The New Testament's best known chapter about "faith" is undoubtedly Hebrews 11. There are listed a plethora of great men and women of God. "Faithful" every one!

In fact, Hebrews 11:6 tells us: "Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

A fact I've recently noticed surprises me here. Some of these faithful folks were "delivered" out of their trials, safely. While others "died" for their testimony's sake!

Yet both groups are declared faithful!

Watch. "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets. Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again ...." Hebrews 11:32-35, the victors!

Again, watch. "And others were tortured, and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented. They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Hebrews 11:35-38, the ones who did not prevail, on earth!

Yet again I say, both categories of people, saints indeed, were commended of God, counted faithful! Possessors of that quality which "pleases" God wonderfully!

I'm so glad God keeps His Promises, all of them. Some will be fulfilled here on earth, the rest in eternity ... but all are absolutely certain!

Are you currently experiencing enjoyable "victory?" Or discouraging "defeat," in your life's circumstances?

Either way, keep trusting the Lord.

His Word is true ... rather for today's thought ... faithful!

Amen.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, AUGUST 5, 2013:

The quote went as follows ... "Grace, like water, always flows downward, to the lowest place." What a thought!

I once met a man who could not understand the majesty of God's Grace. He doubted that a person, especially one guilty of some heinous act, could ... say on his deathbed ... get saved by God's Grace and quite soon go to Heaven for eternity!"

"No sir," my acquaintance said.

But the Bible says God forgives sin!

Grace found David King of Israel in his lowest moment!

John Newton too, author of that great hymn, Amazing Grace!

And Grace saved me, via faith in the shed Blood of Jesus.

Paul expresses this "down-flowing grace" idea like this, in Romans 5:20. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."

Praise the Lord!

Where were you  when you met the Grace of God?

Somewhere "low," I suspect.

Let's thank God today for His marvelous Grace.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, AUGUST 6, 2013:

The Apostle Paul loved to preach about the Cross of Jesus! Yet he realized that many, especially in his day, would not accept this great Truth, Jesus the Son of God made flesh to provide salvation to all who believe!

The ancient Jewish rabbis did not believe that Jesus was divine. They reasoned that if God did not allow Abraham to kill his own son, Isaac, certainly God would not kill His Own Son!

The Koran says that God is much too kind to allow His Son to die. In fact I think they say Jesus was replaced by an evil person who really died that day long ago, on the cross.

Some feminists today call the "Calvary" picture we Christians hold so dear "child abuse!" I read where a prominent woman educator called God brutally mean! Killing His Son on a Cross?

But listen to Scripture! "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." First Corinthians 1:23-24

Jesus is God!

God the Son.

And the Father did allow Jesus to die in our stead!

In fact, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself," according to Second Corinthians 5:19.

The Cross of Jesus!

To true Christians Calvary is not a problem ... but the very cornerstone of our faith!

To God be the Glory!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, AUGUST 7, 2013:

The Prophet Isaiah brings us today's verse, quite powerfully so! He's talking about the spiritually bleak conditions that existed in his day. "Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." Isaiah 59:14

Look here at one word picture, one metaphor. "Truth is fallen in the street." What a commentary!

And when that happens, when truth becomes a casualty, everything else will soon fall apart. Justice will become perverted. Politics will decay. Fairness will morph into partiality. It's all in our verse!

Everything goes!

Jesus once said: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

The reality of that statement, when reversed, also says: "When we reject the truth ... we lose our freedom, thus becoming slaves!"

Wow!

Isaiah again: "Truth is fallen in the street." The verb "is fallen" as used here is in Hebrew "kashal," graphically meaning "to stumble, stagger, totter!" With the result of "injury, feebleness or ruin!"

Sounds like we had better "guard" the Truth!

But what is "Truth?" Isn't that the religious and philosophical and governmental question of the hour?

Jesus answers that question assuredly. He, praying to His Father in John 17:17 says: "Thy Word is Truth!"

Yes!

The Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments!

That is TRUTH!

Stay in a Church where you hear it proclaimed.

In a Sunday School Class where it's taught.

And in your family keep it foremost!

With Truth in our hearts and minds and lives ... maybe we can avoid the "stumbling" so apparent in ancient Israel.

