Roots by the River

Over the years I have gotten to know men, not a few, who were apparently outstanding Christians in their churches and cities who had major sins that no one suspected that they could have been guilty of. For some reason I found out and ministered to them, but was only partly successful with a few of them. The next few posts be on their sins. I do not think all of you are guilty but I know some of you are. If the church does not know, God knows and your wife and children probably know. How Do You Treat Your Wife? “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (I Peter3:7) You are to live with your wives 1. in an understanding way 2. as with someone weak, since she is a woman 3. So that your prayers will not be hindered. Are your prayers hindered? Are you imitating Jesus? “Husbands, love your wives and do not...

There are “Be” commands in the Bible. They are basic or precede the “Do” commands. We “do” out of what we “are.” God “did” out of what He “is.” “God is love,” (I John 4:8 and 16). God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God loved out of what He is, love. “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45) Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Man speaks out of what he is. If our hearts are filled with good things they overflow with good things. The “Be” commands are heart things. Here are a few of the “Be” commands: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do...

When I was a young man I had an emotional reaction to the Apostles Creed recited in churches. It was not because I did not believe it, because I did, and do believe it. On the contrary, that’s why I did not like to hear it. It was recited by rote and mumbled by people I assumed did not believe it, or if they did believe it they did not seem to care if they believed it. Then one Sunday fifty some years ago I happened to be in the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Bala Cynwood, Pennsylvania on a Sunday morning. The congregation stood and shouted out: “I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH: AND IN JESUS CHRIST HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD; WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED; HE DESCENDED INTO HELL; THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD; HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY; FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE QUICK AND T...

Three examples of people of faith have bee taken from that classic chapter on the subject, Hebrews 11. A good introduction to this topic would be to read that chapter through. Since question 7 calls for a definition of faith, by studying the 8 passages of Scripture, you will finally have 8 definitions. There is certain to be some overlapping, but by keeping a record of the various definitions, you may be able to make a comprehensive definition at the end of the studies. 1. Genesis 6:1-22, Hebrews 11:7 - Noah 2. Genesis 15:1-6, Romans 4:16-25 - Abraham 3. Joshua 2:1-21, Hebrews 11:31 - Rahab 4. Jonah 3:1-10 - People of Ninevah 5. Matthew 8:1-13 - Centurion 6. Luke 7:36-50 - A woman 7. John 20:1-10 - 'The other disciple' (vs. 8) 8. Acts 27:1-44 - Paul (vs. 25) From a study of each of the above Scriptures decide: 1. What were the circumstances or needs that called for the exercise of faith? 2. Were there obstacles or problems that made belief difficult? 3. Exactly...

The purpose of this type of study is to discover from the lives of actual people, whose story is recorded in Scripture, some of the principles of leadership. The subject is more difficult than previous subjects we have studied such as guidance and prayer; because the material is not in such concise form. The complete life of each individual should be studied, but since the time for study is usually limited, one incident or one part of the individual's life has been selected. In this way most of the outstanding qualities, conditions, and problems of Christian leadership will be revealed. 1. Exodus 3:1-18, 4:1-20 - Moses 2. Joshua 1:1-18, 3:1-6 - Joshua 3. Samuel 14:1-23 - Jonathan 4. Nehemiah 1:1-11, 2:1-20 - Nehemiah 5. Acts 27:1-44 - Paul 6. Matthew 8:5-13 - Centurion 7. Acts 3:1-16, 4:1-20 - Peter In studying each of these Scriptures, come to a conclusion regarding: 1. What were the circumstances in which leadership was shown? 2. What was the particular assi...

The Next three posts will be on bible study topics. They were designed by Bill Pape in the 1960s in Japan. If you do all of them there will be 23 studies. MIRACLES By faith we leave the realm of human impossibilities, and enter the area of divine possibilities. We pass from the ordinary to the extraordinary. The purpose of this study is to discover the principles governing miracles. God's ways astonish men, but they are never haphazard. There is a vital difference between a miracle, and what is commonly known as 'good luck.' In making your conclusions, do not read into the Scriptures what is not there. The Bible is not a mirror of your own ideas, but a revelation of the mind of God. On the other hand, do not miss what is in Scripture, and which diligent search will bring to light. If you do not have time for all the questions at one session of study, select those you feel to be most important, but always include the last. 1. Exodus 14:1-31 - Dividing the sea 2. 1...

Fear is an emotion that is happening now about the future. It is a future that is negative and it is always false. It is a lie from the enemy. It is a temptation. Hope is also an emotion that is happening now about the future. It is a future that is positive and sure to happen. It is true. It is based on the promise of God. Hope is not “iffy” as in “I hope I pass the exam.” Hope is a glad anticipation of something that is sure to happen. “We have this hope as an anchor of the soul firm, and secure.” “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” (Hebrews 6:19) “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) God made woman to need love, provision, protection, and security. God provide...

You May have figured out a few of my favorite verses of scripture. They include: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all… But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin...If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:5, 7, and 9) “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” (Colossians 2:6) “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29) These favorites have been expanded to include I Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Philippians 2:14. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circums...