Bible Study - Extra Lesson - Three Reasons for Giving Thanks - Psalm 107:1-9 - November 27, 2022

 

Bible Study – Extra Lesson – Three Reasons for Giving Thanks - November 27, 2022

Our focus scripture is Psalm 107:1-9

Give thanks for the ways GOD is at work in your life.

We just completed our series of study “How to Build Your Life on GOD’S Word.” When we study GOD’S Word it connects us with GOD and HE reveals truth to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals truth to all people, as they seek truth.

As Spirit-born people, giving thanks to our LORD places the canopy of GOD’S love over us and is a powerful shield when we are battling the spirit world. Let’s explore!

Praise and worship are powerful weapons as Spirit-born people fight the spirit world. It is vital that our churches have praise and worship as well as Holy Spirit inspired preaching and teaching. When we leave a time of worship, we need to leave with a song in our hearts and a message that ministers to us throughout the week.

What does the writer of this psalm have to say about expressing thanksgiving for GOD’S deliverance?

The book of Psalms is divided into five books, and each one ends with a doxology. Psalm 107 begins Book Five which captures the experience of Israel after they return to Judah. Psalm 107 explains how GOD brought HIS people to Judah after 70 years of captivity. Psalm 107 describes how GOD answers prayer.

Every Spirit-born person can write a psalm expressing how GOD has worked in his or her life since being delivered from the bondage of sin, through faith in JESUS. In fact, many people journal and write about their journey with GOD/JESUS. I have the joy of expressing my journey as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to me, as I pen these lessons and study the writings from other Spirit-led sources.

As mentioned earlier, Psalm 107 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving expressing GOD’S deliverance from physical captivity. We still hear cases of physical bondage but many are in bondage to sin, depression, addiction and the list goes on. When a person is delivered from bondage, there is rejoicing. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 107:1-3:

Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance (Highlighted are the three reasons.)

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
² Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim
that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe
³ and has gathered them from the lands—
from the east and the west,
from the north and the south.

Praise and thanksgiving come from within our inner core, from the eyes of our hearts as Sons and Daughters of GOD, through faith in JESUS. GOD in HIS wisdom chose for us to be born human first and then to be Spirit-born as a free-will choice that each person has to make to be eternally born into GOD’S Family. Humans are caught in spiritual battle between GOD and Satan. GOD gives each person the freedom to choose. JESUS told Nicodemus, who was very religious as a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, that he had to be born-again in his Spirit. This is GOD’S message to all people that religion is not adequate to get a person into Heaven. The Good News is that GOD presents salvation to every person and that person chooses whether or not to accept GOD’S invitation to be Spiritually and eternally born into HIS Family. The person to whom GOD calls to salvation knows that he or she has been called to salvation. It is up to each person whether or not he or she accepts. Free will!

GOD calls those who have been Spiritually born into HIS Family to reach out and share the Good News of salvation with fellow humans, as HE gives us opportunity. Those who are Spiritually born become an enemy of Satan and he does everything possible that is within his power to defeat us but GOD equips those Spiritually born into HIS Family with Spiritual Gifts and HIS Word to resist Satan. HE places the Holy Spirit within us as a guarantee and seal that we have been “born-again” into GOD’S Family through faith in JESUS.

The Bible is clear in James 4:7 - ⁷ Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

In 1 John 4: ⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS/Holy Spirit) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan). 

What does this mean to us who have been Spiritually born-again?

Are we wandering in the wilderness of doubt and disbelief as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Psalm 107:4-7:

⁴ Some wandered in the desolate wilderness,
finding no way to a city where they could live.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty;
their spirits failed^[a] within them.
⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
he rescued them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by the right path
to go to a city where they could live.

Do we, as Spirit-born people, wander in doubt and lack of faith? Do we desire to enter into the very presence of GOD through faith in JESUS but have fears that hold us back from saying, “Here I am, as I am, help me to be born-again in my spirit that I might know and experience the fulness of JESUS in my life. I cannot take this step of faith on my own, I need YOUR help and strength to do so. Rescue me from my distress and place my feet upon the right path that leads me to victory, found only in eternal faith in JESUS. Confirm my step of faith by the witness of the Holy Spirit, Who seals us with HIS guarantee of eternal life and assurance that we belong to GOD through faith in JESUS. Nothing will ever snatch us out of GOD’S hands.” We read in John 10:27-30: (JESUS is teaching)

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

This is double protection – FATHER and SON confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those who are Spirit-born are secure in JESUS and can call GOD, Daddy and approach HIM 24/7 with anything. What a joy and assurance!!!

