Knowing Jesus helps for eternity!

Acts3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of
prayer, the ninth *hour.* 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb
was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called
Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple...6 Then Peter
said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (NKJV)

There are times that people have a need and are not really sure what that

need is because they are lost in a dying world. Many people ask for money,

some have an honest need because of physical, emotional, or mental

problems. Some are swindlers or just lazy. Peter saw what a lame man really

needed, to be healed by the power of Jesus. Peter stopped what he was doing

and gave attention to someone that could give Peter nothing. How many times

are we given the opportunity, the honor and privilege of sharing the love

of Jesus and His healing power with others and just walk right on by them

because they are less fortunate. Silver and gold may help someones life

temporarily. Knowing Jesus, helps for eternity.

Douglas 

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Where is He nudging you?

27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

      And I show you a still more excellent way.

Most of us who work in the fields for Jesus, start out where we feel comfortable, but the Lord moves us where He wants us and it's usually an area where we are weak. Why? Because He uses the weak to confound the wise. How else will people know it was Him that transformed us?

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

So when you feel His nudging and you reply, I can't do that, remember that we alone cannot, but with Him all things are possible. 

He gave you spiritual gifts and He will strengthen your gifts to His perfection!

Years ago I had a pastor tell me I had the spiritual gift of administration. I didn't know where I would apply this gift. While volunteering as a chaplain at the Arizona State Veterans Home I saw a need. The Lord put on my heart to form a team of chaplains for service there. I wasn't easy and I made some mistakes but God perfected the team to His liking. A year later I was called to move to another state. I left the team in good capable hands, and the chaplains are of One Body all working for His glory. He continues to grow His ministry there and I enjoy reading the ASVH weekly reports. The chaplain team at ASVH are truly blessed!

Where is He nudging you?

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Look to Jesus for help!

Isaiah61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has
anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the
brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the
prison to those who are bound 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give
them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness...

There is a song, "Dear younger me", by Mercy Me, that talks about what you

would tell your younger self if you could. "Then you could be One step

ahead Of all the painful memories still running thru my head I wonder how

much different things would be". For many, what would we truly say or

change if we could. I look back at all the decisions that I have made, and

those decisions have made me who I am today. My first thoughts were, DON'T

take that first drink, stay away from drugs, especially meth, don't look at

porn. More importantly, look to Jesus for help, not relationships. God has

made "beauty from ashes" in my life. Through all the pain that I have

experienced, I know one thing for sure, Jesus loves me and I am alive

because of Him. And now, I am able to help so many others, all because of

the hell that God has helped me through.

Douglas 

It is finished. John 19:28-37

John 19 NLT
The Death of Jesus
28 Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture He said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to His lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” 
31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, so they didn’t break His legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of His bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”

"It is finished!" Three words that mean so much. He finished what He was sent to do, fulfill the final sacrifice for mankind's sin. No longer was there a need for sacrificial rituals to cleanse us from our sins, our faith in Christ is all we need to be forgiven. He was the perfect, unblemished lamb who's death cleanses us. 

There are medical explanations for the blood and water that flowed from Jesus' side but I don't think the medical explanation is what God wanted us to see by the piercing of Jesus. The following is an excerpt from Matthew Henry's Commentary in Bible Hub: 

"He died in less time than persons crucified commonly did. It showed that He had laid down His life of Himself. The spear broke up the very fountains of life; no human body could survive such a wound. But its being so solemnly attested, shows there was something peculiar in it. The blood and water that flowed out, signified those two great benefits which all believers partake of through Christ, justification and sanctification; blood for atonement, water for purification. They both flow from the pierced side of our Redeemer."

I love that! "blood for atonement, water for purification." I believe that's the point God wanted to make! Washed by the blood, purified by baptism. Have you been baptized since you came to believe? If not, you should be. Now, don't misunderstand me, you do not HAVE to be baptized to enter Heaven, the thief on the cross next to Jesus wasn't but we are told in Luke 23:43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Blessings, Cecilia

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 What about you?

