Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Good morning Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Matthew 14:13-14  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.  14  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.  Jesus demonstrated His heart toward the sick and suffering and this ought to reflect our own heart as well. He had compassion on the multitude and healed their sick. A compassionate heart is the motivation for any Christian who seeks to minister to the sick and suffering around us. In the text the word compassion means our inner man yearns to love and help someone. Philippians 2:25-28  Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, bu...

Good morning We looked at some good God inspired truths to orient our thinking as we are confronted by much sickness and suffering in the world today. One thing we must remember is that we must be open to what God says in His word and seek to have a readiness to hear and heed. Matthew 25:31-46  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  36  Naked,...

Good morning This morning I would like to pause from our Bible Character Studies so that we can think a bit about the major troubles people are facing all around the world.  Consider some of the global health issues that are causing sickness, suffering and death.  In the United States the flu has sickened more than 22 million people, resulting in 12,000 deaths.  Corona Virus has been in the news a lot over the last few months. The number of reported cases keeps rising as does the death toll. It is causing great concern especially to those who live in China.  My heart goes out to all those suffering from such widespread diseases and especially to those dear folks in China. Corona Virus is causing much distress, anxiety and disruption to millions of Chinese citizens. {These statistics are from the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control.}    We live in a world groaning under the curse of sin.  We live in a world...

Good morning... Psalm 9: 1-2  I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in thee; I will sing praise to thy name; O thou most High. This morning we are going to study about a business woman who hears about Jesus Christ from 3 men and immediately she and her household follow Jesus Christ and are baptized.  Her life is transformed from this point forward.  The scripture above is so fitting for a new believer as well as a mature believer in their faith.  Spirit Guided Travels Acts 16:11-12  Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;  12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.  Photo above shows a portion of the Via Egnatia going to Philippi.  Luke gives us an important account of their tr...

Good Morning, Proverbs 31: 20, 30-31 v.20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. v.30-31 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Photo of Joppa.  Acts 9:36-42  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  37  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  38  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.  39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows s...

Good morning, A certain lawyer in Luke 10:25-27 is asking Jesus a certain question on what he needs to do to have eternal life.  Jesus answers him by saying "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and to love thy neighbour as thyself". Are we loving the Lord first and foremost in our lives?  And do we love our neighbors like we do ourselves?  Let's all work on this!   The world is full of chaos, hatred, and self......we are in need of a spiritual revival. Photo is of a Gentile Church at Antioch.  Certain Jews caused trouble and Paul with Barnabas go to Jerusalem for counsel. Acts 15:-41  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.  2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul...

Good morning, Yesterday was the Lord's Day all day, not just for a couple of hours.  As we start a new week, we can take with us the fresh vision of our risen Lord from Revelation 1.   Our Pastor pointed out that apostle John was flat on his face when he saw the glorified Christ.  This is the God we serve and He stooped to meet our greatest need of Salvation.   Just a reminder.  Our youtube channel is: HBC Smithville, OH.  You can see Pastor Alvis's sermons live-streamed from July 14, 2019 onward. Above photo shows ruins of Derbe.   Faithful men who refused pagan's worship and pointed them to the only God who can save them. Acts 14:8-18  And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:  9  The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,  10  Said with a loud voice, Stan...

Good Morning, Psalm 13:5,6  But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.  I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. This is the LORD's day, let us praise Him this morning! The photo above is ruins of Salamis one of the places Paul and Barnabas visited.  Barnabas with Saul returns to his home to share the gospel of Christ.  Acts 13:5-7  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.  6  And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:  7  Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.   Luke records the first journey of Saul & Barnabas together. They first went to the port of Selucia and then...