17. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

I am just now able to get into my software to be able to post.  I have been having a problem with it since my posting on Monday.     Finally back up.  Will post again on tomorrow.  Thanks for checking in every day.

Bernice

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14. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

Welcome back from the weekend.  I am so excited about getting into the book of Romans.  On last week, we laid our foundation for the purpose of the writing which was to impart knowledge and to provide assurance to the Romans believers concerning their new found faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is one of the most brilliant works of theology and as I mentioned on last week, this book alone has shaped the thought of Christian thinkers probably second only to the gospels. 

Let’s start with the introduction.

Here is our text:

Romans 1: 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God– 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our text opens with the wording that Paul was called to be an Apostle.  There is so much debate in the Christian church as to the existence of legitimate current day apostles.  Many are of the opinion that the Apostles were only limited to the twelve while others maintain that there are current day apostles.

Ephesians 4:11 says: “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.” (NIV)

This scripture is where the term the “five-fold ministry” comes from.  It is basically universally agreed upon that the ministries of the evangelists, pastor and teacher are ministries to the Christian church today.   The work of the apostle and prophet is where the debate begins.   Many believe that these two offices ended after the first century church.    While this study will not engage in that debate today, I would like to give you an overall view of the work of the apostles in the New Testament Church.

1.    They were filled with the Spirit and laid hands on others for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

2.   They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

3.   They healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and worked signs, wonders and miracles. … “for in nothing am I [PAUL] behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”  II Corinthias 12:11-12.

4.   They were persecuted and martyred for the faith.

5.   They declared God’s judgment.

6.   They ordained deacons and elders & confirmed disciples.

7.   They founded churches.

8.   They settled doctrinal disputes and set church order.

9.   They received revelation from God.

10.   They counseled the saints and collected offerings to help other churches in need. 

11.   They were eye witnesses to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

12.   They were hand-picked by Jesus…  Luke 6:13  says; “And when it was day, he [JESUS] called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;  (NIV) When Paul had to defend his apostleship he used the fact that he had seen Jesus and was personally appointed as an apostle by the Lord Jesus through his Damascus conversion   1 Corinthians 9:1 “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”   1 Corithians 15:9 “After that, he [JESUS] was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me [PAUL] also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”

While there are many scriptures that talk about the work of the apostles, the confusion comes in whether or not those scriptures apply to the continuation of the apostle’s work today.  Those whose point of view is that the office of the apostle ended with the 1^st century church have strong arguments in the fact that the New Testament apostles were directly chosen by Jesus and were all witnesses of the resurrected Lord.  Things that make you go uhmmmmmmmmmm…   There are others that were called apostles in the New testament other than the twelve but the word used there has been generally agreed upon that it is not the office of the apostle that the scriptures are referring to but the fact that they were “sent” to do a particular work. 

The word apostle itself means “one who is sent.”  Some use the word apostle today as one who is sent to do the work of the Lord.  Some people use the name missionary/apostle interchangeably to label those who have been “commission” or “sent out” to do the work of Christ.   Whatever your position on this topic is what we do now is that Paul was called to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.    No, he was not one of the original twelve but he was hand-picked by Jesus, trained in the desert personally by our Lord and was a witness of the resurrected.

We will continue our introduction to this amazing work on tomorrow.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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11. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

It’s Friday and I know it’s hard to get into a study nearing the weekend especially since we are laying the foundation for Romans.  I shared with you a testimony that touched my heart yesterday and to the lady that wrote it who wanted to remain anonymous, I just wanted you to know that I will keep you in my prayers and yes, I will keep posting. 

I was forwarded quite a few but I thought I would end this week by sharing with you this one where over 300 inmates gave their life to Christ from listening to one of my messages.  WOW!!!!!!!! AMAZED!!!!!!  HUMBLED… THANKFUL !!!!  And GRATEFUL !!!!

Here is the testimony:

Thanks for the forwarded links. I really have been healed and delivered just by following the blogs of Bernice Davis. I am not saying that to sound nice. I am too old to be phony and hypocritical! You know what I mean! I said it, because I mean it. It’s been rough out here,: with the attacks hitting my church ( lies, media slander, etc.—I am pretty sure you can relate) hitting my job, home, and family, — I was in need of a fresh wind. Whether people want to be honest or not, everyone needs encouragement. And sometimes, entertaining doubt seems so much easier, than believing something you can not see, or having faith. But the devil is liar. He can’t have my faith! But God knows what you need to spark your fire and to strengthen your faith. And I praise God for that! Oh I almost forgot, my son who is incarcerated, told me he watched a tape of Bernice Davis teaching at Bishop Paul Morton’s church., and 357 inmates , including my son, received Jesus as Lord. Honey, I tore my living room up in my devotion and worship time. Anyway you bless me Lord, ( I didn’t care who God used to lead my son to Christ—do it Jesus!). God is good. Saints, I know it seems like hell is winning ( but the devil is liar) we got to keep believing, God is going to work this thing out. We are to far in, to give up. God Bless the woman of God, Bernice for her ministry! Amen!
Love you all much,

Pat Howard
Hermitage, TN by way of Marietta, GA

Have a great weekend.  We will rejoin our study on Romans on Monday.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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10. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

I received this testimony on yesterday and I was overwhelmed with humility and gratitude that God was using my teachings to make such a difference.  It came across as Anonymous but instead of posting on Romans today, I would like to share this with you.

Good Afternoon,
I hope this email finds someone who will be patient to read and swim through my sea of emotions. A month ago, my son and mom was killed by a home robbery invasion. I lost my job, my savings, and home. My fiancée’, for no reason broke off our engagement, a week ago he told me it was because he felt pressured to marry me ( which made no sense, he sure didn’t feel this way when we use to live together unmarried. I was tired of living that way. I wanted to change. So I moved out. So I asked him what pressure? No logical answer. I think it is just an excuse- but today I’ve it and him go).

The hardest thing for me to do was burry my mom and son at the same time. The pressure, the weight, the hurt, the questions, my mother dying in my arms, plays like broken recorder over and over in my head. I felt so helpless standing in the ER. A week later, I received some not so good health news. I became so drained, and tired. The mocking, the hurt, the constant trouble, etc. I am not proud of it now, but I went out bought a gun and I said, this is the last straw for me. (I am crying as I type this) but I felt like hey I am going to die anyway, so why not? I loaded the gun, clicked the trigger, and just before I pulled the trigger on the gun back (it was a magnum 357), the screen on my lap top popped open to my email (now I am thinking – I thought I unplugged everything), the link I clicked lead to a website that read www. bernicedavisministries.org so I clicked on the link (I don’t why, I don’t have an explanation).

I began to surf the website- I clicked on the day’s blog and began to read. Today, I can’t even remember what I read, it was how I felt after I read the blog. For the first time I felt —like a human being. Or maybe loved. I don’t know. But I do know, I once was about end it all, and some strange reason I am still here. For the first time, I said the name Jesus- It felt so good. Nervous, I started reading all blogs on the website. I even found some online videos of Bernice Davis.  This is the best I can do to describe, how I feel. A month later, I feel better, my health is getting better 9 which is strange and a miracle)

I still have my days but my thinking has changed, I am starting to see myself in a whole new way. Today I bought my first bible, and I have been reading it. I asked Jesus for the first to save me, help me understand this journey and him better. Somehow I really think he heard me. I am not for sure, who sent me the forward email of the bible study lessons which are great to read, thanks, from there I clicked on the link, and have been reading also Bernice Davis blog everyday now.

I did return the gun, I am seeking help from a therapist. Slowly but surely I am finding myself and my way. If it’s not too much trouble, if anyone has Bernice Davis email, could you please let her know, that I have been reading her blogs. I did read somewhere on the internet, that she will end her blog, if this is true- please try to convince her, not to do this. This is all I have left. I appreciate everyone.
Anonymous

All I can say is WOW…  To God be The Glory.”

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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8. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, we will begin our study of the book of Romans.  The author of this book is undisputedly accredited to the Apostle Paul.  It is dated around 57AD/CE or 57 years after the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which would place the writing at about 24 years after the death of Jesus and is the longest of Paul’s writings. 

