Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 92
Matthew Chapter 12- Part 5
For Jesus Or against Him; Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (insulting or disrespecting)- Read (Matthew 12:30-32)(Luke 11:23) (Mark 3:28-30)
There is no third group according to Jesus- either one is with him or one is against him i.e. on satan's side. Those who are with him are involved in gathering souls for the kingdom and those who are not with him or against him are involved in scattering souls. A prime example of this was the Pharisees and scribes who were dealing contemptuously with him and working to thwart his setting up the kingdom of God. In the present day scenario, the statement of Jesus (He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad) stays true. If one is with Jesus, he/she will be in the work of gathering souls. One can't stay neutral in this regard.
Mark writes of the scribes accusing Jesus of having an unclean/evil spirit. Addressing this issue, Jesus spoke of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. He said, "....every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him." Calling the Holy Spirit in him an evil spirit amounted to "blasphemy against the Spirit" according to Jesus which has no forgiveness from God.
The Holy Spirit no longer deals with a person who has truly blasphemed him. If a person is still convicted in his/her spirit and soul of sins or unrighteousness, that is a sign that the Holy Spirit is still dealing with him/her and the person has not committed blasphemy against him.
For Jesus Or against Him; Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (insulting or disrespecting)- Read (Matthew 12:30-32)(Luke 11:23) (Mark 3:28-30)
There is no third group according to Jesus- either one is with him or one is against him i.e. on satan's side. Those who are with him are involved in gathering souls for the kingdom and those who are not with him or against him are involved in scattering souls. A prime example of this was the Pharisees and scribes who were dealing contemptuously with him and working to thwart his setting up the kingdom of God. In the present day scenario, the statement of Jesus (He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad) stays true. If one is with Jesus, he/she will be in the work of gathering souls. One can't stay neutral in this regard.
Mark writes of the scribes accusing Jesus of having an unclean/evil spirit. Addressing this issue, Jesus spoke of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. He said, "....every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him." Calling the Holy Spirit in him an evil spirit amounted to "blasphemy against the Spirit" according to Jesus which has no forgiveness from God.
The Holy Spirit no longer deals with a person who has truly blasphemed him. If a person is still convicted in his/her spirit and soul of sins or unrighteousness, that is a sign that the Holy Spirit is still dealing with him/her and the person has not committed blasphemy against him.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 91
Matthew Chapter 12 - Part 4
Deliverance for a demon possessed man, false accusations and Jesus' teachings on spiritual warfare-Read (Matthew 12:22-29)(Mark 3:23-27)(Luke 11:17-22)
A blind and mute demon possessed man was brought to Jesus who healed the man so that he both saw and spoke and the crowds were amazed and asked, "Could this be the Son of David?" (They knew the Messiah was to come from the lineage of David) (Legally [Through Joseph] and physically [through Mary], Jesus was of the lineage of David). When the Pharisees heard it, they were jealous and said, "This fellow casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Jesus plainly told them that they were the ones who used satanic power and not him; his power over demons came from Almighty God. (Finger of God was an expression used by the magicians of Egypt to describe the plague of lice brought upon the Egyptians by God (Moses and Aaron) which they failed to reproduce by their magic and here Jesus uses the same term.)
Jesus expains the working of Satan's kingdom here saying that he couldn't be using satanic power to drive out one of satan's evil ones (as he did in the case of the blind and mute man), because then satan's kingdom wouldn't stand. Satan's kingdom could stand only if there is unity between it's members.
Finally, Jesus asserted that unless one is more powerful than the enemy, one cannot gain victory over him. "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils." - The demon which had taken possession of the man, making him blind and mute was driven out by a power greater than it, which was in Jesus.
Deliverance for a demon possessed man, false accusations and Jesus' teachings on spiritual warfare-Read (Matthew 12:22-29)(Mark 3:23-27)(Luke 11:17-22)
A blind and mute demon possessed man was brought to Jesus who healed the man so that he both saw and spoke and the crowds were amazed and asked, "Could this be the Son of David?" (They knew the Messiah was to come from the lineage of David) (Legally [Through Joseph] and physically [through Mary], Jesus was of the lineage of David). When the Pharisees heard it, they were jealous and said, "This fellow casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Jesus plainly told them that they were the ones who used satanic power and not him; his power over demons came from Almighty God. (Finger of God was an expression used by the magicians of Egypt to describe the plague of lice brought upon the Egyptians by God (Moses and Aaron) which they failed to reproduce by their magic and here Jesus uses the same term.)
