Tag-Archive for ◊ understanding ◊

08 Dec 2022 Jeremiah (Program #15)

Jeremiah (Program #15) – Jehovah’s further Commission to Jeremiah (2)

When we read a verse from the Bible, particularly from an Old Testament book like Jeremiah, there’s usually a fairly clear and straightforward meaning. For example, Jeremiah 17:7-8, “Blessed is the man who trusts in Jehovah And whose trust Jehovah is. And he will be like a tree transplanted beside water, Which sends out its roots by a stream, And will not be afraid when heat comes; For its leaves remain flourishing;” On the surface we read and come away with a thought that if we trust in the Lord, He surely will bless us. Wonderful and certainly accurate according to the truth of this verse. But there is another equally accurate and yet far more profound understanding that can gleaned from such verses. It is this deeper and more intrinsic aspect that beckons our consideration and fellowship on this life study program.

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06 Dec 2022 Jeremiah (Program #13)

Jeremiah (Program #13) – God’s Economy with His Dispensing in Jeremiah (2)

It seems upon casual reading of the Old Testament that the central focus of the book is the law of Moses.  When God brought Moses to the mountain and deliver the ten commandments that surely was a key moment, a key factor in God’s dealing with His people Israel.  But in the New Testament, the apostle Paul tells us that the law was not part of God’s original intention for man, rather it was something added due to man’s failures and sins.   In Galatians chapter 3 he says, “Why then the law? It was added because of the transgressions until the seed should come to whom the promise was made, it being ordained through angels in the hand of a mediator. ”  Actually God’s intention for man has never changed.  From the beginning He has desire that He Himself would be everything to man.  And Jeremiah, he lamented that His people Israel had forsaken Him, the fountain of living waters.  If we have this view of God’s eternal desire, our understanding of such Old Testament books as Jeremiah will be greatly uplifted.

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17 Aug 2022 Psalms (Program #11)

Psalms (Program #11) – The Lines, the Principles and the Spirit of the Bible Concerning Christ and the Law

In order to understand, that is to really understand the Bible, we need several things. First, of course, we need light from God for we simply cannot apprehend the real spiritual significance with our natural understanding. But practically, there are some helpful points to bring us into that light. First, we need to see the lines or the threads that run throughout Scripture. Then there are the principles that govern Scripture. And finally, there is the Spirit of the Bible. If we see the lines, the principles and the Spirit of the Bible, we will begin to enter into not just a superficial knowing of God’s word but we will begin to enter into the depths of His words.

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23 Jul 2022 Job (Program #1)

Job (Program #1) – An Introductory Word

Without question, one of the truly mysterious books of the entire Bible is the Old Testament book of Job. This Old Testament book tells a story of a righteous and godly man who seeks God’s upright ways diligently. And who, as the story begins seems to have God’s fullest blessing as a result – great possessions, wonderful prosperous family, immeasurable wealth and a person who has the respect and esteem of all who know him. But suddenly tragedy strikes this one and bit by bit his wealth, his possessions, even his family, his good name and eventually even his health are stripped away. Job’s friends are mystified, ask Job what has befallen as they engage in lengthy and eloquent debate all centered around one key question, what horrible sin or mistake must Job have committed to bring upon himself such judgment from the righteous God. Well this is the natural common typical understanding of this book and perhaps we’ve read it and pondered these same questions. And really the Bible is quite interesting as it does not give us a direct answer to this. But the real hidden, rich and wealth and meaning in this book will startle and surprise you as we prepare to open it up in these coming days on the life study of the Bible.

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04 Jun 2022 1 Peter (Program #21)

1 Peter (Program #21) -Christian Life and Its Sufferings (9)

The Old Testament record is one that includes many accounts of God’s judgment.  He not only judge rebellious and evil persons but even cities were condemned and judged by God.  Today many people believe that the time of God’s  judging has passed and that is New Testament believers we need to have no fear of God.  But this kind of thinking reflects not only an inadequate understanding of the truth of the Scripture but also a totally inaccurate one  as well.  In fact God is still judging.  But what is striking to know and most often overlooked in this age of comforting words is that His judgment in this age begins with His own household.

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29 May 2022 1 Peter (Program #15)

1 Peter (Program #15) -Christian Life and Its Sufferings (2)

The word “grace” bears tremendous significance in the New Testament, yet like so many biblical terms, it has become almost a clichéd to many people and it’s been greatly devalued in the understanding of most Christians.  God’s unmerited favor has become the most common definition among believers.   While this does convey a certain  limited sense of the word, it’s obvious by considering Scriptures that this definition is grossly inadequate.

Consider Peter’s use of the word “grace” in 1 Peter 2:19-20 “for this is grace” he writes “if anyone, because of a consciousness of God, bears sorrows by suffering unjustly.  For what glory is it if, while sinning and being buffeted, you endure? But if, while doing good and suffering, you endure, this is grace with God.

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04 Jan 2022 1 Thessalonians (Program #8)

1 Thessalonians (Program #8) -The Church Becoming the Embodiment of the Triune God (2)

One of the essentials for being a Christian is to appreciate the Bible as the word of God. But for most of us our reading and our understanding of the Holy Word fall far short of what it should be.

For instance, take a passage like 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2:12 where Paul tells us that we have been called into God’s own kingdom and glory. Do we really have an adequate appreciation of all that these implies or do we even have a proper understanding of things like God’s kingdom and God’s glory?  Probably we just skim along taking such marvelous word for granted.  But one of the benefits we have in this program each day is that the Lord richly unveils and brings us into deeper realities of His word.

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03 Jan 2022 1 Thessalonians (Program #7)

1 Thessalonians (Program #7) – The Church Becoming the Embodiment of the Triune God (2)

In both of his epistles to the Thessalonians Paul stresses at the beginning that the Church is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a strong confirmation to this in another passage of the Scripture in the gospel of John. However in order to see the parallel we must first be willing to reconsider the traditional and commonly held understanding of the gospel of John Chapter 14, “In My Father’s house are many abodes; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you to Myself, so that where I am you also may be.

You see, probably before I was even finish reading these verse, many of you were already thinking, “Oh, yes, that is talking about the Lord preparing our heavenly mansion.”  But is that really what these verses present to us or are there a strong confirming word that the Lord Jesus has prepared a place for us today in God Himself, a place for all the believers to stay?

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18 Dec 2021 Exodus (Program #154)

Exodus (Program #154) – The Ingredients of the Compound Spirit Typified by the Compounded Ointment

At the time of the New Testament, there were many teachings regarding Christ.  Was He God or just a man?  Or was He a God-man, possessing both divinity and humanity?  The speculations then were not that different than they are today.   How can we be sure that we are not being led astray in our understanding and knowing the truth?   Well 1 John in the New Testament gives us the key and Exodus chapter 30 gives us the picture of the very Christ as God intends us to know Him.  You won’t want to miss today’s life study of the Bible.

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14 Dec 2021 Exodus (Program #150)

Exodus (Program #150) – The Holy Anointing Oil (2) Materials, Spices and Function

Of the three of the Godhead or Trinity, surely the Spirit is the most difficult to understand.  We can easily relate to God the Father and we appreciate Christ the Son is our Redeemer and Savior.  But how do we understand and apply the Spirit?  We get some real help on this crucial need of all believers on today’s life study of the Bible.

The matter of the Spirit is one of the great mysteries in the Bible.  The evidence of that must be the wide diversity of teaching and understanding that exists among God’s people today regarding the Spirit.  Why is it that we believe that this revelation of the holy anointing oil form Exodus 30 can be invaluable for all God’s people in gaining both an understanding and may be more important, an application of the Spirit?

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