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Showing posts from March, 2022

Dreams and Visions

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  Dreams and Visions Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. The Living Bible says it this way; When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. This means: (Where there are no goals and plans inspired by God, the people go astray, but those who listen and obey our God, they will be happy and achieve their hopes, expectations and goals.) Martin Luther King Jr., had a “dream” - it was a goal, a hope and a plan to set his people free. His dream was a vision for the future, so we see there are different meanings to dreams and visions. Today we will consider dreams in the Bible, while sleeping and visions usually when a person is awake. Dreams and visions also served to provide information that was unavailable elsewhere. Specifically, God used visions and dreams to identify Jesus and grow His church – in the Bible. The Bible speaks of many instances of visions and dreams.

Prayer Lesson 16

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  Prayer Lesson 16 There are many that feel they have to get into a certain position before they can pray. Posture becomes a very important thing - - for them. However, when we consider Peter walking on the water and then sinking and calling out to Jesus for help (there is no question that this was an effective prayer because Jesus rescued him.) Our posture in prayer becomes meaningless. The Bible cites several examples of posture: 1. With Head bowed Exodus 24:8   And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.  2. Jesus fell on His face Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 3. Standing and praying Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 4. Lifting up your eyes John 17:1

Who is Jesus? Chapter 19 Jesus meets a Religious Leader.

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  Who is Jesus? Chapter 19 Jesus meets a Religious Leader. Late one evening Jesus had a visitor; his name was Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee and a leader of the Jews; and he stated, “I know you are a teacher sent from God, because no one can do these miracles, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." These words puzzled Nicodemus, and he asked, how can a man be born again when he is old; how can he enter again into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered; “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. The wind blows and you hear the sound, but you can't know where it comes and goes.” Nicodemus questioned, "How can these things be?" Jesus said to Nicodemus, "You being a teacher of the law sh

Left Overs

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  Left Overs A friend tells me that as he grew up, his mother would make a large pot of stew, beans or hash, and serve it all week as left overs. To this day, he refuses to eat left overs. Personally, I love left overs, and often make a big pot of mashed potatoes to add to various meals. I am reminded of the Bible story of the 5 loaves and 2 small fishes and how Jesus blessed the barley loaves and fishes, broke them and gave to his disciples to give to the 5000 men in the crowd. Each of the 12 disciples no doubt had a small knapsack or basket that they carried with them and this could have been what was used to collect the leftovers.  Although the Bible does not say;  It seems the 12 disciples may have taken with them some of the bread and fish for later as left overs. I did a search and discovered that The Greek word used in Matthew 14:20, 16:9; Mark 6:43, 8:19; Luke 9:17; and John 6:13 is KOPHINOS. Which was "a wicker basket," (made of twigs or branches) This was a re

Bible foundations, Subject: Prayer - Lesson 15

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  Bible foundations, Subject: Prayer - Lesson 15 The instruction in the Bible is that “Men ought always to pray and not to faint,” Yet the prayer life of most Christians is sadly lacking. Their general prayer is for things they want or need. Prayer is more than just requests for provision. Earnest prayer includes repentance, thanksgiving, praise and worship with a seeking heart for God to bring us into a closer relationship with Jesus, and then casting our cares on the Lord and learning to trust Him for the answers. The intention of this lesson is not only to teach about prayer, but also to inspire you to pray. Knowing how to pray is important. Jesus instructed His disciples how to pray when they asked Him. We will never become so perfect or mature that we no longer feel the need to pray. We should take our example from Jesus, a man of prayer. Jesus knew it was necessary for Him to communicate with His Father through prayer and He daily made time for prayer. The followi

Who is Jesus? Part 17 "Consider Jesus the Creator"

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  Who is Jesus? Part 17 "Consider Jesus the Creator" John begins his gospel in chapter one by referring to Jesus as the "Word;" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   He was in the beginning with God.     John also calls Jesus the creator who made all things and without him not anything was made. Christ Jesus who is Life it's self, is the one who brings light and life to men. Jesus is willing to take a person out of death and darkness and bring them into the Light and life of His Kingdom. John continues to speak about Jesus as the Word saying "and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John is giving testimony that he and others had been physical witnesses of Jesus and the mighty works that He had done. As we go on, it is important for us to remember that John called Jesus - God; and he also stated that Jes

God's Grace: Lesson 14

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  God's Grace: Lesson 14 When we think of God's grace , we must consider the Gracious One who bestows grace and then also the recipient of this grace. God, the Gracious One, from whom all grace proceeds; 1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle  you. Grace comes from God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: John 1:16-17 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace . For the law was given through Moses, but  grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4-5   I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him, so that you do not come short in any gift, in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Grace  that is bestowed, that is: Love, kindness, mercy, (fruit of the Spirit,) Gifts of the Holy Spirit,

Who is Jesus? Part 18 "Jesus had Righteous Indignation"

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  Who is Jesus? Part 18 "Jesus had Righteous Indignation" Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem because the Passover was at hand.  You will remember the Passover was the celebration of the time the death angel passed over each Israelite home; NOT taking the first born child. This was because each family had followed the instructions of Moses to slay a lamb, and sprinkle the blood on the door posts and over the door. When the death angel saw the blood he would pass over that home and not slay the oldest child. This celebration was and still is important to the Jewish Nation. As Jesus entered the temple he found a large group of noisy business people who were selling oxen, sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. Now Jesus became very angry.  Some would call his anger, Righteous Indignation.  Making a whip of cords, Jesus drove them all out of the temple, along with the sheep and oxen. Next Jesus poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned t