God Is In His Heaven And On His Throne

Posted on April 17, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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When trials and tribulations come upon us, as humans we often ask:

Lord, Why did this happen to me?

If you have ever asked this question you’re not alone. King David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) asked God fifty one questions in the Psalms. David asked questions like:

Psalms 6:3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?

Psalms 13:1-2 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

The Psalms are called the Hebrew Hymnbook. They were put to music so that not only David could say these words, but God’s people could also ask the same questions. Trials come to us and often we do not understand why. As we go through this Covid-19 Pandemic some of you may have suffered the virus. There may have been good Christian people afflicted with the virus, while other brittle and unloving people escaped unscathed. You may be one who asks God,

How long will you forget me, O Lord? Forever?
How long will you hide Your face from me?

When David asked these questions at the front end of a Psalm, by the time he reached the end of the Psalm he rejoices in God, saying things like:

Psalm 13:5-6 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Trials Come To Both Children Of Light And Children Of Adam

God uses two things – TIME and TRIALS – to get our attention and make us consider our lives in the light of His Glory. God brings trials to people to

CONTROL history
to CALL the lost to salvation,
to CREATE faith in His Children,
and to impede the CURRENT of darkness.

God knows the destructiveness of sin, and sets LIMITS on the darkness. Just as firefighters sometimes fight fire with fire, there are times when God uses the darkness of trials against the darkness of sin. The sinful Jehoiakim and Judah will be hit with the sinful Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon – but God will still be in control!

As we examine the Book of Daniel, we read:

Daniel 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

Who attacked Judah? Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. But who caused this trial to come on Judah? The Scripture plainly tells us:

the Lord {אֲדֹנָי ʼĂdônây, (pronounced ad-o-noy’)} gave Jehoiakim king of Judah
into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand

Israel did not fall because they had weak rulers. Israel fell because Israel was not following God. The Scripture says:

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Why are we as a nation suffering through this Pandemic? I believe it is because we have rejected the God Who so blessed us richly. God is in control. The powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1). God either SENDS the trial or ALLOWS the trial. God is God. God is in control even in the midst of the trial.

When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Israel, God is in His Heaven and on His throne.
When Corona-virus invaded America, God is in His Heaven and on His throne.

God spoke through the Prophet saying:

Isaiah 45:6-7 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

The God of the Bible is in control. This is the God Whom I serve. When the apparent bad happens to the Child of God, our God is in His Heaven and on His throne. We know this to be true, which is why we can declare with confidence:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

All things work together for GOOD. Not that all things ARE GOOD, but that the Sovereign God Who is over us all causes all things to WORK TOGETHER for good. If you love God and are living for Christ, nothing … NOTHING is bad for you.

Several years ago I read a book The Other Side Of The Mountain, written by Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni suffered a diving accident when she was a teenager that made her into a quadriplegic. When asked by others “Why does God allow suffering?” her reply is, “God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.” God loves people, and wants to be in a relationship with whosoever will. God uses trials like sheepdogs. A trained sheepdog will bark and snap at the feet of the sheep, driving them into a place of safety. The same sheepdog will chase off the wolf. Through trials God pushes us all toward salvation by faith in Him. Israel would not repent and turn to God. So God gave Israel over to Babylon. God moved the heart of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to order

Daniel 1:3-4 …. unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

God was working in the background to make sure those who loved Him were not destroyed in the invasion. He ordered that certain young children of Israel be kept safe, and adopted into the Kingdom of Babylon. Oh, how glorious the power of God! Oh, how wonderful is His eternal love!

Daniel 1:6-7 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel and his three friends were around fourteen years old when taken into exile. Our text describes these young people:

  • “Children in whom there was no blemish, but well favored”. These young people were BELIEVERS in God who LIVED THEIR FAITH. They were pleasant, well liked because they were not brittle.
  • “Skillful in wisdom and cunning in knowledge”. These four young people LISTENED when they were taught.
  • “Understanding Science” is actually mistranslated. A better translation would be “Having the ability to understand”. These four young men were not self absorbed nor narcissistic. The King wanted young people who were not arrogant, but teachable. I can only imagine how many children were killed because they were brats.

The Welwyn Commentary Series by Stuart Olyott states:

“The four boys would have been fourteen years old when their names were changed, for this was the age at which the Babylonians entered young people upon their programmer of re-education. They were to be given no rest until they had a thorough grasp of all that was required of them. That would be three years later. Stolen from their homes, told to forget their God, intensively re-educated in a pagan culture—how would these young boys fare? Would they remain true to their God, and to what they knew to be right? Or would they capitulate?”

When Trials Come WHO Owns You?
Fear? Panic? The World? Or God?

The Bible tells us that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are captured and taken from Israel. Transported from their families, they were carried 1678 miles from everything and everyone they loved. These four young men lost their fathers and mothers, their sisters and brothers, their Church and schools, their friends and girlfriends. They not only lost everything they had grown up knowing, these four young men lost their very names. The Bible says:

Daniel 1:7 .. {the prince of the eunuchs} gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

In the ancient world a name meant something. Parents today give their children names based upon their own fancy or fantasy. In the ancient world children were named as a goal, what their parents wanted them to be when they grew up. The Hebrew names of these four young men examined:

Daniel means “God is my Judge”
Hananiah means “God is Gracious”
Mishael means “Who is like God”
Azariah means “God helps”

These young men were names by Bible believing parents. They were trained as God commanded in the Book of …

Deuteronomy 6:4-15 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Adopted into the palace as servants of King Nebuchadnezzar these young men were purposely renamed to make them conform to the Babylonian false gods.

Daniel was renamed “Belteshazzar”, meaning “One favored by (the false god) Bel”
Hananiah was renamed “Shadrach”, meaning “servant of (the false god) Sin”
Mishael was renamed “Meshach”, meaning “guest of the king”
Azariah was renamed “Abednego”, meaning “servant of (the false god) Nebo”

What was done to these young men was an attempt to brainwash them, to make them over in the image of darkness. The devil’s world is constantly trying to take away the Christian’s name, our identity in Christ. It amazes me as I go back and watch old television shows how the devil started indoctrinating us, making us consider that which is abnormal as normal, that which is darkness as light, and that which is evil as good. The world pushes the mind of the believer into a state of compromise.

We must turn off the indoctrination, and turn on the Bible. We must do as these four young men did:

Romans 12:2 … be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Daniel was given another name, but we read in verse 8

But Daniel …

Not “but Belteshazzar”, but it says “But DANIEL”. Daniel did not lose his identity. He kept his eyes on God. Daniel knew that “God is my Judge”, and he purposed in his heart that he would stay faithful to the God Who loved him.

Beloved believers, we cannot compromise with the world. We are warned by …

James 4:4 … know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

We are to love those around us as we would be loved. We are to treat others with the respect that God calls us to treat all with. Yet we are never to normalize sin, nor make darkness out to be light. Love the sinner, but cry out against the sin. Remember that as Christians our allegiance is first and foremost to God.

Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Daniel looked UP! This was how he was trained, and how he continued.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel PURPOSED in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.

Daniel put God first. If you are a believer in Christ you are to put God first. God’s love to you is to be more than any other love. What did Jesus say?

Matthew 22:37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

With ALL. God is to have ALL of your heart. Not just the leftovers. You are to love God more than anyone else. Jesus told us:

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

God must be first. Seek ye first he Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Because Daniel did this God worked in the life of his superior, the prince of the Eunuchs. The Bible says:

Daniel 1:9 NOW GOD had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

God brought Daniel into favor with the Prince Melzar. In fact, this prince loved Daniel just as if he were his own child. He was a eunuch, a man unable to have children, unable to know the joy of fatherhood. God planted love in that man’s heart – not creepy perverted love but the love of a father toward a son. Daniel didn’t demand, nor was he ugly in any way to his boss. He asked Melzar …

Daniel 1:12-13 … Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulsevegetables to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

Daniel humbled himself to both God and to Melzar in the midst of the trial. When we humble ourselves and let God be God, it is then that God can bless us.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

The Bible says that Melzar

Daniel 1:14-16 … consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Several years ago I preached to Riverview the following words. Little did I know that the words would become prophetic. I said:

“A storm is coming to our country, a hurricane greater than anything that has ever been seen. Tie everything up as tightly as you can in your faith with God. Seek out His Word daily, and pray to Him as you go through your day.”

The storm is now here. Are you prepared? If not, let’s start. Repent, turn back to God. Look upward to him Who loves you so. Purpose in your hearts that you will be salt and light every day. Live so as to hear the applause of God. Bind yourselves to your Creator and Savior with the twin golden cords of Grace and His Gospel. God loves you – He loved you so much that He gave His life for you. God loves you still – the grave could not hold Him. He walks with His people, even in the midst of national failure.

He walks with us right now.

Daniel and his three friends not only lived through their exiles, they flourished through it. I am praying that this Covid-19 Pandemic will leave in its wake an awakened Church, and a people willing to shine for the Lord Jesus Christ every day. I am praying that many lost souls will discover the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Beloved, as C.H. Spurgeon said:

Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!

May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Holy Spirit. Amen and Amen!

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Are You Listening, America?

Posted on April 12, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Daniel 5:25 (KJV) And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Many years ago there was a Sunday when my Pastor was going on vacation. He asked me to fill in for him. I was a young preacher – only 38 years old – and very nervous as I prepared that early message. I prayed and sought God’s face. The Lord put this text on my heart. I preached it that Sunday, and the following week the Pastor called me into his office to ….

…chew me out.

He told me that one of the “elders” of the Church said I was speaking in tongues during the services, and that speaking in tongues was not allowed in a Baptist Church. If I were more seasoned in the Word of God I would have quoted the Apostle, who said:

1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

I’ve never spoken in tongues while preaching. I always try (though I am often unsuccessful) to make my words clear and understandable. The elder who claimed I was speaking in tongues heard me quote Daniel 5:25, our focal text. The words Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsinwere written on a wall by a disembodied hand – a clear miracle from God.

and he thought I was speaking in tongues. I guess I was speaking in tongues. For I would not know what those words meant had God not given an interpretation of them. The words that were written on the wall by a disembodied hand, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. God spoke clearly to the King, but the King would not hear what the Lord said.

America, are you reading “the handwriting on the wall”? Are you getting what God is telling us through this Covid-19 pandemic? As I heard Barney Fife say the other day on that grand old classic, The Andy Griffith Show:

“Let’s blow away the smoke and read the handwriting on the wall”

What are we seeing as we go through this Covid-19 pandemic? I was reading the news on the Internet today, where several media outlets are breathlessly proclaiming:

“Unemployment Shatters Records”
“One Hundred Days That Changed The World”
“President Trump Threatens To Remove Funding From WHO”

We are in a time of national distress because a tiny virus has invaded our sense of security. Can we “blow away the smoke and read the handwriting on the wall”? America, we need the Lord! We need to repent as a nation, repent as the Church, and turn to wholeheartedly following the Lord Who loves us and gave Himself for us. Not tomorrow – TODAY.

The Powers That Be Are Ordained Of God

I love studying the Old Testament. I love the whole Bible, but there are many great truths that apply to our world today. The Book of Daniel has great truths that we need to mine as we go through this time of national testing.

Imprisoned for preaching the faith of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul wrote the Roman Church (and us):

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Every power – every President, King, Potentate, or Prime Minister that gets into office or sits on a throne is ordained of God. God is ultimately in control.

