On Judging

Opening Prayer                                                                                                                       Pg.1       Pg.1
God of our salvation, we come into your presence with the joy of being in your service, of spending time in Your word. Tonight we study about Judging, and what meaning that may have for our lives. We are thankful for your word in our study of The Sermon On The Mount, as given to us by Jesus. We pray that our fellowship today will bless each one here and give each of us  joy and purpose that we may be useful vessels in your service.  Be with those of our group who cannot be here today, we pray you will share our blessing with them. Be with those of us who are suffering illness and those who care for them. Restore their health and bring them back into our midst. In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Mat 7:1  "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Mat 7:2  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Mat 7:3  "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Mat 7:4  How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
Mat 7:5  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
                                               
Jesus often says things in a way that requires us to think about them. In this case, he has used hyperbole, or exaggeration to make a point. He doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t judge others in the sense of forming a moral appraisal of their behavior. We can’t avoid doing that, and we should not avoid doing that. If such were the case, the injustice in the world would never be addressed. In these verses Jesus was speaking to the people in words they could easily associate with their life experiences.
In addition to processing the thought of “not judging” it brings about the thought of being merciful, compassionate, and forgiving of others, it can include other things, such as: Giving others the benefit of the doubt, and leaving the ultimate judgment of others to God instead of simply concluding that someone is (or should be) condemned. Jesus’ means that we are to be respectful of the positions of others and that we should not jump to our judgmental conclusions, since we too have our own faults, some of which may even be greater than the faults of those whom we are attempting to judge.
And in this same thought process we are not to be forgetful of our own judgment. God who ultimately judges all will allow that as we measured our judgments made of others, so shall we will be judged, even so by the same measure that we applied to our fellow man.
 We are to be mindful of our own shortcomings, failures, and unrighteousness before forming a conditional judgment about others.  We are to first remove the plank from our own eye.
One must be convinced of the manner of judgment, and search the Scriptures without bias as to what God requires if they are to dwell with Him forever, understanding scripture verses such as Isaiah 55:7; Acts 3:19; Hebrews 5:9, so as to obtain a full answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”


                                                                                                                                               Pg.2
                             

Making judgments:                              
 Have you ever heard the saying that you only have one chance to make a first impression. That saying relates to the matter of someone making a judgment about or forming an opinion of another person. Jesus even instructed his disciples with respect to their judgment of others.  Luke 9:5
Q.1 Why would Jesus make such a statement to his disciples?
Q.2 What are those aspects in this verse one might regard as judgmental?
Q.3 Under what conditions might our first impression be wrong?
Q.4 How is it possible to make a bad first impression?

Being Judgmental:
Jesus was very critical of those teachers, scribes and Pharisees who were  judgmental of their fellow man. Matthew 23:13
Q.1  Why was Jesus so critical of  the scribes and Pharisees?
Q.2 What is the reasoning behind Jesus’ comments?
Q.3 Where might one find this hyper critical attitude existing today?
Q.4 When are there times that you would be critical in judging others?

Passing Judgment:
There comes a time it the life of everyone, when judgments of circumstances, people places and things must be formed. When Jesus was temped by Satan in the wilderness. Matthew 4:10 Jesus had been temped with food, circumstance, wealth and power, all he needed to do was to give up his soul.
Q.1  What are some things that we must make judgments about ?
Q.2  Why must we make judgments about certain places?
Q.3  How are we to judge circumstances with which we become involved day by day?
Q.4  When might one appreciate being “a good judge of character”?

Being Judged:
Each man gets out of the world of men the rebound, the increase and development of what he brings there. What once man sends out into the world, will return to him in equal or greater measure.  There will be a day of judgment for all. And each of us will be judged on our own merits, not on the merits of those who may have judged us during our lifetime. God is the ultimate and final judge. Matthew12:36
Q.1  What do we think will be the criteria for our final judgment.?
Q.2  Why would anyone have a fear of final judgment?
Q.3  Does God hear every word spoken?
Q.4  Why did Jesus speak about judgment in such a stern manner?





                                                                                                                                     Pg.3
Bible Verses


Isaiah 55:6  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Act 3:19  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20  and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

Hebrews 5:8  Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ,9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Luke 9:5  If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them."

Matthew 23:13  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

Matthew12:36  But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.



Closing Prayer:
Father God: we ask that you continue with us as we leave this place, make a blessing for each one here and deliver us safely to our homes. Be with those of us who need our prayers and Your healing touch_(prayer requests)_ And now we ask that You bless each one mentioned here tonight with Your comfort and assurance, and offer them the strength to endure so that Your name may be exalted. We pray for our loved ones and families….. may it please You to keep us from all harm and bring us together again when next we assemble in Your name.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen








On judging………. A Meditation                                                                                                 Pg.4

             Perhaps, if we weren't so busy regarding the shortcomings of others, we would  find that most of us do possess redeeming qualities, discreet as they may be.  Some may even be God given.
Some of us notice when the sky is blue, when the night is dark, and when the stars are out. Some pay attention to the moon, and the man in it. Others look at it as a symbol of romantic love, still others regard it at the time of harvest.
           Most of us are chilled by a cold wind and warmed by the summer breezes.  All of us have differing opinions on many subjects, none of us are without an opinion, no matter what might be the subject.
One is charmed by music, another by the colors of the rainbow, still another by the majestic beauty of nature in whatever form it may represent. And then there are those who have a love affair with food, the smell of it , the texture of it, and of course, the taste of it. All of these things being subject to our judgment.
           Many of us love wild animals, others of us seem to like taking their life in sport. The wild things of this world are from God, just as we are from God. That presents us with the opportunity to see the world as the place we call Eden, where we as human beings, and the wild animals live in harmony in the place called paradise that God made for us. Judgments abound as to how that should be managed. God made it for his fellowship with his created creatures. There are those that would have it otherwise.  The price we pay for our judgment of God’s things is quite high.
           It is our judgment of God’s things that has put us here in our sinful state, even though we deem it ours. It never the less still belongs to God. We smile at children, and  laugh at humorous stories and events.  Some of us carry the burdens of others as though they were our own. We suffer for them because we judge them as needy. Others do the same bearing of burdens because they suffer for their world or the creatures in it, or the condition of it. We suffer for the sick, the poor, the deprived and the lost because we feel their need. That is all based on our judgment of what we see feel and hear.
          We are good and bad, both not without fault, but we are not without some of the goodness of God Our Father. Just as did Adam and Eve, we possess some of the qualities God gave us when we were created. All of us have access to extraordinary energies, powers, heightened creativity and exceptional performance. We all harbor a greater capacity for life than we know. That will never change. And just as with Adam and Eve, it is our judgments that condemn us still, and it is still by God’s grace that we are set free
          Jesus came so that we might have that sort of life and have it more abundantly. So it was in the mind of God, that man is incapable of living in total innocence, surrounded by and imbued with the natural gifts that he provided, and because of our poor judgment, sin has commandeered the life of man.
Thus it was in the Judgment of God that we needed a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. So that when in our final stand before God in judgment we will then have a righteousness that God will not Judge as being  in contempt, but in Holy acceptance, being judged as righteous, because He, Jesus is our righteousness.  And we are not the judges of that, It is the will of God.

Learning From Jesus

Opening Prayer:                                                                                                            Pg.1
Father God, We ask that you send your Holy Spirit  to inspire and teach us that which you would have us to learn from this study. We ask your blessings on each one here tonight with another year of good health and life. Inspire us to be your followers and to seek the good in all things. Be with those of our friends and fellow Christians that are sick or bereaved, or away for other reasons. We ask  that you share our blessing with them. Guide us tonight as we worship you in this, our bible study.
In The name of Jesus we pray, Amen
--------------------------------Scripture  reading-----------------------------------------
Mat 6:22  "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
Mat 6:23  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mat 6:24  "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Mat 6:25  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Mat 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Mat 6:27  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Mat 6:28  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Mat 6:29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Mat 6:30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?
Mat 6:31  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Mat 6:32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Mat 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mat 6:34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.










