Daily Bible Study for Tuesday December
6, 2016
By: Hanny Lynn Stearns
Fish N
Loaves Ministries, Inc.
“Multiplying
God’s Word Around the Globe”
Chapter Reading
for Today: Please read in
your Bible before proceeding. Note that most translations are considered
paraphrases. The Young’s Literal Translation provides a more accurate
translation since he is the one who authored a concordance. Others are helpful
for seeing a different perspective, but we cannot always depend on their
wording. I trust this is helpful to you. If you are studying in another
version, that is fine. I am studying from the KJV.
***Please
note a change! We will look at everything for our basic study from the King
James Version going forward. It is helpful to stay with one solid version as we
study so as not to cause confusion. I may add other translations for specific
scriptures as the Lord directs.
One final note: I will put the scripture in italics to differentiate from my
own writing. I am adding red to the letters when
it is Jesus talking – just like the Bible. Thank you.
Bible Gateway Verse of the Day
John 10:14-15
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay
down my life for the sheep.
Psalm 115
Only God Can Give the Increase
This chapter certainly puts first things first – amen! Only God
gets the glory for all the blessings we receive. No man on the planet is to be
praised like only our God should be praised. The Lord made both the heavens and
the earth, and while He retained the heavens for His own dwelling place, He
graciously gave us the earth and the fullness thereof. If it had not been for
Him giving us this earth with all the provisions therein, we would be in
trouble, wouldn’t we? But, there’s more. Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father:
Thank You for all the things that You have done for the sons
of men on this planet. You have provided everything we would ever need to live
a fruitful and abundant, joy filled life – starting with Jesus. While many have
trusted in the works of their own hands as if they had obtained it on their
own, we who fear and love You know that You are indeed where our help and
strength and every need comes from. Father, I ask You to speak through me in
this message. Give me the anointing and the utterance to bring out what You want
said to those who You are bringing to read and drink from the water of Your
word. Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear in the spirit along with
hearts that are receptive to make the changes in our thinking that You desire
to make in us. Cause this message to go out unhindered and unchecked by any
outside force or my flesh. Bring a fresh anointing on Your servant so that Your
people will come up to new levels of trusting in You. Thank You for always
watching over Your word to perform it when we do what You say. Lord, we purpose
to be doers of Your word and not forgetful hearers. Thank You for answering
this prayer and bringing us up more and more as You give us the increase
through Your word. In Jesus name – amen.
I find it interesting after the day I had that this lesson
starts off the way it does. Here we see the heathen saying, “Where is your
God?” We know where He is. We know that He is living here in our hearts – the people
of His temple. We know that He made the heavens and dwells there also. He made
everything; heaven and earth. Yet the devil – satan has blinded the eyes of
millions to ask this foolish question. I encountered such a man in a business
transaction today.
When I asked him if I could pray for him, he said, “no,” he
was all set. I asked him if he had ever accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and
Savior and he said, “no.” He said he wasn’t sure if all that is true. But, I
told him that the Bible makes it clear who Jesus is – the Son of God. I also
advised him that there were many eyewitnesses of what happened when Jesus was
on the earth.
Next, I had to explain to him the reality of what would
happen to him if he chose not to receive Jesus. I let him know how much the
Lord loves him and wants him to have an abundant life. I let him know that the
Lord does not want anyone to go to hell. I explained how satan has blinded the
eyes of people, telling them to doubt God’s wonderful promises. But after all
that Holy Spirit spoke to this man as I obeyed the leading of the Father to say
the initial things He had spoken to me to say as I sat there, I claimed this
heathen for the kingdom.
I even said that to him. I told him I am claiming him to come
in to the kingdom – glory to God. None of this conversation would have taken
place if I had not been obedient to what I heard Holy Spirit tell me to do. Let’s
look at another man who decided he was going to live life his way and see what
happened to him…
Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in
purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And
there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of
sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which
fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was
carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was
buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in
torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy
on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and
cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But
Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good
things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art
tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a
great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot;
neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then
he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my
father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may
testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets;
let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham:
but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And
he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
It seems as if the man I spoke with today at the bank had
made up his mind he did not want to believe in Jesus or place his trust in him.
I had even explained to him that there have been people who have died and gone
to hell and came back to life to tell about it. “It is a terrible place” I told
him. Then I was led to ask him the question, “Why would someone who knows this
want to spend an eternity in nonstop torment in a flame of fire when they could
be with God in heaven and have joy and everything would be wonderful and
beautiful?”
This man listened intently to me and then he said when it was
all done that he would certainly think about it. Maybe he was being polite –
only the Lord knows. After all, I was opening a business account with their
bank. But it was the Lord who had asked me to speak the things I said to him,
and it was the Holy Spirit doing the talking when the conversation got started.
I felt such boldness come over me and the words were just flowing out of my
mouth. Whenever that happens, it is like I have left my body and am sitting across
the room while Holy Spirit has a conversation with the person – glory to God!
Indeed, He alone gets all the glory. I truly believe that the
Lord was trying to draw this man today. And I don’t know how or when, but I believe
he will receive his salvation. The Lord told us to ask for the heathen. I asked
Him for this man and now I consider it a done deal – praise His name forever. I
was used by our gracious heavenly Father to plant some seeds of truth from the
word of God into this man’s heart today, but it will be God, and only God who
will give the increase.
People depend on all kinds of things in this life to help
them to exist and get by in their day to day lives. Like our chapter indicates,
they worship the stuff in the earth rather than worshipping the One who created
it for them. People honestly think they themselves are the ones who are
fulfilling their needs and no one else is responsible. Friend, we can see the
greatest need of all by this passage – and that is Jesus! Without Him, there is
no point to having anything materially. In the end, the material possessions
will all be burned up in the fervent heat. The day of the Lord will come as a
thief while people are going about their daily business as described in this passage…
Luke 17:22-33
22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will
come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye
shall not see it.
23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see
there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the
one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also
the Son of man be in his day.
25 But first must he suffer many things, and be
rejected of this generation.
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be
also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they
were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the
flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they
did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it
rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of
man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop,
and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that
is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose
it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
I
walked out of that bank, not sad, but joyful. I was excited to have been used
to touch this man’s life. It was the Lord doing the touching – I was just the “net”
He was using. Most days I am in the house working in my office on these Bible
studies. It is a wonderful blessing and privilege to do them. When I get out of
the house to see people face to face, I want to be used to speak to them in
some way for the Lord. And when He drops those opportunities right in front of
us, we had best step up to the plate - amen. Who but God knows if that man will
live to even see tomorrow? What if I had neglected to tell him? I don’t want
his eyes to meet mine on judgment day and say, “Why didn’t you tell me?” We
have all missed opportunities in the past, but I am not interested in missing
any more – how about you?
My
travels today took me to several stops. I have what I call “flower seeds” that
I pass out as I go around town. It is a folded little brochure. It has a flower
taped to the front of it. My testimony about restoration with my daughter is typed
up on the inside along with the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ.
The women really like the beautiful white daisies with the pretty turquoise
center. These can be clipped on to a person’s hair or clothing – whatever they
want. They are 4” in diameter, so they are just the right size. When they read
it alone in their home, they can also see the word of God calling to them. I am
just planting the seed, trusting God to give the increase. We know that His
word will never fail. We also know that Holy Spirit can work with what we hand
people long after our encounter with them is over – hallelujah!
After
the next stop and passing out a flower, I went to the next bank to open yet
another account. Stepping into full time ministry requires a lot of
preparation. We are so excited to get ready and see what the Lord will do
through Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. We know that He is the one who birthed the
name of our ministry assignment in us, and we are excited because it is all
about multiplying His word around the world. We are used to plant seeds, plant
churches, and come alongside other ministries; and the Lord will bless, multiply
and increase it. We are excited to tell you that even though the Lord had this
whole ministry planned before He even created the world (too awesome for us to
comprehend) that the idea He placed in my heart 10 years ago has actually begun
to come to pass in the natural realm over this past week. We are rejoicing in
God who has done a marvelous thing!
A
little history about how it all began might be an encouragement to you. When
God gives us a vision for something, even though it seems a long time coming,
and the temptations come from the enemy and our own impatient flesh to just
give up the whole idea, we have to be steadfast, immovable. I have to admit,
there were times when the thought came to me, “Did God really put this in my
heart or did I just dream it all up? Certainly this is way too big for you to
pull off.” The last part is certainly true. I could never make the things the
Lord has given to me for ministry happen, either now or in the future.
For
me, it all began back in 2006 when I was walking around the neighborhood alone
one day. I was crying many tears in those days, but I was also praising God a
lot. I had recently surrendered my life to Him the previous October. There I
was, living in a very difficult situation, and I could not see the “light at
the end of the tunnel” yet. I had begun to take walks just to get away from the
tiny, depressing apartment I was living in.
I
would walk and talk to the Lord and cry. Then I would praise Him and thank Him
anyway and tell Him I love Him. Well, as the Lord would have it, one day I came
around the last corner of my walk and I was looking at a vacated building that
once housed a large well known pharmacy chain. I thought that the space could
be used for a Christian place with God’s word on it. All of a sudden, these
thoughts just started coming to me. Ideas began to form. By the time I got home
I had to start writing it down. My hands were flying so fast that I could
hardly keep up with the words that were coming to me. I was not a writer. I
have never been trained to be a writer except for what the Lord has given me
through my employment in the insurance business.
By
the time I was finished, I had to call the lady who was mentoring me at the
time and tell her about it. As I spoke, it was as if the words were filled with
power. It came rolling out of my mouth like thunder. I felt such excitement and
my sweet friend joined me in that joy. Little did I understand back then about
the power of Holy Spirit coming on a person to do this sort of thing. I had
written down a vision for a ministry. The Lord even gave me the name – “Fish N
Loaves”. There was a lot to this that I will wait to tell publicly as events
unfold, but suffice it to say that what the Lord has birthed in my heart was
begun this day by the opening of the bank accounts. Last Wednesday, we received
the paperwork that makes us an official nonprofit ministry company. Now today
was a day where we could open the account from which we can begin to do business.
My husband and I are beyond excited to say the least.
What
the Lord had done that amazing day back in 2006 was to plant a seed in my heart
for something He was calling me to step into one day ten years later along with
my amazing godly husband that my heavenly Father so graciously provided for me to
share it with – hallelujah! I had prayed and inquired of the Lord about it. I
long wondered when this thing would start to happen. Many times, it seemed as
if it was as far away from becoming a reality as it could possibly be. But there was one thing I knew for certain. My Savior, God and King had placed a burning desire in my heart
for His word and to share it with others. He placed an evangelistic anointing
on me and even told me one day that He would make me a fisher of men.
I
really get great pleasure in leading people to Jesus. How about you? God had given the plans, and He
kept me in the waiting period. What He had planted He was watering during all
those years that I waited on Him. Now today, I see Him giving the increase. God
wants to build His church friend, and He wants those who are willing to be used and be available so He can use them. Let’s look at another example of God giving
the increase to build His church…
Acts
2:22-41
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of
Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs,
which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him,
being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom
God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not
possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the
Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be
moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue
was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because
thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to
see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways
of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you
of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is
with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and
knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins,
according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He
seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not
left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all
are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of
God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,
he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For
David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said
unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make
thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord
and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were
pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,
Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our
God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and
exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them about three
thousand souls.
Oh
glory to God! Look at that! Peter, called a “rock” was being used to build the
church of Jesus Christ that day – amen! He opened his mouth and the Lord took
it from there. In fact, as I opened my Bible to this passage, before I ever
knew what the Lord was going to want written for this lesson, I saw the part in
verse 32 about the witnesses who saw the things concerning Jesus. I stand here
amazed again and again. Just today when I spoke to the man at the bank, those very
words came out of my moth - I am not kidding! I told the banker that there were
witnesses! It could only be God! Hallelujah!
We
don’t know how He does what He does, but isn’t He amazing – amen! Peter did the
talking, but the words were coming from Holy Spirit. And look at the outcome in
one day. Three thousand (yes, 3,000) people were added to the kingdom of God
that day – thank You Jesus! The Lord had set the stage for a mighty outpouring
of His Holy Spirit on the group that heard Peter’s words that day and it was
all over but the getting them baptized. These people got saved and the church
had grown exponentially.
This
is a great example of how the word of God and the power of Holy Spirit can work
amazing miracles for the salvation of souls. There is power in the name of
Jesus! I believe that my banker man will come into the kingdom too. The Lord
placed him in my path and gave me the command of what to say. Then I prayed
according to His word that says I can ask for the heathen. Now we know that
when we pray according to His will and His word, and we believe we will receive
what we ask for, we will have it. Glory to God! Look at this…
Matthew
21:22
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.
This is shouting ground for certain! This
whole day was another amazing day in my journeys with the Lord. It started with
the banker. Then as I went to another bank, I encountered more people. One was
a lady who was thrilled to get my “flower seed” with great gratitude. Then
there was a man who was dumb and unable to speak. He caught on that I am a
woman of prayer as he listened to our conversation. He became very excited. He
wanted me to pray for him. He was talking in sign language, sort of, and kept
motioning for me to pray for him. I sat there waiting for Holy Spirit to tell
me what to do, but no command came. I had to stay calm even though my heart was
really going out to this desperate man. I knew there were some serious
problems, but I also know that Jesus can heal him, no matter how tough his
bondage may seem. I had to be faithful to wait for my instructions.