Jesus expains the working of Satan's kingdom here saying that he couldn't be using satanic power to drive out one of satan's evil ones (as he did in the case of the blind and mute man), because then satan's kingdom wouldn't stand. Satan's kingdom could stand only if there is unity between it's members.
Finally, Jesus asserted that unless one is more powerful than the enemy, one cannot gain victory over him. "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils." - The demon which had taken possession of the man, making him blind and mute was driven out by a power greater than it, which was in Jesus.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 90
Matthew Chapter 12- Part 3
Matthew reiterates Isaiah's prophesy regarding Jesus (Matthew 12:18-21)(Isaiah 42:1-4)-
Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased! I will put my Spirit upon Him, and he will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust.
Jesus was God the Father's chosen one; the Father delighted in his son. The Holy Spirit was upon him and he was to declare justice to the Gentiles. The compassion and humbleness of Jesus was prophesied by Isaiah 700-800 years before Jesus ministered.
....in His name Gentiles will trust- John, the Apostle writes, "He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13)
Matthew reiterates Isaiah's prophesy regarding Jesus (Matthew 12:18-21)(Isaiah 42:1-4)-
Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased! I will put my Spirit upon Him, and he will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust.
Jesus was God the Father's chosen one; the Father delighted in his son. The Holy Spirit was upon him and he was to declare justice to the Gentiles. The compassion and humbleness of Jesus was prophesied by Isaiah 700-800 years before Jesus ministered.
....in His name Gentiles will trust- John, the Apostle writes, "He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13)
Monday, June 22, 2015
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Bible Study- New Testament- Lesson 89
Matthew Chapter 12- Part 2
Healing of a withered hand amidst accusers- Read (Matthew 12:9-15)(Mark 3:1-6)(Luke 6:6-11)
While teaching in a synagogue, Jesus was being watched by the Pharisees whether he would heal on the Sabbath. Seeing a man with a withered hand, some asked him "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees were angry with him and went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. Jesus withdrew from there, carrying on his God given ministry and healing the sick among the great crowds that followed him.
Healing of a withered hand amidst accusers- Read (Matthew 12:9-15)(Mark 3:1-6)(Luke 6:6-11)
While teaching in a synagogue, Jesus was being watched by the Pharisees whether he would heal on the Sabbath. Seeing a man with a withered hand, some asked him "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees were angry with him and went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. Jesus withdrew from there, carrying on his God given ministry and healing the sick among the great crowds that followed him.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Bible Study- New Testament- Lesson 88
Matthew Chapter 12- Part 1
On a Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were passing through a grainfield and the disciples plucked heads of grain, rubbed it in their hands and ate. When the Pharisees saw it, they brought accusations to Jesus against the disciples saying, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath". Jesus reminded them of an event (1 Samuel 21:1-6) when David had escaped from King Saul and had come to Nob to the high priest and asked for bread to eat. Since there was no other bread, the priest had given him the show bread which had been taken away to be replaced by fresh show bread. The show bread kept in the Holy Place was only to be eaten by the priests, but was given to David and his friends. Jesus also reminded them that the priests also profaned the sabbath and are blameless, because they are not supposed to prepare any food on that day but for placing fresh show bread in the Holy Place they have to and also they kill and burn sacrificed animals on the Sabbath.
God is a righteous God and allows works of necessity and mercy. Jesus affirmed this by reminding them that he desired mercy than religious legalism (Hosea 6:6) and also told them that if they were of a merciful outlook they would not condemn the guiltless. Mark adds Jesus saying, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." Sabbath was a rest decreed by God for the Israelites and they were not to value the Sabbath more than God's foremost creation "Man" and his needs. Jesus ended this dialogue with the Pharisees by telling them "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" signifying his authority over the created day.
