Jesus loves you

@Livingwater Happy new year..... B part of the Neglected or Abandoned vineyard.... I have discussed some point in the A part of the study....God bless you as you go through the remaining. 2 . THE DANGER WE FACE How very easy it is to serve the Lord zealously, to be on the job all the time, and yet to neglect our own inner life, our personal communion with the Lord Himself, our study of His Word and our fellowship in the secret place! How easily possible it is for the shoemaker’’s boy to be the poorest shod, and for the tailor’’s son to wear the shabbiest clothes! How sadly possible it is for the preacher to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, but to fail to adorn the doctrine in his own personal and private life! –- look up Titus 2:10. This is the danger which is faced by every servant of the Lord. It is the possibility of neglecting the cultivation of one’’s own inner life of communion with the Lord Himself. We can never lift others above the level of our own spiritual

@Livingwater Study 3 THE NEGLECTED VINEYARD THE SONG OF SOLOMON Key-verse: ““They made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected”” (Song of Songs 1:6) These haunting words are most challenging to all who are engaged in the service of the Lord, and they should be read in conjunction with Proverbs 24:30-31 – – “I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.”” The warning which comes to us in this study may be summed up in the statement, ““Beware of the barrenness of a busy life!”” Too often public profession and activity are accompanied by inward neglect and spiritual declension. The one who confesses her neglect in this passage was not neglectful of her duties. She had been made black by the sun as she had laboured among the vines in the heat of the day; she was the keeper of the vineyards –- but she had neglected her

@Livingwater Study 2 PERSONAL COMMUNION WITH THE LORD THE SONG OF SOLOMON by Francis Dixon Key-verse: ““Take me away with you –- let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine”” (Song of Songs 1:4) In this verse the bride (the believer) is speaking to her bridegroom (Christ) about her personal communion with him. What do we know of personal, day by day communion with the Lord? It is possible to know about Him and yet not to know Him; and it is also possible to know Him just a little or to know Him really well –- look up and compare John 14:9 and Philippians 3:10. This study emphasises the importance of these matters and leads us to consider the following points:- ” 1 . THE ONE WITH WHOM WE ENJOY COMMUNION IS THE KING See how the verse reads: ““Take me away with you: let the king bring me into his chambers…”…” Pause for a moment and think of the wonder of this. In this love story, Solomon is the kin

@Livingwater Study 1 THE BRIDEGROOM AND HIS BRIDE THE SONG OF SOLOMON Key-verse and Theme of the Book: “My lover is mine and I am his” (Song of Songs 2:16) In this book we have the best of the one thousand and five songs written by King Solomon (1 Kings 4:32), and it has been incorporated into our Bible –- look up 2 Timothy 3:16. There are difficulties in connection with this book; for example, the name of God is not mentioned and it is not quoted by our Lord or by any of the writers in the New Testament; also, sometimes the language is obscure and it is not always easy to be sure who the speaker is. However, it has been a source of endless delight to the saintliest men and women all down the ages. It is a beautiful love story presented in poetic form. All through the book the love of the bridegroom for his bride, and of the bride for her bridegroom, is emphasised, and this pictures the wonderful union which exists between Christ, the Heavenly Bridegroom, and His Church, the Brid

@Livingwater Study 1 HOW TO FIND THE TRUE GOD Key Verses: “For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought Him, and He was found by them.” (2 Chronicles 15: 3-4) In this series we are to consider some of the Secrets of Successful Living. Of course, no one can begin to live successfully without knowing God, and first of all we must understand how we can come to know Him for ourselves. The subject is brought before us in 2 Chronicles 15:1-19, and it is pin-pointed in the above key verses. There is only one true God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3), and the greatest blessing which anyone can experience in this life is to find the true God, but the greatest tragedy is to pass through life without ever finding Him. In our key verses we have a brief description of one phase of Israel’s history, but it also describes thousands of peo

@Livingwater Study 10 TRIUMPHING IN TROUBLE (Scripture Portion: Psalm 142: 1-7) It was Joseph Parker, the London preacher of the 19th century, who said, “No preacher would ever lack a congregation if he preached to troubled hearts.” Of course he was right, for when we address our words to troubled hearts we are sure that we are speaking to everyone in the congregation or who reads our words, for everyone, everywhere, sooner or later experiences trouble and trial –- look up Psalm 34:19 (first part). In this 142nd psalm we find the writer, David, in great trouble; he speaks in verse 2 of “my trouble”, and the whole psalm teaches us how to be triumphant in trouble –- not how to escape trouble, but how to glorify God in the midst of trouble. 1 . WHAT ARE WE TOLD ABOUT DAVID ’ S TROUBLE ? It is important to see how David reacted to his trouble, but before we can do this, notice what he tells us about the nature of his trouble. David at this time was a fugitive and his fortunes were at

@Livingwater Study 9 GETTING THE MISSIONARY VISION (Scripture Portion: Romans 10: 1-17) In this study we are to think of the need for every Christian and for every church to become missionary-minded and missionary-hearted. The title of our study implies that there are many Christians and churches who have little or no missionary vision. Unfortunately, this is true. Some Christians are not very concerned for the salvation of souls here at home, and they are still less concerned for the salvation of the millions of lost souls in other lands. Some even say that they “do not believe in missionary work”; others have been heard to say that, “Charity begins at home”; still others have been overwhelmed with the immensity of the task and have cried out, “The task is impossible!”; and a few uninstructed Christians have even said, “Why interfere with the heathen? They have their own religions, and we should not go and upset their culture!” A missionary vision may be defined as: “A blending o

@Livingwater Study 8 WINNING THE LOST TO THE SAVIOUR (Scripture Portion: Acts 8: 1-8 and 26-40) The title of this study was not chosen at random. You will notice that it contains three very important words, and it is around these three words that we shall introduce the three divisions of our theme. We shall consider the great matter of soul-winning, its importance and the responsibility of every Christian to be a soul-winner, and the methods we are to adopt. 1 . First of all, let us think of the word “SAVIOUR ” Of all the names given to our blessed Lord, surely this is the most precious. It was given by divine announcement (Matthew 1:21), and Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoke of the One who was to come as “my Saviour” (Luke 1:47). Our Lord Jesus Himself made it perfectly clear that the primary purpose of His advent, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension was the salvation of men and women. Let us be absolutely sure about the fact that the one supreme purpose of His coming from h

@Livingwater Study 7 A LESSON IN STEWARDSHIP (Scripture Portion: 2 Corinthians, Chapters 8 and 9) The key verses for this study are Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” In these verses we find a precept and a promise placed side by side. As Christians, we are to honour the Lord; that is, we are to give Him the first place, not only in our hearts, homes and businesses, but with regard to our money –- look up Matthew 6:33. We belong to the Lord by creation (Ezekiel 18:4), and by redemption (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). In the same way, all that we possess belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 8:18; 1 Chronicles 29:11-14; Hosea 2:8; 1 Corinthians 4:7), so that strictly speaking it is wrong to speak of our possessions as “ours” or “mine”. If we belong to Him, all our possessions belong to Him. It is very significant that the converts at Pentecost were no

@Livingwater Study 6 THE WONDER OF GOD’S GUIDANCE (Scripture Portion: Psalm 25: 1-22) Over and over again we find the subject of God’s guidance brought before us in the Word of God. In the Old and New Testaments we have wonderful promises of guidance and examples of those who sought and found the Lord’s will for their lives. We also have a number of very clear statements which show us our need of guidance; for example, Jeremiah 10:23. In the psalm which we have chosen for the scripture reading in connection with this study, you will notice that the psalmist assumes the need for guidance, and of course not one of us would question the fact that God’s people do need guiding. They need to pray, “Show me your ways……Teach me……Guide me……” (Psalm 25:4,5,9). For examples of God’s guidance in the lives of His people we think of Abraham going out of his native country not knowing where he was going, being wholly dependent upon the guidance of God (Genesis 12:1); of Moses and the children of

