Author: Jim

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…

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BUT NOW as we study and learn the word of God we need to be sharing it with our unsaved friends before its too late.

The Year That Was

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Around New Years day, all the media will be reviewing the past year. WHAT WAS THE TOP TEN STORIES last year? NATIONALLY? LOCALLY?

What were the top ten stories in your life? A new Car? Home? Boat, Motorcycle? Ski Doo? A new Job? A new Baby? A Big Vacation? A close call with death? A major operation? An Accident? Death of a Loved one? A falling out with family? Friend?

Think about it for a minute. Then list the top ten events in your life. Now ask yourself three questions.

⬤ Was God involved in these event?
⬤ Was God honored in these events?
⬤ Was God glorified in these event?

God involved?
Romans 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

God Honored?
Romans 6:12-13 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God Glorified?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Yes, the Lord God, Christ Jesus, died for your sins and offered salvation to all who will accept it. (Romans 10:9-13). And then He wants to be involved in your life, Honored by your life, Glorified by your life. Will/Do you let Him?
PAST………PRESENT……….FUTURE…….. represents our life

PAST…. Is History, can’t be changed, only put under the blood and forgiven!

PRESENT….NOW! Today, the time to Involve God in your life. Honor God in your activities. Glorify God in all that you do.

FUTURE….The hope of things to come. When it becomes Past, how will the top ten events in your life be represented?

At the end of this year, What will be the top ten stories in your life?

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Time to Study God’s Word

Read the story of Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34.

The story is very plain but let’s bring it down to a child’s level. God wants everyone to know His word but there was a time when His word was lost to His people.

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An eight year old boy became King of His people. Some wicked men had killed his father and he became King of Israel. His name was Josiah. When he became King, his whole country was wicked and evil. They worshiped false gods of Baalim. God’s house, the Temple, was not used and nobody knew where God’s word (the Penatude, the Bible) was.

Josiah was different from his people. He believed in God. As he grew older he ordered his pe0ple to quit worshiping the false gods. He even ordered them to clean up and fix up God’s house, the Temple. The people were to bring in their offerings and the priests were to collect it and pay the men who fixed up the temple. As this was going on, HIL-KI-AH, a priest, found a book (the scrolls).
It was God’s word. Hilkiah was very excited and took it to the king. The King became excited, now he could find out more about God. The King ordered the book to be read for all the people. The book told about God’s love, it told about God’s promise to his people, it told about the Law God had given them. It told about the punishments that would come if the people did not obey God’s word.

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The King became very sad. He discovered just how evil the people had become and that for their sinfulness they would have to be punished. He became so sad he even tore his clothes.

King Josiah decided then to obey God’s word. Because of King Josiah’s decision, God sent a message to the King through a prophetess who said that ALL THE DAYS OF JOSIAH’S LIFE, God would withhold the punishments.

What a story. And you know when we obey God’s word He withholds the punishments that come with Sin. But to Obey God’s word we need to know it and the way we can know it is the same way Josiah came to know it.

READ IT. STUDY IT.

2 Timothy 2:15-17 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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The Bible – What, Where & Who Part 3


The Bible in 50 Words!    Just for fun

  God made
  Adam bit
  Noah arked
  Abraham split
  Joseph ruled
  Jacob fooled
  Bush talked
  Moses balked
  Pharaoh plague
  People walked
  Sea divided
  Tablets guided
  Promise landed
  Saul freaked
  David peeked
  Prophets warned
  Jesus born
  God walked
  Love talked
  Anger crucified
  Hope died
  Love rose
  Spirit flamed
  Word spread
  God remained.

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The Bible – What, Where & Who Part 2

There are four key personages spoken of:
  1. God the Father
  2. God the Son
  3. God the Holy Spirit
  4. Satan/Devil
There are three places named:
  1. Heaven
  2. Earth
  3. Hell
There are three classes of people:
  1. Jew
  2. Gentile (Heathen)
  3. Believers
There is a progress of Revelation and Doctrine throughout the Scriptures:
  • The Patriarchs
  • The Judges (Who knew more)
  • The Prophets (Who knew more)
  • The Apostles (Who knew more)
  • Paul (to whom God revealed many Mysteries)

The Old Testament does not stand alone!
↠  The Church age is missing
The New Testament does not stand alone!
↠  Need Old Testament Prophecies

The Old conceals the New, The New reveals the Old!

Leviticus  :   Hebrews
Daniel       :   Revelation
Isaiah 53  :  The Gospels

The BIBLE (the Holy Scripture) isn’t Man’s book about God, it’s God’s book about Man.

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Good Works

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Do good works assure us a home in Heaven?

Here’s a list of where Good Works are mentioned in the New Testament.
Is there any mention of Good Works assuring us a place in Heaven?