On a Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were passing through a grainfield and the disciples plucked heads of grain, rubbed it in their hands and ate. When the Pharisees saw it, they brought accusations to Jesus against the disciples saying, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath". Jesus reminded them of an event (1 Samuel 21:1-6) when David had escaped from King Saul and had come to Nob to the high priest and asked for bread to eat. Since there was no other bread, the priest had given him the show bread which had been taken away to be replaced by fresh show bread. The show bread kept in the Holy Place was only to be eaten by the priests, but was given to David and his friends. Jesus also reminded them that the priests also profaned the sabbath and are blameless, because they are not supposed to prepare any food on that day but for placing fresh show bread in the Holy Place they have to and also they kill and burn sacrificed animals on the Sabbath.
God is a righteous God and allows works of necessity and mercy. Jesus affirmed this by reminding them that he desired mercy than religious legalism (Hosea 6:6) and also told them that if they were of a merciful outlook they would not condemn the guiltless. Mark adds Jesus saying, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." Sabbath was a rest decreed by God for the Israelites and they were not to value the Sabbath more than God's foremost creation "Man" and his needs. Jesus ended this dialogue with the Pharisees by telling them "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" signifying his authority over the created day.
365 Nuggets Of Gold- 24
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:18)
What a great blessing it is to be called a son or daughter of God. James writes that God chose to give us birth through the word of truth and be a part of his kingdom. He desired that we be the firstfruits of all he created.
It's not only a work of "the word of truth", but as Paul the Apostle writes.....
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
Blessed are you if you are born again with water (belief in the word of truth) and the spirit (sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit).
What a great blessing it is to be called a son or daughter of God. James writes that God chose to give us birth through the word of truth and be a part of his kingdom. He desired that we be the firstfruits of all he created.
It's not only a work of "the word of truth", but as Paul the Apostle writes.....
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
Blessed are you if you are born again with water (belief in the word of truth) and the spirit (sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit).
Monday, June 15, 2015
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 87
Matthew Chapter 11- Part 3
God is sovereign, yet he cares for the lost- Portion to be read (Matthew 11:25-30)(Luke 10:21-24)
There were many who considered themselves wise and prudent in Jesus' time, yet God the Father, hid the matters of the kingdom of heaven from them because they were proud and revealed it to them who were poor in the spirit. According to Jesus, "The full revelation of the Father is only known to Jesus and the full revelation of Jesus is only known to the Father." The Son came to reveal the Father to those whom he chooses. Luke adds Jesus saying that many prophets and kings desired to see and hear the things the disciples saw and heard but could not, because God chose to hide it from them and reveal it to the lowly.
The compassion of Jesus is revealed in his call to those who are weary and burdened by sins and unrighteousness- "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
An eternal rest is what Jesus promises to those who would come to him, trust in him and live for him. He wants them to take his yoke and to learn from his life. He does not want to place a Pharisical yoke upon anyone, that binds them with legalism. He promises freedom and rest for souls who would trust in him. In this matter, many Christians still live in bondage of a fear that God will punish them if they do not legalistically follow his commands. Jesus says that he is gentle and lowly in heart; his yoke is easy and his burden is light; he wants his followers to love him and live for him and the Holy Spirit has been given to lead in the paths of righteousness, those who trust in him.
God is sovereign, yet he cares for the lost- Portion to be read (Matthew 11:25-30)(Luke 10:21-24)
There were many who considered themselves wise and prudent in Jesus' time, yet God the Father, hid the matters of the kingdom of heaven from them because they were proud and revealed it to them who were poor in the spirit. According to Jesus, "The full revelation of the Father is only known to Jesus and the full revelation of Jesus is only known to the Father." The Son came to reveal the Father to those whom he chooses. Luke adds Jesus saying that many prophets and kings desired to see and hear the things the disciples saw and heard but could not, because God chose to hide it from them and reveal it to the lowly.