12For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

      27Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

      And I show you a still more excellent way.

Yesterday I asked, what is your spiritual gift? As you can see in today's scripture there are many and God bestows upon us different gifts. But all together we are one body in Christ. We combine our gifts working for Him towards the salvation of lost souls. 

Do you remember the Parable of the Three Servants?

http://biblehub.com/ntlt/matthew/25.htm

The servants were entrusted with their masters money and were instructed to invest it. Upon their masters return they brought him the money along with the returns on the investment. One lazy servant buried the money and didn't return an investment, while the others invested it and returned more than was given.

This is a parable on your spiritual gifts. How do you use them? Do you invest in heaven? Multiplying them into souls for Him? Or are you like the lazy servant who buried his gift with no return on his investment?

I suspect when we meet Jesus we will wish we had done more with our spiritual gifts. What about you?

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Blessings from God.

2Kings4:2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do
you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the
house but a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from
everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a
few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and
your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full
ones.”5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who
brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 Now it came to pass,
when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another
vessel.”And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil
ceased.(NKJV)

Blessings from God come in all different ways, financial, physical,

emotional, and relational. Many times we only see the faithfulness of God

after God see's our faithfulness unto Him. A simple widow asked for help,

Elisha gave simple instructions and God simply blessed her by giving her

just what she needed, all because she asked. I believe that there are many

times that full blessings are not given all because we do not follow

through with fervency and obedience. If this women would of only gotten a

few pots, she would of only had a little oil. Faithfulness to God is seen

in following His instructions to the fullest. Being obedient does not

always come easy, but it is always worth it.

Douglas 

Prophecy Fulfilled. John 19:16b-27

John 19 NLT
The Crucifixion 
16b So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed Him to the cross. Two others were crucified with Him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. 21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among the four of them. They also took His robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”So that is what they did. 25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And He said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. 

This description glosses over the crucifixion, not revealing the brutality of it and the suffering Jesus endured. Let's not forget the extreme humiliation, pain and suffering Jesus endured. My thought is this description doesn't reveal those aspects because the writer wants to focus on something else this text reveals.

The prophecy fulfillment. Psalm 22 was written by King David approximately 1000 years before Christ was born and 700 years before crucifixion was first used.

Psalm 22:18 "They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing." 

And in John 19:23 "When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among the four of them. They also took His robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.”

The robe was seamless, woven from top to bottom. It was perfectly woven, without flaw. It was unique and one of a kind. Mary probably made this robe for Jesus when He left home to begin His ministry. That was the customs of the time, to send their sons off into the world with a new suit of clothing. It was woven with love, woven with hope of the future. How Mary must have prayed for Jesus, her Son, as she created this garment. The Roman soldiers destroyed His physical body but not His robe and not His Spirit. 

The world can destroy our physical bodies. The world world cannot destroy our robe of righteousness, given to us when we became saved. Jesus made this robe for us, woven from top to bottom when He came from Heaven to earth, when He came to die for our sin. It's the robe He created for us of His blood. It covers our sin and protects us as we go out into the world to share the Gospel. 

Once again, we need not fear. Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Blessings, Cecilia

1 Corinthians 12 What is your spiritual gift?

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit gives us a spiritual gift. 

What they are: Special abilities given at the moment of salvation.

What they are not: talents, responsibilities or fruit of the spirit.

Who has a spiritual gift?

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

1 Peter 4:10 http://biblehub.com/1_peter/4-10.htm

1 Timothy 4:12-14 http://biblehub.com/nlt/1_timothy/4.htm

How do we get spiritual gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:8,28 

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

http://biblehub.com/nlt/1_corinthians/12.htm

Why do we have spiritual gifts?

