Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Focus Verses:   Job 1:21

Today’s Discussion:    “The Lord Gives and Takes”

The most important question for believers is “from whence cometh our help”  According to Psalms 121:1, our help comes from the LORD.  The “help” to which I am referring can be defined in so many different ways.  Abraham testifies that God will provide.  The bible confirms that God will supply all our needs according to HIS riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19)

The lesson aim is to confirm that God is our greatest resource.  More importantly, God never comes up short or falls behind on his commitment to provide for us. (Numbers 23:19)

Job’s testimony following the multiple calamities that took him by surprise bears witness of the grace of God toward us.  We are benefactors of God’s grace and mercy.  We have not earned this right but it has been afforded to us by God.  Job’s reaction and response to all that occurred should inspire every reader to reevaluate our relationship to the “Holy and Almighty God”.  Job identifies to acts of God that are governed by HIS sovereignty:

“the Lord gave and the Lord taketh away” KJV

“the Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away” NLT

“God gives, God takes.” MSG

“The Lord gave these things to me, and he has taken them away.” NCV

What can we take from this passage of scripture that can be applied to everyday life?

Final thought:  God wants to have constant habitation with us and not just unscheduled visitations. 

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  Daniel 6:16-22)

Focus Verses: Daniel 6:22     

Today’s Discussion:    “I’m Still Here”

When there is a major catastrophe, many are presumed dead before rescue attempts are launched.  Too often we make assumptions within our minds before we express them to others. With thoughts of doubt and hopelessness, we make comments like “there’s no way that anyone could have survived” that storm.  Our expressions of disbelief are driven by our lack of faith in God’s ability to perform miracles. 

The lesson aim is to show that our deliverance comes from God.  More importantly, we must also note that God’s deliverance of HIS children is a result of them trusting in HIM. [Question: Where is your faith?]

On the hills of God’s unquestionable power of over fire, Daniel finds himself in a similar dilemma.  There are times in our lives when God permits calamity, tragedy or tribulations to occur.  However, God does not give us any fore-warning as to when these trials may come.  Thus, we must always be prepared to “endure hardship as a good soldier”.  Nevertheless, no matter when these trials befall us, we must not loose FAITH in God.    According to James 1:2-4, he urges his readers to “consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors”. (from THE MESSAGE)

Daniel’s greatest test came at a time when things seemed to be going well.  The same culprits that challenged him are still operating in our world today; envy, jealousy, and pride.  Nonetheless, Daniel validates the psalmist’s testimony of God’s divine intervention in our lives. (Read: Psalms 121)  The writer’s intent is to show us that our Father’s “creation is before us”; HIS ‘eyes are upon us”; HIS “presence is beside us”; and HIS “care is around us”.  Daniel 6:16-21 embodies the very proof that we need to persuade non-believers to put their faith in God so that others can believe.  Prayer and worship are the foundation of Daniel’s relationship with God.  Thus, when trials come he is not moved to FEAR. 

Daniel 6:20-22

20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?  21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.  22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me:

Daniel’s response to the king’s cry is the very testimony we need to prove that our God is able.

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  I Samuel 30:1-19

Focus Verses: I Samuel 30:8  

Today’s Discussion:    “Authorized Warfare”

Who gives us permission to engage in warfare?  What individual/group/delegation has the authority to wage war on another individual/nation/faction? What is the criterion that supports any decision to execute an attack against a perceived enemy/adversary?

All of these questions require legitimate answers.  Some body has to take responsibility for initiating battles or waging wars which will end in human casualties.  Consequently, the same rules apply in spiritual warfare.  Warfare for the Children of Israel was more of a physical encounter. However, for the NT church the warfare is more spiritual.

(II Corinthians 10:4)

The lesson aim is to show how we should respond to a surprise attack.  More importantly, we must always come before the Almighty God to seek HIS will and to receive divine instructions.

It is no secret who we are in God.  Everybody knows that we belong to God.  Even those that have refused to live under the divine theocracy are keenly aware of the hedge of protection that covers us. (Joshua 2:9-11; 5:1)  David’s popularity and purpose was known throughout the region.  His claim to fame came following his single-handed victory of the Philistine champion, Goliath. Because of his confidence in God and his courage to contend with the giant God exalted him to become the military might for the children of Israel.  (I Samuel 18:5) From this day forward David learned how to deal with his enemies.  When God anoints us to represent HIM, we become a moving target internally and externally.    

Now, let’s fast forward to I Samuel 30.  David is leading a small regimen of soldiers under the banner of deception and conspiracy.  Thus, we can conclude that there are some battles we have forged that were not in the will of God.  Therefore, we suffer defeat even after God has promised to give us victory.   However, David’s actions in verses 7 and 8 are a great example of how we should respond unexpected storms in our lives.  David gives us the steps to victory.

1. prepare yourself
2. pray to God for instructions

What steps have you taken to win your next battle?

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  Joshua 3:1-8

Focus Verses: Joshua 3:7-8    

Today’s Discussion:    “Following God’s Instructions”

What are the main struggles of the people of God?  There are two in particular that outweighs them all:

• Broken Relationship with God (John 14:21-23; Revelations 3:20)
• Lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:1;6)

The lesson aim is to show the rewards of following God.  More importantly, we must also see the blessing behind following God’s appointed leader.  For those of us that profess to trust God, we must also be willing to follow God’s leader.  He or she is the one that has been anointed and appointed to execute God’s plan and implement God’s strategies against the enemy. 

God’s appointment of Joshua as the leader was strategic and proved to be successful.  We learn in chapter 1 that God commissions Joshua to move the people forward.  We also hear God make promises to Joshua that follows him throughout his entire tenure as God’s appointed.  However, we must clearly understand why and how Joshua was chosen. (Deut. 3:24-28; 31:7-8) 

Josh 3:7-8

And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. KJV

Joshua’s success was contingent upon his willingness to obey God’s instructions. God’s word is HIS instruction manual to us for success in life. (Joshua 1:8)  If we hope to stay strong in the midst of our battles or storms, we must be willing to surrender to the will of God.     

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  Isaiah 40:26-31

Focus Verses: Isaiah 40:29    

Today’s Discussion:    “God is the Source of Our Strength”

What makes a person strong?  As our physical strength diminishes we still have spiritual strength to keep us moving forward. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 – “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” KJV)

• Swift – [qal (kal)] light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial):
• Strong – [gibbor (ghib-bore')]  powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:

The lesson aim is to confirm through scripture that God is the source of our strength.  More importantly, we must also note that the strength that God provides belongs to HIM.

The Prophet Isaiah provides the greatest opportunity for those that are weak and faint to be empowered to go forward.  Isaiah’s motivation comes from his knowledge of God’s character and HIS “amazing grace”.  Isaiah 40:29 serves as a reservoir of hope to anyone that is considering giving up in the battle against the enemy.

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

KJV

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. NLT

“He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. The Message

Isaiah points the people to God as the source of their strength.  He give them direction and instruction through inspiration. 

The end result recorded in verse 31 is the culmination of this motivation.  God wants to empower us for kingdom work.  God is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM”.  

A Moment in Time Bible Study Lesson

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Series: The Joy of the Lord

Background Scripture: I Peter 1:8

Focus Verse: Psalms 118:24 (KJV)   

Today’s Discussion:    “A Moment in Time”

Since the beginning of time, God has concealed all dates and times.  No one else, other than God, knows who, what, when, where and how for any event that will take place in this world whether catastrophic, historic, or just natural. (Deuteronomy 29:29; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Acts 1:6-7)

The lesson aim is to appreciate God for HIS grace and mercy.  More importantly, as disciples we must learn to give God thanks for everyday HE gives us.  We should use the “Lord’s Day” to reflect on God’s divine providence and provision afforded to us from minute to minute, day to day, month to month, and year to year.

David is compelled by the spirit to praise God for giving him another day.  He has toiled because of his enemies.  However, God had given him a day of reprieve.  David’s heart is overjoyed for the opportunity to spend the day giving God thanks without interruption or distraction. Now, David recognizes the rewards of having a day of worship.  From David’s example we must learn to see God in every experience.  We must learn to respond with thanksgiving and praise for all that God has done and is doing for us.  We should not make light of the daily blessings we receive from God.  Everyday is a day of thanksgiving.  Thus, David insists that we “rejoice and be glad”. 

Key terms in the text:

• Rejoice – [gheel] – to spin around
• glad – [saw-makh] – to brighten up

Final thought:  God wants to have constant habitation with us and not just unscheduled visitations.  

Church of the Living God Bible Study

Presenter: Evangelist Sheree Tait

Date:   Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Series: JOY

Scripture Reference in Context: Nehemiah 8:1-10   Focus Verse: Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)       

Today’s Discussion:    True Joy

There are many things in this life that we find to be joyous, things that we believe make us happy and bring joy to our lives. We’ll entitle them joy perpetrators. They might to our family (children, spouse or significant other) and friends, our homes, our possessions, financial success, pets, television shows, vacations, doing things we enjoy and the list goes on and on. All of these things can be here today and gone today. However, true joy comes only from the Lord. He is the only constant in our lives, today, tomorrow and forever more.

What is joy? The bible defines joy in Nehemiah 8:10 as gladness. Webster defines a glad person as someone with a cheerful or happy disposition by nature, experiencing pleasure, joy or delight, full of brightness and cheerfulness.  When you read these definitions and you look around the body of Christ today, you don’t see much joy. There is a great deal of sadness, depression, frustration and hopelessness, but not a whole lot of joy.

Why is this? Again, because true joy comes ONLY from the Lord. It is not contingent upon our circumstances, what our day looks like, how we feel, what happened yesterday or even ten years ago. It based on a peace that passes all understanding and a relationship with God that is so strong that even in your most difficult days, your greatest tragedies and your saddest moments, the strength that comes from the joy of the Lord permeates in every area of your life and the gladness shines through for others to see and glorify God.

The scripture gives us multiple examples of how we can have and maintain true joy. Read the following passages:

Psalms 16:11           We can experience true joy when we spend time in His presence

Psalms 5:11              We can experience true joy when we trust in Him and love His name (or be in love with Him)

Isaiah 35:10              When we experience true joy, sorrow and sighing shall flee away (God will take away every pain and sorrow we experience in life)

Nehemiah 8:3            We can experience true joy when we are attentive to His Word (spending time focused on reading the Word without distractions)

Nehemiah 8:6            We can experience true joy when we spend time praising and worshiping the Lord

Nehemiah 8:9            We can experience true joy when we have hearts of repentance (we are sorry for our sin and repent)

Nehemiah 8:10          We can experience true joy when we operate in God’s strength no matter what!

True joy is not something that is only available for a few. It’s not something that is out of reach or 
impossible. It is something that is available to every believer if you follow the road map.  God

is standing by, waiting for us to lean and depend on Him. He is ready to fill us with His joy. He is

waiting for us to stop depending on the joy perpetrators in our lives. Instead, He wants us to

spend time in His presence, trust Him, fall in love with Him, be attentive to His Word, to repent

from our sins and spend time praising and worshiping Him. When we do these things, we will

begin to experience the “true joy” that God has in store for you. True joy will remove our hurts,

pains and sorrows and give us strength to not only endure but also overcome every trial,

tribulation, difficult circumstance and frustration. Then, we will be able to say what Nehemiah

said the “joy of the Lord is your strength.”