BUT, wealth isn’t just Financial means.
How is your Wealth? How does it compare to the Scripture?
Just what does the Scripture say about Wealth?
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Author: Jim
Bowling
Bowling is like Life:
Everyone has just so many frames to get the best score possible.
Some get good frames but mostly we get bad ones.
Why are some better than others?
— PRACTICE— PRACTICE— PRACTICE
To succeed as a Believer, we must PRACTICE.
Paul compares the life of a Believer to a runner.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Paul rebukes the Believers in Galatia.
Galatians 5:7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
Paul reminds to keep trying. Practice!
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
And to believing Jews (applies to all believers).
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Paul, knowing his ministry is coming to an end, reminds Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
And reminds him (and us) the results of practicing a good life.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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The Prodical Son
PROBLEMS OF THE PRODICAL
Our Lord gave three parables concerning lost things:
The lost sheep…..Stupidity (sheep are dumb)
The lost coin………Carelessness
The lost son……….Deliberate self-centered pride
It’s interesting that all were restored.
Looking at the lost son … Note that both boys were members of the same family. Both were given their portion. Put yourself in the traditions of the time. Now let’s look at the younger son:
SEVEN STEPS DOWN
15:12 SELF WILL He wanted to do his own thing (today he’d be called “a free spirit”.
He was a non-conformist, he rejected the good things, he decided he knew best.
He wasn’t about to be molded (Self Will in young usually leads to sin)
SINS OF YOUTH
Jeremiah 3:25 Shame and remorse
Psalm 25:7 Bitter memories
Job 20:11 Disease and death
15:13 SELFISHNESS Total disregard for others (What about his fathers dreams)
What about his brothers plans? 2nd step away from God – All About Me!
SEPERATION I’ll do as I please! I’ll move out. Away from authority.
Why do we think we can run away? (Remember Jonah? He tried it.) When God has His hand on you, where are you gonna hide? (Christians in sin try to hide from God).
SENSUALITY Please self. Nothing around to stop me from doing what I want!
Remember Sins of Youth. There is a price to pay … and it will be paid. These steps (sins, problems) can only lead in one direction – DOWN. Down takes us to the next step:
15:14 SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION Moral Poverty! What was the cause?
Self Will, Selfishness, Separation, Sensuality… The young man knew what was best for Him:
He didn’t want to work at home. Proverbs 19:15, 20:4
He had a love of pleasure. Proverbs 21:17
He had a love for drinking and gluttony. Proverbs 23:21
He ran with the wrong crowd. Proverbs 28:19
The troubles sin brings us into. Out of God’s will, no fellowship, it’s time to turn back, admit failure…WRONG!
15:15 SELF ABASEMENT I’ll do it myself! I’ll pay my own way. He sells himself into slavery.
How many young people today do the same thing!
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Yes, our young man is a fool, and so are believers who refuse God’s forgiveness.
All these steps lead to the final problem:
15:16 STARVATION Yes, he was hungry, for food and fellowship. But the husks of this world are deceitful (not filling), like ashes (dry), unsatisfying (tasteless), perishable (don’t last).
When you reach this place, no one cares. Friendless.
The Believer, out of God’s will soon finds himself in this same state.
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3 Cheers Part 2
God has given believers Victory!!
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Hurrah for GOD!!!
WAIT … Victory??
What about all the believers being persecuted around the world?
Does victory mean you win ALL the Battles?
Football games are sometimes won in the last 2 minutes.
Basketball games are often won with making the last shot.
Baseball games are sometimes won in the last inning.
Races sometimes won in the last lap.
In a war, does the victor will ALL the Battles? The revolutionary war! Civil War.
But victory belongs to the believer … God has declared it so.
Now, and in the future …Revelation 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Hurrah for GOD!!!
…… He gives Pardon
…… He gives Comfort
…… He gives Victory
Do you have Pardon? Comfort? Victory? Have you trusted God?
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Atheist
But the real Dictionary definition:
1. One who denies the existence of God, or of a supreme intelligent being.
2. A godless man; one who disregards his duty to God.
3. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
ATHEISM is simply a rejection of the assertion that there is a God.
Read ROMANS 1:18-32
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
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The Perfect Mother
The perfect motherwould first of all be the good wife. 1 Peter 3 Peter gives the qualities of a Good wife and writes of Sarah, who called Abraham, lord.
Ephesians 5:22-24 Paul gives instructions for wives. The perfect mother must be a good wife.
The perfect mother would respect (love) her in-laws. Ruth the example.
