John 1:1-5 " In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. ALL things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made. In HIM was life; and the life was the light of men. And the LIGHT shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. "
In a previous study, we considered the fact that the "WORD" - JESUS CHRIST - is eternal and personal. HE desires a relationship with HIS creation - a relationship that was broken due to man's sin in the Garden. This is the very reason why "the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Today, we will consider a third characteristic of JESUS.
The WORD is Divine - "And the WORD was GOD" (v.1c). This second person WHO was "with GOD" (v.1) is just as equally GOD as the other person (GOD the FATHER) with WHOM HE was in fellowship in eternity past. Yes, the WORD shares the divine nature. HE is "light" and "life" (vv.4-5). Only GOD could be life before life as we know it existed, and only GOD could be the light that not only gave physical light to mankind but spiritual light as well. JESUS CHRIST is the LIGHT (John 8:12, see picture), the revelation of GOD to man.
Because JESUS is GOD, nothing - including darkness - can extinguish or overcome HIM even though darkness is trying to prevail today as men "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20, see picture). Darkness abounds (see 2nd.Corinthians 4:4-6, see picture). We are surrounded by darkness of the religious mind ("I can figure out life by my own reason"), darkness of the scientific mind ("I am here only due to chance"), and darkness of the political mind ("I can secure world peace through strategic political means"). Despite all the darkness that surrounds us, JESUS CHRIST is LIGHT (John 8:12, see picture) and LIFE (John 11:25, see picture). Read Psalm 36:7-9, see picture) and thank GOD today that we can know life and light because the divine WORD - the LIFE and LIGHT of the world - came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10, see picture). MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
I am writing this to give some instruction, out of the WORD of GOD, on how a Godly church should be organized and run. I have seen many making claims that they have been called by GOD to be Pastors, Deacons, Bishop or Elders of a local church or even home based fellowships. GOD is NOT the "author of confusion" and has laid down easily read and understood rules / guidelines for what people call "churches", and they are as follows:
1st.Corinthians 14:33-40 " For GOD is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the Law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What ? came the WORD of GOD out from you ? or came it unto you only ? If any man think himself to be a prophet (one who speaks the given WORD of GOD), or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the LORD. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues (only when all rules for speaking thus is met). Let all things be done decently and in order.
1st.Timothy 3:1 - 4:1 "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a Bishop (Pastor, Elder, Undershepherd), he desires a good work. A Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that rules well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of GOD ?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a Deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in CHRIST JESUS. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto you shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou may know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of GOD, which is the church of the living GOD, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the SPIRIT, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Now the SPIRIT speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; "
Titus 1:5 - 10,15-16 "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders (Pastor, Bishops) in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of GOD; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful WORD as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: . . Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. they profess that they know GOD; BUT in works they deny HIM, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (rejected of GOD)."
GOD is quite clear about who should be called to Pastor a church or fellowship. A man, the husband of one wife, one who keeps his own house well, not greedy, not a drunkard, not a novice, and not a woman. GOD never calls a woman to be a Pastor or Under Shepherd of HIS church. HE will never go against HIS established, written WORD - never. So if you are a woman and you think that you have been called of GOD to be a Pastor, you had better check again on who it was that called you (as in the Garden, Eve was deceived), because it was not GOD. As was said at the beginning of this blog; HE is not "the author of confusion" and HE wants all things to be done "decently and in order" in the churches of the Saints.
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made."
The Apostle John does not begin this book by arguing with the skeptics or the false teachers who had infiltrated the church in the first century and who were denying the deity of JESUS CHRIST. Rather, he simply states the facts as they are. In these opening verses John describes the true character of "the WORD," JESUS CHRIST.
The WORD is Eternal-- "In the beginning was the WORD" (v.1a cf.vv.2-3). Here, John is pointing back in time. The WORD "was" in the Greek text denotes continuous action in past time carrying into the present time. John frequently uses this word in connection with JESUS CHRIST. JESUS told the Pharisees, "Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58 see picture). As we see later, the WORD created all things (v.3), and in order to create all things, the WORD already had to exist before the beginning. JESUS, the WORD, is truly the eternal GOD WHO "was" continuously existing even before the creation of the world.
