August 18, 2019 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

“4 ¶ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:4-7 NKJV)

Life is at the heart of the heroes of the faith. They not only chose life but trusted God to lead them to the fullness of life. Each story of faith is connected and reveals to us the continuous stream of those who lived in faith.

Abel and Cain

This story may be confusing because they try to understand its meaning with just this passage. From Genesis 3 all the way to Revelation we see the need for a blood sacrifice, a death to pay for a death. From the death of the animals God used to cover Adam and Eve, the animal sacrifices at the Temple to Jesus Christ the ultimate blood sacrifice. It is necessary to offer a blood sacrifice to God.

What was the difference between each brothers offering?

Why was Cain’s offering wrong? (Genesis 3:21)

How does this fit with the sacrifice of Jesus?

Enoch

Someone once said Enoch and God walked so closely together that one day God told Enoch to come with Him since they were closer to His home.

What happened to Enoch and why?

What reward did Enoch receive from his faith?

Noah

The story of Noah is probably one of the most know but least understood Bible stories. What the Bible shows is not a little flood with a little ark and little animal heads sticking out. The flood was God washing away the sin and horror of humanity and to “baptize” the whole world!

Why did God warn Noah about the flood?

Why did Noah build the Ark?

How did Noah condemn the world?

What does it mean Noah “became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”?

Are you part of the lineage of faith?

Christianity is not boring,

it is some Christians who are boring!

For the next few Sundays we will look at the 11^th chapter of Hebrews. Often called the list of the heroes of faith look farther and notice how faith connects over generations and eons. Ask yourself if you are part of this line of faith.

August 11, 2019 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

“1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:1-3 NKJV)

The book of Hebrews is written to the diaspora Jews which means Jews who were dispersed around the world. The authors name is not given and there is a constant debate about wrote this epistle (letter).

Why do you think this epistle is written to the Jews? Especially these verses?

What does faith mean to you?

To others?

In the Bible?

Chapter 11 is often called the Hall of Fame of Faith. Does faith make a person a “hero”? If so why?

By faith what did the elders obtain?

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

This passage states by faith we know God is the framer and therefore creator of the worlds and what is seen was made of things unseen.

What does this passage say about evolution?

Does faith allow us to believe in Genesis as true description of not only creation but also the Creator?

The Bible teaches creation was made out of nothing with God being the Creator not just of the world and universe we see but also the materials and substance from which they were formed.

Where does the evolution model say these materials come from?

If evolution is something evolving from something else where did the first something come from?

Does it take faith to say the Bible is true about creation?

Like a river time flows along

at times gently sliding along

At times racing itself along

Like water, time flows along     8/8/2019

August 4, 2019 Eight Sunday after Pentecost

“1 ¶ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 ¶ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 ¶ But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” (Colossians 3:1-11 NKJV)

It is easy to wallow in the brokenness and filth of this world and our life. It also is easy to see the “good”, beauty and bright lights of this world which is but a fake and perverted view of what creation should be. Paul calls us to look up!

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

What does “Set your mind” mean?

What is the difference in the things above and the things on earth?

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

What does “your members” mean?

List each word from this passage on another page and find the definition in a Bible dictionary or Strong’s concordance. (Other dictionaries have either a wrong or incomplete definition for Christians.)

“8 ¶ But now you yourselves are to put off all these:”

What does it mean to “put off”? (Is it like taking off clothes?)

“11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” (Colossians 3:1-11 NKJV)”

Look at each division which come together in Jesus Christ. What is God doing?

Greek or Jew

circumcised nor uncircumcised

barbarian

Scythian

slave nor free

The epistle (letter) of Paul is written to the Colossians and though the message is for all Christians what does it tell us about the people this letter is for? What does it tell us about ourselves?

Today I am 61Years old. The doctors told me I had three months to live. God gave both a physical and a spiritual healing. I give thanks to God. During the over 40 years of AD (the year Jesus came into my life) the lows of when I failed God and my family and the wondrous times I was allowed to see God working through this vessel. Before reaching 60 years of pain and suffering took their toll and I am disabled. What will happen in the time to come? I can only live within the gift of today, the present. I thank You my Lord for the family you have given me and the many memories of the people You brought into my life.     8/2/2019

Jesus healed the lame

why not me

The blind given sight

why not me

lepers made clean

why not me

the deaf could hear

why not me

dead raised to life

why not me

demon possessed freed

why not me

Children are blessed

why not me

multitudes are fed

why not me

God, so many were healed

why not me

So many received so much

why not me

“My child, all of this

was done for you

revealing My power

was done for you

revealing My glory

was done for you

revealing my love

was done for you

So many were healed

so many were not

so many found love

so many did not

Why did Jesus heal some and not others

Why did Jesus free some and not others

Why did Jesus raise some and not others

Why did Jesus call some and not others

Did Jesus leave them ill for a reason

Did Jesus leave them possessed for a reason

Did Jesus leave them dead for a reason

Did Jesus not call some people for a reason

I will wait upon the God of my salvati0n

I will wait on the God of my healing

I will wait upon the God of my life

For God has a plan and life for me!      8/1/2019

What do I bring to You in prayer

do I ask for more of what I have

protection from pain and suffering

more of the things of the world

Break my heart for You My Lord

to pray for those who live without

for those whose suffering is for You

to offer me to those who have not      7/30/2019

Father,

I am a child of death harming who I love

my soul is full of sin bringing destruction

what is good I twist and make it harmful

what is pure is perverted and polluted

God, You say my righteousness is filthy

my best goodness to You is shameful

my “good” works are tainted by my lust

my faith on You is in fear and not love

Yet a Child is born to us in Bethlehem

God born in Bethlehem the city of bread

I beg You God let the promised Child

be born again each day of my life here      7/30/2019