One of my Grandsons, Jeremiah, asked me (while I was in Kentucky) to see if I could get a picture of some horses, race horses if possible. He loves animals. So … I have sent him a few photos that might help. One appears above. It was made early yesterday afternoon.

I will continue with my “photo” related Lessons a few more mornings. But then, with the beginning of the new year, I shall return to writing the normal verse-by-verse Bible expositions.

Today’s Bible Lesson …

Yes, the Bible mentions horses.

Pharaoh’s army was riding horses (many of them anyway) when they drowned in the Read Sea! Exodus 15:1 tells us, in a note of praise: “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”

We learn from Nehemiah 3:28 that the ancient City of Jerusalem actually had a gate named after these majestic animals, “the horse gate!” Read it, as it describes one of the work crews rebuilding the walls: “From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.”

Biblically horses are known for their strength. But God is so great that: “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.” Then what thrills God? The next verse: “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”

Wow!

In Revelation 6:2 the antichrist appears, riding a horse to war, in his wake famine and bloodshed and chaos! “And I (John) saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” He had a bow, but no “arrows!”

And when Jesus comes again, all the way to earth (to the Mount of Olives) … He will be riding a great white horse! “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” This is Jesus, all right, Revelation 19:11-13.

But the fullest paragraph in the Bible about horses is found in the Book of Job. And it describes a war-horse! “Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, Ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.” Job 39:19-25

He is ready for battle, eager in fact!

And not the least bit afraid!

And this ultra-complimentary Passage is in Job, why?

The horse is a tribute to the man Job, I think. Who has stood so strong and fought so valiantly! Never cursing God, not once. Though the devil certainly tempted him to do so, or predicted he would!

Oh, to be a war horse for Jesus’ Sake!

Jeremiah (on the left, his twin brother Michaiah on the right) … this lesson is for you too, little Buddy.

(He was saved last year in Bible School! Then wanted to be baptized. My prayer is that God will use him for the Work of the Kingdom. That’s my prayer for both the boys, of course.)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Better known as “Pa-pa” to a few.

 

 

I was quickly browsing last week, in the midst of my Christmas shopping. I (at Barnes and Noble, of all places, Chattanooga, Tennessee) almost always go to the shelves of Christian books labeled “New Arrivals.” And there I saw this title. I am somewhat familiar with the author, but his idea this time was phenomenal!

Today’s Bible Lesson …

The concept of the pictured Book focuses on the “STRENGTH” of the Lord. Mr. Morgan essentially uses each chapter of the book to highlight what he feels is one of the Bible’s 12 greatest Verses on strength!

The table of contents alone is inviting!

All this is significant to me because last night (in a Revival Meeting) just outside Elizabethtown, Kentucky, I preached from one of the most thorough Verses in all Scripture (which has 31,102 verses all total) concerning the “Power” of God, power available to us!

That verse?

I know you’re wondering.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10, King James Version, word for word.

The holy Spirit uses three different Greek words, synonyms, for the “ability” of God!

“Strong” incorporates “dunamis.” Our word “dynamite!”

“Power” utilizes “kratos,” the power God used when He “created” the world! This is usually thought of as “demonstrated, manifested” power!

Then comes “might,” in Greek spelled “ischus.” Which often refers to sheer brute strength! Muscle power, which God apparently possesses in abundance, being almighty!

And, again I say, all these types of power, forms of ability are OURS as we live for Jesus!

Wow!

But the little book uses another verse which is one of my all-time favorites!

“For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10, spoken by Ezra to a group of Jews on a great day of national Revival! Here “strength” (Hebrew “maoz”) means “hard, firm, prevailing.” Something that overcomes! And “joy” (a rare word indeed, “chedvah,” found only 3 times in the Bible) means “gladness.”

Friends, do not today try to live in your own power, strength.

Borrow some … from God!

Live “tapped into” His great Resources!

Then, like Paul, you may be able to say: “I can do (ischus) all things through Christ which strengtheneth (dunamis) me.” Ephesians 4:13

I sense this Power right now, as I type these paragraphs!

“Abide” in Jesus today; consciously drawing, appropriating, living on that great inexhaustible Power of His!

Furthermore … this is not something you DO (on your own), rather, you allow Him to live through you! Yes “be strong” is a passive verb … “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord.”

He will “be strong” you!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

If these thoughts prove helpful to anyone … let me know. My text number is 770-844-7627. I enjoy hearing from you, our readers, fellow students of the Word of God.

 

 

Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month.  While driving to a Revival, I had left behind a box of Scripture Booklets that I needed, that were necessary in fact. And Debbie and I met there, in the heart of the City, to solve the problem! She kindly brought the material to me.

A Bit of News, first …

This is a travel day.

I leave in an hour or two for Kentucky.

Liberty Baptist Church near Elizabethtown, Pastor Mark Widemann, a three night Revival Meeting!

For that reason, I needed to delay writing my Lesson this morning.

I felt it urgent to get in the car and go … not knowing what kind of traffic situation I’ll face as I drive through several major cities.