1 Corinthians 14:12-26 http://biblehub.com/nlt/1_corinthians/14.htm

1 Corinthians 12:7 http://biblehub.com/nlt/1_corinthians/12.htm

What is your spiritual gift?

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Understanding God

Jer9:23 Thus says the Lord:“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let
not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his
riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and
knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. (NKJV)

There are many people that say that they "know" God and are His children,

and yet have no understanding of what He wants from them or what He wants

them to do. For many, the glory of accomplishment comes from wisdom, might,

and riches. Understanding God, His lovingkindness, judgement, and

righteousness is far more important than any earthly accomplishment. In

understanding God's attributes, our lives should be changed. The end

question is, what do you delight in, the things of the world or the things

of God? All of this world is going to pass away, what then? May our main

desire, our most important glory, be to understand and know God!

Douglas 

Fear and Joy of The Lord

Prov9:10 The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and
regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of
wisdom [its starting point and its essence]...Neh8:10...for this day is
holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your
strength and your stronghold.”(AMP)

There are many things that I have seen Christians struggle with over the

years, and two of them are the "Fear" and the "Joy" of the Lord. If we

truly feared the Lord, our world would be different. For many, we justify

our sin because it does not "cross the line" as to becoming disqualified

and is not as bad as others or as we use to be. Then, because of our sin,

we cannot truly embrace the "Joy" of the Lord because of our shame. There

is a battle that rages inside many because of the desire to be "Christian",

to be "Christ-like". Joy comes by abiding in Christ, following after His

example. Joy comes from an attitude of gratitude, to the One who gives us

strength to overcome our weaknesses and protect us in His stronghold.

Brethren, we are not sin-less, but we are called to sin less.

Douglas 

1 Corinthians 12 Jesus is Lord

The Use of Spiritual Gifts

      1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

The moment you become a believer in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit enters you. So when you say, "Jesus is Lord," it is by the Holy Spirit. 

Do you feel His conviction inside you to speak to someone about Jesus?

Do you ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words to speak?

He won't force you, but if you allow Him and ask He will guide you. 

Dear Heavenly Father I ask that You use the Holy Spirit to guide us today, give us the words to speak to bring the lost souls to You. Help us spread Your word about Salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus name I pray.

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

The Untouchables. John 19:1-16

John 19 NLT
Jesus Sentenced to Death 
1 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped Him across the face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring Him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find Him not guilty.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the Man!” 6 When they saw Him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him,” Pilate said. “I find Him not guilty.” 7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law He ought to die because He called Himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked Him, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t You talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t You realize that I have the power to release You or crucify You?” 11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over Me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.” 12 Then Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this Man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.” 13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your King!” 15 “Away with Him,” they yelled. “Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “What? Crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back. 16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.  

If you've seen the movie "The Passion" you understand what the flogging with the lead-tipped whip was like. This text says the crown of thorns was "put" on His head but as depicted in the movie, driven into His scull is probably more accurate. The text also said He was slapped. Punched is probably more like it. 

He was mocked by the Roman soldiers. He was mocked by the crowd. Pilot is still trying to stop this travesty of justice, he tells the crowd again and again He finds Jesus not guilty of a crime. But the crowd, the Jewish leaders, the "Men Of God" are out for blood. They even state "We have no king but Caesar". Now, they don't even acknowledge God as their King. 

It is so sad what hatred can do to the heart and the soul when we feed it and let it take over. I've known people in my life who allowed hatred to take over their life and harden their heart. You probably do too. They become untouchable, unreachable, unapproachable.  All we can do is pray for them. 

If you are harboring resentment toward someone today, ask God to take your anger away and replace it with compassion. Whenever the person or situation that upset you comes to mind, turn it over to God and pray for then instead of feeding your anger. You'll find you are able to forgive and move on instead of staying stuck in resentment. 

Blessings, Cecilia

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Are you guilty of His body and blood?

  17But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. 19For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 20Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, 21for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.

The Lord’s Supper

      23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

      27Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

      33So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.

