Bible Study – Why (2) – Why are we in This Mess – June 10, 2018

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Why are we Here?”

Our focus scripture is Genesis 3:1-7, 14-19.

We ruined a perfect relationship with GOD through our sin.

This is long but I think worth the reading and pondering. Blessings

Let’s read Genesis 2:1-3:

1 So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.

GOD set the example after everything was completed, HE rested. GOD declared the seventh day Holy and a time to reflect and enjoy what has been accomplished. GOD admired HIS handiwork because it was complete and ready for life to occupy what HE had created.

Let’s read Genesis 2:4- 7 and 15-25:

Man and Woman in the Garden

4 These are the records of the heavens and the earth, concerning their creation at the time that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 

5 No shrub of the field had yet [grown] on the land, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not made it rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground. 

6 But water would come out of the ground and water the entire surface of the land. 

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 became a living being. 

GOD had spoken things into being except when it came to man. GOD chose to be personally involved with the formation of man. GOD took the dust of the ground to form man and HE breathed life into man’s nostrils. GOD gave man life and man became a living being. GOD had spoken the dust of the earth into being.

Did GOD have to breathe air as we know it? No. So what did GOD breathe into the nostrils of the male HE formed from the dust of the earth? HE breathed into the male the essence of HIS being – HIS spirit. Man was complete with a body designed for earth, spirit and soul; all unique and personal to him. The trinity of mankind.

15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. 

GOD commissioned the man to be responsible for tending to the Garden and the authority to police it to make certain all that went on in the Garden was according to HIS plan and purpose. So what restriction or restrictions did GOD pass onto the man? Let’s read on ----

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die." 

18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is like him." 

19 So the Lord God formed out of the ground each wild animal and each bird of the sky, and brought each to the man to see what he would call it. And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 

20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found who was like 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.

I like to think of the rib as a body part. Both men and women have the same number of ribs. Of course, one could consider that GOD made man with one additional rib or body part with which to form man’s mate. GOD’S removal of the extra rib or body-part GOD used to make woman. This would result in them being equal except for their ability to reproduce without each other. GOD designed reproduction to require both, male and female to come together in the most loving way to produce offspring.

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: 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. 

When GOD revealed HIS handiwork to the man, Adam, he in essence said “WOW! This is what I have been waiting for and she is perfect. GOD made the woman to complete man and for the woman to be man’s helpmate. Just as the Holy Spirit comes along the side of/indwells man and woman at the instant of salvation to be intimate with those who become Christians through faith in JESUS. Today, sex is often the first thing a man and woman engage in. Sex is designed to be pleasure but it appeals to the physical. It can be an addiction. It often causes a couple to seek the pleasure without building the relationship. Often, the pleasure fades and when a relationship is built upon the physical, when it fades the human response is “I do not love you any longer.” Love is a relationship which is built. In the words of Tony Campolo, “Every marriage provides the opportunity for love.” (This is either a direct quote or close to it.) It takes time and dealing with the issues of life that builds a relationship. Yes, a relationship can build but jump the tracks, so-to-speak, especially when either the male or the female encounter “mid-life crisis” or other issues that come into our lives that we hide form our mate. When you encounter such notions, reveal them to your mate and get them to help you work through them. Get good counseling when barriers begin to drive a wedge between you and your mate.

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.

This is a beautiful example of salvation. When a person beholds the magnificence of JESUS, he or she abandons all to bond with GOD through faith in JESUS. The Holy Spirit indwells that person immediately and that person becomes one with GOD through the miracle of rebirth in his or her spirit. Can such a relationship be challenged? Oh yes! When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, that person becomes a target of Satan and his evil forces. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6 that we do not fight flesh and blood but in verses 10-13:

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 

12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 

13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 

Our next scripture reveals some of the tactics of Satan. We need to keep in mind that Satan’s desire is to be GOD but he is not. But he disguises himself “as an angel of light” that is why Christians must know the truth as revealed in GOD’S Word to discern truth from error. But our next scripture reveals how subtle Satan can be when we add more to GOD’S Word than HE stated.  

Let’s read Genesis 3:1-24:

The Temptation and the Fall

1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You can't eat from any tree in the garden'?" 

