PSALM 23
The Bible uses different names for God in His different capacities. One of these names is
Jehovah. Jehovah is God in His relationship with those He covenanted with. Under the title
Jehovah there are ten redemptive names. It is those names that I want to share with you tonight.
The first redemptive name is Jehovah-Jireh which means God will see and provide. It is found in
Genesis chapter 22.
Genesis 22:3-15 (KJV)
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young
men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and
went unto the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go
yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took
the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son.
And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went
both of them together.
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and
laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and
he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I
know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket
by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the
stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the
mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
The next is Jehovah-Ropheka. Jehovah-Ropheka means Jehovah that health thee.
Exodus 15:22-26 (KJV)
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and
they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were
bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into
the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, andthere he proved them,
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that
which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will
put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the
LORD that healeth thee.(Jehovah-Ropheka)
Number three is Jehovah-Nissi. Jehovah my banner. A banner was used in war to fly over the
army and it was, also, used in the marriage ceremony as a symbol of God’s covering and
protection over the bride and groom.
Exodus 17:8-15 (KJV)
8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I
will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur
went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let
down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon;
and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side;
and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the
ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
Next is Jehovah-Mekaddishkem or Jehovah which doth sanctify you.
Exodus 31:12-13 (KJV)
12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is
a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD
that doth sanctify you.
Jehovah-Shalom means God my peace.
Judges 6:20-24 (KJV)
20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this
rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh
and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the
unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for
because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in
Ophrah of the Abiezrites.Jehovah-Zeba oth means Jehovah of hosts. The word “hosts” means a mass of people or a mass of
people organized for war i.e. an army.
1 Samuel 1:1-3 (KJV)
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was
Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah:
and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts
in Shiloh.
Jehovah-Zidkenu is Jehovah our righteousness.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 (KJV)
5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall
reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be
called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jehovah-Zidkenu)
Number eight is Jehovah-Shammah; Jehovah is there.
Ezekiel 48:29-35 (KJV)
29 This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these
are their portions, saith the Lord GOD.
30 And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred
measures.
31 And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward;
one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
32 And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph,
one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
33 And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of
Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
34 At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one
gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.
35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall
be, The LORD is there. (Jehovah-Shammah)
Number nine is Jehovah-Elyon, Jehovah Most High.
Psalm 7:17 (KJV)
17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD
most high. (Jehovah-Elyon)
The last redemptive name of Jehovah is Jehovah-Ro I, Jehovah My Shepherd.
In Psalm twenty three seven redemptive names of Jehovah are used.Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
1
The LORD is my shepherd;(Jehovah Ro i) I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.(JehovahShalom)
3 He restoreth my soul (Jehovah-Ropheka): he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name’s sake.(Jehovah-Zidkenu)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me (Jehovah-Shammah); thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with
oil (Jehovah-Nissi); my cup runneth over (Jehovah-Mekaddishkem.)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.
God’s Word is rich and wonderful. It is full of a lifetime of learning for those who hunger and thirst after
righteousness and for those who want to know God.
GOD FIRST
In our day and time we have many distractions and many sources to turn to in time of need. We have
the internet, we have the library, professionals, parents and other family members, friends, television.
But, as Christians we have examples as well as directives from God as to who we are to go to FIRST.
This article is about going to God first. It seems that this would be axiomatic (self-evident,
unquestionable,) but, how many of us really do that? How many of us turn to God when we have a
need? When I say a need I mean a dire immediate need. A need so immediate and so grievous that your
mind automatically flips to the avenue of fastest deliverance. For example, someone breaks a leg. Do
they automatically think doctor, hospital, ambulance or do they turn to God for His healing. I have told
you this before, if you don’t get deliverance from God then, by all means get to a doctor, but, give God
His rightful place and go to Him first.
The reason that we don’t go to God first is that we have been trained, throughout our lives, that God is
too busy, God doesn’t answer the small things, the signs, miracles and wonders that we read about in
the Bible are no longer available. Those are lies from the pit of hell! God is as real, as concerned about
you and me and as ready to deliver us as any time in the history of man. The reason we don’t get our
deliverance is that we have been trained wrong. No one has taught us the conduit to God’s deliverance.
That conduit is our ability to believe.
John 16:23 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God (literally: Believe God.)
