satan seeks to destroy but GOD seeks to preserve as we will see through the life of Moses.

Little did the Israelites know the plans that GOD had for Moses in delivering them from slavery and leading them to be the bedrock of salvation by observing the Law and making sacrifices to pay for their sins, until the perfect acceptable sacrifice paid for all sin, in full, through  faith in JESUS. GOD’S ways and thoughts are far above our human thoughts and reasoning. True then and true today.

GOD preserved HIS chosen in Egypt until the time was right for the Israelites to leave Egypt and travel to the promised land to become a nation and fulfill GOD’S plans for HIS chosen people.

Did you know that you are GOD’S chosen? Do you accept or reject HIS invitation?

As we go through life, things may seem cloudy and when they do, ask GOD to reveal truth and understanding to you.

GOD has a plan for each of us and GOD prepares the way for HIS plan(s) to be implemented. Satan tries to disrupt GOD’S plans. Victory is clear in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of JESUS.

GOD called Moses to ministry and introduced Himself to Moses through a burning bush and various signs that could only come from GOD. Moses was not perfect and neither are we. That is why all humans need a Savior WHO paid for all of our sins, in full, by being sinless and shedding HIS blood to conquer the sin in the lives of all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion. The key is the resurrection of JESUS which proves that HE conquered death.

No human can live a perfect life and that is why all humans need a Savior and HIS name Is JESUS. All humans are sinners and need salvation. Moses was no exception, yet GOD chose him, and GOD still chooses today, often the most unlikely, from our prospective.

Remember what Pharoah told his people. Throw the Hebrew boy babies into the Nile.

Exodus 2:1-10:

Moses’s Birth and Adoption

2 Now a man from the family of Levi married a Levite woman. ² The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son; when she saw that he was beautiful,^[a] she hid him for three months. ³ But when she could no longer hide him, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with asphalt and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. ⁴ Then his sister stood at a distance in order to see what would happen to him.

⁵ Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe at the Nile while her servant girls walked along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds, sent her slave girl, took it, ⁶ opened it, and saw him, the child—and there he was, a little boy, crying. She felt sorry for him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew boys.”

GOD’S hand was at work through Pharaoh’s daughter. It was love at first sight. She identified Moses as a “Hebrew boy.”

⁷ Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a Hebrew woman who is nursing to nurse the boy for you?”

⁸ “Go,” Pharaoh’s daughter told her. So, the girl went and called the boy’s mother. ⁹ Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So, the woman took the boy and nursed him. ¹⁰ When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses,^[b] “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

GOD had a plan, and HE laid its foundation through the life and leadership of Moses. Moses was not perfect and as such GOD had to deal with him. When we are part of GOD’S plan, HIS plan will be accomplished. The key is for those called by GOD not to give up but to press forward to victory.

We know that Moses did not follow GOD’S plans exactly and as a result he had to pay the consequence of his disobedience.

The same is true today. There are times when we need to meet with GOD and ask HIM to review the direction we are headed and are we on the path that HE desires for us? Ask for GOD to lead and guide you as you journey through life. GOD has a plan for your life!

When we studied the life of Joseph, we saw the plan that GOD had for Joseph and for the Nation of Israel through whom JESUS would come and fulfill GOD’S redemptive plan for all who place their faith in JESUS.

Have you asked JESUS to come into your heart and redeem you from the consequence of sin, which is eternal death? If not, do so now.

Dear JESUS, I am a sinner and stand in need of YOUR salvation. I believe YOU gave your sinless life for me by the shedding of YOUR blood to pay in full for my sins. I ask YOU to come into my heart now and save me from Hell and to give me the strength to live for YOU as YOU guide my life through the indwelling Hol Spirit. Amen and thank YOU for YOUR salvation. If you prayed this prayer or something similar, then welcome into the eternal family of GOD. You have been born-again in your spirit, and you are an eternal Son or Daughter of GOD.

As a newborn you need nourishment that only comes from GOD, your eternal FATHER. Talk to HIM, which is prayer and study about HIM by reading and studying GOD’S Word, The Bible. You are on an awesome journey. Ask GOD to lead you to a Bible believing church or fellowship where you can grow Spiritually.

Blessings!!!