Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Colossians chapter 2.
2:2 This verse could also be translated: “That their minds may be strengthened by being lovingly instructed, and so obtain all the wealth of assurance that comes from (proper spiritual) understanding, more precisely, to obtain a mature knowledge of God’s mystery about Christ.” The Colossians’ “minds” need to be “instructed” in the truth to safeguard them against the circulating heresy.
2:3 Hid does not mean unknown. For not all these treasures of wisdom and knowledge are unknown to man, as 1:26 clearly shows. “Hid” signifies “laid up,” “stored away,” or “reserved.” Christ, then, is the source from which all wisdom and knowledge come.
2:4 Beguile means “deceive.”
2:6 The verse may be paraphrased thus: “Therefore, just as you accepted the teaching that presents Jesus as both Messiah and Lord, so continue to maintain this relationship with Him.” The recipients had been taught that Jesus is (1) Messiah (the One divinely anointed to secure man’s salvation), and (2) Lord (the divine person to whom man submits in obedience). The heretics denied Jesus’ atoning death and lordship. So the Colossians are urged to keep Him just as they were initially taught—as Messiah and Lord. They are to continue to look to Him for salvation and continue in submission to His authority.
2:8 Spoil could also be rendered, “carry you away from the truth by false teaching.” Rudiments of the world are elementary religious teachings coming from the world system. The Greek grammar suggests that the particular philosophy in view here is vain deceit. Not all philosophy, then, is bad; when presented in a God-centered way, it can be helpful to believers.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
I greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is my sincere prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
"This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it." We as Christians should rejoice in the Lord for the marvelous things he has done. First, he has allowed us to view this day. We are able to breathe his fresh air and view his beautiful sunshine.
We should be glad because we know that our souls has been anchored in God and that we have a resting place in him (God) for eternity. We should be glad to promulgate the gospel to those who know not our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yes, this is a beautiful day. Everyday that God allows us to see should be treated as our last day. Rejoice Christians for God has given us another day to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and that they may glorify our Father in Heaven.
God Bless you today.
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Our topic is Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall.
As I reflect back on the history of the United States of America, I chose to look at the chain of events that took place after World War I. This country went through a vast change due to immigration, loss of jobs, during the Great Depression (fall of the stock market). As this nation has always done, found a way to come out of adversity, and stay upon the wall.
The wall that I speak of is power. During the Second World War, when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese, one of the highest ranking officers in the Japanese Navy stated "We have awakened a sleeping giant." The United States was first in Education, first in Manufacturing, first in Nuclear Science (due to the importation of German scientists), etc. The United States has always had an abundance of food, and has always provided a way for its citizens to prosper.
As I stated from the beginning, Humpty Dumpty is the United States of America, which was founded upon religious freedom. Yet, we fell when we took Prayer out of schools. We fell when we established the Free Trade Agreement, which sent a lot of our jobs to other countries. We fell in the Nuclear Arms race, and we are the only country to use the Nuclear Bomb on another country.
We are now in a recession, our leaders are scrambling to find a solution to the problems that Americans are facing today. Crime, discrimination, poverty, housing, loss of jobs, deterioration of the value of the dollar, and the list goes on and on.
Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall. The wall is the Love of God, that allows us as human beings to relate and communicate with each other. We, as a people, have allowed God to become second, third, and fourth in our government, and our personal lives. Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall of power, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. It will take all of God's leaders through Prayer to Almighty God to put Humpty Dumpty together again.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we continue the study of the Book of Colossians chapter 1.
1:22 In the Body of his flesh through death (or, "by His fleshly body through death"): The Colossian heretics may have argued that Jesus' humanity and death indicate His inferiority to the angelic beings in the universe. Paul turns this argument against them, showing that His death points to His superiority; for His death is the divine means of achieving reconciliation to God. To present you holy...in his sight (or, "to bring you holy...into His presence"): This expresses the ultimate purpose of reconciliation: it is to eventually usher the believer, made perfectly holy, into the heavenly presence of God.
1:23 If ye continue in the faith (or, "since you will persevere in the faith"): the Colossians' future entrance into God's heavenly presence depends on whether they remain in the Christian faith. The words "since you will persevere" indicate that they will remain loyal to Christ. Perseverance in the Christian's faith is a test of the reality of one's trust in Christ. This verse implies that true believers will persevere.
1:24 The afflictions of Christ: Since Paul is a member of the body of Christ, the Lord Himself suffers when His apostle suffers. These afflictions are more Christ's than Paul's. Rather than detracting from his ministry, Paul's afflictions actually enhanced it, as they exist for his body's sake, which is the church.
1:25 The expression according to the dispensation of God might be rendered "because of the divine assignment." Paul was a minister or servant to the church because of the divine assignment given him. That assignment was to fulfill the word of God, that is, to preach the gospel over a wide geographical area, winning converts to Christianity. The Greek word translated here as "fulfill" is rendered in Romans 15:19 as "fully preached."
1:26 Mystery is divine truth which, because it is too profound for man to discover and comprehend without help, was previously unknown but is now disclosed to man by God through His apostles and prophets.
1:27 The specific mystery here is Christ in you. It was not secret in the Old Testament that Gentiles would be saved; but that Christ would dwell in Gentile converts was unknown at that time. In further explaining this mystery Paul equates "Christ in you" with the hope of glory. "Hope" means "certainty of the future," that is, for a Christian it is the joyful and confident expectation of salvation. "Glory" here refers to the glorious state to be enjoyed by the believer in heaven. Thus, the hope of glory refers tot he certainty of heaven. That Christ's life, character, virtues, values, thoughts, attitudes, and deeds, are present in a Christian is evidence that he is headed toward glory (heaven).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
As this nation humbily submit to the will of Almighty God regarding the death of Senator Kennedy let us strive to remember his life and legacy in the Love of God and hold on to accomplishments that he secured in the areas of Civil Rights for all Americans.
May God Bless the Kennedy Family, This nation and the leader that will replace him in the Senate.
May God You
Yours in Jesus Christ
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we continue the study of the Book of Colossians chapter 1.
1:15 First-born here signifies two things: (1) Temporal priority. As the first-born child in a family is born before his brothers and sisters, similarly Christ existed before Creation. He existed before the universe was created. And owing to the privileges usually given and oldest child, "first-born" also signifies (2) positional priority. The first-born in a family was customarily position in relation to his brothers and sisters. In like manner Christ as the "first-born" occupies a position supreme over the universe. Therefore, when Paul declares Christ to be the first-born of every creature, the apostle does not mean that He is the first person whom God created; Paul instead means that Christ is earlier than, as well as preeminent in, all creation.
1:16 This verse provides the reason Christ is called the "first-born" in verse 15. Paul's rationale is this: Since by him were all things created, then (1) Christ must have existed before the universe, and (2) He must be greater than all He made. Thrones...dominions...principalities...powers all refer to angelic beings (Ephesians 1:21; 3:10). "Thrones" refer to angels who sit on thrones as rulers; "dominions" refer to domains or kingdoms over which these heavenly beings reign, "principalities" refer to rulers, and "powers" refer to angelic monarchs who wield regal power. Since Christ created these various ranks of angels, He is supreme over them. Striking a blow at the Colossian heresy advocating angel worship (2:18), this text forbids Christians to pay homage to angels or other heavenly beings created by God.
1:17 By him all things consist: That is, by Him all things are held together; Christ now preserves all that He made in Creation.
1:18 He is the head of the body means, "He Himself is the Head of the body." The word himself translates the Greek intensive pronoun signifying that Jesus, rather than any angelic being, is the church's Head (leader). Who is the beginning (or, "He is the beginning") justifies calling Jesus the Head of the church (verse 18a). Beginning means "cause," "origin" as in Revelation 3:14. Why then, is He the church's Head? Because He is the "origin" from which the church comes, or the "cause of her existence; also, because also He is the first-born from the dead, that is, the first of a new creation--the church--to be resurrected, never to die again. That in all things he might have the pre-eminence (or, "so that in all things He alone has become preeminent"): Now that Jesus is Head of the church, He "alone" holds the preeminent position in both the first creation (universe) and in the new creation (the church). Thus Jesus should hold first place in the believer's life. This occurs when one bows to His authority, obeys His Word, yields to His Spirit, submits to His church leaders, does His will, and bestows his chief affections on Him.
1:19, 20 For gives two reasons for Jesus' "pre-eminence" (verse 18): (1) All the fullness of deity is in Him. Since He is fully God, He ought to be preeminent. (2) By Christ's death God reconciles the universe to Himself (verse 20).
1:21 Reconciliation is the act whereby God, through Christ's atonement, brings men who are at odds with Him back into a peaceful, proper relationship with Himself.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Some of us got up out of bed this morning, and started our day by shuffling to the bathroom, where we brushed our teeth, and did what was necessary that we may not be offensive to our co-workers and alike. But, did we enter into the room where the Blessing of the Lord lie, and bend over and give the Blessing a hug and kiss?
Well, I guess you say "What is this old Bishop talking about now?" I am speaking in regard of our children, who are a Blessing from the Lord. I know, sometimes they get on our nerves, and the last thing we want to see is them coming our way, however, they truly are a Blessing from the Lord.
I am reminded how the disciples reacted when children were brought before the Lord, and they rebuked the parents for bringing them. Jesus stated "Suffer the little children to come unto and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven."
My question to you is are you grateful to God that He allowed you to be Blessed with heirs to the kingdom of God, and are you preparing them by showing them the Love of God? We have a Father that we cannot see, but every day, He shows His Love. Have you hugged a Blessing from the Lord today?
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Colossians chapter 1.
1:2 Grace is used in a number of different ways in the New Testament. It can refer to (1) God's unmerited kindness on Calvary, which brings about man's salvation (Ephesians 2;8); (2) the state of grace in which the believer stands, that is, his being in God's favor (Romans 5:2); (3) an unusual blessing produced by divine grace (Ephesians 3:8); (4) graciousness or attractiveness (4:6); and (5) "grace" can, as here, mean God's "stored-up help" dispensed to His people in times of need. Peace is also employed in a variety of ways in Scripture: It can signify (1) the opposite of war (Revelation 6:4); (2) harmony and concord with others (Ephesians 4:3); (3) health and welfare (1 Corinthians 16:11; (4) salvation in that one is at peace with God (Romans 5:1); and (5)as in this verse, "peace" sometimes denotes tranquility of mind that frees the Christian from fear and anxiety.
1:4 Evidence of a person's faith in Christ Jesus is his love...to all the saints.
1:5 Hope is salvation, as it refers to the object for which is true." Word of the truth of the gospel could be rendered as "the message of the gospel which is true." This is meant to contradict the Colossian heresy: unlike its false teaching, or "vain deceit" (2:8), the gospel is true indeed.
1:6 The universal spread and effectiveness of the gospel verify the assertion in verse 5 that is the truth. The Colossian heresy is merely local; while the gospel has come to the Colossians, it has gone beyond them in all the world. And it bringeth forth fruit; that is, when embraced by faith, the gospel produces godly character and noble conduct in its converts.
1:7 Epaphras evangelized the Colossians with the gospel and planted the church in their city. In describing Epaphras here in such glowing terms as our dear fellow servant and for you a faithful minister of Christ, Paul puts his apostolic stamp of approval on this saint's life, ministry, and gospel. The implication to the readers" Surely you will not forsake Epaphras's gospel and pastoral care in exchange for the doctrine of the local heretics, will you?
1:8 Your love in the Spirit (or, your love by the Spirit): that is, the Holy Spirit instilled and nurtured in the Colossian Christians an affection for others.
1:9 Wisdom is an accurate perception into the true nature of things. Understanding is the skillful application of this wisdom in practical situations.
1:10 This verse expresses the reason that in verse 9 Paul wants the Colossians to obtain a knowledge for God's will. It is that they may walk (live) properly and fully please God. In Greek the four explanatory participles of verses 10b-12 spell out and precisely define what a worthy walk entails: the believer is (1) fruitful in every good work, productive in Christian service; (2) constantly increasing in the knowledge of God, ever coming to know the Lord better; (3) always "strengthened" with all might," becoming spiritually stronger and stronger; and (4) in the habit of giving thanks, sincerely expressing gratitude to God in both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences in his life.
1:11 Patience is persevering through problems, trials, tribulations, and so forth. Long-suffering is forbearing the faults and offenses of others.
1:12 This verse also might be translated "thanking the Father, for He made us fit to share in the salvation belonging to the saints who are in the light." Light is the ethical condition in which God's children live, namely, that of spiritual understanding, with its accompanying morality and happiness.
1:13 Darkness is the religious state in which unbelievers exist, namely, that of spiritual ignorance with its attending immorality and misery.
1:14 Blood reminds the Colossians of the enormous price and sacrifice paid to secure their redemption. Redemption, then, is achieved by the atonement wrought by Jesus' death. See Ephesians 1:7 for "redemption".
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Micah chapters 1-4.
1:1 Samaria and Jerusalem: The two seats of government of the northern and southern kingdoms, respectively, are addressed. The capitals are the seats of corruption which filtered down to and infected the entire kingdoms.
1:8-16 Wailing and going about naked were signs of deep mourning. Beth-aphrah, Saphir, Zaanan, Beth-ezel, and Maroth are all cities of Judah that have passed into obscurity. They seem to be mentioned by the prophet because, by playing on the sounds and meanings of their names, he is able to graphically describe grave effects of the Assyrian invasion of Judah. The glory of Israel is a reference to the leading citizens and nobility of Israel who have been fleeing continuously before the Assyrian invasion.
2:12, 13 The breaker is come up before them: This is a reference to Israel's Messiah (Jesus) who will break down every obstacle between the people and their God. He will restore them, forgive their sins, and implant within them a new heart.
3:5-8 Cover their lips: They will be put to shame and will show this shame openly by covering their lips, which was an oriental gesture to indicate shame and mourning.
4:1-3 The phrase in the last days, as well as a comparison with other prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 2:2-4, indicates that the prophet is looking beyond the restoration from the Babylonian captivity to the days of the Millennium when every promise given to Abraham and to Israel will ultimately be fulfilled.
4:4-8 The vine and fig tree are both native to Israel. They flourish into luxuriant, natural arbors under which people can sit and enjoy fellowship while being shaded from the heat of the day. Both were used symbolically to represent the basic covenant between God and Israel in all its potential fruitfulness.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we study the Book of Obadiah.
1 Edom refers to the territory settled by Esau's descendants. It is a mountainous desert extending for about one hundred miles from the wadi Zered to the Gulf of Aqaba. The Edomites enjoyed the security of their mountain stronghold and the prosperity obtained by taxing caravans traveling through their territory. See the note on Genesis 36:1-43.
3 Rock (Hebrew Sela) is the name of the Edomite capital, Sela. The name emphasizes the security the Edomites enjoyed because of the narrow canyons that led in and out of Edom.
4 Though thou set thy nest among stars: This figure of speech emphasizes the inaccessibility and natural security of their city. However, their natural security is no match for God's determination.
5 As a gentle rule, when thieves or grape gatherers work, they do not search out and take everything; they merely take their fill. However, God will so thoroughly judge Esau that He makes it bare (Jeremiah 49:9, 10).
7-9 Teman was one of the cities of Edom. Dismayed (Hebrew chatat, lit., "to shatter, terrify, or dismay"): With her wise counselors and mighty men gone, proud Edom is doomed.
10-14 No particular historical occasion may be intended here; Obadiah is probably referring to all of Edom's transgressions against Israel: past (2 Chronicles 21:8-10, 16, 17), present (2 Chronicles 26:6, 7; Joel 3:4-6, 19; Amos 1:6-12), and future (Psalms 137:7).
15 The day of the Lord is pictured in Scripture as the time when God will judge the heathen (See the Introduction to Joel). Here the final day of judgment is in view.
17, 18 Deliverance (Hebrew peletah) is better understood as "an escaped one" or "a fugitive," hence "a remnant."
19, 20 The south (Hebrew negev) refers to those Jews who, in a time future to the prophet, will again occupy the southern regions of Judah. Zarephath is a Phoenician town on the Mediterranean coast. Sepharad has not been identified with certainty. It was apparently in the south near Edom.
21 Saviors is better read "those saved," in distinction from the Masoretic text. The closing verse looks forward to that time when the Lord's people will come to mount Zion and judge the mount of Esau during the kingdom age (Daniel 7:27; Revelation 5:10).
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
