Author Archives: bibleauntie

“ O ABSALOM, my son,my son!”

“O Absalom,

    my son, my son!”

“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1

Absalom no doubt, got up this particular morning without any qualms of judgement… by the end of the day, this prideful, beautiful son of King David , hung dead under the boughs of a great oak.

I feel , like so many preachers of God’s Holy Word, that the time is short. 2 Peter 3:10-14 states , “ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night… therefore what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness… therefore , beloved , looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him… without spot and blameless…”

Absalom , evidently, was not preparing his heart for eternity. His father wrote that he had always set the LORD before him ( Psalm 16:8) . Unfortunately, David had a moral lapse that greatly impacted his testimony and fathering skills. Although, forgiven by God, he paid a steep price that serves as a warning to us…
Obviously, this Bible story has a “ PG” rating but my heart for this lesson is anyone who is leading a willful, unrestrained life ( or allowing these tendencies in their child or student) and that think they have a lot of time to get on the right path before it is “ too late”. (NLT) “If only you would listen to HIS voice today do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:15 & Psalms 95:7

I would be remiss in not also mentioning the harsh pronouncement the LORD gave to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:11-13 “ Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle… For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons have made themselves vile and he did not restrain them.

Beloved brothers and sisters, addressing this kind of hardness of heart will take much prayer, and perhaps fasting. This is something I must step up in my life… won’t you join me?

Emmanuel

” But you, O Bethlehem who are little among the clans of Judah. From you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Israel : whose going forth have been from old, from everlasting. “ Micah 5:2

Micah predicted over 700 years before the birth of Jesus, by a word of the LORD, that He would be born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because they needed to register there according to a Roman decree.
I have been focused this season on Joseph… this “son of David…a great hero of the faith…someone we can emulate…a humble, simple man who had his happy expectations shaken. God had a new direction and plan for Joseph; that of being the “foster” father to His one and only Son! We need heroes like this more than ever. How will this be accomplished? I’ll quote Oswald Chambers ( Oct 23 My Utmost for His Highest) for the only solution worth considering “… How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, no sensitiveness to pokes, the love that is not provoked, that thinks no evil, that is always kind? The only way is by allowing not a bit of the old life to be left, but only simple perfect trust in God”. How does one access this Holy God? We teach that we only gain access to God in accordance to the words of the angel announced in Matthew 1: 21 “…she shall bear a son and you shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins.” “ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever *believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

*the word believe needs some clarification. This is not referring to mere mental assent. Romans 10:9 explains further “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Please note that when you call Jesus as your Lord you are willing to make Him the “ boss” of your life! In fact He will become your God!

Bibleauntie stands in support of Israel and asks you to Bless and pray for her .” Behold, He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4  “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6 

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FOR OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS go to JUNE 19,2013

FOR NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS go to APRIL 2,2013

You Are Invited

The Parable of The Wedding Feast

Jesus has just cleansed the temple and proceeded to heal the blind and lame who came to Him. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, ”Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and couldn’t wait to confront Him the next morning, interrupt His teaching and demand to know by what authority He was doing these things! They seemed to be unaware that Jesus had cursed the fig tree on His way from Bethany to the temple, further illustrating what He would now teach about the blindness and hardness of heart of these religious leaders. Jesus tells three parables, engaging His listeners with a question, ”What do you think?” Read the parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32. The first son did not initially agree to work in his father’s vineyard but later repented and went to work, showing the fruit of repentance which is doing the father’s will. The second son agreed to work, but he did not follow through with his commitment. This second son, like the religious leaders and the leafy fig tree, were alike in that they were deceptive in the appearance of fruitfulness.

The second parable was even more pointed in that Jesus asked His disapproving listeners what should happen to the wicked tenants of their landowner’s vineyard, who ended up killing the heir to steal his inheritance. They condemn themselves when they harshly reply that the wicked tenants should be destroyed and the vineyard given to others willing to bear fruit. Matthew 21:45 states that these men understood Jesus was speaking of them but instead of being willing to repent they reject Jesus and seek to arrest Him.

