The Text is located in Acts chapter eight. The event being related is Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch. God has directed His Preacher to the desert, to meet this lost man. The Ethiopian was reading a portion of Scripture he had obtained on his recent trip to Jerusalem.

"And Philip arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus." Acts 8:27-35

Notice I have capitalized and underlined a noun. In verse 32, The "place" of the Scripture. This is the new word of which I spoke.

In Greek it is "perische." It means "to hold" then "around," as a preposition. Other teachers believe it is derived from a word meaning "to cut" then "around." The implications and word pictures are nearly identical anyway.

To "hold on" to a bit of literature, having circled it carefully ... all for further study! Or "to clip" that series of sentences and "surround" it for future investigative purposes and sheer delight!

Yes, the "place" where the Eunuch was reading was a "cut out" chunk of precious Scripture! A "pericope" scholars say today. Pronounce it per-rick'-o'pee, accenting the second syllable.

It's a "text" of Scripture.

One day soon let the Holy Spirit select for you a "perische," a "pericope" of Holy Scripture, and then read that encircled paragraph chosen for you. Study it, hold on to it! Analyze it, enjoy it, memorize it! And men of God, once it has saturated you, preach it!

What a noun!

For Bible students.

Find a "place" in the Word of God today and have a good time in it!

Tonight when I preach I think I'll begin by saying, "The 'PLACE' in Scripture we'll be visiting tonight is ____________________.

Wow!

A new word to use in depicting the Scriptures!

Thank You, Lord.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Let's add this one to our vocabularies!

LESSON 2, MAY 16, 2012:

I was looking at Isaiah 53 last night. The greatest chapter in the Old Testament about Jesus' Vicarious Atonement, at least in the opinion of multitudes of Believers.

Actually the Text, the pericope, begins at Isaiah 52:13 and continues through the end of chapter 53, really 53:12.

An "inclusio" appears to be in place here, in this beautiful paragraph. That means a "marker" the Holy Spirit uses to clearly locate the proper beginning and end of a Passage. Also the "inclusio" identifies the main theme of a section of Literature.

The "inclusio" members are quite similar, if not identical. That's part of the requirement to be an "inclusio," I'm saying.

Now watch!

The first verse of Isaiah's masterpiece: "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high." The Servant here is Jesus. From Isaiah 52:13, as I said.

The last verse now: "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12, God promising This Great Servant all kinds of blessings!

Now we can piece together the implication this inclusio teaches. Get ready for a surprise, Biblically speaking!

While the middle thirteen verses of Isaiah's great Servant Song are filled with sorrow and shame and suffering and death ... the opening thought as well as the closing thought are of "exaltation, praise, reward, and many future possessions!

Do you see that?

The Cross is the Place where Jesus became Victor!

And Isaiah just said so!

Praise The Lord!

                             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3:

I am currently reading a Book. I bought this one digitally, and am going through it with my little Kindle, an electronic reader. I can still underline key sentences even!

Anyway, the Book discusses the subject of "Insects Used In Warfare." Throughout history the author means!

This concept became more alluring to me after studying Revelation chapter nine, in the "seven trumpets" section of John's last-days Epistle. "And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power." Revelation 9:1-3

God using insects, though giant ones, to punish sin! This particular Revelation Text is literally describing an "invasion from Hell!" From the "abyss," the Greek noun here translated "bottomless pit." Demons unleashed on planet earth! Not to kill people either, just to hurt them, inflict pain, torment them!

I've already learned in my reading that as long as man has been able to write, back to Moses' day and long before ... we have records of humankind using God's creation, insects especially, as weapons!

Ancient Roman and Egyptian and Greek annals are filled with such accounts. A hive of bees captured and thrown into the cave where your enemy is sleeping!

Then it dawned on me, God has used insects to teach or discipline or warn folks for years!

We'll just go to Egypt today for our illustrations. The plagues of course! There and then God instructed Moses regarding infestations of flies, lice, frogs and such ... hoards of these little things to persuade Pharaoh to let Israel go free!

God, using insects!

Then later, when the Jews were conquering Canaan, the Promised Land, God sent "hornets" to frustrate and scatter the enemy peoples!

God to Israel: "And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee." Exodus 23:28

"Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed." Deuteronomy 7:20

What a God!

What protection!

Such thinking just makes me want to love Him more and more.

I can hardly wait to preach His Word again tonight. We're in Kentucky this week, in Revival Meeting.

God is the God of the big things.

And the small ones too!

                         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, MAY 18, 2012:

I was reading yesterday afternoon, from the writings of old Dr. F. B. Meyer who pastored in London years ago. He mentioned the fact that the nineteenth Psalm especially glorified the Word of God, the Scriptures.

In its latter half that beautiful Psalm uses six synonyms for the Bible. There it's the Law, the Testimony, the Statutes, the Commandment, the Fear (yes, even used of the written Word), and the Judgments of the Lord.

What vast diversity the Bible contains!

And with each of these "names" for Scripture, at least one powerful quality is ascribed to it.

Let's count them.

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul."

"The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."

"The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart."

"The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes."

"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever."

"And the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether."

Plus this list too: "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."

Wow, Psalm 19:7-11.

What a Book, the Bible!

And what a Psalm, the 19th, to uplift it.

The more a Christian stays "in" the Word, the healthier he or she will be in the things of God.

Read your Bible today!

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, MAY 19, 2012:

We're driving today from the location of one Revival Meeting, near Vine Grove, Kentucky ... to the location of another Revival Meeting, this time in High Point, North Carolina. The computer tells us that it's an eight hour journey.

So today's Bible Study may be more concise than some of the others. For over nine years now I've written a new Lesson each morning, with few exceptions. I sure do thank the Lord for that opportunity.

Psalm 23 comes to mind this morning. Perhaps one of the sweetest paragraphs ever written, even in the Bible. Everybody knows it.

Here it is: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." All six verses, written by King David of Israel.

The whole Text here is a testimony. David rejoicing in His God! He obviously pictures himself as a little lamb, trusting his every need to the capable hands of his shepherd!

The question today is, When might David have written these words? Early in life when he still was a shepherd himself? When green grass and still waters and rods and staffs were so familiar?

Or later in life? After facing trial after trial, leaning on the strong Arm of a greater Shepherd? When the battles of life were nearly over?

As one might suspect, opinions vary. Even among godly Preachers and Teachers. Early life, the mid-years, the time on the throne, even near death ... all these times have their advocates.

But it just seems to me that the whole Psalm best fits into the mouth and heart of a person who has walked with the Lord a long time. Someone who knows by experience the Lord's protection and provision and love and care!

Someone who has faced many an enemy! Who has seen God's rod hit a wicked target! Who has felt the comfort and guidance of our heavenly Shepherd's kind staff!

And especially when considering that last verse, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever," likely a man wrote this who is resolved to finish life just like he started it. Leaning on the Lord!

Yes, my vote is for the later years.

To write Psalm 23 as a teenager would have been wonderful! But some would say a bit "optimistic" perhaps.

But to write it as an adult, mature and reaching old age ... might even be called "amazing!" And no longer "optimistic," but rather "realistic!"

Our dear Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ!

He is still caring for his own ... Psalm 23 style!

No matter what age we may be.

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012:

Several years ago I was studying the book of Psalms. One day I, in due course, came across Psalm 29. Several Bible teachers have named it, nick-named it, "The Thunderstorm Psalm."

I though just last night about a time when I was driving across Atlanta to preach in a Revival Meeting. It was the hottest Summer in years! And the area had just experienced one of those things, a violent thunderstorm!

The electricity serving the Church had been knocked off-line due to the lightning. And though it had been restored by the time the singing was over, the Service had certainly been impacted.

By a storm, by the thunder and lightning and rain.

So, having recently pondered the little eleven verse Text I just mentioned, Psalm 29, I tried to preach its truths to the people who had gathered that night.

God wonderfully blessed the Service.

The recurring expression in the Passage is "The Voice of the Lord." That is an expression David uses in his little Masterpiece to indicate the "thunder!" Yes, the Voice of the Lord.

What should we do when these great God-created weather patterns appear? The answer is in our Text. "Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth." Psalm 29:1-3, use such storms as a vehicle to praise the Lord!

More specifically, David in this Psalm follows the track of the storm ... from the Sea, the Mediterranean up to the mountains of Lebanon then out toward the desert! The it turns and drifts over Jerusalem, where God's people are worshipping there in the Temple!

And what does this invoke, from God's children? "In his temple doth every one speak of his glory. The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace." Psalm 29, the last three verses.

More praise!

More adoration!

More worship!

This Summer, and they will happen, let the thunderclouds speak to you of the Glory and Power and Majesty of our Great God!

The Creator.

And the Redeemer.

Praise His Name.

                            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Look at that last verse again! "The Lord will bless his people with peace." Peace in the midst of the storm!

LESSON 7, MAY 21, 2012:

A gentleman yesterday at Church, last night to be more specific, mentioned hearing me preach a series of sermons years ago from the Psalms. He recalled, correctly, those messages centering on the Psalms of Degrees.

One of the few "family" groupings in the whole Book, in the Psalter, chapters 120-134 are amazing. Poems 120-134 one could say. Even hymns 120-134 would be accurate. Today we simply say Psalms 120-134.

They are not only called Psalms of Degrees, meaning "stair-steps," but also Psalms of Ascent.

It is thought that they were memorized, all fifteen of them, memorized even by the children too. And then chanted or quoted or sung as the people of Israel traveled from place to place. Particularly as they marched three times a year from their homes throughout the Land all the way to Jerusalem, to the Temple for the great festivals of worship!

Psalms of "Ascent" because Jerusalem is always "upward" from any place in Israel. We "climb" to the House of God.

In reality, and really for us today, the Psalms also present a spiritual truth, a giant one. They outline for us the great levels of spiritual growth available to born-again Holy Spirit filled Believers in Jesus Christ. "Ascent" in that sense.

Spiritual Growth? Yes, they (like us) begin out in the wilderness and end at the House of God where folks are in harmony, worshipping the Lord.

They teach us how to have a hunger for the things of God.

They encourage us to trust our Heavenly Father, love one another, stay in Church, support our Preachers, and so much more!

My challenge to you today, this Monday in May is this: Read those Psalms this week. Even today if you have time. And ask the Lord to "open your eyes" to the many and beautiful little nuggets of instruction on growing in Christ!

On being more and more mature as we walk with our Lord.

Anyone interested?

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, MAY 22, 2012:

Last night in the Revival Meeting I preached from the Book of Colossians. The Lord had laid upon my heart a desire to preach about Jesus! The whole service just seemed to have a spirit of uplifting our dear Lord.

Here's where I settled, Colossians 1:12-14 alongside Colossians 2:13-15. We paid special attention to the verbs.

Let me show you part of this anyway. "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."

Look what God the Father did for us when He saved us. He gave us an "inheritance!" He put us in His Will!

He "delivered" us from the power of darkness, too! He rescued me from sin and degradation.

He "translated" us from one kingdom to another as well, placing me in the Kingdom of God!

Then He "redeemed" me. Paying the Price of Jesus' precious, sinless Blood to give me liberty and freedom from iniquity and spiritual slavery!

Next he "forgave" me, sending my sins far, far away!

Goodness!

Also, I preached from Colossians 2:13-15, "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

Next I've been "quickened," meaning born again!

Then another phase of "forgiveness" is emphasized, this time highlighting the fact that God has literally "graced away" our sins! He "gave" me justification and salvation!

Moreover, the Lord Jesus "blotted out" my sins, my indebtedness, my spiritual bankruptcy! He rubbed away, erased that terrible record!

Lastly, what Jesus did to the devil and his principalities and powers, at Calvary when He died to save the lost. He "spoiled" them, literally "knocked" their armour off!

Then "making a show" of them, of the demons and all their cohorts ... Jesus put them on public display, as defeated foes! Again, at the Cross!

And some day there will be a parade in Jesus' honor! Pictured in that last verse as a "triumph," using old Roman Empire analogy. A victory parade, with Jesus riding a white horse of great beauty, dragging behind him prisoners of war, the devil and demons!

Wow! Just think of all that.

Jesus' Death at Calvary!

Paul sure uplifts our Lord in Colossians!

Now, put all these verbs together and get a view of our great Salvation! And have a sweet day in the Lord!

No wonder the Lord blessed the Meeting last night. Everything that happened magnified and at least tried to glorify His Dear Son, Jesus!

                           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, MAY 23, 2012:

As I preached last night in Revival Meeting, this week in High Point, North Carolina, the Lord sure provided an eager congregation!

A Church full of folks anxious to hear the Word of God. Excited and hungry for the Truth!

Words of affirmation and encouragement were constantly being heard all over the building! "Amen, Preach it!" And "That's right!" Even an occasional "Don't quit now!"

Wow!

This scene, this experience, reminded me of a Verse in the New Testament. Peter, in his First Epistle, wrote: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:1

Put another way, "If we are really saved, really alive in Jesus, we will be hungry! And we will be that way, starving, from the very moment of birth, our new birth!"

 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." The verb "desire" used here is the Greek "epipotheo," meaning "to crave, to long for, to pursue with love!"

Are we that hungry when attending Church?

When hearing the man of God preach?

Or are we in poor spiritual health, little appetite for the Bible?