The WORD is Personal-- "And the WORD was with GOD" (v.1b) -- that is, the WORD was "face to face" or "in fellowship with" GOD the FATHER. This means that the WORD is not only eternal but the WORD is also personal. HE is a person - a personal relationship and a fellowship existed between two distinct persons. Yet the Scripture tells us that although they were two distinct persons, they were equal in glory (see John 17:5 pictured). The very fact that the WORD is personal has serious implications for every reader. GOD is a person WHO wants a relationship with you. HE is not a distant deity. Do you have a personal relationship with GOD today through faith alone in the person and work of JESUS CHRIST ? If so, are you enjoying personal fellowship with HIM every day ? MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
John 20:30-31 " And many other signs truly did JESUS in the presence of HIS disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that JESUS is the CHRIST, the SON of GOD; and that believing ye might have life through HIS name."
We can personally know the CREATOR GOD. How ? We can know HIM through faith alone in the person and work of the GOD-MAN, JESUS CHRIST. This is exactly what John tells us in the introduction to his Gospel (John 1:1-18), and this is the declarative truth that sets Christianity apart from ALL the other religions of the world.
The thesis of the Gospel of John is in today's text. The Apostle John wrote his book to all people - Jew and Gentile alike - so they would believe that JESUS CHRIST was/is GOD and would receive eternal life through believing in the person and work of the LORD JESUS. We can have a personal knowledge of GOD and a relationship with HIM because of ONE PERSON - the MAN CHRIST JESUS (1st.Timothy 2:5). Notice John 1:1, for the Apostle opens his book with a discussion of "the WORD." WHO is the WORD ? What is the WORD ? We learn from the first eighteen verses of John chapter one that the WORD is JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF (note the progression of terms relating to JESUS through these opening verses: WORD, GOD, LIFE, LIGHT, JESUS CHRIST, only begotten SON). "The WORD" is another name for JESUS CHRIST, yet it is a vitally important name because it reveals to us that JESUS CHRIST is the logos - the "COMMUNICATION" of GOD to man. No man has ever seen GOD the FATHER, and no man will ever see the FATHER since GOD is SPIRIT (John 1:18 cf. 4:24 cloud picture above). But the WORD, JESUS CHRIST, is GOD's communication to mankind. GOD loves us so much that HE sent "the WORD" - HIS only begotten SON - into the world so we might be able to have a personal relationship with HIM. What a glorious thought ! PRAISE GOD for HIS perfect love and HIS desire for fellowship with HIS creation. MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
John 1:1-18 "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. ALL things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made. In HIM was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from GOD, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the LIGHT, that all men through him might believe. He was not that LIGHT, but was sent to bear witness of the LIGHT. That was the true LIGHT, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. HE was in the world, and the world was made by HIM, and the world knew HIM not. HE came unto HIS own, and HIS own received HIM not. But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD.
And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of HIM, and cried, saying, This was HE of WHOM I spake, HE that cometh after me is preferred before me: for HE was before me. And of HIS fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST. No man hath seen GOD at any time; the only begotten SON, which is in the bosom of the FATHER, HE hath declared (shown) HIM."
We hear much talk today concerning how all the major religions of the world share many similar beliefs and characteristics and are, in essence, variations of the same theme. Millions of people actually believe this to be true. The popular "politically correct" and "religiously correct" position is this: Truth exists in all religions, and we only need to recognize these verities and focus on the common truths and similarities in all religions in order to dialogue, come together, and become truly spiritual and "tolerant" as we embrace a pluralistic, global society of tolerance and acceptance. Yet the premise that ALL religions are essentially identical is entirely false.