Scripture study                                                                                       Pg.2
Mat 6:22  "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
Mat 6:23  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Our eyes are the windows to the world. If one cannot see what is  there to behold  they would need a guide,  Consider a blind person having sight restored. And seeing for the first time.  If one has never seen a deer, a rose, an eagle, or a written word, what reference does one have for recognizing anything they may see. That person would need someone to help with learning to recognize what is seen, and to learn what ,if any, response is required.
Righteousness and Sin are like that as well, having never seen or experienced it, one might not recognize it unless there were someone to explain it. We have the word of God , and there is Jesus, that someone who helps us to recognize our world, and what righteousness looks like, and how to recognize sin before we involve ourselves with it. We are not always prepared to deal with it, but our Lord is, and can help us to deal with it. Just imagine what would have happened had Adam or Eve recognized the serpent as a sinful representation of the wrong that can enter a persons life through their eyes, and just as Jesus in the wilderness rebuked Satan with scripture when he was tempted. They would have  recognized the sin that the serpent was offering, and  with the light of truth, the word of God that they had been given, they would have avoided that sin, and the consequences of it. Read (Psalms. 119: v. 98 & 105),
 
It is what we see and choose to allow to come into our heart that makes the difference between a healthy, righteous life, and an unhealthy view of the world. Even more so should it befall one who knows the difference, and chooses the darkness. Read, Genesis 3:6&7

Q.1 How is the eye the lamp of the body?

Q.2 What does Jesus mean by healthy eyes?

Q.3 When did Adam and Eve realize that they had sinned?

Q.4 How would one describe unhealthy eyes?

Q.5 What does Jesus mean by saying, “how great is that darkness”?

Q.6 Can we identify some of the things that promote  darkness,(unrighteousness)?

Q.7 Can we identify some of the things that promote light, (righteousness)?






                                                                                                                                   Pg.3
Mat 6:24  "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
        There was the rich ruler who met with Jesus and told him that he followed all of the ten commandments but still asked what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Was told by Jesus to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor, then come and follow him. The man passed on that suggestion giving up his salvation for riches. Such an addiction is not uncommon in our world today.  We too are to be tested to that extent. If there is anything in this world to which we become so attached, or addicted  as to make us want to give up our salvation, then that is our master.
For this reason covetousness is called idolatry (read Colossians. 3:5), and the covetous person an idolater (read Ephesians. 5:5). Whatever a man sets his heart upon, making it his true happiness, that is his lord and god.. They neglect the service of God for the earning of money and take greater delight in earthly things than in heavenly graces: (read Genesis 37:20)  They derive more satisfaction from them than from Divine ordinances: Their loss of earthly goods produces greater vexation and sorrow than all the Divine promises produce comfort. We find our comfort in people places and things, and curse the loss of them. While we should actually find our comfort in the presence of God in our lives, and our willingness to serve his purposes wherever we are, and in the things of God that can give to us eternal delight by being forever in the presence of God and his Son. (read Joshua 24:15 )

Q.1 How do times we live now, influence our choice of master?

Q.2  Name the deciding factors in choosing God or mammon?

Q.3 What is there to help us choose the way of the world?

Q.4 Name some choices where we aren’t aware of right and wrong?

Q.5 In Joseph’s story, what choices  are considered by his brothers?

Gen 37:23  So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe--the ornate robe he was wearing--24  and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25  As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. 26  Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27  Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.

Q.6 When are we most vulnerable to such dire conditions?

Q.7  And in what ways do we choose to serve God?

Q.8 What is our driving force in serving God?

