General

CHRIST’S CRY OF TRIUMPH

There is a verse in Matthew that has left generations of Christians doubting and confused and tonight I
want to make this verse clear to you.
Matthew 27:46 (KJV)
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to
say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
The denominational answer to the question of why God would forsake Jesus Christ was that He (God)
couldn’t stand sin so He turned away from Jesus Christ. That is a lie from the pit of hell. It says in Job
that the Devil has direct access to God and talked with God and the Devil is the author, the inventor of
sin. So it couldn’t be because God didn’t like sin! So, what is the answer?
Let’s look at Luke.
Luke 2:41-49 (KJV)
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and
Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him
among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus
dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s
business?
John 19:30 (KJV)
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost.
At twelve years old what did Jesus say? “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
What were the last word’s Jesus spoke before he died? “It is finished.” What was finished? His duties,
his responsibilities of doing God’s business!
John 16:32 (KJV)
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall
leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.God was always with Jesus Christ!
Hebrews 4:14-15 (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.
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.
Sin is broken fellowship. Jesus Christ never sinned, never broke fellowship with God his father. He
always did the will of God.
John 10:30 (KJV)
30 I and my Father are one.
How can you separate one? You can’t!
Colossians 2:9 (KJV)
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
God never left Jesus Christ! He was with Jesus even in his crucifixion and death. It reminds me of Psalm
23.
Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
The literal translation is Yea, though I die, I will fear no evil for you (God) are with me! If He won’t leave
you or me or the psalmist even in death surely He wouldn’t leave His only begotten son who always did
God’s will.
Let’s look at Matthew 27:46 again.
Matthew 27:46 (KJV)
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to
say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
The words “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani” are Aramaic words. The translators left them in because they
weren’t sure how to handle them. There is no such word as “lama” in Aramaic. However, there is the
word “lmna” which means “for this reason” or “for this purpose.”
“Sabachthani” is from the root word “shbk” or “shbq” which means to be reserved or spared. Usages of
this word are found in Romans 11:4, I Kings 19:18, and as “remain” in Deuteronomy 3:3, Joshua 10:33, II
Kings 10:11.
Romans 11:4 (KJV)
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have
not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.1 Kings 19:18 (KJV)
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every
mouth which hath not kissed him.
Deuteronomy 3:3 (KJV)
3 So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we
smote him until none was left to him remaining.
Joshua 10:33 (KJV)
33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had
left him none remaining.
2 Kings 10:11 (KJV)
11 So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks,
and his priests, until he left him none remaining.
So, the last part of Matthew 27:46 should be translated “My God, My God, for this reason (for this
purpose) was I reserved (spared.)
Jesus Christ hung on that cross for you and for me! He could have gotten off that cross any time he
wanted to. Nobody took his life he gave it up and all the while God was right there with him. Then, when
he had fulfilled all of God’s will he cried with a cry of triumph “MY GOD, MY GOD, FOR THIS PURPOSE
WAS I SPARED!” Then he said “it is finished” and gave up his life. Our redemption was complete!
Do not take the new birth (Rom. 10;9,10) and your position as a son of God lightly. It didn’t cost us
anything because it cost God and Jesus Christ so much!

THREE PSALMS (to bless you)

Psalm 23 (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.
Psalm 73 (KJV)
1
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their
image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a
whoring from thee.28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may
declare all thy works.
Psalm 103 (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 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 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.

WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

Millions of Christians, the World over, go through life not knowing for sure what God wants for their
lives. They think that because they did something wrong God will punish them. They believe in karma
where if you do good you will get good and if you do bad you will receive bad, the old adage of “what
goes around comes around.” Christians believe it is God’s will for them to be sick. They think
humbleness equals poverty and lastly they never know for sure whether they are headed for Heaven or
Hell. In this article I want to clear up and make plain what the will of God is for your life.
First I want to deal with the idea of “works.” “Works” is something you do. Good deeds, volunteering
and donating to a “worthy” cause are all forms of “works.” “Works” could also be beating yourself like
the Shi-ite Muslims do or as in one case a man would have himself crucified each year at Easter time to
become more holy. Deliverance does not work like that. No man can attain the high and holy
achievement of being a Christian by “works.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we
have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the
law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
No works can get you closer to God – none! It is by believing, believing in your heart that God raised
Jesus Christ from the dead and that Jesus is your lord and savior. This is grace, God’s unmerited devine
favor to you and to me.
As far as karma, for the Christian, there is none if they believe. Karma is a thing of this world and we,
when we are born again, have risen above the World. If in doubt about this read Philippians chapter
three!
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.
“Overcome them,” them are all the negative evil things of this world.
John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.
The thief is the Devil. But, Jesus Christ came so that we could and should have an abundant life. But, that
word “abundantly” means more than just abundant it means super abundant, exceeding abundance.
The greatest law in the world today is the law of believing. Believing equals receiving!Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he
hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Isaiah 53:4-5 (KJV)
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement
of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live
unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus Christ did it all and because of his accomplishments we can claim our complete physical
wholeness.
Matthew 12:15 (KJV)
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he
healed them all;
Luke 4:40 (KJV)
40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him;
and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
Acts 5:14-16 (KJV)
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at
the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and
them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
3 John 1:2 (KJV)
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth.
This verse 2 of 3John chapter one covers both prosperity AND health! This is what God wants
for you above all else! Christians have lived under the oppressive mentality of sin, guilt and short
comings, always thinking that they are not good enough for God’s blessings on their lives while
all the time God is saying “I have blessed you with all spiritual blessings.” God is crying out that
we have all sufficiency in all things, yet, the ridicule from the world drowns out the voice of
God. You choose, you believe you make up your mind whether to listen to the world or to God!Ephesians 1:3 (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:
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
There are so many verses in the Bible regarding God’s promise for the Christian to go to Heaven, BUT,
you will never find one verse in the Old Testament or the Gospels BECAUSE it was hidden from before
the beginning of the World and was made known after the day of Pentecost! This time frame that this
Great Mystery was revealed is AFTER the Old Testament, AFTER the Gospels, AFTER Christ died and rose
again and AFTER Jesus Christ sat down on the right hand of God.
Colossians 1:5 (KJV)
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;
Titus 1:1-2 (KJV)
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect,
and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 3:7 (KJV)
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 8:17 (KJV)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him,
that we may be also glorified together.
God is a loving God. God wants the best for you and He is waiting patiently for you to believe His
wonderful matchless Word so that He can put into manifestation what He has already done spiritually.

THE WAY INTO GOD’S PRESENCE

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.
The Bible IS truth! It does not contain truth it is truth and when it says that no man comes unto the
Father, BUT BY JESUS CHRIST it means it. That statement eliminates the possibility of coming unto God
through Buddha, Mohammed, Shintoism, Hinduism, Hari Krishna or any other religion.
Look at Acts chapter six. Stephen was a disciple of Jesus Christ. Stephen did many signs, miracles and
wonders and in verse six he is confronted by the religious leaders of that time.
Acts 6:8-15 (KJV)
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11 Then they suborned (picked or appointed) men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous
words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him,
and brought him to the council,
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this
holy place, and the law:
14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the
customs which Moses delivered us.
15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an
angel.
Stephen was teaching people about Jesus Christ and the religionists didn’t want to hear about it. They
couldn’t stand against the wisdom of Stephen and so they hired men to lie about what Stephen said and
paid for false witnesses to accuse Stephen.
In the first fifty verses of chapter seven Stephen gives a synopsis of the history of Israel. Then he looks
the Ruling body of Judaism and the liars and the false witnesses right in the eye and said;
Acts 7:51-8:1 (KJV)
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as
your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which
shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and
murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their
teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of
God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a
young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And
when he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against
the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions
of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Saul was his Hebrew name, Paul was his Greek name. He later became the Apostle Paul, but,
right now, he thinks he is doing the will of God by upholding the law AND persecuting the
Christians.
Acts 9:1-9 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went
unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way,
whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a
light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is
hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Pricks are sharp sticks that the farmers would hold behind the ox’s back legs so when the ox
kicked it would hurt the ox and not the farmer.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said
unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led
him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Paul changed that day so that he could say;
Acts 22:3-5 (KJV)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet
of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous
toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I receivedletters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem,
for to be punished.
He persecuted the WAY unto death. He was persecuting the Christians.
Acts 22:19-20 (KJV)
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his
death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Acts 24:13-14 (KJV)
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my
fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Everything that Paul knew or believed in was turned upside down on the road to Damascus and now the
Way that he persecuted he ended up believing and teaching. He forsook all else for the Way.
Others in the early church taught about the Way.
Acts 18:24-26 (KJV)
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the
scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and
taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard,
they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Apollos knew about Jesus Christ, but he didn’t know about God in Christ in every born again
believer which is the baptism of holy spirit (Romans 10:9,10.) So Aquilla and Priscilla took him
home and taught him about the Way, more perfectly.
Acts 19:8-10 (KJV)
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and
persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the
multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of
one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the
word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
In two years and three months all of Asia Minor heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, the Way.
Acts 19:20-29 (KJV)
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed throughMacedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see
Rome.
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but
he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana,
brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by
this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul
hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with
hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the
great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all
Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is
Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men
of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
The whole city was filled with confusion and today it is not just a city, but, the whole World, filled with
confusion over the knowledge of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ.
So, what does it mean by Jesus Christ being the Way?
In the Old Testament, Israel had a tabernacle and later a temple. They were both set up similarly. Both
had an outer chamber or room and both had an inner chamber or holiest of all. These two rooms were
separated by a veil or curtain. The High Priest was the only one that went into the innermost room and
that was only once a year. When the high Priest went in he took the blood of the sacrificial animal in
with him to make atonement for himself and the sins of the people (Israel.) No one else was allowed
into this innermost room because it represented God’s dwelling place.
This was all symbolism for what Christ would accomplish.
Hebrews 9:2-15 (KJV)
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the
shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold,
wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the
covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak
particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle,
accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he
offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made
manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices,
that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed
on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the
holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean,
sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the
redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might
receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
The Children of Israel, in remembrance of the Passover, would offer a lamb under one year old that
didn’t have any scars or malformities , without spot or blemish. Jesus Christ Became that lamb once and
for all. By doing that he opened the way, not to the symbolic presence of God only, but to God Himself!
When Jesus Christ died the Bible says that the veil separating the holiest of all from the world had been
torn from the top to the bottom signifying that Jesus Christ paved the way for man to be reconciled unto
God.
Hebrews 9:24-27 (KJV)
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but
into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year
with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the
world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Hebrews 10:19-25 (KJV)
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his
flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from
an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
“Profession of faith” should be translated “confession of hope.” The hope of Christ’s return, the
hope of eternal life in Heaven in the presence of God!
Acts 4:11-12 (KJV)
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
There is NO salvation No salvation in anyone, but Jesus Christ!
1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Jesus Christ laid down his life and became the sacrificial lamb once and for all. He made the way for
anyone who wills to enter into the presence of God. Jesus Christ is the only way into God’s presence.

THE HEART OF A MAN

I keep hearing people talking about their hearts and if you listen to the main stream of society you will
hear them talking about trust your heart and follow your heart. The premise is that our heart knows
better than we do, that it is somehow more perceptive and aware than we are. Is that true? Do we
have, in our hearts, a higher knowing and what does God say about our hearts?
First, we need to know what the heart is and, second, how it works. From there we can better
Understand God’s point of view.
The heart is the innermost part of a person. It is where the things that a person dwell on the most
reside. We always thought that describing the innermost part of a person’s thoughts as the heart was
figurative. But, then surgeons started doing heart transplants and some of the recipients started acting
different from what they did before the transplant. One man, I remember reading about, was an
overweight couch potato but he received a heart from a man that was an exercise fanatic. After the
surgery and convalescence the man decided to compete in a foot race. Then he started exercising and
became a top national competitor in three different sports. Others picked up habits or likings from the
donor. One I remember was a desire for pickles and cheese. It is obvious that God knew what He was
talking about thousands of years ago.
You can change your heart by changing what you look at and what you think about. This is so important
and, yet, most societies of the World and especially here in the United States give little to no attention
to training our minds and hearts to be what we want to be.
The conscience is programmed by doing. If you steal once your conscience may bother you. But, if you
steal twenty times by the tenth time your conscience doesn’t bother you at all. The heart is
programmed by both thinking and/or doing. If you read and ponder the Bible long enough it reaches
down and seats itself in your heart.
So now that we know what the heart is and how it works let’s go to the Bible to see what God says
about our hearts. I believe that with this background what follows will enlighten you and bless you
immensely.
Proverbs 28:26 (KJV)
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
That seems a little abrupt and rude. Why would God say something like that? Because he knows that we
are the ones that programmed our own hearts. So, some of our innermost thoughts could be based on
truth, but, there is a lot that is based on what we watch on TV or who we listen to on our MP3 players.
In contrast look at what or who God says to look at.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.
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.
We aren’t to trust in our hearts, but, to trust in God with the innermost part of our beings. The only way
we will ever be able to do that is by studying the Bible so much that it sinks into our hearts.
Following are more verses regarding the heart.
Psalm 53:1 (KJV)
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable
iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
That is right! How many times do we hear people say there is no God. God says they are fools.
Luke 6:45 (KJV)
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man
out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his
mouth speaketh.
That is right. We program our minds for either good or evil. That is why we don’t go by what our hearts
tell us. We as Christians go by the truth of God’s Word.
Here is another verse.
Mark 7:20-23 (KJV)
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man
Are you getting the picture of why we, as Christians, don’t want to trust in our hearts but in God?
What do we do with the heart?
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
There was a man that had an illness, doctors thought it was a heck of a deal. They didn’t know
what to do. So, the man believed this verse and started watching comedy movies. He watched so
many of them he got better.Proverbs 12:25 (KJV)
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
You can help heal someone’s broken heart by “good words.” My wife lost a lot of weight and
she hadn’t seen a lady that she knew during the time she was losing the weight. She saw the lady
today and the lady, with enthusiasm, said “ look at you! You look fantastic!” My wife told me
after that that comment made her day. We don’t understand the power of words to do good and
to heal.
Luke 10:27 (KJV)
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
We love God by getting enough understanding of God’s Word then walking on it, by doing what He tells
us to do.
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
The word “keep” is the word “garrison.” Garrison, guard and protect your heart.
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.
You program or build whatever you want on in your mind and heart and when you build enough of it
you will start believing it. If it is the Word of God you will be able to do great things as it says in Mark
chapter eleven.
Mark 11:23 (KJV)
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.
Finally, when you hear enough of God’s Word regarding your redemption through Jesus Christ you can
confess Jesus as lord and at that moment be born of God’s spirit, born into the family of God. The
greatest privilege the world has ever known.
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.Do not take lightly what you watch and who you listen to because you are programming your heart.
Guard your heart by controlling what you are thinking. Study the Bible and you will be putting on the
mind of Christ.

AN EPIPHANY FOR YOU

Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines an epiphany as “an intuitive grasp of reality through something
such as an event) usually simple and striking.” I want the reading of this article to be an epiphany for
you. To get to the point of illumination I first want to share some scripture verses with you.
Psalm 12:6 (KJV)
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
John 17:17 (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 10:35 (KJV)
35
…, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Psalm 138:2 (KJV)
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for
thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Silver can only be purified seven times. If it goes through the purifying process any more then it will get
more dross or impurities in it. The Bible is pure and it is alive.
The Bible’s witness of itself is that it is pure, that it is the truth and that it can’t be broken. When it says
it cannot be broken it doesn’t give a reference to time unless you look at Matt. 5:18 where it says
nothing from the Bible is going to fall or be lost until it all is performed. And in Psalm 138:2 it says God
magnified His Word above His name.
How BIG is God’s name? it’s big enough that the Jews won’t speak it. It is so big that when the Archangel
Michael was disputing with the devil over the body of Moses he just said “The Lord rebuke thee.” That
was it! The disputation was over! All of that, yet, God magnifies His Word above His name.
It always makes me laugh when people say the Bible has errors in it or it is missing books because God
says the Word cannot be broken AND nothing is going to get lost. God is a big God and an all-knowing
God and an all powerful God. He not only watches His Word to perform it He watches it to protect it.
Then the question is “is God able to perform His Word?”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV)
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may abound to every good work:
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that worketh in us,
The answer is absolutely YES!Now that we know that God’s Word is truth and that He watches over His Word. Then we should ask
ourselves what is in the Bible for us?
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.
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.
Christians are children of the Most High God! Because of the holy spirit abiding within, each and every
believer is more powerful than all the host of hell combined.
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.
Remember, we are dealing with the Bible being the revealed word and will of God and it says that all of
the works that Jesus did we can do. Not only the works Jesus Christ did, but, GREATER WORKS we can
do!
You may say that you don’t believe it. That’s OK because I didn’t write the book! I don’t have to defend
it. All I have to do is witness to it and let you make up your own mind. But, let me tell you that it
is all in the believing. Look at Mark chapter nine.
Mark 9:23 (KJV)
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Now look at what 2 Corinthians says.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (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.
We have the ministry! With that Word that God has committed to us we have the tools and as
Ambassadors we have the authority to get the job done.
The only thing between us and greatness in the spiritual world and in this world is how much of the
Bible do you know and how much of what you know do you believe.
That brothers and sisters the illumination that you need to change your life.

KEEP FOCUSED ON THE PROMISE

There is a record in Matthew about Jesus and Peter walking on water. I am going to delve into
this record to more fully explain to you the principle of believing.
Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto
the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Constrained means to compel. The conversation would have gone something like this; “Ok guys
I want you to get on this ship.”
“No Jesus, we want to stay here with you.
“Thanks, but, I would rather you get on the ship. I’ll catch up to you later.”
“Jesus, we don’t want to leave you.”
“I understand, but, I need you on that ship.”
Are you sure?”
“Yes, quite sure. Now get on the ship before it leaves.”
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and
when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
The fourth watch is between 3:00 am and 6:00 am.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit;
and they cried out for fear.
The word “spirit” is the word phantom or what we today would call a ghost. That’s why they
cried out in fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
This is always what God. His angels and His son say “be not afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Can you get the mind picture of this? It is dark and the waves are so big they are breaking over
the bow. The wind is howling and ship is being tossed around like a cork in a kiddy pool. That is
worrisome enough, but, then they see what they think is a boogey man, an evil spirit.
This is like a movie where everything is going wrong until a turning point where everything
turns around and works out for the good. And so it does.It turns out to be Jesus Christ. In his relief and excitement Peter calls out “Hey if it really is you,
Jesus, let me come out with you. Wow, look at the boldness of Peter! The rest of the disciples are
still trying to clam down and catch their breath, but not Peter.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water,
to go to Jesus.
When is the last time you got down out of a ship planning to walk on water? Well, it was Peter’s
first time as well. But HOW did he do it? He received the promise and he believed that promise
and literally walked on it. This is the key to deliverance! he got the promise, he believed the
promise and he followed the instructions! This is like this throughout the whole Bible. This is the
key for anyone who wants deliverance.
How many promises are in the Bible? Over nine hundred. There is one waiting for you.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord, save me.
Have you ever seen anyone begin to sink? Nope, neither have I. When I see people’s feet hit the
water there is no beginning it is just one swift action of kerplunk as their whole body sinks in a
moment of time. So, what was different here and why did Peter not stay on top of the water? One
simple reason. He took his eyes off of Jesus and instead of keeping his eyes on the master and his
promise Peter looked at the circumstances. He still had the promise, but, it was overshadowed in
his mind by the circumstances.
The wind said he shouldn’t be there. The waves were licking at his feet as the ocean was trying
to swallow him. The darkness was pressing in on him and none of that mattered as long as he
kept his eyes on Jesus and on the promise and instruction to “come.”
When you want deliverance you cannot look at the circumstances. You have to keep your eyes
on the promise.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of
little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son
of God.

HEARING GOD

I would like to share with you about hearing God.
To start with it is important to understand that the more you know the Word of God, the easier it is to
know when God is talking to you because there are four different entities vying for your attention. The
first is God. The second is the constant bombardment from the things of the world. The third is our old
man nature and the forth is the devil and devil spirits. Each one can give you information, but, there is
only one that can give you information that is pure and that is God. Whether it be knowledge of things
to come, knowledge of current situations or knowledge of how to heal someone the only one that can
do that is God. So, knowing the Bible, God’s Word, gives us insight on whether the thoughts that come
into our minds are from God or from another source. The reason that is is because God never
contradicts Himself. In other words, any thoughts that you have that do not align with the Word of God
are not from God.
There is a record in I Kings about Elijah and God. Elijah had done a lot of things that God had asked him
to do and now he was tired, so, God told him to get up to a mountain and God would talk to him there.
This record shows the importance of knowing God’s voice.
1 Kings 19:11-13 (KJV)
11 And he (God) said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD
passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the
LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the
earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in
the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here,
Elijah?
Most of us think to hear from God you should hear a baritone voice speaking over a PA system just like
when Moses went up on the mount for the first time in the movie The Ten Commandments. That is not
quite so. To hear God’s voice you have to be calm and quiet and listen for God’s still small voice.
I have often wondered over the years why it seems as though the prophets and people of the Bible
could hear from God better than we, Christians, children of God can do and it comes down to three
things. Once we receive the holy spirit we don’t build up that gift, we don’t align our thinking with the
Word of God and thirdly, we are constantly bombarded with a cacophony of noise to the point that we
can hardly hear ourselves think. In biblical times they had no radio, no TV, no movies, no horns honking,
no road noise, no garbage trucks banging and crashing dumpsters in the wee hours of the morning, so, it
was easier to hear the still small voice of God.
There is another record of a youth named Samuel and how God taught him to recognize God’s voice.
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (KJV)
1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was
precious in those days; there was no open vision.Eli was the prophet of God, but, Eli was a copped out prophet. Although he still had his position
in the temple he no longer did God’s bidding.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to
wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and
Samuel was laid down to sleep;
As long as there was a prophet alive the people would keep a lamp burning to signify God’s
presence. What this verse is saying is Eli was going to die.
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
Samuel was quiet, his surroundings were quiet and God called to him, but, Eli didn’t teach him
how to know it was God talking, so, Samuel did what he was trained to do and that was to serve
Eli. So it was to Eli that he ran.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie
down again. And he went and lay down.
Eli didn’t know God had called Samuel, but, he should have.
6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am
I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
Eli was so far removed from talking with God that it didn’t even cross him mind that God could
be calling Samuel.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto
him.
When it says Samuel didn’t know the Lord it means that Samuel didn’t recognize that it was God
calling.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said,
Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
FINALLY! Eli gets a clue!
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt
say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel
answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
Once Samuel understood that it was God talking to him he would from then on always recognize the still
small voice of God.As Christians we too can learn to hear the still small voice of God. It is only a matter of aligning our
minds with the Word of God getting calm and quiet and recognize God is talking to you.

HOW GREAT IS GOD

There is a growing trend in the world and especially in the United States to deny the existence of God.
People are going as far as to say that aliens came to Earth and planted humans here. Others say that we
evolved out of nothing, that a big explosion started forming the universe and one thing led to another
and life started and evolved into what we see here on earth. This may be a growing trend, but, it is a
dangerous trend. Walking away from God always has negative consequences. But, tonight I don’t want
to dwell on that, but, rather, to challenge you to think.
I would like to ask you what the probability of atoms floating around for any length of time and
developing something as simple as a mouse or any other animal for that matter would be. Think about
it. A mouse with a nervous system, a skeletal system, a heart that pumps on its own. A mouse can hear,
think, see, sense and smell. A mouse has a reproductive system, actually two, male or female. A mouse
has skin and hair each with its own purpose and design. A mouse has a lymphatic system, a digestive
system, lungs that transfer oxygen to the blood. A mouse has a brain and is designed for a purpose so it
has preprogrammed (hereditary) thoughts and actions and a mouse has a soul that keeps it alive. People
can look at a mouse and, because of what they have been taught, say it came from evolution or the Big
Bang never looking beyond the small creature to see the hand of the master designer and, yet, they can
look at something manmade and see the hand of the designer, the craftsmanship in it.
What if I were to show you a watch and then tell you that it evolved out of nothing and one morning
there it was on my front porch. What would you say? “Oh, Ed, that is so wonderful let’s start a new
branch of science to enhance your postulation that watches float together because of the Big Bang.” No
you wouldn’t. You’d say that I was nuts and you would be right. You can see the hand of the craftsman
in the watch’s design and function and, yet, a watch has one function with one system to make the
hands go round and round.
Let’s get back to the little mouse. A unit that is so exquisitely made that the closer you look the more
beautiful and intricately made it becomes. All the way down to the microscopic level. Now consider how
many creatures are on earth any where from one celled animals to bugs, birds and fish all the way up to
humans. The probability of the universe spitting out a watch is zero, nill, nothing. The same is true for
the meek little mouse. What about the millions of other plants and animals here on earth everyone so
individual and so unique that there is no way they came to be without a master designer.
Psalm 14:1 (KJV)
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Job had a little problem. He espoused his righteousness, but, he forgot the majesty, power and
wisdom of God. It took Job thirty-seven chapters to change his mind and turn to God. it took
another four chapters for God to straighten Job out. It is those four chapters that I would like you
to read and ponder on how big God really is.
Job 38:1-41 (KJV)
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his
place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of
death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the
house thereof?
21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of
thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring
forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for
lack of meat.
Job 39:1-30 (KJV)
1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark whenthe hinds do calve?
2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto
them.
5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after
thee?
11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain
without fear;
17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of
the trumpet.
25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the
captains, and the shouting.
26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.
Job 40:1-24 (KJV)
1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer
it.
3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto
him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into
his mouth.
24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 41:1-34 (KJV)
1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest
down?
2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is
mine.
12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify
themselves.
26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
And finally Job humbles himself before God, so that God could give Job twice as mush as he lost
in chapters one and two. God can and will give you the desires of your heart if you will only
realize how great God is.
Job 42:1-6 (KJV)
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood
not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

WHY JESUS CHRIST DIED

There was an old grey-haired man who regularly taught his granddaughter about the things of God and of Jesus Christ. One night he sat his daughter on his lap and began to teach her about the love God had  for all mankind. So much so that He gave His only begotten son for us, so that he could save any and all of us, who want to be saved, from our sins.


” Sarah” he said, “when anyone understands enough about Jesus Christ to confess him as lord that person is delivered from their sins.”
When the grey-haired man was finished teaching Sarah, he put his Bible up and kissed his granddaughter good night. Sarah didn’t walk away as she usually did, with a bounce in her step. Tonight, she had a quizzacle look on her face and a slow deliberate stride as she walked to bed.


The next night Sarah, once again, sat on her grandfather’s lap, but, this night Sarah started to speak first.

“ Grandfather?”

“yes darling.”

“ I need to talk to you about last night’s teaching.”

“Ok, what is on your mind?”

“ I feel guilty.”

“Whaaat? Why?”

“Because…,” Sarah started “Because I don’t want anyone to die and I especially don’t want anyone to die for me! The thought of Jesus going through all of the beatings and then dying makes me sad and and
I feel guilty for him doing that just for me. I can’t accept it. I want to cry!” With that Sarah buried her head in her grandfathers chest and started to sob.

“Sarah sweety” said the grandfather as he held her tight.
For several minutes grandfather held Sarah in a bear hug of an embrace. Finally, he raised her off his chest and looked into her eyes.

“Boy, I sure didn’t explain things very well last night. I am so sorry for that. Let’s dry your tears and let me have another go at explaining this.”
Sarah went and blew her nose and wiped her tears from her face and came and sat down on Grandfather’s lap once more.

“Let me see” said Grandfather. “What I did last night, I think, was to give you the impression that Jesus traded his life for yours. Is that the way you see it?”
“Yes” said Sarah.

“Well, in a sense that is true, but, there is something else that you must understand. Remember the story of Adam and Eve, the first two people on Earth and how they lived in the Garden of Eden?”
Sarah’s eyes lit up, “Yes Grandfather I remember. They did something they weren’t supposed to do and ended up getting kicked out didn’t they?”“That is right, but, there is more to the story than that.” “What happen is that God gave rulership of all the Earth and all the animals, birds and fish to Adam. Whatever Adam said went. Adam even named all of the animals, birds and fish! So, Adam was responsible to God for being the big boss of the World.”
“Who’s the big boss now Grandfather?” asked Sarah.

I’m going to get to that, but your jumping ahead of me.” Replied Grandfather.
“Sorry Grandfather”
“It’s OK Sarah. I like that you are inquisitive. That means you are listening and thinking.” Said Grandfather.
Grandfather continued, “The devil, God’s arc enemy, you remember hearing about him?”

Sarah snuggled into Grandfathers chest and said “yes Grandfather, but, I don’t like talking about him.”
“Neither do I” said Grandfather, “but, for you to understand I need to teach you what he did. You see, the devil wanted the authority that Adam had, but, he knew he could never have it by honest means. So he started talking to Eve,. He knew he didn’t have a chance to fool Adam, but, if he could fool Eve then  Eve could work for him and maybe the both of them could fool Adam. So, that’s what he did. Day in and day out the devil would pretend that he was an angel of light and come to talk to Eve. Over time the
devil convinced Eve to do the one thing that God told Adam not to do. God told Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. The devil got Eve so twisted around that, when the devil asked Eve what God said she changed a word, added a word and deleted a word. In other words, she forgot what God said.”

“Uh Oh” exclaimed Sarah.

“Uh Oh is right” said Grandfather. ”Because Eve didn’t remember what God said the devil could and did convince her to eat the fruit that she wasn’t supposed to eat.” Do you know what it is called when you do something that God tells you not to do?”

“No, Grandfather, what is it called?”

“it is called sin, dear child.” Replied Grandfather.

“Grandfather, sin sounds so harsh.”

“It does sound harsh, but all it is is not doing what you are told.”
“Kinda like when I don’t pick up my room when Mommy tells me to?” asked Sarah.

“Exactly” chuckled Grandfather.

“So” Grandfather continued “Eve did just what the devil thought. She convinced Adam to eat the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil. When Adam ate that fruit, he committed high treason against God.”

“What is high treason, Grandfather” Sarah asked looking rather puzzled.“High treason, Sarah, is when someone commits a crime against a nation or kingdom by giving something of value to another nation. Usually it is secret information, but, sometimes it is something material of tangible.

“You have a puzzled look on your face. Did I loose you?.” Asked Grandfather.

“I don’t understand.” Replied Sarah.

Grandfather sat for a minute trying to come up with a comparison that Sarah could understand.

“ Well, honey,” Grandfather started “if we lived in a castle and someone in the castle gave information to the enemy about a secret passage that would let the army of the enemy in to take over the castle that would be high treason against the king and the people of the castle.”

“OK, Grandfather, I think I see” Sarah said, interrupting Grandfather.

“Good” said Grandfather, “but, there is another part to this. If we lived in the same castle and instead of a king we had a governor and that governor opened the gate to the army of the enemy and let them take control that would be high treason as well.”

“OK, I understand now.” Sarah chimed in.

“Back to the story of Adam and Eve” said Grandfather. “By doing what God told Adam not to do Adam broke fellowship with God and transferred his authority as governor of the World to the Devil.”

“Really?” Sarah looked at Grandfather with a look of disbelief.
Grandfather continued, “ yes that is why in John chapter fourteen Jesus said ‘ the prince of this world cometh and has nothing in me.’ Adam was the prince of the world, but, now the devil is because of Adams sin.”

“But Grandfather, what does this have to do with Jesus Dying?”

“I’m getting to that, Sarah. You see, when the devil got control of the world, he, also, got control of the people. We became his property.

“Wow, Grandfather, that sounds horrible!”

“It is sweetheart. That is why there are so many problems in the world today.” Grandfather continued, “

But, God made a plan to get us back from the rulership of the devil and it involved His son Jesus Christ.”

“You see, Sarah, Just like Adam did, the devil would have to do something against the laws of God so that it would break the his rulership, his authority over mankind.”

”Are you following me so far?” asked Grandfather.

“Yes I think so” said Sarah.

“Good girl” replied Grandfather. “So God’s plan was to send His son to help us. However, if the devil tried to get rid of or kill Jesus, God had a plan that was hidden before the foundation of the world.

“That’s a long time, Grandfather” exclaimed Sarah “ What was the plan?”“The plan was to allow the devil to kill Jesus Christ, something the devil had no right to do because Jesus was innocent of all sin and that would break the hold that the devil has on mankind.”

“That sounds horrible!” blurted Sarah

“Well it was” said Grandfather “but it had to be done to save us and you have to understand even though it was so terrible, God and Jesus Christ both saw the glory of Christ Jesus’ being raised from the dead and forever more sitting on the right hand, the hand of blessing, of God.”

“Wow, God really does love us doesn’t He, Grandfather!”

“Yes child He surely does, but, that is only the half of it,” exclaimed Grandfather, “the other half is that anyone that does what Romans chapter ten verses nine and ten says to do is no longer under the authority of the devil and they have an unrevokable one way ticket to Heaven.”

“So, Grandfather what about all the things that I hear about my sins?”

“Because of what Jesus Christ went through” said Grandfather,” “and because we are no longer under the authority of the devil, but, citizens of God’s Kingdom and children of God, when we do sin or break
fellowship with God all we have to do is tell God we are sorry and the Bible says that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”

“Thank you for explaining that to me, Grandfather” said Sarah, “I feel much better knowing that it wasn’t something I did that caused Jesus to die and just knowing that he is alive and I will get to see him is exciting, isn’t it Grandfather!”

“Indeed it is child, indeed it is.”