In its simplest form, two facets or characteristics of biblical Christianity set it apart from every other world religion. 1. Salvation is by grace through faith alone (as opposed to salvation/eternal life/reward attained through some effort or merit of the individual). 2. Man has the ability to personally know GOD and have a relationship with HIM (as opposed to GOD being too transcendent or only a state of mind or whatever we make Him to be). GOD's WORD tells us that Salvation comes to those who believe (v.12) - not to those who work; and, the Bible also tells us that GOD is a personal BEING WHO came to earth to dwell among men (V.14). This is not the religion of the Muslim, the Budhist, or the Hindu, nor is it the religion of the cults, Catholicism, or the Liberal Protestant. Biblical Christianity is narrow and exclusive, yet it is truth and life. Today's text highlights the glorious reality concerning what sets biblical Christianity apart from every other religion. Thank GOD for HIS infinite grace and HIS desire to fellowship with us ! MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
2nd.Peter 1:16-21 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, but were eyewitnesses of HIS majesty. For HE received from GOD the FATHER honor and glory, when there came such a voice to HIM from the excellent glory, This is MY beloved SON, in WHOM I AM well pleased. And this voice which came from Heaven we heard, when we were with HIM in the Holy mount. We have also a more sure WORD of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of GOD spake as they were moved by the HOLY SPIRIT."
IF men had written the Bible apart from any kind of divine influence, it would have been a very different book indeed. For example, if men had written a biography of JESUS, they surely would have devoted much space to HIS childhood, HIS teen years, and the years of HIS early manhood. Yet the four Gospel writers amazingly pass over this period apart from one incident that took place when CHRIST was twelve years old, and only Luke records this event. It was GOD's all-wise choice to reveal practically nothing of JESUS' formative years and, instead, to record those events of HIS public ministry beginning when HE was about thirty. The greatest amount of space is devoted to CHRIST's final week, climaxing with HIS death, burial and resurrection.
Consider also Acts 1:13 (pictured), where Luke records the names of the eleven Apostles. If men were to write a history of the early church, then each of the twelve Apostles (Mathias included) would be prominent in the account, with detailed information provided about each Apostle. Yet GOD's ways are not our ways, so in GOD's book of Acts, we are told practically nothing about most of these men. Luke, guided by the HOLY SPIRIT, makes no further mention of nine of these Apostles, except as they are mentioned collectively (as in Acts 6:2; 8:1; etc.). Only Peter, James, and John are named in the rest of Luke's account, and Peter is the prominent person in Acts chapters 1-12 - James and John much less. The LORD knows exactly what should be included in HIS sacred writings. Given the opportunity, we would have written the Bible quite differently. How blessed it is to know that GOD is the ultimate AUTHOR and not fallible men ! GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
Psalm 119:9-16 "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to THY WORD. With my whole heart have I sought THEE: O let me not wander from THY commandments. THY WORD have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE. Blessed art THOU, O LORD: teach me THY statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of THY mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of THY testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in THY precepts, and have respect unto THY ways. I will delight myself in THY statutes: I will not forget THY WORD."
To understand GOD's WORD, we must meet the following spiritual qualifications:
1. I must be born again (John 3:3 pictured,7). The person who is not born again cannot understand GOD's WORD because it is "spiritually discerned" (1st.Corinthians 2:14).
2. I must hunger for GOD's truth, which is found in GOD's WORD: "If ye continue in MY WORD . . . ye shall know the truth" (John 8:31-32).
3. I must desire to do GOD's will: "If any man will do HIS will (desires to do HIS will), he shall know of the doctrine" (John 7:16-17).
4. I must desire to grow: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the WORD" (1st.Peter 2:2).
5. I must obey the truth that I already know: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17).
6. I must be a doer of the WORD: "But be ye doers of the WORD, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).
7. I must not only learn CHRIST's commandments but I must learn to observe (keep) HIS commandments: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM with you always, even unto the end of the world. AMEN" (Matthew 28:20 pictured).
8. I must take heed not only to the doctrine but also to myself: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them" (1st.Timothy 4:16; see also Acts 20:28).
9. I must realize that understanding the Bible is hard work: "Study (be diligent; make every effort) to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth" (2nd.Timothy 2:15 pictured).
10.I must realize that understanding is a gift from the LORD; therefore, I need to be in right fellowship with my GOD and spiritually prepared and ready to receive understanding from HIM (2nd.Timothy 2:7; James 1:21 pictured). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
