Bible Study - Matthew 8

Read Matthew 8

I have been learning a lot about the power of having my own relationship with God, and not just basing my spiritual walk by the words of those around me. As important as it is to take council in others, it is more important that we take the time to grow our personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. 

I am encouraging you today, take some time to meditate on this passage and see what God would have you see.

Bible Study - Matthew 6

Read Matthew 6

The resounding message in this chapter is DON'T SHOW OFF,  BE HUMBLE!!
Don't tell the world of your most recent donation to charity.
Don't pray as a braggart where all can see.
Don't show the world that you are fasting.
Don't store your goods on earth.
Don't worry about earthly things.

So I will leave you with this:
Be humble in everything you do, and remember that your success is just a platform for you to show God to the world on. Be confident in who God has made you to be, and humble in His success because of it.

Bible Study - Matthew 5

Read Matthew 5

There are so many different points that I could make here. But I will keep it simple. Our natural reaction
when someone insults us, or asks something of us, is to push back or ask for something back. I caught myself doing this just yesterday. But Jesus tells us to give more than what was asked of us. Jesus tells us that when someone is mistreated, we are to help them up. When someone is rejected we are to accept them. And all these things we are to do in love.

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We are here to create a culture of honor, and respect. We are here to be the body of Christ. And Christ is God; 

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
We are here to be love to those without love. To show them that they have worth, and that someone cares.
Do Something: Show someone love and respect when the world says they don't deserve it. Encourage those around you find their identity in Christ, not things of this world.

Bible Study - Matthew 4

Read Matthew 4

I think that sometimes we underestimate the sacrifice that goes in to being a follower of Christ. We see here that the disciples left their jobs, families, and lives, but do we really understand what that means? Today, we don't understand what it means to be separated from someone for pretty much any length of time. With all our technology, a week feels like an eternity to not talk with someone. In the Bible days, they didn't have any of this. The only form of communication was through letters, and sometimes, not even that. It was a big deal to leave home, and follow Jesus. And these men did it with everything to lose. But because our God is good, they didn't lose anything. Instead, they gained everything.

You see following God means completely letting go of your current life, and turning to His ways. Never once looking back to how life once was. Never once being tempted by the Devil. And always conquering through Christ.

Bible Study - Matthew 3

Read Matthew 3

The word repent, as defined today means to:

"feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin."

However, this is not the way it is used in the Bible. When John the Baptist says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” He does not mean show regret! He means change the way you think about how you live. Change the way you view your situation, because God is coming, and He want's to be able to relate to you.

Do you ever wonder if God hears your prayer? Wonder if He will ever do anything about it? Well, He does, and He will, we just need to learn how to ask the right question. You know how when you go to a different country, or place, even if they speak the same language, you can't really communicate with people all that well until you understand the culture? Well it's much the same way with God. You can ask Him questions all day long, and not get any answers or response. Not because He is not listening, but because He does not understand the nature of your questions. 

You see, God speaks in the culture of heaven. The culture there is a culture of love and honor. Not of self worth and advancement. So often our prayers are focussed on ourselves, and our own worth, when they should really be about what God wants, and how to honor others.

When we repent, and change our way of thinking, we gain access to God, and the plans He has for us.

Bible Study - Matthew 2

Read Matthew 2

God already has a plan for your life. And it's a darn good one, too! Because Joseph trusted God, and listened to him, God's plans for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' life were fulfilled. 

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

God is not going to tell you anything that will harm you. It may hurt at the time, and you may not understand it, but God is always working for your future.

I have a friend who shared his testimony with me the other day and it goes something like this:

"God gave me a job that payed less than my last one, working once a week, so that I can go to Ecuador and minister this summer. And my wife, her dream is to be a nurse, but God has given her a job in a daycare. Where her co-workers pray for her trip to Ecuador, and offer support. I didn't understand it at first, but now I see that even though I may not be completely comfortable now, He has put me in a position to do what I really want to do; love."

