Dedicated to our Veterans Simply "Click" the "To Amazon Buy" above and you will be be taken to the site where you can purchase any of my books. This book as well as all of my books except one can be purchased for a cost below $6.00. These are all christian books I have written over the past fifty years and have sold the world over for much more than the present price. After all these years I am just trying to give something back.
Each week I will publish in this site a part of one of my books now being published. Tell your friends please and enjoy. All of my books can be purchased either on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble under my name. Many of my Christian children's books will be here in their entirety as is this one. Enjoy please.
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www.bernardalbertson.com/ We have office equipment to replace and pay for so I can continue this work. Please send a couple of bucks to help me if you can. Thanks, Bernie. U.S. Coast Guard & U.S. Army.
To truckers everywhere.
THANKS FOR COMING, THIS BOOK IS COMPLETE IT IS JUST NOT THE WAY I WANT IT YET SO I WILL BE WORKING ON IT EACH DAY THANKS.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 1- 1-15
Good morning to our Klingon friends today
(The official Star Trek language. Smile.)
nuqneH 'ej Satlho' Such DaHjaj. Hoch jaj maHvaD Ha' Such 'ej yIchegh mu'mey HaD law' HIvchugh neH. toH, nuqneH 'ej nuqneH jup umqu' ghot vISuch. tul jIchegh SoH Hoch chapter lutebjaj maH qaStaHvIS poH vegh bible. jInob'egh je. wa'maH tup bible HaD. Qo'noS muSonmeH SoH.
Good morning and I started this study of the book of Romans on our first day with a bit of humor. I do hope you don’t mind.
Romans is considered Paul’s greatest writing and it was written around 56 or 58 AD. Paul was on his way to Rome and had stopped and wrote the letter to the Romans from the city of Corinth, while he was on his third missionary journey. At the time he was gathering an offering from the Gentile Christians for the church in Jerusalem. (Wikipedia)
Being in the city for three months he wrote the letter to explain to both the Jew and the Greek (Gentiles) that salvation is offered through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In my study of Paul I continue to find his strength and intelligence a determining factor in the success of Christ’s doctrine. His fearless and bold approach to the gospel, his stand in the face of danger and his eloquence of speech (Given him by the Holy Ghost.) demands admiration and respect and yet I believe he would be the first to say all of these attributes are not from him but indeed by the power of God.
So, let us begin this journey through the book of Romans with anticipation and excitement.
OK in order to get a clear understand and foothold on this book of Romans we will today break this chapter into two parts finishing it on our second meeting.
In the beginning of this chapter we see Paul writes of his call to be an apostle and this happens in Damascus. (Isn’t it strange about the history of this city concerning scripture and yet it today is filled with so much violence?)
In his greeting to the church in Rome he tells of Jesus “born from the seed of David” and He “becomes” a man.
Now we learn that Jesus being resurrected from the dead is God’s way of declaring to all the earth that Jesus is “God’s Son”.
It has always been Paul’s desire to go to Rome and be with the brethren there and he tells of this in this letter. “Whether now at last I may perhaps succeed in coming to you”.
To continue we read in verse 14 of his gratitude to the Greeks (Gentiles) and to the Barbarians for their kindness toward him. (Remember the shipwreck in acts and the island people believing he was a god?)
I know this was rather short today but I believe we need to gain as much understanding of this letter to the Romans as we can so we will continue next time.
I will conclude with this thought to you. In our lives we all have sin that if not forgiven by God would send us to hell. However as we look at Paul; a man who put Christians in prison, and even killed them, we see that even the worst sin can be forgiven. So ask Christ for forgiveness and know that if you are repentant (Change your way of doing things.) He will intercede to God on your behalf and your sins will be marked off the books. Amen?
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 1 1-15
Paul commendeth to the Romans his calling: Showeth that the gospel is for the justification of all men through faith. The sins of the Gentiles.
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. {with: or, in}
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 1 16-32
Good morning from our house
It is Friday morning October the 24th and I remember when I was working (I retired in 1992.) Friday’ were something I looked forward to. Having a boat and children we would load up and go fishing or picnicking when the weather permitted. Sometime I would spend the weekend working in the yard of garden with my wife and this as something both of us liked very much.
Now that we live in the desert the most yard work we can do is a bit of scratching in the dirt removing weeds with something called a “Hula-hoe”. Not very romantic or pretty to my way of thinking, but the heat here allows me to deal with my old person ailments and so I am happy to do the scratching and raking of the weeds.
Of late however we have been discussing continuing the lifestyle we have had for several years of being gypsies in our little RV and hitting the road again having our house as a place to come back to. I would of course be able to continue Gods work from all these different locations via satellite. I will post the study for today in a bit.
OK the study today has some very strong statements from Paul, and we know all of his words are given him by the Holy Spirit. Much of what you will read today is the cause of some very angry words from some and some very Biblical words from others. You read and judge for yourselves if God’s words are true or not. I am one who believes the words in Gods book are true for if there is one word not true from God the whole book is questionable; so let us begin.
Paul is writing to the church in Rome he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because to believe will bring deliverance and salvation to the believer. “to the Jew first and also to the Greek”. (Gentile) verse 17
There is a Greek word “Pisteuo” and this word means not only to believe but to hand ones self over to another person, which is what believers in Jesus Christ do thus guaranteeing their salvation.
We also read that the “just” (Upright or righteous) shall live by faith and the unrighteous hold down God’s truth and for this receive His wrath in their lives.
Paul goes on to tell the church that man makes idols of things like four-footed beasts, snakes, birds, and creeping things.
In verses 26, and 27 he addressees homosexuality in both woman and men and these desires are of ones heart and so God gives these people over to a reprobate mind. (This is the stuff that many openly dismiss as poppycock and will forever be cause of hate and divisiveness among people.)
