General

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OUR VOCATION

Did you know that Christians have a job to do? That’s right, a job! I would venture to say that not too
many Christians know that. Most Christians think it is all about their relationship with God, and it is. But,
part of that relationship is doing your job.
Ephesians 4:1 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called,
It is our responsibility, our duty to find out what that job, that vocation is and then get to work.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Our job, ladies and gentlemen, is the ministry of reconciliation and our tool to get the job done is the
Bible which is the word of reconciliation.
Somebody spoke to you about Jesus Christ and eternal life. That person was fulfilling his/her
responsibility as a faithful minister.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s
stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Not only are we ministers, but, we are ambassadors for Christ! If you are a Christian you are an
ambassador for Christ whether you want to be or not. So, why not be the best ambassador the world
has ever seen?
When you speak about Christ and what he accomplished you are a shining light, a beacon to a sick and
dying world.
Philippians 2:15-16 (KJV)
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither
laboured in vain.
The great thing about being a minister of reconciliation and ambassador is that you aren’t alone! Yes, of
course you have other believers around you, but, there is someone bigger than that working right along
with you and that is God!
1 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV)
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.WE are laborers together God! You are never alone. God is right there helping you to reconcile others to
Him.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Ephesians 2:19-22 (KJV)
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the
household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work:
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.
We have the tools we have been given a job AND we have a fellow worker, someone to help us perform
our duties – God.
But there are two parts missing. Those are the parts that makes us want to be ministers and
ambassadors and those are God’s love for you and the rewards that are waiting for us as faithful
ministers.
When we know how much God loves us then our only response is to love Him back and you love Him
back by doing what He asks you to do.
Romans 5:8-9 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
God loved us so much that He allowed His only begotten son to die in payment for our sins. As part of
that redemption we don’t go through the wrath. The wrath is a very horrible thing. The wrath is a time
of vengeance of our God.
Isaiah 49:16 (KJV)
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
God tattooed your name on the palms of His hands and then holds His hands, like walls, in front of His
face so you are always in His thoughts. This is a figure of speech. God uses figures of speech to add
emphasis, to add importance to what He is telling us.
Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and wherethieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work:
John 14:12 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to
the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of the heart.
God lovingly made a way for us to be His sons and daughters, He made it so that He works with us. He
gave us the tools to do the job. Our only lovingly response is to take up the task and be the best
ministers and ambassadors we can be.