Paul was reprimanding the church because they were eating meals and getting drunk with wine in the house of God.

He was instructing them how to properly take communion so to not be guilty of abusing the body and blood of Christ.

This must have been bad news to him when he received this report of the church running astray.

I recall when I went to a small Catholic Church with my mother a young lady in front of us was sleeping and laying on the pew. During communion she got up and stood in line. When she came up to the priest he scolded her and refused to give her communion. He was retorting as Paul did in this scripture. The young lady wasn't in the right mind and unworthy to receive the body and blood of Christ.

What about you? Do you repent and ask forgiveness before taking the body and blood of Christ? We should not take it blindly but in remembrance of His sacrifice. Properly prepare before accepting Him. So we will not be guilty of His body and blood, but instead as Jesus stated;

 “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Stay strong my brethren!

Job1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man
was blameless and upright, and one who feared God [with reverence] and
abstained from and turned away from evil [because he honored God].
1Sam16:18 One of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse
the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a brave and competent man, a
warrior, discerning (prudent, eloquent) in speech, and a handsome man; and
the Lord is with him.” Matt11:11 I assure you and most solemnly say to you,
among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the
Baptist...(AMP)

Do you ever wonder how God sees you, how others see you, and then have to

deal with how you see yourself? There are many in scripture that had great

things said about them and there are some that made mistakes along the way

and still ended up ok. Job, served God no matter what he went through with

honor. David was a man that had great things said about him, made some

mistakes along the way and made it right with repentance. John the Baptist

was a great man in the eyes of Jesus and stayed that way till the end.

Jesus also said, "yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is

greater [in privilege] than he." To be right with God is something that can

be challenging, but through the examples in the scriptures, it can be done,

The battle is fierce, remember, we are fighting from victory, not for

victory. Stay strong my brethren!

Douglas 

Backed Into A Corner. John 18:28-40

John 18
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate 
28 Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then He was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. 29 So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” 30 “We wouldn’t have handed Him over to you if He weren’t a criminal!” they retorted. 31 “Then take Him away and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied. 32 (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way He would die.) 33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked Him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought You to me for trial. Why? What have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, My followers would fight to keep Me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But My Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” 40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.) 

The Jews had arrested Jesus at night and now it was almost morning. They had been at it all night. All in the veil of darkness. Why? What exactly was the rush? Their hatred for Jesus, they want Him dead.

The Jews were not worried about murdering an innocent man yet they did not want to defile themselves and be unable to attend Passover by going into the Roman headquarters. Hypocrites. 

Then comes the old adage " "He must be guilty of something or he wouldn't have been arrested in the first place". Verse 30 “We wouldn’t have handed Him over to you if He weren’t a criminal!” 

In their Jewish court, sentencing didn't include execution. They want Jesus dead. To accomplish this, He has to stand trial in Roman court. Jesus had not broken any Roman law. There were a lot of Jews in town for the Passover Festival. If Pilot doesn't do what they want, he will have a riot on his hands. Pilot is backed into a corner and looking for a way out. 

How many times have we been backed into a corner and looked for a way out? Did we do the right thing or go with the crowd? If you're like me, in your "before Christ" life, you went with the crowd and maybe didn't care about the consequences. In our "after Christ" life we should be doing what's right, if we're not, we better start. 

Take a step away from the crowd today. Let the world know you follow Jesus and you may find you're never backed into a corner again. 

Blessings, Cecilia

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 NASB Be imitators of Christ

Christian Order

      1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

      2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 10Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.

Be imitators of Christ in everything we do. Do not be contentious over customs. As we studied in chapter 10, don't allow your liberty to offend another's conscience.

As we read this scripture, questions arise concerning proper dress and head coverings while in worship and prayer. I recall while growing up Catholic women wearing a veil, scarf or cloth on their head. I have scoured commentaries for an answer to the meaning of Pauls letter-scripture in chapter 11 and I found this. I don't know the answers to the questions raised in this scripture but leave it to the reader and guidance of the Holy Spirit for interpretation.

