Free Bible Study; The Living Water

What do you think of when I say the word satisfaction, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Fulfillment, being content...etc?

What satisfies you? A big meal, a cool drink....etc?

In John 4 we read about Jesus encounter with a Samaritan women at a well and the way it changed her life for ever!

John 4:11

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

 9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

 10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

 11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

 13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Thirst is a compelling need that when quenched can provide momentary relief and satisfaction. But at some point we all become thirsty again! Just like with our earthly bodies that thirst for water, our spiritual beings thirst as well and that thirst can only be satisfied with a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Each of us has a void in our souls that can only be filled with Gods spirit and when we don't have that void filled we feel empty in side. Some times we try to fill that void with many things. Our careers, spouses, kids...you name it! In the case of the Samaritan women, she filled her life with men and sexual immorality.

Jesus said in vs 13 that everyone who drinks of him will never go thirsty again. That you will create a living well that will never go dry! Do you want to quench the void in your heart? Jesus is the only way to never go thirsty again!

Imitating One Another Through Christ

God created all of us to imitate Jesus Christ and to imitate others as they imitate Jesus!


1 Corinthians 11:1

Paul taught the early Christians to follow him as he followed Christ!

This does not mean that we copy each other or mimic each other, but we need to imitate the godly qualities that we see in each others life. The difference is imitating the godly qualities and trying to copy a personality or a specific action.

God has given each of us talents and gifts that other people can imitate in us.

Like wise following someone and discipleship is not copying or mimicking someone.


1 Corinthians 4:14-17

Every single one of us should be an example for others to imitate. Just as timothy imitated Paul and Paul called the Corinthian church to imitate timothy as they both strived to initiate Jesus.

What godly qualities would your friends want to imitate in you? If it is hard for me to answer that question, then I am not living and modeling my life after Jesus.

A man who's life and godly doctrine are inline is a man that people can imitate and who's life gives examples to others on how to live like Jesus.

We need to surround our selves with godly spiritual people that can help us mature spiritually.


Proverbs 11:14

The proverbs are full of scriptures that speak of getting advice and how that will lead you to sound judgment.

This is the key to imitating others as they imitate Christ by asking and seeking advice from godly people who have been successful spiritually in handling a given situation.

To ask for advice we have to lower our pride and act on humility!


Hebrews 6:12

Again the bible calls each of us to rely on each other and to seek out godly people that we can follow and imitate!

Help is in the church through godly people but you have to be willing to get help with what ever your issue or struggle maybe. Follow them as they follow Christ!

Love The Way God Intended It

 

What would you say is the worlds definition of love? Lust, a physical attraction, sexual relations, a strong feeling....etc

Gods definition of love is quite different!

1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us that love the way God intended it never fails!

Think about that for a minute. Love the way that God intended it will NEVER fail. Love in the world is destined to fail! Worldly love breeds bitterness, regret, insecurity, immorality...etc

So what is so different about Godly love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When I read this scripture I have to ask my self if I am loving my spouse in this way? Am I loving the people around me in this way?

This is the nature of God and we have to imitate him in our love for other people. Replace the word love with God and re-read this passage.

4GOD is patient, GOD is kind. GOD does not envy, GOD does not boast, GOD is not proud. 5IGOD is not rude, GOD is not self-seeking, GOD is not easily angered, GOD keeps no record of wrongs. 6GOD does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7GOD always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

What do each on of these acts of love have in common? They are all decisions and are things that we choose to do or choose not to do.

What would our marriages or our relationships look like if we approached them with this kind of love?

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

People aspire to do many things. Some want to be successful in business, sports...etc but none of this is of value to GOD unless we do it out of love.

Self Control: Bible Study

Galatians 5:22-26

This is what the spirit brings! If we keep in step with the spirit this is the attributes we will have. How many times do we not listen to the spirit when it comes to practicing self control? It is so easy to not be self controlled, but God calls us to live a life of self control

1 Thessalonians 5:5-8

Anyone that is a christian does not live a life in darkness!

Titus 2:1-5

Another example of Gods commandments regarding living our life with self control. As we grow older and more mature as Christians sometimes we stop growing in self control. We may practice self control with what we call major sins (drunkenness, adultery, impurity...etc), but what about the "little sins" like Inpatients, quarrels, greed...etc?

Titus 2:11-12

We need to say no to ungodly things. God doesn't just tell us to be self controlled but he gives us his spirit to help us be self controlled, but you have to allow the yourself to be led by his spirit?

Self indulgence is contagious and self control is contagious. Studies have shown that people with a lack of self control have a negative effect on other people, like wise people mimic the people around them and a person that exercises self control will have a positive effect on the people around them!

Bad company corrupts good character! What we see and what we hear can have a profound effect in our lives. It is important spiritually that we guard our hearts from ungodly influences!

Galatians 5:16-19

Living by the spirit removes the desires of the sinful nature. Self indulgency is contageous.....who are you hanging out with? Do your friends hold the same christian values and principles that you do? Do they challenge you to be like Jesus?

We are in a battle between the will of our sinful nature and the will of spirit!

Exodus 23:2

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Do not be misled....bad company corrupts good character!

John 13:14-16

Why should you read the bible daily? Why should you attend church every week? Why should you practice self control? Because of Jesus! Jesus is the perfect example of a life filled with self control! This is the example we shuold model our lives after!

Proverbs 16:32

We have to be men of god that practice self control!

Presenting Jesus Christ Through Our Lives

2 Corinthians 4:10-11

10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

Think about vs 10! As Christians we carry around with us in our body the death of Jesus!

What do you think about that? It's encouraging in some respects, because we know that Gods grace through Jesus death is always upon us. It's also sobering to know Jesus is with us in every thing that we do on a daily basis.

Where has your body been? Where have you taken the cross of Christ? Into arguments with your spouse? Pornography? Inpatients with your kids? Wordly endeavors?....etc.

When I'm in the middle of sin Jesus and his death is right there with me! Do I continue to sin or allow Jesus's death lead me to repentance?

We are called to carry the cross in a way that will glorify God.

Have you carried the cross of Jesus in a way that his glory would be revealed through you to others? We need to continually think about how we are presenting our selves as Christ ambassador and the way we represent him with our lives.

How do you represent Jesus in your marriage, work, school...etc. Do people see Jesus in you as you interact with them during your daily routine?

Vs 11 tells us that the purpose of carrying Jesus's death in our bodies is so that Jesus's life will be revealed to others through us and that we should be putting our sinful nature to death.

Evangelism is not about what you say but about how you live your life. We have to be Godly examples in every aspect of our lives!

What struggles have you put to death or do you plan to put to death today?

When we have unrepentant sin in our lives, the bible says we are crucifying Jesus all over again (Hebrews 6:6).

If by our lives people can see Christ then conversely if we are not living the life Jesus called us to live as Christians, then we can have a negative impact on the way others view Christianity or even God as a whole.

DON'T LOSE HEART – THERE IS HOPE!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Sometimes trying to live a Christian life can feel like you're wasting away! But we can't loose heart or get discouraged! Satan wants us to think that our troubles are not momentary and we are some how missing out on life, but vs 17 tells us that we are achieving an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!

 

Building Gods Kingdom through love

2 Timothy 1:1-8

God does not want us to have a spirit of timidity when it comes to the good news and testimony of Jesus Christ!

God wants us to have a spirit of love and confidence. Our love should be evident to all people!

Our challenge as Christians is to learn how to love the way god intended us to love! Gods definition of love and the worlds definition of love are two totally different things.

1 John 4:7-11;16

God is love! To truly define Gods love you have to look at what God has done for us. He is always faithful, always there for us, he never has nor will let's us down. He sacrficed his one and only son for us so that we would not meet destruction!

Our challenge in building the kingdom is to love one another in the same way God has loved us! Then and only then will we people be able to see Gods spirit in us. Our example to the world is through our love.

The world teaches us that love is conditional. If you love me and treat me the way I want, then I will love you...etc

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Love is more important in Gods eyes than any wordly accoplishment we can obtain or achieve!

This is the Godly definition of love. Do you love your brothers and sisters, your neighbors, your family the way this scriptue defines love?

The best way to measure your love for someone is to ask them. Ask your family and friends if they feel loved by you in this way?

Matthew 22:35-40

The bible hangs on two things. Loving God and loving other people.

John 15:9-14

Loving God has to do with being obiedent to his commandments. We cannot love God unless we love other people!

Being obiedent to God is also connected to denying our sleves. Denying our selves what we want by following gods will for our lives instead.

Love is having a "one another relationships". Being deeply in love spiritualy for each other and being envolved in each others lives! Having compassion for people in the world. How can God use you in someone elses life? What impact spiritualy can you have in someone elses life.

1 John 2:9-11

God sees our hearts. We may be able to fool each other but god knows our motives and actions. We cannot walk with God and be in the light unless we love our brothers and sisters!

Forgiveness; Bible Study

Mark 11:24-26

24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."[g]

This passage of scripture is has a double edge. Vs 24 we hold on too and want to agree with, vs 25, well, wow...that's a tough one!

What are the thoughts that come to your mind when you read vs 24?

In vs 24 Jesus tells us that all we have to do is ask, believe and we will receive! I think we forget sometimes how much power God has given us in prayer! In doing so some times our prayers can become rituals and just a daily check list and not passionate conversations with our creator.

Ask your self this question:

How often do you truly take your problems, desires and whishes to God and pray for them earnestly?

For me unfortunately I pray to God a lot more when I'm in trouble than I do on good days with no problems.

Vs 24 – also tells us that our faith in God or lack of faith in God can dictate if our prayers are answered. We have to have faith when we pray!

What do you think about what Jesus said in vs. 25?

Hard teaching, scary scripture to think about, who can accept it?...etc

I don't think this scripture would make anyone's top 10 favorite bible verses! We like to remember and meditate on the feel good scriptures, like John 3:16 etc... Unless we are on the receiving end of someone's hate or unforgivingness. At that point we know this scripture really well and we conveniently use it to say you have to forgive me or God won't forgive you!

How have you for filled this scripture in your life? Who have you not forgiven?

Do you pray for people that you struggle with?

It's interesting in vs 25 that Jesus asked the question “if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him” during the act of praying.

It's hard to pray for someone that you have issues with or bad feelings towards, isn't it?

To be truly resolved with someone you should be able to pray for them without any hesitation.

If you want God to forgive you, then you have to forgive others. It's that simple!

Why is forgiveness so important with regard to our relationships?

If someone refuses to forgive you for something, how do you feel?

In order to love someone you have to be able to forgive them right?

I know in my own life that when I've done something to hurt my wife or one of my daughters, I desire their forgiveness to no end. I long for it. I want reassurance that I have been forgiven by them!

People can see Gods grace and forgiveness in us when we choose to not hold grudges and forgive!

How to lead a bible discussion group

What should be the purpose of a bible talk or small spiritual bible study group be?

1. Reach the lost.
   
2. Bring people into our lives so they can see Jesus in our lives.
   
3. Meet the needs of the church.
   
4. Helping people see their need for a relationship with God.

Specifically, these groups should be designed to seek and save the lost! God calls us to share his word and call others to follow him.

Suggestions for leading a great bible talk or small spiritual bible study group:

1. It should not be run like a church service with a formal type atmosphere.
2. The bible study should be a discussion group and you need to ask a lot of questions and get feed back.
3. Be prepared for you study group and your lesson should be thought threw and planed.
4. Ask engaging questions. Thought provoking questions that relate to the biblical topic or subject.
5. This should not be a time to preach but again a time for spiritual discussion.
6. Lead by example in share your weaknesses and temptations and how god has helped you in your own life!
   

Example scripture
Matthew 5:38-40
Share how turning the other cheek has been a struggle for you. Give circumstances in your week that have challenged you in this commandment.

• Reduce distractions by setting up childcare...etc
• Always finish the discussion on time and the lessons should not exceed 30 minutes.
• Have inspiring lessons and try to incorporate ice breaker activities to get people involved.
• Use current events, relevant topics, cuing stories and interesting facts that relates to the discussion topic.
• Try to plan your topic around a single passage of scripture.
  

Building Deep Spiritual Relationships

Ask yourself this question; How are my relationships? None us can make it on our own! God designed one another relationships for a reason and he wants us to have deep brotherly relationships to help us spiritually!

Of course not all relationships will be at the same intimacy level and God does not expect us to have cookie cutter relationships! The bottom line is, we need to build relationships that allow the spirit to move in our lives. The goal is to help each other to stay faithful and get to heaven!

Proverbs 27:17

Our number one priority should be our relationship with God but we cannot neglect the power of God that works through others in our relationships. Sometimes other people can see us better than we see our selves.

Deuteronomy 6:4

Again we need a personal relationship with God.

Do you have prayer time with God every day? If Jesus is to be lord of your life then you need to be spending time in prayer everyday!

Do you ready the bible everyday? We eat food every day to survive and our spiritual health is no different. We need the word of God to sustain us and allow us to grow spiritually!

Ephesians 5:22-30

  How is our relationship with our Spouse? Are we fulfilling this scripture with our relationship with our spouse?

Husbands do you love your wife the way Christ loved the church? Our responsibility is to present our bride radiant and blemish free!

1 Timothy 5:8

God wants us to be connected to our physical families and provide for them

Deuteronomy 6:7

We need tone in a teaching mode with our kids so that we can impress upon them the word of God. Providing for your family means so much more than just worldly physical needs. Their spiritual health is important in your relationship with them.

With regard to the relationships in the church we need to be open with each other. We need to confess sin to each other so we can help each other?

Encouragement should be another key factor in building deep and close relationships. The bible also talks about practicing hospitality with our brothers and sisters. Invite people into your home. Allow people to get close to you and to see your life on a daily basis.

With these key principals you will have Godly relationships with you physical family and your spiritual family.

The power of discipleship

Biblical examples of discipleship:

Old Testimate
Proverbs 4:1; 19:20; 27:5-6; 27:17

God knows our nature and the struggles that we will face. There are times in our lives when we need to allow others to help us spiritually

New Testimate
Matthew 28:19-20
Timothy 2:1-2

God designed his church for discipleship. As brothers and sisters we should be intimately involved in each others lives. Superficiality was never an attribute for God's church. We need to be real with each other and hold each other accountable to God's word!

Colossians 1:28-29 2:1-2

The apostle Paul struggled with discipleship and being in a true one another relationship!

Discipleship is a struggle and takes work and vulnerability to engage one another.

There are 56 passages in the bible about loving one another! God wants his people to love one another. To truly do that we need to know what each others needs are, what our struggles are...etc!

If we are not in a discipline relationship that challenges us and calls us higher in our personal relationship with God then we hindering God from working in our lives!

Why is discipleship important? With all the scriptures that were mentioned and read above this question has been answered, but here are some additional reasons why discipleship is important:

1. Keeps us focused on Jesus
2. Protects and guards our heart from Satan schemes
3. We become more aware of our sin
4. Builds character and spirituality by helping us become who we are and not just being religious in what we do.
5. God works in powerful ways through our spiritual relationships.
   

The key to a discipling relationship is being open, getting advice and vulnerable.

Jesus made himself vulnerable in his life and he constantly called the apostles to a one another relationship! Look at the letters that the apostle Paul wrote and notice his vulnerability in those letters.

Many of our problems in life and in our marriage are because we failed to get advice and listen to the godly men and women god has put in our lives!

Proverbs 12:15; 13:10; 15:22

Seeking advice is a matter of being wise.

Having a submissive spirit is another key to a great discipling relationship

James 3:17
1 Peter 5:5-6

Godly vision for a new year!

Zechariah was called by god to inspire gods people to rebuild the temple. There was much opposition from neighboring countries. The temple was started and then stopped and then delayed, but Zechariah new that the temple had to be completed and God's will must be done!

Zechariah 4:1-6

Not by might nor by power but by the spirit of the lord. When we do God's will we have to rely on him. We will have obstacles and set backs but with gods power we can accomplish all things!

Zechariah had a vision to see what was to come and the angel of the lord asked Zechariah what do you see?

So I will ask, what do YOU see? What plans do you have for fulfilling God's will in your life? We have to have vision for what God can do in our lives and then we have to be willing to let God use us!

Not by might and not by our own power but by the strength of the spirit of the lord! As long as God is with us we will be able to complete the task!

Psalms 46:1-11

Vs 10 Be still and know that I am God! God will do the work if we surrender to him and his will!

Zechariah 4:7

Gods spirit moved mountains. Some of us are over whelmed with the mountains in our lives! We have to see that God has the power to overcome what ever struggle, trial or tribulation we may be facing in our life!

Today, what is your mountain? We can name all the problems we have and believe that this the reason for the struggles in our lives but the real mountains we have to overcome are internal! The true battle is how we deal with our problems internally! Bad things can and will happen, however, it is how we react to them that changes the outcome.

Pride, impatience, selfishness, envy, greed....etc are the mountains that we face and they are all internal sins.

Matthew 21:21-22

Have faith and god and throw that mountain into the sea!

Bible Study: Storing Up Treasures

First let me say that I am not against investing, saving money or any other practice that would help any person become self sufficient and financially stable. This free bible study is aimed at dealing with the heart of the matter and help us see Gods perspective on how we should view our money and ultimately where we should really get our security!

What do u think about investments? Stable, risky or a complete gamble?

The bible talks a lot in proverbs about being wise with our money and not becoming lazy or complacent. God also teaches that we should get our security from him and not our money. We should also not put anything before God. He is to be full desire of our hearts.


Matthew 6:19-21

¹⁹"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where is your treasure? It is not always money. Some times we store up treasure and get our security from our how many friends we have or the type of boyfriend/girlfriend we have.

Where is your heart? the bible says where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Our treasure and security should be in God alone!

Genesis 12:4-6;13:5;14

Lot chose Sodom not because of the sin but for worldly standards. Sometimes money can cloud our vision and Satan can use it to cause us to make us wise and worldly decisions.

Matthew 6:31

God knows what we need! Let him focus on our worldly needs and we should focus on the spiritual things!

Genesis 22:1-8
    
Abraham saw his spirituality as the most Important thing for him and his son....Even if it meant to sacrifice him!

What are you investing in with your children? Is their spirituality a priority or are you more concerned with college tuition and goods schools? We all want what is best for our children physically, however, our priority should be their spiritual health!

Hebrews 11:17-19
     
Do we believe like Abraham that if we sacrifice our kids
worldly future they will gain a spiritual one!?

Spiritual dreams should be a priority over worldly dreams. Consider it a blessing if you are poor based on worldly standards and rich spiritually! God wants to be the number one priority in your life, over money and any other worldly possession!

Where do you get your confidence?

TEEN BIBLE STUDY:

How do you build confidence or more personally, what things build your confidence?

Some basketball players wear a shooting sleeves and football players wear elbow bands. Why? Mostly for looks. Like wise, some girls wear trendy clothes, jewelry and a lot of make up.

How do you feel when you wearing the latest fashions? When you dress your best and feel good about what you are wearing? Do you go to school with confidence? Of course you do!

Why do we put of confidence in such things?

Some times we get our confidence from the wrong places like clothes, Jewelry, shoes, friends...etc.

The world tells us that our self worth has to come from material things.

Where should our confidence and strength come from? God, the bible and through prayer!

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Lets break this scripture down by verse and meditate on what God is saying here.

Vs 10 – Where should we get our strength? From God and his mighty power!

Vs 11 – Put on the full armor of God! Would you fill confident in battle with out armor? What if you only had a helmet and no shield...etc. No you would not be confident until you were wearing the full armor.

Vs. 12 – Satan wants us to think our battle is against each other, but our battle is really against the status quo. The underlined forces that tell us we have to dress a certain way to be cool or have sex before marriage...etc. Our battle is a spiritual battle! A spiritual battle for the purity of our souls!

Vs. 13 – When will the day of evil come? It's not a matter of IF but when! How do we stand our ground and resist temptation? This can only be accomplished with the full armor of God!

Vs. 14-17 – In order to stand firm, to be strong and confident we must put on each piece of armor. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet have to be fitted with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith (use to extinguish Satan's arrows), the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of god!

So how do we put on the full armor of God? By upholding the truth, making a decision to live a righteous life, spreading the good news and being about our purpose, having faith in his promises and his power, accepting our salvation and reading the word of God and obeying his commands.

We can face anything life has to throw at us with strength and confidence if we have this approach. With God all things are possible and he has given us the tools and power to overcome!

Romans 8:31-35

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Our confidence should come from God and God alone! Our faith and trust should be in him and him alone! Make a decision to follow the word of God and not the status quo.

 

Thanksgiving Devotional

Thanksgiving Fun Facts:

• Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

• Only male turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. The famous gobble is actually a seasonal mating call.

• The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86 pounds – about the size of a German Shepherd! (But turkeys are normally not used as police animals.)

• The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Trivia:

1. There are 7 other countries that also celebrate an official thanksgiving day? Name two of them. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, japan, Korea, Liberia and Switzerland.

2. What year did the first Pilgrims celebrate Thanksgiving? 1621

3. George Washington declared November 26, 1789 as a national day of Thanksgiving and Prayer.

4. What year did the United States start observing thanksgiving day annually? 1863

5. Which US president established the fourth Thursday in November as thanksgiving day? Resolved

What comes to mind when you think about the thanksgiving holiday?

If you were to make a list of the things you are thankful for, what would they be?

Friends, Family, House, Health, Job, Car....etc (non spiritual, tangible, material things?)

Interestingly enough the bible in most case couples the word thanksgiving with praising God and with prayer. "Thanksgiving and prayer" is a common phrase used all through out the old and new testament.

Lets read a couple of scriptures about offering thanksgiving:

Psalms 69:30-31

30 I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

Psalms 95:2

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Psalms 100:4

3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Wouldn't you agree that having a thankful heart towards God would naturally lead you to praise him?

Matthew 12:34 says: For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

So what is it about God that we should be thankful for? What qualities of God are we thankful for?

Unconditional love, Mercy, Grace, Faithfulness, Power, Sacrifices...etc

Hebrews 13:15

15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Continually is not the fourth Thursday in November...lol Our thanksgiving and praise to God should be a daily event.

Lets pray to God and offer him thanksgiving and praise.

 

True Religion

What comes to your mind when you think of a religious person?

(Preachers, priest, fancy religious clothes, the pope....etc)

Definition of Religion: A set of beliefs; something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience.

What do you think God views as a true religion?

James 1:27

27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

1. Giving to others and not becoming wordly is what God considers a true religion!

How are these two things connected? What does giving and not being wordly have in common?

When you are giving to someone else, who are you thinking about?

When you're involved in the world and thinking about wordly things who are you really thinking about?

1. God calls us to be outwardly focused and not self-centered!

How does it make you feel when you are giving or you help someone?

Can the way you give or the motives behind why you're giving be bad?

How and why?

Matthew 6:1-2

1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

1. God wants us to give with a pure heart. Not for public acknowledgement or for praise. We need to give out of love and that should be our only motivation.

 

Protect Gods Church!

The Christmas season can be a time of many struggles. Satan is always on the attack and he mascarades as an ageless of the light.

Christianity is under attack in our generation. In the modern western world ethics and biblical morals are under attack by our society through TV, movies....etc

Gods commands have not changed and his teachings transend all generations. This is not the first time man has tried to distort the words of god or dilute his commands.

Genisis 2:15

Man had nothing but a relationship with God and only one command, not to eat the forbidden fruit.

Genisis 3:1-14

Gods command was clear and yet through the serpant andan and woman justified there actions by minpulating gods word!

Man sinned and felt ashamed and hid! Sin is shameful we want to hide it.

Genisis 6:5-9

BecuSe of mans sin God was grieved that he had made man. God cannot be with sin, he cannot compromise!

Genisis 9:1-12

God wants a covienant with us....he wants a relationship with each one of us!

Leviticus 26:1-17

There is a reward for obedience. God wants to bless our righteousness! There is also a punishment for disobedience.
God is not able to tolerate sin.

Ephesians 2:1-10

We have been bought and paid for with a price! We have been redemed.

Paul told the church repeatedly not to allow worldlyness in the church. We have to keep Gods church holy. Sin destroys the body of Christ.

Today you can find a church that will teach anything you want to here! Churches that will tell you anything your itching ears want to here. We have got to align the church with the word of God and we cannot compromise!

Ephesians 4:20-31

You can not look at gods word like a caffiteria lunch line, taking and chosen only what we want and sicarding the rest!

1 Corinthians 6:12-

All through out the bible godly men have been destroyed by sexual imorality! God is very clear about how we should live and he wants us to honor him with our bodies! God says there should not even be a HINT of sexual imorality!

Matthew 18:15-

Christ spoke these words! He wants a functional family of God. We have to trust the scriptures in everyway and we cannot tolerate sin in the church. God commands us to deal with sin in our brothers and sisters! Gods dicipline is not for punishment but rather a hope that we will see the errors of our ways and repent! Discipline has a goal to save!

1 Corinthians 5:1-12

Once again we have to be radical in the way we deal with sin in our church! Judgement is not passed on the world, judgement is passed on the saints who have been redemed and chose to live a sinful un-pure life! Christians are a chosen people and our standard cannot be the worlds standard!

2 Corinthians 2:5-12

Gods also commands us to forgive our brothers and he wants us to be with him!

The church is Gods bride and we need to protect her at all cost!

Godly Purity in Daiting

HAVING A PURE DAITING RELATIONSHIP

What is purity?

1. Something that is pure

2. Free from foreign or inappropriate elements.

3. Clear; free from blemishes.

What does it mean to be pure in Gods eyes?

The world teaches through movies, tv shows and other propaganda that purity in a relationship is abnormal and that love is sex.

God teaches us that we should honor him with our bodies and our purity is of great value to him.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

 3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

So what is wrong with a kiss or embracing...etc? Your not having sex right? Or is there anything wrong with kissing or doing anything else with your partner that does not involve intercourse?

If we are to honor God with our bodies and maintain a pure dating relationship we have to sacrifice earthly pleasure so that we do not allow Satan to tempt us into going further.

Look at how Jesus views even having one lustful thought towards a woman in the book of Matthew...

Matthew 5:28

28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

And see what standard God has for us when there is even a hint of immorality in Ephesians...

Ephesians 5:3

 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

What is "even a hint of immorality"?

We have to be careful not to put our selves into situations that will allow Satan to get a foothold and he will do just that with kissing or any other type of foreplay.

What may start out as something completely innocent as a kiss and simply a sign of affection can quickly turn into an impure relationship.

So what model is there in the bible for a dating relationship? The point of a dating relationship is ultimately marriage, so lets look at what God thinks about a Man and Woman's role should be in a relationship.

Ephesians 5:25-27

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

God expects Men to love their wives as Jesus loved the church. Making her holy and clean.

As Men in a daiting relationship it is our responsibility to protect our purity and our partners.

1 Corinthians 6:18

 18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

The bible commands us to flee from sexual immorality. What does it mean to flee? Do you take your time? Do you test it and see how far you can go without actually committing immorality?

The ultimate goal is to honor God with our bodies. Gods plan for a dating relationship is a pure one and he wants to sanctify the marriage covenant by having absenance in the dating relationship.

Raising Godly Children in a Crooked World

How do you raise Godly children in such a crooked world?


Deuteronomy 4:1-9
        
If we are not emotionally engaged with your kids the will be emotionally engaged in something!

As parents it is important to not distant our selves from our kids but stay involved.

         
What do you kids see In you?

 Am my words shallow or does my example back up my words?

         
Its not the teen leaders responsibility to teach our kids!



Deuteronomy 6:1-9
         
We are to impress our kids with the word of god....not force it on them!

         
Are my kids impressed with my Christianity?

Our lives should impress our children and help them to see true Christianity.

Where are we most likely to be challenged in our righteousness....at home!

 

Raising Kids Gods Way

How do you raising your children the way God intended? As Christians God created us and our family unit to for a purpose.


Malachi 2:13-16
        
God created the husband and wife...marriage for one purpose...godly offspring!
         
Guard your heart mind and spirit to stay faith to your wife and honor the marriage covenant.
         
This generation has turned the truth into a possible truth.


Titus 3:3-8
         
We have to remember our past and be more equipped to understand our children.....sometimes we can be too strict and force god on them!
          
We have to trust in god with our kids and not pressure them.
           
We have to lead by example!


1Timothy 4:12-16
           
We have to lead by example in our comittment to god and our brothers and sisters in church.


1Peter 2:21-23
           
We represent Christ to our kids.


Romans 2:1-4
           
 We have to make sure when we talk to our kids that we don't become hypocrites and lead by example.


John 17:6-15
         
 Our kids belong to god! God has entrusted them with us. God does not want us to take them out of the world....he wants us to protect them from the evil one!!

 

Behind Enemy Lines

As Christians living in this world we are in a battle spiritual battle and we find out selves many times Behind Enemy Lines!

Moses was sent behind enemy lines....Joushua and Calib ere behind enemy lines....there are many example of godly men behind enemy lines!


Colossians 1:1;13-14
           
Paul was on special assignment...behind enemylines. There is a spiritual battle ground and an enemy line. The moment we become Christians we are brought out of the world and then put right back into it to save others!

Which side of the battle Are you on?


Ephesians 6:10-12
          
We are not fighting flesh and blood....our splice, traffic, work..etc. We are fighting Satan and we need to never forget who our real enemy is!
          
How often do we forget who the real enemy is? Satan wants us to be distracted and focused on each other.


Revelation 12:9
         
The world is Satan dominion and he rules this world!


1 Peter 5:8
         
Satan is just waiting....he goes after the week....the ones not close to god! We cannot be in denial....we are fighting a hungry lion!

As men we have to lead! First we must recognize where we are. We have to let godly men help me!


Romans 8:28
        
God is absolutely in control of all things in our lives. We have a god that is greater than All things.


Hebrews 13:5-7
          
God allow trouble in our lives for a reason....he wants us to draw closer to him.


1 Corinthians 10:13
          
There is no sin that we face that keeps us from being able to find a way out.

Do we really fall into sin or struggle?....we look for sin! We pet sin in our lives..... Being Anxious is not A temptation... It is a form of practicing atheism.


Romans 12:2
      
The way of the lord is different from the way of the world....it calls for giving up things that we want in our life for things that are of gods will!
        
Am I so attached to this world?


1 John 2:15      
        
Do I love the world?


2 Corinthians 10:3-5
         
How do we fight this battle?....we have to take captive our thoughts! We have to rely on gods word in order to take captive our thoughts!


Colossians 2:8


Proverbs 13:20
        
We need each other and be open on the temptation level!

 

Bible Study: Envy

Psalms 73:1-28
         
How often do I envy the wicked? If I am to be a man of god my temptation will be  to envy the world when times get tuff! In our envy we can loose our focus and forget the value of our salvation!
          
Vs 6...there actions are the reason for there destruction. We have to keep in perspective what is ultimately important!
        
Envy is so dangerous to entertain in our minds. It absolutely destroys our faith and kills our zeal!

Vs 2.... Our victory is in Jesus! Am I slipping? I have to see the beauty that god has created in his word and the way he commands us to live!


1 Corinthians 10:13
          
God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear!


Galatians 5:16-22

What does god want for my life?


1 Peter 1:3-4;7-9
          
Everyday that we fight against envy god is building us up and ensuring our salvation!

 

Bible Study: Things That Hender

Hebrews 12:1
¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

         
Throw off everything that hinders, things that hold  us back... Fear, insecurities, pride, self ambitions and our past.
         
God gives us the power to this off anything if you want to....what hinders me?
         
What an amazing father we have that he forgives us regardless of what we do!
         
Sin is so easy to untangle us....when you get entangled it is not easy to untangle your self, sometimes the harder you fight the more tangled it gets!
         
We have to slam the door shut on sin...or we will get entangled.

Matthew 5:27
²⁷"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery. ²⁸But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
          
Our thoughts are just as condemning as our actions.


Hebrews 12:1
  
We can't walk.....we need to run the race that god has given us.
  
Sometimes we have to do something radical to get out of the rut we are and and start running....Satan is running after us!

Hebrews 12:1-3
²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
           

How do we not give up and throw off every sin that entangles us? We fix our eyes on Jesus!

 

Bible Study: Great Faith

Mark 2:1-5
¹A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ²So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. ⁴Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

        It took great faith...not just a belief but a faith that causes action!

What is my obstacle? What keeps me from having great faith!

Matthew 26:36-42
³⁶Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

 ³⁹Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

 ⁴⁰Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. ⁴¹"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

 ⁴²He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

          This is the ultimate example of conviction and faith! Is my conviction to drink the cup god has giving me? We go through things in life so that god can work on our hearts.....do I allow god to work?

Phillipians 3:1-7

¹Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

 ²Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. ³For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
      If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

 ⁷But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

 

Bible Study: Having Godly Gratitude

Colossians 3:15-17

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How do you measure gratitude? Can you measure gratitude?

The best way to measure something that is hard to measure is by 
getting feedback from the people in your life. Would you wife say you 
are grateful for her? Would your kids say you show gratitude around 
the house?

Am I grateful for god? If we show gratitude for god and Jesus then we 
will always have something to be grateful for!

God commands us to give thanks and have a grateful heart in all things!

Gods Vision For Our Lives

John 21:1-14
The men went out to fish and they caught nothing! Have you ever felt that way, like you work hard and nothing happens? Jesus had died and the apostles went back to what they new. The discies were with out vision until Jesus resurected and called them back to what they were called for!

When there is no vision in our lives we become frustrated, depressed, un motivated...etc. We have to keep our eyes fixedon Jesus and our calling.

You take a task and put godly vision in it and it becomes something more.

Jesus asked them if they caught any fish. Jesus new the answer to the question! He wanted his disciples to realize what was possible when Jesus was in the picture....Jesus gives us vision and the power to glorify his name and fulfill his great purpose!

Vision allows us to see what god sees! Vision gives us optimism and hope! We should have vision and optimism. In every situation for if God is for us who can be agaisnt us? Gods power will enable us to do anything!

Exodus chapter 4
God gave Moses a vision, a plan for his life and Moses had nothing but excuses....don't make excuses for why you think god cannot do this or that in your life! Every excuse Moses could think of, God remaind faithfull and incouraged Moses by believing in him!

Imagine what your marriage, Christianity, your job...etc would be like if you had Godly vision?

It is very easy to loose your vision in God and his will for our life....exodus 4 says that God became angry with Moses when he did not accept the vision that God had for him!

John 21:1-14
Jesus is the ultimate visionary!

Some of the vision Jesus gave to his diciples:
Jesus said...you will move mountaines.
You will heal the sick.
You will become fishers of men.
You will do greater things than these....etc

Jesus is the ultimate visionary and God has vision for each of us regardless of our situation or what ever struggle we may be going through.

The Full Armor of God

Full armor of god

Ephesians 6:10-18
        We have to be ready for what ever schemes the devil may throw at us...if we are to live for god there will be a battle.
        Paul warned this church to wear armor and not forsake him.

Revelations 2:1-7
        20 years later god wrote again about Ephesus and this vs discribes the challenges they faced.

Ephesians 6:10-18
         We are in a battle with Satan and he is looking to destroy us.

The belt of truth: is used to keep us from stumbling and from falling.

Breast plate of righteousness: covers the whole upper body and is made for you to face the battle not run from it. With out it you are unrighteous.

Fit your feet in the gospel of peace: god is the only one that can provide true peace. Jesus is the gospel of peace!

Lamatations 3:22
         God is there for us and he is all we need.

Matthew 28:18-20
         We are in a battle and we are being called to arms.

Bible Study: Building Gods House

Isaiah 61:1-3

Despite who I was and who I am god has been working in my life to display his splendor.

We have all these problems in the world and god through his bible has all the solutions!

Don't give up.... Everything we do for god counts....we're building a house for the lord and every brick counts!

Isaiah 49:13-

God feels for us and he will never forget us....god never forsakes us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Standing Up for God

100 years from now what will they write about you?

Daniel 2:48-50;3:4-6
      If you're a man of god your faith will be tested and your convictions will be questioned.

      Shadrack meshack and abindigo were true men of god. they had deep convictions that did not waver!

      God wants to deliver us in every situation if we will let him! God is ready...am I??

John 5:44
       Who am I standing for? Is it for my wife.. My job? Or is it for god????

Daniel 3:17-18
         Security comes for faith in god! What is my level of security?

         Vs18 they had a conviction to only worship god regardless of the cost!!!

          How do I react when I don't get what I want or when I feel like god does not answer my prayers?

          What is the source of my insecurity?

          When you become insecure you become self reliant...you Connor trust god when you are insecure!

Deuteronomy 8:2
Romans 1:5-10
          Our faith is tested everyday and we become disobedient when we loose faith...obedience comes for having faith!

Daniel 3:22-30
          The soldiers were burned up.... Don't worry about other people, god will deal with them if you focus on obeying him!

          There faith changed a nation!  

 

How To Be a Biblical Leader for God

What does it mean to be a biblical leader?


Romans 12:1-9
           Leaders are no better than anyone else in the body......we are all equally important, however, god has set them apart for a specific task. A leaders goal. Should be a leader in serving!

            A leader should be inspiring.... The only way we can be inspiring is through our walk with god! If you struggling with be inspiring then you really saying I don't want to have to get that close to god.

            Leaders need to have vision and encourage the fellowship.

John 17

 

Yes We Can in Christ!

Yes in Christ! 


2 Corinthians 1:18-20
           Promises in the world are not always kept.....God keeps his promises! No matter how many promises god has made, they are " yes" in Christ and through Christ.
        
Psalms 119:140
           Gods promise or hand shack with us is his word! The bible is full of promises. God wants us to take his promises and test them.

Psalms 119:148
            Gods promises are good for our life and help us get through challenges!
Find on promise in the bible a day and just focus on that promise all day today.... Your life will radically change!

            God promises never fail And they are the same today as yesterday!
 god never says that the fulfillment of his promises will be easy! Examples.... Moses, Abraham, Joseph...etc yet god kept his promises to each of these men!

What are we hanging on to? Is it sorely things? Or our we hanging onto gods promises!

John 16:33
              We need to hang onto the promises no matter how tough it may get and god only uses people that believe and hang onto his promises!

Isaiah 49:16
               God is never going to forget me! I am special to god and he has me engraved in his hand!

Ephesians 2:8-10
              When we become a Christian god sees me as a master piece.

Isaiah 55:10-11
             Gods word does not come back empty! Have you been praying for something that has not been answered yet.....gods word and his promises are powerful!

2 Timothy 2:9

 

Being Real Men of God!

Being a man!

Genesis 1:27
         We were created in gods image.... Women was created from our ribs so we could and should protect her under are arm!

Roman
           God blames man for the sin... We are the head of the house and should be responsible for what happens in our marriage and our house.

Ephesians 5:22
           Our wives are meant to be our helpers and not to be responsible!
 
           We need to re discover what a Man is!
Philippians 2:4-11
           Our model should be Jesus and we should imitate his humility and righteousness!

          This contrary to what the world tells us a man should be.
Ephesians 5:25
          How often do I help my wife with her spirituality?

           What would my wife say I wash her with? Material things or the word of god?

John 2:16
           How deep is our conviction about sin?... Sin will destroy us and should be taken serious! And dealt with.

2 timothy 3:6-7
          We have to be the ones to guard our homes and protect our wife from sin.....our wives are vulnerable and need to be protected.

2 Corinthians 1:3
           We need to be men of comfort and bring security! The more we come men of Christ we become different men! If I have trouble comforting my wife I may trouble getting comfort from god!

Welcome To Our Site!

Welcome to God's Free Word!

I hope you enjoy this site and my prayer is that you will learn more about Gods word and the plan he has for each one of us through our bible study lessons and devotionals. We believe that the bible is the inspired word of God and that we should follow God's word whole heartedly in every aspect of our lives. The bible is not just simply a story book but actual instructions handed down from our creator to help us live rewarding and fulfulling lives as he intended. So, feel free to take a look around and we hope you enjoy what you see!