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The Lord’s Prayer

When Jesus’ Disciples asked, Jesus taught them to pray like this. See Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

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The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus
Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was
buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father
Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in
the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

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Wake Up Sardis: A Call to Spiritual Awareness

Message to Sardis: Revelations 3:1-6

“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Sardis write:

“These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:

  • ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. 
  • Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die;
    • for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. 
  • So, remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. 
  • So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 
  • But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white,
    • because they are worthy (righteous). 
  • He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]. 
  • He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Some History about Sardis

  • It is in modern Sart, Turkey.
  • In Roman times, was a wealthy city known for the manufacture and dyeing of woolen fabric and carpets.
  • Originally, it was the capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and was the first city to mint coinage (600 b.c.).
  • A stream that flowed through its marketplace carried gold dust from a nearby mountain.
  • King Croesus of Lydia (560-546 b.c.) financed the building of the great Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (550 b.c.).
  • The city was conquered twice, under Cyrus the Great and under Antiochus, due to lack of adequate watchfulness.
  • The chief idol deity was the goddess Artemis.
    • Artemis was worshipped as the mother goddess.
  • Sardis was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD. It was later rebuilt.

This city was known for its lack of watchfulness. It was conquered not once, but twice for the same reason. In the letter sent to the church, Jesus is telling them to wake up and pay attention. They think that they are good, but destruction is just around the corner, spiritually speaking. Most are already dead spiritually, some are just before dying spiritually, and a few are righteous. However, according to their reputation they are alive and doing well. This is similar what Jesus was trying to say to the pharisees.

  • Matthew 23:27
    • “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

Don’t be self-righteous. Instead, remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. 

Remember that spiritual deadness is the same as if you are not saved. To be saved means to be alive spiritually. Take a good hard look at yourself. Remember that if you judge yourself, God doesn’t have to.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 amp
    • But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly [recognizing our shortcomings and correcting our behavior], we would not be judged. 
    • But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined [by undergoing His correction] so that we will not be condemned [to eternal punishment] along with the world.
Understanding the Seven Churches of Revelation

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From Creation to the Fall of Man

In the Beginning- the creation 4004 BC

 Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Adam & Eve and the Fall 4004 BC

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Unlocking the Wisdom of Psalms for Bible Study

The book of Psalms is a great resource for learning the Bible. We are commanded to read and use it for teaching.

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Hebrew name for the book of Psalms is Tehillim, meaning “songs of praise,” with individual psalms called Mizmorim, such as Mizmor Aleph (Psalm 1), Mizmor Bet (Psalm 2), and so forth. The Psalms have long served as the Bible’s prayer book. Traditionally, Tehillim is divided into five books, mirroring the five books of the Torah. Just as Moses gave Israel the Torah, David gave the Psalms—“Moses gave the path, but David gave directions.” In the Hebrew Bible, the Psalms are part of the wisdom literature within the Ketuvim (“Writings”). Each of the first four books concludes with a doxology (a usually liturgical expression of praise to God). Psalm 150 serves as a doxology for the fifth book and an appropriate conclusion to the entire Psalter.

Here is some Bible Studies from the book of Psalms.

  • The Significance of Psalms: Themes and Lessons: This outlines the major themes from the book of Psalms.
  • Unveiling the Armor of God in the Old Testament: The Armor of God, detailed in Ephesians 6:11-18, is also referenced in the Old Testament, emphasizing truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation as spiritual protections against evil.
  • The Lord’s Prayer from Psalms: The Lord’s Prayer concepts resonate throughout Psalms, emphasizing God’s glory, kingdom, provision, forgiveness, and salvation. Key verses reflect these themes, illustrating the spiritual connection between the texts.
  • Essential Elements for Meaningful Worship: Worship requires preparation and order, emphasizing sincerity and truth. Key elements include gathering, praise, confession, and prayer, with guidance from Psalms to facilitate a meaningful experience.