We don’t want to hear this, but it is Biblically true. During President Obama’s 8 year term in office I heard self professing Christians make disparaging remarks. Beloved, President Obama was in office because the Lord our God allowed it. President Trump is now in office because the lord our God has allowed it. We vote in America. We have an Electoral College in America. We elect Representatives and Senators to our state and federal Legislatures. Yet the powers that be are ordained of God. The Apostle Peter, often antagonized for preaching the Gospel of Christ, wrote:

1 Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God…

Several pastors throughout our nation are ignoring social distancing and guidelines established by the Governors of their state. They are doing so in violation of God’s Will. The powers that be are ordained of God … and we are to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. If the state were to tell us what to preach or how to preach we as God’s people are to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). But when Governors enact laws to protect the citizens of their states, laws equally applied to churches as well as businesses, then we are under obligation to obey.

The powers that be are ordained of God!

Now let’s head back to our Daniel text. The Book of Daniel was written by a man who believed in and loved the Lord our God. This Book was written after Israel – a nation whom God loves – departed from following the Lord our God. God warned Israel before they drifted that there would be consequences if they departed from Him.

Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

God spoke to Israel, but Israel would not hear Him. Do not deceive yourself. God is not mocked: for whatever you sow, you shall also reap (Galatians 6:7). Are you listening, Israel? Are you listening, America? Will you blow away the smoke and look at the writing on the wall? Israel didn’t listen, so God allowed Babylon to attack and destroy Israel. Daniel survived because he trusted in God. That’s why Daniel was able to write this Book.

Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took over Israel. Why? The powers that be are ordained of God. Nebuchadnezzar reigned because God allowed him to reign. Donald Trump now reigns because God allows him to reign. Barach Obama reigned because God allowed him to reign. The powers that be are ordained of God.

Now turn with me in your Bibles to Daniel chapter 4. In Daniel chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar (the king of Babylon) has a dream.

Daniel 4:5-6 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

The dream frightens the King, so he initially turns to every source but God. That’s what most of us do. When something frightening happens we turn to doctors, lawyers, professionals, hospitals, bankers, whatever. Nebuchadnezzar turned to magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers (verse 7) and got no answer.

Then Nebuchadnezzar called on Daniel. Daniel loved the Lord. Though the king had given Daniel a pagan name, Daniel’s heart was still firmly fixed on God. Daniel lived for the Lord. “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.” (Psalm 9:1). The King told Daniel his dream:

Daniel 4:10-15 … I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 … behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth…

When Daniel heard the dream he studied on it for about an hour, I believe, praying to the Lord our God. At the end of that time Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar:

Daniel 4:20-22 … The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that God was going to take away his throne, but leave the nation Babylon intact. The dream was a warning to this proud king. Change your ways and honor God, the God Who gave you this kingdom, or suffer loss. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar:

Daniel 4:27 … break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.

The judgment of God could be averted if Nebuchadnezzar would REPENT and do as God directed. But if Nebuchadnezzar continued to ignore God, continued to puff himself up, and hold himself above the way of Christ, then he would suffer.

Beloved, God loves you. God loves us all. But God is ultimately in control. For the longest time our country has enjoyed the blessings of Heaven. We are the richest nation on earth, with unprecedented freedoms, freedoms that other people in other nations only dream of. The powers that be are ordained of God. Having so much, we have enjoyed the bounty of God, but have despised God and His Word. Now we are limping. Now we are suffering. Would that we would – as a nation – turn back to God.

Nebuchadnezzar heard Daniel’s words, but did nothing about the situation. He ignored the wisdom of the preacher. A year passed and nothing happened. Then Nebuchadnezzar walked into the palace one day, saying:

Daniel 4:30 … Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?

The king ascribed to himself the glory for his kingdom. He ignored God’s Word. God waited patiently for the king to repent, and he would not.

Daniel 4:31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

King Nebuchadnezzar went mad that very day. The Bible says in verse 33, that King Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. He stayed in this state until

Daniel 4:34-37 … I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me … 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

When he was proud and lifted up, Nebuchadnezzar was like a wild animal in the field. He remained in this state for seven years. But once he looked heavenward and acknowledge that God alone is King, then he was blessed.

The powers that be are ordained of God.
There is no power but that of God.

The Truth Does Not Change With Time

As we move from Daniel chapter 4 to Daniel chapter 5 twenty-five years have passed. Belshazzar is now King in Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar is called his “father” (verse 2). The word translated “father” is the Arabic word אַב ʼab, (pronounced ab), which can mean “father” or in this case “descendant of or ancestor” (see Ezra 4:15; 5:12). Belshazzar was in the lineage of Nebuchadnezzar, perhaps his great-great-great grandson.

People are always telling me that truth changes with time. “That was back then, pastor, but this is now”. Truth is timeless. What was truth a million years ago is just as true today. God does not change – EVER. “I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). What God told Nebuchadnezzar is just as true for Belshazzar.

Nebuchadnezzar didn’t listen to God.
Belshazzar didn’t listen to God.
The powers that be are ordained of God.
There is no power but that of God.
Are YOU listening, America?

Daniel 5:1-2 (KJV) Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

Belshazzar had a party, and selected 1000 “Lords” to attend that party. At the party they drank, and drank, and drank. Then Belshazzar had an idea. “When Nebuchadnezzar was King he robbed the Temple in Jerusalem, and had some great silver and gold vessels taken. Let’s get those and drink out of them.”

Belshazzar robbed God, and redefined what God made for his own purposes. America has done the same thing. We have redefined marriage, taking it out of God’s design into something else. We have redefined life, making abortion the law of the land, contrary to God’s decree. We have redefined morality, and now endorse sexual pleasure prior to Biblical marriage. We have taken the vessels that God meant for His worship and have filled them to the brim with liquid pleasure. We have worshiped the gods of money, sports, Hollywood, news media:

Daniel 5:4 (KJV) They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

Are you listening? Will you repent? God watched and waited. The Bible says that God is long suffering, patient, and kind. Time passes, and we feel that God isn’t watching. God is there. God is here. God is watching. The Bible warns:

Romans 2:3-6 thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds …

Sooner or later a payday comes. Payday is here, King Belshazzar. The King would not listen, so now God gets his attention in a very visible way.

Daniel 5:5-6 (KJV) In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

What did the King do? He did the same thing King Nebuchadnezzar did. He “cried out for the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers” (Verse 7). These wise men couldn’t do anything about it. Why? Because they had no contact with the God of the Bible. But then the Queen of Babylon told her husband about Daniel, and how Daniel had helped Nebuchadnezzar. So Belshazzar calls for Daniel and tells the old believer:

Daniel 5:16 (KJV) And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

I love Daniel’s words to the King. He wasn’t about to receive anything from Belshazzar. He told the King

Daniel 5:17 (KJV) … Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

“You can keep your STUFF. I don’t want it. But I’ll tell you what these words mean”. Before Daniel interprets the handwriting on the wall he tells the King that all that Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar has, they have from God. Daniel then scolds Belshazzar, saying:

Daniel 5:22-23 … O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven…

God Has The Right To Judge His Creation

I was reading an article written by Capitol Ministries entitled “Is God Judging America Today?” In that article the author noted:

“Five forms of God’s judgment are repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. They are as follows: 1. Eternal Wrath (Hell), 2. Eschatological Wrath (The Day of the Lord), 3. Cataclysmic Wrath (The Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah), 4. Forsaking Wrath (Removing Restraint), 5. Consequential Wrath (Sowing and Reaping).”

Belshazzar walked away from God (forsaking), so God walked away from Belshazzar. America, have you walked away from God? America, are you listening? Daniel tells King Belshazzar:

Daniel 5:25-26 (KJV) And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

The word MENE מְנֵא (pronounced men-A) is Aramaic, not Hebrew, and means “You have been NUMBERED”. God has closely examined you and your nation. God didn’t just closely examine Belshazzar ONCE, but note that MENE is repeated twice. God closely examined Belshazzar and his kingdom TWICE. What did God determine from this numbering?

Daniel 5:27 (KJV) TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

תְּקַל tĕqal is also an Aramaic word, and it means “to weigh a thing”. The ancients weighed things on a balance beam. On one side a known and true weight was placed, and on the other side the item to be weighed was placed. Belshazzar, you just don’t measure up. Then God gives His judgment:

Daniel 5:28 (KJV) PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

God raised up another Kingdom that would overthrow Babylon. First the Medes under Darius would overthrow Babylon and kill Belshazzar, and later the Persian empire will join with the Medes to rule Babylon. God would raise up first King Darius

Daniel 5:30-31 (KJV) In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

and Darius would keep Daniel as a high ranking adviser in his kingdom. Daniel would be protected for he trusted in God. Belshazzar would lose his life, along with his kingdom, because he neither loved God nor respected the Father’s authority. The Bible tells us that “If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).

America, are you listening? Church, are you listening? Today we are confronting a global pandemic. What will we do? Will we repent, and turn to following the God of Scripture? Will we come to the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving Him as Savior? Will we follow His leadership? Let us as His people and His nation heed the ancient lesson of Scripture.

The powers that be are ordained of God. There is no power but that of God. May God the Holy Spirit and His Word draw you close to the Eternal Father, in Christ’s name I pray. Amen and Amen.

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Resurrection Changes Everything

Posted on April 12, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Photo by Linda Gerbec on Unsplash

Luke 24:1-12 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

Christians disagree on many different things. As we study God’s Word we often have different interpretations of different texts. Sometimes these disagreements are so severe (or so we think) that we have divided ourselves up into what we call “denominations” (and don’t fool yourself – a “non-denominational” church is still a “denomination”). Christians even disagree about the day that Christ was crucified. Many believe that the Lord was crucified on “Good Friday”. Others, like me, disagree. I do not see how Jesus could have been crucified and Friday, and resurrect on Sunday, and yet His direct statement be true, for Jesus said:

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus referenced Jonah 1:17 when referring to His death and resurrection. I just don’t see how you can get “three days and three nights” from dying on Friday and rising early in the morning on the first day of the week (see Luke 24:1). So we as Christians disagree on when our Lord died. We disagree as to the permanence of salvation (I believe when you are genuinely saved, Christ keeps you). We disagree on the methods of water baptism (I believe in immersion, whereas others believe in sprinkling or pouring). We disagree on what version of Scripture to use, and we disagree …. well, I could go on and on, but I won’t.

We are humans, fallible, and thus we have points of disagreement. But if you are a Christian then we ALL agree that:

  • Jesus Christ – Eternal God Who became Perfect Man, died for our sins, and that
  • Jesus Christ rose from the grave on the third day, which was specifically “the first day of the week” (Luke 24:1)

The Resurrection of Christ changes everything.

The Resurrection Changes Our View Of Death

Luke 24:1-3 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Very early in the morning on the first day of the week the Bible tells us that Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James along with other women (Luke 24:10) came to the tomb of our Lord Jesus. Jesus had been crucified on the day before a high Sabbath (John 19:31), and the women had hastily prepared His body for burial. The soldiers knew that Jesus was dead, for the Bible tells us:

John 19:33-35 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

When blood separates from the plasma or water in the blood it is sure proof that a person has died. Jesus was dead.

Joseph of Arimathaea a very wealthy follower of Christ sought out the governor Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. (John 19:38). He along with the influential Nicodemus,

John 19:39-40 … brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Jesus’ body was prepared hastily, before the sunset, for the High Sabbath of Passover was at hand (Luke 23:7-16). Now it’s Sunday, the first day of the week.

Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, {the women} came unto the {tomb}, bringing the spices which they had prepared {to finish embalming Christ’s body}, and certain others with them.

The women come back to our Lord’s Tomb “with spices they prepared” to better prepare Jesus’ body for the tomb. They expected to see an armed guard and a sealed door. They found nothing that they expected.

Jesus wasn’t there!

There were, however, two men in shining garments. I believe these were two angels who looked like men. Why two? Because God pays attention to details. He said in the Old Testament:

Deuteronomy 19:15 … at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Two angels were witnesses – though only one spoke. We are told in Matthew 28:5 that it is an angel who spoke to the women. The angel said:

Luke 24:5-7 … Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

What Jesus said, JesLuke 24:44-48 These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.us meant. Jesus keeps His Word!

Jesus had repeatedly told those who followed Him that He must be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Read with me our Lord’s Words:

Luke 9:22 {Jesus said} The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY.

Luke 9:43-45 {Jesus} said unto his disciples, 44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Luke 18:31-33 {Jesus} took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: AND THE THIRD DAY HE SHALL RISE AGAIN.

Jesus told them over and over again – nevertheless the Bible says “they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not”. What “hid this saying” from them was their own humanity. It is not normal human experience to see someone die, be laid to rest in a grave three days, then that person come back from the dead. They heard, but did not process it. It was only after the angel reminded them of Jesus’ words that:

Luke 24:8-9 … they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Understanding Jesus had risen, now these women became the first “missionaries” of the Gospel. These women went and told the Apostles what had happened:

Luke 24:11-12 … And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

The Apostles did not believe what the women said. It is ironic that – though Jesus had raised three people from the dead:

a widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17)
a ruler’s daughter (Luke 8:49-56)
and Lazarus His friend (John 11:38-44)

they could not fathom He Himself rising from the grave. Sometimes it’s like the old saying, “seeing is believing”. You can be told over and over again but never fully appreciate it until you encounter it yourself. Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and this completely changes our view of life and death. The resurrection is intrinsic to the Christian faith. The Apostle preached:

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen …

The actual death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very foundation of the Gospel of salvation. You cannot be saved unless you believe Christ both DIED then ROSE AGAIN. Jesus walked on this earth for forty days following His death and resurrection. He was SEEN by many who, in turn, were willing to die affirming that they saw a Living Savior. The Apostle Paul said:

1 Corinthians 15:17-22 … if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

In order to be “saved” a person must “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that GOD HAS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD” (Romans 10:9-10). Without the resurrection death is still man’s greatest enemy. But since Christ has conquered death we can say with the Apostle:

1 Corinthians 15:55

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The Resurrection Changes Our View Of God

Right after the Angel testifies that Christ is risen, and the women go and tell the unbelieving Apostles, we read of two others on the Emmaus Road. These are two disciples, one of whom is Cleopas. They are walking the seven mile road between Jerusalem and Emmaus, and are sad. We read:

Luke 24:15-17 … while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Why did Jesus draw near to these two men, and not the eleven Apostles that were back in Jerusalem? I believe it was because they were sad, low of spirit. They saw Jesus – the great hope of Israel – die on the cruel Cross of Calvary. Didn’t our Jesus say:

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

And are we not promised:

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Jesus asks these men why they are so sad, Cleopas says that what saddens them is …

Luke 24:19-24 19 … Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

These men saw Jesus as many see Him today – a Great Prophet, a Great Teacher, a Great Man. They thought that Jesus was going to redeem Israel from Rome but, alas, Jesus was crucified by the leadership of Judaism. Cleopas says “the women didn’t find His body, but said that angels told them He was risen … but we couldn’t find Him!”

Beloved, the women couldn’t find Jesus because they were looking in the wrong place. These men couldn’t find Jesus because they were looking for the wrong Person.
But Jesus found them!

Jesus Christ is not found in a tomb. And Jesus is no mere Prophet. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15). These men’s eyes were blinded to Christ because they expected a simple King, a simple Prophet, a simple Man to lead Israel away from Rome. God is more than that. Jesus is more than that. Jesus Christ came to redeem His people Israel, to redeem all that will believe on Him as Lord and Savior. When Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist saw his newborn child he cried out:

Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people

Zacharias saw the birth of his son John and the impending birth of Jesus Christ as redemption from Roman dominance. But Jesus Christ came to redeem Israel from a far greater enemy. Jesus redeemed His people from the sacrificial Law, being the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29):

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Jesus has also redeemed us from sin and iniquity:

Titus 2:13-14 … our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We who are His are redeemed from ritual worship and religion, so that we can walk with the Risen Savior:

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Jesus Christ redeemed us from circumcision and ceremonial laws and rituals that have no lasting effect. He purchased us with His Blood so that we can become Sons of God by faith in Him. Jesus corrects these two men, saying:

Luke 24:25-27 O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus gave these men a Bible class. He took them to the Old Covenant Scriptures and showed them how each of the rituals of the law were but shadows that foretold the coming of the Messiah. We no longer practice ritual sacrifices because Jesus Christ took their place. We no longer practice ceremonial abstinence from certain foods, for what God has declared clean, do not call it unclean (Acts 10:13-15). We no longer practice ritual circumcision, because in Christ their is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

As Jesus explains these wonderful truths Cleopas and his friend arrive at home, and they invite the Lord to eat with them. As of yet they do not know this is Jesus. But we read:

Luke 24:30-32 … as {Jesus} sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Beloved, Jesus is risen, and is with His people. We need not fear – for He is near to each and every one of us!

The Resurrection Changes Our Witness

Cleopas and his friend nearly run the 7 miles back to Jerusalem. Like the women at the tomb of Christ they can hardly wait to share the news: Jesus is alive! The Bible says:

Luke 24:36-43 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.

If it seems that the Apostles were somewhat hard to convince concerning Christ’s resurrection, the truth is I believe each one of us – if we had gone through what they went through – would have been just as difficult. Jesus told them:

Luke 24:44-48 These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Now that the Apostles had experienced the Risen Savior they were now empowered to preach Him among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Jesus Christ came to save all people from sin, death, and the grave. He is the Risen Savior. We are to preach repentance and remission of sins in His Name – through His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus Christ is alive! He is alive, and leads His Church this very day.

The resurrection of Christ changes things. It even changed the day the Church met. Prior to Christ God’s Israel worshiped and rested on Saturday. But since Christ rose from the grave on the first day of the week, Sunday became the New Testament Church’s Sabbath Worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; John 20:19; John 20:1). Jesus Christ is alive. The devil could not stop Him. The Pharisees could not destroy Him. Death could not keep Him. The grave could not hold Him.

Jesus Christ is alive! He is alive! Do you know Him? Do you know my Jesus? If not, may God the Holy Spirit and His precious Word open your eyes to see Him this very day. Amen and amen!

Posted in Easter Messages, Empty Tomb, Luke, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prayer For A Fallen Nation

Posted on April 8, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel Chapter Nine. Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, DANIEL. As you’re turning to Daniel 9 I want to talk about prayer. As is our custom, Riverview has a Prayer Meeting and Bible study on Wednesday nights. The Church should be full of praying believers. The Bible is a Book full of prayers.

Jabez prayed (1 Chronicles 4:10)
Moses prayed (Exodus 32:9-14)
The virgin Mary prayed (Luke 1:46-49)
The Publican prayed (Luke 18:13)
Our Lord Jesus both taught prayer and Himself prayed
(Matthew 6:9-13)

Before Jesus went to Calvary to save His Church, He prayed that “we would be One as He and the Father are One (John 17:11). Jesus prayed that His Church would be One with the Triune God:

John 17:21 That THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Though we as Christ’s Church are separated by quarantine from the pandemic Covid-19, though we may be physically apart we can still be spiritually one. I believe as Christ’s Church wherever it may be goes through this time of testing, that at the other end of the tunnel we will be stronger, more united in Christ Jesus. Jesus taught us that “a house divided cannot stand” (Mark 3:25; Matthew 12:25). The Church – like Israel – derives its power from unity with God and with one another. Prayer and Bible Study is so very important.

When the Christian prays according to God’s Word we center ourselves on God. Beloved, we as Christians are desperately needed to be centered on our God as we go through this great national trial.

Daniel FREQUENTLY Prayed

Daniel 6:10 …. {Daniel} kneeled upon his knees THREE TIMES a day, and PRAYED, and GAVE THANKS before his God, as he did aforetime.

No one could stop Daniel from praying. Daniel not only PRAYED, but he PRAISED. He sought God in prayer, but exalted God in his praise!

Have YOU thanked God for Covid-19?
Have you thanked God for the quarantine?
There is a reason for this quarantine, and our God is still in control.
Though Daniel was in captivity, cut off from Israel, he still prayed and thanked God for what he was going through.

When you pray, God will speak to you. He spoke to Daniel, and as God revealed what was coming it physically affected Daniel. The Bible says:

Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

When a nation drifts away from God, it brings a curse upon itself. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 33:12 … Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

America, we need to get back to God.
Tennessee, we need to get back to God.
Columbia, we need to get back to God.
Church, we need to get back to God.

How Did Daniel Pray?

  • Daniel focused on God in prayer. He deliberately prayed.

Daniel 9:3-4 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession

I love the way he says this: “I set my face unto the Lord God” (‘Adonay Elohiym) – the Godhead. His focus was not on others to solve the problem, but on the Lord Who saved him. Daniel calls God “The Godhead Who is Lord”, but in verse 4 addresses God as “the LORD my God” (Yahweh Elohiym) – the Godhead Who is the Eternal I AM. Our God is the ever Present God. He is always I AM, never I WAS or I WILL BE. He is with us, watching over His children by faith. Daniel made his confession. The Bible tells us that:

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is the first part of prayer – confession of sin. Notice how Daniel confessed sin:

Daniel 9:4-6 … O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

Daniel did not play “the blame game” with God. He confessed his sins. He confessed the sins of his nation. He exalted God while confessing sin. He acknowledged that the mess the nation was in was because we have not listened to our faithful and loving God. The Scripture declares:

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Deuteronomy 7:9 … the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God …

Covid-19 may be ravaging our country, but it’s cause is not that God is faithless, or that God is absent. God is there. God is always with us. But when we reject His Word and His Spirit bad things happen. Daniel prayed:

Daniel 9:11-13 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, EVEN BY DEPARTING, that they might not obey thy voice; THEREFORE THE CURSE IS POURED UPON US, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.  [12]  And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.  [13]  As it is written in the law of Moses, ALL THIS EVIL IS COME UPON US: YET MADE WE NOT OUR PRAYER BEFORE THE LORD OUR GOD, THAT WE MIGHT TURN FROM OUR INIQUITIES, and understand thy truth.

Trials come upon us when we reject God’s leading. God warned Israel not to depart from His leadership. When we reject His Word, we automatically do something that brings badness to our front door. God said:

Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, TO OBSERVE TO DO ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HIS STATUTES WHICH I COMMAND THEE this day, that ALL THESE CURSES SHALL COME UPON THEE, AND OVERTAKE THEE:   … [20] The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

Daniel did not blame others. Politics in our country has elevated itself to a place that previously was held only by religion. Politicians are constantly blaming “the other side”. Beloved, we are one country in distress. The blame game does nothing but lie to cover our own sins. Daniel prayed:

Daniel 9:5 WE HAVE SINNED, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even BY DEPARTING FROM THY PRECEPTS AND FROM THY JUDGMENTS:

Daniel didn’t pray “THEY have sinned” but prayed “WE have sinned”. The beginning of national healing comes when we realize we are all at fault – and return to God.

We are the United States TOGETHER. We are the Church of Christ TOGETHER. We must not compromise God’s Word, but be the light that our Lord calls us to be. What did Jesus say?

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

  • Daniel acknowledged his weakness, that God alone is God. So often we hear God’s Word and say “Yes Lord, BUT”. Daniel prayed:

Daniel 9:7-8 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

The best prayer is the prayer that says, “God, I don’t know what to do. Please be God and tell me. Your servant is listening!”

I have often stood outside at night and looked at a beautiful, full moon. Have you ever thought that, if the moon were to depart from the sun, it would have no glow, and would not be seen from the earth. The light of the Church is God’s Son. The light of the Church is to imitate the Word. Not the WORLD, but the WORD.

  • Daniel acknowledged the righteousness of God, and asked for mercy upon the nation.

Daniel 9:14-17 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

As Daniel prayed, he refereed to various Biblical texts:

Leviticus 26:40
Deuteronomy 28:64
Exodus 34:6
Psalm 44:14
Jeremiah 25:11

Daniel was a man who studied the Word of God. Jesus has told us that (John 15:3) “you are clean through the Word I have spoken unto you”. Jesus said:

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and MY WORDS abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

God’s people are called to pray and heed God’s Word.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from THEIR WICKED WAYS; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

  • Daniel pleaded the glory of God throughout his prayer. He prayed:

Daniel 9:18-19 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Daniel asked that God grant a positive answer to his prayer for the glory of God. Everything we do is to be for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

The model prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us in Matthew 6 begins and ends with glory to God:

Matthew 6:9-10, 13 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. … 13 … For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

As we pray we acknowledge that we belong to God, and give glory to His Name. We come together to glorify Him. We praise Him here – and out there. The glory of the Lord is our strength.

1 Chronicles 16:28-29 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

As Daniel ended his prayer we know that it was heard of God, for the Lord sent Gabriel to Daniel. He brought a vision to Daniel, telling Daniel “you are greatly Beloved of God” (Daniel 9:23). Daniel was allowed to look into the future, and to see the coming of the Messiah, and His death on Calvary. God led Daniel to a deeper place of blessing, and used Daniel for His glory.

As we go through this time of quarantine let us all commit to being people of prayer. Let us read our Lord’s Word, and trust Him. I believe America has better days to come. But if they will come, they will only come if God’s people are focused on Him and His glory.

Oh that God would bring national revival to America! May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Spirit.

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Turn To Jesus (Red Letters Series #18)

Posted on April 6, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash

Matthew 8:1-2, 5-6 When {Jesus} was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper {to Jesus}… 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord …

A leper and a Centurion. The two couldn’t be further apart. The Centurion was in charge of a “Centuria”, a group of 80 to 100 trained warriors. A Roman by birth, the Centurion was not ill, but had a beloved servant who was ill.

On the other hand the leper is an unknown Jewish man, for Jesus tells him to “shew thyself to the priest” once he was cured.

Neither man would normally have anything in common. They were as different as black and white. What united these men was that they had been afflicted by sickness, and both men sought Jesus Christ to relieve them. Sickness has the power to unite. Sickness is a time for a person to stop wasting their lives on frivolous things, a time to look for Jesus for blessing.

Both Of These Men Came To The Right Place

As the Coronavirus ravages our nation people are frantically searching.

Some are searching for bread and milk, food items.
Others are searching for toilet paper.
Medical scientists are searching for cures.
Politicians are searching for someone to blame so they can be reelected.
Television Networks are searching for horrific stories.
“If it bleeds, it leads” – there is money in blood.

The other day I lost my keys. I have ALL my keys on a fob. I had been outside working in my shop (which has a locked door). When I finished what I was doing I locked the door of my shop (I need no keys for that) then went back into the house. Later that day I needed to go get groceries. So I went to get my keys so I could start the car …. NO KEYS! Where did I put them? I searched frantically, then thought “maybe I locked them in my workshop”. I borrowed my wife’s keys, went outside, and turned the workshop upside down. No keys! None! It was hopeless! Hopeless! Then my wife asked a simple question:

“What coat were you wearing when you were in your shop?”

Bam! I realized that’s where those keys were. I went and found where I hung up my coat and, amazingly, there were the keys. They were there all the time, not far from me, and not actually hiding. My world was restored. What does this have to do with our message today?

The world is frantically searching for a fix for this terrible virus that has ascended on us all. The key to our problem is not far from us. The key to our problem is God, and specifically Jesus Christ. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

The solution to our problem – every solution to every problem – is the God Who is with us. We need God to guide the scientists as they seek out a cure. We need God to guide the store managers and the shoppers so that we do not consume ourselves. We need God to cure our politicians of Partisan myopia, and to start caring for this nation and it’s people. Our God is “a very present Help in times of trouble”. If people would look up, and call upon the Name of the Lord, our God can guide us through this current mess.

Here is a hard truth you may not like to hear. The God of Scripture is Sovereign. God is in control of all things. Though God may not be the first cause of tragedy, nothing happens that God does not allow to happen.

  • When the plague of lice came upon Egypt, and “all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt” Pharaoh called on his wise men. These “magicians” told Pharaoh:

Exodus 8:19 THIS is THE FINGER of GOD

Pharaoh didn’t want to hear this, and many of you don’t want to hear this. It is easier to make this out a military experiment gone awry, or a terrorist attack, or something even more sinister. Even Christians will make this out to be “the work of the devil”. So it may be, but even so, it is something nonetheless allowed by our Sovereign God. You don’t think so? Let me give you examples.

  • Who brought the worldwide flood in Noah’s day? God!

Genesis 6:17 {God told Noah} behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

  • Who brought famine to Egypt? God!

Genesis 41:25, 27 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. … seven years of famine.

  • Who brought a famine on Israel during David’s reign? God!

2 Samuel 24:15-16 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough…

  • Who brought famine to the land when Elisha was Prophet? God!

2 Kings 8:1 Then spake Elisha … the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

Our God is Sovereign. The Bible says:

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Our God “works all things according to the council of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). If you are a Christ follower then you know what the Scripture says:

Romans 8:28 … we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD to THEM THAT LOVE GOD, to them who are called according to His purpose ..

The Bible does not say that God is in control of ONLY certain things. ALL THINGS work together for the Christ follower’s good. All things. Through Isaiah God speaks:

Isaiah 45:7-9 … I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. 8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. 9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

The Leper Came To The Right Place In The Right Way

Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

If you think you have it bad, look at the leper. This terrible disease has destroyed his flesh. He has lost both home and business, family and friends. Leprosy was so contagious that God told Israel:

Leviticus 13:45-46 … the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. 46 All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.

Leprosy as a disease is not particularly painful – in fact, it destroys nerves in the body. What makes leprosy so bad is the isolation. The leper was not only self quarantined, but he or she had to shout “UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN” as they traveled about to keep healthy people from coming near. Talk about social distancing! The leper lost friends, family, business – everything.

There ARE things worst than death!

The leper came to Jesus before He reached Capernaum, as he was not allowed it the city as a leper. We read

Matthew 8:2 … there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

With all that he lost the leper came worshiping Jesus. Not complaining, not bitter, but worshiping. The Bible tells us:

Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Jesus Christ is the Word become flesh Who dwelt among us (John 1:14). Instead of WORRY try WORSHIP. In worship we praise God for the good things He has given us. Every day the Lord gives us life.

Isaiah 12:5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

Psalm 95:1-6 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

We are to bow down and trust in God. To thank Him for all that He has given us. The Bible tells us that God said (Proverbs 8:13) “pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate”. Pride tells the Creator that He is created. It tells God that we are god, not Him. Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Many come to Christ demanding things. We expect God to wait on us, to serve us. God said:

Jeremiah 50:31-32 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord God of hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. 32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

This sounds so much like the America I live in today. God blessed us with great prosperity – and we cursed Him. God blessed us with great health care – and we mocked Him. God gave us food so plenteous that most Americans are overweight. We ignore Him. Our comedians make fun of God. If we think of God, it is only as an afterthought. Oh Beloved, it must cease!

The Churches that Christ died for need to stop taking Him for granted. Like the leper, we need to come to Jesus Christ not demanding, but worshiping. We like this poor leper need to fall to our knees before Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15). We all need to say to Jesus:

Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Lord, if you’re willing, you can do it! IF You’re willing. There were no demands made of Christ. This is the heart that is repentant. The leprosy has not only damaged this man’s body, but God used the sickness to make his soul tender unto salvation.

When we worship the Lord in humility and love, He will reach out and touch us. Jesus touched this man. When He touched him the Bible says:

(verse 3) IMMEDIATELY his leprosy was cleansed

Now that Jesus saves this man, He now commands this man. I say it again:

Those whom Jesus SAVES, He COMMANDS

Matthew 8:4 … Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

As the man was a Jew Jesus told him to obey the Law of God, the Law given by Moses. He was to show himself to the priest so that the priest could declare him cleansed. Once pronounced cleansed, he was to offer the gift that Moses commanded (Leviticus 13:2-46; 14:2-32). Once saved, those saved by Christ are obedient unto God. We love the Lord with all our hearts!

The Centurion Came To The Right Place

Matthew 8:5-7 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

As I explained earlier, the Centurion was an important man, a Roman, a powerful Roman. Though he had up to 100 mighty warriors under his command, the Centurion came to Jesus “beseeching Him”. The word translated “beseeching” is the Greek παρακαλέω parakaléō, (pronounced par-ak-al-eh’-o), which means “to call alongside, to beg or implore for assistance”. The man had a “servant” which is the Greek παῖς paîs, (pronounced paheece). The word could be referring to a soldier in his command, or a servant or child that he had authority over.

Romans 2:11 … there is no respect of persons with God.

Jesus will bless whosoever will come to Him in faith and humility. Our Lord did not delay. He said:

I will come and heal him

This Centurion was not lifted up with pride. Notice how this man speaks to our Lord. He tells Jesus:

Matthew 8:8-9 … Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When the Centurion said “I am not worthy”, that’s not exactly what he said. His exact words were ou hikanós, “I am not much”.

“I am not much!”

The Centurion knew he was powerful in comparison to other men, but in comparison to God the Son he was “not much”. The Centurion understood Who Jesus was. He said,

speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed

The Centurion knew the scope of HIS power, and knew the immensity of Christ’s power. He did not set himself up as god, but came to the Son of God in faith. He had great faith. The Bible defines “faith” this way:

Hebrews 11:6, … without faith it is impossible to please {God}: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Centurion “believed that Christ IS”. He believed that Jesus was able, so much so that he didn’t require Jesus to go to his home. When he said this to Jesus our Lord said:

Matthew 8:10-12 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus called Israel “the children of the Kingdom” because God promised Abraham blessings in Israel first. The Bible tells us that Jesus,

John 1:11 … came unto His own, and His own received him not.

Those to whom the promise of Heaven and earthly blessing does not come by blood, but by faith. Israel, the nation for Whom Christ came first, largely rejected the Messiah. But those who come from east and west believing will receive the promise of salvation. Those who reject Christ are cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Do you know Him? Do you know my Jesus? Jesus told the centurion:

Matthew 8:13 … Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Jesus has the power to heal. He has the power to save. We must trust in Him. During this somewhat frightening time let us look unto Jesus, and make sure our faith is in Him. He will bless. He will protect. And Jesus will save whosoever comes to Him by faith.

