Bible Studies 15 (For newest Bible Study see "Bible Studies 19")
Sentenced to Die (added 2-23-19)
I have never shared this with anyone, ever. A long time ago, I was sentenced to die. I was called before the court for my crimes, tried and found guilty. And I was sentenced to death for my crimes.
Never knew that about me did you? Well, now you do.
However, there’s more. You too have been sentenced to die for your crimes.
But there is Good News! The Good News is that Jesus Christ came; He was crucified for my crimes (and yours – our sins) against God; He was buried; He rose again the third day defeating sin, Satan, and death for all time. He paid my debt (a debt I owed God for my sins) in full with His precious blood! I am free! I have been cleared! And you too are free!
All you have to do is:
If you have never asked Jesus into your heart or put your trust in Him would you please do that today? Would you please do that now?
Just say this prayer: "Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" and "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9). You said my salvation would be the result of Your Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me (John 3:5-6, 15-16; Romans 8:9-11) and that if I would ask, You would fill me with Your Spirit (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:4). I take you at your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord. I ask that you forgive me of all my sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness. I believe in my heart that you raised Jesus from the dead and I am a "New Man" (or Woman) in Christ. Thank you for coming to live in my heart, for giving me your Holy Spirit as you have promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen."
When you say the prayer of salvation, and ask Jesus into your heart, you become a new person. You should want to change from being the sinful person you were, to a new person in Jesus. If you don't feel an intense desire to change, and turn away from your sin and your old sin-nature, then you ARE NOT SAVED. I beg you to search your heart and really turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness and TURN AWAY FROM YOUR OLD SIN LIFE. Please don't hesitate to use the "Contact Us" link above if there is anything I can do to help you.
I encourage you to find a strong Bible-based church and start enjoying your new life in Christ. Remember, Jesus Love You more than you can ever imagine. :-)
think before you speak (added 2-23-19)
Here’s how much your words may affect another. I broke my front tooth when I was maybe 5 or 6. I was a boy. Never bothered me the whole time I was growing up. It was just a part of who I was. Not long after I went in the Air Force that tooth broke and I started wearing a temporary bridge. Eventually I was able to get a permanent one put in place.
I was happy for years. Never thought about my smile and all was good with the world. Well, soon after I retired I had this one job where I would go to people’s houses to try to sell our product. One customer was a retired dentist. He quickly pointed out to me how shoddy my bridge was and how much better he would have made it. I don’t know why he said what he did: callous, felt superior, purposely wanted to hurt me for some reason, or perhaps he was just an insensitive clod who just always “spoke his mind.” (I could tell his wife was not happy with what he said.) Who knows, but ever since that conversation I have always hated my smile and the way my teeth have looked. They were too big on one side and too white in the center. I still smiled, that’s who I am, but I’ve never liked how my smile looked in pictures since then.
Everyone who knows me knows I am not a sensitive, “you hurt my feelings” type of person. But words do matter.
Before you speak ask yourself if what you’re about to say is going to lift up or tear down? Is it going to offer encouragement or hurt? Is your purpose to love or to hate? Are your words going to bring glory to God or shame to you? We should edify, love, strengthen, and encourage one another with our words and deeds. We should build each other up and not glorify ourselves.
Recently I had the opportunity to change my smile. I got a new bridge which is properly proportioned and looks like my (natural) teeth. I am thankful and happy with my smile again.
Here are just a few passages (of dozens) that are about the tongue and how it controls us (and leads to our ruin) or we control it (and glorify God through righteousness).
1 Peter 3:10 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.”
James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
Psalm 52:1-3 “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.”
Proverbs 15:1-3 ”A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Psalm 120:2 “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Psalm 34:12-14 “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
Please always remember there is more power in your tongue, in your words, than the power in any man-made weapon. Use your words to love them like Jesus.
The Cup of Redemption (added 5-11-19)
I have been attending Men’s Bible Study at SE Christian Saturdays at 7 am. I texted my Brother-In-Christ, Neil Greenwell, on the Friday night before Easter to tell him I wasn’t going to make it that Saturday morning. I was really wiped out. I was going to sleep in and get some rest. Well, God had other plans. I didn’t sleep very well that night and I woke up 34 minutes before I had to head out the door for Bible study (Normally I’m up a couple of hours before I have to go anywhere!). God told me to go. I am very glad He woke me up. That Bible study was perhaps one of the best descriptions of the significance of certain parts of Jesus’ last week on earth that I never understood. I am going to try my best here to do justice to what I learned.
