Pathlight Studies

This week, I'd like for us to take an in-depth look at one of the most popular chapters in the entire bible, one that many can recite from memory, the 23rd Psalm. As eloquently written as it is, there are many beautiful truths just below its surface, and our faith is strengthened as we search out the scriptures, and God reveals these things to us as we study His word. So, let us ponder the 23rd Psalm together... " The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in ...

We come to the conclusion of our "Sermon on the Mount" series this week as we take a look at Matthew Chapter 7, verses 13-29, and I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I'm so thankful for all the views of this series, and that I've been truly blessed and learned so much from this series of studies, and it is my prayer that is has been as helpful and enlightening for all of you as it has been for me, and so we pick it up at verse 13... " Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brin...

This week, we'll continue our study of the sermon on the mount with an in-depth look at Matthew, chapter 7, verses 1-12... " Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and ...

This week, we'll continue looking at the sermon on the mount, and pick it up at Matthew 6:25-34, and this week we'll pay particular attention to the teachings of Jesus as they relate to the problems of worry and doubt, and how to counteract their crippling effects on our life... " Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field...

Continuing with our study of the sermon on the mount, this week we'll look at Matthew 6:14-24, which contains some of the most profound and oft quoted sayings of Jesus, teachings which are certainly worthy of our attention. Beginning at verse 14..." For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures ...

Continuing with our study of the sermon on the mount, this week we'll read Matthew chapter 6, verses 1-13, and then take an in-depth look at the Lord's Prayer..." Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast ...

We'll continue our examination of the sermon on the mount, as we take a look at Matthew 5:13-48, the conclusion of the fifth chapter of Matthew, where Jesus details the distinct differences between those who would seek after righteousness and those who only seek their own satisfaction. Beginning at verse 13..." Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I  say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, o...