Sunday, February 15, 2015

Proverbs 4:20-27

There's a lot of controversy going on lately about a series of movies that have been adapted from a book in the Fifty Shades of Grey series.  I've heard the book described as violence and all manner of sexual things I don't condone or support this.  As a Christian God set us free from bondage and we need to be careful with the movies we watch and things we read.  a few years back i read a graphic novel called Watchmen and most comic book fans and movie goers don't get why i can't stand the story.  my answer has always been this.  "It is the most repulsive comic and movie I've ever put in front of my eyes."  There's an old children's song that has a simple truth.  "Oh be careful little eyes what you see for the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little eyes what you see." Adults need to hear this as well.  When I took motorcycle safety I learned this principle "Where you look is where you go."  Scripture echoes this simple fact.

20.  "My child, pay attention to what I say.  Listen carefully to my words."  May I have your attention please!
21.  "Don't lose sight of them.  Let them penetrate deep into your heart."  He wants this to be more than head knowledge.  
22.  When they change your life look at what happens.  "For they bring life to those who find them and healing to their whole body."  God's word changes us if we let it.  
23.  "Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life."  See Hebrews 12:1-2
24.  "Avoid all perverse talk; Stay away from corrupt speech."  There should be no reason for profanity to come from a Christians mouth.  God says avoid it and it's a poor command of the English language.  
25.  "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you."  Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith fix your eyes on him.  
26.  "Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path."  God's word is your map.
27.  Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil."  If you get sidetracked confess your sin and seek God for forgiveness and get back on track  

Recommit your heart to God



Guard your heart by Steve Green guard your heart lyrics-steve green


Seek First by Susan Ashton Susan Ashton - Seek First


Innocence Lost Susan Ashton Susan Ashton Innocence Lost




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Monday, February 9, 2015

Proverbs 3:21-27

Before i start typing up this study i wanted to give you a little behind the scenes about part of this.  Thursday I came home from work early and started working on this.  I got it all written out.  i do actually write this all out by hand and type it up later not sure if anyone other than my parents and my wife knew that.  I had it all written out and I was having the hardest time with finding the music for it.  As i tried to explain to my dad one time i try very hard to match the verses with the themes of the songs i add there's reasons behind all this and thought.  So i started asking on Facebook to see if any of my friends could help.  no one responded.  So i asked my Dad who is a pastor "Do you know any songs that deal with seeking God's wisdom."  He normally has his pianist match the songs with the sermon as much as possible.  I got off work Sunday morning and this is something only God can make happen.  I was in bed by 6:45 am.  I get off work at 4:30 am so i sleep differently than most people.  about 8:30 I woke up because i kept having a recurring dream i was about to be sick at my stomach.  God is referred to in the bible as speaking in dreams and visions and i truly believe God was getting my attention to take some medicine before it was too late.  i got to feeling better and was able to sleep.  Later that night Marion and i were sitting there after the evening service at Real Life.  I told Marion i wanted to talk to Brandon the lead singer to see if he could help me with music.  Again only God can do these things.  She said "Well there's Will you can ask him where Brandon is."  I walked up and talked to Will (sometimes lead guitarist) and somehow began telling him what i was looking for musically he referred me to David Trevino(bass guitarist and box player).  David told me to e-mail him and remind him and he would have something for me by the following afternoon.  David got back to me and it seems to contain all elements of this study.  


   In these verses Solomon gives us some of the benefits of wisdom.  There's also confidence here found in God.

21.  "My son let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion.  There's a lot of people these days that don't exhibit sound wisdom and discretion.  Both of these things can be found in God.  I saw this interview with Steve Harvey and a woman told him she was dating a man and his first question to her was.  "Does he have a relationship with God?"  When the lady sai he was an atheist he said to leave the man because he has no moral compass.  It sounds harsh but where a person is with God should be the most important factor.  Without God you have nothing guiding your thoughts and actions.  
22.  Solomon goes on to say this about wisdom and discretion.  "So they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck."  
23-26.  These next few verses about confidence in God are so awesome.  "Then you will walk in your way securely and your feet will not stumble.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you lie down, your sleep will be sound.  Do not be afraid of sudden fear.  Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your feet from being caught."  check also Psalms 91
27.  The superhero fan in me loves this verse.  "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."  When I was at Coastal Bend College i had a Christian teacher  named Yolanda Silvas.  At one point i took my bible to her and asked her to sign it.  She did and left 2 verses that fit well with this last verse.  Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people and especially to those who are of the house of faith."  