If you read the Gospels you will see that during that last week (and throughout His earthly ministry) Jesus undertook various roles: High Priest, servant, King, teacher, Sacrificial Lamb, peacemaker, obedient Son, Messiah. These are just some of the roles he assumed.
Jesus knew He was soon going to be severely tortured and put to death. He also knew He was going to be hated by most everyone, betrayed by one of His inner circle, and deserted by those closest to Him. But He did not lash out or become angry, hateful, bitter, childish, petulant, or resentful – you know the kinds of emotions you and I go through when we think we are being mistreated or deserted. Instead Jesus showed His love for those around Him and for those who were going to shout for His crucifixion and death.
When the disciples were gathered in the upper room to observe the Passover meal they must have been elated and full of happiness and exuberance. Remember they had just witnessed the streets filled with people shouting and praising their King’s entry into their capital city, Jerusalem. The Jewish people thought King Jesus was there to overthrow the Romans and to assume His rightful place on the throne of Israel. And I imagine the disciples were secretly hoping and expecting the same thing. They were even arguing among themselves who would be greater in the Kingdom. But now things got serious. Instead of encouraging their excitement and elation Jesus quickly turns the mood to somber disbelief and sorrow.
Jesus not only tells them one of their inner circle would betray Him that night, but He also said they were going to desert Him and leave Him. Not only that, He said He was not going to be with them much longer and He was going to be killed. Jesus knew this would be the last time they would be together to partake of the Passover meal on earth.
Now, a quick reminder of the significance to the Jews in observing the Passover Meal: When the Jews were slaves of the Egyptians God selected Moses to be their leader. After the first nine plagues (Exodus 7-10) swept through Egypt, God told Moses the tenth plague was that He was going to kill the firstborn of every Egyptian, both man and beast. But God told Moses to tell the Jews how to prepare a special meal for themselves and how to protect their homes to prevent the Destroyer from killing their firstborn (Exodus 12). This was the first Passover meal and God told the Jews to celebrate the Passover every year to remember how He delivered them from the Destroyer when the firstborn in all the land were killed. They have been observing Passover ever since then.
By the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Passover meal had already become an elaborate affair with multiple levels of meaning and tradition. There are two specific parts I want to help you understand: the Bread and the Cup.
The first is the bread (I am going to quote from (https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/newsletter/newsletter-apr-2011/mysterious-passover-symbols/) for this part:
“The first and best known of these symbols is called the afikomen According to the late Jewish scholar David Daube and others, afikomen is actually a Greek word meaning the coming one” (habba’ in Hebrew) and is a clear reference to the Messiah.
The afikomen is a piece of matzah, (unleavened bread) that is broken before the Passover meal. Part of it is wrapped in a cloth and hidden. At the end of the meal it is brought back, distributed to the participants and eaten as the final morsel.
In today’s Jewish celebration, the second or middle of three pieces of unleavened bread is taken from a special bag called the matzah tosh. The bread is removed, broken, and the portion that is wrapped in the cloth becomes the afikomen that is then hidden from view.
After dinner, the tradition turns into a fun game for the children who search for the afikomen and are rewarded when they find it. The bread is then broken and distributed among the participants who all eat it together. Does this bring anything to mind?
When Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples in the upper room, He broke the bread we know as the afikomen and distributed it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24)
We know that our Messiah’s sinless body was “broken” in death, wrapped in a cloth and hidden as in burial, then brought back; resurrected by the power of God. It is truly a reward to those who find and partake in the life He offers. Yet the amazing parallels we see in the traditions of the afikomen remain hidden to those who reject Jesus claims.”
This blew my mind! Wow! What representation – In breaking the bread and through His words, Jesus told us He is broken, buried, and resurrected for us.
The second part of the meal when Jesus took the cup of red wine, drank, and told His disciples to drink is more than just symbolism. By the time of Jesus the Jews had instituted four cups, or the refilling of the cup four times during the Passover meal. These cups represented what God told His people in Egypt. In Exodus 6:6-7 God tells Moses “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Four Cups:
The meaning behind this simple act goes much deeper. During the drinking of this cup Jesus said “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom (Matt 26:28-19).
Jesus and the disciples already drank from the first two cups. The cup Jesus drank from and then passed around and declared He would drink no more was the third cup: the Cup of Redemption. Jesus was telling them (us):
I really think this is so amazing! How God used the Jewish Passover meal to show His children (every Believer – Follower of Jesus) that we are His and we are redeemed!
Then there is even more to the story.
