Baptist City Blog

Wednesday, 6/1/16  Luke 24:21a, But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel. Their problem was that these men had a different definition of the word “redeemed.” Be sure to use Bible words biblically. And take into account God’s plans/time references.       
             Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? Be very aware of how great personal problems caused this Bible giant to doubt what he proclaimed fearlessly just months before.  ¹Be aware YOU very well may be faced with hard trials and may react similarly.  ²Don’t be too harsh on yourself if you doubt God.  ³Don’t be harsh on others who doubt God in their trials.                         Ps 119:131, 136, I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes because they keep not thy law. This in an intensity and depth of Christianity that, sadly, I know nothing about! Help me, Lord. Pray for me.

 

Thursday, 6/2/16  Luke 24:32, And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? How long has it been since your heart burned?                        John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. The deepest truths in all the Bible, yet they are expressed in 37 one-syllable words; 2 two-syllable words, and 2 three-syllable words. Idea: Record your SS lessons/sermons: how many big words and complex sentences (or poor, confusing sentences) do you use?                          Pro 27:14, He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. The one you love may not be able to receive the frequency on which you’re transmitting that love: express it how they receive best.

 

Friday, 6/3/16  Luke 6:1, And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first... Basic Bible doctrine: there were many sabbath days in addition to simply the weekly one on Saturday.                        Luke 5:19, And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. These 4 men incurred hundred of dollars of debt and a householder’s anger to get their friend to Jesus. What are you incurring? Will you fast? Give? Repent? Go to a prayer meeting? Get up earlier to walk with God?                                   Pro 27:14, He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. Even if someone expresses their love in an awkward, even distasteful fashion, give them credit for loving you and for attempting to express it.

 

Saturday, 6/4/16  I Cor 10:13, There hath no temptation taken YOU but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer YOU to be tempted above that YE are able... What you are able to withstand, may be too much for another...don’t judge their circumstances or reactions to them.                   Luke 6:22, Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. I’m not saying we should try to get people to be mad at us, Jesus didn’t, but maybe a measure of our godliness is how many people speak well of us as well as how many people speak evil of us. Consider:  2 Tim 3:12, ...all they that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  1 Cor 8:3, But if any man love God, the same is known of him.                          Would you characterize your world at home, at work, at school, or on the highways as “contentious”?? If so, the problem may be you, not the world. Pro 28:25a, He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife... Pro 29:22a An angry man stirreth up strife.

 

Sunday, 6/5/16  Ps 20:2, Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion. Our strength will come from Zion, the city of God, i.e. Heaven, but our help from the sanctuary, the house of God, i.e. the preaching and fellowship at church.               Luke 6:27-28, But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. If you had to, could you put names and list actions to these categories because of how often you obey these verses? Maybe we talk more than we do... Just sayin’...

 

Monday, 6/6/16  Ps 22:25, My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. Does praising God publicly give us the wherewithal to fulfill promises we’ve made to God?                        Ps 22:25-26, My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. Notice the order: I praise; I fulfill my vows (evidently financial giving, because then), others eat and are satisfied; they praise; my heart is made full. (And look at v27: the world notices.)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Thoughtful people usually come to conclusions gradually but usually stay there tenaciously.

- Eden is proof that living in paradise would not make a better life. You don't need better circumstances - you need to stay close to God.

- He who preaches to broken hearts, will never want for a congregation". Seek to encourage someone today.

- We are prone to categorize sin. We have a few sins that we categorize as giants ones. We list murder, adultery, homosexuality, stealing, killing, cursing, etc. Let me suggest that you put one sin at the top of the list: the sin of prayerlessness. It is the greatest of all the sins, for it includes in it a degree of atheism.

- Habits make character. If one forms good habits, he will have good character. If he forms bad habits, he will have bad character. The word “character” comes from a word which mean “to cut” or “to engrave.” Each time an act is performed a deeper groove is made until one has done a certain thing so often in a particular way that it is difficult to change.

- A house is not a home. There are many empty houses. But there is never an empty home.

- One of the advantages of taking the high road is you are closer to God.

- If someone disappoints you today consider that perhaps the disappointment was appointed by God to teach you to look to Him more than to others.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Pro 25:15, by long forbearing is a prince persuaded adn a soft tongue breaketh the bone. The old adage: “oney will catch more flies than vinegar”is applicable here. Patience and gentleness in what we say will be more likely to get a desired response.

- Rom 13:14, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. We are told how to behave as we dailyour lives in fleshly bodies on earth. We are to put on Jesus Christ just as we put on and wear clean clothes each day!

- Ps 62:6, He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. With the passing of the years and the instability of all that was stable and reliable, we must be solid in faith, convictions, and testimony to the world.

- 1 Sam 29:7, Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. David and his men came very close to being on the wrong side in a fight against friends, family, and nation. That happens when we become close friends with the enemy.

- Exo 18:5, And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sone and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God. Like many men, Moses tried to shield his wife and family from the troubles of life, but in so doing, caused them to miss seeing God’s miracles and dad’s faith.

- Ps 106:15, And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Be cautious to not ask God for vain or selfish things. Are they worth the peace, joy, love, contentment, or any other good* thing that fills your soul?!

- Pro 1:4, To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. For years I've read that word as, “subtly”. I know, crazy, right? I'm not sure why. Today, i finally saw it correctly: “subtility”. It means, fineness. Wisdom refines, or brings proper behavior and actions to, those who'll listen to it.

- Bible thoughts! Matt 26:53, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Boy, what powerful words of Jesus! Sometimes we are at our lowest and it seems we have absolutely nothing. But it's at such times we can be assured God is our all in all!

- Bible thoughts! Ps 5:1, Give ear to my words, O Lord , consider my meditation. Just the idea that God would listen to me and bend His ear to me is an overwhelming blessing. He DOES hear our prayers. He DOES answer them when we pray for HIS will!