Practical Living: Turn Arounds, Part 3 – Ruth (#859)
Having previously looked at some records of turnarounds, specifically those of Ahab, Hezekiah and Paul; today we’ll look at the record of Ruth.  Ruth was a woman who at that time in her culture had most everything going against her: she was a widow among widows, away from her family, during a famine.  Yet she saw great deliverance and success.
Taught by Bruce Mahone on 20141019.    All rights reserved.
Verse Listing and Notes
Ruth 1:1-18; (ch. 2-4) 4:13-22: Ruth chose the true God.  Kinsman redeemer. Mat. 1:5.
(Ruth 3:7) There is an orientalism (eastern cultural custom) is this verse – They drink at the end of a meal (coffee or milk), this does not necessarily mean liquor.  Threshing floors are always on a high, rocky place.  Oxen and buffalo walk on the grain to crush it down.  The mouth of the ox should not be muzzled.  The laborer is worthy of his hire.  This work is always done at night by moonlight.  No women are allowed on the threshing floor at night.  The owner comes and sits on a pile of corn in the corner.
(Ruth 3:9) There is an orientalism (eastern cultural custom) is this verse- She lay down at his feet as a sign of submission, surrender.  She was asking him to redeem her, marry her.  She asked him to spread his mantle (not skirt) over her.  In doing so, he was showing protection, promising to marry her.
Teaching

859 Practical Living Turn Arounds, Part 3 – Ruth

Practical Living: Turn Arounds, Part 2  – Paul cont. (#858)
This is a continuation of our study of turnarounds in the Bible, here we continue reading from Acts of the record of Paul’s life and how God brought Paul through some very tough circumstances after he disobeyed God and returned to Jerusalem.
Taught by Bruce Mahone on 20141005.    All rights reserved.
Verse Listing
Acts 21:37-23:10        Paul before the Sanhedrin
Acts 23:11                   And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer,
Acts 23:12ff                 Paul barely escapes the mob
Acts 24:27                    But after two years Porcius Festus left Paul bound.
Acts 25:10                    Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat
Acts 27:23-24               For there stood by me this night the angel of God, Saying, Fear not, Paul;
Acts 28:23                     He expounded and testified the kingdom of God concerning Jesus
Acts 28:30-31               And Paul dwelt two whole years preaching the kingdom of God
Gal 6:18                         Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen. [[[To [the] Galatians written from Rome.]]]
Eph 6:24                        [[[To [the] Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.]]]
Phil 1:12-18                   Fallen out unto the furtherance of the gospel, all in the palace
Phl 4:22-23                     They of Caeasar’s household salute you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen. [[[To [the] Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus.]]]
Col 4:18                          The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen. [[[Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.]]]
2Ti 1:16-17                     But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found [me].
2 Tim 4:16                      Nevertheless, the Lord stood with me
2Ti 4:22                            [[[The second [epistle] unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.]]]
Phm 1:25                         [[[Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.]]]
Teaching

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Practical Living: Righteous Living
The righteousness we have been provided through the ministry of Jesus Christ ensures our eternal life.  In this teaching, we’ll look at how righteousness helps us spiritually and what it means for our daily life.  By the way, being righteous basically means you are right before God; there is no conflict or division between you and God, no disagreement. 
Taught by Bruce Mahone on August 20140907.    All rights reserved.
Verse Listing
856 Practical Living – Righteous Living
Psa 112:4                     Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; he is righteous
Prov. 28:1                     The righteous are bold as a lion
Prov. 18:10                   The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe
Isa 32:17                      The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever
Deut 6:25                     It shall be our righteousness if we observe to do
Acts 13:39                    Justified from all things that you could not be justified by the law
Rom 3:20 ff                 By the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified (vs. 20)
Rom 4:1-5                    Faith counted for righteousness (vs. 5)
Rom. 4:17-25               Believing imputed for righteousness
Rom 5:1-8                     Justified by faith (vs. 1)
Romans 10:9, 10         Believeth unto righteousness.
I Cor. 1:30                    Christ Jesus is made unto us righteousness.
II Cor. 5:21                  That we might be made the righteousness of God.
Gal 2:16                       A man is not justified by the works of the law
Gal 3:11                       The just shall live by faith
Phil. 3:9                        Righteousness through the believing of Jesus Christ.
I John 3:20, 21             If our heart condemn us, God is greater.
Righteousness is the God-given justification (freedom from the penalties of sin) whereby a person stands in the presence of God without any consciousness of sin, guilt, or shortcomings.
Because we have been justified, we are righteous.
Romans 8:26-39 – More than conquerors.
The whole world is trying to earn righteousness by their own deeds, which they can never do.  We have the joy of walking in the righteousness which he already accomplished for us, by his perfect, accomplished believing as our lord and savior.
Teaching [39:14]

856-Practical-Living-Righteous-Living

Practical Living: Turn Arounds, Part 1 – Paul  (#857)
Today we’re going to talk about turnarounds.  We often here about corporate turnarounds, where an experienced manager or leader is brought in to get a company profitable again.  God is real good at turnarounds and He can take people who are in real tough situations and turn things around so they come out victorious.  We’ve read many of these records before, but to address some recent questions we’ve had regarding Paul, we’ll take another look first at some Old Testament records and then we’ll review the records pertaining to Paul in the New Testament.
Taught by Bruce Mahone on 20140921.    All rights reserved.
Verse Listing
I Kings 21:18-29         Ahab was wicked, but humbled himself (vs. 29)
II Kings 20:1-11         Hezekiah sick unto death, prayed, and healed (vs. 7)
Acts 20:7-21:36          Paul went to Jerusalem against the will of the Lord
Teaching

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Raisie Your Vision
We may have challenges, problems, pressures and things maybe are way beyond our physical and mental ability to deal with, but God’s ability and resources are much bigger than our abilities and any challenge we might face. We need to raise our vision in life beyond what you and I can do to match what God can do for us. He wants to help us, protect us, and supply our needs and give us deliverance in every area of life.
Taught by Bruce Mahone on August 20140817.    All rights reserved.
Verse Listing
855 Practical Living – Raise your Vision
II Kings 6:8-23           Chariots of fire – Raise your vision for your life
Ps. 60:11-12               Through God we shall do valiantly: for he shall tread down our enemies
Psalm 91                     1000, 10,000 shall fall, but it shall not come nigh thee (vs. 7)
Prov 16:3                     Commit(roll) your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established
Prov. 28:1                    The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion
Prov 29:18                   Where there is no vision (divine communication), the people perish (wander): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he
Eccl. 9:4                       For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope [986 – bittachown – trust, confidence, hope]
Jer 17:7                        Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope [4009 – mibtach – trust, confidence, refuge]the LORD is
Dan. 11:32                   The people that do know their God shall be strong (stand firm) and do exploits (take action)
II Cor. 4:(1-)18            Look not at those things which are seen
Phil 3:3                        Worship God in the spirit, rejoice in CJ, have no confidence in the flesh
Col 3:1-3                      Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth (vs. 1)
 
Teaching [41:32]

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Practical Living: Rejoice in Understanding, Part 2
This teaching is about rejoicing because we understand God’s Word.  We’ll look at some records that illustrate how important God’s Word is and how people throughout ages have rejoiced because they understood His Word and we’ll see how it is important for us understand God’s Word today and apply it in our daily lives.
Taught by Bruce Mahone.    August 3rd, 2014.  All rights reserved.
Verse Listing:
Psalms 107:20                 God’s Word brings healing and deliverance.
Psalms 119:105              God’s Word brings light where there was only darkness.  (cf. Isa. 50:11-12.)
Psalm 119:162                 I rejoice at thy Word
Proverbs 2:1-5                 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee (vs. 1), hid treasures (vs. 4)
Proverbs 3:13-26             More precious than rubies.
Proverbs 19:26                Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge
Jeremiah 15:16                Thy words were found and I did eat them
Jeremiah 36                     God’s Word is bigger than men.
Amos 8:11-13                   A thirst for hearing the word of the Lord
Matthew 4:1-11               God’s Word is the most powerful weapon there is.
Matthew 12:1-8                Jesus Christ asked them, “Have ye not read?” (shewbread)
 

Practical Living-Rejoice in Understanding – Part 2

This is classic teaching; a very practical and useful teaching.  It has been taught many times with some variations; Dr. Weirwille called it “The Secret to Radiant Living.”  It is just the way to live a radiant life by looking to God.  The basic theses is this: if you look to yourself and focus on your problems you’ll be miserable, if you look to others and focus on their successes or failures you’ll be distracted, but if you look to God you’ll be both peaceful and radiant.
Taught by Bruce Mahone.    July 6, 2014.  All rights reserved.
Look to yourself -> miserable
Psalm 77                      I have considered the days of old; commune with mine own heart (vss 5-6)
Prov 18:2                     A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart discover itself
Look to others -> distracted
Psalm 73                      I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (vs 3)
II Corinthians 10:12    They measuring themselves by themselves are not wise
Look to God -> peacefully radiant
Psalm 34                     They looked unto him, and were radiant (vs 4 – ASV et al)
Isaiah 26:3                  Perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee
Hebrews 12:2,3          Looking unto Jesus…consider him who endured
Hebrews 3:1               Consider the apostle and high priest…Christ Jesus
II Corinthians 4:18     We look not at the things which are seen, but not seen
Colossians 3:1-2        Set your affection (mind/thoughts) on things above
Conclusion: Love God
Joshua 22:1-5              Be diligent to love the Lord your God
Psalm 62:7-8               Trust in the rock of my strength, my refuge, pour out your hearts before him
Ecclesiastes 12:13      Whole duty of man: fear God and keep his commandments
Matthew 22:34-40      First and great commandment: love God
Romans 8:28               All things work together for good
 Teaching

Practical Living – A Radiant Life (Teaching 852)

This teaching starts with a summary of the teachings at the recent California believer’s camp and ends with the last teaching Bruce delivered there concerning God’s deliverance, and how God’s deliverance (or salvation as it is often translated in the New Testament) extends to all areas of our lives: Past, Present and Future.
Taught by Bruce Mahone.    July 20, 2014.  All rights reserved.
Key Verse:
Romans 1:16              The gospel is the power of God unto salvation
Past:
Psalm 103:11-14        As far as the east is from the west…removed our transgressions from us
Isaiah 1:18                  Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow
Philippians 3:13-16   Forgetting those things which are behind, reaching forth unto those before
Present:
Proverbs 3:5-6           In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths
Philippians 4:19        My God shall supply all your need
Psalm 37:1-6              Delight thyself also in the Lord…the desires of thine heart (vs. 4)
Philippians 4:6ff        Anxious for nothing… (Isaiah 26:3)
Psalm 119:165         Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them (Psalm. 37:37)
I Peter 2:24                By whose Stripes Ye Were Healed
I John 3:20-22            If our heart condemn us not…we receive of him
I John 4:17-19            Perfect love casteth out fear
I John 5:14-15            If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us
Proverbs 15:15         He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast
James 4:7                   Resist – he will flee
I Timothy 6:17           Trust in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy
Future:
I Timothy 1:1             Lord Jesus Christ our hope
Colossians 1:3-5        For the hope which is laid up (NIV: stored up) for you in heaven – vs. 5
I Peter 1:3-5               Begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
 

Practical Living: Love God
This teaching is about rejoicing because we understand God’s Word.  We’ll look at some records that illustrate how important God’s Word is and how people throughout ages have rejoiced because they understood His Word and we’ll see how it is important for us understand God’s Word today and apply it in our daily lives.
Taught by Bruce Mahone.    June 22, 2014.  All rights reserved.
Verse Listing:
Gen. 1:3                      God spoke, and it happened!
Num. 23:19               God keeps His Word when He promises.
Deut. 17:14-20         The king shall read therein all the days of his life (vs. 19)
Deut. 32:44-47         It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life
Joshua 8:30-35         Joshua read all the words of the law (vss. 34-35)
II Sam. 23:1-4          Clear shining after rain
II Kings 22:1-23:3    Josiah read the law of the Lord and did it
Neh. 8:8-12             They rejoiced because they understood the word of the Lord
Job 23:12                  I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food
Psalm 1:1-6              Delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it
Psalm 12:6               The words of the Lord are pure words
Psalm 19:14             Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, O LORD my strength

851 Practical Living – Rejoice in Understanding – Part 1

Practical Living: Love God
Although it is written many times in the Bible, we sometimes need to remind ourselves that the first great commandment is to love God.
Taught by Bruce Mahone.    June 8, 2014.  All rights reserved.
Verse Listing:
Deut. 6:4-5                  Love the Lord thy God
Deut. 7:7-9                  Them that love him
Deut. 10:12-16            Love him and serve
Deut. 11:1-25              Love the Lord
Deut. 30:15-20            Life and good
Joshua 22:1-5              Be diligent to love the Lord your God
I Chron. 10:1-14         How did Saul die?
Mat. 22:34-40             First and great commandment: love God
Rom. 8:28                   All things work together for good
I John 5:2-3                 For this is the love of God