Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Reading scripture in order to remember God's Word. Psalm 119:49  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  The first verse in this section of Psalm 119 reminds us to remember. The act of remembering involves reading the scriptures to become well acquainted with them.  It involves studying the scriptures to learn what God is saying to us. We gain understanding and when we act on what we know to be true of God, we display wisdom.  It involves committing scripture to memory. Memorizing scripture forms a reservoir of truth in our soul, from which the Spirit of God dips in and brings truth to our minds when we need it.  We are to remember what God says to us in His Word. We are to remember His promises and to allow them to fill us with a joyous hope.  We are to remember the certainty of all that God has declared He will do. He is the unchanging God of eternity who will never change His covenant of faith, nor wil...

Psalm 119:49  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  We introduced the "ZAIN" section of Psalm 119 with kind of an overview of the eight verses. Let's take a closer look, so that we might really understand what God is saying to us, through the Psalmist.  By this point, we know what it means when he tells us to remember the scriptures God gave us. It means reading, studying, by setting aside time for this great privilege.  The idea here is that all believers may plead the promises of God from His Word, because He will honor His promises.  Remembering Jehovah  will keep His  promises. Isaiah 42:8,9  I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.  9)  Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Jehovah is all glorious and worthy of receiving our best praise and wo...

LORD, when will you judge the wicked? Psalm 10:1  Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?  The Psalmist raises a question that has been echoed by believers throughout all generations. Times are terrible and the wicked seem to be in control. Moral depravity is sweeping over our world like a tidal wave.  Those who love God wonder if He sees what is going on and why His judgment does not fall upon the wicked. Much evil, injustice and unrighteousness pollutes everything around us. When will Jehovah bring judgment? When will the wicked be punished? The Psalmist did not have the benefit of holding the New Testament scriptures in His hand, like you and I can do. However, he did know that God extends mercy and grace. So he asked a question that many believers from all generations have asked. "LORD, when will you do something about all this wickedness on earth? God will judge the wicked, while He exercises mercy.  Exodus 34:5-7  A...

The prayer and godliness of a Gentile soldier. Acts 10:1,2  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,  2)  A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.  This is a prayer that is remarkable in many ways. Cornelius was a centurion which means he was in charge of 100 Roman soldiers attached to the Italian cohort, consisting of 555 foot soldiers and 66 cavalry.  Caesarea was the home of the Roman procurator and the Italian cohort were considered the most loyal troops and best protectors of a Roman ruler. Thus, Luke's details let us know that Cornelius was an excellent and trusted military leader who helped supply protection for the procurator.  Luke also tells us four things that demonstrate Cornelius was a morally good man. First, he was "devout" which means having a godly, reverent character.  Second, he "feared God...

I apologize for the delay in posting Pastor Alvis's sermons and lessons. I had foot surgery in October and that put me behind.  For those of you who can hear and see them, Pastor Alvis's sermons will be a great blessing. Bob  

I posted an index to the archives on September 7, 2022. You will find 9 Christmas lessons titled "The True Story of Christmas" in the archives posted between December 16 and December 21, 2019. I trust that these lessons will be a good Bible study to share this week with your families. Praise God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ to be born in the flesh, to atone for our sins! Bob

In my last post, I noted the good heart work God did in me when I was hospitalized for surgery. I recovered well but it took time.   I had radiation (2011)  when my numbers started to creep up and have been cancer free for 11 years. I have also had two total knee replacements (2019 & 2020), a hip replacement (2013) and more recently, foot surgery. Through each of those health issues, the Lord has been faithful and I have trusted Him fully each time. Today, I am 72 years old and have been retired for five years. My wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary November 4, 2022. We rejoice for the two children and ten grandchildren God has blessed us with. We praise God for His unfailing goodness to us and His abundant provision for our retirement years.  Children be ready to be a blessing to your aging parents.  Exodus 20:12  Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Deuteronomy 5:1...

Psalm 119:49-56  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  51)  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.  52)  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.  53)  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.  54)  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.  55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.  56)  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.  We have been studying Psalm 119 for quite a while. It is a profitable study because it puts a spotlight on the glory of God's Word. The "ZAIN" section of this Psalm has a theme of remembering. The Psalmist remembered God's Word.  He remembered the glorious moral judgments God gave to Moses and remembe...

This is the next instance of prayer from the Book of Acts.  A dear saint of God lived to serve God and others.   Acts 9:36  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.  Luke introduces this Christian woman named Dorcas from the Hebrew name Tabitha. Her name means beautiful and comely.  She spent her life by doing acts of kindness and charity. Her soul was full of love to God and man and her days were filled up with works of piety and mercy. The word "good" means someone who is joyful, happy and of excellent character. Dorcas specifically had a heart full of love and compassion to meet basic needs of the poor in her community.  An urgent call to the apostle Peter for help. Acts 9:37,38  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 forasmu...

As we settled into our new church, the Lord was showing us how a New Testament church should function. The Word was carefully and thoroughly preached, and the Holy Spirit used it to continue re-shaping my mind.  New songs and fresh joy flood my heart! Psalm 33:1-4  Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  2)  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.  3)  Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.  4)  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.   The Psalmist often used words like this text, to describe what Biblical worship is like. Our worship should be from hearts that are full of joy, for all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ our savior.  Rejoicing is when we are worshipping with our whole hearts and having our minds fully engaged in offering praise to our All Worthy God. Prais...