The last parable in this scene is of vital importance to everyone… not just Jewish religious leaders. In Matthew 22:1-14, we find a King (represented by God) preparing a marriage for His son. ( Jesus)

In researching the historical background of this setting I read an interesting insight… to be invited to the wedding of the King’s son was the greatest honor a citizen could have expected to receive. ”Save the date” , for sure! In a poor agrarian society the regular diet would have consisted of mostly grains. Meat was saved for special occasions. That the first recipients would have ignored this invitation would have raised a few eyebrows. Who in their right mind would refuse the wedding feast of a King? ( free meat!!!) Now came the shocking events to drop everyone’s jaw… the beatings and murder of the King’s servants who were bringing the second invitation alerting everyone that the feast was now prepared, the meat killed and all things were ready. Come!!! Added to this was the response of the King. Not only did he retaliate with furious retribution, but he extended his invitation to everyone else- all social strata both good and bad. Along with this invitation is the expectation that all would need to come to the feast dressed in the wedding garment provided by the King. Wearing this garment and agreeing to submit your will in wearing what you would like instead, shows the proper honor and respect for the King. Sadly, one guest arrived without preparing himself. He came in his own clothes. He was speechless when confronted by the King and was removed from the feast by the King’s servants. Just like this parable, the LORD has issued an invitation…”whosoever will may come”. This is without cost to us… but a great price was paid, the life and very blood of His dear Son . Jesus said, ” I am the way, the truth and the life, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.” John 14:6

Dear beloved one, have you accepted God’s generous invitation…”Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 18:1 To ignore this gracious invitation invites God’s righteous judgement instead…Whoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire ( Revelation 20:15)

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OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS go to JUNE 19,2013

NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS go to APRIL 2, 2013

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin…You delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:8

This first worksheet can be used to illustrate the story of Elijah and the third captain of fifty men who received mercy .( it was posted yesterday, Dec. 28. ) The scripture I have chosen for this story is Micah 7:18 and I hope you have the kids write this after coloring the page.

“ Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

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For OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS go to JUNE 19,2013

For NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS go to APRIL 2, 2013

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“The Steadfast Love of the LORD Never Ceases; His Mercies Never Come to an End…” Lam. 3:22 ESV

Pandemics! Social Upheaval! Financial Instability! Chaos!!!

” The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed…He who sits in the heavens shall laugh…Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear…Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:2,3,10,12

Today, more than ever we need the stabilizing and steadfast work of mercy and grace in our lives. In referring to the story I would like to share today, Jesus had this to say in Luke 9 after preparing Himself to go to ransom mankind. The Samaritans did not allow Jesus and His disciples passage through a certain village and James and John wanted to command fire down from heaven to consume them “ just as Elijah did.” Jesus rebuked them and said, ”You don’t know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” What a wonderful expression of the mercy and grace of our LORD, and we will see the same mercy poured out in the midst of judgement in 2 Kings 1.

Elijah is at the end of his prophetic career after having faithfully proclaimed the word of the LORD to a nation steeped in sin and idolatry. The people had made a half-hearted profession of faith in their God after the ”showdown” on Mt. Carmel but had no righteous king to encourage their continued worship. After Ahab died , his son Ahaziah began to reign but ”he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father… for he served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger, according to all his father had done.”(1Kings 22: 52-53) God judged this young man severely for after only reigning two years he was injured after falling through the lattice of his upper room.
Ahaziah sent messengers, from his bed, to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover from his injury. Elijah is sent to these messengers with a word from the LORD…”Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of the god of Ekron? Thus says the LORD: you will not recover. You shall surely die.” The messengers returned to Samaria and gave the surprised king Elijah’s ” prescription”! When he asked who spoke those dire words they answered ,”a hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.” Ahaziah knew that Elijah was the man responsible, so he sent a captain with fifty soldiers to apprehend him. The captain went up to Elijah and said, “Man of God, the king has said,’Come down!’ ” So Elijah said to the captain, ” If I am a man of God then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men”. And fire came down and consumed him and his fifty men. Now, the captain had admitted the righteousness of Elijah when he called him Man of God. Do you wonder why he did not resist such an immoral and ungodly command?