Verse 32 says this, “They which commit such things are worthy of death”.
Have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 1 16-32
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 2
Hello to our Malay friends today.
Selamat datang ke pengajian Bible kami semalam. Setiap hari kami mengambil masa kira-kira sepuluh minit dan belajar perkataan Tuhan bersama-sama. Tidak kelihatan seperti masa yang sangat lama untuk memberikan kepada Allah, tetapi yang berjumlah hampir empat jam setiap bulan dan yang agak sedikit jadi sekali lagi mengalu-alukan. Sila datang kembali kerap dan membawa rakan. Kajian kami adalah mudah dan ringan beban kami dan saya menjamin anda akan Hou yang anda telah lakukan. Selepas semua ada Pilih yang lebih baik daripada yang dekat deng
You know I have translator on this web site and looking at it this morning I find that there over sixty languages that can be accessed by those wishing to do so. (And many do.) I don’t suppose many do this but I sometimes wonder how all of these different languages came about and how old many of them are. I know at the Tower of Babel in the book of Genesis God scattered the people and this then was the start of many languages. It seems that before God scattered the people everyone spoke the same language but after God brought the tower dawn all the people made different sounds and later they must have just developed their own languages as time passed. Just something to think about.
OK this chapter at first reading seems rather confusing, but we need to remember that Paul is writing to an imaginary man, either a Jew or a Gentile who sits in judgment of another. (Or at least a man or person we know not of.)
Now, Paul answers this man’s judgment in various ways in this chapter pointing out that though he judges he himself does those very things he is judging the other man for and yet he himself is guilty.
In reading scholars interpretation of this chapter and using my own books I get the impression Paul is practicing for his meeting with Caesar in Rome.
Now most of the letters Paul has written to the churches were ones he himself had started, but this letter to the church in Rome is to those who know him only by reputation. Also there were many Christians in Rome (And remember Rome at this writing by Paul is the most important city in the world.) before Paul had ever come on the scene and the church had been well established long ago.
Paul tells the church that those who teach and know the law whether it be Jew or Gentile cannot judge and think they will escape the judgment of God if they themselves do not follow the law.
So as we read through this chapter remember that Paul (In my opinion.) in his letter is laying the groundwork for his meeting with the church and Caesar Augustus the most powerful and important man in the world.
Unlike the Kings and presidents we have today this Caesar Augustus had no equal in the world, he ruled it all which is exactly what Satan wants to do after he overthrows our God; so buckle up and hang on because turbulent times are coming.
When Paul tells of the Jew first and then the Gentile he is telling us that the Jews being the chosen people of God will receive blessing and judgment before the Gentiles do.
I could go on here for a very long time but space and respect for your time is most important so I will close.
If everyone would lie just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
http://youtu.be/tLhPUHQvIF8
Blessings
Chapter 2
Those who condemn sin in others, and do like themselves, are inexcusable, whether Jew or Gentile, the Jews boasted light, doubly guilty.
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; {Gentile: Gr. Greek}
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: {Gentile: Gr. Greek}
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; {approvest…: or, triest the things that differ}
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 3
Good morning from Arizona
When we get old things look a bit different than they did say when we were thirty and I am not sure if that is bad or good. I do know memories flood in from time to time and quite frankly I do enjoy them. When one gets old we become comfortable in our environment and are content most days to let the world slide by as we watch.
Yesterday I was sitting in the truck waiting on my wife to return from an errand at the store when I noticed a woman walking to her car holding the hand of her daughter; the child was screaming and pulling against the woman and suddenly dropped to the ground in a fit of temper. This happened three times before the woman took the child by the hand and walked to her car dragging the child along the asphalt and putting her in the car. However not being done the child locked the woman out of the car making her use her key to gain entry. Desire, and stubbornness, and temper are often things we display and God in his love sometimes has to drag us along the asphalt of life causing us to get skinned up a bit before He gets us where we need to be.
OK in reading these first few chapters of this book of Romans we see that Paul was both articulate and intelligent. His choice of words and their presentation is sometimes a bit confusing and as this is a letter we are reading we can assume the recipient of this letter must be educated as well.
In verse 1 he asks the question “What advantage then hath the Jew”? And answers in verse 2
“Because that unto them were committed the oracles (Oracle…One who speaks as in the Prophet’s.) of God.
Paul goes on to explain that just because some did not believe (And this is Old Testament, and I believe New Testament) it does not mean that God’s plan is void.
In verse 9 Paul goes on to say that he is not better than others “For we have proved both Jew and Gentile that they are all under sin”. I believe this explains to the Jews and Gentiles alike that under the old law all would be condemned because it was virtually impossible to follow the old law.
Now Paul goes on to say that Jesus Christ life and death changed the law (Recompensed…made amends.) and in verse 23 he states “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”.
In verse 28 (And this is what Jesus did by His life and death.) “Therefore we conclude (Deduce-believe.) that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law”. By believing, and accepting, and having faith, and being baptized, we are saved.
If you reading this have not accepted Christ as yet just say these words. Jesus I need you in my life. Forgive my sins Lord and live in me. It is that simple friends and if you do that you will change and you will do those things needed to guide your life. God does love you and so do I, come and join our family.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 3
He Jews preoperative not made void by the unbelief of some. None justified by the law, but all by God’s grace.
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Just One Little candle
Romans Chapter 4
Hello today to our Spanish speaking friends
Hola y gracias por acompañarnos hoy por nuestros diez minutos con Dios. Cada día nos pasamos un corto período de tiempo en el estudio de la palabra de Dios y la adoración. Si te gusta lo que, por favor invite a sus amigos y dejarlos ser bendecidos por la palabra también. Por favor vuelve otra vez.
