God’s Word says that before there was time, there was God.  God refers to Himself as the first and the last, the alpha and the omega, and when Moses asked God who He was, God simply responded with, “I AM”.  He was, is, and will continue to be.  You see, God doesn’t think in human terms, and the Bible tells us that His ways are high above our ways.  We think in terms of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but God can’t be restricted by time, or else He wouldn’t be God.  Would He?

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside Me there is no God.  (Isaiah 44:6)

God is outside of time and space.  He created time, and sometimes we wonder how He can do this, or that, if we wonder about it at all.  He created time!  If He created time, certainly He can control what happens in it.  God’s Word tells us over and over again that He reigns in sovereignty.  That means that He is always in control, no stipulations, no exception, just God on the throne where He belongs.

God’s Word also tells us over and over again that we don’t need to be afraid.  Why?

Bad stuff happens, horrible stuff happens, things need to get done, and we need to get things under control, right?  Wrong.  Bad things really do happen, and a lot of things do need to get done, but through it all God is still on the throne, and He doesn’t want us to go through life living in fear, or always worrying about what’s around the corner.  That’s why He gave us His Word, in the form of the Bible, and in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Through Him there is no fear, and there is no worry, but there is always hope, and there is always mercy and love.  In fact, there is everything that we really do need.

He is the Creator of time, He is the Creator of the universe, He was before it all, and He will continue to be after it all.  He is our God, and nothing is impossible for Him.

I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me:  I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.  (Isaiah 45:5)

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight:  I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.  And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by name, am the God of Israel.  (Isaiah 45:2-3)

Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.  For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground:  I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:  And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.   (Isaiah 44:2-4)

Dave Earley

Bible Study Forum

Faith Like A Mustard Seed

Put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Stand upon the gospel of peace.

Hold before you the shield of faith.

Wear the helmet of salvation.

Wield the sword of the Spirit.

Pray in the Spirit, asking for words to speak in truth and peace, and also boldness to declare the mystery of the gospel.

Always be ready to take your stand against the schemes of the devil and spiritual forces of evil.

This is based on Ephesians 6:10-20.  This is a popular section of Scripture because it makes known to us exactly what we have and how we can use it.  It also tells us that there is more to life than flesh and blood which we see.  We don’t walk by sight, but by faith.  God makes available to us His power, and His presence in order that we might fight our spiritual battles, and be victorious every time.

Walk by faith, and walk in confidence with all of the provisions that God has made available.  The battle is not yet over, however, we do know the final outcome, and we are victorious through Christ alone.

——>Thank you Lord, that you supply all that we need, and that You are more than able to give us victory in any situation.  May we constantly live in victory each and every day for the fame of Your holy name.  Amen.

Dave Earley

Bible Study Forum

Faith Like A Mustard Seed

It all started way back when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.  They had choices to make back then, and almost every choice was an excellent one; should I have pineapple today or Mango?  Should I take a swim in the river or not?  Should I take a ride on that Giraffe?  Now, maybe those aren’t the exact choices that they had to make, but you can imagine that they had some pretty amazing choices to make from day to day.

There was one thing though that God told them they could not choose; fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil.   One bad choice in all of the Garden, and guess what; they made that choice.  Satan, the one who deceives the whole world, tempted Eve to eat of that tree, and she did, and then Adam also ate of it.  From that point on mankind became imperfect, turning from God mankind chose to do what should not be done.  God then sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden with some consequences to bear:

To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children.  Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”  To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.   -Genesis 3:16&17

God sent them out so that they would not be able to eat of the Tree of Life also, and live forever.  Why did God do that, did He want them to die?  No, God didn’t want them to die, but in their present state they were imperfect and separated from God.  If they were to eat of the Tree of Life in such a state, they would live in an imperfect world forever separated by God.   The suffering would now be passed down from generation to generation leaving no one immune for no one could be perfect, that is, apart from Jesus Christ, whom God would later send to redeem this fallen world, not from suffering of course, but from sin and death.

So that’s it?  We suffer because of Adam and Eve’s choices?

That is what started it all, but it never has stopped because mankind continues to make awful choices.   The whole Bible records the bad choices that mankind has made throughout history, and it continues today.  Mankind believes the lies of the enemy and constantly turns from the Creator God.  Mankind constantly makes bad choices that lead to suffering of all sorts.  God loves each of us unconditionally no matter what choices we make, but His love is not a pampering love.  God’s love is a perfecting love.  Sometimes when we go through suffering it’s for our own good, whether it is something that God wants us to learn, or the result of certain choices that we have made in our daily lives.