                                                                                                                                              Pg.4                                                                                                                            

Mat 6:25  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Mat 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

All of life on earth is given by God,  and we human beings, created in his image are here to serve God.  Service to God should be our primary objective. God has concerns for mankind, first because we are his creation, and second because he has been betrayed by us through our sinful nature.  However God does not worry about his creation. God is concerned about us and His concerns were such that he provided the means of our reconciliation.
Jeremiah 29:11 &12  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
12  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Worry distracts us; Concern focuses us. Concern clarifies our purpose.  Concern pinpoints problems. Worry focuses on self; Concern cares for others.
Worry is a definable psychological  condition, a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Concern is a conscious understanding that a matter will occur, and how to prepare for it, or avoid it.  As we mature we learn that those things that worried us as a youth, now seem petty and far removed. As we grow older, the content and character of our worries change.  We need to be able to harness our worries and turn them into concerns.  We can then ask God through prayer to help us to see the world’s larger picture. I believe that even Jesus had concerns, but they were not worries.  Jesus was concerned about his disciples, but he did not worry about them, he prepared them. (read Mat_7:15  Mat_10:16)
I believe Jesus meant that we are not to let worry interfere with our relationship with God (read Rom. 8:32): (and 2Pet.1:3-4)

Q.1 How would one compare  the time of Jesus to our world today?

Q.2 When the declaration of independence was written what were our concerns then?

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident,……………..
Q.3 What are our concerns as a nation today?

Q.4 What do you feel are the main concerns of our world today?

Q.5 How have our concerns about our relationship with God changed?

                                                                                                                                       Pg.5

Mat 6:27  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? 31  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

If we would be truly wise we must cease leaning unto our own understanding and be directed by the Word of God in all things, and in all things practice moderation. Read Philippians 4: 6-9.
In our world today, there is no end to the things that we can worry about. Many are legitimate concerns. But do they deserve us destroying our health by committing our very life to them? Jesus is telling us that our priorities are not right. We care too much for our material goods and our money, and what it can do for us. It is turning us away from God toward materialism.
Mankind was not created to be dependent only upon the providence of God for our sustenance, as with Adam and Eve, God intends for us to be responsible for our life and our life choices, and we are to do the work to which God has called. That is how God intended it to be. When we were created, God gave us his best, and we were to care for it, take dominion over it and grow it. But God did not intend for it to rule our lives. That is sin.
Worry is a means of missing the plan of salvation that God through Jesus has made for us.  That plan does not include a provision for worrying. Worry is sin in it’s most subtle disguise. God’s plan does have a provision for concern though. It is called prayer.

Q.1 Why is Jesus emphasizing clothes, what do clothes have to do with anything?

Q.2 What is there about life that causes us to want more and better?

Q.3 Should we not be all the more  concerned about our souls?

Q.4 Over what aspects of our lives are we in complete control?

Q.5 What meaning is Jesus trying to convey to us with these verses?

Closing Prayer………….. and prayer requests
Father God Be with us now as we leave this place, we ask that your eyes follow us and keep us safe as we go on our way. Guide us in our journey of life for this, yet another year. And give to us, day by day, continued fellowship with thy son Jesus. Make us responsive to your Holy Spirit so that we may become a faithful servant in doing thy will as we live each day. And now be merciful to us as we travel this night, and until we meet again. Through Jesus Your son we offer this prayer, Amen

                                                                                                                                                                                     
Bible Verses                                                                                                                     Pg.6
(Psalms. 119: v. 98 & 105), "Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies" "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Genesis 3: 6  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Genesis 37:20  "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." 26  Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27  Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed. 28  So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
Joshua 24:15  But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Matthew 7:15  "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Matthew 10:16  "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things!"
2Peter.1:3-4 (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Philippians 4: 6-8 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your  hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is  right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things God of peace will be with you.
Genesis 1:26  Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:27  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:28  God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

