Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 9

 Chapter 9

Saul Chosen to Be King

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bold for Christ 4

 Losing property

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How about you? We read this.

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

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

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

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

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

God will be with you. Look here in Joshua.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 8

 Chapter 8

Israel Demands a King

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

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

Samuel's Warning Against Kings

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

The Lord Grants Israel's Request

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

Bold for Christ 3

Consider the cost of losing loved ones

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

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

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

Yeshua, or Jesus as translated tells us plainly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Turn to Romans 1 Start at verse16

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

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

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

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

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

What is God’s response?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 7

 Chapter 7

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

Samuel Judges Israel

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

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

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

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

Bold for Christ 2

 Losing your job. 

We read things like this.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12-13

We read things like this. Yeshua, or Jesus, said this

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:18-20

In His famous “Sermon on the Mount,” He told us this.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12

"Rejoice and be glad?" "Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ WILL be persecuted." The World WILL hate you and you WILL be persecuted. This is the Word. This is a warning of things to come. This will happen and I, God, am warning you that it is coming so you are not caught off guard. So that you are not surprised.

Peter warned us of this too.

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good if that should be God's will than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:14-17

One of the biggest risks and fears people all have is losing their jobs. There are people where you work that are lost, that are going to hell, that need a Savior. You are a child of God. You have the keys to the Kingdom and Hell, death, and the grave. Your Father, God, gave them to His Son, and He gave them to you. All you have to do is tell people about Yeshua, or Jesus, and His sacrifice for them and the fact all they have to do is believe in Him and they too can be saved.

Their response? “I cannot do that. My boss is not a believer, and we are not allowed to talk about religion or politics. I could, {say it with me} lose my job.”

Now I know we are going to cover some of the things we have talked about many times, but this is a reality that you, as a child of God, really need to learn and take for yourself and know, this is a fact told to you by Yeshua Himself. If you have your Bible, turn to Matthew 6, starting at verse 25

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than them?”

You need to get this child of God. He is talking directly to you.

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

God does this. Not man. Not “Mother Nature.” God.

“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.”

If everyone needs these things, God knows you need them, then how do you guarantee you will get them? How can you guarantee that your daily needs will be met?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25-33

This is a fact. It is not your job that sustains and blesses you. I will say that again because someone needs to hear it. It is not your job that sustains and blesses you. Even though some people look at their j.o.b. as their g.o.d. It is not. In the “Our Father Prayer” Jesus even included this aspect of God’s love to us. 

“Give us this day our daily bread,” Matthew 6:11

Is your job in charge of your needs? The company or organization you are working for is at the mercy of profit. If they do not make money, they can not afford to pay you. Due to economic situations, you may go to work on Monday, and find you no longer have a job. They need to find ways to keep the company going, and if that means cutting you, you will be cut. Now, do they do this for a personal reason? No. It just happens. You were costing the company or organization more than they could afford to pay you. I understand it is hard not to take it personally. But for the most part? It isn't.

Here you are, driving home, fearful of the future. I know some that go to work every day, fearful that it is their last. Is there anything you could have done to stop the loss of your job? Probably not. Is there anything you can do driving home, to change the fact you lost your job? Nope. So why worry about it?

You have an unfair advantage. You really do. Remember, you are a child of God. Remember, God promised you that your needs will be met. The God of gods, the King of Kings, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, is your Daddy. Do you think He will not meet your needs?

Think of a rich man. Would he not give all he has to his son or daughter if they became in need? Of course. God is far richer than the richest man. So you do not have to fear the loss of a job. As a side note. You also do not need to kill yourself trying to make that next dollar.

Our Lord tells us.

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice on that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23

“Leap for joy.” “Rejoice.” I love that. "Sorry, Pete, you are fired.” No. I’m not going to try to leap here. But I will rejoice. {laughing} My leaping days may be over. But it took me a long time to get this. I’m going to tell you a story that is going to be hard for you to understand. May even be hard for some to accept. However, you can research it yourself and find it true.

One of my first jobs was working in Mall Security. I started overnight. In the first few months, I became a sergeant. Things were going along just fine for the first 3 years. Then a new Mall Manager took over. He was not such a nice guy. He used and abused not only his staff but some of the tenants of the mall as well. He also used the mall as a personal storage area for his things. Now this was right in the middle of me discovering salvation and receiving a deeper understanding of the Word and God's Way.