I spent some time this morning as I do each morning reading the news of the world, but today I mostly read the news concerning the United States. If one studies the Bible you will see the world going in the direction the Bible says it will go. We have families fighting families, and murder of innocents, and the leaders of the nation accused of many things the least of which is greed. There is anger among our people directed against even the poor and yet I read in my Bible that throughout history the poor begged at the city gates of every city and town. There is in this country a law that says there can be no prayer in our education system and to break this law will bring about legal consequences. It seems one must have permission from leaders to stand in public and preach or teach because our leaders are afraid of upsetting those who do not believe. In our studies we are approaching the end of the Bible and in just a few short months will do so and in reaching the last page we will have learned the fate of not only America, but the rest of the world as well.
Where is God in all of this? He is right here standing right next to us and if we want Him all we have to do is ask for Him. If everyone would do so we would save our nation and the world from the terrible punishment that is surly coming. Are we so proud and stiff necked that we think we don’t need God as the world has been from the beginning? We shall see.
OK as we read today through the 25 verses of chapter 4 and read of Paul explaining his God given knowledge of Father Abraham we need to recognize several things.
Father Abraham is the father of ALL who have faith and this is without works and the law. It is not works that saves a person, but faith that saves a person.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ did away with the law (Which was about works.) and made salvation about faith without works.
Consider this, if there is no law even in today’s world there can be no punishment and so it is with God now. If one has faith as Jesus taught there is no need of the old law. This is one of the main things the Jews would not accept and they were so strong in this belief it cost not only Jesus his life, but also the prophets and apostles as well. If a person was not a Jew and was not circumcised and did not follow the law that person could not be saved period.
So as we read of Paul and his letter to Rome we see he is making the point that the extension of the faith of father Abraham’s faith prior to circumcision was the ministry of Christ.
The book of the law is sealed and grace through Jesus Christ is granted to all who have faith and believe for as we read it is not works, but faith that will save you. Meaning belief and trust in God.
Again, look at all of the people of the world, their languages, their customs, and their heritage and yet many of them believe. If the requirement was to be a circumcised Jew and to follow the law all would be lost. God knew this and so made a plan whereby all who believed on Him could be with Him in paradise. This is where Jesus came in ; John 3:16.
How I would love to go on here but I must close.
Lite your candle for God today and know that I love you all.
Blessings.
Chapter 4
Abraham justified by faith: his faith recorded for those who believe.
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. {before him: or, like unto him}
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 5
Good morning from our house
Everyone needs to read this lesson today. Send it to your friends.
HALloweeeeeeeeen.
Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. (Dictionary) It was also Christian based in that it was used to remember the dead including the Saints and Martyrs and in England it became a celebration in about 1745 as it is now in several countries of the world. So if you celebrate Halloween know that you are not committing any great sin as one might be accused of. I have heard some pretty terrible things said about Halloween and I suppose some might abuse the meaning of the day, but we know comments and judgments made without knowing the facts gets us in trouble. So BOOOOOOOOOoooooo.
OK the very first verse in this chapter has Paul telling us this “Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. That pretty much sys it all does it not?
Also notice in verse 3 he says this. “Tribulation (trials) worketh patience”. In our own lives must we not learn patience through trials? Of course we do.
We go on to learn that sometimes for a good man another will die, but who dies for the sinner, or the liar, or the thief? We learn that Christ died for all men both good and bad.
Now we learn that death was on man from Adam to Moses and the sins of one and. caused many to sin, but we also learn that one righteous man Christ gave the FREE GIFT of life to all men.
This then brings us to the question of how were men saved before the Life and death of Christ?
We find out by jumping ahead a bit to Revelation 13:8 where we learn that the life and death of Christ was the plan from the very beginning of time. We read “All that dwell upon the earth and worship Him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world”. Again, we can see that Christ’s life and death was planned from the beginning of the world. Remember this, all of heaven is in a war to save you against the plans of Satan and his angels. That is what this is all about.
Verse 19 tells us “For as ones man’s disobedience were many made sinners, so by the obedience of one many shall be made righteous.”
If everyone would lite but one little candle what a bright world this would be.
See you on Monday.
Blessings.
Chapter 5
Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Sin and death came by Adam, righteousness and life by Jesus Christ.
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 6
Good morning from our house
I have been called to the bedside of both young and old to pray for those who were dying. I have also sat with my own loved ones and watched while they died and it has been heartbreaking. There has been more than once that I have been asked to handle a funeral for a friend or relative and none of these things have been easy on the persons, or families, or me for that matter.
This morning I read of a young woman who had a very deadly form of brain cancer and from what I gather she wanted to spare herself and her family the terrible progression, pain, and humiliation of the terrible death that was sure to come.
There are those who condemn this act by anyone based on their beliefs and scriptural understanding and those who believe that to escape pain and suffering with dignity is perfectly alright. What do I believe? I believe we all have a choice and to exercise that choice is a gift we have received from Jesus Christ. Does He want to see a person suffer? Of course not. Does He want a person to trust in Him? Of course He does. Will He love the person who out of fear, or depression, or sickness ends their own life? Yes he will in my view.
Is it wrong for someone to take their own life? I can tell you in scripture there are listed seven suicides. I can tell you also we are to rely on Jesus to guide us through the storm of life and there are many verses of encouragement for us to read.
But the choice to live or die rests with us.
May peace be upon the family of the woman gone and may she even now rest with the Lord.
I will post the study for today in a bit.
Ok today as we join Paul he is speaking to us about sin. Saying that living in sin is living in death because as we know Jesus beat sin and death by being raised up by God into the newness of life. Now when we were, and even now are baptized into Christ’s death like Christ we are raised up (Out of the water.) into the newness of life and grace.
An example of sin might be if we give ourselves over to someone and that person is evil we will be led to evil, but if we give ourselves over to someone who is righteous like Jesus we then will be let to righteousness and grace. So sin being dead why would anyone want to live in it?
