Bible Study - Clay Jars - 2 Corinthians 4:7 - December 14, 2025

 

Bible Study – Clay Jars – 2 Corinthians 4:7 – December 14, 2025

2 Corinthians 4:7 - Treasure in Clay Jars

Now, we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

Have you ever considered yourself as a clay jar?”

The Apostle Paul did, as we read in 2 Corinthians 4:7.

What is the treasure in these clay jars? THE TREASURE is beyond human imagination and that treasure can only come from The ONE TRUE GOD, YHWH, as the result of placing our faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS and HIS passion.

That treasure is the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s consider what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians 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.

When did GOD choose us to be adopted into HIS eternal family?

“Before the foundation of the world!”

The question is, “Do we choose HIM through faith in HIS only SON, JESUS?”

GOD chooses all humans to BE IN right relationship with HIM, but GOD gives all humans the freedom of choice.

The question is “How do you choose?”

GOD breathed into the nostrils of the first human, the breath of life and finished completing earth for HUMANS to sustain human life upon earth.

GOD focused not only upon earth life, which is finite but also eternal life, which is infinite, like The Trinity (GOD, THE FATHER, THE SON, JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT).

GOD PROMPTS HUMANS TO LOOK AROUND. WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? Your parents or via insemination. You were given human life. So, what is next? Death? That does not seem fair.

GOD created the heavens, earth, and all that is in it, including humans.

What next? Life has a limit and the next step is death, but GOD offers eternal life, through faith in HIS only SON, JESUS.

THE CHOICE TO ALL HUMANS.

First GOD gave the Law and then at the right time, HE sent HIS only SON, JESUS, who did not sin but lived a sinless life and HE gave HIS sinless life upon the cross to pay, in full, for all sin.

Did JESUS accomplish HIS mission? YES!!!

How do we know that HE did?

GOD, HIS FATHER, raised HIM from being dead on the third day to eternal life. JESUS revealed HIMSELF for 40 days to prove to those alive then that GOD resurrected HIM from the dead.

This is a foreshadow of the eternal assurance for all who place their faith in JESUS as their SAVIOR.

THE QUESTION is, “Is there life after death for humans?”

JESUS replied to such a question as recorded before HS Passion as recorded in John 3:1-21:

Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

We are to come to JESUS, WHO is the LIGHT.

Doing so takes a step of faith, and all humans have an enemy – Satan, who desires to confuse and capture humans, is active in our world. Satan will become more active as we get closer to the second coming of JESUS.

Based upon world events do you think things are waxing worse?

But as Spirit born Christians keep in your minds as recorded in

1 John 4

The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every

spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. ...

In Ephesians 1:7-14:

⁷ In him (JESUS) 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 (JESUS) 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 (JESUS) 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.

Keep in mind that the Apostle Paul studied under the Jewish teacher, Gamaliel before he encountered JESUS on the road to Damaskus to arrest and kill, if necessary, these new followers of JESUS called “THE WAY.”

Acts 22:3: He (Paul) continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.

Did the Apostle Paul get the idea of “Clay Jars” form Genesis 2:7?

Let’s read in Genesis 2:7:

Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man (Adam) became a living being.

What did GOD use to make the first human? “Dust from the ground.”

So, we have the ingredients for clay jars that makes all of us humans “dust from the ground.” When we ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and for JESUS to come into our hearts that is the power that can change the human from a clay jar to a Born-again eternal Child of GOD.

GOD breathed the “breath of life” into his nostrils! WOW!!!

I have heard of some obstetricians saying that the first breath of a newborn baby is a special, powerful, exhilarating moment.

When we, who are “born again” Spiritually and breathe our last breath, we will be face to face with JESUS and in the presence of GOD! YES!!!

If you care to read about an encounters I had with a lady leaving earth and walking with JESUS before the doctor pronounced her body dead, while I was driving on I 85. Look up actsclass.blogspot.com and in the upper left corner of the blog there is a blank. Type in the name Mrs. Green.

Another special moment is written in my blog - Friday, December 04, 2020

Bible Study - Emotions (1) - Walking in Grief - Psalm 116:1-9. 15-17 - December 6, 2020

Or when you access my blog – actsclass.blogspot.com – in the left blank typed in the words I hate death.