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your {good works}, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many {good works} have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of {good works} and alms deeds which she did.
Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to {good works}, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto {good works}, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with {good works}.
1 Timothy 5:10 Well reported of for {good works}; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every {good work}.
1 Timothy 5:25 Likewise also the {good works} [of some] are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in {good works}, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all {good works}.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of {good works}: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of {good works}.
Titus 3:8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain {good works}. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain {good works} for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to {good works}:
1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] {good works}, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Salvation, or How to be Saved, is not mentioned anywhere!
The only thing that will get us to Heaven is Faith in the Shed Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-13
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Great Commission for the Body of Christ (The Church)

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Just what is the commission for the church? And what is the Gospel we are to preach? Is there a commission for the church?

The one found in the Gospels, given by the Lord Jesus was given to His Jewish disciples:

(Matthew 10:5) These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

And again, the resurrected Lord Jesus said to his Jewish, commanding them:(Acts 1:4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
(Acts 1:8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

But there is a commission given to the Apostle Paul to pass on to believers:
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ambassadors, to share with unbelievers the home we have in heaven.
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Make all see the mysteries that Paul revealed.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Present salvation to all so they will come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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:

Make know the true Gospel for the Grace period.
Romans 10:9-13 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Teach them how to call upon the Lord Jesus for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Teach that Salvation is by Grace alone.
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Stress that it, salvation, is only by HIS mercy.

That’s the commission given to Grace Age Believers.
The Commission given by the resurrected Lord will be fulfilled during the 7 year tribulation.

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Great Commission

Read Matthew 10, Mark 3:14-15

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This is the Lord Jesus calling his disciples (apostles) and commissioning to go forth and preach the Kingdom of God and giving them signs and wonders to prove who they were. Then after his resurrection he repeats the commission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-49) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Above is the scripture (Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-49, John 20:23, Acts 1:8) pertaining to the “Great Commission” as claimed by Christendom today. But not Matthew 10 or Mark 3:14-15. Of course, it is pointed out that these were given to the disciples, while the Lord walked on the earth. Were not ALL of these given to the apostles?
Let’s put them together into one command to better understand the whole commission.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.“

The first from Matthew, Go(ing) into the world, baptizing and teaching all looks like something we should do. But what about the rest of the Commission?
And from Mark, Go(ing) into the world, preach the gospel is good. But baptizing for salvation? And then, what are the signs that are to follow? Cast out devils! Speak new Tongues! Take up (deadly) serpents! Drink deadly thing! Heal the sick! Is all of this part of your ministry? Some claim to do one or more BUT all were commissioned to all IF we are to believe this was the GREAT COMMISSION to the church. And from John. DO you have to power to forgive SIN?

Just what is the commission for the church? And what is the Gospel we are to preach?
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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:
Romans 10:9-13 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Study further: 2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:3-4

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Called by GOD

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Every Pastor, Missionary and Christian worker would like to be able to say they were Called by God. In the Old Testament many individuals were spoken to and were called by God. But prior to the birth of Christ, there was 400 years of Silence. No word from God. No one called by God. And then in God’s time His promises were fulfilled.

Isaiah 7:9 were Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
 Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

At Age 30 The Lord Jesus began His earthly ministry.
The twelve apostles were called by God (Matthew 4:18-22, 10:14, Mark 3:13-14, Luke 6:13-16) although they probably didn’t understand it all, in fact later one turned against him (Matthew 26:48 Mark 14:43-44, Luke 22:47-48).

One man can really make the claim CALLED BY GOD. Saul of Tarsus. A devout Jew, very zealous for his religion. So zealous that he persecuted his fellow Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. He chased, them from city to city, having them thrown into prison and even put to death.
Acts 22:3-5 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Then, on his way to Damascus to continue his work, he met the risen Messiah and Saul became a believer.  (ACTS 9:3-6, 22:6-10, 26:12-18).
After a time in Damascus staying with one Ananias, where he received his sight back, he returned to Jerusalem to proclaim the truth of the Messiah. While at Jerusalem he was praying in the TEMPLE when Jesus again appeared to him face to face.
Acts 22:17-21 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.  And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:  And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.  And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

Now Saul, who later would be called Paul, truly was called by God.  But what about today? How can someone claim to be called by God? According to Scripture:
Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

God, the Lord Christ Jesus no longer auditability speaks to individuals nor does he appear physically to anyone. In fact, the next time believers will see him is in the air.
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.)

It would appear that to be called by God it would come from reading, studying the holy scripture, attendance at a Bible preaching assembly where the word of God is expounded.
1 Corinthians 2:1-13 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.)

So, Pastors, Missionaries and Christian workers who are moved by the Holy Spirit through the reading, studying or hearing the word preached can truly say they were called by God into the ministry. But according to scripture, PAUL was the last one CALLED BY GOD, face to face.  

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