The topic is "genius."

That whole concept, intellectually and philosophically, through the ages, throughout world history.

The book I'm currently reading even showed how Hitler, quoting his own words, considered himself one, a "genius."

And yet, as an aside in the 'Hitler" chapter, the author of my book said that the Jews, of all races, actually produce more true "genius" types than anyone!

Count their presence in the "who's who" of humanity!

The scientists.

The inventors.

The physicians.

The whatever, you name it!

God has blessed, abundantly so, the children of Abraham. And through them God has blessed the whole world!

Yet they, the Jews, are perhaps the most hated people on earth, as a group I mean. As an ethnic identity.

But, folks, the following verses are still in the Bible. And might ought to be obeyed! Personally I suspect the whole trajectory of world history can be plotted along the lines of Genesis 12:1-3.

"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

Amen!

I plan to "bless" the Jewish people as long as I live!

God, in Malachi 3:17, called them His "jewels!"

Furthermore, three times in Scripture God specifically says of Israel that she is the "apple" of His Eye! The very "delight" of His Heart! Zechariah 2:8 will serve as an excellent example. "For thus saith the LORD of hosts ... to the nations which spoiled you (Israel) ... for he that toucheth you (Israel) toucheth the apple of his eye."

A nation replete with "genius" material!

By the way, Jesus was a Jew!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

One part of a verse in Genesis says something about the stars. About God's great Act of Creation. "He made the stars also."

The whole verse reads: "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night ... he made the stars also." Genesis 1:16, the sun, the moon and the stars also!

Almost as if the stars were an added "extra!"

Just incidental!

Nearly "nothing" when compared to the sun and moon, our sun and moon!

But come to think of it, the sun is a star really! A very stable star in reality, not blazing hotter at times then reversing that trend and growing cooler! Were it not that stable, amazingly consistent, none of us would be alive today.

The stars!

The nearest star, ninety-three million miles away, is that glowing "sun" God created! The Bible really speaks of it quite often. Folks, it's so big you can fit a million earth-sized orbs into it. That huge!

Another observable star is one called Betelgeuse. And it is believed to be this gigantic, twice the size of the earth's orbit around the sun! That's hard to fathom, to picture! How many earths would it take to fill that star? The answer is 262,000,000,000, that's two-hundred-sixty-two trillion planets the size of ours!

Yet even larger stars exist, in abundance!

Another is nick-named "the big dog" and is more massive yet! If earth were golf-ball size ... this giant would be as high as Mount Everest! That's a scientific fact, too! Astronomical, isn't it?

"He made the stars also."

We sure do have a Big God, don't we?

And I learned about a new verse last night. Psalm 33:6 tells us: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth."

God made the stars, the hosts of Heaven ... by the Breath of His Mouth! By the sheer Power of His Word!

He "breathed" them into being!

Think about it!

Then thank God for loving you.

For saving you.

For calling you "friend!"

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

We have just been indirectly informed about an incidental feature of Creation Week! As God worked, someone "sang." Others "shouted for joy!" God that long ago had a choir it seems!

Yes indeed, "The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Perhaps using the literary convention called "personification," the very "stars" are said to come alive, to sing! To sing joyful Glory to God!

I realize many commentaries say that these "morning stars" are merely angels. And they may be. But for a moment let me take the noun literally, please.

Yes, the very stars, countless numbers of them, singing delightfully as their Creator continues His Work!

Stars singing, the very idea!

But wait a minute.

Isaiah 55:12 has the trees "clapping their hands" when the Lord comes to earth again!

And Psalm 148 invites the snow and wind and clouds to praise the dear Lord as well!

So ... why can't the stars sing?

In fact, they did.

In fact, they still do!

Scientists this very second are recording their "hymns" too!

We've now learned that the stars of the universe emit certain "sounds" as they "live" their time in existence. Radio electromagnetic sounds indeed, but sounds nonetheless!

Why are they emitting such harmonious sound waves?

I tell you, they are singing!

Still praising God!

Adoring the One Who created them!

No wonder the Psalmist pleads: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created."

Amen!

Sing, stars, sing!

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Occasionally I read a "Book Review" Magazine. They are published literally around the world. New York and London, for example. An "ad" in one of the recent issues mentioned a book about "genius." It was said to discuss that whole concept, that special quality, people Malcomb Gladwell called "outliers" in his bestseller of several years ago. "The History of Genius" has been very interesting reading!

A statement I came across last night, well early this morning really, said that Jesus was a "genius." The author, not a professing Christian, still credits our Lord with many outstanding traits.

Jesus, a genius?

Of course, in a hundred different ways!

But Christ did not come to earth, Virgin Born as He was, to merely be a "genius." And He is not just that either, the smartest individual ever to grace planet Earth!

He is the very Son of God!

Not "genius," but God!

Not merely one invested with super intelligence.

Or skilled abilities, practically speaking.

Though our Lord possessed all that, I'm sure.

But God come to earth to die for the sins of lost humanity!

Years ago a preacher said about Jesus that he was either a "Liar," a "Lunatic," or the "Lord!"

After all our Saviour claims time and time again to be God the Son!

If He is not That, He lied.

If He's not that and was speaking honestly, then He was deceived, crazy.

But if He is That, God in flesh, indeed He is the "Lord!"

That's what I believe, Jesus the Genius is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Both now and forever!

The Center of history! The most important Person ever born, ever to have died. And the only One ever to have been literally raised from the dead!

Jesus!

More than any pen, any writer, any preacher can ever rightfully describe!

Jesus, a Name above every name!

Hallelujah!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I sometimes enjoy a particular Bible study "project," usually lasting about a month. Such endeavors help me keep "fresh" in my preaching. Plus, no Book is as exciting as God's Word!

Most recently it's been the Old Testament Book of Numbers. Probably the least studied of all the Pentateuch, the five Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.

The Lord has thereby given me a host of sermon "ideas," too. In fact, this kind of Bible investigation and admiration often gives a preacher "more" than he can handle. Never am I at a loss for sermon material. To God be the Glory! After all, Paul did command Timothy, "Preach the Word." That's our Text, the Holy Bible, all 31,102 verses!

I just thought that this very cold Monday morning, from a motel room in Greer, South Carolina, I would suggest this pattern to anyone reading the Website today! Get you a Bible Study "goal" this month, January of 2014. Preferably one of the Bible's sixty-six Books ... and study away!

There's no telling what God might teach you!

And for sure you will grow in the Lord as a result!

The Scriptures, God's multi-vitamin for hungry Christians!

Our Milk and Bread and Meat and Honey ... spiritually.

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I read a little chapter earlier today about philosophers. Their art is collectively known as philosophy, grammatically defined as the "love of wisdom." It's from a Greek matrix really.

The textbook I bought says these men can be defined or categorized in any one of three ways. First, by what they believe, the answers they give to life's major questions. Or second, by how they arrive at such particular conclusions, their systems of thought. The methods involved in their deliberations. The term "Freudian" psychology comes to mind here. Third, by the way they lived, their very lifestyles. In other words, an approach to daily life as opposed to just a method of thinking or a set of answers to life's fundamental questions!

But wait a minute!

The Bible, God's Holy Word, handles all this information too! It answers, for me, all life's major questions! It teaches me even how to think! And it certainly presents me with a pure lifestyle to follow!

I think all this "philosophy" talk can be distilled into two groups. The wisdom of this world ... and the wisdom of God, from above! And the New Testament Book of James helps us here. "One wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:15-17

Two ways of thinking, two different ways to live!

Folks, the Word of God is a wonderful Book! Certainly theological in nature, teaching us about God ... but also philosophical too, teaching us about the best things of life!

Read it today, the Holy Bible. One can even have a personal relationship with its Author, too!

Listen to Jesus in John 6:63, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." That's true philosophy in a nutshell, in a single sentence! Just following Jesus, listening to Him! Obeying His Words! Being saved by his marvelous Grace!

Amen!

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jesus, in John 10:35, made one of His many Absolutely True Statements, eternally binding: "The Scripture cannot be broken."

The verb, Greek of course, translated "broken" here is "luo." It means basically "to loose, to untie, to dissolve, to melt, to destroy."

God's Word ... leave it alone!

It is not to be "altered" in any manner whatsoever!

I read a book earlier this week where a preacher was trying to explain away many of the promises of God's Word. And was quite worried that the Bible's many contradictions and errors were hindering the spreading of our faith! Therefore this author changed his view of inspiration!

But Jesus says, "The Scripture cannot be broken."

We believe the Bible ... without watering it down in any fashion!

The writer to which I am referring also thinks the God of the Old Testament is antithetical to the God of the New Testament. That a genocide ordering Lord is not the Same as the God Who gave His Only Son to die for sinners!

