Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 16

 Chapter 16

David Anointed King

1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him amid his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

David in Saul's Service

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 And Saul's servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.” 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” 19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” 20 And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. 21 And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

Rejoice and be Thankful 5

 My Home and Daily Needs are being met

We are now children of God. As a child of God, nothing can separate us from the love of our Father. Nothing. However, we still live in the world. From time to time, we allow the things of the world to creep in. We have stress and worry. We start concentrating more on how we can get ahead, or make more money in our jobs. We fear our jobs will be lost. We worry about paying the rent or mortgage. We worry about paying the electric bill. Can we afford that new car? ETC. Where is our next meal coming from?

We get so caught up in the stuff of this world, that we forget our Father is GOD. When you forget that significant fact, you can allow the same fear everyone has. What is next? What will tomorrow bring? How will things work out? What must we do?

Yeshua tells us how we should pray. He gives us what has become known as the "Our Father" Prayer. However, let's look at what Jesus said. First, he did not say, just recite this prayer multiple times during service and all will be fine. Right before he gave it to us, he said this in Matthew 6:6-8

"But when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees you in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

God created you. He called you into His Royal Priesthood. He called you out of the world and made you His child. Do you think He needs to know what you require to live? A little bit further, Yeshua says this.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

This is just a fact folks. A simple, Spiritual Law. It cannot fail. It cannot, NOT happen. Look here in Philippians 4:19

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

We read God telling us this also in Isaiah 55

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” Isaiah 55:1-3

Simply put as Yeshua puts it

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Let me share with you a little of my story. I worked my whole life from early on. I met two men, Dwight and James when I was a Mall Cop back in the late 80s These two men are pivotal in my start of a spiritual quest to find the truth about God, “Jesus,” and His Word. I got saved in Dwight's home church and started, without knowing it, seeking first the Kingdom of God.

I recently shared a story about getting fired from the Mall. I went to work for Chief Rowley for three and a half years before getting into the Hotel Business. I started as a security officer and bouncer and then moved to the Night Audit. I ended up writing the book for the night audit, and in less than a year, I became the Manager. All the while, I was seeking first the Kingdom of God.

Long story somewhat shorter: I was doing great. My pay and status kept increasing. Then, I went through some things and allowed the world to become my focus. I walked away from God and stopped going to church. That did not end well.

After moving to Florida and still trying to do it on my own. I found a new church and slowly came back to God. See, I walked away. He did not. He met me with open arms and I have not looked back since.

As some of you know, I quit my job with the City of Port St Lucie Florida after 11 years and joined the staff at the Church I was at. Then the unthinkable happened. I was in a head-on car crash. This along with quite a few medical diagnoses, I became disabled. 2016 was the last year I could get up and head to a “full-time job.”

During this time, my four kids grew, and my wife, who takes great care of me, stepped up to help with my medications, doctor's appointments, and more. She continues to work in the medical field. We managed to move from a trailer in Florida to 17 acres of land that included two houses and an abundant supply of natural resources. We have fruit trees, wild rhubarb, blackberries, grapes, carrots, and so much more. Additionally, we have three vehicles and recently sold our camper, which served us very well.

I've never missed a bill. I've never had the lights turned off. I've never gone hungry. Why? Because of this. This is what we are doing right now. I am here, and I am teaching you to;

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Do I have a million dollars in the bank? No, I don’t. Sometimes my bank account is a bit lacking, and I often wonder how we'll manage until the next deposit. But you know what? It will always work out. Why is that?

“For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:18

And here.

“And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Don't go from house to house.” Luke 10:7

Why worry about what your neighbor might say, especially if it’s likely not true? Why stress over a co-worker trying to get ahead through deceitful tactics? Or over the possibility of losing a job where you’re essentially making someone else rich? You shouldn’t depend on people; you should rely on God.

Do you not realize that God is more than capable of getting you that promotion, as long as it fits into His plans? There is nothing that your neighbor, co-worker, or even boss can do to affect God's plans. You are part of those plans now, so why worry? Everything in this world is temporary. All your "stuff" is transient.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Rejoice and be thankful. Look around you. Everything you have and receive is a reflection of your Heavenly Father’s immense love for you. He desires nothing but the best for you.