Verse 14 tells us this. “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace”.
In closing today we read this in verse 20 that is we are servants of sin we are free of righteousness and if we are then righteous we are free of sin by grace.
Verse 23 gives us the final word. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ”.
Wishing you a very good week and start it off by hugging someone you care about.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 6
We must not live in sin, for we are dead unto it; nor let sin reign in us.
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 7
Good morning from America
Election Day in America
November 4, 2014
This is Election Day in America, a day when we as citizens exercise our freedom to choose those who we want to govern and send them to our capitals both in state and federal positions. A freedom exercised and earned by the blood of our forefathers all those many years ago on the farmlands and in small town across the thirteen colonies that united this country in a stand for democracy and freedom from the tyranny of those who tried to tell us how we should and could live. The men and woman of those colonies broke those chains of oppression and holding the bloodied flag of red, and white, and blue stood battered but free before God giving thanks for His love and protection.
We have slipped a bit from those times and some very bad decisions have been made but Old Glory still waves above this land and the good and free people rise up once in a while and straighten out those whose greed begins to erode our free way of life, and this my friends the world over is what democracy and freedom is all about. No person in this country is above the law, no person or group of people in this country can tell you what to say or do or not to do or say. We, all of us together are free before God and man and never will we submit to those who would rule us, and so we vote today in the spirit and act of freedom.
Let Freedom Ring.
OK the statement at the very top of this scripture reading today explains for the most part the scripture itself.
Paul is speaking about sin and the law of God and how when one dies the law, any law no longer concerns one. As you read this scripture don’t become confused with the statements because they will explain themselves at the end.
Now the Laws God gave Moses (The Ten Commandments.) were good, but even though man wanted to obey them he could not because sin is in man and by breaking the Law he condemned himself making it impossible for anyone to be saved under that Law.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ stopped the Law. Here is where we read “If there is no Law there can be no sin and the example Paul gives is in the first few verses of the chapter concerning the woman and her husband.
Here is the key for believers I believe. The Law being good but not being able to be followed by man and causing him to actually condemn himself and again the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ stopped the Law and gave us what I call “The Choice”. If we choose the way of Christ we will be saved because He intercedes (To intervene on another’s behalf.) for us and we are saved. On the other hand if we choose to not accept the way of Christ we are lost.
Now, here is the thing about this. Even if we choose to accept the way of Christ we are still going to sin because the flesh is weak and full of sin, but it is not counted because of the Grace of Christ. And there you have the study for today.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 7
No law hath power over a man longer than he liveth. The law is holy.
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 8
Good morning from the desert
Living in the desert is a completely different experience than living anywhere else. It is to those who are unaccustomed to the scenery almost void of any type of vegetation over fife feet high unless one is in an area where there are Saguaro Cacti. The desert is barren and dusty and dry.
It is extremely hot in the summer and when it rains flash floods are everywhere. Dust blows and gets into everything and at times is so bad that one can’t see but a few yards
So why does one live in this God awful place? Actually there are several reasons. For those of us who suffer from Arthritis the dry heat means the difference between being able to walk and not being able to walk. The heat seems to take the pain away and allow us freedom of movement.
Another reason is the incredible beauty of the landscape of the desert against the mountains. The incredible sunrises and sunsets. Also little things like cars never rust. There are cars out here that are fifty years old and no rust anywhere. Now when the temperature gets to a freezing 60 degrees in the winter you will see people wearing sweaters, gloves, and hats, but the truth is it is not necessary to even wear long pants at any time of year.
Owners put sweaters on their pets out here in the winter and very small dogs are carried instead of being led with a leash. People from all over the country come out here in the winter to get away from their own winters and we call them “snowbirds”, then about May or June they fly back to where they came from.
I will post the study for today in a bit.
OK the opening verse in this chapter 8 of this book of Romans begins by telling us that those who walk in the Spirit of Jesus Christ are not condemned by the flesh, and in Verse 2 Paul tells us that “The law of the Spirit of the life in Jesus Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death”. You see, our bodies, our minds are not capable of following the law of God because we are weak and born full of sin, because of this the flesh cannot please God and is not subject to the law of God which to put it bluntly means death.
But we are no longer in the flesh but because of Christ the Spirit of God dwells in us.
We go on to learn those led by the Spirit of God are the sons and daughters of God and as such are joint heirs with Jesus Christ the first born of God.
It is very important to understand just what the death and resurrection of Christ did for all of us. It was absolutely impossible for man to be saved from the carnal sin of the flesh without the sacrifice of Christ for us. Unless He had died and risen again for our sins we would all perish in our own sin.
We read of the groaning and hoping for the adoption and redemption of our bodies, but hope we can see is useless, the hope we seek is not seen and is spiritual.
In verse 28 we read “all things work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose”. And this is powerful in verse 31 “If God be for us who can be against us”?
And finally this in verse 39 nothing…“shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Dear friends these words of Paul because of his vast God given knowledge are often confusing, but as we read we are given the understanding each one needs that applies to his or her life. Our understanding comes through the Holy Spirit, and fear not God will never confuse you.
His love for us is the difference between happiness and despair, the difference between life and death. All we need to do is reach out to Him and He will take our hand and lead us on to the Promised Land and through the Gates of Glory. It is easy, just ask and He will come.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright new world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 8
Who are free from condemnation. What harm cometh of the flesh. What good of the spirit, and what of being God’s children. The Christian hope.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 9
Good morning to our Welsh friends today
Ffrindiau bore da a chroeso i ddeg munud astudio'r Beibl. Bob dydd gymryd ychydig funudau a gyda'i gilydd dreulio rhywfaint o amser yn dysgu am gynllun Duw i ni. Hanes o amserau'r gorffennol a'r rhodd fendigedig a roddodd inni yn yr aberth o ei fab Iesu Grist. Felly wahodd eich ffrindiau a gyda'n gilydd byddwn yn gymryd ychydig funudau ac Duw heddiw hapus y daethom i ymweld ag ef yn gwneud.
