" Grace and Peace "

Philemon 3   " Grace to you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. "

     " Grace to you and peace . . . " (v.3) - these realities are true for all who are in CHRIST JESUS. Everyone, as a sinner by birth as well as by deed, deserves justice before an all-Holy GOD; and, that justice means abiding under the wrath of GOD in this life (John 3:36) and spending eternity in the Lake of Fire in the life to come (Revelation 20:11-15). But GOD shed HIS grace upon mankind, providing him, through JESUS CHRIST, with the opportunity to receive by faith the forgiveness of sin and the peace with GOD that can only come about through hearing and receiving the Gospel. The wonderful blessing of GOD's peace is through HIS unfathomable grace !

     As Paul imprints these eternal truths upon the mind of Philemon, the Apostle is priming this man's heart to reflect that same unconditional grace and calming peace toward his offending servant who was now standing before him, probably in trembling anticipation, with this epistle in hand. According to Roman law and custom, Onesimus was worthy of  "justice" in the form of torture and possibly, as was often the case in this slavery-based economy, a barbaric execution. He was in dire need of grace - and peace ! Paul was preparing the heart of Philemon to do the FATHER's will.

     Such grace is " from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST " (v.3b). Paul stresses that the FATHER has reconciled to HIMSELF, through JESUS CHRIST, all who have believed the Gospel (2nd.Corinthians 5:17-21). GOD has provided a way for "bond and free" to become one in CHRIST (1st.Corinthians 12:13). If you read on in the book of Philemon, you will see that Philemon must act toward his guilty slave in a way that was totally foreign to the demands of Roman culture. The Apostle Paul, showing by what he wrote in verse 21, " Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say "; that he was sure Philemon would do the right thing and even more. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" The Pueblo Bible "

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.

     " THY WORD have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE " (v.11). If we had no access to any Bible at all, how much of GOD's WORD would be in our hearts ? In 1968 the USS Pueblo and its crew were wrongfully seized by North Korea, who said the ship had violated territorial waters. The Pueblo crew's religious materials, including Bibles, were confiscated by the North Koreans upon their capture. Lt.Cmdr.Stephen Harris reported that a deep belief in GOD helped the ship's eighty-two crewmen survive their eleven-month imprisonment. His own Bible was taken from him at the point of a bayonet, but the enemy could not take away GOD's WORD which was at home in the hearts of the crewmen.

Harris gave this account: " Snatches of hymns, elements of worship services, precious bits of Scripture were written on leftover scraps of paper. This unorthodox, but living, vital document became known as the " Pueblo Bible." In our unchurched, unlearned way we turned to GOD, as prayer groups and secret Biblical discussions sprang up among those who were not in solitary confinement." Harris said when the Pueblo Bible was discovered, he received a "new set of bruises" but was aided out of despondency by the memorized Scripture.

     How much of GOD's WORD have we committed to memory ? How many verses can we recite ? Are there any chapters in the Bible that we could write out from memory ? When sharing with an unsaved person, do we have Salvation verses right at hand in our memory bank ? May we continually purpose to " let the WORD of CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another " (Colossians 3:16a). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" Ever Learning . . . "

2nd.Timothy 3:7   " Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. "

     In the last days, men will be "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (v.7). We live in an information age, with a plethora of data available to us at all times just by looking at a smartphone or some other device. The world is at our fingertips. If all of man's accumulated knowledge from the beginning of recorded history to 1845 were represented by one inch, then what man has learned from 1845 to the present would be represented by the height of the Washington Monument.

There has been an explosion of knowledge. But what is it that men are learning ? How to be saved ? How to walk with GOD and please HIM ? How to live in light of eternity ? How to know GOD's will ? No, none of these things. People today can "google" and can find the answer to almost any factual question in seconds. Multitudes are "ever googling" but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

     It is a paradox: ever learning but never learning - never learning the things that are most important. When it comes to knowing the GOD of truth and the truth of GOD, men are shamefully ignorant. And when it comes to Bible knowledge, there has never been such widespread ignorance even though we have available to us countless Bible study tools to which previous generations had no access. If people leave GOD out, they will never come to the knowledge of the truth. An excellent example of this is the theory of evolution, as brilliant scientists try to explain the natural world while leaving GOD out of the equation. Our LORD desires that ALL would be saved and come to the full knowledge of the truth (1st.Timothy 2:4). May we know HIM and make HIM known ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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" Exchanging Truth for a Lie "

Romans 1:18-25   " 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 showed 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 fourfooted 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 worshiped and served the creature more than the CREATOR, WHO is blessed forever, AMEN. "

     Several times recently I have been asked, " What has happened to rational, logical thinking ? " " Why is it that people, without reservation, believe that which is fabricated while questioning the obvious truth ? " The Bible describes this natural tendency of the human mind that has come as a consequence of the spiritual fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and today's text clearly reveals the impact of this upon the human race (vv.22-25). The Apostle shared that men would exchange the truth of GOD for a lie. Fast forwarding to the day in which we live, across the board, the obvious truth proclaimed in GOD's WORD, the Bible, is being exchanged for the " lies " of men. Not only does the Bible predict that this will happen, but it also reveals that in the last days, as this present age reaches a climactic end, those who have traded the " truth " for a " lie " will increasingly multiply. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, " And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause GOD shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie : That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness " (2nd.Thessalonians 2:10-12).

     " What happened to rational, logical thinking ? " Just what the WORD of GOD said would happen when men willfully " received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved " (2nd.Thessalonians 2:10). When the truth is rejected, that which remains is a lie. It should not surprise us that in all levels of our society the obvious is refused while the irrational is received. Hold fast to truth, and keep looking for JESUS' soon return ! JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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The " Verbal Assault & Reproach " Obstacle

Acts 19:8-10  And he (Paul) went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of GOD. But when divers (some people) were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing (reasoning) daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the WORD of the LORD JESUS, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles). "

     For about twelve weeks, Paul entered the synagogue and showed the unbelieving Jews from Scripture how that JESUS was the CHRIST. Yet due to the hardness of their hearts, many publicly began to slander Paul and his message (v.9). They twisted the truth and actually blasphemed the name of CHRIST (they spoke evil of "that way," which refers to the way of Salvation through JESUS CHRIST). Notice how Paul dealt with this obstacle: As serious as the situation became, he could have been very antagonistic, argumentative, and nasty; instead, he simply separated himself and his disciples from subjection to such assault (v.9) and took the time to ground the believers in the truth. We, too, are called to separate ourselves from "foolish" people. There comes a time when the best action to take is just to walk away - remove yourself from a volatile situation and from the company of wicked people (Proverbs 14:7; 22:24-25).

"Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth." 2nd.Timothy 2:15

     Notice the result of this separation. Because GOD's people were able to be set apart and taught rather than having to focus all their attention on arguing with unbelievers, they became grounded in the truth "so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the WORD of the LORD JESUS" (v.10). Consider the words "so that." It was this separation and Paul's teaching that enabled these believers to become effective ministers of CHRIST. Sadly, this kind of discipleship is lacking in many churches today. We must take the time to immerse ourselves in the truth; then, we should share GOD's truth with others so they, too, can "[hear] the WORD of the LORD: (v.10). Our responsibility is NOT to "save" others but to be grounded in the truth and to make known the glorious Gospel. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" What Does the World Need ? "

John 6:22-38   " The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto HIS disciples were entered, and that JESUS went not with HIS disciples into the boat, but that HIS disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the LORD had given thanks;) When the people therefore saw that JESUS was not there, neither HIS disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum seeking for JESUS. And when they had found HIM on the other side of the sea, they said unto HIM, RABBI, when camest THOU hither ? JESUS answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek ME, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the SON of MAN shall give unto you: for HIM hath GOD the FATHER sealed. 

Then said they unto HIM, What shall we do, that we might work the works of GOD ? JESUS answered and said unto them, This is the work of GOD, that ye believe on HIM WHOM HE hath sent. They said therefore unto HIM, What sign shewest THOU then, that we may see, and believe THEE ? What doest THOU work ? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, HE gave them bread from Heaven to eat. Then JESUS said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but MY FATHER giveth you the true bread from Heaven. For the BREAD of GOD is HE which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto HIM, LORD, evermore give us this bread. And JESUS said unto them, I AM the BREAD of Life: he that cometh to ME shall never hunger; and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen ME, and believe not. All the the FATHER giveth ME shall come to ME; and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do MINE OWN will, but the will of HIM that sent ME. "

     The answers to the above question are innumerable. Some say "peace"; others say "love" or "joy." Yes, those character qualities are definitely needed in our world today. But character cannot replace the person of JESUS CHRIST. It is HE WHOM the world needs, and when you have CHRIST, you then can have peace, love, and joy. There is no substitute for JESUS CHRIST. And yet, how many try to pursue everything else instead of HIM ? After JESUS had fed the 5,000, many of the people were seeking CHRIST outwardly; but, JESUS knew their real motivation (v.26). And so it still is with many people today-they will claim CHRIST; however, when their true heart is revealed, they are found to claim HIM only for selfish motives. They think they can have the blessings without having to believe in HIM. They want the gift apart from the GIVER.

     JESUS is the "BREAD of GOD" (v.33) and the "BREAD of Life" (vv.35,48) WHO came down from Heaven. HE came to satisfy the spiritual hunger of mankind. JESUS said, "He that cometh to ME shall never hunger; and he that believeth on ME shall never thirst" (v.35), "and him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out" (v.37). HE will never reject you. "And this is the will of HIM that sent ME, that every one which . . . believeth on HIM, may have everlasting life" (v.40). You must believe in the person and work of JESUS CHRIST in order to have eternal life. "But there are some of you that believe not" (v.64). The choice is yours: Receive or reject HIM. But if you reject HIM, you reject everything HE gives: Peace, Love, Joy, Forgiveness of sins, etc. Receive HIM and you will receive everything HE gives. So, what does the world need ? JESUS ! PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" PEACE "

Isaiah 26:3-4   " THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusteth in THEE. Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: "

     Fighting, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, and other negative acts and attitudes permeate households and nations, revealing that some people do not truly desire peace. "My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace, I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:6).  "The way of peace have they not known" (Isaiah 59:8 cf. Romans 3:17). False peace is made by lying men who say, "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14;8:11). It is vital to realize that sin in the life also will rob you of peace: "Neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin" (Psalm 38:3b). "There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22 cf. 57:21).

     GOD is the source and giver of true peace. Isaiah spoke of JESUS CHRIST and declared, "HIS name shall be called . . . The PRINCE of PEACE" (Isaiah 9:6). HE is the ONE WHO gives "peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near" (Isaiah 57:19; Ephesians 2:17). "The LORD will bless HIS people with peace" (Psalm 29:11b). "But the fruit of the SPIRIT is . . . peace" (Galatians 5:22). "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever" (Isaiah 32:17). JESUS said, "Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you" (John 14:27). "These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace" (John 16:33). "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for THOU, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). We obtain the genuine, lasting, perfect peace that GOD alone can give by "being justified by faith" (Romans 5:1), and we enjoy the full measure of that divine peace as we abide in HIM when we "depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14). PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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