Bible Study 3-28-13

Due to technical difficulties with the video camera, this past week's Bible Study will not be uploaded.
Bummer. It was good, too.
I really liked the way G took the crucifixion verses, then tied them in with the New Covenant scriptures found in Hebrews. We read Matthew 26:

 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.  Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Jesus COULD have called  the angels down to wipe us out, but then how would scriptures be fulfilled?
Another verse we read was found in John 19:

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,“They divided my clothes among them    and cast lots for my garment.”^[a]So this is what the soldiers did.

and also...

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 

This was an 'aha' moment for me, as I'd never realized even while going through the agony that Jesus did, fulfilling His Father's will was foremost on His mind. When he knew all scripture had been fulfilled, He was able to say, "It is finished". The Old Covenant was finished. The Old Testament was finished. When Jesus died, the New Covenant was ushered in, and that is where we live today.

G somehow tied this into one of the New Covenant scriptures. Cameraman-son remembers it being Romans; but I keep wanting to go back to Hebrews. G isn't here to ask, so soon as we find out the verse he tied it into, we'll post that as well.
Enjoy the New Covenant!

Bible Study 3-21-13

This was a pretty meaty lesson. Having filled in as a substitute camera person, I was not as coherent as I wish I could have been. This lesson spoke of time lines....when was Jesus born, when did He die, and exactly just who was He? Daddy brought up a point that I had never thought of before. Most of the disciples referred to Him as Lord; Son of God, the Christ, etc. Judas Iscariot, however, simply referred to Him as Rabbi, 'Teacher". That had never dawned on me before. Did Judas ever refer to Jesus as who He was? Messiah? Lord? God incarnate? Did Judas ever have faith? "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." This probably wasn't supposed to be the main idea, but it is something that struck a chord with me.

Bible Study 3-14-13

So, we're starting on the ten week study of the New Covenant. All of our studies surround the New Covenant, but this format that we're following now starts "in the beginning" and plainly lays out when, how, and why the New Covenant happens, and how it relates to us today.
One of the "aha" moments was relating to God's will. We always wonder, "What is God's will for my life", but you know, God's will is much like the will we leave our loved ones after we die. When Jesus died, we inherited all that was His. God's will for us is eternity with Him.

Bible Study 3-7-13

This weeks verses came out of 2 Timothy 3. We read and discussed the whole chapter, but the one thing that caught my eye was in the first few verses:

² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited,lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

My question is, since the number of lost people are greater than the number of saved people, how can we do this? How will the ones living in darkness hear of God's love for them, except we share with them? 

Like many others, I had had an extremely difficult week at work. Actually, difficult two months. I found myself growing irritable being around the people that fit the afore mentioned verses. Regardless of the age group. I couldn't shake my attitude. I didn't like me, and I know others didn't like me. Least they could walk away. I had tried quoting scriptures, renewing my mind, praying, singing P & W songs, yet, nothing could shake this horrible disgruntled attitude of mine. G suggested I try walking in a state of thankfulness. This could be done. Instead of focusing on the horrifically bad state of the world, be thankful for the little gold nuggets that God puts along my path that often get overlooked. 

I tried this for the next day (since our studies fall on Thursday) and I was amazed at how the irritability just started falling off. When one person would start to get under my skin, I would remind myself, "But I do appreciate how someone else treats me" I have several students who God has made to be a blessing in my life, and I do wholeheartedly thank God for them. They're the ray of sunshine in my stormy work days. 
Thank you, Lord, for those precious small blessings!

Bible Study 2-28-13

This was a pretty neat discussion tonight. As we read through the scriptures, we came across the one in 2 Timothy 2, verse 24-25:

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth...

This reminded me of the verse, "Go into all the world and make disciples..."
Personally? The very idea exhausts me. Reading this, it seemed that we are supposed to be on the offense. We've all known some hard heads that are just bound and determine to believe that we're not totally forgiven, or sealed for redemption. They're simply not going to have it. The problem I have is them wanting to argue with me. Just leave me alone, please, and I'll leave you alone.
Now, if you have a question? Sure, I'd be glad to talk to you. But the playing one up game where we try to "win" an argument? No thanks. I just don't have the desire.
So... if you have questions.... look us up. If you want to argue, we won't engage.
Take a look at the video... interesting discussion towards the middle-end part.

Bible Study 2 14 13

So, this was an invigorating discussion. Due to the personal nature of the discussion, some of the discussion was edited out, however, one thing led to another and some questions were asked.
How would you handle being around a gossipy  Christian that got on everyone's nerves? You know the scripture says to go and gently restore the gossipy one, but you also know that this particular person has got on your last nerve, and you don't think you'd be able to talk to them in a kind, loving manner. What would you do?

Bible Study 2 7 13

This was a very quick study tonight. A review on how to treat others, regardless of how they treat us. I know we're supposed to love them and forgive a person for doing us wrong. I don't necessarily have it in me to do, but with the Holy Spirit's conviction, sooner or later, I know His forgiveness will be flowing out of me, onto others.
Hang in there.