However, be cautious, child of God. God is not an ATM or a genie in a bottle. You won't get rich by following some formula associated with God. This is NOT the "Prosperity Gospel." That teaching is a deception that often comes from TV preachers looking to enrich themselves.

Instead, think of this as a reassurance from a Father to His child: as long as you remain close to Him, there is no need to worry or fear. God is always there for you.

Are you His child? Have you been adopted? 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 15

 Chapter 15

The Lord Rejects Saul as King

15 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you, king, over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah. 5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

16 “Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

“Tell me,” Saul replied.

17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?”

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

    as much as in obeying the Lord?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

    and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

    he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”

Agag came to him in chains. And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,

“As your sword has made women childless,

    so will your mother be childless among women.”

And Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Rejoice and be Thankful 4

 Children are a gift from God.

I remember when my wife first told me she was pregnant. To be honest, I was a little freaked out. I kept thinking, “How much will this change our lives?” and “Am I ready to be a father?” Until that moment, my wife and I were just a couple, enjoying our freedom and loving life together. Then everything shifted when the focus became about her and the baby. 

The day the nurse handed me my baby boy, Josh, outside the hospital was surreal. She said, “Here you go, Dad.” I was taken aback—“Huh?”

Some people, I agree, wouldn't change a thing, would say that having a baby is like having an anchor. Before kids, you can do whatever you want. Get up and go. Stay out all hours of the day and night. Whatever. Then when you have a kid, it becomes all about them and you get to do NOTHING! It is kinda true. It is all about them. Why? They cannot live for themselves.

When we are born, We are like that bud on the tree or that blade of grass. Bang, here we are. We know nothing. We want nothing but food, warmth, and comfort, We just exist. We just are.

We cannot eat solid food. We drink our mother's milk. We do not know anything. We must learn to talk, walk, feed ourselves, and even how to go to the bathroom outside our pants. We know nothing. We are needy for everything. But you know what else we are? Beautifully innocent.

This is why Yeshua, translated as Jesus, said this.

“And they were bringing children to him so that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16

He was “indignant.” Wait, what does that mean? It is a feeling or expression of anger or annoyance at what is perceived as “unfair treatment.” They were trying to block children from coming to Him, and He got angry. Why do you think He said this?

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

It is simple to understand. I now have technically 4 kids. My first is not actually by birth but by choice and then God blessed me with three more. To this day, even my 31-year-old “daughter,” asks me anything. Trust me with everything. Still in essence relies on me for everything. She has two, yes two, Master's degrees in Psychology, She works from home and makes a good salary. Yet? She comes to my house daily for dinner. Like my other three, she still goes with me wherever I go.

My firstborn Son, now a man, works hard and is moving up in his job. Yet, He still relies on me for just about everything. He understands that he may think he knows more than he does, yet he knows I do. He knows I got his back. He knows I love him. I’m here for him, 24-7.

My other two? They are still somewhat innocent. They know that dad is “king.” They know that dad will be there, bless them, {aka spoil them} and they have no fear when I’m with them. Why? Because their daddy got their back.

God desires a relationship with all His children. He wants us to love Him, trust Him, and rely on Him for everything, including our daily needs. He wants to be our Dad, our Father in Heaven, every moment of every day. Not just once a week when we feel like it, but always.

If I tell my children something, they will believe me. They understand that my "yes" means yes and my "no" means no because I have made it a priority to be consistent. I could tell them something completely fantastic, and they would trust that whatever I say is true. Why? Because Daddy said so.

God wants this with us. Sin is sin, and good is good. Why? Daddy said so. {Holding up the Bible} “But I do not understand. Nor do I like this or that. However? Daddy said so therefore it is.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

God created man, then woman, marriage, and children.

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28

This is why we are told over and over in the Word, that children are a blessing from God.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5

And here.

