Rico's Ramblings
 

Well, I have made a decision. I am in college now, and part of what I am learning is how to write. One of the things I have wanted to do for quite some time is put some mini bible studies together, but I lack the skills to adequately get my thoughts together and then put them down on paper. So, I have decided that the best way for me to put the things I am learning in college to work for me would be to produce some mini bible studies. My goal will be one Bible study per week. Nothing earther shattering, mind you, just basic studies on different topics with some commentaries thrown in for good measure.

One of the key factors in good writing is to have others offer feedback. That's where y'all come in! :D I am going to take a chance, put my thoughts down, give some scripture, and see where it leads. The only I ask from you is that you be honest with me.

I've decided to stay away from standards topics, primarily because I'm burned out on going back and forth, rehashing the same old same old over and over again.

I don't know what day of the week I will post my study for the week, but I definitely would like to get one study completed per week. The topic for my first study is-Oneness, Revelation or Common Knowledge? Stay tuned. :)

Thank you! :D

I look forward to reading your ramblings. Ya never know, I just may have something to add sometime. ;)

great post on.

Way to go Rico. Congrats on the decision to go back to school!!

Sister, to be honest with you I am a bit nervous about doing this. I generally don't let my spiritual side show much around these parts, because I have seen too many people get ripped to shreds when they try to share the things God has shown them. I don't know if I am ready to read what people will have to say about the things I feel God has shown me. Still, I want to do this because there are some topics, like Christmas, that I would like to eventually put some in depth studies together on. I know I have to take smaller steps before I can tackle the deeper subjects I'd like to make my feelings known on.

Everybody knows me as the loud mouthed fat guy with a beard, that goes after preachers that like to legislate from the pulpit, but there's more to me than that. Every now and then I spit some things out worth discussing, but it's not very often. I'd like to maybe try changing that image a bit. I will most likely still be the loud mouthed fat guy with a beard, but I'd like to be known for contributing to the discussion in a more positive light.

I look forward to reading them bro............

Well, I finally got my first draft of my first mini study together and have submitted it to someone I trust for review. Depending on whatever changes need to be made I may get it posted later today. Y'all go easy on me, OK? I'm new at putting bible studies together and am very nervous about posting anything to this site, or any other for that matter. I have definitely decided to go with an easier topic for my next one! :D

Can't wait to read it..........

Why? Are you waiting to pounce on me as soon as I post it?!?!?! :D

Here Goes.....
 

Well, I just heard back from someone I trust on my bible study so here goes.............don't beat me up too awful bad, ok? :)



Oneness. Revelation or Common Knowledge?

For years I have heard it preached. For years I’ve heard I’ve heard ministers declare the revelation of the Oneness of God. Usually it happens when preachers are preaching against Trinitarian doctrine. We’ve heard it before. “Trinitarians just need the revelation of the Oneness of God!” While I agree that Trinitarians need a revelation, I am not so sure it’s a revelation of the Oneness of God. It doesn’t take much in the way of study to see there’s only one God and it doesn’t take much to get Trinitarians to agree there’s only one God. All throughout the scriptures the One God is declared.

• DE 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
• ISA 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.
• ISA 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
• ISA 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.
• ISA 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
• HO 13:4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
• EPH 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
• JAS 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

It’s evident that there’s only one God. There is no revelation of the Oneness of God. It’s common knowledge, available to anyone with even the most basic of study tools. The Jews know it. The Trinitarians know it. And Apostolics know it.

So, what exactly is this revelation that sets Apostolic believers apart from Trinitarians? I submit the true revelation is in knowing God’s name. It’s in having Him reveal Himself in a personal way that opens the door for face to face communication with God, on a first name basis. Let’s begin by taking a look at some of Jesus’ interactions with those around Him and things He said about Himself.

• John 8:23-24 And he said unto the, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
• John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
• John 14:7-9 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
• John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus not only claimed to be from above and not of this world, but He also told His disciples that they did well for calling Him Master and Lord. He also went so far as to claim deity and told His disciples if they had seen Him they had already seen the Father. In light of this and the previously posted scriptures, we see that Jesus did not hide His identity from the people around Him. Simply put, He claimed to be none other than God.

So how does all of this tie into knowing God’s name and Him revealing that name to us? Consider the following scriptures.

• Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
• John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
• John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou has loved me may be in them, and I in them.
• Acts 9:1-5 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

In these scriptures we see several things. First, Jesus said no one knows who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. This tells me that Jesus has to reveal to us who the Father is. We also see Jesus, while praying for His disciples, specifically saying to the Father that He had manifested, (made known), His name, (the Father’s), to His disciples. He goes on in His prayer to say He had declared His name, (the Father’s) unto them. Either the disciples didn’t hear Him or they heard Him wrong, because the only name they ever used when calling on the power of God was the name, JESUS. By definition the name means Jehova-Saviour. It, Jesus, is the only known saving name. They prayed in that name, baptized in that name, and healed in that name.

I believe the last setting of scripture, ACTS 9:1-5, gives us an example of God revealing His name to a man. Saul was not your ordinary run of the mill man. He was an educated man. In Phillipians 3 he describes his qualifications. PHP3:5-6, Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Isreal, of the tribe of Bejamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrew; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. He was a man who had power.

When that light shone around Saul he knew that he was having an encounter with none other than God. Why else would a man, educated as he was, say, “Who art thou, Lord?” He was acknowledging that he was being spoken to by God. The voice from heaven answered with, “I am Jesus…”

“I am Jesus” is the revelation the world needs. "I am Jesus" are the three words that can completely change one’s understanding of scripture. "I am Jesus" is the key to tapping into God’s power for our lives. Knowing God’s name, JESUS, will open a line of communication between you and God you’ve never experienced. Knowing there’s one God isn’t enough. That’s common knowledge anyone can find out for themselves with just a little bit of study. Meeting that God on the road of your life, and having Him reveal Himself to you is what will forever change you.

Rico,

I think you did an excellent job. I think you hit the nail right on the head.............

Rico, I think you did a great job on the bible study. I never thought of it from quite that angle and I really enjoyed the way you presented the scriptures.

RICO!!!! This is EXCELLENT!!!!!!!

The Name and Holiness
 

I have decided on the title for my next Bible study. I will call it "The Name and Holiness." I am hoping to have it done in the next few days. Right now I just have a title and a basic idea of how I want the study to flow. I am amazed at how much my schooling is helping me to organize my thoughts. It is much easier to write once basic elements such as purpose, audience, and tone are established.

Keep up the good work, Rico. Also, I think Thursday is a good day for you to submit this. ThuRsday for Rico's Ramblings.

Looking forward to the next edition.......................

Still looking forward to it........................ :)

Brother, I have been very busy this week with school work. I also ended up getting a bit sidetracked when I started reading about partaking in the suffering of Jesus. I already know what it is I want to include in the study, but I simply have not taken the time to get it all together. Maybe this weekend...............

Bump...............

Brother, I am hoping to have the time to dedicate to this this weekend. I am itching to get this one done! :D

Rico, that was very well put!

I hope to read more from you.

Thank you, but I can not take the credit for it. The Lord gave me that Bible study.

Still waiting.....................

Someone FORGOT................ lol

Hey Brother Rico

That's great you're in school! Keep up the good work!

And I agree...the world needs to know that JESUS is LORD!

How can you have a relationship with someone and you don't even know his/her name??

Great study, dude!

Peace to you

No, I haven't forgotten, Brother. I haven't had the time to do much more than post here and there lately. My work and school schedule had been keeping me pretty much tied up right now. I believe the Lord has worked out a different path for me to learn computer programming; one that won't require me to go to college. I am not sure about it yet, but I should know more by the end of this week. If it works out where I don't have to go to college to learn the programming languages, then I will have more time for posting. :D:D:D:D:D

I also just bought a pretty cool Bible program called Bible Explorer. It is helping me study the Bible in a faster, better manner. I have most of the scriptures for my next study together, but I need to arrange them and add the comments. So, it should be ready in the next couple of weeks. (Keep your fingers crossed!)

This isn't what I expected to read when I opened "Rico's Ramblings!" :D Nice piece!

Re: Rico's Ramblings
 

JUSTICE


Jer 32:26-44 (KJV)
26 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? 28 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it: 29 And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger. 30 For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD. 31 For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face, 32 Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. 34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it. 35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. 36 And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;


While I was reading this scripture last night, the Lord spoke the word, "justice" into my spirit. I had intended on reading more, as my custom has become to read 3-5 chapters at any sitting, but I decided to stop and just think about justice for awhile.

Justice is one of God's strongest characteristics. In fact, I would go so far as to say it's one of the strongest forces at work in the mind of God. I looked up the word "justice" in Strong's. More than one word is used for "justice" in the OT, but they all come from the following root word:


Hebrew Strong's Number: 6663
Hebrew Word: ‏צָדַק‎
Transliteration: ṣādaq
Phonetic Pronunciation:tsaw-dak'
Root: a primitive root
Cross Reference: TWOT - 1879
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Righteous (To Be)


Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV:
justify 23
righteous 10
just 3
justice 2
cleansed 1
clear ourselves 1
righteousness 1
[Total Count: 41]

a primitive root; to be (causative make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) :- cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be, turn to) righteous (-ness).

God is driven by a sense of what is right. While speaking to Jeremiah, He gave His reasons for pronouncing judgment over Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. In His sovereignty, God expected certain things from His people. In a nutshell, they had turned away from Him and were serving other gods. God put up with it until His sense of justice demanded that they be punished, and it drove Him to pronounce judgment over Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. Some would die by the sword, some would die by pestilence, and others were destined for captivity. God's mind was made up, they were going to be punished, and that was the end of it.

Or was it? He had no sooner pronounced judgment over them when we see him saying the following to Jeremiah:


Jer 32:37-44 (KJV)
37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: 38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: 39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. 41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. 42 For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. 43 And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. 44 Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.


In an apparent "about face", God starts telling Jeremiah the punishment of His people will not be permanent. He begins telling Jeremiah the good things He has in store for them; how He's going to be their God; how He's going to replant them in the land He promised them; how their hearts will once again be turned towards Him.

Why, you ask? Because of God's sense of justice! That same sense of justice, that demanded they be punished, also demanded their punishment not be permanent. God had made promises to His people to bring good to them, and His sense of justice would not allow Him to punish them permanently! What an awesome God He is!

As I was thinking on these things last night, I couldn't help but think about the cross and the mission God was on when He came to Earth all those years ago. See, justice demands that we be punished for our sin. Justice demands that judgment be pronounced over man because of his disobedience to God. The wages of sin truly are death, and none of us can escape this judgment on our own.

God's sense of judgment, however, also demanded that He make a way of escape for us. He knew that His creation was weak and frail. He could see that we would never be able to live up to the standard of sinlessness a sinless God such as Himself required. So, He formulated a plan, a way of escape for the creation He loves so much. He would come down to where we are and be what we could not be. He would create for Himself a body He could live in. A body He could use as the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of man. He could, once and for ever, reconcile His creation unto Himself. He would come to Earth, fulfill his own requirement for sinlessness, and sacrifice the body He created for Himself, so that I could one day see Him face to face and call Him Saviour, Redeemer, Lord, and my God. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thank God for His sense of justice!

Re: Rico's Ramblings
 

The Gospel; the foundation upon which anyone who considers themselves a Christian. The good news that Jesus the Christ came to Earth, died on a cross, and rose again the third day. News that is designed to bring about a profound change in anyone it comes into contact with. A truth so powerful it is able to save anyone who believes it from an eternity without God. Man is no longer destined to be a slave to sin, but promised an abundant life. A life full of joy, peace, overcoming power, and the knowledge that God has made a way for us to come live with Him forever. O the things Christ suffered to buy us this abundant life. Rejected by the very people He came to save, He suffered many things. Things He had to suffer because He was destined to suffer them:

Matt 16:21 (KJV)
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matt 17:12 (KJV)
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Mark 8:31 (KJV)31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

There can be no doubt that Christ suffered while on Earth. He endured the suffering, so that you and I could enjoy a life full of happiness, joy, and peace. Or did He?

The lost message of the Gospel is that it will fall upon us to suffer as well. No one who wants to follow Christ does so without taking up his cross and following Him. Christianity and suffering go hand in hand. His disciples suffered. His apostles suffered. Countless others have suffered for the Cross as well. Some have suffered to the point of giving their very lives for the Gospel.

Matt 16:24-25 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Romans 8:17 (KJV)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Phil 1:29 (KJV)
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

2 Tim 3:12 (KJV)
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution

1 Peter 4:1 (KJV)
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;


How about you? What has your walk with Christ brought you? How much have you suffered with Christ? Take comfort, my friend. Your suffering is not in vain. Those who really want to know Him will suffer as He suffered and countless others who have gone before you.

2 Cor 1:7 (KJV)
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

2 Tim 2:12 (KJV)
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

1 Peter 4:13-14 (KJV)
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

1 Peter 4:16 (KJV)
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

So, my friend, the next time you feel persecution coming your way; the next time you feel temptation coming over you; the next time that spirit of oppression sets its sights on you, just know that Christ suffered before you. Take comfort in knowing you have been counted worthy of suffering. Focus on that Power living within you. Power to overcome this world and all the pain and suffering it brings with it. Be thankful that, for a time, you get to be just like Jesus and walk by faith.

I want to know Him. I want to really know Him. I want for Him to see me as someone who doesn’t live for Him because of His joy, peace, and the abundant life He’s offering me. I want to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. I want for Him to see me as a co-laborer in His divine plan to save the world.