The 5 Books of Psalms

  • The Genesis Book concerning man: Psalms 1-41
    • All 41 of these psalms are ascribed to King David.
    • Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, and 37 have acrostic elements.
    • The Righteous vs. The Ungodly: Insights from Psalm 1 (coming soon)
    • The Prophecy of the Anointed One in Psalm 2 (coming soon)
  • The Exodus Book Concerning Israel as a Nation: Psalms 42-72
    • Of the 31 psalms in this section,
      • David wrote 18
      • Solomon wrote 1 (Psalm 72)
      • The rest were written by Korach (or anonymously):
  • The Leviticus Book Concerning the Sanctuary: Psalms 73-89
    • Of the 17 psalms in this section
      • Asaph appears to have written most of them
      • David wrote Psalm 86
      • Heman the Ezraite wrote Psalm 88
      • Ethan the Ezraite wrote the 89th:
  • The Numbers Book concerning Israel and the Nation: Psalms 90-106
    • Of the 17 psalms in this section
      • Psalm 90 is ascribed to Moses
      • Psalms 101 and 103 are ascribed to David:
  • The Deutronomy Book concerning God and His Word: Psalms 107-150
    • Of the 44 psalms in this section
      • 15 are ascribed to David
      • one (Psalm 127) to Solomon
      • the rest are anonymous.
    • The Hallel: (Hebrew: הַלֵּל, ‘Praise’) is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118 which is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays as an act of praise and thanksgiving.
      • It is recited during the three festivals of Pesach (Passover), Shavu’ot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles).
      • The Hallel is also recited at Rosh Chodesh (the new moon) and during the eight days of Hanukkah.
      • Psalm 136 is generally called “the great Hallel.”
  • Psalms 120-134 are referred to as “Songs of Degrees” or the Psalms of Ascent.
    • Exploring the Four Meanings of the Psalms of Ascent: The Psalms of Ascent (120-134), also called Pilgrim Psalms, reflect different themes such as distress, security, and unity, sung during journeys to Jerusalem, highlighting both physical and spiritual ascent.
  • Acrostic Psalms:
    • Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, with each set of 8 pesukim (verses) beginning with one of the 22 Hebrew letters.
      • Other psalms that have alphabetical arrangements are Psalm 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, and 145.

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The Lord’s Prayer from Psalms

All parts of The Lord’s Prayer can be found in the book of Psalms. Most are not written according to exactly how it is written in Matthew, but the ideas are there.

Matthew 6:9-13

  • After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  • Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Give us this day our daily bread.
  • And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  • And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Now from the Book of Psalms

  • Hallowed be your Name.
    • Psalms 115:1 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
    • Psalms 145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
  • Your Kingdom come
    • Psalms 47
      • O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
      • For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
      • He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
      • He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
      • God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
      • Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
      • For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
      • God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
      • The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
    • Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
      • Psalms 103:19-22
        •  The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
        • Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
        • Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
        • Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
    • Give us this day our Daily Bread
      • Psalms 34:10
        • The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
      • Psalms 10413:15
        • He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
        • He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
        • And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
      • Psalms 146
        • Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
        • Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
        • Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
      • Psalm 37:25-26
        • I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
        • He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
    • forgive us our Sins as we forgive others
      • Psalms 51:7-14
        • Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
        • Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
        • Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
        • Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
        • Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
        • Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
        • Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
        • Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
    • Save us from our time of trial (deliver us from evil)
      • Psalms 62:5-8
        • My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
        • He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
        • In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
        • Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
    • The Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
      • Psalms 145:11
        • They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
      • Psalms 103:19
        • The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
      • Psalms 145:13
        • Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

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Essential Elements for Meaningful Worship

When you want to worship you need to have certain elements or parts to the worship service. There should order to worship. Remember that God said that everything should be done in decency and in order. Worship can occur anywhere. Jesus made this clear when he answered the woman at the well.

John 4:21-24

  • Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
  • Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
  • But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
  • God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The following is just a guide taken from various scriptures in the book of Psalms. Remember that Psalms was written for use in the temple of God. Also, the New Testament says:

  • Ephesians 5:19
    • Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
  • Colossians 3:16
    • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Worship Elements

  1. Preparation for Worship: prepare your heart and mind for worship
    • Psalms 15
      • Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
      • He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
      • He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
      • In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
      • He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
    • Psalms 24:3-5
      • Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
      • He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
      • He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
    • This two Psalms are talking about the presence of God. Those who are not right with God, must repent before they can come fully into the presence of God.
  2. Gathering – Coming together
    • Psalms 43:3-4
      • O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
      • 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.
    • Psalms 100:4
      • Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
  3. Call to Worship
    • Psalms 150:1-6
      • Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
      • Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
      • Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
      • Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
      • Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
      • Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
  4. Praise & Adoration
    • Psalms 146:1-2
      • Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
      • While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
    • Ps 149:1
      • Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
  5. Call to Confession
    • Psalms 32:5-6
      • I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
      • For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
    • Psalms 79:8-9
      • O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
      • Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.
    • Psalms 27:7-9
      •  Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
      • When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
      • Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
    • Psalms 51:9-12
      • Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
      • Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
      • Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
      • Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
    • Assurance of forgiveness
      • Psalms 86:4-7
        • Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
        • For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
        • Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
        • In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
      • Psalms 103:1-4
        • Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
        • Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
        • Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
        • Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
  6. Testimony
    • Psalms 30:11-12
      • Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
      • To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.
    • Psalms 107:1-2
      • O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
  7. Prayer for illumination / Guidance
    • Psalms 25:4-5
      • Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
      • Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
    • Psalms 43:3-4
      • O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
      • 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.
    • Psalms 95:6-7
      •  O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
      • 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,
    • Psalms 119:105
      • Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
        • Everything must be looked at in light of Word of God.
  8. Offering
    • Psalms 50:14
      • Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
    • Psalms 51:16:17
      • For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
      • The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
  9. Lord’s Supper
    • Table prepared
      • Psalms 23:5
        • Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
    • Cup
      • Psalms 116:13
        • I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
  10. Thanksgiving after the Lord’s Supper
    • PS 103:1-5
      •  Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
      • Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
      • Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
      • Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
      • Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
  11. Baptism (there may not be a Baptism every time)
    • Psalms 51:2
      • Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
    • Psalms 51:7
      • Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

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Ehud: A Bible Hero’s Journey

Ehud was born around 1318 BC and around died 1217 BC. He was the second judge of Israel. He rose after Israel had fallen into sin.

Judges 3:12-14

  • Now the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, since they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 
  • And Eglon gathered to him the sons of Ammon and Amalek, and went and struck down Israel [in defeat], and they took possession of the City of Palm Trees (Jericho). 
  • And the Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.

Ehud Rescues Israel from Moab
 Judges 3:15

  • But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord [for help], the Lord raised up a man to rescue them, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the Israelites sent a gift of tribute by him to Eglon king of Moab. 

From this verse we learn a few things about Ehud.

  • Ehud was the son of Gera.
  • Ehud was from the tribe of Benjamin.
  • Ehud was left-handed.

What Ehud did as recorded in Judges 3:16-30

  • Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long.
  • He strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes and brought the tribute to King Eglon of Moab, who was an extremely fat man. 
  • When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he dismissed the people who had carried it. 
  • At the carved images near Gilgal he returned and said, “King Eglon, I have a secret message for you.”
    • The king said, “Silence!” and all his attendants left him. 
  • Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in his upstairs room where it was cool. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you,” and the king stood up from his throne. 
  • Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. 
    • Even the handle went in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And the waste came out.
  • Ehud escaped by way of the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upstairs room behind him.
    • Ehud was gone when Eglon’s servants came in. They looked and found the doors of the upstairs room locked and thought he was relieving himself in the cool room. The servants waited until they became embarrassed and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upstairs room. So, they took the key and opened the doors—and there was their lord lying dead on the floor!
  • Ehud escaped while the servants waited. He passed the Jordan near the carved images and reached Seirah. 
  • After he arrived, he sounded the ram’s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hill country, and he became their leader. 
  • He told them, “Follow me, because the Lord has handed over your enemies, the Moabites, to you.” So, they followed him, captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over. 
    • At that time, they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all stout and able-bodied men. Not one of them escaped.  Moab became subject to Israel that day, and the land had peace for eighty years.

According to Jewish tradition (not all Jewish tradition is good) remember what Jesus said about Jewish traditions:

  • Mark 7:13 You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things.

However, some of the traditions has more to do with history than the Law of God. This is the tradition that they have about family linage. Also, some parts of this tradition can be proven with scripture. I am adding all of it here because it brings up an interesting thought.

  • Zippor was the father of Balak
    • Numbers 22:2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 
  • Balak was the father of Eglon
  • Eglon was the father of Orpah & Ruth
    • Ruth & Orpah was the daughter-n-law of Naomi
    • Orpah stayed in Moab
    • Ruth went with Naomi
  • Orpah married again and had children
    • Goliath
    • Saph
    • Lahmi
    • Ishbibenob
  • Ruth married Boaz and had a child Obed
    • Ruth 4:21-22
      • Salmon fathered Boaz,
      • Boaz fathered Obed,
      • Obed fathered Jesse,
      • and Jesse fathered David.
  • David killed Goliath
    • 1 Samuel 17: 49-51
      • David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown to the ground. 
      • David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone. David overpowered the Philistine and killed him without having a sword. 
      • David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword, pulled it from its sheath, and used it to kill him. Then he cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled.
    • 1 Samuel 17:54
      • David took Goliath’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.

Notes: If this Goliath was the same Goliath as Orpah’s son, then Goliath had to be at least 120 years old. If the tradition about Orpah having a son named Goliath is true, then 1 of 3 possibilities happened:

  1. The Goliah that David killed was really a descendant of Orpah’s son who was named after Orpah’s son.
  2. Goliah had superhuman abilities because of his father being a fallen angel that allowed him to have incredibly long life.
  3. This Goliath was a totally different Goliath with no direct connection to Orpah.

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The Importance of Knowing Your Christian Faith

It is important to know what you believe and why you believe it. If you don’t know why you believe what you believe, it is impossible to give an answer about what you believe.

  • 2 Timothy 4:2 (amp)
    • preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. 
  • 1 Peter 3:15
    • But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. 

Here are some important Christian Beliefs with an explanation for the belief. More will be added soon. If you have a genuine question about a Christian Belief, leave the question in the comments. I will write an answer and post it as soon as possible.

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The Significance of Jesus’ Blood for Salvation

Why Did Jesus have to died? Why is the blood of Jesus so important?

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. He created the animals and the plants. He then created man.

  • Genesis 2:15-17
    • So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. 
    • And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely (unconditionally) eat [the fruit] from every tree of the garden; 
    • but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly die [because of your disobedience].”

Later Adam and Eve disobeyed.

  • Genesis 3:6-7
    • And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. 
    • Then the eyes of the two of them were opened [that is, their awareness increased], and they knew that they were naked; and they fastened fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

The wages or consequences of sin is death.

  •  Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The life is in the blood.

  • Genesis 9:3-5
    • Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; I give you everything, as I gave you the green plants and vegetables. 
    • But you shall not eat meat along with its life, that is, its blood. 
    • For your lifeblood I will most certainly require an accounting; from every animal [that kills a person] I will require it. And from man, from every man’s brother [that is, anyone who murders] I will require the life of man.

Our blood started dying when Adam sinned. Look back at Genesis 2:17. The phrase “certainly die” refers to both spiritually and physically, physical death in the sense of becoming mortal; they were created immortal. Jesus’ blood is still pure. We needed a blood transfusion. Our blood was corrupted.

The blood of animals was only a temporary solution.

  • Hebrews 9:12-14
    • He went once for all into the Holy Place [the Holy of Holies of heaven, into the presence of God], and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, having obtained and secured eternal redemption [that is, the salvation of all who personally believe in Him as Savior]. 
    • For if the sprinkling of [ceremonially] defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a [burnt] heifer is sufficient for the cleansing of the body, 
    • how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God?

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

  • Hebrews 9:22
    •  In fact under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].

Jesus died and shed His blood once for all.

  • Romans 5:12-14
    • Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned. 
    • Sin was [committed] in the world before the Law [was given], but sin is not charged [against anyone] when there is no law [against it]. Yet death ruled [over mankind] from Adam to Moses [the Lawgiver], even over those who had not sinned as Adam did. Adam is a type of Him (Christ) who was to come [but in reverse—Adam brought destruction, Christ brought salvation].

Jesus died in our place. His blood now covers us so that we can have forgiveness of sin. That forgiveness is our cancellation of the punishment that would be our wages or just reward.

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