After they observed the Passover meal, Jesus took off His outer garment and wrapped a towel around His waist. Then He filled a basin with water and knelt before each Disciple and washed their feet and dried them with the towel. This was not what they expected! The job of washing feet was only for the lowliest of servants. But Jesus was demonstrating that we must serve one another just as He was serving them. And it was a very intimate time between the Lord and each man He knelt before. This was going to be the last time He was able to spend any time with them - and Jesus knew that. But this simple act held an even deeper meaning. Salvation (through Jesus’ sacrifice) is a one-time act of justification by faith, but the lifelong process of sanctification is one of washing from the stain of sin we experience as we walk through the world.
Once the Passover meal was finished Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and went to the garden to pray (where Jesus would be betrayed and arrested).
Throughout the Feast of Unleavened Bread (during which the Passover meal is observed) Jews sing various Psalms in observance of God’s blessing, strength, and love. One of those Psalms is 118. It is believed this is the hymn (Psalm) they sang on the way to the garden – 118h is about Jesus and the things He accomplished during that week leading up to and after His death and resurrection. Remember, the Psalms were written hundreds of years before Jesus’s earthly ministry! Jesus, Peter, and Paul all quoted from Psalm 118 in their ministries. This Psalm is about Jesus.
I hope you enjoyed this information as much as I did. I know it is long, but Wow!! Amazing how much meaning we can find in the Bible if we just spend some time there. J
As we celebrate His Resurrection let us remember Jesus died for each of us: not just me, or you, but for all mankind. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). But in order to become a Child of God we must accept that sacrifice – the Blood covering of Jesus. We must put our trust and faith in Him. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
I am not a Christian Any Longer (added 5-19-19)
(I have since amended this statement. See "Bible Studies 17" and read "Grievous Error")
I can no longer call myself a Christian. There are way too many people who “identify” themselves as Christians who are not Christians in the Biblical sense. Not too very long ago when a person said they were a Christian that meant they have put their trust and faith in Jesus; they were in the process (it is a never-ending process) of repenting and turning away from their sin; they believed the Bible as the inerrant Word of God; they believed what the Bible says is true and should be used for edification, instruction, correction, to be adhered to, revered, followed, and taught. That it is the complete work of God through man and that it is just as relevant to our lives today as it was when the Holy Spirit gave each man the words to write in their respective books thousands of years ago.
Nowadays you can call yourself anything you like and the world encourages you and accepts you. Unless you are a Bible-Believing Christian that is.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:16-25).
I do not want to be identified with people who profess to be Christians, but do not believe God and follow Jesus in their walk. Every single person I wrote about above needs to reevaluate where they are in Christ. If they truly put their trust and faith in Christ then they do not get to pick and choose what they believe out of the Bible. They cannot believe Jesus died to conquer our sins, but yet believe it is okay to murder babies in the womb and live a homosexual lifestyle. They cannot believe Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
God doesn’t tell us “Here is my Word for your life, but only pull out what you want to believe and throw away the rest.” Instead He said “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) and again He says “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed” (Isaiah 45:22-24).
And finally, Jesus did not say to us “I gave my life for you so you can live any way you want to believing in cheap grace and your own interpretation of Scripture.” No Jesus very plainly demanded of us “… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:23-26).
So, I am no longer a Christian as the world identifies Christians. From now on I am going to try to remember to say I am a Bible-Believing Christian or I am a Follower of Jesus.
Who do you choose to follow today – God and His Word (all of it) or Man/Satan and their bastardization of God’s Holy Word? Choose today.
Many Are Called (added 6-2-19)
In Matthew 22:2-14 Jesus tells a parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Remember Jesus was speaking to a Jewish crowd around the year AD 31. They knew the history of their nation and most (if not all) would have been extremely familiar with the scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) so if they were open to hearing Jesus’ words they would be able to understand this parable. Almost from the time of Abraham, and all the way up until the time of Jesus, God had preserved His Chosen People (the Jews) from physical annihilation and spiritual destruction. He brought them out of Egypt and delivered them from the surrounding nations which tried to destroy them. But more importantly God was extremely patient and forgiving with His people every time they turned away from Him – every time they rejected Him. God continued to give them chance after chance after chance to come back to Him. He repeatedly sent prophets and warnings to the Jews to get them to turn back to Him. But then, as in Jesus’ day, the people killed the prophets and rejected God.
So, this is where we are when Jesus gives us this parable. This parable begins with the words “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” The Jewish Spiritual leaders (the chief priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees) have complete control of the Jewish people. Yes, the nation was being ruled by Rome at the time, but the Roman rulers generally did not get mixed up in the religious aspects of their subjects. By the time of Jesus the Mosaic laws dictating worship, sacrifice, and daily living were completely distorted by the religious leaders. They added so many new laws and rules they expected the people to follow that it became impossible not to transgress their rules – the law - and then they were able to control the people that much more. It was all about show for them: “Look at me. See how pious and holy I am. See how well I follow every letter of the law and see how I am so much more righteous than any other.” They became so full of themselves and how much they were doing for God and how perfectly righteous they served Him that they could not; they would not admit they needed to change. They could not; they would not admit when the true Messiah was standing right in their midst.
