Some Random Bible Teacher

4 yrs

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Today in Sunday School, I taught on wounds. The central theme being that a wound must be allowed to heal. If we rub dirt on it or don't keep it clean then it will get infected and not heal. If it begins to heal and I pick the scab off, it has to start healing all over again.
In society , the wound of slavery and racism had begun to heal in the past few decades, only to have the scab ripped off a few years ago. As it began to heal again, we have seen it ripped off once again and the infection is bad this time.
In our own lives, we may have wounds from past hurts and abuses dating back as far as childhood. Those wounds may begin to heal but the slightest memory or offense lays the wound bare again/
Sometimes these scabs: literal, societal, emotional or spiritual are picked off by ourselves accidentally or on purpose as we throw pity parties or get wounded afresh. Other times someone else may pick them off, as a well-meaning but misguided friend who drudges up the past and showers you in sympathy. Or perhaps from politicians seeking to stir up strife to garner votes as we see in the US Today.
In every case the remedy remains, leave it alone and let it heal. Quit dwelling on it, quit talking about it and don't let your "friends" keep bringing it up. "Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "
Wouldn't it be eternally devastating to enter eternity unforgiven because we couldn't stop picking at a decades old wound.....or perhaps a generations old wound

4 yrs

The Bible-Even if you don't believe it, the values reflected are unparalleled and have been the basis of civilized nations for centuries. Misunderstanding it has led to countless atrocities while the knowledge of it has brought some of the greatest reforms in World History.
Wars were fought by some to keep it out of the hands of the "common man" and countless lives taken for daring to speak on it or even possess it, but here in America, where we have it as ready and free as anything ever, it is barely opened by even the "Church"

https://www.prageru.com/video/....the-best-book-to-rea

4 yrs

Today we look around and see two polar opposites.
One side is completely convinced of one set of rights and wrongs, and are set on forcing those views on everyone.
The other side is completely set on the exact opposite set of rights and wrongs and will defend those to their last breath.
Both are fully assured that they have the moral high ground and it cannot be refuted.
How can this be? Both sides say "I don't understand how they can see it differently"

*2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (KJV)
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

*Romans 1:28 (KJV)
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Christians look back at Jesus' life and can't understand how the Jewish people completely missed their Savior, but there was a reason then too

*John 12:40 (KJV)
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

*Romans 11:8-10 (KJV)
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

So you see, it makes perfect sense through the lens of God's Word.

*2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 yrs

Installment #3- Diligence But Not Works
2 Peter 1:5 (KJV)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (emphasis mine)
James 2:17 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Now let’s note the phrase “all diligence”. This indicates a clear and obvious action on our part. Whenever taken in with passages such as James 2:17 we get the clear direction that there is still work to be done after we are saved thru Faith.
Now, many intercede here that “Ephesians 2:9 (KJV)-Not of works, lest any man should boast. “ which is entirely true. But every Christian must come to the revelation that our actions do not save us, our works do not keep us saved, we are saved by His grace alone. But, how do we show love? How do we show gratitude and praise?
Jesus is referenced as the bridegroom several times, and the Church as His bride. Do we stop at the wedding? Do we not actively seek to please our spouse? I will return to this analogy many times in this series as Marriage is one of the clearest pictures of the Christian walk in scripture. When we are married, we work together to build our life together, this is the proper attitude of works in the Christian life. We never become more married, and as long as we choose to “stay hooked” we do not become less married, we are either married or we are not. Now how happy and healthy that marriage is is directly linked to our work in it.
“All Diligence” must be given to hammer out time with our spouse each day, to come into agreement on subjects we differ on. In a healthy marriage we seek to please our beloved, and the Christian walk is no different. These seven building blocks are the development of a healthy relationship with our Lord, our Bridegroom.
How much effort do we give each day to please Him who has done all to be with us?

5 yrs

I would not ever just add someone to a group, so consider this your invitation to join this group. Posts will be limited to brief Bible Studies designed to be read and digested in about 1 to 2 minutes a few times a week.