Grace Words

Luke 5:17-26 Study 25 "Jesus Forgives A Sinner"

2012-02-15T07:40:00.002-08:00

Luke 5:17-26 "And it happened, on one of the days, that He was teaching; and Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting, the ones having come from every village of Galilee and of Judea and of Jerusalem, and power of Lord was for to be healing them. And look! Men carrying a man on a cot, had been paralyzed, and they were trying to bring in and to lay him before Him. And not having found by what they could bring him in because of the crowd, having gone up on the roof, they lowered him with the stretcher through the tiles into the middle before Jesus. And having seen their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins have been forgiven you.”
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to be forgiving sins, except God alone?” So Jesus having known their thoughts, answering, said to them, “What are reasoning in hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you?’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk about?’ But so that shall know that the Son of Humanity has authority on the earth to be forgiving sins”--He said to the one having been paralyzed, “I say to you, get up, and having taken up your stretcher, be going to your house.” And immediately having gotten up before them, having taken up on which he was lying, he went away to his house, glorifying God! And astonishment took hold of all, and they began glorifying God and were filled with fear, saying “We saw remarkable today!”

Good Day Child of God! One of the more interesting things to remember about the Scripture above is that in Matthew's account, this is where Jesus' Mother, Brothers, and Sisters were outside wanting to see Him, and thinking He had lost His mind. Keep in mind, Luke is obviously was not present at this event. The reason we know that is by how Luke writes of this. You can tell he is relating something he heard, not something he saw. The passion in the verses is missing.

Also realize, that by this point, Jesus is getting quite a reputation, so more than the two or three events that we have been told has been occurring. How do we know that? By the fact that Rabbis and Jewish leadership from many towns are coming this night to see Him speak and to see what happens when He does.

Today's easy lesson: Let's start out with the question. For what reason does Jesus make the statement "Man, your sins are forgiven you?" It's underlined above. You probably picked up on that while reading, but just to be sure, that is the reason. The next logical question is, how is sin related to a person's health? There are a dozen ways, especially for a Jew. The Law was, in effect, part and parcel of a healthy way to live. When we think of the Law, the Ten Commandments come to mind, but there is also the food portion of the Law. That is, don't eat animals that are bottom feeders. In other words, animals that eat rotting meat, feces, and so on. Like lobsters, or pigs, or shellfish, or even sucker fish. All these eat what other, so called game animals, will not eat. That is waist. Why not eat them? They are full of disease. In today's world, we have ways to cook them properly, and it is not such a danger, yet it is still taking a bit of a chance when eating these animals. That's one way. How about sexual diseases? There are many STD's, and they are not new, so there you have two easy ways sinning can cause sickness. At least for a Jew, two thousand years ago. So Jesus' comment is reasonable. You forgive the sin, you cure the result of the sin, the sickness, and the man can go on his way.

But that's logic and intellect speaking. It isn't important. What is important is that Jesus is stepping up His stature. It is one thing to be a great prophet, to be a healer, a man of God with untold wisdom, but to position yourself as God's Son, that is a whole other matter. This is why, in Matthew's Gospel, he mentions Jesus' family thinking He is losing it. They are as astonished as anyone. Keep in mind, we're no different. Sure we read this stuff and think, "How dumb can you be? He is the Son of God, can't you see that?" Well do you remember that when you are in a snit about one thing or another? Do you walk around worry free and thinking, "Well Jesus is in control, His Father is my Father, the Spirit indwells me, so it's all going to be fine." Or do you get upset first, and have a hard time giving that up? Truth is we all have a hard time giving in to natural, long time trained, feelings. They not only come and we cannot seem to jump away from them, they come with natural hormones that make the situation much worse than it seems, and that too makes it harder to change our thinking.

WWJD? He would challenge the problem, the thinking, back to where it belongs. Remember, Who is in control if you want Him to be? OK, God. So take a moment and stand back. Giving Him a chance to bring calming reality back in place. Jesus would do as His Father directed. Only that, and no more. Doing more is doing it on your own, and that may or may not work. This is where Faith meets the world, and it is where on this earth, you have the most to gain. Again, "Let go and let God" is easy to say, but in all Truth, it is a discipline that is not easy, but is the way to peace, love, and joy. Again, it is hard to be consistent in that thinking. But you Child of God, you, give it to Him, even the difficulty in remembering what to do and what to think. He will do His part. He is telling you that above. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: We are taking a one or two day unexpected break. No additional Studies this week, and maybe part of early next week. In the mean while, remember you are Blessed! And if you are up to it, please start reading the Book of Colossians. Take it slow, and you will find out how large Jesus truly is, not only in the Bible, but within the context of how your Life can be.

Brother Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 5:12-16 Study 24 "The Word Spreads Quickly"

2012-02-14T08:39:00.001-08:00

Luke 5:12-16 "And it happened, in His being in one of the cities, that look!, a man full of leprosy, and having seen Jesus, having fallen on face, he implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cleanse me.” And having stretched out His hand, He took hold of him, having said, “I am willing. Be cleansed!” And immediately the leprosy went away from him! And He gave strict orders to him to tell no one, “But having gone away, show yourself to the priest and bring as an offering for your cleansing (purification) just as Moses directed, for a testimony to them.” (Lev 14:1-57)
But all the more the report was going about concerning Him, and large crowds were gathering to be hearing and to be healed by Him of their sicknesses. But He withdrawing, or, would often withdraw, into the desert places and be praying."
Good Day Child of God! Where to begin. First off, we spoke of the idea that Jesus started the miracles to gain attention. The premise might have escaped some of you, but reading the last paragraph above should give you a better understanding. Besides, billboards were way to expensive back then. Forget radio or TV, oy vey!

Secondly, the guy that was purified from leprosy, which could be any skin disease anywhere leprosy is mentioned, didn't march through the crowds with Jesus saying, "Praise God! he is HE-aled! Go now, walk among the people and tell them your Faith is strong and God has moved within you-ah!" No, quite the opposite. No tent or large ministry building mentioned either. And I bet no billboards announcing the time and place of the next service.

Today's easy lesson: This group of five sentences are meant for only one reason. OK, Jesus healed a man, but that is not new. OK, he sent the man to the Temple to keep the Levitical Law. Jesus is not here to change the Law, nor is He here to undo what God had put into effect, that is that the people obey the Law, follow the lead of their Priests and Rabbis, and be good Jewish Believers. Most people were illiterate. They couldn't spell scroll let alone read from one. So their lives were completely left to the leadership, and we will see soon that Jesus will have a different word with them.

What this text is all about is that Jesus would OFTEN withdraw from the people, and go alone to a private place to speak to His Father. Why? After all He is part of the Godhead, He is the Word, the Father is the Power, and the Spirit is the extension of both. On a plain of existence, Who is above it all, Jesus walking the earth, or the Father above with the Plan? Of course the Father has the advantage. He can see things that a man-God cannot. He can tell Jesus where and what is going on here or there, moving Him along in a direction that will complete the work set out for Him. And, Jesus is so dependent upon this structure, He says Himself, that "I only do what the Father tells Me to do, and I only say what the Father tells Me to say."(paraphrase from John 5) Thus He needs alone time with the Father to know what is next, to be assured that He is on the right track. Jesus is taking His equality, and subordinating it to the will of the Father.

How does this relate to your daily Life? Simple. Let's say you have a situation, something has to be said to someone about something, and you really don't know how to approach the conversation, or even if you should. WWJD? He would go to the Father, ask Him to take this into His will and control, and then go forward. When the time comes for the situation to unfold, maybe nothing is said. Jesus has done that. Maybe there is direct confrontation, with stern words. Jesus has done that. Maybe there is a moment of silent compassion, a loving touch, or an open ear. Jesus has done all of that. This is what happens when you give it to Him. Whatever the outcome, you are OK with it, because you have allowed the Spirit to Live and Love through you. It is as practical a Christian way to Live, than any you will ever learn. And it's filled with God's knowledge and foresight, which you do not have. So wonderful this Life the Lord Graced to you. Now you know why "You are Blessed" is a proper salutation. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: The surgery I told you I would be having is not going to happen at this time. I want to thank you that have prayed and asked the Lord to be in this for me, as I did. His answer is evident, and what comes next I am not sure, but for one thing. It's in His will, and I am good with that. You are Blessed!

Brother Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 5:1-11 Study 24 "Jesus Begins Calling Apostles"

2012-02-13T07:24:00.001-08:00

Luke 5:1-11 "And it happened, while the crowd pressing upon Him to be hearing the word of God, that He had stood beside the lake of Gennesaret. And He saw two boats standing beside the lake, but the fishermen, having disembarked from them, were washing their nets. Then having stepped into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And having sat down, He began teaching the crowds from the boat. Then when He ceased speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down nets for a catch.”
And answering, Simon said to Him, “Master, having labored through the whole night we caught nothing, but at Your word I will let down the net.” And having done this, they caught a great number of fish, but their net began breaking. And they signaled to their partners, the ones having come in the other boat, to help them. And they came and filled both the boats, with the result that they were being sunk.
But Simon Peter having seen, fell down at the knees of Jesus, saying, “Depart from me, because I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For astonishment seized him, and all the with him, at the catch of the fish which they caught, and likewise also James and John, sons of Zebedee, the ones were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Stop being afraid! From now, you will be catching people.” And having brought the boats to the land, having left all, they followed Him."

Good Day Child of God! I sincerely hope and pray that your week is starting out with joy in your heart. We begin the week with Chapter 5 of Luke's Gospel, and it seems in the reading that there is nothing much in these verses. Except a lecture from a practical position just off land, Jesus helping the fishermen catch some fish, and telling them their new life will be catching people, instead of fish. The location is unknown, except to say the whole of the verses take place on the Sea of Galilee.

There is a deep lesson within the text, but you would have to know something of how Rabbi's called those they wished to enter the Rabbinical Priesthood. It is similar to how it is done today in our Christian world. Jesus breaks ranks in this area, and along with everything else He does and has done, shows that the usual thing to do, is not necessarily the right thing to do. Tradition is going to get a wake up call once again in this Study.

Today's easy lesson: "So young man and young woman you want to come to our University to study to become a missionary, a pastor, or even to serve the Lord in another way? Am I understanding this correctly? OK then, let's look at your grades, your background, and of course your finances. Um, I see you accepted the Lord at an independent Christian Church. Can you give your your testimony then? I need to be sure you are saved, of course. Then you seem a bit light on some of your grades but you have volunteered enough at the local Church in various ministries to overcome that. Well, I will bring this to the board, there is no guarantee of course, we here at Christian U, are very strict and want only the best and brightest to attend to prepare to serve the Lord. We'll let you know."

WWJD? He would look at the childlike faith shown by the Apostles above, mere fisherman, and take them on to teach them the meaning of Agape' Love and Grace. Which is to say, Grace is Agape' Love unleashed. Just think about those five words for a few seconds. In Luke's presentation, he is right to the point, very concise. Notice he doesn't get into the sermon from just off the land. I have heard countless comments and sermons on this practical way to talk to the people. As though it is the point. The point is simple. Words going from the water to the land are easy to hear. Ever been on shore and see fisherman a hundred yards away? You can hear them talking in a normal voice as clear as a bell. It's simply a practical thing to do. Contrast that practical idea to speak to a group of people, to Jesus having finished His sermon, telling the experts to go out and cast their nets after they had fished all night. This is akin to you telling an engineer that runs a mining operation to dig to the left five feet, and he'll find all the ore he is looking for. When he listens and it comes to be true, the engineer will be astonished. There is one thing different however from that and what Jesus did to the boys. They knew Him as a teacher, a Rabi if you will, and having Him tell them similarly to follow His idea and direction and finding so much abundance, they recognized Jesus was more than an itinerant teacher or a young Rabi. They were humbled and felt unworthy at such Grace.

This is what God is telling everyone in these verses. He isn't looking for grades, testimonies, or how many works you may have done in His name. Intellect, if you will. He is looking for people that understand He has provided so much that they are humbled and at first feel unworthy of such Grace. Here in our time and place, we have become so expectant of good times, nice lives, and given into our personal wants, that Grace is not even recognized. The Church teaches by and large that you have it coming to you, IF, you do this, that, or another. Oscar Mayer! Grace, unmerited favor, is spread around the whole Bible like spring flowers. Yet, instead of being humbled at the vastness of it, most take it that there is more, and they want it. Just tell us how to get it. Wrong, wrong, wrong. God Loves you so much that He, He, He, does, does, does. And are you deserving? Do you do the right thing all the time? Do you even recognize His Grace in your Life? Do you recognize that such Love should or would be honored with a similar commitment and containment of your worldly wishes? A humble heart, speaking to a Father that cares for you in terms of unimaginable commitment, is the reason Jesus did what He did. He came and freed you from sin and death. You are alive in Christ, able to allow Him to Live and Love through you, with a heart filled with humility and Grace towards others. And you don't have to do anything to prepare to be given such a gift. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: How many Apostles were called in this Study? Three. Peter, James (the first martyred apostle) and John. Also, there has been a very subtle change within the Studies lately. Do you see what it is?

Brother Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 4:38-44 Study 23 "Jesus At Simon's House"

2012-02-09T08:13:00.001-08:00

Luke 4:38-44 "Then having risen from the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon. But mother-in-law of Simon was being afflicted with a high fever, and they asked Him about her. And having stood over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her! Then immediately, having risen, she began serving them.
Then the setting of the sun, all, as many as were having ones being sick, various diseases, brought them to Him. Then having put His hands on each one of them, that One healed them! But demons also were coming out from many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And rebuking, He would not allow them to be speaking, because they knew Him to be the Christ.

Now day having come, having gone out, He went into a deserted place, and the crowds were seeking Him, and they came to Him and were trying to restrain Him, not be going from them. But He said to them, “It is necessary Me to also proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the other cities, for this I have been sent.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee."

Good Day Child of God! This portion of the Gospel of Luke is brought to you by "Miracle Touch". Available at your local church. You know, many many people believe that. How many thousands, no tens of thousands, follow preachers, revivalists and others that proclaim, like Oral Roberts, that they have the gift of healing! Sure they do, and medical doctors have the gift of rotating your tires during an operation.

Time is moving very slowly as Luke goes through this most important part of Jesus' ministry. There is a reason He is healing, as He is witnessing, and staying up late, getting up early and moving through the local area He knows best. Remember Jesus told the Apostles, "Preach the Gospel, first in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the out parts of the world?" (paraphrased) On the practical side, you start with those where you know the people the best, and working your way to people you have no idea of their lifestyle nor the way they speak nor think. But by starting at home, you gain a sense of confidence and candor, that allows you to continue to more difficult tasks. That being said of the practical side of learning on the job, Jesus did this more for than that reason alone. Yet, it still is a comfort zone.

Today's easy lesson: Much to much has been made of the miracles that Jesus did. First off, why do you think He did miracles to start with? He just left the Synagogue where He refused to do anything more than speak. Now, a few hours later, He is happy to have the people come to Him and begin to heal, cast out demons, and speak to them about the Kingdom of God. It's simple really. First off, this is why He was sent, to preach the Gospel. Do you think His Father might have had Him push a bit more than He thought He would? After all, it was His mother Mary who got Him started, (Remember the water to wine wedding?)and it seems that with John the Baptist being harassed, He has to step up. But more, He is the messenger, not John. John was the preparer. So Jesus had to begin somewhere, and the healing? They offered two things. A show of compassion from the Father, and it was great advertising, if that is the right word.

Keep in mind, if you go back two thousand years ago, leave all of your electronic devices here. Forget anything that runs on electricity. Forget running water, a bathroom, hard floors of any type or style. Forget your glasses, your windows, and even your underwear. Place a hole in a common sheet, preferable an old one, put your head through it, stitch together out of whatever bark or cloth you may have, because your shoes and socks aren't going either, and leave the make-up, razors and deodorants. Now you're about ready to go. Just one last thing. Forget most of the language you know, give up everything but nouns and verbs, punctuation, and the idea that you can read or write. You don't need any of that stinking stuff to live at the time that Jesus was walking around your neighborhood. So what is the point? How do you get the word out, that the Messiah is here? You do something special. No, not sell Mary Kay, you do miracles. And people will talk. Oh yes, if you ever lived in a small town, you know what I am saying.

Have you ever thought what a miracle your Life is? Have you come to that place where you understand that you, when the Father looks at your life, He sees His Son? Have you come to realize that He isn't expecting anything from you, but that you would want to show your Love, commitment to Him, because of such great Love towards you? That's why the Apostle Paul spoke of Grace as not a license to sin, no, instead it is a license to mature and do what is right, because it is what you want to do. Either way God is pleased with you, now you need to become pleased with you. Not by Law, or rule, or rite. But by realizing how wide, and how long and how deep is the Love of the Father for you. The moment you see the Lord work through you, I guarantee once realized, your joy will be unmatched. But don't push it, rest in it. Allow Him the time and the place, and in the mean while stay close, build that relationship with conversation and trust. You will never want to turn back to the world you used to live in. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Do you know that the most popular tool for sales training and motivation in the twentieth century was based on how Jesus worked His way through the Bible? There were several people that saw the comparison of getting people to pay attention and present a product one on one by how Jesus and the New Testament treated the Gospel. It was the root of PMA, positive mental attitude, and confidence with unmatched skill and belief in oneself they got from these verses. Just telling you something I know for certain, as I was one of those that read the books, went through the seminars, and the training. Shows how off base anyone can make the Gospels and the Bible.

Brother Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 4:31-37 Study 22 ''Jesus Begins His Ministry"

2012-02-08T08:29:00.001-08:00

Luke 4:31-37 "And He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were being astonished at His teaching, because His word was with authority.
And in the synagogue was a man having a spirit of an unclean (defiling) demon. And it cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Away! What to us and to You (What have we to do with You), Jesus, O Nazarene? Did You come to destroy us? I know You, who You are--the Holy One of God!” And Jesus rebuked it, saying, “Be silenced, and come out from him!” And the demon having thrown him down into midst, came out from him, in no way having harmed him! And amazement came upon all, and they were conversing with one another, saying, “What this word, that with authority and power He commands the unclean (defiling) spirits, and they come out?” And a report concerning Him was spreading into every place of the surrounding region."

Good Day Child of God! Jesus is going from "Hi, how are ya, I have a new message for you," to "Do you believe in miracles, well here you are, here you are!" It's dramatic what is happening. From that humble beginning of bringing attention to the change that God would like to see, to moving forward with power and might. The verses above are just the beginning of what will be a great deal of attention getting, as we continue on in Luke.

There is one thing to take notice of in these few verses, and frankly from the beginning of Luke. Who is it that Jesus is speaking to, and when or where is He doing that. He is speaking to Jews, and specifically those that would profess to be religious in their daily lives. That is no small message to put into your thinking as we study Jesus. He is NOT speaking to you and I in 2012.

Today's easy lesson: One of the most serious mistakes many Christians make is taking the Gospels as their guidance for their walk of Faith. That kind of thinking will not set you free, it will bind you up. It will also give you the idea that a Believer, born again, Christian can be possessed by the devil, or evil spirit. Let's look at these two things one at a time.

First off, WWJD. He wouldn't follow Himself in a post Cross, post Resurrection world. Jesus came to bring the Jewish people back to what God intended for them to begin with. A freedom of religion, being able to trust in His provision at all times, with no man leading them, but God alone being there leader. In fact, God resisted giving them an earthly king until He decided to teach them yet another lesson, when He gave in and allowed Saul to be their first King. Saul was a wild, stubborn donkey of a man, that at one point walked around on all fours for two years and ate and acted like an animal. Great king. Yet the Jews persisted in their want to have that earthly leader. It's called being soulish, not spiritual.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit NEVER indwelt anyone except Adam and Eve prior to Pentecost. Adam and Eve lost their Spirit in death that day they decided to go it their own way, and that was death of their direct relationship with God as well, in Spirit. The Spirit left them, leaving them as the walking dead, if you will. Jesus was the second Adam, and He was conceived by whom? The Holy Spirit. Thus Jesus was both God, in Spirit, and man, in Mary. And even in that, as an aside, He didn't dare do anything without hearing it from the Father first. But additionally, once a Christian is a Believer, there is no room, way, place, or enough power, to overcome the Holy Spirit that indwells a true Believer. So that kind of thinking is simply religious and superstitious.

We always get back to: Jesus came to set you free. It is pivotal in your understanding of how God wants you to relate to Him. Freely. Not through any man or woman, as though one man or woman is more holy than another, and certainly not through any rite, ritual, or any other action. If that were the case, that is, you could get to God by some type of prayer, or ritual, or reading, whatever, who has the power, and who is the subject of that power. You would have it over God, and He in turn would respond to your doing. Does that sound like logic, or even close to what a Loving, Caring Father has in mind? No. Just reading the words tells you how wrong this kind of thinking is. Yet, it is common belief among many so called Christians today. You Child of God don't want to get your thinking mixed up in that kind of dilemma. It is a dilemma to be sure, because if God answers don't come, or are different than your request, all kinds of things will be said and done to reason why. God is always right, and it is much easier and freedom reigns when you just follow His lead. WWJD? Follow the Father. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Thought for the day. When Jesus walked and talked while on earth, is there any place that He states that He is to be worshiped, or is it that He always pointed to the Father? Jesus always pointed to the Father, never taking credit for anything He said or did. Funny how that obvious fact alludes so many.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 4:25-30 Study 21 "Jesus' First Recorded Sermon" Part 3‏

2012-02-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

Luke 4:25-30 "But I say to in truth, many widows were in Israel during the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three years and six months, when great famine came upon all the land; and to none of them was Elijah sent, except to Zarephath the of Sidon, to a woman, a widow. And many lepers (people with a skin disease) were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.”
And all in the synagogue were filled with rage, hearing these things. And having risen, they forced Him outside the city and brought Him as far as brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down from the cliff. But He, having passed through middle of them, went away."

Good Day Child of God! Unless you are a Biblical Scholar or Jewish, the verses in this Study will mean little to you. Except to see that whatever it is Jesus said to the "congregation", it was really insulting. Quick background. At the time of Elijah, the Jewish Nation had wondered so far off course, that the worship of the One True God, was gone. They were killing prophets, gross worship services to idols were common, and God had told the Jewish people that if this happened, He would stop the rain for three and one half years. Elijah was stunned at what was going on with the Jews, so he prayed a prayer of reminder to God of His warning, of course at the same time, as though God didn't know it, that they deserved to have the rain stop now. And it did.

However, since the Land of the Jews was going to go into a deep famine, it wouldn't be prudent to leave Elijah there, so he was directed by God to go to a Gentile city to be cared for by a Gentile, and not just any Gentile, a woman. Ahhhhhg! The "congregation" was quite familiar with the story, and being compared to disobedient Jews and suffering the consequences, would necessarily make them think that Jesus was getting just a little to big for His sandals, and His small town as well. Killing Him seemed like a good idea at the time.

Today's easy lesson: Now it becomes clear why Jesus said "A prophet is not accepted in his hometown." He wasn't just speaking of Himself, He was speaking in general terms. Expectations, a problem for prophets, and for everyone who believes one thing should be happening, and the Truth leads to something completely different. This is how we get off course in our Faith. We build in a set of expectations, most of which are fostered by the church, that if we do this or that, follow this dictate or that rite or church rule, things will go well with us. Right, and the verses above show that to be not so true.

Keep in mind, that your freewill did not expire when the light went on in your head that Jesus is the Messiah, and that you accept that, and want Life. You can still go it alone, and often do, I am sure. How do I know? I am still trying to break that bad habit, making me just another human with faults. Ah, but God Loves me so, that He had the Apostle Paul warn in Romans, by telling all Gentiles, not to get stuck on your style and ways of worship or belief system, for that is worshiping whom? God or you? You. Idolatry in a human body. It is easy to do. It is natural, and your calling as His Child is not worldly, but Spiritual. Expect a relationship. That endures, and your expectation will be satisfied. If you want worldly gain in any way, shape, or form for your Faith to be grounded and strong, you will be weak and working harder and harder each and every day to gain that which you already possess. Give up your freewill to your Father, and trust that He will lead you to the place He knows you will find love, joy, and peace. For when you are weak(in control), you are strong(in Him). Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: I never thought I would see the day when Grace would becoming the New Reformation in the Church, but the calling is beginning to happen within the Traditional Church. Yes, there are Pastors out there, few and far between, that have recognized the error in mixing Law and Grace. But among those that don't I would recommend a book that is fairly new, written by Billy Graham's Grandson, Tullain Tchividjian: Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Start with Chapter 3 if you don't like to read. It's a short book which can be found on Amazon.com for about $12 in hard cover. You will be very encouraged. We are witnessing the very beginning of what could be a less important roll of the Roman Church and all of its subsidiary offshoots, and the real Truth that the Apostle Paul was given to teach to the Gentiles.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 4:20-24 Study 20 "Jesus' First Recorded Teaching" Part 2‏

2012-02-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Luke 4:20-24 "And having rolled up the scroll, having returned to the attendant, He sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were looking intently on Him. Then He began to be saying to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in ears.” And all were bearing witness to Him (were speaking well of Him), and they were wondering at the gracious words, the ones having come out from His mouth. And they were saying, “This is the Son of Joseph, is it not?”
And He said to them, “Certainly, will say (quote) this allegory (proverb) to Me, ‘“Physician, heal yourself”--as many as we heard having been done in Capernaum, do also here in Your hometown.’” Then He said, “Positively, I say to (you), no prophet is accepted in his hometown."

Good Day Child of God! First off this Study, I once again am seeming to make the Studies a bit too long. I apologize for that! The format is supposed be: verse(s), background, lesson, encouragement, and some factoid of one sort or another. All this to be read within two minutes. I know your all busy, and even though we get deep into the subjects, I don't want to wax on without meaning.

Secondly, at this moment, I am scheduled to have back surgery on the twenty second of this month. I have had three others, so where this one is expected to be fairly extensive, I don't know what to expect. There will be a short interruption of our time together and maybe when we restart, lessons that won't necessarily follow our current Gospel of Luke endevour. This is all in the Lord's hands and could change. I am completely open to what may come next, but I want you to be informed so that there are no surprises. We all like prizes, no one I know loves surprises, at least not unexpected news that isn't fun.

OK, having said all that, I am already behind in this Study for time. But I want you to notice something of this group of verses that should be all to familiar to you. That is, they don't come with an explaination of why Jesus baits His homies, and then gives them a reason to be angry with Him.

Today's easy lesson: Don't you find these four verses absolutely incredible, since they start with Jesus handing the Scroll of Isaiah back to the attendant, and then telling the crowd, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled...". The attendee's at this Sabbath's worship service are all impressed, they even take pride in the fact that "This is the son of Joseph (and Mary)." They're happy as can be, thumbs stuck under their would be lapels, and thinking they have got a hometown hero in their pressence.

