Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Exodus 22:1  If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.  The section of God's will regarding stealing begins by setting the penalty for a man who steals and ox or a sheep. The thief may either kill it for meat or sell the stolen property to someone else.  The penalty is that a thief must restore five oxen if he stole one. Thus, if he stole three oxen the sentence would be fifteen oxen paid to the victim of his crime. The ratio is four to one for each sheep that is stolen. Although this may seem harsh, remember that livestock was a measure of wealth in the ancient economy. Also, stealing an ox would be like stealing an expensive tractor from a farm, because the ox carries the burden of doing heavy work.  Exodus 22:2  If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.   If a thief broke into an out building or a home during t...

Psalm 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.  So far, we are learning what the Psalmist mean when he asked Jehovah to incline or turn his heart toward the word of God. He also prayed that God would turn his heart away from our natural tendency of being covetous.  We are always to be on guard against this sin because it is so easy for us to fall into covetousness. Left to our own devices, we will become self centered and self absorbed. Thus, we need God to intervene and help us.  God must incline our hearts so that we seek the things of God.  1 Kings 8:57,58  The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:  58) That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.  King Solomon prayed that Jehovah would incline the hearts of the nation Israel to Him. Why? ...

We have been looking in an overview fashion at the will of God. We are finding out that His will is usually clearly expressed and can be followed, if we submit to it. In our last post, we looked at the Ten Commandments. These are not optional for believers in Christ. Why? Because they are expressions of the perfect righteousness of the Godhead. Thus, they are immutable and unchanging moral standards.  Laws regulating slavery. Exodus 21:1-4  Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.  2)  If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.  3)  If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.  4)  If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.  There are still pockets of slavery in the world today...

Colossians 3:1,2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  Colossians one and two are chapters that spell out the doctrines God teaches us through the apostle Paul. Chapters three and four are explanations of our spiritual duties and obligations based upon the doctrines. What we believe must impact how we live. Thus, this chapter began with an exhortation to seek those things which are above where Christ is seated in heaven with our Father.  We are to set the affection of our heart upon our Lord and heavenly things. Paul gave us some things that we must "put off" including sexual sins, lying, and filthy communication. He gave us some things we must "put on" including forbearance, forgiveness toward one another, and to have the love of God poured into us by the Holy Spirit. Ruled by the peace of God. Colossians 3:15 ...

  Good morning to our Readers... Here is the link to our midweek service. Pastor Alvis is our of town and he asked me to speak in his absence. This is audio only as we do not have Livestream available for the midweek service. I spoke on Psalm 96. Jehovah is mentioned 26 times in 13 verses. It is a Psalm that gets us ready to work for our Lord, Worship our Lord and be ready witnesses for our Lord. I hope that you are able to listen to this simple lesson. Love in Christ, Bob

Psalm 119:33  HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.  34  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.  35  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.  So far in this section of Psalm 119, the Psalmist has made three requests of God and made three resolutions in his heart regarding the things of God. He asked Jehovah to teach him His ways, to give him an understanding heart and to make or guide him in the path of His holy commandments. He has vowed to keep the way of Jehovah to the end of his life. He promised to keep the law of God and observe it with his whole heart. He expressed his great delight in learning and understanding God's commandments.  Asking God to turn us to Him and away from self.  Psalm 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.   The Psalmist is making another very specif...

  Here is the audio link to Pastor Alvis' midweek sermon on Normal Christian Living from the book of Colossians.

Here are the links to our church services from August 6, 2022. We had one of our missionary couples sharing with us all day. You will be grealy blessed by hearing what God is doing with this dear couple who serve in Australia and New Zealand. Bob  

Good morning to all of our Readers! Above are the links to Pastor Alvis teaching Sunday School where he is giving an overview of all the Old Testament books. This lesson focused on Exodus.  His Sunday Sermon continues the Plain Man series in an effort to look at those scriptures like a man or woman reading it for the first time. His afternoon devotion looks at the application of these truths to our lives. I know that those who can watch the videos will be greatly blessed. Bob  

Psalm 119:35  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.  We have been learning about our need to ask God to make us or lead us in the path of His holy commandments. We learned that we need to be led by the Holy Spirit and to walk in His ways.  Jehovah's abundant help is promised. Philippians 4:17-19  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  18)  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God 19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   We need God's help and He has promised to liberally supply for our spiritual needs. Paul loved the Christians at Philippi and he wanted the very best for them.  He prayed that they would serve God and have spiritual fruit while progressing toward mature faith in ...

Colossians 3:12,13  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  Colossians three is a beautiful chapter for us to study. Paul teaches us to seek heavenly things where Christ is seated at the Father's right hand.  We must set the affection of our heart and the thoughts of our minds, upon things above, not on earthly things. Then, Paul taught us to "put off" the old man with great detail. Sexual perversion must be put off. Corrupt communication must be put off. Lying must be put off. The apostle began to teach us what we must "put on." He reminded us that God loves us greatly and that He has made us holy in Christ.  He taught us about being made more like Christ as the Holy Spirit works His fruit into our lives. We learned abo...