This picture is a year old, if not two. It was made at a Publishing Company’s on-site Bookstore. A plethora of mostly Christian authors, their books, lined the walls. This week, the Lord willing, I’ll get to visit this establishment again. I often say that entering such a place is like stepping into a potential “gold mine.” Now let me try to explain what I mean …

Today’s Bible Lesson …

It’s only a part of the whole verse, Proverbs 13:20, but it’s powerful: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” So said King Solomon many years ago.

Be careful whom you choose as friends, companions!

Now the rest of the verse and you’ll see “why” I caution you. “But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Paul later added to the conversation: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33

By now you may be wondering … “What all this has to do with a bookstore?”

These, at a different location, are nearly all paperback and all used. Only a dollar or two each as well!

As I enter such places (bookstores) I hear “voices!”

Most of them long dead, “with the Lord” for many years.

And, via their writings, I can again let them “teach” me.

“Lecture” me, even “encourage, warn, advise,” and “preach” to me … all those verbs apply!

Yes, I can buy a book and (upon reading it) “walk with a wise Christian” for hours and hours!

Even authors still living, though teaching the Bible in some distant location, can become by “tutors.”

Oh, by the way, and maybe BEST OF ALL … I can let Paul the Apostle disciple me … via the Books he left behind, the Epistles of the New Testament!

Next time you enter a bookstore, be a little quieter.

Listen, then quote … “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 11:30

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

If the Lesson is a blessing in some way, let me know. Text me at 770-844-7627.

 

I was just stopping to use the restroom, really. And I noticed this sign, on the wall at Wendy’s Restaurant. Its founder, Dave Thomas, was a professing Christian. And it is obvious by the photo that he wanted to serve the public a quality product. Here’s a prime example of a leader passing along something (here just a bite of food, but “quality” food nonetheless) to his followers.

Now, today’s Bible Lesson …

Paul instructed young Timothy to do this as well. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same COMMIT THOU to faithful men, who shall be able to TEACH others also.” 2nd Timothy 2:2, presumably promoting truth from generation to generation!

Elijah did this to Elisha.

David to Solomon.

Moses to Joshua, for that matter.

And certainly, Jesus to His Disciples.

Question is, to whom am I passing things, the great spiritual truths of life?

Wow!

But teaching those who follow us is a mainspring in Paul’s Ministry!

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2nd Timothy 1:13

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” 2nd Timothy 3:14

Again and again we hear such from the great Apostle’s lips.

The world today calls this concept “mentoring.”

And it takes TIME to impact an individual’s life like this.

So Dads and Moms, teach those children the Word of God!

Grandfathers and Grandmothers, you do the same, the little ones love to be nurtured!

Pastors and Sunday School teachers as well, take your positions seriously!

Pick someone, prayerfully of course, and try to share with them a nugget of Biblical truth today. Then do so again tomorrow. Then daily for the rest of your life!

(The photo is not an advertisement for Wendy’s, or any other food chain. It is merely an example of a man who, in the world of business, has tried to leave behind a legacy.)

May we do as well … spiritually.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

This photo was made from a Church parking lot in Candler, North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Mountains. The first time the “mountains” are mentioned in Scripture (Genesis 7:20) the Flood in Noah’s day was being discussed. And the last time in the Bible (Revelation 17:9) the apostate City of Rome is under judgment.

Today’s Bible Lesson …

Jesus was crucified on a mountain.

Ascended from a mountain.

And is coming back again to a mountain!

Wow!

Surely when I see those beautiful things (living near them as we do, often driving to Lookout Mountain to study) my mind should be transported toward Bible themes.

Like Psalm 125:2. “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”

Next time you’re near the mountains … remember … God’s hovering, protective Presence!

I’ve never been to Jerusalem, but would love to go. I have even thought about doing some airline price shopping and flying over there for a couple of days, just to Jerusalem. I’d love to see the Eastern Gate! And the Wailing Wall! And of course, Golgotha and the empty tomb!

Hey, here’s an idea.

Pray for Israel, the Jews, each time you see the mountains.

Read with me (I head this preached two weeks ago) the only specific prayer request in all of the Old Testament: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Self-explanatory, isn’t it?

OK, lesson over.

Scroll up and look at the photo again … and PRAY accordingly!

By the way, enjoy God’s blessings today!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

My Son Joel and I occasionally eat together when I’m passing through the Atlanta area (where he pastors). Usually grabbing a salad or sandwich at one of the busiest commercial airports in the country, Peachtree DeKalb in Chamblee, Georgia. After lunch one day I made this snapshot. What a collection of aircraft! Our restaurant table actually overlooks the runway!

Today’s Bible Study Lesson …

This view immediately reminded me of a missionary agency that uses airplanes to serve the Lord! I’m particularly thinking of Missionary Aviation Fellowship, but other such similar organizations exist now as well.

Yes, they fly missionaries to and from their posts, often in remote jungles. And have been doing so for many years now. Plus, medical evacuations, deliveries of urgent supplies, and no telling what else.

Serving the Lord’s people … any way possible!

Now Bible verses are flooding my mind.

Paul wrote in Romans 12:6-7 of Believers who were “gifted” with the ability to “serve.” He uses the Greek word for “ministering.” His words: “Having then (spiritual) gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us … like MINISTRY (one of those gifts), let us wait on our MINISTERING.” He’s saying … SERVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART! Give it 100%. Be diligent!

Folks (these “servers”) who do not care to be in the “spotlight,” but long to do things for Jesus, often in an out-of-sight manner. Like flying a delivery of penicillin to a mission compound somewhere along the Amazon River in Brazil. Or bringing an evangelist to an otherwise inaccessible field of service, for a time of revival!

Galatians 5:13 pretty much obligates us all along this line. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.”

I just found (earlier today) a word for “helping” that I had never noticed before, a Greek noun. Paul’s ship was in a storm, on that Lucan voyage to Rome. And the ship was about to be broken into pieces, so violent was the weather! Which when they (the crew, the sailors) had taken up, they used HELPS, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.” Acts 27:17, where the word for “helps” is “boetheia,” only found twice in the whole New Testament. It means “to run” (“theo”) when you hear a needy “cry” (“boe”). To turn toward the distress! To do all you can to (quickly) aid a hurting person!

Oh, to be a helper to the Lord’s children!

To do what I can …

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (in context, the Jews … but generally to any Believer), ye have done it unto Me.” Jesus’s Words in Matthew 25:40, in a Parable. Help a fellow Christian … same as helping Jesus!

Then … “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” Mark 9:41, serving again!

Paul one more time … “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good (serve) unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10, particularly helping the saints of God!

Wow!

Let’s go get busy!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Palm trees, Orlando, Florida, picture made a few weeks ago when Debbie and I visited “The Holy Land Experience” and saw a scale model of the City of Jerusalem!

Today’s Bible Study Lesson …

I knew the Bible talked about trees, of course, but 358 times? That’s exactly how many, if I counted correctly earlier this morning.

For example, Genesis opens with God creating them, trees. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit TREE yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” Genesis 1:11, the first mention of trees in Scripture.

And Revelation closes with a reference to trees, a tree. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the TREE of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” The City here is New Jerusalem, Revelation 22:14, the last mention of trees in the Bible.

And in the middle? Jesus died on a Tree! “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a TREE.” Galatians 3:14 (Add 1st Peter 2:24 here as well. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on THE TREE, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” Speaking of the Lord Jesus, obviously.)

Wow!

I’ve ordered a Book about trees, from a secular scientific viewpoint.

And I already own a book about trees, from a spiritual perspective. (Phillip Keller’s “As a Tree Grows,” comparing the development of trees to the slow but steady grown in a Christian’s life!)

I really want to preach on trees sometime soon, a whole series of sermons I’m anticipating!

Yes, “men as trees!” See Mark 8:24.

I don’t know yet how many species of trees are listed in the Bible, but the number is significant.

For example: “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.” Psalm 52:8

“Green,” fresh and vibrant!

“Olives,” a symbol of the Holy Spirit, Christians being Spirit indwelt.

“House of God,” not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together!

And how can anyone live such a sterling testimony for Jesus, alive and beneficial and faithful to Church … and Spirit associated, Spirit filled?

Read the last clause of the verse for the answer … “I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.” Because of God’s Grace, Mercy, Love!

Amen!

Even in the Bible, wicked men are compared to trees! “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay TREE.” Psalm 37:25

I have a lot to learn about the subject at hand.

But it is going to be an enjoyable study!

Here, symbolically, Jesus is likened to a refreshing “apple Tree!” Song of Solomon 2:3 … “As the apple TREE among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

More to come … the Lord willing.

What kind of tree are you?

Jesus will close our lesson today, His Words from the Sermon on the Mount. “Even so every goodTREE bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt TREE bringeth forth evil fruit. A good TREE cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt TREE bring forth good fruit. Every TREE that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 7:17-19

— Dr. Mike Bagwell