Graham's Bible Study

Healthy people have capacity for healthy relationships, which makes for healthy organizations. Hence, Jesus prayed: “Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth. My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are…” (John 17:17 & 21, TLB). Human nature challenges this ideal! For example, of the church at Corinth, Paul said, “…I hear that there are divisions among you…” (1 Cor 11:18, NLT). “…If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand” (Mark 3:25, NRSV).

“Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory…” (Isa 43:7, NLT). “…We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things—[‘…that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord… [to] observe and hear all… [His] words…’ (Deut 6:18; 12:28)]—He planned for us long ago. …You Gentiles used to be outsiders. …In those days you were living apart from Christ.

“…Our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course” (Jer 10:23, NLT). “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers” (Pss 1:1, NRSV). “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling” (Pss 119:105, TLB). “[Thus], after the death of Moses, the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, ‘Moses my servant is dead.

“One day Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, take these people up to the Promised Land. But you haven’t‘ told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor…. The Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you’” (Exo 33:12-14, NLT). It is human to counsel with your fears or limitations and to be uncertain (Exo 4:10-12).

“…My people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intentions of doing what you say…” (Eze 33:31, NLT). “Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. …Pay attention to what I say” (Job 34:2 & 16, NLT). “…Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live” (Prov 4:4, NLT). “…Never stray from what I am about to say” (Prov 5:7, NLT), “…and pay attention to my words” (Prov 7:24, NLT). “…Commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine.

“…You have cultivated wickedness and raised a thriving crop of sins. You have earned the full reward of trusting in a lie—believing that military might and great armies can make a nation safe” (Hos 10:13, TLB). “Don’t go to war without wise guidance…” (Prov 24:6, TLB). “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov 14:34, NLT). “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory” (Prov 11:14, NASB).

“…Son of man, are you ready to judge Jerusalem…, the city of murderers? Publicly denounce her detestable sins, and give her this message from the Sovereign Lord: ‘O city of murderers, doomed and damned—city of idols, filthy and foul—you are guilty because of the blood you have shed. You are defiled because of the idols you have made. Your day of destruction has come. You have reached the end of your years. I will make you an object of mockery throughout the world. O infamous city, filled with confusion, you will be mocked by people far and near.