A few days ago I read an article about the finding by deep sea divers of the skeletons of what they referred to as an Egyptian Army in the Red Sea. It wasn’t followed up by the news media in any way and I doubt if it was listed more than once anywhere. As you know Moses and the Israel people were saved by God during the Exodus when the Red Sea opened up and Moses led the people through on dry land only to be followed by the armies of Egypt. Of course the next big thing was that these armies were drowned in the sea as it closed around them. This was over two thousand years ago and many have believed it impossible to have this happen. Movies have been made about this and many sermons have been preached about this and yet it seemed too many unbelieves to be some kind of a fairy tale. So how does one explain the bones of these soldiers of Egypt? It is easy, THE BIBLE IS TRUE. So we who believe have another little tid bit for those who scoff at scripture. We believers know of a man by the name of Jonah who ended up in the belly of a very large fish. How about that? I will post the study for today in a bit.
OK today as we read what Paul is writing in his letter to Rome we learn of his concern for the Jews who try and achieve righteousness by following the law and stumble, while the Gentiles who have no law and must rely on faith alone achieve righteousness.
He points out something we have all read in scripture but may have overlooked and he does it in his usual blunt but elegant way of explanation.
Paul tells us that all Israel is not all Israel. Father Abraham had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau being the older was to serve the younger Jacob and God loves Jacob but hated Esau. God renamed Jacob Israel and so his seed alone was to make up the nation of Israel and be the Israel people, while Esau though being the son of Abraham and living in the country there about was not the Israel people.
Why did God do this? The explanation Paul gives is this. God being the maker of all things has power over all things and can do as He wishes. Verse 21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel into honour, and another into dishonour”? (Jacob and Esau.) The point being God does what He does by His plan and who understands but Him?
In this same vein if God wants to tell those who at one time were told “Ye are not my people”. And now He says in verse 26 “they shall be called the children of the living God”.
We read of the stumblingstone before the Jews and the reason is because they tried to achieve righteousness by following the works of the law instead of achieving it by faith and it caused them to stumble and fail in this endeavor. But the Gentiles having no law had no choice but to believe or achieve this righteousness by faith did not stumble but pleased God.
In this book of Romans we find Paul speaking the language we Gentiles relate too and so he and his teachings are preached over and over. In his words we find wisdom and hope.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright new world we would see.
Blessings.
Chapter 9
Paul’s sorrow for the Jews. All Abrahams seed were not the children of the promise. The calling of the Gentiles, and rejection of the Jews foretold.
1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. {Sabaoth: Heb. hosts}
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 10
Good morning to our Hebrew friends today
בוקר טוב לחברים שלנו בעברית היום . תודה לך על ביקורך בלימוד התנ"ך עשר דקות שלנו עם אלוהים שבו בכל יום אנו אוספים ביחד ולתת אלוהיםכמה זמננודקות . הוא , כמובן נותן לנו זמנו100% . אם אתה אוהב את מה שאנחנו עושים בבקשה נגיד לחברים שלך להצטרף אלינו בכל יום . ברכות .
My father was a service man and served this country in both the Second World War and the Korean War and as such we moved around quite a bit as a family. I remember walking around San Diego California trying to find a place to rent and seeing signs stating that service men were not welcome to rent. It was years later that I learned the reason for this was because we could be called to move at any time by the government moving our service men. So we ended up in what was called “The Projects” in San Diego and to tell you the truth I liked it very much.
That started what in my life I call living with the people; that is everyday working people who often are on the edge of either prosperity or destitution.
Many of you know that at a young age I lived by necessity in the back of an old car and though it wasn’t the best I was never in doubt things would get better and that is the attitude I see today in the people where I now live. There are here in Arizona areas where many live in luxury whether it be in very expensive houses or beautiful modular homes and I am glad for them for prosperity is the result of hard work. Where I live we have beautiful views of the mountains and sunrises and sunsets, but to drive through our area one would think themselves in the ghetto. Not so, while it is true many of my neighbors live in old trailers and RVs they are all good working people trying to get along as best they can and most all keep their area as clean and neat as possible. I learned many years ago through my own experience there are no second class citizens.
What I am saying is to know life one must live life and live in the realization of those around you and their daily struggle for that is what Jesus Christ did and his love for the common and struggling man produced today what we call Christianity, and hope, and love.
OK the lesson Paul teaches us today is about faith. It is very apparent Paul is extremely concerned over the destiny of the people of Israel. In verse 1 he writes this. “BRETHERN, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved”. Paul writes that though Israel has great love for God they love Him by the old law and try to attain righteousness by the old law and it isn’t working for Christ did away with the old law and replaced it with faith.
In verse 9 he writes “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved”.
We must understand here this is a very tall order for these people who have spent centuries practicing the laws of their forefather’s and have been teaching this Law of Moses to their children. And here is this man speaking on behalf of Jesus Christ telling them it is no longer necessary to do that and all they need to do is have faith and believe on Jesus to be saved.
Paul points out that the same God is ever the Jew and the Greek (Gentile) alike. He points out that all are now the children of God because of Jesus Christ.
“For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. To those reading this today this verse 13 applies to you as well. Just bow your head and call on the name of the Lord and say Jesus come into my life and save me. It works, I did it years ago.
We learn here that salvation is all about faith.
Verse 17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
Hug somebody you love today and make them happy.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright new world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 10
Paul’s prayer for Israel. Salvation open to Jews and Gentiles.
