Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Pe 1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”  Mercy is only needed for guilty people. In order to be saved, you have to acknowledge what the Lord says of each of us, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  I needed mercy. Thank God He has an abundance of it, supplied by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus in my place.

( 2Pe 1:3) “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”  There is nothing to add to the imparted salvation of God. He has given us ALL THINGS that pertain both unto life (eternal) and godliness (to become more like our Father). We do seek to do right to earn salvation. We seek to do right because we love Him and are thankful FOR that salvation!

(1Jn 1:3) “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”  Somewhere around 1976, my pastor Rev. HL Petty, influenced me to read through the Bible every year. I wish to share with you daily the things I have seen and heard. I encourage you to do the same. It will bring you into closer fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ!

(2Jn 1:1) “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;”  I believe “elect lady” is an euphemism for a church. It is absolute reality that when a person is a child of God they love the brethren, rather in their own church or other churches. It is a wonderful thing, that a saved person can go into a Bible teaching saved membership church and immediately find brothers and sisters to love.

(3Jn 1:3) “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”  There is nothing that blesses the soul more, than to hear of a brother or sister who lives the Christian life they profess to possess! Live for the glory of God! Give Him public praise for all things!

(Jude 1:3) “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Notice it is referred to as “common”. The doesn’t mean “common” as in everybody possesses it, but “common” as in “the same way”. Salvation is only through the blood of Jesus, repentance in faith, and the gift of everlasting bestowed that changed the person’s nature. It is not our place to add something in requirement; nor is it our place to take anything away from that which God requires.

(Rev 1:3) “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”  The reality is that this truth applies to the reading of all the Word of God. We are blessed when we do three things: read it; hear it; and keep it. It is not enough to read it; you will just gain knowledge. It is not enough to both read and hear it – really hear it. You will now be held responsible by the Lord for you what you know. You MUST keep it; do it; obey it.

(Mal 1:1) “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.”  Take away the prepositions and the sentence is “The burden”. “Of the Lord” tells me it is a burden the Lord is bearing. If you continue to read this book, you will find that Israel’s attitude of sin is the burden the Lord was bearing. It makes me wonder to what degree my own mental state and attitude burden my precious, holy, Lord.