As we start this series on fasting, we must state what fasting is. For our purposes, fasting is denying or abstaining from something or some things to be closer to God and His purpose for our lives and His purpose in certain situations. Fasting is between you and God. We must desire Him more than the world and the things of the world. It is a hungering for the nearness of God, the Holy Spirit, and the return of the Lord Jesus. Remember, fasting was God's idea, not man's idea.

There are many references in the Bible to fasting. It is His way of humbling us before Him so He will draw near to us and we can draw near to Him. Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken spirit and a contrite heart, O God, Thou will not despise." The closer we get to Him, the more we will want Him. Fasting is His way of humbling us and working in us and working through us for our sanctification, the lost of this world, and His Glory.

Now, God's blessings are good but they should not take His place as our focus and our desire. For instance, in the Scriptures we will study, fasting is from food and sometimes from food and water. Food is a great blessing from God. Multitudes around the world are hungry and starving right now. Food is good but God is better. The Giver is better than the gift. Our focus and desire should be on the Giver.

Do you want your prayers to be answered? Fasting ignites prayer! It is His way for your prayers to have more power and more results according to His will. Fasting with prayer can break the power of the devil. It is also a weapon against evil as we will see in some of the lessons today. Do you want to be nearer to the Holy Spirit? Do you want the Holy Spirit to be nearer to you? Fasting with a broken spirit and a contrite heart will bring that about. It will increase your faith as you desire more of Him in your life. Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

                                 FASTING IN A CRISIS

2nd Samuel 12:13-23. The Crisis. David's son is dying. Because of David's great sin with Bathsheba and having Uriah murdered, the Lord was going to take his child. This was terrible enough but the Lord said it also gave His enemies a reason to blaspheme His name. This is a very strong warning to us! Beware of how you walk and the way and where you walk. So David repented, fasted, and humbled himself and sought the Lord for seven days. The child died. Then David washed and anointed himself, worshiped the Lord, and ate. What does this tell us about David? He accepted the Lord's discipline for his great sin and he still loved the Lord. David Had repented, he fasted, he prayed, he humbled himself, and he sought the Lord. God has to do the rest. It was in His hands, not David's. When his servants questioned him about this he said "While the child was still alive I fasted and wept, for I said Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me that the child may live." This is our hope, our desire, our prayer, when we fast, and when we pray to our God. May He be gracious to us.

2nd Chronicles 20: 1-22,29,30. The Crisis. A great multitude was coming to invade Judah.King Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he set his face to seek the Lord. Where was his attention? The enemy and the problem, or the Lord? He proclaimed a fast. Why? It is God's way to "get His attention" and His help in time of need and so that people know it is of Him. He then gets the Glory. So his people gathered together to seek the Lord and fast and pray. Jehoshaphat says a mighty prayer to God. Some of the prayer is Solomon's from 2nd Chronicles 6. This is a great prayer as he pleads with God to move. We are not able to overcome this situation or even know what to do. BUT! Our eyes are on you, Lord. He is the God of the impossible. I like it that the families were gathered there too. What a witness and testimony to the children! THEN, after fasting, gathering together to seek the Lord, and praying, the Holy Spirit responds and speaks through a prophet. Fasting ignites prayers! Do not be afraid! How many times do we read that in the Word of God? It is God's battle, not ours if we let Him work for us and through us. Jehoshaphat the king and all Judah fell on their faces and the Levites stood to praise the Lord God with very loud voices. Humility, worship, and praise. This should be our response when the Lord God moves on our behalf. He deserves it! The next morning Jehoshaphat encouraged the people and sent the people who sang and praised the Lord out ahead of the army. When they began singing and praising the Lord, God routed the army of the enemy. Worship is powerful! It is a weapon in our arsenal. In verses 29 and 30 we read that this was a testimony to all the kingdoms around them when they heard that the Lord fought for Israel. Then Jehoshaphat was at peace for God gave him rest on all sides. Praise the Lord! How did this come about? Judah fasted and prayed.

Esther chapter 4. The Crisis. The planned extermination of the Jews. When Mordecai heard the news, he greatly humbled himself with mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing. A great crisis needs action. Go to the King! Mordecai told Esther to go to the king to implore his favor for her people. Because going to the king without his permission could lead to death, Esther was afraid to go. I love Mordecai's answer. You are in danger too and if you remain silent, relief and deliverance will come from another place. What great faith in God and His sovereignty! Do you have faith like that in God and His Word? Are you in a position or a crisis where you have influence by God's sovereignty? Go to the King of Kings! Just like Jehoshaphat, Esther said assemble God's people and fast and pray. No food or water for three days. I will go to the King. Esther had favor with the king and Haman was exposed. We have favor with our King Jesus. Look at verses 5:14 and 7:10. God responded to the fasting and praying and the Jews were spared from destruction.


                                THINGS TO CONSIDER

Fasting is a Biblical discipline just like reading the Scriptures, worshiping, and praying. Do you fast?

Do you desire Him more than the things of the world or His blessings?

Do you desire to be closer to Him and He be closer to you?

Are you in a crisis situation in your life? Is the enemy of your soul causing you distress? Fast and pray. Fasting ignites your prayers!

Try fasting and praying and see what the Lord will do. Assemble with God's people and seek Him as you fast and pray.


Suggested reading:
God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis
A Hunger For God: John Piper

There is nothing on earth like the bonds of a mother that loves her child and that child. The bonds between them are very special and unique. A true mother will do anything for her children to protect them or save them from harm. She will be greatly burdened by her children when they are hurting or have gone astray. She never gives up on them! She hurts with them in a heartfelt way.

Scientists and doctors are finding the mother-child bonding is a very complex thing that affects each of them physically, mentally, and emotionally. A close connection may prevent disease, boost immunity, and even enhance IQ. Do some research. It is quite amazing what is being discovered in this area. We shouldn't be surprised at how God created these bonds to be so important, complex, and good for both the mother and the child. God is holistic towards His creation. He does care for our well-being.

So as we look at these Scriptures, let's remember these intense personal bonds that are created between a mother and her child. The Father does compare Himself and His love to a mother's love. He also compares His anger to a mother's birth pains. Isaiah 42:14-16, 49:14-15, 66:7-13. Matthew 23:37. We will also see God's sovereignty at work as He responds to a mother's love for her child.

Hannah. 1st Samuel 1:11,27,28. Think about these bonds we just discussed. She wanted a child so badly, but she made a vow to give her son to the Lord all the days of his life. The Lord answered her cries and gave her a son. After he was weaned she gave him to the Lord. What a great sacrifice by Hannah! Samuel became a great man of God and led his people his whole life. God in His sovereignty opened Hannah's womb and answered her prayers.

The Shunammite woman. 2nd Kings 4:18-24. The son she had bonded with died. She never gave up and acted quickly and went to the man of God. Verses 36,37. In God's sovereignty, the child was brought back to life. Her faith was rewarded!

The Gentile woman. Matthew 15:22-28. Her daughter was demon-possessed. These bonds were broken by evil. She cried out for mercy to Jesus, Lord, Son of David. She humbled herself for her child and said Lord help me! In Jesus's reply, the dogs here refer to pets just like today who sit under the table waiting for scraps or crumbs of food. Jesus was called to witness to Israel, not the Gentiles. I believe He was testing her faith here as she did call Him Lord. She greatly humbled herself for the sake of her daughter because of those bonds of love between them. She went to God. God's sovereignty produced a miracle outside of His plan to just go to the Jews first. Amazing! The Lord changed His plans for the cries of a mother for her child.

Mothers, you have pull and favor with God when you call on Him on behalf of your children. Your love for your child is very special to Him! He does respond to those cries from the heart. Do you have a child that is in danger or has gone astray? Do not give up! Go to God. Have faith and humble yourself and see what He in His sovereignty will do.

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2

As Paul was writing to the church in Colossae, he was encouraged by their discipline and their stability of faith in Jesus. But he warned them about man's empty philosophies. He said do not be deceived, beware of persuasive words, vain philosophies, legality, and asceticism. These are all about man's wisdom, man's traditions, and they are temporary and elementary.

Paul struggled to the point of weariness to encourage their hearts in the Lord and in a love for each other and an understanding of God's mystery, that is Jesus Christ. For in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They were firmly rooted and built up in Him and established in their faith and full of gratitude for what Jesus had done for them. Yet, Paul said, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophies and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." They were firmly rooted, but they could still fall away from the Lord.

This is a strong warning for us today! Because of technology and the media, we are being bombarded by deception in every area of our lives. It can be overwhelming. Be very careful about what you are letting into your mind and heart. Remember that Jesus is God. He made you complete, He has all rule and authority, He made you a new creature, He made you alive together with Him, He took our transgressions against God and our debt to God, and nailed them to the cross. This is miraculous and can only happen by God. Think about it.

How long has the Trinity been around? From eternity! Are Biblical principles still relevant? Yes they are! Have the prophecies come true? Many have and more will come true. Now, how is the world doing by man's wisdom and ways? It is in great sin and turmoil. It is spinning out of control. Which wisdom do you think is best for your life and the next life? Why follow man's wisdom when you can have the wisdom and knowledge of God in Jesus? It is so shallow and elementary compared to the wealth our God has for us. Oh people, let us not rely on the wisdom and knowledge of the world, but let us look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Let us look to Jesus to see how He lived and treated others. " As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him!"

                                                THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you being taken captive by philosophies and empty deception?

Are you tempted to give up your prize because of what the world is saying?

Some disciplines are good to be sure, but are they your focus and not the Lord?

Are all these things more satisfying to you than Jesus?

Are you following all the empty and confusing deceptions of the world instead of following after God? Turn to Jesus. Try Him. He really is all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

I have been gardening for many years, and yet, I experienced something the other morning in my garden that I have never seen. It was a very cold morning in the low twenties. When it is that cold, some plants with fresh new growth respond by wilting their leaves. The sun was just up and shining into the garden where I was standing. It was a real contrast to the cold air and it felt good.

I was looking at some plants whose tiny shoots were just breaking through the earth when I saw a leaf on a nearby daylily move and spring up. My first thought was that an insect had caused it to move. I looked but could not find any bug or anything there. As I was looking at the clump of leaves, I saw another leaf quickly move. And then another, and another! I soon realized what was happening. The sunlight was warming the leaves of the daylily and they were expanding and springing back to life before my eyes. I knew from experience that this happened quickly in the morning but, I was amazed that it was happening so quickly that I could observe it as it was happening. Pretty neat! I thought about how applicable that was to us. Jesus shines His light on us and brings life into our lives. We were cold and wilted in sin. His warm light caused us to spring to life and later to bloom as we grow in Him.

I love how God's creation has applications and lessons for us in our life here on His earth. God planned it that way to remind us and teach us about His ways and our lives. That is one of my very favorite things about gardening.

Psalm 36:9 For with Thee is the fountain of life, in Thy light we see light.

Ephesians 5:14 For this reason it says, Awake sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.
 
John 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 1:3,4 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

                                             MATTHEW 28

As Mary and Mary were going to the tomb early in the morning, their hearts were certainly weighed down with the recent events. Jesus was dead. He had just suffered a terrible death. Their dreams of the Kingdom vanished. What happened? How could this be? What would all His followers do now? And now they were going to anoint His terribly abused and mutilated body. This would also be a very traumatic and emotional experience. Remember that they were going to the tomb in unbelief. It would be very difficult for us to understand the mental and emotional shock they were about to experience!

When they got to the tomb, an angel of the Lord had rolled away the stone and he was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow. The guards shook with fear and became like dead men. Not exactly what the women were expecting!

The angel said " Do not be afraid, I know that you came looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for HE HAS RISEN just as He said. The angels announced His birth and now an angel announced His resurrection. Come and see the place where He was lying." Could this be true? Was this really happening? " Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold He is going before you into Galilee, there you SHALL SEE HIM!"

Wow! Can you imagine what this news did to them? Talk about emotional and mental overload! What a turnaround! We saw Him die! We saw His mutilated body on the cross! They departed quickly with fear and great joy. Going to see Jesus should give us great joy.

Then Jesus met them and greeted them. Impossible but true. All they could do was take hold of His feet and worship Him. He IS God! They were completely humbled in His presence. Jesus said, "Do not be afraid, go and take Word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me." At the same time, the guards reported to the chief priests what had happened. They bribed them with a large sum of money to lie about what happened. They also said they would win over Pilate too. Now, where did this large sum of money come from? Most likely the people's tithes. They were using God's money to lie about God's Son and His disciples and His resurrection. A very serious offense against God! Of course, this did not stop the Gospel from spreading. Nothing can or will stop the Gospel from spreading.

Jesus met the disciples at the mountain and gave His great charge to the disciples and the church. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

This was Jesus's message after His resurrection. Make disciples. Baptize them and teach them. This is what we are called to do today. This is why the church exists. It is not about us. It is about others out in the world. It is not by our authority or our experience. It is in the authority of the Holy Trinity. Let this be our focus and desire in these very uncertain and troubling times.

                                                    THINGS TO CONSIDER

Do you act in belief or unbelief to what Jesus said?

Are we making disciples for Him?

Do we build His church by His authority and not ours as believers in Jesus?

As His people celebrate the Resurrection, have you ever accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life? That great miracle was for you too! No other God has died for you and promised to be with you but Jesus. Please come to Him today!

 MATTHEW 16:18,19

Jesus and His disciples came into the district of Caesarea Philippi at the base of Mount Hermon. This is in the territory of Bashan. Bashan was the land of the giants and was referred to as the place of the serpent and Hell. Og and Sihon were from Bashan. Caesarea Philippi was also known as Panias after the god Pan who was half man and half goat. Goats were sacrificed there in large numbers to him. There are still shrines there that you can visit today. It was believed that the entrance to Hades was in one of the caves there. It was no coincidence that Jesus took the disciples there to reveal Himself and His plans. It was right in the enemy's stronghold! Remember that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

1st John 1:7,8. Jesus asked the disciples, " Who do the people say the Son of Man is? After hearing their response, He asked them, "Who do YOU say that I am?" Peter answered and said, " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." These next two verses have caused a whole lot of confusion since that time. The context here is of the utmost importance! The location is in a stronghold of satan. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and to establish His church. He just agreed that He is the Christ.

"And I also say to you," God revealed this to you. I also, as God, say to you, "you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." In Greek, Peter is a stone or little rock and rock is bedrock or a large rock. I believe that Jesus was giving the disciples a powerful object lesson here. He was going to build His church on the bedrock right at the gates of Hell. Now, who is the cornerstone? Jesus. Who is the foundation? Jesus. Matthew 7;24,25. Whose church is it? Jesus's! Who is building it? Jesus! It is not built on Peter, a sinful man.

Verse 23. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, and whatever you shall bind on earth SHALL HAVE BEEN BOUND in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth, SHALL HAVE BEEN LOOSED in heaven." The authority and power come from God. Again, what is the context here? Jesus taught, preached, healed, and cast out demons and set people free from them. Are these terms used in the Scriptures? Yes, they are! Mark 3:27, Matthew 12:29, Luke 13:16, Revelation 1:17,18, 20:1,2 and Mark 1:25,26. So what is Jesus saying? What is this about? It is about destroying the power and the works of demonic forces! Binding and loosing refer to exorcism and power over supernatural forces. But remember, this is done by the power in heaven and in Jesus' name. Jesus was not done revealing things to His disciples yet.

Six days later He was transfigured on the top of a high mountain. This is most likely Mount Hermon which is about 9000 feet high. So, Jesus revealed that He is the Messiah, He will build His church, it will break down the gates of Hell, He gave His disciples the keys to binding and loosing the powers of evil, and He showed them His glory. Did this get satan's attention? Of course, it did! Jesus declared war on him. The devil tried to get Jesus to sin in the wilderness and failed. Jesus had to be stopped!

Six days later He made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and six days later was His crucifixion. I believe that Jesus baited the devil into having Him killed. After all, wasn't this God's plan? John 3:16. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb of God who takes away all our sins! The devil and man fell for it. 1st Corinthians 2:6-8. Yes, He was crucified but it resulted in salvation for us and the world. Hallelujah! Is God good! Yes, He is!

                                                  THINGS TO CONSIDER

Who do YOU say that Jesus is?

Jesus builds His church through us!

Are you or your church a threat to the devil?

If you haven't already done so, please accept Jesus's sacrifice on the cross at Calvary for you!

                                             LUKE 5:17-26

Jesus was teaching and there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law there from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. They were checking this Jesus out to see if what He was teaching was scriptural. There was a crowd all around the house. Some men were carrying a paralyzed man to bring him to Jesus. But because of the crowd they lowered him down through the roof in front of Jesus. This showed great faith on their part. Jesus seeing THEIR faith said, " Friend your sins are forgiven."

Does God see our faith? Yes He does! Remember, there were many Pharisees and teachers of the Law there. Jesus is really going to challenge them here. They began reasoning to themselves, " Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus perceiving their reasonings asks a great question. "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?" Not their minds but their hearts.

Our Lord is the God of hearts. Where is YOUR faith? Why don't you believe? Why don't you have faith like these men? Why do you go to your limited understanding first? I have been teaching, preaching, healing, and casting out demons in public. Let's see what happens here first." Which is easier to say? It is easy to say something that you don't have to prove. You cannot prove that his sins are forgiven. " But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He said to the paralytic, " I say to you, rise, and take up your stretcher and go home."

Now when Jesus said Son of Man He was identifying with the prophets, especially Ezekiel. The Lord called Ezekiel son of man about 80 times. In Daniel 7:13,14 Son of Man was the Messiah. They could not mistake this reference that Jesus made of Himself. I'm going to prove right now who I am! " I say to you, rise, take up your stretcher and go home." JESUS IS AWESOME! At once He rose up and went home glorifying God. He KNEW where the healing came from.

Can you imagine experiencing that? If Jesus was blaspheming God, how could He heal him? Jesus is all knowing, all powerful. He is God. Yet He focused on a cripples soul and body and made him whole. Hallelujah! Is God good? Yes He is! Are you praying that the Lord will heal people in our midst? You should be. He hasn't changed. They were all seized with astonishment and began glorifying God. They also knew that the healing came from the Lord God. What a great scene!

                                                   THINGS TO CONSIDER

By faith, have you brought anyone in front of Jesus?

Does your reasoning get in the way of your faith?

Do you glorify God when He acts on your behalf?

Give Him praise for what He has done!

If you have never accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, set yourself down in front of Him today! Repent of your sins and let Him forgive your sins and make you whole.

MATTHEW 4:1-11

Here is another wilderness experience in the Bible. It is quite different with it being Jesus as He can be described as the wilderness experience. He was called out of Egypt, He is the Passover Lamb, He is the sacrifice for sins, He is the Light in the darkness, The Rock, Living Water, Manna from Heaven, the snake on the pole, High priest, Prophet like Moses, the Word of God.

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil himself. The chief baal. The very one who was behind all the idols that the children of Israel followed. Jesus was tested to prove that He was sinless and worthy to be a sacrifice for mankind. Forty days and forty nights in the desert alone gave Him much time to think about history from Adam to the wilderness experience of His people. They had failed their tests. Jesus must pass the test or there would be no cross and redemption for the world! 

The tempter came at His weakest time. He will do that to us too. He tempted Jesus three times. Turn the rock into bread, cast Yourself off the temple and God will protect you, worship me and I will give you all the kingdoms and their glory. In His responses notice that Jesus did not say He was the Son of God or He was God Himself. He just quoted scriptures. The Word of God is powerful! He rebuked the devil and he left Him. Then angels came and ministered to Him. 

Jesus passed the test! He went through His wilderness experience. Now Jesus was ready to do the mission that God and the Holy Spirit were leading Him to do. He can proclaim and teach the Gospel and defeat the powers of darkness. 

                                                    THINGS TO CONSIDER

Has the Holy Spirit led you into a wilderness experience? He will not lead you to a comfort zone. It is to sharpen you for the plan He has for you to do here on earth. 

Is the devil tempting you to turn from trusting God and to do things your way? 

Look to the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus and the Word of God to help you in your time of trial and temptation. You can pass the test too! 

If you are in a wilderness of your own making, and you have never trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord, Trust Him Today! He will be there with you to help you through it. You will be stronger for it! You can pass this test with Jesus at your side.

1st KINGS CHAPTER 19

For three and a half years Elijah experienced amazing miracles of God in his life. He had been very zealous for the Lord. Calling down fire from heaven and destroying 450 prophets of baal was the pinnacle of his faith and obedience to the Lord.

This should have produced a spiritual awakening in Israel, but it didn't. This must have been very hard to take and very discouraging. What more could he do? I believe he was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. Confronting the baals is hard!

Jezebel's threat on his life pushed him over the edge. Without a word from the Lord, he ran in fear for his life 100 miles to Beersheba and then went another day's journey into the wilderness. He told the Lord that he wanted to die. Elijah was in a very bad place. How did the Lord respond? He gave him food, water, and rest in the wilderness.

He arose and went 250 more miles to Horeb the mountain of God. This is where Moses encountered God many years ago. Elijah told the Lord how zealous he had been for Him. The Lord said, " Go forth!" So God showed Elijah His power in the strong wind, earthquake, and fire, but He spoke to him in the gentle blowing of the breeze.

The Lord has great power and might, but He is a personal God who speaks to us in our times of troubles and when we are before Him in our quiet times. His ever so personal love for us is what changes our hearts and lives!

Again Elijah told the Lord how zealous he had been for Him. And again the Lord said, "Go!" Go back to Damascus (700 miles) and anoint two kings and Elisha a prophet. This should be a very great encouragement to all of us! Elijah ran from where the Lord had called him to minister. He was in the wilderness, burned out and wanting to die. He had given up! But in his wilderness, the Lord met and fed him and strengthened him.

Elijah still had authority and anointing for kings and a prophet! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Are you mentally, emotionally, and physically drained? Have you run for your life and wanted to die? Have you given up on this life and the Lord? He has not and will not ever give up on you if you turn to Him in your wilderness. He can still use you in this distressing world in which we live. You still have His anointing if you want to use it. Is God good? Yes, He is!


                                                 THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you fearful in these days of chaos, confusion, and deception?

Are you so tired and emotionally and physically drained?

Have you wanted to give up and quit living this life of faith?

In faith, focus on the Lord, not the chaos and the enemy.

Let the Lord and the Holy Spirit refresh and encourage you!

Don't give up! The Lord can still use you and He still has a plan for your life. He wants us all to finish strong!

  1st KINGS 18:17-46

Amazingly Ahab blames Elijah for the problems that Israel is facing during his reign. There has been a drought for three and a half years. Yet this is what the Lord told Moses would happen if His people turned from God to worship false gods. Deuteronomy 28:23. The blame game is still alive and well today too. Elijah sets him straight and puts the blame squarely on him. At great risk to himself, he then tells Ahab to bring the people and the prophets of Baal and the Asherahs to Mount Carmel to see who's God can send fire from Heaven. Quite a challenge. What a step of faith!

The prophets of Baal prepared an offering and cried to their god till noon. Elijah mocked them and their god with great insults. Then they cut themselves and raved till the time of the evening offering. There was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention. Baal was silent. Elijah prepared an altar before the people for the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. They soaked it with water and Elijah prayed a great prayer to the Lord God. "I am Thy servant and I have done all these things at Thy word." He so wanted their hearts to turn back to the Lord. "Answer me O Lord, answer me he cried." Do we emphatically pray like this? Do we do things at His word?

The Lord answered the prophet's cries and fire from Heaven consumed the offering and the altar. Awesome! Baal was defeated and the false prophets were destroyed. But there was still one more thing to pray for. While the pagan king ate and drank, the prophet prayed again and there was a heavy shower. Evil was defeated and then the drought was over. In an amazing show of humility and respect for the king, Elijah ran before the king's chariot back to Jezreel. Jezebel and the prophets of asherah were in Jezreel. They were her prophets and she did not send them to Mount Carmel. Elijah was back in the enemy's territory! Next week we will see what happens to Elijah.

                                                 THINGS TO CONSIDER

Is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about the baals and asherahs in our world today?

Are you challenging them by your faith and obedience like Elijah?

Do you emphatically call upon the name of the Lord in tests and trials?

Are you believing Him for miracles today?

1st Kings Chapter 17

Yes, Elijah was a prophet of the Lord God, but the Lord still tested his obedience and faith in the midst of a drought and famine. Luke 4:23-30. The Lord sent him to Ahab, the brook Cherith, and to the widow in Zarephath. Each step required faith and obedience to the word of the Lord. The Lord God was true to His word and supplied the prophet's needs.

When we are obedient to what the Lord calls us to, it always affects others. The poor widow and her son were in a desperate situation, yet Elijah asked the poor widow to give him literally everything she had, water and food in the drought and famine, and her only son when he had died. He was even living in her home. Speaking through Elijah the Lord tested her, but through her giving first to the Lord, He did great miracles and provided for all of her needs too. As a result, this gentile widow became a believer in the Lord God of Israel.

Are you in a spiritual drought and famine in your life right now? Call upon the Lord God before whom you stand! He will hear you. Then in faith be obedient to the word of the Lord no matter what He asks you to give Him. The streams from heaven will never run dry and manna from heaven will never run out. He will supply your needs and this will affect others around you for the Lord and His Kingdom.

 
 JUDGES CHAPTER 2
 
Chapter 2 is a picture of the whole book of Judges. One commentator described Judges as "Defeat and Deliverance."A very apt name for it! The Lord God was angry and hurt by His people as they forgot what He had done for them and then turned to other gods. But He never gave up on them. He delivered them time and time again. His grace is amazing and His love for His people endures forever! Israel should have risen to great heights as a nation. The Lord had supplied everything they needed to do that. They should have been an amazing testimony for God to their children, the nations around them, and to the world. This also would have been a forerunner of the Kingdom of God that would come to earth at the end of days. They failed miserably. Jesus and the Holy Spirit have raised us up to be an amazing testimony of God's grace and works in our families and the world around us too. Let us not fail Him! Let Him lead us and work in us as we live in the land He has brought each of us to.

2:1 The angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal. I will never break My covenant with you. This may have been the Lord Jesus.

2 I told you not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and to smash their altars. But what is this you have done?

3 Therefore I will not drive them out before you. They shall become thorns and snares to you. Joshua 23:12,13. Even though this would cause much harm to His people for a very long time, the Lord had to keep His word. He would see and hear their suffering under these pagan nations.

4,5 The people lifted up their voices and wept. They were in sin and judgment was coming. Something to weep about! Bochim means weepers. They did offer sacrifices, but the judgment was still going to happen.

6,7 They went to their inheritance to possess the land. Joshua 21:45. Joshua and the people served the Lord for the rest of their lives. The Lord our God will never break His promises.1st Corinthians 1:20.

8,9 Joshua died at 110 years old. Quite a life! Why? He lived by great faith and obedience to the Lord. Was it easy? No. Was the Lord with Him and did He encourage him? Yes! Joshua 1:1-9. Read about all the battles in Joshua.

10 The next generation did not know the Lord. They did not even know the great and mighty miracles that the Lord had done for Israel. Wow! What happened? They stopped relying on the Lord in the prosperity He created for them. They did not teach their children the ways of the Lord or talk about His works. There was not much discipleship even though Joshua's generation saw and experienced the works of the Lord. This is hard to believe! This is a good lesson for us today.
They had faith from that experience. Where did they have that experience? In the great and terrible wilderness where the Lord God led them. How do we have our own faith today? We let Him lead us in whatever He has called us to. He does have a plan for your life. Are you being led by the Lord so you can see and experience Him working in your life? Do you have faith from experience, or do you have the faith of your parents or of your church? This is something so important that is missing in our churches today. Especially among the youth. Faith by experiencing the Holy Spirit and Jesus working in their lives. If they would experience answers to prayers, the Holy Spirit speaking to them in various ways, His guiding and leading them, they would keep the faith. The Lord wants to give all of us that faith. Let me ask you a question. Are you living by faith, or are you living in fear of letting go and following Him? The world is a scary place, it is a wilderness in many ways. But He will be with you. He will guide you and encourage you. Your faith will be stronger as you experience Him working in your life. This is true fulfillment.

11-13 They did evil IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD and served the Baals. There were numerous gods and idols. Did they know the Lord could see what they were doing? Yes, so they worshipped Him in their own way, not His. They mixed it all together praising the Lord, but their hearts were far from Him. They forsook the Lord and bowed down to other gods. This is why the Lord told them to drive these people out of Canaan. Does the Lord know what He is talking about? Does He understand human nature? Better than us! Did He know this would happen to His people? Yes, but again, He cannot break His word. They had to learn the hard way. Baal and Astartes were both fertility gods. This included things of nature like rain and soil and crops. They also were sexual gods that had relations with each other. This led their followers to engage in immoral acts. Astartes may have been the god Artemis in the New Testament. Other idols, the Asherah poles, were female deities that were naked. There are demonic influences behind all these gods. All these idols and demons led to great sexual sins and to child sacrifice. Psalm 106:34-46. The Lord God did not lead and call His people into this paganism. They were to be a testimony for His faithfulness and His Laws.

14 Have you ever been angry with your children? The Lord's anger burned against Israel. He afflicted them. They were plundered. Their possessions were taken. He sold them into slavery to the ones they were supposed to drive out of Canaan. In Egypt, they cried unto God and He delivered them. They forgot all the ways and miracles that He did for them in the desert. Can you imagine how hurt He was? Was His holy heartbroken? I wonder how He feels about some of the things going on in the church today.

15 The hand of the Lord was against them for evil. Not good! The Lord God does not play games. Can you be successful if the Lord is against you? No. Deuteronomy 8:19,20.

16 The Lord raised up judges that delivered them. This was God's unfailing love and His amazing grace! The Lord does not completely abandon His people. Isaiah 65:2,3. Be very grateful for that and His grace towards us. Are you thankful? Is God good? Yes, He is!

17 They did not listen. Sin is so powerful. It can have such a stronghold on us. The flesh and its impulses never die. We need to stick together and encourage each other in this sinful world and all of its idolatry. This is one of the reasons for the fellowship of the saints. We praise and worship the Lord our God together. We read and study His Word together. This togetherness helps us to overcome the sin of the world and its hold on us.

18 The Lord was moved to pity for His people. They were still His children, no matter how rebellious they were. He raised up judges and did miracles through them to deliver them from their enemies. There were 13 judges that He used to rescue them. Have you fallen into a sin that has left you ashamed and where there is no way out? Call on the Lord Jesus. He desires to deliver you from the situation.

19 They did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways.

20-22The anger of the Lord burned against Israel. I will no longer drive out the remaining nations. Again, the Lord will not break His word even though He would have to be angry and watch His people suffer. He would have to raise up one judge after another to deliver them from their sin and oppressors. Is He patient? Yes! He tested them in all these trials and tribulations. The Lord is always testing us too. How do we respond to His deliverance of us? How do we act day in and day out in all kinds of situations that in His sovereignty He brings our way? Are we passing the test or are we stubborn in our ways?

23 So the Lord allowed those nations to remain. Joshua 23:13.

                                                     THINGS TO CONSIDER

Is your life a testimony of Jesus and the Holy Spirit working in you and through you?

Are you struggling in the place that the Lord has led you to?

Are the idols of this world pulling you away from the Lord and His ways? He is there for you and always willing to help when we ask Him.

To those without the Lord: Is your life a mess right now? Is this sinful world constantly pulling you down? Do you feel like there is no way out? Turn to Jesus today! He does have pity on you in this crazy world that we live in. He can and will deliver you from all your idols if you trust Him and let Him lead you in all His ways.

DEUTERONOMY 8

The Israelites are at the Jordan River looking into the Promised Land. They were to be a testimony of God's power and righteousness to the pagan nations across that river. It wasn't just about them. So Moses again reminds them to obey the Law and remember all the miracles the Lord did for them in the terrible wilderness. He also warns them against forgetting God and becoming proud. The Lord reminds them of these things many, many, times in the Old Testament. But they still fell into great sin and were scattered all over the earth. This applies to us too. Jesus led us out of the life of sin and into our life of following Him. We must pursue the Lord in our lives to stay strong and not fall. The Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship are essentials of the faith. The Promised Land was a land of many physical blessings. The blessings for us are mainly spiritual blessings. Yes, He can and does give us good things, but our focus should be on our spiritual journey with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and our eternal reward.

8:1 Listen to God and you shall live, multiply, and possess the land which the Lord swore to give you. It will take faith and obedience to do this.

2 What a great verse! You shall remember. This is a command. The Lord led them, humbled them, and tested them as He led them to the Promised Land. Would they have faith in the trails? Would they be obedient in the tribulations? Would they keep His commandments? He had a great plan for them but He had to shape and mold them first so they could accomplish that plan. This is what the wilderness was all about. Through Jesus, God led us out of the wilderness of sin. But just like the Israelites, His plan for us doesn't end there. He sanctifies us as He prepares us to do what He has called us to. Are you letting Him change your heart? He desires to shape and mold us as He builds His Kingdom here on earth through us. Do you remember how He saved you from your land of Egypt? A land of slavery to sin. Where you are in the Lord today and all you have has come from Him. We have nothing to be proud of! Psalm 51:17. The Holy Spirit will not fully work with a proud person.

3 Another great verse. We could have two lessons just on these two verses. He humbled you and LET YOU BE HUNGRY. He fed you with manna that you or your fathers did not know. A new thing from God. He might MAKE you understand. Man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. There would not be life or food or water without God creating it. Our very existence is from the Lord God. LET YOU BE HUNGRY. Are you in a difficult situation? Are you "hungry?" The Lord lets us all be hungry at times in our walk with Him. He wants to pull us through these times to make us understand it is about Him. Luke 4:4. Was Jesus hungry and thirsty like the Israelites? Yes! Where was He? In the wilderness. Why was He there? The Holy Spirit led Him there. Jesus knew where His nourishment came from. Luke 4:14. The Holy Spirit will not lead us into a comfort zone. If we let Him humble us and test us in our wilderness and in our sanctification, we can come into our promised land and calling in the power of the Spirit! Do it His way and we will be stronger!

4 A miracle from the Lord for forty years!

5 In your heart. He was working on their hearts. Where does God look at a person? Their heart. The wilderness experience was God's idea and plan for the Israelites. He could have destroyed Egypt and given that land to them. But the Lord disciplined them in their journey through the desert. It wasn't supposed to be 40 years though! That was because of unbelief and disobedience. Are you letting the Holy Spirit discipline you?  He convicts us of sin. Let us let Him change our hearts!

6 Therefore, you shall keep the Lord's commandments. A command.

7-9 The Lord your God is bringing you into a land where you shall not lack anything. A good land full of water and food. This is what was lacking in the desert. He was encouraging the people. It was a good land, but it was full of enemies! There would be many battles for them to fight before it was conquered. This would be a testimony for God. How we as the Lord's people deal with our battles, trials, and tribulations is what sets us apart from the world. It is a testimony for Jesus.

10 This verse convicted me. Do we pray and bless the Lord after a good meal that He has provided? After a good day, or even a bad day? It helps us to remember Him.

11-14 Beware! This is a warning. Do not forget His commandments. This is why he commanded them to bless the Lord their God in verse 10. All His goodness and blessings could take their focus from Him. It would be a testimony to the world. The Lord wants to bless us, but He is testing us too. Don't let your heart become proud. Who created you? Who saved you from your wilderness of sin? He did! The Lord blesses us as we follow Him and are led by the Holy Spirit. We stay humble, live a clean life, we love, we give, we help others, we encourage others, we empathize with those that are hurting. We read, pray, and worship in Spirit and in the truth. This should be our testimony to the world. Our lives should glorify the Lord. It's not just about us.

15 He led them and sustained them in a dangerous place.

16 In the wilderness. He fed you manna in the wilderness. It was the perfect food. A miracle and a new thing. Again, to humble you. They could have no pride in the wilderness. How long would they survive in the wilderness without water and food? Not too long! To test them to do good for them in the end. To bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. If the Lord is leading you into trials to humble and test you, it is to do good for you in the end. It sure may not seem like it when you are going through them, but it is for your benefit. It may be for the benefit of many others too. Many good ministries have started this way after the Lord brought people through a wilderness. They have used that experience to minister to others in the same situations. Can He use you? Are you willing?

17 Be very careful with the blessings from the Lord! Your successes, abilities, finances, favor with people, whatever they may be. Give God the glory for them!

18 You shall remember the Lord your God. This is a command. He did it for you. He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers. This may be Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It may be the Israelites' fathers that died in the wilderness or both. Who's covenant was it? His covenant that He made with them. Then He performs miracles so they could accomplish the plan that He made. It's all about Him. Then they get to benefit from it in the end. Now, we should remember Him every day. He gave us all of our abilities too. Why? To confirm and work out His plan for your life. He wants to confirm this in all of His people. Are you seeking it, or are you wandering in the wilderness? He is sanctifying you, building His Kingdom, and defeating the enemy through you all at the same time. An amazing plan isn't it? Then you get a heavenly reward. IS GOD GOOD? YES, HE IS!

19,20 A very strong warning. This is why the Lord is reminding them of what He has done for them and what the Promised Land was like. A good land. He is encouraging them to have faith and obedience. The land was full of people worshipping idols and false gods. If they forgot what the Lord their God did and worshipped them, they would perish. It is the same for us in this world. If we follow our idols or the idols of this world we will perish in what He has called us to. You will not thrive. You will lose His favor. You will quench the Holy Spirit. Be careful! The nations in the Promised Land perished. You will too. This is the history of the world. Nations rise and fall. It usually starts from within as they reject God and His laws.

                                                     THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you following the ways of the Lord in your life?

Do you remember where He has brought you from?

Are you humble or are you proud?

Do you thank the Lord for the good things He has provided for you?

Are you chasing the idols of this world and drifting from the Lord? Come back to Him!

Maybe you do not know the Lord personally. He is a personal God. Whatever wilderness you are in right now, Jesus can bring you through it and out of it into a good land. If the Lord God led two million or so people through the desert, He will lead you to a much better place in your life. Humble yourself and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior today.

                                        Deuteronomy 8:2

God had a mighty plan for the Israelites as He brought them out of bondage in Egypt to lead them to Canaan, the Promised Land. But because of unbelief and disobedience, they wandered for 40 years and many of them died in the wilderness. They never reached the Promised Land that the Lord had given them. In this chapter, we will see the tragedy of unbelief, disobedience, and complaining and rebelling against God's chosen leaders. But, let us not be too quick to judge the Israelites. You have not been in their shoes. The desert was a terrible place. Burning hot during the day and cold at night. This was an extremely difficult journey. Nevertheless, in 1st Corinthians 10:6,11, Paul said these things happened to them as examples for us. Let us learn from them as we study this chapter 20 of the book of Numbers.

20:1 The wilderness of Zin. There were several named wilderness areas. One of them was the wilderness of Sin. Marah and Elim were in this area. Sin is a wilderness area for sure. Sin will take you farther than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay. It will cost you a whole lot more than you want to pay! Do not go there. Follow the Lord! The chapter starts with death. Miriam died there in the wilderness. In Numbers 12 Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses as the Lord's appointed leader. She became leprous for seven days. Later on, she did not stand with Caleb and Joshua and Moses and Aaron when they wanted to take Canaan for a possession. She was in doubt and was disobedient. Aaron her brother actually made a golden calf for the people to worship. Exodus 32:4. When Moses saw it he smashed the first copy of the 10 commandments on the ground. Most commentators agree that the calf was similar to a deity in Egypt. Remember, the Israelites were there for 400 years. A lot of influence from Egyptian culture. God led them out of Egypt, but He had a difficult time getting Egypt out of them! Let us never go back to Egypt or the wilderness of Sin.

2 They assembled themselves against their leaders. They still had no faith in what the Lord could do or in His plan for them. God did mighty miracles in Egypt, at the Red Sea, Marah, and the rock of Horeb. Do you remember what the Lord has done for you? Write it down. Journal it. Do not forget. In Numbers 14:22,23 the Lord said the people tested Him. Let us not test Him. Follow Him in faith and obedience. He will take you to your Canaan land.

3 They contended with Moses. Since Moses was chosen by God, they were contending with the Lord. Numbers 14:1,2. Be careful how you talk about the Lord's leaders. I have not done a very good job at this in the past! There is a right way to approach certain situations. This is not it! They would rather perish than follow God. Really? Numbers 16:8-10, 31-33. Their eyes were on themselves and not God.

4,5 Poor Moses! If they were obedient, they would have already been in the land God had promised them. It WAS a land with seed, figs, vines, pomegranates, and water. They should have by faith entered into the land. They should have followed God's appointed leaders. Instead, they wandered and perished far short of what the Lord had promised them and their children.

6 Moses and Aaron fell on their faces. The intercessors for their people. This is what a leader and shepherd does for his people. The Lord showed up. Whenever the people rose up and grumbled against Moses and Aaron, the Lord showed up. He cares about His people and His leaders. Also, we can see a crowd mentality here. Stay away from crowds and protests. As we have seen in our nation in the last year, they can quickly become dangerous and counterproductive.

7,8 In Exodus 17:6 Moses struck the rock of Horeb and water came out. Here the Lord says to speak to the rock in front of the congregation so they can witness what He is going to do. It is important that He is letting His leader have a part in this miracle. The Lord is so patient! After years of disobedience, complaining, and failing the test, He still wants to prove Himself before His people. He wants to prove Himself to you and His people these days too. Are you giving Him the opportunity to do this in your life? Remember, this is in the wilderness, in our most difficult times. Now, it is one thing to bring water from clouds, or up from the ground. But it is quite another to bring water out of a rock. A mighty miracle by a mighty God. The rock also represents Jesus the rock, the cornerstone, the foundation of our faith. God struck Jesus on the cross and the waters of salvation flowed forth to all the people that would drink of it. Praise the Lord! In the midst of all the sin, rebellion, blasphemy, violence, corruption, and decadence, God struck Jesus and freely gave living water to all those that thirst. Hallelujah! What a good God!

9,10 What a scene this is! Moses took the rod and gathered the assembly. Was Moses angry? Yes! Why? The peoples complaining and disobedience. This is very important for us. Are you putting stress on your leader? A terrible example for us. He said to them, Listen now you rebels, shall WE bring forth water for you out of this rock?

11 Moses struck the rock twice and water came forth ABUNDANTLY and the congregation and the beasts drank. How many people and beasts were there? Maybe two million people and thousands of animals. A very large amount of both. Even though Moses was disobedient in how he did this, water still came forth. This was because of God's grace and concern for His people.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring the assembly into the land which I HAVE given them. Moses, in his anger, took the glory from God and was disobedient before Him and the people. God should always get the glory. He treated the Lord with disrespect. Did he believe the water would come out of the rock without striking it? This was serious business. God does not play games. Can you imagine after all those years and trials and tribulations and wars, not being able to enter the Promised Land? This was a very strict discipline!

13 The waters of Meribah, or contention. He proved Himself holy among them by the miracle and judgment. HE IS HOLY! We cannot comprehend His holiness. Oh, how the church today needs a glimpse of the holiness of God.

14-21 The story of Israel leaving Egypt. No favor with Edom. Was this because of their disobedience? I believe it is possible. They then had to take a longer route to Canaan through the wilderness.

22-24 They came to Mount Hor and the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I HAVE given to the sons of Israel, because YOU rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. The Lord put the blame directly on Moses. How hard this situation must have been. I'm sure Moses was already devastated knowing he would not enter the Promised Land. Yes, the Lord has a love for His children we cannot completely understand, but He is also just. He has to be. A hard lesson for Moses and Aaron. Let us learn from it. In the midst of adversity and difficulties, we must still trust God, honor Him in front of His people and the world, as we head to our promised land that He has called us to. In a way, Moses and Aaron plotted their own course. It did not end up well.

25-28 Take Aaron and his son to Mount Hor so Eleazar could take over the priesthood.
They went up to Mount Hor. This must have been a very solemn climb. I wonder what they talked about on the way to Aaron's death. How strange it must have been for Aaron to know he was going to die at the end of this walk. Jesus carried His cross up to Calvary to die too. Eleazar put on the priestly garments and Aaron died there.

29 The house of Israel wept for thirty days. How sad. The chapter begins with Miriam's death and ends with the death of Aaron. In between Moses is told that He will not enter the Promised Land. He also lost his brother and sister in a very short time. This was an extremely hard lesson and experience for Moses and the people. Let us take it to heart and learn from it what we can and really, what we must learn from it. Was this the last we heard of Moses? No! He did not give up on God. He kept going and raised up Joshua to take his place and to accomplish the Lord's plan for His people. He later appeared with Elijah and Jesus on the mount of transfiguration! How wonderful is that? Let us learn from this too. God disciplines those He loves.

                                               THINGS TO CONSIDER

Chapter 20 and all the book of Numbers is a picture of our lives today as followers of Jesus. He has a mighty plan for our lives too. Do you believe that? Are you being obedient to what He has called you to do? Or, are you wandering in the wilderness of unbelief and disobedience? God will let you wander! Life is too short to spend time wandering in the wilderness. The world and our nation is falling apart at the seams. Much of this is the church's fault. In faith, it is time to seek His will, and in obedience, it is time to let Him lead us to the promised land He has given to each of us. It is ours for the taking. It is your inheritance and your future legacy. Will you let the Holy Spirit lead you there, or will you perish in the desert? Our true fulfillment comes from following the Lord in faith and obedience. If you need help in finding the Lord's plan for your life, please let us know. We would love to talk to you and to help you find the way to your promised land.

Is your life a wilderness without God? Are you wandering through life with no direction? God has made a way out of the wilderness. His name is Jesus! He said I am THE WAY and the truth and the life. Give Him your heart and life today. It will begin a great journey to the life and land He has for you.

In Chapter 2 Habakkuk the watchman was on the rampart when the Lord answered him. He gave him the vision that judgment on Judah and the Chaldeans would certainly come, it would not delay. He also said, Look! The proud one, his soul is not right within him, but the righteous will live by his faith. This is one of the most important verses in the Scriptures. This is the Christian life. No matter what happens or what the circumstances are, the righteous will live by his faith. The Lord is instructing Habakkuk how to live when judgment comes. Then the Lord pronounces woes on the Chaldeans. Their pride, greed, violence, and idolatry, just like ours, is all in vain. It is all about the Lord, For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Judah was committing these sins too. This made the vision even more frightening! (The first 15 verses of chapter 3 is a very difficult passage of scripture to teach from. In general, it does seem to follow events in Exodus, Joshua, and Judges. Some of the other verses are obscure in their meaning. There is no general consensus from commentators on them. The overall theme is God's power over His creation and His fighting for the salvation of His people.) 

3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet according to Shigionoth. There are many interpretations of this verse. It most likely is a prayer or a word that was sung to an old melody.

2 Habakkuk, after hearing the Lord's report or message of judgment on Judah and the Chaldeans, is afraid. He prays that the Lord will revive the work He did among His people before the judgment comes. God led them forth as His chosen people to teach them His laws and His ways. He conquered the nations using them. In your wrath remember mercy. He has accepted the fact that it is coming but please remember that we are your people. He remembers that the righteous will live by his faith and that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord. He is beginning to change his thinking. He questioned God in chapter one.

3 Judgement is surely coming, but God will eventually deliver His people. He is quiet now but He has not forgotten you! He is the same God that came into the Sinai to lead Israel out of Egypt by great and mighty miracles. His splendor covers the heavens and the earth is full of His praise. He is God!
 
4 His radiance is like the sun shining on everything. The rays flash from His hands. He has the power to save by signs and wonders. He has not changed.

5 He commanded plagues and pestilence to punish people. He sends them at His will. This probably refers to what the Lord did to the Egyptians.

6 Only God can stand and measure the whole earth. These were the nations in and around Canaan. Hills and mountains have come and gone, but His ways are everlasting. He created them.

7 Cushan and Midian may refer to Gideon's defeat of the Midianites.

8 Was the Lord angry at the rivers and the sea? No! He created them and moved them by His power for His purposes. The salvation of His people. This verse may refer to the parting of the Red Sea.

9 The bow and the rods or arrows represent the Lord as a warrior, again for His people.  Cleaving the earth with rivers may refer to the rock at Horeb.

10 The mountains saw Thee and quaked. That happened at Mount Sinai. The waters and the deep may be speaking of the Jordan River and the Red Sea.

11 The sun and the moon stood still so Joshua could win the battle against the five kings and their armies. Joshua 10:12. Again, the arrows and spear show the Lord as a warrior. He is Jehovah Tsaba, our warrior.

12 Indignation and anger. He conquered the nations and He will conquer the Chaldeans.

13 The Lord fought for the salvation of His people. Anointed in the Greek here means Christ or possibly Christs. Joshua's name means Jehovah Saves and Jesus in the New Testament. House of evil and Joshua refer to the Promised Land.

14 Judges 7:22. In the battle against Gideon, the Midianites killed each other. They came in like a whirlwind against our villages to devour us as the wild beasts do.

15 Sea and waters here may speak of the Red Sea and the Jordan again. It may refer to the armies the Lord conquered for the salvation of His people.

16 This is a graphic picture of what Habakkuk saw and heard from the Lord. Trembling, quivering, and decay in the bones. Judgment is coming and I must wait quietly for it to come. Habakkuk has gone from questioning the Lord to quietly waiting for the invasion. God's ways are not our ways, but they are always right.

17-19 Here is the faith of the righteous! Should all the crops and livestock perish and be destroyed. When the judgment comes I will still exalt the Lord and rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength. His strength lifts me up and makes me walk in boldness in times of trouble. I will pray the prayer of faith. He is my courage in perilous times. He has fought for my salvation and He will do it again. The Chaldeans will ultimately be overthrown. Habakkuk has come through by his faith!

For the choir director on my stringed instrument. Again, this is a prayer or a word from the Lord set to music. This will be the vision that Habakkuk saw and heard from the Lord for the people of Judah. The prophet will declare judgment, but also will give them encouragement. The righteous will live by his faith. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. The Lord is still in His holy temple. Woes will be placed on the Chaldeans. The Lord our God WILL fight for us. He is our strength!

As we read through the book of Habakkuk we see a great change in the prophet. He went from crying out and questioning God to learning more about His ways. In faith, he accepts the inevitable and turns to the Lord for strength no matter what becomes of him and his nation. Did the circumstances change? No! Did God change? No! THE CHANGE WAS IN HABAKKUK AND THE WAY THAT HE LOOKED AT THINGS. This is a great lesson for us today. It seems that the world is getting worse and worse by the day. It is possible that very difficult times are coming for all of us. Remember that Habakkuk in his time of questioning God, still did what the Lord had called him to do. He was a watchman and he stayed on the rampart listening and seeking the Lord's response for the crisis. If we are listening to the Holy Spirit and being led by Him, our views will change on the trials and tribulations in our life. We, like the prophet, can go from distress and doubt to faith and the exultation and rejoicing in the mighty God of our glorious salvation. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! 

                                                     THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you questioning God in your life right now?

Do you feel that a crisis is coming?

Maybe it is, but have you looked out into the world to see what the Lord is doing? He is always doing great works because He is God. Focus on Him!

Are you living by your faith or living in your fear?

Are you doing what the Lord has called you to do in spite of your doubt and uncertainties?

He is still in His holy temple. The earth WILL be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. Turn to Him for your strength and give Him praise!

Are you searching for God in these scary times? Do you want to overcome your fears and have faith in the future no matter what happens here on earth? Turn to Jesus today. He IS the Prince of Peace. He fought and died for your salvation! He is longing to be your Lord and Savior now and forevermore.

Last week we read that Habakkuk cried to the Lord as he witnessed the strife and injustice all around him. The Lord's answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear, judgment was coming to Judah! Yes, God was going to use the Chaldeans as a rod of punishment, but He would also hold them guilty for their crimes against the nations. This week we will look at the Woes that God declares against the Chaldeans. They have come true. The Hittites, Assyrians, and finally the Medes, conquered Babylon. The Chaldeans and their great city of Babylon are long gone. Most of the ruins of the city are now under the water table of the Euphrates river and beneath the sands. God pronounced judgment on Babylon in Jeremiah 25, 50, 51, Isaiah 13, 47, and Revelation 18. Babylon is also a symbol of wickedness and the world's systems. In Galatians 6:7 Paul said, Do not be deceived, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. If we look at history, we can see that this applies to the nations too. 

2:6-8 At the end of verse 5, the Lord says, Chaldea also gathers to himself all nations and collects to himself all peoples. These nations will someday respond with taunts and insinuations and mockery towards them. They will say WOE TO HIM who increases what is not his and makes himself rich with loans. Your day will come! You steal and take over what is not yours and charge interest on the money that you stole and lend out. Those you oppress will conquer you someday and plunder you. You have looted nations and those that are left will loot you because of all the bloodshed you have caused.

9-11 WOE TO HIM who gets evil gain for his house to put his nest on high to be delivered from the hand of calamity. House refers to his kingdom and family. A nest on high is the huge walls of Babylon. They thought a fortified city would protect them from all harm. This was an incredible city. It may have been 14 to 15 miles square with 75 foot thick walls that were at least a hundred feet high. It was surrounded by a moat. It was near the Euphrates river. Of course, this city was built from the money that was stolen and by slavery. You are sinning against yourself. What you are doing is shameful. The very stones and rafters are a witness to your abuse and greed. Luke 19:40.

12-14 WOE TO YOU! This is wrong! It is not God's way. All your works will be burned up. All this work and worry is for nothing. It is vanity. Why is this vanity? It is the wrong knowledge. It is the wrong pursuit. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. The Kingdom will come to earth. People will know that He is God. God wants righteousness in a nation. Proverbs 14:34. What does the Lord want from us as individuals in a nation? Micah 6:8.

15-17 WOE TO YOU! You make your neighbors drink to commit adultery with them. You drink to expose your own nakedness. This is a disgrace! The Lord's cup of judgment will come around to you. Alcohol makes it much easier to sin. Do you think your drunkenness and seduction are a good thing? It is a disgrace. This may refer to the cedars of Lebanon be cut down to build the city. What is meant by the word beasts here is not clear. The Chaldeans will be overwhelmed with violence someday.

18-20 WOE TO THE IDOLATERS! Exodus 20:1-4. Idolatry is the sin that begins the downfall of nations and a person. It may be the greatest sin. A graven image and a cast metal image. What profit is in it? How can you trust in something you created? It does not include or cover your eternity. Awake wood! Arise dumb stone! How can they teach you? Does God want to teach us? How can it breathe when it is smothered in metal? You are stupid to think and do this.

The Lord who IS alive is in His temple. He is omniscient, omnipresent. He has breath, knowledge, glory, power. He is our teacher. He has salvation. He is love. Be silent before Him, bow down before Him, not your idols.

Many of the scriptures were for the days that the prophets spoke them. But they were also at the same time, prophecies for the future. This is one of the many amazing things about God's Word. Let's look at some scriptures about the Lord's rule that is coming. Isaiah 11:1-10, 42:1-4. This will be true justice and righteousness for the nations. Until then, I would suggest that you pray for revival and awakening in your county and in your nation. I believe the Lord's Prayer is very appropriate for this time too. Matthew 6:9-13. 

                                                   THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you looking to God in these chaotic times?

Do you realize that this chapter of Habakkuk refers also to God's final judgment of all injustice, violence, and wickedness?

Are you praying for the deliverance from evil for yourself and your loved ones and your church body?

If you do not have hope in God in these times of shaking, He is waiting for you to turn to Him. You can have peace and assurance of a future in the middle of this storm. The earth will be filled with His glory. He is in His Holy temple. Please trust in Jesus today! He is waiting with open arms for you to come to Him.

Habakkuk was a prophet around the same time as Nahum and Zephaniah in a time of decline in Judah. Jeremiah was in captivity along with the northern kingdom of Israel. The name Habakkuk means "to embrace." He embraced the people of Judah as the nation was dissolving into chaos. He reached out to embrace the Lord for his nation too.  A nation falling apart is a difficult thing to experience for godly people. Not so for the wicked. There is a great lesson to learn from Habakkuk. He cries out to God through his tears. God answers him in a way he doesn't like or understand. Then Habakkuk goes to the Lord and the Lord answered him and explains His ways and reveals His glory to him. ( chapter 2and 3). Habakkuk is still afraid but he exalts, glorifies, and gains strength from the Lord. May we do the same in these perilous days we are in.

1:1 A burden He saw. Judgment by an invading army would be a burden. This would be a weight on his heart, emotions, and even his health as it was stressful.

2 Judah had fallen into sin, chaos, and violence. Israel already was in the bondage of captivity. Habakkuk cries out for help, but the Lord does not respond.

3 Why do I have to see this? Why am I here now? Why don't you do something Lord? Strife exists and contention arises. You have the power to stop this Lord!

4 The laws are ignored, justice is gone. The wicked pervert justice. Proverbs 28:5.

5 God answers. Look among the nations Habakkuk! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days you would not believe if you were told. Habakkuk, focus on Me. I am over all the earth. I AM doing something. I am always at work. I see what is happening to your nation. I DO hear your cry. I DO see your heart for your nation and for righteousness.
This is our nation and the world today. It is spinning out of control. Violence is everywhere and strife and contention are arising more and more. Justice is perverted because of wickedness. Is God still in control? Yes! Look among the nations. Is He at work? Yes! More people are coming to the Lord than ever before. The Gospel is being proclaimed in all the nations. The demand for Scriptures and information has never been greater. This is the big picture. He is at work all over the earth. It is not always easy, but let's focus on Him.

6-11 I am raising up the Chaldeans, a fierce, dreaded, feared, and very violent people to come to Judah and take them captive. A time of judgment is coming! Did God ask the Chaldeans to be this way? No. He did use them to punish Israel, but they will be held guilty. Our sin and a nation's sins are very grievous to God. He is Holy!

12 Do you think Habakkuk liked that answer? Things would get even worse! We can imagine what the prophet was thinking. What? Is this how you answer my cries? This is justice? You will let evil judge us and correct us? Are you not the everlasting Lord, my God, my Holy One? Aren't you fair and righteous?

We will not die. This may be referring to the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

13 Listen, Lord. Your eyes are too pure to approve evil. You cannot look on wickedness with favor. Why do you look with favor on those who deal treacherously? Why are you silent when the wicked swallowed up those more righteous than them? Good questions.

14-17 Why did you make men defenseless? These people are pagans. They idolize fishing nets and sacrifice to it. This refers to their armies and weapons of war. Will this never end?

Isn't good to know a prophet questions God? We all question Him at one time or another. Sometimes daily, right? It is okay to cry out to God in times of trouble as long as you don't turn from Him. We don't understand all of His creation or what He is doing on the earth. His ways are higher than our ways.

2:1 Habakkuk's response is the right one. This is very important for us. Things are falling apart all around him. Judgment is coming. A very cruel people will invade Judah. People are going to die. He calls on God. God's answer is not at all what he wants to hear. It's going to get even worse! He doesn't understand it. But what does Habakkuk do? What God has called him to do. He is a prophet, a watchman for his people. He will be about the Lord's business and wait for Him to speak and how to reply when he is reproved or instructed. I'm going to follow my calling, my place in life right now. I am fearful and scared for my people. It's not going well at all but, I'm waiting on the Lord. I'm not running from God, I'm running to God!

2 How does this apply to us? Lord, my world, and my life are falling apart. There is no end in sight. There is no one helping me or anyone that cares. I've cried my heart out to you and I don't understand your silence! When you do answer, I don't understand. That doesn't make sense! It can't be right! My loved ones have cancer. My husband is on a ventilator. We can't pay our bills. My parents just died from the virus. Help me, Lord! It isn't fair! Nevertheless, I will humble myself and turn to you and listen to your voice. THEN THE LORD ANSWERED ME! How wonderful! How encouraging! He hears your cries! He sees what you are going through! He is with you no matter what is happening around you and in your life.
For Habakkuk, Record the vision, write it down.
So whoever reads it may understand it and know what is coming and use it in the future for instruction.

3 It will happen at the right time. It is moving towards that day. It will happen.

4 Look Habakkuk, I know they are proud. Pride pollutes the soul.
BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY HIS FAITH! There are the proud and there are the faithful in this world. The faithful have questions in this life that may not be answered here. But we have faith in God that they will be answered in the next life. This is a very important verse in the Bible and how we live the Christian life. By faith, we believe in the power of the Gospel for salvation. By faith, we are justified in Jesus. Rom.1:16,17, Rom.3. In Galatians 3 we live by faith. We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith in Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11 is often called the hall of faith. There is no Christian life without faith!

5 This begins the Lords talk about the Chaldeans and woes against them. The proud one's soul is not right within him. And also wine betrays the haughty man. He does not stay at home. He is like Hell and never satisfied. He conquers nations and peoples.

                                               THINGS TO CONSIDER

Have you cried out to God as our nation or your life is falling apart?

Has God been silent?

Has He shown you something or asked you to do something that doesn't make sense?

Are you focusing on God or your situation?

Are you doing what He has lead you to do, or are you running from Him?

Are you waiting on a word from Him?

He knows what you are going through. He sees your pain. Wait on the Lord, spend time in His presence. He will answer you.

This world is becoming a very unstable and frightening place. Are you afraid of the future? You are not alone. God is the only stability we can trust. Save yourself from this sin-sick world and trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. No matter what happens here on earth, you can have hope in the future in Jesus.

 JOSHUA 1:1-9

In Deuteronomy 34 Moses dies after the Lord lets him look at the Promised Land. After being Moses' servant for so many years, Joshua is charged by the Lord to lead the people into Canaan. The Lord needed to encourage Joshua for this great task. Why? The Promised Land was full of enemies and they were not very nice people. They would be similar to Isis in our day. Cruel barbarians. I'm sure Joshua was afraid and you would be also. Notice all the promises from the Lord to Joshua as we read this text. He needed the Lord's promises that He would be there with Him. The Lord has a plan, some land, for your life too. It is very similar to the Promised Land. Joshua's name means Jehovah saves. The same word in the New Testament is Jesus. He was a type of Christ in name and deeds as he leads his people from the wilderness into the Promised Land.

1 The Lord spoke to Joshua. Why did He speak to Joshua? Why was Joshua in the place he was in? A place of leadership and an enormous responsibility. Exodus 17:13 a warrior. Exodus 33:11. He was seeking God's presence. Numbers 14:6-9. A good report and faith in what the Lord had said He would do. Deuteronomy 34:9. A disciple of Moses and a spirit of wisdom. Are you seeking His presence? Is His Word true in your life? Are you growing in the things of the Lord? Do you want to be closer to God? Follow the call on your life!

2 Moses is dead. What happened? Disobedience. Did Joshua remember this? Yes, he did! Arise, go, cross this Jordan into the land which I AM GIVING them. The Lord's plan will happen.

3 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I HAVE GIVEN it to you. God is always at work around you. He has a plan for your life. When He calls you to something and you let Him work through you, it will happen. But, we have to take a step, we have to move, we have to do something. At first, you will be all alone when you make that decision, and maybe even when you take that first step. But He will be with you and He will give you others to help you along. The farther we walk in that land, the more of it we will possess. This is also part of our sanctification as we take the land He has called us to. He shapes our character and works on our faith and obedience. Your courage will increase as you take that step, as you take that land. Now, if the Lord leads you to do something, does He want it to happen? Yes, He does, but why? Again, He develops our character, our faith, and obedience, and at the same time, He is affecting others around us and is building the Kingdom. The land can be things in your personal life like family issues, the workplace, ministry, or personal struggles.

4 The call is usually to a specific location or area. It WILL be your territory.

5 Listen to these promises. No man. Just as I have been with Moses. Did any great and mighty things happen through Moses? How encouraging would that be? BTW, Moses was 80 when God called him. It is never too late to do something for the Lord. I WILL be with you. I WILL NOT FAIL YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. When He calls you to something, He will be there with you. It will not be easy, but He will be there with you.

6 Be strong and courageous. Was Joshua afraid? Sure he was! Courage is doing something bold when you are afraid. You SHALL give these people possession of the land. The Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, the Jebusite. Giants too. The promised land is full of enemies! Spiritual opposition will come with the territory. Is God calling you to do something for Him? Is it scary or difficult? He doesn't call us to a comfort zone. Are you even seeking His call or leading? Will He be there with you and for you in it? Yes! Make that decision!

7 Be strong and very courageous! This is a command, not a suggestion. The book of the Law. The Bible for us. Success wherever you go. Where is our focus? God and His Word. This is for our daily lives and in the calling, in the land.

8 The Bible. Speak it. Meditate on it. Do it. THEN you WILL be prosperous and THEN you WILL have success in life and in the land He is calling you to.

9 Again, a command. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. The Lord your God IS with you wherever you go. This is where the greatest fulfillment and the greatest blessings are for your life. Others will be touched by your courage and obedience. The power of obedience. It is never just about us. Joshua was leading over a million people. If God is in it, it is important. It is big. It is part of His plan for you and the Kingdom.

Again, this applies to our lives too. These promises are for us as God's children. How do we discern the Lord's calling for us? How do we know where to take that first step? There are five good ways to help guide us. The Word. We must be reading His Word, the Bible. We must be praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us. Preaching many times can confirm what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. Godly counsel. Seek advice and wisdom from your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Circumstances. Look to see where He is working around you. He will open doors for you to go through. Be sure you let Him open them. He wants to lead you. He will make a way. You do not have to break down doors if He is leading you. If you desire help in discerning His direction in your life, please contact us. We would love to help you move forward with the Lord. This also applies to TWC. We "took some land" here in Nelson and in our country and around the world in 2020. This is what the Lord is calling us to do here and we will do that again in 2021! Hopefully much more. What if this body of believers were all taking the land, were all following the call that the Lord has for them? TWC would be a great testimony to the world and it would touch many lives. People would be attracted to it. It would be exciting. It would be a great fellowship where we all could learn and grow and serve together as we build the Kingdom. It would be fun too! Let's be strong and courageous this year in our personal lives and in the life of this church. Let's take some land in Nelson and beyond this year! 

                                                THINGS TO CONSIDER

Is the Lord calling you to take a step, to take some land for Him?

Do you believe these promises are for you in that land?

Are you being strong and courageous?

Are you even seeking for or listening for His calling on your life?

He WILL be there with you and for you! He will not forsake you. He wants to help you as you follow Him.

If you have never placed your faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, please do so today. He is longing to take you into the Promised Land for your life. It will not be easy, but it will be fulfilling and a great blessing for you and those around you. He will not fail you or forsake you!

JOHN 1:14

The apostle John is making the case that Jesus is God and created all things with God and that He also came to earth as one of us. This is what we just celebrated at Christmas. Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us. He came as a light in this dark world. Jesus came to redeem us and to be the light that enlightens every man. We can then carry His light in us to those around us and change this world. Then like John the Baptist, our lives will bear witness of Him.

John 1:1 Jesus the Word was with God in the beginning. The Greek here is hard to translate into English. Face to face is close. They used their attributes or abilities together for the benefit of others. Reciprocated. So, the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God. John is making it clear that Jesus was separate from God and is God.

3 All things came into being through Him. He created all things with God.

4 Jesus said I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This is light to mankind.

5 The light shines in the darkness, the darkness did not comprehend it. Why not? John 3:19-21. In a sense, Jesus is still creating. He is creating new creatures. As a new creature, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit work through us to dispel the darkness in this world. Matthew 5:14-16. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE! The darker this world becomes, the brighter our light will shine. We can destroy the works of the devil. 1st John 3:7,8.

6 John was sent from God. God sent John, the Holy Spirit filled him, and he witnessed for Jesus. John 3:30, this is the Christian life. Is Jesus increasing in your life? The Holy Spirit wants to shape and mold you to be more like Jesus. Ask Him to help you! Spend time with Him.

7,8 He came as a witness of the light.

9 Jesus would enlighten all men.

10,11 His own did not know Him or receive Him. How is this possible? Our sin nature and the devil.

12,13 But, if we do receive Him it gives us the right to become children of God. We are born again. John 3:3. Jesus lays hold of the ones that receive Him for redemption and for you to do His will for your life. This builds the Kingdom and shines light in the darkness.

14 This Word in verse one became a human and dwelt or tabernacled among us. We beheld His glory. The transfiguration. God spoke to the disciples there. Grace and truth. We are born again by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit.

15 John bore witness of Him. He existed before me. He is God.

16 Of His fulness we have received. A small but mighty verse. He is fully God. He gave Himself up for us. Fellowship with Him. The Holy Spirit. Redemption. Power. Joy. Hope. A future. We receive some of this fulness through our brothers and sisters in the Lord. It overflows through us to others. And grace upon grace. Amazing grace that knows no bounds or end.

17 The Law we could not keep to be right with God. Grace and truth through Jesus. Again, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.

18 We cannot see God as humans here on earth. Jesus explained God. If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father, Jesus said I and the Father are one. I only do what I see the Father doing. My food is to do the will of the Father. I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser, Before Abraham was I Am!

                                                 THINGS TO CONSIDER

Does your light shine in this dark world?

Is your life a witness of the light of Jesus?

Do you believe that Jesus is God?

Have you received Him so you can become a child of God?

Have you received the blessings of His fulness?

Have you received His amazing grace in your life? It is for free!

If you have never by faith received Jesus as Savior and Lord, please do so today! He will be your light in this life. You will receive the wonderful things that are mentioned above. You will never be the same!

JOHN 1:14

The gospel of Matthew starts off with the genealogy of Jesus. Genealogies were common and important in those times. In the Bible, there are several including Genesis 35:22-26, 46:8-27, Exodus 1:1-5, and a lengthy one in 1st Chronicles 1: 1-9:44. The society of that time used the lineage of people of importance to prove they were worthy to be of certain positions. Matthew writes the genealogy of Jesus to show that Jesus indeed did have a royal heritage worthy of being a king and the Messiah. However, as we will see, Matthew also included many people in the lineage of Jesus that were of very questionable character. 

Matthew 1:1 The genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David son of Abraham. Chronologically, Abraham should be first, but David is. He was a King and Jesus is King. Matthew is making this clear. Abraham is the father of nations. It is very important to establish that Jesus was a son of father Abraham, and in the line of David, a king who was considered the greatest king of Israel.

2 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchs and the covenants. This is foundational to the faith. Jacob's sons were the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was descended from the tribe of Judah. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob's blessing to Judah was that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet. This implies kingship.

3 Judah and Tamar. Read Genesis 38 for an immoral tale! Judah had relations with a Canaanite woman and had three sons. Two were so evil that God took them. Tamar was married to one, Er. Tamar disguised herself as a harlot and Judah had relations with her. She had twins and Perez was one of them, an illegitimate child.

4-6 Boaz by Rahab, a harlot from Jericho. Ruth was from Moab, a pagan nation. David was a king. Solomon was born to David from Bathsheba. Bathsheba's husband was Uriah. He was one of the mighty men that helped David become king. David used his authority to have relations with her. She conceived. David manipulated Uriah to have relations with Bathsheba so it would appear that the child was by him. He refused so David had him killed in battle. 2nd Samuel 11. A very great sin in the lineage!

7-11 Kings in the lineage. Rehoboam was evil. 2nd Chronicles 12:14. Ahaz was evil. 2nd Chronicles 28:3. Manasseh was more evil than the pagan nations around Israel. 2nd Chronicles 33:6. Amon was evil and his servants murdered him. 2nd Chronicles 33:24. Jeconiah was cursed by God! Jeremiah 22:24-30. Amazing! A man whose lineage was cut off by God in the genealogy of the Messiah.

12-15 Zerubbabel was a priest. Zadok was a priest also. Jesus is our high priest.

16 Joseph did not father Jesus. He was born through Mary by the Holy Spirit.

17 Three sections of 14 generations. This is six sevens. The number 7 is in the Bible several hundred times. It can mean completion or perfection, forgiveness, healing, promises, and oaths. Jesus is the seventh seven. Let's look at Leviticus 25.

Leviticus 25:1-4 The land needs a rest. Work the land for six years and then rest in the seventh year. God created for six days and rested on the seventh.

8 You are to count off seven sabbaths of years, or forty-nine years.

9 The tenth day of the seventh month. The day of atonement is when the high priest makes atonement for the people's sins by a sacrifice. He goes into the holy of holies to God's presence and obtains mercy.

10 You shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. Jews and Gentiles. It shall be a jubilee to you. A release, rest, debts are canceled, slaves are set free, people get their land back, you return to your property and family.

24 Jesus is our redeemer. He came to redeem us. He paid the redemption price for us. Boaz redeemed Ruth. Redemption of the land.

26 Redemption of the land.

29 Redeem a house in the city. One year.

31 Redeem a house in the villages.

32 The Levites have a permanent right of redemption for houses in the city. We have been made a Royal Priesthood.

33 Levites houses are redeemed.

40,41 He shall be a hired man till the jubilee. Then he shall go back to his property and family.

48,49 Israelite slaves can be redeemed by family or himself.

51,52 A redemption price is paid.

54 Even if he is so poor or has no one to redeem him, he shall still be released with his sons. In other words, he is helpless, unable to redeem himself. Romans 5:6. Jesus is the seventh seven and we are His lineage. He is our jubilee and now this rest for us is in Him. Soon, the world will rest from all the wickedness and evil when God's Kingdom comes and Jesus rules with justice and righteousness. Are you thankful and hopeful?

Now, would you be proud of this ancestry? Hardly. King Herod removed people like this from his ancestry so he would not be associated with them. It made him look bad. We can be sure others did the same thing. It was bad for a person's image, especially if they wanted to move up in the world. It certainly did not look good for a king. Yet, here is the genealogy of Jesus for all the world to see and read, full of immoral people. Two things are shown here. The devil was working hard to pollute the lineage. Jesus overcame that and God's plan will be accomplished no matter what our enemy does. Jesus came for all people. He overcomes all the sin in a person's life. Your background and lineage does not matter! You come just as you are. He meets you where you are at in your life. He paid the redemption price. HE IS THE REDEEMER OF MANKIND! Aren't you glad? Is God good! Very good!

                                                       THINGS TO CONSIDER

Do you have a genealogy with questionable characters in it?

Are you committing and living in sin?

Do you feel helpless in your situation and in this world?

Are you looking for a release from these things in your life?  

I have Good News for you! Jesus is the answer to all of these questions. He can overcome your family's hurts. He can help set you free from your sinful life. Jesus is our hope. He paid the redemption price for us. Release these things to Him. If you let Him, He will help you deal with and work through them. Jesus can be rest for your weary soul and your jubilee. Accept Him today as Savior and Lord!

I hope you enjoyed this series on THE FULNESS OF TIME and taking a closer look at some of the Christmas story. It is an amazing story for sure. Pray this story will pierce hearts and minds all over the world this year! God Bless You and Merry Christmas, Pastor John.

ISAIAH 9:1,2

In Luke chapter 2 Jesus was born in a very dark time in the Roman Mediterranean world. There had been about twenty years of civil war, farms were neglected, towns damaged, wealth stolen. Administration and protection had broken down, robbers and kidnappers made travel very dangerous. Business was bad, interest rates were high, mortality was low. The Roman soldiers were cruel and abusive. The people WERE walking in great darkness.

Caesar did bring some peace and stability to the situation but at a great cost. He demanded absolute power and control over everything and everybody. In fact, the census was one way to get everyone registered and taxed at the same time! After four hundred years of silence from God and the Roman oppression, the people were ready for a"Savior." You can understand their thinking in that it would be military salvation. This was their history. If there was a military victory they would of course still be under the Law and the Pharisees and Sadducees would still be in power. Jesus was not what they were looking for. A change of heart as foretold in Ezekiel 36:26,27 was more than most of them were willing to do. Tradition ruled. But God, in the fulness of time, sent Jesus to be the light of the world.

1,2,3 Caesar was the head of the Roman Empire. A very powerful man, but still under God's control of course. Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 80 miles. This is a long, costly, dangerous, journey by foot, and donkey. Why would a couple make this trip, especially with Mary being very pregnant? The census was a way to do this but it also fulfilled the prophecy in Micah 5:2-5a. Who is in charge here? God! History is His story. 4,5 Since Joseph was from the line of David they went to Bethlehem to register and pay taxes too.

6,7 The time came for the baby to be born. Mary wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a feeding trough. In a manger with more than likely, just Joseph and Mary. No fanfare, no crowds. Is Jesus humble or what! Is He teaching us humility here? Yes, He is! Jesus came from glory we can't imagine to a baby's body in a feeding trough in a sin-sick world. There is no greater contrast that I can think of than that! Caesar gives a command and thousands respond and come. God sends His Son to two people in a manger. His ways are definitely not our ways. Compare Caesar and Jesus now! Caesar is long gone. Jesus is alive and well and bringing more people to Himself than ever before. Praise the Lord! It may not seem like it right now but, the Light is closing in on the darkness.

8,9 Let's get into this next awesome scene. As the shepherds were watching their flocks by night, an angel of the Lord stood before them. Not in the sky but right before them. The Glory of the Lord surrounded them. Wow!

10 They, just like Zacharias and Mary, were afraid. The response was the same, Do not be afraid! Look, I bring you good news of great joy for all people. Angels are messengers of God. If you are His, you need not fear what they say. Now, shepherds were not exactly royalty. They were low-class citizens. Gen. 46:33,34. But again, God's ways are not our ways. Aren't you glad?

11 The good news is that the Savior is here! He is born in Bethlehem!

12 He will not be in a palace but in a manger.

13 Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appeared and were praising God. The shepherds were surrounded by thousands upon thousands praising God. This is the news of the ages. The Alpha and the Omega, the great I am, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and the Redeemer of mankind has come to earth to dwell among us. Can you just imagine being one of the shepherds? What a wonderful blessing from God to the lowly shepherds! Do you think they believed this baby was the Messiah? Yes hey did!

14 And what are the angels saying? Glory to God in the highest. The praise goes all the way to the throne of God. The highest it can go. God gets the Glory in this story in chapters one and two. This is important and is what we should do. Give Glory to God!  And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. This is one of those verses that seems difficult to translate. Peace among men of goodwill may be closer to the original.

15,16 That was totally awesome! Let's go see this baby that the Lord told us about. They hurried to town and found their way to Mary and Joseph and Jesus.

17,18 They told Mary and Joseph what the angel told them about this Child. All who heard about it wondered at these things. The loathsome shepherds spread the Good News. Everyone can be a messenger of God.

19 Mary treasured these things in her heart. God was beginning to fulfill what Gabriel told her about her son. 1:32,33. She was the proud mother of the longed-for Messiah. Look at what came about as a result of her obedience.

20 Glorifying God!

21 Jesus was born under the Law. Remember that Jesus fulfilled the Law.

22-24 Their purification. Mary had to wait to present Jesus to the Lord. Exodus 13:1,2. Jesus was holy to the Lord. If you could not afford a lamb, you would sacrifice a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.

25 Simeon was righteous and devout and the Holy Spirit was upon Him. Just like Zacharias, Elizabeth, and Mary.

26 He was looking for the consolation of Israel because the Holy Spirit revealed to him he would not see death till he had seen the Lord's Christ. The Holy Spirit wants to reveal things to us too. Are you righteous, blameless, and devout? Are you seeking the Lord in your life? Do you love the Lord and have a close walk with Him? These are the people that He will reveal the things of God. He wants to do this for us.

27,28 Simeon came in the Spirit to the temple and took the baby Jesus in his arms and blessed God.

29-32 Lord let Thy bond-servant depart in peace. The Lord kept His word to Simeon. I have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared. We can have peace in death too because of Jesus. All peoples. Vs.10. A light for the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. It would be revealed to the Gentiles by the Holy Spirit that Jesus was the Savior. Jesus was Jewish and came to them first. He did glorious miracles among them. He was the light of the world shining on them.

33 His mother and father were amazed at these things that were being said about Him.

34,35 Simeon blessed them and prophesied by the Holy Spirit. The fall and rise of many. Those that would reject Him and those that would accept Him and many hearts will be revealed. Matt.10:32-37, 21:44. A sign to be opposed. Literally, a target to shoot at. A sword shall pierce your soul. This is the first shadow to darken all the things that Mary treasured in her heart.

36,37 The prophetess Anna never left the temple. Serving night and day with fasting and prayers. She was a devout woman. You can serve the Lord by fasting and praying.
38 She gave thanks to God. She spoke of Him to all those looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. In these dark times, people were looking for the promise of God to His people. Are you looking for the Lord in these distressing times we are in?

39,40 They returned to Nazareth and the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom. The grace of God was upon Him. Are you standing in the grace of God through Jesus?

                                                 THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you righteous, and blameless before God? As we have seen, these are the people that God speaks to and works through as part of His story. No matter what the circumstances are or how evil this world becomes, together we CAN be a part of history in the making.

So, are you being led by the Lord in these dark times?

Are you learning humility from the Lord Jesus?

Are you afraid of what the Lord may ask you to do or to believe?

Do you give glory to God when He does wonderful things in your life?

Have you told anyone what great things the Lord has done for you?

Are you hungry for God? Are you spending time in His Word and prayer and fellowship so that you can grow in the wisdom and the knowledge of the things of God?

The world is getting darker as we speak. These are distressing times for multitudes of people all over the earth. Jesus, the Light of the world, will overcome the darkness someday. Right now, He can overcome your darkness. His Light will penetrate it if you acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord of your life. Please ask Him today!

Into this great darkness, God and the Holy Spirit are moving in a powerful way in Israel, fulfilling prophecies of old. Jesus is coming! The Holy Spirit is filling people with Himself. Elizabeth and Mary rejoice in the Holy Spirit and give glory to God. Zacharias praises God and by the Holy Spirit prophesies concerning the Messiah and the prophet of the Most High. The four hundred years of silence from God has been broken! The time of redemption is drawing near.

Luke 1:39,40 Mary went in haste to see Elizabeth and entered the house. What a wonderful Holy Spirit anointed reunion this was! Did Elizabeth know Mary was pregnant? No, she did not. The Holy Spirit revealed it to her.

41 At Mary's greeting the baby leaped in her womb. This was more than an arm or leg moving around. This was from joy at hearing Mary's voice. This may be when John was filled with the Holy Spirit (Vs.15.) and He then filled Elizabeth.

42-45 Elizabeth cried out as the Holy Spirit prophesied through her. He revealed to her that Mary was carrying the Messiah, she was blessed among women, the fruit of her womb was blessed. Elizabeth was humbled that Mary would come to her instead of Elizabeth going to Mary. Look, the baby leaped for joy as you spoke! And blessed is she who believed what the Lord spoke to her. How important and how we will be blessed by the Lord when we in faith believe what He has in store for us.

46-55 Now Mary by the Holy Spirit sings out in praise to God! She exalts the Lord and prophesies in song to Him who has done such a great miracle in her life. There is praise and adoration, humility, Savior, Mighty One, mercy, fear of God, scattering and bringing down the proud, attending to the poor, and remembering His promises to His people. Is God good? Yes, He is! How I wish I could see this scene!

56 A three-month visit. There was much to talk about! We can be sure it was a blessed time together. Did Zacharias join in the conversation? Was this part of the reason he was mute so the women could have " girl " time together? Mary's dilemma of being pregnant without being married was part of the discussion too. This put her in a very difficult and humbling position in that society. Joseph desired to put her away secretly. The rumors, the looks, people avoiding her. Who could or would believe her story? Look at verse 35. Really Mary? Explain that to us! Who do you think you are? Why are you so special? A very hurtful experience. Is the fear of people and what they think or say about you, keeping you from doing what the Lord has asked you to do?

57,58 Elizabeth brought forth a son. Her neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her. Another wonderful time for Elizabeth.

59 On the eighth day THEY were going to call him Zacharias. This is what we do. The firstborn son is named after the father.

60,61 No indeed he shall be called John. What? You don't even have any relatives named John.

62,63 Alright! We will ask the father since you are mistaken. Zacharias wrote his name is John. They were astonished! God is not interested in your traditions as much as He wants your obedience. Is your upbringing and your family traditions keeping you from doing what the Lord has called you to do? This applies to churches too.

64 His tongue was loosed and he began to praise God. If they changed their mind and named him Zacharias, would he have remained mute? A possibility. They were obedient and it became a great testimony.

65,66 Fear came on all those living around them and in Judea. All who heard them said, what then will this child be for surely the Lord was with him?

67 Now Zacharias is filled with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied.

68,69,70,71 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! He has visited us and accomplished redemption. The Messiah is from the line of David as the prophets foretold. Deliverance from our enemies and from all those that hate us.

72,73 Mercy and fulfilling His covenant to Abraham. Gen.22:16-18

74,75 Serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days.

76 Now he speaks of John. The prophet of the Most High.

77 The knowledge of salvation is by the forgiveness of their sins. This is not atoned for sins, this is forgiveness of sins. Only the Messiah can and will do this great thing.

78 Mercy of God. The Sunrise shall visit us. Malachi 4:2. Jesus said he is the light of the world!

79 Isaiah 9:1,2. Shine upon those in darkness. This light shines upon us to guide us in the darkness to the way of peace. Jesus will guide you to peace, even in these dark times in this dark world. The Holy Spirit always points us to God and Jesus and to His Word. To His mercy and salvation to unbelievers. Is the Lord good? Yes!

80 Continued to grow and become strong in spirit. Like Jesus. Luke 2:40.

                                                 THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you having fellowship in the Holy Spirit with your brothers or sisters?

Has your obedience produced a testimony of Him working in your life?

Are fear and tradition keeping you from His plan for your life?

Have you ever let Jesus the Light Of The World come into your darkness? He WILL guide your feet into the way of peace even in these dark times. Ask Him to shine His glorious light into your heart today!

GALATIANS 4:4

After four hundred years of silence from the prophets, God bursts onto the scene in Luke chapter one in a dramatic way. The FULNESS of time has finally come! The long-awaited and longed for Redeemer is here! The blood of Jesus will cover our sins and the Holy Spirit will inhabit His people. This is a new day and the very beginning of the church age. The Father and the Holy Spirit paved the way for the birth of John and Jesus through Zacharias and Elizabeth and Joseph and Mary. God even chooses their names. As we will see, the meaning of all the names of those involved in this chapter is quite amazing. There are no coincidences with God. He proves Himself through the way the Scriptures are prophetic and intertwined through the ages. If anyone would study the Bible objectively, they would know that man could not write it without God's inspiration.

1-4 Luke is inspired to write the account of those things that happened. The eyewitnesses and the apostles related these events to others who also wrote about them. Luke is writing to Theophilus who he addresses as "most excellent."This implies a person of some rank or importance. Most likely a Roman convert to Christianity. Luke carefully investigates these happenings. This is a systematic inquiry. He does this so Theophilus will know the truth about what he has been taught.

5 Zacharias from a priestly line and Elizabeth from a priestly line.

6 They were both righteous and blameless.

7 Elizabeth was barren and old. Vs 25. Like Hannah in 1st Samuel, a stigma. They were both of a priestly line, righteous and blameless. Why have I been barren my whole life? Do you think they prayed a lot for a child?

8,9 As a priest he was required to serve. Part of that serving was in the temple of the Lord and to burn incense.

10 A multitude of God's people were in prayer. Does He answer prayer?

11 An angel of the Lord appeared standing to the right of the altar. A sign of Authority.

12 Zacharias was troubled and fearful. This a great scene! Put yourself in Zacharias's place.

13 Do not be afraid! A command. Your petition has been heard. This should encourage us. God is no respecter of persons. After all these years, He answered their prayers. Why would He answer their prayers? Vs 6. The miraculous answer to their prayers changed history. His answers to your prayers change history too. God chooses the name. John means YHWH has been gracious. Isaiah 30:18. Psalm 123:1,2. Don't give up on praying for a certain situation!

14 Joy and gladness, many will rejoice at his birth.

15 He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink no wine or liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said John was the greatest born among women. Matthew 11:11. In the New Testament after Jesus goes back to Heaven, He sends the Holy Spirit for ALL people to have access to Him. In 1st Peter 2:9, Peter says we are a Chosen Race a Royal Priesthood. In other words, set apart from the world. One of the things this verse tells us is alcohol and the Holy Spirit do not mix. This should not surprise us. Leviticus 10:8,9. Numbers 6:1-8. Judges 13:4. Jeremiah 35:6. Ezekiel 44:21. Ephesians 5:18. 1st Peter 4:4. Read any account of revivals or awakenings and you will consistently see the alcohol business greatly affected or go out of business.

16 He will turn many to the Lord.

17 Mal. 4:6. Make ready a people for the Messiah. The long-awaited, prayed for, read about, hoped for, Messiah. Your miraculous son will pave the way for Him! Would your head be spinning? Can you imagine what Zacharias was thinking? Could he even think straight?

18 Let us not be too hard on him and his question to Gabriel. You have not been in this situation. Why is it we doubt that God will answer our prayers in a mighty way? Lack of faith? I'm not good enough? He is not personal with me, just with others. Do not think like that! Thank Him for it! Praise Him! Bless His Holy Name! Accept it. Grab it and go! Take it to the bank! Act on it and go through that door that is opened through your prayers.

19 I'll tell you why Zacharias! I am Gabriel and I stand in the presence of God. He sent me to tell you this good news.

20 Unbelief. This is one mindset that the Lord does not like or accept. Mark 6:5,6 Luke 9:41, a very strong rebuke! Zacharias remained mute.

23,24 He was mute for the rest of his time of service. Elizabeth became pregnant and was in seclusion for 5 months.

25 He looked with favor on Elizabeth to take away her disgrace. Let's look at the meaning of the names of those involved in this story. Gabriel means a mighty man of God. From heaven, God's mighty angel. Zacharias means God remembers or God's man. Elizabeth means the oath of God's fullness, abundance. John means God has been gracious. So we have God's mighty angel Gabriel coming to prophesy and tell the good news to God's man, Zacharias that God remembers, and the oath about Elizabeth is fulfilled. She becomes the fullness of God's promise and has a son, John because God is gracious. Is God amazing? Is God good? Does He do what He says He will do? Does He answer prayers? Yes to all these questions.

26,27 The mighty angel of God is sent to  Galilee to the virgin Mary. She was engaged to Joseph.

28 Another great scene. Let's put ourselves in Mary's place, especially you women.
Hail favored one! The Lord is with you! A salutation from an angel. This means richly blessed, blessed among women. Would you receive a greeting like this? Are you walking blamelessly?

29,30 She was greatly troubled at this statement. Do not be afraid for you have found favor.

31, 32,33 You will conceive, bear a son, and call Him Jesus. God chose this name too. He will be great, the Son of the Most High, God will give Him the throne of David. He will reign forever and His throne will have no end. If you look at these two scenes you will see they are very similar. Vs. 12-17. Who is in control here? God. He is setting this up since it is about the  Messiah, His Son. It is for our sake too that this story is recorded in the Bible.

34 A logical question. Do you blame her?

35 Wow! What an answer! The Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus working together. Again, would your head be spinning? How could anyone take all that in?

36, 37 Look Mary, God is at work also in your relative Elizabeth. In her old age, she is pregnant. If God did it for her He can do it for you. Nothing is impossible with God.

38 I'm a bondslave of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word. Yes, Lord! This is the right answer! Let's look at one of the meanings of Mary. It is the word Myrrh. Myrrh was one of the ingredients in the Holy anointing oil for anointing the tabernacle and the items in it and the HIGH PRIEST AND HIS SONS. Exodus 30:22-30. Myrrh was also used to prepare Jesus's body for burial, John 19:39. Jesus came through Mary (myrrh) and was anointed and prepared for His burial! I find this fascinating. Is God good? Is the Bible amazing? Yes!

                                                THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you walking blamelessly before God?

What part are you playing in the Kingdom?

Do you have unbelief in your life concerning the Lord?

If He asked you to do something miraculous by faith, would you say "Yes Lord?"

God wants to do something amazing in your life too! If you have never trusted Jesus with your
heart and life, now is the time to do it by faith. This is the first step towards God intervening in the fullness of time in your life with a wonderful plan for you and His Kingdom.

As we enter Thanksgiving week, I do hope we are very thankful for what the Lord has done for us. Last week we looked at what we gained through the perfect obedience of Jesus. It is much more than we deserve or could ever earn. This should cause us to shout for joy and thank the Lord! This is what Psalm 100 is all about. This is also a prelude to the soon-coming Kingdom of God when the whole earth will praise the Lord. We can only imagine what that will be like! Obviously, we are not there yet. The nations are in an uproar. Psalm 2:1-3. 

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord all the earth. This shout refers to a glad shout when a king appears to his people. The world is going to shout when Jesus reigns! Psalm 98:4-6.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness. Why? He is good! He is gracious. He will never mistreat you. He is a good master!

Come before Him with joyful singing. He wants us to be joyful and happy before Him. He wants us to praise and worship Him. His lovingkindness is everlasting. Yes, we need to revere Him and have reverence towards Him. But you can do that and still be excited about the Lord. It is also a weapon against evil.

3 Know that the Lord Himself is God. He is the only true God, the Creator. He is personal too. There is an old saying that you need to know yourself before you can know God. Why do you think that is? When we acknowledge our sinful nature and what He has done for us, when we see His grace and His mercy towards us, we begin to understand His character better. This is His nature. His love for us will never stop or fail. Jeremiah said His mercies are new every morning. Spend time with Him and you will know that the Lord Himself is God.

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We could not do that. It's impossible! We cannot create life or things out of nothing. But man wants to get there, doesn't he? Supposedly we are evolving to a higher level or a higher form, gods. Well, I wonder if any of these people that actually believe that have watched the news lately? Also, to think and believe that perfection came out of chaos requires more faith than to just believe in a creator. Of course, that belief is based on selfishness.

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Again, He created us. We are the people that He died for. Jesus is the great shepherd for all who will follow Him. Sheep are not very intelligent animals, but they know the shepherd's voice. Out there in the pasture, the sheep gather around the shepherd and look up to him. Isn't that a great picture? Stop stressing over things you cannot control. Cease striving. Look up to Jesus and listen to His voice and follow Him.

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Lev. 7:11-13. This was originally a thank offering. The people were thanking God for accepting their sacrifices. Jesus came and was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Now we should give thanks that God our Father accepted the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. So let us come to Him with thanksgiving. Who can ever do more for us than Jesus Christ? Praise the Lord! Has He been good to you? The sacrifice is finished, but the thankfulness goes on forever. Is God good?

And His courts with praise. The sacrifices were accepted in the court. The people's sin was atoned for and they praised God for it. Now because of Jesus, we can go all the way into the Holy of holies. Praise His name!

Give thanks to Him, bless His name. Bless His name for what He has done for you and what you have gained from His sacrifice. Bless the name of Jesus. He has blessed you. Ephesians 1:3. Bless Him in the good times and in the difficult times. Exalt in your tribulations.

5 For the Lord is good. Psalm 86:5. He is light. There is no darkness in Him. He is truth. He is love. HE IS GOOD!

His lovingkindness is everlasting. How encouraging is that? Especially in these times of discouraging things happening all around us and the world. His mercy endures forever. John 6:37.
And His faithfulness to all generations. He was faithful then, He is faithful now, and He will always be faithful. Has He been faithful to you? Praise the name of Jesus! God is so good! 

As I stated earlier, this is a prelude, a prophecy of the coming Kingdom of God, the age of peace, the thousand-year reign of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. We will see it either from here or from heaven. Why will we shout and praise and give Him thanks? Let's look at a couple of verses. Isaiah

11:1-5. That's my kind of King and ruler! He will be a good King. The best King ever. Isaiah 25:8,9. Wonderful! Swallow up death for all time. Wipe tears away from all faces. Remove the reproach of His people. That's why!

Can you imagine the whole earth praising the Lord at the same time? Have you ever been to a service when the Holy Spirit is moving and the worship was great? You got goosebumps and started crying. It will not begin to compare to what it will be like when the Kingdom is on earth and all His creation is worshipping Him. Do you think the Holy Spirit will be there? Do you know He is powerful enough and He is able to inhabit the praise of all the earth at once? Do you think the heavenly choir will be praising God at the same time? Try to imagine it! Will we melt in pure joy? Joy sublime! It will be indescribable because there are no words to describe what it will be like. There are no words to describe what it will sound like. There are no words to describe what it will feel like. It will be heaven on earth. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. I am looking so forward to that day! Are you? PRAISE THE LORD and be THANKFUL!

                                    THINGS TO CONSIDER

Do you sing joyfully to the Lord?

Do you thank Him for what He has done for you?

Do you bless His holy name? He is good!

Do you desire to have this real joy in your heart? Do you desire to have a heart that praises the Lord?

Do you desire to enjoy His everlasting lovingkindness and faithfulness?

Trust Jesus today as your Lord and Savior! These wonderful free gifts will be yours forever!

Last week we studied how Jesus suffered and died for the world as He was obedient to death. Today we will see what we have gained as a result of His life of obedience. It is amazing, wonderful, unbelievable, powerful, and FREE! We will be studying Romans 4:22-25 and Romans 5. I want you to notice how the apostle Paul keeps adding one more blessing after another that was reckoned to us as we put our faith in Jesus. 

Romans 4:22,23 Abram by faith believed God for an heir and descendants as numerous as the stars. Gen.15:6.

24 For our sake it will be reckoned when we believe in Him who raised Jesus from the dead.

25 Jesus was crucified for our transgressions and raised up because of our justification.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, because of our faith, we are justified and have peace with God through Jesus. Thank you, Lord!

2 ALSO, we stand in grace. We exalt in hope of the glory of God. We have hope for the future. How important and encouraging this is in these uncertain days.

3 NOT ONLY THIS. We gained more! Because of this hope we should exult in our tribulations. To exalt means to hold something or someone in very high regard. How many of us are exalting in our tribulations right now in the midst of the virus and all the terrible things that are happening in the world today? Who does this? Jesus did! Hebrews 12:2. If we exalt in tribulations instead of being defeated by them, this will produce perseverance.

4 Perseverance brings about proven character. Does our Father discipline us? 2nd Chronicles 7:13. Why? So we turn to Him as He refines our character and builds the Kingdom. As our character is cleaned of impurities it brings us hope. We have hope to face trials and future tribulations. Of course, we have to be obedient as He cleanses us.

5 Hope does not disappoint. Why? We have through the Holy Spirit, the love of God within our hearts. Jesus' obedience gave us the Holy Spirit.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for us. If we accept as facts that He died for us and He sent the Holy Spirit to us we have hope for a glorious future with God.

7,8 We might die for a good person, family, friends, etc. God proved and demonstrated His love for us and Christ died for us. We were wretched, undone, sinners.

9 MUCH MORE THEN. There is even more! We have been justified by His blood. Justified means made right by reason or evidence. Saved from the wrath of God through Jesus. Thank you, Father and Jesus! That day is coming and it will not be good.

10 We were reconciled to God through His death. God raised Him to life. His life gives us a new life. John 10:10. He is interceding for us to God. He is in us.

11 AND NOT ONLY THIS. It keeps coming! We hold God in very high regard as we live the believer's life in Jesus. When we exalt the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, something happens. We are refocused, refreshed, joyful, thankful, and hopeful for the future. This happens even under trials and tribulations.

12 Therefore, here is what happened. This is pointing to the rest of the chapter. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world causing spiritual death and it spread to all people. Was this disobedience powerful? Absolutely! So is ours.

13 Genesis 6:5. There was sin but no law to convict. Did they know they were sinning? Where did morality come from? What behavior is permissible without God? All! Imputed means responsibility or blame on or for an act. Someone sinned before Adam. satan did and it spread to many angels and then he spread it to the human race. No law at the fall. So God over time, raised up a people to introduce AND KEEP the law as a testimony to the world. It has done much good, but overall the world still went astray towards evil. We can see why this broke the Father's heart when Israel as a whole turned from the law to other gods and wickedness. In fact, He said they were even more wicked than the nations God drove out of Canaan! But God loved them with an everlasting love and sent prophets and eventually Jesus and then the Holy Spirit.

14 Adam to Moses who gave the people the law. Various sins beside Adams. A type of Him to come. Some examples. Adam is of the earth. Adam affected the human race with one act of disobedience. He represented life in the flesh. Humans came through him. Jesus is from heaven. Jesus affected the human race through His obedience. He represented life in the Spirit. Spiritual life came through Him.

15 Here is the difference. The FREE GIFT is not like the transgression. Does anyone here like free? I sure do! The transgression caused many to die. MUCH MORE. Another gain for us. God's amazing grace and the gift of the grace of Jesus abounded to many.

16 The difference is the gift did not come like the transgression. The one sin caused condemnation for all. The FREE GIFT came because of all the sins in history resulting in justification. Galatians 4:4,5.

17 Death reigned through one sin. But MUCH MORE those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Amazing!

18 One transgression versus one act of righteousness.

19 Here we go! This is what we have talked about in this series on the power of obedience and the power of disobedience. Through disobedience, many were made sinners. Disobedience is powerful! Our disobedience can cause us and others around us to sin. Our mortal enemy can greatly use it to further his wicked schemes. The obedience of Jesus has made and is making many righteous. Our obedience can be used by God to build our character and build His Kingdom. He will use it to affect those around us and change the world!

20 The Law came in. It imputed sin was wrong and so transgressions were increased. But where sin increased grace abounded all the more. You see grace did not just cancel the sin, we gained MUCH MORE through that grace, and IT IS FREE! We gained justification, peace with God, grace in which we stand in this life, perseverance in tribulations, proven character, hope, the Holy Spirit, reconciliation, His life in us, Jesus intercedes for us to God.

21 As sin reigned in death, grace reigned through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Wow and Hallelujah!

                                THINGS TO CONSIDER 
Are you being obedient in doing what the Lord has asked you to do?

Do you have faith in the Lord that He will reckon to you as righteousness?

Do you exalt in your tribulations?

Are you giving in, or giving up in difficult situations or are you persevering and letting that situation bring about a proven character?

Has this given you hope in your future here on earth and in your future in heaven?

Have you thanked the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the free gifts that you have gained through their amazing love and grace?

If you have never put your faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, please consider all the FREE gifts that we studied and that are available to you the moment you accept Him. This is the greatest deal that will ever be offered to you and the greatest deal there will ever be! Don't pass it up!


I hope you have enjoyed this series on The Power of Obedience and The Power of Disobedience! I sure have and I learned a lot through the Word, the Spirit, and the input from my brothers and sisters here at TWC. GOD BLESS YOU, Pastor John