Who is the serpent? The serpent is Satan. Satan never appears as who he is but appears to us in an appealing disguise. He misrepresents GOD’S Word as we read, “He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You can't eat from any tree in the garden'?" 

What is wrong with this statement by Satan? What were GOD’S instructions to Adam? Let’s review “16 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 

17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die." 

Now, let’s read Eve’s reply ----

2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. 

3 But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.' " 

What did Eve do? She added to what GOD had told Adam or did Adam add to what GOD had told him? She added do not touch it. Did Adam say to her, to eliminate any chance of her being enticed to eat the fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” don’t you dare touch its fruit? The point is that sin came into the world and here we are living is an unredeemed body and world.

GOD placed Adam in-charge of the Garden and to be responsible for the activity in the Garden.

While teaching teens in Vacation Bible School in Poland for a week, I told them that I would try to answer a Biblical question each day. Of course, communication was through a translator. They asked a great question each day. On the last day, I said, “Well this is our last day for a Biblical question, do you have a Biblical question for today?” There was much giggling from a group of girls at a table in the back of the room. I thought, they must have a doozy. Their question was, “Why didn’t GOD send a woman instead of a man?”

Frankly, I was taken aback. I had never thought about it. I can tell you, I went straight to the LORD while standing in front of the room. I was in panic mode. I experienced, what I think was a “go to your closet and pray” moment. The LORD provided the answer instantly and it was, “I put Adam in-charge of the Garden and he was responsible and accountable for what went on in the Garden that is why I sent JESUS.” I gave the girls this answer and they said, “We will accept that.” Now with that as information let’s continue to explore.

4 "No! You will not die," the serpent said to the woman. 

5 "In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 

Satan loves to discredit GOD. Satan let’s Eve think that touching the fruit produced by the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” was a death sentence. But the question is, “Did Eve or possibly Adam know what death was since they had eternal life?” They had never experienced broken fellowship with GOD. GOD does not hide anything from us and I believe they understood exactly what death meant but Eve chose to believe Satan’s lie. Did her ego blind her to truth or had Adam embellished truth by telling her “don’t dare touch the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?” Where was Adam while this exchange between Satan and Eve was taking place? Also, notice that what Satan told Eve, “God knows that when “you” eat it “your” eyes will be opened and you will be “like God”, knowing good and evil."

Since Eve added to the statement “That GOD had told them they could not touch the fruit” gave Satan an entry point to prove GOD wrong. Did Satan say, “Oh, Really? Reach out and touch it. Satan may have touched the fruit himself. Here is an, I think moment, she touched it and nothing happened. She then took the next step and tasted it. It was wonderful.

I have a friend who tried drugs several times before he got the high that his friends spoke about. This was about 15 years ago and finally he is on the road to recovery but it is a struggle.

6 Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate [it]; she also gave [some] to her husband, [who was] with her, and he ate [it]. 

Notice the fruit was appealing for food and pleasing “to look at” and “it was desirable for obtaining wisdom.” Now, most importantly, Adam was present and she handed the fruit to Adam. Sin gives pleasure for a moment but its consequence is far reaching. Sin breaks barriers GOD has placed around us to protect us but once broken it leads us to destruction.

We have no way of knowing why Adam stood there with Eve and allowed her to do what GOD had instructed him not to do. Had he heard the conversation between Satan and Eve and thought “just maybe GOD had not told him the truth.” After all, Adam did not see an immediate change in her when she touched and took a bite of the forbidden fruit. The fact that Adam did not step up and tell Eve not to eat the fruit made him accountable and because Eve took the step made her accountable.

I know a person who introduced drugs to his wife and that was many years ago. Today, unless GOD has helped her to stay away from drugs, she is a hopeless addict.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

The disobedience opened their eyes and they knew they were naked. Sin opens our eyes to the fact that we have been disobedient to GOD and the only way to conquer sin is to confess and seek restoration from GOD. GOD in HIS Goodness had a plan to redeem mankind by sending HIS Only SON, JESUS, to give HIS sinless life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin by the shedding of HIS blood. When we sin, we want to cover it up and hide it but GOD knows what we have done.