Yes, last night was an encouragement.

Today, let us all enjoy a time in the Scriptures, eating and enjoying spiritual milk and bread and meat and honey! All these are word pictures for the food the Bible readily supplies.

Anyone hungry?

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, MAY 24, 2012:

This thought today is just a little Bible Study "hint." And any idea that helps thrust me into my Bible is a good one!

Usually I try to have underway a little Bible Study "project" of some kind ... something to keep me "in" the Word of God.

Our next prospect is the great Book of Jeremiah. Plans have been made, study material ordered, and a good bit of thought time already invested in this proposed effort.

And that leads me to today's "hint" earlier promised. Why not sometime analyze a Prophet of God? Study one of the great Preachers of the pasty. I mean Bible Preachers, now.

Think of the major ones, Isaiah or Jeremiah (my current choice) or Ezekiel or even Daniel. Or even the minor choices available, the Minor Prophets we now call them. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah ... all the way through those shorter Books at the end of the Old Testament ... right up to Haggai or Zechariah or Malachi.

Any one of these will provide hours of delight!

I'm not saying dispense with the study of Bible Books, never!

Or the great themes and doctrines of Scripture; no, no, no.

But as a different approach, something refreshingly helpful, try my little suggestion.

You will be glad you did!

                          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, Jeremiah had one of the longest ministries of any Bible Preacher! Between forty-five and fifty years it seems. Talk about faithfulness!

And he is perhaps the most transparent of any of the Prophets. We see his "personal" side so clearly. His tears and joys and burdens. His complaints even to God! And his amazing love for the Lord too.

And of how the man suffered for the Faith. In prison so many times, beaten and maligned and targeted again and again. Yet he remained true to God, always proclaiming the Word.

Yes, any Bible Prophet ... certainly worthy of our study time.

LESSON 11, MAY 25, 2011:

He is only mentioned three times in the whole Bible, in the New Testament. His name is Demas.

Paul only tells us about the man, a Believer in Christ. Yet the first mention of him is the best. The last reference is the worst. And the middle time is rather bland, no adjectives at all.

Here they are, with a brief spiritual lesson to follow. Sort of a godly check-up this morning.

In the Book of Philemon we first meet Demas. There Paul lists him, along with others, men who apparently have stood with the Apostle during his Roman imprisonment.  "There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers." See, here Demas is a "fellowlaborer." In Greek that's "sunergos," a diligent worker alongside Paul and his company! Energized for Jesus!

But by the time Colossians is written, Demas is no longer so praised. He's not noted as a member of the team as such. "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." He is jus sending his regards to the Colossian Church!

Then, not too long later, Demas receives a rather negative review. In Paul's last weeks on earth he writes young Timothy an epistle. He says, "Timothy, do thy diligence to come shortly unto me. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." He had left Paul to travel to Thessalonica. A deserter, or is that too strong language?

Three views of one man, at different times in his Christian life.

Once a worker.

Then merely a companion.

Lastly, an unfaithful follower.

A downward drift!

Lesson today: Which way are you going in your spiritual life?

Still serving the Lord?

About the same as last year?

A little cooler?

Or ready to depart?

Or maybe ... hopefully ... growing in Christ and getting closer to your Saviour every day!

Only each of us as individuals can answer those questions.

I pray your drift is in the right direction!

Think about it.

                      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, MAY 26, 2012:

One of the main events in the Prophet Jeremiah's life, his early life anyway, was the discovering of the lost Book of the Law. That's right, they had lost their Bible! Their only copy of the Book of Deuteronomy in existence! That's how far into sin Judah had crept.

But godly King Josiah loved the Lord. When the Scroll was found, it was read and a measure of Revival exploded across Judah.

Apparently Jeremiah became a student of that now precious Collection of Scripture. The Bible Book that bears his name, the Prophecy of Jeremiah, is "loaded" with material heavily influenced by Deuteronomy.

The newly studied Word of God molded and guided this young "weeping" Prophet for the rest of his nearly fifty year long ministry.

Jeremiah so often quotes from Moses' Deuteronomy, or at least alludes to it, that some scholars feel it was his life-long Text.

This simple fact makes me really wonder, "Am I that impacted by the Word of God?"

Has Scripture so monopolized my Ministry?

My life?

As I write this Lesson today it is May 26, my birthday. Have I allowed, as Jeremiah did, the priceless Bible God gave us to define who I am?

Bible-centered!

Jeremiah was.

I want to be.

How about you?