EPHESIANS CHAPTER FOUR

Last week we looked at our vocation, our job, calling or duty, as children of God. This week I
want to touch on how to conduct ourselves to get the job done and there is no better place to start
than Ephesians chapter four.
Ephesians 4:1 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called,
I showed you that not only have you been given the tools, but, God is at work together with us and
in us to accomplish the task. Ephesians chapter four gives us information on how to conduct ourselves
to get the job done.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (KJV)
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Let me first point out that Ephesians is not addressed to all Christians, but, to believers. Those that are
not only born again, but, are walking the Christian walk and Ephesians 4:2,3 are talking about believers
interacting with other believers. It is not talking about dealing with people not born again of God’s spirit.
The word “lowliness” is not what we think of today, a person with an attitude of unworthiness or
poverty minded. NO, NO, NO! God made us worthy! We, as sons and daughters of God. We are royalty.
We are more than conquerors. It must have a different meaning than unworthiness and it does.
The word “lowliness” should be translated as “humility.” So, now you need to ask yourself “humble to
who?”
Meekness is another word that we don’t understand because it has a different meaning now than it did
back in biblical times. The Bible says that Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth and, yet,
we would never consider Moses meek. Why? Because we consider someone who is meek to be mousy
or timid. Whereas, meek in the Bible means coachable or teachable.
So these two words cannot be referring to being humble and coachable to anyone but God and His
Word. When you do this you will be patient (long suffering,) and you will interact with each other in the
love of God in the renewed mind. Also, by walking by the revealed Word of God you will diligently, the
word “endeavouring” is the Greek word for “diligently,” keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
There is one body which every Christian is a part of and that is the body of Christ. one spirit – the holy
spirit given to everyone that does Romans 10:9,10. One hope and that is the hope of going to Heaven
and receiving rewards for our diligent stand here on earth.Ephesians 4:5-7 (KJV)
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
When it says “the measure of the gift” it means every Christian has as much spirit as anyone else. We all
the same enablements, the same ability and the same authority.
Ephesians 4:8-10 (KJV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things.)
Jesus Christ accomplished it all for your redemption and mine. He died was resurrected and ascended
into heaven so that we could become God’s sons and daughters.
Ephesians 4:11-15 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
There are only six gifts no more no less. The gift of holy spirit and the five gift ministries.
Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.
What a wonderful verse. What it is saying is that when we start walking or acting the way God
teaches or coaches us to walk/act we will be building up each other and in turn the whole body of
Christ will benefit and build up the believers by and in love.
In contrast to verse sixteen verses seventeen through nineteen tell us what NOT to do.
Ephesians 4:17-20 (KJV)
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the
vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance thatis in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness (filthy vices), to work all
uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Verses 17-20 sound like they were written today! People alienating themselves from not only a walk
with God, but, life itself because of their decisions.
Ephesians 4:21-24 (KJV)
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Every Christian has two natures, the old man nature and the new man. The old man nature is of the
world and looks at the things of this world. The old man nature is at enmity with God. The new man
nature is the God in Christ in each and every born-again Christian.
When we walk according to the revealed Word of God we renew our minds and walk God’s walk of
righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of
another. See I Corinthians (12:12-27)
Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
I use this verse a lot in dealing with married couples. But, look how healing this would be to each and
every Christian if they would work out their differences with others before the end of the day or they let
go of all their animosity, anger and grievances before they put their head on the pillow at night. What a
sweat sleep they would have and what a fresh start they would have the next morning. By doing this we
don’t give openings for our adversary, the devil, to take advantage of us.
Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is
good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:29-30 (KJV)
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
By not ministering grace unto the people that you talk to, by speaking worthless communication, words
that do not benefit, you are grieving the holy spirit of God.Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with
all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake
hath forgiven you.
Do you know how you change the world? You change it one person at a time and you start with
yourself. What a wonderful change in your life and the lives of others will take place when you walk in
the light of God’s Wonderful matchless Word.

A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

Happy New Year! This is the time many people make their New Year’s resolutions. For the most part
they are about weigh loss or changing jobs or new relationships. But, what about a relationship that is
really important?
How about committing to a closer walk with God? There are a couple of things in specific that I am
thinking about. The first is getting to know God better and the second is to walk in love with God.
The only way you get to know someone or know someone better is to spend time with them. So it is
with God. To have a relationship with God you have to spend time with Him. Jesus Christ did.
Matthew 14:22-23 (KJV)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto
the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and
when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Luke 6:12 (KJV)
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all
night in prayer to God.
Luke 9:28 (KJV)
28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and
James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luke 11:1a (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place,
Luke 18:1 (KJV)
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
God wanted children that He could walk and talk with. Through thousands of years He planned for just
that event. Who would have thought that though all that time God had you in mind? He did.
Ephesians 1:4-8 (KJV)
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good
pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;We get busy and forget who God is and how important He is to us and how important we are to Him. All
the while God is waiting for us to turn to Him and start the conversation. No one can do it for us. No one
can do it for you. You are the only one that can start and grow your relationship with God.
The other part of this relationship is found in ii Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.
The Bible is as relevant to day as when it was first written. Only in the Bible will you find out who your
really are. Only in the Bible will you find what you have in Christ Jesus. Only in the Bible will you find
how to pray and how to pray perfectly. Only in the Bible will you find how to conduct yourself in this
world, how to walk wisely, how to walk in love, how to appropriate the things you need in your life. Only
in the Bible will you see God’s love for you His child.
Jeremiah found the scrolls of the Bible in the debris of the temple after it had been destroyed and he
was more excited than a little boy with a new puppy.
Jeremiah 15:16 (KJV)
16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine
heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
We have the Bible so close to us and, yet, how little time we spend reading and studying it. What would
happen if we ate the Word (studied it until it became a part of us) for month, three months or the whole
year?
Don’t let this year turn out to be like every other. Change your life by walking and talking with God.
MY GOD AND I
My God and I go in the field together;
We walk and talk as good friends should and do.
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter,
My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue.
He tells me of the years that went before me,
When heavenly plans were made for me to be;
When all was but a dream of dim conception
To come to life, earth’s verdant glory see.
My God and I will go for aye together,
We’ll walk and talk as good friends should and do.
This earth will pass and with it common trifles
But God and I will go unendingly.

