Category: Bible Study

Looking back over the centuries a person cannot deny the fact that history repeats itself. This is true on the world stage and also in the life of every individual.

I have listed below some of the articles concerning nations around the world found in the daily newspaper of February 2011.

Egypt :—Mubarak stays___ crowds enraged. — Cairo___ Government blames Al-Jazeerar. —- United Nations___Israel stays focused on peace process— Tehran___ Iran opposition leader under house arrest — Paris ___ Tunisian fear chaos in nation.

The following are some of headlines found In the newspapers of February 2026.

Iran— Thousands of citizens die while protesting government corruption___ Russian troops are occupying sections of a neighboring nation ___ Terrorist groups are systematically killing Israeli citizens___ In America today there are those who are making every effort to destroy the Jewish population___ at this very hour there is a civil war in our nation Americans versus Americans.

Every story noted above reveals the fact that people of the world want peace. Will world peace ever be realized?

The Bible speaks of two kinds of peace. Jesus said: ” Peace I leave with you,my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14: 27). The peace of God that is spoken of here is permanent.

There is a peace that the world gives, but it is not permanent.

The League of Nations was organized in 1919 to promote world peace. It was formerly dissolved in 1946. Almost immediately The United Nations was formed I to achieve the same purpose. It remains ineffective to this day.

The world gives peace but at best it is temporary. The peace with God that Jesus gives is eternal. We access this peace when we receive the gift of life by turning to Jesus. I I He is the Lord of peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Is peace you have permanent or temporary?

If you have put your trust in Jesus, you have permanent peace with God. But if the peace you have is based on the world’s definition of peace, it will be temporary at best.

If you would like to have this peace that God gives contact me at RERJ56@ gmail.com

Every person on earth whether black, brown, white or whatever has needs and no way to meet those needs. I have listed below what the Bible says about those that are common to everyone and the way to satisfy those needs and live a successful life.

I feel I am of no value.—–” You are precious…. in my sight…. and I love you.” Isaiah 43: 4

I can’t do anything. –” I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Phi 4:13

I am afraid.—” Do not fear, for I am with you….” Isaiah 41:10

I feel alone—-“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I wish I could change the past. —- ” Forgetting what is behind...press on ….” Philippians 3: 13,14

I fear what the future holds —–“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.“ Deut 31:8

Does God see me and is He aware of my needs? —” For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16: 9

I am a sinner.—” If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins….” 1John 1;9

Can I believe his promises? Will He keep his word? —“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24: 35– Mark 13: 31— Luke 21: 33

God wants you to trust in Him, rest in Him, leave the past t0 Him and put the future in His hands. He hears prayer and will never fail you. I challenge you to select one of the needs above and then claim the promise to meet that need.

These promises are for all those who know Jesus as Savior. If you do not know Jesus, I would like to help you. if you have questions contact me at RERJ 56@ gmail.com

January marks the beginning of a new year and in many ways signals a new beginning, a starting over, an opportunity for improvement.

There are four things that everyone should do at the beginning of the new year:

…. One:…. Do not dwell on the past. ” — But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on …. ” (Philippians 3: 13,14a) Do not dwell on past successes or failures, especially the failures.

….Two…. Do not take the future for granted. ” Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring forth.” (Proverbs 27: 1) Also, ” Do not worry about tomorrow…” (Matthew 6: 34a). We know the past. We do not know the future; however, God does and we may trust Him to guide us.

….Three …. In all that you do each day, do it with diligence ” A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10: 4) Also, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not men.” (Colossians 3: 23)

….Four…. Do not go into the new year alone: go with God. ” So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41: 10)

May 2026 be a year of new successes and personal prosperity for you and your family.

If you would like to begin this new year trusting in God, please talk with a friend, your pastor, or you may contact me at Rerj56@gmail.com

In his book, One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven, Mark Cahill was asked this question by a professor at Louisiana State University: ” Can you prove that there is a God?”

(The following is excerpted from his book)

Mark’s answer was, yes , I can. by (1) Creation (2) Design (3) Art (4) Order.

Every time you see a shirt, or dress, or any item of clothing, you know there was a creator.

Every time you see a wristwatch, you know it had a designer.

Every time you see order, like 20 bottles in a row, you know there is an orderer.

When you look around the universe, what do you see? You see creation, design, art, and order. Since everything has a creator, a designer, an artist, and an orderer behind it, why would you not think that there is a Creator, Designer, Artist, and Orderer behind the universe?

The Bible says, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by things that are made, even the eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

I know there is creation, design, art, and order by simple observation. I also know there is a Creator, a Designer, an Artist and an Orderer by observation and faith.

The day is coming when every person will meet this Creator, Designer, Artist, Orderer. If you have not met Him and would like to know more, please consult a friend who knows Him or contact me at RERJ 56@gmail.c0m.

We survived 2025! It was not a good year for many, but we did live through it and now look forward to 2026. Will we live through 2026 and welcome 2027? This, no one knows. We have no guarantee of tomorrow, let alone a full year. We are all just one heartbeat away from eternity. The Bible says: ” Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).

And again the Bible says: “Now listen, you who say, today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:13,14).

Since we have no assurance of tomorrow, how should we live today? Let me offer two suggestions.

First___”….love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind….” (Luke 10:27a). Below is the definition some scholars give of heart, soul, strength, and mind.

___ The heart is the center of emotions, desires, and affections

___ The soul is a person’s “being” and uniqueness

___ The Strength is a person drive or will

___ The mind is the center of the intellect

Second___”… and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke: 10:27b). Neighbor means fellow human beings in general.

Jesus knew that no one in his audience had kept the Ten Commandments. so he gave the intent of the ten when he said : you are to love God with all your being as and also love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Your goal then for 2026 should be to love God and to love your neighbor. Do this and you will be blessed.

If you need more information, please contact your pastor or respond to this email at RERJ 56.@gmail.com

January, the first month of the year, was named after Janus, the God of doors and gates in Roman mythology. Janus is usually represented by a head with two faces: one looking backward and one looking forward.

We should never look backward to last year’s failures, lest we become discouraged, and we should never look backwards to last year’s successes lest we become proud. Always remember that the past is past and this can seldom be changed. However, the year before us is a future, yet to be determined and will be the result of our good or bad choices. Let me give you some examples of good choices.

First: choose to honor God and His Word—” This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua (1:8). God’s promise is clear: if we honor God’s word, prosperity and success will follow.

Second: Choose to honor your father and mother—“Honor your father and mother, that your ways may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).The New Testament repeats and confirms this promise and adds that this is the “first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:2).

Third: Choose to honor God for all you have —“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruitsi of all your increase, so shall your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine ” (Proverbs 3:9,10).

There is yet another promise from God: God will honor those who honor him.

Choose to honor God and to set new goals for 2026 and He will bless you as He has promised.

If you would like to know more about how to honor God, please contact your pastor or contact me at– rerj56@gmail.com

Christmas Day, December 25, is celebrated around the world…. for many different reasons and by many different people.:

(A)…For the average person Christmas may be described this way: …..for the store owner it means increased sales and additional profit—- for the employee it often means time off from work and time to be with family—– for children it means receiving presents—– for many homeless people, Christmas means a hot meal. The average person celebrates Christmas this way and hopeful that it will be repeated next year.

(B)….For the average person who is also a Christian, it may be described as :… being free from the fear of death—– one no longer controlled by anger and bitterness…… one who has received forgiveness of sin….. one who now loves and does not hate….. one who truly lives and does not just exist…. and one who now has a peaceful heart.

Although we remember the birth of Jesus on December 25, the exact date is not known. However, the effect of that birth has been evident for nearly 2000 years in cultures around the world.

Jesus said ,” I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (john 10:10).

According to the Bible ,if you have possession of both A and B, you are very blessed; if not. Take note of where you are and do something about it.

If you’re reading this and do not understand, please contact me at RERJ56@gmail.com

Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin; but he held it up with a smile. What am I bidden good folks he cried, who will start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar— and who’ll make it two?

Three dollars once, three dollars twice, and going for three……. but no, from the room far back a gray haired man game forward and picked up the bow. Then, wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening all the loose strings, he played a melody pure and sweet. Sweet as the caroling angels sing.

The music ceased and the auctioneer with a voice that was quiet and low said,” What am I bid for the old violin?” and held it up with the bow. A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it three? three thousand once, three thousand twice, going and gone, said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, we do not quite understand, what changed it’s worth?” Swiftly came the reply, “The touch of the master’s hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune and battered and scarred with sin is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin. (author m welch)

This short verse is what the Bible teaches about mankind. From Genesis through Revelation God is seeking those who need and want to be salvaged much like the old violin. If you are a believer in Jesus yet see yourself in the old violin then you simply need confession and repentance for complete restoration.

If you are not a believer in Jesus, but want your life changed, I pray this simple prayer: “Jesus, much like the old Violin I need you to change my life and to be my Master. Please send someone to help me.”

For further assistance you may contact me at…rerj56@gmail.com

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is in me, bless His Holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. ( Psalm 1O3: 1,2 )

What are the “benefits” of knowing the Lord?

Let me list just a few reasons from Psalm 103.

v.3….. Who forgives all your sins and wrongdoing.– (He forgives and forgets).

v.3b… Who heals all your diseases.–(The resurrected body will not know disease).

v.4a… Who redeems your life from destruction–(My life was headed for destruction).

v.8… The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy-–(Grace is to receive what I do not deserve: forgiveness and heaven. Mercy is to not receive what I deserve; Judgment and hell).

v.10… He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.-–(I pity all who who must stand alone before God and give an account for sin).

v.13… As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those that fear him. For he knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust—(God knows that you are human and still loves you. He knows that you are weak and he still loves you).

May I encourage you to read all of Psalm 103 and then bless the Lord for all his benefits.

If you have any questions please contact me at rerj56@gmail.com

World War 1 ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918. This is called “Armistice Day.” From that day to this, nations around the world remember this time and date as the end of the “war to end all wars.”

Peace flooded the world in 1918. However, from the beginning of humanity to this day another war has existed.

The Bible says that to love the world is to be at war with God. “…. friendship with the world is hatred toward God. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God ” (James 4:4).

To be a friend of the world does not mean that one is an immoral person. To be a friend of the world simply means that one has no relationship with God. God has no place in that person’s life.

Just as the war among nations ended in November of 1918, my war with God ended in 1951 in Sasebo, Japan. I was introduced to a group of men who had chosen to follow Jesus while living in this world and I made a choice to do that also.

The Bible says:….” Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans5:1).

But God did not come into my life to destroy as a conquering army; but to lovingly transform my life into something beautiful.

The Bible says…..” Therefore, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In 1951, I agreed with God that I was not good enough to go to heaven. I then put my trust in His promise to save me based on the sacrifice of Jesus. From that day to this God has dealt with me as a loving heavenly Father..

Do you have an “Armistice Day” with God? If not you can have one this day by praying the following prayer: ” God, I realize that I’m not good enough to go to heaven, but I now trust Jesus as my Savior and ask Him to come into my life.”

If you would like additional information to help you in this new life you may contact me at rerj56@gmail.com