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou
cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
Believing is the KEY to power, to deliverance to seeing God work in this day and hour! There is a record
in Mark about Jesus endeavoring to teach and help people in his own home town.
Mark 6:1-6 (KJV)
1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing
him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this
which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and
Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among
his own kin, and in his own house.
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, andhealed them.
6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Do you see what it says? They were offended in him and he didn’t do mighty works because of
one thing, ONE THING, their unbelief! You can change your thinking around so that you
EXPECT God to heal you, that you expect God’s deliverance, that you look forward to seeing
God’s hand working in your life. All it takes is training.
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.
You by the freedom of your will have to turn away from things of this world and get enough of the word
of God in your mind so that you believe God and His promises to you.
In Mark there is a record of a man seeking deliverance for his son. I wish to take you through to this
record to show you the steps to the man and his son’s deliverance.
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.
He brought his son to the disciples for deliverance. You would think if anybody could help they
could, after all they were the Apostles, they were given power to cast out devils and heal the sick
by Jesus, himself. But they couldn’t. Now the man is looking to Jesus for deliverance.
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.
Most commentators say that Jesus was talking to the Apostles. He wasn’t. He was talking to the
MAN.
20 And they brought him (the boy) unto him (Jesus): and when he saw him, straightway the spirit
tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
Now, Jesus is going to get to the heart of the problem.
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.The man needed deliverance as much as the child! Help US. This is the same cry in the hearts of
men and women, today! Help us, Help me!
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.
I am reaching out to you right now! God will help you. All things are possible to those that
BELIEVE!
Everybody is responsible for their own deliverance. You are responsible to believe. The only
people that aren’t responsible are children, the insane and dead people.
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.
The Bible is not a book for everybody, it is a book for those who want to believe. It is impossible
to please God without believing (Hebrews 11:6.) and it is filled with story after story of those
who got their deliverance by one act. The act of believing.
God is ready, willing and able to deliver us. It is not up to God because His promises are yea and
amen. It is up to each individual to rise up to the privilege of believing and appropriating God’s
deliverance. What a privilege to put God first.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
The greatest day in human history IS the Day of Pentecost! It is the start of the Christian Church. The Day
of Pentecost ushered in a new type of people, people that are spirit filled men and women. Filled with
the spirit without condition. In the Old Testament prophets could so mess up that they would lose the
spirit, but, not so in the Christian Church because it is a new birth, born again of God’s spirit, God in
Christ in you!
Acts 2:1 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
The Day of Pentecost had been coming since the promise of God in Genesis 3:15.
Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise
thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Down through the ages God protected the Christ line so that he, Jesus Christ, could pay the full price and
redeem mankind. It is remarkable because the whole Old Testament was and is about Israel. You and I
wouldn’t have made it because we are outside the Israelitic pale. We were gentiles. Unbeknownst to the
Jewish Apostles on the Day of Pentecost they opened the way for us to enter in.
Romans 9:23-24 (KJV)
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore
prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Acts 2:2 (KJV)
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting.
It wasn’t a rushing wind it was a heavy breathing. In Acts17: 25 the word is translated “breath.”
In John 20:22 Jesus Christ gives the Apostles instruction on receiving the holy spirit.
John 20:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
The house is not the upper room as many declare. There were about three thousand souls that got
The house is the house of the Lord. saved that day. (vs. 41) You can’t get three thousand people in an
upper room of a house. No. Matt. 21:13, Mark:11:17, John 2:16-17, Acts 7:47-49.
Acts 2:3-4 (KJV)
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
In verse one who is “they?” The Apostles! In verse three who is “them?” The Apostles.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.
In verse four who is “they?” The Apostles!
In four verses the greatest event in human history is recorded!
Acts 2:5-7 (KJV)
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
The devout men were there because they were celebrating the Pentecost holiday.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these
which speak Galilaeans?
They marveled because the Galileans were thought of as unlearned and uneducated people.
People that could only speak one language.
Acts 2:8-11 (KJV)
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of
Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
God could have had the biggest fireworks display ever to declare the momentous occasion. He could
have had thunder and lightning, earthquakes, dancing bears anything to show forth the greatness of the
event. Instead, He had the Apostles speak-in-tongues the wonderful works of God.
RECEIVE THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART
I was studying God’s Word the other day and there was a verse that blessed me and the more I thought
about the more verses came to mind and more blessed (joyful) I became. So, I wanted to share some of
these verses with you.
The verse that caught my attention was Psalm 37:4.
Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
This is a promise of God!
If you do this, if you delight yourself in the Lord, God Almighty will give you the desires of your heart!
So, how do you delight in the Lord? By studying and doing what the Bible, the portion addressed to us
says to do.
The Temple had been destroyed. All that was left was rubble. But, out of the rubble came the scrolls of
the books of the Bible and the prophet Jeremiah got those scrolls and he devoured them. No, not with
his mouth and stomach, but, with his eyes and his brain. He studied them so much he could pretty near
quote them word for word.
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.
Every Israelite and every Christian is promised by God not only deliverance, but, abundance if they will
only delight themselves in the Lord.
Here are some verses that show you that God wants the best for you. Delight thyself in the Lord and
watch His promise come to pass.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Isaiah 58:13-14 (KJV)
13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call
the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine
own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places
of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath
spoken it.Psalm 37:3-6 (KJV)
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
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.
Malachi 3:10-11 (KJV)
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a
blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;
neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Leviticus 26:3-12 (KJV)
3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field
shall yield their fruit.
5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and
ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid
evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and
your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant
with you.
10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.
11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV)
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall
we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles 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.
John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:37 (KJV)
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
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.
ACTS CHAPTER TWO (Happy Birthday)
The book of Acts is the dividing line between the Old Testament and the New. It is the start and
growth of the Christian Church and in Acts chapter two is the record of the birth of body to
which all Christians belong. This year, we celebrate Pentecost on June 9th.
I thought I would just let you read the record of the Day of Pentecost and the first outpouring of
holy spirit.
Nest week I will go into some depth in the understanding of the first eleven verses.
But, first, enjoy reading this wonderful record.
Happy Birthday!
Acts 2:1-41 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the
house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these
which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of
Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of
Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and
your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and
they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, andvapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable
day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by
miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also
know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken,
and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that
he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on
my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in
hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see
corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
countenance.
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead
and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the
fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell,
neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my
Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,
whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest
of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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.
CHRIST IN YOU vs YOU IN CHRIST
Have you ever studied the Bible enough to marvel at it’s accuracy? God’s use of figures of speech, the
usages of the different names of God, God’s usage of words such as the usage of Jesus Christ versus
Christ Jesus. Tonight, I want to delve into the two terms “Christ in you” versus “you in Christ.”
These two terms use the same words, but, in a different order. They look similar, but, they mean two
totally different things.
“Christ in you” happens in a moment of time when you confess with your mouth Jesus as lord and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. It is the spirit of God in Christ in you.
Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Wrapped up in that spiritual birth is our legal position of children of God. It is our position in the family
of God. With that, also, comes righteousness, sanctification, justification, redemption and the ministry
of reconciliation. This is all God’s doing for and in you when you believe.
“You in Christ”, on the other hand, is what you do after you are born again of God’s spirit.
Galatians 4:19 (KJV)
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
When you are born again it is in an instant of time. Christ formed in you takes time. It is you working to
change your thoughts to the thoughts of Christ and aligning you actions and ways to the ways of Christ.
It is transformation by the renewing of your mind.
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.
It is letting the Word of God dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Romans chapter eight contains both “Christ in you” and “you in Christ” in it and I would like to show a
little of this to you.
Romans 8:1-39 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The walk is something we do. It a day by day, moment by moment decision to do what the Bible
says. This is “you in Christ.”2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit.
The righteousness is “Christ in you.” The walk is “you in Christ.”
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be.
Spiritual mindedness is “you in Christ.”
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Those that aren’t born-again.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if
any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up
Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Verses nine, ten and eleven are talking about the new birth, “Christ in you.”
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of
the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Verses twelve through fourteen are “you in Christ.”
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
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.
Verses fifteen through the first half of verse seventeen is “Christ in you.”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.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature (creation) waiteth for the manifestation of the sons
of God. (Christ in you)
20 For the creature (creation) was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him
who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature (creation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth
he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as
we ought: but the Spirit (our spirit) itself maketh intercession (to God) for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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.
“Them that love God” is “you in Christ.” “Them who are called” is “Christ in you.”
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also
justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also
freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the
slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ARE YOU LIMITING GOD?
I was reading Psalm 78 when I read a verse that arrested my attention;
Psalm 78:41 (KJV)
41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
They limited God! What does that mean? So, I started checking concordances to see if the translators
goofed. But, no, they didn’t. the word “limited” is rightly supplied. So, what exactly does that mean?
This teaching has as much significance now as when Psalms was first written. What Psalm 78 is talking
about is Israel not believing God.
Psalm 78:5-7 (KJV)
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our
fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should
arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
Israel was to know God and to teach their children so that their children and each subsequent
generation’s hope and believing was in God. Not the things of the world, not the bank, not the
government, but, God.
Psalm 78:8 (KJV)
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their
heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
But, Israel didn’t do that. They forgot to teach their children about God and not only that, but, of the
wonderous acts of God. And, because of that, the Children of Israel turned away from God.
Psalm 78:9-11 (KJV)
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
When you forget the wonders of God then you can’t believe for His deliverance. God became a
myth to them and unfortunately to us and our children today. How many people have their hope
in God? How many people believe God for miracles? They haven’t been taught!
Psalm 78:9-16 (KJV)
9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an
heap.
14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
God did all of this, but, Ephraim forgot God’s ability to deliver so when it came time to fight
they turned back because, in their mind, the situation was bigger than God.
Even the generation that saw God defeat Egypt and provide water out of a rock forgot God’s
ability and spoke against God. The situation, in their mind, was bigger than God.
Psalm 78:18-19 (KJV)
18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
That is a rhetorical question. It requires no answer. They had already set in their mind that God couldn’t
do it.
Psalm 78:22 (KJV)
22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Psalm 78:32 (KJV)
32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
Psalm 78:40-41 (KJV)
40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
They limited the God by their unbelief! God was able to deliver them. God was willing to deliver them,
but, God can only help a person, a city or a nation as far as they believe. This is the greatest law in the
universe! Without knowing of God’s great deliverance and believing for it in your life you will never see
God’s miracles, God’s wonderous works in your life because you have limited God.
God is real people. God can do mighty works and miracles in your life when you get a knowledge of
God’s ability and believe God will do the same for you as He did for them of old.
SAINTS AND SANCTIFICATION
When I was a child I was taught that “Saints” were the special few that were canonized by the
Roman Catholic Church and that it was reserved for them that died centuries ago. Since then, I
learned to read the Bible for myself and the Word “Saint” means something much different.
“Saints” are the ones who make Jesus Christ lord in their lives. Simply put, “Saints” are
Christians.
Romans 1:7 (KJV)
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God
our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29-31 (KJV)
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also
justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Christians are called. They are justified and they are glorified!
1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
As a Christian you were called and you answered that call. That makes you a Saint.
Ephesians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to
the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Colossians 1:2 (KJV)
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and
peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are the Saints of God and as Saints we are sanctified! Do you know what sanctification
means? It means “to be set apart.”
One of the first usage is in Exodus where God claims all of the first born of Israel as His. Israel is
to sanctify or set them apart. Even though they still abode among their brethren they were still
God’s.Exodus 13:1-2 (KJV)
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel,
both of man and of beast: it is mine.
In Exodus chapter thirteen a mountain is set apart.
Exodus 19:23 (KJV)
23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us,
saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
In the Gospel of John the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ were “set apart” by the word of truth.
John 17:17 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
In Ephesians God gives the example of washing in water as to bathing in the purity of God’s Word.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Hebrews 13:11-12 (KJV)
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are
burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
By the Blood of Jesus Christ we are sanctified once and for all. But what are we Sanctified or sat apart
for? We set apart as God’s inheritance. We are set apart for Heaven. We are set apart for glory. We are
set apart as sons of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:32 (KJV)
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up,
and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
1 John 3:1-3 (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.Romans 8:15-18 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
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 you go through the day remember that you are a Saint and even though you are in the World you
are set apart as God’s child and you are glorified and you will see the manifestation of that glory when
Christ returns.
Acts 26:14-18 (KJV)
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew
tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a
minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will
appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that
is in me.
1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV)
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:10 (KJV)
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.Hebrews 10:14 (KJV)
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Jude 1:1 (KJV)
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the
Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS
It was Bible reading time again and before Grandfather could start Sarah jumped in with a question.
“Grandfather I don’t understand three days and three nights. I know I am young, but, I just don’t
understand.”
“What don’t you understand, darling” Grandfather asked.
“Well Grandfather, I don’t understand three days and three nights. You read last night that Jesus would
be dead three days and three nights. But, as much as I try, I can’t get that with Jesus dying on Friday and
getting up early Sunday morning.”
With that Sarah started counting. She raised her two delicate hands.
“Friday” and she raised her right index finger.
“Friday night” and Sarah raised her left index finger.
“Saturday” and up went her right middle finger.
“Saturday night” and she raised her left middle finger.
“And how does Sunday count since Jesus got up early Sunday morning. You said that when the Bible
says three days and three nights it means a whole day and night or twenty-four hours. I don’t get it
Grandfather.”
With that Grandfather rubbed the grey stubble on his chin.
“You are a very smart young lady,” he said. “most Christians never get around to thinking that through
or they just dismiss it because they can’t explain it. But, there is an answer and it is pretty simple.”
I’m waiting Grandfather” Sarah said with an impish grin.
“All of the leadership in the Christian churches today are taught to recite church doctrine rather than
being trained to study the accuracy of God’s Word!”
Sarah cut in “ So, what is the answer Grandfather?”
“The answer, my dear sweet child is to know the difference between the weekly Sabbath or High
Day and a Special Sabbath or High Day and to know some of the customs of the times. So let’s start with
First Corinthians chapter five.”
With that Grandfather opened his dog-eared Bible to I Corinthians and read;
1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
7
… For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
“You see Sarah, in the Old Testament the Jewish people used a lamb that was no more than a
year old as their yearly sacrifice. But, when Jesus Christ died for you and me he became that
Passover lamb. This is important in understanding the three days and three nights that we are
talking about because the Passover lamb was always sacrificed on a specific day.”“Like Christmas always being on December 25th?” asked Sarah.
“Why exactly!” Exclaimed Grampa. “Now, we are going to go to Exodus chapter twelve and
verse one says, ‘ And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to
you.
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall
take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house
take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your
count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep,
or from the goats:
6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of
the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.”
“Grandfather, I’m not sure I understand all of that.”
“That’s ok Sarah,” said Grandfather, ‘just remember that the fourteenth was the day of the death
of the Passover lamb and the fifteenth was a special sabbath a special holy day or as we now call
them a special holiday.”
“Now you mentioned Christmas being on the twenty fifth of December does it matter what day it
falls on?”
“I don’t understand,” said Sarah.
“Okay, would we postpone Christmas if it came on Sunday so we could observe Sunday?” asked
Grandfather.
“Oh, don’t be silly, Grandfather, you know we wouldn’t do that. Christmas is much too
important,” said Sarah.
“One other question, Sarah, before we go on.”
“What Grandfather?” asked Sarah.
“Do we consider both Christmas and Sunday holy days?”
“Yes, Grandfather, of course we do.” Exclaimed Sarah.
“Very good darling.” said Grandfather with a tone in his voice that only love could produce. “So,
the fourteenth was a preparation day and the fifteenth was the holy day.” (Lev. 23:6,7)
“Now, darling, we have to know when the day started in those times.” said Grandfather.“ I know this one,” exclaimed Sarah, “it starts at midnight, right Grandfather?”
“That’s when our days start, but, that wasn’t the case back then. Back then the day started at
sunset rather than in the middle of the night.” explained Grandfather.
Grandfather continued, “ Jesus Christ died at three o’clock and was buried before sunset because
the Jews couldn’t do any work on the holy day which was the next day, the fifteenth.”
“Are you still with me, kiddo.” asked Grandfather.
“ I think so,” replied Sarah.
“I’m going to read Matthew twenty-eight and then we are going to do some counting.”
With that Grandfather’s withered hands deftly turned to the book of Matthew.
“In verse one it says, ‘In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the
week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.’”
“Do you remember how their days correspond to our days,” asked Grandfather.
“I think so,” said Sarah, “ isn’t their sabbath the same as our Saturday and the first day of their
week would fall on our Sunday?”
Sarah sat there beaming at Grandfather.
“Very good, young lady,” exclaimed Grandfather. “So, now, let’s read Matthew chapter twentyeight verses one through six. 1 ‘ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day
of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven,
and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.’”
“Does it say he arose that morning?” asked Grandfather.
“No grandfather it doesn’t,” Sarah said with puzzlement.
“Good!” exclaimed Grandfather. “Now that we have all of the pieces let’s put it together. We
know from the Bible that Jesus Christ was buried for three days and three nights, right?”
“Right.” said Sarah.Grandfather continued “and we know that Jesus Christ was buried before sunset and that he
arose before Mary Magdalene and the other Mary got there early Sunday morning, right?”
“Right Grandfather!”
“Jesus Christ had to have gotten up shortly after the seventy-two hour period. Maybe a minute or
two after. So, it would have been at the close of the day on what we call Saturday, that Christ got
up. By the way, do you know why Jesus Christ was in the grave seventy-two hours or three days
and three nights.”
“No, Grandfather, why?” asked Sarah.
Grandfather fixed his eyes on Sarah and said, “Because, it was a requirement of the law to be
buried three days and three nights to be legally declared dead and Jesus Christ fulfilled the law
even to that extreme.”
“Okay Sarah,” said Grandfather, let’s count backwards. Jesus Christ arose Saturday evening, so,
Saturday day, Friday night, Friday day, Thursday night”
With each day and night Grandfather called out Sarah raised another finger.
“Thursday day, Wednesday night.”
“Stop Grandfather! That’s three days and three nights! So, Jesus Christ died on Wednesday
afternoon!” exclaimed Sarah.
“Good for you, Sarah! He did die on Wednesday and got up late Saturday afternoon.”
“With that Sarah snuggled into Grandfather’s chest and said, “thank you Grandfather for
teaching me so much. I love you Grandfather.”
“I love you, too,” said Grandfather, “I surely do.”
THE ART OF PUTTING GOD FIRST
I want to talk to you about something that has been on my mind and in my heart for a while and that is
keeping God first.
As Christians we were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of
God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Yet, most Christians go through their day never thinking about God at all. All the wonderful things that
God has done for them are either never taught to them or they have forgotten them or they do not
believed the truth of the Epistles. But, where it says that you, Mr. or Ms. Christian, are a child of God is
not a figure of speech, but, is the truth and as such to enjoy the richness and fulness of your relationship
with God and to see signs, miracles and wonders come to pass you need to learn to put God first.
What does “put God first” mean? It means just that! Jesus Christ did.
Mark 1:35 (KJV)
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place,
and there prayed.
We too should pray first thing in the morning and spend some time reading the Bible. I was taught that
if you don’t have time in the morning to pray and read the Bible, fifteen minutes each, you don’t have
time to live. I will tell that you that praying and reading the Bible helps you get the right mind set for the
rest of the day.
TAKE TIME TO PRAY
I got up early in the morning
And rushed right into the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn’t take time to pray
Problems just tumbled around me
And heavier came each task.
I whined “why doesn’t God help me?”
He said, “you didn’t ask.”
I groaned and shouted and grumbled,
I tried each key in the lock.
I cried “Why doesn’t He open?”
He said, “Son, you didn’t knock.”
So, I got up early this morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
I had to take time to pray.
Author UnknownMatthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.
Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
You see, putting God first is learning to walk with God. It is learning to give God the position that He
deserves. There were two brothers that had had that decision in their own lives and each took a
different path.
Genesis 4:1-5 (KJV)
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man
from the LORD.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of
the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering
unto the LORD.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had
respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his
countenance fell.
Abel put God first. All the Great men and women of the Bible put God first. In the Mosaic Law
it was commanded that all give at least one tenth of their wages, profit etc. to God before they
used the other ninety percent.
Malachi 3:7-12 (KJV)
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept
them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein
shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In
tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me
now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your
ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of
hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of
hosts.
Putting God first is as much of a discipline as it is an art. It is a commitment not to be swayed by
the World, but, to be tethered to the goal of putting God first.Do you thank God for your food before you take a bite? if you have an issue with your boss or
your spouse do you pray to God for a simple resolution before you meet with that person? Do
you pray to God for the right answer and the right direction in life’s difficult decisions? What
about the simple things in life? “What route do I take to work?” it could be that there is a traffic
jam along your usual route. God wants to be the God of every aspect of your life. That is why he
chose you from before the foundations of the World.
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.
You know, you are going to spend the rest of eternity with God. Why not get a jump start on the
competition and build your relationship by putting God first now?
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