Ahaziah sent another captain and fifty men and the same thing happened. The second captain had more guilt because he knew the fate of the first group but made his demand more bold by insisting Elijah come ”quickly!” Again the king sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. But this captain, when approaching Elijah, fell on his knees and pleaded with him and said, ” Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.” This captain humbly begged for mercy and it was granted. He led Elijah to the king where he boldly proclaimed the word from the LORD… because Ahaziah had ignored the LORD and had sent inquiries to the god of Ekron, he would not recover. Instead of repenting and making inquiries of the one true God, Ahaziah tragically died.

Psalm 103

a Psalm of David

“ Bless the LORD , O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the LORD , O my soul and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies… for as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him… As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust… Bless the LORD , O my soul!”

Worksheet to follow

“For All Thy Saints”

“ He put a new song in my mouth- a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him.” Psalm 40:3

To honor and encourage God’s suffering saints worldwide I dedicate the sharing of this hymn written by Rev. Dr. William W. How (1864) Anglican Bishop of Wakefield and music by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906.

  1. For all the saints who from their labors rest who Thee by faith before the world confessed . Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might, Thou Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight; Thou in the darkness drear, their one true Light. Alleluia ! Alleluia
  3. For the Apostles’ glorious company, who, bearing forth the cross o’er land and sea, shook all the mighty world- we sing to Thee. Alleluia! Alleluia!
  4. For the Evangelists, by whose blest word, like fourfold streams the garden of the Lord is fair and fruitful – be Thy name adored. Alleluia! Alleluia!
  5. For Martyrs, who with rapture- kindled eye, saw the bright crown descending from the sky, and died to grasp it – Thee we glorify: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  6. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor’s crown of gold: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  7. O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  8. And when the strife is fierce , the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song. And hearts are brave again and arms are strong: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  9. The golden evening brightens in the west. Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest. Sweet is the calm of paradise, the blest: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  10. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day: the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of Glory passes on His way: Alleluia! Alleluia!
  11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, thru gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia! Alleluia!

This was the final hymn selected for the funeral of Oswald Chambers in 11/16/1917 Cairo , Egypt.

Proclaim the Good News

  • Proclaim the Good News
  • worksheet

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Phil. 4:5 tells us “the Lord is near”.

We get the same admonition in James 5:7&8 “…Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Also 1 Peter 4:7 “ But the end of all things is at hand, therefore be serious ( I’m serious!) and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another…”
Can we forget Romans 13:: 11-14 “…knowing the time…it is high time to awake out of sleep… therefore let us cast off ( fling away) the works of darkness… but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for indulging the flesh, to fulfill its lusts ( to gratify its desires.)”

King David came to “despise “( think light of) the commandment of the Lord when he sinned with the wife of righteous Uriah. ( 2 Samuel 12:9)

A question to ask ourselves is…“ am I despising the commandment of the Lord by making provision for my flesh?”

Be specific ! Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you need to be on guard. We want to be able to “ Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”

We are not apt to be looking for these awesome opportunities when we are not daily putting on the full armor of light !

FYI…For a brighter worksheet … click on the archives for Feb. 2012 and scroll down until you find it…you will also find several other “mission themed“ worksheets!

Quick access to Table of Contents

I hope you have not been confused trying to find a list of lessons available on this site… I got confused wondering where it was hiding so I thought I would make it easy. January 6, 2014 is the date you need to look up in the archive. Hope this helps. ( One day I will ask a smart computer person how to make the whole site more “ clickable”😊)

The Furnace of Affliction

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

I think it is time to revisit one of my favorite Bible characters as we enter unprecedented times in world history…

October 29/2011 is where you can find the lessons to copy for the story of “Joseph Tested”. The Bible teaches us that the trial of our faith produces eternal benefits and Joseph was certainly going through many fiery trials …. but we read “ But the LORD was with Joseph , and showed him mercy…”Gen.39:21

So “…count it all joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops endurance. But let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”

James 1:2-4

Beloved teachers of the gospel, Esther Ahn Kim ( I-Suk-An) wrote of her amazing WW2 experiences proclaiming the truths of God’s word in a book entitled “ If I perish”. She prepared for future trials by giving up some of her dietary and sleeping comforts… a fast, if you will…knowing she faced certain imprisonment or death! How can we be encouraging those we mentor and teach to be willing to endure ,with joy ,any future deprivations we all may suffer?