POPULAR BIBLE STORIES, LESSONS AND MORE
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
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 Matthew 5
1 "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
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 Luke 8 4 "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Amen.  THE BETRAYAL Matthew 26 20 "Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. 36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."  THE CRUCIFIXION Matthew 27 1 "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. 11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. 57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."  THE RESURRECTION Matthew 28 1 "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  Jesus has Passover, The Last Supper, with His apostles, just hours before His crucifixion, as written in the Books of Luke and John:
Luke 22 1 "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. John 13 1 "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. 31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him." Amen.  Jesus has Passover, The Last Supper, with His apostles, just hours before His crucifixion, as written in the Books of Matthew and Mark: Matthew 26 1 "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover." Mark 14 1 "After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. 10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. 12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. 22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." Amen.  The Jewish Holiday, Passover: Where does it come from?
Exodus 12 1 "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." Christians do not typically celebrate Passover, because we have the blood of Jesus Christ marking the lintel of our doors. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.  Palm Sunday: Jesus fulfilled prophecy leading up to His crucifixion by riding into Jerusalem on an ass, and His followers laid branches of trees, palms, on the ground before Him, to honor and worship Him.
As written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: Matthew 21:1-9 1 "And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest." Mark 11:1-10 1 "And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest." Luke 19:28-30 28 "And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." John 12:12-18 12 "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle." Thank you, Jesus. Amen.  "The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just." Proverbs 3:33 Have you heard people say, 'once saved, always saved'? What does it mean? Can you continue to sin after you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and still expect to receive eternal life? Ephesians 2:8-9: 8 "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast." God's Word does tell us that we are saved by His grace, and not by works, but it also tells us many other things about what He expects from us. As a matter of fact, practically the entire Old Testament is God telling us what He expected from the Israelites, and then the Gentiles at the time. We now have the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, but does that mean we should continue to sin, breaking God's precepts and commandments? God forbid! Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 5: 18 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Will we be called 'the least' or 'great' in the kingdom of heaven? Still, that doesn't sound too bad, right? At least we are in the kingdom of heaven, right? Nope, wait. There is more! Hebrews 10:26 is probably familiar to most of us: "For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate]," Seldom, however, do I see the remaining verses, 27 through 30, quoted with v. 26, especially v. 30: 30 “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the deliverance of justice rest with Me], I will repay [the wrongdoer].” And again, 'The Lord will judge His people.'” "And again, 'The Lord will judge His people.'" Who are 'His people'? Taking the two verses 26 and 30, as if they are in the same context, the Scripture is referring to the ‘believers’ in Jesus Christ. ‘The knowledge of the truth,’ received in v. 26 comes from the Holy Spirit, which believers can receive only after having accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6 Likewise, Romans 14:10-12 tells us that we will ALL (believers) stand before the judgment seat of Christ and confess, and give account of ourselves, to God. We know that God will have compassion and mercy on whom He chooses. Romans 9:15. Should we abuse, or take advantage of, God's grace or good favor? God forbid! Romans 6 1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Jesus said, Sin No More! "Afterward Jesus finds him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall you." John 5:14 “She answered, ‘No one, Lord!’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.’” John 8:11 Jesus also said, "For it is not those who merely hear the Law [as it is read aloud] who are just or righteous before God, but it is those who [actually] obey the Law who will be justified [pronounced free of the guilt of sin and declared acceptable to Him]." Romans 2:13 Sin No More! ‘Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18-19 Amen. Jesus says, Repent or Perish (Luke 13 below) The definition of 'repent' is not to simply accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The definition of 'repent' is to turn away from sin! Likewise, the definition of ‘righteous’ is not to simply accept Jesus Christ either. Would you be surprised to find out that ‘righteous’ means to obey God? Or, Sin No More! "For it is not those who merely hear the Law [as it is read aloud] who are just or righteous before God, but it is those who [actually] obey the Law who will be justified [pronounced free of the guilt of sin and declared acceptable to Him]." Romans 2:13 The unrighteous, guilty, sinful, sexually immoral, liars, murderers, adulterers, thieves, will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Luke 13 Repent or Perish 1 "Just at that time some people came who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate [the governor] had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they have suffered in this way? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you assume that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed were worse sinners than all the others who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.” Parable of the Fig Tree 6 Then He began telling them this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any; 7 so he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?’ 8 But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit after this, fine; but if not, cut it down.’” Some Historians note that the Galileans were probably at the Temple offering sacrifices, when Roman Governor Pilate’s soldiers came through and killed them all at the sacrificial altars, thereby mingling their blood with the slain lambs’ blood. Pilate wanted more money from the Temple treasury, but the Jews refused, so Pilate sent men dressed as citizens, and armed with daggers, into the crowds, demanding money, and killing whomever resisted. The Jews who were reporting this to Jesus in v. 1 above were implying that they were better than the Galileans because they did not die like that. And, v. 4. Notice that Jesus repeats v. 3 again at v. 5, showing a sense of urgency: "I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.” Jesus’s answer shows that the Jews who told Him about the Galileans believed that God had permitted them to be killed due to their sins. Jesus was letting them know, in no uncertain terms, that those who died were not necessarily greater sinners, but rather the Jews should themselves repent, turn away from sin, and that if they did not repent, they would all perish as well. So, considering in context Luke 13:1-5, as well as the 'Parable of the Fig Tree’ which follows Luke 13:6-9, as with much in the Bible, there is a lot of debate about whom the fig tree and the vineyard represent. Let’s focus on what we do know from the parable. God is looking for fruit on the trees. Surely, He would do the same with His vineyard. He has given us a season to change our lives, before the trees that do not produce fruit are cut down. v. 9. Praise God. Amen. Again, 'repent,' which Jesus himself tells us to do, means to turn away from sin. Sin No More! Romans 2 3 "But do you think this, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things, and yet do the same yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment and elude His verdict? 4 Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]? 5 But because of your callous stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are [deliberately] storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2 14 When Gentiles, who do not have the Law [since it was given only to Jews], do instinctively the things the Law requires [guided only by their conscience], they are a law to themselves, though they do not have the Law. 15 They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts; and their conscience [their sense of right and wrong, their moral choices] bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or perhaps defending them 16 on that day when, as my gospel proclaims, God will judge the secrets [all the hidden thoughts and concealed sins] of men through Christ Jesus. Sin No More! 'Lest a worse thing befall you.' John 5:14 above. "Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death." James 1:15 Romans 14 5 "But because of your callous stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are [deliberately] storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will pay back to each person according to his deeds [justly, as his deeds deserve]: 7 to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life. 8 But for those who are selfishly ambitious and self-seeking and disobedient to the truth but responsive to wickedness, [there will be] wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and anguish [torturing confinement] for every human soul who does [or permits] evil, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and inner peace [will be given] to everyone who habitually does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality [no arbitrary favoritism; with Him one person is not more important than another]." God is very patient with us. He is waiting for us to bear good fruit (our thoughts, words, actions, deeds) in the name of Christ Jesus! "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you." Revelation 3:3 "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12 See my blog titled, ‘The Harvest,’ for My Testimony to God’s Power, and how important it is to Wear the Full Armor of God, so you can withstand the wiles of the devil, and pass your ‘test.' The Time is at Hand. Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. Are you ready? Who will be left behind? Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ! 2 Corinthians 10:5. And, ask and God will show you great and mighty things. Jeremiah 33:3 Hallelujah. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGSCount your many blessings, name them one by one! Ephesians 1 3 Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, 4 just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace and favor, which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved [His Son, Jesus Christ]. Amen! Heavenly Father, thank you for our many blessings. Your Word is True and Just, and provides blessings to those who see and hear it. May Your Words always flow through us until You come. Even so, come Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Now, no one understands God's timeline completely, or His Word, for that matter. This is why there are so many varying opinions, spanning over hundreds, even thousands, of years. God even makes it clear in His Word that men speak of things they do not understand. Jude 1:10 Everything Visible and invisible, or supernatural, is made By, For, and In God! Colossians 1:16 One thing we should understand from His Word though is that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. We really do not need to know anything else. God made our choice very simple. Hallelujah! Amen. God is Good - All the Time! The Book of Revelation is a prophecy about what will happen to those who make the wrong choice, those who choose the wrong road or path, because, as I said, God made it really easy, and there are only two choices in this life: God or Satan. "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28 We know throughout the Bible, however, that God is gracious and merciful and wants everyone to return to Him, and He never allows us to be tempted more than we can withstand. For this reason, the Bible is full of blessings for believers: "Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ," Ephesians 1:3 Now, in the Book of Revelation, God specifically provides Seven Blessings to believers. All seven blessings pretty much have the same theme: Repent, turn away from sin, and turn to Jesus Christ, and you will be blessed! Which coincidentally is also the same theme God has put on my heart in these blogs for the last year! Praise God. Hallelujah. Amen. The Seven Blessings of the Book of Revelation The First Blessing "Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near." Revelation 1:3 Read the prophecy, the Book of Revelation. Hear the words of the prophecy. Keep the things written in it, in your heart; take heed of the words. Be blessed by God. The Second Blessing "Then I heard [the distinct words of] a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes, [blessed indeed],” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest and have relief from their labors, for their deeds do follow them.” Revelation 14:13 Remain steadfast in Christ until the end, even unto persecution and death. Be blessed by God. The Third Blessing “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.” Revelation 16:15 Keep your 'eye' single, spiritually perceptive, focused on God, wearing the Full Armor of God, and meditating on His Word day and night. Be blessed by God. The Fourth Blessing "Then the angel said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me [further], “These are the true and exact words of God.” Revelation 19:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9 Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and obey God. Be blessed by God. The Fifth Blessing "Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) and holy is the person who takes part in the first resurrection; over these the second death [which is eternal separation from God, the lake of fire] has no power or authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with Him a thousand years." Revelation 20:6 "You who obey the Lord’s commands, listen to what he says: 'Your brothers hated you. They turned against you because you followed me. Your brothers said, ‘When the Lord shows his glory, then we will rejoice with you. But they will be punished.'” Isaiah 66:5 Believers in Christ will take part in the first resurrection. Unbelievers will take part in the second death. Choose God now! Turn to Christ in full obedience. Be blessed by God. The Sixth Blessing “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is the one who heeds and takes to heart and remembers the words of the prophecy [that is, the predictions, consolations, and warnings] contained in this book (scroll).” Revelation 22:7 This blessing is almost exactly the same as the First Blessing, which would probably indicate some urgency for man to read, hear and obey, or take heed of, this prophecy (the book of Revelation). The Seventh Blessing "Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14 How many will "enter by the gates into the city?" God's Word tells us that the road to heaven is narrow and difficult to follow, and few will find it, but that the road to hell is wide, and many will find it. The road is not difficult to follow because the Word is difficult to understand. To the contrary, He tells us that 'the god of this world' [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers: "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:4 Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and turn (back) to God in full obedience. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.  Heavenly Father, thank you for our many blessings. All glory and honor and praise and thanksgiving to God, Most High. Bless those reading this. Amen.
God’s plan is that we remember who we are, what our purpose is here, and that we return to Him, in Jesus Christ. Who knows that we all have a purpose? It is the very reason for our existence on earth: “In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,” Ephesians 1:11 According to the purpose of Him, with the counsel and design of His Will! Not our own will. THE VEIL “And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 What is the ‘veil’ about which Apostle Paul writes above when he says, ‘with unveiled face’? Plainly speaking, it is a veil over us that keeps us in darkness, and in the dark about who we really are: Light and love, from God, the creator. In Biblical times, the Israelites, who lived under the Mosaic Law, Moses’ Law (the Law), had a veil of blindness and ignorance upon their hearts. The Law was oppressive and difficult to follow, as Jesus tells us in the New Testament. Hebrews 7:18-19 tells us that the law was weak and useless, and never made anything perfect. “For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God] (for the Law never made anything perfect). . .” Hebrews 7:18-19 Those seem like harsh words. I no longer see them as ‘harsh,’ however, but more frank. The Law condemned people to sin and death. In Matthew 23:23-24 below, Jesus is being frank with the Pharisees and scribes, when He says, woe to them, for not fulfilling the primary spirit of the Law, which is ‘justice and mercy and faithfulness.’ He is telling them, I want you to be saved, but how can you escape judgment? By your actions, you will be condemned. Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you give a tenth (tithe) of your mint and dill and cumin [focusing on minor matters], and have neglected the weightier [more important moral and spiritual] provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the [primary] things you ought to have done without neglecting the others. You [spiritually] blind guides, who strain out a gnat [consuming yourselves with miniscule matters] and swallow a camel [ignoring and violating God’s precepts]!” Jesus is judging righteous judgment John 7:24, and not judging by their fancy clothes and kept appearances. He is exposing their unfruitful works of darkness Ephesians 5:11, and warning others to beware of their actions and deeds. Why would God, the creator, allow Mosaic Law into His creation, when it was clearly imperfect? Well, Adam and Eve had a choice, and they chose to disobey God and introduce sin and death into the world. By the Law, we learned what sin is, so that we could learn not to sin through and in Jesus Christ, and once again, be made perfect, like God, light and love, from glory to more glory. “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, if it had not been for the Law, I would not have recognized sin. For I would not have known [for example] about coveting [what belongs to another, and would have had no sense of guilt] if the Law had not [repeatedly] said, 'You shall not covet.'” Romans 7:7 So, the veil of blindness that comes from the Law is taken away through repentance in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3 14 “But [in fact] their minds were hardened [for they had lost the ability to understand]; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed [only] in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil [of blindness] lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns [in repentance and faith] to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].” “ . . . while on the other hand a better hope is introduced [Jesus Christ] through which we now continually draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19 From one degree of glory to even more glory … Believers who study the Gospel are happy, for their hearts are free in Christ to follow the way of God’s Commandments. Believers have love and light, and with open face, as if looking in a mirror (reflection), they behold the glory of the Lord. “So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 ‘The essence of the law and the writings of the Prophets.’ So, essentially, everything we know about anything, according to God’s Word. These are not JUST words. God’s Word is alive, and is meant to push us from glory to glory, towards Him. Apostle Luke goes into further detail about how to reflect God’s glory, love and light, by treating others the way you want to be treated: Luke 6 27 “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, 28 bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount. 35 But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.” God’s Words are alive and literal, and truly every action we commit against another individual, we are committing against ourselves, which prohibits us from reaching our God-Willed potential. By loving and treating everyone as if they were us, then we have fulfilled the letter and the intent of the Law, and the prophets, written about (for our sole benefit), to push us to awaken to our true destiny, from one glory to more glory, and return to God, the source of all things. All of this proves that our God is a just, forgiving and merciful God, who does not want any to perish, but all to return to Him, in and through Jesus Christ. He is a God that takes what men meant for evil and turns it to good. Genesis 50:20. Praise God! Amen. The end of one covenant, the Law, and the beginning of a New Covenant, the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all men. JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION Luke 23 44 “It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two [from top to bottom]. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last.” Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two [from top to bottom], and the Law became fulfilled in two simple commands: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-40 So, God, the creator, the source of all things 1 Corinthians 8:6, created us perfect, like Him, in light and love. Through sin and death, we were torn and wounded; and, healed by the grace [favor] of God, the Father. Created Perfect Torn and Wounded Healed, Bandaged, Revived and Raised Up Hosea 6 1 “Come and let us return [in repentance] to the Lord, For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up That we may live before Him.” We were saved by the Grace of God, and we will be raised up through the Word made flesh, the resurrection, which is Jesus Christ. Let’s pray for all of God’s children to remember who they really are, a part of God, the creator, in and through Jesus Christ. Amen. See also my blog titled, 'The Veil,' to read about My Testimony to God's Power. MAN'S SIXTH SENSE  "Do you not know that when you continually offer yourselves to someone to do his will, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either [slaves] of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (right standing with God)?" Romans 6:16 Heavenly Father, let your words flow through me, and not my own. In Jesus' name. Amen. Does man have a sixth sense? Are our thoughts, in other words, our mind and feelings, like a sixth sense? At the very least, our thoughts and feelings control our responses to the five senses: Sight, Hearing, Speech, Touch, Taste. First, let's look at the five senses, and God. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 We are created in Jesus Christ, to perform good works, which God, before time began, ordained, or established or ordered by appointment, decree, or law. These are not JUST words. We know God's Word is powerful: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 God's Word is a 'discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' THE FIVE SENSES: Sight, Hearing, Speech, Touch, Taste SIGHT AND HEARING "But blessed [spiritually aware, and favored by God] are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear." Matthew 13:16 Our eyes and ears are blessed by God because we see His blessings in our lives every day, and hear and understand His Word: The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, who died, was resurrected, and now sits at God, the Father's, right hand. SIGHT Matthew 6 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. 23 But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness . . ." If our spiritual eye is focused on God, then our bodies will be full of light, and will shine with God's Word for all to see. If our spiritual eye is focused on darkness, our bodies will be full of darkness! HEARING "So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” Luke 8:18 Listen to God's Word, hear it with your ears, understand it with your hearts and minds. Do not be like Cain, who knew God's Word, but was a poser, a pretender. He pretended to be righteous, thinking he could climb into the kingdom of Heaven through a window to receive God's blessings, instead of coming through the door, as instructed. See my blog titled, Cain and Abel. SPEECH (words) So, we know God's Word is alive, and we also know that our very own words are alive: "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body." Proverbs 16:24 If pleasant words cause healing, then harsh words are certainly the opposite, and cause sickness and death. Also, Matthew 12:37, "For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced." By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Jesus tells us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can tell [speak to] a mountain to move, and it will move: "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say [speak] unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 17:20 These are powerful words. Our words are alive, and is it no wonder? "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" We are gods who can create by speaking, thinking about, and acting upon God's Word, which, in turn, will cause our own words, thoughts and actions to create for the greater good of all mankind. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue [speech]: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21 Similar to what Jesus said: live by the sword, die by the sword, except, more appropriately, sting men with your tongue, and you will be stung in the same way, with men's tongues, or words. Or, Do unto others as you would have done unto you. TOUCH 2 Corinthians 2:17 “'So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, 'And do not touch what is unclean; 'And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor],'" Come out. Repent, turn away from sin. Do not touch what is unclean. Turn to Jesus Christ. Stay away from unrighteousness: Fornication, lying, adultery, murder, stealing, lust of the flesh, all forms of wickedness and abominations to God. "And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins." Numbers 16:27 Touch nothing of the wicked, unless you be consumed in their sins. TASTE "O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8 Taste the power of God's Word, and take refuge in Him, and be blessed. MAN'S SIXTH SENSE - THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Our thoughts, words and actions are the most powerful tools God gave us, in Jesus Christ, because with them, we create the world around us! See some interesting videos about God and Physics here. I know people will say, but thoughts and feelings are not really a 'sense,' are they, not like seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and speaking? Are not the original five senses all operations of our minds? We touch something, and our minds, feelings, thoughts, tell us what it is and how to react to it. Same with the other senses. So, in essence, our thoughts and feelings are the greatest operation of our minds. You could say, our feelings or thoughts are a 'sense' [sixth sense] of who we are, inside our hearts. Thus, thought is the greatest operation of our minds of all the five senses. We think all day long, day and night, even in our dreams. The kinds of thoughts we have are based on what we have stored in our hearts, and determine how we react to the other five senses: taste, touch, sight, hearing, and speech. "Do you not know that when you continually offer yourselves to someone to do his will, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either [slaves] of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (right standing with God)?" Romans 6:16 If we continually offer ourselves in thoughts, words, and actions, to sin, death is waiting. Therefore, if we offer ourselves to God, and righteousness, everlasting life is waiting. "[We are] casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Do not even think sinful things. Jesus said, that just by looking at another woman, a man has already lusted for her in his heart. God knows our hearts. If you are feeling persecuted, deeply saddened, or guilty, and you have no idea why, or perhaps you have some idea, pray out loud to God for forgiveness, repent of [turn away from] any and all sin, and God will provide mercy and relief. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 Think only on honest, just, pure, lovely things, and things of good report, and only on things that have virtue and praise. Anything else is from Satan, the ruler of this world, and will lead to death. Jesus said, Do not love this world. If you love this world, then the love of the Father is not in you. Love people. Hate evil, which is sin and death. “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 Keep your hearts and minds [thoughts and feelings] on God, and receive the peace the passes all understanding through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Choose God by choosing His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Amen.  “The eye is the lamp [light] of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts (laws, commands)]." Matthew 6:22 If we think about the eyes literally, they are the primary way light enters our body (clearly, it also enters through our skin since it is the body's largest organ). But, light enters the pupil, and the iris controls how much light enters. Then, it passes through a lens, which works with the cornea to focus the images we are seeing. The light then passes through the retina, and literally kickstarts an electrical process that sends signals to our brain to show us the images. I found that completely fascinating and amazing, a miracle of creation, something only God could do. Praise God! Like the rising of the sun in the east, and setting in the west. Hallelujah! Now, the good news of salvation is everlasting life through Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9 If we believe this, even though our flesh is weak, we have been set apart as holy for God: "And in accordance with this will [of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10 Likewise, if we think about it spiritually, as in Matthew 6:22 (above), if our eye is clear '[spiritually perceptive],' or focused on God, what is right, good and pure, we will never again be in darkness, regardless of the infirmities of the flesh, because Jesus tells us, we are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14 So, with our physical eyes, we SEE the lights of the world, but with our spiritual eye, we ARE the light of the world, and will never again be in darkness. Or, as Apostle Paul told, in the story of 'A Thorn in the Flesh': 2 Corinthians 12 A Thorn in the Flesh 7 "Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; 9 but He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.' Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]." Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Hallelujah! Amen!  REJOICE IN THE LORD!As believers in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, WE ARE the light of the world. Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven." Hallelujah! As believers in Christ, we know from scripture that temptation is common to human (mankind) experience, but that God will not let us be tempted beyond our ability to resist. Hallelujah! Praise God. We also know that if we remain steadfast until the end (resist the temptation of sin), we will be saved. Thank you, Jesus! 1 Corinthians 10 13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. 14 Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]." Pray that we all remain steadfast under the trials and tribulations and temptations of human life, life in the flesh, for we know that if we persevere in righteousness (repentance, obedience to God) until the end, we will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised: "Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 Matthew 24 11 "Many false prophets will appear and mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures and bears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved. 14 This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come." Pray that God's children have a renewing and a refreshing of Spirit, so that we do not become salt that has lost its taste, but that our light always shines brightly, so that men may see our good deeds and glorify our Father who is in heaven! Praise God! Amen! Matthew 5 13 “You are the [d]salt of the earth; but if the salt has [e]lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery]. 14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Finally, no matter what life throws at us, we know that no mountain is too high because the Lord is our strength, and he has made our feet steady. A Prayer of Habakkuk A Prayer for the Times Habakkuk 3 (AMP) 17 "Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! 19 The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my [e]high places [of challenge and responsibility]." Footnote: www.biblegateway.com (e) Habakkuk 3:19 The troubled times of life may actually be the “high places” of spiritual growth for the believer who remains stable when tested by God. He is my rock and my fortress And I will choose to REJOICE IN THE LORD! Praise God! Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus. Amen  A name is just a name? Nope, not so fast! Did you know that our heavenly Father, and His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, have many names in the Bible? Jesus alone is referred to using at least 343 different titles or names (see below). God has many facets, many layers. He is the God of all mankind. He is all things to all people, who believe in Him. "Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?' All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” Mark 9:23 (Following is an excerpt from godisreal.today. The Ultimate Name of God: I AM When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, he asked what His name was. God replied: “I AM that I AM… You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”Exodus 3:14 Jesus Christ applied the name of God on Himself Jesus Christ shocked the religious leaders of Israel, when He made a statement that was unheard of since the beginning of time. Jesus Christ declared that He Himself is God, when He said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58 In the book of Revelation Jesus reveals Himself to the apostle John with a name that is very similar to ‘I AM': “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-9 The Names of God in the Old Testament Remember that God is real and these names reveal who He wants to be for you and your beloved ones. He didn’t only exist thousands of years ago, when these names were first revealed. He is just as present today, to show you who He is. He loves you with all His heart. These names of God reveal who God wants to be for you. Yahweh The self-existent One. He has always existed and will always exist. You can always rely on Him because He is your eternal source of strength. (Genesis 2:4, Isaiah 40:3; 10; 1 Samuel 1:20; Exodus 6:1-4, 3:1-22) Adonai God is the Lord over all. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, He reigns forever. Therefore you find safety in Him and Him alone. (Genesis 15:2, Judges 6:15, Malachi 1:6, Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 2:4, 8:1, 97:5, 136:3; Isaiah 1:24, 6:1; Romans 10:9) Yahweh-Maccaddeshem The Lord your sanctifier. He forgiveness your sins and His Holy Spirit works in your life to become like He is: pure, loving and true. (Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28) Yahweh-Rohi The Lord my shepherd. He cares for you, the way a shepherd tends his sheep. He cares for you and leads you to still waters and green pastures. (Psalm 23, 80:1, 95:7, Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 31:10, Ezekiel 34:12, 23) Yahweh-Shammah The Lord who is present. He never leaves you, nor forsakes you. He is with you forever. Your best friend, who never betrays you. (Ezekiel 48:35, Genesis 28:15, Ezekiel 48:35, Psalm 23:4, 46:1, 139:7-12, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Amos 5:14) Yahweh-Rapha The Lord our healer. “By His stripes were are healed” declares the Bible. Jesus Christ died to give you life. Not only was God the healer in the Old Testament, but Jesus Christ revealed the healing heart of God for all of us, more than ever. (Exodus 15:26, Exodus 15:26, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 6:2, 41:4, 103:3, 147:3, Isaiah 19:22, 30:36, 57:18-19, Jeremiah 3:22; 17:14, 30:17) Yahweh-Tsidkenu The Lord our righteousness. When we believe in Jesus Christ, He becomes our righteousness. He forgives our sins and washes us with His blood. (Jeremiah 23:6, Genesis 15:6, Jeremiah 23:6, Psalm 4:1, 5:8, 24:5, 31:1, 36:10, 71:15, 89:16) Yahweh-Jireh The Lord will provide. Jesus Christ said that Father cares for us and we never need to worry about provision. He is our source of life, in every way. (Genesis 22:13-14) Yahweh-Nissi The Lord our banner. The Lord gives us the victory in spiritual warfare. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord raises a banner of His love over us and covers us. He wages war on our behalf and makes us more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. (Exodus 17:15) Yahweh-Shalom The Lord is peace. Whenever there are storms in your life, hide in Him. He is your shelter in the storm. He gives peace beyond understanding, even when circumstances are chaotic. He is our shelter and our shield. (Judges 6:24) Yahweh-Sabbaoth The Lord of Hosts. The Bible mentions myriads of angels, who wage war against the armies of hell, who try to destroy mankind. Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts, the Captain of the armies of heaven. (Isaiah 6:1-3, 1 Samuel 1:3, 17:45; 2 Samuel 6:2, 7:26-27; 1 Chronicles 11:9; Haggai 1:5) Yahweh-Ghmolah The God of Recompense. The Lord says in Romans 12 “vengeance is mine, I will repay.” We should never avenge others for what they do to us, but leave it in God’s hands. (Jeremiah 51:6) Elohim God is creator, powerful and mighty, Lord of lords. He is the Lord Most High, stronger and mightier than anyone or anything. When you face impossible circumstances or adversaries, now that your God is stronger. (Gen. 1:1, 17:7, Ps 19:1 Jer. 31:33) El-Elyon The most high God. Do not fear the enemy who tries to intimidate you. Know that your God is the Most High God. There is none above Him. Jesus Christ is exalted high above every name. (Genesis 14:17-20, Deuteronomy 26:19, Isaiah 14:13-14) El-Gibhor Mighty God. The Lord is mighty to save. His arm is not too short. Whatever problem you are facing, know that your God is El-Gibhor, MIGHTY! (Isaiah 9:6) El-Olam The everlasting God. God is eternal, while your problems are temporary. His love will never change. His promises are true. Build on Him, who is eternal and do not focus on your temporary situations. He will show you His great and eternal goodness. (Isaiah 40:28-31) El-Roi The strong one who sees. When you feel lonely and abandoned by people, know that God is with you. He sees you and He knows you. He hears the cry of your heart and He loves you more than you can imagine. he will lead you through and fill your hear with His praise. (Genesis 16:13) El-Shaddai-Rohi God Almighty, the mighty One of Jacob. God is not just another ‘god’ like the countless idols. He truly is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. (Gen. 17:1, 49:24, Ps. 91:1, 132:2, 5) El-Chuwl The God who gave birth. God is our Creator and our Father. He saw us and He loved us, even before we were born. He has a plan for your life and if you walk with Him, He will fulfill His dreams over your life and amaze you. (Psalm 139:13-18) El-Deah God of knowledge. Wisdom comes from the Lord. Man tries to become wise apart from God, but ends up in foolishness. When we fear God and keep His commandments, to love one another, we will know Him as He is and His wisdom will guide us. (1 Samuel 2:3; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Cor. 1:18-31) Attiyq Youm The Ancient of Days. God is eternal. He was before the beginning of time. Therefore He has all authority. Every knee bows before Him. (Daniel 7:9, 13, 14) End of excerpt from godisreal.today He is all things to all people: 343 names for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, courtesy of: missions.redemptivehistory.org Scriptural Names and Descriptions of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Names and References are based on the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible 1. Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1) 2. the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Hebrews 3:1) 3. the Almighty (Revelation 1:8) 4. Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13) 5. the Amen (Revelation 3:14) 6. the Angel of the Lord (Exodus 3:2) 7. Anointed (Psalm 2:2) 8. the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Hebrews 3:1) 9. Arm of the Lord (Isaiah 51:9) 10. the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) 11. the Author of Eternal Salvation (Hebrews 5:9) 12. the Beginning and the End (Revelation 21:6; 22:13) 13. the Beginning and the Ending (Revelation 1:8) 14. the Beginning of the Creation of God (Revelation 3:14) 15. the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6) 16. Beloved Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; 2 Peter 1:17) 17. the Blessed and Only Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15) 18. Bishop of your souls (1 Peter 2:25) 19. Branch (Jeremiah 23:5) 20. the BRANCH (Zechariah 3:8) 21. Bread from Heaven (John 6:32-33) 22. the Bread of God (John 6:33) 23. the Bread of Life (John 6:35) 24. the Breaker (Micah 2:13) 25. the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35; John 3:29) 26. the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) 27. the Brightness of His Glory (Hebrews 1:3) 28. Captain of their Salvation (Hebrews 2:10) 29. Captain of the Host of the LORD (Joshua 5:14) 30. the Carpenter (Mark 6:3) 31. the carpenter's Son (Matthew 13:55) 32. the Chief Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6) 33. the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) 34. the Chiefest among ten thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10) 35. Child (Isaiah 9:6) 36. the Child Jesus (Luke 2:27,43) 37. Chosen of God (1 Peter 2:4)38. Christ (Matthew 1:16; Luke 9:20; over 500 references in the New Testament) 39. The Christ [Messiah] (Matthew 16:20; Mark 14:61) 40. Christ a King (Luke 23:2) 41. Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4; Romans 3:24; 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; Hebrews 3:1; 1 Peter 5:10,14) 42. Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Timothy 1:12; Romans 8:39) 43. the Christ of God (Luke 9:20) 44. Christ our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) 45. Christ, the chosen of God (Luke 23:35) 46. Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11) 47. Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24) 48. the Christ, the Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61) 49. Commander to the people (Isaiah 55:4) 50. the Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25) 51. Corner Stone (Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20) 52. Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) 53. Covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6) 54. the Creator of Israel (Isaiah 43:15) 55. the Dayspring from on High (Luke 1:78) 56. the Day Star (2 Peter 1:19) 57. the Deliverer (Romans 11:26) 58. the Desire of All Nations (Haggai 2:7) 59. the Door (John 10:9) 60. the Door of the Sheep (John 10:7) 61. Elect (Isaiah 42:1) 62. Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23) 63. the End (Revelation 21:6, 22:13) 64. the Ending (Revelation 1:8) 65. Ensign of the People (Isaiah 11:10) 66. the Eternal Life (1 John 5:20) 67. the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6) 68. Everlasting Light (Isaiah 60:20) 69. the Express Image of His Person (Hebrews 1:3) 70. Father (Isaiah 9:6) 71. Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11) 72. the Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5) 73. the Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14) 74. Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) 75. the First and the Last (Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13) 76. the First begotten (Hebrews 1:6) 77. the First Begotten of the Dead (Revelation 1:5) 78. Firstborn (Psalm 89:27) 79. the Firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:15) 80. Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20) 81. Foundation (Isaiah 28:16) 82. Fountain (Zechariah 13:1) 83. Friend of publicans and sinners (Matthew 11:19) 84. the Gift of God (John 4:10) 85. the Glory of the LORD (Isaiah 40:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18) 86. the Glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:32) 87. God (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1; Isaiah 44:6) 88. God Almighty (Revelation 15:3) 89. God blessed for ever (Romans 9:5) 90. God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) 91. God of Israel, the Saviour (Isaiah 45:15) 92. God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5) 93. God our Saviour (1 Timothy 2:3) 94. God with us (Matthew 1:23) 95. Good Master (Matthew 19:16) 96. the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) 97. Governor (Matthew 2:6) 98. Great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20) 99. the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13) 100. the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) 101. He that Liveth (Revelation 1:18) 102. the Head (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 2:19) 103. the Head of the Body (Colossians 1:18,24) 104. the Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23) 105. the Head of the Corner (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7) 106. the Head of every man (1 Corinthians 11:3) 107. the Head over all things (Ephesians 1:22) 108. Hiding Place (Psalm 32:7; Isaiah 32:2) 109. Heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2) 110. High Priest (Hebrews 4:14; 6:20; 7:26) 111. High Priest for ever (Hebrews 6:20) 112. High Priest of our profession (Hebrews 3:1) 113. Him that loved us (Revelation 1:5) 114. Him which is, and which was, and which is to come (Revelation 1:4) 115. Him whom my soul loveth (Song of Solomon 3:1,2,3,4) 116. His dear Son (Colossians 1:13) 117. His Son (John 3:17; Romans 5:10) 118. His Son Jesus (Acts 3:13, 26) 119. His Son Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9) 120. Holy and True (Revelation 6:10) 121. Holy Child Jesus (Acts 4:30) 122. Holy One (Psalm 16:10) 123. the Holy One and the Just (Acts 3:14) 124. the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24) 125. the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 41:14; 43:14; 54:5) 126. Holy Thing (Luke 1:35) 127. our Hope (1 Timothy 1:1) 128. Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69) 129. Husband (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2) 130. I Am (John 8:58) 131. Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4) 132. the Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15) 133. Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) 134. Israel (Isaiah 49:3) 135. Jehovah [LORD] (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3; Jeremiah 23:6; see also Isaiah 6:3 with John 12:41; Psalm 110:1 with Matthew 22:42-45; Psalm 24:7-10 with 1 Corinthians 2:8 & James 2:1; Psalm 97:9 with John 3:31; Isaiah 44:6 with Revelation 1:17 & Revelation 22:13; Isaiah 8:13,14 with 1 Peter 2:6-8; Isaiah 40:10,11 with Hebrews 13:20; Proverbs 16:4 with Colossians 1:16) 136. Jesus [Jehovah Saves] (Matthew 1:21; close to 1000 references in the New Testament) 137. Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1; John 1:17; close to 200 references in the New Testament) 138. Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:3; 6:11, 23; 1 Corinthians 1:9) 139. Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 3:6) 140. Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1) 141. Jesus of Nazareth (Mark 1:24; Luke 24:19) 142. Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews (John 19:19) 143. Jesus the King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37) 144. Jesus the Son of God (Hebrews 4:14) 145. Jesus, the Son of Joseph (John 6:42) 146. Judge of Israel (Micah 5:1) 147. the Judge of the quick and dead (Acts 10:42) 148. the Just (Acts 3:14) 149. Just Man (Matthew 27:19) 150. the Just One (Acts 7:52; 22:14) 151. Just Person (Matthew 27:24) 152. King (Matthew 21:5) 153. King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible (1 Timothy 1:17) 154. the King of Glory (Psalm 24:7-10) 155. the King of Israel (John 1:49; Isaiah 44:6) 156. King of kings (Revelation 17:14) 157. King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15) 158. King of Saints (Revelation 15:3) 159. King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2) 160. the Lamb (Revelation 5:6,8; 6:16; 7:9,10,17; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1,4; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7,9; 21:9,14,22,23,27) 161. the Lamb of God (John 1:29,36) 162. the Lamb that was slain (Revelation 5:12) 163. Lamb without blemish (1 Peter 1:19) 164. the Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) 165. Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22; James 4:12) 166. Leader and Commander to the people (Isaiah 55:4) 167. the Life (John 11:25; 14:6; 1 John 1:2) 168. Light to lighten the Gentiles (Luke 2:32) 169. Light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6) 170. the Light of the World (John 8:12) 171. the Lily of the Valleys (Song of Solomon 2:1) 172. the Lion of the Tribe of Juda (Revelation 5:5) 173. the Living Bread (John 6:51) 174. Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4) 175. Lord (Romans 1:3) 176. the LORD (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3; Jeremiah 23:6; see also Isaiah 6:3 with John 12:41; Psalm 110:1 with Matthew 22:42-45; Psalm 24:7-10 with 1 Corinthians 2:8 & James 2:1; Psalm 97:9 with John 3:31; Isaiah 44:6 with Revelation 1:17 & Revelation 22:13; Isaiah 8:13,14 with 1 Peter 2:6-8; Isaiah 40:10,11 with Hebrews 13:20; Proverbs 16:4 with Colossians 1:16) 177. Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11; 3:18) 178. Lord both of the dead and the living (Romans 14:9) 179. Lord Christ (Colossians 3:24) 180. the Lord from Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:47) 181. Lord God Almighty (Revelation 15:3) 182. the Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59; Colossians 3:17; over 100 other references in the New Testament) 183. the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 11:17; over 75 other references in the New Testament) 184. the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 1:4) 185. the LORD mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8) 186. Lord of All (Acts 10:36) 187. the Lord of Glory (1 Corinthians 2:8; James 2:1) 188. the LORD of Hosts (Isaiah 44:6) 189. Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16) 190. Lord of lords, and King of kings (Revelation 17:14) 191. Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) 192. THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jeremiah 23:6) 193. Lord over all (Romans 10:12) 194. the LORD strong and mighty (Psalm 24:8) 195. the LORD that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26) 196. the LORD your Holy One (Isaiah 43:15) 197. the LORD your Redeemer (Isaiah 43:14) 198. the Lord's Christ (Luke 2:26) 199. the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5) 200. Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3) 201. the Man that is My Fellow (Zechariah 13:7) 202. Master (Matthew 23:8) 203. Master and Lord (John 13:13) 204. Mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5) 205. the Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:24) 206. the Mediator of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15) 207. the Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6) 208. Messenger of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1) 209. Messiah (Daniel 9:26) 210. the Messiah the Prince (Daniel 9:25) 211. the Messias (John 1:41) 212. the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6) 213. the Mighty One of Israel (Isaiah 30:29) 214. the Mighty One of Jacob (Isaiah 49:26) 215. Mighty to save (Isaiah 63:1) 216. Minister of the sanctuary (Hebrews 8:2) 217. Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) 218. the Most Holy (Daniel 9:24) 219. Most Mighty (Psalm 45:3) 220. My Lord and My God (John 20:28) 221. My Beloved (Song of Solomon 6:3) 222. My Friend (Song of Solomon 5:16) 223. My Love (Song of Solomon 3:5) 224. Nazarene (Matthew 2:23) 225. the Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16) 226. Omega (Revelation 1:8,11, 21:6, 22:13) 227. One Mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5) [Only Mediator - see John 14:6] 228. the Only Begotten Son (John 1:18; 3:16) 229. the Only Begotten Son of God (John 3:18) 230. the Only Begotten of the Father (John 1:14) 231. Only Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15) 232. the Only wise God, our Saviour (Jude 1:25) 233. Our Hope (1 Timothy 1:1) 234. Our King (Isaiah 33:22) 235. Our Lord (Romans 1:3) 236. Our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) 237. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) 238. Our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) 239. Our Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:10; 2 Peter 1:1) 240. Plant of renown (Ezekiel 34:29) 241. Our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13) 242. Pavilion (Psalm 27:5) 243. Physician (Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:23) 244. Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15) 245. the Power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24) 246. Precious (1 Peter 2:4,7) 247. Precious Corner Stone (Isaiah 28:16) 248. Priest (Hebrews 7:17) 249. Prince (Acts 5:31) 250. the Prince of Life (Acts 3:15) 251. the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) 252. the Prince of the kings of the Earth (Revelation 1:5) 253. Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15,18; Matthew 21:11; Luke 24:19) 254. Rabbi (John 1:49) 255. Rabboni (John 20:16) 256. Ransom (1 Timothy 2:6) 257. Redeemer (Isaiah 43:14; 49:26; 54:5 59:20) 258. Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30) 259. Refuge (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 9:9; 91:2) 260. the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) 261. the Righteous (1 John 2:1) 262. Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5) 263. the Righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8) 264. Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) 265. the Righteousness of God (2 Peter 1:1) 266. Thy Righteousness (Psalm 71:16) 267. Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4) 268. Rock and Fortress (2 Samuel 22:2) 269. Rock of Offence (1 Peter 2:8) 270. the Root and the Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16) 271. the Root of David (Revelation 5:5) 272. Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10) 273. the Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1) 274. Ruler in Israel (Micah 5:2) 275. Thy Salvation (Luke 2:30) 276. Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30) 277. Sanctuary (Isaiah 8:14) 278. Saviour (Luke 2:11) 279. Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1) 280. the Saviour of the body (Ephesians 5:23) 281. the Saviour of the World (1 John 4:14) 282. Sceptre (Numbers 24:17) 283. the Second Man (1 Corinthians 15:47) 284. the Seed of Abraham (Hebrews 2:16) 285. the Seed of David (2 Timothy 2:8) 286. Seed of the woman (see Genesis 3:15) 287. Servant (Isaiah 42:1) 288. Servant of Rulers (Isaiah 49:7) 289. Shepherd (Mark 14:27; 1 Peter 5:4) 290. the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (1 Peter 2:25) 291. Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1) 292. Shiloh (Genesis 49:10) 293. Son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20) 294. Son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1) 295. Son of David (Matthew 1:1; 9:27) 296. the Son of God (John 1:49) 297. Son of man (Matthew 8:20; 9:6) 298. Son of Mary (Mark 6:3) 299. Son of Joseph (John 1:45; 6:42) 300. the Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61) 301. the Son of the Father (2 John 1:3) 302. the Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32) 303. the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16; John 6:69) 304. Spiritual Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4) 305. Star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17) 306. the Stone (Matthew 21:42) 307. Stone of Stumbling (1 Peter 2:8) 308. the Stone which was set at nought (Acts 4:11) 309. the Stone which the builders disallowed (1 Peter 2:7) 310. the Stone which the builders rejected (Matthew 21:42) 311. Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) 312. Sure Foundation (Isaiah 28:16) 313. Surety (Hebrews 7:22) 314. Teacher come from God (John 3:2) 315. thy Redeemer (Isaiah 49:26) 316. Thy Righteousness (Psalm 71:16) 317. Thy Salvation (Luke 2:30) 318. thy Saviour and thy Redeemer (Isaiah 49:26) 319. True (Revelation 19:11) 320. True Bread from heaven (John 6:32-33) 321. the True God (1 John 5:20) 322. the True God, and Eternal Life (1 John 5:20) 323. True Light (John 1:9) 324. the True Vine (John 15:1) 325. True Witness (Revelation 3:14) 326. the Truth (John 14:6) 327. Unspeakable Gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) 328. Very Christ (Acts 9:22) 329. the Vine (John 15:5) 330. the Water of Life (Revelation 21:6) 331. the Way (John 14:6) 332. Wisdom (Proverbs 8:12; 1 Corinthians 1:30) 333. the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24) 334. Witness (Revelation 1:5) 335. a Witness to the people (Isaiah 55:4) 336. Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6) 337. the Word (John 1:1) 338. the Word Made Flesh (see John 1:14) 339. The Word of God (Revelation 19:13) 340. the Word of Life (1 John 1:1) 341. your Holy One (Isaiah 43:15) 342. your King (Isaiah 43:15) 343. your Redeemer (Isaiah 43:14) Main source: Naves Topical Bible Dictionary End of quote from http://missions.redemptivehistory.org/NamesofJesus.html God is all things to all men, who believe in His only begotten son, Jesus Christ: John 1 AMP (from biblegateway.com with footnotes): The Deity of Jesus Christ 1 "In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ([a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and [b]the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the [c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]. The Witness of John the Baptist 6 There came a man commissioned and sent from God, whose name was [d]John. 7 This man came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe [in Christ, the Light] through him. 8 John was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light. 9 There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. 10 He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him. 12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— 13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]." Footnotes:
God is great all the time. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God. Praise God.   Why wait? Esau was the firstborn, but God loved Jacob (Israel)! Ever wonder why Jacob (Israel) was born grasping Esau's heel? "Afterward his brother came out, and his hand grasped Esau’s heel, so he was named Jacob (one who grabs by the heel, supplanter). Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them." Genesis 25:26 Or, ever wonder why Esau gave away his birthright for a bowl of red lentil stew? Genesis 25 29 "Jacob had cooked [reddish-brown lentil] stew [one day], when Esau came from the field and was famished; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, 'Please, let me have a quick swallow of that red stuff there, because I am exhausted and famished.' For that reason Esau was [also] called Edom (Red). 31 Jacob answered, 'First sell me your birthright (the rights of a firstborn).' 32 Esau said, 'Look, I am about to die [if I do not eat soon]; so of what use is this birthright to me?' 33 Jacob said, 'Swear [an oath] to me today [that you are selling it to me for this food]'; so he swore [an oath] to him, and sold him his birthright. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. In this way Esau scorned his birthright.'" Or, even why Esau lost his inheritance, when Jacob and Rebecca tricked Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing of the firstborn? Genesis 27 5 "But Rebekah overheard what Isaac said to Esau his son; and when Esau had gone to the open country to hunt for game that he might bring back, 6 Rebekah said to Jacob her [younger and favorite] son, “Listen carefully: I heard your father saying to Esau your brother, 7 ‘Bring me some game and make me a savory and delicious dish [of meat], so that I may eat it, and declare my blessing on you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ 8 So now, my son, listen [carefully] to me [and do exactly] as I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me two good and suitable young goats, and I will make them into a savory dish [of meat] for your father, the kind he loves [to eat]. 10 Then you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before his death. 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, 'Listen, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth [skinned] man. 12 Suppose my father touches me and feels my skin; then I will be seen by him as a cheat (imposter), and I will bring his curse on me and not a blessing.'” Why would God let these things happen? Well, because God loved Jacob! And, He knows our hearts! Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Hebrews 12:16 "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." And, just as Cain was evil in the sight of God: Genesis 4 3 And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 4 But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile. 6 And the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed? 7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it.” So, too, was Esau evil in the sight of God, and Jacob loved: Malachi 1 God’s Love for Jacob 1 "The oracle (burdensome message) of the word of the Lord to Israel through [My messenger] Malachi. 2 'I have loved you,' says the Lord. But you say, 'How and in what way have You loved us?' 'Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?' declares the Lord. 'Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); 3 but [in comparison with My love for Jacob] I have hated Esau (Edom), and I have made his mountains a wasteland, and have given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.' 4 Though [impoverished] Edom says, 'We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins.' Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the Wicked Territory, the people against whom the Lord is indignant forever.' 5 Your own eyes will see this and you will say, 'The Lord is great and shall be magnified beyond the border of Israel!'" What can we learn from all of this? I think God's reprimand to Cain, when Cain was sullen and angry because God did not accept his offering, says it all: Genesis 4:7 "If you do well [believing Me [God] and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it.” Choose God! Repent, confess your sins, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God! Praise God! Amen.   Amen!Throughout God's Holy Word (the Bible), He routinely blesses man for his obedience, and curses him for disobedience. "Our God is a consuming fire" Hebrews 12:29, and He will not tolerate disobedience. "It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God [incurring His judgment and wrath]." Hebrews 10:31 After 40 years being led through the wilderness by the Lord, the Israelites were finally ready to take possession of the land promised by God to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), a land flowing with milk and honey. God promises great blessings if they keep all His commandments, but, also, great punishment for disobedience. I mean, if we really think about it, no one should wonder why the world is in its current state of affairs. In Genesis 6:5-6, "The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart." God loves us, though. We are His peculiar people, created by Him and for Him, in His likeness and image, and paid for with a hefty ransom, the blood of His only begotten son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His Peculiar People: 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" Created By Him and For Him: Colossians 1:16 "For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him and for Him." In His Likeness and Image: Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them." Paid for With a Hefty Ransom: 1 Corinthians 6:20 "You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body." He is our heavenly Father, and His blessings for obedience are great, but He will not tolerate disobedience, for which His curses are also abundant. God's Treasured Possession Deuteronomy 26 18 "Today the Lord has declared that you are His people, His treasured possession, just as He promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments; 19 and that He will set you high above all the nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor: and that you shall be a holy people [set apart and consecrated] to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” God Provides . . . Blessings for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience Deuteronomy 27 11 "Moses also commanded the people that day, saying, 12 These [tribes] shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people when you have crossed the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 These [tribes] shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce the curse [for disobedience]: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 The Levites shall answer with a loud voice to all the men of Israel: 15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved or cast image (idol), a repulsive thing to the Lord, the work of the hands of the artisan, and sets it up in secret.’ All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’ 16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors (treats with contempt) his father or his mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 17 ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary mark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 18 ‘Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 19 ‘Cursed is he who distorts (perverts) the justice due to a stranger, an orphan, and a widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 20 ‘Cursed is he who is intimate with his father’s [former] wife, because he has violated what belongs to his father.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 21 ‘Cursed is he who is intimate with any animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 22 ‘Cursed is he who is intimate with his [half] sister, whether his father’s or his mother’s daughter.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 23 ‘Cursed is he who is intimate with his mother-in-law.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 24 ‘Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 25 ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to strike down an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 26 ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them [keeping them, taking them to heart as the rule of his life].’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’" God Provides . . . Blessings and Curses Deuteronomy 28 1 “Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God. 3 You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field. 4 The offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your animals, the offspring of your herd and the young of your flock will be blessed. 5 Your basket and your kneading bowl will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and you will be blessed when you go out. 7 The Lord will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way, but flee before you seven ways. 8 The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your storehouses and in all that you undertake, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you. 9 The Lord will establish you as a people holy [and set apart] to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk [that is, live your life each and every day] in His ways. 10 So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will be afraid of you. 11 The Lord will give you great prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your livestock and the produce of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open for you His good treasure house, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. 13 The Lord will make you the head (leader) and not the tail (follower); and you will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen and pay attention to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today, to observe them carefully. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the words which I am commanding you today, to the right or to the left, to follow and serve other gods. Consequences of Disobedience 15 But it shall come about, if you do not listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today, then all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the field. 17 Your basket and your kneading bowl will be cursed. 18 The offspring of your body and the produce of your land, the offspring of your herd and the young of your flock will be cursed. 19 You will be cursed when you come in and you will be cursed when you go out. 20 The Lord will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke in everything that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed, perishing quickly because of the evil of your deeds, because you have turned away from Me. 21 The Lord will make the pestilence and plague cling to you until He has consumed and eliminated you from the land which you are entering to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with consumption [causing you to waste away] and with fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat and with the sword and with blight and with mildew [on your crops]; and they will pursue you until you perish. 23 The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze [giving no rain and blocking all prayers], and the earth which is under you, iron [hard to plow and yielding no produce]. 24 The Lord will make the rain of your land powder and dust; from heaven it will come down on you until you are destroyed. 25 The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you will go out against them one way, but flee before them seven ways, and you will be an example of terror to all the kingdoms of the earth [when they see your destruction]. 26 Your carcasses will be food for all the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors and with the scab and the itch that you cannot heal. 28 The Lord will strike you with madness and with blindness and with bewilderment of heart and mind; 29 and you will be groping at noon [in broad daylight], just as the blind grope in the darkness, and nothing you do will prosper; but you will only be oppressed and exploited and robbed continually, with no one to save you. 30 You will be pledged to marry a wife, but another man will be intimate with her [before you]; you will build a house, but you will not live in it; you will plant a vineyard, but you will not use its fruit. 31 Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will not eat any of it; your donkey will be torn away from you, and it will not be returned to you; your sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to save you. 32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another people, while your eyes look on and long for them continually; but there will be nothing you can do. 33 A people whom you do not know will eat the produce of your land and all the products of your labors, and you will never be anything but oppressed and exploited and crushed continually. 34 You shall be driven mad by the sight of the things you see. 35 The Lord will strike you on the knees and on the legs with sore boils that you cannot heal, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head. 36 The Lord will bring you and your king, whom you appoint over you, to a nation which you and your fathers have never known; there you will [be forced to] serve other gods, [lifeless gods of] wood and stone. 37 And you will become a horror, a proverb [a mere object lesson], and a taunt [a derisive joke] among all the people to which the Lord drives you. 38 You will bring out a great quantity of seed to the field, but you will gather in little, because the locusts will consume it. 39 You will plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because the worm will eat them. 40 You will have olive trees throughout your territory but you will not anoint yourselves with the oil, because your olives will drop off. 41 You will have sons and daughters, but they will not be yours [for long], because they will go into captivity. 42 The cricket will take possession of all your trees and the produce of your ground. 43 The stranger who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher, and you will go down lower and lower. 44 He will lend to you [out of his affluence], but you will not lend to him [because of your poverty]; he will be the head, and you the tail. 45 So all these curses will come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He has commanded you. 46 They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever." Amen. And, what is important to know is that our God, our heavenly Father, is just and forgiving, if we repent [turn away from sin]. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 "I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:5 "Change your hearts! And show by the way you live that you have changed." [Repent] Matthew 3:8 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 There is only one way to God, through His son, the Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2 5 "For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the right and proper time." John 8:24 "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Ephesians 6 10 "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts (commandments) are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Amen.  Deuteronomy 34 The Death of Moses 1 "Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, from Gilead to Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah to the western sea (Mediterranean Sea), 3 and the Negev (South country) and the plain in the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. 6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows where his burial place is to this day. 7 Although Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eyesight was not dim, nor his natural strength abated. 8 So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses. 10 Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 [none equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 12 and in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel." Praise God! Amen.  The Blessing of Moses Deuteronomy 33 biblegateway.com 1 "This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God [a]blessed the sons of Israel before his death. 2 He said, The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from among ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand was a [b]flaming fire, a law, for them. 3 Indeed, He loves His people; All [c]Your holy ones are in Your hand. They followed in Your steps; They accept and receive direction from You. 4 Moses commanded us with a law, As a possession for the assembly of Jacob. 5 The Lord was King in Jeshurun (Israel), When the heads of the people were gathered, The tribes of Israel together. 6 May [the tribe of] Reuben live and not die out, [d]But let his men be few.” 7 And [Moses said] this of [e]Judah: Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people. With his hands he contended for them, And may You be a help against his enemies.” 8 Of Levi he said, Your [f]Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your godly man [Aaron], Whom You tested and proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah; 9 Who [g]said of his father and mother, ‘I did not consider them’; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For the priests observed Your word, And kept Your covenant. 10 The priests shall teach Your ordinances (judgments) to Jacob, And Your law to Israel. They shall put incense [h]before You, And whole burnt offerings on Your altar. 11 O Lord, bless Levi’s substance (ability), And accept and take pleasure in the work of his hands; Crush and shatter the loins of those who rise up against him, And of those who hate him, so that they do not rise again. 12 Of Benjamin he said, May the beloved of the Lord [i]dwell in safety by Him; He shields and covers him all the day long, And he dwells between His shoulders. 13 And of [j]Joseph he said, Blessed by the Lord be his land, With the precious things of heaven, with the dew, And from the deep water that lies beneath, 14 With the precious fruits of the sun, And with the precious produce of the months. 15 With the best things of the ancient mountains, And with the precious things of the everlasting hills, 16 With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor and goodwill of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let these blessings come upon the head of Joseph, And upon the crown of the head of him who was distinguished [as a prince] among his brothers. 17 His majesty is like a firstborn young bull, And his horns like the horns of the wild ox; With them he will gore the peoples, All of them together, to the ends of the earth. And those are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And those are the thousands of Manasseh. 18 Of Zebulun he said, [k]Rejoice, Zebulun, in your interests abroad, And, Issachar, in your tents [at home]. 19 They will call the peoples to the mountain (Mount Carmel); There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they will draw out the abundance of the seas, And the hidden treasures of the sand. 20 Of Gad he said, Blessed is the one who enlarges Gad; He lurks like a lioness, And tears the arm and the crown of the head. 21 He selected the best [land] for himself, For there the leader’s portion was reserved; Yet he came with the leaders of the people; He carried out the justice (righteous will) of the Lord, And His ordinances (judgments) with Israel. 22 Of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s cub, That leaps forth from Bashan. 23 Of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the Lord, Take possession of the sea [of Galilee] and the south. 24 Of Asher he said, More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, And may he dip his foot in oil. 25 Your strongholds will be iron and bronze, And as your days are, so will your strength, your rest and security be. 26 There is none like the God of Jeshurun (Israel), Who rides the heavens to your help, And through the skies in His majestic glory. 27 The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, ‘Destroy!’ 28 So Israel dwells in safety and security, The fountain of Jacob alone and secluded, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens also drop down dew. 29 Happy and blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The Shield of your help, And the Sword of your majesty! Your enemies will cringe before you, And you will tread on their high places [tramping down their idolatrous altars].” Footnotes
 God is raising up His army!Ezikiel 37:1-28 1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. 9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. 11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord. 15 The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, 16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. 18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? 19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. 23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. 25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore." Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen! "JESUS IS MY SAVIOR, MY LORD AND GOD" by Christian Thoughts |
Isaiah 53: 5-12
5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Habakkuk 3
1 "The prayer of Habakkuk the prophet.
2 Lord, I have heard the news about you. I am amazed, Lord, at the powerful things you did in the past. Now I pray that you will do great things in our time. Please make these things happen in our own days. But in your anger, remember to show mercy to us. Selah
3 God is coming from Teman. The Holy One is coming from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covers the heavens, and his praise fills the earth!
4 Rays of light shine from his hand, a bright, shining light. There is such power hiding in that hand.
5 The sickness went before him, and the destroyer followed behind him.
6 He stood and judged the earth. He looked at the people of all the nations, and they shook with fear. For many years the mountains stood strong, but those mountains fell to pieces. Those old, old hills fell down. God has always been able to do that.
7 I saw that the cities of Cushan were in trouble and that the houses of Midian trembled with fear.
8 Lord, were you angry at the rivers?
Were you angry at the streams?
Were you angry at the sea?
Were you angry when you rode your horses and chariots to victory?
9 Even then you showed your rainbow. It was proof of your agreement with the families of the earth. Selah
And the dry land split the rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and shook. The water flowed off the land. The water from the sea made a loud noise as it lost its power over the land.
11 The sun and the moon lost their brightness. They stopped shining when they saw your bright flashes of lightning. That lightning was like spears and arrows shooting through the air.
12 In anger you walked on the earth and punished the nations.
13 You came to save your people and to lead your chosen king to victory. You killed the leader in every evil family, from the least important person to the most important in the land. Selah
14 You used Moses’ walking stick to stop the enemy soldiers. Those soldiers came like a powerful storm to fight against us. They thought they could defeat us easily, as robbing the poor in secret.
15 But you marched your horses through the deep water, stirring up the mud.
16 My whole body shook when I heard the story. My lips trembled. I felt weak deep down in my bones and stood there shaking. But I will wait patiently for destruction to come to those who attack us."
Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen!
THE GREATNESS OF GOD AUDIO BLOG
(or read only below)
Why is GOD great? What makes Him great to believers? For a lot of believers, they know God is great because it is proven in their lives every day.
We could say, synonymously, God is Love, because through Love, all things are great!
There is common agreement among philosophers, scholars and scientists that Love is the most powerful emotion there is. Love makes the world go round, and, CHRISTians know that through God, Love is the key to our happiness, because it creates positivity where there was negativity, turns disagreement into accord, and hostility into reconciliation.
There are many stories in the Bible that prove God's greatness:
- The Creation Story, Genesis 1;
- Noah's Ark, Genesis 7;
- God's liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, Exodus 14;
- Sodom and Gomorrah: God asked His friend, Abraham, what he thought before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19:1-29. God agreed with Abraham that if he could find 10 righteous people in the cities, among men, women and children, then he would not destroy them. Of course, we know that God could not find 10 righteous people, so the cities were destroyed; and,
- Jonah and the whale: Jonah was angry with God because he knew that God was great and merciful, and that if the people of Nineveh repented, God would forgive them, and Jonah did not want that. But God told him, there are many people in Nineveh that do not know their right hand from their left hand, and should He not spare them? And, of course, he did spare Nineveh.
There are many other stories and instances of God's greatness in the Bible, but perhaps the greatest of all is the story of God's only begotten son, Jesus Christ, and undoubtedly, the single-most reason people say, God is Great!
John 3:16-21
16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
1 Chronicles 29:11 "Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all."
And, finally, Psalm 46:1-11
1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
Our Prayer Today:
Father, we love the message You gave that first Christmas morning, when a heavenly choir sang, “Glory to God In the Highest.. and peace on earth to men.” How we rejoice in recalling the reason that You gave Your only begotten Son, to be born perfect, living with us sinners, so that by Your grace, His blood sacrifice would cleanse our sins forever.
We pray that this glorious message of grace shines deep into the hearts of men, so that Jesus Christ is lifted up in the hearts of many. Jesus promised, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32
We pray that many are drawn into Your arms of grace, forgiveness and mercy, and that we never fail to glorify You and Your message of peace on earth and goodwill towards men, for You alone are worthy of all honor, praise, glory and thanksgiving.
Courtesy of: www.prayer.knowing-jesus.com
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"THE TEN COMMANDMENTS" AUDIO BLOG
(or read only below)
God is gracious and merciful and just to forgive us our sins if we ask, but He will not overlook sin. It really cannot be said enough. God has very specific rules and instructions for entering into His Kingdom. They are not difficult rules, but they are specific.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
For a CHRISTian, this one Scripture says all we need to know, except for, of course, what are God's commandments? It may surprise some people to learn that there is actually more instruction in the Bible on how to enter the Kingdom of God than just the Ten Commandments. This contributes to why the path to heaven is so crooked and narrow and difficult to follow.
The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the new covenant from God, was a final blood sacrifice for the sins of man. We are made perfect through Jesus, in Spirit, but our flesh is still imperfect. So, while God's laws and commandments are important, and will be covered in this blog, as well, Jesus actually gave two of His own commandments, which, if everyone were to follow, would change the world:
Matthew 22:36-40
36 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
And, to put it more succinctly, Apostle Paul said to the people in Romans 13:8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law."
So, Love is the greatest commandment of all:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.
4 Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
The definition of "charity" is, "Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving." In many translations or versions of the Bible, the word "charity" is translated as "love." For Jesus' purposes for mankind, they are one in the same. Love your neighbor, truly love as you love yourself, honor them more than you honor yourself, be charitable and help the needy.
Jesus was very prolific in helping the poor, sick and less fortunate, and He is clear that we are to be as well. If we love everyone as we love ourself, then it stands to reason that we will take care of everyone as we take care of ourself, or help the needy and the less fortunate, as if they were us.
CHRISTians are told to build up their treasures in heaven through good deeds, Love or charity, not on earth, where they will be stolen or be eaten by moths.
Luke 12:32-34
32 “Don’t fear, little flock. Your Father wants to share his kingdom with you.
33 Sell the things you have and give that money to those who need it. This is the only way you can keep your riches from being lost. You will be storing treasure in heaven that lasts forever. Thieves can’t steal that treasure, and moths can’t destroy it.
34 Your heart will be where your treasure is."
So, love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, are the two greatest commandments. Since we live in the Spirit, which makes us perfect, but are still of the flesh, which is corruptible, we should know God's laws and commandments as well, so that we do not stray. Jesus told us in Matthew that it is still important and necessary that we follow God's commandments.
Matthew 19:16-19
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
God's Commandments, the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God, for the people, written by God with His finger onto two stone tablets, on how to live good lives, where God would consider them His children, and bless them, their generations and their lands.
Exodus 20:1-18
1 "And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off."
And, the shortened version:
I am the Lord thy God
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy
5. Honor thy father and thy mother
6. Thou shalt not kill / murder
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery
8. Thou shalt not steal
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness
10. Thou shalt not covet
Now, in addition to the Ten Commandments, God gave Moses many laws for the people, which Moses taught to them beginning at Deutoronomy Chapter 4. Most of these laws were replaced by the book of Judges, where God ordained Judges to deliver justice according to God's laws.
Other laws were replaced by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, the new covenant with God. There are some sins, however, that if we do not study the Bible, or have someone tell us, we may not know these things are sins.
Matthew 5:17-18
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
One of God's laws that Jesus stresses the importance of following is avoiding fornication (premarital sex), and that it is a sin, punishable by burning (in Hell), which I covered in more detail in a previous blog titled, "Fornication is a Sin." Also, we know fornication can lead to greater sins, such as the murder of an unborn child, having bastards, which are born out of wedlock, children raised without our Heavenly Father, God, or an earthly father's influence, resulting in disobedient children, etc.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Remember, God is gracious and merciful and just to forgive us our sins if we ask. Repent, turn away from sin, accept Jesus Christ as the only begotten son of God, who died on the cross for our sins, and rose again.
Accept Jesus Christ and be healed!
Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen!
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
For a CHRISTian, this one Scripture says all we need to know, except for, of course, what are God's commandments? It may surprise some people to learn that there is actually more instruction in the Bible on how to enter the Kingdom of God than just the Ten Commandments. This contributes to why the path to heaven is so crooked and narrow and difficult to follow.
The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the new covenant from God, was a final blood sacrifice for the sins of man. We are made perfect through Jesus, in Spirit, but our flesh is still imperfect. So, while God's laws and commandments are important, and will be covered in this blog, as well, Jesus actually gave two of His own commandments, which, if everyone were to follow, would change the world:
Matthew 22:36-40
36 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
And, to put it more succinctly, Apostle Paul said to the people in Romans 13:8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law."
So, Love is the greatest commandment of all:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.
4 Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
The definition of "charity" is, "Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving." In many translations or versions of the Bible, the word "charity" is translated as "love." For Jesus' purposes for mankind, they are one in the same. Love your neighbor, truly love as you love yourself, honor them more than you honor yourself, be charitable and help the needy.
Jesus was very prolific in helping the poor, sick and less fortunate, and He is clear that we are to be as well. If we love everyone as we love ourself, then it stands to reason that we will take care of everyone as we take care of ourself, or help the needy and the less fortunate, as if they were us.
CHRISTians are told to build up their treasures in heaven through good deeds, Love or charity, not on earth, where they will be stolen or be eaten by moths.
Luke 12:32-34
32 “Don’t fear, little flock. Your Father wants to share his kingdom with you.
33 Sell the things you have and give that money to those who need it. This is the only way you can keep your riches from being lost. You will be storing treasure in heaven that lasts forever. Thieves can’t steal that treasure, and moths can’t destroy it.
34 Your heart will be where your treasure is."
So, love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, are the two greatest commandments. Since we live in the Spirit, which makes us perfect, but are still of the flesh, which is corruptible, we should know God's laws and commandments as well, so that we do not stray. Jesus told us in Matthew that it is still important and necessary that we follow God's commandments.
Matthew 19:16-19
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
God's Commandments, the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God, for the people, written by God with His finger onto two stone tablets, on how to live good lives, where God would consider them His children, and bless them, their generations and their lands.
Exodus 20:1-18
1 "And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off."
And, the shortened version:
I am the Lord thy God
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy
5. Honor thy father and thy mother
6. Thou shalt not kill / murder
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery
8. Thou shalt not steal
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness
10. Thou shalt not covet
Now, in addition to the Ten Commandments, God gave Moses many laws for the people, which Moses taught to them beginning at Deutoronomy Chapter 4. Most of these laws were replaced by the book of Judges, where God ordained Judges to deliver justice according to God's laws.
Other laws were replaced by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son, the new covenant with God. There are some sins, however, that if we do not study the Bible, or have someone tell us, we may not know these things are sins.
Matthew 5:17-18
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
One of God's laws that Jesus stresses the importance of following is avoiding fornication (premarital sex), and that it is a sin, punishable by burning (in Hell), which I covered in more detail in a previous blog titled, "Fornication is a Sin." Also, we know fornication can lead to greater sins, such as the murder of an unborn child, having bastards, which are born out of wedlock, children raised without our Heavenly Father, God, or an earthly father's influence, resulting in disobedient children, etc.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Remember, God is gracious and merciful and just to forgive us our sins if we ask. Repent, turn away from sin, accept Jesus Christ as the only begotten son of God, who died on the cross for our sins, and rose again.
Accept Jesus Christ and be healed!
Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen!
"SODOM AND GOMORRAH - REPENT" AUDIO BLOG
(or read only below)
(or read only below)
Our God is a gracious and merciful God, and just to forgive us our sins if we ask.
1 John 1:9-10
9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
But, He will not overlook sin! Jesus, said,
"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" Luke 13:3
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Scripture:
Genesis 18:20-33
20 "And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place."
Genesis 19:1-28
1 "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.
14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:
28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace."
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways [repent]; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen!
"JONAH AND THE WHALE - REPENT" AUDIO BLOG
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Jonah 3:10 "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."
The story of Jonah and the whale in Scripture:
Jonah 1
1 "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai", saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
14 Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.
15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.
17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."
Jonah 2
1 "Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land."
Jonah 3
1 "And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."
Jonah 4
1 "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?
5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"
Jonah 3:10 "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."
Repent and return to God, and He will repent from His fury and recompense.
Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen!
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Melanie Garcia
Faithful and humble servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:" 1 Peter 1:22
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