NOTES FROM MY BIBLE-PART FOUR

BY CHARLES WOODRUFF

I can’t  stop now! Here are a few more notes from one of my old Cambridge Wide Margin KJV Bibles purchased in 1970. Some of you dear friends seem to be enjoying them, so here are more.

In Matthew 3:10; John the Baptist was an “axe man preacher.” Today we use the two-edged sword of the gospel; justice and mercy, in God’s word.

John the Baptist had One Weapon (Hebrews 4:12; Jeremiah 23:29) <I obtained >

John the Baptist had One Warning (John 1:23; John 1:29)              < these from my late friend, >

John the Baptist had One Walk (Matthew 11:11; Mark 1:2-7)        < Pastor Billy Kanoy >

In John chapter one, this was not the first time John had seen Jesus: they were cousins. But this was the first time he really saw Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:36)

The devil quotes the Scriptures when it serves his purpose. In Matthew 4:6, he omits a portion. (Read carefully Psalm 91:11, 12)

(I will quote this one fully) For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (Psalm 84:11, 12)  This verse I claimed as the Lord’s promise to guide me in the work of an evangelist. God help me to always meet the conditions. What the Lord decides; the Lord guides; and the Lord provides. Amen!

“If Paul and Silas had been ordered east instead of west, someone from India or Africa might be having to come over here (to America) to evangelize us.” (D.L. Moody)    (Read Acts 16:6-10)

PROCRASTINATION:

“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). The words spoken by King Agrippa must ring in his ears in hell forever. Almost is still lost without God. Almost is to be worse than never to have heard the gospel.

On Romans 8:28-29: “My faith is a reflection of God’s eternal purpose. We are expected when we come to Christ.”  (D. L. Moody)

COMMUNION

On 1 Corinthians 11:23-31: the bread and the cup have three great purposes; 1) To show the Lord’s death (remembrance) 2) Till He come (anticipation)  3) Examine ourselves (examination)

In communion we are: 1) Looking backward 2) Looking upward 3) Looking inward.

THE BETTER COVENANT  

On Hebrews 8:6-13; the reason for the faults in the old covenant was not failure on God’s part, but on Israel’s part. Note: He found fault with them (verse 8). They could find none with Him!

The new covenant was better because of:  1) Better promises 2) A better sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-12)   3) A better hope (Hebrews 7:19)  4) A better priesthood (Hebrews 7:24).

FAITH

On Hebrews 11:1-3; There are basically five kinds of faith; 1) Temporary Faith. It seems Jesus was alluding to this kind of faith in Matthew 13:20-21.  2) Spurious faith. In Acts 8:13-24, read the story of Simon. At least in the beginning, his faith was spurious (false), though many believe he actually repented after Peter’s blistering rebuke. He surely should have!  3) Demon’s faith. In James 2: 17-20; especially verse 19. We see that demons not only believe, but tremble!

 4) Orthodox faith--but dead. In Matthew 23:2-11, Jesus spoke of the Pharisees. They were orthodox; they sat in Moses’ seat. i.e.. they taught what was prescribed in the law, but they were dead. They ridiculed and hated the very One they needed to give them life; Jesus Christ.

5) Miraculous faith-- the true, genuine, faith. A God given faith.  (Ephesians 2:8,9). This is what is discussed so clearly in Hebrews chapter 11; the faith chapter. You might want to read it also.

(I added some additional commentary on this one. All in italics)

Some of you may remember the note I found in my very first Bible, which I received at eight years old, after I professed Christ and was baptized.  The note was written beside 1Thessalonians 5:16-23. I pondered its meaning for a while, for it was written there about 1953. I knew my Sunday School teacher had said it, but didn’t remember why. It simply said “Rx” (you know, like a prescription). So when I figured it out, I wrote a three part message on it. If you want to see what it was about, it is on this site.  It will be in the section beginning March 9, 2010; a little over a year ago, so you will have to scroll down to it. Read part one first, then the other two. I think you will like it, but I know I am making you work for it. It is Bible exposition which I hope you will enjoy. I want you to check out all our blogs anyway, so please find it and read it. This was about the first “note from my Bible”. I have made a lot more since then.

In the wonderful book of Philippians, Christ is exalted throughout. Here are some of the places.

1) Preach Christ-Philippians 1:18;                                 2) Life is Christ-Philippians 1:21;

3) With Christ-Philippians 1:23;                                    4) In Christ-Philippians 2:1, 5;  

5) For Christ-Philippians 3:7;                                        6) Like Christ-Philippians 3:20, 21;                          

7) Through Christ-Philippians 4:13;
8) By Christ-Philippians 4:19; 
9) Christ is Lord! Philippians 2:11                                 10) Day of Christ-Philippians 2:16

Friend, do you know Him as Lord and Savior? I pray that you do, and if not, I pray that the Almighty Sovereign of the universe will awaken you. (Please see Ephesians 2:1, 5 and 5:14)