Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 10

 Chapter 10

Saul Anointed King

1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. 2 When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’ 3 Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. 5 After that you shall come to Gibeath-Elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. 6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8 Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait until I come to you and show you what you shall do.”

9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 10 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

14 Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” 15 And Saul's uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” 16 And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.

Saul Proclaimed King

17 Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.”

20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot;[e] and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

Bold for Christ 5

 Losing your freedom 

Welcome. Today we are continuing our series entitled “Bold for Christ.” We have already talked about

Being bold for Christ while losing a job.
Being bold for Christ while losing loved ones.
Being bold for Christ while losing property.

Today we will discuss being bold for Christ while losing your freedom. Is this far-fetched? Look what Yeshua, translated as Jesus, warns us about.

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep amid wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:16-18

This is not really happening today in America, but it is starting. Remember, during COVID-19 in the year 2020, they tried to outlaw Church gatherings in the name of health and safety. It did not work for long; many real churches came back strong or never complied. Some feel this was a test of our government's authority and power.

Look at Canada. We already talked about all the places where it is extremely dangerous to be a child of God and where even owning a Bible can get you arrested and or murdered.

1. North Korea
2. Afghanistan
3. Somalia
4. Libya
5. Pakistan
6. Eritrea
7. Yemen
8. Iran
9. Nigeria
10. India

Some of these make sense. However, what about Canada? Yes, our neighbors to the north are starting to go down this same road. “A judge in Canada ruled Monday that the religious freedoms of Alberta Pastor James Coates — who was in jail for more than a month after holding in-person worship services at his church despite COVID restrictions — were not violated.

Coates, who leads GraceLife Church in Edmonton, recently submitted a Charter challenge, claiming pandemic-related health orders in Alberta violated his religious liberties.” {By Tré Goins-Phillips, Editor of Faithwire, June 7, 2021}


Look at this from Canada Imprisons Christians – Are We Next? Posted on Friday, July 21, 2023|

by AMAC, Robert B. Charles

“Is Pierre Trudeau – by the terms of established international criminal law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – behaving like a criminal? He has decided to imprison Christians for exercising freedoms of speech, worship, and peaceful protest. If he can be imprisoned for resisting anti-freedom COVID restrictions and “transgender” harm to girls – is America far behind?”

Nope. Listen to this.

“Incidents of explicit, indefensible targeting, then persecution, intimidation, arrest, humiliation, and imprisonment in Canada are so numerous they would fill a small book. The expansion of government overreach and these incidents of textbook persecution come from the top.”

Don’t think anti-God, power-hungry leaders in our country are not watching and longing to do the same here.

“But now we see a harsher turn. We are beginning to see imprisonment and even alleged mistreatment of innocent religious protestors by Canada’s political police. Americans need to wake up and understand that oppression of rights, if not stopped, gets infectious. We need to take religious persecution across Canada seriously if we do not want more of it here.”

It goes on. The point is, that persecution of “Christians” is happening all over the world. People are being labeled all sorts of things and the Word of God is starting to be called “hate speech” in some incidents. Calling out sin. Homosexuality and Transgenderism, ETC. Do you know who no one arrests and no one complains about? Muslims. Those who come from a country that tortures and kills people for no other reason than they are gay or transgender. Nope, they get a pass. Muslims? Buddhist? Hindus, even false Christianity that has embraced sin and confusion, are left alone. However, if you are a Bible-believing, Bible-based, Yeshua-centered TRUE church, they are coming for you. That should tell you all you need to know.

Turn to James 5. Start at verse 7

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

He is coming back.

“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”

Who is the judge? Yes. Yeshua is the judge. But if you still fear suffering, look at what James said here.

“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:7-11

They persecuted them. Arrested them. Even put some of them to death. Look at Yeshua, or Jesus as translated. They arrested Him and put Him to death. Look at the Apostles. They arrested them and put them to death. What makes you think we will fare better than they? Remember what Jesus told us.

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Matthew 10:24-25

And here

“Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name because they do not know who sent me.” John 15:20-21

Remember, this will happen. It is pretty much a guarantee that it will happen.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”2 Timothy 3:12

Look at Paul.

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

What happens if you do get arrested? What if you do, for no other reason than preaching the Word of God or just talking to someone about God? If you are arrested for your faith. He answers that as well.

“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

This is not just about strangers. There may come a time when someone in your own family turns you in.

“Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Matthew 10:19-25

You must have genuine faith in God and Yeshua. You have to lay yourself a solid foundation with this. {Holding up the Bible} and not just simply religion or what others tell you. Read it for yourself. See the warnings. Get ready. It is coming.

Are you ready to go to jail? I read that a whole family, including kids, got like 20 years of hard labor. Why? They just happened to be Christian and own a Bible in China. This could very well happen here. They are trying. Talk about Homosexuality, Transgenderism, or any other religion, or offend someone in any way, “HATE SPEECH!” they scream. They are only open-minded and all-inclusive as long as you are not a child of God.

Are you ready? The storm is coming. The hate is here. The persecution is already here. Jail may not very well be all that far away. Are you ready? Will you be bold for Christ in the back of a police car heading to jail?

Say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Yeshua's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 9

 Chapter 9

Saul Chosen to Be King

1 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” 4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin but did not find them.

5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” 6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.” 7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” 8 The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today's “prophet” was formerly called a seer.) 10 And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?” 12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city because the people have a sacrifice today in a high place. 13 As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.” 14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people because their cry has come to me.” 17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” 18 Then Saul approached Samuel at the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?” 19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house?” 21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”

22 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. 23 And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.”

So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25 And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 26 Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”

Bold for Christ 4

 Losing property

Let me tell you a few real-life stories. One involves a quaint little shop, beloved by many, called Shell Bazaar formerly of Stuart Florida. I love this place. We have been many times. My kids love this place. It was established in 1953 in front of B and A Flea Market. They are no longer there. A couple of years ago, they hung a sign in support of Trump. The landlord, who had nothing to do with the business, told them to take it down and they refused so the landlord threw them out. Forcing them to move to PSL. They are doing great at the new location.

Now some will say good. Good for them. Some would say they deserved it. However, Trump is a Christian. He is God-fearing. A lot of his policies can be found and backed up with the Bible. Is there a coalition?

Let me tell you a story about a little Bakery. Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, owned by Jack Phillips, was requested to make a wedding cake for a gay couple and he refused. He was sued and forced to close even though many bakeries would do this in that area. They were targeted because they were “Christian.” Now he did win a landmark US Supreme Court case in June. Good news? Yes. However? He is being sued again. Why? He would not make a transfer celebration cake. Why? Because of his faith. He is bold for Christ. He will win this one too.

Chick-fil-A? Well, this company which is owned by evangelical Christians has dared to designate some of its annual charitable giving to churches and church-related organizations that still believe in Orthodox Christianity.

“On March 22, the San Antonio City Council announced with great pride and fanfare it was officially banning Chick-fil-A from doing business in the San Antonio International Airport over what it called the fast-food chain’s “anti-LGBTQ behavior.”

“What was this egregious behavior?” You ask. Was it the refusal to do business with homosexuals? No. There has never been any such claim against Chick-fil-A. In fact, this company has been complimented repeatedly by the LGBTQ community for its gracious, kind, and exemplary customer service. Was it a refusal to hire homosexuals? No. Again, there has never been such an accusation against this company and in fact, Chick-fil-A does not ask about nor discriminate against any employee’s private sexual choices.” {Taken from an opinion piece by Everett Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, is the author of “Not A Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth” (Regnery 2017). Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. }

Nope. It was simply for not hiding their faith. It was solely because they donated to faith-based organizations. That is it. However, they are a company with a bold owner for Christ, and Chick-fil-A will be just fine.

How about you? We read this.

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power love, and self-control.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," 2 Timothy 1:6-10

Who will tell us we cannot do what God calls us to do? I will say that again. Who will tell us we cannot do what God calls us to do? Follow Yeshua, or Jesus as translated. Follow His Word. Follow God and not man. Who are they, on their way to hell for their love of sin and hate of God? Who are they? Who are they that you should fear?