Now wait a minute. How in the world do they come to this conclusion given one Scripture reading, and one statement from Jesus, a kid they knew growing up, as is the case of a town as small as theirs, five hundred or so people? They heard something of Jesus. They knew He and John the Baptist were working together, they knew of the miracles and the new teaching. They had too, and of course, they expected some healings and great signs done right there at home, just like Jesus had done elsewhere. Jesus knew why so many came to "church" that day, and His only interest is in promoting God's Plan, not their wishes to see great works. So He tells them in so many words: "Sorry people, nothing to see here, move on with the service. All you are going to get out of me is the fulfillment of Prophecy, and that is it. There's no respect I tell you, no respect. You have known me your whole life, and all you can look for are miracles? No deal!"

People do that to this very day don't they? They come to Jesus for the first time because they need a miracle in their life. Even if they don't come to Jesus the first time for that reason, they are told that Jesus is the go to Guy for the miracles needed in your life. That's what He's for, doing something for you that you perceive is needed right now or at least as soon as possible? That is not why Jesus came. He came to "fulfill the Law", which ends it as a tool for judgement, and He came to give Life. Who needs Life? Dead people. So the greatest miracle of all is given at the get go, you, a dead person, come to Jesus, trust in His death, burial, and Resurrection, and what do you get? Forgiveness of your sins? No. That's already a non issue, all the sins of the world were nailed on the Cross. To get your physical health and wellbeing put back together? No, that's not it. What then? The Apostle Paul puts it this way: "In your sins (which is unbelief), you are dead, but in Christ Jesus, you are made alive." So you get Life. Is there a greater miracle or a greater gift? You decide that. All I know for sure is that once you receive the Greatest Gift, you have the Blessed honor of a relationship with your Father, and in that, Grace never stops flowing through your Life. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOIDISH: Speaking of what Jesus is for: I PRAY FOR...

Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents.

At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the
youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs, "I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE.
I PRAY FOR A NEW PLAYSTATION. I PRAY FOR A NEW DVD..."

His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said,
"Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf."

To which the little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!"

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 4:14-19 Study 19 "Jesus' First Recorded Teaching" Part 1‏

2012-02-02T07:53:00.001-08:00

Luke 4:14-19 "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news went out through the whole surrounding region concerning Him. And He began teaching in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And He entered, according to His custom, on the day of the Sabbaths into the synagogue, and He stood up to read aloud.
And a scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. And having unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it had been written:
'Spirit of LORD upon Me, on account of which He anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to poor; He has sent Me to heal the ones having been broken heart (who have become despondent), to proclaim deliverance to captives and recovery of sight to blind, to send away having been oppressed, with deliverance, to proclaim acceptable year of LORD.' (Isaiah 61:1,2)"

Good Day Child of God! When reading the Scripture for this Study, the whole of it is so long, that it I had some concern of how the Lord would want this to be taught. Then it occurred to me to ask Him, since He writes them, I type them, to see what He had in mind. Probably three parts in this lesson. That is the simple answer, so I started to read it again, and the "Stop" signal was given at this point. The reason is so obvious, that it is too easy to miss.

There are really two lessons in one in the words above, both rendering themselves back to one issue. The Holy Spirit and God's Grace. I know that's two in the sentence, but they are one in the same. Keep in mind this is not Jesus' first sermon, I guess He took a practice or two before getting back to where people knew Him well, and where He felt it was important to start. The reason? There is a significance to the time, message, and place, as you will find out in Studies to come, Lord Willing. Now, I know some of you are annoyed with the Lord Willing business I use. But I said it three Studies ago, and the Lord gave a different lesson two days ago than I thought would be coming. So, you see why it isn't me, it is Him.

Today's easy lesson: The first thing that is easy to see in our verses this Study is that: "...Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee...". What does that mean in plain English? It means Jesus was following, not leading. It was the Holy Spirit, just as with the Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys, and later on in Luke, in Jesus' own ministry, following the Spirit or Will of God was as normal as eating a meal. It is a lesson well realized.

The second lesson we find, is that Jesus came to whom according the reading from Isaiah? Was it the poor in finances? Was it those that felt love lost and had a broken heart? Was it those in jail for deeds they may or may not have been responsible for? How about people that could not see, or people who were kidnapped, or had be sold into slavery? It says all of these does it not? NO! It says none of these. You see, pardon the pun, that for the first time in the lives of those at the synagogue that Saturday, they were being preached to about Spiritual matters, not worldly matters. At first the crowd is all impressed, but later on when they begin to understand that Jesus isn't talking about people's pocket books, or the scrawny chicken in their pot, He is speaking to them of the Grace of God, they aren't all that impressed. Grace may sound great, but in many people's mind, it doesn't pay the rent.

There is an argument to be made that Grace doesn't pay the rent. But equally it could be found that Grace finds a way to get the rent paid. There are many ways that can get accomplished, but in God's economy, He has ownership of everything, the ultimate Landlord as it were, and these worldly issues are easily dealt with. Part of it has to do with expectations. We'll take a look at that in depth another time, but for now, the issue that Isaiah and Jesus by reading these verses are trying to make is that God is looking for those that thirst for the real things of Life: peace, love, joy, gentleness, kindness, patience, self-control, and faithfulness. This list comes at the end of Galatians, and it really is a substitute for the nature of our Father. At your acceptance of His Gift in Christ Jesus, these attributes are available to you. I know, I usually keep the list to peace, love, and joy, but that is for expedience sake, not for any other reason.

So there you have it. The One and only Son of God being lead by the Spirit, always. He didn't even pick up Isaiah without direction from the Father. This I can assure you. And then what is the message? Those of you that are poor in Spirit, those of you that have obeyed what you have been taught in the Law but feel so empty, those of you that are blinded to the meaning of the Scripture, those of you that have been taken captive by religious activity, and feel there is no freedom in view, Jesus has the Good News for you. Grace is here! Again at first blush, the crowd loves the message, but there is much more to this story.

In the mean while, please keep in touch with your Father, please? There is happiness all around you, there is true joy only in Him. We all strive for only one thing, and it is to be filled with peace, love, joy, gentleness, kindness, patience, self-control, and faithfulness. If you look deeply in your heart, everything else: home, cars, money, and everything life has to offer, have no comparable place when sitting next to the list of God's Gifts to you. It is what is universally sought after, but we will use others things, and sometimes other people to make up for the what is missing in life. That is why Jesus said, "I come to give you Life, and it more abundantly." He wasn't talking about the rent, He was talking about you being fulfilled in meaning and purpose, love and joy, and steadiness in you being. OK, the rent as it were, will get paid too. But maybe not the way you expect. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Something else easily missed when reading the Bible: It is a Book about a Spiritual things, not worldly things. Oh sure, there is history, intriguing stories, and all kinds of unusual happenings, but it all leads to one thing. Who is behind all of this, and Who initiates all and finds a way to get His Will done regardless of what is going on, so that you and I can benefit? Right. God. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelations. The Alpha and Omega is the Center of all things.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 4:1-13 Study 18 "The Temptation Of Jesus"

2012-02-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

Luke 4:1-13 "Then Jesus, full of Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted forty days by the Devil. And He did not eat anything in those days, and they having been completed, afterward He was hungry. And the Devil said to Him, “Since You are God’s Son, speak to this stone that it shall become bread.” And Jesus answered to him, saying, “It has been written, ‘A person will not live on bread only, on every word of God.’” (Deut 8:3)
And the Devil, having brought Him into a high mountain, showed to Him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in a moment of time. And the Devil said to Him, “I will give to You all this authority and their glory, because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I shall be desiring. Therefore, if You prostrate Yourself in worship before me all will be Yours.” And answering, Jesus said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! It has been written, ‘You will prostrate yourself in worship before LORD your God, and Him only you will sacredly serve.’” (Deut 6:13)

And he brought Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, “Since You are God’s Son, throw Yourself down from here. For it has been written, ‘To His angels He will give orders concerning you, to guard over you’, and, ‘They will lift you up on hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” (Psalm 91:11,12); (Note: Satan omitted the words “in all your ways” which indicate “normal ways” not going out of your way to “test God.”) And answering, Jesus said to him, “It has been said, ‘You will not put LORD your God to the test.’” (Deut 6:16) And having completed every temptation, the Devil departed from Him until another time.

Good Day Child of God! It is interesting to note that many theologians and commentators on the Bible have little to say of the verses included for this Study. It is too simple and I suppose self explanatory, but still, it is unusual that this group of what is an intense back and forth between God's Son and God's former, arguably favorite, angel.

It is also interesting that the negotiations, for that is what this really is, starts relatively small, and the ante is upped with every further offer. In the end, simply put, Jesus rejected Lucifer, and He chose God. I chose God, whatever the circumstance. Sounds good doesn't it?

Today's easy lesson: We find Jesus just having been Baptized and is now ready to begin His earthly ministry. However, He feels the need for one more preparation, knowing full well He is not going down an easy road. And even if He did feel He was confident enough in what He had learned from His Father, His teaching from others here on earth, and in His own abilities, the prudent thing to do is to be sure that being ready for what may come, is more important than walking out, puffed up, and thinking He can do it, finding that winning a battle here and there is not winning the war. He needs the courage and the wisdom, and the words of the Father, prioritized in reverse order to pull this off, and we know that to be true. Look at His reactions at going forward at the Garden before His Crucifixion. He wasn't laughing at death.

The first negotiation is pretty simple. Hungry? How about some bread? Think of two things. Either Lucifer is not sure Who he is talking to, which may be the case, or he has an ego so large, he thinks he could be God. Jesus answers simply by quoting Scripture. Next negotiation. Lucifer gets way more serious here, and offers Jesus the world from that moment forward to the end of it. He says it's his to do with what he wishes, and can give it away if he wants, it's his prerogative. Do you think Lucifer is lying, or does he have that power? It seems he does. The reason to believe so, even though Lucifer speaks lies like it is his natural tongue, is in one of the parables. We'll leave it at that for now, and keep it in mind that it was Lucifer that got Adam and Eve off course. And again, Jesus simply brushes the whole idea aside by using Scripture. Now the final offering. It's one thing to offer the people of the world, it is yet another to offer those that would seek God, and His Chosen. Does Lucifer have the ability to do that? I don't think so. He certainly has had a chance to pervert the Gospel, but to take control of God's Possessions? No! Then, in his offer he, as is normal, misquotes Scripture, the note about this is in brackets in the text. And of course Jesus' response? Scripture. There's nothing more for Lucifer to offer at this point, but he has learned one thing for certain. If he wasn't sure Who Jesus was before this all started, he knows now. He's going to have to regroup and come back, if he can, at a time that he may see a crack in the armor.

What do we take from this? There is safety in being a Child of God. There is still temptation, perhaps not from a devil, but from the world, yet regardless of where it comes from, there is a simple answer to rid yourself of it. Stay close to the Father, ask Him to overcome it for you, and remember Scripture that solidifies your standing before the Father. In the end, you know on what side you would rather be. It takes a bit of experience and maturity to do this, and it takes some "guts" as well. What did Jesus do before He truly began to speak to the people, the leaders, and those that wanted to know and worship God? He prepared Himself one last time, by spending some quiet time with the Father. That is a great habit to get into, and truthfully, for you and I, some experience in failure, because there is no better teacher than failure, to get you to do the right thing. Your Father is always there waiting, watching, and wondering when you two are going to discuss your life and everything in it. At some point, your immediate reaction is going to be Father, this-that-and everything, and that is when failure will not be an option. He is God! Is there anything He cannot teach you, guide you, or live and love through you? No. That is what to take from this. Challenges? Sure they'll come. Solutions? They'll come too, but you have to invoke your freewill to give it to your Father, or do it on your own and find the going not so easy. I know I keep telling you this, but if it was important to Jesus, why wouldn't it be important to you as well? Remember, as a Christian, a Child of God, living a life that reflects His thinking is important. We all fail at this, but still strive to allow Him to do what is needed so that your life glorifies His Love for you. Sinning should not be on your front burner as a concern, but doing the right thing, with the Father leading the way, should be. OK? Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Lucifer, Satin, the Devil, and whatever other names can be used to reflect who he or more, it, was since he was first introduced as an angel, and still is for that matter. Where is Lucifer first spoken of? No, not Genesis. Job. Job is thought to be the oldest Book in the Bible, predating the first five books, which are taken to be dictated by Moses. Reading Job then will give you a real insight into how God, Who is the same from the beginning to the end of time, thinks and works. You will learn so much more about your Loving Heavenly Father Who's Spirit indwells you. I highly recommend taking the time to read Job.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 3: 31-38 Study 17 "Jesus Begins Preaching and Teaching"

2012-01-31T10:25:00.001-08:00

Luke 3:21-38 "Now it happened, while all the people to be baptized, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, heaven (the sky) was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came out of heaven saying, “You are My Son--the Beloved--in You I am well-pleased!
And Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began, being, as was being supposed, son of

Joseph, son of Eli, of Matthat, of Levi, of Melchi, of Janna, of Joseph, of Mattathias, of Amos, of Naum, of Esli, of Naggai, of Maath, of Mattathias, of Semei, of Joseph, of Judah,
the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, of Zerubbabel, of Shealtiel, of Neri, of Melchi, of Addi, of Cosam, of Elmodam, of Er, of Jose, of Eliezer, of Jorim, Matthat, Levi, of Simeon, of Judah, of Joseph, of Jonan, of Eliakim, of Melea, of Mennan, of Mattatha, of Nathan, of David, of Jesse, of Obed, of Boaz, of Salmon, of Nahshon, of Amminadab, of Aram, of Hezron, of Perez, of Judah, of Jacob, of Isaac, of Abraham, of Terah, of Nahor, of Serug, of Reu, of Peleg, of Eber, of Shelah, of Cainan, of Arphaxad, of Shem, of Noah, of Lamech, of Methuselah, of Enoch, of Jared, of Mahalaleel, of Cainan, of Enos, of Seth, of Adam, of God."

Good Day Child of God! This Biblical Text looks complicated and boring, and there is some truth to that. There are two lists in the New Testament that bring to the time and day of Jesus' beginning of His Public Ministry (as underlined), the one in Matthew from Mary's side of the family, and in this one from Joseph's side of the Family. Except, as noted in the underlined words above, Joseph in only the supposed father of Jesus. Both he and Mary knew that wasn't true.

There are many names within the list that you are probably not familiar with, so I underlined those you would or should recognize. Jesus had to come from the Tribe of Judah, and notice His heritage do not go through Cain nor Able, but Seth. As we have learned over and over and over again, put a stumbling block in front of God's plan, and He'll find a way around it. At one time I took the time to study both sections of Matthew and Luke going through the list of names, and believe it or not, finding out who is who above is quite interesting. We won't go that far, but are we now beginning the beginning of what will be a whirlwind of preaching and activity from Jesus.

Today's easy lesson: To clarify first part of the Scripture above, it simply says that as people were being baptized by John, Jesus showed up to be baptized, and the Father spoke, whether intelligibly to all or not, His joy in watching His only begotten as He grew up, and to the day of His baptism. Which we could look at as some kind of graduation day. Keep in mind, that Jesus and John took that Old Time Religion, and spoke of turning it on its head. They don't look at the Priests and other leaders as having been successful. No, rather they take it that they have missed the point and need to have the proverbial compass settings re-aimed so that they would honor the Father properly.

There are so many preachers, teachers, and ministry leaders that focus on times and dates within the Bible, that it seemed good to underline the fact that Jesus was not exactly thirty years old at the start of His Ministry. Looking at the Bible for key dates and times so that one could predict this or that, or perhaps the end days is a fools journey. There are so many generalizations in the Old Testament alone, it makes no sense to try to focus on such things. Remember, the "science", or better the physics, of the birth of the Universe, as well as its unique workings is so complicated that the Apostle Paul's statement that there are two ways to know there is a God still ring true to this day. One is the Universe, "we don't understand it", and we don't! And two, conscience, we have a conscience. Why? Because we are unique beings that God Created, and no other being has a conscience. Wonder how science can explain the evolution of that? Oh yes, they don't even bother pointing towards it. Ever notice that? And Paul wrote that fact in the First Chapter of Romans two thousand years ago. Yet, nearly every scientist, so called, and preacher that looks into the Bible and can tell you and I that "aliens" helped with the construction of the pyramids, or that the number years, if not days or hours, are spelled out for us is so much bunk. I am not against science, in fact I embrace it. But challenging the status quo is much different than trying to prove you are a genius, and calling every new "discovery" a new fact, with the old fact fading away. That is called: ego. We all know preacher after preacher that has made a fool out of his ministry and his life by trying to predict the end of time. And that is important to your relationship to the Father for what reason?

OK, let's move forward. We are now going to find Jesus, a mature man, walking about, taking on the religious leadership in every way possible. He starts at home in the next Study, and there we find out if He has the right stuff, because it doesn't go well. Lord Willing, that comes tomorrow, but in the mean while, remember that the Bible is the Good News, the Good Book, but also that the thrust of the teaching is in the over-all theme of the Book. And that starts right at the beginning with Adam and Eve failing, yet God finding a way to go forward and work out a way that He can walk and talk with us on a one on One basis. That's called Agape' Love fellow Students. Never, ever giving up on you, never turning away from you, and providing regardless of how you may feel at the moment. That kind of Love is so deep there is no science, or date, and certainly not enough time to study and put a value to it. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Not to pick on any certain group, but the Jehovah Witnesses are special. They read the Bible for the sole purpose of living in such a manner, that they will be prepared in their soul, when the Lord comes. They have predicted that date several times, and have been wrong every single time. Does it makes sense to ignore the Love of God over your living "right" so you'll be here the day you think He is coming, and you find it is always wrong? Would you think, as a group, or as a leadership, you would wise up and perhaps look for another way to look at the Bible? Sure you would, but somehow the blind are leading the blind right to Hell (death). Unfortunately this is a group that rejects Jesus as the Messiah, and right now as God has it, that is the only unforgivable sin, especially when you are presented with the choice.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 3:19-20 Study 16 "John Goes To Jail"

2012-01-29T21:37:00.000-08:00

Luke 3:19-20 "But Herod, the ruler of the quadrant, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias the wife of his brother and concerning all the evils which Herod did, added also this to all, and locked up John in prison."

Good Day Child of God! We have two simple sentences to read, and what can you see in, or say of, these verses that make any sense? That is, considering where they are placed within the text of this letter, what can the meaning of what they say be determined by you or I if we got this letter, alone, just today? I think we would be stumped if we didn't know certain themes and the writing structure of the Bible, and have more text to read.

You recall, the Bible is often written with an introduction, as we have in meeting John the Baptist, then once the overview is given, more details are meted out later. Again, Genesis Chapter One, then Two. In this case however, since Luke's primary reason for writing to Theopholis is to inform him of the Life of Jesus, and substantiate His Bona Fide as the Messiah, John's ministry and life will come out of the letter in parts. It must have been something of a gossip situation, concerning Herod and Herodias, as the words are left locked without the details, yet to one point, that it is true. It also could have been that Luke didn't feel any need for details, the story going around the various palaces and places of power and already well established.

Today's easy lesson: John the Baptist was one tough dude. What is clear, is that he did not come in meekness of speech and message and heap praise on anyone. Including the ruler of the district, nor the rulers wife. This can be a good trait, being straight forward and all, but in time he will pay the price. The "live by the sword, die by the sword rule" applies everywhere, including doing God's work. Keep in mind none of the Apostles "lived large" as the saying goes in this modern day. They all died in obscure and in many cases obscene ways. But then again, so did the only begotten Son of God.

What's the point? Is this to scare you? No. This is to bring a reality to your thinking. Your Life. When your life is going along quite well, maybe a hiccup or two, nothing you cannot handle, you "feel" you are in God's Will and His good Graces. Things go to far out of control, and all of a sudden there is a special need for real prayer, searching your conscience for things you might not have done right, perhaps you have been too complacent, not thankful enough, and the run for reasons and how to get God to put things back in order begins. Am I close? Yes, I know I am. I too am human. The thing we all need to come to terms with is that that type of thinking is simply - superstition. Perhaps veiled in religion. What, you, a favored Child of God, all of a sudden need a test? The Father that Loves you so much that His number one Son died and was raised that you might have Life, and it more abundantly, so that when He sees you He sees His Son, needs to toughen you up? Oh, you are fading in your Faith, so God Who is Faithful when we are not, is letting you suffer so that others can pray for you, and that you get serious about your walk with Him? This only makes sense in some crazy, moonbeam kind of weird trip.

Do you see the simple message that life is what comes your way, and by Faith you take it, deal with it, live with it, and work with it. Good times and bad, yet keeping in mind that your Father wants to build that relationship with you? He doesn't need to put anything in your path to make it harder than it already can be. The world is fraught with landmines of various and sundry problems, and even when good is trying to make its way through the dark, bad things can happen. You keep your Faith regardless. That is your only job. Sure you may worry, congratulations, you're human. You have hormones, some make you feel great, others make you want to run away. But the Truth is the world, and God's Provision, neither, are changed because you may be experiencing great success, or great frustration. The world does what it does, that is why you are told not to judge it. You don't have enough wisdom nor foresight. God does, and He Provides the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and more. He will bring you through the "valley of the shadow of death" in victory, you're being worried or not. The joy, the peace, the love, these are your gifts, given by Him, because you can trust Him. There is no need for soul searching, extraordinary prayers, or any kind of works, actions, special giving's, whatever. What is needed then? How about an honest talk with your Father? How about an honest appraisal of the situation, and Who has power, means, and wisdom? How about giving that freedom to be frustrated to Him, and take a vacation, as the movie "What about Bob", suggested from, well, your concerns. That old saying, "Let go, let God" is too trite. It isn't that easy. Except when you stop and think what is really different and how it really matters in your Life. The calm will come, the love will re-appear, and the joy will return. Because you my fellow Grace Student, are His Child. Nothing can ever stop that, and you know it! He Loves you so much, prayers of thanks should be where your heart is at all times. Nothing more is needed. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: After our last Study on Hell, there were some very encouraging words, and some who came with real concerns and confused thoughts. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and comments. Everyone has been so respectful and honorable in their words. The subject will come up again, and we will delve into it again, but please keep this one thing in mind for those that are struggling with the issue. Whether or not you believe in a place that forever punishment and torment exists, it doesn't matter to God. He didn't say, "By the way, I sent my Son, had Him punished for your sins, had Him killed in the most gruesome manner, then buried in a borrowed cave, then in Power and Might raised Him so that you might have Life, offering this gift to you for the sake of acceptance only. And, oh yes, you have to believe in a terrible place I happen to really get into where people who miss out for one reason or another, regardless of age or location, will burn and suffer forever. OK? Only that, and, ah, water baptism, and, OK, one last thing, confess your sins to one another, and nothing else. OK, church EVERY Sunday, not on the Sabbath, I'm giving you a break there. So that's it then. Look forward to seeing you improve every day or you'll have to suffer in order to get my approval. Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention that, and the speaking in tongues to make the grade as well. But look just those few things. Oh yes, then I forgot..."

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 3:15-18 Study 15 "Is John The Christ?"

2012-01-26T07:55:00.001-08:00

Luke 3:15-18 "Now the people are anticipating, and all are pondering in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ (Messiah). John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize in water (with water), but mightier than I is coming, of whom I am not worthy to loose the strap of His sandals, He will baptize in (with) Holy Spirit and fire; whose winnowing shovel in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and will gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn the chaff in unquenchable fire!” So then urging many other, he was proclaiming the Gospel to the people."

Good Day Child of God! Finally we are getting to some really interesting text. Not that the historical portions of Luke's Gospel are not important to prove the writings to be accurate, but by and large I think we are past that. We understand that the Gospel of Luke are his writings, and that he did his due-diligence to make sure that what he is reporting is Truth. But now! We have verses that seem to tell us one thing, and have indeed been characterized by many as easily understood, yet we need to seek out what is Truth as opposed to what looks like Truth.

This is a fairly quick introduction to John, is it not? I mean in a few sentences, we have gone from a man preaching in the wilderness against the status quo, to a man that many are pondering whether or not he is the Messiah. John's answer is quite clear, unambiguous, and to the point. Nothing controversial within his statement. But what of the baptism and the unquenchable fire? There's something to this that may not be so easy to grasp.

Today's easy lesson: We have to wonder if Luke knew Matthew was writing a Gospel similar to his. Why do I say that? Look at Matthew's Gospel, and see how differently he treats John the Baptist. Much more detail. Seems like Luke either had an idea that was coming, or that his focus on the Life of Jesus was much more important than those that surrounded Him. Could be the later, as Luke really does focus on Jesus continuously.

To the Scripture above, what does it mean to you when John says: "I indeed baptize with water, but mightier than I is coming, of whom I am not worthy to loose the strap of His sandals. He will baptize in (with) Holy Spirit and fire; whose winnowing shovel in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and will gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn the chaff in unquenchable fire!”

1) If John baptizes with water and Jesus with the Spirit and fire, is baptism with water necessary?
2) If Jesus is going to thoroughly clean out His threshing floor...but He will burn the chaff in unquenchable fire, does that mean those that are not gathered into the barn are going to burn in hell forever?

These questions need to be asked, and more, they need to have answers. If you answered question one with a yes, you do not understand what Jesus said about baptism when He said, "A man or woman must be born of water and of Spirit."(John 3:5) This is a play on words. First off baptism is a sign of what? Repentance, or a turning away from one way of life to another. In this case turning away from a life of doing so that you may receive, but additionally, it simply means, that to be born of water is that you have to be born, period. Kind of a joke. You are born through your mother's womb through water. Nature provides the water, God provides the Spirit. Now do you think you must be baptized in water?

The second question is much more insidious. The idea of unquenchable fire is used on simple people by so called leaders for the sake of controlling people that are looking to these leaders for guidance. If you answered yes, those not in the barn are going to burn in hell forever, again, is that what it says, or is that what your prior thinking brought to the text? What does fire do? It burns away completely. It destroys completely. There is nothing left when fire has its way for an unquenchable time. So hell is a teaching that is complete? The concept of hell, if I can say it that way without insulting any of you, is not Old Testament. It is like many things brought to the Church Age. As we discussed before; Is an eternal punishment in the context of what is a whisper of time within the character of a Loving and Caring God that is saddened by anyone that does not see His Provision? A) As an opinion I don't see it, and B) the Bible doesn't teach it. It talks about Gehenna, but that has two possible meanings. One is a valley in or around Israel that is burning like a dump all the time, and the other is an extrapolation of theological thought, that if you are not good, you will burn or be punished forever. Believe what you will, but death, the end of all you are and all you ever were, is enough punishment for anyone, and that thought was basically what the Old Testament Rabbis thought. I don't see a change within these writings. We'll be back to this subject again, because it will come up again. But I would like you to take the subject to the Lord and have Him reassure you of what is Truth on this subject.