Back to our study ----

Earth was rich with building rich and special material suitable for GOD to use to create what was needed to make, create and sustain all forms of life upon earth. Forming Man/Adam was GOD’S joy.

But hold on ladies, let’s stick with Adam and the other inhabitants of earth for the moment ----

GOD took a part of Adam and made a masterpiece----

Adam -is Singler, thus is the first male human. Then what? GOD made livestock, wild animals, birds – Adam named them all.

Do you think GOD was keeping Adam busy? I think so, however when GOD had completed HIS work to make all the animals, Adam had a need that the animal world did not provide.

In Genesis 2 ²⁰ The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man^[k] no helper was found corresponding to him. ²¹ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. ²² Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ And the man said: WOW!!!

-- then GOD took a body part from Adam’s side, not his head or his feet but his side. GOD had made man complete, but GOD chose to make Adam a helpmate. GOD did not use another batch of dust! NO!

GOD took a body part or a section from Adam’s side, a rib and used it to make Adam a helpmate – Woman.

How did Adam react when he laid eyes on GOD’S handiwork?

In essence, “It was WOW!!! This is what I have been wanting. HIS excitement was like a number of men who have expressed when their bride begins her walk down the aisle.

Most men need companionship and Eve was just what Adam needed to be complete. Ladies, we need you to make us complete, as humans but we both need YOU, through faith in JESUS to make us complete as YOUR CHILDREN, through the miracle of Spiritual Birth.

Adam said, This one, at last, is bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,”
for she was taken from man.

Notice GOD did not use more dust to make Eve but a body part from Adam. We cannot say “GOD used something else to make woman.” Woman is a special part of man with the intention of unity.

We now have two humans: One male and one female, the origin of the human race designed, by GOD, for the male and female to be made complete in marriage. The two are ONE!!!

²⁴ This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. ²⁵ Both the man and his wife were naked yet felt no shame.

When I first read about GOD taking Adam’s rib, I asked the obvious question, “Does man have one less rib than woman? The answer was and is “NO,” but it does raise the question, “What body part did GOD use to form woman?” It was a rib. It was from the side of Adam.

What can we learn from that fact?

GOD intended for woman to complete man and to be man’s help mate. The body part taken from the first man, Adam, was taken from Adam’s side. This gives us a clue regarding GOD’S intent for taking a body part from man to make woman. Woman is to come along by the side of man – not his head, neck, or foot. Woman is to help complete man, and both are to be used for GOD’S purposes.

The two are to act together as one.

GOD did not make Adam and Eve robots, but HE gave them freewill to choose. The question is, “How do you choose?”

What choice do we have? Heaven, through faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS and HIS Passion or follow other paths such as following the Evil One, Satan/the devil. Satan entices us to follow our flesh desires.

Keep in mind that GOD made humans to be free thinkers. Think wisely. I pray for all who read this. It does take a step of faith.

I pray for all who read this to choose wisely and place your faith in JESUS.

Sorry, I took a side trip.

GOD used dust to form man. GOD’S plan was that man and woman would be made from identical dust. The same dust was used to form man also became woman.

GOD had already breathed the breath of life into man. It was GOD’S breath that brought or breathed life into man. Adam became the first living and breathing human. Eve was the second human person GOD formed. Man was elated that GOD made Eve.

I have been blessed with a God fearing and loving wife for 66 years and four wonderful GOD loving children, 10 grands, 8 great grands.

Now, onto the rest of our study ----

In essence, all humans are Jars of Clay and need the breath of GOD for them to go from Jars to Spirit Born persons for GOD.

The Apostle Paul’s life reveals what a life committed to serving JESUS looks like serving GOD as a born-again believer.

It is the presence of the Holy Spirit, through the miracle of Spiritual birth makes a JESUS follower a ‘Born-again” person, which results in “Eternal life.”

How does a “Spirit born” person know that he or she has been “born again” Spiritually and is an eternal child of GOD?

John 14:26

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. This takes place the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for all of their sins and for JESUS to forgive him/her of his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart.