May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Spirit! Amen!

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Who Are You Following? (Red Letters #19)

Posted on April 5, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Matthew 8:14-19 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by {Isaiah} the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

As I sat working on this Sunday morning message on the Tuesday before Palm Sunday (April 5 2020 is Palm Sunday) I had just read and reviewed Executive Order 22 by the Governor of Tennessee Bill Lee. Many had pushed for our Governor to mandate a stay at home order to all in the state. Though the Executive Order urges Tennesseans that it’s “Safer at Home”, it is not a statewide lock down. Many criticized the Governor – among those the Mayor of Columbia and a few of our Representatives – for not going further and ordering residents to stay at home. Beloved, that is not far from Socialism! I applaud our Governor for his restraint and calm during this time of national testing. As citizens of what I believe is the greatest nation on earth (and I served the bulk of my adult life protecting our freedoms in the U.S. Air Force) I abhor any attempt to communize or politically socialize this country. When the government begins to remove the freedoms of its citizens even if such removal is “for our own good” it is not long before tyranny and oppression takes over. We must all tread lightly when it comes to tampering with the human will.

God has given us will to choose, and will to live. The Gospel is based on “whosoever will”.

What we are witnessing in our nation in the physical realm is a Covid-19 pandemic. But what we are witnessing in our nation in the spiritual realm is a testing, a trying, a trial allowed by our Heavenly Father to test our will. Will we follow Jesus during this time, or will we follow panic and pandemonium? Will we follow after and love the Lord Jesus Who came to save us, or will we allow fear and foolishness to drive us like cattle to Lucifer’s slaughterhouse?

God Is In Control Of Sickness

As we continue in our Red Letters series tonight we’ll talk about Jesus healing a leper and a Centurion‘s servant. Jesus healed both of these men because they asked Him to do so. But notice as Jesus comes into Peter’s home in Capernaum we read:

Matthew 8:14-15 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, {Jesus} saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

We see several things that are very interesting in this text.

First, Peter had a wife. We are told that Jesus saw his {Peter’s} wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. We don’t know her name because the Bible doesn’t give the name to us. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:5 that Cephas (Peter) had a wife who accompanied him when he went on missionary outreaches. I thank God daily for my precious wife Sherry. Without her my ministry would be much more difficult, because she is my love, my helper, my confidant, and my encourager. Peter obviously was very close with his wife, especially as it seems that his mother in law – also unnamed – lived within his home.

Second, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law without being asked to do so. Jesus saw suffering and a person in need and just touched her hand – and she was healed. The healing was instant. {Jesus} touched her hand, and the fever left her. God has the power to heal any sickness, any disease. To emphasize that Jesus Christ is God Among us, God in human flesh, we read that right after Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law:

Matthew 8:16-17 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by {Isaiah} the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Jesus healed those possessed with devils, those who were in spiritual bondage. Jesus cast out spirits with His word. He did not use medicines or potions. Jesus commanded the spirits to leave, and they left. We are told that Jesus healed ALL that were sick. The Bible says that Jesus healed all that the Prophecy of Isaiah would be fulfilled He took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Matthew is quoting:

Isaiah 53:4 Surely {the Messiah} hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

When the Messiah came His ministry would be evidenced by healing us from sickness. Sickness – like this Covid-19 pandemic – is a byproduct of sin which entered the world through Adam. Prior to Adam’s sin against God man lived in a literal paradise. There was no sickness, no disease, no suffering, no death. God told Adam:

Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Adam could eat of any tree. But the tree of knowledge of good and evil, this fruit was forbidden. God told Adam that when you eat of it you SHALL SURELY DIE. Prior to Adam’s disobedience there was no death, nor even any fear.

In a sermon Brother Charles Stanley preached last Sunday he noted that not only did thorns and thistles, sweat and suffering along with death entered the world by sin (Genesis 3:18-19), but also fear entered the world with sin. What did Adam say to God after his sin?

Genesis 3:9-10 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I WAS AFRAID, BECAUSE I WAS NAKED; and I hid myself.

Sickness entered the world because of sin. The Corona-virus is in the world because sin is in the world. People say, “But why does God allow this – why doesn’t God stop this virus?!” God will, in time I believe. But we – like Adam – have hidden ourselves from God. We have not heeded His call. We have refused to thank Him for His blessings on us all. Every day God bestows great blessing upon us, and every day we draw farther and farther from God.

But God reaches out to us. Our God is able. He is able to heal. He is able to bring us from enslavement to sin and into His glorious Kingdom. But we are given a choice. Will we heed God?

Will I Serve The Lord When He Touches Me?

Matthew 8:14-15 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And {Jesus} touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

When Peter’s mother-in-law was healed what did she do? She immediately rose up and ministered to those around her. She waited on Jesus. She waited on Jesus’ followers. She put God first. She put others first. Notice something about this mother-in-law. To this day we do not know her name. People have tried to put a name to her, but there is none. Some only want to follow Jesus when “there’s something in it for me”. This woman did not seek the limelight. She didn’t thrust her name forward. She had been blessed of God, and so she served as the God Who loved her called her to serve.

If you are a Christian indeed, then you are called to follow the royal law of the family. What is this royal law? James, the stepbrother of Jesus, wrote of this royal law. He said:

James 2:8-20 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

If you are indeed a Christian you are:

1 Peter 2:9 … a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

You belong to God, dear Christian. You are to love the Lord your God:

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Mark 12:30-31 {Jesus said} And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. 31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

If you love the God Who saved you, you will serve the God Who saved you and those whom God has put in your periphery. You will, like Peter’s mother-in-law, rise from the touch of Christ to serve Him and others. You will not be greedy, putting yourself first and foremost. You will put yourself last.

The wonderful thing about trials and sickness like Covid-19 is that it makes us stop and re-evaluate our lives. Am I genuinely a Christian? Am I ready to meet the Lord in eternity? Do I know Christ as my Lord and Savior, or am I really a pretender to the family? Imagine a child walking along with his Father. As they are walking along a path the Father sees a tree root sticking up. “Son, be careful where you’re stepping. See that root. You’ll trip and fall if you’re not careful”. The child, however, is not listening to the Father. He is looking at a butterfly flitting by. Sure enough, the child catches the root on his toe, and down he goes. “Father, why did You let me fall! It’s YOUR fault I fell. YOUR fault, not mine! You didn’t look after me”. This is what we as humans have done with God our Father. He has told us what is right, and told us what is wrong. He has said what is good, and what is bad. Our Heavenly Father has told us “Don’t walk there. Don’t do this. Don’t live this way, but live the way I have said. I know what is good and bad, righteous and evil. Heed Me. Hear My Word. You will be blessed.” Then we do what God our Creator tells us not to do, and reject the Christ that He sent to us. When we fall we blame God.

It is not God’s fault. It is ours. The Bible says:

Psalm 138:6-7 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

Pride pushes God away from us, but humility brings us into His Presence.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

God cares for YOU!

James 4:6 But {God} giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Imagine the same scenario I just gave you. The child is walking beside his Father, and the Father warns him of a tripping hazard. The child doesn’t hear the Father as he watches the butterfly flit about. The child trips, stumbles, and falls. Now the child doesn’t blame the Father, nor curse the Father, but with tear stained face looks upward. “Father, I didn’t listen to You. I should have, but I didn’t. Father, I repent. I’m sorry. Father, help me up!”. Do you know what God will do? I know what He will do. He already told us in Jesus what He would do. Jesus said:

Matthew 11:27-30 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

When you fall and look up, God is waiting. Jesus Christ is waiting to lift you up, to bless you, to bring you into His Kingdom. If we will be blessed we must humble ourselves and come to Him. Jesus will give you rest. We must “take Christ’s yoke upon us – serve and follow Him”. The “yoke” is placed on an animal so that it could serve it’s master. Jesus is our Master, dear Christian, He is our Lord. His “yoke is easy, and His burden light”. Following Jesus is not hard. We just love Him, and do as He says. When we do so we will be blessed. There is nothing more blessed than the life that follows Christ.

Do you know Him? Beloved, if you are a Christian then you are to follow Him Who saved you. Are you? Are you following Jesus? Or are you following the crowd?

I Will Follow Jesus Wherever He Leads

Matthew 8:18-20 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

As Jesus healed the people great multitudes came to Him. Great multitudes always seek out God when they want something. I have heard more people call on the name of God in the hospital than I have heard them call for Him in a restaurant, or at a carnival.

When God waits on us we throng around Him. But let Him sit on His throne and there are few in attendance.

As Jesus saw the “multitudes” gathered around Him He gave the commandment to depart to the other side. Why did Jesus choose to move? I think it was to show us that He is Lord, and we are to follow Him.

Notice that a Scribe tells Jesus:

Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest

Those are wonderful words. They remind me of a song we often sing as we close our services at Riverview:

I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”

Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,

I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Is that true? We sing this, but do we mean it? The Scribe said “Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest“. This is commendable. But I believe that Jesus looked into this man’s heart, for the Lord said:

The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

A lot of people want to follow Jesus to good health, or good wealth, or good times, or great accommodations. But are you willing to follow Jesus where He lives. Jesus didn’t own any property while He walked on this earth. He had no wallet. Jesus, the Son of God, God Incarnate, lowered Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of man, and humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of he Cross (Philippians 2:7-8). When Christ calls you to His side to follow Him, He bids you follow Him wherever He leads, good or bad. Will you follow Him even if you get the Covid-19? Will you follow Him even if it leads to poverty, or being shunned by your peers, or being jailed for your faith? Will you follow Him in reaching out the the poor, the sick, the lame? Or will you just follow Him while He leads you to good health?

The follower of Jesus loves Him, and follows Him even through distasteful things. We follow Jesus by …

…loving others as Christ loved us (John 13:34; 15:12).

… loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27).

… walking through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).

… walking in the Light with Him, not in sin (John 8:12).

Matthew 8:21-22 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, {allow} me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

You are called, dear one, to put God first in your life. He is to be the One you follow above all others. You are to love the Lord more than anything or anyone else. Jesus said:

Luke 14:26-27 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Jesus used hyperbole or exaggeration to emphasize to us that our Lord must always be first in our lives. When we put Christ first, our families will be better loved by us. When we put Christ first, our businesses will be blessed. When Christ is with us, we will be able to weather the storms of life better – for Christ will never let us go.

To emphasize this point we have one final illustration in our text.

Matthew 8:23-27 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

I ask you the same question that Jesus asked. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? If you are following Jesus, if you are in the boat with Him, then trust Him. The boat will not sink while the Creator of the winds and the seas is in it. Is Christ in your lives? Have you received Him as Lord and Savior? If you have, trust Him. He is bigger than Covid-19. He is bigger than anything you can imagine. Let Him have all of you.

May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Spirit. Amen and Amen!

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Battle For The Mind

Posted on April 1, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Philippians 4:6-9 Be careful1 for nothing2; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. {7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep3 your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever10 things are true4, whatsoever10 things are honest5, whatsoever10 things are just6, whatsoever10 things are pure7, whatsoever10 things are lovely8, whatsoever10 things are of good report9; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {9} Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Humans, though we live in the physical, are truly controlled by what we think. The Philippians Church was a loving assembly of believers, all doing what God wanted them to do. When you do what God tells you Satan rears his ugly head. Satan loves to confuse, to spread fear and uncertainty, and to divide. This is not the state that God wants the Christian in. We are to live in such a way that …

vs 7 the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep3 your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

the peace of God will guard (φρουρέω phrouréō, {pronounced froo-reh’-o}) our hearts and minds – our emotions and intellect – from evil. The word translated “keep” is the Greek phrouréō, {pronounced froo-reh’-o} which means “to mount a guard or a garrison over so as to protect”. God does NOT want His children – saved by faith in Christ – to become part of the chaos that is this fallen world.

The Normal Christian Life Is Supposed To Be Filled With Intellectual And Emotional PEACE

The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 (my paraphrase)

As you think in your heart, so you are!

What is in your heart and mind – your emotions and your intellect – will control whether you ACT or you REACT. An animal REACTS. A Christian is not an animal. We are God’s Children. We are not supposed to REACT, but to ACT. We are called to be at peace in our lives. How do we reach this peace? Again, focus on our text:

vs 7 the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep3 your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

There is no peace when you fill your souls with worldliness. When you think like worldlings, you will act like worldlings. When you think like the lost, you will act like the lost. We achieve the peace of God THROUGH Christ Jesus.

Notice how the name of Jesus is written. He is in this text Christ Jesus. Sometimes in Scripture Jesus is called “Jesus Christ”, and other times Jesus is called “Christ Jesus”. The name that comes first is an indicator as to how the Scripture should be applied. The name “Christ” coming before “Jesus” emphasizes that our Savior is the Messiah, the One Who died for us so that we might live. The word “Christ” emphasizes that, though Jesus died for our sins, He defeated death and rose from the grave on the third day. The Apostle Paul confidently stated:

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 … I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen …

Christ died for MY sins. He is my Messiah, my Savior. Jesus is the “only Begotten Son of God” (John 3:16) and the “Beloved Son, in Whom God the Father is well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Father loved the Son with an infinite love, and yet sent Jesus to die for us, for ME. He died in agony and misery, bearing my evils, but rose again to lead me. God paid a great price for us in Christ Jesus. If He paid a great price for us, our Father will not abandon those He paid so dearly for. The Apostle says:

Romans 5:1-6 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

God paid an infinite price for my salvation and for your salvation. We who are Christians are at peace with God. God is our Father, and knows us by name. God numbers the very hairs of our head (Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7). If this is all true then we are not to worry. Jesus told us:

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

In Christ we have peace. In the world we have tribulation. If my heart and mind is filled with worldliness then I will have tribulation. If my heart and mind are filled with Christ and His Words then I will have peace.

Worry does not come from God. Our God is the Lord of PEACE. Not of worry.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 … Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.

Isaiah 26:3-4 3 Thou {O Lord} wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Are your minds centered on Christ Jesus, or are you filling your minds with the pandemonium of the world? Dr. David Jeremiah – a preacher I love to listen to – writes:

“There are four powerful evidences of a centered life in Jesus Christ: You are gladly identified with Christ. You recognize Jesus as the authority in your life. You have a deep sense of spiritual and personal security. And you rest in Christ, knowing that He is the master of your destiny. In Christ you live a brand new life in a brand new way. When everything else is out of control, set your affections on the One who is in control. Everything you put your hope in other than Jesus will fail. Jesus Christ alone is faithful and changeless, and will never fail you!”

To Achieve Peace In The Midst Of Turmoil You Must SET YOUR MIND On Christ Jesus

Back to our text. Look at the first four words of what we read today:

Philippians 4:6 Be careful1 for nothing2

These words are the Greek verb merimnao1 {pronounced mer-im-nah’-o} combined with the adjective medeis2 {pronounced may-dice’}. A much better translation of these words is:

quit worrying about things

When you worry about the things that are going on around you, all you are doing is filling your soul with negative emotions. Someone told me that “we may see the worst of this coronavirus pandemic in the next two weeks – much worse!” My reply to that person was “so what? What is worrying about it going to do?” Will your worries about it somehow avert the problem? Will the dead come back to life because your worried about it? When the Apostle said “quit worrying about things” this is a COMMAND.

Worry sickens us.
Worry robs us of our joy.
Worry fills us with darkness.
Worry does no good whatsoever.

Jesus put it this way:

Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say unto you, {Do not worry} for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by {worrying} can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why {do you worry about clothing}? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore {stop worrying}, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do {unbelievers} seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 {Do not worry} for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

The network news loves to broadcast the bad, never the good. These networks are not endorsed by Jesus Christ – not even FOX. You are told the bad news so that you will tune in, and they can sell more commercial time to businesses. Worrying does nothing for you. It subtracts from the quality of your life.

Rather than worry, the Apostle says:

Philippians 4:6  {Stop worrying about it} but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

The solution for the Christian is to draw closer to God, to communicate your concerns to Him – to draw closer to our source of power. In this mighty angelic conflict, where the forces of evil and the forces of God collide, the solution to the conditions of America and the world is undying allegiance to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

There’s an old Mel Gibson movie I love called “The Patriot”. In that movie at the last battle the American Militia is fighting the somewhat superior and elegantly dressed British Army. The battle begins to go against the Americans, and the Americans begin to turn and rapidly run away. Mel – [playing the Patriot] sees the American Militia withdrawing. He runs forward, grabs the American flag, and yelling loudly waves it over his head while running TOWARD the enemy. The American Militia sees this and responds, turning from their confused retreat, and runs back to the fight.

Britain lost the battle, and sued for peace.

Christians, we must not allow the enemy to run us scared. We must follow the colors, follow Jesus Christ. If you are a Christian you are citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom, and Jesus Christ is your King. We are not of this world …. Jesus was very clear on this. He stated:

(John 17:14-17 KJV) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {15} I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil {literally, the Evil One}. {16} They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {17} Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We are told in the Scripture that the battle going on around us is not physical, but it is spiritual. Who do I wrestle against? Who wants my demise, my failure, my loss? Who wants to see my children cursed, my wife harmed, my life set in disarray? No earthly foe desires this, but the Scripture says:

(Ephesians 6:12 KJV) For we wrestle NOT against flesh and blood, but AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places.

NOT flesh and blood, BUT principalities. NOT flesh and blood, BUT powers. NOT flesh and blood, BUT rulers of the darkness. NOT flesh and blood, BUT spiritual wickedness in high places. Listen Beloved: the war we fight may outwardly look physical, but it is truly a matter of the thought life.

Draw near to God in prayer and in obedience, draw near to the Colors, to Jesus Christ, and He will post guard on your hearts and minds.

Philippians 4:6-9 {Stop worrying} but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

We draw near to God. The world in panic draws near to NOT God, but the Christian draws near to God. We use:

Prayer
Supplication
Thanksgiving

The more weird things grow, the more we should pray. Billy Graham wrote in his book Answers to Life’s Problems:

“Is prayer a central part of your life? Pray for your own needs. Pray for the needs of others. Praise God in prayer, and pray for His guidance in your life. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). Remember, Christ prayed repeatedly, and if He – the sinless Son of God – needed to pray, how much more should we learn to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).”

We need to pray for our national, state, and local leadership.
We need to pray for our churches.
We need to pray for our communities, our neighbors.

But as we pray we also need to be thankful. We need to thank God for the blessings that we have. He has given us so very much. We need to thank God for the opportunities and open doors that this time of trouble will bring to the Church. What better time to share the confidence we have in Jesus with others than right now!

Take Control Of Your Thought-Life

After telling us to stop worrying and start praying and thanking God, the Apostle now tells us to take control of what goes into our minds and hearts. We read:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever10 things are true4, whatsoever10 things are honest5, whatsoever10 things are just6, whatsoever10 things are pure7, whatsoever10 things are lovely8, whatsoever10 things are of good report9; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

When I was a little boy I used to try and get mamma to buy the breakfast cereal that had a little prize in it. You know, a decoder ring, or some other piece of plastic junk that today I wouldn’t even look at twice. I have never found anything at the bottom of a box of cereal that wasn’t cheap, easily breakable, and literally useless. If you want the peace of God you need to quit feeding your souls the drivel of tv.

You need to turn to the Word of God. You need to fill your minds with His Words.

Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament says of this verse:

“Whatsoever (hosa). Thus he introduces six adjectives picturing Christian ideals, old-fashioned and familiar words … They are pertinent now when so much filth is flaunted before the world in books, magazines and moving pictures under the name of realism (the slime of the gutter and the cess-pool).”

What are “Things that are TRUE”? When Jesus prayed for His Church before He was crucified, Jesus prayed:

John 17:12-17 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

God’s Word is truth. When Jesus stood before Pilate just before He was crucified, Jesus said:

John 18:37-38 … To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?

The world, like Pilate, views “truth” as fluid, determined by whatever a person “feels”. The Christian views “truth” as certain as gravity. We believe God’s Word to be “truth”. Absolute truth. Timeless truth. So I often people tell me,

“Brother David, that Bible is an old book. It was written back then, and times have changed. It’s obsolete.”

To which I say, HOGWASH! A pound was a pound 10 years ago, it was a pound 50 years ago, it was a pound a million years ago. Gravity doesn’t change. Neither does God’s Word. As Christians we are to “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-4). The Bible was written by God through faithful men. The sum of God’s Word is TRUTH (Psalm 119:160). God’s Words are TRUTH (2 Samuel 7:28). The Apostle said:

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We need to get back to the Bible. We need to feed our souls the Word of God daily. Not CNN, ABC, CBS, or even FOX. The Bible. What God has said. We must take control of our minds. Rest in Jesus, dear Christian. Read and rest in His Word. Use this wonderful opportunity before us – staying at home – to pick up and read God’s Word, and to pray.

And if you are not a Christian, may I invite you to turn your lives over to Him Who loves you? Do it today. The Scripture promises:

Romans 10:8-13 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Spirit. Amen! Amen!

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The 9-1-1 Psalm (Psalm 91)

Posted on March 29, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Photo by Matt Chesin on Unsplash

As Sherry and I were coming home today from the Church house we saw an ambulance and two police cruisers at a neighbor’s home. Though I don’t know the details I know that someone was hurt, and someone dialed 9-1-1. When we dial 9-1-1 those who we call “First Responders” come to us to help us. Sometimes we need the Police, and other times the Fire Department or an ambulance. Thank God for our 9-1-1 operators and those responders who come to help us in need.

Psalm 91 can be likened to a Heavenly 9-1-1 call. It is a beautiful Psalm. Many turn to this Psalm for comfort, and as we have been under the threat of this pandemic called Covid-19, we all need comfort. How about picking up your Bibles and dialing 9-1-1, Psalm 91:1 with me. Are you ready? Let’s read this beautiful Psalm together:

Psalm 91-1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

There Are Wonderful Promises From God In This Text

As we dial 9-1-1, Who is our First Responder? It is God Himself. We are told:

Psalm 91:3 Surely {God} shall DELIVER thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

  • If you are being deliberately hunted by an enemy, or under threat from deadly pestilence (which we could say is Covid-19) then God will deliver you. Trust in Him. The Bible says that “God is faithful”:

    1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

    1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

When God is called, God will come. We’re given a beautiful picture in these words:

Psalm 91:4 {God} shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:

  • Continuing with the theme of God delivering you from the “fowler” (bird hunter), our Lord is now poetically pictured as a Bird who guards His offspring by covering them with His own body.

    Years ago I saw a picture of a place in Yellowstone Park that was decimated by fire. One of the Park Rangers found the dead and burned body of a female bird. When he turned her over, underneath were several baby chicks, absolutely untouched by fire or heat. God puts Himself over top of His children, lovingly guarding us from many things that would harm us.

    But God is not the only First Responder who comes to us when we dial 9-1-1. We read next:

Psalm 91:11 For {God} shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

  • God assigns guardian angels to His Children to protect them from harm, as long as we stay in His will. The devil, tempting Jesus in the wilderness, told our Lord:

    Matthew 4:6-7 {Satan said unto Jesus} If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. {Our Lord} Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

God may assign guardian angels to us, but this does not mean that we should be foolish with our lives. We are to do all things “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24). While going through this pandemic do not behave foolishly but keep yourselves clean, your hands washed, and use common sense.

One show I used to watch diligently when it was on television was the Beverly Hillbillies. One day Granny Clampett said – and I love this – “If common sense was lard, some people wouldn’t have enough to grease a pie pan”. The angels watch over God’s children, but don’t text and drive. Don’t walk out into traffic without looking. Clean your hands. Watch your hygiene. Take precautions. Please, use the common sense God gave you!

To Whom Are These Wonderful Promises Made?

Any citizen of the United States can dial 9-1-1 and a First Responder will come and give aid. But what of God’s 9-1-1? Are the promises of Psalm 91 made to me? They could be, if you are a child of God by faith in Christ. We read:

Psalm 91:9-10 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

The word “because” gives us a condition to these great and wonderful promises. If you have made the LORD (Yahweh) the refuge you run to, even the MOST HIGH (Elyon) the place where you stay (your habitation), God will protect you. The promise is to the one who loves the Lord and lives with the Lord – He is not just your incidental place you visit every now and again, nor your vacation spot – but your HOME. We read:

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth (יָשַׁב yâshab, pronounced yaw-shab’ – take up permanent residence in) in the secret place of the most High (עֶלְיוֹן ʻelyôwn, pronounced el-yone’ – the Supreme) shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (שַׁדַּי Shadday, pronounced shad-dah’-ee – Almighty, God of all Provision).

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord (Yahweh, the Great I AM), He is my refuge and my fortress: my God (אֱלֹהִים ʼĕlôhîym, pronounced el-o-heem’, the Triune Name of God); in him will I trust.

Jesus told us in John 14:21-23 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

This is very similar to what we read in our Psalm. God said:

Psalm 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

When we “set our love on God”, doing as Jesus told us:

Matthew 22:37 … Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Which is a reflection of what God told His Old Covenant people in:

Deuteronomy 6:5 … And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

The promises of Psalm 91 are to those who love the Lord with ALL. Not with just a tiny bit of our hearts, but with ALL our hearts. He is worthy of this. God has a people. They are no one denomination, or as some brag, non-denominational. God has a people who love Him. Those who love God know that our God is faithful. He does not break His Word. God says:

Psalm 91:15-16 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

If we love God, when we call upon Him He hears our cries. He answers us. He is with us in trouble, and with us in sunshine. God promises to deliver the child of God, to give us long life, and to bless us with salvation.

The Christian – Born Of The Spirit – Need Not Fear

 About two hours ago this March 29th, 2020 the Nashville Channel 5 News reported 1720 cases of Covid-19 in Tennessee, with 7 deaths. Many are in panic over this virus. Fear grips our nation. But Beloved, if you are a Christian – born of the Spirit of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – you need not fear. If you love the Lord, you need not fear. Jesus said:

Matthew 10:28-31 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

God has promised – as our Father – to look after we who are His children. If …

Psalm 91:4-6 … his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

God’s children need not fear nor live in panic. We are to live in the palm of our Lord’s nail scarred hand. We are to trust Him with all our hearts. When God says:

Psalm 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Why do the thousand and the ten thousand fall? It is as Jesus said. “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there: Because narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” If you have received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are a part of the Family of God. You are an adopted child of God, indwelt by Christ’s Spirit. You need not fear, but should daily seek to walk in the shadow of your Savior and Lord.

Shine, Christian, Shine. Do not whine, but Shine! If you are not a Christian, run to Him Who loves you and gave His life for you. Trust in His Word. For He has said:

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord! Amen and Amen!

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Social Distancing (Red Letters #17)

Posted on March 29, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Matthew 7:21-29 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Christianity Is Very Social

In the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic we are being encouraged to “practice social distancing”. Humans are social creatures, and Christians are even more so. I know few Christians who do not appreciate a warm handshake, a pat on the back, or a hug with “I love you” attached. The Christian faith is all about love, not distance.

In these Pandemic times we should practice “social distancing” with one another – but NOT WITH GOD.

No one should ever stray far from the Lord. How’s your relationship with Jesus? Does Jesus know you. Or is He “socially distant” from you because of your heart? Will Jesus say when He sees you, “Enter in My good and faithful servant”, or will He say “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity!”

The Old Covenant and the Law put a “social distance” between God and man. This was not because of God, but because of man. Moses, the arbitrator of the Law, loved the Lord. Yet God gave the Law through Moses.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Moses was not saved by the Law that God gave him. Moses was saved by G-R-A-C-E. The Scripture says …

Exodus 33:17 … the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

Moses found G-R-A-C-E in God’s sight. He loved God, and God knew Moses by name. Moses and God were not socially distant. Why? Because Moses practiced repentance and FAITH in GOD. Not so the children of Israel. When Moses went up on the Mountain to receive the Law from God, God told Moses …

Exodus 19:12-13 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: 13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

Why did God do this? Well let me ask you,

Why are We being told to practice “Social Distancing”?
Because of a deadly virus called Covid-19.
But there is a deadlier thing among humanity,
a thing God did not want to get too close to. It is called SIN.

Moses, saved by Grace, was not socially distant from God. God called him, saying

“Moses, My son Moses, My servant Moses – come!”

But the unrepentant Israelite, the murmurer, the complainer, the wallower in sin, the contaminated, to those God told Moses “Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.” (Exodus 19:21). Not all would perish. Just “many”. No one is allowed in the presence of the Almighty unless they know Him.

Sadly, the people did not seek Grace from God. Fearfully they told Moses,

Exodus 20:19-20 … Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Israel is a picture of the Church goer, the religious person who knows the rituals, knows the rites, knows perhaps even the Bible, but does not know the Lord.

Israel is like so many who go to Church weekly, faithfully. They know OF the Lord, but need a priest or a Moses to stand in the gap, representing and praying for the people. The Law came by Moses because the people rejected the Grace of God and practiced by default social distancing from God. This is what fascinated people about Jesus when He came teaching. The Bible says:

Matthew 7:28-29 … the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

The “scribes” were the copiers of the Old Testament Scripture. From copying the Word of God down day after day and year after year, the Scribes had memorized vast amounts of the Scripture. They knew their Bible. They knew what the Bible said. But the Scribes did not know the Author of the Bible. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, spoke as one having authority (ἐξουσία exousía, [pronounced ex-oo-see’-ah]). Jesus spoke as if He were acquainted with the Author of the Book. In fact, Jesus spoke as if He were the Author of the Book. Each time Jesus said,

“But I say unto you”

He was saying, “This is what you may have been taught – but here’s the TRUTH”. Moses knew God, and was a recipient of Grace. But Jesus Christ IS GOD, and is the Giver of Grace. God is now among us, and He is Jesus!

Are You “Saying” Jesus “Is” Lord,
Or “Receiving” Jesus “As” Lord?

The reason that God gave the Law was to show Israel that they were sinners in need of a Savior. The reason that God sent His Son Jesus to this earth was to show us that God WANTS US TO BE CLOSE TO HIM. We cannot, however, receive Jesus as just another rabbi or just another teacher. Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, God become Man.

And Jesus IS LORD. He is ESPECIALLY LORD of His people.

The Scripture declares that Jesus …

Philippians 2:8-11 8 … being found in fashion as a man, {Jesus} humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus IS Lord. The Apostles preached “Jesus is Lord”:

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same JESUS, whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.

Jesus Christ is both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Savior). He is the means by which we receive Grace. God gave the Law to Israel through Moses (a man saved by Grace) so that they could understand their need for Grace. The Law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:21-26).

We all need the Grace and Truth of Jesus Christ. We need to know Him. Do you know Him? Jesus said:

John 6:40 … this is the will of {God the Father} that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Jesus is BOTH LORD AND CHRIST (Messiah/ Savior)! Is this in your hearts, or just in your mouths? You are saved by faith in Christ the Lord, and Jesus willingly and lovingly will save any who come to Him. Jesus promised:

Luke 19:10 … {I} the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Do you know Him?

Christianity is a personal relationship with
the personal and ever present Biblical God.

Jesus Christ came so that we might have a day to day relationship with Almighty God. The Prophet said:

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jesus Christ is the virgin born God-Man Who left Heaven to be with us.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US. (quoting Isaiah 7:14)

This is Who Jesus is. He is not just a Rabbi, or a well studied Prophet. Jesus Christ is God the Son. The Father says of the Son:

Hebrews 1:5-10 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. … 8 But UNTO THE SON {GOD THE FATHER} SAITH, THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOR EVER AND EVER: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Jesus was with the Father in the beginning creating all things. John said:

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Do you know Him? Do you know my Jesus? Oh, I hope you do. Jesus has a name above every name. The Angels of God worship Him. He is, with Father and Spirit, blessed Elohiym, creator of all things. If you do not know Him, let today be the day you call upon Jesus. Call upon Him as Lord, Lord, seeking the salvation that only comes upon a person by Grace. This salvation is freely given to all who will receive Christ.

It Is Not WHAT We Do But WHO We Love

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Have you received Jesus Christ as BOTH Lord and Savior?
 We receive Jesus as Savior because we are not able to save ourselves.
We receive Jesus as Lord because He rules His people.

Titus 3:3-7 For we ourselves also were {once} foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Receive Christ as Savior, Follow Christ as Lord

You cannot have one without the other. The faith of Christ is not a buffet where we pick and choose: “I like this salvation thing, for God promises me Heaven through Christ. But I hate this Lordship thing. I want to be Lord of my own life, so I’ll turn up my nose at that.” What does Jesus say?

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

There are moral and good people that do good deeds on this earth. There are preachers and Bible teachers and deacons and Sunday School teachers who do good works. There are people who have visited hospitals and nursing homes. There are those who have cooked food for the bereaved and suffering, and many who have fed or clothed the homeless. “In Christ’s name they did many wonderful works”. They are memorialized in pictures on hospital walls. And yet Jesus says to them:

I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity

The good work done apart from a relationship with Christ is of no eternal value. These people – like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day – were doing good with hands that had no knowledge of Jesus. The word translated “knew” here is the Greek γινώσκω ginṓskō, {pronounced ghin-oce’-ko}, which means “to know by experience”.

If you KNOW Jesus and are not socially distant from Him, you will be imitators of God. Jesus chastised the religious of His day, saying:

Matthew 23:23 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

It was good that the Pharisees and scribes were tithing – Jesus said they ought to have done that. But Jesus said that these same Pharisees omitted the weightier matters of the Law:

Judgment
Mercy
Faith

The Law of God promised Judgment upon all for sin. But God in His mercy reached out in Christ, and offered Grace to all who would receive Him by faith. The Pharisees and scribes lived their lives pleasing themselves, not the Lord. Beloved, if you are a born again believer in Christ, you will serve the Lord Jesus in Christlike love. You will do the things He says to do. Christ is the Head of the Church and the Savior of the Body (Ephesians 5:23). We are not dominated by fear or by sin.

I have decided to follow Jesus. Have you?

The Saved Are Stable Because They Obey The Savior

Matthew 7:24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Tragedy and trial comes to all of us.

Beloved, unbelievers will die from Covid-19.
Believers may die from Covid-19.

The young and old will suffer from Covid-19.

The Scripture truthfully says:

Job 5:7 … man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Regardless as to trials, Jesus promised to be with those whom He loves. You who love Him will live your lives cherishing His red lettered words. When the trials come you will be buffeted, but destroyed. Why? Because the life founded on the Rock that is God is a life that cannot be upended.

But to those who hear but do not receive Jesus as both Lord and Savior, what is the promise unto them? Jesus said:

Matthew 7:26-27 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

A father helped his children build a beautiful sandcastle on the beach. They got mostly done, but the children grew tired and the day long. Daddy helped the children back to the car, and they all headed back to the motel, promises of “We’ll come back tomorrow” ringing in the kids ears. The next day the family returned to the same beautiful beach. But to the children’s dismay the sandcastle they worked so hard on was gone. The tide came in and took it all away.

If you are building your lives on the words of Christ, then nothing will upend your life. Storms will come. Covid-19 will grab headlines. People will panic, and buy out the grocery stores. But you will remain. Why? Because Christ Jesus is our Rock. The tides of time and trials will not wipe out the life built on Christ. Let us commit to knowing Him by faith, and to be faithful followers of Him in love. May God bless your lives with His Word and His empowering Spirit. Amen! Amen!

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Narrow Gate Of Salvation (Red Letters Series #16)

Posted on March 22, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

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Matthew 7:12-20 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait1 gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait1 is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

After much prayer and meditation I believe the Lord is telling me that the key to understanding this text is what the King James translates as “strait”:

Enter ye in at the strait1 gate

The word translated as “strait” is the Greek στενός stenós, (pronounced sten-os’) which means “a place that is narrow because of obstacles or distractions that are close by”. Jesus is telling tells His followers to enter in at the narrow gate.

The way to DESTRUCTION and DEATH is wide and unobstructed. The way to PRESERVATION and LIFE is narrow – not because God limits it, but because there are obstacles in its way that God had nothing to do with.

God Is Not The Obstacle To The Narrow Way

Some have said that God Himself is the obstacle to the narrow way. Some believers (and they are believers in Christ) feel that Christ only came for a select group called “The Elect”. Those who feel this reach that conclusion, I believe, honestly, though I cannot agree with them. I believe that Jesus Christ came and gave His life for ALL, not just a select group. The familiar Bible school Scripture I think we have all learned (I meet few who cannot say it) is:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God so loved – not just the nice, the moral, the white, the black, the sincere, the whatever. He so LOVED the WORLD. What did God do? He sent his Beloved Son Jesus Christ to die for the world. The scripture says WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish, but have life. The Apostle recorded these words of our Lord, and later wrote:

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Jesus Christ came and took the penalty of sin on Himself so that ANY MAN – any person regardless of race or gender – can have an ADVOCATE with the Father. When Christ is received by faith He stands between us and the Father, covering our sins by His own dear self. He does this for any who believe in Him. Christ is the “propitiation” (ἱλασμός hilasmós, hil-as-mos’; atonement or covering, appeasement to God) not just for MY sins, but for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD. When Jesus told His Church to go out and tell others of His wonderful Gospel Jesus did not limit us. He said:

Matthew 28:19 … Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

and before He ascended to the right hand of God our Savior commanded:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

God has never hindered the Gospel message to any. The narrow way is wide open for whosoever will hear it. The Apostle said:

Romans 5:18-19 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

The free gift of salvation is to all – ALL – who will receive it. He did not come and die just for some, but again we read:

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Jesus Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), of whom I am chief. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for US (Romans 5:8). Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). Did Christ die for you? Are you a sinner? Then yes, He died for you. God is no obstacle to the narrow way of salvation. None whatsoever!

Humans Are The Obstacle To The Narrow Way

Driving through our beloved city of Columbia, going down Trotwood Drive, the road changes to West 7th Street which is now a terrible mess. What used to be an area easy to traverse, a lovely area across from Harris’ Grocery and our Columbia Post Office, is now a terrible mess with metal plates, orange cones, potholes, and confused looking men standing around looking at earth moving equipment. Piles of rubble have obstructed traffic. I am amazed there are not more accidents in that area, especially since it is the road directly in front of Oakes and Nicoles Funeral Home. Why is it such a mess? Because the city fathers decided we needed to do something with the pipes and infrastructure of that section of road. I’m sure they had a good reason to do it. I just wish the people doing the work would finish it soon. It is a mess.

It is a man made mess. God didn’t make that mess. Humans did.

The barriers around the narrow way of salvation are not there because God put them there. These “orange cones” and “piles of debris” are not in place because our Heavenly Father wants to limit those in His Kingdom. These barriers are in place because of US.

What was the very first message Jesus ever preached? It was:

Matthew 4:17 … REPENT: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The word translated “repent” is the Greek μετανοέω metanoéō, {pronounced met-an-o-eh’-o}, which means “change your mind for the the better, think differently, reconsider and begin to think correctly”. The beginning of salvation is not for GOD to change HIS MIND, but for US to change OUR MINDS. God is our Father in Heaven. He sent His Son to reach out to us in love. We must change our minds, and stop being god. Someone once said:

If you are your own master, then you are a poor one
for you have a FOOL for a servant!

God made us in His image and in His likeness (Genesis 1:26). We were made to follow God. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, summed it up this way:

Ecclesiastes 12:13 … Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

When Jesus came to this earth He preached a Gospel that required we ALL REPENT and FOLLOW HIM.

Mark 1:14-15 … Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the only Potentate Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:16) left His Throne in Heaven to offer citizenship to all who would come to Him. And yet many today still decided to make war with the Lamb, Who shall overcome them: for He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14). Jesus came to this earth and opened the borders of Heaven. He hung out a sign not saying “Help Wanted”, but “Sinners Wanted”. Any who come to Him are promised the blessings of salvation not just in this life, but in the life to come.

And yet we put up road blocks, pot holes, and debris in front of the narrow way. What are some of these obstructions?

  • There is the “Politically Correct” obstruction. In our day it is fashionable to say “There are many roads to God”. For this reason many who are false prophets have stood in pulpits saying, “Whatever your God is, just believe in Him and you’ll be all right”. Jesus spoke about these false prophets in our text today.

Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

These men and women look like sheep, like the saved of Christ. They sound good. It sounds loving to say “God loves everyone. Just as long as you believe in the God of your choice, and you love, then all will be well”. This type of nonsense has been in the Church from the very beginning. The Apostle Paul addressed it at Galatia:

Galatians 1:6-12 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The devil has perverted the Word of God from the beginning. He did it as a serpent in the Garden of Eden, telling Eve “Hath God really said you shall not eat of every tree in the Garden? If so, God is just trying to deprive you! (See Genesis 3:1-5)”. Adam and Eve listened to the serpent, and brought death into the world. Snakelike preachers slither into pulpits and preach a gospel that never was in order to appease the world. The point of the Gospel is not to appease the world, but to appease the wrath of God. We are all sinners in need of Jesus.

Beloved, there are not many ways to salvation. This is a lie which comes from satan. Jesus was very clear when He said:

John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You will find no place in Scripture where Christ ever preached another as a means of salvation. Jesus Christ alone is the only way unto God.

Jesus told this to a Chief Pharisee named Nicodemus:

John 3:15, 18 … That whosoever believeth in {Jesus} should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus Christ is the sole Messiah. He is the Only Way that a person may find peace with God. Jesus is the Door of the Sheep:

John 10:7, 9 … Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. … 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

There is no salvation, no rightness with God the Father and King of Heaven, unless you have received the Prince of Heaven, Jesus Christ our Lord. He came to give life, and promises eternal life to all who will receive Him.

  • There is the “I’ll Come To Jesus Another Day” obstacle. Despite the fact that the Scripture says “behold, NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2” people harden their hearts and put off what they should do this very day. If nothing else, the CORONAVIRUS should have taught us that we are NOT GUARANTEED TOMORROW. “NOW is come salvation (Revelation 12:10)”.

Someone asked Jesus once:

Luke 13:23 … Lord, are there few that be saved?

Jesus told that person:

Luke 13:24-29 … Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Humans love to procrastinate. We put things off until tomorrow. But Beloved, if you are not right with God, following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then COME TODAY. Do not wait.

  • There is the “Self Righteous” pothole. Throughout Jesus’ ministry on this earth, His greatest enemies were the Pharisees. The Pharisees were good at keeping the Law of Moses. In fact, they added to the Law of Moses to make it even tougher. They were so focused on their works, and so certain that their works made them righteous with God, that they ended up being the major players in the crucifixion of Christ. Self righteousness is so dangerous because it blinds a person to their own need of salvation. What does the Scripture say?

Romans 3:10-12 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

The Bible is not saying that there are no moral or “good” people. It is saying that when we are measured for righteousness according to God’s standard – which is Himself – we all fall short. It is commendable that a person be law abiding. I would rather be around law abiding, morally responsible people, much more than be around the lawless and inconsiderate. Yet no work that you do can bring you to the narrow way unto salvation. Jesus told the Pharisees:

Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

The Pharisees were just like each and every one of us are. God can see our hearts. He knows what is on the inside. The Pharisees were not following the Law out of love for God. They were following the Law to look good to one another, and to those around them. They loved the acclamation of the fellow man. They loved being seen as spiritual “Supermen”. Yet the inside was still rotten.

They needed Jesus. You and I need Jesus. Our works are not enough to earn us Heaven. Good works become an obstacle that keeps a person from entering that narrow way unto life and blessed peace.

The Narrow Way Brings An Inner Change

Matthew 7:18-20 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

When a person repents – changes their mind – and comes to Jesus Christ surrendered, something happens to that person. Before salvation we are all “corrupt trees”. What did Jesus say about the “corrupt tree”? He said:

a corrupt tree CANNOT bring forth good fruit

IEvery person is born into this life a “corrupt tree”. We cannot of ourselves do good in such a way that it pleases God. Why? Because sin taints us. It’s like going to a fine, top dollar restaurant, and ordering a $50 steak. When it comes out it’s cooked perfect. It’s seasoned wonderfully. There are beautiful, perfectly cooked mushrooms on the side, and a wonderfully loaded baked potato. Then you notice something. The chef didn’t put your meal on a nice, clean plate. He took the lid off of the garbage can and put all that beautiful food on that filthy lid.

That’s how our good works look like to God if we are without Christ. Everything we touch or do is tainted with the garbage of sin. But when when we come to Christ believing, receiving Him as both Lord and Savior, what happens? We are told in Scripture:

Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

When you come to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, God Himself changes the heart of the tree. What was a corrupt tree is now a good tree. And what did Jesus say about the good tree? The good tree cannot bring forth corrupt fruit. Once you are saved by faith in Christ, God changes you. You cease being a child of Adam and become a child of God. And as a child of God your behavior changes. You do as Jesus says. Jesus said:

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

You do not just do good to those who did good to you. You treat all people – even your enemies – in the same way you want to be treated. You obey God’s Law not to be saved, but because you are saved. Oh Beloved, are you saved? If not, this very day is the day to make your life right with God. Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Receive Him without delay. Do not follow the crowd, but the Christ.

May God the Holy Spirit touch your hearts and minds through this message. For the glory of God. Amen and Amen!

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