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

As John stated in 3 John 1:4

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Children are a blessing from God to each one of us who has been blessed with them. This is why it is so important to lay a foundation for them in God. Give them the truth to take with them. Show them how to use the shield and the whole armor of God. Equip them with the difference between right and wrong, righteousness and sin. Teach them what genuine compassion really is. What true love really is. If you do not teach them what they need to know, the world will teach them what it wants them to be.

I understand it is very frustrating. You are raising kids in today’s reality. If you believe in God, and you read the Word of God or the Bible, and raise your kids without passing that on, once they leave your house, usually at about age 5, the world will start teaching them what the world wants them to be. When this happens, they will simply accept what the world says and they will start believing what the world says because that is what everyone they are surrounded with, believes.

I want you to think about this. The world is a confusing and becoming more confusing place based on mental illness, delusion, and sin. Used to be most agreed that God belongs in public education and society. Used to be most believed that marriage was to be between one man and one woman. Used to be that most would agree that biology is correct and if you are born a male you are male and if you are born a female then you are a female. Used to be that most agreed that Homosexuality was against God and nature and not something to be praised, supported, and protected.

The sad truth is, if you do not lay a good enough foundation and or educate your child well enough, you stand little to no chance. They will accept the lies, the delusions, and the sin as good, right, and even in some cases, holy.

The word says this.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Our children are a gift from God. We read this in Isaiah.

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13

How are our children taught by God? His Word. This {Holding up the Bible} This is how you can have God, teach your children.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16

It does not matter what we are talking about. God’s plan for families. God’s plan for us to live. God’s plan for salvation. God’s diet for us. God’s wisdom on, well, anything. What about removing God from schools and society? Is it compassion? Is it just? Is it in the Constitution? Is Abortion murder? Is Homosexuality ok? Is Transgenderism normal and good? What about bestiality? What about pedophilia? Is age just a number?

Now here is another aspect that some parents have a hard time accepting. Children are a gift from God. We are charged with “stewardship” over them until they reach the age of accountability. Then it is up to them. Do I know that without Yeshua, they may very well end up going to Hell? Yup. Will I try to teach them this? Yup. Can I decide for them? Sadly, no. I cannot save them. They have free will. They will decide for themselves. Regardless of what I know, what I desire for them, and or whatever I say. If they choose to not believe in God or His Christ, then that will be their choice. If they end up choosing to go to hell, then there is nothing I, nor God for that matter, can do. All we can do is tell them the truth and allow them to decide for themselves.

While they are with you, rejoice and be thankful that God blessed you with them, and do your best to teach them who God is. Teach them what salvation is. Teaching them the world way is not good nor does it end well for the world, but there is a far better way. His name is Yeshua.

Have you been adopted? 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 you and be with you always.

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

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 14

 Chapter 14

Jonathan Defeats the Philistines

14 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave at Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men, 3 including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

6 Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” 8 Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.” 12 And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.” And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. 14 And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land. 15 And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel. 19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.

Saul's Rash Vow

24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. 25 Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. 26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now, the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

31 They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. 32 The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.” 34 And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there. 35 And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36 Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37 And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. 38 And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. 39 For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” 41 Therefore Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.” 44 And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45 Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people ransomed Jonathan so that he did not die. 46 Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

Saul Fights Israel's Enemies

47 When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them. 48 And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab and the name of the younger Michal. 50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. 51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.

Rejoice and be Thankful 3

Having a Godly Spouse.

I have to start this off with this simple fact. I have a Godly Wife. I do. I have a Wife that God brought into my life when I did not want one, as an answered prayer of what a true Godly marriage is all about. She has been with me for 20 years this year and we have been blessed with three beautiful kids along the way.

We have been through a lot. Together. That is the point. I am not alone, neither is she. We honor each other, love each other, and truly become one. I truly am living Proverbs 31

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-12

God is very clear about this. We should not be alone. He created Marriage immediately following His creation of Man and Woman.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

Yeshua, or as translated Jesus repeats this when asked about divorce.

“But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. What, therefore, God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:6-9

This is why we are warned about marrying a non-believer.

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

What agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14–18

Why does God give us this warning in His Word? Because He is trying to save us from a life of pain and trouble and He is trying to help us to honor His Holy plan for family. Turn with me to Ephesians 5:21-33

“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Now stop there for a second. This is the context in which we are talking. “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Now onto the offensive and misused text.

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit everything to their husbands.”

Now see, she has to do whatever I say. She has to submit and obey me. I am the Husband. No. If you think like this you are an idiot. Read on.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their bodies.”

One, how did Christ love His church? That would be me and you. He died for us. He put us first over His own sinless life. Husbands, are you ready to lay down your life for your wives?

“He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:21-33

See men? You are not off the hook. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving himself up for her. This love is sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. God is not talking about living in an abusive and controlling marriage. Just in this sermon, we read three times now, God, Jesus, and Paul, all saying the same thing.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

Marriage is so important to God that He made the 7th Commandment.

“Thou shall not commit adultery.”

Why? Because you are giving yourself away to someone else. You are giving the most intimate part of you and what is reserved for your spouse to another. This is the only true reason Jesus gives us for divorce. Turn to Matthew 19 for a second.

“They said to him, "Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?" He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." Matthew 19:7-9

We read, and some use the Bible to justify divorce in three ways. First of course is death. If your spouse dies then of course you are free from the obligation of marriage. The second comes from Paul, who even tells us it is from Him and not God. Look here in 1 Corinthians 7, starting at verse 12

"But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman who hath a husband that believeth not, and if he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace." 1 Corinthians 7:12-15

Again, look at what Paul says here. “But to the rest speak I, not the Lord:” I believe Paul is referring to a situation in which two non-believers are already married, and one of them becomes saved and becomes a child of God, while the other does not. This is different from actively seeking out and marrying a non-believer, which is why we are warned against doing so. However, the Lord clearly states, "Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery." This statement seems quite clear, doesn't it?

Let me share a bit more about myself than I usually do. Some of you may know some of this, while others may not. I have diabetes, COPD, severe obstructive sleep apnea, and clinical depression, and I deal with complications from a leg injury sustained in a head-on car crash. Yeah, I know, right? My wife sure hit the jackpot, didn't she?

To be fair, when we met, I weighed 230 pounds and went to the gym regularly. Unfortunately, all of these health issues, including a cancer scare, arose after we got married. But you know what? Now, not only is she my best friend, but she is also my nurse, my medication technician, my helper for things I can no longer do, the mother of our kids, and so much more.

How can I not be thankful for her? How can I not thank God always for my wife? She is not my wife one day a year, but every day, 24-7.

I have news for you. God is the same way. He is not just God on Thanksgiving when you should decide to give Him thanks over the Turkey, nor is He God only on Sundays, no, He is God 24-7
Maybe try to get into a habit of thanking God daily.

Here is a prayer if you would like to pray along these words.

“Heavenly Father, We give you thanks for all your many blessings.

We thank You for the gift of life, and for the opportunity to experience all that You have created.

We thank You for the food we eat, prepared with love by our hands and the hands of others.

We thank You for the home we live in, a place of safety and comfort.

We thank You for our family and friends, for our spouses who enrich our lives with their love and support.

Guide us in our lives, Lord, and help us to live under Your will. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for all that You have given us.

In Yeshua’s name, amen.”

Giving thanks should be a daily practice. Everything we have is a gift from God. 

I am grateful that, despite my ignorance, weakness, and limitations, He is wise, strong, and all-powerful. I am thankful that He has allowed me to play a small part in His overall Plan and has given me a purpose for my existence.

Take some time to reflect on this. What are you thankful for? Be sure to give God the thanks He deserves. Your godly spouse should be at the top of your list of blessings. If you are not married and you are a child of God, resist the temptation to pursue a non-believer. Women, please understand that you likely cannot save someone who does not share your faith. Avoid putting yourself in that situation and then wondering why you feel miserable. Instead, follow God’s plan for a godly family.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

"You shall not commit adultery." Exodus 20:14

Train up your children in the ways of the Lord.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth."Ephesians 6:1-4

God's plan for the family. We are born, learn, and grow, leave our father and mother, and come together and marry, becoming one. God's plan for us is that as parents, you take care of your children, raising them in the ways they should go, and then later in life, if needed, your children should be able, and willing, to care for you.

What God says about men is that we are responsible for our families. We are tasked with going before God to seek His will and guidance for us and then returning to teach our families what God has revealed. We are responsible for meeting the needs of our families and for all aspects of family life. Being a husband and father is an honor and a significant responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

In an ideal world, the man, as the husband, should go out into the world to provide for the family while the wife stays home to care for the house and raise the children. Children should be allowed to be just that—children—growing, playing, and learning.

However, we do not live in a perfect or ideal world. Today, both parents often need to work, which places a strain on the family unit. We have passed the responsibility of educating our children onto others and, on top of that, removed God from the system. This has led us to create environments where our children are simply placed, forsaking God’s plan for our families. We then wonder why the divorce rate is rising, why single-parent homes are becoming more common, and why youth crime and teen suicide rates are skyrocketing.

As with all things in life, if we would only follow God's plan, we would find greater happiness and our lives would become much easier. Having a Godly spouse brings peace. If you are fortunate enough to have a Godly spouse, rejoice and be thankful, for you are truly blessed.

Have you been adopted? 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!

Happy Thanksgiving 2024

 Happy Thanksgiving.

Isn't it amazing how God works? We are in the middle of the Sermon Series entitled "Rejoice and be Thankful" as we run into Thanksgiving. That was all God and not my little mind planning things out. That is what the whole series is about. Let's not make this just a one-day-a-year thing, where we have set aside this one day to remember to give God thanks. Oh, we will all, I included, say grace at the big dinner with family and friends and when people ask me what am I thankful for, I will answer this...

My life, for without Him, I would not even be here in the first place.

My Wife. Without Him, I would not have been so blessed with a woman who supports me in any and every way. One that loves me no matter what. One that serves together with me. One that I truly love.

My three beautiful children. Joshua my firstborn son. Elijah, the second, and of course, my Baby girl the princess, Maya.

My two homes, and 17 acres, when so many have lost theirs.

Truck, Jeep, Jeep.

Food on the table.

Pretty much anything and everything.

The Word of God declares.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I do have a question for you. If you are like me and are truly thankful to God for, well, everything, then why do you only give Him thanks once a year?? Also, is giving Him thanks in the method of speaking, merely saying it, enough, for all He has done for you?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

What does this mean? It means you are a child of God. He is your Father, yet rather, He is your Daddy. He is your Daddy 24-7 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, from the time you were adopted until the day you leave this earth to go to be with Him. Not one day a week, if you feel like going to church, and not one day a year.

God wants a one-on-one relationship with you. Oh yes, of course, He wants to be invited to Thanksgiving day dinner, but He also wants a one-on-one, daily, relationship with you. He wants to be there when you get up. He wants to be there when you lay down. He wants to be there in everything in between. The good times. The bad times. He wants to meet your needs, comfort you, and laugh with you. He wants you to BE His child.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

We should be those people that other people look at and go, "Wait, what?" Seriously, we should be those people that we have all known or have known of. Those weirdos. Those strange people. Always seemingly happy, no matter what is going on. Always ready to serve others. Always with a kind word and a warm embrace. Open and honest. Loving.

Am I saying that we should not celebrate Thanksgiving? Of course not. I will be. I do it right every year. Get as stuffed as the turkey and pass out in my chair attempting to watch something on TV.

What I AM saying is, don't forget to give thanks to God the other 364. He is not only God then, but He is God always.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all!!!

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 13

 Chapter 13

Saul Fights the Philistines

13 Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent. 3 Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.” 4 And all Israel heard it said that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become a stench to the Philistines. And the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.

5 And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, 7 and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice

8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince[b] over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” 15 And Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.

And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. 16 And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual; 18 another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.” 20 But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle, 21 and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. 22 So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them. 23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

Rejoice and be Thankful 2

 Forgiveness of my Sins.

Do you think it is appropriate to be thankful to God one day a year? Of course not. Some people have a hard time trying to think of something to be thankful for. This is what we are talking about in this series. Being thankful to God, for God, for us, always.

Last time we talked about being thankful to God for the simple reason, well, not so simple really, but for the simple reason that you exist. You are here. You are alive. How about if we rejoice and be thankful that we are forgiven for our sins?

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness because he had passed over former sins in his divine forbearance. It was to show his righteousness at present so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26

Let us examine this a bit more.

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”

What does this mean? Yeshua, as translated as Jesus, made this statement.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20

What is the Law of God as God gave it to us?

You shall have no other gods before God.
You shall not commit idolatry.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Honor your Father and Mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness
You shall not covet.

Yeshua summed all this up in this way.

“And one of the scribes came up and heard them arguing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:28-34

Now understand this fact. This is God’s Law. Now the Jewish religion has 613 laws. They include some of this of course. Some examples,

To know God exists.
Not to entertain the idea that there is any god but the Eternal
Not to blaspheme in the penalty for which is death
To hallow God's name

ETC. Others

To honor the old and the wise Leviticus 19:32
To learn Torah and to teach it Deuteronomy 6:7.
To cleave to those who know Him the Talmud states that cleaving to scholars is equivalent to cleaving to Him.

This one I find interesting.

Do not add to the commandments of the Torah, whether in the Written Law or its interpretation received by tradition.

Well? God gave us 10 and the Rabbis gave us 613. So?

It goes on to address things like;

Signs and symbols
Prayer and blessings
Love and brotherhood
The poor and unfortunate
Treatment of Gentiles
Food

ETC. 

It goes on. 613. Could you follow all these? Of course not. This is why when asked, Yeshua summed them up as two.

"The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Remember, He did not come to do away with the Law. It is still very much in effect. However, there is a difference between being a Jew and being saved by grace through the faith in Yeshua, or Jesus, as the Christ.

Remember, back in the day, the early church was going around circumcising grown men and making the non-Jews of the time follow their law. It became such an issue that Peter and the rest of the Apostles had to settle it.

“But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." After Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.” Acts 15:1-2

It seems like, to me anyway, that it was stopping non-Jews from accepting Christ due to this requirement according to Jewish Law. So they met.

“The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days, God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:6-9

Therefore, they came to this conclusion and even put it in writing.

“Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:

"The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell." Acts:15:22-29

First, we must hear the gospel and accept Christ's sacrifice.

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.“ 1 John 5:12

Pretty simple. Easy to understand. And of course.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18

It is just that simple. God made it so simple that mankind sometimes gets lost in the simplicity. Rejoice and be thankful, that even though we are not Jews from birth, even though we do not have the Jewish Laws to learn and follow, God has made the way for us to be equal to the Jews, and fellow children of God.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16-17

This is the result.

“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”

This is the reason.

“This was to show God's righteousness because he had passed over former sins in his divine forbearance. It was to show his righteousness at present so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Why? “To show God’s righteousness.” Remember what Peter learned.

“So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,” Acts 10:34

You are blessed with the ability to accept Jesus and become an heir with the Jews, who also accept Christ, and become heirs with Christ.

“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature, do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:12-16

Rejoice and be thankful that although you cannot be made perfect and acceptable following the Law of the Jewish people and or even the Ten Commandments fully, being born into sin, we can be made perfect and acceptable through the blood that Jesus, or Yeshua, shed for us all. Your sins are forgiven. You are a new creature. A saved being. An heir with Christ Himself. A child of God.

Have you been adopted? 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 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 12

 Chapter 12

Samuel's Farewell Address

1 And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. 3 Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” 4 They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand.” 5 And he said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”

6 And Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now, therefore, stand still that I may plead with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your fathers. 8 When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 9 But they forgot the Lord their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. 10 And they cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.’ 11 And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. 12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the Lord your God was your king. 13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

Rejoice and be Thankful

 Life itself,

Hello. Welcome, today. We just finished up a series entitled "Being Bold for Christ." We talked about considering the cost of becoming a child of God. You could lose your loved ones, your job, property, freedom, and, in some cases, your life. Yet Yeshua tells us that we should have no fear of any of this for we will gain so much more. He said this to Peter.

“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

Do you know one of the surest ways to be bold for Christ? Rejoice and be thankful. No. I mean truly grateful. For what? Everything! Everything. Every day! Not just the last Thursday in November. Not just because it is your time to say grace at the family dinner. EVERY DAY!

I’m also not just talking about your Job. Your home. Family. Health, or whatever. I’m talking about every breath you take. EVERYTHING! Along with everything, it needs to be true and honest thanksgiving and contentment.

Some people need help figuring out where to start. OK. Fair enough. Let's talk about this for the next few weeks. We will touch on these to get you started thinking.

Life itself.
Forgiveness of Sins.
The Adoption into His Family.
Your Spouse.
Your Children.
Your Home and Daily Needs are being met.
Countless and even Unknown Blessings.

Let's start today with the simplest to understand. You are here. You exist. God gave you this current life itself. If you have your Bible, turn to Psalm 139. Start at vs. 2

“You know when I sit down and when I rise; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.”

Say “God is there.” Repeat it. “God is there.” When you are sleeping, He is there. When you are waking up, He is there. When you go to school or work, God is there. Read on.

“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”

Just the fact that you are breathing, is a gift from God and is a great reason to rejoice and be thankful.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”

Say “God is there.” Why? Because HE created you. He made you.

”For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

I remember talking to someone about this, 

“Just the fact there is a painting is proof that there was an Artist.”

Just because you are here, in this world that God created, along with you, is proof that there is a God. We will get back to Psalm 139 in a second. We read things like this throughout His Word.

“For 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 Romans 1:20

Say "perceived." Not just seen. Rather seen and what? "Clearly perceived" Fully understood. And here

“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

One more?

“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18

Ok, one last one.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3

The fact that you are here is proof that there is a God. Just the fact that the world is here is proof there is a God. As a side note? Well, not really. You are exactly the way God wants you to be, Back to Psalm 139

“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

You are 6 foot tall, or 4 foot 11. You are Male or Female. Yes, you are. God does not make mistakes. All this other nonsense is that. Nonsense and confusion are created for and by the devil. You have blonde hair, red, or brown. The Word declares that God loves you so that when He was creating you, He even counted the very hairs on your head. Yeshua told us this.

“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

This is why it is so important to simply rejoice and be thankful that God loved you so much that He created you. He created a plan and a purpose for your life. He created you. He is always there. Back to Psalm 139, verse 17

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!”

Think about this next part. This is why you need to be bold for Christ. This is King David talking about those in his time. However, it is just as true today as it ever was.

“They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.”

Then we get to a scary prayer for some to even think about praying. Why? Because many people do not want to know. Ready?

”Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:2-24

What if I pray this prayer and God tells me “Yes.” “There are some grievous ways in you, and you must change.” Most people do not want to think of themselves as bad people. They like the way they are and they think they are just fine. What if God sees you a bit differently? Remember the rich man who asked to follow Him, and what He said to him? Turn to Mark 17. Start at Verse 17

“And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'"

These still apply by the way.

“And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:17-22

That kinda sounds like the opposite of what we see on TBN and some mega-church pastors preaching the “Prosperity Gospel.” Doesn’t it?

Even before we get into any of this, salvation, family, daily needs, or even the blessing we are not even aware of, we have this. The fact that you are alive. You exist. God arranged it so that your earthly father and mother met, knew each other, and you came about exactly when and how God wanted it to be. That alone should be worthy of your praise and thankfulness.

We can all be thankful for this. Then there is the Adoption for those who accept it. You see, you can be thankful that you are of God’s creation, but we are not all children of God. There is only one way to be a child of God. Through the adoption. Have you been?

Have you been adopted? 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 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 11

 Chapter 11

Saul Defeats the Ammonites

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-Gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition, I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days' respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.

5 Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. 8 When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” 11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered so that no two of them were left together.

The Kingdom Is Renewed

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Bold for Christ 6

 Losing your life

Today we will wrap up our series entitled “Bold for Christ.” We already covered

Bold for Christ. Losing a Job. God supplies your needs.
Bold for Christ. Losing loved ones. Anyone who does will receive many more.
Bold for Christ. Losing property. Anyone who does will receive many more.
Bold for Christ. Losing your freedom. You are truly free in Christ.

Today? Today may be a tough one. But even this, should not be.

Bold for Christ. Losing your very life.

Death is not something to be feared. At least not for children of the Most High. Life on earth is like everything else on earth. Life on earth is temporary. It lasts but a time, and then it is on to the next stage of existence. Death is as natural as birth. It is as natural as life itself. It will come for all living things.

I understand that many fear death. It is natural to fear the unknown. But it doesn't have to be the unknown. As a child of God, you know what to expect. You should understand that it is not a punishment when that time comes for you. It is not a horrific event. It comes because it must.

If you have your Bible, turn to Ecclesiastes 3, starting at verse 1

“For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Read that one part again. “A time to be born, and a time to die.” In other words, death will come. There is an appointed time. We all must face our immortality in this temporal world. I truly believe that we fear this because of uncertainty. We fear what comes next. However, we do not have to. Why? Yeshua or as translated, Jesus, tells us what comes next. Turn to John 14, also starting at verse 1

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house, there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that is where I am, and you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." John 14:1-3

Revelations 21 tells us what the capital, if you will, of the new earth will look like.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”

This will happen. EVERYTHING you know, some of which you may very well love, will “pass away.” But look what is coming.

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also, he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty, I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

This is for you child of God. However, this will not be everyone.

“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 21:1-8

Again. This WILL happen. Not maybe. Not could. Not what if? It is not a matter of if, but when. Want to know more? Read on and you will see pure beauty that cannot even be comprehended

“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a rarest jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates, the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city does not need a sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelations 21:9-27

Now this is after the Tribulation, the end time. But I want you to think about this. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." And "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Imagine that. It is a far better place to go, than the one where we live. A place where God Himself will wipe away our tears. A place where there will be no more sorrow, pain, sickness, or death itself.

You see, it is appointed to man {Humans} to die twice. Yup. Twice. The first is a physical death. The body will die. As stated in Ecclesiastes 3: 2

“A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;”

The second is a spiritual death. The old man is put away. In Revelations, it declares this.

“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."

This is the aftermath of the White Throne Judgement. Turn to Revelations 20 verse 11

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence, the earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

So let's look at the two deaths. And how do you get your name written in the Book of Life? The first is obvious. A physical death. The body fades away from dust to dust. Every living thing faces this death. The second is spiritual.

You must remember, that because of one man, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are born into sin. We are born into the family of the devil. We are not all children of God. We are all God's creations. But not all Children. It is just this simple.

“that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order for the world to be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:15-18

It really cannot be simpler to understand than that.

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:12

It does not matter one iota what “religion” you claim, or how educated you may be. It does not matter how much money you have. Even who you know. The ONLY way to Heaven and the ONLY way to salvation is Yeshua. Jesus’s sacrifice for the payment for your sins.

Remember what Yeshua said to the Priests and Rulers of the Synagogue in His time on earth? He never minced words. He never left it open for misunderstanding. Nor interpretation. 

“They answered him, "Abraham is our father."

They said we are the holy ones. We are the ones who know God and we are the true chosen by God. What did He respond with?

“Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the work your father did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my words.”

They simply were not hearing Him. Rather they did not accept what He was saying. So He made it plain and crystal clear.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." John 8:39-47

Just because they were religious, doesn't mean they were saved. That doesn't mean that they were children of God. He called them the children of the Devil. The only way you can become a child of God is through the adoption of the Spirit.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16-17

Only then can you be called a child of God. Only then can you be free from the fear of death, because it is at that moment that you will understand that your destination after leaving this earth is far better than what you are leaving behind.

Now we have said all that to say this. Why fear those who could make this happen? Those who can kill the body?

"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.”

What about those who hate God and His Word so much that they are willing to murder you for it?

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:26-28

Death is not to be feared. Dare I say, to me, it is something to actually look forward to. Think about it. Someone ends your life here and you wake up standing before God and hopefully, He says

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21

Be bold for Christ. Even if it means you will meet Him in person, face to face. Are you a child of God? Can you be bold for Christ? 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!