Whatever your belief at this moment, keep in mind it makes no difference to God. He isn't concerned about what you believe about death, hell, or eternal punishment. He is very concerned that you know His Son, His Provision to bring to the Table as a Child of God. For those that have a heart for God, will God willy nilly throw them outside? That is not for you and I to judge. God will make decisions based on His Will, not on your thinking. What is taught is that you will be judged by what you know, not by what you do not know. In other words, if Jesus is presented as God's Son, died on the Cross and was Raised from the Dead so that you might have a Relationship (go to heaven) with God, you have a choice to make. Either you accept or reject the Truth. That you don't hear it, you are too young to understand it? This God will punish you forever and ever? Does this even remotely make sense to you knowing that from the beginning He is the One doing, and we are the one benefitting? I know you have heard that God is a righteous God, and He cannot come together with a sinful man or woman. Show me the verse, and I will show you that Jesus went to the Cross to end the sin issue between God and man. To prove the point, in terms of perfection, do you after you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior lead a sinless perfect life? No! Yet you are fully and acceptably a Child of God. Childish thinking of fear of what will happen to you if you don't do this right or that rite, will not help you build a Trusting, Loving Relationship with your Father. Jesus always pointed to the Father. Don't forget the Truth. It is meant to set you Free! From what? Worry, works, superstitions, and unnecessary rituals. The Curtain was ripped in two, you are Free to enter at anytime for any reason, to talk to your Father, sharing both your heart of gladness and possible sadness, and you will both come out smiling. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: The word translated as Hell, is used a total of 13 times, all in the New Testament. This alone tells you something.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 3:7-14 Study 14 "John's First Message"

2012-01-25T08:04:00.001-08:00

Luke 3:7-14 "Then he began saying to the crowds coming out to be baptized ( immersed) by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, produce fruits worthy of repentance (i.e., a change of mind and desire leading to change of behavior), and do not begin to be saying within yourselves, ‘We have a father, Abraham,’ for I say to, God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones. But also the axe is already laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire!”

And the crowds began questioning him, saying, “What then will we do?” Then answering, he says to them, “The one having two tunics must share with the one not having, and the one having food must be doing likewise.”
And tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what will we do?” Then he said to them, “Be collecting no more than that having been instructed to.” Now ones serving as soldiers also began questioning him, saying, “And what will we do?” And he said to them, “Violently extort money no one nor accuse falsely for money, and be content with wages.”

Good Day Child of God! Meet John the Baptist. At first glance you can see why they didn't name him Gentle John or something more appropriate to his demeanor. He isn't exactly a soft talking guy. This ultimately will cause him to lose his head, not mind, but his physical head. That comes down the road a bit. Frankly, there was little need for John to be so direct all the time, but as my wife says of me, he was passionate.

Keep in mind that God has not sent a prophet to the Israelites for four hundred years, and thus John coming out of nowhere, and preaching out in nowhere land got people thinking. This is so unique in method and in message that the community didn't take long to gather a crowd around him and to give him a reputation of man of a different sort-perhaps even the Messiah. The Jews were used to being just like everyone else, that is, me first, me second, oh, and let me include me in the third spot as well. So John's message was touching a nerve, so to speak.

Today's easy lesson: We get the sense from reading this that John was instantly educated, then instantly brought to the people who surrounded him with admiration and obedience. Hardly true. Remember that John and Jesus are considered to have been Essene taught Jews. Both Jesus and John believed the Word in a more Spiritual reality than the simplicity of what was intended in the Law. The Jews missed the point on both accounts, and they had been hard headed since they were freed from Egypt so many centuries earlier. It would require a front man like John who spoke with both authority and aggression, along with a Messiah that does the same and adds compassion to get the people to stop and take notice. In these eight sentences, John is speaking to everyone from the very common man and woman to the tax collectors and soldiers. Do you think these diverse groups hung out together. Hardly. There is a cast system of sorts within any society, and the Jews two-thousand years ago were no different. Oh yes, anyone that was going to be taxed wanted to have the tax guy over for dinner. Sure, just like they were close friends of the "police" that extorted money and goods out of just about anyone at their whim. You get the point. The time is compressed here, or again, Luke would be writing a series of Books just on the Life of Christ.

The most curious question of all though is why and how John got the idea to baptize for repentance? By and large, theologians have no clear answer for this question, but there is an answer that makes some sense. The Jews used baptism in two ways. One was to take a non-Jew and they would be Baptized in the process of becoming a proselyte, or converted, Jew. The other is that on a regular basis some Jews would immerse themselves as a cleansing and a show of renewal. There is no evidence however that one person of any position or stature would Baptize another. What happened here, I believe, is that John saw the raw hypocrisy of the community, and keeping in mind that he spoke around the gathering place of the people, that is a place where water was plentiful, that he decided that to show true repentance to a new message with a new direction would require a new format, and he took it upon himself to baptize Jews. No Gentiles within these texts, you must keep that in mind.

So the journey has begun. We are no longer going to be looking at just historical data that would prove the bona fide of Jesus as the Messiah. We are now going to begin studying how He went about the job of getting God's Chosen to pay attention to what He intended for His people, not what was the result. If you are not in tune with God's intentions, His Provision, His thinking, you are going to miss what the reality is, and make Jesus out to be a great prophet instead of the Messiah. I hear it all the time. "Jesus was showing us how to treat each other, to create a world of equality and sharing." Yes, reading John above, and of course what Jesus is going to say as we go along, you could come to that conclusion. But then you would not grasp "How high and how wide and how deep is the Love of God." These next few weeks together are going to be so wonderful. We will all learn so much about the Truth and how it is meant to set you Free. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: In researching the word "baptism or baptize", there is not a single reference to either word in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the use of the words both in physical and spiritual terms ranges from 25 to 50 times.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 3:1-6 Study 13 "Meet John The Baptist"

2012-01-24T08:11:00.001-08:00

Luke 3:1-6 "Now in fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar (26 A.D.). Pontius Pilate governing Judea, and Herod Antipas being the tetrarch (governor) of Galilee, but Philip his brother being tetrarch (governor) of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias being tetrarch of Abilene, in the time of high priest Annas and (high priest) Caiaphas, Word of God came to, John the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
And he went into the whole surrounding region of the Jordan (River), proclaiming a baptism (immersion) of repentance to (or for) forgiveness of sins, as it has been written in a scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

"A voice of shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of LORD; be making His paths straight! Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill will be leveled, and the crooked (roads) will be into straight (roads) and the rough (roads) into smooth roads. And all flesh will see the salvation of God!” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

Good Day Child of God! We have made it to Chapter 3 and it wasn't that difficult a time to get here. We lightened up a bit, but that was to contrast the seriousness that is put into the Birth of Christ Jesus and all that is taught that goes with it, with the simplicity of a life coming into the world just about the same as anyone else. And that was God's plan. The Jews were looking for royalty, and God was trying, and will continue to try to explain that they didn't read their Scrolls correctly. The teaching coming from Jesus' lips will be harsh, to say the least, and we are going to get dead serious about the "church" then, and the church today.

As for this small group of verses, they don't seem to say much, and frankly they don't. They are a simple introduction of John the Baptist. All the names, positions, and the verse from Isaiah at the end seem so complicated. They could be too, but for the idea that a person living at that time would understand just as easily as you would if words and names were brought up to date using our current vernacular. Except for the Scripture from Isaiah. That I dare any to understand as prophecy for the way God intended to bring His Son, our Savior, into the world.

Today's easy lesson: To make the verses above understandable, I bracketed the words that explain what a tetrarch is, for example. There are three governors mentioned. Pontius Pilot, Herod Antipas, and Herod's brother Philip. All under the direct rule from Rome, that is under direct order of Caesar, in this case, Tiberius. The Roman's had a unique and quite effective way to rule the world. It's such a great idea, I don't understand why it isn't used in this day and age. When Rome would conquer an area, city, country, whatever boundary might be used to describe it, they would simply put someone in charge from Rome that had just enough troops available to him to keep the peace, and law and order, and allow the area to continue being what it was before the invasion, and resulting victory. That way, there was no expense in nation building, yet the government could extract taxes from that group of people, and they in turn could live the lives they were familiar with. It is ingenious quite frankly, and it worked for 500 years, longest in history for any nation.

Why is this important? One of the things that occurred is that there was a special privilege of being a Roman Citizen. One could buy there way into that position or one could be born into it. Without Roman Citizenship, you were subject to the local ruling elders, tribesmen, whatever name you want to give the natives that were watched over by the Roman Governor, and your only appeal beyond them would be to the Governor. You may recall that the Apostle Paul was a Roman Citizen, and he could appeal all the way to Caesar. Big difference. Jesus and John were captives to the local authorities, and those decisions, as you know, could have catastrophic affect.

What we have then is Luke explaining the start time of John the Baptists ministry. It comes down to about 24 years after the birth of his cousin Jesus in our calendar. The idea is to put an age to John, making him out to be somewhere around 27-30 years of age. The time was much more accurate at the writing than it is to us today, but as we have discussed, the calendar has changed, but what does that matter? The issue isn't his exact age, the issue is the message. Luke includes the Scripture verse above, and if you understand that this Scripture is explaining that John is Elijah, and that Jesus is the Christ, and all this in peace and harmony, you are a better theologian than anyone I know. One thing this Scripture does explain. How different God sees His word than anyone else. So easily misunderstood, and so easily taken out of context to build a following, that it will take the Son of God to bring the Truth from out of the mire and muck of man's interpretation.

The Word is simple. The Way is easy, the Gate is narrow. Why is the Gate narrow? Is that so only the good, the sinless, the givers, those that sacrifice, those that are poor, or lonely, or of great hardship are the only ones to find that narrow gate? Or is it those that are wealthy and giving and kind and of good cheer with blessings of worldly gains the ones that find their way through the narrow gate? Is it because each time you pray, every penance you perform, every deed of contrition you act out, that you come closer and closer to that narrow gate? You have heard all of these and more ways to the narrow gate, but none are the Way, the Truth, nor the Life. The gate is narrow not to shut anyone out. The gate is narrow because you and I want to make the gate the way we see it, and how we imagine it. Who made the gate? God. That's right. Who stands at the Gate holding it open for you plain and easy for you to see? Jesus. That's right. Is there a field full of landmines of sinfulness, rules, rites, rituals, and repentance lying before Jesus making it most difficult to bob and weave your way to Him? No. It's a straight path, no impediments, no issues between you and He, just the Faith that He has hold of the gate, and you are Free to walk to Him, and through Him into the Life on the other side. Isn't this the Grace News? It is. And John will begin to show the every day people, not the learned, not those who think they know their Scripture and want to lead the way to God, how it truly is. Simple, Loving, and a Straight Path. Nothing complicated. All done for you, by your eldest Brother, because He Loves you so much. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Not that it is important, but this is Study 600 that is posted online for anyone to read and look into God's Word and His Loving Grace. There have been many others not posted online, but I thought it a bit of a milestone. That's lots of Grace Words. God is Blessing all of us. "Thank You Lord!"
Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 2:41-52 Study 12 "Jesus At Twelve Years Old"

2012-01-23T06:21:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:41-52 "And His parents were traveling yearly to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, and having completed the days, in their returning, the Child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother did not know. But having supposed Him to be among the group of travelers, they went a road of a day (a day’s journey) and were looking for Him among their relatives and among their acquaintances. And not having found Him, they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him.
And it happened, after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in middle of the teachers, both listening to them and questioning them. But all the ones hearing Him were themselves being astonished at His understanding and His answers. And having seen Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, “Child, why did You us, in this way? Listen! Your father and I, being deeply distressed, were seeking You.” And He said to them, “Why that were seeking Me? Did not know that it is necessary Me to be in that of My Father?” And they did not understand the saying which He spoke to them.
And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He was being subjected to them. And His mother was treasuring all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept advancing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and people."

Good Day Child of God! I truly hope and pray this day is finding you in good stead, and that after a restful weekend. I know some of you are not feeling so well, but this too shall pass, so rest easy, and rest in the Lord's Grace, it will all be well with you soon.

We are on our last few verses of Chapter Two of the Gospel of Luke, and these words are as easy to understand, as they read. Nothing spectacular except to say that this is the only account of Jesus, no longer a child, not an adult, but a young man of nearly teenage years. Oh those sweet teens, they can certainly bring a cringe or two to Mom and Dad as the little one's begin to spread their wings and begin to fly. Funny thing is, Jesus is not much different than you and I in this respect, and to show this to be true, Luke gives us only this one example.

Today's easy lesson: We think of twelve year olds in this day and age as little kids. It wasn't long ago, not even fifty years ago, that at twelve one was old enough to work a job. Think I may be stretching the truth a bit? My Dad got me my first job, albeit a only a summer job the first year, when I was eleven. I made $10 a week, and man was I glad to have it. Didn't think much of the fact that I had to do the job. If my Dad said I had to do it, there was no argument, it had to be done. On top of that, we had a gentleman's farm where my Dad loved to plant a half acre of vegetables. That is he loved to see me do most of the work. My older brother helped too, but the burden mostly fell on me. My brother was smart enough to disappear when the time came around for my Dad's calling us to work the garden. I know, I was probably the last generation to have those kinds of responsibilities, but two thousand years ago, a twelve year old was already nearing the time he would pick out a wife. Common people, like Mary and Joseph didn't have much, so the kids kicked in as much as possible to make enough for everyone to be able to eat, have a safe place to lay their head, and stay with the family. By the time Jesus was twelve, I am sure he was well able to help father Joseph in his carpentry business. The thing is, unlike his younger siblings, Jesus had a real interest, obviously, in what His Father in Heaven had to say.

So, it's no mystery that Joseph and Mary didn't take notice that Jesus wasn't around for a day or so. Of course when they couldn't find Him, they were, to say the least, very annoyed. Chasing all the way back to the Temple to inquire if anyone had seen Him, and finding their young boy sitting and discussing Scripture in depth with the Rabbis, well, they weren't happy. Yes, our twenty twenty hindsight tells us they were possibly over reacting, but in reality, years had gone by since Gabriel visited, lots of time with Jesus and diapers, then crawling, then walking, potty training, saying His first word, and all those things that parents cherish about raising their first child were all there. They would have gotten it all on a camcorder, but the battery hadn't been invented yet, and the solar models were just to expensive. So they chose to chisel a few pictures into wood, but needed to burn them one cold night when Jesus wouldn't go out and bring in more fire wood. Teenagers need lots of sleep. You know. I'm sure. It could have happened, just saying. He was a kid, just like you and I once were. Probably smarter though, God's only begotten and all.

For now, realize how Jesus kept His mind on what was important, and not what seemed urgent. You and I can get that mixed up really easily. You perceive a problem, you want it fixed right now. Then when it's not, you think God is saying "No," or wants you to suffer for awhile so you learn something or other. Yes, He wants you to learn that He is completely dependable, able, willing, and at the ready to do what is in your best interest, and in His. But what you may think is an urgent matter, may not be at all. God knows what's important. He knows what is coming, and He Loves you. You know that. So realize that some things are not so important as they seem urgent, learn the difference, and give Him the timing to make it work out for what is for the best. You can trust Him, can you not? Of course you can, you put your very life, which is now Life, into His hands, and you also know full well that there is no one or nothing that is larger than you Father. And you know this: "If He is for you, who can be against you?" You are Blessed Child of God, even when it doesn't feel like it. That's the beautiful thing about remembering your teenage years. How lovable to your parents were you? Yet, they stood by you, didn't they? Maybe not the way you liked it, but they loved you even though you surely knew that at times you were not happy with them. God's Love for you is even stronger, more committed, and more powerful in every way. Take a breath, say a word of "Thanks." And, have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Before Jesus got His ability to heal people He practiced a bit. His favorite was bringing animals back to life just before they were being prepared to get ready to cook. Always got a laugh but eventually the family became vegetarians. What? You don't believe it? OK, you're right. There is nothing that I could find on what a kid did two thousand years ago for fun. No baseball. No soccer. No ball period. Maybe tag or hide and seek? Who knows, but He grew up respectful, and listened to both parents and what happened? We have one great Savior. So, it is all good.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 2:39-40 Study 11 "Jesus Goes Home"

2012-01-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:39-40 "And when they completed all, the ones according to the Law of Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the young Child was growing and was being strengthened in Spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the Grace of God was upon Him."

Good Day Child of God! This is the last day of our Study week, and we could have reached a bit and completed Chapter 2. But why rush? There is a simple yet profound lesson in Biblical writing style that is included with the ending of Chapter 2, and it would be good to understand how things are done from the various writers point of view.

We know now, that only about ten days have passed since Jesus was born. He already is a traveler by way of leaving what will be His hometown to visit the Temple for His circumcision and of course now returning. As a reminder seventy miles each way, and no horse or buggy or any such thing. Maybe a ride on a donkey, more likely a good deal of walking, except for Jesus. You didn't think He was going to start His ministry that young did you? He could have. I can just see Him running ahead of Mom and Dad telling them; "My time has come, we're burning daylight here, step on it!" Little Child in diapers going for it from the start. Naw, He has to grow some first.

Today's easy lesson: Lots of stress going around these days. Lots of things in the world that could literally wear us down and allow us to make what is out of our control drive our sensibilities right out the window. Part of this comes from communication. We have so much information at our disposal, it isn't months, weeks, days, or even ours before we find out some terrible thing has happened, it's minutes. That's to bad too. Just think about Mary and Joseph and all they have been told, and because of that, they are having to do to be better than good Jews, and too boot, new parents. At that time, Parents Magazine wasn't published in Hebrew, so they were pretty much winging it. Seriously, the pressure had to be fairly intense, yet they went about living the best way they knew how, and allowing the rest of the world to do what it does, trusting the Father to do what He does best. Keeping them safe.

The lesson in the text format, by the way, is that a fact will be stated. For example, "And the young Child was growing and being strengthened in Spirit." Then in the next several paragraphs following, include details of what the statement means. Luke doesn't delve too deeply into Jesus' youth, and there probably is good reason for that. There was really nothing overtly significant about it except by the few examples he lays out for us to read. This is the way of most of the Biblical layout. In Genesis, Chapter One for example, there is a statement of fact, Creation. Chapter Two gives details of the event to add validity and understanding in a general way. Not that all that could be said is, but what could be understood by the reader is given. This so there is a general overall understanding and it also gives the flow to God's ways and means. Look at it yourself and you will appreciate Genesis in a whole new way. Just read the first two Chapters, but look deeply at what is said, don't just skip over it. It will be hard for you to stop at two Chapters.

All that being said, it really boils down to this: God Created, He is working to this very moment, and He will see to it that His Will be done. Why worry about the world you cannot control. Don't worry at all. People as a group tend to do what modern psychology calls awfullizing. That is to take a small issue and build it into something so large that it nearly paralyzes the brains It's in your head, your thinking. Throw that out, that baby, with the bathwater, and fill your mind with the Goodness of God. I know the church loves to remind you what a sinner you are, and if only you tithed more, or volunteered more, or prayed more, or...whatever more, then you would be Blessed...IF, you are doing it in the right state of mind. Might I just say: Poppycock! Don't really know what that means but it sounds good, right? You...Are...God's...Child. In Him there is NO condemnation. You are safe, secure, and stress or not, things will work out. That is your Blessing and it is your homework to remember, at least until we have time together again next week, Lord Willing. He Loves you, I Love you. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Did you know that the word Grace, depending on the version of the Bible, is used about 200 times? That's a whole lot of unmerited favor floating around a very serious Book. Of course, it IS the Good News, so it makes sense.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 2:25-40 Study 10 "Jesus Circumcised" Part 2‏

2012-01-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:25-40 "And look! There was a man in Jerusalem whose name Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for (expecting) the comforting help of Israel, and Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been divinely told him by the Holy Spirit not see death before he saw the Christ ("the Anointed One") of Lord. And he came by the Spirit to the temple, and the parents brought in the young Child Jesus, them to do according to the custom of the Law concerning Him.
Then he took Him into his arms and blessed God and said, "Now You are releasing Your slave, Master, according to Your word, in peace. Because my eyes saw Your salvation, which You prepared before face (in the presence) of all the peoples, a light for revelation to Gentiles, and glory of Your people Israel!" And Joseph and His mother marveling at the things being spoken concerning Him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Listen! This is set (appointed) for fall and rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign being spoken against (but also a sword will pierce your own soul), in order that the thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed."
And was Anna, a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, this having advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity (her husband died seven years after they were married), and she a widow of about eighty-four years, (or, she was about eighty-four years a widow), who was not departing from the temple, sacredly serving night and day with fastings and petitions. And she, at that very hour, having come up, began giving thanks to the Lord, and she was speaking about Him to all the ones waiting for (expecting) redemption in Jerusalem."

And when they completed all the ones according to the Law of Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the young Child was growing and was being strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the Grace of God was upon Him."

Good Day Child of God! This is one of the most important and interesting portions of Scripture in the Gospel of Luke. There is a practical lesson here that is something to consider. One not mentioned in our reading above, but alluded to in our study of Luke, is the naming of a child. It's important what a child's name is. As rule, not a hard and fast rule mind you, but I truly believe it is good, proper, and foundational to the child's welfare to take the time to ask the Lord, seeking His foreknowledge, and naming the child after serious consideration of what that name represents. A truism, rather than a truth, but never the less very important in my opinion. Secondly, infant dedication.

Some people for reasons one or another of us might consider right or wrong decide to either baptize or dedicate their child at a very young age. This is not a bad idea. It shows a reverence for the Lord, His Will, if not in the child's life, at least in the parents, and a respect for a tradition, not a rule once again, that God layed out at the very beginning of His rebooted relationship with mankind, which began with Abraham. That's a long tradition, and of course we are not talking dedication or baptism as much as we are talking about circumcision. For the Jews it was a rule, a Law if you will, but as Gentiles we do it more for health reasons. Yet, as you can read above it became more of a dedication in its ceremony than just the idea of a circumcision.

Today's easy lesson: There is something very special about a new born, and it is equally special to set apart some time close to the beginning of that new life and allow God through someone to Bless and pray for the child. There is no rule, once again about this, but look at the underlined words above. Because Simeon, Simon in common terms, was taking the time to follow the Lord in what he felt was the right thing to do, the Holy Spirit "came upon" him. (This is the first time we are hearing this common term for how God used the Holy Spirit all the way up to the day of Pentecost. It is still not easy to understand the reasoning that the Holy Spirit welled up in Mary, or John (the Baptist) or anyone else, when indeed the Holy Spirit's action was, not indwelling, but coming upon someone for a time, and then leaving.) But before we get to far off track, the idea here is that Simeon was given words by the Holy Spirit in his Blessing of the Child Jesus, and it confirms to me at least, that the idea of dedication or baptism is a positive for a child and for the child's parents. It tends towards peace, love, joy, and fulfilled promises. That is to say, a foundation that builds on a true relationship with the Father, and that is always good.

As to the message, Mary and Joseph are certainly perplexed, for it seems like it is certainly a mixed Blessing. On the one hand they are told their son is the One, the Messiah, the Savior of Israel. They see this as powerful and worldly. This idea that Gentiles are somehow going to be impacted by His Messiahship, or that the Jews will find Him both a Blessing and a curse and Truth will separate one Jew from another has to be anything but settling to them. All this, and there is a "holy" woman who is also taken by the Blessing and telling everyone she knows and can find, that the Messiah is here. Can you imagine the surreal situation Joseph and Mary are finding themselves? And think of this. We are moving at a relatively fast pace for them. They travel to Bethlehem, it's seventy miles from Jerusalem, and she has a baby. They could have been in Bethlehem for days or weeks before Jesus' birth, but now they have only eight days to travel that seventy miles back to Jerusalem for the Briss (circumcision). This is humping along, but soon things will settle down, and their life will become more ordinary. Well as ordinary as can be for a young Jewish couple can be, who have as one of their own the Savior of the world. Lots more collating coming their way I am sure.

Out of the ordinary comes the exceptional. That is God's way. Have you taken note that none of what Jesus, Mary and Joseph are experiencing is too much out of the ordinary. It's every day life. It's common practice. It's going and coming, eating and drinking, traveling in normal fashion. There are no special treatments for this family. Yet, God has set His eyes on them, watching His Only Begotten grow up, seeing him mature in life and in wisdom. This is a great truth to know. God finds men and women truly wonderful, and His Children? He is enamored with them. Sort of like you are with your children. But with one difference. He is never frustrated by anything that is going on that would bother us. He never loses patience, He never loses His temper, He never turns away in disgust or from being too tired. No, He Loves you so much it is as though every moment with you is a treasured moment, and He sits at the edge of His chair, if that were possible, watching and waiting, and wanting so deeply to build that Father/son or Father/daughter relationship with you. It is truly amazing this Grace, and it should hold you up knowing how much more He cares for you than you care for your very own. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Throughout the Bible, and especially the New Testament there are miracles that occur in what we would consider every day life. One after another after another. Not the healings and demonstrations of the Power of God as Jesus used during His three year ministry, but things like Simeon above being lead by the Holy Spirit to the Temple to see the Messiah, and then having the words of the Holy Spirit come out of his mouth in the Blessing. Watch for them. They come to Apostles Paul, Peter, John, and many others. They seem like life happening, but being rescued from death, writing encouragements from prison to others, finding possibilities where things seemed hopeless, are revealed all over the New Testament. And in your life too, if you chose to recognize them, and seek them because you are trusting that He is always right.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 2:21-24 Study 9 "Jesus Circumcised" Part 1‏

2012-01-17T09:13:00.001-08:00

Luke 2:21-24 "And when eight days were completed to circumcise Him, then His name was called Jesus, that having been called (given) by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of their purification were completed, according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present to the Lord, just as it has been written in Law of Lord, “Every male opening a womb will be called holy to the LORD,” (Exod 13:2, 12,15) and to give a sacrifice, according to the having been spoken in Law of Lord, “A pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.'"

(Lev 12:8)

Good Day Child of God! This section of Scripture that explains the first eight days after the birth of Jesus the Christ is filled with a good deal of Jewish Tradition, the following of Jewish Law, and insights into the future of Jesus' life, so we are going to take it in parts, perhaps three, if needed. As we have discussed, it is too easy to cram all this information into a pageant sized amount of time, and forget what is real as opposed to what we are taught surrounding the time of Jesus' birth.

I don't see the harm in the pageants by the way, they bring enough truth to the story to allow for good tidings and worthy worship to the Season. The dates are likely way out of whack, but that too is not important. People are not worshiping the day or time of the birth of Jesus, they are taking time out to honor what has actually occurred. The birth of God's Only Begotten Son. The idea that this is somehow an anathema to God is absurd. In this case especially, the observation most certainly outweighs the accuracy of the actual date and time.

Today's easy lesson: Eight days passed since Jesus took His first breath on earth, and it is time to get circumcised in accordance with the Law, more of an agreement really between who and God? Do you remember? It was Abraham. All the men had to become circumcised, which was a sign that they belonged to the One God, Elohim. Later on it was put into the Law of Moses, keeping in mind that there was no Law prior to the Ten Commandments other than circumcision. This is important to realize. What does the Apostle Paul say about those that lived without the Law? "Where there is no Law, there is no sin." (Romans 4:15) This got some of you to go; What?! It's true, read it for yourself. But the point is not this at the moment, but it will be soon. Jesus came to do what? Fulfill the Law. And what did He say about the Law until all things are fulfilled? It is the rule of the day. After the Cross then? The Law is done, at least to the idea that it stands between man and God. Anyway, I am getting off course a bit, yet keep in mind this is the thrust of what Jesus is going to be spending a great deal of time talking about in future Studies. To do that, He has to fulfill all the prophecies and abide by and obey all the Law that is layed out before Him.

So there we have it. Jesus at the tender age of eight days, beginning to fulfill that which He is sent to do. I suppose we should give Mary and Joseph the credit here, after all, Jesus didn't make this decision on His own, calling out from His manger, "Get the moil, it's time I got circumcised." And lastly, notice one little tidbit that seems innocuous in reading it, but in fact indicates the insidiousness of allowing man to add to God's thinking and provision. The last couple of words. Sacrifices, built into the Law. So we start out with Ten, we grow it to not only circumcision, we add the taking of some little birdies lives for some reason or another. I know what some of you are thinking, "This is the Law." Yes, I am aware, but not for God, but for man.

In Truth, God is all about Life, not death. He is all about goodness, freedom, and kindness. The God that requires killing for the sake of worship, is not Elohim. Not, not, not. Men and women alienated themselves from God by rejecting the idea that God is good. His thoughts, His actions, His reactions are made to help you make your way through a perverted and self centered world. Yet, somehow He is to blame when bad stuff happens, and He is rarely thought of when good stuff happens. It's shameful and hurtful to any person, but God your Father is not fazed by these things. He Loves you so much, that He planned for that little innocent baby to be beaten and killed for you, so that the two of you can converge into a relationship of Trust and Peace. This is the True God, the God of Grace, the Elohim of the Good News. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: How many Magi came to visit Jesus at the time of His birth? No one really knows. Tradition puts it at three, but the word magi is simply a word of plurality. It could have been two or twenty two, again no one really knows. And their stature as far as being kings? Not so certain. But it adds to a great story, and that's OK.

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 2:8-20 Study 8 "Stop Being Afraid!"

2012-01-16T08:22:00.001-08:00

Luke 2:8-20 "And shepherds were in the same region staying in the fields and watching over their flock, watches of the night. And look! An angel of Lord stood over them, and glory of Lord shone around them, and they feared a great fear. And the angel said to them, “Stop being afraid! For listen! I bring to he Gospel (Good News) of great joy, which will be to all the people. Because a Savior was born today in the city of David, who is Christ Lord! And this the sign to you: will find a Baby having been wrapped in long strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
And suddenly was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army (host), praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in highest, and peace on earth, good will among people!”
And it happened, when the angels departed from them into heaven, and the men, the shepherds, said to one another, “Let us go then as far as Bethlehem and see this, the one having happened, which the Lord revealed to us.” And having hurried, they came and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the feeding trough. So having seen, they spread the news (reported accurately) about the word, the one having been spoken to them about this young Child. And all the ones having heard were amazed about the things having been spoken by the shepherds to them. But Mary was keeping (treasuring) all these things, pondering in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all which they heard and saw, just as it was spoken to them."

Good Day Child of God! I hope this day finds you well! If not, the Lord will see to it, that you are reminded of His Love, Caring and Provision for you, and that it is all well, if not in your moment now, it shall be soon. This Study is all about the goodness that has come your way. You have to love what the Angel says, now for the third time, "Stop being afraid!" Three times his presence is feared, and three time his news is good. The state of mankind; fear what you don't know. It's almost automatic. We want to know, then we can plan. Well know this, God Loves you and is working on your behalf day and night, so plan on that.

There are two sets of verses underlined this Study, and there is an important reason for that. One is telling something very significant, and the other is the reason this section of hard to believe Scripture can be trusted. After all, angels and thousands of angels singing in the night is not exactly something important to believe, but on the other hand, if not true why put it in the text?

Today's easy lesson: Where I am typing this study currently, is in South Florida. A place where Summer weather is the norm year round. But this year, it has been unusually cool and fall like for a couple of months, and the "Christmas Story", as it were, that we are looking into seems quite appropriate and in place. It's interesting to note that we put these several months to years of time these verses explain that took place, into an explanation of what happened into a timeframe of what seems to be more or less a few days. In this case, the sheppard's are not that close to Bethlehem, but one thing is sure, they have been given enough clues to understand where to look. Our thought is they're just outside town. Their words indicate they are further away than that, and had some looking to do to find the right child.

I don't want us to get ahead of ourselves. We need to speak of the Angel. The angel is referred to as an Angel of the Lord, in the Lord's Glory shining all around him. This has caused confusion among many who don't know if the Angel is the Lord or one of His angels. The simple answer can be found in the previous representations of the angel, where it is Gabriel who delivered the messages to both Zacharias and Mary. Then following the verses after the introduction of the Angel in today's reading, the verses discuss an army of angels. Here again, some want to make an army of angels something that it is not. It's simply a representation of a large group of angels praising in unison. This has nothing to do with their status as army, navy, air force, or marines. So, most likely we have Gabriel with a large group of angels going to the nearest people that are not only awake, but aware of what is going on about them, that is they are not sleeping, partying, or otherwise indisposed, and telling them, well what? He is telling them that the Savior of the World is born, but but they are hearing the Messiah. The Messiah belongs to the Jews. Look closely at the text however. They remember and they are told "what will be." What will be what? The Savior to the Jews? No. The Savior for the world. But do you think they understand that?

The great news about all this is that they remembered verbatim what the angel said. The second group of underlined words confirms that. It also tells us that the account they are recalling to whomever is asking, is accurate, leaving nothing out, and adding nothing to it. Again, this is important, for there is no reason to add complex dealings with angelic beings, whether bringing Good News or just singing in unison, it must be accurate. Simple, yet intelligent sheppards, that further the Truth of the Scripture by speaking of Scripture fulfilled. That the Messiah, even though that are not understanding what is being told to them in its entirety, will ultimately be for the world, not just the Jews alone, has arrived.

Mary still thinking about her first encounter with Gabriel is adding this all up in her heart. It is one thing to be a young girl and become pregnant, she has no experience in this area one way or the other, it's all a mystery to her, and now to have the child, and strangers are coming to pay homage. It has to add up somehow. And she is collating. One day, she will understand, but not for a long long time. For now her Faith sustains her.

If that is true for Mary, do you suppose it is similar for you and I? I think it is. Your journey with the Lord is one that brings new things into your life, Life, perhaps not every day, but often. You try to understand, to collate, to put it into perspective, to use your knowledge to better relate to your Father. We all do. The problem arises when your expectations of what should be a result from an action is completely different from what occurs. Then one of two things happen. You think God said "No" this time, or you think God wants you to do something else, or something different in order to get what you seek. This thinking is fostered by the larger church teachings, and it is wholly inaccurate. If you are a Child of God, and you trust God, the result is good no matter what happens, for your peace doesn't come from the result as much as it comes from the trust you have in a Loving, Caring Father, who Cherishes His Children. In all that you say or do, the best thing you can do, is to make a habit of is saying one single prayer; "Thank you Father." Because it's all good, in fact it's all Grace! Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: There is a belief that the Angels were singing when they appeared the shepherds. That's a myth, they simply spoke, and made a declaration praising God. Read the text again. It's been so ingrained into our thinking that they were singing, it is easily passed over. Amazing!

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 2:1-7 Study 7 "Jesus Is Born"

2012-01-12T06:15:00.001-08:00

Luke 2:1-7 "Now it happened in those days (ca. 4 B.c.) a decree went out from Caesar Augustus all the inhabited earth (everyone in the Roman Empire) to be registered. This registration (census) was first while Cyrenius was governing Syria. And all began traveling to be registered, each to his own city.
So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is being called Bethlehem, because of his being from house and family of David, to register himself with Mary, the woman having been promised to him in marriage, being pregnant. Then it happened, in their being there, the days were completed, her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him in long strips of cloth and laid Him in the feeding trough (manger), because there was no place for them in the guest room (inn)."

Good Day Child of God! I suppose you must be wondering why we are stopping at only seven verses when there is so much more to this story. There are some remarkable things that are going to occur, but we rarely study them. They are lumped into the "Christmas Story" compacted as though there is nothing to say about them except what you read, or see if it is a pageant. Not true.

John the Baptist is here, and now comes the King. I am sure God did not consult Caesar Augustus to call for a count of his domain, but I am equally sure that God knew this was coming, and the timing had to be just right to bring the Messiah into the world and fulfilling prophecy at the same time. There is something very important to take into account in these few verses. Can you tell what it is? I know, I am a bad bad man.

Today's easy lesson: We have spoken of hyperbole and your probably bored with it, but above are three examples too easy to point out, we have to look at them. One is Caesar's decree that the "entire earth" be counted. Really? The Roman Empire was the largest and longest in history, but not even close to the entire world. Truly the British Empire had more worldwide domination, as the Sun never set on the British Empire up to about 50 years ago. But Caesar, who wanted to start the first pizza franchises but killed the guy that wanted to call them Little Caesar's and then got distracted with the census, had in his head, he ruled the entire earth. Then there is the City of David, and the City of Nazareth. This gives the impression of bustling little cities with people going in and out, all kinds of travel, large central city, roads everywhere, people busy at all the different businesses and shops. Even a nice hotel? How about the Town of David, that's what Bethlehem is, and the Town of Nazareth. Not large and bustling, but kind of nice little town of about 500 people where most knew each other, and if one thing happened that was special, most everyone found out about it quickly. As we will see in future Studies. Lord Willing.

Oh, so I asked a question about the account of Jesus' birth, and something important about it. Well, it is this. The King of Kings is being brought into the world. If it were today, great fanfare and a world announcement would be made, honors would be sent, tribute from world leaders or their envoys would be dispatched with properly wrapped welcome gifts and words of peace and cooperation would be the rule of the day. Indeed the whole world would celebrate, for a change is at hand, and a time of prosperity will reign, the sick shall be healed, and no longer will one group of people fear another, for the great One has arrived, and He will put all things right. Sounds just like our political leaders running for national office, doesn't it? Certainly this would be the case today. God knew better. He kept this all local, on the "downlow" as the saying goes, and why is that? Because Jesus is not political. Jesus isn't about the ideals and the thinking of the world. He is about to take on the sins of the world, that which inhibits man from gaining a true relationship with God, and open the door so that a man or a woman's heart can make honest contact with God's heart. The world would not understand this, the Jews certainly didn't then, don't know, and many Christians, so called, do not have a clue. But the message could not be given at the Coliseum, it couldn't be done on the "Jesus Salvation Tour" with special warm up preachers and music and miracles to prove the points. In fact everyone would miss the point, which, not to question God, they seemed to have done anyway. But God is never wrong, and His way makes way, and now the time has arrived.

Just think about it, you have the freedom to go to your Father just as you are anytime you want. He LOVES that! He wants you to share your Life with Him, good and bad, troubled or happy, filled with grief or filled with joy. The curtain of fear is ripped in two, and you are now free to walk right into the Temple, God's presence, without a Priest or a Pastor, preacher, teacher, or being so called, clean. God took you the way you were before, and He takes you the way you are now. He knows you have freewill. And you have a choice. Run your world on your freewill, or give that up to Him, and allow Him to run your world in His Will. I have already made that choice, not that I don't need to be reminded now and again. It's easy to try to go it alone. Too easy. Stay close to your Father, and watch your life become the Life you truly wish for. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: I was looking up how many Prophets that are listed for the Bible, and there are sixteen. All Old Testament. I guess Jesus, John the Baptist, and the Apostle John don't count?

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 1:57-80 Study 6 "John Is Born And Blessed"

2012-01-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:57-80 "Now the time was fulfilled to Elizabeth her to give birth, and she bore a son. And the neighbors and her relatives heard that Lord was magnifying His mercy with her, and they were rejoicing with her. And it happened on the eighth day they came to circumcise the young child, and they were going to call him by the name of his father Zacharias. And answering, his mother said, “Not, but he will be called John.”
And they said to her, “Is none among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they began making gestures to his father what he might want him to be called. And having asked for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, “John is his name.” And they were all amazed. Then his mouth was immediately opened and his tongue, and he began speaking, praising God! And fear came on all the ones living around them, and all these sayings were being discussed in all the mountainous (countryside) of Judea. And all the ones having heard, they themselves kept (reflected on) in their hearts, saying, “What then will this young child be?” And hand of Lord was with him.
And Zacharias his father was filled with Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed Lord! The God of Israel, because He visited and made redemption for His people. And He raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant, just as He spoke through mouth of His holy prophets, the from antiquity, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all the ones hating us, to do mercy with (show mercy) our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, oath which He vowed to Abraham our father, to give to us, having been delivered out of the hand of our enemies, to sacredly serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life!
“And you, young child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before face (presence) of Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by forgiveness of their sins, because of bowels of mercy (tender mercies) of our God, with which the Rising from on high visited us, to give light to the ones sitting in darkness and shadow of death, to guide our feet into way of peace.”
Now the young child was growing and was being strengthened in spirit, and he was in the deserts until day of his public appearance to Israel."

Good Day Child of God! We have spoken of how we have few verses and lots of teaching and visa versa. We are already up to verse 80 of Luke, and look! Only six lessons. The reason is the amount of fine detail Luke is putting into the whole of the Messiah's background. He is painting a very precise picture of all that has occurred for one reason. To prove the point that indeed, Jesus is the Christ. Anyone familiar with the Old Testament prophecies at that time, will recognize why Luke is writing this long and well documented Book.

Keep in mind, as well as serious Christians know the New Testament, or at least think we do, serious Jews from that era knew their Old Testament. Of course we have evangelists and preachers and teachers all over the world from pulpits to the airwaves, providing many different versions of what they see as the meaning of this or that in the Bible. For our part, the overview of the Bible requires us to ignore some specifics, for we don't know for example, if the context, text, or meaning was changed in many of the verses we read. Most theologians agree that in certain places, as an example once again, the last verse of Revelations, was not written by John. Unlikely it is felt, since he had no idea it would be the last Book of the Bible, and it is out of context with the rest of the Book. Probably some Monk, in transcribing and copying the copies he had, added this statement. It is hard to know, and frankly not important. What is important, again, is not to worship the words of the Bible, but to what? Right! Worship the God of the Bible, and the Bible is quite clear as to Who He is.
For those of you that are new, and we have a few, a quick question. How many manuscripts, in part or in whole, do we have from the original texts? None, zero, nada. We only have copies of copies of copies, and in many cases, only small fragments of those. One thing to thank the Roman Church for, for it is by their efforts that much of what we read has been saved over the millennia. The Bible is not something to worship, nor any translation, that would be a mistake of the first order. God is much larger than the words, and His Person, His Love for you and I are very evident from Genesis to Revelations.

Today's easy lesson:

Zacharias for his part gives a great Blessing to his son. He predicts many things that in anyone's life would seem impossible to come true. The idea that he would become known as a Prophet from the Most High, and that he would bring the way of peace, is a bit of proud hyperbole, at least in the minds of all that were listening. Remember, Gabriel told Zacharias who John was going to be, but not uncommon with the mindset of the mid-eastern man, adding a little too this or that or extrapolating the information to something a bit larger is not unusual. Going back Sadam Hussein, "The mother of all wars." It is a conversational tool of that region, and the Jews are not exempt. That being said, I don't think Zacharias nor Elizabeth really could grasp who their son would grow up to represent or how he would go about this "honor" bestowed up him. Prophets are usually not appreciated during the time of their life on earth, and John will be no different. But Luke's point is not to challenge expectations from the family, he is all about showing that John the Baptist, as he will be known, is actually Elijah, and that is important.

Timing seems to be so important as well, and so are patience. Both of which I have difficulty with, I don't know about you. But God? He is on the money with the right time in the right place with the right people, every time. From beginning to end He is patient to work things out for the best, and sends His best to work things out. That is Agape' Love in action fellow Students, and the greater thing is, He never stops. He didn't finish the job with John and Jesus, that was just a beginning. And we are going to be reminded that Jesus was not sent to us, He was sent to the Jews for the Jews. It was later that God, in the right time, with the right people, decided that it was time for you and I to part of His family. It is not by your work, it is by your Faith. Are works a bad thing then? No, out of Love and appreciation we do works, but there should be for no other reason. As His Child you already have His unwavering, full attention with Him never ever taking His eyes off of you, no matter what you may feel or think. And knowing that, you would naturally want to put your Life into those loving hands for all things large and small. Wouldn't you? Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Speaking of John the Baptist, there is a good reason why the people surrounding his birth had a hard time believing that would be his name. In the Old Testament, there is not one single person named John, there is Jonathan, and in the New Testament, there are only two or three depending on who is counting. Surprising to say the least.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 1:39-56 Study 5 "Mary Visits Elizabeth"

2012-01-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:39-56 "Now Mary having risen in those days, she went to the mountainous (countryside) with haste, to a city of Judea. And she entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leapt for joy in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. And she exclaimed with a loud voice and said, “You have been blessed among women, and the fruit of your womb has been blessed! And why this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For listen! When the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby in my womb leapt for joy with great happiness! And happy (blessed) one having believed, for will be a fulfillment to that having been spoken to her from Lord.”
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit was very glad because of God my Savior. For He looked with care upon the humble state of His female slave (maidservant). For, look! From now on all generations will consider me to be fortunate. For the Mighty did marvelous to me, and Holy His name. And His mercy to generations of generations, to the ones fearing Him. He performed mightily with His arm; He scattered proud in attitude of their heart. He brought down rulers from thrones, and He exalted lowly. Hungering He satisfied with good, and being rich He sent away empty. He helped Israel His servant, to remember mercy, just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed into the age (to his descendents forever).” Now Mary remained with her about three months, and she returned to her house."

Good Day Child of God! This section of Scripture, along with the next, is what I like to think of as "for women only". I say that because it's all about babies, and women meeting and talking to one another about feelings, and oh, babies and like that. Men? We're like, "Good we're having a baby, and on and off I don't know if I should feed the camels to get out of her way, or rub her feet so my life is not in jeopardy." OK, I am pushing the envelope a bit, but this is so much detail, you have to know Luke must have spoken to both Mary and Elizabeth about their first meeting. No way anyone else knew this much other than them.

To my point, who would recall the second paragraph, named by many "theologians" as Mary's Song, but these two ladies. There were no "Real Housewives of Judea" on TV at that time. I don't think there is today for that matter. Anyway, historically speaking the message is clear, Luke did his homework. I come away from this with only one question. Why did Mary leave before John is born? It doesn't say she stayed or not in these verses, but the next group makes it pretty clear, she wasn't there.

Today's easy lesson: First off we use the word Blessing quite a bit. Do you know what the word actually means from the Hebrew or Yiddish? It means "wistfully happy". That would put an exclamation mark on Mary and Elizabeth's experience in their meeting above, wouldn't it? As a reminder as well, Zachariah cannot speak yet, so imagine his running in circles trying to celebrate with the girls, then deciding maybe the best thing would be for him to go and feed the camel. Not much room for a man in this meeting.

But we do have some very interesting points made by Mary. And again, as an aside, Elizabeth's words to Mary have been said billions of times by virtue of the Roman Catholic Rosary. Just what Jesus would want them to do, repeat the same unthinking prayer over and over and over again. What Mary actually said is much more important, but I guess in considering how to pray to her, it's too difficult to put on beads. Not anyone should be praying to Mary to begin with, but people have always had a penchant to pray to a goddess. God had the hardest time with the Jews concerning this issue. They were relentless in honoring Diana in the Old Testament. The essential news that Mary brings is that God does not give a hoot about your financial status in the world, nor does He care about education, status within the country club, or even if you are a big shot in the local church. Nope, He cares about people that are "poor in Spirit" for theirs will be the Kingdom of Heaven. He cares that His people see that throughout the ages, forever, it's been His project to provide a way to bring back that relationship Adam and Eve had with God. Never mind what smarts, money, or status one may have or not have, God is going to get His idea of a family of Faith and Trust back together again, one way or another. And it is coming to fruition with these two ladies and the offspring they are about to bring into the world.

Have you ever wondered why the "poor" are the ones that both socially bent Christians and Spiritually bent Christians seem to use to move forward in their various ways of sorting out God's intentions. From poor to rich is the social attitude, and from poor to rich is the Spiritual attitude. Same thinking, same group-the poor, and the same result thinking that's God's Love equals reaching a certain steadiness in life. If things were only that simple, but they are not. It isn't about the poor, it is about you. Yes, you and your relationship, your Trust, your Faith, your wanting to be a Child of God. He is ready, willing, and able to accept you anytime that becomes your first choice, and allowing Him all the choices after that will bring that certain steadiness that others seek for those known as the poor. The others have great intentions, but they are not God, and God is the only One Who can do for you as no one else. Have you ever wondered why Jesus said what He did about the poor? Do you think he was talking about food and clothes? NO! He was talking about poor in Spirit, down in the dumps, given up on life, and the only real answer is to look for, seek out, find and accept Life. Your Father Loves you so, and He is working, how did Jesus put it, oh yes, even to this day, to make your Life even more abundant. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: There was a school of "higher learning" run by a group of Jews known as the Essenes. They taught by and large what John (the Baptist) spoke of, going to the common man, baptizing them showing a change in heart, not just for show. It is speculated, since both John and Jesus were so close, and that both took their message to the people in a very similar fashion, Jesus even starting with John, being baptized by him, that they both were Essenes.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Luke 1:23-38 Strudy 4

2012-01-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:23-38 "And it happened, when the days of his sacred service were completed, he (Zacharias) departed to his house. Now after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she kept herself in seclusion five months, saying, “In this way the Lord has done to me, in days in which He took notice to take away my disgrace among people.”
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, to which name Nazareth, to a virgin having been promised in marriage to a man, whose name: Joseph, from the house of David. And the name of the virgin: Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Greetings, having been bestowed Grace! (having been shown kindness!) (cp. Eph 1:6]) The Lord with you! You have been blessed among women!” But having seen, she was greatly perplexed at his word and was pondering what sort of greeting this might be.

And the angel said to her, “Stop being afraid, Mary; for you found favor with God! And listen! You will conceive in womb, and you will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus (“Yahweh saves”). This One will be great, and He will be called Son of the Most High. And Lord God will give to Him the throne of David His father. And He will reign as King over the house of Jacob into the ages (forever), and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be since I do not know a man?” (since I am a virgin?”) And answering, the angel said to her, “Holy Spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you, and so the Holy One being born will be called God’s Son. And listen! Elizabeth your relative, she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month to her, the one being called barren. For every word will not be (For nothing is) impossible with God!” And Mary said, “Look! The slave of Lord! May it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her."

Good Day Child of God! This Study contains lots of words, and lots of information. We have seen few words, and lots of teaching, and we have seen lots of words that say very little. This is new. But it is also nearly impossible to separate one section from another, so we are going to take it on!

As you can read, we are going from the end of Gabriel's conversation with Zachariah and then to his next project, telling Mary what God has planned for her. Notice how Gabriel doesn't get all upset with Mary and her question about becoming pregnant as opposed to Zachariah. The reason? Zachariah is old. He is one of 18,000 Priests that serve in the Temple, and it is finally his turn in the Holy of Holies, which is a once in a lifetime ordeal for a Priest. He should have the experience, faith, and temperament to know better than to question God, and frankly that's what he is doing when talking to Gabriel. Can you hear him? "Ah, you know, I-I-I am older now. What? An old guy like me is going to have a little kid, and look at my wife. Are you kidding me? She's no Sarah you know. We're talking big miracle here. What you think, I can believe such a thing?" "Oy vey," Gabriel probably thought, and told him he won't be talking like that for at least nine months.

Today's easy lesson: In the sixth month. The sixth month in the then Jewish Calendar is approximately the same month as the Calendar we use today. Give or take about thirty days. There was an adjustment made, but suffice it to say the time is about July 1. That Elizabeth is six months along in her pregnancy and is separating herself from the world in such an event was not uncommon so there is nothing notable to say about that. And then we find Mary being told that she also would become pregnant, and this all is happening, once again, somewhere around the first of July, or summertime.

We spoke earlier how Mary didn't question Gabriel, and you wouldn't really expect her too. She asked a simple question, probably after some thought, "How? I never have known a man." You see unlike how we handle things today, a man and woman could become what we would call engaged for up to a year before the actual wedding. However, from the moment of betrothal, she was considered his wife. He could take a wife as young as twelve. Mary no doubt was young, probably in her teens. Being young, being a woman, meant what? Right, very little to say in the "man's world" at that time and place. She was only trying to understand what it was that she was to do. Her response that "I am a slave to the Lord, may it be as you say," is no surprise at all.

Now to take on two more important items very quickly. The word Yahweh. It is really the word YHWH. When the Jews refer to God, they will not use His name, and they will not refer to Him in writing without doing this: G-d. It's called respect. The reference is one of the three main attributes of God, YHWH, Jehovah, the Power, the Father, that is Who we are speaking of. The other attributes are the Word and the Spirit. For example, "In the beginning, the Word spoke, the power of the Father created, and the Spirit hovered over these Creations." The Spirit inhabited Adam, apparently John the Baptist, although that may not be true, it is all up to how it is constructed in the original text, and of course Jesus. The Spirit came on people all the time, stayed for awhile and then would leave, but indwelling them? No, not until Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is our assurance of God's Grace and our Safety in His Provision through Christ Jesus. Now more quickly to that last issue, His father David's throne. King David was to be the one to build the permanent Temple for God, and that he would be king, and his lineage would hold that kingship on earth for an undermined amount of time. However, he had a man killed so he could marry the man's wife, and that took care of that plan. God's is always right though, and He finds a way to work around these things.