Sin's Consequences

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

I imagine that Adam and Eve looked forward to their walk with GOD in the cool of the evening. But this time they hid from GOD. But GOD knew what had happened and they needed to face what they had done. The trees could not hide them from GOD.

9 So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 And he said, "I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid."

Standing in the presence of Holy GOD does cause a person to be afraid. But whereas we fear, GOD reaches out to us. Why did GOD call to Adam? It was because GOD had called Adam to be responsible for the Garden and what went on in the Garden. GOD goes to the heart of the matter as we read on ---

11 Then He asked, "Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I had commanded you not to eat from?"

GOD asked a point blank question. How did Adam respond? Did he take the responsibility or did he do what many of us do, point to someone else?

12 Then the man replied, "The woman You gave to be with me-she gave me [some fruit] from the tree, and I ate." 13 So the Lord God asked the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I ate."

We as humans love to blame something or someone else for our problems. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed Satan. Sin produces a nature of “it was not me but something or someone else.” But regardless there are consequences.

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life.

GOD zeroed in on the source and cursed Satan. GOD gave us a reminder of what sin does when we see a snake. GOD not only condemned but HE gave us a promise of redemption as we read on ---

15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

This verse is GOD’S covenant with all mankind that restoration would come through the seed of woman, JESUS. This chosen woman, the Virgin Mary, would not need a human to get her pregnant but the Holy Spirit would energize the seed/egg of the Virgin Mary to produce the Son of GOD, JESUS. JESUS would be 100% human and 100% GOD. Yet, JESUS would live as 100% human and be tempted as humans are tempted yet without sin. JESUS would willingly give HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for the sin of man. HE would restore all, who place their faith in JESUS to HIS original intent for humanity before sin entered the world. HIS desire is for all Christians to walk with HIM upon earth as we obediently serve HIM. JESUS restores our full relationship with GOD and as we obediently serve HIM we build upon our relationship with HIM.  

16 He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children in anguish. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will dominate you. 17 And He said to Adam, "Because you listened to your wife's voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'Do not eat from it': The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust." 20 Adam named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living. 21 The Lord God made clothing out of skins for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them. 22 The Lord God said, "Since man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, and also take from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever." 23 So the Lord God sent him away from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove man out, and east of the garden of Eden He stationed cherubim with a flaming, whirling sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

Again, we see the word “US” meaning the Trinity. The tree of life was present and available for Adam and Eve. Oh how tragic it would be if they had eaten the fruit from the tree of life. Humans would have lived eternally in their fallen state. SO GOD took immediately action to prevent them from grabbing fruit from the tree of life.

GOD has prepared a place for every Christian which scripture reveals that eye has not seen, nor ear heard or entered in the human mind for those who have placed their faith in JESUS.

I urge you if you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins to do so now and ask HIM to come into your heart. You were born at the exact time GOD knew you would be born and HE has a plan and purpose just for you. The choice is yours to make to either accept or reject JESUS as your Savior.  GOD did not make you a robot but a human with the freedom to choose. Choose wisely because your eternal destination depends upon it. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Why (1) - Why Are We Even Here? - Genesis 1 - June 3, 2018

Bible Study – Why (1) – Why Are We Even Here? – June 3, 2018

This is lesson one in our series entitled “Why Are We Here?”

Our focus scripture is Genesis 1:1-5, 26-31.

GOD created us to fellowship with HIM.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 1:3-4:

3 Blessed be 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 His sight. In love 

GOD had a plan before HE “created the heavens and the earth.” When we, as humans, have a thought to create something, we ponder the purpose of what we are creating, the environment surrounding its utility, its functionality, longevity, maintenance to list a few things to be considered in its design. In verse 4, we see that GOD considered us, as humans, who would live in the world HE would create.

Dr. Hugh Ross, President and Founder, Reasons to Believe, has lectured, written many books on the unique placement of earth in the universe. It is in the exact and only position in the universe vital to support life upon earth. Their web site is www.reasons.org or mailing address is 818 South Oak Road, Covina, CA 91724. Dr. Ross presents scientific information regarding the uniqueness of our planet.

Verse 4, reveals that GOD chose us, “in love”, “before the foundation of the world,” “to be Holy and blameless in HIS sight. Before GOD proceeded with HIS plan to create the world, He knew that those HE chose would need salvation, but HE created the earth and us even though He knew our frailty and failures.  Why?

Where were you until the instant you were conceived? I contend that you and I were in the mind and heart of GOD. In verse 4, we read “HE chose us before the foundation of the world.” So why didn’t GOD just say forget it?” If HE had, then HE would have condemned every human before they had the opportunity to exist and make a choice. GOD’S plan was for every person to have a choice whether or not to have a personal, loving, intimate relationship with HIM. HIS ultimate plan was for every person to choose HIM and HIS only SON, JESUS, as his or her Savior. GOD’S desire was for all persons to choose HIM. HE reveals Himself in many ways – nature, the magnificent miraculous bodies each of us has, the universe and etc. HIS desire was for all to choose HIM but HE also made us with the freedom to choose. HIS foreknowledge gave HIM the right to know how we will choose. But regardless of our choice HE still loves us. HE chose us in love and He loves until we harden our hearts to utterly and completely reject HIM.

We must keep in mind as recorded in 1 Corinthians 2:9:

9 But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man's heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Life upon earth as a human offers each of us the opportunity to live eternally, with GOD and JESUS, in the place JESUS prepared for all who place their faith in HIM. What does verse 9 reveal to us? What awaits those who love GOD at the instant they place their faith in JESUS? It is the immediate birth into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter, eternal life and citizenship in Heaven. We experience the miracle of rebirth in our spirit. We are conceived Spiritually. This conception is only possible through faith in JESUS. What this means is that, as a human, our physical eye, physical ear and mind is incapable of knowing what GOD has prepared for those who know and love HIM. The miracle of rebirth in our spirit/Spirit begins the process of revelation through sanctification to reveal all that GOD has planned for us as HIS Son or Daughter. HE has work for us upon earth until HE calls us to be with them in Heaven. Let’s explore!

As we study our scripture, notice that GOD is orderly. HE creates on day one what is needed to support what HE does on day two. Since HIS nature is within us, when we live in an orderly manner, we are fulfilled. Chaos in contrary to GOD’S plan for us. 

Let’s read Genesis 1:1-5:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

Created carries the idea of “creating something from nothing” and only GOD can do that.

2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 

Consider what was happening. GOD spoke matter into existence. This matter is formless, empty, in the dark and water soaked. Notice something so precious was, “The Spirit of GOD hovering over the surface of the waters.” GOD leaves nothing to chance. Hovering means that GOD checked out all that HE spoke into existence. Every subatomic particle was in the correct amount, quantity, quality, texture, energy level and so much more to support all that needed to come about and support that which was yet to come.

3 Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 

GOD spoke, “Let there be light and there was light!”

4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 

GOD checked the light and approved it. Now, let’s pause. A water laden mass of material was in space. Just there. It needed to be pulled together and shaped. What happens if you take a mass of wet clay and expose it an intense light source? It will dry out on one side. Take a look at a flat map of the world. What do you see?

GOD separated the light from the darkness. What happened? Do you think GOD spoke the earth into existence and caused it to begin to turn on its axis? I think so. What happens when a mass begins to turn? It wobbles and you have centrifugal or the force to throw away from its core and centripetal or the force that holds things together and directs back toward its core. These forces come into play with the shaping of this wet mass. How do we know earth was turning?

5 God called the light "day," and He called the darkness "night." Evening came, and then morning: the first day. 

6 Then God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters, separating water from water." 

Let the separation of waters begin to form the sky and the earth.

7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse. And it was so. 

8 God called the expanse "sky." Evening came, and then morning: the second day. 

9 Then God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. 

10 God called the dry land "earth," and He called the gathering of the water "seas." And God saw that it was good. 

Again, GOD spoke:

11 Then God said, "Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds." And it was so. 

12 The earth brought forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 

GOD checked it out and gave HIS approval.

13 Evening came, and then morning: the third day. 

Here, I think the sun was right-sized and the moon was the result.

14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years. 

15 They will be lights in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth." And it was so. 

16 God made the two great lights-the greater light to have dominion over the day and the lesser light to have dominion over the night-as well as the stars. 

17 God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth,

18 to dominate the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 

19 Evening came, and then morning: the fourth day. 

GOD approved all in existence so far. The environmental conditions were in place to support the next steps in supporting life upon earth.

20 Then God said, "Let the water swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 

21 So God created the large sea-creatures and every living creature that moves and swarms in the water, according to their kinds. [He also created] every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 

GOD approved of all so far.

22 So God blessed them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth." 

23 Evening came, and then morning: the fifth day. 

24 Then God said, "Let the earth produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that crawl, and the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. 

25 So God made the wildlife of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and creatures that crawl on the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 

Reproduction and vegetation growth and support were going according to GOD’S plan for then and for us today. So what next? GOD, up to this point, spoke things into existence. What would HE do for HIS ultimate plan to have a people who would love HIM and for HIM to love?

26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth." 

Here is our first look at the trinity. “Let US make man in Our image.” Who was GOD talking about? It was GOD, The Father, GOD, The Son (JESUS or the Word) and GOD, The Holy Spirit. Let’s consider what John recorded in John 1:1-4: (John was writing about JESUS.)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2 He was with God in the beginning. 

3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.

4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. 

27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.

Man is Adam as the first human GOD formed but also includes mankind, which includes both male and female. We get a detailed account in Chapter Two.

28 God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth." 

GOD approved of HIS work by blessings both Adam and Eve and told them to “Go to work.” We need to keep in mind that GOD placed Adam in charge of the Garden, therefore, he was responsible for what went on in the Garden. Also, we need to keep in mind that Adam and Eve had eternal life.

29 God also said, "Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, 

30 for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth-everything having the breath of life in it. [I have given] every green plant for food." And it was so. 

GOD intended for mankind and the animals to be a vegetarian.

31 God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Evening came, and then morning: the sixth day.

So here we have it. All done in six days. Was it six earth days or heavenly days? To me that is a mute-point. Here we are upon earth and living proof that we and the earth exists. But why do we exist?

GOD has an exact moment for each of us to be born and for each of us to die physically. What happens the instant we die is our choice. Will we go to Heaven to live eternally with GOD and JESUS or go into utter darkness to be eternally separated from GOD and JESUS? Where do you want to spend eternity? We are all sinners and the wage for sin is eternal death. The gift of GOD is JESUS Who gave HIS sinless life to pay in full the penalty for our sin. What do we have to do to be set free from our sin and be washed whiter than snow from our sin? Accept the fact that JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, the eternal death penalty for our sin and ask JESUS to come into our hearts. When we do, He comes into our lives and the miracle of rebirth in our spirit takes place and we become a child of GOD. Our citizenship is no longer earth but Heaven. GOD becomes our Father and JESUS becomes our Brother. We remain upon earth to obediently do the will and purpose for our LORD. Now is the time for salvation. Seek JESUS while you still can and before you harden your heart. Some may say, I have already hardened my heart. Are you concerned that you may have hardened your heart? If so, great news, you haven’t because you still are concerned. The opportunity for JESUS to be your Savior is still a choice. Accept HIM as your Savior now. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Stand Up (6) - Keep Standing - Esther 8 and 9 - May 27, 2018

Bible Study – Stand Up (6) – Keep Standing – May 27, 2018

This is our sixth and final lesson entitled “Stand Up: How to Fight Injustice.”

Our focus scripture is Esther 8:1-8; 9:20-22.

Don’t become complacent – maintain vigilance.

This is our final lesson in the Book of Esther. All’s well that ends well or is it? GOD dealt with Haman. So all is well in Susa but what about the rest of the province’s ruled by King Xerxes. Queen Esther and Mordecai were apparently safe. Complacency could set in; after all they were safe. But what was the status of the edict that the king had signed for the Jews to be killed in all of the provinces? It was still in effect.

Often, once our neck is out of the noose, so-to-speak, we do not consider others whose neck may still be in the noose. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Esther 8:1-2:

Esther Intervenes for the Jews

1 That same day King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai entered the king's presence because Esther had revealed her relationship to Mordecai. 

2 The king removed his signet ring he had recovered from Haman and gave it to Mordecai, and Esther put him in charge of Haman's estate. 

There had been quite a turn of events. Haman was executed and Haman’s house and property was given to Queen Esther. Haman had amassed quite a fortune. Mordecai entered the presence of the king. The king elevated Mordecai to the highest rank in his kingdom by giving Mordecai his signet ring. Queen Esther put Mordecai in charge of the estate which formally belonged to Haman.

To me this is a picture of the grace GOD extends to all who faithfully trust and obediently serve HIM. Many people had to make right decisions along the journey to this part of life’s journey. We need to keep in mind what GOD spoke through Mordecai to Queen Esther in Esther 4:14 If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." 

Let’s read Esther 8:3-8:

3 Then Esther addressed the king again. She fell at his feet, wept, and begged him to revoke the evil of Haman the Agagite, and his plot he had devised against the Jews. 

4 The king extended the golden scepter toward Esther, so she got up and stood before the king. 

5 She said, "If it pleases the king, and I have found approval before him, if the matter seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let [a royal edict] be written. Let it revoke the documents the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews who [reside] in all the king's provinces. 

6 For how could I bear to see the evil that would come on my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my relatives?" 

7 King Ahasuerus said to Esther the Queen and to Mordecai the Jew, "Look, I have given Haman's estate to Esther, and he was hanged on the gallows because he attacked the Jews. 

8 You may write in the king's name whatever pleases you concerning the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. A document written in the king's name and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked." 

Queen Esther was one smart lady. She approached the king in behalf of the Jewish people throughout all the provinces. She was very humble in her approach and request. We need to keep in mind that the king was an unwitting party to Haman’s scheme and was accountable. It seems that the king’s sentence of death to Haman not only took care of Haman’s association but the king’s association with the plot to kill the Jews. The king granted her request and delegated the authority to her and Mordecai to write a document in the king’s name that pleases them concerning the Jews and seal it with the royal signet ring. Once written and sealed it could not be revoked. The same was true for the edict written by Haman and signed by the king to exterminate the Jews on a specific date. So what would they do? This is a message to those in authority, be careful what you sign and to whom you delegate. Those in authority must oversee those to whom authority has been granted.

So let’s read the solution they came up with as recorded in Esther 8:9-17:

9 On the twenty-third day of the third month (that is, the month Sivan), the royal scribes were summoned. Everything was written exactly as Mordecai ordered for the Jews, to the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the 127 provinces from India to Cush. [The edict was written] for each province in its own script, for each ethnic group in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. 

10 Mordecai wrote in King Ahasuerus' name and sealed [the edicts] with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses bred from the royal racing mares. 

11 The king's edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war. 

12 [This would take place] on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. 

13 A copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province. It was to be published for every ethnic group so the Jews could be ready to avenge themselves against their enemies on that day. 

14 On their royal horses, the couriers rode out in haste, at the king's urgent command. The law was also issued in the fortress of Susa. 

15 Mordecai went out from the king's presence clothed in royal purple and white, with a great golden crown and a purple robe of fine linen. The city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, 

16 and the Jews celebrated with gladness, joy and honor. 

17 In every province and every city, wherever the king's command and his law reached, rejoicing and jubilation took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday. And, many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews had overcome them.

This edict gave the Jews the right to defend themselves. The Jews were victorious. Again, we see the wisdom and power of GOD as we read on ---

Let’s read Esther 9:1-6:

1 The king's command and law went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. On the day when the Jews' enemies had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them. 

2 In each of King Ahasuerus' provinces the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who intended to harm them. Not a single person could withstand them; terror of them fell on every nationality. 

3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the royal civil administrators aided the Jews because they were afraid of Mordecai. 

4 For Mordecai [exercised] great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful. 

5 The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them. They did what they pleased to those who hated them. 

6 In the fortress of Susa the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men,

GOD gave the Jews victory.

Let’s read Esther 9:20-22:

20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all of King Ahasuerus' provinces, both near and far. 

21 [He ordered] them to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar every year

Mordecai had a paper trail, so-to-speak, of what had transpired. Once the original edict had been overruled there was no going back. The king’s edict was final. Mordecai wanted all the Jews everywhere to know that GOD had delivered them from extermination from the Kingdom ruled by Xerxes.

The very day the Jews were to be executed was declared a day of celebration.

We are all on a journey. We do not know where the issues in our lives will lead us. As children of GOD, through the miracle of rebirth, through faith in JESUS, HE has a plan and purpose for each Christian. In the words of Dr. Vance Havner, “We must practice in the dark, what we learn in the light.”

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Stand Up (5) - Stand Up and Speak - Esther 6 and 7 - May 20, 2018

Bible Study – Stand Up (5) – Stand Up and Speak – May 20, 2018

This is lesson five in our series entitled, “Stand Up: How to fight Injustice.”

Our focus scripture is Esther 6:1-14 and Esther 7:1-10.

Be bold, but leave the results to GOD.

When we encounter the issues life brings to us, pray and seek GOD’S leadership. When we seek GOD’S leadership we must have the right relationship with HIM through faith in HIS only Son, JESUS. Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked HIM to come into your heart? If not, why not? Today is the day of salvation.

When we are in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, we move and act with certainty because we seek to do HIS will and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. GOD is just as active in the lives of HIS children today. Do you believe that? If not confess it to HIM and ask HIM to help your unbelief!

Let’s read Esther 6:1-14 (Chapter 6 is a very important chapter in the Book of Esther.)

Mordecai Honored by the King

1 That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. 

The king had a hard time sleeping. He felt troubled. Only GOD can go where mere man cannot.  The king was troubled by something. GOD has a way of troubling us.

The king “ordered for the book recording daily events to be brought and read to him.” Do you recall what had been recorded but not rewarded? Do you recall the two eunuchs who were plotting to kill the king? Mordecai came upon this plot either directly or indirectly. Mordecai was at the right time and at the right place. Mordecai was armed with this information. But what would he do with it? He had a decision to make. He could keep quite or he could go to the proper authority and reveal it. So Mordecai revealed this information to Queen Esther and after investigation it proved to be true and the two eunuchs were hung. The event was recorded but Mordecai was never rewarded.

GOD is amazing. HIS timing is always perfect. HE is never early or never late but right on time.  

2 They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the [king's] entrance, when they planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 

3 The king inquired, "What honor and special recognition have been given to Mordecai for this [act]?" The king's personal attendants replied, "Nothing has been done for him." 

4 The king asked, "Who's in the court?" Now Haman was just entering the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him. 

Haman, the king’s right-hand man, enters the king’s presence at just the right moment. Again, GOD’S timing. What was Haman planning to ask the king?

5 The king's attendants answered him, "See, Haman is standing in the court." "Have him enter," the king ordered. 

Haman must have thought “Man is this my lucky day, the king has asked for me.” Haman was briefed before he approached the king as to the general reason the king wanted to see him.

6 Haman entered, and the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king wants to honor?" Haman thought to himself, "Who is it the king would want to honor more than me?" 

7 Haman told the king, "For the man the king wants to honor: 

8 Have them bring a royal garment that the king himself has worn and a horse the king himself has ridden, which has a royal diadem on its head. 

9 Put the garment and the horse under the charge of one of the king's most noble officials. Have them clothe the man the king wants to honor, parade him on the horse through the city square, and proclaim before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.' " 

WOW! Haman prided himself coming up with this elaborate plan. Do you think Haman had dreamed of such a day when the king would honor him in such a manner? Likely. People who think well of themselves tend to have active fantasies.

10 The king told Haman, "Hurry, and do just as you proposed. Take a garment and a horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the King's Gate. Do not leave out anything you have suggested." 

Oh my! Talking about going from elation to despair. But to Haman’s credit he carried out the king’s request.

11 So Haman took the garment and the horse. He clothed Mordecai and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him, "This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor."

12 Then Mordecai returned to the King's Gate, but Haman, overwhelmed, hurried off for home with his head covered. 

Oh my! Haman was totally humiliated. He covered his head to hurry off for home where he could find solace.

13 Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is Jewish, you won't overcome him, because your downfall is certain." 

Oh my! When a plan begins to crumble it crumbles quickly and especially when GOD is planning against you. We need to keep in mind that Haman had been asked to join Queen Esther and the king at a banquet just for them. Do you recall how happy and excited Haman was when he was to have this special time with just the queen and the king? But Haman had escaped and went home to sulk and lament.

14 While they were still speaking with him, the eunuchs of the king arrived and rushed Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.

I love it when plans to harm others backfire. When we consider the timing of these events, we see the hand of GOD at work. We get to see the pieces in place that need to come together, as only GOD can orchestrate. Do you recall 1 Corinthians 2:6-8?

6 However, among the mature we do speak a wisdom, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 

7 On the contrary, we speak God's hidden wisdom in a mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 

8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

GOD’S wisdom is not revealed until the exact instant HE chooses. HIS timing is always perfect.

We need to keep in mind that Queen Esther and her servants and all the Jews in Susa had been fasting and praying to GOD for three days. The three day fast had ended. We get to see how GOD had placed things in the path of life to bring about a Godly conclusion. But it required the obedience of HIS chosen. Each person had a choice to make. Their choices were not without risk. They fasted and prayed.

What would have happened if they had not been obedient to GOD? Let’s review what know what was recorded in Esther 4:13-14:

13 Mordecai told [the messenger] to reply to Esther, "Don't think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king's palace. 

14 If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." 

GOD’S plans will be accomplished. They may not accomplished through us but they will be accomplished as we read in verse 14.

Haman was likely confident that the king would grant his request to hang Mordecai because after all he had the kings signet ring and was next in command to the king. Self-importance can backfire on a person.

Haman was already having the gallows built at his hose to hang Mordecai. What a glorious day this will be or would it? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Esther 7:1-6:

Haman Is Executed

1 The king and Haman came to feast with Esther the queen. 

2 Once again, on the second day while drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek, even to half the kingdom, will be done." 

3 Queen Esther answered, "If I have obtained your approval, my king, and if the king is pleased, spare my life-[this is] my request; and [spare] my people-[this is] my desire. 

4 For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and extermination. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept silent. Indeed, the trouble wouldn't be worth burdening the king." 

5 King Ahasuerus spoke up and asked Queen Esther, "Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?" 

6 Esther answered, "The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman." Haman stood terrified before the king and queen. 

Oh my! The cat is out of the bag. You can almost see the color drain out of Haman’s face.

The king’s right-hand man has used the authority the king gave him to carry out evil against a people group who he likely knew were not trouble makers. The king was infuriated! It is not a good thing to get those in authority infuriated with something you did.

Let’s read Esther 7:7-10:

7 Angered by this, the king arose from where they were drinking wine and [went to] the palace garden. Haman remained to beg Queen Esther for his life because he realized the king was planning something terrible for him.

Often, when we get upset we need to walk away to ponder the action we need to take to deal with an issue in life.

8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the house of wine drinking, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Would he actually violate the queen while I am in the palace?" As soon as the statement left the king's mouth, Haman's face was covered. 

Add insult to injury. When the king re-enters the area where they had the banquet, “Haman was falling on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining.” What image did that portray? The king immediately sentenced Haman to death by the words he spoke. The king’s attendants responded immediately. Haman’s face was covered because Haman was a dead man. Haman had committed a grievous act toward the king and justice would be swift as we read on ---

9 Harbona, one of the royal eunuchs, said: "There is a gallows 75 feet tall at Haman's house that he made for Mordecai, who [gave] the report that saved the king." The king commanded, "Hang him on it." 

10 They hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's anger subsided.

Haman stood terrified before the king and queen. 

Haman knew that what he had planned for Mordecai was going to happen to him. It would take place on the very gallows he had built to hang Mordecai.

As we look back over the events leading up to this point we see GOD’S hand bringing about HIS plan to preserve HIS people. His plan was to use those in key positions but each had a decision to make. The positions they were in were not comfortable positions. They had to trust GOD. They did and the outcome was according to GOD’S plan but if those in the positions GOD had placed them failed to be obedient, GOD would have accomplished HIS plan to preserve HIS people.

Has GOD placed you in such a position? Pray and seek GOD’S help.

In the words GOD spoke through Mordecai to Queen Esther, “14 If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." 

Blessings!!!