Help us, Lord!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, AUGUST 8, 2013:

Last night in a Revival meeting I preached from one of Jesus' miracles. Oh, what spiritual lessons they contain! As I was speaking I remembered a quote from an old British Preacher. He said, "Every miracle of Jesus is a parable." It teaches vital truth. Then he added, "Every parable of Jesus is a miracle." Our Lord's little "earthly stories with heavenly meanings" are indeed miraculously wise, beautifully so!

That Baptist Preacher is Alexander Maclaren, who pastored the same folks nearly fifty years at a place known as Union Chapel in Manchester, England. He is one of the best preachers, authors, I've ever read. He in fact may be my favorite.

He is expository to the core. God gifted him with a great ability to explain the words of Scripture.

His books, many of which are still in print, are worth finding, purchasing and reading. Studying, too!

His major work is a set called "Expositions of Holy Scripture." Sermons through the whole Bible!

Other single volumes he's written are still available as well. I do not often recommend books on the Website anymore. But today I thought someone would enjoy this information.

When thinking a a gift for you Pastor, or an Evangelist or Missionary or Sunday School Teacher ... books are superb!

Dr. Wiersbe said years ago, "Readers are leaders." Certainly that's true when it comes to men and women who are charged with the teaching of Scripture.

Read well. Fill yourself full of Bible truth. Then go share it. Preach or teach out of "overflow!"

Oh what joy!

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, AUGUST 9, 2013:

Twice the Gospels record a saying of Jesus. Concerning "erring" in the Christian life. The verb "err" is "planao," meaning "to stray, to wander, to go aside, to roam about."

Matthew 22:29 has it: "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."

Then Mark 12:24 puts it this way, as a question: "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?"

Today I'd like to emphasize the power of God's Word to keep us "straight" in our Christian lives.

In the Psalms the Bible is a "lamp" and a "light" to help us see! That alone should keep us from "erring!"

In the Epistles the Word is God-breathed, providing all we need to live for Jesus, always being "profitable." Second Timothy 3:16-17 says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

When Jesus said ye do not "know" the Scriptures, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God," He utilized a verb for "know" that means "to perceive, to see, to understand," not merely "to memorize or exegete." Although the latter is the forerunner of the former, no doubt!

Clearly therefore the way to avoid error in the Christian life is to "know" God's powerful Word!

In fact Jesus here places linkage between the Scriptures and the Power of God! I believe the one is always associated with the other!

Wow, what a verse today! Let's ponder it again and again. "Chew" it until it enters our souls and nourishes our spirits!

"Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."

Thank you, Lord.

          --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, AUGUST 10, 2013:

The "Transfiguration" of Jesus, what an Event! Matthew 17:1-8 tells us the details. "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."

In fact three Gospel writers relate the Occurrence. Mark 9:1-10 and Luke 9:27-36 add their voices too.

Note, as Jesus begins to "glow," different adjectives are used by the divinely inspired trio. Matthew says Jesus did shine "as the sun" and his clothes were "white as the light!" Mark says He was "shining exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can white them!" And Luke has our Lord "glistering," an adjective means star-like, that brilliant!

Wow!

As His inner Glory shone forth!

Yes, His Perfect Humanity in conjunction, in unity, with his Perfect Deity!

Remember there were three earthly witnesses, Peter and James and John, to these happenings. And these men never forgot what they say!

Years later Peter wrote: "We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Second Peter 1:16, he's referring to the Transfiguration, folks!

And John too. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14, same event!

I suspect this. When we see Him the impression will be lasting as well, eternal really!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, AUGUST 12, 2013:

In First Peter 5:7 we are taught to cast all our "cares" on the Lord because He loves us. Bring "everything" to God in prayer, in other words.

Now let me show you Psalm 10, its opening thought. "Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor."

Wow!

Or Psalm 22, its first verse, later used by our Lord Himself but also spoken by David earlier. "My God My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

Are these Old Testament prayers legitimate? Are they still okay to pray, even in the age of Grace?

I say resoundingly YES!

They form a part of the Psalter, an old name for the whole Book of Psalms. Someone is sad. Someone is troubled. Someone is lonely. And what does this man or woman do?

He or she casts all her cares, worries, fears, problems, on the dear Lord!

That's what He asked us to do!

So go ahead today. Tell Jesus what is burdening you. Give Him your fears and doubts! After all, He know them anyway!