I went in to speak with the lady I was
there to see and when I came out, he was gone. I asked the Lord about it. He
let me know that I was not in a position to minister to him in that public
place. He let me know that the man is bound. That meant he has something,
perhaps a demon, or demons that need to be cast out – I do not know any more
than what I heard the Lord say to me. But the very important thing Holy Spirit let
me know was this. Even though I was not in a position to minister to him, I
could ask the Lord to send another laborer across his path who could be used to
minister to him.
I did so immediately. And the Lord told me that I could
consider it done. What I heard the Lord say to my heart next was really sad. He
said that when people see someone in a tough situation like that and are not in
a position to help, they usually just turn their backs and walk away. They do
not even ask the Lord to help. But God says we have to ask Him for things. He
cannot do things in the earth if we will not ask. That is how the system is set
up. We have to ask…
James
4:2
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
I was able to cast the care of
it onto the Lord, even though his face came before me again and again. My heart
was sad that he had been bound like that. I know that the Lord will help. I asked
and I believe I receive already. Glory to God. Upon leaving the bank, I stepped
next door to the health food store. The lady that helped me responded to my
attempt to bring God into the conversation with a whole lot of nonsense about
the universe being her “god” and living in her soul. She went on and on about
her foolish ideas and I could do nothing but let her run off until I could get
out of there. But once I was outside, I claimed her life for the kingdom, just
like the man at the bank. Then I proceeded on my way.
Next, I needed some lunch and
it was raining hard, so I walked into the restaurant just next door to the food
store. My waitress needed prayer for the family of a friend who had just
recently passed away. She was a young woman so I am guessing that this friend
was young at his passing too. Another life stolen way before their time – only God
knows why it happened, but we know it was not His will, that is certain! My
waitress told me about the church she goes to and she seemed to have a real
sweet spirit. I told her I would pray and I did. I had one final stop at a
grocery store near our home. I gave the cashier a “flower seed” and she smiled
brightly. I saw her reading it intently while she waited for me to finish
entering my credit card to pay the bill.
At the end of my journeys, I
stand so amazed at the variety of circumstances that I had encountered today.
As I was putting my items away when I arrived at home, I could hear the Holy
Spirit say in my heart, “You experienced all kinds of things today, didn’t you?”
I smiled as I replied, “Yes.” One of the things I believe the Lord is trying to
show us all is that none of us have to be called to be preachers of the word in
the pulpit in order to be able to be used by Him to go about our lives around
our cities and towns just spreading seeds so He can bring an increase – into the
kingdom. We are not the one who really catches the people – the Lord does that.
No man can come to the Father unless he be called.
And no one can bring the increase
like the Lord can in the saving of the human soul. He alone is the One who gets
all the glory for blessing those who fear Him. He is the One who multiplies our
seeds sown. When I first read this chapter, I was thinking about how the Lord
provides everything we need to live in the way of our human consumption needs.
But what He wanted to do was to use this testimony of what I had seen and
experienced today to show us how we can be “scattering seeds” all over town
while we go about our business. If we will be faithful to do this, He will be
faithful to bring the multiplication and the increase.
There are three main points to
consider from today’s study…
We can’t trust in anything or anyone
to help us but the Lord
The daily call of any Christian is
to be a “seed sower”
The Lord will increase us more and
more – us, and our spiritual children
Questions:
What stood out the most to you as you read this Psalm?
What can you create to carry with you that can be a witness
of your experience with Jesus to others?
What do you plan to do about it?
How many people do you encounter every day who may need to
hear about Jesus?
Who can you share this study with?
How
many seeds have you been planting for the kingdom in your town?
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father:
Thank You for caring for all these precious
people that we pass by each day in our daily journeys. Lord, I know that no
matter who they are or what they have been through that You love them the same
as You love me. Father, I am asking You to give me an idea of something I can
pass out to give my testimony to others about what Jesus has done for me so
they can see the way to eternal life. I am asking You to give me seed to sow
and to multiply it for Your glory and the blessing of Your people who are yet
to come into the kingdom. Thank You in advance for Your help Lord - in Jesus
name! Amen
And God Said… You fill in the blanks.
Hebrews 6:13-15
13 For
when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater,
he sware by himself,
14 Saying,
Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And
so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
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