If you have not asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart, do so right now. There are no specific words because GOD knows your heart. I heard of one person that simply said “LORD, I give up.” GOD desires for you to become HIS Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual birth. It is GOD’S free gift to each of us because JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for our sins and to cleanse all who accept JESUS as their Savior.

When you become GOD’S Child you can express your joy through shouts of thanksgiving. In fact, you might want to write about your Spiritual journey and share with others the joy of salvation and/or restoration, if you have been in Spiritual weeds and had needs.

Let’s read Psalm 107:8-9:

⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord
for his faithful love
and his wondrous works for all humanity.
⁹ For he has satisfied the thirsty
and filled the hungry with good things.

When we realize what GOD and JESUS have done for us, it results in praise and adoration. Oh yes, GOD/JESUS/Holy Spirit confirm their presence in our lives and the joy of our salvation and for their everlasting love and guidance. We will behold Their wonderous works for all humanity, including us, and they will quench and satisfy our Spiritual thirst. Our Spiritual hunger will be satisfied and we will be led to seek that which comes from our Heavenly FATHER.

In Psalm 145:15-16, we read:

All eyes look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

When we seek, we will find and when we knock, GOD will open the door and lead us to truth and the eternal city where HE and JESUS reside.

If you accepted JESUS as your Savior, make HIM the LORD of your life. Write this moment down with the date for those who may find it at some later time but also share with others, especially family, that you have committed your life to JESUS. What a joyous moment this is for you and your family at this special time of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving my brother or sister in CHRIST.

Blessings!!!

 

 

Bible Study - Build (6) - Communicate GOD'S Word - Deuteronomy 6:1-9 - November 20, 2022

 

Bible Study – Build (6) – Communicate GOD’S Word – November 20, 2022

This is our final lesson in our series entitled, “How to Build Your Life on GOD’S Word.”

Our focus scripture is Deuteronomy 6:1-9.

Knowledge of GOD’S Word should not be kept to yourself but pass it on.

It is such a joy to discover truth in GOD’S Word and when we do, we want to share it with others. When we share truth with others, we should not get disappointed if those to whom we share are not as excited as we are. It may not mean they are less Spiritual. We should not get discouraged from sharing truth that we have learned.

We expect our pastors and teachers in the church to know and teach GOD’S Word. The Holy Spirit reveals truth and helps us to apply it and gives understanding to GOD’S Word as we hear/read it.

We finish our series of study, entitled Build with scripture in Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy was written by Moses for the most part. Moses is credited for writing the first five books of the Bible; however, the death of Moses is recorded in Deuteronomy 34, therefore another writer had to finished it.

Deuteronomy means “second law” or “repetition of the law.”

The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. The book of Deuteronomy represents a restating of the law as the Israelites were preparing to enter into the Promised Land.

Why had the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before entering into the land GOD had promised them?

We read in Numbers 14:33-34:

Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and bear the penalty for your acts of unfaithfulness until all your corpses lie scattered in the wilderness. ³⁴ You will bear the consequences of your iniquities forty years based on the number of the forty days that you scouted the land, a year for each day.^[d] You will know my displeasure.^[e]

Faith in GOD is vital when we face giants in our lives as we read in

Numbers 13:27-33:

²⁷ They (the spies) reported to Moses, “We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. ²⁸ However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak (Giants) there. ²⁹ The Amalekites are living in the land of the Negev; the Hethites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”

³⁰ Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!”

³¹ But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are!” ³² So they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: “The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size. ³³ We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim! To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.”

Two of the twelve spies had faith in GOD; Caleb and Joshua.

Numbers 14:6-14:

⁶ Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes ⁷ and said to the entire Israelite community, “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land. ⁸ If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. ⁹ Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!”

¹⁰ While the whole community threatened to stone them, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.

We all face giants in our lives. The question is, “Is GOD on our side and leading us? If so, there will be victory.”

What does the LORD promise to those who have been born Spiritually into GOD’S Family?

Hebrews 13:5:
Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

GOD must be our first and only love through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 6:1-3:

1 “This is the command—the statutes and ordinances—the Lord your God has commanded me (Moses) to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess. ² Do this so that you may fear (reverential respect) the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. ³ Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey (prosperity).

Verses 1-3 are referred to as the bridge; the restatement of the Ten Commandments and the Shema (Shema in Hebrew means listen and obey). Statutes come from a root word that meant to scratch or engrave as the law. Ordinances result from the interpretations of the statutes of GOD. GOD commanded Moses to teach the Israelites. Ignorance of GOD’S statutes and ordinances do not mean a person is not guilty. All are accountable to GOD. HE places light within every person and the light demands a response.

The Shema was GOD’S marching orders as the Israelites entered the Promised Land and their guide while they were in the Promised Land.