Feel His loving Arms encircle you!

He can at least carry that load for you, or help strengthen you for the battle ahead.

Yes, such prayers are acceptable.

Praise the Lord!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, AUGUST 13, 2013:

As I studied yesterday, simple sermon preparation, I saw an interesting Truth from the New Testament Book of Mark. The Second Gospel presents Jesus as the great "Servant," God's Son come to earth to give His Life a ransom for the lost.

In that context Mark gives us relatively few, especially when compared to the other Gospels, few of Jesus' Words! None of His longest Sermons! And only four parables! But many, many kind deeds, the actions of Jesus ... typical of Servanthood! Who cares what a servant says? Or about his parentage? Or his birth? Mark tells us nothing along these lines about our Saviour, again emphasizing His Life as Servant!

But, wonderfully, how Mark talks about Jesus' Hands! And folks, servants do use their hands, a lot!

Watch this. Jesus touches Peter's Mother-in-Law and heals her in Mark 1:31. "But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them."

Then soon after Jesus touches a leper, a dreaded soon-to-die wretch, and heals that man too! He touched him with His hand! "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean." Mark 1:41

Jesus' hands are pictured also, in this Gospel alone, raising a little dead girl to life, Mark 5:41. Furthermore in Mark 6:5 Jesus can do not many mighty works in a certain area because of their blatant unbelief. Still, He ... "laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them." Those Hands again, doing good!

Then in Mark 7:33-34 Jesus heals a deaf and dumb man, via the Power of His Hands. "He took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue."

Wow!

Then the man who had to be healed in "stages," Mark 8:23, was touched by Jesus' Hands! "And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought." Then, a second time: "He put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." Hands, twice!

Additionally, Mark gives us the details about Jesus and the children, like this anyway: "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16

And after Jesus' Transfiguration, not long from His Death on Calvary, Jesus touches a little boy who was demon possessed. "Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose." Mark 9:27, those wonderful Hands again!

As these incidents mounted, I wondered this. Has anyone reading these lines been "touched" by Jesus? Not physically now of course, but spiritually? An old Christian song proclaims, "He touched Me!"

And thank God, He did.

He has.

He does!

Jesus God's Precious Son, also God's Servant to lost humankind!!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, AUGUST 14, 2013:

We've all heard of the "Lord's Supper." Well I read a little thought last night about the "Lord's Breakfast!" When Jesus, after His Resurrection from the dead, fed seven of His Disciples by the seashore. It's recorded in John 21:1-19. There Jesus actually prepared a morning meal for those men. "Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing."

Then: "When the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."

Next in the narrative: "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine." Again I say, Breakfast with Jesus!

Wow!

But it was more than food that interested Jesus that morning, indeed if food then interested Him at all! It was Peter, the discouraged, now-gone-fishing-again Disciple!

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

The weak Apostle has been re-commissioned! Feed the sheep God has placed under your care! Pastor those people! God is not through with you yet, Peter. You are forgiven!

But Lord, how do I feed those little lambs? I am so weak and failure-prone! What's the answer?

One more verse, "Jesus  saith unto Peter, Follow me." And Peter did! Jesus was Peter's Shepherd! Peter was shepherd, under-shepherd, to his little flock! That's the way it works.

Peter, after that Breakfast, was never the same again!

That's why we now have that great Sermon on the Day of Pentecost! That's why we now have the little Epistles of First and Second Peter! That's why we now have John's great account here of that early morning Breakfast with Jesus!

I have an idea!

Ask Jesus to have a meal with you sometime.

You might be bountifully rewarded for such a thing.

Peter was!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, AUGUST 15, 2013:

Jesus, in one of His most amazing statements ever, told His Disciples one day: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." John 6:53-56

Wow!

"Drink His Blood!"

Why is the blood so very important to God? What is its significance? To answer that would take volumes this morning, even if any human can fathom the depths of this great Truth.

But I do know that God, when creating us, gave us "blood" too. And what does that blood do for us, physically?

Three things for sure.

First it  brings to each of our cells, to us, oxygen. That means its keeps us alive! The Old Testament says more than once that the life of the flesh is in the blood! Life ... through the blood.

Then the blood removes bodily impurities as it constantly circulates through us. It's an internal garbage removal system! Some of this refuse exits through the lungs as we exhale, some through the kidneys and excretory system. Cleansing ... through the blood!