Once again Grace Students, the lesson comes to us with two main themes. Who decided to give good Old Zach and Liz a child? Not just any child, mind you, the man that would represent Elijah, who was to precede the Messiah! A man of the Law, a man of the people, eating of the earth, having nothing to do with worldly things, yes, a near perfect reflection of the Law. It wasn't a prayer from Zachariah and Elizabeth was it? No, it was God's Choosing, it was His Grace. And Mary, was she looking to be Mother Mary, to have the Messiah born to her? No. Once again, it was God's Choosing, it was His Grace, it was His Plan. The entire Bible is filled with example after example after example of how God did. And who benefits? We do. Right. It's called Grace, and nothing can stop it. David may have failed God, in fact we all do, but God never fails us. Once you are His Child, you are His for Life. It's enough to make you want to show your appreciation. Thank You Father. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: David was a man after God's own heart. That is to say, David did his best to do what others could not, to show God where they failed, he would take up the slack. He was the smallest and youngest in his family, yet he killed Goliath. He and his cousin Jonathan held off thousands of soldiers fighting them standing back to back, slicing and dicing for over a day. He was a man's man, yet wrote the Psalms. He could sing and dance, fight and honor God above any man. Yet, for the love of one woman, he sent one of his bravest soldiers to the front lines so he would be killed in action, and that would clear the way for him to marry the mans wife. We all have our weaknesses, yet God still Loves us. To prove the point, the woman David married, who was pregnant before her husband died with David's son, was the mother of: Solomon. The richest and wisest man to ever live. God's Grace to be certain.

Pastor Glenn
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Luke 1:13-22 Study 3 "Zacharias Meets Gabriel" Part 2‏

2012-01-05T09:39:00.001-08:00

Luke 1:13-22 "But the angel said to him, “Stop being afraid, Zacharias, for your petition was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son to you, and you will call his name John. And will be joy to you and great happiness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great before the Lord, and he shall by no means drink wine and strong drink, and he will be filled Holy Spirit even from womb of his mother. And he will turn many of the sons and daughters of Israel to Lord their God. And he will go before Him in spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts (entire inner selves, including the intellect, volition, and emotions) fathers to children, and disobedient to the way of thinking of righteous, to make ready a people having been prepared for Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her days?” And answering, the angel said to him, “I am Gabriel, the one having stood in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to proclaim these good news to you. And listen! You will be silent and not being able to speak, until which day these occur, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they began wondering he delayed in the Temple. But having come out, he was not being able to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the Temple. And he was making gestures to them and was remaining mute."

Good Day Child of God! At my first, second, third and more readings of our Scripture verses for this Study, I was confused. This seems, once again, simple enough, but alas it contains more than appears. Most of it is a simple story, Zach speaking to Gabriel, and in the tradition of a good Jewish person, doubts the words of the messenger. Gabriel to his credit took it in stride, knowing God's Chosen have that wonderful attribute. NOT. So who needs to be able to speak for a year or so? Certainly not Zacharias.

Interesting is the idea that God sent Gabriel on this mission. That alone should have had Zacharias realize what was coming isn't something out of the norm. After all, God could have sent Clarence, you know the angel from "It's a Wonderful Life", but no, He thought this message was way too important to not send His number one. Now I am really thinking that Zacharias wasn't all that bright. And this business of casting lots. Who came up with that idea? I suppose they thought whoever was "lucky" enough to get the nod for that day must be the one God wants. Dead or Alive. The whole matter makes me smile.

Today's easy lesson: So what is the issue that looms so large that I needed to read the Verses more than once? In fact I not only read them more than once, I did more research in other Transliterations than I have in a long, long time. You might say I am acting like Zacharias, because I am reading it, I am seeing it, but it is almost too much to take in. That is,"and he will be filled Holy Spirit even from womb of his mother". Those of you that like the NIV and a number of other translations, will not find these words in them. They are scrubbed, if you will. This is a big deal, because no man or woman since Adam had the Holy Spirit IN them. Jesus did, He was the second Adam, but John the Baptist? Really hard to understand.

When I run across something like this, that is, verses that don't match the popular Bibles translations of today, I have sources that I can cross reference, and in this case, the best match up agree with our reading, just as it is above. That leaves you and I with two basic ways to look at this. One is that John was filled with the Holy Spirit, from before his birth, or that the actual reference is that his spirit was bent toward following God, preaching, teaching, and living in a way that God intended through the Ten Commandments, and within the context of what they really stood for. Obviously this is a conundrum for others that have read the verses, else they would not have changed the actual wording.

There are two issues we have to deal with in all of this. One is John's being filled with the Holy Spirit. If we go with the idea that he is, than he is sinless, and the first person since Adam, as we discussed to be so pure as to have the Holy Spirit reside within. Or it is just a representation of his bent, just to repeat what we said in the last paragraph. But there is third option, and it has to do with the one major difference between Adam, Jesus, and John. All contain the Holy Spirit, but what is different about John? He is not created, He is a son from a natural man. Adam from the dust, Jesus from the Holy Spirit, John from Zacharias and Elizabeth. All this to complete prophecy. In order for the Messiah to come, Elijah was to return first, to make way for Him. Here, once again, it seems that Zach is a bit dull, because Gabriel is telling him straight out, that John is going to be the Elijah the Israelites have been waiting for. Which means what? The Messiah is not far behind. That is the second issue.

I have heard so many sermons on this section of Scripture, and yet the idea that Zach could not speak for a year or so is almost always the theme. This is important? Over and above the complexity of who and how John fits between Adam and Jesus is important, and there is still one other message within these few words. Notice, "which will be fulfilled in their time". In God's time. That's why I said over a year. You know it probably didn't happen that Zach ran home, "signed" to Liz, jump on the carpet right away, we're going to get you pregnant. It took at least a few hours, maybe days, or weeks. It all has to do with God's Will, and His Son, whom Mary has to bring into the world at just the right time.

Now there are many things we could discuss about what is meant by John the Baptist living in a way that God intended with the Ten Commandments and the correct context for all that can mean. And we will get to it, as we get back to John in time. But for the moment, remember that the times, they are a changing, and the misunderstanding of what God intended will soon come to an end, and the Freedom He intended for His Chosen will be explained. Not that the explanation will be understood, but never the less, the lessons are coming. Remember also that what Jesus, and John for that matter, are going to tell people, are what you already know. God Loves you without wavering. He never leaves you, He never takes His eyes off of you. Your sins? Gone forever, nailed to the Cross. Your failings, none in God's eyes, only in yours. When He sees you, He sees His Son. And He will get things done, but on His time table, not yours, but they still get done and to your best interest. So, rejoice, because the Good News is really the Grace News! Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Easy one this study. John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin. They were closer than the Scriptures talk about, and being nearly the same age, it is probable that they played together many times as children.

Pastor Glenn
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Luke 1:5-12 Study 2 "Zacharias Meets Gabrial" Part 1‏

2012-01-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:5-12 "Was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain priest by name Zacharias, from division of Abijah, and his wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth. Now they were both righteous before God, going in (observing) all the commandments and regulations of the Lord, blameless. And no child was to them, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in their days.
Now it happened, while he serving as priest in the order of his division before God, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to offer incense, having entered into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. And an angel (messenger) Lord appeared to him, having stood on right (on the right side) of the altar of incense. And having seen, Zacharias was disturbed, and fear fell upon him."

Good Day Child of God! Zacharias meet Gabriel, Gabriel meet Zacharias. Would that be an exciting way to start your day? Obviously Zacharias isn't so excited as he is afraid, and he really doesn't know to whom is speaking at this moment, but still, to find out it is Gabriel has to later on grab his reality and make him shout for joy. If that were only possible. That we will take up in Part 2.

So there is our group of Levites, the men of the Priesthood, those chosen by God to serve Him in the Holy of Holies, and it is just a regular day. Go in, light some incense, say your prayers, honor God in the form in which He described, sin free mind you, and come out. Next day we'll cast dice again, and see who is next. Nothing to see here, move on, just a normal day, keep moving.

Today's easy lesson: Speaking of keep moving, one of the things that was done to the Priest of the day, was that a rope with a bell was tied around his ankle. You probably know this, but is bears repeating for those that may not know, or have forgotten. The reason for the rope and bell, is that if you didn't go in sinless, that is to say, make the proper Sacrifices for your sins right up to the minute, and went to serve the Lord with the stain of any sin, you would be struck dead. No one was allowed in the Holy of Holies but the Priest that was in there, so if for some reason the bell wasn't ringing for some time, and there seemed to be little or no movement, well, they yanked you out. Kind of puts a real serious note to your self examination before you entered. And think about this! You don't know ahead of time who is going to be the Priest of the day, because you are chosen by casting lots, or dice, if you will.

I remember as a young Catholic, going to Confession on Saturday night, so I could go to Communion on Sunday Morning, and right after saying my Penance, trying not to have a "dirty" thought, or look at the wrong thing or just trying to stay "pure" for the next twelve or fourteen hours. If I were a Priest chosen by lot, I would have been a dead man. But I digress.

What we learn here is that Zacharias is of the Tribe of the Priesthood, the Levites, and his wife has that same history, Aaron being ahead of Levi. This makes their relationship in terms of Biblical purity straight forward. On the outside it doesn't seem to mean much, but to the practicing, serious Jew this is a big deal. The idea that Elizabeth will have a child coming from parents of this level of purity will play into what is very important to the child's future. So remember this information.

Can you imagine all the years of prayers and pleadings, asking God to please give me/us a child, had have been foremost on both Zach and Liz's mind. He was a Priest, the most important position a man could have, and to be a mother was the most important position a woman could have at that time in history. Especially in Judea. But God is never wrong, we know that, and at the right time, for the right reasons, God is going to both work His Will and gift Zach and Liz. God does this all the time, the only problem is, our tendency for expectation in our timing and at our pace overcomes our ability to not become frustrated and sometimes angry.

Expectations are the single most negative attribute you can ascribe to your life. You want it...whenever...mostly now, and God isn't saying no, maybe He isn't saying yes either, but if you Trust, whatever the answer, you should be joyful, because He knows something that none of us know. The future. If you want to be a Child of God that is in His Will, where you will find your joy complete, once again, find satisfaction in giving up your will for His, and know full well whatever comes next, He is seeing to the end result to His Glory, and in your best interest. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Speaking of honoring God and His Will, usually when God wants to make a serious point it will be mentioned three times in the Bible. God is mentioned by name, depending on the version you read, at least 3,500+ times in the Bible. I guess the Book is about Him? What do you think?

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Luke 1:1-4 Study 1 "Some Interesting Facts"

2012-01-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:1-4 "Since many undertook to arrange in proper order an account about the events having been accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by the ones having became eyewitnesses and attendants of the Word from the beginning, it seemed good also to me, having closely followed (having investigated) everything carefully from the beginning, to write to you in consecutive order (in an orderly fashion; cp. Acts 11:4), most excellent Theophilus, so that you shall know the certainty (exact truth) about which you were instructed. (cp. Acts 1:1-3)"

Good Day Child of God! It hardly seems necessary to study the introduction to Luke's letter to Theophilus, and on top of that to comment on it. It's simple enough, straight forward, and really, what is there to learn that we don't see on the page itself? That would be the question I would have raised if I were sitting in a class studying this Gospel. But the reality is that there are many interesting tidbits of information that only someone at the time would pick up on, or a graduate Student such as yourself would be interested to know.

The Gospel of Luke looks to be the most complete account of what went on during Jesus' time on earth. It isn't just a story line where it could be taken for some kind of manifest of Christian Doctrine, it is loaded with factual details that prove real people outside religion were around before, during and after the time of Jesus' life as a human being. This is important, because anyone reading this text would recognize these various regional leaders at the time, and in the same instance, would know that if this were just a story, not a true history, there is no reason to mention all of those well known persons. After all, they only add one thing to the whole of this Gospel, its accuracy.

Today's easy lesson: Dr. Luke is an interesting figure. Yes, many of you already know that Luke was a physician, in fact, once again he was the Apostle Paul's personal physician. And frankly, with all the beatings and trouble the Apostle Paul got into, God must have know he needed someone to take care of his body. What is really interesting about all this is that Luke's name is not mentioned anywhere in the New Testament before the Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians, where the Apostle Paul mentions that "Luke the doctor is with him". And from there Luke's name is only mentioned twice more. Here we have a man that two foundational Books of the Bible are attributed to, and his name is as rare as can be.

Keep in mind the idea that the "fact" that this one penned this Gospel, or that one penned that Epistle is not a given. The way most of these designations are attributed are by the writing style of the author, the way the author refers to himself, which is not by name for the most part, but it is by some experience that only the author would know, and by virtue of scholarly assignment. Most of the Gospels and some of the Epistles are simply guesses, and in some cases assigned by virtue of what the Roman Church wanted, to put together as the Canon of the Bible. Speaking of which, the Gospel of Luke was first put together, from other copies of copies one would surmise, in a time somewhere in the third century. I have seen dates as low as 175 to 225 A.D. In the timeline of the Bible, this is extremely old. Although only a partial of the Gospel containing about 60% of what we now read as Luke's Gospel is what was discovered.

Luke wrote to Theophilus in the Gospel of Luke, and in the follow-up Book of Acts. Both Book's introduction use the name. Do you know what Theophilus means? It means "Loved by God", or "Lover of God". This name then creates an argument as to whether either Book was actually written to a person, or to every Believer. The accuracy of Luke's writing are such, that he has put together the most comprehensive historical facts of both Jesus, His lineage, His teachings, and His life, as well as the beginning of the early Church. What is most amazing to me about all this, is that the foundation of the Church was attributed to Peter. But when reading both Luke and Acts, you will find that very hard to consider. If anyone was the true founder of the early Church, it has to be considered most seriously to be the Apostle Paul, after Peter's failure to understand, or perhaps have the moral strength to do as the Apostle did. Check Acts and you will understand more clearly if you don't already.

And so it is with you and I. Maybe you are bold, and witness beautifully at any given time. Maybe you are a good listener, and can provide comfort and an ear. Perhaps you are a servant that is great at setting up tables, cooking, and cleaning up afterword. Maybe you are sensitive to others needs for prayer and an encouraging word. There are so many different ways to allow God to Live and Love through you, they are not worth the time to count. But what is worth the time to consider, is that you are aware that your Freewill needs to be given to Him, so that at that time your talent is needed, God will work through you. And guess what? You will find your Life is more abundant, because the joy of God using you, is one that makes you feel complete. I would call that a Grace Life. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Luke's two Books are so voluminous that they actually come very close to comparing to all of the Apostle Paul's many Epistles. That's amazing.

Pastor Glenn
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Titus 3:12-15 Study 9 "A Short Good By"

2011-12-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

Titus 3:12-15 "Whenever I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be eager (diligent) to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Eagerly help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that nothing shall be lacking to them. And let our people also be learning to be concentrating on good works for urgent needs, so that they shall not be unfruitful.

All those with me greet you. Greet the ones affectionately loving us in Faith. Grace with all! So be it!"

Good Day Child of God! At the first reading of these last four verses, it seems all relatively routine, normal Pauline writing at the end of a letter, but there is something that stands out. Actually more than one thing. Notice how short and to the point it all is. Paul is always one to take a long time and mention many people when he is finishing up a letter. These verses tell us that there are few in Crete to encourage and make aware that he knows they are there and are considered important enough to mention.

Next we have the Apostle Paul mention Nicopolis. This was a Roman Victory City, seated on a narrow peninsula in north west Greece. It had a harbor both on the west and on the east side of the peninsula, and it was filled with Roman soldiers, and people that were forced to live there, to work, and in doing so making this made up city a place of honor for Caesar Augustus. It wasn't far from Corinth, so it was a perfect place for the Apostle to winter. It was mostly secure, peaceful, had easy access to any direction he might want to communicate. And of course gave him a place where his influence could be significant. Could be, not necessarily would be.

Lastly we have names. Artemas and Tychicus. Artemas is only mentioned this once, probably named after the goddess well known in north western Greece at that time, and Tychicus who was most likely an Ephesian, thus an early convert, and a very trusted coworker with the Apostle Paul. Both men must have been quite strong, well disciplined and trustworthy, for it was their job to replace Titus while he went on to visit Paul in Nicopolis. Mentioned once in all of the New Testament is Zenas the Lawyer. It is no surprise that the Apostle Paul new lawyers, in terms of Jewish Law, he himself was one, but perhaps Zenas had a larger scope of Law in that he could deal with Roman Law as well. Historically he is considered one who knew Jesus, was outside Apostleship, but never the less followed and Believed. Apollos, well Apollos was quite the educated man, well versed in Scripture, great speaker, but had some personality issues in my thinking. When he preached he was preferred by the people over Paul, but he must have been thin skinned or something else for he floated around a bit, starting at Corinth. In any case, these last two had the Apostle Paul's great respect, and told Titus to be sure they wanted for nothing, and that nice people would care for them. Which makes my point concerning Apollos.

Today's easy lesson: That's quite a bit of information to end a Book. Paul was that kind of writer. He started with a message, he built up to his main point of writing, which was most times to address one or more issues that were getting out of hand, and lastly he closed by encouraging certain people by mentioning names, and allowing us to see more of him from an historical point of view.

We see the practical side of missionary work, the planting of churches, and the work involved with traveling around trying to spread the Gospel. It is too easy to think that the Apostle Paul was mostly on his own in these adventures, but in fact everywhere he went, he had support, not only from the Father, but from people that were part and parcel of an entourage that, I am sure, were hand picked by Paul. The Apostle Paul must have been a hoot to work with, constantly on the go, constantly worrying about all the places he had been, and constantly sending people with letters to others, and people constantly returning with letters for him. He was not a great speaker, in fact he was so boring, if you recall, he put a young man asleep one evening during one long sermon, and he fell two stories out a window to his death. Fortunately the Apostle Paul was able to bring him back to life. But the point was well known that of all his attributes, speaking in front of a group was one of his least talents.

So it is with all of us. We don't all have the push in us to evangelize, nor do we all write daily Studies, nor can we all give more than most. We all have a bent, an internal talent that was given us as we were being knitted together in our mother's womb, and God can make that work for the good of the Grace Gospel, as well as benefit you. You know in your heart that when you do something you are good at and you are given notice of some appreciation, that, is greater to your spirit than just about anything else. Can you see how God works these things out? And He doesn't push you to do this or that. No, selling Jesus is, well, unfortunate. He is not to be sold, He is to be honored, trusted, and given to sparingly as a gift. Let God open the doors, open your opportunities, and when you walk into the task, it won't be work, it will be wonderful joy. As it should be.

By nature for me, I am not a joiner. I don't like the idea that I belong to a group that has certain rules and regulations and that those things have precedent over my first responsibility, which is to the Father, and His Plan. Maybe that's why I am a Grace guy, or maybe that's why God is using my to type these Studies. Frankly I don't know, but this I do know. After they are typed, no matter what mood I am in, no matter what good or bad things may be going on around me, I find the greatest joy in reading and sending the Studies out. It's never work, and it fits my ability as I have it right now. This is no different for you. Just open your Life to Him, and let Him give and take, knowing full well that whatever comes is coming for your benefit, for He Loves you...I have said this before and I want you, the Lord wants you, to take it to heart...just as though you were Jesus Himself. That is Grace, you are Blessed, and we have now said good-by to Titus, a most instructional Book. Another proof in fact of how much your Father Loves and will care for you! Farewell Titus, it has been a pleasure. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: The City of Nicopolis started to be built about 65 years before Jesus was born. Caesar had what was really a minor victory over a relatively weak army, but still wanted the City of Tribute to be built. He picked a great spot, but it was all ego. Again, interesting how God uses the things of the world to further His Plans which lie outside this world. Of course there is no real mystery in that, as the world is here, and so are we. So why do so many churches make such a wonder out of gifts and works, and the mystery of God's Love? Seems easy enough to see and realize. Is it me? It is isn't it? I have the Spirit of criticism along with some good things too! No, really I do have good things too.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 3:8-10 Study 8 "Paul Discusses Sinning"

2011-12-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Titus 3:8-10 "Trustworthy the Word, and I want you to be confidently asserting concerning these, so that they, the ones having Believed God, shall be concentrating on devoting themselves to good works. These are the good and beneficial (valuable) things to people. But be avoiding foolish controversies and genealogies and quarrels and fights (angry arguments) about Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. (cp. 1Tim 6:3-5)
Be rejecting a divisive (heretical) person after a first and second warning, knowing that such has been corrupted and is sinning, being self-condemned."

Good Day Child of God! This is the first time I can recall the Apostle Paul commenting on sin. Having attended many and various Christian Churches throughout my life, and then add to that the ten to twenty radio ministries that I followed for about twenty five years or more, and I can only recall one lesson that all of these pastors, preachers and teachers spoke about concerning the first three words of this Study's Scripture. "Trustworthy the word", I changed it to Word. Do you know what all of traditional teachings believe these three, translated in most Bibles as four, words are taught to mean? They teach that when the Apostle Paul says these words, he is saying something that is his opinion alone, but it is so strong, that it is as good as coming out of God's mouth, so to speak, and it should be considered so. After all, the APOSTLE Paul said them. Do you see Paul that way? No right answer here, but a great contemplation. Keep in mind, in the Greek, no punctuation, no sentence structure per se, and no paragraph structure. This is why I use only two " markings at the beginning and end of our verses for our daily encouragements.

The verses above require you to remember what the last Study was about. It had to do with the Apostle Paul telling Titus to "remind" the people of Crete to obey authority, pay their taxes, treat each other with respect, and most importantly, what the Grace of God really meant to them and their Eternal Life. But there must be a problem beyond the need for reminders, because our three verses for this Study are neatly tucked in before the beginning of the end of this Epistle.

Today's easy lesson: We read this same thing in ITimothy. In more detail than is contained in the words above. Another reason to understand that this letter came to be written to Titus before the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. We get back to divisions of thought and religious activity as it pertains to God's Grace. To put it simply, there is no room for religion, superstition, and ego based arguments when it comes to God's Grace. It is plain and simple, and to teach how to Live, takes enough time, so anything else is counter productive. You can judge that for yourself. We have nearly 600 posted Studies online now, and no one has complained that there is too much being said about God's Love for you, His caring for you, and how much He wants to have a relationship with you.

But beyond that, I find it extremely interesting that the Apostle Paul tells Titus to warn those that would challenge the simplicity of God's Word, "once, twice, and three times your out at the old church hall!" Sorry it just came out that way. And beyond that what does the Apostle Paul call people that do this? Sinners! Wow. Paul teaches that we are all sinners and when we become Believers, regardless of our growth rate in understanding our place as God's Child, or our actions, we are no longer sinners. We are Children of God. So what do you do with the statement above if you are going to use logic and experience to guide your thinking. Yes, yes, yes, the Holy Spirit should be consulted, I am not forgetting that. OK, ask Him what it means. We'll wait......Did you get that those Paul is accusing of sinning are not Believers? If not, let me know, for this is the answer I got. You can see though, how it would be easy to think a Believer can sin and then have to 1John 1:9, confess their sins. They don't, but you can see if you are not a serious Student, and you read to quickly, that this is a verse of some confusion.

That being said my fellow Grace Student, there is NO confusion in your status as a Child of God. You are sanctified, set apart from others, and will be glorified, set next to the Father in heaven. Glorification cannot come until you change from this earthly place to your next destination, the one the airlines stole from the Bible, "your final destination". This is where you shed your body of skin and bone, and get a new one that will be incorruptible, that is, will never die. It takes the sting out of death, and helps you realize how Great is His Grace. Lavished with Love in every aspect of your being is what you have Child of God. Take a moment and talk to the Father about that and express your true feelings concerning these things. Even if they are not all praise and thanksgiving. All words will change to praise and thanksgiving if you talk to Him about anything. That's one reason why He is waiting to converse with you. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: I did a quick search and could not find any other reference to Paul commenting on sin in the way he does in this Study. It surprised me to see him even discuss it this way. Always learning, always teaching. This is a great life goal.
Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 3:1-7 Study 7 "Remind Them What Grace Is"

2011-12-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Titus 3:1-7 "Remind them to continue being subject to rulers and authorities, to be obeying, to be ready for every good work, to be speaking evil (slandering) of no one, to be peaceable, gentle (considerate), showing all gentleness to all people.

For we also were once foolish, disobedient, being led astray (deceived), serving as slaves to lusts and various passions (desires for pleasure), living in malice and envy (jealousy), hateful, hating one another. But when the goodness (kindness) and the Love for humanity of God our Savior appeared (not by means of works, those in righteousness which we did, but according to His mercy), He saved us, through a bathing of regeneration and a renewing Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified (declared righteous) by the Grace of that One (by His Grace), we shall become heirs according to hope (confident expectation) of eternal life!"

Good Day Child of God! Did you read the Scripture Verses for this Study? OK, whether you did or not, please read them again. As you do, pay close attention to the words in red. What you will be reading is what the words mean as originally translated from the Greek, then in () you are reading the alternative or true meaning of the word that was used to equate with what was said in the Greek form. In themselves, these eight expressions would make a great Study. But there is so much more in these few verses, I need you to pick this up on your own. And also to understand, as you read any Bible translation, recalling that they are all translations, that there is a biased to the words as transcribed, that come from the one that did the actual laying out of the text from the Greek or Hebrew, to the English.

Don't you just love the first few words? "Remind them?" What the Apostle Paul really means to say is, "Tell them!" Obviously since they have little or no regard for one another, their caring about the rule of law and those that would impose it, most certainly have to be way down on the list of things to consider.

Today's easy lesson: In the verses above, something is not being said, nor is it said anywhere in the Apostle Paul's many writings. Keep in mind, by volume, he is given credit for writing about two thirds of the New Testament. Two thirds. What's missing? The devil made me do it. If you remember, it was a popular comedian from the 70's that made that statement a pop-culture joke. Why is it a joke? Because people were using that as an excuse to rationalize just about any unseemly and "sinful" activity in their life. But the Apostle Paul doesn't see it that way. In fact, it is interesting to note that he hints at something inside us, like hormones, that can cause us to do things that we may not normally intend to do, or say for that matter.