This is the song David found for me.  God I look to you by Jenn Johnson God I Look to You - Jenn Johnson (lyrics) (Bethel Church) (Best Worship Song with tears 17)



Here's the two songs I had come up with 

Counsel of the Holy by Petra PETRA - Counsel Of The Holy (HQ Music Video)




 
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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Behind the scenes of the Batcave Blog part Deux

I wanted to also clue you in on 2 things that happen with the blog that you don't see.  I have a friend Aracely Flores and she gets the blog in her e-mail.  she has since informed me she reads it and then reads it to her daughters and her husband.  Also Brooke Blodgett the life group coordinator e-mailed me this week and she shares it with various friends and family members.  Its a simple bible study but God is reaching multiple people's lives in ways i don't even understand.  we serve an amazing God!
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Monday, February 2, 2015

Wisdom Proverbs 2:1-6

There's an old joke that asks "Why did the blonde take a ladder to school?"  "She wanted to get a higher education."  As the Batcave blog has gone on I have never done much in regards to the book of Proverbs and I feel there's things you and I can learn here.  To the world following God seems to be the path of the fool but it isn't.  There is a part of a song by Geoff Moore that came to mind when I was getting this ready.  "The way of the world, it may look wise.  The way of the truth is to realize wisdom will only come through to those who are only the fool."  We as believers have access to wisdom the greatest wisdom there is.  We have access to God's wisdom.  Follow along here in James 1:5 "If you need wisdom ask our generous God and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking."  So let's get a better look at all of this.  

1.  "My child listen to what I say and treasure my commands."  Solomon is trying to get his son's attention here.
2.  "Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding."  Think of this like an old radio and you keep getting static and nonsense.  You have to get away from things seek God and let his word speak to you.  
3.  "Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding."  Right back to James 1:5.
4.  "Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures."  See also Psalms 63:1 because God is our source of wisdom.  "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.  My soul thirsts for you my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water."  
5.  "Then you will understand what it mean to fear the Lord and will gain knowledge of God.  Its one thing to know facts about God but when you seek him with all your heart you are changed by your proximity to him.  
6.  "For the Lord grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding."  This brought to mind 3 things.  Psalms 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."  The above verse says "From his mouth come knowledge and understanding look at John 1:1 "In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God and the Word was God."  The third thing that came to mind is your homework read Proverbs 3: 5-6.  

I had this whole study ready and I went to church Sunday and Micah preached a sermon on Wisdom so here's some other verses i suggest more than a quick look at this week.  James 3:13-18 and Proverbs 9:10 also Colossians 2:3


Not sure if anyone reads the stuff i put at this point.  I've heard the original version of this song by Dennis Jernigan and of all the remakes of this song Charmaine has always done my favorite.  I picked up her demo cd of this at Half Price books a few years back and fell in the love with the way she sings this.
All in All by Charmaine All in all - Charmaine


Only a fool by Geoff Moore and the Distance Geoff Moore Only a Fool


Walk with the Wise by Steven Curtis Chapman Steven Curtis Chapman - Walk With The Wise



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Behind the scenes of the Batcave Blog

Doing and online bible study I don't often see things like other life group leaders do.  I have attempted to see things through a certain perspective since starting this.  If only one person who reads the blog is brought closer to God then that's all that matters.  I always strive to make God and his word the most important part of my studies and posting.  This past week I did a blog called "Let Hope Rise".  The things I'm going to tell you about are all God at work I don't want credit for any of it because I don't need God's glory only He does.  My job is to be available and faithful.  Isaiah 55:11 says this about God's word.  "So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."  Anytime God's word is preached or taught God uses it to change lives.  These are things that happened after I posted "Let Hope Rise".  The very morning after I posted it I got an e-mail from Greg Blankenship the campus pastor at Real Life Corpus and he thanked me.  About 3 days later Marion's cousin Debbi Page posted online that she was very depressed.  I sent her a message and shared the blog with her.  Hours later that day she posted a thank you to me and various friend who had helped her with her depression.  One night later I came home from work and my friend Yvette Vasqz told me she had a predicament so again I shared the blog.  Then Friday night I was on break at work and my phone showed messages on my g-mail account.  The only thing that account ever gets is ads.  John Hernandez had been reading that and 2 other things I posted.  Only God can do this he started commenting on the blog and relaying how the things I had been posting were exactly what God had been trying to teach him and he needed to read it.  A few weeks before I had done a blog on answered prayer in mine and Marion's life and spoke on Casting your cares on God because he cares for you.  Well the Sunday after I posted that we went to my parents church at Lakeview Baptist Church and I was telling my parents and Marion later I felt like my dad had been preaching my own bible study right back at me.  
Through all this i was reminded of one of the main principles of Experiencing God.  "God is always at work around you."

I'm going to leave you with a song about God's love that has been lodged in my heart and head all week.  oh and there will be a blog sent later this evening this one is just a freebie.  

This is Arms Wide Open by Misty Edwards and if you've never heard the song or paid attention to the lyrics i encourage you to do so.  Misty Edwards: Arms wide open (with lyrics)     


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