Major theological ideas/thoughts have been developed solely or in part from this book.  Augustine acquired his idea of “original sin” from Romans 5, Martin Luther gained his understanding of “justification by faith alone” from Romans 3-4, John Calvin obtained his doctrine of “double predestination” from Romans 9-11, John Wesley got his teachings on sanctification from Romans 6 and 8, and Karl Barth learned of the importance of the righteousness of God from Romans 1 and 2.  This epistle has had powerful influences on all branches of the Christian Church and its impact on the lives and thought of prominent Christian thinkers is probably second only to the gospels.

The content of the book of Rome indicates to us that Paul had not visited Rome yet but desired to lay a foundation there.  Most scholars argue that he composed this epistle while he was in Corinth.  If you followed me during the study of Acts, then you will remember how Paul was passionate about his appeal to Caesar when he was imprisoned and thereby though in prison fulfilled his ambition to minister among the Romans.   We followed Paul’s journey from Jerusalem through his shipwreck and then his final destination in Rome where he taught for a couple of years and many were healed by his ministry though he was brought there to go on trial before Caesar. 

Paul had heard of the faith of the Romans and both Jewish and Gentile conversion to Christianity.    There were many misunderstandings about the faith and also Jews who were trying to make the Gentile converts adopt Judaism for salvation.  Paul creates this theological masterpiece to properly document the proper tenants of the Christian faith.    It is a brilliant theological foundation for the Christianity.  He gives the purpose of his writing in the first chapter of Romans where he states that he is set apart by God for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, and he wishes to impart to the Romans a gift of encouragement and assurance in all that God has freely given them.

Tomorrow, we will begin the first chapter of Romans.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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7. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 I got caught up in the Dentist’s office today and will not be able to start our study with Romans.  We will begin on tomorrow.  I posted a Proverbs reading today.  It has some of my favorite sayings in them.

We will begin our Romans study on tomorrow.

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. 3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. 4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. 5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. 6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. 11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!” or, “I will be murdered in the streets!” 14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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4. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

Ready for the weekend?  Yeah… If you have been following me then you know how much I love my weekends.   I love everything about it.  Sundays are just the best to me.  We will begin our journey through the book of Romans on Monday. 

Here is our proverbial reading for today:

Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. 2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin! 5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.

8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. 9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 10 The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him. 11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge. 12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. 14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. 16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead. 17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. 18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. 22 A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. 24 The proud and arrogant man–”Mocker” is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. 25 The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable– how much more so when brought with evil intent! 28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever. 29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways. 30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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3. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

We will begin our journey through the book of Romans on Monday. 

Here is our proverbial reading for today:

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life. 3 It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. 5 The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

6 Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? 7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. 8 When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? 10 Differing weights and differing measures– the LORD detests them both. 11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

12 Ears that hear and eyes that see– the LORD has made them both.

13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. 15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. 16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman. 17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

18 Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. 19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. 21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. 22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. 23 The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. 24 A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. 26 A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. 27 The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. 28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. 29 The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. 30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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2. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

I have decided that Romans will be my next book that we will read through together.

We left off on the 18^th chapter of Proverbs so I will be posting Proverbs for the rest of the week and we will begin our new study into the book of Romans on Monday.  I’m excited.

Here is our proverbial reading for today:

Proverbs 19: 1 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. 2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. 3 A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. 4 Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.

6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts. 7 A poor man is shunned by all his relatives– how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury– how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! 11 A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. 14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. 16 He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. 17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. 18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. 19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. 21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

22 What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! 25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. 26 He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. 27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. 29 Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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1. March 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

In our study today, we conclude the book of Acts.  Paul appears before the Jews at Rome and they admit that Paul has committed no offense worthy of punishment. 

Here is the text:

Acts 28:17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar–not that I had any charge to bring against my own people.

20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26 ” ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”

27 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

This concludes the book of Acts.  I will probably post Proverbs for the rest of the week until I decide which book I want to cover next.   I am thinking about the book of Romans since Paul stayed there two years and out of those years that he spent in Rome, we get his teachings which are enclosed in the book of Rome.

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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