The big picture however is not lost in this text. It isn't that anyone, "by means of works", did anything to gain God's good graces, but indeed is was God in His mercy, that bathed with the Holy Spirit. He does this for you when you come to Believe in what God did to provide for your ever lasting Life. That is, sending His Son to render your sinfulness null and void. Which at the same time, completed the Law, and both the issue of sin and the issue of you having do follow any rules, rites, regulations and considerations of works also null and void. So, it is justification, being declared righteous, that in turn gives you hope, confident expectation, that makes it easy to please God. Not because of what you have done, but because of what He has done. Do you see how extremely important is this little studied, little considered, little Epistle? That is because from the beginning, it was God Who Created, as time went on, it was God Who chose this one or that one, did this or that, and in the end times, it is God Who provides the way, the truth, and the life. Is it me, or is this so obvious that perhaps it is just to easy to miss, and the traditional teachings that tell you that you must do this or that to gain God's attention and Grace, are just not truth? All I know for sure is this: You-are-Blessed, and God Loves You just as much as He Loves Jesus, His only begotten Son. You may be adopted, but you have been given the keys to the Kingdom, and He will never take them away. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: The first official Bible Translation was presented in 367 A.D. Got that? Three hundred, sixty seven YEARS after Jesus rose from the dead. Three hundred and sixty seven YEARS. And it was hand written. The movable type printing press didn't come on the scene for about another ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED YEARS. Kind of a sobering thought, isn't it?

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 2:11-15 Study Six "Teach This IN The Church"

2011-12-06T06:06:00.000-08:00

Titus 2:11- 15 "For the saving Grace of God was revealed to all people, teaching us that having denied to impiety (ungodliness) and worldly desires, we shall live soberly (sensibly) and righteously and in a Godly manner in the present age, waiting for the blessed hope = confident expectation, and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself on our behalf, so that He shall redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a people as His own special possession, zealous of good works!
Be speaking these, and be exhorting and rebuking with all authority. Let no one be disregarding you!"

Good Day Child of God! Studies four and five, one of which I am sorry to say was mislabeled some how, spoke of the people of Crete. What kind of people they were, and what kind of life they knew. Titus was given the job to bring them to a place where self seeking and greed should not be the norm, and in fact, to teach them that that does not lead to happiness nor joy. Tough task, no doubt. And the Scripture we read this Study spells out two things. One, how this gets done, and two, where Titus is to give the message.

There is no mystery in this teaching, in fact, outside the Apostle Paul's extreme doctoral education on Jewish History and Religious Tradition, he never gets to complex when it comes to the Grace Gospel. Yes, he could have been a professor in his former life, but on the way to Damascus, where he chose Life, he gave that up, and took the high road. I wonder at times if he didn't think that perhaps all the beatings, mean spirited people, and plainly stubborn groups he ran into if it wasn't the low road he chose instead. I am sure it never occurred to him. He saw, he knew, he never forgot what was reality. Thank the Lord for that.

Today's easy lesson: I mark my Bible. I don't know if you do, but I do have a favorite Bible that when I get into reading on a regular basis, I make notes in the margin, and I date them. On the page where our verses of this Study are printed, I have notes from 2003, 2004, and 2006. Do you think I remember writing them? No. But what is interesting, is each note is a progression of thought and understanding from where I was earlier. Sometimes I see the Truth behind the words, and make notes to remind me why something was said other than the obvious. I mention this, because it happens not when I am preparing for Studies, or teachings. No, it happens when I am listening or following along with someone else's teaching, or just going through a section of the Bible I feel most neglect. As we have discussed before, none of what the Apostle Paul is teaching Titus is new. Not in Paul's writings, and you can bet the farm, not to Titus. This is a letter of encouragement, ah huh, and a road map, so to speak.

Paul wanted Titus to spend time with the people on Crete to understand them, but he wanted Titus to get them to spend some time with him, in church, if you will, and teach the Truth that is spoken of so plainly above. The one thing that really sticks out is that they should live in a "Godly Manner". This statement was sure to get their attention. What is a Godly manner? At first blush, the world thinks of God as all powerful, all able, unstoppable, one to be absolutely admired and served in reverence and fear. And you have to know in a society like the one in Crete, this indeed would seem very appealing. They already are acting like gods, so stepping up to this larger size could be easily misunderstood. And it is today as well. There are, so called, Christians that believe we are all gods, and can attain Godhood status. I know people that actually believe that. But what is the real difference between "Godly Manner" and what many aspire to be in their Godhood status? People want complete control. They want and want and want, and in most cases will do whatever it takes, whatever scheme, lie, and more, to achieve what they consider greatness and happiness. Yet, God teaches you and I to serve. To sacrifice for the greater good, to give when giving won't be noticed, and to love, be committed, to the one who seems unlovable. More, to forgive and forget those that have wronged you. Just the opposite of how human beings tend to think and act. And why is God asking you to do this? Is it because you gain some kind of influence over Him, and in the end, or even right this moment, He is going to reward you? No. Your reward is you're acting in goodness. His Love for you is there whether you strive for peace, love, and joy or not. He will continue to work in and through you as you allow, and add to your peace, love, and joy. The world strives for power and stuff. You Child of God, strive for doing what is right, because then you can then sleep well, rest well, and your joy will strengthen to unshakable as you mature. That is what the Apostle Paul wants, not only Titus to teach in the church, but pastors, preachers, and teachers in this day to do as well. The thing is, are they doing that in the church today? Have a Grace Day!

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 2:6-10 Study Five "What Kind Of People Are These?" Part 2‏

2011-12-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

Titus 2:6-10 "The younger men, in the same manner, be encouraging to be thinking sensibly, showing yourself concerning all things (in all respects) an example of good works, in your teaching and showing integrity, dignity, incorruptibility, sound in Word, above criticism, so that those from the opposition (an enemy) shall be ashamed, having nothing evil to be saying concerning us.
Slaves to continue being subject to their own masters in all, to be serving well, not talking back, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that they shall adorn the teaching (doctrine) of God our Savior in all things and in every respect." (cp. Col 3:18-22)

Good Day Child of God! This is a tough group of verses to separate. The reason I say this is the fact that the Apostle Paul is drifting a bit from his intention of keeping Titus encouraged, and has gone off into an area that may fit the intent, but is off from the main theme. He is wandering in this section, and the last section as well for that matter, and all of it, is summed up in the verses that follow. Which will come next Study, Lord Willing. The problem arises when there is so much to learn, and if we take it all as one thought, we miss too much.

So, we'll take the Letter as written. But again, had they a word processor, time, and help, this letter to Titus would have been much more detailed, instructive, and encouraging. At this point, theses are just a few words and facts thrown out to Titus more as a reminder, than as it would be encouraging. Titus is probably still looking at the wine bottle in the corner.

Today's easy lesson: I would like to make before we take on the lesson the Lord has for us. One is that we put our mind in a place while reading the Scriptures that looks nothing like the place that is the reality. What I mean is this: You read the verses from last Study and this, and you think of a community where there are homes and streets, jobs to go to, organizational government from the local officials to the mayor and so on. You think of police, and stop signs, fair dealing, and alarm clocks. I know you don't consciously think that, but I am willing to bet all the donations to Grace House Ministry that I am right. By the way, we don't get donations, so my bet is a bit specious. In any case, take yourself out of this kind of thinking. Think dirt floors, one room, no rules and no local enforcement. Think women of any age have no value. OK, two values, cooling and sex. Think that food is scarce, there are no luxuries, and that cleanliness is next to nothing. There is no, by and large, Mom and Dad to guide you along, no local school to learn to read and write, and you mature, not as we did back in the 1930's in our early to mid-teens, or in the fifties and sixties our late teens, or like today at age thirty or so. No, five year olds worked. People lived to the ripe old age of thirty or so on average. No social networks outside of family, and if they were gone? Best deal for you? Indentured servitude: Slavery. This changes the picture a bit, doesn't it?

Now that we have a proper perspective of what people have to look forward to day in and day out, the words the Apostle Paul that are given to Titus begin to loom large in terms of difficulty to achieve. It is no easy task to bring civility, let alone a respect for God, when life is so disparate. How would you like this job? There are no "Bibles", there is hardly an Epistle. A rare Old Testament, or a part of one here and there, and we're discussing people from the Isle of Crete, not exactly a hotbed of Judaism, or a basic understanding of the ONE God. Keep in mind, it was the Jews that brought the One God to be known. Not a God you could see or make an image of. Yes, I know, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but it didn't start out that way. This comes in time. God doesn't lay out the whole picture to just anyone, in fact, to no one, and there is a good reason. Who could understand? He is the original inventor of the KISS teaching. No not the rock group, although the leader Gene Simmons just happens to be Jewish, the Keep It Simple Stupid teaching. The stupid refers to us. How can God explain the origins of the Universe to a people that think goats make good friends. How does He explain His plan of Grace to a people that He groomed to be His own when they couldn't even stay focused on the Ten Commandment without making them just a bit larger by adding six hundred plus more? He couldn't and didn't. And so we are given the message that goes beyond silly immature actions, superstitions, and religion, and for the most part, we cannot attain to it. Dumb, dumber, and dumberer doesn't go far enough.

Yet He finds a way, He persists, He takes people that are willing and He works in and through them. He ignores stupidity, He focuses on the simple, the larger issue, the relationship between Father and Child. He does, He does, He does. Why? You just read why. We don't even get a simple thing like slavery. Oh, it is such an abhorrent thought. Our Nation has sinned greatly because of slavery, and we are suffering because of it to this day. Really? Look into it sometime. Or perhaps I will be able to give a small history of it, but until then, who is a slave? Are you free? You are? Can you live in your home without paying? Can you drive your car without paying? Can you even live in your town, county, or state without paying? If you wanted to go any place in our country and live a life of freedom, where you grow your own food, mind your own livestock, drill your own well, dig an outhouse, and so on. Can you do it, without paying tribute, getting permits, having people of power come on to your private property and tell you what you can and cannot do? No you cannot. If you live in the world, at least our world, you are a slave. But with God, He ended slavery to doing things a certain way, to paying tribute, to requiring proper papers to get to Him. All He wants is your heart, your life, good and bad, and a chance to show you that even though the world may be troublesome, as His Son said, "My burden is light, and my yoke is easy. Day and night doesn't go far enough to describe the difference, does it? You are so Blessed. And, in Him, you are Free. Because of Him. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: I will give you one fact on American Slavery that you will go, "What?" The first slaves before we became an independent nation, were all indentured servants. At the end of their time, they were given freedom, land, and more. The first true slave, where there was no end to the servitude came as a result of a lawsuit in what is known now as the State of Massachusetts, where a black man who was indentured to another black man was told by the court that he must remain in servitude for the rest of his life. That was the beginning of what bdcame a scandal when it comes to slavery in America. Don't just listen to common rhetoric, seek truth: With God and with man. Please.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 2:1-5 Study 2 "What Kind Of People Are These?" Part 1‏

2011-12-01T01:36:00.001-08:00

Titus 2:1-5 "But you, be speaking what is fitting (proper for) sound teaching (doctrine). Older men are to be temperate (self-restrained; i.e., in regards to alcohol intake and behavior in general), worthy of respect, sensible, sound in the faith, in love, in patient endurance.
Older women, in the same manner, in demeanor reverent, not slanderous, not having been enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they shall be training the young women to be lovers of husbands, lovers of children, sensible, pure, keepers of homes (homemakers), good, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God shall not be blasphemed."

Good Day Child of God! Sometimes when you read the Bible, or any text for that matter, think about the opposite of what is being said. Take the Scripture we have this Study for example, for what reason would the Apostle Paul say such things? It's obvious if you think about it. The people, as we already know, are nair do wells, and in context, taking what is being asked of them above, it is reasonable to assume they are the people that find it normal to cuss, tell dirty jokes, love sinister ideas and superstitions, as well as boozing it up and sleeping around without regard of who may care, or what may happen. And this includes the women to boot! What a crowd I tell ya, what a crowd! Makes Vegas look innocent.

Think of poor Titus. What a task he has ahead of him. Again, the whole scene makes me nearly bust out and laugh out loud. I would not want the job. Thank the Lord, seriously, for people like him. I mean, the Apostle Paul had tough times, but he got to go on. Titus? He's in this for the duration.

Today's easy lesson: Do you remember that old saying, "Idle hands are the devils workshop?" There is more truth to it, than truism. It is almost a given that when someone starts getting bored with their life, they find a way to create some excitement. And I don't mean just going on a vacation. I mean finding someone or something that causes them temporary pleasure, but in time if it goes to far, and often it does, along comes all kinds of emotional trauma. And then the tears for God to please fix their life come pouring out. Would it not have been simpler to ask God ahead of time to rid one's life of the boredom? Of course it would, but somehow this escapes most people, because frankly, we are not deep down good people. We're kind of bad to the bone.

A serious Grace Study Student wrote recently about a friend who went through a similar situation. The Student has grown so well, that when approached by the person with the issues,"That if praying that God would save the marriage?" The Student's answer was right on target. "We have Free Will, and God cannot overcome that," was the reply. Again, freely giving into God first would have saved allot of heartache. This is Titus' job in Crete, and it will take of lot of teaching, preaching, and walking the talk to convince the islanders how to live in peace, love and joy.

I have come to the conclusion as I got older and I hope wiser, that boredom out performs trouble ten out of ten times. Additionally, I have learned to put God in front of everything I do. This allows Him to work within me and through me in good and bad times. Recently I was talking to the Lord about the idea, since I hadn't been feeling that well for awhile, and since I hadn't been hearing from what are very busy Students, if anyone is interested in the Studies anymore. I told Him maybe I was writing to myself. Just a conversation, no biggie really, yet within a day, quite unexpectedly, all kinds of notes and comments on Life and the Studies started to pour in. Amazing Grace. This is the relationship God wants to grow between you and He. Please take advantage of it. He cares so very much about you and all of your concerns and your joys. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Next Study we are going to take on, oh the agony of it, young men! And slavery! This portends to be some fun stuff. Hold tight the hormones, hold on to your job, for God has some information He thinks we all need to hear.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 1:15-16 Study 3 "More On Purity"

2011-11-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

Titus 1:15-16 "All things indeed are pure to the pure, but to the ones having been defiled and unbelieving nothing pure, but both their mind and their conscience defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny in their works, being detestable and disobedient and disqualified for every good work."

Good Day Child of God! The Apostle Paul is so wound up about the people on the Isle of Crete that it is hard to know where to stop and interrupt his teaching. He is going back and forth between solid teaching and his opinion of what a motley crew these people are. Indeed, it all ties together, but to make it work, I think the best thing to do is to slow way down and take just a sample of what is a universal truth among all the opinion the Apostle Paul is blustering about within this Epistle.

It's almost laughable as to his dislike of these people. When he was visiting there, something happened, or someone or group really got under his skin. Can you imagine being the person, Titus in this case, having this great challenge in front of you, and most of what your boss is telling you is that this will be near impossible to do. You know, like; Good luck with this group.

Today's easy lesson: The Apostle Paul is nailing down an universal truth that is obvious by just reading the text. People of a worldly mindset, see the world as a place to take advantage of others in every way, place, and situation. They are self centered and self absorbed. Most of these folks aren't even aware that they are in anyway doing anything different than they should. In fact, I remember the movie "The God Father" where Don Corleone said, "I refuse to be a fool." I can still remember my thought at the time. If you refuse to be a fool, you will never know God. And that is exactly the Apostle Paul's point.

Do you remember the story about the rich man that filled his barns with goodies and said his life is now secure? It's in the Gospel of Luke. Here is what Jesus said about such thinking, which is not bad, but excludes God's Blessing, thinking, and Plan. "Luke 12:20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'" Having a life on earth simply doesn't surpass having a Life forever. So you have some issues and problems, sicknesses and troubles? Don't we all? It is part of the human condition. It is not whether you have these things, it is how you react to them. I have said this before, and it is one of the most important truths you will ever learn. I am going to capitalize all of it so that you will cement it in your head. "SITUATIONS DO NOT MAKE YOU, THEY REVEAL YOU." Did you get that? So, if you have a gap in your Faith, your Life, your anything that has to do with your relationship to God or to man, what should you do? Give it to Him to deal with. This is important for two reasons. One, so that you know the Power of God. Two, so that you can watch those you are responsible for, and help to bring reality, Grace thinking, into their lives. Especially your children. None of this should worry you, concern you, or cause you any angst, for once again, you have the Spirit in you. You are not alone, you are not without Power, and what you cannot do, your Father can. I know we have discussed this before, but something so wonderful, so powerful, so important cannot be said enough. You, Child of God, have the privilege of standing before God at any time for any reason, and He is more than happy that you are there to speak to Him. This is the Grace News! Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: In the Bible, the word fool is used 182 times. 138 times in the Old Testament, and 44 times in the New Testament. God knows fools.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 1:5-14 Study 2 "Make Lemonade Out Of Lemons"

2011-11-29T08:27:00.000-08:00

Titus 1:5-14 "On account of this I left you in Crete, so that you should set in order the things lacking and appoint (set up) elders (presbuteros) in every city (see Acts 14:23), as I commanded you--if anyone is beyond reproach, husband of one wife (a one-wife kind of man), having faithful (believing) children, not under accusation of reckless living or insubordinate. For it is necessary the overseer (episkope) to be beyond reproach, as a steward of God, not self-willed (stubborn), not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent (quarrelsome), not greedy for dishonest gain, but a friend of strangers (hospitable), loving what is good (tireless in activities prompted by love), sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding firmly to the trustworthy Word according to the teaching, so that he shall be able also to encourage in the sound teaching and to convince the ones speaking against.
For there are also many insubordinate, idle-talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouth it is necessary to be silencing, who overturn (upset) whole households, teaching what is not necessary, for the sake of dishonest gain. A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies (gluttons)!” (a quote from Epimendes, ca. 600 B.C.) This testimony is true; for which cause rebuke them sharply, so that they shall be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of people, turning themselves away from the truth."

Good Day Child of God! Now this is going to be a hoot of a Study! If we could only switch the paragraphs around so the second would be read first, we would find that what the Apostle Paul is asking Titus to do is near impossible. In fact, in a normal community, if such a thing exists, his request for "Elders", notice the word was taken by both Presbyterians and Episcopalians, would be near impossible. But we have our good old Apostle Paul back, where nothing is impossible, and what a different man he is from when he wrote to Timothy.

We have seen these verses in the first paragraph before, and the Apostle Paul repeats them here, but I think really what it is, is that he repeated them to Timothy. This Epistle came first. Notice how hard he is charging at what are the detractors of the Gospel. There is no weakness shown in these words in any way. The Apostle Paul wants Crete settled down, and he wants it done quickly. No worries in his words, no backing down, no weakness. Just do it!

Today's easy lesson: On the one hand we have the opinion of the Apostle Paul, who is showing his great education by quoting Epimendes, reminding Titus that he is in among a group of people that are, to put it kindly, a bunch of useless lying, lazy gluttons who are easily swayed by every myth and superstitious notion that comes around. On the other hand, we have the Apostle Paul telling Titus to find, what we would consider, perfect men to lead this island that consists of a large group of nair do wells. If this doesn't make you smile, you have to check your sense of humor. Titus probably dove for the wine bottle after reading this letter. Or at least perhaps he thought about it.

One thing we know for sure in all that we have read and studied. Where man cannot get things done, God can. In the larger picture, Titus must have gotten the job done, because he stayed there for the rest of his life. Yet, the Apostle Paul is no where near finished telling Titus what is to be done, and about the people. Titus must have been much like the Apostle Paul, tough, committed and strong. Do you know what makes a great leader? Someone who has learned to be a great follower first. That's Titus.

The main lesson here is one that can easily escape the traditional church pew sitter. That is, what is the Apostle Paul's greatest concern? Following Jewish teachings and myths. There is a new Gospel in town, and it has come to overtake works, the Law, rites and rituals, myths and foolish ideas concerning God and His Love for His Children. It is no accident that the Apostle Paul says these things turns people away from the Truth. When people attend church, and believe more in their pastor, or the tenets of the church than they believe the God of the Bible, you really have to question their repentance. Their faith. You can do that you know. You are not to judge the world, that is God's job. But within the context of the church, you have every reason and responsibility to judge what is being said, how the worship is being offered, and the context of which the Bible is being taught. You have the Spirit within you, and by now you know you have Him to lead, guide, and give you wisdom in accordance with God's thinking. If your heart or mind begins to tell you something isn't right about what is going on in any church, don't let it slide. Ask your Father what to do, and let Him lead you to respectfully question and provide the answers in any and all situations. Don't expect great respect back, nor an easy conversation most of the time. Pastors will tell you that they went to divinity school, and ask, "Did you?" On the other hand, I have personally seen a Pastor change his heart, thinking and teaching, and it happened, not with a long hard meeting in person. But with a humble conversation over the phone, that never condemned the ministry, but pointed to what could be, and he took it as from God. This is a man that God wanted to hear the Truth, new his heart, and used me as unlikely as it would seem, since I just was visiting to see the ministry for what it was. See, you never know what God has in mind. But one thing is sure. He has you in mind all the time, to allow you to be your best, and at the same time, do good works as He counts them to be, in His timing, and to your benefit. Isn't Grace great?! Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: The day my wife and I attended the church mentioned above, as the Pastor spoke his sermon, the Holy Spirit began to have me write on the bulletin all the proper verses that challenged what was being said. It was one after another, and believe me when I tell you, I don't do well with memorized verses. I put it in the "collection" basket with my information, and God took it from there. We only went back once, saw the changes,moved across the country from that area, and I haven't thought much of it since. Except to remember what a great Blessing it was to me to know God used me, as fearful at the time I was in speaking to a sitting Pastor of a fairly large flock.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

Titus 1:1-4 Study One "Who Is Titus?

2011-11-28T08:15:00.001-08:00

Titus 1:1-4 "Paul, a slave of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to Faith of chosen ones of God and full (true) knowledge of Truth, the according to Godliness, in hope (confident expectation) of eternal life, which the incapable of lying God promised before eternal times (before time began), but in its own times (at the proper time) He revealed His Word in proclamation which I was entrusted with according to command of God our Savior,
To Titus, a genuine child according to common Faith: Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ our Savior!"

Good Day Child of God! Well, this is one Book where I thought, "This should be simple and an easy Book to end our semester." I was half right. This is a great Book, but it is no way simple, as an example, there are several key points made in the introduction alone! Let's get started, we are all going to either remember something we have forgotten we knew, or something knew is coming our way.

First off Titus himself. This is a man, a young man when Apostle Paul first met him, most likely in Antioch, where the word "Christians" was first used to refer to the new "sect" of people coming out of Jesus' death. Paul started his ministry there, and if you don't remember, it was Barnabus that got him our of his shell of study and prayer to bring out his ability to spread the Grace Gospel. This is why the Apostle Paul most likely referred to him as "a genuine child according to common Faith." But wait! There's more! Allot more. Where Titus' name is not mentioned much within the New Testament, he was a major part of, not only spreading the Gospel of Grace, but he was a leader in every sense of the word. He was concerned for the local churches that were started here and there by the Apostle Paul and his group, and he, unlike Timothy, was not afraid to take on the difficult and delicate situations.

Today's easy lesson: You have heard me say many times that the Bible is not a book to worship, but the God of the Bible is most certainly worthy of that worship. We can learn of God, some of His thinking, the way He does things, and things He doesn't do, but the Bible was put together by men, just as it was written by men, and in its overall text, Truth is spoken, but in order to understand fully what God is doing you must be a student of the entire text. Not just this part or that to fit your thinking. If one part does not fit, it does not fit. Simple. Why do I bring this up once again? The placement of this Book within the Bible itself. It should have been put in front of Timothy if chronological, and to me sensible, laying out of the historical facts are to be followed.

Be that as it may, Titus was among the most trusted of the Apostle Paul's entourage. Titus served or lead in Ephesus, Corinth, went to Jerusalem with Paul to argue over the correct Gospel, on to many smaller Asia Minor Churches, went to Rome with Paul, and lastly ended up being the Pastor of the most difficult of all the Churches, this according to the Apostle Paul's words, the Church at Crete. It is thought that Titus grew old there and passed away peaceably. All in all, does this sound like a man of little influence and of minor participation? No, so what is said to Titus from the Apostle Paul is of the utmost importance.

So what did the Apostle Paul say in the introductory of this Epistle that means something to you and I today? Let's see, Paul was a slave, a bond servant of God's. You know that. He was given the task to preach the Grace Gospel, you know that. The Grace Gospel came about by God sending His Son, the Word, in the flesh so that you might have eternal Life. You know that too. But, how about the fact that God planned all this before there was time? What? Go back to Genesis and read Chapter 2. God goes into some detail about when Adam was created. He was created before there was vegetation. There was no time at the beginning, time as we know it has to do with a 24 hour cycle of our earth spinning at about 1,000 miles per hour and circling the sun. It makes sense then, that Adam, the first man, contained the Spirit of Life within his earthly body, and was with God from almost the very beginning. After all he got to name all of the animals. God Loved Adam, and in some way, He knew that whatever happened, He would make sure that from that first relationship going forward, He would make a way to secure His Love for those that Love Him. Maybe a bit of conjecture here, but it does make sense. In any case, whatever way God looked at the future, you, your Loving Him and Him Loving you was so important, is was His main concern. And once you are His Child? That will never change. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Many people believe the Universe was made in six twenty four days. One simple question to make them think. Since a 24 hour day didn't occur until, at a minimum, day two, and could have been later than that, how do you square that with the belief that God did this in six twenty four hour days? Outside of faith that would be required to believe that. Again, don't worship the words, worship the Father.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 4:19-22 "Study 16 "Grace With You! So Be It"

2011-11-17T07:41:00.001-08:00

IITimothy 4:19-22 "Greet Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick in Miletus (Paul and his companions experienced sicknesses). Be eager (diligent) to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

The Lord Jesus Christ with your Spirit. Grace with you! So be it!"

Good Day Child of God! Well here we are are the last five verses of IITimothy. These few words are five verses? OK. Again I will say it, we could be reading through this, what many consider, minor Epistle, and these last words? What significance can they have? Alright, the last verse is good, but if you really aren't into understanding the Grace Gospel, once again, the Gospel the Apostle Paul was given to teach to you and I, what will it mean to you? Practically nothing.

Do you remember Priscilla and Aquila? Do you recall they were of the first converts in Asia Minor that Paul had any long term success speaking to, that not only became Believers, but stood by him as true friends. Do you recall just from a few verses ago, that Onesiphorus, unlike his two other Asia Minor friends that left the Apostle Paul, stayed with him and comforted him and stood by him in all that was going on? And interestingly enough, the bracketed word group about illness. This was pulled from historical understanding of what the Apostle Paul was trying to say in the greater context of the words that are written. Have you seen it anywhere in any Bible you have read? All this, and we haven't even started the Study yet!

