Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Good Day, to all of our Readers from around the world. I am asking you to pray for my wife Deb, and me.  Deb has Multiple Myeloma which is a rare, blood cancer, caused by the bone marrow producing too much of a certain protein. She began treatments a couple of weeks ago. Please pray for Deb's body to be able to tolerate the chemo treatments. Also, pray for her side effects to be minimized. Currently, she is lightheaded and nauseated in the morning, and tired at various points during the day.  This has an impact upon the blog as well. Deb is my faithful editor and she is very good at what she does.  I cannot continue to ask Deb to edit the blog, because of her health concerns.  Please pray for the Lord to help me, as I write and proof the blog, so that the Word of God is honored and communicated clearly for you to read.  Our God is loving and caring, and we have cast all our cares upon Him as He instructs us to do. We trust the Lord and seek to walk with Him, one...

We have reached the last paragraph of the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is going to review the results from all of his investigations and observations.  Remember, Solomon wrote some of this book later in his life, after the bitter experience of having his heart turned away from Jehovah.  Yet, some of what he wrote reflected on when he still followed the LORD diligently.  Solomon gave his best effort to discover truth to teach his people.   Ecclesiastes 12:9  And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.  This text summarizes how King Solomon began as a young man. He first sought out the LORD and requested wisdom so that he could judge the people rightly. The phrase "the preacher was wise" is of interest. The word translated "wise" means that Solomon was blessed with many levels of wisdom.  These included ethical wisdom, spiritual wisdom,...

Christians must learn to expect hatred from this evil world. John 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  Jesus continues His ministry to His disciples, mere hours before His death on the cross of Calvary.  Jesus is pouring His final, much needed truth into these handpicked men who will carry on the mission, when Christ returns to His Father.  This text begins the last paragraph in John 15, and sets the table for the verses that follow.  Jesus speaks to His disciples, and by extension, to all Christians today. Here is a spiritual reality.  The world is going to hate us. Why? Because we are not of the world.  John 7:7  The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.  Earlier in John's gospel Jesus spoke to His brothers. He said that because He speaks the truth of the scriptures, the world hates Him.  Jesus had exposed the evil deeds of the world, a...

The gift of youth should be used with wisdom. Ecclesiates 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;  Solomon gave a strong admonition to young people to know and obey God, and avoid following a depraved culture. We have a good example of what Solomon meant when he spoke about the aging process.  We will not always enjoy the pleasures of a sound body and mind, because these tend to deteriorate over time.  This is why Solomon builds on his appeal to all young people, to seek God first. He urges young people to make Him their priority, rather than falling into conformity with a decadent culture.  If a child is brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, then a foundation for a good life has been established. Young people must learn to flee sin and follow God. 2 Timothy 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, ...

Here are several links to Pastor Alvis's sermons from the month of June. There is an overview of the prophet Amos. One sermon is titled "The Towering Majesty Of Our Lord". There are sermons titled "nurturing Relationships" Pts 1 & 2. One sermon is titled "Missing The Point Of The Sabbath Day." Each sermon is carefully grounded in scripture and preached with passion. I know Pastor Alvis's sermons will bless those who are able to view them. Bob    

Here are two more of Pastor Alvis's sermons. One is titled "The Masters Men" from Mark chapter three. The other sermon is an overview of the prophet Nahum. I know these powerful sermons will bless all who are able to view them. Bob  

Here are links to two of Pastor Alvis Sunday Morning Sermons, preached on July 9th and 16th. One sermon speaks to the Christian and the Sabbath, and is a very good sermon for all to think about. I know Pastor's careful, expository preaching will be a blessing to all who view it.  Bob  

Good afternoon  Below is a link to my church's YouTube channel. This is another great Sunday School lesson by Pastor Alvis. This lesson is an overview of the prophet Obadiah. Pastor Alvis brings out the historical context, the message of the prophet and the heart of God for His people. I know it will be a great blessing to those who are able to view it.  Bob  

Good afternoon Below is the link to my church's YouTube channel. This is Pastor Alvis's Sunday School lesson about the prophet Jonah.  This is a very good overview of the man, his message and God at work among a very warlike people, the Ninevites.  I know it will be a blessing to all who can view it. Bob  

We began our study of Ecclesiastes on March 24th. Today, we move into the last chapter of this book that contains Solomon's wisdom. King Solomon started off very well and was a wonderful king over Israel.   The nation occupied all the land that God gave to Abraham. Many surrounding nations paid tribute money to Israel, rather than face military conquest.  The splendor of Jerusalem and the architectural achievements of Solomon, were legendary. Powerful and influential people came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.  The swift spiritual decline of King Solomon.  1 Kings 11:1-6  But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;  2)  Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in...

Jesus gave the greatest example of God's love for us. John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Jesus taught that no man can carry his love any farther than to the point of dying for a close friend or relative. By dying so that his friend can live, this man has given all that he can give. Jesus will go to the cross within hours of sharing this truth with His disciples.  He is going to be the ultimate example of a man laying down his life, not only for his closest friends, but for all mankind. God loved the unlovable sinners by Christ's death for us.  Romans 5:6-8  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus did not just die nobly, so that H...