Surrendered Life

Bible Questions Answered:

“What does it mean to be a Jesus follower...?”

Billy/ Austin, Texas U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

It means you have accepted The Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life, and are willing to make Him The Lord* of your life.

*Lord-Greek: Kurios (Koo-reeos): Supreme in authority, Master.

To be a follower of Jesus Christ means cross bearing:

It means, when The Lord, is The Master of your life, you must die to self and sinful – worldly things, and make The Savior the one who directs your life.

This alone is the road to all blessings and life.

Mark 10:21 KJV (Jesus and the rich young ruler.)

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.

Cross bearing, daily occurrences, that are, volitionary acts, placing Christ as Master.

When a Christian is baptized it is a “public confession,” as to their spiritual decision to follow The Lord Jesus.!

Romans 6:2-4 KJV

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?

4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of The Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12-15 NLT

12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins.

14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

15 In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.

The Surrendered Life:

Romans 6:6,11 KJV

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:20 KJV

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of The Son Of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 5:24 KJV

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Colossians 2:20 NLT

You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world..."

Colossians 3:3 KJV

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

I Peter 2:24 KJV

Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

II Timothy 2:11,12,21 NLT

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

12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.

If we deny Him, he will deny us.

21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for The Master to use you for every good work.

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past

Poem by C.T Studd

“Two little lines I heard one day,

Traveling along life's busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart,

And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,

And stand before His Judgment seat;

Only one life,'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,

Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave,

And to God's holy will to cleave;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,

Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;

Each with its clays I must fulfill,

living for self or in His will;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,

When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way,

Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,

In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e'er the strife,

Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,

And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone,

Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, "twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,

Now let me say,"Thy will be done";

And when at last I'll hear the call,

I know I'll say "twas worth it all";

Only one life,'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last. "

--- extra stanza ---

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.

And when I am dying, how happy I'll be,

If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd

Romans 12:1,2 KJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Prophecies Made By The Lord Jesus: Martyrdom Of James And John

Bible Lesson: Prophecies Made By The Lord Jesus: Martyrdom Of James And John

The Prophecy: James And John To Suffer Martyrdom.

Bible Texts:

Matthew 20:23 KLJV

And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.

Mark 10:39 KJV

And they said unto Him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

The Fulfillment:

Bible Texts:

Acts 12:1,2 KJV

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Matthew 14:1-12 NLT

1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus,

2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”

3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).

4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.”

5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,

7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.

8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!”

9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.

10 So John was beheaded in the prison,

11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

The Martyrdom of John the Baptist AD 31, Martyrdom of Stephen AD 35, and the Martyrdom of James the apostle in AD 44, and there would be many to follow.

Our God, who created all that there is, knows the future, and His predictions, are 100% accurate!

Psalm 147:5 KJV

Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

Isaiah 42:8,9 NLT

8 “I am The Lord; that is My name! I will not give My glory to anyone else, nor share My praise with carved idols.

9 Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens.”

Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:

Daniel 2:20,28 KJV

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His:

28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Romans 8:28,29 KJV

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

29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be The Firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 11:2,33,34 KJV

2 God hath not cast away His people which he foreknew...”

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?

I Peter 1:2 KJV

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God The Father..."

Isaiah 40:12-31 NLT (The Lord Has No Equal)

12 Who else has held the oceans in His hand? Who has measured off the heavens with His fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

13 Who is able to advise The Spirit Of The Lord? Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach Him?

14 Has The Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does He need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach Him what is right or show Him the path of justice?

15 No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.

16 All the wood in Lebanon’s forests and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough to make a burnt offering worthy of our God.

17 The nations of the world are worth nothing to Him. In His eyes they count for less than nothing—mere emptiness and froth.

18 To whom can you compare God? What image can you find to resemble Him?

19 Can He be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?

20 Or if people are too poor for that, they might at least choose wood that won’t decay and a skilled craftsman to carve an image that won’t fall down!

21 Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand? Are you deaf to The Words Of God— The Words He gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant?

22 God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to Him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes His tent from them.

23 He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing.

24 They hardly get started, barely taking root, when He blows on them and they wither. The wind carries them off like chaff.

25 “To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal?” asks The Holy One.

26 Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

27 O Jacob, how can you say The Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is The Everlasting God,

The Creator Of All The Earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.

29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

31 But those who trust in The Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Friend, do you know this great and wonderful God? He received James and John up to heaven to be with Him forever. Stephen when he lay dying said.....

Acts 7:55,56 KJV (While Stephen was being stoned.)

55 But he, being full of The Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and The Son Of Man standing on the right hand of God.

Will He receive us up to heaven? He will if we have received His love Gift, The Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world.

John 3:15-18 KJV

15 That whosoever believeth in Him (The Lord Jesus) 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.

• Salvation Prayer

Bondage

Bible Questions Answered:

“...what causes bondage...”

Kelly/ Los Angeles, California U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Bondage:

Slavery or involuntary servitude; serfdom.

The state of being bound by or subjected to some external power or control.

(Dictionary.Com)

Following The Sinful Nature Of Man.

Proverbs 14:12 KJV

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

John 8:44 KJV

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in The Truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Ephesians 4:18,19 KJV

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness (lustful pleasure), to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Revelation 3:17 KJV

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Life has only two options. Living in The Light, or living in darkness. Living in righteousness before

The Lord, or living in sin and serving the devil.

The carnal way of “liberty,” doing as one wants (in mankind's natural-fallen nature), freedom from any Godliness, is the way of BONDAGE to the evil one.

Look into the faces, and lives of those who have clung to sinful “liberty,” drugs, free-sex, alcohol, greed, hate, lust, broken marriages, unfaithful parents, etc. etc. etc. Hollow faces, looking years older than they are, burnt out in sinful freedom.

II Corinthians 4:4 KJV

In whom the god of this world (the devil) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the Light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is The Image Of God, should shine unto them.

Bondage:

Proverbs 5:22 NLT

An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.

Proverbs 15:9 KJV

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto The Lord: but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

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.

Matthew 7:13 KJV

"...wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

John 8:34,35 MSG

Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will..."

Romans 6:16 KJV

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

II Timothy 2:25 NLT

25 "...Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn The Truth.

26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

II Peter 2:17-19 NLT

17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness.

18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.

19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

I John 3:8 KJV

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose The Son Of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

The Answer:

II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

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

Psalm 146:8 KJV

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: The Lord loveth the righteous:

Isaiah 30:15 KJV

For thus saith The Lord God, The Holy One Of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength...”

Isaiah 42:7 KJV

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

Isaiah 55:6,7 KJV

6 Seek ye The Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto

The Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

Ezekiel 18:21,22 NLT

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..."

Hosea 6:1 KJV

Come, and let us return unto The Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.

Luke 4:18 KJV (Isaiah 61:1 Jesus)

The Spirit Of The Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luke 12:8 KJV

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall The Son Of Man also confess before the angels of God:

Acts 2:21 KJV

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

Romans 7:23-25 NLT

23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:13 KJV

For whosoever shall call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved.

I John 5:1 KJV

Everyone who believes that Jesus is The Christ has become a child of God..."

Dear friend carnal liberty is only another name  for Bondage.

The nature of the devil, and that of fallen man without God, ARE THE SAME, sinful, bringing judgment and death.

Only through the power of The Lord Jesus Christ, may the bondage of the devil be broken.

John 8:32,36 KJV

32 And ye shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free.

36 If The Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 14:6 KJV

Jesus saith..., I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto The Father, but by Me.

II Corinthians 3:17 KJV

“...where The Spirit Of The Lord is, there is liberty."

Friend, choose true liberty, choose true freedom, choose The Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 5:21 NLT

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

Salvation Prayer

Adam And Eve Did Not Immediately Die

Bible Questions Answered:

“...adam did not die in the garden as god said he would, again not so eve...”

Mursal/ Riyadh, Riyadh Prov. Saudi Arabia

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Genesis 2:17 KJV

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:4 KJV

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

God told Adam and Eve, that to disobey, and to partake of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, meant death.

And the death He spoke of was two-fold, one immediate, the other prolonged.

First Death: Was that of their spiritual relationship with God, and that relationship was broken, immediately.

Isaiah 59:2 KJV (The curse of sin.)

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT (Made Alive with Christ)

1 Once you were dead (spiritually) because of your disobedience and your many sins.

2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much,

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us Life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

6 For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is

A Gift From God.

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

Jeremiah 31:30 KJV

But every one shall die for his own iniquity..."

Ezekiel 18:4 KJV

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

And secondly the death that is a result of sin, is physical death.

Genesis 3:19 KJV (The curse of sin.)

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 5:5 KJV

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

Spiritually, Adam and Eve, died immediately, that is they were spiritually separated from God.

Later they also died physically.

The Word:

Romans 5:12 KJV

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

John 10:10 KJV

The thief (That old serpent-the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am (Jesus) come that they might have Life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Romans 6:23 KJV

For the wages of sin is death; but The Gift Of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:3 KJV (Jesus speaks to Nicodemus.)

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 5:24 KJV

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting Life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto Life.

John 14:6 KJV

Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Hebrews 2:3 KJV

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by

The Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him;

Psalm 95:7,8 KJV

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

8 Harden not your heart..."

John 3:16-21 KJV

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.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Prophecies Made By The Lord Jesus: Payment Of The Temple Tax

Bible Lesson: Prophecies Made By The Lord Jesus: Payment Of The Temple Tax

The Prophecy: Peter, Catch A Fish, Pay The Tax

The Fulfillment: Fish With A Coin In Its Mouth

Bible Text:

Matthew 17:24-27 NLT (Payment of the Temple Tax)

24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the Temple tax?”

25 “Yes, He does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!

27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Matthew, the only disciple to relate this story, tells us that Jesus was at home in Capernaum, and as was their custom, collectors of the temple tax came looking for funds (support for the temple).

Exodus 30:11-16 GNT (The Tax for the Tent of the Lord's Presence.)

11 The Lord said to Moses,

12 “When you take a census of the people of Israel, each man is to pay Me a price for his life, so that no disaster will come on him while the census is being taken.

13 Everyone included in the census must pay the required amount of money, weighed according to the official standard. Everyone must pay this as an offering to Me.

14 Everyone being counted in the census, that is, every man twenty years old or older, is to pay Me this amount.

15 The rich man is not to pay more, nor the poor man less, when they pay this amount for their lives.

16 Collect this money from the people of Israel and spend it for the upkeep of the Tent of My presence. This tax will be the payment for their lives, and I will remember to protect them.”

A half-shekel temple tax was due from everyone 20 years and older, (refusal to pay meant that one was apostate). How did Peter know that, yes Jesus was faithful in paying His tax (temple tax)? He knew only too well by the directive given to Moses by The Lord, for every Jew in Israel (20 years old and above).

All this leads one to believe that either it was just the two of them, Peter and Jesus, and or, of them all (the twelve and Jesus), only Jesus and Peter were older than 20.

Jesus told Peter to go fishing, and that a coin (A Stater-Roman Coin, worth one Shekel, enough for taxes for two people.), would be found in the fishes mouth.

Matthew so matter of factly writes the encounter, he does not bother to show the miraculous details of the fish and its coin, it's just known, if Jesus said it, it would be so.

Lessons From This Story:

How many a dear soul has preached about the abundance of The Lord's wealth, and true it is!

Psalm 50:10 KJV

For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Luke 6:38 KJV

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

But a great Truth, often over looked, is that we are “Citizens of Heaven.”

Matthew 17:26 NLT

“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!

Jesus knew that the temple was His Fathers House, and therefore His own, as well, and so did not need to pay tax. He was the God Of All The Earth, The Creator, The King Of kings, and Lord of lords, and as His follower, Peter himself, was a son of The King, and free.

John 8:36 KJV

If The Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Ephesians 1:3-5 KJV

3 Blessed be The God And Father Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Ephesians 2:4-7,19-21 KJV

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being

The Chief Corner Stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in The Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through The Spirit.

Galatians 3:26 KJV

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

As Christians we not only have our names written in The Lamb's Book Of Life, but are Citizens of heaven.

Hebrews 11:13-16 KJV (Read the whole chapter.)

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.

A Child Of The King

Once I was clothed in the rags of my sin,

Wretched and poor, lost and lonely within,

But with wond'rous compassion the King of all kings,

In pity and love, took me under His wing.

Chorus

Oh, yes, oh, yes, I'm a child of the King

His royal blood now flows in my viens.

And I who was wretched and poor, now can sing,

"Praise God, Praise God, I'm a child of the King."

Now I'm a child with a heavenly home.

My Holy Father has made me His own.

And I'm cleansed by His blood, And I'm clothed in His love,

And someday I'll sing with the angels above.

Chorus

Oh, yes, oh, yes, I'm a child of the King

His royal blood now flows in my viens.

And I who was wretched and poor, now can sing,

Praise God, Praise God, I'm a child of the King."

By Cindy Walker

© 1961, renewal 1989 by Cindy Walker-Orce Music

All rights reserved

Romans 8:16 KJV

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

Matthew 17:27 NLT

However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

And Peter went, the fish came, and the tax was paid.

The Lord Jesus is King of kings, tribute should be paid to Him, and yet, not willing to offend them, He paid the temple tax.

And we the very children of God, the very kings and priests of God (Heir Apparent), we have His resources as well.

Psalm 55:22 KJV

Cast thy burden upon The Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 84:11 KJV

For The Lord God is a Sun and Shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

I Peter 5:7 KJV

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

Genesis 22:6-14 KJV (Abraham and his only son Isaac.)

6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And The Angel Of The Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah jireh (The Lord will provide): as it is said to this day, In the mount of The Lord it shall be seen.

Our Lord provided for Abraham, and for Peter and He will provide for us.

Psalm 23:1 ERV

The Lord is my Shepherd. I will always have everything I need

• Salvation Prayer

Happiness

Bible Questions Answered:

“...when I watch these people, talking, laughing and socializing, I can't help but look at their faces and see how really lonely, and unhappy they really are...”

Shelia/ Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Bible Texts:

Oh how our systems of navigation have changed over the years. From the compass, to the Sextant and Clock to todays G.P.S. (Global Positioning System).

Yet, there is something that never changes and that is the Word Of The Lord. Yes, even stars change their courses over enough time. But chart and guide of the church of The Lord Jesus Christ, is His immutable Word.

James 1:17 KJV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from

The Father Of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Clocks may run irregular, cloudy skies may prevail, and satellites may fizzle, and yet

The Word Of The Lord, never fails!

The Word, alone is a guide to be trusted.

Happiness Of The World:

Proverbs 14:13 KJV

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3,11 NLT

1 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.

2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?”

3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.

11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

As Christian People, We Have A Heavenly Guide To Happiness:

Psalm 25:9 KJV

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

Psalm 31:3 KJV

For thou art my Rock and my Fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Psalm 32:8 I KJV

will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.

Psalm 48:14 KJV

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

Psalm 73:24 KJV

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

Psalm 78:52,72 KJV

52 But made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

72 So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of His hands.

Isaiah 58:11 KJV

And The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Jeremiah 3:4 KJV

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?

Luke 1:78,79 KJV

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby The Dayspring 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.

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.

What Does Our Guide Tell Us About Happiness?

Psalm 1:1,2 NLT

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of The Lord, meditating on it day and night.

Psalm 1:1,2 NCV

1 Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go who don’t do what evil people do.

2 They love The Lord’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night.

Psalm 1:1,2 NRSV

1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;

2 but their delight is in the law of The Lord, and on His law they meditate day and night.

Psalm 1:1,2 YLT

1 O the happiness of that one, who Hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked. And in the way of sinners hath not stood, And in the seat of scorners hath not sat;

2 But -- in the law of Jehovah [is] his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night:

True Happiness Is The Result Of Having A Right Relationship With

The Lord.

Psalm 5:11 KJV

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

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.

Psalm 21:1 KJV

The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Psalm 27:6 KJV

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto The Lord.

Psalm 30:5 KJV

For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is Life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 32:11 KJV

Be glad in The Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Psalm 35:9,27 KJV

9 And my soul shall be joyful in The Lord: it shall rejoice in His salvation.

27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let The Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

Psalm 43:4 KJV

Then will I go unto The Altar Of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Psalm 51:12 KJV

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit.

Psalm 63:5 KJV

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

Psalm 67:4 KJV

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Psalm 81:1 KJV

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto The God Of Jacob.

Psalm 89:15 NLT

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in The Light Of Your Presence, Lord.

Psalm 95:1,2 KJV

1 O come, let us sing unto The Lord: let us make a joyful noise to The Rock Of Our Salvation.

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.

Psalm 98:4,6 KJV

4 Make a joyful noise unto The Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before The Lord, The King.

Psalm 100:1 KJV

Make a joyful noise unto The Lord, all ye lands.

Psalm 105:43 KJV

And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness:

Psalm 126:1-6 KJV

1 When The Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 132:9,16 KJV

9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

Psalm 144:15 KJV

"...Happy is that people, whose God is The Lord.

Psalm 149:2,5 NLT

2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.

5 Let the faithful rejoice that He honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.

Proverbs 14:21 KJV

"...he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Proverbs 16:20 KJV

"...whoso trusteth in The Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 28:14 KJV

""whoso trusteth in The Lord, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Isaiah 12:3 KJV

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 29:19 KJV

The meek also shall increase their joy in The Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in

The Holy One Of Israel.

Isaiah 35:10 KJV

And the ransomed of The Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 49:13 KJV

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for The Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted.

Isaiah 51:3,11 KJV

3 For The Lord shall comfort Zion (God's people): He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of The Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

11 Therefore the redeemed of The Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Isaiah 55:12 KJV

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 61:3,10 KJV

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

10 I will greatly rejoice in The Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

John 16:33 KJV

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 14:17 KJV

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in

The Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13 KJV

Now The God Of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of The Holy Ghost.

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.

Colossians 1:11-14 KJV

11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,

12 always thanking The Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in The Light.

13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His Dear Son,

14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

I Peter 1:7,8 KJV

7 "...the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1 John 1:4 KJV

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

Jude 1:24,25 KJV

24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before

The Presence Of His Glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

• Salvation Prayer