The lesson on March 20, 2011 was the 29th lesson in the From the Beginning study and started with the scripture reading of Matthew 5:1-3 KJV "1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." It's good to see the handy work of God as spring manifests itself this time of year. Just like the rainbow, when we see it we can remember the promise that God made but He has made other promises in scripture
Leland Maples runs the LOOP's Ministries (Loved Ones Of Prisoners) and leads a Thursday night bible study held in the Rec Room at Life Change Baptist Church in Odessa Texas. The Rec Room message on Thursday, March 17, 2011 was a testimony by Steve Southern who is an ex-inmate who now serves the Lord in many ways. Steve in an area manager for Key Energy, which is a large oil field firm and has provided jobs for many men coming out of prison. Steve is a long time friend of the REC-Room and continues to minister in prison.
The lesson on March 13, 2011 continued the study From the Beginning with part 28 of the series. The scripture reading was in John 21:25 KJV "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." What is your way of communicating the gospel? What is your way of approaching right division? How do you rightly divide the scriptures in your presentation to other people?
The lesson on March 6, 2011 was provided by Leland Maples who spoke on "Redeeming the Time". Leland refered to Ephesians 5:16 KJV "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." First we received an update on the LOOPS Ministry prior to getting into the lesson. If we went back to the beginning of time, we find a day is measured by a day and the evening. The month is measured by the rotation of the sun, as well as the year. Science can measure time by these elements but God is the only one that can measure a week. There are so many time savers now a days...
The lesson on March 28, 2010 was the eighth lesson in the series "God Has Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear". The scripture reading was in John 15:9-14 KJV "9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." What great love God has for us. As the song "Looking for Love (in all the wrong places)" demonstrates from the movie "Urban Cowboy", the world looks for love but it has confused love with lust. This lesson looks at the love that God has for us. The word of God is the power of God as we learned in Psalms 19:7-10 KJV. Examples were given from scripture wanting the power of God but they did not get it. On the cover of the March 8th edition of People Magazine, Carrie Underwood was quoted as saying "He Makes Me Feel So Special" speaking of her fiance Mike Fisher. Back in 2006, perhaps Sandra Bullock felt the same way about her new husband Jesse James. In 2010 it feel apart due to infidelity. Dare we mention Tiger Woods... Why doesn't the worlds recipie for love doesn't work? It's not God's definition of love.
The lesson on March 7, 2010 continued this series with lesson 7. The scripture reading was in Psalms 19:7-11 KJV "7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." The study opened with Colossians 3:15-16 KJV which says "15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." We are to have the word of God in our hearts and mind because this is what gets you the power of God. We need the power because we have a warfare going on within us between the old and new nature. As it says in Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV "22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." You put on the new man by renewing your mind with the word of God. Remember in Romans 12:2 KJV "2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." We are in a constant struggle with the old man.
The lesson on March 7, 2010 was part 6 in this series and had the scripture reading in Romans 12:1-2 KJV "1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." It takes a lot of faith to say "this is good" when you are chasened with a bad event in your life. Faith is the antidote to fear. An antidote not only cures but prevents a person being affected by poison. Fear is the poison promoted by the devil and scripture is the antidote. The Lord showed us how to use the antidote when He was tempted by satan in the wilderness. Misplaced faith is a dangerous thing! The bible says have faith in God. Some people today think faith is "positive thinking". The object of your faith means everything. Faith in faith will not work because that is just faith in yourself. You will let yourself down all the time. In Romans 12, we see the bridge that covers the gap from fear to faith. This passage shows how you put faith into action.
