Pathlight Studies

As 2015 draws to a close, and the new year approaches, there is much talk of resolutions. Many people make resolutions to lose weight, to get out of debt, to spend more time with family, or any of thousands of other well intentioned notions which they may or may not see through. Webster's dictionary defines the word "resolve" as "to make a definite and serious decision to do something." This is certainly a noble undertaking, as we all have areas of our lives which need improvement, aspects which we would either seek to minimize, or accentuate, or alleviate altogether. Let's look at a few examples of resolve throughout the bible and examine the process and the outcome of reaching a conclusion, and of making a definite and serious decision to do something...  The first example we'll look at is found in  Genesis, chapter 6, verses 6-13, as Abraham is told by God that he must sacrifice his son Isaac..." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering,...

As Christmas approaches, I'd like for us to take a look at Luke's often quoted and very eloquent account of the birth of Jesus, and the bringing of the good news to the people. It is found in Luke chapter 2, verses 8-14, and you may remember it as quoted by Linus in the Charlie Brown Christmas special, a touching and memorable way in which Charles Schulz brought the true meaning of Christmas to millions of children, many of whom might not otherwise have come to know it. It is a beautiful and poignant narrative of the events surrounding the birth of Christ. So, we'll begin by reading these verses, and then we'll look at them in detail... Lights,please... " And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of ...

This week, we're going to look at James, chapter 4, verses 7-10, and examine how our closeness and intimacy with God is dependent on our willingness to let go of self and outside influences and open ourselves up completely to Him. " Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. " The first thing that we notice in our reading is that we are to submit ourselves to God. This is an entirely voluntary action on our part. Our submission is dependent on our understanding that, apart from God, and without His Divine intervention, and intercession, we are without hope. We all must come to this conclusion of our own volition. For most people, this realiz...

This week, I'd like to talk about the unchanging nature of God, in contrast with our rapidly changing, and even declining, society. There is a beautiful old song called "Hold To God's Unchanging Hand" and I'd like to share the first verse..." Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand. " The only thing that remains the same, and will continue to remain the same, is the nature and love of God. Hebrews chapter 13, verse 8 tells us..." Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. " In Psalm 90:4 we are told..." For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. " Things around us may change, but God will never change. James tells us that with God, there is " no variableness, neither shadow of turning. " Let's think about this...not only will God never change,...

This week, I'd like to talk about an obscure and somewhat controversial figure from the Old Testament named Melchizedek. Webster's dictionary defines the word "enigma" as a situation or person that is difficult to understand or explain, and Melchizedek was certainly the very definition of an enigma. We'll begin by reading the only actual account of Melchizedek, and of what he did. We find this in Genesis 14:18-20..." And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. " Although this is the only account of Melchizedek's actions, Paul has a lot more to say about him in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews.  First, a little background on what occurred here. Abram had just returned ...

This week, we're going to take a look at one of the most intriguing and mysterious summaries of the life and death of Jesus. This is a brief section of scripture, but it is very profound, and contains indisputable facts which prove beyond a doubt the deity of Christ. So, let's read Phillippians chapter 2, verses 5-11... Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father....

I'd like for us to take a look at Ephesians chapter 4, verses 17-32, where the Apostle Paul lays out a blueprint for our transformation from darkness into light. He also explains the distinct differences between the mental states of a person before and after they are exposed to the love of Jesus. We'll begin with verse 17, and read a few verses, then try to expound upon their meaning... Ephesians 4:17-19...This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Paul is here outlining the idea for our transformation, laying the groundwork for the changes that are to come. Keep in mind, although this epistle was written to Gentiles in the first c...

This week, I'd like to discuss the power of the tongue, the damage as well as the good that it can do, and the great responsibility that we are faced with in regards to the use of our tongue. Our main text will be the third chapter of James, but we'll also look at several other verses throughout the bible which have application to the use of the tongue. So, we'll begin with James, chapter 3, looking at a few verses at a time, and discuss their meaning...v.1,2  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. James warns us here of the greater responsibility that a teacher, or a preacher, has in regards to the leading of God's people, and the fact that speaking the truth, even when it is done in love, is going to be offensive to many. We all, no matter how pure our intentions may be, will slip from t...

I'd like for us to take a look at Romans chapter 12, verses 1 and 2, which are some of the most profound words ever written by the Apostle Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 12:1&2... I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Verse 1 begins with Paul's admonition to the church at Rome, and to us as well, as he very passionately implores us that that through God's mercy, we sincerely present ourselves to God just as we are, but ready and willing to be changed by Him, in any way that he sees fit. To be a living sacrifice means that we must give up all of our self, in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Our self indulgent impulses, negative thoughts and act...

Heavy is the head that wears the crown ...I saw this phrase on a t-shirt the other day, and I think it was an NBA shirt or something, I don't know exactly, but the phrase stuck in my head. Just think about it for a minute. Heavy is the head that wears the crown ... I think about David and all that he had gone through before he ever became king, and then once he assumed the throne the terrible sin that he committed with Bathsheba, and then the fact that he murdered Uriah, her husband, by sending him into the hottest part of the battle and then having his troops pull back so that Uriah would be killed...David may just as well have drawn the sword and thrust it through him himself. David knew how wrong this was even before the ac t was committed, but he still went through with it. As king, he had the power to make it happen. This was a very displeasing thing in the sight of the Lord, and eventually David repented of the evil that he had done, and God did forgive him, although it cost ...

As Halloween approaches, we see and hear a lot more about sorcery, witchcraft, the occult, and evil spirits. I'd like to take a look at what the bible has to say on these issues. There are many instances in the bible where sorcery is mentioned, and always with negative connotations, and severe consequences. Several times God commanded that those who practiced witchcraft or sorcery were to be put to death. We'll begin in Exodus, chapter 7, verses 8 thru 12... And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with thei...