01/02/2015 Beginning 2015

Opening Prayer:                                                                                                            Pg.1
Father God, We ask that you send your Holy Spirit forth to inspire and teach us that which you would have us to learn from this study. We ask your blessings on each one here tonight with another year of good health and life. Inspire us to be your followers and to seek the good in all things. Be with those of our friends and fellow Christians that are sick or bereaved, or away for other reasons. We ask  that you share our blessing with them. And now please guide us tonight as we worship you in this, our bible study.
In The name of Jesus we pray, Amen
--------------------------------Scripture  reading-----------------------------------------
 Mat 6:22  "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
Mat 6:23  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mat 6:24  "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Mat 6:25  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Mat 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Mat 6:27  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Mat 6:28  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Mat 6:29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Mat 6:30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?
Mat 6:31  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Mat 6:32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Mat 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mat 6:34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Closing Prayer………….. and prayer requests
Father God Be with us now as we leave this place, we ask that your eyes follow us and keep us safe as we go on our way. Guide us in our journey of life for this, yet another year. And give to us, day by day, continued fellowship with thy son Jesus. Make us responsive to your Holy Spirit so that we may become a faithful servant in doing thy will as we live each day. And now be merciful to us as we travel this night, and until we meet again. Through Jesus Your son we offer this prayer, Amen





Scripture study                                                                                       Pg.2
Mat 6:22  "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
Mat 6:23  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Our eyes behold that which is presented to us, and we take in that which we see. What is seen, cannot be unseen, but it does not have to be observed. And as did Adam and Eve, we are free to see and observe all that God has created, but there are stipulations. Some of those things can be too costly, and our soul is the price we have to pay for that indiscretion. The observance of that which God has forbidden is clearly noted in His Word. There are those things which when seen, are not to be studied or taken into our hearts. Things that are detrimental to our loyalty to God and which can be detrimental to our souls. read(Psalms. 119: v. 98 & 105),
Jesus’ statement about unhealthy eyes is in reference to that which some may see as pleasing, or satisfying, but which opens us to a condition where sin may be glorified. And there are those things which are there for us to see which might make us prideful, covetous, jealous or envious, even to such an extent as to have us respond in anger.
It is what we see and choose to allow to come into our heart,, that makes the difference between a healthy, righteous lifestyle, and an unhealthy view of the world. Even more so should it befall one who knows the difference, and chooses the darkness. Read, Genesis 3:6&7

Q.1 How is the eye the lamp of the body?

Q.2 What does Jesus mean by healthy eyes?

Q.3 Adam and Eve knew they had sinned, but when did they realize it?

Q.4 How would one describe unhealthy eyes?

Q.5 What is meant by the whole body being full of darkness?

Q.6 What does Jesus mean by saying, “how great is that darkness”?

Q.7 Can we identify some of the things that allow darkness into our body?

Q.8 Can we identify some of the things that allow light into our body?

                                                                                                                                   Pg.3
Mat 6:24  "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
There are two choices given here, one is serving God, the way of Christ, the other is serving mammon, the way of the world. It is God’s world that we live in, but man has made choices that have released Satan’s evil throughout the world. And we cannot abide in both worlds. But the choice is ours. And from the fact that God and mammon are here opposed as two "masters," we may learn that "mammon," is a great lord in the world, and therefore does Christ warn us against the same.
For this reason is covetousness called idolatry (read Colossians. 3:5), and the covetous person an idolater (read Ephesians. 5:5). Whatever a man sets his heart upon, making it his true happiness, that is his lord and god.. They neglect the service of God for the earning of money and take greater delight in earthly things than in heavenly graces: (read Genesis 37:20)  They derive more satisfaction from them than from Divine ordinances: Their loss of earthly goods produces greater vexation and sorrow than all the Divine promises produce comfort. We find our comfort in people places and things, and curse the loss of them. While we should actually find our comfort in the presence of God in our lives, and our willingness to serve his purposes wherever we are, and in the things of God that can give to us eternal delight by being forever in the presence of God and his Son.
(Read Joshua 24:15 )

Q.1 How can the times we live in today influence our choice of master?

Q.2 When making a choice between God and mammon what are the deciding factors?

Q.3 What are some instances where we choose to serve the way of the world?

Q.4 Are the choices always presented with a clear understanding of right and wrong?

Q.5 What choices were considered by Joseph’s brothers?

Q.6 When are we most vulnerable to these conditions?

Q.7 And by comparison, in what ways do we choose to serve God?

Q.8 What is our driving force in serving God?
                                                                                                                                              Pg.4                                                                                                                          

Mat 6:25  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Mat 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
All of life on earth is given by God, and even the animals are here to serve our purposes, and we human beings, created in his image are here to serve God. And service to God should be our primary objective.
The difference between worry and concern;
Worry distracts us; Concern focuses us.
Worry disables our planning; Concern helps us plan.
Worry blurs our vision; Concern clarifies our purpose.
Worry tends to give up; Concern perseveres.
Worry exaggerates; Concern pinpoints problems.
Worry focuses on self; Concern cares for others.
Worry is a definable psychological  condition, a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. Concern is a conscious understanding that a matter will occur, and how to prepare for it, or avoid it.  As we mature we learn that those things that concern us as a youth, now seem petty and far removed. As we grow older, the content and character of our concerns change. We begin to see the world’s larger picture. I believe that even Jesus had concerns.  Jesus was concerned about his disciples, but he did not worry about them, he prepared them. (read Mat_7:15  Mat_10:16)
I believe Jesus meant that we are not to let worry interfere with our concerns about our relationship with God (read Rom. 8:32): (and 2Pet.1:3-4)

Q.1 How would one compare these verses to the time of Jesus and to our world today?

Q.2 When the declaration of independence was written what were our concerns then?

Q.3 What are our concerns as a nation today?

Q.4 What do you feel are the main concerns of our world today?

Q.5 How have our concerns about our relationship with God changed?

Q.6 As a Christian, what can one do to keep from worrying?
                                                                                                                                       Pg.5

Mat 6:27  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? 31  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

We live in a day where there have never been so many choices and as much stuff as we have.  Just stuff, commodities, and products.  And in America we probably have more than any other part of the world. Modern technology has increased our ability to make and or buy anything we ever desire, short of life itself, and we are closing in on that. But do you know what it’s revealed?  We still do not feel comfortable, we want more and better, new products, new fashions, more and better stuff. And we are losing our independence, our freedoms, and our righteousness. Our desire for self gratification has taken our souls captive. We now worship the new technology.
 Jesus is telling us that our priorities are not right. We care too much for our material goods and our money, and what it can do for us. It is turning us away from God toward materialism (mammon)
It is our place in creation to be dependent upon the providence of God, as that is how God intended it to be. When we were created, God gave us his best, and we were to care for it, take dominion over it and grow it. But God did not intend for it to rule our lives. God does not intend for us to fail to use the talent that he has given each of us, but he does intend for us to continue in serving him in all that we do, say and feel. Even down to the clothes we wear.  Science is now on the verge of creating life. It can already clone life, but  If we would be truly wise we must cease leaning unto our own understanding and be directed by the Word of God in all things, and in all things practice moderation. Read Philippians 4: 4,5&6

Q.1 Why is Jesus emphasizing clothes?

Q.2 What is there about life that causes us to want more and better?

Q.3 Should we not be more concerned about our souls?

Q.4 What is there about our lives that we can control?

Q.5 What meaning is Jesus trying to convey to us with these verses?
                                                                                                                                                          Pg.6
                         
Bible Verses
(Psalms. 119: v. 98 & 105), "Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies" "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"

Genesis 3: 6  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Genesis 37:20  "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." 26  Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27  Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed. 28  So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
Joshua 24:15  But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Matthew 7:15  "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Matthew 10:16  "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things!"
2Peter.1:3-4 (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Genesis 1:26  Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:27  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:28  God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

    Meditation                                                                                                    Pg.7
Our eyes are the windows to the world. If one is blind, only those with sight can see what that one may be missing. But to understand that concept one must consider a blind person having sight restored that if one has never seen a cow, an apple, or a bear, or a written word, what reference does one have for recognizing anything that person may see. That person would need someone to help with learning to recognize what is seen,
Righteousness and Sin are like that as well, having never seen or experienced it, one might not recognize it unless there were someone to explain it. Jesus is that someone who helps us to recognize our world, and what righteousness might look like, and how to recognize sin before we involve ourselves with it. The way the world is today, one needs all the help available to avoid the sin and wrong that pervades our society today. We are not always prepared to deal with it. Just imagine what would have happened had Adam or Eve recognized the serpent as a sinful representation of the wrong that can enter a persons life through conscious thought. What would have taken place then?
And as for two masters, we need no explanation to know how people, places and things have an influence on our lives. But one does not realize how attached one is to these things until they are taken away. To get a proper understanding of this one might imagine being addicted to something, or someone, then having to do without it for the rest of one’s life. That is one motivation for a woman becoming a Nun, or a man becoming a Monk. Separating ones self from those things that cause us to sin is what Jesus is trying to teach us.
 It is startling how addicted people can become to certain drugs and substances. And just as addictive is the desire for great wealth and what it can do to keep a grip on the person who has it. That is one reason that Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into Heaven.
Then there is the addiction one has to individuals. “Stalkers” is a familiar term for an attraction one might have for another person, for whatever reason. There are also people to whom one might become so attached as to desire to always have them near us, or that we would sell our souls to have as a companion.  Whether or not the matter becomes addictive is easily determined. Just as Jesus in speaking with the rich ruler who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor, then come and follow him. The man passed on that suggestion giving up his salvation for riches. Such an addiction is not uncommon in our world today.  We too are to be tested to that extent. If there is anything in this world to which we become so attached, or addicted  as to make us want to give up our salvation, then that is our master.
Concerning worry, One might be able to recollect a time in life where a matter became so worrisome as to drive us to some type of desperate thought, word, or deed. There is no such matter short of death which should exert such pressure on an individual as to cause such actions. Looking back to one’s worst nightmare, it might now be just a memory, or it may have been fused into ones mind as a disaster, but there are remedies. One is to allow that it has no affect on one’s future, another is to have learned from it such that one would never again have it happen. Then there is the ultimate worrier who brings all problems forward with them into their future.  All that one can do is to continue to live and as much as possible put such temptation to worry behind you and go on with life. The temptation to worry is a temptation to sin. One must realize that in Heaven there is no place dedicated to worry, God does not sanction it, nor does he tolerate any of it. There should be as well, no place in one’s life where it would flourish.  God does not want to be replaced in your mind with such a thing as worry. Learn from it commit it to memory then forget to remember it. Heaven has no place for a worrier. God’s concerns are to be our concerns as well. Nothing outside of Godly Christian concern should occupy one’s thoughts.  Earnest Prayer  should be one’s immediate resort when worry begins in our life.
For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him (Eccl 8:6).
How we use our time is a good indicator of the god we choose to serve. There is a god whose name is "the urgent" that can rule our lives if we are not diligent
Q.1 What is the driving force behind a spoiled belligerent child? 

Pray during and between all your other duties.  One must  learn to take this time moment by moment. You will soon find these moments of prayer become the most fruitful part of your day.                              
Q.2 How is your time with God determined?

The amount of time we spend with anyone or any activity is a good indicator of the value we place on that person or activity. Time equates to money for some. For others it can be a cruel dictator. It is the physical evidence of what is at the center of our lives.                                                                                                 Q.3  Who or What is it that takes the most of your time?