Often, when we relocate and arrive at our destination, we drop our bags, kick off our shoes and relax. GOD was cautioning the Israelites to stay focused upon HIM as they arrived and established themselves in the Promised Land. Why? Because this promised land would offer challenges that could compromise their relationship with HIM.

Often, when Christians move to another area, they are grateful to have a new job, new house, new neighbors but somehow, we put off finding a good church where we can grow Spiritually and worship.

GOD knows this; therefore, HE gave HIS chosen people excellent instructions for them to follow.

A scribe approached JESUS and ask HIM a very important question which is recorded in Mark 12:28. JESUS gave him the answer as recorded in verses 29-31:

²⁸ One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which command is the most important of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important^[j] is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[k] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.^[l][m] 31 The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself.^[n] There is no other command greater than these.”

³² Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, teacher. You have correctly said that he is one, and there is no one else except him. ³³ And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding,^[o] and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question him any longer.

What had the scribe missed? He, a student of the scripture, failed to see that JESUS was the promised Messiah. The scribe needed to take a step of faith.

There are many who hear the knock of JESUS at their heart’s door and refuse to respond. Don’t refuse to open your heart’s door. When JESUS knocks upon your heart’s door, open the door of your heart and invite HIM to come in.

There is a small booklet, “My Heart Christ’s Home” which gives a wonderful picture of JESUS knocking on the door of our heart’s door. HE asked the home owner for a tour of his or her house. The person shows HIM all the rooms so clean and tidy, except one. That is where the person kept all of his or her secret things. JESUS wants access to every room in our heart and let HIM help us to clean out our house and let HIM be a welcome guest in every room.

GOD was leading HIS Chosen people into the land HE had promised them and HE was preparing them foundationally to occupy and be prosperous. Israel is still in the Promised Land.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 6:4-5:

⁴ “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 

The Lord our GOD is one and HE has expressed HIS love and fulfilled HIS promise to all the world by sending HIS only SON, JESUS, to earth. JESUS was and is the visible confirmation of GOD in the flesh. JESUS lived a sinless life, which qualified HIM to pay the penalty for sin, in full.

As proof, GOD allowed evil to take the physical life of JESUS by crucifixion and which resulted in the shedding of JESUS’ blood. JESUS was dead when GOD raised HIM from the physically dead. Therefore, the people of the world would know that JESUS conquered physical death. As such, when ANY person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins, believing that HE is the sinless SON of GOD, that person is Spiritually and eternally born into GOD’S Family. Thus “born-again.”

All who have been Spiritually born are destined to live eternally with GOD and JESUS in Heaven. This is GOD’S desire.

GOD gave us the Bible for us to read and glean from it the path to salvation through faith in JESUS and that which builds upon our faith in JESUS as we serve HIM upon earth.

GOD knew the Israelites would face issues and so will we. What sustains us during trying times is GOD’S Word and the assurance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is GOD’S eternal seal/guarantee for those who are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family of salvation and eternal life. Second Corinthians 1:22 - ²² He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

⁶ These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. ⁷ Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol^[b] on your forehead.^[c] 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

The complete Shema is found in Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and later, Numbers 15:37-41 would be added but the heart of the Shema is what the scribe quoted to JESUS.

When GOD leads HIS Chosen Children into the Promised Land of salvation, through faith in JESUS. It is only the beginning of Spirit-born people’s Spiritual journey as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The issues we face in life’s journey are designed to strengthen us and for us to experience the fulness of JESUS in our lives. Reading, studying, meditation and application of scripture is foundational for Spirit-born people to grow Spiritually and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Read, study, memorize and share GOD’S Word with others as GOD gives us opportunity. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Build (5) - Obey GOD'S Word - James 1:19-27 - November 13, 2022

 

Bible Study – Build (5) – Obey GOD’S Word – November 13, 2022

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “How to Build Your life on GOD’S Word.”

Our focus scripture is James 1:19-27.

We display the truth and value of GOD’S Word as we live it out.

A sobering thought. If we, as Spirit-born people, were the only people who others came into contact with, would they see JESUS in us and would they seek what we have?

The brothers of JESUS did not believe in HIM until after HIS crucifixion and resurrection. James, the writer of the book of James, is a half-brother of JESUS. The Apostle Paul confirms this is 1 Corinthians 15:7: ⁷ Then he (JESUS) appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time,^[a] he also appeared to me (Paul).

James went on to be the leader of the Christian church established in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had to reveal truth to James regarding living the Christian life in a wicked world. Let’s explore!

Let’s read James 1:19-21:

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, ²⁰ for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. ²¹ Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,^[e] humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James is clearly speaking to Spirit-born people; “Brothers and sisters,” pay attention to what I am writing to you. In essence, listen very carefully, process what you are hearing, think before you speak and by all means be very careful when you feel yourself getting angry to control your tongue. Why? It is because, “for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” What does human anger do? It reveals that the angry person is relying upon self and not the power of the Holy Spirit to achieve GOD’S intended result from the issue being debated. Our human nature is programed to win at all costs, whereas, our Spiritual nature is to wait upon GOD and let HIM reveal to us how HE brings about HIS desired result. Often, this is very hard for us to do.

As a Spirit-born person, how do we do that? James reveals it to us, “ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,^[e] humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” As Spirit-born people, we are to meditate upon GOD’S Word and to live according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Moral filth opens our minds to the things the world has to offer and entices us. What is the Good News? This world is not our home. We are simply passing through. As Spirit-born people our home is eternal with JESUS but during our time upon earth, we are Ambassadors for CHRIST, representing the truth of salvation and redemption to the physical earthly inhabitants. GOD has called us to work in HIS vineyard according to HIS leadership through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

We are to put into action what the Holy Spirit reveals to us. James reveals GOD’S secret to us as we read on -----

Let’s read James 1:22-25:

²² But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face^[f] in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

What does James’s reveal to us who are Spirit-born? Put into action what we read in GOD’S Word by being “doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Who gives us balance? The Holy Spirit. When self leads, we burn out serving.

What happens when we put GOD’S Word into action? Our action, reveals the trust we have through faith in GOD and HIS power and leadership. It builds our trust in HIM, such that we can tell the mountains in our lives to jump in the lake. The key is that we act as the Holy Spirit reveals to us to act.

Fellow Spirit-born believers, I believe as we approach the end that there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to draw those who are lost in sin to salvation. There will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit from all who have been entrusted with the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS. We who know the truth must share it and not hide it under the canopy of lack of trust. YES!!!

Are we, as believers, doers of the Word or only hearers? What does James’s reveal to us?

²³ Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face^[f] in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

When we, who are Spirit-born, meditate upon GOD’S Word and put it into action GOD, reveals truth and HE teaches us. Meditation on GOD’S Word anchors HIS Word in our hearts and lives. When we trust GOD’S Word and we apply it when led by the Holy Spirit, it achieves GOD’S desired result. The Spirit-born person will be blessed. As we apply, GOD blesses. WOW!!! Both us and the those to whom we minister.

What does this do? It builds our trust and confidence. 

 Let’s read James 1:26-27:

²⁶ If anyone^[g] thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

What is religion? I think of religion as humans trying to reach up to GOD/a god. To me true Christianity is not a religion but it is GOD reaching down to humankind with eternal salvation through faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS. True Christianity is not a religion but an eternal relationship through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

It is sad but humans have made a religion out of Christianity. But NO PERSON can be good enough or work hard enough or work long enough doing what he or she thinks GOD desires for him or her to do to earn eternal salvation. Salvation is the eternal gift from GOD the instant any human places his or her faith in JESUS.

Sin is the eternal barrier that blocks all humans path to GOD. JESUS’ sinless life upon earth as 100% human and the shedding of HIS blood, paid in full GOD’S requirement to remove the sin barrier. When any person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. That person is forgiven for all of his or her sins and the divine sperm of GOD (The Holy Spirit) unites with the human spirit and the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family takes place.

Salvation is the eternal gift of GOD. When those who are born-again receive JESUS as their Savior, GOD sends the Holy Spirit to indwell each person as a security deposit/guarantee that he or she is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter. WOW!!! What a gift and it is eternal!

But as GOD’S Child, we are not to hide this good news but we are to share it with those with whom we come into contact, as GOD gives us opportunity. We are one source of living water which springs up within us to share with others.

However, those who know the truth must walk the talk. Who desires to drink from a spring that appears to be surrounded with things that do not entice one to drink from it. James gives his readers an example as we read on ----

James tells those to whom he was writing and us today to “control our tongue” and to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves for various reasons. We who know the truth, through the miracle of Spiritual birth, are to share the love of GOD, as led by the in dwelling Holy Spirit.

Those of us who know the truth are to reach out to those who find themselves in need as written in verse 27, “²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

We who know the truth are to reach out to those who are in need of salvation. Those who need physical and/or Spiritual help.

The key is for those of us who have been born-again Spiritually are to be led by the Holy Spirit. We are to read and study GOD’S Word and build a solid Spiritual foundation. A solid Spiritual foundation is based upon truth. Meditation upon GOD’S Word helps us to divide truth from error. Truth never fails as we who are called to serve are directed by the Holy Spirit. GOD equips HIS Children with Spiritual gifts which are to be used to discern GOD’S Word and to serve. Obey GOD’S Word!

Blessings!!!