Salt

Bible Questions Answered:

“...how are we to have salt, eat it, what is it saying here ...”

Christine/ L'Arbresie, France (Rhone-Alps)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Mark 9:50 KJV

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

In our Lord's day, the refrigerator was unknown. Carl von Linde, a German engineer, created the refrigeration process in 1876. The question is then, how did people preserve their food?

The answer is they preserved their food by the use of salt.

The use of salt as a preservative had been used for thousands of years.

Salt is said to cur meat and other foods, by drawing out any moisture from the food, moisture which is essential for microbial growth. Pathogenic microbes cannot grow in the presence of salt. Salt was the perfect preservative, to keep foods safe.

Salt was commanded to be placed on every offering …

Leviticus 2:13 KJ21

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou allow the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering. With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

Our Lord's prayer for His people.

John 17:14-19 KJV

14 I have given them thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy Truth: thy Word is Truth.

18 As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through

The Truth.

The gospel, sanctifies, i.e. Sets God's people apart from the world, consecrates, promotes purity, freedom from sin, just as salt gives freedom from microbial pathogens.

I Thessalonians 5:23

And the very God Of Peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body

be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT (God's Child the Temple of The Living God.)

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of

The Living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says The Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

18 And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says The Lord Almighty.”

God's child, a spiritual preservative in the world.

Matthew 5:13,14 NLT

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?"

Paraphrase:

"You are the spiritual preservative of the earth. But what good is your preservation, if you have lost your preserving potency?"

We as God's children are a spiritual preservative, if we remain full of God's Word, and His Spirit.

Colossians 4:6 KJV

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: A Great Fish Swallows Jonah.

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: A Great Fish Swallows Jonah.

Occasion: Godly Punishment.

Location: Mediterranean Sea.

Bible Text: Jonah 1:1-17 NLT

Jonah 1:1-17 NLT (Jonah runs from the Lord's call.)

1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:

2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce My judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”

3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from The Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from The Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

4 But The Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.

5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.

6 So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe He will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”

7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.

8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”

9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship The Lord, The God Of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from The Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.

11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”

12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”

13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it.

14 Then they cried out to The Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”

15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!

16 The sailors were awestruck by The Lord’s great power, and they offered Him a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him.

17 Now The Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:1,2 NLT

1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:

2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce My judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”

Jonah was a prophet to Israel. One day The Lord gave him a message of warning to be delivered to the people of Nineveh.

God in His great love, warns the wicked to turn from their sins, before judgment falls.

Psalm 19:7-11 KJV

7 The law of The Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of The Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of The Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of The Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of The Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of The Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Jonah had a message of warning, and a call from The Lord to warn the Ninevites.

The message was, God had seen only too well the sins of Nineveh, and that unless they repented, judgment would soon be coming.

Psalm 19:9 KJV

The fear of The Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of The Lord are true and righteous altogether.

Psalm 37:28 KJV

For The Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 97:2 KJV

Clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne.

Ezekiel 18:4 KJV

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

But all this made the prophet mad!

Why?

All this made Jonah mad, because he knew that if he went to Nineveh, and preached judgment, judgment, judgment, he would end up looking like a fool.

Why?

Because he knew in his heart that they would turn from their sins, and that there would be no judgment, and he would end up looking like some false prophet.

Poor Jonah, but God did not feel sorry for him at all!

(Skipping ahead in our story....)

Jonah 4:1-11 NLT (Oh the wonder of God's love and mercy!)

1 This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.

2 So he complained to The Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.

3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

4 The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

5 Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city.

6 And The Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

7 But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away.

8 And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.

9 Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”

10 Then The Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly.

11 But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

Jonah 1:3 NLT

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from The Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from The Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

Disgruntled Jonah, had a better idea, rather than being made a laughing stock, he would merely run away and do his own thing.

But the God who sees and knows all, had even a better idea.

Psalm 139:1-12 KJV

1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

God would not only save Nineveh, he would save His prophet as well!

Psalm 37:23,24 KJV

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord: and He delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for The Lord upholdeth him with His hand.

Oh, how many religious brethern today, would be so glad to have been shipmates on board the vessel to throw poor old Jonah into its deathly waters! And how great they would shine as having done such a work of righteousness.

But, alas, they could not be any further from knowing The True And Living God!

Psalm 3:2-4 KJV
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a Shield for me; my Glory, and the Lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto The Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah.

Romans 12:9,10 NLT

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

I Timothy 5:21 KJV

I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.

How thankful, (without end), we should be for The Wonderful And Wise Living God, we have!

John 13:1 KJV

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto The Father, having loved His own which were in the world, 

He loved them unto the end.

Jonah 1:4,5 NLT

4 But The Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.

5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship...”

Does God, control the weather?

Yes! This is not to say that man cannot control it as well, with his 21^st Century knowledge.

See the blog posting ….. Weather

Oh, the mercy of The Living God, not only does He wish Nineveh saved from judgment, and His prophet restored, but that Mediterranean sailors would be set free from worshiping false, lifeless gods that do not hear or help!

The Sailors aboard the ship, did what any men would do when their very lives are in jeopardy. They shouted out prayers to the god that they were accustomed to worshiping, but there were no answers.

Jonah 1:5-10 NLT

“... But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.

6 So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe He will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”

7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.

8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”

9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship The Lord, The God Of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from The Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.

Christian out side the will of God, hear well the words of these sailors!

“Oh, why did you do it?”

May backslidden Godly people, bring the judgment of God on a sea, a country and its people?

Ask Jonah!

Oh, if we but cry out to Him, He will hear us, He will restore us!

II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Psalm 23:3 KJV

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Jeremiah 30:17 KJV (Not only true for Israel, but all people of God, everywhere.)

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith The Lord..."

Joel 2:25-27 KJV

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of The Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed.

27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst..."

Jonah 1:11-13 NLT

11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”

12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”

13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it.

False gods, always reveal themselves for just who they are, no gods at all!

I Chronicles 16:26 KJV

For all the gods of the people are idols: but The Lord made the heavens.

Jeremiah 2:11-13 NLT

11 Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet My people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!

12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says

The Lord.

13 “For My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me— The Fountain Of Living Water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

Jeremiah 11:12 KJV

Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

Jeremiah 16:19-21 NLT

19 Lord, you are my Strength and Fortress, my Refuge in the day of trouble! Nations from around the world will come to you and say, “Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshiped worthless idols.

20 Can people make their own gods? These are not real gods at all!”

21 The Lord says, “Now I will show them My power; now I will show them My might. At last they will know and understand that I am The Lord.

(Continued)

14 Then they cried out to The Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”

15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!

16 The sailors were awestruck by The Lord’s great power, and they offered Him a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him.

God always uses evil for good!

Genesis 50:19,20 KJV (Joseph in Egypt, before his brothers.)

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Romans 8:28 KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

(Jonah continued)

17 Now The Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Luke 11:29-32 NLT (Sign of Jonah)

29 As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, He said, “This evil generation keeps asking Me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah.

30 What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him.

What happens to The Son Of Man will be a sign to these people that He was sent by God.

31 “The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

32 The people of Nineveh will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.

Dear friend, do you know this wonderful God of love and mercy? God's Son, Jesus has come to make a way of salvation and blessing open for you.

Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV

22 It is of The Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

II Corinthians 5:21 NLT

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Acts 4:12 KJV

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 1:12 KJV

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

Acts 2:21 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of The Lord shall be saved.

Revelation 3:20 NLT

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in..."

• Salvation Prayer

Lifelessness-Spiritual

Bible Questions Answered:

“I've tried to witnessing to my friend, and nothing. I have said John 3:16 and Revelation 3:20, and she does not respond. There is no victory in this so what then?...”

Lee Ann/ Taipei City, Taiwan

Bible Answer:

Our Savior gave three reasons, why many remain spiritually lifeless.

Matthew 13:3-9 ,18-23KJV

3 And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold.

9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth The Word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of The Word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth The Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth The Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

(First-The Way Side.)

Matthew 13:4,19 KJV

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Mark 4:15 KJV

And these are they by the way side, where The Word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away The Word that was sown in their hearts.

Luke 8:12 KJV

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away The Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

(Second-Stony Places.)

Matthew 13:5,6,20,21 KJV
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth The Word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of The Word, by and by he is offended.

Mark 4:16,17 KJV

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard The Word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for The Word's sake, immediately they are offended.

Luke 8:13 KJV

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive The Word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

(Third-The Thorns.)

Matthew 13:7,22 KJV

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth The Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mark 4:18,19 KJV

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear The Word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke The Word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Luke 8:14 KJV

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

OK, to recap what our Lord has said in the gospels we see...

Many Are Spiritually Lifeless Because They:

1) Lack understanding of The Word.

2) Receive The Word, with joy, but when Problems, afflictions or persecution comes because of God's Word, they fall away.

3) They hear The Word, but the cares of this world, such as the decitfulness of riches, or the pleasures of life, choke out The Word.

Often, individuals introduced to The Lord, fall away because of these 3 reasons.

1) It is our responsibility as Christians, not only to give The Word, but to carefully, lovingly “explain,” The Word, otherwise, of what use is it to them?

Luke 24:45 KJV

Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

2) It is our responsibility as Christians, to again, explain that being a Christian is like being in the army, for we are in the army of righteousness for our Lord! In the army, one learns one must be prepared to expect and endure afflictions and , persecution.

II Timothy 2:3 KJV (See also Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV)

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

3) It is our responsibility as Christians, to explain that the Christian life is one of self-sacrifice, and Cross bearing.

Matthew 16:24 KJV

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Now concerning “victory,” in witnessing to the lost:

First of all:

Witnessing is the charge of God's people:

The Lord warned the Prophet Ezekiel...

Ezekiel 3:16-21 NLT (Instruction For God's Watchmen.)

16 After seven days The Lord gave me a message. He said,

17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from Me, warn people immediately.

18 If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths.

19 If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed Me.

20 “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths.

21 But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.”

Secondly:

Witnessing leads to life:

Ecclesiastes 11:1 KJV (Solomon)

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

This verse not only speaks of benevolence, but the timely art of planting rice, wherein the seed is literally thrown upon the water, and after many days the plant grows and rice is harvested.

True in Christian witnessing, we give forth The Word, but the miraculous spiritual act of germination and growth, are God's work.

The Apostle Paul.

I Corinthians 3:6-9 KJV

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

9 For we are laborers together with God..."

One witness may plant the seed, but another may water it, and still a different one may harvest the planting.

We may give forth The Word of salvation, but not always will we see results. Yet another may come and water that seed, (speaking figuratively), and not till then will the plant take root, grow and one day be harvested for the kingdom of God.

And before we give that seed (God's Word) and after having given it, we must be a people of faith and prayer!

Hebrews 11:6 KJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Thankfully, if faithful, we will see much seed fall into the good ground, and bring honor and glory to God.

(The Good Ground)

Matthew 13;8,21 KJV

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, some thirty fold.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth The Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Mark 4:8, KJV

8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear The Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Luke 8:8,15 KJV

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when He had said these things, He cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard The Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

• Salvation Prayer

Enoch

Bible Questions Answered:

“What happened to Enoch?”

Shelby/ San Diego, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Genesis 5:21-24 KJV

21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:

22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:

24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took* him.

*Took-Hebrew: Laqach (Law-kakh): To take, carry away, receive, seize, take away.

This was said of only two people:

Genesis 6:9 KJV

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,

and Noah walked with God.

Hebrews 11:5 KJV

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Jude 1:14 KJV

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, The Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints,

Some labor under the delusion that the Old Testament says nothing of the after life and or its rewards, bu that is “not,” the case at all!

Old Testament beliefs, concerning resurrection and eternal life after death.

Job 19:25-27 KJV (Resurrection-Reward.)

25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins (Kidneys, heart) be consumed within me.

Psalm 49:1-28 NLT (For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.)

1 Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world!

2 High and low, rich and poor—listen!

3 For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight.

4 I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.

5 Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?

6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.

7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.

8 Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough

9 to live forever and never see the grave.

10 Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.

11 The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves,

12 but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals.

13 This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise. Interlude

14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd.

In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates.

15 But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude

16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid.

17 For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success.

19 But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day.

20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.

Psalm 73:23-28 NLT (Death does not end all.)

23 "...I...belong to you; you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

27 Those who desert Him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.

28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made The Sovereign Lord my Shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Ecclesiastes 3:17 NLT (Solomon: Life after death, judgment and reward.)

I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”

Isaiah 26:19 NLT

But those who die in The Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!

Daniel 12:1-3 NLT (The Lord reveals to Daniel, end time events.)

(Book of Life-Revelation 3:5/ 20:12,15 KJV)

1 “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.

(Resurrection of the dead.- I Corinthians 15:51-58/I Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV

2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

(Eternal Rewards.- I Corinthians 3:11-15/ Revelation 11:18/ 22:12 KJV)

3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

Two men in heaven have never died, but are there by the power of God. These two men are Enoch and Elijah.

II Kings 2:11 KJV (Elijah and Elisha.)

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

What happened to faithful husband, father and Patriarch Enoch, he went to heaven, translated to ever be with The Living God, and Elijah the same.

What happens after death?

Hebrews 9:27 KJV

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Hebrews 9:27 NLT

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 NASB

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 YLT

and as it is laid up to men once to die, and after this -- judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 MSG

Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.

Judgment after death!

Jesus told the story....

Luke 16:19-24 MSG (Read the whole story verses 19-31.)

19-21 “There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man’s table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores.

22-24 “Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham (Paradise).

The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance  and Lazarus in his lap.

Again Jesus told us.....

Matthew 25:1-13 KJV

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet

The Bridegroom (Isaiah 61:10 KJV).

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them (Oil a type of God The Holy spirit/ Exodus 29:7/ Luke 4:18 KJV)

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While The Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage (The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb: Revelation 19:5-9 KJV) and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein The Son Of Man cometh.

Friend, are you living for The Lord, near The Lord?

Will The Son Of Man, take you away to heaven?

• Salvation Prayer

Prayer Request: Midwest - Tornado Destruction

Prayer Request: Midwest Tornado Destruction.

Sunday 17^th, a late fall storm raced through the Midwest States. Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Eight people dead, scores of people injured, hundreds of homes and farms flattened. Estimated $ 1 Billion dollars in destruction.

Sunday night NOAA storm prediction center estimated that there were in the large storm area, no less than some 81 tornadoes active, and for 12 hours they ravaged Midwestern states.

To view the destruction go to one of the following....

http://www.bing.com/

https://www.google.com/

and type in "Midwest Tornadoes."

Here's how you can help.....

Pray, God hears and answers prayer. Many are in hospitals, in recovery, families are preparing for funerals. Pray that The Living God, will comfort, help and heal the sorrowing. Pray that The Living God will make a way where there doesn't seem to be a way.

Be generous in your thanksgiving for what God has given you, and share to help others, now so desperately in need!

http://www.redcross.org/

Job 17:9 NLT

The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.

Psalm 9:9 KJV

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 119:50 KJV

This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Psalm 126:5 KJV

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV

But they that wait upon The LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

Isaiah 43:1-5 KJV

1 But now thus saith The Lord that created thee...He that formed thee...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am The Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior..."

4 Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee..."

5 Fear not: for I am with thee..."

Isaiah 46:4 NLT

I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Isaiah 61:3 KJV

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.

Isaiah 66:13 KJV

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted..."

John 14:18 KJV

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

II Corinthians 1:3 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

II Corinthians 12:9,10 NLT

9 Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

II Thessalonians 2:16,17 NLT

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,

17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.

II Timothy 2:10-12 NLT

10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with Him, we will also live with Him.

12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him..."

Hebrews 13:5 KJV

"... He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Discipleship-The Cost Of

Bible Questions Answered:

“In Luke 9 why would Jesus be indifferent to a man's wishing to bury his father or saying goodbye to his loved ones?”

Barry/ Melbourne, Australia (Victoria)

Bible Answer:

These three examples given us, hardly are inconsiderate actions by our Lord, but examples of the cost of following Him.

Bible Text:

Matthew 8:18-22 NLT

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around Him, He instructed His disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

19 Then one of the teachers of religious law said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but The Son Of Man has no place even to lay His head.”

21 Another of His disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow Me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.”

Luke 9:57-62 NLT

57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but The Son Of Man has no place even to lay His head.”

59 He said to another person, “Come, follow Me.”

The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

(First Individual:)

Luke 9:57,58 NLT

57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but The Son Of Man has no place even to lay His head.”

It may seem at first that our Lord, did not address the petitioner, but to the contrary, that is exactly what He did.

Our Lord, spoke to the eagerness of the individual, as to one who had not “counted-the-cost” of discipleship, and so Jesus spoke of His own sacrifices in doing God's service.

Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but The Son Of Man has no place even to lay His head.”

In his exuberance, he was reminded that there is a “cost,” in serving The Living God!

Luke 14:25-35 NLT (Cost of discipleship.)

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them,

26 “If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple.

27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple.

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.

30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?

32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away.

33 So you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own.

34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?

35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

Are you a disciple of The Lord Jesus, and if so "at what cost?"

Wealth (i.e.that is never willing to give it up.), popularity, social position, friends (i.e. not at the expense of loosing them.), life (i.e. not willing to do so at the cost of your own life?)

Revelation 12:11 NLT

And they have defeated him (Verse 9 "the Devil...Satan") by The Blood Of The Lamb and by

their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

This is the three fold defeat of Satan:

Christians who know and believe their victory is through The Blood Of The Lamb

Christians who have and who profess a Godly testimony. (In their life, and what they profess.)

Christians who are willing to lay down their lives in service to The Lord Jesus Christ.

The cost of serving The Lord Jesus Christ is , Self-Denial, Cross bearing, and Willingness to forsake everything for the cause of Christ, even life itself.

(Second Individual:)

Luke 9:59,60 NLT

59 He said to another person, “Come, follow Me.”

The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

Christ and His call were, Second Place in the life of this individual.

God, and His call in our lives must always, be first place!

There would be others to bury a dead father, but Christ's call spoke of spiritual urgency!

Time and time again The Word warns of urgency!

Psalm 32:6 NLT

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

Psalm 95:7,8 KJV

7 For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today if ye will hear His voice,

8 Harden not your heart..."

II Corinthians 6:2 KJV

(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Hebrews 3:7,15 KJV

7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice,

88 Harden not your hearts..."

15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts..."

Hebrew 4:7 KJV

"...Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

(Third Individual:)

Luke 9:61,62 NLT

61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Again, Christ was to this person, second rate.

True following The Lord Jesus Christ, speaks of Sacrifice, and Self-Denial.

Matthew 16:24 KJV

Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Mark 8:34 KJV

And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Luke 9:23 KJV

And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

The plowman, in order to dig straight and true furrows, must of necessity, look to the distant goal.

And the same is true for God's servant, we must look to the distant goal.

Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,The Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Personal sacrifice, self-denial, counting the cost, and knowing the urgency of God's work, this is the call of the servant of God!

Any work of self-interests, disallowal and fortuitous service, are not accepted by The Savior, who gave His all for us.

Philippians 2:5,7,8 KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

7 "...made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Genesis 19:23-26 NLT

23 Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon.

24 Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah.

25 He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation.

26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.

To love the things of this world, to long for and to look back at, earthly things, means being lost, to the things of Christ.

I John 2:15-17 KJV

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of The Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of The Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Miracle Of The Old Testament: Daniel Rescued From The Lions.

Bible Lesson: Miracle Of The Old Testament: Daniel Rescued From The Lions.

Occasion: Mouths Of The Lions Shut.

Location: Babylon.

Bible Text: Daniel 6:1-28 NLT

Daniel 6:1-28 NLT

1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province.

2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests.

3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

4 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”

6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius!

7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.

8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

9 So King Darius signed the law.

10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help.

12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.

15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.

18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.

19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den.

20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of The Living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king!

22 My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

“Peace and prosperity to you!

26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For He is The Living God, and He will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.

27 He rescues and saves His people; He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Over the kingdom of Darius, were 120 princes, and the kingdom divided into three parts each with a president, and over these one of higher rank, Daniel, and they all answered to him.

King Belshazszar had said of Daniel.

Daniel 5:12 KJV

Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar..."

Among princes and presidents, a sinister seed of jealousy began to grow. They tried their best to find some deficiency in his work, but they could not! Daniel was both faithful to his God, and to his King.

Oh, that we could but today, find such leaders for our country!

Having found no discredit in his work, they went on to find default in his religious worship.

Again finding nothing, they schemed how to make sure there was one.

Daniel 6:5-9 NLT

5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”

6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius!

7 We are all in agreement (so, they said.)—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.

8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

9 So King Darius signed the law.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.

Edmund Burke

Psalm 5:9-12 KJV

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Dear friend, if there was a law in our country tomorrow, that worshiping God, was illegal, and punishable by death, what would you do?

Psalm 55:16,17 KJV (A psalm of David-Jewish Code.)

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and The Lord shall save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.

Daniel, continued in his worship of The Living God.

Daniel 6:10 NLT

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

 If the real truth be known today, all of humanity is in the presence of the lion!

I Peter 5:7-9 KJV

7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith..."

I Corinthians 15:57 KJV

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I John 5:4 KJV

For whatsoever is born of God over cometh the world: and this is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith.

Daniel 6:11-13 NLT (Daniel did not hid his worship of The Living God.)

11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help.

12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

God's children;

II Timothy 1:7 KJV

For God hath not given (His people) the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Revelation 12:10,11 NLT

10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,

“..the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

11 And they have defeated him by The Blood Of The Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

Daniel 6:13,14 NLT

13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel.

He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.

King Darius, loved Daniel, and had the greatest respect for his God, but he had been tricked by means of his own conceit.

Proverbs 3:7 KJV

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear The LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 28:26 KJV

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Daniel 6:15-17 NLT

15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions.

The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.

Friends, it is so good to have various versions of The Bible, and one reason here is the ease of reading Daniel's story, ( as we have here in the New Living Translation), but “never-ever,” let your King James Bible, be far away! Never!

Verse 16 (In the KJV) is translated from the original Hebrew, much differently than how the NLT translates it.

Daniel 6:16,17 KJV

16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.

Compare the verses above.

In our KJV, we see the King who so greatly loved Daniel, and who so greatly tried his best to save him from the lions den said in faith, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee.”

Not, May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”but “He will deliver thee.”

King Darius had faith that the great God, that Daniel served, WOULD SAVE HIM!

(Whenever using any other version than the King James Version, compare the other verses to it (KJV) and see what- it says!)

God always honors righteousness, and faith!

Hebrews 11:6 KJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

I John 5:14,15 KJV

14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will (The Word Of God), He heareth us:

15 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

Daniel 6:18 NLT

Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.

Daniel, a Godly man made no protest in his arrest and sentence. Daniel's faith was in his God.

Romans 8:28 KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Daniel 6:19,20 NLT

19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den.

20 When he got there, he called out in anguish ((a lamentable voice - KJV), “Daniel, servant of The Living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

Matthew 22:32 KJV

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 

Mark 12:27 KJV

He is not the God of the dead, but The God Of The Living..."

Daniel 6:21-28 NLT

21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king!

22 My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

Daniel 6:24 KJV

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

(The lions broke all their bones, before the hit the bottom of the pit.)

25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:

“Peace and prosperity to you!

26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For He is The Living God, and He will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.

27 He rescues and saves His people; He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

The Lord Our Deliverer:

II Samuel 22:2 KJV (King David)

And he said, The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer;

I Chronicles 29:11 KJV (King David)

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Psalm 18:1-3 NLT

1 I love you, Lord; you are my Strength.

2 The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Savior; my God is my Rock, in whom I find protection. He is my Shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

3 I called on The Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 40:17 KJV

But I am poor and needy; yet The Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my Help and my Deliverer..."

Psalm 144:2 KJV

My Goodness, and my Fortress; my High Tower, and my Deliverer; my Shield, and He in whom I trust..."

Do you know this great Savior, the one who can deliver you from the lions?

Salvation Prayer