Today's easy lesson: I hope you are like me in this sense. I just LOVE learning new things from the Word, and I LOVE it equally when reading a few verses at a time, that the Word confirms what is learned in all senses of what is being read. For example, we discussed the idea that the Apostle Paul sounded as though he wasn't feeling well during the writing of this treatise. A further look into the proper transliteration, and viola', we find out this is true. Not only that, but that he and his support group were all fighting one illness or another, at one time or another. No different than today. That's why the Bible Diet, Bible Exercise Programs and so on, that are in Bible Book Stores make me wonder what in the world is good about them. We live longer and better today than ever in history. OK, I'll give you the first few generations. They lived hundreds of years, then God said this is going to stop. The age a man or woman can live will be brought back to 120 years. We're just working on that now. But go ahead, fight God's Word, after all the people writing this stuff need money too!

Sorry, got off course a bit there. Back to the Apostle Paul's farewell, but see you real soon, speech to Timothy. Of course, for his part Timothy is probably not paying attention to what these words are saying, he is still focused on the idea that for the entire letter the Apostle Paul gave him all kinds of reasons to be tuff and stay the course. Except that just a few words ago, he should first come to the Apostle Paul with some things he wants. And not now, right now! But for us, outside the facts, the feelings, and the real world experience of this wonderful Epistle, the last two sentences make all the difference.

"The Lord Jesus Christ with your Spirit. Grace with you! So be it!" This says it all. And if that is all we get from these last sixteen Studies, it is enough. The Lord Jesus Christ is with you, Grace is with you, so it is said, so it is! That would be the modern translation, of course extrapolating out the context to bring you into the meaning. And, of course, it is Truth. So comforting, so large, that in a sense the Blessing is like your Father. Understated, but more powerful and loving than anything you can imagine. Just think of how much the Father does for you, keeping His eyes on you at all times, in all places, and just waiting for you to recognize the relationship He wants to have with you. To give into that kind of caring is joy. And it brings peace, even when the world wants to bring worry. Ponder this, talk to your Father about this, take a moment and realize how great it is to be known as, a Child of God. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: It is interesting that the Apostle Paul said "no one" stayed with him, yet he has a whole group of people, many he doesn't name that are there with him. What, are Pudens, Linus, Claudia and the brothers and sisters nobodies? Oy Vey!

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 4:14-18 Study 15 "Who Stands By Me"

2011-11-16T11:59:00.001-08:00

IITimothy 4:14-18 "Alexander the coppersmith showed to me many evils (did me much harm). May the Lord repay him according to his works, whom you also be guarding yourself against, for he greatly stood up against (resisted) our words.

At my first defense no one stood with (supported) me, but all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation shall be completely fulfilled and all the nations shall hear, and I was rescued out of mouth of a lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will save (preserve) for His heavenly kingdom, to whom the glory into the ages of the ages (forever and ever)! So be it!"

Good Day Child of God! Several lessons and two titles raced through my mind during the process of reading and typing this Study's text. There are many things being said here, yet there is a primary lesson. But some religious history would be a good thing to include since Alexander the coppersmith is mentioned.

As you can read for yourself, the Apostle Paul proceeds to write as though in desperation, or perhaps, as we discussed, that he is not feeling well. His also continues wavering all over the place, and when he says, "So be it", that should be it. But he will complete this letter, and Lord Willing, we will finish this wonderful little Book next Study, as the Apostle Paul has only farewells left to say.

Today's easy lesson: Before we get to God's lesson for us this Study, let's take on a bit of religious history. In a really broad sense. First off, as Christians we tend to think that Christianity has always been around. As though Adam and Eve or Joseph and Mary were Christian. You cannot deny the idea that, again as a Christian, when reading the Bible the thought otherwise never occurred to you. What religion were Adam and Eve. They had no religion, nor did the kids. As a reminder, seven generations of kids from Adam, declared that man was god. How about Joseph and Mary? They were, of course, Jews. So was Jesus. How many different religions, or ways to seeks gods or God, were there from the time Moses first dictated the first five books of the Bible, until today? Most likely, taking a conservative guess, tens of thousands.

Back in the times of Rome and a bit before, working with metal and wood, many religious leaders could bring attention to their "church" by performing various and sundry "miracles". People were simple, easily entertained, and the priests would literally use tricks and the art of magic to attract converts. Why? For money and power of course. It's not to much different today, as the most powerful Church in the World is the Roman Church, and they use all kinds of "magic arts" to attract believers, mixing that with Christian teachings. It is not new that the Madonna cries, it is a trick used all the way back to the days of Alexandria. Many such "miracles" occurred by the hands of one man, and he was sought out by so many different priests and wanna be church leaders, because of his genius in making things that were actually science and technology, first work for the attraction of the flock. Then the fleecing could begin, and the power and wealth would be within that leaders, or priests hands.

If this information makes you uneasy, good! It should. God placed the first three Commandments about respect for Him, not because He is "a jealous" God. They, like all the Commandments, are for the protection of the Faithful. And somehow many feel God is just some old hokey idea that is proven so by the inanity
stplayV2st of the Ten Commandments. My first thought is they just don't like to have to share power with God. After all, are they not the type to say they are the captains of their souls? They are. And, they are, what's a kind word? Oh yes, stupid! OK, on to the primary lesson this Study.

The Apostle Paul, in all this back and forth, strength and fear, do this, don't do that, do this, and really looking so human, never forgets one singular point. "The Lord will rescue me...and preserve me..." Who? The Lord. People will fail you, family will fail you, your career will fail you, your church will fail you, at one time or another. But God, your Father? Jesus, your Brother? The Spirit, that indwells you? They will never, ever fail you. If the Apostle Paul ever had reason to say otherwise, or that he felt otherwise, this would have been the place to say it. He doesn't. And when Jesus said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Do you know what He was actually saying? He was saying, "Why have you taken your eyes off of me? The Father did not fail Jesus either. So how about you? You have the Spirit, you have Faith, as scant as it is, and you are as safe and preserved as any could be, including your Brother Jesus, and your Apostle Paul. This too, is great Truth, and should take the uneasiness of religion away, and replace that uneasiness with peace, confidence and joy. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: When and what peoples brought the idea of a single God into the world, rather than a group of gods or stones, woods, and other earthly materials that could be fashioned into something to worship? Abraham, the beginning, before the start of the Chosen, the Jewish People.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 4:9-13 Study 14 "What, Where, Me?"

2011-11-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

IITimothy 4:9-13 "Be eager (diligent) to come to me quickly. For Demas abandoned me, having loved the present age, and traveled to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Having picked up Mark, be bringing with yourself, for he is useful to me for ministry (service). (cp. Acts 15:36-40) But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments."

Good Day Child of God! Poor Timothy, after reading all this stuff about bucking up and getting to work, never being intimidated, he finds this request. He has to be saying; "What, Where, Me?" Can you imagine? Now he is to get hold of (John) Mark, pick up the Apostle Paul's cloak and his "Bible" and personally bring them to Rome. Of all places! Hey, maybe Timothy is rejoicing. At least this gives him time to collate.

If you're human, and I know you are, you have to see the humanity in these verses. After all, the Apostle Paul is sliding back and forth from one thing to another. From teaching and preaching to self absorbed neediness and feelings of helplessness. It is all here to see and to feel. That is one thing I LOVE about the Bible. It hides nothing from us. There are no magic or miraculous heroes that are larger than life. Except for One.

Today's easy lesson: Truth be told, we would race through these verses like they had little to say. But alas, they say volumes about the times, the people, the leaders, and the reality of truth, and Truth. There is no fudging the inscribed word, they are what they are. I am still taken back by people that, so many times, read the verses above and miss the facts. Then they allude to a God that will be manipulated to do as one might pray, or act, or by some action of works. It's so infantile, so naive, that you would believe that the Apostles, let alone the men and women of renown in the Old Testament, lived life differently, rather than just like you and I do. With all the things we deal with, sometimes fail with, and only have hope and Faith to look to for their Truth. How does anyone miss this?

Do you recall that we spoke of Barnabus who was the Apostle Paul's cousin, and the one who got him into the "game" as it were, had a huge argument over (John) Mark? Since the verses are noted above, take a quick read of what they say: Acts 15:36-40 "Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord." Interesting isn't it? So Mark was weak just like Timothy, and the Apostle Paul's disappointment, and of course, Barnabus' guidance, brought Mark to a point of maturity where he was not only acceptable to this great Apostle, he was able to pen a Gospel. At least that is what many scholars believe is the case. The penning the Gospel part, that is.

Again, what can we learn from this Study. Where does the rubber meet the road and help us in our daily walk with the Lord. What I see, perhaps what you see, is the need not only for Faith, but also friendship, or at least someone that you are able to respect that you can talk to, ask questions of, or maybe even ask to do what seems the impossible to them at the time you ask. But ask you do. God brings these people in and out of our lives. Me included, and much of the time, we miss the thought or the idea of how important they are at the moment. As I look back on my life, not that there is so much length to look back on, I do see people that have touched me in many ways, that probably thought I was doing something for them, and in fact, the Lord gave them to me for my sake. This is also a Blessing from the Grace of God, even when we don't find out the importance of such people until much later on. It's OK. If your attitude is one of service, God's way is what you follow, and His way is what brings you peace, love, and joy. Self seeking isn't so important, because you are filled by those you may know well, or not, and you do find something that God otherwise cannot do. For He cannot be an earthly companion, as much as He would Love to do that. So, it is a two way street, and it makes you very much a great part of God's Plan. Do you understand? You should, because you are one of the Chosen, Child of God. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Starting after Abraham, those that like to count, count Ten heroes in the Old Testament. Three are women, seven are men. OK, this leaves me speechless.

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 4:6-8 Study 13 "The Good Race"

2011-11-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

IITimothy 4:6-8 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has arrived. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course (race); I have kept the faith. Finally, is laid up for me the victor’s wreath (crown) of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give to me in that Day, but not only to me, but also to all the ones having loved His appearing."

Good Day Child of God! The Lord most certainly does work in mysterious ways. Since we last Studied together, my life seemed to come apart at the seams. Truly, I didn't know how I was going to be able to type this study, that is until I awakened this morning. And, as though the Lord Himself touched me, I am as good as I have been in many months. I stayed in touch with Him this whole while, trusting but wondering, and His Faithfulness, just as He promised does not ever leave us. Amazing. Just had to share.

The verses above, I guess, had something to do with my introduction. The Apostle Paul is facing certain death, at least as far as he is concerned, and for him to send a message of despair like this is, as you know, more than unusual.

Today's easy lesson: In the first few Studies of IITimothy, we discussed how very emotional the Apostle Paul's words came out of the text. We also discussed how he would then get back on track and remember that his job in this letter was to convince Timothy that he was up to the job. We also saw that the Apostle Paul made what appeared to be dictation mistakes, and how he rarely wrote the words himself, and that Luke was not only his constant companion, but was also his physician. I wonder at this point, if Luke was able to comfort this great Apostle as he faced having his head severed. Not a pretty thought, is it?

In the few words in our verses above, the Apostle Paul lays out a simplicity to the Gospel, his Gospel, "...all the ones having loved His appearing." That is, these are the ones that "in that day" will receive the "victor's wreath, or crown, of righteousness." Not today, perhaps not even at the moment of death, but in that day, which may be the moment we pass from the human body in which we are trapped, to the freedom of the Spiritual body, or maybe we will sleep for some time, then on the day of judgment for all, that is the time, or perhaps another time God has set. It doesn't matter in all reality, because anyway you want to look at it, it is all good. The trials, tribulations, temptations, and the hope we have will turn to joy and reality. You see, hope will no longer be needed, for along with everyone else that has hoped along with us throughout time, will all find themselves face to face with the reality of the God of Love.

I have a sense that the Apostle Paul was not doing well physically at the time of this letter. The reason I say this, is because he was a very strong man, pointedly opinionated, and with a personality and stamina few men had then, and frankly, have even in this day. He was ship wrecked, leaving him in the Mediterranean Sea for a whole day, its cold, and beaten to near death, and on and on. Yet, he never had a negative outlook, nor was dissuaded from his mission. Even when told he would be sent to his death if he went to Jerusalem, he went to the city with an uncommon determination. Strong in Faith, strong in mind, strong in body. Yet we now see him feeling strained, tired, and ready to give in. Not the Apostle Paul we have come to know.

What is the one lesson we can pull from these verses that really matters? Faith. The Apostle Paul, even while he is losing the battle for his physical life, probably not doing to well health wise at this moment to boot, is still looking forward to seeing Jesus and the Father. The one thing that could not be beaten, shaken, drowned from him, starved from him, pulled from him in loneliness, you name the plight in life, he kept the Faith. That is your calling. Not that you must be a evangelist, or teacher, or preacher, or giver, or volunteer, or anything that you may have a bent for, as God may use your talent for His purpose, and your good. But in the end, what really matters is that you keep the Faith. Grace is that simple, yet can be that difficult at times. He knows that too! That is why He is Faithful to you, even when you are not. It's called Agape' Love, and that is Grace Unleashed. It's all so very good! Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Something to think about. "God wants you to be rich." Or, "God needs you to save others in order to save yourself." Or, "You must have a clean soul before you die in order to go to Heaven, no sins go unconfessed." These are three major teachings in this day. The so called prosperity Gospel, the so called Social Gospel, and lastly, the so called Traditional Gospel. Each one makes me want to cry, as they all negate the Love of God, and His sending His Son to the Cross, to death, just for our good.

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 4:1-5 Study 12 "Truth vs Myth"

2011-11-10T09:27:00.001-08:00

IIimothy 4:1-5 "Therefore, I strongly urge before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the One being about to be judging living and dead at His appearing and His kingdom. Preach the word! Be ready in season, out of season (whether the time is favorable or not), convict, rebuke, encourage, with all patience and teaching. For there will be a time when they themselves will not put up with sound teaching, but according to their own lusts they will heap up teachers to themselves, itching in the ear (craving to hear what they want to hear), and on the one hand they will turn away the ear from the Truth, on the other hand they will be turned aside to myths. But you, be sober (clear-headed) in all; endure hardship; do the work of an evangelist; completely fulfill your ministry."

Good Day Child of God! So, we have reached the "Therefore"! Most of the previous two Chapters were written with this climax in mind. The Apostle Paul has given Timothy many reasons to, "Preach the word!" Now, later, whenever, and he states it plainly and simply. This is not unexpected. Nor is the idea that in their future the idea that Truth will not be tolerated and replaced with myths. After all, the Apostle Paul had to fight against this since the very beginning.

Keep this in mind. Once again, we are reading a bit of History here. This is not written for readers many hundreds of years or millennia in the future. The Apostle Paul was pouring his heart out to Timothy for that moment. Yes, we most certainly can benefit from much of what is being said, some of it is Universal Truth. But by and large, what the Apostle Paul is saying, is what was his experience, and he was warning Timothy what is to come in his life. Not some actions and beliefs that people would hold past that of what Timothy would experience. If that were true, why bother telling him to begin with?

Today's easy lesson: We have spoken in previous Studies how this Book was just filled with the emotions that the Apostle Paul felt during the writing of this manuscript. It was so obvious, it even affected his train of thought. Next Study we'll put a hammer on this nail, just to prove what we already know.

But what is most important in this group of verses is the statement that "a time will come when they themselves will not put up with sound doctrine". I submit the time was already upon them and still exists to a large degree throughout the greater Christian Church and its teaching to this very moment. You have to smile when teachers, preachers, pastors, and priests declare the Ten Commandments are all important, and then, as if God didn't mean it when He said, "Make no graven (engraved or statue) image of me...", they go ahead and either put Jesus on the Cross, or make pictures of Jesus that make Him look like a nice central European man, or they use the empty cross, a fish, or statues of all kinds and sorts of Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus and others, and proceed to worship them, awaiting a sign of some sort or another. Try to talk those that do this out of their practice, pointing to the Ten Commandments as a simple example of why they shouldn't, and you won't get far.

At the same time, go to a local protestant group, you name the Church, and try to tell them that baptism, tongues, and/or confession is not necessary for Salvation, and once again, you won't get far. As people, we tend to make God in our image. We ascribe to Him those traits that we have. For example, God is a Loving God, but He is also a just God, and cannot allow sin to go unpunished, thus if you don't obey and believe as the one telling you this, you are going to be sent to hell. Oh, and lets not forget, that even though God enjoys the wealth of the cattle on a thousand hills, you must give to receive, sacrifice to find abundance, and suffer to find forgiveness. Yep, and we are taught that anyone who thinks differently is that one with the itchy ears that wants only to change God from Who He really is.

No Grace Students, God is a Loving God that, in Truth, is a just God, and cannot allow sin to go unpunished. The strange thing is, the punishment was meted out to His only begotten Son, Jesus. He took our sins, He fulfilled the Law, He defeated sin and death, He, He, He. Not you and me. There is one overarching Truth in the whole of the Bible, Old and New Testament, beginning to end. God does, we benefit. Oh yes, God said that man's sins would have to be accounted for, but He didn't say how He was going to accomplish this Truth. Did He? But a student of the Word, would notice that He Created, He made the rules, He found a way to keep mankind and His Love for us moving forward so that the relationship that started with Adam would end up just where He wanted it to. With a people of Faith sharing all goodness and Grace for ever and ever. That's Truth worth holding unto forever and ever, and I can only hope it tickles your ears. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Speaking of going and talking to someone else, trying to understand them and getting them to understand you, the Bible has twenty two verses that talk about "one another". Like, submit to one another, or, accept one another, or love one another. I love, encourage one another, and serve one another, but mostly, comfort one another. Interesting that these verses are all in the New Testament.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 3:10-17 Study 11 "Arrogance And Reality" Part 2‏

2011-11-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

IITimothy 3:10-17 "And you have carefully followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, sufferings, such as happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And the Lord rescued me out of all! And indeed, all the ones desiring to be living in a Godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and impostors will advance to the worse (will go from bad to worse), leading astray (deceiving) and being led astray (being deceived).

But you, be remaining in that you learned and were entrusted with, knowing from whom you learned, and that from childhood you know the Sacred Writings, the ones being able to make you wise to salvation through Faith, the in Christ Jesus. All Scripture God-breathed and beneficial for teaching (doctrine), for verification (reproof), for correcting faults, for instruction in righteousness (the behavior that God requires), so that the person of God shall be fully qualified (perfectly fit), having been completely equipped for every good work."

Good Day Child of God! I suppose it would be a good time to explain why the Title "Arrogance and Reality". If a man or woman thinks that they have the power and skills to do something of significance in their own power, that is arrogance. That being said, there are many arrogant people in the world that that arrogance refers to confidence, and many things are accomplished in their lives. And that being said, anyone of any substance realizes at some point in their life that they really didn't do it on there own, or in their power alone. At the very least, it took many other's hard work, and they will also say, a bit of luck to boot.

A man or woman of God, cannot in confidence alone, in arrogance especially do anything of substance to please God, let alone build a lasting impression and vision of what the God of all Creation thinks or in what way He works. You have seen many ministries come and go. There are popular ministries today that didn't exist a few years back, and on the other hand, there were really large ministries just a few years back that many of you won't remember, or have never heard of, or do remember and wonder what happened to them. Which brings us back to the Apostle Paul's greatest lesson to Timothy. "It ain't you babe."

Today's easy lesson: As we spoke of last Study, the Apostle Paul now brings home Timothy's personal knowledge of Paul and of the Scriptures, so that Timothy will remember Who and what it is that brings him strength and Truth. In reading the verses above, I am sure you have heard them used by any number of people before. Usually to remind Christians that the entire Bible is to be used and obeyed. The only problem with that is that it is exactly the opposite of what the Apostle Paul is alluding to here. What is "good work"? It is having Faith that Jesus is the Christ, and being able to share that from the Old Testament. Again, we spoke of this before, none of us is versed enough in being able to do this, because we have the New Testament to do it for us. To teach otherwise or insist that the whole Bible is to be drawn from for behavior in this current day and time would be arrogance at its greatest. Those that teach such things are only cherry picking the verses out of the Old Testament that they believe are relevant, not using the entire text. And we know this by the fact that they don't use animal sacrifices, as a simple example, as part of their everyday life. And so much more is missing as well.

As mentioned above, two things the Apostle Paul knows that Timothy has going for him, and he uses both to get him to buck up. One is his longtime knowledge of Scripture. Two is his personal relationship to Paul and all he has seen the great Apostle go through, and still he stands, never fading one bit from his testimony. Timothy cannot ignore these truths, no more than he can ignore the fact that the Holy Spirit is in him and will empower him. This is "red meat" as the saying goes for a young man that needs to be built up, not in arrogance, but in confidence. Realizing that great things can be accomplished, and wisdom tells him, it won't be all on him, but on the help of others. More specifically, the Lord Himself.

What is the difference between you and Timothy? OK, perhaps his knowledge of Scripture is different than yours, but that is only because letters like this one were not all packaged up and neatly bound for him to refer to. On the other hand, the Spirit that was in him, the encouragement from personal experience that he is told to remember should also be in and around you. If not, then you are a brand new Christian, or one that is just learning about God's Grace, and what it truly is. You need to take steps to not only Believe, but to test your Belief, more His commitment to you, and give bits and pieces of your everyday life to Him. In this way your Belief which should mean Trust, will turn from passive Belief to active Trust. An enduring Trust that will see you through all aspects of life, with Life. I know, this is basically a repeat of last Study, but it cannot be said enough. The Bible is not about what you do in terms of stuff on earth to impress God in order to get Him to act in some way or another. That's a very pagan way to think. It is about, once again, God doing for you, regardless of your thinking or place at any given time. But peace, love, and joy are a constant companion only when you set aside your life, and allow Him to work with your Life. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: This seems so appropriate to mention at this point concerning you and I giving in to the Father. Isaiah 60:1 "Rise and shine." In modern English: "Wake up!"

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 3:1-9 Study 10 "Arrogance And Reality" Part 1‏

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

IITimothy 3:1-9 But know (realize])this, that in last days perilous times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, arrogant boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, ungodly, without natural affection (heartless), unwilling to be at peace with others (unforgiving), slanderous, lacking in self control, fierce, not loving what is good, traitors, headstrong (reckless), having been swollen up with pride, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having an outward form of godliness, but having denied its power. And be (Be also) keeping away from these. (cp. Gal 5:19-21)

For of these are the ones worming into houses and leading captive little (gullible) women, having been weighed down with sins, being led away with various lusts, always learning and never able to come to a full (true), knowledge of Truth. And even as Jannes and Jambres stood up against Moses, so also are these standing themselves up against the Truth, people having been corrupted in the mind, disapproved concerning the Faith. But they will not advance any further, for their folly will be evident to all, just as theirs (Jannes’ and Jambres’) also became.

Good Day Child of God! I want to start with a small supplement to last Study. Recall I had to restructure the last sentence or so, because in the NIV and other popular translations, they seem to misinterpret what is being said. How did that come to my attention? Well first of all, I never read the Scripture without the Holy Spirit being asked to make what Truth is as I read along. Secondly, and much less important, the verses as written didn't fit the overall picture of a Loving All Powerful God that does all He can for our benefit. So the end result is that when you are studying the Bible on your own, please never do it without asking for His power to understand. And secondly if something seems out of place, out of context, or out of character for the purposes of God's Loving Kindness, then either stop and reflect on the passage, or mark it for later understanding. It will come to you in Truth one way or the other. Don't obsess over it, and do not be afraid to question what others that are supposed to be authorities say it should be. OK?

As for this Study, the Apostle Paul begins to use some practical every day examples of life, to remind Timothy of what it is like all around him, and what it is that is required of all Believers, at least at the time and place in which he and Timothy live and work. It is easy to take these verses and think that things that the Apostle Paul is instructing Timothy, have to do with sometime in the future. No. He is talking about the moment. Keep in mind all Believers were looking for Jesus at any given time, and the end was now. And we know that how? Because we know that Apostle Paul wasn't writing a letter to be read thousands of years later. He was writing a letter to encourage Timothy in his walk. That's how you think when you keep things in context. And lastly, a reading error on my part. Chapter 4 has the "therefore", and I thought it to be Chapter 3. My mistake, but I know you will forgive me. Thank you.

Today's easy lesson: This group of verses is just about half of a long instruction, actually all of Chapter 3, that the Apostle Paul decided would be easy for Timothy to understand. All around Timothy are difficult people filled with crazy, worldly thinking and actions that scared the stuffing out of Timothy. He had seen enough of the Apostle Paul getting the beat down to know that it wasn't easy to be alone in Ephesus, young and with little support too boot. The Apostle Paul could see this, yet there was little he could do about it, but to remind Timothy that it is what it is, and he cannot change that. He must work with it.

I am sure as the great Apostle thought about what to say here, it came to him to use his own life, which he will do in Part 2, and use the Old Testament, basically bringing Timothy to a near equality with the most revered Moses. It's a way to get him to understand how God will see him through, just as He did Moses. Moses was very weak, and God got it done. This Timothy knew, and the message should not be lost on him. But just in case it isn't enough, as mentioned, the Apostle Paul will use his life, as though he were putting an exclamation point to the teaching.

So the lesson should not be lost on you either. It is always your Father and His wisdom, power, and Love for you that will see you through any and all situations in your Life. It is a simple Truth, but when the fire begins to bring high flames, it is a Truth that is easily burned away. What should you do? Stay the course, hold on to the purse strings of Faith and Trust, allowing your Father to do His will in your Life. It will work out for your good, His good, and in all situations. Never think that you don't want to bother the Father with something because you can handle this little thing, or that you just don't think you should be a bother. He never finds your conversations enough, and He finds real joy in proving over and over and over again that, even in the least of things, He will do for you. Why is that do you suppose? Because if you grow that relationship from the least important things, when truly significant issues arise, your Peace in Faith will see you through it all, and in good stead. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Did you know that God was ready to put Moses to death at one point because Moses was so intent on not being involved? It was Moses wife that intervened and God decided to go ahead and work with Moses stubbornness. And look how things turned out. The thing that always amazes me is Moses is always looked up to as some kind of strong hero. It was, as usual, our Father Who did it all. Moses was like a lamb, not a lion.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 2:20-26 Study 9 "From Confusion To Wisdom!"

2011-11-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

IITimothy 2:20-26 Now in a great (wealthy) house are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay, and some indeed for honor, but some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, having been consecrated and beneficial to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.

But be fleeing the youthful lusts! But be pursuing righteousness, faith, love, peace with the ones calling on the Lord out of a pure heart (entire inner self, including the intellect, volition, and emotions]). But be avoiding the foolish and stupid disputes, knowing that they cause fights (angry arguments). And it is necessary a servant of Lord not to be fighting (arguing angrily), but to be gentle towards all, skillful at teaching, tolerant (patient when wronged), in gentleness (humility) instructing the ones opposing, perhaps God shall grant to them repentance (a change of mind and desire leading to a change of behavior) to a full (true), knowledge (an acknowledging) of the truth, and they regain their senses from the snare of the Devil, having been captured Alive for the will for that One.

