12. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning: 

Our text for today is: 

Matthew 12:33 ”Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  

Our text for today flows out of yesterday’s context.   The issue on the floor yesterday was the Pharisees claiming that the healing of a demon possessed boy by Jesus was of the devil and Jesus indicated that their accusations were blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 

After this incidence Jesus uses the analogy of a good tree and a bad tree to describe the nature of people who could say something or be so evil. 

Jesus teaches us in this analogy that if a tree is made bad only bad things can come from it and nothing good at all and vice versa, make a tree good and its fruit will be good.  Jesus called this Pharisaic group vipers (snakes) indicating that they were evil to the bone and could never say anything good.  It takes an evil person from the heart to really in their minds see a miracle and know that it is a true miracle and rather give glory to God pronounce that it is a work of the devil.   I’m talking about a genuine proven miracle not tricks or falsehoods.   

Jesus goes on to say that a good man brings good things out of the good that is stored up in him.  

Jesus closes out this analogy by warning us that on the day of judgment, we will have to give account of every careless word that we have spoken.  Our words will either acquit or condemn us.   

So let me close with this text from Philippians and all of us can do better with the loose things that come out of our mouths.  Let’s us be quick to hear and slow to speak.   

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Whatever we think on will be what comes out of our mouth. 

Stay encouraged. 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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11. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, we will return our study on the book of Matthew. You may want to scan back to the last couple of lessons just to refresh your memory of the flow.

Our text today has a major controversial statement in it. The bible teaches that there is one sin and one sin only that a person can never be forgiven of. That sin is called “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit..” Christians have often asked me because of some of the things that they have said against God in their “crazy” seasons are they guilty of this sin and have genuinely felt nervous about their salvation.

Today, we will look at the context in which this “unforgivable” sin was created.

Here is our text:

Matthew 12: 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. 30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

As you can see in the context, the issue on the table is that Jesus had just healed a demon possessed man and the Pharisees made claims that this healing was done by Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

Jesus responds to their claims first very logically by stating that if Satan is trying to advance his kingdom on this earth then why would he be casting out demons? The casting out of demons on Satan’s behalf would decrease his army not increase so that argument from the Pharisees makes no sense. The people saw the miracle and asked could he be “the son of David” but the Pharisees made claims that he was acting on behalf of Satan.

Jesus then states that a kingdom divided against itself can not stand. If he were of Satan’s kingdom then he would be divided against Satan and therefore the kingdom would eventually fall. Jesus also says that a household that divided against itself will also be ruin. In both these cases, the importance of oneness and unity is needed to advance a kingdom whether good or bad. The power is in unity.

Jesus then makes a powerful declaration. He states that if he then drives demons out by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Jesus also states that he who is not with him is against him and those who do not gather with him scatters.

It is out of this context that the statement is made. The issue was that they saw the miracles of God and it clearly was a miracle and act of the Holy Spirit for Satan would not be working against himself by healing and delivering and casting out demons so it is clear that this act was done by the Spirit of God. The Pharisees attributed it to the work of the devil.

Jesus is clear in the text and says that anyone can say anything against the son of man and it will be forgiven but “blasphemy” against the Holy Spirit which is attributing the works of God to the devil will never be forgiven.

This is the Strong’s Concordance definition of the word blasphemy.

1. slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name
2. impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty

The issue is that when it is clear that a miracle has occurred credit should be given to God and not attributed to Satan. When you go around making claims that it is the work of the devil when Satan would never heal, deliver, set free, cast out demons, etc because it would divide his kingdom and not advance it then you have now begun impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty. In other words, you are speaking against the power of God and giving credit to the devil.

I hope this has helped the many people who have struggled with this statement about the sin that will never be forgiven.

It is even fascinating how Jesus says that the things that are said about him will be forgiven. Many of us know that the world speaks very harshly concerning Jesus and the claims that are made about him through God’s word.

Jesus teaches us in this story that all that can be forgiven but giving credit to the devil when it should go to God is another matter.

Stay encouraged!!!!

All is well, Everything is safe and Everything is as it should be.

God Bless!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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10. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning: 

Hello, I am back.   I arrived on this morning.  Again, let me thank all of you for the kind emails and the prayers.  I am honored to know that so many people from all over the world are tuning in daily to study the word of God with me.  

 I know that we are off our study a little bit but thank you for allowing me to just praise God on last week and thanks for all who joined in with me. 

A major chapter of my life has ended and I look forward to a new one beginning. 

God is sovereign and we must all bow to his sovereign will no matter how difficult it can be at times. 

This loss has encouraged me to study harder and to master the field of hermeneutics (the science of interpretation) so that I can always clearly render the right interpretation of scripture. 

I look forward to continuing to share my love for studying God’s word with you.    

Today, I would like to leave you with the sermon text that was preached at Archbishop Wilbert McKinley’s home going.   

Here is the text:   

II Samuel 12:15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 19 David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. 

The focus of the story is that after major tragedy or loss then we are to ”Arise” and “worship our God.”   

Stay encouraged. 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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6. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

I just landed in LA.  I have been flying all day and I am in my room studying for tonight’s sermon.   Tomorrow, I will be flying to New York for the funeral services of Archbishop Wilbert Mckinley and then flying back to LA to close out the women’s conference on Sunday then flying back to Atlanta.

I always continue my daily devotionals when I am out of town but this time, I have literally been living in the airports and on planes and it will be that way until Monday so I will be out of pocket and not able to get to my computer for posting.   

Monday, we will continue with our study on Matthew and thank you again for the many prayers and emails of support during not only a very difficult time for me but for so many sons and daughters who this great Man of God mentored.  He already is missed but he has changed my life for ever.

Join me again on MOnday, and we will get back on track.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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5. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning: 

Let me first thank all of you for the overwhelming show of love and support and prayer that you have expressed to me while I am mourning the loss of a phenomenal spiritual giant and personal mentor of almost 20 years the late Archbishop Wilbert McKinley. 

Secondly, let me congratulate the new President Elect Barack Obama and First Lady Elect Michelle Obama of the United States of America. No matter what your political views are, the decision has been made and we unanimously support and will always keep our new first family and our other leaders in prayer.   

Let me leave you with the following text.   It is really powerful.  Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Stay encouraged. All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.   

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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4. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Please bear with me on this week. I have a very difficult schedule along with the fact that there is this big hole in my heart due to the passing of my long time mentor and spiritual father Archbishop Wilbert McKinley.

I have to be in LA this week for a women’s conference and I have to leave LA and fly to New York for the home going services and then fly back to LA to finish the women’s conference and then fly back to Atlanta. Please keep me in your prayers.

Today, I want to post this familiar psalm of praise.

Psalm 24:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

I just want to focus on praising God this week, for truly He is worthy no matter how deep the pain, He is worthy to be praised.
 

Stay encouraged!!!!

All is well, Everything is safe and Everything is as it should be.

God Bless!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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3. November 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning: 

Over the weekend, one of my fathers in the gospel went home to be with the Lord and I have to admit that my heart aches.  Many of you may know him; he was a phenomenal defender of the faith and champion of the gospel.  His name is Archbishop Wilbert McKinley of the

I can’t even express the hole that is in my heart.  When I first heard him preach over twenty years ago he inspired me so to study the word and master the field of hermeneutics (the science of interpretation).  He became a mentor and spiritual father to both me and my husband.   

So today, I simply want to share this scripture with you: 

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the LORD’S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.   

I am feeling so many emotions right now, but the main one is that I want to study harder and be a better scholar and student of God’s word and my desire is at all times I want to be able to teach what is clearly revealed in the text. 

Stay encouraged. 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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