Another real-life example? Memories Pizza, an Indiana pizzeria owned by a Christian family who in 2015 said they wouldn't cater a same-sex wedding if asked, has closed.

This is very possible. This has happened and the anti-Christian movement is growing. What if you get a knock on your door and the landlord says something like, “I can no longer rent to you. You are one of those hate-filled, homophobic, racist, Christians. I do not want to be associated with that so either you sign this paper saying you renounce God and anything “Jesus,” or I’m going to have to ask you to move. Sorry.” What then? Are you going to be bold for Christ? Or will you cave and sign?

God will be with you. Look here in Joshua.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

We are His children. We are His people. Of course, God will be with us wherever we go.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

“But you are talking about losing my business or my very home. What if I just sign the paper and go on serving God?”

This is the same answer people have been giving when asked if they would receive the mark of the beast in the end times. Turn to Revelations 13 verse 16.

"Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,”

Why?

“so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.” Revelations 13:16-17

You will be able to do nothing. It will be a cashless society and you will be able to get nothing. Food, water, buying or selling. Nothing. Without the Mark. People say yeah whatever, I will get the Mark but I will still love and serve God secretly. This does not work. Sorry.

“Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9-10

No. You cannot take the Mark and serve God secretly. Read what the angel said again. “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the presence of the Lamb.” God will not be mocked and He will not be lenient to those who are not bold. Look here, also in Revelations.

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

The first part. “But as for the cowardly,” include anyone taking the mark, anyone who signs a paper denouncing Christ, and anyone who rejects Christ to save themselves. Remember what Jesus tells us.

“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Think about this. What if you are faced with a choice to either sign or not? Speak or not. Take the mark or not. Why would you? To “find your life.” or to save it. To hide your faith in God out of fear. Yeshua says they will lose their life. But if we do not sign, speak, or take the mark, and we lose our life or anything else for His sake, we will “find” a better and more perfect life in and with Him.

There is no room for cowardness. No room for deceitfulness. No room for indecisiveness. No. God wants us to be bold. What if you do lose a loved one, a business, or a job? Look what Peter said to Jesus and how He responded when Peter said, look, we left everything and followed you. What do we get?

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29

That is what the church is. I may lose my mother because she believes that all this is nonsense, but guess what? I now have many mothers in my church family. I have many brothers and sisters. Mothers and fathers, friends and family. And I will be blessed with options of where to live if I lose my business and or home simply for my faith in God. Why should I fear any of it?

If there were no persecution, there would be no need to be bold. There is. Therefore there will be a time coming, increasingly quickly at that, where you will need to be bold. Will you be? Are you willing to lose your property for Jesus? Just because you believe? What about your freedom? This is what we will be talking about next time.

Are you a child of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Yeshua's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 8

 Chapter 8

Israel Demands a King

1 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

Samuel's Warning Against Kings

10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. 11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. 15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

The Lord Grants Israel's Request

19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”

Bold for Christ 3

Consider the cost of losing loved ones

People lose loved ones daily. There are many reasons for this. Death. Of course. Arguments over the family dynamics. Money, sadly often. Arguments and hateful feelings about the choice of spouse. Many reasons. However, the one that may hurt the most is losing a loved one for no other reason than you have chosen to accept Christ. Another sad fact about this topic is this. It is pretty much guaranteed to happen.

If you have your Bible, turn to Matthew 10:34

“Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36

Yeshua, or Jesus as translated tells us plainly

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26

To be a disciple of Christ, we must be willing to give up everything for Yeshua. Following Yeshua requires commitment and faithfulness, even if our parents choose not to follow Christ. If and when faced with the painful choice of loyalty to family versus loyalty to Yeshua, we must choose Yeshua. Even if our family members disown us for no other reason than being “Christians,” we must follow Christ. It is in this sense that we are “hating” our family rather than choosing to put God and our faith in Christ over them.

Count the cost. This will happen, says our Lord and His Word. We read this in Matthew 10

“And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Read that again. “And you will be” what? “Hated for my sake.” Who’s sake? Yeshua, or as translated in your Bible Jesus. It is not an “if.” It is not a “maybe.” It is pretty much a guarantee. Remember, it is not just our families and loved ones, it is the whole world.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.” Matthew 24:9

Are you ready for this? Are you sure? Are you ready to truly put this {Holding up the Bible} at the head of your thoughts, in your heart, and in your Spirit? What it says we are, we are. Who we are, we are. What is sin and what is good is spelled out clearly. It no longer matters what your friends, or yes, loved ones, have to say about anything. It is all about following Jesus. Remember what Jesus said to people who wanted to follow Him however, they were not ready to let go of the past? He said this.

“To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:59-62

There is a cost to following Him. He is clearly telling us this. We can and will lose loved ones. Are you ready for this? Aunt June: A beautiful lady, kind, and always doing for others. Since her husband died, Aunt June has nothing to do with God, faith, or anything else.

Now you accept Christ. You receive the Spirit of Adoption where you can cry “Abba Father.” You are now growing in faith and you start to try to share it with those you love most. Aunt June comes for a visit and you tell her that you have become a child of God. Aunt June immediately changes her whole demeanor and says something to the effect, “That is stupid. You are smarter than that. God is not there. If He is there, He is a hateful, spiteful, egotistical tyrant who should never be worshiped. Keep away from me with that stuff.”

You try to not offend her, but her visits and calls become less frequent. She starts talking to other family members about how it is a shame and how odd you are becoming. She thought you were smarter than all that, etc. Are you ready to choose God and His Word over Aunt June?

What if it is not Aunt June? What if it is Mom? Dad? Sister or brother? Jesus was talking about this when He said we need to be ready to hate our family. Not that we will hate them to follow Him, but rather, when, not if, when they hate you because you are following Him, you have to be ready to let go of them.

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Think about that for a second. You are no longer you. Let me say that again. You are no longer you. You are no longer the little Petey that Aunt June knew and loved. You are now a new creation. A new person. You are changing and becoming someone she hates. Why? You are no longer of this world. You are now a child of God.

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

The world says there is no God. In many cases, God has given them up to their sins, lusts, and foolishness. Read Romans Chapter 1 However, this is not you. No. As a child of God?

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5

Turn to Romans 1 Start at verse16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

This is now you. You are now a child of God and you should be doing the best you can to live by faith. Aunt June? Anyone else that is still in the world? Especially if they are living in sin by choice and refusing to hear the truth. Even God will not force you to accept the Truth.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

Sadly, some of our churches have started doing this. God is patient only to a point. Read on.

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”

What is God’s response?

“For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

Look at America today. Homosexuality and Transgenderism, 20 + pronouns, and time off of work if they are “misgendered.” Read on.

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, and malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:16-32

“Pride Month.” You get the point. This is the world in which we live. However, you are no longer of this world. You are now a new creation and that new creature is HATED by the world. Why? Because you now point out the sins of the world and tell them there is another way, a better way. One they reject wholeheartedly.

Paul wrote this to Timothy in his second letter. He might as well be talking to us.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

Again, look at social media, look at TV ministries. Look at America again.

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

Calling sin good and good sin. Justifying sin with compassion and “love.” It is NOT love to sit back and watch someone, especially someone you claim to love, live in a way that you KNOW will lead to death and destruction. No. True compassion and true love are demonstrated by attempting to stop them and show them there is a better way that save their very Soul.

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Remember, it was not just Paul. It was not just Peter. “The Great Commission” was given to all of us as children of God.

“ And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

That is for you. That is for me. Our Father, through Christ’s sacrifice, gave us the keys to Hell and Heaven. Our Father, through Christ’s sacrifice, gave us the ability to close up the gate of Hell and to open up the gate of Heaven. Look here then I will close.

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

You have the Keys. You have the obligation. You are Blessed with the ability. However, never forget this most important fact. They have free will, just like you. They can accept or reject the truth. They can repent or continue to freely sin.

Will you lose loved ones? I hope not. But is it possible? Of course. This is why we are warned about it. Part of the cost of discipleship. If you have not already done so, and if you truly want to have Yeshua come into your life and set you free from Hell, death, and the grave, having the ability to be bold, then say this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Yeshua's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 7

 Chapter 7

1 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. 2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.

Samuel Judges Israel

3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.

5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.