War-God's Answer

Bible Questions Answered:

“Pastor, our country is so sick and tired of war. I hope you will print this letter to let all know, that in our country it is not necessarily its people that rush head long into war, but some of its leaders...”

Wilbur/ Cranston, Rhode Island U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Here's an Old Testament story about two of King David's nephews, Asahel, and Joab, and King Saul's Commander-in-chief, Abner.

At the death of King Saul, Abner appointed Saul's son Ishbosheth, as King, thee only one problem with that, was the fact that The Lord had told Samuel to anoint David to be king, before Saul's death (I Samuel 16:13).

And so it was Israel against the house of Judah.

II Samuel 2:18-32 NLT (Death of Asahel)

18 Joab, Abishai, and Asahel—the three sons of Zeruiah—were among David’s forces that day. Asahel could run like a gazelle,

19 and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything.

20 When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?” “Yes, it is,” he replied.

21 “Go fight someone else!” Abner warned. “Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner.

22 Again Abner shouted to him, “Get away from here! I don’t want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?”

23 But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel’s stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there.

24 When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.

25 Abner’s troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand.

26 Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”

27 Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.”

28 So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.

29 All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and didn’t stop until they arrived at Mahanaim.

30 Meanwhile, Joab and his men also returned home. When Joab counted his casualties, he discovered that only 19 men were missing in addition to Asahel.

31 But 360 of Abner’s men had been killed, all from the tribe of Benjamin.

32 Joab and his men took Asahel’s body to Bethlehem and buried him there in his father’s tomb. Then they traveled all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.

Abner shouted out to his enemy Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result?

II Samuel 2:26 KJV

Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?

Peace-The Word:

Job 22:23-25 KJV

23 If thou return to The Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defense..."

Psalm 29:11 KJV

The Lord will give strength unto His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 62:2 KJV

He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Psalm 89:18 KJV

For The Lord is our defense; and The Holy One Of Israel is our King.

Proverbs 12:20 NLT

Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

Isaiah 26:3,4 KJV

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in The Lord for ever: for in The Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Isaiah 48:18 KJV

O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

Matthew 5:9 KJV

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Luke 1:78,79 KJV (The Dayspring-Our Messiah, The Lord Jesus.)

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring (Dawn) from on high hath visited us,

79 To give Light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Romans 12:14-21 KJV

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith The Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 14:19 KJV

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Galatians 5:22,23 KJV

22 But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

James 3:17,18 KJV

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see The Lord:

The Wicked:

Isaiah 48:22 KJV

There is no peace, saith The Lord, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 59:8 KJV

The Way Of Peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Ezekiel 7:25 KJV

Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.

Future Peace, Through The Millennial Rule And Reign Of Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 2:2-4 NLT

2 In the last days, the mountain of The Lord’s house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.

3 People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of The Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For The Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; His word will go out from Jerusalem.

4 The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

Isaiah 11:1-9 NLT (The Promised Messiah-The Lord Jesus Christ.)

1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a Shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

2 And The Spirit Of The Lord will rest on Him— The Spirit Of Wisdom And Understanding, The Spirit Of Counsel And Might, The Spirit Of Knowledge And The Fear Of The Lord.

3 He will delight in obeying The Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.

4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of His word, and one breath from His mouth will destroy the wicked.

5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and Truth like an undergarment.

6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.

7 The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow.

8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.

9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know The Lord.

God's Blessings Are To The Nations That:

Psalm 33:12 KJV

Blessed is the nation whose God is The Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.

Psalm 34:14 KJV

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Prayers Of Jesus: At His Baptism.

Bible Lesson: Prayers Of Jesus: At His Baptism.

Location: The Jordan River.

Lesson: To Be God's People, We Must Be A People Of Prayer!

Bible Text:

Luke 3:21,22 NLT (Jordan River, Baptism Of Jesus.)

21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus Himself was baptized. As He was praying, the heavens opened,

22 and The Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on Him like a Dove. And a Voice from heaven said, “You are My dearly loved Son, and you bring Me great joy.”

At John's baptism, our Lord was declared “The Son Of The Father,” in whom He was much pleased!

Don't leave this scene, until you carefully note the presence of God The Father, and God The Holy Spirit!

Jesus prayed!

What did He pray? No doubt He prayed to be perfectly in the center of The Father's will, for God The Father answered saying “You are My dearly loved Son, and you bring Me great joy.”

Does God Hear When We Pray?

I Chronicles 16:11 KJV

Seek The Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.

Psalm 65:2 KJV

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Isaiah 56:7 KJV

"... for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Matthew 7:7,8 KJV

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 26:41 KJV

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 18:1 KJV

And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

John 16:24 KJV

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in The Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Pray without ceasing.

James 5:13 KJV

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray..."

