Biblical
Who Are You?
I was watching “The Ten Commandments” the other day, you know the one with Charlton Heston and
Yule Brenner, where they had a burning bush that didn’t burn and the plagues and the parting of the
Red Sea and all of that. Well in that scene with the burning bush, God tells Moses to take off his shoes
for the ground that he stood on was holy ground. That was all so cool! Standing in the presence of God
Almighty, standing on holy ground, talking with God! I don’t care who you are, if you are a Christian you
would like to have an experience like that. However, seldom does the Christian read the Bible to see
what they have in Christ Jesus and when they do read it it is so big that they don’t believe it. What we
have in Christ Jesus makes the burning bush pale in comparison.
We have not been taught who we are and what we have. It is time that we believe God’s Word, the
truth of WHO WE ARE and walk like it! Stand erect, throw your shoulders back take a deep breath and
declare that “I am a son of God and have what God says I have!”
Romans 8:16-17 (KJV)
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.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (spirit) 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.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Colossians 1:26-27 (KJV)
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:
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:
When you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the
dead (Rom. 10:9,10) you get something that no one else, other than Christians, has – holy spirit abiding
within AND it cannot be taken away. You can’t lose it, you can’t back slide out of it. It is yours, it is you
for all eternity. The reason that you don’t see it is because it is spirit. You cannot taste, touch, smell, see
or hear spirit, but, it is there. That is why God says you are a new creature (II Cor. 5:17)
God calls all of our trials and afflictions “light” when compared with the what we have coming.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.See I told you! You can’t see it, but, it is there.
Are you starting see that what we have is sooooo much more than one meeting with God on a
mountain?
There is still more, much more to who we are.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s
stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of
God in him.
We are ambassadors in Christ’s stead! We are a royal priesthood! We are sons and righteousness of
God! Literally, everywhere you tread is holy ground!
Ephesians 1:3-14 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he
hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose
of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto
the praise of his glory.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.
James 1:5-8 (KJV)
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and
it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
You, as a Christian, have direct access to God. You don’t have to wait to climb a mountain. God is there
with you and He never leaves you or forsakes you.
There is so much more on who the Christian is and what the Christian has, but, I am only going to give
you one more attribute of the Christian, you as a Christian have the capacity to love and bless others far
beyond anything anyone else in the World can do.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed
up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
“Charity” is not a very good translation. A much better translation for charity is the love of God in the
renewed mind in Manifestation. A love that extends beyond the borders of man’s understanding.
So, it is now time to stand up, throw your shoulders back take a deep breath, rise above the crowd and
declare “ I AM A SON OF GOD AND A JOINT HEIR WITH JESUS CHRIST AND I CAN DO ALL THINGS
THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME!
The Parable of the Forgiving Father
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Christ told the story of what has come to be known as the Parable of
the Prodigal Son. To understand why he told this story and to whom he told this story gives more
depth and understanding to this story. Also, knowing that this is a parable and knowing what a
parable is gives us cleared understanding of this passage.
The publicans and sinners in verse one where there, yes, but, who else was there? The Pharisees
and scribes.
Luke 15:1-3 (KJV)
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with
them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
“Them,” them who? The scribes and the Pharisees. Understand that a pronoun is controlled by it
closest associated noun, in this case the scribes and the Pharisees. The publicans and sinners
could hear him, but, he was looking directly at the scribes and Pharisees.
Now a parable is an extended simile and a simile is a figure of speech which compares two
things by likeness. For example, someone might say about a fast runner, “he was like lighting.”
Or someone might say someone who eats a lot “he eats like a cow.
A parable is an extended simile and is made up of two Greek words, para and ballo. Para means
“beside” and ballo means “to cast or throw.” It literally means to cast along side of a narrative
with a hidden meaning.
The meaning consists in likeness and is usually in one salient or great truth. An example of this
is Christ being compared to a thief in the night. He is not a thief, but, the one great truth is the
unexpectedness, the suddenness of his coming.
Another thing to know is that a parable must be possible. If it is not possible, like trees talking, it
would be a fable.
Knowing these truths 1) Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and scribes and 2) he is telling a story
that has a hidden meaning let us read this parable.
Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to
me. And he divided unto them his living.
Notice that one son asks for his inheritance, but, the other son doesn’t. The father loved both of
them and treated them the same.13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far
country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in
want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to
feed swine.
