The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

Russia’s provocative moves are only a foretaste of what is to come, leading to the Bible’s prophesied return of Christ to the earth. The Crimea will not be the last territory Russia seizes to its south. Russia’s future moves will include the building of the Gogian confederacy, including Ukraine, Europe and Muslim nations hostile to Israel and ultimately Israel herself will fall under the advancement of the Russian Bear..

A short reminder of the consequences of not trusting int he Lord!

Chris Davenport takes another question from the audience late in 2019.

Another question answered by Bernard Burt from a Bible Class in late 2019

Bernard Burt takes on this question from the audience from a Class in 2019.

Description: Being baptised means a new life. The nature we are born with is selfish. God sent Jesus who fulfilled his Father’s will to lay down his life for the forgiveness of sin. Baptism is a turning point in our lives, an act of obedience to the commandments of Christ. Our past sins are cleansed demonstrating our belief in God and Christ. This brings a fundamental change in how we think and act for the rest of our lives.

“EMPTY NOTHINGS?” Dec. 18th

At the end of the Book of Job we will read how God rebukes Eliphaz and his two friends who have argued with Job. God tells them “you have not spoken of me what is right [40 v.11] Today we read Ch. 22, the third speech of Eliphaz who is reacting to Job’s complaint that the ‘friends’ - “comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood” [21 v.34] Consider the response of Eliphaz; can we see how wrong he is? “Can a man be profitable to God?” he asks, “Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?” [22 v.2,3] There is a half-truth in his implication that we cannot be profitable to God, but it is to God’s glory if we behave wisely with the wisdom that comes down from above. Let us remember our reading in James 3 v.13-18 earlier this month – and that there is joy in heaven over every sinner who repents [Luke 15 v.7] It is clear that Eliphaz and his 2 friends have a total mindset that when things go wrong in the life of a human being - then this is a punishment for some sin. Even the disciples thought this way [John 9 v.2] when they asked Jesus concerning a blind man, “who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus had to correct them. The ways that God thinks are far beyond the way we think [Isaiah 55 v.8,9] yet the more we read God’s word day after day, year after year, the more we can tune in to his wavelength. Those who do not do this so often utter “empty nothings”, like saying God is purely a God of love. “Love” has been a key word in John’s epistles, as we have seen. Is it significant that the word “love” does not occur in the book of Job? Yet God “blessed the latter days of Job” [40 v.12] and showed his love toward him by the blessings he then received. By the same principle he will bless us if we speak of God that which is right, as Job did, and also, of course, do that which is right. The ‘foundation’ for this is laid when we read God’s word every day.

Blessings from God are the result of obeying Him. God’s blessing are given to bring about His purpose. We then bless God because He blesses us, resulting in circle of blessing.

“SEE WHAT KIND OF LOVE…. “  Dec. 17

Our chapter in 1 John 3 today starts with “See what kind of love the father has given to us …”  Do we understand what kind of love this is?   The word loveis used so much today that we may take what it means for granted; and because of this unclear thoughts can develop in our minds as we read God’s word.

Love is a simple, but at the same time, a profound subject and the Apostle John uses it frequently in his Epistles.

He himself is described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” [John 21 v.7,20]  But did not Jesus love them all?  Of course he did!  But love comes in degrees of intensity; it understands the character which is the objective of its love.  A mother still loves a naughty child, but there is a different ‘focus’ to that love.

Jesus found it necessary at times to reprove the disciples for their little faith; he rebuked Peter for tempting him to disobey his Father, he chided Thomas for his lack of belief. In contrast, what an example John set!  He was prepared to go in and witness the trial of Jesus, although he does not name himself [John 18 v.15-16] and to stand beside the cross with Mary in her agony as her son agonised to the end: remember how  she was told a sword would pierce through her own soul. (see Luke 2 v.35).

All true believers must have a living relationship with Jesus that grows day after day, although there will be times of agony – but that is a factor in causing growth, it was with Job.  As in all true relationships, it must grow and blossom and bring forth fruit.  John wrote,, “you know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him is no sin.  No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or knows him” [1 John 3 v.5,6].  That means – seen him with the eye of faith - so those who fail to become more and more like Jesus have never really known him which is what John means when he says such have not “seen him”.

Note Paul’s question, “Examine yourselves to see whether … Jesus Christ is in you.”  [2 Cor.13 v.5]    Now ‘see’ John’s most meaningful words,, “let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” [v.18].   Our actions prove whether we mean what we say!

In the next chapter John writes, “… if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us … we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this is love perfected in us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement … there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear “ [4 v. 12,16-18]

Yes, John’s words lead us to see “what kind of love” God and his Son have shown to us.  And our response?

Description:  This is a simple, easy to follow presentation of important aspects of Bible teaching that are missing in the vast majority of religions. God’s way requires men and women to do His will that the earth might exist in harmony.