Category: Bible Study

In what grammatical tense are you living for Jesus? Are you living in the past, present or future or are you active in all three?

Your answer to this question will tell me about your walk with Jesus. Every person has the opportunity to determine how to live the Christian life: in the past tense, present tense, or future tense.

If you’re living in the past tense, you are dominated by the thoughts, actions, failures, successes and decisions of the past. But with no successful present activity. The parable of the fig tree in Luke 13 addresses this issue of intent but no fruit.

If you are living in the present tense, you are working and living in the here and now. The past and future affect you yes, both good and bad, but they should not control you. Jesus wants you to forget but learn from the past, to trust him for the future, and to be available to Him today.

If you are living in the future tense, you know what you should be doing now for the Lord, but you have found ways to put it off till later. The later seldom comes.

The Bible teaches that it is not a question of past, present or future, but rather the necessity and benefit of living in all three tenses at the same time. This is done when we abide in Christ as explained in the gospel of John chapter15.

We must learn from the past, execute in the present, and with God’s help plan for the future.

If you do this, you will enjoy the fruit of John 15: fruit, more fruit, much fruit.

The boy was 5 years old. He and his twin brother and mother and father were visiting their grandfather. The two boys had a very personal and delightful relationship with him, and he loved them dearly.

The family was packing and loading a trailer to go home. The grandfather was in the front yard standing by the trailer. The boys’ father came out and said his son was in the house crying because he had to leave grandfather and go home. The son went back into the house and told the son to go talk to his grandfather. The boy got up went to his grandfather who asked why he was crying. He replied, I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want to go home. I want to stay here with you.

The boy knew about Jesus and his love for people. The grandfather then explained that Jesus lived in heaven and that he came to this earth to be with people that he loved very much. When the people learned that he was going back to heaven they started crying. Jesus explained to them that if he did not leave and go back to heaven, he could not come back to be with them. The disciples were so happy to hear that they would see him again.

The grandfather then told his grandson if you do not leave and go home you cannot come back to see me. Do you want me to come back and see me? The boy looked up, surprised and wide eyed and said, yes. Then you must go home, so you can come back. The boy thought about that and finally said, yes, if I stay here, I can’t come back. Yes. I’ll go home, but only if I can come back! He was assured that he could come back, and the boy jumped up and ran happily back into the house.

As his grandfather thought about this conversation, he remembered when the disciples learned that Jesus was going back to heaven and leaving them, they were greatly distressed. Jesus then assured them by saying yes, I am going away but if I don’t go away, I cannot come back.

Jesus said this to his disciples: ” Let not Your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (john 14:1-3)

The disciples realized that they were not losing Jesus and that he would come back, just as the grandson knew he would see his grandfather again.

Yes, Jesus came, returned to heaven and is coming back. and that is our hope. If you have put your faith in Jesus as your Savior, understand that one day he is coming back to claim you as his own.

If you have never done this, do it now and look for his return when He will claim you as one of his children.

Realize it or not every person seeks perfection in every area of life. We may never find perfection in all those things we want, but we get as close as we can. If I buy a new car, I want it to be perfect. If I can’t afford a new one, I want one nearly perfect. In marriage you will never find the perfect yoke fellow. But be encouraged God is able to bring into your life someone who seems in your eyes to be nearly perfect in every way!

There are two decisions that nearly every man or woman will face in life: with whom do I spend eternity and with whom do I spend time. More precisely how do you choose a Christian yoke fellow for eternity and time.

When you decide to put your trust in Jesus as your personal Savior the issue of eternity is settled. You have found the perfect yoke fellow. When you choose the one to marry the issue of time is settled. Our focus here is to provide guidelines for marriage and the true yoke fellow. What do you look for in a life mate.

Question one: is this person a Christian? If the answer is no, you should look further. The Bible is very clear “ Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness …..” (2nd Corinthians 6:14) If the answer to question one Is yes then go to question two.

Question two: would you be interested in studying the Bible with me? If the answer is yes, the two of you should read and study the Bible together. If the answer is no, perhaps you should look further for your true yoke fellow.

Every person has three dimensions: (1) as others see you, (2) as you see you and (3) as God sees you. An understanding of these three dimensions is essential to the growth and success of the follower of Jesus.

How do other people see you? They see you as attractive, well-groomed, pleasant, a devoted believer, and pleasant to be around. They see you as one who exhibits the fruit of Galatians 5:22,23 ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …..” Your response is positive; you are pleased with how people see you.

How do you see you? You see a person who quite often does not love others, who has happiness with very little joy, who struggles to find peace of heart, who lacks patience with certain people and who lacks self-control in many areas. I could list more, but you understand where I’m going.

This contradiction is expressed by the apostle Paul in Romans 7:15,18. ” For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. For I have the desire to do what it right but not the ability to carry it out.”

Finally, how does God see you? He sees you as one he loves very much. He loved you so much that he came into this world as a man, to live as a man, and to die as a man. He went into the pawn shop of life and purchased your ticket with his own blood. You now belong to Him. This truth is presented throughout the entire Bible and is summarized In First Corinthians 1:30,31: ” And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Here are your instructions: (1) graciously accept how others see you (2) vigorously reject or correct the old you and (3) faithfully live as Jesus empowers you. And remember we are all in the same boat!

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul….” Hebrews 6:19

By definition an anchor is that which holds a boat of any size secure in a lake, a river or an ocean from drifting onto the rocks or into other problems. For our purposes today we choose to define the anchor of the soul. The soul In Scripture is the real you. The question then is what is the anchor for your soul\ boat of life? What is it in your life that gives stability in the everyday pressures of living?

For many people the anchor is money. They work 12-14 maybe 20 hours a day to secure money. As the bank account balance Increases, they feel more secure.

For others the anchor is found in property. The average person spends 30% of total income to buy and maintain property. You can add Another eight to 10% for transportation and another 10% to maintain your health.

Perhaps the most common anchor is retirement income. A person should or have a plan that equals 70 to 80% of gross income for retirement. However, unless your money is well placed and protected you could still lose it all.

The issue is not what you have or how much you have, but what you do not have. Every person was created to love God and serve him alone. The Bible is very clear “You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) By one definition mammon means money.

If you possess all that which is noted above, I am happy for you. But if you have all these things and still do not have peace in your heart, God is waiting to help you. I have friends who are wealthy and others who are poor, but they all have that peace which money cannot buy. Your Heavenly Father wants you to have this peace regardless of income.

He alone can give you that anchor and peace. If you have everything, but you do not have peace, I encourage you to go to your pastor or close Christian friend and share your heart about your lack of peace.

For further study I recommend that you read carefully Luke 12: 22-34.

One day when heaven was filled with his praises, One day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, Lived among men my Redeemer is he. Living he loved me, Dying he saved me, Buried he carried my sins far away. Rising he justified ________ forever. One day he’s coming. O glorious day.

If you are at peace with your past life and if you are pleased with your life as lived today and if you have no question about what would happen if you were to die right now, then you need read no further.

However, if events in the past trouble you, and if you have present issues in your life that trouble you. and if you are troubled at the future thought of dying, then read very carefully the song quoted above, note the blank space. Then read what the Bible says in Hebrews 9: 27,28.

” And just as it is appointed for man to die once and after that comes judgment, so Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

You may eagerly await him, if you follow the instructions in Romans 10:9,10.

“…. Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

When you believe and confess you may go back to the opening Paragraph and write your name in the blank space provided. Then go to your pastor or close Christian friend and share with them what you have just done. And the Lord will bless you as you walk with Him by faith each day.

Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France in 18O4 and went on to create an empire that covered most of western and central Europe. His armies crushed one foe after another and seemed invincible.

What did this military genius have to say about the Bible? He said: “It is no mere book, but a living creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it.” Napoleon Bonaparte was correct in his assessment of the Bible the Word of God.

The Bible says of itself that it is “…. living and active. sharper than any double-edged sword….” (Hebrews 4:12)

The apostle Peter wrote that we “… have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

Jesus said: ” Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away ” (Matthew 24:35)

The Bible was spoken of by the Apostle Paul when he wrote: ” All scripture is God inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …” (11Timothy 3:16)

The Bible tells us about Jesus, who He was, what He did, and what He wants us to do.

Who was he? “Surely, He was the Son of God” (Matthew 27-54).

What did he do? ” He died for our sins” (1st Corinthians 15:3).

What does he want us to do? ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is new creation; the old has gone, the new had come! ” (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

The living, imperishable, God-breathed Word of God will make you into a new person when you by faith receive Jesus into your heart and your life.

The word of God is the necessary food for the one who had made this choice. If you have not made this decision my prayer is that you will make it today.

The Frenchman was correct when he said the Bible was no mere book but living and powerful.

Easter is a remembrance and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is recorded in the four Gospels: Matthew 28: 1-16, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-29. Also, remember again this principle in a study of the Bible, anything that is repeated two or more times, demands attention.

The facts of the resurrection are very clear as recorded in 1st Corinthians 15:3,4:

” For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance (1) that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (2) that He was buried, (3) that He was raised on the 3rd day according to the scriptures.”

The significance of the resurrection is also very clear: 1st Corinthians 15:17 ,20:

1. ” And if Christ has not been raised (1) your faith is futile; (2) you are still in your sins.”

2 ” But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,

3. the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Easter is also a remembrance and celebration of the believer’s resurrection.

1. The believer is made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-5)

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions………”

2. The believer is made a new person in Christ. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Nature itself has, since the beginning of time, prepared people for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has put within the heart of every person a desire for a new life-— a resurrection to a new and better life. Unlike nature which experiences a new birth each year you and I must choose to participate in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is necessary only one time.

John 1:12,13 “But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.“

Once you are born again you cannot be unborn!

If this makes sense to you, I encourage you to seek out a Christian friend or go to your pastor and make this simple request: I want to be born again.

It is so easy to plan activities. present and future and then ask God to bless them.

There are many ways we do this: we read a book and are challenged; we hear a speaker tell of God’s call; we listen to a counselor who assures us that we are gifted; we have an older brother or sister whose success inspires us. Each has value. However, God may have a different path for you.

One thing we know for certain: God wants to direct our steps. In the midst of all these good goals, the Lord may have a better one for you. If you will prayerfully ask Him to direct you, He will. But you must be sensitive to God’s voice and willing to follow His directions.

The following verses in Psalm 123:2,3 give a very clear picture of how we should discern the plan the Father has for us:

” Behold as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the eyes of her mistress; so, our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until that he has mercy upon us.“

Now notice the setting for this. You are a servant in a large, crowded and noisy dining room. The guests are laughing and visiting with one another. The meal is half over, and you are now standing at a short distance from your employer. You have been trained to be alert and to watch him. If he needs something from you, he will simply raise a hand, which is seen only by you. You immediately go to him, and he whispers to you what he wants you to do.

One application of this is found in First Kings 19: 9-15. In this passage Elijah Is it running for his life and ready to give up and die. But God speaks to the prophet: first, in a great and strong wind, then in an earthquake, next in a fire and finally the sound of a low whisper. If God wants your attention and to give you instructions, but you must listen for his voice.

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. But you must lay it all on the line before Him, and when you hear his voice, you must listen and follow Him. How do we hear his voice? by having a personal quiet time with the Lord, by hearing the Bible preached by a faithful servant and especially by a personal study of the word of God!

Jesus said:” My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

If you are facing a decision or are in a difficult situation don’t wait for the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but take the initiative and listen for that whisper: the voice of the Lord Jesus. As you follow the personal steps noted above, and should you need confirmation seek council from your pastor or a brother or sister in the Lord.

I love that old song which says trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

How sensitive are you to God’s plan for your life?

A young man came to Jesus and asked a question. It was a good question, very clear, precise and thought through, and he wanted an answer.

He asked, “….. what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)

Now, this is a question that has been asked all through the centuries by those who realize that though having and doing everything, something is missing.

The answer Jesus gave was very clear: keep the commandments of God and then he quoted six of the ten: do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, honor your parents and love your neighbor. Notice also that these six are easily observable.

The answer the man gave to Jesus was also very clear. Apparently, he had kept all six since childhood. He then rephrased his question from what I must do to what I am lacking. He was very sincere in his question. He was a good man, but to have eternal life one must be more than a good man. One must be a perfect man, a new man in Christ.

Jesus then told him, “If You want to be perfect, go now and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor— You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me! When the young man heard that he sadly turned away for he was very wealthy (Matthew 19: 21, 22)

Jesus spoke to this also in Luke 9: 23- 25. ” And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it, for what is a man advantaged if he gained the whole world and lose himself, or be cast away?”

The man lacked that one thing, and he knew immediately what it was, and he went away from Jesus, very sad.

My question for the reader: what is one thing you lack, that prevents you from living a fruitful life for Jesus? (By fruitful life I am referring to John chapter 15)

Let me encourage you to first make sure that you belong to Jesus. Then (1) do your own assessment of your life, (2) deal with what needs to be changed and (3) rejoice and be fruitful.