That is salvation and changes a person’s eternal destination from Hell to Heaven. Their citizenship is in Heaven, and they are Ambassadors for GOD.

At physical death, the “born-again” or “Sprit-born” person will never experience the death of his/her physical body but will be in the presence of GOD and JESUS moments before the physical body dies.

Now, that is good news and available to all who pray to receive JESUS as their Savior. It is not complicated ----

Dear JESUS, I have done things in my life that did not measure up to YOUR teachings and have disappointed GOD. I ask YOU to forgive me for all of my sins and for YOU to come into my life. FATHER, I want to be YOUR SON or DAUGHTER and live eternally in Heaven with YOU and JESUS. I ask YOU to fill my heart with YOUR presence and teach me the wonders of being Born again in my Spirit and learning from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Welcome Home. I pray for each person who prayed this prayer or something similar. It is not saying the right words. It is all about a person’s heart.

If you are not already in a Bible believing and teaching fellowship or church, then pray and ask JESUS to lead you to a fellowship or church that teaches HIS WORD.

YES!!! It is done!!!

Blessings!!!

 

 

Bible Study - JESUS' Family - Brothers and Sisters? - Various - December 7, 2025

Bible Study – JESUS’ Family – Brothers and Sisters? – December 7, 2025

Keep in mind JESUS was and is the first born of the Virgin Mary.

I know this study may give some who read this Spiritual heartburn but let’s explore.

We know JESUS had brothers. In last week’s study we saw that HIS brothers poked fun at HIM, as expressed in John 7: The Unbelief of Jesus’s Brothers

7 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since he did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him. ² The Jewish Festival of Shelters^[a] was near. ³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ (For not even his brothers believed in him.)

⁶ Jesus told them, “My time has not yet arrived, but your time is always at hand. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me because I testify about it—that its works are evil. ⁸ Go up to the festival yourselves. I’m not going up to this festival,^[b] because my time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ After he had said these things, he stayed in Galilee.

JESUS being the Promised Messiah only did what GOD, HIS FATHER instructed or showed HIM to do. Timing was vital and important in the life of JESUS to fulfill GOD’S redemptive plan, which HE did.

But we do see sibling rivalry raise its head in JESUS earthly family, which would seem to be normal, as well as challenging. Keep in mind that JESUS was tempted in all ways as humans are tempted and sibling rivalry is certainly, often, a challenge.

As we unpack this study there are some of certain religious backgrounds who will not embrace the facts that JESUS had siblings i.e. brothers and sisters.

Salvation is not complicated. It is by faith in the atoning sinless life of JESUS and HIS willingness to give HIS sinless life to pay the penalty for all sin, in full, which GOD, JESUS’ FATHER requires.

JESUS paid the sin debt, in full, which opened the redemptive path to GOD and by faith each person who places his/her faith in JESUS is “born-again” Spiritually and becomes a SON or DAUGHTER/CHILD of GOD.

The “born-again” person becomes an eternal Child of GOD and an eternal citizen of Heaven.

Now, onto a question and some Biblical information that some reading this may have an issue or discover truth.                              

Some church denominations are staunch in their belief that JESUS did not have physical brothers or sisters. They consider that The Virgin Mary did not have other children, especially daughters. I am not asking you to accept or deny but consider the scripture. Salvation is not dependent upon a person believing whether or not JESUS had siblings. JESUS was and is the first born of the Virgin Mary and was and is GOD’S promised Messiah. The Passion of JESUS seals IT for those who place their faith in JESUS by asking JESUS to forgive him or her for all his/her sins and for JESUS to come into his/her heart, The Holy Spirit confirms it. Let’s explore!!!

It is hard to deny that JESUS had half-brothers, since they were prominent in carrying on the work that JESUS began, but half-sisters may be more difficult for some to consider because of the role of females in the times of JESUS and even too many today.

Did JESUS have half-sisters?

I know that certain church denominations absolutely reject the idea that JESUS had siblings, which is okay. Just consider scripture and know that a person’s salvation is not dependent upon embracing whether or not JESUS had physical brothers and/or sisters.

We do know based on John 3:16:

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Focus upon the fact, if you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, HE does. Doing so results in you being “born again” Spiritually. This second birth is eternal and the person of faith in JESUS becomes an eternal member of GOD’S Family and a citizen of Heaven.

The Holy Spirit confirms our Spiritual Birth into GOD’S Family by the gift of the Holy Spirit along with one or more Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

So, let’s dip our toes into the water of JESUS having siblings:

Mark 6:1 He left there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom that has been given to him, and how are these miracles performed by his hands? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So, they were offended by him.

Matthew 13: ⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, he left there. ⁵⁴ He went to his hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? ⁵⁵ Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joseph,^[n] Simon, and Judas? ⁵⁶ And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does he get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were offended by him.

Mark 3:31 Christian Standard Bible True Relationships

³¹ His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him.

Mark 6:1 He left there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. “Where did this man get these things?” they said. “What is this wisdom that has been given to him, and how are these miracles performed by his hands? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So, they were offended by him.

Luke 8: ¹⁹ Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not meet with him because of the crowd. ²⁰ He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

John 2:12: ¹² After this, he went down to Capernaum, together with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

John 7: ³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing.

Acts 1:14 They all were continually united in prayer,^[b] along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

1 Corinthians 9:⁵ Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife^[a] like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas?

Galatians 1: ¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

These are the references in scripture.

We do know that the Apostle Paul (Saul before his conversion to being a follower of JESUS) had a special encounter with JESUS as he was going to Damascus to arrest those who were early followers of JESUS, called The Way. Saul/Paul was a Pharisee and had studied under the Jewish teacher Gamaliel.

I know certain church denominations consider Mary as not having any other children than JESUS. She was a virgin when JESUS was conceived by and when THE HOLY SPIRIT came upon her and that fact is fully established by GOD, the angel Gabriel, HIS birth and the wisemen that followed the Star.

The Angel Gabriel is one of only two angels specifically named in the Bible. The other angel is Michael.

Gabriel’s name in Hebrew means “GOD is my strength” or Mighty one of GOD and he spoke directly to the virgin Mary.

The conception of JESUS is a beautiful example of eternal conception when, we, as humans, are “born again” Spiritually. The Holy Spirit unites with the human spirit, which let’s consider the spiritual egg. Thus, the term for humans, is to be “born again” Spiritually into the eternal Family of GOD never to be Spiritually unborn.

Scripture supports the concept of the Holy Spirit being the “Divine Sperm.”  Once, a person is “born-again” Spiritually, that person is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter and their citizenship is in Heaven.

There is a but ------

A Spirit born person’s failure to obediently serve the LORD JESUS, compromises his/her Heavenly rewards as expressed in 1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15: ¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

A Spirit-born Christian may go through life doing his or her own thing after his/her Spiritual birth but is the person being led by the Holy Spirit? Ouch, this applies to all of us who have been born-again.

This is why all Spirit born people need to study GOD’S Word, pray, and allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead, teach, strengthen, and guide.

1 John 3:9 (Amplified)

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him or her [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him (or her)]; and he (or she) cannot practice sinning because he (or she) is born (begotten) of God.

Salvation is not dependent upon a person believing whether or not JESUS had physical brothers and/or sisters. Salvation is available to all who place his/her faith in JESUS and HIS physical birth, HIS physical sinless life, teaching, and passion which satisfied the sin debt that all humans owe.

The shedding of the sinless blood of JESUS upon the cross atoned for the sin debt. When the sin barrier was removed by the shedding of the blood of JESUS, HIS death, resurrection on the third day, the path to salvation, through faith in JESUS, was opened to all who will place their faith in JESUS. However, a person must acknowledge and claim his/her salvation through faith in JESUS.

How about babies and those who have not reached “the age of accountability” for various reasons? GOD covers them under HIS Grace.

Matthew 18 - Who Is the Greatest?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a small child and had him (it was a boy) stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children (all inclusive – male and female), you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ...

Dear JESUS help us all to be like little children, eagerly seeking to know YOU, obediently serving YOU and learning from YOU and THE FATHER. Not just to know about YOU but to KNOW YOU as YOU walk with us on our journey through life upon earth. Graft us into the true vine of JESUS so YOUR nourishment and life blood will flow through us to minister to others as YOU give us opportunity. May YOU keep a close watch on us that we are not led astray by false notions or doctrines, as we approach the second coming of JESUS.