But again, Jesus says, "The Scripture cannot be broken."

I may not can understand it all.

But I will, by faith, believe it all.

In my heart the Word, the Bible, must remain in full effect.

Unloosed.

Not explained away, robbed of its power.

The Word of God, the Scripture of Truth (Daniel's term for the Book), always let us Christians esteem it highly!

Again I say, "The Scripture cannot be broken."

Amen!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I'm reading, part-time anyway, a book on "The History of Genius." It traces the development of that whole concept, of certain humans who appear to have "genius" characteristics.

It began with a man named Socrates who claimed to have a "muse," a "spirit," that inspired Him and empowered him and taught him, imparting to him the qualities of a genius!

The book, my journey through which is not quite finished yet, even has a chapter on "Christian Genius!"

Without using the vocabulary of Scripture, the author virtually says that we who believe in Christ Jesus are also "inhabited!" Indwelt creatures! And therein lies our spirit of genius!

Do you not see what he means, through ignorantly? He's talking from mere empirical observation, of course, but he's indicating the Presence of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives!

He Who truly does indwell us!

Wow!

Way back in Exodus 28:3 God fills some Jewish people with "the Spirit of Wisdom" ... to work with their hands, helping bring into reality the Old Testament Tabernacle and its accessories! Supporting and parallel Verses are Exodus 31:1 and Exodus 35:31.

Joshua also is said to be so endowed. "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses." Deuteronomy 34:9

But Isaiah 11:2 is one of the best instances! Speaking of the coming Messiah, of Jesus our Lord, "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." See Him? "The Spirit of Wisdom!"

Daniel 5:11 so depicts that Prophet too, Daniel the brave hearted! Everywhere in the Bible, such "genius" is located in God's people!

And when Jesus is finally born? "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40, yes Jesus was, still is, a genius!

And finally, in Ephesians 1:17 Paul prays for us all that God may give us too the "spirit of wisdom!" Literally, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." Amen!

Geniuses?

Not in the eyes of most of the world!

But as far as being Spirit endowed, yes, every saint of God you know is so blessed!

Living in the wisdom of the very God Who created the world! And Who loved it so much He sent His Only Begotten Son to die for its lostness! To redeem a Body of Believers unto Himself!

Everything about our Lord, brilliant!

Omniscient!

Genius indeed!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Draw on that power and love and strength and sweetness of the Genius Holy Spirit today! Commune with him hour after hour! His Wisdom will thereby become your wisdom too!

Several verses in the Bible teach us to "meditate" on God's Word. Certainly different Hebrew and Greek verbs are involved in these commands, but today I'd like to stick with the English word itself, "meditate!"

It has a Latin background, "meditatio." Its past participle is "meditatus." So really we in English have virtually "borrowed" the word from the Romans. In such cases "loan word" is the proper term to use.

But what does "meditatio" mean?

Commonly, "to contemplate, to plan, to reflect upon."

But recently I discovered another similar definition, "to rehearse!"

That is a thrilling thought! "Rehearsing" God's Word in one's mind and heart and soul! So many of you daily readers "know" the Bible intimately. There are vast amounts of Scripture you can call to mind.

Starting now, why not "rehearse" some of it regularly? Go back through, for example, the Lord's Prayer while you're driving to work tomorrow. Review, best you can remember, the key features of the Sermon on the Mount!

Same with the hundreds of verses you've memorized through the years!

What a pastime!

What a wise investment of one's hours!

And guess what? God will bless you abundantly for doing so! He promises it in His Word!

Where?

"Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1:1-3, in part anyway, wow! All for rehearsing God's Word!

God's promise to Joshua is another example. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8, good success! For a rehearsal!

Now to the New Testament. "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." First Timothy 4:15, where such "rehearsal" of the Bible again brings great profit!

Again, wow!

Try this, friends.

What a wonderful new "hobby" this could be!

A hobby that does not "cost," but "pays" handsomely!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul, in Romans 8:28, gives us one of the best known verses in all the Bible. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." However, some folks misread this great promise. Many even teach that the great Apostle here is telling us that only "good things" will come our way! Or that whatever comes will be only temporary! Or will soon turn into a glorious blessing!

But look at the ultimate "context" of Romans 8:28. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Verses 36 and 36.

It really seems that "all things" here include some pretty gruesome events! But that, without exception, can help us grow in Christ! Can help us live humble, maturing lives for Jesus' Sake! And they, in extreme anyway, can help us go to Heaven to be with the Lord eternally!