Good Day Child of God! At first glance this is such a simple group of verses, it seems hard to come up with a reason not to include them within another Study. That's at first glance. Then when reading them, and trying to make sense of what the Apostle Paul is actually saying, we find that the verses are filled with important definitions and meanings of the way God thinks.

Again, at first glance it would be easy to throw these verses aside and just move on, because the metaphor of good and not so good things within a house seems incomplete at best, and inaccurate at worst. As human beings in the world, we need both vessels within the house to function correctly, both noble and ignoble. But that is not the Apostle Paul's point. His point is that we, as Children of God, don't need both.

Today's easy lesson: Admittedly, I was taken back by these verses when I first read them. As is with all Studies, I read the verses until the Lord says, "Stop", and there is the lesson. That being said, I had to ask the Lord more than once to make it plain, just show me where, for I didn't see the significance in this small group of words until He showed me three important things.

One: We already mentioned. As Children of God, we can trash the ignoble and focus on the nobility of our standing with God. Instead of bending to our hormones, our youthful "I can do it myself" attitude, which God finds ignoble, we can give in to His thinking, and allow Him to Live and Love through us. Treating fellow Family members with a certain tenderness, guiding them along, without argument, loud words, or harshness. And he goes further and says, in fact, when dealing with everyone, Believer or not, don't get caught up in silly arguments concerning silly issues, but with one issue, Jesus the Christ, keeping your focus. But once again, with a gentleness that is a winning attitude, which is the opposite of someone who would wish to speak louder, just to win the point, and again as opposed to trying to make the point through Truth, rather than preconceived ideas.

Two: Words have meanings that can reflect reality, rather than a bent. We spoke of this before. In some of the brackets above, I changed the color or the words from blue to red. When a word is translated, once again, from the Hebrew, Greek, or possibly Latin, there is a choice in the mind of the translator as to what English word should be used to explain the meaning without going to far from what they believe is intended. Look at what a simple word means. It is significant. So keep in mind where it would be easy to take these few verses and just say, "Yes Paul, you have said this before in so many other ways, this is not necessarily your best wording," we have to realize that there is a subtle difference here. The Apostle Paul brings a conclusion to this point in the next Study with a "Therefore". Always remembering that whenever you see the word "therefore" it is a summation of what was before, and that is what it is there for. Got that?

Third: It seems that the last verse is mistranslated. Again at first glance, there is an assumption that the Devil is the one in whom there is power, and that he/she/it has some people captured alive. To get what I am saying, here is a verse from a traditional translation so that you understand what I am saying: (NIV) "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." Do you see the difference? Yes, God wants you and I to speak gently to someone seeking God, and most certainly, Paul isn't saying God will stop them from becoming His Child. That would not fit the goal He set, in that He wants all people to come to the knowledge of Jesus the Christ. But what is different is that the one, is the One. He makes people alive, or Alive, He can capture them-keep hold of them, and He is the one Who has the Will to do that. In comparison, there is no comparison, between what God wants and in His ability to get it, as opposed to the Devil and what he wants and his power to be able to get it. Sin and death were defeated at the Cross and the Resurrection brought Life. Makes more sense now, doesn't it?

Assurance in maturity. The Apostle Paul is giving Timothy a lesson he himself could have learned long ago. He was one to get into it with his fellow Jews, and he was not one to back down. But where he gained a toe hold in a community, it cost him plenty of physical pain and suffering, and perhaps a foothold, which would have been better by far. So the Apostle Paul is teaching a basic of Evangelism here. Gentle, kind, compassionate words, sprinkled with peace, love, and joy, will go much further, even with very worldly people that love the life they have, "the snare of the Devil", and in the end both Timothy wins by not wasting his time and energy, health and peace, and the Lord wins, because He is not a God of force and grandiose statements, but rather a God that does out of full commitment without regard to your financial status in life.

This is truly mature teaching that should bring you great peace. God is never intimidated. Jesus stayed the course regardless of false accusations, and the resulting painful and ruthless end to His walk among us. But He did that so you can do all you do in God's Power, in His Way, which is with peace, love, joy, calm, gentleness, kindness, patience, and self-control. Does any of that sound like you should be arguing or fighting anyone about the Love of God? No. More accurately, it sounds like your Life should reflect your Father's attributes, and as you do, your Life will affect others in a way that your Father most certainly approves. In that way, peace between God and people spreads in a proper Truth-Grace, and peace between you and others is also a result. This also will reduce arguments and splits in Christian Doctrine. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Giving the devil his due: Names: Satin, Lucifer. - Identities: Snake, Roaring Lion. - Personality: Father of lies. That is it. The word from the combination of "the, or de, evil, or devil. Compare that to the amount of words used to explain God, His names, and His Personality. No comparison.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 2:8-13 Study 7 "Truth Worth Repeating"

2011-11-02T07:59:00.001-07:00

IITimothy 2:8-13 Be remembering Jesus Christ having been raised from dead, of seed of David, according to my Gospel, in which I endure hardship to the point of chains as a criminal, but the Word of God has not been bound. For this reason I endure all, for the sake of the chosen ones (elect), so that they also shall obtain salvation, the in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Trustworthy the word: For if we died with, we will also live with. If we endure, we will also reign with; if we deny, that One will also deny us. If we are unfaithful, that One remains faithful; He is not able to deny Himself.

Good Day Child of God! To keep things in context, we are rereading the Apostle Paul's Gospel and then going on from there, where the benefits of that Gospel are spelled out. Within this text, there is what you and I would consider a mistake, in the way the Apostle Paul speaks of our Grace in being a Believer. He somehow, and I would say this has to do with how a letter had to be written as we discussed last Study, put what is unbelief, in among the verses of assurance.

What seems to me to be a rather serious lecture on the Grace Gospel, we find his intention is actually to get Timothy to see why he needs to take the stress. You will see what I mean in the Studies to come, but unintentionally, the Apostle Paul, in so few words utters the most important lesson and of the highest value, of all his writings.

Today's easy lesson: We spoke last Study of how difficult it must have been to have to dictate to a Scribe or someone like Luke, and once the words are written, the idea of restructuring a sentence or a paragraph was near impossible. Just think about the use of parchment alone. It wasn't easy to get, let alone keeping a good deal of it around at all times. So once again, the Apostle Paul breaks out of his own depression, using the word in the broad sense, and goes right to what he has always preached. The Grace Gospel. I don't know how many of you understand the technique of selling a product, and I hate the idea that people look like they're selling Jesus, but the Apostle Paul uses the most common taught idea for making the sale of a product. It isn't the product, it's the benefit that the product brings. Here the Apostle Paul explains that plain and clear.

The product in this case is the Grace Gospel, clean and easy. But what makes it great is the benefit of having Jesus as your Lord and Savior. "Trustworthy the word: For if we died with (Him), we will also live with (Him). If we endure, we will also reign with (Him); if we deny, that One will also deny us. If we are unfaithful, that One remains faithful; He is not able to deny Himself." Now we see a conundrum. "If we deny, that One will also deny us." How does this verse go with the rest? It doesn't. It is misplaced. It simply says if you are presented with Jesus and the Gospel, and reject it, He accepts that, and you are rejected as well. Can you change your mind and accept another time? Sure, it doesn't say otherwise. However, the verse in this placement looks as though you could lose your place as God's Child. But how could that be when the verse following it says just the opposite? It's too easy. The verse is misplaced.

As far as enduring and reigning? Well whatever it means, it doesn't change your place as your Father's Child. Humble is the servant. So if you need to be striving for a place of honor in heaven, you are not truly understanding God's point of view. So there you have it. Some of the most important words the Apostle Paul could ever utter, and they sit here in the middle of this little letter that is trying to get little Timmy to step up, grow up, and take on the challenge. But not alone. He, like you, has the Spirit in him, and in you. You are Blessed, and with freewill can ask the Father to do what you cannot. This too, is a benefit, and it is a comfort. Amen? Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Did you know that about two thirds of the New Testament, if you count Hebrews as authored by the Apostle Paul, was written by the Apostle Paul? Add Luke, Paul's likely closest confidant, and that percentage goes much higher.

Best Wishes, Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 2:1-8 Study 6 "The Grace"

2011-11-01T09:01:00.001-07:00

2Timothy 2:1-8 Therefore, you, my child, continue being empowered in the Grace, the in Christ Jesus. And what you heard from me through many witnesses, these be committing to trustworthy people, who will be competent also to teach others.

Therefore, you endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one serving as a soldier entangles with the affairs of life, so he shall please the one having enlisted him. And if anyone shall be competing, he is not awarded the victor’s wreath, unless he competes lawfully (by the rules). It is necessary the laboring (hard-working) vineyard keeper to be partaking of the fruits first. Be considering what I am saying, for the Lord may give you understanding in all.

Be remembering Jesus Christ having been raised from dead, of seed of David, according to my Gospel.

Good Day Child of God! Eight verses, one worldly teaching, a cliche' fest, and Paul's Gospel. That's what we have in store in this Study. If you have any kind of sense of humor, you will have to smile when the Great Apostle Paul goes parabolic, you know, speaking in many parables.

Timothy on the other hand must be reading and thinking: "What?" Soldier, athlete, and farmer? OK then." I find it amusing to think about how all this happened in this part of the letter. Suffice it to say, the Scribe putting this down on parchment had to have had a raised eyebrow while writing these few verses. Oh yes, you can believe that the Apostle Paul rarely, if ever, wrote the letters himself. Someone else was appointed for this purpose, just as Luke was the historian and making notes of all these things. Who knows, maybe Luke wrote for the Apostle Paul at times. Could be.

Today's easy lesson: "Continue being empowered by the Grace." A lesson in itself. By now, we know that it is by Grace that we are saved, from death, and it is by Grace that we Live. That is, God can do all things through us, whom He strengthens. So straight forward and so easy to understand, yet not put into our thinking by the greater Church teachings today. It's too bad too, because it is the easy way, where, as Jesus told us, "Follow me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light," we are taught to confess our sins, give our tithes and offerings, and obey the commandments. One God does, the other we do. No contest as to which is healthier for building a relationship. Is there?

The cliche' fest is fun. I honestly believe the Apostle Paul would have had that scratched off and said something different had the computer, or at least a word processor, were at his disposal. Really, he was trying to give Timothy encouragement, and must have thought, "Well, lets put down, 'Contemplate on this and let the Lord teach you', that works." It just makes little sense to try and make sense out of these verses sitting in the middle of what is a great teaching letter. Can you imagine Sam the Scribe writing this down and thinking in his mind, "Yes, well, um, I wonder if Paul needs some coffee this morning." Too funny.

And last, but most certainly of first importance, the Apostle Paul's Gospel. Have you recognized that the Apostle Paul did not teach the same Gospel as the other Apostles and Jesus' brother James? If not, the difference is this: He does not mix Law and Grace. The original Apostles knew what Jesus said when they were with him, but didn't get what was coming. And you see, many Christians read the Bible and especially the Gospels, and sometimes the Old Testament, and believe it was written for them, today, for this time. After Pentecost, or more appropriately, after Steven's death, that is what is written to us. Also known as the Epistles. The Old Testament is mostly historical, and has nothing what so ever to do with you and I and God's present message to us. Keep in mind I am not saying there are not things that are practical and good for us to learn from the Old Scriptures and Gospels. But, Jesus came to preach, teach, and as far as His words were concerned die for the sins of the hearers of His words, the Jews. Do you remember the Gentile Woman that came to Jesus to ask Him to heal her daughter? He said, "The son of man did not come for the Gentiles"(The Scripture actually uses the common word for Gentiles, dogs.) And the woman answered, "Even the puppies get to eat the scraps from the floor," and so Jesus answered and said, "Good answer, go, your daughter is healed." So Jesus came for the Jews first. Then when they didn't accept the message, the Gentiles were chosen, to make the Jews jealous, for a season, to carry the message of God's Grace, which we find is the Apostle Paul's Gospel. John and Peter picked up on this a bit later, but it was Peter who was first chosen for the job, dropped the ball, and then the Apostle Paul was given the task. This whole progression can be easily seen in the Book of Acts, and most certainly in Romans. But we have only a short time together and I am in overtime as it is.

The Good News is, you are a Blessed Child of God, never able to disappoint Him, never doing anything that will cause Him to punish you, nor turn away from you. Can you punish yourself by your actions? You bet. Can you turn away from God? You bet. Can you take away your place as His Child? No way. Once you are "born again" how can you be unborn? That's the Apostle Paul's question, and the answer is you cannot. So safe, so secure, so Loved. Smile, its going to be a wonderful day! Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Just a personal note to thank all of you that wrote and offered encouragement and prayers for our Brother in the hospital. I saw him last night, and he was remarkably better. You are such a Blessing to me. You know who you are. Thanks again.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 1:15-18 Study 5 "In The End - One Comfort"

2011-10-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

IITimothy 1:15-18 You know this, that they turned away from me, all the in Asia, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, because he frequently refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain (imprisonment), but having been in Rome, he very diligently sought and found me. May the Lord grant to him to find mercy from Lord in that Day! And you know very well how many he served in Ephesus.

Good Day Child of God! I am conflicted, but I don't know why I should be. The reason is the lesson. The Chapter divide is, as is not too unusual, in the wrong place, and one of two lessons could come from the verses that should be included with the group above. There is a more human lesson here, and it seems my being conflicted would get in the way of what the Spirit has to say to us this Study, so we're going to go with it from that point of view, the human perspective.

Out of nowhere the Apostle Paul blends in this short message, or so it seems. He is in jail, in Rome, and he is feeling his world starting to implode. This is not a good place to be if you do not have Faith, experience of Faith, and a relationship with our Father.

Today's easy lesson: It's been a wacky weekend, not because of Halloween, but because a dear Brother went into the hospital last Thursday, for what should have been rather routine brain surgery, if such a thing exists, and has not faired well with the aftermath of the procedure. He is scared out of his wits. It's hard to put a description to it, but suffice it to say, it isn't pretty in any sense of the word. And of course, if one is close to him, as I am, when he hurts, I hurt. It could be as though I were the one in that bed. Tough place to be.

This is where the Apostle Paul is as he pens this letter to Timothy. He is feeling the loneliness. He is feeling and believes he is seeing the very end of what he thought he might have more time to work on for the Lord. The result being that things that are bothering him are coming out, even as he is trying to instruct Timothy. At the same time he is relieving himself of some pain. I am willing to bet that the Apostle Paul is writing this Epistle and taking it quite slowly. He finds his stride in that he keeps the teaching and encouragement of Timothy going, but to me this shows both the great Apostle's humanity, in weakness, and in determination, and in experience, that gives him the toughness to stay the course. You can almost feel his anxiety as he pushes on.

What is the real lesson here? That if the Apostle Paul had not gone through so many trials and tribulations, victories and defeats, he would not have the experience to Trust the Father whatever may be coming. Yes, he is concerned, for what he has accomplished, what needs to be accomplished in his mind, and wanting to have some reassurance as he faces a point that his power and strength, work and ability, begin to diminish and are coming to an end. This could be a frightening point in his life, but this great man has Life. And where we can feel his emotions, we can read them within the text itself, we also see that he continues to shove aside his worldly needs and continues to come back to the center of his Life, preaching, teaching, and encouraging those in the Faith. This example should be both instructive and encouraging to all of us. At the end, it is only you and the Father, and you're leaning on Him for real assurance that it is all good. The world will go on, and so do you. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: It's Halloween Day. Want to know what this means from the Christian perspective? Go to this link and you'll be surprised: http://zionica.com/2011/10/31/the-christian-history-of-halloween/

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 1:13-14 Study 4 "Hold On To Sound Words"

2011-10-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

IITimothy 1:13-14 "Be holding pattern (standard) of sound words which you heard from me, in Faith and Love, the in Christ Jesus. Guard the good entrusted to you through Holy Spirit, the One dwelling in us."

Good Day Child of God! This Study we are going to get an insight into what was going on in the background of this Epistle, and it will help us all understand why Paul sounds so urgent and pleading. You recall, we spoke of the Apostle Paul's Love, that is full commitment, to Timothy, and I wondered why he was so intent on teaching him, and was so patient with him. Well, in sneaking ahead, which I rarely do, as I want you to understand as I do, what is in front of you, not what may also be considered, I found something that answers the question.

Before I give you the answer, let me tell you how the early Church fathers looked at this Epistle, ITimothy, and Titus. They really argued not to allow them into the Canon of the Bible. They felt they were forgeries. Mostly because of those that taught a Gospel known as the Christian Gnostic, or Gnostics, and the idea that these were put out to offset the Gnostic teachings that Jesus was a spirit or an apparition, and it gets more complicated than that. What you really need to come to terms with, as I did, was that the neatly bound 66 Book Bible we have had for a few hundred years didn't come together the way it is in any easy way. Nor was it readily available to everyone to read until King James ordered the Common Version, or King James Version, so that the common man could read it. And keep in mind who the Gate Keeper of the Scriptures were. The Roman Catholic Church. So the Monks transcribed everything from the Greek or Hebrew, into Latin, and of course there were opportunities for variations in doing things that way.

In itself, this history lesson is a great story, but it would take more space than we have here. For now, I just want you to get an idea for the reason I tell you, that it is unreasonable to worship the words of the Bible, or any Bible Version, and at the same time, it is equally unwise to not include God's Basic Personality, that is His full Commitment a.k.a. Love, to His purpose for mankind. And His ability, even with freewill tending to block the way, to get things done for those that He Loves-the men and women in this world.

Today's easy lesson: A short history concerning the Apostle Paul, Timothy, and Titus. Paul had been to Rome for his trial, and was let go. He traveled back toward Greece with Timothy, Titus, Luke, and some others in tow. When he got things started, as was his want, he would leave that town or city with someone he trusted, like Timothy or Titus. Well, Timothy and Titus had the bad timing of taking their place as "Pastors" even though they were more Pastor Teachers or Overseers, at a time when the Apostle Paul either argued himself back to Rome for yet another trial, or someone had it in for him-a certain ironworker you will find out about later, or God wanted him back there. Whatever the reason, Paul was back in Rome, and feeling that the end was near. The reason Timothy was probably so afraid, was that things had not changed since the Apostle Paul started preaching. As we discussed before, a beating here, a challenge there, a running out of town now and again, it was a tough time to be preaching the Gospel. People made good money on religion, and did not take it well when there standard of living was being effected by the new way to worship God. There were reprisals, to put it kindly.

As we go on in this Book, we will see that teachings like the last Study, where the encouragement is so wonderful, and your assurance should be sky high, to finding ourselves nearing the end of this Book with the most bleak outlook for the continuation of the spreading of the Gospel. It was no mistake that God had Paul back in Rome, the Gospel had to go forward, and in another Study, we'll talk about what that means.

In the mean while, it seems that the Apostle Paul cannot say it enough that the Spirit Lives IN us. IN you. Hold on to that thought, lean on that power, never forget who you are, and to Whom you belong. It's such a simple message, and indeed, if you were trying to sum it all up, had only a short while to do that, it couldn't be more clear. Jesus Christ in you, your hope of Glory. That's the Grace Gospel students, it's the Apostle Paul's Gospel to the people he was to give it to, you and I. Have a Grace Day!
FACTOID: Here is how much God wants us to follow His example for doing for us. In the New Testament, a quick search for "one another" such as bearing one another's burdens, loving one another, and so on, number 22. I am sure an original text search would reveal more than that. God leads by example, we should follow His lead. Amen?

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 1:8-12 Study 3 "Be Ashamed? Look At What You Have Been Given!"

2011-10-26T09:50:00.001-07:00

IITimothy 1:8-12 "Therefore, you shall not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me His prisoner, but endure hardship along with the Gospel according to power of God, the One having Saved us, having Called with a Holy Calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and Grace. The one having been given to us in Christ Jesus before eternal times (before time began), but having been revealed now through the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, on the one hand having abolished death, on the other hand having brought to light Life and immortality through the Gospel, to which I was appointed a Preacher and an Apostle and a Teacher of Gentiles. For which cause also I suffer these, but I am not ashamed; for I know in whom I have believed, and I have been persuaded that He is able to guard I have entrusted to Him until that Day!"

Good Day Child of God! This Study is truly one of the best we could ever have in terms of real knowledge and encouragement, both wrapped up in just a few sentences. We finally get to the point, and rather quickly, as to what Timothy's real issue is. Yes, he is fearful, but there is always a reason behind the thinking. Fear generally doesn't come out of the sky, although, as a medical issue, it most certainly can. But in most cases, what we think, whether we know we are thinking it or not, results in activity that we may understand, or not.

Again, in these few verses, the Apostle Paul sums up his entire ministry, his being, his thinking and understanding, and why he can take the heat, and stay in the fight. There is a difference in the Apostle Paul's experience and education, than that of Timothy. There must be something very special about Timothy that the Apostle Paul finds it necessary to show him so much patience and to coach him as much as he does.

Today's easy lesson: I know you cannot read the verses above and not feel empowered. Empowered to know that you are a Child of God, and not to be able to say it, would be like rejecting your heritage. You have been gifted, Graced if you will, with Life. If not Life, then what? You have nothing. You live and you die, and you are and have nothing. "For what good is it for a man or woman to gain the entire world and lose their soul?" Of no use.

We spoke above about a couple of things the Apostle Paul had that Timothy didn't have. You and I are more like Timothy than the Apostle Paul. You see, the Apostle Paul saw Jesus, he spoke with Jesus, he learned from Jesus. Timothy? No. You and I? Not exactly. We, like Timothy, have the Holy Spirit within us, but what was new to him, is not so new to you and I. Through Paul's teachings, we know that we don't need any other teacher but the Holy Spirit.

But when the Grace Gospel is just revealed through the Apostle Paul, and at the same time, Timothy in thrown into the fire, it's not so easy to get every duck in a row. Additionally, the Apostle Paul had what we would consider a doctorate in Judaism. Not so for Timothy, and surely not for most of our readers of these Studies. Although, you are on a doctoral path in understanding God, the Bible, and what is Truth as far as God has in mind for right now. Why do I say right now? Because there are intimations, in Revelations for example, that God is going to become more liberal in His message so that more people can find their way to His Family. You and I don't have the privilege to understand what God may be planning, so we are only responsible for what we know. Not what we don't.

The end result doesn't change. You are Blessed with Life. More, you can allow your Life to lead others to Life, or perhaps serve in other ways you are not even sure you have the ability. That is not a valid reason to fear your position as a Child of God. Give the fear, and the right to use your Life to Him, and whatever comes, will come easily, without fear or trepidation, and as a result you will be additionally Blessed. How did Jesus put it again? In John 10:10 "...and you will have Life more abundantly."

Timothy was fearful because he was young, inexperienced and also not fully taught about the Power that resided within him. Maybe that's why the Apostle Paul spent so much time instructing him, or maybe it had to do with his impatience with John Mark and losing his cousin and confidant, Barnabus. Whatever it was, you have one thing Timothy didn't have. Knowledge of the fact that your teacher lies within. And, "You can do all things in Christ Jesus Who strengthens you." Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: Did you know that if you have a question concerning a verse or a word that the easiest and quickest way to get the answer is to type in your question into Google? Try it some time, but stay away from Wikipedia as it is not accurate. But otherwise, any number of sites will come up with answers for you, and perhaps even answers you didn't expect.

Pastor Glenn
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/view/flipcard#!/

IITimothy 1:1 Study One "What Does Jesus Provide?"

2011-10-24T07:51:00.001-07:00

2Timothy 1:1 "Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by Will of God, according to promise of Life, the in Christ Jesus"

Good Day Child of God! As you know, I am not one to offer a reference of another pastor, preacher, or teacher's writings or otherwise. However, I was so Blessed by two movies, documentary in style, over the weekend, I want you share the names of them with you. Also please, please take the time to either rent them, or find them, they are on Netflix, and watch at least the first one. The two, from the actual experience of one Lee Strobel, a Chicago Tribune Reporter, and former militant atheist, is: A Case For Faith. And the second by the same man, who gives the narrative in both movies, is: A Case for Christ.

These two movies offer critical answers to some of the most vexing questions that anyone, a Believer included, would ask, and possibly, hold in their heart, hoping one day to find the answer. At one point or another, you will find yourself uncomfortable in the questions, and his quest for Truth. Even in the second movie, where it is somewhat a repeat of the first, you will find a huge surprise from one of the greatest evangelists of the last century. Most people don't know the questions in the minds of people like CSLewis, Billy Graham, and in particular, one of Grahams closest friends and a speaker even better and he, that caused them great angst. Interesting and fast, each only a bit over an hour. Now to today's encouragement.

Today's easy lesson: We are going to do something very basic this study, because with one verse you have to be thinking, what one earth could it say that is so important that it is our only focus? Well, look at the verse and answer the following questions. Then we'll discuss the answers.

1) How does the writer identify himself?

2) Who decided he could be an Apostle?

3) What does Jesus promise to a Believer?

OK, three simple questions, the answers pretty obvious: An Apostle, by the Will of God, and Life. What consists of being called an Apostle, do you remember? One critical attribute to be known as an Apostle, was that Jesus personally chose that person. And in question two, that answers the question as to whether the Apostle Paul could have such a designation or not. There are other requisites as well, like having seen and been taught by Jesus. Obviously Paul had both. He references these things in other Epistles, but that he is a legitimate Apostle is not what this Study is primarily concerning.

It is question three. What do you gain when you find that you have put your Faith in Christ? Life. Forever. Conversely then, what do have if not Life? ________. I leave this blank so that you can fill it in. Why? Because it is obvious, isn't it? OK, when you do have Life, what are you able to do with it, when the One that gave it to you is the Author of it? You have a chance to communicate, in real terms, in real circumstances, for real assurance - forever.

So in one small sentence, which by the way is different from the beginning of ITimothy, reveals Blessings of immeasurable proportions. And you have the all that you need inside of you, to allow God to Live and Love through you, both through good times and bad. The Apostle Paul's life certainly was all over the map literally and figuratively, but you have the word of the Apostle to the Gentiles, that would be you and I of course, that again assures you that regardless of what life may look like at any given time, Life overcomes it, and peace, love, and joy ensue. Which you will see in the next verse. Have a Grace Day!

FACTOID: There were twelve official Apostles. Judas lost his spot, so Peter elected to elect by lot, Matthias. I didn't see God telling Peter to do that. Now the Apostles are supposed to sit on twelve thrones, and the Apostle Paul is chosen. He would be number thirteen. How do we square this? How about that the twelve are to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Who is going to judge the Gentiles? Perhaps Paul and other "elders". We don't know of course, but it's a great guess.

Pastor Glenn