Today is Saturday. The best way to begin such a lifestyle is attending a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled preaching Church tomorrow!

Amen.

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, MAY 27, 2012:

This month as I've written on various subjects, a daily mini-lesson about the greatest Book ever given mankind, we have twice broached this theme. I would call them little "hints" to use when trying to master the contents of Scripture.

Well, here's another one.

And it will help, really.

Try to memorize some of the major "lists" of Scripture.

The particular set that put me to thinking along this line concerned the Book of Judges.

While recently preaching from this great Chunk of the Word of God, I needed to know these men, and one woman really. To recite their names. So I tried to commit the list to memory. Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah and Barak and Gideon are the first five. Then Tola and Jair come in the middle. Followed by Jephthath, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon and then Samson.

It helped tremendously to have had these names "handy."

Other lists that are an asset to Bible Study?

The Books of the Bible, in order.

The plagues of Egypt.

The "names" of a dozen or two of the Psalms, Psalm 29 being "the thunderstorm Psalm," for example.

The names of the Major Prophets of Israel.

The Minor Prophets too.

The Twelve Disciples.

The Books Paul wrote.

The General Epistles, seven of them in the New Testament.

The seven Churches of Asia Minor, depicted from Patmos by John the Beloved in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

And the lists can continue indefinitely.

The Fruit of the Spirit list just popped into mind.

Just an idea.

But some eager mind, some hungry Preacher or Sunday School teacher, some new Christian, just might grab it and go!

Happy studying!

                         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, MAY 28, 2012:

Recently I've been reading a book about witchcraft. As is still exists in places in Africa. Actually the little volume is a documentary, non-fiction to the core. Or at least that's what the author avows.

This material has reminded me afresh of Paul's Verse in Ephesians 6:12. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The term "principalities and powers" incorporates Paul's code words for the Devil and his demons. In other words, we as Christians are at war with the enemy, the spiritual enemy. Against "rulers of darkness" and "seats of wickedness."

Think about this Biblically.

Adam and Eve wrestled with the serpent, the Devil.

Job, that sterling Old Testament hero, did too. Though Job really never knew the depth of that conflict!

Daniel fought with demons, one holding up or delaying a prayer the Prophet needed answering, a twenty-one day stand-off until God sent reinforcements! See Daniel 10:13 and its context.

Zechariah wrote about this angelic battle too, good versus evil. See his prophecy, Zechariah 3:1-2.

Paul was confronted by Satan, probably again and again. Once he even mentioned a "messenger of Satan" sent to buffet him!

And John the Disciple, writing from the Isle of Patmos in the Book of Revelation, describes "principalities and powers" graphically!

And Jesus, oh yes, how our Saviour confronted the enemy, the Devil! Yet, unlike all the others mentioned, Jesus conquered that old rascal completely! Jesus outsmarted the principalities and powers during His Temptation Period, those forty days in the wilderness.

And again and the Garden of Gethsemane.

And supremely as our Lord died on the old rugged Cross!

Listen to Paul. You now know what the terms he's using mean. Our dear Saviour, at Calvary: "spoiled principalities and powers!" He "made a show of them openly!" And He there "triumphed over them all!" Colossians 2:15 indeed says this.

Today I can be victorious over the prince of darkness and his cohorts, over the devil and the demons, through the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ! Revelation 12:11 serves as an example: "And they overcame him, the devil, by the Blood of the Lamb!"

Amen!

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, MAY 29, 2012:

Most weeks of the year we are in a Revival Meeting somewhere. This week is no exception, with us being in Americus, Georgia for five Services.

Probably for a majority of those nights Deb and I hear the old Hymn "Revive Us Again" sung! It seems to be a favorite of Bible-believing Churches.

The song really reminds us all of a verse of Scripture, doesn't it? I mean Psalm 85:6, addressed to the Lord. "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

Revival, newness of life, is actually a major theme of Scripture. That verb "revive" translates the Hebrew word "chayah." It just means "to live!" And twelve times in our King James Bibles it is rendered "revive" or "revived!"

To be revitalized!

Notice also our verse suggests that revival produces "joy" in the Christian life. "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" Yes, a lack of joy points to a need for revival!

The root idea of that "joy" word is "gladness!" A smile on one's face. To "brighten" up in appearance!

Now today we have gleaned another prayer from the Bible, from the Psalms. Deb and I can pray it every week nearly.

"Lord, this week do not let us become stale or cold-hearted. Revive us again. Move freshly in our hearts.  In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Let's all pray it more often!

God, after all, does answer prayer.

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, MAY 30, 2012: