Wednesday, February 29, 2012


BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verses 21-23

21 And keep yourselves in the love of God, looking
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto
eternal life.
22 And have compassion of some, in putting
difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out
of the fire, and hate even that garment which is
spotted by the flesh.

Related Scripture

Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Luke 12:36; Luke 17:30; Romans 8:19; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 4:13; Romans 11:14; Amos 4:11; Zechariah 3:4-5;

Tuesday, February 28, 2012


BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verse 20(a) 

20 But, ye beloved, edify yourselves in your most
holy faith, praying in the holy Ghost.

Related Scripture

Colossians 2:7; Isaiah 28:16;1 Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 1:6-7; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 8:26; Romans 14:9;

(a) Suggested additional reading for meditation 1 Corinthians 10


Monday, February 27, 2012



BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verses 12-19(a),(b)
 
The latter times and the fate of those who are either not of the faith,  false teachers, or become apostates 

12 These are rocks in your feasts of charity,
when they feast with you, without all fear, feeding
themselves: clouds they are without water, carried
about of winds, corrupt trees and without fruit, twice
dead, and plucked up by the roots.
13 They are the raging waves of the sea, foaming
out their own shames: they are wandering stars,
to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness
forever.
14 And Enoch also the seventh from Adam,
prophesied of such, saying, Behold, the Lord 1cometh
with thousands of his Saints,
15 To give judgment against all men, and to rebuke
all the ungodly among them of all their wicked deeds,
which they have ungodly committed, and of all their
cruel speakings, which wicked sinners have spoken
against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking
after their own lusts: whose mouths speak proud
things, having men’s persons in admiration, because
of advantage.
17 But, ye beloved, remember the words which
were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord
Jesus Christ:
18 How that they told you that there should be
mockers kin the last time, which should walk after
their own ungodly lusts.
19 These are they that separate themselves from
others, natural, having not the Spirit.

(a) Today’s study involves the latter times. In mostly all the epistles written in the New Testament we find that there is always reference made to these times. Some Scholars say that they, the Apostles were speaking in terms of a future not very far off from their own, perhaps a century or so. Others assert that they were writing about events that were to occur way in the future. And still others insist that the time line does not matter at all, as we see these things in all epochs in time, and throughout the ages.
(b) Suggested additional reading for meditation 2 Timothy 3

Friday, February 24, 2012



BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verses 10, 16


10 But these speak evil of those things, which
they know not: and whatsoever things they know
naturally as beasts, which are without reason, in
those things they corrupt themselves.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking
after their own lusts: whose mouths speak proud
things, having men’s persons in admiration, because
of advantage.

Related Scripture

Psalm 17:10; Psalm 119:70; Psalm 31:18; Psalm 94:4; Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 16:2; Proverbs 21:2; Proverbs 12:15; Luke 16:15; Matthew 15:11, 18; Deuteronomy 12:8; 1 Samuel 2:3;  2 peter 2:12; Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 3:3; James 5:3; Romans 2:5; 


                           

Thursday, February 23, 2012


BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verse 8

8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers 
 defile the flesh, despise dominion, 
 and speak evil of dignities.(a)

Related Scripture

Exodus 22:28; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Acts 23:5; Romans 13:7; Titus 3:1-3; 1 Peter 2:13-14; 

(a) Editor’s suggested additional reading for meditation - 2 Peter 2

Wednesday, February 22, 2012


BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verses 5-6


5 I will therefore put you in remembrance,
forasmuch as ye once knew this, how that the Lord,
after that he had delivered the people out of Egypt
destroyed them afterward which believed not.
6 The Angels also which kept not their first
estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved
in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment
of the great day.


Related Scripture

Numbers 14:37; Exodus 12:51; 1 Corinthians 10:5-6; James 4:2; Numbers 11:4, 33-34; Psalm 78:29-31; Psalm 106:14-15; Job 20:23; Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7; 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012



BannerFans.com

The Epistle of Jude
Verses 3-4

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto
you of the common salvation, it was needful for
me to write unto you, to exhort you, that ye should
earnestly contend for the maintenance of the faith,
which was once given unto the Saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in, which
were before of old ordained to this condemnation:
ungodly men they are, which turn the grace of our
God into wantonness, and deny God the only Lord,
and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Related Scripture

Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:15;  1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 6:13-17; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Timothy 4:1, 6; 1 Timothy 1:19; 2 Timothy 4:15; James 4:7; 2 Peter 2:1; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11, 24; Mark 13:21-22;  Acts 20:29; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 2:4; 

Monday, February 20, 2012




BannerFans.com


The Third Epistle of John

1 The Elder unto the beloved Gaius whom I
love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish chiefly that thou prosperedst
and faredst well as thy soul prospereth.
3 For I rejoiceth greatly when the brethren came
and testified of the truth that is in thee, how thou
walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than these, that is, to hear
that my sons walk in verity.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully, whatsoever
thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers,
6 Which bore witness of thy love before the
Churches, Whom if thou bringest on their journey as
it seemeth according to God, thou shalt do well,
7 Because that for his Name’s sake they went
forth, and took nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we
might be helpers to the truth.
9 I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes
which loveth to have the preeminence among them,
receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore if I come, I will call to your remembrance
his deeds which he doeth, prattling
against us with malicious words, and not therewith
content, neither he himself receiveth the brethren,
but forbideth them that would, and trusteth them
out of the Church.
11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that
which is good: he that doeth well is of God: but he
that doeth evil, hath not seen God. (a)
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of
the truth itself: yea, and we ourselves bear record,
and ye know that our record is true.
13 I have many things to write: but I will not with
ink and pen write unto thee:
14 For I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall
speak mouth to mouth. Peace be with thee. The
friends salute thee. Greet thy friends by name.

(a) Editor suggests reading 1 Corinthians 13 for additional meditation

Related Scripture

Psalm 34:14; Psalm 37:27; Isaiah 1:16-17; Romans 12:17-18; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:10; Matthew 5:44; 1 Peter 3:19; Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 24:29;


Saturday, February 18, 2012



BannerFans.com

The Second Epistle of John
Chapter 1

1 The Elder to the elect Lady, and her children,
whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also
all that have known the truth,
2 For the truth’s sake which dwelleth in us, and
shall be with us forever:
3 Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God
the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son
of the Father, with 1truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children
walking in truth, as we have received a commandment
of the Father.
5 And now beseech I thee, Lady, (not as writing
a new commandment unto thee, but the same
which we had from the beginning) that we love one
another. (a)
6 And this is that love that we should walk after
his commandments. This commandment is, that as
ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk
in it.
7 For many deceivers are entered into this
world, which confess not that Jesus Christ is come
in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceiver and
an Antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things,
which we have done, but that we may receive full
reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not
in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
continueth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both
the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this
doctrine, breceive him not to house, neither bid him
Godspeed. (b)
11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed, is partaker
of his evil deeds. 
12 Although I had many things to write
unto you, yet would I not write with paper and ink:
but I trust to come unto you, and speak mouth to
mouth, that our joy may be full.
13 The sons of thine elect sister greet thee,
Amen.

Related Scripture

(a) John 15:12
(b) Romans 16:17; Mark 6:11; Matthew 7:15; Galatians 1:8-9;1 Thessalonians 3:6; Titus 3:10;


                                 

Friday, February 17, 2012



BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verse 18 - 20

18 We know that whosoever is born of God,
sinneth not: but he that is begotten of God keepeth
himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 We know that we are of God, and this whole
world lieth in wickedness.
20 But we know that that Son of God is come,
and hath given us a mind to know him, which is true,
and we are in him that is true, that is, in that his
Son Jesus Christ, the same is that very God, and
that eternal life.

Related Scripture

1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9; James 1:27; Titus 1:6-8; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1-3, 8; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:14; John 12:31; John 14:30;John 16:11; John 17:15; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 John 4:2; Luke 16:16; Luke 24:27, 45; John 17:3; Revelation 3:7; Isaiah 9:6; 



                            

Thursday, February 16, 2012



BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verses 14-15

14 And this is that assurance that we have in
him, that if we ask anything according to his will,
he heareth us.
15 And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever
we ask, we know that we have the petitions, that we
have desired of him.

Related Scripture

1 John 3:21-22; 1 John 2:28; John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-26; John 11:22; Matthew 7:8; Philippians 4:6; Proverbs 8:17; Isaiah 55:6; Jeremiah 29:12-13; Psalm 32:6; Amos 5:4; 1 Samuel 1:17; 1 King 8:28, 59; 1 Kings 9:3; Daniel 9:20;  

Wednesday, February 15, 2012



BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verse 11

11 And this is that record, to wit, that God hath
given unto us eternal life, and this life is in that his
Son.

Related Scripture

1 Kings 3:14; Psalm 36:8; John 6:33, 35, 38-40;, 47-51; John 10:10; John 11:26; John 8:55; John 14:23-34; John 17:6; Revelation 3:8; 

Suggested additional reading - John 6 in its entirety. 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012



BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verse 10

10 He that believeth in that Son of God,
hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not
God, hath made him a liar, because he believed
not the record, that God witnessed of that his
Son.