Ruth 1:15-17
The perfect mothershould desire to have and love children (how many mothers are only biological moms). Rachel desired to be a mother Genesis 30:1 She pleaded “give me children or else I die”. Genesis 30:22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
The perfect mother would give her children to God and pray for them.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
The perfect motherwould teach her child about God. Give them something, someone to believe in.Paul was impressed with Lois and Eunice who gave their child faith. 2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
The perfect motherwould desire the best for her child. The mother of James and John Matthew 20:20-21. Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
The perfect mother would believe God. Luke 1:27-38 Mary, the mother of our Lord, she believed the impossible, she believed God.
How about it Mom? Are YOU The Perfect Mother?
Are you ….. A good wife?
Do you ….. desire children, really want them?
Have you ….. given the ones you have to God?
Do you ….. pray for, with them?
Are you ….. teaching them God’s word?
Are you ….. giving them a real faith … someone, something to believe in.
Do you ….. desire the best for them?
Are you ….. going to God for them?
MOM ….. do you believe in God? The death Burial and Resurrection of Christ?
Dad, replace mother with father, Are YOU The Perfect Father?
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Gems
We can learn spiritual lessons as we study the Gems of Scripture.
Precious stones, it appears God made much of precious Gems, here are some of them. Select one to learn more:
⇨ Agate ⇨ Amber ⇨ Amethyst
⇨ Beryl
⇨ Carbuncle ⇨ Chalcedony ⇨ Chrysolyte ⇨ Chrysoprasus ⇨ Coral
⇨ Diamond
⇨ Emerald
⇨ Jasper ⇨ Jacinth
⇨ Ligure
⇨ Onyx
⇨ Pearl
⇨ Rubies
⇨ Sapphire ⇨ Sardius ⇨ Sardine ⇨ Sardonyx
⇨ Topaz
It is claimed that all of these Gem Stones have Meanings, Properties, and Powers. It is claimed that Powers include healing among other things. Several are birth stones. Many of these Gem Stones come in several colors.
A disclaimer, Only text from God’s word, the Scriptures, are guaranteed to be true.
Colour
Britannica.com defines colour, also spelled color, as the aspect of any object that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation. In physics, colour is associated specifically with electromagnetic radiation of a certain range of wavelengths visible to the human eye. Radiation of such wavelengths constitutes that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum known as the visible spectrum—i.e., light.
The Scripture comments on colours many times.
The word Colour(s) appears in the Scripture 24 times.
There are many things to learn as one looks at Colours in Scripture.
Coat of many colours given to Joseph: Genesis 37:3,23,32,
Other references: Leviticus 13:55, Numbers 11:7, Judges 5:30,
2 Samuel 13{18-19, 1 Chronicles 29:2, Proverbs 23:31, Isaiah 54:11,
Ezekiel 1:4,7,16,22,27, 8:2, 10:9, 16:16, 17:3, Daniel 10:6, Acts 27:30,
Revelation 17:3-4
Imagine, what would life be like without color?
When was the last time you watched a movie or TV show in Black and White?
Some of the colours named in the Scripture:
Amber, Bdellium, Black, Blue, Crimson, Gold Green, Marble, Purple, Red, Scarlet, Silver, White, Yellow.
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Tower of Babel
Read Genesis 11:1-9. The Hebrew word translated “tower” could represent any large monolith, obelisk or pyramid.
As we read in Genesis, from the Flood until then, many years have passed, the people had multiplied so much that they were afraid they would scatter over the earth: Vs 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Which is what God had instructed them to do (Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth).
Vs 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
The Lord caused them to speak in different languages, forcing them to separate into groups and flee to other parts of the earth. Did He also change physical features, color of skin, slanting of eyes, etc.?
Pyramids are found in Egypt, they exist today. Many have visited them. Are these copies of the original Tower of Babel? Attempts to worship false gods?
Remember 11:9 … scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Archeologists are finding Pyramids in many other parts of the world:
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru just to name a few. And these are documented on a TV program:
EXPEDITION UNKNOWN, hosted by Archeologist Josh Gates.
As God spread the people across the earth, it appears they took their false gods with them and constructed Pyramids (Towers) to continue their false worship. Meanwhile God focused on One Man, Abram, Genesis 12, and one nation (to be) Israel.
So, was it really the Pyramid of Babel?
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Is Your Name Part 2
WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK?
Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Psalm 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT IN THE BOOK?
Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Revelation 13:8 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
HOW DOES A NAME GET INTO THE BOOK?
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
DO YOU WANT YOUR SINS BLOTTED OUT OR YOUR NAME BLOTTED OUT?
Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
Colossians 2:9-15 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
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