Also, the third job, our blood fights infections when they come. The lymphocytes, of which your blood possesses millions, congregate and overcome enemy invaders of your body! Overcoming ... through the blood!

Do you all see the point of these three facts?

The Blood of Jesus also ... imparts life, Eternal Life!

The Blood of Jesus also ... cleanses us thoroughly!

And the Blood of Jesus also ... overcomes evil!

When a soul is saved, he or she spiritually, symbolically, typologically, eats Jesus' Body and drinks His Blood! Not literally, but figuratively.

Then we receive all these Benefits of the Blood of the precious Lamb of God! This is astounding!

"Lord, thank You for saving us!"

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, AUGUST 16, 2013:

Jesus once turned water into wine, His very first recorded miracle. Instantly, water blushed into the fruit of the vine! Of course that's what grape vines do anyway! They take the rain water from the heavens and through their roots and vines and branches make ... grapes! Grapes which are squeezed into juice and consumed, yes wine! It's just that Jesus did in a second what nature normally takes months to do!

Wow!

Then one day the Devil tempted Jesus. To turn stones into bread! "When the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Matthew 4:3, Satan meant "immediately" of course. And the Lord had not eaten for nearly six weeks either!

But Jesus did not yield. He waited for His Father to provide Him "Bread," not creating it for Himself! I'm pretty sure also that when the "angels" came to minister to Jesus, soon as the Devil left, they fed our Lord plenty of Bread! The Father did not fail the Son, here or ever!

But wait a minute. Turn stones into bread? That's exactly what happens when a corn of grain, wheat seed, is sown in the ground! Ground that thousands of years ago was stone? But stone now, via erosion and weather and time, pulverized into soil! And Jesus is the Seed sown, God's future Bread for all mankind! "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24

Yes, Jesus is that Wheat!

He did die!

He did arise!

He has brought forth BREAD!

He alone can truly say, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." And "I am that bread of life." John 6:41 and 48

Jesus of course did not sin that day long ago in the wilderness of temptation. He did not instantly gratify His physical hunger!

Therefore the word picture, the metaphor, the Biblical type of BREAD remains unsullied and pure!

He Who refused the Devil's plan for bread ... is now God's Bread for hungry lost souls!

Praise His Name today!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, AUGUST 17, 2013:

It's an Old Testament picture, no doubt. But it reveals latent New Testament Truth as well. I'm talking about the "scapegoat" of Leviticus 16, that great chapter on the Jewish Day of Atonement.

As part of that day's ritual, its order of worship, two goats were selected. By casting lots, the High Priest determines the Lord's Will for both these animals. One must die, that very day, to make atonement for the people. This blood will be sprinkled on the unique Ark of the Covenant, within the most Holy Place! An event so somber it occurs but once a year!

Then the other goat?

"Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat." Leviticus 16:21

This animal, not to be killed, is a picture of a sin-bearer! One who carried the load of a Nation's wrongdoings! No doubt Jesus is here prefigured! "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6

Watch what happens to the goat, the scapegoat now! "And Aaron shall send the goat away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness." Leviticus 16:22

Wow!

One dead goat, sacrificed, sin is atoned!

One living goat, a carrier of sin, a remover of sin, because of the previous goat's death no doubt ... transporting wickedness, unrighteousness far into a desert place, never to be seen again!

Israel could have truly sung, "My sins are gone!"

That's a lovely picture, both goats together, of sin forgiven! Cleansed by the Blood, guilt satisfied in the payment made. Also a lovely picture of sin removed, never to be encountered again!

Sin ... in the endless wilderness, perpetually forgotten!

Micah 7:19 presents a somewhat similar idea, about our forgiven sins. "Our Lord will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

In Isaiah 44:22 our sin is behind a thick cloud! God talking, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."

Isaiah 38:17 now a testimony about what God's done with our sins, "For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back."

In the wilderness, never to be encountered again!

In the bottom of the deepest ocean ever!

Behind God's thickest cloud, hidden!

Behind the Back of the Almighty!

Anyone reading here today forgiven?