Jesus is reminding these people how they treated the prophets God continued to send to them to warn them, to protect them, to deliver them – and every single one of the people listening to Jesus speak (including the chief priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees) knew He was talking about them. Their forefathers killed the prophets! And Jesus knew this crowd He was speaking to would soon kill Him and His Disciples.
So, Jesus is reminding them of their national history and giving them the last waning that God would soon take away His protection from the land and the people. He is telling them they were called by God, but they rejected all the prophets and will soon reject their Messiah. “Many are called” but because of their rejection of their Messiah “few are chosen.” Jesus is telling His people that they will no longer be blessed. Their blessing would soon be given to another. Their blessing would soon be given to the gentiles - to us. God was done with His people (For a time, but He will bring them back to Him soon.) and He gave their blessing to another.
There is one more part to all of this though. God has blessed the gentile world with the hope of salvation through Jesus - “Many are called.” But it is up to us – each of us – to turn to Jesus and put our faith and hope in Him. Most will not – “Few are chosen.” There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Godly Lives – Titus 2:11-15 (added 8-18-19)
There is so much we can learn from this passage in Titus.
In verse 11 we see that through God’s grace is there Salvation available to all people. It is freely given to all who put their faith in Jesus. It is freely given, yet no one deserves this gift, this act of love and kindness.
Verse 12 reminds us that because we receive this underserved, freely given grace of God, this gift and Salvation from God, we are directed, actually commanded, to reject and turn away from all forms of ungodliness. This includes not just our actions and our words, but also our thoughts: Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Our thoughts lead to ungodliness and immoral desires. Verse 12 commands us to live for Christ right now and every moment of our lives. We are to live lives of purity, sobriety (synonyms: seriousness, solemnness, thoughtfulness, gravity, graveness, earnestness, dignity, steadiness, level-headedness, serious-mindedness, common sense, pragmatism, practicality, self-control, self-restraint), and holiness.
In verse 13 we are to be expectantly waiting, yearning, and striving for the return of our Blessed Hope – Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We do this by living the lives commanded in verse 12.
Verse 14 clearly reminds us that Jesus willingly, lovingly, completely gave Himself to be crucified - to be murdered for us. He did this to redeem us (save from sin, error, or evil) and to purchase our freedom and deliver us from being condemned to death and eternal damnation in hell. Verse 14 tells us when we put or faith, our trust in Jesus as Lord and turn away from sin we become His chosen, distinctive, called-out people. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
In verse 15 Paul instructs Titus (and each of the Followers of Jesus – us) to teach the Word of God with authority and encourage every listener to come to the saving Grace of God accepting His perfect gift, Jesus the Christ. We are to not let anyone despise us for the Word of God. In other words, we are not to let anyone keep us or prevent us from teaching the Good News of Jesus. We are not to let anyone’s actions or words sway us from teaching and preaching the WHOLE Truth as revealed by God in Jesus. Remember Romans 8:31b “If God is for us, who can be against us?” and in 1 peter 4:14 “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” And 16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
So, live godly lives for Christ. Share the Good News of Christ. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Amen and Amen! Praise our glorious King!
Titus 2:11-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, 13 awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.
15 Tell them these things. Encourage and rebuke with full authority. Let no one disregard or despise you [conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect].
Sentenced to Die (added 2-23-19)
I have never shared this with anyone, ever. A long time ago, I was sentenced to die. I was called before the court for my crimes, tried and found guilty. And I was sentenced to death for my crimes.
Never knew that about me did you? Well, now you do.
However, there’s more. You too have been sentenced to die for your crimes.
But there is Good News! The Good News is that Jesus Christ came; He was crucified for my crimes (and yours – our sins) against God; He was buried; He rose again the third day defeating sin, Satan, and death for all time. He paid my debt (a debt I owed God for my sins) in full with His precious blood! I am free! I have been cleared! And you too are free!
All you have to do is:
- Admit you are a sinner: That you deserve your death sentence. Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” And Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
- Believe that Jesus is Lord, He died for you and put your trust in Him alone. Romans 10:9-10 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
- Call upon the name of the Lord, Jesus. Romans 10:13 “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you have never asked Jesus into your heart or put your trust in Him would you please do that today? Would you please do that now?
Just say this prayer: "Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" and "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9). You said my salvation would be the result of Your Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me (John 3:5-6, 15-16; Romans 8:9-11) and that if I would ask, You would fill me with Your Spirit (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:4). I take you at your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord. I ask that you forgive me of all my sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness. I believe in my heart that you raised Jesus from the dead and I am a "New Man" (or Woman) in Christ. Thank you for coming to live in my heart, for giving me your Holy Spirit as you have promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen."
When you say the prayer of salvation, and ask Jesus into your heart, you become a new person. You should want to change from being the sinful person you were, to a new person in Jesus. If you don't feel an intense desire to change, and turn away from your sin and your old sin-nature, then you ARE NOT SAVED. I beg you to search your heart and really turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness and TURN AWAY FROM YOUR OLD SIN LIFE. Please don't hesitate to use the "Contact Us" link above if there is anything I can do to help you.
I encourage you to find a strong Bible-based church and start enjoying your new life in Christ. Remember, Jesus Love You more than you can ever imagine. :-)
think before you speak (added 2-23-19)
Here’s how much your words may affect another. I broke my front tooth when I was maybe 5 or 6. I was a boy. Never bothered me the whole time I was growing up. It was just a part of who I was. Not long after I went in the Air Force that tooth broke and I started wearing a temporary bridge. Eventually I was able to get a permanent one put in place.
I was happy for years. Never thought about my smile and all was good with the world. Well, soon after I retired I had this one job where I would go to people’s houses to try to sell our product. One customer was a retired dentist. He quickly pointed out to me how shoddy my bridge was and how much better he would have made it. I don’t know why he said what he did: callous, felt superior, purposely wanted to hurt me for some reason, or perhaps he was just an insensitive clod who just always “spoke his mind.” (I could tell his wife was not happy with what he said.) Who knows, but ever since that conversation I have always hated my smile and the way my teeth have looked. They were too big on one side and too white in the center. I still smiled, that’s who I am, but I’ve never liked how my smile looked in pictures since then.
Everyone who knows me knows I am not a sensitive, “you hurt my feelings” type of person. But words do matter.
Before you speak ask yourself if what you’re about to say is going to lift up or tear down? Is it going to offer encouragement or hurt? Is your purpose to love or to hate? Are your words going to bring glory to God or shame to you? We should edify, love, strengthen, and encourage one another with our words and deeds. We should build each other up and not glorify ourselves.
Recently I had the opportunity to change my smile. I got a new bridge which is properly proportioned and looks like my (natural) teeth. I am thankful and happy with my smile again.
Here are just a few passages (of dozens) that are about the tongue and how it controls us (and leads to our ruin) or we control it (and glorify God through righteousness).
1 Peter 3:10 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.”
James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
Psalm 52:1-3 “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.”
Proverbs 15:1-3 ”A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Psalm 120:2 “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Psalm 34:12-14 “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
Please always remember there is more power in your tongue, in your words, than the power in any man-made weapon. Use your words to love them like Jesus.
The Cup of Redemption (added 5-11-19)
I have been attending Men’s Bible Study at SE Christian Saturdays at 7 am. I texted my Brother-In-Christ, Neil Greenwell, on the Friday night before Easter to tell him I wasn’t going to make it that Saturday morning. I was really wiped out. I was going to sleep in and get some rest. Well, God had other plans. I didn’t sleep very well that night and I woke up 34 minutes before I had to head out the door for Bible study (Normally I’m up a couple of hours before I have to go anywhere!). God told me to go. I am very glad He woke me up. That Bible study was perhaps one of the best descriptions of the significance of certain parts of Jesus’ last week on earth that I never understood. I am going to try my best here to do justice to what I learned.
If you read the Gospels you will see that during that last week (and throughout His earthly ministry) Jesus undertook various roles: High Priest, servant, King, teacher, Sacrificial Lamb, peacemaker, obedient Son, Messiah. These are just some of the roles he assumed.
Jesus knew He was soon going to be severely tortured and put to death. He also knew He was going to be hated by most everyone, betrayed by one of His inner circle, and deserted by those closest to Him. But He did not lash out or become angry, hateful, bitter, childish, petulant, or resentful – you know the kinds of emotions you and I go through when we think we are being mistreated or deserted. Instead Jesus showed His love for those around Him and for those who were going to shout for His crucifixion and death.
When the disciples were gathered in the upper room to observe the Passover meal they must have been elated and full of happiness and exuberance. Remember they had just witnessed the streets filled with people shouting and praising their King’s entry into their capital city, Jerusalem. The Jewish people thought King Jesus was there to overthrow the Romans and to assume His rightful place on the throne of Israel. And I imagine the disciples were secretly hoping and expecting the same thing. They were even arguing among themselves who would be greater in the Kingdom. But now things got serious. Instead of encouraging their excitement and elation Jesus quickly turns the mood to somber disbelief and sorrow.
Jesus not only tells them one of their inner circle would betray Him that night, but He also said they were going to desert Him and leave Him. Not only that, He said He was not going to be with them much longer and He was going to be killed. Jesus knew this would be the last time they would be together to partake of the Passover meal on earth.
Now, a quick reminder of the significance to the Jews in observing the Passover Meal: When the Jews were slaves of the Egyptians God selected Moses to be their leader. After the first nine plagues (Exodus 7-10) swept through Egypt, God told Moses the tenth plague was that He was going to kill the firstborn of every Egyptian, both man and beast. But God told Moses to tell the Jews how to prepare a special meal for themselves and how to protect their homes to prevent the Destroyer from killing their firstborn (Exodus 12). This was the first Passover meal and God told the Jews to celebrate the Passover every year to remember how He delivered them from the Destroyer when the firstborn in all the land were killed. They have been observing Passover ever since then.
By the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Passover meal had already become an elaborate affair with multiple levels of meaning and tradition. There are two specific parts I want to help you understand: the Bread and the Cup.
The first is the bread (I am going to quote from (https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/newsletter/newsletter-apr-2011/mysterious-passover-symbols/) for this part:
“The first and best known of these symbols is called the afikomen According to the late Jewish scholar David Daube and others, afikomen is actually a Greek word meaning the coming one” (habba’ in Hebrew) and is a clear reference to the Messiah.
The afikomen is a piece of matzah, (unleavened bread) that is broken before the Passover meal. Part of it is wrapped in a cloth and hidden. At the end of the meal it is brought back, distributed to the participants and eaten as the final morsel.
In today’s Jewish celebration, the second or middle of three pieces of unleavened bread is taken from a special bag called the matzah tosh. The bread is removed, broken, and the portion that is wrapped in the cloth becomes the afikomen that is then hidden from view.
After dinner, the tradition turns into a fun game for the children who search for the afikomen and are rewarded when they find it. The bread is then broken and distributed among the participants who all eat it together. Does this bring anything to mind?
When Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples in the upper room, He broke the bread we know as the afikomen and distributed it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24)
We know that our Messiah’s sinless body was “broken” in death, wrapped in a cloth and hidden as in burial, then brought back; resurrected by the power of God. It is truly a reward to those who find and partake in the life He offers. Yet the amazing parallels we see in the traditions of the afikomen remain hidden to those who reject Jesus claims.”
This blew my mind! Wow! What representation – In breaking the bread and through His words, Jesus told us He is broken, buried, and resurrected for us.
The second part of the meal when Jesus took the cup of red wine, drank, and told His disciples to drink is more than just symbolism. By the time of Jesus the Jews had instituted four cups, or the refilling of the cup four times during the Passover meal. These cups represented what God told His people in Egypt. In Exodus 6:6-7 God tells Moses “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Four Cups:
- I will bring you out – Cup of Sanctification
- I will free you – Cup of Plagues (they remember the 10 plagues during the drinking of this cup.)
- I will redeem you – Cup of Redemption
- I will take you as my people – Cup of Restoration
The meaning behind this simple act goes much deeper. During the drinking of this cup Jesus said “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom (Matt 26:28-19).
Jesus and the disciples already drank from the first two cups. The cup Jesus drank from and then passed around and declared He would drink no more was the third cup: the Cup of Redemption. Jesus was telling them (us):
- He brought us out of bondage.
- He freed us from our just sentence of death.
- He has redeemed us. He poured out His Blood for our redemption.
I really think this is so amazing! How God used the Jewish Passover meal to show His children (every Believer – Follower of Jesus) that we are His and we are redeemed!
Then there is even more to the story.
After they observed the Passover meal, Jesus took off His outer garment and wrapped a towel around His waist. Then He filled a basin with water and knelt before each Disciple and washed their feet and dried them with the towel. This was not what they expected! The job of washing feet was only for the lowliest of servants. But Jesus was demonstrating that we must serve one another just as He was serving them. And it was a very intimate time between the Lord and each man He knelt before. This was going to be the last time He was able to spend any time with them - and Jesus knew that. But this simple act held an even deeper meaning. Salvation (through Jesus’ sacrifice) is a one-time act of justification by faith, but the lifelong process of sanctification is one of washing from the stain of sin we experience as we walk through the world.
Once the Passover meal was finished Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and went to the garden to pray (where Jesus would be betrayed and arrested).
Throughout the Feast of Unleavened Bread (during which the Passover meal is observed) Jews sing various Psalms in observance of God’s blessing, strength, and love. One of those Psalms is 118. It is believed this is the hymn (Psalm) they sang on the way to the garden – 118h is about Jesus and the things He accomplished during that week leading up to and after His death and resurrection. Remember, the Psalms were written hundreds of years before Jesus’s earthly ministry! Jesus, Peter, and Paul all quoted from Psalm 118 in their ministries. This Psalm is about Jesus.
I hope you enjoyed this information as much as I did. I know it is long, but Wow!! Amazing how much meaning we can find in the Bible if we just spend some time there. J
As we celebrate His Resurrection let us remember Jesus died for each of us: not just me, or you, but for all mankind. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). But in order to become a Child of God we must accept that sacrifice – the Blood covering of Jesus. We must put our trust and faith in Him. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
I am not a Christian Any Longer (added 5-19-19)
(I have since amended this statement. See "Bible Studies 17" and read "Grievous Error")
I can no longer call myself a Christian. There are way too many people who “identify” themselves as Christians who are not Christians in the Biblical sense. Not too very long ago when a person said they were a Christian that meant they have put their trust and faith in Jesus; they were in the process (it is a never-ending process) of repenting and turning away from their sin; they believed the Bible as the inerrant Word of God; they believed what the Bible says is true and should be used for edification, instruction, correction, to be adhered to, revered, followed, and taught. That it is the complete work of God through man and that it is just as relevant to our lives today as it was when the Holy Spirit gave each man the words to write in their respective books thousands of years ago.
Nowadays you can call yourself anything you like and the world encourages you and accepts you. Unless you are a Bible-Believing Christian that is.
- Pete Buttigieg (he’s running for President of the US if you haven’t heard of him) calls himself a Christian, yet he’s married to another man and is in attack-mode against VP Mike Pence because Pence does not support gay marriage or the homosexual lifestyle. Mike Pence is a Bible-Believing Christian. Pete Buttigieg is not.
- There are a multitude of “Christian” churches who are welcoming Islamic prayer and the reading of the Quran in their pulpits.
- Churches are covering up the cross (because it is offensive) in order to accommodate Muslims who are using their rooms for Ramadan.
- Taylor University (which calls itself a Christian University) invited Mike Pence to deliver the commencement speech and dozens of graduates and faculty got up and walked out on him in protest.
- Pope Francis signed a pact with the world’s Grand Imam of the Islamic religion. In it they declare Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
- Many Christians say they do not even read or believe the Old Testament is relevant.
- A large number of Christians do not believe the Bible can be taken literally and believed.
- Many Christians do not support Israel or understand the significance of that nation to the world or to themselves as Christians.
- Many do not believe in the virgin birth or that Jesus actually died and was resurrected.
- Many believe abortion is okay and a woman’s choice. They see nothing wrong with murdering innocent children in the womb for convenience.
- Many believe it is okay to be homosexual or transgender, or whatever else a person may choose to be.
- Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary in New York, stated in a recent interview she does not believe God is who He says He is, she doesn’t believe in Heaven, miracles, the power of prayer, or Christ’s Resurrection. This is a President of a Major Seminary!
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:16-25).
I do not want to be identified with people who profess to be Christians, but do not believe God and follow Jesus in their walk. Every single person I wrote about above needs to reevaluate where they are in Christ. If they truly put their trust and faith in Christ then they do not get to pick and choose what they believe out of the Bible. They cannot believe Jesus died to conquer our sins, but yet believe it is okay to murder babies in the womb and live a homosexual lifestyle. They cannot believe Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
God doesn’t tell us “Here is my Word for your life, but only pull out what you want to believe and throw away the rest.” Instead He said “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) and again He says “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed” (Isaiah 45:22-24).
And finally, Jesus did not say to us “I gave my life for you so you can live any way you want to believing in cheap grace and your own interpretation of Scripture.” No Jesus very plainly demanded of us “… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:23-26).
So, I am no longer a Christian as the world identifies Christians. From now on I am going to try to remember to say I am a Bible-Believing Christian or I am a Follower of Jesus.
Who do you choose to follow today – God and His Word (all of it) or Man/Satan and their bastardization of God’s Holy Word? Choose today.
