Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

  Good morning to all of our Readers... Below are the links to Pastor Alvis' sermons preached during the month of August 2026. He is a faithful minister of the gospel, a careful and accurate expositor of the scriptures and a close friend. Pastor Mike is a masterful teacher of truth who helps us understand what God is actually saying and what it means for our lives. I hope that all who are able to view or hear them will receive a great blessing from God's wonderful word. Bob 8/2/2026     The Non Negotiable Love 8/12/2026 Establishing Memorials to the LORD 8/9/2026     Growing Together In Love 8/30/2026     Regarding the LORD's Day 8/24/2026     Love Enough To Stay In Our Own Lane 8/16/2026 Embracing The Perfecting Process 8/9/2026 Direction For Dealing With Essential Differences 8/5/2026 There's A Wideness In God's Mercy

Psalm 13:1-6  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?  2  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?  3  Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;  4  Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.  5  But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.  6  I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.  King David is the author of this Psalm and in it he poured out his complaints to the LORD. The divine name Jehovah (LORD) is mentioned three times and the name God (Elohim) is used once. A key phrase in David's expressions of complaint are the words "How long?"   They express a great dejection in his heart and an...

  Here is where to find indexes to all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. Click on the drop down menu and look for the archives tab. Then find the date listed below to find the appropriate index. I hope this will help you find lessons on a particular book of topic that we have studied through. An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021 , was published on September 7, 2022. An index for all lessons posted in 2022 , was published J anuary 24, 2023. An index for all lessons posted in 202 3 was published on February 28, 2024.  An index for all lessons posted in 2024 was published on January 21, 2025. An index for all lessons posted in 2025 was published on January 24, 2026. In Sunday school we looked at the continuing good work of a faithful high priest named Jehoiada. He was strengthened in this revival work at the time of God's choosing. Jehoiada spoke with Biblical authority. Jehoiada restored the orderliness that God commanded. God ...

Psalm 12:1  To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.  The word translated "Help" literally means to be saved in battle and made victorious, or to be delivered from one's enemies. In this text, David seeks some mighty help from Jehovah, as he frequently does. In reference to the "godly man ceaseth" , it seemed to King David  that ungodly men prevailed on every side,  when he wrote the Psalm. We can all identify with David's sorrow over a lack of godly, upright men and women whom God can use to make a wonderful difference in our culture. It certainly seems to be the same today when we observe all the vile, hateful speech posted on social media platforms. It seems that those with the loudest voices today are those who advocate for violence against our elected leaders and the institutions that undergird a stable society. It is interesting to see how our c...

Psalm 11:1-2  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2  For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart   King David started out in life as a humble, God fearing shepherd boy, tending his father's flocks. Often his Psalms reflect that humble upbringing and his reliance on God to sustain him during bad weather, to strengthen him when needed to protect his sheep from predatory animals. God greatly used David as a sweet Psalmist and as a Godly king whose reign served as a model for all other kings to follow. David expressed a confident trust in Jehovah.  He ran to Him for refuge from his enemies, and calmed his soul by worshiping in His presence, knowing that the LORD would always protect him. Oher men may trust in gold, silver or their own strength and skills to sustain and protect them. David did not...

Psalm 10:1  Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?  This is an anonymous Psalm that begins with the Psalmist asking why it seemed that God was not near, and why He was hiding from His people in times of trouble. Of course, we know the character of God is unchanging and that He is always near His people and He always cares for us. Therefore, this Psalm will walk us through an adjustment in the heart of the Psalmist, as he states how he feels alone, followed by the present realities of his situation and ending by focusing on what is true of God. The Psalmist may be speaking for himself or for Israel as a nation in stating that it seemed like God had abandoned him. Any time that we feel like God is not near is a time that we should examine our own heart and ask God to show us if there is any unconfessed sin that we must address. Isaiah 59:1-2  Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that ...

King David wrote this Psalm to help us know how to pray when we encounter trials, troubles or afflictions. Psalm 9:1-2  To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.  2  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.  King David expressed joy and gladness in his own heart because he knew Jehovah as his God and Savior (Remember that Jesus' name means Jehovah saves!). Jehovah's name is mentioned eight times in this Psalm, showing that His word, His works and His righteous judgments are the objects of the Psalmist's joy. The word "muthlabben" literally means the death of the son, and there is some scholarly debate about how this word was used. Some think it is a musical notation for a boys choir to sing the words of this Psalm.  This seems to be the most likely application to me, given that the Psalms were hymns sung by the ...

  Here is where to find indexes to all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. Click on the drop down menu and look for the archives tab. Then find the date listed below to find the appropriate index. I hope this will help you find lessons on a particular book of topic that we have studied through. An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021 , was published on September 7, 2022. An index for all lessons posted in 2022 , was published J anuary 24, 2023. An index for all lessons posted in 202 3 was published on February 28, 2024.  An index for all lessons posted in 2024 was published on January 21, 2025. An index for all lessons posted in 2025 was published on January 24, 2026. I was ill on Sunday so Pastor Alvis took my place in the Sunday School hour. He preached an excellent sermon on the power of God's Word. The link to his sermon is below and I hope that each one who reads it will find great encouragement and blessing as I did. Bob

Psalm 8:1  To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.  This is another Messianic Psalm, meaning that it is applied to Jesus Christ. King David wrote this Psalm full of worship, praise and adoration of God.  It richly reflects what David knew to be true of God. What is a "gittith" ? It has two meanings. First, it can refer to a harp and that would certainly be fitting to include it in the title of this Psalm. The other meaning of this word is a winepress, which generally represents God's blessing on the harvest such that it yields an abundance of good wine. Thus, a "gittith" represents an instrument used to worship God and it reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes to us from our Father in heaven. King David ascribed excellence to the name of God as a reflection upon the very perfect and unchanging character of our LORD. The word translated ...