We know that as we get ever closer to YOUR return, as recorded in Matthew 24:24

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

It is vital that we who know JESUS to also know the truth of GOD’S Word.

Whether or not you believe that JESUS had physical brothers and/or sisters is not the issue. What is vital is, “do you know JESUS as your Savior and LORD?” If not, now is your opportunity:

Ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and make you complete through the miracle of you being born again Spiritually into GOD’S eternal Family through faith in JESUS.

It is not saying the right words. It is all about the attitude of your heart.

If you prayed such a prayer or similar, then welcome into GOD’S eternal family. You have been born-again, and you are GOD’S eternal Son or Daughter. You have the Holy Spirit residing in you. The Holy Spirit will confirm your salvation with at least one or more Spiritual Gift(s) and will open your Spiritual eyes to all truth. You have full and complete access to JESUS and GOD 24/7. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and revealer of truth.

If you are not already in a Bible believing and teaching church or fellowship, then pray and ask JESUS to lead you to where you can be fed, serve and grow Spiritually.

Rejoice and tell a fellow believer that you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked JESUS to come into your heart.

I rejoice with you and pray for you!!! Welcome HOME!!!

Blessings!!!

Addendum: The Apostle Paul’s testimony in James 1 ¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ¹⁵ But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^[d] 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas,^[e Peter^] and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

²¹ Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. ²³ They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.^[f]

Blessings!!!

 

  

Bible Study - Thanksgiving - JESUS, The Gift That On Keeps On Giving - John 3, John 7 and Acts 1 - November 30, 2025

 

Bible Study – Thanksgiving – JESUS, The Gift that Keeps on Giving – John 3, John 7 and Acts 1 – November 30, 2025

Let us consider John 3:16-21:

John 3: ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him (or her) will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him (JESUS) is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his (or her)  works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

First, to whom was JESUS speaking?

As we read in John 3:1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

Who was Nicodemus? He was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, whereas the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. (That is why they were sad-u-see) Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling council of the Jews.

JESUS in HIS conversation with Nicodemus, revealed the great eternal mystery, that a person must be “born again.”

We are all born physically as humans but for any human to live eternally in Heaven, he or she must be born a second time. This second birth is a Spiritual birth.

All humans are born by the union of the human sperm and egg.

The union of the human sperm and the female egg results in a human, who has a human body and spirit.

Consider the human spirit as the egg that must be fertilized by the Holy Spirit, The Divine Sperm, when united results in a person being “born-again” Spiritually. It is this second birth, through faith in JESUS, which makes a person an eternal Son or Daughter of GOD.

We know that after the Passion of JESUS, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilot and asked for the body of JESUS, as recorded in John 19:38-42:

Jesus’s Burial

³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so, he came and took his body away. ³⁹ Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds^[j] of myrrh and aloes. ⁴⁰ They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. ⁴² They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

This was a bold move by both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They claimed the body of JESUS and placed HIM in a nearby new tomb and “bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds^[j] of myrrh and aloes. ⁴⁰ They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.”

We know that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were both Pharisees and thus believed in the resurrection of the dead. Joseph of Arimathea requested the body of JESUS. Pilot granted his request. Nicodemus brought seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes to begin the preservation process of JESUS’ physical body, according to the burial custom of the Jews.

The lady followers of JESUS went to the tomb of JESUS early Sunday morning to complete the embalming process on Sunday (our Easter morning) and found an empty tomb.

The female followers of JESUS finding the empty tomb before JESUS’ disciples give us a vital clue to the authenticity of the facts of the resurrection of JESUS. Why? If the resurrection had been concocted someone other the women would have discovered the empty tomb.

JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life upon the cross to pay in full for all sin, but a person has to accept what HE did. Do you believe that JESUS is GOD’S promised Messiah?

The resurrection of JESUS is vital for all who place their faith in HIM. IT IS VITAL TO US TODAY AND IT WAS VITAL TO JESUS’ OWN HALF-BROTHERS, WHICH I FIND INTERESTING ------

Let’s take a side trip back to the half-brothers of JESUS as recorded in John 7:1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want^[a] to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. ² But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, ³ Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. ⁴ No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

But let’s consider the facts after the resurrection of JESUS regarding the half-brothers of JESUS, as recorded in Acts 1: 1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach ² until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit Promised

⁴ While he was^[a] with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Ascension

⁹ After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. ¹¹ They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

United in Prayer

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ They all were continually united in prayer,^[b] along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

What a difference the resurrection made in the lives of JESUS’ brothers.

The same is true for all who place their faith in JESUS and experience the miracle of being “born again” and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

In a number of church denominations, you do not hear about being filled with the Holy Spirit or receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

As we approach the second coming of JESUS, I believe we will see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the lives of true believers.

Are you and I open to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to apply it or them as guided by the Holy Spirit?

Do you know JESUS as your Savior? Is HE your LORD?

If not, now is the time for you to ask JESUS to forgive you for all your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart. It is not about saying the right words, but it is all about your heart or your innermost being where truth resides. Dear JESUS, I know I am a sinner and I need for YOU to save me from the consequence of all my sins and I ask YOU to forgive me for all I have done wrong and I ask YOU to come into my heart now and redeem me from Hell and make me YOUR child through the miracle of Spiritual Birth.

If you prayed such or similar prayer, then thank JESUS for coming into your heart and making you whole and confirming it with the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Now, as a newborn, you need Spiritual nourishment i.e. tell a fellow believer what you have done, read and study GOD’S Word, The Bible, talk to GOD, which is prayer, ask HIM to lead you to a Bible teaching, believing and practicing body of believers, if you are not already in such a body.

Welcome HOME!!! And to those already home – Blessings!!!

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1; Luke 15 - November 23, 2025

 

Bible Study – Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1; Luke 15 – November 23, 2025

Galatians 5:22-23 - Christian Standard Bible

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.^[a]

Fruit comes from a plant, vine, or tree.

In last week’s study, we saw that JESUS is the vine and those who have been “born-again” are the branches. GOD is the Gardner.

We discussed in our last study the importance of the preparation of the soil where the fruit producing product is planted.

As humans, we had no choice regarding our parents or where we would be born. But WHO did? GOD.

So, how can GOD hold humans accountable? It is all about the innermost being of every human.

Where were you before you were born? I contend. You and I were all in the heart and mind of GOD.

The Apostle Paul, touches on this in Ephesians 1: 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus^[a] at Ephesus.^[b]

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why do I keep referring to Ephesians 1?

Scripture reveals that the Apostle Paul/Saul was not only a student of the Old Testament, but GOD did mighty works in his life to reveal the truth both within him, through his earthly life and through the application of HIS Word.

The same is true for all who seek and become Spirit-born Christians through faith in JESUS and commit their lives to walk and serve as led by JESUS through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:3-19 - 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 (or 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 (JESUS THE CHRIST).

GOD chose us before the foundation of the world. HE wanted humankind to be free thinkers and designed us with the freedom to choose. However, with the freedom to choose comes the responsibility and consequence for our choices – good or bad. One choice is for a person to place his/her faith in JESUS. What does choosing JESUS as your Savior mean to you? It means being born again. A person’s first birth is human for a period of time, then physical death. A person’s second birth in Spiritual and is eternal through faith in JESUS and HIS life upon earth and HIS Passion, which includes HIS resurrection and ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD, HIS FATHER. JESUS is the advocate for all Holy Spirit born believers. Why? Satan is the accuser of all Christians, but JESUS is our Heavenly Advocate.

No person born physically had a choice in his/her first conception, but GOD did. However, all people have a choice regarding his/her second birth, which is eternal, through faith in JESUS. JESUS, GOD’S only SON willingly came to earth to pay, in full, for the penalty of all sin. GOD chose us but the question is, “Do we choose HIM through faith in JESUS?” That is GOD’S plan of salvation or HIS redemptive plan through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

⁷ In him (JESUS) we have redemption through his (shed) 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.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

¹⁵ This is why, since I (PAUL) heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[g] would give you the Spirit^[h] of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

What is GOD’S responsibility? In Revelation 3:20

See! I (GOD/JESUS/The Holy Spirit) 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.