Many Are Called (added 6-2-19)
In Matthew 22:2-14 Jesus tells a parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Remember Jesus was speaking to a Jewish crowd around the year AD 31. They knew the history of their nation and most (if not all) would have been extremely familiar with the scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) so if they were open to hearing Jesus’ words they would be able to understand this parable. Almost from the time of Abraham, and all the way up until the time of Jesus, God had preserved His Chosen People (the Jews) from physical annihilation and spiritual destruction. He brought them out of Egypt and delivered them from the surrounding nations which tried to destroy them. But more importantly God was extremely patient and forgiving with His people every time they turned away from Him – every time they rejected Him. God continued to give them chance after chance after chance to come back to Him. He repeatedly sent prophets and warnings to the Jews to get them to turn back to Him. But then, as in Jesus’ day, the people killed the prophets and rejected God.
So, this is where we are when Jesus gives us this parable. This parable begins with the words “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” The Jewish Spiritual leaders (the chief priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees) have complete control of the Jewish people. Yes, the nation was being ruled by Rome at the time, but the Roman rulers generally did not get mixed up in the religious aspects of their subjects. By the time of Jesus the Mosaic laws dictating worship, sacrifice, and daily living were completely distorted by the religious leaders. They added so many new laws and rules they expected the people to follow that it became impossible not to transgress their rules – the law - and then they were able to control the people that much more. It was all about show for them: “Look at me. See how pious and holy I am. See how well I follow every letter of the law and see how I am so much more righteous than any other.” They became so full of themselves and how much they were doing for God and how perfectly righteous they served Him that they could not; they would not admit they needed to change. They could not; they would not admit when the true Messiah was standing right in their midst.
Jesus is reminding these people how they treated the prophets God continued to send to them to warn them, to protect them, to deliver them – and every single one of the people listening to Jesus speak (including the chief priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees) knew He was talking about them. Their forefathers killed the prophets! And Jesus knew this crowd He was speaking to would soon kill Him and His Disciples.
So, Jesus is reminding them of their national history and giving them the last waning that God would soon take away His protection from the land and the people. He is telling them they were called by God, but they rejected all the prophets and will soon reject their Messiah. “Many are called” but because of their rejection of their Messiah “few are chosen.” Jesus is telling His people that they will no longer be blessed. Their blessing would soon be given to another. Their blessing would soon be given to the gentiles - to us. God was done with His people (For a time, but He will bring them back to Him soon.) and He gave their blessing to another.
There is one more part to all of this though. God has blessed the gentile world with the hope of salvation through Jesus - “Many are called.” But it is up to us – each of us – to turn to Jesus and put our faith and hope in Him. Most will not – “Few are chosen.” There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Godly Lives – Titus 2:11-15 (added 8-18-19)
There is so much we can learn from this passage in Titus.
In verse 11 we see that through God’s grace is there Salvation available to all people. It is freely given to all who put their faith in Jesus. It is freely given, yet no one deserves this gift, this act of love and kindness.
Verse 12 reminds us that because we receive this underserved, freely given grace of God, this gift and Salvation from God, we are directed, actually commanded, to reject and turn away from all forms of ungodliness. This includes not just our actions and our words, but also our thoughts: Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Our thoughts lead to ungodliness and immoral desires. Verse 12 commands us to live for Christ right now and every moment of our lives. We are to live lives of purity, sobriety (synonyms: seriousness, solemnness, thoughtfulness, gravity, graveness, earnestness, dignity, steadiness, level-headedness, serious-mindedness, common sense, pragmatism, practicality, self-control, self-restraint), and holiness.
In verse 13 we are to be expectantly waiting, yearning, and striving for the return of our Blessed Hope – Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We do this by living the lives commanded in verse 12.
Verse 14 clearly reminds us that Jesus willingly, lovingly, completely gave Himself to be crucified - to be murdered for us. He did this to redeem us (save from sin, error, or evil) and to purchase our freedom and deliver us from being condemned to death and eternal damnation in hell. Verse 14 tells us when we put or faith, our trust in Jesus as Lord and turn away from sin we become His chosen, distinctive, called-out people. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
In verse 15 Paul instructs Titus (and each of the Followers of Jesus – us) to teach the Word of God with authority and encourage every listener to come to the saving Grace of God accepting His perfect gift, Jesus the Christ. We are to not let anyone despise us for the Word of God. In other words, we are not to let anyone keep us or prevent us from teaching the Good News of Jesus. We are not to let anyone’s actions or words sway us from teaching and preaching the WHOLE Truth as revealed by God in Jesus. Remember Romans 8:31b “If God is for us, who can be against us?” and in 1 peter 4:14 “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” And 16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
So, live godly lives for Christ. Share the Good News of Christ. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Amen and Amen! Praise our glorious King!
Titus 2:11-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, 13 awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.
15 Tell them these things. Encourage and rebuke with full authority. Let no one disregard or despise you [conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect].