Feeding swine is as low down as a Jew can get! There is no lower station in life. The Jews,
especially the scribes and Pharisees wouldn’t even think about touching a pig let alone care for
them. Also, in that culture when a man tends a herd of swine he is counted as one of them. He
eats what they eat he lives with them and when the owner of the herd is asked how many pigs he
has, if he has ninety-nine and he has one herdsman taking care of them he would say he has one
hundred.
In verse sixteen the word “fain” is to desire or to lust after. Not only did he have to eat the husks
he was so hungry he wanted to, he lusted after them.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave
unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread
enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
He came to himself! Hallelujah! I could teach a few sermons on this! The day in a man’s or
woman’s life when they wake up and see the situation and know there is a better way is great
freedom. It is like a cool breeze on a hot day. It is life changing.
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him,
and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Why did the father see him? Because the father was watching! Just like God. God is always there
he never leaves us or forsakes us. He doesn’t walk away from us, we turn our backs on him, we
walk away AND YET God is always watching, always waiting for us to come back! God
hungers for fellowship with his sons and daughters. If we only knew how much. If we would
only come to ourselves and say “my father has more than the things of this World. My father can
and WILL take care of me.” What a day that would be in our lives!
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no
more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring
on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be
merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard
musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because
he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither
transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might
make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf.
“I did everything right, father and he did everything wrong. Why on earth would you kill that
fatted calf.” What should have been the son’s response? One of happiness that his brother was
alive and had returned. Instead, it was a response of anger and of jealousy. But, what does the
father do? He lovingly set his son straight.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is
alive again; and was lost, and is found.
This parable is not a parable of a prodigal son. They were both prodigal. In different ways, but, both
were way off track. Yet, the father forgave them both.
What is the hidden meaning to this parable? Jesus was standing in the midst of two diverse groups, the
publicans and sinners (who the scribes and Pharisees distained) and the haughty and self-righteous
scribes and Pharisees. Two groups so far apart, so off the beam. Both were gone astray, but, God was
waiting to forgive and bless each and every one of them.
This is not the Parable of the Prodigal Son, this is the Parable of the Loving and Forgiving Father, God.
Understanding II Corinthians 2: 14-16
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the
savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And
who is sufficient for these things?
To understand some parts of the Bible you must have an understanding of the culture of the Bible times.
Specifically, for our understanding of II Corinthians 2:14-16 we must understand Roman Culture. The
Apostle Paul understood the Roman Culture very well.
Acts 22:25-29 (KJV)
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to
scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou
doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was
free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also
was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
Because Paul was a Roman and understood Roman culture he could incorporate that knowledge into his
writings. Now, that being said, I have to explain that The Bible is God breathed.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness
2 Peter 1:21 (KJV)
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Bible IS the Word of God, but, men of God can only write with their natural knowledge ability. In
other words someone with a college education would be able to write better and with a broader scope
of words than someone who only had a high school education. This is why the Gospel of John is so much
more eloquent than Amos. The Apostle John was a highly educated man while Amos was a pig farmer.
Let me ask you, who do you think could write better?
This brings me to another principle in God’s Word and spiritual practice, that, if you don’t get anything
else out of any of my teachings, other than the new birth found in Romans 10:9,10, understand this:
1 Corinthians 14:32 (KJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.There! Did you read that?? “The spirits of the prophets are SUBJECT to the prophets!
The modern Christian Church has been overrun by people talking about “God using you” or “let the
spirit have his way with you.” I tell you this is a lie from the pit of hell! Anytime you give yourself over to
the spirit it is called POSSESSION and our God, the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
NEVER possesses!
Christianity is based on your FREEDOM OF WILL! You choose, you confess, you believe! You never “let
the spirit control you”! Never let anything control your mind, this includes hypnotism. How could
Christianity get so far off base? Look at Revelation 3:20.
Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I (Jesus Christ) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
You choose, you open! Jesus Christ STANDS AT THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART out of respect for your
freedom of will!!
OK, back to II Corinthians.
So, one of the Roman traditions is the Roman Triumphal Procession. This triumphal procession was a
great big parade, set aside for a conquering general and his army. There were requirements for a
general to be allowed a Triumphal Procession; he had to take land, he had to defeat the enemy in a
decisive victory, he had to take prisoners and he had to have a low amount of casualties.