Custom and Contention

If someone is contentious concerning the custom of women praying to God with heads uncovered, the apostle Paul affirmed that the churches of God have no such custom (1 Cor 11:13–16). Christians must avoid contention over customs. The context of 1 Corinthians 11 is not offending another conscience with one’s liberty (1 cor 10:23–33). For many, there remains confusion. Was Paul saying that the churches have no such custom of the head-covering or no such custom of women praying while uncovered? One is permissive and the other excludes women praying with their heads uncovered by modesty. Not matter the position, the message is a matter of modesty between men and woman under the headship of God and Christ. Christian women must also display godly principles of modesty and humility even in dress.

Read more here:

https://godsbreath.net/2008/05/14/head-coverings/

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

You're gonna have to serve somebody.

Joshua24:14 “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and
in truth; remove the gods which your fathers served on the other side of
the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 If it is
unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this
day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that
were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose
land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

For many Christians, they follow the examples that were set before them by

their parents and the friends that they hung out with. Serving the flesh

and its desires is so much easier than serving God. There are many

different gods that we serve everyday without really thinking about it.

Things, people, hobbies, money, that we make our idols and allow God to be

pushed by the wayside. "You’re gonna have to serve somebody Well, it may be

the devil or it may be the Lord But you’re gonna have to serve somebody" -

Bob Dylan. Life is made out of choices. We must choose who we will serve.

Joshua took a stand that was against popular consensus and may all

Christians do the same. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Who

is with me?

Douglas

Update: Glory of God vs Holy Spirit. JOHN 16:5-15

I sent an emailed to the pastor of our church about my question "Is the Holy Spirit the same as the Glory of God?" 

This is the response I received:

"In regards to your question I would say that the glory of God is different than the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is a person – an equal part of the Godhead in the Trinity. The glory of God in its simplest definition is the sum total of who God is – His essence. Below is a link to a sermon by John MacArthur on the topic of the glory of God! I hope it helps you!"

https://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/2002/the-glory-of-the-lord

Makes sense. 

Blessings, Cecilia 

Original Study:

John 16 NLT
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 "But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. 12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’

Some people think of the Holy Spirit as our conscience convicting us internally when we do something wrong. The Holy Spirit is so much more then that. The Holy Spirit is the extension of God that dwells inside each and every believer. Our bodies are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit is God inside the temple.

This leads me to a question I have been trying to find an answer to all morning. Is the Glory of God spoken of in the Old Testament the same as the Holy Spirit in the New Testament?

My point in this question is IF the Holy Spirit is the same being as the Glory of God, that draws the following conclusions: The Glory of God who led the Israelites out of Eqypt by cloud during the day and pillar of fire at night is the same Spirit that fills us as believers The Glory of God that passed by Moses while he was on the mountain causing his face to glow is the same Sprit that fills you and me. The same Glory of God that filled the temple in the desert as the Israelites wandered for 40 years is the same spirit that dwells in us. Isn't that awesome? Isn't that incredible? Think about it! It's mind blowing......

Is there a correct answer to this question? Does anyone know for sure? I'll let you know what I find out.

Blessings, Cecilia

Forgiveness

The Story of the Two Monks

Two monks were making a pilgrimage to venerate the relics of a great Saint. During the course of their journey, they came to a river where they met a beautiful young woman -- an apparently worldly creature, dressed in expensive finery and with her hair done up in the latest fashion. She was afraid of the current and afraid of ruining her lovely clothing, so asked the brothers if they might carry her across the river. 

The younger and more exacting of the brothers was offended at the very idea and turned away with an attitude of disgust. The older brother didn't hesitate, and quickly picked the woman up on his shoulders, carried her across the river, and set her down on the other side. She thanked him and went on her way, and the brother waded back through the waters. 