MY WISH FOR YOU

It has been hard for me to write about Christmas. Well, actually I have been conflicted about it over
many years. There are many reasons for this.
First, I know the history and a lot of the traditions are based in paganism. But, more to the point I saw
people hurting because they didn’t have anyone to celebrate with or they couldn’t afford the gifts that
they really wanted to buy for their loved ones. So, all of this hurt my heart until I came to a realization.
The realization is this. It is a change in perspective. It is a point of view. The change is found in
Philippians 2:5.
Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
You see, Jesus Christ knew his purpose here on earth. He knew his home was in Heaven. He knew he
was the son of God. He knew his treasured were laid up for him some place other than this earth and so
he lived that way and in so doing made a way for anyone to not only be saved, but, to have the same
mindset.
So, whether you have a lot or you have a little, whether you are surrounded by friends and family or
alone for the holidays you can have that mindset. And, not only the mindset, but the full assurance we
are sons of God and that we will be with Christ in glory.
Romans 8:18 (KJV)
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.
Not only the sufferings, but, the material things that we have or don’t have are not worthy to be
compared with what we will have in the future.
The things of earth surely will grow dim when you turn your eyes upon Jesus Christ and the things of
God..
Philippians 3:13-16 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the
same thing.
So, my wish for you this holiday season is that whatever position you find yourself in that you take time
to thank God for sending His son to save us and to know He is there with you and in you.Ephesians 3:19-20 (KJV)
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of
God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that worketh in us,

A CLOSER LOOK AT LUKE 2:1-19

I want to share with you insights into the first nineteen verses of Luke chapter two.
Luke 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all
the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
The world is not all of the world, but, the empire under Caesar’s rule. It is obvious that you can’t require
something from people you do not control or rule.
The “taxing” is not a taxing, but a census. At this time in history Caesar Augustus was having his Silver
Jubilee (25th anniversary) of him becoming ruler of the Roman Empire. As such, the census of the people
was taken as an oath of allegiance to Caesar from all of his subjects. This Silver Jubilee, also coincided
with the 750th year of the founding of Rome and Caesar’s 60th birthday. Because it was a special census
Cyrenius (Quirinius) was put in charge. It is important to note that many scholars consider Luke
inaccurate because there is very little about Cyrenius and a census until the census of 6/7 AD. They do
not understand the importance of this census being done accurately and on time for Caesar Augustus
being declared Pater Patriae (father of the country.) Therefore, Cyrenuis had a special assignment to
oversee the census.
Luke 2:3-4 (KJV)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
When we have a census in the United States the government sends us a census questionnaire to our
residence. Not so back then. Lineage was very important, so, to keep the record straight and to be
counted, a person had to go back to the town of his lineage.
Luke 2:5 (KJV)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
In Bible times a man and a woman would have a ten day wedding ceremony then they would live six
months with his family and then six months with her family. At the end of a year they would have a big
celebration. All of the family and friends along with the dignitaries of the town would be invited. When
everyone was there the husband would say:
John 14:1-3 (KJV)
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions (apartments, the sons and their wives would live with
their father): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that
where I am, there ye may be also.This is a direct quote from the wedding ceremony by Jesus Christ.
The whole first year of marriage was considered the espousal period. It climaxed at the year end
celebration. So, Joseph and Mary were married and they traveled to Bethlehem during their first year,
the espousal year.
Luke 2:6-7 (KJV)
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
When someone talks about their firstborn child it stands to reason that that person has other sons after
the first born. Mary had at least four other sons and at least three daughters. Jesus Christ was God’s
only begotten son, but, he was Mary’s first born.
In the culture of that time, when a king was born they would do two things to the baby. First, they
would put a little bit of salt in the water that they used to clean him with. Salt represented truth and
honesty. There is a covenant that they carryout to this day called the salt covenant. When two people
take the salt covenant then they are bound to protect each other with their lives, never steal from each
other or harm the other in any fashion.
The other thing they did to the babe was to wrap him in swaddling clothes. These were strips of fine
fabric that were wrapped around the babe from head to toe. It represented that he would be honest
and forthright in his dealings with others. In Ezekiel there is an insult to all of Jerusalem regarding their
character.
Ezekiel 16:4 (KJV)
4 thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.
Luke 2:8 (KJV)
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night.
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus Christ was not Born on December 25th. He was born in
September. The reason I bring this up here is that in the dead of winter the shepherds would not
be in the fields at night. It was too cold. They would lead the sheep out to graze during the day
and then bring them back and put them in pens.
The idea that Jesus was born on December 25th Started with the Roman Catholic Church. you
see, December 25th was first day after the winter solstice that the pagans could tell that the Sun’s
path was starting to rise. So, they would have a celebration to the Sun God on that day. To get
converts the Roman Catholics changed the celebration to a celebration of the Son of God.
Luke 2:9-14 (KJV)
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and
they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shallbe to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Have you ever wondered why the angel came to the shepherds? Don’t you think that he should
have gone to the heads of Judaism or perhaps the mayor of Bethlehem, but, why the shepherds?
The shepherds were simple people who must have loved God. They sat together many times and
discussed the coming of the Christ along with other prophesies yet to be fulfilled. It comes down
to this – they were believers. They believed in God. They believed His Word and they believed
in the Christ to come.
Believing is action and when the angel told them to go see the Christ child they didn’t waste any
time. They ran to see the babe! I know this because the babe is only wrapped in swaddling
clothes for a few minutes their timing was impeccable.
About the angel and the heavenly host of angels. Angels don’t have wings and they don’t sing.
We humans have the privilege of singing which doesn’t have be that good. All it has to be is a
joyful noise unto the Lord.
Luke 2:15-20 (KJV)
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to
another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this
child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and
seen, as it was told unto them.

GOD’S PROSPERITY FOR YOU or THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

Romans 8:17-18 (KJV)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him,
that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.
When everything in your life is going well it is easy to look at this verse and nod your head in agreement.
But, when life has dealt you a hard blow and you are reeling from the pain and anguish it is hard to see
past the state you are in. Sometimes you need to grieve. Sometimes you need to change your
circumstances as soon as possible. This article is to help you to get out of the situation you are in and get
God’s deliverance in your life.
Doubt, worry and fear are enemies of confidence, trust and believing. They are on opposite sides, they
are antithetical. They are in absolute opposition to each other. You either do one or you do the other.
You can’t do both. So, this means that when you believe God will deliver you won’t doubt it. You won’t
worry about it and you won’t fear the outcome. It may take awhile to get to the place that you believe,
but, it can be done because according to God all things are possible.
Mark 10:27 (KJV)
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things
are possible.
Let me teach you how to change your mind and in so doing BELIEVE. You change your mind by changing
what you are mentally chewing on. If you/your mind is dwelling on the things of the past or of the
predicament you find yourself in then stop! Stop what you are thinking and make your mind think
thoughts of deliverance. Get a clear picture of what you want and don’t let the negative thoughts start
up again or/and take one of the promises from God’s Word and keep repeating it until your mind
changes and you can hold that thought. If the negative thoughts start up again STOP and start the
process over again. Your deliverance, as a Christian, is in the promises of God’s Word.
God’s will for your life is clear.
3 John 1:2 (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth.
But, we have to change our thinking to appropriate it.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
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.
When we put God first in our lives God will bring us up and out of the problems we find ourselves in.Psalm 37:4-6 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
The Apostle Paul had everything going for him, a good education, a good job, status in the community, a
family, but, he lost it all when he became a Christian and devoted his life to God. Even though he lost
everything he treasured in the physical realm he set his sights on Heaven and the things of God and
moved forward.
Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul had it figured out. The things that are past are past. All we can do is move forward. It is
the same way in navigation. Once you pass a point or landmark you forget that one because it is behind
and move on to the next.
Another integral part of getting your deliverance is prayer.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV)
6 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.
The way you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God is by casting ALL your cares on Him.
Humbling yourself before God is not some big religious undertaking. It is knowing that you can’t do it by
yourself and you, instead, give it to God for him to take care of. You have your job God has His. The best
thing we can do is not confuse our job descriptions.
I want to show you Joshua chapter one. Moses had died and the Children of Israel mourned for forty
days then it was time for them to move out, so, God gave the leadership to Joshua and told him three
times that He, God, would be with Joshua.
Joshua 1:1-7 (KJV)
1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake
unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people,
unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said
unto Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the
land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with
Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the
land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the
law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left,
that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
God tells us the same thing.
Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath
said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
There was a man that needed deliverance for his son and he hadn’t been able to get it from the religious
leaders or Jesus’ disciples. When he confronted Jesus Jesus knew what the problem was. The man
needed to believe. He still had doubt, worry and fear in his heart and mind. Jesus brought the man back
around so that the man could finally say “I believe, help me get rid of the doubt, worry and fear in my
life.” With that he got to the place where he believed and got deliverance for his son and himself.
Mark 9:14-27 (KJV)
14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes
questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to
him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which
hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth,
and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long
shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he
fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst
do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help
thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto
him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead;
insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.God tells us time and time again that He loves us, that the Christians are His children, that He
will never leave us or forsake us, that we are more than conquerors in every situation. By not
focusing on where we are, but, where we want to be; by getting those promises from God’s
Word in your heart and life, by praying and casting all your care on Him; you are guaranteed
success in this life and deliverance from the clouds of doubt, worry and fear.
Ephesians 1:18-19 (KJV)
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of
his mighty power,

JESUS’ EARLY YEARS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

What I would like to do for you tonight is to give you, in chronological order, the verses regarding Jesus
Christ’s life to the age of twelve. With this you have everything there is to know from the Bible about
Christ’s early years.
Announcement of John
Luke 1:5-25 (KJV)
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the
course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of
the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well
stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his
course,
9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into
the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of
incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife
Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;
and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to
the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my
wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and
am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be
performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a
vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he
departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my
reproach among men.Announcement of Jesus
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named
Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s
name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with
thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of
salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name
JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto
him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the
power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the
sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And
the angel departed from her.
Mary and Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-56 (KJV)
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my
womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were
told her from the Lord.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed.49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their
hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Mary, Joseph and the Angel
Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to
Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example,
was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a
dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that
which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his
people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,
saying,
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.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took
unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
The birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-80 (KJV)
57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her;
and they rejoiced with her.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called
him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised
God.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad
throughout all the hill country of Judaea.66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall
this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might
serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of
the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the
way of peace.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his
shewing unto Israel.
The birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all
the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in
a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying
in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and
saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, as it was told unto them.
The circumcision
Luke 2:21 (KJV)
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was
called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Purification and sacrifice
Luke 2:22-24 (KJV)
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they
brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the
Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or
two young pigeons.
Simeon
Luke 2:25-35 (KJV)
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was
just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had
seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to
do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall
and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed.
Anna
Luke 2:36-38 (KJV)
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a
great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but
served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that
looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Return to Nazareth
Luke 2:39 (KJV)
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee,
to their own city Nazareth.
The wise men
Matthew 2:1-23 (KJV)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are
come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded
of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of
thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time
the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and
when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went
before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented
unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into
their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream,
saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there
until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and
sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from
two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel
weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt,
20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they
are dead which sought the young child’s life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was
afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the
parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Jesus to age twelve
Luke 2:40-41 (KJV)
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was
upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Jesus; age twelve and beyond.
Luke 2:42-52 (KJV)
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem;
and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him
among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus
dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s
business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

GIVE THANKS ALWAYS

It behooves me on this day to talk about the giving of thanks. I know Thanksgiving is past, but, it is still
important that we talk about it. You see, thanksgiving or giving of thanks is not something that we
should do once a year, but, every day of our lives.
Ephesians 5:20 (KJV)
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ;
Colossians 3:15 (KJV)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
We are so bombarded by everything vying for our attention that we forget to give God praise. We don’t
thank God for bad things that happen, but, we give Him thanks for seeing us through the hard times. We
should thank Him for all of the blessings that He gives us. What is special about this is God knows us and
he knows that we are human and that sometimes we forget, but, He tells us not to forget everything
that He does for us.
Psalm 103:2 (KJV)
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
An excellent example of this giving of thanks all the time is given in the book “OF Plymouth Plantation
1620-1647” by William Bradford.
William Bradford was the first Governor for Plymouth Plantation and the book is the chronicling of the
beginning years of the colony. The exert that I am talking about is one that William Bradford wrote. It
was written at the beginning of the first winter. The Pilgrims had landed late in the year and didn’t have
time to plant and harvest. They were surrounded by hostile Indians, didn’t know the land and they were
facing a hard winter to come. Even with the plantation being short on food, shelter and necessities
William Bradford wrote this:
“What could now sustain them (the people of Plymouth) but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not
and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say ‘Our fathers were Englishmen which came over
this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard
their voice and looked on their adversity,’ etc. ‘Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good
and His mercies endure forever.’ ‘Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord shew how He
hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness outof the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them.
Let them confess before the Lord His lovingkindness and wonderful works before the sons of men’”
The men and women that founded Plymouth didn’t give thanksgiving once a year or just in the good
times they gave thanks all of the time and they didn’t go around and say “Gee I’m thankful.” No! to be
thankful means you are thankful to someone. These people were thankful to God!
We have examples in the Bible of men and women who believed God and wrought great miracles and
wonders, but, we, also, have examples of other Christians doing great deeds and the Pilgrims are just
such an example. They came to a strange land not knowing what lay ahead, but, put their confidence in
God and thanked Him for their deliverance and providence and by this they, with God’s help, founded
our great nation.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE BATTLE IS UPON US

Most of Christianity knows about the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but, they know very
little about the Book of Acts or any of the epistles. Also, most people know very little about the name of
our lord and savior Jesus Christ other than it is a swear word.
I want to show you in the Book of Acts how men and women stood in the first century and what they
were willing to go through because of their respect and their use of the name of Jesus Christ.
We are going to start with a notable event in chapter three of Acts.
Acts 3:1-9 (KJV)
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth
hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate
of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones
received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
You would think that everybody including the religious leadership would be happy and rejoice that one
of the brethren got deliverance from his affliction. Well that is not the case. A lot of people did rejoice.
They ended up listening to Peter and were saved.
Acts 2:38-41 (KJV)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord
our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls.
Acts 3:12-26 (KJV)
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this?
or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made thisman to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his
Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was
determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know:
yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ
should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of
your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed
from among the people.
24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken,
have likewise foretold of these days.
25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,
saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away
every one of you from his iniquities.
Acts 4:4 (KJV)
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five
thousand.
Peter and John delivered the lame man with the power in the name of Jesus Christ. By Peter and the
Apostles teaching people the name of Jesus Christ and all that name represents and all the power and
authority in that name over eight thousand people were saved, born again, baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ.
There is a mathematical axiom that things that are equal to the same thing are equal to each other.
Therefore, to be saved is to be born again of incorruptible seed, which is to be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ, which is to be endued with power from on high!
Acts 2:38 (KJV)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)
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.
Luke 24:49 (KJV)
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high.
1 Peter 1:23 (KJV)
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever.
This is why the apostles and disciples held the name of Jesus Christ in such high esteem and because of
the power and authority given in that name they were able to deliver thousands and carry the Word of
God around the world. However, not everybody was pleased.
Acts 4:1-3 (KJV)
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the
Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from
the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
Acts 4:17 (KJV)
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us (the religious leadership) straitly threaten them
(the Apostles), that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
Acts 5:17-18 (KJV)
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the
Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But an angel let them out!
Acts 5:19-20 (KJV)
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Acts 5:26-28 (KJV)
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the
people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have
filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.Acts 5:40 (KJV)
40 And to him they agreed: and when they (the religious leaders) had called the apostles, and beaten
them, they (the religious leaders) commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go.
Acts 5:41-42 (KJV)
41 And they (the Apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
The very thing that got them into trouble to begin with they continued to do.
The battle was upon the First Century Church because of the name of Jesus Christ. They didn’t fight with
guns and tanks nor do we.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (KJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong
holds;)
Be not deceived, the battle is still upon us. Will you hold high the name of Jesus Christ as did the
Apostles and disciples without fear and in the face of opposition and persecution? Our lives are very
short compared to all eternity. By standing for the name of Jesus Christ NOW you store up for
yourselves rewards throughout all eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

HEBREWS CHAPTER ELEVEN (part eight)

In this article we are going to look at one verse about a woman named Rahab.
Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the
spies with peace.
We are looking at the Old Testament Hall of Fame of men and women who believed God. Believing is
not hard. As a matter of fact it really is quite simple. Believing is an action verb and connotes, indicates
represents, means action. That is exactly what Rahab did. She believed God and put her believing into
action.
Joshua 2:1-21 (KJV)
1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the
land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged
there.
2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the
children of Israel to search out the country.
3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee,
which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I
wist not whence they were:
5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went
out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax,
which she had laid in order upon the roof.
7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which
pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror
is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came
out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side
Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any
more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above,
and in earth beneath.
12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness,
that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:
13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all
that they have, and deliver our lives from death.14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be,
when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall,
and she dwelt upon the wall.
16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide
yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us
swear.
18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window
which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy
brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood
shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house,
his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us
to swear.
21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they
departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Many people try to make small the miracle of the wall of Jericho falling down because they say
it was on a fault line or an earthquake just happened at the same time. Let me just point out that
Rahab’s house was on the wall and it was the only piece of the wall that didn’t fall down. So,
was it God and the believing of Rahab, Joshua and others that kept that house intact or was it a
mere coincidence that when the wall of Jericho fell down the only house that survived was the
one house with the people in it that had been promised deliverance by God’s chosen people? I’d
put my money on it being God!
The next passage is regarding Israel’s last day of walking around Jericho. Israel had finished
walking around Jericho seven times and Joshua commands everything in the city to be destroyed
EXCEPT Rahab and her family.
Joshua 6:15-17 (KJV)
15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and
compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city
seven times.
16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said
unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the
harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that
we sent.
Joshua 6:22-25 (KJV)
22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and
bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother,
and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the
camp of Israel.
24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels
of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she
dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out
Jericho.
Believing is not only something that the Chosen of God can do, but, anyone can do! Rahab was not of
the Tribes of Israel and, yet, she believed and got her deliverance. So too, the Cannanite woman of
Matthew chapter fifteen and the Centurion of Matthew chapter eight. None were of the House of Israel,
yet, all believed and got their deliverance. All of this leads up to anyone who wills may come.
Romans 10:9,10 is laid out for every person to get their deliverance. I doubt any of us is of the lineage of
the Tribes of Israel. Yet, when we believe(d) we pass from death unto life.
By the way, Rahab was not an harlot. She was an innkeeper. Many women of that time that were
innkeepers were, also, harlots, but, not all of them were. Rahab happened to be an innkeeper that
wasn’t a harlot.
To be an outsider and, yet, be mentioned in the Hall of Fame of Old Testament believers is a tribute to
the stand this woman had to make. It is, also, an example of how far we can go with God.

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