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Just One Little Candle
Romans chapter 11: 1-10
Good morning from the valley of the sun
Monday morning and as I sit her having my morning coffee and contemplate the day and watch the sun rise memories came to me of many years ago when with my mother we would ride the old Super chief across the country to meet my father as his ship docked in San Diego. This would have been in the 1940s and what a scene it was. As the ship pulled into the dock all of the sailors would line the deck of the ship standing at attention or at Parade Rest as it were and then at a certain time would disembark and walk down the gangway to the dock. The excitement of the families and the tears of joy happened every time he came home.
The scenes I saw while coming across country have remained in my mind all these years and are written in many of my books. The cattle drives, and the wild horses on the prairie, and the sunsets and sun rises, all there for others to read. Some even now are in the manuscript that is ready to be sent to a publisher in England. It seems the English very much like the American west of yesteryear.
Today because of the complexity of this chapter we will study only the first ten verses and continue with the balance of the verses during the next few days.
Paul begins his writing today by telling the Israelite’s about the disobedience that now exist in Israel. Even now after the life journey of God’s son Jesus Christ and now Paul and his God given message the Jews still refuse to change and the hate of them against the grace of Christ grows and festers.
Paul explains that righteousness cannot be gotten through works and when one tries to attain grace through it doesn’t happen. This is the problem amongst the Jews. They are offered grace but persist in trying to obtain the righteousness through works.
Paul tells those to whom he writes that he himself is an Israelite of the seed of Abraham and he goes on to say that God “foreknew” the people would be disobedient and he writes of Elias in the old testament and how he made intersession (cried) to God against Israel and how they had killed the prophets and even now were after him. God told Elias that He God had reserved seven thousand who were not given over to the worship of Baal, (evil one, destroyer, Satan.) He goes on to write that even now there is a small remnant of faithful who God has and the rest as in the time of Elias have had their eyes and ears made “dull” so as not to see or hear the word or grace of God. This happens when man is presented with righteousness, but decides to go his own way.
What about man today, is he going his own way without God?
In closing this part of our study Paul tells us that even though the majority of Gods people are now under divine judgment there is still the existence of a select minority and this is proof that God has not rejected His people.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright new world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 11: 1-10
A remnant of Israel saved by grace. The blindness of the rest prophesied of. The Gentiles may not boast against them.
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 11: 11-36
Good morning from America
Today is Veterans Day here in America and there will be all kinds of activities to honor the veterans both living and dead. But the truth of the matter is I have never met a veteran who bragged about their service or any of the hardships they might have endured, instead they will just answer if you ask and say “Yes I served” and go on about their business. Those with whom I served were all proud men and women who loved their country and all knew what was expected of them. You see it matters not how old a person is when it comes to freedom there will always be those who will willingly stand in harm’s way and make the sacrifice needed to insure that the citizens of America and her friends remain free. When a person joins the military their pledge is not to the government but to the constitution and believe me when I say they are two very different things.
So enjoy this celebration of freedom and to my fellow vets, it is ok to weep a tear or two when that flag comes streaming by. God Bless America.
Ok today we will finish this chapter 11 in which Paul continues to write to the roman Christians.
Let me digress for just a bit and say this, we need to understand that the Jews held no love for the Roman Christian’s or for any Gentile Christians for that matter because they knew they were and are God’s chosen people. As we read several times “First to the Jew then to the Gentile”. This is as it should be because the Jews are the natural chosen people of God. This of course does not mean we Gentiles are not loved by God, but we are not His natural chosen people.
Today Paul is speaking to the Gentiles in Rome and he is telling them not to boast about being accepted by God. Using the olive tree as an example he tells them the tree is wild by nature and if branches of another are grafted onto the olive tree they will take on the strength of the tree.
This refers to the fact that God has cut off the Jews because of disobedience and accepted the Gentiles but to not get too comfortable or boastful because if God cut them off the tree He is capable of putting them back on. In verse 21 we read “For if God spared not the natural branches (The Jews.) take heed lest he also spare not thee”.
Again we learn that though God accepted the Gentiles they are not His natural choice, but the Jews are His natural people.
God by design has imprisoned all, Jew and gentile alike so that He might show mercy to all alike. The Gentiles were accepted by God after He was rejected by the Jews and after He cut the Jews off.
Understand her that Paul tells the Gentiles that he Paul is their apostle and he is trying very hard to make the Roman Christian’s (Gentiles) understand where they are in the scope of things. Again, the Jews are God’s chosen people and the Roman Christians are not, but loved just the same by God.
It is not confusing if we remember that it is first the Jew then the Gentile and it is that way because the Jew is God’s natural chosen people. He did not after all walk the Gentile forty years through the wilderness trying to teach them to obey Him. No it was the stubborn Jew He did that for. God is love friends and if you accept Him you will live in paradise.
Remember if everyone would lite but one little candle what a bright new world it would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 11: 11-36
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 12
Good morning from the valley of the sun
From the beginning of man’s history there seems to have been “The Haves” and “The Have Not’s” and when we take a closer look at this we see there has always been the “Rich” and the Not So Rich”, the “Slave and the master” “The boss and the worker”. Man for the most part at least in the beginning followed the trade of his father and was satisfied with his lot in life. In more modern times we still have pretty much this same situation and in truth things haven’t changed much, but they have become more modern and sophisticated. There seems to have always been taxes as we read in Old Testament scripture. There has always been greed and corruption in government and yes the church, and crime and of course immoral behavior.
There has always been those who have fought against and hated God and what He stands for. There has always been those who have not accepted, or have denied that Christ is Gods Son and
that he was not resurrected on the third day after His Crucifixion and it is likely this will never change as long as the world is in the state in which it now functions.
So this brings us in this modern age to the same choice man has always had from the beginning and that is to believe and accept God by faith or not, and as it has always been the choice is ours to make. It is simple really, do we have FAITH or not and we know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. What is your choice? I will post the study for today in a bit.