Well, I no sooner typed that word “CITIES,” than a thought came rushing into my mind!

Today’s Bible Lesson, after all …

Did you ever think of how Jesus loved Cities, one in particular? (“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!) His Words here are found in Matthew 23:37.

And did you ever realize how the Apostle Paul concentrated his work for Christ in the Cities of the Roman Empire? (Corinth, Thessalonica, Athens, Ephesus, Philippi, and of course Rome, these being a few examples!)

My point today is simple.

Have you ever prayed for a City?

The metropolitan area nearest you, for instance.

Today I’ll (the Lord willing) drive through Chattanooga, Nashville, nearly to Louisville! Before the week is over I hope to be near Cincinnati!

Pray for these places!

That God will save souls there.

Send laborers there.

Withhold iniquity there.

Give Revival there.

Listen to Paul one more time. “But I will tarry at Ephesus … for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” 1st Corinthians 16:8, discussing a City!

Learn a little about the City which God has laid on your heart.

It could even be a city overseas.

Tokyo?

London?

Even Moscow?

I know one. The one Jesus referenced earlier in the Lesson. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6

Well, the rest is up to YOU and the HOLY SPIRIT!

Wow, intercessors for the cause of Christ!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

We met that day at a popular fast-food place in Atlanta called the Varsity. Near the Georgia Tech Campus … where both these photos were taken. In a city …

 

I was driving home from a Revival Meeting, Thursday of last week I believe. My route carried me through the pretty little City of Rome, Georgia. And in Rome there is a quaint little used bookstore, Dogwood Books by name. I decided to invest ten or fifteen minutes in that little “gold mine” of Bible truth. They have an unusually good selection of theological, Christian material.

I just mentioned to the owner that I was looking for material on the whole armour of God, Ephesians 6, and he immediately suggested William Gurnall on the subject, a classic indeed. I realized at that moment this man knew his books, Bible related anyway!

Oh, traffic is always busy in downtown Rome, particularly in the City Square, where Dogwood is located. But that day I found a parking place immediately in front of the store! I made this photo looking through my front windshield! If you look carefully you can even see my GPS attached in its place. I decided right then I was “on track!” Never have I been able to park that close!

Today’s Bible Lesson …

I personally count many such sweet conveniences as blessings from the Lord. Parking places, kind words, often letters or texts or emails, a Preacher calling wanting to schedule a Revival!

“Open doors,” Paul might have termed them!

Yes, the bookstore that day was an “open door,” though I only bought 2 little books, but both have proved precious in my study of the Word of God!

There have been times when, at Dogwood, I sat and perused a book before investing any money in it. They have several places in the store to do this. Mine is upstairs, right by the religious section. Good bookstores always encourage this!

But more importantly now … Jesus believes in “open doors,” too! He said to the Church at Philadelphia: “Behold, I have set before thee an OPEN DOOR,” Revelation 3:8.

The very reason I’m writing on this theme today, Christmas Eve, is that many an open door will be placed before us in the next day or two.

Time with loved ones!

Time to tell the Story of Jesus!

Time to love a person who may not even be here next year!

Time to go to Church and sing the beautiful Carols about our Saviour!

Time to handle some little problem, in a Christlike way!

All … open doors!

Oh, friends … let us use them wisely!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

And, by the way, from Debbie and me to you all … MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

I was at the bookstore, just a few days ago, and saw this relatively new Tittle. It immediately caught my eye, having been written by a Pastor who leads one of the largest congregations in Texas, among Baptist Churches anyway.

I looked at the Table of Contents (knowing you can’t always tell a book by its cover)! I learned that Dr. Jeffress refuses to budge on the key issues of our Faith! He even has a chapter about “The Intolerant Jesus!”

As in: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And yes, Jesus Himself was talking there in John 14:6.

But our “politically correct” world and its fierce “thought police” try desperately to force the issue … that “love” trumps “faith” at every angle!

This Book seems to be arguing: I WILL NOT AGREE!

Reminds me of what three young Jewish men said to a wicked King Nebuchadnezzar one day long ago. In the face of martyrdom, standing by a burning fiery furnace. “Be it known unto thee, O king, that WE WILL NOT serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:18

“We will not …”

Folks, in these specially dark days we all are going to have to learn to use those words: “I WILL NOT!”

Because, no matter what the ecumenical religious crowd may be saying … ALL ROADS DO NOT LEAD TO HEAVEN!

Proverbs 14:12 shouts: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Wow!

And Peter preached: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is NONE OTHER NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12, where that Name is Jesus!

Many other areas exist as well … where (looks like) we Christians are going to have to STAND ALONE!

Paul knew the feeling: “At my first answer (trial) NO MAN STOOD WITH ME, but ALL FORSOOK ME: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” 2nd Timothy 4:16

Yet we must share this exclusive Jesus … with a far too inclusive world! Otherwise, multitudes will die and go to Hell, a literal place of fire and brimstone and eternal (never-ending) torment!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Anyone agree?

My text number … 770-844-7627