Related Scripture

Romans 8:16; John 3:16-18, 33; John 1:14; John 8:42;  John 10:25, 38; John 17:21; 1 John 3:23; John 5:19; 1 John 5:20; Acts 5:32; Luke 24:48;  Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Romans 11:29; Hebrews 7:21; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 6:17-18; 

Where No One Stands Alone

Monday, February 13, 2012



BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verse 9

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness
of God is greater: for this is the witness of God,
which he testified of his Son.

Related Scripture

John 5:34, 37; John 8:14-18; John 16:32; John 14:9; Matthew 3:16-17; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1; John 12:28; Isaiah 49:3-7; Isaiah 50:10; Isaiah 418-9; 1 Peter 2:4-7;



Sunday, February 12, 2012


The Sunday Sermon

Having the Form, But Denying the Power 
(Part 1)
by B.H. Carroll  
Edited by R.P.Woitowitz Sr. 

-Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. - 
2 Timothy 3:5

Everything in this world takes on a form, and the form serves an excellent purpose; it
is by no means to be despised, but the form by itself is nothing. You may understand
the two thoughts by selecting from a tree a ripe hickory nut, fully ripe. Now, there is
a form around it; that form is for its protection; first, the form of the hull, and then of
the shell, but sometimes you find one that has an external seeming, yet it feels very
light and there is nothing in it; now, there is a mere form -- an empty shell.

The apostle here declares that in the last days there shall be a class of Christians who
have the form of Godliness, but who deny its power, or, as he expresses it they profess that they know God, but in works they deny it, and that here may be no misunderstanding about this class, he describes their characteristics. (Titus 1:16;)

They are selfish people; they love themselves; they love silver; covetous -- that is
what the word in the original means, lovers of silver-they are proud, heady,
un-thankful people; they receive favors and are not grateful for them. They have no
respect for the relations of life; as children, they are disobedient to their parents; as
wives, they are disobedient to their husbands; as those who have entered into a
covenant, they break the agreements that they have made with other people’; nothing
binding; no sort of an agreement that is made with them will hold. (James 5:12;) They consider not that they are bound by obligations into which they enter with other men; they are  treacherous; they are blasphemers; they love pleasure more than they love God. ( 2 Timothy 3:4;)
Now, those are some of the characteristics of these people.

He says that when that class prevail it makes perilous times, hazardous, dangerous
times; when those who claim to be Christians are only shells, empty shells; when they
have the form of Godliness and deny its power; when they profess to be Christians
and in their lives go directly contrary to the teachings of Christianity. (Matthew 23:27;) If he is an old  man and a Christian, he will be sober, grave, temperate, sound in the faith; if she is
an old woman, she, too, will be sober and grave, and a thoughtful teacher of younger
women, and if she be a young woman and a Christian, she will be chaste and
discreet, and love her husband, and love her children, and will regard it as a religious
obligation to take due care of her home; if it is a servant and a Christian, that servant
will be impelled by his Christianity to do faithful, honest service for the wages that are
paid; not answering back to his employer, not stealing little things, purloining; not one
who serves as under the eye of another, an eye servant, but one who, whether the
master is present and looking on or not, for conscience’s sake renders a faithful
amount of work for the compensation which is paid. (Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 4:11; Galatians 6:6;)

Now, it does seem to me that there is an opportunity at this time in the world for the
highest and holiest demonstration of Christianity ever known in the case of
employees. There is a vast deal of unhealthy sentimentalism prevalent, that kind of
sentimentalism which encourages a man to think that an employer is necessarily a
tyrant; that an employer is necessarily an oppressor of the poor. Oh! What a
revolution it would work, if throughout the length and breadth of this land today all
employees who claim to be Christians would for Christ’s sake do genuine honest
work when they are paid to do the work; that they would give fair service, and that
they would not rely upon this unhealthy sentimentalism that leads men to think that a
contract does not mean anything; that a man’s obligation amounts to nothing; that a
question of honor is nothing ( Leviticus 19:15;)

I do not hesitate to say today that if I were not a preacher, and I knew how to
perform such service, I would like to be for a short time a cook, just to show what
honest, faithful service ought to be in that department, in order to adorn the principles
of the Christian religion.

There is a state of demagogism prevalent which arises from the dominion of politics
that is absolutely sapping the vitals of a sturdy, rigorous manhood.

Christianity does teach a man to be honest; it does teach that he shall give fair service
for a fair compensation; it does teach that men as they get older should become riper
for salvation; it does teach that in the home its graces should be illustrated; it does
teach that in matters of obligation and word we should be faithful; and this is true,
sound doctrine, the doctrine preached by the apostle, and who, while himself poor
and a laborer, took that high moral ground that if a man would not labor he should
not eat; that he was not entitled to it, and I do believe that if we would, for Christ’s
sake, frown down upon beggary as coming from strong men, that kind of sponging
on others when there is strength in the right arm, when there is ability to render good
service; I believe if we would, for Christ’s sake, frown down upon it, that we would
have a more vigorous, sturdy manhood among our people.

Now, do not misunderstand me. While I have not, as a Christian, one atom of
respect for the demagogy that is debauching the morals of the masses of the people
--not an atom--  neither have I for that power of wealth, for that power of
monopoly that would, under the guise of contract, grind a man to powder and crush
his very soul out of him. ( 2 Peter 2:19;) What I mean to say is, that it is a practical teaching of
Christianity and one that is too much ignored, that for Christ’s sake we ought to be
faithful men and women in every department of life. It is contrary to the life of Jesus
Christ and His precepts to make religion a cloak for idleness in any direction, or for
a trifling character. ( Galatians 5:13; James 1:25; James 2:12; 1 Peter 2:16;)

I thought it right --I thought the times called for the pressing of this primal thought of
the text, that a man who professes to be a Christian and has a form of Godliness is
under obligation to recognize the power of that Christianity in the little things of life,
and in the business of life, and in our homes, and in all of our social interchanges. ( 1 Corinthians 10:31;)

Unquestionably that is the teaching of Jesus Christ and all His apostles and we can
be faithful to Jesus by attending to the smallest details of household affairs. We can
recognize the light of the authority of Jesus Christ by being careful concerning the
most insignificant duty of this life, and it is by the massing together of these little things
that a great character is ever formed. A great character is never formed by an
exceptional act; it is never brought about by some sensational surrounding; it is the
development, it is the outgrowth of habit, and by attention to everything that is right in
the sight of God, making His teachings the rule of our life in the most infinitesimal
affairs. (a)

(a) Editor’s notation - In order to fully appreciate this last sentence, I suggest reading Psalm 119 in its entirety. Focus on such words/expressions  as precepts, instruction, your ways, your words. In it the Psalmist David gives glory to God by living his life according to His Word.


Titus 1:16; James 5:12; 2 Timothy 3:4; Matthew 23:27; Leviticus 19:15; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 4:11; Galatians 6:6; 2 Peter 2:19; Galatians 5:13; James 1:25; James 2:12; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31;

Saturday, February 11, 2012




BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verses 7-8

7 For there are three, which bear record in heaven,
the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost: and these
three are one.
8 And there are three, which bear record in the
earth, the Spirit, and the Water and the Blood: and
these three agree in one.

Related Scripture

John 1:1-5, 14-15; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 2:13-14; Revelation 19:13; Hebrews 4:12;  Ecclesiastes 4:12; John 10:30;  John 14:7-10, 23; John 17:11; 1 John 2:24; John 5:36; John 3:13; John 8:58; John 17:22; John 15:26; John 16:13;  1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12



                        

Friday, February 10, 2012

BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verse 6

6 This is that Jesus Christ that came by water and
blood: not by water only, but by water and blood:
and it is that Spirit that beareth witness: for that
Spirit is truth.

Related Scripture

John 19:34; Luke 22:20; Romans 5:9; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 7:27; 1 Peter 1:2; John 14:17; John 1:33; Matthew 3:11; Psalm 119:42, 142; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 4:6; John 15:26; 



Concerto No. 10 for Strings Aria

                             

Thursday, February 9, 2012

BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 5 Verses 4-5

4 For all that is born of God, overcometh this
world: and this is that victory that hath overcome
this world even our faith.
5 Who is it that overcometh this world, but he
which believeth that Jesus is that Son of God?

Related Scripture

John 16:33; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:3-5; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Psalm 44:7; Proverbs 21:31; Revelation 3:21; 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 4 Verse 17


17 Herein is that love perfect in us, that we should
have boldness in the day of judgment: for as he is,
even so are we in this world.

Related Scripture

1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2; John 15:9-10; John 17:11;  Colossians 1:13; Jude 1:21; Zephaniah 3:17;

Suggested additional reading 2 Corinthians 5


Saturday, February 4, 2012

BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 4 Verse 15
Chapter 5 Verse 1

15 Whosoever confesseth that Jesus is the Son
of God, in him dwelleth God, and he in God.
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is that Christ,
is born of God: and everyone that loveth him, which
begat, loveth him also which is begotten of him

Related Scripture

Romans 10:9; Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:11; Acts 16:31; Romans 4:24; Isaiah 45:23; 1 John 2:23; 1 John 4:2; John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 




Thursday, February 2, 2012

BannerFans.com

The First Epistle of John
Chapter 4 Verses 9-10, 19

9 Herein was that love of God made manifest
amongst us, because God sent that his only begotten
Son into this world, that we might live through
him.
10 Herein is that love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a reconciliation
for our sins.
19 We love him, because he loved us first.


John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 15:13; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9; Isaiah 46:10; Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10; 1 Peter 2:24;