I have had people to tell me if they heard the voice of GOD they would run. Just know that GOD speaks today in various ways that we will listen.

The HOLY SPIRIT knocks upon the door of our heart and we have the freedom to choose whether or not to open our heart’s door. The question is? Will we answer or how will we answer the knock of THE HOLY SPIRIT upon our heart’s door? Keep in mind that the knock may come as it did when the Prophet Elijah fled to the Mountain of GOD following GOD’S defeat of the prophets of Baal, as written in 1 Kings 19: ¹⁰ He (Elijah) replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”

The Prophet was in a cave hiding -----

¹¹ Then he (GOD) said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”

At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

GOD does not give up on us, please DO NOT GIVE UP ON GOD/JESUS, why?

Hebrews 13:5 – Amplified Version

Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”

This is GOD’S promise to all who are in right relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS.

A person can get into the weeds of life after being “born-again” and abandon GOD/JESUS but as a loving FATHER, HE waits and watches for that Glorious day when the prodigal son or daughter returns home. Oh!!! What a feast and welcome back home does the wayward child receive when he or she decides to return home.

If you have abandoned GOD/JESUS, come home because both, GOD and JESUS, are waiting, no sin(s) is/are so great that the shed blood of JESUS cannot atone for it or them. Your part is to confess by asking for forgiveness and accept GOD/JESUS forgiveness.

GOD and JESUS love you. They have never left you. They are where you left them. So, unload all the issues you may have with them and return home. A feast awaits, along with a hug, robe, a ring on your finger and a grand party.

Let’s read the parable of the lost son (or daughter):

Luke 15:11-32

Christian Standard Bible

The Parable of the Lost Son – (Any Christian can go astray but GOD waits for them to return! Once, a person has tasted the goodness of GOD, he or she will have the desire to return home. Guess WHO is waiting for you or them?)

¹¹ He (JESUS) also said, “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets^[a] to them (eldest and youngest sons). ³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^[b] 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from^[c] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses,^[d] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!^[e] 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. ¹⁹ I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ²⁷ ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’^[f]

²⁸ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets^[g] with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

³¹ “‘Son,’^[h] he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother (or sister) of yours was dead and is alive again; he (she) was lost and is found.’”

JESUS gave us this parable to help us see GOD’S Grace through JESUS versus the Law. The Law is ridge, whereas Grace is the expression of GOD’S love to all sinners.

GOD’S grace is expressed through JESUS as written in John 3:16:

¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he (or she) has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his (or her) deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his (or her) works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Ephesians 1:20 God’s Power in Christ

²⁰ He (GOD) exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[i] not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²² And he subjected everything under his feet^[j] and appointed him^[k] as head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Is the Holy Spirit knocking/speaking to you? He GETS YOUR ATTENTION ANYWAY YOU WILL LISTEN. IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADT MADE A PROFESSION OF FAITH, Now is your opportunity to pray and ask JESUS to come into your heart, redeem you from the consequence of all sin, which is eternal death in Hell, but faith in JESUS results in eternal life through faith in JESUS by the grace of GOD AND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN.

What does it mean for a person to be “born-again” through faith in JESUS as proven by HIS passion?

What does John 3:16-18 reveal: ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

What is written in Revelation 2:17?

“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Burl Ives sung a song, “There is a new name written in Glory and it is mine.” Hopefully you can sing that song as well!!!

What is written in Philippians 3:20 - Christian Standard Bible for those redeemed?

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

What is written in 2 Corinthians 5:20 - Christian Standard Bible?

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.”

As Holy Spirit born (Born-again) believers, The indwelling Holy Spirit is our assurance, guide, teacher and comforter that we are GOD’S eternal Son or Daughter and HIS Grace is sufficient.

Have you been in the weeds of the world? Just like the Father of the prodigal son, GOD is waiting for you to come HOME and back into fellowship with HIM. No sin is greater than GOD’S Grace. Welcome Home!!!

Blessings!!!