August 13 :  
     "WHERE IS THE NEW BIBLE STUDY?" you may ask.  I'm sorry about that, I've been really busy since I've came back from vacation, but I will start again beginning next week.  

July 31 :  
     I'm sorry it took me so long to post a new study, I will now be gone on vacation until August 7th or 8th.  There will be no updates during this time.  

The current topic is... 
 

July 31, 1999 - Made New

2 Corinthians Chapter 5, verses 16-17  16.  So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them.  Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being.  How differently I think about him now!  17.  What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone.  A new life has begun!       Christians are brand-new people on the inside.  The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same any more.  We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated, or reeducated - we are new creations, living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6-7).  We are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life under a new Master.

 

July 21, 1999 - Steer Away

Hosea chapter 5 verse 4  4.  Your deeds won't let you return to your God.  You are a prostitute through and through, and you cannot know the Lord.       Persistent sin hardens a person's heart and makes it difficult to repent.  Deliberately choosing to disobey God can sear the conscience; each sin makes the next one easier to commit.  Don't allow sin to wear you down, building a hard path deep within you.  Steer as far away from sinful practices as possible.       I suggest that you read the entire chapter of Hosea 5 to understand this completely

 

July 20, 1999 - The Bible

2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 16 - 17  16.  All Scripture is inspired by God and his useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.  17.  It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.       The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God.  It is not a human book.  Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to godly men, who wrote down God's message for his people (2 Peter 1:20-21).  This process is known as inspiration.  The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts.  Yet, though they used their own minds, talents, languages, and styles, they wrote what God wanted them to write.  Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing.  Its words are authoritative for our faith and life.

 

July 17, 1999 - What Is Love?

1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 4 - 7  4,  Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  5.  or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  6.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  7.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.       These verses explain themselves.  This is the true definition of love, God's definition of love.  Our society confuses love and lust.  Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed outward to others, not inward toward ourselves.  It is unselfish.

 

July 16, 1999 - Giving In

Matthew chapter 14, verse 9  9.  The kind was sorry, but because of his oath and because he didn't want to back down in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.       Herod did not want to kill John the Baptist, but he gave the order so he wouldn't be embarrassed in front of his guests.  How easy is it to give in to crowd pressure, to let ourselves be coerced into doing wrong.  Don't place yourself in a position where it is too embarrassing to do what is right.  Do what is right no matter how embarrassing or painful it may be.

 

July 13, 1999 - Feeling Secure

Job chapter 8, verses 14 - 15  14.  Everything they count on will collapse.  They are leaning on a spiderweb.  15.  They cling to their home for security, but it won't last.  They try to hold it fast, but it will not endure.       Bildad wrongly assumed that Job was trusting in something other than God for security, so he pointed out that such supports will collapse.  One of man's basic needs is security, and people will do almost anything to feel secure.  Eventually, however, our money possessions, knowledge, and relationships will fail or be gone.       Only God can give lasting security.  What have you trusted for your security?  How lasting is it?  If you have a secure foundation with God, then feelings of insecurity cannot uproot you.

 

July 9 - 12

I was gone July 9 - 11 because I was in Temple, Texas for the Church of God of Prophecy's State Convention.  I was also too busy on the 12th, so  I will continue bible study July 13th.

 

July 7, 1999 - Strange

Matthew chapter 5, verses 3 - 12  3.  God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.  4.  God blesses those who mourn, for the will be comforted.  5.  God blesses those who are gentile and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.  6.  God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for the will receive it in full.  7.  God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  8.  God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.  9.  God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.  10.  God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  11.  "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  12.  Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.       Jesus began his sermon with words that seem to contradict each other.  But God's way of living usually contradicts the world's.  If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world.  You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse.  In doing this you will one day receive everything, while others will end up with nothing.

 

July 6, 1999 - Prayer Power

Exodus chapter 32, verses 9 - 14   9.  Then the Lord said, "I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are.  10.  Now leave me alone so my anger can blaze against them and destroy them all.  Then I will make you Moses, into a great nation instead of them."  11.  But Moses pleads with the Lord of his God not to do it.  "O Lord!" he exclaimed.  "Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and mighty acts?  12.  The Egyptians will say, 'God tricked them into coming to the mountains so he could kill them and wipe them from the face of the earth.'  Turn away from your fierce anger.  Change your mind about this terrible disaster you are planning against your people!  13.  Remember your covenant with your servants - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  You swore by your own self, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven.  Yes, I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants and they will possess it forever.'"  14.  So the Lord withdrew his threat and didn't bring against his people the disaster he threatened.       God was ready to destroy the whole nation because of the people's sin.  But Moses pleads for mercy, and God spared them.  This is one of the countless examples in Scripture of how prayer can make a difference.  Don't neglect prayer because a situation seems irreversible.  Make a daily prayer list and spend time praying for others.  Prayer can change things.

 

July 4, 1999 - Heartbreak

Job chapter 1, verses 20 - 22  20.  Job stood up and tore his robe in grief.  Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground before God.  21.  He said,           "I came naked from my mother's womb,               and I will be stripped of everything when I die.            The Lord gave me everything I had,               and the Lord has taken it away.           Praise the name of the Lord!"  22.  In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.       Job did not hide his overwhelming grief.  This emotional display did not mean he had lost his faith in God; instead, it showed that he was human and that he loved his family.  God created our emotions, and it is not sinful to express them as Job did.  If you have experienced deep loss, disappointment, or heartbreak, admit your feelings to yourself and others, and grieve.

 

July 3, 1999 - Stripped

Jeremiah chapter 5, verses 22 - 24  22.  Do you have no respect for me?  Why do you not tremble in my presence?  I, the Lord, am the one who defines the ocean's sandy shoreline, an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross.  The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the bounds I set.  23.  But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.  They have turned against me and have chosen to practice idolatry.  24.  They do not say from the heart, 'Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of plentiful harvests.'       What is your attitude when you come into God's presence?  We should come with fear and trembling (awe and respect), for God sets the boundaries of the seas and controls the rain and harvests.  God had to strip away all the things that Israel had grown to respect more than him.  Without them, the people once again reverence God.  Don't wait until God removes the objects of your reverence and respect before you think of him as you should.

 

July 1, 1999 - Virginity

Cassie's 16th birthday tomorrow promises to be awesome.  She'll finally get her driver's license, and she finally can officially date!       She and her boyfriend, Paul, will be able to leave...in the car...by themselves... for a whole evening!  No more bothers barging into the living room.  Nom ore being dropped off at parties.  Privacy at last!       Today Cassie got a package from her older sister Beth, who got married last month.  Enclosed was a long letter - one of those that you keep forever.  It said a lot of things, but maybe the best part was this advice: "Cass, I know how much you love Paul, and I know it will be hard for you two to stay pure now that you're officially dating.  Take it from someone who waited: Sex is best when you save it for marriage!  I promise you - virgins get the last (and the loudest and longest) laugh.       "Most of my friends - even Christian friends - didn't wait.  They traded short-term pleasure for long-term pain.  Don't make that mistake!  Make the commitment to God that you won't let your physical relationship get out of control!       "Give Paul a hug from me.  And know that Mike and I pray for you two every single day.  I love you Cass.       "Beth"       What a great letter!  Read another beautiful description of a virgin bride on her wedding night...  please read:  Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) Chapter 4.  Note especially verse 12.