faith

Candlemas & Groundhog Day

/ Bob

February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple, or Candlemas, commemorating the occasion when Mary, in obedience to Jewish law (Leviticus 12:1-8; Exodus 13:1-2,11-15), went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to present him to God as her firstborn (Luke 2:22–38).

Candlemas falls on Groundhog Day, but the first known Candlemas reference was in the 4th century, so it predates our groundhog. Each year the eyes of the weather world focus on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see if Phil sees his shadow. This tradition came out of an old English poem about Candlemas:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Come winter, have another flight.

If Candlemas bring clouds and rain,

Go winter, and come not again.

So, it looks like we are giving a nod to Candlemas when we watch Phil searching for his shadow. Pretty cool. Isn’t it interesting to find the Christian roots behind our traditions?

Candlemas has several traditions depending on the cultural and religious context. Here are a few ways it’s celebrated:

  1. Christian Traditions:
    • Blessing of Candles: Churches often bless candles on this day, symbolizing Jesus Christ as the light of the world. Congregants may bring candles from home to be blessed, which they then use for the rest of the year.
    • Processions: Some communities hold processions with candles to symbolize bringing light into the world.
  2. Weather Lore:
    • In some cultures, Candlemas is linked to weather predictions. As the poem suggests, the weather on Candlemas Day is thought to predict the remaining length of winter. This tradition is similar to Groundhog Day in the United States.
  3. Festive Meals:
    • In some regions, people celebrate with special meals or desserts. For example, in France, it’s traditional to make crêpes on Candlemas (La Chandeleur).
  4. Purification and Presentation:
    • For many Christians, Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the purification of Mary, as described in the Gospel of Luke.

It’s a time rich with symbolism and history, celebrating both the end of the Christmas season and the hope of light (The Light) returning as winter wanes.

The Living Stone, The Cornerstone, and The Sure Foundation– 1 Peter 2:1-10

/ Bob

Peter becomes the construction manager in the 2nd chapter of his letter. He lays out the blueprints and explains how the church is to be built. Jesus is the foundation on which we build our lives. Jesus is cornerstone. Jesus is the capstone. Jesus is the Living Stone. Jesus is also the stumbling stone for those who refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord.

He also points out that we are living stones which will be the building blocks for the kingdom. And he goes on to point out that we are a royal priesthood of the faith. As he does so, the image of Christians as the Temple of God becomes clear. Just as the Temple was the place where the faithful went to find love, mercy, hope, and faithfulness, now we as the Living Temple should be the place where people go to find the same love, hope, and faithfulness of God through the Gospel Message of Jesus, the Messiah.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, January 26 2025. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Hunger for Holiness: Living Pure in an impure World. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/hunger-for-holiness-1-peter-digital-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 01.26.2025 – The Living Stone – 1 Peter 2.1-10Download

Is That What God Wants or Is That What You Want? – 1 John 5:14-15

/ Bob

In 1 John 5:14-15 we read, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” It almost sounds as if God is giving us carte blanche or a blank check with our prayer requests.

However, there is a caveat or stipulation if you will – “according to His will.”

What John is telling us that God will hear us and grant our petition when we ask according to His will, His design, His plan, His purpose. God’s ultimate desire is the salvation of the world. The entire Bible highlights God’s efforts to restore His relationship with mankind and that must be our ultimate desire as well. When our focus is in line with God’s focus two things happen in our prayer life. First, we ask for things that advance the Kingdom of God. Second, the things that once seemed so important fade in the light of God’s design and God’s desire.

Of course, “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1) and God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19) so there is no need to not go to the Lord with our requests. In fact, we are told to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Still, we must always submit to the will of God and place our lives as well as our requests in His hands.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 24, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Prayer the Moves Heaven: Power with Purpose. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/prayer-that-moves-heaven-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 11.24.2024 – Is That What God Wants or Is That What You WantDownload

National Circumstances Demand Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer

/ Bob

The concept of fasting is one that is at the forefront of weight loss discussion with intermittent fasting being a popular choice as a diet regimen. However, when fasting first developed it had nothing to do with weight loss. Fasting as a spiritual discipline still has nothing to do with weight loss. In fact, food is not the focus of fasting – God is.

The Bible has numerous examples of fasting and even instructions concerning how to and how not to fast. Jesus fasted before being tempted by Satan. Moses fasted as he was receiving the 10 commandments. Nehemiah, the focus of today’s lesson, fasted and prayed when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were in disrepair. This led to him going to Jerusalem to lead the rebuilding of the walls. I these cases circumstances led to a need for fasting and praying. With Nehemiah, the circumstances involved the nation of Israel.

Circumstances in our nation have led to periods of fasting and praying. Time and time again our founding fathers – John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, George Washington, and many others – called our nation to a period of humiliation, fasting, and prayer. In 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer for our nation.  The fast was not designed to achieve success in battle or a favorable political solution to the problems they faced. The purpose of the fast was to realign the American people in a proper position of humility before God. They knew that by first seeking God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) they would be in a proper position to move forward.

Today our nation is embroiled in a Civil War – different from the 1860’s, but no less harrowing.  Instead of North vs South and Grey vs Blue it is Red vs Blue, Democrat vs Republican, Black vs White, Rich vs Poor, Rural vs Urban, White Collar vs Blue Collar, Old vs Young, and even Religion vs Religion.   In the midst of the American Civil War of 2024, we must join with our forefathers of 160 years ago and fall on our faces before a Holy God – recognizing His holiness and our depravity – and in that humility fast and pray for His restoration of our Union.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, November 3, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Prayer the Moves Heaven: Power with Purpose. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/prayer-that-moves-heaven-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Of Figs, Faith, and Forgiveness – Mark 11

/ Bob

In the week prior to the arrest of Jesus He teaches them lessons about faith and forgiveness and it all plays out in the midst of an unusual event involving an unsuspecting fig tree. Figs were a big deal in Bible times even showing up in the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 3. Figs were a symbol of the blessings of God on Israel and they were also a symbol of the judgment of God on Israel. Like the fig tree in Mark 11 and Matthew 21, the religious leaders of Israel looked good on the outside, but they were fruitless – empty in heart.

By contrast, Jesus pointed out that the disciples could live in faith – faith in God – and accomplish things that the Pharisees and their ilk could only dream of. They could remove mountains from the scene and shake up the world if they would believe and not doubt.

There was however, one major proviso to what they could accomplish – they would have to practice forgiveness. Lack of a forgiveness triggers a lack of forgiveness on God’s part and a lack of power in prayer. You must make sure your heart is right with God when you pray and that begins with making sure that your heart is right in the relationships with those in your circles of influence.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, October 27, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Prayer the Moves Heaven: Power with Purpose. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/prayer-that-moves-heaven-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 10.27.2024 – Of Figs, Faith, and Forgiveness – Mark 11.22-25Download

Jesus Prays For Us – Jesus Prays For You

/ Bob

In the 17th Chapter of John we find the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. As Jesus was within hours of his arrest and subsequent crucifixion He was praying for His disciples who would soon face the most gut-wrenching hours and days of their lives. As he prayed for them He prayed for their safety but moreover, He prayed that they would remained unified – unified with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and all for the salvation of the lost.

Jesus said that He came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10) The unity He prayed for is critical for the saving purpose of Christ to continue through His followers today. If we are one with the Father through the Son by the Spirit within us, the gospel message will be proclaimed and the purpose of Jesus to seek and save the lost will continue until He returns. Furthermore, the unity Jesus prayed for will sustain his followers today as they face opposition as they share their faith.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, October 20, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Prayer the Moves Heaven: Power with Purpose. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/prayer-that-moves-heaven-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 10.20.2024 – Jesus Prays for Us – Jesus Prays for You – John 17Download

Trust God – Not Those Who Say Trust Me

/ Bob

As U.S. citizens we must be politically active even if that only means availing ourselves of the privilege and responsibility to vote.  However, thinking that our ultimate hope lies in the hands of any politician or political party is simply foolish. Vote, campaign, and/or contribute to the candidate or party of your choice, but know that God is a faithful fountain of hope no matter what a politician or governmental official says or does.

Psalm 146:3 – Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Jeremiah 17:5 – Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Isaiah 2:22 – Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Psalm 118:8-9 – It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Romans 13:1 – For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Pray On & Pray Through

/ Bob

In Luke 11 and Luke 18 we find two parables which Jesus told in order to encourage his followers to pray – to seek the Father in all things. We prepare for every eventuality and yet so many times our plans fail. God is there waiting for us to turn to him. When we have wasted our resources, God is there waiting for us to turn to him. Even in those times when you declare with the defiant fortitude of a two year old, “I Got This,” He is still there ready to help you pick up the pieces when you realize you got nuthin’.

God is way more gracious than the grumpy neighbor of Luke 11 and way more kind than the unjust judge of Luke 18. If we would learn to ask, seek, and knock as He tells us to do in Luke 11:9-10 and keep on going to Him – not as a last resort when everything has blown up in our face – but always. We should go to Him first to find grace and help in our time of need. He knows what we need before we even ask Him. He just wants us to ask. If you’ve been a parent you know how you long for your kids to come to you when they need help. That’s what our Father wants us to do – go to Him in prayer.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, October 13, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Prayer the Moves Heaven: Power with Purpose. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/prayer-that-moves-heaven-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 10.13.2024 – Pray On and Pray Through – Luke 11.5-13Download

Call of Duty: World at War

/ Bob

Cyberspace is a realm that covers the entire planet. And while we have a hard time defining it, we still use it – for good and for evil. In fact, cyberwarfare pits the good combatants against the evil combatants in this realm. The Spiritual Realm covers the entire planet. And while we are often unaware of its presence, we still operate within its structures much like combatants in cyberwarfare. We call it Spiritual Warfare.

Paul addresses this concept of Spiritual Warfare in the 6th Chapter of Ephesians. He identifies the enemy and tell us to get ready, suit up, and fight. Our battle gear as described in this chapter is something with which we are familiar – things like the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness. However, the real battle is waged through prayer.

We are beginning a 13 week study of prayer. We are at war and we must learn to fight on our knees in humility and prayer. God literally has an army of angels ready to enter the fight when we pray. May we learn how to watch and pray so that we might see the victory of our Lord.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, September 8, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Prayer the Moves Heaven: Power with Purpose. You can find print and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/prayer-that-moves-heaven-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 09.08.2024 – Battle Ready – Ephesians 6.17-20Download

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (And What to Do with Them When You Do)

/ Bob

In the final chapters of the book of Job we find God once again speaking to Job and his “friends.” He is reminding them that He is God and that they are not. He has been giving examples of His creative power as seen in nature but in today’s lesson he speaks of two exotic beasts that are under His control and are perfect examples of His creative power and also His sovereignty in ruling His creation. The beasts are Behemoth and Leviathan. Behemoth fits the description of a brontosaurus and Leviathan fits the description of a dragon. These are fantastic beasts indeed.

We all face beasts in every stage of our lives. We laugh at the things that used to scare us, but we get a little weak, our hearts beat a little faster when we consider the beasts that attack us now. Some alcoholics refer to alcohol as the beast. Some psychologists refer to depression as the beast. Even the sweet, darling, innocent children in Lord of the Flies had a beast. which started out as a snake but ended up being the evil within them.

In Job, God declares his supremacy over the entire creation including Behemoth and Leviathan. Throughout the entire Bible, God declares His supremacy over evil and over everything Satan can throw in our path.

In Revelation 19:19-20 we find the ultimate destruction of the ultimate beast:

“And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”

It may be a beast that causes us to pedal faster so we won’t get eaten up by it. It may be a beast that has climbed onto our backs and won’t let go. It may be a beast that lurks in the shadows and fills us with dread and anxiety. You know who or what your beast is. But you also need to know who your God is. God is supreme over any and all beasts.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

God is the Dragon Slayer in every sense of the word.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, August 25, 2024. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is Praise Him in the Storm: When Life Falls Apart – A Study of Job. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at https://gc2press.org/praise-him-in-the-storm-job-study-guide/ .Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .


Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas

YouTube – youtube.com/@fromthebackporch

X – FromtheBackPorch@nationalfast

TikTok – tiktok.com/@fromthebackporchintexas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Class Notes – 08.25.2024 – Job 40-42 -Fantastic Beaswts and Where to Find Them in the EndDownload