HEBREWS CHAPTER ELEVEN (part seven)
As we continue our study of Hebrews chapter eleven, we are going to look at the record of the
destruction of Jericho.
Hebrews 11:30 (KJV)
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
At this point in history Moses had died and Joshua, Moses understudy, was leading Israel. Joshua was a
good man and appointed to lead Israel by God. Joshua loved Moses and when Moses died all Israel
including Joshua mourned for forty days. It is funny because nowadays somebody dies and they are
buried and we are back to our daily routines within a week. Not so back then. As a matter of fact the
Children of Israel would have still be grieving if God hadn’t talked to Joshua in Joshua chapter one.
Joshua 1:1-9 (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.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and
night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou
dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
When God said “Moses my servant is dead” He was using the hardest radicals in the Hebrew
language. It would better read “Moses my servant is DEAD.” Moses is dead and there is nothing
you can do about it, Joshua! So, now it is time to get up and get moving again.
God instructs Joshua to “be strong and of a good courage,” three times and in three verses to be
courageous in keeping and doing the Word of the Lord. God, also tells Joshua three times that
He (God) is with Joshua and will not leave him. In the Bible if God tells a person something
once it could change, but, if God tells a person twice it is established and God will not change
His Mind. Here God tells Joshua three times. Wow! What compassion God has for Joshua.
So, with that, Joshua starts the Children of Israel on they way once again.Joshua 6:1-16 (KJV)
1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none
came in.
2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king
thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt
thou do six days.
4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day
ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye
hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the
city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the
covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.
7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on
before the ark of the LORD.
8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing
the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and
the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came
after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with
your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then
shall ye shout.
People read this record and don’t see the absolute discipline and commitment that Israel had.
Over a million people not uttering a word out of their mouths for seven days. I know some
people might be able to do that today, but, over one million at one time?? I know at least two
women that can’t keep their mouths shut for an hour! And I don’t know anywhere close to a
million people.
11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp,
and lodged in the camp.
12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on
continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward
came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six
days.
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.
Those people in Jericho must have thought the Children of Israel were nuts. Go walk around the
city once and go home. Do it again the next day. For six days! The seventh day they got a big
surprise, though.
You know, when you start walking with God, He will tell you some of the strangest things to do.
But, when you do them you will see God’s deliverance.
Joshua 6:20 (KJV)
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people
heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat,
so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
It took believing not only on the part of Joshua, but all of Israel had to believe to bring to pass the
destruction of Jericho. Now we no longer have to fight for a piece of ground because Christians have a
home in Heaven. But, our warfare is not carnal but spiritual and our God, just like with Joshua is with us
withersoever we go. All we have to do is believe God’s promises and watch them come to pass.
WHAT CHRIST IS TO US AND FOR US
Most everybody, especially Christians know that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the World, that he rose
from the dead and ascended into Heaven. But, most do not know what he is for us NOW. So, I thought I
would give you a list of what he is to us and for us NOW. This is not an exhaustive list.
To start, I want to talk about three words that seem to mean the same thing, but, in reality, they mean
different things. Jesus Christ is our intercessor, our mediator and our advocate.
An intercessor is one who intercedes on the behalf of another. A mediator endeavors to reconcile two
parties together and an advocate is a defense attorney. Now I had a hard time understanding this and
keeping these separate. I figure that you might have the same problem that I had so I want to give you
examples to help you understand.
When I was four years old my Mom told me to go wake my Dad up for dinner. It was on Sunday and he
was taking a nap. So, I went in and tried to wake him up, but, couldn’t. So, I climbed up on the bed
straddled his head and punched him in the nose. Needless to say, he came straight up out of the bed. I
don’t know how I did it, but, I made it to the kitchen and behind my Mom before he caught me. My
Mom, bless her heart, interceded and stopped my Dad from beating my butt or whatever else he had
planned. She had the authority and position to be able to intercede on my behalf. I could have run to
my sisters, but, they did not hold the same position and authority as my Mom. Nor would they have the
ability to slow my Dad down.
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished in his death, resurrection and ascension he has the authority
and position to intercede for us to God.
A mediator is an impartial third party that endeavors to reconcile two other people together. One of the
first steps in a law suit here in Colorado is usually through a mediator. The mediator endeavors to get
both sides to move to the center of their differences and come to a mutual agreement. If one or both of
the parties do not or will not agree to a settlement then the case will continue on to trial. This is a little
different than what happens with God and Christ Jesus.
God is always willing to be reconciled with us. He has made it clear in His Word that He has opened the
way for all who want reconciliation and Jesus Christ is always there to mediate for us and reconcile us
unto God.
An advocate is a defense attorney solely working on your/our behalf. The Greek word is parakletes.
When the word is used in the context of Jesus Christ dealing with us it is translated comfort or
comforter. However, when he is working for us he is our defense attorney.INTERCESSOR
Romans 8:34 (KJV)
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.
Hebrews 7:22-25 (KJV)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever
liveth to make intercession for them.
MEDIATOR
1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
ADVOCATE
1 John 2:1 (KJV)
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Jesus Christ is our Passover. When Moses and the Children of Israel were about to leave Egypt
God told Moses to take a lamb of the first year, one without spot or blemish, kill it, roast it and
eat it and use the blood to protect them from the angel of death. The flesh of the lamb was for the
healing of the people so that there was not one sick or infirmed person among all their tribes.
That was a shadow of the reality of what Jesus Christ would accomplish in his own body. Jesus
Christ was beaten beyond recognition as a man so that we could have healing. I Peter 2:24..
His blood was for the remission of sins. We passed from death unto life because of his death on
the cross.
OUR PASSOVER (Lamb)
1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even
Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:Exodus 12:1-11 (KJV)
1 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.
7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post
of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter
herbs they shall eat it.
9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and
with the purtenance thereof.
10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the
morning ye shall burn with fire.
11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your
hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.
Now we have a remembrance service called “holy communion.” This service is to commemorate
Jesus Christ’s accomplishment in his body and his blood.
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (KJV)
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the
same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is
broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.Once a year the high priest of Israel would go into the holiest of holies, the inner sanctuary to offer
atonement to God for the Children of Israel. Jesus Christ took over that position through his death and
resurrection. Because Jesus Christ is our high priest we can go boldly to the thrown of grace to find help
in the time of need.
HIGH PRIEST
Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High
Priest of our profession (confession,) Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let
us hold fast our profession (confession.)
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
He is our
LORD
Romans 10:8-11 (KJV)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith,
which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
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.And he is our Saviour changing our future from eternal death to eternal life and glory.
SAVIOUR
2 Timothy 1:10 (KJV)
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and
hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
HEBREWS CHAPTER ELEVEN part six
In our continued study of Hebrews chapter eleven we will look at verses twenty-three through twentynine. Remember, Hebrews chapter eleven deals with the roll call of honor. Those believers who stood
out for their stand with and for God. In verses twenty-three through twenty-nine God talks about
Moses.
Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a
proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
The Pharaoh’s commandment was to kill all of the male children born of Hebrew women (Exo. 1:22). To
disobey Pharaoh’s commandment was a death sentence if you were caught.
The word “proper” in verse twenty-three is much more than what we think of as proper today. Proper
here means “godly” child. They saw beyond the baby to what he could be.
The saving of the child Moses could only be done with God’s intervention. Let me just explain that
Hebrews is the roll call of honor and verse twenty-three isn’t talking about Moses and what he did, but,
what his parents and sister did. So, this was so monumental that they are in the roll call of honor!
Exodus 2:1-10 (KJV)
1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child,
she hid him three months.
3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it
with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s
brink.
4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked
along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had
compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew
women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.
9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will
give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son.
And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Hebrews 11:24-26 (KJV)
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto
the recompence of the reward.
Moses had it good. He was raised in the house of Pharaoh as the grandson of Pharaoh. He had the best
education that was available in that day. He was schooled in everything from literature to combat. He
had the finest clothes, the best food and the finest place to live. He had his choice of women. He could
have lived a life of parties and opulence. But, who nursed him and taught him when he was an infant
and young child? His real mother. She must have instilled a burning desire within the heart of Moses to
walk with and for God.
Jesus Christ was born thousands of years after Moses. So, what does it mean “esteeming the reproach
of Christ?” The theme of, the one all invasive subject of the Bible is Jesus Christ. All of the believers of
the Old Testament looked forward to the coming of Christ the redeemer of the World. Abraham looked
forward to the coming of Christ. Noah looked forward to Christ’s coming. They all looked forward to it
and what it would do for mankind. It had been foretold in Genesis chapter three. So, Moses made a free
will decision. One that each and everyone of us has to make. You choose one way or the other. There is
no option to not choose. By not choosing you make your choice. Do you store up for yourself treasures
in Heaven, or in Moses’ case, in paradise, or do you “get yours” here on Earth? Moses chose to be
rewarded throughout all of eternity for his stand.
Also, notice in verse twenty-five that it doesn’t say Moses chose to suffer reproach with the Hebrews or
with the children of Abraham. Nope! It says he chose to suffer with THE PEOPLE OF GOD. God’s chosen!
And when people persecute God’s people they are building up damnation for themselves for all eternity.
And, if you don’t believe me just read II Thessalonians chapter one sometime.
Hebrews 11:27 (KJV)
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is
invisible.
We have something that Moses couldn’t have. We have Christ in us. It was not available until the Day of
Pentecost. Yet, look at the stand of Moses and what he accomplished!
Hebrews 11:28 (KJV)
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn
should touch them.
Moses believed God. He believed what God told him and he did exactly what God told him and all of
Israel to do. By doing this Moses saved the first born of all who put blood on the door post and lintel of
their house.Exodus 12:21-28 (KJV)
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb
according to your families, and kill the passover.
22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel
and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his
house until the morning.
23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel,
and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in
unto your houses to smite you.
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he
hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children
of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the
head and worshipped.
28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did
they.
Notice it says that he kept the Passover. The first part of the Passover was the blood on the lintel and
door posts. The other part of the Passover was the dinner. The eating of the Passover lamb and
unleavened bread was for their healing and health so that not one person was sick or infirmed among all
of the tribes of Israel, over one million people.
Psalm 105:37 (KJV)
37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their
tribes.
Exodus 12:1-11 (KJV)
1 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.
7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post
of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter
herbs they shall eat it.
9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and
with the purtenance thereof.
10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the
morning ye shall burn with fire.
11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your
hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.
Hebrews 11:29 (KJV)
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were
drowned.
In verse twenty-three it is Moses’ family that believed. In verses twenty-four through twenty-eight it is
Moses who believed. But, in verse twenty-nine it was all of Israel that believed!
Exodus 14:13-31 (KJV)
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,
which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them
again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of
Israel, that they go forward:
16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children
of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will
get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon
Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them;
and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and
darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all
the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a
strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters
were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s
horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the
Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let
us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may comeagain upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the
morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in
the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of
Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a
wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the
Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people
feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Colossians Chapter Three (a lesson in living)
I was reading Colossians this weekend and chapter three so blessed my life that I wanted to share
some of it with you.
Colossians 3:1-25 (KJV)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God.
The word “if” should be translated “since.” Since ye are risen with Christ. You have been risen
with Christ haven’t you? If you have done Romans 10:9,10 you are. You are God’s property and
His child.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
In verse one it says “seek” in verse two it says “set your affection on things above.” We are not
to set our affections on a new car, boat, clothes or anything else here on Earth. We are to think
about the heavenly spiritual things.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
According to the Bible when we confess Jesus as lord and believe in our hearts that God raised
him from the dead we take on the characteristics of Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and
ascension. That makes us Christ men and women. Why should we look at the things on Earth
when we have so much in heaven now and throughout all eternity.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
This is our hope! More fully expounded in I Corinthians fifteen and I Thessalonians chapter four.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
We are to let all of those negative things die out of our lives!
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of
your mouth.
People, good Christians, take these verses as optional, but they aren’t. They are mandatory to be
able to walk the Christ walk here on Earth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;The “old man” is what you were before you were born again of God’s spirit. it is the person that
lusted after the things of this world. It is the person that didn’t know God or Jesus Christ nor
cared to know. It is that nature that we have to put off.
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that
created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian,
bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
There are two parts to walking the Christ walk. The first part is Christ in you the hope of glory.
That’s the new birth. The second part is you in Christ which is works. It is studying to show
yourself approved unto God. It is putting on the lord Jesus Christ in your mind and allowing the
Word of God to be your master.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity (the love of God), which is the bond of perfectness.
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.
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.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God and the Father by him.
Look at the contrast of what we are to let go of and get rid of in our lives and what we are to put
on. Let go of ; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence (lust),
covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth
compared to Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, Forbearing one another, forgiving one
another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye put on
the love of God, which is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
and be ye thankful.
What a contrast and what an opportunity we have to walk in the glory and light of God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 6:1 (KJV)
1 We then, as workers together with him (God), beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of
God in vain.
THE FAMILY OF GOD
I am writing this article for all of you who’s heart longs for a family. I am, also writing this article for
those who are born again so you know how to act in the body of believers.
Nobody could pick the family they were born into, but, you did choose the family you were born again
into! You chose to be a member of the family of God.
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.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (KJV)
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might
by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
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.
Just to be in a family is not enough. It is to have people who love you, who are concerned with your
wellbeing. It is having someone to talk to. It is having people to share with and enjoy life with.
As a member of the Household of God we have certain responsibilities just like when I was a child I had
rules to run by. Things like “ don’t hit your sister,” “play nice,” “be home for dinner.” The responsibilities
that we have as members of the family of God make for the sweetest fellowship this side of heaven. Let
me share some of these responsibilities.
Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV)
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.
1 John 3:16-18 (KJV)
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren.17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of
compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Are you starting to get an idea of the walk of a Christian in the body of believers? It is a walk of love. It is
a walk of tenderness. It is a walk free of selfishness.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (KJV)
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful,
be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 1:22 (KJV)
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the
brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
If only the Christians would do what God commands us! When you happen upon a fellowship that is
really operating these principles it will feel like cool water on a hot day. It will bless you right down to
your socks because the love of God is manifest in that group.
James 4:11 (KJV)
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (KJV)
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 (KJV)
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord,
and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the
weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among
yourselves, and to all men.
Galatians 6:1 (KJV)
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.1 Corinthians 8:7-13 (KJV)
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto
this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat
not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are
weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the
conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against
Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest
I make my brother to offend.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the
same mind and in the same judgment.
When you are born of God’s spirit you ARE a member of the family of God! Jesus Christ is our
brother! The only way that we can see the greatness of that family while we are here on Earth is
to, by our own free will, start acting the part. Love, exhort, give expecting nothing in return.
When you do this it WILL be contagious and soon your whole congregation will be enjoying the
sweetest fellowship this side of Heaven.
BUILDING BELIEVING
Mark chapter eleven holds the greatest law, next to Mark 12:30. in the Bible. It is the law of believing.
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV)
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in 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.
It is, as I said the greatest law in the Bible, but, this ability is far beyond most people. The reason that it
is beyond most peoples’ ability is that this ability takes time to develop and it takes work. So, now that
you know that you can either stop reading and go back to the television or you can read on and find out
HOW you can get the desires of your heart according to God’s Word.
You see, there are two steps that you have to climb before you get to the lofty plateau of believing. The
steps are confidence and trust. I have written down the definition for each, below. These are according
to Webster’s Dictionary of 1828.
Confidence – an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability or veracity of another.
Trust – to rely on.
Believe – To have a firm persuasion of anything. In some cases to have full persuasion, approaching to
certainty.
Since we are talking about believing God then it is axiomatic that our confidence and trust, also, have to
be in God. So, how do we start building confidence. Let me ask you something. How do you get to place
of having confidence in anything or anyone? You get to know them. What if were a train company and
you never rode a train, but, now you moved to where you have to take the train. The first day you ride
the train you are there early because you are uncertain of what time the train arrives or what time it
departs. However, after two months you know the conductors name, that the train runs by a clock that
is five minutes slower than yours, so, you can sleep in later and you know they have great coffee for sale
on the train. You are no longer concerned about missing the train. Why? Because you have built
confidence in knowing the train company’s track record for being on time.
What about people? To get to know someone what do you do? You talk to them you spend time with
them. You find out after a few times of making appointments that they keep their word and show up on
time. So, that builds confidence.
Building your confidence in God is the same thing. You have to spend time with God and that comes in
two forms. The first is not just reading, but, studying God’s Word. The Bible, even King James, is not the
original God breathed Word. It takes studying to understand God’s Word. It takes time to start getting
an appreciation of God’s Word. That it is accurate and has integrity, stability and veracity.The other part of this is prayer. Talk to God. As a matter of fact God tells us to lay all of our cares and
concerns on Him.
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Once you have an accurate knowledge of God and know for a certainty that He is a loving God, a God of
grace, mercy and peace, once you know some of the things that you can pray for and, in fact, see your
prayers answered then you not only have confidence. You start having trust.
Trust is deeper than confidence. How many people are you comfortable leaving in your car for ten
minutes, alone? How many people are you comfortable leaving alone in your car for ten minutes with
your bank bag with a thousand dollars in cash on the console? How many people are you comfortable
leaving in your house, by themselves, for four hours? I bet the list got shorter each time because it takes
time and it takes being with those people and getting to know them to build confidence and then trust.
God is the same way. You have to build you relationship with Him. And, the only way to do that is by
study and by prayer.
Psalm 12:6 (KJV)
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 138:2 (KJV)
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for
thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
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.
When you get past the point of having confidence in God and you start trusting God and seeing that He
backs up His Word then it is only a matter of time and continuance in God’s Word and prayer until you
start to believe, being fully persuaded, that what God promised He will perform.
THE ORIGINAL SIN
I want to teach you some things regarding the original sin. But, to do so, I have to give you some
background so that you can get a fuller understanding. We will begin in Genesis chapter one and we are
looking for who had dominion or rulership over God’s creation.
Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV)
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the
earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
There is one thing that I want to point out and that is the word “replenish.” To replenish means
that there was plenty to begin with and then everything was lost, destroyed or used up. In this
case it was destroyed. There was a war in heaven when the Devil (Lucifer) tried to take God’s
place as God. Michael and his angels defeated Lucifer and threw him out of Heaven. During the
war the Earth was destroyed. Thus, Genesis was the rebuilding of the Earth. Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah
14: 12,13, Rev. 12:7-9.
Now the point of showing you these verses is to show you that Adam had the dominion over
everything.
Genesis 2:19 (KJV)
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and
brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living
creature, that was the name thereof.
Since Adam had dominion over all of the animals, birds and fish it was his right to name them.
Luke 4:1-7 (KJV)
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the
wilderness,
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they
were ended, he afterward hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made
bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word of God.
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the
world in a moment of time.6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is
delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
So, here we see the Devil tempting Jesus and in tempting Jesus he said that he had the
dominion/rulership of all of the kingdoms and that includes everything that God gave Adam.
How he got that dominion is the subject of this article.
Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV)
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou
eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Adam and Eve could do anything that they wanted EXCEPT that one thing. Don’t eat the fruit of the tree
of knowledge of good and evil! If you read the verse eighteen you will see Eve wasn’t around when God
told Adam not to eat that fruit.
Genesis 3:1-24 (KJV)
1 Now the serpent (the Devil) was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God
had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the
garden?
The Devil knew exactly what God told Adam, but, he had a plan and the Devil is insidious. The
conversation that God put in a few verses took time to develop.
THE NEXT TWO VERSES ARE THE EXAMPLE OF MAN’S PROBLEM EVER SINCE.
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Is that what God said? No it is not! Eve left out the word “freely.” Why is that significant? You
will find out in a minute.
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of
it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Is that what God said? No! Eve, by now has deleted a word, added a word and changed a word.
Does she still have the God spoken word? Nope! When you change one word in the Word do
you have the Word of God? NO you don’t. I know what you are thinking,” well there are
translations and we don’t have the original God Breathed Word. Let me remind you, God is still
God and He protects his Word and not only that He has given us guide post by which to study
His Word. Beside that approx. 90% of God’s Word can be understood without study or
explanation. Examples are John 3:16, Genesis 1:1.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall
be as gods, knowing good and evil.Without the Word Eve had no way of defending herself against the onslaught of the Devil. Let
me remind you of the temptations of Luke chapter four. What did Jesus use to defend himself?
Three words “it is written.”
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Eve was deceived, Adam wasn’t. He just did what Eve
asked him to do.
Do you know what sin is? It is broken fellowship! Not doing what God says to do. Jesus Christ
lived a perfect life. He always did the will of God and in so doing never got out of fellowship. He
never sinned.
When Adam ate the fruit of the tree of good and evil he committed the original sin. In today’s
terms it would be high treason. When he ate of the fruit he transferred his authority and dominion
over to the Devil.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed
fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and
Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the
garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid
myself.
11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I
commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I
did eat.
13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman
said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above
all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat
all the days of thy life:
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.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou
shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast
eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the
ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast
thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and
now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from
whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a
flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
THAT YOU MAY BE WISE
There is a reason I teach fellowship and put these articles out every week and it is not to make money!
The reason I teach and write is so people get an understanding of God, Jesus Christ and the Bible. But, it
is more than that. I teach and write so that it will inspire YOU to study the Bible for yourself, for you to
make it your own. For you to be so knowledgeable of the Bible that no one can lead you astray from
God’s Word.
I had two conversations that brought this to the forefront of my mind and thinking. The first was when I
was witnessing to a man that, rather than look at the Truth of God’s Word, looked at the negative things
that people have done in the name of Christianity. The other was when I was talking to a friend that was
going through a hard time and yet her denominational church was requiring her to pay them so that she
could keep going to their church. I call it payment because to call it tithing would be an insult to God. I
will get to the why of that in a couple of minutes.
Both of these conversations had the same problem at the core. No one knew what the Bible says. That
left my friend and the person I witnessed to in the dark and since others said “this is what the Bible
says” the folks that I talked to were left defenseless.
If my friend had only known II Corinthians 9:6-8 she would have been saved from a lot of heartache and
doubt.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
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:
You see, we are no longer under the Law (Levitical Law) it is by grace that we are saved not of works lest
any man should boast. (Eph. 2:9) tithing was a part of the Levitical Law. Now we tithe by freewill. When
we see the greatness of what God will do for us and we are thankful for what he has done for us we give
so that others have a chance to have what God has given us.
Malachi 3:10-12 (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.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
As I told my friend “any time someone says you have to do something you should take a step back
because God says the only thing we need to do, once we are born again of God’s spirit (Romans
10:9,10), is to love God and love your neighbor.God wants the Christian to know the Bible for themselves. Not what people say, not what the clergy say,
but, what does the Bible say.
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.
God put gift ministries in the Church so that we don’t get deceived.
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 people in the World that want to deceive us. They want us to follow them rather than God
and they will use enticing words and philosophical logic to deceive us. We won’t allow it if we know the
Bible and by “know it” I mean an intimate knowledge of the Bible. Where you can say “thus saith the
Lord!”
Let me ask you, do you know how many books are in the Bible? Can you recite the books of the Bible?
What books are written to you? What books are written for your learning but not written to you? Do
you know what the mystery is? Do you know what our hope is? Do you have a clear understanding of
what happens when someone dies? Do you know that the thread that ties every book of the Bible
together is Christ? Do you know the spiritual power that is in you and how to operate it? Do you know
how Satan works and his devices? God wants us smart or wise regarding all of these things.
Romans 11:25 (KJV)
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your
own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were
under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them: and that Rock was Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV)
1 Now concerning spiritual matters, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Ephesians 5:6 (KJV)
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience.
Again, the point of this article is to get you to make a decision to study the Bible and make it your own
so that you are not deceived or blown about by every wind of doctrine, but are strong and capable in
handling God’s Word. I have given you enough understanding through these articles to give you a
foundation in studying God’s Word and for those of you that are new to the group you can go to
www.truthandtheamericanway.com and have access to all of my articles. If you can’t find the answers
there write me or talk to me and I will help you.
Paul, in writing to Timothy, says that the holy scriptures are able to make thee wise and that they are
profitable for doctrine, reproof and correction for instruction in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:13-17 (KJV)
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom
thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
In the days of Jeremiah the Temple of God had been destroyed. Most of the scrolls of the Bible had been
lost. But, one day someone found the scrolls under the debris and Jeremiah said:
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.
He didn’t literally eat the scrolls, but, he read them and studied them until they became the joy and
rejoicing of his heart. That is what I want for you. I want you to so know the Bible that it is the joy and
rejoicing of your heart. When that occurs you will no longer be swayed about with every wind of
doctrine. You will no longer be deceived. But you will be free as a bird to walk in the power and glory of
God in Christ in in you.
John 8:36 (KJV)
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.Ephesians 4:8 (KJV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Galatians 5:1 (KJV)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled
again with the yoke of bondage.
TAKE TIME TO PRAY
TAKE TIME TO PRAY
I got up in the morning
And rushed right into the day.
I had so much to accomplish
I didn’t have 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 every key in the lock.
I cried “Why doesn’t He open?”
He said, “Son you didn’t knock.”
So, I got up early in the morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
I had to take time to pray.
Author unknown
In our mad rush that we call life and living we rarely have time in the day to do what we truly want to
do. We think that we will achieve success in life by straining and striving and working harder and longer,
at least that was what I was taught when I was growing up. But, when I became a Christian and started
understanding that with God I would be much more successful than trying to achieve my goals by myself
I started changing my ways and making room for God in my life. The funny thing was, the more I prayed
and put God first the more successful I became.
Psychologists and even leadership in the Denominational Churches say that it doesn’t matter who or
what you pray for as long as you pray. They say that it is good to get it off your chest and they say that
we shouldn’t expect an answer. I am here to tell you that this just is not true! It does matter who you
pray to AND you should expect answers to prayer!
There is a record in the Old Testament that corroborates the fact that it does matter who you pray to.
Elijah was a prophet of God. He had been hiding for three years from the King of Israel because the King
was an evil King, was worshipping idols and caused the people of Israel to worship them as well. God
told Elijah to go to the King of Israel and, finally after three years of hiding, get the matter straightened
out. Elijah goes to the King and has to confront the four hundred and fifty prophets of the idol Baal. One
man against four hundred and fifty! Both sides are going to pray to their gods. Elijah to the One True
God and the four hundred and fifty to Baal. According to the psychologists and others it shouldn’t
matter who these men prayed to the result should be the same…nothing. However, for these men this
was a matter of life and death. At the end of that day someone would lose their life and it all depended
on their God hearing their prayer.1 Kings 18:17-40 (KJV)
17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that
troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have
forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal
four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount
Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the
LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a
word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s
prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and
cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and
lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God
that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it
first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name
of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any
that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god;
either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and
must be awaked.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the
blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering
of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto
him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.
31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto
whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about
the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and
said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the
third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet
came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that
thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thyword.
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that
thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the
stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the
God; the LORD, he is the God.
40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they
took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
As a Christian it is imperative that God hears our prayers and not only hears, but answers our prayers.
Thankfully He promised to do just that.
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Matthew 21:22 (KJV)
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Psalm 37:5 (KJV)
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
One of the facets of committing your way to God is praying to Him.
There are hundreds of references in the Bible of men and women who prayed to God and how He heard
them. I have just picked a few.
Psalm 28:6-7 (KJV)
6 Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my (King David) supplications.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore
my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psalm 66:19-20 (KJV)
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Acts 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the
Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the
people, and prayed to God alway.3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him,
and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him,
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
2 Timothy 1:3 (KJV)
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have
remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Philemon 1:4 (KJV)
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
God is always with you and He always hears your prayers.
Proverbs 15:29 (KJV)
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God.
1 Peter 3:12a (KJV)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.
As you make time for God in your life and pray to Him you will find out that there is a God in Heaven
that He does hear you and that He will deliver you from your adversities and give you the desires of your
heart.
GOD’S VIEW OF WITCHCRAFT
I have always endeavored to keep my teachings in a positive light and not point out the negatives of the
World that surround us. We get so many negatives in a day that I, surely don’t need to add to it.
However, there are some things that are negative that we must talk about because the leadership in the
denominational churches and, actually, in every aspect of our society, promotes teachings and doctrine
that are absolutely contrary to God, His Word and everything that Jesus Christ stood for and stands for.
Tonight that subject is witchcraft.
My sister believes that she knows the Bible and, yet, she believes that Harry Potter is right on with God’s
Word, the Bible. She couldn’t be more wrong! I have tried to tell her what the Bible says, but, she won’t
listen. So, I wanted to put this before you so that you can choose. You can make the decision between
the things that are being propounded in all the World regarding witchcraft, wizards, enchanters, the
occult and the like or God, Jesus Christ and the Word of God.
Before we begin our search in God’s Word I want to remind you that we live in a different
administration. We are no longer under the Levitical Law. Therefore, we no longer stone people or kill
people for practicing witchcraft etc., but, we are to learn what God thinks of these practices and the
people that do them.
Exodus 22:18 (KJV)
18 Thou shalt not suffer (allow) a witch to live.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (KJV)
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the
fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations
the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
There were two practices regarding fire that were and still are an abomination to God. The first was
sacrificing children to Molech, a pagan god. there was a large idol of Molech built, I believe it was in the
plain of Mamry. It had a head like a dog and a body of a human. The mouth was open and the body
hollow. They would start a fire in the base of the idol and carry their children up to the mouth and throw
them in. The other was where they would make a bed of coals and have their children walk across the
coals barefoot. The practice is still done today and it is an abomination to God. The reason that it is an
abomination to God is that the person is not using the power of God, but, the power from the devil spirit
world. Herein lies another principle. God will protect those who believe, look at Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego in Daniel chapter three. God saved them from death in the fiery furnace because they stood
for God and believed His Word. That is entirely different than tempting God.
Matthew 4:5-7 (KJV)
5 Then the devil taketh him (Jesus) up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his
angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thyfoot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
When you do things that you don’t have to do and then expect God to deliver you you are tempting
God. This includes throwing yourself off a pinnacle, fire walking and handling poisonous snakes like they
do in some of the southern states. They point to the scripture in Mark.
Mark 16:15-18 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
This is in the context of “IF.” If you happen to pick up a poisonous snake or “if” you drink something
poisonous by accident. For an example of this look at Acts chapter twenty eight.
Acts 28:3-5 (KJV)
3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the
heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No
doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to
live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Paul didn’t pick up a viper on purpose. It was by accident. Paul picked up wood for the fire and it was
cold out. One of the logs was hollow and the snake was hidden in the log. When he put it on the fire the
snake warmed up immediately and struck.
Let’s go back to or main topic.
Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)
31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the
LORD your God.
Leviticus 20:6 (KJV)
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after
them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
2 Chronicles 33:6 (KJV)
6 And he (Manasseh) caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also
he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and
with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.In the New Testament we are instructed to stay away from these practices as well.
Galatians 5:13-23 (KJV)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the
flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary
the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I
have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
In Acts chapter nineteen is a record that we must deal with in this study because it is prevalent
today in the churches.
Acts 19:13-20 (KJV)
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil
spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
These exorcists were possessed with devil spirits and they were using that power to kick out
other devil spirits. It is interesting to note that they used the name Jesus and not the name of
Jesus Christ. The name Jesus represents his humanity whereas the name of Christ represents his
power and spiritual position. If you will study the New Testament you will see the Jesus Christ’s
detractors and enemies only used the name “Jesus” never “Jesus Christ.”
When Jesus Christ or Phillip or Paul delivered someone from evil spirits it wasn’t a ceremony
they simply said GET OUT and in the case of Phillip, Paul and other disciples they said GET
OUT in the name of Jesus Christ and the spirits had to leave.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed
against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on
them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned thembefore all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
When the people saw the difference between the flawed power of the exorcists and the pure power of
men and women being delivered from devil spirits and all forms of sickness and disease they chose the
pure power of God and His Word and got rid of all of their amulets and Ouija boards and Harry Potter
books.
The believers, in the Book of Acts dealt with and confront sorcerers.
Acts 13:6-12 (KJV)
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a
Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and
Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the
deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,
wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a
season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to
lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Who has the ultimate power? We, the Christians do. Elymas was powerless against the pure power of
God wielded by a believer!
Acts 8:5-13 (KJV)
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing
the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many
taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and
bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of
God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of
Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered,
beholding the miracles and signs which were done.Glory Hallelujah! Here is a man that wasn’t just dabbling in the occult he was leading the pack and, yet,
when he saw the power or God operating in a born-again Christian he forsook all the things of the occult
and hopped on the band wagon of Romans 10:9,10! He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal lord and
savior and got born again!
Witchcraft, familiar spirits and the practices of the occult are an abomination to God and every time the
power of the occult had the light of God’s power and might shone upon it it lost all of its luster and
people dropped what they were doing for a greater power.
God’s Word and His power are the same today as they were in the first century. All we have to do is
believe!
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