Ok as we join Paul in his writing today we see he is writing to a certain group of Christians in Rome about the proper way to live and conduct themselves. As I read this I can’t help but think of how well known he must be there even though he has never been there to meet the Christians.
Being a Christian and Christian living is simply being a Christian and acting as a Christian should act in every part of life. (Wycliffe)
We read in verse 4 Paul speaks of “Many members in one body”. and the picture here is of the church being alive and the members are many and of different levels of importance in life but together they make up the “one body” of the church. One body in Christ. Keep in mind here this is all done by faith and not works.
There are as we read in the verses that follow several things that Paul suggests a Christian do to live as a Christian in the body of Christ. As we read these verses keep in mind Paul is addressing this group in Rome whom he has never seen, but at the same time these guidelines apply to us all who wish to live as Christians.
The last verse of this chapter tells us this. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”. This does not mean that a man cannot fight to protect his or her freedom or family it simply means we are to conduct our life in a sensible, sober, Christian manner.
As I close today I would like to say that these verses we read and often hear explained by a preacher is a good thing, but for you to read and understand for yourself is also a good thing. Being together with other Christians is something that is necessary in order to grow and learn also.
Hug someone today and light that one little candle to help God shed some of His light and love on our suffering world.
Blessings.
Chapter 12
Holiness enjoined. Sundry practical duties recommended.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Just One Little Candle
Romans Chapter 13
Good morning to all my study folks
Being a Christian is simply a matter of choice and faith. From the beginning there were things that had to be done to qualify one for salvation, then along came God’s Son Jesus Christ and changed all of that. But you see from the beginning there had to be faith as well so it has been faith after all.
What is faith and how does it work. Faith is confidence or trust in a person, or in our case God. Faith is the trust or confidence that God sent His only Son to earth to save mankind from self-destruction and to keep the great deceiver Satan from taking man away from God and destroying him. Once a person says “God save me and make me yours”, or “Jesus forgive me of my sins and come into my life” or anything heart felt that tells the Lord that person wants Christ in their life will do it. Then a person is baptized into death of their old life and into life with Christ and Father God. From that point on a person will feel the change in themselves. They will know when they have sinned and they will know Jesus is right there with them. They will go to Jesus asking for forgiveness for sin and know they have already been forgiven by His death and resurrection. It is simple, if you need to do it to be saved from Satan now is the time, right now while you are reading this.
Ok in chapter 13 Paul writes to those in Rome of how one must be submissive to the government and how no government can exist or how there can be no human authority except by the power of God. When we read this we might think about those governments that are evil and persecute their people. The fact is that government and not the evil rulers are there by God’s authority. The fact that they are evil as was many of the rulers of old only proves God’s word to be true. They condemn themselves before God for it is not the government that is evil but the ruler.
Now a good ruler is a threat and deterrent to the evil person, but to the good person he gives comfort and safety and peaceful living which is an incentive to obey the law and be peaceful.
Good rulers deserve honor and respect. One of the ways of showing respect is the paying of ones taxes. Again if the rulers are full of greed and high minded and take advantage of the good person living in peace they condemn themselves before God. An example of this is excessive taxes to satisfy that rulers, or official’s high mindedness.
Paul goes on to list some of those things we are not to do and need to guard against and they read very much like part of the Ten Commandments.
Lastly Paul speaks of love and this word is so powerful. The word love contains all of the law of God. Remember how we are told to pray for those that hate us and in so doing coals of fire are heaped upon their head? And then there is this concerning us. It is impossible to hate someone you are praying for.
Hug your children today and tell them how much they mean to you.
If everyone would lite but one little candle what a bright new world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 13
Of subjection of magistrates. Love containeth the whole law.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
It’s all about Faith
Romans Chapter 14
Good morning from the valley of the sun.
As you see I have changed the name of this study and web-site to “It’s all about Faith”. The reason for this is because over the years as I have studied the Bible and read the words of those knowledgeable scholars who have spent their lives trying to educate those of us who in our effort to understand God’s will and plan for man- kind and who have themselves spoken again and again of the faith of those men and women God chose to do His work.
As I have studied the Bible from Genesis on all of the Prophets and Prophetesses God chose to do His work and gave incredible power to work wonders and miracles before men had never seen God himself. As far back as Jacob (Who God named Israel) and before it was necessary for them to have faith and as we progressed through the Bible this faith continued in every book and every chapter. Over and over the words speak of faith and those who had it and believed were saved and those who did not and did not believe were condemned. Faith by the way means to trust or have confidence in a person or thing and in man’s case it means trust or confidence in God. So from now on we will come together and study in the frame of mind “It’s all about Faith”.
Then the ministry and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ really put emphasis on faith and made it possible for all of mankind to seek and receive salvation.
OK this reading today concerns two types of Christians. Those who are mature in their conscience and the new Christian who is still learning and may have doubts about things. Paul uses food for this teaching as he writes to those of the church in Rome. Here we have as an example the mature Christian who is strong in his faith and eats meat and the new Christian who is weaker and still growing in faith and eats only vegetables.
Now both think they are right in their beliefs and they are but Paul says one Christian brother is not to condemn the other Christian brother for the way they believe. In other words the stronger is not to condemn the weaker, not the weaker the stronger. We have all been guilty of “kidding” or laughing at a new employ who is just learning the job and considers those things we take for granted and even pass over as important. And this goes to what Paul points out, if a person thinks something is important then to that person it is important and we are not to judge.
We now read of “special days” and the weaker Christian and stronger Christian observe these days and both show devotion to the Lord in their own way.
We learn that “everyone” lives and dies in the Lord and that the Lord died and arose so that He would have Lordship over both the living and the dead.
