Understanding Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

When Paul penned these words, the New Testament had not yet been written. So, the Scripture he was referring were the books of the Old Testament (Genesis thru Malachi). Paul penned 14 epistles as he traveled on his missionary journeys and when he was imprisoned in Rome. What’s interesting is the order these letters were later put into the New Testament. The Gospels were placed first as they told about the earthly ministry of The Lord Jesus. And then the book of Acts which explains the transition of the gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles. The order of Paul’s epistles in the New Testament is interesting as his letters became Scripture. Look what he told Timothy scripture was for: Doctrine, Reproof, Correction and Instruction. While Paul was traveling on his missionary journeys he wrote:
ROMANS – DOCTRINE written around 56-57 AD
CORINTHIANS – REPROOF written around 55-56 AD (2 letters)
GALATIANS – CORRECTION written around 49-50 AD
THESSALONIANS – INSTRUCTION written around 51-52 AD (2 letters)
Then while being imprisoned Paul penned what we call his CHURCH Epistles (all around 62 AD):
EPHESIANS – DOCTRINE written around 60-6262 AD
PHILIPPIANS – REPROOF written around 61-62 AD
COLOSSIANS – CORRECTION written around 61-62 AD
TIMOTHY(2), TITUS – INSTRUCTION written around 62-63 AD Paul also penned a personal epistle to PHILEMON (61-61 AD) on behalf of a young man, ONESINUS (verse 10), asking that he be forgiven and accepted as a brother (verse 16).
Paul also penned the Epistle of HEBREWS (66-67 AD) (13:22-24) to explain to the Jews, That Christ Jesus was the Messiah, God in Flesh.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

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Reasons to Memorize Scripture

There are many, many reasons to memorize scripture and perhaps one of the best is listed in Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”.

Another thought, since all sin will be erased from our memory before we enter into heaven, perhaps all we will have is what we know about the Word of God!
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Now here are some reasons to memorize God’s Word. Scripture will help us:

Remember our Salvation: Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Know we are Free from Sin: Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin,…
Keep from Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Have Peace: Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace …
Always Rejoice: Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again …
With Prayer: Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Know our Hope: Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie…
Grow: Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him …
Grow in Wisdom: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns …
With our Thinking: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Please God: 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
Know that we are the Temple of God: 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, …
Know that we are Transformed: Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, …
To be a living Sacrifice: Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, …
That we should be Holy: Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without …
Know the will of GOD: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Be thankful: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Serve one another: Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; …, but by love serve one another.
To forgive others: 2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps …
Know we have Eternal Life: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Live in Victory: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 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.

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And the list goes on (ambassadors, blameless, justification, faithful, perfect, sanctification, sober, success, temperate, truthful, wise, vigilant) and on…

Peace on Earth

Our leaders keep trying to accomplish PEACE ON EARTH. At Christmas time we display “PEACE ON EARTH” on cards, signs and every place we can think of. But what does God’s word say about PEACE ON EARTH?
Paul writes: 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Romans 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Jesus said: Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
But wait, at the birth of Christ didn’t the angels announce PEACE ON EARTH?

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
ON EARTH PEACE —- (Because the Prince of Peace had come that night)

What else does the Bible have to say about peace…

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Books of Heaven Part 2

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.

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Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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.

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22:7-18 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Notice in the above there is BOOK, BOOKS and BOOK OF LIFE and references to other Books.
The reason for the books are in Revelation 20:12 listed above: Judgement.

There are other references to Books but they refer to the Books in the Bible:
Genesis 5:1, Exodus 17:14, Exodus 24:7, Numbers 5:23, Numbers 21:14, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 28:58 to name a some of them.

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Book of Life – Lamb’s Book Part 2

The Apostle John writing about future events in Heaven concerning the 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 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The references to the LAMB’s Book of Life.
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
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.

The Book of Life is used in judgement of the World!
The Lamb’s Book of Life is used for the Believer’s Justification!

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Bible Gifts Part 3

And the reasons for all the gifts are found in Ephesians 4:12-14

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Even Peter writing to Jews about the coming tribulation reminded them of God’s Gifts: 1 Peter 4:7-11 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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Bible Gifts Part 2

1 Corinthians 12:28
Apostles. Given to men to carry on the work of Christ until the Scripture would be completed wherein Pastors, Prophets and Teacher would expound on the Word of God.
Prophets. The gift of prophet is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to communicate the message of God to His people from the Holy Scripture.
Teachers. The gift of teaching is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the body and its members in such a way that others will learn
Miracles. The gift of miracles is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform such powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature.
Healings. The gift of healing is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.
Helps. The gift of hospitality is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to provide an open house and a warm welcome to those in need of food and lodging.
Governments. The gift of administration (government) is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to understand clearly the immediate and long range goals of a particular unit of the body of Christ and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals
Diversities of Tongues. The gift of tongues is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ (a) to speak to God in a language they have never learned and/or (b) to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely – anointed utterance in a language they have never learned.

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Hope

English
Noun – a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Verb – want something to happen or be the case.
Greek
Noun – elpís (from elpō, “to anticipate, welcome”) – properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope.
Verb – elpizo to trust

The Apostle Paul wrote to believers much about our Hope. He used the word 39 times in his epistles:
To the believers in Rome he referred to our HOPE 13 times:
Romans 4:18 5:2 5:4-5 8:20 8:24-25 12:12 15:4 15:13
To the weak believers in the Corinthian Church Paul wrote to them about the believer’s HOPE (8 times):
1 Corinthians 9:10 13:13 15:19 2 Corinthians 1:7 3:12 10:15
And to the church in Galatian (who were wanting to bring the Law into Grace, Paul again used HOPE:
Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
To the faithful in Ephesus he reminded them of what hope is.
Ephesians 1:18 2:12 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
To Philippi Believers he spoke of His Hope.
Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, …
Hope of Heaven, of the Gospel, in Glory was his message to the Colossians:
Colossians 1:5 1:23 1:27
Having only spent a brief time with the believer’s in Thessalonica he taught them a lot and reestablished their belief with the Hope in our Lord Jesus:
1 Thessalonians 1:3 2:19 4:13 5:8 2 Thessalonians 2:16
As Paul prepared to depart this life he wrote to his “Preacher Boys” of hope:
1 Timothy 1:1 Titus 1:2 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, 3:7
To believing Hebrews (Jews) he wanted to establish their hope:
Hebrews 3:6 6:11 6:18-19 7:19
Peter writing to believing Jews scattered abroad (1:1) spoke of this hope:
1 Peter 1:3 1:13 1:21 3:15
And the Apostle John reminds us, every man can have this hope:
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

HOPE IS NOT A WISH FOR: IT’S AN I KNOW SO!

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But Now…

It’s FUN to study the BIBLE, the WORD OF GOD. There are several ways to do this. The study of a book, a study of a doctrine, a study of a subject, and a study of a word/words. This is a study of words. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles used the words BUT NOW…

In his letter to the Romans as he wrote about our position with the Lord in regards to the LAW he wrote BUT NOW…
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and …
Romans 15:23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;
Romans 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
In his closing comments to the Romans he reminded them of the mysteries that had been kept secret …
Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
To the weak church at Corinth he had to remind them of his teachings while he was with them, who to keep company with, the relationship with husband and wife.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
That they were members of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1 Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
How Christ was risen as would all believers.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
In his second letter he reminds them to be diligent.
2 Corinthians 8:22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above…