Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I think there are too many churches that dwell on the “Coming of Christ” and not enough on the “indwelling of Christ”. Unless we have Christ dwelling within us, His coming will do us no good. How we treat each other will determine our qualification for Heaven.
How we treat each other is directly related to how we perceive to be treated. I had a lot of unknown anger buried down deep in my soul against a family that ignored me. It wasn’t until I was able to recognize it and give it to Jesus that I was able to better relate to others. Most inmates are in prison because of anger issues. Most don’t even know they have them. That is where Christianity comes in. We are not to thumb our noses at them, point fingers or ignore them. We are to love them and help them find the love of Jesus that will take away that anger. I had hurt a lot of people simply because I did not know of the anger within me; and why that anger. Well, I was born in 1951. I had dyslexia, narcolepsy, claustrophobia and a touch of autism. The problems they created in me drove people away; including my parents who didn’t know what to do with me. So, I was left alone with no one who wanted anything to do with me. That is why the Lord gave me this ministry. I could be “alone” and yet do what my heart wanted to do: care for others and bring to light the truth of God’s word to hearts that were aching.
1 Timothy 5:1 to 1 Timothy 5:25
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, . . .
Joe, who is 94 at this time, was a real training experience for me. He was 87 when I invited him from Texas to the ministry. At the time, I had no idea who he was, if I would have to “nurse” him or how mobile he was. But he came. He had been to prison and had been out about 15 years when he came to the ministry. Being a typical “inmate” he was selfish. Everything had to do about him. I attempted to accommodate him for a while and then I had to put my foot down. Learning how to guide and encourage this “older man” to give his heart to Jesus was a real test of my patience, self-control and discipline. I failed many times. But I learned. A gentle answer turns away wrath. It also turns away bad behavior. Joe is now a completely new man from when he came seven years ago. I praise God for the transformation.
. . . younger men as brothers, . . .
The male ego is always striving to reach the top. “Younger men” are looked upon as stepping stones to a higher level. Competition between men varies, but it is there. Treating younger men as brothers can be hard when I didn’t know my brother. I still don’t. I talk with him every few years. But we were too far apart. By the time he was nine years old, I was off to boarding school and rarely was home after that. Therefore, I’m learning how to treat “younger men as brothers”. Very hard without experience.
. . older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
I can understand the “purity” part. The hard part is the “older women as mothers”. I don’t remember mine. She was busy with grandma across the street, my older sister and work. I never knew her. I’m not sure how to relate to women as “mothers” or “younger women as sisters”. When Paul wrote this, it was a time with there were large families. Because the death rate for babies was high, you had lots of children just in the off chance one survived. But you also needed lots of children to support you in your old age. They didn’t have Social Security back then. You begged.
Honor widows who are truly widows.
This wasn’t just a “tipping of the hat”. Back then, “honor” meant to help support. People back then had a higher understanding of duty and honor than we do today.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
We sure do need a lot of that today. “Let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents.” Children today have no idea what godliness is or how to “make some return” to their parents. Most of what they return is selfishness and outright disrespect.
She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
The devil has truly destroyed our world with “government”. Since government takes care of everyone, we don’t need to do it “personally”. We are so busy paying our taxes, we don’t have anything left to show godliness to parents. What is “godliness”? Doing as God does. What does He do? He is constantly giving and supplying our needs.
but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
The same principle applies not just to widows, but to all who are “self-indulgent” in drugs, alcohol, money and everything else of this world. We are not to help them. Only those who are doing everything in their power to better themselves and need our help.
Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
Practical Christianity! True Christianity isn’t all about doctrine. It is about living the life of Jesus. When we meet people, we don’t ask them what they believe, we ask how they are. We ask about their families and what they do. People will look at us and by our practical Christianity they will judge us. Are you above reproach?
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Many parents are on drugs or alcohol and tobacco. The money spent for selfish pleasure should be going to the support of their children. Many are drunk on expensive cars, clothes and hair. Money spent for selfish pleasure that should be going to the household good. Our idols sure do take up a lot of money, don’t they?
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
It appears that the early Christians had a form of Social Security, or at least a safety net for their members. That is why people became Christians. The churches practiced what they believed and helped each other, not the unbelievers and pagans. If you wanted the benefit of the church, you belonged to the Ekklesia. But there were rules.
But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” Revelation 2:4. Jesus was simply using what the early Christians understood. People got tired of being “married” to Jesus and His people and soon “abandoned their former faith”. The same is happening today. The churches have all fallen. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. . . . he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:5, 7.
Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
I think we all understand this. Women and girls love to gossip. They go from house to house, phone call to phone call, website to website being a busybody and listing to all the latest gossip. They say “what they should not”. We really need to learn how to put a tight rein on our tongues.
So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan.
The “Woke” crowd hates that. Those on the side of Satan hate that. While the men work outside of the home, the women are to bear children, manage their households well and stay away from slander. We are truly in the age of Sodom and Gomorrah.
If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
Too many churches and denominations are way too “burdened” with what they think they should be doing in the “helping” category. It seems to be all “outbound” looking, thinking they can “win” people to their church. But unfortunately, they neglect those within their own church family who are hungry and needing clothes. There is just way too much “show” and not enough true Christianity in the heart: obedience to Jesus.
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
In the Young’s Literal Translation, the word “rule” is actually, “well-leading”. Big difference. Even the KJV makes it “rule”. That is the problem with our modern churches. We have traveled a long way from the original “gatherings” of Christians where the elders led, not ruled over the members. They led by example, following the example of Jesus who said, “Come, follow Me.” We truly need to get out of our churches and go follow Jesus.
The elders were not voted in by popular vote, but picked by those who were under the inspiration of God. They were first tested and tried to see if they could lead by example the flock entrusted to them. They were to be honored. Especially if they labored “in preaching and teaching”.
Again, the word “honor” is more than just a tipping of the hat. They were to honor them with their means. They needed to be supported in their work of leading, preaching and teaching the flock.
For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
As Paul’s normal practice, he took his hearers back to the Old Testament for his authority. The tithe system as still in place, but it goes way beyond the “tithe”. The system of support in the Old Testament required the people to bring almost 25% of their income to the priests and Levites. It was sacrificial. But if they did, God prospered the people. It was His way of finding out their loyalty. Did they truly love, believe and trust in God.
Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
It is interesting how so many who claim to be Christian believe gossip without any evidence or witnesses. So few will be saved. If we claim to be Christian, then we really need to start acting like Christians. This is why our TV and Radio and podcasts are truly taking us to hell. We just love sitting in front of them being spoon fed with gossip. We need to be sitting in front of the Bible and listening to Jesus.
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
Being rebuked by the church and removed from the community of believers was to lose your “Social Security”. You were out on your own in a world that did not care. The Christian community supported you and helped you when needed. Therefore, you thought twice about sinning. Today, you just go find another church to look good in while continuing your sins.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
Prejudging and partiality! The world is full of those characteristics. Our little brains are just swimming around in prejudice and partiality. The sad part is, we judge according to our own feelings and biases instead of truth. Jesus is the truth.
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
Our churches love putting on display and parading around those who have just come into the church after living a very sinful life. It draws the crowds and brings in a lot of money. People think the church is doing something great. What the people don’t realize is, most of those new converts just go back to their sins since it was just a show. The church is truly taking “part in the sins of others” by putting them on display. We are to keep ourselves pure, not glamorizing the sins of their past. But the church has to justify its existence since it refuses to operate under the plan Jesus commands of it. Let us take our hands off of newly converted sinners and leave them alone. Let us first give them time to change their lives and habits. Then, instead of glorifying their sinful past, they will be able to glorify Jesus Christ in their sinless, perfect and Commandment keeping life.
(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
Christianity is practical. We need to be concerned about each other. We need to understand natural remedies instead of rushing people off to the doctor. Pure grape juice, which is what Paul was suggesting, is very healing. Cranberry juice is good for healing the kidneys. Two drinks to keep around the house.
The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
I think many of you have seen in the news where a person’s past catches up to them. They may be running for a political office and within a few days or weeks, up pops something they did 30 years before. That one act may ruin their career.
So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Once in a while the news will show the good that a person has accomplished from years past. But not often. Dirt seems to draw more worms. Let us keep ourselves pure.
Inmate Letters
Brother Ron,
I would like to thank you for sending me the short Bible study and responding to my letter. I enjoyed it very much. I wanted to say that I am very serious about receiving my certificate. I want and am devoting my life and love to God. Is there anything or advice you have to help me? I look forward to hearing from you. I decided this morning that I am changing my life. I am too old for this and I shouldn’t be here. I need to get my life in order. I have an addiction to drugs and alcohol. This has been a major failure in my life. Thank you for your time in helping me.
Gaylen, ID
Hello,
I was reading a book and a buddy of mine gave me this piece of paper about this workbook study. I am just now reading the Bible for my 1st time. I thought I could learn more about the Bible through this workbook. I’d also like other literature as well to learn as much as possible about the Bible.
Ben, MO
Greetings,
I am incarcerated in prison which has been a blessing for me. I’ve tried to leave my substance addictions behind many times. Christ is new in my life. I am 40 years old. One day I was rummaging through the dayroom and came across your book. I’m just through about 1/4 and what an inspiration to study more of God’s Word. I would like to have my own copy since this one has someone else’s writing.
George, ID
JCPM,
I want to thank you for sending me your inspiring message. What you went through and how much you have done now is nothing more than God’s grace and mercy. It has brought me encouragement to see a future for my life. Thank you so much for what you are doing.
Anthony, TX
Hi,
I’m excited to become a student of your ministry. I know I’ll be OK on this journey with you as I learn as much as possible about our Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to hearing from you very soon. Also, I’m unsure, does your ministry accept donations? I understand anything I give will be used to help.
James, IL
Hello,
A fellow friend of mine must have sent you my information. I received your pamphlet. She has been helping me learn the Word of Jesus. I’m a very new believer and I have so much to learn. Hopefully your workbook will teach me some amazing things about Jesus.
Harley, KY
Dear Brother Ron,
I would like to apologize for taking a while between my studies. I have been reading and re-reading some of your book. Trying to get a full grasp of what the text is saying. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand for me. I read through the related texts until I get an understanding of it. I’ve read through the Bible a couple times, but it never really made sense to me. After reading through this section of your book, CYLB, I dug a little deeper and learned a lot more. I can feel myself growing as a better person and spiritually. Now, my outlook in life is different. It is changing. I’m starting to think different.
Roderick, WA
Brother,
Greetings in Christ. I am not sure how you came across my information in order to contact me, but I am very thankful that you did. I really enjoyed your testimony. I am very interested in this, “Change Your Life Biblically” to study and learn truth.
Brandon, TX
Hello,
I am a Federal inmate. I will be here for a long time. They don’t have anything here for Christians. I was wondering if I can get “Change Your Life Biblically”? Thank you.
Leonard, IA
Dear Brother Ron,
I would like to start off by saying “Thank you” for your book. This Bible study has opened my eyes and it is giving me a better understanding of the Bible. With all the moves that this prison has done, I don’t see too many Bible study groups anymore. When the dayroom does open, I have been looking for someone to do my studies with. I haven’t had too much luck lately. I continue to do my studying on my own.
Roderick, WA
Testimony For God’s Children
My Dear Family in Christ,
There are many who believe their “church” will be “saved” and if you don’t belong to it, you won’t be saved. All churches, denominations and religions of the world are lost. At this point in time in Earth’s history, all are lost. None will be “saved”.
However, THE “Church of God”, those individuals who are living the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life, will be saved. They are the people who make up the “Church of God”. Right now, they can be found in every religion, denomination and church around the world. Yet, soon, there will be a great “calling out” and they will hear the truth and leave their churches, denominations and religions for Jesus.
Faithful Reproofs Necessary (for the church)
Darkness is getting the control where only the Spirit of God should rule. But few who engage in the work realize the necessity of personal effort and individual responsibility in whatever department they occupy. Few feel the sacredness of the work in which they are engaged. They regard it as upon a common level with ordinary enterprises.
Selfishness predominates with many who should know that a life of self-sacrificing love is a life of peace and liberty. Those who seek happiness by gratifying themselves and looking out mainly for their own interests are on the wrong track to secure happiness even upon earth. Whoever is unfaithful in the least of his duties is unfaithful in greater ones. If he neglects to faithfully perform the small tasks devolving upon him, he proves himself incapable of bearing weightier responsibilities; he indicates that he is not wholehearted in the work and that he does not have an eye single to the glory of God.
Some are ready to define the duties that belong to others, and realize the full importance of their responsibilities, but fail to readily perceive their own. Personal fidelity and individual responsibility are needed especially in the Health Institute [now sanitarium], and in the office, the church, and the school. If all connected with these institutions were listening eagerly to hear what Jesus directed them to do, instead of turning to ask what this man or that man shall do, we should witness a great change in every department of the work. If the language of each heart was, “I must listen to Christ’s teachings, and obey His voice; no one can do my work for me; the attention of others can never repair my negligence,” then we might see the cause of God advancing as it has never yet advanced.
It is this holding back, waiting for others to do, that brings spiritual feebleness. To reserve one’s energies is a sure way to lessen them. Jesus requires implicit obedience and willing submission from all His servants. There must be no halting or self-indulgence in the service of Christ. There is no concord between Christ and Belial. What a lack of devotion to the work of God, what a want of caretaking, has there been at —–.
The heart of A has not been devoted to God. He has capabilities and talents for which he must render an account to the great Giver of all. His heart has been unconsecrated and his life unworthy of his profession; yet he has been closely connected with the sacred work of God for more than a score of years. What light he has had, what privileges! He has enjoyed the rarest opportunities to develop a substantial Christian character. The words of Christ when He wept over Jerusalem are applicable to him: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” A, the retribution of God hangs over you, “because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”
B is of the same cast of mind, but not so thoroughly selfish. Both are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Their course is entirely inconsistent with the Christian life. They lack stability, sobriety, and devotion to God. With B the work of grace is altogether too superficial. He desires to be a Christian, but does not strive to maintain the victory over self and act up to his convictions of right and wrong. Deeds, not idle words and empty intentions, are acceptable to God.
A, you have heard the word of God in reproofs, in counsels, in warnings, as well as in the entreaties of love. But hearing is not enough. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” It is easy to be borne along by the current, and to cry Hosannah with the multitude; but in the calm of everyday life, when there is no special excitement or exaltation, then comes the test of true Christianity. It is then that your heart becomes cold, and your zeal abates, and religious exercises become distasteful to you.
You positively neglect to do the will of God. Says Christ: “Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” This is the condition imposed; this is the test that proves men’s characters. Feelings are often deceiving, emotions are no sure safeguard; for they are variable and subject to external circumstances. Many are deluded by relying on sensational impressions. The test is: What are you doing for Christ? What sacrifices are you making? What victories are you gaining? A selfish spirit overcome, a temptation to neglect duty resisted, passion subdued, and willing, cheerful obedience rendered to the will of Christ are far greater evidences that you are a child of God than spasmodic piety and emotional religion.
Both of you have been averse to reproof; it has ever awakened disaffection and murmuring in your hearts against your best Friend, who has ever sought to do you good, and whom you have every reason to respect. You have separated yourselves from Him and have vexed the Spirit of God by rising up against the words He has given His servants to speak in regard to your course. You have not listened to these admonitions, and have thus rejected the Spirit of God and turned it from your hearts, and have become careless and indifferent in your deportment.
Brother A, you should have gained a valuable experience during the many years that you have been blessed with the great light God has permitted to shine upon your pathway. I heard a voice saying in reference to you: “It is an unfruitful tree; why should its fruitless branches shadow the space that a fruitful tree might occupy? Cut it down; for why cumbereth it the ground?” Then I heard the pleading tones of Mercy’s sweet voice, saying: “Spare it a little longer. I will dig about its roots; I will prune it. Give it one more trial; if it fails to be fruitful then, you may cut it down.” So a little longer probation is granted the unproductive tree, a little longer time for the barren life to blossom and bear fruit. Will the opportunity given be improved? Will the warnings of God’s Spirit be heeded? The words of Jesus in regard to Jerusalem after she had slighted the salvation graciously offered by her Redeemer are also, in substance, spoken unto you: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, … how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Christ pleaded, He invited; but His love was unrequited by the people He came to save. You have done no better in your day than did the poor, self-deceived and blinded Jews in theirs. You might have improved your blessed privileges and opportunities, and perfected Christian character; but your heart has been rebellious, and you “would not” humble yourself to be truly converted and live in obedience to God’s requirements.
The unreconciled feelings and murmurings which have been expressed by some have also been festering in your soul, although you have not dared to speak out plainly to the same effect. It would have been better for the office and for all concerned had you been separated from it years ago. The more light you have had, the more privileges you have enjoyed, the less sincerity and righteousness have you manifested. Your heart has been carnal, and you have neglected the expressed word of God. Although you have been hedged about with warnings and counsels, and have had the strongest evidence that God was in this work and that His voice was speaking to you, yet you have slighted and rejected solemn reproofs, and gone on in your own selfish, willful way.
Sometimes your fears have been aroused, but still you have never realized your wretched spiritual condition and absolute danger. You have repeatedly fallen back again into the same state of indifference and selfishness. Your repentance has never gone deep enough to perfect a thorough reformation. You have had a surface work, but not that entire transformation which is necessary in order to bring you into acceptance with God. “He that followeth Me,” says Christ, “shall not walk in darkness.” But through the greater part of your professed Christian life you have walked in darkness because you have failed to connect with heaven and receive the pure light of God’s Spirit.
If you were in daily communion with the Lord and cultivated a love for souls you would grow out of self and become an earnest worker in the vineyard of the Lord. You would perceive how the faithful performance of the duties of life would preserve you from self-love and self-gratification. You have not been diligent, seeking to gain an advanced experience every day. You should be at this time a trusty man in any position of responsibility, but selfishness has marked the performance of everything you have set your hand to do. You have been wise in your own conceit, but have failed to gain wisdom from the experience of many years.
B has been vain. He might have moved steadily forward, growing in grace, but the external appearance has seemed to him more important than the inward adorning, even the garment of a meek and quiet spirit, which God accounts of great value. Unbelievers who have been employed in the office, but have not had the light of present truth as you have had, have nevertheless been far more faithful and conscientious than either of you whom I am addressing. If you had been diligently gathering with Christ, some of these would now be with us in the truth. But your lives were a stumbling block to them. God looks upon these unbelievers with greater pity and favor than upon those who believe the truth, yet deny Him in their works. That belief that is laid aside when convenient, and put on and off like a garment, is not the religion of Christ, but a spurious article that will not bear the tests even of this world.
True religion is ever distinctly seen in our words and deportment, and in every act of life. With the followers of Christ, religion should never be divorced from business. They should go hand in hand, and God’s commandments should be strictly regarded in all the details of worldly matters. The knowledge that we are children of God should give a high tone of character even to the everyday duties of life, making us not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit. Such a religion as this bears the scrutiny of a critical world with a grand consciousness of integrity.
Every workman in the office should consider himself God’s steward and should do his work with exactness and faithful vigilance. The constant inquiry should be: “Is this in accordance with the will of God? Will this please my Redeemer?” Bible religion elevates the reason until Christ is blended with all the thoughts. Every action, every word, and every moment of our lives should bear the impress of our holy faith. The end of all things is at hand, and we have no time to be idle or to live in pleasure, at cross-purposes with God.
The Lord will not be trifled with. Those who neglect His mercies and blessings in this day of opportunities will bring impenetrable darkness upon themselves and will be candidates for the wrath of God. Sodom and Gomorrah were visited with the curse of the Almighty for their sins and iniquities. There are those in our day who have equally abused the mercies of God and slighted His warnings. It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for those who bear the name of Christ, yet dishonor Him by their unconsecrated lives. This class are laying up for themselves a fearful retribution when God in His wrath shall visit them with His judgments.
Sinners who have not had the light and privileges that Seventh-day Adventists have enjoyed will, in their ignorance, be in a more favorable position before God than those who have been unfaithful while in close connection with His work and professing to love and serve Him. The tears of Christ upon the mount came from an anguished, breaking heart because of His unrequited love and the ingratitude of His chosen people. He had labored untiringly to save them from the fate that they seemed determined to bring upon themselves, but they refused His mercy and knew not the time of their visitation. Their day of privilege was ending, yet they were so blinded by sin that they knew it not.
Jesus looked down through the centuries even to the close of time, and, taking in the cases of all who had repaid His love and admonitions with selfishness and neglect, and all who would thus repay Him, He addressed to them those solemn words, declaring that they knew not the time of their visitation. The Jews were gathering about themselves the dark clouds of retribution, and many today, in like manner, are drawing upon themselves the wrath of God, because of opportunities unimproved, the counsels and love of Jesus scorned, and His servants despised and hated for speaking the truth.
There is no place on the face of the earth where so great light has been granted as at —–. Even Jerusalem of old was not more highly favored with the beams of heaven’s light shining upon the way that her people should tread. Yet they have failed to walk, by faithful obedience, in the full radiance of the light, serving God night and day. A sickly, dwarfed religion is the result of neglecting to follow the revealed light of the Spirit of the Lord. Energy and love increase as we exercise them, and the Christian graces can be developed only by careful cultivation. 4T 186-192.