Bible Study with Jon

Luke 6:39-42 ESV He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. These verses all appear connected and are put together in our Bibles, and it seems to be a warning against being a blind guide. The blind leading the blind, the student becoming like the teacher but not greater, the speck versus log. When you lead but do not have a good grasp of where you're going, you'll lead others astray. Likewise, when you teach but don't u...

 Romans 8:5 - For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. To explain what's said here in more, and different, words, those who live according to the flesh have desires of the flesh that supersede desires to be holy and follow God. Living according to the flesh is seeking earthly desires first, earthly meaning human desires, not God's desires. See verse 7: the mind set on the flesh cannot please God because it cannot follow His law. It doesn't place God's law above its own law and desires. The flesh and the Spirit are set opposed to each other here, which I think helps us to define living according to the Spirit. While not the only definition, we see in verse 7 that living for the flesh is living opposed to God's law. It does not submit to the law of God. Living in the Spirit, then, is submitting to the law of God (again, not the only definition). Submittin...

 Hello all! This is the second compilation of X posts, finishing off the posts from June 22 to this week. Again, select posts were chosen, with future plans being a full weekly compilation each weekend. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. - 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 NIV Think you're too far gone? Just look at Paul. He calls himself the least of the apostles because of his past deeds. He persecuted the church with the intent of destroying it. But God used him mightily for the church. You're not too far gone. 'For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does no...

 Hello all! I've been posting daily (now Monday-Friday) on X for a while now, and have decided to compile most of what I've written and post it here. I plan to compile these posts weekly from now on, Lord willing. I will also likely expand on what I write through the week, as X limits how long each post can be. "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." - Jeremiah 29:11 These words show us that, when we turn to God, He will not leave us. Turn to Him today and start the new year strong. There is a danger in living a John 3:16 life while ignoring John 3:20. "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." Jesus came to save, and we are called to turn from the acts He saved us from. Broken families are all around us. People we meet at grocery stores, workplaces, even churches have broken famil...