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This ministry exists solely to make Jesus' name known while helping others grow in the whole counsel of the Word of God.

April 30, 2018

Making the Most of Your Quiet Time


The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, 
and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; 
they received the word with all eagerness, 
examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
(Acts 17:10–11 ESV)


There are two main ways to sit down with your Bible. And actually, it is important to have BOTH for a healthy Spiritual diet. (I smile as I write this because you are probably wondering “Huh?”). The first way to study, is devotionally. The second way is a Book Study/Survey for understanding.

> So, the first way to approach your study time is “Devotionally” and there are actually two parts to this: the first is when you sit and read His Word to simply let it refresh you. This is when you are open to just receiving a fresh new Word God might want to share with you. And second, this is a time for Him to nourish you, and prepare you for instructions, direction, and personal application. Devotional study is more to feed our hearts, and to be able to see a reflection of God’s heart, which deepens our relationship with Him.

  • The word “Devotional” comes from the word “Devotion” which means: dedication, consecration, worship, and sincere attachment. This type of study leads to an increase of dedication and consecration to God. It also leads to a more personal relationship with God and helps us to worship Him more in our hearts and with our lives. This type of study also helps us to lean key principles that can be applied to our lives, helping us to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word, as well.

During this time, you will want to pick: key verses, record insight into this Word that God is giving you, respond to personal application so that the lesson is brought out into your own life, and personal prayer regarding what God is teaching you through this verse.

  • Questions to consider during this time: is God giving you an example to follow? Is there an error to avoid? Is there a duty to perform, or is there a promise to claim?

When you are devotionally reading, this is a good time to use your reading guide to follow whatever reading plan God has directed you to. This is also a good time to just absorb His Word as you read, and make note of any verses that God highlights to you, and also to write them down to meditate on them later throughout the day. Then the second part of this devotional time, is where you can use this time to look up any Cross references for these verses, and prayfully ask God to work them into you, and help you to understand how they apply to your life, and how He would have you to stand on them. This is also a good time to write in your journal, and to apply the tips we’ve given on how to make the most of your quiet time.

  • During this devotional time, it is always good to think about: What does this teach me about God, His Son, or His Holy Spirit? What does it teach me about myself? What applications can I apply so that this lesson from His Word can become more personal? This can be compared to “looking in the mirror” and seeing your reflection in God’s Word… and even more… seeing the reflection of God as He reveals Himself (and HIS HEART) to you in a more personal manner, so that you can grow deeper in your relationship with Him, and then be a light to others.
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The second way to approach your study time is in a “Survey Study for Knowledge and Understanding” (which again, is what we are going to be doing in this group). This is when you come before God and say, “Lord, teach me so that I can understand the MEAT of Your Word.” You can do this as a Book Study, Chapter Study, Word Study, or a Topical Study.

This type of studying can be considered as a “Synthetic Bible Study” meaning to gain a general knowledge of its contents for overall historical understanding, and to gain a better appreciation of the original content and meaning. At this time, you are “looking at the BIG picture” and grasping the whole (or meat) of what was said, and why. This study time tends to lead to a broader view and a more deeper knowledge (thus understanding) of the Word of God, whereas in your “devotional study time” you are zooming in to see up close and personal.

When you sit down for this “Survey for Knowledge-- Study Time,” it should be looked at as a time set aside to “dig deeper” into His Word (and maybe even use this time to do a “formal Bible study” written by a Biblical teacher). Whereas your devotional study time is more heartfelt, and a time to feed your spirit; this time is for you to apply your ear as a student of the Word, so that God can teach YOU, so that you can grow not only WITH Him, but IN Him. This not only strengthens your own faith, but also will help you to be able to share what YOU have learned with others, thereby helping to strengthen their faith. Also, the reason this type of study time is so important, is so that YOU can come before God to, “search His Word” and know for certain the truth of His Word, thereby protecting yourself from falling under the influence of “false teaching.


I hope this helps. I am really looking forward to our time together in study!

Have a blessed day,
Kassie

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Important Visuals for Reading & Study References



We suggests journaling for each scripture reading, and addressing these thought points in order to make the most of your quiet time in God's Word:


What you journal, may be effected by the "way" you are choosing to examine the scripture(s) at this time.  Know your choices:
There are actually two ways to read the Bible, 
and both are equally important -- 
which will be shared in our next post.


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April 28, 2018

Assignment #1 New Testament Study Lesson: Matt. 1


Hi! Welcome to our first lesson of the New Testament.  However, first I would like to take a moment to share some thoughts on studying the Bible and some insights on the Book of Matthew.


To read the Bible, is to have an encounter with God Himself. The very essence of the Bible is God, because it is inspired by His Holy Spirit.

Because of this, God will speak to us through His Holy Spirit as we read His Word. He also communicates with us during our prayer time, through life circumstances, and through our fellowship with other believers.

In saying this, read your Bible with an attitude of prayer and allow His Holy Spirit to make you aware of God’s activity in and through your personal life. Write down what you learn and then meditate on it. Then adjust your thoughts, attitude, and behavior accordingly. Each day, look for ways in which the truth of God’s Word can be applied not only your circumstances, but also in your relationships. God is not a random God, but, is orderly and intentional in the way He will personally speak to you.

As you begin your Bible study, pray and ask His Holy Spirit to guide you, and help your understanding. Ask Him to impress on your heart God’s heart. Then adjust your life and obey what He is showing you.




To understand the Book of Matthew, you need to understand the purpose of his writing.

The primary purpose of Matthew’s writing was to show that Jesus is God’s Son and the long awaited for Messiah foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament. So, in this Gospel we presented with Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s prophet hope. Matthew also writes to show how Jesus fulfills God’s Word.

Matthew places a great emphasis on the teaching of Jesus. Which makes sense seeing that he was on Jesus’ apostles, and learned by example.
  • Jesus taught him, and now he is teaching others, just as it is stated at the end of Matthew 28:20.
It’s important to note that some of Matthew’s writing is arranged in a logical (or typical) order instead of chronologically. The reason being is that Matthew’s purpose is more thematic instead of chorological to show that By Word and By Deed, Jesus IS the Messiah.
  • For instance, in Matthew chapter 8, after giving the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew puts three stores of healing together (that actually had taken place at different times), but Matthew talks about them together because during “his teaching” he was authenticating Jesus was able to prove that Jesus was not only able to perform His Word, but to also show the “fulfillment of God’s Word” (vs. 8:17).
However, as Matthew gets closer to Jesus’ final trip towards Jerusalem and into His final week, Matthew joins Luke and Mark in their chronological following of Jesus’ footsteps.

Remember, before following Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector. So, being an accountant, its understandable to see how he wrote with precision, systematic order, and logic.




The Book of Matthew is the first Book of the Gospels. And as we are introduced to this Word we are witnessing the breaking of a four-hundred year silence from God.

All four Gospels begin by placing Jesus within a historical setting, however, each Gospels starts out differently and focuses on different time frames of Jesus’ life. The Book of Matthew begins with showing the genealogy of Jesus and how He is connected to David and the Abraham.

Jesus’ genealogy is shown in Matthew chapter 1, but also, in Luke 3.


The difference being is that Matthew shows it from “the father’s side” (being Joseph).

Matthew’s record traces the line through what would normally be the father’s heritage, which in this case would be Joseph (as he was the man pledged to Mary) and chosen by God to raise, protect, and care for the coming child. By birthrights, the lines (and names, and lands) are passed down through the father. Joseph was chosen by God to be Jesus’ earthly father. He came from the direct line of David, and it was through his son Solomon, that God promised that a descendant would sit on the throne of Judah. When you look at the male line, Jesus had every right to claim “kingship” because He came from a long line of kings. When the Angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, he was addressed as “Joseph, son of David….” Because Joseph came from Solomon’s bloodline.

  • However, please remember that Mary came from David’s line, too! But names are not passed down through the women, unless her father had no sons, in which case the son-in-law also became the “son” so that the father’s line would not be lost. This was the case with Mary and the family tree which is traced through Luke 3.
  • When looking at the two-family trees, we see that one side comes from Solomon, the son of David, and the other is from Nathan, who is also the son of David. In fact, both Solomon and Nathan’s mother was Bathsheba. She actually bore David four more sons (see 1 Chr. 3:5) after the death of the child conceived in adultery. A lot of people over look that.
    • On a side note: David also had a friend named Nathan who was a prophet. In fact, this Nathan was the one who first told David to build the temple, but then later that night had a visit from God and had to go back and tell David, “Not so fast.” This Nathan is also the one who confronted David about his affair with Bathsheba. So don’t confuse the two Nathans associated with David.

In the following the two passages of Scripture for Jesus’ family tree: note that both reference Joseph. However, both men obviously could not have been Joseph’s birth father. One was his “begotten” father (which is shown in Matthew’s history of Jesus), and one (from Luke) was the father-in-law to ensure the family line would not be lost (which would actually be from Mary’s family tree).

So, in JUST looking at Matthew chapter one…. We trace it from the “father’s” side in this case Joseph.

Again, please remember that the right to inherit David’s throne and kingdom came through Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, Mary’s husband.

Consider also: “Son of Abraham”. As a descendant of Abraham, Jesus fulfilled the promise God made in Genesis 12:1–3; 15:1–6.
  • Jesus is the one from Abraham through whom all families of the earth can be blessed, the seed (see Galatians 3:16).
Why are verses 1–17 of Matthew 1 so important to look at and understand? Because, it verifies Jesus’ legitimate place AS the Messiah—thus the King of the Jews. Which is His legal right to the throne of David.

When reading through Jesus’ family tree, there might be several names familiar to you… and maybe some that aren’t.

In a quick recap:
  • Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (who later became known as Israel) are the ones commonly called “the fathers” in the Old and also in the New Testament.
  • Jacob (Israel) went on to have 12 sons which became known as the 12 tribes of Israel (Judah being one of them).
    • Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, deceived Judah and had twins by him.

  • When the nation of Israel went into the Promised Land, the first city they conquered was Jericho. That is where Rahab the harlot lived. She believed in the Lord and helped the two spies that came to scope out the city and became part of David and Jesus’ genealogy.
  • While the judges ruled Israel, Boaz married the Moabite widow Ruth. She followed the Lord from Moab to Israel because of her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth and Boaz were King David’s (Israel’s second king) great-grandparents. Boaz was Rahab’s son.
  • Bathsheba was David’s wife and Solomon’s mother, but she became David’s wife through the sins of adultery and murder.

Yes, the people in Jesus’ genealogy were not perfect; only He is. But isn’t it nice to know that God does forgive and redeems us when we commit our lives to Him? He truly is a God of second chances.




Looking at the rest of Matthew chapter 1, you might wonder what is significant about verses 18–25.

They show us the Messiah’s birth--- Jesus the Christ
  • Mary, a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit.
  • Joseph, a righteous / just man, kept her a virgin until after Jesus’ birth.

The angel of the Lord told him what to name Jesus and why. His name and birth fulfilled Old Testament promises from the Lord God to Israel.

Why was Jesus’ virgin birth important? And you might wonder why did He become a man? Matthew recorded that it fulfilled the prophecy from Isaiah.
  • Look up and consider Romans 5:12; 6:23
You see, sin had entered the world through Adam, and brought death to all men. The payment for sin is death. All men sinned. Except Jesus—as He didn’t have the sin of His father passed to Him.

Look back at Gen. 5, Adam was made in God’s likeness…. But after Adam became sinful, his sons were born in his (Adam’s) image (see Gen. 5: 3).

Jesus’ Father is God, and His mother was a virgin, thus He is born sinless!





My friend, there is so much to see in the chapters to come! So, I hope you will keep walking with us! See you next time.
Kassie





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Welcome to Our Online Bible Study.



Introduction: This online Bible study is being hosted by Cypress Ministries. These study lessons (and the commentary notes that are shared) are a shorter version pulled from the study notes Kassie wrote while working on her recently released series "Growing with God."  Though purchasing any of our books is not required, we encourage you to consider looking into our full studies and companion notebooks along with other studies written for Cypress Ministries.


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🤔 Have you ever just felt like there was much you were missing while reading your Bible, because you had a hard time understanding Scripture (especially from the Old Testament)? Have you ever wanted to be involved in a Bible study with a teacher willing to help you with your studies, but maybe couldn't find one, or couldn't afford it?

That is what this online study is based on! There is a verse that has struck Kassie to the core, and has been a driving desire in her from God. The verse is in Acts chapter 8.

  • But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"  And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31 NASB) 
Notice what the man tells Phillip (when asked if he understood what he was reading). "How could I, unless someone guides me?" This man needed someone to teach him, to come along side of him and help him. And that's what we want to do here in this online study, and from book series, Growing in God's Word.

In this free online study, we are going to be looking at (and digging deeper into) God's Word through various Books of the Bible.


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2 Timothy 2:15 says: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (NASB).

Please note that in this study, we will be providing "reading assignments" that offer portions of the Old Testament, and of the New Testament. However, the actual study lessons will be divided between the Old Testament and New Testament. You do not have to do both at the same time and you can pick which one you would like to focus on first (and of course you CAN do both if you would like). 

Remember that this is a totally self-paced study. We have provide a "how to get started and a study checklist" (this includes direct links to each assignment) for you to go by. 


Blessings
Kassie


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Information on this series:




The first book of the is Grow in God's Word. Growing in God's Word This book is filled with study tips and biblical insights about the Bible itself and study notes and insights for every Book of the Bible. It's written in a commentary style, but also gives you room to write down your own notes. 




 This companion notebook is designed with lots of suggested verses for different topics and allows for you to write them out, one verse at a time (and one day at a time). Thus, giving you a verse of the day to think on, and while doing so, you create your own personal concordance.



This personal notebook has tips on how to make the most of your quiet time. And is designed for you to be able to journal your 
thoughts and verses God is teaching you.

April 26, 2018

Assignment #1 Old Testament Study Lesson: Gen. 1-2


Assignments in Genesis
Before we start our lesson, I just wanted to note a few things: If you haven’t already, I suggest that you visit our free resources site at www.lampostpublications.com  and select the “biblical insights” page, and pull up the introduction insight page for Genesis to keep with your study notes. Our free insights pages are actually a part of a full biblical insights/commentary book we recently released called, “Growing in God’s Word.” If you are interested in the actual book then you can find out more information about it and our series “Growing with God” at www.cypressministries.com or go straight to our online bookstore at www.thepathwayoffaithbookstore.com Please note, you are not required to buy the book “Growing in God’s Word” in order to participate in this free study. But, I did want to mention it for those who might like to dig a litter deeper or have the actual full published version, as it is filled with study tips, lots of information about the Bible itself, study notes on each book of the Bible, and LOTS more. 

I am really looking forward to this journey with you! I hope you will be blessed- Kassie
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Brief Chapter Outline: In the Beginning

I. The Beginning of Creation
A) God forms the foundation of earth and prepares a place for man to live.
Day 1- Light. There was darkness and God brought light to it.
Day 2- Sky/Water. The waters and made a distinction between heaven and earth.
Day 3- Land/Seas. The waters were gathered, thus making dry land and vegetation.
Day 4- Sun/Moon/Stars. Begin to govern the day and night and the mark of seasons.
Day 5- Fish/Birds begin to fill the water and the sky
Day 6- Animals begin to fill the earth and “Man” is created to care for the earth.
B) God saw all that He had made and said it was good.
C) On the 7th day, God rested. Thereby setting an example for us to follow.

II. Man and Woman--- a recap and more detail into day 6
A) God gives man a job to do--- an assignment. And brings animals to him.
B) God also gives man a command in what he can and cannot due.
C) God sees that it isn’t good for man to be alone… Everything God had created was good, but man’s loneliness is NOT GOOD.
D) So, God created a helpmate for man.
E) And God brought her TO him (the man).


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God said… God saw… God called… God made…. And it was so!
Just as “God said…” it was so! 

>> Consider Soloman’s comment: And he said: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’ Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 21 And there I have made a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 8:15-21 NKJV).


>> Now consider Isa. 44:26 Who confirms the word of His servant and performs the counsel of His messengers; who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ to the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ and I will raise up her waste places (NKJV).


>> Also consider Isa. 55:10-11 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, But water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (NKJV).


So Why? Because of the same reason God said to Jeremiah in Jer. 1:12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” God said! And then He watches over His Word to SEE it come about!

Note in Gen. 1:26 that God said “Let us…”
>> Consider John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (NASB).


>> And then look up John 14:7-11 and John 14:23…. Key word in vs. 23 is “we”, and that it is the Spirit of God IN us…. So, who is the Spirit? The SAME Spirit we see in Gen. 1:2 “… and the Spirit of God…”


Don’t miss that, before God made man, He made a PLACE for him! So, go back and look up John 14 again, and look at verse 3. What does it say? That Jesus was going to prepare a place for us.


In Gen. 2, we see that God made a place for man, then made man, then gave man a job to do. God gave man a purpose. However, God watched and saw that though man had a purpose, he was lonely… So, God made woman. And in doing so, He actually gave woman a purpose too, because man needed help… He needed someone he could be with.  Look at 1 Cor. 11:8-9 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake (NASB).


Also consider this: Woman (the bride) came from his side. We the church are the bride of Christ. So where was He (Jesus) pierced? Where did His blood flow from, so we could receive Him, and be forgiven? His side!


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>> Other things to consider in this survey:
Before anything else existed, there was God. Gen. 1-2 records the beginning of the world and all living things.
  • Look up and read Jer. 10:12 and Isa. 48:12 and note them in your study.
God called the light day, and the darkness night. Notice that God established day and night. And when does “day begin and end?”  "… and the evening and the morning were the first day.”

Which is why the Hebrew people start their day on the evening before.


However, notice something: God worked for six days, but then He rested! Israel worked for six days and then was commanded to rest.
  • Look up and read Ex. 20:11 and Ex. 16:4.
Something to consider through all of this is again, when does Scripture say was the mark of each day? Yes, a lot of people want to try and add a lot of time elements to this… but you can not deny what does it say?


Yes, 2 Peter 3:8 and Ps. 90:4 compare how long time can be for people (like 400 years is a LONG TIME for us), buts its not for God! Ten years can feel like a long time for us to have to wait for something, but its not a long time for God, because He sees the end from the beginning, and He has a purpose for His movement, and waiting. So, neither of these passages should be used in reference to thinking God created Gen. 1 in thousand of years. Because again, you have to look at what Scripture says… From sun to sun down.

Also, now would be a good time to look up Jer. 33:19-20. What does it say about God’s agreement with the sun and moon? God’s Word cannot be broken. So, when He speaks it shall come to pass. Even if it seems like it is taking forever to us to see it happen.

And though God created all things and said they were good… He is the creator! We are to worship HIM, and not the creation. Which is warned against in Deut. 4:19, Deut. 17:2-7, Isa. 47:12-13


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Also, when looking at chapter 1, consider reading with it, Ps. 104 and 19:1-4, and make your notes.

Isn’t it interesting that when man didn’t recognize God—didn’t recognize Jesus—creation did!
  • Look up and read Matt. 27:45,51,54
Not only did God create all, He did so in order! He had a purpose for all that He did, and the order to which He did so. We live in a world that He designed for a purpose. He wanted to give us a home, a place for us to be and be provided for.
  • Look up and read Isa. 45:18, what does it say?
So, before God ever created man, He made a place for his needs. Now, look up and consider what Jesus says in Matt. 6:25-34.

What else should we take from this study assignment? Again, the word us. Jesus was always with God. As was the Holy Spirit. Thus, the trinity and the THREE in ONE.

Since the Word was with God (and Jesus is the Word), we see that they are two distinct persons of the Godhead. But also one.

  • Look up Col. 1:15-17 and 1 Cor. 8:6 and make note of what it says in your study.
And in a very special way, consider marking in Gen. 1 with a * of some sort the reference to Jesus. And then as you continue in your studies in the days and weeks to come, continue to. Because throughout the Old testament… we will see Him.


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My friend, I hope this lesson has been insightful to you! I look forward to seeing you next time! Be blessed and may God’s Word grow you!

Kassie.

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>>>Also, have these lessons been a blessing to you? 
If so, would you consider partnering with us? 
Follow this link to see the different ways on  how:
http://cypressministries.homestead.com/your-support.html
you can help share the Gospels and making Jesus’ name known.


Here is a private page on our online bookstore-- if you are interested in the books that this study is being pulled from, then you can go here for a special series DISCOUNT. However, remember, purchasing the books are NOT required to participate in this online study... but I thought I would try to offer something for those who would like to have the set http://thepathwayoffaithbookstore.homestead.com/walking_discount.html