Here is the thing. Whether we are stronger or weaker we are not to judge our brother or sister because as it says in verse 10 “But why does thou judge thy brother? Or why does thou set at nought (have disregard or scorn.) thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”.
Each one of us will stand before God and give an account of himself. Think about that sentence and you will most likely get a little jolt of “the fear of God”. At least I do.
We are not to make one another stumble and to live in uprightness, and peace, and harmony, and joy. This type of living is pleasing to God and is respected by men.
Lastly and this has to do with faith. Verses 22 and 23 says “Hast thou no faith”? “And he that doubteth is dammed if he eateth, because he eateth not of faith (Doesn’t believe in what he is doing.) for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
It takes but a tiny spark to light a candle and if everyone would just pray a prayer of peace what a bright new day we would have.
Blessings.
Chapter 14
How to treat a weak brother.
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
It’s all about Faith
Romans Chapter 15
Good morning from the deserts of America
We are in the fifteenth chapter of this book of Romans and in our next study we will conclude reading and learning what Paul had to say or write to the Christians of Rome. The advice he has given to these people he has never met has been full of warnings, and direction, and love and he has done it all from his prison cell. The very nature of his incarceration has been one of respect and up to this point limited freedom to do his writing. As we have learned those who were in prison were at the leisure of the rulers who might at some point hear them and though Paul was an important man in the ruling class of Romans at one point, now he was just a Roman citizen who happened to be in jail awaiting an audience with Caesar.
What we have learned about this life of Paul’s is that once he had accepted the responsibility Jesus had given him he did his work with fervor and his FAITH never waned, but steadily grew and in doing so he became stronger and stronger in his delivery of Christ’s ministry. From this point on you and I will from learning reap the benefits of the Apostles and Prophets and allow our FAITH to also grow in the knowledge that Jesus Christ’s is indeed the son of God and His love for us is there for the asking.
We see Paul begins this chapter by telling those to whom he writes. “We that are strong (Knowledgeable, and confident in our knowledge.) should help the weak rather than please ourselves. In other words we that are strong in FAITH should be helping our neighbors who are not for their good and not for our own.
The Old Testament helps us through instruction and we learn patience and endurance because what we read is about God who is dealing directly with His people and not about ideas. This sounds harsh, but as you will recall everything that happened in the Old Testament had a direct connection with God and His people. While the New Testament deals with choices and the acceptance of the teachings and Ministry of Christ and the decision was left to the individual and is not “set in stone”. (Smile.)
Now Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles and in verse 6 he writes that the ministry of Christ was designed for both the Jew and the Gentile. And we further learn that it was the Jew who shared the promises of God with the Gentiles enabling them to glorify God in worship.
Paul being the apostle to the Gentiles looks at his responsibility as that of a priest to them and does not boast of his work but instead boasts of what Jesus Christ was or is able to do through his efforts on Christ’s behalf.
Wanting so to go to Rome and meet the Christian’s was a burning desire for Paul but at the moment he is at the mercy of those who will transport him, and he writes of wanting to go to Spain as well.
Knowing that his journey will be a dangerous one he asks for prayer for he knows the unbelieving Jews in Palestine hate him. Also he asks for prayer that the gift of the collection he has for the poor Christian’s will be well received.
I must close and am left with much more to share with you but for now I will say we will finish the book of Romans at our next meeting.
May God bless you today and every day and if everyone would pray a prayer of peace what a bright new world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 15
The strong ought to bear with the weak. We may not please ourselves.
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,
19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
“It’s all about Faith”
Romans Chapter 16
Good morning from our house
Today will be our last day in the study of this book of Romans until the next time we journey through the Bible in search of those things that seem to elude so many. It is true there are things we don’t understand as we read the words of those who so long ago began to share with us. Through the centuries men and women have stood in the face of hatred and persecution to spread the love of God and Jesus Christ and many have paid the price of sharing love with their fellow man with their lives. Even today in this advanced age of sophistication and leaning many are still brutally murdered for trying to help those in need. For over two thousand years man has brutalized each other in an ongoing effort to impose evil on his fellow man and yet we consider ourselves peaceful loving people.
From the very beginning we have had prophets and prophetesses stand and hold out their hands to all men and try to explain that God wants to give us all He has and make our lives peaceful and filled with His power and protection from evil. While many have accepted this love many still do not believe and are dragged down into darkness with false teachings and promises by their own choice and ignorance of the grace offered to them by the gift of Christ’s death. Hatred and greed prevail in much of the world and it will be so until the Day Of The Lord we so long for, and at that time things will be set right.
In this final chapter of this book of Romans we see that Paul pays special tribute to several people who have helped him during this time in his life. Not the least of which are several women. Phoebe in particular is mentioned and it may surprise you to know Phoebe was a Deaconess in the church in Cenchrea. Also there were also others mentioned and their help was important to this ministry of Paul at this time. We learn perhaps for the first time that women played a very important role in the workings and growth of the church.
Also mentioned were the “Household” or “House” churches and this gives us a bit of insight to the possibility that there may have been in Rome many of these small “House” churches instead of one large church.
In this final writing to Christians Paul tells them in verses 17 and 18 to watch out for those who teach false doctrine because they do it only to fill their own stomachs and telling them that “the God who brings peace will crush Satan under your feet in a short time”.
The secrets Paul refers to is this Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Meaning that the Jew and gentile may both believe and both are saved “for the obedience of faith”.
So in conclusion we learn that the plan all along was for both the Jew and Gentile to receive the blessings of God. And this brings us to this final thought.
Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Amen.
If everyone would lite just one little candle what a bright world this would be.
Blessings.
Chapter 16
Paul sendeth salutations to many.
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. {household: or, friends}
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. {household: or, friends}
12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. {simple: or, harmless} 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. {bruise: or, tread}
21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. <<Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.>> (Ro 1:1-16:27 AV)