The compassion of Jesus is revealed in his call to those who are weary and burdened by sins and unrighteousness- "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
An eternal rest is what Jesus promises to those who would come to him, trust in him and live for him. He wants them to take his yoke and to learn from his life. He does not want to place a Pharisical yoke upon anyone, that binds them with legalism. He promises freedom and rest for souls who would trust in him. In this matter, many Christians still live in bondage of a fear that God will punish them if they do not legalistically follow his commands. Jesus says that he is gentle and lowly in heart; his yoke is easy and his burden is light; he wants his followers to love him and live for him and the Holy Spirit has been given to lead in the paths of righteousness, those who trust in him.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Bible Study- New Testament- Lesson 86
Matthew Chapter 11- Part 2
Jesus compares the generation of his time to children being indecisive while playing games; Jesus denounces the cities where he did most of his miracles-(Read Matthew 11:16-24, Luke 7:31-35, Luke 10:13-15)
Jesus compared the generation of his time to children sitting in the market place and being indecisive on what game to play; whether to play a game of a marriage by using instruments and dancing or play a game of a funeral by singing a dirge (song expressing grief). Their indecisiveness was compared to the people of his time because they neither would accept the teachings of John the Baptist nor accept what he was teaching. They accused John of having a devil though John was pious and lived a frugal life and they accused him (Jesus) to be glutton and winebibber and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
Jesus also denounced the cities (Chorazin, Bethsaida & Capernaum) in which most of his miracles had been performed, because the people there, did not repent of their sins. He said that if the same miracles had been done in Tyre, Sidon or Sodom, the wicked there would have repented. Since the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida & Capernaum had not repented, greater judgement was coming on them than that was to come on Tyre, Sidon & Sodom.
http://newbiblestudy.blogspot.com
Jesus compares the generation of his time to children being indecisive while playing games; Jesus denounces the cities where he did most of his miracles-(Read Matthew 11:16-24, Luke 7:31-35, Luke 10:13-15)
Jesus compared the generation of his time to children sitting in the market place and being indecisive on what game to play; whether to play a game of a marriage by using instruments and dancing or play a game of a funeral by singing a dirge (song expressing grief). Their indecisiveness was compared to the people of his time because they neither would accept the teachings of John the Baptist nor accept what he was teaching. They accused John of having a devil though John was pious and lived a frugal life and they accused him (Jesus) to be glutton and winebibber and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
Jesus also denounced the cities (Chorazin, Bethsaida & Capernaum) in which most of his miracles had been performed, because the people there, did not repent of their sins. He said that if the same miracles had been done in Tyre, Sidon or Sodom, the wicked there would have repented. Since the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida & Capernaum had not repented, greater judgement was coming on them than that was to come on Tyre, Sidon & Sodom.
http://newbiblestudy.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
New Testament- Lesson 85
Matthew Chapter 11- Part 1
Portions to be read- (Matthew 11:2-15) (Luke 7:18-35)
John, the Baptist, who himself had borne witness to Jesus being the Messiah, now had doubts regarding Jesus' messiahship, because he was in prison and he was not set free even though Jesus knew about it. So he sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him whether he truly was the One who was to come or should they look for another. Jesus told them to go tell John all the miracles that they were seeing and hearing and also about the gospel being preached. Jesus also told them that "blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" which meant that John should not lose his faith because of the circumstance that he was in.
Portions to be read- (Matthew 11:2-15) (Luke 7:18-35)
John, the Baptist, who himself had borne witness to Jesus being the Messiah, now had doubts regarding Jesus' messiahship, because he was in prison and he was not set free even though Jesus knew about it. So he sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him whether he truly was the One who was to come or should they look for another. Jesus told them to go tell John all the miracles that they were seeing and hearing and also about the gospel being preached. Jesus also told them that "blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" which meant that John should not lose his faith because of the circumstance that he was in.
Jesus spoke highly of John, saying that he was a true prophet and a forerunner of him, the Messiah. Of the Old covenant, Jesus said that John was the greatest to be born, but he also added that the least of the believers (in him) of the New covenant was greater than John. Jesus also remarked, "from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" which meant that John was fearless and determined to fulfill the ministry that he had been entrusted with and so also anyone who is determined will be able to take heaven by force of spiritual power. Jesus affirmed that John the Baptist was the Elijah that was prophesied to come before him.
God's love for you 2.6.2015
Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
God’s protection is a reality for those who fear him. God’s deliverance comes to those who hold on to his promises.
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