We may be in the center of God's will if we but take the time to pray and seek the face of our Father in heaven!

The Lord Our Guide:

Psalm 25:9 KJV

The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.

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.

Psalm 48:14 KJV

For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.

Proverbs 16:9 KJV

A man's heart deviseth his way: but The Lord directeth his steps.

Psalm 73:24 KJV

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is The Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to

the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

John 16:13 KJV

Howbeit when He, The Spirit Of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak

of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.

No doubt, our Lord was strengthened in His Spirit, by hearing the voice of His approving Father, and we may feel strengthened by hearing the voice of God, in reading His Word!

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 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 46:4 KJV

And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

John 10:28 KJV

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish...”

Hebrews 13:5 KJV

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

Call upon The Lord today, and let the presence of our heavenly Guide, direct your steps!

• Salvation Prayer

King Saul

Bible Questions Answered:

“Saul was God's King, and he visited a medium for information...”

Susan/ Winston Salem, North Carolina U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Bible history tells us that King Saul, was a disobedient King, before The Lord. He once usurped the office of priest by sacrificing for Israel, because Samuel was absent. He was told to totally defeat all enemy Amalekites, and their goods, but disobedient King Saul, saved the choice spoils while sparing the life of King Agag.

The Prophet Samuel replied:

I Samuel 15:22,23 NLT

22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to The Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of The Lord, He has rejected you as king.”

A young giant killer was in King Saul's employ, but he only grew jealous of him. For many years Saul despised David, and with what result?

I Samuel 16:14 KJV

But The Spirit Of The Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from The Lord troubled him.

I Samuel 18:12 KJV

And Saul was afraid of David, because The Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.

This was the man who disobediently visited the witch of Endor, because The Spirit Of The Lord had left him.

What had God warned?

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 NLT

9 “When you enter the land The Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.

10 For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft,

11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.

12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to The Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that The Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you.

13 But you must be blameless before The Lord your God.

14 The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but The Lord your God forbids you to do such things.”

In a matter of hours, King Saul's sons would lay slain, and himself wounded in Philistine battle. Saul eventually would fall upon his own sword, ending his life.

When Almighty God, says beware, do “not,” attempt to communicate with lying spirits from thee other side, through any measure, He means what He says.

II Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I Timothy 4:1 NLT

Now The Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

Salvation Prayer

Jews And Their Destiny

Bible Questions Answered:

“I am curious just what happens to the Jews. I have a christian friend who hates them, I don't care but wonder just what happens to them, they hate Jesus....”

Herbert/ New York, New York U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Misnomer:

1 A misapplied or inappropriate name or designation.

2.An error in naming a person or thing.

(Dictionary.Com)

One may “not,” be a Christian, and hate anyone!!

(Some of you need to read that again.)

Not love the Jews?

“God's chosen people!”

II Chronicles 29:11 KJV

My sons, be not now negligent: for The Lord hath chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that ye should minister unto Him...”

“The Apple Of God's Eye!”

Deuteronomy 32:10 KJV

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.

Zechariah 2:8 KJV

For thus saith The Lord Of Hosts; After the glory hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.

“All Nations Of The Earth, Blessed Through The Jews!”

Genesis 18:18 KJV

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Genesis 22:18 KJV

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Genesis 26:4 KJV

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

 

Jeremiah 33:9 KJV

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Just as sure as these words are true, so to the words of our Lord, regarding those who despise God's chosen people!

Genesis 12:3 KJV

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

“Jesus, Savior, The Son Of David!”

Matthew 1:1 KJV

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, The Son Of David, The Son Of Abraham.

Matthew 20:31 KJV

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son Of David.

Matthew 21:9,15 KJV

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to The Son Of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of The Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to The Son Of David; they were sore displeased,

“We Have The Holy Word Of God, Because Of Faithful Jews!”

II Peter 1:21 KJV

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by The Holy Ghost.

Christians are called to pray for loved ones and enemies!

Matthew 5:44 KJV

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Rejecting The Lord Jesus yet today, will the Jewish people ever receive The Messiah, The Lord Jesus Christ, as Savior?

YES!

The Jew Today:

Acts 28:25-28 NLT

25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when He said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,

26 ‘Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.

27 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.’

28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”

II Corinthians 3:13-15 NLT

13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.

14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

Now during the great tribulation, this picture changes! The Jews seeing that the Anti-Christ is not their promised Messiah, will come to know that the true Messiah, is the one which they have rejected for centuries.

They will as a nation, turn to The Savior with all their hearts, becoming 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the time known as Jacob's trouble (The Great Tribulation).

Revelation 7:1-17 NLT

1 Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree.

2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea,

3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed The Seal Of God on the foreheads of His servants.”

4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel:

5 from Judah 12,000

from Reuben 12,000

from Gad 12,000

6 from Asher 12,000

from Naphtali 12,000

from Manasseh 12,000

7 from Simeon 12,000

from Levi 12,000

from Issachar 12,000

8 from Zebulun 12,000

from Joseph 12,000

from Benjamin 12,000

Praise from the Great Crowd

9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.

10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne

and from The Lamb!”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God.

12 They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

14 And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of The Lamb and made them white.

15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve Him day and night in His Temple.

And He who sits on the throne will give them shelter.

16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.

17 For The Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Because of their faith in The Lamb Of God, (Jesus Christ), they will all be martyred.

The prophets Ezekiel and Zechariah, all state that a day is coming wherein the Jewish nation will believe on the true Messiah, The Lord Jesus Christ, The Lamb Of God.

Ezekiel 39:25-29 NLT

25 “So now, this is what The Sovereign Lord says: I will end the captivity of My people; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard My holy reputation!

26 They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their own land, with no one to bother them.

27 When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display My holiness among them for all the nations to see.

28 Then My people will know that I am The Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of My people behind.

29 And I will never again turn My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, The Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

Zechariah 13:9 KJV

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Romans 11:25-27 KJV

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

What should be our stance concerning Jews today?

Psalm 122:6 KJV

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Salvation Prayer

Paul's Thorn In The Flesh

Bible Questions Answered:

“Pastor, what was Paul's thorn in the flesh, our class is in a tremendous debate over just what it was...”

Bethany/ Dublin, Ireland United Kingdom

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Because the Apostle does not come right out and say, it has been left to speculation.

But there seems to be a body of evidence to the fact that it being his deficient eye sight.

It seems as though the Apostle is boasting of his ability to write, in these verses:

I Corinthians 16:21 KJV

The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

Galatians 4:13-15 KJV

13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Galatians 6:11 KJV

Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

Galatians 6:11 NLT

Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

II Thessalonians 3:17 KJV

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Philemon 1:19 KJV

I Paul have written it with mine own hand..."

Apostle Paul:

Acts 9:1-18 KJV

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of The Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a Light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And The Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And The Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said The Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And The Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But The Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, The Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

If this incident did not leave any lasting effects upon the Apostle's eyes, no doubt when he was stoned at Lystra, it did.

Acts 14:19,20 KJV

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him (no doubt praying), he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Had the Apostle been stoned to death? One day we will have to ask him, one thing we do know, he was taken to heaven, where he spoke to The Risen Christ.

II Corinthians 12:1-8 KJV

1` It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of The Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say The Truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought The Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

The Apostle Paul states that his “thorn,” was in the flesh.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1.4 million Americans suffer and are treated for a traumatic brain injury every year, a serious event that can create problems with normal brain functioning. Even more people suffer head injuries but don't seek medical attention; luckily, most of these traumatic brain injuries are mild, such as a concussion.

Eye and vision problems are fairly common after a brain injury. Some vision problems can be due to trauma to the eye, says Majid Moshirfar, MD, an ophthalmologist at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah. But many other vision problems are actually caused by injury to your brain.

(Eric Metcalf, MPH | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MS, MPH)ll

Read the whole article

http://www.everydayhealth.com/vision-center/head-injuries.aspx

Was The Apostle's problems vision related?

Acts 22:30 NLT

The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them.

Acts 23:1-5 NLT

1 Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”

2 Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth.

3 But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”

4 Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”

5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.

Did the Apostle Paul have bad eyesight? The dress of the High Priest was totally distinguishable from all others, and that if one could not recognize him, it could only mean one thing (Leviticus 8/ Exodus 28,39).

So, what was Paul's attitude, despite his infirmities? Was he defeated, downcast, discouraged beyond measure? His example must be ours!

II Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV

8 For this thing I besought The Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Selah

Salvation Prayer

Children-Little Ones Who Die, Saved Or Lost?

Bible Questions Answered:

“Little children, are they kept by God at death?...”

Rachel/ Ocala, Florida U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Are little children who have not reached what is called the “age of accountability,” saved?

Yes, because they in the truest sense do not yet understand what is right and what is wrong, they are innocent.

The following scripture has been used time after time concerning those who (adults) have died and yet never heard the life saving message of Jesus Christ.

Luke 12:42-48 KJV

42 And The Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom His Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom His Lord when He cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a Truth I say unto you, that He will make him ruler over all that He hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

If this is true, concerning adult servants, “who knew not,” their Master's wishes, and Jesus told this story, than certainly little children who have died and were too young to understand, right from wrong, are taken by our loving Lord.

Children, saved or lost-The Word:

The Israelites, in the wilderness had been disobedient to The Lord, and Moses himself had failed.. The Lord then spoke these words to him.

Deuteronomy 1:39 KJV

I will give the land to your little ones—your innocent children. You were afraid they would be captured, but they will be the ones who occupy it.

The little children would possess The Promised Land.

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Nathan the prophet, told King David, he had sinned when he sent Uriah to his death, (one of King David's military commanders), so that he could take his wife, Bath-Sheba, as his own.

One of God's judgments upon David was that his first born son, would die.

II Samuel 12:21-23 KJV

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

King David, clearly declaring that the child had gone to God.

The Lord told Ezekiel the prophet, His people were once a chosen wife, but that she had played the harlot going after all who worshiped strange gods such as Moloch, where little children were sacrificed to fire.

Ezekiel 16:20,21 NLT

20 “Then you took your sons and daughters—the children you had borne to Me—and sacrificed them to your gods. Was your prostitution not enough?

21 Must you also slaughter My children by sacrificing them to idols?

God called these innocent little children, “My Children!”

And God, would called millions of aborted babies in our world, “My Children!”

Jonah after witnessing to Nineveh, sat under a large plant that shaded him, but God sent a worm to eat the plant and his shade was gone, and so to Jonah's rest.

Jonah 4:10,11 KJV

10 Then said The Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore (Score=20/ 120,000) thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

The Living God, had not only compassion on the men, women and little children (who did not know their left hand from their right hand.) of Nineveh, and on all the animals as well!

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Jeremiah 31:15-17 KJV

15 Thus saith The Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

16 Thus saith The Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith The Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

17 And there is hope in thine end, saith The Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

This prophecy was fulfilled in Herod's slaughter of the innocents.

Matthew 2:16-18 KJV

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

But The Lord reminded Jeremiah of old.....

Jeremiah 31:16,17 KJV

16 Thus saith The Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith The Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy (Death- ed.)

17 And there is hope in thine end, saith The Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

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Matthew 18:1-6 KJV

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 19:13-15 KJV

13 Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, Suffer (permit) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And He laid His hands on them, and departed thence.

Innocent little children, who die (or at the time of the rapture of the church), are received by The Lord.

Genesis 18:25 KJV

"...Shall not The Judge of all the earth do right?"

P.S.

Mothers who have committed the heinous crime of aborting their beloved children, if in repentance and faith, receive The Lord Jesus into their hearts and lives, as Savior and Master of their lives, may again one day be restored to their little ones in heaven!

Praise The Lord.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's: The True Vine And It's Branches.

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's: The True Vine And It's Branches.

Occasion: The Last Supper.

Lesson: Christ's Love And Care For His Church.

Bible Text:

John 15:1-17 KJV

1 I am The True Vine, and My Father is The Husbandman.

2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through The Word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in The Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

5 I am The vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.

10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of The Father in My name, He may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

There are two aspects to this story, The Barren, and The Fruitful.

Now, where would we find some of these barren?

Down at the beer parlor, the saloon, the honky tonk, the gambling house, the house of prostitution, the drug hang out, too be sure the lost frequent these, but this parable of Jesus is a WARNING, and so it here to tell us something that we not aware of.

Jesus said many of the lost would be in Him! (Or that is in His name.)

What?

John 15:2 KJV

2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away..."

6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

WARNING: Just because a group calls itself a church, does not mean that they are IN Christ!

Matthew 7:13-23 KJV

13 Enter ye in at The Strait Gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is The Gate, and narrow is The Way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Why were these church people called “workers of iniquity,” by The Lord Jesus?

Because, although they went through all the ecclesiastical motions, they had “no,” obedient personal relationship to The Lord!

I Samuel 15:22 KJV

And Samuel said, Hath The Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying

the voice of The Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Matthew 3:10 KJV

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Luke 6:44 KJV

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Jude 1:12 KJV

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

The Fruitful:

John 15:1-5, 7-17 KJV

1 I am The True Vine, and My Father is The Husbandman.

2 “...every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it (prunes it), that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through The Word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in The Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

5 I am The vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

7 If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.

10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of The Father in My name, He may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

The fruitful branch needs maintenance!

Hebrews 12:5-11 KJV

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of The Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:

6 For whom The Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom The father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto The Father Of Spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

God's pruning leads to life and fruitfulness.

Romans 6:22 KJV

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 7:4 KJV

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Galatians 5:22,23 KJV

22 But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9 KJV

For the fruit of The Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;

Colossians 1:4-6 NLT

4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,

5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard The Truth of The Good News.

6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood The Truth about God’s wonderful grace.

The Path To God's Fruitful Blessings:

John 15:4,5,7-17 KJV

4 Abide in Me, and I in you..."

5 I am The vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit..."

7 If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.

10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of The Father in My name, He may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

The only life of spiritual fruitfulness, is the one that is constantly (spiritually) abiding (obedient) to

The Lord Jesus.

Psalm 1:1-6 KJV

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of The Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

• Salvation Prayer