God's Grace ... how very thrilling!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 14, AUGUST 19, 2013:

This little verse I learned when just a teenager! Strangely, I can remember where I was when committing these words to memory, the very place! They have been in my heart ever since. Paul wrote them in Galatians 6:9. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Actually this is not a command. The main verb, "be weary," is framed in the subjunctive mood, not the imperative. It's a "longing" of Paul's heart that his people in Galatia not quit serving the Lord. A "desire" of the Apostle's heart. So he's "urging" them to be faithful.

To not "be weary" means, "ekkakeo" is the Greek spelling, "to be bad, ill, out of sorts, harmful, injurious." In other words, as we serve the Lord do NOT get a bad attitude in whatever we're doing! Stay sweet! Do not loose heart!

"Well doing" is also interesting, the whole term. It means whatever work we "achieve," as long as it's for God's Glory. "Poieo" is the root verb, anything we do for Him ... which in His Eyes appears lovely, beautiful, outwardly pleasing! It's the idea of Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

"Due season" suggests not a regulated moment of time, but some "window of opportunity" God sends your way. God will reward you, you will reap, when the best time comes, according to God's schedule! Keep doing right, continue serving the One Who saved you ... and eventually, properly, assuredly ... He will send you a bumper crop of blessings! "Handfuls on purpose!"

"Reap" means "bringing in the grain, the fruit," that is "to harvest" the crops. It is derived from a word that means "warm, pleasant." It's always sweet when God chooses to bless us with revival, and maybe with souls being saved too.

What encouragement Paul is giving us!

Reaping time will come ... if we "faint" not!

If we don't "eklou," the Greek again. It just means "faint" in this sense: "to loosen up, to be way too relaxed!" To become lazy, lethargic, lukewarm! It carries the subordinate idea of "breaking and crushing and destroying" things too! I think the idea is this: if we quit, if we cease serving the Lord ... even after a long time ... we may "hurt" someone, "crush" their young faith ... by stepping back from our duties to our Saviour!

Wow!

 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Folks, more than ever, let's be steady, immoveable, constant in our service for the dear Lord. Let's never quit!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, AUGUST 20, 2013:

We were listening to some classes, history, last night while riding home from the Revival Meeting. The Professor, a highly educated doctor, related the facts of the "origins" of humankind. "Billions and billions of years ago," he said.

I think, brilliant as this educator no doubt is, he's wrong on this one! I believe God created man and woman!

Genesis 1:1 thunders, not metaphorically or poetically or hyperbolically either: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

This is the fact that begins all existence, all human existence, of things animate and inanimate.

The verb "created" here is a translation of the Hebrew root "bara." It means "to create" of course, but in the specific sense of "fashioning, shaping, forming" things!

My high school Bible teacher pounded into our young minds that "bara" literally means "to make something out of nothing!" Only God can do that. It's supernatural!

How important is this faith-stretching point?

That God created.

Critically important!

If the Bible begins wrong ... Genesis chapters 1-3 ... then it can hardly end right! With Jesus coming again! With a new heaven and a new earth!

Yes, if God was not truthful about how things started, how can we trust Him on how things will end?

But I have good news today. "God cannot lie," so says Titus 1:2. And Hebrews 6:18 adds it's "impossible" for God to tell an untruth!

And Jesus in John 17:17 declares that God's Word, the Bibles, is truth!

So we are sticking with Scripture. We shall believe it fully. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

Amen!

     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, AUGUST 21, 2013:

Psalm 119:16 is a challenging verse! There the Psalmist makes a promise, a promise to God. The commitment concerns the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures.

"I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Perhaps these are the words of David, though we are not sure. Anyway, the Holy Spirit recorded the statement for our edification. God is the addressee too.

So here we have a healthy attitude toward the Bible! One no doubt that glorifies the Lord. Oh, being excited about the Book God gave us!

The verb "delight" is "shaa" in Hebrew. It means "to stroke, to play with, to dandle, to fondle!" The idea is one of extreme attachment. Almost doting over something! Really, "in love" with the Scriptures!

Then to "not forget" employs "shakach," a verb that suggests "ignoring" a thing! "Misplacing" it! Becoming so "disinterested" in it that it's lost! This David will NOT do in reference to the Word of God!

Always be thrilled about it!

Always remember it!

Two little rules of life that will guarantee success in the spiritual realm, in pleasing the Lord!

Again, guaranteed!

"I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Can any of us today make the same pledge?

            --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, AUGUST 27, 2013: