Romans 11:32 KJV

Bible Questions Answered:

“You talk about a loving god, the bible talks about a god who has imprisoned us in sin! What about that?...”

Peter/ Seafore, Delaware (U.S.A.)

Bible Text Referred To:

Romans 11:32 NRSV

For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that He may be merciful to all.

Bible Answer:

The Apostle Paul, explains through his teaching.

Bible Text:

Romans 11:31-36 KJV (Apostle Paul)

31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded* them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of The Lord? or who hath been His counselor?

35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?

36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

*Concluded-Greek: Sugkatabaino (Soong-kat-ab-ah'ee-no): To descend in company with: go down with.

Galatians 3:21-25 KJV (Apostle Paul)

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded* all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

*Concluded-Greek: Sugkatabaino (Soong-kat-ab-ah'ee-no): To descend in company with: go down with.

Our holy God, certainly has not put sin in the hearts of men, this we have done on our own!

Sin: Mans Doing Or God's:

Job 25:4-6 KJV

4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in His sight.

6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

Isaiah 53:6 KJV

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and The Lord hath laid on Him (Christ) the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV (Solomon)

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Romans 3:10,23 KJV (Apostle Paul)

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12 KJV

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

I John 1:8-10 KJV

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and The Truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

I John 5:19 KJV

"...the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Origin Of Sin:

Genesis 3:6 KJV

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Psalm 51:5 KJV

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Matthew 15:18-20 KJV

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man..."

James 1:15 KJV

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 4:1 KJV

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Has God Imprisoned All Of The Earth, Under Sin?

Never!

Romans 11:32 NRSV

For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that He may be merciful to all.

Romans 11:32 KJV

For God hath concluded* them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.

*Concluded-Greek: Sugkatabaino (Soong-kat-ab-ah'ee-no): To descend in company with: go down with.

*Concluded-Greek: Sunkleio: To shut up with, shut up, (inclose, shut).

(Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament words. W.E. Vine

Homily:

When a man is hauled into court to answer for the crime of murder, is the death, the Judge's fault?

Of course not, how ludicrous, it is the defendants, and the court will prove or not prove his guilt, and sentence!

Did God pronounce a sentence of sin upon the world?

What a preposterous evil thought, and out right lie of hell!

James 1:13,14 KJV

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Well, what then the imprisonment?

Simple, it is sinful, self-imprisonment!

Romans 1:24-27 NLT (The Apostle Paul)

4 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

25 They traded The Truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of The Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.

27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Romans 1:24-27 KJV

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed The Truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than

The Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Self-Judgment.

Romans 1:32 KJV

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

And The Result:

Romans 3:9,10 KJV

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Galatians 3:22 KJV

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

In the prison house of sin, God out of His mercy and love, sent the world the Good News of hope and salvation.

Romans 3:22-25 NLT

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood..."

John 3:14-21 KJV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must The Son Of Man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth The Light, neither cometh to The Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth Truth cometh to The Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Isaiah 42:5-10 KJV

5 Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

6 I The Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee..."

7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

8 I am The Lord: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth..."

• Salvation Prayer

God Is No Respecter Of Persons

Bible Questions Answered:

“If not by estate how are some accepted by God?...”

Edward/ Bangalore, India (Karnataka)

Bible Answer:

The answer is the same for one and all! Those of great importance, as well as those of low degree. The wealthy, as well as the pauper. Luminaries as well as the unknown.

Bible Text:

Acts 10:9-17;34,4-36 NLT

9 The next day...Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon,

10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners.

12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds.

13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.”

14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.”

15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.”

16 The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven.

17 Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean?

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

35 In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.

36 This is the message of Good News for the people...—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord Of All.

Acts 10:34,35 KJV

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

John 1:10-13 KJV

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.

11 He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.

12 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:

13 Which were born, not of blood, (Physical birth/Special Ancestry.)

nor of the will of the flesh, (Works of righteousness.)

nor of the will of man, (Earthly decree, bestowed by men.)

but of God.

Ephesians 1:6,7 KJV

6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is The Gift Of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:22-25 NLT

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.

25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

John 3:14-18; 36 KJV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must The Son Of Man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.

36 He that believeth on The Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not The Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's: Three Loaves Of Bread.

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's: Three Loaves Of Bread.

Occasion: Disciples Seek To Learn About Prayer.

Lesson: Persistence In Prayer, Pays Off!

Bible Text:

Luke 11:5-10 NLT

5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, He used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him,

6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’

7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’

8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Godly Perseverance:

Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV

But if from thence thou shalt seek The Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

I Chronicles 16:11 KJV

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

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.

Job 17:9 NLT

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

Proverbs 8:17 KJV

I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.

Hosea 10:12 NLT

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek The Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’

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 15:9 KJV

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

Galatians 6:9 KJV

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

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.

Hebrews 12:1,2 KJV

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus The Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of The Throne Of God.

I Peter 1:13-16 NLT

13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.

16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Revelation 3:11 KJV

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Answer To Prayer:

Job 34:28 KJV

"... the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.

Psalm 4:3 KJV

But know that The Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for Himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto Him.

Psalm 18:6 KJV

In my distress I called upon The Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.

Psalm 34:17 KJV

The righteous cry, and The Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 91:15 KJV

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

Proverbs 15:29 KJV

The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 58:9 NLT

Then when you call, The Lord will answer.‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply..."

Isaiah 65:24 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Micah 7:7 KJV

Therefore I will look unto The Lord; I will wait for The God Of my Salvation: my God will hear me.

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.

Matthew 7:7-11 NLT

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?

10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!

11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.

Matthew 21:21,22 KJV

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

John 14:13,14 KJV

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that The Father may be glorified in

The Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.

John 15:7 KJV

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

John 16:24 KJV

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

I John 5:14 KJV

And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:

Dear Christian friend, Persistence In Prayer, Pays Off! Whatever you do, keep praying!

• Salvation Prayer

Jonah

Bible Questions Answered:

“Was Jonah really swallowed down by a whale or is that a myth?”

Cathy/ Columbus, Ohio (U.S.A.)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Jonah 1:1-17 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.”

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 did not say that it was a whale, but that it was a “great fish.” Could it have been a whale?

Jesus called it a whale.

Matthew 12:40 KJV

"...Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's* belly..."

*Whale's-Greek: Ketos (Kay-tos): A huge fish (as gaping for prey): -Whale

One giant species of fish found in the Mediterranean is the Whale Shark, which can reach some 50 feet in length.

Here is the definitive answer to Jonah's record, if you have a computer go here....

The Princeton Theological Review (1927-Page 7)

http://scdc.library.ptsem.edu/mets/mets.aspx?src=BR1927254&div=4&img=7

If you are not able to go to this URL, to capsulize the story....

In 1891 the whaling ship the Star of the East, was looking for whales off the Falkland Islands.

They spotted a mighty sperm whale, and they gave chase, harpooning it. The great fish fought back thrashing its mighty tail and knocking several sailors into the water. On sailor was James Bartley, and he went missing, presumed drowned, by the mighty whale.

Eventually the crew, so wounded the mighty fish, that they hauled it up along side the boat and for one full day the axed and sawed the flesh of the fish, taking it on board. Finally the very stomach of the fish was exposed and a hoist was lowered to lift it up on board. The sailors thought they saw some movement of the large stomach of the fish. Carefully they knifed their way into it. There to there utter shock was James Bartley, the missing sailor. He was quite unconscious, but alive. For two weeks he was out of his mind, with delirium, but in the third week he was fully revived.

This was a true story, fully documented.

So, can these things happen, yes, for they have happened before!

The Faithful And True Word Of God:

Psalm 19:8 KJV

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

Psalm 119:105,130 KJV

105 Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path.

130 The entrance of thy Words giveth Light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Proverbs 6:23 KJV

For the commandment is a Lamp; and the law is Light; and reproofs of instruction are The Way Of Life:

Luke 21:33 KJV

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.

John 15:3 KJV

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

John 5:39 KJV

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.

Romans 1:16 KJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

I Thessalonians 2:13 KJV

Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received His message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very Word Of God—which, of course, it is. And this Word continues to work in you who believe.

II Timothy 3:16 KJV

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Hebrews 4:12 KJV

For The Word Of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

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.

• Salvation Prayer

Fear-The Spirit Of

Bible Questions Answered:

“Are we to fear the devil and what he can do......?”

Justin/ Sao Paulo, Brazil (South America)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Luke 12:4,5 NLT

4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid* of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.

5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear* God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell*. Yes, He’s the one to fear.

*Afraid-Greek: Phobeo (Fob-eh-o): To frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; to be in awe of, i.e. revere: be (sore) afraid, fear (exceeding), reverence.

*Fear-Greek: Phobeo (Fob-eh-o): To frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; to be in awe of, i.e. revere: be (sore) afraid, fear (exceeding), reverence.

*Hell-Greek: Geenna (Gheh-en-nah): Valley of Hinnom: Gehenna, a name given to a place of everlasting punishment:-hell.

The devil, and his minions bring hatred, war and, death, but that is all they can do. God has within his hands the power not only of life and death, but of eternal life and eternal death.

Jesus told us, not, to live in fear of the devil, but to live in godly fear, of the one true living God.

That is, for us as Christian people, to greatly revere and reverence Him.

Hebrews 10:31 KJV

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of The Living God.

Christian Promises:

Psalm 27:1-5 KJV

1 The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of The Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in The House Of The Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of The Lord, and to enquire in His temple.

5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon A Rock.

Psalm 91:1-16 NLT

1 Those who live in the shelter of The Most High will find rest in the shadow of The Almighty.

2 This I declare about The Lord: He alone is my Refuge, my place of Safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.

3 For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make The Lord your Refuge, if you make The Most High your Shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

11 For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name.

15 When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation.”

Isaiah 12:2 KJV

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

John 14:27 KJV

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Philippians 4:4-7 KJV

4 Rejoice in The Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I John 4:4,18,19 KJV

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love Him, because He first loved us.

II Timothy 1:7 KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear is in the minds of many today, the Apostle Paul warned us to protect our minds!

Ephesians 6:10-12,17 KJV (Read about all the armor: verses 10-18.)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in The Lord, and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

17 And take the helmet of salvation..."

We must as Christians, keep our minds under the blood of Jesus Christ!

Many today, flock to fear filled movies, TV shows, books and magazines, not to mention satanic rock music, and things dealing with the occult etc. and wonder why, they are so filled with fear.

Friends, we must guard the minds of our children, and our selves! Mom and Dad, be sure....you know exactly what your children are reading, watching, listening to and being taught in school!

Never let the TV become a baby sitter. Our world today, is filled with evil, and the glorification of it!

Your mind, your head, is the house where you live, never, ever allow evil into your house, keep your mind under the blood of The Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 10:4,5 KJV

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 Salvation Prayer

Prayer Request: Abbi

Prayer Request:

Please pray for a young lady by the name of Abbi, who has been told by her doctors, that she has a brain tumor. Doctors want to operate as soon as this Sunday, or Monday.

Let's pray that the doctors, can't find any tumor! God will bless you as you pray.

Isaiah 53:5 KJV

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

Matthew 10:1 KJV

And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Mark 3:14,15 KJV

14 And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,

15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Mark 6:7,13 KJV

7 And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Mark 16:17,18 KJV

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 ...They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Luke 10:19 KJV

Behold, I give unto you power...over all the power of the enemy..."

I John 3:8 KJV

...For this purpose The Son Of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Can our Lord, count on you to be the person of faith and prayer?

Please pray for Matthew.

Don't be afraid to go to the hospital, and pray for any and all that would appreciate your prayers.

Don't be afraid to go to the nursing home in your area, visit and offer prayers for those who need them. In this late hour, it is time for Christian people, to be bold in the name of The Lord!

God will go with you!

And one more important thing, God will record your work, and openly reward you for your smallest of efforts on His behalf!

Matthew 25:31-46 KJV

31 When The Son Of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:

32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats:

33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.

41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.

44 Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Faith And Determination

Bible Questions Answered:

“Was it cruel of Jesus to tell the Greek woman , with a possessed child, that He had been sent to minister to the Jews …”

Melony/ Bad Vilbel (Hesse)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Matthew 15:21-28 NLT (A Gentile woman comes to Jesus.)

21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to Him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

23 But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

25 But she came and worshiped Him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Our dear Lord, knows only too well our limitations and capabilities!

Jesus knew of the condition of the woman's daughter before she even spoke.

He also knew the mother had a measure of faith to see her child healed.

It is our Lord's desire for one and all, to draw out from us, faith!

Our Lord knew that the mother would not turn around and leave at the silence of His first response to her!

He wanted her to press on, for what she wanted!

Luke 18:1-8 NLT (Parable of Jesus.)

1 One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.

3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’

4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,

5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

6 Then The Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.

7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?

8 I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when The Son Of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

And today, our Lord, wishes to draw out from us faith! Faith for the miraculous. And we may have it, if we would only press on!

Too many give up, without extending any effort at all to succeed.

Calling the Gentile race, including herself, a dog, could have sent many “weak,” souls packing, but not a mother that loved her child with all her heart and soul, and who was determined that she be well!

Matthew 15:25 NLT

But she came and worshiped Him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

Certainly one necessary ingredient, beside faith, is worshiping The Lord.

No one who has ever worshiped The Lord, and gone away empty.

Yes, she may well have been a Gentile, dog, but even a dog receives scraps from the table of his master, she replied.

Matthew 15:28 NLT

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

If we but, in worship ask The Lord, to increase our faith, He will help us!

Mark 9:23,24 NLT (Mark 9:14-29)

23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Romans 10:17 KJV

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by The Word Of God.

Why is it some people accomplish great things in their lives for The Lord, while a vast majority, nothing?

The answer according to our story, is Faith, and Determination.

Matthew 17:19,20 NLT

19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you The Truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

• Salvation Prayer

Ezekiel 21:4

Bible Questions Answered:

“Ezekiel says that God will kill the righteous and sinners alike! What kind of God is that?...”

Monty/ Oxford, England (United Kingdom)

Bible Answer:

Bible Text:

Ezekiel 21:4 NLT

Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw My sword against everyone in the land from south to north.

You could think that in light of …

Ezekiel 18:1-32 NLT (Always remember: Psalm 145:17 KJV The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.)

1 Then another message came to me from The Lord:

2 “Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’?

3 As surely as I live, says The Sovereign Lord, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel.

4 For all people are Mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is My rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.

5 “Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right.

6 He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols or worship them. He does not commit adultery or have intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period.

7 He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

8 He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others,

9 and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live*, says The Sovereign Lord.

*Live-Hebrew:Chayah (Khaw-yeh): To revive:-keep (make) alive, give (promise) life, Preserve (alive), quicken, recover, restore (to life), revive, (God save (alive, life), surely, be whole.

10 “But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right.

11 And that son does all the evil things his father would never do—he worships idols on the mountains, commits adultery,

12 oppresses the poor and helpless, steals from debtors by refusing to let them redeem their security, worships idols, commits detestable sins,

13 and lends money at excessive interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame.

14 “But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness and decides against that kind of life.

15 This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery.

16 He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

17 He helps the poor, does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die because of his father’s sins; he will surely live.

18 But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people.

19 “‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live.

20 The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.

21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey My decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die.

22 All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.

23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says The Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.

24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.

25 “Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to Me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you?

26 When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds.

27 And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives.

28 They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die.

29 And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.

30 “Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says

The Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you!

31 Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel?

32 I don’t want you to die, says The Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!

Our Lord, deals with everyone on an individual basis.

Who is righteous?”

Ezekiel 21:5-9 NLT

5 “Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right.

6 He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s idols or worship them.

He does not commit adultery...”

7 He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors.

He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

8 He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others,

9 and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations.

Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says The Sovereign Lord.

Who is unrighteous?

Ezekiel 21:4 NLT

“...The person who sins is the one who will die.”

The person who does not live as described above (verses 5-9).

+

Now the writings of Ezekiel in chapter 18, are different than his writings of Ezekiel chapter 21.

In Ezekiel chapter 18, The Lord's words to the prophet are dealing with the individual, but in chapter 21, the words of The Lord, are dealing with the nation of Israel.

We cannot compare apples to oranges. Yes The Word Of The Lord, promises to keep the righteous person. This fulfillment certainly reaches its complete fulfillment in the next life, the eternal life to come! The righteous will be kept alive, for rewards and eternal joy.

Psalm 16:11 KJV

Thou wilt shew me The Path Of Life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Now in dealing with chapter 21, The Lord is dealing with a sinful nation which has turned it's back on God.

Ezekiel 21:1-17 NLT (The Lord's Judgment Of A Nation.)

1 Then this message came to me from The Lord:

2 “Son of man, turn and face Jerusalem and prophesy against Israel and her sanctuaries.

3 Tell her, ‘This is what The Lord says: I am your enemy, O Israel, and I am about to unsheath My sword to destroy your people—the righteous and the wicked alike.

4 Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw My sword against everyone in the land from south to north.

5 Everyone in the world will know that I am the Lord. My sword is in My hand, and it will not return to its sheath until its work is finished.’

6 “Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart.

7 When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, ‘I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And The Sovereign Lord says: It is coming! It’s on its way!’”

8 Then The Lord said to me,

9 “Son of man, give the people this message from The Lord: “A sword, a sword is being sharpened and polished.

10 It is sharpened for terrible slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Now will you laugh?

Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!

11 Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished; it is being prepared for the executioner.

12 “Son of man, cry out and wail; pound your thighs in anguish, for that sword will slaughter My people and their leaders— everyone will die!

13 It will put them all to the test. What chance do they have? says The Sovereign Lord.

14 “Son of man, prophesy to them and clap your hands. Then take the sword and brandish it twice, even three times, to symbolize the great massacre, O the great massacre facing them on every side.

15 Let their hearts melt with terror, for the sword glitters at every gate. It flashes like lightning and is polished for slaughter!

16 O sword, slash to the right, then slash to the left, wherever you will, wherever you want.

17 I, too, will clap My hands, and I will satisfy My fury. I, The Lord, have spoken!”

Here we see the judgment of the nation of Israel.

Just as The Lord has a standard for righteousness and sin, for individuals, so to He has a standard for nations, and they are the same standards!

What is the criteria for a righteous nation?

Ezekiel 21:5-9 NLT (Men or Nations.)

5 “Suppose a certain man is righteous and does what is just and right.

6 He does not feast in the mountains before Israel’s (no) idols or worship them.

He does not commit adultery...”

7 He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors.

He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.

8 He grants loans without interest, stays away from injustice, is honest and fair when judging others,

9 and faithfully obeys my decrees and regulations.

Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says The Sovereign Lord.

Alright, and now what we know only too well, THERE ARE NO GODLY NATIONS IN THE WORLD TODAY!

Israel, was “not,” a Godly nation, and what would it mean?

Judgment, the Chaldean hordes from the North, were coming, and terrible judgment with it.

“But pastor, what about God keeping the righteous?”

When nations are judged, even the righteous suffer, yet their suffering is only temporal, while the ungodly suffer here and yet to come, in eternal punishment.

Is this why our Lord, called us to evangelism, to dissuade men of their sinful madness?

"Retribution" Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:“

Though the mills of God grind slowly;

Yet they grind exceeding small;

Though with patience He stands waiting,

With exactness grinds He all.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Hebrews 4:7 KJV

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

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.

Revelation 21:22-27 KJV

22 And I saw no temple therein: for The Lord God Almighty and The Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and The Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in The Lamb's book of life.

• Salvation Prayer

Prayer Request: Central United States - Tornado Outbreak

Prayer Request:

Many are pleading for prayer for the Central U.S. As some 30 tornadoes has skipped through, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. Sunday April 27^th, an F3 tornado ½ mile wide, with wind speeds of 150 miles per hour, cut a 40 mile path, leaving towns flattened, cars and trucks on interstate highways over turned. As of this writing, Monday evening, 100's in local hospitals, with some 18 known dead.

Things Christian People Can Do.

• Pray, there are scores of people missing, and not all homes and businesses have been searched yet.
• Give to the American Red Cross ( http://www.redcross.org.com )
• Have your prayer group, or circle, pray for the suffering people of this terrible outbreak of tornadoes in these Southern States.

Isaiah 65:24 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Joel 2:32 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered..."

Matthew 6:6 KJV

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

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 18:18-20 KJV

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

John 15:7 KJV

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