But what about the children who suffer?

This is a difficult one for people to grasp because no one wants to see a child suffering.  Here’s the thing though;  we can do something!  It’s true!  We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in this fallen world.  He wants to use us for His glory and His great purposes.  God loves His children, He said that the kingdom of God belongs to them.  We can help children who are suffering through various ways;  World Vision, International Justice Mission, other non-profit organizations, we can pray, we can give of our time and finances, we can spread the word, etc…  We can do all sorts of things to put an end to some kinds of suffering around the world.  It starts with each individual.  If you’re so concerned about it, if it really bothers you that much, then get to work; you can do something.  You can make a difference.

I’d also like to inform you about another kind of suffering; suffering for the sake of following Christ.

There are many followers of Christ around the world, even today, who are suffering just because they believe that Jesus Christ is Lord.  They did nothing worthy of imprisonment, yet they are Christians, so they went to prison.  It doesn’t stop there, many of these believers are beaten and tortured day and night because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes their persecutors and jailers tell them that they can go free if they would just deny that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Many of the Christians just can’t do that because it wouldn’t be the truth.  People don’t understand this, but suffering for Christ in this way is something they feel like they must do if it is for God’s glory and greater good.  I get a lot of information about our persecuted brothers and sisters from the Voice of the Martyrs ministry.  You can get a free copy of Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand.  He spent many years in prison for His faith, and that is what the book is mainly about.  Some of it was hard to read, but it was truly an inspiring read.  Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world as they suffer in chains for their faith in our Lord.

Finally, we must look at one specific suffering, that being the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.  He gave up His rightful place in heaven, and came to earth in the form of a man, and He did suffer, make no mistake.  He suffered before the cross, He suffered on the cross, and He suffered after the cross before being raised on the third day.  He was beaten before even going to the cross, a beating that could have killed other men.  He was nailed to the cross, and felt the separation from a holy God while the burden of our sins was placed on Him, a separation that He had never had to go through before, and it was all for us.  He really did suffer, and He knew that it was all going to happen.  At any point He could have let go of the burden, He could have called down angels from heaven to destroy the earth, but that was not the point.  He suffered, and it was for you, and for me.  If you need to wonder about suffering, shouldn’t it be about His suffering?

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  -Romans 8:32

Jesus indeed died for you and for me with much suffering.  He died so that we might be reconciled to a holy God.  He took our judgment which was death, and restored our relationship to God forever.  Jesus paid it all in our place.  Have you accepted His payment?  No one else can answer for you, no one else can make your decision for you.  Jesus paid the price for our sins, will you accept it?  Ask forgiveness for the things that you have done that you know are wrong, tell Him that you turn from those things now, accept His forgiveness and payment for your sins, and thank Him for what He has done.

Praise be to God for His accomplishment through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Only He is awesome.

Dave Earley
Faith Like A Mustard Seed
Bible Study Forum

Sometimes the Psalmist asks, Why is my soul so down?  However, instead of sulking in doubt, and guilt, and anxiety he takes his matter right to the only one who can make a difference.  He knows that he needs the Lord and that in Him he will find all that is needed.

It seems like the Psalmist is constantly under attack, even from those who have received good from him.  The Psalmist’s hope and trust are in the Lord and he will not be put to shame.  He will be delivered and he will sing praises to the Lord.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1

When Thou said, Seek ye My face: my heart said unto Thee, They face, Lord, will I seek.  Psalm 27:8

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.  Psalm 27:10

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thy heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

I will extol Thee, O Lord; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.  O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me.  O Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.  Psalm 30:1-3

Into Thine hand I commit my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.  Psalm 31:5

O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.  Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:23-24

Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.  Psalm 32:7

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.  Psalm 32:10

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.  Psalm 34:19

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.  Psalm 40:4

Let us place our trust in the Lord along with the Psalmist, and no matter what may come, when He delivers us let us sing praises to Him for He is always in total control.

Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed

Why?

God works for the good of those who love Him.  (Romans 8:28)

God predestined us to be conformed to His likeness.  (Romans 8:29)

He called us, He justified us, and He also glorified us.  (Romans 8:30)

He gave up His Son for us.  (Romans 8:32)

Who can bring any charge against us?  (Romans 8:33)

Jesus Christ, who conquered death, intercedes for us.  (Romans 8:34)

Nothing can separate us from His love.  (Romans 8:35)

Through trouble, and hardship, and persecution, and famine, and nakedness, and sword we are more than conquerors through Christ because He loved us.  He proved His love for us while we were yet enemies toward Him.  He suffered and died for our sins.  He died, and then God raised Him up and gave Him victory over death.

Likewise, He gives us that same victory over sin and death.  He is our precious hope, our first love, our mighty fortress in which we place all our trust.

What could possibly separate us from Him?

Death
Life
Angels
Demons
Present time
Future
Powers
Height
Depth

Could any of these things possibly separate us from the love of God that we have in Jesus Christ?  Could anything in all of creation?

The apostle Paul says NO!

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.  In Him we have everything we need.  We move, we breathe, we have our being.   He is the name above all names, and He is unstoppable.  Victory had already been mapped out before the world was ever created.

In Christ, we are conquerors, and so much more.

Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed

He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. Psalm 18:17

It is God that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

The Lord lives; and blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalm 18:46

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:19

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8

Thou hast given him his hearts desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. Psalm 21:2

The book of Psalms takes up a total of 150 chapters in the Old Testament, and although many of them are short like poems, we can find them to be an incredible source of strength, encouragement, and hope in times of need.

Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed

You see; implies that either we didn’t understand, or we heard about it, but still didn’t get it. Paul wanted to stress a very important concept so that more people might understand.

At just the right time; implies that no other time would do. “Can we do this now God?” “No, no…not yet.” “How about now? This is a good time God.” “Not yet. Be patient.” “We really should do this now God before it’s too late!” “Not now, just trust Me.” On the authority of God’s word, He does it all at just the right time. That is awesome! He sent Jesus at just the right time. He delivers His people at just the right time. He knows what to do every time at just the right time. I suspect that something in your life happened at just the right time?

When we were still powerless; implies that there is something that we could not do under our own power. We were powerless to do anything to save ourselves, yet God did something at just the right time to solve our crisis.

Christ died for the ungodly; implies that, Jesus Christ, willingly chose to die for those who were unrighteous, not like God, in fact, enemies of God. How much love is shown when one man will willingly give up his life for another? How much more love is shown when Almighty God left His rightful place in heaven, took on the form of a man, suffered, and died so that our crisis could be resolved once and for all? How much more?? First there was love, then there was mercy, and finally there was grace.

Life isn’t like a game of chess where we make a move and then God makes a move. He had it all planned out before the creation was even begun! He gave us the confidence to know how it will end, and He gives us the Power to get there one day at a time. The timing may not always seem right to us, but God’s timing is always perfect. We also have confidence through Romans 8:28, which is not to be thrown around lightly, but is certainly related to God’s perfect timing.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

=====> Thank You, Lord, for your unconditional love, your endless mercy, and your unfathomable grace. Thank you also that Your timing is always perfect no matter where we are. May we always bring You glory in all that we do. Amen.

Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed

In the years of the early Church, Paul the apostle, felt that he needed to cover the subject of obedience with the Church in Rome, where he had not yet even visited.  Paul may have felt that some members of the Body would use the fact that God is faithful, just, and righteous no matter what, to argue a point of being unrighteous.  Some might wonder how they could be condemned as sinners when God could still get glory out of their unrighteousness.

Some might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” (Romans 3:7)

Their method of thinking was off, as some could slanderously report, which Paul says they did, that we could go on sinning because good will be the end result.   To those people Paul says their condemnation is deserved.  When God wants something done, you don’t go and do the opposite just because He will always be glorified!  Ask the runaway prophet Jonah how that worked out for him.

Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—”Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved. (Romans 3:8)

Obedience is no chore to the faithful follower of Christ, and only produces blessing in and around that followers life.  When God says, “Love one another”(John 13:34), it’s for the benefit of all. People will be blessed. Many times we may not feel as if others deserve our love, and God still says, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” It’s not about what others deserve because Christ Himself was obedient to the Father until death, and proved His love for us, even though we were like enemies to Him.

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  (Hebrews 9:14)

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  (Hebrews 12:9)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  (Romans 12:1)

How much more should we obey the call to obedience?

What does this obedience look like for you?

Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed

We have all been given, or have developed different attributes. What would 9 of yours look like? Would you be pleased with your description?

Take a look at these 9 characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.