All I'm saying is this. All "heartaches" do not pass away, here on earth. But to those who view life from God's perspective ... no matter what comes ... it can be assimilated into a lifelong pattern of loving the One Who died to save us from our sins!

No wonder Paul, still in context, could write: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37

Victors!

In Jesus!

Praise the Lord!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Today just a short "break" in our Mark studies and a view of another Bible Truth. This is because of something I recently read.

It concerns a Russian Christian who lived during the dark days of Russian, communistic, rule. In fact, this man was a prisoner, in jail for preaching the Word of God!

Each morning the man noticed a trend. When all the prisoners were "lined up" for roll call, the guards did not take their places for several minutes.

This, he thought, was an opportunity! So every morning for just two or three minutes, maybe five on occasion, he stood in front of all the assembled prisoners and preached the Word of God!

No penalty at all, the guards were being lax anyway. To cause "trouble" for the preacher would have been quite counterproductive for a bunch of negligent overseers!

Preaching, for just two minutes?

Sources say it took our little friend weeks to complete a whole sermon! Yet people were saved! Christians grew in the Lord! And most of all, Almighty God was honored!

The point today?

Get "some" preaching anyway!

"Some" of the Word of God!

If you can't hear a whole Message, get a point or two of it.

If you can't read a whole chapter, then go over a few verses!

And if that is still impossible, at least get a line or two. A verse maybe, or just a clause sometimes has changed lives!

Wow!

The power of God's Word!

                      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Trinity, the Godhead, is involved in all we do as Christians. Even as we pray!

A Verse in Ephesians I think best explains this lovely truth. "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." With the "Him" being Jesus, Ephesians 2:13

In other words, we pray, we have "access," by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ unto the Father! What a great thought!

Trinitarian indeed!

This means, surely, that anytime I sense the "need" to pray, the "urge" to approach the dear Lord ... it is God the Holy Spirit Who is so motivating me! Jude calls this "praying in the Holy Ghost!"

And this means, surely, that every time I pray Jesus, at the Father's Right Hand in Heaven serving as High Priest, as Mediator, Jesus is placing my prayer or prayers before the Father. And doing so in a powerful way! Praying, in other words, "in Jesus' Name!"

And this means, surely, that God the Father is the "Goal" the "Target" of all of  my prayers! He is the "Answerer!" He is the "Provider!" He is the "Power" Who grants each wish or supplies each need.

Wow!

Again I remind you, Paul wrote: "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

The way Christians pray, whether knowledgeably or not, is in this fashion. Moved by the Spirit to ask in the Name of the Son ... through the Son, to the Father!

No wonder it could be promised: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7-8, Amen!

Folks, let's pray!

And adore our great Triune God as we do so!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I've talked about the Trinity the past couple of days. We serve One God, Who manifests Himself triunely. Yet it's so easy, though theologically incorrect, to concentrate on only One Member of the Godhead. I'm not sure He can be so separated! He is God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit! Three in One!

In Acts 1:6-8 we have an illustration where Jesus deflected an emphasis on Himself and linked the Father and the Spirit to His Ministry, to Christ's very future!

The Disciples there asked a question. "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6

Lord Jesus, what will YOU do regarding your Role as King of the whole world? Behind the question may have still been a little bit of ambition!

Watch Jesus answer! He involves every Member of the Godhead! "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:7-8

Our Lord is saying, though I paraphrase here: "Disciples, when the Kingdom comes it will not be ME, not Me alone, Who inaugurates it. It's My Father Who will decide such things! In the meantime, in the age of Grace, in the Church age, go win souls! Doing so in the Power of the Holy Spirit of God!"

See?

Jesus will not emphasize Himself in any Kingdom Plans!

He will speak of His Father!

And of the equally divine Holy Spirit!

Jesus is not an Egotist!

He is a Member of the Godhead!

A Triune God, always working in communion with Himself!

What an example!

What a challenge!

What a Doctrine, the blessed Trinity!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

First John 5:8 records these words: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." Here we have clear "proof" of the Bible doctrine of the Trinity.

God is One, yet existing in Trinue Fashion!

He is Father.

He is Son.

He is Spirit.

It is this Fact, this Threefold Personality of the "Godhead," using Paul's familiar word, that forms the Basis of all God is!

God as Such, in eternal communion with Himself, predates and supersedes and outweighs all else.

God is God, Trinity, apart from all His other acts too! He is God, apart from creation. He is God, apart from the Nation of Israel. He is God, apart from the Incarnation. He is God, apart from the Cross. He is God, apart from prophecy. He is God ... period!

He is God of the past.

Of the present.

Of the future.

God, Supreme!

Let us exercise the precious privilege, and what a delight it is, to "worship" Him today!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

The question is often asked, "How can I know God's Will for my life?" Twenty-three times in the Bible that exact phrase occurs, "the will of God."

In Greek, in the New Testament, "thelema" means "will," but in this sense, "one's desires, wishes," or "that which brings one pleasure."

Wow!

God's Will!

Today let me suggest that when seeking the "specific" Will of God, a precise decision you must make at some point in the future, you can always have assurance that you are doing the "general" Will of God!

Let me try to explain.

Here's God's "general" Will, His "do-this-all-the time" Plan for us in daily life. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified." First Thessalonians 4:3-6

Live purely!

Treat your brothers and sisters right!

Dedicate yourselves completely to the Lord!

If you're doing these things, God can much more easily lead you toward the "specific" things He has planned for your life!

Now that line of thought helps!

Called to preach?

Need to take that new job offer?

Is she the one to marry?

These three questions deal with the "specific" Will of God!

Go to Church Sunday?

Abstain from evil?

Quit all profane speech?

These three questions deal with the "general" Will of God!

Do the simple things first. Then trust God to lead you in the specific things. He will indeed!

                      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Well, this past week I've read a book written along similar lines.

For example, have you even even heard of Bithiah? She's the daughter of Pharaoh! That's according to 1st Chronicles 4:18. "And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took." Some teachers think this might have been the Egyptian Princess who rescued little baby Moses from the Nile River! Ever heard a sermon about her, by name?

Or Rizpah, primarily known for her loyalty? Never have I seen a Mother express any greater love for her sons. You can read about her in 2nd Samuel 21, but it's a sad story.

Are you acquainted with Shiphrah and Puah? These are the defiant midwives who helped birth little Jewish boys into the world, in direct opposition to Pharaoh's command that all these babies be killed. "And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive." Exodus 1:15-17

And one of the most immoral women in all the Bible, Cozbi, ever studied her? Her very name evidently means "liar!"

And I'll just about guarantee you that we've never heard much preaching about Lot's daughters! In fact, how would you do that, modestly? But they are in the Bible, earning more than a casual mention too!

Even Job's wife should be studied I think.

What about this Bible character, Jael? I did try to preach a sermon about her once. I'm not sure she was as ruthless as we might at first think. Maybe she was just patriotic. Or godly! "Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples (into Siserea's head, a deadly enemy of Israel) and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died." Judges 4:21

I've long wanted to preach about Zipporah too, Moses' first wife. It's just that I can't figure out exactly what happened that night in the inn. Where Moses, his wife, and two sons were traveling back to Egypt, to finally set the Israelites free! "And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met Moses, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision." Whatever occurred, looks like Zipporah saved Moses' life, Exodus 4:24-26.

And I've just begun to scratch the surface!

The Bible is an inviting book! No wonder the Psalmist wrote, "Lord, Thy Commandment, Thy Word, is exceeding broad." David's exact words, "exceeding broad!" Psalm 119:96

And be sure of this. Christianity, in America at least, is becoming less and less familiar with the Bible. One man of God recently wrote that we are now, as a nation, biblically illiterate. He thinks, including our church people too!

If so, characters like I just mentioned above are practically "unknown" any more! Along with dozens more like them.

Think what we are missing!

Especially in light of 1st Corinthians 10:11, talking about that gold mine we now call the Old Testament. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

We're missing a lot of these "examples" and all of the divine "admonition" Paul just referenced ... because we have not acquainted ourselves with the "obscure" characters of Scripture.

Oh yes, how about Vashti? The wife of the Persian King Ahasuerus in Esther chapter one? Was her decision a wise one? It very well may have cost dearly, her very life in fact!

Lots to study!

And the New Testament advised us to do so! It pleases God when we get "into" His Word. That's the "Word of Truth," according to 2nd Timothy 2:15. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I guess today I've simply issued a challenge. One that invites you and me into further examination of the Book we all hold so dear!

It's just that when any one of us begins to think that we might know even a little bit about Scripture, some preacher introduces us to another person of the Bible ... whom we scarcely recognize!

Wow!

Studying God's Word!

A lifelong project!

Anyone interested?

                                                                      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Proverbs 31 beautifully describes the "Woman of Wisdom."

One part of a verse stands out to me this morning!

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs 31:26

When this godly lady speaks, she utters wisdom wrapped in kindness!

The word for "law" is "torah," the name Israelites yet use for the first five Books of the Bible!

This lady speaks so kindly so often that it has become a law (a habit, a practice, a lifestyle) with her!

And the noun "kindness" is a familiar little word:  "hesed."

It's the very term used for God's "mercy!"  (That's the way "hesed" is translated 149 times in the King James Bible!)

It also is the word for God's "lovingkindness!"  (Another 30 times!)

She always speaks with kindness!

Preacher Bagwell, to her husband? To her children?  Even to the animals?

Yes!  Yes!  Yes!

Like her Lord, "grace was poured into her lips!"  See Psalm 45:2.

How many times do we Christians today get "unkind" with our words?  We too often "bark" at those whom we love dearest!

May this godly lady, on this last day of the year, be an example to us.

In 2005 ... let the "law of kindness" rule your tongue and lips!

Even when teaching the children, Proverbs says:  "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."  Proverbs 16:21  (The sweeter we talk ... the more they learn!)

Ladies and gentlemen,  let's use our tongues to minister "grace" to those around us! Listen to Paul in Ephesians 4:29 --- "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." 

What words!

No wonder they said of Jesus:  "Never man spake like this man."  John 7:46  (And it was even His enemies that said that!)

Now enough has been said.

Let's go be "doers" of the Word in this vital area.

                                                                       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2004:

In the Bible Book known as "Song of Solomon" we have a love story.

A young man loves a godly young lady.

Through the ages that young man is a picture (or a "type") of the Lord Jesus Himself!

And the young lady ... a symbol of the Church!

Here we have the Bridegroom and the Bride!

His statement is located in Song of Solomon 4:7.  "Thou are all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee."

What a compliment!

I really believe that is still Jesus' view of His Blood-washed, godly, separated, Spirit-filled and revived Church, even in these last days!

We often hear much about this church or that one.  And usually the "news" is given in a gossiping, critical manner.

And realize that being filled with such humans as you and me (yet saved by Grace), churches are NOT perfect by any means! 

I also am aware that today many former houses of worship have degraded themselves into mere social clubs or sports centers or concert halls!

However, in His eyes ... those who constitute the True Church are "all fair" and have "no spot!"  (No "credit" to humanity ... but all Glory to Him!)

That little adjective "fair" (in Hebrew = "yapheh") means beautiful!  In the King James Version it is translated "fair" 21 times (of a total of 41 times in the Word of God).  It is also rendered "beautiful" 5 times and "well" 5 times and "comely" once and "pleasant" once!

The noun "spot" (in Hebrew = "mum") means a blemish or a defect.  It is translated "blot" twice in Scripture.

In Old Testament worship, anyone with a "blemish" ("mum") could NOT approach God!  (The Book of Leviticus uses our word 9 times!)  Animals with such "spots" could not qualify for sacrifice either!

God our Saviour has taken away our "ugliness" and our "filthiness" and changed them (miraculously) into "beauty" and "purity."  That only happens at Calvary!

He gave me "beauty for ashes!"  Isaiah 61:3

Listen to what Paul says is the end result for the Church.  Jesus will see to it!  "That he (Jesus) might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."  Ephesians 5:27

Praise His dear Name!

                                                                             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Music and musical instruments go back in time nearly as far as recorded history!

The first human incident concerning music is mentioned in Genesis 4:21 --- "And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ." This first musician was of the ungodly line of Cain!  (The devil using music already!) 

In fact the devil is even more associated with music in Ezekiel 28:13!  "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created."  Wow!

BUT even before that ... the angels of God sang when He created the earth!  Describing creation Job 38:7 tells us:  "When the morning stars (angels) sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy!"

God loves music!

Even He has been known to sing!  He sings to His chosen people!  "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

Much of Bible music is made with "reed" instruments.

Even today clarinets, oboes, saxophones and other woodwinds have those little reeds inside them!

Since reeds from plants and shrubs are so fragile and wear out so easily ... man has started using plastic and other synthetic materials to make his music!  BUT the professionals still demand the real thing!  (Naturally grown reeds!)  Reeds crack, break or splinter quite readily!

Let me share with you a paragraph I found on such "reeds."  I quote:  "Reeds are fashioned from the giant reed plant. This large grass grows to a height of seven or eight feet. Reeds are made from the sections between the nodes. However, a seven-foot stalk may have only 25 sections that are the right dimensions for an oboe reed. After harvesting and curing, a process that takes nine months, sections are selected on the basis of size and color. One plant may produce only one oboe reed. The goal is to obtain a reed that has a crisp tone over a wide range of notes. Out of a box of 100 reeds, which can cost hundreds of dollars, the professional musician may find two that he considers excellent."

Why all this talk about music on today's Bible Nuggets Page?

Because of this verse of Scripture:  "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."  Isaiah 42:3  Did you get that?  Isaiah is prophesying about the coming Lord Jesus!  He tells us that the Saviour will be so very gentle ... that He will not even break an already bruised reed!  By definition:  Even a crushed reed He will not destroy! 

What the world would throw away on the trash pile ... Jesus "salvages" (I should  say "saves") and set to making godly music!

Am I just making too much of an obscure verse?

Don't think so!

It is quoted again in Matthew 12:20!  And again applied to the dear and kind Lord Jesus! "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." 

Someone today is hurting and broken and crushed!

You feel you will never be able to make music again!

Come to Jesus!

He will NOT throw you away on some landfill of sin!

He will tenderly touch you and "fix" you and deliver you and USE you to His honor and glory!

Come ... and see!

                                                                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

AUGUST 24, 2004 (TUESDAY)

Look at what God can do with common dust!  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt."  Exodus 8:16

It seems lately that there are some atheistic scientists who want to believe that they've found some stars with "dust" circling them ... no doubt in the process of forming "planets" ... just like (they wrongly say) our earth was formed billions of years ago.

Now remember that there is not one shred of proof for this!  Just scientists' imaginations!

If I were these men (and women), I would be careful!

God can take such "dust" theories and do strange things with them!

Like turning "dust" into lice!

Or changing "dust" into boils and sores!  (Exodus 9:8-10)

I truly believe that evolution as a theory has fallen flat on its face!

And I'll assure you that it (evolution) has always been a theological issue rather than a scientific one!

Atheists who are scientists will believe all of creation "happened" by luck all their lives!  They WILL NOT acknowledge God as Creator!

For, you see, if one has a Creator ... one needs a Redeemer!

And that involves the Blood of our precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Then that involves being saved and living godly lives!

And there's the whole issue!

Men love their sin too much!

I've got a feeling it's going to get "dusty" around this old world before too much longer!

In closing let me tell you how God did create the world ... not by dust but by ... "the work of His Fingers!"  See what I mean in Psalm 8:3  where David says:  "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained."  Or maybe better yet:  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."  Genesis 1:1

So much for dusty stars!

                                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

AUGUST 20, 2004 (FRIDAY)

It's just a short statement in Proverbs 12.  In fact, it's not even a full verse.  But it IS a full thought!

Solomon, under Holy Spirit inspiration, says that "The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit."  Proverbs 12:12

He obviously is using a word picture, a metaphor.

The godly man or woman is being symbolized as a plant or a tree.  One with roots! And those roots are producing some good things!

I was just reading on a Christian web-site and discovered something amazing.

Scientists (pharmacologists really) have learned that God has stored within the root systems of many plants (and herbs) substances with amazing chemical properties.

Periwinkle hair roots make 75 different alkaloids, including 2 now used in cancer treatments!

Antidotes for travel sickness and some nerve gases (biological warfare) are made by henbane roots! 

Certain cucumber roots make anti-fungal chemicals!

In other words, for a plant or a tree, its "roots" may contribute to its health and stability more than we've ever known!

But the Creator knew!

That's one reason WHY He wrote Proverbs 12:12 --- "The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit."

Glory to God!

                                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

JULY 4, 2004 (SUNDAY)

Here's the "Source" Verse that Jesus used:

Jesus used part of it to battle the devil in the wilderness temptation:

Matthew 4:4 --- "But he (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

Here's Luke's account:

Luke 4:4 --- "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

We live in a day when much is being said about diet.

Jesus nearly startles us here when He declares that men MUST have more than just food (bread) to really live!

God's Word is essential to real life as well!

The verb "written" is so beautiful in this text!  It's a "perfect" verb in Greek ... suggesting something done in time past ... but with continuing results! 