@Livingwater Study 5 THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER (Scripture Portion: Luke 11: 1-13; 18: 1-8) To the born again soul, prayer is as essential as breathing, and to neglect it must result in weakness and defeat. It is not only important that Christians should pray, but it is of supreme importance. This fact makes our present study one to which we should give special heed. Christians need instruction about prayer –- its meaning, its promises, its method and its value –- look up Luke 11:1. How wonderful to be taught to pray by John; how much more wonderful to be taught by the Lord Jesus! –- and look up Romans 8:26-27. What is prayer? C. H. Spurgeon said that, “The heart of prayer is the prayer of the heart.” It does not consist simply of words, gestures, forms or eloquence. “Prayer is the address of a poor creature on earth to a great Creator and loving Father in Heaven.” Think about this simple definition; it reveals the supreme wonder of prayer that a poor sinful being can commu

@Livingwater Study 4 THE KIND OF CHURCH TO JOIN (Scripture Portions: Acts 2: 41-47; Hebrews 10: 19-25) There are very many believers who, for one reason or another, do not link up with a church, and they can lose out spiritually. Some have good reasons for not joining a church; others may have quite feeble excuses. Some Christians experience genuine difficulty in finding a God-honouring ministry –- a Bible church where they could feel at home. Can a believer join a liberal or a worldly church (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)? There are Christians who, due to the nature of their work, find it difficult to worship regularly. But it is still wise to join a church and to have a spiritual home. Again, some Christians feel they are not good enough to join a church. But the church is meant for sinners –- saved sinners –- and if belonging was only given to those who felt good enough, no one would join! Then there are those who are looking for the perfect church! They haven’t yet found anywhere goo

@Livingwater Study 3 EVERY CHRISTIAN’S GREATEST NEED (Scripture Portions: John 14: 15-18 and 25-25; 16: 1-15) Every Christian’s greatest need is to enter into the secret of a victorious life and of power in service. What is this secret? It is found in Ephesians 5:18: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit.” When we become Christians, when we are born again, we receive the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:9); we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16); we are baptised with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13); we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). But, having received the Holy Spirit, our need is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Carefully consider the following references in the Book of Acts 2:4; 4:8 and 31; 6:3; 7:55; 9:17; 11:23-24 and 13:9. There are so many angles from which we can approach this study, but here are five progressive truths about the Spirit-filled life. 1 .

@Livingwater Study 2 CONFESSING THE LORD BEFORE OTHERS (Scripture Portion: Romans 10:1-17) There must be very many true, real Christians, who love the Lord Jesus and desire to honour Him, who nevertheless fail to experience fulness of blessing in the Christian life. Why is this? One reason is because they are not confessing their Saviour and Lord, or because they are only partially confessing Him. For example, they confess Him by life and not by lip, at home but not in the office, before other Christians but not before the world. How easy it is to be like Joseph of Arimathaea –- “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly……”! – look up John 19:38, and compare John 7:13; 12:42 and Proverbs 29:25. Are you a secret disciple? The key-verse of this study is Matthew 10:32, and it is important to notice that these are the words of the Lord Jesus –- “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” The Authorised Version has the words, “Whosoever theref

@Livingwater Study 1 BEING SURE OF ONE’S SALVATION (Scripture Portion: 1 John 5: 1-21) The purpose of this series of studies is twofold: First , to give practical help and instruction to young Christians, to those who have only just started in the Christian life; and, second , to offer definite Bible teaching to all Christians, and especially to show how we may “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), and “follow on to know the Lord” (Hosea 6:3, KJV). As we proceed with these studies we shall see what a glorious, happy and triumphant experience it is to be a Christian and to be going on with the Lord; abiding in Him (John 15:4); confessing Him before others (Matthew 10:32-33); enjoying fellowship with Him and with His children (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 10:24-25); winning others to Him (John 1:41-42) and looking for His coming again (Hebrews 9:28). The first essential if we are to progress in the Christian life is that we should be absolut