Bible Study - Matthew 1

Read Matthew 1

Jesus was born 42 generations after Abraham. Who waited 20 years for God to fulfill his promise of a legitimate son. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Over and over again we see God working in places that we feel abandoned. God never let go of the promise he gave Abraham, and because of that, Abraham's great great... great grandson was the husband of Jesus Christ's mother!! Imagine what great things God has planned for your future, and your family, if only you listen to Him, and hold onto His promises!  The prospects are innumerable!

Remember Why You Are Here

I want to encourage each of you to find time through out your day to just spend time with God. Whether it's listening to worship music, praying, reading your bible, listening to sermons, etc. God just wants to be with you. Your best friends aren't the people that you have never met, or that you never spend time with, they are the people that you spend lots of time with. You learn about each other, and watch the other grow, and you see what they go through, and stand by their side through it.

Each of us has a unique and specific reason for being here today, no matter where on earth or what day of what year it is. God had crafted you, his masterpiece...

^{Ephesians 2:10}

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

..., and placed you precisely where you are, to do the good things that He has planned. God doesn't want us to go through our life looking for the next person who comes along who makes us feel loved, because that love is only temporary. God wants you to see that he is here, waiting for you to see Him. That He has a plan for our lives, but we have to be willing to rest in his supernatural love. God is the I Am, He is everything that you are longing to find, and He is right here waiting for you to turn around and fall into His arms of love.

So as you go about your day, remember why you are here, and rest in the Lord.

He'll take care of the rest.

Bible Study - Acts 28

Read Acts 28

When storms come, and you feel like God is no where to be seen, just remember that He has a master plan and you are one of the pieces to the puzzle. He has places for you to go, things for you to do and people for you to meet. Things, places, and people that you can never imagine seeing. If you would listen to God in obedience, you would see these things.
Because Paul listened to God, and had faith in Him, many people were healed.
as I look back on Acts I see the love of God, and that even when I am unaware, He is with me. He is working on something so much bigger than I can ever imagine, and I love it!

Bible Study - Acts 27

Read Acts 27

Again we see God working for Paul through the storm, literally.
What situation in your life right now, do you feel like God has left you, and nothing good is going to come? Take that situation and apply Paul's situation in the storm to it.
Paul knew, and stood on what God had promised him. That, is how they made it through the storm. And that, is how you will make it through yours.

Bible Study - Acts 26

Read Acts 26

I love how much I can relate to Paul right now, and how God is using Paul's story to affect my life 2000 years later. Even though Paul has been locked up for the greater part of three years, he never gives up faith in God. 
Paul holds on to the promise that he was given when this all started;

Acts 23:11 

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

As God has promised Paul, God has promised me. Because of His promises, I know that I will prosper, and that I have a hope and a future;

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Paul knows these things, and he knows that it is only through his faith in God that he has come this far. That is his testimony, and mine. I know that I have only come this far because I have faith in God. And because of this, He has already started to use me to affect those around me for good. 

Acts 26:22

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.

As much as it may never look like it, God is always by your side, preparing you for battle, and fighting it with you. He is always up to something good in our lives, even when we can't see it. That is where faith comes in. We have to trust Him enough to know that He has not left us, and that He will keep his sacred promises with us.

Bible Study - Acts 25

Read Acts 25

It is crazy the things that people will dispute. As Christians it is important to hold our ground, and stand up for what we believe.

If someone has a legitimate problem with something we have done. Let them say so, but do not fight back in harshness. Instead speak clam, and in a tone of love. If it is for God that trial comes to you, do not be afraid, for He is with you.

Be bold in what you do and say, but do not try to overwhelm people, or try to force love into them. For they will submit out of utter fear, rather than love. That is no good equation for success.

Bible Study - Acts 24

Read Acts 24

I want you to do some thinking on this one.

Looking at verses 24-27:
Why was Felix afraid of the words he heard from Paul?
Why was Felix partial to the Jews?
Why did Felix not want to make the decision himself?

How does this chapter apply to your life?
Do Something: Now, apply it to your life.

Bible Study - Acts 23

Read Acts 23

God is always watching over us, He will never look away from us. This is shown in chapter 23 when Paul's nephew heard what was being planned, and was able to tell Paul and the commander. Thus saving Paul's life from ambush.

In the midst of the chaos, God tells Paul that he will live to teach in Rome as he has in Jerusalem. When we give our lives to God, He will bless us beyond our imagination.

Bible Study - Acts 22

Read Acts 22

We need to understand and accept that not everyone is going to understand and accept our testimony. Paul was denied many times by many people, especially the Jewish people.

Here we see Paul's strength, and faith, in God. Paul does not fight the crowds, but speaks to them peacefully in their own tongue. He uses the rights God gave him at birth, and stands upon them.

Again, God could have placed us anywhere at any time, but He placed us precisely where we are so that we can be used to full potential.

Bible Study - Acts 21

Read Acts 21

We need to understand that God has placed us on this earth at a certain time and place that is specific to our calling. We are all going to die from this life, it's just a matter of what we accomplish for God while we are here. This life is worth nothing to us if we don't risk it for the glory of God. Paul knew this.

It is important to take counsel in our companions whom God has given us. While the Spirit was warning Paul through his friends, Paul was not afraid of what would happen to him. Even though it was evident that this would mean death, Paul was more than willing to give his life for the glory of God. Am I saying Paul's friends weren't hearing from God? No. I am saying that ultimately Paul knew what had to be done no matter the earthly consequences.

Bible Study - Acts 20

Read Acts 20

I don't know about you, but when I read first person in the Bible it gives me a different sense of connection. I love that Luke had a heart to write down all of Peters words, but I also love that he puts in his own words and stories. It is a valuable thing to be able to hear a testimony first hand (I know that in the Bible we have translations, and it is written, so it is not perfect, but I get a sense that it's coming right from Luke). It gives the feeling that the stories are more real, because you are hearing them from someone who was there. (All the stories in the Bible are very real, I simply want to put emphasis on the way it comes across) This feeling arouses the question "Well can't God do that with me?" The answer is yes! God is willing to work through your life, you simply have to be willing to do what He tells you to. When you accept that God is willing you will begin to seek Him, and ask for Him to help you through things, and you will want to be welcomed into His home!

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; 

he who seeks finds; 

and to him who knocks the door will be opened."

Bible Study - Acts 19

Read Acts 19

Here we see the power in publicly accepting Christ. When someone gives up their life's work to follow God, that shows some strong conviction. We saw this in Saul(now Paul), we see it here in the sorcerers, and I have seen it in my own life. It is acts like these that show the strength, power and love of God. We also see in this chapter the importance of knowing scripture and God Himself.

Bible Study - Acts 18

Read Acts 18

Again we see the importance in knowledge of scripture, and having a relationship with God. It is possible to love God, and His people without these connections, but when push comes to shove, and people are asking you for knowledge, and you don't have it...? It will become more difficult for you to tell people that you believe the Bible, because you will not know what is written in it. Priscilla and Aquilla knew this, and they educated Apollos in the works of Jesus. We need to strive towards the same knowledge.

Bible Study - Acts 17

Read Acts 17

Often we see that the Jews were jealous, and sought to destroy the disciples. As we preach God's word, we need to make everyone aware that God's love is for them too, so long as they accept it. I have heard it said many times that when someone offers you a gift, you must accept it in order for it to become yours. The gift of the Spirit is no different; God has offered it to everyone, but only few choose to accept His perfect and honorable gift.
As Paul saw the destruction and idolatry of the Athenian people, so I see the destruction and idolatry of the people in the world today. Instead of statues and shrines made of precious metals, I see posters and screen savers, and shirts, and pencils, and backpacks, and thousands of other things with the pictures and names of the celebrities who have become the focus of this world. Even in the Christian home! It sickens me how much we have let this world shape our lives! When something goes wrong in your life, and you go to your favorite actor/actress, singer, athlete, or performer, they will do NOTHING for you! But when something goes wrong and you go to God, He will free you of your troubles, and let you rest in His peace! When will we realize the corruption that this world has given us? When will we start doing something about it!? When will we start giving God His rightful praise? Why not now? Why not start with you?