Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

This section began with the command to cast our bread upon the waters, which connects with sowing seed in rice patties.  This is a metaphor for being generous in giving to those who are in need, for God has blessed us in order to help others. Solomon compared this with rain clouds that reach a point of fulness then the rain is released. God sends His rain on the good and the bad people alike.  A Christian should also support his or her local church, and give to those who are truly needy, to the best of his or her ability.  Then, Solomon compared a tree that is leaning in one direction to death. If the tree leans toward the south, that is the direction that it will all. This too, is a picture of our spiritual condition. Are we walking closely with the Lord, in the light of His Word? Are we worshipping, witnessing and working for our God?  If our affection is set on the things of God in heaven, when we die, this will be our happy joy when we are absent from o...

The vast love of God for sinners, is His motive for our salvation.  John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  These very familiar and beautiful verses express the depths of God's love for us. How much did God love the world and all mankind? He loved us enough, that based upon His perfect foreknowledge, He planned to save us, before He created the world. I do not think we can overemphasize this truth.  The eternal Godhead knew that Adam and Eve would sin, and knew that all humanity would be plunged into sin.  Knowing these things, God still loved us and His love determined that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would come to earth as the seed of the woman (See Acts 2:23-24).  Jesus would live a perfect life and Son of God and S...

Be generous toward God and man, rather than stingy. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2  Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.  2)  Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.   In our last post, we studied how these two verses are connected with acts of kindness and charity, as opposed to those who are stingy and hoard their resources.  This is connected with the principles of reaping and sowing. We raised the question "Are we sowing to the Spirit, or to our flesh?" Thus, part of loving God is giving back to God our tithes and freewill offerings. Part of loving others as ourselves, is helping those in need if we are able. Solomon looks at the weather in connection to this same picture from the first two verses.  Rain clouds depict the Father's provision for all mankind.  Ecclesiastes 11:3  If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the ...

Jesus is expounding unto His disciples (and by extension to all Christians), what it means that He is the true vine, and we are branches connected to Him. What we have seen so far is that Jesus Christ is the true vine, who remained faithful to the Father throughout His earthly ministry.  We also learned that the Father is like a landowner/gardener who takes care of the vine.  Dead wood (Unbelievers) is taken away and the living branches (Christians) are lovingly pruned, so that we bring forth more fruit for the kingdom of God. Pruning involves cutting away useless "suckers" that consume resources but never bear fruit.  What "suckers" are present in our lives that the Father wants to prune and remove? Worldliness, fleshly lusts, pleasure seeking, and pride would certainly be things He wants to prune. The "fruit" refers to unbelievers who are converted to Jesus Christ, as we share the gospel with them.  Those who abide in Christ are truly blessed! John 15...

We are now moving into Ecclesiastes chapter 11.  Be a blessing to others. Don't hoard everything for yourself.  Ecclesiastes 11:1-2  Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.  2)  Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.  Solomon compares a farming technique from ancient times, to being a witness for Jehovah by sowing the seed of His Word. "Casting" is the action of sowing seed, by scattering it upon the waters, or muddy fields, as rice farmers still do in many places.  Solomon used an allusion to sowing rice, which was sown upon muddy ground, or covered with water.  Cattle would tread the grains down into the fertile soil, to take root and grow. After many days (the growing cycle) the grains were found in a plentiful harvest. The "bread" refers to grain that is sown, and this is joined with the idea of "giving a portion" to 7 or 8 people.  This fact s...

Not all Jesus' disciples were clean.  John 13:10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. John 13:30  He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.  We need to keep John 13 to 15 connected, because it is one extended discourse with Jesus giving final instructions to His disciples, before He went to the cross.  These five chapters occur mere hours before the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Notice, what Jesus said to the twelve men He chose. Jesus said  "ye are clean, but not all." This referred Judas Iscariot the betrayer, for he was unclean.  Satan entered into Judas and he went out to betray Jesus. After this happened, the text says "it was night" because the devil's evil plot was going forward. They were clean now that Judas was expelled by the words of Christ,  "What thou doest, do quickly."   Satan...