The procession had a specific route to follow and it had a specific order of the people participating in the
procession. First there were the captured leaders, their allies and enemy soldiers all destined for
execution. Next came the captured weapons, armour, silver, gold and exotic treasures. Third were the
Roman Senators and Magistrates followed by the general’s bodyguards, the general on a chariot pulled
by four white horses and lastly the general’s army.
All the temples would be open and there would be clouds of incense wafting through the air and
beautiful fragrant flowers draped along the parade route.
As the procession proceeded through the streets of Rome all members of the procession could smell all
the beautiful smells. This was a victory march to the Romans, but, to the prisoners this was a death
march. Both the Romans and the Vanquished smelled the same thing. To the Romans it was a victory
march unto life, to the prisoners the same smell was the smell of death.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the
savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And
who is sufficient for these things?
“Them that perish” are all those that are not written in the Book of Life. “Them that perish,” also,
includes the Devil and all the devil spirits.“Them that are saved” are the born again Christians (Romans 10:9,10.) Christians are a beautiful sweet
smell to God, Jesus Christ and all Christians.
Always remember that to God and Jesus Christ you are a beautiful sweet fragrance of life.
The Goodness of God
A long time ago I went to a Louisville Cardinals basketball game and I struck up a conversation with a
man sitting next to me. Of course the conversation was about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the
Bible. This man was in his late 40’s maybe early 50’s and he was very negative and if I had to choose a
word to describe him it would be dour. He was a Christian and that is what was causing the problem.
How could being a Christian cause anyone to be negative, dour and down on life in general? Well, he
told me his story. As a young man he had become a Christian, Romans 10:9,10, and had wanted to
become a minister. However, somewhere along life’s journey he ventured away from doing what he
wanted to do for a more secular life. Ever since that time he felt guilty and ashamed that he didn’t
follow through on his commitment. This is what caused this poor man to suffer so. No matter what I said
to him nothing would change his mind.
Many Christians in the world today are in the same boat as this man. It may not be the exact same
reason. It may be that they did something in their past that they think God will not forgive them for. Or,
it may be because of thoughts that linger in their minds. Things that they know or think they know that
are contrary to God’s will for their lives.
I WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT! GOD LOVES YOU! GOD WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU! Yes, He
wants you to be the best you can be for Him, but, not living up to your full potential does not separate
you from the love of God!
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.
What will separate us from the love of God? Will not living up to your potential? NO! What about our
past? NO! The Apostle Paul, the one who received the revelation of the great mystery and who spread
the Word of God throughout all Asia Minor in two years and three months, before he was born again,
put Christians in prison and caused them to die. But, it didn’t matter because when you are born again
each day is a new day. Each day is a day you can live for and with God Almighty.
I am going to give you some scripture verses that will change your life IF and that IF is a BIG “IF” you
choose to believe the Bible is the revealed word and will of God and not hold on to your old way of
thinking.
Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.
Christ in you is the new birth, you in Christ is your walk. It is you changing what you have been feeding
your mind from what the World says to what the Word says and walking on it. Does this say “only if you
are under forty years old?” Does it say “only if you are tall, short, fat, skinny, pretty or not so pretty?”NO, a thousand times no. The only and when I say only I mean ONLY prerequisite is that you choose to
walk.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.
Romans 12:1-2 (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.
All it takes is YOU choosing, much like a journey it starts with one step followed by another! So
what if we fall down, so what if we make a mistake. Don’t you think God knows your heart?
If you fall down get back up, dust yourself off and start again. If you screw up then ask God’s
forgiveness and get back to walking.
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Do you know what it means to “confess your sins?” It means to say you’re sorry. “God I am sorry for
____________ and I thank you for forgiveness and cleansing me from all unrighteousness.”
I was going to put Psalm 103:12 here, but, Psalm 103 holds so much for you that I put the whole thing
in!
Psalm 103:1-22 (KJV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender
mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear(reverence and
respect) him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear (respect and
reverence) him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening
unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
So, now, take a deep breath, let it out, relax and smile knowing that God loves you and He wants
the best for you! No more guilt. Just peace through our lord Jesus Christ.
Just remember that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
Prayer – To God
I read from time to time about prayer and praying from the perspective of a psychologist or secular
sources. It is always the same “prayer is good for a person. It gives them a better attitude.” REALLY?? Is
that all there is to it, a better attitude a better feeling? Well, ladies and gentlemen, if that is all there is –
it makes you feel better, then you as a Christian (Romans 10:9,10) do not understand prayer!
The very first thing you need to understand is WHO you are praying to. Part of this understanding is
knowing to whom you are not praying.
1 Corinthians 12:2 (KJV)
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led (before you
became a Christian.)
Dumb idols are idols (gods) that can’t hear, that won’t speak, that can’t bring deliverance to a person
when they need it. They don’t have to be idols of wood or stone. They could be anything that is man
made. But, the point is, that they CANNOT give deliverance. We don’t pray to a God that can’t hear us!
We don’t pray to a God that can’t see us. We pray to ALMIGHTY GOD who created the Heavens and the
Earth. The God who set the stars in their course. The God who is willing to give us the desires of our
hearts. The God who promises deliverance in sickness, in finances and in every aspect of your life.
John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If you want answers to prayer you have to pray according to the rules and regulations and those are only
found in the Bible. Do you see what Jesus Christ said?? He said the only access to God is through him,
Jesus Christ! So, there is no getting to God by Buddha, or Allah, or Shiva, or any other so-called god. The
Christian is the only one that has access to God Almighty, if the Bible is correct…and it is.
So, who is it that we pray to? What are His attributes? Is He a vengeful God or a caring, loving God?
Psalm 91:1-7 (KJV)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be
thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at
noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh
thee.
Isn’t verse four a wonderful figure of speech? My wife has a screen saver on her computer that
makes me think of this verse every time I see it. It is a photograph of a mother duck sitting in thegrass, the rain is coming down, her wing is outstretched and underneath it are four little
ducklings looking out at the rain, dry, warm and protected. God will do and does the same for us.
Exodus 6:2-4 (KJV)
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my
name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their
pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
Do you know what Jehovah means? It means God in His covenant relationship. He covenanted with
Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. Although God took care of them they did not know His full
potential as Jehovah. There are ten redemptive names for Jehovah and Psalm 23 has eight of those ten
names
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me; 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; my cup runneth over.
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.
In verse 1 He is Jehovah Raw aw – Jehovah my shepherd.
In verse 1 He is, also, Jehovah Jireh – Jehovah who will see and provide
In Verse 2 He is Jehovah Shalom – Jehovah our peace
In verse 3 He is Jehovah Ropheka – Jehovah who healeth thee
In verse 3 He is, also, Jehovah Zidkenu – Jehovah our righteousness
In verse 4 He is Jehovah Shammah – Jehovah is there ( He never leaves you or forsakes you)
In verse 5 He is Jehovah Nissi – Jehovah my banner, my covering, my protection, just like Psalm 91:4.
In verse 5 He is, also, Jehovah Mekaddishkem – Jehovah that doth sanctify you.
I want to trace out for you a few verses to show you that this same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
the same God that delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt and brought them into the promised land
is the same Jehovah to you.
Romans 4:16 (KJV)
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all
the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all,Galatians 3:6-9 (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before
the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Are you “of faith?” You are if you have done Romans 10:9,10!
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
John 16:23-24 (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.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be
full.
Expect miracles every day
Expect miracles when you pray
When you expect them God will find a way
To perform miracles for you each day!
As a Christian, when you pray, you have a direct line to the One that so loved the World that He gave His
only begotten son so that when you pray you can get answers and deliverance.
Psalm 103
PSALM 103
There are some passages of Scripture that stand out to a person more than others. So it is with
Psalm 103. This psalm blesses my life every time I read it. So, I would like to share it with you
now.
Psalm 103:1-22 (KJV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
This is a psalm authored by God, but, written by King David. God knows the heart of a man and
David’s heart was to bless the Lord. If you have ever read about David he relied totally on God.
Very few men, when they became king, lived all their natural born days. Most were killed. But,
David relied on God. He would not harm King Saul because King Saul was “God’s anointed.”
David trusted time and time again in God’s hand of deliverance and time and time again God
took care of David. When you have a relationship like that with the One True God your heart
bubbles over with praises to Jehovah God.
Look at what verse two says. “and forget not all his benefits.” It doesn’t say to remember them
all. Who could remember all of God’s benefits? But, we can remember some of them.
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
There are two things in healing, forgiveness of sins and healing. It is like this all the way through
the Bible. Jesus said “which is easier to say your sins be forgiven or to say, Arise and walk?”
(Matt.9:5) It is just as easy to say one as the other BUT both are an important part of the healing
process.
Now the last part of this verse, is it true or is it a lie? Let me just shout it ALL THY DISEASES.
This is the truth of God. It is available to YOU. Not someday. Not in the sweet by and by. Right
now it is available to YOU!
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender
mercies;
God is not a God of suffering and punishment to His people. God is a God of love and
tenderness. We as Christians are sons of God, David was a servant of God. We have so much
more than they did in the Old Testament and, yet, we have been talked out of it. Look how God
protects YOU and He will crown you with lovingkindness and tender mercies! Mercy is God’s
withholding of merited judgement. My Dad did that for me. There were times when I was
growing up when I should have been punished, but, instead my Dad took me in his arms and
gave me a hug. That’s tender mercy. That’s what God does for us.
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.The eagle that is talked about here is a special eagle found in the Middle East. This eagle, when
its feathers got old, flies high in the sky and tuck it wings and dive into the water thus stripping
all the old feathers off. It makes its way to shore and hides among the bushes until its new
feathers grow out. It looks new and its feathers beautiful. God is waiting to do that for you each
and every day of your life. All you have to do is believe. Believe His Word, believe His promises
and act on them and watch God go to work for you!
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
This is beautiful. All of the Children of Israel that were lead by Moses saw all the great miracles
that God did by the hand of Moses. They saw the parting of the Red Sea, they walk through the
Red Sea on dry ground. They tasted of the manna. The Children of Israel saw all of this, but,
only to Moses did God make known the whys and the wherefores. Moses was such a great and
meek man that the Bible says that God knew him face to face. (Deut. 34:10)
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
If we could only believe this and walk day by day with this knowledge in the forefront of our
thinking. What a day that would be!
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
The word “fear” is better translated respect or reverence. God doesn’t want you to be afraid of
Him. He is your father. Earlier in this psalm it talks about tender mercies and loving kindness.
How could He talk about loving kindness and tender mercies and expect people to be afraid of
Him. He doesn’t! He wants you to respect His Word and do what He says. He wrote the rule
book of life. It is only logical to do what His Word says to reap the rewards.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
There is a point that if you go North you can’t go any further North and then you have to go
South. South and North meet at the North pole and at the South pole. However, East never meets
West. That is how far He has removed our transgressions from us. We will Never be reminded of
them again. Not by God. If you are ever reminded of them it is by the devil and you can tell him
or whoever brings it up to go jump in a lake! God took it away from you AND He won’t
remember it ever again.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear (reverence) him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear (reverence)
him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening
unto the voice of his word.
The word “angels” is the word messengers.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul
Romans Chapter 8
There are a few chapters in the Bible that are exciting and enlightening that stand out among the
rest. Chapter eight of Romans is one such chapter. Knowing that Romans is the foundational
doctrine of the Christian Church that it is the Magna Carta of all Christianity. Romans explains
and separates the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament, a law works from the Administration of
Grace, God’s unmerited divine favor, that you and I live in today. And, in the middle of all of
this new and exciting doctrine is the great record of chapter eight.
Romans 8:1-8 (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.
If the Christian World would only believe this ONE verse it would change the World. No
condemnation! God, the creator of the Heavens and the Earth does not, can not and never will
condemn the Christian. How many many people try by works to get in God’s good graces and,
yet, the Christian is already there!
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:
The law of sin and death is the law of works. No matter how hard men worked no matter what
measure they took to keep every jot and tittle of the Law of Moses they could never attain to the
perfection that is in the new birth. The birth of Christ in you the hope of glory. (Col. 1:27) The
keeping of the Law is the washing on the outside. It never makes a person clean. The washing
inside and out can only be done spiritually.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit.
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.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
What is it to be carnally minded? Carnally minded is to put the things of this World in the
forefront of your mind. It is to put God at the back of the bus in your life. Carnally minded is to
be thinking about the bills coming in, the TV show that you want to watch, to look at the World
and forget about God.
Than what does “spiritually minded” mean? It means to put God first. It doesn’t mean to sit in a
lotus position in a cave on a mountain, but, as we go through our day we believe the things that
God says about us and about who we are. If a problem comes up we go to God with it. Weremember who we are and we walk with our shoulder back and our heads held high. We shine as
lights to a dying world and if any man ask we have an answer of why we are so vibrant.
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
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.
Philippians 2:15-16 (KJV)
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither
laboured in vain.
1 Peter 3:15 (KJV)
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man
that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Romans 8:8-10 (KJV)
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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.
Yes, you are reading that right. If a person is not born again of God’s spirit, if he hasn’t done
Romans 10:9,10 then he is not God’s. He cannot please God. As it says in Ephesians 2:12 the
person that has not done Romans 10:9,10 is without God and without hope.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness.
The body is dead whether you have Christ in you or not. It doesn’t have eternal life. No matter
how pretty or handsome you are, no matter how young and vibrant you are some day your body
is going to die. It is the spirit that is everlasting and if/when you die you will be raised again with
that spiritual body. (I Cor. 15) (I Thess. 4:13-18)
2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV)
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man (our body) perish, yet the inward man
(spirit) is renewed day by day.Romans 8:11-15 (KJV)
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.
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.
To be led by the spirit is to do those things that are written to us, specifically Romans through
Thessalonians.
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.
No more fear, no more worrying about tomorrow, no more anxiety for God has given you a spirit
of sonship a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Romans 8:16-18 (KJV)
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.
Glorified together with who? With Jesus Christ. Not only that, but, we are joint-heirs with Jesus
Christ. A joint-heir is not one who has a piece of the pie, but, one that shares fully in the whole
pie. In other words everything that Jesus Christ inherited we, as Christians, fully share with him!
The Christians have been talked out of who they really are in Christ. We take the place of Christ
here on Earth. What he did we can do and more. We are the most powerful beings on this Earth!
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us.
Not just glory, but, the ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY that will be ours.2 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV)
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory;
Romans 8:19-24 (KJV)
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature (the create thing, the creation) waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath
subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature 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.
What is verses 18 through 23 talking about? Since the fall of man, the original sin – since Adam
screwed up and ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the World has been in
bad shape; sooner or later everybody dies, bad things happen etc. etc., that is the groaning and
travailing in pain. The travailing is like a woman in pains of child birth! The whole creation
waits in excited anticipation for the gathering together of the Christians to Christ. (I Thess. 4: 13-
18)
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?
We are saved by confessing the Savior from sin the Lord Jesus Christ.(Rom. 10:9,10) However,
as we look forward to the return of Christ with excited anticipation we do as we are instructed in
the Epistles and walk the Christ walk we shine as lights in this World. This is what it is talking
about in II Cor. 3:18.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same
image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Romans 8:25-39 (KJV)
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 itself maketh intercession 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 makethintercession 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.
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.
God knew, before the foundations of the World, that you would believe and because of that He
called you, justified you and He glorified you. What is still future for us God has put in the past
tense. It is an accomplished reality!
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
This, my friends, is a rhetorical question. The answer is obvious, no one can be against us. They
may be against us, but, it is fruitless to be because we will always be the victors!
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?
God is not going to accuse you of anything. Why should He He justified you and Christ is not
going to condemn you. He came to deliver you from the bondage of condemnation AND he sits
on the right hand (the hand of blessing) of God as you defense attorney making intercession for
you and for me.
Also, nothing is going to separate us from God! It reminds me of the twenty third Psalm where it
says “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.” What that
literally means is that even if I die God is still with me! God never leaves us or forsakes us.
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.The word “Nay” should read NAY, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! In all these things
we are SUPER CONQUERORS through him who 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.
What wonderful knowledge. To know that you are loved by God, that He will never condemn
you, that He justified you and that God is always there with you. He is not some ethereal being
sitting somewhere out beyond the cosmos, but, He is a loving tender God that is always with you
and that will meet your every need as you believe
Acts of God
Many people blame God for bad things that happen. There is even a term in the insurance business call
“acts of God” which include tornados, hurricanes, floods, etc.. However, we as Christians cannot go by
what man says we have to adhere to the Word of God, the Bible. Tonight, we are going to see what the
Word of God says He does and what He doesn’t do and who is responsible for bad things that happen.
We will, also, see what we as Christians are and what we should do.
The first question we have to ask is “Does God cause bad things to happen?”
1 John 1:5 (KJV)
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.
God is light! Light in the Bible means positive, beneficial, healing, in other words, all things
good. AND, there is NO darkness in Him at all. Darkness is representative of the negatives, the
bad things and evil beings of this World.
1 John 4:8 (KJV)
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
GOD IS LOVE! The Bible also says in John 3:16 that God so loved the World that He gave His only
begotten son. God is witness unto Himself because there is nobody equal or greater than He and God
says that He IS love.
Romans 2:4 (KJV)
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the
goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
The gospel (the good news) of God is that God is GOOD, God is LIGHT and God is LOVE. That’s what
brings people to the truth. Never was it and never should it have been hellfire and brimstone because it
is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance.
If God doesn’t cause negative, bad, things to happen who does? It is the Devil and his cohorts! There is a
movement among the Christian Churches that says there is no Devil or devil spirits. That it is only
figurative language. Let me tell you that there IS a Devil and devil spirits as surely as Jesus Christ walked
the Earth. Jesus Christ came to make known the snares and workings of the Devil and to defeat him.
Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (Jesus Christ) also
himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil;
1 Corinthians 2:8 (KJV)
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the
Lord of glory.Colossians 1:13 (KJV)
13 Who, Jesus Christ, hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son:
Acts 26:18 (KJV)
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.
What the Devil and his cohorts didn’t know was that after they crucified Jesus Christ and he was raised
from the dead and the Day of Pentecost was fully come then it would be Christ in every Born Again
Believer. Not only that, but, each one of us could do the works that he did.
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:
John 14:12 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Again, God is light! The darkness, the sickness, the death, all evil is from the Devil or Satan. The word
“Devil” is used for the actual being whereas the word “Satan” is used of his interaction with people,
things and the environment.
What some might point to is where God, in the Old Testament, is accredited for bad things happening.
There are two reasons for this. First, the workings of the adversary the Devil were not made known until
Jesus Christ made it known. So, God was attributed with both good and bad. We know better now
because Jesus Christ exposed the workings of Satan.
The other reason is that God set immutable laws in place and when people adhered to the laws they got
the benefit, but, when they went contrary to the law they got the consequences. You can see that again
and again as the Children of Israel turned away from God they went into captivity and when they turned
back to God He delivered them from their captivity. A good example of this is Deuteronomy chapter 28.
The blessings and curses of God. Blessings when Israel did His commandments, curses if they turned
away. The truth of this is God can only protect you when you walk the way of the Word. You may be
delivered otherwise, which is God’s love and choice, but to walk in the spiritual protection of God day by
day we have to walk and live the way we are instructed in the New Testament Epistles just like Israel had
to live by the Mosaic Law.
Now that we know who causes sickness and suffering what are we to do? What is our station and
position in this world? Who are we?
1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he
that is in the world.Romans 8:36-39 (KJV)
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.
Ephesians 6:10-19 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day (this day), and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make
known the mystery of the gospel,
God is good. God is always with us and never leaves us or forsakes us. We are His children. God wants
the best for us. Yes, we have an adversary, but, he has been defeated. We go through this World
knowing that God is with us and the Christ within is greater than the Devil himself
Our Great Hope
Hope is the looking forward to something in the future. It is something that you can’t have right now.
For example, when I was in college, my Mom and I would talk on the phone and she would tell me that
she sent me something in the mail. So, I would patiently wait for it looking every day to see if it came.
That is hope. I couldn’t have it at the time my Mom told me about it. I had to wait in anticipation for it to
come. Let’s look at our great hope recorded in the Bible. But first, let’s look at a record in Romans
regarding a hope that Abraham had.
Romans 4:17-22 (KJV)
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God,
who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to
that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an
hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith (the word “ “faith” is
the word believing, faith had not yet come), giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Let me explain this in more detail. God promised Abraham that he (Abraham) would have so many
children that they would be nations. This is quite interesting since Abraham was in his late 90’s and
Sarah was ninety. This is well past the age of child bearing. There are two principals at work in this
section of scripture, hope and believing and Abraham applied both of them. God told Abraham that he
was to be the father of many nations and Abraham had to accept that and stand on that. From there he
had to believe to bring it to pass. Where, in verse eighteen, it says of Abraham “ who against hope
believed in hope.” What that means is that Sarah and Abraham’s reproductive organs didn’t work
anymore. Both he and Sarah went through menopause decades ago. They had no children, so, in the
senses world the probability of them having children or being parents of nations was ZERO. So when
God told them that they were going to have a son and their progeny would grow into nations they had
to believe that promise and replace the physical reality of NO hope of having children to the spiritual
reality that GOD can make it happen and all they had to do is believe.
Hope is for something that you cannot have now. Believing is applied when it is immediately available.
Believing appropriates whereas hope anticipates.
So, now, what could Abraham and Sarah do to bring this “father of many nations” thing to pass? There is
only one thing that brings about children and it is not drinking the water, it is not praying. It is by having
intercourse. I am teaching you as honestly as I can so that you, too, can implement the law of believing.
God made the promise, but, Abraham and Sarah had to do their part.
Remember the man with the withered hand in the Gospels? Jesus Christ ministered to him and then
Jesus said “stretch forth thy hand.’ (Luke 6:10) His hand and arm were withered, shriveled up and
impossible to stretch out. But, the promise was there “stretch forth thy hand.” It was this man’s choice.Luke 6:6-10 (KJV)
6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and
there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they
might find an accusation against him.
8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth
in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do
evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so:
and his hand was restored whole as the other.
He could have said I don’t believe you, Jesus. He could have walked away laughing, but, the promise was
there and the man chose to believe. How do we know he believed? Because, he took action and did
what Jesus told him to do. By his own free will he stretched it forth and after, get that – AFTER he
stretched it forth it was made whole as the other. You never see results until you take the promises of
God literally and act on them. Then, then, then and not until you act will you see the promises come into
fruition.
Because Sarah and Abraham believed the promise of God and acted on it they became the parents of
many nations.
Now, we have a hope. It is something that we can’t have right now, but, more sure than the package in
the mail, it is coming!
Romans 15:13 (KJV)
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 2:12 (KJV)
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers
from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Ephesians 4:4 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Colossians 1:4-5 (KJV)
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the
gospel;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (a
euphemism for died), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will
God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent (old English word for precede) them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Our comfort our hope is that Jesus Christ is coming back for us, that the Christians that have died
will get up and we Christians that are alive will be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (KJV)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hope is that we all go to Heaven and we enjoy the riches of His grace toward us for eternity.
No more sorrow. No more sickness. Living as the sons of God and as the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Let the Peace of God Rule in Your Hearts
I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have concerns about the evil things that are going on in our
world today. The pundits on the TV and radio will expound the problems, but, never the
solutions, the news only reports the negatives and there are no answers in the so called
“Christian” church buildings. However, there is a place to find peace and solace and I want to
bring you there.
I have not written an article as I usually do, instead I have laid out scriptures that will lead you to
a great understanding of peace. You will, by the time you are done with this article, understand
that God is the God of Peace, That we are at peace with God, we are to be at peace with other
Christians, that peace comes with the knowledge of God’s Word the Bible. You will, also,
understand that, as a Christian, you already have the spirit of peace residing within and that it is
up to you to make the choice of whether you focus on the things of the World to the end of
peacelessness or focus on the things of God to walk in peace in an otherwise unpeaceful World.
People will look at you and either desire to have what you have or think you are crazy because
you are not disturbed by the events around you. You will, also, see that each of us is responsible
for sharing not the gospel of hell and damnation, but the gospel of peace with those that are lost
and are seeking deliverance and peace.
Peace for most people is an elusive thing. It is elusive because they search in the wrong places.
Peace, for the Christian, is within. A person is born again in an instant, but, it takes time and
study to see what we have in that new birth.
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.
It is best to do with these verses what Jeremiah said he did when he found the Word of God. He
mentally, not literally, chewed on and absorbed the Word. It wasn’t a fleeting read. He spent time to
read, enjoy and assimilate what he had found.
Let us start our study with what Jesus Christ said.
John 14:27 (KJV)
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 8:6 (KJV)
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 10:15 (KJV)
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!Romans 14:17 (KJV)
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost.
Every Epistle addressed to the Christians have one thing in common. God bestowing grace and peace on
the believer. I have included here the start of every Pauline Epistle and II Peter to show you how much
God Almighty wants you to know that He wants us to have grace and peace in our lives.
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.
1 Corinthians 1:3 (KJV)
3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:3 (KJV)
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the
Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (KJV)
2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth
exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2 Peter 1:2 (KJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
I included II Peter 1:2 here because of the significance of the words “through the knowledge of God.”
The more we know God’s Word the more peaceful we become.1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ephesians 2:13-19 (KJV)
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in
ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity
thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and
of the household of God;
Ephesians 4:1-8 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men.
Ephesians 6:10-19 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of
righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make
known the mystery of the gospel,
Philippians 4:6-9 (KJV)
6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of
peace shall be with you.
Colossians 3:15 (KJV)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (KJV)
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.
Romans 15:33 (KJV)
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Let me close with the words from an old hymn:
Turn your eye upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of Earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
