Message for week 7-28-15

Hello everyone,

Well another glorious week has past and God willing, a new one was on the way. However, it is now the middle of the week and this is just going out. As you can see, I continue to struggle with timeliness in preparing and sharing the Word of the Lord. I allow distractions to interupt my responsibility. Please forgive me.

This week I would like to give out a few thankyou's to a few brothers who checked up on me and my family to see how we are doing. Patrick Davis, Antoine Drake, Carlton Jones and Eugene Choi. With it only being just over a month ago for the passing of my mother, I appreciate these brothers looking out for us. I humbly admit that although God continues to strengthen us and provides the Holy Spirit for comfort, the human (flesh) side of me is week and I miss her and my brother deeply.

With that said, I wanted to take some time today and provide you with the Word of God and ensure His wisdom, clarity, and purpose for you is available for you to obtain. As always, His will be done, whether through me or anyone whom He chooses to provide you with exegetical and doctrinal teaching of the scriptures, in order that you can apply His words to your life.

This past week I was studying both the books of Psalms and Acts. In Psalms, chapters 26 - 48 and in Acts, chapters 22 - 28.

- Let's consider the book of Psalms, according to "www.biblestudy.org", its purpose is:

Overview

Understanding the overall characteristics of this section of the Bible can help us fully appreciate what they say and teach.

1. The purpose of many of the songs is public worship in Israel's temple, although some are more suited for private devotion. They all, however, ultimately lead people to worship the true God.

2. They were a part of Israel's daily life. The Bible records a number of times when the people spontaneously responded to God with a Psalm of praise.

3. They passionately record a person's response to God given their situation and circumstances at the time. Some songs cry out to God during a trial and others seek his intervention in their (and others) affairs. Some focus on God's blessings or curses, while others sing his praises and thank him for what he has done.

Prophecy division

A prophetic theme exists within the five-folder original structure of the Psalms.

1. Section 1 (1 to 41) refers to the Passover, the beginning of Israel as a nation, and the start of the New Testament plan of salvation centering around Jesus

2. Section 2 (42 to 72) shows Israel as a single body in the land of Israel and pictures the creation of the New Testament Church

Additionally, if you are interested, www.biblestudy.org, also identified "Categories of Songs", describing numerous ways in which to divide the book of Psalms other than by section. Please visit the website for further review.

Let's consider the book of Acts:

A. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS The importance of this second of Luke's two-volume work can hardly be over-estimated, for without it we would have no record of the beginnings and development of the early church. Therefore, as Acts furnishes for us aselective record of events that took place during the formative years of the church, it provides us with the historical antecedents of our faith and how that faith came to be embraced from Jerusalem to Rome. It also provides helpful information of the facts surrounding many of the letters of the apostles, which in turn helps us to better understand when they said what they said and why they said it. It was probably written in the early 60's, perhaps from Antioch, Rome or Ephesus.

B. THE PURPOSE OF ACTS As was stated, Acts is the second part of what was originally a two-part, single volume (i.e. Luke-Acts; cf. Acts 1:1). Therefore, it is reasonable to include Luke's purpose for Acts as falling under his purpose for the book of Luke. In Luke 1:4 the author says that he is writing to "most excellent Theophilus" . . . "in order that he might know the certainty of the things he had been taught." Apparently, as Longenecker1 observes, Theophilus "seems to have been a man, who though receptive to the gospel and perhaps even convinced by its claims, had many questions about Christianity as he knew it." Luke wrote to strengthen him in his belief. Given the contents of the book of Acts, Theophilus appears to have had questions about the coming and activity of the Holy Spirit, the ministry of the apostles, Paul and his dealings with the Jerusalem apostles and the advance of Christianity to the Imperial capital.

In a sentence, given the emphasis on the unity of the church (2, 4, 15, 20) and its expansion from Jerusalem to Rome we may say that the Luke's purpose was to demonstrate to Theophilus the sovereign, unified and unmitigated advance of the gospel into all the world, i.e. from Jerusalem to Rome. There are seven "progress reports" on the unity and advance of the church that further confirm this (cf. 2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:30, 31). With this knowledge, Theophilus, who was probably a Roman official,2could understand how Christianity reached his city.

The chapter breakdown is below:

E. PAUL IN JERUSALEM (21:15-23:22)

1. Welcomed by Brethren (21:15-26)

2. Arrested by the Jews (21:27-40)

3. Paul's Defense (22:1-21)

4. The Response of the People (22:22-29)

5. Paul Before the Sanhedrin (23:1-10)

6. The Plot Against Paul (23:11-22)

F. PAUL IN CAESAREA (23:23-26:32)

1. Paul Escorted to Caesarea (23:23-35)

2. Paul Before Felix (24:1-21)

3. Paul Imprisoned (24:22-27)

4. Paul Before Festus (25)

5. Paul Before Agrippa (26)

G. PAUL IN ROME (27, 28)

1. The Shipwreck (27)

2. Paul in Malta (28:1-15)

3. Paul in Rome (28:16-31)

I am sure that while reading this information you are wondering how does this apply to your life. Recognizing that we discussed two books covering the Old and New Testament. Also, if you noticed, in Psalms gave bits of wisdom and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. While the book of Acts tells of the expansion of the Church and the challenges faced with the work of spreading God’s word.

An example from Psalms 31: Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit; To the choirmaster.

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily!

Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.

Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction;

you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;

you have set my feet in a broad place. Consider your life.

Matthew Henry Commentary: Psalms 31:1

Vs. 1-8. Faith and prayer must go together, for the prayer of faith is the prevailing prayer. David gave up his soul in a special manner to God. And with the words, ver. 5, our Lord Jesus yielded up his last breath on the cross, and made his soul a free-will offering for sin, laying down his life as a ransom. But David is here as a man in distress and trouble. And his great care is about his soul, his spirit, his better part. Many think that while perplexed about their worldly affairs, and their cares multiply, they may be excused if they neglect their souls; but we are the more concerned to look to our souls, that, though the outward man perish, the inward man may suffer no damage. The redemption of the soul is so precious, that it must have ceased for ever, if Christ had not undertaken it. Having relied on God's mercy, he will be glad and rejoice in it. God looks upon our souls, when

we are in trouble, to see whether they are humbled for sin, and made better by the affliction. Every believer will meet with such dangers and deliverances, until he is delivered from death, his last enemy.

In the book of Acts we see Paul going through the process of preparing lay down his life for his faith in Christ. Through the multiple appearances before various kings and governors, he remained steadfast. He was given his task on the "Road to Damascus" he went out to both the Jews an Gentiles and did his best to spread the word everywhere. My question to you is have you been, in a position like David? Have you made the effort to work with the Lord and cleanse your soul? Have you considered searching for mercy and redemption?

I pray that you take time create a relationship with Christ. I pray that you chose Christ today.

References:

1. The book of Psalms: http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/who-wrote-the-psalms.html

2. The book of acts: https://bible.org/article/study-outline-acts

History and Life Changing ( Part 1 )

History and Life Changing (Part 1)

Greetings,

I pray that this week's message finds you doing well and blessed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please bear with me as this message will probably be in several parts in oder to complete my discussion with the Lord. Again, if I have not said this before,  or I have, it is worth repeating. The Word of the Lord I share with you is what He has placed on my heart to share. God is highly capable of directly telling you what he needs you to hear, so if you feel the need to research and have a debate on the scriptures provided and the context they were placed in, I am open for discussion. I don't own God’s word,  I merely am doing my part share the knowledge that I have gained through my studies.

I wanted to start this message with a little background and recap of the past several weeks. As I routinely mention in these messages, God and I converse with each other on a daily basis (A relationship is what He desires for us - please read "More Than a Savior, When Jesus Calls You Friend";  by author Robert Crosby). Remember  what was said in John 15:12-16 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

I mentioned twice a few weeks ago, that emotionally, it had gotten so bad that I went to Him every few minutes. Not to say that I am out of the woods yet, but, He has been my rock and my foundation. You may or may not be aware, but on June 16, 2015, God called my mother home to be with Him. For anyone or any family, this period is difficult to say the least. This is where His wondrous works come alive; where in the midst of a struggle, pain, or despair, He sends an angel or clears a pathway to remind you of His promise. Hebrews 13:5 - "I will never leave you or forsake you."

It was not until Sunday, June 28, sitting in the home of a relative did I understand what God wanted to share with me. Now, this was not some flashing light (Paul - Road to Damascus - Acts 9:2-3) or vision of angles ascending or decending on a ladder (Jacob - Gen 28:12-15), it was merely God laying out the some historical references to my and our family's humble beginning. For many years I have been in search of my ancestry.  My family on both sides have been blessed with the ability to share even today with family members who are well into their 90's and are full of thier faculties. Listening to the stories and history of the family placed me in a state of awe and left plenty of questions. I learned about some who were slaves and some who were free. But many questions remained.

Please read the scriptures below and see the comments afterwards.

(According to Insight.org)

Book: Zechariah

Author: Grandson of the priest Iddo, Zechariah prophesied to the people of Judah after they returned from their seventy years of exile in Babylon (Zechariah 1:1; Nehemiah 12:1, 4, 16). Zechariah’s grandfather returned from Babylon, his young grandson in tow, with the first group of Israelites allowed back, in 538 BC under the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia. Because of his family lineage, Zechariah was a priest in addition to a prophet. He, therefore, would have had an intimate familiarity with the worship practices of the Jews, even if he had never served in a completed temple. As a “young man” at the time of his first prophecies (Zechariah 2:4), his life more than likely extended into the reign of Xerxes I (485–465 BC), the king best known in the Bible for making Esther the queen of Persia (Esther 1:1).

Purpose: The book of Zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic (about the Messiah) passages among the Minor Prophets. In that respect, it’s possible to think of the book of Zechariah as a kind of miniature book of Isaiah. Zechariah pictures Christ in both His first coming (Zechariah 9:9) and His second coming (9:10–10:12). Jesus will come, according to Zechariah, as Savior, Judge, and ultimately, as the righteous King ruling His people from Jerusalem (14:8–9).

Chapter 8: 1-8 The Coming Peace and Prosperitty of Zion:

And the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

Matthew Henry Commentary :

Zechariah

Vs. 1-8. The sins of Zion were her worst enemies. God will take away her sins, and then no other enemies shall hurt her. Those who profess religion must adorn their profession by godliness and honesty. When become a city of truth and a mountain of holiness, Jerusalem is peaceable and prosperous. Verses 4, 5, beautifully describe a state of great outward peace, attended with plenty, temperance, and contentment. The scattered Israelites shall be brought together from all parts. God will never leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, for this he has promised them; and they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of duty, as they have promised him. These promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish church, betwixt the captivity and the time of Christ's coming; and they had fuller accomplishment in the gospel church; but the full import must be as to the future times of the Christian church, or the future restoration of the Jews. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible; so far are God's thoughts and ways above ours. In the present low state of vital godliness, we can hardly conceive that so complete a change can be made; but a change thus extensive and glorious, can be brought to pass by the almighty power of the new-creating Spirit, in less time than he was pleased to employ in creating the world. Let the hands of all who labor in the cause of the gospel be strong, serving the Lord in true holiness, assured that their labor shall not be in vain.

When you read the above you're probably wondering what did this have to do with my family history or how is this applicable to your life. I pray the following makes sense. - History has been all but removed from the textbooks, lesson plans, and I dare to say the homes of the 21st century.  As a result, it is my belief, not many people have a connection with a family who was raised from slavery (or the 1800s - nonslaves) to 2015 on the strength and power of Christ.  

Listening to the stories I learned that my ancestors considered themselves or their Decendants receiving the prosperity of Zion. It was that path unknowingly taught to me and my family members which caused us to search for greatness or to achieve excellence. This does not mean we all got there or that we did not stray away as the Israelites did.  But, today, I can honestly say that looking directly into the eyes of my ancestors those who are still living, seeing the hard work, joy, and love for Christ in their eyes and tell them thank you. In turn to hear Mrs. Lucille, Mr and Mrs Pringle, and Aunt Georgia say to me that I did not let them down and they saw God working through me, gave me peace. I intend Lord willing to add to this next week. We will go into our past, present, and future, even considering where we grew up.

I pray that you chose Christ today and enjoy the benefits of being a child of God. Remember, everyone is not a child of God until they accept His Son. You are part of His creation but not yet heirs.

Romans 8:12-17 Heirs with Christ

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.