Now, Dwight, and I, one of the instrumental people in getting me into my quest for Truth, decided to go to this man and ask him if he knew Christ. His exact answer was "I don't have time for that nonsense." Then he stole my file from the files, and asked my boss, Dwight, for it. Needless to say, it was not there. So I got blamed for stealing my file. Turns out, he had it the whole time and then fired me. He also fired Dwight and a few others. I, to my surprise, remembered this Passage

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:

for it is written,

I will repay, saith the Lord."

I forgave him. A few months later, I heard that he was in the center of the mall when the owners came in and fired him. Right there in the center of the mall, in front of so many people, he was abusive over the years he was there. He received the same treatment that he dished out. I hear he did not handle it well.

There was nothing I could have done to him, to equal what happened to him. Nothing. However, God did not stop there. If you go to the Newburgh Mall in Newburgh NY, you will find a shell. It no longer exists.

This was the first time, not the last, I have seen, firsthand, entire places disappear. A child of God wronged, and not soon after, the entire business was gone. You can do nothing in comparison to what God can do. Why stress out over it? Forgive them, and allow God to take it from there.

I worked as a manager for a major hotel brand. One in Newburgh and one in Stuart Florida. Both Holiday Inns. I built two award-winning teams in both and everything was going along just fine. However, my mentor in Newburgh was an alcoholic and abusive. He caused me employees and a lot of problems but I was also learning the trade and I toughed it out for seven years. Then due to personal matters, I ended up moving to Florida. I forgave him and continued my career in the Holiday Inn of Stuart. I worked there for three and a half years. I was fired based on a lie, and false allegations. Sound familiar? I forgave them. Skip ahead to today? The drunken mentor? Dead. The Holiday Inn in Newburgh and Stuart Florida? Yeah, they no longer exist.

Am I someone special? YES! I am a child of God! If you are, you are special too. The most powerful words you can possibly say to someone who wrongs you? “I forgive you.” The hard part is meaning it. "I forgive you." Why? Because you take them out of your hand, and you give them to God.

So what happened each time I got fired? I got a better job than I ever had before. God blessed me richly. I never had a fear or a lack of food. The bills were paid. Nothing happened to me. I do not even believe I had even a week off of work before I started a new Job.

Paul says this in Philippians

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

Remember, Jesus called the rich man building barns a fool. Why? That very day, his soul was required. In other words, he was dying that day. Then whose stuff does all that become? You come into the world naked and you go out the same way. You do not take it with you. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. So why worry about it?

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:11

Be bold for Christ. What would happen if you lost your job? “Leap for joy.” “Rejoice.” Blessed are you. Forgive those you ought to and allow God to take care of it. There is nothing you can do that is worthy to be compared to what God can and will do.

Are you a child of God? If you have not already done so, and if you truly want to have Yeshua come into your life and set you free from Hell, death, and the grave, having the ability to be bold, then say this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us pray.

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

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

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

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

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

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 6

 Chapter 6

The Ark Returned to Israel

1 The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines for seven months. 2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.” 3 They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” 4 And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. 5 So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land. 6 Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? 7 Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. 8 And take the ark of the Lord and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way 9 and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.”

10 The men did so, and took two milk cows and yoked them to the cart and shut up their calves at home. 11 And they put the ark of the Lord on the cart and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors. 12 And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went. They turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. 13 Now the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. And when they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced to see it. 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there. And they split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. 15 And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the box that was beside it, in which were the golden figures and set them upon the great stone. And the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices on that day to the Lord. 16 And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron.

17 These are the golden tumors that the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the Lord: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron, 18 and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both fortified cities and unwalled villages. The great stone beside which they set down the ark of the Lord is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.

19 And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they looked upon the ark of the Lord. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great blow. 20 Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?” 21 So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to you.”

Bold for Christ

Consider the Cost

Have you ever read that? Is there a cost to following Christ? There is. It comes in many different forms but there is always a cost. Look here.

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

 
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and cannot finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-33

Wait what? I hate my own family? I hate my own life? What is that all about? First, no. God is not telling you to “hate” your Mother and Father. There is a whole commandment that tells you that you need to honor them. No, He is not telling you to “hate” yourself and your life. Yeshua said He came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. So what is He saying? He is saying there is a cost.

When you do what you are told to do.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

We are told to seek first, or put God first, before any and everything, and He will be with us, love us, meet our daily needs, and bless us. Yeshua, or Jesus in your translation, says this.

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name because they do not know him who sent me.” John 15:18-21

What He is saying is this. There is a cost. We are not greater than Him. They hated Him. Why would they not hate us? And this is not all either. It is not just the world, strangers, but loved ones and family. Read this with me. Turn to Luke 12, starting at verse 51

“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Luke 12:51-53

This is why He is saying that anyone who puts his family before God is not worthy to be His disciple. Once you accept Yeshua, once you accept His sacrifice, you become a child of God and a member of a new family. The Family of God. Because your family rejects Jesus or Yeshua and rejects God and His Word, which you are now becoming part of and sharing, I hope you are sharing, they will reject and may even come to hate you.

This is what we will be talking about in this series entitled “Bold for Christ.” Are you? Did you count the cost? Around the world, people are being imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for their faith. Today the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian is still North Korea, where a 2021 “Law Against Reactionary Thinking” subjects Christians to arrest, confinement in labor camps, or even death. Even owning a Bible is a serious crime. Several other countries are also hostile to Christians, among them

1. North Korea

2. Afghanistan

3. Somalia

4. Libya

5. Pakistan

6. Eritrea

7. Yemen

8. Iran

9. Nigeria

10. India

Thankfully, since we founded this nation on Judao /Christian beliefs, formed our freedom around and because of God, and fashioned our laws after the Ten Commandments, This sort of thing is not happening here. Yet. However, it seems to be coming here. The world has hated and longed to change America into a secular, God-hating country, but we are thankfully not there yet. We are heading there, and although you may not get arrested, they are working on that, or be tortured and killed for the Bible and faith in Yeshua, there is most definitely a cost.

Bold for Christ. Losing a Job.

Bold for Christ. Losing loved ones.

Bold for Christ. Losing property.

Bold for Christ. Losing your freedom.

Bold for Christ. Losing your very life.

Join us for the next few weeks as we tackle these topics, and hopefully, make us all, more bold for Christ, no matter the cost. Remember who you are. You are a child of God. Look here in 1 Peter.

“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:13-15

Trials and tribulations are going to come. No matter where you live, a storm is coming if you wait long enough. Snowstorms and thunderstorms in the north. Tornadoes in the mid states. Hurricanes and typhoons. There is a storm brewing somewhere all the time. No matter how perfect the weather is the rest of the time, something will happen. We have created "safe places." Storm shelters, fortified homes, safe rooms in homes. Shelters outside for the community. ETC.

Life is the same way. It does not matter where you come from. Who you are. What you have in the bank. Saved or not. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or even Atheist, a storm is coming. Where is your "safe place?"

Mine?

"On God rests my salvation and my glory;

my mighty rock, my refuge is God." Psalm 62:7

We read this in the Word

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

A simpler way to say that is this. It ain't about you. When you fully get this. When you fully understand and accept who you are in Christ, You should find boldness. You should have no fear. It says that God will comfort us, and be our shelter and "safe place" during the storm, but why?

"so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Say "So that," What is the "So that" there for? "So that" is used before the clause which indicates the purpose. Why am I going through this? "So that." or because. Another way to say it is "Here is the reason." We started walking this way "so that" we could go to the destination. We read the Bible, "so that" we can learn from and hear from God.

Now that we can understand what this says, we can understand the total truth of the matter. The storm you are going through? It may not be for you, but "so that" YOU may be able to comfort someone else when they are going through a similar storm.

However, it is not if, but when, for you or not for you, a storm is coming. You may have to stand up and be bold. Look what happened in the boat with the disciples.

“And they went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" Luke 8:24-25

What happened? A storm came and they forgot who they were. They forgot that Jesus, or Yeshua, was with them. They allowed themselves to be full of fear. We do not need to be full of fear. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul writes this.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

We were told plainly by God Himself, that we would not be left here alone. That He would be with us always. Yeshua, or Jesus, whenever you see Jesus, think Yeshua. That is His real name. He tells us that if you accept Him and His sacrifice for you. His blood for your blood. His suffering for your suffering. His death, that you may live. Then the Holy Spirit comes and adopts you into the family of God. He said this.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him; he dwells with you and will be in you." John 14: 15-17

He said He will ALWAYS be with us. In the very next verse, He said this.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet, in a little while, the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, is the one who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:18-21

You need to understand what Jesus is saying here. Read on some more starting at verse 25

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

You may forget who you are. You may forget who is with you always. Like Yeshua sleeping in the boat. But we are never alone. The one who can calm the storm and make the wind stop is right here with us. We have nothing to fear, so why not be bold?

Join us for the next few weeks and let us learn how to be Bold for Christ together. If you have not already done so, and if you truly want to have Yeshua come into your life and set you free from Hell, death, and the grave, having the ability to be bold, then say this prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us pray.

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

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

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

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

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

Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 5

 Chapter 5

The Philistines and the Ark

1 When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 5 This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

6 The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. 7 And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.” 8 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there. 9 But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.” 11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. 12 The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.