The monks resumed their walk, the older one in perfect equanimity and enjoying the beautiful countryside, while the younger one grew more and more brooding and distracted, so much so that he could keep his silence no longer and suddenly burst out, "Brother, we are taught to avoid contact with women, and there you were, not just touching a woman, but carrying her on your shoulders!" 

The older monk looked at the younger with a loving, pitiful smile and said, "Brother, I set her down on the other side of the river; you are still carrying her."


What are you carrying around today that you need to set down? 

Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Blessings, Cecilia

1 Corinthians 10:14-33 NASB Do everything for the glory of God

      14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. 16Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. 18Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? 19What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?

      23All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. 27If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

      31Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

26FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.

We seem to forget this verse at times. God created the earth and all that it contains. 

Do you give Him thanks for the possessions He has given you? Your shelter and clothing was made from His storehouse and your food He created. Give Him thanks for your provisions.

Paul again touches on food sacrificed to idols and being aware of a young believer, a child in Christ, not allowing the child to stumble and fall by our actions. 

If you had a child and he or she detested liver. Would you force your child to eat a plate full?

Eat your food without asking questions but if someone protests the origin of the food, don't eat it. Be mindful of their objections. Do not sin by eating the objectionable food in front of them. 

Do everything for the glory of God and give no offense.

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

What does Salvation mean to you?

2Cor6:1 Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive
God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful
kindness]. 2 For He says, “At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I
listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is
“the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”

Salvation is a term that believers in Jesus Christ embrace and to the

unbelievers is just another word of Christianese, a foreign language. It is

to be saved from hell, saved from separation from God for eternity. I

remember the day of my salvation, and I also remember the day I walked away

from God, following after my flesh instead of obeying Him. Grace is another

word that we Christians use, undeserved favor, that we wrestle with. God is

a forgiving God. No matter where you are in your life, every human needs to

realize that Jesus died for our sins of yesterday, today and tomorrow. If

you have never truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, today can be

the day of your salvation. If you have walked away, repent and return to

the One who thought you were to die for.

Douglas 

1 Corinthians 10 NASB The devil made me do it!

Avoid Israel’s Mistakes

      1For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

      6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” 8Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Remember "the devil made me do it "?

Satan doesn't make us do anything, he gives a temptation and we have free will to act on it. But God gave you a way out. He gave us examples in the bible of mans sins, of death and salvation. 

What do you do when the devil tempts you? Do you accept the temptation? Do you turn around and run away. Do you lift it up to the Lord. Call out on the name of Jesus and he will flee.

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Don't give the devil a foothold. Read your bible and be strong in The Word. 

Then you won't have the excuse "the devil made me do it".

Escape from the temptation and run to the Fathers arms and He will bless you for it!

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Don't just walk the walk, talk the talk! John 18:25-27

John 18
Peter’s Second and Third Denials 
25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” 26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. 

What a sinking feeling. It's like being punched in the gut. You've been warned about the possibility and in arrogance you say "I would NEVER do that!" Then you realize you just did. It's too late, you can't have a do over. 

We call it "Pulling a Peter". You may not actually deny Christ but you don't stand up for Him when the opportunity presents itself. 

So what do you do? Be better prepared for next time. How do you do that? Become more diligent. Read your Bible, Study scripture, join a study, go to church, fellowship and pray. Be alert to opportunities around you to share your faith. Take a step by public declaration of faith and then keep stepping forward. It gets easier the more you walk, it gets easier the more you talk. 

Today, commit yourself to referencing God in one conversation to one stranger. You'll be surprised how easy it is. Then, look for the opportunity to do it again. 

Blessings, Cecilia

Can your actions cause someone to stumble?

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These
things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation
to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for
His precepts].(AMP) Romans14:13 Then let us not criticize one another
anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling
block or a source of temptation in another believer’s way.(AMP)

Not all believers are at the same place in their walk with Christ. Some are

just coming out of the world, others have been out the world for a while,

and then there are some that go back and forth. The words that we say or

type, the pictures that we post, have the ability to take someone back down

the road that they have been fighting to get away from. It is easy to go

back where we came from for some, because we were in the world longer than

we have been Christians. Brethren, may we pray before we speak, post, or

show pictures, because God knows the motives of our hearts. May we never

lead a brother or sister to stumble because of our worldly use of

communication. May we truly understand the fear of the Lord, respect His

precepts, and love His children enough to watch out for them. In Jesus

name, amen.

Douglas 

1 Corinthians 9 How do you use your liberty?

Paul’s Use of Liberty

      1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

      3My defense to those who examine me is this: 4Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? 7Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?

      8I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 10Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

      15But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. 16For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

      19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

      24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

When you go to work do you perform your job as if you are doing it for Jesus? Do you work in hope? 

Paul is examining the spiritual benefits of working, sharing in the produce of the work. But he explains that in sharing of the gospel he did not reap benefits from it. He worked and paid his own way. He preached for free without charge. He didn't want his preaching of Jesus to be associated with reaping a living from it.

He made himself a slave to all men, serving in His Name!

He says; "we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ."

Do you discipline your mind and body so you can run the race for Jesus Christ? You cannot compete in sports without preparation can you?

Read your bible, put on the armor of Jesus Christ and prepare for spiritual battle! After all, will Satan not prepare to come against you? Be ready and keep your two edge sword sharp, put your helmet on and serve in our Master's army, be a slave to all and speak boldly of His Salvation!

Blessings, David 

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Slapping God John 18:19-24

John 18
The High Priest Questions Jesus 
19 Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about His followers and what He had been teaching them. 20 Jesus replied, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. 21 Why are you asking Me this question? Ask those who heard Me. They know what I said.” 22 Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. 23 Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating Me?” 24 Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest. 
Could you imagine slapping God across the face? That's what one of the temple guards did when he slapped Jesus across the face. He slapped God.

We would never consider slapping God! After all, when we see Him face to face, it will be to enter Heaven. You don't slap the Creator of the universe. 

Have you ever used the Lord's name when cursing? Have you ever hated someone? Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever shunned religion or Christians or mocked the Bible? Then you have slapped God's face. I'll be honest, I have slapped God's face. 

Here's the good news, God will forgive you if you ask Him to. Then, make an effort to not repeat the things that are a slap in the face to God. 

Blessings, Cecilia

The Word of God has power.

Heb4:12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making
it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged
sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the
completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts
of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of
the heart.(AMP) Isaiah55:11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without
accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which
I sent it.(AMP)

Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will

defend itself. - C.H. Spurgeon

God's word has power, but only if it is used. There are many people that

have a multitude of Bibles that never open them up. The only way for the

Bible to get into the believer is if for the believer to get into the

Bible. The Word of God has power. It changes the way people think and live

their lives. As we look into the Word, we find simple instructions that

help us cope with the struggles and trials that are an everyday occurrence.

God speaks to His children in 3 common ways, through His Spirit in prayer,

through His children, and mostly through His word. If you want clear

direction from God, get to know His voice, character, and instructions.

Seek to know His heart and then yours will be changed.

Douglas 

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 No turn on Red

Take Care with Your Liberty

      1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

      4Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

      7However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

While researching commentary on this chapter I found this website that used the analogy of turning right on a red light. In some states it is allowed unless there is a sign that states "No turn on red" due to a hidden potential danger.  By turning on red at one of these intersections, a motorist could cause a serious accident. 

"Similarly, in the Christian life we have been given great freedom, yet there are certain potential danger spots that can cause a serious accident between brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 8, we have a dangerous intersection concerning meat offered to idols. Paul had perfect freedom to eat meat offered to idols. He knew that there was only one true God and that idols were nothing. Eating meat offered to them was neither right nor wrong. But not all believers felt that way. A person who had a weak conscience believed that the meat was defiled by the idol, and therefore it was off limits. Paul recognized the need to take special care, lest by eating he would influence such a person to eat, thus violating his conscience. Concern for weaker believers kept him from exercising his liberty."

"As Christians, we are free in Christ—free to engage in social practices and customs not specifically forbidden by biblical commands. Yet, the Holy Spirit may prompt us to refrain from some legitimate practices. Then the principle of love must take precedence over the principle of liberty. A mature Christian will heed the “no turn on red” sign to keep from causing a weaker believer “to have a serious accident."

We must recognize love is more important than freedom.

Limit your freedom for the sake of love. Do not cause a weak brother or sister to stumble!

Do you want to be responsible for causing a brother or sister in Christ to regress?

Another apology would be: you have a friend or a relative who is a recovering alcoholic. On occasion you enjoy a glass of wine. Would you serve wine at a meal with guests knowing one guest is a recovering alcoholic? 

If you did and caused this person to stumble, "to start drinking again", you have sinned because you put your freedom to drink alcohol over and above love and consideration for the alcoholic's well being.

Go deeper and read more about it here:

https://bible.org/seriespage/19-more-meats-eye-1-corinthians-81-13

Blessings, David

Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

Have you forsaken the Lord your God?

The FEAR of the Lord God has seem to of gone by the wayside for most people
in today's world. There are many things that we as individuals do everyday
that are not pleasing to God. The words and comments that we make, the
things we look at, the things that we do. Sometimes we have desires that
are not of God and are just of the flesh. There are many that want to be
rich and famous and are willing to sell their own souls to the devil to get
fame and fortune. Our nation, as a whole seems to of rejected God and all
that He is for the sake of comfort and pleasure. God's word is true and is
filled with many warnings. As Jeremiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem, I
believe that we must take these words to heart as well.

Jer2:19 Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will

rebuke you. Know therefore and see that *it is* an evil and bitter *thing*

That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me *is* not in

you,” Says the Lord God of hosts.(NKJV)

Douglas 

Only Jesus. John 18:15-18

John 18 NLT
Peter’s First Denial 
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” 18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself. 

It starts with a small lie. That small lie then requires a bigger lie to cover the first one. Next thing we know we are where we shouldn't be, warming ourselves by the fire, seeking comfort with the enemy. We don't remember how it started but we end up out of control, away from God. 

Peter told a small lie, he probably didn't think anything of it, he lied to be close to Jesus. It will get worse before it gets better, as lies often do.

Is there something in your life your not being honest about today? Is there something leading you to seek comfort from the enemy? Take it to Jesus and confess it to Him. Only Jesus can give you the freedom of forgiveness. Only Jesus can give you real comfort. Only Jesus can give you strength to overcome. 

Blessings, Cecilia

1 Corinthians 7:17-40 You were bought with a price!

17Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

     21Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

     25Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

     32But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

     36But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. 38So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

     39A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.


Paul teaches us the wise concepts of marriage and being single. If we are married we have to please our spouse so we are also caring for the things of the world.
But if we are single our only care is that of the Lord. We aren't bound with pleasing a spouse.

This teaching is contrary to the worlds teachings on the institution of marriage. More and more people today don't believe in the institution of marriage. This is exactly what Satan wants, to pervert and destroy the institution because God designed it.
If you fall short in this study remember this verse; 23You were bought with a price....
But there is hope in salvation with Jesus Christ!

Here is a link and a couple verses a friend sent me yesterday; John Piper's teaching on the meaning of marriage. It sheds new light on the topic of marriage and what it means to remain single.
I pray you take the time to read it!
http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/male-and-female-he-created-them-in-the-image-of-god

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." John 5:24

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2

Don't dwell on the past, look forward to the future and your reward from Jesus Christ.

Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com

A special thank you to Anna Marie for the John Piper link and (John 5:24 & Romans 8:1-2) verses!