The Word of God was written in the past!  It is complete!  BUT it still has influence and power today!

Glory to God!

"Alone" here can mean just "by itself!"  Jesus is not saying for us to quit eating.  Just be sure that we eat God's Word as well as solid food!

What parts of God's Word would then be best "to eat?"

EVERY word!  The adjective is "pas" and means all or the whole of something!  (Entirely!)

The noun "word" is not "logos" as one would have imagined!  It is "rema" (or "rhema") and of course means word or saying ... but it has a particular nuance. It hints at "specific" words chosen for a certain occasion.  Surveying ALL of Scripture and selecting just what is needed for the moment!  Here's an example:  Paul said we are to take "The Sword of the Spirit (ALL the Bible), which is the WORD ("rema") of God (A specific verse)!  Ephesians 6:17

And "proceedeth" translates a Greek word that means to go (travel) from one point to another.  From God's mouth to my heart (through the Scriptures)!  It's a present tense verb too!  (On-going action!)

This is being written on a Sunday.  Christian friend, be SURE to feed on the Word of God today!  (That means tomorrow is Monday also. Feed on it then too!)  It is necessary for your spiritual health!

                                                                                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

JULY 2, 2004 (FRIDAY):

I thought it was a very unusual verse!

Here it is:

"Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."  Isaiah 8:13

The verb "sanctify" (in Hebrew = "qadash") means to reverence, to set apart, to dedicate, to hallow or even to separate or keep different!  (The "root" idea is something that is "clean!")

The "Lord of Hosts" is the Name of God that particularly emphasizes His ability to wage war!  (His fighting Name!)  He is the Head of all the armies of heaven!

And, apparently, if we focus solely on our great God ... He will become the focus of all our emotions, goals and aspirations!

He even will be our "fear" and "dread!"

I think the verse is saying that we should let God be terminal focus (the "end" goal) of all our feelings!

If we reverence Him completely ... our concern ("fear") will be pleasing Him in all things!

The Bible says a lot about the FEAR of the Lord!

Our word here is "mora" (Hebrew for "fear" in this verse) and can literally mean "terror!"  Sounds like Paul to me!  He said:  "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men ...."  2 Corinthians 5:11 

The word "dread" is a synonym as well.  It comes from a root verb that means to tremble!

A wise old preacher once said:  "If we fear men ... it means we don't fear God!  BUT if we fear God ... we will not fear men!"

There you have it!

Let God be God in your life! 

(He IS whether you let Him or not, by the way!)

                                                               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

JUNE 24, 2004:

Jesus said it in John 17:17!

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

He of course is praying to His Father.

The verb "sanctify" (in Greek = "hagaizo") means to set apart, to consecrate or to regard as cleansed!  The verb is in the imperative mood!  It's a command!  Jesus prayed with great energy and emotion!  (And the Father answers His prayers too!)

The little pronoun "them" refers to born-again children of God!  In Greek it's "autos."  And be sure of this.  We were sanctified (set apart) when we first got saved!  At least that's what Paul told the Corinthians, who yet had a ways to go to live up to their position of being sanctified!  1 Corinthians 6:11 --- "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."  Being sanctified in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30 says:  "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.")  we are now to so live!

How can we live such godly lives?  By the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13 --- "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.") and by the effectiveness of the Word of God!  (The "Truth" of our verse here today!)

Jesus here is plainly saying that the WORD of God sanctifies us!

The preposition "through" is interesting!  It's the Greek word "en" and means within! Get INTO the Word of God!  There you will be more and more sanctified for pure holy daily living!  ("A fixed position of place!") 

The noun "truth" means that which is NOT concealing things!  Nothing to hide!  Jesus said "If it were not so, I would have told you!"  (John 14:2)  Again ... nothing hidden!

The noun "word" is "logos," our word for "logic!"  God is very Logic personified!  When He speaks ... His perfect thoughts are delivered word for word!  That what we have in the Bible!  The literal Word of God!  And it has POWER ... to sanctify us!

The more the Word of God gets IN you ... the more you'll get OUT of the world!

The more the Word of God gets IN you ... the more the Holy Spirit with have control IN you too!

The verb "is" ("Thy Word IS Truth!") translates "estin" (a form of "eimi"), the Greek verb "to be."  It's an indicative present active 3rd person singular form.  It "is" now and will keep on being (as long as the time is "now")!  That sounds like for ever to me!

Spend time IN the Word today!

The benefits are staggering!

                                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell