BIBLE STUDY & MEDITATIONS - MARCH 2016

1watchman

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BIBLE STUDY & MEDITATIONS - MARCH 2016

[NOTE: READERS CAN SEE THE FIRST POSTINGS IN THE JANUARY LISTINGS]

INTRODUCTION
Hello friends! The value of these studies and meditations is intended to be about Christian life as God shows in these major areas of study: Bible General; Redemption Way; Church Truth; Spiritual Life. If one keeps these four areas clear in their mind they will be able to better understand what God is showing mankind, I believe. It is hoped we can keep focused on learning more of God's mind for us with the Bible as our only authority. The writer here prefers the venerable KJV Bible, so possible difficulty could arise from other Bible renderings of wordings by readers.

Sometimes Bible verses are scrambled by readers and they find it then hard to know what a verse is about. Keeping them in the context God has given will make the counsel clearer, I have found. It is my desire to share what I have learned over many years of Bible study, and see if readers find it helpful, and/or they know some variation on the subjects that can help all of us in our further understandings.
Feel free to comment in a helpful way on posts here ---agreeing or disagreeing, but let us be considerate and not argue or divert to other issues beyond what is the original subject.

One is welcome to also write me at my Profile on CF under Conversations or at my e-mail if they wish to discuss matters in private. I don't claim to be a scholar, but after 60+ years of Bible study I think I have some understanding of ways and intent of God. - 1watchman.


TABLE OF CONTENTS​

A. BIBLE GENERAL: Sections - Overview with history; Deity; Philosophies; Sects & Cults; Miscellany;
B. REDEMPTION WAY: Sections - Gospel; Prophecy; Kingdom; Miscellany;
C. CHURCH TRUTH: Sections - Form & History; Assembly life; Gov't.; Miscellany;
D. SPIRITUAL LIFE: Sections - Faithfulness; State; Trials; Worship; Miscellany.

-- FIRST MARCH SUBJECT: GENERAL --

We have been moving along in a brief way as an introduction to the Bible and Christianity, and readers may have questions on the various sections. One can comment herein and also write me personally if they wish to discuss this in more detail. As to the Table Of Contents we can take a look at the subject of Philosophies here.


Most people have a general philosophy of life: a system or principles for interacting with people, some values to hold, a way ofdealing with issues of life before them. This often includes such as origin of life too. When one becomes interested in the Creator-God and begins to search this out, their philosophy (system of beliefs) begins to re-adjust and adapt to this new concept. Then when one finally receives the truth of it and embraces it their philosophy is defined by the Bible mostly. Ofcourse, if one interupts the process and turns away from this faith and belief, they close that door as it were and return to a personal value system they choose to live by ---not recommended.

If one can appreciate that we are an eternal being, as God declares, and will spend eternity somewhere ---either with the Creator-God or cast away into eternal condemnation, then worldly philosophies will have little value to that one. The "born again" believer has a living relationship with God through the Savior, and seeks to follow His guidance by His Word. That affords the peace of soul that no kind of reasoning can provide. It is recommended here that one begin reading at John 1; John 3; John 14 in their Bible to search this out.

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1watchman

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-- SECOND MARCH SUBJECT: REDEMPTION WAY --

Next, let us take up the Redemption subject of Kingdom. In the Gospel by Matthew we see much reference to the Kingdom of Heaven, and that is of the testimony of the Heavens coming down to man. This speaks of the righteous One of the Godhead ---promised Messiah, and fulfillment of David's greater Son coming into the world (showing His lineage there). We note as John, the Baptist said in Matthew 3: "Repent ye; for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand"; which announces that if man should receive the Lord Jesus the promised Kingdom could then be established on earth. Alas, He was not received by Israel or Gentiles, so the rule of the Heavens could not yet be manifest, and must wait for a later time.


In the Gospel of Mark and Luke and John God shows more fully the message of salvation and hope for mankind to obtain eternal life ---shown mostly as the Kingdom of God (a difference). We ought to see this difference in the Gospels, which shows us in general that the Kingdom of Heaven is intended to reign on the earth (and will in a time to come); so now it is only in profession, but the Kingdom of God reigns in the hearts of "born again" believers in the Lord Jesus, the Christ of God. Sincere seekers need to understand this difference. It is about what we know now on one hand as christendom (profession of the Creator-God, and Jesus as a teacher from God). The devoted believers in the Lord Jesus (on the other hand) have a spiritual new birth and have entered the Kingdom of God, being possessors of eternal life.

The hope and assurance and joy of true believers in Christ is that one day we will depart this world to dwell with our Savior in Heaven forever; even returning with the Lord Jesus when He descends to vanquish His enemies and reign over this world.

Much more can be shared on this precious truth if one has an interest. It can only be discussed in brief here, but private discussion with me on the Conversations site of CF can answer detail questions for serious students of the Word. Keep reading the Word, friends, and looking to God for His leading!

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-- THIRD MARCH SUBJECT: CHURCH TRUTH --

Government is now the subject in this section, and it speaks of order, function, the scriptural way of God; and maintaining the testimony as given by God for His Church universal and locally. The assembly of saints is not just a loose gathering of believers to do all the things each chooses for his convenience and special interests, but as Bible-only by the authority of God. The saints of God gathered in a local assembly must be about conformity to God and not to men. Our ways and ideas are not God's ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).


We might be inclined to tradition and rituals of olden times and many innovations to Scripture (and to traditional ceremonies, etc.), but that will not please God, and in fact will bring forfeiture of blessings to a saint in Heaven one day. It must be seen as CRITICAL to bow fully to God and His immutable Word.

Beside the scriptural order and function in a local assembly, it must also regard the universal Church in the world, and the communion and unity therewith as God says. We need to regard "unity of the Spirit", the truth of "the one body in Christ", and "no schism in the body" as God requires as shown in Acts and the Epistles.

The "unity of the Faith" as described as the mind of God must not be minimized, rationalized, or set aside, etc. Government in the local assembly needs to be regarded by other assemblies sound in the same universal testimony. When there might be disagreement within a gathering, the elders there should help the saints to resolve it; and other esteemed teachers serving among assemblies in the world can help in this understanding. Other assemblies must not interfere in local judgments, unless there is evil present not being judged, then all the other assemblies will see it and may counsel the local gathering in a place about the mind of God. Rebellion toward God and His Word is not acceptable by either a saint or an assembly.

One can compare this ministry also with the thoughts on Assembly Life, as shown earlier. Other thoughts and understandings on this subject are welcome here for our mutual good; and much more could be shared on this brief writing.

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-- FOURTH MARCH SUBJECT: SPIRITUAL LIFE --

In this final subject, we have Trials & Worship; and it seems appropriate to include Sects & Cults here, from the section on BIBLE GENERAL, since it is the last one. It is hoped this has been of interest to readers and stimulated some Bible thoughts.


TRIALS are ever with mankind, and saints of God also have them, though in a different manner. Trials for the saints are spiritual, even when it concerns physical things, for we seek to resolve troubles through the Lord. We also learn to trust the Lord more through trials; and as one has said: trials by a "child of God" is an opportunity to witness to others by giving the Lord all the glory in it. God takes good care of His faithful saints, and that might also involve trials to learn more about grace and mercy of God, and how it can work to be a great testimony to others ---especially as one looks beyond self to say: the Lord allows this according to His purposes and so I am serving Him in it. That is a difficult thing to say, but is the heart and mind of a true saint of God, who knows His Father in Heaven will not allow harm to His children, though we might need to be a vessel in His hands for a spiritual work. We think of our Savior ---the Lord Jesus suffering on the Cross for us, and saying: "Father let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will but Thy will be done". Can we say that? Do we want to say it?


WORSHIP often comes out of trials, for we learn to commit self to God and practice praising Him in every situation; for as one dear soul said: "I am nothing at all without God, and His ways are perfect, though I might not understand it. Yet, I know He loves me, and has paid the supreme price in suffering on the Cross to save my soul forever"; and as God has promised: "I will never leave you nor forsake you", and "lo, I am with you always" (Heb. 13:5 and Matt. 28:20). We worship God in our hearts always (or not), and also in the collective assembly in worship at the "Lord's Supper" with others.


SECTS & CULTS speaks both of those who somewhat imitate the ways of God. There are those among them who may know God, but want their own ideas, and do not commune with the Lord and bow to His mind. Others know not God (and often are ones who do not want to know God) ---rather have things their own way. SECTS actually speaks of those gatherings of professing Christians who are carnal and want their innovations and that which pleases self in the Name of the Lord, and ignores God's Word. CULTS refers to religious ideas which is apostasy and seeks to pervert and corrupt the Bible and draw away Christians after self for gain ---high position, control of lives, their own philosophies, etc. (note 2 Tim. 3:1-7, etc.). One should avoid both of such men, and seek a Bible-only fellowship with faithful saints who love the Lord and His precious Word.


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This study is now ended, so we will look to see how else God might allow us to learn more about Him and His ways in this Bible Study & Meditations. - 1watchman
 
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1watchman

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Learning how God reveals His truth in the Bible is the best way to first study the Book. I recommend you follow this series by going to the January post here on Bible Study & Meditations. From there it progresses to the major subjects He gives us. One should learn about Redemption Way, Church Truth, and Spiritual Life to see the full picture for mankind. One can then read in the Old Testament for some history.

Let me know how you wish to study. Learning about salvation of our soul is the most important thing to know, and that is found in a redemption study. I suggest you read for yourself in John 1; John 3; John 14 for a general overview.
 
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