Were these any of the characteristics on your list?

All of those 9 characteristics describe someone you may, or may not know. They are the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), and the characteristics of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was loving. No one has ever shown more love than Him. His love is everlasting and unconditional.

Jesus was full of joy. He strengthened and encouraged others with His attitude, rejoicing in every day.

Jesus was at peace. Jesus was never worried, and He realized that His Father was in complete control, no matter the situation.

Jesus was patient. He did not misuse His words, overreact, or lash out at others around Him. He kept His cool in all situations.

Jesus was kind. He helped any who were in need, and was compassionate to all.

Jesus was good. There was never an evil word, action, thought, or impure motive about Him.

Jesus was faithful. He determined to complete the task the Father had purposed for Him, with complete trust and confidence.

Jesus was gentle. Without judgment or bringing others down, He taught, rebuked, and corrected those around Him.

Jesus had self-control. He was never tricked or manipulated into acting wrongly. He led a holy and disciplined life.

What do any of these 9 attributes have to do with you?

They should also be characteristics of your life, just as they were in the life of Christ.

Why?

God’s purpose for our lives is for us to be just like Christ. Christ-likeness is our goal to attain. God’s Spirit longs to reproduce these 9 characteristics in you and me. He wants us to know Him, to follow Him, and to be like Him. It’s all relational in nature. A relationship pleasing to God that will last for all eternity!

Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed

*In a Bible study or small group setting you could have each person write out 9 of their attributes, and then give them the 9 attributes of Jesus to go right along with theirs.  They can then match up the attributes to see if some of them may have Christ-like qualities.  It will be a great reminder that we are to press on to be like Christ in every way, taking on the same qualities that are found in Him.  I received this idea from the book, The Promise, written by Robert Morgan.  I would encourage you to read it.  The Promise is an outstanding as well as inspiring book.  I plan on reading it at least one more time…

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. I Kings 4:29

The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. I Kings 10:24

People from far and wide came to see King Solomon, and to hear his wisdom. Not only did Solomon receive unsurpassed wisdom, but he also received riches and honor. Did you also know that these things weren’t enough for Solomon? As is the case with the human heart, or the deception by the enemy, Solomon wanted more, and determined to go after more.

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:12-14

Solomon made the decision to leave what he already had, and go after “more”. He was a judge over the people because of his great wisdom, and he heard about right and wrong all of the time, but that wasn’t enough. Solomon wanted to see it for himself.

All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. Ecclesiastes 1:7-8

Solomon made a tragic decision by turning away from the Lord, and going after all the world had to offer him. God’s Word tells us that being a friend with the world, is equal to being God’s enemy. Why? The world doesn’t tell us who we are. The world does not define us as individuals, and actually cannot meet our deepest needs. We weren’t made to worship what the world has, but were made to be the individuals that God created us to be. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us what he found out when he turned away from the Lord, and took a crash course in sin.

What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:3

I thought in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. “Laughter,” I said, “is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. Ecclesiastes 2:1-3

Solomon put the world to the test, and when he had aged, he looked back over his life and found out that he did a lot of “meaningless” stuff. He heard about it, he judged it, and then he tried it out for himself. Solomon departed from the foundation that he had established, and took up residence on a foundation that could crumble at any moment. Solomon’s heart was divided, he allowed it to be so, and he went after what ultimately would not satisfy.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Solomon found out the hard way what being a friend to the world was all about, and the consequences that came right along with it. He looked back over his life and declared over, and over again that everything was vanity, and meaningless. He had God, he had everything he needed, but he desired more. It’s pure rebellion when we shake our fists in the face of God, by turning away from all that He has done for us, and instead making ourselves the top priority, and deciding that our ways are the ways to go, no matter what.

So after years of living in sin, and fulfilling the desires of the flesh, Solomon came upon this deduction: A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Solomon figured it out. He came back to his original foundation, even though he decided to learn the hard way. Can we really enjoy a life free from vanity, but full of lasting meaning, and joy? We can through Jesus Christ. He came and made the way for us, and told us that all we had to do was ask.

“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46

———-> Let us always remember what we do have, and cultivate hearts that are undivided. Let us remain committed to our hope, that is in Jesus Christ alone, and look back over lives where He was at the center. Let us resist the lure of the world, the lies of the enemy, and the desires of the flesh in all situations, and let us find everlasting joy in Christ alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Wisest Man Ever, And He Still Tried It by Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed